Kenya: Africa in a Nutshell 1-15 Nov, 2008 Guide: Benji Schwartz Participants: Linton and Carol Hamilton, Sally Dick, and Ev Merriman

Introduction:
With huge tracts of unspoiled acacia-dotted savannah, Kenya is justly famous as one of Africa’s premier mammal viewing destinations. However, with habitat ranging from lowland rainforest to moorlands above the tree-line, Kenya is also a birders paradise. A trip here in November provides not only all the resident species, but also a whole slew of Palearctic migrants that winter in the warmth of the African sun. In our all-to-brief two week tour we managed to pick up 506 bird species including almost all of the endemic and specialty species we had at our disposal. Though birds were our prime focus, it’s impossible to visit such a diverse country without experiencing the mammals that have made it one of the top tourist destinations in Africa. We took full advantage of the experience and saw an amazing 52 mammal species; including four species of cat, giraffe, elephant, zebra, jackal, hyena and many of the other species that are so iconic to Africa!


Day 1: Lake Magadi
Setting off on our first day we were all thrilled to be starting this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. With Marabou Stork lining the streets of Nairobi we left town and began the journey to Lake Magadi. En-route we stopped half way through the descent into the Great Rift Valley and explored the surrounding acacia scrub. Within moments of leaving the vehicle we began picking up species such as White-bellied Canary, Red-and-yellow Barbet, and White-browed Scrub-Robin. With all the flowering plants around we soon entered sunbird heaven. From the aptly named Beautiful Sunbird to the striking red of the Scarlet-chested and muted majesty of the Mariqua Sunbirds, we hardly knew where to aim our bins! While our quick jaunt soon turned into a much more thorough exploration of the area, we soon found our stomachs taking priority over birding and decided to continue on our way to Lake Magadi and lunch.

In stark contrast to the area surrounding Nairobi, Lake Magadi’s dry heat was a shock to the system. We quickly found the one tree that gave scant shade and set out to have lunch while scanning the open water. Amongst the hundreds of Lesser Flamingo, we picked out a small number of Greater Flamingo mixed in. Scanning through the small waders we discovered amazing numbers of Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, and Little Stint. Our key species however was the smart looking Chestnut-banded Plover. Due to the lakes low water lever, all the plovers seemed to be concentrated in the one small area in front of us and we were able to obtain amazing looks of this often difficult to find species. Feeling well satisfied with our first birding foray, we returned to Nairobi filled with excitement for the rest of our trip!

Flocks of Fischer's Sparrow-Lark came to join us for lunch at Lake Magadi on our first day out.	Klaas's Cuckoo could be heard calling incessantly around our hotel in Nairobi.

Day 2: Nairobi N.P.
Located within the city limits of Nairobi, over 600 species have been recorded in Nairobi N.P. and this makes the city the worlds “birdiest” capitol. We soon began to understand just how amazing the birding here can be. While waiting to check in at the gate we were already beginning to pick up new species, including the stunning Hartlaub’s Turaco, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, Red-collared Widowbird, and Long-crested Eagle. With well over 100 species seen during the day, highlights included a covey of Shelley’s Francolin, Black-bellied and White-bellied Bustards, Bateleur, and a beautifully fresh plumaged and unexpected Rosy-throated Longclaw.

Of course, Nairobi N.P. is known for more than just its birds. Today was also our first exposure to the wildlife that has made Kenya famous. And what an introduction it was! Not only did we pick up the regular host of zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, hartebeest, and a variety of antelopes, but we were soon thrilled to find a family of black rhino. However, our luck didn’t stop there. While the park has a plethora of large mammals, cats are usually extremely difficult here. However, after getting our fill of close-up giraffe photos, we rounded the corner only to come to an immediate screeching halt. Lying less than 20 meters away was the absolutely gorgeous serval, one of Kenya’s more difficult cat species. As we watched the cat rose to its feet and began walking around to make sure we had the best views possible. Our next surprise came as we were taking photos of a Black-bellied Bustard right on the road side. With all our focus on the bustard, we were shocked when a quick glance up found a lioness walking directly in the same line of sight. While this queen of the African savannah quickly disappeared behind a bush, we were all still thrilled to have picked up two amazing cats!


Day 3: Solio Plains, Kiene Forest, and Thicka Sewage Works
With the amazing quantity of birds seen over the last two days, we decided to focus our energies today on quality. We began by heading up to the Solio Plains in search of one of Kenya’s eight endemic species. This high elevation grassland is home to the striking Sharpe’s Longclaw. As we drove up we thought ourselves in for a long drawn out trek in the hopes of flushing our target. However, before we had all even had the chance to exit the vehicle, our bird was found. We were amazed to find huge numbers of Sharpe’s Longclaw in the field directly opposite us and all managed absolutely fantastic views! With our target under wraps, we continued on to find such beauties as Long-tailed Widowbird, African Snipe, Capped Wheatear, and Black-winged Plover.

As the day began to heat up we made our way to the Kiene Forest. Located on the lower slopes of Mt. Kenya, we decided a brief stop here would prepare us nicely for our journey to higher elevations the following day. While we expected to pick up some of the easier forest species, our need for quality over quantity was obviously still apparent. Though the birding started slowly, we soon didn’t know which way to look as a fantastic White-starred Robin was found hopping around the base of the same tree that a Bar-tailed Trogon sat perched in. While these are both difficult species, the highlight was still to come. As we sat watching a dull colored group of Cabanis’s Greenbul, a bright orange flash quickly drew all our attention. Hopping around a tree directly in front of us was a Black-fronted Bushshrike. One of the most gorgeous birds of the forest, this often extremely difficult to find species was quickly voted the best bird of the trip thus far!

To round off the day list and prove that quantity still has its value, we continued on to the Thika Sewage Works. We quickly began to pick off waders such as Lesser Sandplover, and Marsh and Wood Sandpipers. We then began to scan for our first ducks in Africa and soon found species such as Red-billed and Hottentot Teals, Yellow-billed Duck, and Garganey. With this fantastic cap to our day we headed back for our final night in Nairobi.

This African Crowned Eagle seemed rather out of place in a heavily cultivated area on our way to Solio Plains.	This giraffe was posing so beautifully for us that we almost missed the serval waiting around the corner!

Day 4: Blue Post Hotel and Mt. Kenya
After the whirlwind speed of the previous few days, we all decided a slow paced day of birding was called for. With a late 7:15 start we left Nairobi to explore the rest of Kenya further. Our first stop was at the Blue Post Hotel. In existence since 1913, this hotel has a long history as a traveler’s rest-stop. Located on a beautiful waterfall, the birds here tend to also be quite spectacular. The highlight was a stunning African Pygmy Kingfisher which perched quite close and allowed some excellent photo opportunities. We then made our way to Mt. Kenya with a brief stop at the Mwea rice paddies where we found species such as Golden-crowned Bishop, White-winged Widowbird, and a host of egrets and herons.

The lush forests of Mt. Kenya were in stark contrast to the areas we had birded thus far; even the Kiene Forest seemed to pale in comparison. After checking in to the fabulous Serena Mountain Lodge, we spent our afternoon on the rooftop scanning the surrounding forest as well as the mammal filled waterhole. Bird highlights here included Montane Oriole, Blackcap, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, and the striking (for a greenbul) Yellow-whiskered Greenbul. However, mammals stole the show and all our attention was soon on the waterhole as a family of elephant, our first thus far, came to drink directly below us. The buffalo, which had dominated the area, obviously felt a bit put out and quickly a brawl between elephant and buffalo arose. As the elephant chased the buffalo around the pond, it was soon clear who the winner would be. With the buffalo out of the way, the elephants had a go at a family of Egyptian Goose just to prove their dominance once and for all! As darkness came lightning raged around Mt. Kenya and we crossed our fingers in the hopes that our following days plans wouldn’t be disrupted.


