Kenya birds: exploring world migratory bird day at the coast

Vipingo Ridge is a development with diverse habitats. We are on a journey that continues the path that we have been on for 17 years to create a harmonious environment for all our residents. This includes ‘creating space’ for the flora, fauna, reptiles, insects, animals, and of course, birds.

In the rewilding of the sisal estate we have seen the return of many bird species to the Ridge. We also enjoy many ‘visiting’ species that signal a certain time of year. Many bird enthusiasts, both visitors and residents are able to enjoy glimpses, to dramatic aerobatic displays from the birds that choose Vipingo Ridge as a part-time home.

Welcoming Visitors

Bird migration is described as ‘a regular seasonal movement, along a flyway, between breeding grounds and wintering grounds’. We are fortunate to welcome many different birds species that have undertaken perilous journeys as part of their breeding cycle.

Vipingo Ridge, being at the Kenya coast, is on the African-Eurasian Flyway.

There are also the Americas Flyway and the Eastern-Asian-Australasian Flyway routes that form the north-south movements of birds globally.

The African-Eurasion Flyway has a number of different species that migrate through, categorised as Waterbirds, Landbirds and Birds of Prey (Raptors).

Here we list some of the wonderful migratory birds seen at Vipingo Ridge:

Carmine bee-eater Merops nubicoides

With spectacular plumage of carmine pink and teal blue the displays of this sociable bird when gathered together are awe inspiring. Their diet is made up primarily of bees and other flying insects.

Eurasian swift Apus apus

Seen airborne in abundance at Vipingo Ridge they have a short forked tail and very long swept-back wings.
Swifts live on insects in flight and spend most of their time in the air.

Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus

Striking black and yellow males, drabber green females migrate north for the cooler summer climates and these stunning birds mark the change of the seasons flying south to return to the tropics of Vipingo Ridge as winter emerges in Europe.

Thick-knee Burhinus capensis

Nesting on the ground and with excellent camouflage, there are nests currently at Vipingo Ridge, but difficult to spot. If threatened these noctural birds will fake injury to lure away predators from the nest.

Wooly-necked stork Ciconia episcopus

In recent weeks a pair of Wooly-necked storks have been noted at the water way near the 18th hole of the PGA Baobab Course. At 85cm tall and with soaring broad- winged flight these are wonderful birds to observe.

Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster

The striking males of this migratory bird are noted as some of our most beautiful visitors. Travelling in large groups and with diverse feeding behaviour they are crucial in seed dispersal and controlling insect populations.

European roller Coracias garrulus

Stunning in flight with blue and black flight feathers, this is the only Roller to breed in Europe. Similar in size to the Lilac Breasted Roller, the national bird of Kenya, with bright plumage and a hooked bill.

Thank you to contributors Duncan Mitchell and Vicki Horsey for their knowledge and ongoing work to protect the birds of Vipingo Ridge.

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD)

Annually on 11th May there is an awareness day to highlight the need for conservation of the migratory birds and their habitats.

This global outreach to encourage the protection of these birds and identify threats is supported by Vipingo Ridge. The ‘international travel’ of these birds requires coordination and cooperation across many borders and amoungst many stakeholder to support the safe movement of these species.

The environmental treaty to address this challenge is described on the WMBD website:

“Conserving migrant birds is a global challenge that is addressed by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), an environmental treaty under the aegis of the UN Environment. CMS brings together countries and the wider international conservation community to achieve coordinated conservation and management of migratory animals (amongst other birds) throughout their entire distribution ranges.

Each year WMBD has a theme. Last year the focus was on water and water habitats. In 2024 the focus is insects with the theme: Protect Insects, Protect Birds.

Insects are of course an essential food source for many birds. We focus our energy on establishing ecosystems that can thrive through indigenous species reintroduction and promotion of existing native populations, with insects as a key part of this.

We strive to find ways to balance the needs of the wildlife and our ambitions for the Wildlife Sanctuary, with the man-made elements such as the golf course, continuously learning and finding new ways to pioneer the future of eco-estates.

We will once again turn our focus to migratory birds on 12th October 2024, reflecting the cyclical movements of these birds, and at Vipingo Ridge, a return of many to their wintering grounds.