ISSN 1012 - 2974 1012 - ISSN September 2016

JournalBotswana of BirdLife BABBLER Number 62 Number

BABBLER No. 62 SEPTEMBER 2016 Photo: Ian White Richard Randall Photo: Richard Printing by Impression House Cover Design by: Impression House Journal Botswana of BirdLife BABBLER BIRDLIFE BOTSWANA Little Bittern Photo: Ian White

Bateleur Photo: Ian White

Schalow’s Turaco Great Crested Grebe Photo: Ian White Photo: Ian White

Partner designate of: NUMBER 62 SEPTEMBER 2016

CONTENTS

Editorial 1 Articles Changes to IUCN Red Data list 2

Maccoa Ducks at Mahalapye Sewage Ponds 3 Peter D’Arcy & Stephanie J. Tyler

More visits to Lake Xau 4 Ken Oake & Ian White

The state of Lake Ngami, February 2016 6 Grant Reed

Highlights of the July 2015 and January 2016 Waterbird Counts 8 Stephanie J. Tyler

Big Birding Day with Wilderness Safaris 13 Nic Proust

Kwapa Training Camp, May 2016 - A birders Perspective 15 John Randell

Bird observations along the Mohembo to Kwando cut-line, north-western Botswana 19 Chris A. Brewster

Ker & Downey Botswana’s Kanana heronry 27 Mark Muller & Ali Flatt

Reports from the Records Sub-committee Category A Records 33 Chris A. Brewster

Summary of Category B records September35 2016 Babbler 62 Chris A. Brewster & Stephanie J. Tyler

Interesting and unusual sightings 48 Stephanie J. Tyler & Chris A. Brewster Editorial Contributors 56

Some Breeding Records in 2014/2015/2016 I was 57sad to hear news from Pete Hancock that the heronry at Xakanaxa Stephanie J. Tyler & Chris A. Brewster Lediba was abandoned when he visited the lagoon in early September REVIEW of BIRDS OF BOTSWANA by Peter Hancock & Ingrid Weiersbye2015 . 62Not a single Yellow-billed Stork, Marabou or Purple Heron was Richard Randall nesting there; moreover there was very little Water-Fig left due to Elephants Letters Marabou Storks having64 destroyed these trees. There were some Black-crowned Night Pete Hancock Herons roosting there and although no nests were seen, Rufous-bellied Heron were almost certainly nesting in reeds. Thankfully there was better Alien Red-claw Crayfish now close to the Okavango 64 Stephanie J. Tyler news from the Kanana heronry in the Okavango Delta where Pink-backed Pelicans were nesting at the start of August as described by Mark Muller Dry pans in Chobe National Park and Ali65 Flatt. A hot fire in the area may however, have an impact that will Marjorie Blair become apparent during September. Recent Publications of Interest 67 Stephanie J. Tyler The drought has taken its toll on wetlands with Gavin and Marjorie Blair Front Cover: Amur Falcon, Photographer: Ian White and Richard Randall reporting that Savute Marsh and Channel in Chobe National Park were dry from July except for a few tiny pools. The note by Journal of BirdLife Botswana Grant Reed on Lake Ngami also shows how quickly large water bodies such as this can revert to dry lake beds. Botswana is after all, subject naturallyi to cyclical periods of wet and dry.

Depressing news from the Chobe River where Gavin and Marjorie Blair reported that netting was widespread and when the water was gone there were heaps of fishing nets left discarded and tangled up all over the floodplains and dry river courses. Birds are then caught up in the nets and drown when the water returns. The Blairs collected and took to the dump as much discarded fishing net as they could but fishermen need to be more responsible. Marjorie in a letter also comments on the lack of pumping in pans in Chobe National Park.

Chris Brewster provides much of interest in his report of his trip along the Botswana/Namibia border fence east of Mohembo. Also of interest were aerial surveys over the Kafue Flats in Zambia by the International Crane Foundation for Wattled Cranes. In April 2015 the ICF estimated a population of 2,300 birds, the largest population in the world. Around 3,000 were noted there in the 1970s but numbers then declined. With an estimated 2,000 Wattled Cranes on the Lliuwa Plains and 1,200 in Bangweulu Swamp, Zambia holds 25% of this species of crane in Africa.

The summer of 2015/2016 was an excellent season for Spotted Crakes with birds turning up in South Africa but also at Phakalane sewage ponds and in the wetland at Gaborone Game Reserve. The most bizarre new bird species recorded in Botswana was a Great Frigate-bird at Gaghoo Diamond Mine on the north-east boundary of the CKGR in early December.

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September 2016 Babbler No. 62 BirdLife Botswana Donors and Sponsors 2014- Listed Alphabetically (P5000 or more and significant in-kind support) African Bird Club, And Beyond, Bergstan Africa, BirdLife International, BotAsh (Pty) Ltd, Boteti Council’s Physical Planning Unit, Boteti District Administration, Boteti sub-Land Board, Canon Botswana, Chobe Holdings (Chobe Game Lodge), Chobezi, CKGR Research, Debswana Diamond Co. (Jwaneng and Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines), Department of Environmental Affairs, Department of National Museums and Monuments, Department of Tourism, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Desert and Delta Safaris, Drotsky’s Cabins, Embassy of the United States of America in Botswana, European Union, FedEx Express, Forest Conservation Botswana, Global Environment Facility, Global Environment Facility/Small Grant Programme (GEF/SGP), Goldsworthy, Mike and Daphne Hester, Gerddine and Harold Hoisting Solutions who founded The Crane Fund Island Safaris, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Kalahari Kavango Safari Co., Kalahari Tours, Magnum Freight (Pty) Ltd, Bob and Doreen McColaugh, Ngamiland Adventure Safaris, Okavango Wilderness Safaris, Planet Baobab, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Safari and Guide Services, Serendipity B & B, Stewart Scott International, Warwick Tarboton, Tuli Safari Lodge, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Conservation Union (IUCN), Ian White.

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Babbler No. 62 September 2016

Editorial

I was sad to hear news from Pete Hancock that the heronry at Xakanaxa Lediba was abandoned when he visited the lagoon in early September 2015. Not a single Yellow-billed Stork, Marabou or Purple Heron was nesting there; moreover there was very little Water-Fig left due to Elephants having destroyed these trees. There were some Black-crowned Night Herons roosting there and although no nests were seen, Rufous-bellied Heron were almost certainly nesting in reeds. Thankfully there was better news from the Kanana heronry in the Okavango Delta where Pink-backed Pelicans were nesting at the start of August as described by Mark Muller and Ali Flatt. A hot fire in the area may however, have an impact that will become apparent during September.

The drought has taken its toll on wetlands with Gavin and Marjorie Blair and Richard Randall reporting that Savute Marsh and Channel in Chobe National Park were dry from July except for a few tiny pools. The note by Grant Reed on Lake Ngami also shows how quickly large water bodies such as this can revert to dry lake beds. Botswana is after all, subject naturally to cyclical periods of wet and dry.

Depressing news from the Chobe River where Gavin and Marjorie Blair reported that netting was widespread and when the water was gone there were heaps of fishing nets left discarded and tangled up all over the floodplains and dry river courses. Birds are then caught up in the nets and drown when the water returns. The Blairs collected and took to the dump as much discarded fishing net as they could but fishermen need to be more responsible. Marjorie in a letter also comments on the lack of pumping in pans in Chobe National Park.

Chris Brewster provides much of interest in his report of his trip along the Botswana/Namibia border fence east of Mohembo. Also of interest were aerial surveys over the Kafue Flats in Zambia by the International Crane Foundation for Wattled Cranes. In April 2015 the ICF estimated a population of 2,300 birds, the largest population in the world. Around 3,000 were noted there in the 1970s but numbers then declined. With an estimated 2,000 Wattled Cranes on the Lliuwa Plains and 1,200 in Bangweulu Swamp, Zambia holds 25% of this species of crane in Africa.

The summer of 2015/2016 was an excellent season for Spotted Crakes with birds turning up in South Africa but also at Phakalane sewage ponds and in the wetland at Gaborone Game Reserve. The most bizarre new bird species recorded in Botswana was a Great Frigate-bird at Gaghoo Diamond Mine on the north-east boundary of the CKGR in early December.

1 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 1 Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62 I apologise for several mistakes in the last issue of Babbler but the most Maccoa Duck at Mahalapye Sewage Ponds notable was attributing the photos of landscape in the Orava region of Slovakia and of the nest and Lesser Spotted Eagle chick in Slovakia to Peter D'Arcy and Stephanie J. Tyler Gavin and Marjorie Blair. These photos were in fact taken by researcher Dusan Karaska. The Blairs took the photos of the bird within Botswana. In Botswana Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa congregate at wetlands, especially sewage ponds, when not breeding. Sometimes small flocks are Thanks to Doreen McColaugh and Harold Hester for their help in editing found too at dams as at Bokaa and Moshupa. However, when small and finishing this issue of Babbler. seasonal pans fill with water pairs of Maccoa Duck move to these to breed and birds are then much more widely distributed. Stephanie Tyler (Editor) The Maccoa Duck is regarded as a threatened species in Africa and an Changes to IUCN Red Data list International Species Action Planning Workshop was held in South Africa in March 2005 with an African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement Species Action The table below shows changes between 2014 and 2015 in the status of Plan then prepared. Threats are mainly in its East African range and in nine species that occur in Botswana either as resident or as migrant South Africa whilst in Botswana it appears relatively safe. However, mass species. BirdLife International provides data to the International Union for die-offs of birds as quite recently occurred at Jwaneng Sewage Ponds the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to produce the Red Data list of bird (S.P.) due to possible botulism are very worrying (Harold Hester and Mike species. Goldsworthy, pers. comm.).

For only one species – European Roller - has the threat been down- Phakalane S.P. was the best known site to see large numbers of Maccoa graded. The other eight species are now believed to be more threatened Duck in the 1990s. There was a summer peak of 101 birds in January 1993 than previously. Two waders have moved from Least Concern to Near- whilst winter numbers were generally higher with counts of over 200 in July threatened. The other species apart from the Palaearctic migrant Steppe 2006 and 2007 and one huge count of 444 in July 1993. However, as the Eagle are all vultures. The reasons for the vultures’ demise, notably ponds matured and fish became established, Maccoa numbers poisoning, will be well-known to members of BirdLife Botswana. All five dramatically declined after 1998 and none have been seen since 2001 species in Botswana are now considered Endangered or Critically except for two in July 2003 and in July 2009 (Tyler 2011). Endangered, the highest level of threat. Jwaneng S. P. also regularly supported good numbers from 1991 to 2008 Species 2014 2015 with a peak summer count of 106 birds in 2004 and a peak winter count of Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit LC NT 44 in July 2007 but numbers subsequently fell markedly, with only counts of single figures in the six most recent years apart from one count of 15 in Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper LC NT January 2013 (H. Hester and Mike and Daphne Goldsworthy, in Tyler Trigonoceps occipitalis White-headed Vulture VU CR 2011). Necrosyrtes monachus Hooded Vulture EN CR Gyps africanus White-backed Vulture EN CR Counts began at Mahalapye Sewage Ponds in 2010 and since then these Gyps coprotheres Cape Vulture VU EN ponds have shown a good concentration of birds in both the summer and Torgos tracheliotos Lappet-faced Vulture VU EN winter months.

Aquila nipalensis Steppe Eagle LC EN Table 1. Counts of Maccoa Duck at Mahalapye sewage ponds Coracias garrulous European Roller NT LC Jan M F ? sex Total July M F ? sex Total LC Least Concern; NT Near Threatened; VU Vulnerable; EN Endangered; 2010 2010 ? ? 0 17 CR Critically Endangered. 2011 ? ? 20 2011 4 7 0 11 2012 20 15 0 35 2012 12 7 0 19 2013 2013 33 33 0 66

2014 4 8 0 2014 28 25 0 2 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a 12 53

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Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016 I apologise for several mistakes in the last issue of Babbler but the most Maccoa Duck at Mahalapye Sewage Ponds notable was attributing the photos of landscape in the Orava region of Slovakia and of the nest and Lesser Spotted Eagle chick in Slovakia to Peter D'Arcy and Stephanie J. Tyler Gavin and Marjorie Blair. These photos were in fact taken by researcher Dusan Karaska. The Blairs took the photos of the bird within Botswana. In Botswana Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa congregate at wetlands, especially sewage ponds, when not breeding. Sometimes small flocks are Thanks to Doreen McColaugh and Harold Hester for their help in editing found too at dams as at Bokaa and Moshupa. However, when small and finishing this issue of Babbler. seasonal pans fill with water pairs of Maccoa Duck move to these to breed and birds are then much more widely distributed. Stephanie Tyler (Editor) The Maccoa Duck is regarded as a threatened species in Africa and an Changes to IUCN Red Data list International Species Action Planning Workshop was held in South Africa in March 2005 with an African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement Species Action The table below shows changes between 2014 and 2015 in the status of Plan then prepared. Threats are mainly in its East African range and in nine species that occur in Botswana either as resident or as migrant South Africa whilst in Botswana it appears relatively safe. However, mass species. BirdLife International provides data to the International Union for die-offs of birds as quite recently occurred at Jwaneng Sewage Ponds the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to produce the Red Data list of bird (S.P.) due to possible botulism are very worrying (Harold Hester and Mike species. Goldsworthy, pers. comm.).

For only one species – European Roller - has the threat been down- Phakalane S.P. was the best known site to see large numbers of Maccoa graded. The other eight species are now believed to be more threatened Duck in the 1990s. There was a summer peak of 101 birds in January 1993 than previously. Two waders have moved from Least Concern to Near- whilst winter numbers were generally higher with counts of over 200 in July threatened. The other species apart from the Palaearctic migrant Steppe 2006 and 2007 and one huge count of 444 in July 1993. However, as the Eagle are all vultures. The reasons for the vultures’ demise, notably ponds matured and fish became established, Maccoa numbers poisoning, will be well-known to members of BirdLife Botswana. All five dramatically declined after 1998 and none have been seen since 2001 species in Botswana are now considered Endangered or Critically except for two in July 2003 and in July 2009 (Tyler 2011). Endangered, the highest level of threat. Jwaneng S. P. also regularly supported good numbers from 1991 to 2008 Species 2014 2015 with a peak summer count of 106 birds in 2004 and a peak winter count of Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit LC NT 44 in July 2007 but numbers subsequently fell markedly, with only counts of single figures in the six most recent years apart from one count of 15 in Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper LC NT January 2013 (H. Hester and Mike and Daphne Goldsworthy, in Tyler Trigonoceps occipitalis White-headed Vulture VU CR 2011). Necrosyrtes monachus Hooded Vulture EN CR Gyps africanus White-backed Vulture EN CR Counts began at Mahalapye Sewage Ponds in 2010 and since then these Gyps coprotheres Cape Vulture VU EN ponds have shown a good concentration of birds in both the summer and Torgos tracheliotos Lappet-faced Vulture VU EN winter months.

Aquila nipalensis Steppe Eagle LC EN Table 1. Counts of Maccoa Duck at Mahalapye sewage ponds Coracias garrulous European Roller NT LC Jan M F ? sex Total July M F ? sex Total LC Least Concern; NT Near Threatened; VU Vulnerable; EN Endangered; 2010 2010 ? ? 0 17 CR Critically Endangered. 2011 ? ? 20 2011 4 7 0 11 2012 20 15 0 35 2012 12 7 0 19 2013 2013 33 33 0 66

2014 4 8 0 2014 28 25 0 2 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a 12 53

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2015 34 24 10 68 2015 37 40 0 77 and White-winged Terns Chlidonias leucopterus and more numerous Are similar numbers present at Palapye sewage ponds? We simply do not Whiskered Terns C. hybridus were over the lake. know but if there is anyone near Palapye who would be willing to try to visit One Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus and a male Greater Painted the site and make a count of waterbirds then that would be very useful. Snipe Rostratula benghalensis were also seen, whilst a Rufous-cheeked Nightjar Caprimulgus rufigena was heard at camp. In the morning hundreds of Burchell’s Sandgrouse Pterocles burchelli and some Namaqua REFERENCES Sandgrouse P. namaqua flew in to drink at the lake edge.

Tyler, S.J. 2011. A review of waterbird counts in Botswana 1991-2010 Ken noted a number of raptors by the lake - four Lappet-faced Torgos tracheliotos and many White-backed Vultures Gyps africanus at a carcass, Editor: All records of Maccoa Duck would be welcomed from anywhere in two Tawny Eagles Aquila rapax, a Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus, one Botswana, though they mainly have a south-eastern and eastern Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus and five Montagu’s Harriers (three males and two females) Circus pygargus. Ken also found the nest of a Cape distribution. Do you know of a site presently not covered by the bi-annual Penduline Tit Anthoscopus minutus in nearby scrub; one Pied Crow Corvus waterbird counts that holds Maccoa Ducks? albus completed his bird list.

More visits to Lake Xau On 7/8 November 2015 Ian White visited Lake Xau to take photographs. Although he did not make specific counts of birds he estimated there to be On 24 October 2015 Ken Oake drove from Maun to one shore of Lake Xau roughly 30-40 Greater Flamingos, 10-20 Great White Pelicans, 30+ and camped there overnight. He noted four Great White Pelicans Collared Pratincoles spread out over a large area at the edge of the lake, Pelecanus onocrotalus, hundreds of Lesser Flamingos Phoeniconaias three Chestnut-banded Plovers and up to 15 Whiskered Terns. Of note minor, ca. 100 Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus ruber and many were two small groups of Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus; these breeding Collared Pratincoles Pratincola glareola, some with eggs, others comprised two and three birds. There was also a pair of African Marsh with chicks. Grey Herons Ardea cinerea were frequent and a few African Harriers Circus ranivorus as well as three Montagu’s and a Pallid Harrier C. Darters Anhinga rufa, Reed Cormorants Phalacrocorax africanus, Great macrourus and a single Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori and Secretary Bird Egrets Egretta alba and Little Egrets E. garzetta were present. Sagittarius serpentarius.

Waterfowl included hundreds of Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha and Editor Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiacus, numerous Hottentot A. hottenta and Cape Teal A. capensis and small numbers of Fulvous Duck Dendrocygna bicolor, White-faced Duck D. viduata, Spur-winged Geese Plectropterus gambensis and Cape Shoveler Anas smithii. A few African Jacana Actophilornis africana were noted.

Other species present in good numbers included both Blacksmith Vanellus armatus and Crowned Lapwings V. coronatus, Chestnut-banded Charadrius pallidus and Kittlitz’s Plovers C. pecuarius, Greenshank Tringa nebularia, Marsh Sandpipers T. stagnatalis, Little Stint Calidris minuta, Curlew Sandpipers C. ferruginea and Ruff Philomachus pugnax. There were also ‘quite a few’ African Spoonbills Platalea alba, Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinella, Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus and Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula. A few Grey-headed Gulls Larus cirrocephalus

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Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016

2015 34 24 10 68 2015 37 40 0 77 and White-winged Terns Chlidonias leucopterus and more numerous Are similar numbers present at Palapye sewage ponds? We simply do not Whiskered Terns C. hybridus were over the lake. know but if there is anyone near Palapye who would be willing to try to visit One Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus and a male Greater Painted the site and make a count of waterbirds then that would be very useful. Snipe Rostratula benghalensis were also seen, whilst a Rufous-cheeked Nightjar Caprimulgus rufigena was heard at camp. In the morning hundreds of Burchell’s Sandgrouse Pterocles burchelli and some Namaqua REFERENCES Sandgrouse P. namaqua flew in to drink at the lake edge.

Tyler, S.J. 2011. A review of waterbird counts in Botswana 1991-2010 Ken noted a number of raptors by the lake - four Lappet-faced Torgos tracheliotos and many White-backed Vultures Gyps africanus at a carcass, Editor: All records of Maccoa Duck would be welcomed from anywhere in two Tawny Eagles Aquila rapax, a Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus, one Botswana, though they mainly have a south-eastern and eastern Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus and five Montagu’s Harriers (three males and two females) Circus pygargus. Ken also found the nest of a Cape distribution. Do you know of a site presently not covered by the bi-annual Penduline Tit Anthoscopus minutus in nearby scrub; one Pied Crow Corvus waterbird counts that holds Maccoa Ducks? albus completed his bird list.

More visits to Lake Xau On 7/8 November 2015 Ian White visited Lake Xau to take photographs. Although he did not make specific counts of birds he estimated there to be On 24 October 2015 Ken Oake drove from Maun to one shore of Lake Xau roughly 30-40 Greater Flamingos, 10-20 Great White Pelicans, 30+ and camped there overnight. He noted four Great White Pelicans Collared Pratincoles spread out over a large area at the edge of the lake, Pelecanus onocrotalus, hundreds of Lesser Flamingos Phoeniconaias three Chestnut-banded Plovers and up to 15 Whiskered Terns. Of note minor, ca. 100 Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus ruber and many were two small groups of Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus; these breeding Collared Pratincoles Pratincola glareola, some with eggs, others comprised two and three birds. There was also a pair of African Marsh with chicks. Grey Herons Ardea cinerea were frequent and a few African Harriers Circus ranivorus as well as three Montagu’s and a Pallid Harrier C. Darters Anhinga rufa, Reed Cormorants Phalacrocorax africanus, Great macrourus and a single Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori and Secretary Bird Egrets Egretta alba and Little Egrets E. garzetta were present. Sagittarius serpentarius.

Waterfowl included hundreds of Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha and Editor Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiacus, numerous Hottentot A. hottenta and Cape Teal A. capensis and small numbers of Fulvous Duck Dendrocygna bicolor, White-faced Duck D. viduata, Spur-winged Geese Plectropterus gambensis and Cape Shoveler Anas smithii. A few African Jacana Actophilornis africana were noted.

Other species present in good numbers included both Blacksmith Vanellus armatus and Crowned Lapwings V. coronatus, Chestnut-banded Charadrius pallidus and Kittlitz’s Plovers C. pecuarius, Greenshank Tringa nebularia, Marsh Sandpipers T. stagnatalis, Little Stint Calidris minuta, Curlew Sandpipers C. ferruginea and Ruff Philomachus pugnax. There were also ‘quite a few’ African Spoonbills Platalea alba, Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinella, Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus and Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula. A few Grey-headed Gulls Larus cirrocephalus

Wattled Crane - CNP - Savuti - Botswana Photo: Gavin Blair 4 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

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The State of Lake Ngami, February 2016 Given the above conditions it is impossible to even begin to estimate the numbers of birds on the lake in February. Where we were able to access Grant Reed the water we found good numbers of Great White Pelecanus oocrotalus and Pink-backed Pelicans P. rufescens, Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconais I had the privilege of spending a week on the shores of Lake Ngami on a minor and White-breasted Cormorants Phalacrocorax lucidus. There are combined birding and bird ringing course from 8 to 13 February 2016. The huge numbers of breeding Whiskered Terns Chlidonias hybrida and non- lake has been changing from the day it started receiving water again from breeding White-winged Tern C. leucopterus. What has become the Khunyere River 10 years ago and now with the receding waters the conspicuous in their absence are the very low numbers of ducks (anatids). changes are as marked and dramatic as they were with the rising water. In 2008 there was an estimated 25,000 Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhycha loafing in one massive group that spanned several kilometres of the north- From a habitat point of view over more than a million trees drowned in the eastern shore. We counted less than 15 during this week. filling of the lake and many of the great Umbrella Thorn Acacia tortillis forests were lost along the lake shore. Gradually over years of being Having been at the lake for a similar period the same time last year White- inundated aquatic vegetation including large beds of bulrush Typha fronted Plovers Charadrius marginatus were also conspicuous by their australis developed. The rapidly receding water has left most of these reed absence. Last year they were recorded in good numbers daily and this year beds exposed to grazing by the drought-stricken cattle. Access to the lake- not a single bird was seen. There were good numbers of Greenshank shore in most areas is not possible by vehicle because of the masses of Tringa nebularia, Marsh Sandpiper T. stagnatilis, Wood Sandpiper T. dead and fallen Umbrella Thorn trees but there is fairly easy access both glareola and Ruff Philomachus pugnax, low numbers of Little Stint Calidris on the northern and southern shores to within a 200 m walk of the water’s minuta and no Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea. I am sure if we could have edge. The receding water has left a thin crust of dry mud that can be worked more of the shore we would have found more but with access as deceptive and even where possible you need to be cautious approaching difficult as it was we spent a good amount of time ringing the ever present the lake by vehicle due to the black cotton soil. woodland birds.

The other major factor in habitat change is the massive increase in cattle Raptors were scarce with the only migrant being Common Steppe Buzzard numbers over the past decade compounded by the recent El Nino driven Buteo buteo vulpinus. We had no rain at all and it had been dry for the drought. Where the lake shore was once a mass of long grasses, sedges week before. I am sure that had there have been a storm we would have and forbs it is now a heavily overgrazed open plain resulting in a massive seen good migrant raptors. drop in numbers of Marsh Owl Asio capensis, African Crake Crecopsis egregia, Harlequin Quails Coturnix delegorguei and other such species. With the lake drying at the rate it is, it is very likely that unobstructed These birds have been replaced by good numbers of Western Yellow access around the lake will be possible by June for a short period as the Wagtails Motacilla flava, African Anthus cinnamomeus and Plain-backed water dries up beyond the old treeline. However, this will be a narrow Pipits A. leucophrys (and a yet to be confirmed sighting of a Mountain Pipit window before the next flood pushes back in to the skeleton woodland of A.hoeschi), Dusky Larks Pinarocorys nigricans and Collared Pratincoles fallen Umbrella Thorns. With 2016 expected to be hotter and drier than Glareola pratincola. I investigated several suspicious pratincoles that 2015 it is very likely that thousands more domestic animals will perish looked as if they were coming off nests but I found no eggs. There were again this year along the lake-shore and when the good rains come again chicks most of which were at least a month or older (mostly over 2 months) the vegetation will recover to some extent. and there was little evidence of any younger birds. However, there were many hundreds of young birds around that I would bet were born on the Grant Reed, Letaka Safaris Maun lake shore. I also looked for evidence of the Kittlitz’s Plovers Charadrius Email: [email protected] pecuarius doing their egg-covering dance but again found no evidence of nesting or young chicks.

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Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016

The State of Lake Ngami, February 2016 Given the above conditions it is impossible to even begin to estimate the numbers of birds on the lake in February. Where we were able to access Grant Reed the water we found good numbers of Great White Pelecanus oocrotalus and Pink-backed Pelicans P. rufescens, Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconais I had the privilege of spending a week on the shores of Lake Ngami on a minor and White-breasted Cormorants Phalacrocorax lucidus. There are combined birding and bird ringing course from 8 to 13 February 2016. The huge numbers of breeding Whiskered Terns Chlidonias hybrida and non- lake has been changing from the day it started receiving water again from breeding White-winged Tern C. leucopterus. What has become the Khunyere River 10 years ago and now with the receding waters the conspicuous in their absence are the very low numbers of ducks (anatids). changes are as marked and dramatic as they were with the rising water. In 2008 there was an estimated 25,000 Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhycha loafing in one massive group that spanned several kilometres of the north- From a habitat point of view over more than a million trees drowned in the eastern shore. We counted less than 15 during this week. filling of the lake and many of the great Umbrella Thorn Acacia tortillis forests were lost along the lake shore. Gradually over years of being Having been at the lake for a similar period the same time last year White- inundated aquatic vegetation including large beds of bulrush Typha fronted Plovers Charadrius marginatus were also conspicuous by their australis developed. The rapidly receding water has left most of these reed absence. Last year they were recorded in good numbers daily and this year beds exposed to grazing by the drought-stricken cattle. Access to the lake- not a single bird was seen. There were good numbers of Greenshank shore in most areas is not possible by vehicle because of the masses of Tringa nebularia, Marsh Sandpiper T. stagnatilis, Wood Sandpiper T. dead and fallen Umbrella Thorn trees but there is fairly easy access both glareola and Ruff Philomachus pugnax, low numbers of Little Stint Calidris on the northern and southern shores to within a 200 m walk of the water’s minuta and no Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea. I am sure if we could have edge. The receding water has left a thin crust of dry mud that can be worked more of the shore we would have found more but with access as deceptive and even where possible you need to be cautious approaching difficult as it was we spent a good amount of time ringing the ever present the lake by vehicle due to the black cotton soil. woodland birds.

The other major factor in habitat change is the massive increase in cattle Raptors were scarce with the only migrant being Common Steppe Buzzard numbers over the past decade compounded by the recent El Nino driven Buteo buteo vulpinus. We had no rain at all and it had been dry for the drought. Where the lake shore was once a mass of long grasses, sedges week before. I am sure that had there have been a storm we would have and forbs it is now a heavily overgrazed open plain resulting in a massive seen good migrant raptors. drop in numbers of Marsh Owl Asio capensis, African Crake Crecopsis egregia, Harlequin Quails Coturnix delegorguei and other such species. With the lake drying at the rate it is, it is very likely that unobstructed These birds have been replaced by good numbers of Western Yellow access around the lake will be possible by June for a short period as the Wagtails Motacilla flava, African Anthus cinnamomeus and Plain-backed water dries up beyond the old treeline. However, this will be a narrow Pipits A. leucophrys (and a yet to be confirmed sighting of a Mountain Pipit window before the next flood pushes back in to the skeleton woodland of A.hoeschi), Dusky Larks Pinarocorys nigricans and Collared Pratincoles fallen Umbrella Thorns. With 2016 expected to be hotter and drier than Glareola pratincola. I investigated several suspicious pratincoles that 2015 it is very likely that thousands more domestic animals will perish looked as if they were coming off nests but I found no eggs. There were again this year along the lake-shore and when the good rains come again chicks most of which were at least a month or older (mostly over 2 months) the vegetation will recover to some extent. and there was little evidence of any younger birds. However, there were many hundreds of young birds around that I would bet were born on the Grant Reed, Letaka Safaris Maun lake shore. I also looked for evidence of the Kittlitz’s Plovers Charadrius Email: [email protected] pecuarius doing their egg-covering dance but again found no evidence of nesting or young chicks.

6 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

Journal of BirdLife Botswana 77

September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler 62 September 2016

September 2016 Babbler No. 62 Table 1. Counts in Botswana in July 2015 (Total number of waterbirds Highlights of the July 2015 and January 2016 counted with number of species in parentheses) Waterbird Counts No. No. No. No. Stephanie J. Tyler Birds Species Birds Species Southeast 4,507 44 Phakalane S.P. N.C. July 2015 dry season waterbird counts Botswana Bathoen Dam 69 8 Ramotswa S.P. 480 11 In north-east Botswana Gavin and Marjorie Blair counted waterbirds at a Bokaa Dam 1901 26 Thagale Dam N.C. dozen pans in Chobe N.P. as well as along a section of the Linyanti River, Broadhurst S.P/ 370 21 the Chobe River at Lake Liambezi and Savute Marsh and Channel. Most of Gaborone GR the pans were dry or were less than 30% full and Blacksmith and Crowned Gaborone Dam N.C. Northeast 2069 33 Lapwings dominated the birds present. Savuti Marsh was dry with only a Botswana little water in the Channel. The Lake Liambezi area yielded 348 White Gamoleele Dam N.C. Savuti Channel 67 12 Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus, 939 African Openbills Anastomus Jwaneng S.P. 113 11 Savuti Marsh 1 1 lamelligerus and 24 Yellow-billed Storks Mycteria ibis. Seven Long-toed Dry Lapwings Vanellus crassirostris and five Wattled Lapwings V. senegallus Lobatse S.P. 723 19 Linyanti River 151 20 were seen on the Linyanti. Mahalapye S.P. 532 20 Lake Liambezi 1720 20

Sadly no counts were received for the Okavango Delta or the Mogobane Dam 203 20 Chobe N.P. pans 130 5 Makgadikgadi Pans. Moshupa Dam 116 15

In southeast Botswana there was good cover of the various dams and sewage ponds by Mike and Daphne Goldsworthy, Harold Hester, Chris Wet season January 2016 Brewster and Peter D’Arcy. Numbers generally were much lower than usual for July because of the drought and consequent very low water levels Northern wetlands in dams. There were no special highlights except perhaps 10 Great Although visits were made to Lake Xau and to Lake Ngami, counts per se Crested Grebes Podiceps cristatus at Mogobane Dam, 20 Maccoa Ducks were not possible but see notes on these sites elsewhere in this issue. Oxyura maccoa at Bokaa Dam and an incredible 77 Maccoa Duck at Mahalapye S.P.. The four most numerous species were Blacksmith Visits were made by Gavin and Marjorie Blair to their usual sites in north- Lapwings Vanellus armatus (615), Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha east Botswana as well as along the Chobe River between the old entrance (583), White-faced Duck Dendrocygna viduata (568) and Little Grebe gate and Ngoma Bridge but they were unable to carry out counts until late Tachybaptus ruficollis (565). February and early March. Savuti Marsh and Channel were dry apart from two small pools in the Channel and the Linyanti and Liambezi sites were drier than in previous counts. Nevertheless a grand total of just over 6,000 birds were seen. Some highlights in north-eastern Botswana were over 200 Woolly-necked Storks Ciconia episcopus, four African Crakes Crecopsis egregia, 25 White-fronted Plovers Charadrius marginatus, two Pallid Harriers Circus macrourus and scattered small flocks of Black-winged Pratincoles Glareola nordmanni.

