Once again Ikoro didn't disappoint and kept me busy juggling binoculars and camera with the variety of species around. The Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters (Photo on right) were everywhere and I later came across an adult perched with 2 immatures of which I managed to get a fair photo. The food seemed plentiful as all were hawking and gleaning, well those that weren't more concerned about getting breeding started like the Paradise Flycatcher, Brown-crowned Tchagra and Yellow Bishop displaying - the latter was also energetically pursuing a female all over the place.

Between all this, I saw a brown flycatcher-like bird with a fair amount of white on the wings and immediately bring to mind one of the Ficedula flycatchers. There was also a lighter brown and narrow collar visible with a hint of the same colour supercilium. Unfortunately it didn't hang around and left very promptly - leaving me with sketchy notes and wondering if indeed it was a Ficedula flycatcher and whether it was a female or immature.

The African Harrier-hawk seemed interested in all the commotion but quickly got dive bombed by a variety of very small albeit brave (or silly?) birds. All the activity at this stage also included Dusky Flycatcher, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Bronze and Variable Sunbirds, White-browed Robin-chat, Thick-billed Seed-eater (pair), Tawny-flanked Prinia, Chubb's Cisticola (very vocal as usual with some doing serious territory defence), Fawn-breasted Waxbill, Western Citril and Baglafecht Weaver.

As these things come about, something drew my attention behind me (no idea what) and I saw a bird perched about 20m away - massive white spot on the forehead and a lot of white on the wings. I froze, well except my hands pinning the binoculars to my face - Yes, it was a Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) male in breeding plumage - but I needed better views to be sure and at least one photo for the record. In the end I got 3 ID-able photos showing the distinct features of the species including a 'patch' of white on the lower down the primaries, full wide and white collar. The rump was whitish. To say I was pleased no end is an understatement.

Interestingly I came across the Collared Flycatcher again about 40min later and 200m away from the original sighting - was it the same bird? Who knows but I'll be back at Ikoro to try and find it before it sets off on its long journey north. To see the other 2 photos, click on these links: rear and side views

The rest of the morning didn't produce more excitement but there were good sightings of Red-billed Fire-finches with nesting material, Augur Buzzard, couple of Yellow White-eyes, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher (always a pleasure to see them), Red-chested Cuckoo (also being very vocal) and ending with a displaying Pin-tailed Whydah male.

Certainly a very worthwhile morning for birding with the sun having made its appearance for a short while. Late afternoon produced a massive hailstorm leaving my lawn all white and the air rather chilly. Just another day at the office!

Photos from Ikoro:

 PHOTOS BY MARCELL CLAASSEN

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