UGANDA: GORILLAS AND IMPENETRABLE FOREST November 20-29, 2013

Leaders: David Bishop and Livingston Compiled by: David Bishop Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2525 Wallingwood Drive #1003 Austin, TX 78746 www.ventbird.com Adult male Silverback Gorilla © K. David Bishop

TOUR REPORT UGANDA: GORILLAS AND IMPENETRABLE FOREST November 20–29, 2013 By David Bishop Uganda illustrated yet again why it is one of the world’s most spectacular destinations in which to observe Africa’s wildlife. Although the primary purpose of the trip was to see the incomparable Mountain Gorilla at its home within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, we managed to record some 276 species of birds and 27 species of mammals, in addition to some wonderful butterflies and a handful of neat reptiles and frogs. And all this within just seven days! As ever, my colleague Livingston did a superlative job of driving, logistics, and helping us to find some wonderful birds and mammals. He really is primus inter pares! The rangers and administration operating the Gorilla treks are to be heartily congratulated upon their professionalism, dedication, and all-round excellence. It is so good to see what can be achieved for conservation when people put their minds to it—and there is a financial incentive. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is such an important gem that one can only hope that Uganda continues to do its utmost to ensure its long-term protection. Having visited and explored Uganda at various intervals since 1983, it has been fascinating for me to see this marvelous, vibrant, and very friendly country rise from the “ashes” of a terrible era. Nowadays the quality of the lodges is second to none, as are many of its roads and other facilities. The ever-expanding parks and reserves are a tribute to a fine commitment on the part of the Ugandan people. Perhaps above all though, for me, is that wherever one goes throughout Uganda there are birds, mammals, and other wildlife in profusion and often cheek by jowl with people. Thank you to Marty and Barbara, Jerry and Anne for the opportunity to lead this trip.

David K David Bishop Semioptera Pty Ltd PO Box 1234 ARMIDALE, NSW, 2350 Australia +61 412 737 297 +61 2 6771 5580 [email protected]

DIARY 22 November 2013: Fly Kajansi Airport (midway between Entebbe and Kampala) to a small grassy strip at Kayanza. Drive and bird from there to our lovely Evengue Lodge near Buhoma. Superbly situated, quiet and very birdy located at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and overlooking a forested valley that provided fine views of many birds and mammals. The afternoon was spent birding from the verandah and around Buhoma. 23 November: An early departure for Ruhiza and the upper section of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Arriving just in time we picked up our guides and seemingly within a very short time were watching the Bitukara Gorilla family comprising a total of 12 animals. Absolutely fantastic! Afterwards we returned to the base for debriefing and the opportunity to purchase some artifacts before continuing on to the first of several picnic lunches and some very productive birding. Dodging the rain we birded down to the ‘Neck’ (a narrow strip of forest connecting the lower and upper elevations of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest). As is so often the case the birding at the Neck was superb and produced a seemingly never ever ending strem of great birds including superlative ‘scope views of a pair of Black Bee-eaters. 24 November: All day birding along the very productive Buhoma track that bisects the lower secion of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. So many wonderful birds and primates including Red-tailed and Blue monkeys, Bar-tailed Trogon, Blue-throated Roller, displaying African Broadbill, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Ruwenzori Apalis, Whitebellied Robin-Chat and the gorgeous Red-headed Malimbe. 25 November: After a leisurely breakfast combined with very productive birding from the lodge verandah we birded our way through lightly wooded farmland (picking up a bunch of new birds), then a picnic lunch at the Neck before checking into our lodge at Ruhiza. A slow rather cool damp afternoon proved rather slow but oh those forests. 26 November: Morning and afternoon sessions in the upland forests above Ruhiza produced a plethora of exciting new birds and mammals including: Side-striped Jackal, Black-fronted Duiker, Senegal Galago, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, White-headed Woodhoope, Ruwenzori Batis, Luhuder’s Bushshrike, Ruwenzori Apalis, Grauer’s Warbler, White-starred Robin Red-throated Alethe, Regal Sunbird and Dusky Crimsonwing. 27 November: Departing well before dawn we drove through the forest and descended to the fertile valley below. Ruwenzori Nightjars slowed our progress as to lots of open country birds plus the very productive Hamurwa Swamp. From there we passed through the large towns of Kabale and Mbarara replete with Grey-crowned Cranes before turning off to Lake Mburo National Park and time for a picnic lunch. The afternoon was spent gloriously enjoying a very different habitat in the form of Savannh Combretum Woodland replete with large numbers of ungulates and other large mammals plus a slew of new and exciting birds. The day concluded brilliantly at our lovely lodge with Lions

proclaiming their prestige and a couple of fascinating long-eared Slit-faced Bats roosting under the roof of the dining room. 28 November: A brief early am safari before heaing out in the boat onto lake Mburo which instantly produced hippos by the dozen, Malachite Kingfishers, African Fish Eagles, a highly desired White-backed Nightheron and three African Finfoots. Then a long but very interesting and bird rich drive back to Entebbe for the conclusion of a very successful Gorilla Safari to Uganda’s Impenetrable Forest.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest © K. David Bishop

ANNOTATED LIST Species which were heard but not seen are indicated by the symbol (H) Conservation threat categories and information are taken from Threatened Birds of the World, BirdLife International’s magnificent book on the sad status of the rarest 10% of the world’s avifauna, and updates on the BirdLife website: http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/index.html ANATIDAE 1. White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata Circa 100 en route to Entebbe. 2. Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

One in cattle-grazed Combretum woodland between Mbarara and the turn off to Lake Mburo National Park. Numididae 3. Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris Four of the nominate subspecies within Lake Mburo National Park. PHASIANIDAE 4. Crested Francolin Francolinus sephaena Ten in Lake Mburo National Park. 5. Red-necked Francolin (Spurfowl) Francolinus afer Ten in Lake Mburo National Park. The distinctive subspecies concerned is cranchii sometimes known as Cranch’s Francolin. John Cranch (17581816) was a British explorer of tropical Africa and was a member of Captain Tuckey’s 1816 mission to find the source of the Congo. 6. Handsome Francolin Francolinus nobilis These Albertine Rift endemics were almost totally silent at Ruhiza this year so we were lucky to see one there on our last afternoon. CICONIIDAE 7. African OpenbillAnastomus lamelligerus Circa 40 roosting in tall trees en route to Entebbe. 8. Abdim’s Stork Ciconia abdimii Circa 50 near Lake Mburo National Park. 9. Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Five in Lake Mburo National Park. 10. White Stork Ciconia ciconia One in Lake Mburo National Park. 11. Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus These large, strange-looking birds were common around Entebbe and other larger towns. Uganda’s garbage disposal team! PHALACROCORAIDAE 12. Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus We saw just one en route to Entebbe. Also known as Reed Cormorant. SCOPIDAE 13. Hamerkop Scopus umbretta Five en route to Lake Mburo National Park.

