11/05/2026
We joined a group of young Uganda birding enthusiasts team on where we explored the rainforests of Mabira, located just 2hrs drive east of Kampala. The impressive list generated included; Red-shouldered Cickooshrike and a characterful Forest Scimitarbill whose form caused an exciting conversation among birders.
Other highlights included; Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Green Hylia, various Greenbuls and Yellow-eyed Bristlebill.
White-spotted Flufftail, Blue-breasted Kingfisher and Nahan’s Patridge the forests’ jewels only called in the riverines but never ventured close to our trail. The canopies parties included Buff-spotted Apalis, Yellow-mantled Weaver, Black-necked Weavers Slender-billed Greenbul, Red-headed Malimbe and more with Sooty Flycatcher showing up well. Western-black headed Oriole and Rufous Flycatcher Thrush competed up in the lower canopies as Gray Longbilll ventured deep in the vines.
The undergrowth specialists that accorded us brief views included Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Brown-chested Alethe and Fire-crested Alethe. The forest edge was a beehive of activity where Great-blue Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Congo Pied and Crowned Hornbills ventured into agricultural farms as Black-crowned waxbills, Bronze Mankinns probed the short grasses. On our way back, Yellow-spotted Barbet came by as Afep Pigeons flapped across the canopies. Earlier in the morning pairs of Grey Parrots flew by the seasonal pond. Green-throated, Collared and Grey-headed sunbirds, African Dusky Flycatcher and Forest Robin or is it now Yellow-breasted Forest Robin???…made up the list.
Many thanks to all teams across the East Africa and the world for this initiative.
globalbirding
