Mfuwe's second year.

[TonyQ]

Not getting bored (you will have to try harder)

The boat trip sounds good. We went on what was probably the same one about 12 years ago, and then there was a very good female guide also. We were not birders then but really enjoyed it.

 

I agree the Moustached Warbler is a beauty. I also enjoy the range of names that cisticolas have. Looking forward to your No.500.

[Galana]

Moving onwards to #500 and still in the marsh for a while heading for an appointment with a special bird in  Maramagambo Forest.

Dipped on Papyrus Gonalek although he was calling to us. Can't use the lovely Blue-breasted Kingfishers that were already seen in The Gambia earlier but we winkled a few others out that we can count. So here are some of them:-

481. Marsh Tchagra. In the marsh . Where else?

 

482. Chinspot Batis taking a dive. Oddly for a common bird this was the only one we saw.

 

483. Grey-capped Warbler. A skulker but we got lucky.

 

484. Slender-billed Weaver. A good place for this is Mweya Lodge where they can be a nuisance at the lunch table.

 

485. Common Waxbill.

 

486. Fan-tailed Widowbird. On the Maramagambo track. QENP

 

We now take to the Ishasha road whilst re-locating to Bwindi with Buhoma as our next base.

487. Southern Red Bishop. By the roadside. Ishasha.

The road cuts through some typical marshy areas with lots of ellies and even the much promoted Tree-climbing lions of this area.

But.....

488. Green Sandpiper was just content with a roadside puddle. Ishasha road.

 

489. Martial Eagle. Strangely another bird we found hard to get close to this trip. Ishasha sector. QENP

 

490. One cannot go to Uganda and not see the countries National bird. Even their football team are called "The Cranes."

Grey Crowned Crane. Note the punctuation. No hyphen. Often spelled "Grey-crowned Crane" but of course that is a misnomer. It's crown is gold. It is a Crowned Crane with grey plumage as opposed to its cousin that has  black plumage and blush pink cheeks over its embarrassment at being misspelled.

That's it for now.

Edit. for some reason, my age probably, I did all this about 7 hours ago and when I came on to post the second dish of the day a few minutes back I had not pressed "Submit".

[Galana]

Oh well you deserve an extra so here are two of Ishasha's lions who deigned to come down from their tree to keep an eye on our birding activities.

 

They had three cubs hidden in the grass at the other side of the road and got nervous at us stopping.

First mum appeared and when we did not blink she sent for dad.

[Galana]

Let's see if I can avoid another senior moment today and get the first batch posted.

 

We are now re-locating to Buhoma in the Bwindi Impenetrable NP. World famous for its wonderful avifauna as well as the home to half the world's Mountain gorillas.

We will stay for four nights at one of my favourite lodges Gorilla Forest Camp as a splurge although I did manage to negotiate a more economic rate at this up market place.  8 Tents on platforms placed well apart for privacy overlooking the forest complete with bathtubs with a view. I was able to switch tents after the first night to one with a great outlook and the move worked well with creatures other than birds as we shall see.

The lodge is one of the few actually inside the park gate so one can bird freely on the nearby tracks although the famous Riverside track is now normally "off limits" as it is often occupied by a group of habituated gorillas and the authorities don't want you to see them without paying your fee. A sound idea but sadly nobody has told the gorillas.

So to the photos:-

 

491. Woolly-necked Stork. Again, the only specimen we saw.

 

492. African Yellow White-eye. Bwindi.

 

 

493. Cabanis Greenbul. Buhoma track.

 

494. White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher. Buhoma which, just to be difficult, does not have the characteristic Eponymous White eye ring hereabouts.

 

A great EBC but a better shot follows:-

495. Black Cuckoo-shrike. Buhoma and elsewhere. I had to get another one later as you would never have believed me from the first capture. Note the yellow shoulder patch.

 

Come on. Show us your ID.

Ah 496. Brown-capped Weaver.

And just to be difficult only the male has the brown cap.

 

497. Yellow-whiskered Greenbull. Bwindi, Nkuringo sector.

 

498. Tambourine Dove. Buhoma track.

 

499. Tooro Olive Greenbull. Buhoma. It is singing in the first photo in response to Emmy's whistle.

 

Roll the drums. Back in time as I had saved this special one for 500 from the Maramagambo track.

Look closely. A kill.

500. A Kingfisher with a fish by a forest stream.

A bit of an EBC but worthy of the list.

[michael-ibk]

Congratulations on #500, Fred, well done! I find this Uganda section quite mouth-watering, and am tempted more and more to move it up the bucket list. Some really great birds there!

[Peter Connan]

Congratulations on the 500 from me too!

 

Lovely catch to get there with too!

[Galana]

1 hour ago, michael-ibk said:

and am tempted more and more to move it up the bucket list. Some really great birds there!

That's what I keep trying to tell people. I hope to go back early next year and I am happy with company. 

