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Field Guides Tour Report
Kenya Safari Spectacular 2014
Aug 29, 2014 to Sep 25, 2014
Terry Stevenson


As Africa's heaviest flying bird, this displaying male Kori Bustard was truly an impressive sight. (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

Our 2014 Kenya Safari Spectacular tour followed our well-tried route from Mt. Kenya (atop the central highlands) to the arid bush country at Samburu, Lakes Baringo and Nakuru in the Great Rift Valley, the western highlands and Lake Victoria basin, and then flying to Masai Mara, before the final leg to Tsavo, the Taita Hills and the coast. Weather throughout the tour was consistently dry (perhaps a bit too dry), but we still enjoyed more than 600 species of birds and 60+ mammals. Secretary-birds and Kori Bustards on the plains, Bateleurs crossing the blue skies, Crab Plovers at Mida Creek, no fewer then 10 turacos, gorgeous rufous-morph Sokoke Scops-Owls, Black-faced Rufous-Warbler in the Kakamega undergrowth, the critically endangered Taita Thrush, and 27 species of just gorgeous sunbirds were birding highlights indeed! While Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, numerous encounters with elephants, and lines of migrating Wildebeest crossing the Mara plains were tops on the mammal list.

In the Mt. Kenya area we stayed at two different lodges giving us access to mixed forest on the southwest slope, and then to 10,000ft. on the west. Jackson's Francolin, Delegorgue's Pigeon, Hartlaub's Turaco, White-headed Woodhoopoe, the massive Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, duetting Tropical Boubous, friendly White-eyed Slaty-Flycatchers, fabulous looks at the normally shy Abyssinian Ground-Thrush, and shimmering Tacazze Sunbirds all added to our enjoyment here.

In the Samburu lowlands our targets were the more localized arid country birds, including 'Somali' Ostrich, Vulturine Guineafowl, our first Buff-crested Bustard, Chestnut-bellied and Black-faced sandgrouse, White-headed Mousebird, Somali Bee-eater, Pygmy Batis, Somali Tit, Yellow-vented Eremomela, and Donaldson-Smith's Sparrow-Weaver. While mammals varied from Unstriped Ground-Squirrel and Common Genet to Lion and Leopard, African Elephant, the rare Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, and Beisa Oryx.

Further west in the Baringo and Bogoria area of the Great Rift Valley, we walked along the towering cliffs, checked the lakeside trees, and by working closely with our local guide Francis had yet another memorable day. Just a few of the local 'specials' here included Goliath Heron, Verreaux's Eagle, Three-banded Courser, African Scops-Owl, Northern White-faced Owl, Grayish Eagle-Owl, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Jackson's Hornbill, Mouse-colored Penduline-Tit, Brown Babbler, Mocking Cliff-Chat, Brown-tailed Chat, Bristle-crowned Starling, Shining Sunbird, Northern Masked-Weaver, and Green-winged Pytilia.

We then headed to the western highlands, a diverse range of habitats that included the Kongelai Escarpment, Saiwa Swamp, the famed Kakamega Forest and finally the shores of Lake Victoria. New birds throughout our week in the west were far too numerous to mention here, but again just a few of our favorites were; numerous Hamerkops, herons, egrets, and storks feeding right amongst the fisherwomen at Kisumu, a wonderful close Crowned Hawk-Eagle in our lodge garden at Kakamega, Ross's, White-crested and Great Blue turacos, Blue-headed Bee-eater, Yellow-billed and Double-toothed barbets, a tiny Chestnut Wattle-eye, striking Black-headed Gonoleks, 13 species of greenbuls, Black-collared Apalis, the endangered Turner's Eremomela, skulking species of akalat, alethe and illadopsis, fabulous Golden-winged and Malachite sunbirds, the very localized Orange-tufted Sunbird, Red-headed Malimbe, and Red-headed Bluebill. While mammals included Black-cheeked White-nosed and 'Colobus' monkeys at Kakamega, the rare De Brazza Monkey and Sitatunga at Saiwa Swamp, and Hippos at Lake Victoria.

Back in the Rift Valley, an exceptionally high water level at Lake Nakuru meant flamingo numbers were low (but still gorgeously beautiful in the morning and evening light) while the numbers and variety of other waterbirds were exceptionally high -- and with the new track right along the water's edge, opportunities for viewing and photography were at their best. And, while enjoying this waterbird spectacle, in the plains and woodland along the shore fed herds of Burchell's Zebra, African Buffalo, Defassa Waterbuck, Thomson's Gazelle, and lesser numbers of Rothchild's Giraffe, Warthog, White Rhino (introduced), and as we were leaving a rare solitary Black Rhino.

After a night in Nairobi we then flew to Masai Mara and what can be one of the world's most spectacular wildlife reserves. We were not disappointed, as we made drives from Kichwa Tembo Camp in an open-sided 4X4 vehicle -- seeing no fewer than 13 Lions, our second Leopard of the tour, a beautiful close Cheetah, at least 30 Spotted Hyaena, perhaps 150 elephants or more, and just thousands of zebra, buffalo, topi, and migrating wildebeest. Birding highlights were Saddle-billed Stork, flocks of vultures feeding on dead zebra and wildebeest, the rare Ovampo Sparrowhawk, Kori Bustard, Temminck's Courser, Schalow's Turaco, Rufous-chested Swallow, Moustached Grass-Warbler, Miombo Wren-Warbler, and Rosy-breasted Longclaw.

We then began the final leg of our tour heading southeast to Tsavo, the Taita Hills, and the coast. As usual Tsavo gave us a good selection of raptors with great looks at an early Steppe Eagle, Eastern Chanting-Goshawk, and a close Martial Eagle being perhaps the most spectacular. Seeing two male Hartlaub's Bustards chasing each other round and round in circles right next to the vehicle was an unexplained and fascinating piece of behavior to observe. Other highlights were Somali Courser (extending their range south), Bat-like Spinetail (circling amongst the baobabs), Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike and Golden-breasted Starling (all three just stunning). We saw more than 20 species of large mammals in the park, with Yellow Baboon and Caracal being new, but the big herds of soil-stained red elephants were by far the most impressive. In the Taita Hills we all had great looks at the critically endangered Taita Thrush, plus 'Taita' White-eye, Stripe-cheeked Greenbul, a gorgeous White-starred Robin, and the very localized Brown-breasted Barbet.

Finally, our four nights at the coast brought yet more new birds each day, from a wealth of migrant shorebirds and showy Crab Plovers at Mida Creek, to Malindi Pipit and Zanzibar Bishop in the farmlands, Palmnut Vulture and Mangrove Kingfisher along the roadside, and such varied forest species as Fischer's Turaco, Sokoke Scops-Owl, Green Tinkerbird, Mombasa Woodpecker, Short-tailed Batis, Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike, Eastern Nicator, Tiny Greenbul, Yellow Flycatcher, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Plain-backed and Amani sunbirds, and Peter's Twinspot.

--Terry

Our next Kenya Safari Spectacular runs August 28 to September 24, 2015.


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)


We saw over 60 species of mammals on this tour and none more awe-inspiring than African Elephants. These guys clearly have been wallowing and dust bathing in very red substrates! (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

OSTRICH (COMMON) (Struthio camelus massaicus) – Many authorities now split Ostrich as two species, Common and Somali Ostrich; we saw small numbers of the race 'massaicus' at Baringo, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
OSTRICH (SOMALI) (Struthio camelus molybdophanes) – Often split from Common Ostrich; we saw a single male at Samburu, and about 20 (of both sexes) at Tsavo East.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) – Most common at the Sabaki River estuary (200+), but we also saw small numbers at Sagana, Kisumu, and Nakuru.
WHITE-BACKED DUCK (Thalassornis leuconotus) – Four at Limuru Pond.
COMB DUCK (Sarkidiornis melanotos) – Three at Nakuru, and about 15 at the Sabaki River estuary.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca) – Common and widespread throughout the tour.
AFRICAN BLACK DUCK (Anas sparsa) – Two at an overflowing river near Ol Kalau.
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK (Anas undulata) – Small numbers at a variety of wetlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 50.
RED-BILLED DUCK (Anas erythrorhyncha) – Forty at Limuru Pond, and 20 at Nakuru.
HOTTENTOT TEAL (Anas hottentota) – One at Limuru Pond, and 7 at Nakuru.
CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis) – Six at Nakuru.
SOUTHERN POCHARD (Netta erythrophthalma) – Three males at Limuru Pond.
MACCOA DUCK (Oxyura maccoa) – One male at Limuru Pond.
Numididae (Guineafowl)
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris) – Common and widespread in a variety of open woodland and bush country.
CRESTED GUINEAFOWL (KENYA) (Guttera pucherani pucherani) – Great looks at a couple of small flocks in Sokoke Forest.
VULTURINE GUINEAFOWL (Acryllium vulturinum) – About 250 at Samburu, and 30 at Tsavo East.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus sephaena) – Thirty at Samburu, and 2 at Tsavo East.
SCALY FRANCOLIN (Francolinus squamatus) – Heard at Mountain Lodge.
YELLOW-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus leucoscepus) – About 80 at Samburu, 2 at Solio, and a dozen at Tsavo East.
RED-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus afer) – Two singles at Masai Mara.
JACKSON'S FRANCOLIN (Francolinus jacksoni) – Great looks at this East African endemic at around 10,000 ft. on Mt. Kenya.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis) – Small numbers at Limuru, Sagana, and Nakuru.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)


