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Ennedi, Ouadi-Rime and Zakouma - Chad 2023


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Pictus Safaris
Posted

Day 19 (April 17th):

 

Our penultimate full day in Zakouma was upon us, and a real case of red-flanked duiker fever was upon us. Such is the nature of mammal-watching tours, that one often ends up chasing species that might not top the list of targets for your typical visitor, sometimes to the exclusion of everything else. Having consulted the local guides, rumour was that red-flanked duikers were being seen regularly near the village of Goz Djarat, just outside the park - some forum mmebers may know this as where the market is held that is often visited by groups staying at Tinga or Nomade. And so, this morning, we made an unusual journey to look for wildlife outside the boundaries of the national park.

 

The drive out of the park lasted around ninety-minutes, taking us through some interesting areas that are hardly ever visited by vehicles other than those running supplies. These areas were particularly arid, but the drive was nonetheless productive, as we spotted lion, red-fronted gazelle, Buffon's kob, Kordofan giraffe and roan. The highlights of the drive out were excellent views of greater kudu and the unusual sight of a civet strutting around in daylight. Eventually, we emerged onto the park boundary road, pulling off into a scrubby area just outside the village. The morning was then spent driving the network of paths used by local herdsmen, criss crossing woodland and open areas between the village and watering points. Eyes were firmly trained on the shadier areas of the denser woodland in the hope that a red-flanked duiker might materialise, but there was a surprising amount of wildlife to be seen elsewhere. The village outskirts were a far more productive area for red-fronted gazelle than the park itself, and we encountered several small groups as we bounced around the trails. We also had extended and numerous views of Gambian sun squirrel, which he hadn't seen at all in the park, and our first view of common slender mongoose which, as usual, perplexed us for some time with the bushy squirrel-like tail seen in this species in much of Central Africa. It was lovely to see this species disappear into its hole high up in a nearby tree, about six feet from the ground. By far the most abundant mammal, though, was common duiker, of which we disturbed about a dozen specimens as we explored the woodland. We noted also the present of several fresh aardvark digs, and an agreement was made to return this evening to see if we couldn't track down red-flanked duiker and our first aardvark of the tour. The only hiccup of this morning came when our Land Cruiser crashed through the roof of one of those aardvark digs, and we took plenty of time to extricate ourselves from the deep sand. Some birding was enjoyed as we did so, with our first white-throated bee-eater of the tour, as well as a few more cryptic species.

 

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Western greater kudu

 

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Red-fronted gazelle

 

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Gambian Sun Squirrel

 

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White-Throated Bee-Eater

 

Our drive back into the park saw us stop at the entrance gate to the park at Goz Djarat, where we knew the outbuildings had a healthy population of bats. These were identified as Midas mops bats. Depressingly, there was also a Patas monkey on a leash here, which we promptly reported to park authorities on return to Tinga. By now, the heat of the day was up, and our drive back through the park revealed only Buffon's kob. Close to camp, we came across a very large group of Patas monkeys, including a large male and an adorable baby squealing in indignation having been separated from its mother.

 

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Goz Djarat Entrance Gate

 

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Midas mops bat

 

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Patas

 

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On returning to camp, most of the group opted to spend the afternoon mooching around camp, and were richly rewarded with great views of both lion and elephant as they came to drink at the hide. Three of the clients headed down to the Salamat for some relaxed sundowners amongst olive baboons and yet more extraordinary densities of fish eagles and marabou storks. We had taken it easy deliberately this evening, as we headed back to camp for an early dinner, and then out for a protracted night drive around Goz Djarat. And protracted it would be, as we returned to camp at about 3.30 the following morning.

 

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West African crocodiles at Tinga

 

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Catfish at Tinga

 

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Northern carmine bee-eater

 

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Male lion seen from camp

 

Our drive out to the village saw us gain views of serval, side-striped jackal and a large pride of lions in the middle of the road near park headquarters. The periphery of the park was quieter, although savanna hare was seen under spotlight, and the occasional glimpse of genet, civet and galago as we headed out of the park at speed. We didn't quite know what to expect around the village at night, but we were surprised by the density of wildlife. We spent most of our time with binoculars glued to our eyes trying to discern whether the eyeshine we had under spotlight belonged to a red-flanked duiker. It didn't. We must have seen in excess of a hundred common duikers tonight, pain-stakingly identifying all that we could to ensure we weren't missing a red-flanked. As we searched, the mammal 'bycatch' was prolific. Wild cat were seen two or three times, and we had a hugely enjoyable time at an active pale fox den with three youngsters playing at the den entrance. Civets, genets and galagos were abundant, but the highlight was undoubtedly our first view of the tour of an aardvark. The sighting was all too brief as the orycterope dashed away into the bush, and it was around then at 2am that we decided to call it a night. We decided that the 'red-flanked duikers of Goz Djarat' were instead common duikers, but it was certainly not a night wasted.

 

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Lions blocking our exit from the park

 

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Pale fox youngster at an active den

 

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African civet at Goz Djarat

Posted

@Pictus Safaris 

 

"but the kill had disappeared and vehicle tracks indicated that we had been beaten to the punch by the Camp Nomade vehicle anyway."

