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BIRDING THE AFRICA SPECIALISTS Ultimate including Zambia 2019 Tour Report © Yann Muzika © Yann

African Pitta

Text by tour leader Michael Mills Photos by tour participants Yann Muzika, John Clark and Roger Holmberg SUMMARY Our first Ultimate Zambia Tour was a resounding success. It was divided into three more manageable sections, namely the North-East Extension, © John Clark © John Main Zambia Tour and Zambia Pitta Tour, each with its own delights.

Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding On the North-East Pre-Tour we started off driving We commenced the Main Zambia Tour at the Report Tour Africa Birding north from Lusaka to the Bangweulu area, where spectacular Mutinondo Wilderness. It was apparent we found good numbers of Katanga Masked that the woodland and mushitu/gallery Weaver coming into breeding plumage. Further were finishing breeding, making it hard work to Rosy-throated Longclaw north at Lake Mweru we enjoyed excellent views of track down all the key targets, but we enjoyed good Zambian Yellow Warbler (split from Papyrus Yellow views of Bar-winged Weaver and Laura's Woodland Warbler) and more Katanga Masked Weavers not Warbler and found a pair of Bohm's Flycatchers finally connected with a pair of Whyte's , , Bennett's , Amur , yet in breeding plumage. From here we headed east feeding young. Other highlights included African which we managed to flush. From Mutinondo Finch, African Scops Owl, White-crested to the Mbala area we then visited the Saisi River Barred Owlet, Miombo Rock and Spotted we headed west with our ultimate destination as Helmetshrike and African Spotted Creeper. Next near the Tanzanian border, where several lovely Creeper. However, the dambo were the Mwinilunga area in the far north-west of the on our itinerary was the lower Valley of male Tanzanian Masked Weavers were seen in full very productive and we flushed Black-rumped country. We broke the journey with two nights the Siavonga/Chirundu area where we enjoyed breeding plumage. Returning south we paused at Button-Quail, five Blue Quail and good numbers of en route, seeing a good number of new birds en spectacular views of African Pitta, our of Shiwa Ng'andu with Laura's Woodland Warbler and Locust Finch, and watched a lovely African Grass route, including Dickinson's Kestrel, Black-necked the trip, on two consecutive mornings, and other Great Snipe. Owl hunting at dusk. On our last morning we Eremomela, Red-throated Twinspot, Chestnut- highlights included Dwarf , Livingstone's backed Sparrow-Weaver, Pale-billed , Flycatcher, African Broadbill and Three-banded Bocage's Akalat and , the latter Courser. Our quick success with the meant treating us to superb views. In the Mwinilunga that we could spend some additional time in area we enjoyed specials such as Margaret's Batis, miombo at Lazy J Ranch on the outskirts of Lusaka, Grimwood's Longclaw and Dambo where a few hours produced an impressive list of alongside more widespread like Southern birds including Pale-billed Hornbill, Souza's , White-faced Owl, Ovambo Sparrowhawk and Rufous-bellied Tit, Miombo Tit, African Spotted © Yann Muzika © Yann Rosy-throated Longclaw. The long drive back to Creeper and Bushveld . A pair of Black-faced Lusaka brought Sharp-tailed Starling, Bohm's Bee- Canaries in Lusaka was one of the biggest surprises eater and, as our final new bird of the Main Zambia of the trip. Tour, the endemic and localised Chaplin's Barbet. This followed on immediately with our Zambia Top 10 birds seen Pitta Tour which kicked off in Livingstone, as we travelled west along the Zambezi River to the 1. African Pitta Machile area to find the striking little Black-cheeked 2. Black-cheeked Lovebird Lovebird, with Southern Carmine Bee-eater en route. Along the river we found Slaty , African 3. Chaplin's Barbet Skimmer, African Pygmy Goose, Southern Brown- 4. Bar-winged Weaver, throated Weaver and Lesser Jacana, and in the arid woodlands, Bennett's Woodpecker, a surprise pair of 5. Bamboo Warbler Dusky Lark and another Dickinson's Kestrel. From 6. Shelley's the Upper Zambezi River we headed for the Nkanga area to see Chaplin's Barbet, and other highlights 7. Grimwood's Longclaw here included Racket-tailed Roller, Shelley's Francolin, African Broadbill, Shelley's Sunbird, 7. Dusky Lark Miombo Pied Barbet, Greater Painted-Snipe, female 9. Blue Quail Pennant-winged Nightjar, Red-throated Twinspot, Black-cheeked Lovebird 9. Dickinson's Kestrel

2 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 3 ESSENTIAL DETAILS African Pitta

Dates 21 Nov: Mutinondo to Nsobe Camp © John Clark © John North-East Pre-Tour: 11-18 November 22 Nov: Nsobe Camp to Mutanda Nature Lodge Main Zambia Tour:17-28 November 23 Nov: Mutanda to Kalwelwa (Mwinilunga) Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Report Tour Africa Birding Zambia Pitta Tour: 28 November to 6 December 24-25 Nov: Kalwelwa 26 Nov: Chitunta and Mayau Itinerary 27 Nov: Mayau to Chingola 11 Nov: Lusaka to Serenje 28 Nov: Chingola to Lusaka//arrive Livingstone 12 Nov: Serenje to Nchelenge 29 Nov: Lusaka to Livingstone to Upper Zambezi 13 Nov: Lake Mweru 30 Nov: Lovebird Day Trip 14 Nov: Nchelenge to Mbala 1 Dec: Upper Zambezi to Choma/Nkanga 15 Nov: Saisi River to Shiwa Ng'andu 2 Dec: Choma/Nkanga 16 Nov: Shiwa Ng'andu 3 Dec: Choma/Nkanga to Lower Zambezi 17 Nov: Shiwa to Mutinondo //arrive Lusaka 4 Dec: Lower Zambezi 18 Nov: Mutinondo //Lusaka to Mutinondo 5 Dec: Lower Zambezi to Lusaka 19-20 Nov: Mutinondo 6 Dec: Pioneer Camp and Lazy J Ranch © John Clark © John

Leader Jan-Joost Bouwman Michael Mills Richard Rolfe Albert Low Participants Yann Muzika Julian Francis Per Ovin John Clark Roger Holmberg Bamboo Warbler Peter Maaskant Tim Doran

4 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 5 © John Clark © John Clark © John Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Report Tour Africa Birding © Roger Holmberg © Roger

6 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 7 © John Clark © John Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Report Tour Africa Birding

8 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 9 The following day our efforts were concentrated on here studying them, mostly in the riverside thickets REPORT the southern end of Lake Mweru and its papyrus where they fed. Water-associated birds very active The landlocked country of Zambia is one of Rosy-throated Longclaw was seen by the roadside, swamps. After a bit of legwork we found a suitable along the river and we saw Western Yellow , south-'s best-kept birding secrets. In before some weaver nests on the floodplain brought boat to take us into the swamps and braved an Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Rosy-throated Longclaw, November 2019 we ran our first Ultimate Zambia us to a rapid stop. While they were the nests of approaching rain storm with umbrella and rain Rufous-bellied and various other , Tour to sample all of the country's best birds. The Holub's Golden Weaver, nearby we spotted the jacket. Once getting into a channel lined by papyrus ducks and waders. Landbirds included Miombo northern parts of the tour required a good deal of much smaller nests of a colony of Katanga Masked on both sides it wasn't long before we could hear the Wren-Warbler, Marico Sunbird and Square-tailed calls of Zambian Yellow Warbler, although we had Nightjar, and we heard Bare-faced Go-away-bird.

Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding driving as we visited the Tanzanian border in the far Weaver. Several masked weavers were found feeding Report Tour Africa Birding to wait for the rain to abate before we set eyes on the north-east, the DR Congo border at various places at the roadside, including a few males in near- Leaving the Saisi River we paused in some great bird. The pale eye and smaller size that differentiate in the north and the Angolan border in the north- full breeding plumage. A bit further on another roadside miombo where Arnott's Chat fed around it from Papyrus Yellow Warbler were noted and west. Lasting almost four weeks, we divided the tour colony was found and studied in detail. Other a road construction compound; we had to make differences in calls listened too over a couple of into three more manageable sections, each sampling birds of note were Long-tailed Widowbird (in full sure that they were not Ruaha Chats. Here too we hours, by which time we had enjoyed close up an important and distinct area of the country. breeding plumage), Chirping Cisticola and various made a close study of Reichard's Seedeater, and views of at least five birds, one of which showed waterbirds. After breakfast we continued north to at the adjacent cliffs we found both Rock Martin Our North-East Zambia Pre-Tour commenced in particularly well. Every now and again our attention Samfya, where we checked the Lake Bangweulu and Red-rumped Swallow, before turning south Lusaka, but we wasted no time in heading north, was diverted by other birds, including Black-headed shore for more masked weavers without success. for the Shiwa Ng'andu area where we overnighted pausing for our first overnight stop at Serenje. Weaver, Swamp Flycatcher, Lesser Jacana, African The first of hundreds of Brown were at the comfortable Kapishya Hotsprings. Our time Continuing north the following day our first Pygmy Goose and African Swamphen. The song of seen here. In the afternoon we neared Nchelenge, at Shiwa was focussed on the dambo and swamps noteworthy stop was at the Luapula River that flows Little Rush Warbler dominated the soundscape and pausing at some roadside swamps near town where around the lake, with the hope of finding the very out of the Bangweulu system, accessed at Mukuku a couple of very similar sounding White-winged Marsh Tchagra, Greater Swamp Warbler, difficult Chestnut-headed Flufftail. I set out alone to Bridge on the Kalasa Mukoso Flats with their Swamp Warbler were also heard (is this the only Swallow and Little Rush Warbler was found. do some reconnaissance in the swamps, searching spectacular spire-shaped mounds. Our first place the two species co-occur?), although they for suitable and trawling with the call of the were always too far away to see. The rest of our time flufftail as I went. To my surprise a male flufftail was spent back on shore where highlights included Black-necked Eremomela flew up beside me and gave good flight views, but Black-faced Canary, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, regrettably I was alone at that point. We quickly Collared Palm Thrush, Dickinson's Kestrel, a returned and although we spent some time here flock of about 200 Kantanga Masked Weavers that trying to re-find the bird we failed to see any and showed no sign of breeding plumage . © John Clark © John could not even get one to utter a sound. Although From Nchelenge we made our way north-east to it had been quite dry several patches of dambo the Mbala area, pausing every now and again in seemed to offer good conditions for the flufftails, some good looking roadside miombo woodland or but despite a considerable amount of effort over floodplain and finding the likes of Black- two mornings no other birds were seen, and none necked Eremomela, Collared Flycatcher and Black at all were heard. But there was plenty else to keep . The roads were remarkably good and we us entertained. Swamp gave great views of made good progress, allowing us some time to do Laura's Woodland Warbler, and here we also saw some exploring near Mbala in the afternoon. Our Ross's Turaco, Splendid Starling, White-headed first stop at a rocky hillside for lunch turned up Saw-wing, Purple-throated , Brown- Miombo Pied Barbet, Rufous-bellied Tit and a fine headed Apalis, Bar-throated Apalis and Black- male Oustalet's Sunbird. The second at sunset held fronted , and heard Bocage's Akalat and Striped Pipit and Cinnamon-breasted Bunting. Evergreen Forest Warbler. In miombo we found Yellow-bellied Hyliota, and in the swamps, Great The next morning we set off pre-dawn for the Snipe. Saisi River on the Tanzanian border. Not seconds after stepping out of the car could we hear a male Finally we headed to the spectacular Mutinondo Tanzanian Masked Weaver in song, and it wasn't Wilderness where we had a day to scout the area long before we had a full plumaged male in our before being joined by newcomers for the Main scopes. The strong orange across the chest made it a Zambia Tour. very smart bird indeed, and we spent several hours

