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.
Northern Wheatear
Movement from afar; Beesley's update
21,000 km on 15g of fat
Eight ten a.m. September 13, 2006 will I hope live long in my memory.
For at that moment my flagging mid-life mind was once again rejuvenated, by migrant lifeblood energy which might ensure vital continuity for this beleaguered planet. Personal rejuvenation of a kind at once familiar yet always utterly unique. Heading north out of Arusha on the Nairobi road we were rounding the broad western shoulder of Meru Volcano en route the squalid Maasai village of Oldonyo Sambu and that slice of peace beyond: the serenity of Angyata Osugat – a treeless plain of dust.
