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Our September 2013 Kenya Safari Spectacular tour had all the usual great mammals and birds, including Lion, Leopard, and Cheetah, some great close encounters with African Elephant and the rarely seen Striped Hyaena; birds varied from Kori Bustard and Southern Ground-Hornbill on the plains, to Jackson's Francolin and Abyssinian Ground-Thrush in the mountains, a wealth of waterbirds on the lakes, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Papyrus Gonolek, and Orange-tufted Sunbird in the west, and localized species like Sokoke Scops-Owl, Green Tinkerbird, and Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike at the coast. Add to this a wealth of colourful turacos, kingfishers, bee-eaters, barbets, and sunbirds and you have the makings of a really great tour. What was special about this safari however, was the group -- traveling with with just six participants in one vehicle, together with yours truly and John (our expert driver) is surely the best way to see East Africa!
As always, we began in Nairobi and headed north to Mt. Kenya and Samburu. Although only a few hours apart, these areas have totally different habitats and of course birds; the mountain forests and grasslands hold Hartlaub's Turaco, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Tropical Boubou, Mountain Yellow-Warbler, Ruppell's Robin-Chat, Golden-winged Sunbird, and Abyssinian Crimsonwing. While the arid lower country at Samburu is home to Vulturine Guineafowl, Bateleur, Black-faced Sandgrouse, White-headed Mousebird, Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Pygmy Batis, Rosy-patched Bushshrike, Yellow-vented Eremomela, and Golden-breasted Starling. The mammals vary too, with Sykes Monkey, Tree Hyrax, and Bushbuck being typical of the highlands, while Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Greater Kudu, Gerenuk, and Beisa Oryx are more suited to the drier low country.
In the Great Rift Valley, Lakes Baringo and Nakuru were at record high levels, with the numbers and variety of birds like never before; Nakuru had fewer flamingos than usual, but the variety of ducks, storks, pelicans, herons, and ibis was far greater than in any previous years. At Baringo, the lake had risen more than 25 feet vertically and totally flooded the lodge; however, a stay at nearby Bogoria proved very successful, and with the help of our expert local guides we had a wonderful day finding such special birds as Verreaux's Eagle, Three-banded Courser, African Scops-Owl, Northern White-faced Owl, Grayish Eagle-Owl, Jackson's and Hemprich's hornbills, Somali Tit, Bristle-crowned Starling, Beautiful Sunbird, and Northern Masked-Weaver.
We then spent a week following a circuit through western Kenya, including visits to Kongelai Escarpment and Saiwa Swamp (two areas rarely visited by any other birding groups). Highlights are far too many to mention here, but included such localized birds as Rock Pratincole, Blue-headed Bee-eater, and Heuglin's Masked-Weaver, a close Crowned Hawk-Eagle at a nest, flocks of Black-and-white-casqued Hornbills, a huge variety of olive, greenish, and brownish greenbuls, skulking Mountain Illadopsis and Equatorial Akalat, and just gorgeous Great Blue Turaco, African Emerald Cuckoo, Yellow-billed Barbet, Jameson's Wattle-eye, Black-fronted Bushshrike, Black-faced Rufous-Warbler, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, and Red-chested Sunbirds..
We then spent a night back in Nairobi before flying to Masai Mara and a two-night stay at one of the most famous tented camps there -- Kichwa Tembo. As always it was a major highlight of the tour with Lion, Leopard, and Cheetah all seen, plus stately giraffes walking the plains, hippos in the river, and many herds of Elephant, Buffalo, Burchell's Zebra, Topi, Impala, Thomson's Gazelle, and Wildebeest. Birds were great, too, with Ostrich, five species of storks, seventeen different raptors (including the rare Ovampo Sparrowhawk), Greater Painted-snipe, Ross's Turaco, Southern Ground-Hornbill, Rufous-necked Wryneck, Moustached Grass-Warbler, and Yellow-billed Oxpecker.
On the final part of our tour we headed south-east towards the coast -- but first spent a couple of nights in Tsavo East giving us more exciting encounters with big game -- including a Lion (which had just killed a young Buffalo), several hundred Elephant, and a naughty Yellow Baboon which managed to get in to one of our rooms! But it was the birds that were the main attraction, and our day in the Taita Hills couldn't have been better, with excellent looks at some of Kenya's rarest and most localized birds -- Taita Thrush, 'Taita' Apalis, and 'Taita' White-eye were all seen well.
We finished the tour at Hemingways on the coast, where the nearby Sokoke Forest, Mida Creek, and the Sabaki River estuary all provided more great birding. For many the highlights were an orange morph of the rare Sokoke Scops-Owl, Crab Plover, and a fabulous close pair of Fischer's Turacos. But the numerous other shorebirds at Mida Creek, Northern Carmine Bee-eaters near Malindi, and then, within Sokoke Forest itself, Crested Guineafowl, Trumpeter Hornbill, Short-tailed Batis, Retz's and Chestnut-fronted helmetshrikes, Yellow Flycatcher, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Plain-backed and Amani sunbirds, and Peter's Twinspot will all be long in our minds -- but so will be Mangrove Kingfisher, which we tried so hard to find, and then, when we'd almost given up, found one perched on a roadside wire as we headed to Mombasa airport!
--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) – About a dozen at Lake Baringo, 1 at Nakuru, and 15 at Masai Mara.
OSTRICH (SOMALI) (Struthio camelus molybdophanes) – Most African authorities split this as Somali Ostrich; we saw 4 males and 2 females at Tsavo East.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) – Ten on the way to Bogoria, and about 80 at Limuru Pond.
FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna bicolor) – Five with White-faced Whistling-Duck at a roadside pool on the way to Bogoria, and then about 30 at Limuru Pond.
WHITE-BACKED DUCK (Thalassornis leuconotus) – Twenty at Limuru Pond.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca) – Very common and widespread throughout the tour; in all we saw a total of about 180.
SPUR-WINGED GOOSE (Plectropterus gambensis) – We saw a single male amongst a flock of Yellow-billed Storks on the way to Bogoria, 15 at Masai Mara, and 1 in front of the Ole Sereni Hotel.
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK (Anas undulata) – Small numbers at a variety of highland lakes and pools like Sagana, Saiwa and Nakuru.
RED-BILLED DUCK (Anas erythrorhyncha) – We saw a total of about 35 at Limuru Pond, near Naro Moru and at Lake Nakuru.
HOTTENTOT TEAL (Anas hottentota) – About 20 at Lake Nakuru.
CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis) – At least 40 were at Lake Nakuru.
SOUTHERN POCHARD (Netta erythrophthalma) – Five at Limuru Pond.
MACCOA DUCK (Oxyura maccoa) – We saw a single male at Limuru Pond.
Numididae (Guineafowl)
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris) – Common in a variety of open woodland and bush country throughout the tour.
CRESTED GUINEAFOWL (KENYA) (Guttera pucherani pucherani) – Great looks at about a dozen in Sokoke Forest.
VULTURINE GUINEAFOWL (Acryllium vulturinum) – Several large flocks of this striking guineafowl were at Samburu; we saw a total of about 250.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
COQUI FRANCOLIN (Francolinus coqui) – A pair in Masai Mara.
CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus sephaena) – About 10 at Samburu, and 2 at Tsavo East.
YELLOW-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus leucoscepus) – Quite common in dry open country like Samburu (50), Naro Moru (10), and Tsavo East (15).
RED-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus afer) – Ten at Masai Mara.
JACKSON'S FRANCOLIN (Francolinus jacksoni) – Can be difficult, but we were exceptionally lucky this tour and saw at least 12 of these East African endemic francolins between 8500-10,000 ft. on Mt. Kenya.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis) – Quite common on pools in the highlands, with a total of about 80.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus) – About 400 at Lake Nakuru.
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus minor) – Three thousand at Nakuru, and about 600 near the mouth of the Sabaki River.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
AFRICAN OPENBILL (Anastomus lamelligerus) – Singles at Masai Mara and the coast.
ABDIM'S STORK (Ciconia abdimii) – Four on the roof of a large office building in Kisumu.
WOOLLY-NECKED STORK (Ciconia episcopus) – Six in Masai Mara, and 8 at a pool near Sokoke Forest.
WHITE STORK (Ciconia ciconia) – Five at Masai Mara.
SADDLE-BILLED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) – Two at Lake Nakuru.
MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer) – Most common in Nairobi, but also at Bogoria, Kitale, Masai Mara and Tsavo East; in all we saw about 180.
YELLOW-BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis) – Small numbers were widespread on a variety of wetlands throughout the tour.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo) – Two at Sagana Fish Ponds, about 10 at Kisumu, and 100+ at Lake Nakuru.
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax africanus) – Four at Sagana Fish Ponds, and 6 at Nakuru.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus) – We saw 7 on a pool near Naro Moru, and at least 500 at Lake Nakuru.
PINK-BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens) – A dozen on a pool near Naro Moru, and about 40 at Nakuru.
Scopidae (Hamerkop)
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta) – Widespread in small numbers throughout the tour.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea) – Small numbers at a variety of wetlands throughout the tour.