Southeast Botswana An impressive total of 11,117 waterbirds of 68 species was counted at the various dams, pans and sewage ponds in the Gaborone area (see Table 2 below) in January and early February. If Sojwe and Shadishadi counts in March are included the total rises to 11,390 birds of 69 species. Species

with the highest counts were White-faced Duck (1,594), White-winged 8 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

9 8 Journal of BirdLife Botswana

September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler 62 September 2016

Babbler No. 62 September 2016 Table 1. Counts in Botswana in July 2015 (Total number of waterbirds Highlights of the July 2015 and January 2016 counted with number of species in parentheses) Waterbird Counts No. No. No. No. Stephanie J. Tyler Birds Species Birds Species Southeast 4,507 44 Phakalane S.P. N.C. July 2015 dry season waterbird counts Botswana Bathoen Dam 69 8 Ramotswa S.P. 480 11 In north-east Botswana Gavin and Marjorie Blair counted waterbirds at a Bokaa Dam 1901 26 Thagale Dam N.C. dozen pans in Chobe N.P. as well as along a section of the Linyanti River, Broadhurst S.P/ 370 21 the Chobe River at Lake Liambezi and Savute Marsh and Channel. Most of Gaborone GR the pans were dry or were less than 30% full and Blacksmith and Crowned Gaborone Dam N.C. Northeast 2069 33 Lapwings dominated the birds present. Savuti Marsh was dry with only a Botswana little water in the Channel. The Lake Liambezi area yielded 348 White Gamoleele Dam N.C. Savuti Channel 67 12 Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus, 939 African Openbills Anastomus Jwaneng S.P. 113 11 Savuti Marsh 1 1 lamelligerus and 24 Yellow-billed Storks Mycteria ibis. Seven Long-toed Dry Lapwings Vanellus crassirostris and five Wattled Lapwings V. senegallus Lobatse S.P. 723 19 Linyanti River 151 20 were seen on the Linyanti. Mahalapye S.P. 532 20 Lake Liambezi 1720 20

Sadly no counts were received for the Okavango Delta or the Mogobane Dam 203 20 Chobe N.P. pans 130 5 Makgadikgadi Pans. Moshupa Dam 116 15

In southeast Botswana there was good cover of the various dams and sewage ponds by Mike and Daphne Goldsworthy, Harold Hester, Chris Wet season January 2016 Brewster and Peter D’Arcy. Numbers generally were much lower than usual for July because of the drought and consequent very low water levels Northern wetlands in dams. There were no special highlights except perhaps 10 Great Although visits were made to Lake Xau and to Lake Ngami, counts per se Crested Grebes Podiceps cristatus at Mogobane Dam, 20 Maccoa Ducks were not possible but see notes on these sites elsewhere in this issue. Oxyura maccoa at Bokaa Dam and an incredible 77 Maccoa Duck at Mahalapye S.P.. The four most numerous species were Blacksmith Visits were made by Gavin and Marjorie Blair to their usual sites in north- Lapwings Vanellus armatus (615), Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha east Botswana as well as along the Chobe River between the old entrance (583), White-faced Duck Dendrocygna viduata (568) and Little Grebe gate and Ngoma Bridge but they were unable to carry out counts until late Tachybaptus ruficollis (565). February and early March. Savuti Marsh and Channel were dry apart from two small pools in the Channel and the Linyanti and Liambezi sites were drier than in previous counts. Nevertheless a grand total of just over 6,000 birds were seen. Some highlights in north-eastern Botswana were over 200 Woolly-necked Storks Ciconia episcopus, four African Crakes Crecopsis egregia, 25 White-fronted Plovers Charadrius marginatus, two Pallid Harriers Circus macrourus and scattered small flocks of Black-winged Pratincoles Glareola nordmanni.

Southeast Botswana An impressive total of 11,117 waterbirds of 68 species was counted at the various dams, pans and sewage ponds in the Gaborone area (see Table 2 below) in January and early February. If Sojwe and Shadishadi counts in March are included the total rises to 11,390 birds of 69 species. Species

with the highest counts were White-faced Duck (1,594), White-winged 8 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

9 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 9

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

Terns Chlidonias leucopterus (963), Ruff Philomachus pugnax (867) and at Gaborone Game Reserve as well as an immature Allen’s Gallinule Red-billed Teal (840). Porphyrio alleni, African Crake, African Rail Rallus caerulescens and Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis. The sewage ponds at Broadhurst are used for supplying grey water to households/agriculture and Despite the drought both Bokaa and Thagale Dams were between 40% the first two ponds were very disturbed with trucks pumping water and and 50% full. However, some invasive alien plant was rampant along the there were no visible birds due to this activity. Birds were found on the shores of both these dams reducing the area available for birds. At Bokaa a more northerly ponds but the easterly ponds were completely dry. A real Yellow-billed Egret Egretta intermedia, four Yellow-billed Storks, 17 Ringed highlight at the ponds was a flock of about 700 White-winged Terns. Plovers Charadrius hiaticula, a Black-winged Pratincole, 300 Lesser

Flamingos Phoeniconias minor and 212 Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus Kgoro Pan near Goodhope at the start of February also surprisingly held ruber were among the notable species and there were almost 1200 water and 18 White Storks Ciconia ciconia and five Abdim’s Storks C. waterfowl. Gaborone Dam was low, only 5% full, but there were good abdimii were among the waterbirds seen. numbers of a range of species including single Purple Ardea purpurea and Goliath Herons A. goliath, 18 Yellow-billed Storks, 92 Greater and 24 Lesser Flamingos and five Fulvous Duck Dendrocygna bicolor. Table 2. Counts of waterbirds at sites in Botswana, January to March 2016

Both Moshupa and Mogobane Dams were full and at Mogobane a small No. No. No. No. nesting colony of Black-headed Herons Ardea melanocephala and Black- Birds Species Birds Species crowned Night-herons Nycticorax nycticorax was active in reeds at the Southeast 11,117 68 Southeast inflow end. Botswana Botswana Bathoen Dam 42 9 Ramotswa S.P. 620 21 Ramotswa Sewage Ponds were suffering from a lack of sewage! Several Bokaa Dam 2,460 35 Broadhurst S.P/ 1,281 25 ponds were dry and others very shallow because pumps had broken and Gaborone GR raw sewage was being discharged directly into the Ngotwane River and Gaborone Dam 1,956 38 Shadishadi Pan 95 8 hence downriver into Ngotwane and Gaborone Dams. Bird numbers were Gamoleele Dam Sojwe Pan 172 20 quite low but of note were small numbers of both species of flamingo (76 Glan Valley pan 618 17 Tswaiing Pans 33 5 Greater and 60 Lesser) and 180 Black-winged Stilts Himantopus Kgoro Pan 510 26 Thagale Dam 322 20 himantopus, a new summer maximum for the site for stilts. Jwaneng S.P. 494 19 Lobatse S.P. 1,103 25 Chobe area 6,031 58 By contrast Lobatse Sewage Ponds were quite productive. Species with Mahalapye S.P. Chobe River 3,453 45 the highest numbers included Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma Mogobane Dam 894 27 Liambezi area 480 10 (300) and Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata (169) whilst 20 Wattled Mokolodi N.R. Linyanti 276 30 Lapwings were of interest because this is the only regular site for the Moshupa Dam 104 11 Savute Ch/Marsh 14 7 species in south-east Botswana. Nnywane Dam Chobe N.P. pans 1,806 32

In early February counts were made at Phakalane and Broadhurst Phakalane S.P. 391 33 (Tsholofelo) sewage ponds, a small pan 500m south of Phakalane amid Glen Valley farms and at Gaborone Game Reserve adjacent to Broadhurst N.B. The count at Twsaiing Pans was in November 2015 and the counts at ponds. Phakalane was largely dry except for the upper two ponds but four Sojwe and Shadishadi Pans and in the north east (Chobe area) were in late Black Egrets Egretta ardesiaca, a Sanderling Calidris alba and a Black- February/early March. tailed Godwit Limosa limosa were seen (on 17 March following rain, Purple Swamphens Porphyrio porphyrio and a Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus Chris Brewster reported that Sojwe, Lephepe and Shadi Shadi had 118 mm were seen at the ponds); in late January to mid-February at least three of rain on the night of 25 February 2016. This heavy rain filled the pans with Spotted Crakes Porzana porzana were seen at these ponds and up to two water right into the trees around Shadishadi Pan on 29 February. Counts on the 29th were quite low (10 waterbirds of 3 species at Shadishadi, 24 of

7 species at Lephephe Pan and 106 of nine species at Sojwe Pan) but by 8 March many more appeared at Shadishadi and Sojwe Pans with highlights 10 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

11 10 Journal of BirdLife Botswana

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016

Terns Chlidonias leucopterus (963), Ruff Philomachus pugnax (867) and at Gaborone Game Reserve as well as an immature Allen’s Gallinule Red-billed Teal (840). Porphyrio alleni, African Crake, African Rail Rallus caerulescens and Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis. The sewage ponds at Broadhurst are used for supplying grey water to households/agriculture and Despite the drought both Bokaa and Thagale Dams were between 40% the first two ponds were very disturbed with trucks pumping water and and 50% full. However, some invasive alien plant was rampant along the there were no visible birds due to this activity. Birds were found on the shores of both these dams reducing the area available for birds. At Bokaa a more northerly ponds but the easterly ponds were completely dry. A real Yellow-billed Egret Egretta intermedia, four Yellow-billed Storks, 17 Ringed highlight at the ponds was a flock of about 700 White-winged Terns. Plovers Charadrius hiaticula, a Black-winged Pratincole, 300 Lesser

Flamingos Phoeniconias minor and 212 Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus Kgoro Pan near Goodhope at the start of February also surprisingly held ruber were among the notable species and there were almost 1200 water and 18 White Storks Ciconia ciconia and five Abdim’s Storks C. waterfowl. Gaborone Dam was low, only 5% full, but there were good abdimii were among the waterbirds seen. numbers of a range of species including single Purple Ardea purpurea and Goliath Herons A. goliath, 18 Yellow-billed Storks, 92 Greater and 24 Lesser Flamingos and five Fulvous Duck Dendrocygna bicolor. Table 2. Counts of waterbirds at sites in Botswana, January to March 2016

Both Moshupa and Mogobane Dams were full and at Mogobane a small No. No. No. No. nesting colony of Black-headed Herons Ardea melanocephala and Black- Birds Species Birds Species crowned Night-herons Nycticorax nycticorax was active in reeds at the Southeast 11,117 68 Southeast inflow end. Botswana Botswana Bathoen Dam 42 9 Ramotswa S.P. 620 21 Ramotswa Sewage Ponds were suffering from a lack of sewage! Several Bokaa Dam 2,460 35 Broadhurst S.P/ 1,281 25 ponds were dry and others very shallow because pumps had broken and Gaborone GR raw sewage was being discharged directly into the Ngotwane River and Gaborone Dam 1,956 38 Shadishadi Pan 95 8 hence downriver into Ngotwane and Gaborone Dams. Bird numbers were Gamoleele Dam Sojwe Pan 172 20 quite low but of note were small numbers of both species of flamingo (76 Glan Valley pan 618 17 Tswaiing Pans 33 5 Greater and 60 Lesser) and 180 Black-winged Stilts Himantopus Kgoro Pan 510 26 Thagale Dam 322 20 himantopus, a new summer maximum for the site for stilts. Jwaneng S.P. 494 19 Lobatse S.P. 1,103 25 Chobe area 6,031 58 By contrast Lobatse Sewage Ponds were quite productive. Species with Mahalapye S.P. Chobe River 3,453 45 the highest numbers included Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma Mogobane Dam 894 27 Liambezi area 480 10 (300) and Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata (169) whilst 20 Wattled Mokolodi N.R. Linyanti 276 30 Lapwings were of interest because this is the only regular site for the Moshupa Dam 104 11 Savute Ch/Marsh 14 7 species in south-east Botswana. Nnywane Dam Chobe N.P. pans 1,806 32

In early February counts were made at Phakalane and Broadhurst Phakalane S.P. 391 33 (Tsholofelo) sewage ponds, a small pan 500m south of Phakalane amid Glen Valley farms and at Gaborone Game Reserve adjacent to Broadhurst N.B. The count at Twsaiing Pans was in November 2015 and the counts at ponds. Phakalane was largely dry except for the upper two ponds but four Sojwe and Shadishadi Pans and in the north east (Chobe area) were in late Black Egrets Egretta ardesiaca, a Sanderling Calidris alba and a Black- February/early March. tailed Godwit Limosa limosa were seen (on 17 March following rain, Purple Swamphens Porphyrio porphyrio and a Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus Chris Brewster reported that Sojwe, Lephepe and Shadi Shadi had 118 mm were seen at the ponds); in late January to mid-February at least three of rain on the night of 25 February 2016. This heavy rain filled the pans with Spotted Crakes Porzana porzana were seen at these ponds and up to two water right into the trees around Shadishadi Pan on 29 February. Counts on the 29th were quite low (10 waterbirds of 3 species at Shadishadi, 24 of

7 species at Lephephe Pan and 106 of nine species at Sojwe Pan) but by 8 March many more appeared at Shadishadi and Sojwe Pans with highlights 10 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

11 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 11

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

being two and six Black-necked Grebes Podiceps nigricollis respectively at Big Birding Day with Wilderness Safaris these two pans and six Maccoa Ducks at Sojwe Pan. Later in March Chris counted 10 and 12 Black-necked Grebes at Sojwe and Shadishadi Pans Nic Proust and ten Maccoa Ducks and six White-backed Ducks Thalassornis leuconotus at Sojwe Pan. Guests and staff of Okavango Wilderness Safaris took part in Big Birding New Volunteers Day. Nineteen teams across the various camps and concessions had a day It would be excellent if new volunteers could take on a wetland site even for out counting how many species of bird they could find. “With Wilderness one or two January and July counts. Many important sites were not Safaris having started out as a birding safari company back in the 1980s, it covered in either season in the Okavango Delta such as stretches of the made sense to once again have a day where we could focus on Okavango River in the Panhandle, the three heronry lagoons along the appreciating the beauty and diversity of all the birds around us, so we Maunachira River, the Thamalakane River in Maun and the Boteti River cleaned our binos and dusted off our bird books and had a thoroughly and transects between South Gate, Third Bridge, Fourth Bridge and enjoyable day out! On top of this we contacted BirdLife Botswana and they Xakanaxa. No counts came from Nata Delta to Sua Spit nor from the were eager to get involved with our competition realising that we could beautiful outlying pans such as Rysana, Mokubilo and Mea Pans – all well provide some good findings. worth a visit. Some small wetlands near Gaborone such as Mokolodi Dam also need regular coverage. The competition started at 5am and ended at 11pm and some diehard teams birded the whole day, continuing into the dark hours hoping to find If YOU can help in any of these areas then please get in touch with me. It is some owls and nightjars. Teams operated out of the Linyanti, Mombo, not a huge commitment and can be very rewarding. Xigera, Abu, Chitabe, Vumbura and Kalahari Plains areas and we even had two teams from the Maun office! In all we counted an incredible 273 bird I am most grateful to the few faithful volunteers who did do the counts as species across all areas in this 18 hour period. Kalahari Plains camp only noted above: Gavin and Marjorie Blair, Chris Brewster, Peter D’Arcy, Mike recorded 67 species but about one third of the species recorded there were and Daphne Goldsworthy and Harold Hester. If anybody would like to see not seen anywhere else. the counts for individual sites these are available from me. Almost all teams recorded close to the ‘100 species mark’. The winning Stephanie Tyler – Co-ordinator of waterbird counts in Botswana for guest team was accompanied by their excellent explorations guide and Wetlands International and BLB : [email protected] host combination, Thuto Moutloatse and Olivia O’Reilly. They, with their eight guests amassed 107 species and cleverly made the most of birding in both the Vumbura and Chitabe areas on the same day. They were followed by guide BT with his three guests who saw 96 species while operating out of Abu camp and the third place team was Mombo guide Sevara, who with Map Ives and their guest team did well to get to 95 species.

Management teams did very well too and first place went to the explorations team comprised of four well known guides, namely Francis, Richard, Brooks and Alex. They did brilliantly to reach 115 species and a combination of their birding expertise and great knowledge of the Maun area showed us that Maun is an incredible destination for birding. The second placed position belonged to the “Linyanti Longclaws” who birded all the way down the Linyanti Swamp. Comprised of team members Quest, Alco, Kang, Deon and Nic they got a great 110 species. The third placed team was Wax, Tapera, Lesh, Gideon and MP operating out of Xigera who Spotted Crake got a fantastic 106 birds from this water camp while BB, Lesh and Jay Photo: Ian White made a great ton (100), birding out of Chitabe!

12 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

12 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 13

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016 being two and six Black-necked Grebes Podiceps nigricollis respectively at Big Birding Day with Wilderness Safaris these two pans and six Maccoa Ducks at Sojwe Pan. Later in March Chris counted 10 and 12 Black-necked Grebes at Sojwe and Shadishadi Pans Nic Proust and ten Maccoa Ducks and six White-backed Ducks Thalassornis leuconotus at Sojwe Pan. Guests and staff of Okavango Wilderness Safaris took part in Big Birding New Volunteers Day. Nineteen teams across the various camps and concessions had a day It would be excellent if new volunteers could take on a wetland site even for out counting how many species of bird they could find. “With Wilderness one or two January and July counts. Many important sites were not Safaris having started out as a birding safari company back in the 1980s, it covered in either season in the Okavango Delta such as stretches of the made sense to once again have a day where we could focus on Okavango River in the Panhandle, the three heronry lagoons along the appreciating the beauty and diversity of all the birds around us, so we Maunachira River, the Thamalakane River in Maun and the Boteti River cleaned our binos and dusted off our bird books and had a thoroughly and transects between South Gate, Third Bridge, Fourth Bridge and enjoyable day out! On top of this we contacted BirdLife Botswana and they Xakanaxa. No counts came from Nata Delta to Sua Spit nor from the were eager to get involved with our competition realising that we could beautiful outlying pans such as Rysana, Mokubilo and Mea Pans – all well provide some good findings. worth a visit. Some small wetlands near Gaborone such as Mokolodi Dam also need regular coverage. The competition started at 5am and ended at 11pm and some diehard teams birded the whole day, continuing into the dark hours hoping to find If YOU can help in any of these areas then please get in touch with me. It is some owls and nightjars. Teams operated out of the Linyanti, Mombo, not a huge commitment and can be very rewarding. Xigera, Abu, Chitabe, Vumbura and Kalahari Plains areas and we even had two teams from the Maun office! In all we counted an incredible 273 bird I am most grateful to the few faithful volunteers who did do the counts as species across all areas in this 18 hour period. Kalahari Plains camp only noted above: Gavin and Marjorie Blair, Chris Brewster, Peter D’Arcy, Mike recorded 67 species but about one third of the species recorded there were and Daphne Goldsworthy and Harold Hester. If anybody would like to see not seen anywhere else. the counts for individual sites these are available from me. Almost all teams recorded close to the ‘100 species mark’. The winning Stephanie Tyler – Co-ordinator of waterbird counts in Botswana for guest team was accompanied by their excellent explorations guide and Wetlands International and BLB : [email protected] host combination, Thuto Moutloatse and Olivia O’Reilly. They, with their eight guests amassed 107 species and cleverly made the most of birding in both the Vumbura and Chitabe areas on the same day. They were followed by guide BT with his three guests who saw 96 species while operating out of Abu camp and the third place team was Mombo guide Sevara, who with Map Ives and their guest team did well to get to 95 species.

Management teams did very well too and first place went to the explorations team comprised of four well known guides, namely Francis, Richard, Brooks and Alex. They did brilliantly to reach 115 species and a combination of their birding expertise and great knowledge of the Maun area showed us that Maun is an incredible destination for birding. The second placed position belonged to the “Linyanti Longclaws” who birded all the way down the Linyanti Swamp. Comprised of team members Quest, Alco, Kang, Deon and Nic they got a great 110 species. The third placed team was Wax, Tapera, Lesh, Gideon and MP operating out of Xigera who got a fantastic 106 birds from this water camp while BB, Lesh and Jay made a great ton (100), birding out of Chitabe!

12 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

Journal of BirdLife Botswana 1313

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

Of the 273 species recorded there were many highlights (full list available Kwapa Training Camp, May 2016 from Nic). Of note were more than 80 Kori Bustards counted from Kalahari Plain’s camp team. This is one of the most special and threatened species A birders Perspective in Southern Africa so it was fantastic to have so many recorded during this day. Apparently the team just couldn’t keep up with all the Kori Bustards on John Randell display…this was probably the greatest find of the day! Raptors showed well on this day too and there was a good presence of seed-eating birds In early May 2016 my wife and I attended an eight day “Bush Skills Course” following the recent good rains and while the likes of a couple of species of which was put together by Derek Solomon and was based at the Kwapa cuckoo were still present, it was clear that many of the migrants were Training Camp facilities of the Okavango Guiding School. already making their way back north! Species of note that were recorded were Pink-backed Pelican, Slaty Egret, Rufous bellied Heron, Wattled As my wife and I are keen and active SABAP2 atlassers I ckecked up on Crane, Lesser Jacana, Long-toed Lapwing, Temminck’s Courser, Black the pentads around the Kwapa Training Camp area and saw that no Coucal, Swamp Nightjar, Pallid Harrier, Yellow-fronted Tinker Barbet, atlassing had been done in the area. So as well as attending the course, Lesser and Greater Honeyguides, Pearl-breasted and Grey-rumped atlassing became part of our mission. Fortunately for us about 95% of the Swallows, African Golden Oriole, Rosy-throated Longclaw and many others area we would be covering, during our course, fell into one pentad including a great representation of many of Botswana’s birds of concern, (1950_2305) which made life a lot easier for us. showing once again how important these large tracts of land are for species conservation.” Kwapa Training Camp is situated about 30km west of Maun, a short two and a half to three hour drive, in the Delta and on the edge of the Kwapa Although Botswana’s birds of concern faired quite well overall we dipped on River. The camp is situated under some large riverine trees. The main tent White-backed Night Heron, Grey-crowned Crane, African Skimmer and is erected under a few large Mangosteens Garcinia livingstonei and the rest also on Pel’s Fishing Owl and Cape Vulture. of the camp is under Appleleafs Philenoptera violacea, Knobthorns Acacia nigrescens and Large fever-berries Croton megalabotrys, The vegetation in Nic subsequently amended the total, from 273 species seen across our the area has a mixture of grassland, mixed woodland, Acacia thornveld, concessions to 272 as ”we realised that a White-bellied Cessna is in fact a Mopane woodland, tree islands, riverine vegetation and flood plains. During species of aeroplane and thus does not count on this list!! Thanks to guide our stay there we came across very little surface water, only some pans, as Ebs from Chitabe camp for including it on your list and giving us a good the flood had not reached this area yet. Apart from the trees in the camp I laugh!!” saw some magnificent specimens of Jackal-berry, Diospyros mespiliformis, and Leadwoods Combretum imberbe. Nic Proust , [email protected], Private Bag 14, Maun, Botswana From a birding perspective we had a great time, recording 112 species, which we thought was pretty good as there were very few migrants and not many waterbirds.

One of the highlights from a birding perspective was going to sleep at night listening to the call of the African Scops Owl and then being rudely woken up by a pair of African Barred Owlets calling from the tree above our tent. Some nights we would hear Pearl-spotted Owlets and Barn Owls calling and in the early morning, just before sunrise, the Verraux’s Eagle-Owl could be heard grunting away in the distance. We only saw the Pearl- spotted Owlet and the African Barred Owlet. Talking about night time noises, the impala rams made a din every night, it was rutting season. The few waterbirds we saw were at pans which had very little water in them White-throated Swallow but we did see a few Grey Herons, Blacksmith Lapwings and plenty of Photo: Ian White Hamerkops, the frogs were probably concentrated in the pans and so were easy pickings. The Fish Eagles only had to wade in to catch fish. On our 14 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

15 14 Journal of BirdLife Botswana

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016

Of the 273 species recorded there were many highlights (full list available Kwapa Training Camp, May 2016 from Nic). Of note were more than 80 Kori Bustards counted from Kalahari Plain’s camp team. This is one of the most special and threatened species A birders Perspective in Southern Africa so it was fantastic to have so many recorded during this day. Apparently the team just couldn’t keep up with all the Kori Bustards on John Randell display…this was probably the greatest find of the day! Raptors showed well on this day too and there was a good presence of seed-eating birds In early May 2016 my wife and I attended an eight day “Bush Skills Course” following the recent good rains and while the likes of a couple of species of which was put together by Derek Solomon and was based at the Kwapa cuckoo were still present, it was clear that many of the migrants were Training Camp facilities of the Okavango Guiding School. already making their way back north! Species of note that were recorded were Pink-backed Pelican, Slaty Egret, Rufous bellied Heron, Wattled As my wife and I are keen and active SABAP2 atlassers I ckecked up on Crane, Lesser Jacana, Long-toed Lapwing, Temminck’s Courser, Black the pentads around the Kwapa Training Camp area and saw that no Coucal, Swamp Nightjar, Pallid Harrier, Yellow-fronted Tinker Barbet, atlassing had been done in the area. So as well as attending the course, Lesser and Greater Honeyguides, Pearl-breasted and Grey-rumped atlassing became part of our mission. Fortunately for us about 95% of the Swallows, African Golden Oriole, Rosy-throated Longclaw and many others area we would be covering, during our course, fell into one pentad including a great representation of many of Botswana’s birds of concern, (1950_2305) which made life a lot easier for us. showing once again how important these large tracts of land are for species conservation.” Kwapa Training Camp is situated about 30km west of Maun, a short two and a half to three hour drive, in the Delta and on the edge of the Kwapa Although Botswana’s birds of concern faired quite well overall we dipped on River. The camp is situated under some large riverine trees. The main tent White-backed Night Heron, Grey-crowned Crane, African Skimmer and is erected under a few large Mangosteens Garcinia livingstonei and the rest also on Pel’s Fishing Owl and Cape Vulture. of the camp is under Appleleafs Philenoptera violacea, Knobthorns Acacia nigrescens and Large fever-berries Croton megalabotrys, The vegetation in Nic subsequently amended the total, from 273 species seen across our the area has a mixture of grassland, mixed woodland, Acacia thornveld, concessions to 272 as ”we realised that a White-bellied Cessna is in fact a Mopane woodland, tree islands, riverine vegetation and flood plains. During species of aeroplane and thus does not count on this list!! Thanks to guide our stay there we came across very little surface water, only some pans, as Ebs from Chitabe camp for including it on your list and giving us a good the flood had not reached this area yet. Apart from the trees in the camp I laugh!!” saw some magnificent specimens of Jackal-berry, Diospyros mespiliformis, and Leadwoods Combretum imberbe. Nic Proust , [email protected], Private Bag 14, Maun, Botswana From a birding perspective we had a great time, recording 112 species, which we thought was pretty good as there were very few migrants and not many waterbirds.

One of the highlights from a birding perspective was going to sleep at night listening to the call of the African Scops Owl and then being rudely woken up by a pair of African Barred Owlets calling from the tree above our tent. Some nights we would hear Pearl-spotted Owlets and Barn Owls calling and in the early morning, just before sunrise, the Verraux’s Eagle-Owl could be heard grunting away in the distance. We only saw the Pearl- spotted Owlet and the African Barred Owlet. Talking about night time noises, the impala rams made a din every night, it was rutting season. The few waterbirds we saw were at pans which had very little water in them but we did see a few Grey Herons, Blacksmith Lapwings and plenty of

Hamerkops, the frogs were probably concentrated in the pans and so were easy pickings. The Fish Eagles only had to wade in to catch fish. On our 14 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

15 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 15

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

last afternoon we went walking to try and find the hippos that we heard right. Lee Guteridge, another of our course guides, said try playing the call calling every night. We did eventually locate a fairly large body of water of the Thick-billed Cuckoo which I did. The call on the Robert’s PDA was with the noisy hippos in it - about 30 of them. However, the hippos were not identical to what we were hearing. Now the frustrating part was that my wife as excited to see us as we were to see them and they were very wary of and I have never seen, or heard, a Thick-billed Cuckoo. A potential lifer our presence. Around the edge of the water we could see Yellow-billed was at hand. We followed the call for a while but saw nothing and Stork, Egyptian Goose, Red-billed Teal, Three-banded Plover and Water eventually could hear it calling from behind us. So close yet so far. On this Thick-knees but because of the hippos I could not get any close-ups of the walk we also got some good views of an African Golden Oriole. birds, only record shots for ORF purposes. Our guide did not think it was a good idea to tempt fate by getting too close to the water as the hippos were Late one afternoon returning to camp while driving through some open probably much faster on dry land than we were. Mopane scrub a Bronze-winged Courser flew across the road in front of us and landed a short distance away, staying long enough for us to identify it, On one occasion, while standing under a magnificent specimen of a before flying away. This was the first time I had seen a Bronze-winged Sausage Tree Kigelia africana on the edge of a tree island, listening to Rob Courser in flight; what a beautiful sight. Barber, one of our course guides, giving us the low down on the tree we heard, “Victor victor”. So guess what, that was the end of that talk as we all We came across quite a few strangling fig Ficus thonningii trees which looked for the Greater Honeyguide which was calling and eventually an were always full of action. The Meve’s, Burchell’s and Cape Glossy adult male with nice white ear patches and a pink bill flew into view and Starlings were particularly vocal together with African Grey and Red-billed while we were watching it we saw both a Bearded and a Bennett’s Hornbills all having a feast on the fruit. Woodpecker and then not to be outdone a Lesser Honeyguide appeared in the tree above us. We did see quite a selection of raptors including Bateleurs, Brown and Black-chested Snake Eagles, African Hawk Eagles, African Fish Eagles, As the flood plains were dry there was very little activity in these areas but Tawny and Martial Eagles and a number of African Harrier-Hawks with their we did get to hear the deep slow call of a few Coppery-tailed Coucals and distinctive white bar across the tail. At one pan we saw a Tawny Eagle we even saw one early one morning. The Senegal Coucal was also quite swoop down and try to catch a Swainson’s Spurfowl but with no luck. vocal with us seeing them mainly in the riverine vegetation. Wattled Cranes were seen and heard at least twice and on each occasion they were flying We came across a dead Kudu one morning, it appeared to have died of above the flood plains. Such a magnificent sight. natural causes as there were no signs of any wounds, and the vultures must have just found it as they had not started feeding yet. There were two One afternoon while driving through some Acacia thornveld we saw Marico White-headed and about eleven White-backed Vultures. We went back the Flycatchers with their pure white undersides, Long-billed Crombec, following day but it was all quiet with no vultures in sight. Common Scimitarbill and Swallow-tailed Bee-eaters with their distinctive and diagnostic blue forked tail. Later on during the drive our guide, Lee In the camp area there was a bird bath which was always worth watching. Guteridge, did a very good imitation of a Pearl-spotted Owlet call. Almost One day I saw a pair of Orange-breasted Bushshrikes in the bush just immediately the Fork-tail Drongos appeared as well as a Pearl-spotted beyond the bird bath and Red-billed Firefinches and Blue Waxbills were Owlet itself and this was followed by some White-crested Helmet-shrikes; it regular visitors. There was a large tree that had fallen down on the way to was amazing. our tent and this was where I regularly saw Grey-backed Camaroptera and Rattling Cisticolas, Dark-capped Bulbuls, Red-billed Spurfowls, African White-browed Scrub-robin. The White-browed Scrub-robin was interesting Grey Hornbills and Striped Kingfishers were seen and heard everywhere. in that in South Africa, where I live, the breast is quite heavily streaked but further north in the Delta area the breast is only faintly streaked. Green Another highlight for us was when we had gone out one morning on foot to Wood-hoopoes and Arrow-marked Babblers would often announce try and find the spoor of two lions which had been calling for most of the themselves long before they were seen making their noisy way through the previous night. Needless to say we did not find the lion spoor or the lions camp. When we were on foot it was a good time to see and hear a lot of but we heard a call that to me sounded like a Klaas’s Cuckoo but not quite the smaller birds. Black Cuckooshrikes were regularly seen and heard, their trilling call being very distinctive. Black-faced Waxbill, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Chinspot Batis, Little Bee-eater, Red-billed Quelea were all seen at some stage.

