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Field Guides Tour Report
Kenya Safari Spectacular 2015
Aug 28, 2014 to Sep 24, 2014
Terry Stevenson


Superb Starlings were common and widespread -- but still gorgeous! (photo by participant Don Fallon)

Our September 2015 Kenya Safari Spectacular tour was a small, keen group who wanted to see not just the birds, but a wide variety of Kenya's famed large mammals, the whole range of habitats, and the people.

We began by leaving Nairobi and driving north to Mt. Kenya, for a night at Mountain Lodge. Highlights there were flocks of Delegorgue's Pigeons and three African Green-Pigeons coming to the salt lick, our first Hartlaub's Turacos, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, Moustached Tinkerbird, Black-tailed Oriole, duetting Hunter's Cisticolas, and Yellow-crowned Canaries. Mammals were good too, with Mantled Guereza, a Large-spotted Genet on the feeder, some noisy Spotted Hyaenas, our first African Elephants, and a tiny Suni.

Heading further north, we enjoyed the complete contrast of the arid acacia bush country at Samburu, with totally different birds and mammals. Some of the new species we saw included 'Somali' Ostrich, a single flock of about 450 Vulturine Guineafowl, Bateleur, Chestnut-bellied and Black-faced sandgrouse, White-bellied Go-away-bird, White-headed Mousebird, Somali Bee-eater, Red-and-yellow Barbet, Rosy-patched Bushshrike, Somali Tit, the gorgeous Golden-breasted Starling, and the localized Donaldson-Smith's Sparrow-Weaver. We also saw Lion, Leopard and Cheetah all in the same day, and of course the other 'special' mammals of Samburu: Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, and Gerenuk.

We then drove back to Mt. Kenya for a two night stay and a full day up the mountain, going to about 10,300 feet. Birds are not numerous at that altitude, but we did see Jackson's Francolin, a displaying Crowned Hawk-Eagle, Red-fronted Parrot, Mountain Yellow-Warbler, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Broad-ringed White-eye, Abyssinian Ground-Thrush, and Kandt's Waxbill.

Heading west, we then had two days in the Baringo and Bogoria area of the Great Rift Valley. Here, joined by our excellent local guide, we saw 5 species of owls (all in daylight) with African Scops-Owl, Northern White-faced Owl, and Grayish Eagle-Owl all being amazing finds. Other favorites included Goliath Heron, African Fish-Eagle, Spotted Thick-knee, Three-banded Courser (on a nest), five species of kingfisher (including Woodland and Giant), Jackson's Hornbill, White Helmetshrike, Bristle-crowned Starling, Beautiful Sunbird, and a whole selection of brightly colored starlings and weavers at the lunch-time bird feeder.

Once again we headed west, this time climbing up to the western highlands, where our time was shared between the Kitale area, Kongelai, and the famed Kakamega Forest. A morning at Saiwa Swamp NP gave us good looks at the rare De Brazza's Monkey and the equally uncommon Sitatunga, but it was the birds that really stood out, with White-spotted Flufftail, Gray Crowned-Crane, Great Blue, White-crested and Ross's turacos, Blue-headed Bee-eater, White-headed Woodhoopoe, Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Yellow-billed and Double-toothed barbets, Jameson's Wattle-eye, Petit's Cuckooshrike, Marsh Tchagra, Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike, Dusky-crested Flycatcher, nine species of greenbuls, Black-faced Rufous-Warbler, Turner's Eremomela, Lesser Blue-eared Glossy-Starling, and the rare Heuglin's Masked-Weaver among our prizes.

Before returning to the Rift Valley at Nakuru, we made a loop to the far west, and then spent a night at Lake Victoria. Although the area is primarily densely populated farmland, it provided more interesting birds, with just a few of the highlights being African Openbill, lots of tame Hamerkops, Long-toed Lapwing, Rock Pratincole, Eastern Plantain-Eater, Black-headed and Papyrus gonoleks, and Orange-tufted and Copper sunbirds.

The water levels at Lake Nakuru were unusually high, and the large numbers of flamingos that are sometimes there were not. However a group of about 400 Lesser Flamingo looked pretty in the early morning light, and then we continued on our drive, finding a good selection of pelicans, ibises, herons, egrets, storks, migrant shorebirds, and African Spoonbill. The area's wooded grasslands held Coqui Francolin, Dideric Cuckoo, White-fronted Bee-eater, White-bellied Tit, Little Rock-Thrush, Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling, Black-backed Jackal, Burchell's Zebra, White Rhino, Rothschild's Giraffe, Common Eland, African Buffalo, Impala, and Grant's Gazelle.

Now heading south to Nairobi, we spent a night there before flying for a two-night stay at Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp in Masai Mara. Blue Wildebeest can occur here in their hundreds of thousands, and we were not disappointed at the spectacle below us as we approached the small runway. And then, using an open-sided 4X4 Toyota Landcruiser, we took morning and afternoon drives across this classic African scenery, enjoying the numerous animals, which varied from tiny dikdiks to enormous elephants, small groups of lion and hyaena, large groups of Banded Mongoose, and (of course) the mixed herds of buffalo, gazelle, zebra and giraffe. Birds varied from Ostrich, Red-necked Francolin, Secretarybird and Southern Ground-Hornbill on the plains, to Saddle-billed Stork and Dwarf Bittern in the wetlands, while Martial Eagle crossed the skies, mixed flocks of vultures fed on the carcasses, and the loud song of White-browed Robin-Chats woke us at dawn from behind our tents.

The last week of our tour was spent passing through Tsavo and the Taita Hills as we made our way for a four-night stay at the coast. Tsavo, as always, had a large and varied selection of mammals -- with two huge male Cheetahs being the real highlight this year. Birds included a dozen species of raptor, Kori and Hartlaub's bustards, Caspian Plover, Somali Courser, numerous Lilac-breasted Rollers, Pygmy Falcon, Chestnut-headed Sparrow-Lark, Taita Fiscal, Stripe-cheeked Greenbul, Yellow-throated Wood-Warbler, 'Taita' White-eye, Taita Thrush, and Golden Pipit.

Finally, we based ourselves at Watamu, within easy reach of such varied habitats as Afzelia and Brachystegia forest at Sokoke, Mida Creek for sandflats and shorebirds, and Malindi beach for roosting terns. The birding tends to be early and late here, with breaks during the quiet hotter part of the day. Using the knowledge of a couple of local guides, we were soon seeing some of the region's most special residents. Without doubt, our daytime view of a Sokoke Scops-Owl was a major highlight of the whole tour, but we also enjoyed Crab Plover and other shorebirds at Mida Creek, and a good variety of terns and Sooty Gull at Malindi. Forest birds included Crested Guineafowl, Ayres's Hawk-Eagle, Fischer's Turaco, African Wood-Owl, Narina Trogon, Trumpeter Hornbill, Green Barbet, Mombasa Woodpecker, Short-tailed Batis, Retz's and Chestnut-fronted helmetshrikes, Zanzibar Boubou, African Crested-Flycatcher, Tiny Greenbul, Yellow Flycatcher, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Plain-backed and Amani sunbirds, and Peter's Twinspot.

--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)


A female Leopard ambled past our vehicle at Samburu. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

OSTRICH (COMMON) (Struthio camelus massaicus) – Small numbers were widespread in open grasslands like Nakuru and Masai Mara; in total we saw about 30.
OSTRICH (SOMALI) (Struthio camelus molybdophanes) – Many authorities now split this from Common Ostrich; we saw 3 at Samburu, and 6 at Tsavo East.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) – Small numbers at Sagana Fish Ponds, Limuru, and Masai Mara.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca) – Common and widespread throughout the tour; with a total of about 75.
SPUR-WINGED GOOSE (Plectropterus gambensis) – One at Masai Mara.
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK (Anas undulata) – A total of about 30 in the central and western highlands.
RED-BILLED DUCK (Anas erythrorhyncha) – A dozen in the Mt. Kenya area, and about 20 at Limuru Pond.
HOTTENTOT TEAL (Anas hottentota) – Three at Limuru Pond.
CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis) – Six at Lake Nakuru.
SOUTHERN POCHARD (Netta erythrophthalma) – We saw a single male at Limuru Pond.
MACCOA DUCK (Oxyura maccoa) – A male at Limuru Pond.
Numididae (Guineafowl)
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris) – Widespread in dry bush country.
CRESTED GUINEAFOWL (KENYA) (Guttera pucherani pucherani) – Great looks at about 10 adults and 6 juveniles in the Sokoke Forest.
VULTURINE GUINEAFOWL (Acryllium vulturinum) – Fantastic close looks at a flock of about 450 at Samburu.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
COQUI FRANCOLIN (Francolinus coqui) – Good looks at 2 pairs at Nakuru and Masai Mara.
CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus sephaena) – About a dozen at Samburu.
SCALY FRANCOLIN (Francolinus squamatus) – Two were seen briefly in flight at Mountain Lodge.
YELLOW-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus leucoscepus) – About 60 at Samburu, 1 at Solio, and 10 at Tsavo East.
RED-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus afer) – Fifteen at Masai Mara.
JACKSON'S FRANCOLIN (Francolinus jacksoni) – Really good looks at this EA endemic at 10,000ft. on Mt. Kenya.
HARLEQUIN QUAIL (Coturnix delegorguei) – Amazing looks at a young male and a female at Masai Mara - right in the open.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)


