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Issue 24 LARKJuly/August 2019 N e w s l e t t e r o f B i r d l i f e P o l o k w a n e

Affiliated to Birdlife South Africa The Lark is the newsletter of Birdlife Polokwane and is published bimonth- Contents ly. It publishes reports of club activi- ties, trip reports, photographic contri- Regulars butions and any natural history notes of birds or events involving birds. Contributions are accepted in English Black-collared Barbet or Afrikaans and are accepted at the discretion of the editors. Non-mem- Bird briefs bers are also welcome to contribute, 33 Nightjar identification: Swamp especially if it is of relevance to birds and Freckled Nightjars • or birding in the Limpopo Province. Jockey Mynas • A conservation conundrum - Cape Par- When submitting images, please sub- rot feeding on alien invasive mit high resolution images without species • Happy 14th ringday any borders or frames. Mokgalaje • Another extraordinary bird-insect spectacle • What lurks inside those The editors reserve the right to edit legs? •Homo horrendous An appeal to fishermen to act articles as necessary. All images are more responsibly • Who's copyright protected and the proper- who at the Coral Carnival? ty of the author/s of the article un- • Rudd's Lark - One of South Africa's Top 5 rarest endem- less otherwise stated. Please send all ics your contributions to the editors at [email protected]. 64 Interesting sightings The opinions expressed by contribu- 16 April - 15 June 2019 tors in this newsletter are not neces- sarily those of the editors, the Birdlife Upcoming events Polokwane committee or Birdlife 67 South Africa. This newsletter is best DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE: read in a ‘two page view’ format. 15 August 2019 ADVERTISING Cover Yellow-billed Oxpecker SPACE AVAILABLE © Ashleigh Pieterse. Contact Lisa Grosel 083 380 2322 1 The Lark 24 The Lark • July/August 2019 • Issue 24

Club News, Trip Reports and Members’ contributions 11 4

An enchanted forest PEPPS celebrate WMBD Ruan Stander Raelene Engelbrecht 15

Charge the cameras! Mark and A lot Julia to Friskin do The new SABAP2 website Derek Engelbrecht Ernst Retief 20

Birdlife SA press release 24

The Lark 24 2 Editor's chirps

The winter solstice has come and gone, and we can now start to look forward to summer and the return of the migrants. Will it be another epic summer like the past one? Let's hope. The first of the intra-African migrants will arrive within the next week or two, so keep'em peeled for the likes of the striped and Red-breasted Swallows, Yellow-billed Kites, Klaas's Cuckoos, and the first waders - and do send us your 'first-for-the-season' records' We want to take the opportunity to thank all the contributors to this issue, and a special word of welcome to first-time contributors like Ruan Stander, Brett Gardner and Ingrid Weiersbye. This issue also has an interesting article on Coral Tree nectarivory. If Pretoria is the Jacaranda City, then Polokwane can rightfully be called the Coral Tree Capital, so let's see if we can add a few more species to the already impressive list of opportunistic nectarivores at these spectacular trees, Last but not least - keep those articles to 'The Lark' rolling in!

Raelene and Daniel

P.O. Box 699 Fauna Park 0787 Tel: 015 263 6473 www.birdlifepolokwane.co.za www.facebook.com/birdlifepolokwane

President Joe Grosel • Chairperson Jody De Bruyn • Deputy chairperson Mark Friskin • Secretary Marcia Van Tonder • Treasurers Nick Baglow and Julia Friskin • Website and IT coordinator Jody De Bruyn • PRO and venue coordinator Lisa Grosel • Events co-ordinator Richter Van Tonder • Research and mon- itoring Derek Engelbrecht • Newsletter editors Raelene Engelbrecht and Daniel Engelbrecht • Additional members Anneliese Pretorius, Conrad Van Tonder, Willem Van der Merwe, Les Reynolds, Johan Van Vuuren

3 The Lark 24 An Enchanted Forest Adventures of avifaunal fanatics in Woodbush Forest

Ruan Stander

n the morning of Sat- one would expect, it was a frig- urday the 11th of May, id morning with autumn being in six of us (Mark and full-swing. As we began winding Julia OFriskin, Johan Van der Wes- up the mountain pass, it was evi- thuizen, Willie Van der Merwe, dent that some dense fog was going Richter Van Tonder, and I) depart- to accompany us for a while - this is ed from Polokwane just after 06:00 am to spend the morning trying our luck with some forest birds on Above Birds and Man alike were all delighted at the sight of sunshine slicing the epic Woodbush Forest Drive through the misty canopy © Richter Van in the Magoebaskloof region. As Tonder.

