The impressive landscape rising from the lake welcomed us as we approached Rubondo Island. Its forests and vast stands of papyrus swamp, which provide habitat for a variety of specialist bird species, were truly beautiful.
We soon spotted a beautiful Papyrus Gonolek and a pelican spreading its wings among the floating blossoms, creating a gorgeous sight.
With a knowledgeable guide, we went on to explore the island on foot, strolling through wetlands and discovering fascinating insects, animals and other creatures hidden within them. We could see birds such as sacred ibises, bee-eaters and many other feathered species that had made this blissfully unpopulated area their home, whether to hunt, breed or feed.
Long-distance migrant birds depend on carefully accumulated fat reserves to cross oceans and continents. We observed that some chicks which had recently hatched were beginning to take their first steps out of their nests and into the wetlands in search of food, as their feathers gradually developed their beautiful colours.
For birds, feathers are engineering marvels. They provide insulation, waterproofing and camouflage, while also serving as a means of communication. A feather lying on the grass is therefore not merely a beautiful object; it carries evidence of a bird’s history and biology.
Then a gentle moment unfolded as we watched a Forest Glade Nymph (Arterica galena), a beautiful butterfly with striking black wings decorated with bold white patches, glide through the shade of a woodland clearing and feed on fallen fruit and tree sap.
I love butterflies. They are among the most fascinating insects on Earth, known not only for their beautiful wings but also for their important role as nature’s pollinators, carrying pollen from one plant to another.
In a tree, we followed the sound of a bird singing for a few brief seconds before it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Our guide explained that most resident birds here are territorial and monogamous. Despite their spectacular colours in the forest, they are surprisingly difficult to spot.
A sudden commotion arose in a distant swampy and marshy area when we noticed an animal fleeing. It was a medium-sized, brownish sitatunga antelope escaping from a giant crocodile that appeared determined to make a meal of it.
We were fortunate to see this antelope because it is rarely spotted elsewhere in Tanzania. Sitatungas normally remain in wetlands with dense vegetation, which provides them with cover and protection from predators, including crocodiles.
As the day drew to a close, the light of the setting sun reflected across the calm waters surrounding Rubondo Island, a gem located in the south-western corner of Lake Victoria.
It created the perfect setting for us to end the afternoon with a tranquil birdwatching adventure by canoe, surrounded by the extraordinary wilderness of Rubondo Island.
