Cameroon April/May 2016

CAMEROON A report on birds observed on a trip to Cameroon 16 April – 06 May 2016

By Henk Hendriks

Nyasoso village with Mount Kupe, looming in the distance

Mount Cameroon Speirops Zosterops melanocephalus - Mount Cameroon

1

Cameroon April/May 2016

INTRODUCTION In October 2015 Hans Westerlaken told me that he had contacted a local guide in Cameroon who was able to organise a complete birding trip to this country for a reasonable price. He was trying to get a team of 4 birders together to undertake this trip. Knowing that Cameroon is probably the number 1 birding destination in Western Africa and having wanted to visit this country already for many years I was immediately interested. So when my brother Frans and Jan Hein van Steenis decided to join us, we had a nice team together and we could start to actually prepare ourselves for this trip. Unfortunately, because of the presence of Boko Haram in the extreme north of the country, we were unable to visit this area and had to skip for instance Waza N.P. Many of the big tour companies did not visit/ bird Cameroon in 2016 mainly because of the unrest in the Northern part of the country. Having said so, we never felt unsafe during our trip, not when we visited Ngaoundaba Ranch, Benoue N.P. and the Poli area in the north of the country either. So in the end we agreed on a 3-week itinerary which would give us the opportunity to observe most of the endemics, near-endemics and other specialties of Cameroon.

VISA You definitely need a visa for Cameroon. A visa costs 90 € and was arranged through our local travel agency by me and Frans, while Hans visited the embassy in The Hague himself and arranged it on the spot and Jan Hein (living in Germany) arranged it through the consulate in Essen, Germany.

GETTING THERE – FLIGHT We flew with Air France from Paris to Douala. The train ticket Brussels to Paris airport by Thalys, was included in the price. For a return ticket Hans paid only 499 €, whereas Frans, Jan Hein and I paid 633 €. Three persons, including me, were just one day too late to book the cheaper price. To ease the pain when we complained about this, they gave us an upgrade.

MONEY The currency used in Cameroon is the CFA. (BEAC) During our stay the exchange rate was: 1000 CFA = 15 € We paid for the whole trip in advance and we only changed 100 € at the airport to pay for drinks, laundry and give tips.

GETTING AROUND In the south we had a battered, old, sturdy but reliable 4x4 Toyota minivan at our disposal. This car performed well but had no AC and was rather uncomfortable. We travelled twice by train (sleeper train) from Yaounde to Ngaoundere and back. From Douala to Yaounde we used a VIP bus and from Yaounde to Edea we travelled in a NON Ac bus. In the north we had an old Toyota Landcruiser, which was in fact too basic. Road conditions were mostly not very good and that was the reason that travel times between sites were long and travelling not very comfortable. Our guide Benji was also far too optimistic about travel times. A trip of 6 hours turned out to be more 9 to 10 hours!!

ACCOMMODATION Accommodation varied from nice hotels to basic hostals in the more remote areas like Mount Kupe, Benoue N.P. and Campo Ma’an N.P.

FOOD & DRINKS Food was mostly good and very good at Ngaoundaba Ranch. We always had a large supply of mineral water at our disposal, which we really needed in this hot and humid climate. Cola, soda and especially beer was widely available.

LANGUAGE Cameroon has two official languages: French in most of the country, English in the west (Mt Cameroon, Mt Kupe and Bamenda). Our guide Benji spoke English which made communication a lot easier.

2

Cameroon April/May 2016

HEALTH & SAFETY As malaria is prevalent in Cameroon, it is essential to take profilaxis against this disease in Cameroon. Without a Yellow Fever certificate it is impossible to enter the country and/or to obtain a visa for Cameroon. We even had to show this certificate at a security check point! During our stay only Frans suffered a few days from stomach problems which were probably food- related. Insects were a nuisance in some places like Mount Kupe and Benoue N.P. but generally it was not too bad. I took a small mosquito net with me, which I never used. There is often no possibility to attach your mosquito net! The people in Cameroon were very friendly and we never felt unsafe. The many check points especially in the south were a pain in the ass and cost us some time. We actually expected more security check points in the north, because of possible terrorist attacks in the area, but on the contrary there were hardly any and the ones we encountered were quite lenient.

WEATHER As we visited Cameroon at the start of the rainy season we anticipated some rain but this never really hampered our birding significantly. We had heavy rain for 1 hour at 2000 metres on Mount Cameroon, some rain one day at Mount Kupe, a heavy downpour one afternoon at Benoue N.P. and we lost the greater part of an afternoon because of rain at Campo Ma’an N.P. But the weather in, especially the lowlands, was hot to very hot and very humid. In the mountainous areas of Mount Cameroon, Bamenda Highlands and Mount Kupe the temperatures were more pleasant but as a result of the heavy and steep climbs at Mount Kupe, we still sweated a lot. In the north the weather was dry and very hot.

BIRDING This trip is not really suited for people who like their comforts but the birding results can be spectacular. It was in fact a pretty tough trip because of the combination of the weather conditions, long, uncomfortable drives, some long and demanding climbs and some basic accommodations. So you have to be reasonable fit and mentally prepared for these conditions. Our trip was made later in the year than most birders visit Cameroon and we noticed that many species were breeding, feeding young and as a result some species were less vocal and hardly responding at all to playback. Having said so, we still saw great birds. We visited the lowland area of Campo Ma’an, the mountain areas of Mount Cameroon and Mount Kupe, the Bamenda Highlands, the Adamawa plateau at Ngaoundaba Ranch and the gallery forest and dry woodland of Benoue N.P. Highlights were Red-headed Picathartes (or Grey-necked Picathartes), Gabon Forest Robin and Yellow-lored Bristlebill at Campo Ma’an N.P., Egyptian Plover, White-necked Francolin, Andamawa Turtle Dove and Bannermann’s Pipit at Benoue N.P., great views of “difficult” species like Spotted Thrush-Babbler, Grey-winged Robin-Chat and Dybowski’s Twinspot at Ngaoundaba Ranch, Heuglin’s Wheatear, unexpected Emin’s Shrike, White-fronted Black Chat and Brown-rumped Bunting at Poli. In the Bamenda Highlands we found Bannerman’s Turaco, Bannerman’s Weaver, Banded Wattle-eye, Bamenda Apalis, Yellow-breasted Boubou, African Broadbill, Bocage’s Bush- shrike, Neumann’s Starling, Bangwa Forest Warbler and Grey-headed Oliveback. During our climb up Mount Cameroon we observed a nice flock of Cameroon Speirops at the treeline, good numbers of Cameroon Olive Pigeon and Mountain Robin Chats. During our stay at Mount Kupe we saw the rare Green-breasted Bush-Shrike, Fiery-breasted Bush-shrike, several flocks of White-throated Mountain Babblers, Grey-headed Broadbill, White-bellied Robin-Chat, Black-necked Wattle-eye, Grey-headed Bulbul, White-tailed Warbler and Ursula’s Sunbird. We had great views of Grey Pratincole and African Skimmer on the Sanaga river near Edea. We did not have time to bird Korup N.P. which meant we missed goodies like Bar-cheeked Trogon, Sjostedt’s Owlet and Eastern Bearded Greenbul. As we did not visit the far north we missed the opportunity to try for Quailplover. At Mount Kupe the Mount Kupe Bush-shrike was only heard on one day. Our local guide told us that February is better for bush-shrikes as they are more active and vocal in that month. Missing White-collared Starling at Ngaoundaba Ranch was unexpected. Apparently this nomadic species moves to other areas end of April as we did not observe a single bird during our 3 days at this site, or we were just plain unlucky.

3

Cameroon April/May 2016

EQUIPMENT Jan Hein brought his scope on this trip and this was VERY useful for scoping birds in the canopy. We also collected a good selection of bird songs on our MP3 players and telephones, which we used daily to attract species. We all brought rubber boots with us, which we regularly used.

REFERENCES -ULTIMATE CAMEROON 2 – 29 MARCH 2014 by Nik Borrow (Birdquest) -CAMEROON 4 – 31 MARCH 2012 by Nik Borrow (Birdquest) -Kameroen 28/01 – 27/02/2010 by Geert Beckers -Birding Cameroon, Part 1, Northern Cameroon: Guinea Woodlands to Sahel by Mills M., Cohen C.. Bulletin: ABC Bulletin 10.2 September 2003 p 111-116 -Birding Cameroon, part 2. Southern Cameroon: forests, low to lofty by Mills M., Cohen C. Bulletin: ABC Bulletin 11.1 March 2004 p 51-58

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Hans Westerlaken for taking the initiative in the first place to organise this trip. Jan Hein van Steenis for always carrying the scope with him, even on the steepest hill sides and for the excellent taping during this trip, which gave us many good species. Benji for organising this trip and guiding us throughout the country.

USEFUL CONTACTS & ADRESSES Benjamin Jayin Jomi (Benji) Birdingpal Tours Cameroon Cell: 237/677 24 61 05.or 243704129 Email:[email protected]. Website:http://www.birdingpaltours.com http://www.bipahetcig.webs.com

Benji is a nice person and he organised our trip well. At the end of our trip when we evaluated our trip we made some remarks, which hopefully will help him to improve his organisation and itinerary in the future. The car in the north was too basic but according to him the car reserved by him was involved in an accident and because of that not available. His decision after our arrival by train in Yaounde, to first take a local non ac bus from Yaounde to Edea and from there to continue by car to Campo Ma’an N.P. was a wrong one. He should have had the car ready at the train station. We arrived very tired, late in the evening, after a very long, uncomfortable day at Campo Ma’an. We noticed that he knows the birds and their calls best in the south of the country and he had most bird songs/calls on his phone but actually after half a day Jan Hein took over from him and did all of the taping and playback during the trip. We also had local bird guides at Mount Cameroon and especially Mount Kupe, which were rather knowledgeable.

Alobwede Albert Ngade (Albert)– National Bird Guide/Tours – Cameroon [email protected] Tel:(237)672404932 Facebook: Alobwede Albert He is a local birdguide at Nyasoso, Mount Kupe. He speaks English and can guide independent birders at Mount Kupe and probably elsewhere. He will pick you up at the airport at Douala and accompany you with an arranged bush taxi to Nyasoso.

MAP On this map you can find all the locations, sites (gps coordinates) visited by us on this trip. https://drive.google.com/open?id=13YYp4xpcZbnp35ezTmFA_yNvVFs&usp=sharing

4

Cameroon April/May 2016

DETAILED ITINERARY Day1: Friday 15 April. At 03.30 in the middle of the night I left together with my brother Frans and Jan Hein, who had arrived from Germany by car the evening before, in a taxi bus from Geldrop to Brussels Midi train station. Normally a one-and-a-half hour drive but because we had to collect two other passengers it took us two-and-a-half hours. At 06.30 am we collected our train tickets at the Air France – KLM counter and at 07.10 we left Brussels Midi for Paris, Charles de Gaulle International Airport, where we arrived at 08.30 am. At 11.30 we flew from Paris to Douala where we arrived at 16.50 pm. After collecting our luggage, we changed some money and met our guide for the next 3 weeks Benji just outside the airport. Then we had to battle a terrible traffic jam in Douala before we finally arrived at the Capitol Hotel in Buea at the foot of Mount Cameroon at 08.30 pm.

Day 2: Saturday 16 April After a good night’s sleep we had an early breakfast and after a short drive we arrived at the starting point of our hike up Mount Cameroon. Here we met our local guide Fernando and at 07.00 we started to climb the mountain at an altitude of 1000 meter. We slowly ascended the mountain and at the lower altitudes we had good views of Mountain Saw-wing, several Oriole Finches and Chattering Cisticolas. It took us about six hours of slowly walking and birding to reach the hut at 1800 meters. Unfortunately it was a week-end and we regularly encountered hikers/walkers going up the mountain. Higher up, we even met a team of American Special Forces, training on the mountain. This morning we saw several nice species like the gorgeous Yellow-breasted Bush-Shrike, Yellow-billed Turaco (ssp.verreauxii), Naked-faced Barbet, Gabon Woodpecker, Brown- throated Wattle-eye, nice views of several Mountain Sooty Boubous, African Shrike- Flycatcher, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Western Mountain Greenbul, Brown- backed Cisticola, Green Longtail, Banded Prinia, Grey Apalis, Forest White-eye, Dusky Flycatcher, African Hill Babbler, Waller’s Starling and very obliging Mountain Robin-Chats. At the hut we had lunch and after lunch we ascended the mountain further up to the treeline at 2000 meter to try for our main target, the endemic Mount Cameroon Speirops. But unfortunately it started to rain. First lightly but then the heavens opened. Close to the hut we first had good views of several Shelley’s Oliveback and it certainly was a good year for Cameroon Olive Pigeon as in the course of the next hours we observed around 15 birds. We had some excellent scope-views. When the rain ceased we continued searching for the Speirops and after a nervous wait we finally had astonishing and close views of a very confiding flock of about 15 birds.

Mount Cameroon. This is the area (2000 meter altitude) where we observed Cameroon Olive Pigeon and Cameroon Speirops

Relieved we started our descent. In the course of our descent we added some more good birds to our list. First we taped in a Cameroon Forest Warbler, which finally showed itself briefly and also a few Cameroon Mountain Greenbuls, good views of Western Green Tinkerbird, Elliot’s Woodpecker, Grey Cuckoo-shrike, Black-winged Oriole, Cameroon Sunbird, Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Black-billed Weaver, Dark-backed Weaver and Red-faced Crimsonwing.

