Birding Updates
Sunday Bird Watch
15th December. Sunday Birdwatch – Kapiti Plains. Meet at 8.30am at the ILRI Kapiti Research Station Gate on Mombasa road. Directions: Coming from the city centre, take Mombasa Road. Pass the Makutano/Kyumvi junction to Machakos and continue towards Mombasa. After 9 km there is a green sign on left “Kapiti Plains”. Turn right to the gate and barrier with the sign “ILRI Kapiti Research Station”.
Matatus to Sultan Hamud and Emali will stop at “Kapiti stage”. Better still is to hire a Machakos matatu for all those coming by public transport.
This is a day trip; bring a packed lunch and water. There are ticks on Kapiti Plains, but they are not known to carry diseases.
Wednesday Morning Birdwalks in Nairobi:
4th December – Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary (Miotoni Block, Section 1). Meet at 8:30am at the Southern Bypass Gate. (There’s an entrance fee of Ksh.116 for citizens, payable via eCitizen on site). Directions: Coming from the City Centre, take Ngong Road towards Southern Bypass. Turn towards Kikuyu. The Forest gate is on the Karen side, immediately after the turn off.
11th December –Nairobi National Museum Grounds / Michuki Memorial Park. Meet at 8 am in the open space in front of the entrance to the museum galleries.
18th December ––Paradise Lost. Meet at Paradise Lost Main Gate at 8:30 am. Directions: Take Kiambu Road. Turn Left at Paradise Lost junction in Thindigua after Runda Greens before Quick Mart Supermarket. Turn right at Kencom Apartments just after Kasarini Primary School. It’s about 500m to the main gate. Thanks to the management for welcoming the birdwalk.
Note: There will not be an organized birdwalk on 25 December.
If you have questions, or if you would like to join the Nature Aficionados WhatsApp group, please write <news@naturekenya.org> or phone 0780-149200.
The Annual Waterbird Counts will be held in January-February. Sites in and near Nairobi will be counted with the Wednesday birdwalks. Counts on the Rift Valley (and Nyandarua) lakes have been tentatively scheduled as follows:
Tentative January 2025 Waterbird Counts on the Rift Valley and other lakes:
Lake Ol’Bolossat January 3 and 4.
Lakes Bogoria and Baringo, January 24, 25 and 26.
Lakes Naivasha, Sonachi, and Oloidien, January 31 and Feb 1.
Lakes Elmenteita, Nakuru and Solai February 7, 8 and 9.
Lake Magadi February 14 and 15.
Kwenia Feb 16
Amboseli Feb 21 and 22
Experienced counters and those who can provide 4x4 transport are needed and welcome. Please sign up with Nature Kenya or the Ornithology Section of the National Museums before 12th December, 2024
Bird Ringing at Nairobi National Museum grounds usually takes place on Tuesday mornings. Please confirm with Titus Imboma <Imbomati911@gmail.com> Phone 0721-649452.
Saturday Bird Watch in Malindi
Please note that the Saturday Bird Walk will be on 21st December (Third Saturday)
21st December. Saturday Bird Watch – Lake Jilore. Meet at 6:30am at Gede Stage near the Ola Petrol station (please note that you will need 600/= fare to and from) .
Thursday Birdwalks in Malindi
5th December – Buntwani Sea front. Meet at 4:00pm at the Malindi Museum near Nature Kenya Membership Office.
12th December – Mayungu. Meet at 4:00pm at the Malindi Museum near Nature Kenya Membership Office.
19th December – Mtangani via Afya Hospital. Meet at 4:00 pm at Malindi Museum near Nature Kenya Membership Office.
Note: There will not be an organized birdwalk on 26th December
For more information, email: <malindimembers@gmail.com> or phone 0759 474453
Mombasa Birdwalks by Friends of Fort Jesus are held the 3rd Saturday of each month. To check meeting time and place check Facebook page:
<https://www.facebook.com/groups/FFJmombasa/>
Or contact: Taibali Hamzali <thamzali@gmail.com> / 0733-980540
or Kelvin Mazera <klvnrua@yahoo.com> / 0720-928783