Day 5: Mt. Kenya and Naro Moru
As we awoke to the storms still surging around Mt. Kenya, we quickly realized that our plan of getting up to Met Station, the highest point on the mountain accessible by road, would have to be revised. However, this did give us a chance to spend a bit more time viewing the fantastic species around Mountain Lodge. From the rooftop we watched as hundreds of Red-fronted Parrot left their roost and came to feed nearby. This was soon followed by a host of other species waking up for their dawn chorus. Highlights included fantastic views of African Green Pigeon, Oriole Finch, Mountain Buzzard, and circling Giant Kingfisher.

After a late breakfast we began the journey to Naro Moru. En-route we picked up species such as Grey Cuckooshrike, Brown-capped Weaver, and Chinspot Batis. A special stop was also made for the Mackinder’s sub-species of Cape Eagle-Owl. We were lucky enough to be able to approach quite closely to this strikingly different sub-species and managed some great photos. Arriving at Naro Moru River Lodge we wandered the beautiful grounds in search of more fantastic birds and quickly picked up species such as Golden-winged Sunbird, Green Woodhoopoe, Rufous Chatterer, and Pallid Harrier. With heavy rains visible over the Aberdares we kept our fingers crossed that the next days birding would go according to plan.


Day 6: Aberdares to Lake Naivasha
While the previous days rain had us all a bit worried, we made our way to the Aberdares in the hopes that the gates were still open. We were all thrilled when we arrived with no impediment to our progress. With our concerns lifted we began birding in earnest. The lower elevation forests of the Aberdares were teeming with birds and we quickly began ticking off species such as Black Cuckooshrike, Pallid Honeyguide, Holub’s Golden Weaver, and Scaly Francolin. The Aberdares are also an amazing place for mammals and as we stopped at a small waterhole we were all shocked into silence as we spotted our first leopard lounging under a small tree at the edge of the opening. We were lucky enough to be able to watch this magnificent beast for 15 minutes as it stretched and strut before disappearing into the undergrowth. As if one leopard wasn’t enough, we soon encountered our second. Sitting camouflaged on the road side, we screeched to a halt only to have the leopard come out to investigate our vehicle. Standing within feet of the van it took a good long look at us before sauntering off up the road.

Thrilled with having now seen all of the Big 5, we began the journey to the moorland above the tree-line and a search for the special species of this area. The scenery was astounding as we past from montane forest, through bamboo forest, and finally to the swampy moorlands. As we began scanning for specialty species, we were thrilled to find our second serval of the trip. Stalking small rodents in the moorland, we were able to watch as it pounced on a rather plump looking root-rat. After this prolonged look at our second cat species for the day, we continued our search for specialty birds and quickly found Jackson’s Francolin, Aberdare Cisticola, Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird, Blue-headed Coucal, Alpine Chat, Slender-billed Starling, and Cinnamon-bracken Warbler. Having virtually cleaned up on our high elevation specialties, we continued on our way to Lake Naivasha.

Both African Pygmy Kingfisher (left) and Malachite Kingfisher (right) were quite common throughout the tour, but it was tough to top our first views at Blue Post Hotel.

Day 6: Aberdares to Lake Naivasha
While the previous days rain had us all a bit worried, we made our way to the Aberdares in the hopes that the gates were still open. We were all thrilled when we arrived with no impediment to our progress. With our concerns lifted we began birding in earnest. The lower elevation forests of the Aberdares were teeming with birds and we quickly began ticking off species such as Black Cuckooshrike, Pallid Honeyguide, Holub’s Golden Weaver, and Scaly Francolin. The Aberdares are also an amazing place for mammals and as we stopped at a small waterhole we were all shocked into silence as we spotted our first leopard lounging under a small tree at the edge of the opening. We were lucky enough to be able to watch this magnificent beast for 15 minutes as it stretched and strut before disappearing into the undergrowth. As if one leopard wasn’t enough, we soon encountered our second. Sitting camouflaged on the road side, we screeched to a halt only to have the leopard come out to investigate our vehicle. Standing within feet of the van it took a good long look at us before sauntering off up the road.

Thrilled with having now seen all of the Big 5, we began the journey to the moorland above the tree-line and a search for the special species of this area. The scenery was astounding as we past from montane forest, through bamboo forest, and finally to the swampy moorlands. As we began scanning for specialty species, we were thrilled to find our second serval of the trip. Stalking small rodents in the moorland, we were able to watch as it pounced on a rather plump looking root-rat. After this prolonged look at our second cat species for the day, we continued our search for specialty birds and quickly found Jackson’s Francolin, Aberdare Cisticola, Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird, Blue-headed Coucal, Alpine Chat, Slender-billed Starling, and Cinnamon-bracken Warbler. Having virtually cleaned up on our high elevation specialties, we continued on our way to Lake Naivasha.

Day 7: Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate N.P., and Lake Nakuru
As we hadn’t had much time around Lake Naivasha on the previous evening, we decided to begin the day by exploring the area around the lodge. A brief walk around the grounds proved extremely fruitful with species such as Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Black-lored Babbler, Red-headed Weaver, and Amethyst Sunbird. We then moved on to explore the lake itself. Taking out boat out to a small island we picked up a host of waders, terns, and ducks. The sheer number of African White Pelican was astounding and we were able to float amazingly close to large pods of hippo relaxing in the early morning.

With our day already off to a great start we left Lake Naivasha and made our way to Hell’s Gate N.P. This park is aptly named for its hot springs and is famous as one of the few parks in Kenya where you are allowed to exit the vehicle and walk amongst the animals. Taking full advantage of this we were able to obtain excellent views of Rueppell’s Griffon, Nyanza Swift, and Red-faced Crombec to name but a few. The park is also home to the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe and we felt extremely privileged to be able to see this striking creature.

Arriving at Lake Nakuru in early afternoon we immediately began our birding and were quickly rewarded with superb views of the highly localized Grey-crested Helmet-Shrike. However, what truly sets this lake apart is the over one million flamingo that call it home. As we sat in awe of this spectacle we were further taken aback as a spotted hyena came loping along the shore line. With the light fading we sat and watched this truly picturesque seen in amazement before calling it a day and heading to our lodge for a fantastic dinner. With over 125 species seen, as well as the fantastic variety of scenery, the day would be etched in our minds for years to come.

The black-backed jackal were seen playing in small family groups at Lake Nakuru	This leopard put on quite a show for us as it stretched and rolled in the Aberdare's

Day 8: Lake Nakuru and Lake Baringo
With the early morning howl of nearby hyena, we awoke to begin a fantastic day of birding. We were once again awe-struck by the sheer number of flamingo that seemed to give Lake Nakuru an unearthly pink sheen.  The number of birds in this region boggles the mind and we soon began picking up species including Greater Spotted and Steppe Eagles, African Hoopoe, and stunning views of the iconic Secretarybird. As we approached the waters edge the pink sheen took form in the shape of thousands upon thousands of Greater and Lesser Flamingos. Scanning the banks we soon found other wetland species including Common Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Cape Teal, and fabulously close views of Greater Painted Snipe. Along with all the birds, our senses were on overload with the hoards of mammals surrounding us. While buffalo, waterbuck, zebra, and gazelle were everywhere, we soon found a group of four confiding white rhino that let us approach quite close. While it seemed impossible to top this rhino view, we ended up seeing a total of 19 white rhino during the morning, all of whom allowed excellent photo opportunities. On top of this, we saw our first family group of black-backed jackal lying frolicking in the shade of a large acacia. With such an excellent morning, it was hard to tear ourselves away but we knew the day had much more in store for us.

