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Uganda 5th-26th August 2002,

sam@swoods0.freeserve.co.uk

Other participants:
Keith Ballard, Nick Wilkinson, Keith Blomerley, Richard Winspear, Chris Dunn,  Simon Wotton,  Nigel Symes

INTRODUCTION

8 people took part in this trip, which was organised by Simon Wotton, who arranged the itinerary (via e-mail) with Herbert Byaruhanga, the general secretary of the UGANDA BIRD GUIDES CLUB.  He acted as our driver and guide for most of our time in Uganda (he had to leave to go to the British Birdwatching Fair for part of our stay), and we also had another guide-Alfred Twinomujuni for all of our stay.  Alfred rightly has a very good reputation as one of the country's premier guides.  His knowledge of bird identification & calls is superb, and he also has a phenomenal ability to mimic very accurately many bird sounds.  He also has an extensive collection of sound-recordings on mini-disc (taken from Chappuis and personal recordings).  Both Herbert and himself were also excellent company throughout.  The contact details for them are:

UGANDA BIRD GUIDES CLUB
P.O. Box 33164           
Kampala      
Uganda

HERBERT BYARUHANGA
(General Secretary/Field Guide-based in Kampala)
Mobile:  256 - 77 - 518290                 OR          256 - 77 - 468521
E-mail:    byaruhanga@hotmail.com     OR          ugandasbirdguides@hotmail.com

ALFRED TWINOMUJUNI
(Field Guide-based in BWINDI)
Mobile:  256 - 77 - 518290
E-mail:    ugasaf@hotmail.com

FLIGHTS             
Several carriers fly to Uganda-British Airways, Kenyan Airlines and Emirates.  The only one that goes direct is British Airways, which is also the most expensive.  However, the other carriers take double the flight time to get there (16 hrs) due to stopovers etc. whereas BA flights take 8hrs.  Our British Airways flights cost £702 inclusive of tax (booked through Trailfinders-020 7938 3939), while the other company's flights would have only saved £60-70 for the added hassle of a 16 hour journey.

VISAS                  
A tourist visa (£25) needs to be obtained in advance (taking about a week by post), from:

Uganda High Commission
58-59 Trafalgar Square
London  WC2N 5DX

MONEY The Ugandan currency is the Uganda Shilling ($1 = 1800 shillings), although if on a tour like us little extra money is required ($100-200 depending on drinking habits!).  We changed this amount into shillings, although for our hotel bill in Kampala shillings OR dollars were accepted.

TRANSPORT, ACCOMMODATION, FOOD, COSTS etc. 
All the in-country transport and accommodation was arranged by the UGANDA BIRD GUIDES CLUB who acted as our guides and ground agents in-country.  The price for the trip was $1580 per person (exclusive of flights) which included all meals (including at least a litre of water each a day), and all lodgings (with the exception of our last night in the Cuba Hotel, Kampala-an additional night due to flight-scheduling was $20 dollars for the night), transport, park fees, gorilla permits and guiding.  The gorilla permits needed to be paid and reserved well in advance, so we paid the money for the permits in December ($250, via Western Union money transfer), with another downpayment of half of the remaining cost in March/April and the remainder ($650) paid direct in cash to Herbert on arriving in Uganda.  We used a 4-wheel drive mini-bus for transport around, and stayed in low-price community bandas in many places, which were fine.  In Semliki and Ruhizha it was necessary to camp-it is only possible to stay at Semliki by camping (there are no lodging facilities), although at Ruhizha there is an option of staying in an expensive ($15 per night per person), but very basic, hostel.  We chose to camp (as do Birdquest).  For this it was necessary for us to bring tents with us from the UK.  A cook was arranged by Uganda Bird Guides to cook for us during our time in Semliki and Ruhizha.  Unfortunately the cook failed to meet us for the Semliki section of the trip and so Alfred cooked for us instead (which worked very well). 

TIMING & CLIMATE   
It is a popular misconception amongst British birders that THE time to go to Uganda (particularly for the African Green Broadbill) is July-August (hence Birdquest tend to go at this time).  However, Alfred strongly advises this is a difficult time for the broadbill, as they are more mobile at this time when they are not breeding , and it is also a difficult time for many other species.  He advises the best times are MAY and SEPTEMBER (mid-onwards), when many species are much more vocal and tape responsive.  Alfred was frustrated at some of the normally easy species which were simply not calling or tape responsive at this time (e.g. Doherty's Bush-shrike, Red-chested Flufftail).  This was due to this being the dry season in Ruhizha.  For some areas it was the start of the wet season, and we did experience heavy rain at Buhoma and Semliki and light rain at Budongo, although these bouts only limited our birding for a few hours.  It was very dry and hot in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison, and all places were warm during the day with a sleeping bag only required at night for Ruhizha (sleeping bag liners sufficed everywhere else).

HEALTH & SAFETY    
We never experienced any problems, although check when planning a trip if any areas are closed (e.g. Semliki ha been closed for extended periods in the past).  There was talk of us not doing a game drive north of the Nile at Murchison due to safety concerns, although we eventually did one anyway, after we badgered Herbert into agreeing.  Thus it is good to know they are unwilling to take groups into areas where there are any hints of trouble.  Armed guides/rangers accompanied us at most sites.  Lariam/doxycycline/ needs to be taken as a malaria prophylactic, and the usual jabs etc. required (Hepatitis/polio/tetanus etc.)  Yellow fever is also recommended if entering from an infected area.

RECOMMENDED READING & SOUND GUIDES

Where to Watch Birds in Uganda (1998) by J. Rossouw & M. Sacchi (published by the Uganda Tourist Board).  £7.49-14.99
This is an excellent site guide, with good maps and a useful species checklist at the back for cross-referencing certain species to specific sites.

Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa (2001) by T. Stevenson & J. Fanshawe (published by T & A D Poyser).  £29.95
The most comprehensive field guide for Uganda.  Generally good, although we found it to be misleading with identification in some species (e.g. White-browed Scrub-robin) and found (where relevant) Nick Borrow & R. Demey's Birds of Western Africa (2002) to be a useful back-up. £55.00

Field Guide to the Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania (1996) by D. Zimmerman, D. Turner et al.
(published by Helm)  Although none of us used this guide out there, we thought that it would be very useful for additional information on difficult species which are covered by both guides.  £16.99

The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals (1997) by Jonathan Kingdon (published by Natural World).  £29.95
The most comprehensive field guide to the mammals in the region, and essential for anyone with an interest in mammals.

The Impenetrable Forest (2001) by Thor Hanson (published by Writer's Showcase).  An enjoyable, account of his time at Bwindi, as a Peace Corps volunteer training guides (including Alfred) and habituating gorillas-good for a background read on Uganda and Bwindi.  c.£20 from NHBS.

African Bird Sounds. Volume 2 by C. Chappuis.  An 11 CD set covering West and Central Africa (1043 species), including most of the Albertine Rift endemics (it does NOT include recordings of Dwarf Honeyguide, African Green Broadbill, and Dusky & Shelley's Crimsonwing, although ALL other Ugandan Albertine Rift endemics are covered).  The British Library of Wildlife Sounds (BLOWS) has a recording of African Green Broadbill, which can be purchased by contacting Richard Ranft on ?????.  There is also Volume 1, a 4 CD set covering North West Africa, the Canaries and Cape Verde.  There is often a discount if all 15 CDs are purchased together. Volume 2 only £115-125; both volumes £139.95-159.95

All prices taken from the latest Wildsounds catalogue (01263 741100/www.wildsounds.com), with the cheapest prices being special offer prices which may change.

Itinerary

Site Information

For more detailed site information and maps, see the excellent Where to Watch Birds in Uganda by Rossouw & Sacchi (1998).

N.B.  Night-birding is very difficult in almost all parks in Uganda as it is prohibited to be on game-drives/birding after dark.  Therefore, to get around this it is worth coming back late from some sites to allow unofficial night-drives to be done (e.g. Come back late to Paraa Camp from the falls at Murchison or from Maramagambo back to Mweya etc.)  This gives the added opportunity of seeing game in addition to nightjars on the tracks.

Mabamba Wetland

1½-2 hour drive from Kampala, this papyrus wetland is a good site to try for Shoebill, especially if arriving on a morning flight, giving the opportunity of seeing one of the main target species within hours of landing! 

We stayed in Kampala, at the Red Chilli Hideaway in double rooms with shared washing facilities.  Food was all western fare (chilli, chips etc.)

Key species recorded:        

Shoebill   1 seen at close range from the boat after searching for c. 1 hour.

Blue Swallow   1 flew over the boat by the area where alight from the boat.

Weyns's Weaver   Several flocks of c.20 birds seen flying around the swamp

MABIRA FOREST     1070-1340m      6th & 7th August

Approximately an hours drive from Kampala, this forest reserve is a good area for the threatened Nahan's Francolin, Cassin's Hawk-Eagle, Forest Wood-hoopoe, Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike & is one of the only areas in East Africa for Tit-Hylia. 

We stayed in the bandas (huts) which are dotted around the forest edge near the HQ.  These sleep 2-6 people, and all bandas have toilets built alongside them.  The food is cooked at the HQ itself, where it can be eaten on outside tables at the edge of the forest (allowing views of Forest Wood-hoopoes and Tit-Hylias etc.!)

Key species recorded:

Nahan's Francolin   Unfortunately only heard here once, in the primary forest across the road.

White-spotted Flufftail   1 G seen extremely well when taped in close by the trail, which leads left from the car park.

Forest Wood-hoopoe   2 small groups of this localised species seen on the forest edge by the HQ clearing.

Yellow-billed Barbet   1 seen here was the only site where we recorded this species.

Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike   2 E seen here.

Tit-Hylia   We were very lucky to see 2 perched in a tree in the HQ clearing itself.

BUDONGO-THE ROYAL MILE & KANIYO PABIDI  700-1270m ,  7th - 9th August

THE ROYAL MILE at Budongo runs through an area of forest allowing good group access to forest along an easy, flat, wide trail.  This is also a good area for the threatened Nahan's Francolin, the localised Black-collared Lovebird, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Ituri Batis and Brown Twinspot; and provides a good opportunity to see normally difficult-to-see forest species such as Chocolate-backed Blue-breasted & African Dwarf Kingfishers, Blue-throated Roller, Spotted Greenbul, Lemon-bellied Crombec, and Rufous-crowned Eremomela.

KANIYO PABIDI (about an hours drive from the Royal Mile area) is most notable for holding East Africa's only known population of Puvel's Illadopsis, which are fairly common and readily seen in the area.  It is also a fairly regular site for sightings of Green-breasted Pitta, and also holds Rufous-sided Broadbill.  Chimpanzee-tracking is also possible from here. 

We stayed in a good-quality hostel (with on-site restaurant and en-suite rooms) at Busingiro.  Some people stay in Masindi, although there seems little point as the food and accommodation are good here and the Royal Mile is closer.

Key species recorded:

Bat Hawk   1 flew over the hostel (near the Royal Mile) at dusk.

Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo   1 seen when taped-in (identified on call), in a roadside patch of forest, near the Royal Mile.

White-crested Turaco   2 by the road at Kaniyo Pabidi (between the gate and the car park).

Sabine's Spinetail   1 seen low in the evening, by a small pool in the vicinity of the Royal Mile.

Cassin's Spinetail   1 seen by the same pool as the Sabine's-they are both regularly seen there.

Blue-breasted Kingfisher     Very good views of several pairs nesting close to the trail at the Royal Mile.

Chocolate-backed Kingfisher   1 seen in the forest canopy near the start of the Royal Mile (several others heard there).

African Dwarf Kingfisher   3-5 seen along the Royal Mile.

[Blue-throated Roller]   Several sightings of a roller in silhouette over the forest near the Royal Mile were probably this species.

White-thighed Hornbill   Seen regularly around the Royal Mile (7+).

Yellow-spotted Barbet   1 seen along the Royal Mile.

Rufous-sided Broadbill   1 G of this rarely seen species taped-in at Kaniyo Pabidi when trawling for African Broadbill, and later the G was seen with a E which was carrying nesting material.

Puvel's Illadopsis   1 G watched singing from a perch 3-5 feet of the ground at the start of the trail at Kaniyo Pabidi (a short way from the car park, where they are also regularly seen!)

Spotted Greenbul   A group of 5-7 seen in forest alongside the road in the Royal Mile area.

Fire-crested Alethe   1 watched for 5 mins perched on a dead log at Kaniyo Pabidi.

Yellow Longbill   1 G watched singing in the canopy at Kaniyo Pabidi.

Lemon-bellied Crombec   1 seen singing in the forest canopy along the Royal Mile.

Rufous-crowned Eremomela   3+ feeding in the forest canopy with a Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, near the Royal Mile.

Chestnut-capped Flycatcher   1 seen in the forest canopy near the Royal Mile.

Crested Malimbe   3 seen along the Royal Mile.

Brown Twinspot   2 in a very productive cultivated area near the Royal Mile.

Cabanis's Bunting   1 G near the Royal Mile, in the same area as the Twinspots.

Chimpanzee was also recorded at Kaniyo Pabidi.

MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK                    619-1292m               9th-11th August

A short way from Budongo, this area of acacia savannah is popular among tourists for the opportunities to see game such as Giraffe and African Elephant on drives north of the Nile.  It is still also one of the most reliable sites in Uganda to see Shoebill (either by the Nile Safari Lodge, or on launch trips to the top/bottom of falls, depending on water levels).  Bat Hawks regularly hunt bats as they emerge from the caves at the top of the falls, and around the car park there is also a good area for Bruce's Green Pigeon and Red-winged Grey Warbler.  Other key species are: Heuglin's Francolin, Denham's Bustard, Senegal Thick-knee, Rock Pratincole, Northern Carmine, Swallow-tailed & Red-throated Bee-eaters, Black-billed Barbet, Spotted Morning-Thrush (around Paraa Camp itself), White-fronted Black Chat, Silverbird, Beautiful Sunbird, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver and Bar-breasted Firefinch.  The localised White-rumped Seedeater occurs alongside the road near the Paraa Camp and ferry. 

We stayed at the excellent Paraa Camp, in 2-bedroom, en-suite bandas.  The on-site restaurant was also very good (Spotted Morning-thrushes & Silverbirds can be seen by there).

