British Isles Birding

The following trip report summarizes an ‘Ethiopian Endemics’ trip in February/March 2003 (with Naturetrek) that was expertly led by local birder and guide Negussie Toye (who can be contacted by e-mail at negussiet@yahoo.com). The itinerary was as follows: -

 

22^nd February – Gafersa Reservoir (night in Addis Ababa)

23^rd February – Solulta Plains and Debre Libanos (night in Addis Ababa)

24^th February – Lake Chelechleka, Lake Zwai and stops on the road to Wondo Guenet (night at Wondo Guenet)

25^th February – Wondo Guenet forest (night at Wondo Guenet)

26^th February – road from Wondo Guenet (Shashemene) to Goba (night near Goba)

27^th February – Bale Mountains (night near Goba)

28^th February – road from Goba to Shashemene, afternoon at Lake Awassa (night at Awassa)

1^st March – Lake Awassa, Arsi Negele Ostrich Farm, Lake Abiatta, Lake Zwai and Lake Hora (night in Addis Ababa)

 

General birding was excellent, with at least 175 species noted on one date alone (28^th February) and 353 species were noted during the trip. Highlights of the trip included several of Ethiopia’s endemic species such as Spot-breasted Plover, Rouget’s Rail, Golden-backed (Abyssinian) Woodpecker, Abyssinian Catbird and White-backed Black Tit. As well as these species, everlasting memories of the trip include a Martial Eagle and a Verreaux’s Eagle in the air side by side in the Bale Mountains, 2 Painted Snipe feeding in the evening light on the shore of Lake Awassa and a superb flock of 25 Great Black-headed Gulls at Lake Abiatta. Finally, cheers to Phil Misseldine and Steve Cooper who helped increase my knowledge of several species and races observed during the trip.

 

The following systematic list covers the species seen during the period 22^nd February until 1^st March. Please note that, when mentioned, the collective term ‘Rift Valley Lakes’ is applied to the lakes of Chelechleka, Zwai, Awassa and Abiatta.

 

1)            LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis. Widespread, seen in numbers at several areas of water. Max 500+ Lake Hora 1^st March.

2)            GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus. 1 Lake Hora 1^st March.

3)            AFRICAN GREAT WHITE PELICAN Pelecanus onocrotalus. Localized with birds (up to 30) seen at Lake Zwai, Lake Awassa and Lake Abiatta.

4)            PINK-BACKED PELICAN Pelecanus rufescens. Localized, though more numerous than the previous species, with this species seen at Lake Zwai, Lake Awassa and Lake Abiatta.

5)            GREAT (WHITE-BREASTED) CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo lucides. Common, with large numbers seen at most areas of extensive water.

6)            LONG-TAILED CORMORANT Phalacrocorax africanus. Common, though possibly slightly less numerous than Great Cormorant, being found at waters throughout.

7)            (AFRICAN) DARTER Anhinga rufa. Max 20 at Lake Zwai 24^th Feb, with small numbers also present at Lake Awassa and Lake Zwai.

8)            BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON Nycticorax nycticorax. 4+ Lake Awassa 28^th Feb.

9)            SQUACCO HERON Ardeola ralloides. Common, with birds seen at many localities in close vicinity to water.

10)        CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis. Widespread, with birds frequenting both freshwater habitat and areas of cultivation, predominantly near cattle.

11)        BLACK HERON Egretta ardesiaca. Widespread but uncommon with only single figure counts from Lake Zwai and Lake Awassa.

12)        GREAT WHITE EGRET Egretta alba. Common by muddy water margins, with large numbers seen at Lake Chelechleka, Lake Zwai, Lake Awassa and Lake Abiatta with smaller numbers seen at smaller areas of water.

13)        INTERMEDIATE EGRET Egretta intermedia. Uncommon, with low single figure counts from Lake Chelechleka, Lake Zwai and Lake Awassa.

14)        LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta. Common, with medium to large numbers seen at Lake Chelechleka, Lake Zwai, Lake Awassa and Lake Abiatta.

15)        GREY HERON Ardea cinerea. Small numbers seen at many of the lakes, with largest concentration being 20+ at Lake Abiatta on 1^st March.

