Trip Report for February 2006
Day 5
We had a later start having had a very tiring two days previously.
Abuko Nature Reserve was our first port of call and we parked and set off along the sandy track, leaving the sound of the traffic far behind as we penetrated deeper into the forest.
The sound of birds and animals was all around us and we quickly adjusted to the different environment and soon had spotted a Snowy-crowned Robin-chat flicking over the leaf litter in the undergrowth. There were African Thrushes also on the ground, then a Blackcap Babbler was spotted.
A Malachite Kingfisher dashed along the first pool and a Little Greenbul was suddenly heard and we had good but brief views as it flew for cover high in the canopy.
The hide was busy though there was little to be seen, so we resumed our walk.
Leaving there we came across a Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher and a Fork-tailed Drongo, then the delight of a good clear Common Wattle-eye sighting as it called loudly from the trees.
Ahead of us on the path was a small group of birders so we stopped and were treated to exciting views of a Western Bluebill as it picked its way around the scrub. Abuko is one of the few locations where this delightful small bird can be found and the stunning red, black and white plumage together with the distinctive blue bill made this one of our target species. We were delighted to have such good views. Not quite as exciting but still nice to see nearby were two Grey-headed Bristlebills.
A brief trip to the photographic hide brought nice views of a Blue-spotted Wood Dove next to a Black-billed Wood Dove and a Vinaceous Dove .
Returning to the main hide we found a lot of activity, with a Giant Kingfisher perched just by the hide, an adult Black-crowned Night Heron on a branch with two immature Night Herons nearby, an African darter playing with a feather and a two Black-headed Herons high in the palms. There were Hamerkops, Yellow-wattled Plovers and a Grey Heron, as well as a Striated Heron and a Common Greenshank by the water's edge. An African Mourning Dove was just by the hide and on the far bank a Red Colobus Monkey was searching for food on the trees.
We stayed for quite a while, watching the activity and spotted a Nile Crocodile just waiting, motionless in the water looking like a log.
As we left two Violet Turacos were high in the trees above us, and all around were butterflies, never settling but with bright colours even in the gloom of the forest.
Suddenly we spotted some beautiful Swallow-tailed Bee-eaters and had superb views as they flew up for insects then landed again.
It was time for a welcome break and sit down. There were Green Vervet Monkeys all around us as we headed for the café, and Hooded Vultures on the fencing, watching carefully as we headed for the seats and a cold drink.
Refreshed, we continued our walk.
Beautiful yellow and deep red hibiscus flowers concealed interesting wasp-like insects and sudden movement in the undergrowth had us looking excitedly and peering at our field guides to confirm we were seeing an Ovambo Sparrowhawk on a branch.
Delighted with the sighting we made our way back to our vehicle and suddenly came upon a Pygmy Kingfisher , tiny and so well hidden in the shadows but clear enough to determine its identity.
It was a wonderful, five hour visit and gave us lovely views of many birds we'd already seen as well as some super new ones for our list.
After leaving Abuko we headed for Lamin Lodge and a two hour break for lunch. The rickety bridge held up well as we crossed the creek, where Mudskippers in the mud were blinking in the sunlight and a shoal of small fish were swimming on the surface all with mouths open. A brief, tantalising glimpse of a Purple Heron frustrated some in the group who missed it, but a nice lunch soon made up for it!
A Pied Kingfisher kept us company on a nearby post and distant sightings of Terns and Egrets kept livened up our meal.
Leaving Lamin Lodge we headed for the Lamin rice fields, spotting a Eurasian Marsh Harrier on the way.
Our path led us through some uneven terrain, walking between the paddy fields, yet soon we saw a Black Crake, a Common Moorhen , African Jacanas and suddenly the delight of two Greater Painted-snipe as they foraged at the edge of the water. Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters swooped to drink and a Striated Heron stood on a mangrove branch in the shade of a tree canopy.
Leaving the Lamin rice fields we headed for the Bund Road , to catch the last of the light and see what waders were about on the coastal side of the road. The wires were lined with Pied Kingfishers and Doves, and in the low sun we saw a Sacred Ibis digging in the mud, plus Pink-backed Pelicans and Terns and Gulls as far as the eye could see, but very distant. Confirmed sightings of Black-headed Gulls gave us our first views on this trip. A discussion about some terns resulted in an ID of Lesser-Crested and also a Royal Tern .
In the setting sun we called it a day and headed back to Halcyon for the night.
