SAILING & CAMEL TREKKING
Sailing today was by Felucca around the Nile, giving a completely new perspective of this mighty river. We also stoped and traveled via Camels to visited a bedwin village with live crocodiles!! and finally a small power boat would return us to our cruise liner. Whilst on the boats we watched birds with eyeball views, most pleasing of which was up to three Little Bitterns and a number of Gull Billed Terns!
The Western Reef Heron was again present and gave prolonged views whilst hunting for its fish dinner.
After our morning around the village a Rock Thrush was seen on one of the many small islands whilst we sunbathed on the roof of our boat!
The now usual superb selection of birds were being seen but we also saw a Black Shouldered Kite which typically hovered above the palm trees & yet another lifer in the form of a SPOTTED EAGLE! A wonderful bird which followed the boat for around ten minutes, More buzzard size it was joined by a 2nd briefly before our cruiser left them behind.
15 more Glossy Ibis showed and a small group of waders sadly remained unidentified. Yet another wonderful bird-watching day!
ALL DAY RETURN SAILING:
All day sailing, lots of the now usual great birds with only House Martin and Cormorant new for the trip list, but there was still room for one magic moment in the form of a flock of 14 Collared Pratincoles going to roost! These tern like waders are always a joy to see and were a fitting end to the day.
FINAL DAY:
5.50am start for a hot air balloon ride to see the sun rise over the Nile.
Masked shrike and Black Shouldered Kites are seen, but it is the tiny flock of crimson birds that turn out to be RED AVADAVATS! That give this holiday the perfect end.
A gorgeous lifer from a Hot air balloon!! Thank You Egypt what a Trip!
Abu Simbel & Aswan
THE MAGICAL DAY!
One of those days that never leave you, from start to finish the day was in every sence awesome!
Early morning and we wake up to the beauty of Aswan, breath taking scenery everywhere you looked. Making our way to the coach an Egret flies by, but this one is Smokey grey/white and is bigger than Little egret with all yellow legs and feet and an obvious decurved bill. WESTERN REEF HERON! a lifer and as always when you see these new birds they are just obvious. After cracking views we get on to the coach that will take us to the airport and the flight to Abu Simbel.
At the airport EGYPTIAN YELLOW WAGTAIL is singing from the roof, a recent Wp split? and lifer No 2 for the day.
The flight is smooth and the views of the desert and mighty lake Nakuru are only over shadowed by the incredibly impressive Abu Simbel.
A short drive to Egypt’s finest and most impressive monument and we have arrived.
Only seconds out of the coach and 4 YELLOW BILLED KITES (another recent split and the third lifer of the day) are soaring very low, where they are completely over shadowed by 2
YELLOW BILLED STORKS! These birds are a real African species but often summer in small numbers here.
Overwhelmed I watch as the birds with their nerdy trailing legs, scruffy wing tips and turn downed bills slowly gather height before disappearing over the lake. (Lifer No4)
As the group visit the mighty Abu Simbel I go down to the lake, a small spit holds a Common Sandpiper, 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Crested Larks, Graceful Warbler and flushed from my feet a Short Eared Owl! It hangs in the air and looks at me in total surprise.
This pristine bird against the cloudless blue sky is the best view of this species I have ever seen.
The owl is mobbed by two Spur Winged Plovers and the commotion disturbs 4 Egyptian Geese. Hardly time to gain my breath and a WHITE CROWNED WHEATEAR (Lifer No5) perches by my side and just simply shows off! A cracking adult, this slim wheatear with its white crown also shows extensive white on the tail and rump, a stunning little chap!
On the lake a dark backed gull grabs my attention, but that is soon lost to view when 2 WHITE PELICANS (Lifer No6) fly by! Whilst distant, they are still distinctive with those black and white wings a cartoon bills!
Back to the gull and again a Pelican flies across, but this one is close and has a duller plumage, it is that other African special PINK BACKED PELICAN (Lifer No7) again to brief but jaw dropping none the less.
Time is running out and my final scans produce lots more Yellow Billed Kites and a female Desert Wheatear another top quality bird and unlike the Yorkshire bird in Jan I am watching this is in a heat wave, Oh and there is a STREAKED WEAVER (Lifer No8) sharing the branch!!
I have ten minutes at Abu Simbel and enjoy the attraction with my wife and no tourists.
Around another 4 White Crowned Wheatear are seen here before it is time to get our flight back to Aswan.