The Lark 24 4 the land of the silver mist after all. As we began moving towards Upon our arrival, and after a quick Woodbush, the dense fog made stop for everyone to get their gear birding tough going, but Richter’s organized, it did not take Richter trained eye spotted a Narina Tro- long to pick up our first treats for gon and so naturally everyone was the day. Two Drakensberg Prinias out of the vehicles nearly as fast as had some fun with us for a while the trogon flew off. Fortunately, we until the tables turned and we spot- had managed to keep quite good ted one of them that had been sit- track of it and, being in the planta- ting in plain sight all along. The tions, we managed to spot it again prinias were not alone and we had a fairly easily. Despite it being a very brief but delightful sighting of a young clear sighting, the combination Olive Bushshrike and an Olive Wood- pecker, hard at work under some light cover as we watched from an arm’s Above Mark and Johan showing a younger stretch away. generation how to persevere © Richter Van Tonder.

5 The Lark 24 of their typical back-turning be- just begun burning through the haviour and the heavy mist made fog. it impossible to appreciate the As the sun made a very wel- colours of the bird and as such it come appearance, we pulled over is still quite ‘foggy’ as to whether in a clearing for a coffee break it was a male or female trogon. while being treated to two Grey Earlier, Richter mentioned that the Cuckooshrikes, playing in the road was in a much worse condi- morning light against the back- tion than it had been previously drop of breathtakingly beautiful and noted that it was probably a indigenous forest. We went a lit- sign of our logger friends being ac- tle further up the road and took a tive in the area. Indeed, our fears walk through the forest where the were confirmed right at this point, entertained became the entertain- when we heard the painful groan- ers once more, as we tried enticing ing of a truck fighting the incline, a Barratt’s Warbler out of the thick and had to hug the verges to allow cover it was concealed in. a smooth passage. Needless to say, Willie pointed out a varie- the trogon did not hang around for ty of beautiful indigenous flowers the truck to pass. along the way, as well as a number The next exciting find was a of interesting trees. We were very trio of Blue-mantled Crested Fly- excited to hear the calls of Cape catchers; some of us didn’t even Parrots in close proximity and fol- bother to take pictures - knowing lowed the sound up the road; but what a pain they can be to pho- unfortunately only ended up with tograph. We heard another truck a dark wing-flapping speck mak- making its way up the ‘pass’ and ing its way down the valley in the realized that we might be in for a distance. Thanks to Richter’s ex- game of ‘dodge-the-loggers’. Fortu- perience and familiarity with the nately, the driver must have opted area, it was positively identified as for a picnic somewhere instead and a Cape Parrot. Soon after we were we didn’t hear or see another one witness to a fly-by of a juvenile for the rest of the day. African Harrier-Hawk accompa- One of the day’s highlights nied by the characteristic in-flight followed - a fantastic sighting of call. In cahoots with the Cape Forest Canaries - an entire opera Parrot gang (something with the of these pescy creatures foraging in Cape and gangs, isn’t there?) was the golden morning rays that had a Black-fronted Bushshrike heard The Lark 24 6 Above The Grey Cuckooshrike that had calling, and sometime later it made some of us dancing around © Richter Van a hasty appearance in the upper Tonder. canopy - more of an encounter with an apparition than a bird sighting though. Despite the disappoint- down into the valley - we had vir- ment, excitement was once again tually been on top of it but had not sparked at the sound of Knysna seen it. Turacos calling right behind us. We Like the Swee Waxbills, the watched and waited and eventually Grey Cuckooshrikes had a particu- heard the bird fly off some distance larly strong presence on the day, away, hidden in the canopy of the but were apparently not comforta- scarp forest. Moments later - right ble with allowing us a closer look, in front of us - a flash of comple- until we had a brilliant sighting of mentary red and green swooped one on the way back to the vehicles. 7 The Lark 24 It was skulking around on some only metres away and, naturally, all semi-exposed branches on a tree by of the lenses immediately flung in the side of the road, and just about its direction. had us dancing around to try and We took another break which capture the perfect shot! was quiet, save for a brief sighting Still haunted by our flashy of a Lemon Dove, which I startled sighting of the Knysna Turaco as while crashing through the forest we made our way down the slopes, in search of reptiles - apparently it we were unexpectedly rewarded hadn’t received the memo that this with a spectacular sighting of three was a birding trip. While making birds which allowed for a clear and our way back up the slopes we were lengthy observation - one of the highlights of the day! In the midst Below One of the Knysna Turacos showing of this, Richter also picked up a Yel- that its splendid colours are for more than low-throated Woodland Warbler just mesmerizing us © Mark Friskin.

