Stop Wildlife Poisoning

In Kenya, the long rains season is now easing after weeks of heavy downpours and associated impassable tracks (in rural areas like Bunyala) power blackouts for days on end; therefore communication breakdown via modern cybertechnology requiring continuous power supply. In Bunyala we thought the floods would bypass their usual norm but in the past one week we experienced flooding following bursting of banks and reinforcement embarkments of River Nzoia. This is a major river in our republic and here it meanders in giant snaky loops before draining into the Lake Victoria. When the rain is heavy upstream, this lower river course can only ‘spit out’ some of the water onto Bunyala plains to offload some of the pressure in its normal canal. Yet the water used at the irrigation scheme is derived from the river therefore the canals used for this purpose serve as ready outlets but with increased water volume, these also spill out the water in the surroundings inclusive of around and inside homesteads

Rain clouds over Bunyala

Homesteads surrounded by floodwater from rains and overflow from river Nzoia

Flooded neighbourhood

The water overflow onto the plains prevents poison-poaching activities and the few, stubborn sneaky poachers do not want to waste their poison substance because “it is expensive”, to use their actual words. We can therefore boast of guaranteed safety of birds in the flooding season. Nonetheless, the monitoring continues as we want to capture all the species dynamics both in the face of poisoning and when there is no poisoning for their conservation and eventual tapping into the avian resource for tourism gains.

Well-fed birds perched on trees, unaffected by flood

Nesting Long-toed Plovers in the flooded rice scheme

My ‘home’ on safer grounds after several relocations evn though water-locked

And while birds are now enjoying their peace, locals are tapping from another protein source that has been availed by the floods-Fish! While their methods are crude, they are safe (do not involve poisoning) and probably can be accredited as sustainable (just a handful of fish can be caught this way). The fishing methods involve hacking with a machete live fishes in shallow flooded pools.

Fish caught in the flood waters

Keep reading and supporting us in our monitoring in tough conditions.

Today’s update is a quick note to inform you that much of the monitoring in the coming days will be local (rather than beyond the irrigation field). The rains have intensified in the week gone & while the floods have not been as intense as in the past year in the region (due to the renovation of the dyke wall to guard against the notorious flood waters of river Nzoia), we are having to wade to get to the roads (& beyond the rice scheme) which are also not usable because they are all ‘soft’ & sticky.

In the coming few days we will be focused on:

1. Monitoring the dynamics of the migrants on site
2. ‘Class room’ identification lessons; the component of monitoring raptors demands technical identification expertise & many of the scouts have had a frustrating fortnight with many having to rely on the instructor’s identification. So I will be dedicating attention to individual persons to ensure they can identify more species independently during our next raptor road census survey (next week).

Importantly however, the rains seem to have flushed in a few more migrants. The species numbers are however small but this is not unusual since the spring migration period is in its final stages. Over the past 4 days we have observed not more than 5 Black-winged Stilts, variable number (4-13) of White-winged Black terns donned in breeding dress (Black bodies and underwing linings), 2-38 Wood Sandpipers and 4 Black-tailed Godwits.

Transiting Black-tailed Godwits

Our excitement is in the godwits classified by IUCN as globally Near Threatened.  The species was the most poisoned of the migrants according to a study in 2009-2010 and we feared poisoning may have been playing a significant threatening role in the population migrating through Bunyala. The 4 Black-tailed Godwits were first observed in our morning survey on 16/04/2013 and are still present at their site of choice (even though they may leave nut return to roost) – a small section constituted of 4 adjoined plots flooded with water in the southern end of the rice scheme.

The Godwits in flooded paddy plots

The waders seem fat even from scrutiny with bare eyes and are fairly approachable by my team (which we do discretely everyday).

This is a good sign that they are well-fed and have not been traumatized by poacher’s activities and when the time is right in the coming few days, they will leave for their breeding northern latitudes.

Our campaign against poisoning of wildlife has for the past 4 years focused on the special ground case of Bunyala. Bunyala is remotely located and otherwise latent atrocities against wildlife are easily detected here compared to less remote sites in our republic thereby offering an opportunity to illustrate the threat issues (starting with poisoning), flag up these conservation concerns and furnish the public on the status quo and relevant authorities on need to act. The latter and ultimate intended aim has however on the general remained unattended to leaving us with no options but to act in our own capacity however small.

