UGANDA HIGHLIGHTS

JANUARY 13–FEBRUARY 1, 2018

“Mukiza” the Silverback © Kevin J. Zimmer

LEADERS: KEVIN ZIMMER & HERBERT BYARUHANGA LIST COMPILED BY: KEVIN ZIMMER

VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM

UGANDA HIGHLIGHTS

January 13–February 1, 2018

By Kevin Zimmer

Shoebill, Mabamba wetlands, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

This was the inaugural January departure of our increasingly popular Uganda Highlights tour, and it proved an unqualified success in delivering up-close-and-personal observations of wild Mountain Gorillas, wild Chimpanzees, and multiple bizarre Shoebills. Beyond these iconic creatures, we racked up over 450 species of birds and had fabulous encounters with Lion, Leopard, Hippopotamus, African Elephant, Rothschild’s Giraffe, and an amazing total of 11 species of primates. The “Pearl of Africa” lived up to its advance billing as a premier destination for birding and game viewing in every way, and although the bird-species composition and levels of song/breeding activity in this dry season were somewhat different from those encountered during our June visits, the overall species diversity of both birds and mammals encountered proved remarkably similar.

After everyone had assembled in Entebbe, we spent a relaxing first afternoon birding the surprisingly productive grounds of our hotel, where spectacular views of Ross’s Turaco,

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Uganda Highlights, 2018 Splendid Starling, and Black-headed Gonolek kept yanking us away from more common fare, including Eastern Plantain-eater, Red-chested Sunbird, and an active colony of nest- building Northern Brown-throated Weavers, to name just a few.

Ross’s Turaco, Boma Hotel, Entebbe, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

The next day we hit the ground running, with a morning excursion to the fabulous Mabamba wetlands. Spread over three boats, we spent a magical few hours alternately motoring and being poled through a series of narrow channels in a vast papyrus marsh. Our primary target was the incredible Shoebill, a prehistoric relict constituting a monotypic family that is endemic to the African continent, and, for most first-time visitors to Uganda, the ‘most-wanted’ bird of the trip. We would have other chances for the species, but the chances of encountering another before reaching Murchison Falls (at the very end of the tour) were not great, so we instructed the boatmen at Mabamba to prioritize the Shoebill before spending time on the many other denizens of the marsh. We were barely 30 minutes into our search when we scored big, with a superb, close Shoebill that allowed lengthy studies and gave a nice demonstration of its foraging technique by patiently waiting for a lungfish to surface and then lunging with its massive bill, scooping up large amounts of vegetation and muck, along with its intended prey. Eventually, the behemoth tired of us, and lifted off, headed for more distant parts of the marsh. With the big prize firmly in the bag, we could now turn our attention to the numerous Malachite Kingfishers, Yellow-billed Ducks, and Squacco and Purple herons, and concentrate on ferreting out some of the less common species, among them, Black and Rufous-bellied herons, the rare Lesser Jacana (a nice pick-up at the last minute), Blue-breasted Bee-eater, and Blue-headed Coucal. After lunch back at our hotel, we made a late afternoon excursion to the nearby Entebbe Botanic Gardens, where highlights

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Uganda Highlights, 2018 included an African Hobby, our first magnificent Great Blue Turacos, a lakeshore tree festooned with Pied Kingfishers, multiple Broad-billed Rollers and White-throated Bee- eaters, a male Orange Weaver (nicely spotted by Gary), and a lovely pair of Red-headed Lovebirds. It was an amazing finish to what had been a highlight-packed first day.

The next day, we hit the road, headed south and west. Much of our morning was spent at the Mpanga Forest Reserve, which gave us our first real taste of forest birding. Initial investigation of the forest-edge treated us to spectacular Guereza Colobus monkeys as well as our first Red-tailed Monkeys, not to mention numbers of braying Black-and- white-casqued Hornbills, a few African Pied Hornbills, Black-headed (Red-bellied) Paradise-Flycatcher, a Green Hylia, and impressive numbers of butterflies. The forest interior offered up two Yellow-spotted Barbets seemingly locked in mortal combat (joined at the feet and fluttering down from the canopy), a Narina Trogon, Purple-headed Starlings investigating a potential nest cavity, Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush, Chestnut Wattle-eye and, after some effort, nice views of Fire-crested Alethe attending a safari ant swarm. A Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle soaring just above the forest canopy was a nice bonus. Much of the afternoon was consumed with the drive to Lake Mburo National Park, which produced a few new birds, notably, multiple Long-crested Eagles perched atop telephone poles. Once we turned off the tarmac, we were in a position to bird our way into the park. Highlights included a splendid pair of Crested Barbets (a recent colonist to southern Uganda from Tanzania), Wattled and Senegal lapwings, Tabora (Long-tailed) Cisticola, multiple male Pin-tailed Whydahs, and a mixed-species estrildid flock dominated by Red-billed Firefinches and Red-cheeked Cordonbleus, but which also included a few Green-winged Pytilias.

The next morning was one of great excitement, as we spent a few magical hours aboard a small boat (ably captained by Moses), in exploration of the Lake Mburo shoreline and the fringing papyrus marshes. In addition to coaxing such skulkers as Greater Swamp Warbler, White-winged Swamp Warbler, and Carruther’s Cisticola out of the papyrus, we were treated to dazzling studies of an absurd number of Malachite and Pied kingfishers, African Fish-Eagles on the nest and in full fish-snatching mode, Hamerkop, a lovely pair of African Finfoots, and a plethora of grunting Hippopotami. In the late afternoon, we birded the savanna woodlands, picking up a number of new birds and mammals in the process.

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African Finfoot (male), Lake Mburo NP, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

Hippopotamus, Lake Mburo NP, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

Then, it was on to Ruhija and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Most of the day was consumed with the drive, although we were able to do some productive roadside birding

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Uganda Highlights, 2018 on our way out of Lake Mburo (netting stellar views of a cooperative pair of Chin-spot Batis, and fruit-feeding Spot-flanked Barbet among others), and picked off a few forest birds after the entrance gate into Bwindi. We also saw our first L’Hoest’s Monkeys (with their signature ‘question-mark’ tails) while traversing the bamboo zone of the park. We arrived at Gorilla Mist Camp with time to get settled in before dusk, in preparation for our big day ahead.

Our morning was dedicated to gorilla tracking. After the briefing by our ranger-guide, we sorted out how many porters we were going to require, picked out our walking sticks, and then drove to the trailhead. With our ranger-guide, two armed guards (one at the front, one at the rear; a precaution against a chance encounter with buffalo or forest elephants), the 9 of us, and our 14 hired porters, we presented quite the expedition. The porters proved a stellar investment, lugging not only all of our gear, but also assisting those that needed it on the steep portions of the trail, both going out and on the return. From the road, we dropped rather steeply downhill for a solid 45 minutes before the trail leveled out to gently undulating terrain. The advantages of being here in the dry season were immediately obvious—the trek would have been much tougher had the trail not been dry. About the time that we hit the more level stretch of trail, we received word via radio that the trackers had located the “Mukiza” gorilla group to which we had been assigned, and that the gorillas were a mere 15 minutes more away. In no time, we reached the spot and found the trackers, who had just finished hacking a short path off the main trail and through the dense second growth to where the gorillas were feeding.

Mountain Gorilla (adult female with baby), Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Uganda Highlights, 2018 The next hour could only be described as “magical.” The Mukiza group consisted of 12 gorillas, including one silverback (“Mukiza”), four adult females, 2 juvenile males, 2 sub- adult females, and three infants (ranging in age from 5 months to 3 years). More astonishingly, for much of the hour, various members of the group went about their business of eating, sleeping, and playing just a few feet away from our group! The two- year-old female (named “Gold”) was particularly confiding, and was every bit the playful, curious “toddler,” much to the delight of the photographers (which is to say, basically everyone) in our group. Mukiza spent the first part of the hour napping beneath a canopy of overarching vines and shrubbery, eventually retreating to the deep shade and frustrating the paparazzi in the process. Later, when the massive silverback emerged from cover, he ended up knuckle walking right past several of us, in the process, brushing against Jan and nearly knocking her over! Meanwhile, the adult females and various sub- adults alternated between feeding on herbage at ground level, and ascending the boles of various large trees, presumably to feed on small fruits in the sub-canopy. Near the end of our stay, the two juvenile males engaged in a comical demonstration of chest slapping and wrestling, lending credence to the theory that, regardless of the primate species involved, “boys will be boys.” All too soon, our time amongst these remarkable creatures drew to an end. It is no exaggeration to say that such an intimate encounter with these endangered great apes was deeply moving and profoundly spiritual, and for each of us, ranked at or near the top of any natural history experience we have ever enjoyed.

“Mukiza” the Silverback, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

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“Gold” (2 year old female), Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

The return hike back up the mountain took us twice as long to negotiate as did our descent, but we still made it back to the road in time to justify putting off eating our boxed lunches until we were back in camp. After a few hours of down time, we headed to a nearby trail skirting the forest-edge, where we picked off several goodies, including two Albertine Rift endemics, the Ruwenzori Apalis, and Grauer’s Warbler, the latter followed as it settled onto its nest.

The following day was spent birding/driving the 50+ km of road to Buhoma, on the other side of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We stopped frequently, to walk various sections of road, including an area known as “The Neck.” Rewards were many, and included such gems as Black Bee-eater (initially, thanks to great spotting by Bud), African Emerald Cuckoo, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Speckled and Western tinkerbirds, Elliot’s Woodpecker, Ruwenzori Batis, African Shrike-flycatcher, Gray-green Bushshrike, Banded Prinia, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Black-tailed Oriole, and a confusing array of sunbirds and greenbuls, to name just a few. Upon arriving at our upscale accommodations in Buhoma, we took the remainder of the afternoon off, allowing everyone’s legs to recover more fully from the gorilla trek of the previous day. A pair of Snowy-crowned Robin-Chats cavorting on the lawn beneath the dining room balcony as we were handing out keys was all the stimulus that some of us needed to spend what was left of the day birding the grounds instead.

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Black Bee-eater, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

For our full day at Buhoma, we were joined by local guide Matthew, who proved a big help in pinning down several of the more special birds of his “patch.” Highlights were many, among them, a family group of monster-billed White-necked Ravens that had just raided a local butchery; a pair of lovely Lühder’s Bushshrikes that foraged, somewhat uncharacteristically, in the open for several minutes; a Cassin’s Honeyguide and a Honeyguide Greenbul; bizarre Black-and-white Shrike-flycatchers (also present on our hotel grounds); Pink-footed Puffback; a stunning but elusive Many-colored Bushshrike; Petit’s Cuckooshrike; Brown-capped Weavers creeping over bare limbs like nuthatches; wildly duetting White-chinned Prinias; and consecutive pairs of Black-throated and Buff- throated apalises that bombed out of the canopy and nearly landed on my head when responding to playback. For the second consecutive day, we were also treated to the raucous calls of wild Chimpanzees emanating from the forest, but, for at least another few days, they remained nothing more than a thrilling but phantom voice.