BLACK-HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala) – The most common large heron in wet grasslands; in all we saw about 80.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) – One at Lake Victoria.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – Most common at Lake Nakuru, but also at many other wetlands throughout the tour.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia) – About 30 at Nakuru, and a few others elsewhere.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) – About 20 at lakes Victoria and Nakuru, and 4 at Masai Mara.
LITTLE EGRET (DIMORPHIC) (Egretta garzetta dimorpha) – Four at Mida Creek.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – Common and widespread.
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides) – Two at Lake Baringo, 2 at Masai Mara, and 1 at Hunter's Lodge.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata) – Singles at Baringo and the Sabaki River Estuary.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – Two at Kiawara.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) – About 10 at Lake Nakuru, and 1 at Limuru Pond.
SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus) – Common and widespread; with a total of about 250.
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash) – Common and widespread throughout the tour.
AFRICAN SPOONBILL (Platalea alba) – One near Naro Moru, 3 near Bogoria, 20 at Nakuru, and 6 at Masai Mara.
Sagittariidae (Secretary-bird)
SECRETARY-BIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius) – Small numbers in the open grasslands at Nakuru, Masai Mara and Tsavo.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – One over the cliffs at Baringo was totally unexpected.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus) – Widespread in open grasslands; in all we saw about 30.
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus) – Singles at Kitale, Kakamega, Masai Mara, and the coast.
LAPPET-FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotus) – One at Samburu, and then about 8 at Masai Mara, and 2 at Tsavo East.
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus) – We saw about 80 at Samburu and Masai Mara, and a few others elsewhere.
RUEPPELL'S GRIFFON (Gyps rueppellii) – Eight at Masai Mara.
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus) – A beautiful eagle of the open African skies, with great looks at Samburu, Masai Mara and Tsavo East.
BLACK-BREASTED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus pectoralis) – Two single adults at Masai Mara.
BROWN SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus) – One low over the forest in the Tugen Hills, and then at Masai Mara and Tsavo East.
FASCIATED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus fasciolatus) – One flying along the trail in Sokoke Forest.
BANDED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinerascens) – Great scope views of a perched bird along the Nzoia River to the south of Busia.
CROWNED HAWK-EAGLE (Stephanoaetus coronatus) – Firstly we saw one high over the forest at 10,000 ft. on Mt. Kenya, but then we had absolutely fabulous looks at a perched bird near its nest at Kakamega.
MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus) – One on a nest at Samburu, and then singles at Masai Mara and Tsavo East.
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE (Lophaetus occipitalis) – Widespread in small numbers.
WAHLBERG'S EAGLE (Hieraaetus wahlbergi) – Singles at Sagana Fish Ponds and Masai Mara.
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax) – We saw about 10 at Samburu and Tsavo East, and then a few other singles elsewhere in open country.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE (Aquila verreauxii) – Great looks at a pair flying back and forth along the cliffs at Baringo.
AFRICAN HAWK-EAGLE (Aquila spilogaster) – One at Kongelai Escarpment.
LIZARD BUZZARD (Kaupifalco monogrammicus) – Three in the Busia area, and 1 at the coast.
DARK CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax metabates) – Two singles at Masai Mara.
EASTERN CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax poliopterus) – Four at Samburu, and about 8 at Tsavo East.
GABAR GOSHAWK (Micronisus gabar) – Four at Samburu, and 2 at Masai Mara.
SHIKRA (Accipiter badius) – One at Kongelai.
OVAMPO SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter ovampensis) – One of these uncommon Accipiters was circling over the Oloololo Escarpment.
BLACK GOSHAWK (Accipiter melanoleucus) – A single adult was perched in the garden at Rondo Retreat.
BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans) – Small numbers around Nairobi, in the west, and at the coast.
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer) – One on the way to Bogoria, 4 at Kisumu, 2 at Masai Mara, and 2 at the coast.
MOUNTAIN BUZZARD (Buteo oreophilus) – One high in the forest on Mt. Kenya.
AUGUR BUZZARD (Buteo augur) – Common in the central and western highlands.
Otididae (Bustards)
KORI BUSTARD (Ardeotis kori) – One in the wheat fields at about 8,000 ft. on Mt. Kenya, and then 3 at Tsavo East.
WHITE-BELLIED BUSTARD (Eupodotis senegalensis) – Four in Tsavo East.
BUFF-CRESTED BUSTARD (Eupodotis gindiana) – Two at Samburu, and 4 at Tsavo East.
BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD (Lissotis melanogaster) – We saw a male flying over Solio Game Ranch, and then a male and a female at Masai Mara.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
WHITE-SPOTTED FLUFFTAIL (Sarothrura pulchra) – Twice we heard a close bird calling along a stream in Kakamega Forest but it refused to show itself.
AFRICAN RAIL (Rallus caerulescens) – Heard at Keringet Dam.
BLACK CRAKE (Amaurornis flavirostra) – About 6 at Masai Mara.
PURPLE SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio) – Three adults and 4 immatures at Limuru Pond.
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) – Widespread in small numbers.
RED-KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata) – About 300 at Limuru Pond and Lake Nakuru, and a few others at small wetlands elsewhere.
Gruidae (Cranes)
GRAY CROWNED-CRANE (Balearica regulorum) – We saw about 30 of these beautiful cranes in both the central and western highlands.
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
WATER THICK-KNEE (Burhinus vermiculatus) – Heard and seen briefly by some of the group at Samburu.
SPOTTED THICK-KNEE (Burhinus capensis) – We saw a pair near the cliffs at Lake Baringo.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
LONG-TOED LAPWING (Vanellus crassirostris) – One at Lake Nakuru.
BLACKSMITH PLOVER (Vanellus armatus) – About 30 at a variety of wetlands in the central highlands.
SPUR-WINGED PLOVER (Vanellus spinosus) – Widespread, with a total of about 40.
BLACK-HEADED LAPWING (Vanellus tectus) – We saw 7 of these rather localised lapwings at Baringo, and 1 at Tsavo East.
CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus) – Fairly common in the grasslands of the central highlands, at Masai Mara, and in Tsavo East.
WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus) – Four at Masai Mara.
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) – About 200 at the coast.
LESSER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius mongolus) – Fifty, mainly at the Sabaki River Estuary.
GREATER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius leschenaultii) – Fifty, mainly at Mida Creek.
COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula) – About 8 at Lake Nakuru, and then 40 at the coast.
THREE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius tricollaris) – Small numbers near Mt. Kenya, Nakuru, Masai Mara, and the coast.
Dromadidae (Crab Plover)
CRAB PLOVER (Dromas ardeola) – Surprisingly few, with just 2 at Mida Creek and 1 at the Sabaki River Estuary - we did however all have great views of this fabulous bird.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – Ten at Lake Nakuru.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta) – One at Lake Nakuru.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus) – Small numbers at Limuru, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Masai Mara; in all we saw about 25.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
TEREK SANDPIPER (Xenus cinereus) – Six at Mida Creek.
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) – Widespread (mainly along rivers and on small pools) throughout the tour.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) – Four at Nakuru, and about 20 at the coast.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) – One at Mountain Lodge and then about a dozen at Lake Nakuru, 6 at Masai Mara, and 1 in Tsavo East.
COMMON REDSHANK (Tringa totanus) – Very uncommon inland, so we were lucky to see 1 at Lake Nakuru.
WHIMBREL (EUROPEAN) (Numenius phaeopus phaeopus) – At least 150 were recorded at Mida Creek and the Sabaki River Estuary.
EURASIAN CURLEW (Numenius arquata) – About 10 at the Sabaki River Estuary.
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa) – Two at Lake Nakuru.
BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa lapponica) – About 20 at Mida Creek.
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) – Three at Mida Creek, and about 10 at the Sabaki River Estuary.
SANDERLING (Calidris alba) – Three at Mida Creek.
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta) – Eighty at Lake Nakuru, 1 at Tsavo East, and about 20 at the coast.
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea) – About 400 at Mida Creek and the Sabaki River Estuary.
RUFF (Philomachus pugnax) – Six at Lake Nakuru.
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
SOMALI COURSER (Cursorius somalensis) – Four adults, and then another 6 adults and 2 juveniles to the south of Aruba Dam in Tsavo East - possibly the first breeding record for this area?
THREE-BANDED COURSER (Rhinoptilus cinctus) – Thanks to our local guide we saw a pair of these gorgeous coursers along the cliffs at Baringo.
MADAGASCAR PRATINCOLE (Glareola ocularis) – Two in flight over Mida Creek.
ROCK PRATINCOLE (Glareola nuchalis) – Good looks at about 7 on rocks in the Nzoia River.
Rostratulidae (Painted-Snipes)
GREATER PAINTED-SNIPE (Rostratula benghalensis) – A male was at a small marshy pool in Masai Mara.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
GRAY-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus) – One at Lake Nakuru.
SOOTY GULL (Ichthyaetus hemprichii) – About 20 at the Sabaki River Estuary.
SAUNDERS'S TERN (Sternula saundersi) – One was feeding along the Sabaki River.
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica) – One at Kisumu, 10 at Lake Nakuru, and about 25 at the coast.
CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia) – One at the Sabaki River.
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) – Two at Lake Nakuru.
Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
BLACK-FACED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles decoratus) – About 10 at Samburu (including a pair with tiny chicks), and 1 at Tsavo East.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Widespread in a variety of towns and villages throughout the tour.
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea) – Common and widespread.
DELEGORGUE'S PIGEON (Columba delegorguei) – Three at Mountain Lodge, and 2 at Kakamega.
DUSKY TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia lugens) – Four near Mt. Kenya.
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens) – Very common in semi-arid country, like at Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo East; we saw a total of about 200.
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) – Six at Samburu, 2 at Tsavo East, and 12 at the coast.
BLUE-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur afer) – One on the road to Keringet Dam.
TAMBOURINE DOVE (Turtur tympanistria) – One at the Blue Posts Hotel, and 1 near Watamu.
NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis) – Small numbers at Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo East.
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus) – One at Mountain Lodge, 3 at Kongelai, and 6 at Kakamega.
Musophagidae (Turacos)
GREAT BLUE TURACO (Corythaeola cristata) – Great looks at about 7 at Kakamega Forest.
SCHALOW'S TURACO (Tauraco schalowi) – Heard at Masai Mara.
FISCHER'S TURACO (Tauraco fischeri) – Fabulous looks at 2 of these rather shy turacos at the edge of Sokoke Forest.
HARTLAUB'S TURACO (Tauraco hartlaubi) – Four at Mountain Lodge.
ROSS'S TURACO (Musophaga rossae) – Another gorgeous turaco, with 2 at Kakamega, and 1 at Masai Mara.
WHITE-BELLIED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides leucogaster) – We saw a total of about 20 at Samburu, Baringo, and Kongelai.
EASTERN PLANTAIN-EATER (Crinifer zonurus) – Seven at Kisumu.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
PIED CUCKOO (Clamator jacobinus) – Two singles along the cliffs at Baringo.
LEVAILLANT'S CUCKOO (Clamator levaillantii) – Nice looks at 1 at Kongelai Escarpment.
THICK-BILLED CUCKOO (Pachycoccyx audeberti) – Heard at Sokoke Forest.
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius) – One at Kakamega.
KLAAS'S CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx klaas) – Two in the Mt. Kenya area, and 1 at Tsavo East.
AFRICAN EMERALD CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx cupreus) – Fabulous looks at a gorgeous male at Kakamega.
DIDERIC CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx caprius) – Singles at Baringo, Kakamega and Nakuru.
YELLOWBILL (Ceuthmochares aereus) – Great looks at this normally shy bird along the Saio River.
BLUE-HEADED COUCAL (Centropus monachus) – Two in the reedbeds at Saiwa Swamp.
SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis) – Three in the farmlands west of Mumais.
WHITE-BROWED COUCAL (Centropus superciliosus) – Widespread in small numbers.
Strigidae (Owls)
SOKOKE SCOPS-OWL (Otus ireneae) – Thanks to our local guide we had excellent close views of a orange morph bird at Sokoke Forest.
AFRICAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus senegalensis) – Two at a day roost at Lake Baringo.
NORTHERN WHITE-FACED OWL (Ptilopsis leucotis) – Again, thanks to our local guide, we saw this amazingly well camouflaged owl at Lake Baringo.
CAPE EAGLE-OWL (Bubo capensis mackinderi) – Often split as Mackinder's Eagle-Owl, we had scope views of 1 near Kiawara.
GRAYISH EAGLE-OWL (Bubo cinerascens) – We saw an adult and a juvenile at Baringo.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE-OWL (Bubo lacteus) – Two came to the flood-lit waterhole at Mountain Lodge.
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum) – One at Samburu, and no less than 5 at Tsavo East.
AFRICAN WOOD-OWL (Strix woodfordii) – One at Sokoke Forest.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
SLENDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus clarus) – We saw a single bird on a nest at Baringo, and then some of the group saw a male flying around the lights at Voi Safari Lodge.
Apodidae (Swifts)
MOTTLED SPINETAIL (Telacanthura ussheri) – About 15 drinking from a pool near Sokoke Forest.
ALPINE SWIFT (Apus melba) – About 50 over Mountain Lodge.
MOTTLED SWIFT (Apus aequatorialis) – Six over the river at Samburu.
NYANZA SWIFT (Apus niansae) – Eight in the Tugen Hills, and 2 at Nakuru.
AFRICAN SWIFT (Apus barbatus) – Eight near Mt. Kenya.
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis) – Common and widespread.
WHITE-RUMPED SWIFT (Apus caffer) – Six along the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus) – Small numbers at Samburu, Kisumu, and the coast.
Coliidae (Mousebirds)
SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD (Colius striatus) – Very common and widespread away from the most arid country.
WHITE-HEADED MOUSEBIRD (Colius leucocephalus) – We saw 5 of these dry country mousebirds at Samburu.
BLUE-NAPED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius macrourus) – Prefers drier country than Speckled Mousebird; we saw a total of about 140 at Lukenya, Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo East.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
NARINA TROGON (Apaloderma narina) – Great looks at 2 males in the Tugen Hills.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus) – Small numbers at wetlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 12.
AFRICAN PYGMY-KINGFISHER (Ispidina picta) – Singles at the Blue Posts Hotel, and at Baringo.
GRAY-HEADED KINGFISHER (Halcyon leucocephala) – Fairly common and widespread in dry country; we saw a total of about 18.
WOODLAND KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegalensis) – One at Baringo, 4 near Saiwa Swamp, and about 15 in the Lake Victoria area.
MANGROVE KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegaloides) – One along the roadside near Kilifi.
BROWN-HOODED KINGFISHER (Halcyon albiventris) – One in the Taita Hills.
STRIPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon chelicuti) – Two at Lake Nakuru.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis) – Widespread at wetlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 60.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
BLUE-HEADED BEE-EATER (Merops muelleri) – Great close looks at 3 at Kakamega Forest - a very localised bird.
WHITE-FRONTED BEE-EATER (Merops bullockoides) – Two in the bushed grasslands at Nakuru.
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus) – Small numbers at Samburu, Masai Mara, and at Tsavo East.
CINNAMON-CHESTED BEE-EATER (Merops oreobates) – Common at many sites in the highlands; we saw a total of about 75.
SOMALI BEE-EATER (Merops revoilii) – Two at Samburu, and 1 near Aruba Dam in Tsavo East.
WHITE-THROATED BEE-EATER (Merops albicollis) – Ten at Kakamega, and about 50 at Kisumu.
MADAGASCAR BEE-EATER (Merops superciliosus) – Eight along the shores of Lake Victoria near Kisumu.
NORTHERN CARMINE BEE-EATER (Merops nubicus) – We saw 4 of these gorgeous bee-eaters just north of Malindi at the coast.
Coraciidae (Rollers)
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus) – Common in open country with scattered trees.
RUFOUS-CROWNED ROLLER (Coracias naevius) – Two at Baringo.
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana) – Two at Nakuru.
Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills)
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus) – One at Lake Baringo, and 3 at the Kongelai Escarpment.
COMMON SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas) – Four in Sokoke Forest.
ABYSSINIAN SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus minor) – We saw pairs at both Samburu and Baringo.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
NORTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus erythrorhynchus) – Very common at Samburu (150), 4 at Kongelai Escarpment, and about 40 at Tsavo East.
EASTERN YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus flavirostris) – About 10 at Samburu.
JACKSON'S HORNBILL (Tockus jacksoni) – Eight in the Bogoria to Baringo area.
VON DER DECKEN'S HORNBILL (Tockus deckeni) – Three at Samburu, and 4 at Tsavo East.
CROWNED HORNBILL (Tockus alboterminatus) – Two at Naro Moru River Lodge, and 4 at Masai Mara.
HEMPRICH'S HORNBILL (Tockus hemprichii) – We saw an immature at Baringo, and 3 flying adults at Kongelai Escarpment.
AFRICAN GRAY HORNBILL (Tockus nasutus) – Widespread in dry country, with a total of about a dozen.
TRUMPETER HORNBILL (Ceratogymna bucinator) – Nice looks at several flying birds at the coast.
SILVERY-CHEEKED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna brevis) – About a dozen from the roof of Mountain Lodge.
BLACK-AND-WHITE-CASQUED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna subcylindrica) – At least 50 at Kakamega Forest.
Bucorvidae (Ground-Hornbills)
SOUTHERN GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus leadbeateri) – Very uncommon these days so we were lucky to see singles at Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara.
Lybiidae (African Barbets)
YELLOW-BILLED BARBET (Trachyphonus purpuratus) – Four seen, and several others heard at Kakamega.
RED-AND-YELLOW BARBET (Trachyphonus erythrocephalus) – We saw this strikingly colourful barbet at Samburu.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (Trachyphonus darnaudii) – Fairly common at Samburu, Baringo, Kongelai, and Tsavo East.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (USAMBIRO) (Trachyphonus darnaudii usambiro) – Often split as Usambiro Barbet; we saw about 8 of this form along the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
GRAY-THROATED BARBET (Gymnobucco bonapartei) – At least 30 at Kakamega Forest.
