Out of Africa

YK, myself and four other Icelandic birders returned to the Rock last week after two weeks under the equatorial sun (and rain). It wasn't until I saw the headlines in Monday's newspaper that I fully realised that I was back in Iceland. The headline was "More than enough testicles to go around" a reassurance to the locals that there will be no shortage of pickled rams' testicles (as feared) for the upcoming midwinter feast, when Icelanders get in touch with their heritage by eating food so pickled that it has no need of a sell-by date. Good to be home.

The six of us were left positively overwhelmed by our trip to Kenya, seeing such an astonishing variety and number of birds and mammals, that it'll take months to digest in full. Although I hate reducing bird trips to figures and statistics, the fact that we each saw over 400 life birds in two weeks says something about what a fantastic birding destination Kenya is. I'm told that if we'd had bird guides with us throughout we could have perhaps seen an additional 150 species. But although we thoroughly enjoyed having Kenyan bird experts show us around at two sites, Baringo and Kakamega, I'm glad we did it mostly on our own. It's far more fun finding something yourself and having to look through the books to work out what it is than be told by someone else. Visiting Africa was a the fulfilment of a childhood dream. Ever since I read the marvellously entertaining and far-fetched African Adventure by Willard Price at the age of seven, I've longed to see elephants, giraffes, leopards etc. and seeing these beasts on the Masai Mara was a huge thrill. Just as memorable were brilliant birds such as Blue-headed Bee-eater, Martial Eagle, Lühder's Bush-shrike, Great Blue Turaco, Grey-crested Helmet-shrike and Heuglin's Courser. Kenya, its landscapes, people and wildlife will live long in the memory. Incidentally, I lost the bet on the first bird to be seen as we landed in Kenya. I bet on Black Kite (third) but the first was in fact Red-winged Starling, followed by Pied Crow. I now know for next time.
No time for birding since I got back and so I've only noticed three species out of the window: Raven Corvus corax, Starling Sturnus vulgaris and Snow Buntings Plectrophenax nivalis. Rather predictable really. I'm supposed to be doing a winter bird count on my patch this weekend. Watch this space.