We had a scattering of African Spoonbills. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis) – Eight at various wetlands in the Mt. Kenya area, and then about 20 at Nakuru, and a few other singles elsewhere.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus) – Thirty at Mida Creek.
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus minor) – About 400 at Lake Nakuru.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
AFRICAN OPENBILL (Anastomus lamelligerus) – Three in the Lake Victoria area.
WOOLLY-NECKED STORK (Ciconia episcopus) – Five at Nakuru, 4 at Masai Mara, 5 at Tsavo East, and 1 in the clearing at Sokoke Forest.
WHITE STORK (Ciconia ciconia) – Two singles at Masai Mara.
SADDLE-BILLED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) – Four at Masai Mara.
MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer) – Fairly common and widespread with a total of about 200.
YELLOW-BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis) – Two at Samburu, 1 at Nakuru, and 6 at Masai Mara.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo) – About 15 near Thomson's Falls, 30 at Baringo, and 6 at Nakuru.
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax africanus) – Small numbers at a variety of wetlands throughout the tour.
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
AFRICAN DARTER (Anhinga rufa rufa) – Three at Lake Baringo.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus) – About 200 at Lake Nakuru.
PINK-BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens) – Five at Lake Nakuru.
Scopidae (Hamerkop)
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta) – Most common at Lake Victoria (40), and a scattering of others throughout the tour.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
DWARF BITTERN (Ixobrychus sturmii) – Fantastic to see this uncommon shy bird twice this tour, with 2 single birds at Masai Mara.
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea) – Small numbers at a variety of wetlands.
BLACK-HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala) – Common in damp grasslands throughout the tour.
GOLIATH HERON (Ardea goliath) – One quite distantly at Lake Baringo, and then much closer looks at Masai Mara; the world's largest heron.


Grevy's Zebra is the largest -- and most endangered -- of the world's zebras. We saw about 300 in Samburu. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) – One at Bogoria, 1 at Kerenget Dam, and 1 at Nakuru.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – Widespread in small numbers.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia) – One at Sagana, and 12 at Ahero Rice Scheme.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) – Small numbers at a variety of scattered wetlands.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – Common and widespread.
RUFOUS-BELLIED HERON (Ardeola rufiventris) – One on top a of tree at Masai Mara.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata) – Five at Lake Baringo, 1 at Tsavo East, and 1 at the coast.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) – About 40 at Lake Nakuru.
SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus) – Fairly common and widespread.
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash) – Common and widespread.
AFRICAN SPOONBILL (Platalea alba) – Singles at Sagana Fish Ponds and Masai Mara, and then 2 at Mida Creek.
Sagittariidae (Secretary-bird)
SECRETARY-BIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius) – Six at Masai Mara, and 1 at Tsavo East.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – An bird over the cliffs at Baringo was unexpected.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus) – Small numbers in open grassland areas.
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus) – We saw a total of 6 in a variety of widespread open woodland areas.
PALM-NUT VULTURE (Gypohierax angolensis) – Great looks at an adult at the Saio River.
EUROPEAN HONEY-BUZZARD (Pernis apivorus) – One at Kakamega.
LAPPET-FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotos) – Three at Masai Mara.
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus) – Most common at Masai Mara (80) but we also saw another 25 at Samburu and Nakuru.
RUEPPELL'S GRIFFON (Gyps rueppelli) – Two at Nakuru, and about 30 at Masai Mara.
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus) – Commonly seen crossing the skies in wild open country areas.
SHORT-TOED EAGLE (Circaetus gallicus) – Very uncommon in Kenya, so we were lucky to see a single perched bird at Masai Mara.
BLACK-BREASTED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus pectoralis) – Three at Masai Mara, and 4 at Tsavo East.


This little Olive Baboon found a good vantage point. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

BROWN SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus) – Singles at Samburu and Tsavo East.
BANDED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinerascens) – Heard in the Kerio Valley.
CROWNED HAWK-EAGLE (Stephanoaetus coronatus) – Just fabulous this tour, with a displaying bird over the forest at 10,300 ft. on Mt. Kenya and then a close perched adult at Kakamega.
MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus) – One at Masai Mara, and 2 singles at Tsavo East.
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE (Lophaetus occipitalis) – We saw a total of about a dozen (mostly in open farm country) in the west.
WAHLBERG'S EAGLE (Hieraaetus wahlbergi) – One in flight at the bottom of Kongelai Escarpment, 1 at Masai Mara, and 3 in the Tsavo area.
AYRES'S HAWK-EAGLE (Hieraaetus ayresii) – Nice looks at a flying bird over Sokoke Forest.
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax) – Widespread; with a total of about 16 in a variety of open bush country.
STEPPE EAGLE (Aquila nipalensis) – One at Masai Mara was an early migrant this year.
AFRICAN HAWK-EAGLE (Aquila spilogaster) – Nice looks at a pair at Samburu.
LIZARD BUZZARD (Kaupifalco monogrammicus) – One near the Nzioa River, and 2 at the coast.
DARK CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax metabates) – One at Baringo.
EASTERN CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax poliopterus) – Six at Samburu, and 3 at Tsavo East.
EURASIAN MARSH-HARRIER (Circus aeruginosus) – One at Masai Mara.
SHIKRA (Accipiter badius) – An adult in flight at Baringo, and 2 immatures at Kisumu.
BLACK GOSHAWK (Accipiter melanoleucus) – One in the Taita Hills.
BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans) – Small numbers around Nairobi, Kitale and Kisumu.
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer) – Great looks at this very attractive eagle at a variety of wetlands; in total we saw about 10.
MOUNTAIN BUZZARD (Buteo oreophilus) – One on the higher slopes of Mt. Kenya.
AUGUR BUZZARD (Buteo augur) – Fairly common in both the western and central highlands.
Otididae (Bustards)
KORI BUSTARD (Ardeotis kori) – Two at Tsavo East.
WHITE-BELLIED BUSTARD (Eupodotis senegalensis) – We saw a pair at Solio Game Ranch, and 1 at Tsavo East.
BUFF-CRESTED BUSTARD (Eupodotis gindiana) – Good looks at a male at Samburu, and about 6 at Tsavo East.
BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD (Lissotis melanogaster) – Two females at Masai Mara.
HARTLAUB'S BUSTARD (Lissotis hartlaubii) – Good looks at a close male near Voi Safari Lodge.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)


The Beisa Oryx, sometimes considered to be a subspecies of the East African oryx, is found in semidesert and steppe environments throughout the Horn of Africa. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

AFRICAN RAIL (Rallus caerulescens) – Heard at Saiwa Swamp.
BLACK CRAKE (Amaurornis flavirostra) – One at Lake Nakuru.
PURPLE SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio) – Two at Limuru Pond.
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) – Small numbers at a variety of ponds in the central highlands, and 2 at Kerenget Dam.
RED-KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata) – About 300 at Limuru Pond, and 6 at Kiawara.
Sarothruridae (Flufftails)
WHITE-SPOTTED FLUFFTAIL (Sarothrura pulchra) – Some of the group saw one cross a stream and then a trail at Kakamega Forest.
Gruidae (Cranes)
GRAY CROWNED-CRANE (Balearica regulorum) – These gorgeous birds were fairly widespread in a variety of open farmland and marshes.
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
WATER THICK-KNEE (Burhinus vermiculatus) – Two along the Mara River.
SPOTTED THICK-KNEE (Burhinus capensis) – Great close looks at a pair at Baringo.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – Ten at Sagana, and 15 at Nakuru.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta) – One at Nakuru.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) – About 40 at Mida Creek.
LONG-TOED LAPWING (Vanellus crassirostris) – Eight at the Ahero Rice Scheme.
BLACKSMITH LAPWING (Vanellus armatus) – Small numbers in the central highlands, at Nakuru, and at Masai Mara.
SPUR-WINGED LAPWING (Vanellus spinosus) – Widespread at a variety of wetlands; in all we saw about 45.
BLACK-HEADED LAPWING (Vanellus tectus) – Two at the gate to Tsavo West.
CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus) – Widespread in a variety of open dry grasslands.
WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus) – Six at Masai Mara.
LESSER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius mongolus) – Four at Mida Creek.
GREATER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius leschenaultii) – Eight at Mida Creek and Malindi.
CASPIAN PLOVER (Charadrius asiaticus) – Three at Tsavo East.
KITTLITZ'S PLOVER (Charadrius pecuarius) – Two at Lake Nakuru.


