Bird Ringing Data of the Kenyan Coastal Forests, 1992 to 1993

Study Extent

Arabuko Forest (39,100 ha), by nature of its diverse soil types, encompasses three main forest habitats: namely the dense, almost impenetrable mixed forest, the structurally similar but lower canopied Cynometra-Manilkara Forest, and the more open Brachystegia Woodland. All the three forest types were surveyed by ringing method for birds and were represented by five areas: Gede Ruins, Gede Sokoke,Kararacha, Awambwani and Mida Sites. Awambwani area was partitioned into two areas namely Awambwani CD and Awambwani EF. This was done from 1993 August 16th. Shimba Hills National Reserve (192 km2), with vegetation of a mosaic of forest (44% or 95 km2), scrub formations (40% or 87 km2) and grassland (12% or 27 km2: Blackett 1994b), was partitioned into three sites namely: Shimba Hills 1A, 1B and 2C and surveyed for birds via mist netting method.

Sampling

The under-storey birds were captured using mist nets set along paths in each site, ringed, biometrics taken then later on released.

Quality Control

Species identification and ringing was done on site by a team of bird experts from the Ornithology Section, National Museums of Kenya.

Method steps

1. At each study site, a narrow trail, 105 m long through the under-storey vegetation was cleared. Small mesh mist-net 3M high and 105 M long in total length were erected using bamboo poles and operated for three mornings at each site. Mist nets were erected the day before the capture of birds was carried out and closed overnight. They were unfurled before dawn and left undisturbed from before the time the first bird started calling before the first net round was carried out. Birds caught were ringed with a ring from the Ringing Scheme of East Africa and biometrics taken: maximum chord wing length, bill + skull, tarsus (taken from back of folded knee to folded foot), mass (measured to nearest 0.1 g). Moult of primaries and secondaries were recorded on most birds and body moult on a selection. Care was taken not to harm the bird during the process. Nets were opened for three hours each morning starting from between 06:30-9:30 h depending on the weather.

Birds observed via bird ringing method within the Arabuko Sokoke Forest and Shimba Hill Forest were identified to the species level.

1. Coraciiformes
   rank: order
2. Accipitriformes
   rank: order
3. Piciformes
   rank: order
4. Culumbiformes
   rank: order
5. Trogoniformes
   rank: order
6. Passeriformes
   rank: order
7. Caprimulgiformes
   rank: order
8. Muscicapidae
   rank: family
9. Cisticolidae
   rank: family
10. Pycnonotidae
    rank: family
11. Nectariniidae
    rank: family
12. Platysteiridae
    rank: family
13. Stenostiridae
    rank: family
14. Alcedinidae
    rank: family
15. Monarchidae
    rank: family
16. Turdidae
    rank: family
17. Accipitridae
    rank: family
18. Nicatoridae
    rank: family
19. Motacillidae
    rank: family
20. Scotocercidae
    rank: family
21. Picidae
    rank: family
22. Ploceidae
    rank: family
23. Campephagidae
    rank: family
24. Vangidae
    rank: family
25. Oriolidae
    rank: family
26. Columbidae
    rank: family
27. Estrildidae
    rank: family
28. Malaconotidae
    rank: family
29. Trogonidae
    rank: family
30. Caprimulgidae
    rank: family

The bird ringing was done in five different locations in Arabuko Sokoke Forest and three locations in Shimba Hills National Reserve.