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Field Guides Tour Report
Kenya Safari Spectacular 2012
Aug 31, 2012 to Sep 28, 2012
Terry Stevenson

With regard to the weather our September 2012 tour was one of the strangest Kenya tours we've ever done; wet, lush and green across most areas north of the equator, record flood levels at lakes Baringo and Nakuru, and then dry as a bone to the south of Nairobi and through to the coast. It seems to be a familiar story from whoever you talk to around the world -- the climate it seems, is changing and unpredictable.

But just how did all this affect the list of birds and mammals we saw? As always -- with many surprises, a few misses, and on the whole many, many that were wonderful and unexpected. It turned out to be a fabulous trip, primarily thanks to our small group of participants who not only got along very well, but also had great looks at virtually every species. Bird highlights included super-close Jackson's Francolins on Mt. Kenya, watching the 'umbrella-feeding' action of Black Heron at Lake Victoria, Crowned Hawk-Eagle low over the forest at Mountain Lodge, Crab-Plovers at Mida Creek, Great Blue Turacos in a fruiting tree, scope views of the rarely seen Red-chested Owlet at Kakamega, a day roosting Sokoke Scops-Owl in Sokoke Forest, a cute White-browed Crombec in the Tugen Hills, the extremely localised Heuglin's Masked-Weaver in the far west, and the critically endangered Taita Thrush in (of course) the Taita Hills.

It was not just the birds, though, that made this such a fabulous tour. We had amazing close encounters with a Leopard right beside our vehicle at Samburu, Lion in three different locations, seven Cheetah (including one with three kittens), a Black Rhino, the rare Grevy's Zebra, shy Lesser Kudu, and the spectacle of thousands of Blue Wildebeest and other plains game in Masai Mara.

As usual our tour began in Nairobi National Park with our first Ostrich, Black-shouldered Kite, and Rufous-naped Larks on the plains, Black Crake, (African) Purple Swamphen, and Malachite Kingfisher at a small pool, and a variety of the more widespread highland mousebirds, thrushes, sunbirds, weavers, and waxbills along the woodland fringes -- Purple Grenadier was everyone's favorite.

We then headed north, visiting both Mt. Kenya and the arid bush country still further north at Samburu. Mt. Kenya area highlights included good looks at African Black Duck, a low circling Crowned Hawk-Eagle, spectacular Gray Crowned-Cranes, Red-fronted Parrot, Hartlaub's Turaco, boisterous White-headed Woodhoopoes, Black-tailed Oriole, Black-throated Apalis, and Tacazze and Golden-winged sunbirds. During a day trip to the higher slopes at 10,000 ft. we enjoyed super close looks at the endemic Jackson's Francolin and the secretive Abyssinian Ground-Thrush. Mammals at Mountain Lodge included Large-spotted Genet, the strange Tree Hyrax, Bushbuck, African Buffalo, and the tiny, shy Suni.

Samburu brought us an entirely different selection of birds and mammals, with just a few of these arid country specials being (Somali) Ostrich, Vulturine Guineafowl, Buff-crested Bustard, Black-faced Sandgrouse, White-headed Mousebird, Somali Bee-eater, Pygmy Batis, Rosy-patched Bushshrike, Mouse-colored Penduline-Tit, Yellow-vented Eremomela, and perhaps Africa's most gorgeous bird -- Golden-breasted Starling! The mammals were also spectacular with a female Leopard walking right next to our vehicle, four Lions, good numbers of African Elephant, and all three local specials -- Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, and Beisa Oryx.

We then headed west to the Great Rift Valley and Lake Baringo, where unprecedented rains had raised the lake level by an amazing 20 feet. The flooded lodge was closed and called for a quick change of plan, which meant basing ourselves 35 kms. away at Bogoria Spa Resort. It wasn't a bad move as we saw our only Purple Heron of the tour here, and then with the help of local guides had a fabulous time during our day trip to the Baringo area; Verreaux's Eagle, Spotted Thick-knee, Three-banded Courser, White-bellied Go-away-bird, African Scops-Owl, Northern White-faced Owl, Grayish Eagle-Owl, Jackson's and Hemprich's hornbills, Somali Tit, Brown Babbler, Brown-tailed Chat, Bristle-crowned Starling, Beautiful Sunbird, White-billed Buffalo-Weaver, and Northern Masked-Weaver were just a few of the most memorable birds.

We then continued still further west to the Kitale area, Saiwa Swamp, and the Kongelai Escarpment. The old escarpment road makes it possible to bird from farmland at over 7000 ft. down to dry bush country at 4000 ft. Saiwa Swamp adds a further wetland habitat and the list here is always incredible. Again just a few highlights included Little Bittern, Tambourine Dove, Ross's and White-crested turacos, African Cuckoo, Meyer's Parrot, Broad-billed Roller, Double-toothed Barbet, Greater Honeyguide, Black-throated Wattle-eye, White Helmetshrike, Gray-headed Bushshrike, Semi-collared Flycatcher (a rare migrant in Kenya), Black-collared Apalis, Bronze-tailed Glossy-Starling, ten species of sunbirds (including the very localized Western Violet-backed) and the even less well known Heuglin's Masked-Weaver.

We then drove south to the famous Kakamega Forest, where over 40 species of birds occur which are found nowhere else in Kenya. Three nights in this area gave us time to slowly walk the forest trails discovering such colorful species as African Green-Pigeon, Great Blue Turaco, African Emerald Cuckoo, Yellow-billed Barbet, Luehder's Bushshrike, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, and Red-headed Bluebill. A displaying African Broadbill was a real treat, as was a great scope look at the rare Red-chested Owlet. Skulkers like Black-faced Rufous-Warbler, Brown-chested Alethe, and Equatorial Akalat were also carefully searched for and added to our list, and each evening we returned to the comfort of the Rondo Retreat where dozens of noisy Black-and-white-casqued Hornbills came to roost.

After a brief stay at Kisumu where Black-billed Barbets and Eastern Plantain-eaters stole the show, we returned to the Rift Valley at Lake Nakuru. Here, due to the incredible rise in water levels, the lake had changed from alkaline to almost fresh water and the numbers of flamingoes were low, though close views of about 1000 Greaters and 5000 Lessers were still pretty spectacular. Even more wonderful though were the incredible numbers of ducks, storks, cormorants, pelicans, herons, ibis, gulls, and terns, which occurred right alongside the newly raised roadway.

Before we returned to Nairobi (and on to Masai Mara), we spent a night at another Rift Valley lake: Naivasha. Here we saw more water birds, breeding Rueppell's Griffons (at Hell's Gate Gorge) and Sharpe's Longclaw (a localized endemic) on the southern Aberdare Range.

As always 'the Mara' was truly spectacular, with thousands of Blue Wildebeest amongst the many hundreds of other antelopes, gazelles, and zebras. Spotted Hyaena, Lion, and two Cheetah were real favorites, and we also enjoyed some great close encounters with Elephants, a cute Black-cheeked White-nosed Monkey, and two charming Klipspringers right along the roadside. Birds of course were high priority, with Red-winged Francolin (rare here), Saddle-billed Stork, Rufous-bellied Heron, Secretary-bird, Caspian Plover, Schalow's Turaco, and a very friendly Moustached Grass-Warbler being the icing on the cake.

After a night in Nairobi, we then began the final leg of our tour with a drive to Tsavo East and a day trip to the Taita Hills. In the remnant forest patches on these hills are the only surviving members of several critically endangered birds, and once again we had tremendous success in finding each of the 'Taita' specials, including the 'Taita' thrush, white-eye, and apalis.

The coast was, as always, a great finale to the tour, with numerous new species and some of our best views ever of Sokoke Pipit and day roosting Sokoke Scops-Owl. We also saw many of the other 'forest specials' including Fasciated Snake-Eagle (perched in the open), Fischer's Turaco, Mangrove Kingfisher, Green Barbet, Green Tinkerbird, Mombasa Woodpecker, Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike, Yellow Flycatcher, Scaly Babbler, Plain-backed and Amani sunbirds, Malindi Pipit (rare this far south) and Clarke's Weaver. A visit to the nearby Mida Creek gave us close looks at numerous migrant shorebirds, including one of the tour favorites -- the magnificent Crab-Plover -- sole member of the family Dromadidae.

Many thanks to all for joining me on this wonderful African adventure.

