Our second day in Dzalanyama started like a rocket. No sooner had we left the campsite than we found a mixed species flock containing two Sterlings Woodpecker, Souzas Shrike and my most wanted bird for the location; African Spotted Creeper. The creeper remained high in the canopy throughout the time we followed the flock, but occasionally showed well. The flock remained in the same area throughout the day and in the evening we had much better views of the African Spotted Creeper.
Our main target for the day, since its one of the few species
which is not only associated with mixed-species flocks, was the Boulder Chat.
We had identified a few areas on the satellite images which looked promising,
so we headed off in that direction. It was a healthy distance from the campsite,
but generally on the way there was limited birdlife, once we had passed the
first flock. Fortunately once we arrived in the area, we quickly found a pair
of Boulder Chats which showed very nicely, although they were a little erratic
for good photos.
Having completed our primary mission, we slowly meandered
back hoping to encounter more flocks along the way. It didn’t take long and we
soon found a nice flock containing good targets such as Bohms Flycatcher,
White-breasted Cuckooshrike and, for me at least, both Spotted and Collared
Flycatchers. Spotted especially was nice to see, given that it is the first
species on this trip that I have seen on Soil Hill! We also made a small detour
to visit a new area close to camp, and while it did not yield any new mixed flocks,
there were a few finches feeding on the streamside grasses, including a stunning
Red-throated Twinspot, a rare species we did not expect to encounter.
After reencountering the first flock on the return, we got
back to the campsite late afternoon. After a short break, we had a quick wander
around the village in the evening twilight but there was little activity. A few
Schalows Turracos were seen, and there was a good-sized flock of African Green
Pigeon to enjoy as well. Sadly a storm was looming and this meant we lost the
daylight a little earlier than we should have. Not long after dark the heavens
opened and any hope of trying for owls was lost. The storm was so vicious that
we eventually opted to move into the lodge, rather than drown in our tents!
Dzalanyama Forest: Hildebrandt's Spurfowl, Red-eyed Dove, Ring-necked Dove, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, African Green Pigeon, Schalow's Turaco, Red-chested Cuckoo, White Stork, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Wahlberg's Eagle, African Hawk-Eagle, Common Scimitarbill, Pale-billed Hornbill, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Little Bee-eater, European Bee-eater, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Green-backed Honeybird, Cardinal Woodpecker, Stierling's Woodpecker, Little Spotted Woodpecker, White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Black-headed Oriole, Chinspot Batis, White-crested Helmetshrike, Retz's Helmetshrike, Brubru, Black-backed Puffback, Black-crowned Tchagra, Tropical Boubou, Fork-tailed Drongo, African Paradise Flycatcher, Souza's Shrike, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Rufous-bellied Tit, Green-capped Eremomela, Stierling's Wren-Warbler, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Neddicky, Zitting Cisticola, Black Saw-wing, Dark-capped Bulbul, Southern Yellow White-eye, Arrow-marked Babbler, Kurrichane Thrush, African Dusky Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Böhm's Flycatcher, Grey Tit-Flycatcher, Southern Black Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, Miombo Rock Thrush, Familiar Chat, Boulder Chat, Western Violet-backed Sunbird, Eastern Miombo Sunbird, Spectacled Weaver, Holub's Golden Weaver, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, Bronze Mannikin, Blue Waxbill, Red-throated Twinspot, Striped Pipit, Yellow-fronted Canary, Black-eared Seedeater, Cabanis's Bunting, Golden-breasted Bunting,
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