There is a war going on in my backyard. Not a silent or subtle war but an all out screeching at each other war: the birds are fighting. Unlike most backyards in Rwanda, ours does not attract the many beautiful birds that inhabit Rwanda. Instead, our numerous Avocado trees attract a different kind. There are Black Kites, storks, vultures, black and white crows and some horribly loud bird called an Ibis. Since the rate at which I presently read books, about one every three or four days, I’ve quickly run out of novels to read in this house and these birds provide a good source of entertainment. It is for this reason you’ll find that I always sit at the dining room table facing the backyard.
Therefore it was with curiosity that I went to interview the coordinator of the Ornithology program. Perhaps he could tell me about all the birds I was missing out on. Claudien has been studying birds since 2004 doing research on the Grauer’s Swamp Warbler with the help of Katie Fawcett who is the director of the Karisoke Research Center. Now he trains field staff for Rwandan tourism and research on their ecology and how to identify birds. In addition to training guides, Claudien assists undergraduate students on their research.
While the program is only a fledgling, the Karisoke Research Center is now recognized as one among many birding organizations in Rwanda. Claudien has also established a relationship with Sutton Avian Research Center and hopes to establish many more relationships with other birding organisations. In the future, the Bird Diversity Program will conduct research on threatened and endemics to the Albertine Rift area and continue research on the Grauer’s Swamp Warbler.
Ignorance, according to Claudien, is one of the biggest hurtles for bird conservation: “The people in the local area still have very little knowledge about the importance of birds.” It is for this reason that the program is dedicated to educating the population. For the second year, Claudien has organized the World Migratory Bird Day. In the past, he has also organized day to celebrate the World Bird Festival by going to a primary school and giving presentations. In addition to lack of knowledge about the importance of bird diversity, cattle grazing and grass cutting greatly reduce the habitat for most birds.
While the future of Bird Conservation is hopeful since birding is a popular attraction for tourists, the program still has a long way to go. Claudien hopes to continue his studies and gain more training in birding techniques. Hopefully with the collaboration with other organisations, he will be able to evolve his program.
