Checklist of the birds of Kipini Conservancy, Lamu and Tana River districts, coastal Kenya

Abstract

During a holiday in Kenya we were invited to visit the Kipini Conservancy, just north of the Tana River. We encountered a number of birds of interest in this little-known area, particularly noteworthy being Black-and-white Flycatcher Bias musicus, the first sighting on the Kenya coast for many years. Range extensions included two species previously unrecorded north of Sokoke Forest: Green Tinkerbird Pogoniulus simplex and Pallid Honeyguide Indicator meliphilus. Among breeding records was the first of African Crake Crex egregia from the Kenyan coast. Species of conservation concern present at Kipini included resident Southern Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus fasciolatus and Malindi Pipit Anthus melindae (the latter numerous), and migrant Madagascar Pond Heron Ardeola idae. Many pairs of the regionally threatened Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis were among waterbirds present in the area.