#Chestnut-banded plover

[alonglistofbirds]

[2220/11080] Chestnut-banded plover - Charadrius pallidus

Note: Clements places this bird in the genus Anarhynchus.

Order: Charadriiformes Suborder: Charadrii Family: Charadriidae Subfamily: Charadriinae (plovers)

Photo credit: Yeray Seminario via Macaulay Library

[birdstudies]

February 9, 2019 - Chestnut-banded Plover or Chestnut-banded Sandplover (Charadrius pallidus)

These plovers are found in a patchy range in southern Africa, mostly around saline and alkaline wetlands and coastal habitats. Foraging at the edge of the water, they eat insects and small crustaceans. They build scrape nests in sand, dry mud, or salt crust and lay clutches of one to three eggs. Classified as Near Threatened, they are at risk from habitat degradation and human disturbance.

[a-disaster-piece]

Keeping with the #ploverlover theme for #PloverAppreciationDay…some silly "insider" knowledge of the #birdnerd world for #WaderWednesday: In the Americas, a 4-letter code is often used as shorthand for bird names. It's super helpful, & also quite hilarious when you pronounce the abbreviations, which is a common way to refer to the birds! (i.e. Turkey Vulture as TUVU/"too-voo," Peregrine Falcon as PEFA/"pee-fah,” etc.) With some of my favourite plovers, it’d be… 1️⃣ White-fronted Plover — WFPL, "whiff-pull" (my study species!) 2️⃣ Kittlitz's Plover — KIPL, "kip-pull" 3️⃣ Three-banded Plover — TBPL, "tibb-pull" 4️⃣ Chestnut-banded Plover — CBPL, "syb-pull" 5️⃣ Snowy Plover — SNPL, “snip-ull” Admittedly, none of them look particularly amused by this… 😹😹😹😹😹 What would yours be? #plovers #shorebirds #waders #charadrius #charadriiformes #conservation #ShareTheShores #KnowYourPlover #LoveAPlover #ThinkBeachBirds #scicomm #coast #beach #breedingbirds #research #awareness #environmentaleducation #feathers #birdsofsouthafrica #birds #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #naturephotography https://www.instagram.com/p/CFNjlJFA1Nj/?igshid=26deiwr2mpgm

[nunoxaviermoreira]

Chestnut banded Plover by elaiphoto https://flic.kr/p/2iz2Cr5

[petnews2day]

Nature Calls: Elmley marshes has exotic looking birds and owls

New Post has been published on https://petnews2day.com/pet-news/bird-news/nature-calls-elmley-marshes-has-exotic-looking-birds-and-owls/

Nature Calls: Elmley marshes has exotic looking birds and owls

This week we visit Elmley Nature Reserve (Picture: Getty)

Each week Metro flees the city in search of birds. And sometimes other things. This week, we’re at… Elmley Nature Reserve

This time next week it will be dark. At the time of writing, it is the last Saturday of British Summer Time and the sun – still warm – sends long shadows across the green grass.

Nothing is richer in colour than at this time of day. The golden hour.

We are on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, at Elmley National Nature Reserve – privately run and a mix of farmland and marshes with the Swale estuary as its southern border.

There used to be a village here and a cement works. The ruins of a small Victorian schoolhouse remain. Little owls use it as a roost now.

The sociable goldfinch (Picture: Getty)

The view across the marshlands with a group of oystercatchers (Picture: Shutterstock)

And they are not the only owls here. Long-eared owls roost deep in the small copse behind the pond by the car park, barn owls hunt here at dusk and, from autumn onwards, short-eared owls quarter the fields for voles.

We pass the schoolhouse on the track down to The Swale but we don’t see the little owls. From the tideway we can hear the whistling of wigeon – ducks that overwinter here having bred as far north as Iceland and Siberia.

The majestic short-eared owl (Picture: Shutterstock)

Taking flight and on the hunt (Picture: Shutterstock)

The drake has a chestnut head with a gold crest running from the top of its bill to its crown. They are chunky, like tugboats, and they will flock here in their many hundreds, their mellow call a feature of winter marshes and mudflats. 

The tide is fully high as we approach, the Sheppey Crossing away to our right, carrying the A249 high above the water to the mainland. On the opposite shore are factories – tall chimneys and taller cranes.

