From: Don Reid <donreid@africaonline.co.ke>
Date: 2012-03-27 10:04
Subject: Mombasa Bird Walk
Dear Birders,
Bird walk on Sat March 17th to Central Quarry,
Lafarge property, Bamburi.
Among the many water birds seen were a number
of Black Herons. This bird used to be here on a regualr basis but has been
absent for a long time. It now seems to be back! We saw at least 5,
only one doing its 'umbrella' fishing. African Darter has also adopted
this as a breeding site. Only 2 adults on Sat. but in Dec, nests with
juveniles. Other birds of interest: Palm Nut Vulture, Great Sparrowhawk,
Common Squacco Heron, Purple Heron and a flock of Open Billed Storks (a new
arrival at this site) coming in at sunset to roost. As someone recently
commented on Birdsnet 'it is sometimes more interesting to speculate on what one
doesn't see'! Regulars: Purple Swamphen, Alan's Gallinule, White
Faced Tree Ducks, Water Thicknees seem to have moved out. Presumably to
better pastures or maybe the odd crocodile in the lake terrorised them!
The old bird hide is now renovated which is useful
but there still needs some thinning of the reeds to give a better view of
the lake.
Eurasian Golden Orioles are now passing through
Tudor and the Palm Nut Vulture is still flying around, running the gauntlet of
the Indian House Crows most mornings. Sadly the resident African Wood Owls
have disappeared!
Marlene Reid (Mombasa)