Babbler No. 57 September 2012

NUMBER 56 JANUARY 2011

CONTENTS Editorial 1

Chairman’s Report May 2012 2

Articles

An account of a pair of Lilac-breasted Rollers breeding in a Francistown garden – August 2011-December 2011 10 Mike Soroczinski

Heronry at Rapids 14 Chris Brown

Distribution and status of the Black-necked Grebe in 16 David Ewbank

Waterbird Counts in from July 2010 to January 2012 24 Stephanie Tyler

Reports from the Records Subcommittee

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a A summary of Category B records 40 Compiled by Chris Brewster and Stephanie Tyler

Interesting and Unusual Sightings 53 Compiled by Stephanie J. Tyler & Chris A. Brewster

Contributors of records 61

Some breeding records in 2011 and 2012

Compiled by Stephanie Tyler and Chris A. Brewster 62

Birds killed in their thousands by powerlines 65

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012

Editorial

I write this editorial from a rain-soaked Britain which is ironic as I read of the drought in Botswana and the very low levels at various dams. Chris Brewster has told me that is only 5% full and many other dams are similarly drying up. Waterbirds will of course move to wherever there is water in southern/central Africa. Numbers of flocks of Lesser Flamingos and a few Greater Flamingos moving through the Okavango has been of particular note in August.

I have been saddened to learn of several cases of persecution of protected species of , both deliberate and incidental, in Botswana in the last year. The poisoning of vultures has been highlighted already in the Birds and People Newsletter and BirdLife Botswana is working hard to combat this. A particularly horrifying event was the shooting of some Great White Pelicans at a new breeding colony at Lake Xau as documented by Pete Hancock and Ken Oake in the Birds and People Newsletter no. 34. This resulted in the colony with hundreds of eggs and chicks being abandoned and left to die.

I was also concerned to learn of the stoning and killing of chicks of storks, egrets and other waterbirds at the Kasane (Seboba) Rapids colony on the Chobe River. Phil Zappala noted that the chicks that could be collected by local people were taken home to eat or braaied down at the rapids. This seems to be a new occurrence as for years the colony has been left undisturbed. Chris Brown had been impressed by the sheer numbers of African Openbills nesting there in September 2011 – see page 14 – but Phil reports far fewer Openbills and Yellow-billed Storks in August 2012 possibly because of the disturbance last year. Hopefully DWNP staff and others can prevent the same thing happening this year.

On a more cheerful note this issue of Babbler contains a fascinating account of Lilac-breasted Rollers breeding in Francistown by Mike Soroczinski and unusually, a paper on birds – Black-necked Grebes – in Zimbabwe by David Ewbank; there is also a two year report on the waterbird counts in Botswana as well as the usual Category B records and other interesting sightings from a very welcome increased number of observers.

Stephanie J. Tyler, Editor

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a BirdLife Botswana Chairman’s report, Annual General Meeting, 12 May 2012

This has been another year of achievement for our Society, where we have made excellent progress in some areas but marked time in others. How does one measure success? I suggest that BirdLife Botswana’s success would be measured by the progress of projects under its control, development of its staff, growth in membership and participation by membership in the activities organised by the Society. Underpinning all of this would be the financial health of BirdLife Botswana.

Where do we start looking at what has been done and what needs attention?

The failure of Environmental Education (EE) in Botswana

The subject of EE is fraught with difficulty in Botswana.

Currently there is a world-wide debate raging on the place of EE in school curricula and its effectiveness. The debate centres on what the educational system can do to improve students’ understanding of the environment and its importance in their lives.

The environment is often seen as a political issue and pushed to the margins of school curricula by administrators and parents note Saylan and Blumstein, in their book The Failure of Environmental Education (And How We Can Fix It). But at its core, the authors contend, environmental responsibility is a broadly held, nonpartisan value, much like respect for the law. As such, they believe, it deserves a central place in public education, with lessons on the environment permeating every student’s day. Environmentally active citizens, they say, should grasp everything from an understanding of tipping points to the “capacity to see intangible value in things: forests simply for the sake of the forest; the expanse of wilderness simply because it is alive, primal, and fiercely beautiful.”

In a recent interview, one of the authors, Charles Saylan laid out his vision of what must be done to fundamentally overhaul environmental education. If environmental education is to be truly effective in creating responsible citizens who will help stop human degradation of the environment, Saylan insists, it must go well beyond platitudes and the occasional class trip.

This book applies directly to the situation in Botswana where teachers are reluctant to become involved in EE (in fact most simply don’t care about it and lack the

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012 passion for it) and most staff at the Ministry of Education and Skills Development seem to consider that EE or the environment is not of much importance for their consideration beyond talk, instead of support and action.

EE issues of fundamental importance in Botswana are overgrazing by cattle, deforestation, wanton use of poisons and pesticides, unplanned veld and forest fires, littering to name but a few.

Our major projects deal with the environment and the communities who live there. The quality of EE impacts and permeates everything we do and are trying to achieve. It is difficult to change the practices of adults, but we believe that children must learn how to be aware AND get involved in conserving and improving our environment.

Ms Yukiko Maki-MURAKAMI, our volunteer from Japan, and Doreen McColaugh spend every waking hour in trying to improve EE in Botswana and interacting with educators in many different ways. We have arranged outings with interested schools and organised a World Migratory Day (WMBD) celebration for 600 children from 20 schools and institutions last month. We worked closely with the US Embassy to organise this most successful WMBD and we value their co-operation. Ms Lesego Ratsie played a key role in this project.

BLB’s Major Projects

Strategic Partnerships to Improve the Financial and Operational Sustainability of Protected Areas Outstanding progress has been made in this project since Motshereganyi Virat Kootsositse took control early last year. The project is taking place over four years until December 2012, during which funding will be provided. It is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Development Programme, and implemented by BirdLife Botswana in partnership with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), and the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). This project seeks to strengthen management partnerships between public, private, NGO and community stakeholders for the improvement of financial and operational sustainability of protected areas in a measurable manner, using the Flamingo Sanctuary in southern Sua Pan (which is in the Makgadikgadi wetland system) as a pilot site.

In Botswana, the responsibility for managing protected areas currently solely lies with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), and has proved to be a very expensive and mammoth task. This project investigates an alternative way of managing protected areas which will improve the effectiveness and cost

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a efficiency of management, ensuring that scarce PA funds are optimally employed, thus maximizing impact-per-unit investment. Local communities residing around protected areas will be capacitated to co-manage these areas, together with government, the private sector and NGOs, to reduce the current expenses, and also the resentment which exists towards conserving these areas. Nature-based tourism initiatives will be developed so that local communities realise direct economic benefits from conserving these eco-systems.

Notable progress that has been made this year is the drafting of a document to contribute to an improved understanding of the financial and management operations of the Parks Authority within DWNP. Of the 12 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Botswana, seven of them overlap protected areas and so their management operations are key to safeguarding Botswana’s IBAs. A management plan of southern Sua Pan has also been developed. This covers the flamingo Sanctuary and areas (the buffer zone around the flamingo Sanctuary) within the vicinity of the four villages (Mmatshumu, Mokubilo, Mosu and Mmeya) in the southern part of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Thirdly, a consultant has been hired to develop a biodiversity monitoring module to be taught at Botswana Wildlife Training Institute (BWTI); initial lecture notes, exercises, and documents to support training have been produced. This module or short course focuses on a low cost monitoring system that is being up-scaled to communities. It mainly uses the Management Oriented Monitoring System (MOMS), developed in and piloted in Botswana by the DWNP. Biodiversity monitoring is expected to include but is not limited to the following: endangered wildlife species, vegetation monitoring, birds, and invasive species such as Salvinia molesta (kariba weed) and Common Mynah.

Instituting effective monitoring of protected areas (Important Bird Areas) as a contribution to reducing the rate of biodiversity loss in Africa.

The project was implemented to empower biodiversity-rich and resource-poor African countries to meet their Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) obligations and to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. Funding from the European Union and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) for the action was from April 2007 to October 2011. The project has helped establish a good partnership with stakeholders, primarily the DWNP, DEA, Department of Forestry and Range Resources (DFRR) and Site Support Groups (SSGs). Programmes in BirdLife Botswana were harmonised to help implement some activities of the project.

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As a result of the implementation of the project, there is an improved awareness and understanding of bird monitoring, especially in DWNP as they are actively participating in BirdLife Botswana projects such as the bi-annual water bird counts and Bird Population Monitoring (BPM). The project has also helped DEA with information for reporting to CBD, and DWNP now have better information on the population trends of trigger species in protected areas. However, funds are needed to continue monitoring and updating the status of trigger species in Botswana. BirdLife Botswana is working on drafting proposals for funding to continue this vital monitoring. Sadly I must admit that this project was not as successful as it should have been mainly as a result of having three different project managers and many changes of staff in DWNP.

Bird Population Monitoring (BPM) This project was allocated to Ms Keddy Mooketsa two years ago, and she has made outstanding progress. She has organised and supervised four counts to date, starting in November 2010. Through this project she is showing that birds can be used as biodiversity indicators in Botswana. As you are aware, the world’s biodiversity is being lost at an alarming rate and hence monitoring exercises such as the BPM Programme are necessary to provide guidance as to how natural resources should be managed to prevent further decline and extinction of species.

Furthermore, the world’s governments have made commitments through the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to tackle the loss of biodiversity, and the CBD has proposed 20 targets to be met by 2020. The CBD implementation is mainly at a national level; therefore the bird data that BPM participants collect is vital to help achieve the 2020 CBD targets in Botswana.

Data for the four counts undertaken so far shows a gratifying growth of the BPM programme through continued increase in the number of participants and the number of the transects sampled. The number of participants has increased from 150 in November 2010 to 350 and the number of transects counted from 110 to 250 over this time. Preliminary analysis suggests that there is an under- representation of some habitat types (e.g. few records of grassland species), under- reporting of game birds, while birds of conservation concern appear to be largely restricted to protected areas.

Over the coming years, data from the BPM should prove useful for guiding sustainable offtake of our wildlife species. For instance, one of the eventual use of data from this project is that the game bird hunting quotas and permits issued by DWNP would be based on scientific data, and BirdLife Botswana intends to lobby for quotas based on the site- or district-specific abundance of the hunted

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a gamebirds, to avoid overexploitation. Furthermore, one of the BPM’s objectives is to use trends to set conservation priorities and so influence decision makers to change legislation pertaining to exploited birds.

We are delighted that participants continue to show their loyalty and commitment to the programme by repeating counts in their particular transects. It is worth mentioning that the majority of participants have also increased the number of transects they count, with most people now undertaking two or more transects; we sincerely appreciate this and hope that this programme will continue to grow and involve even more citizens.

Vulture monitoring

Pete Hancock’s main interest has been in working on various problems associated with vultures. He has been engaged particularly with White-backed, Lappet-faced, Cape and Hooded Vultures. His main concern is declining populations of these birds in Botswana, mainly as a result of the use of poisons by farmers and hunters. Pete has been successful in recruiting several corporate members active in the Delta. He has also been involved in assisting in the motivation of the Okavango Delta as a World Heritage site, started the process of recognition of Lake Xau as Botswana’s 13th IBA, and is currently working with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks to improve the protection status of the area

Species work

BLB’s appreciation goes to Chris Brewster for the excellent work he does with the Records sub-committee, in which he tries to keep up to date with what is being seen around the country. We mourn the recent passing of Mrs Sue Major who was secretary of this committee for many years.

The bi-annual water bird counts have continued under the direction of Dr Steph Tyler. Results of these counts are sent to Wetland International who coordinates them with similar counts around the world. Stephanie has recently published a twenty year review of these counts in Botswana. It is hoped that counters in BPM who are becoming confident in their ability will assist in taking part in these counts in the future. Membership and branches

Membership was fairly stable last year, with a total of 408 compared to the previous year’s 437. The number of school and club members decreased from 189

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012 to 141. There was an encouraging increase in the number of professional guides from 5 to 39. A branch of BLB was established at Serowe under the leadership of Ms Mendi Makwati. Other formal branches are situated in Maun, Kasane, Francistown, Ghantsi and Jwaneng. Unfortunately, apart from the Kasane branch, which is very active, none of the others offer membership activities. They are useful in mobilising counters for the BPM programme.

On a personal note our thanks go to Mike Goldsworthy for supervising these membership records for the past ten years.

Financial health

2011 was a challenging and stimulating year and I would particularly like to thank our Treasurer, Ian White, for his considerable input, initiative and advice on a wide variety of issues. BLB is a three million plus pula per annum business which requires attention to detail and sound systems in place. An accountant, Mr Boniface Keoneng, was engaged and he has made life more manageable.

BLB appreciates and is reliant on its donors in so many ways. A list of these donors has been appended to the financial report presented earlier. Sincerely these donors, both corporate and individuals are thanked for their wonderful and generous contributions made in so many different ways. An initiative currently underway is one proposed by Ian Nuttal-Smith, who is one of our members and owns a crane and hoisting business. He is trying to organise that a percentage of profits in this industry be used for supporting work in conserving our endangered cranes. We plan to approach other companies to set-up similar schemes.

Several fund-raising functions were organised. The most important were the publication of a calendar for which particular thanks go to Eugene Skelton, Mary Lane-Jones, Daniel Suerga and Ian White, a raffle for which our appreciation goes to Kathleen Toomey, Wilderness Safaris, Chobe Holdings and Desert and Delta, and a formal dinner for which particular thanks go to Mark and Mary Lane-Jones for inviting and hosting the guest speaker, Phil Ligget. BLB’s appreciation is also extended to all those members and supporters who contributed to the success of these events.

We are indebted to Mary Webb and Dikabelo Koboyatshwene for managing our retail operations through Creations of Africa outlet in Kgale View. It is a difficult portfolio which they do well and we encourage members to support this activity.

The BLB Trust Fund is now in operation and had a value of GBP75000 (approx P900 000) at year end. These funds are to be used for major developments and not

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a for covering the running costs of the Society. There are four trustees and they are the Chairman, Treasurer, Director and an independent member from BDO Pty Ltd.

Communication media

Sincere appreciation goes to Dr Stephanie Tyler for her editorship of the Babbler. This she does with panache from her home in the UK. She has also recently published a twenty year review of the waterbird counts undertaken by the Society. We are in the process of arranging delivery of these journals to from the UK. We thank Eugene Skelton for publishing four copies of the Familiar Chat with much enthusiasm and she looks forward to feedback from her wide readership. Pete Hancock produces the “Birds and People” newsletter quarterly, mainly for professional staff in Ngamiland and Chobe. It is always interesting and of a high standard.

Mike Goldsworthy has performed an outstanding role in keeping our website relevant and up-to-date. He has also been responsible for regular electronic communications with members concerning activities. As a result the monthly walks in Gaborone have been popular and the various camps very well attended. Phil Zappala our representative in Kasane is overseeing BLB’s facebook, which is much appreciated. Please feel free to contact Phil if you would like to make a contribution.

Development of staff

It is with considerable pleasure that we congratulate Kabelo Senyatso on the awarding of his doctorate in conservation ecology by the University of East Anglia. We appreciate the sacrifices he made and his work on the Kori Bustard in achieving this milestone. BLB is indeed fortunate to have a man of his calibre at the helm. We look forward to his leadership in the future in tackling ornithological research, environmental protection and education, liaising with communities to solve mutual problems, his networking with government departments and parastatals, and his applying for project funds to tackle these needs. One cannot think there is a more suitable person to fulfil this role.

