Uganda July - August 2006

Published by Chris Mills (chrismills AT norfolkbirding.com)

Participants: Chris & Jacky Mills

Comments

Photos with this report (click to enlarge)

Mountain Gorilla Silverback
Mountain Gorilla Silverback
Cinnamon-breasted Bee-eater
Cinnamon-breasted Bee-eater
Carmine Bee-eater
Carmine Bee-eater
Greater Painted Snipe
Greater Painted Snipe
Malachite Kingfisher
Malachite Kingfisher
Grey Crowned Crane
Grey Crowned Crane


Getting there

Flight from Norwich (very convenient for us!) to Amsterdam, then on to Entebbe, Uganda. Cost of flight was £900, you could probably get this cheaper if you are prepared to go in Spetember or fly from one of the bigger airports.

Bird Guides & Companies

We booked our entire trip through a Ugandan based company, Access Uganda. They were recommended to us by other birders, and we corresponded via email and wire transferred the money through our bank. The company is very well established, and Hassan Mutebi the owner is a very well known birder in Uganda, he was also at the Birdwatching Fair in 2006.

Many of the birding sites and parks are not accessible without a guide, (i.e you would not be let into the areas without a guide).

At the specialist sites, Access Uganda used some specialist local guides for certain species.

Maps

You do not need a map, but we bought one as we were interested in seeing exactly where we were, and where we were heading.

Nelles Map of Uganda 1:700,000 readily available at any big book store. Approximately £6 in 2006.

Temperature

The weather was never that hot, maximum probably 25c, in fact towards the end of the trip we had several overcast days, with heavy showers overnight. It could get rather humid late afternoons but nothing unbearable.

Useful websites

www.accessugandatours.com

Email address

accessug@utonline.co.ug

Money & currency

We took english sterling and this was easy enough to get changed in the bigger towns and places, however dollars are the most easy to exchange. If you are going on an inclusive trip you will probably need no more than £250, and getting travellers cheques would be a real hassle, I think dollars is the easiest way.

Overview of the trip

Overall we had a fantastic trip recording over 400 species of birds, 26+ species of mammals including Mountain Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Zebra and host of others. The travel was a bit much at times, as the roads away from the capital are often not much more than mud tracks! If you are going for 14 days or so and are not worried about missing a few bird species, then i would recommend dropping Semlike - this site is out the way and in order to do it justice requires several days.

Our route is roughly outlined below - we covered over 1600 miles on some very rough, muddy & bumpy tracks!!

25/07/2006 DAY 1 Arrived Entebbe airport in the evening, transferred overnight to Hotel Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel & Comfortable.

26/07/2006 DAY 2 Birded through Entebbe & took boat ride through Mbamba Swamp, this is a real must for seeing Shoebill and many other water associated species the guides know where many of the target species are likely to be. Overnight at Mantana tented camp Very comfortable permanent tented camp. F

27/07/2006 DAY 3 Birded grassland around Mburo this was all done via vehicle and we got to grips with many of the savannah species and saw quite a bit of game, then took boat trip around Mburo lake, then long drive of 5-6 hrs to Ruhiza guest house Very basic, no running water, electrics or flush toilets

28/07/2006 DAY 4 Birded Ruhiza & Mubwindi swamp, this is dense forest with many of the Rift specialists and endemics occurring here, it is quite a strenouos walk down through the forest ot he swamp and back again. Overnight at Ruhiza guest house. Very basic, no running water, electrics or flush toilets

29/07/2006 DAY 5 Drove towards Bwindi Impenetratable forest birdingen-route Buhoma Neck, an area of forest prior to reaching Buhoma and Bwindi HQ. We were upgraded from Buhoma Homestead as it was full, to Gorilla Mountain Lodge this was a really nice surprise! Thatched roofed top grade, luxury lodge!

30/07/2006 DAY 6 Birded Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, overnight & 5 course evening meal at Gorilla Mountain Lodge! Today we were guided by Saul, who was an excellent enthusiastic guide, particularly good at calling in many of the Forest species. You cannot enter the forest proper without guide, and anyway from birding point of view you really do need a guide. Thatched roofed top grade, luxury lodge!

31/07/2006 DAY 7 AM Gorilla trek - well organised and make sure you book your tickets in advance. PM I birded around lodges at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and marsh, overnight at Buhoma Homestead. Bwindi Imp Forest is the sort of place you would still be adding new species after 5 days of constant birding, such is the difficulty of connecting with such a diverse range of species with limited access. Buhoma Homestead a small but nice clean place with simple apartments, & good food

01/08/2006 DAY 8 Very long drive to Queen Elizabeth park 6-7 hours, birding from the vehicle once into the park boundaries. Overnight at Queen Elizabeth, Mweya Safari lodge A large "colonial" style lodge with many appartments, clean and wide choice of food

