Day 16: Bishingari Lodge
Monday 23rd February 2015
Bishingari Lodge The lodge provided early morning coffee and tea, which was very welcome when we rose at dawn to walk around the extensive grounds. We were immediately impressed by the abundance of birdlife in the woodland around the lodge. Some of the more interesting species included Scaly Francolin, Blue-spotted Wood Dove and African Goshawk. Mammals were also much in evidence; there were lots of Warthogs and noisy Olive Baboons, several Common Reedbuck and both Mantled Guereza and Gambian Sun Squirrels in the trees around the bar. After an excellent breakfast in the large, open dining area, we set off across the grass behind the lodge to an area of more extensive woodland. Several new birds included African Olive Dove, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Black Scimitarbill and both Scaly-throated and Greater Honeyguides. The highlight, however, was a pair of Verreaux’s Eagle Owls, perched high in the trees near a local village. It was a real pleasure to watch these huge owls for several minutes and nice to show them to local villagers through the telescopes. After lunch and a break from the early afternoon heat, we set out to explore the shores of Lake Langano. There was the usual array of storks, egrets, herons and waders; three Goliath Herons were most impressive, as were groups of Pink-backed Pelicans. We also saw our first Grey-headed Gulls and Curlew Sandpipers. As we were enjoying the avian spectacle, a big thunderstorm rolled across so we retreated back around the shore, towards the lodge. Hundreds of hirundines flew low under the darkening sky, including at least one Ethiopian Swallow. We went out for a final night walk after dinner but unfortunately mammals were few, though Abiy did indentify a Senegal Bush baby (even though most of us saw only eye-shine). However, we did see two more Hyenas running across the grass near the lake shore.
Bishingari Lodge The lodge provided early morning coffee and tea, which was very welcome when we rose at dawn to walk around the extensive grounds. We were immediately impressed by the abundance of birdlife in the woodland around the lodge. Some of the more interesting species included Scaly Francolin, Blue-spotted Wood Dove and African Goshawk. Mammals were also much in evidence; there were lots of Warthogs and noisy Olive Baboons, several Common Reedbuck and both Mantled Guereza and Gambian Sun Squirrels in the trees around the bar. After an excellent breakfast in the large, open dining area, we set off across the grass behind the lodge to an area of more extensive woodland. Several new birds included African Olive Dove, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Black Scimitarbill and both Scaly-throated and Greater Honeyguides. The highlight, however, was a pair of Verreaux’s Eagle Owls, perched high in the trees near a local village. It was a real pleasure to watch these huge owls for several minutes and nice to show them to local villagers through the telescopes. After lunch and a break from the early afternoon heat, we set out to explore the shores of Lake Langano. There was the usual array of storks, egrets, herons and waders; three Goliath Herons were most impressive, as were groups of Pink-backed Pelicans. We also saw our first Grey-headed Gulls and Curlew Sandpipers. As we were enjoying the avian spectacle, a big thunderstorm rolled across so we retreated back around the shore, towards the lodge. Hundreds of hirundines flew low under the darkening sky, including at least one Ethiopian Swallow. We went out for a final night walk after dinner but unfortunately mammals were few, though Abiy did indentify a Senegal Bush baby (even though most of us saw only eye-shine). However, we did see two more Hyenas running across the grass near the lake shore.