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From our hotel veranda we can see Mt. Elgon, which used to be the highest mountain in Africa until its top blew off. It sits on the border of Uganda, only 40 km away. This morning we head one hour north to the Kongelai Escarpment making our way to birding spots along a windy, red clay road full of deep potholes. Creeping along maybe 5 mph, passed by trucks carrying sand and motorbikes loaded with goods and people (3 people and a goat straddling one), eventually working our way down to lower altitudes as the morning sun heats up.
Some outstanding birds this morning: Bird of the day has to be the Emerald Cuckoo. Brilliant green male, dazzling in the morning sun as if covered with sequins. As he turned, his bright yellow belly and striped tail showed. Ross' Turaco, two new Sunbirds: Purple-banded and Scarlet-chested (hard enough to get bins on much less a camera). A Double-toothed Barbet (in photo) sat nicely as we settled onto shady rocks to eat lunch. Every picnic lunch has been the same: a piece of grilled chicken, boiled egg, boxed fruit juice, apple/banana/orange, sandwich of some sort for the others (non GF). Quickly thunder and rain force us into the vehicle and we make our way back on the bumpy road, now slicker from the rain with muddy water flowing down the drainage trenches.
Our last stop for the day is the tiny village of Keiyo. There is one tree in the center of town where Heuglin's Weavers nest. It is the only town in Kenya and the only tree in the town to find this bird! Terry, who wrote the Birds of East Africa, says they are supposed to occur in Uganda as well, but in 30 trips there he's never seen them and no one knows where else they are, though there have to be more to maintain a population. While we watched the birds, the village watched us. 25 children immediately surrounded us, someone else took our picture. They must think we are crazy.
Good day with intermittent rain, but it didn't slow us down.
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Tracey Amazing find, one town, one bird, in one tree and you found it!!!! :)