HATVKAUST Comtek Beauty and the Beast Ann Birnie If you are able to, now is the time to drive down the lower road to Lake Naivasha. On both sides of the road are patches of forest, now covered with pink-flowered trees called Cape chestnut Calodendrum capense, my chosen 'beauty'. The Candelabra euphorbia, Euphorbia candelabrum, the 'beast', is quite distinctive amongst other trees, grey- green, spiky and top heavy. Our beauty is the only one in its genus Calodendrum in Kenya and it grows widely in dry upland and riverine forests 1,600- 2,300 m. The tough yellow-brown wood is used for housing, tools, stools etc, but is not commercial. This tree is often chosen as an avenue tree, for its beauty and shade. Although deciduous, its fallen leaves will enrich the soil and the pink flowers are visited by bees. Fruit are rounded capsules with soft prickles, which harden, then break open to set free shiny black seeds. Good seed will germinate easily, but saplings grow rather slowly even in the best forest soil. The 'beast', like all euphorbias, has a white sap or latex. One drop in the eye is said to be more painful than spitting cobra venom! The sticky white latex has been used to catch little birds, kill fish and add to arrow y', poison. The 'beast' is found all over Kenya in dry country, from rocky slopes to bush, forest and grassland from 1,800 m down to the seashore. The spiny upright branches are green, having taken over the job of leaves. A favourite food of rhino, the flowers are said to make the rhino drunk or mad I Only baboons and goats will eat the youngest shoots as the latex is very bitter. TAU C5 £ V!P£OS Can timber plantations save our indigenous forest? by Charles Bengough Mon 8 December '03, 5:30 p.m. Louis Leakey Hall, National Museums, Nairobi The talk will give an up to date picture on the state of Kenya's forestry with particular reference to the importance of timber plantations, the importance of the timber industry and how a viable forest plantation sector can help to save Kenya's indigenous forests. Charles Bengough is a Canadian forester who came to Kenya in 1967 and spent five years as a forestry officer with the Kenya Forest Department before going into the private sector in Kenya. He also works as a freelance international forestry consultant. Succulenta Annual Supper Fri 5 December '03, 6:30 p.m. at no. 80 Bogani East Road, Langata Sue Allan will be showing photos of some plants seen on her recent trip across the Sahara and another safari to the Huri Hills, Kulal and Mount Nyiru. Please call 891190 and liaise regarding food and drinks. Elg-LP TRIP Eburru Escarpment Saturday 20 December 03 Guided birdwalk at the Great Rift Valley Lodge, situated on the Eburru Escarpment, overlooking Lake Naivasha. Possible excursion to the Eburru Forest. Bring picnic lunch, water and hat and meet at the National Museum, Nairobi car park at 7:00 a.m. (The Lodge offers sandwiches at 350/- if you are interested please indicate when booking.) Book at the Nature Kenya front office with 300/- per person. Transport is by car pool and confirmation is reliant on available vehicles. Christmas Carols Sat 13 December 03 from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. An end-of-year carol Christmas celebration at the Arboretum. Invited choirs will lead the public in singing popular Christmas carols, and also present their own. The African Waterbird Census on the southern Rift Valley lakes and other wetlands is scheduled for weekends and Wednesdays in January. Experienced volunteers and participants who can provide transport are especially welcome. For more information please contact Alfred Owino, Head of the Dept, of Ornithology, National Museums of Kenya, phone 3742161 ext 243 NATURE KENYA, P. 0. Box 44486, 00100 GPO Nairobi Tel: 3749957/ 3746090 Fax: 3741049 E-mail: office@naturekenya.org &KASS&OOTS Priority Sites for Biodiversity Conservation - identifying gaps Robinson Mugo and Solomon Mwangi Kenya has a Protected Areas system of parks, reserves and forests. Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are sites around the country, important for the conservation of birds and other animals and plants. Using birds as the indicator species, and based on an assessment of severity of threat and biological importance of each IBA, Nature Kenya and Birdlife International did an analysis, in September, to identify gaps there might be in protection. Out of the 60 IBAs in Kenya, 22 (37%) are unprotected, 8 (13%) are partially protected and 30 (50%) are protected. Of the 22 unprotected IBAs, 10 were identified for designation as protected areas while the other 12 were identified for non-restrictive management measures. In the partially protected category, 1 IBA (Tana River Forests) was identified for upgrading to full protection, while other management measures were proposed for the remaining 7 IBAs. Unprotected IBAs proposed for inclusion in the existing protected area system in Kenya Kinangop grasslands Dakatcha woodland Tana River Delta Dunga swamp Koguta swamp Yala swamp complex Lake Elmenteita Lake Naivasha Mau Narok—Moio grasslands Sio Port swamp Partially protected IBAs Tana River Forests Diani Forest Lake Turkana Lake Baringo Masai Mara Mau Forest Complex Kakamega Forest Mount Elgon IBAs where management should be improved Kianyaga valleys Mukurweini valleys Sabaki river mouth Dida Galgalu desert Machakos valleys Masinga reservoir Dandora ponds Kusa swamp Lake Magadi 01 Donyo Sabache South Nguruman Busia grasslands It would not be practically feasible for some of the unprotected IBAs to be designated as protected areas as they are situated on privately owned or communally managed land. In these cases, such measures as community management for sustainable use would be better. In other IBAs, a combination of both formal protection and community participation would be an appropriate approach. By Ian MacKay and Fleur Ng'weno and Joy MacKay Moon, Dec 03 Moon, Jan 04 9 Dec Full moon : 16 Dec Lost quarter ; 23 8 Jan Ful/ moon '■ 15 Jan Last quarter, 22 Dec New moon; 30 Dec First quarter Jan New moon; 29 Jan First quarter Stars, Dec 03 The magnificent group of stars that the ancient Greeks saw as Orion, the Hunter, rises in the east on this, the last month of the year. Look low in the eastern sky for three stars close together. Four bright stars form the corners of a box around the line of three stars. Many other brilliant stars fill December skies. Cassiopeia is a conspicuous zigzag-like constellation in the north. There are two bright stars in the southern sky, Canopus in the southeast and Achernar in the southwest. Low in the east-southeast is a very bright star called Sirius. Sirius is a very close neighbour at a distance of only 9 light years and has therefore been the subject of a lot of study. Over time, Sirius was seen to follow a slightly 'wobbly' path, suggesting a gravitational influence from elsewhere. It turns out to be a binary star system (two stars circling each other). The companion is a white dwarf called SiriusB which is a much smaller and fainter star 10000 times less luminous and only 30000 km across. The density of matter in such stars is usually extremely high; on average SiriusB squeezes matter to a 65,000th of its 'natural state', so 65000 liters (65000 kg) of water would fit into the space normally required by only 1 liter. The central density would be higher still. Planets, Dec 03 Mars and Venus are both visible in the evenings for the rest of the year. Venus appears bright and white, and Mars slightly orange. Mars is straight overhead in the early evenings and is near the moon on the 30th, Venus is near the moon on the 25th. Stars, Jan 04 January is famous for the excellent evening view of the constellation of Orion. Below Orion, the Gemini twins are seen rising in the ENE, the two similar shapes are quite easy to make out. The zig-zag of Cassiopeia is directly in the north. Stretching southwards from Orion is a line of stars that the ancient Greeks Saw as the great river Eridanus. Also in the soum is me very bright star Canopus. Planets, Jan 04 On January 1st Mars and the moon are more or less overhead, Mars still unusually bright. Venus is exceptionally constant this month, appearing in just about the same place in the western sky each day. Saturn is seen low in the east at the start of this month, rising slowly to be overhead on the last evenings of January. On the 6th and 7th, Saturn is near the moon in the constellation of Gemini. From the 24th - 25th, the moon is very close to