The FFJ wish a fruitful outcome when the Heritage Bill is passed in the Parliament and hope that sanity prevails in preserving  the terrestrial and marine heritage of this nation.

The coastal archaeology department - MARINE wing is also making headway in discovering new finds and following on the older ones in and around our sea shores.

A detailed report is still pending.

• Sometime later this year, the FFJ is planning to host the SIDI NGOMAS.

The Sidi are an African tribe that was lost to India about eight centuries ago as slaves.

Corporate and individual sponsorship will be welcome and the FFJ are looking forward to a well supported event.

Full details will be advertised in due course.

• The news from KESCOM, the Sea Turtle Conservation body is good.

They have changed their corporate identity to a TRUST after the recent AGM.

Their audited accounts were also presented at the same forum.

Following the launch of the Year of the Turtle, many activities were initiated and a fundraising Walk is planned in June. We wish them all the success.

• The book "17 Letters to Tatham" received a warm welcome.

Only three copies are now left and available from Kant's Stationers along Moi Avenue. (KD).

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

The FFJ welcomes new members Mr. and Mrs. Jose and Brenda Menezes and Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred M.Asiago.

BIRD WATCH NEWS

The trip by the Friends to Sagalla Lodge during the first weekend of March was amazingly refreshing with more than 50 species of birds noted by our own Ornithologist Marlene Reid, which I am sure has enthused many new Birders to take up this interesting hobby.

The vivid colours of the plumage and the plaintive notes of the more vocal species are still hovering in the minds of most of the party.

Bird Walk on 19 March: Easter Saturday with lots of regular birders away saw a small group of  young (well nearly all) stalwarts looking for the late migrants at  Huseini dairy land.

Car track full of cars, people and dust but the other side where the noise hardly penetrated were lots of late Lesser Grey Shrike, Red Backed Shrike and Northern Wheatears, all looking resplendent in breeding dress.

A lone Wood Sandpiper at the large pond which had rather more wet patches than it has had for ages.

African Black Crake, a Woolly Necked Stork, Black Headed Heron, Three Banded Plover and a Malachite Kingfisher all were enjoying the new wet conditions.

Superb and Violet Backed Starling, big flocks of Zanzibar Red Bishops and Golden Palm Weavers and a Yellow Fronted Canary in the surrounding trees and grasses.

A pair of Senegal Plovers seen with difficulty in the distance and a Red Necked Falcon which we chased from tree to tree in order to get a definite ID just before we left, after a very rewarding Easter Bird Walk with 34 species seen.

Next bird walk Sat. May 20th. (MR).

PAST EVENTS

2nd May 2006 Talk - Jews in Kenya by Cynthia Salvadori.

Cynthia researched these people for a book which the community are launching as their Centenary presence in Kenya.

Although a small community, the impact this enterprising people have made on the economic and hospitality industry was also touched upon.

The much persecuted Jews also had their taste of racism during the colonial times.

Although white Europeans, they were discriminated against by the Settler ruling class especially in the social structure.

The chasm between the Kenyan Jews and those from modern Israel was surprisingly curious and so was the same between the African Jews and the rest.

Yes, there are African Jews and to the surprise of many Jews themselves, a functioning synagogue is also present in Mombasa.

An interesting Talk indeed !

6th May 2006 - Tree planting at the North Quarry Haller Park.

A sizeable group gathered for this event.

Each member planted with lots of affection and hope for a better and greener future of our environment.

The saplings were all indigenous trees like the Indian almond (mkungu), Oil Palm and Fig (May the birds feast when it blooms and fruits!).

The younger and more energetic Friends planted more than the older ones.

When later a tally was done, it transpired we had planted over 30 trees, although Bamburi had only prepared 27 seedlings.

Later everyone sat down to a sumptuous picnic to the sound of birdsong and sultry heat on the Sunset Terrace.

uesday 16th May 2006: Screening of "Unlocking Da Vinci's Code - Mystery or Conspiracy ?"

This is an investigative documentary exploring the hidden meaning inside the art work of one of the greatest artists in history and secrets to riddles and clues within his great works.

The legacy linking Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalene and Da Vinci is tackled by historians, art critics and experts delving into the truth behind the claims by author Dan Brown in his book The Da Vinci Code.

Saturday 10th June 2006 - Day Trip to Hell's Kitchen, north of Malindi.

A day trip to the volcanic Hell's Kitchen is planned on the Saturday 10 June.

The cost per person will be K.shs.1000/= which includes transport.

Later, a picnic lunch at the Malindi Harbour followed by a walk to the nearby Malindi Museum to see the fossil fish Coelacanth will round up the day.