16)        BLACK-HEADED HERON Ardea melanocephala. Widespread, with largest concentrations in the Rift Valley lakes, but birds also seen on isolated pools in the Bale mountains.

17)        GOLIATH HERON Ardea goliath. Small numbers present at all Rift Valley lakes including Chelechleka, Zwai, Abiatta and Awassa.

18)        PURPLE HERON Ardea purpurea. 1 in flight over Lake Zwai 24^th Feb.

19)        HAMMERKOP Scopus umbretta. Common and widespread, being seen by open water as well as in forested areas (such as Wondo Guenet).

20)        WHITE STORK Ciconia ciconia. 25+ thermalling near Lake Chelechleka 24^th Feb and 5 following a plough (with 15+ Abdim’s Storks) on the road between Awassa and Shashemene on 28^th Feb.

21)        ABDIM’S STORK Ciconia abdimii. 7 on the arid area between Shashemene and Goba 26^th Feb and 15+ following a plough between Awassa and Shashemene on 28^th Feb.

22)        WOOLLY-NECKED STORK Ciconia episcopus. 1 over the dirt road just east of Shashemene 28^th Feb.

23)        SADDLE-BILLED STORK Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis. 1 immature on the shore of Lake Awassa 28^th Feb.

24)        AFRICAN OPEN-BILLED STORK Anastomus lamelligerus. 2 at Lake Zwai 1^st March.

25)        MARABOU Leptoptilos crumeniferus. Very common, especially near water though birds often seen spiraling over areas of human habitation.

26)        YELLOW-BILLED STORK Mycteria ibis. 4 at Lake Chelechleka 24^th Feb and 25+ on the shore of Lake Abiatta on 1^st March.

27)        SACRED IBIS Threskiornis aethiopica. Common to very common, though seemingly absent from more mountainous areas.

28)        WATTLED IBIS Bostrychia carunculata. Common, particularly in the Bale mountains. Birds seen mainly away from water in either grassland or forested areas with concentrations seen at Gafersa Reservoir, Wondo Guenet and especially on the road between Shashemene and Goba (particularly at the mountainous Goba end).

29)        HADADA Bostrychia hagedash. Uncommon though widespread, with single figure counts at Gafersa Reservoir and double figures at Lake Awassa.

30)        GLOSSY IBIS Plegadis falcinellus. Small flocks seen at most of the Rift Valley Lakes, with 40 at Lake Zwai on 24^th Feb, with 3 birds also present on a marshy area of the Solulta Plains 23^rd Feb.

31)        AFRICAN SPOONBILL Platalea alba. 12 at Gafersa Reservoir on 22^nd Feb and 15+ at Lake Chelechleka on 24^th Feb.

32)        GREATER FLAMINGO Phoenicopterus rubber. 4 at Lake Chelechleka on 24^th Feb.

33)        WHITE-FACED WHISTLING DUCK Dendrocygna viduata. Localized, with 50+ at Lake Zwai on 24^th Feb being peak count, with birds also present at Lake Awassa.

34)        BLUE-WINGED GOOSE Cyanochen cyanoptera. Localized but widespread, with this species favouring small areas of marsh adjacent to open water and notable by their absence in the Rift Valley lakes. 2 at Gafersa Reservoir 22^nd Feb, 12+ on the Solulta Plains on 23^rd Feb though largest numbers present on upland marshes in the Bale mountains (both on the Shashemene to Goba road and in the national park) 26^th – 28^th Feb.

35)        EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiacus. Very common, seen in large numbers at many localities.

36)        RUDDY SHELDUCK Tadorna ferruginea. 2 at Lake Chelechleka 24^th Feb and 3 on summit pools in the Bale Mountains National Park 27^th Feb.

37)        SPUR-WINGED GOOSE Plectropterus gambensis. Locally common, seen at most Rift Valley Lakes with largest numbers being 200+ at Lake Chelechleka on 24^th Feb.

38)        KNOB-BILLED GOOSE (COMB DUCK) Sarkidiornis melanotus. 10+ at Lake Chelechleka on 24^th Feb and 5 at Lake Awassa on 28^th Feb.

