The Uganda Big Birding Day 2012

• Birds as Indicators (use to people)

• Birds as a (Nature) • Birds as a (Nature) Conservation tool

• Birds as an Eco-tourism Product

Which of these are Important

Bird Areas? Protected AreasProtected AreasProtected AreasProtected Areas Forests and Forests and Forests and Forests and

SwampsSwampsSwampsSwamps

Settled Settled Settled Settled AreasAreasAreasAreas

Mgahinga and Bwindi NPs Budongo FR Gulu University

Queen Elizabeth NP Kasohya-Kitomi FR Makerere University

Kigezi and Chambura WRs Mabamba Swamp Mbarara University

Rwenzori NP Mabira FR Mukono UniversityRwenzori NP Mabira FR Mukono University

Kibale and Semiliki NPs Lutembe Bay Bahai Temple

Murchison Falls NP Musambwa Islands ALL COLLEGES

Ajai, East Madi, Karuma, Bugungu Kibimba ALL SCHOOLS

Toro-Semilki and Katonga Lake Opeta ALL PUBLIC PLACES

Kidepo, Bokora, Pian Upe West Bugwe FR ALL UNIVERSITIES

Mt. Elgon NP Echuya FR ALL HOMES

L.Mburo NP ALL FORESTS & SWAMPS

Kabwoya WR

BIRDS IN MASAKA

BIRDS IN LUTEMBE BEACH

BIRDS IN QENP

BIRDS AS INDICATORS (USE TO PEOPLE)BIRDS AS INDICATORS (USE TO PEOPLE)BIRDS AS INDICATORS (USE TO PEOPLE)BIRDS AS INDICATORS (USE TO PEOPLE)

• What do birds tell us?• What do birds do for us?• What do birds do for us?• What do we get from birds?• How do we feel when we see birds?• What do we do when we see birds?• What do we learn from birds?• WHAT SHOULD WE DO FOR BIRDS?

BIRDS AS A (NATURE) CONSERVATION TOOL

• Ecological functions of birds

– Pollination and dispersal– Pollination and dispersal

– Climate change indicators (seasonality)

– Pollution indicators

– Poaching incidences/rates

– Pest control (insects, snakes, rats, jackals)

• Economic functions – agriculture, farming birds

• Cultural functions - totems

BIRDS AS AN ECOTOURISM PRODUCT

• Uganda is Africa’s best birding destination

• Highest bird spps density (per km) in Africa

50% bird spps in Africa• 50% bird spps in Africa

• Over 1000 bird species

• Diversity of habitats (semi-arid to alpine)

• You can choose to pay or see for free (so no excuse)

• You can engage in birding anywhere in Uganda

• RESOLVE TO FIND 100 BIRD SPPS EVERY YEAR

• Lets avail simple A 4 laminated check lists at a fee

HOW THEN DO WE CONNECT BIRDS TO PEOPLE ?

• Lets not destroy their habitat – trees, rocks etcs• Lets allow them nest in our compounds (private and

public places including homes)public places including homes)• Lets create a conducive environment – plant trees,

flowers• Lets not pollute water, air, soil• Lets find, listen to and see birds (100 spps every

years per person) and talk about it to everyone we know – verbally, facebook, twitter etc.

• ALL THIS WILL GUARANTEE THE BENEFITS

THE BIRDS ARE WATCHING US