The day before we left for Africa, I almost put my binoculars back in the cupboard. They were heavy and we’d probably be too busy to use them anyhow I thought. So, when we ended up with the top birder in Uganda as our tour guide of Queen Elizabeth National Park, there was great relief that I had thrown them in at the last minute.
The "Big Five" were nothing compared to the diversity of avian species and the phenomenal plumages, songs, and behaviours that we witnessed. In only 3 days Johnnie Kamugisha, our guide, taught us over 150 species.
Emma loved watching the Black-headed Weavers darting in and out of their hanging nests, feeding their squawking young . She also found us our first Bronzy Sunbird, a member of this neat nectar-drinking family. Meg was the key spotter of the Scaly Francolin, a really funny chicken-like species that runs about the savanna with chicks in tow. It somehow managed to avoid numerous close calls with our Land Rover.
My mission was to see as many of the unusual storks and hawks as possible. The trip did not disappoint. In fact, it blew me away. My new favourite birds include Saddle-billed Stork (top), Spoonbill (centre), Hamarkop, Crowned Hornbill, Augur Buzzard, Long-crested Eagle, and the ultimate: the Black and White Tusked Hornbill. The first time one of those flew over us at dusk as we were walking up the hill from JGI to our hotel, I think we all ducked as it’s massive wing beats fanned us and it’s "tusk" disfigured it’s silhouette in the evening sky. This was followed by a breathless cry of "what the heck was that thing?"
One morning, Emma spotted some dark shapes perched on a termite mound a few hundred metres from the track. Nothing was more surprising than to discover a female Veureux's Eagle Owl (bottom). She quickly moved up into a Euphorbia tree. Surprise - she had two young up there. They were fascinating to observe. Even cooler was realizing that they have pink eyelids!!
Uganda is an amazing place, and we were lucky to learn so much more about its diverse array of species through this experience.
1 comment:
They are beautiful. One of the reasons why I am actively participating in activities for the environment is that I would definitely like my future grand children and their children's children be able to get to see beautiful things like those birds.
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