Birding Guide in Kenya

Tell us about yourself Cape:

My full name is James Kiptoo and I have been interested in birds for a very long time. During my childhood, I did not pay much attention to birds because in my culture we did not consider birds to be anything special. I used to be a witness and then they chose me to be a leader. We used to go to camping a lot, and as a leader I was teaching other scouts. We used to go on walks but we did not use real tents, just thin sheets, so I used to camp.

After primary school, I went to high school and after high school I joined wildlife clubs, and from there I studied more about nature and animals. After high school, I joined the university and started studying birds, animals, reptiles and other things that you find in the wild. So I became more interested in birds and started to join other clubs and associations. We have national museums in Kenya where the Natural History Society of Kenya is located, as well as the museum's aviary department. On one visit to the Department of Urology, we showed all the birds stuffed in the drawers and from there my interest began to develop further.

I met Nature Kenya in 1996. In Nature Kenya, I really salute our teacher Fleur Ng'weno (my daughter is also called Fleur). Fluor knows birds like the back of the hand. She can tell you everything. Every Wednesday we have bird walks in the museum, and every Wednesday we approach them and will give us binoculars. Our first experience was with binoculars so we could not tell whether it was bad or good, but we were very happy to have it.

With birds there are many ways to identify them, one by calling. You can also tell birds by flying, through the habitat, and feeding method. For example, in Nairobi we have scavengers like Marabou Stork. We also have birds and here at home I have nesting Rufous Sparrow out.

Nature of Kenya bird ringing. They put the ring on their feet, and this ring has a lot of information. If you find a dead bird and have a ring, take it to the museum and can tell where you are born, how far traveled, and so on.

What is your favorite bird?

I do not have a favorite, everything is my favorite. When I find a new bird, this is the "age", then it becomes preferred.

We have deserts, forests, seas, savannahs and oceans. So the birds have no reason not to come here. Kenya has a flight corridor where birds migrate from Eastern Europe, even Siberia. We have interesting birds like Warblers and Blackcap who are moving for a very long distance and this makes me really appreciate the birds. You know how cold and far Siberian are: this little bird comes all this way to escape the cold weather!

Where is your favorite place for birds?

 They are special according to the species you can find there, so the different attractions in Kenya are my favorite places. They are recognized globally, as well as regionally, because of one or a few individual species present there. In Kenya we have a large number of endemic birds. For example, if you go to Kinangop Grasslands not far from Nairobi, near Naivasha, we have a bird named Sharp Long Claw, a endemic disease in that area. People from all over the world come to that area to see Sharp Long Claw. When you go to Kiriaini or Mwea you have Hinde's Babbler, the only endemic species you can find in that area.

We also have coastal birds in Kenya. When you go to Arabuko Sokoke for example, you have birds like Sokoke Scops Owl and Sokoe Pipit, to name a few. In northeastern Kenya we have "William Lark" which we have nowhere else. It's a settlement

Why is Lake Magadi distinctive during the Easter period?

Easter when Lake Magadi has received some rain. Keep in mind that Magadi is very hot, but after the rain it is beautiful because of all these small grasses and other plants that appear and the area grows green and the flowers grow. The bees absorb the nectar from the flowers and the birds fly because the water has just landed. In the Magadi region we have unique habitats for aquatic species such as Spoonbills, Flamingos, Crowned Plovers, Plovers from Kittlitz and Plovers.

But before you reach Magadi, there are a number of places to visit first. For example, this trip will start from Ngong Hills. The change in altitude is very radical - from Ngong town you go to the wind turbine and the station met. Then from the corner of Paredi come down to see more types of drylands. Among these you may see or hear a bird go after the white pollen, Chinspot Batis or Brubru. The Brubru is a very small bird with epididymal or red wings. It is small but very loud, like a whistling sound.

From March to June is the season of seeing migratory birds in Kenya, can you tell us more about it?

As I said before, birds migrate from Eastern Europe, Russia and Siberia, and this is long-term migration. The short-distance migration, like flamingos, moves between the lakes of Nakuru, Bogorja, Barengo and Uluiden. The other is vertical migration where you might see a bird like Tarzan Sunbird at the top of Mount Kenya and next time in Naro Moro (at the base of the mountain). They go down to raise.

Long migrations have begun or are now in Africa and we see several birds from Europe, such as spotted bears, rock buds and European beekeepers. Birds migrating from Madagascar (a unique habitat) constitute Malagasy migration.

What are some "interesting facts" you can share with us about birds?

In some communities, if you see woodpecker clicking on the left side of the tree, they advise you not to continue this safari trip. If you are going to see the Buzzard Auger and show you his white belly this is a good luck.

When traveling to Magadi Lakes and Natron, hiking in Ngong Hills and visiting the forests around Nguruman, Easter Birding Safari is your chance to see countless species in different environments. South Kenya's lakes are a haven for waterfowl and migrants between March and June, and you will certainly be rewarded in April with many exciting sights.

This Easter tour focuses on excellent customer care, safety and responsible travel. In addition we offer a free tour in Nairobi before or after the trip including visits to the Giraffe Center, Elephant Orphanage and Kazuri Beads Factory.