Northern Ethiopian endemic birds plus Awash region … report to Ethiopia 15th-19th August 2012 M J...

Trip report to Ethiopia 15th

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August 2012 M J Grunwell

Northern Ethiopian endemic birds plus Awash region

15th August 2012 – 19

th August 2012

A brief return trip to get the northern endemic species plus a trip to Awash

Following on from my first trip to Ethiopia (see my earlier report), I wanted to return to pick up the remaining 9

species of endemic bird plus see breeding plumage bishops, weavers and whydahs. I only had four full days

birding, but as it turned out this was adequate to meet my targets.

I saw 7 out of the 9 target endemics and got a trip list of 206, see the attached, illustrated bird list.

As mentioned before, the two key books are: Birds of the Horn of Africa by Nigel Redman, Terry Stevenson

and John Fanshawe and the site guide Where to Watch Birds in Ethiopia by Claire Spottiswoode, Merid

Gabremichael and Julian Francis.

My arrangements were again with Negussie Toyo of Nurgi Bird Tours, but this time Negussie was to be my

guide.

Itinerary

Day 1, Wednesday 15th

August 2012

Arrival at Addis from Doha via Dubai with Ethiopian Airways. The flight from Dubai was on board a very

tired-looking B767, a real throw-back to the 1980’s. As we approached Addis we dropped through heavy cloud

to see a landscape covered in green with rivulets of water, pools and mini waterfalls everywhere, what a

contrast to the dry season of my previous visit.

Also unlike my previous visit, the arrival terminal was heaving with passengers freshly arrived from the US and

elsewhere, it took nearly an hour to queue to get my visa-on-arrival (USD20). On exiting the office I still had to

get through the immigration desk, fortunately I did not have to wait another hour (as most passengers did that

morning) as I was into a shorter, dedicated line. On retrieving my bag I had a few minutes hassle with customs

explaining my scope and camera equipment before being met by Negussie and taken to the vehicle.

Last time we had a Diesel Toyota Landcruiser, this time it was a Diesel Nissan Patrol driven by Misfin. By

coincidence this was the same engine and bodyshape as my own vehicle in Qatar. It differed in having the

army-style bench seats in the back, much less electrical switchgear and the old manual devices on the front

wheels to engage 4-wheel drive. The 4.2L diesel engine, whilst an excellent unit for low speed 4-wheel travel is

somewhat under-powered for such a heavy vehicle and overtaking trucks at moderate speed is a fraught and

potentially fatal activity. However, when fitted with proper, knobbly off-road tyres the Patrol is just about

unbeatable. The short wheelbase Patrol and the Landcruiser LX pickup (plus, possibly, the Ford Raptor) are

probably at the very top of the civilian off-road capability league.

We started off north-east to the Ankober region, our first stop was for a white-headed vulture. We then stopped

at various sites for yellow-crowned and yellow bishop. August is just about the best month to catch these

species in their breeding (can’t say nesting for the Whydahs as they are mostly brood-parasites) plumage.

The first major stop was for Ankober serin. The site is steep but walkable grassy slopes above the road at about

the highest point before dropping to Ankober village. The serin were surprisingly easy here and I got some nice

shots. We then drove down hill to the not-to-be-missed site of Melka Ghebdu. Spottiswoode has all the details.

The weather had warmed up and we had a great walk along the road until it fords a stream flowing from the

right to join the main current on your left. Just before the ford we had a brief view of a target endemic: yellow-


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throated seed-eater, at the ford we had yellow-breasted barbet and just beyond we had a lucky encounter with

red-billed pytilia.

We then drove back the way we came arriving at our hotel in Dibre Birhan after dark. The hotel was fine, but

the food, as with most places in Ethiopia, left a little to be desired.

