IMG
© Mwangi Gitau

Gatamaiyo Forest NR

-0.93561 , 36.68788

Kenya

Gatamaiyo Forest covers an area of 4,720 hectares, of which 75 % is indigenous forest, 8 % is exotic forest, and the rest is bamboo, scrublands, and some herbaceous croplands. This forest is an Important Bird Area, with about 138 species of birds in and around the forest, of which 31 are forest specialists and 20 are considered rare. Not less than 39 of Kenya’s 67 Afro tropical highlands biome species reside here, the forest is home to the globally threatened Abbott’s Starling, which roosts on dry and dead trees in the forest  Other restricted range species like Jackson francolin and Hunter’s Cisticola also occur, as well as a significant number of regionally-threatened species including African Green ibis, Ayres Hawk Eagle, Rufous-breasted  Sparrowhawk,  Crowned Hawk Eagle, and Red-chested Owlet. African Elephants are occasionally encountered at Gatamaiyo Forest where they normally come for mineral salt lick, wandering from the main Aberdares National Park. Other mammals found here include Mount Kenya Colobus Monkey, Sykes’s Monkeys forest hogs, small antelopes like duikers, bush-babies, porcupines, and carnivores like mongoose and civets. The forest plays an important role as a catchment area for the many rivers and springs. Most of the rivers and streams in this site such as Gatamaiyo, Bathi, Kiruiru, and Nyanduma start from the forests, mostly flowing south-easterly before joining up to form part of Athi River left bank tributaries (Nairobi River)

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : -0.9356/36.6879 (2020-11-29 21:54:30 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Gatamaiyo Forest NR" (2020-11-29 21:54:30 )

Edited by Mwangi Gitau on 2023-07-28 09:28:52
Gatamaiyo Forest covers an area of 4,720 ha, hectares, of which 75 % is indigenous forest, 8 % is exotic forest, and the rest is bamboo, scrublands, and some herbaceous croplands. This forest is an Important Bird Area, with about 138 species of birds in and around the forest, of which 31 are forest specialists and 20 are considered rare. Not less than 39 of Kenya’s 67 Afro tropical highlands biome species reside here, the forest is home to the globally threatened Abbott’s Starling, which roosts on dry and dead trees in the forest  Other restricted range species like Jackson francolin and Hunter’s Cisticola also occur, as well as a significant number of regionally-threatened species including African Green ibis, Ayres Hawk Eagle, Rufous-breasted  Sparrowhawk,  Crowned Hawk Eagle, and Red-chested Owlet. African Elephants are occasionally encountered at Gatamaiyo Forest where they normally come for mineral salt lick, wandering from the main Aberdares National Park. Other mammals found here include Mount Kenya Colobus Monkey, Sykes’s Monkeys forest hogs, small antelopes like duikers, bush-babies, porcupines, and carnivores like mongoose and civets. The forest plays an important role as a catchment area for the many rivers and springs. Most of the rivers and streams in this site such as Gatamaiyo, Bathi, Kiruiru, and Nyanduma start from the forests, mostly flowing south-easterly before joining up to form part of Athi River left bank tributaries (Nairobi River)
Edited by Mwangi Gitau on 2023-07-28 09:05:08
Gatamaiyo Forest covers an area of 4,720 ha, of which 75 % is indigenous forest, 8 % is exotic forest, and the rest is bamboo, scrublands, and some herbaceous croplands. This forest is an Important Bird Area, with about 138 species of birds in and around the forest, of which 31 are forest specialists and 20 are considered rare. Not less than 39 of Kenya’s 67 Afro tropical highlands biome species reside here, the forest is home to the globally threatened Abbott’s Starling, which roosts on dry and dead trees in the forest  Other restricted range species like Jackson francolin and Hunter’s Cisticola also occur, as well as a significant number of regionally-threatened species including African Green ibis, Ayres Hawk Eagle, Rufous-breasted  Sparrowhawk,  Crowned Hawk Eagle, and Red-chested Owlet. African Elephants are occasionally encountered at Gatamaiyo Forest where they normally come for mineral salt lick, wandering from the main Aberdares National Park. Other mammals found here include Mount Kenya Colobus Monkey, Sykes’s Monkeys forest hogs, small antelopes like duikers, bush-babies, porcupines, and carnivores like mongoose and civets. The forest plays an important role as a catchment area for the many rivers and springs. Most of the rivers and streams in this site such as Gatamaiyo, Bathi, Kiruiru, and Nyanduma start from the forests, mostly flowing south-easterly before joining up to form part of Athi River left bank tributaries (Nairobi River)