Key species recorded:

Bat Hawk   1 seen at dusk hunting bats by the top of the falls.

Martial Eagle   2 immatures seen perched while on the game drive.

Red-necked Falcon   Several sightings on the game drive north of the Nile.

Heuglin's Francolin   1 seen well on the game drive.

Senegal Thick-knee   Several seen from the boat trip to the bottom of the falls.

Rock Pratincole   20+ seen by the top of the falls.

Black-headed Plover   2 seen on the game drive.

Bruce's Green pigeon   2 seen briefly flying to roost, from the car park at the top of the falls.

Vinaceous Dove  Seen alongside the road to Nile Safari Lodge.

White-crested Turaco   1 seen by the top of the falls.

Long-tailed Nightjar   1 seen hunting at dusk alongside the Nile Safari lodge road.

Pennant-winged Nightjar   At least 4 G (and another dead G) seen sitting on the road to Paraa Camp from the falls, in the car headlights.

Red-throated Bee-eater   Recorded daily, and seen in all areas.

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater   A few sightings along the Paraa Camp approach road.

Northern Carmine Bee-eater   Only recorded north of Nile (5+), on the game drive.

Abyssinian Ground Hornbill   1 E seen beside the road to the falls, near Paraa Camp.

Black-billed Barbet   1 sighting near Nile Safari Lodge, and another on the game drive.

Brown-backed Woodpecker   1 seen by the Paraa Camp road, near the camp itself.

Spotted Morning-thrush   6+ sightings around Paraa Camp itself.

White-fronted Black Chat   1 G seen alongside the road on the way in to Paraa Camp.

Silverbird   A few seen along the road to Paraa Camp and around the camp itself.

Red-winged Grey Warbler   1 sighting of this highly localised species near the falls car park and 1 by Nile Safari Lodge.

Beautiful Sunbird   A few seen around the top of the falls.

Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver   A few seen around Paraa Camp.

Northern Red Bishop   Recorded along the road to Nile Safari Lodge.

Bar-breasted Firefinch   1 seen very well by the Paraa ferry jetty.

White-rumped Seedeater   1 seen by the Paraa ferry jetty, and 2 seen by the road a short way from Paraa Camp (towards the falls).

SEMLIKI NATIONAL PARK 670-760m                 12th-15th August

Semliki is one of Uganda's least explored parks, with a number of typically west African species occurring here, many of which are recorded from nowhere else in East Africa.  Some of the key species are: Spot-breasted Ibis, Long-tailed Hawk, Forest Francolin, Nkulengu Rail, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Black-throated Coucal, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, White-crested, Piping Black-Casqued Wattled, Red-billed Dwarf & Black Dwarf Hornbills, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Swamp Palm Bubul, Ituri Batis, Blue-billed & Crested Malimbes.

There are 2 principal areas to go birding-in the area of good secondary forest around the Ntandi HQ and the Hot Springs (good for White-crested. Piping, Red-billed Dwarf & Black-casqued Wattle Hornbills); and along the Kirumia Trail, which begins in secondary forest and leads into primary after some time.  The difficulty in Semliki is a lack of well-maintained trails so that when we were there the Kirumia Trail was heavily flooded along much of it and therefore progress along it was very slow (involving wading thigh-deep!).  Thus it is difficult to reach the primary forest at certain times of year (we didn't), where many of the more specialised birds are thought to be.  Semliki is wet for much of the year although it is perhaps most accessible after Jan-Feb. at the end of the 'dry' season.  Unfortunately this is not the best time for birds in other areas of Uganda, so Semliki is probably best visited as part of a more focused trip to this region (a week could easily be spent here, with a good chance of making new East African discoveries).  The best option would be to camp along the Kirumia Trail, if possible (these camps were flooded out and closed when we were there), as this would allow quicker access to good forest.

There are very few facilities here-the only option currently to camp by the Ntandi HQ, or camp along the Kirumia Trail (there are several designated camping areas).  There are concreted pit-latrines at the Ntandi HQ but little else. 

Key species recorded:

Western Bronze-naped Pigeon   Only heard here-the birds not coming into any attempted playback!

Yellow-throated Cuckoo   1 G seen in secondary forest, between Ntandi HQ and the Hot Springs.  This very localised species is only known from Maramagambo and Semliki forests in East Africa.

Black-throated Coucal   Frustratingly, only heard calling from dense cover alongside the Kirumia Trail on 3 occasions.

African Wood-Owl   2 taped in by Ntandi HQ, and another flushed from its day roost along the Kirumia Trail.

White-crested Hornbill   2 taped in along the secondary forest trail between Ntandi HQ and the Hot Springs.

Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill   2 seen briefly by a few in the group, in the forest canopy along the Kirumia trail.  Despite the birds calling backed to taped calls, they remained in the distant forest canopy and could not be seen!  They are also regularly seen in the roadside forest, near the start of this trail and near Ntandi HQ.

Piping Hornbill   Recorded regularly around Ntandi HQ.

Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill   At least 3 (including 1 G), seen in the secondary forest between Ntandi and the Hot Springs.

Red-rumped Tinkerbird   1 taped-in along the Kirumia trail (beyond the first oxbow lake).  N.B.  In East Africa this species is only known from Semliki forest

Willcock's Honeyguide   1 taped in near the start of the Kirumia trail.

Rufous-sided Broadbill   1 G by the Kirumia trail.

Swamp Palm Bubul   2 seen in the secondary forest trail between Ntandi and the Hot Springs, where they are regularly seen by the park rangers.

Leaf-love   1 by the Kirumia trail.

Crested Malimbe   2 sightings along the Kirumia Trail.

Cabanis's Bunting   1 by the road to Fort Portal, on the way out.

De Brazza's Monkey was also recorded here (near the Hot Springs)-a threatened species in Uganda.

QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK-MWEYA & MARAMAGAMBO FOREST     
15th-18th August

Queen Elizabeth National Park, the most long-established park, has a mosaic of habitats ranging from savannah woodland in the game-driving areas around Mweya, which provide good opportunities for seeing large game such as Lions, Leopards, Elephants and Hyenas, to moist semi-deciduous around Maramagambo.  The moist forest at Maramagambo (c.900m) is a good site for the highly sought-after Black Bee-eater, in addition to Shining-Blue Kingfisher and Grey-winged & Red-capped Robin-Chats.  The savannah areas around Mweya are important for the localised White-tailed Lark, Martial Eagle, Black-rumped Buttonquail and Verreaux's Eagle-Owl, while African Skimmer is regularly seen from boat trips along the nearby Kazinga Channel.

We stayed at the Institute of Ecology Hostel at Mweya and day-tripped Maramagambo from there, allowing us to return in darkness and do an unofficial night-drive (ordinarily prohibited).  We ate at the Tambo canteen, which had good-tasting food, but unfortunately it made 2 of us very ill for 24 hours!

Key species recorded:

African Skimmer   3 seen (by only one of us recovering from illness!), from a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel (to the left of the launch jetty); none seen on our first boat trip along there.

Verreaux's Eagle-Owl   2 sightings of birds perched on top of cactuses alongside the Mweya approach road at dusk.

Black Bee-eater   5+ seen around Maramagambo Forest (2 by the bat cave).

White-tailed Lark   3 seen on the game drive around Mweya (unlikely to be seen elsewhere in Uganda-only listed to occur at Murchison & Semliki Wildlife Reserve in Rossouw et al.)

Brown-chested Alethe   1 feeding on an ant swarm at the start of the trail at Maramagambo.

Grey-winged Robin-Chat   1 in forest on the edge of the crater lake at Maramagambo.

Red-capped Robin-Chat   1 taped in at the edge of the road by Jacana Lodge, Maramagambo.

African Penduline-Tit   1 seen on the game drive around Mweya.

Southern Red Bishop   Several along the road between Mweya and the main gate.

Brimstone Canary   2 sightings-around the hostel and from the Kazinga Channel boat trip.

Giant Hog, Lion and Spotted Hyena were also recorded here.

BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK-BU

The premier site to visit in Uganda as it holds 23 of the 24 Albertine Rift Endemics in Uganda, and is also the safest, most reliable site for gorilla tracking in East Africa.

BUHOMA                    1550m,  18th-20th August

Buhoma is the base from where all gorilla tracking begins, and there are many lodges/bandas in the village for this.  We stayed in the Bwindi View community bandas, consisting of 4-bed huts and shared 'bush-shower' facilities.  The site also had a good restaurant (which prepares basic packed-lunches for the tracking or for all-day birding), and bird t-shirts for sale (Grauer's Broadbill, Short-tailed Warbler etc.) 

There is a good open trail into the primary forest from here (shortly after the gate on the right from the bandas), which is good for Red-throated Alethe and Short-tailed Warbler, both endemics unlikely to be encountered higher-up at Ruhizha.  The waterfall trail is said to be good for Kivu Ground-thrush.  Mountain masked Apalis is easy along the main trail, and Grauer's Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Collared Apalis, Rwenzori Batis, Blue-headed Sunbird and Strange Weaver also occur along there although most of these endemics are easier to see at Ruhizha.  Other key non-endemics in the area are Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Fraser's Eagle Owl, Black Bee-eater, MountainIlladopsis, White-bellied Robin-chat, Black-facedRufous Warbler, the threatened Chapin's Flycatcher, Many-coloured Bush-shrike, Brown-capped Weaver, Woodhouse's Antpecker & Oriole-Finch.  It is also a good site for Ansorge's Greenbul, a recent discovery in Uganda (Borrow 2002).

Key species recorded:

Western Bronze-naped pigeon   Frustratingly only heard here, never coming into tape.

Black Bee-eater   Heard regularly and seen a few times along the main trail.

African Broadbill   1 taped in along the main trail, when watched displaying.

Ansorge's Greenbul   1 seen along the main trail, where they are apparently fairly common.

Equatorial Akalat   3 seen near the start of the main trail

Red-throated Alethe (ARE)   2 watched feeding on the main trail after a rain storm (they, like other Alethes, follow ant-swarms).

White-bellied Robin-Chat   2 seen near the start of the main trail (perching higher in the trees than the Akalats)

Red-faced Woodland Warbler (ARE)   Several sightings in mixed feeding flocks along the trail.

Short-tailed Warbler (ARE)   Probably the bird of the trip-with 3 seen, but only seen well at the third attempt, due to the bird being highly mobile, continually circling rapidly in response to the tape.  Alfred advised they are mostly just a short way off the trails in slight depressions with thick ground cover (the trail is slightly raised).

White-browed Crombec   2-3 seen feeding in vine tangles beside the trail.

Black-faced Rufous Warbler   Heard frequently along the trail, with a pair eventually being taped in-the birds always keeping very low to the ground, in dense vegetation.

Grauer's Warbler (ARE)   2 heard calling from high in a vine tangle were taped-in low.

Mountain Masked Apalis (ARE)   Seen 3-4 times along the trail, generally in the canopy (in mixed flocks), but could be taped lower down.

Chapin's Flycatcher   2 seen along in the canopy and sub-canopy along the main trail.

Mountain Illadopsis   1 small group (2+) near the start of the trail.

Blue-headed Sunbird (ARE)   2+ (1 G) seen in a mixed feeding flock, keeping low in the understorey and calling frequently.

Lüdher's Bush-shrike   1-2 in secondary forest by the road, just before the main, primary forest trail.

Many-coloured Bush-shrike   1 immature in a mixed feeding flock after a rain shower.

Brown-capped Weaver   Several seen along the road to the main trail (very near the gate itself, a short way from the hostel).

Woodhouse's (Red-fronted) Antpecker   1 lone E by the gate at the start of the main trail.

Oriole-Finch   1 G seen feeding along a mossy branch in the forest canopy.

Mountain Gorilla was also recorded here.

RUHIZHA (& THE NECK)                   1190-2607m                    21st - 24th August

Ruhizha is the main site for many of the Albertine Rift Endemics, and home to one of the star attractions in East Africa-the threatened African Green Broadbill.  The long trail to Mubwindi Swamp is good for this species, especially in open forest around the swamp itself where they breed in April and September. The threatened Shelley's Crimsonwing and Dusky Crimsonwing also occur around the swamp, in dense undergrowth.  Other endemics which are more readily found at Ruhizha are: Handsome Francolin (along the road in the bamboo zone); Rwenzori Nightjar (around the village itself, or around the first road junction left of the ITFC); Dwarf Honeyguide; Archer's Robin-Chat; Yellow-Eyed Black Flycatcher, Grauer's Warbler, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, the highly localised, threatened Grauer's Rush-Warbler (at the Mubwindi swamp itself); Mountain Masked & Collared Apalises; Stripe-breasted Tit; Rwenzori Batis; Blue-headed & Regal Sunbirds (the latter especially common) and Strange Weaver.  Kivu Ground-thrush occurs in the bamboo zone and Purple-breasted Sunbirds are generally easy here when the trees are in flower (they weren't when we were here). 

The Neck (1550m) can be birded on the way up to Ruhizha from Buhoma (but not on the way down if heading to Lake Mburo).  It has a number of the endemics (Dwarf Honeyguide, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Blue-headed & Regal Sunbirds and Strange Weaver), in addition to key non-endemics such as Black Bee-eater and Bar-tailed Trogon, and the bridge over the Ihihizo River is especially good for Cassin's Grey Flycatcher.

We brought our own tents and camped by the Institute for Tropical Forest Conservation (ITFC) at Ruhizha, and Uganda Bird Guides also brought a cook for the duration of our stay.  This worked out well, the only alternative being to stay in basic bunks at the ITFC centre for $15 per night.  Either way it is necessary to bring in food (and a cook), and the basic bucket shower/pit latrine facilities are available for campers/lodgers alike.

Key species recorded:

(Unless stated, all sightings refer to Ruhizha)

Handsome Francolin (ARE)   After playing their calls on-and-off all day, a single bird crossed the road in the bamboo zone and then ran in-and-out of the verge in response to playback, giving excellent views.

Black-billed Turaco   Although widely heard in Uganda, we only saw them well on the swamp trail.

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo   1 taped in (and several others heard), in the bamboo zone.

Rwenzori Nightjar (ARE)   1 seen near the first road junction left out of the ITFC centre.