39)        AFRICAN PYGMY GOOSE Nettapus auritus. Small numbers present in reedy margins of Lake Zwai and Lake Awassa, with at least 15 present at the latter site on 1^st March.

40)        AFRICAN BLACK DUCK Anas sparsa. 4 at Gafersa Reservoir 22^nd Feb and 1 on a small stream just outside Goba before the road goes uphill towards the National Park.

41)        EURASIAN WIGEON Anas penelope. A pair at Lake Chelechleka 24^th Feb and 1 female at Lake Zwai 24^th Feb.   

42)        EURASIAN TEAL Anas crecca. 10+ at Gafersa Reservoir 22^nd Feb.

43)        YELLOW-BILLED DUCK Anas undulata. Common, with birds present in double figures at many sites including the Rift Valley Lakes as well as smaller areas of water on the Solulta Plains and the Bale Mountains.

44)        NORTHERN PINTAIL Anas acuta. Localized, with small numbers present at Lake Awassa and Lake Zwai, though the largest concentration being 50+ at Lake Chelechleka on 24^th Feb.

45)        RED-BILLED TEAL Anas erythrorhynchus. 2 at Lake Zwai on 24^th Feb and 2 at Lake Awassa on 28^th Feb.

46)        HOTTENTOT TEAL Anas hottentota. Relatively common in the Rift Valley with up to 30 seen at Lake Zwai and Lake Awassa.

47)        GARGANEY Anas querquedula. Common to very common, with large numbers (100+) present at Lakes Chelechleka and Zwai on 24^th Feb, with many also present at Lake Awassa on 28^th Feb.

48)        NORTHERN SHOVELER Anas clypeata. Common, with 100s present at Lake Chelechleka on 24^th Feb and birds also present at Gafersa Reservoir and Lakes Zwai, Abiatta and Awassa.

49)        AFRICAN POCHARD Netta erythrophthalma. A pair at Lake Zwai on 24^th Feb and 1^st March (presumably the same birds on both dates) and a female at Lake Awassa on 28^th Feb.

50)        TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula. 20+ Gafersa Reservoir on 22^nd Feb and 10 at Lake Hora on 1^st March.

51)        MACCOA DUCK Oxyura maccoa. 2 (a pair) at Gafersa Reservoir on 22^nd Feb.

52)        WHITE-BACKED DUCK Thalassornis leuconotus. Only recorded at Lake Awassa, with 80 counted on 28^th Feb.

53)        BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE Elanus caeruleus. 2 on the Solulta Plains 23^rd Feb.

54)        AFRICAN SWALLOW-TAILED (SCISSOR-TAILED) KITE Chelictinia riocourii. 3 on the plains between Goba and Shashemene 28^th Feb.

55)        BLACK (YELLOW-BILLED) KITE Milvus migrans parasitus. Very common to abundant, particularly in towns. At least one individual of the northern migratory race Milvus m. migrans (Black Kite) noted.

56)        AFRICAN FISH EAGLE Haliaeetus vocifer. Regularly seen, either in flight or perched in bare trees, adjacent to large areas of water such as the Rift Valley Lakes (Chelechleka, Zwai, Abiatta and Awassa).

57)        EGYPTIAN VULTURE Neophron percnopterus. 2 adult-type birds on the Solulta Plains 23^rd Feb and an immature over Lake Chelechleka 24^th Feb.

58)        LAMMERGEIER Gypaetus barbatus. 3+ birds, including an adult that showed exceptionally well on the ground, at Debre Libanos gorge on 23^rd Feb and 2 in the Bale Mountains 27^th Feb.

59)        HOODED VULTURE Necrosyrtes monachus. Common, occasionally seen in gatherings of up to 20 birds (e.g. Wondo Guenet 25^th Feb).

60)        AFRICAN WHITE-BACKED VULTURE Gyps africanus. Relatively regularly seen, often with Hooded Vultures, though not as common as this species.

61)        RUPPELL’S GRIFFON VULTURE Gyps ruppelli. Regular, often in the presence of White-backed Vultures, and small groups of up to 6 birds seen in the Bale Mountains 27^th Feb.