16 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

16 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 17

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016 last afternoon we went walking to try and find the hippos that we heard right. Lee Guteridge, another of our course guides, said try playing the call calling every night. We did eventually locate a fairly large body of water of the Thick-billed Cuckoo which I did. The call on the Robert’s PDA was with the noisy hippos in it - about 30 of them. However, the hippos were not identical to what we were hearing. Now the frustrating part was that my wife as excited to see us as we were to see them and they were very wary of and I have never seen, or heard, a Thick-billed Cuckoo. A potential lifer our presence. Around the edge of the water we could see Yellow-billed was at hand. We followed the call for a while but saw nothing and Stork, Egyptian Goose, Red-billed Teal, Three-banded Plover and Water eventually could hear it calling from behind us. So close yet so far. On this Thick-knees but because of the hippos I could not get any close-ups of the walk we also got some good views of an African Golden Oriole. birds, only record shots for ORF purposes. Our guide did not think it was a good idea to tempt fate by getting too close to the water as the hippos were Late one afternoon returning to camp while driving through some open probably much faster on dry land than we were. Mopane scrub a Bronze-winged Courser flew across the road in front of us and landed a short distance away, staying long enough for us to identify it, On one occasion, while standing under a magnificent specimen of a before flying away. This was the first time I had seen a Bronze-winged Sausage Tree Kigelia africana on the edge of a tree island, listening to Rob Courser in flight; what a beautiful sight. Barber, one of our course guides, giving us the low down on the tree we heard, “Victor victor”. So guess what, that was the end of that talk as we all We came across quite a few strangling fig Ficus thonningii trees which looked for the Greater Honeyguide which was calling and eventually an were always full of action. The Meve’s, Burchell’s and Cape Glossy adult male with nice white ear patches and a pink bill flew into view and Starlings were particularly vocal together with African Grey and Red-billed while we were watching it we saw both a Bearded and a Bennett’s Hornbills all having a feast on the fruit. Woodpecker and then not to be outdone a Lesser Honeyguide appeared in the tree above us. We did see quite a selection of raptors including Bateleurs, Brown and Black-chested Snake Eagles, African Hawk Eagles, African Fish Eagles, As the flood plains were dry there was very little activity in these areas but Tawny and Martial Eagles and a number of African Harrier-Hawks with their we did get to hear the deep slow call of a few Coppery-tailed Coucals and distinctive white bar across the tail. At one pan we saw a Tawny Eagle we even saw one early one morning. The Senegal Coucal was also quite swoop down and try to catch a Swainson’s Spurfowl but with no luck. vocal with us seeing them mainly in the riverine vegetation. Wattled Cranes were seen and heard at least twice and on each occasion they were flying We came across a dead Kudu one morning, it appeared to have died of above the flood plains. Such a magnificent sight. natural causes as there were no signs of any wounds, and the vultures must have just found it as they had not started feeding yet. There were two One afternoon while driving through some Acacia thornveld we saw Marico White-headed and about eleven White-backed Vultures. We went back the Flycatchers with their pure white undersides, Long-billed Crombec, following day but it was all quiet with no vultures in sight. Common Scimitarbill and Swallow-tailed Bee-eaters with their distinctive and diagnostic blue forked tail. Later on during the drive our guide, Lee In the camp area there was a bird bath which was always worth watching. Guteridge, did a very good imitation of a Pearl-spotted Owlet call. Almost One day I saw a pair of Orange-breasted Bushshrikes in the bush just immediately the Fork-tail Drongos appeared as well as a Pearl-spotted beyond the bird bath and Red-billed Firefinches and Blue Waxbills were Owlet itself and this was followed by some White-crested Helmet-shrikes; it regular visitors. There was a large tree that had fallen down on the way to was amazing. our tent and this was where I regularly saw Grey-backed Camaroptera and Rattling Cisticolas, Dark-capped Bulbuls, Red-billed Spurfowls, African White-browed Scrub-robin. The White-browed Scrub-robin was interesting Grey Hornbills and Striped Kingfishers were seen and heard everywhere. in that in South Africa, where I live, the breast is quite heavily streaked but further north in the Delta area the breast is only faintly streaked. Green Another highlight for us was when we had gone out one morning on foot to Wood-hoopoes and Arrow-marked Babblers would often announce try and find the spoor of two lions which had been calling for most of the themselves long before they were seen making their noisy way through the previous night. Needless to say we did not find the lion spoor or the lions camp. When we were on foot it was a good time to see and hear a lot of but we heard a call that to me sounded like a Klaas’s Cuckoo but not quite the smaller birds. Black Cuckooshrikes were regularly seen and heard, their trilling call being very distinctive. Black-faced Waxbill, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Chinspot Batis, Little Bee-eater, Red-billed Quelea were all seen at some stage.

16 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

Journal of BirdLife Botswana 1717

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

We did not see any swifts during our stay, however, on two occasions, in Bird observations along the Mohembo to Kwando cut-line, the same spot, while driving through grassland towards the northern north-western Botswana boundary of the pentad we came across a small flock of Pearl-breasted Swallows. Chris A. Brewster One afternoon, on a game drive, we came to an open area that was full of Vernonia glabra flowers and even though they were past their prime we In the north-west of the country, to the north from the Okavango Delta, and spent about 30 – 45 minutes just watching butterflies. I am not that clued also to the west of Shakawe, there are large areas of deep Kalahari sands. up on butterflies, despite years of trying. The damn things will not sit still On these Kalahari sands the predominant vegetation type is dry, deciduous long enough for me to identify them and when they do sit still they close woodland though there also more open areas with only scattered trees. their wings. We saw at least ten different species. I even managed to get Zambezi Teak Baikiaea plurijuga is the characteristic tree of this dry, some photos of the African Monarch. deciduous woodland. Where Kalahari sands are absent, such as along drainage lines and around pans, there are restricted areas of other I would love to come back to this area when the area is flooded, just the vegetation types such as Acacia woodland, mopane woodland and, along birding from the camp next to the river I am sure would be fantastic. I think I dambos (vleis), open grassland. will have to enrol on an Okavango Guiding School course some time when it is wet. To the north of the Okavango Delta is a relatively inaccessible part of Botswana. A 165 km long cut-line, from Mohembo to the Kwando River, along the border with Namibia’s Caprivi Strip does, though, provide access John Randell, [email protected] to the area. Except immediately to the east of Mohembo, where habitat is degraded from cattle and human activity, this cut-line passes through pristine natural habitat on both sides of the border.

Two birding trips were made along the cut-line, both starting and ending at Mohembo, one in December 2008 and the other in July 2016. The first trip extended as far east as a dambo about 120 km from Mohembo, whereas the second trip extended along the full length of the cut-line from Mohembo to the Kwando River. On both trips three nights were spent camping along the cut-line. Stephanie and Lindsay Tyler also made a birding trip along the cut-line in February 2008 (Tyler and Tyler, 2008)

On the first trip, in summer, in December 2008, conditions were wet; resident bird species were vocal and obtrusive while both intra-African migrants and Palaearctic migrants were common. On the second trip in July 2016 many resident bird species were much less obvious as they were not vocal, while migrants were absent. Only two pans along the cut-line still had water in July 2016, one in 1822A2 and the other near the eastern end of the cut-line in 1823A1, though birds flying north in 1822A1 indicated that there was also probably a nearby pan with water in Namibia in 1822A1. There was long grass along the length of the cut-line in July 2016, as no veld fires had taken place, though veld fires could be seen not far away in the Bwabwata National Park in Namibia’s Caprivi Strip.

Due to the absence of both Palaearctic and intra-African migrants in the dry Black Cuckooshrike season and also due to the unobtrusiveness of many resident species in Photo: Ian White the dry season, it was clearly expected that the bird observations of the two 18 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a trips would be different. However, when the bird records of the two trips

18 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 19

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016

We did not see any swifts during our stay, however, on two occasions, in Bird observations along the Mohembo to Kwando cut-line, the same spot, while driving through grassland towards the northern north-western Botswana boundary of the pentad we came across a small flock of Pearl-breasted Swallows. Chris A. Brewster One afternoon, on a game drive, we came to an open area that was full of Vernonia glabra flowers and even though they were past their prime we In the north-west of the country, to the north from the Okavango Delta, and spent about 30 – 45 minutes just watching butterflies. I am not that clued also to the west of Shakawe, there are large areas of deep Kalahari sands. up on butterflies, despite years of trying. The damn things will not sit still On these Kalahari sands the predominant vegetation type is dry, deciduous long enough for me to identify them and when they do sit still they close woodland though there also more open areas with only scattered trees. their wings. We saw at least ten different species. I even managed to get Zambezi Teak Baikiaea plurijuga is the characteristic tree of this dry, some photos of the African Monarch. deciduous woodland. Where Kalahari sands are absent, such as along drainage lines and around pans, there are restricted areas of other I would love to come back to this area when the area is flooded, just the vegetation types such as Acacia woodland, mopane woodland and, along birding from the camp next to the river I am sure would be fantastic. I think I dambos (vleis), open grassland. will have to enrol on an Okavango Guiding School course some time when it is wet. To the north of the Okavango Delta is a relatively inaccessible part of Botswana. A 165 km long cut-line, from Mohembo to the Kwando River, along the border with Namibia’s Caprivi Strip does, though, provide access John Randell, [email protected] to the area. Except immediately to the east of Mohembo, where habitat is degraded from cattle and human activity, this cut-line passes through pristine natural habitat on both sides of the border.

Two birding trips were made along the cut-line, both starting and ending at Mohembo, one in December 2008 and the other in July 2016. The first trip extended as far east as a dambo about 120 km from Mohembo, whereas the second trip extended along the full length of the cut-line from Mohembo to the Kwando River. On both trips three nights were spent camping along the cut-line. Stephanie and Lindsay Tyler also made a birding trip along the cut-line in February 2008 (Tyler and Tyler, 2008)

On the first trip, in summer, in December 2008, conditions were wet; resident bird species were vocal and obtrusive while both intra-African migrants and Palaearctic migrants were common. On the second trip in July 2016 many resident bird species were much less obvious as they were not vocal, while migrants were absent. Only two pans along the cut-line still had water in July 2016, one in 1822A2 and the other near the eastern end of the cut-line in 1823A1, though birds flying north in 1822A1 indicated that there was also probably a nearby pan with water in Namibia in 1822A1. There was long grass along the length of the cut-line in July 2016, as no veld fires had taken place, though veld fires could be seen not far away in the Bwabwata National Park in Namibia’s Caprivi Strip.

Due to the absence of both Palaearctic and intra-African migrants in the dry season and also due to the unobtrusiveness of many resident species in the dry season, it was clearly expected that the bird observations of the two 18 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a trips would be different. However, when the bird records of the two trips

Journal of BirdLife Botswana 1919

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

were compared, differences in numbers recorded of many species Strip and northern Botswana are almost all confined to the period from indicated that many species, that are not generally considered to be February to June (Wirminghaus 1997), indicating that it is migratory there. migratory, undertake movements in the dry season. Where differences in numbers between the two trips have been noticed, these differences are In December 2008 doves recorded were Cape Turtle-Dove Streptopelia discussed. A few species were recorded outside of their expected range capicola, which was very common and Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur while a few expected species were unrecorded, possibly due to their chalcospilos, which was fairly common. In July 2016 doves recorded were habitat preferences. Cape Turtle Dove, which was generally uncommon, Emerald-spotted Wood-dove, which was only recorded once, and Namaqua Dove Oena In December 2008, no Small Buttonquails Turnix sylvaticuswere were capensis, which appeared to be fairly common in the vicinity of pans that recorded but in July 2016, three were flushed from grassland at different had water, but not elsewhere. Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis locations. The three records in July 2016 possibly indicate a movement into was, surprisingly, unrecorded on both trips, indicating that it probably the area of this nomadic species. avoids the teak woodlands of northern Botswana. The difference in the status of the three dove species recorded on the two trips indicates that In December 2008 hornbill species recorded were Southern Yellow-billed they are probably undertaking movements, either of a seasonal or of a Hornbill Tockus leucomelas and African Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus, nomadic nature. It appears that Cape Turtle-Dove and possibly also which were both common, and Bradfield’s Hornbill Tockus bradieldi. In July Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, largely vacated the area in the dry season, 2016 hornbill species recorded were Yellow-billed Hornbill, which was while Namaqua Dove moved into the area. common, Bradfield’s Hornbill and Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus. Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri was also Raptors were much more evident in December 2008 compared to July recorded once, in different locations, in both December 2008 and July 2016. In December 2008, eleven Bateleurs Terathopius ecaudatus were 2016. The lack of records of Grey Hornbill in July 2016 is notable and it is seen, but none were observed in July 2016. To what extent the absence of likely to be an indication of movements undertaken by this species in this the species in July 2016 is an indication of the seasonality of occurrence of part of Botswana in the dry season. Bateleur in this part of Botswana, or of a decline in numbers of the species, is unclear. Several Dark Chanting Goshawks Melierax metabates were In December 2008 Lilac-breasted Roller Coracius caudatus was common observed in December 2008, but none were observed in July 2016, and small numbers of Purple Roller Coracius naevius and Broad-billed indicating a probable movement of this species out of the area in the dry Roller Eurystomus glaucurus, a summer migrant, were also recorded. In season. Other raptors seen in December 2008 were two Lizard Buzzards July 2016 the only roller species recorded was Lilac-breasted Roller, which Kaupifalco monogrammicus, one Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus, a was uncommon. The differences in the numbers of Purple Roller and Lilac- pair of Ovambo Sparrowhawks Accipter ovampensis, two Gabar Goshawks breasted Roller recorded on the two visits are likely to be an indication of Melierax gabar, two Shikras Accipter badius, one White-backed Vulture the movements undertaken by these two species in the dry season in this Gyps africanus, one Dickinson’s Kestrel Falco dickonsoni, several Steppe part of Botswana. Buzzards Buteo vulpinus, a small flock of Red-footed Falcons Falco vespertinus, one Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius and one Wahlberg’s The absence of Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus, a widespread Eagle Aquila wahlbergi. In July 2016 the only raptors seen were one Brown species in Botswana, on both visits was noticeable. While the area lies Snake Eagle, one African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster, one Martial within the expected distribution of the species, it is likely that, due to habitat Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus and one Ovambo Sparrowhawk. Notably, preferences, it largely avoids the teak woodlands of northern Botswana. Black-chested Snake-Eagle Circaetus pectoralis was neither seen in December 2008 and in July 2016 nor by Tyler and Tyler (2008) in February Meyer’s Parrot Poicephalus meyeri was recorded in small numbers on both 2008. visits. Grey-headed Parrot Poicephalus fuscicollis was recorded on neither visit, though Tyler and Tyler (2008) recorded a pair in February 2008. Grey- Crimson-breasted Shrike Laniarius atrococcineus was only recorded once, headed Parrot is rare species in Botswana, being only recorded in the in Acacia woodland in a dambo, in December 2008, while in July 2016 it extreme north of the country. Records of Grey-headed Parrot in the Caprivi was recorded in several locations, though always in the vicinity of Acacia woodland. This species is generally more visible in winter than in summer. It is likely that in this part of Botswana, which is at the edge of its distributional range, that this species is confined to Acacia woodland. 20 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a Black Cuckooshrike Campephaga flava was fairly common in December

21 20 Journal of BirdLife Botswana

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016 were compared, differences in numbers recorded of many species Strip and northern Botswana are almost all confined to the period from indicated that many species, that are not generally considered to be February to June (Wirminghaus 1997), indicating that it is migratory there. migratory, undertake movements in the dry season. Where differences in numbers between the two trips have been noticed, these differences are In December 2008 doves recorded were Cape Turtle-Dove Streptopelia discussed. A few species were recorded outside of their expected range capicola, which was very common and Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur while a few expected species were unrecorded, possibly due to their chalcospilos, which was fairly common. In July 2016 doves recorded were habitat preferences. Cape Turtle Dove, which was generally uncommon, Emerald-spotted Wood-dove, which was only recorded once, and Namaqua Dove Oena In December 2008, no Small Buttonquails Turnix sylvaticuswere were capensis, which appeared to be fairly common in the vicinity of pans that recorded but in July 2016, three were flushed from grassland at different had water, but not elsewhere. Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis locations. The three records in July 2016 possibly indicate a movement into was, surprisingly, unrecorded on both trips, indicating that it probably the area of this nomadic species. avoids the teak woodlands of northern Botswana. The difference in the status of the three dove species recorded on the two trips indicates that In December 2008 hornbill species recorded were Southern Yellow-billed they are probably undertaking movements, either of a seasonal or of a Hornbill Tockus leucomelas and African Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus, nomadic nature. It appears that Cape Turtle-Dove and possibly also which were both common, and Bradfield’s Hornbill Tockus bradieldi. In July Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, largely vacated the area in the dry season, 2016 hornbill species recorded were Yellow-billed Hornbill, which was while Namaqua Dove moved into the area. common, Bradfield’s Hornbill and Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus. Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri was also Raptors were much more evident in December 2008 compared to July recorded once, in different locations, in both December 2008 and July 2016. In December 2008, eleven Bateleurs Terathopius ecaudatus were 2016. The lack of records of Grey Hornbill in July 2016 is notable and it is seen, but none were observed in July 2016. To what extent the absence of likely to be an indication of movements undertaken by this species in this the species in July 2016 is an indication of the seasonality of occurrence of part of Botswana in the dry season. Bateleur in this part of Botswana, or of a decline in numbers of the species, is unclear. Several Dark Chanting Goshawks Melierax metabates were In December 2008 Lilac-breasted Roller Coracius caudatus was common observed in December 2008, but none were observed in July 2016, and small numbers of Purple Roller Coracius naevius and Broad-billed indicating a probable movement of this species out of the area in the dry Roller Eurystomus glaucurus, a summer migrant, were also recorded. In season. Other raptors seen in December 2008 were two Lizard Buzzards July 2016 the only roller species recorded was Lilac-breasted Roller, which Kaupifalco monogrammicus, one Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus, a was uncommon. The differences in the numbers of Purple Roller and Lilac- pair of Ovambo Sparrowhawks Accipter ovampensis, two Gabar Goshawks breasted Roller recorded on the two visits are likely to be an indication of Melierax gabar, two Shikras Accipter badius, one White-backed Vulture the movements undertaken by these two species in the dry season in this Gyps africanus, one Dickinson’s Kestrel Falco dickonsoni, several Steppe part of Botswana. Buzzards Buteo vulpinus, a small flock of Red-footed Falcons Falco vespertinus, one Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius and one Wahlberg’s The absence of Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus, a widespread Eagle Aquila wahlbergi. In July 2016 the only raptors seen were one Brown species in Botswana, on both visits was noticeable. While the area lies Snake Eagle, one African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster, one Martial within the expected distribution of the species, it is likely that, due to habitat Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus and one Ovambo Sparrowhawk. Notably, preferences, it largely avoids the teak woodlands of northern Botswana. Black-chested Snake-Eagle Circaetus pectoralis was neither seen in December 2008 and in July 2016 nor by Tyler and Tyler (2008) in February Meyer’s Parrot Poicephalus meyeri was recorded in small numbers on both 2008. visits. Grey-headed Parrot Poicephalus fuscicollis was recorded on neither visit, though Tyler and Tyler (2008) recorded a pair in February 2008. Grey- Crimson-breasted Shrike Laniarius atrococcineus was only recorded once, headed Parrot is rare species in Botswana, being only recorded in the in Acacia woodland in a dambo, in December 2008, while in July 2016 it extreme north of the country. Records of Grey-headed Parrot in the Caprivi was recorded in several locations, though always in the vicinity of Acacia woodland. This species is generally more visible in winter than in summer. It is likely that in this part of Botswana, which is at the edge of its distributional range, that this species is confined to Acacia woodland. 20 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a Black Cuckooshrike Campephaga flava was fairly common in December

21 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 21

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

2008 but unrecorded in July 2016, indicating that this species is migratory species than the other two cisticolas, in a dambo, indicating that this in this part of Botswana. species possibly undertakes some movements in the dry season, though it is considered to be resident throughout southern Africa by Berruti (1997). In Ashy Tit Parus cinerascens was recorded once in both December 2008 both December 2008 and July 2016, there was a single record in a dambo and July 2016, in both instances in deciduous woodland. It was also of a Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis but no records of Desert Cisticola recorded in February 2008 by Tyler and Tyler (2008). The teak woodlands Cisticola aridulus, despite being within the expected range of the species. of northern Botswana lie outside of its expected range, though it is The lack of records of Desert Cisticola is probably due to the species’ recorded in savanna to the west of the Okavango Delta (Brewster 1991). preference for short grassland rather than the tall grassland typically found However, these records indicate that there is a resident population in this on the open plains in this part of Botswana. There was a single record of a part of northern Botswana, extending its known range. This species is an calling Stierling’s Wren-Warbler Calamonastes stierlingi in 1822A1 in Acacia specialist, so its occurrence in the teak woodlands is surprising. December 2008, but this species was unrecorded in July 2016. This record extends its known range in Botswana eastwards. In December 2008 three pairs of Mosque Swallows Hirundo senegalensis were seen. In February 2008 Tyler and Tyler (2008) recorded several pairs Sharp-tailed Starling Lamprotornis acuticaudus, a species that is restricted as well as a group of eight. In July 2016 none were recorded. The lack of in Botswana to the vicinity of the teak woodlands in the north-west of the records in July 2016 is an indication that the species moves out of the area, country was recorded on both visits. In December 2008 a group of six birds at least partially, in winter. Earle (1997) suggests that there is some winter was observed in 1822A1 (Brewster 2009), while in July 2016, three groups, movement of this species out of northern Namibia and Botswana totaling about 20 birds, were seen flying over in a south-westerly direction in 1822B1. The species was also recorded in February 2008 in 1822A1 / Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor, African Red-eyed Bulbul 1822A2 by Tyler and Tyler (Brewster 2009). In December 2008 Cape Pycnonotus nigricans, Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla falviventris and Glossy Starling Lamprotornis nitens, Greater Blue-eared Starling Terrestial Brownbul Phyllastrephus terrestris were all unrecorded on both Lamprotornis chalybeus and Violet-backed Starlings Cinnyricinclus visits, though the area lies within the expected range of all four species. leucogaster were all found to be fairly common but Burchell’s Starling The lack of records indicates that these species, due to their habitat Lamprotornis australis was uncommon. In July 2016 both Cape Glossy preferences, largely avoid the teak woodlands of northern Botswana. Starling and Burchell’s Starling were uncommon, just one Violet-backed Starling was observed while Greater Blue-eared Starling was unrecorded. No babblers were recorded in December 2008, but an unobtrusive group of Violet-backed Starling is a breeding summer migrant to Botswana but a few Black-faced Babblers Turdoides malanops was recorded in the under- birds over-winter in the extreme north of the country as indicated by the storey of teak woodland in 1822A1 in July 2016. This record extends record in July 2016. The lack of records of Greater Blue-eared Starling in eastwards the known range of the species in Botswana. One Chestnut- July 2016 compared to December 2016 is an indication of movements vented Tit-Babbler Parisoma subcaereleum was recorded in Acacia undertaken by this species and it appears likely that it largely vacates the woodland in a dambo in 1822B2 in December 2008, but the species was teak woodlands in the dry season. Whether Cape Glossy Starling was less unrecorded in July 2008. This record of this species is at the edge of its numerous in the dry season due to reduced availability of surface water in distributional range and extends its known range in Botswana northwards. the dry season or to a movement out of the area is unclear.

In December 2008 both Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana and Tinkling In December 2008 both Scarlet-chested Sunbird Clalcomitra senegalensis Cisticola Cisticola rufilatus were found to be common, while Neddicky and White-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris talatala were common, Amethyst Cisticola fulvicapilla was very common. These three species are easily Sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina and Marico Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis located in summer when they are vocal but in the dry season they are more were fairly common and two Purple-banded Sunbirds Cinnyris bafasciatus difficult to locate as they are silent or much less vocal. Nevertheless in July were also seen (Brewster 2009). Additionally in February 2008 Tyler and 2016, both Tinkling Cisticola and Neddicky were located either when Tyler (2008) observed a single Shelley’s Sunbird Cinnyris shelleyi, the first flushed by the vehicle or when walking through long grass. However, in accepted record of this species for Botswana (Brewster 2009). In July 2016 July 2016 there was only one record of Rattling Cisticola, a more vocal only a single sunbird, probably a Marico Sunbird, was recorded. The difference in the numbers of sunbirds recorded on the two visits is striking and is an indication of the extent to which sunbirds move into the teak woodlands in summer and vacate them in the dry season.

22 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

22 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 23

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016

2008 but unrecorded in July 2016, indicating that this species is migratory species than the other two cisticolas, in a dambo, indicating that this in this part of Botswana. species possibly undertakes some movements in the dry season, though it is considered to be resident throughout southern Africa by Berruti (1997). In Ashy Tit Parus cinerascens was recorded once in both December 2008 both December 2008 and July 2016, there was a single record in a dambo and July 2016, in both instances in deciduous woodland. It was also of a Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis but no records of Desert Cisticola recorded in February 2008 by Tyler and Tyler (2008). The teak woodlands Cisticola aridulus, despite being within the expected range of the species. of northern Botswana lie outside of its expected range, though it is The lack of records of Desert Cisticola is probably due to the species’ recorded in savanna to the west of the Okavango Delta (Brewster 1991). preference for short grassland rather than the tall grassland typically found However, these records indicate that there is a resident population in this on the open plains in this part of Botswana. There was a single record of a part of northern Botswana, extending its known range. This species is an calling Stierling’s Wren-Warbler Calamonastes stierlingi in 1822A1 in Acacia specialist, so its occurrence in the teak woodlands is surprising. December 2008, but this species was unrecorded in July 2016. This record extends its known range in Botswana eastwards. In December 2008 three pairs of Mosque Swallows Hirundo senegalensis were seen. In February 2008 Tyler and Tyler (2008) recorded several pairs Sharp-tailed Starling Lamprotornis acuticaudus, a species that is restricted as well as a group of eight. In July 2016 none were recorded. The lack of in Botswana to the vicinity of the teak woodlands in the north-west of the records in July 2016 is an indication that the species moves out of the area, country was recorded on both visits. In December 2008 a group of six birds at least partially, in winter. Earle (1997) suggests that there is some winter was observed in 1822A1 (Brewster 2009), while in July 2016, three groups, movement of this species out of northern Namibia and Botswana totaling about 20 birds, were seen flying over in a south-westerly direction in 1822B1. The species was also recorded in February 2008 in 1822A1 / Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor, African Red-eyed Bulbul 1822A2 by Tyler and Tyler (Brewster 2009). In December 2008 Cape Pycnonotus nigricans, Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla falviventris and Glossy Starling Lamprotornis nitens, Greater Blue-eared Starling Terrestial Brownbul Phyllastrephus terrestris were all unrecorded on both Lamprotornis chalybeus and Violet-backed Starlings Cinnyricinclus visits, though the area lies within the expected range of all four species. leucogaster were all found to be fairly common but Burchell’s Starling The lack of records indicates that these species, due to their habitat Lamprotornis australis was uncommon. In July 2016 both Cape Glossy preferences, largely avoid the teak woodlands of northern Botswana. Starling and Burchell’s Starling were uncommon, just one Violet-backed Starling was observed while Greater Blue-eared Starling was unrecorded. No babblers were recorded in December 2008, but an unobtrusive group of Violet-backed Starling is a breeding summer migrant to Botswana but a few Black-faced Babblers Turdoides malanops was recorded in the under- birds over-winter in the extreme north of the country as indicated by the storey of teak woodland in 1822A1 in July 2016. This record extends record in July 2016. The lack of records of Greater Blue-eared Starling in eastwards the known range of the species in Botswana. One Chestnut- July 2016 compared to December 2016 is an indication of movements vented Tit-Babbler Parisoma subcaereleum was recorded in Acacia undertaken by this species and it appears likely that it largely vacates the woodland in a dambo in 1822B2 in December 2008, but the species was teak woodlands in the dry season. Whether Cape Glossy Starling was less unrecorded in July 2008. This record of this species is at the edge of its numerous in the dry season due to reduced availability of surface water in distributional range and extends its known range in Botswana northwards. the dry season or to a movement out of the area is unclear.

In December 2008 both Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana and Tinkling In December 2008 both Scarlet-chested Sunbird Clalcomitra senegalensis Cisticola Cisticola rufilatus were found to be common, while Neddicky and White-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris talatala were common, Amethyst Cisticola fulvicapilla was very common. These three species are easily Sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina and Marico Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis located in summer when they are vocal but in the dry season they are more were fairly common and two Purple-banded Sunbirds Cinnyris bafasciatus difficult to locate as they are silent or much less vocal. Nevertheless in July were also seen (Brewster 2009). Additionally in February 2008 Tyler and 2016, both Tinkling Cisticola and Neddicky were located either when Tyler (2008) observed a single Shelley’s Sunbird Cinnyris shelleyi, the first flushed by the vehicle or when walking through long grass. However, in accepted record of this species for Botswana (Brewster 2009). In July 2016 July 2016 there was only one record of Rattling Cisticola, a more vocal only a single sunbird, probably a Marico Sunbird, was recorded. The difference in the numbers of sunbirds recorded on the two visits is striking and is an indication of the extent to which sunbirds move into the teak woodlands in summer and vacate them in the dry season.