In our vigilance approach to minimize/prevent the indiscriminate poisonings of birds….and most probably humans in Bunyala, my team and I stumbled on bird trapping/snaring of birds particularly raptors during September 2012. The first discovered case of LOST the Long Crested Eagle snared & killed in Bunyala was an awakening call to watch out for all threats to birds for their protection. The perpetrator’s defence was that the bird habitually took on his newly hatched chicks, a genuinely understandable reason but even then, decent, effective screens/shields for baby chickens against raptors are locally available and sold cheaply. My scouts however purport that some raptors are snared for human consumption. The Long Crested Eagle is a locally abundant species at the site and is said not to be spared by some of the bird-eaters. When I rescued LOST, one onlooker stated in local vernacular that ‘this boy has just snatched away one hell of a rooster that would have supplemented Ugali’. From my stand point, this is sufficiently authentic of the raptor-eating allegation.

It has now emerged that there is more than one motive to killing raptors at the rice irrigation scheme. Raptors kill smaller birds for their meal. I reckon one or two well-fleshed queleas/weaver birds per day are sufficient for an accipiter, a large kestrel or a falcon. Larger raptors like the Ayres’s Hawk Eagle in the locality may go for larger doves but then again just a couple of these per day are adequate. Hundreds of thousands of smaller birds come to feed at the rice scheme which at the moment is a combination of habitats ideal for all species. Certain plots are fallow while others are flooded and being readied for planting. A few have the crop ready and is being harvested but in a majority, the rice crop is maturing up. The maturing/mature crop is the main attractant for parasitic seedeaters and raises concern for raptors which local farmers are aware terrify the seed-eating raiders but are crudely and unsustainably harnessing this use of raptors.

Rice Crop in maturing stage

Rice field with crop at different developmental stages; in the foreground the crop is almost ready; in the middle ground & further out the crop is still in the vegetative state

Hundreds of thousands of seedeaters arriving at Bunyala Rice Scheme at dawn

As the raptors hunt in the natural setting, they certainly cause panic as they ambush the smaller birds and the emanating frenzy sends the assailed birds scurrying and scattering away from the rice field. However, the shock wave is only effective over a narrow front of just a few acres leaving many thousands hectares unscathed with the parasitic hordes enjoying their cereal meal!

We have observed that most modes of scaring away the likes of queleas, waxbills and weavers from the crop are ineffective. These range from vocal cord ripping yells, hitting or churning of shakers to human-form scarecrows otherwise just secured polythene bags flapping in the wind. The case of suspending hawks in mid-air to mimic a raptor on decent to a kill is said to work wonders and keeps most if not all parasitic bird species from destroying the rice crop. Our latest victim is a Grey Kestrel that a poacher employed his taxidermy skills to preserve the bird’s feathers and body in perfect condition but for the messed up head and neck that the snap-trap struck the subject.

Snared then propped Grey Kestrel decoy to scare parasitic birds from rice fields

In an attempt to find out if for sure this method works, I picked a random neighboring plot and realized the farmer in the nearby plot actively engaged in chasing away the birds by hitting on some percussion container (plastic container laden with stones) as the raiding locust birds stubbornly gorged on his crop. The farmer in the plot with the suspended preserved kestrel sat down clearly with little or no concern for the parasitic birds I bet from guaranteed security from the poor murdered watchman’s carcass guarding over his farm!

Scaring away queleas, weavers & waxbills using human-form scarecrows & human watchmen; also note suspended polythene bags flapping in wind in the background

Lazy farmer enjoying the services of a killed kestrel to keep off parasitic queleas, weavers & waxbills

This is not the only incident and my scouts describe at least one other incident of a raptor that I infered to be the African Marsh Harrier, possibly a juvenile from their description (a mostly all-brown raptor with some white speckling on the nape region  harrying just above the rice fields, head down-facing,).

In seeking a solution, one is quickly forced to suggest toxic aerial spraying which we know full well falls in the very category of the misdeeds that our campaign seeks to address. This is because aerial spraying would be indiscriminate, affecting other species and also raptors when they go for the easy, dying intoxicated smaller birds with a further translocation of the poison (and resultant poisoning) to areas afar by the intoxicated, but still able to fly birds. I wish to ask yet again anyone/experts to share information of known effective methods of scaring the parasitic birds away which we could possibly introduce in Bunyala and help conserve our raptors.

Keep reading our blog for the latest updates.