--Terry


KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant


BIRDS
Struthionidae (Ostrich)
OSTRICH (COMMON) (Struthio camelus massaicus) – Three in Nairobi NP, 1 at Baringo, and 4 at Masai Mara; often split from the blue-necked Somali form.
OSTRICH (SOMALI) (Struthio camelus molybdophanes) – We saw a single female at Samburu, and then a pair at Tsavo East, this blue-necked form is often split from the pink-necked race 'massaicus'.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) – About 250 at a roadside pool on the way to Baringo, 4 at Kisumu, 20 at Masai Mara, and 20 at the coast.
FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna bicolor) – Five fly-by's along the shore near Kisumu.
WHITE-BACKED DUCK (Thalassornis leuconotus) – We saw 8 of these rather localised ducks at Limuru Pond.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca) – Common and widespread at wetlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 450.
SPUR-WINGED GOOSE (Plectropterus gambensis) – Seven at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN BLACK DUCK (Anas sparsa) – Nice looks at a pair on the Naro Moru River.
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK (Anas undulata) – Pairs at Kerenget Dam and Saiwa Swamp, and then 30 at Nakuru and 8 at Limuru Pond.
RED-BILLED DUCK (Anas erythrorhyncha) – About 20 at Lake Nakuru.
HOTTENTOT TEAL (Anas hottentota) – Fifteen at Lake Nakuru.
CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis) – Twelve at Lake Nakuru.
SOUTHERN POCHARD (Netta erythrophthalma) – Fourteen at Nakuru (all males) and then about 20 (both males and females) at Limuru Pond.
MACCOA DUCK (Oxyura maccoa) – Nice views of a single male at Limuru Pond.
Numididae (Guineafowl)
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris) – Common in dry bush country and open woodland.
VULTURINE GUINEAFOWL (Acryllium vulturinum) – We saw about 200 of these strange and attractive guineafowl at Samburu.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
COQUI FRANCOLIN (Francolinus coqui) – Three (right next to our vehicle) at Masai Mara.
CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus sephaena) – About 10 at Samburu, and a few heard at Kongelai Escarpment.
RED-WINGED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus levaillantii) – Rather rare in Kenya: so we were lucky to have a pair right next to our vehicle at Masai Mara.
SCALY FRANCOLIN (Francolinus squamatus) – One of the group saw 1 at the edge of the track up Mt. Kenya.
YELLOW-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus leucoscepus) – Ten at Solio, about 50 at Samburu, and 2 near Voi.
RED-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus afer) – Two adults and 4 juveniles at Masai Mara.
JACKSON'S FRANCOLIN (Francolinus jacksoni) – Fantastic looks this tour on the high slopes of Mt. Kenya.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis) – Four on the small dam near Gatarakwa, about 20 at Limuru Pond, and 100 at Lake Nakuru.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus) – About 1000 at Lake Nakuru.
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus minor) – Despite the exceptional water level and fresh water composition we still saw at least 5000 at Lake Nakuru.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
WOOLLY-NECKED STORK (Ciconia episcopus) – One on a nest at Kichwa Tembo in Masai Mara, 2 at Voi Safari Lodge, and 7 at the coast.
SADDLE-BILLED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) – Firstly we saw a single immature bird at Nakuru, and then an adult the following day, and then 3 at Masai Mara.
MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumeniferus) – Common (and breeding) along the main highway in Nairobi, about 10 at Samburu, 20 (breeding) at Bogoria, 10 at Nakuru, 2 at Masai Mara, and 6 near Voi.
YELLOW-BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis) – Singles at Samburu and Saiwa Swamp, and then at least 1000 at Nakuru, 10 at Naivasha, 30 at Masai Mara, and 1 at the coast.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo) – At least 400 at Lake Nakuru, and 1 at Naivasha.
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax africanus) – Small numbers were seen at a variety of wetlands throughout the tour; with a total of about 55.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus) – Just spectacular at Lake Nakuru where at least 8000 were present (mainly along the western and southern shores).
PINK-BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens) – Seven at Lake Nakuru, about 20 at Naivasha, and 1 at the Sabaki River Estuary.
Scopidae (Hamerkop)
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta) – Widespread at a variety of wetlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 60.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
LITTLE BITTERN (Ixobrychus minutus) – Two flying over the reed beds near Saiwa Swamp.
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea) – Widespread at wetlands throughout the tour.
BLACK-HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala) – Widespread in wet grasslands; with a total of about 70.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) – One at Bogoria SpaResort.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – Two at Sagana, 1 at Baringo in breeding plumage (with brillant green lores and a black bill), 150+ at Nakuru, and 6 at Masai Mara.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia) – Two at the Ahero rice fields and about 10 at Nakuru.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) – About 25 at Kisumu, 40 at Nakuru, and 1 at the coast.
BLACK HERON (Egretta ardesiaca) – Great looks at 1 doing its unique 'umbrella fishing technique' at Kisumu.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – Very common and widespread throughout the tour.
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides) – Two at Lake Baringo, and 1 at Masai Mara.
MADAGASCAR POND-HERON (Ardeola idae) – Seven at a pond covered with Nile Cabbage at Masai Mara.
RUFOUS-BELLIED HERON (Ardeola rufiventris) – At least 6 at Masai Mara.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata) – Two singles at Lake Baringo.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) – About 200 at Lake Nakuru.
SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus) – Common at lakes Victoria and Nakuru, plus smaller numbers at a variety of wetlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 620.
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash) – Common in both the central and western highlands with a total of about 75.
AFRICAN SPOONBILL (Platalea alba) – Two at Sagana fish ponds, 50 at Nakuru, and 2 at Limuru Ponds.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
AFRICAN CUCKOO-HAWK (Aviceda cuculoides) – We saw a single adult in flight at Madende, an immature bird at Masai Mara, and then another adult being chased by a Thick-billed Cuckoo over Sokoke Forest.
BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus) – Small numbers were seen in a variety of open country and farmland throughout the tour.
BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans) – Common around Nairobi, 2 near Kitale, 20+ at Kisumu, and a couple along the coast.
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer) – We saw about a dozen of these beautiful eagles at several widespread wetlands throughout the tour.
PALM-NUT VULTURE (Gypohierax angolensis) – Good looks at an adult in front of our lodge at Samburu, and then another in flight at Kisumu, and an immature near Sokoke Forest.
HOODED VULTURE (Necrosyrtes monachus) – Six at Samburu (included two feeding on a dead giraffe), and then 2 at Masai Mara.
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus) – By far the most common large vulture; we saw 20 at Nairobi NP, 60 at Samburu, 50 at Masai Mara, and 20 at Tsavo East.
RUEPPELL'S GRIFFON (Gyps rueppellii) – One with other vultures feeding on the dead giraffe at Samburu, 37 roosting on the cliffs at Hell's Gate Gorge, and about 20 at Masai Mara,
LAPPET-FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotus) – One at Samburu, and 6 at Masai Mara.
BLACK-BREASTED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus pectoralis) – Good looks at an adult at Lukenya.
BROWN SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus) – Singles at Samburu, Kongelai, and Masai Mara.
FASCIATED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus fasciolatus) – We had fantastic close looks at this globally threatened species at the edge of Sokoke Forest.
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus) – Four at Samburu, 6 at Masai Mara, and 1 near Voi.
AFRICAN MARSH-HARRIER (Circus ranivorus) – Two singles at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus) – We saw single adults at Sagana, Samburu, and Masai Mara.
LIZARD BUZZARD (Kaupifalco monogrammicus) – One about 30 kms. north of Kisumu.
EASTERN CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax poliopterus) – Six at Samburu, and 4 in the Tsavo region.
GABAR GOSHAWK (Micronisus gabar) – Two singles near Voi.
SHIKRA (Accipiter badius) – Two soaring over the cliffs at Baringo.
RUFOUS-CHESTED SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter rufiventris) – We saw an adult and an immature circling over the forest at Mt. Kenya.
BLACK GOSHAWK (Accipiter melanoleucus) – Two singles at Kakamega.
COMMON BUZZARD (STEPPE) (Buteo buteo vulpinus) – One came in and perched above us as we ate our picnic lunch on the north side of Mt. Kenya.
MOUNTAIN BUZZARD (Buteo oreophilus) – One on the higher slopes of Mt. Kenya.
AUGUR BUZZARD (Buteo augur) – Widespread in the highlands; in all we saw about 30.
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax) – Three at Samburu, and 1 at Lukenya.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE (Aquila verreauxii) – Great to see a pair along the Baringo cliffs; the first time they have been seen there for several years.
WAHLBERG'S EAGLE (Hieraaetus wahlbergi) – We saw the more common dark morphs at Samburu and Masai Mara, a very pale morph near Kitale, and a white morph in the Taita Hills.
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE (Lophaetus occipitalis) – Singles near Mt. Kenya, Kitale, Kisumu and Nakuru.
CROWNED HAWK-EAGLE (Stephanoaetus coronatus) – Great looks at a low flying bird at Mountain Lodge, and then a second bird displaying high over the forest on Mt. Kenya.
Sagittariidae (Secretary-bird)
SECRETARY-BIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius) – Six at Samburu, and 4 at Masai Mara.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
PYGMY FALCON (Polihierax semitorquatus) – Nice looks at a pair at Samburu.
GRAY KESTREL (Falco ardosiaceus) – Great scope looks at 2 about 40 Kms. north of Kisumu.
LANNER FALCON (Falco biarmicus) – Scope views of a single at Hell's Gate Gorge.
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – Uncommon in Kenya; so we were lucky to see a perched bird at Thomson's Falls, and then another chasing a Tawny Eagle at Lukenya.