I have already alluded to the excellent work being done by Virat Kootsositse on the Strategic Partnerships project, and to that of Ms Keddy Mooketsa on the CBM project. We congratulate Keddy who has qualified with a degree in Nature Conservation from Tshwane University in .

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Lastly I wish to thank the BirdLife of Africa Partnership Secretariat in Nairobi for their continued excellent guidance and assistance. It is a pleasure working with them.

The future: immediate and longer term

We have started on our next strategic planning exercise this morning at the board meeting. There are a number of initiatives in hand and this process will evolve in the next few months, under the direction of BirdLife International and with the assistance of colleagues from SA and Zimbabwe to ensure we are all working in the same direction.

An initiative we have often discussed, but where we have made little progress, is that of avi-tourism. We hope to apply for funds in that regard and do far more in this important area. Lake Ngami remains off the radar of all tourists, even though it is such an important IBA. In the last year there have been huge inflows into Lake Xau, which had been dry for thirty-five years. Lake Xau will again become important for Palaearctic waders and other water birds. Once the international criteria for IBAs are met, the area will have to be formally registered as an Important Bird Area. Several exploratory visits by members show that this area has tremendous potential for the bird tourist industry. Lastly the KAZA Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) is an initiative by the governments of , Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe to link the protected areas of the five countries to create one world class tourist destination. The project is located in the Kavango-Zambezi basin (hence the abbreviation KAZA), a huge, wildlife-rich area straddling parts of the five countries. It is an ambitious but achievable undertaking which, like any large project, becomes more manageable when broken down into smaller components; in this regard the participating countries have each been working on their draft management plans, which later will be integrated into one comprehensive Development Plan for the region. BLB plans to be part of this project.

Conclusion BLB can look back on a good year, where much has been achieved. However, considerable work remains to be done. Fortunately we have a well-educated and motivated staff who are keen to tackle these challenges, under the leadership of a dynamic Director. Our immediate priorities are to attract significant donor funds for these planned projects, to raise the profile of EE, to establish a greater membership base to create more credibility and to raise the bird identification skills and interest among Batswana.

Harold Hester, Chairman

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a An account of a pair of Lilac-breasted Rollers breeding in a Francistown garden – August 2011-December 2011

Mike Soroczynski

A nest-log, formed from a natural log, had been used for many years in different places where I have resided. Previous occupants have been African Hoopoes Upupa epops and Cape Glossy Starlings Lamprotornis nitens both of which species having bred successfully in Jwaneng, Harare and Francistown. This particular log is one metre long and 35cm average diameter. An entrance hole was cut using a small saw according to the known diameter (5 cm) of a natural nest hole of Lilac-breasted Rollers Coracias caudata. The log was fixed to a stout branch of an Acacia tree in the front garden of my house in Francistown and at a height of 1.6m above ground level. The hole faced west and leaned forward at about 10o from the vertical – the hole pointing to the ground.

In early August 2011, a swarm of bees took over in the log but were smoked out before any combs could be made. However, the swarm persisted and had to be smoked out for a second time. The swarm then massed in the tree supporting the log and hung like a large rugby ball for several days before dispersing. I pushed some dry vegetation into the nest-log in order to create a soft pad for any potential nesting bird.

On 28 August 2011, two Lilac-breasted Rollers arrived at the log with the male inspecting the interior of the log by clinging to the edge of the entrance hole and peering up and down inside. Being so dark inside, one wonders what the bird could have been looking for or what it had seen! The female perched on a specially- erected branch attached to the log and near the entrance hole and waited for the male to complete his inspection. The two birds then flew off but returned later in the day to chase off two African Hoopoes which also seemed interested in the log.

There was much to-ing and fro-ing by the rollers until, on 14 October, the birds were seen mating on a nearby power-line. It was here that the mounting bird showed a pronounced hook on the tip of its beak whereas the other bird had no hook – see photograph for comparison. Later that same day, they then moved into a square-section metal cross-beam on a power ploe supporting the same wires on which the initial (assumed) mating took place. There was much of their well- known raucous calling as Cape Glossy Starlings had also been looking at this potential nest-site.

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*This was the first time I had seen a metal, horizontal pipe being used by rollers. Since then, however, in his latest book on Nests and Eggs of Southern African Birds, Warwick Tarboton states that these pipes are also favoured by rollers. I was quite concerned by the initial choice due to the heat conducted from the sun by the steel pipe and wondered how the birds would cope.

On 19 October, the rollers were back in the garden amid much calling and fighting off Crested Barbets Trachyphonus vaillantii this time. On 23 October, the pair copulated again, this time in the nest-log tree. During the rest of the afternoon, the male would bring various – mainly large grasshoppers, to the log for the female. On the morning of 24 October, the female appeared at the entrance hole. It is not known whether or not she overnighted inside the nest-log. During much of that day, the pair was in and out of the log calling loudly. On 26 October, municipal workers were burning off dry grasses and scrub by the road-side just outside the boundary wall of my house. The fires attracted Fork-tailed Drongos Dicrurus adsimilis as well as the rollers.

On 29 October, the male brought a large locust or grasshopper to the female and mounted her on the branch at the nest site. On 30 October, a small illuminating lamp was lowered into the nest chamber and with the aid of a small mirror, four white eggs were seen. The frequency of the egg-laying is not known but there were no eggs on 24 October. Both birds took turns to incubate from then on. On 4 November there were still the four eggs. A large sand lizard was brought to the nest. On inspecting the log at 09h00 on 13 November, one egg was seen to have hatched. A blind, naked nestling – apart from a scant covering of hair-like down – was seen beside the three other eggs and the broken shell of its own egg. By 13h30 the same day, there was a clucking sound from within the nest and when the bird left, a second egg was seen to have hatched. The air temperature was 40oC. On 19 November, all four eggs had hatched and four gaping beaks were visible. On 20 November, a 30cm green-coloured snake was brought to the nest and dropped into the nest chamber. The snake appeared to be dead.

No more inspections of the inside of the log were made to reduce further disturbance. Beetles, termites, lizards and several snakes were brought in as food items. From here on in, the weather turned much cooler and wetter and the resultant prey was reduced to beetles, grasshoppers and termite alates. By 3 December, a chick started to appear at the entrance hole to receive food from the adults. Apparently, only one chick has survived.

On 11 December, the chick makes its maiden exit from the nest. It either flew to the upper branches of the nest-tree or clambered up – probably a bit of both. By the

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a morning of 14 November, the chick was still being fed at the nest-log but by late afternoon, there was no sign of the chick or the adults.

POINTS FOR DISCUSSION:

i. The choice of nest site seemed to have been decided on by the initial copulation site – firstly on the power line – although that was abandoned. The second act was in the tree where the breeding eventually occurred. ii. The larger prey items, lizards and snakes, were brought only when the weather was hot. Is the appearance of such reptiles dictated by such temperatures as the cooler temperatures only saw beetles, termites and grasshopper- sized insects being caught? iii. If this is the case, would the absence of larger prey account for the demise of the other three chicks? iv. There was a great deal of time taken to decide on the nest site. This was not this case with previous observations at the Jwaneng nest-site. There seems to have been much greater competition for nesting sites in Francistown where a greater number of hole-nesting species exists than at Jwaneng. v. At least 20 days incubation for the eggs. vi. At least 28 days taken for the surviving chick to fledge. Would this have been a shorter period had the climate been warmer?

Mike Soroczynski, Francistown 15 November 2011

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a Heronry at Kasane Rapids

Chris Brown

In September 2011 colleagues and I counted birds in and around the Impalila/Kasane Rapids, a well-known breeding site for a range of herons, egrets and storks. We were there for about three hours, from the Impalila Island shore, and for about an hour on a boat moving across the rapids to try and cover the whole area. There were sections behind the trees downstream that we could not reach so we do not know the full extent of the breeding area, but guessed that we covered about 70% of the area. We could not get close to the trees, so the count of nests of African Openbills Anastomus lamelligerus (485) is too low.

It is probably the largest nesting colony for this species recorded to date in although large numbers have been found breeding in the Okavango Delta in Botswana in recent years, for example at least 600 pairs at Lediba la Dinonyane in 2005 and many hundreds along the Okavango River and in the nearby Kgaolo Thogo channel in 2004 (Tyler & Hancock 2006).

We did a count in each section of the rapids and then photographed each section. Our visual count of birds in the air, on the trees and on the ground was 3,080. When we came to reconcile the visual count with the photographs the number increased to 3,435. Again there were birds we could not see (in the trees and downstream) and large numbers of birds were coming and going all the time, and presumably many more birds were out foraging. So while 3,435 is the minimum number, our guess is that there would be at least 5,000 birds associated with this breeding and roosting site.

The estimated number of birds and nests of each species is provided in Table 1.

Reference Tyler, S.J. & Hancock, P. 2006. Heronries in Botswana. Babbler 48:18-39.

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Table 1. Birds counted in and immediately around Impalila/Kasane Rapids "Heronry" on 29 September 2011

Species Adults 64 Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis Young/Nestling 118 Nests 48 African Openbill Anastomus Birds 3,435 lamelligerus Nests 485 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1 Goliath Heron A. goliath 2 Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 8 Yellow-billed Egret Egretta intermedia 4 Little Egret E. garzetta 50 African Spoonbill Birds 18 Platalea alba Nests 5 Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopica 1 White-breasted Cormorant Birds 175 Phalacrocorax carbo Nests 43 Reed Cormorant P. africanus 50 African Darter Anhinga rufa 20 Water Dikkop Burhinus vermiculatus 2 Blacksmith Plover Vanellus armatus 20 Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus 11 African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris 16 Rock Pratincole Glareola nuchalis 17

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a Distribution and status of the Black-necked Grebe in Zimbabwe

David Ewbank

There is a notice on the wall of BirdLife International in Cambridge to the effect that if we waited until we knew everything, we would never write anything. So this is an attempt to summarize all the records of Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis in Zimbabwe. There may well be further records in notebooks in Zimbabwe: I urge the owners of such notebooks to publish their records of this rare bird in Zimbabwe. The identification criteria are red eyes and upturned bill and in breeding plumage, this grebe has yellow/gold ear tufts. The last review of this bird in Zimbabwe (Irwin 1981) listed three records, the same number as for Great- crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus. However records of the Black-necked Grebe have mushroomed subsequently whereas there have been no further records of the Great-crested Grebe. Further to Irwin (2010) there are voucher specimens for some of the Matabeleland records in Priest (1944) in the former Transvaal Museum e.g. Maccoa Duck Oxyrura maccoa but not the Black-necked Grebe record (Cassidy, in litt.).

Global distribution The nominate subspecies breeds from Spain to Kazakhstan with an isolated population in Eastern China and Japan. Another subspecies occurs in North America. All these populations move south in winter for instance my most recent sighting in Yalta Harbor on the northern shores of the Black Sea on 30 March 2011 could have come from Egypt but more likely from Turkey, where nearly 200,000 birds have been recorded on one lake (Fjeldsa 2004).

There are two populations of this bird in Africa:

1. A small population from to Northern in the highlands with less than 10 known breeding sites (Lewis & Pomeroy 1989; Ash & Atkins 2009). The African Waterbird Census reports small numbers in June and over 1,000 in some years in in December and such numbers have also been recorded at one site each in Ethiopia and Tanzania (Ash & Atkins 2009); http://tanzaniabirdatlas.com/maps/distribution-maps/3-Black- necked%20Grebe-Aug-11.pdf/view). These birds are usually referred to the Eurasian subspecies (which implies recent genetic contact) but some standard texts refer it to the southern African race (Clements 2000). They are also rarely reported in West Africa as far south as Cameroon (Williams1991).

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2. Another race is centered in the Cape Province and the Free State of South Africa and in Namibia. Most of them winter along the western coast of southern Africa. The closest breeding records (until recently) of grebes from this southern population were in the southeast of the former Transvaal (Tarboton et al 1987) – 2,000 kms away from Zimbabwe. There is no evidence that this race has moved further north recently in the former Transvaal. (http://sabap2.adu.org.za/spp_summary.php?Spp=5). There are three coastal records from Angola as far north as 13οS. (Dean 2000).

Zimbabwe records

All records known to me are listed in Table 1 giving the number of birds (where known), date and locality. Further, whether the birds were in breeding or non- breeding plumage is indicated.

A total of 38 records are available for Zimbabwe: 25 from Aisleby, five from Hwange NP on three different pans and three from Imbwa Sewage Ponds in Harare. Some 13 records have been accepted by the BirdLife Zimbabwe Rarities Committee or the observers have informed me of the identification criteria they used. For 11 of these records, the plumage is recorded. Three were in breeding plumage in February, March and September from Aisleby, Hwange N.P. and Kadoma, Non-breeding birds were recorded in January, April, May (3), June, July and December. Probably most of the other records were of non-breeding birds as the golden ear tufts are very distinctive.

The distribution by month of the records and the number of birds are given in Table 2 (excluding two records for which the number of birds is unknown). The earliest records are from Aisleby Farm in 1970 and 1971. Records are available for 16 years between 1970 and 2009. Three or more records in a year were reported in 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001 and 2004 with a maximum of five in 1996. The maximum number of birds recorded was 15 at David Whitehead Ponds, Kadoma in Feb 1990.

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a Table 1: List of records of Black-necked Grebe in Zimbabwe

Site Date No. birds Reference Aisleby 10 May1970 1 nb+ Harwin 1972 Aisleby July 1971 1 nb+ Wilson 1972 Aisleby 15 Sep 1978 Several bp Cooke et al. 1978 Mandavu Dam, Hwange N. P. 13 Mar 1984 1 bp Hustler 1985 Nswatugi Dam, Matobo N. P. 6 Oct1985 1 + Irwin 1985 David Whitehead Ponds, Williams 1990, Kadoma 11 Feb 1990 15 bp* Hustler et al. 1996, Hustler & Irwin Courtleigh Ranch 1928 B3 22 July 1990 1 * 1995 Hustler & Irwin Antelope Mine 2128 A2 23 Sept 1990 1 * 1995 Masuma Pan, Hwange N. P. 19 May 1993 1 nb Tree 1993 Masuma, Pan, Hwange N. P. 17 Apr 1994 1 nb Tree 1995 Imbwa Sewage Ponds, S. Tree 1995, Couto Harare 29 Apr 1995 1 1995 Imbwa Sewage Ponds, S. Harare 16 May 1995 4 + Tree 1995 Masuma Pan, Hwange N.P. 18 May 1995 1 Tree 1995 Lake Chivero 10 Oct 1995 4 Tree 1996 Imbwa Sewage , S.Harare 10 Oct 1995 2 Tree 1996 Tree 1996 Riddell Aisleby 24 Feb 1996 3 nb* 2003 Aisleby 19 May 1996 4 nb* Riddell 2003 Tree 1995 Smith Aisleby 21 Jul 1996 4 + 1997 Ume Mouth, Lake Kariba 25 Aug 1996 1 Tree 1997 Bulawayo (presumably Aisleby) Oct 1996 ? Williams 1996 Aisleby 17 Dec 1996 2 * Riddell 2003 Aisleby 24 May 1997 1 Tree 1997 Aisleby Jul 1997 ? Irwin 1999 Aisleby 20 Jul 1997 2 Tree 1998 Aisleby 11 Nov1998 2 Irwin 1999 Aisleby 1 May 2000 1 Smith 2000 Aisleby 15 Jul 2000 4 a + Smith 2001 Aisleby 1 Aug 2000 5 Aisleby Survey (J.

