First of all a small correction to the waterbird list sent earlier. The Fulvous Whistling Ducks are about a quarter less numerous than the White-faced Whistling Ducks, not the other way around. They also seem to have a preference for the wettest parts of the Delta.

A Wahlberg’s Eagle was seen at Lango la Simba on 3 July, together with a few Bateleur Eagles. Over the next few days, Bateleur Eagles, including immature birds were seen in various places, in total a dozen or so. One very large brown eagle was seen in the central delta, being mobbed by lapwings, logically Tawny Eagle in this season.

Groups of Vulterine Guineafowl were numerous along the Malindi-Garsen road.  Black Crake, African Jacana, Water Thick-knee, Spur-winged Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Pied Kingfisher, Grey-headed Kingfisher and Malachite Kingfisher numerous along all delta branches. A few Saunder’s Terns were fishing in the central Delta (no skimmers seen which is exceptional). A big flock of Fan-tailed Widowbirds around Chalaluma.

Occasional Senegal Lapwing, Black-headed Lapwings, Black-faced Sandgrouse, White-browed Coucals, Lilac-breasted Rollers, some worn plumage Northern Carmine Bee-eaters, Von der Decken’s Hornbills, Golden-breasted Starlings, Red-billed Buffalo Weavers along the roads and tracks. Very common are Northern White-crowned Shrikes, Rüppell’s Long-tailed Starling and White-headed Buffalo Weavers.

African wood Owl was heard in Onkolde forest, Square-tailed Drongo, Greater Honeyguide and Ashy Flycatcher seen there (in early May also Bat Hawk and Ayres’s Hawk Eagle but not this time). Quite a few Mangrove Kingfishers far upstream and in the forest patches. Close to Kipini just a few Madagascar bee-eaters (much less than in May) and some Mosque Swallows.

In the riverine forest of course Trumpeter Hornbills and mixed flocks with Narina Trogon, Common Scimitarbill, Lesser Honeyguide, Nubian Woodpecker, Paradise Flycatcher (several all white), Little Yellow Flycatcher, Olive Sunbird, Collared Sunbird, Black-bellied Starling and Dark-backed Weaver. Not in the groups Black-throated Wattle-Eye and Black-backed Puffback.

A bunch of Scaly Babblers was seen in the rapidly thinning forest strip adjacent to the TDIP at Kulesa.

In May Retz’s Helmet Shrike was seen in the mangrove close to Kipini and also along the Witu Kipini road, Fisher’s Starling North of Garsen and Grosbeak weaver close to Ozi. Not this time.