Otididae (Bustards)
KORI BUSTARD (Ardeotis kori) – Very localised in Kenya these days, but we had great close looks at an adult at Masai Mara.
BUFF-CRESTED BUSTARD (Eupodotis gindiana) – One at Samburu, and 1 in Tsavo East.
BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD (Lissotis melanogaster) – We saw a single female at Masai Mara.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
BLACK CRAKE (Amaurornis flavirostra) – Two at Nairobi NP, and 2 at Masai Mara.
PURPLE SWAMPHEN (AFRICAN) (Porphyrio porphyrio madagascariensis) – One at Nairobi NP; birds here are the green-backed form 'madagascariensis' and often split as African Purple Swamphen.
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) – One at Nairobi NP, and 1 at Nakuru.
RED-KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata) – One at Gatarakwa, 12 at Nakuru, and 75 at Limuru Pond.
Gruidae (Cranes)
GRAY CROWNED-CRANE (Balearica regulorum) – Most common in the western highlands (40) but also smaller numbers at Nairobi NP, Naro Moru, and Nakuru; one of Africa's most gorgeous birds!
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
WATER THICK-KNEE (Burhinus vermiculatus) – Heard along the Mara River.
SPOTTED THICK-KNEE (Burhinus capensis) – Two near the cliffs at Baringo.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
LONG-TOED LAPWING (Vanellus crassirostris) – Two at Nakuru, and 3 at Masai Mara.
BLACKSMITH PLOVER (Vanellus armatus) – About 30 at Nakuru, and 10 at Limuru Pond.
SPUR-WINGED PLOVER (Vanellus spinosus) – The most common and widespread 'lapwing'; in all we saw about 70.
BLACK-WINGED LAPWING (Vanellus melanopterus) – At least 50 on the short grass plains at Masai Mara.
CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus) – Six at Solio, 10 at Nakuru, 10 at Masai Mara, and 8 in Tsavo East.
WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus) – Five at Masai Mara.
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) – About 100 at Mida Creek included a couple in almost breeding-plumage.
LESSER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius mongolus) – Ten close birds at Mida Creek gave us a good comparison with the similar Greater Sand-Plover.
GREATER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius leschenaultii) – Common at both Mida Creek and the Sabaki River Estuary.
CASPIAN PLOVER (Charadrius asiaticus) – About a dozen on the short grass plains at Masai Mara.
COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula) – Seven at Lake Nakuru, and about 40 at the coast.
THREE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius tricollaris) – Small numbers at Nairobi NP, Sagana, and Nakuru.
Dromadidae (Crab Plover)
CRAB PLOVER (Dromas ardeola) – We saw about 70 of the strange shorebirds at Mida Creek.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – Five at Nairobi NP, 2 at Sagana, and 250+ at Nakuru.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta) – One at Lake Nakuru.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus) – Fairly common and widespread at wetlands throughout the tour.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
TEREK SANDPIPER (Xenus cinereus) – About 20 at Mida Creek.
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) – Three singles (all standing on hippos) at Masai Mara.
GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus) – About 20 at Lake Nakuru.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) – Two at Nakuru, about 6 at Mida Creek.
MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis) – One at Lake Nakuru.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) – Forty at Lake Nakuru.
WHIMBREL (EUROPEAN) (Numenius phaeopus phaeopus) – We saw about 20 of the white-backed nominate form at Mida Creek.
EURASIAN CURLEW (Numenius arquata) – Four at Mida Creek.
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa) – Eleven at Lake Nakuru.
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) – One at Nakuru was unusual as this species is normally only found at the coast, we also saw a single at Mida Creek.
SANDERLING (Calidris alba) – Three at Mida Creek.
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta) – Two hundred at Lake Nakuru.
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea) – A total of about 300 at Mida Creek and the Sabaki River Estuary.
RUFF (Philomachus pugnax) – At least 1000 were in the marshy grasslands at Lake Nakuru.
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
SOMALI COURSER (Cursorius somalensis) – Seven in Tsavo East were a good find as they are rare this far south.
TEMMINCK'S COURSER (Cursorius temminckii) – An adult and a juvenile near Aruba Dam, Tsavo East.
THREE-BANDED COURSER (Rhinoptilus cinctus) – More commonly known as Heuglin's Courser, we had fabulous looks at Lake Baringo.
ROCK PRATINCOLE (Glareola nuchalis) – Twelve on the only rocks above water to the south of Busia.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
GRAY-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus) – Five hundred at Nakuru were by far the most, but we also saw 6 at Lake Naivasha.
SOOTY GULL (Ichthyaetus hemprichii) – About 40 at the Sabaki River Estuary.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus) – Two at the Sabaki River Estuary.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (HEUGLIN'S) (Larus fuscus heuglini) – Paler and greyer than the previous 'species' at least 50 were at the Sabaki River Estuary.
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica) – Three hundred at Lake Nakuru, 4 at Naivasha, and about 40 at the coast.
WHITE-WINGED TERN (Chlidonias leucopterus) – About 100 at Lake Nakuru.
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) – One hundred (including many in fine breeding plumage) at Lake Nakuru.
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo) – Three (with other terns and gulls) at the Sabaki River Estuary.
GREAT CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bergii) – About 100 at the Sabaki River Estuary.
LESSER CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bengalensis) – One at the Sabaki River Estuary.
Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
BLACK-FACED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles decoratus) – About 20 at Samburu.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Small numbers in towns and villages throughout the tour.
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea) – Common and widespread; in all we saw about 500.
DUSKY TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia lugens) – Three during our lunch stop on the north side of Mt. Kenya.
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens) – Common in dry bush country like at Samburu and Baringo.
RED-EYED DOVE (Streptopelia semitorquata) – Common and widespread.
RING-NECKED DOVE (Streptopelia capicola) – Common and widespread.
LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis) – Common and widespread
EMERALD-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos) – About 6 at Masai Mara, and 8 at the coast.
BLUE-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur afer) – One at Rondo Retreat, Kakamega.
TAMBOURINE DOVE (Turtur tympanistria) – We had fly-by's in the Tugen Hills and Saiwa Swamp, but then had good looks at a perched male at Kakamega.
NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis) – Common at Samburu, and a few at Baringo and Tsavo East.
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus) – Twelve at Rondo Retreat, Kakamega, and 1 feeding on figs at Hunter's Lodge.
Psittacidae (Parrots)
YELLOW-COLLARED LOVEBIRD (Agapornis personatus) – At Lake Naivasha we saw a single hybrid, mainly showing the characteristics of this species but also the orange-red forecrown of Fischer's Lovebird.
RED-FRONTED PARROT (Poicephalus gulielmi) – About 30 in the Mt. Kenya area.
MEYER'S PARROT (Poicephalus meyeri) – Good looks at a pair at Kongelai Escarpment, and then 4 near Kisumu.
RED-BELLIED PARROT (Poicephalus rufiventris) – More commonly known as African Orange-bellied Parrot, we saw about a dozen at Samburu.
Musophagidae (Turacos)
GREAT BLUE TURACO (Corythaeola cristata) – Good looks at 3 of these huge turacos at Kakamega.
SCHALOW'S TURACO (Tauraco schalowi) – One at Kichwa Tembo, Masai Mara.
WHITE-CRESTED TURACO (Tauraco leucolophus) – After a lot of effort we finally all saw 2 at Kongelai.
FISCHER'S TURACO (Tauraco fischeri) – Another shy and often difficult to see well turaco, finally we all saw at least 1 (of 5) at the Sokoke Forest.
HARTLAUB'S TURACO (Tauraco hartlaubi) – Great looks at several sites on and around Mt. Kenya.
ROSS'S TURACO (Musophaga rossae) – Two were seen well at Saiwa Swamp, and others were heard at Kakamega.
BARE-FACED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides personatus) – One, about 40 kms. east of Kisumu.
WHITE-BELLIED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides leucogaster) – Fairly common in dry bush country like at Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo East.
EASTERN PLANTAIN-EATER (Crinifer zonurus) – Two at the edge of Kisumu town.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
THICK-BILLED CUCKOO (Pachycoccyx audeberti) – One flew over our heads during our first morning in Sokoke Forest, and we heard one in the same area the following day.
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius) – Heard many times, and then finally seen well at Lake Naivasha.
BLACK CUCKOO (Cuculus clamosus) – Singles birds were seen twice in the same area at Kakamega.
AFRICAN CUCKOO (Cuculus gularis) – One at Saiwa Swamp.
KLAAS'S CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx klaas) – One at Naro Moru, and several others heard.
AFRICAN EMERALD CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx cupreus) – Fabulous scope views of a male at the edge of Kakamega Forest.
DIDERIC CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx caprius) – One at Lake Baringo.
YELLOWBILL (Ceuthmochares aereus) – One at Kakamega.
BLUE-HEADED COUCAL (Centropus monachus) – After some effort we all finally had good looks at 2 in the papyrus near Kisumu.
SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis) – One at Madende.
WHITE-BROWED COUCAL (Centropus superciliosus) – Nice looks at Sagana fish ponds, Kisumu, and Masai Mara.
Strigidae (Owls)
SOKOKE SCOPS-OWL (Otus ireneae) – Fantastic day time looks at a roosting rufous-morph bird at Sokoke Forest.
AFRICAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus senegalensis) – Great close looks at Lake Baringo.
NORTHERN WHITE-FACED OWL (Ptilopsis leucotis) – Thanks to our local guides this was another owl we had fantastic day time views of at Lake Baringo.
CAPE EAGLE-OWL (Bubo capensis mackinderi) – Sometimes split as Mackinder's Eagle-Owl, we had good scope views near Gatarakwa.
GRAYISH EAGLE-OWL (Bubo cinerascens) – One at Lake Baringo.
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum) – Two at Samburu and 1 at the gate to Tsavo East.
