[Andrew]

17-03-03
Location : Watamu to Mombassa Road, Kenya.

Like all good things the holiday had to come to an end and we were transferred to the hotel in a slightly more luxurious mini van this time. I was determined to add some more species to the holiday list so I armed myself with my binoculars and the trusty notepad. The field guide had been packed away as being on my own I preferred to sketch notes of each bird and identify what I could later. This is a much more reliable means of identification in a cramped vehicle on a bumpy road.

I saw many birds seen previously on the holiday and dismissed these concentrating on new species. There were five altogether and I only identified two proving I was truly lost without my dependable friend Jonathan. The birds were a RUFOUS-BREASTED SPARROWHAWK, RED-CHESTED CUCKOO and a NORTHERN GREY TIT. The other birds were two types of weavers and another raptor.

With great disappointment we passed through customs, having negotiated many overly helpful locals, for the ten hour non stop flight back home to England. I had truly enjoyed a fantastic holiday of a lifetime and have a great hankering for pastures new. The holiday target of a hundred species was easily achieved with a total of one hundred and twenty nine birds. One hundred and thirteen of them were lifers which can not be any less than a successful holiday.