DOCSLIB.ORG

Kenya's Indigenous Forests

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Kenya's Indigenous Forests IUCN Forest Conservation Programme Kenya's Indigenous Forests Status, Management and Conservation Peter Wass Editor E !i,)j"\|:'\': A'e'±'i,?ai) £ ..X S W..T^ M "t "' mm~:P dmV ../' CEA IUCNThe World Conservation Union Kenya's Indigenous Forests Status, Management and Conservation IUCN — THE WORLD CONSERVATION UNION Founded in 1948, The World Conservation Union brings together States, government agencies and a diverse range of non-governmental organizations in a u nique world partnership : over 800 members in all, spread across some 130 countries. As a Union, IUCN seeks to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is eq uitable and ecologically sustainable. A central secretariat coordinates the IUCN Programme and serves the Union membership, representing their views on the world stage and providing them with the strategies, servi- ces, scientific knowledge and technical support they need to achieve their goals. Through its six Com- missions, IUCN draws together over 6000 expert volunteers in project teams and action groups, focu- sing in particular on species and biodiversity conservation and the management of habitats and natural resources. The Union has helped many countries to prepare National ConseNation Strategies, and demons- trates the application of its knowledge through the field projects it supervises. Operations are increa- singly decentralized and are carried forward by an expanding network of regional and country offices, located principally in developing countries. The World Conservation Union builds on the strengths of its members, networks and partners to enhance their capacity and to support global alliances to safeguard natural resources at local, regional and global levels. IUCN'S FOREST CONSERVATION PROGRAMME IUCN's Forest Conservation Programme coordinates and supports the activities of the IUCN Secreta- riat and members working with forest ecosystems. The goal of forest conservation is achieved through promoting protection, restoration and sustainable use of forest resources, so that forests provide the full potential range of goods and services. The programme makes contributions to policy at various levels and uses field projects to derive lessons to feed into the policy debate. The principles of Can'ng for the Eartb, published jointly by IUCN, WWF and UNEP in 1991, are applied to these projects, which combine the needs of conservation with those of local communities. One major activity is to develop coherent and informed policies on forest conservation in order to advocate the translation of policies into effective actions. IUCN frequently advises major development institutions on forest issues, to ensure that conservation priorities are ade- quately addressed in their projects and programmes. The Forest Conservation Programme receives generous financial support from the Government of the Netherlands. IUCN Forest Conservation Programme Kenya's Indigenous Forests Status, Management and Conservation Editor Peter Wass IUCN - The World Conservation Union Overseas Development Administration (UK) 1995 Published by : IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, and Cambridge, UK in collaboration with ODA !U,CN CFA Copyright : (1995) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial pur- poses is authorised without prior written permission from the copyright holder. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is pro- hibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder. Citation : Wass, Peter (Ed.) ( 1995). Kenya 's Indjgenous Forests.' Status, Management and Consenution. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, and Cambridge, UK. xii + 205pp. ISBN : 2-8317-0292-5 Printed by : SADAG, Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, France Cover design by : James Butler Cover photo : An Okiek Dorobo gathering honey in the South West Mau Forest. Kenya's tra- ditional forest dwellers have practised sustainable utilisation for many decades. Adrian Arbib Available from : IUCN Publications Services Unit 219c Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 ODL, UK or IUCN Communications and Corporate Relations Division Rue Mauverney 28, CHJ196 Gland, Switzerland The presentation of material in this document