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Dupree in litt.) Aisleby Survey (J. Aisleby 1 Sep2000 2 Dupree in litt.) Aisleby Survey (J. Aisleby 1 Jan 2001 1 Dupree in litt.) Aisleby Survey (J. Aisleby 1 Mar 2001 2 Dupree in litt.) Aisleby Survey (J. Aisleby 1 Dec 2001 5 Dupree in litt.) Aisleby 21 Feb 2003 8 Baker 2005 Aisleby Survey (J. Aisleby 1 Sep 2003 5 Dupree in litt.) Aisleby 24 Oct 2003 2 Baker 2003 Aisleby 20-Dec-03 6 Baker 2005 Cowdray Park, Bulawayo 12 July 2009. 1 Baker 2009 Guvalala Pan, Hwange N. P. early July ‘09 1 nb+ Baker 2009

Key * Accepted by Rarities sub-committee + Identifying criteria mentioned in text or to author A One bird considerably larger and longer-necked than others Nb Non-breeding plumage Bp Breeding Plumage

Table 2: Distribution by months of the Zimbabwe records of Black-necked Grebe

J F M A M J J A S O N D Records 1 4 2 2 8 0 6 2 3 4 1 4 No.birds 1 27 3 2 15 0 134 7 10 9 2 14

Discussion Black-necked Grebes were reported in northern Botswana in the 1980s and bred in the Makgadikgadi system in wet years (see Tyler’s 2001 and 2012 reviews of waterbird counts in Botswana) (When will BirdLife Zimbabwe produce a similar report on their waterbirds counts?). As they did not expand northward in the former Transvaal, Botswana is likely to be the source area for Zimbabwe. I present the number of records per year in Zimbabwe and Botswana from 1990 to 2009 in Fig 2 (Tyler 2001, Tyler, 2012). There appears to be a correlation of record peaks in 1996 and in 2000. Both countries reported birds in 2009 after a gap of some years. The mean number of birds seen in influx years (1995/97 and 2000/01) and in

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a other years in Namibia and South Africa reported by the African Waterbird Census (e.g. Dodman & Diagana 2003) is very variable (as evidenced by the large standard deviations) but does not seem to differ between influx years and non- influx years. Hence it appears that there is a redistribution of birds rather than larger numbers which account for these records (see Table 4). There is more suitable habitat in Zimbabwe in high rainfall years.

In North America these birds spend long portions of the year on saline lakes where they moult (Fjeldsa 2004). There is evidence that some birds have spent several months or more at Aisleby and also at Imbwa SP in 1996. Indeed I am surprised there are not more records from there and from David Whitehead Ponds near Kadoma. Perhaps this is for the future.

What of the prospects for breeding in Zimbabwe? Firstly, the report of one bird observably larger than the other which was thought by the observer to be evidence of breeding is likely to be a male and a female (Smith 2001; Fjeldsa 2004 ). Breeding sites in Botswana were pans both large and small usually recently filled after a long dry spell and a few were at sewage ponds with concrete sides and bottoms (Tyler 2001). Aisleby has been well observed for many years and it seems unlikely that breeding would not have been observed if it had taken place. The pans of Hwange N.P. seem a more likely area for breeding.

Black-necked Grebes have been increasingly seen in Zimbabwe in the last 20 years, paralleling Botswana. Most records came from Aisleby Farm and from recently filled pans. There is every likelihood that this bird will be recorded breeding in Zimbabwe probably on the Kalahari Pans system.

Acknowledgements My thanks to Neil Baker, Tamar Cassidy, Tim Dodman, Julia Dupree, Penny Feather, Ian Riddell and Stephanie Tyler for the information that they provided.

References

Ash, J. & Atkins J. 2009. Birds of Ethiopia & : an atlas of distribution. London: Christopher Helm. Baker, C. 2003/2010. Field observations. Honeyguide 50(2): 55-73; 51(1): 50 - 73; 56(1): 58 - 72. Clements, J.F. 2000. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. Cornell University Press. Cooke, P., Grobler, J.H. & Irwin, M.P.S. 1978. Notes on Sacred Ibis breeding and other birds at a dam on Aisleby municipal sewage farm, Bulawayo.

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Honeyguide 96: 5-11. Couto, F.M. 1995. Black-necked Grebe at Imbwa Farm, Harare. Honeyguide 41(3): 164. Dean, W.R.J. 2000. The birds of Angola. BOU Checklist No 18. British Ornithologist Union: Tring. Dodman, T. & Diagana, C.H. 2003. African Waterbird Census 2000 , I.R.Riddell, & 2001. Wetlands International Global Series No. 16. Wageningen, The Netherlands. Fjeldsa, J. 2004. The Grebes Podicipedidae. Bird families of the World. Oxford University Press. Harwin, RM. 1972. Letter to Editor. Honeyguide 72: 36. Hustler, K. 1985. First record of Black-necked Grebe in Hwange National Park. Honeyguide 31(1): 49. Hustler, K. & Irwin, M.P.S. 1995. First report of the OAZ rarities committee. Honeyguide 41(2): 103 - 106. Hustler, K., Tree, AJ. & Irwin, M.P.S. 1990. Second report of the OAZ rarities committee. Honeyguide 36(3): 113 - 117. Irwin, M.P.S. 1981. Birds of Zimbabwe. Harare: Quest Publishing. Irwin, M.P.S. 1999. Recent Reports. Honeyguide 45(1): 30 - 44. Irwin, M.P.S. 2010. Priest’s Birds of Southern Rhodesia and the Stevenson hoax. Honeyguide 56: 124-125. Lewis, A. & Pomeroy, D. 1989. Bird Atlas of Kenya. Rotterdam: Balkema. Priest, C.D. 1944. The birds of Southern Rhodesia, Volume 1. Edinburgh: William Clowes. Riddell, I.C. 2002. Sixth & seventh reports of the BirdLife Zimbabwe rarities committee. Honeyguide 49(2): 185 - 189. Smith, M. 1997. Notes from Aisleby Municipal Sewage Farm. Honeyguide 43(1): 48. Smith, M. 2000. Aisleby – April – May. Babbler 37:7. Smith, M. 2001. Aisleby Waterfowl Count – Sunday 15 July. Babbler 44: 6-7. Tarboton, W.R., Kemp, M.I. & Kemp, A.C. 1987. Birds of the Transvaal. Pretoria: Transvaal Museum. Tree, AJ. 1993 / 1998. Recent Reports. Honeyguide 39(4): 201 -210;; 41(3): 178 – 189; 42(2): 112 – 122; 42(3): 170 – 182; 43(1): 178 - 189; 41(3); 178 - 189; 41(4): 242 - 245; 43(1): 49 - 60; 43(2): 116 - 132; 43(4): 224 – 246. Tyler, S. 2001. A Review of Waterbird Counts in Botswana 1991 – 2000. Babbler Spec Supp: 1. Tyler, S.J. 2012. A Review of Waterbird Counts in Botswana 1991-2010. Babbler Spec. Suppl. 4. Williams, E. 1991. Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis, new to Cameroon. Malimbus 13: 40. Williams, J. 1990. Black-necked Grebe at Kadoma. Honeyguide 36(2): 38.

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a Williams, J. 1996. Birdwatch 1996. . Honeyguide 42(4): 223 - 224. Wilson, G. 1972. Letter to Editor. Honeyguide 71: 38 - 39.

D.A.Ewbank, 14 Chapel St, Ely Britain CB6 1AE email: [email protected]

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a Waterbird Counts in Botswana from July 2010 to January 2012

Stephanie J. Tyler

This report covers two years from the winter count in July 2010 to the summer count in January 2012. Although most winter counts were done in July and most summer counts in January a few counts were made in June, August or even September or in December or February. The Chobe River continues to be the best site for waterbirds in Botswana but now that Lake Ngami, Lake Xau and Savuti Marsh hold water these sites are becoming increasingly important. There has been generally good coverage of sites although limited observers and resources resulted in some important sites not being counted every January and July. High water levels in the Okavango Delta in the winter especially in July 2011 also made access difficult if not impossible at some sites.

COUNTS IN WINTER 2010 In all over 71,343 waterbirds were counted throughout Botswana in the dry season of 2010. If 42,000 flamingos on Sua Pan are excluded the birds on part of the Chobe floodplain made up 42% of the total.

Okavango Delta Numerous sites were covered (see Table 1) but overall numbers were rather low with only one species, African Openbill, exceeding a total of 1,000 or more. The next most numerous species were African Jacana (832) and White-faced Duck (556). A September count at Xakanaxa Lediba was higher than the July day count because of birds coming into roost – 34 Reed Cormorants, six Purple Herons, nine Rufous-bellied Herons, 44 Yellow-billed Storks and 23 Marabou Storks. No count unfortunately, was made at Lake Ngami because water was up into the trees and access around the lake by vehicle or foot impossible.

Chobe/Linyanti A grand total of 12,324 birds were counted along the Chobe River from Kasane to Ngoma Bridge. The four most abundant species were White-faced duck (4,401 birds), Egyptian Goose (1,804), Reed Cormorant (1,475) and African Openbill (1,073). These numbers again show the great importance of the Chobe floodplain in the winter months.

Makgadikgadi Pans A thorough count at Nata Sanctuary and adjacent Sua Pan revealed over 3,000 birds excluding an estimated 2,000 Greater and 40,000 Lesser Flamingos out on the pan. Of particular note was a count of 1,570 Cape Teal and 787 Chestnut-

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012 banded Plovers as well as three unusual waders – a Green Sandpiper, a Curlew and a Whimbrel.

Eastern Botswana Observers on foot and in a boat found over 1,300 birds at with a highlight being an African Skimmer.

Southeast Botswana Some 18 dams and sewage ponds were covered with Bokaa Dam easily the best site for numbers (>3,600) and diversity of species (see Table 1). At all sites there were totals of 269 Great Crested Grebes, 95 South African Shelduck and 88 Maccoa Duck, including 18 at Mahalapye sewage ponds.

COUNTS IN SUMMER 2010/2011 The total waterbird count for the summer of 2010/2011 in Botswana was only 23,695, mainly because no count was made on the Chobe River or at Nata Delta or elsewhere in the pans (except for Lake Xau) and also because there was so much water that birds were well dispersed.

Okavango Delta Rather few sites were covered in January but in March a partial count was made of Lake Ngami and some sites in Moremi Game Reserve. High water levels meant rather few birds on the Boteti or Khwai Rivers but Lake Ngami was teeming with birds and the 4,700 waterbirds or so counted by boat on part of the Kunyere River and on the lake were only a fraction of the birds actually on the lake.

Chobe River No count was made on the Chobe River between Kasane and Ngoma Bridge but the river near Lake Liambezi was visited as too was Savuti Marsh and Channel and some of the pans in . After being dry for so many years the sight of water in Savuti marsh and the channel was so welcome and waterbirds quickly responded with over 1,200 birds seen on the marsh in January (and also two weeks earlier in December).

Eastern Botswana and Makgadikgadi Pans In the east a count was made only at Shashe Dam where numbers were rather low but among the more interesting counts were 12 Pink-backed Pelicans, 28 White Pelicans, 28 Black Herons, 30 White Storks and 45 Fulvous Ducks.

Unfortunately none of the regular sites were counted in the Makgadikgadi system but a count at Lake Xau that received water via the Boteti River for the first time in

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a over 30 years, produced over 4000 birds of 38 species with 390 Glossy Ibis of note.

Southeast Botswana Although over 7,600 birds were counted, many good sites such as Phakalane S.P. and Broadhurst (Tsholofelo) S.P. were not surveyed. Tswaaing Pans were counted for the first time and almost 1,000 birds were there. Bokaa Dam as usual had the highest count (Table 1) and the greatest species diversity. Highlights in the southeast were 21 Black-necked Grebes at Kgoro Pan and Hildavale Dam, 14 Yellow-billed Storks at Bokaa Dam, 252 Greater and 180 Lesser Flamingos, again at Bokaa Dam, 38 Maccoa Ducks scattered at five sites but 20 being at Mahalapye S.P. and 38 Ringed Plovers, 36 of these at Bokaa Dam.

COUNTS IN WINTER 2011 In all 32,173 waterbirds were noted with 34% of these on the Chobe River.

Chobe/Savuti area An excellent team effort by birders from Kasane and further afield covered the Chobe River between Kasane and Ngoma Bridge with over 10,000 waterbirds counted of 41 species. The most numerous species were White-faced Duck (3,415), Egyptian Geese (1,681), Red-billed Teal (1,350) and Reed Cormorants (1,130) with 44 African Skimmers but only 50 Great White Pelicans seen. Pans in Savuti were all but dry so most had nil counts but Savuti Marsh boasted over 1,000 birds. In September counts were made at Kasane S.P. and Kasane seep with an Osprey, two White-crowned Lapwings and two Wattled Lapwings of note.

Okavango Delta Lake Ngami was partially covered by boat in July but the edges, in the surrounding woodland, were inaccessible so the counts were absolute minima. However, almost 3,000 birds were noted with a further 900 on the inflow Kunyere River from Toteng. Another incomplete count (<10% of the lake covered) in early September produced much higher numbers on the lake (5844 of 48 species) and on the Kunyere River (2708 of 32 species). Both Pink-backed and White Pelicans were seen on both visits. Species in excess of 300 in September included Little Grebe, Reed Cormorant, African Darter (1092), White-faced Duck, White-backed Duck (449), Grey-headed Gull (394) and Whiskered Tern (874). Elsewhere in the Okavango Delta the levels in the Okavango and Jao Rivers were high as too were those in the Thamalakane and Boteti, after the highest floods for 30 years, so numbers of waterbirds counted were low.

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In the July counts the species in greatest numbers was White-faced Duck (1,445) but over 1,100 of these were on Lake Ngami; likewise of 824 Reed Cormorants some 384 were at the lake and of 438 White Pelicans, 136 were at the lake. Elsewhere, African Jacana was the most numerous species (784 with only 63 of these at the lake). Only seven Lesser Jacanas were seen but these are always few in numbers when the rivers are in winter flood and before surface vegetation has had a chance to develop. Two Ospreys were seen on the Boteti River near Khumaga but no African Skimmers at any site in the Delta.

In early September some transects were carried out along tracks in Moremi G.R. where water was still pouring into the floodplain and pans. Numbers of waterbirds were inevitably low but there was a good range of species and 17 Slaty Egrets were observed. The Jao Flats count was also made in September because water levels in July did not allow vehicular travel.

Makgadikgadi Pans Lake Xau was dry on 28 June and only two Crowned Lapwings seen. A team of observers made a partial count though in mid September at the lake and another count was made at the end of the month. It is the later count that is included in the overall totals for Botswana. Water was still filling the lake and many more species appeared between the two September counts. A range of species were present including Glossy Ibis (300 in late Sept), Red-billed Teal (>1400 in late Sept) and Collared Pratincole. Unfortunately no counts were done at Nata Delta or elsewhere on Sua Pan.

Eastern Botswana A team of three observers at Shashe Dam produced a good count at the start of September but because of low levels the boat from which they did the count, was unable to access the shallows at the inflow end. This is usually a rich area for birds and so the count is incomplete. An African Fish Eagle nest with a chick and nests with well-grown young of African Darter (1 nest), White-breasted Cormorants (6) and African Spoonbills (2) and a large active Black-headed Heron colony were of note as well as broods of Egyptian Geese and Red-billed Teal. A few weeks later another team followed the shore from the river inflow to the boat club and because of their including the inflow, there was a much higher count. This was also partly due to more palaearctic waders having arrived since the first count. was visited and a count made from the southeast arm of the dam but this is a small fraction of the total area.

