Birding EcotoursZambia: Shoebill Tour, June 2011

Tour leader: Errol de Beer

This was our standard Zambia (Shoebill) itinerary with a few slight changes; we also added a pre- and post-tour to Botswana and Zimbabwe, respectively, as requested by the clients.

Birds Recorded: Main tour 355 species – 347 seen and 8 heard onlyMammals Recorded: Main tour 25 (sub)species – including black lechwe, sitatunga, puku, side-striped jackal, African elephant, and African civet

Some of the more interesting sightings included: Dickinson’s Kestrel, Augur Buzzard, Western Banded Snake-Eagle, Black-bellied Bustard, Shoebill, Wattled Crane, Allen’s Gallinule, Lesser Jacana, African Finfoot, Greater Painted-snipe, Gull-billed Tern, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Dusky Lark, Racket-tailed Roller, Half-collared Kingfisher, Ross’s Turaco, Black Coucal, Böhm’s Bee-eater, Chaplin’s Barbet, Miombo Pied Barbet, Black-backed Barbet, Black-cheeked Lovebird, Southern Ground Hornbill, Pale-billed Hornbill, Rufous-bellied Tit, Miombo Tit, African Spotted Creeper, Bocage’s Akalat, Fan-tailed Grassbird, Southern Hyliota, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Black-necked Eremomela, Souza’s Shrike, Anchieta’s Sunbird, Green-headed Sunbird, Katanga Masked Weaver, Bar-winged Weaver, Marsh Widowbird, Fawn-breasted Waxbill, Locust Finch.

Day 1, June 2nd. Drive from Botswana to Livingstone, Zambia, birding on the wayOur pre-tour was coming to an end today as we bade farewell to Botswana and drove to Zambia via Namibia’s Caprivi Strip. We eventually crossed into Zambia. This was the official start of the main tour (usually our clients fly into Livingstone on day 1). Border formalities were handled with ease, and the friendliness of the Zambian people immediately made an impression. We decided to bird some of the small pans that are formed in the Zambezi floodplain every year after the floods, and this proved fruitful as usual, with a good selection of waterfowl recorded, which included cracker views of Rufous-bellied Heron. The surrounding Acacia thornveld produced birds that are absent from the rest of Zambia, such as Marico Flycatcher, Violet-eared Waxbill, Black-faced Waxbill, and Namaqua Dove. We were forced to push on if we wanted to make it to the lodge before dark, which we didn’t quite succeed in doing, getting there just after the last rays of light disappeared.

Day 2, June 3rd. Birding southwestern Zambia, mostly around LivingstoneOur first full day in Zambia! We had decided the previous evening that we would take on the challenge of finding Black-cheeked Lovebird. This bird can be difficult to find, purely because of the fact that it occupies Mopane woodlands on black cotton soil, which are impassable for extended periods in and after the rainy season. We proceeded cautiously through elephant grass that was in excess of two meters high in places, but soon we realized that the ground was sufficiently dry and picked up our pace. We stopped at a small wetland, where we found Hamerkop, African Fish Eagle, Brown-throated Martin, and Zitting Cisticola, and we had awesome views of Yellow-throated Sandgrouse coming in to drink. The Mopane woodland produced lots of Meves’s Starling alongside its cousin, Burchell’s Starling, as well as Southern Red-billed Hornbill, Mourning Collared (African Mourning) Dove, Meyer’s Parrot, and the first of many Lizard Buzzards. The woodland was looking more and more promising. We stopped several times, straining our ears to pick up those typical Black-cheeked Lovebird screeches. I eventually picked up a little flash of green flying across the road and was also pretty sure that I heard a screech, but that, of course, could have been my imagination. We stopped the vehicles and started scanning the trees. There were shouts of excitement as we found them, at least a dozen, feeding and just lazing around in a nearby tree, unperturbed by our presence. What a sight! Well satisfied, we eventually started the arduous trip back. Another stop at the wetland produced Saddle-billed Stork, Senegal Coucal, Southern Ground Hornbill, and an obliging Pearl-spotted Owlet. We sighted another good bird as we drove through the tall grass, a Black Coucal. Back at the tarred road we stopped to clear huge armfuls of grass from under the vehicles. This is where we noticed that the lead vehicle had picked up an oil leak on the rear differential, due to some grass getting into the oil seal and ripping it to shreds! We drove back to the lodge for lunch and a midday break – well, for some at least, as John (our assistant guide) and I drove into Livingstone to see if we could get the vehicle repaired. I stayed behind in Livingstone to wait for the repair, while John joined the guests back at the lodge for a boat cruise on the Zambezi. They did incredibly well with good sightings of Marabou Stork, Water Thick-knee, White-crowned Lapwing, and African Golden Oriole, as well as the sought-after Western Banded Snake Eagle, with awesome views of African Finfoot just for good measure. The guys in Livingstone in the meantime did not have the correct oil seal, but they made a plan (using a non-fitting seal) that would see me reach Lusaka, where I would get the vehicle repaired properly by the agents. I met the group back at the lodge, my only interesting bird being a Shikra on the way back from town. They informed me about their successful outing, and after dinner a bit of owling netted us a pair of African Wood Owls.

