Re: [KENYABIRDSNET] RECENT VERY BRIEF TRIP TO OL DONYIO OROK

Dear All,

I am still waiting for someone who may know which this bird is to share. I have been seeing them in Nyeri along the valleys of Chania and Honi Rivers.

Regards,

Kingori

On Tuesday, October 4, 2016 8:01 PM, "Leon Bennun bennunla@yahoo.co.uk [kenyabirdsnet]" <kenyabirdsnet-noreply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Hi Brian

Thanks for this very interesting report from Ol Doinyo Orok.

The Scopus article from our 1986 expedition can be found here - http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/42116318#page/293/mode/1up – page 83. The two illadopses were in fact photographed and the photos (colour prints) and biometric data are in the NMK Ornithology Department – though I don’t know how easy they would be to locate now!

As James notes there have been some surveys recently but still probably lots to find out – hope your report encourages further work on this forest island.

All the best

Leon

Leon Bennun

From: "James Bradley jalopyjamo@gmail.com [kenyabirdsnet]" <kenyabirdsnet-noreply@yahoogroups.com>
To: Brian Finch <birdfinch@gmail.com>
Cc: kenyabirdsnet <kenyabirdsnet@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, 4 October 2016, 15:05
Subject: Re: [KENYABIRDSNET] RECENT VERY BRIEF TRIP TO OL DONYIO OROK – NAMANGA

Hi Brian,

Nice report from Ol Donyo Orok. Certainly an interesting sounding place and who knows what might be in the very high forest. There have been a few trips to this mountain now, and there is a very good NMK report at the link below for those who haven't seen it.

https://www.africanbirdclub.org/sites/default/files/Kenya_Namanga_Hills_2006_0.pdf

Best Wishes,

James

On 4 October 2016 at 03:54, Brian Finch birdfinch@gmail.com [kenyabirdsnet] <kenyabirdsnet-noreply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

RECENT VERY BRIEF TRIP TO OL DONYIO OROK – NAMANGA.

14th-16th August 2016

It’s over thirty years since Leon Bennun had an expedition to look at
the avifauna on Ol Donyio Orok (ODO). Fleur Ng’Weno was part of this
investigation. They found some interesting records, but unfortunately
I don’t have a copy of their findings. What I am aware of is that they
trapped an Illadopsis which was released but sadly no photographs
taken. By its distribution it was possibly the only Kenya record of
the eastern form of Pale-breasted Illadopsis now considered a species
apart. It appears that in spite of being an obvious isolated mountain
and next to Namanga, no one had ever since visited the area and
reported the birds that they found.

From the original findings of Bennun et al., some records first made
their way into distributional data through Zimmermann & Turner (Z&T),
but publications predating this (Britton (B) and Lewis&Pomeroy (L))
had no records from the area, although Britton did include records
from Longido a short distance away on the Tanzanian side.

It has been interesting to compare our findings with the historical
records or absence of, and have a better understanding of the avifauna
on this very interesting and isolated mountain.

Rupert Watson wanted to go down and see Beesley’s Lark on the Olsugut
Plain just south of the border in Tanzania, and asked if I would like
to join him. I was interested especially when he also suggested basing
ourselves at the Namanga River Lodge and exploring the area. I had
long wanted to visit this mountain as its potential for providing some
surprise finds was substantial.

After our successful sortie to see the larks, we spent the next two
days on the mountain. It must be added here that to reach the high
forest will require a major expedition, but we did manage to reach
forest in two locations firstly an hours walk (very slow) to the
freshwater source for Namanga (N) behind the lodge, and secondly a two
hours slow walk up to the freshwater source for Maili Tisa (MT). The
remainder of our time was in the savannah scrub at the base of the
mountain which proved a rich area.

The more interesting findings of forest birds based on known/unknown
distribution in the area are as follows.

CROWNED EAGLE
Observed displaying over both forests
This species is unrecorded as occurring in ODO by B, L and Z&T and
represents a new locality record.