5

Cameroon April/May 2016

In the scrubby grasslands at the foot of the mountain we heard Red-chested Flufftail but it did not reaspond to the tape. Tired but satisfied after our first full, successful day in the field, we arrived back at our hotel at 19.00 pm.

We had wonderful scope-views of this endemic Cameroon Olive Pigeon at Mount Cameroon.

Cameroon Mountain Robin showed nicely at the lower slopes of Mount Cameroon

Day 3: Sunday 17 April At dawn we drove the short distance (30 minutes) from Buea to the Botanical Gardens of Limbe, which we birded from 06.00 – 09.00 am. It was already hot and humid at that time of the day. During our stroll through the gardens we found some very nice species like African Paradise Flycatcher, African Blue Flycatcher, Preuss’s Cliff Swallow, White-chinned Prinia, Chestnut-winged Starling, Cassin’s Flycatcher and at some flowers Collared Sunbird, Reichenbach’s Sunbird and Olive Sunbird. We saw a few Grey-headed Nigrita’s but best was a Pale-fronted Nigrita giving brief but good views in the scope. While looking for Western Bluebill, we first bumped into a pair of cracking Black-bellied Seedcrackers before we connected with the Bluebill. Though most visiting birders observe Red-vented Paradise Flycatchers at this site, we only saw African Paradise Flycatchers. From the gardens we drove the short distance to the coast where we had a late breakfast. At 10.00 we left for our long drive to Bamenda in the Bamenda Highlands. Benji told us that it was a six-hours drive but in the end it took almost 10 hours to reach Bamenda where we arrived pretty exhausted at the Blue Pearl Hotel in the evening. Birds seen along the way were Long-crested Eagle and Lizard Buzzard.

6

Cameroon April/May 2016

Day 4: Monday 18 April Before dawn we drove to Lake Awing (one- hour drive) where we started our birding at 07.00 am.

Lake Awing Almost immediately at the edge of the lake we located a very confiding Bangwa Scrub Warbler, which gave exceptional views. It did not take long either before we all had great views of the endemic Banded Wattle-eye. The forest around the lake yielded Yellow-breasted Boubou, Cameroon Olive Greenbuul, Black-collared Apalis and White-bellied Tit and then we heard another one of our main targets: Bannerman’s Turaco. After some playback we finally had amazing views of several of this rare, range-restricted, endemic species. Bannerman’s Weaver was next on the list and also quickly bagged. We then continued further uphill towards the grassland area. We failed to find any pipits but observed Pectoral-patch Cisticola, Mackinnon’s Shrike and in a forested gully a male West Black-headed Batis and Orange-tufted Sunbird. At noon we had lunch in the field and when scoping the lake itself we found Yellow-billed Pintail and a single Black Duck.

The endemic Bannerman’s Turaco was one of the highlights at Lake Awing

Yellow-breasted Boubou at Lake Awing

7

Cameroon April/May 2016

From Lake Awing we drove to Baba Village 2 where on a steep hill side still a nice patch of forest still remains. Meanwhile it had become very hot. From 14.30 to 17.30 we birded along a rather steep trail but the birding was not very productive, as fog had rolled in. We heard Great Blue Turaco but did not obtain any views, Thick-billed Honeyguide was observed in the canopy and the best species observed was a fine male Bar- tailed Trogon. We spent the night at the Blue Pearl Hotel in Bamenda again.

Bamenda Highlands above Lake Awing Day 5: Tuesday 19 April Before dawn again we drove to the so-called Mankon Sacred Forest. This rather small remnant forest patch is protected by the local community. Despite its small seize, we still found some good species. We birded the area from 07.00 to 11.30 am. We started to bird along a broad trail which followed the edge of the forest patch. Luhder’s Bush- shrike gave nice views and other most-wanted species seen along this trail were Bamenda Apalis, Grey-headed Oliveback and Bocage’s Bush-shrike. At one time we heard a displaying African Broadbill and when entering the forest we had, just inside the forest, great views of this bird. White-throated Bee-eaters were very common and in the scrub we saw several Copper Sunbirds. A singing European Reed Warbler was a surprise. At noon we returned to our hotel for lunch and in the afternoon we birded an area with rocky inselbergs, where the rare Neumann’s Starling can be found. When scanning the hillside a small flock was discovered by Jan Hein and could be studied in the scope. This rare species was the highlight of the afternoon as besides a pair of Mountain Wagtails we did not find much. Night again at the Blue Pearl hotel in Bamenda.

White-throated Bee-eaters were common at Mankon Sacred Forest.

8

Cameroon April/May 2016

Day 6: Wednesday 20 April Today was mainly a travel day as we had to drive from Bamenda to Nyasoso, a small village at the foot of Mount Kupe. (850 m.altitude) We left at 07.00 am and after an hour we made a stop at a swampy area (GPS 5.74814, 10.16152) , to do some roadside birding. We observed two Little Grebes, a single Black-headed Heron, Gabar Goshawk, Black Crake, Blue-headed Coucal, Woodland Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Winding Cisticola and several Yellow-mantled Widowbirds. At 16.00 pm we arrived at our basic accommodation in Nyasoso in very heavy rain. We had no light in our room and despite promises of the lady owner we did not have light in our room during all four nights at Nyasoso. After the rain we did some casual birding from our veranda and observed Orange-cheeked Waxbills, Black-crowned Waxbill and twice a Black Sparrowhawk. In the evening we had a very tasty meal, made by the lady owner.

Nyasoso Village with Mount Kupe

Day 7: Thursday 21 April At dawn we left with great anticipation for our first attempt on the famous Max’s Trail at Mount Kupe. Before we left we had nice scope-views of a perched Pale-fronted Nigrita. We noticed that, especially at the first stretch of the trail, the trail was rather overgrown and not well maintained. We slowly walked and birded up the trail and at 11.00 am we arrived at the so-called “first Camp”. Good species encountered this morning were Scaly Francolin (HO), Black Sparrowhawk, Red- chested Sparrowhawk, African Green Pigeon, Guinea Turaco, a few Bates’s Swifts, Bar- tailed Trogon, Grey-throated Barbet, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Yellow-billed Barbet, Gabon Woodpecker, at least 2 Yellow-bellied Wattle-eyes, Red-eyed Puffback, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher, Western Nicator, Grey-headed Greenbul, a single Forest Swallow, Greater Swamp Warbler (singing close to the edge of the village), Red-faced Cisticola, Green Longtail, Black-capped Apalis, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Ruwenzori Hill Babbler, Southern Hyliota, Grey Tit-Flycatcher and Yellow-footed Flycatcher and the warbler-like Fraser’s Sunbird. Albert urged us to ascend a little higher to reach the best area for Mount Kupe Bush-shrike before noon, which we did ofcourse. But when we reached the favourable area we never heard the species. Highlight was the observation of a fast moving flock of White-throated Mountain- Babblers. After lunch in the field we continued to the second camp at an altitude of 1600 m. From time to time the climb was steep to very steep and we sweated a lot. During the climb we observed a soaring Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle, Bates’s Paradise Flycatcher, Western Mountain Greenbul, Ansorge’s Greenbul, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, Honeyguide Greenbul, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Black-capped Woodland Warbler and Olive Green Camaroptera. Crossley’s Ground Thrush was heard but unfortunately it did not respond to playback. An Alexander’s Akalat was also briefly heard but White-bellied Robin Chat instead gave great views. Close to the second camp while searching without success for White-tailed Warbler, we suddenly heard the unmistakeble call of the rare Green-breasted Bush-shrike. We ascended the trail but got no views and we were about to give up when the bird called closer and then, after some playback, not one but two Green-breasted Bush-shrikes flew in and gave good views, right in the open in the canopy. Fantastic.

9

Cameroon April/May 2016

While descending towards Nyasoso we heard a Grey-headed Broadbill, which was another target species of Mount Kupe. It turned out that a pair was displaying, just next to the trail and the pair gave exceptional views. Going further down we observed some sunbird species like Cameroon Sunbird but not the much wanted Ursula’s Sunbird. Tired but satisfied we reached Nyasoso after a very productive, first day on the mountain. Before we went to sleep, people first had to repair Hans’s bed, as he had crashed through it the previous night. The bed was not a particularly solid construction and was riddled with woodworm.

Beautiful forest along Max’s Trail. Mount Kupe.

Day 8: Friday 22 April We left Nyasoso at 05.00 am for the drive to the village of Kodmin in the Bokassi mountains. This is supposed to be a more reliable area for Mount Kupe Bush-shrike. But after an hour we were unable to continue, because we reached an impassable stretch of the dirt road. As a result of heavy rain a few days earlier some stretches of this road had become extremely muddy and when we rounded a corner we encountered such a stretch and in the middle of it a 4x4 Toyota Landcruiser was completely stranded! There was no way we could get through and people told us that further along the road, more of these stretches could be expected. So, rather disappointedly we decided to turn around and to head back to Nyasoso, where we arrived at 07.30 am. This time we birded the so-called Nature Trail. But the first part of the forest was very degraded and civilisation was encroaching and people were clearing areas for farming. Then Albert made the mistake to take us higher to an area where in the past Picathartes had been observed, but the trail was heavily overgrown and VERY steep. So as a result we were struggling up the mountain without seeing much. So we decided to turn back and to bird the edge of the forest and the farmbush, lower down. After a lot of effort we all had more or less brief views of a very skulking Fiery- breasted Bush-shrike. We observed Blue Malkoha, Speckled Tinkerbird, Double-toothed Barbet, African Piculet, Gabon Woodpecker, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Black-winged Oriole, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Golden Greenbul, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, White- breasted Nigrita, Grey-headed Nigrita and Narrow-tailed Starling. Nice was the observation of several Brown-chested Alethes and a Black-capped Illadopsis at an ant swarm. In the same area we encountered both White-tailed Rufous Thrush and Fraser’s Rufous Thrush. Collared Sunbird, Cameroon Sunbird, Olive Sunbird, Fraser’s Sunbird and a female Johanna’s Sunbird were seen. At 17.30 we were back at Nyasoso. This second day was without doubt far less successful than the first one.

10

Cameroon April/May 2016

Day 9: Saturday 23 April Because we were unable to reach Kodmin in the Bokassi Mountains we had to climb Max’s trail again for some target species like Mount Kupe Bush-shrike, Crossley’s Thrush, Black-necked Wattle-eye, White-tailed Warbler and Ursula’s Sunbird. So at dawn we once again set off on Max’s Trail. This time we walked faster to the favoured habitat/altitude of Mount Kupe Bush-shrike. Before 09.00 we reached that area. One time we heard a bird calling, a bit far, but it got the adrenaline running. We heard the bird call again but then it fell silent and we never heard it again that day. That was ofcourse disappointing, especially as we were unable to travel to the Kodmin area, where we would have had a better chance for this species. According to Albert, February is a much better time for bush-shrikes. We had more luck with Black-necked Wattle-eye as several birds gave great views and also a flock of White-throated Mountain Babblers yielded far better views than 2 days before. Slowly we walked/climbed up and when I was a little behind I got lucky when suddenly a male Ursula’s Sunbird flew in and gave very good, close views at eye-level. I called the others but we never saw it again. The next target was White-tailed Warbler and after some effort we succeeded in observing 2 birds near the second camp. When we descended we bumped into good bird activity at the edge of the forest and the farm bush. We heard Many-coloured Bush-shrike but no views but we did observe Blue Malkoha, Dideric Cuckoo, Black Bee-eater, Black & White Shrike-Flycatcher, Northern Puffback, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Black-capped Woodland Warbler, several Black-throated Apalis, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Purple-headed Starling, Yellow-footed Flycatcher, Sooty Flycatcher , Grey-chinned Sunbird, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Cameroon Sunbird, Johanna’s Sunbird, Dark-backed Weaver, White-breasted Nigrita and Shelley’s Oliveback. Along the trail we also added some White-bearded Greenbuls to our list. After dinner we went out owling at the edge of Nyasoso. Albert knew a stake-out of Fraser’s Eagle Owl and though we heard one calling we failed to obtain views as the bird did not respond to the tape.

Day 10: Sunday 24 April This was mainly a travel day. At 05.00 am we left Nyasoso for our drive to Douala, where we arrived at 09.30 am. We drove to the bus station where at 11.00 am we took a VIP bus from Douala to Yaoundé. We arrived at Yaoundé at 15.30 pm. We took 2 taxis to the train station and at 19.00 pm the train left Yaoundé for the travel to the north, to Ngaoundere. We had a 4-berth sleeper.

Boarding the train at Yaoundé train station

Day 11: Monday 25 April After quite a comfortable night in the train we arrived at Ngaoundere at 08.45 in the morning. But there was no car. After some phone calls our car arrived and after having done some shopping we drove to Ngaoundaba ranch where we arrived late morning. Our comfortable accommodation gave a nice overview across the crater lake and the surrounding area. After checking in, we made a stroll around the lake and birded especially some good forest patches, just next to the lake.