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Scaly Spurfowl (Pternistis squamatus)
Hartlaub's Turaco (Tauraco hartlaubi)
Olive Ibis (Bostrychia olivacea)
Bat Hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus)
Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus)
Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis)
Augur Buzzard (Buteo augur)
Bar-tailed Trogon (Apaloderma vittatum)
Tropical Boubou (Laniarius major)
White-tailed Crested Flycatcher (Elminia albonotata)
White-browed Crombec (Sylvietta leucophrys)
Chestnut-throated Apalis (Apalis porphyrolaema)
Gray Apalis (Apalis cinerea)
Hunter's Cisticola (Cisticola hunteri)
Mountain Yellow-Warbler (Iduna similis)
Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler (Bradypterus cinnamomeus)
Abbott's Starling (Arizelopsar femoralis)
Black-and-white Mannikin (Spermestes bicolor)
Yellow-bellied Waxbill (Coccopygia quartinia)
Golden-breasted Bunting (Emberiza flaviventris)

Olive Ibis (Bostrychia olivacea) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:27:24)

Abbott's Starling (Arizelopsar femoralis) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:26:40)

Golden-breasted Bunting (Emberiza flaviventris) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:26:11)

Mountain Yellow-Warbler (Iduna similis) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:25:37)

White-tailed Crested Flycatcher (Elminia albonotata) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:25:06)

Tropical Boubou (Laniarius major) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:24:32)

Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler (Bradypterus cinnamomeus) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:24:04)

Scaly Spurfowl (Pternistis squamatus) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:23:02)

White-browed Crombec (Sylvietta leucophrys) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:22:40)

Gray Apalis (Apalis cinerea) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:22:24)

Black-and-white Mannikin (Spermestes bicolor) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:22:01)

Yellow-bellied Waxbill (Coccopygia quartinia) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:21:41)

Augur Buzzard (Buteo augur) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:21:00)

Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:20:26)

Bat Hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:19:54)

Chestnut-throated Apalis (Apalis porphyrolaema) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:18:08)

Bar-tailed Trogon (Apaloderma vittatum) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:17:43)

Hartlaub's Turaco (Tauraco hartlaubi) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:17:19)

Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:16:47)

Hunter's Cisticola (Cisticola hunteri) was added by Mwangi Gitau (2023-07-28 09:13:51)

  • Timing and strategy

Birding in Gatamaiyo montane forest is productive throughout the year, being close to Nairobi City (45 minutes drive). To see and record most of the forest species it is advisable to start early in the morning when the birds are still active. Birdwatching in the forest takes 7- 9 hours, kindly note birding is done on foot on well-maintained nature trails, it is recommended to have comfortable walking shoes, light clothing, insect repellents, drinking water, and a rain jacket

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Mwangi Gitau on 2023-07-28 09:13
Birding in Gatamaiyo montane forest is productive throughout the year, being close to Nairobi City (45 minutes drive). To see and record most of the forest species it is advisable to start early in the morning when the birds are still active. Birdwatching in the forest takes 7- 9 hours, kindly note birding is done on foot on well-maintained nature trails, it is recommended to have comfortable walking shoes, light clothing, insect repellents, drinking water, and a rain jacket
  • How to get there

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Not available yet

There is an entry fee to access the forest

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Mwangi Gitau on 2023-07-28 09:14
There is an entry fee to access the forest
  • Other attractions

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Not available yet

Fishing Camp has picnic site and long drop toilets

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Mwangi Gitau on 2023-07-28 09:28
Fishing Camp has picnic site and long drop toilets

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Not available yet
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

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Gatamaiyo Forest NR - Orniverse
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