Bird expo 2018 in high gear

Nov 30, 2018

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) spokesman, Gessa Simplicious, Uganda Tourist Board (UTB) executive director, Steven Asiimwe said it is joint effort by the industry players to promote birding as one of the niche attractions.

TOURISM

The bird expo 2018 is in high gear with participants coming from all over the world. The first reception in Mabamba swamp was a variety of; tweeting, nesting and courting feathered beauties.

"There I see the African jacana," whispered Victor Yu from Taiwan. "See the long legs and toes. The face and neck are milk white. It's base is gold splashed."

The silence is again broken by another shrill whisper from a lady birder Tonia Cochrand from UK.

"In my lens is the unmistakably coffee brown Hamerkop," responds Cochrand. "It is all alone and looks so humble."

"Oh  my! There it is a grey headed kingfisher!" exclaims Sharon Stiteler from Germany. "See the blue wings and tail. The head is visibly grey as it eats insects. She is pretty…"

The long legged African Jacana with gold plated plummage. (Photo by Titus Kakembo)         

One thing the birders have in common is a desire to see the shoebill. Asked where it can be seen, Hannington Kasasa, a retired Shoebill dealer now turned guide confides there being only nine in the area but there location is very unpredictable. The search continues wading through papyrus and muddy samp.

The president Uganda Bird Guides Association, Herbert Byaruhanga said they are destined to Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park.

"It is a ten day itinerary which is going to be an eye opener to the rest of the world on the variety of birds we have"

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) spokesman, Gessa Simplicious, Uganda Tourist Board (UTB) executive director, Steven Asiimwe said it is joint effort by the industry players to promote birding as one of the niche attractions.

"This is besides gorilla tracking, culture, scaling mountains and seeing water bodies," revealed Asiimwe. 

Gessa Simplicious the spokesperson of Uganda Wildlife Authority says it is the season when Queen Elizabeth National Park has migrant birds fleeing the harsh winter in Europe.

 

"The young ones return back but those that have aged stay for life," said Gessa. "Their hosts live in harmony with them."

 

 

 

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