BIRDING AREAS IN UGANDA
Uganda is well known in east Africa as a birding area due to its number of bird species per square kilometer and a bout 1008 species can be boasted like those in the United Kingdom. This is because Uganda has a diversity of in the number of habitants for these birds ie rich savannahs low land semi- desert vast wet land which cover a total are of 30,000 square kilometre of wet land within the wt land are 210species of shoebill and afariican skimmer to the endemic fox`s weaver. The papyrus Endemic species range to 4 ie white-winged warbler, canary, Gonolek and the yellow warbler
These savannahs range from remote to, dry thom-scrubregion of Karamoja as well as sem- desert.
The forestst of Uganda also has an area contagious with great Congo basin Rain fatests on its border of the western part. There are also some west and central African birds which may not be got from other parts of East Africa and these are the 700n forests reserves of Uganda like Kibale and Zzika forests.
Bellow are the major birding areas refereed to as Important Bird Areas and Ramsar Sites in Uganda (IBAS)
LAKE MBURO (Nakivale Wetland)
This wetland covers a total area of 6,053 ha. It is this swamp is in the north, western and southern areas of Mbarara district which is fringed with dense stands with the cyperus papyrus.
This wetland covers part of Lake Mburo National Park thus supporting the threatened species of birds.
Within the swamp are the amazing number of birds species and over 6 species (Papyrus endemic).
The Gonolek is one of the intresting birds for one to see it is characterized with a yellow nape and crown, red breast black wings, gripping of this bird is with the support of its long toes also another intersecting feature are the mellow plaintive calls.
MABAMBA BAY
Mamba is an extensive marsh stretching through a long narrow bay with fringed papyrus to wards Lake Victoria. This Bay covers a total area of 2424 ha located a long Lake Victoria shores in the district of Wakiso. There is also narrow open water and a small path of wate-lilies, sedge and sometimes drifting papyrus Swamp Island.
With the above description the Bay is thus seen as an IBA and a popular place for tourists who preffer trecking Shoebills. The Bay also forms part of Waiya Bay, south-west of Nakiwogo Bay; these are all to the west of Entebbe International Airport. It is a transit way to Busi islandsb and a source of raw materials as well as fish to the local communities.
The famous species of birds are; Shoebill, Swamp Flycatcher, Purple Swamp hen, African Water Rail, Common Moorhen, Lesser Jacana, African Jacana, African Pygmy-goose, White-faced Whistling-duck, Squacco Heron, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Winding Cist cola, Goliath Heron and Black Crake, Hair-breasted Barbet, Woodland Warbler, Olive Green bull, Sooty Boubou.
BIRDING AT LUTEMBE BAY
The bay is located on the shores of Lake Victoria which is the worlds largest roosting ground for birds especially the white-winged black term and occupies 108 ha The bay supports over 200 water birds and over 80% are the white-winged black Terns. It is a wonder site for pale arctic migrations and has a high potential for eco-tourism development.
Birds usually start arriving in September escaping the winters in parts of Siberia and Europe and depart a round April of the following year. The numbers, which started declining three years ago, have dropped further this season, to the concern of those promoting eco-tourism.
BIRDING AT NABUGABO ISLAND
Lake Nbugabo is one of the IBA it is known for its shallow freshwater lake of about 8 by 5 km, and extensive swamps and small forests to the north, east and south, where the Sango Bay IBA adjoins. The bay covers a total area of 22,000ha with its location in Masaka there are also some endemic and carnivores plant species
The IBA also contains Blue sallow, Shoebill,and a refugium to endemic fishes of Lake Viictoria. There is a belt of depleted tropical forest along much of the western shore and sandy shores along the windward, northwestern shoreline. Similar forests exist along the eastern sandbank some of which are gazetted Forest Reserves. This group of lakes has been isolated from Lake Victoria for about 3,700 years, during which time the cichlid fauna has undergone speciation.
Lake Nabugabo is a popular resort, especially at weekends and public holidays.
BIRDING ON LAKE GEORGE WETLAND
This swamp covers Total area of 15,000 A complex of river systems emanating from the Rwenzori Mountains supplying a system of permanent swamps located on Lake George, in the Rift Valley. Vegetation consists of grassland, woodland, and three major swamp types. This site is an IBA because of its various water species of birds like the shoebill and the papyrus yellow warbler as well as fish which is highly productive in the lake.
The site supports large mammals, including elephants, hippopotamus, and antelope, and is important for numerous species of wintering Palearctic waterbirds and various notable resident birds. Mine water seepage, agricultural runoff, and effluent inputs are impacting the site. A research station is located on the site.
BIRDING AT NABAJJUZI WETLAND
This site covers a total area of 2,144 ha and it is located in Masaka, Sembabule, Mpigi. Important Bird Area and it stretches a Narrow swamp from the periphery of Masaka to the major Katonga River system. It provides a spawning ground for mudfish and lungfish, and supports globally threatened bird species and the biggest population of endangered Sitatunga known in Uganda.
The site lies in traditional Buddu county of Buganda Kingdom and it provides water to people of masaka town and a source of livelihood for communities through crafts with a thriving ecoctourism. Nabajjuzi has some flora and fauna which is closely associated with cultural norms and traditions, especially the totems thus making culture part of the attractions in the wet land. The wetland is the source of water supply for nearby townships and provides fish, clay, papyrus, medicine and game meat (Sitatunga).
