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Sunbird Hill Nature Monitoring & Rewilding Site
Welcome to Sunbird Hill Nature Monitoring & Rewilding Site — a protected private site on the forest edge of Kibale National Park, on former farmland regenerating since 2005.
This shifting mosaic of grassland, bushland, woodland, secondary forest, wetland, river and forest edge — plus thickets, riverine strips, clearings and elephant footprints — creates rich microhabitats. As the land regenerates, species richness and diversity change with it; we monitor year-round so our team knows exactly what’s happening on site — and every time the species lists climb, it creates quite the flutter!
SPECIES Recorded so far:
295 birds
including Great Blue Turaco, Black-billed Turaco and Masked Apalis
16 sunbirds
including Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Superb Sunbird and Tiny Sunbird
280 butterflies
including Red Glider, Blue Mother of Pearl and Flying Handkerchief
Plus
primates, dragonflies, reptiles, frogs, beetles, wildflowers & indigenous trees
The Sunbird Hill Team
We are a nature monitoring team, here to add to Uganda’s biodiversity knowledge and inspire the next generation of compassionate conservationists. As local naturalists, besides our shared love for birds, we each lead a passion project — from butterflies, beetles and bats to parrots and bird ringing — and bringing a strong team spirit and a genuine love of sharing our knowledge, passion and enthusiasm.
We also regularly host national and international naturalists who are experts in their field. Their visits enrich our team and deepen our skills — and what we learn is shared widely through our Village Bird Clubs, visiting guests, fellow conservation teams, and the wider community.
MONITORING, MENTORING & REWILDING
The Sunbird Hill Team focus on:
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Weekly bird monitoring at Sunbird Hill
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Weekly butterfly monitoring at Sunbird Hill
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Monthly mammal camera trapping at Sunbird Hill with Dr Robert Kitiyo, Makerere University
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Weekly parrot monitoring around Kibale Forest
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Birding ringing with Malcolm Wilson and Roger Skeen
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Bi-annual bird population monitoring for NatureUganda covering Kibale National Park, Semuliki National Park, Tooro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve, Katonga Wildlife Reserve, Tooro Botanical Gardens, KAFRED Bigodi Swamp, Saka Lakes and Sunbird Hill
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Species inventories in wild areas including Karamoja, Katonga, Tooro-Semliki and Ruboni
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Nurturing 3 acres of trees for parrots, while rewilding alongside our neighbours to grow food for people and parrots, provide fuelwood, and beautify home compounds.
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Grassroots conservation work includes developing Butterfly Village — home to our Healing Garden and little Butterfly House — alongside practical human–elephant coexistence solutions that build on existing deterrents such as beehive fences and trenches
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And our pride and joy - our 5 Village Bird Clubs run every Sunday morning
"Sunbird Hill is well known for running the Village Bird Clubs in the Bigodi area and we so far have 5 Village Bird Clubs that are running every Sunday morning. We have one, the oldest which was started 5 or 6 years back, it inspired every other Village Bird Clubs in the area. We don't have a classroom setting for the Village Bird Clubs. We inspire them in the natural setting. So we go out in the village, in the swamps, in the forests around, teaching them about plants, birds, and wildlife laws.
We buy books for birds, we buy binoculars and we give them to the mentors and that keep the Village Bird Clubs running. Of recent we gave them caps branded with Village Bird Clubs and African Bird Clubs on the sides so that one is a very good feeling to them. Using funding from African Bird Club, we take them to other places. We have taken them to crater lakes. They have seen water birds. They have seen the crater lakes themselves. So it's another feeling for them.
These are the next conservationists. If we inspire them to love wildlife, then they will not go hunting and they are no longer throwing plastics because this is what is in their patch. We cannot say we change the whole world but if we can change the attitudes of these young ones, then better that way."
Robert Bagonza, Sunbird Hill Team
IN THE SHADOW OF CHIMPANZEES
Sunbird Hill is governed by a local NGO, In the Shadow of Chimpanzees, which supports grassroot conservation projects on the edge of Kibale Forest - inspiring the love of nature.
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In scientific collaboration with
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