Kenya Birding Issue 9 by Nature Kenya Publications

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A lifeline for the Bird records ENDANGERED from Northern Kenya BIRDS OF KENYA Taita Apalis An ever-increasing number of bird species are facing major peril

Restoring habitat and securing a home for Taita Apalis

Birds seen on a journey from Laisamis to Koobi Fora, Sibiloi National Park

Welcome to kenya Birding 9! Kenya Birding is free to members of Nature Kenya (printing is made possible by advertising and projects) © Nature Kenya August 2015 Issue 9 Front Cover: Grey-headed Bush Shrike. Photo by Jacques Pitteloud. Special Mention: Bird photographer Peter Usher Editor & Creative Design Catherine G. Ngarachu Assisting Editor Darcy Ogada Advertising Coordinators: Gloria Waswa, Norman Kiboi Layout: John Mwacharo Printed Offset Litho by Colourprint Ltd. NATURE KENYA CONTACTS For enquiries, contributions and advertising write to: Nature Kenya, the East Africa Natural History Society National Museums, Museum Hill P.O. Box 44486, GPO, 00100 Nairobi Kenya Tel: (+254) (0) 20 3537568 or (0)771 343138 office@naturekenya.org www.naturekenya.org NATURE KENYA ECO-RESOURCE CENTRES - Mount Kenya, next to Bantu Lodge - Kinangop Reserve, North Kinangop - North Coast, Gede office - South Nandi Kobujoi Eco-resource Centre - KENVO resource centre in Lari Thank you to all the photographers who very kindly shared and gave permission to use their images for publication. We are also very grateful to the authors and other contributors for their invaluable support. All copyright for material appearing in this publication belongs to Nature Kenya and/ or the photographer/ author. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher–Nature Kenya. ABOUT NATURE KENYA Nature Kenya (the East Africa Natural History Society) is a non-profit conservation organization. Established in 1909 it works to promote the understanding and conservation of nature.

uzzards are birds of prey that feed on small mammals and insects, and you often see them perched or hovering. So it wasn’t a surprise one morning to find the Lizard Buzzard that regularly passes through our garden in Malindi perched on top of the branches of a short dried out tree. While I ate my morning oats, I imagined that the buzzard was waiting for its own breakfast to make a move that its prey would surely regret. Patiently it sat, occasionally sparing me a look, but otherwise alternating between scanning the grass and flower-beds, and preening. How quickly the better part of an hour is spent, when enjoying such exhilarating company. Welcome to the 9th issue of Kenya Birding! I know you have many tasks planned, but I hope that this issue encourages you to take time to enjoy nature. We offer every encouragement, with birding descriptions of Ngong Forest in Nairobi, sites in northern Kenya including Todonyang; Dakatcha Woodlands, and the Kerio Valley. Birding adventures include a rare sighting of Olive Ibis, ringing waders at Mida Creek, and searching for the elusive Abyssinian Owl. Our enjoyment of nature presumes that it is there for us. However, it requires a tremendous amount of effort to conserve nature. Take time to read the detailed discussion of Kenya’s endangered birds, and learn about ongoing efforts to save the Taita Apalis, livelihood initiatives in the Tana Delta, and community conservation projects in western Kenya. Many, many, thanks go to our partners, contributors, readers and supporting members of Nature Kenya—you are an invaluable part of our birding community. Happy birding

Catherine Ngarachu Editor, Kenya Birding pinterest.com/cngarachu/birding-in-kenya

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Contents 2.

From the Executive Director

4. Mail drop

Urban birding 7.

Nairobi White-Eye Conaundrum

A Day at the Races

10. Nature news

Arabuko-Sokoke Forest faces new threat

11. What are our Common Birds? 12. Kenya Reptile Atlas online

Black-bellied Sunbird, Meru National Park. Photo by Peter Usher

13. Samba turkana: A surprising bee discovery from Turkana

Dino Martins wins 2015 Whitley Gold Award

Species 14. Searching for the elusive Abyssinian Owl on Mount Kenya 15. In search of the Olive Ibis

Rare sighting of Hadada Ibis chicks

16. Unusual friendliness amongst Francolins

Nature sites and reserves 16. Boni and Dondori National Reserves 17. The Kerio Valley 18. Wader Ringing in Coastal Kenya 20. Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Endangered Birds and their habitats

Conservation action

Habitat at Boni and Dodori National Reserve. Photo by John Musina

26. Growing up in the Tana Delta 27. Moa Village: A model of resilience and sustainability in Tana River Delta 28. Birding for Conservation in Yala Swamp 29. Important Bird Areas and their contribution to ecosystem services 30. The Matangwe Bird Club

Securing a home for the Taita Apalis

31. A lifeline for the Taita Apalis Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most endangered bird

Where to watch birds 33. Dakatcha Woodlands 34. Bird records from northern Kenya 36. Todonyang in Turkana

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Coqui Francolin. Photo by Jacques Pitteloud

executive director Paul Matiku, discusses Nature Kenya’s strategy

16 Years of the Society’s Growth

he Society has come a long way since 1998 when it launched the Important Bird Areas programme, took on full-time staff for the first time, and embarked on its broadest strategic plan since the Society was established in 1909. This year we launch our 5th strategic plan, and in many ways it is a continuation of the work we started almost 16 years ago. At the heart of everything the Society does remains the study and enjoyment of nature, and members, with whom we continue to engage. In 1998, the then ‘new strategy’ set a course through previously uncharted waters—to navigate the world of national and global environmental policy and legislation, and to work with government, and communities at sites around the country—encouraging not just a love for nature, but also its sustainable use. Since our first strategy and subsequent ones the Society now has activities at 18 sites around the country, and has helped establish 18 community-based Site Support Groups and built 10 resource centres that annually host 30,000 children. The communities benefit from a number of sustainable income activities (bee-keeping, bird guiding, wool-spinning, butterfly rearing, tree nurseries, on-farm woodlots, and many other farming initiatives)—earning them about Ksh 20 million annually. Forest Stations have been built for both the Kenya Forest Service and the Kenya Wildlife Service, and important habitat has been secured—190 acres of highland grassland purchased in Kinangop and 25 acres leased in the Taita Hills (see pg. 30)—to protect critically endangered species. The impact of these activities is that globally threatened species have been given a fighting chance. Forests, grasslands and wetlands are

being conserved together with the government and our partners, and community members around the country are championing species and habitats. Communities are now more closely linked to conservation and have been empowered to voice their aspirations for the natural resources they depend on as was recently done by the ArabukoSokoke Forest Dwellers Association when there was an attempt at oil and gas exploration inside Arabuko-Sokoke Forest (see pg. 10). By engaging proactively with government at local and national levels, the Society has gained recognition as a leading environmental organisation. The government has for many years requested the Society to lead in reporting on biodiversity monitoring and indicators, within the framework of the Convention of Biological Diversity—a global agreement to sustain biological diversity. We seek to influence policy and planning, and have on the rare occasion, used the legal system to try to salvage a situation as in the scramble for the Tana River Delta in 2010. Many lessons have been learnt along this journey, but we’re encouraged to forge ahead with the implementation of the strategic plan for 2015 to 2020. The Society (popularly known as Nature Kenya) will continue to focus on conserving sites and habitats, encouraging ecological sustainability and empowering people to support nature. It is based on the premise that action is needed to conserve species, and that nature is our life support system, and as such, it is critical for people’s well-being and quality of life. Nature conservation is not a choice, but an obligation! K en ya Bi r d i n g |

mail drop Mombasa Road birding

SAGALA LODGE December 2014 I stopped at Sagala Lodge (off Mombasa Road, near Voi) and found many beautiful birds still there. As I got out of my car the first bird I heard was a Red-chested Cuckoo (always there Dec/Jan), and Klaas’s and Diederik cuckoos. The garden (where I had a picnic lunch) was full of African Paradise Flycatchers, lots of white phase males and one or two

brown (or rufous) phase. Vitelline Masked Weavers were nesting on several trees, Black-throated Barbets called and Golden-breasted Starlings flew into the treetops. I didn’t have much energy to walk round the garden after driving for 3 hours on the Mombasa-Nairobi road, but I noted the Red-headed Weavers nesting by the Conference Centre (they are really spectacular). Update on Sagala Lodge: 5 bandas are available. Swimming pool is fully operational. Meals are available but dining room is not open. Presumably meals can be eaten on the verandah overlooking the small pond or on the old verandah! Contact Sagala via email, louie.mwamunga@gmail.com sagalalodge@hotmail.com Marlene Reid

Group hug anyone? KABETE May 2015 I am not sure if there are species that come together for warmth as Speckled Mousebirds do… The clinging to the side of a branch, belly-to-belly and in large numbers are just but some of the characteristics that I find peculiar to mousebirds. Evans Toroitich

Another Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle (juvenile) at Bunyala, western Kenya BUNYALA RICE SCHEME March 2014 Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle Circaetus beaudouini is certainly turning up more frequently than Black-chested Snake Eagle C. pectoralis at Bunyala Rice Scheme, Western Kenya. Martin Odino

There were two adults in the area, and they presumably constituted a pair. The fact that a begging young was with one of them meant that it was locally bred, and this constituted the first ever breeding record in Eastern Africa, and the immature was the first to be found in Eastern Africa. Now your bird is in its first plumage and I think that this is strongly suggestive that Beaudouin’s has bred in the area again Brian Finch

This is a fantastic record, not because it is a Beaudouin’s but because it is an immature Beaudouin’s. Two years ago at this exact time, I had a dependent juvenile with an adult at Nambale.

(Western) Village Weaver at Lake Naivasha NAIVASHA June 2014 Following a report of the race bohndorffi of the Village Weaver at Lake Naivasha in January, I was on Loldia Farm in June and had a male of this race displaying at a nest in a colony of eight nests. The nests were in an acacia, overhanging water by the main water pump for the farm. It seems like they have extended their range eastwards quite considerably.

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The Malewa Delta also held unbelievable numbers of egrets and herons. I did an estimate of total numbers and reckon there were a good 6-7,000 birds in the swamps of the delta; there were also about 400 Great White Pelicans and 21 African Fish Eagles all counted from the same spot. Purple Herons were common along the shore—I counted 10 along just 200 m of swamp edge and there were literally dozens flying past. Colin Jackson

Rain bugs. Photos by Catherine Ngarachu

What are these bugs? These are Rain Tree Bug nymphs (immature stages)—looks like the genus Ptyelus in the family Cercopidae. Dino Martins

Many of these sightings first appeared on KENYABIRDSNET an email list-serve where local subscribers post interesting bird sightings, observations of unusual bird behaviour, and news about birding activities in the country.

Cautious on-lookers at Samburu SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE November 2014

We found Yellow-necked Spurfowl looking at this amazingly large Puff adder at Samburu National Reserve. We found the snake was still at the same spot on the morning game drive the following day. George Kamau

Barn Swallow-House Martin hybrid MASAI MARA October 2014 During a drive in the Masai Mara National Reserve it was very noticeable that there was a movement of Barn Swallows passing through. Among the Barn Swallows was, what I first thought was a Common House Martin, the bird’s white rump was very obvious. Looking at it more closely with my binoculars as it was flying away, I realized that it did not look like a house martin, it was, in fact, a swallow with typically longer wings and tail streamers. Unfortunately, I was unable to see the colour of the under belly, Common House Martins have a distinctive white under belly. Dave Richards It may be worth remembering that Barn Swallows and Common House Martins do hybridize. We caught one at Ngulia on 23 Nov 2009 (two photos below), it showed characters of both species, as you’d expect, with a white rump, longer forked tail than a house martin’s, pinkish throat and distinct breast band, but unfeathered tarsi. So your bird could have been a hybrid -- they do exist!