and the geographical designations employed do not imply expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN or of other participating organisations concerning the legal status of any country, territory or area, or concerning the delimitation of its fron- tiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN or the other participa- ting organisations. The text of this book is Pn'nted on chlon'ne-free PaPer. PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This book provides a summary of the existing information about Kenya's indigenous forests, and is the product of work carried out by the Forestry Department of the Government of Kenya, under the KIFCON Programme (Kenya Indigenous Forest Conservation Programme) led by Daniel Mbengei as Programme Manager (Kenya Government) and myself as Programme Coordinator (ODA). Colleagues from numerous collaborating institutions participated in this work, notably Kenya Wildlife Service, National Museums of Kenya, Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Kenya Forestry Master Plan, and the Forestry and Wildlife Resources Department at Moi University. Members of several NGOs, as well as local and international consultants and other knowledgeable individuals also gave valuable assistance. The text has been through several drafts. The first was compiled by Peter Jones of Edinburgh University. A substantially revised and updated version, prepared by Keith Campbell of the UK Natural Resources Institute, was widely circulated amongst collaborating institutions for comment, leading to a workshop in April 1994 when the draft was extensively discussed and valuable comments were made. Responsi- bility for preparation and editing of the final version has been mine, ably assisted by Nick Hodgson, who was responsible for preparing the camera-ready layout. Main contributors to substantial sections of the book were: Nick Hodgson and Josphat Ndua (maps, basic data on physical resources, forest areas, environmental services and population distribution); Hugh Blackett (forest inventory data, estimates of wood products, and aspects of forest management); Glyn Davies and members of the NMK Centre for Biodiversity (forest biodiversity); Michael Rayner, Lucy Emerton, Hezron Mogaka, Michael Thomson and Liz Wily (forest utilisation, economics and socio- economics); Judy Oglethorpe and Anthony Githitho (policy, legislation, institutions, forest manage- ment, and management guidelines); and Wankje Ferguson (mangroves). Especially helpful in supply- ing additional information, making suggestions, and commenting upon drafts were: Daniel Mbengei, John Mbaya, Gideon Gathaara, Clement Kahuki, Titus Njagi, Bernard Kigomo, Charles Kimotori, E.A. Ochieng, Crispus Kamanga, Raymond Omwami, Olavi Luukkanen, John Fanshawe, Ann Robertson, Quentin Luke and Edward vanden Berghe. To all the people referred to either collectively or individually above, I extend my gratitude. Mention is also appropriate here of the steadfast support that KIFCON received throughout its life from its UK linkman John Makin, Assistant Director of the Natural Resources Institute, Chatham. Undoubtedly many aspects of Kenya's forests demand more detailed treatment than is provided here. Nevertheless I believe that this volume represents a significant step forward and provides a basic refer- ence document which will be of value to anyone responsible for, or concerned about, Kenya's priceless heritage in its remaining indigenous forests. Peter Wass Gij;in', Nairobi July 1995 KIFCON The Kenya Indigenous Forest Conservation Programme (KIFCON) was funded by the Overseas Development Administration (UK) and ran from 1991-94. Its overall mission was: to promote and support the conservation of biodiversity, maintenance of ecological services and sustained productivity of the indigenous closed-canopy forests of Kenya. In pursuit of this mission, major fields of work included: surveys of the status and patterns of change in natural forests; initial piloting of new approaches to management which incorporate community participation; and support to institutional strengthening and development for forest conservation and management. ± vi CONTENTS INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 1 A BRIEF GUIDE TO THE BOOK'S CONTENTS I SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS 2 1. GEOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND 7 1. 