Kenya is making waves once again in the bird world. This time, it's for topping the list of African countries with the highest number of bird species. A global platform that tracks real-time data on bird distribution and abundance recorded a whopping 705 types of birds in Kenya.

On October 14, people from 191 countries celebrated birds for a special day called eBird's October Bird Day. More than 36,000 people from all over the world participated, contributing a total of 83,735 checklists. This event set three new records for the biggest single day of birdwatching in October.

During this "Global Big Day," people from all around the world share their bird sightings. In Kenya, 222 checklists were submitted, ranking the country ninth globally. The information from these checklists goes into an online database called eBird. It's like a digital bird-watching notebook where all the bird sightings are collected in one place. This data helps scientists and researchers track bird distribution and numbers in real time, which can be super helpful for creating conservation strategies to protect birds, whether they are migratory or permanent residents.

One birder, Alex Wang'ombe, and his team reported seeing some elusive forest birds in the low-altitude forests of Mount Kenya. They were excited about the opportunity to learn about and enjoy the diverse bird species in their region. They were also motivated to work on reforesting areas where the forest had been damaged.

Birdwatchers use tech tools like the eBird app on their smartphones to log the birds they spot. People like Franciscar Amway, from the Kenya Women Birders, stayed at the Great Rift Valley Lodge, where she works as the resident naturalist. She hoped to spot a "lifer" on that day, which is a bird seen for the first time by a birder. But for her, birdwatching isn't just a hobby; it's a way to involve more women and children in bird conservation.

And Kenya has some top birders, like Joseph Ouma Oluoko, who traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He's seen 205 bird species there, mostly around Lubumbashi, which is in the headwaters of the mighty Congo River. Although DRC is more known for its primates than its birds, it's home to diverse wildlife, making it an exciting place for birdwatching.

One bird Mr. Ouma dreams of seeing in the wild is the Congo Peacock. This unique bird is only found in the central lowland forest of DRC and is also the country's national bird. The story of how it was discovered is fascinating. It was first noticed when a scientist saw a feather worn by a Congolese forest dweller. Later, in 1934, two feathers labeled as the 'Indian peacock' were found at the Royal Museum of Central Africa in Belgium. Until then, no one outside of Africa knew that the continent had its peacock.

Mr. Ouma is also eager to spot other birds like the Miombo Tit, Katanga Masked Weaver, and the Lufira Masked Weaver. He believes that there might be bird species in DRC that are still unknown to science, as birding isn't very popular there yet. Despite this, DRC has impressive biodiversity, especially in its primate populations.

Overall, the Global Big Day was a great day for bird enthusiasts, and it's heartwarming to see the enthusiasm and dedication of birdwatchers worldwide, from Kenya to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kenya, with its rich birdlife, continues to be a top destination for birdwatchers and conservationists. It's a place where both experts and newcomers can come together to celebrate and protect the incredible diversity of bird species.

Contact us if you need any help in planning your next Kenyan Safari trip via email: info@africantravellerltd.com