Day 3, June 4th. Visit to Victoria Falls and birding around Livingstone, transfer to ChomaAt breakfast we were entertained by the comings and goings of a stunning Half-collared Kingfisher, the wooden railings of the deck making for a good hunting perch. We bid our hosts farewell and headed for Livingstone, where we were planning a visit to the mighty Victoria Falls. Before that, however, we had a scheduled stop at the Livingstone sewage works. Good birds here included White-breasted Cormorant, Squacco Heron, African Sacred Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Hottentot Teal, African (Purple) Swamphen, African Jacana, African Rail, and Long-toed Lapwing. Small flocks of Southern Red Bishop and White-winged Widowbird flew in and out of the reeds, all of them in their non-breeding plumage, of-course. We decided that it might be a good time to get to grips with some of the little brown denizens of the reed beds and promptly

called in Little Rush Warbler, African Reed Warbler, and Lesser Swamp Warbler. From here we proceeded to the falls, where the spray literally would have drenched us if it wasn’t for the fact that we had rain gear. The only new birds came in the form of African Black Swift and Rock Martin. The drive to Choma proceeded rather slowly, with the occasional stop to check and top-up oil levels on the lead vehicle. We did find our first Striped Kingfisher and a Purple Roller along the way. A stop at a known stakeout for Shelly’s Sunbird near Choma failed to produce the goods. However, we bumped into our second and last cuckoo here, a stunning male Klaas’s Cuckoo, and alongside it we also found Kurrichane Thrush and Black-collared Barbet. The turn-off to the lodge produced decent views of Black Cuckooshrike, Gabar Goshawk, and Orange-breasted Bushshrike.

Day 4, June 5th. Birding around Choma, target Chaplin’s BarbetToday saw us off to an early start, as we headed for the paddock to look for Chaplin’s Barbet (Zambia’s only true endemic – however, Black-cheeked Lovebird is now also considered an endemic by many authorities). A small pond along the way held African Jacana and Red-billed Teal, with Swainson’s Spurfowl and White-fronted Bee-eater further along. The search for the barbet turned up various other species, such as Pale Flycatcher, Black-crowned Tchagra, and African Goshawk, but still no barbet. So we went back to where we had parked the vehicles and then over to the other side of the paddock, where they were found, sunning themselves in the first rays of the morning sun, Chaplin’s Barbet – tick! While our avid photographer and John went off to see if they could get a good photo of the barbet we continued birding, and soon notched up Burnt-necked Eremomela, Grey Penduline Tit, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Long-billed Crombec, and Neddicky, before moving back to the vehicles. A slow drive down to the end of the paddock provided sterling views of Long-crested Eagle as well as a lone Magpie Shrike. Another good find came in the form of our first Sooty Chat. Yet more good birds on the way back to the lodge included Southern Black Tit, Croaking Cisticola, and a juvenile Martial Eagle. Birding the gardens after breakfast proved very rewarding, with Arnot’s Chat being as common as dirt here, and we also had the chance to compare Greater and Miombo Blue-eared Starlings side-by-side. Cabanis’s Bunting sat singing away at the top of a dead tree, while Bearded Woodpecker allowed everyone good views. Another star bird in the garden was Red-throated Twinspot, alongside the more common Jameson’s Firefinch, but a non-breeding indigobird proved a tough nut to crack, as we were just unable to secure that one look that could provide a definitive ID. I did some more maintenance on the limping vehicle, while the rest of the group took a midday break. This proved invaluable, as I managed to restrict the oil leak to a fraction of what it used to be, thereby awarding myself an effortless run to Lusaka the next day. We birded some Miombo woodlands in the afternoon, and, although birding was rather slow to start off with, the pace soon picked up, and we kept adding new birds such as Green-winged Pytilia, Miombo Tit, Trumpeter Hornbill, Greater Honeyguide, stunning views of Dickinson’s Kestrel, and last but certainly not least a pair of Miombo Pied Barbet, awesome! A night drive netted us Fiery-necked Nightjar, as well as two nocturnal mammals, African civet and silvery greater galago.

Day 5, June 6th. Drive from Choma to Forest Inn via Lusaka, birding on the way I left Choma very early that morning to get to Lusaka in good time to finally have the seal replaced properly at the dealership. My passengers joined John in the second vehicle. They would only follow after breakfast; we would then join up again in Lusaka around lunch. Birds of note

en-route to Lusaka included Augur Buzzard and African Harrier-Hawk, while at the bridge crossing the Kafue River Holub’s Golden Weaver, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Malachite Kingfisher, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, and Tropical Boubou made an appearance. With the lead vehicle back in working order, we met up at Manda Hill Mall for lunch, from where my passengers switched back to my vehicle. Birding was always going to be restricted today, as we changed the itinerary and instead of staying over in Lusaka we pushed on to Forest Inn, a decision that proved incredibly valuable, with awesome birding around Forest Inn, provided by the extra night spent there. Good birds on the way were Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, African Palm Swift, Pied Kingfisher, African Grey Hornbill, Crowned Hornbill, Mosque Swallow, and Black-backed Puffback. We arrived at Forest Inn quite late, and after checking in headed straight for dinner.

