A Birdwatcher’s Bwindi Adventure
A Birdwatcher’s Bwindi Adventure: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a prime spot in Africa for bird-watching, drawing enthusiasts and experts globally. It features about 350 bird species, 23 endemic to the Albertine Rift and 14 unique to Bwindi, including the Grauer’s Broadbill and Rwenzori Nightjar. The park also has regional birds like the Handsome Francolin and Blue-headed Sunbird. Its dense vegetation and diverse landscapes create a secure habitat for these birds, especially where habitats are encroached on by humans.
Bwindi welcomes many migratory birds from Europe and Asia between November and April, like the black kite, common cuckoo, and barn swallow. This enhances birdwatching and shows its importance on the African-Eurasian flyway. Located in southwest Uganda, Bwindi is the oldest national park in the country, known for its stunning landscapes and wild mountain gorillas. It has 400 plant species, 350 bird species, and 120 mammal species, making it the richest forest in East Africa. Gorilla trekking is the main draw, but birding also attracts many visitors.
Birds of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
A total of 350 bird species have been recorded in Bwindi, including threatened species like Chapin’s Flycatcher and Grauer’s Broadbill. There are also 25 species with a limited range and three rare species that are the last of their kind. This makes it a popular spot for bird lovers. Journeys Uganda offers personalized trips for mountain gorillas and birdwatching safaris. Bwindi is home to 220 butterfly species, with tours mainly in the Ruhija sector and Buhoma area, known for their birding trails. Ruhija’s Mubwindi Marsh is notable for its unique bird sightings.
Key Birding Trails in Bwindi
Mubwindi Swamp
Following the Birdwatcher’s Bwindi Adventure, the Ruhija area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park features Mubwindi Swamp, a hotspot for birdwatchers. It is home to over 100 bird species, including the endangered Grauer’s Broadbill, Black Bee-eater, Rwenzori Batis, and Grauer’s Swamp Warbler. Birdwatching here offers an exciting experience and a chance to learn about local wildlife.
Buhoma Trail
The Buhoma Visitor Centre and the birding paths along the River Munyanga are key birdwatching spots in Buhoma. Other notable areas include farmlands, Neck, Ivy River, Rushura Hill, Habinyanja paths, Ruhija, and Mubwindi Swamp, where many bird species can be seen. This trail is great for birdwatchers, offering views of rare birds like the Great Blue Turaco and Yellow-streaked Greenbul. White-tailed Ant Thrush and Red-throated Alethe are among the uncommon birds that visitors are likely to observe. The community also offers birdwatching tours to support local culture and tourism.
Rushaga
Bird watching in the Rushaga sector is most enjoyable in the early morning or afternoon with a knowledgeable guide. This is because it has diverse bird species that are unique to the park; these include the remarkable Grauer’s Broadbill, Grauer’s Rush and Swamp warbler, Rwenzori Blue-headed Sunbird, Dwarf Honeyguide, and African Harrier Hawk. The peaceful and serene trails allow for uninterrupted observation of rare birds like the Archer’s Robin-chat.
Nkuringo Sector
The Nkuringo sector is primarily a popular region for gorilla trekking, however, it has a lot to offer, including several bird species, but it is less dependable compared to the Buhoma and Ruhija sectors. Tourists may see birds like the Cape Wagtail and African Paradise Flycatcher with the help of a bird guide.
Ruhija
Ruhija is a top birdwatching spot in Bwindi, Uganda, famous for its beautiful scenery and diverse bird species. Getting an early start enhances the opportunity to see various birds, including the Grauer’s Broadbill, Mountain Greenbul, Handsome Francolin, Strange sunbird, Black-faced Apalis, Rwenzori Batis, Regal Sunbird, Stripe-breasted Tit and many others throughout the day.
Buhoma
Birding in Buhoma takes place mainly at the Buhoma Visitor Centre and along trails by River Munyanga. Other key sites include Mubwindi Swamp and Rushura Hill. Notable birds to see are African Hill-babbler, Ansorge’s Greenbul, White-throated Greenbul, Jameson’s Antpecker, Grey-crowned Crane, Tambourine Dove, Double-toothed Barbet, African Broadbill, Ross’s Turaco, African Pygmy-kingfisher, Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Grey-cheeked Hornbill, African Paradise Flycatcher, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Waller’s Starling, Cassin’s Flycatcher, Pink-footed, Crested Guinea fowl, and many others.
Others include the African Wood-owl, Angolan Swallow, Helmeted guinea fowl, Vieillot’s Black Weaver, African Citril, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Doherty’s Bush-shrike, Mountain Wagtail, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Yellow-fronted Canary, Snowy-crowned Robin-chat, Ruwenzori Batis, African Goshawk, Lühder’s Bush-shrike, Elliot’s Woodpecker, Cape Wagtail, White-eyed Slaty-flycatcher, Great Blue Turaco, Archer’s Robin-chat, White-headed Saw-wing, Dusky Twinspot, Black Bee-eater, Brown-capped Weaver, African Flycatcher-chat, Mackinnon’s Shrike, Blue Spotted Wood Dove, Handsome Francolin, African Dusky Flycatcher, Grey-cheeked Hornbill, Yellow-whiskered and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, among others.
Conclusion
Following Birdwatcher’s Bwindi Adventure, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park attracts birdwatchers with its diverse birdlife, especially before or after gorilla trekking. The park is important for bird conservation, preserving habitats, supporting migratory species, and helping maintain bird populations, contributing to global bird migration protection efforts.