Tanzania

Flora & Fauna of the Southern Highlands

A Greentours Tour Report

16th – 31st January 2012

Led by Phil Benstead & Rosalind Salter

17/1 Dar es Salaam

The group arrived after an overnight flight in reasonable shape to be met by Rondi, who had arrived in Dar es Salaam ahead of the team to sort out a research permit (for independent work to be conducted in Kitulo National Park after the tour). We made our way to the Mediterraneo Hotel, although somewhat slowly, due to the usual morning rush hour (or 3!) made infinitely worse by policemen taking over the traffic lights. After a short wait on the pleasantly breezy sea front, overlooking Msasani bay, we got into our rooms to freshen up.

We then embarked our boat from the beach in front of the hotel, destination Bongoyo Island. Sadly, to very soon be limping back to shore due to engine failure. This was not a problem though, we were told by the boatmen, because there was another boat... So off they went to get a new boat and outboard motor...they returned, and we were off again, but disappointingly for the boat to again come spluttering to a halt. The island sat temptingly out of reach. We were out of options so we had a leisurely lunch of fish and chips (minus the head and tail which we would have got on the island) and then contented ourselves with a chance to walk the beach at low tide.

It wasn’t our day as the low tide was badly affected by the onshore winds and so never got low enough to expose the mud and sandflats that are famous for the shorebirds, including the peerless crab plover. We had to content ourselves with Saunders’s tern (3) and two fine sooty gulls. The walk produced a nice ephemeral coastal wetland with commonly found sand loving species identified such as beach bindweed and dead sea fruit. Our dragonfly expert Phil spotted Lestes pallidus and Ischnura senegalensis and nearby we found our first water thick- knees.

Walking in the mature gardens of the hotel, dominated by flamboyant trees, produced some nice birds including Zanzibar red bishops, blue-capped cordon-bleus and Zanzibar sombre greenbul. Yellowed-headed gecko was viewed on the wooden frames of the dining area and house geckos were commonly seen outside the rooms. Although tiredness had set in, the group managed a short evening hunt for reptiles after dinner but only found tree and house geckos. A frustrating day but not without its rewards.

1 18/1 to Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa Mountains)

It was an early start to miss the rush hour traffic. Much of the day was spent travelling in 4WDs equipped with our wonderful Tanzanian drivers Bahati and Saleem, who double up as extremely good wildlife guides. The journey took us West and was punctuated nicely by driving through and lunching within Mikumi National Park and a few good bird stops en route. Mikumi is noted for its Borassus palms, which share the Swahili name ‘Mikumi’ and from which the park’s name is derived. Mikumi covers an area of 3230 km2 but shares its boundary to the South with the Selous Game Reserve, covering an amazing 54,600 km2, which in turn links to the Udzungwa National Park covering 1990 km2. Between them these protected areas span an altitudinal range from 110m to 2576m, encompassing a huge range of habitats including grassland, miombo woodland, lowland forest, sub-montane and montane forest and is one of the largest protected wilderness area in the world.

The park provided us with plenty of game viewing including impressive numbers of elephant, along with the usual buffalo, zebra and impala. The sighting of Southern ground hornbills was Phil’s favourite bird spot of the day, one of which was carrying a large Xenopus frog in its bill.

Driving on towards the Udzungwa National Park we enjoyed great views of Zanzibar red bishop and fan-tailed widowbird in the wet grassland, along the river within the cane plantations, near Hondo Hondo. Also here malachite kingfishers and white-browed coucals made an appearance.

After settling in to our luxury tented abodes on arrival at Hondo Hondo, we had evening sundowners. At the same time we saw the local trumpeter hornbills, returning to their roosts on the forest edge by camp, after their usual day out in the plains of the Selous. Over a sumptuous dinner we saw a bushbuck (in Phil’s super torch light) on the forest edge and heard bush babies calling as well as their red eye shine, picked out by torchlight. The evening frogging session after the rain (which we luckily missed) was fantastic, helped by the new pond situated on the edge of the forest. One frog was identified as an Udzungwa endemic and the energetically calling male saffron yellow Hyperolius mitchelli were really rather splendid.

19/1 Sanje and Sonjo (Udzungwa NP) Some of the group were up at dawn but things were slow to get going in the clearing. Things got busier during breakfast and then we headed out with local guides to find and follow a habituated group of Sanje mangabeys. Except Peter, who went off to the Prince Bernard falls with another guide. This particular group of mangabey habituated by 2007 is never too far away but this year we didn’t have to walk far at all (although we had been told earlier that they were further away).

2 We cut through some cultivated land on the edge of the forest by the park HQ and then only after a few hundred metres we were on their trail (mainly following paths made by elephants that frequently pass through this section of forest). The group 68 strong had 3 new babies. We watched as they foraged for grubs on the ground and ate fruit from the trees and then walked with them as they passed through the forest. In the same fruiting trees we also found Angolan black-and-white colobus and Udzungwa red colobus. A noisy baboon fight also broke out.

Of course, the odonates stole the show for Phil, the peak of perfection being the Platycypha caligata, found along a small stream, and his first Trithemis aconita. Out in the farmland the small streams produced a superb variety of commoner and more widespread species as well as various butterflies including narrow green-banded swordtail and common bush brown. We took a slightly different route back to Hondo Hondo and our guides made us bridges out of bamboo to get back across some damp ditches in the Shamba (farmland). Lunch back at Hondo Hondo was supplemented with good views of Udzungwa red colobus and black and white colobus from the comfort of loungers in the dining area. In the afternoon Peter walked around the farmland and villages near to Hondo Hondo with his enthusiastic young guide and the rest of us followed the Sonjo trail. Here we saw some nice flowers including a striking blue ginger Siphonochilus brachystemon (left), large yellow member of the ginger family Costus macranthus, pink Impatiens wallerana and Begonia oxyloba. We ended the walk by a pretty waterfall, where many butterflies were dancing, including: large striped swordtail, forest grass yellow and soldier pansy. After another tasty dinner we gathered around a moth trap that had been set up in the clearing and invited in a wonderful array of sphingids, noctuides, cicadas, micro mantis etc. Fewer new frogs were found after a turn of the camp but a common squeaker was nice.

20/1 Sanje Falls trail (Udzungwa NP) We headed up to the top of the Sanje falls at the usual leisurely pace giving us time to take in all the new pretty flowers, towering trees, colourful butterflies and dragonflies, as well as some great sightings of Udzungwa red colobus and black and white (with very handsome epaulettes) colobus and our first (albeit brief) sighting of a blue monkey. Along the trail we saw numerous lovely pink and yellow gingers Siphonochilus kirkii (rose ginger lily), Scadoxus multiflorus (fire ball lily), Gladiolus sp., and red Pentas bussei. The sweet smelling Tabernaemontana pachysiphon, with frangipani-like flowers and large shiny leaves, was frequent as we neared the top of the falls.

At the top of the falls we enjoyed sightings of Begonia, Streptocarpus and two new orchids were photographed by Rondi (via slippy rocks) on the other side of the falls. These have been as identified as Cynorkis kirkii and Disperis uzungwae (see below). Another species was found growing in moss precariously situated on the edge of the falls. Initially it looked to be an orchid but has now been identified as the bladderwort Utricularia pentadactyla. The author of this species Peter Taylor was the head of Orchids at Kew before Phil Cribb, but apparently his true love was with carnivorous plants such as this.

3

Cynorkis kirki Disperis uzungwae Saintpaulia ionantha

We lunched on the rocks at the top of the falls, overlooking the plains of the Kilombero valley and out towards the Selous. Afterwards we followed aptly named ‘pathfinder’ (Catuna sikorana) butterflies, along a welcome flat path to a second splendid waterfall, where luckily a few purple Saintpaulia ionantha were out in flower. Other striking butterflies seen were the large blue mother-of-pearl and the common but very pretty gold-banded forester. Dragonflies included Bradinopyga cornuta, Zygonyx natalensis and Olpogastra.

A highlight of the day were, not 1, but 2 forest vine snakes (both spotted by eagle-eyed Angela). This is a beautiful but deadly snake but fortunately totally non-aggressive. Also known as a twig snake for obvious reasons. To add to the herptile list Vicky found a Bell’s hinged tortoise and Phil found a funky green frog identified as Hyperolius reesi (left). This species is known only from the Kilombero floodplains and the lower eastern slopes of the Udzungwa Mountains so a very good find!

On our short drive back to camp, for a much-needed beer, we saw Kingfishers (brown hooded and striped) on wires, and open-billed storks fishing in the rice paddies. Phil had bought jack fruit from the village at the base of Sanje. We had this as a pre-starter and it proved very popular and I think it was even Jeremy’s ‘highlight’ of the day! (?)

Dinner was again superb and the chef was invited down (from his wonderful open air hill top kitchen) so we could give him a big round of applause. The moth trap was out again and after a quick look at the evening’s weird and wonderful beasties (such as queen termites, funky green angular moth, fluffy moths, twig bug – apologies for the lack of technical identification here!) everyone sloped off to bed for our last night under semi-luxurious canvas.

21/1 Drive up to Kisolanza (via Baobab Valley)

First stop in the morning was the wetland area in the middle of the sugar cane-fields en route to Mikumi. In a short time here we netted Kilombero weaver, as well as some welcome wetland birds. The drive up to Iringa was broken by a lunch stop in Baobab valley where we added ashy starling and golden-backed weaver to the bird list. Butterflies included the common Yellow Pansy, Cambridge vagrant and Foxy charaxes. A southern long-tailed lizard here was a bit

4 special. Baobab valley has a wonderfully remote and wild feel about it. The valley is carved out by the great, (and at this time of the year a very muddy orange) Ruaha river, which forms the Northeast boundary of the Udzungwa National Park. Shortly after leaving Phil’s 4WD found an eastern chanting goshawk on the road tormenting a northern stripe-bellied sand snake. Driving on along the valley caper whites were seen floating around us like confetti.

We climbed up the Ruaha Gorge, dodging the broken down trucks that this steep and winding road so often claims, into cooler climes. We took in the granite boulder strewn scenery as we approached Iringa, but then roadworks slowed progress. This meant only a quick stop at Ismilla stone age site but we still saw some nice bird species including cliffchat, cinnamon-breasted rock bunting and flowers including the lovely flame Lily Gloriosa superba, yellow Oxalis corniculata, Crocrosmia aurea, some unusal sedges (to keep Geoff happy) and a couple of unidentified orchids (Habenaria spp.). Here we were joined by Claire and Rama, (friends of Rondi’s who work for the Wildlife Coservation Society researching the recently disovered Kipunji monkey), who travelled on with us to Kisolanza. Sadly, we arrived too late for tea and cake but after freshening up in our homely cottages, set amongst elegant Brachystegia trees, we were treated to a delicious meal of the tenderest of beef and crunchy vegetables, all fresh from the farm. Good wine flowed and Rondi broke her abstinence (all Claire’s fault!).