Over the past 20 years there has been increased commercialisation of the resource products and some of the surrounding areas have been built up into trading centres and small towns, causing increased demand for resources. Water pollution from a tannery adjacent to the wetland is a big threat. The Wetlands Inspection Division and NGOs such as NatureUganda are implementing conservation and ecotourism activities
Sango Bay-Musambwa Island-Kagera Wetland System (SAMUKA).
It is 6, 053 ha, located on shores of Lake Victoria Masaka, Rakai District. This site is a mosaic of wetland types including the biggest tract of swamp forest in Uganda, papyrus swamps, herbaceous swamps interspersed with palms and seasonally flooded grasslands, sandy, rocky and forest shores, and three rocky islets about 3 km offshore in the Sango Bay. The site is an IBA which supports the biggest breeding population of Grey-headed Gulls in Africa and 75% of the total global population of the Blue Swallow with a unique mosaic forest containing 30 endemic flora, restricted subspecies of priatemate, elephants and sitatunga.
The system supports huge congregations of waterbirds, hosting an average of 16.5% of the population of Grey-headed Gulls (Larus cirrocephalus), and hosts globally endangered mammals such as Elephant, Black and White Colobus Monkey and a subspecies of the Blue Monkey. It is a source of fish to the people of the area, of medicinal plants, of grazing and of raw materials for building and making crafts including luxurious sofa chairs and mattresses.
Tourism has been developed on Musambwa Island. Relatively inaccessible, Sango Bay forests have had no immediate threats; however, as overexploitation of resources and grazing depletes the rest of the landscape, forest reserves become the immediate retreat for the surrounding communities. The site contains Stone Age artifacts, internationally known as the Sangoan industry, which dates to about 200,000 years ago.
LAKE BISINA WETLAND SYSTEM.
Bisina is 54,229 ha with its location in K atakwi, Soroti, Kumi district. Important Bird Area supports the Fox`s weaver the only endemic birdfor Uganda and other threatened species such as Shoebills The IBA of Bisina is also important as a refuge for fish species that have gone extinct in the main Ugandan lakes such as Lakes Victoria and Kyoga. The lake is very important for the surrounding communities in terms of fishing, transport, and supply of water for domestic use and livestock. It is especially critical during times of famine, e.g., a rhizome of the Nymphea genus is used as food during droughts.
LAKE NAKUWA WETLAND SYSTEM.
This covers 91, 150 ha it is located in Kyoga basin of Kamuli, Parisa, Soroti district. It is also said to be a permanent Wetland associated with a number of satellite lakes and a swamp system dominated by dense papyrus, broken in parts by pools of water-forming sudds (clumps of floating papyrus). In addition to supporting the Sitatunga and the Nile crocodile, the system and its satellite lakes contain the most diverse cichlid species assemblage and are a haven for a number of non-cichlid species no longer found in the large lakes of Kyoga and Victoria. The wetland also plays an important role in flood prevention, water purification and groundwater recharge. It is a refuge for 200 indegenous fish species rare in Lake Victoria as well as livelihood for the local communities though offering employment to a number of fishermen.
The papyrus is also used for making mats, thatching, and crafts. The potential threats to fish species diversity include human exploitation, collection of ornamental fish for export, degradation of the fish habitat, spread of the Nile Perch, and water hyacinth. Papyrus over-harvesting and land reclamation for agriculture also constitute a threat.
LAKE OPETA WETLAND SYSTEM.
This wet land is located in Nakapiripirit, Sironko, Katakwi, Kumi coering total 68,912 ha. It is predominantly an extensive swamp of Vossia cuspidata to the east and south graduating into dry Hyparrhenia grassland savannas and it is one of the remaiing intact and probably most importrant wet landmarshes in Uganda.
The wetland is of great importance for the conservation of birds, and Fox's weaver and other threatened bird species of Uganda's only endemic bird. The site is also important as a refuge for fish species that have gone extinct in the main lakes, including Lakes Victoria and Kyogan and arefugium for Uganda endemic fishes and refuge of the normadic Karamajongo people and their herds of cattle during the dry seasons.
It serves as a source of fish protein at both subsistence and commercial level, and cultivation (maize, millet and plantain) is carried out in the catchment. Pian-Upe Wildlife Reserve has potential for big game viewing and birdwatching, but because of the insecurity, tourism development has been minimal and the reserve does not generate any revenue.
MURCHISON FALLS-ALBERT DELTA WETLAND SYSTEM.
This site covers a total area of 20, 163 ha and it is located on River Nile inMasindi, Gulu district and partly is a National park as well as an IBA area. The site also stretches from the top of Murchison Falls, where the River Nile flows through a rock cleft some 6m wide, to the delta at its confluence with Lake Albert. The convergence between Lake Albert and the delta forms a shallow area that is important for waterbirds, especially the Shoebill, Pelicans, Darters and various heron species.
The site also supports spawning and breeding fisheries due to a variety of indigenous fish species. Murchison Falls are one of the main tourist attractions and recreation areas in Uganda, and the site is of social and cultural importance to the people of the area: livestock grazing; fishing, with fish exported to DR Congo and also used to feed the refugees in camps in northern Uganda; illegal hunting for game, etc.
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