Narina Trogon   1 G by the ranger post, near the start of the Mubwindi Swamp trail.

Black Bee-eater   2 seen at The Neck.

Western Green Tinkerbird   1 taped in near the start of the bamboo zone.

Dwarf Honeyguide (ARE)   1 seen at The Neck and several others on the swamp trail.

Red-throated Wryneck   2 (in the same area as Dusky Twinspot) between The Neck and Ruhizha.

African (Grauer's) Green Broadbill (ARE)   2 seen on the Mubwindi Trail was one of the highlights of the trip.  They were initially picked up, from their high-pitched calls, beside the trail on the steep downhill section shortly before the open, flat section of forest on the edge of the swamp itself.  Alfred showed us a mossy nest in this open forest where the birds had nested in April and when sightings could be guaranteed for over 3 weeks!            

Archer's Robin-Chat (ARE)   Several taped in within the dense undergrowth around this open section of forest near the swamp edge.

Grey-chested Illadopsis   1 seen, very briefly, as it circled us in response to playback, in the bamboo zone.

Cassin's Grey Flycatcher   1 watched fly-catching from rocks by the bridge over the Ihihizo River, at The Neck (a regular spot for this species).

Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher (ARE)   3-4 sightings in the open forest around the swamp.

Red-faced Woodland Warbler (ARE)   Several sightings of small groups (2-3) in mixed species flocks along Mubwindi Swamp trail and in mixed forest near the ITFC.

Grauer's Rush-Warbler (ARE)   4+ seen at the Mubwindi Swamp (readily taped out to the top of the reeds).

Mountain Masked Apalis (ARE)   Regularly seen in mixed feeding flocks around Ruhizha.

Collared Apalis (ARE)   3+ seen near the first road junction on the left, along the road towards The Neck, from the ITFC centre (readily taped out).

Stripe-breasted Tit (ARE)   Seen near the ITFC (by the first road on the left towards the Neck), and also seen several times along the Mubwindi Swamp trail (in mixed flocks).

White-tailed Crested-Flycatcher   1 in dense bamboo, in the bamboo zone.

Rwenzori Batis (ARE)   2 seen by the road left out of the ITFC (near the first junction on the left), and another single seen near the bamboo zone.

Montane Sooty Boubou   Several heard on the edge of the bamboo zone, with 1 seen briefly there.

Regal Sunbird (ARE)   A fairly common sunbird at Ruhizha, recorded at the ITFC camp and regularly at throughout our stay there.

Blue-headed Sunbird (ARE)   1 sighting in dense undergrowth at The Neck (just beyond the bridge over the river), and a G in the bamboo zone at Ruhizha.

Strange Weaver (ARE)   1 by the first left road towards the Neck from the ITFC, and 1 seen along the road near the start of the bamboo zone.

Dusky Twinspot   3 sightings-2 adults between Buhoma and The Neck; 2 imms between the Neck and Ruhizha and 1 seen from the car near Kabale on the way from Ruhizha.

Dusky Crimsonwing (ARE)   2 imms seen feeding at the road edge, left from the ITFC (towards The Neck), just beyond the first left-hand junction.  An adult also seen feeding on the Mubwindi Swamp trail, on the steep descent to the forest at the edge of the swamp.

LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK                 1220-1828m                24th-25th August

An acacia savannah site, convenient to visit between Bwindi and Kampala, which holds good populations of Common Zebra and Impala (both of which cannot be found elsewhere in Uganda).  This is one of the only places to find the elusive East African endemic Red-faced Barbet, in addition to being one of the most reliable sites in Uganda for African Finfoot (either hire a boat or look right from the shore at dawn/dusk at campsite 3 in Rossouw's book), and the only site in Uganda for Long-tailed Cisticola.  It is also a reliable site for wintering Brown-chested Plovers from July-December (on burnt areas alongside the road).  Papyrus Yellow Warbler & White-winged Warblers also occur in the papyrus on the edge of the Lake but are difficult. 

We stayed in the tented camp in the acacia woodland itself near the HQ, which was excellent and ate at the very good restaurant on the lake shore.

Key species recorded:

African Finfoot   1 G seen from campsite 3 (as illustrated in Where to Watch Birds in Uganda), at dawn at the edge of the papyrus on the right-side of the camp.

Martial Eagle   1 immature seen perched by the Zebra track.

Brown-chested Lapwing   16 non-breeding/immatures seen on an extensive burnt area alongside the road which leads out of the park through the Nshara gate towards Kampala.

Common Scimitarbill   2 in acacia woodland by the road here were the only ones recorded on the trip.

Spot-flanked Barbet   Seen on both days here (up to 7), the only site recorded on the trip.

Long-tailed Cisticola   2 seen alongside the Zebra track.  This is a very localised species known only from here, although not illustrated to occur in Uganda in the East Africa Guide.

SITES NOT VISITED 

KIBALE The most reliable site in Uganda for Green-breasted Pitta (although still very difficult), which is also good for chimp-tracking.  We chose against visiting this site for the added promise of visiting Semliki instead, particularly as many of the species there are also found at Budongo.

MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK With more time worth a visit, as it holds many of the rift endemics and is particularly good for seeing Rwenzori Turaco and Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird which are unlikely to be seen at Bwindi.  Gorilla-tracking can also be done here, although this gorilla group can be less reliable as they sometimes cross the border into Congo.

LAKE BISINA & LAKE OPETA (between Moroto & Mount Elgon)        The only site for Uganda's only endemic species-the globally threatened Fox's Weaver.  Can be done as a two-day trip from Kampala, with time.

Systematic Lists

BIRDS

Nomenclature follows that used by Stevenson and Fanshawe (2002) in the Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa, which is based on the official East African list, (originally published by Britton in 1980, and revised in 1996).

Great White Pelican      Pelecanus onocrotalus
Pink-backed Pelican     Pelecanus rufescans
Little Grebe                     Tachybaptus ruficollis
Seen by Jacana Lodge, MARAMAGAMBO FOREST (QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.) and also at LAKE MBURO.

Great Cormorant                 Phalacrocorax carbo
Long-tailed Cormorant Phalocrocorax africanus
African Darter                Anhinga rufa
Seen regularly from the boat along the Nile at MURCHISON FALLS on 10/8.

African Finfoot               Podica senegalensis
1G seen at dawn, from campsite 3 (as per Where to Watch Birds in Uganda), LAKE MBURO (seen along the edge of the papyrus on the right-side of the campsite, when looking out from there).

Cattle Egret                     Bubulcus ibis
Common Squacco Heron                    Ardeola ralloides
Seen at swamps near to Kampala and around QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.

Striated Heron                Butorides striatus
Recorded at MURCHISON FALLS, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. and LAKE MBURO.

Rufous-bellied Heron    Ardeola rufiventris
2 sightings of single birds at 2 separate swamps, en route back to Kampala from Lake Mburo.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Intermediate Egret         Mesophoyx intermedia
Great Egret Casmerodius albus
Goliath Heron                 Ardea goliath
A few seen at both MURCHISON FALLS and QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.

Purple Heron                  Ardea purpurea
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
1 seen from the launch trip at MURCHISON FALLS.

Black-headed Heron      Ardea melanocephala
Seen regularly throughout the trip.

Hamerkop   Scopus umbretta
Common in all wetland areas.

Yellow-billed Stork        Mycteria ibis
1 seen on the shores of Lake Edward, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P., on 16/8.

Woolly-necked Stork    Ciconia episcopus
2 feeding in a cattle field in the village of BUHOMA, BWINDI on 19/8 was the only sighting.

African Open-billed Stork                Anastomus lamelligerus
Recorded at PORTEBELLE (KAMPALA), SEMLIKI and LAKE MBURO.

Saddle-billed Stork        Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
3 (2 adults & 1 imm.) seen from lauch trip to the bootom of the falls at MURCHISON on 10th, and 2 seen at a roadside swamp on the route back to KAMPALA from LAKE MBURO on 25th.

Marabou Stork               Leptoptilos crumeniferus
Common bird throughout, especially around habitations and in urban areas.

Shoebill       Balaeniceps rex
Excellent views from the boat, of a single bird, at MABAMBA WETLAND on our first day (5th).

Sacred Ibis  Theskiornis aethiopicus
4 seen on the boat trip along the Kazinga channel, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16th.

Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash
Fairly common throughout.

Egyptian Goose               Alopochen aegyptiacus
1 seen at MURCHISON FALLS on the 9th and another seen at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16th.

Spur-winged Goose        Plectropterus gambensis
1 in flight between ENTEBBE and KAMPALA on 5th and 2 at a roadside swamp, en-route from LAKE MBURO to KAMPALA on 25th.

Knob-billed Duck           Sarkidiornis melanotus
5 non-breeding birds/immatures from the boat trip to the bottom of the falls at MURCHISON on 10th and 2 on a roadside swamp between LAKE MBURO and KAMPALA on 25th.

White-faced Whistling-Duck           Dendrocygna viduata
4+ MABAMBA WETLAND 5/8; and also seen on the Nile launch trip, MURCHISON FALLS and en-route to Kampala from LAKE MBURO (mixed with Fulvous).

Fulvous Whistling-Duck                   Dendrocygna bicolor
Only recorded once, at a swamp en-route to Kampala from LAKE MBURO, in mixed flocks with White-faced Whistling Ducks.

Hottentot Teal                 Anas hottentota
6+ on a roadside swamp from LAKE MBURO to KAMPALA, on the 25th.

Yellow-billed Duck         Anas undulata
Recorded in the PORETBELLE area, near Kampala, and also on a swamp en-route back to KAMPALA from LAKE MBURO.

Black Kite  Milvus migrans
Seen regularly throughout, especially around urban areas.  A large movement was witnessed at SEMLIKI on 14th with flocks regularly passing overhead (100+ birds).

Black-shouldered Kite  Elanus caeruleus
A few seen at LAKE MBURO (and in transit to Kampala from there), and also at MURCHISON FALLS.

African Fish Eagle         Haliaeetus vocifer
Regularly recorded in wetland areas throughout.

Palm-nut Vulture           Gypohierax angolensis
Recorder in many areas, although most frequently around KAMPALA and SEMLIKI.

Osprey         Pandion haliaetus
1 around the Crater Lake at MARAMAGAMBO FOREST, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.

Hooded Vulture               Necrosyrtes monachus
Regularly seen around KAMPALA.

White-headed Vulture   Trigonoceps occipitalis
African White-backed Vulture        Gyps africanus
Rüppells Griffon Vulture  Gyps ruepellii
Lappet-faced Vulture     Torgos tracheliotus
2 sightings-1 at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16/8, and 1 at LAKE MBURO on 24/8.  This species is listed as VULNERABLE by Birdlife International, 2000.

Black-chested Snake-Eagle              Circaetus pectoralis
1 flew over Paraa Camp, MURCHISON FALLS on 11/8.

Brown Snake-Eagle       Circaetus cinereus
1 by the road to the Nile Safari Lodge, MURCHISON FALLS on 10/8, and 1 on the game drive in Mweya area, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16/8.

Western Banded Snake-Eagle          Circaetus cinerascens
1 seen perched by the Nile Safari Lodge, MURCHISON FALLS on 11/8.  N.B.  When perched it was very difficult to discern the lower breast markings, and therefore appeared all dark like a Brown Snake-Eagle, although Western Banded has a yellow cere (greyish in Brown).

African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus
3+ MABAMBA WETLAND on 5/8, and 2+ at a swamp between LAKE MBURO and KAMPALA on 25/8.

Eastern Chanting Goshawk              Melierax poliopterus
1 immature at the top of the falls at MURCHISON on 9/8, and an immature and adult seen on the launch trip to the bottom of the falls there on the 10/8.

Dark Chanting Goshawk                   Melierax metabates
1 adult seen on the game drive (north of the Nile) at MURCHISON FALLS on 11/8.

Lizard Buzzard               Kaupifalco monogrammicus
1 PORTEBELLE (KAMPALA) on 5/8.

Shikra         Accipiter badius
1 sat on roadside wires between LAKE MBURO and KAMPALA on 25th was the only sighting.

Little Sparrowhawk       Accipiter minullus
1 was seen perched en-route to THE NECK from BUHOMA, BWINDI on 21/8.

African Cuckoo-Hawk  Aviceda cuculoides
1 seen perched between Paraa Camp and Nile Safari Lodge, at MURCHISON FALLS on 10/8.

Bat Hawk    Macheiramphus alcinus
1 flew over the hostel at BUDONGO at dusk on 8/8; and another was watched hunting bats at dusk by the caves at the top of the falls at MURCHISON.

African Harrier Hawk  Polyboroides typus
Recorded several times at MABIRA FOREST, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. & MURCHISON FALLS.

Augur Buzzard               Buteo augur
Regularly seen around RUHIZHA, BWINDI.

Mountain Buzzard         Buteo oreophilus
Several sightings around RUHZIHA, BWINDI.

Wahlberg's Eagle          Aquila wahlbergi
Most regularly recorded eagle-especially around MURCHISON FALLS, (also recorded at LAKE MBURO and QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.)

Ayre's Hawk-Eagle        Hieraaetus ayresii
1 flew over the E Hot Springs at SEMLIKI on 13th.

Bateleur      Terathopius ecaudatus
Recorded daily at MURCHISON FALLS and QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.

Long-crested Eagle        Lophaetus occipitalis
Seen regularly (often along roads), throughout the trip.

Martial Eagle                  Polemaetus bellicosus
2 perched immatures seen on the game drive at MURCHISON FALLS on 11/8, and another imm. at LAKE MBURO on 25/8.

African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus
2 sightings-1 over the accommodation at BUDONGO on 8/8, and an adult by MUBWINDI SWAMP, RUHIZHA on 22/8.

Grey Kestrel                   Falco ardosiaceus
Several seen on the game drive north of Nile at MURCHISON FALLS on 11/8, and 4+ seen hunting bats around the caves at the top of the falls at dusk on the same day.

African Hobby                 Falco cuvieri
2 watched hunting low over the town of KABALE (near RUHIZHA, BWINDI) on 24/8.

Red-necked Falcon         Falco chicquera
3+ seen from the boat to the falls at MURCHISON on 10/8.

