Some interesting records from the Masai Mara N.R. June 11th -17th:
Pink-back Pelican 1 flying 12th.
Madagascar Squacco Herons: 2 near Musiara airstrip pool.
Rufous-bellied Herons: 2 individuals carrying sticks into thick bushes at Musiara Marsh.
Saddle-billed Storks: 3 different nests with adults standing on them, all in the Musiara area.
Grey Crowned Cranes:. On June 10th several guests and driver/guides reported a large number of Cranes. Various estimates of 120 to 150! Several experienced driver/guides reported they had never seen so many before. On the following days there was certainly quite a number of Cranes in the area.
Pair with 2 small chicks 16th Musiara Marsh.
Horus Swifts: Several small groups along the Mara River.
Spur-winged and Wattled Plovers: Very common, even away from water. Strangely, I did not see a single Crowned Plover. This may have been due to the fact that the grass was long. They probably all migrate to the Masai areas at this time of the year. At least 2 very large herds of cattle well into the Reserve. At one point, near the Reserve boundary, I counted (with binoculars)10 herds and each herd was 100+.
Heronry at Little Governors’ Camp: Still very active.
Long-tailed Cormorant: 1 pair sitting on nest.
Black-crowned Night Herons: Several sitting on nests and a number of juveniles seen.
Black-headed Herons: Several sitting on nests and many juveniles of various ages.
Sacred Ibis: Several sitting on nests and many juveniles of various ages.
Dave Richards FRPS
PO Box 24545
Karen 00502
Nairobi
Kenya
+254 0713236363/0734211620