Graeme Backhurst

African Paradise Flycatcher exhibiting 2 morphs KILOME HILLS June 2014 Over the weekend, on one of our Onsight Expeditions trips, I was hiking in Kilome Hills where I observed one African Paradise Flycatcher showing two morphs— both rufous and white. It looked like the common rufous morph with the glossy black head, blue eye wattle, greyish below, and rufous mantle. However, the wings and the long tail were all in pure white morph. Could it be a result of interbreeding and is it confined to a particular region perhaps? Peter Wairasho This is an exciting find—it is the race ferreti. I have only seen the bird as you describe twice, and both were in Nairobi National Park. They are otherwise unreported, and this is the most beautiful of all the African Paradise Flycatcher forms. The field guide by Stevenson and Fanshawe (Birds of East Africa) do not mention the race at all, and have no illustration. Zimmermann, Turner and Pearson (Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania) seem to have something askew, as they do mention ferreti, and even say it is widespread in our region, however, in the description they mention white on the wing, but nothing of that long white tail that you saw. Brian Finch

A Bat Hawk sat all day in the canopy of a Croton tree in my garden in Nairobi. Sheena Orr K en ya Bi r d i n g |

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urban birding

Amur Falcons and Rüppell’s Vultures KWENIA December 2014 Kwenia is known (at least among the raptor folk) as an important breeding cliff for endangered Rüppell’s Vultures. It’s a bit of a rush to do a day trip to Kwenia, but that’s all we could manage. We counted roughly 40 vultures, though the real treat was the Amur Falcons. When we arrived amurs were sitting singly on small rocks on the ground. The birds were obviously feasting on some emerging insect, though we couldn’t see anything obvious. As we drove up one bird quickly turned into 2, then 3, then 4...until we realised that the area was swarming with amurs and to a lesser extent, kestrels. There were approximately 60 amurs, together with maybe 15 Common Kestrels. The majority of the amurs were females and immatures, though one male was also spotted. It was spectacular! The only downside—the tree clearing that continues along the Magadi Road. Darcy Ogada

White-spotted Flufftail at Rondo Retreat

Nairobi White-Eye Conaundrum Brian Finch

Montane White-eye. Photo by Peter Steward

round Nairobi, literature (and history) has told us that we are in the unique position of having two species of White-eyes that are found side by side. In the drier areas Abyssinian White-eye is found and in the forested areas it is Kikuyu White-eye. [Editor’s note: listed in the Kenya Checklist as the Montane White-eye, Zosterops poliogaster, which incorporates Kikuyu White-eye and several other sub-species.] If we see a large eye-ring we have called it Kikuyu/Montane and if we see a small eyering we call it Abyssinian. In the areas where forest meets the drier open areas and gardens, we accept that the two birds co-exist. There has never been any question of hybridisation. A third species, the Yellow White-eye, is normally found in the Rift Valley and to the west. I had thought that in our garden in Karen we had mostly Abyssinian with Kikuyu/Montane as rather irregular visitors. But while scrutinising the white-eyes around the house, maybe for the first time, I found that the birds were neither Abyssinian nor Montane. It looked as if we had been missing something resembling Yellow White-eyes living amongst us, but hiding under the blanket of the two other species.

KAKAMEGA FOREST March 2015 On an early evening walk I had the very rare treat of seeing the shy and elusive Flufftail around a little waterhole at Rondo Retreat’s lower garden. I stopped to take photos and video. Continuing my walk I was treated to a second sighting of yet another Flufftail, albeit a fleeting one. Two Whitespotted Flufftails on one evening stroll—truly awesome! Julia Fulcher

When I shared my first decent images of the birds, the opinion was that perhaps they might be of the race mbuluensis. In Kenya Mbulu are known to be limited to Ol Doinyo Orok near Namanga and the Chyulu Hills. I have since been able to locate images of mbuluensis and they are not the same as my birds as they possess the large eye-ring characteristic of the poliogaster group. White-eye taxonomy is a real nightmare. A typical Kikuyu/Montane White-eye has a very large white eye-ring, broken by a black loral-line and the eye-ring is wider on the lower side. The under-parts are mainly dark olive-green with bright yellow restricted to the throat and centre of the breast. The bright yellow forehead band is broad, extending well up onto the forecrown and it blends into the yellow-green of the centre-crown. A typical Abyssinian White-eye has a very narrow but complete white eye-ring that is unique, and that is not broken by a black loral line. The under-parts are entirely lemon-yellow, including the flanks while the upperparts are greenish-yellow, not olive-green. The forehead band is extremely narrow, stopping level with the top of the eye-ring, but barely contrasting against the pale greenish-yellow of the rest of the crown. K en ya Bi r d i n g |

A Day at the

R a ces Abyssinia White-eye. Photo by

A typical Yellow White-eye has a middle-of-the-range width white eye-ring that is sometimes crenellated like that of the Kikuyu White-eye. The lores are very black and bisect the white eye-ring in the front. The under-parts are very variable over its extensive distribution, being either bright yellow with olive-green on the flanks, or having an olive green throat and breast, but with flanks yellow like the belly, or being wholly yellow-green below with only the forehead band being yellow. The band is yellow, but blends at the top of the eye-ring into the yellow-green of the crown level. There is little contrast on the crown, with more on the supra-loral region. The then unknown White-eyes in my garden had a typically middle-of-the-range white-eye ring like the Yellow, usually crenellated and is broken in the front like that of the Yellow and Kikuyu. The lores are in some cases barely darker than the surrounding loral area, or appear blackish in others. The underparts are bright yellow on the throat and olive-yellow on the breast, and more olive-green on the flanks. The yellow forehead band is extremely narrow and on some individuals the entire crown is greenish with the yellow confined to the supra-loral area in front of the eyes.

Peter Usher

rominent on Nairobiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social calendar is a visit to the Ngong Racecourse in the south-west suburbs of the city. Meetings attract hundreds of spectators to the oval grass track to watch thoroughbred horses and lithe jockeys race for glory. Few will notice though that the final bend edges against the ancient Ngong Forest that is a favourite haunt of Nairobiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birding fraternity.

Yellow White-eye. Photo by Jacques Pitteloud

While most white-eyes we encounter give the typical contact calls interspersed with random musical warbles, this whiteeye is a remarkable songster and sings for minutes on end in an almost canary-like refrain in which it introduces quite perfect imitations of other small birds with which it shares the garden. I believe these birds to be Yellow White-eyes and this form is perhaps the most widespread in south-west Nairobi gardens but will probably be found in other well wooded parts of the northern and eastern suburbs, now we are aware of its presence. Comments on this and reports on findings and images are most welcome at <kenyabirdsnet@yahoogroups.com>

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In late March 2015, I was among a few birders who visited the forest on a regular Nature Kenya Wednesday morning birdwalk. Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Spotflanked Barbet, white-eyes, thrushes, sunbirds, weavers and other forest edge birds started our day. There were also several migrants, among them Eurasian Bee-eaters, Yellow Wagtails and a Tree Pipit. But soon a disturbance deeper in the forest caught our attention and drew the group deeper into the woodland. Suddenly birds of different species surrounded us such that I had rarely seen outside of an aviary. The reason for the activity soon became

painfully apparent. Safari ants (genus Dorylus) carpeted the ground, bushes and tree-trunks, ready and able to sink their enormous pincers into intruders (birders being no exception) to their domain. A large forest spider, usually the scourge of the insect world, abandoned his silken home and fled for his life. Mid-March is the time when the long rainy season begins in much of Kenya. The end of the northern hemisphere winter sees meteorological changes that causes what is known as the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone to move northward away from the Tropic of Capricorn towards the Tropic of Cancer. This is a thundery, tropical rain belt that replaces the dry season that dominates Kenya from December to March. Indeed, it had recently rained heavily in the area before our visit. Such rains can trigger a safari ant migration from dry season burrows to presumably higher and less wet premises. The worker ants march in thick columns protected by wellarmed soldier ants. Locally, they are known as siafu, and anything in their path is vulnerable to attack—insects and small mammals can be eaten alive and unwary birders are not immune from a bite or ten! The forest floor was alive with panicked insects fleeing the advancing ants. They presented a banquet for the forest birds that were all too eager to feast on the ants and their prey alike. Usually shy birds were engrossed in their easy meal, and ignored the nearby birders, who, after detaching ants off themselves were able to find a vantage away from the attacking ants, but in view of the picnicking birds. Flycatchers, thrushes, robins, bulbuls and greenbuls—normally invisible birds of the forest canopy and undergrowth—were out in the open and engrossed with their meal. Many added lifers to their list and I had a first ever

sighting of a Brown-chested Alethe (actually a pale-breasted bird whose name suggests that the early collectors were perhaps not too familiar with it either!) Then, as if to crown the moment, right in front of us appeared a little-seen and rarely photographed bird, the Narina Trogon. Its red-fronted and iridescent-green back put the nearby racing-silks to shame. The forest is a hard place to bird watch—dense cover and a poorly lit environment—hides even the most colourful inhabitant. But, all you need perhaps—is a thunderstorm, an ant or two, and a slice of luck!

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nature news

Arabuko-Sokoke Forest

faces a new threat

Fleur Ng’weno

Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. Photos by Jerome Starkey

rabuko-Sokoke Forest on the coast of Kenya is arguably the most important of the country’s Important Bird Areas: it is the last large, protected fragment of the East African coastal forest, and home to four globally endangered mammals, six globally threatened birds and the world-famous Kipepeo Butterfly Project. It is globally recognised as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area, an Endemic Bird Area and Global Biodiversity Hotspot, and has been placed on Kenya’s candidate list for UNESCO World Heritage status because of its exceptional biological value. The forest also provides sources of livelihood for neighbouring communities, and ecological services for the county, the country and the planet. Only 20 years ago, however, communities adjacent to the forest saw it mainly as the source of wild animals that destroyed their crops. The tide turned with the founding of the Kipepeo (Swahili for Butterfly) Project by Dr Ian Gordon of Nature Kenya. Farmers began to earn an income from using the forest to raise butterflies that were exported for exhibits abroad. Later, the EU-funded BirdLife International Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Conservation and Management Project strengthened the management of the forest and widened support to communities. USAID and other donors provided significant additional funding to support the implementation of the management plan through Nature Kenya. Thanks to these investments for conservation and to committed

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community leaders such as David Ngala and Charo Ngumbao, the people living around the forest now see it as their own and value it highly. And so, in mid-2014, it was the communities living near Arabuko-Sokoke Forest who alerted Nature Kenya that a new threat to this incomparable forest had emerged—seismic exploration for oil and gas. It is thanks to their vigilance that civil society was able to respond. Following months of rumours, CAMAC Energy and its sub-contractor, BGP, announced on October 28 that they were planning to conduct seismic surveys for oil and gas on two transects bisecting the forest. Seismic surveys involve detonating explosives in holes or seismic waves from a machine vibrator. The seismic waves travel deep into the earth and are reflected by sub-surface formations, giving a clue as to whether water, oil or gas may be trapped underground. Transect lines or roads 4 to 5 metres wide are cut to transport the heavy vibration and recording equipment. CAMAC Energy had been allocated Oil Block L16, which includes much of Kilifi County, including Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve, Gede Ruins National Monument, and Malindi and Watamu Marine National Parks. It is now international best practice to exclude protected and high-biodiversity areas from oil and gas exploration, but CAMAC and BGP insisted on going ahead. Three weeks of frantic activity began, spearheaded by the Arabuko-Sokoke

Forest Adjacent Dwellers Association and other community groups near the forest. Nature Kenya, A Rocha Kenya, Local Ocean Trust, Watamu Marine Association, Kenya Forests Working Group, BirdLife International and several of its Partners rallied to the cause. A petition was submitted to the Governor of Kilifi County. Letters of protest were written to the relevant ministries and government agencies, to CAMAC in Nairobi, and to its headquarters in the United States. An online petition was started. The Star and The East African in Kenya, and The Times in Britain, carried detailed stories about the threat of seismic surveys in the forest. The Governor of Kilifi called a meeting to work out a compromise. Finally, CAMAC Energy responded as follows on 21st November: “CAMAC Energy prides itself on its African heritage and its reputation of being a responsible corporate citizen. … we have decided to cancel seismic operations within the Arabuko-Sokoke forest given the recent concerns of some stakeholders.” Three weeks of crisis over Kenya’s most famous forest had finally eased. Editor’s note: CAMAC has now become Erin Energy. They plan to drill some test wells in Kilifi County in late 2016, but have assured Nature Kenya that there will be no drilling in the forest.