Every morning flocks of small birds come to forage at Bunyala Rice Scheme mostly from the northern direction. With them come the lured raptors that up till now, 23 species have been observed at the site. Despite results from the study that quantified the effect of poisoning to birds in Bunyala including 3 raptor mortalities, we felt that birds of prey were misrepresented and most fatalities went unobserved & unrecorded. This is because raptors are not the direct target of deliberate poisoning but are not absolutely safe from the poisoning. While they are avid hunters, they are likely to carefully select weaker, intoxicated smaller birds for their quary. The result however is that in the event of intoxication, birds of prey although with higher lethal doses, greater resistance to toxic loads and being extensive flyers may succumb at far flung sites beyond our deliberate observation and detection. We are focusing especially on Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle & Hooded Vulture, both globally threatened and in our study area range.

We have therefore embarked on a monitoring survey, where I am currently training my scouts on motorcycle raptor road counts. The route covers the area between Bunyala & Busia along an elliptical route between these 2 limit points.

One of the trainees & myself on survey

We hope to obtain comparative data over time for their population trends. Of conservation merit however, the data can simply be an inference of effect of poisoning to raptors where we will crudely compare the local population & diversity of raptors to that of the surrounding population & diversity (observed during the road counts). Further, though a study that will gather data, it will also be a preventive vigilance survey to curb the poisoning paying special attention to birds of prey which have not been focused on keenly before, though a critical component of birdlife.

Here are some of the species that we observed & are staying alert for to ensure they are unharmed by poisoning & other threats.

Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle

Long-Crested Eagle

Banded Snake Eagle

Peregrine Falcon

 In our next post, I will inform you on a looming threat to raptors at Bunyala Rice Scheme as they are killed, preserved & used as ‘scarecrows’ to pest birds to the rice crop.

Keep reading, keep supporting.

It has been a long haul in an attempt to check the bird/possible human poisonings in Bunyala Rice Irrigation Scheme in Western Kenya. I can attest to the fact that the poisoning practice has waned and with our continued persistent efforts, I foresee a total control of the situation.

Perharps the most significant indication that the birdlife populations are recovering is the increase in number or resident White-faced Whistling Ducks. Only between 2 & 5 individuals remained between 2009 and 2011 following their intense poisoning for human consumption. These were evidently traumatized and would fly off from suspicion if we attempted to get near them. At the moment, about 100 individuals reside at the site. The population may constitute individuals that may have moved in from other external subpopulations which may still suggest traumatic nasty poisoning has reduced.

White-faced whistling ducks roosting at Bunyala Rice Scheme

Joseph, my lead scout looking complacent

We can afford to look bored at the ‘NO POISONING SIGHT’ on this night survey 2 days ago

When this problem of deliberate bird poisoning was first presented to the pesticide regulatory authorities- the Pest Control Products Board of Kenya- & the local manufacturers of pesticide control substance, Agrochemicals Association of Kenya (Crop Life Kenya), it was received with vehement denial, contempt and even deemed a fabrication by the champions that spoke out about it notably Paula Kahumbu & myself. With hard evidence from the field, it became acknowledged but little attended to. Rather, a majority marvelled at the gravity of the malpractice. Nonetheless, many still supported this research & conservation campaign against the poisonings & my appreciations go especially to Wildlife Direct; grant organizations including International Foundation for Animal Welfare, Rufford Small Grant for Nature Conservation, African Bird Club, Crowder Messersmith Conservation Fund; also individual donors whom I have never met but one. Amongst the donors, I have in addition to their regular funding support, had online correspondence with at least 4 with whom I have directly asked for advice, shared with ideas, problems on the ground & even keep in mind their words of encouragement when the going gets tough. I must also mention that our twitter account @EndBirdPoaching was opened and is managed by one of my key donors (Pirjo Itkonen). Finally, my team of scouts has done/continues doing a commendable job and is the machinery behind the realized results. Amongst these are the very poachers that poisoned the birds but have joined this noble course.

I shall put up an update on our survey for raptors with my team of scouts against poisoning around the rice scheme & beyond in our next post. This is one of our newly added activities to our expansion to the vigilance strategy against deliberate bird poisoning so please keep checking our website, follow us on twitter @EndBirdPoaching and keep supporting us since we are still far from ending our vigilance.

“…Being able to fund your workers in the project is oh so important. We cannot save wildlife and ecosystems if we don’t provide incomes for local people and communities. All successful conservation projects around the world involve local communities in some way….”

