Bird). 
T N T F. R If A T lO N A I 
B i r d L i f e 
International is a 
global Partnership, active in 106 countries. 
The Partners work together on shared 
priorities, policies and programmes of 
sustainable development action, 
exchanging skills, achievements and 
information, and so growing in ability, 
authority and influence. The BirdLife 
International Partnership works with people 
towards sustainability in the use of natural 
resources in order to conserve birds, their 
habitats and global biodiversity, while 
promoting social and economic 
development. 
Moon, Mar 04 
right on the horizon (directly below the head 
7 March Full moon; 14 March Last quarter 0 f the constellation Cetus). Mercury climbs 
(rises at midnight); 21 March New moon; 29 
March First Quarter (overhead at sunset) 
to its highest around the 28’\ then sets 
again. 
World Bird Conference, 2004 
The World Bird Conference is a global 
BirdLife meeting, held every four years to 
discuss and adopt strategies, programmes 
and policies. The conference will be held in 
Durban, South Africa, and is entitled 
'Empowering People for Change'. This global 
conference will be attended by participants 
from more than 60 countries who will share 
experiences, skills and knowledge in 
sustainable development action. 
Paul Matiku, Executive Director, and 
Solomon Mwangi, the Conservation 
Programme Manager, will represent Nature 
Kenya. The Conference will give them a 
chance to share and disseminate 
experiences and best practices with other 
participants, which will help to strengthen 
Nature Kenyas' capacity in biodiversity 
conservation. 
Member of 
IUCN 
The World Conservation Union 
Nature Kenya membership of IUCN was 
approved in December 03.By joining the 
Union, Nature Kenya becomes part of a 
democratically governed global alliance of 
organizations, agencies and governments. 
In its role as a global advocate for the 
environment, IUCN represents the views 
of its members on the world stage and 
seeks to influence, encourage and assist 
societies to conserve the integrity and 
diversity of nature, and ensure that any 
use of natural resources is equitable and 
ecologically sustainable. 
Planets, Mar 04 
This month we have a chance to see all the 
five nearest planets and a moon in our 
evening sky! They are found along the 
ecliptic - the part of the sky traveled by 
the moon and planets. The planets shine by 
reflecting the light from the sun; so they 
do not sparkle like the stars. 
Looking eastwards first, the brilliant planet 
Jupiter is rising steadily. Currently it is 
close to the constellation Leo, the lion. 
Following the ecliptic till we get straight 
above, we find Saturn. Xt is a golden light 
near the constellation of the Gemini twins. 
Turning around and looking northwest, there 
is Mars. Xt is a slightly reddish light, not 
as bright as it was last year. Mars is just 
above the crescent moon on March 25 th . 
Bright Venus is below Mars, and to the left. 
After the 24 ,h we will also see Mercury. 
This small planet is, as always, very low, 
The Pleiades, a constellation of many stars 
close together, is nearby (slightly below the 
Moon on the 25 ,h ). The Pleiades are well 
worth looking at with binoculars; and since 
the Moon is a crescent the glare will not be 
so much. 
Stars, Mar 04 
Many of the brightest stars are straight 
above us on March evenings: Sirius in Canis 
Major, Procyon in Canis Minor, and many in 
the constellation of Orion. 
Lower in the sky are other bright stars: 
Canopus in the south, and Regulus (part of 
Leo) in the east (near the planet Jupiter in 
March 04), Capella is in the northwest. The 
Star Algol, in the constellation PerseuS, is 
between Capella and the planet Venus. 
Sun, March 04 
The equinox is on March 20 ,h It marks the 
start of autumn in the southern hemisphere, 
and of spring in the north. 
courses 
Fundamentals of 
Ornithology 
23 - 30 April 04 Elsamere 
Field Studies Centre, Lake 
Naivasha 
, res rema ,n,ng 
10 Pla ces 
This is an introduction to ornithology, 
designed for amateur and professional 
bird guides and birdwatchers who want 
to improve their understanding of birds 
and their skills in the field. Teaching is 
through illustrated lectures, discussion 
sessions, group seminars, 
demonstrations and field practicals, in an 
informal environment. 
Fees: Ksh 25,000, which includes full- 
board accommodation, transport to and 
from Naivasha and during field outings, 
course materials, fees, equipment, and 
teaching expenses. 
Applicants must have some experience of 
birding and education up to KCSE level. 
Send application to the Course 
Coordinator at Nature Kenya with a non- 
refundable deposit of 12,500/-. 