Day 6, June 7th. Birding the Miombo woodlands around Forest InnAnother glorious day of birding awaited us as we met for breakfast, accompanied by the very essential first cup of coffee. We set off towards Mkushi, where we stopped briefly at an open field for African Pied Wagtail and Yellow-fronted Canary. At a small stream we found Red-faced Cisticola, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Lilac-breasted Roller, Lesser Striped Swallow, and Brown-crowned Tchagra. We continued along this road through some pretty degraded Miombo woodland, until we hit our first patch of pristine, tall Miombo, and our first proper bird party at that. Birding here was absolutely awesome, and we managed repeated sightings of most of the birds present. Calls of Stierling’s Wren Warbler came from all over, and we soon spotted two of them chasing each other around. One of the rare behavioral highlights was an Amethyst Sunbird male doing a dancing display for his mate, with first one wing raised and then the other, what a sight! Böhm’s Flycatcher was a surefire favorite, certainly a prettier bird than African Dusky Flycatcher. Green-capped Eremomela and Yellow-bellied Hyliota flicked busily through the canopy, while lower down an African Spotted Creeper went about its business of poking around in the bark. John spotted a Bar-winged Weaver, and everyone got on to it, but better views were desired all around; unfortunately we were unable to relocate it. Further along we found what was probably the highlight of the day, the extremely beautiful Black-necked Eremomela. In the same area another trip bird, Trilling Cisticola, entertained us. We were now nearing the border between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. John and one of our guests were determined to cross over the border on foot, so that they could tick another country. They walked the 500m into the DRC, took photos of the GPS reading as proof, and headed back into Zambia, having got their DRC bird list off to a flying start with one species, Pale-billed Hornbill. We managed to find another flock of these noisy hornbills further along, in Zambia this time. The woodland started giving way to subsistence farming, but we still managed to find Rufous-bellied Tit before leaving the Miombo behind. Speckled Mousebird was quite common, looking decidedly different from the ones further south. Wood Pipits also seemed to favor these more open areas, and we saw several Yellow Bishops around small marshy areas. We arrived back to camp for a very late lunch, partly due to the fact that the “road” indicated on the GPS no longer existed, leaving us to find our own way back – good fun nonetheless. An optional bit of birding was done around the campgrounds in the late afternoon, netting us White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Buffy Pipit, Grey-backed Camaroptera, and African Stonechat. The mammalian highlight of the day was a Smith’s bush squirrel.

Day 7, June 8th. Drive to Kasanka NP, afternoon birding in the park

We did a spot of birding in the grounds just after breakfast, but things were rather quiet. New birds seen included Miombo Scrub-Robin and Yellow-bellied Eremomela. Then we drove towards Kasanka National Park, stopping at a small dambo (marsh) on the way. Here we recorded African Firefinch, Variable Sunbird, and Red-collared Widowbird. The only other noteworthy roadside birds were Little Sparrowhawk and White-necked Raven in Serenje, our scheduled fuel stop. We reached Kasanka and got all the formalities at the gate out of the way before proceeding into the park, where we found a nice spot to have our picnic lunch. The drive to Wasa Lodge, in order to check in for our accommodations at Luwombwa Lodge, did produce one new bird in the form of Dark Chanting Goshawk. The lake at Wasa Lodge seemed rather quiet as we scanned its periphery, so we decided to move on. Upon our arrival at a necessary pontoon crossing we decided to drive along the eastern edge of the wetland before we crossed, to see if we could find the Shoebill that has been reported from here. There were literally birds everywhere, the floodplains here proved to be an absolute bird magnet. We found Little Bee-eater, White-fronted Bee-eater, and African Green Pigeon in the surrounding woodland, with African Darter, Grey Heron, Intermediate Egret, Rufous-bellied Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Yellow-billed Stork, Woolly-necked Stork, and African Openbill in the marshy areas. Sadly we missed the Shoebill here, but Bangweulu was still waiting! Kasanka must rate as the best place in Africa to see one of the shiest antelopes, the sitatunga, and this quickly became apparent as we saw not one, not two, but at least half a dozen of these retiring animals, and did we see them well! An African Marsh Harrier quartered low over the reed beds, Egyptian and Spur-winged Geese numbered in their hundreds, with the odd Yellow-billed Duck thrown in just for good measure. Plain-backed Pipit was common in recently burnt areas, and John found us a stunning Black-bellied Bustard on the way to Luwombwa Lodge. After dinner we managed to find African Barred Owlet in camp, and although we could hear Pel’s Fishing Owl calling, we decided to leave them in peace, as we already had had some incredible sighting of them on the pre-tour in Botswana.

Day 8, June 9th. Birding Kasanka NPWhat a spectacular setting for breakfast, overlooking the Luwombwa River – what more could you ask for? Well, maybe a little more, like Ross’s Turaco in camp, and then a few more in a large tree on the opposite bank, a Crowned Eagle perching in the very same tree, or how about Cabanis’s Greenbul and Yellow-throated Leaflove in the riverine vegetation right in front of us? So after an exciting breakfast we headed out to explore the Luwombwa river by boat. Soon we were into some of the commoner species, such as Hadada Ibis, Black Crake, and Striated (Green-backed) Heron, but the real excitement started once we got into crackers such as Half-collared Kingfisher, Black-backed Barbet, Olive Woodpecker, and the delightful Böhm’s Bee-eater. We worked our way further upstream, stopping occasionally to check out birds like the noisy and very busy Little Greenbul, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, and a pair of White-winged Black Tit. Upon our arrival back at camp we were treated to good views of Purple-throated Cuckooshrike, the big tree overhanging the dining area hosted White-bellied, Olive, and Collared Sunbirds as well as Dark-backed Weaver. We prepared ourselves for another drive along the floodplains, finding Racket-tailed Roller en route, then Coppery-tailed Coucal, Grey-rumped Swallow, lots of Red-capped Larks, and a pair of Dusky Larks, a good find! Mammalian highlights included hordes of puku along the floodplains, as well as common warthog, Cape hippopotamus, common duiker, and more sitatunga as well as blue monkey along the Luwombwa river in the morning.