CINNAMON-BREASTED BEE-EATER
Four found at MT. Surprisingly this is a new distributional record,
with all three authors having the species no closer than Nairobi,
Chyulus or Arusha.

EASTERN HONEYBIRD
One at N.
Not recorded for ODO by B, L and Z&T and represents a range extension.

STRIPE-CHEEKED GREENBUL
Common and easily accessed in both forests. First found by Bennun et
al, but B and L both list the distribution as no closer than Taita and
Chyulu Hills.

YELLOW-WHISKERED GREENBUL
Recorded in both forests. Whilst listed in Z&T, presumably based on
the Bennun et al survey, both B and L show the bird in Kenya as no
closer than Nairobi.

ZANZIBAR SOMBRE GREENBUL
Unrecorded by all authors, although personally found in the grounds of
Ol Tukai in Amboseli. The species is widely spreading its range in
Kenya, however Z&T limit the closest records as Emali, B and L both
have birds no closer than Nairobi.

CABANIS’S GREENBUL
A party in MT. Z&T list the bird for ODO, presumably based on the
Bennun et al survey. Both L and B have the bird no closer than Nairobi
or Chyulus.

MBULU WHITE-EYE
Numerous in fruiting trees in MT. The bird is listed by all three authors.
The only other Kenyan location for this form is from the Chyulus.

RUPPELL’S ROBIN-CHAT
Found at both forests. Listed for ODO by both Z&T and B, but L shows
it no closer than Nairobi and Chyulus.

LITTLE ROCK THRUSH
Finding and photographing a bird in a mixed feeding party at N was a
surprise even more so because it was inside dense scrub. This
represents a new species for ODO. L lists the bird as occurring no
closer than Narok or Ngongs, but both Z&T and B note the species as
having been recorded on Longido in Tz.

ASHY FLYCATCHER
Appears resident in Namanga River Lodge grounds. This constitutes a
range extension for the region, though in view of the groundwater
forest-like habitat looks ideal for this species. Z&T have the bird as
occurring no closer than Machakos and Kibwezi, whilst B and L list
Nairobi.

OLIVE SUNBIRD
The most abundant sunbird in the grounds of Namanga River Lodge.
Listed for ODO by both Z&T and L, but B has it no closer than Chyulus.

MARICO SUNBIRD
In scrub on slopes of ODO, particularly in flowering Combretum mollis.
It is listed for ODO in L, but Z&T show the bird as occurring no
closer than Machakos.

AFRICAN FIREFINCH
A noisy pair coming to drink at a leaking pipe on the slopes behind
Namanga River Lodge, mixing with a few Yellow-bellied Waxbills. This
is shown for ODO by Lewis, but Z&T list it as no closer than Nairobi,
Chyulus and Arusha, whilst B only Central Highlands.

SOUTHERN CITRIL
Perhaps for Kenyan distribution, the most interesting record.
Presently known from populations in Ngurumans and Chyulus buth near
the Tz border. Birds were found and photographed in scrubby ground
near Namanga River Lodge. This now adds a third well spaced point of
distribution for the species in Kenya and all close to the Tz border.

NON-FOREST SPECIES

ORANGE-BELLIED PARROT
One in good savannah woodland, fifteen kilometres north of Maili Tisa
towards Bissel. Although unrecorded in this region, very many years
ago I found a pair in forest (that might no longer be there) at the
end of the Mersham Mine road on the edge of the plain forming Lake
Amboseli. All authors list the bird as no closer than Chyulus.

PINK-BREASTED LARK
Found and photographed in savannah woodland along the road from Maili
Tisa to the pipeline trail. On returning from Beesley’s Lark we also
found birds near the foot of Longido in Tz. Within Kenya Z&T show the
bird no closer than Tsavo West, but does list Longido in Tz. B has the
species no closer than Tsavo West, but does list Nairobi!!!!! L shows
in his map, the bird occurring in the Namanga region.

Best for now
Brian

--

James Bradley
Sidney, BC