It took me while to process all the hundreds of images I took during the recent Rockjumper Birding tour I led in Tanzania. Eventually I caught up with the backlog. In the next few days I will post here about the fantastic trip.
In the first two days of the tour we did day-trips out of Arusha. The first day was spent in the semi-arid zone north of Arusha, in the rain-shadow of Mt. Meru, near the town of Oldonyo-Sambu. The first drive out of Arusha was very exciting - all birds were new to my clients. We did stop for many roadside birds, including quality birds like Abyssinian Wheatear and White-fronted Bee-eater.
We arrived in good time to the Lark Plains, where we were greeted by our local hosts, the Maasai caretakers of the Critically Endangered Beesley's Lark.
The landscape is unique, kept clear of shrubs thanks to the Maasai herds grazing there:
Quickly we connected with our target bird - the Beesley's Lark. With a global population estimated at 60 birds, it was a real privilege to spend quality time with nine (!) individuals. They showed very well, down to few meters - shame that the light was very harsh. It was fascinating to watch the larks associating with the herd and the herders.
Other cool birds seen on the plains were Somali Short-toed Lark, Temminck's Coursers, and Red-fronted Prinia. It was especially sweet to find this nest of a Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse - we left it in peace very quickly.
We continued to bird that area, and checked the nearby Engikaret Woodland, where we also had our picnic lunch. Quality birds in that area included Scaly Chatterer, Somali Bunting, African Bare-eyed Thrush, Fischer's Starlings and many more.
Fischer's Starling
Somali Bunting
In the afternoon we went for a stroll outside our accommodation, towards Arusha Gulley. The scenery was stunning and we enjoyed nice views of Brown-chested Barbet and Peter's Twinspot.
Peters's Twinspot
Brown-chested Barbet - who on earth named this red-headed bird 'brown-chested'?!?
What a wonderful first day! The second day was spent in Arusha NP - it was equally thrilling! Of course, we couldn't drive into the national park without stopping en route. One main target was the endemic Taveta Golden-Weaver, which we saw very well at Kiboko Lodge. Other cool birds we saw before entering the NP were Mountain Wagtail, Lesser Moorhen and African Green Pigeon.
Taveta Golden-Weaver
Arusha NP was incredible. It was our first taste of safari birding, with large herds of mammals and lots of birds. We had Palm-nut Vultures, African Cuckoo and African Stonechat as we birded our way up the slope of Mt. Meru.
The high-elevation forest gods were kind to us - quality birds kept coming. The list of species seen around the famous Fig Arch included Hartlaub's Turacos, Bar-tailed Trogons, White-eared Barbet, Kilimanjaro White-eye, White-starred Robin, Black-headed Mountain and Stripe-cheeked Greenbuls - simply wow.
Hartlaub's Turaco
Bar-tailed Trogon
Black-headed Mountain Greenbul
The closest we got to see the cloud-covered Kilimanjaro was Kilimanjaro White-eye (endemic)
Mantled Guereza
Picnic lunch at Fig Arch
Before leaving the national park we checked Momela Lakes that were full of waterbirds - many flamingos, ducks, shorebirds etc.
Greater and Lesser Flamingos (and Plain Martins, Black-winged Stilt, Little Grebe and Cape Teal)
Southern Pochards and Cape Teals
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