22 
Bulletin of the EANHS 29(1/2) 
Chris being the leader. Once the model is completed, n 
can be used as a guide in other areas that also have a 
rich biodiversity. The model is an important part of 
environmental auditing. 
Other work done during the expedition was the 
labelling of flora photographs and grouping species in 
their respective botanical families, and general 
entomology with the insect reference collection 
The knowledge gained 
Participating in the Earthwatch project was one of the 
most exciting things that has ever happened to inc I 
was exposed to an international working environment 
and through this I feel I haw developed a more open 
mind especially in the world of conservation 
Hie expedition has had a great impact on my career 
in the field of environmental studies. I haw gained a 
great deal of knowledge hy working with an international 
research lam It is now wry clear to me that multi- 
disciplinary studies of a specific area are very important 
m die management of natural resources Wte need to do 
extensive and practical research such as the one ai 
S'Albufera in order to fully understand how 
environmental systems work, so that we can apply the 
appropriate conservation measures In Kenya, i am 
involved with a lot of environmental conservation 
activities. Already. I am sharing some of this knowledge 
dial I haw gained with my colleagues. I hope by doing 
so. I can make them understand more the meaning of 
research in relation to environmental conservation High 
diwrsuy of species can only he maintained through 
careful management of their habitats and this is the 
message lhai I feel I must convey. I gained knowledge 
•hi practical research procedures dun arc standard, which 
I can apply whenevrr I nm in the field. Above all I feel 
more confident to work in field research 
An important part of my work that 1 greatly enjoy is 
networking m the field of environment. This ix .iIhhii 
know ing who docs what and sharing experiences with 
die others on environmental issues The Mallorcan 
expedition has made me build international networks 
with those who have the same interest During the 
expedition we sliarcd lots of experiences, achievements, 
challenges and problems and I also gained some 
wonderful ideas from these This meant an exchange of 
information, ihc dissemination ol knowledge is a 
wonderful thing. 
S'Albufera is an outstanding migration area for birds 
and as such is a specially protected region for birds 
Bird watching out there has made me become a belter 
birder This is mainly because I feel I have gamed 
incredible knowledge of European species, especially 
of dieir habitat preference, migratory patterns, feeding 
and territorial behaviour. An example of this was I 
know why we found such large numbers of the 
moustached warblers in the reeds After learning about 
their behavioural patterns I came to learn these birds 
are shy and have a tendency to skulk having a preference 
for frequenting undisturbed habitats where there is tall 
vegetation Also I learnt that S'Albufera dc Mallorca is 
a RAMSAR site (wetland site considered of international 
importance), something I was unaware of until I 
researched the area prior to my visit Tins is because 
of ihc unique wetlands of S'Albufera The park and the 
entire island ace as refuge for thousands of birds, many 
of them migrating each year between Europe and Africa 
When I am birding in Kenya, rhe sight of a migrant 
Reed or Marsh Warbler w ill definitely excite me just 
that little bit more because that bird may have come bv 
way of ihc Balearic Islands and S'Albufera. F am already 
sharing this exciting knowledge with fellow birders. 
As a person who enjoys ecology. I have learnt of 
how species richness, their distribution and abundance 
can be used to measure and assess the ecological 
importance of a particular area Everything gave fresh 
impetus to my own interest in nature. I feel a thirst for 
kjuiwledgc in the field of ecology and conservation and 
I am nmv ready to absorb and to learn more from nature 
That know ledge 1 have gained through interacting with 
nature in the most harmonious and gentle way. 
Other experiences 
Mallorca I found was a fresh and creatively inspiring 
island Just being there in another part of the world 
awav from where I was born and have always lived, 
enjoying natural history (my favourite hobby) was a great 
experience. I worked with dedicated, enthusiastic true 
naturalists in the most professional and enjoyable 
manner I mei Max Nicholson, whose age is close to 
three figures, possibly Ihc oldest world conservationist. 
Max wits our Advisor. 
One morning I woke to the sound of pou ring rain It 
only then I remembered that I had volunteered to 
help Rob with the mice that morning and now ii was 
co,d and wry wet Each one of us in the team put on a 
|»air of Wellington boots and a raincoat I had several 
layers of clothes on under the raincoat as well, just to 
be sure I was warm enough VVfc walked down to the 
site bei ween the wet reeds, in the drizzling rain Wfc 
tried to work as fast as possible yet very carefully 
concentrating more on the newly captured specimens 
because a great deal of daLa had already l»een gathered 
on re-captures YSfc found a nit inside one of the traps 
and took it back io the centre, only later to find out that 
it was another re trap. Everyone was excited to see the 
rat again 
The experience of cycling long distances to the field 
was also exciting to me because 1 had never been able 
to cycle before reaching S'Albufera Sometimes, we 
cycled to the beach in the evenings 
S'Albufera Natural Park is a unique freshwater 
coastal wetland that combines many special features, 
from tresh water inland marshes to the coastal salt-water 
marshes. Plant and animal biodiversity is high As a 
true naturalist. I often felt the urge to explore the park 
on my own There is plenty to see and to listen to. It is 
a place where you want to wander alone for hours and 
experience the true feeling of nature. The fact that there 