Helmeted Guineafowl     Numida meleagris
First recorded in a cultivated area, near the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on 8/8 (5+), and also recorded at MURCHISON and LAKE MBURO (over 21 seen in 1 flock en-route to there).

Scaly Francolin              Francolinus squamatus
A single sighting of 2 birds at MABIRA FOREST on 6th.

Nahan's Francolin         Francolinus nahani
Heard at MABIRA FOREST and the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO.  This species is listed as VULNERABLE by Birdlife International, 2000.

Handsome Francolin      Francolinus nobilis       ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

1 seen very well alongside the road in the bamboo zone at RUHIZHA, BWINDI on 23/8.  The bird was highly tape responsive-running out onto the road several times in response to playback.

Heuglin's Francolin      Francolinus icterorhynchus
1 seen well whilst on the game drive, north of the Nile at MURCHISON FALLS.

Crested Francolin          Francolinus sephaena
Several sightings on the way to BUDONGO and seen regularly at MURCHISON FALLS (on game drives and around Paraa Camp).

Red-necked Spurfowl    Francolinus afer
Recorded regularly around Mweya, at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. and also at LAKE MBURO.

Common Quail                Coturnix coturnix
1 flushed on the game drive from Mweya, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16th.

White-spotted Flufftail  Sarothrura pulchura
1G seen at extremely close range from the trail at MABIRA FOREST on 6/8.  The bird came in very close in response to the tape.

Black Crake                   Amaurornis flavirostris
Recorded at MABAMBA WETLAND, MURCHISON FALLS, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P., and at swamps near Kampala.

Purple Swamphen          Porphyrio porphyrio
2 seen on a roadside swamp en-route from LAKE MBURO to KAMPALA on 25/8.

Common Moorhen          Gallinula chloropus
2 sightings-at LAKE MBURO and whilst en-route to Kampala from there.

Lesser Moorhen             Gallinula angulata
A bird seen on a swamp en-route back to KAMPALA from LAKE MBURO on 25th was thought to be this species (the bird was extensively yellow on the bill, although the red was not confined to the shield, appearing to extend to the around the bill-base?).

African Jacana               Actophilornis africanus
Common around wetland areas in MURCHISON FALLS, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. and LAKE MBURO.

Grey-crowned Crane     Balearica regulorum
1 sighting from the plane while landing at Entebbe, and also seen in cultivated areas around BWINDI, LAKE MBURO and a pair seen nesting by the crater lake at MARAMAGAMBO FOREST.  A large concentration of 100+ birds seen on a swamp between LAKE MBURO and KAMPALA.

Black-bellied Bustard   Eupodotis melanogaster
Only seen at MURCHISON FALLS, with 1 on the road to the Nile Safari Lodge, and at least 3 on the game drive.

Water Thick-knee         Burhinus vermiculatus
5+ at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16th, with several others seen on the road at night there, and also recorded at LAKE MBURO.

Senegal Thick-knee      Burhinus senegalensis
Several seen on the boat trip to the bottom of the falls at MURCHISON FALLS, on 10/8.

Collared Pratincole       Glareola pratincola
c.10 birds were seen when leaving    Mweya, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 18/8.

Rock Pratincole             Glareola nuchalis
25+ at the top of the falls at MURCHISON FALLS.

Spur-winged Lapwing    Vanellus spinosus
1 MURCHISON FALLS 10/8.

Long-toed Lapwing         Vanellus crassirostris
1 seen on the launch trip to the bottom of the falls at MURCHISON on 10/8 and 1 at a swamp between LAKE MBURO and KAMPALA on 25/8.

African Wattled Lapwing  Vanellus senegallus
The most frequently recorded lapwing, at MURCHISON FALLS, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. and LAKE MBURO.

Crowned Lapwing           Vanellus coronatus
1 seen at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. and 1 at LAKE MBURO on 25/8.

Black-headed Lapwing  Vanellus tectus
2 seen on the game drive at MURCHISON FALLS on 11/8 was the only sighting.

Senegal Lapwing                 Vanellus lugubris
Seen nesting beside the approach road to Mweya at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P., and also recorded on a large burnt area at LAKE MBURO.

Brown-chested Lapwing                     Vanellus superciliosus
16+  (all immatures/non-breeding adults) seen on a large burnt area alongside the road out from LAKE MBURO on 25th August.

Kittlitz's Plover              Charadrius pecuarius
Only recorded at QUEEN ELIZABETH, where they were fairly common on the shore of Lake Edward.

Three-banded Plover      Charadrius tricollaris
1 seen along the shoreline of Lake Edward, QUEEN ELIZABETH on 16/8 and another single from the boat along the Kazinga channel there.

Ruff              Philomachus pugnax
2 seen on the shoreline at Lake Edward, QUEEN ELIZABETH, on 17/8.

Common Sandpiper        Actitis hypoleucos
Seen at MURCHISON FALLS, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. & LAKE MBURO.

Wood Sandpiper                  Tringa glareola
Recorded around Mweya, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. & LAKE MBURO.

Green Sandpiper                 Tringa ochropus
Only recorded at LAKE MBURO, where 3 were seen on 24th.

Common Greenshank   Tringa nebularia
2+ QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16/8.

Marsh Sandpiper                 Tringa stagnatilis
Several seen at both QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. & LAKE MBURO.

Grey-headed Gull           Larus cirrocephalus
c.30 seen roosting beside the Kazinga Channel, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16/8 was the only sighting.

African Skimmer           Rynchops flavirostris
3 seen from the boat along the Kazinga channel,           QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 17/8 (looking left from the launch jetty).

White-winged Tern        Chilidonias leucopterus
Seen regularly from the boat trips at MURCHISON FALLS and QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.

African Green-Pigeon   Treron calva
Seen regularly throughout Uganda in a variety of habitats.

Bruce's Green-Pigeon Treron waalia
2 very brief sightings of birds heading to roost, around the top of the falls at MURCHISON on 11/8.

Western Bronze-naped Pigeon        Columba iriditorques
Heard at SEMLIKI and BUHOMA, BWINDI but on both occasions the birds did not come into the tape despite frequent attempts!

Speckled Pigeon             Columba guinea
Seen regularly alongside the road in the vicinity of Kampala.

Olive Pigeon                    Columba aquatrix
Several flocks of dark pigeons flying over the road at SEMLIKI were thought to be this species, and 2 were seen by the road at RUHIZHA.

Emerald-Spotted Wood-Dove             Turtur chalcospilos
Seen on both days at LAKE MBURO.  N.B.  The Stevenson field guide does not show their range extending into Uganda, although they do occur in this park in the extreme south of Uganda.

Blue-spotted Wood-Dove                    Turtur afer
1 QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. 16/8.

Black-billed Wood-Dove                    Turtur abyssinicus
Seen regularly around Paraa Camp at MURCHISON FALLS.

Tambourine Dove           Turtur tympanistria
Recorded regularly at many sites (e.g. MABIRA FOREST).

Ring-necked Dove          Streptopelia capicola
Fairly common, especially along the road to BUDONGO.

Red-eyed Dove                 Streptopelia semitorquata
Fairly common, especially around the KAMPALA area and MURCHISON FALLS.

African Mourning Dove                     Streptopelia decipiens
Recorded around KAMPALA and also at MURCHISON FALLS.

Vinaceous Dove              Streptopelia vinacea
Several sightings around MURCHISON FALLS.

Laughing Dove                Streptopelia senegalensis
Seen around LAKE MBURO and KAMPALA.

Brown Parrot                  Poicephalus meyeri
Regularly seen at LAKE MBURO , and also recorded once en-route to BUDONGO.

Grey Parrot                     Psittacus erithacus
Several small groups seen flying over the HQ clearing at MABIRA FOREST on both days.

Red-headed Lovebird      Agapornis pullarius
2 seen from the launch trip to the bottom of the falls at MURCHISON FALLS on 10/8.

Great Blue Turaco         Corythaeola cristata
Seen regularly in most wooded areas (e.g. MABIRA FOREST, beside MABAMBA WETLAND, RUHIZHA, BUDONGO etc.)

Ross's Turaco                 Musophaga rossae
Recorded at PORTEBELLE and by the Red Chilli Hideaway in Kampala and at BUHOMA in BWINDI.

White-crested Turaco   Tauraco leucolophus
2 sightings-2 by the road to KANIYO PABIDI, BUDONGO on 9/8 (just beyond the gate, shortly before reaching the car park for chimp tracking), and 1 seen in flight at the top of the falls at MURCHISON on 11/8.

Black-billed Turaco       Tauraco schuetti
Heard frequently in forested areas throughout the trip (e.g. MABIRA FOREST, BUDONGO, BUHOMA), although only seen well on a few occasions around RUHIZHA.

Bare-faced Go-away Bird   Corythaixoides personata
1 on the game drive at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16/8 and several sightings at LAKE MBURO.

Eastern Grey Plantain-eater             Crinifer zonurus
Seen regularly around KAMPALA-at MABAMBA WETLAND, PORTEBELLE & in the grounds of the Red Chilli Hideaway. 

Levaillant's Cuckoo       Oxylophus levaillantii
1 from the boat trip to the bottom of the falls at MURCHISON on 10/8.

Red-chested Cuckoo      Cuculus solitarius
1 G at MABIRA FOREST on 6/8.

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo              Cercococcyx montanus
1 seen well (when taped in), and several others heard along the road in the bamboo zone, RUHIZHA, BWINDI on 23rd.

Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo               Cercococcyx mechowi
2 sightings on trails, near the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on 8/8.  The birds were identified on call only, when they responded to tape use by flying around, although the birds generally remained in dense cover.

Diedrick Cuckoo                 Chrysococcyx caprius
2 G & 1 E Mweya area, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16/8, and 1 E/imm. at MARAMAGAMBO FOREST on 17/8.

Klass's Cuckoo              Chrysococcyx klaas
2 MABIRA FOREST on 6/8.

African Emerald Cuckoo                   Chrysococcyx cupreus
1G at KANIYO PABIDE, BUDONGO on 9th, and another G at THE NECK, BWINDI on 21st.

Yellow-throated Cuckoo                     Chrysococcyx flavigularis
1G taped in at SEMLIKI on 13/8, along the trails near the Hot Springs.  N.B. This species has only been recorded in Uganda at Semliki and Maramagambo forests.

Yellowbill    Ceuthmochares aereus
2 ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on 8/8 and 1 along the road to the main trail at BUHOMA on 18/8.

White-browed Coucal    Centropus superciliosus
Recorded regularly on game drives at both MURCHISON FALLS and QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.

Blue-headed Coucal       Centropus monachus
Only recorded on the first day-around Lake Victoria at PORTEBELLE, KAMPALA area.

Senegal Coucal               Centropus senegalensis
2 seen en-route to BUDONGO on 7/8 and several sightings on the game drive at MURCHISON FALLS.

Black-throated Coucal  Centropus leucogaster
Several birds heard along the Kirumia Trail at SEMLIKI on 14/8.  The birds never came into playback, remaining in very dense cover.  N.B. This species has only been recorded in East Africa from Semliki.

African Wood Owl         Strix woodfordii
2 seen around the Ntandi HQ at SEMLIKI on 12/8, and another seen on the Kirumia trail there on 14/8.  Also heard at RUHIZHA, BWINDI.

African Scops Owl         Otus senegalensis
1 taped in by the tented camp at LAKE MBURO on 25/8.

Verreaux's Eagle-Owl   Bubo lacteus
2 sightings of birds perched on Euphonia cactuses along the approach road to Mweya at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.

Spotted Eagle-Owl          Bubo africanus
2 sightings of birds perched on the road hunting at night at MURCHISON FALLS-along the Paraa Camp approach road.

Red-chested Owlet         Glaucidium tephronotum
3 sightings at BWINDI-2 came into tapes along the Mubwindi Swamp Trail, RUHIZHA on 22/8; and similarly another responded to the tape along the main trail at BUHOMA on 20/8.  Alfred frequently used a recording of the owlets calls to stir-up passerines into mobbing the sound.  This worked to good effect, especially with sunbirds (e.g. Blue-headed) and Apalises (e.g. Collared & Mountain-Masked).

Square-tailed Nightjar  Caprimulgus fossii
Recorded at both MURCHISON FALLS (Nile Safari Lodge road) and 1 seen at LAKE MBURO.

Long-tailed Nightjar      Caprimulgus climacurus
1 was seen flying around at dusk alongside the Nile Safari Lodge road, MURCHISON FALLS on 11/8.

Rwenzori Nightjar         Caprimulgus ruwenzori                     ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

2 sightings at RUHIZHA, BWINDI-by the first junction on the left after leaving left out of the ITFC accommodation area; and another in the car headlights, on the road up to the bamboo zone.  They are apparently seen very regularly from the village itself, near the ITFC centre.

Pennant-winged Nightjar  Macrodipteryx vexillarius
At least 4G were seen along the road to Paraa Camp, MURCHISON FALLS when driving back from the top of the falls, along the main approach section to the camp, before the turn-off for Nile Safari Lodge.  A dead G was also seen along here.

Little Swift  Apus affinis
One of the commonest swifts in Uganda.

White-rumped Swift      Apus caffer
A few seen at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P., LAKE MBURO & MURCHISON FALLS.

Horus Swift                     Apus horus
A few seen flying around at the top of the falls at MURCHISON on 9/8.

Eurasian Swift                Apus apus
Several large, dark swifts seen near the Royal Mile at BUDONGO were thought to be this species.

Sabine's Spinetail          Rhaphidura sabini
1-2 birds seen in the evening, on 8/8, over a small pool on the edge of the forest near the ROYAL MILE area of BUDONGO.  Alfred regularly records both Cassin's and Sabine's over this pool.

Cassin's Spinetail          Neafrapus cassini
1 seen by the same pool as the Sabine's at BUDONGO on 8/8.

Speckled Mousebird      Colius striatus
Fairly common-recorded at most sites throughout.

Blue-naped Mousebird  Urocolius macrourus
Only recorded around the Paraa Camp at MURCHISON FALLS (where they were regularly seen) and at LAKE MBURO.

Narina Trogon                Apaloderma narina
1G by the ranger post near the start of the Mubwindi swamp trail, RUHIZHA (BWINDI) on 22/8.

