Awash Falls National Park, Ethiopia

Awash Falls National Park, Ethiopia

25 January 2014

    I am coming to the end of posting about my January trip to Ethiopia - just a couple of days left, but it certainly was a journey to remember in ways good and bad.

    Rüpell's Starling Lamprotornis purpuroptera was quite common in this area, but was always a delight to see. For someone used to seeing only Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris on a regular basis, African starlings are really quite incredible.

    On an early morning walk we located this pair of Tawny Eagles Aquila rapax nesting on a transmission tower.

    Nile Crocodiles Crocodylus niloticus were not uncommon in lakes and rivers throughout Ethiopia and this individual was basking on a rock.

    Awash Falls National Park contained a good variety of bustard species, none more spectacular than Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori. Northern Carmine Bee-eaters Merops nubicus often flycatch from the backs  of Kori Bustard and I was dearly hoping to witness this behaviour; unfortunately it didn't happen.

    A drop of water in an arid area becomes a magnet for birds and the holding pond at the lodge was no exception. This Shining Sunbird Cinnyris habessinicus  appears to be in advanced moult and was anxious to take advantage of a source of water.

    Swainson's Sparrow Passer swainsonii was a very common bird, and this individual was also quick to drink.

    Numerous species of weaver provided great interest; this Rüppell's Weaver Ploceus galbula was no exception.

    Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata was sighted relatively infrequently and the presence of water certainly enabled us to have prolonged views as it waited its turn.

    The plains at Awash National Park provided ideal habitat for a variety of bustards and we were very fortunate to see several White-bellied Bustards Eupodotis senegalensis.

    At the end of a dedicated day of birding we all joined together for dinner as the sun set.

Northern Carmine Bee-eater

Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus

Awash Falls National Park, Ethiopia

23 January 2014

    Surely one of the most beautiful birds in all the world, I found Carmine Bee-eater to be one of the most memorable species I have ever seen. Gregarious and confiding, they seemed not to be at all affected by our presence and we were thrilled at the large numbers we saw. I think I would have been quite happy to have simply watched them all day!

Awash Falls National Park

Awash Falls National Park, Ethiopia

23 January 2014

    There were huge numbers of Abdim's Stork Ciconia abdimii in appropriate habitat at Awash Falls National Park, often in close association with African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus and Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca.

   They were prone to flush at the slightest provocation, usually undetected by us.

Abdim's Storks in flight

Abdim's Storks in flight

African Sacred Ibis with Egyptian Goose

   

Abdim's Stork with Africa Sacred Ibis

    We saw Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops quite frequently although rarely in a position for a decent photograph.

Abyssinian Roller

Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinicus

Awash Falls National Park, Ethiopia

23 January 2014

        Rollers as a group are nothing short of spectacular, but I am inclined to think that the Abyssinian Roller is perhaps the most stunning of all. Whenever I saw one with the sun glistening off its plumage it simply took my breath away. In this area they were reasonably common so we had lots of opportunities to revel in their beauty. 

      Their usual habitat is dry woodland with well spaced trees, but they take readily to human settlements and are not particularly shy. They will nest on buildings and tolerate pets, humans and vehicles.