Augusi/Deconber 1 997 
25 
Table 2. Number of IBAs in each category (24 IBAs are listed In two categories and 17 In 
three categories) 
Category 
Number of sites 
Number of sites In this 
category alone 
A1 Globally-threatened species 
46 
5 
A 2 Restricted-range species 
30 
0 
A3 Biome-restricted assemblages 
28 
6 
A4 Congregations 
14 
8 
Table 3. Kenyan IBAs and their level of protection and threat by dominant habitat 
Dominant habitat 
Number of sites 
Number protected 
Number severely 
threatened 
Forest 
22 
20 (91%) 
21 (95%) 
•Vetland 
18 
5 (28%) 
9 (50%) 
Bushland, semi-desert or desert 
12 
8 (67%) 
3 (25%) 
Moist grassland 
5 
2 (40%) 
4 (80%) 
Other 
3 
0 (0%) 
3(100%) 
Total 
60 
35 (58%) 
40 (67%) 
.All IBAs must meet a minimum set of criteria for 
listing, but that docs not mean that all IBAs arc equal in 
importance Among the Kenyan sites, some stand out 
because of their biological significance and the degree 
Of threat. These sites include: 
1 Kenya's unique highland grasslands on either side 
of the central Kit! Valley, on the plateaux ofKinangop 
and Mau Narok. These are home to the endemic 
Sharpe's Longclaw Sfacronyx sharpei and Aberdare 
Cisticola Cisticola aberdare , among other 
specialised grassland species. These grasslands arc 
being cleared and convened remarkably fast, and 
the grassland endemics are under very severe threat. 
2 Moist grasslands around Busia. Often seasonally- 
flooded. these grassland patches 
house many special birds, notably 
the Blue Swallow Ifirundu 
atrocaerulea This threatened intra- 
African migrant uses the grasslands 
for feeding and roosting. As 
agriculture inevitably expands, 
these sites are on the brink of 
disappearing completely 
3 Ibe papyrus swamps around Lake 
Victoria — Dunga, Koguta. Kusa. 
Sio Port and especially Yala. These 
contain a unique set of papyrus 
endemic birds, including the globally 
threatened Papyrus Yellow Warbler 
Chiaropeia gracilirastris. They arc 
also of crucial ecological importance 
as water fillers and fish nurseries 
and refuges. The recent infestation 
of the lake with Water Hyacinth 
prevents fishermen from fishing 
and has dramatically increased human pressure 
on these swamps. They are being burned, 
harvested unsustainable and cleared and drained 
for cultivation. 
4 River valleys around Kianyaga and Muktirwcini 
These are the stronghold of the scarce and local 
Hinders Babbler Turdnidcx hindci, a threatened 
Kenya endemic. The babbler is happy enough in 
cultivated areas, so long os it has a few thickets (in 
this case, of I.anlana) to shelter and nest in. As less 
and less land is left fallow, and more and more 
valleys are intensively cultivated, the babblers’ 
refuges arc fast disappearing. 
5. The tiny and fragmented forests of the Taita Hills, 
the nonhemmost pan of the Eastern Arc mountains 
Sharp's Longclaw - A threatened Kenyan grassland endemic 
restricted to the Kenyan Mountains Endemic Bird Area 