22/1 Kisolanza and drive to Utengule After breakfast on the veranda, looking out over a pretty country garden, we enjoyed a morning walk down to the resevoir. The water was covered in pretty but exotic yellow and white fringed waterlilies and here we saw an excellent selection of Odonates, many of them new for the trip (including some nice Trithemis species), as well as sharp-nosed reed frog (Hyperolius nasutus), African wattled lapwing (4) and two purple-crested turacos. Vicky stumbled apon a flattened (flap-necked) chameleon on the way back up to the cottages. Duiker tracks were also seen.

After lunch we headed off in the 4WDs, stopping at a wetland area known as Sao Hill that was great for orchids. Orchids included the imposing white Satyruim antherstonei (right), delicate Eulophia ischna and bright orange Platycoryne pervillei (left). Phil engaged some young boys who caught two new frogs for the trip in the short time we were here.

Driving on we passed eucalyptus, wattle and pine plantations before returning to Miombo woodland, the most striking and easily identified tree being Bauhinia. To the North we could see the imposing Lugala Escarpment (reaching aprox. 2700m), forming the backbone of Mpanga-Kipengere Game Reserve and extensive woodland in the foreground. We then passed through bustling Mbeya town to the tranquillity of Utengule, perched up on the hillside. The heavens opened and so dinner on the veranda was abandoned for the equally pleasant dinning room. After a long day of travelling we all decided to treat ourselves to steak.

5 23/1 Utengule and Songwe bat cave

We managed breakfast on the veranda, taking in the panoramic views across the African Rift towards Zambia and Malawi. Phil had a great dawn session with plenty of birds, Peters’s twinspot being the easy highlight, but Baglafecht weaver was also new for the trip. After breakfast we did a circular walk starting in the colourful gardens, down to the river, through the coffee plantation and back up through pretty woodland. Plenty of new birds were seen, including Village Weavers busy flitting in and out of their perfectly woven nests and a pair of Hammerkops down by the river. Surprisingly few dragonflies were seen and common butterflies included the eared commodore, the Natal pansy and the guineafowl. We also found two flap-necked chameleons, one of which we challenged to match the colour of Angela’s wonderful hat. Wondering back through the woods we saw some lovely flowers including the white trumpets of Cycnium adonense (inky blue when bruised) and the handsome Gladiolus dalenii. Back at the lodge we had a leisurely lunch.

The afternoon session to Songwe was rather disappointing this year because local livestock (mainly goats) seemed to have taken over and so pretty flowers had been munched, the hot springs was full of goat dung and the bats had moved out of the caves, after the goats had moved in. Geoff, Phil and I crawled into the cave and did manage to pick up a few bats on the detector but none were seen. Nevertheless, it is a pretty spot and attractive but rejected marble blocks are strewn everywhere in this small quarry. In addition the group got to experience the joys of unscrupulous villagers trying to fleece unassuming tourists! I think we will pick a new outing for next year...

24/1 Ngosi (Mporoto) crater trail

Passing back through Mbeya we took the main road towards Malawi, with great views of Mt. Rungwe (2960m), and turned off onto a dirt track to the trail-head of Ngozi mountain, which is designated as a Forest Reserve. In the pool by the entrance to the track Phil spotted his first Diplacodes luminans – an often-searched-for Odonate. A few good birds were seen along the trail, including forest batis, white-tailed crested flycatcher and bar-throated apalis, but the flowers were much more prolific! We found 3 species of Impatiens, two species of Streptocarpus, two Begonia and dozens of the sumptuous shade loving orchid Calanthe sylvatica. Crocosmia aurea and Gloriosa superba were also commonly seen.

6 Once we had reached the crater’s rim and walked a short distance around it we enjoyed lunch in a clearing, overlooking the spectacular crater lake (approx. 2600m) below. The crater is thought to have been formed a million years ago, collapsing in on itself and then filling with water. The local Wasafwa people believe the mountain to have magical powers and legend has it that it harbours a rain god. We slowly descended to the sounds of an encroaching storm but thankfully it skirted us by and we were spared a soaking. Another brief sighting of blue monkey was also made on the descent. We wandered back down the flower-fringed access track, followed behind by the 4WDs. Along the track we also found eastern double-collared sunbird and a noisy gang of cinnamon bracken warblers.

25/1 Utengule to Matamba

An early morning bird walk produced the first Angola and red-rumped swallows of the trip. We left the coffee lodge after breakfast and made our way towards Kitulo National Park, the best bit of the journey being the drive up the 52 hairpin bends of the Chimala escarpment. Few birds were seen although we did see African golden oriole and ashy starling at the base of the climb. The escarpment, which forms part of Chimala Forest Reserve, was however good for flowers including the delicate orchids Habenaria cornuta and Habenaria Uhehensis, the nodding heads of Clematopsis villosa and distinctive grass like herb Centemopsis gracilenta with red inflorescences in terminal spikes. Hazy views over the Usangu flats were also enjoyed.

A riverside lunch stop produced several more new orchids including white Holothrix nyasae and pink and white spotted Disa walleri. Angela also found the first gomphid of the trip, the first photographic record of Notogomphus zernyi no less. Phil was excited! We botanized our way to the hotel, stopping frequently en route, and had a relaxing afternoon after checking into Mama Eden’s ‘Motel’ at Matamba.

The village is set in the shadows of Matamba ridge, which forms the Northeastern boundary of Kitulo National Park. A sleepy place where donkeys, goats and wildfowl graze along the wide green verges and locals run small dukas (shops) and vegetable stalls Habenaria Uhehensis lining the main dirt road. Some of us had a wander around the village to purchase sarong material whilst others rested with a beer and caught up with diaries etc.

The eccentric Mama Eden, dressed up in her Chef’s best, produced a feast of local food, some of which we ate by torch light as the electricity cut in and out. After a shot of Amarula we all retired early.

26/1 Kitulo (Njombe Valley)

A short drive up and over Matamba ridge brought us into the park and we had a fantastic, sunny day walking in the Njombe Valley. Plants and birds aplenty! New birds came thick and fast, nearly everything recorded was a trip-tick and Phil got a good number of lifers. Highlights were steppe eagle (1), Eurasian hobby (2) red-winged francolin (3), Fuellborn’s longclaw (2), montane marsh widowbird (++), East African citril (1) and Whyte’s seedeater (1). Two Cape robin-chats and a singing dark-capped yellow warbler were a treat in the thick vegetation alongside a stream and the malachite sunbirds were just superb.

7 Flowers were too many to list but some of the most striking were Satyrium monadenum, Habenaria macrura, Impatiens rosulata, Kniphophia grantii and Echinops sp. We picked a picturesque lunch stop served up on a bridge crossing a bubbling stream. Here we found dainty Cynorkis acampanoides, Erica whyteana and Xyris obscura. Close by were dozens of the vermillion red Disa stolzii. Further down the valley we had lovely sections covered in Clematopsis uhehensis, Moraea tanzanica and Alepidia peduncularis. A new orchid record of Satyrium breve was found in a very marshy area only ventured into by Geoff and Rondi Satyrium breve 27/1 Kitulo NP In the morning we headed up onto the plateau area to focus on birds, the main aim being to find Denham’s bustard. We had a few brief views of black-lored cisticola from the car, the raptors were excellent (most common being the augur buzzard) and we finally saw a male pallid harrier. Looking back towards the ridge we could see (with the help of Phil’s telescope) hundreds of Abdim’s storks flying on the thermals over Matamba ridge – quite a sight. The highlight though was when we stopped A sea of yellow Moraea tanzanica and pink Geranium incanum to admire a sea of the canary yellow Moraea tanzanica and then saw the splendid Denham’s bustard sailing through the Moraeas just in front of us. A white-tailed mongoose was also seen crossing the road in front of us as we drove back towards the ridge.

In the afternoon we headed up Matamba ridge, flushing a mountain reedbuck as we climbed at a good pace, set by an unstoppable Kathleen. Conditions were surprisingly dry and we failed to find many of our target plants. However, we did see one pretty Disa welwitchiii and several Proteas on the way. On the rocky quartzite tops we found several Ericas and lots of the pretty Romulea camerooneana. Sundew was also found in the wet flush near the top. The top of the ridge forms the boundary of the park and we witnessed a new area of potato cultivation, which seemed to be impinging the boundary. This finding was followed up later by Rondi, and a park ranger confirmed it was inside the park and that action would be taken.

28/1 to Kimani Falls and on to Kisolanza

We left Mama Eden’s, the females with presents of material, and made our way back eastwards towards Kisolanza. We travelled down off the plateau with spectacular views over the Mpanga- Kipengere Game Reserve. Once back at the main road we took a detour to Kimani Waterfalls, the access to which is along a rather

8 rough track. Some great 4WD action involved a touch of road building and our wonderful drivers gallantly made it through quite a tricky section. Along the track we saw some great birds including two Hildebrandt’s francolins and had a splendid lunch stop down at the falls. Also seen were blue-cheeked bee-eater and parasitic weaver. Butterflies included several Charaxes species and the Blue Pansy.

A rest stop later, in agricultural fields, produced the first (and last!) yellow-rumped seedeaters of the trip. After dinner back at Kisolanza most retired to the comfort of their cottages to enjoy a freshly stoked log fire whilst Rondi and Phil keenly went out frogging around the reservoir. The conditions were cruel and dry but some stuff was found. A burrowing asp (small but deadly) was the highlight but we also saw a few unidentified amphibians including a clawed frog of some kind.

29/1 Kisolanza, Baobab Valley and Mikumi

A walk around Kisolanza before breakfast rewarded those who surfaced early with a nice white-winged tit and an eastern double-collared sunbird. Then driving back through Baobab Valley we also saw two excellent yellow-collared lovebirds flying alongside the wagon. The resident arrogant baboons walked nonchalantly across the road in front of us and scavenged by the roadside. We stopped at a different camp than on the way for a drink break, this located right alongside the rushing Ruaha River – a great spot.

Lunch was worth the wait once settled into Vuma Hill Tented Camp in Mikumi. We then had an excellent afternoon’s game drive with plenty of new birds for the trip and the added excitement of a mint Dickinson’s kestrel. Mammals included three lions and some hippos. Walking the hippo pool produced at least three new Odonates, including the very widespread species Tholymis tillarga and Brachythemis leucosticta.