 

That's very curious. do you know the rationale behind removing a kill deliberately? was it too close to the camp and did they move the kill to a nearby location? it's odd to remove a leopard's natural source of food.  

Pictus Safaris
Posted

Hi @Kitsafari- no indication whatsoever that anyone had moved the kill. More likely, the leopard had returned to feed and the carcass had fallen and been scattered by hyenas, or perhaps the leopard had relocated the kill in response to our vehicles having disturbed it. Hard to know for sure, but unlikely that the kill was moved by anyone.

Posted
On 6/27/2023 at 7:22 PM, Pictus Safaris said:

Day 18 (April 6th):

 

Following a lengthy night drive the prior evening, there were a few bleary eyes around the breakfast table this morning, but no shortage of enthusiasm to get going again this morning. 

xxxx

.....We took a diversion to check out the leopard kill we had located the previous night, but the kill had disappeared and vehicle tracks indicated that we had been beaten to the punch by the Camp Nomade vehicle anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

@Pictus Safaris ahhh i must have misunderstood you in the above (highlighted in red) sentence in your opening paragraph? 

Pictus Safaris
Posted

Hi @Kitsafari- yes, as I say, the kill had disappeared and Nomade were there first at any rate, so we wouldn't have been able to get into the sighting even if the kill had still been there.

Pictus Safaris
Posted (edited)

Day 20 (April 8th):

 

Our final day in the park had arrived, and far too soon of course. We had a very relaxed start this morning after a late finish the night before, with time spent catching up on rest and doing some relaxed birding around camp. The plan for this evening was to take our dinner with us and head deep into the south of the park, following the course of the Salamat and exploring the 'palm forest', in a hope that we may finally come across a red-flanked duiker. There was also the hope that we may be able to pick up a more rewarding elephant sighting than we had managed on our previous soujourns to this area.

 

As we pulled away from camp this afternoon, we were quickly rewarded with a brief lion sighting (from my notes, I think we only had one drive during our stay where lions weren't seen), as well as the typically rich diversity of ungulates and birdlife that Zakouma offers 'as standard'. The Salamat was once again playing host to truly ridiculous densities of bird species including marabou, African fish-eagle, great white egret and great white pelican. Togui even had a chance to show off his impressive bushcraft, as we noticed a sizeable drag mark across the track. After a few minutes off poking our nose into the nearby bush, we caught a glimpse of the culprit as a young male lion bounded away, somewhat affronted that we had tracked him down. We didn't get a great look at the carcass, although based on size it was likely to be a common duiker. There was some discussion as to whether it was a red-flanked duiker and, if it was, whether that would count as a sighting. We decided it definitely wouldn't. A short drive on brought us to a stunning colony of nesting northern carmine bee-eaters - we had to hurry to get into red-flanked duiker habitat, but we could quite happily have sat here all evening.

 

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Northern carmine bee-eaters

 

The long drive down south was fairly quiet this evening, despite there being plenty of evidence that a large herd of elephants had crossed the road fairly recently. The plan had been to dedicate significant time to seeking out red-flanked duiker as they descended to the Salamat from the surrounding forest in the fading light, which is the best bet for a sighting in Zakouma and in much of their range. Unfortunately, our plans were largely scuppered by a density of tsetse flies unlike any other I have encountered in Chad - one could almost be forgiven for thinking we were in Kafue or Ruaha. Understandably, Togui wasn't keen to hang around, and our drive through some good areas was done at pace, spooking only bushbuck as we travelled.

 

Dinner was taken in the dry section of the Salamat riverbed, with a striking night's sky above us. Within minutes, the nearby guard post had wind of our presence and mosied on down to see what we were doing. We treated them to a bottle of wine we had brought with us, although when we opened up another bottle of the same wine we realised 'treat' was not the right term, as it turns out France exports this wine to Chad rather then keeps it for themselves for a reason. Quite undrinkable.

 

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Dinner in the Salamat

 

Despite my best attempts to convince Togui to retrace at least some of our steps now that the tsetses had dissipated, we continued on west. There was plenty of eyeshine along the short stretch of riverbank, with the vast majority belonging to common genet and bushbuck. We did nab our first oribi of the tour, which would have been an unusual miss had we not seen it tonight. Shortly afterwards, we returned to dry-country, and so our hopes of a red-flanked duiker vanished.

 

Nonetheless, a protracted drive through any part of Zakouma is a real treat. The dry country produced excellent views of African civet, common genet and large-spotted genet, but little else until we began to re-approach the wetlands further north. At the edge of these wetlands, we had brief views of African wild cat and a very obliging greyish eagle-owl, before emerging onto the main plains. Here, in addition to the usual procession of Kordofan giraffe, we had some unusual eyeshine far into the centre of the grassland area, bobbling with an unusual gait. Eventually, as they approach ever closer, we had distant but good views of a pair of honey badgers - they promptly dashed away from us and we couldn't relocate them, despite retracing our route in the direction they had headed for a kilometre or so. Returning to the plain, we also had views of serval and a mating pair of lions, which passed right by our vehicle.

