Camping at Laikipia (Organised bV the Herpetofauna Working Group and Youth Group) Trip to Bobong Camp 29 -31 July 2005 ** You can stay on one more day for a meeting with the Laikipia Wildlife Forum on 1st August (rt 2nd Aug) All you need to bring for this trip include Sum/ rubber boots, torches, a sleeping bag, comfortable clothing (you do not have to bring a tent) and you are also advised to carry a cup, plate and a spoon. Trip Registration is Ksh 200. Cost 1800/- per person includes transport, food and camping fees. Book at Nature Kenya front office by 15 July 05. 4? For inquiries contact Beryl Okoth at the Dept, of Herpetology, Nairobi Museum, tel 3742161 - 4 ext 244/ 245 or email IN THE FIELD Field trip to SAGANA POWER . STATION Sat. 23 July 05 Book with Nature Kenya by Wednesday 20 July. It would be very much appreciated, if you have a vehicle and can offer rides to the car pool. Waterbird Count 30 — 31 July 05 The mid-year waterbird count is scheduled to take place at Lake Nakuru. The count registration forms are being sent out to volunteers. Any offer to provide transport will be appreciated. Meet at the Museum car park at 7:45 a.m. for prompt departure at 8:00 a.m. Bring a picnic lunch and water. Cost: 200/- per person A 100/- per child For more information contact: Alfred Owino or Martin Mwema - Department of Ornithology, tel: 3742161-4 bebwong@yahoo.com Bird Hotline 3749957 African Golden Weaver Windsor Golf & Country Club , Nairobi / May Wednesday Morning Birdwalk Tacazze Sunbird L. Naivasha / May George McKnight JULY AT A GLIMPSE 5at 2 ASF Birdwalks & NRF walk 5 Q t 9 Tree Walk _ Sun 17 Su nday Birdwalk _ Wed 20 " Talk by Prof. Mazruj _ Sat 23 Sag ana Field trip _ ~Mon 25 Tree Walk - - Fri 29 - 31 Camping at Bobong _ Sat 30 - 35 Waterbird Counts Birdwalks every Wednesday Morning Bird ringing every Thursday Morning Editorial Team fdifor Catherine Ngarachu Skic4 Fleur Ng'weno Na-fvrafkt's Corner Dino Martins TALKS & VIDEOS 'between i cwl-Uiral nostalgia and cA/lbral amcS ia: MuSc-mS and Africa's Memory'' By Prof. Mazrui A Kenya Museum Society lecture Wed 20 July 05, at Louis Leakey Hall Nairobi Museum at 6.30 p.m. Prof Mazrui is an International Scholar on African studies and an author of more than twenty books. City Park MOU signed between the City Council of Nairobi, National j Museums of Kenya and Nature Kenya Left to right Nairobi Mayor, Councillor Dick Wathika, Minister of Local Gov' Honourable Musikari Kombo & Chairman Nature Kenya Dr Ian Gordon. Also present were National Museums of Kenya Director-General Dr Idle Farah and Town Clerk John Gakuo An important milestone was achieved with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Friday 17 June 05. The MOU provides a framework for the Friends of City Park (a Nature Kenya project) and the National Museums of Kenya to contribute to the governance and development of City Park. If you are interested in this initiative, please register as a Friend of City Park by sending a note to office@naturekenya.org NATURE KENYA, P. O. Box 44486, 00100 GPCTNairobi Tel: 3749957 / 3746090 Fax: 3741049 E-mail: office@naturekenya.org action PLANTING TUSSOCK GRASS at Kinangop Youth Committee members went to Nature Kenya's Kinangop Reserve to make it habitable for its intended residents - Sharpe's Longclaw. The Reserve is intended to serve as a demonstration plot for the conservation of this bird and other species. The main activity was transplanting tussock grass on the formerly cultivated land. It was a very tedious activity, but the participants were very determined and they planted a good size portion. tussocks. The most excited was the Long- tailed Widowbird. This was a good indication that the activity was much appreciated. Located just off the escarpment, the Reserve stands in an area with a perfect view of the Aberdares Range and within a few metres from breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley. There is a great potential for ecotourism, involving the local Site Support Group Friends of Kinangop Plateau (FoKP). The birds were very excited and were even seen perching on the newly planted Make sure you visit this grassland area to get a firsthand experience! IN THE NEWS Ivory¬ billed ^Woodpecker found in Arkansas The Ivory-billed Woodpecker Campephilus principalis, one of the largest and most spectacular of the world's woodpeckers, has been rediscovered in North America. Both sexes are striking black-and-white birds, and males have flaming red crests. The news, the subject of an announcement by the journal Science, has stunned ornithologists world-wide, as the species was widely assumed to have gone extinct in North America since the last confirmed sighting in 1944. For more on this exciting news go to www.birdlife.net/news Mzee &Owen... In December last year a baby hippo was rescued from the Indian Ocean just after the tsunami, that devastated coastal