- Brenton Head (one of our key donors)

Dear readers,

It has been a while since my last update from Bunyala Rice Fields but with life being back to business as usual after our general elections, I should keep you informed with up to date information on the state of affairs from these rice fields. I will also be updating you on our ‘extended surveys’ with my team of scouts especially aimed at monitoring against possible poisoning of raptors beyond the rice irrigation scheme (thanks to Crowder-Messersmith Conservation Fund of the Audubon Naturalist Society). In particular, we will focus on the Hooded Vulture whose range is in the neighbourhood of Bunyala & Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle whose recent sightings have been made on site then again both raptors are known to be threatened and are victims of poisoning in their traditional range areas.

Hooded Vultures photographed from neighbouring Busia Town

Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle at Bunyala Rice Scheme

Having been here for just about 5 days this year (but now set to be here for many months coming), I owe many thanks to my lead scout, Joseph who in tough conditions and lack of funds kept the monitoring going. I am also very thankful to my recent donors, Elizabeth ($20) & Max O’Sullivan ($500) which is supporting/will support my scouts in the field. Joseph & the team have done a good job and prevented numerous poison-baiting incidents but for reported escalating cases of poisoning during February where there were 4 incidences of African Openbills killings. I should inform you that between September 2012 & December 2012, only 6 cases of poisoning were reported while a massive 18 were prevented by the scouts.

African Openbill above is the most targeted species & whole flocks are wiped each year

The migrants however remained safe during this year and after lingering for weeks on site (probably due to the extended winter in the north) have only managed to leave, perharps the flock in the image below being of the last individuals of this spring’s migration that we may see leaving for northern latitudes.

Waders in Exodus, today from Bunyala Rice Irrigation Scheme

At the moment, following thorough surveys during last Monday & today, it appears 16 out of the 17 migrant waterbirds at Bunyala have migrated into Europe & the Oriental world. We can only find Wood Sandpipers & even these occur singly or in pairs gorging on the last worms before they leave for their breeding ranges in the north.

Scantily occurring Wood Sandpipers

Elsewhere in the rice scheme, most farmers are engaged in manual harvesting. They however have to deal with incessant crop raids from the parasitic bird species! Red-billed Queleas are here by their tens of thousands and completing the band of raiders are Village Weavers, a variety of waxbills, finches and manikins! Anyone with a solution to this menace that does not include poisoning is welcome to share via a comment on this post.

Crop harvesting by humans

Crop harvesting by parasitic birds!

Keep reading our blog for the latest news from Bunyala Rice Irrigation Scheme and do not forget to support us in any manner or kind.

Dear readers,

During bird migration seasons in Africa and additionally the palaearctic bird migration from Europe and Asia, we experience increase in bird species and numbers, naturally in Africa. This is between August and May of the following year.  Technically it is a period that most of the world’s birds may be said to be on the African continent though distributed variously in different areas known as stopovers and/or wintering sites. Nonetheless every stopover (where birds break to eat and rest after flying many miles from their breeding grounds before proceeding on) and wintering site (where birds settle to eat until it is spring in their winter grounds in time for their return) on the continent is therefore vital for their preservation. And so we keep watch against bird poisoning at Bunyala Rice Scheme which is one of such stopovers for some species and a wintering site for others.

A mixed flock of resident egrets and palaearctic migrant waders at Bunyala Rice Scheme

The high prevalence of the problem of bird poisoning at Bunyala Rice Scheme over the years has my team always expectant that any bird death on site is as a result of poison-poaching. In the event that we come across a dead bird especially this season, we are then left wondering how we missed the poisoning and yet we still keep vigilant watch through our daily scouting!

In the past week, we walked on a drowning African Openbill on a flooded paddy plot. We quickly thought the disoriented bird may have been poisoned and while the ingested poison dose with bait may not have attained the lethal dose, the bird had dropped into the pool of water and we arrived just in time to find it struggling for its life in the pool. We were late to rescue the bird but even then some of us thought we could not especially if he had been poisoned and was now drowning. In the 1 minute or so that the bird was still alive I was able to examine it and establish that there were no signs of poisoning that we have ever observed of other victims. The eyes were not tearing and there was no foaming in the mouth. The wings were also not drooping; a state which many atimes for the poison used in Bunyala is coupled with stiffness at the wrist/wing joint. I checked for any stiffness in the wing and leg joints and these seemed to be folding and stretching normally. I proceeded to open the bird’s beak to check just in case there was a snail bait (Openbills feed on and are baited using snail bait in Bunyala) caught in its mouth or upper gut (usually the case for most cases of poisoning) but there was none.

