I love nature….who came about by referring to it as Mother Nature? Is there Father Nature juxtaposed?
Lake Elmenteita is 20 Km South East of Nakuru Town. It gets its water from Kekopey hot springs at the Southern end and two small streams – Mereroni & Kariandusi flowing from the eastern plateau. Siltation of the Lake from soil erosion is high especially now because of subsistence farming on the upper catchment. We do hope that the water off-take from Mereroni stream will not cause the Lake to dry up again once the rains subside; and that, the Mereroni -Mbaruk Water Resource Users Association (MBARUA) will ensure there is enough water inflow from the streams.
There are about 49 waterfowl species recorded including palearctic migrant, of international importance are populations Greater & Lesser Flamingo and the Pied Avocet.
Greater White Pelican – Pelecanus onocrotalus
They are currently in hundreds at Lake Elmenteita.
The adults are mainly white almost identical to the Pink-Backed Pelican which are greyish white.
Breeding is high during the wet season as the water levels of the Lake are high and rocky outcrops (islands) in the eastern sector are flooded to form islets which are ideal for safe nesting.
They often feed in tightly packed groups, submerging heads and necks in unison. The scene is breathtaking for bird lovers as the waves in the Lake make everything astounding.
Grey Crowned Crane – Balearica regulorum gibbericeps
We spotted four (4) of them today at the riparian area but they flew away without a snap-shot….Grrhhhh.