1 Landform 7 1.2 Climate 7 1.3 Climax Vegetation Cover 7 1.4 Present Vegetation Cover and Land Use 8 2. FOREST TYPES AND AREA ESTIMATES 11 2.1 Forest Regions 11 2.2 Gazetted Forests and Other Forest Areas 11 2 .3 Estimates of Forest Cover 13 2.4 Size and Distribution of Forest Estate 14 3. CHANGES IN DESIGNATED FOREST AREA 15 3.1 The Gazetted National Forest Estate 15 3.2 Degazettement of Forest Land 15 3.3 Limitations of the Degazettement Process 17 3.4 Other Forest Losses 17 4. FOREST BIODIVERSITY 19 4. I The Importance of Forest Ecosystems 19 4.2 Minimum Viable Populations 20 4.3 Biogeography of Forest Biodiversity 21 4.4 Biological Currencies 21 4.5 Identifying Biodiversity Conservation Priorities 23 4.6 Threatened and Forest-dependent Species 24 4.7 Endemism of Threatened Forest Species 27 4.8 Effects of Forest Exploitation on Biodiversity 28 4.9 Forests Identified for Priority Biodiversity
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The 55 Species of Larger Mammal Known to Be
    Birds of Lolldaiga Hills Ranch¹ Order and scientific name² Common name² Threat3 Comments Struthionidae Ostrich Struthio camelus Common ostrich LC Two subspecies present. Numididae Guineafowl Numida meleagris Helmeted guineafowl LC Acryllium vulturinum Vulturine guineafowl LC Phasianidae Stone partridge, francolins, spurfowl, quails Ptilopachus petrosus Stone partridge LC Francolinus shelleyi Shelley’s francolin LC Francolinus sephaena Crested francolin LC Francolinus hildebrandti Hildebrandt’s francolin LC Francolinus leucoscepus Yellow-necked spurfowl LC Coturnix coturnix Common quail LC Anatidae Ducks, geese Alopochen aegyptiaca Egyptian goose LC Anas sparsa African black duck LC Anas undulata Yellow-billed duck LC Anas clypeata Northern shoveler LC Anas erythrorhyncha Red-billed teal LC Anas acuta Northern pintail LC Anas querquedula Garganey LC Anas hottentota Hottentot teal LC Netta erythrophthalma Southern pochard LC Oxyura maccoa Maccoa duck NT 1 Order and scientific name² Common name² Threat3 Comments Podicipedidae Grebes Tachybaptus ruficollis20 Little grebe LC Ciconiidae Storks Mycteria ibis Yellow-billed stork LC Anastomus lamelligerus African open-billed stork LC Ciconia nigra Black stork LC Ciconia abdimii Abdim’s stork LC Ciconia ciconia White stork LC Leptoptilos crumeniferus Marabou stork LC Threskiornithidae Ibises, spoonbills Threskiornis aethiopicus Sacred ibis LC Bostrychia hagedash Hadada ibis LC Platalea alba African spoonbill LC Ardeidae Herons, egrets, bitterns Ixobrychus sturmii Dwarf bittern LC Butorides striata
    [Show full text]
  • PROFILES of ATTRACTION SITES-ELGEYO MARAKWET. Tourist Attractions in Elgeyo Marakwet County Include Sports Tourism, Rivers, a Na
    PROFILES OF ATTRACTION SITES-ELGEYO MARAKWET. Tourist attractions in Elgeyo Marakwet County include Sports Tourism, Rivers, A national reserve, waterfalls and the hills and escarpments. Rimoi National Reserve The National Reserve is a protected area in the kerio valley along the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. The 66 square kilometers (25sq mi) reserve was created in 1983 and is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service. The isolated Kerio Valley lies between the Cherangani Hills and the Tugen Hills with the Elgeyo Escarpment rising more than 1,830 meters (6,000ft) above the valley in places. The valley is 4,000 feet (1,200m) deep. It has semi-tropical vegetation on the slopes, while the floor of the valley is covered by dry thorn bush. The most comfortable time of the year is in July and August when the rains have ended and the temperatures are not excessive. The reserve is on the west side of the Kerio River, while the Lake Kamnarok National Reserve is on the east side. The reserve has beautiful scenery, prolific birdlife and camping site in the bush beside Lake Kamnarok. Gazzement of the conservation area was done to protect wildlife from rampant poaching which was going on at the time. A fence was also put up to address human wildlife conflicts. It provides unique geological scenery & biodiversity and is one of the few protected areas within the spectacular Kerio Valley. The main attraction is the groups of elephants, Culture and scenery of the Kerio valley. The Reserve has earth and gravel road network which make for an adventurous outing.