02/08/2006 DAY 9 Morning game drive and birding from vehicle around QE Park, afternoon boat trip around the Kazinga channel, this is actually a huge lake! Overnight at Queen Elizabeth, Mweya Safari lodge. The vehicle game drive and boat trip are probably the best way of ensuring you see a good cross section of birds.There is no access on foot in the park.Mweya Safari lodge a large "colonial" style lodge with many appartments, clean and wide choice of food

03/08/2006 DAY 10 Drive to Fort Portal birding en-route, overnight at Ndali lodge, birding some forest areas on the edge of Kibale Forest. Birding on foot here it was nice ot get out the vehicle. Ndali Lodge is a very nice "english style cottage" separate little cottages set in the hills, excellent food and accommodation

04/08/2006 DAY 11 Morning chimp trekking and sewarching Kibale forest for some specialist bird species, afternoon swamp walk in thd Bigodi swamp area. . Birding in this forest was extremely difficult, again a guide is a must. Ask for a girl called Harriet, she knows a site for Green-breasted Pitta, we failed but she had shown the bird only 2 days previously to another group, she also was very good on calls etc. Overnight Tooro resort a quirky place with a set of round rooms, it was clean with toilet and shower, but less than memorable.

05/08/2006 DAY 12 Long and very arduous drive along bumpy roads to Semliki, birded Semliki, again birding in the forest was not easy we managed agood spell of half an hour when a "wave" of birds passed before us, to do this area justice you probably need several days and considering how far a drive it is I would consider omitting this from a 14 day itinerary.We then drove back to Tooro resort. A quirky place with a set of round rooms, it was clean with toilet and shower, but less than memorable.

06/08/2006 DAY 13 A very long drive of 8 hours to reach Murchison Falls area, birding en-route. Murchison has an excellent mix of species that we had not seen in the south, along with many of the more familiar species, it also has nice accommodation with lots of game. The falls are well worth seeing and we also scored with several species not seen here anywhere else. Overnight at Nile Safari camp Beautiful lodge with small timber appartments built into the forest overlooking the Nile, excellent accommodation and food.

07/08/2006 DAY 14 Morning game drive and birding from vehicle around Murchison Falls National Park, with a boat trip uo to the falls in the afternoon. Overnight at Nile Safari camp. Beautiful lodge with small timber appartments built into the forest overlooking the Nile, excellent accommodation and food.

08/08/2006 DAY 15 Took steady long but comfortable drive back to Kampala, doing some light birding en-route Departed in the evening from Entebbe airport.

www.accessugandatours.com

Species Lists

For complete details of this trip and complete photo gallery visit www.norfolkbirding.com

