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The following largely unconfirmed records have appeared in recent Bulletins of the African Bird Club and are for information only.

The following records are from November 2005 - May 2006 unless otherwise stated. Four Dimorphic Egrets Egretta dimorpha were at Nakuru National Park (=NP) on 26 November. At Lake Jipe, 150 Black Herons E. ardesiaca were counted on 31 January. An early Madagascar Squacco Heron Ardeola idae was seen in Nairobi NP on 1 May. A Common Teal Anas crecca was observed in Nairobi NP on 12 December, with two at Naivasha on 5 May. An adult African Cuckoo Hawk Aviceda cuculoides was in Nairobi NP on 6 November; this is an unusual species around Nairobi. Single Beaudouin's Snake Eagles Circaetus beaudouni were observed at Mungatsi, on the Mumias-Busia road, on 21 January, and at Madende Creek on 2 February. Other raptor records include an adult and an immature Ovambo Sparrowhawk Accipiter ovampensis photographed on the Masai Mara escarpment on 28 November, a Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk A. rufiventris seen on the descent towards Subukia on 24 November, a Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus at Nanyuki on 21 November, and two Greater Spotted Eagles Aquila clanga at Nakuru NP on 26 November and a second-year bird at Naivasha on 4 January.

A Spotted Crake Porzana porzana was seen in the Splash wetlands, Nairobi, on 22-26 March. A Denham's Bustard Neotis denhami was observed at Solio Ranch Road, Nyeri; records of this uncommon species are welcome. The first Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta in Nairobi NP in nine years was seen on 6 November. A Senegal Thick-knee Burhinus senegalensis was claimed from Kisumu on 26 February. Two Pacific Golden Plovers Pluvialis fulva were in the Tana River delta on 31 January. A Brown-chested Lapwing Vanellus superciliosus in full breeding plumage was at Musiara on 16 January. An African Snipe Gallinago nigripennis, a rare species in the Rift Valley, was seen at Naivasha on 4 January. A Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis was on the beach near Tana River Camp on 31 January, and a Little Tern S. albifrons was roosting in Nakuru NP on 27 November; the latter species has only been recorded a handful of times in Kenya. A flock of 72 African Skimmers Rynchops flavirostris was roosting in Tana River delta on 31 January, with 60–100 at Lake Jipe on the same day.

A Mottled Spinetail Telacanthura ussheri was observed at Mountain Lodge, Mt Kenya, on 21 November, and two Alpine Swifts Tachymarptis melba were at the Tana River delta on 31 January. On 19 November, a White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides was spotted at the Tsavo-Kimana road. Two Brown-breasted Barbets Lybius melanopterus were claimed from Arabuko-Sokoke Forest on 17–22 June 2005.  A pair of Pallid Honeyguides Indicator meliphilus was observed at Kichwa Tembo, in the Maasai Mara, on 11 August 2005.

Hundreds of Chestnut-backed Sparrow Larks Eremopterix leucotis were in an area of short grass just north of Sabaki River, Malindi, on 30 January; these are unusually large numbers for this species on the coast. White Wagtails Motacilla alba were reported from several sites in the Rift Valley and further. Two Sharpe's Longclaws Macronyx sharpei were observed in the Solio Plains, Naro Moru, on 15 January; this species is most commonly reported from the Kinangop. A Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka of the white-throated 'vittata' form was found near the junction of Lake Baringo road with the main road north on 18 January. More than 200 Isabelline Wheatears Oe. isabellina were counted along the Solio Ranch road from Nyeri on 23 November. An African Thrush Turdus pelios was found at Lake Baringo on 25 November; this species is a vagrant to this area.

