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Ruff Philomachus pugnax: Several at Thika and the Mara, and about 20 at Nakuru.
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis: A single at Nakuru was the only record.
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia: Several sightings.
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus: Just two seen and another heard.
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola: About 20 at Thika, and quite a few others at various locations.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos: Widespread in small numbers.
LARIDAE
Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus: Only a few at Nakuru this year.
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus: Just two at Nakuru.
White-winged Tern (White-winged Black Tern) Chlidonias leucopterus: A few at Thika and about 20
at Nakuru – not a very good showing.
PTEROCLIDAE
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus: Small numbers at Buffalo Springs; a pair with three
chicks gave amazing roadside views.
Black-faced Sandgrouse Pterocles decoratus: An attractive sandgrouse at Buffalo Springs, often in
pairs; a day-total of 200 was exceptional.
Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse Pterocles lichtensteinii: Good views of a single female at Buffalo Springs.
Yellow-throated Sandgrouse Pterocles gutturalis: Excellent views of a pair on the way back from the
Mara.
COLUMBIDAE
African Green Pigeon Treron calva: About 20 at Thika and a few more in the Mara.
Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria: One heard at Thika and a couple at Mountain Lodge.
Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos: A common dry-country dove.
Blue-spotted Wood Dove Turtur afer: Small numbers in woodland in the Mara region.
Namaqua Dove Oena capensis: Small numbers in dry country.
Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba delegorguei: About 25 at Mountain Lodge and on the journey
down.
Olive Pigeon Columba arquatrix: A few seen at Mountain Lodge.
Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea: Widespread.
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia: A few in Nairobi and Thika.
Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata: A common highland species. Sings “I am a Red-eyed
Dove”.
African Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens: Particularly common in the Samburu/Buffalo Springs
and Baringo areas; a dry country species.
Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola: Abundant and widespread.
Dusky Turtle Dove Streptopelia lugens: Several sightings in highland areas.
Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis: Abundant dry country dove.
PSITTACIDAE
Red-fronted Parrot Poicephalus gulielmi: Several fly-overs at Mountain Lodge, but some good
perched views eventually.
Brown Parrot Poicephalus meyeri: Several sightings at Baringo and the Mara.
African Orange-bellied Parrot Poicephalus rufiventris: Several seen well at Buffalo Springs.
[Yellow-collared/Fischer’s Lovebird Agapornis personatus x fischeri: Several hybrid lovebirds seen in
Nairobi NP and Thika.]
MUSOPHAGIDAE
Ross’s Turaco Tauraco rossae: Prolonged breathtaking views of a pair in the Mara, and another single
in Kichwa Tembo.
8 Birdquest: The Best of Kenya 2005