Pied Kingfisher              Ceryle rudis
Common kingfisher near any large expanse of water-over 100 seen on the boat trip along the Nile to the bottom of the falls at MURCHISON!

Striped Kingfisher         Halcyon chelicuti
1 by the hostel at BUDONGO on 8/8, and also recorded once at LAKE MBURO.

Grey-headed Kingfisher                    Halcyon leucocephala
A few recorded around KAMPALA, MURCHISON FALLS & QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.

Giant Kingfisher                 Megaceryle maxima
2 sightings at MURCHISON FALLS-1 by the top of the falls, and 1 from the boat to the bottom of the falls.

Woodland Kingfisher    Halcyon senegalensis
Recorded around PORETBELLE (KAMPALA) and LAKE MBURO.

Blue-breasted Kingfisher                  Halcyon malimbica
1 MABIRA FOREST 7/8, and also recorded regularly along the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on 8/8, where they were fairly easy to see.

Chocolate-backed Kingfisher           Halcyon badia
1 seen (and several others heard), along the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on 8/8.  The bird sat high in the canopy and could be difficult to see!

Malachite Kingfisher    Alcedo cristata
Fairly common at MABAMBA WETLAND & LAKE MBURO.

African Pygmy Kingfisher                Ispidina picta
Several sightings at MABIRA FOREST  and also recorded at MURCHISON FALLS.

African Dwarf Kingfisher Ispidina lecontei
3+ along the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on 8th and 2 seen in forest at the edge of the crater lake at MARAMAGAMBO FOREST (QUEEN ELIZABETH) on 17th.

Little Bee-eater              Merops pusillus
A few singles seen on the game drives at MURCHISON FALLS, LAKE MBURO & QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.

Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater            Merops oreobates
Regularly recorded in montane areas around RUHIZHA, BWINDI.

Blue-breasted Bee-eater                    Merops variegatus
2+ in papyrus on the edge of Lake Victoria, PORTEBELLE (KAMPALA area), on 5/8.

White-throated Bee-eater  Merops albicollis
6+ seen around PORTEBELLE, KAMPALA on 5/8 and also seen on the approach road to MARAMAGAMBO FOREST (QUEEN ELIZABETH) on 17th.

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater                   Merops hirundineus
3 sightings at MURCHISON-1 by the road to Nile Safari Lodge, and 2 sightings along the road to the falls from Paraa Camp.

Black Bee-eater             Merops gularis
Recorded on a few occasions at both MARAMAGAMBO FOREST (QUEEN ELIZABETH), and BWINDI (where they were heard calling frequently).  Seen by the bat cave and along the road back to car park from there at Maramagambo; and at The Neck and Buhoma at Bwindi.  Alfred will 100% guarantee sightings of this stunner at either of these sites!!

Red-throated Bee-eater Merops bulocki
Only recorded at MURCHISON FALLS, where they were fairly common.

Northern Carmine Bee-eater           Merops nubicus
Only recorded on the game drive, north of the Nile at MURCHISON FALLS, on 11th (5+ birds).

Broad-billed Roller        Eurystomus glaucurus
Fairly common in open wooded/savannah areas.  100+ birds hunting at dusk, around the top of the falls at MURCHISON on 11th was an impressive sight.

Lilac-breasted Roller    Coracias caudata
Only recorded on the drive back to KAMPALA from LAKE MBURO, with c.8 birds seen on roadside wires.

Green Wood-hoopoe       Phoeniculus purpureus
1 small flock seen in the crater area, on the game drive at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16/8.

Forest Wood-hoopoe      Phoeniculus castaneiceps
Several sightings of small groups of this fairly localised species at MABIRA FOREST, all from the clearing by the HQ.

White-headed Wood-hoopoe              Phoeniculus bollei
Only recorded once, 2 + along the main trail at BUHOMA, BWINDI on the 20th.

Common Scimitarbill    Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
2 at LAKE MBURO on 25th were the only ones seen.

African Grey Hornbill   Tockus nasutus
Regularly recorded at MURCHISON FALLS, in savannah areas.

Crowned Hornbill           Tockus alboterminatus
2 sightings-at MABAMBA WETLAND on 5/8, and along the road at SEMLIKI on 13/8.

African Pied Hornbill    Tockus fasciatus
2 over the HQ clearing at MABIRA FOREST on 7/8, and 4+ in trees beside the road near the start of the Kirumia trail, SEMLIKI on 14/8.

Piping Hornbill               Bycanistes fistulator
Seen regularly around the Ntandi HQ at SEMLIKI (10+ in a day).  N.B. They are only found elsewhere in East Africa at Budongo forest in Uganda.

Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill Tockus camurus
2 seen briefly along the Kirumia Trail, SEMLIKI on 14/8.  Despite continually calling back to the tape the birds never came in to it.  They are also recorded regularly from the trails near the road, in the Hot Springs area, and alongside the forested sections of road between the Ntandi HQ and the start of the Kirumia Trail.  N.B. This is the only forest where they have been recorded from in East Africa.

White-crested Hornbill Tropicranus albocristatus
2 (pair) taped in along the secondary forest trails (which lead to the Hot Springs), at SEMLIKI on 13th.  N.B.   In East Africa this species is confined to Semliki forest.

Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill   Bycanistes subcylindricus
One of the commonest, most widespread hornbills, being seen in all lowland forested areas and on the outskirts of Kampala.

White-thighed Hornbill                     Bycanistes cylindricus
7+ along the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on 8/8 and also recorded once at SEMLIKI.

Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill      Ceratogymna atrata
3+ (1 G) seen in secondary forest at SEMLIKI, in the same area as the White-crested Hornbills.  We also heard them on the Kirumia trail there the next day.  N.B.  In East Africa this species is only known from Semliki.

Abyssinian Ground-hornbill             Bucorvus abyssinicus
3 sightings-1 G seen by the roadside en-route to BUDONGO from Mabira on 7/8, 1 E alongside the road to Murchison, a short way from KANIYO PABIDI on 9/8, and 1 E at MURCHISON FALLS on 11/8, between Paraa Camp and the car park at the top of the falls.

Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird                Pogoniulus bilineatus
1 at MABIRA FOREST on the 6th was the only sighting.

Yellow-throated Tinkerbird              Pogoniulus subsulphureus
Seen at a few sites (and heard regularly at most sites, being one of the most common barbets)-seen well in the car park at KANIYO PABIDI (BUDONGO) 9/8 and around the Hot Springs at SEMLIKI on 13/8.

Red-rumped Tinkerbird                     Pogoniulus atroflavus
1 taped in along the Kirumia Trail, SEMLIKI on 14th -just beyond the first oxbow lake.  N.B. This has only been recorded from this forest in East Africa.

Western Green Tinkerbird              Pogoniulus coryphaeus
1 taped in at RUHIZHA, BWINDI on 23/8, along the road leading to the bamboo zone, shortly before entering the sign-posted bamboo zone.

Speckled Tinkerbird     Pogoniulus scolopaceus
Several sightings at MABIRA FOREST on 6/8 and singles seen at ???

Grey-throated Barbet    Gymnobucco bonapartei
Recorded quite regularly at MABIRA FOREST, and also seen in BWINDI.

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird                Pogoniulus chrysoconus
1 taped-in around gardens at PORTEBELLE, KAMPALA on 5/8.

Spot-flanked Barbet       Tricholaema lachrymosa
Only recorded at LAKE MBURO, with 7+ there on 24th.

Hairy-breasted Barbet   Tricholaema hirsuta
2 sightings-1 in secondary forest at SEMLIKI on 13/8, and 2 in the car park at MARAMAGAMBO FOREST, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 17/8.

Yellow-spotted Barbet    Buccanodon duchaillui
1 by the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on the 8th , and at least 4 came into a tape along the main trail at BUHOMA on the 20th.

White-headed Barbet     Lybius leucocephalus
1 en-route to BUDONGO from Mabira forest on the 7th was the only sighting.

Black-billed Barbet       Lybius guifsobalito
1 seen in acacia woodland near the Nile Safari Lodge, MURCHISON FALLS on 10/8, and another on the game drive north of Nile there on 11/8.

Double-toothed Barbet   Lybius bidentatus
 2 seen in the gardens of the Red Chilli Hideaway Bandas, KAMPALA on 6/8, and 1 at THE NECK, BWINDI on 21/8.

Yellow-billed Barbet      Trachylaemus purpuratus
Only recorded at MABIRA FOREST, where 2 were seen on 6/8.

Greater Honeyguide      Indicator indicator
1 by the tented camp at LAKE MBURO on 25th was the only record.

Lesser Honeyguide        Indicator minor
1 in scrub by the road out of SEMLIKI to Fort Portal on 15/8.

Willcock's Honeyguide                     Indicator willcocksi
1 seen (and taped-in) along the Kirumia Trail, SEMLIKI on 14/8.

Dwarf Honeyguide          Indicator pumilio          ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

2 at THE NECK, BWINDI on 21/8 and 2 on the Mubwindi Swamp Trail, RUHIZHA on 22/8.  They are apparently "common" in the area and should be readily seen on a visit to Ruhizha! (Alfred pers. com.)

Red-throated Wryneck Jynx ruficollis
2 between THE NECK and RUHIZHA on 21st.

Tullberg's Woodpecker                     Campethera tullbergi
3 sightings around RUHIZHA, BWINDI.

Buff-spotted Woodpecker  Campethera nivosa
2 at MABIRA FOREST on 6/8 and also recorded at BUHOMA on 20/8.

Brown-eared Woodpecker Campethera caroli
1 KANIYO PABIDI, BUDONGO on 9/8.

Nubian Woodpecker      Campethera nubica
Seen at PORTEBELLE, KAMPALA, MURCHISON FALLS and LAKE MBURO.

Cardinal Woodpecker   Dendropicos fuscescens
Recorded at BUDONGO, BWINDI and LAKE MBURO.

Brown-backed Woodpecker              Picoides obsoletus
1 along the Nile Safari Lodge road, MURCHISON FALLS, on the 10th.

Elliot's Woodpecker      Dendropicos elliotii
2 at THE NECK, BWINDI on 21/8.

Yellow-crested Woodpecker             Dendropicos xantholophus
4 along the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on the 8th .

Grey Woodpecker          Dendropicos goertae
1 seen from the boat trip to the falls at MURCHISON on 10/8.

African Broadbill           Smithornis capensis
1 taped in along the main trail at BUHOMA, BWINDI on the 20th .  The bird was displaying and producing the weird mechanical, vibrating sound with it's wings.

Rufous-sided Broadbill Smithornis rufolateralis
2 sightings-1G displaying at KANIYO PABIDI, BUDONGO on 9/8, was originally taped in as an African Broadbill, as they also make the same bizarre mechanical sound with their wings when displaying (and later seen with a E); and another along the Kirumia Trail, SEMLIKI on 14/8.

African Green Broadbill                    Pseudocalyptomena graueri            ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

2 of these stunning birds were seen along the MUBWINDI SWAMP TRAIL, RUHIZHA (BWINDI) on 22nd August.  They were calling and seemed to respond to Alfred's good imitations of the call (a high-pitched hissing).  The birds were alongside the trail, on the steep downhill section that leads to the open forest just prior to Mubwindi swamp itself.  Alfred informed us that they breed in the flat, open forest prior to the swamp and showed us a nest from earlier this year.  Apparently they were breeding there for 3 weeks in April, when sightings could be "guaranteed"!  Many British birders believe (as we did) the optimum time for seeing the Broadbill is July-August, although Alfred states that May or September are far better months for seeing them (in addition to many other species!) as they are breeding and are therefore more confined to smaller areas.  This species is classified as VULNERABLE (Birdlife International, 2000).

Rufous-naped Lark        Mirafra africana
1 on the game drive near Mweya, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16/8.

Flappet Lark                    Mirafra rufocinnamomea
Several seen at MURCHISON FALLS, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. and also LAKE MBURO.

White-tailed Lark          Mirafra albicauda
3-5 seen on the game drive around Mweya, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16/8.

Red-capped Lark                 Calandrella cinerea
2 seen at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16th.

Rock Martin                    Hirundo fuligula
Seen in the highlands, between BUHOMA and RUHIZHA at BWINDI, on 21/8.

Plain Martin                    Riparia paludicola
Banded Martin                Riparia cincta
Several seen flying around a swamp en-route to KAMPALA from LAKE MBURO on 25/8.

Red-rumped Swallow     Hirundo daurica
Several seen at MABAMBA WETLAND and BUDONGO.

Mosque Swallow             Hirundo senegalensis
2 seen in the evening over a small pool near the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on 8/8 and 2 by the Ntandi HQ at SEMLIKI on 15/8.

Rufous-chested Swallow                    Hirundo semirufa
Several seen around MABAMBA WETLAND on 5/8, was the only sighting.

Lesser Striped Swallow                     Hirundo abyssinica
Seen quite regularly around BUDONGO, SEMLIKI & BWINDI.

Barn Swallow                  Hirundo rustica
Several returning birds seen with Angola Swallows on roadside wires.

Angola Swallow              Hirundo angolensis
Fairly common in the lowlands, especially around Kampala.

Wire-tailed Swallow      Hirundo smithii
Recorded regularly on the boat trip along the Nile at MURCHISON FALLS on 10/8.

Black Saw-wing              Psalidoprocne holomelas
Only recorded at BWINDI, where they were common around BUHOMA and RUHIZHA.

White-headed Saw-wing                     Psalidopcrone albiceps
Fairly common around the car park at MABIRA FOREST, and very common around the top of the falls at MURCHISON.  Also recorded at LAKE MBURO.

Blue Swallow                   Hirundo atrocaerulea
1 seen flying over our boat at MABAMBA WETLAND on the 5th was a good record of this threatened species (classified as VULNERABLE, Birdlife International 2000).

African Pied Wagtail    Motacilla aguimp
Regularly recorded throughout.

Cape Wagtail                  Motacilla capensis
2 sightings at BWINDI-2 by the Bwindi View Bandas at BUHOMA and by the road between RUHIZHA and Kabale.

Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus
1 on the edge of Lake Victoria at PORTEBELLE, KAMPALA on 5/8; 2 by the road to BUDONGO on 7/8 and also recorded at LAKE MBURO.

