Photo blog on the other wildlife of Kibale & Semuliki Forests (Aug 2010)

Grasshopper in Sebitoli area

Butterfly at Kihingami Wetland

Red Colobus

Black & White Colobus

Red-legged Sun Squirrel

Spider species

Charaxes butterfly

Kibale Forest (Sebitoli and Kanyanchu) (Aug 2010)

8 Aug: birding around Sebitoli campsite & approach road 17:40 - 19:00

9 Aug: Drive to Kanyanchu (mid-Kibale Forest); birding in forest along drive, UWA Kanyanchu office and Primate Lodge 07:45 - 12:15

Having waited out the afternoon rain at Sebitoli after returning from Semuliki, we decided to see what we could find around the campsite and along the approach road, the latter proving very productive the last couple of days. We didn't a huge quantity of species but what we found was certainly some quality species with good views.

It started off with the resident African Dusky Flycatcher and then a pair of Brown-eared Woodpeckers that we got good views of but the dark forest interior was not conducive to good photos. Both Northern Double-collared and Green-headed Sunbirds were out feeding as was a pair of Buff-throated Apalis. In the same party and/or nearby were also African Yellow White-eye, Slender-billed Greenbul, Dark-backed (Forest) Weaver, Shrike Flycatcher and a Rufous Flycatcher Thrush.

Further down the road we found Purple-headed Starling, Grey-throated Barbet, White-headed Saw-wings, Speckled Mousebird and Joyful Greenbul. Just before dinner, the Black-shouldered Nightjar started calling.

African Shrike Flycatcher

(9 Aug) This morning we set off for Kanyanchu which is located approximately in the middle of Kibale Forest and further south from Sebitoli. A large part of this drive goes through the forest and we were hoping to do a few spots of birding. Before we even got to that area, we added Grey-crowned Cranes to the list followed by a Scaly Francolin flushed near agricultural land. We also passed Baglafecht Weaver, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Yellow-throated Longclaw and a small Black-headed Heron breeding site (heronry) with 3 nests.

Our 1st stop along the forest road was a nesting colony in a large dead tree of Narrow-tailed Starlings and at least 6 nests that we could see but 20+ birds. At the river bridge we stopped and had short but cracking views of the stunning Shining Blue Kingfisher. Not much else was visible here other than Black & White Casqued Hornbills and Little Greenbuls. We heard Black-billed Turaco though between the Yellow-throated, Yellow-rumped & Speckled Tinkerbirds' calling. Mammals weren't left lagging as Red-tailed Monkeys and Grey-cheeked Mangabeys came to watch the crazy humans.

Just before Kanyanchu we found a colony of Vieillot's Black Weavers (turned out to be the most common weaver in the area over the next few days) as well as a nesting pair of Thick-billed (Grosbeak) Weavers. At Kanyanchu we organised things for our next day's birding and the hunt for the Green-breasted Pitta and then went to enjoy some welcome coffee at Primate Lodge. The manager kindly also invited us to do some birding around the lodge grounds which borders the forest. This proved to be my best photo opportunity of Western Nicator after great views of a pair of Olive-bellied Sunbirds. We bumped into Gerald with some clients, our guide for the next day, and finalised the early morning times i.e. starting before sunrise for the next day. Whilst talking to him we had cracking close views of Green Crombec and I also managed to get very good call recordings.

From here, we set off to the nearby Chimp's Nest Lodge, our accommodation for the next few days.

Western Nicator

Kibale Forest (Sebitoli area), Uganda (Aug 2010)

