11th February 2007  Nairobi National Park

An early morning look around the hotel gardens just after first light got the ball rolling with Great Sparrowhawk, African Paradise Flycatcher, Speckled Mousebird, Holub's Golden Weaver, Sacred Ibis, Bronze Sunbird, Baglafecht Weaver and Common Fiscal seen. After breakfast we met up with Edwin and headed off for an all-day visit to nearby Nairobi National Park. Initial birds upon entering the park included African Pied Wagtail, Snowy-crowned Robin-chat, Variable Sunbird, White-backed Vulture and European Bee-eater. It didn't take long either to spot our first Giraffes, Hippos and Black Rhino.

As was to be expected throughout the day, we continually encountered new birds and mammals. Pick of the morning birds were White-rumped Swift, Lesser-striped Swallow, Parasitic Weaver, Pin-tailed Whydah, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Gabar Goshawk, Grey-capped Warbler, Yellow White-eye, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, African Fish Eagle, Black Crake, Yellow-throated Spurfowl and Lesser-spotted Eagle.

Following lunch at one of the park's several picnic areas we continued on our way through the park, with some welcome cloud cover ensuring a cooler afternoon session. Red-faced Crombec, Buff-bellied Warbler, White-bellied Black Tit, Nubian Woodpecker, Grey Woodpecker and White-headed Barbet all soon followed.

A stop at some pools late in the afternoon produced Marabou, Yellow-billed Stork, Three-banded Plover, Marsh and Wood Sandpipers, Little Stint, Blacksmith Plover, White-faced Whistling Duck and Red-billed Teal. Of course, there also lots of exciting cisticolas. Stout's Cisticola was the predominant species, whilst Siffling, Rattling, Red-faced, Winding and Pectoral-Patch also put in an appearance.

The excitement continued even during the drive out of the park at dusk and we stopped several times for birds such as Hartlaub's and White-bellied Bustard, Shelley's Francolin, Helmeted Guinea Fowl, and Marsh Owl. We also passed a very stuck in the mud car, however, not having a tow rope we were unable to help and had to drive on, narrowly avoiding getting stuck ourselves. Views of a nightjar sp. by the park exit gate were inconclusive and as darkness fell we headed back to our hotel.

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