62)        SHORT-TOED SNAKE EAGLE Circaetus gallicus. 1 on roadside post near Awassa on 1^st March.

63)        BLACK-CHESTED SNAKE EAGLE Circaetus pectoralis. 1 over the forest above the monastery at Debre Libanos 23^rd Feb.

64)        BANDED SNAKE EAGLE Circaetus cinerascens. 1 adjacent to Lake Awassa 28^th Feb.

65)        AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (GYMNOGENE) Polyboroides typus. 2 on the plains near Shashemene 28^th Feb, 1 near Lake Zwai 1^st March.

66)        EUROPEAN MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus. 1 (fem/imm) over Lake Awassa on 28^th Feb.

67)        PALLID HARRIER Circus macrourus. 1 (male) over the Solulta Plains 23^rd Feb, 1 (ringtail) near Lake Zwai 24^th Feb and 1 (ringtail) by the mountain pool on the Shashemene-Goba road 26^th Feb.

68)        MONTAGU’S HARRIER Circus pygarus. 6+ on the plains between Shashemene and Goba 26^th Feb, with 1+ seen there on 28^th Feb.

69)        DARK CHANTING GOSHAWK Melierax metabates. Regularly seen by the roadside, predominantly in areas of scattered vegetation or acacia scrub.

70)        GABAR GOSHAWK Melierax gabar. 2 (1 pale morph, 1 dark morph) in acacia scrub north of Shashemene by the Addis road 24^th Feb, 1 at Arsi Negele Ostrich Farm area 1^st March.

71)        GREAT SPARROWHAWK Accipter melanoleucus. 1 over Wondo Guenet 25^th Feb and 1 by the stream near Goba 27^th Feb.

72)        AFRICAN LITTLE SPARROWHAWK Accipter minullus. 1 over Wondo Guenet 25^th Feb.

73)        SHIKRA Accipter badius. 1 perched in a tree adjacent to Lake Awassa 28^th Feb.

74)        EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK Accipter nisus. 1 over the road between Goba and Shashemene 28^th Feb.

75)        COMMON (STEPPE) BUZZARD Buteo buteo vulpinus. Small numbers seen, predominately in mountainous/upland habitat.

76)        AFRICAN MOUNTAIN BUZZARD Buteo oreophilus. 1 over the Shashemene-Goba road, adjacent to the small pond, in the Bale mountains near Goba 26^th Feb.

77)        AUGUR BUZZARD Buteo augur. Common, frequently seen by the roadside particularly in mountainous/upland areas.

78)        GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE Aquila clanga. 1 (adult) by the Goba-Shashemene road on 28^th Feb.

79)        TAWNY EAGLE Aquila rapax. Fairly common, with up to double figures seen on several dates.

80)        STEPPE EAGLE Aquila nipalensis. 2 seen with a few vultures and Tawny Eagles by the road between Zwai and Wondo Guenet 24^th Feb, 1 Bale Mountains 27^th Feb.

81)        GOLDEN EAGLE Aquila chrysaetos. 1 (adult) over the Harenna Escarpment, Bale Mountains NP 27^th Feb.

82)        VERREAUX’S EAGLE Aquila verreauxii. 1 (adult) in the Bale Mountains accompanied in the air by a Martial Eagle, 27^th Feb.

83)        AFRICAN HAWK-EAGLE Hieraaetus fasciatus. 1 (imm) over Wondo Guenet on 25^th Feb.

84)        BOOTED EAGLE Hieraaetus penatus. 1 (pale morph) over the Shashemene-Goba road on 26^th Feb.

85)        LONG-CRESTED EAGLE Lophaetus occipitalis. 3 birds seen, all perched by the roadside, with 1 between Zwai and Wondo Guenet 24^th Feb, 1 near Awassa 28^th Feb and 1 again near Awassa 1^st March.

86)        MARTIAL EAGLE Polemaetus bellicosus. 1 in the Bale Mountains, just below the NP boundary, 27^th Feb being accompanied by an adult Verreaux’s Eagle.