ARDEIDAE 14. Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala Four between Kayonza and Buhoma and >40 en route to and within Lake Mburo National Park. 15. Western Great Egret Casmerodius albus One en route to Lake Mburo National Park. Recent DNA work suggests a closer link with Ardea than Egretta, though as here, the species is often placed in Casmerodius. 16. Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Twelveen route to Lake Mburo National Park. Most authors simply refer to this species as Cattle Egret but it has been renamed following the splitting off of the Asian form coromandus under the name Eastern Cattle Egret (Rasmussen &Anderton (2005): Birds of South Asia, The Ripley Guide). 17. Striated Heron Butorides striata Three in Lake Mburo National Park. Also known as Green-backed Heron. 18. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Four in Lake Mburo National Park. 19. White-backed Night Heron Gorsachius leuconotus Fine close views of agorgeous adult that even puffed up its white back for us deep within the margins of Lake Mburo. THRESKIORNITHIDAE 20. Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus Eightin and around Hamurwa Swamp near Kabale. This species was revered and even mummified by the ancient Egyptians as the incarnation of Thoth, the god of wisdom and knowledge. 21. Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash Two between Kayonza and Buhoma; one well spottedby Barbara at the edge of the Impenetrable Forest and circa 12 en route to Lake Mburo National Park. The name is anonomatopoeic rendering of the call and has been spelt in a number of different ways.

ACCIPITRIDAE 22. Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus One en route to Entebbe. 23. African Harrier Hawk Polyboroides typus One hunting at the edge of a village between Ruhiza and Buhoma. Also known as Gymnogene meaning bare-cheeked. 24. African White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus Just one seen on our first afternoon in Lake Mburo National Park. Birdlife International has now classified this declining species as ‘Near Threatened’. However it is still the most widespread and common vulture in Africa, occurring from Senegal, Gambia and Mali in the west, throughout the Sahel region to Ethiopia and Somalia in the east, through East Africa into Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa in the south. Its global population has been estimated at 270,000 individuals. Consistent with other vulture species it has declined by over 90% in West Africa. The species has also declined in Sudan and Kenya, but is apparently more stable in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and across southern Africa where an estimated 40,000 individuals remain. 25. Black-breasted (chested) Snake Eagle Circaetus pectoralis Four in Lake Mburo National Park. 26. Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus One adult seen well in Lake Mburo National Park and an immature was seen there following day. 27. Western Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus cinerascens Fine close views of a single adult near Lake Mburo. 28. Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis A relatively common and regularly encountered roadside bird with an

impressive crest. 29. Wahlberg’s Eagle Aquila wahlbergi Two of this intra-African migrant within Lake Mburo National Park. The species, described by Sundevall in 1851, is named after Johan August Wahlberg (1810-1856) a Swedish collector specialising in southern African species. A wounded elephant at Lake Ngami in Bechuanaland unfortunately killed him! 30. Cassin’s Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus africanus One circled low over the forest near Buhoma. This species is sometimes placed in the genus Spizaetus. John Cassin (1813-1869) was an American businessman and renowned systematic ornithologist. He was also curator of ornithology and Vice-President of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences. 31. Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar One between Buhoma and and Ruhiza. The species is sometimes placed in the genus Melierax. In this case the word Gabar is derived from two French words garde (guard) and barré (barred). 32. Black (Great Sparrowhawk) GoshawkAccipiter melanoleucus Superb views of an adult from the lodge verandah at Buhoma. Also known as Black Sparrowhawk or Goshawk 33. Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius This resident and intra-African migrant was commonly recordedbetween the forest edge below Ruhiza and Lake Mburo National Park. The form concerned is parasitus that is often lumped in Black Kite M. migrans however recent DNA analysis suggests that the African forms are actually more closely related to Red Kite M. milvus. To add to the complexity of the problem, northern and southern populations of Yellow-billed Kite may in turn prove to be specifically distinct from each other. 34. African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer One of the most evocative and haunting of all wild African sounds. We observed 12 of these magnificent birds on Lake Mburo. 35. Augur Buzzard Buteo augur This handsome bird, occurs in two colour phases was easy to see inthe southwest where good numbers were seen. The Augur was a priest or official of ancient Rome who performed the taking of the auspices and interpreted the will of the Gods by studying the flight of birds. Surely one of the first ornithologists!

RALLIDAE 36. (H)Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostris Heard en route to Entebbe. HELIORNITHIDAE 37. African Finfoot Podica senegalensis We enjoyed great views of a female and two males feeding under the trees at the edge of Lake Mburo during our boat trip there. This really is a great place to see this often-elusive species as finfoots appear to be virtually habituated to the boats here. GRUIDAE 38. Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum Thanks to some good spotting by Anne we enjoyed a fine view of a pair of these magnificent birds between Kayonza and Buhoma. Then as we drove from below Ruhiza to Lake Mburo NP we counted a total of 23 birds, including several feeding right at the edge of some very busy towns. This is Uganda’s National Bird. BURHINIDAE 39. Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus One at Hamurwa Swamp near Kabaleand one within Lake Mburo National Park. CHARADRIIDAE 40. Senegal Lapwing Vanellus lugubris Two in Lake Mburo National Park. Also known as Lesser Black-winged Lapwing. 41. African Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus Six in Lake Mburo National Park where we encountered the subspecieslateralis with a black band on its belly. These birds have the most amazing eyes when seen close up! The name ‘Lapwing’ is now being increasingly used for all members of the genus Vanellus.

