Kenya - The Coastal Forest

Birding the Sokoke Forest

The final post for the Kenya leg of our adventure, the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest near the small town of Watamu, is a small remnant of a once vast coastal forest containing several endemic and regional species of birds. After weeks of pleasant weather throughout Kenya we were in for a few days of hot and very humid. It was worth the suffering.  We did pretty well seeing the specialties, only missing out on the Clarke's Weaver which was only heard far away in the forest. 


eBird list 1
eBird list 2

African Golden Weaver

  

Chestnut-fronted Helmet-Shrike

Fischer's Turaco

Golden Palm Weaver

Sokoke Pipit

Sokoke Scops-Owl

Trumpeter Hornbill

On our last morning we visited Mida Creek, a vast mudflat a few kilometers south of town. There were many species of shorebirds, but the special one was Crab Plover, of which there were many. 

eBird list

Mida Creek mudflat at dawn

Crab Plover

Crab Plover

Lesser Sandplover

Amethyst Sunbird

Finally we were off to the Mombasa airport and on our separate ways. Jeff went home, Mark to Uganda for a few days, and we are now in Ethiopia for an additional three weeks.

A special thanks to our driver for the trip Geoffrey, who was as good as they come. And again I want to mention our outstanding guide Joseph Aengwo of Kenya Birding who did a fantastic job throughout the trip. Joe really knows his birds and country, and we wouldn't hesitate going with him again. For anyone considering a trip to Kenya, send Joe a message. You won't be disappointed.

Guide Joe, Mark, Susan, Bob, driver Geoffrey, and Jeff