GREEN BARBET (Stactolaema olivacea) – Four at the edge of Sokoke Forest.
GREEN TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus simplex) – After a lot of trying we eventually all got good looks at 1 in the canopy of Sokoke Forest.
MOUSTACHED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus leucomystax) – Heard at Mt. Kenya.
YELLOW-RUMPED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus bilineatus bilineatus) – Many heard, and others seen at the Blue Posts, Mountain Lodge, Saiwa Swamp, and Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus pusillus) – Seen at the Bue Posts Hotel, Baringo, and Tsavo East.
YELLOW-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus chrysoconus) – Nice looks at 1 as we ate our picnic lunch a short distance south of Busia.
YELLOW-SPOTTED BARBET (Buccanodon duchaillui) – Two seen and several heard at Kakamega Forest.
HAIRY-BREASTED BARBET (Tricholaema hirsuta) – One at Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED BARBET (Tricholaema diademata) – One at Lukenya.
SPOT-FLANKED BARBET (Tricholaema lacrymosa) – Small numbers at the Blue Posts Hotel, the Tugen Hills, Kongelai, and Tsavo East; in all we saw about 20.
BLACK-THROATED BARBET (Tricholaema melanocephala) – One at Samburu.
WHITE-HEADED BARBET (Lybius leucocephalus) – Six at the Kongelai Escarpment.
BROWN-BREASTED BARBET (Lybius melanopterus) – Two in the Taita Hills.
DOUBLE-TOOTHED BARBET (Lybius bidentatus) – Another striking barbet; we saw this one in the garden of Rondo Retreat.
Indicatoridae (Honeyguides)
WAHLBERG'S HONEYGUIDE (Prodotiscus regulus) – One in the Taita Hills.
LESSER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator minor) – One at the gate to Tsavo East.
SCALY-THROATED HONEYGUIDE (Indicator variegatus) – Good looks at 1 in Sokoke Forest.
GREATER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator indicator) – Heard at the bottom of Kongelai Escarpment.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
RUFOUS-NECKED WRYNECK (Jynx ruficollis) – Nice looks at 2 on top of the Oloololo Escarpment.
NUBIAN WOODPECKER (Campethera nubica) – Small numbers were widespread in acacia woodland.
MOMBASA WOODPECKER (Campethera mombassica) – At least 2 were heard in the Sokoke Forest.
GREEN-BACKED WOODPECKER (Campethera cailliautii cailliautii) – Good looks at 1 in Sokoke Forest.
BUFF-SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Campethera nivosa) – One at Kakamega.
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Dendropicos fuscescens) – Four at Samburu, and 1 at Kakamega.
BEARDED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos namaquus) – One at Samburu.
GOLDEN-CROWNED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos xantholophus) – Good looks at 2 within Kakamega Forest.
GRAY WOODPECKER (Dendropicos goertae) – One at Saiwa Swamp, and 5 at Kisumu.
GRAY-HEADED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos spodocephalus rhodeogaster) – One at Sagana Fish Ponds.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
PYGMY FALCON (Polihierax semitorquatus) – We saw a single male at Samburu, and then a pair at Tsavo East.
EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) – One along the cliffs at Baringo.
GRAY KESTREL (Falco ardosiaceus) – Two near Mumais.
EURASIAN HOBBY (Falco subbuteo) – Two singles at Masai Mara.
LANNER FALCON (Falco biarmicus) – One along the cliffs at Baringo.
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – One at Voi Safari Lodge.
Psittacidae (Parrots)
FISCHER'S LOVEBIRD (Agapornis fischeri) – Introduced to Kenya; we saw about 8 along the shores of Lake Victoria near Kisumu.
RED-FRONTED PARROT (Poicephalus gulielmi) – About a dozen flying birds at Mountain Lodge.
MEYER'S PARROT (Poicephalus meyeri) – A dozen at Kongelai Escarpment, and another dozen at Masai Mara.
RED-BELLIED PARROT (Poicephalus rufiventris) – More commonly known as African Orange-bellied Parrot; we saw about 8 at Samburu, and 1 in Tsavo East.
Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
BROWN-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira cyanea) – Eight (mainly along the edges) at Kakamega Forest.
BLACK-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira peltata) – Singles and pairs were seen at no less than four areas this tour, with singles or pairs at the Tugen Hills, Keringet Dam, Saiwa Swamp, and Kakamega Forest.
CHESTNUT WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira castanea) – Good looks at a pair in the canopy at Kakamega Forest.
JAMESON'S WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira jamesoni) – Some of the group saw 1 in the Kakamega undergrowth.
SHORT-TAILED BATIS (Batis mixta) – Also known as Forest Batis, we saw a single male in the Afzelia at Sokoke.
CHINSPOT BATIS (Batis molitor) – Pairs at Naro Moru, the Tugen Hills, and Nakuru.
PALE BATIS (Batis soror) – Also known as East Coast Batis; we saw about 6 in the Brachystegia at Sokoke Forest.
PYGMY BATIS (Batis perkeo) – Pairs at Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo East.
Prionopidae (Helmetshrikes and Allies)
RETZ'S HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops retzii) – Four in Sokoke Forest.
CHESTNUT-FRONTED HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops scopifrons) – Good looks at flocks totalling about 40 in Sokoke Forest.
Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer) – Singles at Samburu and Lukenya.
NORTHERN PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus gambensis) – One in the Kerio Valley, and a pair at Kongelai Escarpment.
BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla) – Small numbers at Masai Mara, the Taita Hills, and the coast.
PINK-FOOTED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus angolensis) – Heard at Kakamega.
BLACK-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra senegalus) – Two in the farmlands near Watamu.
BROWN-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis) – Two briefly along the Saio River, and 1 (nicely) at Masai Mara.
LUEHDER'S BUSHSHRIKE (Laniarius luehderi) – Two singles at Saiwa Swamp, and several heard at Kakamega.
TROPICAL BOUBOU (Laniarius aethiopicus) – Fairly common in the highlands.
BLACK-HEADED GONOLEK (Laniarius erythrogaster) – We saw this striking bushshrike in the Kerio Valley, and then around Kisumu.
PAPYRUS GONOLEK (Laniarius mufumbiri) – Another gorgeous bushshrike; we had just fabulous views in the papyrus at Lake Victoria.
SLATE-COLORED BOUBOU (Laniarius funebris) – Six at Samburu, and about a dozen at Tsavo East.
ROSY-PATCHED BUSHSHRIKE (Rhodophoneus cruentus) – Two at Samburu, and 8 at Tsavo East.
GRAY-GREEN BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus bocagei) – Also known as Bocage's Bushshrike; we saw 1 in the canopy at Kakamega Forest.
BLACK-FRONTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus nigrifrons) – Good looks at an adult and then a juvenile in the forest on the Tugen Hills.
GRAY-HEADED BUSHSHRIKE (Malaconotus blanchoti) – Three at Samburu, and 1 at Tsavo East.
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
GRAY CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina caesia) – One in a mixed species feeding flock in the Tugen Hills.
BLACK CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga flava) – Two at the coast.
PETIT'S CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga petiti) – Two females and a male at Kakamega.
PURPLE-THROATED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga quiscalina) – We saw a single male at Saiwa Swamp.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
GRAY-BACKED FISCAL (Lanius excubitoroides) – Small numbers were mainly near wetlands like Bogoria, Kisumu and Lake Nakuru, and also at Masai Mara.
LONG-TAILED FISCAL (Lanius cabanisi) – About 10 at Tsavo East, and 6 at the coast.
TAITA FISCAL (Lanius dorsalis) – One at Samburu, and about 20 at Tsavo East.
MACKINNON'S SHRIKE (Lanius mackinnoni) – We saw an adult and a juvenile in the grounds of Rondo Retreat, Kakamega.
NORTHERN FISCAL (Lanius humeralis) – Common in both the central and western highlands.
WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus rueppelli) – Common in dry bush country like at Samburu, Baringo and Tsavo East; in all we saw a total of about 60.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
EURASIAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus oriolus) – One near Watamu.
AFRICAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus auratus) – Two near Watamu.
WESTERN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus brachyrhynchus) – One in the middle-levels at Kakamega Forest.
AFRICAN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus larvatus) – Small numbers in a variety of open woodland; with a total of about 16.
BLACK-TAILED ORIOLE (Oriolus percivali) – Heard and seen briefly by some of the group at Mountain Lodge.
Dicruridae (Drongos)
SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus ludwigii) – Three singles at Kakamega Forest.
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis) – Common and widespread.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis) – Common and widespread throughout the tour.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
HOUSE CROW (Corvus splendens) – Extremely common at the coast.
CAPE CROW (Corvus capensis) – We saw a total of about 50 in the central and western highlands.
PIED CROW (Corvus albus) – Very common and widespread.
FAN-TAILED RAVEN (Corvus rhipidurus) – Two at Samburu, 4 at Baringo, and 6 at Kongelai Escarpment.
Nicatoridae (Nicators)
EASTERN NICATOR (Nicator gularis) – Some of the group saw at least 1 (of 2) at Sokoke Forest.