A late Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida was on the Magadi road on 6 May. Single Icterine Warblers H. icterina were seen near start of the road heading for Narok from the Maasai Mara on 30 November and at Siana Springs on 18 January. Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria, an unusual species on the coast, was reported from Gongoni, just north of Malindi, on 30 January, and from Tana River Camp, on 1 February. Single Wood Warblers Phylloscopus sibilatrix were at Kericho Arboretum on 27 November, and at Naivasha on 7 April. Early November, Black-backed Cisticola Cisticola eximius was observed in the western Mara; this species was thought extinct in Kenya but seems to be hanging on at this site. A Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata was recorded at Siana Springs, Maasai Mara, on 18 January. A Taita Fiscal Lanius dorsalis in Nairobi NP on 15 November, is possibly the first record here since the 1960s. A pair of Sharpe's Starlings Pholia sharpii was nesting at Thompson's Falls, Nyaharuru, on 24 November. Fifteen Magpie Starlings Speculipastor bicolor were along the Marigat-Nakuru road on 25 November;  this species is fairly unpredictable in its movements. An influx of Eastern Paradise Whydahs Vidua paradisaea occurred along the coast-where the species is not normally seen-during the very dry period, with many around Malindi / Watamu 29 January-7 February.

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The following records are from May-October 2005, unless otherwise stated. A Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus was at Nguuni Wildlife Sanctuary, Mombasa, on 28 July. Nine Madagascar Pond Herons Ardeola idae were observed in the Mara on 4 July and one near the Carnivore Restaurant, Nairobi, on 3 August. Two White Storks Ciconia ciconia were near Nakuru on 2 July. A group of 75 African Open-billed Storks Anastomus lamelligerus in the Mara on 4 July is a large concentration for this site. A European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus was at Kakamega on 19 July; sightings outside October-April are rare. Montagu’s Harriers Circus pygargus were recorded at Kitengela, near Nairobi, on 23 June (a sub-adult male), at Amboseli on 24 June (an adult male and female) and at Naro Moru on 30 June (a female). A young female Eurasian Marsh Harrier C. aeruginosus was in Amboseli on 24 June and another in the Mara on 5 July. A Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus was in Nairobi, where it is uncommon, on 20 July. A Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus was reported from Mundui, Naivasha, around 20 October, and a Grey Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus from the Marigat area on 8 July.

An exhausted Corncrake Crex crex was rescued from a cat at Watamu on 21 September, but later died; this is the first and an early record of southward migration on the coast. Possibly the first Shelley’s Francolin Francolinus shelleyi for the Mara was noted on 5 July. A Stone Partridge Ptilopachus petrosus between Kalacha and Loiyangalani on 25 April, was at the north-eastern edge of this uncommon species’ range. Four Lesser Jacanas Microparra capensis were found on a pond near Kipsaos shopping centre, Eldama Ravine-Eldoret road, on 20 October. About 20 Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa were at Lake Naivasha on 25 June; a high number for this late date. A Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis and a Wood Sandpiper T. glareola at Nakuru on 2 July were possibly early-returning migrants. A Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos at Amboseli on 24 June represents an unusual date. A dark-morph Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus was reported from Lake Naivasha on 20 September; there are fewer than 20 records for this species for Kenya. About 1,100 pairs of Roseate Terns Sterna dougallii bred on Whale Island, Watamu, in July-September, together with c.20–30 pairs of Sooty Terns S. fuscata (one juvenile Sooty was the first confirmed breeding success for this species here); 66 Roseate pulli and one adult were ringed. On the Sabaki River estuary, 44 Brown Noddies Anous stolidus were counted on 4 June and 49 on 16 September; this species is rare inshore and these numbers are particularly unusual; a pair possibly bred on Whale Island, Watamu, in July-September. In Kakamega Forest, 23 Grey Parrots Psittacus erithacus were recorded on 8 October; ten years ago this species was thought to be extinct at the locality. On 17 September, a Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius was reported near Mt Suswa, Rift Valley, whilst European Bee-eaters Merops apiaster were seen in Nairobi. A Grey-throated Barbet Gymnobucco bonapartei at Molo on 3 July was far to the east for this species.