A massive flock of 450 Vulturine Guineafowl at Samburu gave us fantastically close looks. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula) – One at Aruba Dam, and then about 80 at Mida Creek.
THREE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius tricollaris) – One near Mt. Kenya, and then 2 at Masai Mara.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus) – Small numbers at a variety of wetlands with floating vegetation.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
TEREK SANDPIPER (Xenus cinereus) – Five at Mida Creek.
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) – One at Lake Baringo, 4 at Kisumu, and 6 at the coast.
GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus) – Singles near Thomson's Falls, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) – One at Nakuru, and 20 at the coast.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) – Small numbers in marshy grasslands at Ahero, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
WHIMBREL (EUROPEAN) (Numenius phaeopus phaeopus) – About 30 at the coast.
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) – A dozen at Mida Creek.
RUFF (Calidris pugnax) – Forty at Nakuru.
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea) – Five at Nakuru, and 40 at the coast.
SANDERLING (Calidris alba) – Six at Mida Creek.
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta) – About 250 at Nakuru, and 300+ at the coast.
Dromadidae (Crab Plover)
CRAB PLOVER (Dromas ardeola) – Good scope views of about 30 at Mida Creek.
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
SOMALI COURSER (Cursorius somalensis) – Fabulous really close looks this tour with no less than 7 at Tsavo East.
TEMMINCK'S COURSER (Cursorius temminckii) – Five at Masai Mara.
THREE-BANDED COURSER (Rhinoptilus cinctus) – We saw a close bird on a nest at Lake Baringo.
ROCK PRATINCOLE (Glareola nuchalis) – Eight on the Nzoia River north-west of Kisumu.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
SOOTY GULL (Ichthyaetus hemprichii) – Seven along the beach at Malindi.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (HEUGLIN'S) (Larus fuscus heuglini) – One off-shore at Malindi.
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica) – Eight at Mida Creek.


Ready for her closeup -- a female Somali Ostrich. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo) – One at Malindi.
GREAT CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bergii) – Four at Malindi, where they were together with Lesser Crested Terns.
LESSER CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bengalensis) – About 30 at Malindi.
Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles exustus) – We saw a pair with 2 tiny chicks at Samburu, and 2 adults on a termite mound at Tsavo East.
BLACK-FACED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles decoratus) – We saw a single male at Samburu.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Small numbers were widespread in a number of towns and villages throughout the tour.
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea) – Common and widespread.
DELEGORGUE'S PIGEON (Columba delegorguei) – Also known as Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon; we saw about 35 at Mountain Lodge.
DUSKY TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia lugens) – Two at Ole Sereni, and 2 near Mt. Kenya.
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens) – Common at Samburu and Baringo.
RED-EYED DOVE (Streptopelia semitorquata) – Common in wetter areas than Mourning Collared-Dove.
RING-NECKED DOVE (Streptopelia capicola) – Common and widespread.
LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis) – Common and widespread.
EMERALD-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos) – Small number were seen at Samburu, Baringo, and at the coast.
TAMBOURINE DOVE (Turtur tympanistria) – Singles were seen by some of the group at Kerenget Dam and the coast.
NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis) – Fairly common in dry acacia country like Samburu and Baringo.
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus) – Great looks at Mountain Lodge and Kakamega.
Musophagidae (Turacos)
GREAT BLUE TURACO (Corythaeola cristata) – Good looks at 2 at Rondo Retreat, Kakamega.
SCHALOW'S TURACO (Tauraco schalowi) – Heard at Kichwa Tembo.
WHITE-CRESTED TURACO (Tauraco leucolophus) – We saw pairs of these beautiful turacos in the Kerio Valley and at the bottom of the Kongelai Escarpment.
FISCHER'S TURACO (Tauraco fischeri) – Two at the edge of Sokoke Forest.
HARTLAUB'S TURACO (Tauraco hartlaubi) – About 20 in the Mt. Kenya area, and then singles in the Tugen and Taita Hills.
ROSS'S TURACO (Musophaga rossae) – Good looks at a pair at Kongelai.
WHITE-BELLIED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides leucogaster) – Fairly common in dry bush country, with a total of about 50.
EASTERN PLANTAIN-EATER (Crinifer zonurus) – One in flight at Saiwa Swamp, and then 5 in the Kisumu area.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
LEVAILLANT'S CUCKOO (Clamator levaillantii) – Two at Kongelai.
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius) – Nice looks at Kakamega and several others heard.
BLACK CUCKOO (Cuculus clamosus) – Heard at Kakamega.
KLAAS'S CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx klaas) – One at Lake Nakuru.
AFRICAN EMERALD CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx cupreus) – Heard at Mountain Lodge, the Tugen Hills, and at Kakamega.
DIDERIC CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx caprius) – Three at Lake Nakuru.
YELLOWBILL (Ceuthmochares aereus) – Some of the group saw 1 at the edge of Sokoke Forest.
BLUE-HEADED COUCAL (Centropus monachus) – One (carrying a large frog) at Saiwa Swamp.
SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis) – One near the Saio River.
WHITE-BROWED COUCAL (Centropus superciliosus) – Widespread in small numbers.
Strigidae (Owls)
SOKOKE SCOPS-OWL (Otus ireneae) – Great looks at this little known owl in the Cynometra at Sokoke.
AFRICAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus senegalensis) – One at a day roost at Lake Baringo.
NORTHERN WHITE-FACED OWL (Ptilopsis leucotis) – Thanks to our local guide we had good looks at a pair at Lake Baringo.
CAPE EAGLE-OWL (NORTHERN) (Bubo capensis mackinderi) – Two near Kiawara.
GRAYISH EAGLE-OWL (Bubo cinerascens) – Yet another owl we saw with our local guide at Lake Baringo.


We enjoyed a fine performance by a group of Samburu dancers. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

VERREAUX'S EAGLE-OWL (Bubo lacteus) – One at Baringo, and 2 at Bogoria.
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum) – Four at Samburu, 1 at Baringo, and 2 at Tsavo East.
AFRICAN WOOD-OWL (Strix woodfordii) – One at the coast.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
SLENDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus clarus) – One on a day roost at Baringo.
Apodidae (Swifts)
MOTTLED SPINETAIL (Telacanthura ussheri) – One near Watamu.
MOTTLED SWIFT (Apus aequatorialis) – Ten at Samburu, and about 50 at Kerenget Dam.
NYANZA SWIFT (Apus niansae) – Thirty near Kitale.
AFRICAN SWIFT (Apus barbatus) – About 30 at Kerenget Dam.
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis) – Common and widespread.
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus) – Fairly widespread in areas with palm trees; in all we saw about 50.
Coliidae (Mousebirds)
SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD (Colius striatus) – Very common and widespread away from arid areas.
WHITE-HEADED MOUSEBIRD (Colius leucocephalus) – Three in the 'Salvadora' bushes at Samburu.
BLUE-NAPED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius macrourus) – About 100 at Samburu, 20 at Baringo, and 30 at Tsavo East.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
NARINA TROGON (Apaloderma narina) – Great scope looks at a male in the Tugen Hills, and then another at the coast.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus) – We saw a total of 8 in a variety of scattered wetlands.
AFRICAN PYGMY-KINGFISHER (Ispidina picta) – One near the Saio River.
GRAY-HEADED KINGFISHER (Halcyon leucocephala) – Small numbers at Samburu, Bogoria, and then about 10 at Tsavo East.
WOODLAND KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegalensis) – Singles at Baringo and Kakamega, and then 2 at Kisumu.
STRIPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon chelicuti) – We saw an adult feeding an immature at Kongelai, and then another adult at Nakuru.
GIANT KINGFISHER (Megaceryle maxima) – Wonderful looks near Bogoria, and then 1 at Masai Mara.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis) – Widespread at wetlands throughout the tour.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)


Stocky and short-legged, the Hippopotamus is among the largest of land mammals. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

BLUE-HEADED BEE-EATER (Merops muelleri) – Excellent scope views in Kakamega Forest.
WHITE-FRONTED BEE-EATER (Merops bullockoides) – Eight at Nakuru, and 6 at Masai Mara.
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus) – About 20 at Masai Mara, and a dozen at Tsavo East.
CINNAMON-CHESTED BEE-EATER (Merops oreobates) – Common in both the central and western highlands.
SOMALI BEE-EATER (Merops revoilii) – Three singles at Samburu, and 1 at Tsavo East.
WHITE-THROATED BEE-EATER (Merops albicollis) – About 15 at Kakamega.
MADAGASCAR BEE-EATER (Merops superciliosus) – One at Kisumu.
EUROPEAN BEE-EATER (Merops apiaster) – Twenty-five near Kitale were rather early migrants this year.
NORTHERN CARMINE BEE-EATER (Merops nubicus) – We saw 4 of these beautiful bee-eaters near Malindi.
Coraciidae (Rollers)
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus) – Fairly common and widespread in open bush country; in all we saw about 40.
RUFOUS-CROWNED ROLLER (Coracias naevius) – One at Samburu.
BROAD-BILLED ROLLER (Eurystomus glaucurus) – Three at the bottom of Kongelai Escarpment.
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (CENTRAL AFRICAN) (Upupa epops waibeli) – One at Baringo.
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana) – Two at Nakuru.
Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills)
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus) – Four at Kongelai, 7 at Nakuru, 3 at Tsavo East, and 4 at the coast.
WHITE-HEADED WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus bollei) – One at Kakamega.
COMMON SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas) – Singles at Naro Moru and the coast.
ABYSSINIAN SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus minor) – Two at Samburu.
Bucorvidae (Ground-Hornbills)
SOUTHERN GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus leadbeateri) – Two distantly at Masai Mara, and then a much closer bird at Tsavo East.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
NORTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus erythrorhynchus) – At least 200 at Samburu, 4 at Baringo, 4 at Kongelai, and 10 at Tsavo East.
EASTERN YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus flavirostris) – About 15 at Samburu.
JACKSON'S HORNBILL (Tockus jacksoni) – Six at Baringo, and 2 at Kongelai.