RECURVIROSTRIDAE 42. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Two seen en route to Entebbe. SCOLOPACIDAE 43. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Just one of these Palearctic migrants in Lake Mburo National Park. 44. Green SandpiperTringa ochropus Two in Lake Mburo National Park. 45. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola: Two in Lake Mburo National Park. 46. African Snipe Gallinago nigripennis One in Lake Mburo National Park. COLUMBIDAE 47. Feral Pigeon Columba livia Feral birds only. 48. Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea Two near Mbarara. 49. Rameron (African Olive) Pigeon Columba arquatrix Two near Ruhiza. 50. African Mourning (Collared) Dove Streptopelia decipiens Several in Lake Mburo National Park. 51. Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata This very common species repeatedly sings “Avoid catastrophe, avoid catastrope”. We heard and saw this species most days. 52. Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilo Just a few of these dry country doves were seen in Lake Mburo National Park. 53. Blue-spotted Wood Dove Turtur afer Singles on two days within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 54. Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria One seen nicely as we birded back from Ruhiza to Buhoma. The name refers to the nature of the call. 55. African Green Pigeon Treron calva

We saw singles of this attractive pigeon daily within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Great Blue Turaco © K. David Bishop MUSOPHAGIDAE 56. Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata This spectacular bird was notably common and we were treated to some fine views of this impressive species. Uganda must be one of the easiest places in Africa to see this magnificent turaco with its splendid (if somewhat ridiculous) hair-do and amazing calls! The feathers of turacos possess two copper pigments, red turacin and green turacoverdin that are unique in the avian world and are responsible for producing the bright red and green colours in their plumage. Contrary to popular belief these pigments are only soluble in alkali and not water. 57. Black-billed Turaco Tauraco schuettii This forest turaco was more often heard than seen, however, we managed good views of single birds on two days within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. As this is a rare bird now in Kenya, Uganda remains the easiest and most accessible country in which to see this species. 58. Ross’s Turaco Musophaga rossae We heard this fabulous species in the neck and then saw it on our last morning on the shores of Lake Mburo. Lady Ann Ross (1817-1857) was the wife of Rear-Admiral Sir James Clark Ross who discovered the Magnetic North Pole and the Ross Sea and Ice Shelf. The turaco was sent to her from West Africa during the time that she was stationed on St Helena. She kept the bird as a pet for ten years and sent sketches and moulted feathers to John Gould who named the turaco after her. The wings were once a popular addition to fashionable ladies hats.

59. Bare-faced Go-away Bird Corythaixoides personata At least four seen within Lake Mburo National Park. 60. Eastern Grey Plantain-eater Crinifer zonurus Common and conspicuous in the grounds of our lodge near Entebbe. Despite its name it is a fruit-eater preferring figs and the fruits of the Musanga and is not known to take plantains from the tree. CUCULIDAE 61. Pied (Jacobin or Black-and-white) Cuckoo Oxylophus jacobinus One en route to Lake Mburo National Park. This cuckoo is known to mainly parasitize Dark-capped and Common Bulbuls. 62. (H) Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitaries Heard in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The species parasitizes robin chats, scrub-robins and Spotted Morning Thrush. 63. (H) Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus Heard in Lake Mburo National Park. The species parasitizes bush-shrikes. 64. African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis One in Lake Mburo National Park. 65. Klaas’s Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas One en route to Ruhiza and two very nicely within Lake Mburo National Park.The species parasitizes warblers, sunbirds and other small birds. It was described by Stephens in 1853 and is supposedly named after one of Levaillant’s Khoikhoi (Hottentot) servants. 66. (H) African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus Heard at Buhoma. 67. (H) Diederik Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius Heard within Lake Mburo National Park. The call is – ”dee-dee-deediederik” and the name (which has been spelt in various ways) is clearly onomatopoeic. The species mainly parasitizes weavers. 68. (H) Yellowbill Ceuthmochares aereus Heard within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Also known as Blue Malkoha.

CENTROPIDAE [This family is often lumped in Cuculidae.] 69. Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis

One seen near Buhoma. 70. (H) White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus Heard within Lake Mburo National Park. CAPRIMULGIDAE 71. Rwenzori Nightjar Caprimulgus ruwenzorii Fine views of five of this poorly known species as we drove out from the upper section of the Impenetrable Forest prior to dawn. Sometimes lumped with Montane Nightjar. APODIDAE 72. Little Swift Apus affinis More than 50 over towns and villages en route to Lake Mburo National Park. COLIIDAE 73. Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus This charismatic bird was seen daily and appeared to be abundant and widespread. 74. Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus Six in Lake Mburo National Park. The colour of the nape is quite striking. TROGONIDAE 75. Bar-tailed Trogon Apaloderma vittatum Two males seen nicely within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Striped Kingfisher © K. David Bishop

ALCEDINIDAE 76. Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata This gorgeous little kingfisher was numerous (ca. 8) on Lake Mburo National Park. The species is sometimes placed in the genus Corythornis. 77. African Pygmy Kingfisher Ispidina picta Brilliant views of this tiny kingfisher from the verandah of our lodge at Buhoma and again in Lake Mburo National Park. The species is sometimes placed in the genus Ceyx. 78. Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis Three en route to and four the following day within Lake Mburo National Park. 79. Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti Widespread in Lake Mburo National Park. 80. Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis This dapper bird is always a pleasure to watch and was notably numerous on Lake Mburo. MEROPIDAE 81. Black Bee-eater Merops gularis We all enjoyed superb ‘scope views of this highly sough after species, whilst birding‘the neck’ within the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. 82. Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus Ten en route to and within Lake Mburo National Park. 83. Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater Merops oreobates Wonderfuly common in the forests near Ruhiza and in the countrysidearound the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 84. Blue-cheeked Bee-eaterMerops persicus A total of 12 of these very handsome bird within Lake Mburo National Park. CORACIIDAE 85. Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudate Six within Lake Mburo National Park and enroute back to Entebbe. 86. Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus A total of ten within Lake Mburo National Park and en route back to Entebbe.

87. Blue-throated Roller Eurystomus gularis Superlative views of this wonderful forest dwelling roller within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The blue throat is not always the easiest feature to see!

Malachite Kingfisher © K. David Bishop

PHOENICULIDAE 88. Green Wood-hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus Several heard and two seen in Lake Mburo National Park. 89. White-headed Wood-hoopoe Phoeniculus bollei A garrulous group of four were seen well within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and another two in upland forest near Ruhiza. RHINOPOMASTIDAE [Sibley and Monroe treat the genus Rhinopomastus as a separate family, Rhinopomastidae but this treatment does not seem to have been widely accepted.] 90. Common Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas One in Lake Mburo National Park. BUCEROTIDAE 91. Crowned Hornbill Tockus alboterminatus We saw just one of this small hornbill near Buhoma. 92. African Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus Three within Lake Mburo National Park.

93. Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill Bycanistes subcylindricus One pair between Kayanza and Buhoma and fine views of one within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill© K. David Bishop

CAPITONIDAE [Sibley and Monroe place the African barbets in their own family, Lybiidae.] 94. Yellow-billed Barbet Trachylaemus purpuratus Two on two days of this striking barbet within the forests of Bwindi’s ‘Neck’. 95. Grey-throated Barbet Gymnobucco bonapartei The white eye and bristle nose-tufts give this bird astrangely prehistoric appearance. We observed a total of six within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 96. Speckled Tinkerbird Pogoniulus scolopaceus Just one within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 97. Western Green Tinkerbird Pogoniulus coryphaeus This surprisingly attractive little tinkerbird was seen verywell in upland forest near Ruhiza.

98. Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus Widespread, seen daily in small numbers. The two subspecies encountered were the somewhatduller mfumbiri in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and leucolaima elsewhere. These have historically been considered part of a separate species, Lemon-rumped Tinkerbird P. leucolaima. A particularly common species of forest edge or degraded forest and frequently heard and seen during the tour. 99. Streaky-throated Barbet Tricholaema flavipunctata One seen well in upland forest near Ruhiza. The voice and, in this case, the plumage also changes from east to west and various splits have been suggested for the complex. The form concerned is often lumped in Hairybreasted Barbet T. hirsuta. The subspecies we saw is ansorgii. 100. Spot-flanked Barbet Tricholaema lachrymose Two of the subspecies radcliffei within Lake Mburo National Park that differs mainly in its smaller spots. 101. Red-faced Barbet Lybius rubrifacies We were very lucky to find this rare and localised barbet on both our afternoon and morning sessions within Lake Mburo National Park. Birdlife International classifies this species as ‘Near Threatened’. It is restricted to eastern Rwanda and Burundi, and northwest Tanzania, with Lake Mburo National Park being its only known locality in Uganda. It occurs in hilly areas of Combretum-wooded grassland, mixed woodland of AlbiziaAcacia-Commiphora (including riverine woods) and also cultivated areas with scattered trees, generally at altitudes of 1,200-1,500m. Although the species is locally common in Rwanda, it has a restricted distribution and is presumed to have suffered a population decline as a result of habitat loss after the degazettement of about two-thirds of Akagera National Park (from 2,850km2 to 1,000km2). In Tanzania, habitat for this species is not currently under threat, but it occurs at very low densities. 102. Double-toothed Barbet Lybius bidentatus Fine views of a pair between Kayanza and Bhuhoma and en route to Ruhiza. INDICATORIDAE 103. Cassin’s Honeybird Prodotiscus insignis One within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 104. Dwarf Honeyguide Indicator pumilio An excellent view of one of theseAlbertine Rift Endemics in the forests of the ‘Neck’.

105. Wilcock’s HoneyguideIndicator willcocksi Two in the forests of the ‘Neck’. PICIDAE 106. Nubian Woodpecker Campethera nubica One fine male within Lake Mburo National Park. 107. Tullberg’s Woodpecker Campethera tullbergi Two seen well within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This subspeciestaeniolaema is known as Fine-banded Woodpecker and has been historically treated as a separate species. Tycho Fredrik Hugo Tullberg (1842-1920) was a Swedish Zoologist. 108. (H)Buff-spotted Woodpecker Campethera nivosa Heard within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 109. Elliot’s Woodpecker Dendropicos elliotii Single males seen on two days in the Neck’ and within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Daniel Giraud Elliot (1835-1915) was Curator of Zoology at the Field Museum in Chicago and a founder of the American Ornithologists’ Union. 110. African Grey Woodpecker Dendropicos goertae One at our Boma Guest House near Entebbe. 111. Olive WoodpeckerDendropicos griseocephalus One in the upland forest near Ruhiza. FALCONIDAE 112. Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus One en route to Entebbe. 113. Grey Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus One at the Boma Guest House near Entebbe. 114. Northern Hobby Falco subbuteo One over the Boma Guest House, near Entebbe. 115. African Hobby Falco cuvierii Fine views of one in upland forest below Ruhiza. PSITTACIDAE 116. Red-headed Lovebird Agapornis pullarius Excellent views of at least two at Lake Mburo.

117. Brown Parrot Poicephalus meyeri Also known as Meyer’s Parrot, we saw several as we drove from Ruhiza to Lake Mburo and within the national park. Dr Bernhard Meyer (17671836) was a German physician interested in ornithology. It is not now known what his link with the parrot was. EURYLAIMIDAE 118. African Broadbill Smithornis capensis Undoubtedly on of the highlights of the trip. We all enjoyed fine views at a displaying male twirling around on his perch like some clockwork toy deep within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. PLATYSTEIRIDAE 119. Black-and-white Flycatcher Bias musicus Also known as Vanga Flycatcher, this striking flycatcher with its spiky crest was first seen well at Buhoma and then a total of seven the following day along the track through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Wonderful watching the males performing their butterfly-like display flights. 120. Brown-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea Also known as Common Wattle-eye. Two from the verandah of lodge at Buhoma and as many as four in the uplnd forest around Ruhiza. This species is named after the female. 121. Rwenzori Batis Batis diops This striking Albertine Rift endemic with its little white headlights and bright orange eye was seen well in the forest near Ruhiza. MALACONOTIDAE 122. Pink-footed Puffback Dryoscopus angolensis 1-3 seen daily within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 123. Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis One seen in scrubby country near the ‘Neck’ and another near Ruhiza. 124. Lühder’s Bush-shrike Laniarius luehderi Fabulous views of this handsome shrike on several occasions within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. W. Lühder (1847-1873) was a German naturalist who collected in Cameroon in 1872. 125. Tropical Boubou Laniarius major The unforgettable duetting call of this species was heard on a few occasions but we only saw one individual between Kayanza and Buhoma on our first day. 126. Black-headed Gonolek Laniarius erythrogaster

One or two around the Boma Guest House. 127. Papyrus Gonolek Laniarius mufumbiri Seen en route to Entebbe. Classified as ‘Near Threatened’ by Birdlife International. 128. Bocage’s Bush-shrike Malaconotus bocagei Also inexplicably known as Grey-green Bush-shrike. We enjoyed excellent views near Buhoma and from the verandah of our lodge. José Vicenta Barboza du Bocage (1823-1907) was Portuguese and Director of the National Zoological Museum of Lisbon. He had a specialist interest in the birds of Angola. 129. Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike Malaconotus sulfureopectus One seen in Lake Mburo National Park. 130. Doherty’s Bush-shrike Malaconotus dohertyi One of these lovely birds was seen briefly near Ruhiza until rain stopped play. William Doherty (1857-1901) was an American collector employed by Rothschild. He died of dysentery in Nairobi. 131. Brubru Nilaus afer Small numbers in Lake Mburo National Park. CAMPEPHAGIDAE 132. Grey Cuckoo-shrike Coracina caesia One in upland forest near Ruhiza. 133. Black Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga flava: One in Lake Mburo National Park. 134. Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga petiti Several daily within the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Louis Petit (1856-1943) was a French naturalist who collected in Angola between 1876 and 1884. LANIIDAE 135. Grey-backed Fiscal Lanius excubitoroides A common shrike often seen in tail-wagging gangs by the roadsideen route to Entebbe. 136. Mackinnon’s Fiscal Lanius mackinnoni Small numbers of this highland species were seen well near Buhoma and at the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Archibald Donald Mackinnon (1864-1937) was a Scottish medical officer serving in Uganda and later director of Transport there. Sharpe described the bird in 1891

