Jump to content

Kit's Fledgling BY


Kitsafari

Recommended Posts

050: Plain martin, Masai Mara National reserve-MNC, Jan 16

 

5ab70abe3c4dc_plainmartin2.thumb.JPG.324940934af6198c752eb5b2406e381d.JPG

 

We were very lucky to have the swallows and the martins resting on the road in the late afternoon, and lucky they didn't fly off when we drove up to them. I've not seen a martin up close before so it was a lovely bonus to see these tiny little birds. even then, my camera wasn't powerful enough to do the little bird's beauty proper justice.

 

051: Red-faced Crombec, Serian Main Camp, Jan 15

 

5ab70acfd91a6_redfacedcrombec-2.thumb.JPG.188d958140d156687bea052e5feff0e7.JPG

 

this little bird was perched on one of the ropes holding up our tent at Serian camp. The camp staff ID-d the bird and I hope they got it right. I was intrigued by the lack of a tail.  such a pretty bird. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

052: Black-winged Plover, OMC, Jan 17

 

5ab70d49a0d67_plover-blackwinged2.thumb.JPG.a82cf15e13de5fe5fdfcc61f84ec212b.JPG

 

Plover/Lapwing sub-species are easier to ID than the greenshanks and the sandpipers, and I haven't even come to the pipits yet! So while googling this species, I came across the slight difference between plovers (pointed wings) and lapwings (broader and rounded wings). I only realised there were so many sub-species while I was in Kafue with Michael.

 

053: Three-banded Plover, MNC, Jan 15

 

5ab70d5caf294_plover-threebanded.thumb.JPG.44825ee999e2dc5b9cb52430f771d25c.JPG5ab70d583ff85_plover-threebanded3-2.thumb.JPG.8807aaf5f8686d285ab095dcf15d1bf5.JPG

 

054: Senegal Plover, MNC, Jan 14

 

5ab70d76d9551_plover-senegal2.thumb.JPG.b7217996bbdde8750291f30915b41068.JPG

Edited by Kitsafari
Link to comment
Share on other sites

055: Red-necked Spurfowl, Leopard's Gorge MNC/Masai Mara National Reserve, Jan 14/16

 

5ab7118bd08a4_redneckedspurfowlH2.thumb.JPG.2bf3f8b971a805af897f7bda4ad0404f.JPG5ab7119141a68_redneckedspurfowl-2.thumb.JPG.ba87dd9c3a2696f59688af7de652e9a1.JPG5ab711abf0727_redneckedspurfowls.thumb.JPG.49e765e9f756ccab6ecd89113f7b28ed.JPG

 

056: Rose finches, Serian Main Camp, MNC, Jan 15

 

rosefinches-2.thumb.JPG.64386707cb995815515b9e7534883540.JPG

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

057: Ring-necked Dove, MNC/OMC, Jan 15/18

 

5ab7129c1970d_ringneckeddove.thumb.JPG.57c9892122e7cef8032970533390d9fc.JPG5ab71297af877_ringneckeddove(2).thumb.JPG.e49d2972296f9d0ad8c3e7e74d7bac44.JPG

 

058: Speckled Pigeon, Kicheche Camp OMC, Jan 19

 

5ab712aad6410_Speckledpigeon.thumb.JPG.4484405d67f81d804d70481af3b093e1.JPG5ab712a9147d8_Speckledpigeon2.thumb.JPG.eaa63b298f041a167617be9b5e480501.JPG

 

This was such a shy pigeon. It flew off each time I approached. So I had to hide behind bushes and tents to get a closer shot. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

059: Rosy-throated Longclaw, MNC/Masai Mara NR, 

 

5ab71370da7b1_rosythroated2.thumb.JPG.f0f9187b0bcd13460c6feabb7489335b.JPG5ab71373c8ff1_rosythroatedlongclaw3.thumb.JPG.860804a5a5674f168ced179be0c0b0a9.JPG5ab713885436a_rosythroatedlongclaw-b.thumb.JPG.4aecbce5acbd48b287f5e0a9c073db4d.JPG

 

A bird I was first introduced to in Kafue and it was considered an elusive bird there. But we saw them quite often in MNC and in the national reserve. A beautiful bird with a lovely trill as well.