What are our

common birds? Fred Barasa

rends in common bird populations are especially useful for showing changes in the overall condition of an environment. A Common Bird Monitoring programme has, since February 2011, resulted in organised surveys across a variety of habitatsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;both within and outside Protected Areas, an analysis of population trends, and has promoted bird conservation through the involvement of large numbers of volunteer observers. Survey locations are selected according to major habitat types, and the interest shown by individuals or organisations. Each site is surveyed twice a year, once in February (when there are migrant birds), with a second visit in August. Observers record all birds seen or heard at 11 selected points

along a 2 km route, spending 10 minutes at each point. Already, 197 volunteers have registered and 83 transects (including at airports) around the country have been surveyed. A total of 496 different bird species (21,522 individuals) had been recorded as of December 2014. So far, the Common Bulbul is the most widespread bird species and has been encountered in 42 (80%) transects. Other common birds are Speckled Mousebird, Red-eyed Dove, Hadada Ibis, Ring-necked Dove, Grey-backed

Camaroptera, Baglafecht Weaver, Variable Sunbird, African Paradise Flycatcher, African Pied Wagtail, Tropical Boubou, Bronze Sunbird, Cattle Egret, Pied Crow, Streaky Seedeater, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher and Augur Buzzard. Red-billed Quelea is the most abundant bird species (2,117 individuals recorded in seven transects). Join us to count common birds! Contact us at office@naturekenya.org or cpo@naturekenya.org

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SCOPUS Scopus is the ornithological journal of the Bird Committee of the East Africa Natural History Society. It publishes original material on all aspects of ornithology from the eastern African region. We are very happy to announce that Scopus is now available for free in pdf format. You can download the most recent volumes from our home page http:// naturekenya.org/content/ scopus. Paper copies of older issues of Scopus, or special supplements such as the Ngulia Ringing Report, are available for sale at Nature Kenya. If you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive future issues please send an email to: scopus@naturekenya.org.

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Kenya Reptile Atlas Online Beryl Bwong, Patrick Malonza, Vincent Muchai, Stephen Spawls, Victor Wasonga A free source of regularly updated information on Kenya’s reptiles. The atlas is available online at www. kenyareptileatlas.com Click on ‘Downloads’ to access information on different groups of reptiles. The site isn’t complete, but it is regularly updated. Information currently available includes: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Plated, Girdled and Monitor Lizards Poster: Reptiles of Nairobi National Park Agamas Poster: Frogs of Kenya Poster: Dangerous Snakes of Tsavo Large Rear-Fanged Snakes Burrowing Snakes New Checklist of Kenya’s Snakes New Checklist of Kenya’s Chelonians and Lizards Chameleons 1 & 2 Elapids 1 & 2 Vipers 1 & 2 Kenya’s Common Reptiles

DINO MARTINS WINS 2015 WHITLEY GOLD AWARD for

his extraordinary work protecting bees and other pollinators

Samba turkana: A surprising bee discovery from Turkana Dino J. Martins For the past few years I’ve been privileged to explore and chase after insects in Turkana in northern Kenya, as part of my research with the Turkana Basin Institute founded by Dr Richard Leakey. Some of the most amazing bees we have been lucky to find are those in the Family Melittidae, commonly known as Melittids. These bees are thought to be among the most ancient groups of bees—more closely related to wasps, from which bees have evolved. These bees, like most wild bees, are solitary, with each female working alone to excavate and provision her own nest. We first found the new bee while collecting after rains in May 2012 and observed a couple of individuals. Thereafter, despite searching for many months, none reappeared. But last year in September following some rains, the bees reappeared! This time working with members of the local community, including Linus Kabui, my field assistant, who is very good at spotting and catching insects, we tracked the bees and studied their behaviour as they visited flowers. We were able to work out what the long, curved dagger-like spurs on their hind legs–one of the most remarkable features of this genus–is used for in females. The spurs appear to be involved in assisting with foraging on the flowers of legumes. The bee grips the flower and presses down to separate the wing petals. The pressure on the keel of the flower exposes the flowers’ anthers, which are then stripped of pollen by the rapid and furious combing action of

the curved spurs and the inner surface of the bee’s hind legs. Females of this bee nests in the ground, digging tunnels in the sand, where they make small cells that hold the stores of pollen and their young. Each female collects food for her own larvae and cares for her own nest individually—there’s no sharing and cooperation like in the more familiar honeybees. The female Samba bees lay eggs on the stored pollen. These hatch into larvae and grow, and eventually develop into pupae.

ino has been working with local communities to raise awareness on the importance of pollinators, and to encourage the adoption of more sustainable farming practices that conserve pollinators, boost crop yields, and benefit people and livelihoods. Edward Whitley, Founder of the Whitley Fund for Nature, said: “The calibre of this year’s Whitley Awards winners is simply outstanding and Dino Martins is a truly worthy winner of the 2015 Whitley Gold Award. Against enormous challenges, he has transformed the lives of farmers in Kenya, through his work promoting the importance of bees and other pollinators which put food on our tables and money in farmers’ pockets.”

Although we still don’t fully know what happens underground, it is most likely that these pupae survive the long droughts in a state of suspended animation called aestivation, emerging as adult bees when the rains finally come.

Dino holds a PhD from Harvard University, is Chair of the Insect Committee of Nature Kenya, Technical Advisor to the UN Food & Agricultural Organisation (FAO), and has recently been appointed to the Intergovernmental Panel for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

Working with Professor Laurence Packer of York University (a leading expert on bee taxonomy and biology) a description was prepared including information on its behaviour and ecology that I was able to add from the field observations in Turkana. By sequencing the bee DNA, we were also able to work out the relationship between the new bee, Samba turkana and its relatives, further establishing that it was indeed a new species.

INSECTS OF EAST AFRICA

We named the new bee Samba turkana, choosing to honour the region, its cultures, and biodiversity. For more information, please get in touch with us at the Dudu Committee of Nature Kenya: insects.eanhs@ gmail.com

Dino J. Martins A compact, easy-to-use guide to the region’s most common, striking and important insects •

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Compact, user-friendly format for identifying East African insects in the field Highlights diagnostic features that allow for easy identification Colour photographs of all featured species Authoritative text by a leader in the field

Pub. date March 2015 ISBN 978 1 77007 894 9, 160 pages, Softcover, Random House Struik K en ya Bi r d i n g |

species

Searching for the elusive

Abyssinian Owl on Mount Kenya

Darcy Ogada

a photograph confirming the existence of this owl was our main objective. Over the ensuing 5 days, we hiked, crawled and inadvertently cornered our suspected quarry in a small fragment of unburnt Heath forest. What happened next is the stuff of every researcher’s nightmare—a scene of two owls bursting into the open, cameras lying ready, but unable to focus, the owls flying off into the distance, and researchers staring at each other in forlorn silence. That was how it all ended. And so, the quest to find the Abyssinian Owl continues.

wls are notoriously secretive and difficult to observe, so when a student I supervise, Paul Muriithi, set his sights on locating and studying the Abyssinian Owl (a.k.a. – African Long-eared Owl) as part of his coursework, I have to admit I was more than a little skeptical. How do you begin searching for an owl whose life history reads like an exposé of an undercover Flying Squad operation: ‘few data’, ‘little information’, ‘nothing known’? Even more daunting was the fact that the last confirmed record in Kenya was from 1961 on Mt Kenya. Unless he was going to Bale Mountains in Ethiopia, where at least one pair are regularly observed, how was he possibly going to study this owl? Paul began his quest in 2011, though admittedly, the first couple of expeditions were more of a lesson in the variability of weather on Mt Kenya, than in any fruitful searches. But having gotten past the initial learning

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curve, Paul’s tenacity led the way. Having narrowed his search to the Heath forest habitat at approximately 3,000 m, it was with utter dismay and frustration that huge swathes of this habitat were reduced to ashes during the extensive forest fires of 2012. Undeterred, Paul continued his search throughout the small sections of remaining habitat, and was further buoyed in 2014 by the discovery of a heap of pellets at a potential roost site near Old Moses camp.

Apart from reconfirming the existence this owl in Kenya, there remains much work to be done on this extremely elusive and little known owl. With a small distribution, very few recent observations, and threats (such as habitat destruction associated with climate change), this owl has a very uncertain future. Our immediate aim is to attract financial support in order to assess its population size in Ethiopia, Kenya and the Rwenzori Mountains along the DR CongoUganda border. We suspect this owl should be listed on the IUCN Red List as threatened, if not endangered. Paul Muriithi is studying Wildlife Management at the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute sponsored by The Peregrine Fund. The Peregrine Fund, T. Stevenson and J. Fanshawe sponsor Paul’s research on the Abyssinian Owl.

In April 2015, it was with some excitement that Paul invited me to accompany him on Mt Kenya to continue the search for this owl. By this point, Paul had located a handful of possible roosting sites, but it still remained to be confirmed whether these were roost sites of the Abyssinian Owl, and not sites used by another of the various species of owls or other raptors on Mt Kenya. In short,

Darcy and Paul searching for pellets. Photo by Peter Wairasho

Rare sighting of

Hadada Ibis chicks Rebecca Ikachoi & Gibson K. Kitsao

In search of the

Olive Ibis Paul Buckley

bis are my favourite birds and the Olive Ibis is certainly the most secretive and charismatic in Kenya. I got an opportunity to search for the Olive Ibis on a brief visit back to Kenya with the bird guide Joseph Mwangi, of Nature’s Wonderland Safaris. Joseph suggested that a couple of days at Castle Forest Lodge situated northwest of Embu town, on the southern flank of Mount Kenya, would give us the best chance of seeing Olive Ibis. Castle Forest Lodge is just a couple of kilometres into the Forest Reserve after crossing the Thiba River, on which we enjoyed great views of African Black Ducks. The Lodge itself comprises huts or ‘bandas’ scattered within a glade in the forest with magnificent views of Mount Kenya to begin and end the day. Morning and afternoon walks into the forest were very gentle, on a grassy track with muddy patches and dense green forest on either side. Forest species seen included African Olive Pigeon, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Montane Oriole, Black-throated Apalis, Brown Woodland Warbler, both Northern and Eastern Doublecollared sunbirds, Grey-headed Negrofinch and Thick-billed Seedeater. With so many elephants in the area you need a local guide. No elephants had been seen for a couple of weeks, but the next morning the noise from below the Lodge made it clear that they were back and we enjoyed watching around 30 elephants feeding and squabbling at a close–but safe– distance. The only disappointments were

Olive Ibis. Photo by Paul Buckley

a slightly odd lack of starlings— presumably there was good feeding somewhere else. And no ibis! Joseph pointed out a couple of very old and bare trees around the camp where he had seen them roosting. He assured us that as they always call, we were unlikely to miss their arrival. We spent two dawns and two dusks alert to any sign of their arrival—but in vain. I tried not to mind. I knew it was a tough bird to see and we had had a very enjoyable couple of days. But I also knew that within a couple of days I would be back in the dismal British winter and it would be a while before I would have another chance to search for the Olive Ibis. Anyway as we left I asked Joseph to stop at the Thiba River again so that I could try to photograph the Black Ducks. In the midday sun there was no sign of the ducks. I thought I would instead take some shots of a pair of Hadada Ibis (which are common and widespread), one of which was sitting on a stone dam just a few metres away along the river. Then as I focused on the birds with my camera, Joseph hissed excitedly, ‘Paul these are your birds!’ I thought ‘surely not, impossible at this time of day and in the open’.

t was one of those brighter Mondays—a promising day to visit farmers around the South Nandi Forest to follow up on on-farm forestry efforts. Our first stop was to be Mama Paulina Koskei’s homestead in Ndurio Location. Our arrival was greeted by a loud, harsh, raucous call coming not from the persons of the household, but from a huge, tall avocado tree to the far left of the gate. Approaching for a closer look, we spotted a female Hadada Ibis on a branch and to our amazement she seemed to have a nest with two young. Our excitement and curiosity drew the attention of Mama Paulina and a few of her neighbours who soon joined us. They could not remember having ever seen a nesting Hadada Ibis, called ‘Chebakwakwa’ in the local dialect. Perhaps because, the older neighbours thought, the birds usually make their nests far from areas of human habitation. Mama Paulina said she had first noted the young two months previously. Photos of the immature birds show they resemble the adult, but are duller, with a shorter bill. The nest was a platform of sticks, twigs and branches lined with grass.