regions of Asia, reached Kenyan shores. The rescued baby hippo was taken to Haller Park in Mombasa. While settling down there and being cared for, something happened that surprised everybody - the baby hippo, named Owen, 'adopted' a Giant Aldabran Tortoise as a foster parent. Owen and Mzee formed an inseparable bond and the pictures of them were seen around the world after the BBC aired their story. This amazing story inspired several people to write a book about them. The book was launched as an e-book earlier this year in New York. The story of Owen and Mzee is available free for download from the website of Lafarge EcoSystems: www.lafargeecosystems.com CLASSIFIEDS 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/- FOR SALE Camping items (tents, bedrolls, etc), 4WD vehicle, boat stand, BMX bike, heavy-duty aluminium uniport, large wooden wardrobe. 0734 329830 & 0735 160330 evenings Increase Biodiversity Within Your Garden Grow Indigenous Plants and Trees Over 100 species of plants and trees are available at the Athi Nursery, A list with names and prices can be supplied Contact Celia Hardy 0722 523023 Email: celia@rosesgalore.co.ke Or Barry Cameron 0722 749596 Email: barry@rosesgalore.co.ke The Kitengela Bird House Just established - over 300 acres of riverine forest, rocky gorge and bushed grassland teeming with birds including the rare African Finfoot. House with tower on the edge of the gorge available for small groups. Great for walking, relaxing or exploring, also visit the glassworks next door. For more information please call 045-24117 or email nani@kitengela.com \ Moon • . I sco«p, UJ . EVENING SKY NATUR CORNS LURED BY SCENT Dino Martins email dinom@elci.org July 6th New moon; July 14th First quarter; July 21st Full moon; July 28th Last quarter Other Times July 7th - Saturn is 4,6 degrees south of the moon; July 8th - In the early evening Mercury is just south of the moon and Venus is even closer to the moon; July 13th - Jupiter north of the moon; July 27th - Mars is just south of the moon; July 29th - Southern delta Aquarid meteor shower is at maximum; July 30th - Alpha Capricornid meteor shower is at maximum: Stars The M5 Globular Cluster is directly overhead this month. To find it, look for the outline of the Scorpion like a giant fishhook high in the southern sky. Draw an imaginary line from the Scorpion's reddish star Antares to the bright orange-yellow star Arcturus high in the north. M5 is about halfway on this imaginary line. With binoculars, you can see the glow of the globular cluster. without telescopes is part of our own galaxy we call the Milky Way, which is about 100,000 light years across. On a dark, clear night we see the Milky Way as a wide pale ribbon across the sky. It passes through the constellations of Sagittarius (shaped like a teapot) and Seorpius (shaped like a fishhook), to the brilliant stars of the Centaur and the Southern Cross in the south. Planets Brilliant Venus is low in the western sky, setting a little later each night. Saturn is lower than Venus, and disappears in the glare of the sun by mid-month. The tiny planet Mercury is relatively high in the sky throughout July. The crescent moon will be nearby in the second week of July. Bright Jupiter is high overhead at sunset, and reddish Mars is visible for more than half the night. A strong, sweet scent wafts gently through the evening air Powerfully sweet and musky all at once, it emanates from a large but innocuous-looking plant. The plant bears large dazzlingly white flowers that unfurl their petals in the evening and flood the air around them with ’ an intoxicating perfume. The scent is so strong that even people, with our relative poor sense of smell, can be easily overwhelmed by it if the flowers are brought into a closed room or planted near a window. Out of the gathering dusk a whirring form whistles past the flowers. It sweeps around and around, then hovers in front of a blossom with its long tongue uncoiled. This is a hawkmoth, and it is feeding on nectar from the flowers. White flowers with tubular forms, scent and nectar that open at night are typically hawkmoth-pollinated. Not just moths, but dozens of Chafer beetles too, are drawn to the flowers as the scent spreads through the air. Drugged by the narcotic perfume, they crawl clumsily on the flowers, chewing the petals. This plant, common across East Africa, is widely known as the Thornapple or Datura (Datura stramonium). A common weedy plant of disturbed areas such as roadside verges and old bomas, Datura is fast-growing and tenacious. It is thought to originate in the Americas, probably in the 5outh-western US or Mexico. It has become naturalised in Kenya and many other tropical regions of the world. This plant has been widely used in traditional medicine despite the fact that it is highly poisonous and must be used with the greatest caution. It is used in the treatment of