22nd February 2007  Masai Mara

Today was probablly the most eagerly awaited day of the trip, the first of our two days in the legendary Masai Mara Game Reserve. To a certain extent the mammals eclipsed the birds with superb views of Lion, Cheetah and African Elephant, along with Thompson's and Grant's Gazelles, Impala, Topi, Kongoni, Kirk's Dik Dik, Hippo and Giraffe.

Despite the distraction of all the Big Game, we did find time for the birds and our morning session in the reserve produced Speckle-fronted Weaver, D'Arnaud's Barbet (T.d. usambrio), Parasitic Weaver, Yellow-shouldered Widowbird, Red-chested Swallow, Wattled Lapwing and Openbill Stork. We also had an excellent selection of birds of prey with good views of Grey Kestrel, Dark-chanting Goshawk, Hooded Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture and White-headed Vulture.

Following lunch back at camp, we headed down to the Mara River. Highlights of the afternoon session were Saddle-billed Stork, Black-headed Tchagra, Grey-headed Bush-shrike, Martial Eagle, Tawny Eagle and a pool which held 11 Rufous-bellied Herons. We also had further good views of Lion and Cheetah, whilst the final surprise of the day was a Black-bellied Bustard performing its display flight during the last throngs of daylight.

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