Arriving at Lake Baringo in the early afternoon we began birding immediately. Before even having a chance to set down our bags we were reaching for our bins as we quickly found the first of our Baringo specialties: Jackson’s Hornbill. Along with this fantastic bird were other species such as White-billed Buffalo-Weaver, Brown Babbler, and Red-billed Hornbill. Finally have a brief respite to check in, we headed off with Francis, a local bird expert, in search of some of the difficult to see nocturnal species. As always, he was prepared with a flurry of activity for us. Within walking distance of our hotel he showed us roosting Three-banded Courser, African Scops Owl, and Southern White-faced Scops Owl. Other species encountered along the way included Red-fronted Barbet, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Brown, and Red-chested Cuckoo. As the sky began to prematurely darken we returned to our hotel just before the heavy rain began to fall. However, knowing that we would once again be going out with Francis on the following morning let us rest with the knowledge that more great birds were to come!


Day 9: Lake Baringo and Kakamega
In an attempt to maximize our birding time at Lake Baringo we decided to have a late breakfast and partake only in coffee first thing in the morning. As the sun rose our coffee soon combined with birding as the new species began to appear over the lake; these included Wattled Starling, African Darter, and the highly localized Northern Masked Weaver; a species whose entire range in Kenya is limited to the Lake Baringo environs. Off to an excellent start we once again met up with Francis to bird the famous Baringo Cliffs. This area is home to quite a few specialty species and with only a couple hours to bird the area we were thrilled to quickly start ticking these species off. As we searched for Hemprich’s Hornbill we quickly realized just how much it had rained the night before. Walking through the muddy cliff base it felt as if we had ten pound weights attached to our feet due to all the mud clinging to our shoes. As we searched for the hornbill we picked up many other specialties including Red-fronted Warbler, Mouse-colored Penduline-Tit, Fan-tailed Raven, and Brown-tailed Chat. After clogging through the mud with no sign of the hornbill we finally returned to the road only to discover a Hemprich’s not 50 meters from the van. After fully enjoying this species, and scraping the mud from our shoes, we followed Francis’s lead and within moments he had magically spotted a very hidden Slender-tailed Nightjar.

With our birding time in the area coming to a close we loaded into the van to begin the long drive to Kakamega. However, within 15 minutes we stopped short as the road out of the area was completely flooded and a fast moving river separated us from the rest of Kenya. We once again realized just how much it must have rained during the night. All told, we ended up waiting for almost two hours for water levels to subside. Of course, this “extra” time in the region was not wasted. While bird activity died down in the heat of the day, we still managed to pick up a few new species. We also had the opportunity to chat with the local community, all of whom came out in festive spirits to see the spectacle of the overflowing river. While not an experience we planned for, it is definitely one that will be fondly remembered for a long time!

Watching Great Blue Turaco on the hotel grounds in Kakamega is always one of the trip highlights.	This hyena came out in the late afternoon to begin its evening hunt around the flamingo encrusted Lake Nakuru.

Day 10: Kakamega
Waking up before dawn, and without a single light around for miles, we were all taken aback by the number of stars filling the skies. This sight alone would have been enough to make the early rise worthwhile but as the sun rose and the dawn chorus began we were immediately in awe of all the new species around us as well. As the last remnant patch of Congolese rainforest in Kenya, Kakamega is home to a marvelous array of species found nowhere else in the country. Our first species of the day was the magnificent Grey Parrot. While common over much of its range, this species is almost completely extirpated from Kenya and as we managed great scope views we knew we were in for an amazing day. Leaving the hotel grounds we soon began picking up specialty species including the rare but stunning Turner’s Eremomela, Bocage’s and Lüdher’s Bushshrikes, White-browed Crombec, Mackinnon’s Fiscal, eye-level views of Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye, and both Yellow-spotted and Yellow-billed Barbets. With over forty new trip species seen on our morning walk we made our way back to the hotel for a bit of relaxation.

While we had planned on heading out again for the afternoon, the tranquility of Rondo Retreat was so enticing that many of us decided to stay in and enjoy the grounds at a slower pace. For those of us that did venture out, afternoon highlights included Square-tailed Drongo, Dusky Tit, Grey-winged Robin-Chat, and Pink-footed Puffback.


Day 11: Kakamega, Mumia Bridge, and Lake Victoria
Another pre-dawn wake-up proved disappointing as far as star gazing was concerned and the distant lightning shed an ominous note to birding plans. However, we managed to make the most of the dry hours and birded the immediate vicinity of Rondo Retreat. The overcast skies and threat of rain seemed to dampen the bird activity as well and our morning was definitely concerned more with quality than quantity. Highlights included Yellow-crested and Brown-eared Woodpeckers as well as the skulking White-spotted Flufftail.

The rains finally arrived just as we loaded into the van to leave Kakamega. Driving west towards the Ugandan border the showers seemed to shadow our every move. Our first stop saw a break in the showers but the river we planned on birding along was a rushing torrent. Rock Pratincole, one of our target species, normally perches atop the exposed rocks but due to the heavy rains these were all below over a meter of rushing water. Though we feared our search was in vain, we persevered and finally found two stunning birds perched atop old bridge supports. With Rock Pratincole under our belts we quickly picked up other species, including Red-chested and Coppery Sunbirds, before continuing on to Kisumu.

Unfortunately the torrential downpours precluded any further stops en-route, but the rain stopped just as we pulled up to our lodge. Located on the shore of the world’s second largest lake, Lake Victoria, we were perfectly situated to enjoy the plentiful birdlife in the area. A brief walk around the hotel grounds brought such spectacular species as Black-headed Gonolek, Northern Brown-throated and Black-headed Weavers, African Skimmer, and Water Thick-knee. With our fingers crossed in the hopes that our pleasant weather would hold out we went to bed looking forward to exploring the papyrus swamps in the morning.


Day 12: Dunge Swamp and Masai Mara
Going after one of Kenya’s toughest specialty species, another early start found us at Dunge Swamp. Located on the edge of Lake Victoria, the dense papyrus swamps are home to a number of highly range restricted species. However, our main focus was on one species in particular: Papyrus Gonolek. Within moments of entering the swamps we began to hear this spectacular species calling. However, this would prove to be as much as we could manage. Despite our best efforts the gonolek was heard tantalizingly close but always just out of view. Luckily we consoled ourselves with a host of other highly sought after birds. These included Papyrus Canary, Marsh Tchagra, Slender-billed Weaver, and Carruther’s Cisticola. With a long drive ahead of us we pulled ourselves away from the swamp and began our journey to the Masai Mara. Arriving in the late afternoon we had just enough time to spot Crested Guineafowl, Woolly-necked Stork, and Senegal Lapwing before darkness fell to the booming of distant Southern Ground Hornbill.

The striking Red-chested Sunbird was quite common in the areas around Lake Victoria.	With very few rocks visible in the overflowing river, these two Rock Pratincole made themselves comfortable on old bridge supports.

Day 13: Masai Mara
The Masai Mara, part of the world famous Serengeti ecosystem, is justly world renowned for its amazing mammal viewing opportunities. We began our day full of anticipation for the wonders we would find here. Of course, mammals had to share equal precedence with the amazing birdlife here. Even before entering the park we were picking up species including the stunning Violet-backed Starling, oversized Moustached Grass-Warbler, and the range restricted Usambiro Barbet. Once we entered the park we saw that the recent heavy rains had flooded huge plains and created a massive swamp. While at first worried that this would hinder our birding, a beautiful Rufous-bellied Heron landed nearby and we quickly decided that maybe the flooding wasn’t so bad. As we moved east the plains dried up and we quickly started picking up more new species. Highlights included a very confiding trio of South Ground Hornbill on the side of the road, African Quailfinch, Lappet-faced and White-headed Vultures, and a rare sighting of a pair of Imperial Eagle soaring overhead.