Day 9, June 10th. Long drive to Shoebill camp in the Bangweulu SwampAs per the request of some of our clients we opted to forego the usual chartered air transfer to Shoebill Island Camp and tackle the 150 or so kilometers there by road instead. But still in Luwombwa, breakfast was another glorious affair, we watched a small group of Little Egret accompanied by a lone Black Heron, Schalow’s Turaco frolicking around the treetops, and then the most amazing views of a foraging Green-backed Woodpecker just meters from where we were standing – a rarely mentioned characteristic of this species (the tiny bill, looking proportionally out of place on its head) could be seen really well. We also came to grips with the only other greenbul (out of four possibilities in these parts) that we had dipped on the previous day, with a little enticement we soon had great views of Grey-olive Greenbul, at the same time adding another trip tick in the form of Grey Tit-Flycatcher. The distinctive call of African Broadbill soon had us all scampering to the other side of camp, where all of us eventually had superb views of this sought-after beauty. We now seriously had to leave camp if we were still going to make Shoebill Island Camp before nightfall; the drive there could take anything up to seven hours to complete. We stopped at Wasa Lodge to check out and collect our picnic lunches and then set off, stopping only to buy bottled water before turning off on to the dirt road towards the Bangweulu swamps. The first part of the road was not all that bad, and we made reasonable time, getting to Lake Waka Waka in time for lunch. This is a beautiful spot but with very little moving in the heat of the day. A lone Knob-billed Duck was spotted on the far shore of the lake, though. We turned north, and the really terrible road now passed though endless villages. A stop at a large dambo produced Black-headed Oriole, and we could hear Red-chested Flufftail calling. We eventually reached the edge of the floodplain and soon left any signs of civilization behind. Birding picked up as well, with Capped Wheatear, Sooty Chat, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, and Swallow-tailed Bee-eater in short succession. Two species common further south, but with isolated populations here, were found with relative ease, first Desert Cisticola and then the very different-looking Rufous-naped Lark. Once on the floodplain proper, one is almost overwhelmed by the thousands upon thousands of black lechwe in herds that stretch as far as the eye can see. This is truly one of the few remaining wildlife spectacles of the world as we know it today. We reached the airstrip, and after signing in we parked the vehicles and got our gear transferred to the boats that would take us to the camp. As we glided silently through the reeds and water-lily-fringed channels, we managed our first glimpses of the avian spectacle that awaited us. There we birds everywhere, many that we had seen before, admittedly not in the sheer numbers present here, but we were looking forward to seeing some new species. These came in the form of African Spoonbill, Fulvous Whistling Duck, Black-winged Stilt, Grey-headed Gull, Lesser Jacana, and Little Bittern. We reached camp just before dark and proceeded to check into our lodgings before a well-deserved dinner.

Day 10, June 11th. Birding Bangweulu Swamp, emphasis on finding ShoebillThe big search has arrived, today it’s make or break time! Will we find the Shoebill? With history on our side, we were silently hoping that our 100% strike rate on this bizarre bird would remain intact. The polers quietly pushed our boat forward through the water, the only sound being that of the long bamboo poles used to propel our craft stealthily towards our quarry. Wattled Cranes were seen barely a stone’s throw from the camp, the list kept ticking over as we steadily added new birds, White-throated Swallow, Banded Martin, Greater Swamp Warbler, Chirping Cisticola, Katanga Masked Weaver, and Whiskered Tern. Blue-breasted Bee-eaters were

particularly common, but Swamp Flycatcher seemed less numerous than in previous years. Birds came and went, Black-headed Heron, Purple Heron, Great White Pelican, Orange-breasted Waxbill, and Collared Pratincole, but still no Shoebill. We already checked a few of the known hangouts, at one we even spotted Allen’s Gallinule. We moved on to another spot, the guides jumped off and disappeared amongst the rushes, only to return a little later elated. They had pinned down a Shoebill! A bit of wading awaited us as we clambered out and into the water. We decided to stick to a raised causeway used by local fishermen. This proved to be tough going, as every 10 to 20 meters would see us at a break of a meter wide, used by the locals to accommodate their fish traps. These proved hard to cross, as one does not want to step on any of the fish traps, which local fishermen depend on for their livelihood. And good relations between locals and tourists are paramount in the future conservation of these rare birds. We pushed forward, then suddenly there it was, standing on top of a palm tree. Our photographer managed what must have been at least a thousand pictures of this prehistoric-looking behemoth. All satisfied, we slowly worked our way back, but the Shoebill, who obviously loved its moment in the limelight, had other ideas. It flew and landed just twenty or so meters from us and stared at us as if to say “well, this is my better side”. So as not to disappoint the bird we let off another volley, cameras working overtime. We finally bid the monster farewell and made our way back to the boat, as I could distinctly hear the start of tummies rumbling. On the way back we managed to see no less than four species of Vulture, White-backed, Hooded, Lappet-faced, and White-headed. Back at camp we wolfed down the provided lunch before taking a well deserved siesta. An afternoon walk around the island turned up Black-throated Wattle-eye, a stunning male Copper Sunbird, drumming African Snipe, and then a rather unexpected Gull-billed Tern. All in all, a fabulous day in Africa!