A Secretary-bird's structure and behavior make it a truly fascinating species and one of the tour favorites. (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus) – About 300 at Nakuru, and 2000+ at the coast.
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus minor) – About 3000 at Lake Nakuru.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
AFRICAN OPENBILL (Anastomus lamelligerus) – Three at Kisumu.
WOOLLY-NECKED STORK (Ciconia episcopus) – Three at Masai Mara, 3 at Voi, and 8 at the coast.
SADDLE-BILLED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) – One of the very first birds of the tour - and right in front of our rooms at the Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi.
MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer) – Common and widespread; with a total of about 210.
YELLOW-BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis) – Common at wetlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 120.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo) – About 100 at Nakuru.
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax africanus) – Small numbers at Sagana, Baringo, Kerenget Dam, and Nakuru.
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
AFRICAN DARTER (Anhinga rufa rufa) – Three at Lake Baringo.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus) – About 400 at Nakuru.
PINK-BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens) – Four at Nakuru, and 2 at the coast.
Scopidae (Hamerkop)
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta) – Most numerous along the shore at Lake Victoria, but they were also widespread at wetlands throughout the tour.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea) – Widespread at a variety of wetlands.
BLACK-HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala) – Very common and widespread throughout the tour.
GOLIATH HERON (Ardea goliath) – Singles at Sagana and Baringo, and then 2 or 3 at Mida Creek.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) – Two at Baringo, and 1 at Saiwa Swamp.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – Widespread in small numbers.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia) – About 6 in the Kisumu area.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) – Widespread; with a total of about 150.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – Common and widespread.
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides) – Two singles at Lake Baringo.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata) – Three at Lake Baringo.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)


We enjoyed up close and personal looks at African Buffalo. (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) – One at Limuru Pond, 20 at Nakuru, and about 10 at Masai Mara.
SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus) – Very common and widespread with a total of about 300.
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash) – Common and widespread with a total of about 70.
AFRICAN SPOONBILL (Platalea alba) – Small numbers at wetlands throughout the tour.
Sagittariidae (Secretary-bird)
SECRETARY-BIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius) – One at Samburu, and 6 at Masai Mara - one of the trip favorites.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – One at Watamu.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus) – Small numbers in open woodlands and farm country.
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus) – Singles adults at Mountain Lodge and Kakamega, and an adult and immature over the Saio River.
PALM-NUT VULTURE (Gypohierax angolensis) – One near Gede.
LAPPET-FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotus) – Great looks at these massive vultures at Samburu and Masai Mara.
HOODED VULTURE (Necrosyrtes monachus) – Three at Samburu.
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus) – By far the most common and widespread vulture; with a total of about 300.
RUEPPELL'S GRIFFON (Gyps rueppellii) – About 40 at Masai Mara.
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus) – We saw about 15 of these gorgeous eagles over a variety of open country.
BLACK-BREASTED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus pectoralis) – Two singles at Masai Mara.
BROWN SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus) – Singles at Samburu, Kongelai, and near Voi.
BANDED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinerascens) – One at Masai Mara.
BAT HAWK (Macheiramphus alcinus) – One at Kakamega.
CROWNED HAWK-EAGLE (Stephanoaetus coronatus) – Distantly at Mountain Lodge, and then just fabulous views of a bird nesting in the garden at Rondo Retreat.
MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus) – Several great encounters this tour, with good looks at Samburu, Kongelai, Masai Mara, and Tsavo.
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE (Lophaetus occipitalis) – Widespread in a variety of farmland and bush country throughout the tour.
WAHLBERG'S EAGLE (Hieraaetus wahlbergi) – Seven singles were seen in a variety of open country.
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax) – About a dozen at Masai Mara, and a few others in widespread game parks elsewhere.
STEPPE EAGLE (Aquila nipalensis) – We saw an rather early individual at Masai Mara.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE (Aquila verreauxii) – Great looks along the cliffs at Baringo.
LIZARD BUZZARD (Kaupifalco monogrammicus) – Singles near Mumais and at the coast.


We caught up to this Jackson's Francolin around 10,000 feet on Mount Kenya. (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

DARK CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax metabates) – Four in the Baringo to Bogoria area.
EASTERN CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax poliopterus) – Three at Samburu, and about 10 in Tsavo.
GABAR GOSHAWK (Micronisus gabar) – Singles at Nakuru, Masai Mara, and Tsavo.
AFRICAN GOSHAWK (Accipiter tachiro) – One of the group saw 1 in the Taita Hills.
SHIKRA (Accipiter badius) – One at Tsavo.
OVAMPO SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter ovampensis) – Good scope views of this rather rare raptor at Masai Mara.
BLACK GOSHAWK (Accipiter melanoleucus) – One at Kakamega.
BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans) – Common around a variety of towns and villages.
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer) – Singles at Samburu, Masai Mara, and the coast.
AUGUR BUZZARD (Buteo augur) – Fairly common and widespread in the high country; with a total of about 20.
Otididae (Bustards)
KORI BUSTARD (Ardeotis kori) – Great looks at close displaying males at both Masai Mara and Tsavo.
WHITE-BELLIED BUSTARD (Eupodotis senegalensis) – One near Voi Safari Lodge.
BUFF-CRESTED BUSTARD (Eupodotis gindiana) – One at Samburu, and 6 at Tsavo.
BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD (Lissotis melanogaster) – Nice looks at a male at Masai Mara.
HARTLAUB'S BUSTARD (Lissotis hartlaubii) – We watched males chasing each other around our vehicle near Voi Safari Lodge.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
AFRICAN RAIL (Rallus caerulescens) – Heard at Saiwa Swamp.
BLACK CRAKE (Amaurornis flavirostra) – Fairly widespread and one of the few rails to show well.
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) – Small numbers at Limuru, Sagana, and Saiwa Swamp.
RED-KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata) – About 200 at Limuru Pond, a dozen at Sagana, and 8 at Nakuru.
Sarothruridae (Flufftails)
WHITE-SPOTTED FLUFFTAIL (Sarothrura pulchra) – Heard along the Saio River.
BUFF-SPOTTED FLUFFTAIL (Sarothrura elegans) – A couple of us saw one on a trail within Kakamega Forest.
Gruidae (Cranes)
GRAY CROWNED-CRANE (Balearica regulorum) – Widespread in the high country; we saw a total of about 40.
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
SPOTTED THICK-KNEE (Burhinus capensis) – Two at Baringo.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – One at Limuru, and about 40 at Nakuru.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta) – One at Nakuru.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)


Our one Cheetah sighting was unforgettable. (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) – About 25 at the coast.
LONG-TOED LAPWING (Vanellus crassirostris) – Two along the shore at Lake Victoria.
BLACKSMITH PLOVER (Vanellus armatus) – Small numbers at Limuru, Sagana, and Nakuru.
SPUR-WINGED PLOVER (Vanellus spinosus) – Fairly widespread at wetlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 40.
BLACK-HEADED LAPWING (Vanellus tectus) – Three at Tsavo East.
CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus) – Fairly common in high altitude grasslands.
WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus) – Eight at Masai Mara.
LESSER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius mongolus) – We saw a total of about 50 at Mida Creek and the Sabaki River estuary.
GREATER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius leschenaultii) – Five at Mida Creek.
COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula) – One at Aruba Dam, and about 400 at the coast.
THREE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius tricollaris) – Small numbers at Sagana, Samburu, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus) – Small numbers at a variety of wetlands with waterlilies.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
TEREK SANDPIPER (Xenus cinereus) – About 20 at Mida Creek.
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) – Widespread in small numbers; with a total of about 30.
GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus) – One at Nakuru.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) – One at Nakuru, and about 50 at Mida Creek.
MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis) – Four at Nakuru.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) – Twenty at Nakuru, and 1 at Masai Mara.
WHIMBREL (EUROPEAN) (Numenius phaeopus phaeopus) – About a dozen of the white-backed nominate race were at Mida Creek.
EURASIAN CURLEW (Numenius arquata) – Two at Mida Creek.
BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa lapponica) – One at Mida Creek.
RUFF (Calidris pugnax) – About 50 at Nakuru.
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea) – Twenty at Nakuru, and about 50 at Mida Creek.
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta) – Thirty at Nakuru, and 40 at Mida Creek.
Dromadidae (Crab Plover)
CRAB PLOVER (Dromas ardeola) – Eleven at Mida Creek.
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
SOMALI COURSER (Cursorius somalensis) – A pair with 4 juveniles near Voi Safari Lodge, and 6 along the Sala Gate road.
TEMMINCK'S COURSER (Cursorius temminckii) – One at Masai Mara, and 2 near Voi Safari Lodge.