11

Cameroon April/May 2016

Greater Swamp Warbler was heard and seen but besides some Long-tailed Cormorants and Cattle Egrets, the lake itself did not hold anything interesting. A swampy area yielded some African Jacanas and Black Crakes. While entering a nice forest patch we immediately found some interesting species like White-crested Turaco, Western Plantain-eater, Woodland Kingfisher, Double-toothed Barbet, Tropical Boubou, Oriole Warbler and best of all a Grey- winged Robin-Chat. At 14.00 pm we had an excellent lunch, which was interrupted by a Blue-breasted Kingfisher, which used a bush just next to our open-air restaurant as a hunting post. In the afternoon we crossed the grasslands and birded the open woodland until dusk. Additions that afternoon included Double-spurred Francolin, Hooded Vulture, White-backed Vulture, Red-necked Buzzard, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Woodland Kingfisher, several Red-tailed Leafloves, White-chinned Prinia, Senegal Eremomela, Blackcap Babbler, Northern Black Flycatcher, a single Gambaga Flycatcher, Grey Tit-Flycatcher, Green-headed Sunbird, Variable Sunbird and Spectacled Weaver. We searched some time for Dybowski’s Twinspot which some of us saw briefly in flight. When we returned to our accommodation we found a foraging small flock of Brown Twinspots just on the slope before our rooms. In the evening we had a nice dinner with some well-deserved beers.

View from our accommodation towards the crater lake at Ngaoundaba Ranch

Ngaoundaba grasslands

12

Cameroon April/May 2016

Day 12: Tuesday 26 April When we got up at dawn, Jan Hein had already birded some time along the entrance road and found roosting Standard-winged Nightjar on this road and he also spotlighted African Scops Owl and Northern White-faced Owl. We first birded a patch of gallery forest near the ranch from 06.00 to 08.00 am before breakfast. When Jan Hein played the song of Spotted Thrush Babbler, we got an immediate response and it did not take long before we had amazing good views of a pair of Spotted Thrush Babblers, which is supposed to be a retiring and skulking species but not this time. In the same forest patch we had far better views of a pair of Grey-winged Robin Chats than we had the day before. When crossing the grassland to the forest we observed a few Sun Larks, which turned out to be the only observation of this species.

Sun Lark, grassland area near Ngaoundaba Ranch After breakfast we birded on the grasslands, patches of gallery forest and the woodland around the ranch the whole day. In the course of the day we observed Lizard Buzzard, African Hawk-Eagle, African Wattled Lapwing, Black-billed Wood-Dove, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Senegal Parrot, Several Ross’s Turacos, a Red-chested Cuckoo right in the open, Broad-billed Roller, Black Scimitarbill, Willcock’s Honeyguide, an unexpected pair of Grey-headed Batis, a flock of White-crested Helmetshrikes, several Blue Cuckooshrikes, Red-shouldered Cuckooshrikes, Square-tailed Drongo, Fork-tailed Drongo, Western Spotted Creeper, Yellow-throated Leaflove, Brown Babbler, Pale Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Rufous-chested Swallow and Mosque Swallow. Red-winged Grey Warbler gave nice views and Splendid Starling and Violet- backed Starling were noted but not the much sought after White-collared Starling. Olive-bellied Sunbird, Splendid Sunbird and Western Violet-backed Sunbird were the sunbird species seen today. It took a while but finally we were able to track down one to two Dybowski’s Twinspots. In the late afternoon Frans, Jan Hein and I opted to look for African Rail in a swampy area at the edge of the lake. And in this we succeeded! They also saw Dark-capped Yellow Warbler, which I missed. We saw 2 Snowy-crowned Robin Chats on our walk back. Meanwhile Hans enjoyed scope views of a Dybowski’s Twinspot between the Brown Twinspots near our accommodation. After dinner we went spotlighting along the entrance road. No Nightjars were seen but we had good views of both African Scops Owl and Northern White-faced Owl in the spotlight.

Double-toothed Barbet Brown Twinspot

13

Cameroon April/May 2016

Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Ngaoundaba Ranch

Day 13: Wednesday 27 April We birded the area, immediately around the ranch from 06.00 to 08.00 am. We all hoped to observe White-collared Starling, our main target left in the area, but that did not happen. We photographed a Willcock’s Honeyguide. Besides 2 Red-headed Lovebirds in flight, we did not add any new species to our list except Jan Hein who went after a calling Grey-headed Bushshrike and saw the bird. After breakfast we packed our stuff and at 10.00 am a very old, battered Toyota Landcruiser arrived. When all the luggage was stowed in the car there was very little space left for Benji in the back of the car. We drove to Ngaoundere and from there we continued to Benoue N.P. It was very hot. First we made a birding stop of about one hour at Dang Lake, just outside Ngaoundere. Yellow-billed Pintail, Black Crake, Squacco Heron, Purple Heron, Shikra, Giant Kingfisher and at least two Marsh Widowbirds were seen. At noon we had lunch in the shade at the start of 35 km long entrance road to the Buffalo Camp in Benoue N.P. At around 16.00 pm we arrived at the camp. Red-throated Bee-eater was the most common bird encountered during the drive in and a Grey Kestrel was also noted. It did not take long before we were on our way to the river and as soon as we reached the sandy shore of the river, we observed our first Egyptian Plover. We observed no fewer than seven birds.

Benoue River, habitat of Egyptian Plover

14

Cameroon April/May 2016

Egyptian Plover

Other species observed that late afternoon include Stone Partridge, Double-spurred Francolin, Black-winged Kite, Senegal Thick-knee, Spur-winged Lapwing, White-crowned Lapwing, Speckled Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Red-eyed Dove, Levaillant’s Cuckoo showed nicely along the riverbank, Abyssinian Roller, Red-throated Bee-eater, Giant Kingfisher, African Grey Hornbill, Bearded Barbet, Long-tailed Starling, White-crowned Robin Chat, Whinchat, Pygmy Sunbird, Green-headed Sunbird and Scarlet-chested Sunbird. We were the only guests at the camp, which was nicely situated on the high river bank. The camp, consisting of some bungalows, was partly renovated but still made a rather unappealing impression. At 18.00 pm they turned on the diesel generator and there was electricity. Meaning light and more importantly AIRCONDTIONING in the rooms. At 01.00 I woke up because of the unbearable heat in our room, and noticed that the airconditioning was not working because they had turned off the generator. When we complained about this the next morning, the manager told us that they had only enough funding for the diesel to use the generator for 6 hours! every 24 hours. I then made the suggestion to turn on the generator at 21.00 pm, which meant that we had at least a working airconditioning until 03.00 am.

Day 14: Thursday 28 April We woke up, not very well-rested and after a quick breakfast we started to bird the adjacent scrub and woodland at 06.30 am. We walked and birded until 11.00 am, when it became really hot and we had to take a break. We first walked to the same river bank again where we, soon after our arrival, observed several Pygmy Kingfishers and ofcourse Egyptian Plovers. Then we waited and scanned the surrounding area from some rocks for especially Andamawa Turtle Dove and after playback of its song, suddenly two doves flew in and perched right in the open on a bare branch on the river bank. One of these doves turned out to be an Andamawa Turtle Dove, our main target at this spot and the bird could be nicely studied in the scope. We then continued our walk through the surrounding area and the highlight was the observation of two pairs of the uncommon White-throated Francolin. Other species encountered during our morning walk included several Violet Turacos, African Cuckoo, Green Woodhoopoe, Fine- spotted Woodpecker (common), Brown-backed Woodpecker, Senegal Batis, a most welcome female Purple-throated Cuckooshrike, Northern Crombec, a few Dorst’s Cisticolas, a single Rufous Cisticola, four Red-winged Grey Warblers, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Purple Starling, White-crowned Robin-Chat, Familiar Chat, Beautiful Sunbird, Black-bellied Firefinch, Red-billed Firefinch and best of all Black-faced Firefinch of the distinctive ssp. nigricollis. In the early afternoon we were hit by a short but heavy thunderstorm. There was a lot of rain and very strong winds. So we took a break until 15.00 pm and in the late afternoon we walked out of the camp through the patches of gallery forest mixed with woodland along the river.

15

Cameroon April/May 2016

Highlight during this walk were undoubtedly the two Pel’s Fishing Owls, which we flushed along a small stream and they could be observed for as long as we wanted, right in the open. Along the river we saw a single Three-banded Plover and additions included Woolly-necked Stork, Peregrine Falcon, Broad-billed Roller, Greater Honeyguide, White-shouldered Black Tit, Yellow-throated Leaflove, a single Wire-tailed Swallow, Moustached Grass Warbler, Icterine Warbler, European Pied Flycatcher, Red-winged Warbler, Oriole Warbler, Pale Flycatcher, Green-headed Sunbird and Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver. This time the airconditioning went down at 02.30.

The uncommon White-throated Francolin was encountered during our walks at Benoué N.P.

The discovery of a pair of Pel’s Fishing Owls was a pleasant surprise

16

Cameroon April/May 2016

Day 15: Friday 29 April Our plan was to bird along the main entrance road by car and stop from time to time to walk into the woodlands. While driving along the road we noticed an obvious, large rocky inselberg in the landscape, not too far from the road and we decided to investigate it. It seemed closeby but it meant some hacking and crashing to reach the foot of the hill. We climbed it and had a nice view from the top over the surrounding woodland. A Wahlberg’s Eagle yielded nice flight views and on the other side of the hill Jan Hein found 2 Gosling’s Buntings, but it took a while before we all had good views of the birds. Even better was the pipit which suddenly appeared in the same area. This turned out to be a Bannermann’s Pipit, a very distinctive bird. A second bird was also seen.

Benoue N.P. This is the site were we discovered Bannerman’s Pipit.

Bannerman’s Pipit

From the hill we birded back through the woodland towards our car. During our walk we observed Bateleur Eagle, Senegal Parrot, Eurasian Hoopoe, Lesser Honeyguide, Senegal Batis, several Yellow-Penduline Tits, Western Spotted Creeper, Dorst’s Cisticola, Chestnut- crowned Sparrow Weaver, Black-winged Bishop, Black-bellied Firefinch, Black-faced Firefinch and Orange-cheeked Waxbill. On our drive back to the camp we bumped into a pair of Abyssinian Ground Hornbills. After a lunch break, Benji found a family of Four-banded Sandgrouse just along the road near our camp, which could be observed at very close range.

17

Cameroon April/May 2016

In the afternoon we birded the gallery forest, just next to our camp. We saw more or less the same species as the day before but we witnessed a spectacular gathering of 50+ Broad-billed Rollers, hawking for insects. Along the river we observed a small flock of Woolly-necked Storks and a single Black Stork. The next morning we intended to drive very early to the Poli area to try for some dry country specialties. Benji suggested to leave at 05.00 am but I knew we had to be there VERY early in the morning because of the heat and also because Benji generally underestimated the travel times to sites, so we decided to leave at 04.00 am. In the evening Freckled Nightjar was heard and seen at the clearing of the camp.

Day 16: Saturday 30 April We finally left at 04.15 am and when driving along the entrance road to the main road we regularly flushed nightjars in the head lights of the car but we did not have time to stop. We did identify at least 2 Pennant-winged Nightjars and several Standard-winged Nightjars. Finally at 07.30 we arrived in the area near Poli, but it was too late and already very hot. But at the first, obvious rocky hill side on the left side of the road we hit the jackpot. From the car I spotted a Heuglin’s Wheatear and when we stopped and further investigated the area we quickly found another target-species, a pair of White-fronted Black Chats. The cisticolas we observed were unfortunately not Rock-loving Cisticolas but Dorst’s Cisticolas. Also several Gosling’s Buntings were seen. Our intention was to drive further into the hills to a site where Chad Firefinch has been found but Benji told us that it was actually too far, too late, too bumpy and also too hot to continue to that site. That was disappointing. So, you either have to leave even earlier from Benoue or access it from Garoua.

Village near Poli

Anyway we decided to continue birding near that hill for an hour or so, before we would start our long drive, back to Ngaoundere. First we found Brown-backed Woodpecker and when Jan Hein and I continued into the hills we first found a few West African Seedeaters and then we heard a Brown-rumped Bunting sing. When a bird flew in after some playback, Jan Hein got it in the scope and when I asked him if it was the bunting, he answered “much better, have a look”. Then I had a male Emin’s Shrike in the scope, a rarely encountered bird. Meanwhile Benji turned up and went back to get the others so in the end we all had good views of a pair of this rare species. And finally we also had good looks at several Brown-rumped Buntings. A large flock of Abdim’s Storks on migration was a nice addition to the trip list. Though we did not get to the Chad Firefinch site we still had a very productive morning.

18

Cameroon April/May 2016

Heuglin’s Wheatear White-fronted Black Chat

Brown-rumped Bunting Emin’s Shrike

At 10.00 am we left the area and then it was a long and uneventful drive to Ngaoundere, where we arrived at 16.30 pm. We had a not-so-good chicken at a not-so-good restaurant and in the early evening we left Ngaoundere by sleeper train for Yaoundé.

Day 17: Sunday 01 May Unfortunately after a two-hour delay, the train arrived at Yaoundé at 10.00 am. Today was the First of May, Labour Day and the whole country was celebrating this with activities, festivals and a lot of alcohol. We expected that our car was waiting for us at the train station for our long drive to Campo but instead we took two taxis to the bus station. This drive took almost 45 minutes because many roads were blocked because of Labour Day. Then we had to wait 1 hour in a very hot, non AC bus until the bus was full with passengers before we could leave for Edea. This was in fact not well organised by Benji and as a result this turned out to be a very uncomfortable and tiring day. Near Edea we left the bus and boarded the same mini-bus with the same driver we used the first week and drove to Kribi on the coast. We came across many security check points and the last stretch (three hours) from near Kribi to Campo was on a bad, dirt road. We finally arrived in complete darkness and exhausted at our guesthouse in Campo at 20.30 pm. After checking in they made us some dinner but the whole place was filled with drunk or partly drunk people, celebrating Labour Day. So, in brief, a day to forget. It was the worst day of the trip.