During pre-dinner drinks on the balcony, overlooking the plains, the peace was rudely broken by honey badgers fighting over scraps put out by the kitchen staff in a clearing below. These are fierce beasts and clearly not to be messed with! Other seemingly resident nocturnal wildlife included an African palm civet, a wonderful porcupine and a small-eared galago, which confidently sauntered along the balustrades as we dined.

30/1 Mikumi and on to Dar

We were up bright and early for one last pre-breakfast game-drive in Mikumi. Plenty of birds to look at again on this morning with siffling cisticola, dwarf bittern (1) and northern pied babbler being the highlights. Common but stunning birds included the lilac-breasted roller and superb starling. Game was viewed in abundance including impala giving a wonderful display of male vigour, several groups of elephant and young families of giraffe, wildebeest and zebra.

We returned to camp for a hearty late breakfast and then we got on our way for the final leg of our journey back towards Dar es Salaam. We lunched on the outskirts of Morogoro and after getting to the outskirts of Dar we took a sneaky back route, through pleasant suburbs and across to the Mediterraneo. The route took us up to higher ground providing good views of the city and coastline.

Back at the hotel we had a lovely last meal in high spirits to the sound of the Indian Ocean and a very welcome warm breeze.

9 31/1 Dar to London

Rondi waved everyone off early to catch the morning flight to London. All arrived home on time after a trip that (we hope) was very much enjoyed by all.

10 Systematic List Number 1 Mammals

Order and nomenclature follow Kingdon (1997) The Kingdon field guide to African mammals. Although I have arbitrarily changed the vernacular name of Iringa red colobus!

Udzungwa red colobus Piliocolobus gordonorum Seen on both days at Udzungwa. A great encounter on the Sanje Falls trail. Angola pied colobus Colobus angolensis Great views at Udzungwa, especially along the Sanje Falls trail. Yellow baboon Papio cynocephalus Widespread in lowlands. Sanje mangabey Cercocebus sanjei Udzungwa – an hour spent in the company of over 70 habituated mangabeys as they went about their business was a trip highlight. Blue monkey Cercopithecus mitis Heard at Udzungwa. Seen briefly by Phil and heard again along the Mporoto crater trail. Vervet monkey Chlorocebus aethiops Mikumi and Baobab Valley. Small-eared galago Otolemur garnetti Vuma Hills (Mikumi) – superb views of tame individuals in the restaurant here. Galago sp. Galagoides sp. Heard nightly at Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa), eyeshine seen here was probably this species too. Squirrel sp. Paraxerus sp. Squirrels at Sanje Falls (Udzungwa) and Mporoto were seen too briefly to identify. [Blesmol sp.] Bathyergidae Plenty of ‘mole-hill’ evidence of the presence of these at Kitumi. Probably a Cryptomys. Crested porcupine Hystrix cristata A huge individual from the balcony of the restaurant at Vuma Hills (Mikumi) during dinner. Ratel Melivora capensis Three ferocious and noisy individuals from the balcony of the Vuma Hills restaurant (Mikumi). [African clawless otter] Aonyx capensis Sign at Kisolanza only this year. White-tailed mongoose Ichneumia albicauda Single crossing the road on Kitulo plateau. a genet Genetta sp. A road-killed individual in Baobab Valley, we did not stop but I wish we had now. African civet Civettictis civeta One at the Vuma Hills restaurant during dinner (Mikumi). [Leopard] Panthera pardus Scat on the road through Kitulo. Lion Panthera leo Three lionesses at Mikumi on the first game drive. African elephant Loxodonta africana Mikumi – good numbers daily. Common zebra Equus quagga Mikumi. Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius Mikumi. Common warthog Phacochoerus africanus Mikumi. Giraffe Giraffa camelopardis Mikumi African buffalo Syncerus caffer Mikumi. Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus Udzungwa (single at night). Tracks at Kisolanza. One at Mikumi. Eland Taurotragus oryx Rondi’s van saw some on the last drive in Mikumi. Mountain reedbuck Redunca fulvorufula The kob species observed at Kitulo was almost certainly this species. They are tough to id though.

11 Impala Aepyceros melampus Many at Mikumi, including some comically belligerant batchelor herds. Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus Mikumi – small scattered herds and individuals.

12 Systematic List Number 2 Birds

Order and nomenclature follow Stevenson and Fanshawe (2002) Field guide to the birds of East Africa.

Dwarf bittern Ixobrychus sturmii One flushed from a small pool at Mikumi. [Black-crowned night- Nycticorax nycticorax Heard at night in Dar. heron] Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis Widespread. Rufous-bellied heron Ardeola rufiventris One over the sugar cane fields near Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Little egret Egretta garzetta Dar Dimorphic egret Egretta dimorpha Dar Intermediate egret Mesophoyx intermedia Mikumi Purple heron Ardea purpurea Kisolanza. Grey heron Ardea cinerea Dar Black-headed heron Ardea melanocephala Widespread. Hamerkop Scopus umbretta Nest in Mikumi. Seen well at Utengule and a few seen whilst travelling. Abdim’s stork Ciconia abdimii Big flock thermalling over road at Mikumi. Large flocks encountered frequently thereafter, at least 500 passing north during our second day at Kitulo. Never seen on the ground though! Wooly-necked stork Ciconia episcopus A few at Mikumi. African open-billed stork Anastomus lamelligerus Widespread in small numbers. Marabou stork Leptotilus crumeniferus Mikumi. Sacred ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus Two at river mouth in Dar on first day. Egyptian goose Alopochen aegyptiacus One at Mikumi. Knob-billed duck Sarkidiornis melanotus Two over the small wetland area in the cane- fields near Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). A few at Mikumi. Black kite Milvus migrans Common between Mikumi and Dar. Black-shouldered kite Elanus caeruleus One near Mbeya. African fish-eagle Haliaeetus vocifer Sub-adult at Mikumi by the hippo pool. Palmnut vulture Gypohierax angolensis Three on drive to Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Hooded vulture Necrosyrtes monachus Three or four at carcass by main road through Mikumi. White-headed vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis Single at carcass by main road through Mikumi. African white-backed Gyps africanus A small group at carcass by main road through vulture Mikumi included just one adult. Brown snake-eagle Circaetus cinereus Mikumi (1). Eurasian marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus Noted near the small wetland area in the cane- fields near Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa) and at Kisolanza. Pallid harrier Circus macrourus Several females and immatures on the Kitulo plateau on the first day. A male pleasingly the next day. Eastern chanting-goshawk Melierax poliopterus Single seen very well trying to dispatch an injured snake on the road in the Baobab Valley. Lizard buzzard Kaupifalco One near Chimala. Another seen during drive monogrammicus from Kimana Falls to Kisolanza.

13 African goshawk Accipiter tachiro Two at Udzungwa. African harrier-hawk Polyboroides typus Single flew past during lunch at the top of Sanje Falls (Udzungwa). European honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus Mikumi only, probably under-recorded. Augur buzzard Buteo augur Common on the Kitulo plateau. Common buzzard Buteo buteo Noted on seven days. Steppe eagle Aquila nipalensis Single adult on the drive down from Kitulo to Matamba. Wahlberg’s eagle Aquila wahlbergi Mikumi (2). Bataleur Terathopius ecaudatus Common at Mikumi and a few either side along the main road. Long-crested eagle Lophaetus occipitalis Singles at Utengule and Kitulo. Several seen well on drive into Kimana Falls and at Mikumi. Martial eagle Polemaetus bellicosus Immature bird at Mikumi on first game drive. Dickinson’s kestrel Falco dickinsoni One near Vuma Hills (Mikumi). An excellent little raptor. Eurasian hobby Falco subbuteo Two on the road down to Matamba from the Kitulo plateau. One or two on track into Kimana Falls and around Mikumi. Lanner falcon Falco biarmicus The most common falcon. One near Mbeya and another at the top of the Mporoto crater trail. Another pair at Kitulo. A few pairs seen in transit too. Helmeted guineafowl Numida meleagris Heard in Mikumi. Feathers at Udzungwa. Finally two seen near the Songwe bat cave and many more at Mikumi on the second visit. Red-winged francolin Francolinus levaillantii Three birds in the Numbe Valley (Kitulo). Coqui francolin Francolinus coqui Two excellent close birds on the road into Vuma Hills (Mikumi). Hildebrandt’s francolin Francolinus hildebrandti Two on road into Kimana Falls. Red-necked spurfowl Francolinus afer Common at Mikumi. Common quail Coturnix coturnix Singing birds at lunchtime on the Kitulo plateau. Birds flushed underfoot whilst botanising were either this species or harlequin quail Coturnix delegorguei. Black crake Amarornis flavirostris Several in the small wetland area in the cane- fields near Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Allen’s gallinule Porphyrio alleni Several in the small wetland area in the cane- fields near Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). African jacana Actophilornis africanus Two in the small wetland area in the cane-fields near Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Denham’s bustard Neotis denhami Single bird at Kitulo, gliding serenely through a flower-filled alpine meadow. Priceless. Black-bellied bustard Eupodotis melanogaster Common at Mikumi with at least one close encounter. Water thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus Three at the rivermouth near our hotel at Dar on first day. At least 20 at the hippo pool at Mikumi. Blacksmith lapwing Vanellus armatus Small numbers at Mikumi on second visit. African wattled lapwing Vanellus senegallus Four at Kisolanza. Crowned lapwing Small numbers at Mikumi.

