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Birding in and around Lake Baringo

July was a stormy month with thunder rattling the very foundation of building and impressive fiery displays of sheet lighting illuminated the whole area whilst sizzling streaks of forked lightning hit the far hills of Tugen and Laikipia. Torrential rains had the lugga’s in full spate and subsequently the ever surging lake rose again swamping the shoreline grassland and acacias dominated lake shore.

Birds flocked back to Baringo. At first, while the grasses were still low, enthralling hours could be spent looking over this rewarding bird rich area for each day something new was sighted. African Jacana, Allen’s Gallinule, Little Bittern, Northern Red Bishop, Long-toed, Spur-winged and Blacksmith Lapwing; Squacco, Grey, Purple and Goliath Heron; Great white, Yellow-billed, little and Cattle Egret;  Hamerkop,  Sacred and Hadada Ibis; White-faced and Fulvous Duck. Egyptian Geese were plentiful and with them were often a few knob-billed Duck , and lastly the Red-knob coot was recorded swimming in the middle of the lake.

Pied Kingfishers were not uncommon and a malachite Kingfisher was seen perched on a long grass stalk. Wood and Common Sandpipers and Barn Swallow were sighted, either  early arrivals from  Europe or birds which over summered in Africa. One evening a large flock of Open-billed Storks flew in and overnighted  here. All the above were seen but now the grasses are tall and the general shore flooded, most of the birdlife is hidden from view.

Birds wasted no time nesting and many fledglings are already trying their wings. A Grey-headed Bush Shrike killed a weaver, decapitated it and took the head for its young to feed on. The young bird wedged the head in a forked branch were it shredded and ate it. On other occasion a Gey-headed Bushshrike attempted to take eggs from sitting White-bellied Go-Away Bird but the Go-Away Birds flocked to the scene and averted the crime by chasing the Shrike off.

Cuckoo’s are searching for nests in which to lay their eggs. Great-Spotted Cuckoo’s particularly favour Bristle-crowned Starlings nests. Rufous Chatteres are host to Black & White Cuckoo’s and it was interesting to note that Brown Babblers got very agitated when a Black & White Cuckoo invaded their territory. Didric Cuckoo’s  parasitise Weaver nests, Red-chested Cuckoo’s invariably leaves their young to be raised by the poor little Spotted Morning Thrush. When Cuckoo’s are around they are constantly being chased by their angry hosts.

The Fish Eagle appears to have one young on their nest in the top branches of the Kapok tree. As this is an early hatching it is hoped the young will survive the August storms.

One morning a pair of Pygmy Kingfisher and a pair of Red-fronted Tinkerbirds were darting  around the bushes calling and courting. This caused a certain amount of dilemma for both species are so enchanting it was difficult to decide which pair to watch.

One evening  the Verreaux’s Eagle Owls could be heard calling in the acacia woodland south of the Camp. The next day the pair was together.  As no sighting had been had of the male for some time it was good to know he was still around. The not so young juvenile was then spied flying towards its parents and for several days the family stayed on an acacia in Robert’s Camp main house. Pearl Spotted Owlet was also spotted , it is so small it is difficult to find but its distinctive call can be heard in the early morning hours.

Enjoy your birding.

Joseph Aengwo,

Resident Ornithologist

On the 8th June the birds were out in force with 57 different species recorded on the morning Birdwalk, some of the more notable ones being Lanner Falcon, Dark-chanting Goshawk, Common Kestrel, White-faced Scops Owl, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Red-fronted Barbet, Lesser Honeyguide, Nubian Woodpecker, Brown-tailed Rock Chat, Pygmy Batis, Northern Crombec, Purple Grenadier, Red-headed Weaver and Yellow-spotted Petronia.

Early in the month, the water level in the Lake increased tremendously to an extent where of most us have never experienced it before in our days there (29 Years) . Goliath, Purple and Squacco  Heron with their rich blue billls acquired when breeding are all gathered along the numerous floating Island frequently seen in several part of the lake.The Bee-eaters species of Blue-cheeked, Madagascar, Little and Somali are flying up and down to some of their unlucky prey, a most magnificent sight.

On another evening a Bat-hawk flew past the Lake Baringo Club, to God knows where !It was probably an ideal hunting time considering that most the Yellow-winged Bat were starting to be active, a surprise indeed!!.Toward the far end of our air strip, a woolly-necked Stork flew overhead and later eight ostriches were seen.Other interesting birds seen from around the air strip include; Pygmy Falcon, Heuglin’s  Courser and Spotted Thicknee. The Thicknee’s must have had a nest in the rocks because on hearing us approach they would dart away from the rocks then stand frozen, out in the open, their luminous legs glowing like neons.

  Three young Rufouse Chatterers come one evening to feed with the weavers and starlings. These charming youngsters had no  fear and bravely waited their chance to snatch at the proffered crumbs regardless of the jostling competition surrounding them. Thereafter they were often seen around the garden and have grown rapidly since the fist sighting.

For several days the shoreline was the the meeting place for  a small gathered Egyptian Geese.. Large flock of White-throated Bee-eaters fly in most evening at about 6:00p.m and feed quickly before roosting in the Prosopis trees for the night.

At last the Verreaux’s Eagle have returned to the cliff face.The first sighting was on 28 May when they were seen parched low on the rocks. The next day one was flying around, the other was on their old nest. A few days later a terrific clamour  drew attention to the skies, the Eaglea were flying a long the cliffs being mobbed by a pair of Lanner Falcon and Common Kestrel.As the Lanner Falcon had used the Eagle nest whilst the Eagles were absent and they obviously regarded this area as their territory.

One evening the adult Verreaux’s Eagle Owl was parched on the branches of a dead tree, a wonderful opportunity for photographers. Then the young Owl, which had been hiding in the foliage of a nearby tree, swooped down, hopped a long the ground and pounced on a Hedgehog.

The long rains have slightly stopped and the lake is full and super green!!amazing view. Hopefully, the lake will stop to raising!!This I believe is the prayers of the guys who own and run Lake Baringo Club and Robert’s Camp, and obviously their employees are putting their fingers crossed!!!no big fun. White-faced Whistling Duck, African Jacana, Allen’s Gallinule and Winding Cisticolas have been recorded in the southern shore. Northern Red Bishop are coming into breeding plumage and these fiery little and black birds may be seen darting across the grasslands. A little more rain in July and maybe Lake Baringo will restore the bustling bird paradise, I wonder if the same will be said of the accommodation facilities located along the western shore of the lake!!Keep birding.

  Joseph Aengwo

  Resident Ornithologist