Hartlaub's Bustards put on a great show for us. (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

THREE-BANDED COURSER (Rhinoptilus cinctus) – Thanks to Francis our local guide we had fabulous looks at this nocturnal courser at Lake Baringo.
ROCK PRATINCOLE (Glareola nuchalis) – Five on the rocks in the Nzoia River, Western Kenya.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
GRAY-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus) – A single distant bird at Nakuru was the only one.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (HEUGLIN'S) (Larus fuscus heuglini) – Some of the group saw 1 at the Sabaki River estuary.
SAUNDERS'S TERN (Sternula saundersi) – One at Mida Creek.
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica) – Six at Nakuru, and about 20 at the coast.
CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia) – Two at the Sabaki River estuary.
WHITE-WINGED TERN (Chlidonias leucopterus) – Five at Lake Victoria, and about 100 at Lake Nakuru.
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) – Ten (including some adults in breeding plumage) at Nakuru.
Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles exustus) – Eight at Samburu.
BLACK-FACED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles decoratus) – Four at Samburu, and 8 at Tsavo.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Small numbers at a variety of towns and villages throughout the tour.
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea) – Very common and widespread.
RAMERON PIGEON (Columba arquatrix) – Seen in flight at Mountain Lodge, and then great scope views of 2 at Masai Mara.
DELEGORGUE'S PIGEON (Columba delegorguei) – Three males and a female at Mountain Lodge.
DUSKY TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia lugens) – Six at the Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi.
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens) – More commonly known as African Mourning Dove they were common in low country at Samburu, Baringo and Tsavo.
RED-EYED DOVE (Streptopelia semitorquata) – Very common and widespread.
RING-NECKED DOVE (Streptopelia capicola) – Very common and widespread.
LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis) – Very common and widespread.
EMERALD-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos) – Small numbers in low dry bush country and at the coast; in all we saw about 12.
BLUE-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur afer) – Two at Kongelai, 1 at the Saio River, and 1 at Masai Mara.
TAMBOURINE DOVE (Turtur tympanistria) – We saw a total of 7 at Kerenget and Saiwa Swamp.
NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis) – Common at Samburu and Baringo, and a few others at Tsavo and the coast.
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus) – Small numbers at Kongelai, Kakamega, and Masai Mara.
Musophagidae (Turacos)


The herds of Blue Wildebeest were amazing. (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

GREAT BLUE TURACO (Corythaeola cristata) – Very difficult this year, but eventually we all saw 4 at dusk on our last day at Kakamega - what a relief!
SCHALOW'S TURACO (Tauraco schalowi) – Good looks at 2 of these shy turacos at Masai Mara.
BLACK-BILLED TURACO (Tauraco schuettii) – Rare in Kenya these days, so we were lucky to see 4 at Kakamega.
WHITE-CRESTED TURACO (Tauraco leucolophus) – We saw 2 of these beautiful turacos in the Kerio Valley, and 1 at Kongelai.
FISCHER'S TURACO (Tauraco fischeri) – Two at Sokoke Forest.
HARTLAUB'S TURACO (Tauraco hartlaubi) – About 8 in the Mt. Kenya area, and then heard in the Tugen and Taita hills.
ROSS'S TURACO (Musophaga rossae) – One at Kitale Club, and 2 at Saiwa Swamp.
BARE-FACED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides personatus) – Two near Ahero, east of Kisumu.
WHITE-BELLIED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides leucogaster) – Repeated good looks at Samburu, Baringo, Kongelai and Tsavo.
EASTERN PLANTAIN-EATER (Crinifer zonurus) – Two at the bottom of Kongelai Escarpment.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
LEVAILLANT'S CUCKOO (Clamator levaillantii) – We saw a black morph bird at the coast.
THICK-BILLED CUCKOO (Pachycoccyx audeberti) – Repeated fly-by looks at this very uncommon bird at Sokoke Forest.
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius) – One at Kakamega.
KLAAS'S CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx klaas) – Good looks at a bird along the Saio River.
AFRICAN EMERALD CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx cupreus) – Heard at Kakamega.
DIDERIC CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx caprius) – Two at Baringo, and 2 at Lake Nakuru.
YELLOWBILL (Ceuthmochares aereus) – We saw this secretive species in the undergrowth at the edge of Sokoke Forest.
BLUE-HEADED COUCAL (Centropus monachus) – Two at Saiwa Swamp.
SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis) – One in the farmland near Saio River.
WHITE-BROWED COUCAL (Centropus superciliosus) – Widespread in small numbers.
Strigidae (Owls)
SOKOKE SCOPS-OWL (Otus ireneae) – Fantastic looks at 2 rufous morph birds in the Sokoke 'Cynometra'.
AFRICAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus senegalensis) – Brilliant spotting by the Baringo Club gardeners provided us with great looks at this cryptic species.
NORTHERN WHITE-FACED OWL (Ptilopsis leucotis) – Two near the cliffs at Baringo.
CAPE EAGLE-OWL (Bubo capensis mackinderi) – Nice scope views of 1 near Kiawara.
GRAYISH EAGLE-OWL (Bubo cinerascens) – One in a gorge at Baringo.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE-OWL (Bubo lacteus) – One at Mountain Lodge.
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum) – Singles at Samburu and the Kerio Valley, and then 6 at Tsavo.
AFRICAN WOOD-OWL (Strix woodfordii) – One near the Sokoke Forest.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)


This Hippopotamus decided it was time for a siesta. (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

ABYSSINIAN NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus poliocephalus) – Heard at Mountain Lodge.
SLENDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus clarus) – Great day time looks at 2 roosting birds at Baringo.
Apodidae (Swifts)
MOTTLED SPINETAIL (Telacanthura ussheri) – About 10 near Malindi.
BAT-LIKE SPINETAIL (Neafrapus boehmi) – Two near the baobabs at Kibwezi, and 2 over Sokoke Forest.
SCARCE SWIFT (Schoutedenapus myoptilus) – About 100 at Mountain Lodge.
MOTTLED SWIFT (Apus aequatorialis) – One at Mt. Kenya, and 6 at Samburu.
NYANZA SWIFT (Apus niansae) – About 15 at Nakuru.
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis) – Common and widespread.
HORUS SWIFT (Apus horus) – One at the Saio River.
WHITE-RUMPED SWIFT (Apus caffer) – Two at Kibwezi.
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus) – Common in dry country with palms, like Samburu, Tsavo, and the coast.
Coliidae (Mousebirds)
SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD (Colius striatus) – Common and widespread.
WHITE-HEADED MOUSEBIRD (Colius leucocephalus) – We saw 3 of these very localised mousebirds at Samburu.
BLUE-NAPED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius macrourus) – Common at Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
NARINA TROGON (Apaloderma narina) – Great scope views of a male in the Tugen Hills.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus) – Small numbers at wetlands throughout the tour.
AFRICAN PYGMY-KINGFISHER (Ispidina picta) – Singles at Saio River and Sokoke Forest.
GRAY-HEADED KINGFISHER (Halcyon leucocephala) – Widespread in small numbers; in all we saw about 20.
WOODLAND KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegalensis) – Seen at Baringo, in the Kerio Valley, and at Kisumu.
MANGROVE KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegaloides) – One as we headed to Mombasa on the very last morning.
BROWN-HOODED KINGFISHER (Halcyon albiventris) – One in the Taita Hills.
STRIPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon chelicuti) – Two at the bottom of Kongelai Escarpment.
GIANT KINGFISHER (Megaceryle maximus) – One at Mt. Kenya, and 3 in the Bogoria area.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis) – Common and widespread.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
BLUE-HEADED BEE-EATER (Merops muelleri) – We saw 3 of these gorgeous and rare bee-eaters at Kakamega Forest.


A cooperative African Bare-eyed Thrush (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus) – Widespread in dry bush country.
CINNAMON-CHESTED BEE-EATER (Merops oreobates) – Replaces the previous species in higher altitude forest edge areas.
SOMALI BEE-EATER (Merops revoilii) – Two at Samburu, and 4 at Tsavo.
WHITE-THROATED BEE-EATER (Merops albicollis) – About 40 at Kakamega, and 20 in the Kisumu area.
MADAGASCAR BEE-EATER (Merops superciliosus) – Three at Lake Baringo.
NORTHERN CARMINE BEE-EATER (Merops nubicus) – One as we left Tsavo East, and 4 near Malindi.
Coraciidae (Rollers)
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus) – Common, widespread, and very attractive!
RUFOUS-CROWNED ROLLER (Coracias naevius) – One along the cliffs at Baringo.
BROAD-BILLED ROLLER (Eurystomus glaucurus) – Nice scope views at the bottom of Kongelai Escarpment.
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana) – One at Samburu.
Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills)
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus) – Small numbers in a variety of open woodland and acacia country.
WHITE-HEADED WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus bollei) – Six, high on Mt. Kenya, and 3 at Kakamega.
COMMON SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas) – Two at Kibwezi.
ABYSSINIAN SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus minor) – Four at Samburu.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
NORTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus erythrorhynchus) – Very common and Samburu and Tsavo, and far smaller numbers at Baringo and Kongelai; in all we saw about 250.
EASTERN YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus flavirostris) – Six at Samburu.
JACKSON'S HORNBILL (Tockus jacksoni) – Four at Baringo, and 3 at Kongelai.
VON DER DECKEN'S HORNBILL (Tockus deckeni) – About 15 at Samburu, and 10 at Tsavo.
CROWNED HORNBILL (Tockus alboterminatus) – Three at Mt. Lodge, and 1 at the bottom of Kongelai Escarpment.
HEMPRICH'S HORNBILL (Tockus hemprichii) – Heard at Baringo, and then 2 were seen nicely at Kongelai.
AFRICAN GRAY HORNBILL (Tockus nasutus) – Six in the Baringo to Bogoria area, and then about 10 at Tsavo.
TRUMPETER HORNBILL (Ceratogymna bucinator) – One at Sokoke Forest.
SILVERY-CHEEKED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna brevis) – Eight from the viewing roof at Mountain Lodge.
BLACK-AND-WHITE-CASQUED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna subcylindrica) – Six at Kitale Club, about 50 at Kakamega, and 3 at Masai Mara.
Bucorvidae (Ground-Hornbills)