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Senegal lapwing Vanellus lugubris Three or four along the Vuma Hills access track (Mikumi). Common ringed plover Charadrius hiaticula One or two at the rivermouth at Dar. Grey plover Pluvialis squatarola Just five at Dar. Common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Widespread. Wood sandpiper Tringa glareola Single in cane fields near Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Green sandpiper Tringa ochropus Single in cane fields near Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Another at Mikumi. Common greenshank Tringa nebularia A few at Dar. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Dar Heuglin’s gull Larus heuglini Common along beach at Dar. Sooty gull Larus hemprichii Just two at Dar. Saunder’s tern Sterna saundersi Two or three along the beach at Dar. African green pigeon Treron calva Five gave us a rapid flyby in Mikumi on the last morning. Emerald-spotted wood- Turtur chalcospilos Utengule dove Blue-spotted wood-dove Turtur afer Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Ring-necked dove Streptopelia capicola Recorded. Red-eyed dove Streptopelia semitorquata Widespread, frequently heard. Laughing dove Streptopelia senegalensis Just two between Kimani Falls and Kisolanza. Doubtless under-recorded. Yellow-collared lovebird Agapornis personatus An East African endemic. Two flying alongside one of the wagons whilst driving through Baobab Valley. Sweet. Purple-crested turaco Tauraco porphyreolophus Two seen well at Kisolanza. [Livingstone’s turaco] Tauraco livingstonii Heard at Utengule but sadly not converted. Black-and-white cuckoo Oxylophus jacobinus Single immature at the small wetland area in the cane-fields near Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Another at Chimala. Common cuckoo Cuculus canorus A single female bird at Kitulo was this species. A male there the next day too. Red-chested cuckoo Cuculus solitarius Heard at Utengule. Diederik cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius One seen well at the small wetland area in the cane-fields near Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Others heard. Klaas’s cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas Single female seen well at Utengule. Another on road into Kimani Falls. [Yellowbill] Ceuthmochares aereus Heard at Udzungwa. White-browed coucal Centropus superciliosus Widespread. [African wood owl] Strix woodfordi Heard at Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). White-faced scops-owl Ptilopsis granti ?? Little swift Apus affinis Widespread. Eurasian swift Apus apus Small flock outside Dar on Day 2. Two or three in the crater at Mporoto. Daily in small numbers at Kitulo. African palm swift Cypsiurus parvus Widespread. Speckled mousebird Colius striatus Frequently encountered. Blue-naped mousebird Urocolius macrourus Mikumi. [Bar-tailed trogon] Apaloderma vittatum Heard along the Mporoto crater trail.

15 Pied kingfisher Ceryle rudis Noted only at Dar. Striped kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti Scattered records. Brown-hooded kingfisher Halcyon albiventris Scattered records. Giant kingfisher Ceryle maxima Single at Kisolanza. Woodland kingfisher Halycon senegalensis Kimani Falls track. Malachite kingfisher Alcedo cristata Common along drainage channels in the cane fields at Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Seen on wetlands near Iringa. African pygmy kingfisher Ispidina picta Angela probably saw this bird in the garden at Kisolanza. Little bee-eater Merops pusillus Small numbers at Utengule and along track into Kimani Falls. [White-throated bee-eater] Merops albicollis A bee-eater seen briefly at the start of the Sanje Falls trail (Udzungwa) was probably this species. European bee-eater Merops apiaster Widespread. Blue-cheeked bee-eater Merops persicus Two or three hawking from the wires at the start of the Kimani Falls track. Northern carmine bee-eater Merops nubicus Two over hotel garden in Dar. Broad-billed roller Eurystomus glaucurus Mikumi (2 on Vuma Hills access track). Lilac-breasted roller Coracias caudata Mikumi and track into Kimani Falls. European roller Coracias garrulus Recorded just outside Dar. Green wood-hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus Party of four near Vuma Hills (Mikumi). [Common scimitarbill] Rhinopomastus Possibly this distinctive species seen briefly in cyanomelas flight when driving through Mikumi. African grey hornbill Tockus nasutus Common at Mikumi. Crowned hornbill Tockus alboterminatus Udzungwa, Mikumi. Trumpeter hornbill Ceratogymna bucinator Udzungwa. Southern ground-hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri A single and then a small family group at Mikumi on our first visit. Several groups on our second visit there. [Yellow-rumped tinkerbird] Pogoniulus bilineatus Heard around Utengule. [Moustached green Pogoniulus leucomystax Heard at Udzungwa. tinkerbird] Red-fronted tinkerbird Pogoniulus pusillus Heard and glimpsed in the hotel garden in Dar on the first day. Spot-flanked barbet Tricholaema lachrymosa Isimilla stone age site and Kisolanza. Black-collared barbet Lybius torquatus Two or three daily at Utengule. Seen on drive down the escarpment on the way to Kimani Falls. Nubian woodpecker Campethera nubica Male at lunch stop in Baobab Valley. Bennett’s woodpecker Campethera bennetti Single seen well at Utengule. Rufous-naped lark Mirafra africana Kitulo – seen a few times in flight but never seen on the ground. Flappet lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea A few along the tracks at Mikumi on second visit. Fischer’s sparrow-lark Eremopterix leucopareia Pair en route to Songwe bat cave. Rock martin Hirundo fuligula Sanje Falls (Udzungwa). Sand martin Riparia riparia Kitulo Common house martin Delichon urbica Just one at Kitulo. Mosque swallow Hirundo senegalensis A few at Utengule.

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Red-rumped swallow Hirundo daurica Single at Utengule on the last morning. A few at Kitulo. Lesser striped swallow Hirundo abyssinica Widespread. Barn swallow Hirundo rustica Widespread. Angola swallow Hirundo angolensis Utengule, Matamba and Kitulo. Wire-tailed swallow Hirundo smithi Occasionally encountered. Black saw-wing Psalidoprocne holomelas Udzungwa, Utengule. White-headed saw-wing Psalidoprocne albiceps Utengule. African pied wagtail Motacilla aguimp Pair at Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Sometimes seen in transit. Common at Utengule. Mountain wagtail Motacilla clara Single at the low waterfall at Sanje (Udzungwa). Yellow-throated longclaw Macronyx croceus Pair at Mikumi on last day. Fuelleborn’s longclaw Macronyx fuellebornii At least two birds on the first day at Kitulo. Grassland pipit Anthus cinnamomeus Kitulo. Plain-backed pipit Anthus leucophrys Single at Utengule. Black cuckoo-shrike Campephaga flava Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Grey cuckoo-shrike Coracina caesia Udzungwa. Eastern nicator Nicator gularis Udzungwa. Common bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus Widespread Stripe-cheeked greenbul Andropadus milanjensis Sanje Falls (Udzungwa). Zanzibar sombre greenbul Andropadus importunus Dar es Salaam – single hotel garden bird. Cape robin-chat Cossypha caffra Pair in thick streamside vegetation in the Numbe Valley (Kitulo). White-browed robin-chat Cossypha heuglini Widespread. Cliff chat Myrmecocichla Single male at the Ismilla stone age site. cinnamomeiventris Common stonechat Saxicola torquata Kisolanza. Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Kitulo Thrush nightingale Luscinia luscinia Utengule. White-browed scrub-robin Cercotrichas leucophrys Single at start of trail to Sanje Falls (Udzungwa) and common at Kisolanza. Familiar chat Cercomela familiaris Utengule. Dark-capped yellow Chloropeta natalensis Single singing bird at Kitulo. The nominate race warbler is very different from the more widespread ‘dark-capped’ race. Lesser swamp warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris Noted in the small wetland area in the cane- fields near Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Eurasian reed/marsh Acrocephalus sp. Unidentified birds at Utengule and Kisolanza. warbler Cinnamon bracken warbler Bradypterus cinnamomeus Several pished in very close on the road to the Mporoto crater trail. Garden warbler Sylvia borin Kisolanza Common whitethroat Sylvia communis Single on track into Kimani Falls. Willow warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Heard in hotel garden at Dar. Yellow-bellied eromomela Eremomela icteropygialis Recorded? [Zitting cisticola] Cisticola juncidis Heard somewhere! Desert cisticola Cisticola aridulus Mikumi. Wing-snapping cisticola Cisticola ayresii Kitulo – the display of this diminutive species provided the soundtrack to our visits to the plateau. Siffling cisticola Cisticola brachypterus One singing on the last drive in Mikumi.

17 Churring cisticola Cisticola njombe Numbe Valley (Kitulo) and more the next day. Winding cisticola Cisticola galactotes Seen well in sizal plantation overlooking the Uluguru Mountains en route to Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Also at the cane-fields near Hondo Hondo. Singing cisticola Cisticola cantans Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Black-lored cisticola Cisticola nigriloris Just one at Kitulo (near the campsite). Tawny-flanked prinia Prinia subflava Widespread. Grey-backed camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura Udzungwa and Utengule. Yellow-breasted apalis Apalis flavida Hondo Hondo. Brown-headed apalis Apalis alticola Kisolanza. Bar-throated apalis Apalis thoracica Single on the Mporoto crater trail. African grey flycatcher Bradornis microrhynchus Ismilla stone age site. Pale flycatcher Bradornis pallidus Kisolanza. Spotted flycatcher Muscicapa striata Dar. African dusky flycatcher Muscicapa adusta Utengule? Chinspot batis Batis molitor Small flock at Utengule. Pale batis Batis soror Single male at Mikumi on last morning. Forest batis Batis mixta Pair on the Mporoto crater trail. African paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis Widespread. White-tailed crested- Trochocercus albonotatus Single on the Mporoto crater trail. flycatcher Arrow-marked babbler Turdoides jardineii Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Northern pied babbler Turdoides hypoleuca Another surprise at Mikumi (not well mapped in Stevenson and Fanshawe). White-winged tit Parus leucomelas One at Kisolanza. Yellow white-eye Zosterops senegalensis Utengule and along the Mporoto crater trail. Malachite sunbird Nectarinia famosa Common at Kitulo. Eastern double-collared Cinnyris mediocris Single along the road to the Mporoto crater trail. sunbird Another at Kisolanza. Amethyst sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina Single male at Vuma Hills (Mikumi). Scarlet-chested sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis Utengule and Mikumi. Variable sunbird Cinnyris venustus Utengule Collared sunbird Hedydipna collaris Widespread. Western violet-backed Anthreptes longuemarei Single male at Baobab Valley. sunbird Common fiscal Lanius collaris Utengule area. One on the plateau at Kitulo was of the race marwitzi, sometimes split as Uhehe fiscal. Long-tailed fiscal Lanius cabanisi Mikumi Isabelline shrike Lanius isabellinus Single on drive between Kimani Falls and Kisolanza. Another at Mikumi. Red-backed shrike Lanius collurio Mikumi. Tropical boubou Laniarius aethiopicus Widespread. Black-backed puffback Dryoscopus cubla Widespread. Black-crowned tchagra Tchagra senegala One at Mikumi. Brown-crowned tchagra Tchagra australis Utengule and Kisolanza. Fork-tailed drongo Dicrurus adsimilis Utengule House crow Corvus splendens This recently arrived species is the scourge of the coast, less common inland.

