Earth’s longest commute: Meet birds flying from Europe to Kenya to escape winter
By Kenneth Mwenda, November 8, 2025Every year, various bird species undertake astonishing migrations from Europe to Kenya. These journeys cover thousands of kilometres and illustrate the incredible reach of nature.
This article explores several confirmed cases, the types of birds in Kenya from Europe, and what these migrations tell us.
Remarkable cases
1. Finnish Osprey – 2020, Siaya
On January 24, 2020, reports emerged of a rare Osprey, also called a fish hawk, caught in a fishing net after travelling nearly 7,000 kilometres from Finland to western Kenya.
The bird was rescued and placed under the care of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
Three days later, a Facebook post stated that the bird had died.
“Postmortem examination report by Veterinarians in Karen says she died from starvation. #RIPOsprey.” the post read.
A ring around the bird’s leg confirmed it originated from eastern Finland, nearly 7,000 kilometres away from where it was discovered in Kenya.
2. Finnish Osprey – 2025, Siaya
In June 2025, another Finnish‑ringed Osprey was discovered near Usalu Beach. Local fishermen came across the bird while casting their nets in Lake Victoria.
The Osprey, a fish-eating raptor, became entangled in the nets and unfortunately died before the identification rings on its legs could be noticed.
This find confirmed that Siaya continues to serve as a key stopover for these European raptors during their migration between Europe and Africa.
3. Polish White Stork – 2021, Kitale
In March 2021, a White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) that had flown over 10,000 kilometres from Europe was electrocuted while flying in Kenya.
The bird was found dead at Kapkoi Moi’s bridge in Kitale after hitting power lines.
Eyewitnesses reported that the stork had been part of a flock of about 200 when the accident occurred on Tuesday, March 22.
“The extent of damage on the wings and its neck due to electrocution is severe. The feathers have also been badly burnt in the process,” Richard Mwenja, an eyewitness said.
4. Polish White Stork – 2022, Nandi
A White Stork that travelled over 7,000 kilometres from Poland to Kenya was electrocuted in Mogon Baraton village, Nandi County.
Conservationist Elicky Misoi, who discovered the bird, said it had hit power lines.
“It had a tag on its leg indicating it came from Poland. We were quite amazed because the distance from Poland to Kenya is approximately 7,000 kilometres,” he noted.
The carcass was handed over to the Kenya Wildlife Service, which will preserve it as a wildlife specimen.
5. Eleonora’s Falcon – 2022, Nandi
On December 21, 2022, Bomer Kip, a local bird enthusiast, reported successfully rescuing an Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) that had flown over 6,188 kilometres from Poland to Kipsumbai village, PotoPoto, Tinderet Sub County, Nandi County.
6. Russian Osprey – 2025, Siaya
On November 7, 2025, residents of Ugingo Village in Siaya County were astonished when an Osprey from Russia landed in their area.
The fish-eating bird was entangled in a fishing net in Usigu Sub-location, Central Yimbo. A Russian identification tag on its leg confirmed its origin.
Local villagers freed the exhausted bird and alerted the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
The KWS team, led by Deputy County Warden Byatt Shikanga, secured the bird and placed it under expert supervision.
It was later handed over to KWS veterinary head Isaac Lekolool and raptor specialist Simon Thomsett from the Kenya Bird of Prey Trust.
The bird was transferred to the Raptor Centre in Soysambu Conservancy for treatment and rehabilitation before release.
This case highlighted Kenya’s role as a crucial stopover for migratory birds from Europe and Asia.
Types of Birds in Kenya from Europe
They cover multiple species that breed in Europe and migrate to Africa, including Kenya, during the non-breeding season. Among them:
Ospreys (tagged from Finland or Russia) – raptors that feed on fish and travel long distances.
White Storks (tagged from Poland or other parts of Central/Eastern Europe) – large wading birds that winter in Africa.
Smaller migratory birds, such as Eleonora’s Falcons, warblers, shrikes, Northern Wheatears, and Red-backed Shrikes, also make the journey between Europe and Kenya, though documented ringed cases are less common.
Common birds in Kenya from Europe
While large raptors and storks attract attention, many smaller birds use the same flyways. Small birds often go unnoticed, but they follow similar migration routes. Photography and documentation confirm these remarkable journeys.
Birds leave Europe when the breeding season ends and winter approaches. They fly to Africa where food is more abundant and conditions are milder.
In Kenya, they often land in regions such as the Lake Victoria shoreline, Rift Valley rangelands, and wetlands. Each journey involves challenges including exhaustion, weather, and hazards like fishing nets and power lines.