10 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 11 At the start of the Zambia Main Tour we had good flight views. Many Marsh Widowbirds were Angola Lark two full days to get to grips with the best birds now in full breeding plumage, we saw our first of Mutinondo Wilderness. It was to Bar-winged Fülleborn's Longclaws, Fawn-breasted Waxbill, Weaver that we first turned our attention, but our Pale-crowned Cisticola and Stout Cisticola. But first outing drew a blank and we had to content from Chestnut-headed Flufftail there was not a ourselves with a smart Anchieta's Sunbird, Miombo peep. Mushitu forests gave superb views of Laura's Clark © John and a male Pennant-winged Nightjar. Woodland Warbler and here we also found White- After a hearty breakfast we first spent some time in tailed Blue Flycatcher, Grey-olive Greenbul, Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding one of the larger dambos, where we enjoyed good Brown-headed Apalis, Narina Trogon, Ross's Report Tour Africa Birding flushed views of a female Black-rumped Buttonquail Turaco and Bocage's Akalat. Other miombo species and Coppery-tailed Coucal, before refocussing seen included Cabanis's Bunting, Miombo Rock on the woodlands. This time we struck gold in no Thrush, Miombo Scrub Robin, African Spotted time, and spent a while watching and following a Creeper, Southern Hyliota, Retz's Helmetshrike, Bar-winged Weaver through the woodlands. At Grey , Wood Pipit, Southern Ground the end of our walk we also came across a pair of Hornbill, Western Miombo Sunbird, Miombo Tit, Bohm's Flycatcher feeding young to round off a African Barred Owlet and (briefly) Black-eared great morning. Seedeater. Our greatest tussle was with the recently- split (from Shelley's Francolin) Whyte's Francolin, With the two key miombo birds under the belt which we managed to flush on the final morning. we could now turn our attention to other birds. The dambos were very productive, and on the first From Mutinondo we commenced our long journey evening we enjoyed very good views of an African westwards the Mwinilunga area, pausing for two Grass Owl hunting over the grasslands. Good overnight stops. On the first day we travelled to numbers of Locust Finch were seen too and we Nsobe Camp via the beautiful forests of North flushed five Blue Quail, one male giving particularly Swaka. Birding was slow but we had a little flurry in © John Clark © John

Bar-winged Weaver

12 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 13 explored after breakfast held a different suite of found and saw a Margaret's Batis in the mid-storey. Dambo Cisticola grassland birds, with Dambo Cisticola and Wing- Other birds seen here were a Gorgeous Bushshrike snapping Cisticola joined by some shimmering and Retz's Helmetshrike, before we returned to Rosy-throated Longclaws and Angola Lark. The Mwinilunga for an overnight stay. rest of our time at Kalwelwa was rather hard work,

© John Clark © John All that was left now of the Main Zambia Tour was to as the forests were very quiet, but we did glimpse drive back to Lusaka, but there were still some good Black-bellied Seedcracker and see Black-collared birds to be see. En route to Chingola we enjoyed Bulbul, Greenbul, Blue-breasted

Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding great views of African Cuckoo-Hawk and some Report Tour Africa Birding Kingfisher, Western Banded Eagle, Southern miombo birding produced Red-capped Crombec, White-faced Owl (rather distantly), Bannerman's Miombo Wren-Warbler, Cabanis's Bunting and Sunbird and Souza's Shrike. Some larger seen Sharp-tailed Starling, at Mutanda was saw Grey appeared to be Long-legged Pipits. Waxbill, and near Kitwe we found the sought-after Upon leaving Kalwelwa our first port of call was Bohm's Bee-eater and Black-backed Barbet. Our the Chitunta Plains, with a perched Ovambo final target for the trip was the endemic Chaplin's Sparrowhawk en route. Two pairs of displaying Barbet, which called for a small detour from the Short-tailed Pipit were found rather quickly and main road to Chisamba. It took some time, but in studied in detail, before we headed for the Mayau the afternoon we found a trio of the localised barbet area for the afternoon. Initially some confusion with in their fig-dominated grasslands and enjoyed some the calls of the pintoi race of Chinspot Batis had us good views, before rolling into Pioneer Camp in the running in the wrong direction, but eventually we evening. © John Clark © John

the late afternoon with great views of Black-necked Mwinilunga with Red-throated Cliff Swallow and Eremomela and the only Dickinson's Kestrel of another Bamboo Warbler heard en route, before the tour. At Nsobe itself good views of Chestnut- arriving at our camp at Kalwelwa, north-east of backed Sparrow-Lark were our main success, and Mwinilunga, in the late afternoon. we also saw a lovely pair of Red-throated Twinspot, Two full days in the Kalwelwa area were a real Stout Cisticola, Lesser Swamp Warbler, Little Rush treat. Our first morning started off in the dambo Warbler, Fülleborn's Longclaw, Blue-mantled grasslands, and it was here that we enjoyed views Crested-Flycatcher and Half-collared Kingfisher. of Grimwood's Longclaw (seen later again too), Our second night was spent at Mutanda Nature a species that just creeps over the border from Lodge, where afternoon birding was cancelled by Angola where most of the population is confined to a big rain storm, but the next morning produced the remote eastern part of the country. They were African Thrush, great views of Bocage's Akalat, joined by Fülleborn's Longclaw, Blue-breasted Bee- Schalow's Turaco, Moustached , eater, Sooty Chat, Swamp Nightjar, Stout Cisticola, Grey-olive Greenbul, White-chinned , and , Pale-crowned Cisticola and a best of all, unbeatable views of a very friendly breeding-plumaged Black Coucal. Flocks of Afep Bamboo Warbler. We were then on the road to Bocage's Akalat Pigeon fed at the forest edge. Drier grasslands

14 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 15 Those continuing on with the Zambian Pitta Tour track (and already having seen a female Double- now had a longish drive to Livingstone to meet up banded Sandgrouse besides the track) the first with the rest of the Pitta Tour group, from where we shrieks of these delightful little parrots brought us continued west, upstream along the Upper Zambezi to a rapid halt and we were soon enjoying the bright River. It was a steamy afternoon but bee-eaters colours of a pair of Black-cheeked Lovebird through were out in full force and we enjoyed great views the scope. Later they descended to the ground, and Clark © John of Southern Carmine Bee-eater and Blue-cheeked were joined by another pair, and more were seen Bee-eater on the roadside wires. A walk near our later in the morning too. After we'd had our fill of Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding lodge in the late afternoon produced Swamp the lovebird we turned our attention to the other Report Tour Africa Birding Boubou alongside , White-fronted varied birdlife around us, and racked up a good Bee-eater and African Mourning Dove. list of birds in the woodland including Bennett's Woodpecker, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Our main reason for coming to this part of Zambia Levaillant's Cuckoo, Magpie Shrike, Red-necked was to look for the localised, now-endemic Black- Falcon, Burn-necked Eremomela, Swallow-tailed cheeked Lovebird, and for this purpose we set off Bee-eater, African Hawk-Eagle, melanistic Gabar early the next morning to the Machile area. It was Goshawk, Jameson's Firefinch, Burchell's Starling, apparent that the rains had not yet properly arrived, Meves's Starling, African Emerald Cuckoo and although the landscape was greening up quite non-breeding Shaft-tailed Whydah. However, the nicely. After about two hours down a narrow, sandy