A wigeon – ducks that overwinter here having bred as far north as Iceland and Siberia (Picture: David Tipling)

Tufts of grass break the surface where the Swale is at its most shallow and around these gather shorebirds seeking refuge from the rising water.

There are six species – in order of size, largest to smallest, they are curlew, black-tailed godwit, avocet, grey plover, turnstone and dunlin. Each feed according to their bill – or have a bill according to their feeding.

The curlew’s is hugely long and downcurved, the godwit’s not quite as long and pretty-much dead straight. Both are used to poke about in the mud for invertebrates. The avocet, meanwhile, uses its markedly upturned bill to sweep across and through the water or loose sediment, again for prey such as crustaceans and worms. 

The nature reserve’s marshlands (Picture: Shutterstock)

The little owl (Athene noctua) is quite a looker (Picture: Getty)

Grey plover and turnstone both have short, stubby bills they use to pick their prey – the former from the sand and mud, the latter by upending pebbles and the like. Dunlins have a medium-sized bill, which they use to pick organisms from the surface or just below it.

Turning back from the shore, the wind whistles through the phragmites reeds whose heads swish and glisten in the lowing sun.

A snipe zooms up and away from within the reedbed – its long bill unmistakeable. Another shoots up to follow it. Then two more. Then another six. It is as if someone is firing snipe like missiles. Another four follow, whirring on busy wings.

Alongside the reeds is a patch of teasel and on to the spiky heads a charm of 30 or so goldfinches lands, tinkling and twittering as they do.

Almost too exotic looking for this land, the goldfinch (Picture: Getty)

These sociable birds have a red face followed by a white band then a black one and have a bright yellow flash on their wing with a white-spotted black tail. They are almost too exotic looking for this land.

They stab their fine, triangular bills into the husky teasel spikes to prise free the seeds.

They sun is right at our back now and the colours are even brighter and sharper – as if seen with new glasses – as bold as they ever will be. 

MORE : Nature Calls: Huge seals the size of walruses give us the eye on a beautiful Norfolk beach

MORE : Nature Calls: A former firing range becomes a haven for wildlife

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[moonlighttoursexpedition]

East Coast Birding – Tanzania and Kenya

Birding & Big Game viewing on the coast

Birding the East Coast of Africa is rarely offered as an independent Tour by many safari outfitters or birding specialized organizations, while still very few would think of taking an Independent trip just birding the Eastern Coast of Tanzania and Kenya and their adjacent areas. This tour gives an opportunity to explore the Eastern Arc Mountains as well as National parks and areas of endemism including the Arabuko Sokoke Forest of Kenya, East and West Usambara Mountains, South Pare Mountains, Lake Jipe Area and Tsavo East National park. You can take the tour as part of an extension from various major tours or from Mombasa Kenya as part of your Beach holiday.

Coastal Birding Itinerary 12 days:

Featuring : Eastern Arc Mountains – Usambara Mountains, South Pare Mountains, Taita Hills, Tsavo East National Park and Aarabuko Sokoke Forest Birding

 Day 1: We will check out of our Resort at Diani Beach in Mombasa, driving a little bit off the coast, we will head South East into Tanzania, on the way we will stop for species that are possible along the bushes as we drive, such as the Zanzibar Red Bishop, African Golden Weaver, Golden Palm Weaver, Mombasa Wood Pecker, Blue Spotted Wood Dove and others. We will stop at the border and process our Visas into Tanzania then drive on to the Eastern Side of the Usambara Mountains, we will drive to the high elevation of Amani Nature Reserve in the East Usambaras – the only true coastal forest remaining in Tanzania if not Africa’s Eastern coastal strip. We hope to arrive Amani nature reserve in the early hours of the day. Depending on time of arrival we may locally bird around the lower forest of East Usambara mountains as we drive into the higher elevation of the East Usambara Mountains at Amani Nature Reserve Rest House where we stay. The Rest House offers basic accommodation originally designed for scientific researchers in Botany and Malaria and formerly the headquaters of IUCN. The Rest House, though basic has many of its bed rooms en suite with a warm running shower, a dining area to take a very limited number of people serving delicious fresh food stuff locally growing around Amani. A cold beer is always present-served at the dining area.

