Lutembe bay / swamp is ranked among the 33 birding destinations in Uganda, located on the shores of Lake Victoria just 4kms off Kampala-Entebbe Road. The Lutembe wetlands are both a Ramsar site and was ranked IBA in 2006 due to the impressive population of birds that it inhabits. Over 108 bird species call Lutembe bay a home, of which 26 bird species are seasonal migratory birds. It is on record to host 8 of 12 species which are endemic to Lake Victoria and cannot be spotted elsewhere in Uganda.
Lutembe bay forms an island swamp in the shallow waters of Lake Victoria and this can be explored on a birding expedition. This island is home to different birds like the white winged terns – migratory birds, White-headed Saw-wing, Broad-billed Roller, White-browed and the Brown-backed Scrub-robins, Whiskered Tern, Lead-colored Flycatcher among others.
This wetland boasts rare species of birds like shoebill stork, Madagascar squacco Heron and tawny pipit. Other birds that are spotted in Lutembe bay include Speckle-breasted Woodpecker, Africa-Pygmy Kingfisher, Wire-tailed Swallow, Scaly Francolin, Black Kite, Black-headed Gonolek, Grey-backed Fiscal, , Barn Swallow, Helmeted Guinea fowl, Black-crowned Waxbill, Brimstone and the Yellow-fronted Canaries, Collared Pratincole, Little Ringed Plover, Blue-spotted Wood-dove, Splendid Sterling, Pin-tailed Whydah among others.
Birding normally starts at Lutembe beach just a few kilometers after branching off from Namulanda or Kajjansi. Uganda has a variety of birds that can be spotted all over the county and this means that as you head to Lutembe bay, birding will immediately start from your commencing point all the way to Lutembe bay wetland. Birds spotted while on the way will be in the shrubs, trees, marshlands, on walls of fenced houses, bushes, poles and literally everywhere.
Birding in Lutembe bay is best done in the morning hours when birds are active while catching insects and other prey. The flying insects in the grassland and bushes attract insect-eating birds and this becomes the best moment to spot birds like broad-billed Roller, Brown-backed Scrub-robins, as well as the Whiskered Tern, tropical Boubou, Lead-colored Flycatcher and the African Green Pigeon among others.
Birding is first done while walking around the swamp and then after taking a boat cruise that will be rotating at the edge of swamps where different birds are spotted. Most of the birds spotted here live in flocks such as the terns. The migratory birds and residents of Lutembe bay wetlands are normally spotted here. Birding in Lutembe bay can take about 3-4 good hours and if you are in a rush, even 2 hours will reward you with the best birding experience.
Best time to visit Lutembe bay for birding.
For best outcomes, September to October is the best months when migratory birds start arriving such as the gulls, terns among others. Also, during these months food is in plenty which makes the birds available. Other birds like the great cormorants, yellow-billed duck, great egrets, white-faced whistling duck, swamp flycatchers, little egrets, among others are also common during that time.
Migratory birds normally depart around April or May. Although during this time resident birds are always spotted. The rains of October and November as well as March and April usually hinder the best birding experiences from happening, due to bad weather, fog and mist and other related issues like hailstorm.
