For sure we were feeling the cool breeze as we were birding along the shores of Lake Victoria in Mwanza near a beautiful natural landmark, the Rock formation at Bismarck Rock that was clearly visible from the Lake Shore. Nearby we saw butterflies feeding on decomposing organic matter which was bird droppings and it came to my notice that butterflies not only feed on flowers and nectar.
The purpose of my visit is to explore what inhibits the shores of Lake Victoria particularly birds and aquatic plants. Plants are important in maintaining the delicate balance of the lake as they provide homes and breeding ground for the fishes, birds and other aquatic life of different types of snakes that linger around water. Common snakes we saw include the Black Rat Snake, Garter Snake and the Northern Water Snake.
Through my binocular, in the sea I clearly saw many birds busy catching fishes. I identified, egrets, cormorants and storks, on the shoreline was a lone large wading bird with large bill which does not meet except at the tip, the Open-billed Stork was standing in the water catching fishes, frogs or water snails. Like flamingos these birds are known to sleep while standing on only one leg. And are voiceless but some of them clatter their bills loudly when excited. They feed in shallow water and fields. Other birds we saw were Swamp flycatcher, Northern brown-throated weaver, Long-toed Lapwing and Papyrus yellow warblers.
Mr Mathias Shindika, a native of Mwanza, who accompanied me on this trip and very conversant with the area reminded me that it was the search by the Europeans for the source of River Nile that led to the sighting of the Lake by the British Explorer John Hanning Speke in 1858 and named it in the honour of Queen Victoria of England. He also told me that the lake now faces a major invasive plant, the water hyacinth, which affects the local ecosystem.
Exploring more we came to an area with papyrus swamps and other aquatic vegetation to the lake ecosystem. We found a variety of birds including weavers and several species of freshwater crabs. The Lake has a vast array of over four hundred species of birds and we were lucky to see playful African clawless otters and spotted-necked otters and turtles.
On top of the Bismarck Rock we identified egrets, cranes, storks and cormorants and pied kingfishers were hovering above. Mr Shindika told me that there is proliferation of birdlife from the lake and the Serengeti many feeding on crops and insects inhibit the narrow strip of land between the lake and Serengeti park. Numerous species make up the impressive birdlife around the lake along with raptors including Nile crocodile, hippos and turtles.
