ISSN 2073-5111(Print)

naturekenya.org June 2020

World Migratory Day and eBird Global Big Day Round-up World Migratory Bird Day – a celebration of the wonder of bird migration – coincided with the eBird Global Big Day on May 9, 2020. The eBird Global Big Day is a bird sighting event where birders all over the world observe on the same day and submit their observations on the eBird website. Birders from all countries of the world can take part; it’s the peak of bird migration in the northern countries, while tropical countries have a wider diversity of birds.

PHOTO: www.birdingbeijing.com PHOTO: This year, despite most of the world being on lockdown, more than 51,000 people took part in the Big Day and submitted checklists. The top 10 Celebrating Birds in times of countries were all in the Americas, where eBird is well established. took the leading position in Africa and emerged 11th in the world, after 85 pandemic groups or individuals all over the country recorded BY ESTHER WANGARI 613 bird species. The nonstop return flight of a Common Cuckoo country of Gabon before stopping in the Ivory Mt. Kenya Biodiversity Conservation Group (Mt. from Kenya to Bangladesh on its way home to Coast. The three-year-old bird becomes the Kebio) marked World Migratory Bird Day by Mongolia is one of the highlights of this year’s fastest tagged bird to make the trip from Africa holding a birdwatch along a three-kilometer World Migratory Bird Day. The cuckoo departed to England.” stretch in Burguret. Despite a low turnout, a total of 60 different bird species were sighted. from Kenya on April 29, passed through Since getting tagged by the British Trust for Somalia and flew 6,300 kilometers in six and a Ornithology in 2018, Carlton has flown over Members of the South Nandi Biodiversity half days to arrive in Bangladesh on May 6. This 35,000 Kilometers on his migration between Conservation Group (SONABIC) marked the day by shows both the amazing abilities of migratory Africa and England. holding a birdwatch in Chepkong’ony area in the birds and the effectiveness of technology in South Nandi Forest. A total of 60 bird species were helping ornithologists to understand migration The National Audubon Society – BirdLife in recorded by the 14 members who participated. patterns. the U.S. – estimates that at least 4,000 species of birds in the world are regular migrants. This Friends of Kinangop Plateau organized a birdwatch The cuckoo was named Onon when together represents about 40 per cent of the world’s bird and a bird talk about bird migration at the Friends with three other Common Cuckoos was population. This year’s World Migratory Bird of Kinangop Plateau Resource Centre. The 22 fitted with a transmitter in June 2019 by the Day theme – Birds Connect Our World – was participants were divided into four groups to allow Mongolia Cuckoo Project. Since then, the brought to life by the epic journey of these them to cover the different habitats – project has been giving updates through their two cuckoos. By tracking their movement and and water bodies -which characterize Kinangop website relaying information about their migratory area. A total of 118 bird species were recorded. The Common Cuckoo left Mongolia in 2019 for routes, birders were able use technology to Down at the Coast, members of the Mida Creek , its wintering grounds. Records of his appreciate the global linkage created by a Conservation and Awareness Group (pictured return journey show that he arrived in Kenya single migratory bird. Onon’s trip to and fro below) celebrated World Migratory Bird Day with from Kilimanjaro in and spent three covered 26,000 kilometres and he crossed a birdwatch along the shores of the Indian Ocean days in the upper Tana River. The next time through 27 borders connecting 16 different and areas adjacent to the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. his movement was picked up was the day he countries at a time when the movement of A total of 54 bird species were sighted among departed from the north eastern part of the humans within nations has been grounded them Mangrove Kingfisher (an intra-African country. to a halt following the outbreak of the novel migrant), Yellow-throated Longclaw and Collared Onon flew over Somalia, the Indian Ocean and Coronavirus Covid-19. Palm Thrush. most of India. From Bangladesh, Onon moved Some of the widely known hazards faced to northeastern India and then to China. By by migratory birds include high winds, mid-May, the transmitter placed him near ferocious hailstorms, lengthy sea crossing, Wuhan in Hubei Province in China. On May 27, thunderstorms and the trapping and killing for Onon finally arrived “home” near Khurkh Bird their meat. Habitat loss through the conversion Ringing Station in northern Mongolia where of their feeding habitats to human settlement he had been fitted with the transmitter in and ill placed infrastructure are some of the June 2019. He had made a round trip of about emerging bird migration barriers. The online 26,000 km, passing through 16 countries and platform created by the two projects offered two continents an opportunity to gather information about Onon is not the only Cuckoo that made the change of routes and the duration of rest headlines. Carlton ΙΙ, another tagged Common taken by the migratory birds. The information Cuckoo, flew 7,500 kilometers from Ivory will be used to coordinate efforts towards Coast to England in seven days. The Daily Mail the conservation of some of the ecosystems which are important for the survival of these reported that: “Cuckoos normally take two or PHOTO: JUMA BADI three weeks to reach the United Kingdom after migratory birds. starting their journeys in the western Africa ACTION Conservation in the new normal Our routines are changing as our lives are affected by the changes brought by Covid-19. The Kenya Government has given directives to help reduce the spread and the health care system has been able to cope. We are getting used to wearing masks and keeping some physical distance apart. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has indicated Covid-19 will not just go away.