Alaudidae (Larks)
RUFOUS-NAPED LARK (Mirafra africana) – One at Lake Nakuru, and 3 in Masai Mara.
PINK-BREASTED LARK (Calendulauda poecilosterna) – One seen and several heard at Samburu.
FOXY LARK (Calendulauda alopex) – Formerly lumped with Fawn-coloured Lark of Southern Africa; we saw 2 singles at Samburu.
CHESTNUT-HEADED SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix signatus) – About 50 in the Aruba Dam area, Tsavo East.
RED-CAPPED LARK (Calandrella cinerea) – One at South Kinangop.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola) – Most common in the central highlands (50+), and then about 10 at Masai Mara.
BANDED MARTIN (Riparia cincta) – Six at Nakuru, and 10 at Masai Mara.
ROCK MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne fuligula) – Widespread in small numbers around buildings and rocky outcrops throughout the tour.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Fairly widespread, with a total of about 450.
ETHIOPIAN SWALLOW (Hirundo aethiopica) – Four in the open country next to Sokoke Forest.
ANGOLA SWALLOW (Hirundo angolensis) – About 30 at Kakamega.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii) – Widespread in small numbers.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (Cecropis daurica) – Six near Mt. Kenya, and about 40 at Nakuru.
LESSER STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis abyssinica) – About 40 at various sites in the west, and then 4 at Tsavo East, and 3 at the coast.
RUFOUS-CHESTED SWALLOW (Cecropis semirufa) – One at Masai Mara.
MOSQUE SWALLOW (Cecropis senegalensis) – Two at Mountain Lodge, 3 at Keringet Dam, and 1 at the Saio River.
WHITE-HEADED SAWWING (Psalidoprocne albiceps) – Fairly common (near water, or at forest edge) in the west.
BLACK SAWWING (Psalidoprocne pristoptera) – Most common in the central highlands, but also a few near Kitale and at Masai Mara.
GRAY-RUMPED SWALLOW (Pseudhirundo griseopyga) – Five in the high altitude grasslands near Eldoret.
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
AFRICAN BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Elminia longicauda) – Two at Saiwa Swamp, 10 at Kakamega, and 2 at Saio River.
WHITE-TAILED CRESTED-FLYCATCHER (Elminia albonotata) – We saw a pair in the Tugen Hills.
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)
WHITE-BELLIED TIT (Melaniparus albiventris) – Pairs and singles were scattered throughout the highlands; we saw a total of about 18.
DUSKY TIT (Melaniparus funereus) – About 6 at Kakamega.
RED-THROATED TIT (Melaniparus fringillinus) – Good looks at this East African endemic in the acacia trees at Lukenya.
SOMALI TIT (Melaniparus thruppi) – One along the cliffs at Baringo.
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
MOUSE-COLORED PENDULINE-TIT (Anthoscopus musculus) – Two at Baringo.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
SOMBRE GREENBUL (Andropadus importunus) – Singles in the Taita Hills and near Watamu.
SLENDER-BILLED GREENBUL (Stelgidillas gracilirostris) – Three at Mountain Lodge, and about 6 at Kakamega - an outer canopy species.
COMMON BRISTLEBILL (Bleda syndactylus) – A pair crossed a trail, and then another single was on the trail within Kakamega Forest.
SHELLEY'S GREENBUL (KAKAMEGA) (Arizelocichla masukuensis kakamegae) – Four were watched feeding along mossy branches at Kakamega.
EASTERN MOUNTAIN-GREENBUL (MOUNTAIN) (Arizelocichla nigriceps nigriceps) – Two on the higher forested slopes of Mt. Kenya.
STRIPE-CHEEKED GREENBUL (OLIVE-HEADED) (Arizelocichla milanjensis olivaceiceps) – Good looks at 3 in the Taita Hills - the only site in Kenya for this species.
YELLOW-BELLIED GREENBUL (Chlorocichla flaviventris) – One at Sokoke Forest.
JOYFUL GREENBUL (Chlorocichla laetissima) – About a dozen at Kakamega.
HONEYGUIDE GREENBUL (Baeopogon indicator) – One in the canopy at Kakamega.
YELLOW-THROATED GREENBUL (Atimastillas flavicollis) – Briefly for some of the group at Keringet Dam, and then nicely for everyone at the edge of Kakamega Forest.
ANSORGE'S GREENBUL (Eurillas ansorgei) – Good looks at 1 in the mid-level interior of Kakamega Forest.
PLAIN GREENBUL (Eurillas curvirostris) – Four in fruiting trees and shrubs at Kakamega.
YELLOW-WHISKERED GREENBUL (Eurillas latirostris) – Singles at Mt. Kenya and the Tugen Hills, and then about 40 at Kakamega.
LITTLE GREENBUL (Eurillas virens) – Two in the forest edge at Kakamega.
NORTHERN BROWNBUL (Phyllastrephus strepitans) – One in the Baringo area.
TORO OLIVE-GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus hypochloris) – One at Kakamega.
CABANIS'S GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus cabanisi) – Four at Saiwa Swamp, and 1 at Kakamega.
CABANIS'S GREENBUL (PLACID) (Phyllastrephus cabanisi placidus) – One in the Tugen Hills, and 3 in the Taita Hills.
COMMON BULBUL (DODSON'S) (Pycnonotus barbatus dodsoni) – This form is sometimes split from the following form as Dodson's Bulbul; we saw about 10 at Samburu, and 60 at Tsavo East.
COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor) – Very common and widespread away from Samburu and Tsavo East.
Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
NORTHERN CROMBEC (Sylvietta brachyura) – Two at Baringo.
RED-FACED CROMBEC (Sylvietta whytii) – Pairs at Naro Moru, the Kerio Valley, and at Kongelai Escarpment.
MOUSTACHED GRASS-WARBLER (Melocichla mentalis) – One near Kichwa Tembo, Masai Mara.
Cettiidae (Bush-Warblers and Allies)
YELLOW FLYCATCHER (Erythrocercus holochlorus) – About 6 at Sokoke Forest.
Phylloscopidae (Leaf-Warblers)
YELLOW-THROATED WOOD-WARBLER (Phylloscopus ruficapilla) – Two singles in the Taita Hills.
UGANDA WOOD-WARBLER (Phylloscopus budongoensis) – Four at Kakamega.
BROWN WOODLAND-WARBLER (Phylloscopus umbrovirens) – Two above 10,000 ft. on Mt. Kenya.
Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
MOUNTAIN YELLOW-WARBLER (Iduna similis) – Three on the higher slopes of Mt. Kenya.
GREATER SWAMP-WARBLER (Acrocephalus rufescens) – One in the papyrus at Lake Victoria.
LESSER SWAMP-WARBLER (Acrocephalus gracilirostris) – One from the viewing platform at Saiwa Swamp.
Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)
LITTLE RUSH-WARBLER (Bradypterus baboecala) – Great looks at this often shy warbler in the reedbeds at Saiwa Swamp.
CINNAMON BRACKEN-WARBLER (Bradypterus cinnamomeus) – Several heard at Mt. Kenya.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
BLACK-COLLARED APALIS (Apalis pulchra) – Two at Mountain Lodge, about 6 at Saiwa Swamp, and several heard at Kakamega.
BLACK-THROATED APALIS (Apalis jacksoni) – Heard from the roof of Mountain Lodge.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida) – Small numbers around Naro Moru, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida viridiceps) – One in the low acacia scrub at Baringo, and 1 at Tsavo East.
BUFF-THROATED APALIS (Apalis rufogularis) – We saw 2 single males at Kakamega.
CHESTNUT-THROATED APALIS (Apalis porphyrolaema) – Some of the group saw 1 at Mt. Kenya, and several others were heard both there and in the Tugen Hills.
BLACK-HEADED APALIS (Apalis melanocephala) – Good looks at Sokoke Forest.
GRAY APALIS (Apalis cinerea) – Small numbers at Mt. Kenya, the Tugen Hills, and at Keringet Dam.
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata) – The gray-backed form was fairly common throughout the tour.
OLIVE-GREEN CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera chloronota) – Good looks at 1 in the interior of Kakamega Forest.
RED-FRONTED WARBLER (Urorhipis rufifrons) – Four at Samburu.
GRAY WREN-WARBLER (Calamonastes simplex) – One along the cliffs at Lake Baringo.
WHITE-CHINNED PRINIA (Schistolais leucopogon) – About half a dozen at Kakamega.
RED-FACED CISTICOLA (Cisticola erythrops) – One in the Kakamega area.
CHUBB'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola chubbi) – Heard at Saiwa Swamp and then seen nicely at Kakamega.
HUNTER'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola hunteri) – Four at Mountain Lodge, and then about 30 on the higher slopes of Mt. Kenya.
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana) – Small numbers at Kongelai Escarpment, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
WINDING CISTICOLA (Cisticola galactotes) – Singles at Sagana Fish Ponds and Nakuru.
CARRUTHERS'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola carruthersi) – One along the edge of the papyrus at Lake Victoria.
TINKLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola tinniens) – Also known at Levaillant's Cisticola; we had good looks at 2 in a reed filled valley north of Kitale.