 

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Greyish eagle-owl

 

From where we found ourselves, already quite some time into the hours of darkness, it was to be a long drive home on some scarcely used tracks. Even here, where the grasses were extremely high, Zakouma had some more surprises for us. Starting the return drive with another honey badger, and a dozen or so civets and genets, we encountered only our second rodent of our stay in Zakouma (after a brief view of a crested porcupine some days earlier) - a Congo gerbil. This is, by far, the most common gerbil in the park, but we had struggled for rodents throughout our stay, whereas our other groups had seen hundreds. I suspect that the unseasonable rain had brought them out in high densities for the other groups. Despite a concerted effort, we couldn't only grab 'proof shots' of this particular individual.

 

The next highlight was undoubtedly a stunning standard-winged nightjar sitting in the middle of the road - a real top birding prize in this neck of the woods, and just our luck that we would encounter this on one of our more mammal- and less bird-focussed tours to the park. Shortly afterwards, I thought we may have lucked out with a cheetah sighting, but the promising eyeshine ended up belonging to a pile of three adolescent lions obscured by a bush just off the road. Our final sightings, on the short drive back to camp from the lions, were those of one final serval, and a lone spotted hyena, no doubt on its way to camp. Pulling into camp at about midnight, there was a bit of disappointment at dipping on red-flanked duiker, but satisfaction with yet another highly productive drive.

 

Day 21 (April 9th):

 

It's always sad to say goodbye to Zakouma, and this morning was no exception. Relucantly, the team piled into our vehicles for the long, long drive ahead. Unsurprisingly, road conditions hadn't improved much up to Mongo, but we arrived there by early afternoon, and the remainder of the day was spent on good roads to a lovely campsite near Bokoro. The inselberg by which we camped looked a likely spot for some rodents, and traps here revealed the presence of Johan's spiny mouse, a delightful species and one we returned safely to the rocks from which it came.

 

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Johan's spiny mouse

 

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Spiny mouse habitat

 

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Views from our final campsite near Bokoro

 

Day 22 (April 10th):

 

The final day of the tour returned the group to N'Djamena, where there was time for lots of cold beers and back-slapping before transferring to the airport. This was the day with the most pressing mechanical issues encountered, which is entirely understandable given these vehicles had, by this point, spent six weeks on the road across Chad. There was also a significant shortage of fuel, linked to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and associated geopolitics, which meant we squeaked into the capital running on fumes.

 

There was nearly a sting in the tail, as I was briefly detained at the airport as my walkie-talkies were discovered. Eventually, I was able to provide my letter of invitation from African Parks as evidence that I was just using these to communicate with other vehicles, rather than plotting a coup, and I was able to connect with the scheduled flight to Paris.

 

Overall, across the three tours, we finished up with 80 mammal species and nearly 300 bird species - lists to follow! My huge thanks go to clients Dan Nugent and Jon Hall for permitting use of their images in this trip report.

Edited by Pictus Safaris
Pictus Safaris
Posted

So, in total across our three groups, we were certainly delighted with both the quality and quantity of sightings enjoyed. Ennedi and Ouadi-Rime both exceeded expectations in a big way, and Zakouma had its best game-viewing season for quite some time. The list of highlights is a lengthy one, and I hope I've done justice to them in this TR. The Sahel is always a challenging place to visit, for one reason or another, but a tally of 80 mammals and 293 bird species is not to be sniffed at anywhere. We very much look forward to being back in Chad in 2024!

 

Mammal List - 80 species

 

 