Kenya (at Gatare (5,200), Wanjerere especially by providing input into (10,000), Njukiiri (10,000), Chehe policy processes: National report (10,000), Irangi (10,000), Chuka to the Convention on Biological (11,000), Ngare Ndare (10,000), Diversity; Memoranda on national Ontulili (10,000) and Kimondi in government estimates of revenue South Nandi (32,000). Tree planting and expenditure 2020/2021 with by Site Support Groups at other sites focus on Tana River County; Extended included: Yala swamp 9,530, Taita Producer Responsibility regulations 1,053, and 3,000 mangrove trees 2020; Kenya Coffee Roadmap and Tea planted at Maziwa and Saba Saba industry Regulations; and the Tana at the coast. In the lower River Yala Delta green industrial park feasibility riparian areas and people’s farms, study. Nature Kenya was part of 28,032 tree seedlings were planted. National planning for key world Nature Kenya ensures that trees that environmental days including World PHOTO: SAMSON KIMUTAI SAMSON PHOTO: are planted survive by removing Environment Day and World Day to Members of the South Nandi Biodiversity Conservation Group weeds and replanting those that Combat Desertification. (SONABIC) take part in a bird watching exercise at Chepkong’ony area die. In May, 20,572 indigenous LOCAL EMPOWERMENT in South Nandi Forest to mark the World Migratory Bird Day. trees were planted to replace the dead seedlings planted in October Assessed the impact of Covid-19 ature Kenya is abiding by M-Pesa or credit/debit cards. and November 2019 (Njukiiri 4,000, to site conservation efforts of 29 the government directives. Your membership cards will Irangi 6,222, Ontulili 5,350 and Lower Site Support Groups (at 26 sites) NA new normal is emerging. be processed and mailed to Imenti 5,000). Weeding was done and provided financial resources Some activities remain postponed, you. As long as the main office around 37,538 indigenous trees from Society reserves and projects others that had been postponed may remains open part of the planted at Irangi 33,778 and Ontulili to enable Site Support Groups be possible within new approaches, time, members may also buy 3,760. to respond to increased threats while other work continues as Arabuko-Sokoke honey. Pay by to species and sites. Supported follows: M-pesa and arrange to collect SAVING SPECIES actions include: IBA monitoring, 1. Members will receive an the honey. Ring the bell at the In May, 65 Vulture Volunteers forest patrols, awareness creation electronic version of the Nature entrance of the office behind continued to liaise with four through both mainstream and social Net until further notice. the galleries. Vulture Liaison Officers to carry out media and maintenance of income 2. Some museums and sites are 6. The 110th Annual General surveillance for wildlife poisoning generating activities (IGAs). To raise expected to re-open in June Meeting remains postponed in Kajiado and Narok. No poisoning awareness, the World Migratory Bird 2020. All visitors will observe until further notice. incident was reported in May, but Day, World Bee Day and International new access protocols including 7. The ‘Lungs for Kenya’ Charity three cases of electrocution incidents Day of Biological Diversity were sanitatizing and wearing masks. Golf Tournament 2020 is re- were reported (1 flamingo, 1 Kori successfully marked by Site Support 3. The Wednesday Morning scheduled for Friday, October Bustard and 1 giraffe!). Nature Kenya Groups in Mt. Kenya, South Nandi Birdwalks are planning to 2nd, 2020 at the Karen Country supported partners (Mara Predator Forest, Kinangop Grasslands, Taita resume on 1st July 2020, with Club. Conservation Program) to construct Hills,North Nandi and Mida Creek. some changes to the format. five predator-proof bomas in Masai The Bunyala SSG under the umbrella Participants to meet at the Technical staff at the Nature Kenya Mara to reduce incidents of livestock of Yala SSG created awareness about venue. No pooled transport. office and in the field continue to attacks by wildlife as a precursor for the Yala Swamp Land Use Plan (LUP), All to wear masks and observe optionally work from home. Support reducing poisoning. IBA detailed Community Conserved Areas and social distancing. Updates will staff are on paid leave. The Nature monitoring by trained local monitors general conservation of Yala Swamp be published in the July Nature Kenya conservation programme is in Dakatcha Woodland recorded 100 through local radio station Bulala FM. Net. spread across the country with Site Clarkes Weaver’s in Gandi Wetland Nature Kenya field staff, in 4. Sunday bird walks and other Support Groups (SSGs) at 26 sites while the Taita Apalis was monitored collaboration with the Yala field trips and talks are still and on-site conservation projects in Taita Hills (Chawia, Iyale, Ndiwenyi Ecosystem Site Support Group and suspended until further notice. at 8 sites. This means that even and Msidunyi). Common Bird Tana Delta Conservation Network, You will be informed as soon as when Nairobi based staff are locked Monitoring was carried out in are conducting a flood impact they resume. inside Nairobi Metropolitan region, Arabuko-Sokoke Forest along ten assessment on biodiversity and 5. The Membership office significant conservation actions can transects. The IBAs Status and Trends livelihoods within the Yala and Tana and shop is closed until still be implemented at site level monitoring sheets for the year 2019 deltas wetland ecosystems. Floods further notice. Membership despite the Covid-19 disruptions: are being analysed. are a natural part of the deltas’ recruitment and renewal RESTORATION POLICY AND ADVOCACY ecology, but this year’s heavy floods however continues. Visit http:// In May 2020, 108,200 indigenous Nature Kenya continued to engage are wreaking havoc in Bunyala and naturekenya.org/support/ trees were planted by Community with key sectors of the economy to Budalangi in Busia county, in Yala in membership/ and use cashless Forest Associations (CFAs) in Mt. promote ecological sustainability payment options such as Contd. next page