Little Bee-eaters hunted from low perches in open areas at Masai Mara and Tsavo East. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

VON DER DECKEN'S HORNBILL (Tockus deckeni) – Six at Samburu, and 6 at Tsavo East.
CROWNED HORNBILL (Tockus alboterminatus) – Nice looks at a pair on the Kongelai Escarpment, 1 at Masai Mara, and 4 at Kibwezi.
AFRICAN GRAY HORNBILL (Tockus nasutus) – Small numbers in a variety of dry bush country like Baringo, Kongelai, and Nakuru.
TRUMPETER HORNBILL (Ceratogymna bucinator) – Seven in the Sokoke Forest area.
SILVERY-CHEEKED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna brevis) – Heard at Mountain Lodge.
BLACK-AND-WHITE-CASQUED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna subcylindrica) – Five in the Tugen Hills, and 10 at Kakamega.
Lybiidae (African Barbets)
YELLOW-BILLED BARBET (Trachyphonus purpuratus) – One seen and many heard at Kakamega.
RED-AND-YELLOW BARBET (Trachyphonus erythrocephalus) – We saw these beautiful colorful barbets at Samburu, Kongelai, and Tsavo East.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (Trachyphonus darnaudii) – Small numbers were widespread in dry bush country away from Masai Mara.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (USAMBIRO) (Trachyphonus darnaudii usambiro) – This form is often split and replaces D'Arnaud's Barbet in Masai Mara; we saw a total of about 8.
GRAY-THROATED BARBET (Gymnobucco bonapartei) – Three in the Tugen Hills, about 40 at Kakamega, and 3 on the Oloololo Escarpment.
GREEN BARBET (Stactolaema olivacea) – One seen and several heard at Sokoke Forest.
MOUSTACHED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus leucomystax) – One at Mountain Lodge.
YELLOW-RUMPED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus bilineatus bilineatus) – Small numbers at Mt. Kenya, Kongelai, and Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus pusillus) – One along the cliffs at Baringo.
YELLOW-SPOTTED BARBET (Buccanodon duchaillui) – Two at Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED BARBET (Tricholaema diademata) – Two at Samburu, 2 near Lukenya, and 4 at Masai Mara.
SPOT-FLANKED BARBET (Tricholaema lacrymosa) – Small numbers at the Blue Posts Hotel, Kongelai, and Masai Mara.
BLACK-THROATED BARBET (Tricholaema melanocephala) – One along the cliffs at Baringo.
WHITE-HEADED BARBET (Lybius leucocephalus) – We saw singles at Kongelai and Masai Mara.
DOUBLE-TOOTHED BARBET (Lybius bidentatus) – Good looks at this great looking barbet in the Kerio Valley, and then at Kisumu.
Indicatoridae (Honeyguides)
WAHLBERG'S HONEYGUIDE (Prodotiscus regulus) – One in the Taita Hills.
PALLID HONEYGUIDE (Indicator meliphilus) – Two at Naro Moru.
LESSER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator minor) – Singles in the Kerio Valley, and at Masai Mara.


We had wonderfully close looks at the elegant Somali Courser at Tsavo East. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

SCALY-THROATED HONEYGUIDE (Indicator variegatus) – Heard and seen briefly in Sokoke Forest.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
RUFOUS-NECKED WRYNECK (Jynx ruficollis) – Great looks at 2 on the Oloololo Escarpment.
NUBIAN WOODPECKER (Campethera nubica) – Pairs at Samburu and Baringo, and 1 at Kongelai.
MOMBASA WOODPECKER (Campethera mombassica) – Scope views of 1 near Watamu.
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Dendropicos fuscescens) – A female at Baringo and then a pair at Lukenya.
BEARDED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos namaquus) – We saw a female and then a male at Samburu.
AFRICAN GRAY WOODPECKER (Dendropicos goertae) – One at Saiwa Swamp.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
PYGMY FALCON (Polihierax semitorquatus) – We saw a single female at Samburu, and a male and a female at Tsavo East.
LANNER FALCON (Falco biarmicus) – One at Kongelai.
Psittaculidae (Old World Parrots)
FISCHER'S LOVEBIRD (Agapornis fischeri) – Two at Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi, and 1 at Kisumu. [I]
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
RED-FRONTED PARROT (Poicephalus gulielmi) – About 80 in the Mt. Kenya area (with good looks at perched birds at Naro Moru).
MEYER'S PARROT (Poicephalus meyeri) – Two at Kongelai, and 1 at Kisumu.
RED-BELLIED PARROT (Poicephalus rufiventris) – More commonly known as African Orange-bellied Parrot; we saw about a dozen at Samburu.
Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
BROWN-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira cyanea) – Four at Kakamega.
BLACK-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira peltata) – A male at Saiwa Swamp.
CHESTNUT WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira castanea) – Good looks at male at Kakamega.
JAMESON'S WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira jamesoni) – We saw a striking adult and an immature in the Kakamega undergrowth.
SHORT-TAILED BATIS (Batis mixta) – We saw a single male in the Brachystegia at Sokoke.
CHINSPOT BATIS (Batis molitor) – Three at Naro Moru, and 1 at Masai Mara.
PALE BATIS (Batis soror) – A female in the Brachystegia at Sokoke Forest.
PYGMY BATIS (Batis perkeo) – Two pairs at Baringo, and 1 at the gate to Tsavo East.
Vangidae (Vangas, Helmetshrikes, and Allies)
WHITE HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops plumatus) – Seven at Lake Baringo, and 8 at Kongelai.
RETZ'S HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops retzii) – Good looks at 2 small flocks in Sokoke Forest.
CHESTNUT-FRONTED HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops scopifrons) – We saw about 40 of these near-threatened helmetshrikes in Sokoke Forest.
Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer) – One at Samburu, and 1 at Baringo.
NORTHERN PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus gambensis) – We saw a pair at Samburu, and a female at Kongelai.
BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla) – Two at Naro Moru, 2 at Masai Mara, and 4 at Tsavo East.
PINK-FOOTED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus angolensis) – We saw a pair at Kakamega Forest.
MARSH TCHAGRA (Tchagra minutus) – One at Saiwa Swamp.
BLACK-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra senegalus) – Good looks at 3 on the Oloololo Escarpment.
BROWN-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis) – Singles at Saio River and Masai Mara.
THREE-STREAKED TCHAGRA (Tchagra jamesi) – Nice looks at this rather uncommon bird at Baringo.
LUEHDER'S BUSHSHRIKE (Laniarius luehderi) – Good looks at Saiwa Swamp and Kakamega.
ETHIOPIAN BOUBOU (Laniarius aethiopicus) – Formerly known as Tropical Boubou, we saw about 8 in the Mt. Kenya area, and heard many others.
ZANZIBAR BOUBOU (Laniarius sublacteus) – Two in the Sokoke Forest.
BLACK-HEADED GONOLEK (Laniarius erythrogaster) – Heard in the Kerio Valley, and then seen very nicely at the Saio River.
PAPYRUS GONOLEK (Laniarius mufumbiri) – We saw a calling immature bird in the papyrus at Lake Victoria.
SLATE-COLORED BOUBOU (Laniarius funebris) – One at Samburu, and 2 at Tsavo East.