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Lühder’s Bushshrike, Buhoma, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

Next on our agenda was Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive in, through grassy savanna and Euphorbia -dominated woodland, produced many new birds and mammals, but was particularly noteworthy for a brief Leopard encounter; some very close African Elephants; a straggling flock of 50 or more Crested Guineafowl that crossed the road in front of our bus; an African Harrier-Hawk nimbly clinging to a tree trunk while attempting to extract hidden prey from a crevice using its long, ‘double-jointed’ legs and feet; and a big Nile Monitor lizard that seemed to take great pleasure in partially submerging itself in a puddle of water left by the drought-breaking downpour that hit in the late afternoon. The following morning was devoted to the extensive grassland savannas and produced everything from a rare Short-toed Snake-Eagle and rarely seen African Crake to Marsh Tchagra, Compact Weaver, and Wing-snapping, Siffling, Stout, and Croaking cisticolas, not to mention the captivating pair of copulating Uganda Kobs. Yellow-throated Longclaws, Sooty Chats, and Whinchats were unusually abundant, and Red-capped and Rufous-naped larks, and Grassland and Plain-backed pipits showed nicely as well. In the afternoon, we took another boat trip, this time on the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. The boat took us right along the shore, allowing close studies of a nice diversity of shorebirds (including many Palearctic migrants), gulls, and terns, as well as herons, egrets and storks, not to mention a concentration of 200+ African Skimmers and truly impressive numbers of Pied Kingfishers. We also scored our first Red-throated Bee-eaters from the boat and saw a number of “Red Forest” (Congo/African Forest) Buffalo, a distinct subspecies of the African (Cape) Buffalo that is distinctly smaller and noticeably reddish in pelage compared to their bigger, blacker cousins that we had been seeing on the savannas.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Uganda Highlights, 2018 The next day, we exited the park, but not before another foray into the grasslands to pick up what would prove to be (for most of us) our only Lions of the trip. We also returned to the bridge over the Kazinga Channel in an effort to extract a Papyrus Gonolek from the vast papyrus swamp fringing the channel. To this point, we had only heard the gonolek on multiple occasions at Lake Mburo, but none of those individuals had shown any inclination to come out and play. This time, it was different, as we lured two different pairs into view, despite the seemingly non-stop traffic along the dusty road. The spectacular birds were still not easy to see amid the dense marsh vegetation, but with a bit of work, everyone enjoyed good views.

Our next stop was the Kibale National Park, where our focus was once again on trekking for primates, this time for Chimpanzees. An early start found us on the Kibale trail system before first light, in hopes of locating a displaying Green-breasted Pitta. Although our predawn vigil treated us to an enchanting chorus of bird song (including an impressively varied repertoire from a Gray Parrot perched somewhere high above us, as well as an explosive outburst from a very close Velvet-mantled Drongo), the pitta was not among the choir. As the early morning light managed to filter down to the forest floor, we moved on, sans pitta, now refocused on finding the elusive Chimpanzees. As we moved through the forest, our ranger-guide pointed out numerous fresh nests where Chimps had recently bedded down for the night. Eventually, we came across not one, but two different groups of Chimpanzees, each of which was feeding high in a fruiting Ficus . Such was the height of these trees that we were reduced to extreme neck craning just to get identifiable views, and even then, mostly of Chimp posteriors. Photography was difficult at best, but the apes were not about to vacate the confines of the fig-laden trees, particularly during the dry season when food was generally scarce, so we had to be content with just watching, and waiting for the primates to peer down every now and then from their lofty perches. The return trek yielded nice studies of White-tailed Ant-Thrush, Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush, Narina Trogon, and yet another new primate, the Central African Red Colobus. An impressive thunderstorm delayed our planned late afternoon birding near our lodge, but when the storm finally passed, the birds came out in force. Bare trees along the driveway were festooned with soggy birds looking to dry out, including a colorful quintet of big Double-toothed Barbets, several eye-catching Violet- backed Starlings, and a bevy of sunbirds of multiple species. Nearby tall forest yielded exceptional studies of Blue-throated Roller, Hairy-breasted and Gray-throated barbets, Blue Malkoa (nice find by Jan), Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Afep Pigeon, and fleeting views of White-naped Pigeon.

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Chimpanzee youngster, Kibale NP, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

Double-toothed Barbets drying out, Chimpanzee Guest House, Kibale (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Uganda Highlights, 2018 A long drive north to Masindi put us in position to bird the Royal Mile section of the Budongo Forest the following day. The dry season was more pronounced here in the north, and, in stark contrast to Bwindi and Kibale to the south, it had not rained at Budongo in months. The forest, though impressively tall and dense, was noticeably dry, which, undoubtedly, was impacting the levels of vocal and breeding activity of the resident birds. Dawn arrived, not with a bang, but with a whimper, and the forest was grimly quiet as we exited the bus and began birding our way along the Royal Mile. A skittish band of lovely little Green-backed Twinspots were the first to break the quiet, and, after a little pursuit, eventually yielded good views for all. New birds came quickly after that, sometimes too quickly. Many of the new finds (including Uganda Woodland- Warbler, Lemon-bellied Crombec, African [Fraser’s] Forest-Flycatcher, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, and Gray-throated Tit-Flycatcher) were small, active, or elusive birds moving with mixed-species flocks, and thus, presented challenges to get everyone on before the next new bird demanded our full attention. Others were notably spectacular and more cooperative, ranging from White-thighed Hornbill and Golden-crowned (Yellow-crested) Woodpecker attending active nests to a soaring Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle overhead, to a tape- responsive pair of Black-billed Turacos, to such confiding eye-candy as Blue-breasted and Chocolate-backed kingfishers, the former perched at eye level, the latter in the sub- canopy. Activity waned markedly by midday, and after making short work of our packed lunches, we walked to the end of the accessible part of the forest, which was marked by a sign just beyond a bridge over a small stream. The quiet stream looked a likely site for an African Dwarf Kingfisher, although, sadly, the kingfisher never got the memo. It did prove a nice spot to sit and relax, and to enjoy the wealth of butterflies attracted to its muddy margins. Remarkably, the tiny stream was also proving a magnet for two species of spinetails (Sabine’s and Cassin’s)—broad-winged, short-tailed species of forest- inhabiting swifts—which were making repeated sorties to drink on the wing. We’d had multiple glimpses of both species wheeling in-and-out of the canopy earlier in the day, but this was a rare opportunity indeed to enjoy up-close-and-personal (albeit fleeting) views of these quicksilver fast birds. With time running short, we managed to squeeze a couple more special birds out of the forest, most notably, the Rufous-crowned Eremomela and the rare Ituri Batis, before it was time to head back to Masindi.

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Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, The Royal Mile, Budongo Forest (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

From Masindi, it was a short jump to Murchison Falls National Park, which would be the last stop on our tour before returning to Entebbe. The normally productive tall forest (another part of the Budongo Forest) beyond the entrance gate was quiet as a morgue, with not so much as a single bird vocalizing as we walked a few hundred meters of the road. We did stop for nice views of a distant Blue-throated Roller in full sunlight—the morning sun lighting up the diagnostic blue throat to full effect, and a marked improvement over the much closer views we’d had of a pair of birds at Kibale on a heavily overcast, stormy afternoon a few days prior. As we left the forest behind and began traversing the savanna, we were struck by how parched the area looked, an impression exacerbated by the fact that the park personnel had conducted a controlled burn to stimulate new growth of grasses just days before our arrival. The management of the grasslands is of critical importance to the many grazers among the park’s megafauna, but it was a little hard not to be depressed by the blackened ground, now devoid of cover, and by the charred bases of the savanna trees and shrubs, particularly now, with the creeping oppression of the late morning heat effectively choking off any visible bird activity. But, as we turned off the main park road onto the side track that led to the overlook of Murchison Falls, we turned up a perched Lizard Buzzard, followed by a group of stunning Red-throated Bee-eaters that had colonized a small cut in a dirt bank just off the left side of the road. Riding the high from the bee-eaters, we rolled into the overlook, where we ate our packed lunch before making the short hike to view the top of the falls. Lake Victoria births the Nile River, discharging an estimated 300 cubic meters per second of water from its outlet. This water flows northwest to the park, only to be forced violently through a narrow (7 m/23 feet) gap in the rocks at Murchison Falls, where it falls nearly 150’ to the placid Victoria Nile below, which then flows westward into Lake Albert.

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Red-throated Bee-eater, Murchison Falls NP, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

From the falls, we drove to the ferry crossing of the Nile, stopping along the way for a perched Grasshopper Buzzard, a Foxy Cisticola, and a roving band of White Helmetshrikes. Once across the Nile, it was only a couple of minutes more to our lodge, where we hurriedly checked in, had a very short break, and then headed out again for a late afternoon birding/game drive. Our first stop was back down to the ferry crossing to search for a vagrant Egyptian Plover that had been found there a few months earlier. This species, once common the length of the Nile (but extirpated from Egypt since the early 1900s) is not a long-distance migrant, but does move around regionally depending on local water levels. Normally found from Gambia to Ethiopia, it is considered a vagrant to east Africa away from extreme northern Uganda. The Egyptian Plover is currently considered the sole member of its family, the Pluvianidae, and has been mythologized to pick food from the gaping maws of crocodiles, resulting in the unfounded nickname of “Crocodile Bird.” What the species should be known for is its remarkable nesting behavior. Egyptian Plovers lay their eggs in scrapes on sandy river islands. To maintain the eggs at safe temperatures during the intense midday heat, incubating birds of both sexes cover the eggs with wet sand (using their bill, not their feet) whenever they leave the nest. Even while actively incubating, the parents leave the nest every several minutes during the hottest hours of the day to thoroughly soak their feathers in the river, and then return to the nest to wet the sand surrounding the eggs with water transferred from their belly feathers. The young are highly precocial, but for 3–4 weeks after hatching and fleeing the nest, parents continue to cover the downy chicks with sand whenever a potential predator threatens. Certainly, this was a special bird worth seeing! We didn’t have to wait long. The bird was foraging on open ground, right

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 Uganda Highlights, 2018 near the ferry landing, and while it maintained a certain distance, it was clearly used to seeing lots of people. In fact, we were to see it on each of our four days in the park!