We only encountered one Klipspringer at Masai Mara but it was a great look. (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

SOUTHERN GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus leadbeateri) – One of our group saw 3 during a balloon ride over Masai Mara.
Lybiidae (African Barbets)
YELLOW-BILLED BARBET (Trachyphonus purpuratus) – One seen and several heard at Kakamega.
RED-AND-YELLOW BARBET (Trachyphonus erythrocephalus) – Great looks at Bogoria, in the Kerio Valley, and at Tsavo.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (Trachyphonus darnaudii) – Small numbers were widespread in dry bush country.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (USAMBIRO) (Trachyphonus darnaudii usambiro) – Four along the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
GRAY-THROATED BARBET (Gymnobucco bonapartei) – One in the Tugen Hills, and about 40 at Kakamega.
GREEN BARBET (Stactolaema olivacea) – Two at Sokoke Forest.
GREEN TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus simplex) – Very difficult this tour, but eventually we all saw 1 in a clearing at Sokoke Forest.
MOUSTACHED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus leucomystax) – Two singles at Mountain Lodge.
YELLOW-RUMPED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus bilineatus bilineatus) – Small numbers at Naro Moru, Saiwa Swamp, and Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus pusillus) – Five singles in a variety of widespread acacia bush areas.
YELLOW-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus chrysoconus) – One near Busia.
YELLOW-SPOTTED BARBET (Buccanodon duchaillui) – Four seen and several heard at Kakamega.
HAIRY-BREASTED BARBET (Tricholaema hirsuta) – Heard at Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED BARBET (Tricholaema diademata) – One at Baringo.
SPOT-FLANKED BARBET (Tricholaema lacrymosa) – About 20 at Masai Mara and Tsavo, and a few others elsewhere.
BLACK-THROATED BARBET (Tricholaema melanocephala) – Heard at Baringo.
WHITE-HEADED BARBET (Lybius leucocephalus) – Six in the Kongelai area, and 3 at Masai Mara.
BROWN-BREASTED BARBET (Lybius melanopterus) – Nice scope views of this localised species in the Taita Hills.
DOUBLE-TOOTHED BARBET (Lybius bidentatus) – Briefly (and mostly in flight) at Kongelai, but then great scope views at Kisumu.
Indicatoridae (Honeyguides)
WAHLBERG'S HONEYGUIDE (Prodotiscus regulus) – One near Voi.
THICK-BILLED HONEYGUIDE (Indicator conirostris) – One at Kakamega Forest.
LESSER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator minor) – One at Saiwa Swamp.
GREATER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator indicator) – Heard in the Kerio Valley.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
RUFOUS-NECKED WRYNECK (Jynx ruficollis) – Good looks at 1 near Thomson's Falls.
NUBIAN WOODPECKER (Campethera nubica) – Small numbers in acacia country; in all we saw about 7.
MOMBASA WOODPECKER (Campethera mombassica) – Two in the 'Brachystegia' at Sokoke Forest.
GREEN-BACKED WOODPECKER (Campethera cailliautii cailliautii) – One at Sokoke Forest.


Beisa Oryx is a majestic beast. (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

BROWN-EARED WOODPECKER (Campethera caroli) – One at Kakamega.
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Dendropicos fuscescens) – The most common and widespread woodpecker; in total we saw about 15.
BEARDED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos namaquus) – Nice looks at a female at Samburu.
GOLDEN-CROWNED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos xantholophus) – A pair at Kakamega.
GRAY WOODPECKER (Dendropicos goertae) – One at Baringo, and 4 at Kongelai.
GRAY-HEADED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos spodocephalus rhodeogaster) – Three in the central highlands.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
PYGMY FALCON (Polihierax semitorquatus) – Two singles at Samburu.
GRAY KESTREL (Falco ardosiaceus) – Singles at Mumais, and in Masai Mara.
AFRICAN HOBBY (Falco cuvierii) – One at high speed over the papyrus near Kisumu.
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – One at Aruba.
Psittacidae (Parrots)
RED-HEADED LOVEBIRD (Agapornis pullarius) – Three, in bullet-like flight at Saio River.
RED-FRONTED PARROT (Poicephalus gulielmi) – About 40 in the Mt. Kenya area.
MEYER'S PARROT (Poicephalus meyeri) – Four at Kongelai, and 2 in the far west.
RED-BELLIED PARROT (Poicephalus rufiventris) – More commonly known as African Orange-bellied Parrot; we saw about 8 at Samburu.
Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
BROWN-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira cyanea) – Four along the forest edge at Kakamega.
BLACK-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira peltata) – Rather uncommon in Kenya, so we were lucky to see pairs in the Tugen Hills, at Saiwa Swamp, and at Kakamega.
CHESTNUT WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira castanea) – Nice looks at a female (the chestnut one) at Kakamega.
SHORT-TAILED BATIS (Batis mixta) – One at Sokoke Forest.
CHINSPOT BATIS (Batis molitor) – Small numbers in the Mt. Kenya area, at Nakuru, and at Masai Mara.
PALE BATIS (Batis soror) – A pair in the 'Brachystegia' at Sokoke.
BLACK-HEADED BATIS (Batis minor) – One at Kongelai.
PYGMY BATIS (Batis perkeo) – Three at Samburu, and 1 at Baringo.
Vangidae (Vangas, Helmetshrikes, and Allies)
WHITE HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops plumatus) – Three at Kongelai, and then flocks of 7 and 5 at Tsavo.
RETZ'S HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops retzii) – Five at Kibwezi, and 9 in Sokoke Forest.
CHESTNUT-FRONTED HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops scopifrons) – Good looks at about 30 of this near-threatened species at Sokoke Forest.
Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)


Shade is hard to come by at Masai Mara but these Common Eland managed to find some. (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