For updates visit For contributions, advertising and subscriptions, contact us by: www.naturekenya.org Post: P. O. Box 44486 GPO, Nairobi Telephone: EDITORIAL TEAM 020 3537568/0780149200/0751624312/ 0771343138 Fleur Ng’weno, Gloria Waswa, Email: [email protected] John Mwacharo, Norman Kiboi, Printed with support from: Esther Wangari and Serah Munguti LAYOUT John Mwacharo FRONT BANNER Nature-Kenya @Nature_Kenya

Lorenzo Barelli nature_kenya Nature Kenya NATURALIST

Eclipses and Solstice BY FLEUR NG’WENO

The comets seem to have Bright Jupiter rises in the faded. This month, however, east during the evening, we can look forward to a and is in the sky for the rest lunar and a solar eclipse – of the night, followed by although they will not be golden Saturn. Reddish Mars An Extraordinary Window into the Secretive very striking in Kenya. is high in the east at dawn. The waning moon is near Life of Parasitic Weaver On June 5th, from about 9 pm Jupiter and Saturn on June 9 to midnight, the full moon and near Mars on the 13th. BY BRIAN FINCH will pass through the faint June Stars n birding you have no idea of what None of us had ever seen this before. outer shadow of the earth. The constellation Leo the magical event is going to present itself It opens up a few questions about The moon may seem a little Lion is high in the west. You when you get up in the morning. Rupert relationships and birds’ instincts. An less bright than usual, but I can imagine the bright star Watson, James Robertson, Abigail Church unparasitised Stout with a normal the difference is very subtle. Regulus as the heart of the and myself had invited Sidney Shema for brood, would be programmed to tackle On Sunday 21 June, the new lion. From Regulus, a line of a morning birding experience on Mukoma small insects and disregard anything too moon (with its sunlit side stars forms a sickle shape, Estate (Lang’ata). large for them. But the parasitised family’s facing away from Earth), will like the head and mane of adults learnt that the large billed but not pass directly between the a lion. Visiting a friend’s vlei, we found a young so very much larger Parasitic Weaver could Parasitic Weaver. As a new bird for sun and the Earth. Because handle larger food items. Arcturus, a sparkling orange Mukoma, that was exciting in itself. Nearby the moon will be at the star, is high in the north. were a family of Stout , two adults The organised way young and adult far end of its orbit – a little The blue-white star Spica is with fledged young. To our amazement, worked together in trimming the oversized further from Earth than usual almost overhead. The moon the adults then proceeded to feed the now prey was extraordinary. The young bird not – it will not cover the sun is near Regulus on June 25 begging Parasitic Weaver. trying to consume the prey but obediently completely. A brilliant rim of and near Spica on the 29th. holding it and not complaining when it sunlight will remain around An adult came back with a large Stick was taken away again… is remarkable and the dark moon, forming an Low in the northwest is the Insect, more than 2/ the length of the 3 looked like a regular well practiced event. annular eclipse. constellation of the Plough bird’s body. With flailing legs, this was or Big Dipper. Can you see an unmanageable, far too large meal for On top of this came another revelation. The path of the annular this constellation as a dipper the young bird. But what happened next The bird was found after I had heard it call eclipse passes a little to – a deep, long-handled floored us…all captured on video. and announced that I was sure I had heard the north of Kenya, so here spoon for scooping up a Parasitic Weaver giving flight calls, which we will see a partial solar water? This Stick Insect was much larger than sounded like it went over there. Then eclipse. It begins shortly the usual insect prey that a Stout Cisticola Sidney found it sitting on a low open bush. after sunrise on June 21, In the south, the beautiful would have fed to its real offspring, now Knowledge of the call is a great