Species

Scientific Name

Location(s)*

Carnivora – 23 species

Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

ZNP

Marsh Mongoose

Atilax paludinosus

ZNP

African Wolf

Canis lupaster

OROA

Caracal

Caracal caracal

OROA, ZNP

African Civet

Civettictis civetta

ZNP

Spotted Hyaena

Crocuta crocuta

ZNP

African Wildcat

Felis lybica

OROA, ZNP

Common Genet

Genetta genetta

AS, ZNP

Rusty-Spotted Genet

Genetta maculata

ZNP

Egyptian Mongoose

Herpestes ichneumon

ZNP

Common Slender Mongoose

Herpestes sanguineus

ZNP

Striped Hyaena

Hyaena hyaena

E, ZNP

White-Tailed Mongoose

Ichneumia albicauda

ZNP

Libyan Striped Weasel

Ictonyx libycus

OROA

Serval

Leptailurus serval

ZNP

Side-Striped Jackal

Lupelella adusta

ZNP

Honey Badger

Mellivora capensis

OROA, ZNP

Banded Mongoose

Mungos mungo

ZNP

Lion

Panthera leo

ZNP

Leopard

Panthera pardus

ZNP

Pale Fox

Vulpes pallida

E, OROA, ZNP

Rueppell’s Fox

Vulpes rueppelli

E

Fennec Fox

Vulpes zerda

E

Cetartiodactyla – 20 species

Addax

Addax nasomaculatus

OROA

(Lelwel) Hartebeest

Alcelaphus buselaphus

ZNP

Red-Flanked Duiker

Cephalophus rufilatus

ZNP

Tiang

Damliscus lunatus

ZNP

Red-Fronted Gazelle

Eudorcas rufifrons

ZNP

Dorcas Gazelle

Gazella dorcas

OROA

Northern Giraffe

Giraffe camelopardalis

ZNP

Hippopotamus

Hippopotamus amphibius

NDJ

Roan Antelope

Hippotragus equinus

ZNP

(Defassa) Waterbuck

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

ZNP

(Buffon’s) Kob

Kobus kob

ZNP

Dama Gazelle

Nanger dama

OROA

Scimitar-Horned Oryx

Oryx dammah

OROA

Oribi

Ourebia ourebi

ZNP

Common Warthog

Phacochoerus africanus

ZNP

Bohor Reedbuck

Redunca redunca

ZNP

Common Duiker

Sylvicapra grimmia

ZNP

African Buffalo

Syncerus caffer

ZNP

Bushbuck

Tragelaphus scriptus

ZNP

Greater Kudu

Tragelaphus strepsiceros

ZNP

Chiroptera – 10 species

Ansorge’s Free-Tailed Bat

Chaerephon ansorgei

ZNP

Yellow-Winged Bat

Lavia frons

ZNP

Common Bent-Wing Bat

Miniopterus schreibersii

ZNP

Midas Mops Bat

Mops midas

ZNP

Hairy Slit-Faced Bat

Nycteris hispida

ZNP

Large-Eared Slit-Faced Bat

Nycteris macrotis

ZNP

Egyptian Slit-Faced Bat

Nycteris Slit-Faced Bat

ZNP

Geoffroy’s Horseshoe Bat

Rhinolophus clivosus

E

Egyptian Mouse-Tailed Bat

Rhinopoma cystops

E

Egyptian Free-Tailed Bat

Tadarida aegyptiaca

ZNP

Eulipotyphla – 2 species

Savanna Shrew

Crocidura fulvastra

ZNP

Desert Hedgehog

Paraechinus aethiopicus

E

Hyracoidea – 1 species

Rock Hyrax

Procavia capensis

E

Lagomorpha – 2 species

Cape Hare

Lepus capensis

E

African Savanna Hare

Lepus victoriae

OROA, ZNP

Primates – 4 species

Tantalus Monkey

Chlorocebus tantalus

ZNP

Patas Monkey

Erythrocebus patas

E, ZNP

Northern Lesser Galago

Galago senegalensis

ZNP

Olive Baboon

Papio anubis

E, ZNP

Proboscidea – 1 species

African Savanna Elephant

Loxodonta africana

ZNP

Rodentia – 16 species

Johan’s Spiny Mouse

Acomys johannis

B

African Grass Rat

Arvincathis niloticus

ZNP

Pouched Gerbil

Desmodilliscus braueri

OROA, AS

Striped Ground Squirrel

Euxerus erythropus

E

Pleasant Gerbil

Gerbillus amoenus

OROA

Lesser Egyptian Gerbil**

Gerbillus gerbillus

E

Pygmy Gerbil

Gerbillus henleyi

E, OROA

Nigerian Gerbil**

Gerbillus nigeriae

E, OROA

Tarabul’s Gerbil

Gerbillus tarabuli

E

Gambian Sun Squirrel

Heliosciurus gambianus

ZNP

Crested Porcupine

Hystrix cristata

OROA

Lesser Egyptian Jerboa

Jaculus jaculus

E

Heuglin’s Striped Grass Mouse

Lemniscomys zebra

OROA

Guinea Multimammate Mouse

Mastomys erythroleucus

ZNP

Black Rat

Rattus rattus

A

Congo Gerbil

Taterillus congicus

ZNP

Tubulidentata – 1 species

Aardvark

Orycteropus afer

OROA, AS, ZNP

*A - Abeche, AS - Aardvark Site, B - Bokoro, E - Ennedi, NDJ - N'Djamena, OROA - Ouadi-Rime, ZNP - Zakouma NP

** trapped only

 

Bird List - 293 species

 