Day 2, Thursday 16th

August 2012

We left the hotel in Debre Birhan at 05:00 and drove through the darkness to the Jemma Valley, we arrived at

the edge of the plateau at 06:45. On the way we had an owl hunting which could only have been Abyssinian

Owl. My only view of White-billed starling was at dawn, just before we dropped into the valley. The first part

of the morning was dedicated to Harwood’s francolin. Their preferred area of small fields and walls is best

scoped from above from the road. Ruppell’s Black Chat and Abyssinian (Black) Wheatear are easy here. We

had reasonable scope views of Erckel’s Francolin but Harwood’s eluded us until we moved a little further

downhill and had one calling at the quite late time of 09:00. We located the singing bird and had brief scope

views before it flew into crop.

We spent the next few hours driving down to the river at the valley bottom. Best birds of the lower slopes and

the valley bottom were: fox kestrel, black-billed barbet, foxy cisticola, chestnut-crowned sparrow-weaver,

speckle-fronted weaver, black-winged red bishop and red-collared widowbird. The big miss was white-throated

seedeater.

We turned round at 11:30 having gone less than a km past the bridge, and headed back up the hill to take the

tarmac road back to Addis and thence onto Awash. We got through Addis after 3pm and arrived at the Genet

Hotel in Awash at 7:30pm

I would suggest doing the Jemma valley on day 1 then doing Ankober-Melka Ghebdu- Awash on day 2.

Spottiswoode has the Melka Ghebdu-Awash as a good birding route and it would certainly be preferable to the

long, boring drive via Addis.

Day 3, Friday 17th

August 2012

Awoke at the Genet hotel, Awash, away at 06:00. Our first stop was at the park office to pick up our scout. For

“scout” read armed guard. Their job is to provide security, not to scout for anything. It certainly gave a feeling

of security to have this guy with us all morning. We then drove north-east on the main road until just past

Andido, this is the key site for Arabian bustard. Unfortunately just as we were to get out and start scanning the

plain it started to rain very heavily. Rather than sit out the rain we drove to the site for African Collared Dove

(The ACD site mentioned in the bird list). This site is an area of taller trees close to a marshy area, it is reached

via about 8km of rough track. As we drove along the ground became literally a lake from the rain and we had to

cross several fast flowing streams, it was certainly a test for the 4x4 capabilities of the Patrol. Fortunately the

tyres were exceedingly knobbly so we had no problem in the mud. As we arrived at the site the rain just about

stopped and we had a good couple of hours watching Senegal thick-knee, pygmy kingfisher, white-throated

bee-eater, chestnut-headed sparrow-lark as well as getting the key target of ACD.

We then drove straight back to the bustard plains, on our arrival from the road we saw a flock of Somali

Ostrich. On getting out of the car the ostrich spooked taking the Grevy’s zebra and Beisa oryx with them.

Fortunately there remained a lone Arabian bustard on the plain. We set off across the plain towards the bustard,

the ground was actually volcanic rubble with a thin covering of soil. After scoping the bustard we had excellent


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views of nile valley sunbird in the scrub by the road. It did seem odd that the ostrich got spooked as soon as I

got out as the road is busy with freight traffic to and from Djibouti.

We then dopped off our scout and returned to the Genet hotel for a quick lunch. We then drove to the site for

sombre rock chat. This site is very easy to reach; park at the western end of the causeway across Lake Beseka,

just west of Metahara. Walk south through the lava field for a few hundred metres until you encounter a chat.

Our first chat was brown-tailed but a little later we had excellent scope views of a singing sombre rock chat, it

took some time before the dark undertail coverts with pale fringing could be clinched.

We then set off for the Awash NP proper. We spent the afternoon driving slowly in a long loop around the

reserve. A really superb place, all very green and verdant with most birds singing and active even in mid-

afternoon, after time at Awash NP I am determined to avoid future African birding in the dry season. Best birds

were buff-crested bustard, four-banded sandgrouse, Gillett’s lark, chestnut-backed sparrow-lark and Somali

fiscal.

We stayed at the Awash falls lodge. My room was a hut right close to the roaring waterfall, the food was very

good (for Ethiopia), the only downside was the large number of mosquitoes.