BRUBRU (Nilaus afer) – Small numbers in several areas of acacia country.
NORTHERN PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus gambensis) – One at Samburu, and 4 at Saiwa Swamp.
PRINGLE'S PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus pringlii) – Good looks at this uncommon bird at Voi.
BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla) – One near Mt. Kenya, 1 at Kibwezi, and 4 at the coast.
BLACK-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra senegalus) – Singles near Naro Moru, Masai Mara, and the coast.
BROWN-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis) – One at Nakuru.
LUEHDER'S BUSHSHRIKE (Laniarius luehderi) – We saw these attractive bushshrikes at Saiwa and Kakamega.
TROPICAL BOUBOU (Laniarius aethiopicus) – Most common at Mt. Kenya, but we also saw a few others elsewhere.
ZANZIBAR BOUBOU (Laniarius sublacteus) – Heard at Sokoke Forest.
BLACK-HEADED GONOLEK (Laniarius erythrogaster) – Four in the Kerio Valley, and about 6 in the west.
PAPYRUS GONOLEK (Laniarius mufumbiri) – Heard in the papyrus along the shores of Lake Victoria.
SLATE-COLORED BOUBOU (Laniarius funebris) – Small numbers in dry bush country like Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo.
ROSY-PATCHED BUSHSHRIKE (Rhodophoneus cruentus) – Fabulous looks at Samburu, and then 2 more at Tsavo.
GRAY-GREEN BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus bocagei) – Difficult this tour, but eventually we all saw 2 at Kakamega.
SULPHUR-BREASTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus sulfureopectus) – One near Sala Gate, Tsavo.
BLACK-FRONTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus nigrifrons) – Shy and uncommon, but we were lucky and saw an adult and an immature in the Tugen Hills.
FOUR-COLORED BUSHSHRIKE (FOUR-COLORED) (Telophorus viridis quadricolor) – Heard at Sokoke Forest.
GRAY-HEADED BUSHSHRIKE (Malaconotus blanchoti) – Seen by some of the group at Samburu.
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
GRAY CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina caesia) – Two at Mountain Lodge.
BLACK CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga flava) – We saw a female at Masai Mara, and then 2 more females and a male at Sokoke Forest.
PETIT'S CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga petiti) – Two at Kakamega.
PURPLE-THROATED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga quiscalina) – We saw a single male at Saiwa Swamp.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
GRAY-BACKED FISCAL (Lanius excubitorius) – Four near Bogoria, and about 15 at Masai Mara.
LONG-TAILED FISCAL (Lanius cabanisi) – About 20 at Tsavo, and 6 at the coast.
TAITA FISCAL (Lanius dorsalis) – Six at Samburu, and about 10 at Tsavo.
MACKINNON'S SHRIKE (Lanius mackinnoni) – Four at Kakamega.
NORTHERN FISCAL (Lanius humeralis) – Very common throughout the highlands.
WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus rueppelli) – Fairly common in dry acacia country like Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
AFRICAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus auratus) – We saw a gorgeous male at the edge of Sokoke Forest.
WESTERN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus brachyrhynchus) – One at Kakamega.
AFRICAN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus larvatus) – Widespread in open woodland throughout the tour.
BLACK-TAILED ORIOLE (Oriolus percivali) – One at Mountain Lodge.
Dicruridae (Drongos)
SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus ludwigii) – About 6 at Kakamega.
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis) – Common and widespread.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
AFRICAN CRESTED-FLYCATCHER (Trochocercus cyanomelas) – Some of the group saw 1 briefly in the Sokoke undergrowth.
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis) – Common and widespread.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
HOUSE CROW (Corvus splendens) – Very common at the coast.
CAPE CROW (Corvus capensis) – Small numbers at a variety of places in the highlands.
PIED CROW (Corvus albus) – Very common and widespread.
FAN-TAILED RAVEN (Corvus rhipidurus) – Small numbers at Samburu, Baringo, and Kongelai.
Nicatoridae (Nicators)
EASTERN NICATOR (Nicator gularis) – Seen briefly by some and heard by everyone in Sokoke Forest.
Alaudidae (Larks)
RED-WINGED LARK (Mirafra hypermetra) – About 20 in the Voi area of Tsavo.
RUFOUS-NAPED LARK (Mirafra africana) – One at Nakuru, and about 20 at Masai Mara.
FLAPPET LARK (Mirafra rufocinnamomea) – Great looks at 1 along the Oloololo Escarpment.
PINK-BREASTED LARK (Calendulauda poecilosterna) – Very common at Samburu and Tsavo (100+), and 1 at Baringo.
FOXY LARK (Calendulauda alopex) – Three at Samburu.
CHESTNUT-BACKED SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix leucotis) – One at Tsavo.
CHESTNUT-HEADED SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix signatus) – At least 250 at Tsavo.
FISCHER'S SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix leucopareia) – Four at Solio Game Ranch, near Naro Moru.
RED-CAPPED LARK (Calandrella cinerea) – Five at Nakuru.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola) – Fairly common in the central highlands.
BANDED MARTIN (Riparia cincta) – Six over the Ahero rice fields, and about 40 at Masai Mara.
ROCK MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne fuligula) – Fairly common around buildings and cliffs.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Common and widespread.
ETHIOPIAN SWALLOW (Hirundo aethiopica) – About 10 in the Watamu area.
ANGOLA SWALLOW (Hirundo angolensis) – About 20 near Kakamega, and 7 at Kisumu.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii) – Widespread in small numbers throughout the tour.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (Cecropis daurica) – Widespread in high country.
LESSER STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis abyssinica) – Surprisingly few; with a total of about 14 in widely scattered areas near water.
RUFOUS-CHESTED SWALLOW (Cecropis semirufa) – Two over the open grasslands in Masai Mara.
WHITE-HEADED SAWWING (Psalidoprocne albiceps) – One at Kongelai, and about 40 at Kakamega.
BLACK SAWWING (Psalidoprocne pristoptera) – Twenty at Mt. Kenya, and about 15 at Masai Mara.
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
AFRICAN BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Elminia longicauda) – Singles at Kitale and Masai Mara, and about 10 at Kakamega.
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)
WHITE-BELLIED TIT (Melaniparus albiventris) – Four at Mt. Kenya, and 1 at Masai Mara.
DUSKY TIT (Melaniparus funereus) – Two small flocks in the canopy at Kakamega.
RED-THROATED TIT (Melaniparus fringillinus) – Nice views of this East African endemic at Lukenya.
SOMALI TIT (Melaniparus thruppi) – Pairs at Samburu and Baringo.
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
MOUSE-COLORED PENDULINE-TIT (Anthoscopus musculus) – Good looks at 2 along the cliffs at Baringo.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
SOMBRE GREENBUL (Andropadus importunus) – One at Kibwezi, and heard at the coast.
SLENDER-BILLED GREENBUL (Stelgidillas gracilirostris) – Small numbers in the canopy at Mountain Lodge, Saiwa Swamp, and Kakamega.
COMMON BRISTLEBILL (Bleda syndactylus) – Good looks at birds feeding on ants along the quiet trails at Kakamega.
SHELLEY'S GREENBUL (KAKAMEGA) (Arizelocichla masukuensis kakamegae) – Five at Kakamega - likes to feed along mossy branches.
EASTERN MOUNTAIN-GREENBUL (OLIVE-BREASTED) (Arizelocichla nigriceps kikuyuensis) – One at Mt. Kenya.
STRIPE-CHEEKED GREENBUL (STRIPE-FACED) (Arizelocichla milanjensis striifacies) – Nice looks in the Taita Hills.
YELLOW-BELLIED GREENBUL (Chlorocichla flaviventris) – Three at Sokoke Forest.
JOYFUL GREENBUL (Chlorocichla laetissima) – Common, noisy, and joyful at Kakamega.
YELLOW-THROATED GREENBUL (Atimastillas flavicollis) – One at Kakamega, 4 along the Saio River, and 2 at Lake Victoria.
GRAY GREENBUL (Eurillas gracilis) – Two in the mid-level tangled vines at Kakamega.
ANSORGE'S GREENBUL (Eurillas ansorgei) – One seen and several heard at Kakamega.
PLAIN GREENBUL (Eurillas curvirostris) – One in a fruiting shrub at Kakamega.
YELLOW-WHISKERED GREENBUL (Eurillas latirostris) – One at Naro Moru, and about 20 at Kakamega.
LITTLE GREENBUL (Eurillas virens) – Two at Kakamega.
NORTHERN BROWNBUL (Phyllastrephus strepitans) – One in the Kerio Valley, and 1 at Voi Gate, Tsavo.
TORO OLIVE-GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus hypochloris) – One at Kakamega.
FISCHER'S GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus fischeri) – Seen by some of the group at Sokoke Forest.
CABANIS'S GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus cabanisi) – Small groups at Saiwa Swamp and Kakamega.
TINY GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus debilis) – One in the 'Afzelia' at Sokoke.
COMMON BULBUL (DODSON'S) (Pycnonotus barbatus dodsoni) – Common at Samburu and Tsavo.
COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor) – Very common and replacing 'Dodson's' away from Samburu and Tsavo.
Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
NORTHERN CROMBEC (Sylvietta brachyura) – One at Baringo, and 3 at Tsavo.
RED-FACED CROMBEC (Sylvietta whytii) – Pairs at Naro Moru and Kongelai.
MOUSTACHED GRASS-WARBLER (Melocichla mentalis) – Two singles at Kichwa Tembo, Masai Mara.
GREEN HYLIA (Hylia prasina) – Difficult this tour, but eventually we all got good looks of at least 1 (of 2).
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) – About 6 in the Taita Hills.
UGANDA WOOD-WARBLER (Phylloscopus budongoensis) – Six (and many heard) at Kakamega.
BROWN WOODLAND-WARBLER (Phylloscopus umbrovirens) – Three on the higher slopes of Mt. Kenya.
WILLOW WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochilus) – One at Masai Mara.
Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW-WARBLER (Iduna natalensis) – One at a small pond to the south of Busia.
MOUNTAIN YELLOW-WARBLER (Iduna similis) – Four at Mt. Kenya.
LESSER SWAMP-WARBLER (Acrocephalus gracilirostris) – Three at Saiwa Swamp.
GREATER SWAMP-WARBLER (Acrocephalus rufescens) – Two in the papyrus along the shore at Lake Victoria.
Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)
EVERGREEN-FOREST WARBLER (Bradypterus lopezi mariae) – Heard in the Taita Hills.
CINNAMON BRACKEN-WARBLER (Bradypterus cinnamomeus) – One at about 10,000ft. on Mt. Kenya.
LITTLE RUSH-WARBLER (Bradypterus baboecala) – About six in the Kerenget and Saiwa Swamp area.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
BLACK-COLLARED APALIS (Apalis pulchra) – Four in the undergrowth at Saiwa Swamp.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida) – Four at Mt. Kenya, and 1 at Nakuru.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida viridiceps) – Two at Baringo, and about 8 in Tsavo.
BUFF-THROATED APALIS (Apalis rufogularis) – Four at Kakamega.
CHESTNUT-THROATED APALIS (Apalis porphyrolaema) – One at Mt. Kenya.
BLACK-HEADED APALIS (Apalis melanocephala) – Singles in the Taita Hills and Sokoke Forest.
GRAY APALIS (Apalis cinerea) – Four at Mountain Lodge.