We had plenty of tame Hamerkops at Lake Victoria -- which allowed for some nice photographs! (photo by participant Don Fallon)

ROSY-PATCHED BUSHSHRIKE (Rhodophoneus cruentus) – Two at Samburu, and about 8 at Tsavo East - a truly striking bushshrike!
GRAY-GREEN BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus bocagei) – Two at Kakamega included a bird on a nest.
SULPHUR-BREASTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus sulfureopectus) – Good looks at 2 at Kongelai.
GRAY-HEADED BUSHSHRIKE (Malaconotus blanchoti) – One near the top of Kongelai Escarpment.
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
BLACK CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga flava) – A male at Masai Mara.
PETIT'S CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga petiti) – We saw a male at Kakamega.
PURPLE-THROATED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga quiscalina) – A pair in the Tugen Hills.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
GRAY-BACKED FISCAL (Lanius excubitorius) – Four at Bogoria, and 5 at Nakuru.
LONG-TAILED FISCAL (Lanius cabanisi) – About 10 at Tsavo East.
TAITA FISCAL (Lanius dorsalis) – Three at Samburu, and about 30 at Tsavo East.
MACKINNON'S SHRIKE (Lanius mackinnoni) – Two at Kakamega.
NORTHERN FISCAL (Lanius humeralis) – Northern and Southern fiscals are now split from what was previously known as Common Fiscal; Northern Fiscal was common throughout the tour.
WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus rueppelli) – Six at Samburu, and about 10 at Tsavo East; formerly known as Northern White-crowned Shrike.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
AFRICAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus auratus) – Three in the farmland near Watamu.
WESTERN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus brachyrhynchus) – Several heard and 1 seen at Kakamega Forest.
AFRICAN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus larvatus) – Small numbers in a variety of open woodland.
BLACK-TAILED ORIOLE (Oriolus percivali) – One at Mountain Lodge.
Dicruridae (Drongos)
SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus ludwigii) – Six at Kakamega.
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis) – Very common and widespread.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
AFRICAN CRESTED-FLYCATCHER (Trochocercus cyanomelas) – Heard by everyone and seen by some of the group in Sokoke Forest.


Warthogs often "kneel" while grazing. They are the only living species of pig which has adapted to savanna habitats. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis) – Fairly common and widespread.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
HOUSE CROW (Corvus splendens) – Very numerous at the coast.
CAPE CROW (Corvus capensis) – Small numbers in both the central and western highlands.
PIED CROW (Corvus albus) – Very common and widespread.
FAN-TAILED RAVEN (Corvus rhipidurus) – Small numbers at Samburu, Baringo, and in the Kerio Valley.
Alaudidae (Larks)
RED-WINGED LARK (Mirafra hypermetra) – We saw about a dozen of these large larks at Tsavo East.
RUFOUS-NAPED LARK (Mirafra africana) – Two at Nakuru, and about 30 in the Mara grasslands.
PINK-BREASTED LARK (Calendulauda poecilosterna) – About 10 at Samburu, and 6 at Tsavo East.
FOXY LARK (Calendulauda alopex) – Twenty at Samburu.
CHESTNUT-HEADED SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix signatus) – Good looks at about 20 as we were driving out of Tsavo East.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola) – About 40 at Sagana Fish Ponds, 20 at Mt. Kenya, 4 at the Saio River, and 200+ at Masai Mara.
BANDED MARTIN (Riparia cincta) – Eight at Masai Mara.
ROCK MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne fuligula) – Fairly common and widespread around villages and cliffs.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Fairly common from mid-tour onwards; with a total of about 450.
ANGOLA SWALLOW (Hirundo angolensis) – Four at the edge of Kakamega Forest, and 12 at Kisumu.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii) – Widespread in small numbers.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (Cecropis daurica) – Eight at Sagana, and 4 at Nakuru.
LESSER STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis abyssinica) – We saw about 10 of these beautiful swallows along the Saio River.
MOSQUE SWALLOW (Cecropis senegalensis) – Three at Kerenget, 2 at Nakuru, and 4 at Masai Mara.
WHITE-HEADED SAWWING (Psalidoprocne albiceps) – About 60 in the Kongelai and Kakamega areas.
BLACK SAWWING (Psalidoprocne pristoptera) – Small numbers in the highlands.
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
AFRICAN BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Elminia longicauda) – One at Saiwa Swamp, about 6 at Kakamega, and 4 at Kichwa Tembo.


We found a handful of Saddle-billed Storks in wetlands at Masai Mara. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

DUSKY CRESTED-FLYCATCHER (Elminia nigromitrata) – We were lucky to see this uncommon species in the undergrowth at Kakamega.
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
WHITE-BELLIED TIT (Melaniparus albiventris) – Heard in the Tugen Hills, and then seen at Nakuru and Masai Mara.
DUSKY TIT (Melaniparus funereus) – About a dozen at Kakamega Forest.
RED-THROATED TIT (Melaniparus fringillinus) – Nice looks at this East African endemic near Lukenya.
SOMALI TIT (Melaniparus thruppi) – Two at Samburu, and 1 at Baringo.
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
MOUSE-COLORED PENDULINE-TIT (Anthoscopus musculus) – Two along the cliffs at Baringo.
AFRICAN PENDULINE-TIT (Anthoscopus caroli) – One at Lukenya.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
SOMBRE GREENBUL (Andropadus importunus) – One seen and several heard at the coast.
SHELLEY'S GREENBUL (KAKAMEGA) (Arizelocichla masukuensis kakamegae) – One at Kakamega was watched as it moved along a branch woodpecker-like.
EASTERN MOUNTAIN-GREENBUL (OLIVE-BREASTED) (Arizelocichla nigriceps kikuyuensis) – Three at Mt. Kenya.
STRIPE-CHEEKED GREENBUL (STRIPE-FACED) (Arizelocichla milanjensis striifacies) – Good looks at about 8 in the Taita Hills.
YELLOW-BELLIED GREENBUL (Chlorocichla flaviventris) – Common at the coast.
JOYFUL GREENBUL (Chlorocichla laetissima) – Several small flocks at Kakamega.
YELLOW-THROATED GREENBUL (Atimastillas flavicollis) – Heard at Kakamega, and then seen well near Kisumu.
ANSORGE'S GREENBUL (Eurillas ansorgei) – Heard at Kakamega.
PLAIN GREENBUL (Eurillas curvirostris) – Good looks at 1 in the mid-levels at Kakamega Forest.
YELLOW-WHISKERED GREENBUL (Eurillas latirostris) – About a dozen at Mt. Kenya and Kakamega, and very many others heard.
LITTLE GREENBUL (Eurillas virens) – Good scope views of a singing bird at Kakamega.
NORTHERN BROWNBUL (Phyllastrephus strepitans) – One at Tsavo East.
CABANIS'S GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus cabanisi) – Seen briefly as they crossed a trail in Kakamega Forest.
CABANIS'S GREENBUL (PLACID) (Phyllastrephus cabanisi placidus) – Two in the Taita Hills.
TINY GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus debilis) – Great looks at this globally threatened bird in the Sokoke Forest.
COMMON BULBUL (DODSON'S) (Pycnonotus barbatus dodsoni) – Common at Samburu, Tsavo East and the coast.
COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor) – Very common to the west of the previous 'form'.
Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
NORTHERN CROMBEC (Sylvietta brachyura) – Two at Baringo, and 2 at Tsavo East.
RED-FACED CROMBEC (Sylvietta whytii) – Singles at Naro Moru, Kongelai, and Kongelai Escarpment.
MOUSTACHED GRASS-WARBLER (Melocichla mentalis) – Nice looks at a perched up bird at the Saio River.
Cettiidae (Bush-Warblers and Allies)
YELLOW FLYCATCHER (Erythrocercus holochlorus) – Also known as Little Yellow Flycatcher; we saw 6 in the Sokoke Forest.
Phylloscopidae (Leaf-Warblers)
YELLOW-THROATED WOOD-WARBLER (Phylloscopus ruficapilla) – About half a dozen in the Taita Hills.
UGANDA WOOD-WARBLER (Phylloscopus budongoensis) – About a dozen were heard in Kakamega Forest, but they just wouldn't come down from the canopy.
BROWN WOODLAND-WARBLER (Phylloscopus umbrovirens) – Some of the group saw 1 high on Mt. Kenya.
Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW-WARBLER (Iduna natalensis) – Two at the Saio River.
MOUNTAIN YELLOW-WARBLER (Iduna similis) – Six at Mt. Kenya.
LESSER SWAMP-WARBLER (Acrocephalus gracilirostris) – One in a marsh near Saiwa Swamp.
GREATER SWAMP-WARBLER (Acrocephalus rufescens) – One seen and several heard in the papyrus at Lake Victoria.
Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)
EVERGREEN-FOREST WARBLER (EASTERN) (Bradypterus lopezi mariae) – Heard in the Taita Hills.


