Gunung Gede Part 2

Other more common but no less exciting species were numerous here and we also saw Fire-tufted Barbet, Blue Nuthatch, Black-winged Flycatcher-Shrike, Olive-backed Tailorbird, Sunda and Yellow-bellied Warbler, Mountain Leaf-warbler, and even more Eye-browed Wren-babblers, Pygmy Cupwing and Lesser Shortwings. 

Sunda Warbler is a common bird of higher elevations

Later in the day we also had a few more widely recorded species such as Black Eagle, Black-naped Fruit-Dove, Cinereous Tit, Grey-cheeked Bulbul, Ashy Drongo, Mountain Tailorbird, Siberian Thrush, and a trio of Snowy-browed, Pale Blue and Little Pied Flycatchers.

Mountain Leaf-warbler is another common species

Sunda Whistling-thrush

Our last full day saw us heading out into the lovely sunshine later than normal and we birded the Cibodas Botanical Gardens in pursuit of another couple of endemics. We did well with a flock of Yellow-throated Hanging-Parrots feeding on a flowering tree and as we were watching them a flock of Pygmy Tits passed by right in front of us. Our first decent look at Indigo Flycatchers were also much appreciated, and we also had Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, another Javan Kingfisher and lots of previously seen species. We then spent the rest of the day on the mountain, taking lunch at the waterfall and getting nice views of many preciously seen species. A Rusty-breasted Cuckoo looked nice in the scope, and we heard a Brown-throated Barbet but that would have to wait for a day or two….. An early finish to rest our aching limbs after walking up and down the rocky path was much appreciated this evening I can tell you....!

Gunung Gede, West Java Part 1

Am currently half way through a West Java and Sumatra tour and this is the first internet connection we have had so far. Things have gone well so far and the bonus is there has hardly been any rain at all! So here's the first report from the first birding site at Gunung Gede.......

Following a long flight via Dubai we eventually arrived in Jakarta on the evening of the second day and stayed at a very nice airport hotel for the night. The following morning we had a leisurely breakfast before setting out on the 3 hour drive to Gunung Gede, stopping at a rest area along the highway where Scarlet-headed Flowerpecker, Javan Munia, Oriental White-eye and Spot-breasted Woodpecker were seen. After lunch at the hotel we drove the short distance into the hills and had decent scope views of the endemic Javan Kingfisher after a bit of a run-around. 

Javan Kingfisher - distant record shot

A short distance along one of the many trails here resulted in close Lesser Shortwing, Pygmy Cupwing and cracking close-ups of an Eye-browed Wren-babbler. As it became dark we had a pair of Salvadori’s Nightjars perching on a bare branch overhead, but rather disappointingly Javan Frogmouth and Sunda Scops-owl were only heard – but we’d see those soon enough!

Pygmy Cupwing

Our first full day here began with a Javan Frogmouth in the spotlight as we headed back up the mountain. The trail is rocky and uneven all the way but it was dry and sunny again which made things easier. 

Trilling Shrike-Babbler

Javan Tesia - endemic of the mountains in Java

Pied Shrike-babbler (female)

Pied Shrike-babbler (male)

Rufous-tailed Fantail - endemic of higher elevations

In fact it was a great day with numerous flocks encountered and we found most of the key endemics and other goodies starting with Sunda Whistling-thrush, followed by Javan Owlet, Flame-fronted Barbet, Orange-spotted and Javan Bulbuls, Javan Tesia, Javan (Chestnut-backed) Scimitar-babbler, Crescent-chested and White-bibbed Babbler, Pied and Trilling Shrike-babblers, Javan Fulvetta, Sunda Blue Robin, White-flanked Sunbird, Blood-breasted Flowerpecker, Javan Grey-throated White-eye, and a heard only Javan Cochoa. 

Awash - The End

Our last day in Ethiopia began with a Black-backed Jackal beside the road as we drove towards Awash NP again. Once inside we drove to the savanna and cruised slowly along, making our first stop when a lark flew up beside us. After a bit of a chase it turned out to be a Gillett’s Lark and it showed quite nicely in the scope. In the same area Lee spotted a pair of Heuglin’s Coursers and a little later, another appeared nearby. Moving on we were suddenly confronted by a Kori Bustard, resplendent with a couple of Northern Carmine Bee-eaters riding on its back – just like on the pictures I’ve drooled over and  couldn’t believe our good fortune. 

Kori Bustard and chums

Amazing photo opportunities and a privilege to witness this amazing spectacle. Nearby, we scored with Singing Bushlark and Red-winged Lark at the same spot, and we followed that up with a European Roller, Abyssinian Scimitarbill, and more carmine’s before driving to Awash Falls Lodge for lunch. And boy was it hot – probably over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Unfortunately it was time to leave and we drove back to Addis Ababa, stopping along the road and seeing Chestnut-headed Sparrow-weaver, Striolated Bunting and Green-winged Pytilia. And that’s a wrap.

Awash

Headed to the Bilen Lodge area of Awash NP and along the bumpy, rocky track scored quickly with several Nile Valley Sunbirds and a Rufous Bushchat – both new species for the trip. 

Three-banded Plover

There was also Cardinal Woodpecker, Black-throated Barbet, Turkestan Shrike, and other common birds. At a small pool there were a few Little and Temminck’s Stints, Wood Sandpiper, Black-headed Wagtail and best of all, a pair of Three-banded Plovers. 

Yellow-breasted Barbet

Nearby we had a couple pairs of Yellow-breasted Barbets showing well, an incredible bird and one I wasn’t expecting for some reason. Overhead we had lots of Montagu’s and a few Pallid Harriers, Brown Snake-Eagle and flocks of Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse. Leaving here we drove to the Aladeghe Plain and I think we left it a bit too late as it was 10.30am and the heat haze was really bad, but it was an enjoyable time as there was an invasion of locusts being predated on by 500+ Lesser Kestrels, as well as flocks of Marabou and White Storks, and a few Woolly-necked Storks. 

Arabian Bustard

We drove quite a way across the grassland and eventually found a single Arabian Bustard about 300m away, so we quietly walked towards it and had great views through the scope. This is a much-wanted bird for everyone and a contender for bird of the trip. A Steppe Grey Shrike was also skulking in the shade of a small acacia, at another tree a flock of Red-billed Quelea were seen and our only Black-headed Plover of the tour as well.

Beisa Oryx

So by now it was getting well over 100 fahrenheit so we returned to the hotel for a cold drink, lunch and a siesta before heading back into the park. As usual here it was pretty quiet but we managed to find 4 Senegal Thick-knees along the river, a group of Blue-naped Mousebirds, White-bellied Go-Away-Bird, and Eastern Grey Plantain-Eater. On the drive out we saw Crested Francolin, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, and a flock of Helmetted Guineafowl. Non avian interest today was quite high with Olive Baboon, Gerenuk, Soemmering’s Gazelle, Dikdik, Lesser Kudu and a Golden Jackal which was being mobbed by a couple of Steppe Eagles who were after the rodent he had just caught.