    [Show full text]
  • Diversity, Abundance and Habitat Association of Avifauna in Menagesha Amba Mariam and Gara Medhanialem Forest, in Oromia Region, Ethiopia
    International Journal of Avian & Wildlife Biology Research Article Open Access Diversity, abundance and habitat association of avifauna in Menagesha Amba Mariam and Gara Medhanialem forest, in Oromia Region, Ethiopia Abstract Volume 6 Issue 1 - 2021 The study was conducted from August 2018 to March 2019 by considering the wet and Tamenut Desalegn,1 Shimelis Aynalem,2 Nega dry seasons. The aim of this study is to investigate diversity, abundance and habitat 3 association of bird species in Menagesha Amba Mariam and Gara Medhanialem forest. Tassie 1Bahir Dar University College of Agriculture and Environmental Stratified random sampling technique was employed. Point transect techniques was applied Sciences, School of Fisheries and Wildlife Management, Ethiopia in forest and woodland habitats and line transects technique was used in the farmland 2Dean of Bahir Dar University College of Agriculture and habitat. Shannon diversity index and chi-square test were employed for data analysis. A Environmental Sciences, Ethiopia total of 112 bird species that belong to 16 orders and 45 families were recorded. Three are 3Dean of Biology Department at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia endemic to Ethiopia and Twelve species endemic to both Ethiopia and Eritrea. The highest species diversity (H’=3.60) was recorded from the forest habitat and the lowest (H’=2.95) Correspondence: Shimelis Aynalem, Dean of Bahir Dar in the farm land. The association of bird species with habitat was statistically significantly University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, different in wet season (χ2= 1702.9, df=180, p<0.001) and in dry season (χ2=1497.5, Ethiopia, Tel 0918008194, Email df=172, p<0.001).
    [Show full text]
  • Conserving Wildlife in African Landscapes Kenya’S Ewaso Ecosystem
    Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press smithsonian contributions to zoology • number 632 Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press AConserving Chronology Wildlife of Middlein African Missouri Landscapes Plains Kenya’sVillage Ewaso SitesEcosystem Edited by NicholasBy Craig J. M. Georgiadis Johnson with contributions by Stanley A. Ahler, Herbert Haas, and Georges Bonani SERIES PUBLICATIONS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Emphasis upon publication as a means of “diffusing knowledge” was expressed by the first Secretary of the Smithsonian. In his formal plan for the Institution, Joseph Henry outlined a program that included the following statement: “It is proposed to publish a series of reports, giving an account of the new discoveries in science, and of the changes made from year to year in all branches of knowledge.” This theme of basic research has been adhered to through the years by thousands of titles issued in series publications under the Smithsonian imprint, com- mencing with Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge in 1848 and continuing with the following active series: Smithsonian Contributions to Anthropology Smithsonian Contributions to Botany Smithsonian Contributions to History and Technology Smithsonian Contributions to the Marine Sciences Smithsonian Contributions to Museum Conservation Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology In these series, the Institution publishes small papers and full-scale monographs that report on the research and collections of its various museums and bureaus. The Smithsonian Contributions Series are distributed via mailing lists to libraries, universities, and similar institu- tions throughout the world. Manuscripts submitted for series publication are received by the Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press from authors with direct affilia- tion with the various Smithsonian museums or bureaus and are subject to peer review and review for compliance with manuscript preparation guidelines.
    [Show full text]
  • Kenya Soe Ch4 A
    PART 2 STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT 61 CHAPTER BIODIVERSITY4 Introduction The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) defi nes biodiversity as Kenya’s rich biodiversity Lead Authors ‘the variability among living organisms from all sources including, can be attributed to a number Ali A. Ali and Monday S. Businge among others, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and of factors, including a long Contributing Authors S. M. Mutune, Jane Kibwage, Ivy Achieng, the ecological complexes of which they are part [and] includes diversity evolutionary history, variable Godfrey Mwangi, David Ongare, Fred Baraza, within species, between species and of ecosystems.’ Biodiversity climatic conditions, and diverse Teresa Muthui, Lawrence M. Ndiga, Nick Mugi therefore comprises genetic and species diversity of animals and plants habitat types and ecosystems. Reviewer as well as ecosystem diversity. Kenya is endowed with an enormous The major biodiversity Nathan Gichuki diversity of ecosystems and wildlife species which live in the terrestrial, concentration sites fall within aquatic and aerial environment. These biological resources are the existing protected areas fundamental to national prosperity as a source of food, medicines, network (national parks, reserves and sanctuaries) which are mostly energy, shelter, employment and foreign exchange. For instance, managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). However, over 70 percent agricultural productivity and development are dependent on the of the national biodiversity occurs outside the protected areas. availability of a wide variety of plant and animal genetic resources and In spite of its immense biotic capital, Kenya experiences severe on the existence of functional ecological systems, especially those that ecological and socio-economic problems.
