Joining the Migration
- guilhermeferreira100
- Aug 11, 2019
- 3 min read
Setting up the cameras is in full swing now for the second season in Kenya’s Maasai Mara! I have just returned from three nights camping in the Mara Triangle at the Fisi (hyaena) camp and the wildebeest migration is definitely underway with thousands of wildebeest making their way north. With this being my third year (second on this project) splitting my time between the UK and Kenya and my sixth year not staying in one place for much more than 6 months I am starting to feel a bit like a wildebeest; always on the move never staying in one place to long before going looking for the next meal, though thankfully I don't have to wade through any crocodile infested rivers. The other big difference between last year and this year is the grass! By the time I started last year the dry season had been going for a while, so the grass had mostly died back. This year it is a different story. In the Triangle we were slowed down a lot by the height of the grass often having to have someone walk in front of the car to check for rocks and holes in grass that in some places was as tall as me.
Last year during set up in the Triangle we had a couple of close encounters with buffalo, this year the main organism of concern were a little smaller… TICKS! With the long grass and the wildebeest they seemed to be a lot more common than usual and at one stage I must have walked through a cluster of them just before getting back to camp which, upon discovering, resulted in a very speedy self-strip search! Whilst there isn’t lyme disease out here ticks can still transmit tick-bite fever which is caused by a bacterial infection so, whilst it is treatable, is something I am very keen to avoid. The other insect that is a side effect of the migration and was driving me nuts in a few locations was tsetse flies, they also have a nasty bite that can cause you to be very ill. They can transmit trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, which when you're not a morning person to start with does not sound like it would be conducive to keeping a grid of 200+ camera traps running (it is also a pretty serious)!
Kate joined me in Kenya in July to meet with our new collaborator from the Maasai Mara University, Paul Webala, and the managers from the conservancies that we are already working in. It was a hectic week going from meeting to meeting some of which went on until 9pm and by the end of it both of us were in the need for a break. So on our return to Nairobi we decided to find a swimming pool to work at for the afternoon before Kate flew out as we were between accommodation and thought it would be nicer than sitting in a café. The hotel we found was Ole Sereni whose swimming pool looks out over Nariobi National Park. We could see zebra and the occasional ostrich but the main distraction was the bird life. We spent the afternoon there with buzzards and black kites putting on a aerial displays overhead whilst enjoying the swimming pool, and even still managed to get the annual report finished! I often find that I am more productive working somewhere outdoors than sitting in an office, it is one of the reasons that I made a few purchases whilst back in Nairobi so that I could set up an outdoor office on the veranda of my tent. I can sit there and fill out expense claims whilst watching mongoose wander around camp and all sorts of wildlife coming and going from the river. It I fast becoming one of my favourite places to work.
I recently tried the Rice Purity Test, and honestly, it was more fun than I expected. Some questions made me laugh, while others made me pause and think. It’s a great way to look back at your life and see how much you’ve grown over time without taking things too seriously.
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Your blog beautifully captures the emotional and social dimensions of migration, especially the sense of belonging and identity that evolves through movement. It strongly resonates with how migration is not just a physical journey but also a complex human experience shaped by communication, perception, and relationships. When viewed through argyle's theory of communication, the process becomes even more meaningful, as it highlights how verbal and non-verbal interactions shape understanding in unfamiliar environments. Migrants often navigate new cultural cues, social norms, and expectations, making communication a crucial survival and adaptation tool. This is where platforms like New Assignment Help UKB can support learners in critically engaging with such concepts, helping them connect theoretical frameworks to real-world experiences and articulate their insights…
This is such a captivating read — the comparison between your own nomadic fieldwork lifestyle and the wildebeest migration is both witty and surprisingly profound! There's something deeply relatable about constantly being on the move, adapting to new environments, and finding your rhythm in unfamiliar territory. The tick encounter had me genuinely cringing — nature has a way of humbling even the most seasoned researchers! It's also refreshing to see how working outdoors with mongoose wandering around and wildlife at the river actually boosted your productivity. Many students using New Assignment Help UK often find the same — stepping away from a traditional desk setup and changing your environment can unlock a whole new level of focus and creativity. Keep…
Great insights on how the Biome Health Project is tapping into the growing wave of health-conscious migrants seeking better lifestyles it's like a modern-day exodus to wellness! Speaking of high performers, did you know Tiger Shroff net worth reflects his dedication to fitness and action-packed roles? Keep inspiring us with these migration stories!