Peter B's Second Big Year 2023

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Thanks a lot Dave and Tony   there is more to come but inevitably there are doubles with Kenya as I said before and a score of around 350 is possible I think ; I have a lot to do since New Year and hope to finish next week 

Yesterday there was some sunshine in Belgium after the floodings and I had a few wonderful sightings on my first walk of the year but that's for my third BY 

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The Ciconiidae are next but strangely we saw very few storks ( not the best time of the year ) even on our boat trips apart from a new one this year for me ...

 

66/326 African Openbill ( Anastomus lamelligirus - Afrikaanse Gaper ) Akagera NP Lake Ihema & Far North 10th, 11th and 16th of December 2023 : 

 

 

 

 

We saw this very common breeding resident three times on different locations 

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67/ Saddle-billed Stork ( Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis- Zadelbekooievaar ) Akagera NP Magashi Concession 13th of December 2023 : 

 

The only " young one" we saw 

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Next the Threskiornitidae : 

 

68/ Hadada Ibis ( Bostrychia hagedash - Hadada Ibis ) Akagera NP Lake Ihema & Magashi Concession 10th & 12th of December 2023 : 

 

 

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69/327 Glossy Ibis ( Plegadis falcinellus - Zwarte Ibis ) Akagera NP Lake Ihema 10th of December 2023 : 

 

Most abundantly recorded in Akagera between October and January and especially on the Island of Lake Ihema were this picture was taken ; feeds usually in shallow water 

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Only one Numididae but what would a safari be without a Bush Chicken  : 

 

70/ Helmeted Guineafowl ( Numidia meleagris - Helmparelhoen) Akagera NP Ruzizi Area 11th of December 2023 : 

 

 

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Let's go further with the large group of Accipitridae  : 

 

71/328 African Harrier-Hawk ( Polyboroides typus - Kaalkopkiekendief ) Akagera NP Lake Ihema Ruzizi area 11th of December 2023 : 

 

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72/329 Palm-nut Vulture ( Gypohierax angolensis - Palmgier ) Akagera NP Lake Ihema Ruzizi area 10 th, 11 th & 12th of December 2023 : 

 

 

 

 

A lifer for me and an uncommon breeding resident  ; saw it only in the south of the Park which seems to correspond with what I read in " Birds in Rwanda " 

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73/330 Brown Snake Eagle ( Circaetus cinereus - Bruine Slangenarend ) Akagera NP Magashi Concession 13th of December 2023 : 

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74/ Bateleur Therathopius ecaudatus - Bateleur) Akagera NP Magashi Concession 13th of December 2023 : 

 

 

A young one seen at dawn ...

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75/ Tawny Eagle ( Aquila rapax - Savannearend ) Akagera NP Magashi Concession 14th of December 2023 : 

 

Our guide cried out "Steppe Eagle" , which would be a lifer for me  but alas the picture was taken from quite a distance and I was looking at the bill and the yellow gape to the centre or behind the eye and I am hesitating, so stay with tawny but a second opinion would be welcome ; Steppe eagle is rare in Akagera ! 

 

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76/ 331 African Hawk-Eagle ( Aquila spilogaster - Afrikaanse Havikarend ) Akagera NP Magashi Concession 12th of December 2023 :

 

An uncommon breeding resident occurring in the eastern savanna of Rwanda only 

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77/ Long-crested Eagle ( Lophaetus occipitals - Afrikaanse zwarte Kuifarend ) Akagera NP Magashi Concession 12th of December 2023 : 

 

 

Seen in Kenya but this one isn't bad either ...

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78/332 Gabar Goshawk ( Micronisus gabar - Gabarhavik ) Akagera NP Magashi Concession 12th of December 2023 : 

 

A fairly common breeding resident here seen in his melanistic form which is a rarity ...

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79/333 Yellow-billed Kite ( Milvus aegyptius - Geelsnavelwouw ) The Retreat Kigali 9th of December 2023 :

 

 

[PeterHG]

An impressive seton raptors ! Yes, Steppe Eagle is always a tricky one and I’ve never reliably seen one. It may well be your guide was right, of course. The gape is a bit in- between. 

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Thanks  a lot Peter I agree that the gape is somewhat difficult to see and for the moment I will leave it on Tawny : I have learned the last two years to be conservative instead of overenthusiastic and wrong 

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80/334 Wahlberg's Eagle ( Aquila wahlbergi - Wahlbergs arend ) Akagera NP Magashi Concession 13th of December 2023 : 

 

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81/ African Fish Eagle ( Haliaeetus vocifer - Afrikaanse zeearend ) Akagera NP Lake Ihema & Rwanyakizinga 10th , 11th , 13th & 15th of December 2023 : 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course I saw them in Kenya but in Akagera this bird shines ; never seen so many on safari young and old !! 

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Some Nectariniidae next : 

 

 82/335 Green-headed Sunbird ( Cyanomitra verticals - Groenkophoningzuiger ) The retreat Kigali 9th of December 2023 : 

 

Very early morning .... 

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83/ Amethyst Sunbird ( Chalcomitra rubescens - Amethisthoningzuiger ) Akagera NP Ruzizi Tented Lodge 10th of December 2023 : 

 

Already seen in Kenya but a better picture this time ... 

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84/336 Variable Sunbird ( Cinnyris venustus- Ornaathoningzuiger ) The Retreat Kigali 9th & 16th of December 2023 : 

 

 

 

  

 

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85/ 337 Olive-bellied Sunbird ( Cynniris chloropygius - Olijfbuikhoningzuiger ) Akagera NP Magashi Camp 12th of December 2023 : 

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86/338 Red-chested Sunbird ( Cinnyris erythrocercus - Sierhoningzuiger ) Akagera NP Ruzizi Area 12th of December 2023 : 

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One Turdidae but a new one : 

 

87/339 African Thrush ( Turdus pelius- Peliolijster ) Akagera NP Magashi Concession 12th of December 2023 : 

 

The first rainshower at Magashi ...