Mammal sightings were also in abundance and we were thrilled to find ourselves in the midst of huge herds of elephant, topi, and Thompson’s gazelle. In the heat of birthing season, we had the unique chance to see a plethora of young animals including a baby gazelle just rising to take its first steps and a baby elephant, probably less than a month old, which was still small enough to be blown around by the strong winds. Of course, the cats are always a highlight and we found three large prides of lion relaxing in the sun (one on the picnic tables where we had planned on eating lunch) as well as a lazy cheetah stretching out on the open plains. While thrilled with all we had seen, we were all excited to have another full day to explore the Mara coming up.


Day 14: Masai Mara
Located on the escarpment overlooking the Mara, we awoke at Mara West Camp to a stunning sunrise over the open plains below. Our attention was soon torn from this fantastic view as a pair of equally stunning Ross’s Turaco flew into the trees just behind our luxury tents. These large royal-blue birds with a shocking red crest and yellow eye skin immediately had our blood pumping and we soon found ourselves birding around the lodge grounds rather than entering the Mara proper. Highlights of our walk included Trilling Cisticola, Purple-banded Sunbird, and Grey Kestrel before we were finally ready to head into the park.

As we had satiated our thirst for mammals on the previous day, we focused primarily on birding. However, the Masai Mara is the type of place where mammals are constantly around. While watching a Long-billed Pipit, the nearby trumpeting of elephant grabbed our attention. We were thrilled to see two youngsters play fighting as the adults stood watch nearby. The excitement quickly escalated as an adult male came into the matriarchal herd in pursuit of a receptive female. As we watched the massive male caught the female and mounted her in such an awkward manner as to make us all laugh.

Returning to our birding we continued to pick up new species as we ventured further into the Mara. With large thunder clouds looming in the distance we were ready to arrive at our lodge when we received a call for help from a nearby stranded vehicle. Driving off-road through the flooded plains we could see how they had gotten stuck. Luckily, our venture managed to flush a beautiful Great Snipe before we too got bogged down while trying to push the other vehicle to dry land. Deciding it was as good a time as any for lunch, we relaxed while seven other vehicles came to our rescue. As one of these getting stuck as well, it was quite a loud cheer that went up as we were finally all freed. With our adventure for the day behind us we proceeded to our lodge to spend a relaxing afternoon around the waterhole where we picked up Wahlberg’s Eagle, Grey-capped Warbler, and amazing views of Striped Kingfisher.

Both Ross's Turaco (left) and Yellow-throated Longclaw (right) were quite common around Mara West Camp.

Day 15: Masai Mara and Limuru Ponds
With early afternoon flights, our last day in Kenya was spent primarily in traveling from the Masai Mara to Nairobi. However, this didn’t stop us from birding as much as possible along the way. Our morning started earlier than planned as we were woken up by the calls of nearby birds. Though mostly confused diurnal species calling, we did manage to pick up a Freckled Nightjar as well. After a bit more relaxation and an early breakfast, we left our lodge to begin the journey to Nairobi. While it’s always sad to leave the Mara, we took full advantage of our time here and absorbed as many of the giraffe, zebra, and wildebeest as possible.
With our limited time and muddy roads we were slightly worried about getting to the airport on-time. However, we still managed to squeeze in some birding during a lunch stop at the Limuru ponds. Though we had already visited many wetland areas, the Limuru ponds always hold a couple specialties which are hard to find elsewhere. As we ate we were lucky enough to pick up new species including Maccoa, White-backed, and Tufted Ducks. With our departure looming we continued to Nairobi and a final farewell to Kenya. With 506 bird species and 52 mammal species encountered in two weeks we left knowing we’d had a wonderful once-in-a-lifetime experience in one of the world’s true treasures!




Bird List:

