02 Oct Birds of Semuliki national park Birds of Semuliki national park: Semuliki national park is one of the birding destinations in Uganda. The 220 sq. km piece of land is found in Bundibugyo district in the western part of Uganda and has different attractions among which include birds. Semuliki national park harbors over 435 bird species and 23 are endemic to the Albertine region. The number of bird species has made Semuliki national park one of the best birding destinations in the western part of Uganda. Semuliki national park was first gazetted as a forest reserve in 1932 and was later upgraded to a national park in 1993. Uganda Wildlife Authority is the government agency that manages and controls Semuliki national park and it has played a big role in protecting different attractions inside there. The lowland tropical forest, the savannah vegetation, and the riverine swamp vegetation are home to over 435 bird species in Semuliki national park. Semuliki national park hosts a large population of bird species including Albertine rift endemic species, and forested species. The birds of Semuliki national thrive in various vegetation zones of the park. Below is a list of birds that are found in Semuliki national park The Shoe bill stork, Northern bearded scrub robin, Zenker’s honeyguide, Gabon woodpecker, Orange Cheeked waxbill, Long-tailed hawk, Great blue Turaco, Forbe’s plover, chestnut-bellied helmetshrike, Eastern-bearded Greenbul, Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Black-Dwarf hornbill, Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, icterine greenbul, African pygmy goose, Red-bellied Malimbe, White thighed hornbill, Fire-crested Alethe, Capuchin babbler. Red-eyed puffback, Xavier greenbul, Purple-breasted sunbird, Crested Malimbe, Nkulengu rail, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, Black-Dwarf hornbill, pale-fronted negrofinch, Long-tailed Hawk, swamp palm bulbul, Rufous-sided broadbill, Green-tailed bristlebill, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Leaf-love, White-crested hornbill, Black-dwarf hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf hornbill, yellow-throated nicator, Sassi’s olive greenbul, Black Dwarf Hornbill, and White-crested hornbill. African piculet, Dwarf honeyguide, Dusky nightjar, Grauer’s cuckoo-shrike, White-tailed Hornbill, Blue-billed malimbe, piping hornbill, Ross’s Turaco, Blue-billed malimbe, Grant’s bluebill, Crested Malimbe, Spot-breasted Ibis, White-bellied kingfisher, Yellow-throated Nicator, Red rumped Tinkerbird, Long tailed hawk, Piping Hornbill, Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, Gabon woodpecker, Yellow-throated cuckoo, Red-bellied malimbe, swamp palm bulbul, and White-throated Blue Swallow. Congo serpent eagle, Grant’s bluebill, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Yellow-throated nicator, Black-throated coucal, Spotted honeyguide, Orange-cheeked Waxbill, Red-thighed Sparrow hawk, Northern bearded scrub robin, great white pelican, Bates nightjar, Chestnut owlet, fiery- breasted bush-shrike, black-chinned quailfinch, Hartlaub’s duck, malachite kingfisher, Eastern-bearded greenbul, Blue-billed malimbe, Capuchin Babbler, Red-billed dwarf hornbill, Orange-tufted sunbird and Maxwell’s black weaver. The best way to see bird species of Semuliki national park Taking part in the bird watching activities will help bird lovers see the different bird species recorded in Semuliki national park. Bird watching in Semuliki national park is a guided activity where armed ranger guides do take birders around the park using different walking trails as they look out for different bird species. A driver guide who is good at birding can always hire a local birding guide to help in searching for certain birds since they know most corners of the park. A good birding exercise can lead to spotting more than half of the recorded bird species of Semuliki national park. Birders should always ask the local tour operators to get them drivers who are good at bird watching. Best time to see birds of Semuliki national park Tourists can see birds of Semuliki national park any time of the year they visit the park however if it’s looking for the best time then it should be the rainy season. November to April is the best time to visit Semuliki national park for different reasons. This period is the breeding time for birds in the park and it is also the time when migratory birds are within the park. Best time for bird watching in Semuliki national park Bird watching in Semuliki national park is possible throughout the year but for a great birding experience the best and perfect time to visit the national park for bird watching is November, December, January, February, March, and April. This is when the migratory birds are within the park and it’s also a breeding season for most of the birds. Bird lovers can also carry out birding in Semuliki national park during the dry season when the weather is favorable. June to September is when the park is receiving little rainfall and plenty of sunshine. The trails are easier to move through and the vegetation is short with good views of the birds. 0 news