African Birdies

We are about half way through a short module on health and nutrition here in Mbita, Kenya, and I've learned some very cool things about various HIV prevention and awareness programs and support groups, as well as about a few school feeding programs that have been set up at different schools in Western Kenya.  But, just for you, Jo-Anne, and any other birders out there, this entry is going to be a quick update on some of the birds that we have seen so far in East Africa. 
When we were touring a couple ecotourism sites in Kibale National Park, my primatology group got to see a couple beautiful Great Blue Turacos, and when we were in Lake Nabugabo, we were absolutely surrounded by incredibly noisy Hornbills - they are loud when they "sing" and they are loud when they fly, "whomp, whomp, whomp" through the air...  But, today was my first actual bird walk around our compound here in Mbita with my ornithology professor, Dr. Bird (no joke), and his Swarovski scope (again, no joke).  In about an hour we saw over a dozen different species of birds.  Dr. Bird gave us hints to help us identify each of them, and it was a lot of fun digging through our guidebooks to try to puzzle it out for ourselves.  Just as we were wrapping up, I was able to identify a hummingbird all on my own!  Good for me, eh? :)

Today's birdies:
A whole whack of beautiful Village Weavers
An African Mourning Dove
A pair of Sacred Ibis
Some Cattle Egret, no cattle though...
Two Egyptian Geese flying overhead
Two irridescent Ruppell's Long-Tailed Starlings
A couple of African Fish Eagles, actually eating a fish in a tree!
One Common Fiscal
One White-Browed Coucal
A group of Speckled Mousebirds
A solitary Slate-Coloured Boubou
A female Nubian Woodpecker, identified by me!
and... a huge, beautiful Verreaux's Eagle-Owl who was starring right at us!

Looking forward to doing a lot more bird watching in the Masai Mara!  Just a few days away!