STOUT CISTICOLA (Cisticola robustus) – Very common in the Masai Mara grasslands.
PECTORAL-PATCH CISTICOLA (Cisticola brunnescens) – Two in the grasslands south of Lake Nakuru.
GRAY-CAPPED WARBLER (Eminia lepida) – Nice looks at 1 at the Blue Posts Hotel near Thika.
BLACK-FACED RUFOUS-WARBLER (Bathmocercus rufus) – We all got good looks at this undergrowth skulker at Kakamega.
BUFF-BELLIED WARBLER (Phyllolais pulchella) – Two at the bottom of Kongelai Escarpment, and 2 at Lake Nakuru.
TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA (Prinia subflava) – Small numbers at Kongelai, along the Saio River, and at Masai Mara.
PALE PRINIA (Prinia somalica) – One at Tsavo East.
BANDED PRINIA (BLACK-FACED) (Prinia bairdii melanops) – Difficult this year, but eventually we all got good looks in the Kakamega undergrowth.
YELLOW-VENTED EREMOMELA (Eremomela flavicrissalis) – Two singles at Samburu.
TURNER'S EREMOMELA (Eremomela turneri) – We saw this globally threatened species in the canopy at Kakamega Forest.
Sylviidae (Sylviids, Parrotbills and Allies)
AFRICAN HILL BABBLER (Pseudoalcippe abyssinica) – Good looks at 1 in the Tugen Hills.
BROWN WARBLER (Parisoma lugens) – More commonly known as Brown Parisoma; we saw 1 at Naro Moru.
BANDED WARBLER (Parisoma boehmi) – More commonly known as Banded Parisoma; we saw 4 at Samburu.
GREEN HYLIA (Hylia prasina) – Nice looks at 1 at the edge of Kakamega Forest.
Zosteropidae (Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW WHITE-EYE (Zosterops senegalensis) – Three at Saiwa Swamp, and about 10 at Kakamega Forest.
BROAD-RINGED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops poliogastrus) – About 20 at Mt. Kenya.
BROAD-RINGED WHITE-EYE (TAITA) (Zosterops poliogastrus silvanus) – Nice looks at 4 in the Taita Hills; most African authorities now split this as Taita White-eye.
WHITE-BREASTED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops abyssinicus) – One at the Blue Posts Hotel, Thika, and about 12 at Aruba Dam in Tsavo East.
Pellorneidae (Fulvettas and Ground Babblers)
SCALY-BREASTED ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis albipectus) – Several heard at Kakamega.
BROWN ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis fulvescens) – One at Kakamega.
MOUNTAIN ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis pyrrhoptera) – Good close looks at 2 at Saiwa Swamp.
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes)
RUFOUS CHATTERER (Turdoides rubiginosa) – About a dozen at Samburu, and 8 at Baringo.
BLACK-LORED BABBLER (Turdoides sharpei) – Two at Nakuru.
SCALY BABBLER (Turdoides squamulata) – Everyone heard, and some saw a couple of these super-skulkers in the thick bush near Sokoke Forest.
NORTHERN PIED-BABBLER (Turdoides hypoleuca) – Five at our hotel in Nairobi.
BROWN BABBLER (Turdoides plebejus) – We saw 2 small flocks at the Kongelai Escarpment.
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
PALE FLYCATCHER (Bradornis pallidus) – One at Kongelai, 3 at Masai Mara, and 4 in the Taita Hills.
GRAYISH FLYCATCHER (Bradornis microrhynchus) – About 20 at Samburu.
WHITE-EYED SLATY-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis fischeri) – Most common around Mt. Kenya, but also at the top of Kongelai Escarpment, and Kakamega.
NORTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis edolioides) – One at the bottom of Kongelai Escarpment, and 4 at Masai Mara.
SOUTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis pammelaina) – Six in the Sagana area, and 1 in the Kerio Valley.
SWAMP FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa aquatica) – Three along the edge of Lake Victoria near Kisumu.
DUSKY-BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa adusta) – Common in both the central and western highlands; in total we saw about 30.
ASHY FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa caerulescens) – One at Hunter's Lodge on the way to Tsavo East.
BEARDED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas quadrivirgata) – One of the group saw 1 in the undergrowth at Sokoke Forest.
RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys) – Three at Samburu, and 1 at Tsavo East.
CAPE ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha caffra) – Two in the Mt. Kenya area.
BLUE-SHOULDERED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha cyanocampter) – Heard at Kakamega.
GRAY-WINGED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha polioptera) – Nice looks at this shy Robin-Chat at Saiwa Swamp.
RUEPPELL'S ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha semirufa) – One near Thika, and 4 at Mountain Lodge.
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini) – Fairly common and widespread; in all we saw about 20.
SNOWY-CROWNED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha niveicapilla) – Often shy, but we all had excellent looks at the edge of Kakamega Forest.
SPOTTED MORNING-THRUSH (Cichladusa guttata) – Small numbers at Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo East.
WHITE-STARRED ROBIN (Pogonocichla stellata) – Two adults and a juvenile at Mountain Lodge.
BROWN-CHESTED ALETHE (Pseudalethe poliocephala) – Two singles along the trails at Kakamega.
EQUATORIAL AKALAT (Sheppardia aequatorialis) – One at Kakamega.
LITTLE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola rufocinereus) – One at a quarry near Kiawara, and 2 at Lake Nakuru.
AFRICAN STONECHAT (Saxicola torquatus) – We saw a pair at the South Kinangop, and then a single female in the Taita Hills.
NORTHERN ANTEATER-CHAT (Myrmecocichla aethiops) – Four near Naro Moru, and about 20 at Lake Nakuru.
SOOTY CHAT (Myrmecocichla nigra) – About 20 at Masai Mara.
MOCKING CLIFF-CHAT (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris) – We saw pairs at Baringo and Kongelai Escarpment.
BROWN-TAILED CHAT (Cercomela scotocerca) – One along the cliffs at Lake Baringo.
MOORLAND CHAT (Cercomela sordida) – One in a clearing at about 10,250 ft. on Mt. Kenya.
NORTHERN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe oenanthe) – Two singles at Tsavo East.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
RED-TAILED ANT-THRUSH (Neocossyphus rufus) – Two singles in Sokoke Forest.
WHITE-TAILED ANT-THRUSH (Neocossyphus poensis) – Some of the group saw two fly across a trail in Kakamega Forest.
ABYSSINIAN GROUND-THRUSH (Geokichla piaggiae) – Excellent close looks at 2 adults and a juvenile at 10,000 ft. on Mt. Kenya.
TAITA THRUSH (Turdus helleri) – We saw this critically endangered thrush feeding in leaf-litter in the Taita Hills.
ABYSSINIAN THRUSH (Turdus abyssinicus) – About 10 in the Mt. Kenya area.
AFRICAN THRUSH (Turdus pelios) – Six at Kakamega, and another 6 between Mumais and Kisumu.
AFRICAN BARE-EYED THRUSH (Turdus tephronotus) – Good looks at 2 feeding amongst elephant dung at Samburu.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea) – Common and widespread in open country; with a total of about 450.
GREATER BLUE-EARED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus) – About 60 at scattered sites in the central highlands, and then another 40 at Masai Mara.
LESSER BLUE-EARED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chloropterus) – About 20 at the Kongelai Escarpment.
RUEPPELL'S GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis purpuroptera) – Fairly common in acacia country throughout most of the tour.
GOLDEN-BREASTED STARLING (Lamprotornis regius) – One of Africa's most gorgeous birds; we saw 4 at Samburu, and about 40 at Tsavo East.
BLACK-BELLIED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis corruscus) – About 30 at Sokoke Forest.
SUPERB STARLING (Lamprotornis superbus) – Very common and widespread.
VIOLET-BACKED STARLING (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) – One at Kongelai, and 3 at Masai Mara.
FISCHER'S STARLING (Spreo fischeri) – About 40 at Samburu, and 20 at Tsavo East.
RED-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus morio) – Eight at Voi Safari Lodge.
WALLER'S STARLING (Onychognathus walleri) – Some of the group saw 1 at Mt. Kenya.
BRISTLE-CROWNED STARLING (Onychognathus salvadorii) – Five along the cliffs at Lake Baringo.
STUHLMANN'S STARLING (Poeoptera stuhlmanni) – About 60 at Kakamega.
MAGPIE STARLING (Speculipastor bicolor) – Normally a 'northern' species, so we were lucky to get good looks at a male near Aruba Dam, Tsavo.
Buphagidae (Oxpeckers)
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) – Small numbers were scattered in parks and farmland with both big game and cattle.
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus) – We saw about 100 at Masai Mara, where they were mainly associating with Giraffe and African Buffalo.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
PLAIN-BACKED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes reichenowi) – We saw a pair in the Afzelia forest at Sokoke.
KENYA VIOLET-BACKED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes orientalis) – About 12 at Samburu, and 6 at Baringo.
GREEN SUNBIRD (Anthreptes rectirostris) – Three at Kakamega.
COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris) – Small numbers were widespread throughout the tour; with a total of about 25.