Species

Scientific Name

Location(s)*

Accipitriformes – 33 species

Shikra

Accipiter badius

ZNP

Ovambo Sparrowhawk

Accipiter ovampensis

AS

Tawny Eagle

Aquila rapax

ZNP, B

African Hawk-Eagle

Aquila spilogaster

ZNP

Grasshopper Buzzard

Butastur rufipennis

OROA, AS, ZNP, A

Scissor-Tailed Kite

Chelictinia riocourii

OROA

Beaudouin’s Snake-Eagle

Circaetus beaudouini

E, ZNP

Western Banded Snake-Eagle

Circaetus cinerascens

ZNP

Brown Snake-Eagle

Circaetus cinereus

ZNP, B

Short-Toed Snake-Eagle

Circaetus gallicus

E, OROA

Western Marsh Harrier

Circus aeruginosus

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Pallid Harrier

Circus macrourus

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Montagu’s Harrier

Circus pygargus

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Black-Winged Kite

Elanus caeruleus

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

White-Backed Vulture

Gyps africanus

ZNP

Rueppell’s Vulture

Gyps rueppelli

OROA, ZNP

African Fish-Eagle

Haliaaetus vocifer

ZNP

Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle

Hieraaetus ayresii

ZNP

Wahlberg’s Eagle

Hieraaetus wahlbergi

ZNP, B

Lizard Buzzard

Kaupifalco monogrammicus

ZNP

Long-Crested Eagle

Lophaetus occipitalis

ZNP

Dark-Chanting Goshawk

Merlierax metabates

ZNP, B

Gabar Goshawk

Micronisus gabar

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Yellow-Billed Kite

Milvus aegyptius

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Black Kite

Milvus migrans

ZNP

Hooded Vulture

Necosyrtes monachus

ZNP

Egyptian Vulture

Neophron percnopterus

E, B

African Harrier-Hawk

Polyboroides typus

ZNP

Secretarybird

Sagittarius serpentarius

ZNP

Crowned Eagle

Stephanoaetus coronatus

ZNP

Bateleur

Terathopius ecaudatus

ZNP, B

Lappet-Faced Vulture

Torgos tracheliotos

OROA, ZNP, B

White-Headed Vulture

Trigonoceps occipitalis

ZNP

Anseriformes – 5 species

Egyptian Goose

Alopochen aegyptiaca

NDJ, ZNP

White-Faced Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna viduata

NDJ, ZNP

Spur-Winged Goose

Plectropterus gambensis

ZNP

African Comb Duck

Sarkidiornis melanotos

ZNP

Garganey

Spatula querquedula

ZNP

Apodiformes – 4 species

Little Swift

Apus affinis

NDJ, ZNP

Common Swift

Apus apus

ZNP, B

White-Rumped Swift

Apus caffer

ZNP

African Palm-Swift

Cypsiurus parvus

ZNP

Bucerotiformes – 6 species 

Abyssinian Ground Hornbill

Bucorvus abyssinicus

ZNP, B

African Grey Hornbill

Lophoceros nasutus

E, ZNP, B, A

Green Woodhoopoe

Phoeniculus purpureus

ZNP, B

Black Scimitarbill

Rhinopomastus aterrimus

ZNP

Red-Billed Hornbill

Tockus erythrorhynchus

E, ZNP, B

Common Hoopoe

Upupa epops

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Caprimulgiformes – 4 species 