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Pied crow Corvus alba Mostly inland, where found in small numbers throughout. White-naped raven Corvus albicollis Common on the wooded slopes en route to the hills and back. African golden oriole Oriolus auratus Utengule and Chimala. Eurasian golden oriole Oriolus oriolus Kisolanza. Yellow-billed oxpecker Buphagus africanus Mikumi (one or two). Red-billed oxpecker Buphagus Mikumi. erythrorhynchus Ashy starling Spreo unicolor East African endemic. Samll numbers at Baobab Valley and Chimala. A few seen in transit too. Red-winged starling Onychognathus morio Two flying by the cliff on the way down to Kimani Falls from Matamba. Others seen in transit on the last day. Greater blue-eared starling Lamprotornis chalybeus Widespread, mostly seen whilst travelling. Violet-backed starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Single in hotel garden at Dar, occasional thereafter. Superb starling Lamprotornis superbus Mikumi Wattled starling Creatophora cinerea Mikumi House sparrow Passer domesticus Widespread. Grey-headed sparrow Passer griseus Widespread. [Southern grey-headed Passer diffusus Perhaps this species nest-bulding in the garden sparrow] of our hotel in Dar. White-browed sparrow- Plocepasser mahali Mikumi weaver Black-headed weaver Ploceus cucullatus Dar, Utengule Lesser masked weaver Ploceus intermedius Utengule Baglafecht weaver Ploceus baglafecht Utengule and Kitulo. Chestnut weaver Ploceus rubiginosus One in the small wetland area in the cane-fields near Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Golden-backed weaver Ploceus jacksoni Two males at Baobab Valley lunch stop. Another two on the drive back through. Kilombero weaver Ploceus burnieri A glorious male in the small wetland area in the cane-fields near Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Holub’s golden weaver Ploceus xanthops Utengule. African golden weaver Ploceus subaureus Rondi recorded this in the lowlands. Parasitic weaver Anomalospiza imberbis Single male at Kisolanza and another on the track into Kimani Falls. [Dark-backed weaver] Ploceus bicolor Heard at Udzungwa. Red-headed weaver Anaplectes rubriceps Utengule and Chimala. Red-collared widowbird Euplectes ardens Kisolanza and Utengule. Fan-tailed widowbird Euplectes axillaris Common in wet grassland around Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Montane marsh widowbird Euplectes psammocromius A splendid bird, many males in full breeding plumage and displaying in the Numbe valley (Kitulo). Yellow bishop Euplectes capensis Only seen whilst driving, not uncommon. White-winged widowbird Euplectes albonotatus Seen en route to Kisolanza from Kimani Falls. Zanzibar red bishop Euplectes nigroventris Widespread at lowland sites. Stunning bird. Green-winged pytilia Pytilia melba Utengule and Mikumi.

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Peter’s twinspot Hypargos niveoguttatus Utengule – regular pair in the garden and another down by the river. Red-cheeked cordon-bleu Uraeginthus bengalus Ismilla stone age site and Kisolanza. Southern cordon-bleu Uraeginthus angolensis Dar, Utengule and Mikumi. Blue-capped cordon-bleu Uraeginthus Only seen on the hotel garden in Dar. cyanocephalus Red-billed firefinch Lagonosticta senegala Dar – garden bird. Widespread thereafter. African firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata Single male on road up to Kitulo NP from Matamba. Jameson’s firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia A pair at Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa) Yellow-bellied waxbill Estrilda quartinia Single on road up to Kitulo NP from Matamba. Common waxbill Estrilda astrild Kisolanza. Common at Kitulo NP. Bronze mannikin Lonchura cucullata Dar – garden bird. Widespread. Black-and-white mannikin Lonchura bicolor Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa), Utengule. Eastern paradise-whydah Vidua paradisaea Noted en route to Mikumi on Day 2. Pin-tailed paradise-whydah Vidua macroura Small numbers throughout. Steel-blue whydah Vidua hypocherina Single noted at Kisolanza. Village indigobird Vidua chalybeata Dar – distinctive red-billed coastal race in garden of Meditteraneo Hotel (Kawe Beach). Yellow-fronted canary Serinus mozambicus Widespread. East African citril Serinus hypostictus Single by gate to Kitulo NP. Yellow-rumped seedeater Serinus reichenowi Several seen at a rest stop between Kimani Falls and Kisolanza. Yellow-browed seedeater Serinus whytii Single in Numbe Valley (Kitulo). Cinnamon-breasted rock Emberiza tahapisi Single at Ismilla stone age site. bunting Cabanis’s bunting Emberiza cabanisi Utengule – an adult and an immature together in the coffee.

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Systematic List Number 3 Odonata

The trickier species were identified with the help of the incomparable KD Dijkstra, to whom goes my thanks. KD was, I think, pleased to see a photograph of Notogomphus zernyi, a great find by Angela and perhaps the first photograph of this species in the wild.

Emperor Anax imperator Two at Kisolanza. Black emperor Anax tristis Single egg-laying female at the pond at Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Spectacular. Common tiger Ictinogomphus ferox Udzungwa (1). a gomphid Notogomphus zernyi Angela found this little beauty near the lunch- stop river en route to Matamba (Kitulo). This sighting may represent the first photographic record of the species, which was only known previously from a handful of records in southern Tanzania, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Exciting! Grizzled pintail Acisoma panorpoides Just one at Kisolanza. Atoconeura biordinata Kitulo, the one we saw from the bridge at lunchtime on Day 1. Red groundling Brachythemis lacustris One immature individual at Ismilla stone age site. Banded groundling Brachythemis leucosticta Several males patrolling the hippo pools at Mikumi. Granite ghost Bradinopyga cornuta Sanje Falls (Udzungwa). Broad scarlet Crocothemis erythraea Widespread. Little scarlet Crocothemis Iringa and Kimani Falls. sanguinolenta Black percher Diplacodes lefebvrii Sao Hill Marsh. Luminous percher Diplacodes luminans Single on the pond at the start of the road into the Mporoto crater trail. Many at Kimani Falls. Pied-spot Hemistigma albipunctata Kisolanza. Black-tailed skimmer Nesciothemis farinosa Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa) and Baobab Valley. Slender bottletail Olpogastra lugubris Sanje Falls (Udzungwa) and Baobab Valley. Epaulet skimmer Orthetrum chrysostigma Sonjo River (Udzungwa) and Songwe bat cave. Long skimmer Orthetrum trinacria Single at Kisolanza. Julia skimmer Orthetrum julia Widespread. Spectacled skimmer Orthetrum icteromelas Kisolanza. Two-striped skimmer Orthetrum caffrum Kitulo. Lucia widow Palpopleura lucia Udzungwa. Yellow-veined widow Palpopleura jucunda Male at Sao Hill marsh. Globe skimmer Pantala flavescens Widespread and very common on occasion. Phantom flutterer Rhyothemis semihyalina One at Kisolanza. Coral-tailed cloudwing Tholymis tillarga A few males of this crepuscular species at the hippo pool (Mikumi) at dusk. Keyhole glider Tramea basilaris Widespread. Monk’s hood dropwing Trithemis aconita Udzungwa. Violet dropwing Trithemis annulata One on the Sonjo River (Udzungwa). Red-veined dropwing Trithemis arteriosa Udzungwa Jaunty dropwing Trithemis stictica Kisolanza. Navy dropwing Trithemis furva Kisolanza

21 Blue cascader Zygonyx natalensis Sanje Falls (Udzungwa).

Glistening demoiselle Phaon iridipennis Udzungwa. Dancing jewel Platycypha caligata On small rocky streams at Udzungwa, probably also at Kisolanza and a few at Kimani Falls. Pale spreadwing Lestes pallidus Three spotted in the coastal wetlands at the back of the beach at Dar es Salaam on the first day. Smoky spreadwing Lestes virgatus Kisolanza and Sao Hill marsh. Common threadtail Elattoneura glauca A single female at Kisolanza. Slender bluet Africallagma elongatum The damsel present at the Mporoto crater rim lunch-stop. ?? Africallagma??Aciagrion Mikumi Common orange Ceriagrion glabrum Kisolanza and Mikumi Chlorocnemis abbotti. One on the first day at Udzungwa – this species is a restricted range and near-threatened resident of the clear-water streams of the eastern arc mountains and a few adjacent sites. Common bluetail Ischnura senegalensis Dar es Salaam, Kisolanza, Mporoto. Kersten’s sprite Pseudagrion (A) kersteni Common at Udzungwa. Painted sprite Pseudagrion (A) hageni One at Udzungwa. Powder sprite Pseudagrion (A) Kitulo NP. spernatum a sprite Pseudagrion (B) lindicum Kilombero Valley. Masai sprite Pseudagrion (B) Just one male at Kisolanza. massaicum

22 Systematic List Number 4 Reptiles and Amphibians

Order and nomenclature follow Spawls et al. (2006) Pocket guide to the reptiles & amphibians of East Africa. Many species remain unidentified sadly but hopefully working with an Italian herp expert over the next few months should sort that out for next year.

Bell’s hinged tortoise Kinixys belliana Vicky found one on the Sanje waterfall trail at Udzungwa. Tropical house gecko Hemidactylus mabouia Widespread. Tree gecko Hemidactylus Dar and Sanje Falls (Udzungwa) platycephalus Yellow-headed dwarf Lygodactylus Dar and Mikumi. gecko luteopicturatus Speckle-lipped skink Mabuya maculilabris Single in the hotel garden at Dar es Salaam. Striped skink Mabuya striata Kisolanza and Mikumi. Variable skink Mabuya varia Widespread. Ukinga mountain skink Mabuya brauni Many of the skinks disturbed whilst botanising on Kitulo may have been this species, but only one (on the ridge walk) stayed still enough for a photo. Southern long-tailed Latastia longicaudata One very briefly at Baobab Valley. lizard Red-headed rock agama Agama agama Highlands. ‘Kimani’ agama Agama ?? The juvenile male agama we found on the drive out of Kimani Falls was not a red- headed rock agama. Flap-necked chameleon Chamaeleo dilepis One on road in Mikumi. Several at Utengule. Nile monitor Varanus niloticus One or two at the small wetland in the cane- fields near Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Forest vine snake Thelotornis kirtlandii Two on walk up to Sanje Falls (Udzungwa). Northern stripe-bellied Psammophis sudanensis One rescued, albeit briefly, from the clutches sand snake of an Eastern chanting goshawk in the Baobab valley. Snake! One at night down by the reservoir at Kisolanza for Rond and Phil.

Amphibians Common squeaker Arthroleptis stenodactylus Two at Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Guttural toad Bufo gutturalis Widespread and often common. ‘Isimila’ toad Bufo? A small toad found in the riverbed at Isimila stone age site did not look like gutturalis. Sharp-nosed reed frog Hyperolius nasutus One caught by Ramma at Kisolanza. HH reed frog Hyperolius mitchelli Small number of calling males at Hondo Hondo garden pond (Udzungwa). ‘Sanje’ reed frog Hyperolius reesi The stunning frog found during the day on the way back from Sanje Falls (Udzungwa). Part of the viridiflavus superspecies and restricted to the Kilombero floodplain and the lower parts of Udzungwa NP.