AMANI SUNBIRD (Hedydipna pallidigaster) – This globally threatened species was difficult, but we eventually all got good looks at a female and then pair.
GREEN-HEADED SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra verticalis) – Ten, at scattered sites in the highlands.
EASTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra olivacea) – One at Mt. Kenya, and 1 at Sokoke Forest.
WESTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra obscura) – One at Saiwa Swamp, and 2 at Kakamega.
GREEN-THROATED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra rubescens) – Six feeding on flowers in the high canopy at Kakamega.
AMETHYST SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra amethystina) – Widespread in small numbers.
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis) – Yet another widespread sunbird.
HUNTER'S SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra hunteri) – Good looks at about 6 at Tsavo East.
TACAZZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia tacazze) – About 20 at Mt. Kenya.
BRONZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia kilimensis) – One of the more common sunbirds in the highlands; in all we saw about 60.
MALACHITE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia famosa) – We saw a beautiful male feeding on Leonotis flowers in the Molo area.
GOLDEN-WINGED SUNBIRD (Drepanorhynchus reichenowi) – Three feeding on Leonotis flowers to the north of Nanyuki.
OLIVE-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris chloropygius) – Four along the Saio River.
NORTHERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris reichenowi) – Fairly common in the central and western highlands.
EASTERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mediocris) – About a dozen on the higher slopes of Mt. Kenya.
BEAUTIFUL SUNBIRD (Cinnyris pulchellus) – We saw about 10 of these 'really beautiful' sunbirds at Baringo.
MARIQUA SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mariquensis) – Two in the Tugen Hills, and 3 at Kongelai.
RED-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris erythrocercus) – About 40 between Mumais and Kisumu in the west.
BLACK-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris nectarinioides) – One at Sagana, 8 at Samburu, and 1 at Tsavo.
TSAVO SUNBIRD (Cinnyris tsavoensis) – Three at Tsavo East.
ORANGE-TUFTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris bouvieri) – We saw a single male along the Saio River.
VARIABLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris venustus) – Fairly common in the central and western highlands.
COPPER SUNBIRD (Cinnyris cupreus) – About 20 (including some fine looking males) in the Saio River area.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis) – Four at Mountain Lodge.
GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea) – One at Kakamega.
MOUNTAIN WAGTAIL (Motacilla clara) – Two at Naro Moru.
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp) – Very common and widespread throughout the tour.
AFRICAN PIPIT (Anthus cinnamomeus) – One at Limuru Pond, and about 6 at the coast.
PLAIN-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus leucophrys) – Two near Naro Moru, and 2 at Masai Mara.
MALINDI PIPIT (Anthus melindae) – We had great looks at 2 of these very localised pipits in the farmland near Sokoke Forest.
SOKOKE PIPIT (Anthus sokokensis) – One was doing its display flight over the Sokoke Forest.
YELLOW-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx croceus) – About 10 at Masai Mara, and 2 at the coast.
ROSY-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx ameliae) – One in the damp grasslands at Masai Mara.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
SOMALI BUNTING (Emberiza poliopleura) – One at Samburu.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
ORIOLE FINCH (Linurgus olivaceus) – Nice looks at a male from the roof of Mountain Lodge.
YELLOW-CROWNED CANARY (Serinus flavivertex) – Twelve at Mt. Kenya, and 6 in the Tugen Hills.
YELLOW-FRONTED CANARY (Serinus mozambicus) – Four at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN CITRIL (Serinus citrinelloides kikuyensis) – Two at Naro Moru, and 1 at Masai Mara.
SOUTHERN CITRIL (Serinus hypostictus) – One near Kitale, and 2 at Kakamega.
REICHENOW'S SEEDEATER (Serinus reichenowi) – Three at Naro Moru, 4 at Kongelai, 2 at Kisumu, and 8 at Masai Mara.
WHITE-BELLIED CANARY (Serinus dorsostriatus) – Three in the Kisumu area.
BRIMSTONE CANARY (Serinus sulphuratus) – Four near Mt. Kenya, and 2 at Masai Mara.
STREAKY SEEDEATER (Serinus striolatus) – About 40 in the Mt. Kenya area.
THICK-BILLED SEEDEATER (Serinus burtoni) – Two at 10,000 ft. on Mt. Kenya, and 1 in the Tugen Hills.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Small numbers around Mt. Kenya and at the coast.
KENYA RUFOUS SPARROW (Passer rufocinctus) – Small numbers in acacia country in the central and western highlands; in all we saw about 30.
NORTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer griseus) – About 70 at a variety of scattered sites in the west.
PARROT-BILLED SPARROW (Passer gongonensis) – Common at Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo East.
CHESTNUT SPARROW (Passer eminibey) – About 300 at Samburu included some males in good plumage; we also saw about 30 at Lukenya, and 50 at Tsavo East.
YELLOW-SPOTTED PETRONIA (Petronia pyrgita) – Twenty at Samburu, and 10 in the Bogoria to Baringo area.
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
WHITE-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis albirostris) – We saw 8 of these very localised weavers at Lake Baringo.
RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis niger) – About 40 at Tsavo East.
WHITE-HEADED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Dinemellia dinemelli) – Forty at Samburu, and 10 at Baringo.
SPECKLE-FRONTED WEAVER (Sporopipes frontalis) – Small numbers at Samburu, Baringo, and Lukenya.
WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser mahali) – Common and widespread in acacia country.
GRAY-HEADED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita arnaudi) – About 80 at Lukenya.
BLACK-CAPPED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita cabanisi) – About 400 at Samburu.
RED-HEADED MALIMBE (Malimbus rubricollis) – Four at Kakamega Forest.
RED-HEADED WEAVER (Anaplectes rubriceps) – Singles at Samburu, Kongelai, and Lukenya.
BAGLAFECHT WEAVER (Ploceus baglafecht) – Common and widespread throughout the highlands.
LITTLE WEAVER (Ploceus luteolus) – Two at Lake Baringo.
SLENDER-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus pelzelni) – About 10 at Lake Victoria.
BLACK-NECKED WEAVER (Ploceus nigricollis) – We saw a single female at Samburu.
SPECTACLED WEAVER (Ploceus ocularis) – One at Mountain Lodge, and 1 at Masai Mara.
BLACK-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus melanogaster) – Singles in the Tugen Hills, Saiwa Swamp, and at Kakamega.
AFRICAN GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus subaureus) – Two at the Blue Posts Hotel, and 2 at Hunter's Lodge.
HOLUB'S GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus xanthops) – Four at Saiwa Swamp, and 1 at Masai Mara.
GOLDEN PALM WEAVER (Ploceus bojeri) – Surprisingly few, with just 3 at the coast.
NORTHERN BROWN-THROATED WEAVER (Ploceus castanops) – We saw a single female at Kisumu.
NORTHERN MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus taeniopterus) – Six of these very localised weavers included some males in great plumage at Lake Baringo.
LESSER MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus intermedius) – About 10 at the gate to Tsavo West.
VITELLINE MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus vitellinus) – Singles at Samburu, Baringo, and at Kongelai.
HEUGLIN'S MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus heuglini) – We saw 5 of these extremely localised weavers at our usual site near Kongelai.
SPEKE'S WEAVER (Ploceus spekei) – Common in the highlands with acacia trees.
VIEILLOT'S WEAVER (Ploceus nigerrimus) – About 30 at Kakamega.
VILLAGE WEAVER (Ploceus cucullatus) – Forty at Kisumu, and about 30 near Voi.
CLARKE'S WEAVER (Ploceus golandi) – A single female was with Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrikes in the Sokoke Brachystegia forest.
BLACK-HEADED WEAVER (Ploceus melanocephalus) – About 50 between Busia and Kisumu.
GOLDEN-BACKED WEAVER (Ploceus jacksoni) – We saw about 10 of these attractive weavers at Lake Baringo.
CHESTNUT WEAVER (Ploceus rubiginosus) – About 100 near the turn off to Samburu, and 6 at Kongelai.
FOREST WEAVER (Ploceus bicolor) – One at Kakamega, and about 6 at Sokoke.
BROWN-CAPPED WEAVER (Ploceus insignis) – Eight at Kakamega Forest.
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea) – We saw several small dense flocks in the Tsavo area.
YELLOW BISHOP (Euplectes capensis) – One at Naro Moru.
RED-COLLARED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes ardens) – We saw a male in breeding plumage at Saiwa Swamp.
FAN-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes axillaris) – About 10 at Keringet Dam and Saiwa Swamp.
LONG-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes progne) – Two at Lake Nakuru.
GROSBEAK WEAVER (Amblyospiza albifrons) – Three at the Blue Posts Hotel, and 6 at Keringet Dam.
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
GRAY-HEADED NIGRITA (Nigrita canicapillus) – More commonly known at Gray-headed Negrofinch; we saw 2 at Mt. Kenya, and 2 at Kakamega Forest.
ABYSSINIAN CRIMSON-WING (Cryptospiza salvadorii) – One as we walked down towards the park gate on Mt. Kenya.
CRIMSON-RUMPED WAXBILL (Estrilda rhodopyga) – Five at Lake Nakuru Lodge.
