birds and peoplebirds and people · southern africa and not just in south africa. to further...

BirdLife Botswana’s Bird Conservation Newsletter

March, 2012

No. 33

BIRDS AND PEOPLEBIRDS AND PEOPLEBIRDS AND PEOPLEBIRDS AND PEOPLE

Front cover: Pink-backed Pelican (Pete Hancock) This page: Pied Kingfisher (Miles Kamakama)

March, 2012

B IRDS AND PEOPLE

B IRDL IFE BOTSWANA’ S B IRD CONSERVATION NEWSLETTER

No. 33

ED ITOR IAL

This issue features several articles on vultures. This group of birds is under serious threat in Africa, and during 2011, the Hooded Vulture was added to the list of species in Botswana that are globally threat-ened. It went straight from the category Least Concern to Endangered. This is a bird we take for granted in Botswana, as it is still reasonably common within its range in the northern parts of the country; however, its populations have all but collapsed elsewhere in Africa. Currently, the White-backed Vulture is our most numerous vulture, but it is predicted to join the Hooded in the Endangered category soon if declines throughout the rest of Africa continue. Urgent conservation action is required.

Pete Hancock

(Editor)

I N T H I S I S S U E :

Management plan completed 3

Cape Vulture Task Force meets 6

First catch your vulture 8

BPM dedication 9

Photo Gallery 10/11

Together through time 12

Namibia Bird Club Conference 15

Private sector supports conservation 15

A best first estimate 14

Gamebird Management 13

Front cover: Grey Heron on nest (Pete Hancock) This page: Saddle-billed Stork (Pete Hancock)

Waterbird review 15

Birds and People No. 33

Mynas on the march 16

The southern part of Sua Pan was identified in the Makgadikgadi Frame-work Management Plan (MFMP) as an archaeological and biodiversity hotspot, rich in heritage and biodiversity assets, which has potential to provide good liveli-hood improvement opportunities to the people who live there, but which requires appropriate management and development plan-ning. In light of the above, members of four villages in the south-ern part of Sua Pan; Mmatshumo, Mosu, Mmea and Mokubilo, with facilitation and assistance from BirdLife Botswana and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), have expressed a desire to partner and develop a co-managed protected area around Southern Sua Pan. This proposed area comprises the gazetted, protected core (the Flamingo Sanctuary), and a surrounding buffer zone on the pan that includes the rest of CT13 and the Mosu escarpment area south of the pan—identified in the MFMP as a biodiversity and

archaeological hot-spot (part of CT21 and CT16). A management plan was recently conducted by Eco- Stars (Pty) Ltd. to identify the appropri-ate development strategies and management activi-ties required in order to realise sustainable benefit from and effective manage-ment of the area. The aim of the Man-agement Plan is to identify and develop the community’s vision for Southern Sua Pan and outline the key activities that need to be under-taken in order to ensure appropriate management and development of the area and the ultimate realisation of this co-management vision. It provides a comprehensive guide to the effective man-agement and develop-ment potential of the area, through a structured and logical approach that is backed up with detailed ecological and socio-economic review and analysis. The management plan provides a detailed bio-physical and socio-economic background and assessment, a com-munity appraisal of

the co-operative vision and detailed recommended devel-opment and manage-ment guidelines. The management plan is now complete, but there are still some big hurdles to over-come before the community can begin to implement this plan and realise its objectives: partner-ship agreements, establishing and registering the partner trust, securing a head lease for the area, establishment of a joint management committee responsi-ble for the area’s management etc. In light of this, the following are some of the recommendations from the completed management plan:

The four villages of Mosu, Mmatshumo, Mokubilo and Mmeya should form a part-nership Trust or similar co-operative organisation with immediate effect, following the guide-lines of the CBNRM policy, and use the Model Deed of Trust provided by the MEWT to develop the Constitution. Essen-tial to this process will be the continued support and facilita-tion of BirdLife Botswana or similar facilitating body;

MANAGEMENT PLAN COMPLETED

The management

plan for southern

Sua Pan has been

completed; it is

vital that it is now

implemented


Birds and People

MANAGEMENT PLAN CONTD.

