Colour and variety in the forest! ( Red-bellied Paradise-flycatcher)
For five days we were ringing in Budongo Forest, staying at the long established
Sonso Field Station. While the main focus there has been the conservation and study of a habituated group of chimpanzees, activities are now broadening to the wider conservation issues within the Budongo Forest Reserve. Core funding for this is from the
Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. Our ringing was part of an ongoing study into the effect of changes in forest management on bird populations. We were involved in teaching students so that regular independent ringing can be established there.
The students were enthusiastic and quick to learn.
It was a stunning environment to be ringing in, surrounded by massive trees and first class birding between net rounds.
As well as the forest nets, we also had a net over a small river which caught some exciting species. This is where Richard was off to in the last blog - checking the nets by motorbike! The stars were 12 Sabines Spinetails, birds one only ever sees above the forest canopy and hardly ever caught and ringed. Listen to the
call which was recorded for probably the first time ever!
5 species of Kingfishers were ringed in the forest including a Chocolate-backed Kingfisher - a species rarely (if ever before??) caught.
Also 3 Shining-blue Kingfishers -
and of the small forest kingfishers, four African Dwarf Kingfishers (10cm)
and several of the slightly larger Pygmy Kingfishers (11cm) -
After calling all day but remaining elusive this Dusky Long-tailed cuckoo finally found it's way in to a net.
And to finish this part of our adventure, a Jameson's Wattle-eye
and a Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, another bird that is very shy and difficult to observe.
Next, north to The Nile....
Before heading for the Nile and it's wetlands, the Budongo team !
Ringing underway in the forest with local trainees.
The Expedition team.. Malc, Nathan, Wendy, Rich D, Dawn, Rich C.
Nathan, our trusty ringing expedition trainee, (he helped me dazzle too!) with one of the 28 Reed Warblers caught. Some in active primary moult, all likely eastern birds with long c67-69mm wing length.
For five days we were ringing in Budongo Forest, staying at the long established Sonso Field Station. While the main focus there has been the conservation and study of a habituated group of chimpanzees, activities are now broadening to the wider conservation issues within the Budongo Forest Reserve. Core funding for this is from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. Our ringing was part of an ongoing study into the effect of changes in forest management on bird populations. We were involved in teaching students so that regular independent ringing can be established there. 
The students were enthusiastic and quick to learn.
It was a stunning environment to be ringing in, surrounded by massive trees and first class birding between net rounds.
As well as the forest nets, we also had a net over a small river which caught some exciting species. This is where Richard was off to in the last blog - checking the nets by motorbike! The stars were 12 Sabines Spinetails, birds one only ever sees above the forest canopy and hardly ever caught and ringed. Listen to the call which was recorded for probably the first time ever!
5 species of Kingfishers were ringed in the forest including a Chocolate-backed Kingfisher - a species rarely (if ever before??) caught.
Also 3 Shining-blue Kingfishers -
and of the small forest kingfishers, four African Dwarf Kingfishers (10cm)
and several of the slightly larger Pygmy Kingfishers (11cm) -
After calling all day but remaining elusive this Dusky Long-tailed cuckoo finally found it's way in to a net.
And to finish this part of our adventure, a Jameson's Wattle-eye
and a Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, another bird that is very shy and difficult to observe.
Next, north to The Nile....
The only Martial Eagle we caught with a weight of 3.6kg and foot to toe measurement of 154mm was the mightiest bird we have ever handled.
From the pleasures of handling eagles and buzzards (3 Long-crested Eagles and 8 Grasshopper Buzzards) to the blooded challenge of falcons and hawks. Each of 4 Grey Kestrels caught inflicted damage!
This Red-necked Falcon caused excitement at the mist net at dusk, a species that Malcolm had never ringed before.
A couple of Shikra and African Goshawk completed the raptors caught.
More on what Richard was up to here in a couple of evenings as it's too bright to go dazzling for Woodcock at the moment!!
With c135+ species ringed, much more to say and describe in the following weeks postings as topics arise...
next week, Sunbirds and raptors in Uganda!
Four of the group are off to Uganda for a 3 week ringing trip with Malcolm Wilson.
These pictures of Malcolms were taken on his 2011 trip.If we can catch and see anywhere the same number of species we will be in for an exciting and educational three weeks. It won't be just birds either - a hike through the rain forest to see Mountain Gorillas is also included.