1	(Common) Ostrich	Struthio camelus
2	Little Grebe (Dabchick)	Tachybaptus ruficollis
3	Great White Pelican	Pelecanus onocrotalus
4	Great (White-breasted) Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo
5	Long-tailed (Reed) Cormorant	Phalacrocorax africanus
6	Darter	Anhinga melanogaster
7	Gray Heron	Ardea cinerea
8	Black-headed Heron	Ardea melanocephala
9	Goliath Heron	Ardea goliath
10	Purple Heron	Ardea purpurea
11	Great Egret (Egret)	Ardea alba
12	Intermediate Egret	Egretta intermedia
13	Little Egret	Egretta garzetta
14	(Common) Squacco Heron	Ardeola ralloides
15	Madagascar Pond-Heron	Ardeola idae
16	Rufous-bellied Heron	Ardeola rufiventris
17	Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis
18	Striated Heron	Butorides striata
19	Black-crowned Night-Heron	Nycticorax nycticorax
20	Hamerkop	Scopus umbretta	This Ostrich, in bright breeding plumage, gave us quite the show as it danced for a nearby female.
21	Yellow-billed Stork	Mycteria ibis
22	Black Stork	Ciconia nigra
23	Woolly-necked Stork	Ciconia episcopus
24	Saddle-billed Stork	Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
25	Marabou Stork	Leptoptilos crumeniferus
26	Sacred Ibis	Threskiornis aethiopicus
27	Hadada Ibis	Bostrychia hagedash
28	Glossy Ibis	Plegadis falcinellus
29	African Spoonbill	Platalea alba
30	Greater Flamingo	Phoenicopterus roseus
31	Lesser Flamingo	Phoenicopterus minor
32	White-faced Whistling-Duck	Dendrocygna viduata
33	White-backed Duck	Thalassornis leuconotus
34	Egyptian Goose	Alopochen aegyptiacus
35	Spur-winged Goose	Plectropterus gambensis
36	Cape Teal	Anas capensis
37	Yellow-billed Duck	Anas undulata
38	Northern Pintail	Anas acuta
39	Red-billed (Teal) Duck	Anas erythrorhyncha
40	Hottentot Teal	Anas hottentota
41	Garganey	Anas querquedula
42	Northern Shoveler	Anas clypeata
43	Southern Pochard	Netta erythrophthalma
44	Ferruginous (Duck) Pochard	Aythya nyroca
45	Tufted Duck	Aythya fuligula
46	Maccoa Duck	Oxyura maccoa
47	Black-shouldered Kite	Elanus caeruleus
48	Black Kite	Milvus migrans
49	[Yellow-billed Kite]	[Milvus aegyptius]
50	African Fish-Eagle	Haliaeetus vocifer
51	Hooded Vulture	Necrosyrtes monachus
52	(African) White-backed Vulture	Gyps africanus
53	Rueppell's Griffon (Vulture)	Gyps rueppellii
54	Lappet-faced Vulture	Torgos tracheliotus
55	White-headed Vulture	Trigonoceps occipitalis
56	Black-breasted Snake-Eagle	Circaetus pectoralis
57	Bateleur	Terathopius ecaudatus
58	Western (European) Marsh-Harrier	Circus aeruginosus
59	Pallid Harrier	Circus macrourus
60	Montagu's Harrier	Circus pygargus
61	African Harrier-Hawk (Gymnogene)	Polyboroides typus
62	Eastern Chanting-Goshawk	Melierax poliopterus	Due to habitat loss, Lappet-faced Vulture is now almost entirely restricted to large game reserves.
63	Gabar Goshawk	Micronisus gabar
64	Shikra	Accipiter badius
65	Black Goshawk (Sparrowhawk)	Accipiter melanoleucus
66	Eurasian (Steppe) Buzzard	Buteo buteo
67	Mountain Buzzard	Buteo oreophilus
68	Augur Buzzard	Buteo augur
69	Greater Spotted Eagle	Aquila clanga
70	Steppe Eagle	Aquila nipalensis
71	Imperial Eagle	Aquila heliaca
72	Wahlberg's Eagle	Aquila wahlbergi
73	Ayres's Hawk-Eagle	Aquila ayresii
74	Martial Eagle	Polemaetus bellicosus
75	Long-crested Eagle	Lophaetus occipitalis
76	(African) Crowned Hawk-Eagle	Stephanoaetus coronatus
77	Secretary-bird	Sagittarius serpentarius
78	Lesser Kestrel	Falco naumanni
79	Eurasian (Rock) Kestrel	Falco tinnunculus
80	Gray Kestrel	Falco ardosiaceus
81	Amur Falcon	Falco amurensis
82	Sooty Falcon	Falco concolor
83	Eurasian Hobby	Falco subbuteo
84	Lanner Falcon	Falco biarmicus
85	Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus
86	Shelley's Francolin	Francolinus shelleyi
87	Scaly Francolin	Francolinus squamatus
88	Yellow-necked Francolin (Spurfowl)	Francolinus leucoscepus
89	Red-necked Francolin (Spurfowl)	Francolinus afer
90	Jackson's Francolin	Francolinus jacksoni
91	Helmeted Guineafowl	Numida meleagris
92	Crested Guineafowl	Guttera pucherani	Gray Kestrel was found perched atop of the roofs of Mara West Camp
93	Gray (Southern) Crowned-Crane	Balearica regulorum
94	White-spotted Flufftail	Sarothrura pulchra
95	Black Crake	Amaurornis flavirostris
96	Purple Swamphen	Porphyrio porphyrio
97	Common Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus
98	Red-knobbed Coot	Fulica cristata
99	Kori Bustard	Ardeotis kori
100	White-bellied Bustard	Eupodotis senegalensis
101	Black-bellied Bustard	Lissotis melanogaster
102	Lesser Jacana	Microparra capensis
103	African Jacana	Actophilornis africanus
104	Greater Painted-snipe	Rostratula benghalensis
105	Black-winged Stilt	Himantopus himantopus
106	Pied Avocet	Recurvirostra avosetta
107	Water Thick-knee (Dikkop)	Burhinus vermiculatus
108	Temminck's Courser	Cursorius temminckii
109	Three-banded (Heuglin's) Courser	Rhinoptilus cinctus
110	Rock Pratincole	Glareola nuchalis
111	Blacksmith Plover	Vanellus armatus
112	Spur-winged Plover	Vanellus spinosus
113	Senegal Lapwing	Vanellus lugubris	This pair of Greater Painted-snipe were so close we barely needed our bins!
114	Black-winged Lapwing	Vanellus melanopterus
115	Crowned Lapwing	Vanellus coronatus
116	Wattled Lapwing	Vanellus senegallus
117	Common Ringed Plover	Charadrius hiaticula
118	Little Ringed Plover	Charadrius dubius
119	Kittlitz's Plover	Charadrius pecuarius
120	Three-banded Plover	Charadrius tricollaris
121	Chestnut-banded Plover	Charadrius pallidus
122	Lesser Sandplover	Charadrius mongolus
123	African Snipe	Gallinago nigripennis
124	Great Snipe	Gallinago media
125	Common Redshank	Tringa totanus
126	Marsh Sandpiper	Tringa stagnatilis
127	Common Greenshank	Tringa nebularia
128	Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus
129	Wood Sandpiper	Tringa glareola
130	Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos
131	Little Stint	Calidris minuta
132	Temminck's Stint	Calidris temminckii
133	Ruff	Philomachus pugnax
134	Gray-headed Gull	Larus cirrocephalus
135	Gull-billed Tern	Sterna nilotica
136	Caspian Tern	Sterna caspia
137	Whiskered Tern	Chlidonias hybridus
138	White-winged (Black) Tern	Chlidonias leucopterus
139	African Skimmer	Rynchops flavirostris
140	Rock (Feral) Pigeon	Columba livia
141	Speckled (Rock) Pigeon	Columba guinea
142	Delegorgue's (Eastern Bronze-naped) Pigeon	Columba delegorguei	Three-banded courser was staked out for us by Francis at Lake Baringo.
143	Lemon (Cinnamon) Dove	Columba larvata
144	Dusky Turtle-Dove	Streptopelia lugens
145	African Mourning Dove	Streptopelia decipiens
146	Red-eyed Dove	Streptopelia semitorquata
147	Ring-necked (Cape Turtle) Dove	Streptopelia capicola
148	Laughing Dove	Streptopelia senegalensis
149	Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove	Turtur chalcospilos
150	Blue-spotted Wood-Dove	Turtur afer
151	Tambourine Dove	Turtur tympanistria
152	Namaqua Dove	Oena capensis
153	African Green-Pigeon	Treron calva
154	Red-headed Lovebird	Agapornis pullarius
155	Fischer's Lovebird	Agapornis fischeri
156	Gray Parrot	Psittacus erithacus
157	Red-fronted Parrot	Poicephalus gulielmi
158	Meyer's (Brown) Parrot	Poicephalus meyeri
159	Great Blue Turaco	Corythaeola cristata
160	Hartlaub's Turaco	Tauraco hartlaubi
161	Ross's Turaco	Musophaga rossae
162	Bare-faced Go-away-bird	Corythaixoides personatus
163	White-bellied Go-away-bird	Corythaixoides leucogaster
164	Eastern (Gray) Plantain-eater	Crinifer zonurus
165	Pied (Black-and-white, Jacobin) Cuckoo	Clamator jacobinus
166	Red-chested Cuckoo	Cuculus solitarius
167	Black Cuckoo	Cuculus clamosus
168	Klaas's Cuckoo	Chrysococcyx klaas
169	African Emerald Cuckoo	Chrysococcyx cupreus
170	Dideric Cuckoo	Chrysococcyx caprius
171	Blue-headed Coucal	Centropus monachus
172	White-browed Coucal	Centropus superciliosus
173	African Scops-Owl	Otus senegalensis
174	Southern White-faced (Scops) Owl	Ptilopsis granti
175	Cape [Mackinder's] Eagle-Owl	Bubo capensis
176	Verreaux's (Giant) Eagle-Owl	Bubo lacteus
177	Pearl-spotted Owlet	Glaucidium perlatum
178	Abyssinian (Montane) Nightjar	Caprimulgus poliocephalus
179	Freckled Nightjar	Caprimulgus tristigma
180	Slender-tailed Nightjar	Caprimulgus clarus
181	Scarce Swift	Schoutedenapus myoptilus
182	African Palm-Swift	Cypsiurus parvus