Day 11, June 12th. Drive to Mutinondo Wilderness via Lavushi Manda NP, birding en routeA quick bit of birding around camp before breakfast produced Brown Firefinch, Wattled Starling, Spectacled Weaver, Hartlaub’s Babbler, Red-faced Mousebird, and African Paradise Flycatcher. After breakfast we were poled back to the airstrip with brilliant views of Lesser Jacana, Red-knobbed Coot, and Wattled Crane on the way. With everything packed back in the 4x4s we drove out slowly, stopping to scan a flock of waterbirds. Scopes came out, and we soon added Kittlitz’s Plover, Common Greenshank, and Greater Painted-snipe to the list. Other good birds on the way out included a pair of Lanner Falcons hunting over the now dry section of the floodplain, Harlequin Quail, African Pipit, Cape Wagtail, and African Quailfinch. Today’s drive would take us through a section of the Lavushi Manda National Park, an area with some pristine Miombo woodland and inviting rivers and dambos, which beckons to be explored. And now that the management of this park has been handed over to the Kasanka Trust, future visits might well become a reality. We arrived at Mutinondo Wilderness in the late afternoon, with the only birds worth mentioning being Golden-breasted Bunting, Southern Black Flycatcher, and a stunning Red-capped Crombec. A possible Blue-spotted Wood Dove will have to remain unconfirmed.

Day 12, June 13th. Birding Mutinondo WildernessThe one advantage of birding south of the Equator at this time of year is that you can have a lie-in for a bit, as it doesn’t get light till about 6:30. We soon were off to the camping area, were we headed into the Miombo to try and find Bar-winged Weaver; while everyone had seen it near Forest Inn, better views would be most welcome. The search proved fruitless, though, netting us

only Miombo Scrub Robin, Brubru, and Familiar Chat, before we headed back for breakfast. John and one of the participants came back via the stables, where they found Anchieta’s Sunbird, another new trip bird. After breakfast we decided to drive along the main entrance road to see if we could find a few bird parties. Miombo birding is certainly not for the faint-hearted, as long spells of inactivity are often instantly replaced by a frantic commotion, when a bird party moves through, quite often so fast that one has a hard time trying to keep up. We found several smaller parties, unfortunately usually the tail end, but did manage to record White-crested and Retz’s Helmetshrikes, Yellow-throated Petronia, Red-headed Weaver, Rufous-bellied Tit, and Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird. While looking at a couple of Grey Penduline Tits, we found a pair of Orange-winged Pytilia, always a great find. We headed down to Charlie’s Rock in the afternoon, walked to the strip of mushito (riparian forest) not far from there, and soon came face to face with our target bird, Bocage’s Akalat. What a beauty! The illustrations in the field guides certainly don’t do it any justice. In the same area we found Schalow’s Turaco, as well as a splendid Green-headed Sunbird. At a large dambo not too far from there we stopped to scan, and soon gripped a single Fan-tailed Grassbird as well as a small flock of Fawn-breasted Waxbill. A spotlight excursion along the airstrip produced Spotted Eagle-Owl and a very relaxed side-striped jackal.

Day 13, June 14th. Birding Mutinondo WildernessOver dinner the previous night we had decided that we would try for Souza’s Shrike at a known stakeout. This had long been a bogey bird for one of the participants, and although it would not make her Southern Africa list it would still be good to get under the belt nonetheless. So after breakfast we headed out, finding Ashy Flycatcher and both Southern and Yellow-bellied Hyliota on the way. We found the spot where we had seen the shrike on previous trips, and there it was, or rather there they were! We had really good looks at this somewhat dull and unobtrusive shrike. Back at the camp we later watched Amethyst, Western Violet-backed, and Miombo Double-collared Sunbirds feeding in the various flowering plants around the lodge, and Striped Pipit was seen in the campground just before lunch. Some of the group opted for a siesta, while our photographer set off to take pictures of some of the sunbirds. John and I went for a walk down to the waterfall, where we quickly found Cabanis’s Greenbul, another pair of Green-headed Sunbird, Ross’s Turaco, and better looks at Fawn-breasted Waxbill. On the way back John managed superb views of Bar-winged Weaver. Back at the lodge we met up with the rest of the group and decided to try our hand at some more dambo birding. At the first dambo we had good looks at three Southern Ground Hornbills, Marsh Widowbird, and Pale-crowned Cisticola. A common reedbuck was new for our mammal list, and the gods smiled on us as we flushed a pair of Locust Finch, affording us great views as they circled, with the afternoon sun catching them perfectly. On the way back to Charlie’s Rock a White-tailed Blue Flycatcher provided some entertainment. We met our hosts Mike and Lari at the rock for some well-deserved sundowners, with Red-necked Spurfowl calling in the distance. John and our ardent photographer chased after Lazy Cisticola, and Mocking Cliff Chat hopped around the boulders, while we enjoyed some ice-cold beers.