 Day 2: We will spend the day birding the Amani area. The morning before breakfast should be well birded around the Malaria center where it is usually easier to see the sunbirds and the Green Headed Oriol. There are a number of green buls too. After breakfast, you may take the Mbomole trails which leads deep into the forest where species such as the White Chested Alethe, Usambara Akalat, Green Barbet, Fischers Turaco and Black Backed Weaver, Trumpeter Hornbill as well as an array of other forest specialities can be spotted, this morning, we may chance, the Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Wallers Chestnut Sterling, Kenricks Sterling, Black Bellied Glossy Sterling, Palm Nut Vultures, Cabanis bunting. etc

The afternoon will see us visiting tea plantaion where forest reminants and streams may reward us with some more specialities. Evening back to Amani.

 Day 3: After local birding around, we will transfer to the Western side of the Usambara Mountains. We hope to get to the West Usambara Mountains in the late evening, the mountains rise up steeply from the surrounding plains and can only be entered from a few roads including the only Tarmac roads dating back in the old German and English Colonial times. From a distance, the mountains are a colorful mosaic. On the fertile slopes around the towns of Soni and Lushoto, farmers cultivate small plots. The view points on the southern and western side of Usambara are well known for the spectacular view of Mkomazi and Handeni plains. Because of its pleasant climate, the mountains were favored by the Germans and the English during Colonial times as is evidenced by the numerous historic buildings from the past. The Mullers Mountain Lodge itself where we stay is an old Residence of the German Chief who lived here during the colonial times. Muller Mountain Lodge is the only upper market accommodation in the area with superb service.You will not forget the great cookery at this home residence when you leave after a couple of nights here. Bon apetit.

 Day 4: After an early breakfast you will explore some of the forest reminants in the area for the many rare and endemic species present in this area. The mountains offer a variety of Tanzanian Endemics and rarities to include: The Fullebourns Black Boubou, Usamabara Weaver, The Black Fronted Bush Shrike and the Grey Cuckoo Shrike, others include The Yellow Throated Woodland Warbler and an endless list of Greenbuls to include the tiny Greenbul and the mountain Greenbul, Shelly’s Yellow Stripped Strip Chicked. The African Tailor bird ( a new species on record ) will be another bird to look out for here. Much of the Forest in the West Usambaras has been leveled for cultivation so much of the natural forest has been lost, however there are some good spots for birding such as the forest towards the sawmill and another small portion behind the Mullers lodge where birding is great. Evening return to the Mullers Lodge for Dinner and overnight.

 Day 5: We will drive out of the Usambara Mountains and head to the same village, on the way we will be exploring dry country steppes, for possibilities of the Black Bellied Sun Bird and others, we then continue to the South Pare Mountains for a further exploration. Overnight at the Elephant Motel in same village.

 Day 6: We will drive to the Taita Hills, crossing the border back into Kenya, once in the area we will bird locally targeting the Taita endemics including possibilities of the white eye and other country species. We will stay at the Salt Lick Safari Lodge. Salt Lick Safari Lodge is located in the heart of the privately owned at the foot of the Taita Hills, and consists of 96 rooms elevated on stilts and linked by raised walkways. Most of the guestrooms, as well as the restaurant and the terraced bar command spectacular views of the waterhole and surrounding grasslands, where elephant, buffalo and a variety of plains game can be seen throughout much of the year. The area is illuminated by floodlights to facilitate game viewing at night, and there is an underground tunnel and chamber allowing guests to closely and safely view wildlife at ground level. Dinner and overnight.

 Day 7: Taita Hills Area birding and game viewing. Overnight Salt Lick Lodge.

 Day 8: We will transfer to Voi and on into Tsavo East National park. Rest of the day birding & big game viewing in the area. Overnight at the Voi Safari Lodge.

 Day 9: Full day birding & big game viewing. Overnight Voi Safari Lodge.

 Day 10: Drive to Arabuko Sokoke Forest, birding the forest rest of the day. Overnight at a resort in Malindi.

 Day 11: Birding Arabuko Sokoke and Mida Creek for waders such as the Crab Plover etc. Overnight at a resort in Malindi.

 Day 12: Drive back to Mombasa, catch up with the various flights or rest at the beach.

