ISSN 2073-5111(Print)
nature net naturekenya.org
May 2018
Keeping the Taita Apalis alive This project seeks to convert a portion of exotic plantation back to natural forest. Extraction of exotic tree species has been successfully carried out on the plots. Results from this pilot project will provide guidance for upscaling forest restoration initiatives in Taita and other forests in Kenya. Over 15,000 indigenous trees have so far been planted across forests in Taita Hills by various stakeholders. Additionally, a privately-owned forest plot of about 6 hectares has been leased at Msidunyi. This small forest fragment is expected to provide habitat for six per cent of the world’s Taita Apalis population. Funding for the lease was secured from the World Land Trust, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and African Bird Club.
Taita Apalis PHOTO: PETER STEWARD
To minimize dependency on forests for firewood, Nature Kenya has been promoting the use of energy-saving stoves in schools and households. Six primary schools and over 600 households have had the stoves installed. Schools using the stoves have recorded a sixty per cent reduction in firewood consumption and increased learning time for students. As a way of carrying the conservation message forward, Nature Kenya has been working closely with the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya (WCK) to conduct an awareness campaign highlighting the importance of conserving the Taita Apalis. The campaign seeks to sensitize communities about this threatened bird species via schools near Msidunyi, Vuria, Chawia, Ngangau and Iyale forests.
By J. Mwacharo
T
he Taita Hills, ancient hills rising up from the dry plains, host a rich and diverse range of animal and plant species. Natural forests scattered across these hills are the sole homes to birds such as the Taita Apalis and Taita Thrush. The Taita Apalis is a tiny bird only found in the Taita Hills –nowhere else. Together with the Taita Thrush, it is considered Critically Endangered – that is, at risk of extinction. As a result, the Taita Hills forests have been designated as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). The Taita Apalis population has drastically dropped from around 300 pairs to 200 pairs between 2001 and 2017, according to researchers. Currently, the Taita Apalis is only found in four small forest patches in Vuria, Msidunyi, Iyale and Mghange areas. Its population, already small, has been threatened by drought, habitat loss and predation. Over the years, Taita Hills forests have been undergoing massive degradation. More than ninety per cent of these indigenous forests have been cleared for agriculture and forest plantations, putting at risk the survival of the Taita endemics – birds, amphibians and insects found only in the Taita Hills.
Nature Kenya in partnership with DOF – the BirdLife Partner in Denmark – through funding from the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) through CISU (Civil Society in Development), has been running the “Integrating Livelihoods and Conservation – People Partner with Nature for Sustainable Living” program in the Taita Hills. The long-term objective of the Program is to: reduce the destruction of forested IBAs and contribute to the realization of best participatory forest management practices for the benefit of all. To achieve the objective, the program is supporting the formation of two Community Forest Associations (CFAs), which is still ongoing, and also facilitated the development of forest management plans for Vuria and Chawia forests. The program is also supporting groups engaged in livelihood activities such as beekeeping, fish farming, tree nursery, handicrafts and butterfly farming. Protecting the natural habitats of threatened species is key to their survival. To this end, Nature Kenya is piloting a habitat restoration project in two plots in the Taita hills.
108th Annual General Meeting OF THE EAST AFRICA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY VENUE Louis Leakey Hall, Nairobi Museum DATE TIME Wednesday 16th May 2018 12:00 - 2:00pm AGENDA AND PROGRAMME 12:00 p.m: Tea/Coffee 12:30 p.m: Barbecue 1:00 p.m: Convene in Hall Minutes of the 107th AGM Matters arising from the Minutes Chairman’s Report Honorary Treasurer’s Report Appointment of Auditor Library, Journal, Committees and Projects Report Any other business of which due notice in the form of the Resolution to be proposed has been given to the Honorary Secretary, signed by not less than 2 members, not less than 21 days before the date of the meeting Election of Office Bearers, Members of the Executive Committee, and Trustees 2:30pm: Film - A Plastic Ocean! Nomination forms for Hon. Secretary, Hon. Editor or Executive Committee members may be collected from the office or requested by e-mail.
IBA IN FOCUS
NATURE CHAMPIONS
CELEBRATING BIRD MIGRATION
Local environmental groups play a key role in protecting Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) when they become a site support group (SSG).