Three weeks to see almost all the country but two will get you to the hotspots. QENP alone has a species list of just under 600.

And it includes this one.

You have waited long enough for a proper photo so

Coming in at #500 is that Kingfisher.

and not just ANY Kingfisher but the almost legendary Shining Blue Kingfisher. Alcedo quadribrachys.

Did ever a bird deserve its name?

I had only ever seen one before and have searched this little stream in Maramagambo on every trip. This time we struck Sapphire (if not gold) and there he was. In fact there were TWO. My companion got both in the same shot and that is plain greedy.

And his big cousin was also around but I cannot count him as he was a frequent sight at my hut in The Gambia in April but here he is in Uganda. The Pearl of Africa.

After a short break I will be back with the next ten.

 

[TonyQ]

Well done on 500, and what a stunning bird to achieve it!

[Galana]

@TonyQThanks. I was well pleased to see it and over the moon to snap it..As you can see from the build up I had to work hard to get a clear view by creeping through bushes.

[Galana]

Off we go again with another ten.

501. Grey Apalis. Buhoma. A bit of a let down in quality.

 

502. Black-necked Weaver. Buhoma.

503. Dusky Tit. Buhoma.

 

504. Bocage's Bush-shrike. Bwindi Impenetrable.

 

505. Ansorge's Greenbull. Bwindi.

 

506. White-chinned Prinia. My Tent. Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma.

 

507. Slender-billed Greenbull. Bwindi. Ruhija area.

 

508. Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird. Very common throughout Uganda. You hear them calling everywhere.

 

509. Collared Sunbird.Buhoma. My tent again at GFC.

 

510. Northern Double-collared Sunbird. Bwindi. This one was outside my tent at Broadbill Forest Camp.

More on Broadbill Camp later.

 

[Kitsafari]

Congrats on scoring the sapphire kingfisher! What a beauty.  The sunbirds are stunning too

Edited January 13, 2019 by Kitsafari

[Galana]

On to the next batch. I really should get out more. The third year is calling.

Thanks @Kitsafari.

 

We are still in Bwindi but ranging further out of Buhoma so I may get confused as to actual location for those that are wishing to follow..

First my only Lifer on the trip:-

 

511. Grey-shouldered Robin Chat. Buhoma near my tent. Quite a find.

 

512. Bar-tailed Trogan. Buhoma track.

 

513. Black-billed Weaver. (The only bit you cannot see but the 'reverse plumage' confirms it.) Buhoma village.

 

514, Olive-bellied Sunbird. Bwindi.

 

515. Dusky Blue Flycatcher. Somewhere on "The neck". Bwindi.

 

516. Montane Black-headed Oriole.  Buhoma track.

 

517. Thick-billed Seedeater. By my tent at GFC. (Quite one of the most unimaginative names I have seen.)

 

518. Red-headed Malimbe. Buhoma. Hard work to even get this EBC qualifier.

 

519. Speckled Tinkerbird. Buhoma. Front and rear elevations!!

 

520. Purple-throated Cuckooshrike. From my tent again. Who needs to wander the woods??

 

[Galana]

We are leaving Buhma for Ruhija but before we go I will post this.

Gorilla forest Camp is the location for that infamous You tube clip of gorillas actually in camp and touching a guest. That is not allowed now.

It was also the location for one of my 'close encounters' of another kind.

This is a Bird forum and I  have kept the faith. However here is a photo you may like.

Not a bird but Mammal and Reptile and right by my tent. I was returning up the path when I heard a commotion behind me. I turned to see a large black snake racing towards me up the path.  In the nano seconds I had available I had such thoughts as "Snakes do NOT attack people like this!". "Do they? Gulp!" etc.,

I had nowhere to run and doubt I could have got clear in the time anyway. I stood as though rooted to the spot while it whizzed by me and grabbed its prey.

I stopped shaking and made these photos:-

000. Forest Cobra and an unfortunate rodent. What would you have done?  I quite like to see snakes but I prefer it to be on my terms. Tip. Always get a photo. It helps the Medics if the know what bit you!

My guess is that the snake had injected the rat and was then in hot pursuit while the venom took effect. I was just another obstacle in its path.

Edited January 13, 2019 by Galana
Additonal text.

[Kitsafari]

i think i would have screamed and ran up a tree if I saw the snake racing towards me! you are a very brave man @Galana for even thinking of taking a photo of it! hats off to you for being so cool.

 

but what an incredible hunt and sighting. 

[Dave Williams]

Wow,wow,wow! That snake encounter is something else and once again you discover adrenaline is brown and runs down your leg!

Congrats on the big 500, superb bird to get there with too. I have always hoped to see one up river in The Gambia but to date no luck.

The Crane shot is a beauty too, looking forward to more!

[PeterHG]

Wow that was quite an encounter with the Cobra! 