from a specimen collected by Jackson in Kenya. 137. Northern Fiscal Lanius humeralis Common in farmland between Kayanzu and Buhoma and en route to Entebbe. Split from Common Fiscal. ORIOLIDAE 138. African Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus One in Lake Mburo National Park. 139. Montane Oriole Oriolus percivali This striking bird was reasonably easy to see in upland forest near Ruhiza. DICRURIDAE 140. Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis A common open country species. MONARCHIDAE [Recent genetic evidence places the genus Erythrocercus in the family Cettiidae and the genera Elminia and Trochocercus in the family Stenostiridae.] 141. African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis Three within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. CORVIDAE 142. PiapiacPtilostomus afer One in open country near the ‘Neck’. 143. Pied Crow Corvus albus Widespread and abundant in towns and cities whilst smaller numbers were encountered in farmland. 144. White-naped Raven Corvus albicollis Two, probably a pair of these higher-altitude corvids were seen well near at lodeg Ruhiza. The name is supposedly an onomatopoeic rendering of the call. ALAUDIDAE 145. Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea One in Lake Mburo National Park. The name refers to the mechanical noise made by the bird during display flights. HIRUNDINIDAE 146. Plain Martin Riparia paludicola A total of ca. 20 between Kayunza and Buhoma. 147. Banded Martin Riparia cincta

Circa 150 streaming along the valley one morning below our lodge near Buhoma. 148. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Widespread and moderately common; we counted ca. 5000 between Kabale and Lake Mburo National Park. 149. Angola Swallow Hirundo angolensis Common and widespread, particularly in the towns and villages of the southwest. They really are a lovely glossy blue when seen well. 150. Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Three between Kayanza and Buhoma and three near Ruhiza. 151. Lesser Striped Swallow Hirundo abyssinica A relatively common and widespread bird, easily recognised by its heavily striped underparts.We observed ca. 100 within Lake Mburo National Park. 152. White-headed Saw-wing Psalidoprocne albiceps An attractive and very striking species; we saw one near Ruhiza. Note that only the adult males show the nice white crown, and the females and youngsters can be pretty drab and nondescript. 153. Black Saw-wing Psalidoprocne holomelas Common in and around the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

White-headed Sawwing © K. David Bishop

STENOSTIRIDAE 154. White-tailed Blue-Flycatcher Elmina albicauda One lovely adult attending a demanding youngster adjacent to the verandah of our lodge near Buhoma. PARIDAE 155. White-winged Black Tit Parus leucomelas Just one seen in Lake Mburo National Park. 156. Dusky Tit Parus funereus Fabulous views of several groups within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 157. Stripe-breasted Tit Parus fasciiventer We enjoyed excellent views of a flock of six of this Albertine Rift Endemic below Ruhiza. PYCNONOTIDAE 158. Slender-billed Greenbul Andropadus gracilirostris Many chances to see this common and showy = large (if somewhat muted looking) forest canopy species that often perches conspicuously near the top of a tree. 159. Shelley’s (Kakamega) Greenbul Arizelocichla masukuensis One along the Buhoma Track within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 160. Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator Far more often heard than seen; we saw several pairs along the Buhoma Track within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and at the ‘Neck’. The name refers to the presence of white in the outer tail giving it a superficial resemblance to a honeyguide. 161. Red-tailed Greenbul Criniger calurus A striking bird with its puffy white beard and yellow underparts. We had good looks along the Buhoma Track with the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 162. Little Grey Greenbul Andropadus gracilis This is a small greenbul with a fine bill, relatively conspicuous eye ring and a yellowish wash to the vent and belly. It is a reasonably common forest species (though like all greenbuls, fairly unobtrusive) and we saw it well with the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 163. Ansorge’s Greenbul Andropadus ansorgei We obtained several sightings this year a along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and at the ‘Neck’. Thanks to Livingston we were able to observe the gingery flanks and vent and the lack of yellow tones on the underparts. The call is also highly distinctive. Dr William John

Ansorge (1850-1913) was an English explorer who collected in Africa. 164. Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Andropadus latirostris Another familiar bird that is easily recognised and whose voice is a familiar forest sound. We observed small numbers most days within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 165. Little Greenbul Andropadus virens: Always far more often heard than seen, indeed it is one of the most vocal forest birds. We saw six on our first day near Buhoma and two near Ruhiza. 166. Cabanis’s Greenbul Phyllastrephus cabanisi This skulking greenbul was seen well along the Buhoma Track with the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Jean Louis Cabanis (1816-1906) was a German ornithologist. 167. Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor This truly abundant species was recorded in good numbers daily. Now split from Common Bulbul. MACROSPHENIDAE 168. Green Crombec Sylvietta virens. One or two seen along the Buhoma Track with the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 169. (H)White-browed Crombec Sylvietta leucophrys Heard within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 170. Red-faced Crombec Sylvietta whytii Singles seen on two days within Lake Mburo National Park. PHYLLOSCOPIDAE 171. Red-faced Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus laetus We had fine views of just one of these Albertine Rift endemics along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 172. Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus A group of three of these Palaearctic migrants at our lodge at Ruhiza. ACROCEPHALIDAE 173. Mountain Yellow Warbler Chloropeta similis One in bamboo near Ruhiza. Recent genetic evidence suggests that this species is better placed in the genus Iduna and placed in the family Acrocephalidae.

174. Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris Excellent views of one at Hamurwa Swamp near Kabale. LOCUSTELIDAE 175. (H)Cinnamon Bracken Warbler Bradypterus cinnamomeus Another skulker that is far easier to hear than see, we heard several at close quarters in the upland forest above Ruhiza. CISTICOLIDAE 176. Ruwenzori ApalisAplais ruwenzori Excellent views of two of these Albertine Rift endemics in the upland forest above Ruhiza. 177. Black-throated Apalis Apalis jacksoni Great views of this attractive forest species along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 178. Mountain Masked Apalis Apalis personata Also known as Black-faced Apalis, this species was easy to see in the upper reaches of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. A recently split montane representative of a more widespread species and thus now an Albertine Rift Endemic. 179. Buff-throated Apalis Apalis rufogularis A common forest species, but often high in the canopy along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Confusingly only the females have the buff throats. 180. Chestnut-throated Apalis Apalis porphyrolaema The bird with the far carrying call was glimpsed along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 181. Grey Apalis Apalis cinerea Common and seen very well along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 182. Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata Commonly heard and one finally seen within Lake Mburo National Park. 183. White-chinned Prinia Prinia leucopogon This attractive species was seen well near Buhoma and at the ‘Neck’. It is now usually placed in the genus Schistolais. 184. Trilling Cisticola Cisticola woosnami Circa. 20 recorded within Lake Mburo National Park.

185. Chubb’s Cisticola Cisticola chubby This bird was common and noisy at all elevations within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Ernest Charles Chubb (1884-1972) was curator of the Durban Museum. 186. Carruthers’s Cisticola Cisticola carruthers’s This denizen of papyrus swamps allowed great views at Hamurwa Swamp near Kabale. Alexander Douglas Mitchell Carruthers (1882-1962) was a British explorer naturalist. He accompanied the British Museum expedition to the Ruwenzori Mountains in 1905/6. 187. Grey-capped Warbler Eminia lepida This rather unusual warbler was seen very well near Lake Mburo. 188. Black-faced Rufous Warbler Bathmocercus rufus Its piercing call was commonly heard and we glimpsed a couple of birds along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 189. Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava Small numbers seen and heard within scrubby farmland between Buhoma and the ‘Neck’. 190. (H) Banded (Black-faced) Prinia Prinia bairdii Heard along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. SYLVIIDAE 191. Rwenzori Hill Babbler Pseudoalcippe atriceps Good views of this fine songster within upland forest near Ruhiza. Although split by some taxonomists (and even in the latest volume of Handbook of Birds of the World), there is little to suggest that this blackheaded form is any more than a colour phase and it is usually lumped with African Hill Babbler P. abyssinica. 192. Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla A male and female of these Palaearctic migrants at our lodge at Ruhiza. 193. Grauer’s Warbler Graueria vittata We enjoyed exceptional looks at a pair of this secretive and little-known Albertine Rift Endemic near Ruhiza where they performed so well that it was even possible to see the faint bars on the underparts. ZOSTEROPIDAE 194. African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis Widespread sightings throughout the tour. White-eye taxonomy is very complex and one day, no doubt, will be totally revised. We encountered the forest form, stuhlmanni, that has historically been split as part of Green

White-eye Z. virens. PELLORNEIDAE 195. (H)Scaly-breasted Illadopsis Illadopsis albipectus This leaf-litter dwelling skulker was heard near Buhoma within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 196. Black-lored Babbler Turdoides sharpie A noisy flock of six within Lake Mburo National Park. 197. (H)Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii Heard in farmland scrub between Buhoma and the ‘Neck’. MUSCICAPIDAE 198. White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher Melaenornis fischeri Several seen in and around Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The highland subspecies here, toruensis is distinctive in that the eye-ring is narrow, inconspicuous and often not noticeable in the field. 199. Southern Black FlycatcherMelaeornis pammelaina One in Lake Mburo National Park. 200. Dusky-brown Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta One in the forest of the ‘Neck’ and one in upland forest above Ruhiza. 201. (H)Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus griseigularis This nondescript flycatcher of the forests is only really conspicuous by voice, which we recorded along the Buhoma Track with the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 202. Brown-backed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas hartlaubi One seen well in the Buhoma area. 203. White-bellied Robin Chat Cossyphicula roberti Superlative views of this often difficult to observed species along the Buhoma Track with the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 204. White-browed Robin Chat Cossypha heuglini One in upland forest near Ruhiza. 205. Snowy-headed Robin Chat Cossypha niveicapilla Fine views of on two occasions of this often-elusive species near Buhoma. 206. White-starred Robin Pogonocichla stellate We managed to get a few good views of this beautiful robin in upland forest near Ruhiza.

207. Red-throated Alethe Alethe poliophrys A stunning alethe that performed well for us in upland forest near Ruhiza. Recent DNA analysis suggests that this Albertine Rift Endemic is better placed in the genus Pseudalethe. 208. Equatorial Akalat Sheppardia aequatorialis This elusive robin-like bird showed well despite perching in the dark undergrowth of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 209. African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus Many seen in the open country of highlands throughout the southwest. The African resident forms are now considered to be a separate species, African Stonechat S. torquatus (sometimes incorrectly named S. axillaris). The European Common Stonechat is then renamed S. rubicola because the type specimen described by Linnaeus in 1758 came from the Cape of Good Hope of all places! According to recent scientific studies, it has been found that the ‘African’ stonechats have a lower metabolic rate than their European relatives and therefore lead a slower, less hectic and more laid back life style more suited to the tropics! 210. Sooty Chat Myrmecocichla nigra Just one in Lake Mburo National Park. TURDIDAE 211. Fufous Flycatcher-Thrush Neocossyphus fraseri Heard along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 212. White-tailed Ant Thrush Neocossyphus poensis Fine and prolonged views of one as it hopped and fed along the Bhuhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 213. Olive ThrushTurdus olivaceus One in upland forest near Ruhiza. 214. African Thrush Turdus pelios One at the airstrip near Kampala whilst we waited for our aircraft. STURNIDAE 215. Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea A flock of 12 in flight en route to Lake Mburo National Park. 216. Splendid Starling Lamprotornis splendidus Six en route back to Entebbe.

217. Rüppell’s Glossy Starling Lamprotornis purpuropterus An abundant ‘dry’ country starling characteristic of Lake Mburo National Park. Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Rüppell (1794-1884) was a German explorer, cartographer and zoologist, best known for his ornithological discoveries in Ethiopia and the interior of northeast Africa. 218. Slender-billed Starling Onychognathus tenuirostris A flock of circa 150 in upland forest below Ruhiza. 219. Waller’s Starling Onychognathus walleri Excellent ‘scope views of circa 30 in upland forest below Ruhiza. Gerald Waller was an English naturalist collecting in East Africa in the late 1800’s. BUPHAGIDAE [This family is often lumped in Sturnidae] 220. Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus Seen on big game, especially buffalos, in Lake Mburo National Park. NECTARINIIDAE [There has been a recent revision of the taxonomy of sunbirds with the result that many species have now been placed in different genera.] 221. Grey-headed Sunbird Deleornis axillaris A strangely atypical forest sunbird, more warbler-like in appearance with its straight bill, was well seen along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The species is now placed in the genus Anthreptes. 222. Green (Grey-chinned) Sunbird Anthreptes rectirostris This canopy-loving species was seen well along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The form concerned has historically been treated as a separate species, Grey-chinned Sunbird A. tephrolaema. 223. Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris A relatively common and widespread bird. The species was previously placed in the genus Anthreptes. 224. Green-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra verticalis Three sightings, all maleswithin the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The species is now placed in the genus. The species was previously placed in the genus Nectarinia. 225. Blue-throated BrownCyanomitra cyanolaema Just a female seen along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impnetrable Forest.