Egyptian Plover, Murchison Falls NP, January 2018 (Kevin J. Zimmer)

Our time in the park alternated between vehicular forays across the picturesque, Borassus palm-studded savanna and riparian woodlands bordering the Nile, and chartered launch trips by boat, first, upriver on the Victoria Nile to the bottom of Murchison Falls, and then, downriver to where the delta empties into Lake Albert. The boat trips treated us to the best Hippo viewing I’ve had anywhere, and the elephant and crocodile viewing was first rate as well. The afternoon trip upriver to the bottom of the falls produced more than 75 African Darters (an incredible number), several gorgeous Northern Carmine Bee- eaters, another vagrant shorebird in the form of a gorgeous White-crowned Lapwing, frame-filling views of several Rock Pratincoles, multiple Goliath Herons, a large colony of Red-throated Bee-eaters, and our only Giant Kingfisher of the trip. The downriver trip to the Delta the next morning gave us two more Shoebills (our first ones since the Mabamba wetlands at the beginning of the tour), several more Goliath Herons, a spectacular pair of huge Saddle-billed Storks, Comb Duck, and a concentration of 80–90 Gray Crowned-Cranes (the National Bird of Uganda), many of which took turns busting some of their best dance moves.

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White-crowned Lapwing, Victoria Nile, Murchison Falls NP (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

Saddle-billed Stork (male), Victoria Nile, Murchison Falls NP (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

Not to be outdone, the vehicular excursions produced a non-stop procession of mammals, from herds of African Buffalo to solitary Rothschild’s Giraffes. Ungulates, from

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 Uganda Highlights, 2018 Waterbuck and Bushbuck to Uganda Kob and Red Hartebeest, dotted the landscape, and liberally sprinkled among them were good numbers of Oribi. There were plenty of new birds as well, ranging from elegant Swallow-tailed Bee-eaters and dressy White-crested Turacos to the rare Pygmy Sunbird, handsome Black-headed Lapwings, bizarre Abyssinian Ground-Hornbills, imposing Martial Eagles and Beaudoin’s Snake-Eagles, and strikingly magpie-like Piapiacs, which, as often as not, were seen hitching rides on everything from warthogs to buffalo.

On our last afternoon in the park, multiple folks in the group expressed the desire to see another Leopard. Our only sighting to date had been a fleeting one, as we entered Queen Elizabeth National Park, and that individual was not the least bit photogenic. Thus it was that I kept one eye trained on the trees as we wound our way through the riparian woodlands along the banks of the Nile. The extra attention paid off when I spotted a Leopard in a near tree on the left side of the sandy track. But no sooner had I shouted “Leopard,” and Amos brought the bus to a sudden halt, than the wary cat, a big male, raced down the trunk and disappeared into the brush, only to circle back and cross the track directly behind our bus before disappearing again. We’d had the wished-for Leopard encounter, but once again, the circumstances did not allow for photos, or for more than fleeting looks. We continued birding our way toward the delta before looping back and retracing our route of an hour earlier. As we neared the area where we had last seen the Leopard, we saw another safari vehicle coming from the opposite direction but stopped and looking intently to their left. Upon our approach, passengers in the vehicle pointed up into a tree to our right. It was the male Leopard, this time in a different tree. Once again, as soon as Amos brought the bus to a stop, the feline descended rapidly from its perch, but this time, it paused to stare at us for several seconds once it reached the ground. Suddenly, it broke into a trot, then bounded across the road right in front of us and dashed into the bush. Herbert, who had hopped out of the bus as soon as we stopped, heard a loud squealing sound and called out that he could see the Leopard through the wall of shrubbery, and that it appeared to have just taken down a young waterbuck. Some folks were able to get glimpses of the cat as it dragged the waterbuck away, no doubt to cache it in a suitable tree, safely out-of-reach of marauding hyenas and lions. This time, everyone had secured exceptional views of the Leopard, and several of our photographers even managed good photos. A Crested Porcupine (my lifer!) in the middle of the road, and illuminated in our headlights, as we drove back to the lodge a short time later, put the cherry on top of what had been an amazing last day of birds and mammals in Murchison Falls NP.

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Leopard (male) seconds before it took down a young Defassa Waterbuck, Murchison Falls NP, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

The next day saw us crossing the Nile on the ferry one last time (but not before getting the Egyptian Plover on our day list for the fourth consecutive day), and then driving back out of the park the way we had entered, with only a couple of brief stops for birds. In the process, we managed a second encounter with a group of Crested Guineafowl, as well as our first and only Senegal Coucals of the trip. After exiting the park, we made our way back to Entebbe on good tarmac road, stopping only for lunch and to drop off Desire in Kampala. Day rooms awaited us at the Boma Hotel, giving us a chance to clean up, repack, and enjoy a final dinner and checklist session before heading off to the airport. This really was an exceptional tour in every respect, and I want to thank Herbert (the “Godfather of Uganda Birding”) and Amos for making our first January visit to the ‘Pearl of Africa’ a safe and successful one. I also want to thank each of the various local guides who helped us immeasurably along the way, particularly Prossy (Mpanga Forest), Matthew (Buhoma), Raymond (The Royal Mile), and Desire, who was with us almost throughout. You all were a fun group, and I look forward to seeing you on future tours.

FAVORITE BIRD OF THE TRIP (as voted by the group)

1. Shoebill 2. Red-throated Bee-eater & Gray Crowned-Crane (tied) 3. Black Bee-eater & Saddle-billed Stork (tied)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 Uganda Highlights, 2018 ITINERARY:

1/14 – All participants had arrived in Entebbe by early morning on this “sleep-in” day. The first scheduled group activity was lunch at the hotel, followed by casual birding on the hotel grounds from 1600h–1800h. 1/15 – Boma Hotel, Entebbe: breakfast at 0515h, departing at 0615h for morning excursion to the Mabamba wetlands (taking the 0700h ferry crossing across Lake Victoria), arriving at 0815h, and birding the swamp by boats until 1030h. Back to the ferry crossing by 1115h, returning to the Boma Hotel for lunch at 1200h. Break until 1600h, when we went to the nearby Entebbe Botanic Gardens, where we birded until 1830h. 1/16 – Boma Hotel, Entebbe: breakfast at 0515h, bags out at 0600h, depart 0615h for the Lake Victoria ferry crossing, after which, we drove on to the Mpanga Forest Reserve, arriving at ca. 0830h, and birding the forest-edge and forest trails in the reserve until 1130h. We ate our packed lunches at Mpanga, then drove on to Lake Mburo National Park, turning off the main highway at ca. 1600h, and birding our way to Mantana Tented Camp, inside the park, arriving just before dusk, at 1915h. 1/17 – Mantana Tented Camp, Lake Mburo National Park: breakfast at 0630h, depart at 0730h for Lake Mburo, where we did a boat trip into the papyrus swamp and along part of the near lakeshore, from 0830h–1030h, returning to camp for lunch and break, with late afternoon birding/game drive from 1530h, and staying out until after dark to look for nightjars along the roads, returning for dinner at 2030h. 1/18 – Mantana Tented Camp, Lake Mburo National Park: breakfast at 0630h, bags out at 0715h, depart at 0730h. We birded our way out of the park, with some select stops outside the park gate along the dirt road back to the highway. Much of the rest of the day was spent driving to the Rujiha gate to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We arrived at the entrance gate at about 1600h, and birded there on foot for 15 minutes or so while the paperwork was being processed. We then drove pretty directly through the park to Ruhija and on to Gorilla Mist Camp, a distance of only 10 km or so, but which took another hour. 1/19 – Gorilla Mist Camp, Ruhija, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: breakfast at 0645h, departing at 0730h for National Park and gorilla trekking rally point. Following our briefing, we completed our arrangements for porters, and then drove to the trailhead. We began our trek at 0845h, arrived at the site where the trackers had located the gorillas at 1000h, remained with the gorillas until 1100h, and then started the long haul back up the mountain to the road. We made it back to Gorilla Mist Camp (where we ended up eating our packed lunch) by 1330h, and then offered an optional birding excursion to a nearby jeep track bordering the forest from 1600h–1800h. 1/20 – Gorilla Mist Camp, Ruhija, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: breakfast at 0645h, bags out at 0730h, depart at 0745h; spending the day skirting the park boundary, while covering a distance of only 50 km of moderately rough dirt road, with numerous lengthy birding stops along the way (particularly, at ‘The Neck’), reaching Mahogany Springs Lodge (just outside the Buhoma Gate to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest) at around 1600h. Remainder of afternoon at leisure, during which several folks birded the lodge grounds.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 20 Uganda Highlights, 2018 1/21 – Mahogany Springs Resort, Buhoma, Bwindi Community: breakfast at 0645h, depart 0730h for the nearby Buhoma entrance to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We walked most of the short distance to the park entrance, looking for a few open-country species en route before entering the park. We spent most of the remainder of the morning birding within 300m of either side of the park gate, quitting at 1130h to return to the lodge for 1200h lunch. Break until 1600h, at which time we offered optional late afternoon birding back inside the park, covering a few hundred more meters of park road. Back to the lodge by 1815h, with dinner at 1915h. 1/22 – Mahogany Springs Resort, Buhoma, Bwindi Community: breakfast at 0700h, bags out at 0745h, depart 0815h for Queen Elizabeth National Park. We had about 2 hours of highway driving before reaching the park boundary at ca. 1030h, and then spent the remainder of the day driving/birding our way through the park, passing multiple park checkpoints en route, and crossing the Kazinga Channel (connecting Lakes Edward and George) before reaching Mweya Safari Lodge at ca. 1800h. 1/23 – Mweya Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park: breakfast at 0630h, with departure for morning birding/game drive in the park at 0715h. We spent the entire morning in the park, concentrating on savanna habitats, before returning to the lodge for lunch and break. Back out at 1600h, this time to the nearby boat launch docks, where we boarded a boat for a private excursion along the Kazinga Channel to its mouth at Lake Edward (across which, we could see the border with the DRC), returning to the dock at 1830h. 1/24 – Mweya Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park: bags out and breakfast at 0630h, departing at 0730h, and exiting the park the same way we had entered, with only a few brief opportunistic stops for birds and mammals. We did stop in the papyrus swamp just beyond the Kazinga Channel to try for Papyrus Gonolek, before turning around and heading north on the drive to Kibale. Stops to repair a flat tire, and for gas, restrooms, ATM and supplies in Fort Portal consumed nearly two hours, and our planned late afternoon birding near Kibale were dashed when it started raining 30 minutes before we arrived at our lodge (Chimpanzee Guest House). 1/25 – Chimpanzee Guest House: breakfast at 0500h, depart 0540h for Kibale National Park (about 30 minutes by bus), where we spent the morning chimp-tracking, after spending the first two hours (starting pre-dawn) looking and listening for Green-breasted Pitta. Chimp-tracking took the remainder of the morning, and we returned to the lodge for lunch and break. Our planned 1500h departure for afternoon birding was delayed until 1630h by a big thunderstorm that brought plenty of rain and lightning. The storm passed by 1600h, and, after some birding around the lodge grounds, we eventually headed down the road a few kms to some tall forest (part of the National Park) bordering either side of the highway, where we birded until 1815h. 1/26 – Chimpanzee Guest House: bags out and breakfast at 0630h, depart 0740h, on what was primarily a long travel day, with brief targeted stops for roadside birding at a small marsh just outside of Fort Portal, and at some tall forest on the far side of Fort Portal along the road to Kampala. We left the latter site at 1030h, and then spent the remainder of the day driving on some mostly bumpy dirt roads (some sections recently asphalted) to Masindi, via the large town of Hoima, arriving at the historic Masindi Hotel at around 1730h.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 21 Uganda Highlights, 2018 1/27 – Masindi Hotel, Masindi: breakfast at 0600h, depart 0645h for ‘The Royal Mile’ section of Budongo Forest, via Kabango, arriving at 0820h, and birding on foot through the forest until almost 1500h (with packed lunch from the hotel), before returning to Masindi (arriving back at the hotel at ca. 1630h). 1/28 – Masindi Hotel, Masindi: breakfast at 0630h, bags out at 0715h, depart 0730h for Murchison Falls National Park, with one stop en route for about one hour of birding along a side track leading to the Masindi airstrip. We then carried on by bus to the park. After completing paperwork and using the restrooms, we ended up walking a stretch of tall, humid forest (part of the Budongo Forest) along the first part of the park road, but the dry conditions were clearly suppressing bird vocalization and activity, and we found this stretch completely unproductive. We continued our transect through the park, stopping to eat our packed lunch at the overlook of Murchison Falls, where we spent ca. 1 hour, before backtracking to the main park road and continuing another 12 km to the ferry crossing over the Nile, which we reached at about 1500h. We had to wait for the 1600h ferry, so took shelter from the heat at a snack bar with cold drinks, while keeping an eye on birds around the parking lot. Upon crossing the Nile by ferry, we immediately drove to our nearby lodge (Paraa Safari Lodge), checked in, and then went back out on a birding/game drive at 1645h, staying out until dark, and then spotlighting our way back to the lodge, returning at 2000h. 1/29 – Paraa Safari Lodge, Murchison Falls National Park: breakfast at 0615h, depart 0700h for morning birding/game drive across the savanna and past the airstrip to the delta along the banks of the Albert Nile and back, returning for late lunch at 1315h, a short break until 1430h, and then down to the river, where we boarded a chartered boat for an afternoon boat trip up the Victoria Nile to the bottom of Murchison Falls and back (1445h–1745h), returning to the lodge at 1800h. 1/30 – Paraa Safari Lodge, Murchison Falls National Park: breakfast at 0615h, depart at 0700h down to ferry crossing, where we caught another chartered boat, this time, down the Victoria Nile to the delta with Lake Albert and back, returning to the lodge for lunch at 1300h, followed by a break. Back out at 1500h for our last birding/game drive back across the savanna, past the airstrip, and on to the delta along the Albert Nile, returning at 2000h for dinner. 1/31 – Paraa Safari Lodge, Murchison Falls National Park: bags out and breakfast at 0615h, departing at 0645h in hopes of catching the 0700h ferry crossing back across the Victoria Nile. It seemed as if everyone in the park had the same idea, and we didn’t make it on the first ferry, but the ferry operators made multiple runs to accommodate everyone. We made it across on the second ferry, then drove back across the park, with only a couple of brief stops for birds, exiting the park at the same gate where we had entered two days earlier. From there, we drove back to Masindi, then took the highway from Masindi to Kampala, and back to the Boma Hotel in Entebbe, arriving at ca. 1730h. The tour concluded with a final dinner and checklist session at the Boma Hotel, followed by separate airport transfers ranging from 2000h to 0145h the next morning.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 22 Uganda Highlights, 2018 KEY:

