Getting lifers in an area that you have birded quite extensively is not easy,seasoned birders will definitely agree with me on this assumption, but on Saturday last week,our local guide Jonathan Baya (An excellent guide in Arabuko Sokoke forest ) managed to find two lifers for me and my clients in less than an hour after entering the forest.
African Pitta and Spotted Ground-Thrush were our big catch for us.Both birds are rarely seen and have localized movement within Africa.
We saw one Pitta on the floor of the leafy forest ground. The bird was extremely shy and moved around on the ground within dense cover and once in a while standing motionless. We got excellent views before we decided to allow the bird enjoy its peace.Very attractive bird indeed.
Now,it is with Jonathan excellent birding skills that were helpful in located the Spotted Ground-Thrush.Very camouflage and standing still for a while. Large brown-backed thrush with heavy spotting below and white wingbars, very beautiful bird!. This bird also rare and localized endangered species,with most records coming from this coastal forest
That was a very productive morning for us and the memories of that day we will forever cherish!!.
Kenya Birding 