SPECIES STATUS NUMBERS AND LOCATIONS
1 Great White Pelican 50+ Kazinga channel, small numbers on day 9 & 10
2 Pink-backed Pelican 40 on day 3 , 2 on day 9 and 15 on day 13
3 Great Cormorant Good numbers around Kazinga Channel
4 African Darter Only seen around Murchison falls where it is present in good numbers
5 African Finfoot Only 2 seen on day 3 at Lake Mburo, you must go out on a boat to stand a good chance of scoring with these
6 Cattle Egret Seen in suitable places and 500+ at Murchison NP
7 Squacco heron Seen in small numbers at most wetlands
8 Striated heron Seen in 1-2's in several most wetlands
9 Little Egret Seen in small numbers in most wetlands
10 Intermediate Egret Seen in 1-2's in most wetlands
11 Great White Egret Just a single at Kazinga Channel Day 9
12 Goliath Heron Just a single at Kazinga Channel Day 9
13 Purple Heron Seen in small numbers in most wetlands
14 Grey Heron Seen in small numbers in most wetlands
15 Black-headed Heron Commonest heron, often seen away from water
16 Hamerkop Groups of 1-20 noticed at most wetland area
17 Yellow-billed strork Seen at Mburo, Kazinga & Murchison 10+ at both sites
18 Woolly-necked Stork Just 3 seen on an evening walk to the marsh at Buhoma, Bwindi
19 African Open-billed Stork Seen in small numbers at Mburo, Kazinga & Murchison both sites
20 Saddle-billed Stork Seen in small numbers in most wetlands
21 Marabou Stork Common
22 Shoebill One seen in flight at Mbamba swamp whilst out in the boat, a second in channels at Masaka marsh. This is a roadside stop where they actually have a roadside sign up informing you if the Shebill is showing! Three in channels were seen at Murchison NP
23 Sacred Ibis Seen in small numbers at Mburo, Kazinga & Murchison at both sites
24 Hadada Ibis Common, seen 20+ regularly
25 African Spoonbill Just 1 only seen during Kazinga channel boat trip
26 Lesser Flamingo Just 1 only, seen at the hot springs Semliki
27 Egyptian Goose Noted on several ocassions at wetlands
28 Knob-billed Goose Seen in small numbers at Mburo, Kazinga & Murchison, 20+ at Mburo
29 African Pygmy Goose Just 2 and only recorded at Mbamba swamp
30 White-faced whistling Duck Just 4 and only recorded at Mbamba swamp
31 Hottentot Teal Just 2 and only recorded at Mbamba swamp
32 Yellow-billed Duck Just 12 and only recorded at Mbamba swamp
33 African Black Duck Just 3 seen and only seen at a river bridge crossing the road on the edge of Semliki
34 Black Kite Fairly common, and noticeable southerly migration involving 500+, and 300+ birds on day 10 & 11, over Kibale Forest area
35 Black-shouldered Kite Seen in small numbers, commonest en-route to Kibale
36 African Fish Eagle Common around wetalnd areas
37 Palm Nut-Vulture Seen regularly from day 7 onwards, commonest around Murchison NP
38 Osprey Just 1 at the Falls, Murchison early evening
39 Hooded Vulture 2 sen nr Entebbe en-route, and and 1 seen at Murchison NP
40 White-headed Vulture 1 seen with many vultures at a kill at Queen Elizabeth NP
41 African White-backed Vulture Only seen on day 3 and day 8 in small numbers, but 50+ at the kill QE Park
42 Ruppells Grifon Vulture 5 seen with many vultures at a kill at Queen Elizabeth NP
43 Lappet-faced Vulture 2 seen with many vultures at a kill at Queen Elizabeth NP
44 Black-chested Snake eagle 1 seen en-route nr Buhoma neck and a single seen en-route heading back to Entebbe
45 Brown Snake eagle 2 seen in QE Park on Day 9
46 Western Banded Snake Eagle 2 seen en-route to Murchison NP
47 African Marsh Harrier Just 3 seen at Mbamba wetland whilst on the boat trip
48 Pallid Harrier 2 seen en-route to back to Entebbe on the last day
49 Eastern Chanting Goshawk Seen in 1-2's around Murchison NP
50 Lizard Buzzard Singles noted on various dates usually perched by the roadside
51 Shikra Just a single at Mbamba area
52 African Goshawk Singles seen at Mbamba & Murchison falls car park area
53 Little Sparrowhawk A single was seen hunting and perched at Bigodi Swamp, Kibale
54 Great Sparrowhawk A single seen nr Murchison Falls area
55 Bat Hawk A single seen at Buhoma Marsh,Bwindi, and another nr Murchison Falls area
56 African Harrier-hawk Seen on Day 2, 8, 10 and 14 mainly around wetland wooded areas
57 Augur Buzzard Singles seen whilst in the hills around Ruhiza and Bwindi
58 Mountain Buzzard One seen en-route day 4
59 Tawny Eagle Two were sat perched in dead trees at Buhoma marsh, Bwindi
60 Wahlberg's eagle Only 2 seen whilst around Mbamba and Mburo areas
61 Cassin's Hawk eagle 1 seen whilst en-route to Buhoma
62 Bateleur A common bird of prey in the plains and savannah
63 Long-crested eagle A regularly seen bird of prey
64 Martial Eagle Just 2 seen, but well photographed at close range whilst en-route to QE park