Iyale forest and farms, Taita Hills. PHOTO: LAWRENCE WAGURA
TAITA HILLS FORESTS The Taita Hills in south-eastern Kenya, about three degrees south of the equator, rise abruptly to peaks ove 2,000 metres above the semi-arid plains of Tsavo. The hills contain some of the highest levels of endemism in the world, forming a key part of the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot. They also serve as a catchment for the expansive Tsavo ecosystem. Taita Hills also form the northernmost extreme of the Eastern Arc, a chain of forested mountains extending from Kenya to southern Tanzania. Taita Hills forests Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) are part of BirdLife International’s Tanzania-Malawi Endemic Bird Area. The hills harbor the montane cloud forest whose vegetation is much influenced by both Eastern Arc and Kenyan highlands. Biodiversity Despite losing about 98% of forest cover in the last 200 years, the remaining Taita Hills forest fragments continue to support a high number of endemics and unique flora and fauna, including Kenya’s most threatened birds: the Critically Endangered Taita Apalis and Taita Thrush. Other endemics include: the Taita Hills Purple-glossed Snake, the Sagalla Caecilian, the Taita Warty Frog, the Taita Blade-horned Chameleon and three endemic butterflies. The flora is also rich and full of endemism in these small and extremely fragmented forests, where more than 13 plant species endemic to Taita Hills occur. The hills are also home to the Vulnerable Taita Falcon, the Endangered Taita White-eye and the Near Threatened Southern Banded Snake-eagle.
For updates go to Editorial Team
John Mwacharo Norman Kiboi Gloria Waswa Fleur Ng’weno Serah Munguti Layout John Mwacharo Front banner P. Usher
The Dawida Biodiversity Conservation Group (DaBiCo), formed in 2011, is the SSG for the Taita Hills forest IBA. The group aims to promote community awareness on environmental conservation and alternative livelihoods. It is constituted of five sub-groups operating adjacent to indigenous forest patches, namely: TANACOP (Ngangao forest), Ndumbinyi Plan Unit (Vuria forest), Sufi Self Help Group (Fururu forest), Chawia Environmental Committee (Chawia forest) and Wuchichi Self Help Group (Iyale/Wesu forest). DaBiCo activities include beekeeping, basketry, leatherwork, ecotourism, commercial tree seedlings and fish farming. DaBiCo manages an eco-resource centre at Ngangao forest. The ecoresource centre supports ecotourism activities and markets nature-based community products. Three tents have been pitched within its compound to provide accommodation for visitors. The group also conducts common bird monitoring in the four forest fragments of Taita Hills and provides data for IBA monitoring. Visting the Taita Hills? Contact DaBiCo at dabicodawida@yahoo.com or Nathaniel Mwaumba nathmkombolah@yahoo.com Mobile: 0719 885265
Double celebrations for migratory birds In October 2017 on the sidelines of the CMS COP12 in Manila, Environment for the Americas (EFTA), the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the Agreement on the Convention of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), announced an innovative partnership to boost awareness of the plight of migratory birds around the world. The new partnership formally unites two of the world’s largest bird education campaigns, International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) and World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) in a bid to strengthen recognition and appreciation of migratory birds and highlight the urgent need for their conservation. From 2018 onwards, the new joint campaign will adopt the single name of “World Migratory Bird Day” and major celebration events will be organized twice a year, on the Second Saturday in May and October. The new collaboration between the CMS, AEWA and EFTA establishes a single, more unified, global campaign organized around the planet’s major migratory bird corridors. These currently include the African-Eurasian, the East Asian-Australasian, and the Americas flyways.
The Nature Kenya Faces Gloria Waswa is Nature Kenya’s membership and marketing manager. At Nature Kenya, Gloria is responsible for creating and maintaining strong relationships with corporations, foundations, government and the private sector, and overseeing membership development. As a conservation professional, her greatest passion is to bring people close to nature and advocate for philanthropy towards environmental conservation. Gloria holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and is currently pursuing a Masters in Climate Change Adaptation. She has also undertaken a professional course in resource mobilization. Gloria loves being outdoors, meeting new people and enjoying different nature experiences.
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SUCCULENTA BOOK LAUNCH
Following the moon By F. Ng’weno The moon travels around the Earth each month. The moon produces no light, but reflects the light of the sun. When the moon is on the side of the earth opposite the sun, we see it fully lit, or full. When the moon is between the earth and the sun, we can’t see the sunlit face of the moon; we call this the new moon.
Prof. Len Newton addresses guests during the launch of his book “Conservation of Kenyan Succulent Plants” at the Ford Hall, National Museums of Kenya. The event also marked the Succulenta Society of East Africa’s 25th anniversery. Nature Kenya supported the production of the book. PHOTO: JOHN MWACHARO ENG-WMBD-DINA1.pdf
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Full moon was on April 30. Each night the moon rises in the east about an hour later. It is waning (less full) as it moves around the earth. The moon is near the planet Jupiter on May 1st, near the star Antares on the 2nd, near the planet Saturn on May 4-5, and near Mars on the 6th. On May 8 the moon is overhead at sunrise. We see half of the part that is lit by the sun. It is called the last quarter moon. The new moon – when the moon is between the earth and the sun – is on May 15. When the slender crescent of the new moon is sighted in the west, it will mark the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadhan this year. That is a month of prayer and fasting from dawn to dusk, then breaking the fast with a big evening meal. From May 16 the moon appears higher in the western sky each evening. It is a very slender sliver of light at first, waxing (growing fuller) each day. The moon is near the reddish star Aldebaran, low over the sunset, on May 16; near the planet Venus on the 17th; near the star Alhena in the constellation Gemini on the 18th; and near Pollux in Gemini on the 19th.
