Ethiopia - Bale Mountains

Ehiopian Wolves

Next up on our Ethiopia tour was a two day exploration of Bale Mountains National Park for some special high elevation birds and one amazing mammal. The road through the park gets as high as 13,600 feet elevation into what's know as moorland habitat above treeline. The weather up there can be crazy - we saw temperatures as low as 39F with sun, fog, rain, you name it. But we got the birds we were after, and an unforgettable viewing of a pair of critically endangered Ethiopian Wolves. There are less than 500 of these wolves left and seeing them was a special treat. People spend days in this habitat hoping for a sighting and we were lucky enough to get one. We birded the forests on both sides of the mountains too. A special stop for the really cool Prince Ruspoli's Turaco was amazing.

eBird list for Bale Mountains National Park

Red and Yellow Barbet

Abyssinian Owl

Bale Mountains

Bale Mountains

Driving along at over 13,000 feet and looking at the highest point in Ethiopia

Lunch in a grass meadow below the summit plateau

The unique Giant Lobelias that occur above 12,000 feet elevation

Giant Lobelia

Moorland

Bale Mountains National Park

Chestnut-naped Francolin

Blue-winged Goose

Blue-winged Goose

Blue-winged Goose

Moorland at dusk

Ethiopian Oriole

African Citril

Ethiopian Wolves

Groundscraper Thrush

Lammergeier

Moorland Francolin

Northern White-faced Owl

Prince Ruspoli's Turaco

Prince Ruspoli's Turaco

Prince Ruspoli's Turaco

Rouget's Rail

Red-breasted Wheatear

Spot-breasted Lapwing

Thekla Lark

An enormous and really cool thistle plant

Yellow-billed Duck

White-collared Pigeon

White-collared Pigeon

Wattled Ibis

Still lots more to come, if I can get a decent internet connection!