I was skeptical that this was a case of poisoning! Another look at the likely indications of poisoning and I saw partially hidden in feather legging a tibial (of upper leg) tear on the bird’s left leg. The injury was reminiscent of a partially roasted strip of meat! The leg-bone was also exposed alongside a blood vessel taut like a guitar string!…a painful site to gaze at but nonetheless a  revelation of the most probable reason that may have contributed to the Openbill’s death. The wound may have impaired the bird’s ability to successfully wade and fly from the rice field filled with water hence the death of the victim. I posit the bird may have had prior collision on an electric transmission cable as he flew in high speed just above and past the cable thereby ripping backwards his thigh muscles.

On 29/11/2012, I stumbled on 2 Collared Pratincoles on the ground in the rice cultivation fields while on a lone evening survey. I had spotted a flock of about 300 Collared Pratincoles roosting on one of the ploughed but still to be cultivated fields.

Collared Pratincoles on the ploughed ground just waking for the day at Bunyala Rice Scheme

I inched on the flock to have a good look and while I was counting the birds, I got distracted by some squeaking call about a meter from where I stood. Right there were the 2 seemingly limp birds.

One of the Collared Pratincoles on the ground

Seemingly limp bird when it was picked up

I picked up the 2 birds and found that one was energetic but for some reason would not successfully fly away. He would stand alright on the palm of my hand but when he attempted to fly away, he only dropped on the ground. I examined both birds as I had the Openbill and nothing seemed to point to poisoning. If anything both birds seemed alert but for their inability to fly! I held the stronger bird for a little longer on my palm in a manner a ringed bird would be in readiness for release and a few moments later he successfully took to the wing. The other bird, however also alert made attempts to fly away was unsuccessful.

One of the Collared Pratincoles seeming in perfect form

I was not yet done with the survey and therefore had to device a means of securely carrying my acquired baggage. My hat just did fine.

Myself with one of the recovered collared pratincoles

Collared Pratincole in my hat

An hour or so later, the bird was still not able to fly away and I had to return to camp with it. I was totally disturbed by what the matter with the bird was and what to do. The day time temperatures had been uncomfortably high with likewise high humidity; the night time did not seem any better. As a gamble, I decided to give the bird water, an exercise that required much patience. I was then gone for refreshing and supper. When I returned, my flash light startled the bird, prompting him to fly around my tent from his hat nest! I knew he had improved for whatever reason. I carefully captured him and put him back in the hat keeping conditions totally dark lest he became restless. In the morning, just before first light I took the Collared Pratincole and released him close to where the others were roosting.

The paranoia of bird poisoning in Bunyala dominates the minds of those of us who have witnessed for long the birds poison-poaching activities at the site. To find casualties or near casualties affected by other factors but poisoning is a breather and indication that other threats to birds in Bunyala are no longer totally masked by the threat of poisoning as must have been the case for many decades. This in essence suggests a reduced trend in the poisoning which is the very objective of our vigilance strategy this palaearctic bird migration season.

Keep reading our updates on the blog and support our work.

Dear readers,

In the last one week we have continued to observe new Palaearctic and Intra-African migrants as well as short-distance local migrants arrive at Bunyala Rice Irrigation Scheme. We continue to monitor them to better understand the vulnerability to poisoning on site but also very importantly, for their safety from the heinous poisoning activities by the poachers. We continue to record their numbers and take note of their occurrence dynamics on site.

Sample field notes; a page showing notes taken during monitoring on 29^th October 2012

It is interesting to note that from our data we are realizing nearly predictable trends in arrival/departure of the migrant species. At this time of the year the prevalent wind system in Bunyala is dominated by Westerly winds (usually alternating with the easterlies and especially if the afternoons turn stormy). On mornings when the winds are blowing easterly or south easterly and especially the latter, it has been noted that the numbers of migrants of the species on site reduce (migrate on) and/or others arrive during such days. Bunyala is located just north of the north eastern extension (Winam Gulf) of Lake Victoria into Kenya with a substantial stretch of the gulf further east. It is most probable therefore that rather than go around the gulf, the birds cross the Winam Gulf with the aid of the southerly/easterly gusts without much flight effort. This is in favour of their need to ‘economize’ their acquired energy resource at Bunyala which is needed on their yet incomplete migration to southerly latitudes.