BU = Buhoma Tract of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Includes birds seen on the grounds of Mahogany Springs Lodge, the road between the lodge and the Buhoma gate, and roadside birding inside the Buhoma Tract.) BW = Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Including the forest between the Ruhija Gate and Gorilla Mist Camp, the Gorilla trek, and all roadside birding between Gorilla Mist Camp and Mahogany Springs.) EN = Entebbe (Primarily the grounds of the Boma Hotel and the Entebbe Botanic Gardens, but also including the shores of Lake Victoria at the ferry crossing and adjacent to the Botanic Gardens, as well as birds seen in and around the city from the bus.) KI = Kibale National Park & Vicinity (Including the grounds of the Chimpanzee Guest House Lodge, our morning of chimp tracking, the afternoon birding the roadside forest near the lodge, and the brief stop outside of Fort Portal on the morning that we drove to Masindi.) LM = Lake Mburo National Park (including the long entrance road off the main highway, most of which lies outside of the park) MA = Masindi (hotel grounds & airstrip road) MF = Murchison Falls National Park (From entrance to exit, including all birding/game drives & boat trips on the Victoria Nile to the base of the falls and to the Delta at the mouth of Lake Albert.) MP = Mpanga Forest Reserve MW = Mabamba Wetlands QE = Queen Elizabeth National Park (Including our boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, all birding/game drives within the park [including much of our long drive into the park on 1/22], the grounds of Mywea Safari Lodge, the papyrus swamp near the bridge over the Kazinga Channel, and the first section of highway traversed on our drive to Kibale. RM = The Royal Mile, Budonga Forest * = Heard only.

BIRDS:

DUCKS, GEESE & WATERFOWL (Anatidae):

White-faced Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna viduata ) - MF Comb Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos ) - MF Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca ) - EN, LM, QE, MF Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis ) - MF Yellow-billed Duck (Anas undulata ) - MW

GUINEAFOWL (Numididae):

Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris ) - LM, QE, MF Crested Guineafowl (Guttera pucherani ) - QE, RM, MF

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 23 Uganda Highlights, 2018

PHEASANTS, GROUSE & ALLIES (Phasianidae):

Heuglin’s Francolin (Pternistis icterorhynchus ) - MF Scaly Francolin (Pternistis squamatus ) - RM Red-necked Francolin (Spurfowl) (Pternistis afer ) - LM, QE Crested Francolin (Dendroperdix sephaena ) - LM, QE

STORKS (Ciconiidae):

African Openbill (Anastomus lamelligerus ) - EN, LM to BW, QE, MF Abdim’s Stork (Ciconia abdimii ) - MF (300+ on 1/29 & 400+ on 1/30) Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus ) - KI, RM Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis ) - MF Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer ) - Virtually throughout our route, typically in towns and around human habitation. Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis ) - LM to BW, QE, QE to KI, MF

CORMORANTS & SHAGS (Phalacrocoracidae):

Long-tailed Cormorant (Microcarbo africanus ) - MW, EN, QE, MF Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo ) - EN, QE (300+ along the Kazinga Channel), MF

ANHINGAS (Anhingidae):

African Darter (Anhinga rufa ) - MF (More common along the Victoria Nile than anyplace I’ve ever been; 75+ seen on our afternoon boat trip on 1/29.)

PELICANS (Pelecanidae):

Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens ) - EN, LM to BW, QE

SHOEBILL (Balaenicipitidae):

Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex ) - MW (1), MF (3)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 24 Uganda Highlights, 2018

Shoebill, Mabamba wetlands, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

HAMERKOP (Scopidae):

Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta ) - MW, EN, LM, LM to BW, QE, KI, MF

HERONS, EGRETS & BITTERNS (Ardeidae):

Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus ) - LM, MF Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea ) - EN, QE, MF Black-headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala ) - LM, LM to BW, QE, MF (This is also the most commonly seen heron along the highways on travel days, and the one most likely, other than Cattle Egret, to be seen away from water. We saw them frequently from the bus when traveling between sites.) Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath ) - MF Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea ) - MW, MF Great Egret (Ardea alba ) - EN, LM, QE, MF Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia ) - MW, QE, MF Little Egret (Egretta garzetta ) - MW, EN, LM, QE, MF Black Heron (Egretta ardesiaca ) - MW Cattle Egret (Bulbulcus ibis ) - MW, EN to LM, LM, QE, MF Squacco Heron (Ardeola rallioides ) - MW (50+), EN, LM, QE, MF Rufous-bellied Heron (Ardeola rufiventris ) - MW Striated (Little) Heron (Butorides striata ) - EN, LM Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax ) - MF

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 25 Uganda Highlights, 2018

IBISES & SPOONBILLS (Threskiornithidae):

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus ) - MF (leader only) Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus ) - LM, LM to BW, QE, MF Hadada Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash ) - Seen at all locations, and on all but 3 days.

OSPREY (Pandionidae):

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus ) - MF

HAWKS, EAGLES & KITES (Accipitridae):

Black-shouldered (-winged) Kite (Elanus caeruleus ) - QE African Harrier-Hawk (Polyboroides typus ) - QE, KI, RM, MF Palm-nut Vulture (Gypohierax angolensis ) - EN, MW, QE, MF Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracehliotus ) - LM, QE Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus ) - EN White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus ) - LM Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus ) - LM, QE, MF Beaudouin’s Snake-Eagle (Circaetus beaudouini ) - MF Short-toed Snake-Eagle (Circaetus gallicus ) - QE Black-breasted Snake-Eagle (Circaetus pectoralis ) - QE Brown Snake-Eagle (Circaetus cinereus ) - LM, QE, KI, MF Banded Snake-Eagle (Circaetus cinerascens ) - QE Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus ) - BW Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus ) - MF (1 adult & 1 juvenile) Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis ) - MP to LM, LM to BW, QE, KI, MF

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 26 Uganda Highlights, 2018

Long-crested Eagle, highway between Lake Mburo and Bwindi (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

Wahlberg’s Eagle (Hieraaetus wahlbergi ) - MW, QE Ayre’s Hawk-Eagle (Hieraaetus ayresii ) - BU (1 juvenile) Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax ) - MF Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle (Aquila africana ) - MP, RM Dark Chanting-Goshawk (Melierax metabates ) - MF Grasshopper Buzzard (Butastur rufipennis ) - MF Eurasian Marsh-Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) - MW, LM, QE, MF African Marsh-Harrier (Circus ranivorus ) - MW, QE, MF Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus ) - QE (1 male) Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus ) - QE, MF African Goshawk (Accipiter tachira ) - MP, BU, QE Little Sparrowhawk (Accipiter minullus ) - LM Black Goshawk (Sparrowhawk) (Accipiter melanoleucus ) - BW Black (Yellow-billed) Kite (Milvus migrans ) - Seen on 13 of 18 days; like the Marabou, this species is most common around cities and human habitation. African Fish-Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer ) - EN, LM, QE, MF

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 27 Uganda Highlights, 2018

African Fish-Eagle, Lake Mburo NP, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo ) - QE, MF Mountain Buzzard (Buteo oreophilus ) - BW Augur Buzzard (Buteo augur ) - LM to BW, BW

BUSTARDS (Otididae):

Black-bellied Bustard (Lissotis melanogaster ) - LM

RAILS, GALLINULES & COOTS (Rallidae):

African Crake (Crecopsis egregia ) - QE Black Crake (Amaurornis flavirostra ) - LM, QE, MF African Swamphen (Porphyrio [porphyrio]madagascariensis ) - MF {Some taxonomists split the thirteen subspecies of what was called “Purple Swamphen” into as many as seven species. The birds of sub-Saharan African and Madagascar are referable to the subspecies madagascariensis , and, when split, are called “African Swamphen”.}

FLUFFTAILS (Sarothruridae):

White-spotted Flufftail (Sarothrura pulchra )* - RM*

FINFOOTS (Heliornithidae):

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 28 Uganda Highlights, 2018 African Finfoot (Podica senegalensis ) - LM

CRANES (Gruidae):

Gray Crowned-Crane (Balearica regulorum ) - LM, QE, MF (Including a remarkable concentration of ca. 80 birds [many of which were dancing] on one island in the Nile.)

