Coastal Sites
Sabaki
This is a "must visit" site for birders and is situated just north of Malindi. It is important to visit at a time that will coincide with the correct tide times. Jonathan will know that. From June to the end of August, Sabaki remains an excellent site for Madagascar Pratincole. Other scarce birds include Crab Plover, Terek Sandpiper, Lesser and Greater Sand Plovers and White Fronted Plover. There are many other common waders [I couldn't count the number of Curlew Sandpipers there in August 2010] and also Herons, Flamingoes, Gulls and Terns. It is also good for smaller birds around the bushes.
Arabuko Sokoke Forest
There are many special birds to see within the Forest. There is an entrance fee of 15 USD but it's well worth the money. You might only see 20-25 species but some of them will be birds that you are unlikely to see easily elsewhere. Peters's Twinspot, Scaly Throated and Pallid Honeyguides, Sokoke Pipit, Eastern Nicator, Pale Batis, Amani Sunbird, Little Yellow Flycatcher, Green Barbet and Retz's and Chestnut Fronted Helmet-Shrikes are all possible. Sokoke Scops Owls are the major attraction and Jonathan will work hard to find them for you. Clarke's Weavers have become very difficult to see at this site in recent years.
Lake Chem Chem
A visit to this Lake can be very rewarding with star attractions including Pygmy Goose, Lesser Jacana, Allen's Gallinule, Black Crake and Whistling Ducks, plus many smaller birds around the edges [Zanzibar Red and Black-winged Bishops, Tropical Boubou, Black Crowned Tchagra, Carmine Bee-eater, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers in September 2010]
Lake Bartum
This Lake can be visited on the same trip as Lake Chem Chem. It has a number of similar species but slightly different habitat results in more variety. I saw Open Billed Stork, Fan-Tailed Widowbird, Grosbeak Weaver, Lilac Breasted Roller and Scaly Babbler among others at this site in September 2010.
Lake Jilore
This is a fairly long walk from the road but can be rewarding in the right conditions. Jonathan will know whether it is worth a visit. On a rainy September 2010 morning, I saw many of the species mentioned at the above two sites, plus Black-backed Puffback, White-Browed Robin-Chat, Fire-fronted Bishop, Northern White-Crowned Shrike, plus many waders including Kittlitz's Plover, Little Stint and Spur Winged Plover.
Mida Creek
Similar species to those seen at Sabaki but even more dependent on the tides. Once again, Jonathan will be able to check the best time to go here. A trip to Mida could be combined with Roka Pools, where there is a good chance of Water Thick-knee, Collared Palm-Thrush and Brown-headed Parrot, plus many other common birds.
Watamu
Jonathan acts as a guide for the Turtle Bay Beach Club , which offers an early morning walk [about 3 hours] around the local area. This will usually produce at least 25 species. It only costs 1000ksh per person so is very good value.
There are a few other sites close by, including Gede Ruins.
This is a "must visit" site for birders and is situated just north of Malindi. It is important to visit at a time that will coincide with the correct tide times. Jonathan will know that. From June to the end of August, Sabaki remains an excellent site for Madagascar Pratincole. Other scarce birds include Crab Plover, Terek Sandpiper, Lesser and Greater Sand Plovers and White Fronted Plover. There are many other common waders [I couldn't count the number of Curlew Sandpipers there in August 2010] and also Herons, Flamingoes, Gulls and Terns. It is also good for smaller birds around the bushes.
Arabuko Sokoke Forest
There are many special birds to see within the Forest. There is an entrance fee of 15 USD but it's well worth the money. You might only see 20-25 species but some of them will be birds that you are unlikely to see easily elsewhere. Peters's Twinspot, Scaly Throated and Pallid Honeyguides, Sokoke Pipit, Eastern Nicator, Pale Batis, Amani Sunbird, Little Yellow Flycatcher, Green Barbet and Retz's and Chestnut Fronted Helmet-Shrikes are all possible. Sokoke Scops Owls are the major attraction and Jonathan will work hard to find them for you. Clarke's Weavers have become very difficult to see at this site in recent years.
Lake Chem Chem
A visit to this Lake can be very rewarding with star attractions including Pygmy Goose, Lesser Jacana, Allen's Gallinule, Black Crake and Whistling Ducks, plus many smaller birds around the edges [Zanzibar Red and Black-winged Bishops, Tropical Boubou, Black Crowned Tchagra, Carmine Bee-eater, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers in September 2010]
Lake Bartum
This Lake can be visited on the same trip as Lake Chem Chem. It has a number of similar species but slightly different habitat results in more variety. I saw Open Billed Stork, Fan-Tailed Widowbird, Grosbeak Weaver, Lilac Breasted Roller and Scaly Babbler among others at this site in September 2010.
Lake Jilore
This is a fairly long walk from the road but can be rewarding in the right conditions. Jonathan will know whether it is worth a visit. On a rainy September 2010 morning, I saw many of the species mentioned at the above two sites, plus Black-backed Puffback, White-Browed Robin-Chat, Fire-fronted Bishop, Northern White-Crowned Shrike, plus many waders including Kittlitz's Plover, Little Stint and Spur Winged Plover.
Mida Creek
Similar species to those seen at Sabaki but even more dependent on the tides. Once again, Jonathan will be able to check the best time to go here. A trip to Mida could be combined with Roka Pools, where there is a good chance of Water Thick-knee, Collared Palm-Thrush and Brown-headed Parrot, plus many other common birds.
Watamu
Jonathan acts as a guide for the Turtle Bay Beach Club , which offers an early morning walk [about 3 hours] around the local area. This will usually produce at least 25 species. It only costs 1000ksh per person so is very good value.
There are a few other sites close by, including Gede Ruins.