Southeast Botswana Numbers were down on the previous two counta but as usual Bokaa Dam was, of the 14 sites surveyed the only outstanding site for numbers of waterbirds (2,640)

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a and diversity of species (40) (see Table 1). Almost 500 waterbirds were also seen at Gamoleele and Mogobane Dams. Sojwe Pan was all but dry, a small pool remaining and much trampled by livestock. In the extreme SE Botswana however, late rains meant that Kgoro Pan and some other pans in the area such as Kgajane Pan, and further afield Tswaiing Pans, all held some water and some waterbirds. Unfortunately no counts were available from sewage ponds at Phakalane or Broadhurst (Tsholofelo). The highest species counts were Red-billed Teal (9897), Little Grebe (630) and Red-knobbed Coot (535). There were 35 Great Crested Grebes in all, 18 at Gamoleele Dam and eight each at Gaborone and Bokaa Dams and one at Mogobane Dam, 118 South African Shelducks, 42 of which were at Tswaiing Pans and 25 at Ramotswa S.P. with smaller numbers at four other sites whilst only a total of 10 Maccoa Duck were counted, these birds being seen at Gamoleele Dam and Jwaneng and Ramotswa S.P. At Mahalapye S.P. three Black Storks and 11 Maccoa Duck were interesting records.

COUNTS IN SUMMER 2011/2012 Southeast Botswana Bokaa Dam, despite only being about 25% full, had the highest count in the southeast with a staggering 7,301 birds though species diversity was lower than on many counts. Of particular note were 1,500 Black-winged Pratincoles in a dense flock on a spit at the western end of the dam and 1,600 Southern Pochard, all congregated in a dense flock on the water in the centre of the dam. There were also over 700 White-faced Duck and Egyptian Geese.

At Ramotswa S.P. there were high counts of Little Grebes (400) and of Black- winged Stilts (260). Mogobane Dam produced over 1400 waterbirds including two Yellow-billed Storks, 886 Southern Pochard and seven Maccoa Duck whilst Jwaneng had over 950 waterbirds including 92 South African Shelduck and nine Maccoa Duck. Thagale Dam was very low (ca 15% full) in mid February and waterbird counts were correspondingly low.

Eastern Botswana and Makgadikgadi Pans A small team counted Shashe Dam by boat with one person covering the southern shore on foot. Highlights were 15 Pink-backed and 68 White Pelicans, seven Black Herons, eight Yellow-billed Storks, 60 Lesser Flamingos, a Caspian Tern and an African Marsh Harrier.

In the Makgadikgadi system no counts were made other than at Lake Xau where there were 600 White Pelicans and 60 Pink-backed Pelicans, ca. 2,000 Black- winged Pratincoles and 1,000 Ruff in the grand total of almost 5,000 birds.

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Okavango Delta Rather few counts were made this season and so numbers were well down on the previous summer. Counts were made by boat of birds on the Okavango River from the Namibian border down to Shakawe Fishing Camp and beyond to Palm Island. There were no great surprises although 21 Wattled Plover were of note. Lake Ngami was also counted by boat but observers estimated they had only covered about 1% of the surface. Among the highlights were 123 White Pelicans, three Pink-backed Pelicans, 32 Purple Herons, a Baillon’s Crake, 27 Lesser Jacanas, 35 Grey-headed Gulls, and over 420 White-winged and Whiskered Terns.

Chobe River and other sites in the northeast In addition to the section of Chobe River from the old entrance gate to Ngoma Bridge, counts were made at Kasane Seep between Kasane and Kazungula and at Kasane Sewage Ponds. In Chobe National Park most of the pans were counted as too Savuti Channel and Savuti Marsh and part of the Linyantii River. A small area of Lake Liamezi was counted from the Botswana side too.

The total for the Chobe area in this season (12,149) was remarkably similar to the count in January 2011 (12,324). Of note were 10 Dwarf Bitterns, nine of them at Harveys Pans in the national park, an African Finfoot at the Chobe Rapids and two Wattled Cranes in Savuti Marsh. Cattle Egrets were the most numerous species (1649) followed by Blacksmith Lapwings (1181). Among the many interesting species seen were seven Maccoa Duck on the Chobe River, a long way from their usual range in SE and E Botswana.

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a Table 1 Counts of waterbirds at sites in Botswana from July 2010 to January 2012 Numbers in parentheses refer to number of species at each site. (N.C. = no count).

July 2010 Jan 2011 July 2011 Jan 2012 SE Botswana 7754(58) 7623 (59) 5837 (42) 12965 (56) Bathoen Dam 105 (8) 17 (6) 41 (8) 221 (16) Bokaa Dam 3694 (44) 3766 (43) 2640 (40) 7301 (36) (part) NC NC 102 (9) 217 (14) Gamoleele Dam 173 (13) 264 (13) 491 (16) 624 (24) Hildavale Dam NC 90 (9) NC Dry Jwaneng S.P. 185 (16) 505 (20) 276 (18) 961 (20) Kopong Hills NC 19 (6) NC NC Kgajane Pan, Mmathethe NC NC 135 (8) NC Kgoro Pan 99 (12) 399 (26) 357 (19) Dry Leporung Dam 2 (1) NC NC NC Lobatse S.P. 210 (17) NC NC NC Mabule Dam, Molopo 75 (17) NC NC NC Mahalapye S.P. 267 (16) 628 (22) 287 (22) NC Maokamatshwane Pan NC NC 30 (11) NC Mogobane Dam 404 (19) 846 (17) 497 (14) 1403 (25) Moshupa Dam 170 (15) 100 (9) 35 (8) 26 (11) Notwane Dam 14 (5) NC NC 218 (31) NC NC NC NC Otse Dam NC NC 3 (2) NC Phakalane S.P. 175 (17) NC NC 267 (26) Phakalane Golf Course ponds NC NC NC NC Ramotswa S.P. 841 (20) NC 721 (20) 1279 (25) Segakwana Dam 54 (11) NC NC NC Sojwe Pan 534 (23) NC 58 (12) NC Thagale Dam 412 (16) 106 (12) NC 488 (20) Tsholofelo S.P./Gabs G.R. 302 (30) NC NC 78** Tswaiing Pans NC 947 (28) 441 (15) NC Eastern Botswana 1401 (49) 692 (35) 2998 (55) Ntimbale Dam – small part NC NC 44 (14) NC Shashe Dam 1331 (42) 692 (35) 2558 (53) 677 (44) Limpopo River Coombe 70 (23) NC NC NC Farm Makgadikgadi Pans 45188 (36) 4218 (38) 4063 (47) 4895 (35) Mea Pan NC NC NC NC

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July 2010 Jan 2011 July 2011 Jan 2012 Mopipi Dam NC NC 56 (6) NC Edge Sua Pan 42000 (2) NC NC NC Nata Sanctuary 3188 (36) NC NC NC Lake Xau (mid Sept 2011) NC 4218 (38) 541 (26) 4895 (35) Lake Xau (late Sept 2011) 4007 (35) Okavango Delta 4676 (64) 8666 (71) 8207 (75) 3271 (58) Boro River to Tschau Isl. 396 (25) NC 412 (24) NC Boteti River Dikgathong to 391 (23) 600 (25) 345 (21) NC Samedupi to Xobe only Jao Flats 220 (22) 306 (23) NC 548 (31) Khwai River NC 126 (13) NC Lake Ngami NC 4737 (58) 2835 (19) NC Kunyere R. Toteng-Lake July NC NC 897 (20) NC Linyanti River NC NC NC 92 (19) part Maunachira R. (Xak-Gcob.) NC NC 29 (12) NC Gadikwe Lediba NC NC 25 (11) NC Gcobega Lediba NC NC 130 (14) NC Xakanaxa Lediba * 39 (13) NC 56 (16) NC Okavango River border to 309 (15) NC 139 (21) 155 (12) Mohembo Okavango River Mohembo 422 (22) NC 378 (26) 733 (20) to Pam Island Okavango River from Palm 876 (17) NC NC NC Isl., Phillipo confl. – Pepere Isl. Jao River 80 (18) NC 1005 (26) NC Phillipo Channel 104 (10) NC NC NC Thamalakane River 810 (24) 2579 (32) 304 (19) NC Xini Lediba loop, Moremi 215 (29) 131 (24) NC S. Gate to 3rd Bridge Part 98 (20) 125 (9) 138 (23) NC 3rd to 4th Bridge 155 (29) NC 103 (21) NC 4th Bridge-Xakanaxa NC NC 233 (28) NC Mboma loop NC NC 22 (9) NC Bodumatau floodplain NC 103 (19) NC NC Xigera Camp-Simbira 715 (30) NC NC NC picnic site Xigera area NC NC NC 100 (27) Chobe R. Kasane to Ngoma 12324 (50) NC 10887 (41) 4074 (45) Total other counts in NE NC 2496 (59) 1262 (36) 4415 (52) Chobe at Liambezi NC 399 (22) NC 1006 (33) Savuti Channel NC 42 (10) 5 (2) 138 (9)

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a July 2010 Jan 2011 July 2011 Jan 2012 Savuti Marsh NC 1221 (44) 1125 (34) 2227 (44) Pans in Chobe N.P. NC 166 (24) 6 (2) Dry 857 (23) Kasane S.P. NC NC 75 (8) 104 (16) Kasane seep NC NC 51 (17) 83 (14) Kazuma Pan NC 398 (20) NC NC

*A September 2010 count at Xakanaxa Lediba revealed 144 birds of 15 species **Tsholofelo S.P not counted, only part of Gaborone G.R.

A September 2011 count of the Kunyere River and Lake Ngami totalled 8,552 waterbirds – these figures are not given in the table above.

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012

Table 2. Counts of different species of waterbirds in five areas of Botswana in winters of 2010 and 2011 DRY SEASON/WINTER COUNTS July 2010 July 2011 SE E M P Ok. D Chobe TOT SE E M P Ok D Chobe TOT Great Crested Grebe 269 35 35 Podiceps cristatus Little Grebe 888 103 7 54 1 1053 728 15 4 156 903 Tachybaptus ruficollis Pink-backed Pelican 10 10 1 32 33 Pelecanus rufescens White Pelican 26 3 16 169 214 64 438 58 560 P. onocrotalus White-br. Cormorant 149 79 52 280 73 36 8 115 Phalacrocorax lucidus Reed Cormorant 239 157 263 1475 2124 111 122 848 1131 2212 P. africanus African Darter 7 14 210 43 274 28 37 406 62 529 Anhinga rufa Grey Heron 40 23 39 61 98 261 10 33 44 119 128 333 Ardea cinerea Black-headed Heron 30 1 2 1 1 35 43 39 2 84 Ardea melanocephala Purple Heron 5 11 16 1 17 18 Ardea purpurea Goliath Heron 1 1 1 7 1 11 10 3 13 Ardea goliath Great Egret 11 4 72 219 306 5 13 17 204 159 398 Egretta alba Black Egret 11 1 12 9 2 14 4 29 E. ardesiaca Slaty Egret 31 31 44 1 45 E. vinaceigula Yellow-billed Egret 6 15 43 64 1 1 30 96 127 E. intermedia Little Egret 1 12 20 219 252 1 6 77 88 420 592 E. garzetta Unid. White egrets 79 79 Squacco Heron 4 2 122 37 165 2 2 40 164 25 232 Ardeola ralloides Rufous-bellied Heron 19 1 20 21 1 22 Ardeola rufiventris Cattle Egret 109 51 84 97 341 309 36 750 52 73 1214 Bubulcus ibis Green-backed Heron 1 2 51 5 59 1 23 4 28 Butorides striata Black-cr. Night Heron 9 9 5 5 Nycticorax nycticorax Little Bittern 2 2 5 5 Ixobrychus minutes Yellow-billed Stork 2 2 44 248 296 5 50 199 254 Mycteria ibis White Stork 2 5 7 Ciconia ciconia

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a DRY SEASON/WINTER COUNTS July 2010 July 2011 SE E M P Ok. D Chobe TOT SE E M P Ok D Chobe TOT Black Stork 1 7 8 3 3 Ciconia nigra African Openbill 1 1166 1073 2243 654 795 1449 Anastomus lamelligerus Saddlebill Stork Ephippi- 14 2 16 1 54 21 76 orynchus senegalensis Marabou Stork 81 23 18 122 1 27 21 176 73 251 Leptoptilos crumeniferus Hammerkop 1 9 18 28 12 1 23 28 58 Scopus umbretta Sacred Ibis 70 22 18 33 143 15 15 11 15 57 109 Threskiornis aethiopicus Hadeda Ibis 29 13 21 63 22 17 4 42 Bostrychia hagedash Glossy Ibis 11 15 2 105 133 3 12 300 17 74 406 Plegadis falcinellus African Spoonbill 68 36 3 91 198 6 50 1 12 120 189 Platalea alba Greater Flamingo 178 12 2000 2190 17 2 19 Phoenicopterus roseus Lesser Flamingo 19 40000 40019 P. minor Crowned Crane Balearica 1 1 regulorum Wattled Crane 13 13 1 5 6 Grus carunculatus Fulvous Duck 8 8 4 57 61 Dendrocygna bicolour White-faced Duck 675 566 4401 5642 268 67 22 1572 3635 5564 D. viduata White-backed Duck 12 12 33 33 Thallasornis leuconotus Spur-winged Goose 160 27 19 345 551 137 8 5 89 69 308 Plectropterus gambensis Comb Duck 32 8 304 344 67 2 8 444 521 Sarkidiornis melanotus Egyptian Goose 440 171 24 1804 2439 585 145 1 27 1706 2460 Alopochen aegyptiaca S.African Shelduck 95 2 97 120 2 2 124 Tadorna cana Black Duck 5 5 Anas sparsa Cape Teal 272 1 1570 1843 219 219 A. capensis Red-billed Teal 1052 223 40 23 594 1932 927 570 1479 198 1476 4550 A. erythrorhyncha Hottentot Teal 22 23 6 51 7 20 17 15 59 A. hottentota Yellow-billed Duck 119 14 133 118 1 119 A. undulate Cape Shoveler 125 1 50 178 156 156 A. smithii

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012

DRY SEASON/WINTER COUNTS July 2010 July 2011 SE E M P Ok. D Chobe TOT SE E M P Ok D Chobe TOT

Southern Pochard 283 12 9 6 310 443 7 56 21 527 Netta erythrophthalma Maccoa Duck 88 88 21 21 Oxyura maccoa Pygmy Geese 257 257 371 14 385 Nettapus auritus Unidentified duck 7 7 African Crake 1 1 Crecopsis egregia Black Crake 7 13 89 109 5 13 70 88 Amaurornis flavirostris Moorhen 26 3 4 33 18 2 71 91 Gallinula chloropus Lesser Moorhen 1 1 1 1 G. angulata Allen’s Gallinule 6 6 9 9 Porphyrio alleni Purple Swamphen 3 3 1 1 P. madagascariensis Red-knobbed Coot 1287 4 1 1292 535 8 17 560 Fulica cristata African Jacana 45 12 832 122 1011 6 25 876 238 1145 Actophilornis africana Lesser Jacana 3 3 8 8 Microparra capensis Painted Snipe 3 1 4 Rostratula benghalensis Water Thick-knee 8 1 18 27 7 10 10 24 Burhinus vermiculatus Black-winged Stilt 127 25 23 33 171 379 185 21 80 38 118 442 Himantopus himantopus Avocet 15 272 287 8 51 1 60 Recurvirostra avosetta Collared Pratincole 12 111 46 169 6 36 135 12 189 Glareola pratincola Three-banded Plover 211 11 3 2 227 136 30 20 8 186 Charadrius tricollaris Kittlitz's Plover 168 1 16 3 2 190 140 25 8 14 1 187 C. pecuarius Ringed Plover 1 1 2 C. hiaticula White-fronted Plover 2 2 C. marginatus Chestnut-banded Plover 785 785 C. pallidus Grey Plover 1 1 Pluvialis squatarola Blacksmith Lapwing 203 54 28 145 195 625 224 57 141 241 339 980 Vanellus armatus Crowned Lapwing 21 2 4 35 62 4 16 2 20 V. coronatus

