The Birds of Galu

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All the birds listed I have recorded within walking distance of Pinewood Village. Since the records are only of species present at one time during the year, the Christmas Holiday period of 1993 and 1994 when Palaearctic migrants are included, other intra Africa migrants visiting at other times of the year will inevitably increase the total number of species that Pinewood and its environs hosts.

SHOREBIRDS
The presence of a solitary OYSTERCATCHER in 1994 is a rare occurrence on the Kenya coast. Equally the very large flocks, several thousand in total, of migrant WHITE - WINGED BLACK TERNS on the rocks to the south at low tide and normally more of an inland species are noteworthy.

Several absentees from the lists should also occur from time to time at Galu all of which are regulars at other locations on Kenya's south coast. I refer particularly to the BLACK NECKED HERON, the shy and elusive GREEN - BACKED HERON, always solitary and showing a preference for rocky foreshores and the less common BLACK HERON where wanderers from the colony on Kisite Island off Wasini should occur occasionally.

The PIED KINGFISHER, the commonest kingfisher of the Kenya coast is another species I have not recorded at Galu which is strange. Its' place, in the scrub, is taken by the less colourful STRIPED KINGFISHER.

BIRDS OF THE FOREST AND SCRUB
The unspoilt forest area to the north of Pinewood hosts a number of species that prefer forest as opposed to scrub vegetation for their existence. Many forest species are colourful birds which although elusive are well worth the sighting and of particular note at Galu are the FISCHER'S TURACO, SILVERY-CHEEKED HORNBILL, GOLDEN-TAILED WOODPECKER, GREEN WOOD HOOPOE, BLACK-COLLARED BARBET, LESSER-HONEY GUIDE, MOTTLE-THROATED SPINETAIL, BLACK- HEADED BUSH SHRIKE and ZANZIBAR PUFF-BACK SHRIKE. In 1993 I also recorded a TRUMPETER HORNBILL uncommon on the south coast.

As with shorebirds the birds of Galu during the Northern Hemisphere's winter are swelled by migrant species which in 1994 were particularly well represented. Records included the European species of the SPOTTED FLYCATCHER, ROCK THRUSH, GOLDEN ORIOLE, RED-BACKED SHRIKE and, unusually on the beach WHEATEAR and YELLOW WAGTAIL.

BIRDS OF THE GARDENS
Many of the species recorded however can be seen without leaving the Pinewood precincts. Although activity declines during the heat of the day the smaller birds that require continual energy replacement are constantly in evidence. The flowering bushes receive regular visits from COLLARED SUNBIRDS and LITTLE PURPLE-BANDED SUNBIRDS while RUFOUS - BACKED MANNIKINS, BRONZE MANNIKINS and RED CHEEKED CORDON BLEUS of the Waxbill family are also numerous. In the cool of the day the birds from the adjoining undergrowth will sometimes make their appearance, notably the GOLDEN-RUMPED TINKERBIRD and the TROPICAL BOUBOU named the Bell-bird for its dueting calls. BLACK -BREASTED GLOSSY STARLINGS are to be seen in the foliage of the larger trees.

In the air I have recorded eight species of Swifts and Swallows to test the identification powers of the more advanced enthusiast while 1994 is characterised by large numbers of migrant WHITE-THROATED BEE-EATERS from the north of the African continent.

So enjoy the bird life of Pinewood and let the management know of your unusual or additional observations so the records can be updated.

Robin Cahill, P O Box 40612, Nairobi