UGANDA - HEADING TO KIBALE

We left our guest house early doors and began on the long drive towards Kibale. We had a lot of birds to find today and a lot of stops to make beginning at a roadside papyrus swamp where a Papyrus Gonolek duly performed rather well. 

Papyrus Gonolek

The same cannot be said of White-winged Swamp Warbler that we only heard here and at the next couple of papyrus swamps. But at this first swamp we also had Spur-winged Goose, Reed Cormorant, Blue-headed Coucal and the common Angola Swallow. Continuing on our journey, Paul (our guide) stopped at another roadside location with a line of large trees where several Black-and-white Casqued Hornbills were flying around and showing rather well. 

Black-and-white Casqued Hornbills

The first of several African Grey Parrots was next up, but despite my love of this species, it just couldn’t compete with a nearby Bat Hawk perched right next to us! A Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike, Broad-billed Roller, pair of Ross’s Turacos, Great Blue Turaco, Olive and Olive-bellied Sunbird were also seen at the same spot. 

African Grey Parrot

Bat Hawk

Ross's Turaco

Driving on we saw Ruppell’s Starling, Meyer’s Parrot & Northern Fiscal, before trying another marsh for White-winged Warblerwithout any luck. So we continued driving and stopped for lunch around 12.30. Whilst eating our picnic lunch we saw Tropical Boubou, Bronze Mannikin, Pin-tailed Whydah, Grey-headed Sparrow, Double-toothed Barbet, Yellow-fronted Canary and Copper Sunbird. 

White-collared Oliveback

A couple of hours later we reached some remnant forest close to Kibale, where we saw Buff-throated Apalis, Bocage’s Bush-Shrike, Cassin’s Flycatcher, Mountain Wagtail, and then drove to Fort Portal Marsh. Unbelievably, Paul found us a White-collared Oliveback we thoroughly enjoyed ticking! There was also Black-headed, Village and Northern Brown-throated Weavers, Vieillot’s Black Weaver and a flock of Black-crowned Waxbills. 

Black-headed Weaver

Northern Brown-throated Weaver

Moving on into Kibale Forest, we quickly notched up Sooty Flycatcher, Grey-throated Flycatcher and White-breasted Negrita before driving a further 20 minutes to our next lodge, arriving at 7.15pm. As we were checking-in a Black-shouldered Nightjar began calling and we briefly saw 2 of them on the roof before spotlighting them flying around the gardens and then seeing one perched on the dirt track outside the lodge.