Day 4, Saturday 18th

August 2012

Up at dawn for a walk, however it started raining so we returned to the lodge for breakfast. Packed up and

away. We spent all morning in the park with the best birds being breeding-plumaged widowbirds and whydahs.

We left the park at 1:20pm and drove to Debre Zeit where we spent time scanning Lake Cheleleka for Maccoa

duck. No sign of the duck but lots of distant birds such as black crowned crane, african spoonbill, knob-billed

duck and white-backed duck.

We then drove to the centre of Addis where the birding tour ended at the excellent Hotel Ghion, I had a few

minutes in the grounds at dusk.

Day 5, Sunday 19th

August 2012

Up at dawn for a nice walk in the grounds of the Ghion hotel and the adjacent Ghion park. Lots of birds

included dusky turtle dove, Ruppell’s robin chat, abyssinian slaty flycatcher, tacazze sunbird, thick-billed raven

and brown rumped seedeater. At 7:15 I was found by Misfin in the grounds, he had been forced to park a mile

away as the roads around the centre were closed for the first day of Eid. I then walked with Misfin, pulling my

luggage, through huge numbers of people gathering to celebrate Eid. Got to the car and was then a short drive

to the airport for my flight on to Tanzania, but that as they say, is another story.

Having now been twice to Ethiopia here is my suggested route to maximize key endemics:

Firstly, go in the wet season, mid July to early October.

Day 1 (assumes first full day as you need to be at the Harwood’s site for early morning) All day at the Jemma

Valley, overnight in Debre Birhan

Day 2 Ankober – Melka Ghebdu – Awash

Day 3 All day at Awash

Day 4 Awash to Wondo Genet

Day 5 All day at Wondo Genet


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Day 6 Wondo Genet – Dinsho – Goba

Day 7 All day on Sannetti plateau and surrounds

Day 8 Goba to Negele via Harenna forest.

Day 9 All day around Negele for Liben Lark, Salvadori’s and Ruspoli’s turaco

Day 10 All day at Dawa river, return to Negele.

Day 11 Negele to Yabello

Day 12 Yabello to Awassa

Day 13 Awassa to Addis, stay at the Ghion.

This assumes departure on day 14 and arrival on day 0.

With respect to the Ethiopian Endemics, here is my quick summary guide.

39 Nechisar Nightjar (Roger’s wing), completely forget.

38-36 Species in unsafe areas: Little brown bustard, Somali wheatear, Phillipa’s crombec

35 Possible, but less than 20% on the above route: Somali starling

34-31 The three tricky seedeaters : Salvadori’s, yellow-throated and white-throated plus Harwood’s francolin.

30-13 Probable but may take time plus a little luck : Chestnut-naped francolin, spot-breasted plover, yellow-

fronted parrot, prince ruspoli’s turaco, banded barbet, Abyssinian woodpecker, Liben lark, Erlanger’s lark,

white-tailed swallow, Abyssinian longclaw, sombre rock chat, white-winged cliff chat, Ethiopian cisticola,

Abyssinian catbird, white-backed tit, Abyssinian oriole, white-billed starling, Ankober serin

12-0 Dead cert if localities visited Wattled Ibis, BW Goose, Rouget’s rail, white-collared pigeon, black-

winged lovebird, Abyssinian wheatear, ruppells black chat, Abyssinian slaty flycatcher, thick-billed raven, bush

crow, brown-rumped seedeater, black-headed siskin

So, overall a fortnight’s intensive trip should be targeting 35 species but expect 30-34. I ended up with 32

having missed white-throated and salvadori’s seedeater and Somali starling.

Hope this proves useful, good luck with your trip.

This report may be used freely to help travelers and birdwatchers. If you quote widely from my report you

should give due credit:

Grunwell, M.J. Ethiopian northern endemics and Awash region August 2012

If you would like to comment please contact me on [email protected]

Michael Grunwell

Nanchang, Jiangxi province, PRC

mailto:[email protected]


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Bird list for Ethiopia, 15th – 19th August 2012

Names and systematic order as per IOC list v2.6

All photographs taken in Ethiopia, by me, on this trip.