Day 18: Monday 02 May After an early breakfast we left for a stretch of rather degraded forest but it turned out to be very birdy. We had overcast weather conditions with periods of some light rain. We birded along a wide dirt track and observed several hornbill species. The huge Black-casqued Hornbill was regularly seen but also African Pied Hornbill, Piping Hornbill and Black & White Casqued Hornbill. Other species encountered that morning included African Harrier-Hawk, Palmnut Vulture, Great Blue Turaco, Grey Parrot, Speckled Tinkerbird, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Spot-headed Barbet, Gabon Woodpecker, Western Nicator, Swamp Palm Greenbul, Green Hylia, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Sooty Flycatcher, Yellow-mantled Weaver, Fraser’s Sunbird and Crested Malimbe. In the afternoon we visited a beautiful patch of undisturbed primary forest but unfortunately it started to rain. We drove to the bridge over the Campo river where we birded in the rain for several hours. We were lucky that a Blue-headed Wood-dove gave good and close views in flight to Jan Hein and me. Above the bridge we noticed briefly 2 Sabine’s Spinetails and greenbuls were well represented by Golden Greenbul, a single Plain Greenbul, Little Grey Greenbul, Honeyguide Greenbul , Spotted Greenbul and Red-

19

Cameroon April/May 2016

tailed Greenbul. Other species observed were several Chestnut Wattle-eyes, Chestnut- capped Flycatcher, Johanna’s Sunbird, Fraser’s Sunbird and Fraser’s Rufous Thrush.

Bridge over Rio Campo

Black-casqued Hornbill - female

Then it was time for our most wanted species at Campo Ma’an, the Grey-necked Picathartes or Rockfowl. We drove to the site and at 15.00 pm we started our “expedition” into the forest. Normally it would only be a 15 minute walk to the rocky area where the species holds territory, but the first part of the “trail” was heavily overgrown by secondary scrub and the local ranger had to hack his way through the vegetation with the aid of his manchete. It was obvious that the site had not been visited for quite some time and frankly I did not have a good feeling about the whole thing. But gradually we entered the primary forest and the going became much easier and we soon reached the rock. Our local guide told us that we had to stand absolutely still in a particular place in the shade of the rock as the birds are very shy and that we had to wait silently for them to show up. After 20 minutes we heard the bird call and after a few excruciatingly long minutes suddenly a single Grey-necked Picathartes suddenly appeared and gave great views. During the next 20 minutes the bird showed up three times and gave good views every time.

20

Cameroon April/May 2016

Grey-necked Picathartes (photo Jan Hein van Steenis)

We later found out that Benji had to take a sanitary stop behind the rock and stumbled upon the rockfowl and almost chased it off!! That would have meant missing the bird for us. The local ranger told us that we were very lucky as in the past 4 to 6 birds were present and now only one bird apparently is around. According to him more birds can be found at another site, much further into the forest. Anyway, mission completed and after observing the Yellow-necked Picathartes a few years ago in Ghana, this family has completed. After we got out of the forest, we finished the day by birding along the main road for another hour. We had good views of a very responsive Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, which can be a very difficult bird to get good views of. Twice a Blue-headed Wood Dove was seen in flight and an African Forest Flycatcher (Fraser’s Flycatcher).was scoped in the canopy. We then returned to Campo. Unfortunately there was only water for a very short period of time for showering, so you had to be fast. Dinner was fine.

Day 19: Tuesday 03 May As usual we were on the road before dawn. This day we opted to spend most of our time in the primary forest. Though we birded in beautiful, undisturbed forest, bird activity was generally very low. We had a lunch break at the same bridge over the Campo river. We extended the break as it was very hot at midday and we noticed hardly any activity in the surrounding forest. Best species today was probably a very unobtrusive and uncommon species, a single Olivaceous Flycatcher. Other notable observations today were: Yellow-billed Turaco, Black-Bee-eater, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Bristle-nosed Barbet, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Cassin’s Honeybird, African Piculet, White-spotted Wattle-eye (Frans only), Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Western Nicator, a single Icterine Greenbul, Honeyguide Greenbul, Spotted Greenbul, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, Golden Greenbul, Little Greenbul, Red-tailed Greenbul, Yellow Longbill, Grey Longbill (HO), Lemon-bellied Crombec, Green Hylia,Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Violet-backed Hyliota, Narrow-tailed Starling, White-tailed Rufous Thrush, Cassin’s Flycatcher, Sooty Flycatcher, Olive Sunbird, 2 males Tiny Sunbird, Fraser’s Sunbird, Black-throated Malimbe, Red-headed Malimbe and Chestnut-breasted Nigrita. When taping a Yellow-lored Bristlebill, which showed briefly a few times, suddenly a Gabon Forest Robin popped up and showed nicely for some. Jan Hein missed it and went in after it and also had good views of the bird. During our lunch break we crossed the river to the other side where they are building a “lodge”. Apparently they stopped building as we did not notice any building activity but if in fact this lodge should really materialize, then this would be a fantastic location for birding in the surrounding

21

Cameroon April/May 2016

lowland forest with a lot of birding potential. National park officers were also busy habituating a group of Lowland Gorillas in this area and the rare Mandril is also present. Again water was available for a very short period. Frans had just soaped himself when the water supply was finished. So only with the aid of bottles of mineral water he was able the clean himself.

Birding in Campo Ma’an N.P.

Crossing a dilapidated bridge in Campo Ma’an N.P.

22

Cameroon April/May 2016

Cassin’s Malimbe

Day 20: Wednesday 04 May We birded a couple of hours on our way out of Campo to Kribi. When we left we noticed a large Spinetail over Campo, which was probably a Black Spinetail. We birded several spots along a stretch of degraded, secondary forest and we were lucky to connect with White-spotted Wattle-eye, which only Frans saw on the previous day. We also added Brown-eared Woodpecker, Western Black-headed Oriole, Velvet-mantled Drongo, finally a single Rufous-vented Flycatcher, Fire-crested Alethe, Brown Illadopsis, Blue-billed Malimbe, and a pair of Western Bluebill. We also walked a while along the main dirt road with scattered habitation to look for sunbirds, especially Carmelite Sunbird. We did see Collared Sunbird, Reichenbach’s Sunbird, Olive Sunbird and Superb Sunbird but not Carmelite.

White-spotted Wattle-eye

At Kribi we had an extensive lunch break at a small restaurant along the coast. After lunch we continued to our motel, just outside Edea, where we arrived in the late afternoon. We birded the area, immediately outside our hotel but did not find Carmelite Sunbird. In the evening we were supposed to have dinner at Edea but we did not like the restaurant and instead went to a large hotel near the Sanaga river where we had an excellent dinner.

23

Cameroon April/May 2016

Day 21: Thursday 05 May Just after dawn we drove the short distance to the Sanaga River, especially to an area with exposed sand banks, where we hoped to find the much sought-after Grey Pratincole. Surprisingly the first bird we saw when we stepped out of the car was a male Black-bellied Seedcracker in the scub, bordering the river. But we soon scored our main target as at least 50 Grey Pratincoles were present in the general area. We had nice scope-views of birds on the sand banks and in flight. African Skimmers were also present in good numbers and after a while we decided to bird some remnant forest patches nearby.

Sandbanks in the Sanaga River near Edea are a site for Grey Pratincole and African Skimmer.

We also noticed an interesting hunting method used by Yellow-billed Kites. They gathered at a bridge where good numbers of Preuss’s Cliff Swallows were present and started to chase them. A swallow could avoid one, maybe 2 attacks but then the third Yellow-billed Kite caught it in flight. We witnessed a successful hunt several times! We did not see much in the forest patches but did have nice views of Yellow-lored Bristlebill. At 11.00 am we decided to have a coffee break at the hotel, where we did some casual birding in the gardens. Grey-headed Nigrita was noted. After lunch we took a rest and packed our stuff for our trip home. At 15.00 pm we were loading the van in front of our motel, when suddenly a male Carmelite Sunbird appeared and gave good views. On our way to Douala we made a stop at the so-called “Duck Pond”. This is still a reliable site to find Hartlaub’s Duck and sure enough as soon as we scanned the pond we found five Hartlaub’s Ducks and also seven African Pygmy Geese. From reports we knew that Long-legged Pipit is regularly seen in the same area and after a short stroll on the other side of the road we found a pair of Long-legged Pipits. This was our last lifer of the trip. We then continued to the outskirts of Douala where Benji had arranged a room for us at Hotel Sanaga for showering, changing clothes and preparing us for our return flight home. We also had dinner at this hotel and at 20.30 we left for the short drive to the Douala airport, where we said goodbye to Benji. Just before midnight we left Douala for Paris.

24

Cameroon April/May 2016

Day 22: Friday 06 May We arrived at Paris International Airport at 6.45 am. At 09.00 am we took the Thalys from the airport to Brussels Midi train station where we arrived at 10.20 am. Here we bought our train tickets from Brussels Midi to Eindhoven (Brussels – Antwerp – Roosendaal – Breda – Tilburg – Eindhoven) We left Brussels at noon and arrived at Eindhoven at 14.30 pm.

Henk Hendriks [email protected]

Benji, Hans Westerlaken, Frans Hendriks, Jan Hein van Steenis, Henk Hendriks, local guide

25

Cameroon April/May 2016

SHORT ITINERARY

15-04: Taxi bus Geldrop to Brussels – Thalys train to Paris (Charles de Gaulle Airport) – Flight Paris to Doula – Drive to Buea. Capitol Hotel

16-04: Hike up Mount Cameroon to tree line at 2000 m. Buea in Blue Pearl Hotel.

17-04: Buea to Limbe (Botanical Gardens). Drive Buea to Bamenda (9 hours) Blue Pearl Hotel

18-04: Lake Awing in morning + Baba village 2 in afternoon (Bamenda Highlands)

19-04: Mankon Sacred Forest in morning + Sabka area in afternoon (Bamenda Highlands)

20-04: Drive from Bamenda to Nyasoso, Mount Kupe, with a stop at a small swamp south of Santa

21-04: Max’s Trail at Mount Kupe.

22-04: Nature Trail at Mount Kupe.

23-04: Max’s Trail at Mount Kupe.

24-04: Drive Nyasoso to Douala. Bus to Yaoundé. Night train Yanoundé to Ngaoundere.

25-04: Ngaoundere to Ngaoundaba Ranch . Afternoon birding around crater lake.

26-04: Ngaoundaba Ranch all day.

27-04: Morning around ranch and drive to Black Buffalo Camp at Benoué N.P. Stop at Dang Lake, just outside Ngaoundere. Late afternoon birding at Benoue river.

28-04: Benoué N.P.

29-04: Benoué N.P.

30-04: Early morning drive to Poli. Drive Poli to Ngaoundere. Night train to Yaoundé.

01-05: Yaoundé to Douala by bus. Edea to Campo, Campo Ma’an N.P. by car. Auberge Elak

02-05: Campo Ma’an N.P.

03-05: Campo Ma’an N.P.

04-05: Campo Ma’an N.P.in the morning + drive to Edea.

05-05: Sanaga River in the morning and drive to Douala, including visit to Hartlaub’s Duck pond. Evening flight Douala – Paris.

06-05: Early morning arrival at Paris. Thalys to Brussels and train from Brussels to Eindhoven.

26

Cameroon April/May 2016

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF OBSERVATIONS

1. Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris Observed in small numbers at Ngaoundaba Ranch and Benoué N.P. 2. Stone Partridge Ptilopachus petrosus Up to 20 daily at Benoué N.P.

3. White-throated Francolin Peliperdix albogularis 28-04: Great views of 2 pairs at Benoué N.P. 4. Scaly Francolin Pternistes squamatus 16-04: 2 at foot of Mount Cameroon. 21-04: Heard at start of Max’s Trail, Mount Kupe. 23-04: Heard and 1 seen along Max’s Trail, Mount Kupe. 5. Double-spurred Francolin Pternistes bicalcaratus Observed on 5 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch and Benoué N.P.

6. White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata 18-04: 11 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands.

27

Cameroon April/May 2016

7. African Pygmy Goose Nettapus auritus 05-05: 7 at the Duck Pond near Douala. 8. Hartlaub’s Duck Pteronetta hartlaubii 05-05: 5 at the Duck Pond near Douala. 9. African Black Duck Anas sparsa 18-04: A single bird at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 10. Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata 18-04: A single bird at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 27-04: 15 at Dang Lake. 11. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 18-04: 5 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 20-04: 2 at road side stop. 12. Abdim’s Stork Ciconia abdimii 30-04: A flock of 50 near Poli.

13. Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus 26-04: 3 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 10 on 2 dates at Benoue. 14. Black Stork Ciconia nigra 29-04: a single bird at Benoue. 15. Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash 25/26-04: 2 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. Up to 6 daily at Benoue N.P. 03-05: a group of 5 in flight at Campo. 16. Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 28-04: a single bird at Benoue N.P. 17. Striated Heron Butorides striatus 28-04: 3 at Benoue N.P. 05-05: 2 at Duck Pond, near Douala. 18. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 27-04: 4 at Dang Lake. 19. Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Observed on 8 dates. 20. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 25-04: a single bird at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 21. Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala 20-04: a single bird at small swamp, during road side stop. 30-04: 2 near Poli. 05-05: 1 near Edea

28

Cameroon April/May 2016

22. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 27-04: 2 at Dang Lake. 23. Great Egret Ardea alba Scarce. 26-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 27-04: 1 at Dang Lake. 05-05: 1 at along the Sanaga River, Edea. 24. Little Egret Egretta garzetta Scarce. 28-04: 1 at Benoue N.P. 05-05: 1 along Sanaga River, Edea. 25. Western Reef Heron Ardea gularis 17-04: 4 along the coast, near Limbe. 26. Hamerkop Scopus umbretta 20-04: 2 on transit. 25-04: 2 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. Daily up to 10 along the river at Benoue N.P. 27. Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus 20-04: 1 south of Santa 25-04: 5 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 26-04: 50+ at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 27-04: 10 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 05-05: 1 at Duck Pond, near Douala. 28. White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus 17-04: a single bird along the coast, near Limbe. African Darter Anhinga rufa 04-05: 2 fly-overs at Edea. 05-05: 1 at Duck Pond, near Douala. 29. European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus 19-04: a single bird Mankon Secret Forest, Bamenda Highlands. 30. Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 27-04: 1 Benoue N.P. 30-04: 1 near Poli. 31. Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius Common.

32. African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer Heard daily at Benoue N.P. 03-05: Heard at Campo. 33. Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis 17-04: 1 on transit. 22-04: 2 at Mount Kupe. 26-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 9 on 3 dates at Campo.

29

Cameroon April/May 2016

34. Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus A total of 23 on 3 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 30-04: 1 near Poli.

35. White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus A total of 24 on 3 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 29-04: 4 at Benoue N.P. 36. Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus 30-04: 2 near Wack en route to Ngaoundere.

37. Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus 29-04: 3 at Benoue N.P. 38. African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus A total of 14 on 8 dates observed.

30

Cameroon April/May 2016

39. Gabar Goshawk Accipiter gabar 20-04: 1 south of Santa. 26-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 30-04: 1 Benoue N.P.

40. Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus 1 to 2 birds daily near Nyasoso, Mount Kupe. 41. Red-chested Goshawk Accipiter toussenelii 16-04: 1 at foot of Mount Cameroon. 21/22-04: Single birds Mount Kupe area. 42. Shikra Accipiter badius 27-04: 1 at Benoue N.P. 30-04: 1 near Poli. 05-05: 1 near Edea. 43. Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus 17-04: 1 on transit. 20-04: 1 on transit. 26-04: 1 at Rancho 44. Grasshopper Buzzard Bitastur rufipennis 27-04: 1 entrance road to Benoue N.P. 30-04: 1 on transit. 45. Red-necked Buzzard Buteo auguralis 18-04: 1 on transit. 19-04: 2 Bamenda Highlands. 25-04: 2 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 27-04: 1 at Benoue N.P. 30-04: 1 near Poli and 4 on transit. 46. Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis 17-04: 1 on transit. 30-04: 3 near Poli.

47. Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle Aquila Africana 21-04: 1 at Mount Kupe.

31

Cameroon April/May 2016

48. African Hawk Eagle Aquila spilogaster 26-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 49. Wahlberg’s Eagle Aquila wahlbergi 29-04: 1 at Benoue N.P. 50. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus A total of 6 on 3 dates in the Bamenda Highlands. 51. Grey Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus 27-04: 1 near Ngaoudere and 1 at Benoue N.P. 28+29-04: single birds at Benoue N.P. 52. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 16-04: 1 at Mount Cameroon. 53. White-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura pulchra 21-04: Heard at Mount Kupe. 54. Red-chested Flufftail Sarothrura rufa 16-04: Heard in grassy scrub, lower area of Mount Cameroon. 55. African Rail Rallus caerulescens 26-04: Nice views of 1 at crater lake, Ngaoundaba Ranch. 56. Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostra 20-04: 1 in swampy area, during a road side stop. Up to 4 daily at crater lake, Ngaoundaba Ranch. 27-04: 2 at Dang Lake. 57. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 17-04: 2 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 20-04: 2 south of Santa. 24-04: 3 from the train. 58. Senegal Thick-knee Burhinus senegalensis A total of 5 on 2 dates along the river at Benoue N.P. 59. Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus A total of 8 on 2 dates along the river at Benoue N.P. 60. White-crowned Lapwing Vanellus albiceps A total of 4 on 2 dates along the river at Benouw N.P. 05-05: 4 near The Sanaga River, Edea area. 61. African Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus Up to 10 daily at Ngaoundaba Ranch area. 62. Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris 28-04: a single bird along the river at benoue N.P. 63. Egyptian Plover Pluvianus Aegyptus A total of 12 on 3 dates along the river at Benoue N.P. 64. African Jacana Actiphilornis africanus A total of 23 on 3 dates at marshy area of crater lake at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 05-05: 4 near Edea. 65. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 17-04: 1 at coast near Limbe. 29-04: Heard along river at Benoue N.P. 66. Grey Pratincole Glareola cinerea 05-05: 40+ at sandbanks in the Sanaga river near Edea. 67. African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris Near-threatened 05-05: 50+ at sandbanks in The Sanaga river near Edea. 68. Four-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles quadricinctus 29-04: a family (male, female and 3 young birds) gave great and close views near Buffalo Camp in Benoue N.P. 69. Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea Single birds daily in Benoue N.P. 30-04: 2 near Poli. 70. Cameroon Olive Pigeon Columba sjostedti Near-endemic It was a good year for this species. 16-04: 10-15 birds seen in the area just below the treeline at Mount Cameroon. Great views in the scope of perched birds. This species can be tricky to find and especially to obtain good views of it. 71. Adamawa Turtle Dove Streptopelia hypopyrrha 28-04: After some playback, a bird showed nicely at the river in Benoue N.P. 72. Mourning Collared Dove Streptopelia decipiens A total of 20 birds observed on 3 dates in Benoue N.P.

32

Cameroon April/May 2016

73. Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata 16-04: 2 near Buea. 17-02: 2 on transit to Bamenda. Common in the Ngaoundaba Ranch area. 05-05: 10+ near Edea. 74. Vinaceous Dove Streptopelia vinacea 27-04: 1 at Benoue N.P. 28-04: 2 at Benoue N.P. 75. Laughing Dove Stigmatopelia senegalensis Single birds at Benoue N.P. and 1 near Poli. 76. Black-billed Wood Dove Turtur abyssinicus Regularly observed at Ngaoundaba Ranch and Benoue N.P. 77. Blue-spotted Wood Dove Turtur afer Up to 10 daily in the Bamenda Highlands. Single birds on 2 dates near Nyasoso. Mount Kupe. 78. Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria 19-04: 2 near Bamenda. 02-05: 2 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 05-05: 1 near Edea. 79. Blue-headed Wood Dove Turtur brehmeri 02-05: 4 seen at Campo Ma’an N.P. 80. Bruce’s Green Pigeon Treron waailia 26-04: 10 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. Single birds on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 81. African Green Pigeon Treron calvus Observed on 10 dates. 82. Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus 17-04: 2 near Bamenda. A total of 40 on 3 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 05-05: 15 near Edea.

83. Senegal Parrot Poicephalus senegalus 26-04: 10 at Ngaoundaba ranch area. A total of 9 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 84. Red-headed Lovebird Agapornis pullarius 27-04: 2 at Ngaoundaba Ranch area. 85. Guinea Turaco Tauraco persa 19-04: 2 at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. A total of 8 on 3 dates in the Mount Kupe area. 86. Yellow-billed Turaco Tauraco macrorhynchus ssp.verreauxii 16-04: 10+ at Mount Cameroon. 18-04: heard Bamenda Highlands. 21-04: Heard Mount Kupe. 23-04: 1 at Mount Kupe. A total of 6 on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P.

33

Cameroon April/May 2016

87. Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata 18-04: Heard in forest patch at Baba village 2, Bamenda Highlands. A total of 21 on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P.

88. White-crested Turaco Tauraco leucolophus A total of 16 on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 12 on 3 dates at Benoue N.P.

89. Bannerman’s Turaco Tauraco bannermani Endangered – Country endemic 18-04: 5 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. Great views of perched birds. 90. Violet Turaco Musophaga violacea A total of 9 on 2 dates at benoue N.P. 91. Ross’s Turaco Musophaga rossae A total of 12 on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 92. Western Plantain-eater Crinifer piscator Daily observed at Ngaoundaba Ranch and Benoue N.P. 93. Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis Recorded on 10 dates.

34

Cameroon April/May 2016

94. Blue-headed Coucal Centropus monachus 20-04: Good views of 1 at swampy area during road side stop between Bamenda – Nyasoso 01-05: 1 on transit 05-05: 1 near Edea. 95. Blue Malkoha Ceuthmochares aereus Single birds on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. 04-05: 1 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 96. Levaillant’s Cuckoo Clamator levaillanti 27-04: a single bird along the river at Benoue N.P. 97. Jacobin Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus 30-04: 1 near Poli. 98. Dideric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius 23-04: 1 at Mount Kupe. 99. Klaas’s Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas 18-04: 1 at Lake Awing. 19-04: heard Bamenda Highlands. 21-04: heard at Mount Kupe. A total of 6 on 3 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 28-04: 1 at Benoue N.P. 30-04: Heard near Poli. 100.African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus 22-04: heard at Mount Kupe. 05-05: Heard near Edea. 101.Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyux olivinus 23-04: Heard at Mount Kupe. 102.Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius Recorded/heard on 11 dates. 26-04: Great views of 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 103.African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis A total of 4 seen on 3 dates at Benoue N.P. 104.African Scops Owl Otus senegalensis 26-04: Nice views of 2 birds in the spotlight at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 28+30-04: Heard at benoue N.P. 105.Northern White-faced Owl Ptilopsis leucotis 26-04: Good views of a spotlighted bird at Ngaoundaba Ranch. Found by Jan Hein in the early morning and seen by all in the evening. 106.Fraser’s Eagle Owl Bubo poensis 23-04: Unfortunately only briefly heard at the edge of Nyasoso. 107.Pel’s Fishing Owl Sctopelia peli 28-04: We flushed 2 birds in broad daylight along a stream at Benoue N.P. These birds gave great views.

108.Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma 29-04: 2 birds at dusk at Buffalo Camp, Benoue N.P. 30-04: 1 in the early morning on entrance track, Benoue N.P.

35

Cameroon April/May 2016

109.Long-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus climacurus 16-04: Possibly this species briefly heard at foot of Mount Cameroon. 110.Pennant-winged Nightjar Macrodipteryx vexillarius 30-04: at least 2 in the early morning on entrance track, Benoue N.P. 111.Standard-winged Nightjar Macrodipteryx longipennis 26-04: 1 female at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 30-04: At least 8 in the early morning on entrance track, Benoue N.P. 112.Black Spinetail Telacanthura melanopygia 04-05: 1, probably this species over Campo. 113.Sabine’s Spinetail Rhaphidura sabini 02-05: 2 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 114.African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus Observed 13 dates. 115.Common Swift Apus apus Identified on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch and Benoue N.P. 116.African Black Swift Apus barbatus 18/19-04: 10+ Bamenda Highlands. 117.Little Swift Apus affinis Observed on 10 dates. 118.Bates’s Swift Apus batesi 21-04: 4 near Nyasoso, Mount Kupe. 119.Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus Observed on 10 dates.

120.Bar-tailed Trogon Apaloderma vittatum 18-04: 1 male at forest patch Baba village 2 in Bamenda Highlands. 21-04: 1 male at Mount Kupe. 121.Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinicus Up to 5 daily on 4 dates in the north, Benoue N.P. and Poli area.

36

Cameroon April/May 2016

122.Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus Daily a few observed at Ngaoundaba Ranch and Benoue N.P. 29-04: Spectacular was a gathering of 50+ birds, hunting for insects in Benoue N.P.

123.Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala 25-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 9 on 3 dates at Benoue N.P. 124.Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica Daily 2 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 125.Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis 20-04: 2 on transit to Mount Kupe. 25-04: 1 Ngaoundaba Ranch. 01-05: Heard at Campo. 04-05: 2 at edge of Campo Ma’an N.P. 05-05: 1 near Edea.

126.African Pygmy Kingfisher Ispidina picta 17-04: 1 on transit to Bamenda. 22-04: 1 near Nyasoso. A total of 5 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 30-04: 1 near Poli. A total of 5 on 2 dates near Edea. 127.Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata 20-04: 1 at swampy area, during road side stop. A total of 4 on 3 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 28-04: 3 at Benoue N.P.

37

Cameroon April/May 2016

128.Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima 19-04: 1 near Bamenda. 26-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 27/28-04: 1 at Benoue N.P. 05-05: 1 at Sanaga river, Edea. 129.Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Daily 2 to 3 at Crater Lake, Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 7 on 2 dates along the river at Benoue N.P. 05-05: 1 along the Sanaga river, Edea 130.Black Bee-eater Merops gularis 23-04: 2 at Mount Kupe. 03-05: 2 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 131.Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus 30-04: 2 near Poli. 05-05: 10+ near Edea. 132.Blue-breasted Bee-eater Merops variegatus 20-04: 10+ south of Santa. 133.Red-throated Bee-eater Merops bulocki Common at Benoue N.P.

