Project Update: March 2005

The project got going on 12th Dec. 2004 with a meeting at Ngulia Safari Lodge during the Palaearctic migrants ringing project. This meeting evaluated group’s performance by looking at strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats since June 1994. Another meeting on 31st looked at project goals. Training sessions are going on every Thursday at the National Museums, Nairobi. Monthly sessions at a Constant Effort Site in a Nairobi forest at A Rocha Kenya’s property in Karen has been identified and permanent net positions marked.

The bird’s movement has been very sporadic with few recaptures perhaps due to scarcity of resources especially food. The overall number of catch has been relatively low especially for Jan & Feb where 36 birds were caught. More nets were added in March and caught 54 new individuals from 24 species and 2 recaptures ringed in February. As training opportunity, we are also aiming at standardizing measurements and efforts for scientific data analysis. A training of trainers’ course took place at A Rocha Kenya’s Field Study Centre in Watamu. Five trainees were equipped with skills to enable them become effective communicators and instructors. Emphasis was put on identification, ageing, sexing, molting score, and taking of measurements.