65 African Crowned Eagle Just a single seen whilst on the game drive at QE Park
66 Common Kestrel Just 3 recorded from Mbamba and Murchison NP
67 Grey Kestrel Singles at Mburo and en-route to Fort Portal
68 African Hobby Was the last edition to the list as we entered Entebbe en-route to the airport
69 Sooty Falcon A single around the cliffs of Murchison falls
70 Lanner Falcon A single was overhead whilst en-route to Kibale
71 Peregrine Falcon Three noted in total mainly from roadside stops
72 Helmeted Guineafowl Very common in the park savannah habitats
73 Crested Guineafowl Just 3 seen nr Kibale
74 Crested Francolin Small numbers noted regularly during game drives in the savannah
75 Red-necked Spurfowl Coomon in the park savannah
76 Harlequin Quail a single was seen well on the game drive at QE park, also heard at Kibale
77 White-spotted Flufftail Heard only at Bigodi swamp
78 African Crake Three seen well whilst on the boat trip at Kazinga channel
79 Black Crake Twelve seen well whilst on the boat trip at Kazinga channel
80 Purple Swamphen Only a single whilst on the boat trip at Mbabma swamp
81 African Jacana Seen in small numbers during most boat trips, largest numbers at Mbamaba 30+
82 Grey-crowned Crane Seen regularly in small numbers largest numbers around Mbamba
83 Denhams Bustard Just 2 seen, whilst on the game drive at Murchison NP
84 Black-bellied Bustard Single whilst at Mbamba, and a nother single at Murchison NP
85 Black-winged Stilt Just 2 surprisingly, en-route through QE Park day 8
86 Greater Painted Snipe Four of these superb waders posed in shallow pools whilst at Murchison NP
87 Water Thick-knee Seen at Qe park and Murchison NP whilst on game drives
88 Violet-tipped Courser Rather frustratingly the only views of these much sought after waders, were 2 flying past us at Murchison NP, it did cause me to throw my lunch on the floor!
89 Rock Pratincole The only site is the top of Murchison falls 30+ here at dusk
90 Spur-winged lapwing Regular around bodies of water
91 Long-toed Lapwing Just 6 all at Mbamba whilst on the boat trip
92 African Wattled Lawing Seen regualrly in small groups whilst in plains and savannah
93 Crowned Lapwing 20+ seen all whilst at QE Park
94 Senegal Lapwing 20+ seen all whilst at QE Park
95 Brown-chested Lapwing Singles at Mburo and 1 on the airstrip to the rear of Mweya safari lodge QE Park
96 Kittlitz's Plover Only seen on the airstrip to the rear of Mweya safari lodge QE Park, but 50+ here
97 Three-banded Plover Single seen at the hot springs area of Semliki
98 Caspian Plover A faded single was on the shoreline of Kasinga creek during the boat trip
99 Common Sandpiper 1-2's noted
100 Green Sandpiper A single was heard only whilst at Semliki hot springs
101 Wood Sandpiper Up to 3 were seen whilst on boat trips at Mburo and Kasinga creek
102 Greenshank Maximum of 5 at Mburo lake
103 Marsh Sandpiper 1 at Kasinga creek
104 Grey-headed Gull 12 at Kasinga and 10 at Murchison
105 Lesser-black backed Gull 4 at Murchison NP
106 Gull-billed Tern Only seen at Kasinga Creek , but 20 there on shoreline
107 White-winged Black Tern Only seen at Kasinga Creek , but 20+ there on shoreline
108 African Green Pigeon Seen regularly throughout the trip in small numbers
109 Western Bronze-naped Pigeon One was calling and showing very well at Bwindi Impenetrable forest during our bird walk
110 Speckled Pigeon 20+ around Mbamba, but not seen there after
111 Olive Pigeon Singles at Buhoma and Semliki
112 Feral Pigeon
113 Emerald Spotted Wood Dove 4 noted around Mburo
114 Blue-spotted Wood Dove Regualr around Bwindi and Kibale areas.
115 Black-billed Dove Appears to replace the above species once into Murchison NP area
116 Tambourine Dove Senn regularly in small numbers around plains and savannah
117 Ring-necked Dove Present around Mburo & Mbamba
118 Red-eyed Dove Common thoroughout
119 Mourning Dove Present around Mburo & Mbamba
120 Vinaceous Dove Only recorded in small numbers at Murchison NP
121 Laughing Dove Recorded in small numbers around QE Park
122 Brown Parrot 1-2's at mbamba and Mburo Days 2 & 3
123 Grey Parrot 2-3 recorded on several days especially from Murchison, Kibale & QE park areas
124 Red-headed Lovebird Single en route to Mbamba and 10+ on day 4 at Ruhiza area
125 Great Blue Turaco Small numbers noted regularly, enroute from Entebbe, seen well at Bigodi swamp, Kibale
126 Ross's Turaco 2 eventually seen at kibale after being heard calling on and off for 20 mins
127 Black-billed Turaco Seen in 2-3's only in the forest areas of Ruhiza, Buhoma and Bwindi
128 Bare-faced Go-away bird Only noted from Mbamba abd Mburo areas
129 Eastern Grey Plantain Eater Common around Mbamba and seen in smaller numbers at Murchison NP