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a DRY SEASON/WINTER COUNTS July 2010 July 2011 SE E M P Ok. D Chobe TOT SE E M P Ok D Chobe TOT Long-toed Lapwing 9 9 18 32 7 39 V. crassirostris White-crowned Lapwing 2 9 11 2 2 V. albiceps Wattled Lapwing 8 2 2 1 13 3 2 3 V. senegallus Wood Sandpiper 48 83 11 6 1 149 15 21 8 15 2 61 Tringa glareola Green Sandpiper 1 1 T. ochropus Marsh Sandpiper 2 3 4 9 5 17 2 1 25 T. stagnatilis Greenshank 10 8 7 1 26 16 4 58 4 15 97 T. nebularia Common Sandpiper 33 4 1 4 42 9 18 9 10 40 Actitis hypoleucos Curlew Sandpiper 13 13 26 70 142 40 252 Calidris ferruginea Little Stint 3 54 1 58 45 100 750 1 896 C. minuta Ruff 4 9 95 16 124 175 152 50 24 136 537 Philomachus pugnax Curlew 1 1 Numenius arquata Whimbrel 1 1 N. phaeopus Unid. Waders 533 1 534 African Snipe 11 11 Gallinago nigripennis Grey-headed Gull 3 61 158 222 2 2 24 176 204 Larus cirrocephalus Caspian Tern 29 29 1 1 2 Sterna caspia Whiskered Tern 1 4 1 6 7 14 281 302 Chlidonias hybridus White-winged Tern 22 30 1 53 24 20 1 8 53 C. leucopterus African Skimmer 1 6 13 20 3 44 47 Rynchops flavirostris African Marsh Harrier 16 4 20 1 9 2 12 Circus ranivorus African Fish Eagle 6 8 3 194 35 246 4 11 172 33 218 Haliaeetus vocifer Osprey 1 1 2 2 3 Pandion haliaetus TOTAL 7754 1401 45188 4676 12324 71343 6123 2998 4064 8207 12149 33541 Lake Xau: the highest count on 30 Sept 2011 was taken as the count as the lake was virtually dry in July and was still filling in mid Sept when another count was made. Lake Ngami was counted again in Sept 2011 when 8552 birds were counted on the lake and the Kunyere inflow. These data were not included in the table above.

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012

Table 3. Counts of different species of waterbird in five areas of Botswana in the summers of 2010/2011 and 2011/12

WET SEASON/SUMMER COUNTS January 2011 January 2012 Species SE E M P Ok. D Chobe TOT SE E M P Ok D Chobe TOT Great Crested Grebe 3 3 1 1 Little Grebe 88 1 163 5 257 566 1 8 12 587 Black-necked Grebe 21 21 Podiceps nigricollis Pink-backed Pelican 12 55 67 15 60 3 78 White Pelican 28 1040 23 1091 68 600 123 19 810 White-br. Cormorant 94 8 8 110 50 18 4 7 79 Reed Cormorant 8 21 8 183 17 237 14 21 1 123 77 236 African Darter 5 5 196 4 201 18 39 423 41 521 Grey Heron 71 7 25 43 51 197 48 5 52 17 27 149 Black-headed Heron 30 15 45 16 2 5 23 Purple Heron 18 18 1 37 1 39 Goliath Heron 5 5 5 3 8 Great Egret 1 6 67 12 86 8 1 10 19 86 124 Black Egret 28 1 14 44 87 31 7 4 91 133 Slaty Egret 91+1? 92 31 5 36 Black/Slaty Egret 1 1 Yellow-billed Egret 6 2 7 9 24 3 1 96 100 Little Egret 30 5 90 117 82 324 125 9 61 47 199 441 Squacco Heron 1 2 6 141 8 158 3 1 16 35 61 116 Rufous-bell. Heron 1 1 1 1 Cattle Egret 530 60 300 1384 291 2565 302 46 18 654 1649 2669 Unid. White egrets 65 65 18 313 331 Green-backed Heron 25 2 27 2 2 5 12 21 Black-cr. N. Heron 4 8 1 23 29 65 21 51 72 Dwarf Bittern 1 1 10 10 Little Bittern 1 1 2 Yellow-billed Stork 14 17 72 103 14 8 6 13 41 White Stork 30 9 39 1 1 African Openbill 723 1 724 163 500 663 Woolly-necked Stork 8 202 210 3 3 Saddle-billed Stork 16 8 24 6 6 12

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a WET SEASON/SUMMER COUNTS January 2011 January 2012 Species SE E M P Ok. D Chobe TOT SE E M P Ok D Chobe TOT Abdim's Stork 11 31 6 48 Marabou Stork 17 2 19 38 1 18 2 22 43 Hammerkop 1 20 4 25 3 2 8 31 44 Sacred Ibis 13 11 1 24 22 71 12 7 27 85 131 Hadeda Ibis 12 1 3 16 18 5 14 19 56 Glossy Ibis 26 14 390 50 7 487 1 7 7 1 21 37 African Spoonbill 111 23 42 176 56 18 18 5 97 Greater Flamingo 252 1 18 271 90 4 2 96 Lesser Flamingo 180 9 189 65 60 125 Wattled Crane 7 7 1 15 2 18 African Finfoot Podica 1 1 senegalensis Fulvous Duck 45 6 47 98 585 585 White-faced Duck 442 19 4 190 91 746 1308 13 95 891 2307 White-backed Duck 375 375 22 22 Spur-winged Goose 31 34 1 48 25 139 58 22 13 82 175 Comb Duck 6 6 2 70 84 43 5 25 485 556 Egyptian Goose 530 240 1 59 830 849 105 8 11 442 1415 S.African Shelduck 152 152 103 103 Black Duck 1 1 2 2 Cape Teal 321 7 14 1 343 98 98 Red-billed Teal 152 12 250 163 170 747 909 26 300 531 1766 Hottentot Teal 66 2 13 15 96 8 15 2 2 27 Yellow-billed Duck 12 4 16 118 6 124 Cape Shoveler 26 4 30 39 39 Southern Pochard 456 2 9 467 2685 12 6 31 2734 Maccoa Duck 38 38 17 7 24 Pygmy Geese 227 227 34 8 42 Unid. Duck 46 46 African Crake 4 4 3 1 4 Black Crake 4 43 1 48 20 2 14 6 42 Baillon’s Crake 1 1 Moorhen 2 280 3 285 21 2 23 46 Lesser Moorhen 3 2 5 1 5 6

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012

WET SEASON/SUMMER COUNTS January 2011 January 2012 Species SE E M P Ok. D Chobe TOT SE E M P Ok D Chobe TOT Lesser Gallinule 31 31 4 4 Purple Gallinule 7 7 1 13 14 Red-knobbed Coot 960 420 1380 709 8 717 African Jacana 81 3 988 47 1119 19 15 2 259 314 609 Lesser Jacana 33 33 33 1 34 Painted Snipe 6 6 3 3 Water Thick-knee 1 8 9 3 6 36 45 Black-winged Stilt 119 190 6 24 339 429 9 390 7 16 851 Avocet 6 15 21 3 3 1 7 Collared Pratincole 1 3 5 328 337 20 127 118 265 Black-w. Pratincole 10 2 100 112 1500 2000 14 3514 Glareola nordmanni Three-banded Plover 18 1 7 26 10 3 12 25 Kittlitz's Plover 179 8 4 13 204 231 43 11 285 Ringed Plover 38 3 2 43 47 47 White-fronted Plover 1 3 4 Chestnut-band. Plover 1 1 Caspian Plover 5 5 Charadrius asiaticus Grey Plover 1 1 Pluvialis squatorola Blacksmith Lapwing 354 23 20 207 376 980 402 21 110 143 1181 1857 Crowned Lapwing 2 6 8 4 4 Long-toed Lapwing 57 2 59 15 17 32 White-cr. Lapwing 6 6 Wattled Lapwing 25 5 30 Wood Sandpiper 71 3 220 68 84 446 65 53 1 79 198 Marsh Sandpiper 14 2 3 2 21 11 1 6 18 Greenshank 102 13 1 17 133 15 34 1 13 63 Common Sandpiper 17 15 1 8 5 46 29 4 3 48 84 Curlew Sandpiper 521 50 571 97 18 115 Little Stint 575 110 4 4 693 327 20 347 Ruff 723 2400 52 37 3212 914 2 1000 86 2002 Unid. Waders 95 95 African Snipe 4 4 8 Grey-headed Gull 6 7 9 22 11 35 8 43

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a WET SEASON/SUMMER COUNTS January 2011 January 2012 Species SE E M P Ok. D Chobe TOT SE E M P Ok D Chobe TOT Caspian Tern 2 2 1 2 3 Whiskered Tern 1 179 19 199 17 4 1 156 6 184 White-winged Tern 60 1 400 3 464 271 29 20 270 2 592 African Skimmer 190 25 215 Afr. Marsh Harrier 1 4 5 African Fish Eagle 3 3 29 17 52 6 2 32 64 104 Osprey 1 1 2 2 2 Pel’s Fishing Owl 1 1 Scotopelia peli TOTAL 7623 692 4218 8666 2496 23695 12965 677 4895 2723 8586 29959

Acknowledgements I am very grateful to all the following observers who participated in the waterbird counts.

Shashe Dam and Ntimbale Dam: Peter D’Arcy, Nicky Bousfield, Buzz von Memmerty, Michael Turner, Pat Nurse, Ray & Val Lovett; Mahalapye S.P.: Peter D’Arcy. Bathoen, Mogobane, Moshupa and Gamoleele Dams and Jwaneng S.P.: Mike and Daphne Goldsworthy and Harold Hester; Bokaa Dam, Ramotswa S.P., Sojwe Pan, Kgoro, Kjajane and Tswaiing Pans: Chris Brewster with help at Bokaa by Keddy Mooketsa; Phakalane S.P: John Dalziel; Gaborone Dam, Otse and Maokamatshwane Dams: Wendy and Remi Borello, Ian White and Richard Bashford. Makgadikgadi Pans: Lake Xau and Mopipi: Mike & Daphne Goldsworthy, Pat Nurse, Ray & Val Lovett, Chris Brewster; Okavango – all sites: Pete Hancock with Richard D. Randall, L. Drotsky, A. Monadjem and M. Kamakama, Ken and Mel Oake and O.Samuel, - second Lake Ngami count and Moremi transects: Ken Oake, Pete Hancock, Pat Nurse, Ray and Val Lovett; Jao Flats: Antony Mulligan and Martin Kays –Chobe River: Peter Laver, Craig Foaden, Mark Vandevalle, Phil Zappala, Jennifer Millar, and teams (Adrienne, Isabel, Mayezi, Lyn Francey, Bonnie, Elise, Lowani, Kathleen, Tom, Lepodisi, Robert, Rebecca, Claire, Zane, Babusi); Chobe N.P. pans and Savuti marsh and channel: Gavin and Marjorie Blair; Kasane sewage ponds and Kasane seep: Phil Zappala and Jennifer Millar. Sponsors for the Chobe Count in July 2010 were Elephants without Borders.

Stephanie J. Tyler, Coordinator of waterbird counts in Botswana for BirdLife Botswana and Wetlands International

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012

Summary of Category B Records

Compiled by Chris A. Brewster and Stephanie J. Tyler

All records refer to the period November 2011 to August 2012 unless otherwise stated. For species on the ‘B’ List, please see Babbler 40: 57-58 or visit BirdLife Botswana’s website. The order of species given below follows the new Roberts’ Birds of southern Africa, 7th edition (2005).

(N.P.=National Park, G.R. = Game Reserve, S.P. = Sewage Ponds, KTP Kalagadi Transfrontier Park, ad. = adult, imm.=immature)

FULVOUS DUCK Dendrocygna bicolor Over 200 were noted at Lake Liambezi near Katchikau on 27 Jan and 373 on Savuti Marsh on 28 Jan (GB, MB). Four were at Bokaa Dam on 6 May (BLB) and two at on 20 July (DWNP).

AFRICAN BLACK DUCK Anas sparsa Two were seen at Bathoen Dam on 19 Jan (MGG, DG & HH) and a pair along stream near Lekgolobotlo on 18 March (CAB).

MACCOA DUCK Oxyura maccoa Counts in January included nine at Jwaneng S.P., seven at Mogobane Dam and one at Gamoleeele Dam (MGG, DG & HH). The highest count was of 35 (20 males and 15 females) at Mahalapye S.P. on 28 Jan (PD’A). An unusual record was seven Maccoa Duck on the Chobe River between Ihaha and Ngoma Bridge on 21 Jan (PZ, MV).

On 2 July just nine were seen at Jwaneng S.P. where in January there had been a mass poisoning of waterbirds with Maccoa Duck one of the worst affected species.

BROWN-BACKED HONEYBIRD Prodotiscus regulus One was seen at Hildavale (2525B3) on 24 June (CAB).

EUROPEAN ROLLER Coracias garrulous Three were seen along the Nata to Maun road near Motopi on 24 Dec 2011 and one north of Werda (in 2523A2) on 29 Jan 2012 (CAB). One was at Ruretse on 19 Feb (JD) and one at Nxai Pan on 21 Feb (KM).

GREY-HEADED KINGFISHER Halcyon leucocephala

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a One was seen at Kasane S.P. on 6 Nov 2011 and 9 Feb 2012, one at Seboba Rapids on the Chobe River near Mowana Lodge on 6 Nov and 31 Jan (JM, PZ) and one along old Matsiloje road (2127B1), near Francistown on 19 Nov 2011 (MS). One was seen too on the Okavango River in Nov 2011 near Shakawe (JC) and one at Khao (1822D3), south of Gunitsuga on 26 Dec (CAB). Singles were seen too at Rhino Vlei (1824C1) on 1 Feb (GB, MB) and at Xigera on 5 Feb (MGG) with two at King’s Pool, Linyanti (1823B3) on 29 Feb (NP). One was seen in Moremi G.R. on 25 Mar and another in Maun on 27 Mar (ST).

PYGMY KINGFISHER One was reported in a Maun garden in February (KB).

BLACK COUCAL Centropus grillii Two were seen at Khao (1822D3) S of Gunitsuga on 25 Dec (CAB) and one at Xigera, Feb 2012 (NP).