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata) – Common and widespread.
OLIVE-GREEN CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera chloronota) – Two at Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED WARBLER (Urorhipis rufifrons) – Four in the low shrub at Baringo.
MIOMBO WREN-WARBLER (Calamonastes undosus) – Good looks at 1 on the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
GRAY WREN-WARBLER (Calamonastes simplex) – Two at Baringo.
WHITE-CHINNED PRINIA (Schistolais leucopogon) – Eight along the forest edge at Kakamega.
RED-FACED CISTICOLA (Cisticola erythrops) – One at Lake Victoria.
SINGING CISTICOLA (Cisticola cantans) – One at the top of Kongelai Escarpment.
TRILLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola woosnami) – Several heard along the escarpment at Masai Mara.
CHUBB'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola chubbi) – Four at Saiwa Swamp.
HUNTER'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola hunteri) – About a dozen in the Mt. Kenya area.
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana) – Widespread in dry bush country and open woodland.
ASHY CISTICOLA (Cisticola cinereolus) – Three at Samburu.
WINDING CISTICOLA (Cisticola galactotes) – One at Ole Sereni, and 1 at Kisumu.
WINDING CISTICOLA (COASTAL) (Cisticola galactotes haematocephala) – Many authorities now split this a Coastal Cisticola; we saw 3 at the clearing behind Sokoke Forest.
CARRUTHERS'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola carruthersi) – One seen and several heard in the papyrus at Lake Victoria.
TINKLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola tinniens) – One at Saiwa Swamp.
STOUT CISTICOLA (Cisticola robustus) – About 60 in the grasslands at Masai Mara.
PECTORAL-PATCH CISTICOLA (Cisticola brunnescens) – About 6 at Masai Mara.
GRAY-CAPPED WARBLER (Eminia lepida) – Three at Naro Moru, and several others heard elsewhere.
BLACK-FACED RUFOUS-WARBLER (Bathmocercus rufus) – We saw about 5 of these attractive secretive warblers in the undergrowth at Kakamega.
BUFF-BELLIED WARBLER (Phyllolais pulchella) – Singles at Ole Sereni and Baringo.
TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA (Prinia subflava) – Widespread in small numbers.
PALE PRINIA (Prinia somalica) – One at Samburu.
BANDED PRINIA (BLACK-FACED) (Prinia bairdii melanops) – One in the undergrowth at Kakamega.
YELLOW-VENTED EREMOMELA (Eremomela flavicrissalis) – Three at Samburu.
YELLOW-BELLIED EREMOMELA (Eremomela icteropygialis) – One at Baringo.
TURNER'S EREMOMELA (Eremomela turneri) – We saw two family groups of this globally threatened species at Kakamega.
Sylvidae (Sylvids)
AFRICAN HILL BABBLER (Sylvia abyssinica) – Nice looks at a responsive bird in the Tugen Hills.
BANDED WARBLER (Sylvia boehmi) – Also known as Banded Parisoma, we saw 3 at Lukenya.
BROWN WARBLER (Sylvia lugens) – More commonly known as Brown Parisoma; we saw singles at Naro Moru and Thomson's Falls.
Zosteropidae (Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW WHITE-EYE (Zosterops senegalensis) – Small numbers at scattered sites in the west.
BROAD-RINGED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops poliogastrus) – About 10 at Mt. Kenya.
BROAD-RINGED WHITE-EYE (TAITA) (Zosterops poliogastrus silvanus) – Often split as Taita White-eye, we saw about a dozen in the Taita Hills.
WHITE-BREASTED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops abyssinicus) – Five on the lower slopes of the Taita Hills.
Pellorneidae (Ground Babblers and Allies)
BROWN ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis fulvescens) – Two at Kakamega Forest.
MOUNTAIN ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis pyrrhoptera) – One at Saiwa Swamp.
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies)
RUFOUS CHATTERER (Turdoides rubiginosa) – Small numbers at Samburu, Baringo, and Kongelai.
NORTHERN PIED-BABBLER (Turdoides hypoleuca) – Three at the Ole Sereni Hotel - an East African endemic.
BROWN BABBLER (Turdoides plebejus) – Four at Baringo, and 6 at the bottom of Kongelai Escarpment.
ARROW-MARKED BABBLER (Turdoides jardineii) – Eight at Nakuru, and 3 at Masai Mara.
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
SILVERBIRD (Empidornis semipartitus) – One at the Equator, Mogotio.
PALE FLYCATCHER (Bradornis pallidus) – Widespread; in all we saw about 12.
GRAYISH FLYCATCHER (Bradornis microrhynchus) – Common in dry bush country.
WHITE-EYED SLATY-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis fischeri) – Common in highland wooded areas.
NORTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis edolioides) – Two at Kitale, and 4 at Masai Mara.
SOUTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis pammelaina) – Singles at Sagana and Kibwezi.
SWAMP FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa aquatica) – About 6 along the shores of Lake Victoria.
DUSKY-BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa adusta) – Common in the highlands.
ASHY FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa caerulescens) – One at Sokoke Forest.
GRAY TIT-FLYCATCHER (Myioparus plumbeus) – Singles in the Kerio Valley and at Kongelai.
BROWN-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas hartlaubi) – One at Saio River.
RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys) – Widespread in small numbers.
CAPE ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha caffra) – Ten between Nairobi and Mt. Kenya, and 3 in the Taita Hills.
GRAY-WINGED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha polioptera) – Good looks at 2 at Saiwa Swamp.
RUEPPELL'S ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha semirufa) – One at Mt. Kenya.
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini) – Seen at Mt. Kenya, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
SNOWY-CROWNED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha niveicapilla) – Singles at Saiwa Swamp and Kakamega, though never showed really well.
SPOTTED MORNING-THRUSH (Cichladusa guttata) – Six at Baringo, and 2 at Tsavo.
WHITE-STARRED ROBIN (Pogonocichla stellata) – Nice looks at this beautiful species at Mt. Kenya and in the Taita Hills.
BROWN-CHESTED ALETHE (Pseudalethe poliocephala) – Three on the quiet trails in Kakamega Forest.
EQUATORIAL AKALAT (Sheppardia aequatorialis) – Great looks at 1 at Kakamega.
LITTLE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola rufocinereus) – Two at Kiawara.
AFRICAN STONECHAT (Saxicola torquatus) – One in the tea estate at Kakamega, and 2 in the Taita Hills.
NORTHERN ANTEATER-CHAT (Myrmecocichla aethiops) – Small numbers in the open grasslands of the central highlands.
SOOTY CHAT (Myrmecocichla nigra) – About 30 at Masai Mara.
MOCKING CLIFF-CHAT (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris) – Four at Baringo, and 2 at Nakuru.
FAMILIAR CHAT (Cercomela familiaris) – One at the bottom of Kongelai Escarpment.
BROWN-TAILED CHAT (Cercomela scotocerca) – Two along the bottom of the cliffs at Baringo.
NORTHERN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe oenanthe) – One at Nakuru, and then about 15 at Tsavo.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
RED-TAILED ANT-THRUSH (Neocossyphus rufus) – Five at Sokoke Forest.
WHITE-TAILED ANT-THRUSH (Neocossyphus poensis) – Some of the group saw a single bird at Kakamega.
ABYSSINIAN GROUND-THRUSH (Geokichla piaggiae) – Fabulous looks at this normally shy bird at 10,000ft. on Mt. Kenya.
TAITA THRUSH (Turdus helleri) – We all had great looks at this critically endangered bird in the Taita HIlls.
ABYSSINIAN THRUSH (Turdus abyssinicus) – Common around Mt. Kenya, and a few at Nairobi.
AFRICAN THRUSH (Turdus pelios) – Small numbers in the west where it largely replaces the previous species.
AFRICAN BARE-EYED THRUSH (Turdus tephronotus) – Great looks at Samburu, and 1 briefly at Tsavo.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea) – One at Samburu, and 4 at Masai Mara.
GREATER BLUE-EARED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus) – Common and widespread.
LESSER BLUE-EARED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chloropterus) – About a dozen at Kongelai Escarpment.
RUEPPELL'S GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis purpuroptera) – Common and widespread.
GOLDEN-BREASTED STARLING (Lamprotornis regius) – Four at Samburu, and about 10 at Tsavo - just stunning!
BLACK-BELLIED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis corruscus) – About 40 at the coast.
SUPERB STARLING (Lamprotornis superbus) – Very common and widespread.
HILDEBRANDT'S STARLING (Lamprotornis hildebrandti) – Four at Baringo (where it is an uncommon occasional visitor).
SHELLEY'S STARLING (Lamprotornis shelleyi) – Rarely seen on our tour, so we were lucky to find 1 along the Sala Gate Road.
VIOLET-BACKED STARLING (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) – Most common at Masai Mara, but we also saw a few others elsewhere.
FISCHER'S STARLING (Spreo fischeri) – One at Samburu, and about 10 at Tsavo.
RED-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus morio) – Small numbers at Nanyuki, Kongelai, and Tsavo.
SLENDER-BILLED STARLING (Onychognathus tenuirostris) – Three at the waterfall on Kongelai Escarpment.
BRISTLE-CROWNED STARLING (Onychognathus salvadorii) – About 8 at Baringo.
STUHLMANN'S STARLING (Poeoptera stuhlmanni) – About 50 at Kakamega.
SHARPE'S STARLING (Pholia sharpii) – Three at Kakamega were a very unusual sighting.
Buphagidae (Oxpeckers)
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) – Common and widespread on both cattle and big game; in all we saw about 120.
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus) – About 30 at Masai Mara, where they mainly feed on giraffe and buffalo.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
PLAIN-BACKED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes reichenowi) – Two single males at Sokoke Forest.
KENYA VIOLET-BACKED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes orientalis) – Small numbers at Samburu, Baringo and Tsavo.
GREEN SUNBIRD (Anthreptes rectirostris) – Two at Kakamega.
COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris) – Widespread in small numbers.
AMANI SUNBIRD (Hedydipna pallidigaster) – Three (including a striking male in the scope) at Sokoke Forest.
GREEN-HEADED SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra verticalis) – We saw a total of about 10 in the central and western highlands.
EASTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra olivacea) – Two at Sokoke.
WESTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra obscura) – Two at Kakamega.
AMETHYST SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra amethystina) – Widespread in small numbers.
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis) – Another widespread sunbird.
HUNTER'S SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra hunteri) – These striking sunbirds were seen at Samburu, Baringo and Tsavo.
TACAZZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia tacazze) – About a dozen in the Naro Moru and Mt. Kenya area.
BRONZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia kilimensis) – Widespread in the highlands.
MALACHITE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia famosa) – A glorious male at Molo.
