18th September
Shoebill was always a long shot at this time of year, but claims from a fisherman that he’d found a nesting site had us heading across the marsh with our hopes raised of seeing the bird. First a small canoe across the reedy lake, then on foot across the soggy marshland when it became too shallow for boats. The fisherman and one guide disappeared into the tall papyrus to relocate the bird while we waited on the edge, watching Long-toed Lapwing, Marsh Widowbird, Greater Swamp Warbler and Tanganyikan Masked Weaver, all new birds for our list. Two hours of waiting under the baking sun and our hopes fell as the fisherman and guide returned empty-handed. Driving out over the plains in the late afternoon, we added Sooty Chat and Banded Martin to the list. Shoebill will have to wait for another year!
Bird species total: 3176