Day 14, June 15th. Drive to Lusaka, overnight Fringilla LodgeToday was more of a driving day than anything else, and the only new birds before leaving Mutinondo were Grey-headed Bushshrike and Black-eared Seedeater. We tackled the long road to Lusaka, stopping at Serenje for fuel and lunch. Roadside birds included Augur Buzzard

near Mkushi, Southern Fiscal, African Pied Wagtail, Black-winged (Black-shouldered) Kite, and Lanner Falcon. We arrived in Lusaka rather late and decided to bird the lodge grounds the following morning.

Day 15, June 16th. Birding Fringilla Lodge on the last morning of the main tourAs planned we birded the lodge grounds in the morning and were delighted to add another two species at this late stage, Red-backed Mannikin and in particular awesome views of Red-necked Falcon. A few of us also added Collared Palm Thrush. Today was officially the last day of the main tour. Normally on day 15 our clients are transferred to the Lusaka airport for their flights home. Our post-tour this year took us by road through Zimbabwe and back into South Africa.

ZAMBIA MAIN TOUR SYSTEMATIC LIST, JUNE 2011

Species marked with H were heard only

BIRDSCommon Name Scientific Name  PODICIPEDIFORMES    Podicipedidae    Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 1SULIFORMES    Phalacrocoracidae    White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus 1Reed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus 1Anhingidae    African Darter Anhinga rufa 1PELECANIFORMES    Pelecanidae    Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus 1Ardeidae    Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala 1Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 1Great Egret Ardea alba 1Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia 1Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca 1Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis ibis 1Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 1

Rufous-bellied Heron Ardeola rufiventris 1Striated (Green-backed) Heron Butorides striata 1Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 1Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus 1Balaenicipitidae    Shoebill Balaeniceps rex 1Scopidae    Hamerkop Scopus umbretta 1Threskiornithidae    African Spoonbill Platalea alba 1African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus 1Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus 1Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash 1CICONIIFORMES    Ciconiidae    Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis 1Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus 1African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus 1Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis 1Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer 1ANSERIFORMES    Anatidae    Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca 1Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos 1Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis 1White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata 1Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor 1Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata 1African Black Duck Anas sparsa HHottentot Teal Anas hottentota 1Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha 1ACCIPITRIFORMES    Accipitridae    White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus 1Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus 1White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis 1Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus 1

Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus 1African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer 1Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus 1Black-chested Snake Eagle Circaetus pectoralis 1Western Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus cinerascens 1Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax 1Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus 1Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus 1Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis 1Augur Buzzard Buteo augur 1African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus 1African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus 1Black-winged (Black-shouldered) Kite Elanus caeruleus 1Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates 1African Cuckoo-Hawk Aviceda cuculoides 1Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus 1Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus 1African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro 1Shikra Accipiter badius 1Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar 1FALCONIFORMES    Falconidae    Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus 1Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera 1Dickinson's Kestrel Falco dickinsoni 1GALLIFORMES    Phasianidae    Natal Spurfowl Pternistis natalensis 1Red-billed Spurfowl Pternistis adspersus 1Swainson's Spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii 1Red-necked Spurfowl Pternistis afer HHarlequin Quail Coturnix delegorguei 1Numididae    Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris 1GRUIFORMES    Sarothruridae    Red-chested Flufftail Sarothrura rufa H

Heliornithidae    African Finfoot Podica senegalensis 1Rallidae    Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 1Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata 1Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostra 1African (Purple) Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis 1Allen's Gallinule Porphyrio alleni 1African Rail Rallus caerulescens 1Gruidae    Wattled Crane Grus carunculata 1OTIDIFORMES    Otididae    Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori 1Red-crested Korhaan Lophotis ruficrista 1Black-bellied Bustard Lissotis melanogaster 1CHARADRIIFORMES    Jacanidae    African Jacana Actophilornis africanus 1Lesser Jacana Microparra capensis 1Recurvirostridae    Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 1Charadriidae    Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius 1Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris 1Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus 1Long-toed Lapwing Vanellus crassirostris 1Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus 1African Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus 1White-crowned Lapwing Vanellus albiceps 1Scolopacidae    Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 1African Snipe Gallinago nigripennis 1Rostratulidae    Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis 1Glareolidae    Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola 1

Burhinidae    Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus 1Laridae    Grey-headed Gull Croicocephalus cirrocephalus 1Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 1Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 1PTEROCLIFORMES    Pteroclidae    Yellow-throated Sandgrouse Pterocles gutturalis 1COLUMBIFORMES    Columbidae    Rock Dove Columba livia 1Mourning Collared (African Mourning) Dove

Streptopelia decipiens 1

Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata 1Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola 1Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis 1Namaqua Dove Oena capensis 1Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos 1African Green Pigeon Treron calvus 1PSITTACIFORMES    Psittacidae    Meyer's Parrot Poicephalus meyeri 1Lilian's Lovebird Agapornis lilianae HBlack-cheeked Lovebird Agapornis nigrigenis 1MUSOPHAGIFORMES    Musophagidae    Schalow's Turaco Tauraco schalowi 1Ross's Turaco Musophaga rossae 1Grey Go-away-bird Corythaixoides concolor 1CUCULIFORMES    Cuculidae    Levaillant's Cuckoo Clamator levaillantii 1Klaas's Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas 1Coppery-tailed Coucal Centropus cupreicaudus 1White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus 1Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis 1Black Coucal Centropus grillii 1