END —————————————————————————

:��?VG�

[maritimeorca]

eBird Report - Chambers Creek - Grandview/Soundview Loop, Aug 20, 2017

Chambers Creek - Grandview/Soundview Loop, Pierce, Washington, US Aug 20, 2017 6:32 AM - 9:57 AM

Protocol: Traveling

7.2 mile(s)

Comments:     I ran into a bit of a distraction near the end of this walk and decided to end this checklist a little early

Segments: Central Meadow, South Beach (limited by tides), North Beach, Soundview Trail, Grandview Trail, East Slope Trail, Chambers Creek (downstream of the dam but cut short)

Equipment: Camera with telephoto lens

Additional sightings: Rabbit, Sea Lion, Harbor Seals, Porpoises, Gray Squirrel

29 species (+2 other taxa)

 Canada Goose  11

Mallard  8

Double-crested Cormorant 2

Great Blue Heron  4

Osprey  4     I found both of the young by the wastewater treatment plant. I also saw at least two adults, including one on the railroad bridge.

Semipalmated Plover 1

Killdeer  10

Baird's Sandpiper 1     Continuing

Least Sandpiper  13

Western Sandpiper 19

Pigeon Guillemot  5

Mew Gull  1

Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid)  3 Caspian Tern  6 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  18 Band-tailed Pigeon  15 Anna's Hummingbird  1 Belted Kingfisher  3 Steller's Jay  1 American/Northwestern Crow  52 Barn Swallow  30 Cliff Swallow  4 Black-capped Chickadee  3 Chestnut-backed Chickadee  2 Red-breasted Nuthatch  1 European Starling  19 Wilson's Warbler  1 White-crowned Sparrow  3 Spotted Towhee  3 House Finch 2 American Goldfinch  7

 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S38738032

 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

[safaritravelblog-blog]

Most Common Birds in Kruger Park

The Kruger National Park is recognized to sustain over 490 bird species, around 57% of the species seen in the whole southern African subregion. The variety of birds could be caused by the various distinctive habitats as well as the ecotonal character of the region. There are numerous vital populations of prevalent species which don't flourish outside huge protected regions. Additionally, the riverine forests make up habitat passages which are employed by a few varieties of the Drakensberg escarpment to go down to the Lowveld to get away from the extreme escarpment winters. The riverine forests also grant residence for secretive, river-dependent varieties like the White-backed Night Heron (Gorsachius Leuconotus) ,  Pel's Fishing Owl (Scotopelia Peli) as well as the African Finfoot (Podica Senegalensis).

The streams, floodplains, dams, pans and vleis are essential for a lot of wetland-dependent as well as related birds, like Woolly-necked Stork C. episcopus, Black Stork Ciconia nigra, Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis, African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus as well as White-crowned Lapwing Vanellus albiceps. Whenever the weather is appropriate, Great White Pelican P. onocrotalus, Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens, Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus, Rufous-bellied Heron Ardeola rufiventris, Allen's Gallinule Porphyrio alleni, Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata, African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus, Lesser Jacana Microparra capensis, Chestnut-banded Plover Charadrius pallidus as well as Black Coucal Centropus grillii exist in little quantities. The seasonally flooded grasslands towards the northern part of Shingwedzi support Corn Crake Crex crex during summer season.

From the wide-ranging varieties which are uncommon outside South Africa's huge game parks, Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus, Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus, Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos, White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus, Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus, White-headed Vulture Aegypius occipitalis, Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax, Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus, Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori as well as Southern Ground-Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri are widespread around the KNP. Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres frequently forages around the area. Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus as well as African Grass Owl Tyto capensis exist in small quantities. The different forest communities hold an array of little accipiters, owls, cuckoos, bee-eaters, kingfishers, hornbills, rollers, robins, barbets, cisticolas, shrikes, flycatchers, sunbirds, starlings, finches, weavers and waxbills. The thicket and woodland regions hold Brown-headed Parrot Poicephalus cryptoxanthus and Gorgeous Bush-Shrike Chlorophoneus viridis, that are limited to the Eastern African Coast habitat. The little sections of sandveld from the far north-east support small varieties of Pink-throated Twinspot Hypargos margaritatus, and the Lala palm savanna, also around the north-east, also has the Lemon-breasted Canary Crithagra citrinipectus.

Close to Pafuri, around the far north, numerous varieties get to the southern limit of their Afrotropical range and so are very uncommon within South Africa, though they are somewhat more typical and prevalent outside the nation's boundaries. These varieties are Dickinson's Kestrel Falco dickinsoni, Tropical Boubou Laniarius major, Racket-tailed Roller Coracias spatulata, Mottled Spinetail Telacanthura ussheri as well as Böhm's Spinetail Neafrapus boehmi, along with Grey-headed Parrot Poicephalus fuscicollis, that is seen in the riparian forests and also thickets of the far northern part. These particular varieties have interest from the South African viewpoint, however are of small subregional or worldwide conservation importance since the numbers are little and peripheral.

Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus is typical and prevalent, however Yellow-billed Oxpecker B. africanus was thought to be extinct till 1979. This particular varieties has recolonised the KNP naturally and it is now deemed a rare breeding dweller, taking place through the entire park particularly around the northern part.

[fullfrontalbirds]

Chestnut-banded Plover (Charadrius pallidus)

© Susan Mac

[a-disaster-piece]

Oh, the subtle beauty of a shorebird's feathers! 😻 Female Chestnut-banded Plover. #ShorebirdSunday #wadersoftheworldweekend #plover #waders #shorebirds #charadrius #feathers #subtle #beauty #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdtherapy #feetsies #weskusbeskus #birdsofsouthafrica #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #naturephotography (at Kliphoek) https://www.instagram.com/p/CATfHLBgtBa/?igshid=1qbqtio9yz8x3

[a-disaster-piece]

Finally ticked Chestnut-banded Plover last week!! The last of the usual Charadrius plovers in South Africa I needed to spot. Perhaps one day I will see the relatively uncommon Caspian, or some other vagrant migrant…but for now, happy to have come across these little cuties! #WaderWednesday #shorebirds #waders #charadrius #birds #birding #birdwatching #nemesisbird #weskus #birdsofsouthafrica #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #naturephotography (at Kliphoek) https://www.instagram.com/p/B87GqX6AeJv/?igshid=kegbyhy6cjdp

[a-disaster-piece]

#ShorebirdSunday…Move over rabbits & cats, this Chestnut-banded Plover has you beat with it’s loaf position! 🍞 (& based on that confidently cheeky squint in the second photo, KNOWS it, too! 😹) #shorebirds #waders #plover #charadrius #loaf #birding @avibase #nevernotbirding #birdtherapy #birb #birdwatching #birds #birdsofsouthafrica #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #naturephotography (at Kliphoek Plaas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDrS0T0AgdJ/?igshid=mwhrgf5xj2a6

[a-disaster-piece]

A little dose of cuteness for #ShorebirdSunday...Chestnut-banded Plover chick in the shallows of a salt pan. #shorebirds #waders #plover @avibase #nevernotbirding #birding #birdtherapy #charadrius #birdwatching #birds #babybird #birdsofsouthafrica #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #naturephotography (at Kliphoek Rivieroord Velddrif) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDZd3jUAB_j/?igshid=1inct4etgjb1y

[moonlighttoursexpedition]

East Coast Birding – Tanzania and Kenya

Birding & Big Game viewing on the coast

Birding the East Coast of Africa is rarely offered as an independent Tour by many safari outfitters or birding specialized organizations, while still very few would think of taking an Independent trip just birding the Eastern Coast of Tanzania and Kenya and their adjacent areas. This tour gives an opportunity to explore the Eastern Arc Mountains as well as National parks and areas of endemism including the Arabuko Sokoke Forest of Kenya, East and West Usambara Mountains, South Pare Mountains, Lake Jipe Area and Tsavo East National park. You can take the tour as part of an extension from various major tours or from Mombasa Kenya as part of your Beach holiday.

Coastal Birding Itinerary 12 days:

Featuring : Eastern Arc Mountains – Usambara Mountains, South Pare Mountains, Taita Hills, Tsavo East National Park and Aarabuko Sokoke Forest Birding

 Day 1: We will check out of our Resort at Diani Beach in Mombasa, driving a little bit off the coast, we will head South East into Tanzania, on the way we will stop for species that are possible along the bushes as we drive, such as the Zanzibar Red Bishop, African Golden Weaver, Golden Palm Weaver, Mombasa Wood Pecker, Blue Spotted Wood Dove and others. We will stop at the border and process our Visas into Tanzania then drive on to the Eastern Side of the Usambara Mountains, we will drive to the high elevation of Amani Nature Reserve in the East Usambaras – the only true coastal forest remaining in Tanzania if not Africa’s Eastern coastal strip. We hope to arrive Amani nature reserve in the early hours of the day. Depending on time of arrival we may locally bird around the lower forest of East Usambara mountains as we drive into the higher elevation of the East Usambara Mountains at Amani Nature Reserve Rest House where we stay. The Rest House offers basic accommodation originally designed for scientific researchers in Botany and Malaria and formerly the headquaters of IUCN. The Rest House, though basic has many of its bed rooms en suite with a warm running shower, a dining area to take a very limited number of people serving delicious fresh food stuff locally growing around Amani. A cold beer is always present-served at the dining area.