22 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

Journal of BirdLife Botswana 2323

September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes melanops was found to be fairly common There is apparently a great difference in the avifauna of the teak woodlands in December 2008 but unrecorded in July 2016, indicating that this species of north-western Botswana between the summer and the dry season. While undertakes some movements in the dry season. clearly both Palaearctic migrants and intra-African migrants clearly vacate these woodlands in the dry season, these observations indicate that many Violet-eared Waxbill Granatina granatina was found to be a common other species also vacate them at least partially if not wholly. There was an resident but Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis was uncommon in both indication of only two species, Small Buttonquail and Namaqua Dove December 2008 and July 2016. The latter species was recorded only in moving into the area in the dry season. dambos and in Acacia woodland but was unrecorded in the teak woodlands, indicating the habitat preferences of this species. A few Shaft- Two poorly maintained veterinary fences run along the Botswana side of tailed Whydahs Vidua regia were recorded in both December 2008 and the border for about 130 km from Mohembo to the northern end of the July 2016, though in July 2016 they were only seen when coming to drink Buffalo Fence. The border is unfenced for 35 km from the northern end of at a pan. Green-winged Pytilia Pytila melba was unrecorded in December the Buffalo Fence to the Kwando River. The main track along the border 2008 and only one pair was recorded, in Acacia woodland, in July 2016, runs inside the two fences. Immediately on the Namibian side of the border indicating the preference of the species for Acacia woodland rather than there is a well-maintained (in July 2016) track along the border. There are deciduous woodland. gates in the two fences every 20 km which give access to the Namibian track, which occasionally crosses to the Botswana side of the border. There Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus was fairly common in are two veterinary camps along the border. One, 70 km from Mohembo, December 2008 but unrecorded in July 2016, indicating that it is likely that was, in July 2016, no longer used and the other at the northern end of the this species undertakes movements in the dry season. Yellow-throated Buffalo Fence was used by the BDF. There is also a BDF camp at the end Petronia Petronia superciliaris was found to be common and widespread in of the fence close to the Kwando River. Apart from the last 35 km to the December 2008, but in July 2016 it was only recorded coming to drink at Kwando River, very few vehicles were using the cut-line and it was evident two pans; at both these pans it was common. This concentration at water in in July 2016 that only one vehicle had passed right along the cut-line in the July 2016, compared to December 2016, when it was widespread, is an past few months. There was a lot of long grass along the cut-line in July indication that the species undertakes some movements in the dry season. 2016 though it is likely that the cut-line will be cleared and graded in the near future. Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mocambicus was found to be common in both December 2008 and July 2016; it is a characteristic species of the While the cut-line can be accessed directly soon after crossing the pontoon teak woodlands. Black-throated Canary Crithagra atrugularis, in contrast, at Mohembo, it is best accessed by continuing from Mohembo to the first was unrecorded in December 2008 and only recorded once, coming to village of Kauxwi, then turning left on the road to Tobera. Immediately after drink at a pan in Acacia woodland, in July 2016; it appears that due to the settlement of Xaoxwe is passed on the Tobera road, there is a clear habitat preferences it largely avoids the teak woodlands. Golden-breasted turn to the left which leads shortly to the cut-line, joining it about 10 km east Bunting Emberiza flaviventris was fairly common in December 2008 but of Mohembo. The cut-line can also be accessed from Gudigwa along the was only recorded once, in teak woodland at the eastern end of the cut- Buffalo Fence, though this track is sandy and difficult to drive. Anyone line, in July 2016, indicating a probable movement out of the area in the dry attempted to travel along the whole cut-line will probably be refused season. permission, by the BDF, to travel along the last 35 km to the Kwando River as it is a military zone. In December 2008 three Palaearctic migrants, Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus, Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis and Spotted There are sections of well-developed teak woodland all along the cut-line Flycatcher Muscicapa striata, were all common in teak woodland. Barn but particularly fine sections of woodland are situated about 30 km east of Swallow Hirundo rustica was the only other Palaearctic migrant that was Mohembo and again about 90 km east of Mohembo. Four beautiful dambos common. Two Icterine Warblers Hippolais icterina were recorded. Only a cross the eastern part of the cut-line and are well worthy of visiting. few Red-backed Shrikes Lanius collurio, an abundant Palaearctic migrant over much of Botswana, were recorded. REFERENCES

BERRUTI, A. 1997. Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana In Atlas of southern African birds, Volume 2, Passerines. Harrison, J. A., Allan, D. G., 24 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

25 24 Journal of BirdLife Botswana

September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62 September 2016

Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes melanops was found to be fairly common There is apparently a great difference in the avifauna of the teak woodlands in December 2008 but unrecorded in July 2016, indicating that this species of north-western Botswana between the summer and the dry season. While undertakes some movements in the dry season. clearly both Palaearctic migrants and intra-African migrants clearly vacate these woodlands in the dry season, these observations indicate that many Violet-eared Waxbill Granatina granatina was found to be a common other species also vacate them at least partially if not wholly. There was an resident but Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis was uncommon in both indication of only two species, Small Buttonquail and Namaqua Dove December 2008 and July 2016. The latter species was recorded only in moving into the area in the dry season. dambos and in Acacia woodland but was unrecorded in the teak woodlands, indicating the habitat preferences of this species. A few Shaft- Two poorly maintained veterinary fences run along the Botswana side of tailed Whydahs Vidua regia were recorded in both December 2008 and the border for about 130 km from Mohembo to the northern end of the July 2016, though in July 2016 they were only seen when coming to drink Buffalo Fence. The border is unfenced for 35 km from the northern end of at a pan. Green-winged Pytilia Pytila melba was unrecorded in December the Buffalo Fence to the Kwando River. The main track along the border 2008 and only one pair was recorded, in Acacia woodland, in July 2016, runs inside the two fences. Immediately on the Namibian side of the border indicating the preference of the species for Acacia woodland rather than there is a well-maintained (in July 2016) track along the border. There are deciduous woodland. gates in the two fences every 20 km which give access to the Namibian track, which occasionally crosses to the Botswana side of the border. There Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus was fairly common in are two veterinary camps along the border. One, 70 km from Mohembo, December 2008 but unrecorded in July 2016, indicating that it is likely that was, in July 2016, no longer used and the other at the northern end of the this species undertakes movements in the dry season. Yellow-throated Buffalo Fence was used by the BDF. There is also a BDF camp at the end Petronia Petronia superciliaris was found to be common and widespread in of the fence close to the Kwando River. Apart from the last 35 km to the December 2008, but in July 2016 it was only recorded coming to drink at Kwando River, very few vehicles were using the cut-line and it was evident two pans; at both these pans it was common. This concentration at water in in July 2016 that only one vehicle had passed right along the cut-line in the July 2016, compared to December 2016, when it was widespread, is an past few months. There was a lot of long grass along the cut-line in July indication that the species undertakes some movements in the dry season. 2016 though it is likely that the cut-line will be cleared and graded in the near future. Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mocambicus was found to be common in both December 2008 and July 2016; it is a characteristic species of the While the cut-line can be accessed directly soon after crossing the pontoon teak woodlands. Black-throated Canary Crithagra atrugularis, in contrast, at Mohembo, it is best accessed by continuing from Mohembo to the first was unrecorded in December 2008 and only recorded once, coming to village of Kauxwi, then turning left on the road to Tobera. Immediately after drink at a pan in Acacia woodland, in July 2016; it appears that due to the settlement of Xaoxwe is passed on the Tobera road, there is a clear habitat preferences it largely avoids the teak woodlands. Golden-breasted turn to the left which leads shortly to the cut-line, joining it about 10 km east Bunting Emberiza flaviventris was fairly common in December 2008 but of Mohembo. The cut-line can also be accessed from Gudigwa along the was only recorded once, in teak woodland at the eastern end of the cut- Buffalo Fence, though this track is sandy and difficult to drive. Anyone line, in July 2016, indicating a probable movement out of the area in the dry attempted to travel along the whole cut-line will probably be refused season. permission, by the BDF, to travel along the last 35 km to the Kwando River as it is a military zone. In December 2008 three Palaearctic migrants, Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus, Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis and Spotted There are sections of well-developed teak woodland all along the cut-line Flycatcher Muscicapa striata, were all common in teak woodland. Barn but particularly fine sections of woodland are situated about 30 km east of Swallow Hirundo rustica was the only other Palaearctic migrant that was Mohembo and again about 90 km east of Mohembo. Four beautiful dambos common. Two Icterine Warblers Hippolais icterina were recorded. Only a cross the eastern part of the cut-line and are well worthy of visiting. few Red-backed Shrikes Lanius collurio, an abundant Palaearctic migrant over much of Botswana, were recorded. REFERENCES

BERRUTI, A. 1997. Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana In Atlas of southern African birds, Volume 2, Passerines. Harrison, J. A., Allan, D. G., 24 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

25 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 25

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

Underhill, L. G., Herremans, M., Tree, A. J., Parker, V. and Brown, C. Ker and Downey Botswana’s Kanana Heronry J. (eds). Pp 302-303. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg. 1st and 2nd August 2016 BREWSTER, C.A. 1991. Birds of the Gumare area, northern Botswana. Babbler 21 and 22: 12-61. BREWSTER, C.A. 2009. Report of the Records Subcommittee, Category A Mark Muller and Ali Flatt Records. Babbler 53: 55-57. EARLE, R.A. 1997. Mosque Swallow Hirundo senegalensis. In Atlas of 1. General Observations: southern African birds. Volume 2, Passerines. Harrison, J. A., Allan, D G., Underhill, L. G., Herremans, M., Tree, A. J., Parker, V. and Brown, On the first evening that we were taken out to the Kanana heronry at Ker C. J. (eds). Page 59. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg. and Downey’s Kanana Camp it became immediately apparent that the TYLER, S.J. and TYLER. L. 2008. Xaoxwe to Xamshiko – a birding trip vegetation lining the channel on the way up to the heronry had thinned out along the border with Namibia. Babbler 51: 59 – 61. considerably since our previous visit. This fact was probably created by:- WIRMINGHAUS, J.O. 1997. Cape Parrot Poicephalus robustus. In Atlas of i. The effects of the much drier year and smaller flood that this year southern African birds, Volume 1, Non-passerines. Harrison, J. A., had brought. Allan, D. G., Underhill, L. G., Herremans, M., Tree, A. J., Parker, V. ii. Elephant browsing impact on the Papyrus Cyperus papyrus and and . Brown, C. J. (eds). Pp 526-527. BirdLife South Africa, other vegetation that borders the channel. Johannesburg. iii. The effects of what turned out to be a very significant burn that is dealt with more fully in item 5 below. iv. We were surprised by the general lack of waterbirds that we saw Chris A. Brewster, [email protected] during this first evening excursion and virtually no birds such as darters, cormorants, white egrets etc., were seen flying into roost in the heronry and the only birds actively breeding were Pink- backed Pelicans Pelecanus rufescens. We are unable to say why there were so many fewer birds this time round. It could be that this trip took place some three months earlier than our 2012 census and the heronry had not yet started to become active and, hopefully, as the heronry starts to become more active, many birds will return to the area. On our next trip in September, we will have an extra day. A full and careful count of birds flying in will be undertaken. a. To highlight the stark difference in numbers of birds on the evening of 21 October 2012 we counted a total of 4,179 birds flying into the heronry. b. On this trip, while no count was made, I doubt that we saw a 100 birds flying in on each of the two evenings that we spent at the site. v. In spite of the much lower water levels and the burn that had taken place we were very pleased to note that the main thickets of Gomoti Water-Figs Ficus verruculosa that were being used as breeding sites in 2012 were in outstanding condition and had not been impacted, in any way, by the drier conditions or foraged on by Elephant.

Brown Throated Martin Photo: Ian White 2. Breeding Activity:

26 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

26 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 27

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016

Underhill, L. G., Herremans, M., Tree, A. J., Parker, V. and Brown, C. Ker and Downey Botswana’s Kanana Heronry J. (eds). Pp 302-303. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg. 1st and 2nd August 2016 BREWSTER, C.A. 1991. Birds of the Gumare area, northern Botswana. Babbler 21 and 22: 12-61. BREWSTER, C.A. 2009. Report of the Records Subcommittee, Category A Mark Muller and Ali Flatt Records. Babbler 53: 55-57. EARLE, R.A. 1997. Mosque Swallow Hirundo senegalensis. In Atlas of 1. General Observations: southern African birds. Volume 2, Passerines. Harrison, J. A., Allan, D G., Underhill, L. G., Herremans, M., Tree, A. J., Parker, V. and Brown, On the first evening that we were taken out to the Kanana heronry at Ker C. J. (eds). Page 59. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg. and Downey’s Kanana Camp it became immediately apparent that the TYLER, S.J. and TYLER. L. 2008. Xaoxwe to Xamshiko – a birding trip vegetation lining the channel on the way up to the heronry had thinned out along the border with Namibia. Babbler 51: 59 – 61. considerably since our previous visit. This fact was probably created by:- WIRMINGHAUS, J.O. 1997. Cape Parrot Poicephalus robustus. In Atlas of i. The effects of the much drier year and smaller flood that this year southern African birds, Volume 1, Non-passerines. Harrison, J. A., had brought. Allan, D. G., Underhill, L. G., Herremans, M., Tree, A. J., Parker, V. ii. Elephant browsing impact on the Papyrus Cyperus papyrus and and . Brown, C. J. (eds). Pp 526-527. BirdLife South Africa, other vegetation that borders the channel. Johannesburg. iii. The effects of what turned out to be a very significant burn that is dealt with more fully in item 5 below. iv. We were surprised by the general lack of waterbirds that we saw Chris A. Brewster, [email protected] during this first evening excursion and virtually no birds such as darters, cormorants, white egrets etc., were seen flying into roost in the heronry and the only birds actively breeding were Pink- backed Pelicans Pelecanus rufescens. We are unable to say why there were so many fewer birds this time round. It could be that this trip took place some three months earlier than our 2012 census and the heronry had not yet started to become active and, hopefully, as the heronry starts to become more active, many birds will return to the area. On our next trip in September, we will have an extra day. A full and careful count of birds flying in will be undertaken. a. To highlight the stark difference in numbers of birds on the evening of 21 October 2012 we counted a total of 4,179 birds flying into the heronry. b. On this trip, while no count was made, I doubt that we saw a 100 birds flying in on each of the two evenings that we spent at the site. v. In spite of the much lower water levels and the burn that had taken place we were very pleased to note that the main thickets of Gomoti Water-Figs Ficus verruculosa that were being used as breeding sites in 2012 were in outstanding condition and had not been impacted, in any way, by the drier conditions or foraged on by Elephant.

2. Breeding Activity:

26 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

Journal of BirdLife Botswana 27 27

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

The only species of birds actively engaged in breeding activities in the As we arrived at the heronry at ca. 08h30 and before we started counting Heronry were Pink-backed Pelicans. No other birds that we saw were Pink-backed Pelican numbers and nests, ca.70 pelicans were observed actually breeding and the only other signs of possible breeding activity flying out of the heronry, presumably heading out to get food. Throughout were seen when a single Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus, on a the course of the day there was a constant stream, in small numbers, of couple of occasions, was observed flying from one perch to join another pelicans flying out of and dropping back into the heronry out of thermals bird and in what was an obvious breeding display flight that I had not seen with food for the incubating birds. before. It would appear that more trees are being used for nesting this year than in In addition to the pelicans we did note, on two different occasions, a pair of our last census taken in October 2012. White-backed Duck Thassalornis leuconotus swimming with reasonably small chicks. 4. Other species:

3. Pink-backed Pelican breeding: While counting the pelican nest sites, between 09h00 and 11h00, we also made a count of all the other waterbirds seen. None of these birds were Interestingly this species was well into its breeding cycle and although we actually breeding; the results are tabled below:- observed birds mating on three or four different occasions many of the birds were already incubating eggs or brooding very small chicks. Species No. seen African Darter Anhinga rufa 9 Nine different nesting sites of Pink-backed Pelicans were found in the Reed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus 3 Heronry and these were all checked and counted carefully – we do not Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 20 believe that we missed any of breeding sites and, in total, we counted 102 Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus 2 active Pink-backed Pelican nests. Black-crowned Night Heron * Nycticorax nycticorax Ca. 100 Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis 10 Other than watching an adult pluck a tiny chick out of a nest and casually Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus 11 drop it into the bush below the nest we could not get to actually see any African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus 5 chicks so, although we could hear what we believed were pelican chicks African Spoonbill Platalea alba 3 calling, they were all being so tightly brooded by the adults that they could *The night-herons were roosting on a small Gomoti Water-fig island not be seen. and flushed when disturbed by the boat

The Pink-backed Pelican nesting sites were confined exclusively to 5. Fire: Waterberry Syzygium guineense trees and to two of the Gomoti Water-Fig

thickets – The possible loss of some of the Waterberry trees on the outer An extensive burn area had extended right up to the outer perimeter on the margins of the heronry to the fire detailed in 5 below could have an impact south-west side of the heronry. Camp staff advised us that this fire took on the breeding activity of this species and Marabou Storks, which are the place in March of this year. It must have been a very hot burn, and it has two species that seem to favour the Waterberry trees as nesting sites. seriously impacted on the vegetation in the area of the burn. Many of the

trees in this area appear to be dead or dying as the pictures below show. We have mapped the Pink-backed Pelican sites out on a screen grab of a This may well have an impact on the heronry, as one or two of the Google earth photograph. The bird numbers represent the birds that were Waterberry trees that were being used by Marabou Storks in 2012 were actually on the trees at the time and from what we could see through a badly burnt and it is doubtful that these trees will be used for breeding this spotting scope and exclude the ca.70 birds that we saw flying out as we year. arrived. A total of 142 Pelicans were seen on the nesting trees.

The Tsaro Palm Phoenix reclinata thickets were extensively burnt. However, they appear to have recovered well and appear to be able to tolerate heavy, hot burning without being killed.

Mark Muller and Ali Flatt, [email protected] 28 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

28 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 29

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016

The only species of birds actively engaged in breeding activities in the As we arrived at the heronry at ca. 08h30 and before we started counting Heronry were Pink-backed Pelicans. No other birds that we saw were Pink-backed Pelican numbers and nests, ca.70 pelicans were observed actually breeding and the only other signs of possible breeding activity flying out of the heronry, presumably heading out to get food. Throughout were seen when a single Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus, on a the course of the day there was a constant stream, in small numbers, of couple of occasions, was observed flying from one perch to join another pelicans flying out of and dropping back into the heronry out of thermals bird and in what was an obvious breeding display flight that I had not seen with food for the incubating birds. before. It would appear that more trees are being used for nesting this year than in In addition to the pelicans we did note, on two different occasions, a pair of our last census taken in October 2012. White-backed Duck Thassalornis leuconotus swimming with reasonably small chicks. 4. Other species:

3. Pink-backed Pelican breeding: While counting the pelican nest sites, between 09h00 and 11h00, we also made a count of all the other waterbirds seen. None of these birds were Interestingly this species was well into its breeding cycle and although we actually breeding; the results are tabled below:- observed birds mating on three or four different occasions many of the birds were already incubating eggs or brooding very small chicks. Species No. seen African Darter Anhinga rufa 9 Nine different nesting sites of Pink-backed Pelicans were found in the Reed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus 3 Heronry and these were all checked and counted carefully – we do not Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 20 believe that we missed any of breeding sites and, in total, we counted 102 Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus 2 active Pink-backed Pelican nests. Black-crowned Night Heron * Nycticorax nycticorax Ca. 100 Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis 10 Other than watching an adult pluck a tiny chick out of a nest and casually Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus 11 drop it into the bush below the nest we could not get to actually see any African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus 5 chicks so, although we could hear what we believed were pelican chicks African Spoonbill Platalea alba 3 calling, they were all being so tightly brooded by the adults that they could *The night-herons were roosting on a small Gomoti Water-fig island not be seen. and flushed when disturbed by the boat

The Pink-backed Pelican nesting sites were confined exclusively to 5. Fire: Waterberry Syzygium guineense trees and to two of the Gomoti Water-Fig thickets – The possible loss of some of the Waterberry trees on the outer An extensive burn area had extended right up to the outer perimeter on the margins of the heronry to the fire detailed in 5 below could have an impact south-west side of the heronry. Camp staff advised us that this fire took on the breeding activity of this species and Marabou Storks, which are the place in March of this year. It must have been a very hot burn, and it has two species that seem to favour the Waterberry trees as nesting sites. seriously impacted on the vegetation in the area of the burn. Many of the

trees in this area appear to be dead or dying as the pictures below show. We have mapped the Pink-backed Pelican sites out on a screen grab of a This may well have an impact on the heronry, as one or two of the Google earth photograph. The bird numbers represent the birds that were Waterberry trees that were being used by Marabou Storks in 2012 were actually on the trees at the time and from what we could see through a badly burnt and it is doubtful that these trees will be used for breeding this spotting scope and exclude the ca.70 birds that we saw flying out as we year. arrived. A total of 142 Pelicans were seen on the nesting trees.

The Tsaro Palm Phoenix reclinata thickets were extensively burnt. However, they appear to have recovered well and appear to be able to tolerate heavy, hot burning without being killed.

Mark Muller and Ali Flatt, [email protected] 28 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

Journal of BirdLife Botswana 2929

September 2016 Babbler No. 62

OU8A2635

Kanana Heronry, OU8A2639 Photo: Mark Muller

30 Journal of BirdLife Botswana Babbler No. 62 September 2016

ET8A9281

ET8A9262

ET8A9263 Photo: Mark Muller

Journal of BirdLife Botswana 31 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

Report from the Records Subcommittee: Category A Records

The following records were assessed by Chris A. Brewster, Andrew Hester, Richard D. Randall, Grant Reed and Stephanie J. Tyler. Records were assessed on the basis of majority votes.

Species Square Date Comments Sooty Falcon 2228B2 14.11.15 One adult flying across Falco concolor Motloutse River near Solomon’s Wall (R. Hawkins). Second accepted record for Botswana. Greater Frigatebird 2224D2 3.12.15 One adult male seen and Fregata minor and photographed at Ghaghoo 4.12.15 Mine, Central Kalahari Game Reserve (W. Richter). 0U8A2605 First accepted record for Botswana. Bearded Scrub- 2229A1 3.12.15 One seen and Robin and photographed at Shashe Cercothrichas 4.12.15 Campsite on 3.12.15; four quadrivirgata present on 4.12.15 (I. McCutcheon). First accepted record away from Chobe District. Northern Grey- 1821B4 29.12.14 Four seen and headed Sparrow photographed at filling Passer griseus station at Shakawe (P. Kleiman). First accepted record away from Chobe District.

Mountain Wagtail 2227D2 3.7.16 One seen and 0U8A2608 Motacilla clara and photographed at Moremi Photo: Mark Muller 31.7.16 Gorge (M. Webb, E. de Beer). Third accepted record for Botswana.

Chris A. Brewster, BirdLife Botswana

32 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 33

September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016

Report from the Records Subcommittee: Category A Records

The following records were assessed by Chris A. Brewster, Andrew Hester, Richard D. Randall, Grant Reed and Stephanie J. Tyler. Records were assessed on the basis of majority votes.

Species Square Date Comments Sooty Falcon 2228B2 14.11.15 One adult flying across Falco concolor Motloutse River near Solomon’s Wall (R. Hawkins). Second accepted record for Botswana. Greater Frigatebird 2224D2 3.12.15 One adult male seen and Fregata minor and photographed at Ghaghoo 4.12.15 Mine, Central Kalahari Game Reserve (W. Richter). First accepted record for Botswana. Bearded Scrub- 2229A1 3.12.15 One seen and Robin and photographed at Shashe Cercothrichas 4.12.15 Campsite on 3.12.15; four quadrivirgata present on 4.12.15 (I. McCutcheon). First accepted record away from Chobe District. Northern Grey- 1821B4 29.12.14 Four seen and headed Sparrow photographed at filling Passer griseus station at Shakawe (P. Kleiman). First accepted record away from Chobe District.

Mountain Wagtail 2227D2 3.7.16 One seen and Motacilla clara and photographed at Moremi 31.7.16 Gorge (M. Webb, E. de Beer). Third accepted record for Botswana.

Chris A. Brewster, BirdLife Botswana

Journal of BirdLife Botswana 3333

September 2016 Babbler 62

September 2016 Babbler No. 62 Summary of Category B Records

Compiled by Chris A. Brewster and Stephanie J. Tyler

Records are for the period July 2015 to August 2016 unless otherwise stated.

Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa One was at Mogobane Dam and two at Moshupa Dam on 20 Jan (MGG, DG, HH). On 29 Feb two were at Sojwe Pan; on 8 March six were counted there, on 24 March ten, on 11 April 12 and on 28 April seven males (CAB).

In July 25 were seen in SE Botswana – four males at Sojwe Pan and 17 at Shadishadi Pan on 25th and four at Phakalane S.P. on 27th (CAB). Then 23 were counted at Moshupa Dam on 5 Aug (MGG, DG, HH).

White-backed Duck Thassalornis leuconotus Two were at a pan west of Nata in 2025D4 on 22 March (AH), six at Sojwe Pan on 24 March and 11 April and three there on 28 April (CAB). Two were at Lobatse S.P. on 20 July and one at Phakalane S.P. on 27th (CAB).

Fulvous Duck Dendrocygna bicolor Five were at Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan and three on 2 July 2016 (CAB).

African Black Duck Anas sparsa Singles were at Mogobane Dam on 25 Oct and at Thagale Dam on 23 July (CAB).

Southern Ground-Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri

No. Date Place Comments Obs. 16 Sep 1830_2400 GB, MB 2015 ? 18 Sep 1815_2350 GB, MB 2 7 Oct S18.33.701 E024.04.185 GB, MB 6 8 Oct S17.52.961 E024.46.685 4 ad, 2 imm GB, MB 1 9 Oct S17.84307 E025.09205 GB, MB 1 9 Oct S17.8315 E025.10042 GB, MB 2 10 Nov S18.11276 E025.00987 GB, MB 2 10 Nov S18.35702 E024.96518 GB, MB 3 11 Nov S18.55072 E024.47895 GB, MB 3 12 Nov S18.56334 E024.10033 All adults GB, MB Northern Grey Headed Sparrow 2 13 Nov S18.67014 E024.07371 1 ad, 1 imm GB, MB Photo: Ian White 4 16 Nov S18.29973 E023.90366 GB, MB 8 16 Nov S18.20253 E024.00012 GB, MB

35 34 Journal of BirdLife Botswana

September 2016 Babbler 62

Babbler No. 62 September 2016 Summary of Category B Records

Compiled by Chris A. Brewster and Stephanie J. Tyler

Records are for the period July 2015 to August 2016 unless otherwise stated.

Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa One was at Mogobane Dam and two at Moshupa Dam on 20 Jan (MGG, DG, HH). On 29 Feb two were at Sojwe Pan; on 8 March six were counted there, on 24 March ten, on 11 April 12 and on 28 April seven males (CAB).

In July 25 were seen in SE Botswana – four males at Sojwe Pan and 17 at Shadishadi Pan on 25th and four at Phakalane S.P. on 27th (CAB). Then 23 were counted at Moshupa Dam on 5 Aug (MGG, DG, HH).

White-backed Duck Thassalornis leuconotus Two were at a pan west of Nata in 2025D4 on 22 March (AH), six at Sojwe Pan on 24 March and 11 April and three there on 28 April (CAB). Two were at Lobatse S.P. on 20 July and one at Phakalane S.P. on 27th (CAB).

Fulvous Duck Dendrocygna bicolor Five were at Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan and three on 2 July 2016 (CAB).

African Black Duck Anas sparsa Singles were at Mogobane Dam on 25 Oct and at Thagale Dam on 23 July (CAB).

Southern Ground-Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri

No. Date Place Comments Obs. 16 Sep 1830_2400 GB, MB 2015 ? 18 Sep 1815_2350 GB, MB 2 7 Oct S18.33.701 E024.04.185 GB, MB 6 8 Oct S17.52.961 E024.46.685 4 ad, 2 imm GB, MB 1 9 Oct S17.84307 E025.09205 GB, MB 1 9 Oct S17.8315 E025.10042 GB, MB 2 10 Nov S18.11276 E025.00987 GB, MB 2 10 Nov S18.35702 E024.96518 GB, MB 3 11 Nov S18.55072 E024.47895 GB, MB 3 12 Nov S18.56334 E024.10033 All adults GB, MB 2 13 Nov S18.67014 E024.07371 1 ad, 1 imm GB, MB 4 16 Nov S18.29973 E023.90366 GB, MB 8 16 Nov S18.20253 E024.00012 GB, MB

35 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 35

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

1 23 Feb Khwai area S19o12’ E23o72’ Common Cuckoo Canorus gularis 2015 One photographed near Pandamatenga in 1825D1 on 20 Feb (VW). A 5 27 Feb Chobe floodplain 1745_2455 4 ad, 1 imm GB, MB female was seen on 05 March in Savuti at S18.668 E024.074 (GB, MB). 1 Feb Ghanzi Farm 55-NK (2121D2) Heard/seen M Ncube 2 1 Mar Khwai area 19o11’ 23o54’ RH, CdP Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus 2 5 Mar Savuti S18.63468 E024.09336 GB, MB One was photographed in a Maun garden on 8 Jan (MM). 3 6 Mar Savuti S18.60042 E024.07145 2 ad, 1 imm GB, MB 1 8 Mar Linyanti S18.30058 E023.90065 GB, MB Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba 1 24 Apr Thotayamarula, near Sojwe Heard calling FF, GF One in Mashatu GR near Motloutse River on 9 Nov (RH). 1 13 July Old Vet camp S18º08’ E22º25.60´ Heard calling CAB African Black Swift Apus barbatus Small flocks were seen several times from 14 Nov to 29 Nov around Solomon’s Wall beside the Motloutse River in Mashatu GR (RH).

European Roller Coracias garrulus Horus Swift Apus horus Two were near Nata in 2026A2 on 2 Dec (YB). Records came from Chobe Small flocks seen along Motloutse River in Mashatu Gr on 19, 24 and 29 National Park and close by – two on 17 Nov, in the Chobe floodplain edges Nov (RH). singles on 27 and 28 Feb and groups of three and two on 28 Feb, three singles and two on 2 March in the Liambezi area, two and a single on 3 Swamp Nightjar Caprimulgus natalensis March, four on 4 March in the Zwei Zwei area, two on 6 March in Savuti Heard on two nights at Banoka Camp (1923B1) 21 to 25 Nov 2015 (AK). and one and 4+ on 9 March (co-ordinates supplied by GB, MB). Three south of Boatlaname on 29 Feb and two south of Mokubilo Gate in in Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum 2126A4 on 6 April (CAB). Pair near Pandamatenga (1825D3) on 25 and 28 Feb (GG) and on 2 March (PS). One was seen in late March at Savuti (per NP). African Pygmy-Kingfisher Ispidina picta One was seen on 1 Nov at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary restaurant being Wattled Crane Grus carunculatus chased off by Burchell’s Starlings (IW, JD, ID). One adult along Motloutse Two pairs near Banoka Camp (1923B1) 21 – 25 Nov (AK). Three at Kwapa River in 2228B2 on 9 and 14 Nov (RH) and one near Shashe River in (1923A1) on 3 May (JR, MR). Six reported from Nata Sanctuary in May 2229A2 on 3 Dec (IM). (per IW).

Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala Allen’s Gallinule Porphyrio alleni Two adults in 2228B2 were seen in Mashatu GR from 14 Nov to 29 Nov One was seen at Shakawe in early Dec (YB) and an immature in Gaborone (RH), one near Shashe River in 2229A1 on 4 Feb (IM), nine individuals in Game Reserve on 2 Feb (IW). the Linyanti and Savuti areas of Chobe N.P. on 8 March and two singles on 9 March at the edge of the Park (GB, MB). African Rail Rallus caerulescens Seen regularly at Gaborone G.R. in Jan and Feb (IW).

Denham’s (Stanley’s) Bustard Neotis denhami One was seen in Savuti, Chobe N.P. on 15 Sept 2015 and again there on 7 African Crake Crecopsis egregia March 2016 (GB, MB). One was seen at Gaborone Game Reserve on several occasions during Jan and Feb (IW, CAB).

Thick-billed Cuckoo Pachyococcyx audeberti One heard calling at Kwapa Camp (1923A1) on 3 May (JR, MR). Singles were seen along the Chobe River on 29 Feb (two birds), in Savuti Marsh on 5 March and in the Linyanti area on 8 March (GB, MB).

36 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

36 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 37

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016

1 23 Feb Khwai area S19o12’ E23o72’ Common Cuckoo Canorus gularis 2015 One photographed near Pandamatenga in 1825D1 on 20 Feb (VW). A 5 27 Feb Chobe floodplain 1745_2455 4 ad, 1 imm GB, MB female was seen on 05 March in Savuti at S18.668 E024.074 (GB, MB). 1 Feb Ghanzi Farm 55-NK (2121D2) Heard/seen M Ncube 2 1 Mar Khwai area 19o11’ 23o54’ RH, CdP Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus 2 5 Mar Savuti S18.63468 E024.09336 GB, MB One was photographed in a Maun garden on 8 Jan (MM). 3 6 Mar Savuti S18.60042 E024.07145 2 ad, 1 imm GB, MB 1 8 Mar Linyanti S18.30058 E023.90065 GB, MB Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba 1 24 Apr Thotayamarula, near Sojwe Heard calling FF, GF One in Mashatu GR near Motloutse River on 9 Nov (RH). 1 13 July Old Vet camp S18º08’ E22º25.60´ Heard calling CAB African Black Swift Apus barbatus Small flocks were seen several times from 14 Nov to 29 Nov around Solomon’s Wall beside the Motloutse River in Mashatu GR (RH).