Arriving, soaring Abdim’s Storks over Bunyala Rice Scheme

The situation is even better when humidity and temperatures are high. In the last 5 days, the average highest daily temperatures have ranged between 27 -30 degrees centigrade with 78-82% humidity. The humidity and temperatures jointly determine quality of thermals (hot air columns) created over land. The resultant is that there are better buoyant conditions especially for soaring birds some of which are migrants. Just two days ago, under these circumstances we received 2 additional migratory soaring species- The Lesser Kestrel, Falco naumanni and the Abdim’s Stork, Ciconia abdimii which in the past years have suffered from deliberate bird poisoning at the site.

Lesser Kestrel photographed 1 day ago at Bunyala rice Scheme

Lesser Kestrel feeding on the ground, yesterday

Abdim’s Stork at Bunyala Rice Scheme

The Lesser Kestrel which is a palaearctic migrant was until this year classified as Vulnerable while the Abdim’s Stork, an Intra-African Migrant continues to suffer population declines according to IUCN red list documentation. The Abdim’s Stork is deliberately targeted for poisoning for wild bird meat at Bunyala and a flock mortality of its individuals of 89% was reported by a study during 2009. The Lesser Kestrel was also thought to be in possible danger from deliberate poisoning (as reported in a post on this blog in 2009) though in accidental circumstances for this species. Poachers were observed to lace grasshoppers or winged termites with Furadan solution then bait the Abdim’s Storks. The winged termites were lured from their ground nests by each poacher hitting two sticks rhythmically over the termite hills. It was explained to me that the hitting deceived the insects that there was light rain (although it may just have well disturbed them). The termites would then come out during which time they would be captured and put into a container or plastic bag into which a solution of Furadan poison would be sprinkled.

Termite bait in plastic bag

Poacher stirring up purple Furadan solution

Ready bait and poison solution of which the latter would be sprinkled on the former

The flying live individuals from the termite hills attracted both species of the birds. Once lured, the termite holes would be sealed and the poison-laced insects, some of which were still alive and crawling scattered about for the birds to eat….only to die.

Some of the murdered Abdim’s Stork victims during 2009

Lesser Kestrel on the ground close to a poisoning point and that may well have consumed crawling bait

Yesterday’s count estimates of the Lesser Kestrels and Abdim’s Storks that just arrived at Bunyala rice Irrigation Scheme was 60 and 1500 birds respectively. Our monitoring may yet facilitate these species’ successful migration this season.

Keep reading and supporting our work on the blog.

Dear readers,

Preventing poisoning or any other poaching of birds in Bunyala entails never getting into the ‘comfort zone’ that the situation is now contained however it may seem. The poachers will always try to outsmart my team in order to procure bird meat as the scouts strategize against the likely manoeuvres to be employed by the poachers. It is therefore often a game of counteractions!

It has been over a week since I resumed monitoring with my scouts after my trip away from Bunyala. There has been rigorous scouting especially following the poisoning of migrant waders nearly 2 weeks ago. While my presence warrants some degree of reverence from the still practicing poachers, we have remained on high alert knowing that some poachers might be masqueraded amongst the many farmers working in the rice scheme and these could quietly perform their hideous poaching activities. Nonetheless, the situation has remained auspicious with no incidences reported. Further, flocks of migrants have come and migrated on successfully while others have swelled more the numbers of those on site. During this month, we have noted drastic increase in the palaearctic migrant species inclusive of Yellow Wagtails, Ringed Plovers. Black-winged Stilts and Little Stints. The numbers of Ruffs, Green Sandpipers, Wood Sandpipers, Marsh Sandpipers and Common Greenshanks have also been building up and while other flocks of these have been noted to have likely migrated on, currently these seem at home on site. Yesterday, after close to one month, a flock of about 200 Black-tailed Godwits were observed on site. This is a new flock since the other migrated from the site about a month ago. Such data collection has been the norm in building the site’s bird inventory by my team when the situation has been peace and quiet for the birds. Further, I have been photographing the individual species and my followers on Facebook are able to view some of the images.

This evening however when we were about to head home, one of the renowned poachers passed my scouting pair-with Joseph- as we were watching a resident Grey Kestrel hunt at the central section of the rice scheme.

