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.

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:

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.