The Lark 24 8 delighted at the sight of a troop lights in this area included a Cape of Samango Monkeys moving Grassbird and Jackal Buzzard. through the canopy below us, and A second ‘last stop’ at Stanford also spotted our first ‘Lichen Bird’ Lake delivered, amongst others, of the day, which Mark ‘lichened a Amethyst Sunbird, African Pied lot’. Wagtail, another ‘Lichen Bird’ and One last break (birding is even a lovely little Cape Batis right hard work, isn’t it?) before head- in the open; but no Holub’s Gold- ing out of the forest and into some en Weavers as we had hoped. In a of the transitional grassland areas final attempt, we stopped over at outside Haenertsburg. There we the fringes of the Ebenezer Dam to finally caught up with the pair of scan the reedbeds for Holub’s Gold- Long-crested Eagles that had only en Weavers, but to no avail until, at been giving us glimpses all day, but last, a single individual popped up were now perched right in the open to see what the commotion was all and calling to make sure we didn’t about. miss them. Some of the other high- We recorded a total of 59 spe-

9 The Lark 24 cies for the day which can certain- ly be considered a success and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all. A big thanks to everyone who made it possible, offered up their time, shared their knowledge and provided entertainment of the human kind. Author e-mail: [email protected]

Right A female African Stonechat © Mark Friskin.

Opposite Holub’s Golden Weaver eventually showed near Haenertsburg © Mark Friskin.

Below A satisfied team © Mark Friskin.

The Lark 24 10 PEPPS Polokwane celebrates World Migratory Bird Day 2019 Raelene Engelbrecht 11 The Lark 24 Opposite Some PEPPS Grade 7 learners marvel at the size and beauty of a White-bellied Sunbird.

orld Migratory though the WMBD is officially cel- Bird Day (WMBD) ebrated on the second Saturday of is an annual aware- May and October, the organizers ness-raisingW campaign which high- allow some leeway as migration lights the need for the conservation peaks at different times in differ- of migratory birds and their habi- ent regions. PEPPS Polokwane tats. It is a global event and its aim celebrated WMBD 2019 on the is to raise global awareness of the 30th April at the school. The event threats faced by migratory birds, involved a bird ringing demon- their ecological importance, and stration by Derek Engelbrecht and the need for international cooper- a lesson on migration for various ation to conserve them (see https:// grades. In addition, the Grade 7s www.worldmigratorybirdday. each received a flyer with the most org/). common birds at PEPPS and had to This year, 545 projects were identify the birds caught as part of registered in 70 countries. Al- the ringing demonstration.