I had read that Olive Ibis spend the day feeding silently in remote forest on Mount Kenya. But here they were in the open—there could be no doubt— the shaggy crest, the short red bill, the green iridescence of the wing coverts and the posture was unmistakable. They were so obliging and for about fifteen minutes we watched them before one after the other they flew into the forest. What a fantastic surprise right at the end of the trip. Hadada Ibis chicks. Photo by Gibson Kitsao

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Boni and Fleur Ng’weno

oni and Dodori National Reserves, and the Awer Community Conservancy between them, lie at the far eastern corner of Kenya. Little known and currently out of bounds because of its proximity to Somalia, this is a destination of the future.

Wooded grassland, Boni and Dodori National Reserve. Photo by John Musina

was among a group of scientists and knowledgeable birders visiting Tsavo National Park where we came across unusual behaviour among francolins that made us reflect on relationships where different species benefit from interaction. Some of the best-known examples of mutually beneficial relationships can be found in the ocean. Grooming by Cleaner Wrasse and other coral reef fish removes food particles and parasites from the teeth and gills of some of the most fearsome predators of the sea, particularly sharks and rays. The Wrasse gets a meal and the shark enjoys a clean up from irritating debris that has the potential to cause infection. The predator could easily swallow the tiny fish, but chooses to float motionless, jaws agape, until the cleaner has finished its work. On land, birds interact with other animals for mutual benefit. For example, visitors to game parks will often see oxpeckers clinging to the hides of large herbivores. These “tickbirds” remove irritating parasites, including flies and ticks. As in the case of the wrasse, the bird gets a readily available insect meal and the herbivore loses its otherwise unreachable irritant. It is clear that the attention of the oxpecker is as welcome to the animal as much as its insect invader is not.

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Generally called “the Boni forest” it is in fact a vast mosaic of habitats. These include: seasonally flooded wooded grassland dominated by magnificent doum (Hyphaene) palms, forest with emergent tall trees and an extremely dense shrub understorey, and forest-grassland-palm-savanna mosaic, all on white sands; patches of farmland cleared by slash and burn; dense thicket on ridges of red sand; acacia woodland and coastal scrub

Unusual friendliness amongst francolins

Within the bird world, exploitation is more common than cooperation. It is hard to find records of a bird that benefits another bird species—until now! Our group of scientists and birders visiting Tsavo National Park spent three days recording and taking photographs of birds. During that time we were amazed to observe two Crested Francolins grooming Yellownecked Francolins.

Yellow-necked Francolin stood still to be groomed by both Crested Francolins. A second Yellow-neck stood patiently alongside. When the grooming was complete on the first bird, the exercise, which lasted several minutes, was repeated on the second Yellow-neck. Eventually, both sets of birds moved separately into the bush.

At first glance, it seemed like the smaller Crested Francolins were attacking the bigger gamebirds. But it soon became obvious that the Crested Francolins were actually picking something, probably parasites, off the neck and red eye patches of the Yellow-necks. One

No one in our group had ever read or witnessed behaviour of this kind, nor have other birders that we’ve consulted. Was this event unique or was this an example of a symbiotic relationship among bird species that takes place more often than we know?

Tabitha Wafula

Crested and Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Tsavo National Park. Photo by Peter Steward. Editor’s note: This photo by P. Steward suggests that this behaviour has been observed by others, though it may not be well known or documented.

nature sites and reserves

Dodori National Reserves on white sands; rivers and springs with pools; and seasonal wetlands. Brief surveys in November 2013 and April 2014 revealed a high diversity of birds. These include forest species such as Fischer’s Turaco, Böhm’s and Mottled Spinetails, Mombasa Woodpecker, Forest Batis, Gorgeous (Four-coloured) Bushshrike, Squaretailed Drongo, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, Little Yellow Flycatcher, Black-headed Apalis, Terrestrial Brownbul, Fischer’s and Tiny greenbuls, Red-tailed Ant Thrush, Plain-backed Sunbird and Darkbacked Weaver. The brilliant Red-headed Weaver, Jubaensis subspecies, nests in roadside villages. In the acacia woodland, a striking variety of the Red-naped

—a destination of the future

Bushshrike is prominent. Flocks of Amur Falcon, Eurasian Hobby and Eurasian Roller pass through on migration. Threatened species include the Somali race of the Ostrich, Whiteheaded and Lappet-faced vultures and Martial Eagle. This area of extraordinary biodiversity faces a multitude of threats. It is at the frontline of the struggle between the Kenya Defence Forces and Somali guerrillas. It is on the route to potential offshore oil and gas fields, and it is on the edge of the land rush associated with the proposed Lamu Port and South Sudan Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET) project. Boni and Dodori National Reserves, and the Awer Community Conservancy between them, need our concern and support to remain protected areas despite these pressures.

Thanks for the surveys go to the National Museums of Kenya, Zoological Society of London, World Wide Fund for Nature, Kenya Wildlife Service, Northern Rangelands Trust, Nature Kenya, A Rocha Kenya, the BirdLife International Conservation Leadership Programme and the Awer community.

Red-headed Weaver. Photo by John Musina

Hemprich’s Hornbill. Photo by Dino Martins

The Kerio Valley

A hidden hotspot in north-west Kenya Dino Martins The diverse habitat types of the Kerio Valley make it very rich in birdlife.

he Kerio Valley is a large extension of the Great Rift Valley. Rainfall, of about 1500-2000 mm, is highly variable and patchy, strongly linked to the altitudinal gradient. Numerous streams and a few waterfalls originating in the highlands wind their way down the escarpment to the Kerio River that bisects the valley, eventually making its way to Lake Turkana to the north. There is Lake Kamnarok (at 900 m), in the southern part of the valley, which has become susceptible to drying up in recent years.

The highlands Easily accessible from Eldoret or Kabarnet, you drive down a good winding road into the valley passing through a mixture of farmland and highland forest. Here you can see Ross’s Turaco, White-headed Woodhoopoe, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbills and birds of prey. There are many different highland sunbirds, including Scarlet-chested and Goldenwinged sunbirds. Descending the scarp Halfway down to the valley floor the forest gives way to woodland with croton, Terminalia brownii and candelabra Euphorbia candelabrum trees. When in seed, the Terminalia brownii are magnificent—the seeds cover the trees and turn from green to purple. Look out for Hemprich’s

Hornbill, which prefers the rocky cliffs where it also nests in crevices. Woodland birding The most incredible birding is to be had in the woodlands of the valley floor. The first birds to greet you will be small groups of White-browed Sparrow Weavers and gorgeous Rüppell’s Starlings that are very common in the valley. On a recent trip we saw three Whitecrested Helmetshrikes going from tree to tree, a Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike and a Violet-backed Starling foraging on the ground with its gorgeous iridescent back showing splendidly in the sunlight; also Rufous-Crowned Roller, White-fronted Bee-eater, Green Wood-hoopoes, Common Scimitarbill and Black-headed Gonolek—all in less than an hour! Streams lined with large old fig trees are the best place to look for White-crested Turaco. These streams are one of the best places to watch birds, especially in the dry season when many different species are concentrated in the cool shade of trees, which might also be fruiting.

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Mixed wader f lock. Photo by Ben Porter

Wader Ringing

in Coastal Kenya Jaap Gijsbertsen

he cloud layers gradually thicken and I feel the wind dropping. A first quarter moon, just visible behind the clouds, bathes our surroundings in bright light every time it hits a gap in the clouds. It is neap tide tonight with a water level of 2.45 m expected at 01:12 a.m.â&#x20AC;&#x201D;perfect conditions for catching wintering waders, as long as the moon stays hidden beyond the clouds. It has already been hours since we arrived at the Mida Creek boardwalk carrying bamboo poles, wader nets and lots of pegs. Our team consists of students from Pwani University, local bird guides and research staff from A Rocha Kenya. One by one the long nets, blown gently by the wind, are erected out on the exposed tidal plain. To help the nets withstand the forces of water and wind during the night, the long pegs are driven deep into the mud. Finally, as the tropical sun sets we unfold the last nets and do a final check on the more than 200 metres of net stretching across the plain. The invertebrate-rich inter tidal mud of Mida Creek, Sabaki Estuary, Tana River Delta and Lamu is essential for the survival of tens of thousands of wintering waders. While some species, like Caspian Plover and Little Stint favour inland freshwater bodies, many others target the coastal zone. They breed in the artic, in countries as far east as Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Then in vast numbers, waders migrate south to East and southern Africa. Between September and May they feast on worms, shrimps, crabs and other invertebrates all along our coastline.

Ringing team, the author on the left. Photo by Ben Porter

Mixed wader nets at Mida Creek. Photo by Ben Porter

the collected birds. Assessing the moult pattern of each bird requires a lot of experience and is food for discussion all night long. Finally, the “last bird” is called out, recorded and measured as the morning sky colours yellow and purple.

It is almost midnight when we gather for our first net check. Every pocket is stuffed with bird bags, headlamps are in their ‘red-light’ mode and trousers are pulled up. We are curious and full of anticipation as we enter the now flooded plain. It is very dark now and for orientation we depend on our experience—hoping to miss the deepest pools as we wade out to the nets. As we enter the water the last remaining Crab Plovers fly to their high tide roost on one of the offshore islands. Most birds have left by now, pushed off by the incoming tide. We hope some of them found our nets along their way. After five minutes wading we reach the first nets. A call from the top shelf of the nets tells us that we caught a bird—a Lesser Sandplover looks down at us. We all surround the bird while skillful hands free it and drop it safely into one of the bird bags. Soon we discover that we have a good catch and eager students offer their hands to carry the birds back. Terek and Curlew sandpipers are added to the collection. The larger birds netted include Crab Plover, Grey Plover and Whimbrel—they are treated with extra care and go into large bird bags. We return to the ringing table and it is all hands on deck to ring, colour tag, and take measurements of

The sun is already above the horizon as we take down our nets and wrap up the night. I learn that we caught more than a hundred birds. Among the 11 species were two birds rarely caught at Mida Creek: a Ruddy Turnstone and a juvenile Ruff. The wonder of God’s creation—it’s diversity and beauty, overwhelms me as we drive home in the early morning. More info: www.arocha.org/kenya or for direct contact jaap.gijsbertsen@arocha.org

A Rocha Kenya has been studying wintering waders for over a decade and 5000 waders have been ringed—measurements have been taken of most of the birds. The ringing itself creates excellent opportunities for training and environmental education, and we welcome visitors, students and interested birders to join us. We organise monthly bird monitoring and annual bird counts, and look into human disturbance, feeding behaviour, food availability, moult strategy and survival. So far, we have been able to develop a better understanding of the arrival and departure dates of the different species, and their numbers and condition during the non-breeding season. This information has been helpful in the designation of Important Bird Areas, general habitat conservation, and outreach to local communities. K en ya Bi r d i n g |

Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Endangered Birds and their habitats

Don Turner

orests, wetlands and grasslands the world-over are currently under threat as countries faced with rapidly increasing populations strive to improve their agricultural potential. Kenya is no exception and today with populations reaching unprecedented and possibly unsustainable levels, and where in many rural areas the human population density is already in excess of 500 per sq km, our natural habitats are under the greatest pressure. As a result, an ever-increasing number of bird species are facing major peril and potential extinctions, which have already occurred in some cases. Kenya is rich in biological diversity. Currently well over a thousand species of birds have been recorded in the country, and no less than sixty-five sites have been identified as Important Bird Areas (IBAs). 91% of the 22 forest IBAs are classified as protected areas, but 77% of these sites are severely or critically threatened (Bennun & Njoroge 1999). As Kenya enters the 21st century it is abundantly clear that some of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most valuable natural resources are being irreparably degraded.