Bennett's Woodpcker © John Clark © John best was still to come and it was on the drive back before making our way to the Choma/Nkanga area to the main road that we found a roadside-perched where we checked in at our comfortable lodge Dickinson's Kestrel and spotted to Dusky Larks before dashing out to the fig-dotted grasslands to an beside the track. Back near the main road we added active nest of Chaplin's Barbet, which was watched a few dry-country species to our lists, such as Black- at length. Once done there was still time to visit the cheeked Waxbill, and Lesser Grey now empty Ross's Dam, but the reed beds were still Shrike, before spending the later afternoon on the full of birds and we enjoyed the late afternoon (plus Zambezi River near our lodge. Here the undoubted the next evening) studying several hundred Cuckoo highlight was finding a single Slaty Egret feeding Finches coming into roost, including some bright along the shoreline, but other good birds included males. Rufous-bellied Heron, Luapula Cisticola, African Skimmer, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Long- African Black Duck and a male Greater Painted- toed Lapwing, Giant Kingfisher, African Pygmy Snipe were popular finds too. Goose, Saddle-billed Stork, White-fronted Plover, The rest of our time at Nkanga was focussed on the Lesser Jacana and African Swamphen. Red-billed miombo woodlands, which produced a good list of Spurfowl was seen briefly. It had been the most species. Racket-tailed Roller was a bit of a struggle, productive day of the trip and we logged a total of but in the end we enjoyed superb views of these scarce 172 species on what was the South African annual birds. Another major success was seeing Shelley's bird race, Birding Big Day. Francolin on the ground before flushing a pair for Before leaving the Upper Zambezi River the next good flight views. Other woodland birds included day we had some time for some bushveld birding African Spotted Creeper, Wood Pipit, Black- near our lodge and managed to find Red-crested eared Seedeater, Cabanis's Bunting, Green-capped Korhaan, , Narina Trogon, Crested Eremomela, Arnot's Chat, Miombo Tit, Miombo Barbet, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Grey Tit- Blue-eared Starling, White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Flycatcher and various other widespread Miombo Pied Barbet, Grey Penduline Tit, Bearded Southern Carmine Bee-eater birds. Returning to Livingstone we paused for lunch, Woodpecker and Bennett's Woodpecker. Thickets

16 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 17 were home to Schalow's Turaco, Red-throated metres distance. From the same spot we saw Red- Slaty Egret Twinspot, and African capped Robin-Chat, and after breakfast (Black- Broadbill. And other birds seen included Martial throated Wattle-eye at the lodge) a nearby outing to Eagle, Amur Falcon hunting at dusk, some floodplain grassland turned up Dwarf Bittern, Collared Palm Thrush, Natal Spurfowl, Red-necked before we headed for Lusaka, pausing at the Kafue Spurfowl, Swainson's Spurfowl, Yellow-mantled River where African Yellow Warbler and Long- © Yann Muzika © Yann Widowbird, Abdim's Stork and Rufous-naped crested Eagle were seen. Lark. Upon leaving the Choma area we made one

Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Our final day had arrived and after some birding Report Tour Africa Birding final detour, a very successful one to find a pair of around Pioneer Lodge (Brown-necked Parrot and Shelley's Sunbird feeding young. Grey-headed Bushshrike) we visited the nearby Next on our agenda was the Lower Zambezi Valley, Lazy J Ranch for what turned out to be the most in search for the star bird of the trip. Our timing productive miombo birding of the trip. We hadn't was perfect and the first African Pittas had been gone far from the car when Pale-billed Hornbill seen about 10 days previously. We quickly scouted calls were heard and we were soon watching three the site before continuing on the shore of Kariba birds at close range. Continuing our loop through Dam where there was Cut-throated Finch and the beautiful woodlands, next up was Souza's Collared Palm Thrush in the garden of our lodge. Shrike, followed shortly by Miombo , Early the next morning we were out before first Rufous-bellied Tit, Tree Pipit, African Spotted light, and it wasn't long before the odd croak of Creeper, Miombo Pied Barbet and Miombo Tit. the pitta could be heard nearby. However, it didn't Finally, at the end of our walk we connected with last long and then it went quiet. Completely quiet. the very scarce and unobtrusive Bushveld Pipit, Eventually I left the group and did a loop through which gave great views in the scope. Returning to the thorny thickets. After some searching the pitta Pioneer Lodge for lunch we stopped at a small river started to display again, so I rushed back to the crossing where African Firefinch was feeding in the group and quickly brought everyone to the spot road, and to our great surprise a pair of Black-faced where we could heard the much-desired bird in Canaries flew out from the riverside and perched display. However, the thicket was very dense and it in a nearby tree where the male showed well. This was sitting in a difficult spot. We crept around and constituted a significant range extension for the almost everyone got good views before it flew off! species and was a fitting way to end a great trip. Fortunately it didn't go far and was soon displaying In total we logged 488 bird species, 252 species on again, and this time it a much better position where the North-East Pre-Tour, 277 species on the Main Clark © John everyone could enjoy good views. It moved a few Zambia Tour and 325 species on the Zambia Pitta more times with us in tow, and after about half an Tour. hour we'd all enjoyed superb views of this great bird! By now our tummies were rumbling, so we Besides the birds we logged a good selection of returned to the vehicle for a picnic breakfast before mammals, and some nice reptiles and . taking a longer walk through the thickets to find Highlights included Black , Sitatunga, Livingstone Flycatcher and Eastern . Southern Reedbuck, Serval, Hippopotamus, Sykes's Monkey, Thick-tailed Bushbaby, Power's Rain Frog, Once we were done it was heating up rather rapidly Giant Bullfrog, Eastern Tiger Snake, Puff adder, so we retreated to the coolness of our new lodge, Black-shouldered Tree Agama, Turner's , resting out the middle of the day. In the afternoon Zambian Hinged Terrapin and Dwarf Hinged we explore parts of the Zambezi River, with a Terrapin. juvenile White-backed Night Heron as the main prise. After dark a trio of Three-banded Courser As always there are people to thank for their help, were seen exceptionally well. The next morning we and I'm especially grateful to Frank Willems, Errol repeated our pitta quest, this time at a more relaxed de Beer, Gabriel Jamie and Rory MacDougall for pace and with a much shorter commute, and the their assistance in making the trip such a successful views of the birds were even better. It was simply one. incredible watching African Pitta displaying at ten Chaplin's Barbet

18 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 19 ANNOTATED SPECIES LIST Herons, Family Ardeidae Hamerkop Family Scopidae minutus (H-0-LO) -- Hamerkop Scopus umbretta (1-1-1) -- Scattered The values in parentheses after species' scientific Red-billed Spurfowl Pternistis adspersus (0-0-1) Heard at Lake Mweru and Michael saw one along sightings (umbretta) names indicate seeing (1) or not seeing (0) each -- Seen briefly at our lodge on the Upper Zambezi the Upper Zambezi River (payesii) species on the three parts (Pre-Tour - Main Tour - (mesicus) Cormorants, shags Family Phalacrocoracidae Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii (0-0-1) -- One Pitta Tour) of the trip. H = heard. LO = leader only. Reed Cormorant Microcarbo africanus (1-1-1) -- Natal Spurfowl Pternistis natalensis (0-H-1) -- flushed several times for good flight views along Scattered sightings Ducks, Geese & Swans Family Anatidae Seen at Nkanga and heard at Pioneer Lodge and the Lower Zambezi Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding along the Lower Zambezi (neavei) White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus Report Tour Africa Birding White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna White-backed Night Heron Gorsachius leuconotus (0-1-1) -- Seen at Nsobe Camp viduata (1-H-1) -- Seen several times Red-necked Spurfowl Pternistis afer (1-1-1) (0-0-1) -- One juvenile seen during the day on the -- Seen at Mutinondo and at Nkanga (cranchii Lower Zambezi Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis (1-1- Ospreys Family Pandionidae Cranch's Spurfowl) 1) -- Impressive numbers along the Zambezi River, Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus (0-0-1) -- Seen but seen widely ( not determined) Swainson's Spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii (0-1- (0-0-1) -- Several recorded along the Zambezi along the Upper Zambezi River (haliaetus) 1) -- Seen at Chisamba and widely in the south River (nycticorax) Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos (0-0-1) (swainsonii) Kites, Hawks & Eagles Family -- Impressive numbers along the Zambezi River Striated Heron Butorides striata (1-H-1) -- Blue Quail Excalfactoria adansonii (0-1-0) -- Five Recorded widely in small numbers (atricapilla) Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus (1-1-1) -- Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca (0-0-1) -- birds flushed at Mutinondo, including one male Scattered sightings (caeruleus) Seen along the Zambezi River that was seen well in flight Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides (1-0-1) -- Seen at Lake Mweru and the Saisi River, and almost daily African -Hawk Polyboroides typus (1-0-0) African Pygmy Goose Nettapus auritus (1-0- Storks Family Ciconiidae on the Pitta Tour -- A few in the north (typus) 1) -- Seen on Lake Mweru and along the Upper Zambezi River Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis (0-0-1) -- Seen Rufous-bellied Heron Ardeola rufiventris (1-0-1) Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis (1-0-0) along the Zambezi River -- Fantastic views at the Saisi River and Ross's Dam -- Good views at Shiwa Ng'andu African Black Duck Anas sparsa (0-0-1) -- Three at Nkanga seen well in flight at Nkanga (leucostigma) African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus (0-0-1) African Cuckoo-Hawk Aviceda cuculoides (0- -- Seen along the Zambezi River (lamelligerus) Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (1-1-1) -- 1-0) -- Excellent flight views on the drive from Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata (1-0-0) -- Seen Widespread sightings Mwinilunga to Mutanda (verreauxii) at Lake Mweru (undulata) Abdim's Stork Ciconia abdimii (1-0-1) -- Seen north of Lusaka and four seen on the deck at Grey Heron Ardea cinerea (1-1-1) -- Widespread Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus (1-0-1) -- Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha (0-0-1) -- Nkanga sightings (cinerea) One at Shiwa Ng'andu and one at Upper Zambezi Seen along the Upper Zambezi River Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus (1-0-0) -- Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala (0-1-1) White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus (0-0-1) -- A Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota (1-0-1) -- Seen at Seen at Shiwa Ng'andu (microscelis) -- Seen on three dates few at Nkanga Lake Mweru and along the Upper Zambezi River Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis Purple Heron Ardea purpurea (1-0-1) -- Scattered Black-chested Snake Eagle Circaetus pectoralis (1- Guineafowl Family Numididae (1-0-1) -- Seen at Shiwa Ng'andu and along the sightings 1-0) -- Scattered sightings except in the south Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris (1-1-1) Zambezi River Great Egret Ardea alba (1-1-1) -- Scattered Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus (1-1-1) -- -- Seen widely, with marungensis in the north and Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer (1-0-0) -- sightings (melanorhynchos) Scattered sightings mitratus in the south Seen at Shiwa Ng'andu Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia (1-0-1) Western Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus , Fowl & Allies Family Ibises, Spoonbills Family Threskiornithidae -- Seen at Shiwa Ng'andu and the Lower Zambezi cinerascens (0-1-0) -- One seen well at Kalwelwa Coqui Francolin Peliperdix coqui (H-0-H) -- (brachyrhyncha Yellow-billed Egret) African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus (0-0- Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus (0-1-0) -- Seen at Heard at Mutinondo and Nkanga (coqui) 1) -- Seen along the Zambezi River ardesiaca (1-0-0) -- Seen at Mutinondo and Chitunta Plain Shelley's Francolin Scleroptila shelleyi (0-1-1) Shiwa Ng'andu Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash (1-H-H) -- Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus (0-1-0) -- Seen in flight at Mutinondo (whytei Whyte's Recorded widely in small numbers (brevirostris) Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula (0-0-1) -- The main -- Seen at Nsobe Camp Francolin) and on the ground and in flight at success of our boat trip on the Upper Zambezi Nkanga (shelleyi) Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (1-0-1) -- Seen at Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus (0-0-1) -- River was seen one of these rare herons quite well the Saisi River and along the Zambezi River Good flight views at Nkanga Crested Francolin Dendroperdix sephaena (0-0-1) Little Egret Egretta garzetta (1-1-1) -- Scattered -- Seen well at our lodge on the Upper Zambezi African Spoonbill Platalea alba (0-0-1) -- Just one Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis (0-1-1) -- sightings (garzetta) (zambesiae) along the Upper Zambezi River Just two sightings, the best at the Kafue River