European Roller Coracias garrulus Horus Swift Apus horus Two were near Nata in 2026A2 on 2 Dec (YB). Records came from Chobe Small flocks seen along Motloutse River in Mashatu Gr on 19, 24 and 29 National Park and close by – two on 17 Nov, in the Chobe floodplain edges Nov (RH). singles on 27 and 28 Feb and groups of three and two on 28 Feb, three singles and two on 2 March in the Liambezi area, two and a single on 3 Swamp Nightjar Caprimulgus natalensis March, four on 4 March in the Zwei Zwei area, two on 6 March in Savuti Heard on two nights at Banoka Camp (1923B1) 21 to 25 Nov 2015 (AK). and one and 4+ on 9 March (co-ordinates supplied by GB, MB). Three south of Boatlaname on 29 Feb and two south of Mokubilo Gate in in Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum 2126A4 on 6 April (CAB). Pair near Pandamatenga (1825D3) on 25 and 28 Feb (GG) and on 2 March (PS). One was seen in late March at Savuti (per NP). African Pygmy-Kingfisher Ispidina picta One was seen on 1 Nov at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary restaurant being Wattled Crane Grus carunculatus chased off by Burchell’s Starlings (IW, JD, ID). One adult along Motloutse Two pairs near Banoka Camp (1923B1) 21 – 25 Nov (AK). Three at Kwapa River in 2228B2 on 9 and 14 Nov (RH) and one near Shashe River in (1923A1) on 3 May (JR, MR). Six reported from Nata Sanctuary in May 2229A2 on 3 Dec (IM). (per IW).

Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala Allen’s Gallinule Porphyrio alleni Two adults in 2228B2 were seen in Mashatu GR from 14 Nov to 29 Nov One was seen at Shakawe in early Dec (YB) and an immature in Gaborone (RH), one near Shashe River in 2229A1 on 4 Feb (IM), nine individuals in Game Reserve on 2 Feb (IW). the Linyanti and Savuti areas of Chobe N.P. on 8 March and two singles on 9 March at the edge of the Park (GB, MB). African Rail Rallus caerulescens Seen regularly at Gaborone G.R. in Jan and Feb (IW).

Denham’s (Stanley’s) Bustard Neotis denhami One was seen in Savuti, Chobe N.P. on 15 Sept 2015 and again there on 7 African Crake Crecopsis egregia March 2016 (GB, MB). One was seen at Gaborone Game Reserve on several occasions during Jan and Feb (IW, CAB).

Thick-billed Cuckoo Pachyococcyx audeberti One heard calling at Kwapa Camp (1923A1) on 3 May (JR, MR). Singles were seen along the Chobe River on 29 Feb (two birds), in Savuti Marsh on 5 March and in the Linyanti area on 8 March (GB, MB).

36 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

Journal of BirdLife Botswana 3737

September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62 African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris Records came from the Chobe River on 19 Sept (in pentad 17.45_25.00), Spotted Crake Porzana porzana African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris One was seen at Gaborone G.R. on 19 Dec and 9 Jan, then two there on 9 Recordson 20 Sept came (17.50_25.05) from the Chobe and on River 21 Septon 19 (17.45_25.05); Sept (in pentad two 17.45_25.00), adults and an Feb (IW) and three on 8 March (BW). Four were at Phakalane SP from 18 onimmature 20 Sept were (17.50_25.05) seen on 9 Octand (S17.50on 21 Sept E25.06), (17.45_25.05); three on 10two Oct adults (S1 7.83and an to 24 Jan, with three there on 7th and two on 15 Feb (EMos, IW). immatureE25.13) and were eight seen on on10 9Oct Oct (S17.83 (S17.50 E25.11) E25.06), (GB three, MB). on 10 Oct (S17.83 E25.13) and eight on 10 Oct (S17.83 E25.11) (GB, MB). There were 13 along the Chobe River between the old park boundary near Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni Along the Chobe there were six on 16 Nov, 28 on 26 Feb, 16 on 28 Feb ThereKasane were and 13 Ngoma along Gate the Chobe on 1 and River 2 Aug, between mainly the near old parkKasane boundary (GB, MB) near. (S17.91 E24.73), 11 on 2 March in the Linyanti area, 16 (S18.68 E24.07), Kasane and Ngoma Gate on 1 and 2 Aug, mainly near Kasane (GB, MB). six (S18.70 E24.08) and six (S18.64 E24.09) on 5 March with 30 seen near Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus A second calendar year bird was at Lake Ngami on 29th September (MM). Harveys Pan in Chobe N.P. on 6 March (GB, MB). Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus A second calendar year bird was at Lake Ngami on 29th September (MM). One was at Bokaa Dam north of Gaborone on 12 Jan 2016 (CAB). One was at Nata Sanctuary on 22 Feb (VW).

White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus There were 25 along the Chobe River between Kasane and Ngoma Bridge from 27 to 29 Feb (GB, MB). Four to six were along Shashe River in 2229A2 on 3 Dec and one there on 22 April (IM).

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Several were at Lake Xau on 23/24 Oct (KO). In SE Botswana there were 17 at Bokaa Dam on 12 Jan and 40 at Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan – a new summer maximum at this dam (CAB).

Chestnut-banded Plover Charadrius pallidus Many were seen on 24/25 Oct at Lake Xau (KO) and three were at the th th edge of Lake Xau on 7 /8 Nov (IW). One was at Guguaga Pan (2125A2), feigning injury, indicating probable breeding, on 10 and 11 April (CAB).

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus One was seen at Shakawe at Drotsky’s Cabins in early Dec 2015 (YB).

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa One was seen at Phakalane S.P. on 5 Feb (CAB).

Sanderling Calidris alba One was seen at Phakalane S.P. on 5 Feb (CAB).

Osprey Pandion haliaetus A female was in a tree by the dry Savuti Channel on 7 Oct at S18.35 Three-banded Courser Rhinoptilus cinctus Osprey Pandion haliaetus Two adults were seen in 2228B2 in Mashatu GR in the Tuli on 19 Nov 2015 AE2 female4.04 (GB was, MB) in a. treeOne bywas the at dry Shakawe Savuti Channelin early Dec on 7(Y OctB). at S18.35 and four pairs there in December (RH). E2 4.04 (GB, MB). One was at Shakawe in early Dec (YB). Eurasian Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus There were many records in adjacent South Africa but rather few from Eurasian Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus ThereBotswana. were Singles many records were reported in adjacent in early South Dec Africa at Drotsky’s but rather Cabins few from at Botswana.Shakawe ( YB),Singles in a were Maun reported garden inon early 31 Jan Dec and at Drotsky’s9 Feb (MM) Cabins, at at ShakaweThotayamarula (YB), nearin a Maun Sojwe garden on 24 Maron 31 (CAB) Jan and and 9 at Feb Maun (MM) on, 3at April (TH).

38 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a Thotayamarula near Sojwe on 24 Mar (CAB) and at Maun on 3 April (TH). 39

38 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 39

September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016 African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris Records came from the Chobe River on 19 Sept (in pentad 17.45_25.00), Spotted Crake Porzana porzana African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris One was seen at Gaborone G.R. on 19 Dec and 9 Jan, then two there on 9 Recordson 20 Sept came (17.50_25.05) from the Chobe and on River 21 Septon 19 (17.45_25.05); Sept (in pentad two 17.45_25.00), adults and an Feb (IW) and three on 8 March (BW). Four were at Phakalane SP from 18 onimmature 20 Sept were (17.50_25.05) seen on 9 Octand (S17.50on 21 Sept E25.06), (17.45_25.05); three on 10two Oct adults (S1 7.83and an to 24 Jan, with three there on 7th and two on 15 Feb (EMos, IW). immatureE25.13) and were eight seen on on10 9Oct Oct (S17.83 (S17.50 E25.11) E25.06), (GB three, MB). on 10 Oct (S17.83 E25.13) and eight on 10 Oct (S17.83 E25.11) (GB, MB). There were 13 along the Chobe River between the old park boundary near Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni Along the Chobe there were six on 16 Nov, 28 on 26 Feb, 16 on 28 Feb ThereKasane were and 13 Ngoma along Gate the Chobe on 1 and River 2 Aug, between mainly the near old parkKasane boundary (GB, MB) near. (S17.91 E24.73), 11 on 2 March in the Linyanti area, 16 (S18.68 E24.07), Kasane and Ngoma Gate on 1 and 2 Aug, mainly near Kasane (GB, MB). six (S18.70 E24.08) and six (S18.64 E24.09) on 5 March with 30 seen near Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus A second calendar year bird was at Lake Ngami on 29th September (MM). Harveys Pan in Chobe N.P. on 6 March (GB, MB). Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus A second calendar year bird was at Lake Ngami on 29th September (MM). One was at Bokaa Dam north of Gaborone on 12 Jan 2016 (CAB). One was at Nata Sanctuary on 22 Feb (VW).

White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus There were 25 along the Chobe River between Kasane and Ngoma Bridge from 27 to 29 Feb (GB, MB). Four to six were along Shashe River in 2229A2 on 3 Dec and one there on 22 April (IM).

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Several were at Lake Xau on 23/24 Oct (KO). In SE Botswana there were 17 at Bokaa Dam on 12 Jan and 40 at Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan – a new summer maximum at this dam (CAB).

Chestnut-banded Plover Charadrius pallidus Many were seen on 24/25 Oct at Lake Xau (KO) and three were at the th th edge of Lake Xau on 7 /8 Nov (IW). One was at Guguaga Pan (2125A2), feigning injury, indicating probable breeding, on 10 and 11 April (CAB).

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus One was seen at Shakawe at Drotsky’s Cabins in early Dec 2015 (YB).

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Lesser Black-backed Gull

One was seen at Phakalane S.P. on 5 Feb (CAB). Photo: Mark Muller

Sanderling Calidris alba One was seen at Phakalane S.P. on 5 Feb (CAB).

Osprey Pandion haliaetus A female was in a tree by the dry Savuti Channel on 7 Oct at S18.35 Three-banded Courser Rhinoptilus cinctus Osprey Pandion haliaetus Two adults were seen in 2228B2 in Mashatu GR in the Tuli on 19 Nov 2015 AE2 female4.04 (GB was, MB) in a. treeOne bywas the at dry Shakawe Savuti Channelin early Dec on 7(Y OctB). at S18.35 and four pairs there in December (RH). E24.04 (GB, MB). One was at Shakawe in early Dec (YB). Eurasian Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus There were many records in adjacent South Africa but rather few from Eurasian Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus ThereBotswana. were Singles many records were reported in adjacent in early South Dec Africa at Drotsky’s but rather Cabins few from at Botswana.Shakawe ( YB),Singles in a were Maun reported garden inon early 31 Jan Dec and at Drotsky’s9 Feb (MM) Cabins, at at ShakaweThotayamarula (YB), nearin a Maun Sojwe garden on 24 Maron 31 (CAB) Jan and and 9 at Feb Maun (MM) on, 3at April (TH).

38 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a Thotayamarula near Sojwe on 24 Mar (CAB) and at Maun on 3 April (TH). 39

Journal of BirdLife Botswana 3939

September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler 62 September 2016

September 2016 Babbler No. 62 11 Oct (S17.84 E25.00), three on 18 Nov (S17.897 E24.75) and one on 28 Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus Feb 2016 in the Chobe floodplain (S17.899 E24.74) (GB, MB). Records from the Chobe area: singles on 14 Sept 2015 in pentad

18.30_24.00, on 16 Sept in 18.35_24.00 and on 22 Sept in 17.50_25.05, One was at Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan (CAB), six at Khama Rhino six on 6 Oct at S18.40 E24.04, one on 9 Oct at S17.84 E25.07, another on th Sanctuary on 17 Feb (RF), two just north of Mahalapye on 22 March (TA), 9 at S17.99 E25.06, one on 10 Oct at S17.84 E25.00, three on 11 Oct at one at Khama Rhino Sanctuary on 20 March (AH), two at Letlhakane on 11 S17.84 E25.00, one on 10 Oct at S18.34 E24.95, one on 15 Oct at S18.29 April (CAB) and one near Shashe River in 2229A2 on 22 April (IM). E23.91, three on 18 Nov at S17.896 E24.757 and two on 4 March 2016 at S18.56 E24.10. Two were near Betesankwe (2424D2) on 7 July and one at Ghanzi Farm

55-NK on 8 July (CAB). Three adults and one immature at a Wild Dog kill near Banoka Camp 21 –

25 Nov 2015. Two were at Elephant Sands (1926C1) on 20 and 21 Feb On 31 July two were seen with 40 White-backed Vultures in Chobe N.P. at (TA, VW), one near elephant carcasse in 1926C1 on 24 Feb (GG) and one S18.603 E24.066 (GB, MB). at slaughterhouse at Tonota, with White-backed and Cape Vultures on 22 Feb (VW). Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus In Chobe N.P. on 30 July one was at S18.295 E23.909, on 31 July one at S18.681 E24.073 and on 1 Aug one at S17.876 E24.796 (GB, MB). No. Date Place Comments Obs. seen White-headed Vulture Aegypius occipitalis 1 23 Feb Khwai area 19o12’ 23o72’ RH, CdP In the Chobe area one was seen on 16 Sept 2015 at S18.35 E24.00, an 1 1 Mar Khwai area 19o11’ 23o54’ RH, CdP immature on 10 Nov near Tchinga Pan at S18.35 E24.95, another on 10 1 14 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1815_2415 GB. MB Nov at S18.41 E24.91, two immature birds on 11 Nov at S18.54 E24.52 1 14 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1830_2400 GB, MB and one on 13 Nov at S18.69 E24.09 (GB, MB). One at Kwapa (1923A1) 1 15 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1835_2405 GB, MB on 3 May (JR, MR) 1 15 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1835_2400 GB, MB

1 17 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1825_2355 GB. MB Cape Griffon Gyps coprotheres GB, MB Eight were seen on a cow carcass 5km north of Palapye with 85 White- 1 18 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1815_2350 backed Vultures on 1 Nov 2015 (IW, JD, ID). 1 19 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1750_2440 GB, MB 1 19 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1750_2445 GB, MB One was at Tchinga Pan in Chobe N.P. at S18.35 E24.95 in Nov 2015 (GB, 1 22 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1750_2505 GB, MB MB). 1 6 Oct S18.38.318 E24.03.748 female GB, MB 1 7 Oct S18.36.776 E24.03.915 GB, MB One was seen at Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan 2016 (CAB). 1 8 Oct S17.54.126 E24.44.534 male GB, MB 1 8 Oct S17.54.035 E24.44.317 male GB, MB Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos 1 8 Oct S17.53.256 E24.46.237 Female GB, MB Four were seen on 23/24 Oct on a carcass at Lake Xau (KO). 1 9 Oct S17.88244 E25.06408 Female GB, MB About 12 were flying between two pans at Khama Rhino Sanctuary on 1 1 9 Oct S17.83715 E25.10042 GB, MB Nov (IW, JD, ID). 1 25 Oct Lake Xau KO 2 1 Nov Khama Rhino Sanctuary pan Ad and IW, JD, In Chobe N.P. there were singles on 16 Sept (S18.35 E24.00), 19 Sept immature ID 2015 (S17.45 E25.05), on 6 Oct (S18.40 E24.04), on 8 Oct (S17.54 1 10 Nov S18.21469 E25.07636 GB, MB E24.44), on 9 Oct (S17.85 E25.06) and on 13 Nov (S18.69 E24.09), six on 3 10 Nov Tchinga Pan, Chobe N.P. 2m, 1 imm. GB, MB 2 10 Nov S18.38946 E24.97941 1m, 1f GB, MB 1 10 Nov S18.41308 E24.95674 1m GB, MB

1 11 Nov S18.54110 E24.52224 GB, MB 1 12 Nov S18.68856 E24.32287 Male GB, MB 40 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

41 40 Journal of BirdLife Botswana

September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler 62 September 2016

Babbler No. 62 September 2016 11 Oct (S17.84 E25.00), three on 18 Nov (S17.897 E24.75) and one on 28 Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus Feb 2016 in the Chobe floodplain (S17.899 E24.74) (GB, MB). Records from the Chobe area: singles on 14 Sept 2015 in pentad

18.30_24.00, on 16 Sept in 18.35_24.00 and on 22 Sept in 17.50_25.05, One was at Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan (CAB), six at Khama Rhino six on 6 Oct at S18.40 E24.04, one on 9 Oct at S17.84 E25.07, another on th Sanctuary on 17 Feb (RF), two just north of Mahalapye on 22 March (TA), 9 at S17.99 E25.06, one on 10 Oct at S17.84 E25.00, three on 11 Oct at one at Khama Rhino Sanctuary on 20 March (AH), two at Letlhakane on 11 S17.84 E25.00, one on 10 Oct at S18.34 E24.95, one on 15 Oct at S18.29 April (CAB) and one near Shashe River in 2229A2 on 22 April (IM). E23.91, three on 18 Nov at S17.896 E24.757 and two on 4 March 2016 at S18.56 E24.10. Two were near Betesankwe (2424D2) on 7 July and one at Ghanzi Farm

55-NK on 8 July (CAB). Three adults and one immature at a Wild Dog kill near Banoka Camp 21 –

25 Nov 2015. Two were at Elephant Sands (1926C1) on 20 and 21 Feb On 31 July two were seen with 40 White-backed Vultures in Chobe N.P. at (TA, VW), one near elephant carcasse in 1926C1 on 24 Feb (GG) and one S18.603 E24.066 (GB, MB). at slaughterhouse at Tonota, with White-backed and Cape Vultures on 22 Feb (VW). Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus In Chobe N.P. on 30 July one was at S18.295 E23.909, on 31 July one at S18.681 E24.073 and on 1 Aug one at S17.876 E24.796 (GB, MB). No. Date Place Comments Obs. seen White-headed Vulture Aegypius occipitalis 1 23 Feb Khwai area 19o12’ 23o72’ RH, CdP In the Chobe area one was seen on 16 Sept 2015 at S18.35 E24.00, an 1 1 Mar Khwai area 19o11’ 23o54’ RH, CdP immature on 10 Nov near Tchinga Pan at S18.35 E24.95, another on 10 1 14 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1815_2415 GB. MB Nov at S18.41 E24.91, two immature birds on 11 Nov at S18.54 E24.52 1 14 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1830_2400 GB, MB and one on 13 Nov at S18.69 E24.09 (GB, MB). One at Kwapa (1923A1) 1 15 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1835_2405 GB, MB on 3 May (JR, MR) 1 15 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1835_2400 GB, MB

1 17 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1825_2355 GB. MB Cape Griffon Gyps coprotheres GB, MB Eight were seen on a cow carcass 5km north of Palapye with 85 White- 1 18 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1815_2350 backed Vultures on 1 Nov 2015 (IW, JD, ID). 1 19 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1750_2440 GB, MB 1 19 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1750_2445 GB, MB One was at Tchinga Pan in Chobe N.P. at S18.35 E24.95 in Nov 2015 (GB, 1 22 Sep Chobe N.P. in 1750_2505 GB, MB MB). 1 6 Oct S18.38.318 E24.03.748 female GB, MB 1 7 Oct S18.36.776 E24.03.915 GB, MB One was seen at Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan 2016 (CAB). 1 8 Oct S17.54.126 E24.44.534 male GB, MB 1 8 Oct S17.54.035 E24.44.317 male GB, MB Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos 1 8 Oct S17.53.256 E24.46.237 Female GB, MB Four were seen on 23/24 Oct on a carcass at Lake Xau (KO). 1 9 Oct S17.88244 E25.06408 Female GB, MB About 12 were flying between two pans at Khama Rhino Sanctuary on 1 1 9 Oct S17.83715 E25.10042 GB, MB Nov (IW, JD, ID). 1 25 Oct Lake Xau KO 2 1 Nov Khama Rhino Sanctuary pan Ad and IW, JD, In Chobe N.P. there were singles on 16 Sept (S18.35 E24.00), 19 Sept immature ID 2015 (S17.45 E25.05), on 6 Oct (S18.40 E24.04), on 8 Oct (S17.54 1 10 Nov S18.21469 E25.07636 GB, MB E24.44), on 9 Oct (S17.85 E25.06) and on 13 Nov (S18.69 E24.09), six on 3 10 Nov Tchinga Pan, Chobe N.P. 2m, 1 imm. GB, MB 2 10 Nov S18.38946 E24.97941 1m, 1f GB, MB 1 10 Nov S18.41308 E24.95674 1m GB, MB

1 11 Nov S18.54110 E24.52224 GB, MB 1 12 Nov S18.68856 E24.32287 Male GB, MB 40 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

41 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 41

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

1 12 Nov S18.68651 E24.31836 Immature GB, MB 1 5 Mar Savuti S18.6430 E24.0795 GB, MB 1 12 Nov S18.68960 E24.26720 Male GB, MB 1 5 Mar Savuti S18.6803 E24.0733 Male GB, MB 1 12 Nov S18.68852 E24.26348 Immature GB, MB 2 5 Mar Savuti S18.6803 E24.0733 Male, Imm. GB, MB 1 12 Nov S18.56397 E24.10736 Immature GB, MB 1 6 Mar Savuti S18.5570 E24.1012 Immature GB, MB 1 12 Nov S18.53784 E24.10672 Immature GB, MB 1 6 Mar Savuti S18.5517 E24.0817 GB, MB 1 15 Nov S18.50912 E24.00549 Female GB, MB 1 7 Mar Savuti S18.6199 E23.8821 GB, MB 2 15 Nov S18.50770 E23.99980 Subad M, Imm GB, MB 1 8 Mar Linyanti S18.3036 E23.9033 Female GB, MB 1 15 Nov S18.44428 E23.96765 Male GB, MB 1 8 Mar Linyanti S18.3072 E23.8917 GB, MB 1 16 Nov S18.27053 E23.93604 Male GB, MB 1 8 Mar Linyanti S18.3010 E23.9020 Immature GB, MB 2 16 Nov S18.22396 E23.98178 2 immature GB, MB 1 8 Mar Linyanti S18.2990 E23.9235 Immature GB, MB 1 16 Nov S18.19805 E24.00651 GB, MB 1 9 Mar S18.28620 E23.98099 Immature GB, MB 1 17 Nov S18.13002 E24.16098 GB, MB 1 9 Mar S18.04169 E24.65037 GB, MB 1 17 Nov S18.17061 E24.18929 GB, MB 1 9 Mar S18.22994 E24.34168 Immature GB, MB 1 18 Nov S18.16563 E24.45296 Immature GB, MB 1 9 Mar S18.31658 E24.25052 Immature GB, MB 1 18 Nov S17.89587 E24.75726 GB, MB 2-3 3-7 May Kwapa JR, MR 1 18 Nov S17.88278 E24.79312 Immature GB, MB 1 8 July Ghanzi Farm 55-NK Adult female CAB 1 28 Feb S17.89954 E24.74346 Immature GB, MB 1 12 July West of Ikoga (1822C4) Adult female CAB 2016 1 16 July North of Nokaneng (1922C1) Adult male CAB 2 28 Feb S17.88857 E24.76907 Male, Female GB, MB 1 29 July Lake Liambezi area GB, MB 1 28 Feb S17.87637 E24.79582 Immature GB, MB S18.03.749 E24.35.406 1 28 Feb S17.86683 E24.81906 Male GB, MB 1 30 July Chobe N.P. S18.301 E23.899 Adult female GB, MB 1 2 Mar S17.95030 E24.68907 Immature GB, MB 1 30 July Chobe N.P. S18.565 E24.064 Adult male GB, MB 1 2 Mar S18.09528 E24.56984 Immature GB, MB 1 31 July Chobe N.P. S18.644 E24.070 GB, MB 2 2 Mar S18.15495 E24.49373 2 Males GB, MB 1 31 July Chobe N.P. S18.567 E24.066 GB, MB 1 2 Mar S18.09723 E24.28808 Immature GB, MB 1 3 Mar S18.35305 E24.19488 Female GB, MB African Marsh-harrier Circus ranivorus 1 3 Mar S18.40521 E24.25053 Immature GB, MB In 2015 one was on the Jao and Kwetsani Flats on 28 Feb (MK).In early 1 3 Mar S18.40920 E24.25348 Female GB, MB August three were seen at Savuti Marsh, two at Lake Liambezi between 3 3 Mar S18.43296 E24.26955 M, F, Imm GB, MB Katchikau and Kavimba and two on the Linyanti within Chobe National Park 1 3 Mar S18.47956 E24.29873 Immature GB, MB (GB, MB). Singles were seen in the north-east on 18 Sept in 1823B1, on 3 3 Mar S18.50920 E24.32327 2 Males, Imm GB, MB 21 Sept in the Chobe floodplain west of Kasane in 1725A3, on 16 Nov in 1 3 Mar S18.57231 E24.37447 Immature GB, MB the Linyanti area in 1823B4. 1 4 Mar S18.69472 E24.37182 GB, MB 1 4 Mar S18.69135 E24.33462 Immature GB, MB An apparent pair were seen at Lake Xau on 7/8 Nov (IW). 1 4 Mar S18.82471 E24.35082 Female GB, MB In 2016 one was along the Chobe River in late Feb and three along the 1 4 Mar S18.68924 E24.32524 GB, MB Linyanti River (1823B4) on 8 March (GB, MB). Then one was on the Chobe 1 4 Mar S18.68959 E24.29104 GB, MB section of Lake Liambezi on 29 July, two along the Linyanti on 30 July and 1 4 Mar S18.68959 E24.29104 Female GB, MB a single along the Chobe River near Ihaha on 2 Aug (GB, MB). 1 4 Mar S18.68959 E24.29104 Immature GB, MB

1 5 Mar Savuti S18.6349 E24.0948 Male GB, MB Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus 1 5 Mar Savuti S18.6416 E24.0810 Male GB, MB There was one at Lake Xau on 8 Nov 2015 (IW). Adult males seen near Motloutse River, in Mashatu G.R. on 14, 19 and 29 Nov (RH) singles were seen at Nata Sanctuary on 22 Feb (VW) and along the Chobe River on 28 Feb and at Savuti Marsh on 5 March (GB, MB). 42 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

42 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 43

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016

1 12 Nov S18.68651 E24.31836 Immature GB, MB 1 5 Mar Savuti S18.6430 E24.0795 GB, MB 1 12 Nov S18.68960 E24.26720 Male GB, MB 1 5 Mar Savuti S18.6803 E24.0733 Male GB, MB 1 12 Nov S18.68852 E24.26348 Immature GB, MB 2 5 Mar Savuti S18.6803 E24.0733 Male, Imm. GB, MB 1 12 Nov S18.56397 E24.10736 Immature GB, MB 1 6 Mar Savuti S18.5570 E24.1012 Immature GB, MB 1 12 Nov S18.53784 E24.10672 Immature GB, MB 1 6 Mar Savuti S18.5517 E24.0817 GB, MB 1 15 Nov S18.50912 E24.00549 Female GB, MB 1 7 Mar Savuti S18.6199 E23.8821 GB, MB 2 15 Nov S18.50770 E23.99980 Subad M, Imm GB, MB 1 8 Mar Linyanti S18.3036 E23.9033 Female GB, MB 1 15 Nov S18.44428 E23.96765 Male GB, MB 1 8 Mar Linyanti S18.3072 E23.8917 GB, MB 1 16 Nov S18.27053 E23.93604 Male GB, MB 1 8 Mar Linyanti S18.3010 E23.9020 Immature GB, MB 2 16 Nov S18.22396 E23.98178 2 immature GB, MB 1 8 Mar Linyanti S18.2990 E23.9235 Immature GB, MB 1 16 Nov S18.19805 E24.00651 GB, MB 1 9 Mar S18.28620 E23.98099 Immature GB, MB 1 17 Nov S18.13002 E24.16098 GB, MB 1 9 Mar S18.04169 E24.65037 GB, MB 1 17 Nov S18.17061 E24.18929 GB, MB 1 9 Mar S18.22994 E24.34168 Immature GB, MB 1 18 Nov S18.16563 E24.45296 Immature GB, MB 1 9 Mar S18.31658 E24.25052 Immature GB, MB 1 18 Nov S17.89587 E24.75726 GB, MB 2-3 3-7 May Kwapa JR, MR 1 18 Nov S17.88278 E24.79312 Immature GB, MB 1 8 July Ghanzi Farm 55-NK Adult female CAB 1 28 Feb S17.89954 E24.74346 Immature GB, MB 1 12 July West of Ikoga (1822C4) Adult female CAB 2016 1 16 July North of Nokaneng (1922C1) Adult male CAB 2 28 Feb S17.88857 E24.76907 Male, Female GB, MB 1 29 July Lake Liambezi area GB, MB 1 28 Feb S17.87637 E24.79582 Immature GB, MB S18.03.749 E24.35.406 1 28 Feb S17.86683 E24.81906 Male GB, MB 1 30 July Chobe N.P. S18.301 E23.899 Adult female GB, MB 1 2 Mar S17.95030 E24.68907 Immature GB, MB 1 30 July Chobe N.P. S18.565 E24.064 Adult male GB, MB 1 2 Mar S18.09528 E24.56984 Immature GB, MB 1 31 July Chobe N.P. S18.644 E24.070 GB, MB 2 2 Mar S18.15495 E24.49373 2 Males GB, MB 1 31 July Chobe N.P. S18.567 E24.066 GB, MB 1 2 Mar S18.09723 E24.28808 Immature GB, MB 1 3 Mar S18.35305 E24.19488 Female GB, MB African Marsh-harrier Circus ranivorus 1 3 Mar S18.40521 E24.25053 Immature GB, MB In 2015 one was on the Jao and Kwetsani Flats on 28 Feb (MK).In early 1 3 Mar S18.40920 E24.25348 Female GB, MB August three were seen at Savuti Marsh, two at Lake Liambezi between 3 3 Mar S18.43296 E24.26955 M, F, Imm GB, MB Katchikau and Kavimba and two on the Linyanti within Chobe National Park 1 3 Mar S18.47956 E24.29873 Immature GB, MB (GB, MB). Singles were seen in the north-east on 18 Sept in 1823B1, on 3 3 Mar S18.50920 E24.32327 2 Males, Imm GB, MB 21 Sept in the Chobe floodplain west of Kasane in 1725A3, on 16 Nov in 1 3 Mar S18.57231 E24.37447 Immature GB, MB the Linyanti area in 1823B4. 1 4 Mar S18.69472 E24.37182 GB, MB 1 4 Mar S18.69135 E24.33462 Immature GB, MB An apparent pair were seen at Lake Xau on 7/8 Nov (IW). 1 4 Mar S18.82471 E24.35082 Female GB, MB In 2016 one was along the Chobe River in late Feb and three along the 1 4 Mar S18.68924 E24.32524 GB, MB Linyanti River (1823B4) on 8 March (GB, MB). Then one was on the Chobe 1 4 Mar S18.68959 E24.29104 GB, MB section of Lake Liambezi on 29 July, two along the Linyanti on 30 July and 1 4 Mar S18.68959 E24.29104 Female GB, MB a single along the Chobe River near Ihaha on 2 Aug (GB, MB). 1 4 Mar S18.68959 E24.29104 Immature GB, MB

1 5 Mar Savuti S18.6349 E24.0948 Male GB, MB Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus 1 5 Mar Savuti S18.6416 E24.0810 Male GB, MB There was one at Lake Xau on 8 Nov 2015 (IW). Adult males seen near Motloutse River, in Mashatu G.R. on 14, 19 and 29 Nov (RH) singles were seen at Nata Sanctuary on 22 Feb (VW) and along the Chobe River on 28 Feb and at Savuti Marsh on 5 March (GB, MB). 42 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

Journal of BirdLife Botswana 4343

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

Lizard Buzzard Kampifalco monogrammicus 2016 in the same area - 1725C3 (GB, MB). One was seen at One was noted in Chobe National Park in 1724D4 on 25 Feb (GG) and Thotayamarula near Sojwe on 23 April (CAB). near Kasane on 7 March (JduP). Amur Falcon Falco amurensis Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina Female near Pandamatenga on 20 Feb (VW). Then records came from the Singles were seen along Motloutse River in Mashatu G.R. on 9 Nov and 24 Chobe River area with two on 26 Feb, a group of eight, two single males, a Nov (RH) and two near Pandamatenga on 20 Feb (VW). male and three females, two males and then four females on 27 Feb and three males and then two males and a female and several more on 28 Feb Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus (full coordinates supplied); on 2 March two males and a female, two males, Singles were in Chobe N.P. on 16 Sept 2015 and 7 Oct (GB, MB) and at a group of eight and a large flock in the Katchikau/Liambezi area; two the pan in Khama Rhino Sanctuary on 1 Nov ( IW, JD and ID). single females on 4 March in the Zwei Zwei area and one on 9 March in the park (GB, MB). In 2016 Singles were in Chobe N.P. on 5 March (GB, MB), west of Jwaneng on 12 March (RW) and south of Tlapana Gate in 2126A1 on 7 Eurasian Hobby Falco Subbuteo April (CAB). Single birds were seen three times, from 3 to 7 May at Kwapa Two adults were seen near Motloutse River in Mashatu G.R. on 24 Nov (1923A1) (JR, MR) and a juvenile near Hatsalatladi on 28 May (IW). Single (RH). Two singles were noted on 17 Nov and 30+ on 18 Nov 2015 along immature birds were at Ghanzi Farm 55-NK on 8 July and east of old the Chobe River near Kasane and a single on 4 March in the Zwei Zwei veterinary camp at S18º088´ E22º27.897 on 13 July (CAB). area of Chobe N.P. (GB, MB).

Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis Peregrine Falco peregrinus One was seen along Majale River in 2229A1 on 26 Jan (ED). One was in the Chobe floodplain on 28 Feb at S17.647 E24.862 (GB, MB).

Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis One in 2228B2 in Mashatu G.R. on 24 Nov (RH), one at Gaborone Dam on Three were at Jwaneng Sewage Ponds on 11 March (RW). On 8 March 26 Jan (CAB) and one near Tonota on 4 March (JduP). there were two at Shadishadi Pan and six at Sojwe Pan; a week earlier none were seen at these recently-filled pans. On 24 March there were ten Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni and 12 respectively at these two pans, on 24 April there were 20 at Shadi- One was seen in Chobe N.P. in 1824C1 on 14 Nov 2015. Then along the Shadi Pan and one at Sojwe Pan on 28 April and on 17 May (CAB). Chobe River between Kasane and Ngoma there were three singles, a group of six, a group of seven and of five with Amur Falcons on 27 Feb, In July four were noted at Sojwe Pan and 35 at nearby Shadishadi Pan on three singles, two and two groups of four on 28 Feb. On 2 March six and a 25th (CAB). The only other record was one at Jwaneng S.P. on 5 Aug single were seen in the Liambezi area and a male on 4 March in the Zwei (MGG, DG, HH). Zwei area of the park (GB, MB). One was near Pandamatenga on 20 Feb (VW), one ca.10 km north of Nata in 1926C3 on 27 Feb (GG) and 15 near Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula Boatlaname, south of Sojwe Pan on 29 Feb (CAB). Rather few records: in Chobe N.P. three singles on 16 Nov 2015 in 1823B4, 1823B2 and 1824A1, one on 18 Nov in 1823B1, one on 21 Sept Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus along the Chobe River in 1725A3 and one along the Linyanti in 1823B4 on One at Lephepe Pan on 29 Feb and An immature at Thotamarula near 8 March (GB, MB). Singles were seen twice near Banoka Camp (1923B1) Sojwe on 23 April, a late date for this species (CAB). 21 to 25 Nov (AK) and one at Shakawe in early Dec (YB).

In the northeast two were seen along the Chobe floodplain west of Kasane There were 16 along the Chobe River between Kasane and Ngoma on 1 in 1725C3 on 18 Nov 2015 and then two and a male and female on 27 Feb and 2 Aug (GB, MB).

Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca Four at Phakalane S.P. on 5 Feb were unusual (CAB).

44 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

44 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 45

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016

Lizard Buzzard Kampifalco monogrammicus 2016 in the same area - 1725C3 (GB, MB). One was seen at One was noted in Chobe National Park in 1724D4 on 25 Feb (GG) and Thotayamarula near Sojwe on 23 April (CAB). near Kasane on 7 March (JduP). Amur Falcon Falco amurensis Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina Female near Pandamatenga on 20 Feb (VW). Then records came from the Singles were seen along Motloutse River in Mashatu G.R. on 9 Nov and 24 Chobe River area with two on 26 Feb, a group of eight, two single males, a Nov (RH) and two near Pandamatenga on 20 Feb (VW). male and three females, two males and then four females on 27 Feb and three males and then two males and a female and several more on 28 Feb Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus (full coordinates supplied); on 2 March two males and a female, two males, Singles were in Chobe N.P. on 16 Sept 2015 and 7 Oct (GB, MB) and at a group of eight and a large flock in the Katchikau/Liambezi area; two the pan in Khama Rhino Sanctuary on 1 Nov ( IW, JD and ID). single females on 4 March in the Zwei Zwei area and one on 9 March in the park (GB, MB). In 2016 Singles were in Chobe N.P. on 5 March (GB, MB), west of Jwaneng on 12 March (RW) and south of Tlapana Gate in 2126A1 on 7 Eurasian Hobby Falco Subbuteo April (CAB). Single birds were seen three times, from 3 to 7 May at Kwapa Two adults were seen near Motloutse River in Mashatu G.R. on 24 Nov (1923A1) (JR, MR) and a juvenile near Hatsalatladi on 28 May (IW). Single (RH). Two singles were noted on 17 Nov and 30+ on 18 Nov 2015 along immature birds were at Ghanzi Farm 55-NK on 8 July and east of old the Chobe River near Kasane and a single on 4 March in the Zwei Zwei veterinary camp at S18º088´ E22º27.897 on 13 July (CAB). area of Chobe N.P. (GB, MB).

Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis Peregrine Falco peregrinus One was seen along Majale River in 2229A1 on 26 Jan (ED). One was in the Chobe floodplain on 28 Feb at S17.647 E24.862 (GB, MB).

Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis One in 2228B2 in Mashatu G.R. on 24 Nov (RH), one at Gaborone Dam on Three were at Jwaneng Sewage Ponds on 11 March (RW). On 8 March 26 Jan (CAB) and one near Tonota on 4 March (JduP). there were two at Shadishadi Pan and six at Sojwe Pan; a week earlier none were seen at these recently-filled pans. On 24 March there were ten Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni and 12 respectively at these two pans, on 24 April there were 20 at Shadi- One was seen in Chobe N.P. in 1824C1 on 14 Nov 2015. Then along the Shadi Pan and one at Sojwe Pan on 28 April and on 17 May (CAB). Chobe River between Kasane and Ngoma there were three singles, a group of six, a group of seven and of five with Amur Falcons on 27 Feb, In July four were noted at Sojwe Pan and 35 at nearby Shadishadi Pan on three singles, two and two groups of four on 28 Feb. On 2 March six and a 25th (CAB). The only other record was one at Jwaneng S.P. on 5 Aug single were seen in the Liambezi area and a male on 4 March in the Zwei (MGG, DG, HH). Zwei area of the park (GB, MB). One was near Pandamatenga on 20 Feb (VW), one ca.10 km north of Nata in 1926C3 on 27 Feb (GG) and 15 near Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula Boatlaname, south of Sojwe Pan on 29 Feb (CAB). Rather few records: in Chobe N.P. three singles on 16 Nov 2015 in 1823B4, 1823B2 and 1824A1, one on 18 Nov in 1823B1, one on 21 Sept Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus along the Chobe River in 1725A3 and one along the Linyanti in 1823B4 on One at Lephepe Pan on 29 Feb and An immature at Thotamarula near 8 March (GB, MB). Singles were seen twice near Banoka Camp (1923B1) Sojwe on 23 April, a late date for this species (CAB). 21 to 25 Nov (AK) and one at Shakawe in early Dec (YB).

In the northeast two were seen along the Chobe floodplain west of Kasane There were 16 along the Chobe River between Kasane and Ngoma on 1 in 1725C3 on 18 Nov 2015 and then two and a male and female on 27 Feb and 2 Aug (GB, MB).

Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca Four at Phakalane S.P. on 5 Feb were unusual (CAB).

44 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

Journal of BirdLife Botswana 4545

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

Along the Chobe River there was a high count of 398 on 2 Aug (GB, MB) Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola with two amazing congregations, one particular spot having over 100 birds Two were at Sojwe Pan on 24 March, two at Lake Ngami on 11 July, six at with many ‘umbrella-ing’ at the same time. Broadhurst S.P. on 21 July and eight at Phakalane S.P. on 27 July (CAB).

Yellow-billed Egret Egretta intermedia Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum Records in the south-east where the species is not common, included one One was singing from a Woolly Cape bush along the Chobe River on 27 at Bokaa Dam on 12 Jan (CAB), two at Jwaneng S.P. on 20 Jan and five at Feb (near S17.83 E24.94, one was seen on 28 Feb (S17.86 E24.81) and Gamoleele Dam on 30 Jan – new summer maxima for these sites (MGG, on 4 March (S18.69 E24.29) (GB, MB). DG, HH), two at Kgoro Pan on 3 Feb and one at a pan in Glen Valley farms, Phakalane on 5 Feb (CAB). One was also seen at Mogobane Dam Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia on 5 Aug (MGG, DG, HH). Five were reported along the Chobe floodplain in 1725C3 on 27 Feb and several in Savuti in 1824C1 on 6 March (GB, MB). In eastern Botswana one was seen along the Shashe River in the northern Tuli Block on 6 Dec 2015 (IM). Collared Palm-Thrush Cichladusa arquata On 9 March one was seen in Savuti, Chobe N.P. at S18.14849 E024.50089 Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor (GB, MB). Hundreds were noted at Lake Xau on 23/24 Oct 2015 along with about 100 Greater Flamingo (KO). Some 70 were seen flying over Linyanti lagoon in Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus Chobe N.P. (S18.31 E23.89) on 16 Nov (GB, MB). In August 2016 these weavers were newly established as a common resident at Mokolodi (MSk, ES). In SE Botswana there were c.300 at Bokaa Dam on 12 Jan (a new summer maximum for this dam), one at Thagale Dam on 17 Jan, 60 at Ramotswa Compiled by Chris A. Brewster and Stephanie J. Tyler S.P. on 22 Jan and 24 at Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan (CAB). A single bird was swimming at Gamoleele Dam on 30 Jan (MGG, DG). Five were at Phakalane S.P. on 5 Feb (CAB).

In the winter there was one at Ramotswa S.P. on 20th July, 181 at Broadhurst S.P. on 21st and 110 at Phakalane S.P. on 27th (CAB).

Black Stork Ciconia nigra One was seen by BLB on a walk along the Taung River south of Ramotswa, in 2425C2, on 1 May.

Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia microscelis (formerly episcopus) A flock of 130 was at Marabou Pan on 5 March and another of 74 around Pump Pans in Chobe N.P. on 6 March (GB, MB).

Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhunchus senegalensis One was at Thagale Dam on18 June (CAB, MGG).

Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiate One was seen at Lake Ngami on 11 July (CAB).

46 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

46 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 47

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016

Along the Chobe River there was a high count of 398 on 2 Aug (GB, MB) Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola with two amazing congregations, one particular spot having over 100 birds Two were at Sojwe Pan on 24 March, two at Lake Ngami on 11 July, six at with many ‘umbrella-ing’ at the same time. Broadhurst S.P. on 21 July and eight at Phakalane S.P. on 27 July (CAB).

Yellow-billed Egret Egretta intermedia Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum Records in the south-east where the species is not common, included one One was singing from a Woolly Cape bush along the Chobe River on 27 at Bokaa Dam on 12 Jan (CAB), two at Jwaneng S.P. on 20 Jan and five at Feb (near S17.83 E24.94, one was seen on 28 Feb (S17.86 E24.81) and Gamoleele Dam on 30 Jan – new summer maxima for these sites (MGG, on 4 March (S18.69 E24.29) (GB, MB). DG, HH), two at Kgoro Pan on 3 Feb and one at a pan in Glen Valley farms, Phakalane on 5 Feb (CAB). One was also seen at Mogobane Dam Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia on 5 Aug (MGG, DG, HH). Five were reported along the Chobe floodplain in 1725C3 on 27 Feb and several in Savuti in 1824C1 on 6 March (GB, MB). In eastern Botswana one was seen along the Shashe River in the northern Tuli Block on 6 Dec 2015 (IM). Collared Palm-Thrush Cichladusa arquata On 9 March one was seen in Savuti, Chobe N.P. at S18.14849 E024.50089 Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor (GB, MB). Hundreds were noted at Lake Xau on 23/24 Oct 2015 along with about 100 Greater Flamingo (KO). Some 70 were seen flying over Linyanti lagoon in Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus Chobe N.P. (S18.31 E23.89) on 16 Nov (GB, MB). In August 2016 these weavers were newly established as a common resident at Mokolodi (MSk, ES). In SE Botswana there were c.300 at Bokaa Dam on 12 Jan (a new summer maximum for this dam), one at Thagale Dam on 17 Jan, 60 at Ramotswa Compiled by Chris A. Brewster and Stephanie J. Tyler S.P. on 22 Jan and 24 at Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan (CAB). A single bird was swimming at Gamoleele Dam on 30 Jan (MGG, DG). Five were at Phakalane S.P. on 5 Feb (CAB).

In the winter there was one at Ramotswa S.P. on 20th July, 181 at Broadhurst S.P. on 21st and 110 at Phakalane S.P. on 27th (CAB).

Black Stork Ciconia nigra One was seen by BLB on a walk along the Taung River south of Ramotswa, in 2425C2, on 1 May.

Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia microscelis (formerly episcopus) A flock of 130 was at Marabou Pan on 5 March and another of 74 around Pump Pans in Chobe N.P. on 6 March (GB, MB).

Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhunchus senegalensis One was at Thagale Dam on18 June (CAB, MGG).

Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiate One was seen at Lake Ngami on 11 July (CAB).

White-winged Tern Photo: Ian White 46 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

Journal of BirdLife Botswana 4747

September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler 62 September 2016

September 2016 Babbler No. 62 In the Chobe area the table below lists sightings by GB and MB who Interesting and Unusual Sightings provided full coordinates for our records (available from us):

Compiled by Stephanie J. Tyler and Chris A. Brewster No. birds Date Locality and/or Coordinates This section does not cover rarities but rather interesting observations of 1 14 Sept 2015 In 1824A3 more common birds. It might report on a species seen out of its usual 1 15 Sept In 1824A3 range or on notably large numbers of a species. Observations on breeding 1 19 Sept Chobe floodplain or feeding behaviour are also welcomed. Records are mainly from 1 19 Sept Chobe floodplain 1 19 Sept Chobe floodplain Black Crake 1 20 Sept Chobe floodplain One was seen in the Nossob Valley 35 km south of Twee Rivieren and one 1 5 Oct In 1824A3 was at Molose waterhole in Khutse G.R. on 30 May (per TH). 2 6 Oct In 1824A3

1 6 Oct In 1824A3 Ostrich Struthio camelus 2 7 Oct In 1824A3 Two at Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan were the first seen by CAB in SE

Botswana. 1 7 Oct In 1824A3 2 7 Oct In 1824A3 South African Shelduck Tadorna cana 1 8 Oct In 1724B3 (S17.48.918 E024.56.797) A total of 35 were seen at six sites in south-east Botswana in Jan/Feb with 2 8 Oct S17.49.960 E024.59.510 a 16 at Kgoro Pan on 3 Feb being the highest count (CAB). 2 8 Oct S17.50.176 E024.59.903 1 9 Oct S17.83058 E025.03500 In the winter months 31 were seen, all at sewage ponds apart from three at 1 9 Oct S17.82903 E025.03071 Bokaa Dam on 27 July (CAB) and ten including a pair with six small young, 2 9 Oct S17.82913 E025.02865 at Moshupa Dam on 5 Aug (MGG,DG, HH). The highest count was of 11 at 4 10 Oct S17.83184 E025.02316 Ramotswa S.P. on 20 July. 1 11 Nov S18.48863 E024.59537 1 12 Nov S18.56334 E024.10033 Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis 1 13 Nov Savuti S18.67134 E024.07377 A large group of 414 was in the Chobe River floodplain on 18 Nov 2015 1 13 Nov Savuti S18.67511 E024.07514 with 263 there on 1 and 2 Aug (GB, MB). 1 13 Nov Savuti S18.68189 E024.07672 1 13 Nov Savuti S18.68161 E024.08282 Southern Pochard Nettapus erythrophthalma 1 13 Nov Savuti S18.69008 E024.09329 The only large count was of 300 at Lobatse S.P. on 21 Jan (CAB). 1 13 Nov Savuti S18.67632 E024.07879 1 13 Nov Savuti S18.63674 E024.06154 Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor 2 13 Nov Savuti S18.64383 E024.06894 One at Ghanzi Farm 55-NK on 9 July was outside of the species’ known 1 14 Nov Savuti S18.62890 E024.07767 range (CAB). 1 14 Nov Savuti S18.63892 E024.09346 1 14 Nov Savuti S18.64168 E024.09624 Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori 1 27 Feb 2016 Chobe floodplain S17.82288 E024.96145 One was at Lake Xau on 7th/8th Nov 2015 (IW) and one flew over 1 27 Feb Chobe floodplain S17.81971 E024.95232 Shadishadi Pan on 8 March 2016 (CAB). 1 27 Feb Chobe floodplain S17.82539 E024.91785 1 5 March Savuti S18.63818 E024.08377 1 5 March Savuti S18.63818 E024.08377 3 5 March Savuti S18.64445 E024.07249

1 5 March Savuti S18.67297 E024.07454 1 6 March Savuti S18.56003 E024.09406 48 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

49 48 Journal of BirdLife Botswana

September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler 62 September 2016

Babbler No. 62 September 2016 In the Chobe area the table below lists sightings by GB and MB who Interesting and Unusual Sightings provided full coordinates for our records (available from us):

Compiled by Stephanie J. Tyler and Chris A. Brewster No. birds Date Locality and/or Coordinates This section does not cover rarities but rather interesting observations of 1 14 Sept 2015 In 1824A3 more common birds. It might report on a species seen out of its usual 1 15 Sept In 1824A3 range or on notably large numbers of a species. Observations on breeding 1 19 Sept Chobe floodplain or feeding behaviour are also welcomed. Records are mainly from 1 19 Sept Chobe floodplain 1 19 Sept Chobe floodplain Black Crake 1 20 Sept Chobe floodplain One was seen in the Nossob Valley 35 km south of Twee Rivieren and one 1 5 Oct In 1824A3 was at Molose waterhole in Khutse G.R. on 30 May (per TH). 2 6 Oct In 1824A3

1 6 Oct In 1824A3 Ostrich Struthio camelus 2 7 Oct In 1824A3 Two at Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan were the first seen by CAB in SE

Botswana. 1 7 Oct In 1824A3 2 7 Oct In 1824A3 South African Shelduck Tadorna cana 1 8 Oct In 1724B3 (S17.48.918 E024.56.797) A total of 35 were seen at six sites in south-east Botswana in Jan/Feb with 2 8 Oct S17.49.960 E024.59.510 a 16 at Kgoro Pan on 3 Feb being the highest count (CAB). 2 8 Oct S17.50.176 E024.59.903 1 9 Oct S17.83058 E025.03500 In the winter months 31 were seen, all at sewage ponds apart from three at 1 9 Oct S17.82903 E025.03071 Bokaa Dam on 27 July (CAB) and ten including a pair with six small young, 2 9 Oct S17.82913 E025.02865 at Moshupa Dam on 5 Aug (MGG,DG, HH). The highest count was of 11 at 4 10 Oct S17.83184 E025.02316 Ramotswa S.P. on 20 July. 1 11 Nov S18.48863 E024.59537 1 12 Nov S18.56334 E024.10033 Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis 1 13 Nov Savuti S18.67134 E024.07377 A large group of 414 was in the Chobe River floodplain on 18 Nov 2015 1 13 Nov Savuti S18.67511 E024.07514 with 263 there on 1 and 2 Aug (GB, MB). 1 13 Nov Savuti S18.68189 E024.07672 1 13 Nov Savuti S18.68161 E024.08282 Southern Pochard Nettapus erythrophthalma 1 13 Nov Savuti S18.69008 E024.09329 The only large count was of 300 at Lobatse S.P. on 21 Jan (CAB). 1 13 Nov Savuti S18.67632 E024.07879 1 13 Nov Savuti S18.63674 E024.06154 Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor 2 13 Nov Savuti S18.64383 E024.06894 One at Ghanzi Farm 55-NK on 9 July was outside of the species’ known 1 14 Nov Savuti S18.62890 E024.07767 range (CAB). 1 14 Nov Savuti S18.63892 E024.09346 1 14 Nov Savuti S18.64168 E024.09624 Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori 1 27 Feb 2016 Chobe floodplain S17.82288 E024.96145 One was at Lake Xau on 7th/8th Nov 2015 (IW) and one flew over 1 27 Feb Chobe floodplain S17.81971 E024.95232 Shadishadi Pan on 8 March 2016 (CAB). 1 27 Feb Chobe floodplain S17.82539 E024.91785 1 5 March Savuti S18.63818 E024.08377 1 5 March Savuti S18.63818 E024.08377 3 5 March Savuti S18.64445 E024.07249

1 5 March Savuti S18.67297 E024.07454 1 6 March Savuti S18.56003 E024.09406 48 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

49 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 49

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62

September 2016 Babbler No. 62

No. Date Location Comments Obs. More than 80 were seen by guides of Wilderness Safaris on Big Birding 1 19 Sept Chobe N.P. S17.50 E24.40 GB, MB Day in the Kalahari on a drive from the Kalahari Pans Camp (per NP). 1 19 Sept Chobe N.P. S17.50 E24.45 GB, MB

1 19 Sept Chobe N.P. S17.50 E25.00 GB, MB Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 1 19 Sept Chobe N.P. S17.45 E25.06 GB, MB A female was seen on 5 March in Savuti at S18.668 E24.074 (GB, MB). 1 19 Sept Chobe N.P. S17.45 E25.06 GB, MB

? 20 Sept Chobe N.P. S17.50 E25.05 GB, MB Verreaux’s Eagle Owl Bubo lacteus 30 6 Oct Chobe N.P. S18.40 E24.04 GB, MB Singles at Ghanzi Farm 55-NK on 8 July and near Bodibeng in 2022C2 on 121 8 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.54 E24.44 GB, MB 10 July (CAB). 4 8 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.54 E24.44 GB, MB

3 8 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.52 E24.47 African Jacana Actilophornis africanus GB, MB There were 30 at a permanent spring on Ghanzi Farm 55-NK on 8 July. 2 8 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.52 E24.48 GB, MB The species is resident at this site, which is outside of its expected range. 4 8 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.07 GB, MB 3 9 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.85 E25.06 GB, MB Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 2 9 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.87 E25.06 GB, MB One at Ghanzi Farm 55-NK on 8 July was outside of the species’ expected 1 9 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.02 GB, MB range (CAB). 2 9 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.50 E25.07 GB, MB 1 10 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.50 E24.59 GB, MB Double-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus 2 10 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.82 E24.91 GB, MB Recorded at Ghanzi Fam 55-NK, outside of the species’ expected range on 129 11 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.00 GB, MB 8 July (CAB). 5 10 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.01 E25.01 GB, MB 1 10 Nov Chobe N.P. at nest S18.36 E24.97 GB, MB Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus 186 10 Nov Tchinga Pan, Chobe N.P. S18.34 E24.95 GB, MB One was at Tuli Wilderness Camp in the Tuli Block on 22nd Oct (per TH); 2 10 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.41 E24.91 GB, MB five were seen at Lake Xau on 8 Nov (IW). 1 15 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.45 E23.97 GB, MB 1 16 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.31 E23.89 GB, MB Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegalensis 10 16 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.23 E24.97 GB, MB Lobatse S.P. is the only site where the species is regularly recorded in SE 1 16 Nov Chobe N.P. In S18.22 E23.98 GB, MB Botswana; on 12 July 2015 eight were there, 20 on 21 Jan 2016 and just 1 16 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.16 E24.04 GB, MB two on 20 July (CAB). 5 16 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.12 E24.09 GB, MB 1 17 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.12 E24.15 GB, MB Whilst commoner in the northern wetlands 33 seen in the Liambezi area of 1 17 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.12 E24.15 GB, MB the Chobe on 29 July was of note (GB, MB). 5 17 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.13 E24.06 GB, MB 77 18 Nov Chobe N.P. S17.89 E24.76 GB, MB White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus 2 18 Nov Chobe N.P. S17.92 E24.73 GB, MB 1 18 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.54 E24.44 GB, MB No. Date Location Comments Obs. 80 18 Nov Chobe N.P. S17.89 E24.75 o o GB, MB 12 1 Mar Khwai area 19 12’ 23 72’ RH, CdP 14 26 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.83 E25.13 GB, MB 2015 2016 1 15 Sept Chobe N.P. S18.35 E24.00 GB, MB 2 26 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.83 E25.12 GB, MB 1 18 Sept Chobe N.P. S18.15 E23.55 GB, MB 3 26 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.08 GB, MB 1 19 sept Chobe N.P. S18.20 E24.05 GB, MB 2 26 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.12 GB, MB 3 26 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.83 E25.13 GB, MB 2 27 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.08 GB, MB

50 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a 1 27 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.06 GB, MB

51 50 Journal of BirdLife Botswana

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62

Babbler No. 62 September 2016

No. Date Location Comments Obs. More than 80 were seen by guides of Wilderness Safaris on Big Birding 1 19 Sept Chobe N.P. S17.50 E24.40 GB, MB Day in the Kalahari on a drive from the Kalahari Pans Camp (per NP). 1 19 Sept Chobe N.P. S17.50 E24.45 GB, MB

1 19 Sept Chobe N.P. S17.50 E25.00 GB, MB Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 1 19 Sept Chobe N.P. S17.45 E25.06 GB, MB A female was seen on 5 March in Savuti at S18.668 E24.074 (GB, MB). 1 19 Sept Chobe N.P. S17.45 E25.06 GB, MB

? 20 Sept Chobe N.P. S17.50 E25.05 GB, MB Verreaux’s Eagle Owl Bubo lacteus 30 6 Oct Chobe N.P. S18.40 E24.04 GB, MB Singles at Ghanzi Farm 55-NK on 8 July and near Bodibeng in 2022C2 on 121 8 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.54 E24.44 GB, MB 10 July (CAB). 4 8 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.54 E24.44 GB, MB

3 8 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.52 E24.47 African Jacana Actilophornis africanus GB, MB There were 30 at a permanent spring on Ghanzi Farm 55-NK on 8 July. 2 8 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.52 E24.48 GB, MB The species is resident at this site, which is outside of its expected range. 4 8 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.07 GB, MB 3 9 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.85 E25.06 GB, MB Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 2 9 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.87 E25.06 GB, MB One at Ghanzi Farm 55-NK on 8 July was outside of the species’ expected 1 9 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.02 GB, MB range (CAB). 2 9 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.50 E25.07 GB, MB 1 10 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.50 E24.59 GB, MB Double-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus 2 10 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.82 E24.91 GB, MB Recorded at Ghanzi Fam 55-NK, outside of the species’ expected range on 129 11 Oct Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.00 GB, MB 8 July (CAB). 5 10 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.01 E25.01 GB, MB 1 10 Nov Chobe N.P. at nest S18.36 E24.97 GB, MB Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus 186 10 Nov Tchinga Pan, Chobe N.P. S18.34 E24.95 GB, MB One was at Tuli Wilderness Camp in the Tuli Block on 22nd Oct (per TH); 2 10 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.41 E24.91 GB, MB five were seen at Lake Xau on 8 Nov (IW). 1 15 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.45 E23.97 GB, MB 1 16 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.31 E23.89 GB, MB Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegalensis 10 16 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.23 E24.97 GB, MB Lobatse S.P. is the only site where the species is regularly recorded in SE 1 16 Nov Chobe N.P. In S18.22 E23.98 GB, MB Botswana; on 12 July 2015 eight were there, 20 on 21 Jan 2016 and just 1 16 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.16 E24.04 GB, MB two on 20 July (CAB). 5 16 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.12 E24.09 GB, MB 1 17 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.12 E24.15 GB, MB Whilst commoner in the northern wetlands 33 seen in the Liambezi area of 1 17 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.12 E24.15 GB, MB the Chobe on 29 July was of note (GB, MB). 5 17 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.13 E24.06 GB, MB 77 18 Nov Chobe N.P. S17.89 E24.76 GB, MB White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus 2 18 Nov Chobe N.P. S17.92 E24.73 GB, MB 1 18 Nov Chobe N.P. S18.54 E24.44 GB, MB No. Date Location Comments Obs. 80 18 Nov Chobe N.P. S17.89 E24.75 o o GB, MB 12 1 Mar Khwai area 19 12’ 23 72’ RH, CdP 14 26 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.83 E25.13 GB, MB 2015 2016 1 15 Sept Chobe N.P. S18.35 E24.00 GB, MB 2 26 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.83 E25.12 GB, MB 1 18 Sept Chobe N.P. S18.15 E23.55 GB, MB 3 26 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.08 GB, MB 1 19 sept Chobe N.P. S18.20 E24.05 GB, MB 2 26 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.12 GB, MB 3 26 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.83 E25.13 GB, MB 2 27 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.08 GB, MB

50 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a 1 27 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.06 GB, MB

51 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 51

September 2016 Babbler 62

No. Date Location Comments Obs. 5 1 Aug Chobe N.P. S17.90 E24.75 GB, MB 1 1 Aug Chobe N.P. S17.89 E24.77 GB, MB 1 1 Aug Chobe N.P. S17.88 E24.79 GB, MB

African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus Babbler 62 September 2016 AdultSeptember at Kang 201 6Rest (2322D1), north of Kang on 7 Feb (JR). Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

African Fish-eagle Haliaeetus vocifer No. Date Location Comments Obs. No.One atDate Ghanzi FarmLocation 55-NK in March 2016 wasComments unusual for the areaObs. (MN). 33 27 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.01 GB, MB 5 1 Aug Chobe N.P. S17.90 E24.75 GB, MB 4 27 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.83 E25.03 GB, MB 1 Verreaux’s1 Aug Eagle Chobe Aquila N.P. verreauxii S17.89 E24.77 GB, MB 2 27 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.03 GB, MB 1 An.adult1 Augat 45 mileChobe gate, N.P.CKGR (2225A3) on S17.87 June8 E24.79(WR) was outsideGB, MB of 7 27 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.83 E24.99 GB, MB the expected range of this species. 2 27 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.83 E25.03 GB, MB African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus 3 28 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.83 E24.74 GB, MB SecretaryAdult at Kang Bird Rest Sagittarius (2322D1), serpentarius north of Kang on 7 Feb (JR). 2 28 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.89 E24.77 GB, MB One was seen near Lake Xau on 7th/8th Nov 2015 (IW). In Chobe N.P. one 25 26 Jan Gaborone Dam CAB wasAfrican seen Fish on- eagle 6 Oct Haliaeetus in Savuti, twovocifer in Savuti on 13 Nov and close by two 2016 feedingOne at G ah chickanzi Farmin a nest 55- NKon 5in March March 20152016 (GB,was unusualMB) for the area (MN). 1 3 Feb Kgoro Pan CAB 40 27 Feb 2326D3 At a cow carcass CAB LittleVerreaux’s Grebe Eagle Tachybaptus Aquila verreauxii ruficollis 17 29 Feb 6km south of Sojwe Pan At a carcass with CAB TwoAn.adult were at at 45 Ghanzi mile gate, Farm CKGR 55-NK, (2225A3) outside onof the7 June species’ (WR) expected was outside range, of one Tawny Eagle onthe 8 expected July (CAB). range of this species.