THICK-KNEES (Burnhinidae):

Water Thick-knee (Burhinus vermiculatus ) - QE, MF Senegal Thick-knee (Burhinus senegalensis ) - MF

EGYPTIAN PLOVER (Pluvianidae):

Egyptian Plover (Pluvianus aegyptius ) - MF (A vagrant individual that turned up at the ferry crossing a few months ago – we ended up seeing it on four consecutive days!)

STILTS & AVOCETS (Recurvirostridae):

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus ) - EN, QE, MF

PLOVERS & LAPWINGS (Charadriidae):

Long-toed Lapwing (Plover) (Vanellus crassirostris ) - MW, MF Spur-winged Plover (Lapwing) (Vanellus spinosus ) - QE, MF Black-headed Lapwing (Vanellus tectus ) - MF Senegal Lapwing (Plover) (Vanellus lugubris ) - LM Crowned Lapwing (Plover) (Vanellus coronatus ) - LM Wattled Lapwing (Plover) (Vanellus senegallus ) - LM, QE, MF White-crowned Lapwing (Vanellus albiceps ) - MF (Another unexpected vagrant. Herbert hadn’t seen one in Uganda since 2009!) Kittlitz’s Plover (Charadrius pecuarius ) - QE Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula ) - MW, QE Three-banded Plover (Charadrius tricollaris ) - QE

JACANAS (Jacanidae):

Lesser Jacana (Microparra capensis) - MW (Uncommon to rare over much of its range.) African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus ) - MW (75+), QE, MF

SANDPIPERS & ALLIES (Scolopacidae):

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 29 Uganda Highlights, 2018 Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa ) - QE (Kazinga Channel) Ruff (Calidris pugnax ) - QE (Kazinga Channel) Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea ) - QE (Kazinga Channel) Little Stint (Calidris minuta ) - QE (Kazinga Channel) Sanderling (Calidris alba ) - QE (Kazinga Channel; a rare, but regular migrant to Uganda) Dunlin (Calidris alpina ) - QE (Kazinga Channel. Seen by Herbert & at least some participants. Rare anywhere in Uganda.) Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago ) - MW, QE Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos ) - MW, EN, LM, QE, MF Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus ) - MW, LM Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia ) - QE (Mostly Kazinga Channel.) Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis ) - QE (Kazinga Channel) Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola ) - MW, LM, QE, MF

PRATINCOLES & COURSERS (Glareolidae):

Rock Pratincole (Glareola nuchalis ) - MF

Rock Pratincole, Victoria Nile, Murchison Falls NP, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

GULLS, TERNS & SKIMMERS (Laridae):

Gray-hooded Gull (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus ) - QE (Kazinga Channel)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 30 Uganda Highlights, 2018 Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus ) - QE (Kazinga Channel) Gull-billed Tern (Geolochelidon nilotica ) - QE (Kazinga Channel) White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus ) - MW, EN, QE, MF Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida ) - EN, QE (Kazinga Channel) African Skimmer (Rynchops flavirostris ) - QE (100+ Kazinga Channel), MF

PIGEONS & DOVES (Columbidae):

Rock Pigeon (Columba livia ) - Seen in several cities and towns. Speckled Pigeon (Columba guinea ) - EN, EN to LM, LM to BW Afep Pigeon (Columba unicincta ) - KI Rameron (African Olive) Pigeon (Columba arquatrix ) - BW Lemon Dove (Columba larvata ) - KI (Forest stop outside Fort Portal.) White-naped Pigeon (Columba albinucha ) - KI Mourning Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decipiens ) - Ihamba Lodge (our lunch stop on 1/24), MF* Red-eyed Dove (Streptopelia semitorquata ) - Common throughout; seen at all locales visited, and on all but three days. Ring-necked Dove (Streptopelia capicola ) - LM, QE Vinaceous Dove (Streptopelia vinacea ) - MF Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis ) - LM, QE, KI, MA Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove (Turtur chalcospilos ) - LM Black-billed Wood-Dove (Turtur abyssinicus ) - MF Blue-spotted Wood-Dove (Turtur afer ) - BW, QE, KI, MA Tambourine Dove (Turtur tympanistria ) - MP, BW, BU*, RM* African Green-Pigeon (Treron calvus ) - BW, BU to QE

TURACOS (Musophagidae):

Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata ) - EN, MP, BW*, KI

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 31 Uganda Highlights, 2018

Great Blue Turaco, Entebbe Botanic Gardens, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

Black-billed Turaco (Tauraco schuettii ) - BW*, BU*, KI*, RM (Good views of a pair, after having only heard them on three other days.) White-crested Turaco (Tauraco leucolophus ) - MF Ross’s Turaco (Musophaga rossae ) - EN Bare-faced Go-away-bird (Corythaixoides personatus ) - LM Eastern Plantain-eater (Crinifer zonurus ) - EN, MW, MP, QE, KI, MA, MF

CUCKOOS (Cuculidae):

Senegal Coucal (Centropus senegalensis ) - MF Blue-headed Coucal (Centropus monachus ) - MW White-browed Coucal (Centropus superciliosus ) - LM, BU*, QE, KI*, MF* Black Coucal (Centropus grillii ) - QE Blue Malkoa (Yellowbill) (Ceuthmochares aereus ) - KI Dideric Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius ) - EN*, LM, BU Klaas’s Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx klaas ) - LM, BW*, BU*, KI*, MA*, MF* African Emerald Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus ) - MP*, BW (Superb views of this stunner.), BU Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx mechowi ) - BW (Back-and-forth in response to playback.), KI*, RM* Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx montanus )* - BW* Black Cuckoo (Cuculus clamosus ) - BU Red-chested Cuckoo (Cuculus solitarius ) - EN*, LM, BW*, BU, QE*, KI*

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 32 Uganda Highlights, 2018 Cuckoo sp. (Cuculus canorus/gularis ) - MF (A group of 4-5 seen from the bus as we were exiting the park on the last day were most likely migrant Common Cuckoos, but since we didn’t stop to check them out, the resident African Cuckoo can’t be ruled out.) African Cuckoo (Cuculus gularis ) - LM

African Emerald Cuckoo, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

OWLS (Strigidae):

Red-chested Owlet (Glaucidium tephronotum )* - BW* (leader only) African Wood-Owl (Strix woodfordii )* - KI* (Heard as we were hiking in pre-dawn for the pitta.)

NIGHTJARS & ALLIES (Caprimulgidae):

Black-shouldered Nightjar (Caprimulgus nigriscapularis ) - LM (Heard by all; seen only by Bud.) Slender-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus clarus ) - MF

SWIFTS (Apodidae):

Sabine’s Spinetail (Rhaphidura sabini ) - RM (Incredible close views of birds coming down repeatedly to drink from the small stream right in front of us!) Cassin’s Spinetail (Neafrapus cassini ) - RM Alpine Swift (Apus melba ) - KI

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 33 Uganda Highlights, 2018 Little Swift (Apus affinis ) - QE, KI White-rumped Swift (Apus caffer ) - LM to BW, BU, KI African Palm-Swift (Cypsiurus parvus ) - LM, QE, KI, MF

MOUSEBIRDS (Coliidae):

Speckled Mousebird (Colius striatus ) - Seen at all locales visited, and on all but two days of the tour. Blue-naped Mousebird (Urocolius macrourus ) - LM, QE, MF*

TROGONS (Trogonidae):

Narina Trogon (Apaloderma narina ) - MP, BW*, KI, RM Bar-tailed Trogon (Apaloderma vittatum )* - BW* (I pointed out the call during our trek for the gorillas.)

HOOPOES (Upupidae):

Eurasian (“African”) Hoopoe (Upupa [epops]africana ) - QE (“African Hoopoe”), MF (“Eurasian Hoopoe”) {Some authorities split the subspecies africana , treating it as distinct from Eurasian Hoopoe (in which case, africana would be called “African Hoopoe”). The two differ in degree of color saturation, and distribution of white in the wings and the color of the tips of the crest feathers, but the subspecies of Eurasian Hoopoe that breeds in s Ethiopia ( senegalensis ) is somewhat intermediate between the “African Hoopoe” and the remainder of the Eurasian Hoopoe complex, which suggests that only one species is involved.}

WOODHOOPOES & SCIMITARBILLS (Phoeniculidae):

Green Wood-Hoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus ) - LM*, MF Common Scimitarbill (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas ) - QE

GROUND-HORNBILLS (Bucorvidae):

Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus ) - MF (Seen daily.)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 34 Uganda Highlights, 2018

Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill, Murchison Falls NP, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

HORNBILLS (Bucerotidae):

Crowned Hornbill (Tockus alboterminatus ) - EN, BW, QE, MF African Pied Hornbill (Lophoceros fasciatus ) - MW, MP African Gray Hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus ) - LM, MF Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill (Bycanistes subcylindricus ) - EN, MP (Particularly common and vocal here!), LM to BW, BU, KI, RM White-thighed Hornbill (Bycanistes albotibialis ) - RM (Including an active nest.)