 

060: and its cousin the Yellow-throated Longclaw, Masai Mara NR, Jan 16

 

5ab7138b3dfd4_yellowthroatedlongclaw-2.thumb.JPG.a975e5c2dfafad52b5e043d624f0552f.JPG5ab7138e0facd_yellowthroatedlongclaw2-2.thumb.JPG.9cb9c2f4cd2ff01be8d263506baa89d4.JPG

 

I was so pleased to see the yellow-throated longclaw especially after the rosy-throated ones. But we didn't get to hear its song though.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

061: Scimitarbill: OMC, Jan 19

scimitarbill.thumb.JPG.26967eff6e2fa7253de29d18c5e92128.JPG

 

An EBC! a very shy bird. I managed to take a quick snap before it disappeared into the bushes. I would have loved to have seen more of it as I'd not seen it properly previously. 

 

062: Secretary Bird, MNC, Jan 17/18

 

5ab7173ed0c72_secretarybirdH(2).thumb.JPG.c91c70cd4c8d213b909242f1366de8a9.JPG5ab7174931ee1_secretarybird2.thumb.JPG.7fb4bd7b87321bbb54ac4f48fc097047.JPG5ab7174139cfe_SecretarybirdOMC.thumb.JPG.e607d63769728bd8b9f4af1026adfebc.JPG

 

From one shy bird to a definitely not shy bird. Another iconic bird strutting in the Mara. we saw the secretary bird mainly in MNC during this visit. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am finding it hard to believe you are just a "beginner" so good are some of your shots and calls. Well done!

The Cisticola on your last conversation could well be two species with the first photo (EBC) and a Pectoral Patch. It is hard to say with these chaps. 2nd I am comfortable with my suggestion.

Love the Rosy-throated Longclaw, a bird I have only seen once many years ago and yearn for another.

Well done on correctly splitting both the Black-winged and Lesser Black-winged (Senegal) Plovers.

That's the good news.

Sadly your "Scimitarbill", Abyssinian if correct with that red bill, is I fear a Green Wood-hoopoe due to relatively straight bill.

And I think your "Rosefinch" would cause quite a stir amongst birders. I assume a misstype for Firefinch.

Nice shot of the Red-faced Crombec too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Many beautiful photos in your additions @Kitsafari and a lot really good species, too! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@Kitsafari....must say that I am impressed.  We are all learning with these photos and ids.  Great job!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

@PeterHG @marg thank you!

 

On 25/03/2018 at 7:32 PM, Galana said:

 

And I think your "Rosefinch" would cause quite a stir amongst birders. I assume a misstype for Firefinch.

 

 

@Galana such a major rookie mistake - and that is why I'm still a beginner!

 

On 25/03/2018 at 7:32 PM, Galana said:

Sadly your "Scimitarbill", Abyssinian if correct with that red bill, is I fear a Green Wood-hoopoe due to relatively straight bill.

 

 

Thanks Galana. The tip of the bill is hidden by the twig, which made it difficult to confirm if it is a hoopoe or scimitarbill. But James the guide had a very good look at it, and was very confident to call it a scimitarbill, and he repeated it because I couldn't catch the name the first time. so in this case, I'll keep it. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

063: Silverbird, Kicheche Bush Camp, OMC, Jan 18

 

5ab9fb23bad58_silverbird2-2.thumb.JPG.80f662dc27f6c08777c0273c041653d7.JPGsilverbird-2.thumb.JPG.1153cb4757b2e5a8b583e35c2160b249.JPG

 

we were walking around the camp, when we came onto this pretty bird, a member of  the Old world flycatcher, according to Wikipedia. It seems the bird is a resident in the camp and is seen often. 