STRIGIFORMES    Strigidae    Spotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africanus 1African Wood Owl Strix woodfordii 1African Scops Owl Otus senegalensis HPel's Fishing Owl Scotopelia peli HPearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum 1African Barred Owlet Glaucidium capense 1CAPRIMULGIFORMES    Caprimulgidae    Fiery-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis 1Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma HAPODIFORMES    Apodidae    African Black Swift Apus barbatus 1Little Swift Apus affinis 1African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus 1COLIIFORMES    Coliidae    Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus 1Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus 1CORACIIFORMES    Alcedinidae    Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis 1Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima 1Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata 1Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristatus 1Brown-hooded Kingfisher Halcyon albiventris 1Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti 1Meropidae    Böhm's Bee-eater Merops boehmi 1Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus 1White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides 1Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus 1Blue-breasted Bee-eater Merops variegatus 1Coraciidae    Racket-tailed Roller Coracias spatulatus 1

Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus 1Purple Roller Coracias naevius 1BUCEROTIFORMES    Bucerotidae    Trumpeter Hornbill Bycanistes bucinator 1Southern Red-billed Hornbill Tockus rufirostris 1Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus leucomelas 1African Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus 1Pale-billed Hornbill Tockus pallidirostris 1Crowned Hornbill Tockus alboterminatus 1Bucorvidae    Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri 1Upupidae    African Hoopoe Upupa africana 1Phoeniculidae    Green Wood-Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus 1Common Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas 1PICIFORMES    Indicatoridae    Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator 1Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor 1Lybiidae    Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus 1Chaplin's Barbet Lybius chaplini 1Black-backed Barbet Lybius minor 1Crested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii 1Miombo Pied Barbet Tricholaema frontata 1Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus 1Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus 1Picidae    Olive Woodpecker Dendropicos griseocephalus 1Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni 1Green-backed Woodpecker Campethera cailliautii 1Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens 1Bearded Woodpecker Dendropicos namaquus 1PASSERIFORMES    Eurylaimidae    

African Broadbill Smithornis capensis 1Alaudidae    Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea HRufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana 1Dusky Lark Pinarocorys nigricans 1Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea 1Hirundinidae    Mosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis 1Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica 1White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis 1Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii 1Grey-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga 1Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula 1Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola 1Banded Martin Riparia cincta 1Campephagidae    Black Cuckooshrike Campephaga flava 1Purple-throated Cuckooshrike Campephaga quiscalina 1White-breasted Cuckooshrike Coracina pectoralis 1Dicruridae    Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis 1Square-tailed Drongo Dicrurus ludwigii 1Oriolidae    African Golden Oriole Oriolus auratus 1Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus 1Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus 1Corvidae    Pied Crow Corvus albus 1White-necked Raven Corvus albicollis 1Paridae    Southern Black Tit Parus niger 1Miombo Tit Parus griseiventris 1Rufous-bellied Tit Parus rufiventris 1White-winged Black Tit Parus leucomelas 1Leiothrichidae    Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii 1Hartlaub's Babbler Turdoides hartlaubii 1

Pycnonotidae    Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor 1Terrestrial Brownbul Phyllastrephus terrestris 1Grey-olive Greenbul Phyllastrephus cerviniventris 1Cabanis's Greenbul Phyllastrephus cabanisi 1Little Greenbul Eurillas virens 1Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris 1Yellow-throated Leaflove Atimastillas flavicollis 1Turdidae    Kurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyana 1Groundscraper Thrush Psophocichla litsitsirupa 1Muscicapidae    Familiar Chat Oenanthe familiaris 1Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata 1African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus 1Sooty Chat Myrmecocichla nigra 1Arnot's Chat Pentholaea arnotti 1Mocking Cliff Chat Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris 1White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini 1White-browed Scrub Robin Erythropygia leucophrys 1Miombo Scrub Robin Erythropygia barbata 1Bocage's Akalat Sheppardia bocagei 1Collared Palm Thrush Cichladusa arquata 1African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta 1Ashy Flycatcher Muscicapa caerulescens 1Swamp Flycatcher Muscicapa aquatica 1Böhm's Flycatcher Muscicapa boehmi 1Grey Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus 1Southern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina 1Marico Flycatcher Bradornis mariquensis 1Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus 1Cisticolidae    Burnt-necked Eremomela Eremomela usticollis 1Black-necked Eremomela Eremomela atricollis 1Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis 1Green-capped Eremomela Eremomela scotops 1Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata 1

