Kenya- N kinangop- Aberdares- Lake Naivasha (1 Viewer)

[mike davidson]

Last Thursday 30th , a group of us had a wonderful day trip out of Nairobi through N .Kinangop , upto the Aberdares NP , and then back through Hippo Camp at Lake Naivasha .
We were 4 residents , Brian Finch , Fleur Ngweno , Karen Plumbe and a visitor Nik Borrow [of Birds of West Africa fame ] who was starting a birdquest tour of 12 birders here the next day .
To get to N.Kinangop and Aberdares the trip goes via Naivsha and then branches right through the Kinangop meadowlands , and takes about 2 hours . Just off the turn around a rocky outcrop , Lynes 'Cisticola was heard and seen !
In the meadow lands of N.Kinangop , our prize sightings were Sharpe's Longclaw,Levaillant's Cisticola ,and a very cololurful Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk.

The climb on a good tar road started upto Mutubia gate and full of sunbirds. Golden-winged, Malachite,Tacazze and Eastern Double-collared , all extremely attractive in the sunlight .

Into the park to give Nik a lifer the Aberdare Cisticola , which proved difficult to find , but we made it eventually .Jackson's Francolins were quite numerous and not shy .

Eventually we drove back down to Lake Naivasha , were there birds a plenty at the Hippo camp area .There many waders including Northern Pintail, Shoveler, Garganey , Snipe and much more .
Great White Pelican were abundant as were hundreds of Whiskered Terns , who seemed to be floating on the lake .
We had good views of Harriers, Eurasian,Pallid, Montagu's and a Pergrine Falcon.
Many swifts and swallows were returning to roost at Hells Gate NP . Swallows were mainly Barn and Grey-rumped and swifts were Mottled and Nyanza.

A great day out for all and we recorded over 100 species


Mike D in Nairobi

 

[Edward]

Wish I'd been there, Mike. Golden-winged Sunbird was the bird I most regret missing out on in Kenya. I'll be back one day. No sign of the Verreaux's Eagles at Hell's Gate? I assumed we'd see them there but the ranger said he hadn't seen the pair for many weeks prior to our visit.

 

[mike davidson]

Edward,

good to hear from you again . I have not been to Hells Gate for ages , I should go especially at dusk when thousands of swifts return to roost .

Had a gfreat day today in NNP , with lots of rain overnight and lots of migrants lowdown.

Will post a new thread on that .

You must return , we are back to normal and bird tours are returning in numbers .

Mike

Wish I'd been there, Mike. Golden-winged Sunbird was the bird I most regret missing out on in Kenya. I'll be back one day. No sign of the Verreaux's Eagles at Hell's Gate? I assumed we'd see them there but the ranger said he hadn't seen the pair for many weeks prior to our visit.

 

[Nicky mwangi]

Edward,
I cant believe you missed the golden winged sunbird during your Kenyan Tour.I think its easier locating it at the point Mike is suggesting.Going near the aberdares up to mutobia gate is quite something.I had the Alpine chat,jackson francolin,malachite sunbird,aberdare cisticola,Golden winged sunbird and abbot starling.Its almost like doing Mount Kenya.
Verraux eagle is quite present at hells gate park.I had a breeding one at Taita hills.Olpua ranch 100km west of maasai mara on the way to Loita hills is also a nice place for the same.

nicky.