Hi All,
I am currently based at Angama Mara which is located on the Oloololo Escarpment above the Mara Triangle, not far south of Mara West Camp and the Sabaringo Valley, for 2 months from 5th March. The facility is split into two camps, 'North' and 'South' and I'll use these occasionally to offer a better idea of where to look for birds for the benefit of any future visitors. As I am based in the North Camp, all reports refer to this unless South Camp or in the Mara Triangle (MT) is stated.
Common/ frequently seenn residents in the camp include Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Spot-flanked and albicauda White-headed Barbets, Red-winged Starling, Chinspot Batis, Brown-throated Wattle-eye.
Here are some records from the past few days;
5th March (PM)
At camp fire-pit (overlooking escarpment); Greater and Lesser Honeyguides both heard in the savanna below (MT). 1 ad Martial Eagle
Wooded valley on the south edge of facility; 1 Thick-billed Honeyguide (seen and heard), 1 Grey Cuckoo-shrike, 2 Black Cuckoo-shrikes.
6th March
At camp fire-pit (AM), a pair of Pallid Honeyguides in the Rock Figs, at eye-level.
Around escarpment; 1 Steppe Buzzard, 1 Verreaux's Eagle, 2 African Harrier-hawk.
7th March
At 'Out of Africa' kopje (adjacent to South Camp), a Red-throated Wryneck and several Rock-loving Cisticola were heard.
8th March
A quick trip to Sala's Camp in the National Reserve. Close to South Mara Bridge, a pair of African Hawk Eagle were the highlight. No sign of Black-backed Cisticolas in the MT yet but now that the rains have arrived here, I'm hoping they'll be putting on a show soon.
At camp fire-pit at dusk; 1 Freckled Nightjar, 1 Montane Nightjar (both seen well and heard)
9th March
Superb raptor passage over camp/ escarpment for c.25 minutes around 10am consisted of; 66 Steppe Buzzard, 6 Steppe Eagle, 1 Lesser Spotted Eagle, 1 Western Marsh Harrier. Also in the air were local raptors including 1 Verreaux's Eagle, 2 Black-chested Snake-eagle and 1 African Harrier-hawk.
About 20 minutes later (10.30am) this movement was followed by 4-5,000 Abdim's Stork which formed several huge 'kettles' of rising birds that eventually glided north.
In camp; Tambourine Dove (a fine female) and a Pallid Honeyguide seen well from the fire-pit area.
I'll endeavour to send weekly updates from here.
Also, further to Brian's write-up of our superb visit to Kakamega, please find attached an image of one of the Turner's Eremomela that we saw at South Nandi.