87)        AFRICAN PYGMY FALCON Polihierax semitorquatus. 1 by the roadside between the prominent river bridge (on the Addis road) and Wondo Guenet/Shashemene 24^th Feb.

88)        COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus. Relatively widespread, with small numbers seen almost daily especially in the plain/steppe areas.

89)        GREY KESTREL Falco ardosiaceus. 2, both perched prominently in bare trees, at Lake Awassa 28^th Feb.

90)        LANNER Falco biarmicus. 5+ Solulta Plains/Debre Libanos 23^rd Feb, 2 by the small pool in the mountains by the Shashemene-Goba road 26^th Feb, 1 Bale Mountains 27^th Feb.

91)        CRESTED FRANCOLIN Francolinus sephaena. 4+ at Arsi Negele Ostrich Farm area on 1^st March.

92)        MOORLAND (GREY-WINGED) FRANCOLIN Francolinus psilolaemus. 7 on the Sanetti Plateau, Bale Mountains NP 27^th Feb, 5+ by the Goba-Shashemene road (at the Goba end) 28^th Feb.

93)        CHESTNUT-NAPED FRANCOLIN Francolinus castaneicollis. 12 in the mountains adjacent to the Shashemene-Goba road 26^th Feb, 2 in the Bale Mountains 27^th Feb and 6+ on the Goba-Shashemene road 28^th Feb.

94)        HELMETED GUINEAFOWL Numida meleagris. c.10 at Arsi Negele Ostrich Farm area 1^st March.

95)        COMMON CRANE Grus grus. 100’s present in fields by Lake Chelechleka 24^th Feb, 4 over road near Lake Hora 1^st March.

96)        BLACK CROWNED CRANE Balearica pavonina. 2 Lake Chelechleka 24^th Feb.

97)        ROUGET’S RAIL Rallus rougetii. Common in the Bale Mountains with 20+ seen by the Shashemene-Goba road (all within the last two hours to Goba, especially around the small upland pond on the left as you drive towards Goba) 26^th Feb, 2 Bale Mountains NP 27^th Feb and 6+ by the Goba-Shashemene road 28^th Feb.

98)        BLACK CRAKE Limnocorax flavirostra. 1 Lake Zwai 24^th Feb, 4 Lake Awassa 28^th Feb and 6 Lake Zwai 1^st March.

99)        COMMON MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus. Only noted at Lake Awassa, with 25+ seen on 28^th Feb.

100)    PURPLE GALLINULE Porphyrio porphyrio. 1 (adult) Lake Awassa 28^th Feb.

101)    ALLEN’S GALLINULE Porphyrio alleni. 1 (adult) Lake Awassa 28^th Feb.

102)    RED-KNOBBED COOT Fulica cristata. Common on open water, with large numbers present on the Rift Valley Lakes with smaller numbers on isolated pools in the Bale Mountains.

103)    BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD Eupodotis senegalensis. 1 (female) Arsi Negele Ostrich Farm area 1^st March.

104)    HARTLAUB’S BUSTARD Eupodotis hartlaubii. 1 (male) Arsi Negele Ostrich Farm area 1^st March.

105)    AFRICAN JACANA Actophilornis africanus. Relatively common by lake margins with 15+ Lake Zwai 24^th Feb, 20+ Lake Awassa 28^th Feb and 10+ Lake Zwai 1^st March.

106)    LESSER JACANA Gallinula chloropus. 1 Lake Zwai 24^th Feb, 1 Lake Awassa 28^th Feb and 1 Lake Zwai on 1^st March.

107)    PAINTED SNIPE Rostratula benghalensis. 2 Lake Awassa 28^th Feb.

108)    SPUR-WINGED PLOVER Vanellus spinosus. Common to very common, particularly on lake margins but also seen away from water in areas of cultivation.

109)    BLACK-WINGED PLOVER Vanellus melanopterus. 15+ Solulta Plains 23^rd Feb, 20+ on the plains by the Shashemene-Goba road 26^th Feb and 4 near Shashemene 28^th Feb.