134.White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis 19-04: 20+ at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. 20-04: 2 on transit. 135.Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 29-04: 1 only at Benoue N.P. 136.Green Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus A total of 4 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 137.Black Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus aterrimus 26-04: 2 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 138.African Pied Hornbill Tockus fasciatus Observed on 8 dates: Mount Kupe, Ngaoundaba Ranch, Campo Ma’an N.P. and Edea area. 139.African Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus A total of 5 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 30-04: 2 near Poli. 140.Piping Hornbill Bycanistes fistulator A total of 7 on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 141.White-thighed Hornbill Bycanistes albotibialis 02-05: a single bird at Campo Ma’an N.P. 05-05: a single at a remnant forest patch near Edea. 142.Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill Ceratogymna atrata A total of 17 on 3 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 05-05: a single at a remnant forest patch near Edea. 143.Black & White Casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna subcylindricus Daily 10+ at Campo Ma’an N.P. 05-05: 15 at a remnant forest patch near Edea.

38

Cameroon April/May 2016

144.Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill Tockys camurus A total of 8 on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P.

145.Abyssinian Ground Hornbill Bucorvus abyssinicus 29-04: 1 pair at Benoue N.P. 146.Naked-faced Barbet Gymnobucco calvus 16-04: 3 at Mount Cameroon. 18-04: Heard at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. Daily 10+ at Mount Kupe. 147.Bristle-nosed Barbet Gymnobucco peli 03-05: 10+ at Campo Ma’an N.P. 148.Speckled Tinkerbird Pogoniulus scolopaceus A total of 5 on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. A total of 7 on 3 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 05-05: 1 near Edea. 149.Western Green Tinkerbird Pogoniulus coryphaeus 16-04: Good views of a single bird at Mount Cameroon. 19-04: Heard at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. 150.Yellow-throated Tinkerbird Pogoniulus subsulphureus A total of 3 on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 05-05: 2 near Edea. 151.Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus biliniatus A total of 4 on 2 dates at the Bamenda Highlands. A total of 4 on 3 dates at Mount Kupe. 03-05: Heard at Campo Ma’an N.P. 152.Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus 26-04: 3 at Ngaoundaba Ranch A total of 5 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 153.Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui 18-04: 2 at forest patch, Baba village 2, Bamenda Highlands. 21-04: 5 at Mount Kupe. 22-04: Heard at Mount Kupe. 02-05: 1 at campo Ma’an N.P. 154.Spot-headed Barbet Tricholaema hirsute flavipunctata 02-05: 2 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 04-05: Heard at Campo Ma’an N.P. 155.Vieillot’s Barbet Lybius vieilloti 30-04: a single bird near Poli. 156.Double-toothed Barbet Lybius bidentatus 22-04: a single bird at Mount Kupe. A total of 3 on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 157.Bearded Barbet Lybius dubius A total of 4 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 158.Yellow-billed Barbet Trachyphonus purpuratus 19-04: 4 at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. 21-04: 2 at Mount Kupe.

39

Cameroon April/May 2016

159.Cassin’s Honeybird Prodotiscus insignis 03-05: 1 seen at Campo Ma’an N.P. 160.Willcock’s Honeyguide Indicator willcocksi 26-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch.

161.Thick-billed Honeyguide Indicator conirostris 18-04: 1 at forest patch, Baba 2 Village, Bamenda Highlands. 162.Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor 29-04: 1 at Benoue N.P. Least Honeyguide Indicator exilis 19-04: 1 at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. Note: after studying the pictures, we cannot exclude Willcock’s Honeyguide Indicator willcocksi Unfortunately the bird never called. 163.Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator 28-04: 1 at Benoue N.P. 164.African Piculet Sasia africana A total of 4 on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. 03-05: 1 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 165.Fine-spotted Woodpecker Campethera punctuligera A total of 12 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 30-04: 1 near Poli. 166.Brown-eared Woodpecker Campethera caroli 04-05: 2 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 167.Elliot’s Woodpecker Dendropicos elliotii 16-04: 1 at Mount Cameroon.

40

Cameroon April/May 2016

168.Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens 16-04: 1 at mount Cameroon. 17-04: 1 on transit. A total of 5 on 2 dates in the Bamenda Highlands. 23-04: 1 at Mount Kupe. 26-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 05-05: 1 near Edea. 169.Gabon Woodpecker Dendropicos gabonensis 16-04: 1 at Mount Cameroon. A total of 4 on 3 dates at Mount Kupe. 02-05: 1 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 170.Grey Woodpecker Dendropicos goertae 26-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 4 on 3 dates at Benoue N.P. 171.Brown-backed Woodpecker Picoides obsoletus 28-04: 1 at Benoue N.P. 30-04: 1 near Poli. 172.African Broadbill Smithornis capensis 19-04: Great and close views of a very cooperative and vocal bird at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. 173.Grey-headed Broadbill Smithornis sharpei 21-04: When descending Mount Kupe we had astonishing views of a displaying pair, just besides Max’x Trail. A third bird was also observed. 174.Black & White Shrike Flycatcher Bias musicus 23-04: A pair at Mount Kupe. 175.Senegal Batis Batis senegalensis A total of 12 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 30-04: 2 near Poli.

176.Western Black-headed Batis Batis minor ssp.erlangeri 18-04: 1 male at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands + 1 at Baba village 2. 177.Grey-headed Batis Batis orientalis 26-04: A pair at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 178.Brown-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea 16-04: 10 observed along the trail up Mount Cameroon. 19-04: 2 mankon Sacred Forest, bamenda Highlands. 25-04: heard at Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 3 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 04-05: a single bird at Campo Ma’an N.P. 05-05: a single bird near Edea. 179.Banded Wattle-eye Platysteira laticincta Near-threatened/Near-endemic 18-04: 8 observed of this endemic wattle-eye at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 180.Chestnut Wattle-eye Dyaphorophyia castanea 22-04: 5 at Mount Kupe. A total of 7 on 3 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P.

41

Cameroon April/May 2016

181.Black-necked Wattle-eye Dyaphorophyia chalybea Near-endemic 23-04: 3 at Mount Kupe. 182.White-spotted Wattle-eye Platysteira tonsa 03-05: 1 male at Campo Ma’an N.P. (Frans only) 04-05: 1 pair at Campo Ma’an N.P. 183.Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye Dyaphorophyia concreta A total of 4 on 3 dates at Mount Kupe. 184.White-crested Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus A total of 24 (2 flocks) on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch.

185.Fiery-breasted Bushshrike Malaconotus cruentus 21-04: Heard at Mount Kupe. 22-04: Several times brief views of a very skulking bird. 186.Grey-headed Bushshrike Malaconotus blanchoti 27-04: 1 at Ngaoudaba Ranch. (Jan Hein only) 187.Green-breasted Bushshrike Malaconotus gladiator Vulnerable/Near-endemic 21-04: Finally, high up Mount Kupe, 2 birds open in the canopy! 188.Mount Kupe Bushshrike Chlorophoneus kupeensis Endangered/Endemic 23-04: Unfortunately only heard on Mount Kupe. 189.Many-coloured Bushshrike Chlorophoneus multicolour 23-04: Again only heard on Mount Kupe. 190.Bocage’s Bushshrike Chlorophoneus bocagei 19-04: nice views of 2 birds at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. 21-04: Heard on Mount Kupe. 191.Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis 19-04: 2 near Bamenda. 192.Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegallus 26-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 3 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 30-04: 3 near Poli. 193.Red-eyed Puffback Dryoscopus senegalensis 19-04: a male at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. Single birds on 3 dates at Mount Kupe. 194.Northern Puffback Dryoscopus gambensis 19-04: 1 at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. 26-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 11 on 3 dates at Benoue N.P. 195.Mountain Sooty Boubou Laniarius poensis 16-04: 3 at Mount Cameroon. 23-04: 1 at Mount Kupe. 196.Luhder’s Bushshrike Laniarius luehderi 19-04: 3 at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. Heard on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. 197.Tropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus 19-04: 2 near Bamenda. A total of 3 on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 8 on 2 dates at benoue N.P.

42

Cameroon April/May 2016

198.Yellow-breasted Boubou Laniarius atroflavus Near-endemic 16-04: 2 at Mount Cameroon. 18-04: 10 in forest patch, above Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 199.Grey Cuckooshrike Coracina caesia 16-04: 2 at mount Cameroon. 200.White-breasted Cuckooshrike Coracina pectoralis 26-04: 4 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 201.Blue Cuckooshrike Coracina azurea 04-05: 3 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 202.Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike Campephaga phoenicea A total of 7 on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 29-04: 4 at Benoue N.P. 203.Petit’s Cuckooshrike Campephaga petiti 19-04: 1 male at Mankon’s Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. 204.Purple-throated Cuckooshrike Campephaga quiscalina 28-04: 1 female at Benoue N.P. 205.Emin’s Shrike Lanius gubernator 30-04: A pair at Poli. 206.Mackinnon’s Shrike Lanius mackinnoni 16-04: 1 at Mount Cameroon. 18-04: 2 at Lake Awing. Single birds on 3 dates near Nyasoso, Mount Kupe. 207.Northern Fiscal Lanius humeralis Single birds on 3 dates in the Bamenda Highlands. 208.African Golden Oriole Oriolus auratus Up to 2 daily at Ngaoundaba Ranch and Benoue N.P. 209.Western Black-headed Oriole Oriolus brachyrhynchus 04-05: A single bird at Campo Ma’an N.P. 210.Black-winged Oriole Oriolus nigripennis 16-04: 1 at Mount Cameroon. 19-04: 1 at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. 22-04: 1 at Mount Kupe. 211.Square-tailed Drongo Dicrurus (ludwigii) sharpei 26-04: 2 at forest patch, Ngaoundaba Ranch. 212.Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis Up to 6 daily at Ngaoundaba ranch and Benoue N.P. 30-04: 2 near Poli. 213.Velvet-mantled Drongo Dicrurus modestus Near-threatened 04-05: A single bird at Campo Ma’an N.P. 214.African Shrike Flycatcher Megabyas flammulatus 16-04: 1 pair at Mount Cameroon. 215.Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher Trochocercus nitens 02-05: 3 at Campo Ma’an N.P. Finally good views of this skulker. 216.Rufous-vented Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone rufocinerea 04-05: A single bird identified at Campo Ma’an N.P. 217.Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone rufiventer A total of 3 on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. A total of 9 on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 218.Bates’s Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone batesi 21-04: 2 along Max’s Trail, Mount Kupe. 219.African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis Observed on 8 dates: Limbe, Bamenda ighlands, Ngaoundaba Ranch, Benoue N.P. 220.Piapiac Ptilostomus afer 25-04: 2 near Ngaoudaba Ranch. 27-04: 1 en route to Benoue N.P. 30-04: 1 near Poli. 221.Pied Crow Corvus albus Observed on 13 dates. 222.Grey-necked Rockfowl Picathartes oreas Vulnerable 02-05: Great views of a single bird at Campo Ma’an N.P.

43

Cameroon April/May 2016

223.African Blue Flycatcher Elminia longicauda A total of 23 on 10 dates observed.

224.White-bellied Crested Flycatcher Elminia albiventris 16-04: 7 at Mount Cameroon. 18-04: 3 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. A total of 5 on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. 225.White-shouldered Black Tit Parus guineensis A total of 9 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 226.White-bellied Tit Parus albiventris 18-04: 2 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 227.Yellow Penduline Tit Anthoscopus parvulus 29-04: 4 at Benoue N.P. 228.Western Spotted Creeper Salpornis (salvadori) emini 26-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 8 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 229.Western Nicator Nicator chloris 21-04: 1 at Mount Kupe. 22-04: Heard at Mount Kupe. A total of 4 on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 05-05: Heard at forest patch near Edea. 230.Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea 30-04: 2 birds displaying near Poli. 231.Sun Lark Galerida modesta 26-04: 3 showed nicely at poles, just outside Ngaoundaba Ranch. 232.Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus Common in the south. 233.Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor Common in the north. 234.Cameroon Mountain Greenbul Arizelocichla montanus Near-threatened/Near-endemic 16-04: 2 at Mount Cameroon. 18-04: 2 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 235.Western Mountain Greenbul Arizelocichla tephrolaema Near-endemic 16-04: Common at mount Cameroon. 18-04: Common at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. A total of 10 on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. 236.Golden Greenbul Calyptocichla serinus A total of 3 on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. A total of 4 on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 237.Little Greenbul Eurillas virens 16-04: Heard at Mount Cameroon. 17-04: a single bird at Limbe. Heard on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. Up to 10 daily at Campo Ma’an N.P. 05-05: 2 near Edea.

