Giraffe Centre #2: Tonk, tonk, tonk . . .
The cache, a small screw-capped camo-pot, is hidden in the fork of the largest tree in the area close to the southern perimeter fence of the Nature Sanctuary which is located opposite this popular location for interacting with these remarkable animals. This common and distinctive woodland call could be heard coming from somewhere not far away in the forest.
To reach the cache location: From Nairobi city centre take Uhuru Highway to Nyayo Stadium, then turn west onto Langata Road, across two roundabouts, past Wilson Airport on your left, past the entrance to Nairobi National Park on the left and through the new underpass junction with Magadi Road to the junction @ S 01 20.432 E 036 45.042. Turn left here onto Langata South Road and follow this for approx. 2.8km, around a right-hand corner, then on for a further 450m where you turn left (south) down Koitobos Rd. After 1.1km follow the road around the corner then take the first right to reach the Giraffe Centre.
Once at the centre, pay the entry fee then (before or after feeding the giraffes) head out and across the road to the Nature Trail - accessed through the metal gate. Once inside follow any convenient trail to reach the cache. One approach is to simply turn right inside the gate and follow the fence almost to the corner, then take the trail heading down into the forest close to the perimeter fence.
The red-fronted tinkerbird, Pogoniulus pusillus is a tiny (9-10.5cm, 6-12.5g) confiding African barbet – these are near-passerine
birds with bristles around the base of the bill. They have a world-wide tropical distribution.
Singles and pairs of RFTs are widespread and frequently common resident breeders <2,200m in dry conifer forests, wood- and bushland and gardens in the south-eastern coastal area in South Africa, with a separate population from southern Sudan and Ethiopia south though Kenya to central and eastern Tanzania. There are 3 sub-species - the one found in Kenya is P.p.affinis.
It is a plump bird, with a short neck, large head, and short tail. The adult has black upperparts heavlly streaked with yellow and white, and a golden wing patch. Its head has a strong black and white pattern, with a red forecrown spot. Its underparts and rump are lemon yellow. Sexes are similar in appearance, but young birds lack the red forehead. See one calling here . . . (continues with GC6Q4DX Giraffe Centre #3: . . . Tank, Tank, Tank!)