Over the course of our African holiday, Jayne and I managed to spot 12 species of plover, wader and Thick-knee. The majority, as expected, were around the areas of Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha, but some were by the side of the roads, and included 8 species we'd never seen before.
The most common bird seen was the Crowned Lapwing. They were seen across most of the Maasai Mara, as well as, along most of the roads in Kenya.
Spur-winged Plover was another common bird, the first one being seen on our first drive in the Mara. It appeared to be nesting on the side of a lake where we were watching our first wild Hippopotamuses.
Arriving at Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha saw an upturn in the numbers of wading birds (obviously!), with the following seen: Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Common Sandpiper, and two new species, Kittlitz's Plover and Blacksmith Plover.
The last 2 species of wader seen were spotted in our second week, on Zanzibar. The first species: Water Thick-knee, was heard (first) and later identified, from our balcony, in the grounds of our hotel! Related to "our" Stone Curlews, it has a very similar appearance, but, unfortunately, its nocturnal habits meant that I only managed poor views, and even poorer photos, which I won't bother you with!! Here's a link instead.
The final species seen, also on Zanzibar, was Whimbrel. One bird was spotted feeding in an estuary close to the hotel.
