NAIROBI, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Kenya should come up with robust measures to strengthen the protection of migratory birds amid growing threats linked to climatic stresses and urbanization, scientists said on Tuesday ahead of World Migratory Bird Day to be marked on Saturday.
Titus Imboma, a research scientist at National Museums of Kenya (NMK)'s Ornithology Department said that conserving migratory birds will help stabilize ecosystems besides stimulating the growth of eco-tourism in the country.
"As a country, we have an obligation to protect migratory birds that have become niche tourism products, generating revenue to local communities. These birds are also key to maintaining ecosystems' balance," Imboma told Xinhua in an interview in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
Kenya is a strategic passageway for migratory birds, escaping from winter in Europe and Asia and destined for warmer climate in the tropics, according to Imboma.
He said the migratory birds arrive in the country from late September, land in different ecological zones ranging from savannah grasslands, coastal strip, the Rift Valley and mountainous landscapes before returning to their native countries in late April.
According to Imboma, about 117 migratory bird species that land in Kenya spread across important bird areas like national parks, wetlands, coastal mangroves where they feed on micro-organisms and insects but do not breed.
He added that Nairobi is also an important feeding station for migratory birds adding that they are also attracted by its green spaces.
Kenya is a signatory to international legal instruments like the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) which aim to strengthen the protection of iconic migratory bird species, says Imboma.
Imboma said that major threats facing migratory birds include habitat destruction and fragmentation, light pollution, hunting for sport, erratic weather patterns and trapping by power transmission lines.
The scientist said that it was crucial to reconfigure infrastructure development and urbanization, ensure corridors for migratory birds are not encroached while raising awareness on their economic and ecological value at the grassroots.
He called for enlarging green spaces in cities, adoption of ecologically friendly farming practices like agro-forestry in order to shield migratory birds from the threat of pollution and climatic shocks.
Richard Kipngeno, the birding officer at Nature Kenya stressed that as a prized destination for migratory birds due to its expansive natural habitats, Kenya has a duty to enhance its conservation in order to sustain rural livelihoods.
Kipngeno said that some of the iconic migratory birds found in Kenya include willow warbler, blackcap, Eurasian roller, steppe eagle, Eurasian bee-eater and common sandpiper.
He added that Kenya is also playing host to migratory birds from the African continent adding that green urban development was key to halting the depletion of their habitats.
The World Migratory Bird Day, which is marked on May 14, aims to raise awareness of their critical ecological value and the threats facing them on a rapidly urbanizing planet. ■