2 2 March Chobe N.P. S17.94 E24.69 GB, MB GreatSecretary Crested Bird GrebeSagittarius Podiceps serpentarius cristatus th th 3 2 March Chobe N.P. S17.96 E24.67 GB, MB TheOne wa onlys seen record near in Lake the JanuaryXau on 72016/8 Novwaterbird 2015 (IW). counts In Chobe was of N.P. one one at 1 2 March Chobe N.P. S17.97 E24.65 GB, MB Mogobanewas seen onDam 6 Octon 20 in Savuti,Jan (MGG two, DG, in Savuti HH). onSix 13were Nov noted and at close Mogobane by two 1 3 March Chobe N.P. S18.51 E24.32 GB, MB Damfeeding on a5 chickAug ( inMGG a nest, DG, on HH). 5 March 2015 (GB, MB) 1 4 March Chobe N.P. S18.76 E24.36 GB, MB 37 4 March Chobe N.P. S18.56 E24.10 GB, MB CattleLittle Grebe Egret TachybaptusBubulcus ibis ruficollis 1 5 Marxh Chobe N.P. S18.64 E24.09 GB, MB ATwo strange were dimorphicat Ghanzi Farmbird was 55 -seenNK, o onutside 19 Nov of the 2015 species’ on the expected range, 2 7 March Chobe N.P. at nest S18.46 E23.88 GB, MB Chobe/Nogatsaaon 8 July (CAB). Road (GB, MB) – see photo. 5 8 March Chobe N.P. S18.30 E23.90 GB, MB 5 9 March Chobe N.P. S18.31 E24.24 GB, MB Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 10 2 July Gaborone Dam CAB The only record in the January 2016 waterbird counts was of one at 7 7 July Near Betesankwe CAB Mogobane Dam on 20 Jan (MGG, DG, HH). Six were noted at Mogobane 1 7 July Midway between CAB Dam on 5 Aug (MGG, DG, HH). Jwaneng and Sekona 3 9 July Ghanzi Farm 55-NK 3 active nests CAB Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 150 15 July West of Sehithwa At donkey ES, MSk A strange dimorphic bird was seen on 19 Nov 2015 on the carcass Chobe/Nogatsaa Road (GB, MB) – see photo. 1 25 July Shadishadi Pan, Sojwe CAB 2 30 July Linyanti S18 17 E23 58 GB, MB 4 30 July Chobe N.P. S18 16 E23 55 GB, MB 11 30 July Chobe N.P. S18.29 E23.91 GB, MB 2 30 July Chobe N.P S18.30 E23.90 GB, MB 1 31 July Chobe N.P. S18.64 E24.07 GB, MB 40 31 July Chobe N.P. With 2 Lappet- GB, MB 53 faced Vultures at

S18.60 E24.07 2 1 Aug Chobe N.P. S17.90 E24.74 GB, MB

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52 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 53

September 2016 Babbler 62

No. Date Location Comments Obs. 5 1 Aug Chobe N.P. S17.90 E24.75 GB, MB 1 1 Aug Chobe N.P. S17.89 E24.77 GB, MB 1 1 Aug Chobe N.P. S17.88 E24.79 GB, MB

African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus Babbler 62 September 2016 AdultSeptember at Kang 201 6Rest (2322D1), north of Kang on 7 Feb (JR). Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016

African Fish-eagle Haliaeetus vocifer No. Date Location Comments Obs. No.One atDate Ghanzi FarmLocation 55-NK in March 2016 wasComments unusual for the areaObs. (MN). 33 27 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.01 GB, MB 5 1 Aug Chobe N.P. S17.90 E24.75 GB, MB 4 27 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.83 E25.03 GB, MB 1 Verreaux’s1 Aug Eagle Chobe Aquila N.P. verreauxii S17.89 E24.77 GB, MB 2 27 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.84 E25.03 GB, MB 1 An.adult1 Augat 45 mileChobe gate, N.P.CKGR (2225A3) on S17.87 June8 E24.79(WR) was outsideGB, MB of 7 27 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.83 E24.99 GB, MB the expected range of this species. 2 27 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.83 E25.03 GB, MB African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus 3 28 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.83 E24.74 GB, MB AdultSecretary at Kang Bird Rest Sagittarius (2322D1), serpentarius north of Kang on 7 Feb (JR). 2 28 Feb Chobe N.P. S17.89 E24.77 GB, MB One was seen near Lake Xau on 7th/8th Nov 2015 (IW). In Chobe N.P. one 25 26 Jan Gaborone Dam CAB Africanwas seen Fish on- eagle 6 Oct Haliaeetus in Savuti, twovocifer in Savuti on 13 Nov and close by two 2016 Onefeeding at G ah chickanzi Farmin a nest 55- NKon 5in MarchMarch 20152016 (GB,was unusualMB) for the area (MN). 1 3 Feb Kgoro Pan CAB 40 27 Feb 2326D3 At a cow carcass CAB Verreaux’sLittle Grebe Eagle Tachybaptus Aquila verreauxii ruficollis 17 29 Feb 6km south of Sojwe Pan At a carcass with CAB TwoAn.adult were at at 45 Ghanzi mile gate, Farm CKGR 55-NK, (2225A3) outside onof the7 June species’ (WR) expected was outside range, of one Tawny Eagle onthe 8 expected July (CAB). range of this species.

2 2 March Chobe N.P. S17.94 E24.69 GB, MB GreatSecretary Crested Bird GrebeSagittarius Podiceps serpentarius cristatus th th 3 2 March Chobe N.P. S17.96 E24.67 GB, MB TheOne wa onlys seen record near in Lake the JanuaryXau on 72016/8 Novwaterbird 2015 (IW). counts In Chobe was of N.P. one one at 1 2 March Chobe N.P. S17.97 E24.65 GB, MB Mogobanewas seen onDam 6 Octon 20 in Savuti,Jan (MGG two, DG, in Savuti HH). onSix 13were Nov noted and at close Mogobane by two 1 3 March Chobe N.P. S18.51 E24.32 GB, MB feedingDam on a5 chickAug ( inMGG a nest, DG, on HH). 5 March 2015 (GB, MB) 1 4 March Chobe N.P. S18.76 E24.36 GB, MB 37 4 March Chobe N.P. S18.56 E24.10 GB, MB LittleCattle Grebe Egret TachybaptusBubulcus ibis ruficollis 1 5 Marxh Chobe N.P. S18.64 E24.09 GB, MB ATwo strange were dimorphicat Ghanzi Farmbird was 55 -seenNK, o onutside 19 Nov of the 2015 species’ on the expected range, 2 7 March Chobe N.P. at nest S18.46 E23.88 GB, MB Chobe/Nogatsaaon 8 July (CAB). Road (GB, MB) – see photo. 5 8 March Chobe N.P. S18.30 E23.90 GB, MB 5 9 March Chobe N.P. S18.31 E24.24 GB, MB Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 10 2 July Gaborone Dam CAB The only record in the January 2016 waterbird counts was of one at 7 7 July Near Betesankwe CAB Mogobane Dam on 20 Jan (MGG, DG, HH). Six were noted at Mogobane 1 7 July Midway between CAB Dam on 5 Aug (MGG, DG, HH). Jwaneng and Sekona 3 9 July Ghanzi Farm 55-NK 3 active nests CAB Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 150 15 July West of Sehithwa At donkey ES, MSk A strange dimorphic bird was seen on 19 Nov 2015 on the carcass Chobe/Nogatsaa Road (GB, MB) – see photo. 1 25 July Shadishadi Pan, Sojwe CAB 2 30 July Linyanti S18 17 E23 58 GB, MB 4 30 July Chobe N.P. S18 16 E23 55 GB, MB 11 30 July Chobe N.P. S18.29 E23.91 GB, MB 2 30 July Chobe N.P S18.30 E23.90 GB, MB 1 31 July Chobe N.P. S18.64 E24.07 GB, MB 40 31 July Chobe N.P. With 2 Lappet- GB, MB 53 faced Vultures at

S18.60 E24.07 2 1 Aug Chobe N.P. S17.90 E24.74 GB, MB Cattle Egret - Unusual Colour Form - CNP - Botswana

Photo: Gavin Blair

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Journal of BirdLife Botswana 53 53

Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62 September 2016 Babbler 62 Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus Dusky Lark Pinarocorys nigricans One was at Phakalane S.P. on 17 March (CAB). One was by pans near Dithopo, north of Sojwe on 24 March (CAB). No. Date Location Comments Obs. Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus (ruber) 5 Fawn-1coloured Aug LarkChobe Calendulalauda N.P. africanoidesS17.90 E24.75 GB, MB There were 212 at Bokaa Dam on 12 Jan, nine at Thagale Dam on 17 Jan, 1 Two at1 GaboroneAug Chobe Dam N.P. on 24 Sept 2015 wasS17.8 an9 E unusual24.77 recordGB, for MB SE 76 at Ramotswa S.P. on 22 Jan and 92 at Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan 1 Botswana1 Aug (IW). Chobe N.P. S17.88 E24.79 GB, MB th (CAB). In July 80 were at Phakalane S.P. on 27 (CAB). Common Mynah Acridotheres tristris SeptemberAfrican Harrier 2016 -Hawk Polyboroides typus Babbler 62 White Stork Ciconia ciconia Adult at Kang Rest (2322D1), north of Kang on 7 Feb (JR). Birds have been seen in Maun, in other locales north, south and east of There were 18 at Kgoro Pan near Good Hope on 3 Jan (CAB). Maun, in mid-July in Savute and some pairs in Nata (RDR).

DuskyAfrican Lark Fish Pinarocorys-eagle Haliaeetus nigricans vocifer Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis OneBlack wasat-cheeked G hbyanzi pans Farm Waxbill near 55 Ditho- NKEstrilda inpo, March north erythronotos 2016 of Sojwe was onunusual 24 March for the (CAB). area (MN). Four at Bokaa Dam on 12 Jan, one at Mogobane Dam on 20 Jan and 18 at Very common at Ghanzi Farm 55-NK on 8 and 9 July (CAB). Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan (a new summer maximum) were the only FawnVerreaux’s -coloured Eagle Lark Aquila Calendulalauda verreauxii africanoides sightings in SE Botswana in the summer (CAB, MGG, DG, HH). In July TwoCinnamonAn.adult at Gaboroneat -45breasted mile Damgate, Bunting CKGR on 24 Emberiza (2225A3) Sept 2015 tahapsion was 7 June an unusual(WR) was record outside for of SE eight were at Thagale Dam on 23rd and one at Bokaa Dam on 27th (CAB) BotswanatheFour expected came (IW). to rangedrink atof Ghanzithis species. Farm 55-NK on 8 July (CAB). whilst eight were also seen at Mogobane Dam on 5 Aug (MGG, DG, HH).

CommonSecretary MynahBird Sagittarius Acridotheres serpentarius tristris In the Chobe floodplain 399 were counted by GB and MB on 1 and 2 Aug. One was seen near Lake XauR onEFERENCES 7th/8th Nov 2015 (IW). In Chobe N.P. one Birds have been seen in Maun, in other locales north, south and east of was seen on 6 Oct in Savuti, two in Savuti on 13 Nov and close by two Maun, in mid-July in Savute and some pairs in Nata (RDR). Marabou Leptoptilos crumeniferus BARNES, J. and BUSHELL, B. 1989. Birds of the Gaborone area. A feeding a chick in a nest on 5 March 2015 (GB, MB) Nine were at Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan (CAB). More than 100 were in the Checklist. Botswna Bird Club, Gaborone. Black-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos Chobe floodplain in the Watercart area on 28 Feb 2016 (GB, MB). BEESLEY, J.S.S. and IRVING, N.S. 1976. The status of birds of Gaborone VeryLittle common Grebe Tachybaptus at Ghanzi Farm ruficollis 55-NK on 8 and 9 July (CAB). and its surroundings. Botswana Notes and Records 8: 231-261. Two were at Ghanzi Farm 55-NK, outside of the species’ expected range, Abdim’s Stork Ciconia abdimii HOCKEY, P.A.R., DEAN, W.R.J. and RYAN, P.G. (eds). 2005. Roberts – on 8 July (CAB). Rather few reported during the summer 2015/16; five at Kgoro Pan on 3 Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapsi Four Birds came of to southern drink at Africa.Ghanzi The Farm Trustees 55-NK ofon the 8 July John (CAB). Voelcker Bird Book Feb and 50 at Shadishadi Pan and 13 at Sojwe Pan on 8 March with a GreatFund, Crested Cape Grebe Town. Podiceps cristatus large count of ca. 4,000 between Sojwe and Dithopo on 24 March (CAB). TYLER, S.J. and BORELLO, W.D. 1998. Birds in the Gaborone area and The only record in the January 2016 waterbird counts was of one at Mogobanewhere Damto watch on 20them Jan. Botswana (MGG, DG, Bird HH). Club, Six Gabo wererone. noted at Mogobane REFERENCES White-crested Helmet-Shrike Prionops plumatus Dam on 5 Aug (MGG, DG, HH). A flock spent a January day when temperatures were 43 degrees in a BARNES, J. and BUSHELL, B. 1989. Birds of the Gaborone area. A Notwane garden (CAB). CattleChecklist Egret Bubulcus. Botswna ibisBird Club, Gaborone.

BEESLEY,CompiledA strange dimorphicby J.S.S. Stephanie and bird IRVING, wasJ. Tyler seen N.S. and on 1976. 19Chris Nov The A. 2015 statusBrewster, on of the birds of Gaborone Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla c/o BirdLife Botswana, Chobe/Nogatsaaand its surroundings. Road (GB, Botswana MB) – see Notes photo and. Records 8: 231-261. Recorded at Ghanzi Farm 55-NK, outside of the species known range, on 8 HOCKEY, P.A.R., DEAN, W.R.J. and RYAN, P.G. (eds). 2005. Roberts – July. Also recorded at Thotayamarula, west of Sojwe, a range extension for Birds of southern Africa. The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book this species, on 24 March (CAB). Fund, Cape Town.

TYLER, S.J. and BORELLO, W.D. 1998. Birds in the Gaborone area and Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata where to watch them. Botswana Bird Club, Gaborone. Recorded at Ghanzi Farm 55-NK, outside of the species’ known range, on

8 July. Also recorded at Thotayamarula, west of Sojwe, a range extension

for this species, on 24 March (CAB).

Compiled by Stephanie J. Tyler and Chris A. Brewster, c/o BirdLife Botswana,

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Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler No. 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler 62 Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus Dusky Lark Pinarocorys nigricans One was at Phakalane S.P. on 17 March (CAB). One was by pans near Dithopo, north of Sojwe on 24 March (CAB). No. Date Location Comments Obs. Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus (ruber) 5 Fawn-1coloured Aug LarkChobe Calendulalauda N.P. africanoidesS17.90 E24.75 GB, MB There were 212 at Bokaa Dam on 12 Jan, nine at Thagale Dam on 17 Jan, 1 Two at1 GaboroneAug Chobe Dam N.P. on 24 Sept 2015 wasS17.8 an9 E unusual24.77 recordGB, for MB SE 76 at Ramotswa S.P. on 22 Jan and 92 at Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan 1 Botswana1 Aug (IW). Chobe N.P. S17.88 E24.79 GB, MB th (CAB). In July 80 were at Phakalane S.P. on 27 (CAB). Common Mynah Acridotheres tristris SeptemberAfrican Harrier 2016 -Hawk Polyboroides typus Babbler 62 White Stork Ciconia ciconia Adult at Kang Rest (2322D1), north of Kang on 7 Feb (JR). Birds have been seen in Maun, in other locales north, south and east of There were 18 at Kgoro Pan near Good Hope on 3 Jan (CAB). Maun, in mid-July in Savute and some pairs in Nata (RDR).

DuskyAfrican Lark Fish Pinarocorys-eagle Haliaeetus nigricans vocifer Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis OneBlack wasat-cheeked G hbyanzi pans Farm Waxbill near 55 Ditho- NKEstrilda inpo, March north erythronotos 2016 of Sojwe was onunusual 24 March for the (CAB). area (MN). Four at Bokaa Dam on 12 Jan, one at Mogobane Dam on 20 Jan and 18 at Very common at Ghanzi Farm 55-NK on 8 and 9 July (CAB). Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan (a new summer maximum) were the only FawnVerreaux’s -coloured Eagle Lark Aquila Calendulalauda verreauxii africanoides sightings in SE Botswana in the summer (CAB, MGG, DG, HH). In July TwoCinnamonAn.adult at Gaboroneat -45breasted mile Damgate, Bunting CKGR on 24 Emberiza (2225A3) Sept 2015 tahapsion was 7 June an unusual(WR) was record outside for of SE eight were at Thagale Dam on 23rd and one at Bokaa Dam on 27th (CAB) BotswanatheFour expected came (IW). to rangedrink atof Ghanzithis species. Farm 55-NK on 8 July (CAB). whilst eight were also seen at Mogobane Dam on 5 Aug (MGG, DG, HH).

CommonSecretary MynahBird Sagittarius Acridotheres serpentarius tristris In the Chobe floodplain 399 were counted by GB and MB on 1 and 2 Aug. One was seen near Lake XauR onEFERENCES 7th/8th Nov 2015 (IW). In Chobe N.P. one Birds have been seen in Maun, in other locales north, south and east of was seen on 6 Oct in Savuti, two in Savuti on 13 Nov and close by two Maun, in mid-July in Savute and some pairs in Nata (RDR). Marabou Leptoptilos crumeniferus BARNES, J. and BUSHELL, B. 1989. Birds of the Gaborone area. A feeding a chick in a nest on 5 March 2015 (GB, MB) Nine were at Gaborone Dam on 26 Jan (CAB). More than 100 were in the Checklist. Botswna Bird Club, Gaborone. Black-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos Chobe floodplain in the Watercart area on 28 Feb 2016 (GB, MB). BEESLEY, J.S.S. and IRVING, N.S. 1976. The status of birds of Gaborone VeryLittle common Grebe Tachybaptus at Ghanzi Farm ruficollis 55-NK on 8 and 9 July (CAB). and its surroundings. Botswana Notes and Records 8: 231-261. Two were at Ghanzi Farm 55-NK, outside of the species’ expected range, Abdim’s Stork Ciconia abdimii HOCKEY, P.A.R., DEAN, W.R.J. and RYAN, P.G. (eds). 2005. Roberts – on 8 July (CAB). Rather few reported during the summer 2015/16; five at Kgoro Pan on 3 Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapsi Four Birds came of to southern drink at Africa.Ghanzi The Farm Trustees 55-NK ofon the 8 July John (CAB). Voelcker Bird Book Feb and 50 at Shadishadi Pan and 13 at Sojwe Pan on 8 March with a GreatFund, Crested Cape Grebe Town. Podiceps cristatus large count of ca. 4,000 between Sojwe and Dithopo on 24 March (CAB). TYLER, S.J. and BORELLO, W.D. 1998. Birds in the Gaborone area and The only record in the January 2016 waterbird counts was of one at Mogobanewhere Damto watch on 20them Jan. Botswana (MGG, DG, Bird HH). Club, Six Gabo wererone. noted at Mogobane REFERENCES White-crested Helmet-Shrike Prionops plumatus Dam on 5 Aug (MGG, DG, HH). A flock spent a January day when temperatures were 43 degrees in a BARNES, J. and BUSHELL, B. 1989. Birds of the Gaborone area. A Notwane garden (CAB). CattleChecklist Egret Bubulcus. Botswna ibisBird Club, Gaborone.

CompiledABEESLEY, strange dimorphicby J.S.S. Stephanie and bird IRVING, wasJ. Tyler seen N.S. and on 1976. 19Chris Nov The A. 2015 statusBrewster, on of the birds of Gaborone Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla c/o BirdLife Botswana, Chobe/Nogatsaaand its surroundings. Road (GB, Botswana MB) – see Notes photo and. Records 8: 231-261. Recorded at Ghanzi Farm 55-NK, outside of the species known range, on 8 HOCKEY, P.A.R., DEAN, W.R.J. and RYAN, P.G. (eds). 2005. Roberts – July. Also recorded at Thotayamarula, west of Sojwe, a range extension for Birds of southern Africa. The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book this species, on 24 March (CAB). Fund, Cape Town.

TYLER, S.J. and BORELLO, W.D. 1998. Birds in the Gaborone area and Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata where to watch them. Botswana Bird Club, Gaborone. Recorded at Ghanzi Farm 55-NK, outside of the species’ known range, on

8 July. Also recorded at Thotayamarula, west of Sojwe, a range extension for this species, on 24 March (CAB).

Compiled by Stephanie J. Tyler and Chris A. Brewster, c/o BirdLife Botswana,

54 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

Journal of BirdLife Botswana 5555

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Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

Contributors of records

AF Ali Flatt JWi James Wilson AH Arthur Hall JW Janet Woods AK Alistair Kiplin KO Ken Oake AV Anneke Vincent LC Lyn Cassidy BR Brent Reed LO Lee Ouzman BRode Brian Rode MB Marjorie Blair BW Brendon White MGG Mile Goldsworthy CAB Chris Brewster MK Martin Kays DC Debbie Carter MM Mark Muller DG Daphne Goldsworthy MN Morlen Ncube DH Dean and Ellen Hatty MR Moira Randell DM Duncan Mackenzie MS Mike Sorocynski ED Emily Dibb MSk Mark Skelton EEv Eddy Everaerd MW Mary Webb EEk Ehren Eksteen NP Nic Proust EM Ewan Massan PD’A Peter D’Arcy EMos Elmanie Mostert PH Pete Hancock ES Eugenie Skelton PM Pam Kleimam FF Floris Fortgens PS Peter Spence GB Gavin Blair PZ Phil Zappala GF Gail Fortgens RB Rachel Bain GG Geoff Goetsch ReB Renier Balt GH Geraldine Hester RF Rikta Franken GK Godfrey Kasango RH Ross Hawkins GR Grant Reed RL Roger Larsen GS Guy Symons RW Robert Wienand HH Harold Hester TA Tony Archer HP Hennie Peters TH Trevor Hardaker ID Inga Dalziel TOB Tuelo O Bapedi 1M Ian McCutcheon VWF Vincent W Flory IR Ian Riddell VW Victor Wilkens IW Ian White WDB Wendy Borello JduP Johann de Preez WR William Richter JD John Dalziel WS Walter Smith JH James Haskins WvS Wouter v Spijker JR John Randell YB Yvonne Bosman

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56 Journal of BirdLife Botswana

Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62 September 2016

Some Breeding Records in 2014/2015/2016

Compiled by Stephanie J. Tyler and Chris A. Brewster

Species Date Location Nest site; nest Obs. contents Common Ostrich 22 Feb Sita Pan Pair adults + seven young, CAB Struthio camelus 2015 2425B1 c.30 cm tall Red-billed Spurfowl 11 July Near Bodibeng Adult + one tiny young, < CAB Pternistis adspersus 2016 2022D1 five days old Red-billed Spurfowl July Along Pair adults + six young c. CAB Pternistis adspersus 2016 Mohembo- 10 days old Kwando track in 1822A1 Swainson’s 10 July Crocodile Pair adults + 6 tiny chicks, MGG, Spurfowl Pternistis 2016 Pools, Notwane freshly hatched. DG swainsonii 5 Aug Pair adults + 3 chicks 2016 Natal Francolin 14 Aug Crocodile Pair adults + 3 young ca. 1 MGG, Pternistis natalensis 2016 Pools, Notwane week old DG Egyptian Goose 1 Jan Ramotswa S.P. Pair with 4 goslings ca.10 CAB Alopochen 2015 days and a pair with 7 aegyptiacus goslings ca.7 days Egyptian Goose 3 Jan Mahalapye S.P. 18 goslings in several PD’A 2015 groups Egyptian Goose 29 Jan Bathoen Dam Five pairs of geese with MGG, 2015 broods; four with half DG, HH grown young and one pair with recently hatched young Egyptian Goose 31 Jan Bokaa Dam Four pairs with broods – CAB 2015 one with two goslings ca. 10 days, one with three goslings ca. 5 days, one with two goslings ca. 5 days and the fourth with 10 goslings ca. 5 days Egyptian Goose 31 Jan Phakalane S.P. Three pairs with broods – JD 2015 of four, six and seven goslings Egyptian Goose 8 Feb Kgoro Pan Pair with 8 tiny goslings ca. CAB 2015 5 days Egyptian Goose 5 Feb Broadhurst Pair +,eight young, ca. five CAB 2016 Ponds weeks old Egyptian Goose 5 Feb Phakalane S.P. Pair +,eight young, ca. five CAB 2016 weeks old

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Journal of BirdLife Botswana 57 September 2016 Babbler 62

September 2016 Babbler No. 62

Species Date Location Nest site; nest Obs. contents Egyptian Goose 25 July Sojwe Pan Adult incubating on nest in CAB 2016 reed-beds Egyptian Goose 27 July Bokaa Dam Pair adults +five young, ca. CAB 2016 three weeks old South African 5 Aug Moshupa Dam Pair with six small MGG, Shelduck 2016 ducklings DG, HH Tadorna cana Cape Teal 11 Jan Lobatse S.P. Pair with four small CAB Anas capensis 2015 ducklings ca. 5 days Cape Teal 11 Jan Lobatse S.P. Pair with six small CAB Anas capensis 2015 ducklings ca. 5 days Cape Teal 29 Jan Jwaneng S.P. Pair with ducklings <2 MGG, Anas capensis weeks old DG, HH Cape Teal June Maun S.P. Three nests with three, five PH, KO Anas capensis 2015 and six eggs Red-billed Teal 28 April Sojwe Pan Three pairs with broods, CAB Anas 2016 one with six young, just erythrorhyncha hatched, one with eight young, ca. one week old and one with three young, ca. one week old Red-billed Hornbill 18 Feb Notwane Young calling loudly from Rika Tockus 2015 nest-box 4 m above ground Franken eyhtrorhynchus Red-billed Hornbill 7 Feb West of Bokaa Young in nest in hole in BLB 2016 Dam Acacia erioloba ca. 3.5 m above ground Southern Yellow- 24 Jan Crocodile One chick out of nest with DG, billed Hornbill 2015 Pools, Notwane pair adults MGG Tockus leucomelas Southern Yellow- 5 Nov Crocodile Adult incubating in nest- DG, billed Hornbill 2015 Pools, Notwane box. No chicks, breeding MGG Jan attempt failed due to hot 2016 and dry conditions African Grey 31 Dec Crocodile Well-grown young calling CAB Hornbill 2014 Pools, Notwane from nest in nest-box Tockus nasutus African Grey 7 Nov Crocodile Adult incubating in nest- CAB Hornbill 2015 Pools, Notwane box, nest later failed due to hot and dry conditions Woodland 18 Feb Notwane Young calling loudly from Rika Kingfisher Halcyon 2015 nest-box 3 m above ground Franken senegalensis Green Wood- 7 Nov Moeding Six adults feeding young CAB hoopoe Phoeniculus 2014 College, Otse calling from hole in syringa purpureus tree Green Wood- 12 Nov Moeding Two adults feeding calling CAB hoopoe 2015 College, Otse young in nest in syringa tree 2.5 m above ground

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58 Journal of BirdLife Botswana Babbler 62 September 2016

Babbler No. 62 September 2016

Species Date Location Nest site; nest Obs. contents Common 9 Feb Mogonye Pair adults + three small, CAB Scimitarbill 2016 2425D3 dependent young, probably Rhinopomastus recently fledged cyanomelus Speckled Mousebird 7 Feb West of Bokaa Active nest, bird seen flying BLB Colius striatus 2016 Dam into nest, ca. 2 m above ground in Aacacia bush Great Spotted 6 Feb Kgale Siding, Two juveniles being fed by RF Cuckoo Clamator 2015 Gaborone Common Myna glandarius Acridotheres tristis Diderick Cuckoo 30 Jan Moeding One recently fledged CAB Chrysococcyx 2015 College, Otse young begging from Lesser caprius Masked-Weaver Ploceus intermedius Barred Owlet Dec Garden by Photos taken of adults TL 2014/ Thamalakane taking invertebrate prey to Jan River in Maun the nest 2015 Purple Swamphen 2 Jan Mahalapye S.P. Adult and small chick PD’A Porphyrio porphyrio 2015

African Jacana 22 May Phakalane S.P. Adult + recently hatched IW Actophilornis 2016 young africanus Black-winged Stilt 24 Sept Broadhurst Four nests with adults IW Himantopus 2015 Ponds incubating himantopus Black-winged Stilt 11 Oct Pool at over- Three nests, platforms of CAB 2015 flowing sewage sticks in mud, with adults in Lobatse incubating Kittlitz’s Plover 24 Sept Mogobane Adult with chick IW Charadrius 2015 Dam pecuarius Kittlitz’s Plover 11 July Shore of Lake Adult + one tiny chick, CAB 2016 Ngami recently hatched Blacksmith Lapwing 21 July Gaborone Pair adults + two young, CAB Vanellus armatus 2016 Game Reserve ca. five days old Crowned Lapwing 7 April West of Adult + one young, ca. 5 CAB Vanellus coronatus 2016 Tlapana Gate days old 2126A1 White-backed 9 July Ghanzi Farm Three active nests on tops CAB Vulture Gypys 2016 55-NK of large trees africanus Secretary-bird 5 Mar Savuti, Chobe Two adults feeding a chick GB, MB Sagittarius 2016 N .P. in a nest

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Journal of BirdLife Botswana 59 September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

Species Date Location Nest site; nest Obs. contents serpentarius Red-necked Falcon 18 Aug Maun On eggs in Hyphaene PH 2015 Palm Little Grebe 3 Jan Mahalapye S.P. 14 young grebes PD’A Tachybaptus 2015 ruficollis African Darter 24-25 Lake Xau 50+ active nests in trees CAB Anhinga rufa Dec out in the lake where seen 2014 in August White-breasted 5 June Thagale Dam Five active nests on dead BLB Cormorant 2016 trees in dam Phalocrocorax 18 June Three of nests with young: IW lucidus 2016 3 young, 2 young and 2 young respectively White-breasted 5 Aug Moshupa Dam One on nest with mate MGG, Cormorant 2016 nearby DG, HH Black-headed 24 April Shadi Shadi Adult on nest on top of tree CAB Heron Ardea 2016 Pan melanocephala Crimson-beasted 1 May Near Taung Nest 3 m above ground, IW Shrike 2016 River, south of with two young ca.15 days Laniarius Ramotswa old; one young fell out of atrococcineus nest Chinspot Batis 30 April Crocodile Adult female feeding CAB Batis molitor 2016 Pools, Notwane fledged, begging young Southern Black Tit 7 Nov Crocodile Adult entering and CAB Passer niger 2015 Pools, Notwane remaining in nest-hole in Acacia erubescens 2 m above ground Rock Martin 15 May Game City, Adult flying into nest, CAB Hirundo fuligula 2016 Gaborone where presumably incubating, 4 m above ground, under roof Arrow-marked 23 Jan Maun Nest at 1m with two eggs MB Babbler 2015 Turdoides jardinnei Arrow-marked March Crocodile Two juveniles being fed by MGG, Babbler 2016 Pools, Notwane group of adults DG Grey-backed 8 April Edge of Sua Adult + recently hatched CAB Sparrowlark 2016 Pan, at base of young Eremopterix Kaitshe verticalis Escarpment 2126A1 Red-capped Lark 10 July Dautsha Flats Immature begging from CAB Calandrella cinerea 2016 adult Groundscraper 14 Oct Police College, Nest in fork of tree with two IW Thrush 2015 Otse young, ca. 10 days old Psophocochla being fed by adult litsipsirupa

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60 Journal of BirdLife Botswana Babbler 62 September 2016

Babbler No. 62 September 2016

Species Date Location Nest site; nest Obs. contents Kurrichane Thrush Feb Crocodile Adult with one young DG, Turdus libonyanus 2016 Pools, Notwane MGG Collared Palm 3 Apr Chobe Safari Nest + small chicks on wall DH Thrush 2016 Lodge, Kasane of Lodge pateo Cichladusa arquata Cape Glossy 4 Dec Crocodile Adult feeding young in nest Starling 2014 Pools, Notwane in hole in Aloe marlothi CAB Lamprotornis nitens Cape Glossy May Crocodile Pair adults with three MGG, Starling 2018 Pools, Notwane fledged young DG White-bellied 3 Jan Maun garden Male and female feeding KO Sunbird 2015 chicks at nest Cinnyris talatala Cut-throat Finch 16 Nov Crocodile Young calling softly from CAB Amadina fasciata 2014 Pools, Notwane old nest of Southern Masked-Weaver Ploceus velatus Cut-throat Finch 13 Mar Moeding Pair adults feeding softly CAB 2015 College, Otse calling young in old Lesser Masked-Weaver Ploceus intermedius nest Cut-throat Finch 2 May Riverwalk Mall, Recently fledged young CAB 2015 Gaborone begging from adult Green-winged Pyilia 28 May Crocodile Two fledged young CAB Pytilia melba 2016 Pools, Notwane begging from adult Yellow-fronted Feb Crocodile Six juveniles with a number DG, Canary Crithagra 2016 Pools, Notwane of adults MGG mozambicus

Observers: GB Gavin Blair; MB Marjorie Blair; CAB Chris Brewster; DG Daphne Goldsworthy; JD John Dalziel; DH Dean Hatty; HH Harold Hester, KO Ken Oake and Mel Oake; MB Marc Baar; MGG Mike Goldsworthy; PD’A Peter D’Arcy; RF Rika Franken, TL Tim Liversedge;

62 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

Journal of BirdLife Botswana 61 September 2016 Babbler 62

REVIEW : BIRDS OF BOTSWANA by Peter Hancock and Ingrid Weiersbye Published by Pinceton University Press, 2016, ISBN 978-0-691-15717-7; 398 pages

This is the second field guide dedicated to the birds of Botswana. The first, by Kenneth Newman, was published in 1987 and has long been out of print. In the following thirty years much new information has been gathered about the country’s avifauna, including new species recorded, biological details and the distribution of the county’s nearly 600 species.

