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Timed species count birds' data of the Kenyan Coastal Forests, 1992 - 1994

Citation

Bennun L, Waiyaki E, Ochieng J, Njambi M, Mwangi E, Njoroge P (2023). Timed species count birds' data of the Kenyan Coastal Forests, 1992 - 1994. Version 1.6. National Museums of Kenya. Sampling event dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/yg9qje accessed via GBIF.org on 2025-07-20.

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 occur on the southern Kenyan coast, but their avifauna has been little studied before 1992. In January 1992 to September 1994, the avifauna of 20 South Coast Forest fragments were systematically assessed using mist-netting, timed species counts and direct observations. Sixty forest-dependent bird species were recorded, amongst them three that are globally threatened (Sokoke Pipit Anthus sokokensis, Spotted Ground-thrush Geokichla guttata, East Coast Akalat Sheppardia gunningi) three that are near-threatened (Southern Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus fasciolatus, Fischer’s Turaco Tauraco fischeri, Plain-backed Sunbird Anthrepres reichenowi) and four that are ‘restricted-range’ (Fischer’s Turaco, Sokoke Pipit, Mombasa Woodpecker Campethera mombassica, Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes neglectus). This dataset gives a baseline information on the birds recorded using the timed species count method in 20 forests fragment including: Timbwa, Waa, Kinondo, Diani, Teleza, Mtswakara, Gandini, Muhaka, Mrima,Buda, Gongoni, Marenje, Maluganji ,Shimba Hills, Arabuko Sokoke, Lunguma, Phungi wetland,Ukunda, Chale and Gonja. The dataset contains 2055 entries. 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.

Sampling Description

Study Extent

The survey was undertaken in 20 South Coastal Forest fragments between Mombasa town and Tanzanian border. These fragments included: Timbwa, Waa, Kinondo, Diani, Teleza, Mtswakara, Gandini, Muhaka, Mrima,Buda, Gongoni, Marenje, Maluganji ,Shimba Hills, Arabuko Sokoke, Lunguma, Phungi wetland, Ukunda, Chale and Gonja.

Sampling

A combination of modified Timed Species Counts (TSCs) (Pomeroy 1992), equivalent to ‘timed transects’ (Bennun & Waiyaki 1993) and ad hoc observations were used to survey the aerial, canopy and mid-canopy species, while mist-netting was used for the shy and skulking undergrowth species. This dataset contains birds recorded using the Time species 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

  1. Eight days were spent in each fragment during the survey. A combination of modified Timed Species Counts (TSCs) (Pomeroy 1992), equivalent to ‘timed transects’ (Bennun & Waiyaki 1993) and ad hoc observations were used to survey the aerial, canopy and mid-canopy species, while mist-netting was used for the shy and skulking undergrowth species. During timed transects, an observer walked steadily for a set period of time (40 minutes) along a trail, recording each time a bird was seen or heard above a set height (3 m) and within a set distance (20 m) from his position. All timed transects (24 per site) were conducted between 06h00 and 10h00 in the morning, a time when birds are most active.

Taxonomic Coverages

Birds observed via timed species count method within the 20 locations in Coastal Forest were identified to the species level.
  1. Aves
    rank: class
  2. Sturnidae
    rank: family
  3. Estrildidae
    rank: family
  4. Cisticolidae
    rank: family
  5. Malaconotidae
    rank: family
  6. Capitonidae
    rank: family
  7. Trogonidae
    rank: family
  8. Bucerotidae
    rank: family
  9. Pycnonotidae
    rank: family
  10. Alcedinidae
    rank: family
  11. Turdidae
    rank: family
  12. Nectariniidae
    rank: family
  13. Platysteiridae
    rank: family
  14. Cuculidae
    rank: family
  15. Musophagidae
    rank: family
  16. Picidae
    rank: family
  17. Muscicapidae
    rank: family
  18. Columbidae
    rank: family
  19. Accipitridae
    rank: family
  20. Monarchidae
    rank: family
  21. Meropidae
    rank: family
  22. Phoeniculidae
    rank: family
  23. Nicatoridae
    rank: family
  24. Oriolidae
    rank: family
  25. Phasianidae
    rank: family
  26. Psittacidae
    rank: family
  27. Scotocercidae
    rank: family
  28. Stenostiridae
    rank: family
  29. Rhamphastidae
    rank: family
  30. Lybiinae
    rank: subfamily
  31. Ploceidae
    rank: family
  32. Numididae
    rank: family
  33. Coraciidae
    rank: family
  34. Ciconiidae
    rank: family
  35. Ardeidae
    rank: family
  36. Jacanidae
    rank: family
  37. Rallidae
    rank: family
  38. Anatidae
    rank: family
  39. Campephagidae
    rank: family
  40. Indicatoridae
    rank: family
  41. Upupidae
    rank: family
  42. Motacillidae
    rank: family
  43. Lybiidae
    rank: family
  44. Dicruridae
    rank: family
  45. Laniidae
    rank: family
  46. Calyptomenidae
    rank: family
  47. Apodidae
    rank: family
  48. Strigidae
    rank: family
  49. Caprimulgidae
    rank: family
  50. Accipitriformes
    rank: order
  51. Apodiformes
    rank: order
  52. Bucerotiformes
    rank: order
  53. Caprimulgiformes
    rank: order
  54. Columbiformes
    rank: order
  55. Coraciiformes
    rank: order
  56. Cuculiformes
    rank: order
  57. Galliformes
    rank: order
  58. Musophagiformes
    rank: order
  59. Passeriformes
    rank: order
  60. Piciformes
    rank: order
  61. Psittaciformes
    rank: order
  62. Strigiformes
    rank: order
  63. Trogoniformes
    rank: order