The Lark 24 12 Mist nets were erected in a wild birds up close. The excite- leafy part of the school grounds ment and awe of seeing the birds and 19 birds representing nine spe- and releasing them, was evident cies were ringed on the day: Cape in the learners’ faces and I am sure Robin-Chat (1), Cape White-eye the event led to an appreciation of (4), Dark-capped Bulbul (1), Ka- birds. The challenges faced by mi- roo Thrush (3), Laughing Dove gratory birds was also an eye-open- (2), Marico Sunbird (3), Speckled er and the learners are now keenly Mousebird (1), White-bellied Sun- awaiting their return. bird (2), and White-browed Spar- Author e-mail: [email protected] row-Weaver (2). Everyone agreed it was a great experience and a priviledge to see

13 The Lark 24 The Lark 24 14 A lot to do ... Derek Engelbrecht

e take great pride al feeders in the garden which ca- in our bird-rich ters for nearly all the resident birds garden in the sub- in the hood. Through our garden urb ofW Welgelegen, Polokwane. Our bird ringing project, several indi- garden bird list now stands at 128 viduals representing a few species species and we pull out all stops to are known ‘personally’ by means make the garden as bird-friendly as of their colour rings. It thus causes possible. To this end we have sever- great disappointment, and anger,

15 The Lark 24 when someone is causing undue a Sunday morning afterall), I man- harm to our feathered friends. aged to gain access to the property On 26 May 2019, I received a and rescued the bird - minus a few phone call from one of our neigh- feathers. bours. A ‘large bird’ was lying We took the bird to Wolkberg on the ground in our communal Veterinary Clinic where Dr Nelene neighbour’s garden. I immediately Prinsloo immediately took charge of went to check it out and saw that the situation. Apart from quite a se- it was a juvenile African Harri- vere Trichomonas (canker) infection, er-Hawk. Let me correct that, ‘ ... X-rays later revealed the primary and saw that it was THE juvenile cause of the harrier-hawk’s problems. African Harrier-Hawk’. This young It was shot! With a pellet gun! bird had been a regular visitor in our neighbourhood for the last couple of weeks. My immediate Opposite X-ray photo of the juvenile Afri- concern was for the welfare of the can Harrier-Hawk, the pellet clearly visble. bird as the neighbour’s dog was at- © Wolkberg Veterinary Clinic. tacking the hapless bird - causing Below ‘Our’ juvenile African Harri- additional stress to it. After some er-Hawk in happier days - in fact the day difficulty getting the neighbours’ before it was shot with a pellet gun © Dan- attention (it was just before 7 am on iel Engelbrecht.

The Lark 24 16 deal of hype. Unfortu- nately, that’s life for a bird. But to see the needless and malicious attempt by someone at killing a wild bird, completely harmless and defenceless, is beyond my comprehension. Who knows what else fell victim to the owner of the pellet gun? One can only guess. As a family, we were shocked that this crime was committed vir- tually in our garden! This unfortunate event should serve as a reminder that we, as members of a conservation NGO such as Birdlife Polokwane and/ or Birdlife SA, have a lot to do to raise awareness The pellet was removed and and educate people about the bird was hospitalized overnight the plight and value of birds - yes, before being fetched for rehabilita- even in your neighbourhood. It is tion by Whelmi Chalmers the next a small investment for the birds we day. Sadly, the bird died a week lat- love so much and derive so much er. joy from. I therefore urge all our As a field biologist, I have a readers - no matter where you are good appreciation of the realities - to keep an eye and ear open for of the ‘circle of life’, which is why I such cowardice and senseless kill- kind of frowned upon the trail cam- ings, and to educate the perpetra- era video of a Bald Eagle nestling tors or notify the relevant authori- dying in the nest, which went viral ties to take action. on social media and created a great Author e-mail: [email protected]

17 The Lark 24 Above The injured harrier-hawk recov- ering at the Wolkberg Veterinary Clinic © Nelene Prinsloo.

Opposite Minkie and Nelene Prinsloo treating our patient © Daniel Engelbrecht.