Late evening and we reflect on the day, whilst a late wagtail flies over the boat and is an AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Lifer No9) This makes the wine taste that bit sweeter as does a distant hunting Egyptian Nightjar again around a floodlit monument!!! A magical, magical day!
One of those days that never leave you, from start to finish the day was in every sence awesome!
Early morning and we wake up to the beauty of Aswan, breath taking scenery everywhere you looked. Making our way to the coach an Egret flies by, but this one is Smokey grey/white and is bigger than Little egret with all yellow legs and feet and an obvious decurved bill. WESTERN REEF HERON! a lifer and as always when you see these new birds they are just obvious. After cracking views we get on to the coach that will take us to the airport and the flight to Abu Simbel.
At the airport EGYPTIAN YELLOW WAGTAIL is singing from the roof, a recent Wp split? and lifer No 2 for the day.
The flight is smooth and the views of the desert and mighty lake Nakuru are only over shadowed by the incredibly impressive Abu Simbel.
A short drive to Egypt’s finest and most impressive monument and we have arrived.
Only seconds out of the coach and 4 YELLOW BILLED KITES (another recent split and the third lifer of the day) are soaring very low, where they are completely over shadowed by 2
YELLOW BILLED STORKS! These birds are a real African species but often summer in small numbers here.
Overwhelmed I watch as the birds with their nerdy trailing legs, scruffy wing tips and turn downed bills slowly gather height before disappearing over the lake. (Lifer No4)
As the group visit the mighty Abu Simbel I go down to the lake, a small spit holds a Common Sandpiper, 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Crested Larks, Graceful Warbler and flushed from my feet a Short Eared Owl! It hangs in the air and looks at me in total surprise.
This pristine bird against the cloudless blue sky is the best view of this species I have ever seen.
The owl is mobbed by two Spur Winged Plovers and the commotion disturbs 4 Egyptian Geese. Hardly time to gain my breath and a WHITE CROWNED WHEATEAR (Lifer No5) perches by my side and just simply shows off! A cracking adult, this slim wheatear with its white crown also shows extensive white on the tail and rump, a stunning little chap!
On the lake a dark backed gull grabs my attention, but that is soon lost to view when 2 WHITE PELICANS (Lifer No6) fly by! Whilst distant, they are still distinctive with those black and white wings a cartoon bills!
Back to the gull and again a Pelican flies across, but this one is close and has a duller plumage, it is that other African special PINK BACKED PELICAN (Lifer No7) again to brief but jaw dropping none the less.
Time is running out and my final scans produce lots more Yellow Billed Kites and a female Desert Wheatear another top quality bird and unlike the Yorkshire bird in Jan I am watching this is in a heat wave, Oh and there is a STREAKED WEAVER (Lifer No8) sharing the branch!!
I have ten minutes at Abu Simbel and enjoy the attraction with my wife and no tourists.
Around another 4 White Crowned Wheatear are seen here before it is time to get our flight back to Aswan.
Late evening and we reflect on the day, whilst a late wagtail flies over the boat and is an AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Lifer No9) This makes the wine taste that bit sweeter as does a distant hunting Egyptian Nightjar again around a floodlit monument!!! A magical, magical day!
AM Temple, The Nile & Kom Ombo
Not the most impressive of temples, I spent my time here watching two Little Green Bee-eaters and Two Blue Cheeked Bee-eaters whizzing around their perspective nest holes and over my head, creating the most dazzling display of emerald in the azure blue sky.
Back on the boat and this stretch of the river is jam packed full of birds with egrets and herons everywhere, indeed a minimum of 50 Purple Herons are seen! Amongst the water birds finally a Great White Egret is seen and followed by two Spoonbills, both dwarfing their Little Egret counter parts.
African Swamp Hens are also seen in very good numbers with their green backs shimmering in the sunlight.
Other new birds include Wood Sandpipers, Kentish Plover & Common Sandpiper, These however are all just supporting cast roles, as in the flooded river bank a female Painted Snipe makes a brief but stunning performance. Yellow bill contrasts with dark purple and white striped plumage in an all to brief super star performance!
Land birds include Crested Larks and Black Headed Wagtails.
As we near Kom Ombo a Marsh Harrier & two Black Kites slowly drift along the bank which spooks the increasingly large numbers of Black Winged Stilts.
