Tanzania

Why do I go birding?
Because most days it feels like a wonderful gift; for nigh on fifty years thus far - a fulfilling life experience.

Should we care about the label?
It matters not whether we are considered bird-watchers or birders, ornithologists or bird-lovers, bird-spotters or rarity hunters, tickers, twitchers or listers.

Are there 'philosophical implications'?
The gift of 'birding' has encouraged me to focus daily upon dynamic meditation; the interplay of the human mind and nature. Specifically to concentrate upon the way this interplay should enhance our life, both as humbled individuals and in the greatest groups.

Email exchange about a veterinary drug that threatens vultures:

1) 24 May, 2006

“Vultures in Asia" India bans production of death drug.

Dear Safari Operator,

I know the experts say that this is not the problem here in Tanzania but what do vets use here e.g. on those 'pampered wazungu cattle' living near you in Olasiti?

(Olasisti is 'a village' very near Arusha.)

There were two more postings to the bird group on February 14 under the title

"More on those Migrating Butterflies"

"Incidentally we went through the largest butterfly migration I have
ever seen on the way back from Moshi. Millions of whites all heading
south from Moshi all the way to Karatu (Karatu is in the Crater Highlands along the western edge of the Rift Valley). In places it resembled a blizzard. We've collected a few off the radiator.
Grant Hopcraft - Frankfurt Zoological Society"

"Those Brown-veined White butterflies that were mentioned the other day. They passed through Naivasha and the Rift last week, laying thousands of eggs everywhere. Their favoured food plant is a three-leaved indigenous bush that becomes devoured by the caterpillars before they move into the grass.
Am sure your local agricultural officers are well aware of it all and are spraying (sic!).
Don Turner, Naivasha, Kenya"

The area and duration of the current Brown-veined White Belenois aurota movement in Tanzania and Kenya would seem to be quite extraordinary.

Brown-veined White in Arusha 14 February, 2007 (Anabel Harries)I first became aware of this Brown-veined White (et al.) migration on Tuesday afternoon February 6 as we drove south on the main highway toward Dar with Jack & Kathy Wigan heading towards Chalinze from the Saadani NP junction.