advantage, and ends about 9 am. It’s constellation of the Southern watching the proceedings. The adult but this is not the issue. This juvenile dangerous to look at the Cross stands upright. It tilts passed the impossible-to-swallow prey to dependent bird called identically to the sun, even during an eclipse. towards the west during the Parasitic Weaver whose stronger bill adults of its species, yet the only time it has So take a pin and make the evening. Two very was able to secure it firmly. ever had of the chance of hearing another a pinhole in a piece of bright stars, Alpha and Beta As the young Parasitic Weaver held the Parasitic Weaver call is when it was an egg cardboard or paper. This is a Centauri, seem to point Stick Insect, making no attempt to eat it, in the oviduct! Never in its short life had it “pinhole camera”. toward the Southern Cross. the Cisticola broke off all legs from their met up with another of its kind from which Hold the paper near a wall Moon ’20 June bases and discarded them. Head and it could have learnt the call it was going to – or another piece of paper Full moon, June 5. Last antennae also removed whilst the young give for the rest of its life. – so that the sun shines quarter (half lit at dawn), bird patiently held the insect without This is really food for thought, and I think through the hole onto the June 13. New moon and moving during the operation. undeniably proves that calls of some birds wall or other paper. The spot solar eclipse, June 21. First The legless, headless Stick Insect, reduced are inherited not taught! of light will show the dark quarter (half lit at sunset) moon slowly taking a “bite” June 28. to just the “stem”, was taken back and To see a video of this interaction, visit: positioned pointing towards the beak, and from the disc of light. After https://www.shotsbyshema.com/birding- June sun the young adoptee seized it with the end about 8 am, the dark “bite” from-home-parasitic-weaver-and-its- June 20 is the solstice, when down its throat and proceeded in a few will get smaller. host/ the North Pole is most tilted gulps to swallow the entire thing. And if it’s our usual cloudy towards the sun. Here on June morning until 9 am, we the equator, from mid March may not see anything at all! Contd. from page 2 to mid September we see Siaya County and in the Tana Delta where MOVING FORWARD Planets June ‘20 the sun traveling across the homes, villages and farms have been Nature Kenya will continue to update you Little Mercury shines brightly northern part of the sky submerged by the floodwaters. In Yala, 17 on further developments. Threats remain above the sunset in early during the day. fishponds were assessed for restocking with to species and habitats, and conservation June. Then it slowly sinks Websites the next crop of fingerlings; construction work must go on. Please continue to towards the western horizon. EarthSky: http://earthsky. of a poultry keeping unit with a capacity support Nature Kenya, and to observe The slender crescent moon is org/ Subscribe to their daily of 400 chickens is in progress in Gem; and enjoy nature from wherever you are. near Mercury on June 22. e-mail newsletter! construction of a papyrus products bulking For any clarification or to report your center and market outlet is ongoing in Siaya observation on species and sites, kindly Brilliant Venus passes Sky and Telescope: http:// town; and 250 farmers were supported contact us through e-mail: between the Earth and the www.skyandtelescope.com/ to carry out climate smart agriculture [email protected] or telephone: sun, and reappears in the subscribe to their weekly and conservation farming. In Tana Delta, 020 3537568, 0780 149200, 0751 sunrise in the second week e-mail newsletter construction of a community livelihoods 624312, 0771 343138 of June. Venus seems to be enterprise demonstration and model centre close to the bright, reddish is nearly completed. Dr. Paul Matiku, star Aldebaran. The waning Executive Director, Nature Kenya – the crescent moon is near Venus East Africa Natural History Society on June 19. IN THE FIELD

