Birding in Buhoma (3) & "the Neck", Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda)

Alex (local guide) & Byron in the forest

After our little forest-based lunch snack, we set off back to the main trail where we were immediately met by an extremely obliging Red-throated Alethe and even more obliging pair of White-tailed Ant-thrushes with their youngster. The latter were hawking and foraging from an exposed branch just inside the forest and giving us spectacular views - the photos were average as the birds didn't sit still for too long at a time but certainly one those "pleasurable" sightings. Shortly after this the Mountain Sooty Boubou and Red-tailed Ant-thrush followed suit.

White-tailed Ant-thrush (adult)

White-tailed Ant-thrush (juvenile)

At the "end" of our forward section of the day's walk we were looking for, and found, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher - an Albertine Rift Endemic. The Hairy-breasted Barbet was calling nearby but remained hidden as we slowly started wandering back to the lodge. A couple of bird parties within the space of about 50m produced a bonanza of note; 3x male and 2x female Purple-breasted Sunbirds (in the sun!), Montane Oriole, Grey Apalis, Slender-billed Greenbul and a little further a party of 4 White-headed Wood-hoopoes and at least 6 Grey-throated Barbets. Between us and the latter, the stunning Purple-headed Starling made an appearance, well, a few brief ones but enough to appreciate the iridescence.

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo decided to grace us with another very quick flyover after calling whilst we were watching a Dusky Tit removing a faecal sac from its nest. Black Bee-eaters did not disappoint and were back at their perches like yesterday after which we got cracking views of Buff-throated Apalis again, Little Green Sunbird and Red-tailed Greenbul before we added an Elliot's Woodpecker (photo on right) to the list too.

Back at the lodge, Byron and I decided to do the little circular "waterfall" trail and see what we can find. This started with an African Goshawk and Dusky Blue Flycatcher (photo on left). Other species along the trail were Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Little and Cabani's Greenbuls, Baglafecht and Black-necked Weavers, Yellow-spotted Barbet (excellent views), 7 Black Saw-wings, Little Green Sunbird and Tambourine Dove. The walk ended at the lodge with extended views of another Albertine Rift Endemic, the Blue-headed Sunbird.

The next morning we wanted to leave early for the trip back to Rwanda so we could still do some birding at the Neck and the School Trail at Ruhija. As we were about to set off, African Grey Parrot flew over, what a send-off! getting to the Neck and the bridge there over the water we kicked off with a pair of Petit's Cuckoo-shrike, Cassin's Grey Flycatcher and Byron got the Mountain Wagtail at the river. Greenbuls were in full supply with Little, Little Grey, Yellow-whiskered and Red-tailed recorded. Our little stop here was way too short for the time it deserves but we had to push on. About halfway to Ruhija from here, a Doherty's Bush-shrike called from the roadside depths of vegetation but refused to show itself.

The stream long the circular "waterfall" walk we did