Lions are quintessential African mammals -- and always among the most-wanted species on most visitors' target lists. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

LITTLE RUSH-WARBLER (Bradypterus baboecala) – One in a marsh near Saiwa Swamp.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
BLACK-COLLARED APALIS (Apalis pulchra) – Four at Saiwa Swamp, and 6 at Kakamega Forest.
BAR-THROATED APALIS (TAITA) (Apalis thoracica fuscigularis) – Heard in the Taita Hills.
BLACK-THROATED APALIS (Apalis jacksoni) – Two from the roof of Mountain Lodge.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida) – Six in the central highlands.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (BROWN-TAILED) (Apalis flavida viridiceps) – This form (which may be specifically distinct) was seen at Samburu and Baringo.
BUFF-THROATED APALIS (Apalis rufogularis) – Nice looks at a pair at Kakamega.
CHESTNUT-THROATED APALIS (Apalis porphyrolaema) – Two on the higher slopes of Mt. Kenya.
BLACK-HEADED APALIS (Apalis melanocephala) – Very difficult this tour, but eventually we all saw them well at Sokoke Forest.
GRAY APALIS (Apalis cinerea) – Four at Mt. Kenya.
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata) – Seen at Mt. Kenya and Nakuru, and several others heard.
RED-FRONTED WARBLER (Urorhipis rufifrons) – Two at Baringo.
GRAY WREN-WARBLER (Calamonastes simplex) – Two at Tsavo East.
WHITE-CHINNED PRINIA (Schistolais leucopogon) – Small flocks along the edge of Kakamega Forest.
RED-FACED CISTICOLA (Cisticola erythrops) – Three at Masai Mara.
TRILLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola woosnami) – Several were heard along the Oloololo Escarpment.
CHUBB'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola chubbi) – Heard at Saiwa Swamp, and then we had good views of a duetting pair at Kakamega.
HUNTER'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola hunteri) – About 10 at Mt. Kenya.
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana) – Fairly common in areas of acacia scrub like Nakuru and Masai Mara.
WINDING CISTICOLA (Cisticola galactotes) – One near Saiwa Swamp,
CARRUTHERS'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola carruthersi) – Heard in the papyrus at Lake Victoria.
LEVAILLANT'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola tinniens) – One in the highland marsh near Saiwa Swamp.
STOUT CISTICOLA (Cisticola robustus) – Very common in the Mara grasslands.
CROAKING CISTICOLA (Cisticola natalensis) – One at Masai Mara.


Long considered to be a subspecies of the Pale Chanting-Goshawk of southern Africa, the Eastern Chanting-Goshawk was split based on differences in morphology and range. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

BLACK-NECKED CISTICOLA (Cisticola eximius) – More commonly known as Black-backed Cisticola, we had good views of 1 near Kichwa Tembo.
PECTORAL-PATCH CISTICOLA (Cisticola brunnescens) – Two at Nakuru, and about 20 at Masai Mara.
GRAY-CAPPED WARBLER (Eminia lepida) – Two at Kerenget Dam.
BLACK-FACED RUFOUS-WARBLER (Bathmocercus rufus) – We saw 4 of the striking (and noisy) males in the Kakamega undergrowth.
BUFF-BELLIED WARBLER (Phyllolais pulchella) – Singles at Lukenya and Baringo.
TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA (Prinia subflava) – Small numbers at Mt. Kenya, Kitale, and Kisumu.
PALE PRINIA (Prinia somalica) – Singles at Samburu, Baringo, and at Tsavo East.
BANDED PRINIA (BLACK-FACED) (Prinia bairdii melanops) – Two at Kakamega.
YELLOW-VENTED EREMOMELA (Eremomela flavicrissalis) – One at Samburu.
YELLOW-BELLIED EREMOMELA (Eremomela icteropygialis) – Two at Baringo.
TURNER'S EREMOMELA (Eremomela turneri) – We saw 3 of these globally threatened birds in the canopy at Kakamega Forest.
Sylviidae (Sylviid Warblers)
AFRICAN HILL BABBLER (Sylvia abyssinica) – Two in the Tugen Hills.
BANDED WARBLER (Sylvia boehmi) – Two at Lukenya.
BROWN WARBLER (Sylvia lugens) – One at Naro Moru.
Zosteropidae (White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW WHITE-EYE (Zosterops senegalensis) – Two at Kongelai, and 10 at Kakamega.
BROAD-RINGED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops poliogastrus) – Common on Mt. Kenya.
BROAD-RINGED WHITE-EYE (TAITA) (Zosterops poliogastrus silvanus) – Difficult at first, but then we all had great views of some bathing in a stream in the Taita Hills.
WHITE-BREASTED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops abyssinicus) – Ten on the lower slopes of the Taita Hills.
Pellorneidae (Ground Babblers and Allies)
MOUNTAIN ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis pyrrhoptera) – Difficult, but eventually we all got good looks in the Kakamega undergrowth; quite a skulker.
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies)
RUFOUS CHATTERER (Turdoides rubiginosa) – Ten at Samburu, and 4 at Baringo.
BLACK-LORED BABBLER (Turdoides sharpei) – Five at Masai Mara.


Topis often use an elevated vantage point (like a convenient termite mound) to get a good look at their surroundings. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

SCALY BABBLER (Turdoides squamulata) – Heard in the thick scrub near Sokoke Forest.
NORTHERN PIED-BABBLER (Turdoides hypoleuca) – Four at the Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi.
BROWN BABBLER (Turdoides plebejus) – Five at Lake Baringo.
ARROW-MARKED BABBLER (Turdoides jardineii) – Seven at Kichwa Tembo, Masai Mara.
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
PALE FLYCATCHER (Bradornis pallidus) – Four on the Kongelai Escarpment, and 2 at Tsavo East.
GRAYISH FLYCATCHER (Bradornis microrhynchus) – Small numbers at Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo East.
WHITE-EYED SLATY-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis fischeri) – Common in both the central and western highlands.
NORTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis edolioides) – Pairs near Mumais, the Saio River, and at Masai Mara.
SOUTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis pammelaina) – Four at Sagana.
SWAMP FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa aquatica) – About a dozen along the shores of Lake Victoria.
DUSKY-BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa adusta) – Twelve near Mt. Kenya, and 4 at Kakamega.
ASHY FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa caerulescens) – We saw a pair in the Sokoke Forest.
BROWN-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas hartlaubi) – Rather uncommon in Kenya, so we were lucky to have such good views of 1 along the Saio River.
RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys) – Singles at Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo East.
CAPE ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha caffra) – Two at Mt. Kenya.
BLUE-SHOULDERED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha cyanocampter) – Heard at Kakamega.
GRAY-WINGED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha polioptera) – Heard at Kakamega.
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini) – Small numbers in the highlands, and some very tame birds at Lake Nakuru.
RED-CAPPED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha natalensis) – Good looks at a juvenile at Sokoke Forest.
SNOWY-CROWNED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha niveicapilla) – Two at Kakamega.
SPOTTED MORNING-THRUSH (Cichladusa guttata) – Singles at Baringo and Tsavo East.
WHITE-STARRED ROBIN (Pogonocichla stellata) – One in the Taita Hills.
LITTLE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola rufocinereus) – Two at Nakuru.
AFRICAN STONECHAT (Saxicola torquatus) – One at Mt. Kenya, 2 at Kakamega, and 4 in the Taita Hills.
NORTHERN ANTEATER-CHAT (Myrmecocichla aethiops) – Common at Lake Nakuru, and then a few others elsewhere in the highlands.


The Secretarybird is largely terrestrial, and hunts its prey on foot. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

SOOTY CHAT (Myrmecocichla nigra) – About 20 in Masai Mara.
MOCKING CLIFF-CHAT (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris) – We saw a single female on the roof of Lake Nakuru Lodge.
BROWN-TAILED CHAT (Cercomela scotocerca) – Two singles along the cliffs at Baringo.
NORTHERN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe oenanthe) – One at Samburu, and 4 at Tsavo East.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
RED-TAILED ANT-THRUSH (Neocossyphus rufus) – Nice looks at 2 singles in Sokoke Forest.
ABYSSINIAN GROUND-THRUSH (Geokichla piaggiae) – Good looks at 2 at 10,000ft. on Mt. Kenya.
TAITA THRUSH (Turdus helleri) – We had various poor to good views of this critically endangered endemic in the Taita Hills.
ABYSSINIAN THRUSH (Turdus abyssinicus) – About a dozen in the central highlands, and 1 at Kakamega.
AFRICAN THRUSH (Turdus pelios) – Two at Kitale, and 1 at Kisumu.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea) – Fairly common and widespread.
GREATER BLUE-EARED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus) – Small numbers were mainly in the highlands.
LESSER BLUE-EARED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chloropterus) – About 20 at Kongelai Escarpment.
RUEPPELL'S GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis purpuroptera) – Fairly common and widespread in acacia country.
GOLDEN-BREASTED STARLING (Lamprotornis regius) – We saw these gorgeous starlings at Samburu (10) and Tsavo East (6).
BLACK-BELLIED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis corruscus) – About 60 at Sokoke Forest.
SUPERB STARLING (Lamprotornis superbus) – Very common and widespread.
HILDEBRANDT'S STARLING (Lamprotornis hildebrandti) – Two at Masai Mara, and 2 at Lukenya.
VIOLET-BACKED STARLING (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) – Another gorgeous starling! We saw them at Naro Moru and Kongelai.
FISCHER'S STARLING (Spreo fischeri) – Eight at Samburu, and about 150 at Tsavo East.
RED-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus morio) – Four in the Kerio Valley.
BRISTLE-CROWNED STARLING (Onychognathus salvadorii) – Two in the grounds of our hotel at Bogoria.
STUHLMANN'S STARLING (Poeoptera stuhlmanni) – Small numbers at Kakamega.
Buphagidae (Oxpeckers)
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) – Widespread in areas with big game and cattle.
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus) – Less common than the previous species with a preference for feeding on giraffe and buffalo.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)


Nothing beats a Tusker after a hot day in the field! (photo by participant Don Fallon)