The Lark 24 18 NSPCA clarifies the use of air (pellet) guns

Communications are received on a regular basis, concerning the use of pellet guns to victimize animals either "for fun” or as a punishment for encroaching on properties; or simply for becoming a nuisance. Air rifles, to give these items their technical name, no longer need to be licensed as firearms but they still cannot be discharged in a built-up area. They are not toys. Their use on living creatures may violate the Ani- mals Protection Act and each instance needs to be reported. Advocate John Welch, former Deputy Attorney General of the then Transvaal Province, has stated that the law makes no difference between discharging a pellet gun and a real firearm in suburban areas. "Do either and you go to jail” was his message. There has already been a criminal conviction of a person in KwaZu- lu-Natal for using a pellet gun on an animal. The NSPCA believes that the use of a pellet gun on any animal, including on any wild bird is a violation of the Animals Protection Act No 71 of 1962. If you witness or know of anyone using a pellet gun on an animal or bird – report it! Advise your nearest SPCA as quickly as you can (contact details for all local SPCAs are available here: http://bit.ly/2snyK5H). Charges can then be laid in terms of the Animals Protection Act, as well as charging the person(s) with discharging a pellet gun in an urban area, if this is the case. Your swift action may be instrumental in saving an animal or animals a great deal of suffering, which is a worthy cause in itself. *If you do not have a local SPCA in your area, please report the matter to the NSPCA on 011 907 3590 (office hours are between 08:30 and 16:30).

The Hunter Field Target Association has a brochure explaining all the legalities regarding the use of air guns. It is an indispensa- ble resource if you need to educate a perpetrator. Download it at: https://wphfta.co.za/airgun-safety-guide-laws-in-south-africa/

19 The Lark 24 The SABAP2 website A treasure of information! Ernst Retief

new website for the the search box. You can either scroll Southern African down the species list or simply type Bird Atlas Project was 'kingfisher' to see a list of all the launchedA in February 2019 that kingfishers in Africa. If you scroll boasts a much more modern look down to African Pygmy Kingfisher and functionality. The website is a and click on the name, a map is dis- treasure trove of information for played with the pentads where the atlasers and non-atlasers alike. This species has been recorded (Fig. 1). article describes some of the useful You can zoom into the map, information available on the web- and if you select the square box on site. the top right hand side of the map, it will open the map in full screen Species Maps view. By zooming into the area of Do you want to know if a spe- interest you can see exactly where cies occurs in an area you will be the species was recorded. Below the visiting? SABAP2 maps can assist map are graphs of seasonal chang- you! Visit http://sabap2.adu.org.za/ es in reporting rate (the proportion species and search for a species in of cards that contain the species),

The Lark 24 20 Fig. 1. Map of African Pygmy Kingfisher. Click which gives some idea of the rela- on the square in the top right corner to go to full screen view. tive abundance of the species and is especially valuable for migratory species. By selecting the download site. Visit http://sabap2.adu.org.za/ tab, you can download the data for coverage/country/southafrica and this species in different formats. zoom into the area of interest (Fig. 2). Double click on one of the pen- Pentad species lists tads and a new page will open for Do you want to obtain a species list for a site you plan to visit? Easy to do on the SABAP2 web- Fig. 2. Click on the pentad for which you would like a species list.

21 The Lark 24 Fig. 3. Click on the heading ‘Full (RR%)’ to change the sort order so that the birds with the the pentad. On the new page, click highest reporting rate is at the top. on the ‘species’ tab below the map. This generates a large table Find gaps in the 2019 Coverage listing all the species recorded in Map this pentad (Fig. 3). Do you want to Lastly, for the atlasers. Earlier know which is the most common- this year we set atlasers a challenge ly recorded species? Click twice on to atlas 5 300 pentads in 2019. The the ‘Full (RR%)’ column heading. reason for this request is that in or- The table will be sorted according der to monitor changes in bird dis- to reporting rate with the species tribution we need data for as many with the highest reporting rate at pentads as possible each year. So the top. These tend to be the most how do you know if a pentad has common species in the atlas block been atlased in 2019? and should be easy to find. As you Easy. Visit http://sabap2.adu. go down the list, the reporting rate org.za/ and then select the menu decreases, indicating that species item ‘Coverage', then ‘South Africa’ are increasingly less likely to be and then the province you want to seen.

The Lark 24 22 atlas. A map with all the pentads at- some time on the website, try lased since 2007 will be displayed. out the different menu items and To the right of the map select '2019' search for the hidden treasures. in the 'Select Year' drop down box. The data shown on these maps This restricts the map to pentads were collected by dedicated atlasers atlased in 2019. By zooming into and we thank them for their contri- the area, it is easy to identify pen- bution. If you are keen to become tads that have not been atlased in an atlaser, write to sabap2@birdlife. 2019. org.za and we will try our best to assist you. Summary Author e-mail: [email protected]. There is lots more you can do on the SABAP2 website. Spend

The 2019 African Bird Fair will take place over the weekend of 14 and 15 September at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Roodepoort.