 Day 2: We will spend the day birding the Amani area. The morning before breakfast should be well birded around the Malaria center where it is usually easier to see the sunbirds and the Green Headed Oriol. There are a number of green buls too. After breakfast, you may take the Mbomole trails which leads deep into the forest where species such as the White Chested Alethe, Usambara Akalat, Green Barbet, Fischers Turaco and Black Backed Weaver, Trumpeter Hornbill as well as an array of other forest specialities can be spotted, this morning, we may chance, the Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Wallers Chestnut Sterling, Kenricks Sterling, Black Bellied Glossy Sterling, Palm Nut Vultures, Cabanis bunting. etc

The afternoon will see us visiting tea plantaion where forest reminants and streams may reward us with some more specialities. Evening back to Amani.

 Day 3: After local birding around, we will transfer to the Western side of the Usambara Mountains. We hope to get to the West Usambara Mountains in the late evening, the mountains rise up steeply from the surrounding plains and can only be entered from a few roads including the only Tarmac roads dating back in the old German and English Colonial times. From a distance, the mountains are a colorful mosaic. On the fertile slopes around the towns of Soni and Lushoto, farmers cultivate small plots. The view points on the southern and western side of Usambara are well known for the spectacular view of Mkomazi and Handeni plains. Because of its pleasant climate, the mountains were favored by the Germans and the English during Colonial times as is evidenced by the numerous historic buildings from the past. The Mullers Mountain Lodge itself where we stay is an old Residence of the German Chief who lived here during the colonial times. Muller Mountain Lodge is the only upper market accommodation in the area with superb service.You will not forget the great cookery at this home residence when you leave after a couple of nights here. Bon apetit.

 Day 4: After an early breakfast you will explore some of the forest reminants in the area for the many rare and endemic species present in this area. The mountains offer a variety of Tanzanian Endemics and rarities to include: The Fullebourns Black Boubou, Usamabara Weaver, The Black Fronted Bush Shrike and the Grey Cuckoo Shrike, others include The Yellow Throated Woodland Warbler and an endless list of Greenbuls to include the tiny Greenbul and the mountain Greenbul, Shelly’s Yellow Stripped Strip Chicked. The African Tailor bird ( a new species on record ) will be another bird to look out for here. Much of the Forest in the West Usambaras has been leveled for cultivation so much of the natural forest has been lost, however there are some good spots for birding such as the forest towards the sawmill and another small portion behind the Mullers lodge where birding is great. Evening return to the Mullers Lodge for Dinner and overnight.

 Day 5: We will drive out of the Usambara Mountains and head to the same village, on the way we will be exploring dry country steppes, for possibilities of the Black Bellied Sun Bird and others, we then continue to the South Pare Mountains for a further exploration. Overnight at the Elephant Motel in same village.

 Day 6: We will drive to the Taita Hills, crossing the border back into Kenya, once in the area we will bird locally targeting the Taita endemics including possibilities of the white eye and other country species. We will stay at the Salt Lick Safari Lodge. Salt Lick Safari Lodge is located in the heart of the privately owned at the foot of the Taita Hills, and consists of 96 rooms elevated on stilts and linked by raised walkways. Most of the guestrooms, as well as the restaurant and the terraced bar command spectacular views of the waterhole and surrounding grasslands, where elephant, buffalo and a variety of plains game can be seen throughout much of the year. The area is illuminated by floodlights to facilitate game viewing at night, and there is an underground tunnel and chamber allowing guests to closely and safely view wildlife at ground level. Dinner and overnight.

 Day 7: Taita Hills Area birding and game viewing. Overnight Salt Lick Lodge.

 Day 8: We will transfer to Voi and on into Tsavo East National park. Rest of the day birding & big game viewing in the area. Overnight at the Voi Safari Lodge.

 Day 9: Full day birding & big game viewing. Overnight Voi Safari Lodge.

 Day 10: Drive to Arabuko Sokoke Forest, birding the forest rest of the day. Overnight at a resort in Malindi.

 Day 11: Birding Arabuko Sokoke and Mida Creek for waders such as the Crab Plover etc. Overnight at a resort in Malindi.

