Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 1999 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corncrake Crex crex | LC | winter (-) | present | A1 |
| Malagasy Pond Heron Ardeola idae | EN | non-breeding (1999) | present | A1 |
| Usambiro Barbet Trachyphonus usambiro | LC | resident (1999) | present | A2 |
| Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni | LC | passage (1999) | present | A1 |
| Grey-crested Helmetshrike Prionops poliolophus | NT | resident (1999) | present | A1, A2 |
| Red-throated Tit Melaniparus fringillinus | LC | resident (1999) | present | A1 |
| Rufous-tailed Weaver Histurgops ruficauda | LC | resident (1999) | present | A2 |
| Jackson's Widowbird Euplectes jacksoni | NT | resident (1999) | present | A1, A2 |
Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 1999. The most recent assessment (2023) is shown below.
| IBA conservation assessment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2023 | very poor | very high | high |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | habitat | good | |
| State (condition of the trigger species' habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Quantity (% remaining) | Quality (% carrying capacity) | Result |
| Savanna | moderate (70–90%) | moderate (70–90%) | poor |
| Forest | moderate (70–90%) | moderate (70–90%) | poor |
| Grassland | moderate (70–90%) | moderate (70–90%) | poor |
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Biological resource use | happening now | whole of population/area (>90%) | rapid decline (>30% over 3 generations) | very high |
| Climate change and severe weather | happening now | whole of population/area (>90%) | rapid decline (>30% over 3 generations) | very high |
| Human intrusions and disturbance | happening now | most of population/area (50–90%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | high |
| Residential and commercial development | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | high |
| Transportation and service corridors | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | high |
| Energy production and mining | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Pollution | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Natural system modifications | likely in long term (>4 years) | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Agricultural expansion and intensification | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | no or slight decline (<1% over 3 generations) | low |
| Invasive and other problematic species and genes | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | no or slight decline (<1% over 3 generations) | low |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Whole area (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation | A comprehensive and appropriate management plan exists that aims to maintain or improve the populations of qualifying bird species | Substantive conservation measures are being implemented, but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity | high |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Olorien | Private Reserve (-) | 5 |
| - | Koiyaki | Private Reserve (-) | 18 |
| - | Siana | Private Reserve (-) | 29 |
| - | Angata Baragoi | Private Reserve (-) | 1 |
| - | Kerinkani | Private Reserve (-) | 2 |
| - | Olchorro Ouirwa | Private Reserve (-) | 2 |
| - | Kimindet | Private Reserve (-) | 7 |
| 1974 | Masai Mara | National Reserve (II) | 28 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | - | Lowland forest - riparian; Woodland - monodominant |
| Grassland | - | Grassland - edaphic, dry |
| Savanna | - | Bushland & thicket - evergreen |
| Shrubland | - | Scrub - woodland |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| nature conservation and research | - |
| tourism/recreation | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Masai Mara (Kenya). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/masai-mara-iba-kenya on 23/12/2024.