 

064: Slate-coloured Bulbul, Serian Main Camp, MNC Jan 14

 

5ab9fb488d64c_slatecolouredbulbul2.thumb.JPG.eb2eaf0897edf0a990ba9df874d9a449.JPG

5ab9fb4b887d2_slatecolouredbulbul-2.thumb.JPG.5ce5819270cebe97a2c341560e4e1221.JPG

 

another bird found frequently around camp, this time in Serian's main camp in MNC. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

065: Sooty Chat, MNC, Jan 14

 

5ab9fc5ea20c5_sootychat-2.thumb.JPG.868380bc54429d4b5b543688197261dc.JPG5ab9fc60bc4fc_sootychat2-2.thumb.JPG.ba5ea655aac423495d84928dae66de7c.JPG

A tough subject to photograph as the little chat was very lively and moving a lot. This was the only time we saw it. 

 

066: Speckled mousebird, Serian Main Camp, Jan 14

 

5ab9fcea1966a_speckledmousebird1-2.thumb.JPG.a189da89b05e3e803871e61fc1569391.JPG5ab9fcec59af9_speckledmousebird2.thumb.JPG.0f281b0b0d034fdcbc25c3ecf2906aa1.JPG

 

The mousebirds were shy. they were thirsty and drinking from the bird bath, but each time I moved closer, they flew off. cute birds!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

067: Southern Ground Hornbill, MNC, Jan 14/15

5ab9fd5aec6df_southerngroundhornbill2.thumb.JPG.f8fb7ce338f33a27c293fb3b381bc91b.JPG5ab9fd5d0ab13_southerngroundhornbill3.thumb.JPG.634c1691bbe0c75a81ed690526381044.JPG

 

Junior: 5ab9fd6042bd8_southerngroundhornbillimmature.thumb.JPG.252546ce6e0461b226f4dcc88ceb0ac1.JPG

 

we saw quite a few of the southern ground hornbill over 2 days. On the second day after we had moved away from them, we heard their boom calls which was really cool.

 

 

 

068: Spotted Thick Knee, MNC, Jan 155aba18aa37c04_spottedthickknee.thumb.JPG.f81b0ccb3c8d64a6e2858dbc7c5f99e2.JPG5aba18b00a9ed_spottedthicknee1-2.thumb.JPG.5afe3eec99d62eb12adcea71ffa72289.JPG

 

While we were watching the Marsh pride of lions taking shelter under bushes, the thick knee was sunning itself in the open. a beautiful bird. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

069: Spur-winged goose, Masai Mara National Reserve, Jan 16

 

5aba19e3f1ddb_spurwinggoose2-2.thumb.JPG.a24f4293521d1e86c95c92f1d9eb82f5.JPG

The goose was on its own in the Musiara marshes It was the only time we saw this species. 

 

 

070: Spur-winged Lapwing, Masai Mara NR, Jan 16

 

5aba1b3a5f4fa_spurwingedlapwing-2.thumb.JPG.663d55f57dee73433da3458e14d54052.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

071: Greater-blue earred starling, MNC, Jan 14

 

5aba1e90660e2_starling-greaterblue-eared_.thumb.JPG.4a7244695cbef113e11c1e6458f038cc.JPG

 

This was another species that I had to learn to distinguish the sub-species. Just hope I got them correct!

 

072: Hildebrant's Starling, MNC, 

5aba1d305a0b5_starling-hildebrandtH.thumb.JPG.29df434f15d4c4d522b5b11d65ff87c4.JPG

 

073: Ruppell's long-tailed Starling, Masai Mara Jan 165aba1d3e432c1_starling-ruppellslongtailed(2).thumb.JPG.391f3dd24476a3e3ae53b16b615802af.JPG5aba1d3f7eb75_starling-ruppellslongtailed.thumb.JPG.956e766778859348d3ae6887064eb266.JPG

 

A tough bird to catch! it kept hopping away before I could get a proper and clear shot. Many of the starlings - the Ruppell's, Hildebrandt's and superbs - were near the Talek River crossing in the reserve. 

 

 

074: Superb Starling, MNC, Jan 14/15

5aba1d55de51a_starling-superb2.thumb.JPG.ed628f936545093490bdaea4030b798e.JPG5aba1d5e753a0_starling-superb.thumb.JPG.eae91ff638ca7418731ee6487be70076.JPG

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

075: Temminck's Courser, Mara conservancies

 

5aba20974e999_temminckcourser-2.thumb.JPG.50df382ed72b402df256d8a47d607117.JPG

 

This was such a common bird in the Mara but I'd never noticed them before this trip. 