Birding Updates

The Wednesday Morning Birdwalks, monthly Sunday Birdwatch and Mombasa birdwalks are still temporarily suspended. The Wednesday Morning Birdwalks may restart in July, with a few changes: Meeting each week at a different venue within Nairobi Metropolitan Area, and no pooled transport. Subject to change at short notice if circumstances require. We hope you find opportunities to go birding on your own or with local groups. If you go out birding, please submit lists of the birds that you see/hear to the Kenya Bird Map project to help document the distribution of Kenya’s birds If you have questions, write to < [email protected]> To stay in touch and be updated with the birding scene in Kenya, sign in to the new Kenyabirdsnet platform of Google Groups at: JOURNAL OF EAST AFRICAN NATURAL HISTORY https://groups.google.com/d/forum/kenyabirdsnet A new issue is now available online at https://www. After signing in you will be able to post your bioone.org/journals/journal-of-east-african-natural- records through the following email address: history/volume-108/issue-2 [email protected] The following papers are now available from BioOne (http://www. Some online resources about birds and birding bioone.org/toc/eanh/current) or African Journals Online (https:// are: www.ajol.info/index.php/jeanh)

• BirdLife International < http://www.birdlife. Mike Bingham: In Memoriam4 September 1936–4 January 2019 org> Benny Bytebier • The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Bird https://www.bioone.org/journals/journal-of-east-african-natural- Academy history/volume-108/issue-2/028.108.0201/Mike-Bingham-In- Many of their resources are free to use. Memoriam4-September-19364-January-2019/10.2982/028.108.0201. • Wings Over Kenya Facebook page full

• Ndege Wetu (14-part blog series on the birds Avifaunal Biodiversity in Peril: Pre- and Post-Vegetation of Kenya)

The Reptiles of Mkomazi National Park, Tanzania an Updated Checklist with Some Aspects of Biogeography Download free QR Readers from Glory W. Summay, Kevin E. Lyakurwa, John V. Lyakurwa, Chacha the web and scan this QR (Quick Werema, Tito J. Lanoy & Raymond E. Okick Response) code with your smart https://www.bioone.org/journals/journal-of-east-african-natural- phone for pictures and more stories. history/volume-108/issue-2/028.108.0203/The-Reptiles-of-Mkomazi- National-Park-Tanzania-an-Updated-Checklist/10.2982/028.108.0203. full

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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 [email protected]