To mark World Migratory Bird Day on 9th May 2026 (a date that aligns with peak migration periods in both the northern and southern hemispheres), Children in the Wilderness Kenya organised educational birding game drives and boat rides across the Masai Mara, the Great Rift Valley, and Laikipia.
Naivasha Eco-club members enjoying birding out on the lake and on a drive – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Guided by this year’s global theme, “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter!”, the initiative highlighted the important role of community science in bird conservation.
TAFA Eco-club members explore Loldia – photo credit Alisa Karstad
The campaign urges all of us to share our bird sightings, protect fragile habitats, and raise awareness for migratory bird populations. Given that over 40% of migratory species are currently in decline, time is of the essence for increasing bird conservation.
Great cormorants- photo credit Alisa Karstad
A female Nubian woodpecker- photo credit Alisa Karstad
The game drives brought together 60 Eco-club members from five partner schools, reflecting our core belief in the need to educate and inspire students about the fascinating world all around them.
TAFA Eco-club- photo credit Alisa Karstad
Masai Mara eco-club members
By introducing learners to the natural world early on, we can create a deep, lifelong appreciation for conservation. Armed with binoculars and checklists, the eco-club students were given the opportunity to spot various species and contribute directly to conservation research, with the help of our guiding team.
Guide Koros was on hand to assist with the activities in Naivasha – photo credit Alisa Karstad
A grey heron – photo credit Alisa Karstad
The students recorded their sightings, which were later uploaded to eBird, a global citizen-science platform used to monitor bird populations worldwide.
Great white pelicans– photo credit Alisa Karstad
Red-headed weaver – photo credit Alisa Karstad
The enthusiasm was evident in the impressive numbers recorded across the regions. The TAFA eco-club identified 70 species in Naivasha. Whilst in the Mara, Kisaruni Girls logged 64; Enkereri noted 53 species, and Kisaruni Boys identified 43.
A great egret– photo credit Alisa Karstad
A male Baglafect weaver- photo credit Alisa Karstad
The Governors’ teams later increased these numbers to 83 species in Naivasha (see Impact Manager Alisa’s eBird list) and an impressive 111 in Laikipia (See guide John Lomelo’s eBird list) by birding in additional areas throughout the rest of the day.
Rock martins – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Scarlet-chested sunbird- photo credit Alisa Karstad
The learners explored different bird species and their unique characteristics. In the Masai Mara, students identified an assortment of species, including white-eyed slaty flycatchers, lappet-faced vultures, malachite kingfishers, and southern ground hornbills.
White-eyed slaty flycatcher- photo credit Alisa Karstad
Malachite kingfisher- photo credit Felix Rome
For the TAFA students in Naivasha, standout sightings included an osprey, African (purple) swamphens, giant kingfishers and a brubru.
Giant kingfisher- photo credit Alisa Karstad
African (Purple) swamphens- photo credit Alisa Karstad
Meanwhile, the record from the group of students exploring Mugie Conservancy included a crowned eagle, long-tailed widowbirds, mousebirds, Egyptian geese, tropical boubous and a crowned hornbill.
Speckled mousebird – photo credit Alisa Karstad
Egyptian Geese- photo credit Alisa Karstad
Tropical boubou- photo credit Alisa Karstad
Along with spotting the birds, the students noted fascinating insights into their behaviour. Some learned that the female African Fish Eagle, like all eagles, tends to be larger than the male.
African fish eagle- photo credit Alisa Karstad
Others discovered that the African jacana has long toes and long claws that enable it to walk on floating vegetation in shallow lakes, so it appears to be walking on water lilies, giving it the name “Jesus Bird” or “Lily trotter”.
African jacana – photo credit Alisa Karstad
To enhance this understanding, we leaned on our long-standing partnership with the Kenya Bird of Prey Trust. Willis from the Trust gave a presentation at the TAFA Community Centre, taking the learners through the various reasons birds migrate.
Willis from the KBoPT gives a presentation to the TAFA Eco-Club members- photo credit Alisa Karstad
Expanding on the day’s theme of protecting habitats, he covered critical factors such as climate change, breeding seasons, and the search for food and suitable environments.
TAFA Eco-Club- photo credit Alisa Karstad
The overall experience clearly sparked students’ interest. Jackline Chepkoech, a TAFA Eco-club member, said: “Today I learnt about the Hadada Ibis and Sacred Ibis. The Hadada Ibis is also called a ‘hadeda’ because of its loud, distinct call, and the Sacred Ibis was considered sacred in Ancient Egypt and used in religious rituals and offerings.”
Hadada ibis – photo credit Alisa Karstad
To further celebrate the day and encourage creative expression, we organised a bird-themed art competition involving all nine partner schools.
Enkereri Eco-club art
Luoniek Secondary Eco-club art
TAFA Eco-club art
Kisaruni Boys Eco-club art
This gave learners a platform to show which migratory birds they know and have seen in their regions. A special congratulations goes to Samwell from Irbaan Eco-club, who won the competition with a beautiful picture of a white stork. White storks are classic long-distance migrants, travelling thousands of kilometres between Europe and Africa each year.
Drawing of a white stork by Samwell Kimoloh
We also congratulate our runner-up, James, also from Irbaan Eco-club who drew a Greater flamingo. Flamingos are renowned for their nomadic migrations across Kenya’s Rift Valley lakes, moving in vast flocks in search of optimal feeding and breeding conditions.
A greater flamingo drawing by James Moriaso
As always, a special thank you to our guides across the Masai Mara, Naivasha, and Mugie for taking the time to guide, educate and support the learners throughout the game drives and birding sessions. You are a true inspiration to the children.
Luoniek Eco-club with Governors’ Mugie guides Akiba and John and their Eco-mentors.
As we look ahead to the next global count on 10th October, we would like to take the opportunity to remind you that every observation truly does matter in the ongoing effort to protect these migratory species. Please consider taking part from wherever you find yourself on that day!
Common bulbul- photo credit Alisa Karstad
We remain committed to making a positive impact on communities, educating future generations, and conserving Kenya’s diverse wildlife. Your stay with us directly contributes to these efforts.
If you would like to learn more about any of our Impact efforts, you can reach out to us via email at [email protected]. If you’d like to support the Children in the Wilderness Programme, you can do so via Empowers Africa:
EMPOWERS AFRICA
By Alisa Karstad, Kenya Impact Manager & Sharon Muthoni, CITW Community Coordinator.