GOLDEN-WINGED SUNBIRD (Drepanorhynchus reichenowi) – About 10 (including glorious males) in the same area of Molo as the previous species.
OLIVE-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris chloropygius) – We saw a single male along the Saio River.
NORTHERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris reichenowi) – Fairly common in both the central and western highlands.
EASTERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mediocris) – Eight on the higher parts of Mt. Kenya.
BEAUTIFUL SUNBIRD (Cinnyris pulchellus) – This 'very beautiful' sunbird was common at Baringo and Kongelai, and about 4 at Tsavo.
MARIQUA SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mariquensis) – About a dozen in the Kitale to Kongelai area.
RED-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris erythrocercus) – Common along the shores of Lake Victoria.
BLACK-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris nectarinioides) – About 15 at Samburu.
TSAVO SUNBIRD (Cinnyris tsavoensis) – About half a dozen (mostly in non-breeding plumage) at Tsavo.
ORANGE-TUFTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris bouvieri) – Great looks at this uncommon species along the Saio River.
SHINING SUNBIRD (Cinnyris habessinicus) – Seen nicely along the cliffs at Baringo.
VARIABLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris venustus) – Widespread in small numbers.
COPPER SUNBIRD (Cinnyris cupreus) – About a dozen around the Saio River.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis) – A pair at Mountain Lodge, and 1 at Kericho.
MOUNTAIN WAGTAIL (Motacilla clara) – Pairs on the rivers at Naro Moru and Kakamega.
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp) – Common and widespread throughout the tour.
AFRICAN PIPIT (Anthus cinnamomeus) – Small numbers at Masai Mara and the coast.
LONG-BILLED PIPIT (Anthus similis) – Two on the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
PLAIN-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus leucophrys) – Fairly common in open grasslands like Solio, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
MALINDI PIPIT (Anthus melindae) – Mostly found quite a way north of Malindi, but we were lucky and saw a displaying bird in the farmlands near Sokoke Forest.
STRIPED PIPIT (Anthus lineiventris) – Another uncommon pipit; we found this one in the Taita Hills.
YELLOW-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx croceus) – Three at Nakuru, and about 20 at Masai Mara.
ROSY-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx ameliae) – Two at a roadside pool in Masai Mara.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
CINNAMON-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza tahapisi) – Singles at Samburu and the Tugen Hills.
SOMALI BUNTING (Emberiza poliopleura) – One at Samburu, and 1 at Tsavo.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
YELLOW-CROWNED CANARY (Serinus flavivertex) – One at Mountain Lodge.
YELLOW-FRONTED CANARY (Serinus mozambicus) – Two at Kongelai, and about 40 at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN CITRIL (Serinus citrinelloides kikuyensis) – Four at the Blue Posts Hotel, Thika.
SOUTHERN CITRIL (Serinus hypostictus) – Three in the Tugen Hills, and 2 at Saio River.
PAPYRUS CANARY (Serinus koliensis) – Some of the group saw 1 along the shore at Lake Victoria.
REICHENOW'S SEEDEATER (Serinus reichenowi) – Fairly common and widespread; in all we saw about 40.
WHITE-BELLIED CANARY (Serinus dorsostriatus) – Small numbers at Lukenya, Samburu, Baringo, and Kisumu.
BRIMSTONE CANARY (Serinus sulphuratus) – Four near Naro Moru, and 4 at Saio River.
STREAKY SEEDEATER (Serinus striolatus) – Common around Nairobi and north to Mt. Kenya.
THICK-BILLED SEEDEATER (Serinus burtoni) – Two at Mt. Kenya.
REICHARD'S SEEDEATER (Serinus reichardi striatipectus) – Two birds were scoped near the top of the Kongelai Escarpment.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Small numbers in various urban centres throughout the tour.
KENYA RUFOUS SPARROW (Passer rufocinctus) – Small numbers at Nairobi, Naro Moru, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
NORTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer griseus) – We saw a total of about 40 in the central and western highlands.
PARROT-BILLED SPARROW (Passer gongonensis) – Mostly at lower altitudes than the previous species; we saw about 60 at Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo.
CHESTNUT SPARROW (Passer eminibey) – About 150 at Samburu (included many fine looking males), and we also saw about 10 at Tsavo.
YELLOW-SPOTTED PETRONIA (Petronia pyrgita) – Small numbers at Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo.
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
WHITE-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis albirostris) – Two at Baringo.
RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis niger) – About 80 at Tsavo.
WHITE-HEADED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Dinemellia dinemelli) – Seen at Samburu (40), Baringo (12), and Tsavo (30).
SPECKLE-FRONTED WEAVER (Sporopipes frontalis) – Ten at Lukenya, 6 at Samburu, and 2 at Kongelai.
WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser mahali) – Common and widespread in acacia country.
CHESTNUT-CROWNED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser superciliosus) – Four on the Kongelai Escarpment.
DONALDSON-SMITH'S SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser donaldsoni) – We saw about 150 of this localised species at Samburu.
GRAY-HEADED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita arnaudi) – Thirty at Lukenya.
BLACK-CAPPED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita cabanisi) – Three hundred at Samburu.
RED-HEADED MALIMBE (Malimbus rubricollis) – Four at Kakamega.
RED-HEADED WEAVER (Anaplectes rubriceps) – We saw small numbers of this attractive weaver at Samburu, Tugen Hills, and Kongelai.
BAGLAFECHT WEAVER (Ploceus baglafecht) – Common in the highlands.
LITTLE WEAVER (Ploceus luteolus) – One at Baringo, and 2 in the Kerio Valley.
SLENDER-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus pelzelni) – Three along the shores of Lake Victoria.
BLACK-NECKED WEAVER (Ploceus nigricollis) – Two at Kibwezi.
SPECTACLED WEAVER (Ploceus ocularis) – One along the Saio River.
BLACK-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus melanogaster) – Nice looks at this unusual weaver (black with a yellow face) at Kakamega.
AFRICAN GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus subaureus) – Six at Sagana, 1 near Taita Hills, and about 25 at the coast.
HOLUB'S GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus xanthops) – One at Sagana, and 2 at Saiwa Swamp.
GOLDEN PALM WEAVER (Ploceus bojeri) – About 40 were nesting in the palms at Turtle Bay Resort.
NORTHERN BROWN-THROATED WEAVER (Ploceus castanops) – Ten at Kisumu.
NORTHERN MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus taeniopterus) – Four at Baringo - the only regular site in Kenya.
LESSER MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus intermedius) – Three at Baringo.
VITELLINE MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus vitellinus) – Two along the cliffs at Baringo.
HEUGLIN'S MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus heuglini) – We saw 5 of these extremely localised weavers at our usual site near Kitale.
SPEKE'S WEAVER (Ploceus spekei) – Common in the central highlands.
VIEILLOT'S WEAVER (Ploceus nigerrimus) – Six in the grounds of Rondo Retreat.
VILLAGE WEAVER (Ploceus cucullatus) – Fairly common and widespread.
BLACK-HEADED WEAVER (Ploceus melanocephalus) – First seen near Busia, and then along the shore at Lake Victoria.
GOLDEN-BACKED WEAVER (Ploceus jacksoni) – Three males in breeding plumage at over 8000ft. near Ol Kalau were quite a surprise; we then saw 4 others at Lake Baringo.
CHESTNUT WEAVER (Ploceus rubiginosus) – Ten at Baringo.
FOREST WEAVER (Ploceus bicolor) – We saw a total of about 40 in the forests at Kakamega and Sokoke.
BROWN-CAPPED WEAVER (Ploceus insignis) – One at Mt. Kenya, and 6 at Kakamega.
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea) – Thirty at Bogoria, 2000+ at Tsavo, and 2 at the coast.
ORANGE BISHOP (Euplectes franciscanus) – More commonly known as Northern Red Bishop; we saw 8 breeding males near Bogoria.
ZANZIBAR BISHOP (Euplectes nigroventris) – A male in breeding plumage was near the Sabaki River estuary.
YELLOW BISHOP (Euplectes capensis) – Two near Kitale, and 10 at Masai Mara.
YELLOW-SHOULDERED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes macroura macrocerca) – We saw a male in breeding plumage in the glade at Kakamega.
RED-COLLARED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes ardens) – A breeding male at the top of Kongelai was the only sighting.
FAN-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes axillaris) – Six in the Kerenget Dam and Saiwa Swamp area.
GROSBEAK WEAVER (Amblyospiza albifrons) – Small numbers at Sagana, Saiwa Swamp, and the coast.
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
GRAY-HEADED NIGRITA (Nigrita canicapillus) – One at Mountain Lodge, and 2 at Kakamega.
WHITE-BREASTED NIGRITA (Nigrita fusconotus) – Four at Kakamega.
YELLOW-BELLIED WAXBILL (Coccopygia quartinia) – Nice looks in the farmlands in the Taita Hills.
FAWN-BREASTED WAXBILL (Estrilda paludicola) – Five in Masai Mara.
CRIMSON-RUMPED WAXBILL (Estrilda rhodopyga) – Eight during our morning walk at Lake Nakuru Lodge.
COMMON WAXBILL (Estrilda astrild) – About 15 at Masai Mara.
RED-RUMPED WAXBILL (Estrilda charmosyna) – More commonly known as Black-cheeked Waxbill; we saw about 15 at Samburu.
RED-HEADED BLUEBILL (Spermophaga ruficapilla) – Five feeding along the track in Kakamega Forest.
RED-CHEEKED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus bengalus) – Common and widespread.
BLUE-CAPPED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus cyanocephalus) – Great looks at a male at Tsavo.
PURPLE GRENADIER (Granatina ianthinogaster) – These gorgeous waxbills were seen at Naro Moru, Samburu, and Masai Mara.
PETERS'S TWINSPOT (Hypargos niveoguttatus) – Another simply gorgeous waxbill; we this one in the Sokoke Forest.
GREEN-WINGED PYTILIA (Pytilia melba) – One at Baringo, and 4 at the gate to Tsavo West.
RED-BILLED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta senegala) – Widespread in small numbers.
BAR-BREASTED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta rufopicta) – Six along the Saio River.
CUT-THROAT (Amadina fasciata) – One at Lukenya, and 2 at Samburu.
AFRICAN QUAILFINCH (Ortygospiza fuscocrissa) – One at Masai Mara.
BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullatus) – Ten near Mt. Kenya, and about a dozen near Kisumu.
BLACK-AND-WHITE MANNIKIN (RED-BACKED) (Spermestes bicolor nigriceps) – Ten in the Taita Hills, and 2 at the coast.
Viduidae (Indigobirds)
PIN-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua macroura) – First seen in the Kerio Valley, then near Kisumu, and at the coast.
EASTERN PARADISE-WHYDAH (Vidua paradisaea) – Three males and 1 female just outside Tsavo East.
STRAW-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua fischeri) – Nice looks at a male near Ahero.

