On Saturday 29th July 2023, 45 birdwatchers braved the cold early morning in Kenya’s capital to get in touch with nature through a bird seeing trip at the Nairobi National Park (NNP). The bird walk belonged to the New York Times Birding Project. The task, a resident science effort, motivates individuals to contribute bird information utilizing eBird and Merlin Apps. BirdLife International is supporting the task through hosting bird strolls, with the very first in the series happening in New York City on 28th July, and Nairobi & Singapore on 29th July.
A Birding Haven
Kenya is home to more than 1,100 bird types of which 46 are internationally threatened. Covering about 117 square kilometers, NNP is the only national forest worldwide that exists within a capital city. A Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), the park is home to different types consisting of lions, giraffes, and buffaloes to name a few. In addition, almost 500 bird types have actually been taped at the park.
BirdLife International, Nature Kenya (BirdLife Partner in Kenya) and over 100 other nationwide BirdLife Partner organisations are supporting defense and preservation of these locations – a few of which fall along bird migratory flyways, and are crucial feeding, resting, and breeding locations for migratory birds.
In groups of 4, the passionate bird watchers criss-crossed the park , tape-recording more than 110 bird types taped within 3 hours. Among the highlights consisted of numerous sets of the threatened Grey Crowned- Crane (Balearica regulorum), skyrocketing Critically Endangered White-backed Vultures (Gyps Africanus), a Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus), kids of Spur-winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus) and African Darters (Anhinga rufa). Others consisted of a group of 22 Ostriches – the world’s greatest bird – and an Oxpecker identified resting on an elephant sculpture.
“Birds are very good indicators of the health of the environment, and citizens can help in gathering useful bird data during such bird walks”, said Paul Gacheru, Species and Sites Programme Manager, Nature Kenya.
Thus, all observations made throughout the occasion were fed into online bird observation collection platforms – eBird and Kenya Bird Map – and will add to much required understanding on circulation and numbers. The information is likewise crucial in notifying ecological management, and farming policies to name a few.
“BirdLife has shared with The New York Times that more than 600 bird species have been recorded in Nairobi, making it one of the world’s birdiest cities,” said E.J. McAdams, Chief Development Officer at BirdLife International.
“Nairobi National Park and other Key Biodiversity Areas across Kenya play a critical role in both human wellbeing and a healthy environment, and we hope that today’s event helps remind everyone about the importance of these special places,” concluded Paul Kariuki Ndang’ang’a, BirdLife International’s Regional Director for Africa.
In assistance of the New York Times Birding Project, BirdLife will be hosting more bird strolls in August and September 2023 – Stay tuned!
