Her profound interest in everything she did for FFJ, researching history, often at private expense, endeared her to every person she interacted with.

I, for one, will miss her subtle sense of humour, drive for work and unobtrusive guidance.

Many more will miss her generous and sympathetic assistance about which she is always modestly quiet.

From all at the FFJ council and on behalf of all members and well wishers of FFJ, I take this opportunity to thank Annie sincerely for her dedicated service to the FFJ with a heartfelt wish that she and her husband James Baxter will have bright future prospects and will be our goodwill ambassadors where ever they are posted next.

Annie's pet project - transferring the database of the FFJ photographic collections on electronic medium, and on which she started work herself, is well under way.

The database is being prepared for reference and identification with details of photographs on one compact Disc.

Once identified, using the reference number, a view of thumbnail versions of photographs can be seen on both, jpg and bitmap format on separate discs from where they can be easily accessed for either viewing or printing - Kokila Doshi.

Bird Watch News:

As there are still some migrants around it was decided to go up to the Nguu Tatu to the opposite side to the car track.

This is a small wetland area but I was not holding out much hope of seeing a great deal in the very dry weather.

I could not have been more wrong.

The pond on the way up had Common Sandpiper, Spotted Flycatcher, Carmine and White-Throated Bee-Eaters and African Black Crake.

Not bad for a starter !

On the drive up a large bird of prey was seen hunting low  over the dry terrain.

An immature Eurasian Marsh Harrier.

A first for most of the birders.

The bird was completely involved with hunting and we were able to watch him at close quarters.

Another bird overhead turned out to be an adult of the same species.

A Peregrine appeared, did a swift dive and disappeared, obviously a successful hunt !

When we finally arrived at the pond the birds were so numerous it was amazing.

The earth was so dry, not a drop of visible water and yet all these birds seemed to be feasting on the ground and in the air.

Their prey seemed to be the small moths that were flying around.

Blue Cheeked Bee-eaters, Superb Starlings (with one Red Billed Buffalo Weaver running round with them), Namaqua Doves, dozens of Ring Necked Doves, Long Tailed Fiscal Shrikes, Thousands of Barn Swallows, Isabelline and Northern Wheaters, Common Rock Thrush, big flocks of Zanzibar Bishops and Red Billed Queleas, Grey Headed Kingfisher, a Whalbergs Eagle, a Common Kestrel, Common Rock Thrush (which I have seen for about three seasons) and so many other more common species.

Probably one of the best bird walks ever - Marlene Reid.

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WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

FFJ welcomes new members Lana Mullen and Fritjof Boerstler , Nigel and Elizabeth Mackenzie and Annamma Lazar Allapatt.

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IMMEDIATE PAST EVENTS:

25 February 2006 - The Old Town Walk, led by Judy Aldrick, attracted a sizeable number of Friends.

Judy gave a brief introduction of the name Mombasa as referred to by the Portuguese and Mvita as referred to by the Yemeni settlers.

Evidently the former survived.

Entering the main artery leading to the Leven House, and the Old Harbour, Mrs. Aldrick pointed out interesting carved doors, the differences between those with oriental tones and others more Arabic, with lacy intertwined borders and intricately carved mantles.

The architectural style of the old colonial buildings, some still intact , which housed the police station, post office and quarters for officers during the colonial days, was highlighted.

Of interest were the carved balustrades of the overhanging balconies.

The rehabilitation of Leven House seems to have stalled, but the most disturbing aspect was the proposed development being erected next to it.

FFJ sincerely hope that the NMK does something concrete about it - no pun intended.

The walk ended with a turf side picnic on the beautified sea front park.

28 February 2006 - The Talk on Sea Shells of Kenya by Oliver Fowler was very illuminating.

Mr. Fowler detailed different types of Sea shells found in Kenya, including some extremely rare ones, through most beautifully photographed slides.

Bivalves, the shells that open as pea pods, and the cones, their habitats, habits and regeneration details were also  discussed, as was the do's and don'ts of shell collection.

I am sure, all of us who saw these will look at these fascinating animals with a new perspective.