KORI BUSTARD Ardeotis kori

No. Date Location Obs. 2 25 Oct 2011 Harvey’s Pan in Chobe N.P. GB, MB 4 5 Nov Farm 102, Hainaveld, 2023C4 DS 1 9 Nov Zutshwa CG 13 14 Nov Nxai Pan Chief Tsholofelo 2 28 Nov Hunda Island 1922A4 MKys 1 5 Dec Jwana Game Park RK 1 26 Dec Jwana Game Park RK 2 4 Feb 2012 Norfolk Farm 2524A3 JA 1 5 Feb Oxford Farm 2524A3 JA 1 4 Feb E of Mahalapye 2326B2 BR 2 15 Feb Mashatu BN 4 16 Feb SW of Khumaga 2024C1 MT 1 22 Feb Kamolane Pan 2322D3 KX 7 25 Feb Zutshwa CG 11 25 Feb Matotsi CKGR 2123B4 NP 1 2 Mar In 1923D1 KK 2 3 Apr S of Kaudwane 2324B3 CAB 1 4 Apr Near Moreswe Pan, Khutse G.R. CAB 2 9 Apr S of 2421B2 CAB 11 13 Apr Orapa Game Park Dolfie

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No. Date Location Obs. 1 20 Apr Kasane S.P. PZ 8 21 July Bosobogolo Pan, Mabuasehube CAB 2 22 July Monamodi Pans, Mabuasehube CAB 2 23 July In 2521C along SW Boundary of KTP CAB 2 24-25July Near Khawa (2621A4) CAB 2 24-25 July Tshane Tshane (2620B4) CAB 7 24-25 July Lower Nossob valley CAB 1 26 July Molopo Valley (2621C4) CAB 1 26 July Molopo Valley (2622C1) CAB 3 8 Aug Ntwetwe Pan Ben

GREY CROWNED CRANE Grus paradise There were two at Pandamatenga Farm 50 on 29 Nov (DH).

WATTLED CRANE Grus carunculatus One was at Lake Xau on 22 Dec 2011 and a pair at Mohembo on 24 Dec (CAB). Two were seen at Xigera on 5 Feb 2012 (MGG) and two on Savuti Marsh on 28 Jan (GB, MB). Five were by the Boteti River near Khumaga on 6 Apr (HH) and a single bird at Kasane S.P. on 20 Apr (PZ).

AFRICAN FINFOOT Podiceps senegalensis One was seen at the usual site on the Chobe River at Seboba Rapids on 22 July but of particular interest was that it had a small chick (PZ, MV).

AFRICAN CRAKE Crecopsis egregia One was noted at Savuti Marsh on 28 Jan (GB, MB).

ALLEN’S (LESSER) GALLINULE Porphyrula alleni Records included a family at Island Safari, Maun in Nov (JC), one at Lake Ngami on 21 Jan and three on the Okavango River near Shakawe (PH, MK, MT, OX).

BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE Glareola nordmanni There were 80 at Bonwakatlhako Dam (2227A3), NE of Palapye on 27 Nov 2011 (KelK). On 22-23 Dec 2,000 birds were counted along the southern shore of Lake Xau and ca. 1,500 at Bokaa Dam on 6 Feb 2012 (CAB). 100-200 were still at Lake Xau in March (PH, KO) and on 4 Apr (HH).

CHESTNUT-BANDED SANDPLOVER Charadrius pallidus There were 36 at Lake Xau on 30 July (CAB). WHITE-FRONTED SANDPLOVER Charadrius marginatus

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a Two were at Bokaa Dam on 13 May (IW) and three were seen at Lake Xau on 30 July 2012 (CAB). Two were on the Chobe River on 21 July (PZ, MV et al.).

TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres One was seen at Mogobane Dam on 14 Nov 2011 (CAB, BP) and one on Okavango River in Nov 2011 (JC).

CURLEW Numenius arquata One was at Lake Xau on 31 July 2012 (CAB).

AFRICAN SKIMMER Rynchops flavirostris A flock of 26 was at Kasane seep on 8 Nov and 18 flew over the seep on 11 Nov 2011 (MV); five were seen there on 2 Dec (PZ). On 21 July there were 45 on Skimmer Island in the Chobe River between the Old Park gate and Chobe Game Lodge (PZ, MV et al.). PZ noted several reports of 10-20 in a flock around the Seboba Rapids - flying upstream most evenings towards the Seboba Rapids.

CASPIAN TERN Sterna caspia Two were at Lake Xau on 23 Dec 2011 (CAB). One was seen at Shashe Dam on 26 Jan (NB, BvM). At least eight pairs were nesting at Lake Xau in early May (PH, KO) and seven were at the lake on 31 July (CAB). One was seen on the Chobe River on 21 July (PZ, MV et al.).

OSPREY Pandion haliaetus One was seen on the Okavango River near Shakawe in Nov (JC) and another at Gaborone Dam on 18 Dec (IW). On 11 Feb one was seen at Kasane Seep – 17.79S 25.12E (JM) and two were at Savuti Channel on 27 Jan (GB, MB).

CAPE VULTURE Gyps coprotheres Three were S of Kanye in 2525A2 on 18 Feb (DG & MGG) and one was with ca. 50 White-backed Vultures at Leshibitse (2326C4) on 19 Feb (CAB). On 2 Aug no occupied nests were found at Lerala, only five non- breeding birds at this once active colony; on 3 Aug 76 occupied nests were seen at Moremi Gorge with a total of 127 birds present, excluding chicks (CG).

LAPPET-FACED VULTURE Aegypius tracheliotos No. Date Location Comments Obs. Birds 1 Nov 2011 Near Gaborone With White-backed JC towards Tlokweng Vultures (W-bV) borderpost and Cape Vultures

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012

No. Date Location Comments Obs. Birds 4 5 Nov Farm 102, Hainaveld DS (2023C4) 1 10 Nov Savuti Marsh ED 2 26 Nov Tachila Nature Reserve ZG 1 22 Dec 2011 Khama Rhino CAB Sanctuary 1 23 Dec 2011 Makgadikgadi Pans CAB N.P. 2024B4 1 21 Jan 2012 Chobe N.P. PZ 1 1 Feb Savuti (1824C1) MB 2 15 Feb Mashatu G.R. BN 4 19 Feb E of Leshibitse with ca. 50 W-b Vs CAB (2326C4) 3 ad. 4 Apr Moreswe Pan, Khutse With 2 W-bVs, CAB G.R. foraging on surface of salt pan 1 imm. 5 April Khankhe Pan (2324A2) CAB 5 3 & 4 Apr Khutse G.R. Also 2 W-bVs CAB 1 8 Apr 25km N of Kang Also 2 W-bVs CAB 4 8 Apr Near Hanahai turn off With 70 W-bVs and CAB from Kang road in 2 Tawny Eagles 2221B1 10 30 April Khutse 1 Pan, Khutse With ca.20 W-bVs IW G.R. 1 27 May Botalaote (2027C2) With ca. 40 W-bVs CAB 4 22 July Lesholoago Pan, Bathing with ca. 40 CAB Mabuasahube W-bVs 1 29 July Bonwapitse river, S of With ca. 65 W-bVs CAB Mahalapye (2326B3) 1 30 July Lake Xau CAB 5 21 July Chobe River Between Kasane PZ, MV et and Ngoma al. 1 2 Sept Mogobane Dam BLB

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a WHITE-HEADED VULTURE Trigonoceps occipitalis

No. Date Location Comments Obs. Birds 1 15 Oct 2011 Bottle Pan 18.73οS DH 25.13οE 1 27 Oct 2011 Savuti marsh eastern GB, road MB 3 21 Jan 2012 Chobe N.P. PZ 2 9 Feb 2012 Xigera, Moremi Flying over NP 1 30 June Shashe crossing near In tree DB 2012 Maun 2 21 July 2012 Chobe River Kasane to Ngoma PZ, MV et al.

HOODED VULTURE Necrosyertes monachus One was near Xudum Delta Lodge (1923D) on 10 Nov (KMos) and one at Vumbera Plains (1922B1) on 30 Nov (SD). All other records were in or close to Chobe N.P. – three birds on 25 Sept, four in the Kalweze valley on 2 Nov, one at Savuti Marsh on 10 Nov (ED) and one in the park on 1 Dec (PZ), two at Kasane Seep on 7 Apr and three along the Chobe between Kasane and Ngoma on 21 July (PZ, MV et al.).

MARTIAL EAGLE Polemaetus bellicosus

No.Birds Date Location Obs. 1 15 Oct 2011 Bottle Pan 18.73οS 25.13οE (1825C1) DH 1 4 Nov 1923D1 RH 1 9 Nov 2011 Pandamatenga DH 1 10 Nov Savuti Marsh ED 1 ad. + 1 16 Nov Farm 50, Pandamatenga DH, EH imm. 1 19 Nov Old Matsiloje road, near Francistown MS 1 imm. 22 Nov Tachila Nature Reserve NB 1 28 Nov Kasane Sewage Ponds PZ 1 29 Nov Kasane Forest Reserve extension JM 1 ad. 22 Dec Mokoboxane (2124B4) CAB 1 15 Feb 2012 Mashatu G.R. BN 1 23 Feb Ngwasha (1925C CM

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012

No.Birds Date Location Obs. 1 6 April Boteti valley near Khumaga HH 1 15 July Khwai IW 1 ad. 20 July On nest west of Jwaneng in 2424C CAB 1 21 July Chobe River Kasane to Ngoma PZ, MV 1 ad. 26 July 20 km north of Werda CAB

BATELEUR Terathopius ecaudatus All records of this species are of interest. Records should include number of birds seen. Please if putting a list on Botswana Tickbird remember to put how many birds you have seen.

No. Birds Date Location Obs. 1 1 - 4 Nov 1923D1 RH 2 5 Nov Farm 102, Hainaveld (2023C4) DS 1 10 Nov Savuti Marsh ED 1 15 Nov Khama Rhino Sanctuary OG 1 19 Nov Kasane Forest Reserve Extension MV 1725C3 1 26 Nov Gumare MK 1 26 Nov Thakadu Camp, Ghanzi DC 1 ad. 27 Nov NW of Oliphant’s Drift 2426B1 CAB 2 27 Nov Vumbera Plains (1922B1) SD 1 30 Nov Mabutsane TWL 1 ad. 23 Dec Lake Xau CAB 3 (pair + 1 26 Dec Khao (1822D3) CAB imm.) 1 imm. 28 Dec S of Okwa Valley in 2221B4 CAB 3 21 Jan Chobe N.P. PZ 2012 1 26 Jan Linyanti Riverfront (1823B4) MB 3 31 Jan Savuti MB 2 31 Jan Zwei Zwei road, Chobe N.P. 1824C2 GB, MB 2 1 Feb Rhino Vlei, Chobe N.P. 1824C1 GB, MB 2 1 Feb Savuti Marsh (1824C1) MB 1 3 Feb Chobe River in 1724D4 GB, MB 2 5 Feb Xigera in Okavango Delta MGG 3 5 Feb Bottle Pan 1825C1 MV 1 11 Feb Kazungula industrial area 1725C4 PZ 1 11 Feb Etsha 6 PM

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a No. Birds Date Location Obs. 2 11 Feb Kang RM 2 18 Feb Seronga MTe 1 imm. 19 Feb NW of Olifant’s Drift in 2426B1 CAB 1 26 Feb Sibuyu Forest Reserve (1825D2) DH 1 26 Feb Gope road at Khutse (2324B3) JG 1 27 Feb Thakadu Camp, Ghanzi DC 2 28 Feb Farm 150NK, Ghanzi Block (2121D3) CW 1 4 Mar Mmadinare AT 1 24 Mar Mabutsane TWL 5 24 Mar Sehitwa to Gumare ST 3 26 Mar Moremi G.R. ST 6 26 Mar Gumare south ST 4 (2 ad. 2 5 Apr Khutse G.R. CAB imm.) 1 3 Apr Khama Rhino Sanctuary HH 1 6 Apr Boteti valley near Khumaga HH 4 5 Apr Pandamtenga Military Camp Madeda Jnr. 1 11 Apr Khang Pan 2323D4 CAB 3(2 ad., 1 30 April Khutse 1 Pan, Khutse G.R. IW imm.) 1 16 June Lesoma valley MV 1 imm. 21 July W of Kokotsa in 2422D4 CAB 4 ad. and 4 21-23 July Mabuasahube CAB imm. (est.) 2 ad. 23 July In 2521D along SW boundary of KTP CAB 2 (1 ad., 1 25 July Lower Nossob Valley (2620B) CAB imm.) 1 30 July Lake Xai CAB 2 21 July Chobe River between Kasane and PZ, MV et Ngoma al. 1 7 Aug Khumaga Ben 1 10 Aug Moremi G.R. Ben 2 10 Aug Khwai North Ben

LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE Aquila Seen by the Okavango River and near Palapye in Nov 2011 (JC).

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012

BOOTED EAGLE Hieraatus pennatus One was seen over Commerce Park, Gaborone at 16h00 on 14 Nov and again the following morning over Gaborone (CAB, IW). One was at Xai Xai (1921C4) on 21 Nov (JGa)

LIZARD BUZZARD Kaupifalco monogrammicus A pair bred at Farm 50, Pandamatenga in Nov 2011 (DH). One at the Lion Park near Gaborone on 3 June was well outside its normal range (CAB, MGG, BLB).

BLACK SPARROWHAWK Accipter melanoleucus One at Otse on 15 Mar, being mobbed by a Lanner (CAB)

PALLID HARRIER Circus macrourus An adult male was seen at Xorodumo Pan on 22 Dec (CAB). Three were reported from Chobe N.P. on 21 Jan (PZ).

JACKAL BUZZARD Buteo rufofuscus One adult, lower Nossob valley, 2620B2, on 25 July (CAB)

LESSER KESTREL Falco naumanni Four, Makgadikgadi Pans N.P., 2024B4, 23 Dec 2011 (CAB).

AMUR FALCON Falco amurensis One at Kasane Airport on 28 Feb (LF)

EURASIAN HOBBY Falco subbuteo One was at Khao (1822D3), S of Gunitsuga, on 25 Dec 2011 (CAB) and one in the KTP at Dikbaardskolk, Nossob Valley, in first week of March 2012 (per TH).

BLACK HERON Egretta ardesiaca Four were at Lake Xau on 23 Dec 2011 (CAB) and seven at Shashe Dam on 26 Jan (NB, BvM). A flock of 58 was seen in Savuti Marsh on 28 Jan (GB, MB) and 15 were at Bokaa Dam on 6 Feb (CAB).

SLATY EGRET Egretta vinaceigula Eleven were seen along 15km of Savuti eastern road on 27 Oct (GB & MB), one at Savuti Marsh on 10 Nov (ED), two at Vumbera Plains (1922B1) on 27 Nov (SD), one on 26 Dec at Khao (1822D1) (CAB), four at Xigera on 11 Feb (MGG) and four at Hunda Island (1922A4) on 27 Feb (MKys). One was seen on the Linyanti in Chobe N.P. on 26 Jan and four at Savuti Marsh on 28 Jan (GB, MB). One was seen along the Chobe River between Ihaha and Ngoma on 21 July (PZ, MV et al.).

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a Three were noted from a canoe in the Selinda Concession (PZ) and 11 at Savuti Marsh on 13 July (GB, MB).

YELLOW-BILLED EGRET Egretta intermedia One was seen at Mogobane Dam on 2 July (DG, MGG, HH) and five were at Lake Xau on 31 July (CAB).

BLACK STORK Ciconia nigra Ten were seen at Mashatu G.R. on 15 Feb (BN), one at Mokolodi Nature Reserve on 25 Feb (JDay), one at Ntlhantlhe on 17 May, one at Metsemaswaane River, Notwane on 18 July (CAB) and one at Otse on 14 July (DCh).

WOOLLY-NECKED STORK Ciconia episcopus One at Savuti Marsh on 26 Oct (MB) and one at Vumbera Plains (1922B1) on 27 Nov (SD).Three were seen at Pandamatenga Farm 50 on 29 Nov 2011 (DH) and three on 28 Jan 2012 in Savuti Marsh (GB, MB). One was also seen in the KTP at Dikbaardskolk (2520D1) in the Nossob valley, just across the border in South Africa, on 7 Dec 2011 (per TH).