Grassland Pipit               Anthus cinnamomeus
Recorded on the game drive at MURCHISON FALLS and also around BWINDI and LAKE MBURO.

Plain-backed Pipit          Anthus leucophrys
1 in a cultivated area, near the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on 8/8.

Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike       Campephaga flava
2 on the launch trip at MURCHISON FALLS on 10/8, and several sightings of Es around BUHOMA at BWINDI.

Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike       Campephaga quiscalina
2 sightings of single Es at MABIRA FOREST on the 6th & 7th.

Petit's Cuckoo-shrike  Campephaga petiti
Only recorded at BUHOMA, BWINDI, where seen on both the 19th & 20th along the road and main trail.

Grey Cuckoo-shrike     Coracina caesia
Only recorded at BWINDI-2 along the main trail at BUHOMA on 20/8, and also seen several times around RUHIZHA.

Western Nicator            Nicator chloris
Heard regularly at BUDONGO and SEMLIKI, although only seen well a few times-2 along the ROYAL MILE on 8/8 and 1 along the Kirumia Trail, SEMLIKI on 14/8..

Common Bulbul              Pycnonotus barbatus
Very common bird throughout.

Yellow-whiskered Greenbul              Abdropadus latirostris
Little Greenbul               Andropadus virens
Probably the most frequently recorded forest greenbul (seen at MABIRA FOREST, BUDONGO, MARAMAGAMBO FOREST & BWINDI).

Mountain Greenbul        Andropadus nigriceps
Only recorded at RUHIZHA, BWINDI, where they were seen regularly along the Mubwindi Swamp trail on 22/8, and also along the road in the bamboo zone.

Slender-billed Greenbul                    Andropadus gracilirostris
1 in the car Park at KANIYO PABIDI, BUDONGO on the 9th and 1 at MARAMAGAMBO FOREST on 17th.

Yellow-streaked Greenbul Phyllastrephus flavostriatus
Only recorded around RUHIZHA, where there were several seen along the Mubwindi Swamp trail on 22/8.

Cabanis's Greenbul       Phyllastrephus cabanisi
1+ by the ranger post, near the start of the Mubwindi Swamp trail, RUHIZHA on 22/8.

Little Grey Greenbul     Andropadus gracilis
1 MABIRA FOREST on 6/8, and another at MARAMAGAMBO FOREST (QUEEN ELIZABETH), on 17/8.

Ansorge's Greenbul      Andropadus ansorgei
1 seen along the main trail at BUHOMA, BWINDI on 20th.  N.B. This species has only very recently been described from Uganda (and is not stated to occur there in Stevenson's East Africa guide), but is apparently fairly common in Bwindi (as per Alfred).

Toro Olive Greenbul      Phyllastrephus hypochloris
1 sighting at MABIRA FOREST on 6/8.

Icterine/Xavier's Greenbul               Phyllastrephus icterinus/xavieri
1-2 of these difficult-to-separate species seen along the Kirumia Trail, SEMLIKI on 14/8.

Leaf-love      Pyrrhurus scandens
A single was seen along the Kirumia trail, SEMLIKI on the 14th.

Red-tailed Bristlebill     Bleda syndactyla
An adult and an immature together at MABIRA FOREST on 6/8.

Red-tailed Greenbul       Criniger calurus
1 in secondary forest at SEMLIKI on 13/8.

White-throated Greenbul  Phyllastrephus albigularis
1 MABIRA FOREST 6/8.

Yellow-throated Greenbul  Chlorocichla flavicollis
Fairly widespread greenbul-seen at a number of sites (e.g. PORTEBELLE, KAMPALA). 

Swamp Palm Greenbul  Thescelocichla leucopleura
2 taped into palms alongside the trail in the secondary forest, which leads to the Hot Springs at SEMLIKI.  The on-site ranger records them very regularly from this section of trail.  N.B. In East Africa this species is only known from Semliki.

Honeyguide Greenbul    Baeopogon indicator
1 ROYAL MILE 8/8 and 1 KANIYO PABIDI, BUDONGO 9/8, and 2 at SEMLIKI on 13/8.

Spotted Greenbul                 Ixonotus guttatus
5-7 seen in forest along the road near the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on the 8th.

White-starred Robin     Pogonocichla stellata
2 on the Mubwindi Swamp trail, RUHIZHA on 22/8, 4+ on the bamboo zone road there on 23/8, and 1 in the bamboo zone on 24/8.

Equatorial Aqualat         Sheppardia aequatorialis
Only recorded along the main trail at BUHOMA on 20/8, with 3+ there, in the area at the start of the trail and several brief views of other birds presumed to be this species.

Forest Robin                    Stiphrornis erythrothorax
2 sightings-1 at MABIRA FOREST on 6/8; 1 ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on 8/8 and also heard at SEMLIKI.

Brown-chested Alethe   Alethe poliocephala
1 was seen perched at MABIRA FOREST on 7/8, and another was in a mixed flock following an ant swarm at MARAMAGAMBO FOREST (QUEEN ELIZABETH) on 17/8.

Red-throated Alethe       Alethe poliophrys          ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

This stunning endemic was recorded at BUHOMA, BWINDI, where 2 were seen feeding on the main trail on the 20th August.  Buhoma is the best chance for this species as Ruhizha is generally too high (Alfred pers. comm.).

Fire-crested Alethe        Alethe diademata
1 was seen well perched on a dead log by the trail for over 5 minutes at KANIYO PABIDI (BUDONGO) on 9/8, and another single was seen near the E Hot Springs at SEMLIKI on 13/8.

White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini
1 in the grounds of the Red Chilli Hideaway (KAMPALA) at the start of the trip (6/8) and another at LAKE MBURO.

Snowy-headed Robin-Chat Cossypha niveicapilla
Only recorded at MABIRA FOREST, where they were frequently seen with at least 5 seen on the 6th.

Red-capped Robin-Chat Cossypha natalensis
1 by the road near Jacana Lodge, MARAMAGAMBO FOREST, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 17/8.

Grey-winged Robin-Chat   Cossypha polioptera
2 sightings-1 by the crater lake trail at MARAMAGAMBO FOREST, QUEEN ELIZABETH on 17/8; and a single by Mantana Lodge, BUHOMA, BWINDI on 19/8 (where Alfred regularly sees them).

Archer's Robin-Chat     Cossypha archeri      ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

2-3 sightings of this species around RUHIZHA, BWINDI, in the Mubwindi Swamp area where they were heard regularly and readily came into tape.

White-bellied Robin-Chat  Cossyphicula roberti
2 near the start of the main trail at BUHOMA on 20/8.

Olive Thrush                   Turdus olivaceus
Several sightings around RUHIZHA, BWINDI (where it replaces African Thrush).

African Thrush              Turdus pelios
A few seen at most sites (e.g. KAMPALA, MABIRA FOREST, BUHOMA etc.), except Ruhizha where replaced by Olive Thrush.

White-tailed Ant-Thrush                   Neucossyphus poensis
Only recorded at BUHOMA, where it was seen several times along the main trail on 20/8.

Red-tailed Ant-Thrush  Neucossyphus rufus
2 KANIYO PABIDI 9/8, 1 SEMLIKI 13/8, and 1 MARAMAGAMBO FOREST (QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.) 17/8.

Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush                Stizorhina fraseri
1 taped in at MABIRA FOREST 7/8 and 1 SEMLIKI 13/8.

Sooty Chat  Myrmecocichla nigra
Fairly common (e.g. seen at MABIRA FOREST and MURCHISON FALLS, where they were particularly common).

White-fronted Black Chat Myrmecocichla albifrons
1 G along the approach road to Paraa Camp, MURCHISON FALLS on 9/8.

Common (African) Stonechat           Saxicola torquata
Only sightings were alongside roads on several journeys.  N.B.  This African race has recently been given full species status by some authorities (British Birds 2002).

White-browed Scrub-Robin               Cercotrichas leucophrys
1 watched singing in Acacia woodland on the game drive near Mweya, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16/8.  N.B.  The illustrations and text are misleading in Stevenson-the wings can have 2 clearly defined wing-bars, very like Brown-backed but the streaking on the throat is much more well-defined in White-browed and very diffuse in Brown-backed (these differences are well illustrated in Borrow's West African guide)

Brown-backed Scrub-Robin              Cercothrichas hartlaubi
1 singing G between BUHOMA and THE NECK, BWINDI on 21/8.

Spotted Morning-Thrush   Cichladusa guttata
Only recorded around the Paraa Camp, MURCHISON FALLS, where they were seen regularly (6+ sightings).

Dark-capped Yellow Warbler           Chloropeta natalensis
1 seen between THE NECK and RUHIZHA at BWINDI on 21/8.

Mountain Yellow Warbler Chloropeta similis
1 seen in a vine tangle at RUHIZHA, near the Mubwindi Swamp on 22/8, was the only record.

Greater Swamp Warbler                   Acrocephalus rufescens
1 heard calling from dense papyrus at LAKE MBURO on 25/8.

African Reed Warbler  Acrocephalus baeticatus
Several sightings around QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P., (along the Kazinga channel & on the edge of Lake Edward).

White-winged Warbler Bradypterus carpalis
1 seen well, when taped in, in an extensive area of papyrus en-route from MURCHISON FALLS to SEMLIKI on 12/8.

Cinnamon Bracken Warbler            Bradypterus cinnamomeus
1 seen at Mubwindi Swamp, RUHIZHA on 22/8, and another heard in the bamboo zone there the next day.

Evergreen Forest Warbler                Bradypterus lopezi
1 taped in beside the road to THE NECK from BUHOMA, BWINDI on 21st.

Little Rush Warbler      Bradypterus baboecala
1 seen well, when taped in, in a small marshy area by the football pitch in BUHOMA village on 19/8.

Grauer's Rush Warbler                    Bradypterus graueri           ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

4+ taped in at MUBWINDI SWAMP, RUHIZHA (BWINDI) on 22/8.  This threatened species is classified as ENDANGERED (Birdlife International 2000).

Uganda Woodland Warbler               Phylloscopus budongoensis
1 along the trail between the car park and the top of the falls (just after the small bridge) at MURCHISON FALLS on 9/8.

Red-faced Woodland Warbler           Phylloscopus umbrovirens      ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

3 along the main trail at BUHOMA on 20/8, 1 near the camping area at RUHIZHA on 21/8, and several small flocks along the Mubwindi Swamp trail there on 22/8.

Green Hylia                     Hylia prasina
Recorded at MABIRA FOREST,  and ????????????

Short-tailed Warbler     Hemitesia neumanni       ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

A superb endemic, which was eventually seen well on the third attempt (2 being seen poorly as they circled us in response to the tape!), along the main trail at BUHOMA, BWINDI.  N.B. They are only found at Buhoma at Bwindi, as Ruhizha is too high.

White-browed Crombec                     Sylvietta leucophrys
3 main trail, BUHOMA, BWINDI on 20/8.

Green Crombec              Sylvietta virens
Singles seen at MABIRA FOREST, SEMLIKI and BUHOMA.

Lemon-bellied Crombec                     Sylvietta denti
1 seen singing in the forest canopy by the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on 8/8.

Yellow Longbill               Macrosphenus flaviscans
1 singing G at KANIYO PABIDI (BUDONGO) on 9th.

Red-faced Crombec        Sylvietta whytii
Several seen at MURCHISON FALLS (along the Nile Safari Lodge road) and a single seen at LAKE MBURO on 25/8.

Green-capped Eromomela  Eromomela scotops
1 seen well by the tented camp at LAKE MBURO on 24/8.

Rufous-crowned Eromomela             Eromomela badiceps
3+ seen feeding in the forest canopy with a Chestnut-capped Flycatcher near the ROYAL MILE at BUDONGO, on the 8th.

Black-faced Rufous Warbler            Bathmocercus rufus
Heard frequently along the main trail at BUHOMA on 20/8, where 2 were seen well on the same day (G & E), also heard at THE NECK, BWINDI and a E was seen at RUHIZHA on 22/8.

African Moustached Warbler           Melocichla mentalis
1 in a cultivated area near the ROYAL MILE at BUDONGO on 8/8, and another beside the approach road to MARAMAGAMBO FOREST on 17/8.

Grauer's Warbler          Graueria vittata         ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

2 were calling from high in a vine tangle by the main trail at BUHOMA on 20/8, and were taped in low; and 1 was also seen at RUHIZHA on 21/8.

Zitting Cisticola             Cisticola juncidis
Stout Cisticola                Cisticola robustus
2 seen in an area of scrub en-route to BUHOMA, BWINDI on 18/8.

Croaking Cisticola        Cisticola natalensis
Several sightings around MURCHISON FALLS.

Rattling Cisticola           Cisticola chiniana
Several seen around MURCHISON FALLS.

Winding Cisticola          Cisticola galactotes
Seen at MABAMBA WETLAND on 5/8.

Carruther's Cisticola   Cisticola carruthersi
1 taped-in at a papyrus swamp, en-route to SEMLIKI (at the same site as White-winged Warbler) on 12/8.

Red-faced Cisticola        Cisticola erythrops
1 in a cultivated area near the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on 8/8 and 3+ along the approach road to MARAMAGAMBO FOREST on 17/8.

Chubb's Cisticola           Cisticola chubbi
Seen regularly in montane areas-en-route to RUHIZHA from Buhoma on 21/8 and daily around RUHIZHA.

Trilling Cisticola           Cisticola woosnami
Whistling Cisticola       Cisticola lateralis
1 seen singing in a cultivated area near the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on 8/8.

Long-tailed Cisticola     Cisticola angusticaudus
2 LAKE MBURO 25/8.

Red-winged Grey Warbler                Drymocichla incana
3+ by the car park, at the top of the falls at MURCHISON on 9/8, and 2 in acacia woodland near the Nile Safari Lodge, MURCHISON FALLS on 10/8.

Tawny-flanked Prinia    Prinia subflava
White-chinned Prinia   Prinia leucopogon
2 in the car park at MABIRA FOREST on 6/8, and also recorded at LAKE MBURO on .