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Forests are under the spotlight as never before. They are globally important in regulating the climate and locally important in sustaining communities and supporting biodiversity. But with unsustainable logging, and agriculture and biofuel producers competing for land, our forests, together with the people and wildlife who depend on them, are increasingly at risk. Once stable blocks of indigenous forests are being eroded away on an everincreasing scale and when the forest canopy cover falls below 5% (as has happened in Kenya), these stable forest blocks soon became fragmented and impoverished. This results in many former secure forest bird populations becoming fragmented themselves, so beginning their journey towards being classified as vulnerable and endangered. We now see an alarming number of forest species throughout Kenya facing a hazardous and uncertain future. Sadly Kenya has already lost six forest species (Forest Wood-hoopoe, Speckled Tinkerbird, White-winged Apalis, Kretschmer’s Longbill, Yellow-streaked Greenbul and Yellow-mantled Weaver), while a further three of our endemic forest birds are already seriously or critically endangered. We must act decisively to protect all areas of indigenous forest, at the same time strengthening the totally inadequate legislation covering forest reserves and all major water catchments. Wetlands are internationally recognised as one of the world’s most productive eco-systems, with both wildlife and people highly dependent on them. They attract more wildlife (particularly birds) than any other habitat, while at the same time providing numerous benefits to people. They are however among the most threatened habitats in the world today, due largely to uncontrolled drainage, land reclamation, pollution and over exploitation. In Kenya all our wetland ecosystems face major threats due to drainage and conversion to agriculture and numerous other human activities. Kenya though has been renowned for some of the most spectacular bird concentrations in the world, and

Holub’s Golden Weaver. Photo by Peter Usher.

several of our wetland areas have been designated wetlands of international importance. The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, also known as the Ramsar Convention, is an inter-governmental treaty that provides a framework for international co-operation for the conservation of wetland habitats. It is an important tool by which governments agree to common standards for the protection

undergone profound environmental changes due to pollution in the form of raw sewage, heavy metals and organochlorine pesticide residues that continue to enter the lake with seemingly little attempt to control or take action against those responsible. As a result biodiversity changes, and longterm damage to both the lake and its environs are now being observed.

and wise use of wetlands. In adhering to the Ramsar Convention, member countries undertake to designate at least one wetland of International Importance. Governments in turn are expected to respect the obligation of including wise wetland conservation policy considerations in their land-use planning, and to act immediately to remedy threatened wetlands.

Grasslands are another major global habitat with over 50% of the earth’s land surface covered in grass, and it is second only to the oceans in the extent of the surface area of our planet. In Kenya grasslands occur from sea level to the alpine tussock grass at over 3,000 m on Mount Kenya, Mount Elgon and the Aberdares. They are however a fragile ecosystem, with many under pressure from burgeoning re-settlement schemes, grazing lands and intensive agricultural and horticultural projects. Ostriches, francolins, bustards, plovers, coursers, sandgrouse, larks, pipits, cisticolas and widowbirds are all totally dependent upon our grassland habitats and are themselves important indicators by which we are able to judge the quality of their habitat. Today we see four grassland species, including two Kenya endemic species facing an uncertain future.

Sadly due to a combination of woefully inadequate legislation relating to the protection of wetlands, and a general lack of law enforcement by local authorities, many wetlands in Kenya (including some designated as being of international importance) have been irreparably degraded to the point of being listed as endangered. Prime examples are Lake Victoria, and Lake Naivasha in Kenya’s Rift Valley, arguably two of East Africa’s most valuable freshwater resources. Naivasha in particular was known for its crystal clear waters and extremely rich biodiversity, with over 150 wetland species recorded at the lake, while during the months of January and February upwards of 20,000 migratory ducks and shorebirds were recorded annually. Sadly this has all but vanished, and Lake Naivasha has

Within these three major habitats, the following species can be termed as either Endangered or Critically Endangered. English and scientific names used follow those found in the 2009 Checklist of the Birds of Kenya (4th Edition).

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confined to the Kakamega and South Nandi Forests. Grey-chested Illadopsis Kakamega poliothorax A rare and little known forest floor species whose populations in the Kakamega and South Nandi forests are now seriously threatened by forest clearance and fragmentation, resulting in few recent records. Taita Thrush Turdus helleri A Critically Endangered Kenyan endemic confined to a few fragmented forests patches in the Taita Hills.

Forest Species: Olive Ibis Bostrychia olivacea Kenya birds are seriously endangered and remain confined to the high forests on Mount Kenya and the Aberdares. No population estimates are available, but much of their range lies within two protected areas. Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus A Critically Endangered species with less than twenty individuals remaining in the Kakamega and South Nandi forests. Meanwhile a small feral populations of birds released from captivity several years ago, have become established in the northern Nairobi suburbs.

Black-and-white Flycatcher Bias musicus A seriously endangered species in Kenya that is currently known only from a few birds in the Meru Forest in central Kenya, while recent records from Kipini on the Lower Tana, and at Shimoni may indicate a small but continued presence in some coastal forests. Velvet-mantled Drongo Dicrurus modestus A Critically Endangered species that is known only from the Kakamega Forest, but due to increasing forest fragmentation there have been few, if any, post-1990 records.

Purple-crested Turaco Tauraco porphyreolophus A seriously threatened species that is currently known only from a few individuals around Kibwezi and Sultan Hamud, the Ulu and Mua Hills in Machakos District, Ol Donyo Sabuk, Juja, Thika and Sagana. Constantly subject to continuing habitat loss, resulting in displacement of birds to atypical areas such as the Nairobi suburbs.

Taita Apalis Apalis (thoracica) fuscigularis A Critically Endangered Kenyan endemic confined to a few fragmented forests patches in the Taita Hills.

Sokoke Scops Owl Otus ireneae An endangered East African endemic species currently found in Kenya only in Cyanometra-Brachylaena woods in the Dakatcha and Arabuko-Sokoke forests near Malindi.

Southern Hyliota Hyliota australis The true systematic treatment of the miombo woodland Southern Hyliota (H. australis) vis-a-vis the tropical forest birds further north (slatini and usambara) remains unresolved. With the two populations so widely separated, coupled with marked habitat and vocal differences, it would seem that the northern forest canopy forms appear well worthy of further study. Meanwhile in Kenya it remains an extremely rare and little known species in the Kakamega and Nandi Forests.

Abyssinian or African Long-eared Owl Asio abyssinicus A regionally endangered species that is confined to high Podocarpus and Hagenia forests where it remains rare and little known. Reported from Mount Kenya September 1961 and August 1975 at 2,800-3,350m, also at 2,520m in high Podocarpus forest near Poror, Maralal District August 1995.

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Little Grey Greenbul Andropadus gracilis A rare and little known species in the Kakamega Forest known only from eight specimens (1959-1967) and a few unsubstantiated sight records.

Turnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eremomela Eremomela turneri An Endangered near-endemic

Amani Sunbird Hedydipna pallidigaster An endangered East African endemic species currently found in Kenya only in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest south of Malindi. Clarkesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Weaver Ploceus golandi An Endangered Kenyan endemic confined to Brachystegia woodlands in coastal Kenya in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and the Dakatcha woodlands north of the Sabaki River. Subject to seasonal and post-breeding movements that remain largely unclear. Sokoke Pipit Anthus sokokensis An endangered East African endemic species occurring in Kenya only in the Dakatcha, Arabuko-Sokoke and Gedi forests near Malindi, where it favours Afzelia dominated forests on white soils. The nest and eggs remain undescribed. In addition, the Globally Endangered Spotted Ground Thrush Zoothera guttata is highly dependent on some Kenya coastal forests during the MaySeptember period spent in Kenya.

Wetland Species: Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa While formerly frequently reported from Marsabit, Naivasha and Limuru, there are no recent breeding records. Meanwhile the East African population is thought to have suffered severe declines in recent years (habitat degradation and loss) despite around 75% of it occurring in protected areas. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Populations throughout East Africa have declined significantly in recent years, particularly at Lake Naivasha (where formerly locally abundant) and in the adjacent Kenya highlands, due largely to the indiscriminate and unregulated use of gill nets by local fishermen. As a result the total East African population is now probably reduced to less than 100 individuals. African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus A seriously endangered species in the western and central highlands where numbers have declined in all areas due to drainage of wetlands, human pressures and land-use changes. Small numbers or simply individual birds now present only on the UasinGishu plateau, the Kinangop, at Lake Naivasha and in Musiara swamp, northwest Mara Game Reserve. Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum In Kenya the Grey Crowned Crane is seriously threatened by the loss and degradation of wetland breeding areas through droughtrelated land use changes, drainage, also by overgrazing and the illegal use

of agricultural pesticides. Research has also found that large numbers of Grey Crowned Cranes are killed annually by carbofuran poisoning due to the widespread illegal mis-use of agricultural pesticides. As a result the Kenyan population may have declined by as much as 70% or more since the early 1970’s. In addition, the two globally threatened waterbirds from Madagascar (The Madagascar Pond Heron Ardeola idae and the Madagascar Pratincole Glareola ocularis are both highly dependent on some of our wetlands, notably the Tana Delta, during the period May-September. Grassland Species: Ring-necked Francolin Francolinus streptophorus A rare and little known francolin, known only from a few records in the Elgon grasslands and historical specimens from the Nyando Valley near Fort Ternan. Denham’s Bustard Neotis denhami Three small and declining populations: one on the Lotokipi Plains near Lockichoggio (though no recent records), another around the Poror wheat fields north of Maralal, and thirdly in the Narok-northwest Mara grasslands. Black-rumped Buttonquail Turnix hottentottus A regionally endangered species known only in Kenya from Trans-Nzoia District where the population has declined considerably due to intensive agricultural development and subsequent loss of habitat. Aberdare Cisticola Cisticola aberdare An endangered Kenya

endemic confined to high altitude grasslands and moorlands from 2,3003,700m around Molo, Mau Narok and the Aberdares. Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei An endangered Kenya endemic occurring from 2,400-3,400m on Mount Elgon, Uasin Gishu, Mau, Kinangop, Aberdares and the northern Mount Kenya grasslands, but with populations continuing to decline in many areas due to continuing land-use changes, human pressures and habitat loss. In addition the Globally Endangered Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea winters almost exclusively in some Lake Victoria basin grasslands, with Ruma National Park an important refuge for it during the period May-September. Vultures: In recent years Kenya has witnessed dramatic declines in its vulture populations due largely to the mis-use of certain agrochemical pesticides. The most common reasons for poisoning by both poachers, and by pastoralists and farmers are control of crop damaging animals, harvesting of fish and bushmeat, harvesting of birds and wildlife for traditional medicine, and killing wildlife sentinels such as vultures because their circling alerts authorities to poaching activities (Ogada 2014). Statistics show that several vulture populations in Kenya have experienced strong declines, almost as much in protected as in unprotected areas. The declines are occurring across all species, with the largest and most worrying affecting White-backed, Ruppell’s, White-headed and Egyptian vultures. These declines have accelerated since 2011 due to the sharp increase in K en ya Bi r d i n g |

