Avifauna recorded using point count method during 2003 Spotted Ground-thrush surveys in Kenyan Coastal Forests Fragments
Citation
Ndang'ang'a K, Mulwa R, Jackson C, Njambi M, Njoroge P, Ochieng J (2022). Avifauna recorded using point count method during 2003 Spotted Ground-thrush surveys in Kenyan Coastal Forests Fragments. National Museums of Kenya. Sampling event dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/ca82mz accessed via GBIF.org on 2025-01-20.Description
The biological importance and uniqueness of East African coastal forests is widely recognized; they form an Endemic Bird Area. Important remnants of this fragmented habitat are on the southern Kenyan coast, but their avifauna has been little studied. In between June and July 2003, a survey of endangered Spotted ground-thrush (Geokichla guttata) was undertaken with an overall objective of examining it conservation status on its non-breeding grounds in the Kenyan Coastal Forest. Other avifauna of the ten South Coast Forest fragments were assessed including the threats facing them using mist-netting, time species counts and point counts. This dataset contains 2504 entries of birds recorded using the point count method. Some birds in the IUCN red list recorded in this data set include near threatened East Coast Akalat (Sheppardia gunningi), Fischer’s Turaco (Tauraco fischeri), Southern banded snake-eagle (Circaetus fasciolatus) and Spotted Ground Thrush (Geokichla guttata). The data were formatted according to the Darwin Core Standards by A Rocha Kenya before publishing through the IPT at the National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi.Purpose
Information regarding the Spotted Ground Thrush in most Kenyan sites has been scanty and scattered making it difficult to clearly understand it status in Kenya. Only Bennun (1985, 1987) and Waiyaki (1995) did a focused study on the species. This study was conducted as a follow up survey of Spotted Ground Thrush of Kenyan Coast to assess the current status of the species and it forest habitat. Other birds were also studied to assess their status too.
Sampling Description
Study Extent
The survey was done in 10 Kenyan coastal forests in which Spotted Ground Thrush has been previously reported, or was suspected to be present. These forests included Mrima Forest, Kaya Gadini, Kaya Waa, Jilore cyanometra, Arabuko Sokoke Mixed Forest, Gede Ruins, Marenje,Colubus Trust, Diani Baobab and Kaya Diani.Sampling
Different methods were used in searching for the spotted Ground Thrush including Mist netting, Point Count and Time species Counts. This dataset present data collected using the point count method.Quality Control
Species identification was done on site by a team of bird experts from the Ornithology Section, National Museums of Kenya.Method steps
- Birds were sought between 06:00 and 11:00 within random plots, each covering a radius of 30 m and beyond. One or two observers approached each of the plots quietly, and spent 10 minutes in the plot searching for all bird species. Movements by observers were minimized and particular emphasis was placed in looking for the Spotted Ground Thrush on the leaf litter all around the plot. Birds were detected by sight, call or listening to movements. The type of detection (whether by sight or by hearing) during bird searches was recorded for three other ground feeders in the forests: Red-capped Robinchat Cossypha natalensis, Eastern Bearded Scrub Robin Cercotrichas quadrivirgata and Red-tailed Ant Thrush Neocossyphus rufus. Since Spotted Ground Thrush was not detected by hearing its call, the increased probability of detecting other ground feeders from their calls was used to correct the crude density estimate for the Spotted Ground Thrush. Some plot counts (n = 20) done at Gede Ruins were combined with an initial 10-minute play back of song recordings of the race Z. g. guttata (from Southern African Bird Sounds by Guy Gibbon) in an attempt to attract Spotted Ground Thrush.
Taxonomic Coverages
Geographic Coverages
The survey was done in 10 Kenyan coastal forests in which Spotted Ground Thrush has been previously reported, or was suspected to be present.
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
Kariuki Ndang'ang'aoriginator
position: Head of Conservation Division - Africa
Birdlife International
Nairobi
P. O. Box 3502 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
Telephone: +254722473851
email: kariuki.ndanganga@birdlife.org
Ronald Mulwa
originator
position: Senior Research Scientist, Ornithology Section, Zoology Dept.,
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
P. O. Box 40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
Telephone: +254722499841
email: rokmulwa@gmail.com
Colin Jackson
originator
position: National Director
A Rocha Kenya
Watamu
P. O. Box 80202
Malindi
KE
Telephone: +254722842366
email: colin.jackson@arocha.org
Maryanne Njambi
originator
position: Data Clerk, Ornithology Section, Zoology Dept.,
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
P. O. Box 40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
Telephone: +254718374256
email: njambiwaceke@gmail.com
Peter Njoroge
originator
position: Head, Ornithology Section, Zoology Dept.,
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
P. O. Box 40658 - 00100,
Nairobi
KE
Telephone: +254724521770
email: pnjoroge@museums.or.ke
Peter Njoroge
metadata author
position: Head, Ornithology Section, Zoology Dept.,
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
P. O. Box 40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
Telephone: +254724521770
email: pnjoroge@museums.or.ke
Judith Ochieng
metadata author
position: Project Coordinator, Department of Science and Conservation
A Rocha Kenya
Watamu
P.O.Box 80202
Malindi
KE
Telephone: +254704843754
email: judith.ochieng@arocha.org
Maryanne Njambi
metadata author
position: Data Clerk, Ornithology Section, Zoology Dept.,
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
P. O. Box 40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
Telephone: +254718374256
email: njambiwaceke@gmail.com
Esther Mwangi
processor
position: Research Scientist
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
P. O. Box 40658 - 00100,
Nairobi
KE
Telephone: +254787596660
email: ewmwangi@museums.or.ke
Lawrence Monda
processor
position: ICT Manager, ICT Dept.,
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
P. O. Box 40658 - 00100,
Nairobi
KE
Telephone: +254718570439
email: lmonda@museums.or.ke
Kariuki Ndang'ang'a
administrative point of contact
position: Head of Conservation Division - Africa
Birdlife International
Nairobi
P. O. Box 3502 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
Telephone: +254722473851
email: kariuki.ndanganga@birdlife.org
Ronald Mulwa
administrative point of contact
position: Senior Research Scientist, Ornithology Section, Zoology Dept.,
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
P. O. Box 40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
Telephone: +254722499841
email: rokmulwa@gmail.com
Colin Jackson
administrative point of contact
position: National Director
A Rocha Kenya
Watamu
P.O.Box 80202
Malindi
KE
email: colin.jackson@arocha.org