Geographic Coverages

The timed species count was carried out in 20 forest fragments falling under two counties Kilifi and Kwale in the southern Kenyan coast. These forest fragments included: Timbwa, Waa, Kinondo, Diani, Teleza, Mtswakara, Gandini, Muhaka, Mrima,Buda, Gongoni, Marenje, Maluganji ,Shimba Hills,Arabuko Sokoke,Lunguma, Phungi wetland,Ukunda, Chale and Gonja.

Bibliographic Citations

  1. Bennun, L.A. & Waiyaki, E.M. 1993. Using timed species-counts to compare avifaunas in the Mau Forests, south-west Kenya. Proc. Pan-Afr. Om. Congr. 8: 366. -
  2. Glover, J., Robinson, P. & Henderson, J.P. 1954. Provisional maps of the reliability of annual rainfall in East Africa. Quarterly Review of the Meterological Society 80: 607. -
  3. Hawthorne, W.D. 1993. East African coastal forest botany. In: Lovett J.C., & Wasser, S.K. (eds.). Biogeography & ecology of the rainforests of Eastern Africa. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 57-102. ICBP 1992. Putting biodiversity on the map: Priority Areas for Global Conservation. Cambridge: ICBP. -
  4. Miyata, T. & Saka, Y. 1979. Deformed cross-lamination in the Karoo system, near Mombasa, Kenya. 4" Preliminary report, African Studies, Nagoya University, 63-7 1. -
  5. Pomeroy, D. 1992. Counting Birds. AWF Technical Handbook no. 6. Nairobi: African Wildlife Foundation -

Contacts

Leon Bennun
originator
position: Chief Scientist
The Biodiversity Consultancy Ltd, Cambridge
Cambridgeshire
GB
email: leon@thebiodiversityconsultancy.com
Edward Waiyaki
originator
position: Research Scientist
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute
Silos Road, English Point, Mkomani
Mombasa
P. O. Box 81651 - 080100
Mombasa
KE
email: ewaiyaki@kmfri.go.ke
Judith Ochieng
originator
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
originator
position: Data Clerk, Ornithology Section, Zoology Dept.,
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
Telephone: +254718374256
email: njambiwaceke@gmail.com
Esther Mwangi
originator
position: Research Scientist, Zoology Dept.,
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
email: ewmwangi@museums.or.ke
Peter Njoroge
originator
position: Head, Ornithology Section, Zoology Dept.,
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
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
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
user
email: ewmwangi@museums.or.ke
Lawrence Monda
processor
position: ICT Manager
National Museums of Kenya
40658
Nairobi
00100
Nairobi
KE
email: lmonda@museums.or.ke
Leon Bennun
administrative point of contact
position: Chief Scientist
The Biodiversity Consultancy Ltd
Cambridge
Cambridgeshire
GB
email: leon@thebiodiversityconsultancy.com
Edward Waiyaki
administrative point of contact
position: Research Scientist
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute
Silos Road, English Point, Mkomani
Mombasa
P. O. Box 81651 - 080100
Mombasa
KE
email: ewaiyaki@kmfri.go.ke
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