[Galana]

6 hours ago, Dave Williams said:

That snake encounter is something else

Yes it was quite a thrill. It honestly happened so quickly I had no time to be scared. A trillion thoughts flashed through my mind but I did not have time to put anything into effect. One was to lie down and try and get a shot of the oncoming snake. Happily my legs declined to react quickly enough.

Once the snake was passed me I had time to think and just took the photos. My wife was sitting outside the tent and i called her over to see it. She said "very nice dear.What is it?" and went back to her book.

The snake just cleared off back in the bushes with the rodent still in its jaws.  I did not follow.

 

@Dave Williams I think Shining Blues only visit TG in the wet season hence you missing them. They really are stunners and live up to their name.

 

[lmSA84]

Congrats on 500! That snake story is something else! I had something similarish happen to me but in this case above me.

 

I was in Madikwe chasing a white-browed robin-chat for my BY, when I found Tree Squirrel about 1M above me - I went to focus on it for a photo when a female Boomslang shot across my head to strike it! It missed but I wasn't hanging around to console it.

[Galana]

1 hour ago, lmSA84 said:

I wasn't hanging around to console it.

I would have beaten you to the road.

The next ten follows:-

 

We now are moving up to Ruhija to stay at Broadbill Forest Camp which belongs to our guide and good friend.

www.broadbillforestcamp.com

In 2012 Emmy showed me an old shamba he had bought with the intention of building a small lodge. I could not wait to try it so was back in 2014 and was thrilled at what he had achieved. All trace of the Shamba had gone and he had planted indiginous plants as food for wildlife. Forest ellies steal his cabbages and some large dark apes are known to visit in season. Birds abound with at least 6 Albertine Endemics seen by me from my balcony. Rwenzoi Rhino chameleons are easily found once you get the knack of spotting them.

A diversion.

Male.

Female.

On to the birds of the forest.

521. Elliot's Woodpecker. Ruhija.

 

522. Northern Puffback. Broadbill Camp. From my Balcony.

 

523. Chubb's Cisticola. From my balcony at Broadbill Camp. Noisy blighters too.

 

524. White-tailed Ant-Thrush. Buhoma.

 

525, Black-headed Waxbill. Broadbill track.

 

526. Western Citril. Broadbill Camp.

 

527. Yellow-crowned Canary. Broadbill.

 

528. White-browed Crombec. Ruhija track. It was late and dusk was falling and the darn thing would not keep still.

 

529. Brown-crowned Tchagra. School track Ruhija. This track is a must visit track.

 

Determined to get a White-naped Raven I resorted to BIF. Ruhija.

Getting better. Ruhija track.

And then I need not have bothered.........

530. White-naped Ravens regularly came to drink and scrounge scraps at Lake Muhele Lodge when we stayed there over Christmas.

 

[Galana]

Still at the lovely Broadbill Forest Camp here are the next set.

 

531. Black Sawwing. Broadbill, Ruhija. Unlike most Hirondenes these will often be found perched in cooler air.

 

532. Auger Buzzards. Broadbill Conservancy. Ruhija.

 

533. Waller's Starling. Broadbill approach track.

 

534. European Hobby. Ruhija road. I especially like this one. I saw it from a distance and whilst my mentor was persisting with some obscure but no doubt interesting bird I took off and snuck up on the Hobby.  I got a nice "interview" despite the disapproving stare.

 

535. Yellow-bellied (Swee) Waxbill. Broadbill, Ruhija. Lots about but hard to pin down.

 

536. Rwenzori Hill-babbler. Ruhija track. I hope folks are counting these Albertine Endemics.

 

537. Streaky Seedeater. Broadbill Camp. Dancing for joy!

 

538. Doherty's Bushshrike. Broadbill Camp. A local speciality. Emmy even has its call as his ring tone which can confuse us all.

 

539. Mountain Masked Apalis. Broadbill approach track. Check out the first photo and look passed the yellow blossoms. Not an easy subject.

 

540. Red-faced Woodland Warbler. Broadbill track. A real skulker. I think this is my first ever photo of one.

 

More to follow later with a couple more AREs (Albertine Rift Endemics) to keep you counting them.

 

 

Edited January 14, 2019 by Galana

[Galana]

As an aside here is a shot of BOTH those Shining Blue Kingfishers but not with my camera.

One was a great treat. TWO is just plain greedy. Copyright is really my friend's. D.Kinrade.

[xelas]

The Sapphire Kingfisher is The Bird for your well deserved #500, congratulations on both, @Galana! But you are mowing on, now 101 to reach the top of the board.

[Galana]

Thanks @xelas. It certainly is a stunning bird. My only other attempt in 2006 was on roll film  when EBC had not been thought of.

Don't tell me the Hare is looking over his shoulder?

[Galana]

How time flies.

I was digital in February 2005 and here is my only other Shining Blue.

I have got older but thankfully my camera has helped me bridge the gap!

Taken at Jacana Lodge. QENP.

[xelas]

2 hours ago, Galana said:

Don't tell me the Hare is looking over his shoulder?

 

All the time, my friend !