Venus. On the last day of January we will see a splendid sight of Saturn, Mars, our Moon, and Venus in an almost perfect row from Venus (low in the west) up the ecliptic to Saturn. zs&uuak a^tivitips bird ringing Meet at the Museums' Nairobi Botanic Garden, at 7:00 a m. every Thursday. SUNDAY BIRDWATCH Members meet at the National Museum Nairobi car park at 9:00 a m. the th, d Sunday of every month, i.e.21 Dec A j a „ The members decide where to go. Bring lunch TR£E WAL|( Guided Tree Walks in the Arboretum on the second Saturday and last Monday, i.e. 13 Dec. (but none on last Dec Monday) A 10 A 26 Jan from 9:30 a.m Meet at the Arboretum gate. Those who are not members of FONA or Nature Kenya pay Ksh 100/- fee on arrival at the gate WEDNESDAY MORNING BIRDWALKS Bird watching walks at sites in and around Nairobi. Meet at the National Museum car park every Wednesday at 8:45 a m. Return about 12:30 p.m. Those who are not members can get temporary membership at Ksh 100 per birdwalk, payable on arrival at the car park. Calling All Naturalists ! A Unique ? Day Safari via Tsavo to the Coast & Back! Via Galla Camp, Taita Ranch (part of a 160,000 acre conservancy in the Tsavo ecosystem),Tsavo ; East, to 2 nights at the luxury Tana Delta Camp. Thence up the Tana to Mchelelo Camp (2 nights) in the fabulous jungle of the Tana River Primate j Reserve, where sightings of 2 species of endangered primate guaranteed! Return Nairobi via Tsavo East 8 i Umani Springs Camp in the Kibwezi Forest. K.Shs.61,000 per person 4 pax. 74,000 per person 3 pax. 100,000 per person 2 pax. 179,500 per person 1 pax. For further details, see contacts below. KWS fees for Tsavo East not included (2 days). Bring own smart cards. Porini Resources Services for Conservation, Community & Wildlife Management PO Box 22759, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: 254-2-891702 Fax: 254-2-891307 E-mail: info@poriniresources.com Web: www.poriniresources.com ARABUKO-SOKOKE(COAST) The Saturday birdwatch with the Arabuko Sokoke Forest Guides Association is on the first Saturday of each month i.e. 6 Dec 4 3 Jan, at 6:30 a.m from the Visitor Centre, Gede. Cost 100/- per person. KWS fees may now apply ( 100 /- Citizens 500/- RcSi FFj £) Bird Walk (Coast) Friends of Fort Jesus birdwalks are held the third Saturday of each month i.e^ 20 Dec A 17 Jan Please call Marlene Re:d on (041) 491 648 to confirm o-assipfps Christmas Offer Courtesy Tours & Travel 8 Days Mt Kenya Climb 22,000/- 8 Days Loita Hills & Maasai Mara 21 , 000 /- 6 Days Maasai Mara, L. Nakuru, L. Naivasha Daily departures to Mt Kenya, Maasai Mara, Samburu, Loita Hills, Kilimanjaro, Nakuru and L. Turkana Ng°ng Road Forest Walks (Nairobi) The Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary Trust Nature walks are held on the first and third Saturdays of the month i.e 6 A 20 Dec A 3 -117 Jan. at 9:00 a.m Meet at the stairs leading to the Restaurant at the Racecourse. Lake Victoria Sunset Birders (Kisumu) Cali 020 341452 or 0733 907657 Email: Courtesytours@yahoo.com Reach over 1000 members by advertising in Nature Net Rates for Classifieds: • Up to 25 words 250/- • Up to 50 words 500/- Ads • 1/4 page @ 1750/- * 1/2 page @ 3000/- with image +500/- The Lake Victoria Sunset Birders are a T7F>/ O' 2 ) PI Nature Kenya Site Support Group and ^ + — 1 pirdwnlks A NRF walk organise bird walks at sites in and around - 7777 - 7 ; Tjmh° r planta tions talk Kisumu every Friday of the month. For - — Tree Walk A Carols _ further details call 035 42952 or email - 7 -^ 7 ^ Fh urru Esrnrp^ ent A N Rf_ wck@vicweb.net pp^ua^atipn ___„ . o in+u,nIks every Wedne sday Morning _ Nature Konyo dots no, accept negligence of any of its staff, volunteers or members organising the outings/trips or for any loss, injury, death or damage to property. PYlYoK, C31 h G FI FI G NQ3F3ChU FLAMINGO CAMP, offers free CempinQ for Nature Kenya Members! Through out the month of December, Nature Kenya members can camp without charge on the shores of Lake Elementaita. You can take walks or take advantage of optional extras (boating, camel riding, cycling) at reasonable prices. The camp is also situated within a walking distance of the Kariandusi Prehistoric site. Members wishing to make use of the offer MUST carry their camping