1 Struthio molybdophanes Somali Ostrich

A small flock on the Ali Dege Plains north

of Andido, they were quite close to the

main road but as soon as I got out they

spooked and ran off at great speed,

taking most of the large mammals with

them. Fortunately the lone Arabian

bustard remained unfazed.

2 Numida meleagris Helmeted Guineafowl A common bird at Awash

3 Pternistis harwoodi Harwood's Francolin ENDEMIC Upper Jemma valley. One bird heard

calling and tracked down on top of a wall, brief though rather distant scope views. Then flew into a field and

lost.

4 Pternistis erckelii Erckel's Francolin Near HoA endemic One at dawn briefly on the plateau

above Jemma valley. Good scope views of 1 bird at the Harwood’s site.

5 Pternistis leucoscepus Yellow-necked Spurfowl Few at Awash NP

6 Coturnix delegorguei Harlequin Quail

Several pairs flushed at Awash NP. One male

photographed hiding in the grass.


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7 Dendrocygna viduata White-faced Whistling Duck Small flock by roadside ponds outside

entrance to Awash NP

8 Thalassornis leuconotus White-

backed Duck. Four birds distantly scoped

on Lake Cheleleka, Debre Zeit.

9 Sarkidiornis melanotos Knob-billed

Duck Several birds distantly scoped

on Lake Cheleleka.

10 Cyanochen cyanoptera Blue-winged

Goose ENDEMIC Often seen in pairs in

the highlands.

11 Alopochen aegyptiaca Egyptian

Goose Common and widespread.

12 Anas undulata Yellow-billed Duck

Few on highland pools.

13 Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe A few on Lake Cheleleka.

14 Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe One on Lake Cheleleka

15 Podiceps nigricollis Black-necked Grebe A few on Lake Cheleleka.

16 Mycteria ibis Yellow-billed Stork 20+ near the

entrance to Awash NP.

17 Ciconia episcopus Woolly-necked Stork Two with

yellow-billed storks near Awash NP

18 Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis Saddle-billed

Stork One distantly at Lake Beseka, Metahara.

19 Leptoptilos crumeniferus

Marabou Stork Often seen

soaring with vultures.

20 Threskiornis aethiopicus African Sacred Ibis Common at Lake Cheleleka.

21 Bostrychia hagedash Hadada Ibis 2 by the river, Awash NP

22 Platalea alba African Spoonbill One adult at Lake Cheleleka.

23 Bubulcus ibis Western Cattle Egret Few seen near cattle.

24 Ardea cinerea Grey Heron Few seen.

25 Ardea melanocephala Black-headed Heron A few seen on highland wetlands.


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26 Ardea alba Great Egret A few.

27 Egretta intermedia Intermediate Egret A few at Lake Cheleleka.

28 Egretta garzetta Little Egret A few at Lake Cheleleka

29 Scopus umbretta Hamerkop Widespread in the lowlands.

30 Pelecanus rufescens Pink-backed Pelican One at Lake Beseka.

31 Microcarbo africanus Reed Cormorant Few around Lake Cheleleka

32 Phalacrocorax carbo Great Cormorant Few

33 Sagittarius serpentarius ̀ Secretarybird A few at Awash NP.

34 Elanus caeruleus Black-winged Kite One at Awash NP.

35 Milvus aegyptius Yellow-billed Kite Just a few seen.

36 Haliaeetus vocifer African Fish Eagle A few at Awash NP

37 Necrosyrtes monachus Hooded Vulture The commonest vulture, hundreds roosting on a tall

mast at Metahara.

38 Gyps africanus White-backed Vulture A few

seen.

39 Gyps rueppellii Rüppell's Vulture

Fairly common

40 Trigonoceps occipitalis

White-headed Vulture One

female over the road north of Addis.

41 Circaetus pectoralis Black-

chested Snake Eagle seen several

times.

42

Polyboroides typus

African Harrier-

Hawk Few seen.

