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On Saturday afternoon, I went to investigate a small area of open mixed eucalypt / pine plantation just east of Kibungo, SE Rwanda (GPS 2° 9'6.40"S+ 30°34'49.40"E). I wasn't expecting much, perhaps a few FT Drongos, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, perhaps? Was I in for a surprise… several delightful surprises in fact. Although I didn't see much, I got some real gems!
On arrival I was quickly alerted to the call of a juvenile bird, which turned out to be a young Black-backed Puffback eagerly in pursuit of its much dishevelled father, who was so busy trying to keep his offspring fed, that he allowed me to get some nice pics: 
This was quickly followed by Black-crowned Tchagra. Only my second confirmed record in Rwanda – Brown-crowned tends to be the more common species here. One bird showed well early afternoon, probably one of a pair seen later in the same area closer to dusk.
I continued into the plantation, where I disturbed a roosting nightjar from the ground. It flew only 5 metres and resettled, so I was easily able to relocate and stalk it to within a few metres, where it afforded wonderful photos:
http://kilnsey.tripod.com/nightjar1.jpg
http://kilnsey.tripod.com/nightjar2.jpg
My nightjar IDing skills are very poor, due to little experience, but the square white tail spots, and white wing patches across 2-4 of primaries indicate (given habitat and range) Black-shouldered, although I'm far from sure. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. This would be my second record for Rwanda if confirmed.
Several records of Familiar Chat today (a fairly uncommon species outside of Akagera), made this a key location for the species. Open woodland with ungrazed grassland beneath and a few rocks seem to be perfect habitat for it. A little further on I was alerted to a weird churring contact call, which turned out to be only my second Rwandan record of White-crested Helmet-Shrike. A party of at least 7 birds was moving quickly through the trees, including one juvenile; wing shivering and begging from parents. Smashing.
Then a few minutes later I spotted a large black Chalcomitra sunbird picking its way across the dry Leonotis flowers. When it turned to face me, I nearly dropped my bins: A small pinky-purply throat patch, similar tiny shoulder patches and the green crown of Amethyst Sunbird. I was pretty sure that this species hadn't been recorded in Rwanda, so I kept watching, slowly moving closer. The female was nearby, but I kept my bins on the male to ensure I got plenty of good views to be 100% sure of what I was seeing. Despite the fact that they moved pretty quick through the woodland – sometimes on undergrowth, sometimes up in the eucalypts – I managed to keep up, and as soon as I was sure of the ID, I endeavoured to get photos of what proved to be a rather flighty male. He led me up and down the escarpment for about 20 minutes (much to the amusement of a curious local farmer) before he finally relaxed and allowed a few distant ID shots:
http://kilnsey.tripod.com/amethyst2.jpg
http://kilnsey.tripod.com/amethyst3.jpg
http://kilnsey.tripod.com/amethyst8.jpg
As I wiped the sweat off my brow, I looked up to see sitting about 10 metres away from me a female Souza's Shrike (!!!). After a year in E. Rwanda, this is only my second record, and boy was I surprised to find it in this habitat. My camera was still in my hand (I wasn't sure if I'd got adequate shots of the sunbird, which I was still following), so I took a few quick pics and moved on. Little time to enjoy a connoisseur species at it's most northerly within its African range:
http://kilnsey.tripod.com/souzas.jpg
I continued after the Amethyst Sunbirds, but didn't get any closer, allowing them eventually to get away for some peace as they flew down the hill.
More Familiar Chats on the way back. But what an afternoon - a (presumed) new species for Rwanda and 3 second records (for me in Rwanda). It just goes to show; whilst eucalypt plantations can be dead zones, add in a little sunshine, and some ground cover and they turn up real surprises (as Marcell and Andy know only too well!).
This combined with Narcisse's sighting of Spotted Creeper on Lake Kivu (a very good Nyungwe guide – report hopefully soon to follow), and a report of a White-headed Barbet from Akagera (if all accepted) pushes the country total up by another 3 species in as many weeks!
Jason
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1Comment
at Friday, 27 August 2010 12:35
wow, Jason, a great birding outing for you and how cool is it to be able to "pushes up the country total" ;-))))
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