A Recently paved road from Isiola to Moyale,provides a pleasant journey north into the Dida Galgalla lava desert.A trip 80km out of Marsabit can produce a number of interesting desert species which are only found in the north, as well as a good variety of dry bush birds.On leaving Marasabit one should check out any scrubby watercourses,especially the larger ones bridged by the road.These can turn up Bristle-crowned Starling,Somali Sparrow,Somali Golden-breasted Bunting,Somali Crow and Magpie Starling.
Out into the desert the dominant birds here are undoubtedly the larks,flocks of Fischer’s and Chesnut-headed Sparrow-Larks being the most evident. A walk from the road may produce unusual species such as Masked Lark and the endemic William’s Lark.
Other numerous birds include Sandgrouse and Courses,although these are more apparent at dawn and dusk.Two rare species of Bustard may be noted in the desert,usually Heuglin’s,although further north one may possibly see the Arabian Bustard.Common birds anyway along the road are the Somali Ostrich,Somali Bee-eater and Somali Fiscal although the latter species need to distinguished from the very similar Taita Fiscal
More adventurous guys with four-wheel drives vehicle have the opportunity to drive across the Chalbi Desert from Marsabit,on the C82 to North Horr aroudn 182km away.This route will produce many species listed above,and may improve one’s chance of seeing Arabian Bustard.The area around North Horr is the main Kenyan locality for White-crowned Starling although this species may as well be seen at Turbi between Marsabit and Moyale.
Kenya Birding 