We then stop at Kom Ombo & enjoy some entertainment in a Bedwin village before returning to the boat.
That evening as the sun sets a flock of 20 Glossy ibis are seen flying to roost and create the perfect end to the day – Well not quite!
In the dark of night only the impressive Kom Ombo can be seen lit up like a beacon and as the boat pulls out, 2 Egyptian Nightjar start to hunt around the flood lights.
The frustration of the boat drifting further away from these magical birds is almost to much to bare.
Another fantastic day!
Back on the boat and this stretch of the river is jam packed full of birds with egrets and herons everywhere, indeed a minimum of 50 Purple Herons are seen! Amongst the water birds finally a Great White Egret is seen and followed by two Spoonbills, both dwarfing their Little Egret counter parts.
African Swamp Hens are also seen in very good numbers with their green backs shimmering in the sunlight.
Other new birds include Wood Sandpipers, Kentish Plover & Common Sandpiper, These however are all just supporting cast roles, as in the flooded river bank a female Painted Snipe makes a brief but stunning performance. Yellow bill contrasts with dark purple and white striped plumage in an all to brief super star performance!
Land birds include Crested Larks and Black Headed Wagtails.
As we near Kom Ombo a Marsh Harrier & two Black Kites slowly drift along the bank which spooks the increasingly large numbers of Black Winged Stilts.
We then stop at Kom Ombo & enjoy some entertainment in a Bedwin village before returning to the boat.
That evening as the sun sets a flock of 20 Glossy ibis are seen flying to roost and create the perfect end to the day – Well not quite!
In the dark of night only the impressive Kom Ombo can be seen lit up like a beacon and as the boat pulls out, 2 Egyptian Nightjar start to hunt around the flood lights.
The frustration of the boat drifting further away from these magical birds is almost to much to bare.
Another fantastic day!
Not the most impressive of temples I spent our time here watching two Little Green Bee-eaters and Two Blue Cheeked Bee-eaters whizzing around their perspective nest holes and over my head, creating the most dazzling display of emerald in the azure blue skies.
Back on the boat and this stretch of the river is jam packed full of birds with egrets and herons everywhere, indeed a minimum of 50 Purple Herons are seen! Amongst the water birds finally a Great White Egret is seen and followed by two Spoonbills, both dwarfing their Little Egret counter parts.
African Swamp Hens are also seen in very good numbers and their green backs shimmer in the sunlight.
Other new birds are Wood Sandpipers, Kentish Plover & Common Sandpiper, These however are all tack supporting cast roles as in the flooded river bank a female Painted Snipe makes a brief but stunning performance. Yellow bill contrasts with dark purple and white striped plumage in an all to brief super star performance!
Other birds include Crested Larks and Black Headed Wagtails.
As we near Kom Ombo a Marsh Harrier & two Black Kites slowly drift along the bank which spooks the increasingly large numbers of Black Winged Stilts.
We then stop at Kom Ombo & enjoy some entertainment in a Bedwin village before returning to the boat.
That evening as the sun sets a flock of 20 Glossy ibis are seen flying to roost and create the perfect end to the day – Well not quite!
In the dark of night only the impressive Kom Ombo can be seen lit up like a beacon and as the boat pulls out, 2 Egyptian Nightjar start to hunt around the flood lights.
The frustration of the boat drifting further away from these magical birds is almost to much to bare.
Another fantastic day!
Back on the boat and this stretch of the river is jam packed full of birds with egrets and herons everywhere, indeed a minimum of 50 Purple Herons are seen! Amongst the water birds finally a Great White Egret is seen and followed by two Spoonbills, both dwarfing their Little Egret counter parts.
African Swamp Hens are also seen in very good numbers and their green backs shimmer in the sunlight.
Other new birds are Wood Sandpipers, Kentish Plover & Common Sandpiper, These however are all tack supporting cast roles as in the flooded river bank a female Painted Snipe makes a brief but stunning performance. Yellow bill contrasts with dark purple and white striped plumage in an all to brief super star performance!
Other birds include Crested Larks and Black Headed Wagtails.
As we near Kom Ombo a Marsh Harrier & two Black Kites slowly drift along the bank which spooks the increasingly large numbers of Black Winged Stilts.
We then stop at Kom Ombo & enjoy some entertainment in a Bedwin village before returning to the boat.
That evening as the sun sets a flock of 20 Glossy ibis are seen flying to roost and create the perfect end to the day – Well not quite!