We recommend the

community should

adopt the partner-

ship/co-operative

option that allows

equitable benefit

sharing to be con-

ducted on a per

effort and input

basis. This needs to

be agreed by all par-

ties, including the

currently operating

Gaing ‘O Trust if

they are to be

involved;

The community trust

should apply for the

head lease of CT13,

whereby it can gain

natural resource use

rights of the ‘buffer’

pan area around the

Flamingo Sanctuary

in order to conduct

and benefit from

controlled tourism

activities;

Access and use of the

pan area of CT13

and, in particular,

the restricted access

Flamingo Sanctuary,

MUST be controlled

through effective

protection and

co-management

strategies and

through forging joint

venture partnerships

with a small number

of existing and select

few operators, who

will bring appropri-

ate financial invest-

ment and expertise

to tourism market-

ing, operations and

effective area

management. Joint

venture partnerships

should begin with the

existing operators in

the area, e.g. Moriti

wa Selemo, Makari

Extremes and Tim

Liversedge, as soon

as a head lease is

gained by the Trust;

Unfortunately, the

most valuable part of

the area included in

the management

plan boundary is the

area adjacent to

CT13, comprising the

Mosu escarpment

biodiversity and

archaeological hot-

spot. This area holds

the greatest poten-

tial for all-year

round tourism activi-

ties and develop-

ment. The Commu-

nity Trust should

apply through the

respective sub-

district land boards

for user rights to this

area, in order to

protect their

management and

development inter-

ests;

Gaining natural

resource user rights

to parts of CHAs will,

however, be difficult

and it may take a

long time to sub-

divide the CHAs for

leasing purposes.

Failing this, formal

protection should be

afforded the area, in

which similar

co-management and

development

activities are carried

out in accordance

with the objectives

of this PA.

The Community

Trust, DWNP and

BirdLife Botswana

should form a

co-management

committee that will

co-manage the

Flamingo Sanctuary,

the buffer zone (the

rest of CT13) around

it and the Mosu

escarpment hotspot

area next to it. This

committee will

co-opt members

from the sub-District

Land Board, District

Council, other rele-

vant government

departments and the

private sector,

including Botswana

Ash, Debswana,

A-Cap and flamingo

researchers to advise

and facilitate effec-

tive management;

According to a gov-

ernment savingram,

a freeze on the

allocation of land to

the private sector for

lodges, guest houses

and any other tour-

ism related activities

in multi-use grazing

and arable areas has

been in effect since

June 2009 by Ngwato

Land Board, with any

allocations outside

these areas to occur

strictly on a pre-

planned and

Birds and People


The management

plan makes

important

recommendations

for the way forward

patrolling and anti-

poaching manage-

ment actions. This

would improve the

tourism potential of

the area and

maintain a key eco-

system function of

the Makgadikgadi

ecosystem, wildlife

potential and associ-

ated tourism poten-

tial as a whole, as

well as maintain its

links to other

surrounding systems.

BirdLife Botswana has

shown great motiva-

tion and support,

through the GEF-

funded “Strategic

Partnerships in

Protected Area

Management” pro-

ject, and their

continued support

and facilitation will

be a vital element in

the successful

progress of the

project to the plan

implementation

stage.

Dr G McCulloch

Eco-Stars (Pty) Ltd.

advertised basis.

Issuing of sites for

tourism development

should, therefore,

only happen in

accordance with the

tourism development

plan, with zones and

tourism sites

identified in this

management plan,

and only allocated to

the joint community

trust.

