Finally, there it is: Lake Natron. That flight! Siberia seems like a past life; I’ve seen so much since I left the taiga forest: the deserts of Central Asia and the Middle East, over lush Ethiopia, and now, finally, the lakes of Kenya, where I can stop to rest, eat… and mate! I hope there are some cute girls to meet down here.
It’s a long journey, but it’s usually worth the effort. We all meet here for a few months to catch up on what’s happening around the world. Eurasion’s spotted thrush, rock thrush and bee-eaters bring the latest news from Europe and locals bring us up to date on what’s been happening in East Africa during our absence. The local boys have a good life. Those flamingos don’t have to travel far if their food runs out. They have so many lakes like Nakuru, Baringo, Bogoria and Naivasha within such a short distance. Not like the months some of us have to travel to find food during the winter. To be fair, the poor ostriches can’t even fly, so I can’t envy them at all. And the Kori bustards are so heavy that they seem to have a hard time getting off the ground. I think I’m very lucky compared to them; at least I can move and see the world.
The Warblers and Blackcaps will come from my area. Everyone loves it when the Warblers come in – their songs keep us entertained for hours. The waterfowl of Kenya will be there, of course, including the crazy old spoonbill with its ridiculous beak. And all the plovers! There are always a lot of them and I forget their names most of the time – let’s see, there’s Crowned Plover, Kittlitz’s Plover, Three Banded Plover…
Looking forward to a good party with all these guys! Pelicans can get a little rowdy, which I know annoys ospreys. And let’s not even mention the relationship between the seedy Marabou Storks and the snobbish Yellow-billed Storks; Hard to believe they are related! But in general we all get along pretty well. And the great thing about southern Kenya is that if the Hadada Ibis is being too rowdy in Natron, we can find some peace in nearby Magadi.
I am very close now and so far so good; I haven’t come across that white-bellied creep with the big headdress. What’s your name again? Yes: Go away, bird! It’s so rude. We fly out here for his Kenyan shindig and he just sits in the tree cawing “Go away! Go away!” Hornbills, Kingfishers, and Turacos are all doing well, and in fact, I’m really looking forward to meeting my old friend, the European Roller. Some of us prefer the water, while others prefer the trees… or should I say bushes down here. All salt water does not produce lush forests.
Hey, there’s the Red and Yellow Bearded and the Masked Weaver. I’ve done it, guys! It’s paaaaaaaar-ty time!