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Sao Hill reed frog Hyperolius sp. Single caught by Phil’s irregulars at Sao Hill marsh. Variable reed frog Hyperolius pictus Rond caught one of these at the lunch stop at Mporoto crater. Water-lily tree frog Hyperolius pusillus This species was calling from the lilies and other floating vegetation at the Kisolanza reservoir at night. HH leaf-folding frog Afrixalus sp. A few in the bush by the pond at Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Southern foam-nesting Chiromantis xerampelina A few adults around the pond at Hondo frog Hondo and plenty of evidence of breeding over roadside puddles in the area. Coastal puddle frog Phrynobatrachus Another success for the Sao Hill marsh acridoides irregulars. Another at Mascarene rocket frog Ptychadena mascariensis In the agricultural area outside the gate at Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Udzungwa rocket frog Ptychadena uzungwensis One on the lawn at Hondo Hondo (Udzungwa). Sharp-nosed rocket frog Ptychadena oxyrhynchus Single photographed in a puddle near Songwe bat cave. a clawed frog Xenopus sp. Rond and Phil failed to get a photo of an individual of this genus at Kisolanza at night. Rond’s head got in the way…

Species unidentified to genus… P1060867 pond frog ??? Hondo Hondo pond (Udzungwa). P1070128 small frog ??? Sao Hill marsh P1070298 Amnirana sp Kisolanza (1).

24 Systematic List Number 5 Butterflies

Taxonomy generally follows ‘Butterflies of Tanzania’ by Jan Kielland, 1990. Rather easier to work with, and illustrating more species, is ‘The Butterflies of Kenya’ by Torben B.Larsen.

PAPILIONOIDAE Papilionidae Papilioninae Papilio dardanus ssp.tibullus Mocker Swallowtail Black & White; seen on way up Sanje, Udzungwa. Papilio constantinus constantinus Constantine’s Swallowtail Black-brown with yellow strip and tail; Along forest edge, Udzungwa Papilio hornimani mwanihanae Horniman’s Swallowtail Black with blue bands and tail (only species of swallowtail in Tanzania with blue bands and tail). Sonjo river Udzungwa Papilio desmondi Desmond’s Green-banded Swallowtai Black with broad blue-green bands; no tail. Sanje. Papilio nireus ssp.lyaeus Narrow-banded Green Swallowtail Similar to P. Desmondi but with narrower blue-green stripe and fewer dots on outer wing. Mikumi and Udzungwa. Papilio ophidocephalus Emperor Swallowtail Large; black and yellow with tail and ‘eyes’; Dar and other scattered records. Papilio demodocus Citrus Swallowtail Large; black and yellow with ‘eyes’; no tail. Widespread and common. Graphium policenes Common Striped Swordtail Black and blue with wide straight bars in upper forewing.Nb.G. polistratus has narrower and wavy green stripes on upper forewing. Udzungwa and scattered records. Graphium antheus Large Striped Swordtail Black with pale green stripe;3 wavy lines in forewing cell; tail slightly curved. Many seen at small Sonjo fall.

Pieridae Coliadinae Catopsilia florella African Emigrant Male white with small black spot on upper wing.Female larger and yellow.Widespread and common. Eurema senegalensis Forest Grass Yellow Yellow, with balck edge, most pronounced on upper wing. Udzungwa Eurema hecabe ssp.solifera Common Grass Yellow Very similar to above but larger and black on lower wing forms dots rather than being continuous; Widespread and common.

Pierinae Pinacopteryx eriphia Zebra White Scattered records. Nepheronia thalassina Cambridge Vagrant White with black tip on upper wing; blue sheen. Scattered records Colotis amatus Small Salmon Arab Pinky-orange, mottled with black. Baobab Valley. Colotis aurigineus African Golden Arab Larger than C. amatus and more orange. Baobab Valley. Colotis ione Purple Tip Baobab Valley.

25 Eronia leda Orange and Lemon, Autumn leaf vagrant. Common in Southern Highlands. Can be confused with the slightly smaller yellow orange tip (Colotis auxo incretus). Colotis antevippe Large Orange Tip Udzungwa, Mikumi. Colotis evenina an orange-tip Baobab Valley. Colotis evagore ssp.antigone Tiny Orange Tip Many at Mikumi, also in Baobab Valley. Belenois aurota Caper White Stong veining in Male.Widespread and abundant. Belenois creona African Caper White Smaller and than B.aurota and veining less distinct;Widespread and very common.. Dixeia pigea Antheap White Uniform whire with yeloowish underside. Kimani. Mylothris agathina Eastern Dotted Border Underside of hindwing orange. Scattered records. Mylothris rueppellii Ruppell’s Dotted Border Large with reddish basal areas on wings. Utengule

Lycaenidae Theclinae Axiocerces tjoane Eastern Scarlet Mikumi. Hypolycaena philippus Common Hairstreak Found around Resturant in large numbers.Upperside of Male is purple otherwise it is brown/beige. Two small tails present on each wing. Hondo Hondo. Hypolycaena pachalica Coast Hairstreak Numerous in Baobab Valley.

Polyommatinae Anthene amarah Leaden Ciliate Blue Mikumi. Common. Anthene larydas Common Ciliate Blue Udzungwa. Cacyreus palemon Water Geranium Blue Associated with geraniums at Kitulo. Harpendyreus marungensis Central Mountain Blue Several at Kitulo. Leptotes spp. Scattered sightings but not seen clearly enough to identify to species level. Azanus natalensis Natal Babul Blue Hondo Hondo etc. Zizeeria spp. Grass Blue Scattered records but not seen clearly enough to identify to species level.

Nymphalidae Danainae Danaus chrysippus Common Tiger, African Monarch, African Queen. Orange with black tip with white spots. Larvae feed on Asclepiadaceae, from which they derive distasteful chemicals which are retained in the adult. They are resistant to crushing and serve as models for many species as mimics. Widespread and common. Amauris niavius ssp. Friar dominicanus Large; black and white. Several seen on walk up Sanje. Vanessa cardui Painted lady. One seen in Kitulo. One of the most widespread butterfly species in the world.

26 Satyrinae Melanitis leda ssp.africana Common Evening Brown Brown, forewing with large eye spot with 2 small white dots. Hondo Hondo. Bicyclus safitza Common Savannah Bush Brown Widespread in savannah and disturbed areas of the forest zone. Ypthima sp. a ringlet Kisolanza. Dissection necessary for positive identification. Neocoenyra gregorii This species at Kisolanza and Kitulo. Neocoenyra petersi Rather common on Kitulo, endemic.

Charaxinae Charaxes varanes ssp.vologeses Pearl Charaxes Kimani and Mikumi. Charaxes jahlusa kenyensis Udzungwa, forest edge. Small; red-brown with black Charaxes saturnus Foxy Charaxes Baobab Valley and Mikumi. Charaxes brutus White-barred Charaxes Udzungwa. Charaxes guderiana a black charaxes Kimani. Euxanthe wakefieldi Forest Queen Hondo Hondo.

Nymphalinae Precis antilope Darker Commodore Sanje and Kimani. Precis archesia Garden Inspector Utengule. Band running vertically from top of fore-wing to base of hind-wing; blue spotting on fore-wing. Precis tugela Eared commodore Utengule. Dark brown, with thick orange band running vertically from top of fore-wing to base of hind-wing. There is a small white spot on outer corner of fore-wing. Resembles a dead leaf when wings are closed. Hypolimnas misippus Diadem A mimic of the African Monarch but in the Female, rather than white dots it has more angular dots which together form a white bar and wing edges are wavy rather than straight. Male is black with 3 distinct white splodges. Both sexes seen on way up Sanje. Salamis temora Blue Mother-of-Pearl Sanje trail. Large with hook shape on fore-wing and small tail on hind-wing. Has sheen like mother-of-pearl. Salamis parhassus Forest Mother-of-Pearl Sanje and Sonjo. Junonia orithya Blue Pansy ssp.madagascariensis Kimani. Junonia hierta Yellow Pansy Widespread in small numbers. Junonia natalica Natal Pansy Kimani and Utengule. Junonia sophia Little Commodore Utengule. Junonia terea ssp.elgiva Soldier Pansy Udzungwa. Byblia anvatara ssp.crameri African Joker Sanje etc. Byblia ilithyia The Joker Mikumi.

27 Limenitinae Cymothoe coranus Blonde Glider Several females up Sanje trail. Pseudacraea dolomena . a false acraea Black with white and red. Sanje. Neptis spp Sailor Sanje. Not seen close enough to identify with confidence. Catuna sikorana a pathfinder Forewing black with white subapical bar. Hindwing deep orange with brown markings. Numerous at Sanje along upper path to second waterfall. Hamanumida daedalus Guineafowl Hondo Hondo and other scattered records. Aterica galene Forest Glade Nymph A few at Sanje. Black with 2 rows of pale spots on forewing. Hindwing with a yellowish discal patch Euphaedra crawshayi a forester Sanje. Two white bars on forewing with red. Euphaedra neophron Gold-banded Forester Locally common.

Heliconiinae Acraea natalica Natal Acraea Widespread. Acraea neobule Wandering Donkey Hondo Hondo and Mikumi. Phalanta phalantha Common Leopard Fritillary Widespread. Phalanta eurytis African Leopard Fritillary Scattered records.

HESPERIOIDEA Hesperiidae Coeliadinae Coeliades forestan Striped Policeman Udzungwa, Utengule.

Hesperiinae Ampittia capenas African Bush Hopper Dark brown with ill-defined dark orange markings. Hondo Hondo. Andronymus neander Common Dart Small, grey and white. Hondo Hondo.

28 Systematic List Number 5 Plants

Several books were used in the field, and later in compiling the list, but the absence of a usable field guide, or comprehensive monographs, made identification of many species impossible. Photographs of unknown orchid species were identified by the author of Kew’s orchid Review Isobyl le Croix and unknown specimens photographed in the Udzungwa where identified by Kenyan Botanist Quentin Luke who has worked extensively in the area.

Blue = New record for 2012. Red = Seen only in previous years.

Lycopodiophyta Selaginellaceae Selaginella sp. Spike moss. Udzungwa

Gymnosperms Casurinaceae Casurina equisetifolia Casurina, whistling pine. Dar. Exotic.

Pinaceae Pinus patula Mexican weeping pine. Kitulo. Exotic.

Angiosperms Monocotyledons

Arecaceae Borassus aethiopium Borassus/fan palm. Dar, Mikumi

Amaryllidaceae Scadoxus multiflorus. Fire-ball Lily. In fruit.