 Day 12: Drive back to Mombasa, catch up with the various flights or rest at the beach.

 *****End of services*******

[moonlighttoursexpedition]

THE LIFE OF BIRDS IN UGANDA

Day 1 of the 10 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Arrive in Uganda (Entebbe International Airport) & transfer to your lodge

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport which is the main gateway to Uganda after your long flight. You will be welcomed by our courteous guide who will then transfer you to your respective lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Luxury / Up market: Imperial Botanical Resort

Midrange / Standard: Cassia Lodge

Budget / Basic:  Airport Guesthouse

Day 2 of the 10 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Encounter birds in Mabamba wetland & transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

After an early breakfast, embark on the transfer to Mabamba swamp for a memorable birding encounter. The canoe ride on Mabamba water logged area will expose you to magnificent flora and counts of birds that enjoy the naturally given food of snails and other water organisms. The rare shoebill stork is the major spot of the day while other species like Squacco, long Toed Plover, African water Rail, Goliath, Purple, Pygmy Goose, Herons, Yellow Billed Duck, Grey and Black Headed Heron, White Faced Whistling Duck, Moorhen, Black Crake, Allen’s Gallinule and African Jacana may be spotted in the area. The wildlife like elusive Sitatunga Antelope can also be spotted. After this activity, embark on the transfer to Lake Mburo National Park arriving in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Luxury / Up market: Mihingo Safari Lodge

Midrange / Standard:  Rwakobo Rock

Budget / Basic:  Eagles Nest Mburo

Day 3 of the 10 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Encounter birds in Lake Mburo National Park

After an early morning breakfast, embark on the full day search of birds in the savannah landscape of Lake Mburo National Park. Explore the park on foot following the respective trails in the company of an armed ranger to save you from attacks of wild animals. Explore the Miriti and Warukiri swamps, Rubanga forest and the salt lick. The encounter offers you chances of spotting Rufous-bellied Heron, Bateleur, Coqui Francolin, Grey Crowned Crane, Brown-chested Lapwing, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Black-bellied Bustard, Red-headed Lovebird, Ross’s Turaco, Brown Parrot, Green Wood-hoopoe, Common Scimitarbill, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Red-faced Barbet, White-headed Barbet, Long-tailed Cisticola, Nubian Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike, Finfoot, White-winged Tit and Yellow-breasted Apalis among other birds. The boat ride on Lake Mburo in the afternoon exposes you to counts of Kingfishers and African fish eagle.

Accommodation:

Luxury / Up market: Mihingo Safari Lodge

Midrange / Standard:  Rwakobo Rock

Budget / Basic:  Eagles Nest Mburo

Day 4 of the 10 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and bird Ruhija in the evening.

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Ruhija in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is listed as the number one birding spot in the whole of Africa. The journey is 235km passing through farmed landscapes of south western Uganda and the towns of Mbarara and Kabale before arriving in Bwindi for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, you will embark on the birding in forested hilly landscapes of Ruhija with opportunities of encountering Handsome Francolin Mountain Illadopsis, White-starred Robin, Grey Cuckoo Shrike, Ayres’s and Cassin’s Hawk Eagle, Augur Buzzard, Mountain Buzzard,  Grauer’s Warbler, Red-throated Alethe, Mountain Masked, Collard, Dusky and Shelley’s Crimson wing, Chestnut Throated and Black – Throated Apalis, Dusky Tit, Red Faced Woodland Warbler,  Stripe Breasted Tit among other bird species.

Accommodation:

Luxury / Up market:  Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge

Midrange / Standard:     Gorilla Mist Camp

Budget / Basic:    Broadbill Forest Camp

Day 5 of the 10 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Bird in Umubwindi swamp.

After an early breakfast, embark on the birding encounter to the Umubwindi swamp which has got a legendary attachment that later resulted into the naming of the entire national park as Bwindi. The water logged environment of Umubwindi swamp is a haven for a range of birds among which include; African Green Broadbill, Purple-breasted, Red Faced Woodland Warbler, Grauer’s Rush Warbler, Grey Cuckooshrike, Mountain Illadopsis, Mountain Greenbul, Buff-Throated, Chestnut, Grey, Collard, Black Throated,  Mountain Masked, Blue headed and Regal Sunbirds.

