Two days birding in Ethiopia

0800hrs we will drive to Gefersa Reservoirs 18 k.m to west of Addis Ababa.

Gefersa Reservoir is in a shallow basin about 10 k.m wide. The average altitude of the area is 2,600 m ASL.  Gefersa River and its feeder stream are part of the Akaki river catchments.

Gefersa consists of a main dam and smaller second dam which supply treated water to Addis Ababa. This site supports at least 20 highland biome species, including the near threatened Rouget’s Rail and Abyssinian long claw.

The edges of the reservoir form a good habitual and suitable feeding ground for sizable population of Blue winged Goose,  further away from the water edges, grassland species like the Abyssinian long-claw can be seen and Black headed siskin often occur. The most common palaealric species are Eurasian wigeon, common Teal, northern pintail, and Northern shoveler.

Birding the whole morning.

Lunch: Picnic Lunch.

Depart from the site around 1300 hrs to Menagesha state forest.

Menagesh state forest is found 18 k.m south-west of Addis Ababa

The forest is popular with visitors. The best time to visit is in the dry season, usually from October to April when the trucks to the mountain are dry and allow easy access.

The official total area of Menagesha forest is 9,248 ha 1316 ha is artificial forest and 2,720 ha is a natural forest. The remaining area consists open farmland, and bare land.

The dominant tree of the Natural forest is (Juniperus procera) which grows to around 30 m tall with massive trunk this site holds particularly high number of highland biom species, Among which are three Ethiopian endemic species yellow fronted parrot, Abyssinian wood piker and Abyssinian catbird. Black winged lovebird, white checked turaco, Banded Barbet, Abyssinian Ground trush, Abyssinia catbird, Abyssinian black headed forest oriole, sharps starling

Other species of interest including crowned eagle which are known to breed there and Narinas trogon.

0800hrs we will drive to Gefersa Reservoirs 18 k.m to west of Addis Ababa.
Gefersa Reservoir is in a shallow basin about 10 k.m wide. The average altitude of the area is 2,600 m ASL. Gefersa River and its feeder stream are part of the Akaki river catchments.
Gefersa consists of a main dam and smaller second dam which supply treated water to Addis Ababa. This site supports at least 20 highland biome species, including the near threatened Rouget’s Rail and Abyssinian long claw.
The edges of the reservoir form a good habitual and suitable feeding ground for sizable population of Blue winged Goose, further away from the water edges, grassland species like the Abyssinian long-claw can be seen and Black headed siskin often occur. The most common palaealric species are Eurasian wigeon, common Teal, northern pintail, and Northern shoveler.
Birding the whole morning.

Lunch: Picnic Lunch.

Depart from the site around 1300 hrs to Menagesha state forest.

Menagesh state forest is found 18 k.m south-west of Addis Ababa
The forest is popular with visitors. The best time to visit is in the dry season, usually from October to April when the trucks to the mountain are dry and allow easy access.
The official total area of Menagesha forest is 9,248 ha 1316 ha is artificial forest and 2,720 ha is a natural forest. The remaining area consists open farmland, and bare land.
The dominant tree of the Natural forest is (Juniperus procera) which grows to around 30 m tall with massive trunk this site holds particularly high number of highland biom species, Among which are three Ethiopian endemic species yellow fronted parrot, Abyssinian wood piker and Abyssinian catbird. Black winged lovebird, white checked turaco, Banded Barbet, Abyssinian Ground trush, Abyssinia catbird, Abyssinian black headed forest oriole, sharps starling
Other species of interest including crowned eagle which are known to breed there and Narinas trogon.