Anthericaceae Chlorophytum affine Kitulo Plateau Chlorophytum spp. Several others were unidentified

Araceae Amorphophallus abyssinicus Sonjo trail, Udzungwa.

Asclepiadaceae Ceropegia papillata Ngosi Crater.

Asparagaceae (including Scilloideae) Asparagus sp. Udzungwa Draceana afromontana Udzungwa Ledebouria or Drimiopsis sp. Adpressed fleshy leaves, mottled. Flower indistinct where seen but most were over and had seeds divided into 3 carpels.

Asphodelaceae Aloe spp. Kitulo Bulbine abyssinica Kitulo Plateau, yellow flowered, with densely bearded filaments Kniphofia goetzei a red hot poker. Tall with long flower head. Kitulo Plateau. Kniphofia grantii a red hot poker. Shorter flower. In grassland on Kitulo Plateau.

29 Cactaceae Opuntia sp. Prickly pear. Dar.

Cannaceae Canna sp. Red, orange, yellow. Exotic. Widespread in towns & villages.

Colchicaceae Gloriosa superba Flame Lily. Widespread and reasonably common in various forms

Commelinaceae Commelina africana Spider wort. Flowers yellow. Kitulo Plateau. Commelina erecta Common in grassland and edges of cultivated land Commelina kituloensis Kitulo, larger purple flowers. Commelina latifolia Ngosi Crater; found on disturbed ground. Cyanotis speciosa Small with pompom like anthers. Common on Kitulo Plateau Cyanotis longiflora Chimala escarpment; as above but with long leaves.

Cyperaceae Ascolepis capensis Udzunngwa, Kitulo Plateau . Sedge with white pompom like flower head. Kyllinga alba Round white sedge. Widespread Cyperus alternifolius. Widespread

Cucurbitaceae Momordica foetida Forest edge in Udzungwa. Perennial climber with tendrils, flowers cream. When crushed plant has a foetid smell

Hyacinthaceae Albuca are Ornithogalum like and sometimes included in that genus. They differ in erect inner tepals, with at least the inner filaments pinched below. Albuca abyssinica Several on Kitulo Plateau Albuca sp. Sao Hill; White.

Hypoxidaceae Hypoxis angustifolia Kitulo Plateau

Iridaceae Crocosmia aurea Montbretia. Ngosi Crater and Mt.Rungwe. Dierama pendulum Kitulo Plateau Ixia sp. Kitulo Plateau Gladiolus has leaves usually with a definate midrib, inflorescence a spike of usually zygomorphic flowers. Gladiolus dalenii Kitulo Plateau and 1 in Songwe grassland. Also roadsides elsewhere. Gladiolus unguiculatus 4 on Kitulo Plateau Moraea have either iris-like flowers with unequal tepals, or with all tepals more or less equal. Moraea schimperi A few in flower on Kitulo Plateau. Purple flowers. Moraea tanzanica Locally common on Kitulo Plateau. Yellow flowers. Romulea are often acaulescent, with actinomorphic flowers. Romulea camerooneana Kitulo Plateau,

30 Orchidaceae Still trying to obtain a copy of Orchids of Malawi. The Kenya and South African Orchid books were of some use, photos please of as yet unidentified species! Calanthe sylvatica Ngosi Crater. Cynorkis anacamptoides Kitulo Plateau. Cynorkis kirkii At top of Sanje falls – flower face looks like an Angel. Pale pink and white with very long spur Disa stolzii Kitulo Plateau Disa robusta Several on Kitulo Plateau Disa walleri Large mauve flowers (spotted galea), Chimala River, Kitulo. Disa welwitschii Kitulo Plateau Disperis dicerochila or Uzungwae Unusual bright pink orchid growing next to Cynorkis kirkii Eulophia ovalis 1, Kitulo Plateau Eulophia odontoglossa (syn. Shupangae) Kitulo Plateau, 1, deep purple flowers. Eulophia ischna Sao Hill; white and purple. Habenaria cornuta Chimala FR; Road to Kimani. Vary variable with green-yellow spidery flowers. Habenaria macrura White flowers, Kitulo Plateau Habenaria occlusa Kitulo Plateau Habenaria xanthochlora Kitulo Plateau Habenaria kyimbilae Kitulo Plateau – many budding but not in flower. Habenaria laurentii. Sao Hill. Nb. from Isobyl la Croix - not 100% sure as measurements needed as there are other rather similar species. Habenaria sp. Green orchid seen at Isimila. Holothrix nyasae Plant hairy. By Chimala river on rocks. Holothrix hydra On road to Kitulo via Chimala escarpment. Platycoryne pervillei. Sao Hill; Bright orange. Satyrium acutirostrum Waxy red. Kitulo Plateau Satyrium longicauda White; Kitulo Plateau Satyrium neglectum ssp.brevicalcar Pink. Kitulo Plateau Satyrium sphaeranthum Tall and yellow. Kitulo Plateau Satyrium monadenum Red flowers, labellum trifurcate. Kitulo Plateau. Satyrium ?riparium Sao Hill: Small brown flowers. Satyrium antherstoneii Sao Hill; Large, white. Satyrium sp. Kitulo plateau. Pale pink. Satyrium breve Kitulo plateau. Large pink flowers with stubby spurs – in marsh in central section of Numbe valley. Pandanaceae Pandanus sp Screw Pine. Dar.

Streliziaceae Ravenala madagascariensis Traveller’s Palm.

Xyridaceae Xyris obscura Kitulo Plateau

Zingiberaceae Siphonochilus aethiopicus Mikumi. Leaves form after the flowers. Siphonochilus kirkii Rose ginger lily. Lge brgt leaves. Shade. Udzungwa, Mikumi Siphonochilus brachystemon Base of Sonjo trail, Udzungwa. Lovely blue flower. Costus macranthus Sonjo trail, Udzungwa

31 Dicotyledons Acanthaceae Asystasia sp. Utengule. White flower. Justicia betonica Kisolanza Justicia spp. Several others seen Thunbergia alata Black-eyed Susan Thunbergia gregorii Striking orange flowers, road to Kitulo Plateau. Thunbergia sp. Blue flowers, Songwe.

Amaranthaceae Centemopsis gracilenta Distinctive grass like herb with small red terminal spike on long stem; Chimala escarpment.

Anacardiaceae Sclerocarya birrea Marula Tree. Mikumi. Sanje Manifera indica Mango. Widespread crop. Anacardium occidentale Cashew. Widespread crop.

Annonaceae Annona reticulata Sanje Polyalthia longifolia var pendula Ashok, Indian mast tree, Dar es salaam; Often seen along roadside throughout trip.

Apiaceae Alepidia peduncularis (syn. Swynnertonii) Common on Kitulo Plateau Pimpinella caffra ssp.conopodioides Kitulo Plateau

Apocynaceae (includes Asclepiadaceae) Acokanthera schimperi Poison Arrow Tree. Udzungwa Adenium obesum Desert rose. Dar. Calotropis gigantea Crown flore. Dar es Salaam etc. Calotropis procera Dead Sea Fruit. Dar es Salaam Carvalhoa campanulata Shrub with yellow flowers and chilli like fruits; Sonjo trail. Catharanthus sp. Madagascar Periwinkle. Widespread exotic. Nerium oleander Naturalised. Utengule. Scattered records. Plumeria sp. Frangipani. Utengule. Scattered records. Tabernaemontana pachysiphon Tree with scented rotate flowers, Sanje Thevetia peruviana Naturalised. Southern Highlands. Xysmalobium undulatum Milk bush. Kitulo road

Asteraceae Aspilia mossambicensis Isimila Aster tansaniensis Kitulo Plateau Berkheya echinacea ssp.polyacantha Kitulo Plateau Cirsium buchwaldii Marshes on Kitulo Plateau Echinops sp. Very large flower heads. Kitulo Plateau. Emilia coccinea (E. javanica) Orange. Widespread weed found by roadside. Emilia tenera Purple. Kitulo Plateau Erythrocephalum longifolium Red. Mikumi Gerbera viridiflora Kitulo Plateau Gymnodiscus capillaris Small yellow flowered annual. Cape Point. Haplocarpha thunbergii Kitulo Plateau

32 Helichrysum forskahlii Kitulo Plateau Helichrysum herbaceum Kitulo Plateau & Kisolanza. Helichrysum nitens Kitulo Plateau Helichrysum tillandsifolium Kitulo Plateau Inula stolzii Kitulo Plateau Senecio purpureus Kitulo Plateau Taraxacum officinale Dandelion. Introduced to pasture at kisolanza farm Tridax procumbens Widespread small weed (white) and locally common. Vernonia nyassae. Kitulo

Balsaminaceae Impatiens assurgens Mt.Rungwe Impatiens austrotanzanica Ngosi Crater. Tall. Impatiens confusa Ngosi Crater Impatiens gomphophylla Kitulo Plateau. Tall. Can hybridize with I. austrotanzanica Impatiens polyantha Kitulo Plateau Impatiens rosulata Numerous on Kitulo Plateau Impatiens rubromaculata 2 red spots on flower face. Ngosi Crater. Impatiens wallerana Common species in Udzungwa

Begoniaceae Begonia meyeri-johannis Ngosi Crater Begonia sutherlandii Ngosi Crater, orange flowers Begonia oxyloba. Small spotted leaves, Sanje and Sonjo waterfalls

Bignoniaceae Kigelia africana Sausage Tree Jacaranda mimosifolia Dar es Salaam, Mbeya Markhamia lutea Golden bean tree, Road W of Makambako Podreana brycei Zimbabwe creeper, Utengule gardens Spathodea campanulata African Tulip Tree, Mbeya. Tecoma stans Yellow elder, Dar .

Bombacaceae Adansonia digitata Baobab Bombax rhodognathon Udzungwa.

Boraginaceae Cynoglossum amplifolium Kitulo Plateau Lithospermum afromontanum Rocky outcrop. Kitulo Plateau Heliotropium sp. White. Baobab Valley. Cordia sp Mikumi

Campanulaceae Cyphia are erect or twining herbs with white to purple flowers, equally five lobed or two lipped, and split down the side. Cyphia sp. Kitulo Plateau, by the small waterfall. Twining, blue flowers. Lobelia angolensis Numerous on Kitulo Plateau, white flowers Lobelia mildbraedii Kitulo Plateau, large specimens seen in marshy areas Wahlenbergia abyssinica Kitulo Plateau Wahlenbergia capillacea ssp.tenuior Kitulo Plateau Wahlenbergia huttonii Matamba ridge, Kitulo.