PLAIN-BACKED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes reichenowi) – Great looks at a male in Sokoke Forest.
KENYA VIOLET-BACKED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes orientalis) – About 8 at Baringo, and 2 at the gate to Tsavo West.
GREEN SUNBIRD (Anthreptes rectirostris) – Two males and a female at Kakamega.
COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris) – Small numbers in a variety of forested areas; in all we saw about 25.
AMANI SUNBIRD (Hedydipna pallidigaster) – We saw this globally threatened species in Sokoke Forest.
GREEN-HEADED SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra verticalis) – One at Naro Moru, and 2 at Kakamega.
EASTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra olivacea) – One at Sokoke Forest.
WESTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra obscura) – One at Kakamega.
MOUSE-COLORED SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra veroxii) – We saw a singing male in the farmlands near Watamu.
AMETHYST SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra amethystina) – A total of about 10 were seen in a variety of widespread areas.
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis) – Two at Ole Sereni, 1 at Kakamega, and about 10 at Nakuru.
HUNTER'S SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra hunteri) – Singles at Samburu, Baringo, and then 2 at Tsavo East.
TACAZZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia tacazze) – We saw a male and 2 females at 10,000ft. on Mt. Kenya.
BRONZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia kilimensis) – Small numbers in both the central and western highlands.
GOLDEN-WINGED SUNBIRD (Drepanorhynchus reichenowi) – Great looks at a male at about 10,200ft. on Mt. Kenya, and then 2 at Turi.
OLIVE-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris chloropygius) – About 6 along the Saio River.
NORTHERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris reichenowi) – Ten in the Mt. Kenya area, 2 in the Tugen Hills, and another 10 at Kakamega.
EASTERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mediocris) – About 30 at Mt. Kenya, and 2 in the Taita Hills.
BEAUTIFUL SUNBIRD (Cinnyris pulchellus) – We saw about 10 of these really beautiful sunbirds in the Bogoria-Baringo area.
MARIQUA SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mariquensis) – About a dozen in the far west.
RED-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris erythrocercus) – Twelve along the shores of Lake Victoria.
BLACK-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris nectarinioides) – Eight at Samburu, and then 2 at Tsavo East.
TSAVO SUNBIRD (Cinnyris tsavoensis) – One at Tsavo East.
ORANGE-TUFTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris bouvieri) – We saw 2 males of this uncommon species along the Saio River.
VARIABLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris venustus) – Widespread in small numbers in the highlands.
COPPER SUNBIRD (Cinnyris cupreus) – About 15 gorgeous males in the Saio River area.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis) – Two at Mountain Lodge.
MOUNTAIN WAGTAIL (Motacilla clara) – Two along the rocky stream at Naro Moru.
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp) – Common and widespread.
AFRICAN PIPIT (Anthus cinnamomeus) – Two in the farmlands at the edge of Sokoke Forest.
LONG-BILLED PIPIT (Anthus similis) – One on the Oloololo Escarpment.
PLAIN-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus leucophrys) – Small numbers in open grasslands like Solio, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
MALINDI PIPIT (Anthus melindae) – Two in the farmland near Sokoke Forest.
STRIPED PIPIT (Anthus lineiventris) – Two in the Taita Hills.
GOLDEN PIPIT (Tmetothylacus tenellus) – Surely the world's most beautiful pipit! We saw about 6 at Tsavo East.
YELLOW-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx croceus) – One at Saiwa Swamp, and about 30 at Masai Mara.
PANGANI LONGCLAW (Macronyx aurantiigula) – One at Tsavo East.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
CINNAMON-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza tahapisi) – Two on the Oloololo Escarpment.
SOMALI BUNTING (Emberiza poliopleura) – Two at Samburu.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
YELLOW-CROWNED CANARY (Serinus flavivertex) – About 30 at Mt. Kenya.


The arrival of a group of Elephants at a waterhole was entertaining. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

YELLOW-FRONTED CANARY (Serinus mozambicus) – Most common at Masai Mara but we also saw a few at several widespread scattered locations.
AFRICAN CITRIL (Serinus citrinelloides kikuyensis) – We saw a single male at Turi.
SOUTHERN CITRIL (Serinus hypostictus) – One in the Tugen Hills, and 4 at Kakamega.
REICHENOW'S SEEDEATER (Serinus reichenowi) – Small numbers at Mt. Kenya, in the Kerio Valley, and at Tsavo East.
WHITE-BELLIED CANARY (Serinus dorsostriatus) – Two at Samburu.
STREAKY SEEDEATER (Serinus striolatus) – Common at Mt. Kenya and Nakuru.
THICK-BILLED SEEDEATER (Serinus burtoni) – Four at Mountain Lodge, and 2 in the Tugen Hills.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Small numbers at a few widespread towns in the highlands.
KENYA RUFOUS SPARROW (Passer rufocinctus) – Common in the central highlands (30) and a few at Masai Mara (4).
NORTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer griseus) – About 30 in the western highlands.
PARROT-BILLED SPARROW (Passer gongonensis) – Common in dry bush country like Samburu and Tsavo East.
CHESTNUT SPARROW (Passer eminibey) – About 200 at Samburu included some nice males in breeding plumage.
YELLOW-SPOTTED PETRONIA (Petronia pyrgita) – Four at Samburu.
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
WHITE-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis albirostris) – Four at Baringo.
RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis niger) – About 35 at Tsavo East.
WHITE-HEADED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Dinemellia dinemelli) – Common at Samburu (50+), and then at Baringo (40).
SPECKLE-FRONTED WEAVER (Sporopipes frontalis) – Small numbers in a variety of widespread acacia country.
WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser mahali) – Common and widespread in acacia country.
CHESTNUT-CROWNED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser superciliosus) – Two in the Kerio Valley.
DONALDSON-SMITH'S SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser donaldsoni) – About 30 at Samburu.
GRAY-HEADED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita arnaudi) – Twenty at Lukenya.
BLACK-CAPPED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita cabanisi) – About 400 at Samburu.
RED-HEADED WEAVER (Anaplectes rubriceps) – We saw a single female at Samburu.
BAGLAFECHT WEAVER (Ploceus baglafecht) – Common in the central and western highlands.
LITTLE WEAVER (Ploceus luteolus) – Nice looks at a male on a nest at Baringo.


Cheetah is another big cat on most visitors' "want lists". We had one resting in the shade at Samburu, and a couple of big males at Tsavo East. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

SLENDER-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus pelzelni) – We saw a single male in the papyrus at Kisumu.
BLACK-NECKED WEAVER (Ploceus nigricollis) – Singles males along the edge of Kakamega Forest and at Tsavo East.
SPECTACLED WEAVER (Ploceus ocularis) – Four in the Mt. Kenya area, and then 2 at Masai Mara.
BLACK-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus melanogaster) – Two at Saiwa Swamp, and 1 at Kakamega.
AFRICAN GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus subaureus) – About 30 at Turtle Bay Resort, Watamu.
HOLUB'S GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus xanthops) – Six in the Saiwa Swamp area.
GOLDEN PALM WEAVER (Ploceus bojeri) – Ten at Turtle Bay Resort, Watamu.
NORTHERN MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus taeniopterus) – We saw breeding males of this very localised species at Lake Baringo.
LESSER MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus intermedius) – About a dozen at Sala Gate - leaving Tsavo East.
HEUGLIN'S MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus heuglini) – Three at our usual site near Kitale; a very rare bird in Kenya.
SPEKE'S WEAVER (Ploceus spekei) – At least 100 in the central highlands.
VIEILLOT'S WEAVER (Ploceus nigerrimus) – About 30 were nest building in the garden of Rondo Retreat, Kakamega.
VILLAGE WEAVER (Ploceus cucullatus) – Widespread in the highlands.
BLACK-HEADED WEAVER (Ploceus melanocephalus) – Two near Saiwa Swamp, and then about 50 at Kisumu.
GOLDEN-BACKED WEAVER (Ploceus jacksoni) – We saw this very attractive weaver at Lake Baringo.
CHESTNUT WEAVER (Ploceus rubiginosus) – About 20 at Samburu.
FOREST WEAVER (Ploceus bicolor) – About a dozen at Kakamega.
BROWN-CAPPED WEAVER (Ploceus insignis) – We saw about 10 of these attractive weavers at Kakamega.
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea) – Small numbers at Bogoria, Kisumu, and near Watamu.
NORTHERN RED BISHOP (Euplectes franciscanus) – Three males near Bogoria.
YELLOW BISHOP (Euplectes capensis) – Two near Kitale.
YELLOW-SHOULDERED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes macroura macroura) – We saw a single male near Kitale.
YELLOW-SHOULDERED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes macroura macrocerca) – We saw a male in breeding plumage in the glade at Kakamega, and 1 near the Saio River.
FAN-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes axillaris) – Six in the Saiwa Swamp area.
GROSBEAK WEAVER (Amblyospiza albifrons) – Six at Kerenget Dam.
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)


The beach at Turtle Bay certainly qualified as a tropical paradise. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

