Birdwatching

AFRICA'S FIRST IBA-BRANDED NATIONAL PARK


Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for Its population of up to 1.5 million non breeding Lesser Flamingo , has become the first National Park In Africa to be branded as an Inportant Bird area (IBA) . The branding is a triumph for natureKenya , which began identifying IBA's whithin the country in 1995.

Some 450 bird species have been recorded in and around Lake Nakuru, including Endangered Madagasscar Pond Heron, Near threatened Grey crested Helmet Shrike and Martial Eagle. The site is also key for regionally important numbers of congregatory warerbirds such as Greater Flamingo, African Spoonbill, Great white Pelican and Grey headed Gull.





Income fom the 300.000 visitors to lake Nakuru each year supports conservation work at other, less glamorous but no less important, protected Areas.
However, the Flamingos and other spectacular birds and large mammals at lake Nakuru are suffering the short term effects of the severe drought affecting the country.

There is need to look at the entire water catchment, Lake Nakuru IBA is crucial for Kenya's Tourism and birdwatching.