Banded Prinia                 Prinia bairdii
(Black-faced Prinia       Prinia melanops)

Only recorded at RUHIZHA, where 2+ seen near the ITFC camp, in the area of the road junction to the Neck on 21/8 and another single seen in forest, near the swamp on 22/8, and a single seen near the bamboo zone on 23/8.  N.B.  Some authorities split this highland form from the lowland race to become Black-faced Prinia Prinia melanops.

Grey-capped Warbler    Eminia lepida
First seen at PORETBELLE (KAMPALA) on 5/8, and also seen near THE NECK, BWINDI on 21/8 and LAKE MBURO on 25/8.

Grey-backed Camaroptera                Camaroptera brachyura
Seen regularly (although more frequently than seen) in forested areas on the trip-MABIRA FOREST, BUDONGO etc. (and also in cultivation near KAMPALA).

Olive-green Camaroptera  Camaroptera chloronata
1 Kirumia Trail, SEMLIKI 14/8.

Yellow-browed Camaroptera             Camaroptera superciliaris
1 MABIRA FOREST 6/8.

Yellow-breasted Apalis  Apalis flavida
2 sightings at LAKE MBURO (beside the road and in the main HQ car park).

Grey Apalis                     Apalis cinerea
2+ Kirumia Trail, SEMLIKI on 14/8 and also recorded once at BWINDI.

Chestnut-throated Apalis  Apalis porphyrolaema
Only recorded at RUHIZHA where, once the call is known, appear to be fairly common (readily taped in by the first junction on the left towards the Neck from the centre).

Buff-throated Apalis      Apalis rufogularis
The most frequently recorded Apalis-seen at MABIRA FOREST, BUDONGO, MARAMAGAMBO FOREST and BWINDI.

Collared Apalis               Apalis ruwenzorii            ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

3+ seen very well, by the road, near the first left-hand junction from the ITFC towards The Neck at RUHIZHA on 21/8. 

Black-throated Apalis   Apalis jacksoni
1 ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO 8/8 and 1 by the main trail at BUHOMA on 20/8.

Mountain Masked Apalis   Apalis personata            ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

One of the easiest endemics at BWINDI-being seen regularly at both BUHOMA and RUHIZHA in mixed species flocks, and regularly coming to mob taped calls of Red-chested Owlet.  Also readily taped in low from the canopy to it's own calls.

White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher             Melaenornis fischeri
Only recorded around BWINDI, where they were seen regularly (especially at RUHIZHA).

Northern Black Flycatcher               Melaenonrnis edolioides
Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher          Melaenornis ardesiacus                    ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

Only recorded along the Mubwindi Swamp Trail at RUHIZHA, with several sightings there on 22nd.

Pale Flycatcher               Bradornis pallidus
Recorded regularly (especially along the road to Paraa Camp) at MURCHISON FALLS.

Ashy Flycatcher             Muscicapa caerulescens
African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta
Lead-coloured Flycatcher  Myioparus plumbeus
1 seen at MABIRA FOREST on 6/8, and another seen at SEMLIKI on 13/8.  1 also recorded at LAKE MBURO on 24/8.

Grey-throated Flycatcher  Myioparus griseigularis
1 seen at MABIRA FOREST on 7/8 and another single along the ROYAL MILE (BUDONGO) on 8/8 (at both sites they were heard a few more times in addition to this).

Swamp Flycatcher          Muscicapa aquatica
A few seen at MABAMBA WETLAND on 5/8; and a few seen beside the Kazinga Channel, at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P on 16/8.. 

Cassin's Grey Flycatcher         Muscicapa cassini
1 seen fly-catching from rocks along the river at THE NECK, BWINDI on 21st August.

Dusky-blue Flycatcher  Muscicapa comitata
1 main trail, BUHOMA (BWINDI) on 20/8.

Chapin's Flycatcher      Muscicapa lendu
2 of this threatened species (classified as VULNERABLE), were seen together, along the main trail at BUHOMA, BWINDI on 20/8.  N.B.  This species is listed as an Albertine Rift Endemic in Rossouw & Sacchi (1998) but has also been recorded in Western Kenya (Birdlife International 2000; Stevenson & Fanshawe 2002).

Sooty Flycatcher             Muscicapa infuscata
1 along the main trail at BUHOMA, BWINDI on 20/8 was the only sighting.

Chin-spot Batis               Batis molitor
Surprisingly only recorded around RUHIZHA, BWINDI where there were several sightings.

Black-headed Batis        Batis minor
The most frequently recorded Batis-seen at BUDONGO, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. and MURCHISON FALLS.

Rwenzori Batis               Batis diops ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

2 RUHIZHA, BWINDI 21/8 (by the road to the left, off the main road, when leaving left out of the ITFC centre), and another at RUHIZHA on 23/8.

African Shrike-flycatcher                Megabias flammulatus
3 (1 G) at MABIRA FOREST on 7/8 and also several sightings of pairs along the main trail at BUHOMA on 20/8.

Black-and-White Shrike-flycatcher  Bias musicus
1 G MARAMAGAMBO FOREST 17/8, 1 E BUHOMA 18/8 and another E BUHOMA 20/8.

Brown-throated Wattle-eye               Platysteira cyanea
Seen a few times at a number of sites throughout the trip (e.g. KAMPALA, MURCHISON FALLS, MABIRA FOREST, BWINDI).

Chestnut Wattle-eye      Dyaphorophyia castanea
African Paradise-flycatcher             Terpsiphone viridis
Red-bellied Paradise-flycatcher       Terpsiphone rufiventer
Silverbird    Empidornis semipartitus
Regularly seen around Paraa Camp, MURCHISON FALLS.

White-tailed Crested-flycatcher      Trochocercus albonotatus
1 was seen in dense bamboo at RUHIZHA, in the bamboo zone, on the 23rd.

White-bellied Crested-flycatcher    Trochocercus albiventris
1 by the main trail at BUHOMA (BWINDI) on 20/8.

African Blue Flycatcher                    Elminia longicauda
White-tailed Blue Flycatcher           Elminia albicauda
Chestnut-capped Flycatcher              Erythrocercus mccallii
1 was watched feeding in the forest canopy with Rufous-crowned Eremomelas along the road, near the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on the 8th.

Scaly-breasted Illadopsis                   Illadopsis albipectus
1 taped in at MABIRA FOREST on 7/8.

Mountain Illadopsis       Illadopsis pyrrhoptera
2 sightings at BWINDI-1-2 along the main trail at BUHOMA on 20/8, and 4+ at THE NECK on the way to Ruhizha.

Brown Illadopsis                  Illadopsis fulvescens
2 taped in at MABIRA FOREST on 7/8.

Puvel's Illadopsis           Illadopsis puveli
1 seen very well, singing from a perch 3-4 feet off the ground, at KANIYO PABIDI, BUDONGO on 9th.  The bird was near the start of the trail, close to the car park, where they are also regularly seen by the local ranger/guide.

Grey-chested Illadopsis Illadopsis poliothorax
Brief views of this beautiful Illadopsis were seen in dense bamboo, in the bamboo zone at RUHIZHA, BWINDI on 23/8.

African Hill-Babbler     Pseudoalcippe abyssinica atriceps
(Rwenzori Hill-Babbler)

1 at RUHIZHA on 21/8, and 2+ seen along the Mubwindi Swamp trail there the next day.  N.B.  Some authorities treat this black-headed race as a separate species.

Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii
Several small groups on the game drive at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16/8.

Black-lored Babbler      Turdoides sharpei
Recorded on game drives at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. and LAKE MBURO.

Dusky Tit    Parus funereus
2-3 in a mixed feeding flock by the main trail at BUHOMA on 20/8.

White-winged Tit           Parus leucomelas
2 LAKE MBURO on 25/8.

White-shouldered Tit    Parus guineensis
1 en-route to SEMLIKI on 12/8.

Stripe-breasted Tit         Parus fasciiventer          ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

Seen in mixed species feeding flocks at RUHIZHA on 21st (alongside the left-hand road to the Neck from the ITFC centre at Ruhizha) & on the 22nd (several sightings in flocks along the Mubwindi Swamp trail).

Tit-Hylia      Pholidornis rushiae
2 of these rarely seen birds were watched for 10 min perched in the canopy by the HQ at MABIRA FOREST on 6th August.

African Penduline-Tit   Anthoscopus caroli
1 QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. 16/8 and 1 carrying  nesting material at LAKE MBURO on 25/8.

N.B. Rossouw's book does not list this species for either of these sites!

Yellow White-eye           Zosterops senegalensis
Fairly common bird-especially in feeding flocks at BWINDI.

Bronze Sunbird              Nectarinia kilimensis
Green-headed Sunbird  Cyanomitra verticalis
Only recorded at BWINDI-several along the main trail and around the bandas at BUHOMA on 20/8.

Blue-headed Sunbird     Cyanomitra alinae        ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

Northern Double-collared Sunbird   Cinnyris preussi
Olive-bellied Sunbird    Cinnyris chloropygia
Regal Sunbird                 Cinnyris regia                 ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

A really stunning sunbird, seen regularly around RUHIZHA, BWINDI, including in the camp area itself.

Green-throated Sunbird                     Chalcomitra rubescens
Green Sunbird                Anthreptes rectirostris
Olive Sunbird                  Cyanomitra olivacea
Regularly seen low in the understorey of forested areas (e.g. MABIRA FOREST, SEMLIKI, BWINDI). 

Grey-headed Sunbird     Deleornis axillaris
3 along the Kirumia Trail, SEMLIKI on 14/8.

Copper Sunbird              Cinnyris cuprea
Marico Sunbird              Cinnyris mariquensis
Several recorded at LAKE MBURO on 25/8.

Purple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciata
Scarlet-chested Sunbird                    Chalcomitra senegalensis
Beautiful Sunbird          Cinnyris pulchella
Only recorded around the top of the falls at MURCHISON FALLS (where they were seen a number of times).

Red-chested Sunbird     Cinnyris erythrocerca
Variable Sunbird                 Cinnyris venusta
Collared Sunbird                 Hedydipna collaris
Common Fiscal               Lanius collaris
Grey-backed Fiscal        Lanius excubitoroides
Fairly common roadside bird, particularly around KAMPALA and MURCHISON FALLS.

Mackinnon's Fiscal       Lanius mackinnoni
Only recorded at BWINDI (RUHIZHA & BUHOMA), where a few were seen daily.

Red-backed Shrike        Lanius collurio
1 seen near BUHOMA village on 18/8 was the only sighting.

Tropical Boubou                  Laniarius aethiopicus
Heard several times at QUEEN ELIZABETH, although only 1 G seen on 16/8.

Lüdher's Bush-shrike  Laniarius luehderi
Only seen at BWINDI-2 seen at BUHOMA on 20/8 and 1 RUHIZHA on 21/8.

Black-headed Gonolek  Laniarius erythrogaster
2 seen at PORTEBELLE (KAMPALA) on 5/8 and very regularly seen around Mweya, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P., where it appeared to be a fairly common bird (up to 4 seen together).

Papyrus Gonolek                 Laniarius mufumbiri
2 taped-in at PORTEBELLE (KAMPALA) 5/8, and 1 taped in by the road en-route to SEMLIKI from MURCHISON 12/8 (in the same area as the White-winged Warbler).

Mountain Sooty Boubou                     Laniarius poensis
Heard several times but only glimpsed once briefly along the road in the bamboo zone at RUHIZHA, BWINDI on 23rd.

Brubru        Nilaus afer
2 sightings-1 imm. by Nile Safari Lodge, MURCHISON FALLS on 10/8, and an adult at LAKE MBURO on 25/8.

Northern Puffback         Dryoscopus gambensis
1 E at PORTEBELLE (KAMPALA) on 5/8, and several singles seen at RUHIZHA, BWINDI on 21/8 & 23/8.

Pink-footed Puffback     Dryoscopus angolensis
Singles seen at BUHOMA, BWINDI on 18/8 & 20/8.

Black-crowned Tchagra                    Tchagra senegala
Brown-crowned Tchagra                   Tchagra australis
Marsh Tchagra               Tchagra minuta
Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike        Malaconotus sulfureopectus
2-3 sightings at LAKE MBURO.

Many-coloured Bush-shrike             Malaconotus multicolor
1 seen in a mixed feeding flock by the main trail at BUHOMA on 20th.

Bocage's Bush-shrike  Malaconotus bocagei
Fork-tailed Drongo        Dicrurus adsimilis
Velvet-mantled Drongo Dicrurus modestus
Piapiac         Ptilostomus afer
Pied Crow   Corvus albus
Recorded regularly throughout.

White-naped Raven        Corvus albicollis
A few small groups (2+) seen around RUHIZHA.

Western Black-headed Oriole         Oriolus brachyrhynchus
Montane Oriole              Oriolus percivali
Commonly heard and seen regularly from the Mubwindi Swamp trail, RUHIZHA on 22nd.

Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus
Stuhlman's Starling      Poeoptera stuhlmanni
Narrow-tailed Starling  Poeoptera lugubris
Waller's Starling          Onychognathus walleri
3-4 sightings along the Mubwindi Swamp trail, RUHIZHA (BWINDI) on 22nd.

Lesser Blue-eared Starling              Lamprotornis chloropterus
Rüppell's Long-tailed Starling         Lamprotornis purpuropterus
Splendid Starling           Lamprotornis splendidus
Violet-backed Starling  Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Wattled Starling            Creatophora cinerea
Several flocks seen around game in QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.

Rufous Sparrow              Passer rufocinctus
5 on the game drive at MURCHISON FALLS on the 11th.

Speckle-fronted Weaver                    Sporopipes frontalis
Several sightings beside Paraa Camp, MURCHISON FALLS.

Grey-headed Sparrow    Passer griseus
Seen regularly , especially in urban areas.

Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver   Plocepasser superciliosus
Only recorded at MURCHISON FALLS, where there were several sightings around the Paraa Camp and along the road near the camp.

Black-headed Weaver   Ploceus cucullatus
Vitelline Masked Weaver  Ploceus velatus
2G by Paraa Camp, MURCHISON FALLS on 9/8.

Spectacled Weaver         Ploceus ocularis
Black-necked Weaver   Ploceus nigricollis
Baglafecht Weaver        Ploceus baglafecht
Grosbeak Weaver          Amblyospiza albifrons
1G seen nesting in a cultivated area, near the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO; and also recorded along the Kirumia Trail, SEMLIKI.