 

076: Verreaux's Eagle Owl, OMC, Jan 18

 

5aba209bcc669_Verreauxseagleowl.thumb.JPG.0e7a938255af70279a75a8a5dcd66a5e.JPG

 

The only owl we saw while in Mara. The largest African owl and it was wide awake when we saw it mid-morning. I guessed we must have woken it up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

077: Winding cisticola, OMC, Jan 18

 

5aba22bf6fd66_windingcisticola.thumb.JPG.98ee200ef043126bdb77b2dda3e42f5a.JPG

 

Thanks to @Galana for ID-ing this bird (wrongly ID-ed as pectoral patch cisticola) which has bumped up my list. :)

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Truly amazing collection of East Africa's birds!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The clean-up crews of Mara: 

 

Serian-150.thumb.JPG.f9c8ef464afdc43e5e8c4a052bf667ed.JPG

 

078: Lappet-faced Vulture, Mara conservancies and reserve

 

5aba23407afcc_vulture-lappetfaced1.thumb.JPG.451ba2cdc0b3b182d9f3191787ed37c9.JPG5aba2346c08f1_vulture-lappetfacedH.thumb.JPG.e724730795322526a503b3ccb31fe4bf.JPG

 

079: Ruppell's Vultures, MNC, Jan 14

5aba234893173_vulture-ruppell-2.thumb.JPG.40b7c41eba6354aafe2a26b27a2f79a4.JPG5aba234d9768d_vulture-ruppells.thumb.JPG.c5a375aff4b5eaa41dd67f6dee678180.JPG

 

080: White-backed vulture, Mara conservancies

 

DSC01471.thumb.JPG.e9792740326ecf1756fc06f34abecc76.JPGDSC09690.thumb.JPG.db8cf32a6c7fc7a2d998766708712d72.JPG

 

Oddly, I was missing hooded vultures. but hooded are critically endangered so we would have been very lucky to see one. 

Edited by Kitsafari
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A great collection @Kitsafari. I didn't know the difference between lapwings and plovers, so that is helpful. We also saw a Silver bird when we were at Kicheche Bush

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dave Williams

I'm very envious of the Ground Hornbill and Spotted Thick-knee, they both gave me the run around in The Gambia the one time I have seen them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

michael-ibk

Seeing a Rosy-Throated again made me smile!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Peter Connan

Some lovely additions!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 27/03/2018 at 8:07 PM, TonyQ said:

A great collection @Kitsafari. I didn't know the difference between lapwings and plovers, so that is helpful. We also saw a Silver bird when we were at Kicheche Bush

 

Thanks @TonyQ  I once was told that lapwings and plovers were the same, so I'm still not sure if there is a clear difference or not. in any case, when the bird isn't flying and its wings are folded, it'll be hard to tell them apart still!

 

On 28/03/2018 at 0:54 AM, Dave Williams said:

I'm very envious of the Ground Hornbill and Spotted Thick-knee, they both gave me the run around in The Gambia the one time I have seen them.

 

I was quite pleased with the spotted thick-knee - it's such a pretty bird and its markings are so well defined. 

 

On 28/03/2018 at 0:55 AM, michael-ibk said:

Seeing a Rosy-Throated again made me smile!

 

@michael-ibk made me smile too. I didn't expect to meet it again so soon but i was glad I could introduce Herman to it! LOL. 

 

On 28/03/2018 at 11:26 AM, Peter Connan said:

Some lovely additions!

 

Thank you @Peter Connan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Safaritalk uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By using Safaritalk you agree to our use of cookies. If you wish to refuse the setting of cookies you can change settings on your browser to clear and block cookies. However, by doing so, Safaritalk may not work properly and you may not be able to access all areas. If you are happy to accept cookies and haven't adjusted browser settings to refuse cookies, Safaritalk will issue cookies when you log on to our site. Please also take a moment to read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy: Terms of Use l Privacy Policy