    [Show full text]
  • 1843 KMS Kenya Past and Present Issue 43
    Kenya Past and Present Issue 43 Kenya Past and Present Editor Peta Meyer Editorial Board Marla Stone Patricia Jentz Kathy Vaughan Kenya Past and Present is a publication of the Kenya Museum Society, a not-for-profit organisation founded in 1971 to support and raise funds for the National Museums of Kenya. Correspondence should be addressed to: Kenya Museum Society, PO Box 40658, Nairobi 00100, Kenya. Email: [email protected] Website: www.KenyaMuseumSociety.org Statements of fact and opinion appearing in Kenya Past and Present are made on the responsibility of the author alone and do not imply the endorsement of the editor or publishers. Reproduction of the contents is permitted with acknowledgement given to its source. We encourage the contribution of articles, which may be sent to the editor at [email protected]. No category exists for subscription to Kenya Past and Present; it is a benefit of membership in the Kenya Museum Society. Available back issues are for sale at the Society’s offices in the Nairobi National Museum. Any organisation wishing to exchange journals should write to the Resource Centre Manager, National Museums of Kenya, PO Box 40658, Nairobi 00100, Kenya, or send an email to [email protected] Designed by Tara Consultants Ltd ©Kenya Museum Society Nairobi, April 2016 Kenya Past and Present Issue 43, 2016 Contents KMS highlights 2015 ..................................................................................... 3 Patricia Jentz To conserve Kenya’s natural and cultural heritage ........................................ 9 Marla Stone Museum highlights 2015 ............................................................................. 11 Juliana Jebet and Hellen Njagi Beauty and the bead: Ostrich eggshell beads through prehistory .................................................. 17 Angela W.
    [Show full text]
  • 2009 Trip Report KENYA
    KENYA and TANZANIA TRIP REPORT Sept 25-Oct 23, 2009 PART 1 - Classic Kenya text and photos by Adrian Binns Sept 25 / Day 1: Blue Post Thika; Castle Forest We began the morning with an unexpected Little Sparrowhawk followed by a Great Sparrowhawk, both in the skies across the main road from the Blue Post Hotel in Thika. The lush grounds of the Blue Post are bordered by the twin waterfalls of the Chania and Thika, both rivers originating from the nearby Aberdare Mountain Range. It is a good place to get aquatinted with some of the more common birds, especially as most can be seen in close proximity and very well. Eastern Black-headed Oriole, Cinnamon-chested Bee- eater, Little Bee-eater, White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Collared Sunbird, Bronzed Mannikin, Speckled Mousebird and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird were easily found. Looking down along the river course and around the thundering waterfall we found a pair of Giant Kingfishers as well as Great Cormorant, Grey Heron and Common Sandpiper, and two Nile Monitors slipped behind large boulders. A fruiting tree provided a feast for Yellow-rumped Seedeaters, Violet-backed Starlings, Spot-flanked Barbet (right), White-headed Barbet as a Grey-headed Kingfisher, an open woodland bird, made sorties from a nearby perch. www.wildsidenaturetours.com www.eastafricanwildlifesafaris.com © Adrian Binns Page 1 It was a gorgeous afternoon at the Castle Forest Lodge set deep in forested foothills of the southern slope of Mt. Kenya. While having lunch on the verandah, overlooking a fabulous valley below, we had circling Long-crested Eagle (above right), a distant Mountain Buzzard and African Harrier Hawk.