Long-Tailed Nightjar

Caprimulgus climacurus

ZNP

Golden Nightjar

Caprimulgus eximius

OROA

Plain Nightjar

Caprimulgus inornatus

ZNP

Standard-Winged Nightjar

Caprimulgus longipennis

ZNP

Charadriiformes – 25 species

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucos

NDJ, ZNP

African Jacana

Actophilornis africanus

ZNP

Spotted Thick-Knee

Burhinus capensis

ZNP

Senegal Thick-Knee

Burhinus senegalensis

ZNP

Little Stint

Calidris minuta

ZNP

Ruff

Calidris pugnax

NDJ, ZNP

Little Ringed Plover

Charadrius dubius

ZNP

Common Ringed Plover

Charadrius hiaticula

ZNP

White-Winged Tern

Chlidonias leucopterus

ZNP

Grey-Headed Gull

Chroiocephalus cirrocephalus

NDJ

Cream-Coloured Courser

Cursorius cursor

A

Gull-Billed Tern

Gelochelidon nilotica

NDJ

Collared Pratincole

Glareola pratincole

ZNP

Black-Winged Stilt

Himantopus Himantopus

ZNP

Eurasian Curlew

Numenius arquata

ZNP

Egyptian Plover

Recurvirostra avosetta

ZNP

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropus

ZNP

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareola

NDJ, ZNP

Common Greenshank

Tringa nebularia

NDJ, ZNP

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropus

ZNP

Marsh Sandpiper

Tringa stagnatilis

NDJ, ZNP

Common Buttonquail

Turnix sylvaticus

OROA

Wattled Lapwing

Vanellus senegallus

ZNP

Spur-Winged Lapwing

Vanellus spinosus

NDJ, ZNP

Black-Headed Lapwing

Vanellus tectus

NDJ, ZNP, A

Ciconiiformes – 6 species

African Openbill

Anastomus lamelligerus

NDJ, ZNP

White Stork

Ciconia ciconia

ZNP

African Woollyneck

Ciconia microscelis

ZNP

Saddlebill

Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis

ZNP

Marabou

Leptoptilos crumenifer

NDJ, ZNP

Yellow-Billed Stork

Mycteria ibis

NDJ, ZNP

Coliiformes – 1 species

Blue-Naped Mousebird

Urocolius macrourus

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Columbiformes – 10 species

Speckled Pigeon

Columba guinea

NDJ, E, OROA, AS, ZNP, B, A

Rock Dove

Columba livia

E

Namaqua Dove

Oena capensis

E, OROA, AS, ZNP, B, A

Laughing Dove

Spilopelia senegalensis

E, OROA, AS, ZNP, B, A

Mourning Collared Dove

Streptopelia decipiens

ZNP

African Collared Dove

Streptopelia roseogrisea

E, OROA, B, A

Red-Eyed Dove

Streptopelia semitorquata

ZNP, B

Vinaceous Dove

Streptopelia vinacea

ZNP, B

Black-Billed Wood Dove

Turtur abyssinicus

ZNP, B

Bruce’s Green Pigeon

Treron waalia

ZNP

Coraciiformes – 13 species

Pied Kingfisher

Ceryle rudis

NDJ, ZNP

Abyssinian Roller

Coracias abyssinicus

OROA, ZNP, B, A

Malachite Kingfisher

Corythornis cristatus

ZNP

Striped Kingfisher

Halcyon chelicuti

ZNP

Grey-Headed Kingfisher

Halcyon leucocephala

ZNP

Giant Kingfisher

Megaceryle maxima

ZNP

White-Throated Bee-Eater

Merops albicollis

ZNP

European Bee-Eater

Merops apiaster

ZNP

Red-Throated Bee-Eater

Merops bulocki

ZNP

Northern Carmine Bee-Eater

Merops nubicus

ZNP

Blue-Cheeked Bee-Eater

Merops persicus

ZNP

Little Bee-Eater

Merops pusillus

NDJ, ZNP

African Green Bee-Eater

Merops viridissimus

OROA, ZNP, B, A

Cuculiformes – 2 species

Senegal Coucal

Centropus senegalensis

NDJ, ZNP

Great Spotted Cuckoo

Clamator glandarius

ZNP

Falconiformes – 8 species

Fox Kestrel

Falco alopex

B

Grey Kestrel

Falco ardosiaceus

ZNP

Lanner Falcon

Falco biarmicus

E, OROA, ZNP, B

African Hobby

Falco cuvierii

E

Lesser Kestrel

Falco naumanni

B

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

E

Red-Necked Falcon

Falco ruficollis

ZNP

Common Kestrel

Falco tinninculus

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Galliformes – 4 species

Common Quail

Coturnix coturnix

OROA

Helmeted Guineafowl

Numida meleagris

E, ZNP, A

Clapperton’s Francolin

Pternistis clappertoni

ZNP, A

Stone Partridge

Ptilopachus petrosus

B, A

Gruiformes – 1 species

Black-Crowned Crane

Balearica pavonina

ZNP, B

Musophagiformes – 1 species

Western Grey Plantain-Eater

Crinifer piscator

ZNP

Otidiformes – 3 species

Arabian Bustard

Ardeotis arabs

OROA

Black-Bellied Bustard

Lissotis melanogaster

ZNP

Nubian Bustard

Neotis nuba

OROA

Passeriformes –  121 species

Common Reed Warbler

Acrocephalus scirpaceus

NDJ

Pale Flycatcher

Agricola pallidus

A

Greater Hoopoe-Lark

Alaemon alaudipes

OROA, A

Cut-Throat Finch

Amandina fasciata

OROA, ZNP

Bar-Tailed Lark

Ammomanes cinctura

A

Desert Lark

Ammomanes deserti

E

Sennar Penduline Tit

Anthoscopus punctifrons

A

Tawny Pipit

Anthus campestris

OROA

Red-Throated Pipit

Anthus cervinus

ZNP

Fulvous Babbler

Argya fulva

E, OROA, A

Grey-Headed Batis

