Interview With James Kiptoo, Birding Guide in Kenya

Tell us about yourself

My full name is James Kiptoo and I have been interested in birds for a very long time. During my childhood, I did not care much about birds because in my culture we did not consider birds to be anything special. I used to be a scout, then they chose me to be a scout leader. We used to go to camping a lot and be a leader who used to teach other scouts. We used to go for a walk but we did not use real tents, only multiple sheets of fabric, so I used to camping.

After elementary school, I went to high school and after high school I joined the 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 you find in the wild. So my interest in birds grew and I started to join other clubs and communities. 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 saw all the stuffed birds in the drawers and from there my interest began to develop further.

I met Nature Kenya in 1996. In Nature Kenya, I commend my 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, the birds walk in the museum and every Wednesday we approach them and give us binoculars. Our first experience was with binoculars so we could not tell if they were bad or good, but we were very happy to have them.

With birds there are many ways to identify them, one by call. You can also tell the bird by flying, habitat, and feeding mode. For example, in Nairobi, we have scavengers like Marabou Stork. We also have birds and here at home I have Rufus Sparrow nesting abroad.

Nature Kenya does not ring birds. They put the ring on their feet and the ring had a lot of information. If you find a dead bird with a ring, take it to the museum and find out where it is grown, how far it traveled, and so on.

What is your favorite bird?

I do not have a favorite, they are all favorites. When I find a new bird, this is a "survival" and then becomes preferred.

We have about 1089 species of birds in Kenya because we have the proper habitat for all these birds. We have deserts, forests, seas, savannahs and oceans. So birds have no reason not to come here. Kenya has a flight route where birds migrate from Eastern Europe to Siberia. We have interesting birds like Warblers and Blackcap that move very long distances, and this makes me really appreciate the birds. You know how cool it is and Siberia: This little bird comes all this way to escape the cold weather! They come because they want to reproduce or feed.

Where is your favorite place for birds?

In Kenya, we have places called various protected areas - important bird areas. It's special according to the types you can find there, so the 60 cash accounts in Kenya are my favorite places. Are recognized globally, and also at the regional level, 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 Kinangup Graslands not far from Nairobi, near Naivasha, we have a bird called Sharp Long Klu settler in that area. People from all over the world come to this area to see the long Sharpe claw. When you go to Kiriaini or Mwea, you have Hinde's Babbler, the only settler type 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, William has a grave that we do not have anywhere else; he is a settler.
Why is the Magdi Lake very distinctive during Easter?

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

But before reaching Magdi, there are a number of places that you should first visit. For example, this trip will start from Ngong Hills. The change in altitude is very radical - from the Ngong town ascend to the wind turbines and the station met. Then from the corner of Paredi come down to see more types of drylands. Among them you may see or hear a white-tailed bird, Chinspot Batis or Brubru. The Brubru is a very small bird with rove or red wings. It's small but makes a very loud call, like someone's whistling.

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

As I said earlier, birds migrate from Eastern Europe, Russia and Siberia, and this is the long migration. The short-lived migration resembles flamingos moving between the lakes of Nakuru, Bogoria, Baringo and Uluiden. The other is vertical migration where you may see a bird such as Tacazze Sunbird at the top of Mount Kenya, and next time in the Naro Moro (at the base of the mountain). They come to reproduce.

Long migration has begun or is now in Africa, and we are seeing many birds from Europe such as Spotted Thrush, Rock Thrush and Eurasion Bee. Birds migrating from Madagascar (unique habitats) constitute Malagasy migration.

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

In some communities, if you see a wooden bird clicking on the left side of the tree, it is advised not to continue on this safari. If you walk and see Auger Bazzard and show you her white belly, that is the best.

When traveling to Magadi and Natron lakes, hiking in the Ngong hills and visiting the forests around Nguruman, Easter Birding Safari from OTA is your chance to see countless species in different environments. South Kenya's lakes are a sanctuary for waterfowl and migratory birds between March and June, and therefore in April of this year, you will certainly be rewarded with many exciting sights.

This Easter tour focuses on excellent customer care, safety and responsible travel. We also offer a free tour in Nairobi before or after the trip, including visits to the Giraffe Center, Elephant Ortam and Kharzouri Factory.