How enjoy a bird watching experience in Uganda
How enjoy a bird watching experience in Uganda : Bird watching in Uganda is one of the top three popular safari activities to do in Uganda. As most tourists on top of seeing wild animals will seek to see the different birds the different parks have. Given that East Africa is known to have unique and rare birds, its no surprise that tourists will be seeking out these birds on their different safari trips. Well as a lot of people seek put these birds, there is a lot put into watching these birds, and how to actually watch them well to get the benefits you are looking for. That is why in this article we write about the different ways you can actually enjoy a bird watching experience in Uganda. The tips in this article work for any bird watching experience in Uganda, at any of the destinations.
Enjoying a bird watching experience, starts right from preparation, so when you are planning for that experience, you should; –
- Research Uganda’s bird species and habitats and know exactly what you will be seeing. Some people like to be surprised though. We believe in knowing beforehand.
- Invest in a good pair of binoculars and field guide. Some birds are elusive, or you may not be able to get close to them, you really need those binoculars, and the guide will take you to the different bird hubs, saving you time you spend wondering around looking for the birds.
- Pack comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes.
- Bring a camera and charger for capturing memories.
- Plan your itinerary with a knowledgeable guide or tour operator. This is very important because spotting birds is a science, you need to be at the habitat at the right time, so that you don’t miss the birds.
On a bird watching spree you should: –
- Follow your guide’s instructions and lead all the way
- Be alert for any bird that will come out
- Stay on the bird trail if you want to spot the birds, also to avoid getting lost.
- Respect the birds don’t do anything that will harm them or cause danger to them.
- Respect the bird habitat, don’t litter and don’t do anything to make it unsuitable for the birds.
Popular birds to spot during your bird watching experience in Uganda include: – Shoebill stork: a rare and iconic species, African fish eagle: a common sight near water, Lilac-breasted roller: a colorful and acrobatic bird, Grey crowned crane: Uganda’s national bird and Blue turaco: a vibrant and elusive species.
The bird habiats in Uganda are Forests, Savannas, Wetlands, Mountains, Agricultural areas and on water bodies.
Some of the popular places you will see birds in Uganda include:- the bigodi swamps in Kibale National Park; housing over 1000 bird species, Mabira forest: home to about 800 bird species, Murchison Falls National Park: home to over 450 species, Queen Elizabeth National Park: known for its variety of raptors, Lake Mburo National Park: spot birds like the African finfoot, Budongo Forest: home to the rare Puvel’s illadopsis. And a number of of other places in the country.
Some of the best Birding Techniques you can apply on your experience include: –
- Using bird calls and songs to identify bird species.
- Being patience and quiet during the bird observation, bird will fly away at a sign of disturbance.
- Use field guides to identify birds.
- Take notes and sketches to record observations. This way you know which birds you saw and if you are taking pictures, you are able to name them later.
Best time for birding in Uganda is May to September and December to February.