MAMMALS
GIANT ELEPHANT SHREW (Rhynchocyon cirnei) – Some of the group had quick looks at 1 in Sokoke Forest.
YELLOW-WINGED BAT (Lavia frons) – Four at Bogoria.
BROWN GREATER GALAGO (Otolemur crassicaudatus) – Heard at Kichwa Tembo, Masai Mara.
BLUE MONKEY (Cercopithecus mitis) – About 50 at Kakamega, and a dozen at Masai Mara.
SYKES MONKEY (Cercopithecus albogularis) – Seen at Thika, Mountain Lodge, Taita Hills, and the coast; in all we saw about 70.
BLACK-CHEEKED WHITE-NOSED MONKEY (Cercopithecus ascanius) – More commonly known as Red-tailed Monkey; we saw 30 at Kakamega, and 4 at Kichwa Tembo.
DE BRAZZA'S MONKEY (Cercopithecus neglectus) – Four at Saiwa Swamp.
BLACK-FACED VERVET MONKEY (Cercopithecus aethiops) – Very common and widespread.
OLIVE BABOON (Papio anubis) – Very common and widespread away from Tsavo and the coast.
YELLOW BABOON (Papio cyanocephalus) – Replaces the previous species at Tsavo and the coast.
MANTLED GUEREZA (Colobus guereza) – More commonly known at Black-and-white Colobus; we saw them at Mt. Kenya, Saiwa Swamp, and Kakamega.
CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis) – One at Samburu.
UNSTRIPED GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus rutilus) – Very common at Samburu and Tsavo.
STRIPED GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus erythropus) – Singles at Mt. Kenya, and the gate to Tsavo West.
FOREST GIANT SQUIRREL (Protoxerus stangeri) – One at Kakamega.
BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus sp.) – Singles at Kerio Valley and Kongelai, and about 15 at Tsavo.
RED-LEGGED SUN SQUIRREL (Heliosciurus rufobrachium) – Small numbers in the Tugen Hills, and Kakamega.
ZANJ SUN SQUIRREL (Heliosciurus undulatus) – One at Sokoke.
BLACK-BACKED JACKAL (Canis mesomelas) – Three at Nakuru, and 2 at Masai Mara.
COMMON (SMALL-SPOTTED) GENET (Genetta genetta) – Four at Samburu.
LARGE-SPOTTED GENET (Genetta tigrina) – Four at Mountain Lodge.
BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo) – About 50 at Masai Mara, and 40 at Tsavo.
EASTERN DWARF MONGOOSE (Helogale hirtula) – Six at Samburu, and 20 at Tsavo.
SPOTTED HYAENA (Crocuta crocuta) – One at Mountain Lodge, 1 at Nakuru, and 30+ at Masai Mara.
CARACAL (Felis caracal) – We saw this shy cat as we drove east towards to coast through Tsavo.
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus) – One at Samburu, and then a very shy second at Masai Mara.
LION (Panthera leo) – Four at Samburu, 13 at Masai Mara, and 2 at Tsavo.
CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus) – Great close looks at 1 at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana) – Many great encounters at Samburu, Masai Mara, and Tsavo; in all we saw about 475.
ROCK HYRAX (Procavia capensis) – Two along the cliffs at Baringo.
BUSH (YELLOW-SPOTTED) HYRAX (Heterohyrax brucei) – One at Kongelai, and about 60 at Voi Safari Lodge.
TREE HYRAX (Dendrohyrax arboreus) – One at Naro Moru (feeding along a hedgerow with a domestic cat), and 1 at Kichwa Tembo.
GREVY'S ZEBRA (Equus grevyi) – We saw about 70 of these globally threatened zebras at Samburu.
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus burchelli) – Widespread in open grasslands and especially at Masai Mara where we saw about 5000.
BLACK RHINOCEROS (Diceros bicornis) – One at Nakuru, and 1 at Masai Mara.
WHITE RHINOCEROS (Ceratotherium simum) – Two at Solio, and about 20 at Lake Nakuru. [I]
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) – Common and widespread; in all we saw about 200.
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius) – Five at Kisumu, and 50+ at Masai Mara.
COMMON GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis) – Eight near Nairobi, 30 at Masai Mara, and 8 at Tsavo.
RETICULATED GIRAFFE (Giraffa reticulata) – About 20 at Samburu.
ROTHSCHILD'S GIRAFFE (Giraffa rothschildi) – Forty at Nakuru.
SITATUNGA (Tragelaphus spekei) – We saw a male and 3 females at Saiwa Swamp (their main stronghold in Kenya).
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus) – Six at Mountain Lodge, and 4 at Masai Mara.
COMMON ELAND (Taurotragus oryx) – We saw about 25 of these beautiful antelopes at Masai Mara, and a few others at Nakuru and Tsavo.
AFRICAN BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer) – Thirty at Mountain Lodge, 300+ at Nakuru, 800+ at Masai Mara, and about a dozen at Tsavo.
COMMON WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) – Forty at Samburu, and 25 at Tsavo.
DEFASSA WATERBUCK (Kobus defassa) – About 35 in the Mt. Kenya and Solio area, 80 at Masai Mara, and 60 at Tsavo.
BOHOR REEDBUCK (Redunca redunca) – Three at Nakuru.
BEISA ORYX (Oryx beisa) – About 80 at Samburu.
FRINGE-EARED ORYX (Oryx callotis) – Amazingly we saw 2 near Lukenya (only 30kms. south of Nairobi).
TOPI (Damaliscus lunatus) – About 150 at Masai Mara.
HARTEBEEST (KONGONI) (Alcelaphus buselaphus) – Forty at Masai Mara, and 50+ at Tsavo.
BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus) – Spectacular, walking in lines across the plains; we saw 8000+ at Masai Mara.
KLIPSPRINGER (Oreotragus oreotragus) – Nice looks at 1 on the Oloololo Escarpment.
ORIBI (Ourebia ourebi) – Four at Masai Mara.
SUNI (Neotragus moschatus) – One at 10,000ft. on Mt. Kenya.
KIRK'S DIK-DIK (Modoqua kirki) – About 50 at Samburu, and 60 at Tsavo.
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus) – Common and widespread in open a variety of fairly open wooded habitats.
GERENUK (Litocranius walleri) – Fifty at Samburu, and 6 at Tsavo.
THOMSON'S GAZELLE (Gazella thomsoni) – Most common at Masai Mara, but we also saw them in several other widespread open grasslands.
GRANT'S GAZELLE (Gazella granti) – Forty-five at Samburu, and about 60 at Tsavo.


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Reptiles seen on the tour included;

Nile Crocodile; 6 at Samburu, and 1 at Masai Mara.

Nile Monitor; 2 at Samburu.

Yellow-headed Plated Lizard; 1 at Tsavo, and 2 at the coast.

Sudan Plated Lizard; 1 at Samburu.

Short-necked Skink; several at Baringo.

Striped Skink; widespread in dry country.

Speckle-lipped Skink; several at the coast.

Tropical House Gecko; common and widespread.

Brook's Gecko; 2 at Tsavo.

White-headed Dwarf Gecko; several at the coast.

Red-headed Rock Agama; common in dry rocky country.

Green Tree Agama; singles at Hunter's Lodge and Tsavo.

Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agama; common at Masai Mara.

Leopard Tortoise; 1 at Baringo.


Totals for the tour: 604 bird taxa and 61 mammal taxa