43 Melierax metabates

Dark Chanting

Goshawk One at Awash,

see the photo

44 Melierax poliopterus Eastern Chanting Goshawk Few seen.

45 Micronisus gabar Gabar Goshawk Few seen

46 Buteo augur Augur Buzzard Common


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47 Aquila rapax Tawny Eagle A few seen

48 Aquila verreauxii Verreaux's Eagle One adult in the Jemma valley.

49 Lophaetus occipitalis Long-crested Eagle Few seen

50 Polihierax semitorquatus Pygmy Falcon Pair at Awash NP

51 Falco tinnunculus Common Kestrel Few seen

52 Falco alopex Fox Kestrel Seen three times in the Jemma valley

53 Ardeotis arabs Arabian Bustard One bird on the on the Ali Dege Plains north of Andido.

54 Ardeotis kori Kori Bustard Two males at Awash

55 Lophotis gindiana Buff-crested

Bustard Male and female seen well at Awash NP.

56 Fulica cristata Red-knobbed Coot Few seen

57 Balearica pavonina Black Crowned Crane

two on Lake Cheleleka.

58 Burhinus senegalensis Senegal Thick-knee Few at ACD site

near Awash

59 Himantopus himantopus Black-winged Stilt Few seen

60 Vanellus spinosus Spur-winged Lapwing Fairly common.

61 Vanellus melanopterus Black-winged Lapwing An adult with young in the highlands.

62 Charadrius tricollaris Three-banded Plover Few at the ACD site

63 Tringa ochropus Green Sandpiper 6+ at the ACD site

64 Tringa glareola Wood Sandpiper 3+ at the ACD site


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65 Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper Few seen

66 Calidris minuta Little Stint One at the ACD site

67 Philomachus pugnax Ruff a small flock over Lake Cheleleka.

68 Chlidonias leucopterus White-winged Tern, fairly common at Lake Cheleleka

69 Pterocles

quadricinctus

Four-

banded

Sandgrouse, A

pair at Awash

in the

evening, a

small flock the next day

70 Columba livia Common Pigeon Few

71 Columba guinea Speckled Pigeon

Locally very common

72 Columba albitorques White-collared Pigeon ENDEMIC Flocks in the highlands, one flock over

200 birds.

73 Streptopelia lugens Dusky Turtle Dove Fairly Common in the highland

74 Streptopelia risoria African Collared Dove A target species, the ACD site is close to Awash NP,

about 6 miles down a rough track from the main road. Only found one bird amongst the many doves there.

75 Streptopelia decipiens Mourning Collared Dove Fairly common


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76 Streptopelia semitorquata Red-eyed Dove A few seen and heard.

77 Streptopelia capicola Ring-necked Dove By far the commonest dove.

78 Spilopelia senegalensis Laughing Dove Fairly common

79 Turtur chalcospilos Emerald-spotted Wood Dove A few at Awash NP

80 Turtur afer Blue-spotted Wood Dove A few at Melka Ghebdu

81 Oena capensis Namaqua Dove Locally common

82 Treron waalia Bruce's Green Pigeon Small flock in Awash NP

83 Poicephalus rufiventris Red-bellied Parrot Few in Awash NP

84 Corythaixoides leucogaster White-bellied Go-away-bird Common.

85 Clamator jacobinus Jacobin Cuckoo One in the Jemma valley

86 Asio abyssinicus Abyssinian Owl One, presumed this

species, flying by the side of the road, in the pre-dawn gloom, on the way

to the Jemma valley.

87 Tachymarptis melba Alpine Swift A few seen

88 Tachymarptis aequatorialis Mottled Swift A few

89 Apus niansae Nyanza Swift Fairly common, in good

light the pale panel on the secondaries is very obvious.

90 Colius striatus Speckled Mousebird Locally common

91 Urocolius macrourus Blue-naped Mousebird Small flocks in

Awash NP

92 Coracias abyssinicus Abyssinian Roller One adult at Awash

NP

93 Coracias garrulus European Roller Few at Awash

NP

94 Halcyon leucocephala Grey-headed Kingfisher, fairly common

at Awash NP.