In the dark of night only the impressive Kom Ombo can be seen lit up like a beacon and as the boat pulls out, 2 Egyptian Nightjar start to hunt around the flood lights.
The frustration of the boat drifting further away from these magical birds is almost to much to bare.
Another fantastic day!
Valley of the Kings, Hot Chicken Soup & The Nile
Another early start up on the sun deck to watch the heron and egret spectacular, with a few Kingfishers thrown in of for good measure!
A much earlier start then yesterday was put on halt as we headed off towards The Valley of the Kings.
Once there we make our way towards the underground tombs which are extremely well preserved.
It is incredibly hot here & water is a rare commodity, so much so that the small cut up carton of Feta cheese filled with water placed on a stone wall is very tempting, However the five Trumpeter Finch drinking till their hearts content were clearly in more need.
They allowed approach to within stroking distance and were full of such character.
Rock Martins are nesting in a small tomb entrance & after exploring some of these remarkable sites we head up to a small seating area.
From here a small raptor flies towards the steep hills and lands briefly, here the sun lights up the blue plumage of a stunning male
Sooty Falcon! Unfortunately I am distracted for a moment and the bird disappears.
Brown Necked Ravens are all around, but look more like crows and are rather disappointing for Ravens.
Other near by historical sites are seen but with very little bird life apart from 3 stunning Striated Herons seen flying down a canal on the return trip back to the boat where we are pleased to set sail at last!
As we set off the river comes to life with Herons, Egrets, Kingfishers, Terns and even a few ducks which include a single drake Garganey!
Further down the Nile and a dark raptor like shape is coming close to the boat, as it approaches I am astonished to see it is a Skua, slowly the pale phase Arctic Skua passes close by the boat, and for a few moments it felt like a pelagic!!
Further down the Nile we come across small parties of Black Winged Stilts which give a Mediterranean feel to the trip.
A much earlier start then yesterday was put on halt as we headed off towards The Valley of the Kings.
Once there we make our way towards the underground tombs which are extremely well preserved.
It is incredibly hot here & water is a rare commodity, so much so that the small cut up carton of Feta cheese filled with water placed on a stone wall is very tempting, However the five Trumpeter Finch drinking till their hearts content were clearly in more need.
They allowed approach to within stroking distance and were full of such character.
Rock Martins are nesting in a small tomb entrance & after exploring some of these remarkable sites we head up to a small seating area.
From here a small raptor flies towards the steep hills and lands briefly, here the sun lights up the blue plumage of a stunning male
Sooty Falcon! Unfortunately I am distracted for a moment and the bird disappears.
Brown Necked Ravens are all around, but look more like crows and are rather disappointing for Ravens.
Other near by historical sites are seen but with very little bird life apart from 3 stunning Striated Herons seen flying down a canal on the return trip back to the boat where we are pleased to set sail at last!
As we set off the river comes to life with Herons, Egrets, Kingfishers, Terns and even a few ducks which include a single drake Garganey!
Further down the Nile and a dark raptor like shape is coming close to the boat, as it approaches I am astonished to see it is a Skua, slowly the pale phase Arctic Skua passes close by the boat, and for a few moments it felt like a pelagic!!
Further down the Nile we come across small parties of Black Winged Stilts which give a Mediterranean feel to the trip.
The Magic of The Nile
May 2008 - The River Nile
5.30am and the sundeck and Nile await, bleary eyed I make my way up onto the sundeck for my first views of this amazing river!
At this time of morning there is no sign of the searing heat to come later in the day, and it is very pleasant and peaceful and as I peer over the boat I catch a glimpse of an unmistakable Pied Kingfisher flying in to land on the boat & display with a flurry of bill pointing and tail flicking towards the single banded female.
This is a Lifer for me and the first bird seen of the trip, little was I to know this is one of the most frequent and classic sights of the Nile. During the next hour I watch in awe as around 500 Cattle Egrets, 200 Squacco Heron, 150 Little Egret, 6 Purple Heron and 5 Night Herons make their way from the night time roosts to the feeding grounds!
Before breakfast things get even better with a Striated Heron slowly flying by and then the monster tick of the trip a Goliath Heron with its grey wings, chestnut slim neck and bulky head making its way to a small spit before landing to feed.
Heading back to the cabin Hoopoe & Laughing Dove are the supporting cast!