The entire CT13 area

should be managed

as a wildlife area, to

promote the rebound

of wildlife popula-

tions in the area,

through effective

BirdLife Botswana

must continue its

role of facilitator in

the process of

implementing the

plan

Birds and People


The Makgadikgadi is a unique area, with overlooked tourism potential (Photo: G McCulloch)

Birds and People

The Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres is the most studied vulture species in Southern Africa and yet, even after decades of conserva-tion efforts for this endemic species, the population continues to decline. During the 2011 breeding season a total of only 2,848 breeding pairs was recorded for the season, a drop from the previous estimate of 2,900 breeding pairs. Said André Botha, Manager of the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s (EWT) Birds of Prey Programme, “Threats such as habitat change and fragmentation, short-age of food, persecu-

tion, poisoning, disturbance at breed-ing sites, illegal trade and mortalities caused by electricity infrastructure have impacted on the population of this vulture species for many years. The potential impact of emerging threats such as wind-generated power infrastructure and climate change may contribute significantly to further changes in the fate of this species in the region.” To supplement ongoing conservation efforts, the Cape Vulture Task Force was established in 2006 as a collabora-tion between the Endangered Wildlife

Trust’s Birds of Prey Programme (EWT-BoPP), the Vulture Programme (VulPro NPC) and several other prominent conservation organi-zations and concerned individuals. Its overall goal is to stabilise the global Cape Vulture population by increas-ing collaboration and co-operation among conservationists, based on a conserva-tion plan that was formulated to identify priorities for research and conservation action for the species. Following on the 2010 Cape Vulture Species Plan review, the Cape Vulture Task Force held a two day work-shop, sponsored by the Tusk Trust and

CAPE VULTURE TASK FORCE MEETS

The Cape Vulture

continues to decline

despite the best

efforts of

conservationists

over several

decades


Participants at the workshop (Photo: Andre Botha)

to ensure the implementation of our strategy to save the Cape Vulture,” com-mented Kerri Wolter, the Cape Vulture Task Force Co-ordinator. Participants repre-senting government, NGOs, landowners, private individuals and other stake-holders, as well as representatives from Zimbabwe and Botswana, took part in the workshop to identify existing and emerging threats to the species. “It is crucial that we address the threats to

these birds at not only their breeding sites, but also throughout their foraging and distribu-tion ranges. For this reason, the actions to protect the Cape Vulture should be applied throughout Southern Africa and not just in South Africa. To further actively conserve the species the Task Force will compile a Biodiversity Manage-ment Plan to be submitted to govern-ment,” concluded Botha.

Sasol Limited, on the 1st and 2nd of March 2012 at VulPro in Hartbeespoort. “The aim of the Task Force is to coordinate conservation efforts and monitoring for the species, collate the information, and drive and implement new and existing con-servation strategies with the overall purpose of turning around the trend of decline in the species. We completed the Conservation Action Plan for the species and allocated action responsibilities and timeframes in order

It is crucial that we

address the threats

to the Cape Vulture

throughout its

range

Birds and People


The Cape Vulture is a magnificent bird (Photo: M Warrillow-Thomson)


Birds and People

FIRST CATCH YOUR VULTURE

A pilot exercise during November last year showed that catching Lappet-faced Vultures in order to fit them with satellite transmitters is easier said than done! The birds are notoriously patient (and suspicious!), and although a variety of methods was tried, we never actually managed to get our hands on even one! During the coming

quarter, based on what we have learnt, we will be catching several Lappet-faced Vultures together with colleagues from CKGR Research and the Denver Zoo (who are providing the satellite transmit-ters). Although it is never good “to count your chickens before they are hatched”, we will be better organised this time round due not only to our experience, but

also thanks to the financial assistance of Rufford Small Grants. RSG has provided key funding for this project, for the capture of the birds is an essential first step in the satellite track-ing project. The next newsletter will provide readers with an update on progress — hopefully we’ll have something interesting to report!