KINGFISHERS (Alcedinidae):

Malachite Kingfisher (Corythornis cristatus ) - MW (15), LM (25), QE (3), MF (40+) African Pygmy Kingfisher (Ispidina picta ) - LM, QE, RM Chocolate-backed Kingfisher (Halcyon badia ) - RM (Spectacular!) Gray-headed Kingfisher (Halcyon leucocephala ) - QE (3), RM (1), MF (8–18/day) Woodland Kingfisher (Halcyon senegalensis ) - EN, LM, QE, KI Blue-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon malimbica ) - RM Striped Kingfisher (Halcyon chelicuti ) - LM, QE, KI Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maximus ) - MF Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis ) - Ridiculously common at Lake Victoria, MW, LM, QE (300+ on our boat trip along the Kazinga Channel), and MF.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 35 Uganda Highlights, 2018

Malachite Kingfisher, Lake Mburo NP, January 2018 (Kevin J. Zimmer)

Blue-breasted Kingfisher, The Royal Mile, Budongo Forest (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

BEE-EATERS (Meropidae):

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 36 Uganda Highlights, 2018 Black Bee-eater (Merops gularis ) - BW (Way to go Bud!) Red-throated Bee-eater (Merops bulocki ) - QE (Kazinga Channel), MF (20– 100/daily) Little Bee-eater (Merops pusillus ) - LM, QE, MF Blue-breasted Bee-eater (Merops variegatus ) - MW Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater (Merops oreobates ) - BW (20-30/day) Swallow-tailed Bee-eater (Merops hirundineus ) - MF White-throated Bee-eater (Merops albicollis ) - EN, MP, BU, QE, KI, RM*, MA Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus ) - QE European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster ) - LM, QE, MA to RM Northern Carmine Bee-eater (Merops rubricus ) - MF

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Murchison Falls NP, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

ROLLERS (Coraciidae):

Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracicus caudatus ) - MP to LM, LM Broad-billed Roller (Eurystomus glaucurus ) - EN, MP to LM, LM, QE, KI, MA to RM, MF to Kampala. Blue-throated Roller (Eurystomus gularis ) - BW (Herbert only.), KI (Great studies!), RM (Displaying above the canopy.), MF (1 teed-up nicely in the forest near the park entrance.)

AFRICAN BARBETS (Lybiidae):

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 37 Uganda Highlights, 2018 Crested Barbet (Trachyphonus vaillantii ) - LM (Prior to 2005, there was only 1 record for all of Uganda. This appears to be a recent colonist to the drier parts of southern Uganda.)

Crested Barbet, Lake Mburo NP, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

Yellow-billed Barbet (Trachylaemus purpuratus )* - RM* Gray-throated Barbet (Gymnobucco bonapartei ) - BW (leader only), KI (Lengthy scope views.) Speckled Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus scolopaceus ) - BW Western Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus coryphaea ) - BW Yellow-throated Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus subsulphureus ) - MP*, BU*, KI, RM Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus bilineatus ) - BW, BU, KI Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus chrysoconus ) - EN, LM, QE*, MF* Yellow-spotted Barbet (Buccanodon duchaillui ) - MP (Two birds locked in mortal combat and total free-fall from the canopy!) Hairy-breasted Barbet (Tricholaema hirsuta ) - MP*, KI Spot-flanked Barbet (Tricholaema lacrymosa ) - LM (7 one day and 6 the next.), QE White-headed Barbet (Lybius leucocephalus ) - QE Black-billed Barbet (Lybius guifsobalito ) - MF Double-toothed Barbet (Lybius bidentatus ) - KI (5 in one tree along the driveway at Chimpanzee Guest House after the rain storm!)

HONEYGUIDES (Indicatoridae):

Cassin’s Honeyguide (Prodotiscus insignis ) - BU Lesser Honeyguide (Indicator minor ) - QE

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 38 Uganda Highlights, 2018 Greater Honeyguide (Indicator indicator ) - QE

WOODPECKERS (Picidae):

Nubian Woodpecker (Campethera nubica ) - LM, QE Cardinal Woodpecker (Dendropicos fuscescens ) - LM, BU, MF Golden-crowned (Yellow-crested) Woodpecker (Dendropicos xantholophus ) - RM (Pair at an active nest.) Elliot’s Woodpecker (Dendropicos elliotii ) - BW African Gray Woodpecker (Dendropicos goertae ) - EN, MF

FALCONS & CARACARAS (Falconidae):

Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus ) - MP to LM, MF to Kampala Gray Kestrel (Falco ardosiaceus ) - LM to BW, QE, MF African Hobby (Falco cuvierii ) - EN

OLD WORLD PARROTS (Psittaculidae):

Red-headed Lovebird (Agapornis pullarius ) - EN (Seen nicely at the Botanic Gardens.), LM*

Red-headed Lovebirds, Entebbe, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

NEW WORLD & AFRICAN PARROTS (Psittacidae):

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 39 Uganda Highlights, 2018

Gray Parrot (Psittacus erithacus ) - EN (Seen by some at the Boma Hotel, and a fly-by at the Botanic Gardens), KI* (We were treated to a rousing pre-dawn serenade while waiting for the pitta to sound off, but the parrot was gone by dawn.), RM (Another flushed bird, seen only in flight.) Meyer’s (Brown) Parrot (Poicephalus meyeri ) - EN, LM, MF

WATTLE-EYES & BATISES (Platysteiridae):

Brown-throated Wattle-eye (Platysteira cyanea ) - BU, KI Black-throated Wattle-eye (Platysteira peltata ) - BU (Peter only?) Chestnut Wattle-eye (Platysteira castanea ) - MP, KI*, RM Ruwenzori Batis (Batis diops ) ARE - BW Chinspot Batis (Batis molitor ) - LM (pair) Ituri Batis (Batis ituriensis ) - RM

VANGAS, HELMETSHRIKES & ALLIES (Vangidae):

White (-crested) Helmetshrike (Prionops plumatus ) - MF African Shrike-flycatcher (Megabyas flammulatus ) - BW, RM Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher (Bias musicus ) - BU

BUSHSHRIKES & ALLIES (Malaconotidae):

Northern Puffback (Dryoscopus gambensis ) - EN, BW Pink-footed Puffback (Dryoscopus angolensis ) - BU Marsh Tchagra (Tchagra minutus ) - QE Black-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra senegalus ) - QE, MF Brown-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra australis ) - MF Lühder’s Bushshrike (Laniarius luehderi ) - BW, BU Tropical Boubou (Laniarius major ) - KI, MA Black-headed Gonolek (Laniarius erythrogaster ) - EN, LM, QE, MF Papyrus Gonolek (Laniarius mufumbiri ) - LM*, QE

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 40 Uganda Highlights, 2018

Papyrus Gonolek, Kazinga Channel, January 2018 ( Kevin J. Zimmer)

Gray-green (Bocage’s) Bushshrike (Telophorus bocagei ) - BW, BU Many-colored Bushshrike (Telophorus multicolor ) - BU Gray-headed Bushshrike (Malaconotus blanchoti )* - MF

CUCKOOSHRIKES (Campephagidae):

Gray Cuckooshrike (Coracina caesia ) - BW Black Cuckooshrike (Campephaga flava ) - LM Petit’s Cuckooshrike (Campephaga petiti ) - BU, KI

SHRIKES (Laniidae):

Isabelline (Red-tailed) Shrike (Lanius isabellinus ) - MF Gray-backed Fiscal (Lanius excubitorius ) - MP to LM, LM to BW, QE, KI, MF Mackinnon’s Shrike (Lanius mackinnoni ) - BU Northern Fiscal (Lanius humeralis ) - LM to BW, BW, QE, KI Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator ) - MF

OLD WORLD ORIOLES (Oriolidae):

Western Black-headed Oriole (Oriolus brachyrynchus )* - KI* Black-tailed (Mountain) Oriole (Oriolus percivali ) - BW

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 41 Uganda Highlights, 2018 DRONGOS (Dicruridae):

Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis ) - LM, QE, MF Velvet-mantled Drongo (Dicrurus modestus ) - BW (Leader only, on the gorilla trek.), KI* (Heard at close range, pre-dawn, while we were waiting for the pitta.)

MONARCH FLYCATCHERS (Monarchidae):

Black-headed (Red-bellied) Paradise-Flycatcher (Tersiphone rufiventer ) - MP, RM African Paradise-Flycatcher (Terpsiphone viridis ) - BW, MF (A stunning, white- morph male.)

CROWS, JAYS & MAGPIES (Corvidae):

Piapiac (Ptilostomus afer ) - MF (High count of 200+ on 1/29.) Pied Crow (Corvus albus ) - Common; seen in numbers on virtually every drive, particularly around human settlements. White-necked Raven (Corvus albicollis ) - BW (leader only), BU (Family group of 4.)

LARKS (Alaudidae):

Rufous-naped Lark (Mirafra africana ) - QE Red-capped Lark (Calandrella cinerea ) - QE

SWALLOWS (Hirundinidae):

Bank Swallow (Sand Martin) (Riparia riparia ) - MW, LM, QE Banded Martin (Riparia cincta ) - LM to BW (leader only, from the bus) Rock Martin (Ptyonoprogne (Hirundo) fuligula ) - LM to BW, BU Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica ) - Everywhere; seen all but a couple of days at BW & KI. Angola Swallow (Hirundo angolensis ) - Widespread; seen most days and most locations visited, as well as along the main roads. Wire-tailed Swallow (Hirundo smithii ) - MF Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis (Hirundo) daurica ) - LM, BU Lesser Striped-Swallow (Cecropis (Hirundo) abyssinica ) - LM, BU, QE, KI White-headed Sawwing (Psalidoprocne albiceps ) - BU (leader only), RM Black Sawwing (Psalidoprocne pristoptera ) - BW, QE, KI

FAIRY FLYCATCHERS (Stenostiridae):

African Blue Flycatcher (Elminia longicauda ) - BU, QE, KI White-tailed Blue Flycatcher (Elminia albicauda ) - BW

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 42 Uganda Highlights, 2018

African Blue Flycatcher, Chimpanzee Guest House, Kibale, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

CHICKADEES & TITS (Paridae):

White-winged Black-Tit (Melaniparus leucomelas ) - LM, BU Dusky Tit (Melaniparus funereus ) - BW, BU

BULBULS (Pycnonotidae):

Slender-billed Greenbul (Stelgidillas gracilirostris ) - BW, BU, KI, RM Red-tailed Bristlebill (Bleda syndactylus ) - KI Eastern Mountain-Greenbul (Arizelocichla nigriceps ) - BW (leader only; gorilla trek) Honeyguide Greenbul (Baeopogon indicator ) - BU Yellow-throated Greenbul (Leaflove) (Atimastillas flavicollis ) - EN, BU Gray Greenbul (Eurillas gracilis ) - BU, RM, MF Yellow-whiskered Greenbul (Eurillas latirostris ) - BW Little Greenbul (Eurillas virens ) - MP, BW, BU, RM* Toro Olive-Greenbul (Phyllastrephus hypochloris ) - BW*, BU, KI*, RM White-throated Greenbul (Phyllastrephus albigularis )* - MP* Common Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus ) - Seen everywhere, every day! (“The usual suspect”)

AFRICAN WARBLERS (Macrospenidae):

Lemon-bellied Crombec (Sylvietta denti ) - RM

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 43 Uganda Highlights, 2018 Northern Crombec (Sylvietta brachyura ) - MF Red-faced Crombec (Sylvietta whytii ) - QE Gray Longbill (Macrospenus concolor ) - RM (Possibly leader only – it flew right when I started to point it out.)

