Arusha 25 September: Some more Palearctic birds arriving. European Bee-eaters were reliably heard over Magongo-Kisongo on September 18 and there was a small flock over Momella on 19/9. As I write this note three central or south west Asian Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters – the first of the return - have been looping the loop and defying the ground over this Afro-urban laissez-faire bush garden on their way south. Barn Swallows are moving south east (although in small numbers) each evening through the Monduli gap between Meru and Monduli mountains.
Since September 13 several Northern Wheatears have been found in the open country 1100 to 1400 metre zone around the northern skirt of Meru. The first Isabelline Wheatear was in a patch of seriously xeric Maasailand just west of Ngeryani on September 22. Whilst from ‘toward the other end’ one Madagascar Squacco Heron was at Lake Longil, last seen on the evening of September 23. There were six Maccoa Ducks at Eluanata on September 12. More worryingly only two adult (not three as there have been all year up until now) habituated ‘Maasai’ Larks C. beesleyi (aka Beesley’s or even Pygmy Spike-heeled Lark) were at the ‘easiest location i.e. at the so regularly GPS’ed (!!) or kuni site’ on the Angyata Osugat plain north east of Oldonyo Sambu; their only home.
Wheatear photo: Ian McLaren