RED-CHESTED OWLET (Glaucidium tephronotum) – It took us a full hour to find this rare owl, but we were well rewarded with excellent scope views within Kakamega Forest.
AFRICAN WOOD-OWL (Strix woodfordii) – One at Sokoke Forest.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
SLENDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus clarus) – Thanks to our local guides we saw a roosting bird at Baringo.
Apodidae (Swifts)
MOTTLED SPINETAIL (Telacanthura ussheri) – One over Sokoke Forest.
NYANZA SWIFT (Apus niansae) – About 2000 at Hell's Gate Gorge.
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis) – Common and widespread.
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus) – About 50 at Samburu, 8 at Kisumu, and 40 at the coast.
Coliidae (Mousebirds)
SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD (Colius striatus) – Very common and widespread.
WHITE-HEADED MOUSEBIRD (Colius leucocephalus) – We saw this localised 'northern species' at Samburu.
BLUE-NAPED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius macrourus) – Common at Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo East; in all we saw about 80.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
NARINA TROGON (Apaloderma narina) – Good looks at 2 in the Tugen Hills, and 1 briefly at Sokoke Forest.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus) – Small numbers at Nairobi NP, Kisumu, Naivasha, and Masai Mara.
AFRICAN PYGMY-KINGFISHER (Ispidina picta) – One at Sagana fish ponds.
GRAY-HEADED KINGFISHER (Halcyon leucocephala) – About 8 at Samburu, 4 Madende, and 4 near the Taita Hills.
WOODLAND KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegalensis) – Singles near Saiwa Swamp, and at Masai Mara.
MANGROVE KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegaloides) – One about 20 kms. west of Watamu.
STRIPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon chelicuti) – One at the bottom of Kongelai Escarpment.
GIANT KINGFISHER (Megaceryle maximus) – Nice looks at 1 at Masai Mara.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis) – Small numbers were widespread on a variety of lakes and rivers throughout the tour.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
WHITE-FRONTED BEE-EATER (Merops bullockoides) – One on our way out of Lake Nakuru NP.
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus) – One at Nairobi NP, 2 at Samburu, and 10 at Masai Mara.
CINNAMON-CHESTED BEE-EATER (Merops oreobates) – A total of about 20 were seen at various sites in the Mt. Kenya region.
SOMALI BEE-EATER (Merops revoilii) – Nice looks at 1 at Samburu.
WHITE-THROATED BEE-EATER (Merops albicollis) – About a dozen at Kakamega, and 1 at Kisumu.
MADAGASCAR BEE-EATER (Merops superciliosus) – Two along the shore of Lake Victoria near Kisumu.
NORTHERN CARMINE BEE-EATER (Merops nubicus) – Brief views of 3 in flight at Sokoke Forest.
Coraciidae (Rollers)
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus) – Common in open wooded grassland and dry bush country; in all we saw about 75.
RUFOUS-CROWNED ROLLER (Coracias naevius) – Two at Samburu.
BROAD-BILLED ROLLER (Eurystomus glaucurus) – One in flight at Kongelai Escarpment.
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana) – Singles at Gatarakwa, Baringo, and Lake Naivasha.
Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills)
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus) – Ten at Samburu, 5 in the Kerio Valley, and 1 at Naivasha.
WHITE-HEADED WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus bollei) – Great looks at a boisterous flock at 10,000ft. on Mt. Kenya.
COMMON SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas) – Heard at Gatarakwa, and 2 seen in Sokoke Forest.
ABYSSINIAN SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus minor) – Good looks at 1 at Lukenya, and 3 at Tsavo East.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
NORTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus erythrorhynchus) – Very common at Samburu (100+), and smaller numbers at Baringo, Kongelai, and Tsavo East.
EASTERN YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus flavirostris) – About 15 at Samburu.
JACKSON'S HORNBILL (Tockus jacksoni) – Ten at Baringo, and 4 at Kongelai Escarpment.
VON DER DECKEN'S HORNBILL (Tockus deckeni) – Four at Samburu, and 10 at Tsavo East.
CROWNED HORNBILL (Tockus alboterminatus) – Four at Naro Moru River Lodge, 3 in the Kerio Valley, 4 at Masai Mara, and 4 at Hunter's Lodge.
HEMPRICH'S HORNBILL (Tockus hemprichii) – One was seen flying along the top of the cliffs at Lake Baringo.
AFRICAN GRAY HORNBILL (Tockus nasutus) – Five at Masai Mara, and 4 at Tsavo East.
TRUMPETER HORNBILL (Ceratogymna bucinator) – About 8 in and around Sokoke Forest.
SILVERY-CHEEKED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna brevis) – Six near Mt. Kenya.
BLACK-AND-WHITE-CASQUED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna subcylindrica) – Common (about 100) at Kakamega, and 8 near Kericho.
Lybiidae (African Barbets)
YELLOW-BILLED BARBET (Trachyphonus purpuratus) – Two seen and several more heard at Kakamega.
RED-AND-YELLOW BARBET (Trachyphonus erythrocephalus) – We saw these striking barbets at Samburu and Kongelai.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (Trachyphonus darnaudii) – Four at Samburu, 10 at Kongelai, and 12 in the Voi area.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (USAMBIRO) (Trachyphonus darnaudii usambiro) – Often lumped with the previous 'form' but also split by many authors; we saw 4 at Masai Mara.
GRAY-THROATED BARBET (Gymnobucco bonapartei) – About 30 at Kakamega.
GREEN BARBET (Stactolaema olivacea) – Three seen and several more heard at Sokoke Forest.
GREEN TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus simplex) – We really struggled with this species but eventually all got good looks in the Afzelia forest, Sokoke.
MOUSTACHED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus leucomystax) – Heard several times around Mountain Lodge and the Taita Hills.
YELLOW-RUMPED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus bilineatus bilineatus) – Many heard and several seen at Mt. Kenya, Kongelai, and Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus pusillus) – Nice looks at 1 at the bottom of the Kongelai Escarpment, and then 1 at Hunter's Lodge.
YELLOW-SPOTTED BARBET (Buccanodon duchaillui) – One seen (and many heard) at Kakamega.
HAIRY-BREASTED BARBET (Tricholaema hirsuta) – Generally uncommon and very localised in Kenya so we were happy to see 1 feeding on fruits at Rondo Retreat, Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED BARBET (Tricholaema diademata) – Three in the Mt. Kenya area, and 1 at Lukenya.
SPOT-FLANKED BARBET (Tricholaema lacrymosa) – Singles at Thika, Kongelai, and Tsavo.
WHITE-HEADED BARBET (Lybius leucocephalus) – Three at Thika, and 2 at Kongelai.
BLACK-BILLED BARBET (Lybius guifsobalito) – Good looks at 2 near Kisumu.
DOUBLE-TOOTHED BARBET (Lybius bidentatus) – We saw 3 of these striking barbets at Kongelai, and 1 at Kisumu.
Indicatoridae (Honeyguides)
PALLID HONEYGUIDE (Indicator meliphilus) – One in the Taita Hills.
LESSER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator minor) – One at Samburu.
SCALY-THROATED HONEYGUIDE (Indicator variegatus) – Heard in Sokoke Forest.
GREATER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator indicator) – Heard by all (and seen as a fly-by for some) at the bottom of Kongelai Escarpment.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
RUFOUS-NECKED WRYNECK (Jynx ruficollis) – A pair and then a single at Masai Mara.
NUBIAN WOODPECKER (Campethera nubica) – Pairs at Samburu and Baringo.
MOMBASA WOODPECKER (Campethera mombassica) – One in the Brachystegia forest at Sokoke.
BROWN-EARED WOODPECKER (Campethera caroli) – One was seen briefly by some of the group at Kakamega.
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Dendropicos fuscescens) – Singles at Baringo, in the Kerio Valley, and at Kongelai.
GRAY WOODPECKER (Dendropicos goertae) – One at Baringo, and 1 at Kisumu.
GRAY-HEADED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos spodocephalus rhodeogaster) – Two at Naivasha, and 1 at Lukenya.
Calyptomenidae (African and Green Broadbills)
AFRICAN BROADBILL (Smithornis capensis) – Great close looks in the tangled vines at Kakamega.
Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
BROWN-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira cyanea) – Two pairs at the edge of Kakamega Forest.
BLACK-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira peltata) – Good views of at least four pairs; first in the Tugen Hills and then at Saiwa Swamp.
JAMESON'S WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira jamesoni) – Heard by all and seen very briefly by one of the group in the Kakamega undergrowth.
SHORT-TAILED BATIS (Batis mixta) – Two in the thick Afzelia forest at Sokoke.
CHINSPOT BATIS (Batis molitor) – Four in the Mt. Kenya area, 1 at Lukenya, and 1 at Hunter's Lodge.
PALE BATIS (Batis soror) – More commonly known as East Coast Batis we had good views of 1 at Sokoke Forest.
PYGMY BATIS (Batis perkeo) – Singles at Samburu and in Tsavo East.
Prionopidae (Helmetshrikes and Allies)
WHITE HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops plumatus) – Great looks at this fabulous bird on the Kongelai Escarpment (5 + 7), and then 2 at the gate to Tsavo East.
RETZ'S HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops retzii) – Six at the Sokoke Forest park headquaters.
CHESTNUT-FRONTED HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops scopifrons) – We saw about 40 of this globally threatened species in the Sokoke Forest.
Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer) – One at Baringo, and 1 at Lukenya.
NORTHERN PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus gambensis) – Good looks at a pair at Kongelai.
BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla) – One at Naro Moru, 1 at Hunter's Lodge, and several heard in Sokoke Forest.
BLACK-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra senegalus) – One at Masai Mara.
BROWN-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis) – Singles at Kongelai and Kakamega.
THREE-STREAKED TCHAGRA (Tchagra jamesi) – Two at Samburu, and 1 at Tsavo East.
LUEHDER'S BUSHSHRIKE (Laniarius luehderi) – Good looks at 2 at Kakamega.
TROPICAL BOUBOU (Laniarius aethiopicus) – Small numbers in both the central and western highlands; in all we saw about 20.
ZANZIBAR BOUBOU (Laniarius sublacteus) – Two were heard in Sokoke Forest.
PAPYRUS GONOLEK (Laniarius mufumbiri) – Heard in the papyrus along the shores of Lake Victoria.
SLATE-COLORED BOUBOU (Laniarius funebris) – Most common at Samburu and Baringo (about 20), and then 3 at Tsavo East.
ROSY-PATCHED BUSHSHRIKE (Rhodophoneus cruentus) – We saw 2 of these striking bushshrikes at Samburu.
GRAY-GREEN BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus bocagei) – Also known as Bocage's Bushshrike; we saw one and heard several at Kakamega Forest.