So with full belly's we head off to Luxor Temple, which is stunning and gives a real taster to the history of ancient Egypt. I of course wonder off to watch African Rock Martins whizzing past the monuments and avoiding a low flying Black Kite!
At Karnack Temple we are even more impressed and the colours on the stone are a real eye opener, they couldn't however compete with the emerald green of the aptly named Little Green Bee-eaters which showed well flashing their orange wings.
The heat sees us happy to return to the boat for the hottest part of the day, and as we walk along the garden of the docking yard a gorgeous sweet song belongs to a Nile Valley Sunbird, simply stunning in it’s radiant colour scheme. Nearby a Graceful Warbler is always on the move, in and out of the vegetation.
After lunch, coffee and cakes, we take a cab with what can just about be described as a car to Crocodile Island.
It is here that we spend 2 hours along a small inlet by the bridge and enjoy the most spectacular time.
Up to 6 Senegal Thick Knees are showing down to feet , with even bigger bills and mad starring eyes to that of Stone Curlews and a fish eagles call! They are sharing the lawns with Spur Winged Plovers which are just lovely.
The river is full of the by now usual herons & egrets, and two very close Purple Gallinules with green backs, which are vying for attention with beautiful White Winged Black & Whisked Terns.
The wires are tinging to the sound of bugs being bashed by European, Little Green & Gordy Blue Cheeked Bee-eaters, the later as good as it gets!
They are spooked by a Black Shouldered Kite, which is over looking the fields which hold Masked Shrike, Olivacious Warbler, Hoopoe, Pallid Swift , Red Rumped Swallow & common bulbul!
Lastly a Stunning Glamorous Reed Warbler sings it heart out in a small reed bed. A fitting finish the day!
5.30am and the sundeck and Nile await, bleary eyed I make my way up onto the sundeck for my first views of this amazing river!
At this time of morning there is no sign of the searing heat to come later in the day, and it is very pleasant and peaceful and as I peer over the boat I catch a glimpse of an unmistakable Pied Kingfisher flying in to land on the boat & display with a flurry of bill pointing and tail flicking towards the single banded female.
This is a Lifer for me and the first bird seen of the trip, little was I to know this is one of the most frequent and classic sights of the Nile. During the next hour I watch in awe as around 500 Cattle Egrets, 200 Squacco Heron, 150 Little Egret, 6 Purple Heron and 5 Night Herons make their way from the night time roosts to the feeding grounds!
Before breakfast things get even better with a Striated Heron slowly flying by and then the monster tick of the trip a Goliath Heron with its grey wings, chestnut slim neck and bulky head making its way to a small spit before landing to feed.
Heading back to the cabin Hoopoe & Laughing Dove are the supporting cast!
So with full belly's we head off to Luxor Temple, which is stunning and gives a real taster to the history of ancient Egypt. I of course wonder off to watch African Rock Martins whizzing past the monuments and avoiding a low flying Black Kite!
At Karnack Temple we are even more impressed and the colours on the stone are a real eye opener, they couldn't however compete with the emerald green of the aptly named Little Green Bee-eaters which showed well flashing their orange wings.
The heat sees us happy to return to the boat for the hottest part of the day, and as we walk along the garden of the docking yard a gorgeous sweet song belongs to a Nile Valley Sunbird, simply stunning in it’s radiant colour scheme. Nearby a Graceful Warbler is always on the move, in and out of the vegetation.
After lunch, coffee and cakes, we take a cab with what can just about be described as a car to Crocodile Island.
It is here that we spend 2 hours along a small inlet by the bridge and enjoy the most spectacular time.
Up to 6 Senegal Thick Knees are showing down to feet , with even bigger bills and mad starring eyes to that of Stone Curlews and a fish eagles call! They are sharing the lawns with Spur Winged Plovers which are just lovely.
The river is full of the by now usual herons & egrets, and two very close Purple Gallinules with green backs, which are vying for attention with beautiful White Winged Black & Whisked Terns.
The wires are tinging to the sound of bugs being bashed by European, Little Green & Gordy Blue Cheeked Bee-eaters, the later as good as it gets!
They are spooked by a Black Shouldered Kite, which is over looking the fields which hold Masked Shrike, Olivacious Warbler, Hoopoe, Pallid Swift , Red Rumped Swallow & common bulbul!
Lastly a Stunning Glamorous Reed Warbler sings it heart out in a small reed bed. A fitting finish the day!
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