A Book You Will Need If You Are Birding In Kenya

Birds of Kenya's Rift Valley by Adam Scott Kennedy.  Princeton Wildlife Explorer Guide.  £18.95 ISBN 9780691159072       264 pages    500 colour illustrations.

This volume is a sister book to two titles already covered on this blog but one which deals with the birds of Kenya's Rift Valley an area very popular with Europe's birders.  The area officially covers the major National Parks of Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria, Mount Longonot and Hell's gate but this book can also be used at Masi Mara, Lake Navaisha and Lake Baringo.

As in the previous volumes there are good introductory chapters dealing with the habitats and in this case the important lake systems within the Rift Valley.  These sections also deal with the significant bird species to be found in these areas.  Excellent maps are also present which will help to plan routes etc.

By far the most impressive thing about this book is the wonderful collection of bird photographs assembled by habitat types covering well over 300 species most of which you might add to your list if visiting this region. I wish I had the opportunity to have this book in my bag on my trip to this bird paradise some years ago.  It would certainly have made identification much easier.  The layout of the photographic guide is so helpful.

Adam Scott Kennedy is once again the author of this splendid guide and his great knowledge of the birds comes through in the concise but helpful text.

You should not visit this area without a copy of this book.

A Big Thank You

It has been remiss of me not to thank everybody for all the emails, twitter messages, cards and telephone calls wishing me well and encouraging me in all sorts of ways.  There are far too many for me to respond to everyone but they are all equally appreciated and have helped me enormously in facing up to my ordeal.  Again THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Battling On

I am home from hospital again after my second chemotherapy session shattered but OK.  I suffered complications after the last sessions so back in hospital on Tuesday for observation and monitoring.  I am making progress and on plan with the next session on June 13th.

My friend Bob Abrams sent me this shot of a superb Scarlet Tanager from Ohio just to cheer me up

I have missed the spring and birds terribly.  A few Swifts from my hospital window keep me interested and the occasional Red Kite and Buzzard pass by.  Young Jackdaws are everywhere in the grounds.  I will report more when it happens.

Off The Radar Again

I will be silent again for a while as I am going back to hospital this afternoon in the Chemotherapy Unit.  I expect treatment to begin soon and also expect to be there for a while.

In better days at BirdFair

I am pleased to be moving on with this as the sooner it is over then the nearer I am to recovery.