95 Halcyon chelicuti Striped Kingfisher One adult at Awash NP.

96 Halcyon senegalensis Woodland Kingfisher Fairly common.

97 Ispidina picta African Pygmy Kingfisher One at Awash NP

98 Alcedo semitorquata Half-collared Kingfisher One flew past at Melka Ghebdu

99 Merops pusillus Little Bee-eater Fairly common at Awash NP.

100 Merops albicollis White-throated Bee-eater Some quite large flocks at Awash NP.


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101 Merops superciliosus Olive Bee-eater Small flock just outside entrance to Awash NP.

102 Merops nubicus Northern Carmine Bee-eater Few seen

103 Upupa epops Eurasian Hoopoe Few seen

104 Phoeniculus somaliensis Black-billed Wood Hoopoe 9+ in one flock new Awash.

105 Tockus hemprichii Hemprich's Hornbill Few seen

106 Tockus flavirostris Northern Yellow-billed Hornbill Few seen

107 Tockus deckeni Von der Decken's Hornbill Few seen

108 Bucorvus abyssinicus Abyssinian Ground Hornbill Few by roadside

109 Pogoniulus pusillus Red-fronted Tinkerbird A pair at Melka Ghebdu

110 Lybius guifsobalito Black-billed Barbet Seen at Melka Ghebdu and in the Jemma valley.

111 Trachyphonus margaritatus Yellow-breasted Barbet One female around a nest hole at Melka

Ghebdu

112 Campethera nubica Nubian Woodpecker A few

seen

113 Tchagra senegalus Black-crowned Tchagra A few

at Awash region

114 Laniarius aethiopicus Ethiopian Boubou Near HoA

endemic Some good views of a pair at dawn in Awash NP

115 Eurocephalus rueppelli Northern White-

crowned Shrike Fairly common

116 Lanius somalicus Somali Fiscal Near HoA

endemic Fairly common in Awash NP

117 Lanius collaris Common Fiscal One at Lake

Cheleleka

118 Dicrurus adsimilis Fork-tailed Drongo Few at

Awash region.

119 Terpsiphone viridis African Paradise Flycatcher One in Awash NP

120 Corvus capensis Cape Crow Few in highlands

121 Corvus albus Pied Crow Very common

122 Corvus edithae Somali Crow Fairly common in highlands

123 Corvus rhipidurus Fan-tailed Raven Few in highlands


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124 Corvus crassirostris Thick-billed Raven ENDEMIC Seen in Addis and highlands, many more seen

than on my last visit.

125 Mirafra gilletti Gillett's Lark Near HoA Endemic Great views of two singing birds in

Awash NP.

126 Galerida theklae Thekla Lark Fairly common in the highlands

127 Eremopterix leucotis Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark 2 ♂♂ 1♀ at Awash NP

128 Eremopterix signatus Chestnut-headed Sparrow-Lark Small flocks at ACD site.

129 Pycnonotus barbatus Common Bulbul Fairly common

130 Riparia paludicola Brown-throated Martin Fairly common

131 Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow Few seen

132 Cecropis abyssinica Lesser Striped Swallow Few seen

133 Cecropis daurica Red-rumped Swallow Few seen

134 Hippolais languida Upcher's Warbler 2 early-returned birds at Awash NP

135 Bradypterus cinnamomeus Cinnamon Bracken Warbler 1 singing at Ankober serin site.

136 Cisticola troglodytes

Foxy Cisticola Good view

of a singing bird in the Jemma

valley, see photo

137 Cisticola juncidis

Zitting Cisticola Few in Awash NP.