Hancock has perused the relevant regional literature since Newman’s book and this, his own pertinent observations and those of leading local and regional birders, has informed the book under review. The species texts are thus up to date; they are also most readable and will be appreciated by all levels of birders and ornithologists. The English bird names chosen agree with the International Ornithological Congress’s World Bird List (V.4.3) reflecting the desire to move to global standardisation. Numerous are the birders who fervently wish that such standardisation will (finally!) be achieved and no doubt some will take issue with unaccustomed names such as Intermediate Egret, Western Cattle Egret, Striated Heron, Hadeda Ibis, Common Swift, Scaly-feathered Weaver and Holub’s Golden Weaver). The reviewer regrets the occasional use of American English spellings (advocated by the publishers), e.g. Fawn-colored Lark and the colour grey rendered as “gray” (cf. identification features of Rock Pratincole and Long- tailed Widowbird). The inclusion of Setswana bird names is clearly appropriate given the context of the field guide.

The species accounts, necessarily succinct in a field guide, cover measurements, identification features, calls, status, abundance, habitat, habits and the official IUCN conservation listing (from “Least Concern” to “Endangered”). The range maps, incorporating migratory status and relative abundance, are a little on the small side to be very precise, but give a fair indication of species distribution as established by the end of 2014. In this connection, for example, it is pleasing to note that the range map of the Rufous-eared Warbler Malcorus pectoralis takes into account the most recent sightings. Breeding patterns are usefully depicted by “breeding bars”.

There is one species index incorporating English and scientific names (the latter italicised to aid in differentiation); this is a modern and neat September 2016 Babbler 62 arrangement. In the introduction there is a concise and helpful coverage of

September 2016 Babbler No. 62 “where to see birds in Botswana”. Babbler 62 September 2016 REVIEW Hancock’s commendable texts are very well supported by Ingrid : Weiersbye’s fine colour illustrations, all 1200 of which were drawn BIRDS OF BOTSWANA by Peter Hancock and Ingrid Weiersbye specifically for this work. They generally depict nicely the morphology, Published by Pinceton University Press, 2016, ISBN 978-0-691-15717-7; colour and “jizz” of the birds. In respect of several species the smaller scale63

398 pages depictions of the birds in flight assist in identification; this is especially true of the waders and raptors. This is the second field guide dedicated to the birds of Botswana. The first, by Kenneth Newman, was published in 1987 and has long been out of Two illustrations that are not quite satisfactory are those of the Garden print. In the following thirty years much new information has been gathered Warbler Sylvia borin, where the crown is unrepresentative of the species, about the country’s avifauna, including new species recorded, biological being too flat, and the Little Swift Apus affinis, which is too dumpy. details and the distribution of the county’s nearly 600 species. The book is only available in softback, with, fittingly, Botswana’s National Hancock has perused the relevant regional literature since Newman’s book bird, the Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori illustrated on the cover. (Like many and this, his own pertinent observations and those of leading local and bibliophiles I prefer hard cover books as they are more durable). regional birders, has informed the book under review. The species texts are thus up to date; they are also most readable and will be appreciated by all Hancock and Weiersbye have produced a book of very high standard, one levels of birders and ornithologists. The English bird names chosen agree that is set to become the benchmark field guide to Botswana’s birds. with the International Ornithological Congress’s World Bird List (V.4.3) reflecting the desire to move to global standardisation. Numerous are the Richard D. Randall birders who fervently wish that such standardisation will (finally!) be achieved and no doubt some will take issue with unaccustomed names such as Intermediate Egret, Western Cattle Egret, Striated Heron, Hadeda Ibis, Common Swift, Scaly-feathered Weaver and Holub’s Golden Weaver). The reviewer regrets the occasional use of American English spellings (advocated by the publishers), e.g. Fawn-colored Lark and the colour grey rendered as “gray” (cf. identification features of Rock Pratincole and Long- tailed Widowbird). The inclusion of Setswana bird names is clearly appropriate given the context of the field guide.

The species accounts, necessarily succinct in a field guide, cover measurements, identification features, calls, status, abundance, habitat, habits and the official IUCN conservation listing (from “Least Concern” to “Endangered”). The range maps, incorporating migratory status and relative abundance, are a little on the small side to be very precise, but give a fair indication of species distribution as established by the end of 2014. In this connection, for example, it is pleasing to note that the range map of the Rufous-eared Warbler Malcorus pectoralis takes into account the most recent sightings. Breeding patterns are usefully depicted by “breeding bars”.

There is one species index incorporating English and scientific names (the latter italicised to aid in differentiation); this is a modern and neat arrangement. In the introduction there is a concise and helpful coverage of “where to see birds in Botswana”.

Hancock’s commendable texts are very well supported by Ingrid Weiersbye’s fine colour illustrations, all 1200 of which were drawn

62 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 64 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a 63

September 2016 Babbler 62

REVIEW : BIRDS OF BOTSWANA by Peter Hancock and Ingrid Weiersbye Published by Pinceton University Press, 2016, ISBN 978-0-691-15717-7; 398 pages

This is the second field guide dedicated to the birds of Botswana. The first, by Kenneth Newman, was published in 1987 and has long been out of print. In the following thirty years much new information has been gathered about the country’s avifauna, including new species recorded, biological details and the distribution of the county’s nearly 600 species.

Hancock has perused the relevant regional literature since Newman’s book and this, his own pertinent observations and those of leading local and regional birders, has informed the book under review. The species texts are thus up to date; they are also most readable and will be appreciated by all levels of birders and ornithologists. The English bird names chosen agree with the International Ornithological Congress’s World Bird List (V.4.3) reflecting the desire to move to global standardisation. Numerous are the birders who fervently wish that such standardisation will (finally!) be achieved and no doubt some will take issue with unaccustomed names such as Intermediate Egret, Western Cattle Egret, Striated Heron, Hadeda Ibis, Common Swift, Scaly-feathered Weaver and Holub’s Golden Weaver). The reviewer regrets the occasional use of American English spellings (advocated by the publishers), e.g. Fawn-colored Lark and the colour grey rendered as “gray” (cf. identification features of Rock Pratincole and Long- tailed Widowbird). The inclusion of Setswana bird names is clearly appropriate given the context of the field guide.

The species accounts, necessarily succinct in a field guide, cover measurements, identification features, calls, status, abundance, habitat, habits and the official IUCN conservation listing (from “Least Concern” to “Endangered”). The range maps, incorporating migratory status and relative abundance, are a little on the small side to be very precise, but give a fair indication of species distribution as established by the end of 2014. In this connection, for example, it is pleasing to note that the range map of the Rufous-eared Warbler Malcorus pectoralis takes into account the most recent sightings. Breeding patterns are usefully depicted by “breeding bars”.

There is one species index incorporating English and scientific names (the latter italicised to aid in differentiation); this is a modern and neat September 2016 Babbler 62 arrangement. In the introduction there is a concise and helpful coverage of

Babbler“where No.to see62 birds in Botswana”. September 2016 Babbler 62 September 2016 REVIEW Hancock’s commendable texts are very well supported by Ingrid : Weiersbye’s fine colour illustrations, all 1200 of which were drawn BIRDS OF BOTSWANA by Peter Hancock and Ingrid Weiersbye specifically for this work. They generally depict nicely the morphology, Published by Pinceton University Press, 2016, ISBN 978-0-691-15717-7; colour and “jizz” of the birds. In respect of several species the smaller scale63

398 pages depictions of the birds in flight assist in identification; this is especially true of the waders and raptors. This is the second field guide dedicated to the birds of Botswana. The first, by Kenneth Newman, was published in 1987 and has long been out of Two illustrations that are not quite satisfactory are those of the Garden print. In the following thirty years much new information has been gathered Warbler Sylvia borin, where the crown is unrepresentative of the species, about the country’s avifauna, including new species recorded, biological being too flat, and the Little Swift Apus affinis, which is too dumpy. details and the distribution of the county’s nearly 600 species. The book is only available in softback, with, fittingly, Botswana’s National Hancock has perused the relevant regional literature since Newman’s book bird, the Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori illustrated on the cover. (Like many and this, his own pertinent observations and those of leading local and bibliophiles I prefer hard cover books as they are more durable). regional birders, has informed the book under review. The species texts are thus up to date; they are also most readable and will be appreciated by all Hancock and Weiersbye have produced a book of very high standard, one levels of birders and ornithologists. The English bird names chosen agree that is set to become the benchmark field guide to Botswana’s birds. with the International Ornithological Congress’s World Bird List (V.4.3) reflecting the desire to move to global standardisation. Numerous are the Richard D. Randall birders who fervently wish that such standardisation will (finally!) be achieved and no doubt some will take issue with unaccustomed names such as Intermediate Egret, Western Cattle Egret, Striated Heron, Hadeda Ibis, Common Swift, Scaly-feathered Weaver and Holub’s Golden Weaver). The reviewer regrets the occasional use of American English spellings (advocated by the publishers), e.g. Fawn-colored Lark and the colour grey rendered as “gray” (cf. identification features of Rock Pratincole and Long- tailed Widowbird). The inclusion of Setswana bird names is clearly appropriate given the context of the field guide.

The species accounts, necessarily succinct in a field guide, cover measurements, identification features, calls, status, abundance, habitat, habits and the official IUCN conservation listing (from “Least Concern” to “Endangered”). The range maps, incorporating migratory status and relative abundance, are a little on the small side to be very precise, but give a fair indication of species distribution as established by the end of 2014. In this connection, for example, it is pleasing to note that the range map of the Rufous-eared Warbler Malcorus pectoralis takes into account the most recent sightings. Breeding patterns are usefully depicted by “breeding bars”.

There is one species index incorporating English and scientific names (the latter italicised to aid in differentiation); this is a modern and neat arrangement. In the introduction there is a concise and helpful coverage of Amur Falcon “where to see birds in Botswana”. Photo: Ian White

Hancock’s commendable texts are very well supported by Ingrid Weiersbye’s fine colour illustrations, all 1200 of which were drawn

64Journal of BirdLife Botswana J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n63 a 63

September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler No. 62

LETTERS Dry pans in Chobe National Park

Marabou Stork movements In late July and early August when we were carrying out waterbird counts in northern Botswana, Savuti was bone dry - not just the marsh and the You may know that I’ve long been of the view that we have a very small Channel, but once again Marabou Pan, Rhino Vlei and Pump Pan - the resident Marabou Stork population supplemented by many intra-African only waterholes and the only source of water for the wildlife outside of the migrants. Now a bird tagged in South Africa has been seen in Selous two lodge waterholes. Game Reserve in Tanzania. While one swallow doesn’t make a summer, this information is quite exciting because it looks as though my hunch is It was so sad to once again see the animals just standing around dry right. This may also help us explain why we see the occasional ultra-smart waterholes hoping that some totally unreliable person might turn up and do adults now and then – any ideas? something about it. Rhino Vlei is no longer pumped at all. Pump Pan was dry, and the natural pan behind it was nothing but muddy slurry where we found an impala stuck in the gooey mud - others were trying to pick their Pete Hancock, PO Box 20463, Maun way through the mud in a hopeless attempt to find something drinkable. Andre Botha ([email protected]) noted that birds fitted in the nest at Phongolo Nature Reserve in Zululand had been tracked over the last two Marabou Pan was pumping, but barely a trickle was coming out, and so the years and most of these birds move to the Mozambique coastal plains after bottom of the pan wasn't even damp as every last precious drop was being fledging to return to the Natal area of Kruger a few months later. sucked out as it arrived by the desperate elephants. The pan was surrounded by other wildlife that had no chance of a drink at all. Why does nobody care? and why does this situation repeat itself again and again and Alien Red-claw Crayfish now close to the Okavango again? It's a national disgrace - after all the water holes are only there in the first place to encourage the wildlife to stay for the tourists, and so why The Red-claw Crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus lives in Australia but in continue to encourage tourists into the area when nobody cares less about 1992 stock were brought over to a fish farm near Livingstone in Zambia. the wildlife they have come to see? If the pans aren't going to be kept Then stock was transferred to a fish farm at Kafue town from where some going year round, then better to never pump at all - then the wildlife would naturally leave the area at the end of the wet season as the pans dry out, escaped into the Kafue River. Then in 2005/2006 there was another instead of waiting in false hope until it is too late for them to move on to escape from stock imported to a fish farm at Lake Kariba, followed by the kinder pastures. In the meantime the tourists cool down in Savuti's two deliberate release of these crayfish into the Upper Zambezi above Victoria swimming pools sipping nice cool drinks. We don't know what the situation Falls by Chinese construction workers. is at present, but we do know that in the past at least one of the lodges regularly turned off the tap to their waterhole when the guests when to bed, This Australian crayfish is highly invasive and may have negative impacts as after all the entertainment was over for the night. on native plants and animals in aquatic systems. It has spread widely in the Kafue River basin and in the Zambezi basin. On 22 August 2016 the Kafue Botswana still has plenty of tourists and plenty of tourist dollars, and the River Trust wrote that the Red-claw Crayfish has now arrived in Namibia. country has a good record as being a safe place to travel, yet one of the prime tourist locations continues to be neglected - those in a position to do One was reportedly caught in a small backwater close to Namwi Island just something about it never bother to fully address this years old issue of below Katima Mulilo. It is only a matter of time before this alien species inadequate and unreliable water in Savuti. also finds its way across to the Okavango given the speed with which it is spreading. In contrast we have just returned from carrying out our waterfowl counts in the Robins Camp area of Hwange, where water is being pumped into the Stephanie J. Tyler waterholes by fully functioning solar pumps, even in the most remote areas

66 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

64 Journal of BirdLife Botswana65

September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62 September 2016

LETTERS Dry pans in Chobe National Park

Marabou Stork movements In late July and early August when we were carrying out waterbird counts in northern Botswana, Savuti was bone dry - not just the marsh and the You may know that I’ve long been of the view that we have a very small Channel, but once again Marabou Pan, Rhino Vlei and Pump Pan - the resident Marabou Stork population supplemented by many intra-African only waterholes and the only source of water for the wildlife outside of the migrants. Now a bird tagged in South Africa has been seen in Selous two lodge waterholes. Game Reserve in Tanzania. While one swallow doesn’t make a summer, this information is quite exciting because it looks as though my hunch is It was so sad to once again see the animals just standing around dry right. This may also help us explain why we see the occasional ultra-smart waterholes hoping that some totally unreliable person might turn up and do adults now and then – any ideas? something about it. Rhino Vlei is no longer pumped at all. Pump Pan was dry, and the natural pan behind it was nothing but muddy slurry where we found an impala stuck in the gooey mud - others were trying to pick their Pete Hancock, PO Box 20463, Maun way through the mud in a hopeless attempt to find something drinkable. Andre Botha ([email protected]) noted that birds fitted in the nest at Phongolo Nature Reserve in Zululand had been tracked over the last two Marabou Pan was pumping, but barely a trickle was coming out, and so the years and most of these birds move to the Mozambique coastal plains after bottom of the pan wasn't even damp as every last precious drop was being fledging to return to the Natal area of Kruger a few months later. sucked out as it arrived by the desperate elephants. The pan was surrounded by other wildlife that had no chance of a drink at all. Why does nobody care? and why does this situation repeat itself again and again and Alien Red-claw Crayfish now close to the Okavango again? It's a national disgrace - after all the water holes are only there in the first place to encourage the wildlife to stay for the tourists, and so why The Red-claw Crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus lives in Australia but in continue to encourage tourists into the area when nobody cares less about 1992 stock were brought over to a fish farm near Livingstone in Zambia. the wildlife they have come to see? If the pans aren't going to be kept Then stock was transferred to a fish farm at Kafue town from where some going year round, then better to never pump at all - then the wildlife would naturally leave the area at the end of the wet season as the pans dry out, escaped into the Kafue River. Then in 2005/2006 there was another instead of waiting in false hope until it is too late for them to move on to escape from stock imported to a fish farm at Lake Kariba, followed by the kinder pastures. In the meantime the tourists cool down in Savuti's two deliberate release of these crayfish into the Upper Zambezi above Victoria swimming pools sipping nice cool drinks. We don't know what the situation Falls by Chinese construction workers. is at present, but we do know that in the past at least one of the lodges regularly turned off the tap to their waterhole when the guests when to bed, This Australian crayfish is highly invasive and may have negative impacts as after all the entertainment was over for the night. on native plants and animals in aquatic systems. It has spread widely in the Kafue River basin and in the Zambezi basin. On 22 August 2016 the Kafue Botswana still has plenty of tourists and plenty of tourist dollars, and the River Trust wrote that the Red-claw Crayfish has now arrived in Namibia. country has a good record as being a safe place to travel, yet one of the prime tourist locations continues to be neglected - those in a position to do One was reportedly caught in a small backwater close to Namwi Island just something about it never bother to fully address this years old issue of below Katima Mulilo. It is only a matter of time before this alien species inadequate and unreliable water in Savuti. also finds its way across to the Okavango given the speed with which it is spreading. In contrast we have just returned from carrying out our waterfowl counts in the Robins Camp area of Hwange, where water is being pumped into the Stephanie J. Tyler waterholes by fully functioning solar pumps, even in the most remote areas

66 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

65 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 65

September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler 62 September 2016 September 2016 Babbler No. 62 that barely any tourists visit in this very under-utilised area. If Zimbabwe Recent Publications of interest with its low tourist numbers can put in numerous water pumps throughout Hwange National Park, even in areas that are unlikely to see a tourist from Stephanie J. Tyler one month to the next, then why can't Botswana keep just three pumps running full time in Savuti? - at least this proves that the Zimbabwe National Kenny, D., Reading, R., Maude, G., Hancock, P. and Garbett, B. 2015. Parks and Wildlife Authorities still care and have respect for the wildlife - Blood lead levels in White-backed Vultures (Gyps africanus) from sadly the same cannot be said for Botswana. Yes, there are now some Botswana, Africa. Vulture News 68: 25-31. new waterholes along the route from Noghatsa to Savuti, and that is commendable – however, Savuti is one of the prime tourist destinations of The Denver Zoological Foundation in collaboration with Raptors Botswana Botswana, and so it really is about time someone took on board that Botswana's natural heritage and a valuable resource is being badly investigated lead exposure as another issue that might affect vultures in neglected in this area - i.e. its wildlife. One day this apathy will surely Africa in the future (deliberate or inadvertent poisoning being the main backfire, because more and more tourists are getting to see first-hand the threat). Lead toxicity affects liver, kidney, heart, gastrointestinal, situation for what it is - i.e. a disgraceful and utter lack of care and reproductive and nervous systems and lead toxicity from hunter-spent lead commitment. The resulting bad press could lead to a negative impact on ammunition is a major impediment to the recovery of the Californian the valuable tourist industry - is this really what Botswana wants? We just Condor Gymnogyps californianus. Such toxicity has been documented in wish that something could be done about it. It is so very, very sad that the many Old World and New World raptors but not previously in African Savuti Channel has dried up again - it was the wildlife's temporary salvation, now gone again. It was too upsetting to stay around for long, vultures. and so we did our counts and left - it was truly depressing. Some of the authors and others captured vultures within Botswana as part Marjorie Blair [email protected] of a ringing programme. They took blood samples from 477 White-backed Vultures Gyps africanus and analysed the lead levels in these samples.

Almost 31% of the vultures had lead levels exceeding the expected background levels. The highest level was from a bird on a hunting ranch and the lowest level in a bird in a national park, suggesting that spent lead may be partially responsible for elevated blood levels.

Subtle effects of low-level chronic lead exposure may cause birds to be less fit and more susceptible to morbidity and mortality; cumulative effects from chronic lead toxicity may affect long-term survival for long-lived and slow-reproducing vulture species.

The authors suggest that lead-based ammunition should be replaced with non-lead substitutes and that further investigation of soil and water sources for lead would be useful.

Burchell’s Sandgrouse Photo: Ian White 68 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

66 Journal of BirdLife Botswana67

September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler 62 September 2016 Babbler No. 62 September 2016 that barely any tourists visit in this very under-utilised area. If Zimbabwe Recent Publications of interest with its low tourist numbers can put in numerous water pumps throughout Hwange National Park, even in areas that are unlikely to see a tourist from Stephanie J. Tyler one month to the next, then why can't Botswana keep just three pumps running full time in Savuti? - at least this proves that the Zimbabwe National Kenny, D., Reading, R., Maude, G., Hancock, P. and Garbett, B. 2015. Parks and Wildlife Authorities still care and have respect for the wildlife - Blood lead levels in White-backed Vultures (Gyps africanus) from sadly the same cannot be said for Botswana. Yes, there are now some Botswana, Africa. Vulture News 68: 25-31. new waterholes along the route from Noghatsa to Savuti, and that is commendable – however, Savuti is one of the prime tourist destinations of The Denver Zoological Foundation in collaboration with Raptors Botswana Botswana, and so it really is about time someone took on board that Botswana's natural heritage and a valuable resource is being badly investigated lead exposure as another issue that might affect vultures in neglected in this area - i.e. its wildlife. One day this apathy will surely Africa in the future (deliberate or inadvertent poisoning being the main backfire, because more and more tourists are getting to see first-hand the threat). Lead toxicity affects liver, kidney, heart, gastrointestinal, situation for what it is - i.e. a disgraceful and utter lack of care and reproductive and nervous systems and lead toxicity from hunter-spent lead commitment. The resulting bad press could lead to a negative impact on ammunition is a major impediment to the recovery of the Californian the valuable tourist industry - is this really what Botswana wants? We just Condor Gymnogyps californianus. Such toxicity has been documented in wish that something could be done about it. It is so very, very sad that the many Old World and New World raptors but not previously in African Savuti Channel has dried up again - it was the wildlife's temporary salvation, now gone again. It was too upsetting to stay around for long, vultures. and so we did our counts and left - it was truly depressing. Some of the authors and others captured vultures within Botswana as part Marjorie Blair [email protected] of a ringing programme. They took blood samples from 477 White-backed Vultures Gyps africanus and analysed the lead levels in these samples.

Almost 31% of the vultures had lead levels exceeding the expected background levels. The highest level was from a bird on a hunting ranch and the lowest level in a bird in a national park, suggesting that spent lead may be partially responsible for elevated blood levels.

Subtle effects of low-level chronic lead exposure may cause birds to be less fit and more susceptible to morbidity and mortality; cumulative effects from chronic lead toxicity may affect long-term survival for long-lived and slow-reproducing vulture species.

The authors suggest that lead-based ammunition should be replaced with non-lead substitutes and that further investigation of soil and water sources for lead would be useful.

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67 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 67

September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler 62 September 2016

September 2016 Babbler No. 62

Fincham, J.E., Viaagie, R., Underhill, L.G., Brooks, M. and Markus, costs per unit area are similar, resources for wetland conservation are M.B. 2015. The impacts of the Pied Crow Corvus albus on other species better invested in restoration projects than in wetland creation, and caution need to be determined. Orn. Obs. 6: 232-239. is required when suggesting that artificial wetlands compensate for the loss of natural wetlands. This paper is of interest because Pied Crows in Botswana are now abundant and they could be having an adverse impact on some birds and Editor: The above study was conducted in Spain and possibly the results other wildlife. are not necessarily relevant to other countries or indeed other parts of Spain. Simply on the numbers and diversity of bird species it would seem The authors describe the results of road counts of Pied Crows and raptors that artificial wetlands such as well-vegetated sewage lagoons as in on road journeys in South Africa between April 2009 and October 2014. Botswana equate well with natural wetlands for birds. That is not to say that The numbers of crows was very high compared with any species of raptor; safeguarding natural wetlands is not vital for bird conservation. indeed the annual total of Pied Crows exceeded the combined count of all raptors. It is clear that the Pied Crow population is increasing over large areas of southern Africa with a decrease in a few small areas. R. Buij, W. S. Clark and D. G. Allan 2016. First records of Red-necked Buzzard Buteo auguralis for southern Africa, with notes on identification of In the United States the Common Raven Corvus corax that has similarly Buteo buzzards in the subregion. Bulletin African Bird Club 23: increased has had a highly detrimental impact on Desert Tortoises Gopherus agassizi in the Mojave Desert and it is suggested that in South The author’s summary. We present the first six records of Red-necked Africa Pied Crows could similarly be adversely affecting populations of Buzzards Buteo auguralis for southern Africa: three from Namibia, two from Angulate Tortoises Chersina angulate and other species too. The authors Botswana and one from South Africa, and all are from the greater Kalahari suggest that remedial action to prevent or minimise damage should be Basin. Four records were of juveniles and occurred during the mid- to late taken if proof is obtained that Pied Crows are impacting on other wildlife. austral winter dry period (July–August). The other two records were adults or near-adults and occurred during the mid- to late austral summer wet season (January–March). Birds were seen in five different years (2001, Sebastián-González, Esther and Green, Andy.J. 2016. Reduction of 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015), suggesting regular vagrancy from breeding avian diversity in created versus natural and restored wetlands. Ecography populations further north. We present plumage characters that will facilitate 39: 1–9. future separation of juvenile Red-necked Buzzards from Forest B. trizonatus, Steppe B. buteo vulpinus, Augur B. augur and Jackal Buzzards Natural wetland ecosystems continue to suffer widespread destruction and B. rufofuscus in southern Africa. degradation. Many recent studies argue that artificial or restored wetlands compensate for wetland loss and are valuable for waterbird conservation. Editor: One of Ian White’s photographs of a Red-necked Buzzard at Kasane illustrates this paper (see overleaf). However, detailed comparisons of the value of natural, artificial and restored wetlands are lacking. Our aim was to assess if the restoration or creation of wetlands can fully compensate for the loss of natural wetlands for waterbirds. We compared the waterbird communities in a set of 20 natural, restored and artificial wetlands, all of which are considered important for waterbirds and are located within the same protected area (Doñana Natural Space, south-west Spain). We used different measures of diversity, including phylogenetic relatedness, and the proportion of threatened species at national, European and international levels. We found that artificial wetlands have consistently lower value than restored and natural wetlands, with little difference between the latter two. Natural wetlands are essential for conserving diversity across the tree of life and for threatened species, but restored wetlands can be of similar value and can assure maintenance of key ecological processes. Thus, when economic 70 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

69 68 Journal of BirdLife Botswana

September 2016 Babbler 62 Babbler 62 September 2016

Babbler No. 62 September 2016

Fincham, J.E., Viaagie, R., Underhill, L.G., Brooks, M. and Markus, costs per unit area are similar, resources for wetland conservation are M.B. 2015. The impacts of the Pied Crow Corvus albus on other species better invested in restoration projects than in wetland creation, and caution need to be determined. Orn. Obs. 6: 232-239. is required when suggesting that artificial wetlands compensate for the loss of natural wetlands. This paper is of interest because Pied Crows in Botswana are now abundant and they could be having an adverse impact on some birds and Editor: The above study was conducted in Spain and possibly the results other wildlife. are not necessarily relevant to other countries or indeed other parts of Spain. Simply on the numbers and diversity of bird species it would seem The authors describe the results of road counts of Pied Crows and raptors that artificial wetlands such as well-vegetated sewage lagoons as in on road journeys in South Africa between April 2009 and October 2014. Botswana equate well with natural wetlands for birds. That is not to say that The numbers of crows was very high compared with any species of raptor; safeguarding natural wetlands is not vital for bird conservation. indeed the annual total of Pied Crows exceeded the combined count of all raptors. It is clear that the Pied Crow population is increasing over large areas of southern Africa with a decrease in a few small areas. R. Buij, W. S. Clark and D. G. Allan 2016. First records of Red-necked Buzzard Buteo auguralis for southern Africa, with notes on identification of In the United States the Common Raven Corvus corax that has similarly Buteo buzzards in the subregion. Bulletin African Bird Club 23: increased has had a highly detrimental impact on Desert Tortoises Gopherus agassizi in the Mojave Desert and it is suggested that in South The author’s summary. We present the first six records of Red-necked Africa Pied Crows could similarly be adversely affecting populations of Buzzards Buteo auguralis for southern Africa: three from Namibia, two from Angulate Tortoises Chersina angulate and other species too. The authors Botswana and one from South Africa, and all are from the greater Kalahari suggest that remedial action to prevent or minimise damage should be Basin. Four records were of juveniles and occurred during the mid- to late taken if proof is obtained that Pied Crows are impacting on other wildlife. austral winter dry period (July–August). The other two records were adults or near-adults and occurred during the mid- to late austral summer wet season (January–March). Birds were seen in five different years (2001, Sebastián-González, Esther and Green, Andy.J. 2016. Reduction of 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015), suggesting regular vagrancy from breeding avian diversity in created versus natural and restored wetlands. Ecography populations further north. We present plumage characters that will facilitate 39: 1–9. future separation of juvenile Red-necked Buzzards from Forest B. trizonatus, Steppe B. buteo vulpinus, Augur B. augur and Jackal Buzzards Natural wetland ecosystems continue to suffer widespread destruction and B. rufofuscus in southern Africa. degradation. Many recent studies argue that artificial or restored wetlands compensate for wetland loss and are valuable for waterbird conservation. Editor: One of Ian White’s photographs of a Red-necked Buzzard at Kasane illustrates this paper (see overleaf). However, detailed comparisons of the value of natural, artificial and restored wetlands are lacking. Our aim was to assess if the restoration or creation of wetlands can fully compensate for the loss of natural wetlands for waterbirds. We compared the waterbird communities in a set of 20 natural, restored and artificial wetlands, all of which are considered important for waterbirds and are located within the same protected area (Doñana Natural Space, south-west Spain). We used different measures of diversity, including phylogenetic relatedness, and the proportion of threatened species at national, European and international levels. We found that artificial wetlands have consistently lower value than restored and natural wetlands, with little difference between the latter two. Natural wetlands are essential for conserving diversity across the tree of life and for threatened species, but restored wetlands can be of similar value and can assure maintenance of key ecological processes. Thus, when economic 70 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

69 Journal of BirdLife Botswana 69

September 2016 Babbler No. 62

Red Necked Buzzard Photo: Ian White

Denham’s Bustard Photo: Gavin Blair

70 Journal of BirdLife Botswana BIRDLIFE BOTSWANA Little Bittern Photo: Ian White

Bateleur Photo: Ian White

Schalow’s Turaco Great Crested Grebe Photo: Ian White Photo: Ian White

Partner designate of: ISSN 1012 - 2974 1012 - ISSN September 2016 JournalBotswana of BirdLife BABBLER Number 62 Number

BABBLER No. 62 SEPTEMBER 2016 Photo: Ian White Richard Randall Photo: Richard Printing by Impression House Cover Design by: Impression House Journal Botswana of BirdLife BABBLER