110)    CROWNED PLOVER Vanellus coronatus. 2 by the road between Zwai and Wondo Guenet 24^th Feb.

111)    (SENEGAL) WATTLED PLOVER Vanellus senegallus. 2 by the road near Awassa on 1^st March.

112)    SPOT-BREASTED PLOVER Vanellus melanocephalus. 31 on the Solulta Plains 23^rd Feb and 20+ by the upland pool on the Shashemene-Goba road (within 2 hours of Goba) 26^th Feb with 9 there on 28^th Feb.

113)    RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula. Present in small numbers on the shores of Lake Zwai, Lake Awassa and Lake Abiatta.

114)    LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius. 4 Lake Zwai 24^th Feb and 3 Lake Awassa 28^th Feb.

115)    KITTLITZ’S PLOVER Charadrius pecuarius. 30+ Lake Zwai 24^th Feb and 100’s at Lake Abiatta on 1^st March.

116)    THREE-BANDED PLOVER Charadrius tricollaris 2 on small marshy area on the Solulta Plains 23^rd Feb.

117)    BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa. Relatively common with small numbers of this species present at most wetland habitats, especially the lakes in the Rift Valley.

118)    GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia. Present in small numbers at Lakes Zwai, Abiatta, Awassa and Chelechleka as well as Gafersa Reservoir (with the next species being far more numerous).

119)    MARSH SANDPIPER Tringa stagnatilis. Common, with several present at all Rift Valley Lakes and particularly numerous at Lake Abiatta 1^st March.

120)    WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola. Common to very common in the Rift Valley, with birds present in large numbers particularly at Lake Awassa 28^th Feb. Birds also present in smaller areas of marsh such as the Solulta Plains and Gafersa Reservoir.

121)    GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus. Uncommon, predominantly confined to smaller areas of water with peak being 5+ by the small upland pool on the Shashemene-Goba road on 26^th Feb.

122)    TEREK SANDPIPER Xenus cinereus. 1 Lake Awassa on 28^th Feb.

123)    COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos. Small numbers present at most sites, both small areas of water as well as the large Rift Valley Lakes.

124)    COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago. Uncommon, with a peak of 12 at Lake Chelechleka 24^th Feb but otherwise only 2-3 seen at Lakes Zwai and Awassa.

125)    AFRICAN SNIPE Gallinago nigripennis. 1 Gafersa Reservoir 22^nd Feb, 1 by the upland pool on the Shashemene-Goba road 26^th Feb, 1 on pool on Sanetti plateau, Bale Mountains NP 27^th Feb and 1 Lake Awassa 28^th Feb.

126)    DUNLIN Calidris alpina. 2 Lake Zwai 24^th Feb and 2 Lake Zwai 1^st March.

127)    CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea. 4 Lake Zwai 1^st March.

128)    LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta. Relatively large numbers present at Lakes Chelechleka, Zwai, Awassa and Abiatta.

129)    TEMMINCK’S STINT Calidris temminckii. Small numbers present along the muddy margins of the Rift Valley Lakes, with 3 also present on Solulta Plains 23^rd Feb.

130)    RUFF Philomachus pugnax. Very common around all areas of water, with 60+ birds also present on Solulta Plains 23^rd Feb.

131)    BLACK-WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus. 10 Gafersa Reservoir 22^nd Feb, 50+ at Lakes Zwai and Chelechleka 24^th Feb with 20+ at Lake Awassa 28^th Feb and 50+ at Lake Abiatta 1^st March.

132)    AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta. 4 Gafersa Reservoir 22^nd Feb, 20+ Lake Chelechleka 24^th Feb and 15+ Lake Abiatta 1^st March.

133)    SENEGAL THICKNEE Burhinus senegalensis. 6 by the prominent river bridge (on the Addis road) between Zwai and Wondo Guenet 24^th Feb and 2 Lake Awassa 28^th Feb.

134)    GREAT BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ichthyaetus. 25 (including 7 summer plumaged adults) Lake Abiatta 1^st March.

135)    BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus. 3 Lake Zwai 24^th Feb and 5+ Lake Abiatta 1^st March.

