I will attempt to explain....
Birds are an extremely important indicator of what is happening in our world, more specifically in any particular eco-system. By monitoring birds, the various species and the number of birds visiting an area, scientists are able to warn of changes in habitat that will sooner or later have an impact on humans. For example, the bird population in Mida Creek, mentioned a few blogs ago, indicates the health of the mangroves and the life they give to marine life that in turn supplies not only birds with food – but the villages all around – and beyond the immediate locality. If that eco-system were to collapse, the knock on effect would be disastrous for the human population, resulting in loss of livelihoods and food with all the associated problems of poverty and disease.
Which is better? – to monitor and correct whatever detrimental effect humans may be having on an environment? ...or - come to the rescue with food aid and all the other needs when an environment loses its eco-system and its ability to feed animals and people?
OK, that's a no-brainer! But why should Christians get involved? Why not leave it all to the scientists? 
It's important to realise that when John 3 verse 16 speaks of God so loving the world that he gave his only son..... the Greek word John uses is "cosmos" indicating not just humans but the whole of nature in all its God-reflecting glory. Creation is treasured by God in itself, not because of its value to humanity.
Also did you know that caring for our world is one of the 5 marks of mission, as stated by The Church of England, www.anglicancommunion.org/ministry/mission/fivemarks.cfm
- To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
- To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
- To respond to human need by loving service
- To seek to transform unjust structures of society
- To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth
Having a Christian conservation organisation with qualified and committed scientific personnel has an important impact regarding Christian witness and credibility in the world of conservation and science. It also helps to break down the artificial "sacred-secular divide" thinking that some Christians can fall into.
Malindi District where A Rocha is based is home to some of the richest and most diverse habitats in the whole of Kenya; in fact 10% of Kenya's Important Bird Areas, considered internationally important for bird conservation, are found within a 30 km radius of Malindi. Despite the richness and diversity of local habitats in this area, an exploding population and desperately high levels of poverty are putting a huge strain on the delicate relationship between the local people and the surrounding environment. By working with the local communities, A Rocha Kenya aims to achieve the long-term conservation of threatened habitats and species in the Malindi-Watamu area. ARK was formally established in 1999 and opened the Mwamba Bird Observatory and Field Study Centre in Watamu in 2002.
Colin Jackson, Director of A Rocha Kenya (in the green shirt above) has been a keen environmentalist and ornithologist for many years. The register for recording birds seen in this area is meticulous and awesome! Whilst we were staying at Mwamba, two visitors came who were also extremely committed bird watchers, one Belgian and another Norwegian, who was connected with BirdLife International. The Belgian (on the right with cap, above) was committed to photographically recording every known bird in East Africa and was delightfully fanatical! He carried a large microphone (visible in the photo) connected to a digital recorder and would record a bird's call and then play it back to them in the hope of drawing it closer so that he could photograph it. He was keen to capture the Malindi Pipit on his camera, and after many patient hours and indeed, days, he succeeded!
The bird below might be the Olive Sunbird although I don't think its beak is curved enough. If anyone recognises the species would they put it in the comment box at the end of this blog?
One early morning whilst we were walking in woodland behind Mwamba, Colin suggested that one useful task would be to clear some of the paths which had become too overgrown to walk unimpeded. That would also enable them to set up bird nets, which is a safe and humane way of catching birds to ring them for monitoring purposes. So, on our last full day at Mwamba, Nick and I pulled on some old clothes and set off with secateurs, long handled pruners and the deadly-looking "panga" – machete!
It was hot and humid and we only lasted an hour and a half. We were dripping with sweat and very thirsty by the end, but it was satisfying to do and a small way of contributing to the community here. Further information can be found on these two links:
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