SADDLE-BILLED STORK Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis Away from the Okavango stronghold two were at Kazungula ferry (1725C4) on 25 Sept 2011 (JM), two at Mashatu G.R. on 15 Feb (BN) and one at Lake Xau on 30 July (CAB). Four were along the Chobe between Kasane and Ngoma on 21 July (PZ, MV et al.), 23 in Savuti Marsh on 12 July and one at the Old Airfield Pans in Savuti on 13th (GB, MB). Five were at Letsibogo Dam on 20 July (DWNP).

LITTLE BITTERN Ixobrychus minutes One was at Tiisa Kalahari Farm, Ghanzi Block (2121C2) on 29 Feb (KG).

LESSER FLAMINGO Phoeniconias minor 1200 were seen at Bokaa Dam on 6 May (CAB, 130 at Lake Xau on 30 July and 722 at Mogobane Dam on 2 Sept (CAB, MGG, BLB); two were on the Chobe River on 21 July (PZ, MV et al.). Some 40 were flying over Letsibogo Dam on 20 July and ca. 150 were at Shashe Dam on 23 July (DWNP). A flock of 40 flew over Matlhapeng, Maun on 11 July with more records in August when a flock flew down the Boteti past Chanoga on 24th (BG, AP). About 100 flew along the Thamalakane in Maun on 1 Sept (AH, GR). In the central Okavango at Abu and Xigera flocks were seen late Aug/early Sept of over 300 birds (TanaH).

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012

STARKS LARK Ca. 20 were on a pan near (2522D3) on 10 Apr and eight at Tswaiing Pans on 17 May. On 24 July ca. 20 were at Khiding Pan and five at Lesholoago Pan at Mabuasahube (CAB).

COLLARED PALM THRUSH Although now a familiar bird along the Chobe River, especially at Mowana Lodge, three on 27 May in a garden on Tholo Crescent in Kasane (17.81S 25.16E) was unusual (PZ).

SOUTH AFRICAN CLIFF SWALLOW Hirundo spilodera Two were at Ramotswa S.P. on 14 Nov 2011 (CAB, BP), one at Kgoro Pan on 20 Nov 2011, three at Molose Pan in Khutse G.R. on 4 Apr and one at Mogobane Dam on 2 Sept (CAB).

BROWN-THROATED MARTIN Riparia paludicola. Three were seen at Oxford Farm (2524A3) on 27 Nov 2011 (JA), one at Molose in Khutse G.R. on 4 April and one at Khanke Pan (2324A2) (CAB), five at Bokaa Dam on 6 May (BLB), three at Lobatse S.P. on 8 July and 15 at Phakalane S.P. on 18 July (CAB).

PEARL-BREASTED SWALLOW Hirundo dimidiata One at Ramotswa S.P. on 14 Nov 2011 (CAB, BP), five at Bokaa Dam on 6 May (BLB), two at Bokaa Dam on 14 July, three at Broadhurst Ponds (Tsholofelo) on 8 July, two at Bokaa Dam on 14 July and ca.15 at Phakalane S.P. on 18 July (CAB).

FAIRY FLYCATCHER Stenostira scita One was seen at Maruapula School, Gaborone on 2 July (DCh).

OLIVE-TREE WARBLER Hippolais olivetorum One was seen at Ruretse on 26 Nov 2011 (JD), two NW of Olifant’s Drift (2426B1) on 24 Nov 2011 and three there on 19 Feb 2012 and four near Ramotswa on 3 Jan 2012 (CAB).

GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin One at Ruretse on 27 Nov 2011 and 19 Feb 2012 (JD), two at Planet Baobab, Gweta on 30 Nov 2011 (CR) and one at Crocodile Pools, Notwane on 5 Jan and 11 Mar (CAB).

ORANGE-BREASTED WAXBILL Amandava subflava Ca. 20 were at Mogobane Dam on 22 April (CAB).

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a DUSKY SUNBIRD Cinnyris fuscus Two at on 24 July (IW) and a male at Mpaathutlwa Pan, Mabuasahube on 22 July (CAB).

CHESTNUT WEAVER Ploceus rubiginosus Two were reported in the KTP in the first week of March, at Union End picnic site (per TH) (Union End picnic site is a km or so from Botswana)

FERAL SPECIES Common Mynahs continue to be widely reported but a more welcome escape that has established in the wild is Rosy-faced Lovebird in Maun. A small flock has been seen there (GR) and on 29 Aug two juveniles were seen and one photographed (shown on the Maun Bird Forum) by the Thamalakane River at Disaneng (Dumela Botswana) and two came to a feeder in Mark Muller and Ali Flatt’s garden by the river in Maun on 5 Sept. On 6 Sept one was picked up injured.

Chris A. Brewster P.O.Box 2316, Gaborone & Stephanie J. Tyler, c/o BirdLife Botswana, P/Bag 003, Suite 348, Mogoditshane, Gaborone

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012

INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL SIGHTINGS

Stephanie J. Tyler and Chris A. Brewster

This section does not cover rarities but rather interesting observations of more common birds. It might report on a species seen out of its usual range or on notably large numbers of a species. Observations on breeding or feeding behaviour are also welcomed. Records are mainly from November 2011 until early September 2012.

WHITE-FACED DUCK Dendrocygna viduata The highest count was 3,424, on the Chobe River on 21 July (PZ, MV et al.).

SOUTH AFRICAN SHELDUCK Tadorna cana There was a record high count of 92 at Jwaneng S.P. on 19 Jan (MGG, DG & HH). The previous highest count was 80. Only seven were seen on 2 July after many had been killed in the year in a mass poisoning event but 54 were seen at Mogobane Dam on 2 July (MGG, DG, HH). Fewer than 10 were seen at seven other sites in SE Botswana giving a total of 89.

CAPE TEAL Anas capensis Some 70 were at Jwaneng S.P. on 19 Jan (MGG, DG & HH). Winter counts included 154 at Mogobane Dam and 174 at Ramotswa S.P. on 2 July (MGG, DG, HH, CAB).

YELLOW-BILLED DUCK Anas undulata A count of 172 was made at Bathoen Dam on 2 July (MGG, DG, HH).

SOUTHERN POCHARD Netta erythrophthalma A record high count for Mogobane Dam of 886 was made on 19 Jan (MGG, DG & HH) and another record count, for Bokaa Dam, of 1600 on 5 Feb (CAB). By July with low water levels birds had moved away with a total of only 378 from all sites counted in SE Botswana.

YELLOW-FRONTED TINKER-BIRD Pogoniulus chrysoconus Heard calling at Kopong Hills (2425B4) on 5 Feb (BLB)

GREEN WOOD-HOOPOE Phoeniculus purpureus A single bird was seen in the lower Nossob valley at Roiiputs on 25 July (CAB), south of its expected range. GIANT KINGFISHER Megaceryle maxima

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a One was seen on the Limpopo at Sunnyside Farm on 24 Feb (BLB). In the Okavango where away from the Okavango River at Shakawe they are quite scarce, one was seen at Letaka plot near Matlahapeng Bridge on 22 July and another on the same date on the Boro River near the BDF camp (GR).

In the southeast one or two birds are regular in a Ngotwane garden, being seen through the winter (HH).

WHITE-FRONTED BEE EATER Merops bullockoides One was seen at Crocodile Pools, Ngotwane on 11 May and one at Kumakwane on 10 June (CAB); both these records are outside the expected range of the species.

EUROPEAN BEE-EATER Merops apiaster Late migrants included ca. 30 birds at Maboane east of Takatokwane on 11 Apr and two flocks flying northwards at Crocodile Pools, Notwane on 15 April (CAB).

SOUTHERN CARMINE BEE-EATER Merops nubicoidess Early returning migrants were seen on the Selinda in the northern wetlands on 31 Aug (GR) . WHITE-BACKED MOUSEBIRD Colius colius Recorded W of Kokotsa (in 2422D4) on 21 July, at Mpaathutlwa Pan, Mabuasahube on 22 July and along SW boundary of KTP in 2521C4 on 23 July (CAB); these records suggest a possible range extension of this species in the southern Kalahari

LITTLE SWIFT Apus affinis Active colony at Mohembo on 24 Dec 2011 (CAB)

YELLOW-THROATED SANDGROUSE Pterocles gutturalis A flock of 60 came into drink about an hour before sunset at Maokamatshwane Dam, 12km S of Ramotswa in 2425D4 (CAB).

NAMAQUA SANDGROUSE Pterocles mamaqua An estimated 1,500 came to drink at Tswaiing Pans, along with an estimated 2,500 Burchell’s Sandgrouse Pterocles burchelli (CAB).

AFRICAN PURPLE SWAMPHEN Porphyrio porphyrio A full grown bird was preyed upon by a Verreaux’s Eagle Owl in Savuti in Dec (RDR).

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012

LESSER MOORHEN Gallinula angulata Singles were seen in January on the Okavango River near Shakawe on 13th (PH et al.) and at Savuti Marsh on 28th and four at the Gocha Hills Pans in Chobe N.P. on 2 Feb (GB, MB).

LESSER JACANA Microparra capensis The only records were of two on the Okavango River near Mohembo on 14 Jan, 27 at Lake Ngami on 21 Jan (PH et al.), four at Xigera on 5 Feb (MGG, DG) and two on the Chobe River on 21 July (PZ, MV et al.). Five were seen in the Selinda Concession in Aug (PZ).

BLACK-WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus A count of 1,160 was made at Lake Xau on 30/31 July (CAB).

PIED AVOCET Avocetta recurvirostra Four were seen in the KTP, at Kaspersdrai on 7 Dec 2011 (per TH). There were 16 at Maokamatshwane Dam (2425D4) on 21 Jan (CAB).

CASPIAN PLOVER Charadrius asiaticus There were three near Harvey’s Pan in Chobe N.P. on 25 Oct 2011 (GB & MB). Some 40 were seen at Pandamatenga Farm 50 on 5 Jan 2012 (DH).

VIOLET-TIPPED COURSER Rhinoptilus chalcopterus One was at Crocodile Pools, Notwane on 2 Feb (CAB).

COLLARED (RED-WINGED) PRATINCOLE Glareola glareola Widespread - 107 at Harveys Pans (1823C1) in Chobe N.P. on 26 Jan and 238 there on 30 Jan and 123 at Rhino Vlei, also in 1824C1, on 1 Feb (GB, MB).

GREY-HEADED GULL Larus cirrocephalus Counts included 35 at Lake Ngami on 21 Jan (PH et al.), eight at Lake Liambezi on 27 Jan (GB, MB), 11 at Bokaa Dam on 6 Feb, 13 at Lake Xau in July (CAB) and 151 along the Chobe River between Kasane and Ngoma (PZ, MV et al.). Six were at Shashe Dam on 23 July and a single at Ntimbale Dam on 24 July (DWNP).

SECRETARY BIRD Sagittarius serpentarius Records included: two at Nxai Pan on 14 Nov (Chief Tsholofelo), one east of Mahalapye (2326B2) on 14 Nov 2011 (BR), one near Gumare on 26 Nov 2011 (MK), one at Jwana Park, Jwaneng on 5 Dec (RK), two at Savuti Marsh (1824C3) on 31 Jan (MB), two at Norfolk Farm (2524A3) on 4 Feb (JA), three at Zutshwa on 25 Feb (CG), one at Matotsi, CKGR (2123B4) on 25 Feb (NP), one adult and one immature at Molose Pan, Khutse G.R. on 4 April, one east of Mabuasahube in

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a 2422C3 on 21 July, one near Tshane Tshane (2620B4) on 24 July and two near Roiiputs in lower Nossob valley on 25 July, two in Molopo valley in 2621C4 and one 20 km S of Tshabong on 26 July (CAB), one in Molopo Valley in 2622C1 on 24 July (IW) and two at Ntwetwe Pan on 8 Aug (Ben).

YELLOW-BILLED KITE Five were at Pandamatenga on 9 Nov (DH). A late record was one at landfill site south of Boatle on 8 Apr (CAB). The first noted in August were on date in Maun (GR) and an early record for SE Botswana was one on 11 Aug in Gaborone (GL).

WHITE-BACKED VULTURE Gyps africanus Two at Pandamatenga on 9 Nov (DH); 10 along Savuti eastern road in 1824A3 on 26 Oct 2011 (GB & MB), three near Katchikau in 1824A2 on 28 Oct and three singles along the Chobe River 1724 C2 on 28 Oct (GB & MB). 13 were at Farm 102, Hainaveld (2023C4) on 5 Nov (DS). Six were noted in Chobe N.P. on 21 Jan (PZ), ca. 50 at Leshibitse (2326C4) on 19 Feb (CAB), 13 at Farm 150NK (2121D3) on 28 Feb (CW).

Six were seen in Khama Rhino Sanctuary on 4 Apr and ca. 50 in the Boteti valley near Khumaga on 6 Apr (HH). On 8 Apr CAB noted two N of Kang and c70 at a carcass of a cow near the Hanahai turn off (2221B1) and one in Tshabong on 10 April. Ca. 20 at Khutse 1 Pan, Khutse G.R. on 30 Apr (IW), seven at Tswaiing Pans on 17 May, ca. 60 at Tonota on 26 May and ca. 40 at Botalaote (2027C2) on 27 May, 40 at Lesholoago Pan, Mabuasahube on 22 July, ca. 65 S of Mahalapye at Bonwapitse River (2326B3) on 29 July.

In the Lesoma Valley 48 were noted on 19 May, some breeding (MvW). Six were seen at Lake Xau in late July (CAB). On 21 July during the AfWC count along the Chobe River 113 were noted (PZ, MV et al.). Six were noted breeding at Ntwetwe Pan on 8 Aug (Ben).

AFRICAN MARSH-HARRIER Circus ranivorus One was at Shashe Dam on 26 Jan (NB, BvM).

LIZARD BUZZARD Kaupifalco monogrammicus A pair bred at Farm 50, Pandamatenga in Nov 2011 (DH). Well out of its normal range one was seen at the Lion Park near Gaborone on 3 June (CAB, MGG, BLB).

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus In the summer waterbird counts only one bird was noted, at Mogobane Dam on 19 Jan (MGG, DG & HH); in the winter six were seen at Mogobane Dam on 2 July.

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012

DWARF BITTERN Ixobrychus sturmii On 26 Jan one was seen at Pump Pans and nine at Harveys Pans within Chobe N.P. (GB, MB).

BLACK-HEADED HERON Ardea melanocephala Two at Roiiputs in lower Nossob valley on 25 July (CAB).

GREATER FLAMINGO Phoenicopterus roseus (ruber) Four were at Lake Ngami on 21 Jan (PH, KO, RP, OS) and two at Lake Liambezi on 27 Jan (GB, MB). A single was at Maun S.P. on 30 June (VWF). Some 1100 were counted at Lake Xau in late July (CAB). An unusual record was one in Savuti Marsh, south of Rhino Vlei, on 13 Aug (PS).

At Ngotwane Dam S of Gaborone six immature birds were seen in July (PT) and 18 at Mogobane Dam on 2 Sept (BLB).

In E Botswana two were at Letsibogo Dam on 20 July, ca 200 at Shashe Dam on 23 July and two at Ntimbale Dam on 24 July (DWNP).

AFRICAN SPOOBILL Platatelea alba There were 136 at Lake Xau on 30/31 July (CAB).

SACRED IBIS Threskiornis aethiopicus Ca.130 were at Broadhurst Ponds (Tsholofelo) on 8 July (CAB).

GREAT WHITE PELICAN Pelecanus onocrotalus Many pelicans were seen in the Chobe N.P. in Oct 2011: 163 near Katchikau (1824A2), 112 on Savuti Eastern road (1824A3) on 27 Oct and 59 in Savuti Marsh on 26 Oct (GB & MB). On 23 Dec there were 600 at Lake Xau and in late July 2012 ca. 1500 at this lake (CAB). Sadly some illegal shooting put paid to a breeding attempt.