poisoning, and a 70% decrease in Laikipia alone in the last three years coupled with a 50% decrease in the Mara in the last twenty five years is indicative that some areas of Kenya could lose ALL vultures in the next thirty years. Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus Currently there is just one pair in the Cheranganis. Formerly present on Mount Kenya and Mount Elgon, also in Hell’s Gate National Park at Naivasha until birds finally deserted the site in 1987 due to continuing disturbance by rock climbers and geothermal activities. All efforts at re-introduction in Hell’s Gate have to date proven unsuccessful. Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus Formerly widespread throughout Masailand, but now endangered / locally extirpated from several areas due to widespread carbofuran poisoning by poachers and local pastoralists. Meanwhile small numbers do remain in the MagadiShompole area, also birds in Samburu, Marsabit and Turkana districts appear to be less affected. Rüppell’s Vulture Gyps rueppellii Formerly common in open country within range of cliffs and gorges, but several populations are now declining due to disturbance at nesting sites and the deliberate mis-use of carbofuran agro-chemicals by both poachers and local pastoralists. Meanwhile regular monitoring of birds at Mt Nyiru, Maralal, Ololokwe, Hell’s Gate National Park and at Kwenia near Lake Magadi is essential. White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis Local and uncommon in most national parks and reserves, but as with other vulture species density is now low and numbers are declining at alarming levels in many parts of Kenya. Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos Formerly widespread in open areas, however many populations are now declining both inside and outside of protected areas due to widespread carbofuran poisoning. Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus Formerly widespread in most protected areas, but declines of 60% in and around the Mara Game Reserve were reported from 1976-2005 with carbofuran poisoning continuing to be the biggest threat. Elsewhere, small numbers are present in several northern

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and western Kenya border towns, also in the Cheranganis and Maralal District, and at Lamu, Garsen and around some Lower Tana villages. White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus Formerly common and widespread, but populations in many areas are now declining quite dramatically due to the deliberate misuse of carbofuran agro-chemicals by both poachers and local postoralists. Other Endangered Species: Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica In Kenya known only from well-wooded rivers and streams along the Sio River in Busia District. No recent records. Semi-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata Its continued presence in Taita-Taveta-Rombo areas remains unclear due to continuing loss of habitat. Otherwise known only from Tsavo East National Park (June 1995) and Shimba Hills National Park January and (October 1996). Spotted Creeper Salpornis spilonotus The Mount Elgon and Cherangani population is now Critically Endangered due to land-use changes and subsequent loss of habitat, resulting in few post-1995 records. Small numbers may remain around Kapenguria. Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah Vidua obtusa Formerly resident in the Embu and Meru districts but there has beeen no specimen evidence since 1945-47. Meanwhile sight records near Embu and Sagana in 2003 may suggest a continued presence in parts of central Kenya. Striped Pipit Anthus lineiventris Restricted to the Taita Hills where it remains scarce with numbers continuing to decline due to loss of suitable habitat. No recent records. Streaky-headed Seedeater Crithagra gularis Rare and little known, with records only from the Elgon-Kongelai area of northwest Kenya. Meanwhile there are several other rare and little known species,

many of which are extremely localised. For example, all birds that are only known from a single locality in Kenya, be it the Kakamega Forest, the Lake Victoria papyrus swamps or the Rift Valley grasslands, are currently facing severe threats from land-use changes and other human pressures. As such there is a need to look closely at all species that have very restricted ranges in Kenya in order that measures may be put in place to safeguard their future. Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Striped Flufftail, Toro Olive Greenbul, Green Hylia, Rock-loving and Foxy cisticolas, Pale-breasted Illadopsis, Splendid Glossy Starling, Orangetufted Sunbird, Heuglin’s Masked Weaver, Orange Weaver, Whitebreasted Negrofinch, Magpie Mannikin and Brown-rumped Bunting are but a few species in urgent need of regular monitoring. In the meantime, the Tana River Cisticola Cisticola restrictus (formerly considered a Kenya endemic) was identified from only seven museum specimens collected in semi-arid bush in the Lower Tana basin. It remains today a taxon of uncertain validity, with a seemingly very limited distribution in Tana River District around Sangole, Ijara, Mnazini, Garsen and Karawa. There is the possibility that it may be a hybrid between Rattling Cisticola C. chiniana and Ashy Cisticola C. cinereolus, but despite extensive fieldwork throughout the Lower Tana, there have been no recent records and there are no field or voice descriptions. Although it was considered distinct from both the Rattling and Ashy cisticolas, all specimens closely resemble those two forms. With evidence to date remaining inconclusive, it has been recommended that a re-appraisal of all specimens be undertaken.

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conservation action Growing up in the

Tana River Delta Hassan Ibrahim Golo tells his story George Odera and Serah Munguti

y name is Hassan Ibrahim Golo. I was born in 1986 in Gadeni village in Tana River Delta County. Back then, the majority of pastoralist boys grew up knowing only one thing—taking care of the vast herds of family cattle, sheep and goats. My father being an Orma (a traditionally pastoralist community) wanted me to be a successful herdsboy. Getting an education despite upheavals My mother is from the Borana community in Isiolo County. She had very little education herself, but she wanted me to acquire an education that would one day see me go to a big town and get an office job. Having previously travelled through many parts of the country, she had witnessed the enterprise of educated people and wanted nothing less for me. I joined Gadeni Primary School in 1995 but that year severe floods displaced most families in our village and I had to transfer in the following year to the nearby Imani Primary School. In 1998 El Niño rains struck! The rains not only displaced the entire village, they brought down my new school and made livestock keeping very difficult. With the rains forcing me out of school a second time, I was enrolled in another school—Moa Primary. Upon realizing that the certainty of my education was coming more and more under threat, my mother arranged for my quick transfer to St. Andrews Primary School in Malindi in 2002. It was while at St. Andrews that I began to realize my potential not just as a student, but also as a leader. I was nominated as a class monitor and a compound prefect and I got to participate in extracurricular activities. I joined the Environmental Club—an opportunity that nurtured my love for nature and forever transformed my life. I later joined the nearby Gadeni Secondary

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School, which was within close proximity to my home and more often than not I was called upon to graze the family livestock, even during class hours. This affected my school attendance and performance. Although neither my mother nor I had the power to stop this from happening, she felt extremely bad about it. Gaining experience I managed to complete my secondary education in 2008 and thereafter I joined a health project and was trained and later worked as a peer educator and trainer of trainers, specialising in community education about HIV/AIDS. Later that year I joined the local office of TARDA (Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority), though as a casual labourer. At TARDA I gained experience working in catering, reforestation, rice milling and vegetable gardening. Working to help nature and people Then came the day, in 2013, that I joined Nature Kenya as a Community Extension Officer—a position that brought joy to my family and my mother in particular. For the first time she felt like her efforts had been rewarded. Her son had secured his first salaried position with a reputable organisation that helps communities. I was elated—my passion for the environment was rekindled. In my job I work to encourage community members to take part in the daily implementation of Nature Kenya’s conservation and livelihoods activities aimed at transforming their lives. I handle this job everyday with gratitude and with the knowledge that other people look up to me to help change their lives. Despite the culture that suppresses young people from speaking before elders, I have gained respect among the community and I’m now often approached and consulted by those old and young alike.

I am very glad that now children in the Delta, both from farming and pastoralist villages, have better opportunities to go to school, because education remains key to transforming our community.

MOA VILLAGE:

A model of resilience and sustainability in Tana River Delta

George Odera and Serah Munguti

Moa women sorting vegetables. Photo by George Odero

hundred villages are scattered throughout the Tana Delta, each of which are made up largely of a single ethnic group, despite their being two main ethnic groups within the region. The reason that most villages are not multi-ethnic could be due to the fact that pastoralists (Orma) and farmers Pokomo have historically clashed over access to the river. But Moa Village in Dide Waride Location is different. In Moa village you will find Orma pastoralists, Luo and Luhya (who mostly fish), Giriama (who mostly farm) and other smaller tribesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;all living peacefully together. More than 102,000 people live in the Tana River Delta, but Moa is the only multi-ethnic village. Many expected the diversity of this village to be a recipe for chaos, particularly during the clashes that rocked the Tana Delta in 2012-2013. This however was not the case. The traditional lifestyles that various communities previously relied on to survive

in the Tana Delta have now proved unsustainable. The human population in the Delta is growing and pressure on the available land is increasing by the day. This, together with increased incidences of drought has spelt doom for pastoralists who traditionally kept large herds of livestock. Life for the fisher folk is also becoming increasingly hard. Around Lake Moa the number of fishermen has risen from 42 in 2006 to 130 in 2012. Household size has increased to 6-12 individuals while catch size has reduced from 10-12 kg/day to 0-2 kg/day.

community voluntarily provided labour to excavate the 300 m ponds.

Farmers have not been able to cope with extended drought periods. Livestock feed on farms, destroying crops and in the process causing conflicts between pastoralists and farmers. Those that have been unable to cope with such conflicts have had to abandon farming all together or have seen their incomes drastically decrease.

The people in Moa are diversifying their livelihood options and are now benefitting. During dry conditions, fresh vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, kales, and brinjals are harvested and sold in Moa and to outside markets. Fish farming is thriving and poultry keeping is gaining ground. Thanks to the water pumps secured by Nature Kenya, irrigation in Moa is possible and a tree nursery that now has over 10,000 seedlings is maturing. Recently, the Tana River County government purchased over 5,000 seedlings from the Moa Bidii Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Group for their school greening project.

Perhaps it is the willingness of the people in this village to cooperate with each other that has enabled them to take advantage of ideas and resources that have been shared with them. Among projects implemented by Nature Kenya, Moa has benefitted from a number of conservation and livelihood improvement initiatives. In 2012, two fishponds were established and the

As the men took over the fish farming, the local women felt left out and requested help from Nature Kenya to start a vegetable garden. However, without waiting for feedback the women went ahead and dug up a half-acre garden. They then sent a message saying that since the garden was ready all they needed were seeds. They also insisted on raising tree seedlings inside the vegetable garden. Their enthusiasm greatly touched everyone at Nature Kenya and their request was supported. These enterprising women have gone even further to start a poultry house where they rear indigenous chickens for sale.

The cooperation, determination and income diversification seen in Moa is a model for other villages in the Tana River Delta. K en ya Bi r d i n g |

Bird watching at Yala Swamp. Photo by Emily Mateche

Birding for Conservation

in Yala Swamp

The mounting threat of burning papyrus at Yala Swamp

Emily Mateche

irders visit Yala Swamp for it’s fascinating variety of birds— from the Village Weavers in the backyards of homesteads to the papyrus endemics in the reeds. Sadly, local communities in the area do not share this appreciation for birds and the destruction of important bird habitats to create land for cultivation continues unabated. However, a conservation programme in Yala Swamp started by Nature Kenya in July 2014 hopes to stem the destruction and gives some hope for saving the swamp. The aim is to inspire communities living around the swamp to recognize the incalculable value of their natural environment, to involve communities in bird conservation and monitoring efforts, and to build capacity in birding and tour guiding. Birdwalks build community interest Already 20 trained community guides are hosting a monthly birdwalk, which is an opportunity to share their knowledge about bird identification and behaviour with other community members. The walks have resulted in the participation of an increasing number of people,

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including eight school children, who are now conversant with the use of binoculars and guidebooks. Community Conserved Areas Establishing ‘Community Conserved Areas’ provides a way for communities to have a say in the management of their natural resources for conservation and ecotourism. The protection and promotion of Yala Swamp is being undertaken together with county governments and other stakeholders. By increasing understanding of the value of biodiversity and the contribution of birding to local incomes, Nature Kenya is working towards the conservation of this valuable ecosystem that hosts remarkable birds.

