Nairobi National Park is a prime destination for birdwatchers, offering diverse habitats that attract a wide range of bird species. Below are some of the best bird spotting locations within the park, along with the types of birds you can expect to see in each area:
1. Athi Basin (Southern Section)
- Habitat: Open grasslands and wetlands.
- Birds to Spot: This area is excellent for spotting raptors such as the Bateleur [EN], Martial Eagle [EN], and Augur Buzzard. Additionally, waders like the African Jacana and Blacksmith Lapwing can be seen around the water sources.
- Notable Sightings: Large numbers of migratory birds like European Bee-eaters and Yellow-throated Sandgrouse can often be spotted here, especially during migration seasons.
2. Hyena Dam
- Habitat: Wetlands and surrounding bush.
- Birds to Spot: This is a key location for water birds, including African Fish-Eagle, Pied Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Stork, and Goliath Heron. It’s also an excellent spot for waders like Black-winged Stilts and Ruffs. During the rainy season, flamingos are sometimes spotted in the shallow waters.
- Notable Sightings: The Gray Crowned-Crane [EN], often found in pairs, is commonly seen near the water’s edge.
3. The Langata Forest
- Habitat: Woodland and forested areas.
- Birds to Spot: The forest is home to species like Hartlaub’s Turaco, White-bellied Go-away-bird, and African Paradise-Flycatcher. You can also spot various sunbirds such as the Scarlet-chested Sunbird and Variable Sunbird. The forest’s thick canopy is also ideal for spotting woodpeckers like the Cardinal Woodpecker.
- Notable Sightings: The Narina Trogon is an elusive bird, but it can sometimes be seen flitting among the trees in the early morning.
4. Nairobi Tented Camp Area
- Habitat: Riverine and bushland.
- Birds to Spot: The camp area offers opportunities to see Cuckoo species such as the Dideric Cuckoo, Great Spotted Cuckoo, and Levaillant’s Cuckoo. You might also see weavers like the Speke’s Weaver and Village Weaver in the bushes surrounding the camp.
- Notable Sightings: The Secretarybird [EN] is often spotted striding through the grasslands near this area.
5. The Mokoyeti River
- Habitat: Riverine habitat with scattered bush and trees.
- Birds to Spot: The riverbanks attract kingfishers like the Malachite Kingfisher and Giant Kingfisher. Other common birds include the African Darter, Little Egret, and Squacco Heron. Raptors like the Osprey are also seen hunting for fish along the river.
- Notable Sightings: During the dry season, waterbirds like Spur-winged Geese and Egyptian Geese congregate here.
6. Ivory Burning Site
- Habitat: Open grasslands and scattered trees.
- Birds to Spot: This area is excellent for rollers like the Lilac-breasted Roller and European Roller, as well as raptors such as the Black-shouldered Kite and Pallid Harrier [NT]. The open environment is perfect for spotting ground-dwelling birds like the Crested Francolin and Yellow-throated Longclaw.
- Notable Sightings: During migration, swallows like the Barn Swallow and Plain Martin are seen flying low over the grasslands.
7. Leopard Cliff Viewpoint
- Habitat: Rocky outcrops and open savannah.
- Birds to Spot: This vantage point provides good opportunities to spot raptors such as the Verreaux’s Eagle and Martial Eagle. It’s also a great location to see swallows and martins as they soar above the cliffs.
- Notable Sightings: Vultures like the White-backed Vulture [CR] and Rüppell’s Griffon [CR] are often seen in this area, especially near carcasses.
8. Ololo Lodge Area
- Habitat: Riverine and bushy savannah.
- Birds to Spot: The Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, Purple Grenadier, and Common Bulbul are frequently seen here. Weaver species like the Holub’s Golden-Weaver and Baglafecht Weaver are also abundant.
- Notable Sightings: Bee-eaters such as the Little Bee-eater and White-throated Bee-eater are commonly spotted in this area during their seasonal migrations.
9. The Athi River
- Habitat: Watercourses with adjacent grasslands.
- Birds to Spot: The river is home to herons, ibises, and storks like the Yellow-billed Stork and Saddle-billed Stork. You can also see waders such as the Wood Sandpiper and Common Greenshank along the riverbanks.
- Notable Sightings: Migratory birds like the Temminck’s Stint and Sanderling are occasionally spotted here during migration periods.
10. The Grasslands
- Habitat: Open savannah and grassland.
- Birds to Spot: These areas are perfect for ground-dwelling birds such as Helmeted Guineafowl, Secretarybird [EN], and Crowned Lapwing. Bustards like the Kori Bustard [NT] and Black-bellied Bustard are also common in the grasslands.
- Notable Sightings: Larks like the Rufous-naped Lark and Fischer’s Sparrow-Lark are often seen singing from grass tussocks or fence posts.
Conclusion
Each of these locations in Nairobi National Park offers unique birdwatching opportunities, making the park a must-visit for bird enthusiasts. Whether you’re spotting raptors soaring over the savannah, waterbirds by the dams, or colorful passerines flitting through the trees, the diversity of bird species is one of the park’s most enchanting features. Dawn is the best time to observe the most activity, and being patient while scanning each habitat will reward you with excellent sightings.