44

Cameroon April/May 2016

238.Ansorge’s Greenbul Eurillas ansorgei A total of 6 on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. 239.Plain Greenbul Eurillas curvirostris A total of 3 on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 240.Little Grey Greenbul Eurillas gracilis 22-04: 2 at Mount Kupe. A total of 4 on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 241.Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Eurillas latirostris 21-04: 1 at Mount Kupe. A total of 6 on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 242.Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator Single birds on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. 02-05: 3 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 243.Spotted Greenbul Ixonotus guttatus A total of 30 on 3 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 244.Yellow-throated Leaflove Atimastillas flavicollis 19-04: 2 at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. Daily a few at Ngaoundaba Ranch and Benoue N.P. 245.Swamp Palm Bulbul Thescelocichla leucopleura A total of 12 on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 246.Red-tailed Leaflove Phyllastrephus scandens 25-04: 4 at Ngaoudaba Ranch. 26-04: Heard and 1 seen at Ngaoudaba Ranch. 247.Cameroon Olive Greenbul Phyllastrephus poensis Near-endemic 18-04: 2 at Lake Awing. 23-04: 1 at Mount Kupe. 248.Icterine Greenbul Phyllastrephus icterinus Single birds on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 249.Grey-headed Greenbul Phyllastrephus poliocephalus Near-threatened/Near-endemic 21-04: 6 along Max’s Trail at Mount Kupe. 250.Yellow-lored Bristlebill Bleda notatus 03-05: 1 at Campo Ma’an N.P. Real skulker. 05-05: heard and 1 seen at forest patch near Edea. 251.Red-tailed Greenbul Criniger calurus A total of 4 on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 252.White-bearded Greenbul Criniger ndussumensis 23-04: 6 at Mount Kupe. 03-05: 1 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 253.Square-tailed Saw-wing Psalidoprocne nitens A total of 6 on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. 03-05: 1 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 254.Mountain Saw-wing Psalidoprocne fuliginosa Near-endemic 16-04: 10 at Mount Cameroon. 255.Petit’s Saw-wing Psalidoprocne petiti Recorded on 9 dates: Bamenda Highlands, Mount Kupe, Ngaoundaba Ranch and near Edea. 256.Common House Martin Delichon urbica 25-04: 50+ at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 26-04: A single bird at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 27-04: 4 at Benoue N.P. 30-04: 2 near Poli. 257.Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica A total of 6 on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. A total of 10 on 3 dates at benoue N.P. 258.Ethiopian Swallow Hirundo aethiopica Recorded on 8 dates throughout the country. 259.Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii Single birds on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 260.Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula 17-04: 1 near Bamenda. 18-04: 10+ in Bamenda Highlands. 261.Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica Recorded on 13 dates, throughout the country.

45

Cameroon April/May 2016

262.Rufous-chested Swallow Cecropis semirufa 17-04: 4 at ?? 26-04: 2 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 04-05: 6 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 05-05: 4 near Edea. 263.Mosque Swallow Hirundo senegalensis A total of 13 on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 264.Preuss’s Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon preussi Recorded on 7 dates, mostly at bridges. 265.Forest Swallow Petrochelidon fuliginosa Near-endemic 21-04; At least 1 identified at Mount Kupe. 04-05: possibly 2 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 266.Moustached Grass Warbler Melocichla mentalis 28-04: 3 at Benoue N.P. 267.Yellow Longbill Macrosphenus flavicans 03-05: 1 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 268.Grey Longbill Macrosphenus concolor 03-05: Heard at campo Ma’an N.P. but frustratingly no views. 269.Northern Crombec Sylvietta brachyuran Single birds on 2 dates at benoue N.P. 270.Lemon-bellied Crombec Sylvietta denti 03-05: 2 at Campo Ma’an N.P.

271.Chestnut-capped Flycatcher Erythrocercus mccallii 21-04: 2 at Mount Kupe. 02-05: 2 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 272.Green Hylia Hylia prasina Heard on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. A total of 5 on 3 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 273.Black-capped Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus herberti Near-endemic Single birds on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. 274.Greater Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens 21-04: 1 at edge of Nyasoso, Mount Kupe area. A total of 3 on 2 dates at crater lake, Ngaoundaba Ranch. 275.Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 19-04: 1 heard and seen at Manon Secret Forest, Bamenda Highlands. 276.Dark-capped Yellow Warbler Iduna natalensis 26-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 277.Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina 28-04: 1 at Benoue N.P. 278.Cameroon Scrub Warbler Bradypterus (lopezi) camerunensis 16-04: 1 at Mount Cameroon. It took a while… 279.Bangwa Forest Warbler Bradypterus bangwaensis Near-threatened/Near-endemic 18-04: Great and close views of a very cooperative bird at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 280.Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops 21-04: a single bird at Mount Kupe.

46

Cameroon April/May 2016

281.Whistling Cisticola Cisticola lateralis 19-04: 2 near Bamenda. 282.Chattering Cisticola Cisticola anonymus 16-04: 2 lower area of Mount Cameroon. Single birds on 2 dates near Bamenda. Heard and 1 seen on 3 dates at Mount Kupe. Single birds on 2 dates near Campo. 05-05: 1 near Edea. 283.Brown-backed Cisticola Cisticola chubby 16-04: 10+ at Mount Cameroon. 18-04: 6 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands.

284.Winding Cisticola Cisticola marginatus 20-04: 10+ at small swamp, south of Santa. 27-04: 2 at Dang Lake. 285.Dorst’s Cisticola Cisticola dorsti A total of 4 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 30-04: 4 at Poli. 286.Rufous Cisticola Cisticola rufus 28-04: A single bird at benoue N.P. 287.Pectoral-patch Cisticola Cisticola brunnescens 18-04: 10+ at grasslands above Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands.

288.Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava 19-04: 4 near Bamenda. A total of 16 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 30-04: 4 near Poli. 289.Banded Prinia Prinia bairdii 16-04: 3 at Mount Cameroon.

47

Cameroon April/May 2016

290.White-chinned Prinia Schistolais leucopogon 17-04: a single bird at Limbe. 19-04: 10 at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. A total of 4 on 2 dates at Ngaoudaba Ranch. 27-04: 3 at Benoue N.P. 291.Red-winged Warbler Heliolais erythropterus 28-04: A single bird at Benoue N.P. 292.Green Longtail Urolais epichlorus Near-endemic 16-04: 10+ at Mount Cameroon. 18-04: 6 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. A total of 5 on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. 293.Black-collared Apalis Oreolais pulchra 18-04: 10 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands, 1 heard at Baba 2 village. 294.Red-winged Grey Warbler Drymocichla incana 26-04: 2 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 8 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 295.Black-throated Apalis Apalis jacksoni 23-04: 4 at Mount Kupe. 296.Black-capped Apalis Apalis nigriceps A total of 7 on 3 dates at Mount Kupe. 297.Bamenda Apalis Apalis bamendae Endemic 19-04: great views of 2 at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. 298.Grey Apalis Apalis cinerea 16-04: 4 at Mount Cameroon. 18-04: 4 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 299.Oriole Warbler Hypergerus atriceps A total of 4 on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 3 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 300.Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata Recorded on 12 dates. 301.Yellow-browed Camaroptera Camaroptera superciliaris 02/3-05: 1 at Campo Ma’an N.P.

302.Olive-green Camaroptera Camaroptera chloronota Ingle birds on 3 dates at Mount Kupe. 303.Black-faced Rufous Warbler Bathmocercus rufus A total of 9 on 3 dates at Mount Kupe. Some very nice views. 03-05: 1 female at Campo Ma’an N.P. 304.White-tailed Warbler Poliolais lopesi Near-threatened/Near-endemic 23-04: Eventually 1 seen high up Max’s Trail, Mount Kupe. 305.Senegal Eremomela Eremomela pusilla Up to 10 daily at Ngaoudaba Ranch and Benoue N.P. 306.Rufous-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps 23-04: 4 at Mount Kupe. 03-05: 5 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 307.Spotted Thrush-Babbler Ptyrticus turdinus 26-04: 3 at gallery forest patch at Ngaoundaba Ranch. Astonishing close views of this notorious skulker.

48

Cameroon April/May 2016

308.Black-capped Illadopsis Illadopsis cleaver 22-04: 1 at ant swarm at Mount Kupe. 23-04: Heard at Mount Kupe. 309.Brown Illadopsis Illadopsis fulvescens 04-05: 2 at Campo. 310.White-throated Mountain-Babbler Kupeornis gilberti Endangered/Near-endemic A total of 16 on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. It took a while but eventually we all had good views. Flocks normally travels fast and erratic through the canopy, which made it difficult to obtain unobscured views. 311.Black-capped Babbler Turdoides reinwardtii 25-04: 3 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 26-04: Heard at the same place. 312.Brown Babbler Turdoides plebejus 26-04: 6 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 26 on 3 dates at Benoue N.P. 313.African Hill Babbler Pseudoalcippe abyssinica 16-04: 10+ at Mount Cameroon. 314.Ruwenzori Hill Babbler Pseudoalcippe atriceps 18-04: 10+ at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 21-04: A single bird at Mount Kupe. 315.Garden Warbler Sylvia borin 19-04: A single bird of this west-palearctic migrant was observed at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. 316.Mount Cameroon Speirops Speirops melanocephalus Vulnerable/Endemic 16-04: 15 at Mount Cameroon. When we finally reached the treeline at 2000 m. and endured some heavy rain we obtained great views of a very confiding flock of this species. 317.African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis Common at Ngaoundaba Ranch and Benoue N.P. 318.Forest White-eye Zosterops stenocricotus 16-04; Common at Mount Cameroon. A total of 8 on 2 dates at the Bamenda Highlands. 1-2 daily at Mount Kupe. 319.Yellow-bellied Hyliota Hyliota flavigaster A total of 4 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 320.Southern Hyliota Hyliota australis 21-04: A single bird at Mount Kupe. 321.Violet-backed Hyliota Hyliota violacea 03-05: 3 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 322.Purple-headed Starling Hylopsar purpureiceps A total of 4 on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. 323.Splendid Starling Lamprotornis splendidus 19-04: 1 near Bamenda. 20-04: 2 on transit. 26-04: 20+ at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 27-04: 10+ at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 324.Purple Starling Lamprotornis purpureus A total of 12 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 325.Long-tailed Starling Lamprotornis caudatus Commonly and daily observed at Benoue N.P. 326.Violet-backed Starling Cinnyrcinclus leucogaster A total of 14 on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 28-04: A single bird at Benoue N.P. 327.Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathus hartlaubi 17-04: 6 at Limbe Botanical Gardens. 328.Waller’s Starling Onychognathus walleri 16-04: 3 at Mount Cameroon. 329.Neumann’s Starling Onychognathus neumanni 19-04: 9 at rocky inselberg near Bamenda. 330.Narrow-tailed Starling Poeoptera lugubris 20-04: 1 at Mount Kupe. 22-04: 20+ at Mount Kupe.

49

Cameroon April/May 2016

331.Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus 18-04: 10 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. Up to 10 daily at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 332.White-tailed Rufous Thrush Neocossyphus poensis 22-04: 1 at Mount Kupe. 03-05: 1 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 333.Fraser’s Rufous Thrush Stizorhina fraseri 22-04: 1 at Mount Kupe. 334.Crossley’s Ground Thrush Zoothera crossleyi Near-threatened/Near-endemic Heard on 2 dates at Mount Kupe but unfortunately no views. 335.African Thrush Turdus pelios Observed on 13 dates, including the distinctice race on Mount Cameroon. 336.Fire-crested Alethe Alethe castanea 04-05: Heard and 1 seen at forest patch at Campo Ma’an. 337.Brown-chested Alethe Pseudalethe poliocephala 22-04: 3-4 at antswarm, Mount Kupe. 23-04: 1 seen at Mount Kupe. 338.Gabon Forest Robin Stiphrornis (erythrothorax) gabonensis 03-05: Nice views of 1 which came in when taping Yellow-lored Bristlebill at Campo Ma’an N.P. 339.Alexander’s Akalat Sheppardia (bocagei) poensis 21-04: Heard at Mount Kupe. 340.White-bellied Robin-Chat Cossyphicula roberti Single birds observed on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. Good views. 341.Mountain Robin-Chat Cossypha isabellae Near-endemic 16-04: 6 at Mount Cameroon. Easy to observe. Ssp.isabellae 18-04: 3 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. Ssp.batesi

342.Grey-winged Robin-Chat Cossypha polioptera A total of 3 on 2 dates at forest patch, next to crater lake at Ngaoundaba Ranch. This skulker gave very nice views on 26-04. 343.Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat Cossypha niveicapilla 19-04: Heard at Mankon Sacredt Forest, Bamenda Highlands. 22-04: 1 at Mount Kupe. 344.White-crowned Robin-Chat Cossypha albicapilla 26-04: 2 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 13 on 3 dates at Benoue N.P. 345.Whinchat Saxicola rubetra 27-04: 2 at Benoue N.P. 346.African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus 18-04: 10+ at grassland above Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 347.Heuglin’s Wheatear Oenanthe heuglini 30-04: 6 near Poli. 348.Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris A total of 12 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 30-04: 1 near Poli.

50

Cameroon April/May 2016

349.White-fronted Black Chat Myrrmecocichla albifrons 30-04: 1 pair near Poli. 350.African Forest Flycatcher Fraseria ocreata 02-05: 1 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 351.Northern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis edolioides A total of 5 on 2 dates, Bamenda Highlands. A total of 8 on 3 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 7 on 3 dates at Benoue N.P. 30-04: 1 near Poli. 352.Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus Single birds on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 4 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 30-04: 1 near Poli.