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www.worldmigratorybirdday.org
On May 22 the moon is overhead at sunset, and we see half of its sunlit face. Since it is one-quarter of its way around the Earth, it’s called the first-quarter moon. It waxes fuller and appears further east each night. The moon is near the star Regulus in the
constellation Leo the Lion on the 22nd; near the bluewhite star Spica on the 26th; and near the planet Jupiter on May 27-28. Full moon, rising in the east at sunset, is on May 29. Then the moon will be near Saturn on June 1st and near Mars on June 3. Planets, May ‘18 Venus is the bright light in the west over the sunset. Jupiter rises in the east and is in the sky all night. At dawn, Saturn is high in the west, and reddish Mars, glowing brighter, is high overhead. Stars of 2 hemispheres Here in Kenya, on the equator, we can see most of the stars of the northern and southern hemispheres. To the left of the sunset, the brightest stars Sirius and Canopus are setting in the southwest. Further left, in the south, is the famous Southern Cross. The Southern Cross is a small constellation (pattern made by stars). Its four brightest stars form the shape of a Christian cross. At sunset it is tilted to the east, straightening out during the evening. Still further left, in the southeast, two very bright stars seem to point to the Cross. These are Alpha and Beta Centauri in the constellation of the Centaur. The star Canopus and the constellations Southern Cross and Centaur can’t be seen in northern countries such as Europe. In the north we see stars of the northern hemisphere. The bright star Arcturus, sparkling orange in colour, is in the northeast. The famous constellation of the Plough, also called Ursa Major and the Big Dipper, lies across the northern sky. Look for a pattern of four stars forming the bowl of the dipper, and three stars forming the handle.
MEMBERS TRIP
Explore Chyulu Hills
MAY AT A GLIMPSE May 2 Morning Bird Walk May 5th FoCP Nature Walk May 9th Morning Bird Walk May 16th Morning Bird Walk/the EANHS 108th AGM May 19th FoCP Nature Walk May 20th Sunday Bird Watch May 23rd Morning Bird Walk May 30th Morning Bird Walk Bird ringing every Tuesday morning (check with Ornithology section, National Museums).
This Madaraka Day (Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd June 2018)
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Cost Ksh 14,300PP
Cost Covers: • Transport • Meals • Guide & Guard fees • Camping fee & camping equipment • Park entrance fees for Citizens only
Birders Please Note! The Wednesday Morning Birdwalks meet at 8:30 am at the Nairobi National Museum. Transport is on a self-help basis. The group meets in the courtyard of the Nairobi National Museum, past the entrance to the galleries. We normally return at about 12:30 pm. The Sunday Birdwatch on the THIRD Sunday of each month now also meets at 8:30 am, at the same location. It is a day trip; please bring water and lunch. Mombasa Birdwalks On the 3rd Saturday of each month. For meeting time and place, please contact Taibali Hamzali <thamzali@gmail. com> / 0733-980540; or Doris Schaule <dorischaule@gmail.com> / 0722-277752. Or check Facebook page: <https://www.facebook. com/groups/FFJmombasa/> Contact the office for information on other birdwalks in Kakamega, Kisumu, and other sites Ngong Forest walks - 1st and 3rd Saturday at 9.00 am. Contact Simon 0729-840715
WELCOME ON BOARD Nature Kenya (the EANHS) would like to welcome the following members to the East Africa Natural History Society: INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERS Ntimaka CFA Lower Imenti CFA Meru CFAs INDIVIDUAL SPONSOR Fredrick Mutie FAMILY MEMBERS Njeri Njoroge Leander Kruger John McMurtry INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS Vivien Ripley Cecilia Nantongo Abwao Ekaterina Pilipenko
Francoise Simons Charles Kirimi Mkuura John Fanshawe Zhencai Chen Getrude Mutheu Elizabeth Howard Charles Kinyanjui STUDENT MEMBERS Evans Otieno Rollex Shikanga Herman Kairu Myrick John Jackson Kasyula Joseph Omondi
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membership MEMBERSHIP TYPES Ksh Per Year Full 2,000 Sponsor 6,000 Family 2,800 Student 1,200 Schools, 1,500 Clubs Corporates 20,000 30,000
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For details on associated groups such as Youth Committee, Succulenta, and Friends of Nairobi Arboretum, City Park or Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, contact office@naturekenya.org