23 The Lark 24 Whilst nature plummets around the globe, South Africa’s Conservation Areas act to slow the loss of biodiversity

South Africa’s diverse suite of novel Conservation Areas are ensuring the protection of our natural heritage, whilst also promoting inclusivity in conservation and providing a range of social and economic benefits.

ecent international re- ever, the enormity of the task reports have illustrated quires support, and recent research the rapid rate at which has indicated a shift towards more we’reR losing our biodiversity. Ar- diverse forms of governance and ea-based conservation efforts to ownership. stem this decline rely on increasing BirdLife South Africa, with the global network of both protect- funding from the Table Mountain ed areas and conservation areas Fund, undertook a project aimed in order to conserve biodiversity, at enhancing the role of Non-Gov- improve land management and ernment Organisations (NGOs) in provide various socio-economic area-based conservation. South Af- benefits. This task has traditionally rica is blessed with a diverse suite fallen solely on governments; how- of models which allow communal The Lark 24 24 and private landowners to protect specifically focusing on the nov- the biodiversity on their properties, el, alternative mechanisms which whilst receiving certain benefits in have arisen in recent times. Impor- return. The so-called Biodiversity tantly, the review shows that these Stewardship Initiative is consid- alternative mechanisms are able to ered to be a global leader in private enhance inclusivity in conserva- and communal land conservation. tion, by allowing for partnerships From this work BirdLife with stakeholders who may not South Africa produced two reports previously have been involved, in- which aim to further enhance con- cluding rural community groups, servation. The first of these details communal property associations the challenges and opportunities and the commercial agricultural for organisations in the sector, and sector. specifically looked at ways to en- The mechanisms also often hance govern- allow for a va- ment and NGO riety of conser- collaboration. vation compat- Dale Wright, ible land-uses BirdLife South within their Africa’s Impor- boundaries. tant Bird and Bi- It may not be odiversity Areas possible to es- (IBAs) – Con- tablish pro- servation Imple- tected areas mentation Man- throughout an ager, undertook this review. 'We entire landscape, and the alterna- are fortunate to have many strong tive mechanisms can act to bridge partnerships within Biodiversity those gaps by facilitating conser- Stewardship in South Africa, and vation in combination with other our work has illustrated how these land-uses. Partnerships with agri- public-private partnerships may be culture provide benefits for conser- maximised to enhance outcomes vation whilst ensuring food securi- for conservation and society', com- ty and maintaining jobs. ments Wright. 'These options can be used The project also included a re- as stepping stones to more for- view of the diverse suite of models mal, long-term conservation ac- for securing land for conservation, tion. They can encourage initial 25 The Lark 24 involvement in conservation and For more information: subsequently upskill and empow- Dale Wright, IBA Conservation er stakeholders to make stronger Implementation Manager, BirdLife commitments to conservation. South Africa South Africa’s suite of conservation 0725623946 or dale.wright@birdlife. areas have an essential role to play org.za in mainstreaming biodiversity con- Daniel Marnewick, Manager: Im- servation into other sectors, facili- portant Bird and Biodiversity Areas tating connectivity across the land- Programme, BirdLife South Africa scape, and engaging a wide diversity 011 789 1122 or daniel.marnewick@ of stakeholders. At a time when birdlife.org.za biodiversity faces ever increasing The two reports may be ac- threats, South Africa’s conservation cessed from the BirdLife South Af- community is constantly innovat- rica website: ing and rising to the challenge of https://www.birdlife. protecting our incredible natural org.za/what-we-do/im- heritage', concludes Wright. portant-bird-and-biodiver- The Enhancing NGO involve- sity-areas/media-and-re- ment in protected area expansion sources/#1553597058075- Project was funded by the Table e6e6840e-611c Mountain Fund.

