Sunday, July 5, 2009

Kolwezi Riverine Forest

Below is an annotated list of species recorded along a stretch of riverine forest to the north of Kolwezi in July 2009:
Little Grebe / Dabchick - pair resident in small dam at lower end of forest

Long-crested Eagle - a fairly common raptor in the area

Lizzard Buzzard - common bird along the forest

African Goshawk - uncommon bird along the forest. Is possibly more numerous where therer are more trees .

Red-necked Spurfowl - common in scrub and farmland. The only Spurfowl in the area.

Common Moorhen - a single bird skulking near the waters edge

Emerald-spotted Wood Dove - common in scrub, forest and farmbush

Red-eyed Dove - common in woodland and forest

Klaas's Cuckoo - calling has started in late June. Mainly along river course associated with larger trees

Speckled Mousebird - common species. Differs from the southern form by having red legs and a whitish cheek

Little Bee-eater - common species

African Hoopoe - seems to have increased in numbers in recent weeks. Possibly as a result of the number of fires which has cleared much of the groundcover

Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird - common in the riparian forest

Brown-backed Honeybird - uncommon. Recorded once along river

Flappet Lark - common species. Its presence is often given away by characteristic flight

Angola Swallow - common species. Almost always associated with water.

African Pied Wagtail - common species often near open water

Black Cucko-Shrike - fairly common species in riparian forest

Little Greenbul - restricted to riparian forest where quite common

Yellow-throated Leaflove - common adjacent to riparian woodland. Difficult to see, although characteristic call can be heard

Common Bulbul - very common species across a range of habitats

Black-collared Bulbul - common species on the edge of riparian forest


Black-collared Bulbul

West African Thrush (Turdos pelios sormsi) - very common, especially at fruiting trees. A lot more orange on this bird than the west African varieties.

West African Thrush

African Yellow Warbler - common bird moving through scrubby woodland and thicket edge

Long-billed Crombec - common in scrub adjacent to forest

Red-faced Cisticola - common in scrubby grass adjacent to forest

Short-winged Cisticola - common in scrubby grass adjacent to forest

Tawny-flaned Prinia - common in any tangles and grassy vegetation

White-chinned Prinia (photograph right) - groups of three to four move up and down the forest calling almost continually

African Dusky Flycatcher - uncommon species sometimes absent

Black-throated Wattle Eye - common species more often heard than seen. Keep to cover of forest

Amethyst Sunbird - very common species

Variable Sunbird - very common species, particularly now when syzygium tree species are flowering

Copper Sunbird - fairly common species. Seems to enjoy the invasive tithonia diversifolia.

Bannerman's Sunbird - a unusual bird suspected to be a juvenile of this species was seen once.

Sulphur-breasted Bush Shrike - common species in and adjacent to forest. Its call can be heard most mornings

Black-crowned Tchagra - very common species adjacent to forest

Black-backed Puffback - common species in forest and in thick bush adjacent to forest

Tropical Bouboou - common species in forest and in thick bush adjacent

African Golden Oriole - uncommon species. Mostly associated with large fruiting trees

Pied Crow - common species dominating modified habitat

Spectacled Weaver - uncommon species, only seems to be associated with riparian forest in Kolwezi

Yellow Bishop - very common species in scrub adjacent to forest. This species is more obvious during the rainy season.

Yellow-mantled Widow - common species, also more evident during the rainy season.

Fawn-breasted Waxbill - uncommon species moving in small groups amongst herbaceous vegetation

Common Waxbill - common species in rank grass and moist vegetation

Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah - uncommon. Still in full breeding dress in late July.

Black-faced Canary - uncommon species which seems to move around a bit. Sometimes can be common.

Brimstone Canary - common species. Also seems to enjoy the invasive tithonia diversifolia.

Cinnamon-breasted Bunting - possibly the most common bird in Kolwezi for the winter months. Still very common. Seems to disappear during the rainy season.