    [Show full text]
  • The Birds (Aves) of Oromia, Ethiopia – an Annotated Checklist
    European Journal of Taxonomy 306: 1–69 ISSN 2118-9773 https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2017.306 www.europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu 2017 · Gedeon K. et al. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. Monograph urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A32EAE51-9051-458A-81DD-8EA921901CDC The birds (Aves) of Oromia, Ethiopia – an annotated checklist Kai GEDEON 1,*, Chemere ZEWDIE 2 & Till TÖPFER 3 1 Saxon Ornithologists’ Society, P.O. Box 1129, 09331 Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany. 2 Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise, P.O. Box 1075, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. 3 Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Centre for Taxonomy and Evolutionary Research, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany. * Corresponding author: [email protected] 2 Email: [email protected] 3 Email: [email protected] 1 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:F46B3F50-41E2-4629-9951-778F69A5BBA2 2 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:F59FEDB3-627A-4D52-A6CB-4F26846C0FC5 3 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:A87BE9B4-8FC6-4E11-8DB4-BDBB3CFBBEAA Abstract. Oromia is the largest National Regional State of Ethiopia. Here we present the first comprehensive checklist of its birds. A total of 804 bird species has been recorded, 601 of them confirmed (443) or assumed (158) to be breeding birds. At least 561 are all-year residents (and 31 more potentially so), at least 73 are Afrotropical migrants and visitors (and 44 more potentially so), and 184 are Palaearctic migrants and visitors (and eight more potentially so). Three species are endemic to Oromia, 18 to Ethiopia and 43 to the Horn of Africa. 170 Oromia bird species are biome restricted: 57 to the Afrotropical Highlands biome, 95 to the Somali-Masai biome, and 18 to the Sudan-Guinea Savanna biome.
    [Show full text]
  • George Muia the “Turkana Grits”: Potential Hydrocarbon Reservoirs
    THÈSE / UNIVERSITÉ DE RENNES 1 sous le sceau de l’Université Européenne de Bretagne pour le grade de DOCTEUR DE L’UNIVERSITÉ DE RENNES 1 Mention : Sciences de la Terre Ecole Doctorale Sciences de la Matière présentée par George Muia Préparée à l’unité de recherche UMR 6118 Géosciences Rennes Observatoire des Sciences de l’Univers de Rennes Thèse soutenue à Rennes The “Turkana Grits”: le 24/07/2015 Potential Hydrocarbon devant le jury composé de : Jean-Luc POTDEVIN Reservoirs Professeur, Université de Lille 1 / rapporteur of the Northern Stéphane DUCROCQ Directeur de Recherche, and Central Kenya Rifts CNRS-Université de Poitiers / rapporteur Jean-Yves REYNAUD Professeur, Université de Lille 1 / examinateur Mathieu SCHUSTER Chargé de Recherche, CNRS Université de Strasbourg / examinateur Peter R. COBBOLD Directeur de Recherche Emérite, CNRS Université de Rennes 1/ examinateur Jean-Jacques TIERCELIN Directeur de Recherche, CNRS-Université de Rennes 1 / directeur de thèse Erwan HALLOT Maître de Conférences Université de Rennes 1 / co-directeur de thèse The “Turkana Grits”: Potential Hydrocarbon Reservoirs of the Northern and Central Kenya Rifts 3 Table of contents Acknowledgements 6 Abstract 8 General Introduction 9 Chapter I 21 1. Introduction 30 2. Field study, sampling and analytical methods 35 3. Regional background of the Central and Northern Kenya Rifts 37 3.1. Physiography and climate of the Central and Northern Kenya Rifts 37 3.2. Geological outline of the Kerio and Baringo Basins 40 3.3. Geological outline of the North Kerio Basin 43 4. The Kimwarer Formation 45 4.1. Lithostratigraphy 45 4.1.1. The “Lower Kimwarer Formation” 47 4.1.2.