worms and externally the crushed fruits can be applied to the scalp against dandruff. The leaves and stem exude a strong smell when crushed. It is known to act as a narcotic and Globular clusters are groups of stars relatively close to each other. These clusters are scattered thoughout galaxies, including our own. They are thought to contain hundreds to hundreds of thousands of closely packed, older stars. Objects like these also help to give us an idea of the scale of things out there. Almost all we can see from earth Meteor Showers At certain times of the year the Earth passes through areas of the solar system containing bits of rock and dust. When these objects enter the Earth's atmosphere, they burn up, and look like “shooting stars" or “burning spears". Look for meteors in the last weekend of July! Special pre-publication offer: Announcing the publication of 138 Euros (saving 37 Euro) HBW Volume 10 if ordered before 31 August Cuckoo-shrikes to Thrushes 2005 Post your order to Lynx, Montseny 8, E-08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona) Spain e-mail: lynx@hbw.com www.hbw.com 3 Up & about P^UA-f^VTlON Nature Kenya does not accept any responsibility whatsoever in respect of negligence of any of its staff, volunteers or members organising the outings/trips or for any loss, injury, death or damage to property. 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. Lake Victoria Sunset Birders (Kisumu) The Lake Victoria Sunset Birders are a Nature Kenya Site Support Group and organise bird walks at sites in and around Kisumu every Friday of the month. For further details call 057 42952 or 0734 994938 or email lakevictoriasunsetbirders@yahoo.co.uk Mt Kenya Biodiversity Conservation Group (MKBCG) The MKBCG is a Nature Kenya Site Support Sroup and organise bird walks to sites around Naro Moru every last Saturday o the month i.e. 30 July. For more information contact 0722 364904. 0733 937115 or 062 62071 Email: mt_kebio@yahoo.co.uk TREE WALKS Guided tree walks in the Arboretum on the second Saturday and last Monday, i.e 9 A 25 July from 9:30 a.m Meet ot the Arboretum gate. Those who are not members of FONA or Nature Kenya pay Ksh 100/- fee on arrival at the gate. SUNDAY BIRDWATCH Members meet at the National Museum, Nairobi car park at 9:00 a.m. the third Sunday of every month, i.e. 17 July. The members decide where to go. Bring lunch bird ringing Meet at the Museums' Nairobi Botanic Garden, at 7:00 a.m. every Thursday. Ngong Road Forest Walks (Nairobi) Organised by the Ngong Road Forest Sanctuary Trust, nature walks are held on the first and third Saturdays of the month i.e. 2 4 16 July, at 9:00 a.m. Meet at the stairs leading to the Restaurant at the Racecourse. Call Anthony Chalo to confirm on 575207 or 0733 712406. ARABUKO-SOKOKE(COAST) The Saturday birdwatch with the Arabuko Sokoke Forest Guides Association is on the first Saturday of each month i.e. 2 July, at 6:30 a.m from the Visitor Centre, Sede, Cost 100/- per person. KWS fees now apply (WO/- Citizens, 500/- Residents) FFJ Bird Walk (Coast) Friends of Fort Jesus birdwalks are held the third Saturday of each month, i.e. 16 July. Please call Marlene Reid on (041) 491 648 to confirm Plan your weekend or other break to stay at the Kinangop Guest House Perched on the Kinangop Plateau with incredible views across the Rift Valley, the farm combines tussock-grass pasture, indigenous forest, and attractive gardens. The guesthouse is comfortable and fully furnished. Visitors can enjoy hikes and walks on the farm or go further afield with local guides. For more information, .brochure and non¬ member rates please contact Nature Kenya. Guest House rates: Day visit 350/- MEMBER nos Overnight Weekend 1 to 2 pax 4000/- 6500/- 3 pax 4,900/- 7,400/- 4 pax 5,800/- 8,300/- 20% off at the Driftwood Beachclub On presentation of your membership card, you can get 20% discount (if paying by cash or cheque) at the Driftwood Beachclub. This is a charming beachfront property with great food and service. Contact Driftwood Beachclub or tel 042 20155 r Nature.Kenya Yes! Start] _j 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. Recpt. No. Mode Due Date Recpt Date MEMBERSHIP TYPE Ksh Per Year Enter Amount Full 1000 1 Sponsor 3000 1 Family 1400 Pensioners 400 1 Students (Full time & undergraduate) 400 1 Institutional (Libraries, schools, clubs) 1000 1 Corporate 10000 1 Corporate Plus 20000 L ADDITIONAL SUBSCRIPTIONS Kenya Birds (tick to receive this free Bird magazine) Journal of E.A. Natural History 1000 Scopus (Ornithological Journal) 500 1 World Birdwatch (the BirdLife International magazine) 1500 1 Succulenta East Africa 400 1 Friends of Nairobi Arboretum Single - 400/-, Student - 250/-, School or Club - 800/- ! African Bird Club (Student 500/-) 800 1 DONATE & Help us to do even more! 5000/Other 1_ Total 1 If you live reside outside of Kenya please refer to www.naturekenya.org “1