Papyrus monitoring at Yala Swamp. Photo by Evarastus Obura

Simon Shati and Serah Munguti

ala Swamp is Kenya’s largest freshwater wetland and it is of great significance for biodiversity and community livelihoods. Yet, the periods between July-August 2014 and December 2014-March 2015 witnessed increased incidences of burning papyrus. This has led to the destruction of important wildlife habitat, including breeding and nursery grounds for birds and fish. At an Advocacy Training workshop in March 2015 community members voiced their concern about the increasing incidences of burning papyrus. They also expressed fears of new investors coming to take ‘what belongs to the community’ without a clear and agreed upon strategy of where and how the developers are going to undertake their activities. Participants proposed holding meetings with farmers to educate them on the importance of papyrus in the ecosystem and to promote both the planting of papyrus and to allow for regeneration in the proposed Community Conservation Areas (CCAs), once they are in place.

Important Bird Areas

and their contribution to ecosystem services Bird enthusiasts enjoy and admire birds for their colour, beauty and behaviour. But does birding and the conservation of bird habitats have a greater impact on human lives?

Paul Mugo & Anthony Kuria

here is a growing appreciation that healthy environments provide essential ‘ecosystem services’ upon which life on earth depends. Ecosystem services are the direct benefits that people obtain from nature—like food, clean water and recreation, and the indirect, like pollination, and climate and disease control. So why are ecosystem services consistently overlooked during decisionmaking? Part of the reason—is a lack of simplified ways to measure and demonstrate the economic value of ecosystem services—but not anymore. Let us introduce TESSA TESSA http://tessa.tools/ is a simple toolkit that helps people working in conservation to reliably estimate the net worth of ecosystem services at local sites, and guides them on how to effectively communicate their results. Already in nine African countries, over 16 conservation managers have been trained and are using the toolkit to value forests, miombo woodlands, grasslands, wetlands and coastal mangroves. In Kenya, it has been tested at Kakamega Forest, Yala Swamp and the Boni Dodori Forest all of which are Important Bird Areas (IBAs). In Kakamega, harvesting of herbal medicine is particularly valuable. According to Dr. Paul Muoria, the Nature Kenya Sites and Species Programme Manager, medicine men charge “from Ksh 50 (about half of a US dollar) to cure simple conditions such as common cold to as much as one or two heads of cattle (160USD - 300USD) for terminal illnesses”. At the Yala Swamp, the local community harvests the wild papyrus to make mats and furniture for sale and to thatch their houses. At the coast, local communities freely harvest wild berries,

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honey and tubers from the forests of Boni and Dodori. These results underscore the critical role of IBAs not only for the conservation of birds, but also as ‘hotspots’ for essential ecosystem services. Birds directly provide ecosystem services: they serve as scavengers (keeping a clean and healthy environment), pollinators, seed dispersers and pest control agents. Indirectly, they generate millions of dollars in foreign exchange earnings from the millions of birdwatchers and nature lovers around the world, who travel for the purpose of observing birds. So can the occurrence of birds of conservation concern be used to identify places that provide essential ecosystem services? Yes it can. These birds have unique ecological requirements, which dictate their choice of habitats. However, the presence of birds alone does not provide sufficient information to determine the net value of an ecosystem. It requires a system like TESSA, which is a step-to-step guide on how to demonstrate nature’s real economic value to people and especially to decision-makers.

AFRICAN VULTURES DECLINING AT A CRITICAL RATE Study suggests that African vultures are heading towards extinction

An international team of researchers, including leading scientists from National Museums of Kenya, Makerere University and The Peregrine Fund, say African vultures are likely to qualify as ‘Critically Endangered’ under IUCN global threat criteria. Africa’s vultures are declining at rates of between 70% and 97% over three generations, or approximately 50 years. Dr. Darcy Ogada, lead author of the study said, “If we don’t take urgent steps to save these birds, and in particular to curtail wildlife poisoning, we should expect long-term consequences for the environment, as well as for humans in Africa”. The full article is free to view at: http://onlinelibrary. wiley.com/doi/10.1111/conl.12182/abstract K en ya Bi r d i n g |

The Matangwe Bird Club Rick Ludkin

spend 5-6 weeks each year living in the small village of Matangwe, which is 7 km south of Bondo, in western Kenya. Matangwe is a matrix of pasture, subsistence agricultural fields, acacia scrub with small copses— all crowded along seasonal streams. The land is under ever-increasing stress. As the population continues to grow the demand for water, firewood, farmland and pasture grow with it. Over the past 3 years I have watched as the ponds used for water have become eroded and silted, hedgerows and acacia have been decimated for wood (and to a lesser degree for charcoal production), and the number of goats and cattle have ballooned, exacerbating the toll on the land. I looked for a catalyst that could focus peoples’ attention on the habitat and decided it would be the area’s rich birdlife. Birds are highly visible but in Matangwe this richness was not known, or appreciated in any context other than that birds were food. How to change this mindset was the question. I began working at an elementary school with students in Standard 6, 7, and 8 with donated, used binoculars and guide books (Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania donated at cost by Princeton Press). I taught students how to use the guides and binoculars in combination, to begin to rediscover their avian world in a new way. When they began to get the hang of it, I taught them about bird ringing and using mist nets. This gave them

the opportunity to see birds up close, get finer identification insights and contribute to the science of birds. There’s nothing like bird ringing to raise awareness and excitement about birds. Arising out of this was the formation of the Matangwe Bird Club, which meets just about every Sunday for a couple of hours to set up nets and sample birds in the area. I have also found ways to enhance their learning with the help of the Curator of Birds at the National Museums of Kenya, Titus Imboma, who runs workshops for the students, and by organising occasional field trips to Kakamega Forest, Dominion Farm and Ndere Island National Park. Since the first year I have moved the same programme into the larger community with some positive spinoffs. These include the formation of a women’s group that among other things, wants to raise tree seedlings and begin replanting some of the area; the fencing off of one of the large ponds so that livestock is restricted to just a small part of it thus protecting the banks, reducing erosion and allowing for replanting around it. I’m glad there are a number of individuals from the community who have helped run the club. Of special mention is Dan Ongolo who has developed great identification skills and is becoming a skilled ringer. There is a long way to go but birds have got this community moving in a good direction.

Securing a home for the Taita Apalis John Mwacharo

sidunyi forest (6.28 ha), located on the western side of Vuria peak consists of natural and mixed vegetation patches, and exotic plantation. In 2011, a significant sub-population of the critically endangered Taita Apalis was discovered at Msidunyi. However, private individuals own the area of forest. To secure the survival of the bird’s population in Msidunyi, Nature Kenya embarked on a mission to identify the landowners and negotiate a lease agreement with them. Funding for the lease was secured from the World Land Trust and other donors. In addition to this, Nature Kenya plans to restore 115 ha of degraded Vuria Community Forest held in trust for the people by the Taita-Taveta County government. This will provide additional natural habitat for the Taita Apalis. With your support more can be done to protect these vital habitats and save the Taita Apalis from extinction. The name “Msidunyi” literally means forest in the Taita language.

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A lifeline for the Taita Apalis Kenya’s most endangered bird Luca Borghesio, Lawrence Wagura and Mwangi Githiru

ith 95% of the indigenous forest in the Taita Hills wiped out, Ngangao and Vuria forests are like tiny islands floating in a ‘sea’ of deforestation. These forests are lifeboats for the Taita Apalis Apalis fuscigularis, but still the latest research gives a bleak outlook for the birds. Taita Apalis is possibly the most critically endangered bird in Kenya—for how long can it survive? Home range The Taita Hills are located in southeast Kenya and the Taita Apalis is endemic to a range of less than 500 hectares (smaller than the size of the city of Nairobi). It is closely related to the Bar-throated Apalis Apalis thoracica, a southern African species, which only occurs in the Chyulu Hills in Kenya, 70 km north-west of the Taita Hills. However, the two species are morphologically and vocally distinct and their ranges do not overlap. Biology The Taita Apalis has a distinctive, black-and-grey plumage. They live in small territories of about 1 ha that are actively defended by pairs of birds. Males are more vocal than females, and pairs often engage in duetting. In this, males lead with a rhytmic tchep-tcheptchep and females follow with a softer tititititititit... Breeding habits Their breeding season lasts from October to February. Nests are small balls of mosses woven with grass stems and contain 2-3 bluish eggs, speckled with brown spots. In the few cases that we have been able to observe, nests were invariably built in forest gaps or along forest edges, and hung from the vegetation at 1-2 m above the ground. Rates of nest loss, mostly due to wild predators, appear to be as high as 70%. Finding Taita Apalis The best places to observe this species are large forest gaps or forest edges with shrubby vegetation and abundant climbers. Taita Apalis, despite being a forest specialist, does not like the oldest

parts of the forest, but instead favours regenerating younger vegetation. Birds rarely climb high up in the trees and are mostly seen in the lower understorey, usually hiding inside dense clumps of vegetation. This often makes it hard to find them unless you are prepared to crawl through the thick bush! Bleak numbers In 2001 we estimated that the population of the entire species numbered between 300 and 650 individuals. But within the last five years Taita Apalis has all but disappeared from at least two forests (Chawia and Fururu) where it formerly existed, and in Vuria and Ngangao the population is steadily decreasing. Between 2001 and 2014, the frequency of observation, in annual monitoring, decreased by about 80%. The entire species might now number less than 150 individuals. Restoring habitat Efforts to save this unique Kenyan endemic are focused on restoring indigenous vegetation in areas currently covered by plantations of exotic pines. It is our hope that this should provide new nesting habitat and space for more territories. At the same time Nature Kenya is finalizing a rent agreement with local landowners to conserve and protect a patch of indigenous forest at a site called Msidunyi, near Vuria. Msidunyi is currently not protected and is being steadily replaced by agricultural fields that have already caused the loss of several Apalis territories in the area.

Reducing nest failure Finally, we are conducting research on nest predation. If causes of nest failure are properly identified, there is the chance that we will be able to put in measures to control the loss. Birders are requested to exercise extreme caution to avoid disturbing the birds, especially in the breeding season. FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.arkive.org/ taita-apalis/apalisfuscigularis/#src=portletV3api http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ speciesfactsheet.php?id=7398

Taita Apalis. Photo by Luka Borghesio

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where to watch birds

Dakatcha Woodlands Fleur Ng’weno

Birding at Dakatcha Woodland. Photo by Dominic Mumbu

larke’s Weaver is a very special bird. It feeds mainly on insects in the foliage of Mrihi trees Brachystegia spiciformis. It nests in closely-packed colonies in the sedges of seasonal wetlands. And, it is found only in Kilifi County on the Kenyan Coast and nowhere else in the world.

Nicator, Bearded Scrub Robin and the coastal race of Tropical Boubou. Flocks of characteristic birds such as Retz’s and Chestnut-fronted helmetshrikes and Black-bellied Starling flit through the trees. The shy Sokoke Pipit walks quietly on the forest floor.

To search for a glimpse of this elusive bird, you need to visit Dakatcha Woodland or Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, both in coastal Kenya near the town of Malindi.

