mike davidson
Well-known member
NNP is only 5 kms from the city centre and a day trip always thrills for birds. It tends to be first port of call on a 14 day bird safari .
Four of us from Nature Kenya , including our resident expert Brian Finch arrived early at 6.30 am and finished about 4.30 , during which time I recorded 120 species as seen , Brian no doubt many more .
Our first stop is always the ivory buring site where former president Moi burnt many tons of ivory in the 1980"s and poaching has remained banned in Kenya ever since. Early morning at that site always yields in the migrant season some good finds , this time Irania, Nightingales,Blackcap,Upcher's Warblers and more .
We then tend to meander towards the Kingfisher picnic site , for mid morning coffee. We had great views of Rosy-breasted Longclaws , one of which posed for photos so well .
NNP is a great place for Cisticolas , boasting 10 residents. With Brian's incredible hearing ability we heard and saw 9 of the 10, being Singing,Winding,Stout,Croaking,Rattling,Siffling,Zitting,Desert,and Pectoral Patch.
We then meader much further South to the Athi dam which is always a great place for a variety of birds. Plenty of waders , including sandpipers and plovers , but the view of the day was 30 White Storks descending from way on high , to the edge of the lake.
On the way back there were Harriers and Kestrels up . Harriers were Montgu's, Pallid and Eurasian Marsh , whilst Kestrels were Common and Lesser.
One other feature was the number [8]Red tailed Shrikes[hoenicuroides varlety] which Brian says is unusual , with isabellanus being the more dominant in the park normally.
A great day , which takes my 2009 count to over 200 already
Mike D in Nairobi
Four of us from Nature Kenya , including our resident expert Brian Finch arrived early at 6.30 am and finished about 4.30 , during which time I recorded 120 species as seen , Brian no doubt many more .
Our first stop is always the ivory buring site where former president Moi burnt many tons of ivory in the 1980"s and poaching has remained banned in Kenya ever since. Early morning at that site always yields in the migrant season some good finds , this time Irania, Nightingales,Blackcap,Upcher's Warblers and more .
We then tend to meander towards the Kingfisher picnic site , for mid morning coffee. We had great views of Rosy-breasted Longclaws , one of which posed for photos so well .
NNP is a great place for Cisticolas , boasting 10 residents. With Brian's incredible hearing ability we heard and saw 9 of the 10, being Singing,Winding,Stout,Croaking,Rattling,Siffling,Zitting,Desert,and Pectoral Patch.
We then meader much further South to the Athi dam which is always a great place for a variety of birds. Plenty of waders , including sandpipers and plovers , but the view of the day was 30 White Storks descending from way on high , to the edge of the lake.
On the way back there were Harriers and Kestrels up . Harriers were Montgu's, Pallid and Eurasian Marsh , whilst Kestrels were Common and Lesser.
One other feature was the number [8]Red tailed Shrikes[hoenicuroides varlety] which Brian says is unusual , with isabellanus being the more dominant in the park normally.
A great day , which takes my 2009 count to over 200 already
Mike D in Nairobi
