From: george kamau <jorgekam2004@yahoo.com>
Date: 2013-01-15 01:15
Subject: Thika oxidation ponds

Hello Birders.

Last Saturday 12th decided to go Thika Sewage oxidation pond by Public van where by i had to connect  through a number of matatus to the nearest area (Kiganjo stage) then from there i took a motorbike to the ponds.

When i arrived there at around 10.00 am i had to alert management in particular the security at the gate for i didn't go through the Sewage department at Thika town. His name was Mr. Njoroge Cell; 0723 930 391.

 Started my walk at 10.15am where the cloud cover was about 40%, partly windy and sunny.

Finding: Northern Shoveler +20,Northern Pin tail +6 males for i could not be able to positively tell females them from those of Garganey,  Garganey  males +2 ,Southern Pochards +18, Kittlitz's Plover +3, Long toed Lapwing +2, Knob-billed Duck +1 and the birds which dominated in the area were the Red-billed Teal +150, little stint 500+, Black-winged slilt 60+, Ruff's 120+,Little grebe +50, Spur-winged Plover +47 plus other bird that i have not listed here.

Wondering about if  there is any record from this area of Caspian plover , For what i saw  had a supercilium stripe, brown breast band, but with a kind of pointed wings. To me, from the guide book it looked like non-breeding Caspian plover. Any help for this will be highly appreciated.

Wishing you all a happy and lucky birding.

George.