Palm-nut Vulture juvs in Dar

25 July 2010 10:59
Yesterday at Jangwani Beach we watched two adults with two recently fledged
young interacting. The juvs were fully independent in terms of flight but
may well still have been attached to the parents for food / feeding
opportunities. We watched one adult make a somewhat half hearted attempt to
catch a crab. It would have made great video, a bright green crab running
with claws raised and this clown of a bird bouncing after it.

Inevitably the House Crows interfered and we were perhaps too close for the
palm-nut's liking.

Checking the data this is the first breeding season record for the Dar atlas
square yet surely these birds are breeding residents along this stretch of
coast.

As ever (for all raptors), pleeeeeze find time to watch any active nests for
evidence of breeding.

Neil

Wattled Crane Lukula

"Photo:Mark Johnson"

Sent: Monday, July 26, 2010 3:16 PM

Hi Neil,

Well I have some good news for you, on the 26/07 at 15:00 I managed to spot some of those wattled cranes from the camp on the other side of the river, so you will have to use the GPS co-ordinates for the camp,as we are not allowed to cross the river. Here is a photo, I had to crop it so the detail is not that great.
 Cheers,
 Mark

You are all aware that I often mention how little we know about our
birdlife.

this msg is clear testimony to that statement and it sadly reflects how
little our wildlife authorities know or care or take any interest in our
birdlife.

here is a population of one the rarest and most majestic birds on the
continent yet it has remained "unknown" to science and conservation despite

being seen by hundreds of game scouts and other Wildlife Division staff as

well as numerous professional hunters for rather many years.


that a population of this bird can remain hidden for so long is testimony to

how poor "birds" are taught in Tanzania at all levels.


there are quite a few Tanzanian "professionals" on this group but few bother

to participate.


Brent Leo-Smith is credited with finding these birds along the Luwegu River

in the SW of the Selous GR.


Nice pic Marc, do what you can to pima as many as possible as you work the

Luwegu Valley.


Neil

Scaly Chatterer

Latest map for this neat species...georeferenced records would be very much appreciated, esp from border areas.

Neil

Neil and Liz Baker, Tanzania Bird Atlas, P.O. Box 1605, Iringa, Tanzania.
Mobiles: 0776-360876 and 0776-360864.
http://tanzaniabirdatlas.com

Blackcap

the latest map for this species

Onesmo, as you can see from this map there are VERY few records away from wintering forest edge habitat.

More on this species after we look at the ringing records.

DAY dates important if we are to understand any potential changes in arrival and departure times.

Neil

White Storks in Serengeti

Photo: Jo Anderson

How to find Usambara Eagle-Owl?

Hi Tanzania birders,

Ara Monadjem, zoology lecturer, ornithologist and keen birder from
Swaziland, is teaching at the Tropical Biology Course in Amani at the
moment. Does anyone have any info for him on how to find Usambara
Eagle-Owl, or a guide there to contact, or perhaps even a call? He's
not on this list, but can be emailed on aramonadjem@gmail.com. If you
reply to the list, I can forward any info to him.

Thanks!

Callan

Northern Pied Babbler

Hi all

There are indications that several species are "moving", expanding their ranges in response to "environmental" change. While this may well be related to underlying changes in the climate it may also be due to an opening up of habitat due to human encroachment, perhaps both factors influencing each other, the drier climate slowing down the natural recovery of the habitat.

Whatever the cause there is evidence that several dry country species are expanding their ranges westwards, both directly west and also both SW and NW.

This may well be one of them.

PLEASE take a note of this and day date and georeference all records that will add to our understanding of any range expansion.

thanks

Neil
Neil and Liz Baker, Tanzania Bird Atlas, P.O. Box 1605, Iringa, Tanzania.
Mobiles: 0776-360876 and 0776-360864.