Thanks James,
The first was a really early bird in NNP 9th Oct, and I have had two
here. The only warblers so far have been Willow, Garden, Blackcap,
Whitethroat and our Olive Tree, so plenty more warblers yet!
Best
for now
Brian

On 11/7/16, James Bradley <jalopyjamo@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Brian and All, not sure if Greater Whitethroat has been reported yet
> this autumn but Simon Carter and I found a single bird in Lower Kabete
> today. Also a Red-tailed Shrike showing nice contrast between rufous crown
> and pale sandy mantle.
>
> Cheers, James
>
> On Nov 7, 2016 1:39 AM, "Brian Finch birdfinch@gmail.com [kenyabirdsnet]" <
> kenyabirdsnet-noreply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Dear All,
>> Continuing the migrant watch report, this morning (4th) was gloomy and
>> still no rain. It was also cool and birds were not eager to move much.
>> There was a small passage of Common Swifts but White-rumped are
>> actually increasing and hanging around old nest sites, a dozen
>> Eurasian Bee-eaters were in the area, a Eurasian Golden Oriole was
>> heading south, a House Martin going north, eight or so Willow Warblers
>> and two Blackcaps (both males). The only other migrant was a Spotted
>> Flycatcher.
>> At 9.30am James Bradley came around and we returned to the paddock. He
>> came at the right time as a Long-legged Buzzard was heading south
>> directly overhead but apart from unseen calling Yellow Wagtails there
>> were no other migrant additions.
>>
>> We then went down to the Icross Road (Elangata Wuas Rd) just a little
>> way down the Magadi Road and spent the rest of the day in that area.
>> Migrants were a group of seven Common Buzzards coming in to find a
>> roosting place, a hepatic Eurasian Cuckoo, a dozen Eurasian Bee-eaters
>> along the wires, a Red-tailed Shrike sp (only seen in flight so not
>> identified), a male Red-backed Shrike, a scattering of Barn Swallows
>> but no major passage, the only migrant warbler seen there was a
>> stunning Olive Tree that initially stayed in the depths of an Acacia
>> mellifera, but eventually gave itself up and provided excellent open
>> views, four Eurasian Rock Thrush, over a dozen Northern and three Pied
>> Wheatears and four Spotted Flycatchers.
>>
>> The 5th was quite gloomy and cool when I took my position in the
>> paddock shortly after 6.00am. It would be true to say that all day
>> there was not one instance of any positive visual migration and the
>> following species were probably all birds that arrived previously. The
>> migrant raptors were just soaring around low over the trees rather
>> than making a direct passage overhead. In the morning there was a
>> Black Stork with undercarriage down for a landing into NNP, the
>> peculiar sight of eight Ruff heading for NNP, a female-plumaged
>> Montagu’s/Pallid Harrier more likely the former on structure, a few
>> Common Swifts and Barn Swallows, a few Eurasian Bee-eaters, eight
>> Willow Warblers, two Blackcaps and a Garden Warbler and the usual two
>> Spotted Flycatchers plus three Tree Pipits and additionally in the
>> afternoon two Common Buzzards both pale and one with a very rusty
>> tail, a pale Booted Eagle, two Eurasian Hobbys and a Eurasian Golden
>> Oriole.
>>
>> Another strange sight mid-morning was a heron that arrived from the
>> west, that dropped from a great height then circled over the garden
>> flapping all the time, no heron can soar they all have to flap to stay
>> airborne but can glide with wings bowed downwards when losing
>> altitude, this is strange because they have such a large wing area.
>> Storks that are similarly built are able to soar for long periods. The
>> bird was an immature Purple Heron, possibly this was a palearctic
>> arrival some should be crossing the sahara. As with most birds it flew
>> off low towards NNP.
>>
>> Morning of 6th was clammy chilly and overcast but soon brightened up,
>> but accompanied with a gusty wind. There was some movement at 6.45am
>> when parties of Swifts came over quite low. They were in groups of up
>> to fifty flying completely direct, and whilst in dense rotund clusters
>> each individual skilfully maintained the same distance from all its
>> neighbours. There were two species involved, the grating screams
>> easily identified African Black from all other larger swifts, but the
>> second species was silent, and were all of the entire flock and were
>> of the returning Pallid-like birds for this season. They were not much
>> above eye-level and all uniform buff-grey above. One day the species
>> will make the Kenya list!
>> Three Tree Pipits circling, four House Martins heading NW and a single
>> Barn Swallow heading to NNP were the only moving palearctics apart
>> from the swifts. Whilst in the bushes were a few Willow Warblers and
>> the currently resident Spotted Flycatcher.
>> After returning from breakfast for a short while it was still quite
>> quiet, a Green Sandpiper flew over towards NNP, a fairly dark Common
>> Buzzard and a pale Booted Eagle were patrolling the valley, there were
>> a few more Barn Swallows and just before dusk the days only Eurasian
>> Hobby.
>>
>> Best to all
>> Brian
>>
>>
>