Project supported by

The BirdLife Botswana Annual General meeting is scheduled to take place on Saturday 12th May at

the No. 1 Ladies Opera House starting at 18h30. All members are welcome to attend; non-members

are also invited, but may not vote during the election of the 2012/3 office bearers. There will be a

light supper after the meeting and a cash bar will be available. The agenda for the meeting is ob-

tainable from the Director, Kabelo Senyatso, at [email protected]

A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

The Bird Population Monitoring Programme has grown tremendously as shown in the figure below. This article is dedicated to all data contributors for their tireless efforts in get-ting the programme into shape. Your participa-tion has been key to the success of this project and a huge thank you goes to all of you who contributed. Through your efforts, we are

starting to get data on the most common species from the three counts done so far, as shown in the second figure at the bottom.

Participants should anticipate receiving a detailed, exciting and special February 2012 count feedback. As much as we enjoyed organising this project, we know that

you also enjoyed doing these counts for us. Le ka moso!

With acknowledgements to the financial sponsors of the programme: the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the Global Environment Facility Small Grant Programme (GEF SGP), and our collaborating partners, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) and the Department of Environ-mental Affairs (DEA).

BPM DEDICATION

Participants in the

Bird Population

Monitoring project

are responsible for

its success

Birds and People


The most common species ranked by total number of individuals counted during November, 2011.

Number of transects and surveyors for the 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 counts.

Whiskered Tern (Photo: Pete Hancock)

White-winged Tern (Photo: I White)

PHOTO GALLERY

Great White Pelican (Photo: Pete Hancock

PHOTO GALLERY

Birds and People

Each year on the second weekend in May, dedicated people and organizations plan World Migratory Bird Day events to celebrate migrating birds in their region and to raise awareness about the need for their protec-tion. Since World Migratory Bird Day began in 2006, events have been carried out in 104 countries and we hope this year even more people and countries will join the global celebration. On their epic journeys spanning thousands of kilometres, migratory birds connect continents, cultures and people along their migration routes. World Migratory Bird Day 2012 and this year’s theme Migratory birds and people - together

through time highlight the vital relationship between birds and people. Considering the cultural, social, historic, economic and spiritual connec-tions we have with birds, it becomes clear that migratory birds and people are inseparably connected in many different ways and on many different levels. At the same time, many human activities, including excessive land use and unsustainable hunt-ing, as well as the impacts of climate change, fishing by-catch and pollution gravely threaten migratory bird populations around the world.

This year’s poster portrays the 2012 World Migratory Bird Day theme Migratory birds and people – together through time, highlighting the many connections and historic links between migratory birds and people in a truly global way. Human-ity’s fascination with migratory birds is evident in the symbol-ism throughout history in many ancient cultural legends. For example, in Egypt the ancient falcon-headed god Horus and in Peru the Nazca line monu-ments are testaments to migratory birds’ strong influences on past cultures. Also, many groups and cultures continue to rely economically on migratory birds for

TOGETHER THROUGH TIME

Support migratory

birds through an

event!


birds act as indicators of biodiversity, ecosystem health and climate change. Migratory birds also provide essential ecological benefits and services, such as pollination, to the ecosystems we rely on to survive.

We encourage all event organizers to register their events on the WMBD website so we can add them to the WMBD Event

Map at:

www.worldmigratory

birdday.org

their livelihoods, for example through subsistence and the growing global ecotourism and bird-watching industry. The phenomenon of bird migration is crucial to the web of life, as migrating

Register your event

on the WMBD

website

Birds and People


The Ruff is the longest distance terrestrial migrant in the world (Photo: P Hancock)

A new book promoting gamebird manage-ment has been produced by AGRED —the African Gamebird Research, Education and Development Trust. It is authored by Aldo Berruti, former Director of BirdLife South Africa, currently the Director of AGRED. The book is simply written and well-illustrated and describes practical