SULPHUR-BREASTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus sulfureopectus) – One at Lake Baringo.
BLACK-FRONTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus nigrifrons) – We saw this shy canopy species in the Tugen Hills.
FOUR-COLORED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus viridis) – Another gorgeous bushshrike; we saw 1 in the thick undergrowth at Sokoke Forest.
GRAY-HEADED BUSHSHRIKE (Malaconotus blanchoti) – One at Kerenget Dam.
Campephagidae (Cuckoo-shrikes)
PETIT'S CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Campephaga petiti) – Some of us saw a single male at Kakamega.
BLACK CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Campephaga flava) – We saw single females at Saiwa Swamp, Hunter's Lodge, and at the coast.
PURPLE-THROATED CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Campephaga quiscalina) – Good looks at a pair in the Tugen Hills.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
GRAY-BACKED FISCAL (Lanius excubitoroides) – Small numbers at Bogoria, the Kerio Valley, Kitale, and Nakuru.
LONG-TAILED FISCAL (Lanius cabanisi) – Five in Nairobi NP, and then about a dozen between Tsavo East and the coast.
TAITA FISCAL (Lanius dorsalis) – Ten at Samburu, and 8 in Tsavo East.
MACKINNON'S SHRIKE (Lanius mackinnoni) – Four at Kakamega included 2 in the Rondo Retreat garden.
COMMON FISCAL (Lanius collaris) – Common and widespread throughout the tour.
WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus rueppelli) – More commonly known as Northern White-crowned Shrike, we saw 6 at Samburu, 6 at Masai Mara, and about 15 in Tsavo East.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
EURASIAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus oriolus) – A male at the coast.
AFRICAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus auratus) – About 12 in the Watamu area.
WESTERN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus brachyrhynchus) – Four at Kakamega, included 2 scolding the Red-chested Owlet.
AFRICAN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus larvatus) – Small numbers in a variety of open woodlands and bush country throughout the tour.
BLACK-TAILED ORIOLE (Oriolus percivali) – Two at Mountain Lodge.
Dicruridae (Drongos)
SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus ludwigii) – Three at Kakamega.
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis) – Common and widespread in a variety of open woodland and bush country.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis) – Small numbers at Naro Moru, Baringo (including a white morph), Saiwa Swamp, Kakamega, and the coast.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
HOUSE CROW (Corvus splendens) – Numerous along the coast.
CAPE CROW (Corvus capensis) – Ten in the Naro Moru area, and 6 at South Kinangop.
PIED CROW (Corvus albus) – Very common and widespread.
FAN-TAILED RAVEN (Corvus rhipidurus) – Four at Samburu, and 2 at Baringo.
Alaudidae (Larks)
RED-WINGED LARK (Mirafra hypermetra) – One to the south of Aruba Dam.
RUFOUS-NAPED LARK (Mirafra africana) – One at Nairobi NP, 3 at Nakuru, and about 20 at Masai Mara.
PINK-BREASTED LARK (Calendulauda poecilosterna) – About 20 at Samburu, and 15 at Tsavo East.
FOXY LARK (Calendulauda alopex intercedens) – Two at Samburu.
FISCHER'S SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix leucopareia) – Three at Samburu.
RED-CAPPED LARK (Calandrella cinerea) – Ten at Masai Mara.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola) – About 40 over the higher slopes of Mt. Kenya, and then small numbers at a variety of wetland areas; in all we saw about 90.
BANDED MARTIN (Riparia cincta) – One along the edge of the rice fields at Ahero.
ROCK MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne fuligula) – Farily common and widespread around both cliffs and buildings.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Common from the middle of the tour onwards.
ETHIOPIAN SWALLOW (Hirundo aethiopica) – About 20 at the edge of Sokoke Forest.
ANGOLA SWALLOW (Hirundo angolensis) – Six 20 kms. south of Kitale, 10 over the tea estate at Kakamega, and 6 at Kisumu.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii) – Common and widespread in small numbers.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (Cecropis daurica) – Fairly common and widespread.
LESSER STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis abyssinica) – Four at Kisumu, and about 10 near Voi.
RUFOUS-CHESTED SWALLOW (Cecropis semirufa) – Two at Masai Mara.
WHITE-HEADED SAWWING (Psalidoprocne albiceps) – Twenty at Kakamega, and 2 at Kongelai.
BLACK SAWWING (Psalidoprocne pristoptera) – Common around Mt. Kenya, 10 near Kitale, and 20 at Masai Mara.
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
AFRICAN BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Elminia longicauda) – Some of the group saw 1 at the top of Kongelai Escarpment, and then everyone saw them at Kakamega.
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)
WHITE-BELLIED TIT (Melaniparus albiventris) – Two (briefly) near Mt. Lodge, and then good looks for everyone at Lake Nakuru.
DUSKY TIT (Melaniparus funereus) – Two in a small mixed species flock at Kakamega.
RED-THROATED TIT (Melaniparus fringillinus) – We saw this East African endemic at Lukenya.
SOMALI TIT (Melaniparus thruppi) – Four at Samburu, and 2 at Baringo.
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
MOUSE-COLORED PENDULINE-TIT (Anthoscopus musculus) – Nice looks as they fed in low shrubs at Samburu.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
SOMBRE GREENBUL (Andropadus importunus) – Heard several times around Watamu.
SLENDER-BILLED GREENBUL (Stelgidillas gracilirostris) – One high in the canopy at Kakamega.
COMMON BRISTLEBILL (Bleda syndactylus) – One (for some of the group) on a trail within Kakamega Forest.
SHELLEY'S GREENBUL (KAKAMEGA) (Arizelocichla masukuensis kakamegae) – Two, and then a single, were seen feeding along mossy branches at Kakamega.
STRIPE-CHEEKED GREENBUL (OLIVE-HEADED) (Arizelocichla milanjensis olivaceiceps) – Four in the Taita Hills.
YELLOW-BELLIED GREENBUL (Chlorocichla flaviventris) – Two seen and several heard at Sokoke Forest.
JOYFUL GREENBUL (Chlorocichla laetissima) – Six at Kakamega.
YELLOW-THROATED GREENBUL (Atimastillas flavicollis) – Heard at Kerenget Dam, and then good looks at 2 at Madende.
ANSORGE'S GREENBUL (Eurillas ansorgei) – We had good looks at this very localised greenbul at Kakamega.
YELLOW-WHISKERED GREENBUL (Eurillas latirostris) – First seen at Naro Moru, and then many heard and a few seen at Kakamega.
LITTLE GREENBUL (Eurillas virens) – Some of the group saw 1 or 2 singles at Kakamega (many were heard).
CABANIS'S GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus cabanisi) – About 8 in the Kakamega undergrowth.
CABANIS'S GREENBUL (CABANIS'S) (Phyllastrephus cabanisi placidus) – Six in the Taita Hills.
COMMON BULBUL (DODSON'S) (Pycnonotus barbatus dodsoni) – Common at Tsavo East.
COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor) – Very common and widespread away from the dry eastern interior.
Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
WHITE-BROWED CROMBEC (Sylvietta leucophrys) – One in the Tugen Hills did a good job of keeping hidden, but we eventually all had pretty good looks.
RED-FACED CROMBEC (Sylvietta whytii) – Two near Naro Moru, 1 at Kongelai, 2 at Nakuru, and 3 at Lukenya.
MOUSTACHED GRASS-WARBLER (Melocichla mentalis) – Great looks at 2 single birds near Kichwa Tembo, Masai Mara.
Cettiidae (Bush-Warblers and Allies)
YELLOW FLYCATCHER (Erythrocercus holochlorus) – More commonly known as Little Yellow Flycatcher, we saw about 8 at Sokoke Forest.
Phylloscopidae (Leaf-Warblers)
YELLOW-THROATED WOOD-WARBLER (Phylloscopus ruficapilla) – Two singles in the Taita Hills.
UGANDA WOOD-WARBLER (Phylloscopus budongoensis) – Several heard and 1 seen at Kakamega.
BROWN WOODLAND-WARBLER (Phylloscopus umbrovirens) – Two above 10,000 ft. on Mt. Kenya.
Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW WARBLER (Chloropeta natalensis) – One at Limuru Pond.
MOUNTAIN YELLOW WARBLER (Chloropeta similis) – Nice looks at singing birds at Mountain Lodge and then high on the Naro Moru trail.
GREATER SWAMP-WARBLER (Acrocephalus rufescens) – Five at Kisumu.
LESSER SWAMP-WARBLER (Acrocephalus gracilirostris) – One at Nairobi NP, and 1 near Saiwa Swamp.
Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)
CINNAMON BRACKEN-WARBLER (Bradypterus cinnamomeus) – We had brief views of this super skulker as we came down from our day trip on Mt. Kenya.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
BLACK-COLLARED APALIS (Apalis pulchra) – Singles at Saiwa Swamp and Kakamega Forest.
BAR-THROATED APALIS (TAITA) (Apalis thoracica fuscigularis) – Most African authorities now split this as Taita Apalis; rare and endemic to the Taita Hills we were lucky to see 2.
BLACK-THROATED APALIS (Apalis jacksoni) – Nice looks from the roof at Mountain Lodge.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida) – Three at Naro Moru River Lodge, and 2 at Naivasha.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida viridiceps) – This dry country form of the previous species is sometimes split as Brown-tailed Apalis; vocally they are quite different.
BUFF-THROATED APALIS (Apalis rufogularis) – Two singles in the canopy at Kakamega.
CHESTNUT-THROATED APALIS (Apalis porphyrolaema) – One above 10,000ft. on Mt. Kenya, and 1 in the Tugen Hills.
BLACK-HEADED APALIS (Apalis melanocephala) – We had a very responsive bird in the Sokoke Froest.
GRAY APALIS (Apalis cinerea) – Six at Mountain Lodge, and about a dozen in the Tugen Hills.
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata) – Widespread in small numbers.
OLIVE-GREEN CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera chloronota) – One seen (and many heard) at Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED WARBLER (Urorhipis rufifrons) – A total of about 8 were seen in the low undergrowth at Samburu.
GRAY WREN-WARBLER (Calamonastes simplex) – Singles at Samburu and Tsavo East.
WHITE-CHINNED PRINIA (Schistolais leucopogon) – Several small flocks along the forest edge at Kakamega.
RED-FACED CISTICOLA (Cisticola erythrops) – One at Sagana fish ponds.
SINGING CISTICOLA (Cisticola cantans) – One heard at Limuru Pond.
WHISTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola lateralis) – Good looks at this very localised species to the east of Busia.
TRILLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola woosnami) – After a lot of effort we finally all saw 1 on the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
CHUBB'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola chubbi) – Two at Kakamega.
HUNTER'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola hunteri) – About a dozen in the Mt. Kenya area.
BORAN CISTICOLA (Cisticola bodessa) – Heard along the road near the Isiolo turn-off.
