naraff' The Nature Kenya Newsletter ., JH ^ -- -->W ■ - ••" www.naturekenya.org * August 06 How come/ there/ are/ yr mary differ entr plardy? Tuey26 Sept 1 06 at the Louis Leakey M. Hall, Nairobi Museum 5.30 p.m. i-yv yy © „ c\ Kjte .tec \l A presentation on the number of flowering plant species in Kenya and a discussion on how plant species can exist together, without competition between them eliminating all but the best one. Talk presented by the author of the plant key Upland Kenya Wild Flowers - Dr. Andrew Agnew Direct Debit/ Pay subscriptions this way Request an authorizing form from Nature Kenya AUGUST AT A GLIMPSE at 12 Tree Walk at 12 - Sun 13 Athi Riven trip j n 20 _ Sunday Birdwalk on 28 T ree Walk m c .o _. , ww ---- -dwalks every Wednesday Morning _ -d ringing every Thursday Morning Editorial Team Cd'for Catherine Ngarachu Cvemcy Skier, Fleur Ng’weno NafvraIters Corner Dino Martins World Bird Festival November ‘06 How many of Kenya’s 1089 species of birds can you see and identify in 24hrs! That is the challenge in November to birdwatchers, who wish to compete to see the most birds in 24hrs. A list completed during any 24 hours in the month of November can be submitted. If you are interested please send your name and contacts to office@naturekenya.org An information pack with checklist and map will be sent to you in due course. You must pair with at least one other registered member for your list to qualify. Kenya’s birds and birding 3 KutUh/ 3 ird/ fcoir August‘06 To encourage bird tourism, which will postively impact Important Bird Areas in Kenya, Nature Kenya will be participating at the British Bird Fair '06. It will be an opportunity to provide information on Kenyan birds and birding. Rotary-Maralal International Camel Derby 4 - 6 August ‘06 at the Yare Camel Club, Maralal Join the fun in this unique, exciting event! Activities include Camel Races, Bike Races, Running Races, Fun Games for children and adults alike. Camels and Bikes available for hire to participate in events. Accommodation and Camping available in Maralal Information and Enquiries: Yare Camel Club: mobile: 0723 702461 land line: 065 62295 yare@africaonline.co.ke Rotary Club of Maralal (Community Service Chair) 0721 565383 lemunyete@wananchi.com Kenya Museum Society Garissa-Tana River Primate Park trip 24 - 27 AiACfU4t‘06 AthOKiver Scot 12 - Sun/ 13 August ‘06 overnight Wanafunzi Lodge, Hopcraft Ranch Wanafunzi Lodge is situated in a small acacia forest on a ranch looking towards Lukenya, with plenty of plains game and bird life. We will do a walk and visit Simon Thomsett's falconry. Also possible from here are day and night game drives. The lodge is about 6 kms from the main road and about 45 minutes from Nairobi depending on the traffic. There is no problem with the road on the ranch except during the rains then a 4 X4 vehicle is recommended. Cost is 3500/- per person sharing full board or 4000/- for a single. BOOK TOOAY! Full details in the KMS newsletter Cost in Cottage 7,400/- For inquiries call 0733 704267 or email narinder_heyer@yahoo.co.uk NATURE KENYA, P. O. Box 44486, 00100 GPO Nairobi Tel: 3749957 / 3746090 Fax: 3741049 E-mail: office@naturekenya.org While at the Coast Visit Arabuko- Sokoke Forest Arabuko-Sokoke is the largest remnant of the East African coastal forest. It is considered the second most important forest for conservation in Africa, with over 6 globally threathened bird species, rare and endemic mammal, amphibian and butterfly species. The forest covers an area of 420 square kms in Kilifi and Malindi Districts of Coast Province. It is about 100 kms north of Mombasa, near the Indian Ocean. The gate to the visitor centre is on the main road from Mombasa to Malindi, 1.5 kms south of the Watamu-Gede junction. Nature Kenya has been working there, alongside other partners, since 1984. Currently, we manage several projects to help Government agencies and local communities to conserve the forest. Conservation Initiatives The award-winning Kipepeo Project is a community-based butterfly-farming project started by Nature Kenya. It is based at the Gede Ruins National Monument, which is on the edge of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. Kipepeo trains local farmers to rear butterfly caterpillars on the leaves of forest trees. The pupae are then purchased from the farmers for export to live butterfly exhibits in Europe and the United States. Community earnings since 1994 have exceeded US$1 million. The success of the Kipepeo Project has had a significant positive effect on people’s livelihoods and attitudes towards the forest. Visit the Kipepeo website at www.kipepeo.org The ASSETS programme, is an eco bursary scheme, providing secondary school scholarships. Developed by A Rocha Kenya with assistance from NABU, the German BirdLife Partner, ASSETS responds to the needs of local school children, whilst encouraging community support for the protection of Arabuko- Sokoke Forest, and the associated tidal inlet of Mida Creek. To assist please visit www.assets-kenya.org Participatory Forest Management (PFM) contributes to forest management by allowing communities to participate in decision-making and to benefit from the forest. This helps to improve the communities' livelihood, resolve conflicts and ensure more equitable benefit sharing. Visitors at forest tree platform by Colin Jackson In the PFM project funded by USAID, Nature Kenya is ■ Building local capacity for sustained conservation action ■ Developing entrepreneurs for improved livelihoods • Availing basic services like water to poor local communities ■ Availing initial investment capital for nature-based enterprises. These include butterfly farming, apiculture, ecotourism, mushroom farming, Aloe vera production, and