138 Prinia subflava Tawny-flanked Prinia Fairly common

139 Camaroptera brevicaudata Grey-backed Camaroptera

fairly common

140 Calamonastes simplex Grey Wren-Warbler Few at

Awash NP

141 Eremomela icteropygialis Yellow-bellied Eremomela Few seen

142 Turdoides rubiginosa Rufous Chatterer A few in Awash NP

143 Zosterops poliogastrus Montane White-eye Few seen

144 Creatophora cinerea Wattled Starling Small flocks

145 Lamprotornis chalybaeus Greater Blue-eared Starling A few

seen

146 Lamprotornis purpuroptera Rüppell's Starling Fairly

common


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147 Lamprotornis superbus Superb Starling Few seen

148 Onychognathus morio Red-winged Starling 4 birds seen near Ankober

149 Onychognathus albirostris White-billed Starling ENDEMIC Just seen once, an adult by

houses, at dawn, just before the road dropped into the Jemma valley

150 Buphagus erythrorhynchus Red-billed Oxpecker Few seen

151 Psophocichla litsitsirupa Groundscraper Thrush A few rushed views on the roadside

152 Turdus abyssinicus Abyssinian Thrush Common in the grounds of the Ghion Hotel,

Addis.

153 Cossypha semirufa Rüppell's Robin-Chat I assume it was this species rather than White-browed

showing well in the grounds of the Ghion hotel, find this pair very difficult to separate on sight.

154 Oenanthe lugubris Abyssinian Wheatear, (Abyssinian Black Wheatear) ENDEMIC Easy on the

higher slopes of the Jemma valley.

155 Cercomela scotocerca Brown-tailed Rock Chat One bird at the Sombre Rock Chat

site, south of the road, just west of the causeway across Lake Beseka

156 Cercomela dubia Sombre Rock Chat ENDEMIC Excellent, prolonged scope views of a singing

bird at Lake Beseka.

157 Pinarochroa sordida Moorland Chat Common in the highest areas.

158 Myrmecocichla melaena Rüppell's Black Chat ENDEMIC Fairly common on the higher

slopes of Jemma valley.

159 Monticola semirufus White-winged Cliff Chat ENDEMIC One adult at the roadside on

the way to Ankober.

160 Dioptrornis chocolatinus Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher ENDEMIC Well watched in the grounds

of the Ghion hotel, Addis.

161 Bradornis microrhynchus African Grey Flycatcher Several seen

162 Hedydipna metallica Nile Valley Sunbird Fairly common in the Awash area.

163 Nectarinia tacazze Tacazze Sunbird Two in the grounds of the Ghion hotel.

164 Cinnyris pulchellus

Beautiful Sunbird

One nice male photographed at

Melka Ghebdu


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165 Cinnyris habessinicus Shining Sunbird One at the Sombre Rock Chat site, One in

Awash NP.

166 Plocepasser mahali White-browed Sparrow-Weaver One at Awash NP

167 Plocepasser superciliosus Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-

Weaver One photographed in the lower part of the Jemma valley.

168 Passer swainsonii Swainson's Sparrow

Fairly common at most sites, photograph above taken at the Ankober serin site.

169 Passer eminibey Chestnut Sparrow A few flocks in Awash NP

170 Gymnoris pyrgita Yellow-spotted Petronia One at ACD site

171 Bubalornis niger Red-billed Buffalo Weaver Fairly common in Awash region


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172 Dinemellia dinemelli White-headed Buffalo Weaver Common in the Awash region

173 Sporopipes frontalis Speckle-fronted Weaver

Small flocks in the lower Jemma valley.

174 Ploceus baglafecht Baglafecht Weaver The most

widespread weaver of the highlands.

175 Ploceus galbula Rüppell's Weaver Common in the Awash region.

176 Ploceus vitellinus Vitelline Masked Weaver

Common in the Awash region, perhaps nest a little later than

village as not seen at nests.

177 Ploceus cucullatus Village Weaver One small colony in Awash where all the males were

displaying furiously


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178 Ploceus rubiginosus Chestnut Weaver Few at Awash NP, one flying out at the top of the

previous photo.

