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BIRDING TOURS FROM CAPE TOWN TO CAMEROON |
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Trip ReportBirding
Cameroon
(In Pursuit of Highland Endemics)26 February - 30 March 2002- Summarized Trip Report - By Michael Mills and Callan Cohen michael@birdingafrica.com and callan@birdingafrica.com VIEW THE TRIP REPORT FROM OUR 2003 TOUR
The primary aim of our March 2002 trip was to see all the Cameroon Mountain endemics (except for those confined to offshore Bioko). This is reflected in our itinerary: 5 days at Mount Kupe, 3 days on Mount Cameroon, 2 days in the Bakossi Mountains and 1 day in the Bamenda highlands. Our secondary aim was to sample the full cross-section of habitats in Cameroon: our northern loop included Waza National Park, Benoue NP and Ngaondaba Ranch.
The
primary aim of our March 2002 trip was to see all the Cameroon Mountain
endemics (except for those confined to offshore Bioko). This is reflected
in our itinerary: 5 days at Mount Kupe, 3 days on Mount Cameroon, 2
days in the Bakossi Mountains and 1 day in the Bamenda highlands. Our
secondary aim was to sample the full cross-section of habitats in Cameroon:
our northern loop included Waza National Park, Benoue NP and Ngaondaba
Ranch. - Obtaining video footage of Mount Kupe Bushshrike. We invested a lot of time trekking along slippery mountain paths for this bird, which eventually rewarded us with over three hours viewing and video footage of a total of 4 birds. - Obtaining over 600 sound recordings of bird vocalisations on minidisc, including most of the highland endemics. - Testing the excellent new fieldguide to the region by Nik Borrow and Ron Demey, and the set of Chappuis CDs, which both added tremendously to our trip. - Exploring the Bakossi Mountains, a truly spectacular wilderness area complete with Chimpanzees, Drill and a host of mountain endemics. - Videoing, in the central woodlands, the elusive Spotted Thrush Babbler and Standard-winged Nightjar, as well as seeing the spectacular Oriole Warbler, White-collared Starling and Adamawa Turtle Dove. - Five Quail Plovers, the first confirmed records of River Prinia for Cameroon (which Nik Borrow also later confirmed to be common) and an obliging pair of Cricket Longtails in the far North.
- A final species tally of 530 birds, which could probably have been
boosted a bit with concentrated lowland forest birding.
For our detailed itinerary in March 2002, CLICK HERE For an annotated checklist of bird species that we recorded in March 2002, CLICK HERE (MS Word Document) For a list of mammals that we recorded in March 2002, CLICK HERE (MS Word Document) For information on Conservation Organisations and ecotourism programs in Cameroon, CLICK HERE We would like to thank Gus, Margie and Peter for their fantastic company during the first 14 days of the trip!
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