226. Blue-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra alinae Good looks at two males of this Albertine Rift Endemic along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 227. Western Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra obscura Mostly heard and seen seemingly always in flight as it dived into the undergrowth of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This recent split has since been judged to be invalid by some authors, and it may be that it should really be lumped again as Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea. The species was previously placed in the genus Nectarinia.

Northern Double-collared Sunbird © K. David Bishop

228. Bronze Sunbird Nectarinia kilimensis A common species of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 229. Olive-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris chloropygia Small numbers were encountered in lowland forest and edge. The species was previously placed in the genus Nectarinia. 230. Northern Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris preussi Many seen in and around Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 231. Regal Sunbird Cinnyris regia This Albertine Rift Endemic, quite simply a riot of colour put on a great show in the upland forest above Ruhiza. The species was previously placed in the genus Nectarinia. 232. Red-chested Sunbird Cinnyris erythrocerca A simply stunning sunbird which we sa a male of within Lake Mburo National Park. The species was previously placed in the genus Nectarinia. 233. Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venusta Just a few of the attractive orange-bellied race, igneiventris were seen from our lodge verandah at Buhoma and in the upland forest near Ruhiza. The species was previously placed in the genus Nectarinia. MOTACILLIDAE 234. Western Yellow WagtailMotacilla flava One of these Palaearctic migrants en route to Lake Mburo National Park. 235. Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis Good views of the race wellsi (also known as Wells’s Wagtail)were obtained in the Buhoma area. Two others were observed en route to Lake Mburo National Park. Thomas (Jimmy) Wells (1868-1939) was a lifetime clerk at the British Museum (Natural History). 236. Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara Just one pair of these graceful, long-tailed wagtails was seen along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 237. African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp A common and widespread bird. 238. African (Grassland Pipit)Anthus cinnamomeus One near a village en route to the ‘Neck’ and two near Kabale. Several ‘new’ species of pipit have been discovered in Africa in recent years and the taxonomy of African pipits is a bit of a minefield and deserves some serious attention.

239. Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus We saw two of this meadowlark look-alike within Lake Mburo National Park. EMBERIZIDAE 240. African Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris These stunningly colourful buntings were seen nicely in the Ruhiza area. FRINGILLIDAE 241. Yellow-crowned Canary Serinus flavivertex Six in lightly wooded farmland near the ‘Neck’. 242. Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus Two en route to Entebbe 243. Brimstone Canary Serinus sulphuratus Two near Kabale. 244. Streaky Seedeater Serinus striolatus Common at our lodge near Buhoma and near Ruhiza. 245. Thick-billed Seedeater Serinus burtoni Superb views of one off our lodge verandah near Buhoma. PASSERIDAE 246. Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus A common and widespread species, especially in proximity tohuman habitation. PLOCEIDAE 247. Red-headed Malimbe Malimbus rubricollis This striking forest weaver, that behaves more like acreeper, was seen with a mixed species flock along the Buhoma Track with the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 248. Baglafecht Weaver Ploceus baglafecht Common in lightly wooded farmland at the periphery of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Most of the birds seen represented the race stuhlmanni that has historically been considered a separate species known as Stuhlmann’s Weaver. 249. Slender-billed Weaver Ploceus pelzelni A loan female in Lake Mburo National Park.

250. Black-necked Weaver Ploceus nigricollis Several sightings of this attractive weaver within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 251. Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis One male within Lake Mburo National Park. 252. Black-billed Weaver Ploceus melanogaster A striking but somewhat secretive weaver of the forest that we saw within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 253. Strange Weaver Ploceus alienus Another weaver that is best detected by voice. Great views of thisvocal but somewhat elusive Albertine Rift Endemic in upland forest near Ruhiza. Sir Frederick John Jackson, whose wife was called Aline, collected the species and so Sharpe made the name an anagram, aliena (feminine at the time, as it was in the genus Sitagra). Now it is in a masculine genus (Ploceus) it makes less sense as alienus, of course. Alienus translates from Latin as ‘strange’ (not that the bird is), so this is a play on the word. The point was probably well taken by the ornithologists of the day in 1902 but is lost to us today! 254. Holub’s Golden Weaver Ploceus xanthops This showy, large and bright weaver was seen at Hamurwa Swamp near Kabale. Emil Holub (1847-1902) was a Czech naturalist who travelled in Africa who sadly succumbed to an attack of Malaria. 255. Lesser Masked Weaver Ploceus intermedius A nesting colony of about 30 pairs near the entrance to Lake Mburo National Park. 256. Vieillot’s Black Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus Common between Kayanza and Buhoma and in lightly wooded farmland on the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot (1748-1831) was a French businessman forced to take refuge in the United States during the French Revolution and later because of slave rebellions on San Domingo where he had his business in the spice trade. He had a consuming passion for ornithology dedicating his life to it. 257. Village Weaver (Black-headed) Weaver Ploceus cucullatus This was one of the first species we encountered; their attractive plumage and busy nesting nesting colonies make for compelling viewing. Because of confusion with P. melanocephalus, the alternative and more widely used name of Village Weaver would seem more appropriate.