353.Olivaceous Flycatcher Muscicapa olivascens 03-05: This rare flycatcher was seen at Campo Ma’an N.P. 354.Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Single birds on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 28-04: 4 at Benoue N.P. 355.Gambaga Flycatcher Muscicapa gambagae 25-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch 356.Cassin’s Flycatcher Muscicapa cassini 17-04: 2 at Limbe. 03-05: 1 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 357.African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta 16-04: Common at Mount Cameroon. 18-04: 1 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands.

51

Cameroon April/May 2016

358.Yellow-footed Flycatcher Muscicapa sethsmithi A total of 5 on 3 dates at Mount Kupe.

359.Dusky Blue Flycatcher Muscicapa comitata 19-04: 1 at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. 23-04: 1 at Mount Kupe. 360.Sooty Flycatcher Muscicapa infuscate 23-04: 3 at Mount Kupe. A total of 9 on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P.

361.Grey Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus 23-04: 1 at Mount Kupe. 25-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 28-04: 1 at Benoue N.P. 362.European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca 27-04: 1 at Benoue N.P. 363.Fraser’s Sunbird Deleornis fraseri Single birds on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. A total of 5 on 3 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. A very distinctive, warbler-like sunbird with obvious eye ring and light-coloured lower mandible. 364.Western Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes longuemarei A total of 3 on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 365.Grey-chinned Sunbird Anthreptes (rectirostris) tephrolaema Single birds on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. 366.Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris 17-04: 1 at Limbe. 19-04: 1 near Bamenda. 22-04: 1 at Mount Kupe. A total of 13 on 3 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P.

52

Cameroon April/May 2016

367.Pygmy Sunbird Hedydipna platura A total of 4 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 368.Reichenbach’s Sunbird Anabathmis reichenbachii 17-04:10+ at Limbe. 21-04; 1 at Mount Kupe. A total of 7 on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P.

369.Green-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra verticalis 16-04: 1 near Buea. 18-04: 1 Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 25-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. A total of 4 on 3 dates at Benoue N.P. 370.Blue-throated Brown Sunbird Cyanomitra cyanolaema 23-04: 2 males at Mount Kupe. 371.Cameroon Sunbird Cyanomitra oritis Near-endemic 16-04: 1 at Mount Cameroon. 18-04: 2 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 19-04: 1 at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. A total of 12 on 3 dates at Mount Kupe. 372.Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea Observed on 9 dates in the south. 373.Carmelite Sunbird Chalcomitra fuliginosa 05-05: Great views of a nice male at our hotel near Edea. This was a narrow escape as we observed this bird, while boarding the bus for our drive to the airport. 374.Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis A total of 5 on 3 dates at Benoue N.P. 30-04: 1 near Poli. 375.Olive-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris chloropygius 16-04: 1 at Mount Cameroon. 17-04: 2 at Limbe. 19-04: 3 near Bamenda. A total of 6 on 2 days at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 02-05: 1 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 05-05: 3 near Edea. 376.Tiny Sunbird Cinnyris minullus 17-04: possibly this species at Limbe? 3 males on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 377.Northern Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris reichenowi 16-04: 8 at Mount Cameroon. 18-04: 4 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 378.Beautiful Sunbird Cinnyris pulchellus Up to 10 daily at Benoue N.P. 379.Orange-tufted Sunbird Cinnyris bouvieri 18-04: 3 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 19-04: 1 at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands.

53

Cameroon April/May 2016

380.Splendid Sunbird Cinnyris coccinigastrus A total of 6 on 2 dates near Bamenda. A total of 10 on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 29-04: 2 at Benoue N.P. 381.Johanna’s Sunbird Cinnyris johannae 2 female type birds on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. 02-05: 1 female at Campo Ma’an N.P. 382.Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus 25-04: 2 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 383.Ursula’s Sunbird Cinnyris ursulae Near-threatened/Endemic 23-04: Good and close views of 1 along Max’s Trail, Mount Kupe. (Henk H. only) 384.Copper Sunbird Cinnyris cupreus 19-04: 6 at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. 30-04: 1 near Poli. 03-05: 1 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 385.Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser superciliosus A total of 3 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 386.Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus Observed on 9 dates. 387.Bush Petronia Gymnoris dentate 27-04: 1 on transit to Benoue N.P. 29-04: 30+ at Benoue N.P. 388.Baglafecht Weaver Ploceus baglafecht 18-04: 2 at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 19-05: 5 at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. 389.Bannerman’s Weaver Ploceus bannermanni Vulnerable/Near-endemic 18-04: 4 of this range-restricted endemic at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 18-04: 1 male at Baba 2 Village. 390.Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis 21-04: 2 at Mount Kupe. Single birds on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch 391.Black-necked Weaver Ploceus nigricollis 17-04: 10+ at Limbe. 26-04: 4 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 05-05: 3 near Edea. 392.Black-billed Weaver Ploceus melanogaster 16-04: 3 at Mount Cameroon. 18-04: 4 at Baba Village 2, Bamenda Highlands. 393.Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus Observed on 16 dates throughout the country. 394.Orange Weaver Ploceus aurantius 05-05: A single bird near Edea was our only observation. 395.Vieillot’s Black Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus Observed on 10 dates in the south. 396.Yellow-mantled Weaver Ploceus tricolor 02-05: 2 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 397.Dark-backed (Forest) Weaver Ploceus bicolor 16-04: 4 at Mount Cameroon. 23-04: 2 at Mount Kupe. 398.Brown-capped Weaver Ploceus insignis 18-04: A single bird at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 399.Cassin’s (Black-throated) Malimbe Malimbe cassini A total of 10 on 3 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 400.Blue-billed (Gray’s) Malimbe Malimbe nitens 04-05: A single bird at Campo Ma’an N.P. 401.Red-headed Malimbe Malimbe rubricollis A total of 3 on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 402.Crested Malimbe Malimbe malimbicus 02-05: 2 at Campo Ma’an N.P. 403.Red-headed/Red-billed Quelea Quelea rubriceps/erythrops 26-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 404.Black-winged Bishop Euplectes hordaeceus 29-04: 10 at Benoue N.P.

54

Cameroon April/May 2016

405.Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis 18-04: Common at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 19-04: 1 near Bamenda. 406.Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer 05-05: 3 in breeding plumage near Edea. 407.Yellow-mantled Widowbird Euplectes macrourus 20-04: 10+ at swampy area, during a road side stop between Bamenda – Nyasoso. Single birds on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 408.Marsh Widowbird Euplectes hartlaubi 25-02: 2 identified at Dang Lake. 409.White-breasted Nigrita Nigrita fusconotus A total of 3 on 2 dates at Mount Kupe. 410.Chestnut-breasted Nigrita Nigrita bicolor A total of 4 on 2 dates at Campo Ma’an N.P. 411.Pale-fronted Nigrita Nigrita luteifrons 17-04: 1 at Limbe. 21-04: 1 at Nyasoso. 412.Grey-headed Nigrita Nigrita canicapillus 17-04: 2 at Limbe. 19-04: 8 at Mankon Sacred Forest Patch, Bamenda Highlands. 22-04: 3 at Mount Kupe. 05-05: 2 near Edea.

413.Shelley’s Oliveback Nesocharis shelleyi Near-endemic 16-04: 3 at Mount Cameroon. 23-04: 1 at Mount Kupe. 414.Grey-headed Oliveback Nesocharis capistrata 19-04: 1 at Mankon Sacred Forest, Bamenda Highlands. 415.Red-faced Crimsonwing Cryptospiza reichenowi 16-04: 1 at Mount Cameroon. 416.Black-bellied Seedcracker Pyrenestes ostrinus 17-04: 1 pair at Limbe Botanical Gardens. 05-05: 1 male along the Sanaga river, Edea. 417.Western Bluebill Spermophaga haematina 17-04: 1 male at Limbe Botanical Gardens. 04-05: 1 pair in forest patch at Campo Ma’an. 418.Brown Twinspot Clystospiza monteiri A total of 20 on 3 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 419.Dybowski”s Twinspot Euschistospiza dybowskii 26-04: 2 single birds at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 420.Black-bellied Firefinch Lagonosticta rara 26-04: 1 at Ngaoundaba Ranch. Single birds on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 421.Bar-breasted Firefinch Lagonosticta rufopicta A total of 6 on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch.

55

Cameroon April/May 2016

422.African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata A total of 3 on 2 dates near Bamenda. A total of 7 on 2 dates at Ngaoundaba Ranch. 423.Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala 28-04: 3 at Benoue N.P. 424.Black-faced Firefinch Lagonosticta vinacea ssp. nigricollis A total of 6 on 2 dates at Benoue N.P. 30-04: 3 near Poli. 425.Red-cheeked Cordon-Bleu Uraeginthus bengalus Daily observed at Ngaoundaba Ranch and Benoue N.P. 426.Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda Observed on 10 dates. 427.Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild 20-04: 10 + swampy area between Limbe and Bamenda. 428.Black-crowned Waxbill Estrilda nonnula Observed on 10 dates. 429.Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullata Observed on 11 dates. 430.Black & White Mannikin Spermestes bicolor 17-04: 2 at Limbe. 04/05-05: 10 around our hotel in Edea. 431.Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura 04/05-05: 1 to 2 around our hotel in Edea. 432.Grey-headed Wagtail Motacilla thunbergi 18-04: 1 at grassland between cattle at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 433.Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara 19-04: 2 Sabka area, near Bamenda. 434.African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp Daily up to 6 at Ngaoundaba Ranch.

435.Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus 18-04: 1 near Bamenda. 27-04: 1 Ngaoundaba Ranch. 04-05: 1 near Edea. 436.Bannerman’s Pipit Anthus bannermanni 29-04: 1 pair observed at rocky inselberg, Benoue N.P. Distinctive bird. 437.Long-legged Pipit Anthus palidiventris 05-05: 1 pair opposite the Duck Pond near Douala. 438.Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambica 16-04: 2 at Mount Cameroon. 19-04: 4 near Bamenda. 21-04: 1 at Nyasoso. Up to 10 daily at Ngaoundaba Ranch and Benoue N.P. 439.West African Seedeater Crithagra (gularis) canicapilla 30-04: 3 near Poli. (Jan Hein & Henk H. only)

56

Cameroon April/May 2016

440.Thick-billed Seedeater Crithagra burtoni 16-04: 5 at Mount Cameroon, around the treeline. 441.Oriole Finch Linurgus olivaceus 16-04; 10+ at Mount Cameroon. 18-04: 1 juvenile at Lake Awing, Bamenda Highlands. 442.Gosling’s Bunting Emberiza (tahapisi) gosling 29-04: 2 at rocky inselberg, Benoue N.P. 30-04: 2 near Poli. 443.Brown-rumped Bunting Emberiza affinis 30-04: 3 near Poli.

A total of 443 species recorded.

57

Cameroon April/May 2016

MAMMALS OBSERVED CAMEROON APRIL/MAY 2016 (Compiled by Jan Hein van Steenis)

1. Western Tree Hyrax (Dendrohyrax dorsalis) Heard at Nyasoso and Campo; one seen badly at the former location. 2. Gabon Talopoin (Miopithecus ogouensis) 1 in a remnant forest patch near the Sanaga River. 3. Tantalus Monkey (Chlorocebus tantalus) 4 seen at Ngaoundaba, 1 at Bénoué. 4. Red-eared Guenon (Cercopithecus erythrotis) 3 in a mixed troop at Nyasoso. 5. Mona Monkey (Cercopithecus mona) 1 in a mixed troop at Nyasoso. 6. Greater Spot-nosed Monkey (Cercopithecus nictitans) about 5 in a mixed troop at Nyasoso. 7. Preuss’s Monkey (Cercopithecus preussi) At least 1 heard at Mount Cameroon. 8. Olive Baboon (Papio anubis) Several at Bénoué, some entering the Camp. 9. Mantled Guereza (Colobus guereza) Up to twelve seen in the riparian vegetation around the camp a Bénoué. 10. Striped Ground Squirrel (Xerus erythropus) 1 at Bénoué. 11. Red-legged Sun Squirrel (Heliosciurus rufobrachium) 1 at Nyasoso. 12. African Dwarf Squirrel (Myosciurus pumilio) 1 very close at Mount Kupé. 13. Squirrel spec. One at Mount Cameroon with a dark-striped back. 14. Gerbil spec. 1 jumped over the road in quite spectacular fashion as we left Bénoué in the dark. 15. Cape Hare (Lepus capensis) 1 in short grass just north of the camp at Bénoué. 16. Fruit Bat spec. 100s near a roost sight close to Bamenda. 18. Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) Easily found in the river downstream of the camp at Bénoué, with up to 60 seen. Fresh tracks showed they also leave the river by day… 19. Western Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus major) Up to 10 a day seen at Bénoué. 20 Giant Eland (Taurotragus derbianus) 10 along the park road at Bénoué. 21 Kéwel (Bushbuck) (Tragelaphus scriptus) 1 to 2 coming to drink upstream from the camp at Bénoué. 22 Red-flanked Duiker (Cephalophus rufilatus) A few at Bénoué, with great sightings in the short grass north of the camp. 23 Roan Antelope (Hippotragus equinus) 5 along the park road at Bénoué. 24 Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) 5 along the park road at Bénoué. 25 Buffon’s Kob (Kobus kob kob) Up to 20 at Bénoué.

58

Cameroon April/May 2016

Squirrels and bats were (mostly) left unidentified. A large ungulate (possibly Red River Hog) at Campo-Ma’an was seen too badly to be identified; the monkeys at Campo Ma’an were too skittish for good views.

59