For many
centuries now, birders have considered themselves a different class of the
human race. You can only understand this genus if you have a special affliction
with wildlife and more so with birds. A month ago, when travelling to Asilia’s
Kimondo Camp in the northern Serengeti, I had an interesting conversation with
a group of birders that were visiting Tanzania for the 4th time on a
birding expedition. The conversation was all about how different birders are to
your normal guest interested in the wildlife and particularly the big 5. When
visitors come for such birding expeditions it is not only to see &
photograph the beautiful birds Tanzania promises to offer but also tick of
special and specific bird species from their bird list. We call them “lifers”.
The team did conclude that ticking of “lifers” in Tanzania was very easy due to
its habitat diversity and accessibility. This is a known fact. With Tanzania
offering over 2 dozen of national parks, game reserves and important bird areas
(IBA’s), it is a must visit for ornithologists. It has one of the largest
species lists of any African country, over 1,000 of which 800 are roughly
resident and over 200 are regular migrants. On a survey done in 2013, 56
species are of global conservation concern of which 21 are endemic to Tanzania
and 43 species only occur in one or two other east African countries.
Of the 80
IBA’s Tanzania has to offer, covering 18% of its land area; most of Asilia
lodges and camps are located in these IBA’s. You will undoubtedly uncover a lot
of bird species when staying at any Asilia property. One of the benefits of my
job with Asilia is that I do from time to time have the opportunity of seeing
different birds in different habitats at different times of the year.
Having said
that, I know from experience that Tarangire National park is considered a
birding haven. With over 500 species recorded, the swamps, tinged green
year-around have most breeding species of birds in one habitat; than anywhere
in the world. A visit to Oliver’s or Little Oliver’s camps most likely gives
you a chance to see notable birds such as the African orange-bellied parrots,
Ashy starlings, Red-and-yellow barbets, White-headed buffalo-weavers and the
beautiful Speckle-fronted weavers. Out of this list the Ashy starlings are
endemic to Tanzania. If you are in luck and an avid birder, you have good
chances of treats such as the Vulturine guineafowls, Pink-breasted larks and
the yellow-collared lovebirds amongst many more.
Ngorongoro
conservation area is another excellent birding destination. Birdlife near The
Ngorongoro Highlands is rich and interesting. Among the birds to be seen
are white-eyed slaty flycatcher and Livingstone turaco. Many specialized
grassland birds are resident in the crater. Most noticeable are Ostrich, Kori
bustard, Crowned crane and the Secretary bird. Avid birders should watch for
the Golden-winged sunbirds during their decent and the Rosy-breasted longclaws
on the crater floor. Migratory birds are present from November to April. A
visit to the Highlands camp is requisite to tick of many other sunbird species
apart from the welcoming staff and the beautiful domes.
With six Asilia luxury camps and lodges located
on the best spots the Serengeti has
more than 500 bird species recorded, and the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is one of Africa's Endemic Bird
Areas (land important for habitat-based bird conservation), hosting five bird species
found nowhere else. These Serengeti specials are easy to locate and
identify within their restricted range. The Grey-breasted spurfowl is a common
bird at the Seronera area, in the center of the park. In woodland areas,
parties of Fischer’s lovebird draw attention to themselves and the
rufous-tailed weaver is a partly big fascinating bird placed in its own genus.
The other two Serengeti-Mara EBA endemics are the Usambiro barbet and the
Grey-crested helmet-shrike.
Moving our attention
to the southern territory of Tanzania, lies the biggest park in Tanzania – The
Ruaha national park and the biggest game reserve in the world – the Selous. In
Ruaha our intimate Kwihala camp and our latest addition Jabali ridge on magnanimous
kopjes prevail. The southern circuit is also a game changer when it comes to
birds. The Ruaha National Park is inhabited by over 450
different bird species including some endemics such as the Ashy starling and
the Yellow-collared Lovebird. Some of the resident birds of the Ruaha National
Park are the Crested barbet, Dickinson's kestrel, Pale-billed hornbill, Purple-crested
turaco, Ruaha chat, Racket-tailed roller, Plovers, Kingfishers, Hornbills,
Green-wood hoopoes, Sunbirds, Bee-eaters and Egrets. The park is visited by
Eurasian migrants twice a year; from October to November and from March to
April. Among the migrants in the Ruaha National Park you can see the Sooty
falcon, whose breeding grounds are in the Sahara and in the Middle East, and
the Eleonora's Falcon, whose breeding grounds are in the Mediterranean. The
park is also inhabited by birds of prey such as Pel's fishing owl around the
southern part of the park, the African hawk, the Bateleur, and Eagles such as
the Long-crested, Martial and Snake eagles.
With over 440 species recorded, Selous and the
area around our new camp Roho ya Selous is also an excellent birding
destination. The most conspicuous birdlife is attracted to the sandbanks,
lagoons, islands and channels along the Rufiji River. A good way to enjoy the
birdlife is on a boat safari. Common birds include yellow-billed storks,
kingfishers, plovers and colorful bee-eaters. You must look for the beautiful
Bohm’s bee-eater. One of my favorites. Fish eagle and palm-nut vulture can be
found perched high in the trees and skimmers can sometimes be seen flying
across the water.
If you thought this was enough birding in Tanzania
already, you are not a fervent birder and haven’t visited our paradise island
on the shores of Lake Victoria. With parrots singing while you sip your coffee
or the pretty wattle-eyes busy with their duet while you chill at our lodge
sipping your delicately prepared cocktail, Rubondo; a series of eleven islands at the heart of Lake
Victoria, the world's second largest lake, is a birders heaven. The African
fish eagles & the yellow-billed kites are everywhere busy looking for food
and patrolling the area. It has an abundant number of herons, storks, ibises,
egrets, cormorants & kingfishers.
If you are bored reading this blog, it is not your fault!
Remember we are a different class of human race. Converting into a birder is
imminent. What are you waiting for?
Akil Halai - October 2017
