(2009, 2012).Īncient avian counterparts can leave a particular set of trackways and trace fossils (including nest mounds) that can be used to refine mid-late Tertiary lacustrine depositional models (Melchor et al., 2012). Sedimentary textures and structures associated with flamingo lifestyles, where these birds dominate the macrofauna in some modern saline lakes, are described by Scott et al. This creates the context between flamingos, mesohaline planktonic blooms, and saline lakes, well documented in Lake Nakuru by Vareschi (1982) and first noted in the geological literature in a benchmark paper authored by Kirkland and Evans (1981).
Flamingos are filter feeders that thrive on halotolerant cyanobacterial blooms in mesohaline shallows of saline lakes worldwide. Although popularly misperceived as tropical species, flamingo distribution is more closely tied to the great deserts of the world and hypersaline lake sites than equatorial regions (Bildstein, 1993). The lake's flamingo population's fluctuating richness was dubbed the "flamingo connection" in a benchmark paper by Kirkland and Evans (1981) that considered mesohaline evaporitic carbonates as hydrocarbon source rocks.įlamingos (Aves, Phoenicopteridae) are an ancient lineage of long-legged, microphagous, colonial wading birds. Since 2006 there have been additional population crashes at Nakuru and Elmentia (Table).įlamingos numbers in Lake Nakuru are perhaps one of the most visually impressive responses to episodic but very high organic productivity levels, driven by a well-adapted species feeding in a layered saline water body subject to periodic salinity stress (Warren, 2011). At the same time, birds were gathering in places they have never been documented before. Previous mass die-offs occurred at Lake Nakuru and two other Kenyan lakes in 1993, 1995, and 1997, as well as at two lakes in Tanzania in 2002. In 2006, more than 30,000 of the birds were found dead at Nakuru, leaving enough pink carcasses to spur an international newspaper to describe the lake as a "flamingo death camp." Two years prior, 43,800 of the birds had perished at Tanzania's Lake Manyara, the first significant die-off documented at that alkaline, soda-rich lake. Flamingo population levels in Lake Nakuru and any mass "die-offs" are popularly considered as indicators of the environmental health of Nakuru and other lakes in the African rift valley with significant flamingo populations. A visit to Lake Natron is a must during your stay at Lengai Camp – for the impressive scenery, the wildlife and the tranquility.An aviator once described Lake Nakuru as "a crucible of pink and crimson fire," with a million flamingos painting an astonishing band of colour that burst into pieces as the birds took flight (Figures). While saline, the water is drinkable for animals and the shores are frequented by important numbers of wild animals, mixing with the goats, sheep and cattle. In short – a fantastic place for bird-watchers. This draws in an amazing array if water birds – pelicans, storks, cormorants, ducks… the list is endless. The crystal clear waters springing from the ground are home to large numbers of tiny tilapia. These are nearly all saline and make for great natural spas for those who feel like taking a dip. A large number of warm water springs feed the lake year round. Mountains all aroundįlanked by the rift valley escarpment to the west, Gelai mountain to East and Shompole to the north, its easy to see why the water settles in the space between. Flamingos can be seen wading in the shallow water as far as the eye can see, but don’t be fooled! The number of people who have become bogged down (or their cars) when getting too close is hard to guess – suffice to say that the mudflats can be treacherous for drivers. The lake is shallow with large parts having almost no surface water during most years. Flamingos nest along the shores and into the center of the lake where predators find it difficult or impossible to access. It is the worlds most important breeding site for the Lesser Flamingo and has been designated a Ramsar site.
Lake Natron is a soda and salt lake covering about 400 square kilometers in Tanzania’s Rift Valley.
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