The Grey Kestrel that we were observing today at Bunyala Rice Scheme

A few minutes later, we noticed a second person, estranged to the both of us, watching us from a distance. He pretended to be inspecting his rice plot but clearly his gaze was in our direction most of the time. Joseph then discovered a boy probably in his early teenage run away in what seemed to be a dash to chase birds from a rice seedbed. This was however a move to fool us. We found out that he had laid a decoy bird with bait and then headed away from the set up to avert our attention from the decoy bird.

Decoy African Open-billed Stork; waders preparing to roost in the background

A keen scrutiny through our binoculars and we discovered the decoy bird standing sentry, feathers all ruffed up with characteristic rubber band on beak. This was an Openbill decoy! Around the bird were snail baits laced with a purple poison that locals refer to as Furadan.

Openbill decoy bending in an attempt to eat the snail baits

Snail bait showing purple poison purported to be Furadan

I walked towards the bird beckoning the boy to come over. The young man however fled and Joseph also noted the other well-known poacher walk hastily away. The whole point in using this boy in the staging the bird poisoning was because the poacher knew well that we would recognize him but not the boy and we would therefore not pay much attention of the poisoning activity being executed right under our noses.

Examining the decoy Openbill, he was in bad shape with the bill-that should be open-fastened tightly with a rubber band like the shearing ends of a pair of scissors! We were nonetheless able to set free the bird and hopefully he recovers from the trauma.

Tightly fastened bill of the decoy bird

Untying the rubber band from the decoy bird’s bill then setting him free

No bird was poisoned today and we remain focused to keep the site safe from the poisoning. We therefore continue staying vigilant in Bunyala against the poisoning and other poaching and urge our readers to keep reading, sharing and supporting us.

Dear readers,

Apologies for not posting updates for some time. I was away from Bunyala from the 9th until the 14th of this month on a Western Kenya bird guiding trip but also on a marketing mission for this work against bird poisoning in Bunyala. I anticipate more support from the pledges from my friends that I was with during the trip and I am hopeful this will extend the project for an even longer time.

As my birding trip neared its end on the 12th of October, I received the first text message bearing news of poisoning from my lead scout who I had left in charge of the monitoring for poisoning of birds. The coded text read, “50P-R, WS”; this when translated means 50 birds poisoned-Ruffs and Wood Sandpipers. My first reaction was to travel back to Bunyala as soon as the safari ended in Nairobi. This I did.

I got to Bunyala on the morning of the 15th & proceeded to do the inspection of the site for any obvious signs of poisoning. It was easy to predict the area with easy likelihood of poisoning. This was the eastern end which has since last month been the area focused on for rice planting. With change of dress code and not bearing my customary grey & white strap bag (those that follow me on Facebook know the bag well; if you wish to follow me on FB please just search and add Martin Odino), I was not easily recognizable.

One notorious and stubborn poacher therefore ended up walking right into my company brandishing a bait sack-bag and hoe for digging up earthworms and insects. These he had mixed with poison-allegedly Furadan- and he was off to lay it out in the fields which continue to be ploughed and sown with the rice crop. The fortunate thing however is that his plans did not match having taken note that I was back in the neighborhood.

I had also been informed that one of my scouts was playing a double role also as an informant to the poachers briefing them on my available on site in exchange for a small fee. While he objects to the allegations, he has been reprimanded and warned that he has attracted possible reporting for his arrest.

The recent past days have been characterized by extended scouting hours from early morning with a few hours break after midday then gain a late afternoon-into-the night watch. We however sometimes have to work in smaller teams at the moment as the scouts also have to work in their fields and these rotate as time-tabled so that each also has crop cultivated for their sustenance. We have also had to approach a few local elders who have complied to persuade the obstinate poachers against the poisoning. While the only poisoning incident this month seems to have taken us aback and short of attaining our goal of ensuring absolutely no poisoning this month we are still hopeful that the situation will be contained and the project’s effect enhanced through the intervention of the village elders. I am further required to keep my appearance pronounced at the site for the sake of preventing any further poisoning incidences and I am therefore camping on a few yards just from the rice scheme.

From an early morning scouting session; taking off my binoculars

That aside, the site continues to thrive with more and more migrants alongside local species.

 Migrant Ruffs at Bunyala congregating for the night time

Migrant waders joining in foraging resident egrets

Representatives of some of the migrants in Bunyala; Common Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper and Ringed Plover

A few more of the increasing numbers of White-faced Whistling ducks that were nearly all poisoned just a few years back

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