Masai Mara is undoubtedly Kenya richest ecological area that successfully sustains large quantities of flora, fauna and avifauna within its 1510 square kilometres area. The entire greater Mara region that encompasses the main reserve and privately owned Mara North conservancies has over 510 recorded migratory and local bird species. The parks strong biodiversity features an array of ornithological hotspot where you can sight birds adapted to uniquely different habitats. Among the mara birds are 7 globally threatened species i.e jackson’s windowbird, lesser kestrel, Madagascar pond heron, grey crested helmet shrike, corncrake, pallid harrier and red throated tit. Quite a good number of species are common occurrence and can easily be spotted on a normal game drive with the help of a pair of binoculars, while others are rare and elusive requiring a more adventurous nature search in a guided walking trail. In this article we shall take you through the mara bird list and the best way to experience its ornithological being.

Birds in Masai Mara

Birds of the savannah

These are the most common in the park mainly due to the parks rolling savannah plains that accounts for the park largest flora cover. The central musiara wetlands which carries quintessential long grasses  through out the year are the best sites for sighting birds of the savannah within the public park. Ostriches which have the largest range of avian varieties in this wilderness. Other grassland species include: kori bustard, Caspian plover, jaunty crowned polover and crowned cranes. Secretary bird, goliath heron, grey heron, yellow billed storks and other semi aquatic species common scenes in Musiara and olpunyata floodplains

River birds

These are adopted to the riverine forest lining mara river and its tributaries. Such species include schalows turaco and ross turaco.  In the main reserve you will have the circuit around the four Governors camps- Little governors camp, Governors II Moran, Governor private camp and Governor camp-as the best river bird hotspot in the public park boosting over 100 species. The area around Ngenche camp where telek river converge with river mara is the other most interesting river bank where you can sight unmatched bird scenes.

In the mara conservancies you can discover more river birds along river Ntiakatek, Talek and sand river. More interesting area is the circuit between karen Blixen camp and  Ngare serian camp along mara river in Mara north and where there are large stretches of rich riverine flora.

Birds of prey

The Masai Mara is Kenyas best destination for sighting both common and endangered raptor species. Though they mostly live in the greenwoods along river Mara, birds of prey can be spotted in almost all types of habitats depending on the availability of food. Over 60 raptor varieties have been recorded in the park. There existence in Masai Mara offers an ecological balance in one of the highly populated wildernesses. Unlike in animals there is a thin difference between birds of prey and scavengers as most species assume both roles in the food chain. Scavenging is however the most common phenomenon due to the heightened hunting activities in the park as well as massive deaths of migratory animals in the Mara river. Importantly, in the ecological symbiosis scavenging eliminate contaminations and disease that may lead to deaths that would interrupt the food web. It is a common occurrence to find raptors scavenging abandoned carcasses in the savannah plains or downstream in Mara river where carcasses of drowned wildebeest are trapped in rocks. Raptors in Masai Mara include martial eagles, secretary birds, Ayres hawk, lappet faced vultures, white headed vultures, African white backed vulture, black crested snake eagle, African fish eagle and crowned eagles

How to experience birdlife in Masai Mara

Whether you are visiting as a professional ornithologist or you just love sighting birds as you enjoy the fauna the wilderness has to offer, birding is agreeably not an easy challenge for anyone. Firstly, even Masai Mara bird habiting in the most common places like grasslands prefer remaining guarded in the calm inner parts of the wilderness; away from the park roads, at times making birding a less rewarding safari activity. To experience the rich Mara birdlife, you will need to employ some knowledge and techniques.

• Consider accommodation in the Mara private conservancies. The best way to experience the Mara birdlife is by going on a guided walk through the wilderness. Walking safari is prohibited in the public park and therefore you cannot enjoy bird scenes away from the environs of your camp. Private conservancies offers a more sophisticating walking safari experience through fly camping where you are allowed to follow a walking track for a number of days spending nights in mobile camps and with the help of a bird specialist and an armed ranger.
• Carry a pair of binocular. Off-roading is restricted in the public park. Binoculars will help you sight scenes taking place distant away from the park main road.
• If you must stay in the government protected area consider accommodation in endemic bird areas. Facilities along mara and Talek rivers are birders dreamland where birds inhibit the surroundings.

When to go for birding in Masai Mara

Masa Mara is an excellent birding destination all round the year. However, the wet seasons in April to May and the short rain period in November are the best since it’s the breeding season. Over this period most of the birds are in breeding plumage and can easily be spotted courting mates in the open. This season is also quite calm as the parks have fewer vehicles and therefore you can spot birds at a closer range. The wet season is also the best period for sighting breeding intra-Africa migrants. The masai Mara also boost a host of species that migrate from Europe during the wintering period. Such birds are a number of cuckoo and osprey varieties.  If you are interested in watching alien species consider visiting in the months between November and April when Europe is cool.

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Keywords: masai mara, birding, birds of savannah, river bird, raptor