183	Alpine Swift	Tachymarptis melba
184	Mottled Swift	Tachymarptis aequatorialis
185	Common (Eurasian) Swift	Apus apus	African Scops-Owl was one of the many nocturnal species found for us by Francis at Lake Baringo.
186	Nyanza Swift	Apus niansae
187	African (Black) Swift	Apus barbatus
188	Little Swift	Apus affinis
189	White-rumped Swift	Apus caffer
190	Speckled Mousebird	Colius striatus
191	Blue-naped Mousebird	Urocolius macrourus
192	Bar-tailed Trogon	Apaloderma vittatum
193	Malachite Kingfisher	Alcedo cristata
194	African Pygmy-Kingfisher	Ispidina picta
195	Gray-headed (Gray-hooded) Kingfisher	Halcyon leucocephala
196	Woodland Kingfisher	Halcyon senegalensis
197	Striped Kingfisher	Halcyon chelicuti
198	Giant Kingfisher	Megaceryle maximus
199	Pied Kingfisher	Ceryle rudis
200	White-fronted Bee-eater	Merops bullockoides
201	Little Bee-eater	Merops pusillus
202	Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater	Merops oreobates
203	White-throated Bee-eater	Merops albicollis
204	Blue-cheeked Bee-eater	Merops persicus
205	European Bee-eater	Merops apiaster
206	European Roller	Coracias garrulus
207	Lilac-breasted Roller	Coracias caudata
208	Rufous-crowned (Purple) Roller	Coracias naevia
209	Broad-billed Roller	Eurystomus glaucurus
210	(Eurasian) Hoopoe	Upupa epops
211	[African Hoopoe]	[Upupa africana]
212	Green (Red-billed) Woodhoopoe	Phoeniculus purpureus
213	Common (Greater) Scimitar-bill	Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
214	Red-billed Hornbill	Tockus erythrorhynchus
215	Jackson's Hornbill	Tockus jacksoni
216	Von der Decken's Hornbill	Tockus deckeni
217	Crowned Hornbill	Tockus alboterminatus
218	Hemprich's Hornbill	Tockus hemprichii	Broad-billed Roller sat for hours in the same place at Lake Victoria.
219	African Gray Hornbill	Tockus nasutus
220	Silvery-cheeked Hornbill	Ceratogymna brevis
221	Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill	Ceratogymna subcylindricus
222	Southern Ground-Hornbill	Bucorvus leadbeateri
223	Gray-throated Barbet	Gymnobucco bonapartei
224	Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird	Pogoniulus bilineatus
225	Red-fronted Tinkerbird	Pogoniulus pusillus
226	Yellow-spotted Barbet	Buccanodon duchaillui
227	Red-fronted Barbet	Tricholaema diademata
228	Spot-flanked Barbet	Tricholaema lachrymosa
229	Black-throated Barbet	Tricholaema melanocephala
230	White-headed Barbet	Lybius leucocephalus
231	Black-billed Barbet	Lybius guifsobalito
232	Yellow-billed Barbet	Trachyphonus purpuratus
233	Red-and-yellow Barbet	Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
234	d'Arnaud's Barbet	Trachyphonus darnaudii
235	[Usambiro Barbet]	Trachyphonus usambiro
236	Lesser Honeyguide	Indicator minor
237	Pallid Honeyguide	Indicator meliphilus
238	Nubian Woodpecker	Campethera nubica	After tromping through the heavy mud at the Bairngo Cliffs, Hemprich's Hornbill was finally found right next to the road.
239	Brown-eared Woodpecker	Campethera caroli
240	Cardinal Woodpecker	Dendropicos fuscescens
241	Bearded Woodpecker	Dendropicos namaquus
242	Golden-crowned (Yellow-crested) Woodpecker	Dendropicos xantholophus
243	Gray-headed Woodpecker	Dendropicos spodocephalus
244	Singing Bushlark	Mirafra cantillans
245	Rufous-naped Lark	Mirafra africana
246	Foxy (Fawn-colored, Abyssinian) Lark	Calendulauda alopex
247	Fischer's Sparrow-Lark	Eremopterix leucopareia
248	Red-capped Lark	Calandrella cinerea
249	Plain (Brown-throated Sand) Martin	Riparia paludicola
250	Banded Martin	Riparia cincta
251	Gray-rumped Swallow	Pseudhirundo griseopyga
252	Rock Martin	Ptyonoprogne fuligula
253	Barn (European) Swallow	Hirundo rustica
254	Angola Swallow	Hirundo angolensis
255	Wire-tailed Swallow	Hirundo smithii
256	Lesser Striped-Swallow	Cecropis abyssinica
257	Rufous-chested (Red-breasted) Swallow	Cecropis semirufa
258	Mosque Swallow	Cecropis senegalensis
259	Red-rumped Swallow	Cecropis daurica
260	Common House-Martin	Delichon urbica
261	White-headed Sawwing	Psalidoprocne albiceps
262	Blue (Black) Sawwing	Psalidoprocne pristoptera
263	African Pied Wagtail	Motacilla aguimp
264	Yellow Wagtail	Motacilla flava
265	Gray Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea
266	Mountain (Long-tailed) Wagtail	Motacilla clara
267	Yellow-throated Longclaw	Macronyx croceus
268	Rosy-throated (Pink-throated, Rosy-breasted) Longclaw	Macronyx ameliae
269	Sharpe's Longclaw	Hemimacronyx sharpei	Secretarybird was one of the top-ten most wanted species on this tour and we managed some amazing views!
270	Plain-backed Pipit	Anthus leucophrys
271	African (Grassveld) Pipit	Anthus cinnamomeus
272	Long-billed Pipit	Anthus similis
273	Gray Cuckoo-shrike	Coracina caesia
274	Petit's Cuckoo-shrike	Campephaga petiti
275	Black Cuckoo-shrike	Campephaga flava
276	Common (Black-eyed) Bulbul	Pycnonotus barbatus
277	Shelley's [Kakamega] Greenbul	Andropadus masukuensis
278	Slender-billed Greenbul	Andropadus gracilirostris
279	Yellow-whiskered Bulbul	Andropadus latirostris
280	Eastern Mountain-Greenbul	Andropadus nigriceps
281	Joyful Greenbul	Chlorocichla laetissima
282	Cabanis's Greenbul	Phyllastrephus cabanisi
283	Northern Brownbul	Phyllastrephus strepitans
284	Common (Red-tailed) Bristlebill	Bleda syndactyla
285	Little Rock-Thrush	Monticola rufocinereus
286	Olive Thrush	Turdus olivaceus
287	African Thrush	Turdus pelios
288	Red-faced Cisticola	Cisticola erythrops
289	Trilling Cisticola	Cisticola woosnami
290	Chubb's Cisticola	Cisticola chubbi
291	Hunter's Cisticola	Cisticola hunteri
292	Rattling Cisticola	Cisticola chiniana
293	Wailing [Lynes's] Cisticola	Cisticola lais [distinctus]
294	Winding Cisticola	Cisticola galactotes
295	Carruthers's Cisticola	Cisticola carruthersi
296	Stout Cisticola	Cisticola robustus
297	Croaking Cisticola	Cisticola natalensis
298	Aberdare Cisticola	Cisticola aberdare
299	Tiny Cisticola	Cisticola nana
300	Zitting (Fan-tailed) Cisticola	Cisticola juncidis
301	Tawny-flanked Prinia	Prinia subflava
302	Pale Prinia	Prinia somalica
303	White-chinned Prinia	Prinia leucopogon
304	Banded Prinia	Prinia bairdii
305	Black-collared Apalis	Apalis pulchra
306	Yellow-breasted Apalis	Apalis flavida	Carruther's Cisticola was one of the many specialty species we picked up at Dunge Swamp.
307	Buff-throated Apalis	Apalis rufogularis
308	Chestnut-throated Apalis	Apalis porphyrolaema
309	Black-headed Apalis	Apalis melanocephala
310	Red-fronted Warbler	Urorhipis rufifrons
311	Gray-capped Warbler	Eminia lepida
312	Green [Grey]-backed Camaroptera	Camaroptera brachyura [brevicaudata]
313	Olive-green Camaroptera	Camaroptera chloronota
314	Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler	Bradypterus cinnamomeus
315	(African) Moustached Grass-Warbler	Melocichla mentalis
316	Olive-tree Warbler	Hippolais olivetorum
317	Icterine Warbler	Hippolais icterina
318	African (Dark-capped) Yellow Warbler	Chloropeta natalensis
319	Buff-bellied Warbler	Phyllolais pulchella
320	Yellow-bellied Eremomela	Eremomela icteropygialis
321	Turner's Eremomela	Eremomela turneri
322	White-browed Crombec	Sylvietta leucophrys
323	Northern Crombec	Sylvietta brachyura
324	Red-faced Crombec	Sylvietta whytii
325	Green Hylia	Hylia prasina
326	Willow Warbler	Phylloscopus trochilus
327	Blackcap	Sylvia atricapilla
328	Greater (Common) Whitethroat	Sylvia communis
329	African Gray Flycatcher	Bradornis microrhynchus
330	White-eyed Slaty-Flycatcher	Melaenornis fischeri
331	Northern Black-Flycatcher	Melaenornis edolioides
332	Spotted Flycatcher	Muscicapa striata
333	Swamp Flycatcher	Muscicapa aquatica
334	African Dusky Flycatcher	Muscicapa adusta
335	Ashy Flycatcher	Muscicapa caerulescens
336	White-starred (Starred) Robin	Pogonocichla stellata
337	Cape Robin-Chat	Cossypha caffra	Striped Kingfisher was the last of the seven species seen during this tour.
338	Gray-winged Robin-Chat	Cossypha polioptera
339	Rueppell's Robin-Chat	Cossypha semirufa
340	White-browed Robin-Chat	Cossypha heuglini
341	Snowy-crowned (Snowy-headed) Robin-Chat	Cossypha niveicapilla
342	Spotted Morning-Thrush (Palm-Thrush)	Cichladusa guttata
343	Brown-backed Scrub-Robin	Cercotrichas hartlaubi
344	Red-backed (White-browed) Scrub-Robin	Cercotrichas leucophrys
345	Common [African] Stonechat	Saxicola torquata
