NAT VKAU^l 
corner 
Green Nairobi 
Ann Birnie 
What a surprisingly green time of the year 
in Nairobi! An afternoon in Nairobi National 
Park followed by the Saturday morning walk 
in Ngong forest gave fine opportunity to 
notice the vegetation. In the park we were 
pleased to spot the horns of a resting buffalo 
appearing just above the abundant tall 
grasses, which were in flower. Bronze, silver 
or delicate green, the variety of flowering 
heads included the unmistakable fluffy pink 
of Rtiynchyletrum repens or red top . 
We observed giraffe in the upper woodlands 
munching leaves of shrubby Croton 
dichogamous, but down on the plains a large 
group were picking out the young shoots from 
thorny Acacia mellifera bushes. An Acacia 
gerrardii, could be seen below Impala Point. 
Many were in flower with dense white bobbly 
flower heads along the branches, supplying 
nectar for insect visitors. 
* 
Forest guides led our small party at 
Ngong Forest on a bright, fresh 
morning. Many horses from the 
racing stables were being 
exercised along the narrow 
muddy path, passing us as we 
looked at the forest understorey. 
Soon everyone could distinguish 
between the orange-yellow, prickly 
exotic weed Lantana camara and the 
pale mauve flowered indigenous wild 
species, Lantana trifolia. A discussion 
about weeds followed as we noted 
flourishing Datura stramonium, or Thorn 
Apple. 
The understorey, at eye level, could be 
seen, touched and smelled - quite useful 
for identification! We noted young Olive 
saplings and an Ochna tree with a 
remaining yellow flower or two. Its bronzy 
soft young leaves become stiff as they 
get older, rough above with raised veins, 
but very smooth below. Everyone noted 
the strong aroma of Clausena anisata 
leaves on a forest sapling and the less 
pleasant smell of the weed herb, Tagetes 
minuta, the exotic Mexican marigold. In 
the patches of sunshine between the 
trees, it was good to see grass flowers at 
close quarters (by reversing binoculars) 
and our youngest walker easily collected 
over a dozen grass species. 
Prickly young leaves of Pterolobium 
stellatum were felt and seen on young 
twining stems and large woody lumps noted 
on strong old lianes. Finally we spotted 
their red winged fruit topping the tree 
canopy on our return walk. 
Fundamentals of 
Ornithology 
23 - 30 April 04 Elsamere 
Field Studies Centre, Lake 
Naivasha 
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, groups 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/-. 
1r&5K±JAKX PIAKY 
Sat 7 A5F BirdwalksjLNR^wali-- 
Mon JUD^d^A livcyjdeo - 
Sat 14 Tree Walk _ 
Sun 15 Sun day Birdwa lk—-- 
Thu IQ Safari Rally P resentation- 
Mon 23 Tree Wa lk--- 
Sat 28 ftntamai yu Outing --- 
Mornin9 
£cii hr, Catherine Ngarachu 
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