From: Tom Butynski <TButynski@aol.com>
Date: 2017-10-12 22:09
Subject: Re: Re: [KENYABIRDSNET] mwea avian pest control
Hi,

Wouldn't NEMA need to approve this lethal action?  Perhaps  NEMA can provide the answer(s)...as well as the Ministry of Agriculture.  Looks like another story here for the national newspapers to investigate and report on.

I would think that large numbers of birds during the current passage will be stopping-off at Mwea...many of them non-target species (i.e., warblers and waterbirds).

Tom

In a message dated 10/13/2017 4:09:36 AM E. Africa Standard Time, kenyabirdsnet-noreply@yahoogroups.com writes:

 

 


Hi Nate, Darcy and all

Sounds like those undesirable lethal methods are the ones that are going to be used. I understand the team (agriculture pest control; likely no bird/wildlife experts) is already on the ground assessing locations to poison.....

On Thursday, October 12, 2017, 3:55:20 PM GMT+3, Nate Dias <offshorebirder@gmail.com> wrote:


Thanks for the concerning news Kariuki.

One would hope non-lethal methods such as hiring falconers to frighten away rice-eating birds would be tried before lethal options like poison, etc. are used.

But based on this article from 2013, where Quelea were sprayed from the air, this may not be the case:


One wonders which poison is used, how much does it bio-accumulate up the food chain, where and when are they spraying the Quelea (breeding colonies or in the ricefields themselves), and more.

Good bi rding,

Nate

On Wed, Oct 11, 2017 at 11:18 AM, Kariuki Ndang'ang'a ndanganga@yahoo.com [kenyabirdsnet] <kenyabirdsnet-noreply@ yahoogroups.com> wrote:
 

Hello all

I heard the new Kirinyaga Governor declaring war on rice bird pests and indicated she has invited the ministry of agriculture. Does anyone know which methods are used and likely impact on other birds/biodiversity?

Kariuki