Accommodation:

Luxury / Up market:  Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge

Midrange / Standard:     Gorilla Mist Camp

Budget / Basic:    Broadbill Forest Camp

Day 6 of the 10 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Bird Ruhija and Buhoma

Do short bird walk in Ruhija in the morning after which you will transfer to the northern sector of Bwindi (Buhoma) Upon arriving, you will bird with in Buhoma environs with chances of encountering;  Rufous-chested Fluff tail, Handsome Francolin, Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Neumann’s Warbler, Red-chested Owlet among other bird species.

Accommodation:

Luxury / Up market:  Buhoma Lodge

Midrange / Standard:      The Haven Buhoma

Budget / Basic:     Buhoma Community Rest Camp

 Day 7 of the 10 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Bird Buhoma or optional gorilla trekking

Birding in Buhoma commences early in the morning and gives you opportunities of encountering Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Rufous-chested Fluff tail, Pink Footed and Northern Puff Back, Honey Guide, Red Tailed, Toro Olive, Slender Billed, Little, Sheilley’s, Little Grey, Cabani’s White Throated and Yellow Wiskered Greenbuls, Cameroon Sombre,  Elliots, Cardianl, Yellow Crested, Red Throated Allethe, Fine Banded woodpeckers, Red Faced Woodland Warbler, White Headed Wood Hopoe, Black faced Woodland Warbler, Waller’s, Stulman’s and Narro Tailed Starlings, Banded and White Chinned Prinia, Black Bee Eater, Blue Throated Brown, Northern Double Collard, Blue Headed, Collard, Olive, Green, olive Bellied, Rwenzori  Doulbe Collard and Green Headed Sunbirds, Kivu Ground Thrush, Bar tailed Tragon, African Borad Bill, Neumann’s Warbler, Red-chested Owlet, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher and Pale-breasted Illadopsis. Retire for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation:

Luxury / Up market:  Buhoma Lodge

Midrange / Standard:      The Haven Buhoma

Budget / Basic:     Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Day 8 of the 10 Days Uganda Birding Safari:  Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & bird along the Kazinga channel.

After breakfast, you transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park 160km about 5 hours’ drive. You will pass through the landscapes of Ishasha in the south of Queen Elizabeth where by chance you can encounter the tree climbing lions that dwell in the fig trees of Ishasha. You will arrive at Mweya for lunch after which you will embark on the birding encounter along the 45m long Kazinga channel using the launch. The two hour launch cruise will not only expose you to over 60 species of birds but also other Uganda safari offerings like Hippos, Nile Crocodiles not forgetting elephants, buffaloes and other antelopes drinking on the channel side. the birds that might be encountered include; the African Skimmer, African Spoonbill, Striated Heron, Herring Gull, Water Thick-knee, Lesser Black Backed Gull,  Three-banded Plover, Green, Marsh, Wood and Common Sandpiper, Plain Martin, Gray-headed Gull, Lesser Swamp-Warbler among others.

Accommodation:

Luxury / Up market:  Mweya Safari Lodge

Midrange / Standard:      Enganzi Lodge

Budget / Basic:    Pumba Safari Cottages

Day 9 of the 10 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Encounter birds in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Have a whole day encounter with birds in the varied ecosystems of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The birding encounter can be conducted in Mweya peninsular, environs of Lake Kikorongo, Maramagambo forest, savannah plains of Kasenyi, Katunguru bridge Area among other areas. Queen Elizabeth National Park exposes you to birds like; Temminck’s Courser, Rupell’s Griffon, Martial Eagle,  White Headed, Lappet Faced Vultures, Blue Quail, Harlequin Quail, Small (Common) Buttonquail, African Crake, African Skimmer, Black Headed Gonolek, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Amur Falcon, Lowland Akalat, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Greater and Lesser Flamingo among others.  The sights of wildlife like elephants, buffaloes, spotted Hyena, side stripped jackals, and Antelopes among others may not be missed.

Accommodation:

Luxury / Up market:  Mweya Safari Lodge

Midrange / Standard:      Enganzi Lodge

Budget / Basic:    Pumba Safari Cottages

Day 10 of the 10 Days Uganda Birding Safari: Transfer back to Kampala.

After breakfast, you can take a short bird walk in the Maramagambo forest before returning to embark on the journey to Kampala.

End of the 10 Days Uganda

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Chestnut-banded Plover (Charadrius pallidus)

© Bruce Wedderburn