A pair of Zanzibar Sombre Greenbuls Andropadus importunis was found breeding at Karura Forest, on the edge of Nairobi, on 18 May; this species is very uncommon around the capital. A female Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe at Eremito Gate, Amboseli, on 25 June is an unusual date for this species and a Pied Wheatear Oe. pleschanka in Ngong Hills on 9 September is an early record. Two Spotted Ground Thrushes Zoothera guttata were ringed at Gede Ruins on 6 October; a further two were found at a new site on the northern edge of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest on 29 October. A pair of Karamoja Apalises Apalis karamojae sighted in the Mara on 6 July was probably the same pair as previously observed (still to be accepted as the first for Kenya by the East African Rarities Committee). Six Hinde’s Babblers Turdoides hindei occurred by the Nyeri road, at the Tana River bridge, on 23 July; the species was also recorded breeding at Wajee Camp, Mukurweini, on 16 August. At the Oserian Wildlife Sanctuary, 16 Grey-crested Helmet-Shrikes Prionops poliolophus were seen on 1 August. An Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea ringed on 10 September at A Rocha Kenya property, Karen, is the first record for Nairobi. Three Abbott’s Starlings Pholia femoralis, together with Sharpe’s Ph. sharpii, Kenrick’s Poeoptera kenricki and Waller’s Starlings Onychognathus walleri, were observed at Mountain Lodge on 28 June, with two also there in October and two more in Kieni Forest in the same month; an adult male seen feeding young at a nest in Gatamaiyu Forest on 20 and 22 October is the first confirmed breeding record in Kenya.

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The following records are from the period May 2004-March 2005. A Shy Albatross Diomedea cauta was reported 14 nautical miles north of Pemba Island on 20 January and a Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus on the Pemba side of the Pemba Channel on 16 September. An adult Sooty Shearwater P. griseus, found dead on Watamu beach on 30 May 2004, is the first record of this species in the Indian Ocean north of Eastern Cape, South Africa, though it is annual in the Red Sea.

Two Great Crested Grebes Podiceps cristatus were at Hippo Point, Lake Nakuru, on 12 March. On 11 July 2004, a nest of Olive Ibis Bostrychia olivacea containing two eggs was found in the Aberdare Mountains; possibly the first record of a nest since the early 1900s. A Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia flew over Blue Posts Hotel, Thika, on 27 January; an odd locality for a rare species in Kenya. A male Garganey Anas querquedula was at Limuru Pond on 12 March. An adult male Beaudouin's Snake Eagle Circaetus beaudouini was seen at Mungatsi on 22 January; this individual has been present in the area for at least five years. A Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera, a rare species in western Kenya, was at Mumias on 22 January. In late January, an African Crake Crex egregia was found in the Masai Mara; this species is more commonly found during May-June.

A Lesser Jacana Microparra capensis was observed on a roadside pond south of Nyahururu on 17 January. An unusually large group of eight Bronze-winged Coursers Rhinoptilus chalcopterus were seen near Siana Springs camp on 25 January. A Brown-chested Lapwing Vanellus superciliosus was found in the Masai Mara, 30 October; this species has been recorded more frequently in Kenya over the past 4-5 years, mostly in the Mara. Temminck's Stints Calidris temminckii were at Lake Nakuru on 12 January (four) and at Lake Baringo on 20 January (five). A Common Redshank Tringa totanus was at Lake Chemchem, Malindi, on 22 September. At Lake Nakuru, 50 Common Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus were counted on 13 March, with an adult Slender-billed Gull L. genei there on 2-27 August. Three Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis were found in a roost with other terns and gulls at Sabaki River mouth on 25 October; this species is recorded only every few years. Near Kisumu, Lake Victoria, 200–250 African Skimmers Rynchops flavirostris were noted on 13-23 January. Also in January, a Rosy-faced Lovebird Agapornis roseicollis was at Mungatsi on 22nd, a Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus at Buffalo Springs Reserve on 23rd and an Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinicus at Baringo on 20th.

A Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris was at Rukinga Ranch, Tsavo East, on 20-23 December. Two male Common Stonechats Saxicola torquatus with all-black breasts were seen on the road to Mountain Lodge on 15 January; these have been reported before and look very like subspecies albofasciatus which is unknown in Kenya. Common Chiffchaffs Phylloscopus collybita were recorded at Matubio Gate, Aberdare National Park, on 11 January (two), on Mt Kenya, Naro Moru side, on 25 January (a dozen, singing) and at Ngangao, Taita Hills (four); an unusually large number of this uncommon species. Two Wood Warblers P. sibilatrix were in Kakamega Forest on 18 January. Buff-throated Apalis Apalis rufogularis was found in Esiket Forest, Mara Game Reserve, a range extension of c100 km south of Kakamega. A small population of Karamoja Apalis A. karamojae reported from the Kedong Valley, in January, is the first record of this species in Kenya. In Kakamega Forest, a Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata was reported on 21 January and an Orange-tufted Sunbird Cinnyris bouvieri on 1-5 January. At Njoro River, Lake Nakuru National Park, 17 Grey-crested Helmet-Shrikes Prionops poliolophus were seen on 11 January.

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The following records from 28–30 January 2004 are new for the extreme north-west. On or near waterholes in the Lodwar area: Little Grebe Tachybaptis ruficollis (one), Green-backed Heron Butorides striata (two), Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (five), Senegal Thick-knee Burhinus senegalensis (a pair), Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata (one), Plain Martin Hirundo paludicola (a few above the Lotikip plains and near the Oropoi junction), House Martin Delichon urbicum (c20 birds above Oropoi), and Upcher's Warbler Hippolais languida (one). Near Lokochokio: there were a male Common Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis and a pair of Pied Crows Corvus albus.

Noteworthy records from Ngulia in November–December 2003 include the following. On 26 November c430 migrating Amur Falcons Falco amurensis were counted in c1 hour, together with at least one Eurasian Hobby F. subbuteo and more than 140 European Rollers Coracias garrulus. Another 110 Amur Falcons passed over on 3 December. Other raptors moving through during that period included Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina (three, 15–20 November), Steppe Eagle A. nipalensis (a trickle on most days), Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus (at least three in late November, both pale and dark morphs) and Sooty Falcon Falco concolor (several). Singles of the following species were ringed: Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria (4 December; first for Ngulia), Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops (26 November), Nubian Nightjar Caprimulgus nubicus (28 December), Mangrove Kingfisher Halcyon senegaloides (1 December; first for Ngulia), and Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla (1 December; second for Ngulia). Three Marsh Warblers Acrocephalus palustris had rings from the Czech Republic, Germany and Sweden. A Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita, heard singing in front of the lodge on 26 November, was the second for Ngulia (the first was ringed in 1988). Three Grey-headed Silverbills Odontospiza griseicapilla, ringed on 1 December, were the first in 35 years of ringing.

The following records are from the period October 2003 to April 2004 (or from 2003 if no date is given). A Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus was seen in the Pemba Channel on 17 December. A juvenile Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus was at Ziwa, near Eldoret; this species has suffered a significant decline over the past 15 years and has mostly been reported recently on Lake Naivasha although no breeding has been recorded. It appears to survive in isolated highland ponds and small wetlands. A juvenile Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda was found exhausted on Watamu beach on 14 November and died the following morning; amazingly its primaries were only two-third grown, suggesting it had left the nest only 1­2 weeks previously ­ the nearest breeding colony is on Aldabra c1,500 km away. Two White-tailed Tropicbirds P. lepturus were in the Pemba Channel on 12 February, with a Masked Booby Sula dactylatra there on 29 December. A Brown Booby S. leucogaster and a juvenile Red-footed Booby S. sula were off Funzi Island, north of Shimoni on 24 October; an adult Red-footed was washed up in poor condition on Watamu beach on 7 December and died. Two Western Reef Egrets Egretta gularis were at Lake Nakuru on 13 November and ten African Openbill Storks Anastomus lamelligerus at Lake Naivasha on 24 January. A Common Teal Anas crecca was found at Limuru, near Nairobi on 12 December, with another at Thika Sewage Ponds on 18 January. The count of c200 Maccoa Ducks Oxyura maccoa at Limuru on 12 December is exceptional today in Kenya.

