Nature-Com: ONCE SPARKLING PINK NOW AGONISINGLY FILTHY

Nature-Com: ONCE SPARKLING PINK NOW AGONISINGLY FILTHY

ONCE SPARKLING PINK NOW AGONISINGLY FILTHY

One of the ramsar sites in Kenya. A jewel. Tourists from world over throng Lake Nakuru in their numbers to witness the historical convergence of flamingoes. They pay top dollar.

The birds aside. From Lanet Gate down to the very shores of the lake, there is buzzing wildlife. Nothing to write home about though as drought hits the animals hard, a large herd of emaciated buffaloes lazing around is testament to this. They are bulk feeders and prefer long lush grass as their main diet. Think water. Without which animals aplenty succumb to drought.

One man's meat is another man's, (or animal's if you will) - poison. Drought spells great news to vultures who scavenge on carion. Food in abundance!

For the past three years, water in the lake has been on the rise. The area covered in water was 45 sqkms then. We are doing almost twice as much today. This has in return altered the alkalinity of the water. Lesser flamingoes feed on algae  and when there is none, they migrate to more productive areas . Their larger cousins - greater flamingoes feed on planktons thanks to their bills with lamalae.

After a morning game drive, it's breakfast time at the splendid Makalia Falls. Or so it used to be. Today, it is littered. It is filthy.

An eye sore to both animals and the guests who are ubiquitous in the park. It was to be painted pink by the dazzling flamingoes. It is agonisingly littered. A sad state of affairs.

What happened to leaving such sites to behold a lot better, cleaner, serener than we found them? It is time to stand up and do the moral thing. Clean Makalia Falls and Lake Nakuru lest we lose the treasure it is.

Cheers people!

Mohammed Billow

Birding at Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha, a jewel that has been faced by many changes over the years. It happens to be a silent laboratory for several past ecological experiments in Kenya, at times without even noticing what has been changed. From the introduction of exotic fish (e.g. Black Bass, Red Swamp Crayfish and Common Carp), to plants like the Water Fern and Water Hyacinth, this lake has virtually lost all its native biodiversity. 

The lake

All said and done, the lake is a guaranteed birdwatcher’s heaven. With over 350 bird species known from this fresh water lake in the Kenya’s Rift Valley, it remains as one of the birding hotspots for any keen birder. Some highlights include, the Basra Reed Warbler, Grey-crested Helmet-shrike, African Fish Eagle, Ruppell’s Vulture and the massive flocks of water-birds.

Ruff

 

The lake is a recognized Important Bird Area (IBA) making it a worthy stop for any birding safari in Kenya. The lake also hosts the Ramsar Site recognition since the year 1995, making it a Wetland of International Importance. The lake is surrounded by some amazing ecosystems, including an edge of the Mau Escarpment ecosystem, represented by Eburru Forest. The lake also neighbours the famous Hells Gate National Park, itself also an Important Bird Area (IBA). Another IBA, the Kinangop Grasslands overlook the lake from the foothills of the magnificent Aberdare Ranges. The mighty Mt. Longonot peaks are clear in the South East making it the third highest mountain in Kenya.

African Grey Woodpecker

Birding at Lake Naivasha is excellent for both beginners and experienced birders from all backgrounds. Depending on your specific birding interests, you are guaranteed to leave here having satisfied your birding passion. The wide range of species makes for compositions of aquatic birds, grassland specialists (e.g. various larks and pipits), woodland and forest specialists (e.g. various woodpeckers and wood-hoopoes) and even cliff dwellers like the Cape (Mackinder’s) Eagle Owl. 

 

Common Drongo

The whole list is just too big to discuss in totality- but this birding jewel awaits to be discovered by you!!! Come enjoy the Lake Naivasha birds… I have enjoyed every visit to this amazing site