GRAY-HEADED NIGRITA (Nigrita canicapillus) – One at Kakamega.
COMMON WAXBILL (Estrilda astrild) – About a dozen at Kerenget Dam, and 40+ at Masai Mara.
KANDT'S WAXBILL (Estrilda kandti) – Five at 10,300ft. on Mt. Kenya.
BLACK-CHEEKED WAXBILL (Estrilda charmosyna) – Two at Samburu.
RED-CHEEKED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus bengalus) – Common and widespread in small numbers.
PURPLE GRENADIER (Granatina ianthinogaster) – Eight at Masai Mara - a very beautiful waxbill!
PETERS'S TWINSPOT (Hypargos niveoguttatus) – We saw a pair along a trail in Sokoke Forest.
GREEN-WINGED PYTILIA (Pytilia melba) – A male at Baringo, and 4 at Tsavo East.
RED-BILLED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta senegala) – Two at Sagana Fish Ponds.
CUT-THROAT (Amadina fasciata) – About 80 at Samburu.
AFRICAN QUAILFINCH (Ortygospiza fuscocrissa) – Two were flushed repeatedly along a road at Masai Mara.
BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullata) – Three at Sagana, and 30+ along the Saio River.
BLACK-AND-WHITE MANNIKIN (RED-BACKED) (Spermestes bicolor nigriceps) – Six in the Taita Hills.
AFRICAN SILVERBILL (Euodice cantans) – Ten at Samburu.
Viduidae (Indigobirds)
PIN-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua macroura) – We saw males in flight at Kerenget Dam and Turi.
VILLAGE INDIGOBIRD (Vidua chalybeata) – Nice looks at a singing male at the bottom of Kongelai Escarpment.

MAMMALS
GIANT ELEPHANT SHREW (Rhynchocyon cirnei) – Some of us saw a couple of singles crossing the trails in Sokoke Forest.
BROWN GREATER GALAGO (Otolemur crassicaudatus) – Heard nightly at Kichwa Tembo.
BLUE MONKEY (Cercopithecus mitis) – About 100 at Kakamega, and 30 at Kichwa Tembo.
SYKES MONKEY (Cercopithecus albogularis) – Seen at Thika, Mt. Kenya and the coast; in all we saw about 80.
BLACK-CHEEKED WHITE-NOSED MONKEY (Cercopithecus ascanius) – Eighty at Kakamega, and 20 at Kichwa Tembo.
DE BRAZZA'S MONKEY (Cercopithecus neglectus) – We saw 3 of these rare monkeys in the forest at Saiwa Swamp.
BLACK-FACED VERVET MONKEY (Cercopithecus aethiops) – Common and widespread.
OLIVE BABOON (Papio anubis) – Very common away from Tsavo and the coast.


An African sunset lights the sky on fire over Tsavo East. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

YELLOW BABOON (Papio cyanocephalus) – Replaces the previous species at Tsavo and the coast.
MANTLED GUEREZA (Colobus guereza) – Most common at Kakamega, but we also saw them at Mt. Kenya and at Saiwa Swamp.
UNSTRIPED GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus rutilus) – Common at Samburu, and a few at Tsavo East.
FOREST GIANT SQUIRREL (Protoxerus stangeri) – One at Kakamega.
BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus sp.) – Small numbers in the Kerio Valley and around Bogoria.
RED-LEGGED SUN SQUIRREL (Heliosciurus rufobrachium) – Three at Saiwa Swamp, and 1 at Kakamega.
ZANJ SUN SQUIRREL (Heliosciurus undulatus) – Two at Sokoke Forest.
BLACK-BACKED JACKAL (Canis mesomelas) – One at Samburu, and 6 at Nakuru.
COMMON (SMALL-SPOTTED) GENET (Genetta genetta) – Two at Samburu.
LARGE-SPOTTED GENET (Genetta tigrina) – One at Mountain Lodge.
SLENDER MONGOOSE (Herpestes sanguineus) – Two in the Mt. Kenya area.
BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo) – About 50 at Masai Mara, and 80 at Tsavo East.
EASTERN DWARF MONGOOSE (Helogale hirtula) – Twenty at Samburu, and 6 at Tsavo East.
MARSH MONGOOSE (Atilax paludinosus) – One in a small stream at Masai Mara.
SPOTTED HYAENA (Crocuta crocuta) – Four at Mountain Lodge, 40+ at Masai Mara, and 1 at Voi Safari Lodge.
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus) – Great looks at a female close to our vehicle at Samburu.
LION (Panthera leo) – Always one of the most wanted on any Africa tour; we had great close looks at Samburu and Masai Mara.
CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus) – Another big cat always on the groups want list; we saw 1 at Samburu, and 2 huge males at Tsavo East.
AFRICAN ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana) – Numerous close encounters at Samburu, Masai Mara and Tsavo East.
ROCK HYRAX (Procavia capensis) – Two on the rocky hill behind our lodge at Lake Nakuru.
BUSH (YELLOW-SPOTTED) HYRAX (Heterohyrax brucei) – Common at Voi Safari Lodge.
TREE HYRAX (Dendrohyrax arboreus) – Two at Naro Moru, and about 8 at Masai Mara.
GREVY'S ZEBRA (Equus grevyi) – We saw about 300 of this rare zebra species at Samburu.
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus burchelli) – Common to the south of the previous species, and especially in grassy areas like Masai Mara.
BLACK RHINOCEROS (Diceros bicornis) – Great to see this rare rhino species at Masai Mara; we had good views of a female, a large young male and a smaller young female.
WHITE RHINOCEROS (Ceratotherium simum) – Four at Solio, and about 15 at Lake Nakuru. [I]


The Tree Hyrax is distantly related to elephants and sea cows. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) – Widespread in small numbers.
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius) – Two at Baringo, 2 at Kisumu, and about 80 at Masai Mara.
COMMON GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis) – About 50 at Masai Mara, and 35 at Tsavo East.
RETICULATED GIRAFFE (Giraffa reticulata) – Just great this tour - with at least 70 at Samburu.
ROTHSCHILD'S GIRAFFE (Giraffa rothschildi) – About 25 in the acacia country at Lake Nakuru.
SITATUNGA (Tragelaphus spekei) – Very rare in Kenya, so we were lucky to see a pair near Saiwa Swamp, and then another 3 within the reserve.
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus) – Twelve at Mountain Lodge, and then another 4 at Masai Mara.
GREATER KUDU (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) – Six at Samburu.
LESSER KUDU (Tragelaphus imberbis) – Two females at Tsavo East.
COMMON ELAND (Taurotragus oryx) – Ten at Nakuru, and about a dozen at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer) – Many hundreds at Nakuru, Masai Mara, and Samburu.
COMMON WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) – We saw a total of about 40 at Samburu and Tsavo East.
DEFASSA WATERBUCK (Kobus defassa) – Seen at Mt. Kenya, Nakuru, and Masai Mara, with a total of about 150.
BOHOR REEDBUCK (Redunca redunca) – Two in front of Ole Sereni Hotel , Nairobi.
BEISA ORYX (Oryx beisa) – About 150 at Samburu.
FRINGE-EARED ORYX (Oryx callotis) – Five at Tsavo East.
HUNTER'S HARTEBEEST (Damaliscus hunteri) – About 12 in the eastern side of Tsavo East.
TOPI (Damaliscus lunatus) – About 70 at Masai Mara.
HARTEBEEST (KONGONI) (Alcelaphus buselaphus) – Twelve at Nairobi NP, and 20 at Masai Mara.
BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus) – Many thousands (especially from the plane flying over Masai Mara) and then 'thousand's' more at a river crossing - always a spectacular sight!
KLIPSPRINGER (Oreotragus oreotragus) – One on the Oloololo Escarpment.
SUNI (Neotragus moschatus) – One at Mountain Lodge.
KIRK'S DIK-DIK (Modoqua kirki) – Very common in dry bush country like Samburu and Tsavo East.
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus) – Very common and widespread; with a total of about 1200.
GERENUK (Litocranius walleri) – Eight at Samburu, and 4 at Tsavo East.
THOMSON'S GAZELLE (Gazella thomsoni) – Very common in grassland areas like Nakuru, and Masai Mara,; in all we saw about 1200.


Rothschild's Giraffe is among the rarest of giraffes, with only a few hundred left in the wild. (photo by participant Don Fallon)

GRANT'S GAZELLE (Gazella granti) – Seventy at Samburu, and 60 at Tsavo East were the largest numbers with a few others elsewhere.


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Reptiles seen on the tour included;

Water Monitor, singles at Hunter's Lodge and Tsavo East.

Nile Crocodile, 1 at Baringo, and then a huge one following 2 Topi as they crossed the Mara River.

Red-headed Rock Agama, about 40 at Tsavo East.

Mwanza Rock Agama, 4 at Masai Mara.

Tropical House Gecko, widespread in small numbers.

Leopard Tortoise, singles at Bogoria and Tsavo East.


Totals for the tour: 555 bird taxa and 61 mammal taxa