Re: [KENYABIRDSNET] White faced scops owl and barn swallows

I would liked to add a record to this string about what is now called the Northern White-faced Owl (Ptilopsis leucotis).

On July 4th, 2013, my wife (Annie Cross) and I were birding in Meru National Park with our guide, Philip Ndungu Mukuhi, when Philip peered into the shadowy branches of a tree and got very excited: his first ever Northern White-faced Owl in Meru National Park. In fact he was quite certain that it had not been recorded in the park before. He was very familiar with the bird from his time spent in Baringo. We enjoyed our time with Philip and saw many wonderful birds. Our accommodations at Elsa's Kopje can only be described as spectacular.

Best regards,

Alan Johnston

Kensington, Maryland, USA

On Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 4:07:15 AM EDT, Kieran Avery ruabora@yahoo.co.uk [kenyabirdsnet] <kenyabirdsnet-noreply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Hi all

On a recent trip to Kalama community conservancy (just north of Samburu National Reserve) we had a very vocal white faced scops owl roosting in the tree above camp - photos attached. The bird was roosting in an old nest. I have only ever seen this species once before on the Wamba road. That area is very productive for owl viewing - I have seen pearl spotted, African scops and verreaux eagle owl on all of my recent visits!

Also to note is that the first barn swallows have arrived around Lolomarik, Timau, these past 2 weeks.

Regards

Kieran Avery

Sent from my iPhone