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana) – Widespread (especially in Acacia country) throughout the tour.
WAILING CISTICOLA (Cisticola lais distinctus) – The form 'distinctus', often split as Lynes's Cisticola, was heard at Hell's Gate Gorge.
WINDING CISTICOLA (Cisticola galactotes) – One at Sagana fish ponds, and 1 at Kisumu.
CARRUTHERS'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola carruthersi) – One in the papyrus at Kisumu.
TINKLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola tinniens) – Also known as Levaillant's Cisticola, we had good looks in the reeds at Kerenget Dam.
STOUT CISTICOLA (Cisticola robustus) – Five in Nairobi NP, and 60+ at Masai Mara.
DESERT CISTICOLA (Cisticola aridulus) – Three in the dry grasslands at Samburu.
PECTORAL-PATCH CISTICOLA (Cisticola brunnescens) – Three singles at Masai Mara.
GRAY-CAPPED WARBLER (Eminia lepida) – Good looks at a pair at Naro Moru.
BLACK-FACED RUFOUS-WARBLER (Bathmocercus rufus) – We had great looks at this shy undergrowth warbler at Kakamega.
BUFF-BELLIED WARBLER (Phyllolais pulchella) – Three at Lake Nakuru.
TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA (Prinia subflava) – Two at Naro Moru, and 1 at Saiwa Swamp.
PALE PRINIA (Prinia somalica) – One 30 kms. west of Voi.
BANDED PRINIA (BLACK-FACED) (Prinia bairdii melanops) – Two at Kakamega.
YELLOW-VENTED EREMOMELA (Eremomela flavicrissalis) – We saw 4 of this rather localised 'northern species' at Samburu.
YELLOW-BELLIED EREMOMELA (Eremomela icteropygialis) – Two at Samburu.
Sylviidae (Old World Warblers)
AFRICAN HILL BABBLER (Pseudoalcippe abyssinica) – Two in the tangled vines in the Tugen Hills.
BROWN WARBLER (Parisoma lugens) – One at Naro Moru.
BANDED WARBLER (Parisoma boehmi) – Two at Samburu, and 1 at Lukenya.
GREEN HYLIA (Hylia prasina) – Heard at Kakamega.
Zosteropidae (Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW WHITE-EYE (Zosterops senegalensis) – Four in the Tugen Hills, and then common at Kakamega.
BROAD-RINGED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops poliogastrus) – We saw a total of about 60 on Mt. Kenya.
BROAD-RINGED WHITE-EYE (TAITA) (Zosterops poliogastrus silvanus) – Many African authorities now split this form as Taita White-eye; we had great looks at about 6 in the Taita Hills.
Pellorneidae (Fulvettas and Ground Babblers)
SCALY-BREASTED ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis albipectus) – Two singles were heard at Kakamega.
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes)
RUFOUS CHATTERER (Turdoides rubiginosa) – Small numbers at Naro Moru, Baringo, and Kongelai.
BLACK-LORED BABBLER (Turdoides sharpei) – Two at Kisumu, and 4 at Lake Naivasha.
SCALY BABBLER (Turdoides squamulata) – We had brief views of this very secretive undergrowth babbler at the edge of Sokoke Forest.
NORTHERN PIED-BABBLER (Turdoides hypoleuca) – Three in Nairobi NP, and then 2 at Sagana.
BROWN BABBLER (Turdoides plebejus) – Three at Lake Baringo, and 5 at Kongelai.
ARROW-MARKED BABBLER (Turdoides jardineii) – Three at Masai Mara.
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
PALE FLYCATCHER (Bradornis pallidus) – Singles at Gatarakwa, Kerio Valley, and Kongelai.
GRAYISH FLYCATCHER (Bradornis microrhynchus) – About 20 at Samburu, 4 at Baringo, and 1 at Lukenya.
WHITE-EYED SLATY-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis fischeri) – Common in both the central and western highlands.
NORTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis edolioides) – Four in the Kitale area, and 1 at Kakamega.
SOUTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis pammelaina) – One at Thika.
SWAMP FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa aquatica) – One along the shore at Kisumu.
DUSKY-BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa adusta) – More commonly known at African Dusky Flycatcher; we saw 4 at Mt. Kenya, 2 at Saiwa, 1 at Naivasha, and 2 in the Taita Hills.
ASHY FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa caerulescens) – Singles at Hunter's Lodge and in the Sokoke Forest.
BROWN-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas hartlaubi) – Good looks at 1 at Madende.
RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys) – Eight at Samburu, and 1 at Tsavo East.
CAPE ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha caffra) – Two, as we ate our packed lunch at Thomson's Falls.
GRAY-WINGED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha polioptera) – Heard at Saiwa Swamp, and then seen really well at Kakamega.
RUEPPELL'S ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha semirufa) – Heard at Mt. Kenya.
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini) – Good looks at 2 at Naro Moru, and 4 at Masai Mara.
RED-CAPPED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha natalensis) – Can be very shy, but we all had good looks at Sokoke Forest.
SNOWY-CROWNED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha niveicapilla) – Two briefly at Saiwa Swamp, and then 3 including a scoped bird at Kakamega.
SPOTTED MORNING-THRUSH (Cichladusa guttata) – Four at Lake Baringo, and 8 at Tsavo East.
WHITE-STARRED ROBIN (Pogonocichla stellata) – Often rather shy and difficult to see well, but we were lucky this tour and saw them well at both Mountain Lodge and in the Tugen Hills.
BROWN-CHESTED ALETHE (Pseudalethe poliocephala) – One along a muddy track at Kakamega.
EQUATORIAL AKALAT (Sheppardia aequatorialis) – One at Kakamega.
SEMICOLLARED FLYCATCHER (Ficedula semitorquata) – A first-year bird came to the call of Pearl-spotted Owlet at the bottom of Kongelai Escarpment; very uncommon in Kenya.
LITTLE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola rufocinereus) – Good looks this rather localised bird at Lake Nakuru.
STONECHAT (Saxicola torquatus) – Two at South Kinangop.
NORTHERN ANTEATER-CHAT (Myrmecocichla aethiops) – About 6 at Solio, 1 near Kitale, and 8 at Nakuru.
SOOTY CHAT (Myrmecocichla nigra) – About a dozen at Masai Mara.
MOCKING CLIFF-CHAT (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris) – We saw a single female at Lake Nakuru Lodge.
FAMILIAR CHAT (Cercomela familiaris) – Two on the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
BROWN-TAILED CHAT (Cercomela scotocerca) – Three along the cliffs at Baringo.
NORTHERN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe oenanthe) – Singles at Masai Mara and Tsavo East.
MOURNING WHEATEAR (SCHALOW'S) (Oenanthe lugens lugubris) – About 20 at Hell's Gate Gorge.
CAPPED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe pileata) – One at South Kinangop.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR (Oenanthe isabellina) – One near Aruba Dam, Tsavo East.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
RED-TAILED ANT-THRUSH (Neocossyphus rufus) – Good looks in the Sokoke Forest.
ABYSSINIAN GROUND-THRUSH (Zoothera piaggiae) – Good views at 10,000 ft. on Mt. Kenya.
TAITA THRUSH (Turdus helleri) – We saw this extremely rare endemic in the Taita Hills.
ABYSSINIAN THRUSH (Turdus abyssinicus) – Formerly known as Olive Thrush, they were common in the central highlands.
AFRICAN THRUSH (Turdus pelios) – One near Kitale, 2 at Kakamega, 8 around Madende, and 1 at Lake Nakuru.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea) – About 150 at Samburu.
GREATER BLUE-EARED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus) – Two hundred together in a tree near Solio was impressive, but they were also widspread in the central highlands, and a few in Masai Mara.
LESSER BLUE-EARED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chloropterus) – We saw 2 of these rather localised starlings on the Kongelai Escarpment.
BRONZE-TAILED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chalcurus) – One at the top of the Kongelai Escarpment.
RUEPPELL'S GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis purpuroptera) – Widespread in a variety of open woodland and bush country; in all we saw about 80.
GOLDEN-BREASTED STARLING (Lamprotornis regius) – One of Africa's most gorgeous birds; we saw 3 at Samburu and 4 in Tsavo East.
BLACK-BELLIED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis corruscus) – Common in and around Sokoke Forest.
SUPERB STARLING (Lamprotornis superbus) – Common and widespread; in all we saw about 600.
VIOLET-BACKED STARLING (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) – Two at Saiwa Swamp.
FISCHER'S STARLING (Spreo fischeri) – About 10 (with other starlings) at Samburu, and then a dozen at Tsavo East.
RED-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus morio) – Four at Kongelai, and 2 at Naivasha.
WALLER'S STARLING (Onychognathus walleri) – Six at Mountain Lodge.
BRISTLE-CROWNED STARLING (Onychognathus salvadorii) – About 10 along the cliffs at Baringo.
STUHLMANN'S STARLING (Poeoptera stuhlmanni) – Common in the canopy at Kakamega, where we saw several flocks totalling about 150.
Buphagidae (Oxpeckers)
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) – Common in national parks and reserves with big game.
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus) – Six were seen feeding on African Buffalo at Masai Mara.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
PLAIN-BACKED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes reichenowi) – We saw a male of this globally threatened species in the Afzelia forest, Sokoke.
WESTERN VIOLET-BACKED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes longuemarei) – Good looks at a female at the top of Kongelai Escarpment; a very uncommon species in Kenya.
KENYA VIOLET-BACKED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes orientalis) – Two at Samburu, 1 at Kongelai, and 10 at Tsavo East.
GREEN SUNBIRD (Anthreptes rectirostris) – Great looks at 2 single males and a female at Kakamega.
COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris) – Small numbers were widespread in forested areas throughout the tour.
AMANI SUNBIRD (Hedydipna pallidigaster) – Another globally threatened species that we saw in the Sokoke Forest.
GREEN-HEADED SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra verticalis) – Two at Thika, 3 at Saiwa Swamp, and 4 at Kakamega.
EASTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra olivacea) – Two singles at the coast.
WESTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra obscura) – Singles at Saiwa Swamp and Kakamega.
GREEN-THROATED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra rubescens) – Good looks at male at Kakamega.
AMETHYST SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra amethystina) – Fabulous looks at Thika, and then several others at Naro Moru, Saiwa Swamp, and in the Taita Hills.
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis) – Small numbers in both the central and western highlands.
HUNTER'S SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra hunteri) – Great looks at a single male at Samburu, and then about 6 at Tsavo East.
TACAZZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia tacazze) – Yet another gorgeous sunbird; we saw several striking males at Naro Moru.
BRONZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia kilimensis) – Common in both the central and western highlands.
GOLDEN-WINGED SUNBIRD (Drepanorhynchus reichenowi) – Two feeding of leonotis flowers on the north-west side of Mt. Kenya.
OLIVE-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris chloropygius) – Brief looks at a male at Madende.
NORTHERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris reichenowi) – About a dozen around Naro Moru, 3 in the Tugen Hills, and 10 at Kakamega.
EASTERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mediocris) – Four on the higher slopes of Mt. Kenya.
BEAUTIFUL SUNBIRD (Cinnyris pulchellus) – This really is a beautiful sunbird, and we saw them really well at Lake Baringo.
MARIQUA SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mariquensis) – Two at Kongelai Escarpment.
RED-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris erythrocercus) – First seen near Busia, and then commonly along the shores at Lake Victoria.
BLACK-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris nectarinioides) – Three males in breeding plumage at Tsavo East.
TSAVO SUNBIRD (Cinnyris tsavoensis) – Two males in breeding plumage at Tsavo.
VARIABLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris venustus) – Small numbers in the central and western highlands, and 4 at Tsavo East.
COPPER SUNBIRD (Cinnyris cupreus) – A male at Kakamega, and then about 30 in the Madende area.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis) – Pairs at Mountain Lodge and Gatarakwa.
MOUNTAIN WAGTAIL (Motacilla clara) – One along the river at Naro Moru.
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp) – Common and widespread throughout the tour.
AFRICAN PIPIT (Anthus cinnamomeus) – One at South Kinangop, and about 10 at Masai Martsa.
LONG-BILLED PIPIT (Anthus similis) – One on the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
PLAIN-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus leucophrys) – Two at Nakuru, and about 8 at Masai Mara.
MALINDI PIPIT (Anthus melindae) – Rarely seen on the usual birding tours but were very lucky this time and had great looks at 2 to the west of Watamu.
STRIPED PIPIT (Anthus lineiventris) – One singing and 2 in flight in the Taita Hills.
SOKOKE PIPIT (Anthus sokokensis) – We had fabulous looks at this secretive East African endemic in Sokoke Forest.
SHARPE'S LONGCLAW (Hemimacronyx sharpei) – Good looks at this very localised endemic near South Kinangop.
YELLOW-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx croceus) – Two at Nakuru, and 6 at Masai Mara.
ROSY-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx ameliae) – We saw a male in fairly good breeding plumage at Masai Mara.
Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and Allies)
SOMALI BUNTING (Emberiza poliopleura) – One at Tsavo River.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
YELLOW-CROWNED CANARY (Serinus flavivertex) – Eight during our lunch stop on the north side of Mt. Kenya.
YELLOW-FRONTED CANARY (Serinus mozambicus) – Six at Madende, and 30+ at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN CITRIL (Serinus citrinelloides kikuyensis) – Good looks at a male at Naro Moru, and then 2 near Kisumu.
SOUTHERN CITRIL (Serinus hypostictus) – One about 20 kms. south of Kitale, and 1 near Busia.
REICHENOW'S SEEDEATER (Serinus reichenowi) – Six at Naro Moru, 1 in the Tugen Hills, about 6 at Kisumu, and 6 in the Taita Hills.
WHITE-BELLIED CANARY (Serinus dorsostriatus) – A male at Lake Baringo, and then a dozen (of the yellow-bellied nominate race) at Kisumu.
BRIMSTONE CANARY (Serinus sulphuratus) – Six in the Mt. Kenya area.
STREAKY SEEDEATER (Serinus striolatus) – Very common in the Mt Kenya area, and a few others at Nairobi.
THICK-BILLED SEEDEATER (Serinus burtoni) – One at Naro Moru, and 2 at 10,000 ft. on Mt. Kenya.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Small numbers in a variety of towns throughout the tour.
KENYA RUFOUS SPARROW (Passer rufocinctus) – Two in Nairobi NP, about 20 in the Mt. Kenya area, 20 at Nakuru, and 2 at Lukenya.
NORTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer griseus) – Two in the Tugen Hills, 6 at Kitale, 8 at Kakamega, and 40+ around Kisumu.
PARROT-BILLED SPARROW (Passer gongonensis) – Very common at Samburu (200), about 30 at Baringo, and 40 at Tsavo East.
SWAHILI SPARROW (Passer suahelicus) – Ten at Masai Mara.
CHESTNUT SPARROW (Passer eminibey) – About 100 at Samburu included some nice males in breeding plumage, we then saw 4 at Hell's Gate Gorge, and 1 at Lukenya.
YELLOW-SPOTTED PETRONIA (Petronia pyrgita) – Two at Samburu.
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
WHITE-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis albirostris) – Three at Lake Baringo.
RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis niger) – We saw an adult male at Samburu, and then about 30 in Tsavo East.
WHITE-HEADED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Dinemellia dinemelli) – Common in dry bush country like at Samburu, Baringo and Tsavo East.
SPECKLE-FRONTED WEAVER (Sporopipes frontalis) – Ten at Samburu.
WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser mahali) – Common and widespread in acacia country.
CHESTNUT-CROWNED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser superciliosus) – Two on the slopes of the Tugen Hills.
DONALDSON-SMITH'S SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser donaldsoni) – Two at Samburu.
GRAY-HEADED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita arnaudi) – About 30 at Lukenya.
BLACK-CAPPED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita cabanisi) – At least 200 were seen at Samburu.
RED-HEADED WEAVER (Anaplectes rubriceps) – A nest building pair were seen at Naro Moru, and then another single male at Nakuru.
BAGLAFECHT WEAVER (Ploceus baglafecht) – Common and widespread the highlands.
LITTLE WEAVER (Ploceus luteolus) – Six at Lake Baringo.
SLENDER-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus pelzelni) – About 6 along the shore at Lake Victoria, Kisumu.
SPECTACLED WEAVER (Ploceus ocularis) – Two at Sagana, and 4 at Naro Moru.
BLACK-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus melanogaster) – We saw 2 of these unusual looking weavers (black with a yellow face) in the Tugen Hills.
AFRICAN GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus subaureus) – Six on the road at Sagana, and then about 20 at Hunter's Lodge.
HOLUB'S GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus xanthops) – Two at Sagana, and 4 at Saiwa Swamp.
GOLDEN PALM WEAVER (Ploceus bojeri) – We saw a gorgeous male to the west of Watamu.
NORTHERN BROWN-THROATED WEAVER (Ploceus castanops) – Good looks at a male about 20 kms. south of Busia.
NORTHERN MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus taeniopterus) – In Kenya, only known from Lake Baringo, where we saw about 10 including males in breeding plumage.
VITELLINE MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus vitellinus) – Two at Lake Baringo, and 2 at Lukenya.
HEUGLIN'S MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus heuglini) – Extremely rare and localised in Kenya, but we saw 6 at our usual site near Kitale.
SPEKE'S WEAVER (Ploceus spekei) – Common in the central highlands.
VILLAGE WEAVER (Ploceus cucullatus) – About 50 at Baringo, 20 near Kitale, and 50 at Kisumu.
CLARKE'S WEAVER (Ploceus golandi) – We saw this rare and virtually unknown weaver in the Sokoke Forest.
BLACK-HEADED WEAVER (Ploceus melanocephalus) – Six in a reed bed on the way to Saiwa Swamp, and 30 in the Busia to Kisumu area.
GOLDEN-BACKED WEAVER (Ploceus jacksoni) – We saw about a dozen of these very attractive weavers at Lake Baringo.
BROWN-CAPPED WEAVER (Ploceus insignis) – Six at Kakamega.
COMPACT WEAVER (Pachyphantes superciliosus) – Good looks at this uncommon weaver at Madende.
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea) – Several flocks at Tsavo East.
RED BISHOP (Euplectes orix) – We saw a rather pale orange coloured bird at the Ahero rice fields.
BLACK BISHOP (Euplectes gierowii) – Some of the group saw a single male in breeding plumage about 20 kms. south of Busia.
YELLOW BISHOP (Euplectes capensis) – Two males in breeding plumage at Naro Moru, and 1 at Masai Mara.
WHITE-WINGED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes albonotatus) – About 40 (virtually all in non-breeding plumage) at the Sagana fish ponds.
YELLOW-SHOULDERED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes macroura macrocerca) – We saw a male in breeding plumage about 20 kms. south of Kitale, and then 3 more males in the glade at Kakamega.
RED-COLLARED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes ardens) – One in Nairobi NP.
FAN-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes axillaris) – About a dozen in the Kitale to Saiwa Swamp area - mostly in breeding plumage, and then 6 at Masai Mara.
GROSBEAK WEAVER (Amblyospiza albifrons) – Eight at Kerenget Dam.
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
GRAY-HEADED NEGROFINCH (Nigrita canicapillus) – Two at Mountain Lodge, and 1 at Kakamega.
COMMON WAXBILL (Estrilda astrild) – Widespread in small numbers.
BLACK-CROWNED WAXBILL (Estrilda nonnula) – Some of the group saw 3 along the road at Kakamega.
RED-HEADED BLUEBILL (Spermophaga ruficapilla) – We saw this striking waxbill on the road within Kakamega Forest.
RED-CHEEKED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus bengalus) – Common in a variety of bushed grasslands and dry country throughout the tour; in all we saw about 80.
PURPLE GRENADIER (Granatina ianthinogaster) – We saw these colourful waxbills at Nairobi, Naro Moru, Baringo, and Masai Mara.
GREEN-WINGED PYTILIA (Pytilia melba) – Two at Samburu, and 2 at Tsavo East.
RED-BILLED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta senegala) – Small numbers at Nairobi, Naro Moru, Kitale, Kisumu, and Masai Mara.
BAR-BREASTED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta rufopicta) – About a dozen at Madende.
CUT-THROAT (Amadina fasciata) – Eight at Samburu, 8 at Lukenya, and 10 near Voi.
ZEBRA WAXBILL (Sporaeginthus subflavus) – Generally uncommon, but we had excellent views this tour, first in Nairobi NP and then at Sagana fish ponds.
AFRICAN QUAILFINCH (Ortygospiza fuscocrissa) – Some of the group saw at least 1 (of about 3) as they flew up from roadside pools at Masai Mara.
BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullatus) – Twelve huddled together in a row in Nairobi NP wasn't exactly expected, and we then saw many more at various sites in the west.
Viduidae (Indigobirds)
PIN-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua macroura) – Three males in the Madende to Kisumu area, 1 at Nakuru, and 6 in Tsavo East.
STRAW-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua fischeri) – Three in non-breeding plumage near the Oloololo Escarpment.
VILLAGE INDIGOBIRD (Vidua chalybeata) – We saw a sinlge male about 25 Kms. east of Kisumu.