COMMON WAXBILL (Estrilda astrild) – About 6 at Keringet Dam, and then 10 at Saiwa Swamp.
BLACK-CROWNED WAXBILL (Estrilda nonnula) – Three at the edge of Kakamega Forest.
KANDT'S WAXBILL (Estrilda kandti) – Two on the higher slopes of Mt. Kenya.
RED-RUMPED WAXBILL (Estrilda charmosyna) – Two at Samburu.
RED-HEADED BLUEBILL (Spermophaga ruficapilla) – Some of the group saw 2 along the roadside at Kakamega.
RED-CHEEKED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus bengalus) – Widespread in small numbers.
PURPLE GRENADIER (Granatina ianthinogaster) – Small numbers in a variety of open bush country.
PETERS'S TWINSPOT (Hypargos niveoguttatus) – Great looks at 6 as they fed along a track in Sokoke Forest.
GREEN-WINGED PYTILIA (Pytilia melba) – We saw 1 of these gorgeous waxbills at Baringo, and then another 2 at Tsavo East.
RED-BILLED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta senegala) – Small numbers near Mt. Kenya, and then in the Kerio Valley.
BAR-BREASTED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta rufopicta) – Three in the far west.
JAMESON'S FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta rhodopareia) – Nice looks at a male at Voi.
CUT-THROAT (Amadina fasciata) – Two at a small pool near Naro Moru, and then 2 at Tsavo East.
AFRICAN QUAILFINCH (Ortygospiza fuscocrissa) – Five drinking at a small pool near Naro Moru.
GRAY-HEADED SILVERBILL (Odontospiza griseicapilla) – We saw a flock of 9 of these beautiful waxbills at Samburu.
BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullatus) – Occasionally, small flocks were seen at a variety of widespread sites.
BLACK-AND-WHITE MANNIKIN (BLACK-AND-WHITE) (Spermestes bicolor poensis) – Three at the edge of Kakamega Forest.
AFRICAN SILVERBILL (Euodice cantans) – About a dozen at Samburu.
Viduidae (Indigobirds)
PIN-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua macroura) – Small numbers at Sagana, Kongelai, Nakuru, and the coast.
MAMMALS
BLUE MONKEY (Cercopithecus mitis) – About 50 at Kakamega, and 20 at Kichwa Tembo, Masai Mara.
SYKES MONKEY (Cercopithecus albogularis) – Seven at the Blue Posts Hotel, Thika, about 40 at Mountain Lodge, and 6 at the coast.
BLACK-CHEEKED WHITE-NOSED MONKEY (Cercopithecus ascanius) – More commonly known as Copper-tailed Monkey; we saw about 30 at Kakamega.
BLACK-FACED VERVET MONKEY (Cercopithecus aethiops) – Common in a variety of open woodland, acacia country, and in farmland; in all we saw about 220.
OLIVE BABOON (Papio anubis) – Common and widespread away from Tsavo and the coast; in all we saw about 350.
YELLOW BABOON (Papio cyanocephalus) – About 30 at Voi Safari Lodge, and another 20 on the way to the coast.
MANTLED GUEREZA (Colobus guereza) – More commonly known as Black-and-white Colobus; we saw about 20 at Mt. Kenya, 10 at Saiwa Swamp, and 40+ at Kakamega.
CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis) – One at Samburu.
UNSTRIPED GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus rutilus) – Common at Samburu and Tsavo East.
STRIPED GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus erythropus) – Nice looks at 1 at the Blue Posts Hotel, Thika, and then again at the gate to Tsavo West.
FOREST GIANT SQUIRREL (Protoxerus stangeri) – Two at Kakamega Forest.
BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus sp.) – Six at Mountain Lodge, and 10 at Tsavo East.
RED-LEGGED SUN SQUIRREL (Heliosciurus rufobrachium) – One in the Tugen Hills, 2 at Saiwa Swamp, and about 6 at Kakamega.
BLACK-BACKED JACKAL (Canis mesomelas) – One at Masai Mara.
COMMON (SMALL-SPOTTED) GENET (Genetta genetta) – One at Samburu Lodge.
LARGE-SPOTTED GENET (Genetta tigrina) – One came to the feeder at Mountain Lodge.
SLENDER MONGOOSE (Herpestes sanguineus) – Two singles at Samburu, and 1 at Masai Mara.
BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo) – Four at Masai Mara, and about 40 at Tsavo East.
EASTERN DWARF MONGOOSE (Helogale hirtula) – Five at Samburu, and 2 at Tsavo East.
MARSH MONGOOSE (Atilax paludinosus) – One at the flood-lit waterhole at Mountain Lodge.
SPOTTED HYAENA (Crocuta crocuta) – About 35 at Masai Mara, included a group of 19 which had surrounded 2 lions.
STRIPED HYAENA (Hyaena hyaena) – Good looks at this uncommon nocturnal hyaena at Samburu as 1 walked along a track carrying a large piece of giraffe skin.
CARACAL (Felis caracal) – One along a track in Sokoke Forest.
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus) – One in a tree at Masai Mara was guarding its prey - a baby zebra in the next tree!.
LION (Panthera leo) – Two, and then a young one at Samburu, 1 at Nakuru, 11 in Masai Mara, and finally another 2 (including 1 which had just killed a buffalo) in Tsavo East.
CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus) – Great looks at 1 on a termite mound at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana) – Great close experiences in Samburu (45), Masai Mara (100+), and Tsavo East (350+).
ROCK HYRAX (Procavia capensis) – Twenty at Baringo, and 10 at Nakuru.
BUSH (YELLOW-SPOTTED) HYRAX (Heterohyrax brucei) – One at Kongelai, and about 10 at Tsavo East.
TREE HYRAX (Dendrohyrax arboreus) – Great looks at 1 of these secretive nocturnal hyrax at Mountain Lodge, and then another at Naro Moru.
GREVY'S ZEBRA (Equus grevyi) – We saw about 9 of this globally threatened species at Samburu.
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus burchelli) – Fifty at Solio, about 250 at Nakuru, 3000+ at Masai Mara, and 50 at Tsavo East.
WHITE RHINOCEROS (Ceratotherium simum) – We saw 5 of these introduced rhino at Solio, and then about a dozen at Lake Nakuru.
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) – Most common at Samburu and Masai Mara, but fair numbers were also at a variety of scattered sites.
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius) – About 100 in the Mara River, Masai Mara.
COMMON GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis) – About 80 at Masai Mara, and 2 at Tsavo East.
RETICULATED GIRAFFE (Giraffa reticulata) – About 40 at Samburu, an adult and young one at Solio, and 3 at Tsavo East (where we suspect they were introduced)?
ROTHSCHILD'S GIRAFFE (Giraffa rothschildi) – Sixteen in the open acacia woodlands at Lake Nakuru.
SITATUNGA (Tragelaphus spekei) – We saw 2 of these very uncommon antelopes at Saiwa Swamp.
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus) – About 10 at Mountain Lodge.
GREATER KUDU (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) – Good looks at a very close huge male at Samburu.
LESSER KUDU (Tragelaphus imberbis) – One near Voi Safari Lodge.
COMMON ELAND (Taurotragus oryx) – About 100 at Masai Mara, and 12 at Tsavo East.
AFRICAN BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer) – Most common at Masai Mara (1500+), but also at Nakuru (800+), Tsavo East (200+) and then Mountain Lodge (5).
RED DUIKER (Cephalophus natalensis) – One at Sokoke Forest.
COMMON WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) – Fifteen at Samburu, and 20 at Tsavo East.
DEFASSA WATERBUCK (Kobus defassa) – About 20 at Mt. Kenya, 50+ at Nakuru, and 150+ at Masai Mara.
BEISA ORYX (Oryx beisa) – About 65 at Samburu.
TOPI (Damaliscus lunatus) – About 100 at Masai Mara.
HARTEBEEST (KONGONI) (Alcelaphus buselaphus) – Also known as Coke's Hartebeest; we saw 10 at Masai Mara, and about 40 at Tsavo East.
BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus) – About 8000 at Masai Mara.
KIRK'S DIK-DIK (Modoqua kirki) – Most common at Samburu (60) but we also saw a few at Bogoria, and at Tsavo East.
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus) – Common and widespread in open wooded country; in all we saw about 700.
GERENUK (Litocranius walleri) – Thirty-five at Samburu.
THOMSON'S GAZELLE (Gazella thomsoni) – About 200 at both Nakuru and Masai Mara, and then 4 at Lukenya.
GRANT'S GAZELLE (Gazella granti) – Fifty at Samburu, 30 at Nakuru, 6 at Masai Mara, and 50+ at Tsavo East.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Reptiles seen on the tour included:
Nile Crocodile: 8 at Samburu, 1 at Baringo, and about 20 (including some huge ones) at Masai Mara.
Nile Monitor: 3 at Lake Baringo.
Red-headed Rock Agama: most common at Tsavo East (50), but we also saw a few at Samburu and Baringo.
Tropical House Gecko: small numbers were widespread throughout the tour.
Totals for the tour: 580 bird taxa and 56 mammal taxa