Batis orientalis

B

White-Billed Buffalo Weaver

Bubalornis albirostris

NDJ, OROA, AS, A

Trumpeter Finch

Bucanetes githagineus

E

Yellow-Billed Oxpecker

Buphagus africanus

ZNP

Greater Short-Toed Lark

Calandrella brachydactyla

OROA

Grey-Backed Camaroptera

Camaroptera brevicaudata

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Red-Shouldered Cuckooshrike

Campephaga phoenicea

ZNP

Rufous-Tailed Scrub-Robin

Cercotrichas galactotes

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Black Scrub-Robin

Cercotrichas podobe

NDJ, E, OROA, AS, B, A

Scarlet-Chested Sunbird

Chalcomitra senegalensis

ZNP

Sulphur-Breasted Bush-Shrike

Chlorophoenus sulfureopectus

ZNP

Violet-Backed Starling

Cinnyricinclus leucogaster

ZNP

Beautiful Sunbird

Cinnyris pulchellus

ZNP

Desert Cisticola

Cisticola aridulus

OROA

Singing Cisticola

Cisticola cantans

ZNP

Zitting Cisticola

Cisticola juncidis

ZNP

Red-Pate Cisticola

Cisticola ruficeps

NDJ, B

Pied Crow

Corvus albus

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Fan-Tailed Raven

Corvus rhipidurus

E, B

Brown-Necked Raven

Corvus ruficollis

E, OROA, AS, B, A

Snowy-Crowned Robin-Chat

Cossypha niveicapilla

B

White-Rumped Seedeater

Crithagra leucopygia

E, OROA, AS, A

Subalpine Warbler

Curruca cantillans

E, A

Common Whitethroat

Curruca communis

NDJ, E, AS

Lesser Whitethroat

Curruca curruca

E, OROA, ZNP

Rueppell’s Warbler

Curruca rueppelli

E

Common House Martin

Delichon urbicum

ZNP

Fork-Tailed Drongo

Dicrurus adsimilis

ZNP

Glossy-Backed Drongo

Dicrurus divaricatus

ZNP

Northern Puffback

Dryoscopus gambensis

ZNP

Golden-breasted Bunting

Emberiza flaviventris

ZNP, B

Gosling's Bunting

Emberiza goslingi

B

House Bunting

Emberiza sahari

E

Dunn's Lark

Eremalauda dunni

OROA

Green-backed Eremomela

Eremomela canescens

ZNP

Yellow-bellied Eremomela

Eremomela icteropygialis

AS

Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark

Eremopterix leucotis

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark

Eremopterix nigriceps

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Black-rumped Waxbill

Estrilda troglodytes

ZNP

African Silverbill

Euodice cantans

OROA

Northern Red Bishop

Euplectes franciscanus

B

Crested Lark

Galerida cristata

OROA, AS, A

Sahel Bush-Sparrow

Gymnoris dentata

ZNP

Pygmy Sunbird

Hedydipna platura

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Icterine Warbler

Hippolais icterina

ZNP

Melodious Warbler

Hippolais polyglotta

ZNP

Ethiopian Swallow

Hirundo aethiopica

OROA, ZNP

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler

Iduna pallida

B

Red-Billed Firefinch

Lagonosticta senegala

NDJ, ZNP

Long-Tailed Glossy Starling

Lamprotornis caudatus

ZNP, B

Greater Blue-Eared Starling

Lamprotornis chalybaeus

ZNP, B

Lesser Blue-Eared Starling

Lamprotornis chloropterus

ZNP

Chestnut-Bellied Starling

Lamprotornis pulcher

NDJ, E, OROA, AS, B, A

Purple Glossy Starling

Lamprotornis purpureus

ZNP

Black-Headed Gonolek

Laniarius erythrogaster

ZNP

Great Grey Shrike

Lanius excubitor

E, OROA

Grey-Backed Fiscal

Lanius excubitoroides

ZNP

Masked Shrike

Lanius nubicus

ZNP, B

Woodchat Shrike

Lanius senator

ZNP

Northern Black Flycatcher

Melaenornis edolioides

A

Horsfield’s Bush Lark

Mirafra javanica

OROA, AS

Common Rock Thrush

Monticola saxatilis

OROA

African Pied Wagtail

Motacilla aguimp

ZNP

White Wagtail

Motacilla alba

ZNP

Western Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla flava

E, ZNP

Spotted Flycatcher

Muscicapa striata

ZNP

Northern Anteater Chat

Myrmecocichla aethiopis

ZNP

Brubru

Nilaus afer

ZNP

White-Fronted Black Chat

Oenanthe albifrons

AS, A

Desert Wheatear

Oenanthe deserti

E

Isabelline Wheatear

Oenanthe isabelline

OROA

White-Crowned Wheatear

Oenanthe leucopyga

E

Eastern Black-Eared Wheatear

Oenanthe melanoleuca

OROA, AS, A

Blackstart

Oenanthe melanura

E

Northern Wheatear

Oenanthe oenanthe

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Brown-Tailed Rock Chat

Oenanthe scotocerca

B

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Northern Grey-Headed Sparrow

Passer griseus

ZNP, B

Sudan Golden Sparrow

Passer luteus

E, OROA, AS, A, B

Desert Sparrow

Passer simplex

E

Common Redstart

Phoenicurus phoenicurus

ZNP, B

Buff-Bellied Warbler

Pyllolais pulchella

ZNP

Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler

Phylloscopus orientalis

AS

Willow Warbler

Phylloscopus trochilus

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Chestnut-Crowned Sparrow-Weaver