A Eurasian Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus was seen near Shimoni, south coast on 1 April. In Nairobi National Park, Eurasian Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus were recorded on 7 December and 25 January; this species has been reported not infrequently from this site since its first discovery about three years ago. Other noteworthy raptors included a Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus at Sabaki River mouth on 1 February (uncommon on the coast), a rare dark morph Western Marsh Harrier C. aeruginosus at Lake Naivasha on 9 January, a Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus near Lokochokio on 29 January, a Western Banded Snake Eagle C. cinerascens at Lake Bogoria on 24 October (normally has a more western distribution), a Grasshopper Buzzard Butastur rufipennis near Lake Elementaita on 25 January (uncommon in the Rift Valley), a Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus near El Molo Island, Lake Turkana on 30 December, three Lesser Spotted Eagles Aquila pomarina in Nairobi National Park on 2 November, a Greater Spotted Eagle A. clanga at Lake Nakuru National Park on 8 November and two on 25 January, a flock of 30-40 Steppe Eagles A. nipalensis at Rongai on 15 March, an immature Eastern Imperial Eagle A. heliaca in Nairobi National Park on 31 October and an adult in Nakuru National Park in late November, two Booted Eagles Hieraaetus pennatus at Marsabit Lodge on 27 December, and a pair of Barbary Falcons Falco pelegrinoides near Lodwar on 28 January.

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Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola
Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Photo: Ian Nason

At Mwea National Reserve, the sighting of c15 Crested Guineafowl Guttera pucherani was a new record for that Atlas square. A pair of Buff-spotted Flufftails Sarothrura elegans was found at Mountain Lodge, Mt Kenya; known as a resident of western Kenya forests, it has only sporadically been reported from elsewhere. Gongoni, just north of Sabaki, held two Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus on 1 February ­ it is very unusual to see more than one of these at a time - and the one-legged bird at Mida Creek, first noted there in May 2003, was still present. The sighting of a Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus in Nairobi National Park on 2 November is very unusual. A large concentration of c300 Collared Pratincoles Glareola pratincola was observed in Amboseli in November and that of c1000 Madagascar Pratincoles G. ocularis at Sabaki River mouth on 6 April was the first record of large numbers in 2004. A Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius at Lake Chemchem, near Malindi, is the first reported from this area in five years. Two Lesser C. mongolus and one Greater Sand Plover C. leschenaultii were at Lake Nakuru in late November, with another Greater there on 20 January; these species are recorded only infrequently inland. On 1 February, seven Caspian Plovers C. asiaticus and 95 Broad-billed Sandpipers Limicola falcinellus were counted at Sabaki River mouth. A Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii and a Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus at Lake Chemchem, Malindi on 1 February, were the first coastal records in years. Single Common Redshanks T. totanus were found at Mogotio, near Baringo on 20 January and at Mida Creek on 4 February. An immature Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius at Limuru Ponds, west of Nairobi, seen at close range for over one hour on 25 January, would constitute the second for East Africa if accepted. Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus were observed off Shimoni on 16 October (six) and 28-29 November (a small flock). The count of 24 Common Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus on Lake Chemchem, Malindi on 31 January was one of the highest for this species on the coast. An adult Slender-billed Gull L. genei at Lake Naivasha on 14 December was the first inland for some time. A Caspian Tern Sterna caspia was near Kisumu, Lake Victoria, on 8 December. On 15 February, an estimated 25,000 Saunders's Terns S. saundersi were roosting at Sabaki River mouth - a very significant number. A pair of African Orange-bellied Parrots Poicephalus rufiventris along the Amboseli-Namanga road is a very western record. Numerous Asian Lesser Cuckoos Cuculus poliocephalus were in Arabuko-Sokoke Forest on 7 April. Up to 60 Forbes-Watson's Swifts Apus berliozi flew over Shimoni on 2 April.

A Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla claimed from Solio plains would be the third for East Africa if accepted. At Sabaki River mouth, 3-4 Red-throated Pipits Anthus cervinus were seen on 1 February, with a White Wagtail Motacilla alba, rare on the coast, also there on 10 November. Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris and Eastern Nicator Nicator gularis were unexpected species in the foothills of the Chyulus on 29 March. An Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum was found along Magadi road on 9 January; there are few wintering records for this species in Kenya. An Icterine Warbler H. icterina was singing in Nairobi National Park on 11 April. A Black-backed Cisticola Cisticola eximius in the Sabaringo Valley, Masai Mara, is the second record at this location; this species was thought to have disappeared from Kenya until rediscovered in the west about 5 years ago. A few Green-capped Eremomelas Eremomela scotops were at Ruiru, Nairobi, on 28 March. A pair of Grey-headed Batis Batis orientalis, claimed from near Lodwar on 28 January, would be the first confirmed record for Kenya if accepted. A Black-fronted Bush-Shrike Telophorus nigrifrons was observed in the Chyulu Hills on 28 March. Four Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weavers Plocepasser superciliosus were claimed from Lake Bogoria on 19 January; this would constitute a significant range extension and remains to be confirmed. A male Broad-tailed Paradise-Whydah Vidua obtusa in full breeding plumage along the main Nairobi-Nyeri road, between 5 and 6 km south of Sagana, represents the first confirmed record for this species since 1947.

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The following records are from the period March to October 2003. An adult white morph Red-footed Booby Sula sula flying north in Pemba Channel on 4 October constitutes the 9th record for Kenya. A sub-adult Brown Booby S. leucogaster, found exhausted on the beach at Watamu on 24 March was taken into care and released mid-September, after it had moulted all remiges; this is the first record of this species substantiated by anything other than field observation. A sub-adult Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel was claimed from Watamu on 3 March; if accepted, this constitutes only the third record for Kenya. An adult White-backed Night Heron Gorsachius leuconotus was at Mbagathi River, Nairobi National Park on 2 August, and a Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii at Sabaki River Mouth on 4 October. Four Madagascar Pond Herons Ardeola idae were seen at Musiara Airstrip Pool, Masai Mara, on 8 July; one at the Carnivore restaurant seasonal pools, Nairobi, on 6 August, and another in the northern suburbs of Nairobi on 9 October. On saltworks north of Malindi, 817 Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus ruber were counted on 5 October - a higher number than normal for this site - with a further 200+ on the seasonal Lake Chemchem just inland. On 22 June, 708 Lesser Flamingos Phoeniconaias minor were at Sabaki River Mouth - the first time there have been any number of this species at Sabaki since 1999. An African Cuckoo Hawk Avecida cuculoides was observed at Nairobi National Park on 26 June; an uncommon record around Nairobi. Also there, an immature White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis was seen on 5 July. An immature male Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus was at Amboseli National Park on 29­30 June, and another at Mara on 7 July; these are unusual northern summer records. An African Marsh Harrier C. ranivorus was at a seasonal swamp south of Shimoni on 4 October;  there have only been three or four previous records on the Kenya coast. A juvenile Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus flew over the beach at Watamu on 26 July; a rather unusual site for this species! Two Baillon's Crakes Porzana pusilla were found at Ndashant wetland, Ngong Hills on 6 July. Three Allen's Gallinules Porphyrio alleni were on seasonal wetlands near Malindi on 4­5 October; the first records here for four years. A one-legged Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus was present on Mida Creek from May until 5 October; four were flying south in Pemba Channel on 4 October, while a single stayed on Gongoni Saltworks. Three Madagascar Pratincoles Glareola ocularis at Sabaki River Mouth on 5 October and a single 60 km south of Diani are among the latest records of this species in Kenya. Three Brown-chested Lapwings Vanellus superciliosus were noted in the Sikoma area, Busia; this rare species in Kenya has been reported several times in the past two years raising the question whether it might be spreading. Four Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa and two Common Sandpipers Actitis hypoleucos were with other Palearctic waders at Nakuru on 5 July. Several Common Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus were at Sabaki River Mouth in the last week of July. About 1,500 pairs of Roseate Terns Sterna dougallii bred, for the first time since 2000 on Whale Island, Watamu in July-September. About 50 pairs of Sooty Terns S. fuscata also bred there during the same period; the literature mentions only Bridled Terns S. anaethetus breeding here. A sub-adult in winter plumage Arctic Tern S. paradisaea was spotted at Nakuru National Park on 6 July; if accepted, this would be only the second record for East Africa, exactly a year after the first. A pair of Brown Noddies Anous stolidus was apparently breeding on Whale Island in September.