130 Levaillants Cuckoo Just two seen, right outside Buhoma homestead lodge on day 5
131 Red-chested Cuckoo Two singles seen at Buhoma & Bwindi
132 Diedrik Cuckoo Singles at Mbamba & Murchison NP
133 Klaas's Cuckoo Singles at Mbamba, Bwindi & Semliki
134 African Emerald Cuckoo 2 at Kibale and a single at Bwindi
135 Yellowbill 2 seen at Bwindi during the bird walk
136 Blue-headed Coucal Just 2 seen at Bigodi swamp, nr Buhoma
137 Senegal Coucal Just 2 seen at Murchison NP
138 African Wood Owl We saw 2 by driving the road at Ruhiza after dark
139 Barn Owl Only 2 noted were in the garden of the Hotel on the first evening in Entebbe
140 Verreaux's Eagle Owl A single at Mbamba park
141 Spotted Eagle Owl A total of 8 were seen by driving tracks in the dark around the Murchison falls area, they were all sat in the middle of the tracks on the floors
142 Pearl Spotted owlet Just one was seen whilst en-route through QE Park in the Ishasha sector
143 Square-tailed Nightjar A single was noted flying around the Hotel garden on the first night at Hotel Windsor
144 Pennant-winged Nightjar A total of 6 were seen by driving tracks in the dark around the Murchison falls area, they were all sat in the middle of the tracks on the floors
145 Little Swift Seen regularly
146 White-rumped Swift Seen regularly
147 Mottled Swift Four were specifically picked out on arriving in Murchison NP area.
148 Scarce Swift Six were noted over Buhoma
149 African Palm Swift Noted in good numbers around Semliki and Murchison areas
150 Speckled Mousebird Common
151 Blue-naped Mousebird Common in savannah especially Mbamba
152 Pied Kingfisher Common around large bodies of water
153 Striped Kingfisher Common at Mbamba and Mburo
154 Grey-headed kingfisher 1-2's noted regularly throughout the trip
155 Giant Kingfisher Just one noted during the boat trip at Murchison falls
156 Woodland Kingfisher 1-2's noted regularly throughout the trip
157 Blue-breasted Kingfisher Just a single seen briefly, heard constantly at Semlike. Also heard only at Kibale.
158 Malachite Kingfisher Seen regualrly in small numbers around water, best count 6+ on boat trip to Murchison Falls
159 African Pygmy Kingfisher Singles seen regualrly, usually well away from water, on forest edges
160 Little Bee-eater Seen only at Mbamba where 4 in the savannah
161 Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater Commonest Bee-eater, seen regularly in the south of the country, not seen after Kibale
162 Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Seen at Murchison NP only maximum of up to 3, good areas just before reaching the Nile safari camp
163 Black Bee-eater A must see bird! Best area was Buhoma neck where we saw three
164 Madagascar bee-eater Only seen on two days, best area was the Ashasha sector of QE Park where we had 12+
165 Red-throated Bee-eater Only seen at Murchison NP where they were regualr in small numbers, noted whilst on the boat trip to the Falls, nest side in the banks of the river.
166 Carmine Bee-eater Fantastic close views of this enigmatic species all at Murchison NP, over 40 seen mainly perched in low level bushes.
167 Broad-billed Roller Seen regularly in the savannah, commonest at Murchison NP.
168 Lilac-breasted Roller Small numbers on Day two and three around Mbamba and Mburo only
169 Green Wood Hoopoe Singles noted from Mbamba and QE Ishasha sector
170 White-headed Wood Hoopoe Four noted whilst birding Buhoma neck area
171 Common Scimitarbill Three recorded at Ruhiza were the only ones
172 African Grey Hornbill Four recorded at Ruhiza and one at QE Park
173 Piping Hornbill Only recorded at Semlike where we had 20+ eventually
174 Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill Heard only at Semlike
175 White-crested Hornbill Just two recorded only at Semlike
176 Black & Whited Casked Hornbill Seen regularly at several sites, maximum 12 at Mbamba
177 Abysinnian Ground Hornbill Only recorded from Murchison Np where we saw 2 & 6
178 Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Regularly noted in small numbers from forest edges
179 Yellow-throated Tinkerbird Only noted from singles at Kibale and Semliki
180 Speckled Tinkerbird Recorded at Buhoma neck, Bwindi and a maximum of 4 at Kibale
181 Grey-throated Barbet Up to 10 recorded from Bwindi/Buhoma area, also 2 noted at Kibale
182 Yellow fronted Tinkerbird Single noted en-route at Buhoma neck
183 Spot-flanked Barbet 10+ at Mbamba area only
184 Yellow-spotted Barbet Heard only at Buhoma, then a single seen at Kibale
185 White-headed Barbet Four only at Mbamba/Mburo
186 Red-faced Barbet Six only at Mbamba/Mburo
187 Double -toothed Barbet Singles seen at a variety of sites
188 Yellow-billed Barbet Singles at Ruhiza and Buhoma neck. Two at Kibale
189 Least Honeyguide Single at Ruhiza.