GAMEBIRD MANAGEMENT

measures to manage gamebirds. It is farmer-friendly and advice is related to modern farming practices rather than expecting farmers to undertake activities contrary to normal farm management. The book costs R209, including airmail post-age. Order direct from [email protected] or visit the AGRED website: www.agred.org.za

and Chobe and surrounds!); secondly, future counts will be directly comparable with this one and will give vital information on the population trend, which is just as important as knowing actual numbers. The inclusion of the Southern Ground-Hornbill in the inter-national Red Data Book in 2010 appears justified in the case of Botswana! Prior to this count, we never

the striking white in the wings. Despite this, the population estimate is only 623, with confidence limits ranging between 387 and 858. These figures are important for the following reasons: firstly, they are an objective estimate of the population size, which is much lower than one would have guessed (only 623 birds in the Okavango

had even a good guesstimate of the population size. The details of the Ground-Hornbill survey will be written up and published in our scientific journal Babbler. In the mean-time, BirdLife Botswana thanks Dr Chase, and Elephants Without Borders, for including large birds in the aerial survey.

A BEST F IRST ESTIMATE

that of the Ground-Hornbill, but not exactly, so the area in the extreme east of the country where the hornbills also occur was not counted. Consequently the numbers represent a minimum population size, and give an idea of the magnitude of the population only. The whole Okavango Delta was thoroughly

covered, as was Chobe, Nxai Pan and Makgadikgadi Pans National Parks and most of the area north of the Maun-Nata road. Ground-Hornbills are easily counted from a low-flying aircraft since they are large, occur in groups, and usually take off when overflown, revealing

During a recent aerial survey of elephants in northern Botswana, researcher Dr Michael Chase and his team from Elephants Without Borders very kindly counted large birds as well, including the Globally Vulnerable Southern Ground-Hornbill. The elephant range in Botswana coincides quite closely with

A total of only 623

Southern Ground-

Hornbills was

counted in northern

Botswana

Birds and People


Southern Ground-Hornbill in flight (Photo: L Francey)

The Namibia Bird Club is our sister organiza-tion in Namibia. We encourage people who are interested in the region’s birds to attend the 50th anniversary conference on 30 April and 1 May in Windhoek. For further details, con-tact Holger Kolberg at [email protected]


Birds and People

We thank our

ongoing loyal

Corporate members

for their support

BirdLife Botswana has an incredible 20-year dataset on waterbird numbers, derived from the bi-annual African Waterbird Counts. These counts were started in 1990, and the data from the first 10 years were analysed and written up by Dr Stephanie Tyler. She has just completed a review of the following 10 years of information, from

2000 to 2010. This report has the latest details about water-bird numbers and distribution, and is a valuable addition to the literature on Botswana birds. Copies of the review are available from your nearest BirdLife Botswana office (see contact details at end of newsletter).

WATERBIRD REVIEW

NAMIBIA B IRD CLUB CONFERENCE

PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORTS CONSERVATION BirdLife Botswana greatly appreciates the support of its Corporate mem-bers, some of whom have been regularly contributing to our conservation efforts for several years now. We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge them, and encourage all readers, in turn, to support these companies. They are (in alphabetical order): &Beyond, Afriscreen, Botswana Wildlife Management Association, Canon, Desert and Delta Safaris, Drotsky’s Cabins, Flamingo Investments, Kalahari Kavango Safari Company, Ngamiland Adventure Safaris, Ngami Marine, Orient Express Safaris, Okavango Still, Okavango Wilderness Safaris, Phakalane Golf Estate, Sanctuary Retreats, SAVE, Thamalakane River Lodge, Tuli Safari Lodge, Vision Management Systems.

At the beginning of the 20th Century, the Indian Myna, a member of the Starling Family, was introduced into South Africa at Durban, and since then it has slowly but steadily expanded its range. It only reached Gaborone in the 1990s, and since then has spread along the Eastern Hardveld from Lobatse up to Francis-town. It has also been extending its range westwards, with more recent sightings from Kang, Serowe, Letlhakane and Nata. This bird is regarded by some people as a pest, by others as a

highly successful, adaptable species. Although it is noticeably aggressive and competes with other starlings for food and nesting holes, there is no scientific study that shows unequivocally that it has a deleteri-ous effect on our in-digenous birds. Never-theless, BirdLife Botswana is concerned about its

spread, and we would like to solicit the views of the general public about this spe-cies and what, if any-thing, we should do about it. We’d also like to know of records (with dates) of sightings of this species at places other than those listed below. Please send any information you have to Pete Hancock.