20 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 21 Lesser Spotted Eagle Clanga pomarina (0-0-1) Bustards Family Otididae Plovers Family Charadriidae Little Stint Calidris minuta (1-0-0) -- Seen at -- Some very distant eagles in the Machile area Shiwa Ng'andu Red-crested Korhaan Lophotis ruficrista (0-0-1) -- Long-toed Lapwing Vanellus crassirostris (0-0-1) appeared to be this species One seen well in flight on the Upper Zambezi -- Seen at our lodge on the Upper Zambezi River Ruff Philomachus pugnax (1-0-1) -- Seen at Shiwa Wahlberg's Eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi (1-1-1) -- (leucopterus) Ng'andu and almost daily in the south Black-bellied Bustard Lissotis melanogaster (1-1- Scattered sightings H) -- Seen at Mutinondo and Kalwelwa and heard Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus (1-0-1) Great Snipe Gallinago media (1-0-0) -- Good flight Aquila rapax (1-0-0) -- One on the at Nkanga (melanogaster) -- Seen at the Saisi River and almost daily in the views of one at Shiwa Ng'andu entrance road to Mutinondo (rapax) south

Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Flufftails Family Sarothruridae Coursers, Pratincoles Family Glareolidae Report Tour Africa Birding Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis (0-0-1) -- One White-crowned Lapwing Vanellus albiceps (0-0-1) Red-chested Flufftail Sarothrura rufa (0-H-H) -- Three-banded Courser Rhinoptilus cinctus (0-0-1) eating termites at sunset at Nkanga (orientalis) -- Seen well along the Zambezi River Heard at Kalwelwa and Nkanga (rufa) -- Fantastic views of a trio at the Lower Zambezi African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster (0-0-1) -- Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus (0-1-1) -- (seebohmi) Chestnut-headed Flufftail Sarothrura lugens Flight views at Machile Seen from Chisamba southwards (coronatus) (LO-0-0) -- Michael saw a male in flight at Shiwa Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola (H-0-1) Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus (1-1- Ng'andu (lynesi) African Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus (1-1- -- Seen along the Zambezi River (riparia) 1) -- Regular sightings (meridionalis) 1) -- Widespread sightings (lateralis) White-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura pulchra (0-H- Gulls, Terns & Skimmers Family Laridae Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar (1-0-1) -- Our 0) -- Heard at Kalwelwa (centralis) Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius (0-0-1) -- A African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris (0-0-1) -- best views were of a melanistic bird at Machile few along the Lower Zambezi River Rails, Crakes & Coots Family Rallidae (gabar) Seen along the Zambezi River Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris (1-0-1) African Rail Rallus caerulescens (H-0-H) -- Heard Grey-headed Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates -- Seen at Shiwa Ng'andu and several times in the at Lake Mweru, Shiwa Ng'andu and Nkanga (0-0-1) -- Seen at Lake Kariba (poiocephalus) (0-LO-0) -- Seen by Michael during the drive from south (tricollaris) Chingola to Lusaka (mechowi) Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostra (1-1-1) -- Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida (1-0-1) -- White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus (0- Scattered sightings Seen at the Saisi River and in breeding plumage African Goshawk tachiro (0-1-0) -- Three 0-1) -- Seen along the Zambezi River (mechowi) along the Upper Zambezi River (delalandii) sightings in the north-west (sparsimfasciatus) African Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula (1- (1-0-1) -- Seen at Lake Mweru, the Saisi River and White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus (0-0-1) Shikra Accipiter badius (1-1-1) -- Three scattered 0-0) -- Seen at Shiwa Ng'andu along the Upper Zambezi River sightings (polyzonoides) -- Seen on the Upper Zambezi River Painted-snipes Family Rostratulidae Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus (1-0-0) -- Accipiter melanoleucus (0-1- Sandgrouse Family Pteroclidae Seen at Lake Mweru (meridionalis) Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis 0) -- One at Kalwelwa (melanoleucus) Double-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus (0-0-1) -- A pair seen very well at Ross's Dam at Buttonquail Family Turnicidae (0-0-1) -- A female seen well on the deck in the Ovambo Sparrowhawk Accipiter ovampensis (0- Nkanga, and flight views at the Lower Zambezi Machile area (multicolor) 1-0) -- One perched bird near Kalwelwa was seen Common Buttonquail Turnix sylvaticus (0-1-1) Jacanas Family well for about 30 seconds, before it flew -- Good flight views at Mutinondo and poor flight Pigeons, Doves Family views along the Lower Zambezi (lepurana) Lesser Jacana Microparra capensis (1-0-1) -- Very African Circus ranivorus (1-1-1) Rock Dove Columba livia (1-1-1) -- Feral Pigeon good views at Lake Mweru and along the Upper -- Scattered sightings Black-rumped Buttonquail Turnix nanus (0-1- was widespread Zambezi River 1) -- Good, repeated flight views of a female at Circus aeruginosus (1-0-0) Afep Pigeon Columba unicincta (0-1-0) -- Great Mutinondo African Jacana Actophilornis africanus (1-1-1) -- -- One at the Saisi River views of quite a few at Kalwelwa Widespread sightings Stone-curlews, Thick-knees Family Burhinidae Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius (1-1-1) -- Seen Western Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba Sandpipers, Snipes Family Scolopacidae almost daily (parasitus) Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus (0-0- iriditorques (0-H-0) -- Heard at Kalwelwa 1) -- Seen well along the Lower Zambezi River Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia (1-0-1) -- Haliaeetus vocifer (1-H-1) -- Mourning Collared Dove Streptopelia decipiens (vermiculatus) Widespread sightings Seen mostly on the Pitta Tour (H-0-1) -- Heard at Lake Mweru, seen along the Stilts, Avocets Family Recurvirostridae Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola (1-1-1) -- Common Buzzard Buteo buteo (1-1-1) -- Upper Zambezi River (ambigua) Widespread sightings Widespread sightings (vulpinus Steppe Buzzard) Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (0-1- Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata (1-1-1) 1) -- Seen at Nsobe Camp and along the Zambezi Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos (0-1-1) -- -- Widespread sightings River Seen along the Zambezi River

22 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 23 Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola (1-1-1) Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius (0-0- African Barred Owlet Glaucidium capense (H-1- Trogons Family Trogonidae -- Widespread sightings generally of tropica, but 1) -- One seen at Machile 0) -- Good views at Mutinondo (ngamiense) perhaps with damarensis in the Upper Zambezi Narina Trogon Apaloderma narina (0-1-1) -- Seen Levaillant's Cuckoo Clamator levaillantii (0-0-1) Southern White-faced Owl Ptilopsis granti (0-1-0) area at Mutinondo, along the Zambezi River and at -- Several at Upper Zambezi -- Distant views of a calling bird at Kalwelwa, and Nkanga (narina) Spilopelia senegalensis (0-0-1) -- heard briefly at Pioneer Camp Jacobin Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus (0-0-1) -- Just a couple seen in the south (senegalensis) Rollers Family Coraciidae Several at Upper Zambezi (probably serratus) Nightjars Family Caprimulgidae Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos Racket-tailed Roller Coracias spatulatus (0-0-1)

Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Thick-billed Cuckoo Pachycoccyx audeberti (0-H- European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (0-1- Report Tour Africa Birding (1-1-1) -- Widespread sightings -- Superb views at Nkanga 0) -- Heard distantly at Mutinondo 1) -- Seen by some near Mutinondo, and one at Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus (1-1-1) Blue-spotted Wood Dove Turtur afer (1-1-0) -- Nkanga Diederik Cuckoo caprius (0-1-1) -- Seen at Lake Mweru and once in the north-west -- Widespread sightings (caudatus) Scattered sightings Fiery-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis European Roller Coracias garrulus (0-0-1) -- One Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria (0-1-1) -- (0-0-1) -- Seen at Nkanga and Pioneer Camp Klaas's Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas (H-H-1) -- at Nkanga and one at Pioneer Camp Seen at Nsobe and in the Siavonga area (fervidus) Seen once at the Upper Zambezi Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus (1-1-1) Namaqua Dove Oena capensis (0-0-1) -- A few Swamp Nightjar Caprimulgus natalensis (0-1- African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus -- Widespread sightings (suahelicus) seen in the south (capensis) 0) -- Very good views in the day and at night at (H-0-1) -- Seen at Machile Kalwelwa (natalensis) African Treron calvus (1-1-1) -- Kingfishers Family Alcedinidae Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx olivinus Widespread sightings (mostly or all schalowi) Square-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus fossii (1-0-H) Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala (0- (0-H-0) -- Heard at Kalwelwa -- One flushed in the day at Saisi River and heard Turacos Family Musophagidae 0-1) -- One at Lazy J Ranch (pallidiventris) Black Cuckoo clamosus (1-1-1) -- along the Upper Zambezi River (welwitschii) Brown-hooded Kingfisher Halcyon albiventris (1- Schalow's Turaco Tauraco schalowi (1-1-1) -- Scattered sightings (clamosus) Pennant-winged Nightjar Caprimulgus vexillarius Widespread sightings 1-1) -- Widespread sightings (prentissgrayi) Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius (1-1-1) -- (1-1-1) -- Good views of males during the day Halcyon chelicuti (1-H-1) Purple-crested Turaco Tauraco porphyreolophus Scattered sightings, with superb views at Nkanga and at night at Mutinondo, and a female seen at Nkanga -- Recorded just three times, including at Nkanga Ross's Turaco Musophaga rossae (1-1-0) -- Quite a African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis (H-H-1) -- (chelicuti) few sightings in the north Recorded widely, but seen only on at Pioneer Swifts Family Apodidae Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica (0-1- Camp Grey Go-away-bird Corythaixoides concolor (0-0- Mottled Spinetail ussheri (0-0-1) -- A 0) -- Seen by some at Kalwelwa (malimbica) 1) -- Several sightings in the south (bechuanae) Cuculus canorus (1-1-0) -- Two few along the Upper Zambezi River (benguellensis) Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis (0-0-1) sightings Bare-faced Go-away-bird Corythaixoides African Palm Cypsiurus parvus (1-0-1) -- -- Seen well in the south (cyanoleuca) personatus (1-0-0) -- Heard at the Saisi River, Barn Owls Family Tytonidae Seen in the north-east and south (subspecies not but we were too busy watching Masked identified) African Pygmy Kingfisher Ispidina picta (1-0-0) Western Barn Owl Tyto alba (0-H-H) -- Heard a Weavers to look for it (leopoldi) -- Seen briefly at Shiwa Ng'andu few times (affinis) Common Swift Apus apus (0-1-1) -- Widespread Family Cuculidae sightings Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristatus (1-1-1) Tyto capensis (0-1-0) -- -- Seen at Kalwelwa, Lake Mweru and widely in the Coucal Centropus senegalensis (0-0-1) -- Wonderful views in the evening of a bird hunting Little Swift Apus affinis(1-1-1) -- Widespread south (cristatus) Seen at Nkanga (flecki) over a dambo at Mutinondo sightings Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata (0- Coppery-tailed Coucal Centropus cupreicaudus Owls Family Strigidae White-rumped Swift Apus caffer (1-1-0) -- 1-0) -- Fantastic views at Nsobe Camp (1-1-1) -- Scattered sightings Widespread sightings African Scops Owl Otus senegalensis (0-0-1) Shining-blue Kingfisher Alcedo quadribrachys White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus (1- -- Heard by all and seen well by some at Nkanga Mousebirds Family Coliidae (0-H-0) -- Heard and seen briefly by Michael at H-1) -- Scattered sightings (loandae) (senegalensis) Kalwelwa (guentheri) Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus (1-1-H) -- Black Coucal Centropus grillii (1-1-0) -- One Spotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africanus (0-1-1) -- Seen Seen in the central and northern areas (subspecies Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima (0-0-1) -- non-breeding bird on the drive from Nchelenge at Mutinondo and Pioneer Camp (africanus) not identified) Seen along the Upper Zambezi River to Mbala, and one breeding-plumaged bird at African Wood Owl Strix woodfordii (H-1-1) -- Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus (0-1-1) -- Kalwelwa Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis (1-1-1) -- Widespread Recorded widely and seen well at Pioneer Camp Seen almost daily from the Lusaka area southwards sightings (woodfordii) (subspecies not determined)

24 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 25 Bee-eaters Family Meropidae Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus Scaly-throated Honeyguide variegatus Old World Parrots Family Psittaculidae leucomelas (0-0-1) -- One seen well in the Machile (1-0-0) -- Good views at Mutinondo Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus Black-cheeked Lovebird Agapornis nigrigenis (0-0- area (leucomelas) (H-1-1) -- Our best views were in the Machile area Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator (0-1-1) -- 1) -- Fantastic views in the Machile area (subspecies not identified) Lophoceros alboterminatus Seen well at Mutinondo and Nkanga Broadbills Family Eurylaimidae (1-1-1) -- Widespread sightings (subspecies not Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus (1-1-1) -- Family Picidae determined) Widespread sightings, especially in the south African Broadbill capensis (H-1-1) Bennett's Woodpecker Campethera bennettii (0-0- -- Seen at Mutinondo, Nkanga and Siavonga (subspecies not identified) Lophoceros nasutus (0-0-1)

Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding 1) -- Seen well at Machile (capricorni) and Nkanga (albigularis) Report Tour Africa Birding -- Seen regularly in the south (epirhinus) Böhm's Bee-eater Merops boehmi (0-1-0) -- Good (bennettii) Pittas Family Pittidae views near Kitwe Pale-billed Hornbill Lophoceros pallidirostris (1- Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni 1-1) -- Seen in good numbers in the central areas, African Pitta Pitta angolensis (0-0-1) -- Incredible Blue-breasted Bee-eater Merops variegatus (H-H-1) -- Seen along the Upper Zambezi River and also at Lazy J Ranch views of up to four birds at two sites along the (1-1-0) -- Seen at Lake Mweru and Kalwelwa (abingoni) Lower Zambezi (longipennis East African Pitta) (bangweoloensis) Trumpeter Hornbill Bycanistes bucinator (0-1-1) Green-backed Woodpecker Campethera cailliautii -- Seen at Chisamba and widely in the south Wattle-eyes, Batises Family Platysteiridae White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides (0- (0-H-0) -- Heard at Mutanda (nyasae) 0-1) -- Seen along the Zambezi River African barbets Family Lybiidae Margaret's Batis Batis margaritae (0-1-0) -- One Bearded Woodpecker namaquus bird seen by all near Mayau, after a bit of a struggle Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus (1-H-1) Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus (0-1-1) -- Seen on the drive from Mwinilunga to (kathleenae) -- Widespread sightings, especially in the south (1-1-0) -- Seen regularly in central areas Chingola, and at Nkanga (namaquus) (persicus) (mfumbiri) Chinspot Batis Batis molitor (1-1-1) -- Widespread Cardinal Woodpecker fuscescens (1- sightings, with pintoi at Mayau and palliditergum European Bee-eater Merops apiaster (1-1-1) -- Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus 1-1) -- Scattered sightings (centralis) elsewhere Widespread sightings (1-1-1) -- Widespread sightings (extoni Miombo Family Falconidae Tinkerbird) Southern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides Black-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira peltata (1-1- Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni (1-0-0) -- One 1) -- Widespread sightings, including on the Lower (0-0-1) -- Good views along the Upper Zambezi Miombo Pied Barbet Tricholaema frontata (1-0-1) female on the drive from Nchelenge to Mbala Zambezi (mentalis) River -- Seen well near Mbala and at Nkanga, and briefly at Lazy J Ranch Dickinson's Kestrel Falco dickinsoni (1-1-1) -- Hoopoes Family Upupidae Helmetshrikes Family Prionopidae Good sightings on all three segments of the tour, Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas (0-0- White-crested Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus African Hoopoe Upupa africana (1-1-1) -- including near Nsobe Camp and at Machile 1) -- Seen well on the Upper Zambezi (probably Widespread sightings, especially in the south (1-1-1) -- Widespread sightings (poliocephalus) centralis) Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera (0-0-1) -- Retz's Helmetshrike Prionops retzii (H-1-0) Wood Hoopoes Family Phoeniculidae Good views at Machile (ruficollis) Chaplin's Barbet Lybius chaplini (0-1-1) -- -- Seen at Mutinondo (tricolor) and Mayau Green Phoeniculus purpureus (1- Excellent views at Chisamba and Nkanga Amur Falcon Falco amurensis (0-0-1) -- A good (nigricans) 0-1) -- Seen mainly in the south (subspecies not showing of 20 birds hunting termites at dusk at Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus (1-1-1) -- Family Malaconotidae determined) Nkanga, and seen again at Pioneer Camp Widespread sightings (subspecies not determined) Grey-headed Bushshrike Malaconotus blanchoti Common Rhinopomastus cyanomelas Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo (1-1-1) -- Regular Black-backed Barbet Lybius minor (1-1-0) -- Seen (H-1-1) -- Seen en route to Chingola (interpositus) (0-0-1) -- Seen a few times in the south (schalowi) sightings quite a few times, although our best views were at and at Pioneer Camp (hypopyrrhus) Ground Family Bucorvidae Shiwa Ng'andu and west of Chingola (macclounii Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus (1-1-0) -- Seen Black-fronted Bushshrike Chlorophoneus White-faced Barbet) twice (biarmicus) Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri nigrifrons (1-H-0) -- Good views at Shiwa Ng'andu (H-1-0) -- Seen flying high in the sky at Crested Barbet vaillantii (0-1-1) -- African & New World Parrots Family Psittacidae and heard at Mutanda and Mayau (manningi) Mutinondo -- an odd sighting Seen at the Fig Tree Restaurant and on the Upper Zambezi (subspecies not identified) Brown-necked Parrot Poicephalus fuscicollis (1- Orange-breasted Bushshrike Chlorophoneus Hornbills Family Bucerotidae 0-1) -- Seen at Shiwa Ng'andu and Pioneer Camp sulfureopectus (1-1-1) -- Scattered sightings Family Indicatoridae (suahelicus) (similis) Southern Red-billed Hornbill Tockus rufirostris (0-0-1) -- One seen well in the Machile area Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor (0-0-1) -- Our Meyer's Parrot Poicephalus meyeri (1-1-1) -- Gorgeous Bushshrike Telophorus viridis (0-1-0) best views were at the Kafue River (subspecies not Widespread sightings, with matschiei in the north -- Good looks at one at Mayau (viridis) determined) and transvaalensis in the south