Incertae sedis (meaning we don’t know where they belong!):

Grauer’s Warbler (Graueria vittata ) ARE - BW (Including an active nest.) Green Hylia (Hylia prasina ) - MP, KI*, RM (nice views), MF*

BUSH WARBLERS & ALLIES (Scotoceridae):

Chestnut-capped Flycatcher (Erythrocercus mccallii ) - RM

LEAF-WARBLERS (Phylloscopidae):

Red-faced Woodland-Warbler (Phylloscopus laetus )* ARE - BW* Uganda Woodland-Warbler (Phylloscopus budongoensis ) - RM Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus ) - MP, BW, KI, MF

REED WARBLERS & ALLIES (Acrocephalidae):

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler (Iduna pallida ) - MF (Nice looks, right next to the bus.) Lesser Swamp Warbler (Acrocephalus gracilirostris )* - QE* (Singing at our Papyrus Gonolek spot, but the truck traffic made seeing it hopeless.) Greater Swamp Warbler (Acrocephalus rufescens ) - LM (Great looks after I taped its song and played it back!)

GRASSBIRDS & ALLIES (Locustellidae):

Little Rush Warbler (Bradypterus baboecala ) - KI (Seen at the marsh stop outside of Fort Portal, on 1/26.) White-winged Swamp Warbler (Bradypterus carpalus ) - LM (Great views of this skulker.)

CISTICOLAS & ALLIES (Cisticolidae):

Ruwenzori Apalis (Apalis ruwenzorii ) ARE - BW (Repeated great views of this endemic!) Black-throated Apalis (Apalis jacksoni ) - BU (Almost landed on my head!) Black-faced (Mountain Masked) Apalis (Apalis personata ) - BW Buff-throated Apalis (Apalis rufogularis ) - MP*, BU (Also nearly landed on my head!), RM Chestnut-throated Apalis (Apalis porphyrolaema )* - BW* Gray Apalis (Apalis cinerea )* - RM*

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 44 Uganda Highlights, 2018 Green-backed Camaroptera (Camaroptera brachyura ) - EN, MP, LM, BW, BU, KI, RM*, MF Yellow-browed Camaroptera (Camaroptera superciliaris ) - RM White-chinned Prinia (Schistolais leucopogon ) - BU Red-faced Cisticola (Cisticola erythrops ) - QE, MF* Singing Cisticola (Cisticola cantans ) - LM Trilling Cisticola (Cisticola woosnami ) - LM (Dirt common here.), QE* Chubb’s Cisticola (Cisticola chubbi ) - BW, BU, KI Rattling Cisticola (Cisticola chiniana ) - MF Winding Cisticola (Cisticola galactotes ) - MW, EN, QE*, MF Carruther’s Cisticola (Cisticola carruthersi ) - LM Stout Cisticola (Cisticola robustus) - QE, MF Croaking Cisticola (Cisticola natalensis ) - QE, MF Tabora (Long-tailed) Cisticola (Cisticola angusticauda ) - LM (Nice looks at a single bird on the drive into the park.) Siffling (Short-winged) Cisticola (Cisticola brachypterus ) - LM, QE Foxy Cisticola (Cisticola troglodytes ) - MF (Seen only south of the Nile.) Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis ) - MF Wing-snapping Cisticola (Cisticola ayresii ) - QE Gray-capped Warbler (Eminia lepida ) - LM* (Heard along the lakeshore, from the boat.), BW*, BU, QE*, MF* Black-faced Rufous-Warbler (Bathmocercus rufus ) - BW, BU Buff-bellied Warbler (Phyllolais pulchella ) - LM Tawny-flanked Prinia (Prinia subflava ) - QE, KI*, MA Banded (Black-faced) Prinia (Prinia bairdii ) - BW Greencap Eremomela (Eremomela scotops ) - LM Rufous-crowned Eremomela (Eremomela badiceps ) - RM

SYLVIIDS (Sylviidae):

African Hill Babbler (Sylvia abyssinica )* - BW* Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla ) - BW

YUHINAS, WHITE-EYES & ALLIES (Zosteropidae):

African Yellow White-eye (Zosterops senegalensis ) - EN, BW, BU, KI Scaly-breasted Illadopsis (Illadopsis albipectus )* - KI* (Heard throughout our chimp tracking efforts, but we never managed to see one.)

LAUGHINGTHRUSHES & ALLIES (Leiothrichidae):

Black-lored Babbler (Turdoides sharpei ) - LM, QE Brown Babbler (Turdoides plebejus ) - MF Arrow-marked Babbler (Turdoides jardineii ) - LM, QE*

OLD WORLD FLYCATCHERS (Muscicapidae):

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 45 Uganda Highlights, 2018

Dusky-brown (African Dusky) Flycatcher (Muscicapa adusta ) - BW, KI Swamp Flycatcher (Muscicapa aquatica ) - MW, EN, LM, QE (recently fledged youngsters on the grounds of our lodge), MF Cassin’s Flycatcher (Muscicapa cassini ) - BW Sooty Flycatcher (Bradornis infuscata ) - KI, RM Dusky-blue Flycatcher (Bradornis comitatus ) - BW, BU Pale Flycatcher (Bradornis pallidus ) - MF African (Fraser’s) Forest-Flycatcher (Fraseria ocreata ) - RM Gray-throated Tit-Flycatcher (Fraseria griseigularis ) - RM Chapin’s Flycatcher (Fraseria lendu ) - BW (Herbert originally called this one as another Dusky-brown Flycatcher, but it was obviously larger and was foraging in the subcanopy, much higher than Dusky-brown Flycatcher would typically be found.) Ashy Flycatcher (Fraseria caerulescens ) - BW, KI Silverbird (Empidornis semipartitus ) - MF Northern Black-Flycatcher (Melaenornis edolioides ) - QE, KI, MF Southern Black-Flycatcher (Melaenornis pammelaina ) - LM (From my quick look at this bird, it appeared to be glossy black like Southern Black-Flycatcher, not flat black like its northern counterpart, and that’s what Herbert identified it as. However, in looking at the Uganda Bird Atlas [published in 2005], I see that at the time of that publication, Southern Black-Flycatcher was not documented to occur in Uganda. It is known from immediately to the south, and it is entirely possible that this is a recent colonist to the southern part of Uganda, as is Crested Barbet, which has also recently colonized the Lake Mburo region.) White-eyed Slaty-Flycatcher (Melaenornis edolioides ) - BW, BU Fire-crested (White-tailed) Alethe (Alethe diademata ) - MP (Nice looks at this skulker.) Brown-backed Scrub-Robin (Cercotrichas hartlaubi ) - MA Red-backed (White-browed) Scrub-Robin (Cercotrichas leucophrys ) - LM, QE* White-bellied Robin-Chat (Cossyphicula roberti ) - BU Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat (Cossypha cyanocampter ) - BU, KI* Gray-winged Robin-Chat (Cossypha polioptera ) - BU White-browed Robin-Chat (Cossypha heuglini ) - EN, QE, KI Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat (Cossypha niveicapilla ) - BU Spotted Morning-Thrush (Cichladusa guttata ) - MF White-starred Robin (Pogonocichla stellata ) - BW Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra ) - QE, MA to RM, MF African Stonechat (Saxicola torquatus ) - KI {The taxonomy of this “species” is complex and remains controversial. There are 24 recognized subspecies comprising the Common Stonechat/African Stonechat/Siberian Stonechat complex, some of which occur in Africa only as Palearctic passage migrants or winter residents, and others of which are resident breeders in Africa. Some taxonomists split these 24 subspecies into 3–5 species, but others argue for single-species treatment and suggest that some of the named subspecies are invalid. The taxon that we saw is the resident (breeding) subspecies axillaris .} Sooty Chat (Myrmecocichla nigra ) - LM, QE, MF

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 46 Uganda Highlights, 2018 Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe ) - QE, MF Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina ) - MF

THRUSHES & ALLIES (Turdidae):

Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush (Neocossyphus fraseri ) - MP, KI, RM* White-tailed Ant-Thrush (Neocossyphus poensis ) - KI (Including 1 with a severely mangled wing, but which was still able to fly.) African Thrush (Turdus pelios ) - EN, BU, QE, KI, MF

STARLINGS (Sturnidae):

Violet-backed Starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster ) - BU to QE, KI Slender-billed Starling (Onychognathus tenuirostris ) - BW Waller’s Starling (Onychognathus walleri ) - BW, RM Narrow-tailed Starling (Poeoptera lugubris ) - BU (leader only), KI Purple-headed Starling (Hylopsar purpureiceps ) - MP, BW, KI Rüppell’s Starling (Lamprotornis purpuroptera ) - Common & widespread; seen everywhere except BW and the forested parts of the Kibale region. Splendid Starling (Lamprotornis splendidus ) - EN, KI Greater Blue-eared Starling (Lamprotornis chalybaeus ) - LM Bronze-tailed Starling (Lamprotornis chalcurus ) - MF

Splendid Starling, Boma Hotel, Entebbe, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 47 Uganda Highlights, 2018 OXPECKERS (Buphagidae):

Yellow-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus africanus ) - LM, QE, MF

SUNBIRDS & SPIDERHUNTERS (Nectariniidae):