Sebitoli Forest Camp

5 Aug; Drive Ruhengeri to Sebitoli Forest Camp, Kibali Forest Uganda

Self-guide walk: 17:15 - 19:00

We arrived at Sebitoli Forest Camp at around 17:15 after a full day driving from Ruhengeri (Rwanda). Sebitoli Forest Camp is run by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and has no electricity yet but comfortable twin rooms with en-suite bathrooms. The shower has cold water but I did notice a "donkey" outside so hot water would be available on request. Food is available at the campsite and includes a fair range of really tasty food. Having sorted out the room etc we walked down the approach road to the camp which goes through a section the forest and were welcomed (upon arrival already actually) by Common Bulbul and the calls of Great Blue Turaco and in the air the pleasant surprise of Rufous-chested Swallows. The birds were initially a bit quiet as we walked, probably due to the heat, but things soon started happening with Sooty Flycatcher, 4x Olive-bellied, Collared, Green-throated and Green-headed Sunbirds, Purple-headed Starling and Grey-headed Nigrita. Brown-capped Weavers had a nest and it appeared that the young had already fledged. Another surprise was the short but very good view of a Dusky Crested Flycatcher, one of this family that has eluded me for awhile. Other birds for the afternoon till dark (around 7pm) were White-chinned Prinia (2x adults with 2 young), Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, Yellow White-eye, Speckled Mousebirds, African Dusky Flycatcher, Red-faced Cisticola, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Black & White Mannikin, White-headed Saw-wings and last but not least, an African Black Duck flying over.

White-chinned Prinia

6 Aug; Guided walk along road to river and back through forest: 07:30 - 13:15

Guided walk in forest: 16:00 - 19:00

Up early in the morning and waiting for the coffee, a Black-shouldered Nightjar was calling nearby followed by the Yellow-whiskered Greenbuls and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird. Just after breakfast we set off with Richard our ranger/guide at 07:30 down the approach road to the camp. The birds were being spotted at a very quick pace starting with a pair of Petit's Cuckoo-shrike, Grey-throated Barbet, Olive-bellied Sunbirds, Green Pigeon and White-chinned Prinia. Grey-headed Nigrita, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Black-backed and Brown-capped Weavers and Western Citril. Whilst a Luhder's Bush-shrike was calling nearby we got stunning views of Bocage's Bush-shrike.

We decided to walk down to and along the road to the river to see if we could find Mountain Wagtail and Cassin's Blue Flycatcher. The walk along the road commenced with Brown-crowned Tchagra, Buff-throated Apalis, Collared Sunbird, Petit's Cuckoo-shrike and Chubb's Cisticola. We were still dealing with the massive surprise of an Alpine Swift (brilliant views) when a group of Red Colobus came into sight on the other side of the road. This was time for some mammal moments and photos (if possible) of this lovely primate. Back on the other side of the road, both of us got a lifer with Joyful Greenbul complying nicely with all the field guide notes and making ID fairly easy, especially with it's song. More notable species as we walked further down the road, in addition to the Olive Baboons, were Black & White Casqued Hornbills. Little & Slender-billed Greenbuls, Thick-billed Weaver, Levaillant's Cuckoo and some Hooded Vultures in the air as well as Narrow-tailed Starlings flying over.

Emerald Cuckoo

Down at the river it was all "quiet" although a couple of Great Blue Turacos and Emerald Cuckoo kept us happily occupied. Red-tailed Monkeys didn't want to show themselves but we clearly heard them on our return route before we left the road and took a more pleasant route back to camp through the forest. Going through the forest was rather quiet as it had become quite hot by this stage but we still got little extras like Toro Olive Greenbul, Black-necked Weaver, Western Black-headed Oriole (great views, recordings and photos) and Luhder's Bush-shrike. Otherwise on the animal front we encountered a variety of dung beetles doing their thing, Blue-headed Agama, Red-legged Sun Squirrel and some more Red Colobus.

The afternoon at camp proved extremely productive with Mottled Spinetail stealing the show and side appearances by Alpine Swift, White-rumped Swift, African Black Swift and Red-rumped Swallows. Ross' Turaco popped in for a few moments but some time was spent with a pair of Yellow-crested Woodpeckers. The afternoon walk started at 4pm and we kicked off on a high note once more with Masked Apalis, Luhder's Bush-shrike and a very obliging Blue-throated Roller (photo at left) while Afep Pigeon was calling in the distance. Levaillant's Cuckoo was seen again and Yellow-spotted Barbet, Yellowbill, Black-billed and Great Blue Turacos, Honeyguide Greenbul, White-breasted Nigrita, Buff-throated Apalis and Many-coloured Bush-shrikes - all in the same patch! The walk back eventually was complimented by an elephant grunt a little way off and some fairly fresh signs of it's movements. Close to camp an African Broadbill teased us with it's display deep inside the forest and a Red-capped Robin-chat hopped onto the path briefly.