    [Show full text]
  • Malawi Trip Report 12Th to 28Th September 2014
    Malawi Trip Report 12th to 28th September 2014 Bohm’s Bee-eater by Keith Valentine Trip Report compiled by Tour Leader: Keith Valentine RBT Malawi Trip Report September 2014 2 Top 10 Birds: 1. Scarlet-tufted Sunbird 2. Pel’s Fishing Owl 3. Lesser Seedcracker 4. Thyolo Alethe 5. White-winged Apalis 6. Racket-tailed Roller 7. Blue Swallow 8. Bohm’s Flycatcher 9. Babbling Starling 10. Bohm’s Bee-eater/Yellow-throated Apalis Top 5 Mammals: 1. African Civet 2. Four-toed Elephant Shrew 3. Sable Antelope 4. Bush Pig 5. Side-striped Jackal/Greater Galago/Roan Antelope/Blotched Genet Trip Summary This was our first ever fully comprehensive tour to Malawi and was quite simply a fantastic experience in all respects. For starters, many of the accommodations are of excellent quality and are also situated in prime birding locations with a large number of the area’s major birding targets found in close proximity. The food is generally very good and the stores and lodges are for the most part stocked with decent beer and a fair selection of South African wine. However, it is the habitat diversity that is largely what makes Malawi so good from a birding point of view. Even though it is a small country, this good variety of habitat, and infrastructure that allows access to these key zones, insures that the list of specials is long and attractive. Our tour was extremely successful in locating the vast majority of the region’s most wanted birds and highlights included Red-winged Francolin, White-backed Night Heron, African Cuckoo-Hawk, Western Banded Snake
    [Show full text]
  • 29Th 2019-Uganda
    AVIAN SAFARIS 23 DAY UGANDA BIRDING AND NATURE TOUR ITINERARY Date: July 7 July 29, 2019 Tour Leader: Crammy Wanyama Trip Report and all photos by Crammy Wanyama Black-headed Gonolek a member of the Bush-shrikes family Day 1 – July 7, 2019: Beginning of the tour This tour had uneven arrivals. Two members arrived two days earlier and the six that came in on the night before July 7th, stayed longer; therefore, we had a pre and post- tour to Mabira Forest. For today, we all teamed up and had lunch at our accommodation for the next two nights. This facility has some of the most beautiful gardens around Entebbe; we decided to spend the rest of the afternoon here watching all the birds you would not expect to find around a city garden. Some fascinating ones like the Black-headed Gonolek nested in the garden, White-browed Robin-Chat too did. The trees that surrounded us offered excellent patching spots for the African Hobby. Here we had a Falco patching out in the open for over forty minutes! Superb looks at a Red-chested and Scarlet-chested Sunbirds. The gardens' birdbath attracted African Thrush that reminded the American birders of their American Robin, Yellow- throated Greenbul. Still looking in the trees, we were able to see African Grey Woodpeckers, both Meyer's and Grey Parrot, a pair of Red-headed Lovebirds. While walking around the facility, we got good looks at a flying Shikra and spent ample time with Ross's Turaco that flew back and forth. We had a very lovely Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird on the power lines, Green-backed Camaroptera, a very well sunlit Avian Safaris: Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.aviansafaris.com AVIAN SAFARIS Spectacled Weaver, was added on the Village and Baglafecht Weavers that we had seen earlier and many more.
    [Show full text]
  • Ghana Nov 2013
    Wise Birding Holidays All tours donate to conservation projects worldwide! Trip Report GHANA: Picathartes to Plover Tour Monday 18th Nov. - Tuesday 3rd Dec. 2013 Tour Participants: John Archer, Bob Watts, Graeme Spinks, Peter Alfrey, Nigel & Kath Oram Leaders: Chris Townend & Robert Oteng-Appau HIGHLIGHTS OF TRIP Yellow-headed Picathartes: Whilst sitting quietly in the magical forest, we were wowed by at least 5 different birds as they returned to their roost site. Egyptian Plover: A minimum of 5 adults were seen very well on the White Volta River, along with a very young chick. Confirmed as the first breeding record for Ghana! Rufous-sided Broadbill: A smart male performed admirably as it carried out its acrobatic display flight with amazing mechanical whirring sound. Black Dwarf Hornbill: An amazing 4 different birds seen throughout the tour! Black Bee-Eater: A very understated name for such a fantastically stunning bird! This Yellow-headed Picathartes taken by tour participant Peter Alfrey was one of five birds seen and voted bird of the trip!! WISE BIRDING HOLIDAYS LTD – GHANA: Picathartes to Plover Tour, November 2013 Monday 18th November: Arrive Accra The whole group arrived on time into Accra’s Kotoka Airport. Here, we boarded our spacious air-conditioned coach which was to be our transport for the next 15 days. After about 30 minutes we arrived at our beach hotel and were all soon checked in to our rooms. Everyone was tired, but full of anticipation for our first full days’ birding in Ghana. It was straight to bed for some whereas others were in need of a cool beer before sleep! Tuesday 19th November: Sakumono Lagoon / Winneba Plains It was a relaxed start today with a brief look at the sea before breakfast where the highlights were a few Royal Terns and a Caspian Tern along with our first Copper Sunbird and Laughing Dove in the hotel gardens.
    [Show full text]