18th February 2007  Lake Baringo to Kakamega

Four species of hornbill before breakfast is always a great way to start a day. Hemprich's, Yellow-billed, Red-billed and Jackson's all put in an appearance as we birded cliffs near our hotel just after first light. Other targets birds such as Brown Rock Chat and Rock Kestrel were also quickly located whilst other additions included Red-headed Weaver, Spotted Flycatcher, Brown-tailed Apalis, Pink-breasted Lark, Pale Prinia, African Cuckoo, Verreaux's Eagle and Pygmy Falcon.

Checking-out after breakfast, we headed off on the long all day drive to Kakamega Forest. Not too far along the road Edwin managed to call out a Pearl-spotted Owlet through imitating its call. We broke the main part of the journey with a two hour birding stop in the Kerio Valley. As to be expected, we encountered a number of new species, such as Black-headed Batis, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver, Black-headed Gonolek, Northern Brownbul, Northern Black Flycatcher and African Grey Hornbill. We also did well with birds of prey, catching up with Walhberg's Eagle, Western Banded Snake-eagle, Long-legged Buzzard and Ayre's Hawk Eagle.

A stop high up in the hills for Boran's Cisticola proved unfruitful but we did see Cliff Chat a little further on. After a quick stop in Eldoret to stock up on some beer we finally arrived at Rondo Christian Retreat, our base for the next three nights, just as it was getting dark. Final birds of note for the day were Angola Swallow during a stop for petrol and Olive Sunbird in the garden of the retreat.

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