The record of a Blue-spotted Wood Dove Turtur afer at Lion Hill, Nakuru on 6 July is among the first for Nakuru and would represent a very small local population of this mainly western species. A Dusky Turtle Dove Streptopelia lugens at Lake Baringo on 4 July is an unusual record of this mainly highland species. A pair of African Orange-bellied Parrots Poicephalus rufiventris near Mrima Hill on 5 October, was a very uncommon record for the coast. A Pel's Fishing-owl Scotopelia peli was seen on the Mbagathi River, at the edge of Nairobi National Park on 29 July; about six months previously it was also observed inside the park along the same river. Four White-headed Mousebirds Colius leucocephalus were found well inside Amboseli National Park; this species is rarely reported from within the park. Two White-eared Barbets Stactolaema leucotis were seen at Mountain Lodge on 2 July. Three Yellow-spotted Barbets Buccanodon duchaillui in the Kericho Arboretum on 6 July represents a more unusual record of a species known mostly from Kakamega. Six Rufous Short-toed Larks Calandrella somalica were photographed collecting nesting material at Mara Intrepids on 6-8 July; the literature gives no records west of Rift Valley. During a survey of Blue Swallows Hirundo atrocaerulea, 40+ were counted in Ruma National Park on 27-30 August, and 15+ at Iseka and Musokoto, in Busia near Mungatsi on 2­3 September; this is encouraging as there have been few reports in recent years. A pair of Malindi Pipits Anthus melindae was observed at Lake Chemchem, south of Sabaki River on 4 October; this species is not normally found south of the river. A Sokoke Pipit A. sokokensis was singing at Marereni woodlands on 5 October; this is a new site for this endangered species but one which is unfortunately fast being cleared for charcoal and cultivation. Two Joyful Greenbuls Chlorocichla laetissima were at Sabaringo Valley, Masai Mara on 8 July; this mainly 'Kakamega species' is unusual elsewhere. Fischer's Greenbuls Phyllastrephus fischeri were fairly common and associated with mixed flocks in Ngaia forest, Nyambeni Hills, on the western edge of Meru National Park; this is the first record of this species away from the coastal strip. A Spotted Ground Thrush Zoothera guttata ringed A59672 on the Rondo Plateau, southern Tanzania in February 1996, was found dead in Mombasa on 3 June; this is the first long-distance recovery in East Africa for this little-known species. Two Taita Fiscals Lanius dorsalis were seen along the Keekorok Mara road on 9 July; the species is not given as occurring west of Rift valley in the south in Zimmerman et al. (Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania). Five Grey-crested Helmet-shrikes Prionops poliolophus were observed at Nakuru National Park on 5 July; this is one of the best sites to find this rare bird. A claim of a Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus seen in a flock of Wattled Starlings Creatophora cinerea in the Masai Mara on 16 July has yet to be accepted; this would constitute the first Afrotropical record. Two male and a few female Fire-fronted Bishops Euplectes diadematus were in Amboseli National Park on 29 June. A male Southern Red Bishop E. orix was near Siana Springs, Masai Mara on 9 July; rare in the Mara. Two African Silverbills Euodice cantans in Nairobi National Park on 24 August possibly constitute the first records at this site since 1979. A flock of six Parasitic Weavers Anomalospiza imberbis in bushland beside Sabaki River Mouth on 22 June, constitutes the first coastal record since before 1974 and a flock of c60 was seen on the outskirts of Nairobi 9 October; there have been relatively few recent reports of this species around the capital. Two Orange-breasted Waxbills Sporaeginthus subflavus were observed in Nairobi National Park on 5 July; this species is uncommon in the dry plains around the capital.

Last page update 6th December 2007

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