gears. Toilets and hot water showers available and security is provided. Flamingo camp is situated near Gilgil on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway. Proof of membership needed. Call 2001 -npa^y o*\ pia^l -- l 7 ," » Kin TROPICAL BIOLOGY ASSOCIATION Field courses in tropical ecology Kenya, Uganda and Madagascar 2004 Do you want to gain experience and learn new research skills? The Tropical Biology Association is running month long courses in practical, field-based training in tropical ecology, conservation and project design. If you hold a first degree in a biological science (or are due to finish by June 2004) and have a keen interest in tropical ecology and conservation - then please do apply. What do the courses involve? The unique feature of the TBA courses is that they bring together biologists from African and European countries in equal numbers. This provides you with a rich learning environment and an ideal opportunity for exchanging ideas and making useful contacts. Course teachers are selected from institutions worldwide, and cover up-to-date concepts and techniques in a variety of topics in tropical ecology and conservation biology. Field exercises form a large part of the curriculum; you will also have the chance to undertake your own research project during the course. When and where? • TBA 04/1 - Savanna ecosystems, Kenya: 23 June to 22 July 2004 • TBA 04/2 - Forest and savanna ecosystems, Uganda: 28 July to 27 August 2004 • TBA 04/3 - Forest and savanna ecosystems, Uganda: 2nd September to 30 September 2004 • TBA 04/4 - Tropical forest ecosystems, Madagascar: 1st November to 30 November 2004 Who is eligible? You must be a national of an African country and hold a first degree in a biological science by the'time the course begins. Preference will be given to those involved in biological field research and/or those studying for a higher degree and who are at an early stage in their careers. Scholarships Scholarships are available for African and Malagasy nationals which include transport to and from the field-site, accommodation, subsistence and course fees. Application Procedure Applications (including letters of reference) must be in English and must include: • a completed application form (available from the TBA offices upon request or TBA website) • a covering letter explaining in detail why you want to go on the course • a curriculum vitae detailing your education (degree, year of course and marks attained); any achievements, interests, work and/or extra activities (especially any biological ones). • two confidential references from lecturers at your University or employers from your current institution. All applicants must arrange to have references sent to the TBA as soon as possible. Send your application to: Project Officer, Tropical Biology Association, c/o Nature Kenya Email: courses-africa@tropical-biology.org; For full details, see the TBA website: http://www.tropical- biology.org Closing date for applications: 20 February 2004. Late applications will not be considered. Successful applicants will be notified by the end of March. Unsuccessful applicants with emails will also be notified. Nature Kenya Membership form Yes! ? Start Renew my Nature Kenya membership MAILING ADDRESS (BLOCK LETTERS) Surname First Name Ms/Mr/Title Address Tel (H) (O) Mobile Email (OPTIONAL - but useful to us in planning) Occupation Age Bracket (tick) under 21( ) 21-35( ) 36-50( ) over 50( ) Country of Origin Would you like us to share your contacts Yes/ NO For Official Use Only Sub No. Mode Due Date Recpt. No. Recpt Date Ksh Per Year 800 Enter Amount MEMBERSHIP TYPE Full Sponsor Family Pensioners Students (Full time & undergraduate) Institutional (Libraries, schools, clubs) Corporate (check with the office) ADDITIONAL SUBSCRIPTIONS Kenya Birds (please tick if you would like to receive this Bird magazine) Free of charge 3000 1000 300 300 1000 Journal of E. A. Natural History 1000 Scopus (Ornithological Journal) 500 World Bird watch (the BirdLife International magazine) 1500 Succulenta East Africa 400 Friends of Nairobi Arboretum Single - 400/-, Student - 250/-, School or Club - 800/- DONATIONS Help us to do even more! 5000/ 8000/ Other Total Send with cheque or money order to Nature Kenya