MAMMALS
BLUE MONKEY (Cercopithecus mitis) – About 50 at Kakamega, and 10 at Masai Mara.
SYKES MONKEY (Cercopithecus albogularis) – Twenty at Thika, 50+ in the Mt. Kenya area, and a dozen at the coast.
BLACK-CHEEKED WHITE-NOSED MONKEY (Cercopithecus ascanius) – One at Kichwa Tembo, Masai Mara.
BLACK-FACED VERVET MONKEY (Cercopithecus aethiops) – Common, widespread and rather cheeky, especially the ones at got in to our vehicle at Bogoria and stole our crisps and cookies!
OLIVE BABOON (Papio anubis) – Common and widespread away from Tsavo and the coast; in all we saw about 450.
YELLOW BABOON (Papio cyanocephalus) – Common at Tsavo and the coast.
MANTLED GUEREZA (Colobus guereza) – More commonly known as Eastern Black-and- white Colobus; we saw 8 at Mt. Kenya, and 12 at Kakamega.
CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis) – One at Samburu.
UNSTRIPED GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus rutilus) – Very common at Samburu (80), 1 at Baringo, and Tsavo (12).
STRIPED GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus erythropus) – Singles at Thika and Kongelai.
BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus sp.) – One at Thika, 15 at Mountain Lodge, and about 30 in the Voi area.
RED-LEGGED SUN SQUIRREL (Heliosciurus rufobrachium) – Singles at Saiwa Swamp and Kakamega.
ZANJ SUN SQUIRREL (Heliosciurus undulatus) – One in Sokoke Forest.
BLACK-BACKED JACKAL (Canis mesomelas) – One at Samburu, and 5 at Masai Mara.
LARGE-SPOTTED GENET (Genetta tigrina) – One on the feeding platform at Mountain Lodge.
SLENDER MONGOOSE (Herpestes sanguineus) – One in Nairobi NP.
BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo) – About 40 at Masai Mara.
EASTERN DWARF MONGOOSE (Helogale hirtula) – We saw a couple of groups totalling about 40 in Tsavo East.
SPOTTED HYAENA (Crocuta crocuta) – One at Masai Mara.
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus) – Great looks at a young female as she walked right beside our vehicle at Samburu.
LION (Panthera leo) – Four (very hidden) in Nairobi NP, 4 at Samburu, 4 adults and 4 young ones at Masai Mara, and 1 very large adult female in Tsavo East.
CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus) – Two gorgeous singles at Masai Mara, and then a hunting female with 3 kittens in Tsavo East.
AFRICAN ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana) – Many great encounters, with at least 250 at Samburu, 50 at Masai Mara, and and 200 in Tsavo East.
BUSH (YELLOW-SPOTTED) HYRAX (Heterohyrax brucei) – Very common in the Voi area, Tsavo East.
TREE HYRAX (Dendrohyrax arboreus) – Singles at Mountain Lodge, Naro Moru, and Masai Mara.
GREVY'S ZEBRA (Equus grevyi) – Very very hard this year but we eventually found a single male at Samburu.
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus burchelli) – Very common in all parks and reserves with open grassland; in all we saw about 2000.
BLACK RHINOCEROS (Diceros bicornis) – One in Nairobi NP.
WHITE RHINOCEROS (Ceratotherium simum) – We saw this introduced species at Solio (5), and Nakuru (18).
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) – Common in most of the national parks and reserves; in all we saw about 300.
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius) – Three at Samburu, 1 at Nakuru, and 40 at Masai Mara.
COMMON GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis) – Fairly common in open acacia country at Nairobi NP, Hell's Gate Gorge, Masai Mara, and Tsavo East.
RETICULATED GIRAFFE (Giraffa reticulata) – We saw about 60 of these gorgeous giraffes at Samburu.
ROTHSCHILD'S GIRAFFE (Giraffa rothschildi) – Twelve at Lake Nakuru.
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus) – About 40 at Mountain Lodge.
LESSER KUDU (Tragelaphus imberbis) – Nine at Tsavo East.
COMMON ELAND (Taurotragus oryx) – Small numbers in the parks and reserves with open grassland; in all we saw about 90.
AFRICAN BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer) – Very common in many of the parks and reserves including both open country and forested areas; in all we saw about 3000.
COMMON WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) – Twenty at Tsavo East.
DEFASSA WATERBUCK (Kobus defassa) – About 30 in the Mt. Kenya area, 100 at Nakuru, 40 at Naivasha, and 60 at Masai Mara.
BEISA ORYX (Oryx beisa) – Sixty at Samburu, and 30 at Solio.
FRINGE-EARED ORYX (Oryx callotis) – One near Aruba Dam in Tsavo East.
TOPI (Damaliscus lunatus) – About 150 at Masai Mara, and 1 in Tsavo East.
HARTEBEEST (KONGONI) (Alcelaphus buselaphus) – Forty in Nairobi NP, and 1 at Hell's Gate Gorge.
BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus) – One at Lake Naivasha, and then about 20,000 at Masai Mara.
KLIPSPRINGER (Oreotragus oreotragus) – Two at Masai Mara.
STEENBOK (Raphicerus campestris) – One in Tsavo East.
SUNI (Neotragus moschatus) – We saw 2 of these tiny shy antelopes at Mountain Lodge, and then 1 in Sokoke Forest.
KIRK'S DIK-DIK (Modoqua kirki) – Very common at Samburu, and about 30 in Tsavo East.
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus) – One of the more widespread antelopes; in all we saw about 800.
GERENUK (Litocranius walleri) – About 50 at Samburu, and 6 at Tsavo East.
THOMSON'S GAZELLE (Gazella thomsoni) – Common in open grasslands like Solio, Nakuru, and Masai Mara; in all we saw about 1200.
GRANT'S GAZELLE (Gazella granti) – Widespread in the drier areas; in all we saw about 280.


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Reptiles seen on the tour included:

Red-headed Rock Agama -- fairly common at Samburu, Baringo, Kongelai, and Tsavo East

Mwanza Flat-headed Agama -- 2 at Masai Mara

Water Monitor -- 2 at Samburu, and 1 at Lake Baringo

Nile Crocodile -- 2 at Samburu and 1 at Lake Baringo


Totals for the tour: 568 bird taxa and 53 mammal taxa