346	Northern Wheatear	Oenanthe oenanthe
347	Mourning (Schalow's) Wheatear	Oenanthe lugens
348	Pied Wheatear	Oenanthe pleschanka
349	Capped Wheatear	Oenanthe pileata
350	Familiar (Red-tailed) Chat	Cercomela familiaris
351	Brown-tailed (Rock) Chat	Cercomela scotocerca
352	Moorland (Alpine) Chat	Cercomela sordida
353	Northern Anteater-Chat	Myrmecocichla aethiops
354	Sooty Chat	Myrmecocichla nigra
355	Mocking Cliff-Chat	Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris
356	Brown-throated (Common) Wattle-eye	Platysteira cyanea
357	Jameson's Wattle-eye	Platysteira jamesoni
358	Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye	Platysteira concreta
359	Chinspot Batis	Batis molitor
360	African Blue-Flycatcher	Elminia longicauda
361	African Paradise-Flycatcher	Terpsiphone viridis
362	Rufous Chatterer	Turdoides rubiginosus
363	Black-lored (Sharpe's) Babbler	Turdoides sharpei
364	Northern Pied-Babbler	Turdoides hypoleucus
365	Brown Babbler	Turdoides plebejus
366	Arrow-marked Babbler	Turdoides jardineii
367	White-bellied Tit	Melaniparus albiventris
368	Dusky Tit	Melaniparus funereus
369	Somali (Northern Gray) Tit	Melaniparus thruppi
370	Mouse-colored Penduline-Tit	Anthoscopus musculus
371	[Buff-bellied Penduline-Tit]	[Anthoscopus sylviella]
372	Kenya (Eastern) Violet-backed Sunbird	Anthreptes orientalis
373	Green Sunbird	Anthreptes rectirostris
374	Collared Sunbird	Hedydipna collaris
375	Green-headed Sunbird	Cyanomitra verticalis
376	Eastern Olive-Sunbird	Cyanomitra olivacea
377	Amethyst (Black) Sunbird	Chalcomitra amethystina
378	Scarlet-chested Sunbird	Chalcomitra senegalensis
379	Tacazze Sunbird	Nectarinia tacazze
380	Bronze Sunbird	Nectarinia kilimensis
381	Golden-winged Sunbird	Drepanorhynchus reichenowi
382	Red-tufted (Scarlet-tufted Malachite) Sunbird	Nectarinia johnstoni
383	Northern Double-collared Sunbird	Cinnyris preussi
384	Eastern Double-collared Sunbird	Cinnyris mediocris
385	Beautiful Sunbird	Cinnyris pulchellus
386	Mariqua (Marico) Sunbird	Cinnyris mariquensis
387	Red-chested Sunbird	Cinnyris erythrocerca	Silvery-cheeked Hornbill was quite common in the fruiting trees on Mt. Kenya.
388	Purple-banded Sunbird	Cinnyris bifasciatus
389	Variable (Yellow-bellied) Sunbird	Cinnyris venustus
390	Copper Sunbird	Cinnyris cupreus
391	African Yellow White-eye	Zosterops senegalensis
392	Broad-ringed (Montane) White-eye	Zosterops poliogastrus
393	White-breasted (Abyssinian) White-eye	Zosterops abyssinicus
394	Eurasian Golden Oriole	Oriolus oriolus
395	African Black-headed Oriole	Oriolus larvatus
396	Black-tailed (Montane) Oriole	Oriolus percivali
397	Red-backed Shrike	Lanius collurio
398	Gray-backed Fiscal	Lanius excubitoroides
399	Long-tailed Fiscal	Lanius cabanisi
400	Mackinnon's Shrike (Fiscal)	Lanius mackinnoni
401	Common Fiscal (Shrike)	Lanius collaris
402	White-rumped (Northern White-crowned) Shrike	Eurocephalus rueppelli
403	Brubru	Nilaus afer
404	Northern Puffback	Dryoscopus gambensis
405	Black-backed Puffback	Dryoscopus cubla
406	Pink-footed Puffback	Dryoscopus angolensis
407	Marsh [Anchieta's] Tchagra	Tchagra minuta
408	Black-crowned Tchagra	Tchagra senegala
409	Brown-crowned (Three-streaked) Tchagra	Tchagra australis
410	Luehder's Bushshrike	Laniarius luehderi
411	Tropical Boubou	Laniarius aethiopicus
412	Black-headed Gonolek	Laniarius erythrogaster
413	Papyrus Gonolek	Laniarius mufumbiri
414	Slate-colored Boubou	Laniarius funebris
415	Gray-green (Bocage's) Bushshrike	Telophorus bocagei
416	Black-fronted Bushshrike	Telophorus nigrifrons
417	Gray-crested Helmetshrike	Prionops poliolophus
418	Square-tailed Drongo	Dicrurus ludwigii
419	Fork-tailed (Common) Drongo	Dicrurus adsimilis
420	Cape (Black) Crow (Rook)	Corvus capensis
421	Pied Crow	Corvus albus
422	Fan-tailed Raven	Corvus rhipidurus
423	White-necked (White-naped) Raven	Corvus albicollis
424	Wattled Starling	Creatophora cinerea
425	Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling	Lamprotornis chalybaeus
426	Rueppell's (Long-tailed) Glossy-Starling	Lamprotornis purpuropterus
427	Superb Starling	Lamprotornis superbus
428	Hildebrandt's Starling	Lamprotornis hildebrandti
429	Violet-backed (Plum-coloured) Starling	Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
430	Red-winged Starling	Onychognathus morio
431	Slender-billed Starling	Onychognathus tenuirostris
432	Waller's Starling	Onychognathus walleri
433	Stuhlmann's Starling	Poeoptera stuhlmanni
434	Kenrick's Starling	Poeoptera kenricki
435	Red-billed Oxpecker	Buphagus erythrorhynchus
436	Yellow-billed Oxpecker	Buphagus africanus
437	White-billed Buffalo-Weaver	Bubalornis albirostris	A sub-species of Cape Eagle-Owl, Mackinder's Eagle-Owl is found primarily in higher elevation regions.
438	White-headed Buffalo-Weaver	Dinemellia dinemelli
439	Speckle-fronted Weaver	Sporopipes frontalis
440	White-browed Sparrow-Weaver	Plocepasser mahali
441	Gray-headed (Gray-capped) Social-Weaver	Pseudonigrita arnaudi
442	Baglafecht Weaver	Ploceus baglafecht
443	Slender-billed Weaver	Ploceus pelzelni
444	Little Weaver	Ploceus luteolus
445	Lesser Masked-Weaver	Ploceus intermedius
446	Spectacled Weaver	Ploceus ocularis
447	Black-necked Weaver	Ploceus nigricollis
448	African Golden-Weaver	Ploceus subaureus
449	Holub's Golden-Weaver	Ploceus xanthops
450	Northern Brown-throated Weaver	Ploceus castanops
451	Northern Masked-Weaver	Ploceus taeniopterus
452	Vitelline Masked-Weaver	Ploceus vitellinus
453	Village (Black-headed) Weaver	Ploceus cucullatus
454	Vieillot's (Black) Weaver	Ploceus nigerrimus
455	Black-headed Weaver	Ploceus melanocephalus
456	Golden-backed Weaver	Ploceus jacksoni
457	Forest (Dark-backed) Weaver	Ploceus bicolor
458	Brown-capped Weaver	Ploceus insignis
459	Red-headed Weaver	Anaplectes rubriceps
460	Red-billed Quelea	Quelea quelea
461	Yellow-crowned Bishop	Euplectes afer
462	Yellow (Yellow-rumped) Bishop	Euplectes capensis
463	Fan-tailed Widowbird	Euplectes axillaris
464	Yellow-shouldered (Yellow-mantled) Widowbird	Euplectes macrourus
465	White-winged Widowbird	Euplectes albonotatus
466	Red-collared Widowbird	Euplectes ardens
467	Long-tailed Widowbird	Euplectes progne
468	White-breasted Negrofinch	Nigrita fusconota
469	Gray-headed Negrofinch	Nigrita canicapilla
470	Green-winged Pytilia	Pytilia melba
471	Red-headed Bluebill	Spermophaga ruficapilla
472	Red-billed Firefinch	Lagonosticta senegala
473	Jameson's Firefinch	Lagonosticta rhodopareia	The piping call of Crowned Hornbill was a constant accompaniment to our birding at Naro Moru River Lodge.
474	Red-cheeked Cordonbleu	Uraeginthus bengalus
475	Purple Grenadier	Uraeginthus ianthinogaster
476	Yellow-bellied Waxbill	Estrilda quartinia
477	Crimson-rumped Waxbill	Estrilda rhodopyga
478	Common Waxbill	Estrilda astrild
479	Black-crowned Waxbill	Estrilda nonnula
480	Kandt's [Black-headed] Waxbill	Estrilda kandti
481	Black-cheeked (Black-faced) Waxbill	Estrilda erythronotos
482	African Quailfinch	Ortygospiza fuscocrissa
483	Bronze Mannikin	Spermestes cucullatus
484	Cut-throat (Finch)	Amadina fasciata
485	Village Indigobird (Widowfinch)	Vidua chalybeata
486	Pin-tailed Whydah	Vidua macroura
487	Cinnamon-breasted (Rock) Bunting	Emberiza tahapisi
488	(African) Golden-breasted Bunting	Emberiza flaviventris
489	Oriole Finch	Linurgus olivaceus
490	Yellow-crowned [Cape] Canary	Serinus flavivertex
491	African Citril	Serinus citrinelloides
492	Southern [Easte African] Citril	Serinus hyposticutus
493	Papyrus Canary	Serinus koliensis
494	Reichenow's (Yellow-rumped) Seedeater	Serinus reichenowi
495	Yellow-fronted Canary	Serinus mozambicus
496	White-bellied Canary	Serinus dorsostriatus
497	Brimstone (Bully) Canary	Serinus sulphuratus
498	Streaky Seedeater	Serinus striolatus
499	Thick-billed Seedeater	Serinus burtoni
500	House Sparrow	Passer domesticus
501	Kenya [Rufous] Sparrow	Passer rufocinctus
502	Gray-headed Sparrow	Passer griseus
503	Parrot-billed Sparrow	Passer gongonensis	An East African Endemic, Papyrus Canary is restricted to areas with dense Papyrus swamps and often quite difficult to find.
504	Swaheli Sparrow	Passer suahelicus
505	Chestnut Sparrow	Passer eminibey
506	Yellow-spotted Petronia	Petronia pyrgita

