From: Darcy Ogada <ogada.darcy@peregrinefund.org>
Date: 2016-06-23 06:50
Subject: report on raptors (and other fauna) in northern Kenya

Hi all,

I don't think this came through when I tried to send it yesterday and sorry for the cross-posting.

I wanted to circulate a report and photographs from our recent 2-week survey in northern Kenya.  As both files are large, I don't think they can be attached, so the links are here.

Report (2.3 mb)
http://www.globalraptors.org/grin/researchers/uploads/580/raptor_survey_of_northern_kenya_final.pdf

 
Photo supplement (5.6 mb)
http://www.globalraptors.org/grin/researchers/uploads/580/photo_supplement_raptor_surveys_turkana.pdf

Given that many people know so little about this region, we feel it important to share this information as widely as possible. We also hope this report will raise awareness about the threats to conservation in this region.  We realise ours was a limited survey, but a few conservation issues deserve particular mention.  Specifically, the  near complete lack of large mammals in Sibiloi National Park, apart from livestock.  Also, the amount of charcoal production along the road from Sololo to Moyale, in particular.

The summary of our report is as follows:

Given the rapid development of northern Kenya and the number of large-scale infrastructure projects that are planned for this region, we undertook a two-week road survey to document raptors in this little-studied region.  A team of four observers recorded all raptors seen during road transects over 2356 km in the areas of eastern Lake Turkana, Illeret, Huri Hills, Forolle, Moyale, Marsabit and Laisamis.  Given how little is known about the biodiversity in this region we also recorded observations of large mammals, reptiles and non-raptorial birds. Our surveys were conducted immediately after one of the heaviest rainy periods in this region in recent memory.  We recorded 770 raptors for an average of 33 raptors/100 km.  We recorded 31 species, which included two Palaearctic migrants, Black Kite (Milvus migrans) and Montagu’s Harrier, despite our survey falling outside of the typical migratory period.  The most abundant raptors were Rüppell’s Vultures followed by Eastern Pale Chanting Goshawk, Hooded Vulture and Yellow-billed Kite (M. migrans parasitus).  Two species expected to be seen, but that were not recorded were White-headed Vulture and Secretarybird.  In general, vultures were seen throughout the region.  The most important areas for raptors were Marsabit National Park, followed by the area from Huri Hills to Forolle and the area south of Marsabit Town reaching to Ololokwe.  There was a surprising dearth of large mammals, particularly in Sibiloi and Marsabit National parks, which likely has implications for raptor populations.  Sibiloi National Park was nearly devoid of all wildlife including raptors, particularly the southern half, and livestock was seen throughout the park.  Based on similar surveys done annually elsewhere in Kenya, this region in the far north remains very important for raptors, particularly vultures.


Cheers, Darcy

--
Darcy Ogada | Assistant Director of Africa Programs
The Peregrine Fund | www.peregrinefund.org
 
P.O. Box 1629-00606, Nairobi, Kenya
+254-722-339366
Conserving birds of prey worldwide