Plocepasser superciliosus

B

Village Weaver

Ploceus cucullatus

NDJ, ZNP

Little Weaver

Ploceus luteolus

ZNP

Vitelline Masked Weaver

Ploceus vitellinus

ZNP

River Prinia

Prinia fluviatilis

NDJ

Tawny-Flanked Prinia

Prinia subflava

ZNP

White-Crested Helmetshrike

Prionops plumatus

ZNP

Piapiac

Ptilostomus afer

NDJ, ZNP

Rock Martin

Ptyonoprogne fuligula

B

Pale Rock Martin

Ptyonoprogne obsoleta

E

Common Bulbul

Pycnonotus barbatus

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Green-Winged Pytilia

Pytilia melba

OROA, ZNP

Red-Billed Quelea

Quelea quelea

NDJ, E, OROA, ZNP, AS, B, A

Bronze Mannikin

Spermestes cucullate

NDJ, AS, A

Cricket Warbler

Spiloptila clamans

E, OROA, AS, A

Speckle-Fronted Weaver

Sporopipes frontalis

OROA, ZNP, B

Northern Crombec

Sylvietta brachyura

ZNP

Black-Crowned Tchagra

Tchagra senegalus

ZNP, B

African Paradise-Flycatcher

Terpsiphone viridis

ZNP

Brown Babbler

Turdoides plebejus

ZNP

African Thrush

Turdus pelios

ZNP

Red-Cheeked Cordon-Bleu

Uraeginthus benegalus

NDJ, ZNP

Village Indigobird

Vidua chalybeata

ZNP

Pin-Tailed Whydah

Vidua macroura

ZNP

Sahel Paradise-Whydah

Vidua orientalis

OROA, ZNP, B

Northern Yellow White-Eye

Zosterops senegalensis

ZNP

Pelecaniiformes – 19 species

Great White Egret

Ardea alba

NDJ, ZNP

Intermediate Egret

Ardea brachyrhyncha

ZNP

Grey Heron

Ardea cinerea

NDJ, ZNP

Goliath Heron

Ardea goliath

ZNP

Black-Headed Heron

Ardea melanocephala

NDJ, ZNP

Purple Heron

Ardea purpurea

ZNP

Squacco Heron

Ardeola ralloides

ZNP

Hadada Ibis

Bostrychia hagedash

ZNP

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibis

NDJ, ZNP

Green-Backed Heron

Butorides striata

ZNP

Black Heron

Egretta ardesiaca

ZNP

Little Egret

Egretta garzetta

ZNP

Black-Crowned Night-Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

ZNP

Great White Pelican

Pelecanus onocrotalus

ZNP

Pink-Backed Pelican

Pelecanus rufescens

ZNP

African Spoonbill

Platalea alba

ZNP

Glossy Ibis

Plegadis falcinellus

ZNP

Hamerkop

Scopus umbretta

NDJ, ZNP

African Sacred Ibis

Threskiornis aethiopicus

NDJ, ZNP

Piciformes – 10 species

Fine-Spotted Woodpecker

Campethera punctuligera

ZNP

Brown-Backed Woodpecker

Dendropicos obsoletus

ZNP

Greater Honeyguide

Indicator indicator

ZNP

Lesser Honeyguiide

Indicator minor

ZNP

White-Headed Barbet

Lybius leucocephalus

ZNP

Black-Breasted Barbet

Lybius rolleti

ZNP, B

Vieillot’s Barbet

Lybius vieilloti

ZNP, B

Grey Woodpecker

Mesopicos goertae

ZNP

Yellow-Fronted Tinkerbird

Pogoniulus chrysoconus

ZNP

Yellow-Breasted Barbet

Trachyphonus margaritatus

OROA, A

Psittaciiformes – 2 species

Meyer’s Parrot

Poicephalus meyeri

ZNP, B

Rose-Ringed Parakeet

Psittacula kramieri

ZNP, B

Pterocliformes – 2 species

Chestnut-Bellied Sandgrouse

Pterocles exustus

B

Four-Banded Sandgrouse

Pterocles quadricinctus

ZNP

Strigiformes – 9 species

Short-Eared Owl

Asio flammeus

OROA

Little Owl

Athene noctua

E

Pharaoh Eagle-Owl

Bubo ascalaphus

E, OROA

Greyish Eagle-Owl

Bubo cinerascens

ZNP

Pearl-Spotted Owlet

Glaucidium perlatum

ZNP

Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl

Ketupa lactea

ZNP

African Scops Owl

Otus senegalensis

OROA, ZNP

Northern White-Faced Owl

Ptilopsis leucotis

OROA

Common Barn-Owl

Tyto alba

OROA, B

Struthioniformes – 1 species

Common Ostrich

Struthio camelus

E, OROA, ZNP

Suliformes – 3 species

African Darter

Anhinga rufa

ZNP

Reed Cormorant

Microcarbo africanus

NDJ, ZNP

White-Breasted Cormorant

Phalacrocorax lucidus

NDJ

*A - Abeche, AS - Aardvark Site, B - Bokoro, E - Ennedi, NDJ - N'Djamena, OROA - Ouadi-Rime, ZNP - Zakouma NP

Posted

thank you for such a detailed report. 294 birds is still impressive for a less-birding focused trip!  

Posted

Great report and a very successful trip, judged using the metric of how often I was jealous I wasn’t there. It was a treat to read, especially with the spectacular photos from Dan and Jon to help keep us engaged. Sounds like a good time to go and the occasional comparisons with the previous trip were really interesting. 

 

 

  • 4 weeks later...
michael-ibk
Posted

Thanks for me too - Zakouma is such a special place, and your report totally transported me back to that magic. Would love to see the wonders of Ennedi myself one day. A great trip report, one of my very favourites.

Posted

I'm a bit late catching up with this Tom but its been well worth it and thanks so much for posting.  I'm wondering why you didn't make your "elephant searching day" a full day one - when we went we were only successful in our "mission" at dusk, having been given the "right royal run-around" for most of the day!  As @michael-ibkhas already said, Ennedi looks amazing - one day!!

  • 1 month later...
Posted

@Pictus SafarisTom, logging in after much too long - have been riveted to your report & read it in one fell swoop. It is wonderful to see you focus in on Ouadi Rimé - my own little detour there was sadly not long enough, but I am delighted to see the ‘onion skin’ being peeled back bit by bit by the groups determined to see what all it offers :)What a wonderful trip you had overall & what a great report! Thank you for sharing.

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