SummaryThe 165 000 km2sub‐desert corridor in which Lake Rudolf lies may affect the routes taken by Palaearctic migrants in eastern Africa. A five‐week study was made at Lake Rudolf during the spring migration period. The area is important for water birds, especially waders. It is less important for land birds, although on passage several passerines occur abundantly on Central Island, and some commonly in similarly well vegetated area (Turkwel river, littoral reedbeds). Some may fatten there before emigrating. Evidently the sub‐desert corridor is not so inhospitable that it is entirely avoided or overflown by mig