Lake Bisina is the eastern extension of the Lake Kyoga area as well as being one of the few magnificent Birding Areas in Uganda. This Lake is shallow and extends for an area of 74 square miles in addition to being 19 miles long and 3.7 miles wide. This Lake is also comprised of a small strip of surrounding swamp.
River Apedura is the main River entering Lake Bisina and drains from the northern part of the Lake, while its flood plain is about 18.6 miles long and 4 miles wide.
Location of Lake Bisina.
Lake Bisina is a beautiful Lake found in the Eastern side of Uganda, about 15 kilometers along the district of Kumi and made it to the list of Important Bird Areas in 2006. The Important Bird Area of Lake Bisina comprises the marsh at the south-western part of the Lake, starting with a shallow area primarily characterized by immersed as well as partially immersed flora species including Ceratophyllum, Nymphaea and Najas.
The edge of this lake is blanketed by floating grass species known as Vossia, continuing into the seasonal Hyparrhenia-dominated savannah grassland. A unique grass specie-Echinochloa also thrives across the wetland hence forming strong mat-like vegetation at the extreme side of the marsh.
Interesting bird species in Lake Bisina.
The Fox’s weavers appear to be common in the area of Lake Bisina waters, especially during the breeding season. The wetland around Nariam area was recently drained although the Northern brown-throated weavers breed extensively in the short Papyrus surrounding the Lake. Popular papyrus species around Lake Bisina include the white-winged swamp warblers, Carruthers’s Cisticola and Papyrus Canary while the globally threatened Papyrus yellow warblers are rare in the area.
Areas with less water are dominated by lilies and haven to the lesser Jacana, shoebills and African Pygmy Goose normally encountered at the edge of the extensive Papyrus vegetation. Other interesting bird species in the area are the stunning black-headed plovers, the white-backed ducks, African Grey flycatcher, Cormorants, the dark chanting Goshawk, Karamoja Apalis, Pygmy Batis, the Crested Bustard, Green-backed herons, the yellow-bellied Eremomela, Temminck’s Courser, the Mouse-colored Penduline Tit, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Grey wren warblers and crested bustard among others.
Besides the birds, other inhabitants of Lake Bisina and surrounding wetlands are Sitatunga, Nile crocodiles and Hippos as well as unique fish species especially Catfish, Mudfish, Tilapia and Lungfish among others.
Best Time for Birding in Lake Bisina.
The Birds of Lake Bisina and surrounding wetlands are normally numerous during the rainy season-months of March, April and May although they can be spotted all year round.
What to pack or wear for Birding in Lake Bisina?
For Birding in Lake Bisina, pack a pair of binoculars, drinking water, snacks, camera, field guidebook, a hat, field bag and wear hiking boots, Field clothing (long sleeved shirts and pants), toiletries and a First aid kit among others.
How to get to Lake Bisina?
Lake Bisina can be easily reached from the nice dirt road turning north from the Mbale-Soroti main road at Kapiri. This area is also about 12 miles south-east of the Town of Soroti where you will proceed along the path to the edge of Lake Bisina and be welcomed by busy fishermen.