There were 123 at Lake Ngami on 21 Jan (PH et al.), 15 at Lake Liambezi on 27 Jan and four on Savuti Marsh on 28 Jan (GB, MB). At Shashe Dam 21 were seen on 23 July (DWNP).

PINK-BACKED PELICAN Pelecanus rufescens Two were seen in Savuti Marsh on 27 Oct 2011 (GB & MB) and 60 at Lake Xau on 23 Dec (CAB). On 21 Jan there were three at Lake Ngami (PH, KO, OS, RP) and on 15 on 26 Jan at Shashe Dam (NB, BvM). Along the Chobe River 35 were counted between Kasane and Ngoma on 21 Jul (PZ, MV et al.). A small number

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a were reported breeding at Letsibogo Dam where 10 were counted on 20 July (DWNP).

WHITE STORK Ciconia ciconia Two were at Pandamatenga Farm 50 on 29 Nov 2011 (DH).

YELLOW-BILLED STORK Mycteria ibis In SE Botswana one was seen at Bokaa Dam on 4 Sept 2011 and one on the Metsemotlhaba River in 2425B4 on 4 Mar (HH).

BURNT-NECK EREMOMELA Eremomela usticollis Two records from the Ghanzi area, outside of the expected range of the species: present at Dqae Qare Game Farm (2121D2) on 28 Dec 2011 (CAB) and also present at Farm 150KN (2121D3) on 28 Feb 2012 (CW)

RED-FACED CISTICOLA Cisticola reythropps One was seen along Linyanti River in 1823B4 on 26 Jan (MB)

PRIRIT BATIS Batis pririt Female at Khumaga on 29 July; this is at the eastern end of the species’ distribution (via Maun Bird Forum)

SOUTHERN BOUBOU Laniarius ferrugineus One was on kopjes near Mosopa (2425C2) on 5 Aug (BLB).

RED-BREASTED SWALLOW Hirundo semirufa An early migrant was seen on the Thamalakane River in Maun on 19 Aug (MM).

LESSER STRIPED SWALLOW Hirundo abyssinica Two at Bokaa Dam on 14 July were early for summer migrants (CAB).

BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica Ca. 10 at Bokaa Dam on 6 May was a late record (BLB). One at Broadhurst Ponds (Tsholofelo) on 8 July was presumably over-wintering (CAB).

PINK-BILLED LARK Spizocorys conirostris Very common at Lake Xau on 30 to 31 July (CAB).

GREY-BACKED SPARROWLARK Eremopterix verticalis Birds were common in the dry open areas near Lake Xau on 30 to 31 July. In contrast, from 20 to 26 July, the only records in south-west Botswana were two small flocks at Lesholoago Pan on 22 July and at on 26 July (CAB).

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012

COMMON MYNAH Acridotheres tristris Seven were seen at Norfolk Farm (2524A3) on 5 Feb (JA) and two at Mosu (2125B2) on 24 February (KMash).

RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER Bubalornis niger Present at McCarthy’s Rest border post ((2622B1) on 28 Jan (CAB); this record represents a southerly extension of the known range of this species.

AFRICAN Ortygospiza atricollis Ca. 100 were at Ramotswa S.P. on 2 July (CAB).

AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla aguimp Two were at Kasane S.P. on 6 Nov 2011 (PZ), one at Ramotswa S.P. on 8 Jan 2012 and one at Broadhurst Ponds (Tsholofelo) on 8 July (CAB). Six were seen at Ntimbale Dam on 24 July (DWNP).

CAPE WAGTAIL Motacilla capensis One was seen at Khanke Pan (2324A2) outside of expected range on 5 April (CAB).

Unusually large numbers were noted during the winter waterbird counts in SE Botswana with 57 at Ramotswa S.P. on 2 July 10 at Jwaneng S.P, on 2 July and 50 on 14 July at Bokaa Dam (CAB, MGG, DG, HH) and smaller numbers elsewhere. Ten were at Mogobane Dam on 2 Sept (BLB).

YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava There was a record in the Nossob Valley of the KTP on 16 Nov 2011 (MW, per TH), way outside the species’ usual non-breeding areas.

BUFFY PIPIT Anthus vaalensis Common in Khutse G.R. on 4-5 Apr and from Bere (2221D4) to ((2324B3) on 9 Apr; very common along track E from Boridze Pan (2323C) on 11 Apr (CAB) and common at Khutse G.R. on 30 Apr (IW).

PLAIN-BACKED PIPIT Anthus leucophrys Three at Moreswe Pan and two at Molose Pan, Khutse G.R. on 4 Apr, two at Morwamosu Pan (2423A1) on 11 Apr (CAB)

LARKLIKE BUNTING Emberiza impetuani One on the Lokgokgotho Hills on 18 Mar (CAB): there have been very few records in SE Botswana since 2008.

REFERENCES

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a BARNES, J. & BUSHELL, B. 1989. Birds of the Gaborone area. A Checklist. Botswna Bird Club, Gaborone. BEESLEY, J.S.S. & IRVING, N.S. 1976. The status of birds of Gaborone and its surroundings. Botswana Notes and Records 8: 231-261. HOCKEY, P.A.R., DEAN, W.R.J. & RYAN, P.G. (eds). 2005. Roberts – Birds of southern Africa. The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town. TYLER, S.J. & BORELLO, W.D. 1998. Birds in the Gaborone area and where to watch them. Botswana Bird Club, Gaborone.

Stephanie J. Tyler & Chris A. Brewster, c/o BirdLife Botswana, P/Bag 003, Suite 348, Mogoditshane, Gaborone

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012

CONTRIBUTORS of B Records and interesting sightings

AF Ali Flatt KB Kirk Bygate AH Adam Hedges KG Kevin Grant AP Amber Pollock KelK Keletile Kenosi AT Agreement Tamocha KK Kgopelo Keikutwetse BG Bryan Glen KM Kobamelo Motswedi BvM Buzz von Memmerty KMash Keotshepile Mashabagole BN Bellamy Noko KMos Kebonyemodisa Mosepele BP Bram Piot KX Kerapetse Xacaane BR Boikobo Ready LF Lyn Francey CAB Chris Brewster MB Marjorie Blair CG Chapson Gabohumisiwe MGG Mike Goldsworthy CM C. Mpofu MKys Martin Kays CR Cameron Raffan MK Mothusi Karabo CW Chris Woolcott MM Mark Muller DB Doline Bridges MS Mike Soroszynski DC Douglas Chiome MT Magdaline Tshupeng DCh Dean Chalmers MTe Matota Teko DG Daphne Goldsworthy MV Mark Vandewalle DH Dean Hatty MW Mabel Whittington DS Dave Steyn NB Nicky Bousfield DWNP DWNP staff NP Nicholas Proust ED Ezekiel Dishameko OG Ompatile Galaletsang EH Ellen Hatty PD’A Peter D’Arcy GB Gavin Blair PH Pete Hancock GG Glen Geeves PM Ponego Mwamo GH Geraldine Hester PS Peace Shamuka GL Gihan Llangoon PZ Phil Zappala HH Harold Hester RH Robyn Hartley IW Ian White RK Reuben Kokole KO Ken Oake RM Ramogampi Monthusi JA Jenette Armstrong SD Simon Durres JC Jaapie Claussen ST Simon Tonge JD John Dalziel TanaH Tana Hutchings JDay Jim Dayton TH Trevor Hardaker JG Jan Graf TWL T. W. Lempuhu JGa J. Gaboiphiwe VWF Vincent W Flory JM Jen Millar ZG Zsott Gido

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a Some Breeding Records in 2011 and 2012 (all records for 2012 unless marked otherwise) Species Date Location Nest site; nest contents Obs Crested Francolin 19 Feb NW of Olifants Pair adults with 3 young, CAB Dendroperdix Drift (2426B1) circa 3 weeks old sephaena Egyptian Goose 28 Jan Mahalapye Adult with three goslings, PD’A Alopochen aegyptiaca Sewage Ponds pair with five goslings and 11 juveniles Cape Teal Anas 2 July Ramotswa S.P. Pair with 3 ducklings ca. 3 CAB capensis weeks old Cape Teal 2 July Jwaneng S.P. Pair with 9 ducklings on MGG, dam by sewage ponds HH Caspian Tern May Lake Xau At least 8 nests with adults PH, KO sitting Kittlitz’s Plover July Lake Xau 3 pairs of adults with 1 - 2 CAB C. pecuarius young Green Pigeon 10 Sep Maun Incubating on old nest of MM Treron calvus Red-eyed Dove Barn Owl Tyto alba Late Maun 3 large nestlings in owl box MM, June in garden AF Barn Owl 25 July Rooiputs Adult feeding young in a CAB nest in roof of an 'A' frame Lizard Buzzard Early Farm 50 Sitting on nest ca. 7m high DH, EH Kaupifalco Nov Pandamatenga in Mfuti tree Brachystegia monogrammicus 2011 boehmii; one or more chicks believed to have hatched by 12 Dec Martial Eagle 12 Nov Farm 50, One large nestling in nest DH, EH Polemaetus bellicosus 2011 Pandamatenga Martial Eagle 20 July West of Adult, presumably CAB Polemaetus bellicosus Jwaneng incubating, on large stick platform, c10 m above ground on electricity pylon African Finfoot 22 July Seboba Adult with one small young PZ, MV Podica senegalensis Rapids,Kasane Great Cormorant 23 July Shashe Dam 43 nests with adults present; DWNP Phalacrocorax carbo at least one nest with eggs Great Cormorant 24 July Ntimbale Dam 46 nests with eggs or chicks DWNP Phalacrocorax carbo African Darter 26 Jan Shashe Dam 19 nests with adult NB, BM Anhinga rufa incubating/ brooding and two nests each with three chicks in trees in dam

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012

Species Date Location Nest site; nest contents Obs African Darter 24 July Ntimbale Dam 12 nests, some with eggs DWNP Grey Heron End Thamalakane 7-10 nests being built; Dumela Ardea cinerea July/ River below old another small heronry Bots, Aug bridge at below Rileys bridge in MM, 2012 Matlhapeng Maun AF Rufous-bellied Heron 22 Jul Near Kubu Ca. 20 birds flew out from PZ, MV Ardeola rufiventris 2012 Lodge, Kasane nests in reeds Black-crowned Night 26 Jan Shashe Dam One nest with one live and NB, BM Heron Nycticorax 2012 one dead chick nycticorax African Paradise- 3 Jan Crocodile Pools, Three just fledged young CAB Flycatcher 2012 Notwane being fed by adult Terpsiphone viridis African Spoonbill July Lake Xau ca. 5 active nests, platforms CAB Platalea alba 2012 of sticks on dead trees, 1 - 3 m above the water African Spoonbill 20 July Letsibogo Dam At least one nest with DWNP chicks White Pelican June Lake Xau Nesting colony with eggs PH, KO Pelecanus 2012 and some small chicks (ca onocrotalus 250 pairs) abandoned after a shooting incident Meyer’s Parrot 27 June Near Sitatunga, Nesting in hole in gum pole RT Poicephalus meyeri Maun used in previous two years by Broad-billed Rollers; at least one chick Meeves Long-tailed Feb Vundumtiki Artificial nest box with SB Starling 2012 Island, three chicks Lamprotornis mevesii Okavango Delta Scarlet-chested 22 Aug Maun garden Nest-building by female VWF Sunbird observed Chalcomitra senegalensis Marico Sunbird 12 Dec Crocodile Pools, Nest attached to Acacia CAB Cinnyris mariquensis 2011 Notwane erubescens, ca. 4.5 m above ground; well-grown young calling from nest Red-headed Weaver 7 Jan Crocodile Pools, Young in nest suspended CAB Anaplectes melanops 2012 Notwane from roof predated by a Spotted Bush Snake Philothamnus semivariegatus

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a Observers: BM Buzz von Memmerty; CAB Chris Brewster; SB Steve Boyes; DD Dian Derksen, DG Daphne Goldsworthy; DWNP staff of DWNP based at Serowe; AF Ali Flatt; DH Dean Hatty; EH Ellen Hatty; HH Harold Hester; KO Ken Oake; MMG Mike Goldsworthy; MM Mark Muller; MV Mark Vandewalle; PN Pat Nurse; MS Mike Soroczynski; NB Nicky (S.J.) Bousfield; PD’A Peter D’Arcy; PZ Phil Zappala; RS Robert Smith; RT Roger Turski; SB Steve Boyes; IW Ian White, VWF Vincent Flory

Compiled by Stephanie J. Tyler and Chris Brewster

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Babbler No. 57 September 2012

Birds killed in their thousands by powerlines

In November 2011 Delegates at the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild (CMS), in Bergen, Norway adopted new guidelines on how to avoid birds being killed by power line collisions and electrocutions.

The Guidelines ‘How to Avoid or Mitigate the Impact of Electricity Power Grids on Migratory Birds in the African-Eurasian Region’ are a set of concrete recommendations for governments, power companies and conservation bodies. They are based on a major study reviewing the impacts of electricity power grids on birds in the African-Eurasian region, and how best to minimise these.

The review shows that in the African-Eurasian region alone, hundreds of thousands of birds die annually from electrocution, and tens of millions of birds from collision with power lines. For some large, slow reproducing bird species which migrate across this region, the death toll is causing population declines, and may lead to local or regional extinctions.

“Protecting birds from existing or planned power lines is a global issue and it’s vital that best practice, innovations and experience are shared”, said Leon Bennun, BirdLife International’s Director of Science. “Migratory birds ignore national boundaries, so their future depends on international action to minimise the risks caused by electricity networks that cross flyways. With major expansion of electricity infrastructure ongoing across the world, the adoption of these guidelines by CMS is very timely.”

BirdLife has a long track record in this area, with earlier guidelines compiled or supported by NABU (BirdLife Partner in Germany). BirdLife Partner organisations and were major contributors to the review and guidelines providing research, recommendations and practical mitigation meaures. For example, in South Africa, 11-15% of Ludwig’s Bustards Neotis ludwigii die annually in collisions with the growing number of power lines. Research by BirdLife South Africa’s Executive Director Mark Anderson during the early 2000s showed that every kilometre of power line in the eastern Karoo kills one Ludwig’s Bustard per year. Because of the rapid decline in population caused by these collisions, Ludwig’s Bustard was uplisted from Least Concern to Endangered in 2010.

Information provided to the review by BirdLife Finland, based on analysis of Finnish Ringing Centre data, revealed that 46% of all ringed birds that died of

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September 2012 Babbler No. 57 b a electrocution between 1980 and 2003 were Eagle Owls Bubo bubo, 22% Ural Owls Strix uralensis, and 11% Tawny Owls Strix aluco.

The review describes an EU-LIFE project launched by BSPB (BirdLife Bulgaria) in 2010 to mitigate collisions and electrocution of birds in the Bourgas wetlands area, which includes a number of Important Bird Areas. Project activities include identification of dangerous power lines within one kilometre of the lakes, and insulation of dangerous poles.

Meanwhile, BirdLife data, and tools developed by BirdLife, are being used to prepare national “conflict hotspot maps” by combining information on the national power line network, Important Bird Areas (IBAs), and data on the locations of critical sites for collision-susceptible species derived from the Critical Site Network (CSN) Tool, which was developed by BirdLife and Wetlands International as part of the UNEP-funded Wings Over Wetlands Project.

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