MYNAS ON THE MARCH

What, if anything,

should BirdLife

Botswana do about

the spread of the

alien Common Myna

in Botswana?

Birds and People


The Common Myna thrives in urban environments together with humans (Photo: Ralph Green www.flickr.com)

Recorded localities: Bathoen Dam (Kanye), Dibete,

Gabane, Gaborone, Jwana Game Park, Jwaneng

Sewage Ponds, Kang, Khutse gate, Letlhakane,

Lobatse, Mabule, Magagabe Hill, Mahalapye,

Mannyelanong, Matswere (CKGR), Mochudi, Mokolodi,

Molepolole, Moshupa Dam, Nata, Notwane, Otse,

Palapye, Serowe, Sikwane, Sowa, Takatshwane.


Membership Form

Membership is due in January of each year, as the subscription runs from January to December.

Rates

• Standard - P120.00

• Corporate - P2000

• Professional – Rangers, Guides and SSG members - P60.00

• Life - P2000

• Students studying in Botswana – P15

• Schools/Clubs – P50 plus P5 per club member with a minimum of 10 members per club

• SADC Region – P350

• Overseas (and outside SADC) – P450

The following details are required:

I/We/Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms:____________ _______________

wish to become members of BirdLife Botswana

Address:__________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Home/Cell Phone:_________________________________________

Work phone:______________________________________________

Email (please PRINT):_______________________________________

I acknowledge that my family dependents, invitees and I take part in the BirdLife Botswana organised events entirely at our own risk. I, in my personal capacity and as representative of my spouse, children, dependents, and invitees hereby keep BirdLife Botswana, its committee, members and agents indemnified and hold them harmless against all loss, injury, or dam-age to person or property from any cause (including negligence) arising as a result of our participation in events organised by

BirdLife Botswana.

Signed_________________________

Date:__________________________

Please make your cheque payable to 'BirdLife Botswana' or Electronic Funds Transfer to First National Bank Botswana, Kgale View 284567, Account # 57110052562,

Swift FIRNBWGX

Please return, fax or mail this form with your subscription and payment details:

Gaborone Maun Francistown Kasane Jwaneng Ghanzi

The Secretary Pete Hancock Mike Soroczynski Phil Zappala Jerusalem Mooketsi Kevin Grant

BirdLife Botswana PO Box 20463 PO Box 425 PO Box 570 PO Box 1723 PO Box 820

PO Box 26691 Maun Francistown Kasane Jwaneng Ghanzi

Game City

Gaborone or phone Pete to or phone Mike to or phone Phil or phone Jerusalem or phone Kevin

Botswana collect 74654464 collect 2977133 75186109 to collect 71392738 72112297

Birds and People

Professional Guide Aubrey Malekane had a great sighting of Denham’s Bustard at Bodumatau in Moremi on 5th January this year. Luckily he had his camera with him! This is a Category B Rarity, meaning that BirdLife Botswana is interested in all sightings of this species.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

CONTACT ADDRESSES BirdLife Botswana BirdLife Botswana PO Box 26691 PO Box 1529 Game City Maun Gaborone [email protected] [email protected] Tel: 3190540 6865618 Fax: 3190540 Physical address: Unit C1 Old HOORC site Kgale Siding off Disaneng road Plot 1069 KO (the old TEBA complex near St Joseph’s College) Visit our website http://www.birdlifebotswana.org.bw/

Contact us

BIRDLIFE BOTSWANA MISSION

BirdLife Botswana aims to conserve birds and important bird habitats, by creating awareness, carrying out research and promoting beneficial

relationships between birds and people.

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