26 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 27 Marsh Tchagra Bocagia minuta (1-H-0) -- Seen Orioles Family Oriolidae Miombo Tit griseiventris (1-1-1) -- Yellow-throated Leaflove Atimastillas flavicollis well at Lake Mweru and heard at Kalwelwa Seen at Shiwa Ng'andu, Mutinondo, Nkanga and (1-1-0) -- Regular in the north (flavigula Pale- Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus (0-0-1) (anchietae; Anchieta's Tchagra) Lazy J Ranch throated Leaflove) -- Seen at Nkanga Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis (1-1-1) Penduline Tits Family Remizidae Terrestrial Brownbul Phyllastrephus terrestris (1- African Golden Oriole Oriolus auratus (1-1-1) -- -- Scattered sightings (subspecies not determined) 1-0) -- Seen near Kitwe, and regularly in the south Widespread sightings but most common at Nkanga Grey Penduline Tit caroli (1-1- (intermedius) Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus (1-1-1) (notatus) 1) -- Widespread sightings, with rhodesiae at -- Scattered sightings (probably armenus) Mutinondo and caroli at Nkanga Grey-olive Greenbul Phyllastrephus cerviniventris

Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus (1-1-1) -- Report Tour Africa Birding (0-1-0) -- Seen at Mutinondo and Mutanda Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla (1-1-1) Widespread sightings (angolensis) Family Nicatoridae -- Widespread sightings, with 4in the north and Cabanis's Greenbul Phyllastrephus cabanisi (0-1- Drongos Family Dicruridae Eastern Nicator Nicator gularis (0-0-1) -- Seen in okavangensis in the south 0) -- Seen at Mutinondo and Kalwelwa (cabanisi) the Lower Zambezi area Square-tailed Drongo Dicrurus ludwigii (0-1-0) Tropical Boubou major (1-1-1) Black-collared Bulbul Neolestes torquatus (0-1-0) -- Seen at Nsobe Camp and heard at Mutanda and Larks Family Alaudidae -- Widespread sightings, mossambicus in the -- Good views at Kalwelwa Mayau (saturnus) south and east and major in the Lake Mweru to Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana (H-H-1) -- Swallows, martins Family Hirundinidae Mwinilunga area in the north and west Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis (1-1-1) -- Seen at Nkanga, heard elsewhere (subspecies not Widespread sightings (fugax) identified) Laniarius bicolor (0-0-1) -- Seen White-headed Saw-wing Psalidoprocne albiceps (1-0-0) -- Seen at Shiwa Ng'andu (albiceps) on the Upper Zambezi River, alongside Tropical Monarchs Family Monarchidae Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea (1-1-1) Boubou (sticturus) -- Seen at Mutinondo and Nkanga (subspecies not Black Saw-wing Psalidoprocne pristoptera (0- Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher Trochocercus identified) 1-0) -- Seen regularly on the Main Tour, from Brubru Nilaus afer (1-1-1) -- Scattered sightings, cyanomelas (0-1-0) -- Excellent views at Nsobe Mutinondo to Kalwelwa (reichenowi) with brubru in the south and nigritemporalis in the Camp (vivax Eastern Crested Flycatcher) Angolan Lark Mirafra angolensis (0-1-0) -- Seen at north Kalwelwa (antonii) Grey-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis (1-1-1) -- Scattered sightings (griseopyga) Family Campephagidae (1-1-1) -- Widespread sightings (mostly or all Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea (1-0-0) -- plumbeiceps) Seen on the Kalasa Mukoso Flats (saturatior) White-breasted Cuckooshrike Coracina pectoralis Sand Martin Riparia riparia (1-0-1) -- Common in the north-east, and seen once along the Lower (1-1-1) -- Scattered sightings, including at Nkanga Crows Family Corvidae Dusky Lark Pinarocorys nigricans (0-0-1) -- The Zambezi River (riparia) bonus bird of the Pitta Tour, two were seen well on Black Cuckooshrike flava (1-1-1) -- Pied Crow Corvus albus (1-1-1) -- Widespread the Machile day trip (nigricans) Banded Martin Riparia cincta (1-1-0) -- Seen at Widespread sightings, especially in the south sightings the Saisi River and at Kalwelwa (subspecies not Bulbuls Family Pycnonotidae Purple-throated Cuckooshrike Campephaga White-necked Raven Corvus albicollis (1-1-0) -- identified) quiscalina (1-H-0) -- A male seen well at Shiwa Conspicuous at Mutinondo Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor (1-1-1) Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica (1-1-1) -- Seen Ng'andu, and heard at Nsobe Camp (martini) -- Widespread, layardi in the south and east and Fairy Flycatchers Family Stenostiridae regularly tricolor in the north and west Family Laniidae White-tailed Blue Flycatcher Elminia albicauda Angolan Swallow Hirundo angolensis (1-0-0) -- Little Greenbul Eurillas virens (1-1-0) -- Regular Magpie Shrike Urolestes melanoleucus (0-0- (1-1-0) -- Seen at Kapishya and Mutinondo Seen at Lake Mweru in forest areas in the north, with virens at Kalwelwa 1) -- Seen in the Machile and Nkanga areas and zombensis elsewhere (melanoleucus) White-tailed Crested Flycatcher Elminia White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis (1-0- albonotata (0-H-0) -- Heard at Mutinondo 0) -- Seen once in the north-east Sombre Greenbul Andropadus importunus Souza's Shrike souzae (0-1-1) -- Good (0-0-1) -- Seen along the Lower Zambezi River sightings at Kalwelwa and Lazy J Ranch (souzae) Tits Family Paridae Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii (1-0-1) (hypoxanthus) -- Seen at Lake Mweru and regularly in the south Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio (1-1-1) -- White-winged Black Tit Melaniparus leucomelas (smithii) Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator Widespread sightings (subspecies not determined) (1-0-0) -- Seen on the drive to Nchelenge (insignis) (0-1-0) -- Heard and seen by some at Kalwelwa Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula (1-0-0) -- Seen Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor (1-0-1) -- Most Southern Black Tit Melaniparus (0-0-1) -- (indicator) in the Mbala area (fusciventris) numerous along the Upper Zambezi Seen almost daily in the south (xanthostomus) Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris Common House Martin Delichon urbicum (1-1-1) Northern Fiscal Lanius humeralis (1-1-1) -- Rufous-bellied Tit Melaniparus rufiventris (1-1-1) (0-1-1) -- Seen near Kitwe1, and regularly in the -- Scattered sightings Widespread sightings, although absent in the -- Seen at Mutinondo, Lazy J Ranch and in the Zambezi Valley (occidentalis) southern lowlands (capelli) Mbala area (masukuensis)