Western Violet-backed Sunbird (Anthreptes longuemarei ) - MF Seimund’s Sunbird (Anthreptes seimundi ) - RM Green (Gray-chinned) Sunbird (Anthreptes rectirostris ) - BW, KI Collared Sunbird (Hedydipna collaris ) - MP, BW, BU, MF Pygmy Sunbird (Hedydipna platura ) - MF (A dazzling male was a good find, here just beyond its normal range.) Green-headed Sunbird (Cyanomitra verticalis ) - EN, LM, BW, BU, KI Blue-throated Brown Sunbird (Cyanomitra cyanolaema ) - BW Blue-headed Sunbird (Cyanomitra alinae ) ARE - BW Olive Sunbird (Cyanomitra olivacea ) - MP, BW Scarlet-chested Sunbird (Chalcomitra senegalensis ) - EN, BW, BU, QE, KI, MA Bronze Sunbird (Nectarinia kilimensis ) - BW, BU, BU to QE, KI, MA Olive-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris chloropygius ) - EN, MP, KI Tiny Sunbird (Cinnyris minullus ) - BW Northern Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris reichenowi ) - BW, BU Regal Sunbird (Cinnyris regius ) - BW Beautiful Sunbird (Cinnyris pulchellus ) - MF Mariqua Sunbird (Cinnyris mariquensis ) - LM Red-chested Sunbird (Cinnyris erythrocercus ) - EN, QE (Common on the grounds of our lodges at both locations.) Purple-banded Sunbird (Cinnyris bifasciatus ) - LM Orange-tufted Sunbird (Cinnyris bouvieri ) - KI (Seen by some on the lodge grounds right after the storm.) Variable Sunbird (Cinnyris venustus ) - BW, BU Copper Sunbird (Cinnyris cupreus ) - LM, QE, MA

WAGTAILS & PIPITS (Motacillidae):

Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava ) - MW, EN, LM, BW, QE (Abundant), MF Cape Wagtail (Motacilla capensis ) - BW Mountain Wagtail (Motacilla clara ) - BW African Pied Wagtail (Motacilla aguimp ) - Seen at all locales visited, and on all but 3 days of the trip; often in towns or around human habitation, and frequently on the grounds of our various lodges. African (Grassland) Pipit (Anthus cinnamomeus ) - QE Plain-backed Pipit (Anthus leucophrys ) - QE Yellow-throated Longclaw (Macronyx croceus ) - MW, LM, QE (Abundant)

OLD WORLD BUNTINGS (Emberizidae):

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 48 Uganda Highlights, 2018

Golden-breasted Bunting (Emberiza flaviventris ) - BW (Adults feeding fledged juveniles at Gorilla Mist Camp.)

FINCHES, CANARIES & ALLIES (Fringillidae):

Yellow-fronted Canary (Crithagra mozambica ) - QE, KI, MA Western Citril (Crithagra frontalis ) - BW, BU Reichenow’s (Yellow-rumped) Seedeater (Crithagra reichenowi ) - LM Brimstone Canary (Crithagra sulphurata ) - KI Streaky Seedeater (Crithagra striolata ) - BW, BU Thick-billed Seedeater (Crithagra burtoni ) - BW

OLD WORLD SPARROWS (Passeridae):

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus ) - Widespread in towns and cities. Northern Gray-headed Sparrow (Passer griseus ) - LM, BW, BU, QE, KI, MF

WEAVERS & ALLIES (Ploceidae):

Speckle-fronted Weaver (Sporopipes frontalis ) - MF White-browed Sparrow-Weaver (Plocepasser mahali ) - MF Red-headed Malimbe (Malimbus malimbicus ) - MP Red-headed Weaver (Anaplectes rubriceps ) - LM Baglafecht Weaver (Ploceus baglafecht ) - EN, LM, BW, BU, QE, QE to KI, MA Slender-billed Weaver (Ploceus pelzelni ) - EN, QE Black-necked Weaver (Ploceus nigricollis ) - BU Spectacled Weaver (Ploceus ocularis ) - EN, LM, MA Holub’s Golden-Weaver (Ploceus xanthops ) - QE Orange Weaver (Ploceus aurantius ) - EN (A male at the Botanic Gardens, spotted by Gary, was our only one.) Northern Brown-throated Weaver (Ploceus castanops ) - EN (Nesting colony at the Boma Hotel.), MW, LM, KI (Many in the small marsh outside of Fort Portal.) Northern Masked-Weaver (Ploceus intermedius ) - KI (A pair at the ‘stakeout’ marsh outside of Fort Portal on 1/26. This represents a range extension for this species.) Vitelline Masked-Weaver (Ploceus vitellinus ) - MF Vieillot’s (Black) Weaver (Ploceus nigerrimus ) - MW, EN, BU, QE, KI, RM Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus ) - MW, EN, LM, QE, MA Black-headed (Yellow-backed) Weaver (Ploceus melanocephalus ) - MW, QE (The most common weaver on the grounds of our lodge.), MF (Jackson’s) Golden-backed Weaver (Ploceus jacksoni) - EN (Botanic Gardens), QE Brown-capped Weaver (Ploceus insignis ) - BW, BU Compact Weaver (Pachyphantes superciliosus ) - QE Red-billed Quealea (Quelea quelea ) - QE, MF Black Bishop (Euplectes gierowii ) - QE, MA Fan-tailed Widowbird (Euplectes axillaris ) - MW, LM to BW

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 49 Uganda Highlights, 2018 Grosbeak (Thick-billed) Weaver (Amblyospiza albifrons ) - Ihamba Lodge (Our lunch stop en route to KI.), KI, RM

WAXBILLS & ALLIES (Estrildidae):

Gray-headed Nigrita (Nigrita canicapillus ) - MP*, BW, KI (Seen nicely on the grounds of our lodge.) White-breasted Nigrita (Nigrita fusconotus ) - BW, KI Green-backed Twinspot (Mandingoa nitidula ) - MP*, RM (Nice studies of these flighty, hard-to-see birds.) Dusky Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza jacksoni ) ARE - BW (Seen only from the bus on 1/17 in the bamboo zone of the park.) Fawn-breasted Waxbill (Estrilda paludicola ) - MF Black-crowned Waxbill (Estrilda nonnula ) - EN, KI Black-faced Waxbill (Estrilda erythronotos ) - LM (Nest-building.) Red-cheeked Cordonbleu (Uraeginthus bengalus ) - LM (common), KI, MF (common) Green-winged Pytilia (Pytilia melba ) - LM, MF Red-billed Firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala ) - EN, MW, LM (common), BU, QE (common) Black-bellied Firefinch (Lagonosticta rara ) - RM, MA African (Blue-billed) Firefinch (Lagonosticta rubricata ) - EN (Reported by some from the grounds of the Boma Hotel.) Bronze Mannikin (Spermestes cucullata ) - MW, EN, LM, LM to BW, BU, QE, KI, MA Black-and-white Mannikin (Spermestes bicolor ) - RM

INDIGOBIRDS (Viduidae):

Pin-tailed Whydah (Vidua macroura ) - LM, BW, BU, KI

TOTAL = 460 species

MAMMALS:

Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ) - BW*, BU*, KI (At least 9 individuals, spread over two groups. Unfortunately, all of them remained rather high in some large, fruiting Ficus , and did not come down to the ground while we were present.) Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla graueri ) - BW Guereza Colobus (Colobus guereza ) - MP, BW, QE, KI, RM, MF Central Africa Red Colobus (Piliocolobus oustaleti ) - KI Olive (Anubis) Baboon (Papio anubis ) - LM, QE, KI, MF Patas Monkey (Cercopithecus patas ) - MF

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 50 Uganda Highlights, 2018

Patas Monkey, Murchison Falls NP, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

Tantalus Monkey (Cercopithecus tantalus ) - MF Vervet Monkey (Cercopithecus pygerythrus ) - EN, LM, BW, QE L’Hoest’s Monkey (Cercopithecus l’hoesti ) - BW Blue (Syke’s) Monkey (Cercopithecus mitis ) - BW, RM Red-tailed Monkey (Cercopithecus ascanius ) - MP, BW, QE, KI, RM Bat sp. - QE (Conspicuously picking insects from the windows that were attracted to the dining room lights.) Yellow-winged Bat (Lavia frons ) - LM Uganda Grass-Hare (Poelagus marjorita ) - MF Striped Ground Squirrel (Xerus erythropus ) - LM, MF Carruther’s Mountain Squirrel (Funisciurus carruthersi ) - BW, BU Boehm’s Squirrel (Paraxerus boehmi ) - BW, QE Red-legged Sun Squirrel (Heliosciurus rufobrachium ) - MP, RM Crested Porcupine (Hystrix cristata ) - MF (Seen at dusk on our last game drive!) Rat sp.? - Glimpsed different places by several people, but never seen well enough to identify. Leopard (Panthera pardus ) - QE (1), MF (2 seen by Jackie & Bud when they did their private photographic game drive; and 1 male, seen twice [about an hour apart] by all on our final afternoon birding/game drive.)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 51 Uganda Highlights, 2018

Leopard (male), Murchison Falls NP, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

Lion (Panthera leo ) - QE (4), MF (Lioness with cubs, seen only by Jackie & Bud when they did their private photographic game drive.)

Lion, Queen Elizabeth NP, January 2018 (  Kevin J. Zimmer)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 52 Uganda Highlights, 2018 Spotted Hyaena (Crocuta crocuta ) - MF (Seen only by Jackie & Bud.) Side-striped Jackal (Canis adustus ) - MF Slender Mongoose (Herpestes sanguinea ) - LM Dwarf Mongoose (Helogale parvula ) - LM Banded Mongoose (Mungos mungo ) - LM White-tailed Mongoose (Ichneumia albicauda ) - LM (A rare dark-morph, seen feeding on the carcass of the stillborn calf.) African Elephant (Loxodonta africana ) - QE, MF Common (Plains/Burchell’s) Zebra (Equus burchelli ) - LM Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius ) - LM, QE. MF Giant Forest Hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni ) - QE, MF (In each case, seen only by a few people, from the bus.) Common Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus ) - LM, QE, MF “Rothschild’s” Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi ) - LM, MF African (Cape) Buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer ) - LM, QE, MF African (Forest) Buffalo (Syncercus caffer nanus ) - QE Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus ) - LM, QE, MF Eland (Taurotragus oryx ) - LM Oribi (Ourebia ourebia ) - MF (Common) Bohor Reedbuck (Redunca redunca ) - MF Uganda Kob (Kobus kob ) - QE, MF Defassa Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsipyrmnus ) - LM, QE, MF Impala (Aepyceros melampus ) - LM Topi (Tsessebe) (Damaliscus lunatus ) - LM, QE Kongoni (Red Hartebeest; Jackson’s Hartebeest) (Alcelaphus buselaphus ) - MF

TOTAL = 45 species (11 species of primates)

REPTILES:

Blue-headed Agama (Agama atricollis ) - EN, BW, BU, QE, KI Red-headed Agama (Agama agama ) - EN, KI, MF Nile (Water) Monitor (Varanus niloticus ) - QE, MF Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus ) - QE, MF Chameleon sp. - BW (If any of you have close-ups of me holding this chameleon, I’d love a copy for identification purposes.) Tropical House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia ) - Seen on the walls outside the rooms at several lodges, including EN, QE, MA, MF. Various unidentified tree frogs - Several spots.

TOTAL = 7+ species

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 53 Uganda Highlights, 2018