190 Tullbergs Woodpecker Single seen at Ruhiza and 2 at Bwindi
191 Buff-spotted Woodpecker Single seen at Semlike
192 Cardinal Woodpecker Two seen at Murchison NP
193 Bearded Woodpecker One seen at Semliki
194 African Green Broadbill A pair of these rare endemics were watched feeding young at Mubwindi swamp, Ruhiza
195 Rufous-naped Lark Several were seen but only at QE park
196 Flappet Lark Several were seen but only at QE park
197 Red-capped lark A single was on the airstrip behind the Mweya Safri lodge
198 Plain martin A single was picked out over the water of Kazinga channel with hirundines
199 Banded Martin 10 only at Mbamba Swamp
200 Mosque Swallow Seen regularly at QE Park, and further north of here in small groups
201 Rufous-chested swallow 1 Seen in the Fort Portal area.
202 Lesser Striped Swallow 100+ around Entebbe, and seen most days.
203 Barn Swallow A few perhaps surprisingly noted around QE park
204 Angola Swallow Small groups noted from many of the areas visited
205 Wire-tailed Swallow Commonest around Murchison falls where present in small groups, also recorded at QE Park
206 Black Saw-wing Groups of up to 20 at Ruhiza and Bwindi
207 White-headed Saw-wing Seen in small numbers at Mburo, QE & Murchison
208 African Pied Wagtail Common, seen at all open areas most days
209 Cape Wagtail Only 4 seen 2 at Mbamba & 2 seen at Ruhiza swamp
210 Yellow-throated Longclaw Fairly common in the savannah habitats
211 Grassland Pipit Noted in small numbers at QE & Murchison
212 Plain-backed Pipit Just 1 recorded from Semliki
213 Black Cuckoo Shrike 1 at Mburo & 1 en-route to QE park
214 Petit's Cuckoo-Shrike 1 only at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
215 Grey Cuckoo-Shrike 1 only at Ruhiza
216 Western Nicator 1 seen at Kibale and 1 heard only at Semliki
217 Common Bulbul Common & regular in all areas
218 Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Small numbers around Ruhiza and Bwindi
219 Little Greenbul Small numbers around Ruhiza and Bwindi, 1 at kibale
220 Mountain Greenbul 5+ at Ruhiza only
221 Slender-billed Greenbul Small numbers and regular at Bwindi only
222 Shelleys Greenbul 1 only at Ruhiza
223 Yellow-streaked Greenbul Small numbers at Bwindi, and 1 at Kibale
224 Cabanis's Greenbul 1 at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest only
225 Icterine Greenbul 2 at Kibale at the entrance adjacent to the main road
226 Leaf-love 1 Buhoma neck, 6 at Semliki
227 Red-tailed Bristlebill 2 ads & 3 juvs the only sighting of the trip, were watched on a nest we discovered at Semliki
228 Red-tailed Greenbul 1 amongst a feeding flock at Semliki
229 Eastern Bearded Greenbul 1 amongst a feeding flock at Semliki
230 Yellow-throated Greenbul Seen twice at Bwindi Imp. Forest
231 Honeyguide Greenbul 1 heard only at Kibale
232 White-starred Robin 1 heard only at Ruhiza
233 Brown-chested Alethe 1 only at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
234 Fire-crested Alethe 1 seen at Semliki, 1 heard only at Kibale
235 White-browed Robin Chat Seen well and in reasonable numbers at QE park
236 Black-shouldered Robin-chat Heard only at Bwindi Imp. Forest
237 Snowy-headed Robin Chat 1 at Buhoma neck & 1 at Kibale
238 Red-capped Robin-chat 1 only at Buhoma neck
239 Grey-winged Robin-chat 2 at Buhoma neck
240 White-bellied Robin-chat 3 only seen at Bwindi Imp. Forest
241 Olive Thrush Seen at Entebbe, Mburo and Mbamba in 1-2's
242 African Thrush 1-2's seen regularly throughout
243 White-tailed Ant Thrush 1-2 seen at Bwindi and Semliki
244 Sooty Chat Seen regularly in small numbers and commonest around Murchison
245 Cliff Chat 5 seen enroute into Murchison
246 Common/African Stonechat Several males of this striking sub/species were seen around Ruhiza and enroute through high cleared hillsides
247 White-browed Scrub -Robin 1 only at Mburo
248 Spotted Morning Thrush 2-3 seen on entry into Murchison park
249 Lesser Swamp Warbler 1 in reeds at boat alunch area below Mweya Safari lodge
250 Greater Swamp Warbler 1 seen in roadside reeds at the bridge over the channel just before QE park
251 Cinnamon Bracken Warbler 1 heard only at Ruhiza/Mubwindi swamp
252 Grauers Rush Warbler 2 at Mubwindi swamp, seen in brief flight!
253 Buff-bellied Warbler 5 seen in Ishasha sector of QE Park en-route
254 Red-faced Woodland Warbler 6 seen at Ruhiza and 2 on a stop off en-toute at Buhoma neck area
255 Green Hylia 3 seen at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
256 White-browed Crombec 1 seen at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
257 Green Crombec 1 on a stop off en-toute at Buhoma neck area
258 Northern Crombec 1 seen at Semliki
259 Green-backed Eremomela 1 seen at Semliki
260 Yellow-bellied Hyliota 1 seen at Semliki