Mammal List:

1	Black-and-white (Guereza) Colobus	Colobus guereza
2	Olive Baboon	Papio anubis
3	Vervet Monkey	Cercopithecus pygerythrus
4	Gentle (Blue) Monkey	Cercopithecus mitis
5	Gentle (Sykes) Monkey	Cercopithecus mitis albogularis
6	Red-tailed Monkey	Cercopithecus ascanius
7	Scrub Hare	Lepus saxatilis
8	Unstriped Ground Squirrel	Xerus rutilis
9	Red-legged Sun Squirrel	Heliosciurus rufobrachium
10	Giant Forest Squirrel	Protoxerus stangeri
11	Audacious Mole-rat	Tachyoryctes audax
12	Black-backed Jackal	Canis mesomelus
13	Bat-eared Fox	Otocyon megalotis
14	Egyptian Mongoose	Herpestes ichneumon
15	Black-tipped (Slender) Mongoose	Herpestes sanguinea	Better advice has never been given....
16	Dwarf Mongoose	Helogale parvula
17	Banded Mongoose	Mungos mungo
18	Marsh Mongoose	Atilax paludinosus
19	White-tailed Mongoose	Ichneumia albicauda
20	Spotted Hyaena	Crocuta crocuta
21	Common (Large-spotted) Genet	Genetta geneta
22	Serval Cat	Felis serval
23	Leopard	Panthera pardus
24	Lion	Panthera leo
25	Cheetah	Acinonyx jubatus
26	Black-necked Rock Hyrax	Procavia johnstoni
27	Southern Tree Hyrax	Dendrohyrax arboreus
28	Yellow-spotted Bush Hyrax	Heterohyrax brucei
29	African Elephant	Loxodonta africana
30	Common (Grant's) Zebra	Equus quagga boehmi
31	Black Rhinoceros	Diceros bicornis
32	White Rhinoceros	Ceratotherium simum
33	Hippopotamus	Hippopotamus amphibius
34	Giant Forest Hog	Hylochoerus meinertzhageni	We decided to let the lions have this picnic site and found a new one for ourselves.
35	Common Warthog	Pharcochoerus africanus
36	Masai Giraffe	Giraffa tippelskirchi
37	Rothschild's Giraffe	Giraffa rothschildi
38	African (Cape) Buffalo	Syncerus caffer
39	Bushbuck	Tragelaphus scriptus
40	Eland	Taurotragus oryx
41	Blue Duiker	Cephalophus monticola
42	Harvey's Duiker	Cephalophus harveyi
43	Suni	Nesotragus moschatus
44	Kirk's Dikdik	Madoqua kirkii
45	Bohor Reedbuck	Redunca redunca
46	Waterbuck	Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa
47	Thomson's (Red-fronted) Gazelle	Gazella rufifrons
48	Grant's Gazelle	Gazella granti
49	Impala	Aepyceros melampus
50	Topi	Damaliscus korrigum
51	Coke's Hartebeest	Alcelaphus buselaphus cokei	This baby elephant looked to be less than a month old and was small enough to still be pushed around in the wind.
52	White-bearded Gnu	Connochaetes taurinus albojubatus