Stierling's Wren-Warbler Calamonastes stierlingi 1Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida 1Brown-headed Apalis Apalis alticola 1Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 1Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus 1Pale-crowned Cisticola Cisticola cinnamomeus 1Neddicky Cisticola fulvicapilla 1Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana 1Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis 1Lazy Cisticola Cisticola aberrans 1Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops 1Trilling Cisticola Cisticola woosnami 1Chirping Cisticola Cisticola pipiens 1Luapula Cisticola Cisticola luapula 1Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava 1Remizidae    Grey Penduline Tit Anthoscopus caroli 1Certhiidae    African Spotted Creeper Salpornis spilonotus 1Locustellidae    Fan-tailed Grassbird Schoenicola brevirostris 1Little Rush Warbler Bradypterus baboecala 1Acrocephalidae    African Reed Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus 1Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris 1Greater Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens 1Hyliotidae    Yellow-bellied Hyliota Hyliota flavigaster 1Southern Hyliota Hyliota australis 1Macrosphenidae    Red-capped Crombec Sylvietta ruficapilla 1Long-billed Crombec Sylvietta rufescens 1Stenostiridae    White-tailed Blue Flycatcher Elminia albicauda 1Monarchidae    African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis 1Zosteropidae    

African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis 1Platysteiridae    Chinspot Batis Batis molitor 1Black-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira peltata 1Motacillidae    African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp 1Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis 1Wood Pipit Anthus nyassae 1African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus 1Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys 1Buffy Pipit Anthus vaalensis 1Striped Pipit Anthus lineiventris 1Rosy-throated Longclaw Macronyx ameliae 1Laniidae    Southern Fiscal Lanius collaris 1Souza's Shrike Lanius souzae 1Magpie Shrike Urolestes melanoleucus 1Malaconotidae    Tropical Boubou Laniarius major 1Swamp Boubou Laniarius bicolor 1Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis 1Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus 1Orange-breasted Bushshrike Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus 1Grey-headed Bushshrike Malaconotus blanchoti 1Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla 1Brubru Nilaus afer 1Prionopidae    White-crested Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus 1Retz's Helmetshrike Prionops retzii 1Sturnidae    Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster 1Greater Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus 1Miombo Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis elisabeth 1Meves's Starling Lamprotornis mevesii 1Burchell's Starling Lamprotornis australis 1Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea 1Buphagidae    

Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus 1Nectariniidae    Western Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes longuemarei 1Anchieta's Sunbird Anthreptes anchietae 1Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea 1Green-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra verticalis 1Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis 1Amethyst Sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina 1White-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris talatala 1Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus 1Miombo Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris manoensis 1Copper Sunbird Cinnyris cupreus 1Purple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciatus 1Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris 1Passeridae    House Sparrow Passer domesticus 1Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus 1Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus 1Yellow-throated Petronia Gymnoris superciliaris 1White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali 1Ploceidae    Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver Bubalornis niger 1Dark-backed Weaver Ploceus bicolor 1Bar-winged Weaver Ploceus angolensis 1Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis 1Katanga Masked Weaver Ploceus katangae 1Southern Masked-Weaver Ploceus velatus 1Holub's Golden Weaver Ploceus xanthops 1Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps 1Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea 1Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix 1Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer 1Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis 1Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris 1Yellow-mantled Widowbird Euplectes macroura 1Marsh Widowbird Euplectes hartlaubi 1White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus 1

Red-collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens 1Viduidae    Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura 1Long-tailed Paradise Whydah Vidua paradisaea 1Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata 1Estrildidae    African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata 1Jameson's Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia 1Brown Firefinch Lagonosticta nitidula 1Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala 1Violet-eared Waxbill Uraeginthus granatinus 1Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis 1Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild 1Black-faced Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos 1Fawn-breasted Waxbill Estrilda paludicola 1Cut-throat Finch Amadina fasciata 1Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata 1Red-backed Mannikin Lonchura nigriceps 1Orange-winged Pytilia Pytilia afra 1Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba 1African Quailfinch Ortygospiza fuscocrissa 1Locust Finch Paludipasser locustella 1Orange-breasted Waxbill Amandava subflava 1Red-throated Twinspot Hypargos niveoguttatus 1Fringillidae    Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mozambica 1Black-eared Seedeater Crithagra mennelli 1Emberizidae    Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris 1Cabanis's Bunting Emberiza cabanisi 1Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi 1    34

7MAMMALS

Common Name Scientific Name  

RODENTIA    Sciuridae    Smith's bush squirrel Paraxerus cepapi 1

HYRACOIDEA    Procaviidae    Yellow-spotted rock hyrax Heterohyrax brucei 1LAGOMORPHA    Leporidae    Cape hare Lepus capensis 1PROBOSCIDEA    Elephantidae    African elephant Loxodonta africana 1ARTIODACTYLA    Suidae    Central African warthog Phacochoerus aethiopicus massaicus 1Hippopotamidae    Cape hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius capensis 1Bovidae    Common duiker Sylvicapra grimmia 1Southern steenbok Raphicerus campestris campestris 1Common impala Aepyceros melampus melampus 1Sitatunga Tragelaphus spekii 1Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus 1Southern reedbuck Redunca arundinum 1Red lechwe Kobus leche leche 1Black lechwe Kobus leche smithemani 1Puku Kobus vardonii 1CARNIVORA    Canidae    Side-striped jackal Canis adustus 1Viverridae    African civet Civettictis civetta 1Herpestidae    Slender mongoose Galerella sanguinea 1Dwarf mongoose Helogale parvula 1PRIMATES    Galagidae    Silvery greater galago Otolemur crassicaudatus monteiri 1Southern lesser galago Galago moholi 1Cercopithecidae    

Chacma baboon Papio ursinus 1Yellow baboon Papio cynocephalus 1Vervet Chlorocebus pygerythrus 1Blue monkey Cercopithecus mitis 1    25