179 Quelea quelea Red-billed Quelea A small flock at the ACD site.

180 Euplectes afer Yellow-crowned Bishop Widespread in the highlands in wet areas.

181 Euplectes hordeaceus Black-winged Red Bishop Fairly common in the mid/higher slopes of the

Jemma valley. Note the black is off the crown. (left hand photo), plus the black wings.

182 Euplectes franciscanus Northern Red Bishop Widespread, seen well at Melka Ghebdu where males

displaying (Three photos on right), note the black on crown to behind the eye.

183 Euplectes capensis Yellow Bishop Scattered colonies in Ankober area.

184 Euplectes albonotatus White-winged Widowbird Fairly common in Awash area. Some nice

flight shots taken.

185 Euplectes ardens Red-collared Widowbird Some superb breeding males on the mid and

higher slopes of Jemma valley.


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186 Pytilia lineata Red-billed Pytilia HoA near-endemic At Melka

Ghedu we walked across the ford and on for another 60m, on the left a track

led down to the river-side. It was here that we encountered this species. It was

very wary, flicking into cover. I managed to get a quick shot of a male. A few

yards closer to the river I found at least 2 birds, one of which I photoed. Not

sure if this bird is a youngster or an adult female. According to “Where to

watch birds in Ethiopia”, the picture published there may be the only photo of

this species. This is all the more surprising as Red-billed Pytilia is the host for

Exclamatory Paradise Whydah, this just shows how data-deficient we are of some

species in this region.

Anyway, two more photos for your perusal.

187 Amadina fasciata Cut-throat Finch One ♀ at Awash NP.

188 Lagonosticta senegala Red-billed Firefinch Common and widespread.

189 Uraeginthus bengalus Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Fairly common and widespread.

190 Uraeginthus ianthinogaster Purple Grenadier Two ♂♂ at Awash NP.

191 Coccopygia quartinia Yellow-bellied Waxbill 4 birds at the Ankober serin site.

192 Estrilda rhodopyga Crimson-rumped Waxbill 1 in Awash NP

193 Euodice cantans African Silverbill Few seen in Awash region.

194 Vidua macroura Pin-tailed Whydah Widespread but usually

only a few birds.

195 Vidua hypocherina Steel-blue Whydah Two superb long-tailed

♂♂ close to the entrance buildings of Awash NP.

196 Vidua paradisaea Long-tailed Paradise Whydah A few in Awash NP. Superb flight silhouette

197 Serinus flavivertex Yellow-crowned Canary 2 nice ♂♂ in the Ankober area.

198 Serinus nigriceps Ethiopian Siskin, Black-headed siskin ENDEMIC Fairly common in highland

areas, but as with Moorland chat, nowhere near as common as in the much higher Sanetti plateau.

199 Crithagra citrinelloides African Citril Few in the Jemma valley

200 Crithagra flavigula Yellow-throated Seedeater ENDEMIC A very local and difficult bird. I got a

brief view of one bird at Melka Ghebdu. Disappointed not to get a better view.


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201 Crithagra mozambica Yellow-fronted Canary A Pair close to the

bridge at the lowest part of the Jemma valley. Maybe a little out of range?

See photo

202 Crithagra tristriata Brown-rumped Seedeater ENDEMIC

Common in the highlands.

203 Crithagra ankoberensis Ankober Serin ENDEMIC

Surprisingly easy to find, at least 20 birds feeding on the slopes at the highest point of the road above Ankober

village. Whilst flighty, with careful stalking got some half-decent photos.

204 Crithagra striolata Streaky Seedeater A common bird in highland areas.

205 Emberiza tahapisi Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Fairly common in the Awash

region.

206 Emberiza poliopleura Somali Bunting A few in awash NP.

This report can be used freely to help travelers and birdwatchers. If you quote widely from this report you

should give due credit:

Grunwell, M.J. Ethiopian northern endemics and Awash region, August 2012.

You can contact me on [email protected]

Michael Grunwell, Nanchang, Jiangxi province, PR China

mailto:[email protected]

Northern Ethiopian endemic birds plus Awash region … report to Ethiopia 15th-19th August 2012 M J...

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