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.

Alleghedi Plains, Ethiopia

Alleghedi Plains, Ethiopia

24 January 2014

    A journey across the Alleghedi Plains was very productive in terms of birds, not only in the variety of species but in the sheer numbers of some of them.

    This Eastern Chanting Goshawk Melierax poliopterus was one of several sighted; always eliciting appreciative comments. Chanting Goshawks in general are among the most beautiful of raptors it seems to me, and one is always impressed by the elegance of their form.

    This tree full of Ring-necked Doves Streptopelia capicola was not far away from the Eastern Chanting Goshawk, and since small game birds such as doves are known to form a significant part of this raptor's diet, I wondered whether it was waiting for an opportunity to strike.

    Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris were quite common and small coveys were frequently seen ambling across the grassland.

    Nile Valley Sunbird Hedydipna metallica is quite range-restricted and this was the only area where, and the only day when, we saw this beautiful species. It took us a while to find our first bird, after that we succeeded in seeing several.

    This was also our only location for Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus, but it was quick to fly off and I was only able to get this picture from behind.

    Although I have covered Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus in a previous post, this gorgeous species deserves another mention, especially as it rests here in a tree filled with Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica.

    We found this stick insect and although I have no idea what it is called (if anyone knows please let me know), but it seems incredible to me that all of its brain functions could be contained in so fragile a body. There is hardly any mass to it at all.

    White-bellied Bustard Eupodotis senegalensis was hardly common, and was able to conceal itself in the grass very successfully but we did manage to see a few of them.

    Abyssinian Roller Coracius abyssinicus, stunningly beautiful, was fairly common, but always appreciated.

    The odd-looking Senegal Thick-knee Burhinus senegalensis was generally found in close proximity to water, but its cryptic colouration often made it hard to spot.