28 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 29 Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica Great Reed Warbler arundinaceus Lazy Cisticola Cisticola aberrans (1-0-0) -- Seen in Bar-throated Apalis Apalis thoracica (1-H-0) -- (1-1-1) -- Widespread sightings (subspecies not (0-0-1) -- One seen by some on the Lower Zambezi the Mbala area (nyika) Seen at Shiwa Ng'andu and heard at Mutinondo determined) (whitei) Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus (H-0- Cisticola chiniana (0-H-1) Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica (1-0-0) -- 0) -- Heard near Lake Mweru -- Seen in the Machile area (chiniana) and heard Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida (H-1-1) -- Seen in the Mbala area (emini) elsewhere Scattered records (subspecies not determined) African Reed Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus Red-breasted Swallow Cecropis semirufa (1-1-1) (0-0-H) -- One bird sighing in the Lower Zambezi Cisticola rufilatus (0-H-0) -- Brown-headed Apalis Apalis alticola (H-1-0) -- -- Scattered sightings (semirufa) Valley was most likely this species and not Heard at Kalwelwa Seen at Mutinondo and heard elsewhere (alticola) Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Eurasian Reed Warbler Report Tour Africa Birding Mosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis (1-1-1) -- Luapula Cisticola Cisticola luapula (0-0-1) -- Seen Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera Scattered sightings (monteiri) Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris (H-0-0) -- well at Nkanga brevicaudata (1-1-1) -- Widespread sightings Heard near Lake Mweru (subspecies not determined) Red-throated Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon rufigula Chirping Cisticola Cisticola pipiens (1-1-0) -- (0-1-0) -- Seen between Mutanda and Mwinilunga African Yellow Warbler natalensis (H-1-1) Many sightings in the north (congo) Miombo Wren-Warbler Calamonastes undosus -- Seen at Kalwelwa (major) and the Kafue River (1-1-0) -- Seen between Mwinilunga and Mutanda Crombecs, African warblers Family Levaillant's Cisticola Cisticola tinniens (1-1-0) (natalensis) (cinereus) and recorded several times in the north- Macrosphenidae -- Seen at Shiwa Ng'andu (shiwae) and Kalwelwa east, including at the Saisi River (katangae) Papyrus Yellow Warbler Calamonastides (perpullus) Moustached Grass Warbler Melocichla mentalis gracilirostris (1-0-0) -- Super views of five birds, Stierling's Wren-Warbler Calamonastes stierlingi (1-1-0) -- Seen at Lake Mweru and Mutanda, and Stout Cisticola Cisticola robustus (1-0-0) -- Seen at including a dark-eyed juvenile, on Lake Mweru (1-1-1) -- Seen at Mutinondo and near Mutinondo heard elsewhere in the north (mentalis) Mutinondo (awemba) and Kalwelwa (angolensis) (bensoni Zambian Yellow Warbler) (irwini) and at Nkanga (stierlingi) Long-billed Crombec Sylvietta rufescens (H-1-1) Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis (1-1-1) Icterine Warbler icterina (0-0-1) -- Seen Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela -- Scattered sightings, including Nsobe (flecki), but -- Seen at Mutinondo (natalensis), Kalwelwa along the Upper Zambezi icteropygialis (1-0-1) -- Seen at Shiwa Ng'andu, most common in the south (pallida) (katanga) and Nkanga (holubii) Nkanga and Lazy J Ranch (polioxantha) Grassbirds and allies Family Red-capped Crombec Sylvietta ruficapilla (1-1- Short-winged Cisticola Cisticola brachypterus Green-capped Eremomela Eremomela scotops (1- 0) -- Seen at Mutinondo (chubbi) and between Little Rush Warbler baboecala (1-1-1) (1-1-1) -- Scattered sightings, with loanda in the 1-1) -- Widespread sightings (pulchra) Mwinilunga and Mutanda (gephyra) -- Seen at Lake Mweru, Nsobe Camp and Nkanga north-west and isabellinus in the south and east (msiri) Burnt-necked Eremomela Eremomela usticollis Yellow Flycatchers Family Erythrocercidae Neddicky Cisticola fulvicapilla (0-0-1) -- Seen at (0-0-1) -- Good views at Machile (rensi) White-winged Swamp Warbler Bradypterus Nkanga (hallae) Livingstone's Flycatcher Erythrocercus livingstonei carpalis (H-0-0) -- Heard at Lake Mweru Black-necked Eremomela Eremomela atricollis (0-0-1) -- Good views in the Siavonga area Long-tailed Cisticola Cisticola angusticauda (0-H- (1-1-0) -- Seen between Nchelenge and Mbala, and (livingstonei) Evergreen Forest Warbler Bradypterus lopezi (H- 0) -- Heard between Mwinilunga and Mutanda near Nsobe Camp 0-0) -- Heard at Shiwa Ng'andu (ufipae) Leaf warblers and allies Family Phylloscopidae Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis (1-1-H) -- Typical Babblers Family Leiothrichidae Bamboo Warbler Bradypterus alfredi (0-1-0) -- Scattered records (terrestris) Laura's Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus laurae Absolutely incredible views at Mutanda, a highlight Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii (H-1- (1-1-0) -- Good views at Shiwa Ng'andu and Dambo Cisticola Cisticola dambo (0-1-0) -- of the tour (kungwensis) 1) -- Heard at Mutinondo, seen at Chisamba and in Mutinondo, and heard at Kalwelwa (eustacei) Excellent views at Kalwelwa and Chitunta Plain the south (subspecies not determined) Fan-tailed Grassbird Schoenicola brevirostris (dambo) Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus (1-1-1) -- (1-1-0) -- Seen between Nchelenge and Mbala, at Hartlaub's Babbler Turdoides hartlaubii (1-0-1) -- Widespread sightings Pale-crowned Cisticola Cisticola cinnamomeus Mutinondo and at Kalwelwa (alexinae) Seen at Saisi River (hartlaubii) and along the Upper (1-1-0) -- Good views at Mutinondo and Kalwelwa Reed warblers and allies Family Zambezi River (griseosquamata) and allies Family (cinnamomeus) Greater Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens Sylviid Babblers Family Sylviidae Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops (1-1-1) -- Wing-snapping Cisticola Cisticola ayresii (0-1-0) (1-0-H) -- Seen at Lake Mweru and heard at the Recorded widely (nyasa) -- Seen at Kalwelwa (ayresii) Garden Warbler Sylvia borin (1-1-1) -- Scattered Kafue River (ansorgei) sightings Whistling Cisticola Cisticola lateralis (0-1-0) -- Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava (1-1-1) -- Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris Seen briefly near Kalwelwa (modestus) Widespread sightings (subspecies not determined) (1-1-1) -- Seen at the Saisi River (winterbottomi), Nsobe Camp (possibly leptorhynchus) and Nkanga Trilling Cisticola Cisticola woosnami (1-1-0) -- White-chinned Prinia Schistolais leucopogon (0-1- (cunenensis) First seen at Mutinondo (lufira) 0) -- Seen at Mutanda and Kalwelwa (leucopogon)

30 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 31 White-eyes Family Zosteropidae Oxpeckers Family Buphagidae Böhm's Flycatcher boehmi (0-1-0) -- A Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris (1-1-1) pair feeding young seen at Mutinondo -- Scattered sightings, mostly garguensis but with African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorynchus zambesiana in the south (1-1-1) -- Recorded widely (anderssoni Southern (0-0-1) -- Seen at Upper Zambezi Grey-winged Robin-Chat Cossypha polioptera (0- Yellow White-eye); birds at Kalwelwa may be a 1-0) -- Seen briefly at Kalwelwa (polioptera) Green-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra verticalis Thrushes Family Turdidae different subspecies (1-1-0) -- Seen at Shiwa Ng'andu and Mutinondo White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini (1- Groundscraper Thrush Turdus litsitsirupa (0-1-1) (viridisplendens) Hyliotas Family Hyliotidae 1-1) -- Widespread sightings (heuglini) -- Seen briefly near Kalwelwa (stierlingi) and at Bannerman's Sunbird Cyanomitra bannermani

Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Yellow-bellied Hyliota Hyliota flavigaster(1-1-0) Nkanga (pauciguttatus) Red-capped Robin-Chat Cossypha natalensis Report Tour Africa Birding (0-1-0) -- Very good views at Kalwelwa -- Seen at Mutinondo and between Mwinilunga (0-H-1) -- Seen at Lower Zambezi and heard African Thrush Turdus pelios (0-1-0) -- Seen well and Mutanda (barbozae) elsewhere (intensa) Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea (1-1-0) -- Seen at Mutanda and again at Kalwelwa (stormsi) in the north (lowei) Southern Hyliota Hyliota australis (1-1-1) -- Seen Bocage's Akalat Sheppardia bocagei (H-1-0) -- Turdus libonyana (1-1-1) -- at Shiwa Ng'andu, Mayau, Nkanga and Lazy J Seen well at Mutanda and briefly at Mutinondo Amethyst Sunbird amethystina (1- Widespread sightings, verreauxii in the south and Ranch (pallidipectus) (chapini) 1-1) -- Scattered sightings, with deminuta in the tropicalis elsewhere north and kirkii in the south Treecreepers Family Certhiidae Collared Palm Thrush Cichladusa arquata (1-0-1) Chats, Old World Flycatchers Family -- Seen at Lake Mweru, Nkanga, Lake Kariba and Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis African Spotted Creeper Salpornis salvadori (1-1- Muscicapidae Lusaka (0-0-1) -- Seen at Nkanga (gutturalis) 1) -- Seen at Mutinondo, Nkanga and Lazy J Ranch Bearded Scrub Robin Cercotrichas quadrivirgata (salvadori) Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis (1-1-1) Miombo Double-collared Sunbird (0-0-1) -- Seen at Nkanga (quadrivirgata) -- Rather numerous at Mutinondo and seen at manoensis (1-1-0) -- Seen at Mutinondo and Starlings Family Sturnidae Miombo Scrub Robin Cercotrichas barbata (1-1-0) Nkanga and elsewhere, but all but one seen were between Mwinilunga and Mutanda (pintoi Western Common Myna Acridotheres tristis (0-1-1) -- Seen -- Seen at Mutinondo female-plumaged birds Miombo Sunbird) at Chirundu, Livingstone and west of Chingola White-browed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas Miombo Rock Thrush Monticola angolensis (1- Marico Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis (1-0-1) (the latter not confirmed) leucophrys (1-1-1) -- Widespread sightings, 1-1) -- Seen at Mutinondo (angolensis) and Lazy J -- Seen at the Saisi River (suahelicus) and Machile Greater Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis including at Kalwelwa (munda) and Siavonga Ranch (probably hylophilus) (ovamboensis) chalybaeus (0-0-1) -- Seen at Nkanga (nordmanni) (zambesiana) African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus (1-1-1) -- Shelley's Sunbird Cinnyris shelleyi (0-0-1) -- Super Miombo Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis Grey Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus (0-0-1) Widespread sightings (stonei) views of a pair feeding young near Choma elisabeth (0-0-1) -- Good numbers at Nkanga -- Seen at Upper Zambezi (catoleucus) Sooty Chat Myrmecocichla nigra (1-1-1) -- Seen at Purple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciatus (0-0- Splendid Starling Lamprotornis splendidus Southern Black Flycatcher Kalwelwa, Nkanga and en route to Lake Mweru 1) -- Seen regularly in the south (microrhynchus) (1-1-0) -- Seen at Shiwa Ng'andu and Kalwelwa pammelaina (1-1-1) -- Scattered sightings Arnott's Chat Myrmecocichla arnotti (1-1-1) -- Oustalet's Sunbird Cinnyris oustaleti (1-0-0) -- (bailundensis) but common in the south (diabolicus), with Seen near Mbala and at Mutinondo, Nkanga and Very good views near Mbala (rhodesiae) pammelaina in the north Meves's Starling Lamprotornis mevesii (0-0-1) -- Lazy J Ranch (arnotti) White-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris talatala (0-H-1) Good views in the Machile area (mevesii) Melaenornis pallidus (1-1-0) -- Familiar Chat Oenanthe familiaris (1-1-0) -- Seen -- Seen in the south (talatala) Seen three times in the north (griseus) Burchell's Starling Lamprotornis australis (0-0-1) near Mbala and at Mutinondo (falkensteini) Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus (1-H-1) -- Seen in the Machile area Marico Flycatcher Melaenornis mariquensis (0-0- Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata (1-0-0) -- -- Scattered sightings from Lusaka northwards 1) -- Seen at Upper Zambezi (mariquensis) Sharp-tailed Starling Lamprotornis acuticaudus Seen on the Kalasa Mukoso Flats (livingstonii) (falkensteini) (0-1-0) -- A large flock seen well west of Chingola Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata (1-1-1) -- Family Nectariniidae Copper Sunbird Cinnyris cupreus (1-1-1) -- Widespread sightings (subspecies not determined) Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Scattered sightings including at Machile (chalceus) Anchieta's Sunbird Anthreptes anchietae (1-1-0) (1-1-1) -- Widespread sightings (verreauxi) Ashy Flycatcher Muscicapa caerulescens (0-H-1) -- -- Nice looks at Mutinondo Old World Sparrows Family Passeridae Seen along the Upper Zambezi River (impavida) Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio (0-H- Western Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser 1) -- Heard at Mutinondo and seen at Lake Kariba Swamp Flycatcher Muscicapa aquatica (1-0-0) -- longuemarei (0-1-0) -- Just one male at Mutinondo mahali (0-0-1) -- Seen along the Zambezi River (morio) Good views at Lake Mweru (infulata) (angolensis) (probably pectoralis) African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta (1-1-0) -- Seen at Shiwa Ng'andu and Mutinondo (subadusta)