From October to April there are Whitefronted Bee-eaters, Eurasian Golden Orioles and Spotted Flycatchers; and from April to October, Red-capped Robin Chats. In the southern part of Dakatcha you may see Brown-headed Parrot, Mangrove Kingfisher and Mombasa Woodpecker, while in the northern part you are likely to find Black-collared Barbet. If you camp in the forest, you will hear the loud calls of Fiery-necked Nightjar and African Barred Owlet – and where there is dense Cynometra thicket, the Sokoke Scops Owl.

Dakatcha Woodland Important Bird Area is set in gently rolling hills, about an hour’s drive north-west of Malindi. The forests of Brachystegia trees stretch north and west of the town of Marafa, interspersed with farmland, patches of grassland, scrub, mixed forest, and permanent and seasonal wetlands. Hell’s Kitchen, sculpted by the forces of erosion, is on the edge of Marafa town. The Deki River flows below, lined with enormous old trees where large and spectacular birds such as African Green Pigeon, Fischer’s Turaco, Trumpeter Hornbill and Brown-breasted Barbet may be seen. Next to Hell’s Kitchen is the office of Nature Kenya and Dakatcha Woodland Conservation Group. They will help you to find experienced local bird guides, essential to guide your way through the maze of forest and farmland. There’s also a Checklist of the Birds of Dakatcha Woodland available at the office. Early in the morning, the Brachystegia forests are filled with the songs of Black-headed Oriole, Eastern

Clarke’s Weavers are a challenge. On some visits they may not be seen; still, overall, Dakatcha Woodland is the best place to search. At night, the weavers sometimes roost in sedges in seasonal wetlands. During the day they forage for insects in Brachystegia trees and feed on the small fruits of shrubs and trees such as Salvadora persica. Plan to stay for a few days. Basic but clean accommodation, food and water are available in Marafa town. It’s possible to camp in the forest, with permission from the local community. There are also cultural sites to visit, such as the grave of Mekatilili wa Menza, a female hero due to her resistance to colonial rule.

More information is available from: Nature Kenya <office@naturekenya.org> www.naturekenya.org Nature Kenya Coast office <nkcoast@naturekenya.org> Phone (+254) (0) 723-532151, (+254) (0) 734-170012 Dakatcha Woodland Conservation Group Chairman Patrick Changawa <patrickchangawa@yahoo.com> Phone (+254) (0) 724-618661

Clarke’s Weavers. Photo by Colin Jackson

In early May 2015, Julio Mwambire and Japhet Garama of Dakatcha Woodland Conservation Group found the second known breeding site for Clarke’s Weavers in Dakatcha Woodland Important Bird Area. The weavers were building their nests in tall sedges, in a pool in the bed of a seasonal river. The pool was filled by heavy rains in April after a long dry season. A team from Nature Kenya and DWCG observed the adults feeding young in the nests on May 21 and 22.

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Wanyoike Wamiti1, Peter Mikula and Martin Hromada

The vast, hostile, hot and arid lowlands south of Mt. Kulal where Heuglin’s Bustard was recorded. Photo by

Wamiti with El Molo boys who joined us for the bird walk at El Molo village. Photo by

Bird records from northern Kenya

n February 2015 we visited Mount Kulal and the remote eastern shore of Lake Turkana to embark on a study of bird ectoparasites. We also took time to explore the desert landscapes north of Loiyangalani. We started on the long journey to Sibiloi National Park from Isiolo and proceeded through Laisamis, South Horr and Mount Kulal recording the birds along the way. We set out from Isiolo on the morning of 3 February passing through dry acacia bushland. We stopped some 20 km after Laisamis in Marsabit County, to camp under acacia growing along a lugga. Here we observed Lesser Kestrel, Eastern Chanting Goshawk and two individuals of Donaldson Smith’s Sparrow Weaver. Somali Fiscals were numerous in the area (2 pairs had a chick each). Back on the dusty road the next day, we spotted Pygmy Falcon, Egyptian and Rüppell’s vultures, Montagu’s Harrier, Somali Bee-eater, Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill and Somali Crombec. We spent the night at Salato Women’s Group Campsite in Ngurunit at the base of the Ndoto Mountains.

Located in acacia woodland with sandy soils, the camp is near a river flowing from the mountain. Despite the river being dry, we found African Orange-bellied Parrot, Verreaux´s Eagle Owl, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Green Wood-hoopoe and Bristle-crowned Starling. Moving on, we headed westwards to South Horr through Illaut. The acacia bush gradually became thicker as we drove by Mount Nyiru and there were more hornbills (Eastern Yellowbilled and Red-billed) and Goldenbreasted Starlings foraging in small flocks. In the village of South Horr there was Common Drongo sallying for insects, lots of Superb Starlings with young ones, and a nesting colony of Lesser Masked Weaver. Later in the afternoon, we reached Gatab village on the upper slopes of Mount Kulal—an isolated, extinct volcanic mountain that surprisingly rises to 2,416 m above sea level— surrounded to the east and north by the hot (and sometimes very windy) lowland of the Chalbi Desert. Mist forest covers the mountaintop, and on the slopes there are several Samburu villages. Charcoal burning and logging are strictly prohibited— this is perhaps the secret to the

Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike. Photo by Pete Steward.

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The meandering rough road to Gatab village, Mt. Kulal. Photo by

Laisamis, Namerei, Ngurunit, South Horr, Mount Kulal, Loiyangalani & Sibiloi National Park/Koobi Fora

survival of Mount Kulal’s biodiversity, livestock and people. We set up camp at the home of a local contact* and made trips into the forest. Despite it being quite dry, we recorded Montane (Kulal) White-eye—seen or heard in most parts of the forest that we visited—and raptors, of which there were plenty. Those recorded were Black Kite, Egyptian, Hooded, Whiteheaded and Lappet-faced vultures, Bateleur, African Harrier Hawk, Common (Steppe) Buzzard, and Tawny Eagle. Other species seen were Lemon Dove, Hartlaub’s Turaco, an immature Abyssinian Ground Thrush deep in the forest, and Chiffchaff. A Hemprich’s Hornbill was a new record for Mount Kulal. We left Mount Kulal for Loiyangalani, a small desert town inhabited by several Kenyan communities, on the south-eastern end of Lake Turkana. As we drove through the rocky and hilly landscape, we saw mixed or single species flocks of larks (Crested, Thekla and Chestnut-headed Sparrow Lark). At El Molo Village along the shores of Lake Turkana we recorded: Grey Heron, Western Reef Heron, Pink-backed Pelican, Osprey, Common Ringed Plover, Common Greenshank, Somali Courser, Dwarf

Raven, gulls (Grey-headed and Black-headed), and terns (Gullbilled and Whiskered). There are a few oases in Loiyangalani you can visit, like the one at Mowolkiteng’. They are a haven for birds as they come to take water or hide from the hot sun in the acacia trees and palms. We headed further north to Sibiloi National Park, which was established in 1972 to protect some of the area’s rich prehistory and the unique environment. We lost our way, but happily got back on the right track and arrived at Karsa Gate at 15:30 hours. On the c.50 km track to the Koobi Fora Field School, located in the park on the Lake Turkana shoreline, we recorded: Kori Bustard, a pair of the uncommon Heuglin’s Bustard, White-throated Bee-eater, Somali Fiscal, flocks of Barn Swallows, and Isabelline Wheatear. Close to Koobi Fora, where the vegetation is denser, we saw White-bellied and Black-bellied bustards. In the less-dense marshes and bushes close to the field school, we recorded: African Darter, African Fish Eagle, Crested Lark, Western Marsh Harrier, Greater Painted-snipe, Purple Heron, Montagu’s Harrier, Curlew Sandpiper, Caspian Tern, Red-throated Pipit, Isabelline

Shrike, Goliath Heron, Black Tern, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern and Stone-curlew. On our return from Koobi Fora we recorded the striking Red-and-yellow Barbet and two separate individuals of Arabian Bustard inside the park. Four-wheel drive vehicle is essential for this drive (Martin Kirimania + 254 (0) 721 394 826 is a drivermechanic well conversant with the area and he can organize transport for you). Carry enough drinking (and cooking) water, or a water treatment kit. Pack food requiring little or no preparation. Contacts •Ask for directions on your arrival to the Salato Women’s Group Campsite in Ngurunit •*Two brothers interested in birding run a camp in Gatab, Mount Kulal are Rashid + 254 20 2386 668/+254 (0) 729 343 234, <rashidwamuro@gmail.com>, and Shukri +254 20 800 4261, <lasapicho@ yahoo.com>,< gatab@atheris.com> •Koobi Fora Field School can be booked through the National Museum of Kenya PR Department +254 20 8164134/6, +254 20 374 2621, <publicrelations@museums. or.ke>

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Northern Turkana landscape. Photo by Sheena Orr

Todonyang in TURKANA Adventure, surprises and dry country birding

African Hawk Eagle. Photo by Sheena Orr

Sheena Orr and Fleur Ng’weno

odonyang seemed to be at the end of the earth and it is indeed at one end of Kenya, on the northwestern corner of Lake Turkana close to the border with Ethiopia and the disputed Elemi Triangle. Its fame among birders is that it is the only place in Kenya where the Egyptian Plover has been seen, and on only two occasions. We had an opportunity to visit this farflung settlement last year for a unique birding adventure. The 200 km drive from Lodwar is not for the faint-hearted—it traverses hot and extremely dusty places, largely arid but remarkably diverse. There are habitats with rocks and cliffs, acacia woodlands, scattered scrublands, thickets of invasive prosopis, and forests of doum palms near dry riverbeds. The ground may be sand, pebbles or rock. The further north one travels along the shoreline road the drier it gets, until the rocky terrain gives way to flat suncracked desert. Even here, you will find the Crested Lark, the characteristic bird of Turkana. En route you are likely to see African Hawk Eagle, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Abyssinian Roller, Abyssinian Scimitarbill, Jackson’s Hornbill, Dwarf and Fan-tailed ravens, Chestnut-headed Sparrow

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Lark and Little Weaver. With a detour to the lakeshore you might even catch a glimpse of the rarely sighted Pygmy Sunbird. At the far north end of the lake, close to the estuary of the Omo River, the Catholic Mission at Todonyang sits on a flat sandy plain, deserted even by termites because of the brackish groundwater. The Missionary Community of Saint Paul the Apostle has a number of missions in northern Turkana, undertaking extensive health, education and agricultural activities. The mission hosts missionaries, trainees and volunteers. Birds within the large compound are sparse, with Speckled Pigeons, Cape Rooks and House Sparrows attracted to the human activity. From Todonyang however, you can drive out in several directions: to reed beds along the lakeshore, to the foothills of the Lapurr Mountains, or along the acacia-lined road north to the border. In the foothills, which are dotted with the shells from an ancient lake, you will see Red-billed, Eastern Yellowbilled and Jackson’s hornbills, Bristle-crowned and perhaps Magpie starlings, Brown-tailed Rock Chat and Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird.

On the road north to the Ethiopian border you may be rewarded with raptors—such as Greater Kestrel, Lanner Falcon and Shikra. Here in the evening, if you are very fortunate, you may see the Black Crowned Cranes coming to roost in the acacia trees. Well, we did not find the Egyptian Plover in Kenya; it remained in Ethiopia, feeding on the banks of the Omo River, just some 20 km from Todonyang.

Travel Info: Fly540 and Safarilink f ly to Lodwar from Nairobi. At Lodwar, visitors can stay at St Theresa Pastoral Centre http:// bit.ly/1If3TYr or at Bethany Guest House http://www.lodwar.org/ contact-lodwar.htm Land rover “taxis” may be hired to journey further north. One contact is Jimmy Ofunya, mobile: 0722-480190, e-mail: <http:// owajisolar@gmail.com> For more information on Todonyang, contact Father Andrew Yakulula <andrew. yakulula@mcspa.org> who told us ‘everything is possible’.

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Wild Hibiscus. Photo by Peter Usher

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