258. Jackson’s Golden-backed Weaver Ploceus jacksoni As many as 50 of these handsome birds were seen en route to Entebbe. Sir Frederick John Jackson (1859-1929) was an English naturalist, explorer and governor of Kenya and later Uganda. He authored the threevolume work The Birds of Kenya Colony and the Uganda Protectorate published in 1928. 259. Brown-capped Weaver Ploceus insignis This handsome weaver was seen well in BwindiImpenetrable Forest. 260. Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis Two gorgeous males in full breeding plumage within lightly wooded farmland on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 261. Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris Notably common en route to Entebbe. ESTRILDIDAE 262. Grey-headed Negrofinch (Nigrita)Nigrita canicapillus Single birds seen twice within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 263. White-breasted Negrofinch Nigrita fusconotus One seen all too briefly along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 264. Jameson’s Antpecker Parmoptila jamesoni Amazing views of the striking male from our lodeg verandah near Buhoma and along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This strange estrildid has been treated as a subspecies of either Red-fronted Antpecker P. rubifrons or Woodhouse’s Antpecker P. woodhousei but is now split as a separate species. 265. Yellow-bellied Waxbill Estrilda quartinia Two of this pretty little estrildid seen well within Lake Mburo National Park. 266. Dusky Crimson-wing Cryptospiza jacksoni Superb views of this normally difficult to observe Albertine Rift Endemic at the edge of upland forest above Ruhiza. 267. Kandt’s Waxbill Estrilda kandti Good views of these dark-bellied birds at Ruzija where it was notably common. This species was previously treated as the race graueri of Blackheaded Waxbill E. atricapilla. Dr Richard Kandt (1867-1918) was a German physician, lived in Rwanda and was sent by the Kaiserand Bismarck to search for the source of the Nile in 1898.

268. Red-headed Bluebill Spermophaga ruficapilla Just one gorgeous male seen well along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 269. Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus bengalus Several of this pretty little estrildid within Lake Mburo National Park. 270. Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala Scattered ones and twos on several day. 271. Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullatus A very common bird throughout Uganda we saw a totaol of ca. 20 between Kayanza and Buhoma. VIDUIDAE 272. Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura Two males in breeding plumage in farmland near the ‘Neck’ and two en route to Lake Mburo National Park. Thisspecies parasitizes Common, Black-rumped and Fawn-breasted waxbills. 273. Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeate One between Kayanza and Bukoma and a pair in farmland near the ‘Neck’. This species parasitizes Red-billed Firefinch.

MAMMALS 1. Gorilla Gorilla gorilla Observing up close this spectacular primate in the wild is truly one of our planet’s most exciting and endearing wildlife experiences and should be on everyones ‘absolutely have to do list’. Following the statutory briefing by the very professional rangers we headed off into the forest and seemingly within minutes our guides whispered that the ‘Bitukura’ Gorilla family where just downslope and minutes away! Moments later were we treated to the most delightfully intimate expose of Gorilla family life. Adorable, cheeky youngsters rolled and played with adult females, aunts, uncles and teenagers, just barely a few feet from us. The light was near perfect and we all just gawped and then remembered to photograph in absolute astonishment at the priviledge of witnessing such a scene. Suddenly it all changed and seemingly out of nowhere the dominant male silverback Ndahura emerged from the dense seemingly impenetrable undergrowth. The air was indeed still and pensive. As the moment of tension disappated this mighty primate settled down and proceeded to imbibe a seeming never-ending supply of plant-matter. In fact he was so relaxed that we were able to approach to the statutory minimum distance without causing any alarm. And so it went. As the family group moved away we followed slowly, fascinated by their interactions and in particular the behaviors of the young. One bold youngster found the laces of Jerry’s boots fascinating before deciding that playing ring-a-ring-a-roses with a vine and a small tree more interesting. As the day warmed the gorillas retreated to the shade and our time grew to a close. As a finale at least three of the family group ascended a small tree and began to nod off none too soon as our digital cards were bulging at the seams! To be so close amongst these seemingly gentle giants is an experience that transcends words. Quite simply you just have to see it for yourself. 2. Guereza Colobus Colobus guereza This most incredible looking (and sounding!) animal is wonderfully common and widespread in Uganda and we were treated to seveal encounters. 3. Olive Baboon Papio Anubis We encountered several large an impressive troops of this often unpopular primate. 4. Vervet Monkey Cercopithecus pygerythrus Common in Lake MburoNational Park.

5. L’Hoest’s Monkey Cercopithecus lhoesti A most attractive ground-loving primate seen superbly within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 6. Blue Monkey Cercopithecus mitis A total of 20 in the upland forest near Ruhiza. 7. Red-tailed Monkey Cercopithecus ascanius This sub-species is also known as the Uganda Red-tailed Guenon C. a. schmidti.We had great views of 12 of these handsome primate along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable forest. 8. Senegal GalagoGalago senegalensis Good looks at one at night in the upland forest above Ruhiza. 9. Slit-faced BatNycteris sp Fabulous views of two of these very attractive and interesting looking bats roosting under the roof of the lounge of the ‘Lake Mburo Lodge’. 10. (H) Fire-footed Rope-Squirrel Funisciurus pyrropus Heard frequently along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. 11. Carruthers’s Mountain Squirrel Funisciurus carruthersi One along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and another in the ‘Neck’. 12. Boehm’s Squirrel Paraxerus boehmi The larger of the two small striped forest squirrels seen well along the Buhoma Track within the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. 13. African Pygmy Squirrel Myosciurus pumilio One seen briefly in upland forest above Ruhiza. 14. Lion Panthera leo Heard at dusk within Lake Mburo National Park. 15. Side-striped JackalCanis adustus One along the track within upland forest above Ruhiza was a bit of a surprise. 16. Dwarf MongooseHelogale parvula Two in Lake Mburo National Park 17. Common Zebra Equus burchelli This widespread species only occurs in Uganda at Lake Mburo National

Park where we saw quite large numbers (100+). 18. Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibious One on a small ppol late one afternoon in Lake Mburo National Park and many, often rather close to the boats on Lake Mburo. 19. Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus Very common in Lake Mburo National Park where Lion numbers are notably low. 20. African Buffalo Syncerus caffer At least 40 within Lake Mburo National Park. 21. Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus A delicate and attractive antelope of which we saw circa 20 within Lake Mburo National Park. Interesting to observe the males marking out their territories from conspicuous vantage points. 22. Black-fronted Duiker Cephalophus nigrifrons Fabulous views of two individuals on two days in upland forest above Ruhiza. Like so many of its forest dwelling kind this species is normally difficult to see other than a fleeting glimpse.

Hippos – Lake Mburo© K. David Bishop

23. Defassa Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus Notably common within Lake Mburo National Park.

24. Uganda KobKobus kob Very common in Lake Mburo National Park where there are currently very few large carnivores. 25. Topi Damaliscus lunatus jimela This strange antelope with goat-like eyes was quite common in Lake Mburo National Park. 26. Unidentified mouse found by Jerry in upland forest. 27. Unidentified shrew in upland forest.

Defassa Waterbuck © K. David Bishop

Future stewards of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest © K. David Bishop