Maasai Mara Birds - Part 2

 In addition to the birds already listed, we managed to see many other species whilst in the Maasai Mara. Here are a list of them, with a few photos: Abyssinian Thrush, Pied Crow, Baglafecht Weaver (seen in the hotel grounds in Nairobi)  White-eyed Slatey Flycatcher, Streaky Seedeater, Cape Crow, Long-tailed Fiscal, Ruppel's Starling, Lesser-striped Swallow, Hildebrandt's Starling and Variable Sunbird (seen enroute, in the Rift Valley).

Ruppel's Starling

On arrival at the Sopa Lodge, Maasai Mara, we added a few more species: Cardinal Woodpecker, Red-eyed Dove, Little Swift (nesting) and a possible Amethyst Sunbird.

That evening's game drive added: Common Bulbul, Ring-necked Dove, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Little Bee-eater, Helmeted Guineafowl and Ostrich.

Little Bee eaters

Ostrich

The next day, we added: Tropical Boubou, Plain Martin, Grey-backed Fiscal, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Common/Fork-tailed Drongo, Red-necked Spurfowl, Wattled Starling, Village Weaver, Barn Swallow, Sooty Chat and African Pipit.

Red-necked Spurfowl

Yellow-throated Sandgrouse

African Birds - Storks, Egrets, Ibises and Herons

Whilst in Kenya, Jayne and I managed to see many different storks and herons.

The first species we saw was the Saddle-billed Stork (seen on our first drive in the Maasai Mara). Hamerkop, Secretary Bird and Black Heron were also seen in the Maasai Mara.

Saddle-billed Stork

Yellow-billed Storks were first spotted nesting, en-route to Lake Nakuru.

Yellow-billed Stork

One of the most common birds were saw was the African Sacred Ibis, the first ones flying over the hotel in Nairobi! We also had many birds at Lake Naivasha.

African Sacred Ibis, Lake Naivasha

Two other species of Ibis were also seen: Hadada and Glossy.

Hadada Ibis

African Openbill and African Spoonbill were also seen at Lake Naivasha, along with Little, Squacco and Great (White) Egrets. Black-headed Heron was spotted at Lake Nakuru.

African Openbill, Grey Heron, Little Egret and Yellow-billed Stork

African Spoonbill

Cattle Egrets were plentiful, especially around the larger mammals, such as African Elephants and Cape Buffalo.

Cattle Egret at Amboseli

Maasai Mara Birds - Part 1

Where do I begin? In the 2 days in the Maasai Mara, we saw 50+ species of bird, pretty much all of them lifers! I can't list them all here, but I've included a few photos of my favourite species.

One bird that I have to include is the Superb Starling. It's one of the most obvious, common and stunning birds that you see on a trip to Kenya. They're everywhere!! We saw them pretty much everyday, including just along the roads as we were driving. Very impressive birds.

Superb Starling

Another bird that must get a mention is the national bird of Kenya - the Grey Crowned Crane. We saw this species a few times on the Mara, including once when we saw a pair with a chick.

Grey Crowned Crane (adult and juvenile)

The bird with the best name must be the Bare-faced Go-away Bird! We were lucky enough to see one that landed right next to the jeep on our first drive.

Bare-faced Go-away Bird

Other species seen included: African Pied Wagtail, Lilac-breasted Roller and the superb White-browed Robin Chat (seen coming out of the toilet in a roadside services!!).

African Pied Wagtail

Lilac-breasted Roller

White-browed Robin Chat

The final bird for this post is the Marabou Stork. This is another iconic species of the African plains, and one we saw on all our drives in the Mara. Not the most attractive species (!), but one that plays an important role in keeping the environment clean and healthy.

Marabou Stork

Maasai Mara - Part 2

On day 2 of our time in the Maasai Mara, we spent the entire day out on safari (7.30am - 5.00pm). We saw all the usual suspects (see previous post), and also added the following species: Coke's Hartbeest, Cheetah, Warthog, Nile Crocodile (on the Mara River) and Vervet Monkey. 

Cheetah

Nile Crocodile

Warthog

Vervet Monkey (taken at Lake Nakuru)