32 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 33 Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser Black-headed Weaver melanocephalus (1- Cut-throat Finch Amadina fasciata (0-0-1) -- Seen Locust Finch Paludipasser locustella (1-1-0) rufoscapulatus (0-1-0) -- Good views at Nsobe 0-0) -- Seen at Lake Mweru (duboisi) at Lake Kariba (meridionalis) -- Good views at Mutinondo and brief views at Camp after a bit of a struggle Kalwelwa (uelensis) Dark-backed Weaver Ploceus bicolor (0-1-0) -- Black-bellied Seedcracker Pyrenestes ostrinus House Sparrow Passer domesticus (1-1-1) -- Seen at Kalwelwa, heard at Mutinondo and near (0-1-0) -- Very brief views of three flying into a Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata (1-1-1) -- Widespread sightings (indicus) Kitwe (kigomaensis) thicket at Kalwelwa Widespread sightings (scutata) Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus (1- Bar-winged Weaver Ploceus angolensis (0-1-0) -- Red-throated Twinspot Hypargos niveoguttatus Red-backed Mannikin Lonchura nigriceps (1-1-H) 1-1) -- Seen from Lusaka northwards (ugandae) Seen well at Mutinondo and very briefly at North (0-1-1) -- A pair seen very well at Nsobe and a -- Seen at Shiwa Ng'andu and Nsobe (nigriceps) Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Swaka forest female very well at Nkanga (macrospilotus) Report Tour Africa Birding Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus Indigobirds, Whydahs Family Viduidae (0-0-1) -- Seen along the Upper Zambezi River Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps (1-1-1) Brown Firefinch Lagonosticta nitidula (1-1-0) Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura (1-1-1) -- (diffusus) -- Seen at Mutinondo and in the south (rubriceps) -- Incredible numbers in the north-east, and seen Widespread sightings again near Mpika and at Mutanda Yellow-throated Petronia Gymnoris superciliaris Red-billed Quelea quelea (1-0-1) -- Seen in Shaft-tailed Whydah Vidua regia (0-0-1) -- A (1-1-1) -- Widespread sightings in the east and the Bangweulu area (aethiopica) and in the south Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala (1-1-1) non-breeding bird at Machile south (subspecies not determined) (lathamii) -- Scattered records, ruberrima in the west and rendalli in the east Long-tailed Paradise Whydah Vidua paradisaea Weavers, Widowbirds Family Yellow-crowned Bishop afer (0-0-1) -- (0-0-1) -- Seen in non-breeding plumage at Upper Non-breeding birds seen along the Lower Zambezi African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata (1- Red-billed Buffalo Weaver niger (0-0- Zambezi River (taha) 1-1) -- Scattered records, including in Lusaka 1) -- Seen in the Machile area (niger) (haematocephala) Cuckoo-finch Anomalospiza imberbis (0-0-1) -- Euplectes orix (0-0-1) -- Thick-billed Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons (0-0-1) Spectacular views of several hundred roosting at Non-breeding birds seen in the south (orix) Jameson's Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia -- Seen along the Upper Zambezi River (maxima) Ross's Dam at Nkanga, including many fine males (0-0-1) -- Seen at Machile and in the Siavonga area and at Kafue River and Lusaka (montana) Euplectes capensis (0-1-0) -- Seen at (jamesoni) , Pipits Family Kalwelwa and Nkanga (crassirostris) Ploceus ocularis (1-1-1) -- Seen Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis (1-1-1) -- Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava (1-0-1) at Mutinondo and Kafue River (suahelicus) Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris (1-1-1) Widespread sightings (mostly or all niassensis) -- Seen at the Saisi River and along the Upper -- Seen at the Saisi River (phoeniceus), Kalwelwa Holub's Golden Weaver Ploceus xanthops (1-1-1) Zambezi River (including male lutea) (bocagei) and the Kafue River (axillaris) Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus bengalus -- Scattered records (1-0-0) -- A couple at Lake Mweru (katangae) Motacilla capensis (1-1-0) -- Yellow-mantled Widowbird Euplectes macroura Southern Brown-throated Weaver Ploceus Widespread in the north-east and also seen at (1-0-1) -- Seen north of Lusaka and at Nkanga Violet-eared Waxbill Uraeginthus granatinus (0-0- xanthopterus (0-0-1) -- Seen well along the Upper Nsobe Camp (simplicissima) (macroura) H) -- Heard at Upper Zambezi (granatinus) Zambezi River (castaneigula) African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp (1-1-1) -- Marsh Widowbird Euplectes hartlaubi (1-1-0) -- Black-faced Waxbill erythronotos (0-0-1) Ploceus intermedius (0-0-1) Widespread sightings (vidua) Seen at Shiwa Ng'andu, Mutinondo and Kalwelwa -- Seen in the Machile area (soligena) -- Seen along the Zambezi River (cabanisii) (hartlaubi) Fülleborn's Longclaw Macronyx fuelleborni Grey Waxbill Estrilda perreini (0-1-0) -- Good Ploceus velatus (0-1-1) (1-1-0) -- Seen well at Nsobe and Kalwelwa, and White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus views at Mutanda (perreini) -- Especially common in the south (velatus) elsewhere in the north (ascensi) (0-0-1) -- Seen at Nkanga (albonotatus) Fawn-breasted Waxbill Estrilda paludicola (1-1-0) Katanga Masked Weaver Ploceus katangae (1-0-0) Rosy-throated Longclaw Macronyx ameliae (1-1- Red-collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens (1-1-0) -- Scattered sightings in the north (benguellensis) -- Seen in good numbers in breeding plumage in 0) -- Superb views at Kalwelwa and also seen at the -- Scattered records in central areas (ardens) the Bangweulu area and in non-breeding plumage Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild (1-1-1) -- Saisi River and Kalasa Mukoso Flats at Lake Mweru (katangae) Long-tailed Widowbird Euplectes progne (1- Scattered sightings, with niediecki in the west and Grimwood's Longclaw Macronyx grimwoodi (0- 0-0) -- Seen on the Kalasa Mukoso Flats, in full cavendishi in the east Tanzanian Masked Weaver Ploceus reichardi (1- 1-0) -- Several pairs seen at Kalwelwa, where we plumage (progne) 0-0) -- Fantastic views of quite a few in breeding Orange-breasted Waxbill Amandava subflava eventually found a pair on the ground plumage at the Saisi River Waxbills, Munias & Allies Family (1-0-0) -- Seen at the Saisi River and Lake Mweru African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus (1-0-H) -- (clarkei) Ploceus cucullatus (0-1-1) -- Seen Orange-winged Pytilia Pytilia afra (1-1-0) -- Brief Seen at the Saisi River and heard at Nkanga at Nsobe (paroptus), and Nkanga and Lower views at Shiwa Ng'andu and Mutanda Quailfinch Ortygospiza atricollis (1-H-0) -- Seen Wood Pipit Anthus nyassae (1-1-1) -- Seen at Zambezi Valley (nigriceps) in flight on the Kalasa Mukoso Flats and heard at Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba (H-0-1) -- Mutinondo, Nkanga, Lazy J Ranch and between Mutinondo (either fuscata or muelleri) and heard Seen a few times in the south (melba) Nchelenge and Mbala at Kalwelwa (fuscata)

34 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 35 Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys (0-1-1) -- Black-throated Canary Crithagra atrogularis (0- Seen at Mutinondo and Kalwelwa (bohndorffi), and 1-1) -- Seen at Kalwelwa (lwenarum) and at Upper Nkanga (tephridorsus) Zambezi (semideserti) Long-legged Pipit Anthus pallidiventris (0-1-0) Brimstone Canary Crithagra sulphurata (1-1-0) --

-- A pair of birds in the Kalwelwa area seemed to Scattered sightings in the north (sharpii) Clark © John match this species best, including for the flight calls Reichard's Seedeater Crithagra reichardi (1-0-0) -- Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis (1-1-1) -- Scattered Very good views in the Mbala area but surprisingly Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding sightings, but most common at Lazy J Ranch not seen at Mutinondo (reichardi) Report Tour Africa Birding (trivialis) Black-eared Seedeater Crithagra mennelli (0-1-1) Striped Pipit Anthus lineiventris (1-0-0) -- Seen -- Very good views of several at Nkanga, and seen near Mbala and at Mutinondo briefly at Mutinondo Short-tailed Pipit Anthus brachyurus (0-1-0) -- Buntings Family Emberizdae Great views of two pairs displaying on the Chitunta Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi Plain (brachyurus) (1-0-0) -- Seen near Mbala (tahapisi) Bushveld Pipit Anthus caffer (0-0-1) -- Very good Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris views at Lazy J Ranch (mzimbaensis) (1-1-1) -- Scattered sightings (kalaharica) Finches Family Fringillidae Cabanis's Bunting Emberiza cabanisi (1-1-1) -- Black-faced Canary Crithagra capistrata (1-1-1) -- Seen at Mutinondo, near Chingola, at Nkanga and Seen at Lake Mweru, Mutanda, Kalwelwa and, very at Lazy J Ranch (orientalis) surprisingly, in Lusaka! (capistrata) Bushveld Pipit Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mozambica (1-1-1) -- Widespread sightings, including samaliyae at the Saisi River, vansoni at Nkanga and mozambica in the central areas © Yann Muzika © Yann © John Clark © John

Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Weaver Livingstone's Flycatcher

36 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 37 Dusky Lark Laura's Woodland Warbler © John Clark © John © Yann Muzika © Yann Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Report Tour Africa Birding © Yann Muzika © Yann © Roger Holmberg © Roger

Pale-billed Hornbill Three-banded Courser

38 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 39 © Yann Muzika © Yann Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Report Tour Africa Birding

40 | Ultimate Zambia 2019 Ultimate Zambia 2019 | 41