From: Itai Shanni איתי שנ י <itaisha1@yahoo.com>
Date: 2016-03-21 00:34
Subject: Re: [KENYABIRDSNET] Question about Lake Bogoria flamingos and helicopter rides
Hi Nate and all,

I'm not a Flamingo expert, but you don't need one in this case.

The answer you received is outrages and just show how little this guy understand conservation.

Off course zooming through Flamingo flocks is a big disturbance and in fact there are plenty of works that will show how fleeing birds make them loose much energy and also change their breeding success (even though they don't breed in Bogoria, birds in lower energy state have higher chances to have unsuccessful breeding).

About flight regulation, I think that there are regulations over NP but I'm not sure what about NR and in any case who is controlling and monitoring these regulations.

Maybe a complain from NK or members of this group to the relevant Authority (Kenya Aviation/ KWS...) might help as this is for sure a disturbance to protected animal.

Cheers, 

Sent from Itai Shanni iPhone.
Avian ecologist and guide, specialized in East Africa and Middle East. 
+972-523689773

‫ב-20 במרץ 2016, בשעה 21:49, ‏"Nate Dias offshorebirder@gmail.com [kenyabirdsnet]" <kenyabirdsnet-noreply@yahoogroups.com> כתב/ה:‬

 

I have a question for the flamingo experts out there:  are the helicopter rides that take photographers to buzz the flocks at Lake Bogoria bad for the well-being of the Lesser and Greater Flamingos?


I have heard stories about recent egregious behavior (buzzing very low and intentionally flushing/herding flocks) and seen some milder photograph-laden online trip reports that still cause me some concern.  I asked an oblique, veiled question of one of the trip report writers + photographers.  He replied that it's a minor/temporary disturbance, like spooking a buffalo or hippo on a game drive.

But knowing what I do about colonial waterbirds in the New World, and their propensity to abandon roosts and rookeries in response to disturbance, I have doubts and would like to learn more.

I would appreciate any feedback from flamingo conservationists or researchers on the subject - either off-list or shared with the group. 

I am also curious if there are any height regulations or other protocols that are possibly being ignored by irresponsible helicopter operators?

Good birding,

Nate