By Nyang’au Araka
For a few moments in the orchards of Murang’a, the world seemed to shrink to the flutter of wings, the rustle of leaves and the click of a camera.
Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado of Japan was on a birdwatching expedition at Kakuzi when she spotted two remarkable visitors to Kenya — the Eurasian Bee-eater and the Osprey.
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The encounter offered more than an opportunity for photographs.
For the Japanese royal, who was visiting Kenya for BirdLife International’s 2nd Global Flyways Summit, it was a vivid reminder that some of the world’s most extraordinary travellers cross thousands of kilometres without recognising the borders that divide countries.
The two birds are migratory species that breed in Europe before undertaking long journeys to Africa, typically arriving during the September-October period, according to a statement sent to us by Kakuzi Plc recently.
Princess Takamado, Honorary President of BirdLife International, photographed the birds as they went about their lives in their natural habitat, turning an ordinary afternoon in a Kenyan orchard into a memorable wildlife encounter.
“Migratory birds do not recognise borders. They connect Asia to Africa, the Arctic to the tropics,” she said.
Her message reflected the central concern of the Nairobi Flyways Declaration adopted during the summit — the need for countries and organisations along migratory routes to work together to protect birds whose journeys span continents.
“The Nairobi Flyways Declaration acknowledges this reality: that it needs international cooperation and coordination to keep migratory birds safe,” Princess Takamado added.
Her visit to Kakuzi was not limited to the two migratory species.
Guided by Kakuzi Executive Head of Corporate Affairs Simon Odhiambo, a keen local birder, she travelled through the company’s macadamia and avocado orchards, photographing a range of Kenyan birdlife.
Among the species she encountered were the Hinde’s babbler, Purple-crested turaco, Senegal lapwing, Pygmy kingfisher and African paradise flycatcher.
For Kakuzi Managing Director Chris Flowers, the sightings offered an encouraging indication of what can happen when agricultural landscapes retain habitats capable of supporting wildlife.
“At Kakuzi, we have seen a steady growth of birds making our orchards, forestlands and other habitats their home, which is a good indicator of our commitment to conserve the environment,” Flowers said.
He said protecting such habitats was also part of the company’s contribution to wider efforts to safeguard migratory bird routes.
But beyond the excitement of spotting rare and colourful birds, the expedition came against a worrying global backdrop.
The recently released State of the World’s Birds report says 45 per cent of migratory bird species are declining, while one in nine bird species is threatened with extinction.
The extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew, last recorded in Morocco in 1995, has further underscored the vulnerability of migratory birds.
For Princess Takamado, however, the growing cooperation between scientists, conservationists and other sectors offers a reason for hope.
“I am excited and proud to see that the scientific community, conservation organisations, and the financial sector are uniting to make this happen,” she said. “At last!! We stand at an important turning point.”