33 Capparidaceae Cleome hirta Baobab Valley

Caricaceae Carica papaya Papaya. Dar. Exotic.

Caryophyllaceae Cerastium sp. Small white flowers by small waterfall, Kitulo Silene burchallii Kitulo Plateau Stellaria sp. Small white flowers, Kitulo

Chrysobalanaceae Parinari excelsa Pale leaved trees on Udzungwa slopes

Combretaceae Combretum molle Sanje Combretum kraussi Forest bush willow, Road to Kitulo. Terminalia catappa Sea almond. Branches are distinctively arranged in tiers. Exotic.

Convolvulaceae Ipomoea pes-caprae Beach Morning Glory. Creeping species on dunes in Dar. Purple flower. Ipomoea batatas Sweet potatoe. Ipomoea blepharophylla Pale pink with darker centre. Mikumi. Ipomoea spp. Many types seen

Crassulaceae Crassula alba Kitulo Plateau, mostly red flowered Crassula vaginata Kitulo Plateau. Yellow.

Dichapetalaceae Dichapetalum stuhlmannii Sanje

Dipsacaceae Cephalaria goetzei Kitulo Plateau Cephalaria pungens Common on Kitulo Plateau

Droseraceae Drosera madagascariensis Kitulo Plateau

Ericaceae Erica kingaensis Kitulo Plateau Erica silvatica Kitulo Plateau Erica whyteana Kitulo lunch site 1

Euphorbiaceae Acalpha ornate Edible, medicinal. Udzungwa. Croton macrostachyus Broad leaved croton. Kisolanza. Euphorbia candelabrum Widespread Euphorbia quadrangularis Euphorbia tirucali Bongoyo Euphorbia spp. Songwe.

34 Macaranga capensis Mt.Rungwe Ricinus communis Castor oil plant. Dar. Ricinodendron sp. Wild Papaya (name given by guide). Used to make drums. Sanje.

Fabaceae Acacia drepanolobium Whistling Acacia Acacia polyacantha Sanje Acacia mearnsii Black Wattle. Roadsides, plantations in Southern Highlands. Afzelia quanzensis Pod Mahogany Albizia gummifera Albizia schimperiana Long-podded albizia. Makambako. Desmodium repens Delicate orange flower. Ngosi Crater. Dichrostachyis cinerea Sickle Bush. Isimila. Bauhinia petersiana Large white Bauhinia. Large leale. Mikumi Bauhinia variegata Pink. Orchid Tree, Camel's foot. Dar Brachystegia boehmii Prince of Wales Feathers. Kisolanza Brachystegia manga Blue-leaved Brachystegia, Chimala. Cassia abbreviata ssp. Roadside on Main road from Dar. Chamaecrista mimosoides (Syn. Cassia mimosoides) Shrub; yellow. Widespread. Clitoria ternatea Kimani road Crotalaria spp. Several unidentified Dalbergia melanoxylon Mikumi Delonix elata White; finely bipinnate leaves. Kitulo Delonix regia Flamboyant tree. Dar. Along road Dar-Mbeya. Delonix sp. Pink flowers, shrub, Boabab valley. Dichrostachys cinerea Isimila Erythrina lysistemon Songwe. Indigofera spp. Cultivated land. Udzungwa. Lotus discolor. Kitulo. Mimosa pudica Sensitive plant, along sugar cane plantation in Udzungwa. Parkia filicoidea Udzungwa; top of Sanje Psoralea foliosa Kitulo Plateau Pterocarpus angolensis Wild teak. Udzungwa, Kimani Senna didymobotra Naturalised. Mbeya. Senna siamea Kasia. Road sides. Exotic. Senna spectabilis Cassia, yellow shower. Mbeya. Exotic. Trifolium wentzelianum ssp.stolzii Kitulo Plateau Tylosoma fassoglensis Previously known as Bauhinia fassoglensis (sprawling Bauhinia) Roadsides low altitude, yellow flower. Udzungwa.

Gentianaceae Sebaea longicaulis Kitulo Plateau

Geraniaceae Geranium incanum Numerous on Kitulo Plateau Geranuim arabicum Around rocky outcrop. Kitulo.

Gesneriaceae Saintpaulia ionantha H. Wendl. ssp. ionantha var. ionantha Several flowering by second waterfall, Sanje.

35 Streptocarpus buchananii. Straggling plant with many pairs of rough leaves; violet. Ngosi Crater. Streptocarpus ?solenanthus Single large leaf with 1-4 flowers; Violet. Ngosi Crater. Streptocarpus glanulosissmus Udzungwa, Sanje.

Gramineae Dactyloctenium giganteum Giant Crowfoot. Roadside.

Gunneraceae Gunnera perpensa Kitulo Plateau

Hypericaceae Hypericum sp. Hypericum scioanum Kisolanza.

Lamiaceae Plectranthus schizophyllus Kitulo, blue flowers

Lentibulariaceae Utricularia welwitschii Kitulo. In marshy areas Utricularia pentadactyla. Top of Sanje falls growing in moss. White with pink centre. The Author of this species Peter Taylor was the head of Orchids at Kew before Phil Cribb but apparently his true love was with carnivorous plants such as this.

Linaceae Linum volkensii Kitulo Plateau

Loranthaceae Aegelanthus sp Mistletoe. Kisolanza.

Malphigiaceae Triapsis dumeticola Climber. Road to Kimani falls.

Malvaceae Hibiscus rosa sinensis Rose of China. Exotic. Dar etc. . Hibiscus tiliaceus Wild cotton tree. Udzungwa, Kimani. Hibiscus vitifolius Yellow, dark red at centre. Disturbed areas. Udzungwa

Melastomataceae Dissotis canescens Linear leaves; purple. Southern Highlands. Dissotis sp. Shrub at top of Sanje falls, Udzungwa Tristemma mauritianum Pink flower; forest edege, Udzungwa.

Meliaceae Azadirachta Neem. Exotic. Dar. Melia azederach Persian Bead Tree. Exotic. Dar.

Menyanthaceae Nymphoides peltata Fringed Water-lily, Yellow Floating-heart, Water Fringe. Reservoir at Kisolanza.

36 Moraceae Antiaris toxicaria Udzungwa Ficus spp. Widespread Ficus sur Sanje trail. Udzungwa. Milicia excelsa Udzungwa Artocarpus altilis Breadfruit. Hondo Hondo, Udzungwa.

Musaceae Musa sp Banana

Myrtaceae Callistemon rigidus Naturalised. Isimila, Mbeya. Eucalyptus sp. Commonly planted exotic as border tree or for timber. Syzygium cuminii Java Plum. Roadside, Udzungwa.

Nyctaginaceae Bougainvillea glabra. Naturalised. Widespread.

Oleaceae Schrebera alata Wing leaved wooden pear, Wild jasmine. Dar.

Onagraceae Epilobium salignum Kitulo Plateau

Oxalidaceae Biophytum ?sensitivum Kitulo road? Oxalis corniculata Yellow. Isimila. Oxalis obliquifolia Pink. Kitulo Plateau. Oxalis latifolia Pink exotic weed. Roadsides, cultivated land.

Pedaliaceae Josephinia africana On sand dune in dar. Woody creeper with pink tubular flowers. Sesamum angolense Widespread Sesamum angustifolium Lower Kitulo road

Piperaceae Piper capense Udzungwa

Poaceae Sorghum sp Widespread, Eaten by livestock.

Polygalaceae Polygala sp. Kimani track

Polygonaceae Polygonum sp. Small, Kitulo Plateau. Polygonum ?senegalense. On edge of reservoir in Kisolanza. Pink flowers. Antigonon leptopus Coral Vine. Pink. Exotic.

Proteaceae Protea are shrubs or small trees, with flowers in terminal heads, surrounded by large colourful bracts. Protea humifusa Kitulo, Kisolanza

37 Protea heckmanniana Kitulo

Ranunculaceae Clematopsis villosa subsp. kirkii Bi- tri-foliate leaves, bushy. Chimala escarpment. Clematopsis uhehensis Simple leaves; solitary flowers. Kitulo Plateau Delphinium leroyi Kitulo Plateau Ranunculus multifidis Kitulo Plateau Ranunculus raeae Kitulo Plateau Ranunculus volkensii Kitulo Plateau Thalictrum rhynchocarpum. Ngozi crater.

Rhamnaceae Phylica emirnensis Kitulo Plateau

Rosaceae Rubus porotoensis Mt.Rungwe

Rubiaceae Pentas purpurea Kitulo Plateau Pentas bussei Red. Scattered records Pentas decora Several on Kitulo Plateau Pentas parvifolia Isimila. Galium bussei Kitulo Plateau, resembles Lady’s Bedstraw, Galium verum Galium aparine Exotic weed. Kisolanza. Gardenia ternifolia var jovis-tonantis Large leaved Gardenia. Kisolanza. Geophila obvallata White flowers; heart-shaped leaves; Sanje and Sonjo trails. Phycotria sp. Udzungwa cannabis tree. Flower with very long white stamens. Sonjo Trail

Scrophulariaceae Buchnera cryptocephala Kitulo Plateau Cycnium adonense. Utengule. Path to Coffee plantation. Large white trumpet flower. Turns inky blue when bruised. Gerardiina angolensis Kitulo Plateau Hebenstretia have sessile flowers in dense spikes, white usually with orange fleck at the base of petals. Hebenstretia angolensis Kitulo Plateau Sopuba manii Common on Kitulo, pink flowers Veronica abyssinica. Creeping; blue. Ngosi crater.

Solanaceae Solanum incanum. Widespread in Southern Highlands. Solanum tuberosum Potato Solanum melongena Egg-plant. Datura inoxia. Moonflower, Thorn-apple. Exotic. Widespread around Mbeya.

Sterculiaceae Sterculia appendiculata Tree. Characteristic smooth pale truck. Sanje. Sterculia quinqueloba Tree. Sanje.

Strychnaceae Strychnos madagascariensis Kisolanza

38 Theaceae Camellia simensis Tea. Kisolanza.

Tiliaceae Corchoros olitorius Widespread. Yellow flowered shrub. Grewia bicolour Baobab Valley Grewia truncata Kisolanza, lake side.

Turneraceae Tricliceras sp. Mikumi, yellow flowers

Valerianaceae Valeriana capensis Kitulo Plateau

Verbenaceae Lantana camara Naturalised. Loved by butterflies! Lippia ukambensis White. Widespread Tectona grandis Teak. Planted. Vitex doniana Sanje Vitex ferruginea Plum Fingerleaf. Kisolanza. Vitex mossambicensis Udzungwa

Violaceae Viola abyssinica Kitulo Plateau

39