261 Black-faced Rufous Warbler 6 seen at Bwindi Imp. Forest, plus 6 heard over two days
262 African Moustached Warbler 2 & 1 seen on separate days at Murchison NP
263 Grauers Warbler 1 heard at Ruhiza 1 seen at Buhoma neck area
264 Zitting Cisticola Seen nad heard in numbers at Murchison and QE Park around wetland areas.
265 Stout Cisticola 1 only at QE Park
266 Croaking Cisticola Seen and heard in small numbers at Murchison NP
267 Rattling Cisticola Seen only at Mbamba & Mburo swamps
268 Winding Cisticola Numerous at Mbamba swamp & QE Park around the wetland edges
269 Red-faced Cisticola Singles heard and 1 eventually seen at Kibale
270 Chubb's Cisticola 5 at Mubwindi swamp only
271 Trilling Cisticola 1 en-route stop near Buhoma
272 Whistling Cisticola Just 1 at Semliki
273 Long-tailed Cisticola 1 at Mburo only
274 Tawny-flanked Prinia Small numbers at Kibale and Murchison NP
275 White-chinned Prinia Regular in reasonable numbers around Bwindi Imp. Forest & Kibale
276 Banded Prinia Heard only at Ruhiza, a single seen at Bwindi
277 Grey-capped Warbler 2 seen en-route at Buhoma and a single en-route through Asasha sector of QE Park
278 Grey Apalis 6 seen were the only ones at Buhoma neck area
279 Chestnut-throated Apalis 1 Mubwindi swamp, and 3 Buhoma neck
280 Black-throated Apalis 6 Buhoma area
281 Mountain Masked Apalis Seen in small numbers, max 6, in the higher forest areas at Bwindi, Buhoma & Ruhiza
282 Northern Black Flycatcher 2 seen at Ruhiza, & seen most regualtly in small numbers around Murchison NP
283 Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher 3 seen at Buhoma neck were the only ones
284 African Dusky Flycatcher Commonest around Buhoma and Bwindi, max 20 around Bwindi
285 Swamp Flycatcher Seen from boat at Mbamba swamp, but easiest around the buildings at QE, Mweya Lodge
286 Dusky Blue Flycatcher Seen regualrly arouns Buhoma and Bwindi
287 Sooty Flycatcher 3 seen at Buhoma, & 10 seen nr Kibale
288 Chin-spot Batis Just 1 nr Mubwindi swamp, Ruhiza
289 Black-headed Batis Just 1 seen at Murchison nr the Falls
290 Rwenzori Batis Just 1 seen at Runiza nr Mubwindi swamp
291 Black & White Shrike Flycatcher Singles at Buhoma, Bwindi & 2 Kibale
292 Brown-throated Wattle-eye Single at Buhoma, and 1-2 seen at Bwindi
293 Black-throated Wattle-eye 1 only at Mburo NP
294 African Paradise Flycatcher Common in secondary and primary woodland
295 Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher Singles at Semliki & Kibale
296 Silverbird Seen regularly at Murchison, but not recorded elsewhere
297 White-bellied Crested Flycatcher A single at Bwindi was the only one
298 African Blue Flycatcher Seen regualarly at Bwindi and Murchison in small numbers
299 White-tailed Blue Flycatcher 5 ind's at Mubwindi and 4 Buhoma
300 Scaly-breasted Illadopsis 1 heard only at Kibale
301 Mountain Illadopsis A single at Bwindi was the only one
302 African Hill Babbler 6 at Mubwindi were the only ones
303 Black-lored Babbler Regularly noted in savannah habitat at Mburo & QE park
304 Dusky Tit 2 at Buhoma were the only ones
305 White-shouldered Tit Single at Mburo
306 Stripe-breasted Tit 3 at Mubwindi Swamp, Ruhiza
307 Yellow-whiteeye Common in any scrub & woodland
308 Green-headed Sunbird Seen regularly in forest areas
309 Blue-throated Brown Sunbird 4 at Buhoma were the only ones seen
310 Blue-headed Sunbird 3 at Buhoma were the only ones seen
311 Northern Double Collared Sunbird Seen in small numbers around Ruhizaand Bwindi
312 Olive-bellied Sunbird Singles at Bwindi, Kibale & Semliki
313 Rwenzori double collared Sunbird A single at Ruhiza, nr Mubwindi was the only one
314 Regal Sunbird 4 at Ruhiza & 2 at Bwindi
315 Olive Sunbird 1 & 3 seen over 2 days at Buhoma neck area
316 Little Green Sunbird 2 on edge of Kibale forest were the only ones
317 Copper Sunbird 1-2 seen around QE park, 1 seen at Semliki
318 Marico Sunbird Just a single at Murchison NP
319 Scarlet Chested Sunbird Noted from the south of the country with a maximumof 6 at Mbamba
320 Beautiful Sunbird 1-2 recorded on 3 days around Murchison NP
321 Red-chested Sunbird Noted regularly throughout
322 Variable Sunbird Single at Mbamba and single enroute Buhoma neck
323 Collared Sunbird Noted regularly between days 4-11, in small numbers
324 Common Fiscal Shrike Common shrike in the hills and mountains, regualrly seen along roadsides
325 Grey-backed Fiscal Shrike Common shrike in the savannah, commonest around Mbamba and Murchison.
326 Mackinnons Shrike Common around QE NP, with maximum of 20 counted during game drive
327 Tropical Boubou Singles recorded at Bwindi and Semliki
328 Ludhers Bush-shrike Seen regualrly in 1-2's around Bwindi
329 Black-headed Gonolek Seen most regualrly in savannah at Mbamba and Mburo NP, also noted at Murchison NP
