Bird observations Meru National Park [7 – 8 April 2012] including Ikweta Safari Camp
Birders: Alan King, Bee & Sukhy Soin, Peter Usher, Wendy Ayres and Catherine Ngarachu
Meru National Park was still largely dry, with tall yellow grass and bare areas of brown soil (where we had good views of Black-faced Sandgrouse). But even so, the yellow grass was beautiful and it was wonderful to enjoy views of the Nyambene Hills, a landscape dotted with acacias and doum palms, numerous streams and the odd green swampy area – without the bustle of parks on more popular routes.
Most conspicuous were the abundant Yellow-necked Spurfowl, which seemed to seek out mounds on the sides of the tracks, to show themselves off. It would be a challenge to say which was the star bird – perhaps the Eurasian Roller, which you couldn’t miss in number and brilliant cyan, or the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, which may have been a lifer for a number of us, or perhaps it was the highly localised Black-bellied Sunbird, which at the time we thought was a Shining, but now confirmed from a photo by Peter Usher. Sadly our two nightjars – Eurasian Nightjar and Dusky Nightjar, were both road-kill. Would have been nice to identify the wood Hoopoe, they were just a little too far, in acacias across the Rhino sanctuary fence.
We stayed at the new Ikweta Safari Camp, which is 2 km outside the Murera gate. Run by John and Susan Nkinyangi, the spacious canvas tents are to be recommended (and the swimming pool well appreciated!).
Here below enjoy our list,
Catherine Ngarachu
(IK) indicated when seen at the Ikweta Safari Camp
Ostrich
Helmeted Guineafowl
Yellow-necked Spurfowl (numerous)
Saddle-billed Stork
Hadada Ibis (IK)
Cattle Egret
Black-headed Heron
Hamerkop
Eurasian Hobby
Lanner Falcon
Secretary Bird
African Black-shouldered Kite
African White-backed Vulture
African Harrier Hawk
Eastern Chanting Goshawk
Bateleur
Pallid Harrier
Tawny Eagle
Martial Eagle
Grey Crowned Cranes
Blacksmith Plover
Crowned Plover
Common Sandpiper
Marsh Sandpiper
Black-faced Sandgrouse
Speckled Pigeon
Laughing Dove
Ring necked Dove
Red-eyed Dove
Emerald-spotted Wood Dove
Namaqua Dove
White-bellied Go-away Bird
White-browed Coucal (IK)
Eurasian Nightjar
Dusky Nightjar
African Palm Swift
Little Swift
Speckled Mousebird (IK)
Lilac-breasted Roller
Eurasian Roller (numerous)
Grey-headed Kingfisher
Striped Kingfisher
White-throated Bee-eater
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (gorgeous!)
African Grey Hornbill
Red-billed Hornbill
Von der Decken’s Hornbill
Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill
Red-backed Shrike
Grey-backed Shrike (plenty)
Long-tailed Fiscal
Common Fiscal
Black-headed Oriole
Common Drongo
Pied Crow
Wire-tailed Swallow (IK)
Lesser Striped Swallow
Red-winged Lark
Common Bulbul (IK)
Rufous Chatterer (IK)
Greater Blue-eared Starling
Superb Starling
Yellow-billed Oxpecker
Common Rock Thrush
Hunter’s Sunbird (IK & MNP)
Black-bellied Sunbird (IK & MNP)
House Sparrow
Grey-headed Sparrow
White-billed Buffalo Weaver
Red-billed Buffalo Weaver
Red-headed Weaver
Red-billed Quelea
Cut-throat Finch (IK)
African Pied Wagtail
African Citril
Reichnow’s Seedeater (previously Yellow-rumped)