sericulture ■ Developing institutional capacity for improved governance, leadership and decision making • Developing monitoring systems for assessment, evaluation and correction. library re-opens located at the Natural Sciences Building, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi (next to the Langi Langi cafeteria) 1909 - 2009 centenary celebrations In 2009 Nature Kenya (the East Africa Natural History Society) celebrates 100 years of research, education and conservation Give us your suggestions as to how we can celebrate this achievement! One suggestion has been - a commemorative postage stamp - but what can you suggest one or more stamps might look like? Send us your commemorative postage stamp design? The local community living within five kilometers adjacent to the forest are united under the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Adjacent Dwellers Association (ASFADA). ASFADA is an umbrella body, representing more than 300 conservation minded community organizations implementing different activities from the sustainable use of natural resources. Bird Hotline 3749957 Broad-tailed Warbler, Parasitic Weaver Nairobi National PJ Jun 06 Bob and Linda Hawkins, Shailesh Patel Brown-chested Plover Masai Mara/ Jun '06 Chege Kariuki Banana Fibre artwork on hemp available from Nature Kenya offices for 700/- shillings. Developed by the Friends of Kinangop Plateau natural history EVENING SKY lan Mackay & Fleur Ng'weno CLASSIFIEDS Reach over 1000 members by advertising in Nature Net Rates for Classifieds: • Up to 25 words 250/- • Up to 50 words 500/- Ads • <® 1750/- • with image +500/- PLANT INDIGENOUS TREES AND SHRUBS ATTRACT WILDLIFE FANTASTIC SELECTION OF OVER 90 SPECIES TREES AND SHRUBS, 1-2M IN LARGE POLYPOTS. “LANDSCAPE” TREES & YELLOW NANDI FLAMES AVAILABLE CONTACT FOR TREE LIST, ADVICE & DIRECTIONS : Trees can be delivered CROPWATCH LTD TREE NURSERY BRIAN WILLIAMS 0733 923990 bvwilliams@swiftkenya.com CAROLE HEMMINGS 0733 747865 carole@access350.co.ke Moon, August 2006 2nd - First quarter moon; 4th - Moon occults Ant ares; 9th - Full moon; 16th - Last quarter moon; 23rd - New moon; 25th - Moon just south of Mars; August Stars In August the ecliptic - the path along which the moon and planets seem to move - runs directly from east to west. The Milky Way - the ribbon of millions of stars that is our galaxy - runs across the sky from northeast to southwest. Bright stars in August skies include orange yellow Arcturus in the northwest; blue-white Spica in the southwest; reddish Antares high in the south; two bright stars of the Centaur constellation low in the south; Altair flanked by two smaller stars high in the east; and bright white Vega in the north- northeast. Spica is just north of the moon on August first, and again close to the moon a lunar cycle later, on the 28 ,h . On August 4 th , the moon passes between the Earth and the reddish star Antares in the constellation Scorpius. Scorpius dominates the southern sky; look for stars forming its claws, its fiery eye, the curve of its body and the sting in its tail. It is followed in the sky by the teapot shape of Sagittarius, the Archer. The centre of our galaxy lies in the Milky Way between Scorpius and Sagittarius. Looking through binoculars or a telescope, you can see many star clusters in this area. Planets, August 2006 Jupiter, high and bright, and Mars, dull and low, are still visible in the western evening sky. Mars is near the moon on August 25 th . Jupiter appears just north of the moon on August 2nd and once again in more or less the same place a lunar cycle later (the 29th). The other planets can be seen in the eastern sky before dawn. Venus is brilliant but very low. After August, Venus will be in the glare of the sun until December, after which it will emerge in the evening. Saturn appears in the last week of August, just south of the moon on the 22 nd . Little Mercury appears at its highest in the morning sky at the start of August and gradually sinks lower through the next 3 weeks. Mercury is just south of the moon on the 22 " d . anion to Travel, ind Restaurants Your Only Companion 1 Entertainment and Res East Africa THE CARO THAT TAKES TOO PLACES... Accepted at over 200 Estabfcshmenu In East Africa. Discounts range Irom tt>-30% For more Information on how to get your copies and privilege card call: Tel 020 1754748 • 3747258 • 1745725 Noble 0714 331259 • 0720 959749 E-mul goprj£e*@5wiftke*!yi.c©m Wefevte www jepticeikeny* com For more Chris Madden cartoons buy his book "The Beast that ate the Earth" from his website www.chrismadden.org “Don’t drink that natural spring water - it’s polluted with agrochemicals!” Up & about VZOLAKATIOH 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. tree walks Guided tree walks in the Arboretum on the second Saturday and last Monday, i.e. 12 and 28 Aug 06 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. SUNDAY BIRDWATCH Members meet at the National Museum, Nairobi car park at 9:00 a.m. the third Sunday of every month, I.e. 20 Aug ‘06.The members decide where to go. Bring lunch bird ringing Meet at the Museums' Nairobi Botanic Garden. Q t 7:00 a.m. every Thursday. SAMAKI DAYS guided fish excursions on the first Thursday, i.e. 3 Aug 06 from 9:00 a.m - 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Nairobi Museum car park. Pay Ksh 50/- per person on arrival 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 tatesj)lsg|e contact Nature Kenya. d h c j x - T 3 pax 4,900/- 7.400/- 4 pax 5,800/- 8,300/- 20% OFF ACCOMMODATION AT THE DRIFTWOOD On presentation of your membership card, you can get this discount off accommodation (if paying by cash or cheque) at the Driftwood Beachclub. This is a charming beachfront property with great food and service. Contact: