Part 1 Introduction.Uganda Specials
Uganda's birdlist is over 1045, more than 200 of which do not occur
or are very difficult to see elsewhere in East Africa. These specials
include 26 of the 37 Albertine Rift Endemics, Central African species, and
about a dozen "Papyrus Endemics" including Shoebill. Uganda also has many
primates including Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees, and legendary scenery.
We would be in Africa for a conference, plus two weeks to explore
and birdwatch. Having intensively birded South Africa with Birdquest, Kenya
(except Kakamega) with East African Ornithological Safaris ,
Serengeti/Ngorogoro years ago, and parts of Zim Zam and Bots around Victoria
Falls (African Finfoot, Rock Pratincole, African Skimmer, Chaplin's Barbet
out of Choma), the Specials, Shoebill and Gorillas tipped our choice of a
new destination to Uganda. With only two weeks in the field we had to
concentrate our efforts on a few sites.
Cost was a consideration. Organisation from Australia was
difficult, and some hiccups resulted. Masybe this trip report will help
future birders.The concept of just serious birding was novel to the general
Ugandan Safari companies, let alone the idea of birding the Specials. A
large US$ telegraphic transfer disappeared into the ether for six weeks.The
Chairman of the local Safari companys umbrella organisation recommended the
zoo as a good place to see Shoebill. One recommended guide had no tapes or
discs, essential for most forest birds. No Ugandan birdguides have a
telescope we were told, we took our own but Johnny came up with a spotting
scope at Bwindi.We finally settled on an unmentionable Safari company whose
spokesperson was very good at agreeing with all our requests, but we were
only saved from disaster at the last minute by Johnny Kamugisha, a top guide
and organiser, well travelled and literate. He followed our requested
itinerary, made unmade bookings, arranged essential local guides including
Alfred T. at Bwindi, with amazing bird-spotting talents. Johnny drove us
over, round and through some interesting Ugandan roads in a converted Toyota
troopie. There are other excellent specialist birdguides in Uganda, but
Johnny would be hard to beat. He is on the web at birdinginparadise.com.
The trip would have been more productive had we been able to
discuss it beforehand with Johnny.
"Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa", Stevenson & Fanshaw,
"Where to Watch Birds in Uganda", Roussow & Sacchi, and Nelles map of
Uganda were our best references. "Birds of Africa South of the Sahara" is
good for species distribution beryond East Africa.
Our itinerary was Kampala-Mabamba wetlands-Lake Mburo-Bwindi
National Park-Semliki Nature Reserve/Lake Albert-Semliki N.P.(quite
different to the Semliki Nature Reserve)-Kibale NP/Magombe
Swamp-Kampala-Mabamba Wetlands-Entebbe Botanical Gardens. Sept. 26 to
Oct.10
We saw 410 species, two thirds (157) of our estimated 232
Ugandan Specials,19 Rift endemics including scope views of Oberlanders
Ground-thrush, 10 Papyrus/swamp spp including Shoebill, Mountain Gorillas
and Chimps, 20 other mammals.
Daily log to follow
Michael Hunter
Mulgoa Valley
50km west of Sydney Harbour Bridge
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