330 Sooty boubou Just a single from Bwindi
331 Northern Puffback Three whilst trekking at Ruhiza to Mubwindi swamp
332 Pink-footed Puffback Just a single from Bwindi
333 Black-crowned Tchagra Commonest on day 8, 25+ whilst en-route through Ashasha sector of QE Park, only then noted a further 2 at QE park
334 Brown-crowned Tchagra Small numbers noted at Murchison NP, not recorded elsewhere
335 Sulphur-breasted bush Shrike A single at Mburo NP was the only one
336 Dohertys Bush Shrike A single at Ruhiza, nr Mubwindi was the only one
337 Bocage's Bush-shrike Singles seen around Buhoma area
338 Fork-tailed Drongo Seen regularly around in Svannah habitat
339 Velvet -mantled Drongo Just 2 seen at Buhoma
340 Pied Crow Common
341 White-naped Raven Notedat Ruhiza, Buhoma and enroute to Fort Portal
342 Montane Oriole About 8 were recorded at Ruhiza area only
343 Western Black-headed Oriole Singles at Kibale & en-route from Murchison
344 Yellow-billed Oxpecker Around 6 at QE park, but not noted elsewhere
345 Red-billed Oxpecker Around 12 at Murchison but not noted elsewhere
346 Stuhlman's Starling Six at Ruhiza & 7 over at Bwindi
347 Narrow-tailed Starling Common in forested areas
348 Wallers Starling 40+ noted at Ruhiza, but not recorded elsewhere
349 Lesser Blue-eared Starling Small numbers seen at Murchison only
350 Ruppell's Long-tailed Starling Common in savannah habitats
351 Purple-headed Starling Up to 6 at QE Park, but not seen elsewhere
352 Splendid Starling Small numbers at Mburo NP & Bwindi fields
353 Violet-backed Starling 100+ at Murchison, but not seen elsewhere
354 Superb Starling 1 only at QE Park
355 Wattled Starling 1 at QE Park and 2 at Murchison NP
356 Rufous Sparrow 2 at Murchison NP were the only ones
357 Grey-headed Sparrow Common
358 Black-headed Village Weaver Noted at many locations
359 Lesser Masked Weaver 5 at QE park, not seen elsewhere
360 Vitelline Masked Weaver 2 at Murchison NP were the only ones
361 Black-necked Weaver 2 at Buhoma & 2 nr Fort Portal, Kibale
362 Baglafecht Weaver Commonest at Mburo NP max 10 here
363 Grosbeak Weaver Up to 12 seen at Kibale & Semliki areas
364 Little Weaver 6 seen at QE park only
365 Slender-billed weaver Common around QE NP, with maximum of 50 counted during game drive
366 Golden-backed Weaver 5 at Bwindi fields
367 Yellow-backed Weaver Common
368 Northern Brown-throated Weaver Just 1 seen at Mburo NP area
369 Compact weaver Seen at Mburo, Commonest at Murchison 10+
370 Holub's Golden Weaver 6 seen at Kibale only
371 Orange Weaver 6 at Mburo area only
372 Brown-capped weaver Small numberat Buhoma & Bwindi
373 Black-billed Weaver 5 seen at Buhoma only
374 Viellots Black Weaver Common
375 Red-billed Quelea Flock of 300 seen at QE park & 50+ in fields nr Semliki
376 Red-headed Malimbe Singles nr Kibale & Ruhiza
377 Fan-tailed Widowbird 2 seen en-route to Mburo & 10 Murchison NP
378 Black Bishop 1 seen en-route from Murchison
379 Yellow-mantled Widowbird 10+ around Murchison NP, not seen elsewhere
380 Yellow-crowned Bishop A small flock seen at QE Park, were the only ones
381 Southern Red Bishop 12 seen at QE Park
382 Northern Red Bishop Seen in small numbers at QE Park only
383 Black-winged Red Bishop Small nubers seen around Murchison NP
384 Grey-headed Negrofinch Seen in small numbers at Bwindi and Semliki
385 White-breasted Negrofinch 2 seen en-route to Buhoma
386 Green-winged Pytilia Single seen at Ruhiza
387 Dusky Crimsonwing Single at Mubwindi, Ruhiza was the only one
388 Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Common at QE Park 10+
389 Red-billed Firefinch Common at QE Park, 25 noted not recorded elsewhere
390 African Firefinch Common in savannah around Mburo NP
391 Bar-breasted Firefinch Small group with other finches in grassland enroute from Ruhiza to Buhoma
392 Yellow-bellied Waxbill Small group with other finches in grassland enroute from Ruhiza to Buhoma
393 Common Waxbill Common around Mburo NP & noted at QE Park
394 Black-crowned Waxbill Seen at Bwindi, Kibale & Murchison in small numbers
395 Bronze Mannikin Common
396 Red-backed mannikin 6 seen at Semliki only
397 Pin-tailed Whydah Fairly common in savannah, 20+ Murchison NP
398 Village Indigobird 2 noted en-route to QE park
399 Brimstone Canary Seen in small numbers around QE park, commoner at Murchison 50+
400 Yellow-fronted Canary 10 at Mburo NP were the only ones
401 Thick-billed Seedeater 1-2 around Buhoma areas
402 African Citril Finch 6 at Buhoma, single noted en-route to FortPortal
403 Streaky Seed-eater 2 at Buhoma were the only ones
404 Oriole Finch A single was heard only at Buhoma
405 African Golden Breasted Bunting Singles noted from grassland areas nr Buhoma & Murchison


Uganda photo gallery