Little Weaver                  Ploceus luteolus
2 seen in savannah woodland on the game drive at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. between Mweya and the crater area.

Slender-billed Weaver  Ploceus pelzelni
Golden-backed Weaver Ploceus jacksoni
Yellow-backed Weaver  Ploceus melanocephalus
Northern Brown-throated Weaver     Ploceus castanops
Only recorded (3G) from the boat at MABAMBA WETLAND on 5/8.

Compact Weaver                 Ploceus siperciliosus
Just one sighting, of a non-breeding G, in a cultivated area near the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on 8/8.

Holub's Golden Weaver                     Ploceus xanthops
Several sightings around QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. and LAKE MBURO.

Weyns's Weaver            Ploceus weynsi
Several large flocks (20+) seen flying around the papyrus swamp at MABAMBA WETLAND on 5/8.  This localised species is generally a forest canopy bird and so is presumably normally found in the surrounding woodland.

Strange Weaver             Ploceus alienus         ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

2 sightings at RUHIZHA-2+ along the first road left off the main road on 21st, after turning left out of the ITFC centre; and single seen on the Mubwindi Swamp trail on 22nd.

Brown-capped Weaver   Ploceus insignis
Several sightings around BWINDI-at BUHOMA and RUHIZHA.

Yellow-mantled Weaver                     Ploceus tricolor
1 G in the forest canopy at MABIRA on 7/8.

Black-billed Weaver      Ploceus melanogaster
Vieillot's Black Weaver   Ploceus nigerrimus
Red-billed Quelea           Quelea quelea
Cardinal Quelea             Quelea cardinalis
At least 1 G in a mixed Quelea flock by the Nile Safari Lodge, MURCHISON FALLS on 10/8.

Red-headed Quelea        Quelea erythrops
Red-headed Weaver       Anaplectes rubriceps
Red-headed Malimbe      Malimbus rubricollis
Crested Malimbe                 Malimbus malimbicus
2+ along the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on 8/8; and 2 groups (of 3+) along the Kirumia Trail, SEMLIKI on 14th August.

Red-collared Widowbird                    Euplectes ardens
2 breeding Gs in a cultivated area near the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on 8/8.

Fan-tailed Widowbird    Euplectes axillaris
1 non-breeding G with 2E at a swamp between LAKE MBURO and Kampala on 25/8.

Black Bishop                  Euplectes gierowii
3 G+ seen around BUDONGO on 8/8.

Yellow Bishop                 Euplectes capensis
A few non-breeding G birds were seen travelling between BUHOMA and THE NECK, BWINDI on 18/8.

Southern Red Bishop    Euplectes orix
2 (1 G) at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on the 17th.

Northern Red Bishop    Euplectes franciscanus
Black-winged Red Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus
Grey-headed Negrofinch                    Nigrita canicapilla
Regularly recorded throughout the trip (e.g. MABIRA, SEMLIKI, BUDONGO, BWINDI).

White-breasted Negrofinch              Nigrita fusconata
Singles seen several times around MABIRA FOREST, BUDONGO and other singles seen at SEMLIKI on 15/8 and BWINDI.

Woodhouse's Antpecker                   Parmoptila woodhousei
(Red-fronted Antpecker)

1 lone E at BUHOMA, BWINDI just before entering the main trail.  N.B.  Some authorities have split this species (e.g. Clement et al.199), so that the species found in western Uganda becomes Red-fronted Antpecker, Parmoptila rubrifrons.

Green-winged Pytilia     Pytilia melba
3 (1 G) seen near the car park (just beyond the small bridge to the falls), at the top of the falls at MURCHISON on 11th.  A E was also seen around Paraa Camp there.

Brown Twinspot              Clytospiza monteiri
2+ seen in cultivated areas en-route back from the Royal Mile to our accommodation, at BUDONGO on the 8th.

Dusky Twinspot              Euschistospiza cinereovinacea
2 sightings (of 2 birds) between BUHOMA and RUHIZHA (1 prior to reaching THE NECK, and 1 after); and single between RUHIZHA and KABALE town on 24/8.

Dusky Crimsonwing     Cryptospiza jacksoni    ALBERTINE RIFT ENDEMIC

2 sightings at RUHIZHA-2+ immatures alongside the first left-hand road off the main road left from the ITFC centre/camping area; and an adult on the Mubwindi Swamp trail.

Red-headed Bluebill       Spermophaga ruficapilla
2 seen at MABIRA FOREST on 6/8; 1 E in secondary forest at SEMLIKI on 13/8; 2 imm. BUHOMA on 18/8; and a E at BUHOMA on 19/8.

Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus bengalus
Only recorded at MURCHISON FALLS, where they were seen daily around the Paraa Camp area and near the car park at the top of the falls.

Red-billed Firefinch       Lagonosticta senegala
Several seen around PORTEBELLE, KAMPALA on 5/8.

African Firefinch           Lagonosticta rubricata
First recorded in a cultivated area, near the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO and later recorded regularly at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P., and LAKE MBURO.

Bar-breasted Firefinch Lagonosticta rufopicta
1 watched feeding at very close range beside the Paraa ferry jetty at MURCHISON FALLS on 11/8.

Yellow-bellied Waxbill  Estrilda quartinia
2+ between BUHOMA and RUHIZHA on 21/8, and another small group seen at LAKE MBURO on 25/8.

Common Waxbill                 Estrilda astrilid
Seen around BUDONGO, SEMLIKI and QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.

Crimson-rumped Waxbill  Estrilda rhodopyga
2 seen by the crater lake at MARAMAGAMBO FOREST (QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.) on 17/8.

Black-crowned Waxbill                     Estrilda nonnula
Seen (often in mixed flocks with common waxbills) at BUDONGO and BWINDI.

Black-headed Waxbill   Estrilda atricapilla
2+ seen at the forest edge by Mubwindi swamp, RUHIZHA on 22/8.

Bronze Mannikin           Lonchura cucullata
Fairly common-recorded regularly in cultivated areas throughout.

Black-and-white Mannikin               Lonchura bicolor
Recorded at KANIYO PABIDI, MARAMAGAMBO FOREST (QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.) & BUHOMA (BWINDI).

Magpie Mannikin           Lonchura fringilloides
3 sightings of this localised species around the Kirumia Trail, SEMLIKI on 14/8.

Pin-tailed Wydah                 Vidua macroura
Seen in cultivated areas at a number of sites (e.g. BUDONGO, MURCHISON FALLS, SEMLIKI etc.)

Village Indigobird          Vidua funerea
Only recorded around BUDONGO, where they were on roadside wires around the villages near the Royal Mile.

Brimstone Canary         Serinus sulphuratus
2 sightings around Mweya, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.

Yellow-fronted Canary  Serinus mozambicus
Several seen around PORTEBELLE, KAMPALA on 5/8.

Thick-billed Seedeater  Serinus burtoni
1 by BUHOMA village on 20/8, and several others seen between BUHOMA and THE NECK on 21/8.

African Citril                  Serinus citrinelloides
A few sightings on the drive up to RUHIZHA, from BUHOMA, on 21/8.

Black-throated Seedeater  Serinus atrogularis
1 between BUHOMA and THE NECK, BWINDI on 21/8.

White-rumped Seedeater                   Serinus leucopygius
2 sightings (by Paraa Camp and by the Paraa Ferry jetty) of this localised species, at MURCHISON FALLS on 10/8.

Streaky Seedeater         Serinus striolatus
1 between BUHOMA and THE NECK, BWINDI on 21/8, and several sightings between RUHIZHA and KABALE on 24/8.

Oriole-Finch                   Linurgus olivaceus
1 G seen in the forest canopy, along the main trail at BUHOMA, on 20/8.

African Golden-breasted Bunting      Emberiza flaviventris
1 adult in the crater area, near Mweya, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16/8 and 1 adult at LAKE MBURO on 24/8.

Cabanis's Bunting         Emberiza cabanisi
2 sightings-1 G in a cultivated area, near the ROYAL MILE, BUDONGO on 8/8 and another by the road between SEMLIKI and Fort Portal on 15/8.

MAMMALS

Nomenclature follows that used by Kingdon (1997) in The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals.

Chimpanzee                     Pan troglodytes
At least 4 seen crossing the trails while chimp-tracking at KANIYO PABIDI on the 9th.  This can be arranged when arriving on-site, although it is best to clarify with Uganda Bird Guides that this is required on the itinerary in advance.  When we were there the apes were feeding on the ground and as such were more difficult to locate as they fled readily.  Normally they can be seen fairly easily if resting in a tree.  Chimp-tracking can also be arranged at Kibale and Queen Elizabeth N.P.

This eastern form is classified as VULNERABLE by IUCN.

Mountain Gorilla                 Gorilla beringei beringei
As there was 8 of us and the group sizes for gorilla tracking are limited to 6 people per group, we split into 2 groups of 4 and visited the 'H' gorilla group and 'M' group separately on the same day.  Fortunately this worked out well, with both of our groups having excellent views of the gorillas as they rested and fed in the middle of the day, with between 9 and 15 gorillas seen in H group, and the silverback seen in both groups.  Although the distance limits are set at 5m there were occasions when the gorillas were a little closer than this, allowing good opportunities for photography.  It should be noted though that the use of flashes is prohibited, and so fast film speeds (I used 800) are required for decent photos.  N.B.  Some authors have suggested that these gorillas may be taxonomically distinct from the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda (Kingdon, 1997), although recent genetic findings suggest otherwise (Hanson, 2001).  Mountain Gorillas are categorised as ENDANGERED by IUCN.

Guereza Colobus                 Colobus guereza
Recorded regularly at a number of sites-MARAMAGAMBO FOREST (QUEEN ELIZABETH), BUDONGO, SEMLIKI & BWINDI.

Olive Baboon                   Papio anubis
Seen at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P., MURCHISON FALLS and LAKE MBURO.

Grey-cheeked Mangabey                   Lophocebus albigena
Only recorded at MABIRA FOREST and SEMLIKI.

Vervet/Tantalus Monkey                   Cercopithecus pygerythrus/tantalus
1 seen near the falls at MURCHISON on 11/8, and seen regularly around LAKE MBURO.  N.B. It is unclear whether these are pure Vervets or hybrids in this region.

L'Hoest's Monkey          Cercopithecus l'hoesti
Only recorded at BWINDI, where seen at both BUHOMA and RUHIZHA, where several large groups (16+) were observed crossing the road.  This species is listed as VULNERABLE by IUCN.

De Brazza's Monkey     Cercopithecus neglectus
7+ seen in secondary forest by the E Hot Springs at SEMLIKI on the 13th.

Blue (Gentle) Monkey   Cercopithecus mitis stuhlmanni
Seen at BUDONGO, BWINDI & SEMLIKI.

Red-tailed Monkey         Cercopithecus ascanius schmidti
The most frequently seen primate-recorded at MABIRA FOREST, BWINDI, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P., SEMLIKI & BUDONGO.

Yellow-winged Bat          Lavia frons
Several sightings of this very distinctive bat around MURCHISON FALLS, including in the Paraa Camp restaurant roof.

Uganda Grass-hare        Poelagus marjorita
2 seen by the road to the top of the falls at MURCHISON FALLS.

Ichneumon (Egyptian) Mongoose     Herpestes ichneumon
2 sightings around Mweya, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.

Banded Mongoose          Mungos mungo
A group of these (6+) was seen coming to food in the gardens of the hostel at Mweya, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.

Spotted Hyaena               Crocuta crocuta
3 sightings at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.  2 adults along the approach road to Mweya on 17/8, with another seen feeding on a dead hippo beside the Kazinga Channel on the same day; and an adult with 2 cubs along the approach road on 18/8.

Lion              Panthera leo
1G and 1E seen on the approach road to Mweya, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 15/8.

African Elephant                 Loxodonta africana africana
8+ from the boat to the bottom of the falls at MURCHISON on 10/8; 5 on the game drive at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. on 16/8; a very close group of 8 (including a few calves) there, along the approach road to Mweya, early on 17/8; and a group of 10 along the same road in the evening of the 17th.

Common Zebra               Equus quagga boehmi
Only recorded at LAKE MBURO (only occurs here in Uganda), where they were frequently seen along the road (20+).

Hippopotamus                  Hippopotamus amphibius
Common and conspicuous along the Nile at MURCHISON FALLS, and also at LAKE MBURO & along the Kazinga Channel at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.

Giant Hog    Hylochoerus meinertzhageni
3 sightings around Mweya at QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.-16 on 16/8, 2 by the approach road on 17/8 & 2 by the approach road on 18/8.

Common Warthog          Phacochoerus africanus
Very common at MURCHISON FALLS, QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. & LAKE MBURO.

Giraffe         Giraffa camelopardalis
Only recorded at MURCHISON FALLS, with 2 from the boat to the falls on the 10th and at least 25 seen on the game drive, north of the Nile there on the 11th.

African Buffalo               Syncerus caffer
A common sight around MURCHISON FALLS (massive herds on the north of the Nile), and also seen around QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P. and LAKE MBURO.

Bushbuck   Tragelaphus scriptus
Several sightings, at both MURCHISON FALLS and QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.

Ruwenzori Red Duiker Cephalophus rubidus
1 on the road in the bamboo zone at RUHIZHA (BWINDI) on 24/8.  Several other unidentified Duikers were also seen around Ruhizha.

Oribi            Ourebia ourebi
Seen regularly on the game drive north of the Nile, MURCHISON FALLS on 11th.

Uganda Kob Kobus kob thomasi
Regularly recorded at MURCHISON FALLS and QUEEN ELIZABETH N.P.

Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus
One of the commonest herbivores in the parks, being seen regularly at MURCHISON FALLS, QUEEN ELIZABETH & LAKE MBURO.

Impala          Aepyceros melampus
Only present at LAKE MBURO, where they were recorded regularly along the park tracks.

Topi              Damaliscus lunatus topi
Several groups seen at LAKE MBURO, the only place where they were recorded.

Kongoni (Hartebeest)    Alcelaphus buselaphus lichtensteinii
Regularly seen around MURCHISON FALLS, along the Nile and on the game drive.

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