136)    GREY-HEADED GULL Larus cirrocephalus. 4 Lake Zwai 24^th Feb, 12+ Lake Abiatta 1^st March and 1 Lake Zwai 1^st March.

137)    LESSER BLACK-BACKED (BALTIC) GULL Larus fuscus fuscus. 2 Lake Zwai 24^th Feb and 12 Lake Abiatta 1^st March.

138)    WESTERN YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus micahellis. 1 (2^nd-winter/2^nd-summer) Lake Abiatta 1^st March.

139)    GULL-BILLED TERN Geochelidon nilotica. 1 at Lake Abiatta on 1^st March.

140)    CHESTNUT-BELLIED SANDGROUSE Pterocles exustus. 1000’s over the main road (to Addis) north of Wondo Guenet early evening 24^th Feb and 20+ over the road near Lake Hora 1^st March.

141)    WHITE-COLLARED PIGEON Columba albitorques. Relatively numerous, particularly in the more upland/mountainous areas with 50+ seen on road from Goba-Shashemene 28^th Feb.

142)    SPECKLED PIGEON Columba guinea. Common to very common, being noted in all habitats from towns to upland areas in the Bale Mountains.

143)    OLIVE PIGEON Columba arquatrix. 1 Wondo Guenet 25^th Feb.

144)    DUSKY TURTLE (PINK-BREASTED) DOVE Streptopelia lugens. Fairly common, though by no means as numerous as Speckled Pigeon, with birds being seen in a variety of habitats with many present on the upland stretch of the Shashemene-Goba road on 26^th Feb.

145)    RED-EYED DOVE Streptopelia semitorquata. Small numbers seen on an almost daily basis, with this species appearing to prefer towns/areas of human habitation compared to Speckled and White-collared Pigeons and Dusky Turtle Dove.

146)    AFRICAN MOURNING DOVE Streptopelia decipiens. Relatively common especially in areas of human habitation but absent in upland areas such as the Bale Mountains.

147)    BARBARY (LAUGHING) DOVE Streptopelia senegalensis. Fairly common, particularly in areas of cultivation and scattered human settlement.

148)    NAMAQUA DOVE Oena capensis. 6 Lake Chelechleka and Lake Zwai 24^th Feb, 12+ Awassa 28^th Feb and 10+ Awassa and Lake Zwai 1^st March.

149)    TAMBOURINE DOVE Turtur tympanistra. 4 Wondo Guenet 25^th Feb.

150)    BLUE-SPOTTED WOOD DOVE Turtur afer. 1 Wondo Guenet 25^th Feb.

151)    LEMON DOVE Aplopelia larvata. 1 in forest above Debre Libanos monastery 23^rd Feb and 1 Wondo Guenet 25^th and 26^th Feb.

152)    BRUCE’S GREEN PIGEON Treron waalia. 4+ Wondo Guenet 25^th Feb.

153)    YELLOW-FRONTED PARROT Poicephalus flavifrons. 6 at Wondo Guenet 25^th Feb and 1 there 26^th Feb.

154)    BLACK-WINGED LOVEBIRD Agapornis taranta. 6+ in acacia area by the road (to Addis) north of Wondo Guenet 24^th Feb, 8 Wondo Guenet 25^th Feb, 10+ Lake Awassa 28^th Feb and 1 Lake Awassa 1^st March.

155)    WHITE-CHEEKED TURACO Tauraco leucotis. Restricted to mature areas of vegetation, with 10+ at Wondo Guenet on 25^th Feb. Birds also seen at Debre Libanos monastery and also in the wooded area downslope of the NP in the Bale Mountains.

156)    WHITE-BELLIED GO-AWAY-BIRD Corythaixoides leucogaster. 1 Arsi Negele Ostrich Farm area 1^st March.

157)    BLUE-HEADED COUCAL Centropus monachus. 1 Lake Awassa 28^th Feb and 1^st March.

158)    RED-CHESTED CUCKOO Cuculus solitarius. 1 Wondo Guenet 25^th Feb.

159)    DIDRIC CUCKOO Chrysococcyx caprius. 1 Wondo Guenet 25^th Feb.