The Lark 24 26 Birds in Art

Black-collared Barbet

Text and Artwork Willem Van der Merwe

his is a Black-collared bristles most species have around Barbet Lybius torquatus. the bases of their bills. They’re a dis- It’s a species I know well tinct kind of bird; they’re related to and amT very fond of. They are very woodpeckers and in Afrikaans are common in suburban gardens over called ‘houtkappers’ (‘wood chop- here in Polokwane, and a couple pers’) which indeed causes many have installed themselves in a tree people here to confuse them. Bar- in the yard of the folks living just bets, like woodpeckers, have spe- across the street from me. They’re cialized feet, with two toes pointing also common in ‘wilder’ areas such forward and two pointng backward. as our local game reserve. Yet, I nev- This gives them a good grip for er tire of them! I’m indebted to my clambering about trees. Yet, barbets friend, Gigi Gottwald, for kindly al- are not as specialized for climbing lowing me to use the photo I used as as woodpeckers are, and are sel- reference for this painting. dom seen crawling up and down What are barbets? The name tree trunks and limbs. They lack the ‘barbet’ comes from the beard-like stiffened tail feathers woodpeck- 27 The Lark 24 ers use to prop themselves up as ly, has prominent ‘teeth’ of this kind. they clamber. They also don’t have Barbets do excavate trees, using woodpeckers’ chisel-like bills. In- their bills to bite into the surface and stead, they have a stout, strong bill rip wads of wood out, but they gen- made for biting. Several species erally choose trees with softer wood have tooth-like projections along than woodpeckers do. Fortunately, the margins of their bills, as you can they have many soft-wooded trees see here. The genusLybius , especial- available here in South Africa, rang-

Black-collared Barbet © Willem Van der Merwe

The Lark 24 28 ing from aloes to baobabs. Barbets today they have amongst the larg- will also often nest in dead trees. est bills relative to body size of any Today, barbets constitute a birds. very successful group of birds in Delightful Duettists sub-Saharan Africa. They inhab- Black-collared Barbets are it all environments except the very especially well-regarded for their driest of deserts. The rainforests of singing skills! Actually, their songs central and western Africa contain are not very intricate musically several species; they’re very diverse speaking, consisting of but three and abundant in dry woodlands notes, repeated many times. But it’s and savannahs; in north-eastern the way those songs are performed! Africa, several species have adapted A male and female barbet will first to semi-desert conditions, feeding call each other and for a while make on the ground and excavating their some harsh wheezing sounds as if nest holes in the soil, or in termite they’re clearing their throats or tun- mounds. Barbets are rather small ing their instruments, bobbing and birds, ranging from the tinkerbirds swaying ostentatiously. Then one of which are much smaller than spar- them will start. The other joins at rows, to a few forest-living species once. The first sings the first note, the size of a large dove or pigeon. the second immediately follows Most of them are brightly coloured with the other two notes, and thus and/or boldly patterned. They gen- they alternate. The call is usually erally feed on fruit, supplemented transcribed in English as ‘too-pud- with insects. dly-too-puddly-too-puddly …’ with Barbets also occur in other the ‘too’ being sung by the first bird, parts of the world: southern and at a higher pitch than the ‘puddly’ south-eastern Asia, and South which is sung by the second. Many America. These are very similar to people aren’t even aware that they’re African barbets, but are presently listening to the coordinated musical classified in different families from efforts of two birds – the synchro- their African counterparts. Barbets nisation is so perfect that it sounds are also close relatives of the tou- like just a single bird calling. This cans of South and Central America! feature, called antiphonal duetting, Indeed, toucans can be seen as bar- occurs in a few other species of birds bets who landed on a runaway evo- here in South Africa, not at all close- lutionary roller-coaster, their bills ly related to each other. becoming bigger and bigger until Aside from duetting togeth- 29 The Lark 24 er, male and female Black-collared barbets do manage to rear enough Barbets are very strongly bonded, of their own chicks. They are not and likely mate for life. Male and endangered; the species inhabits female birds look the same, unlike most of northern and north-eastern other species where the males are South Africa, and ranges northward more brightly coloured. They are into south-central and east Africa, very territorial, the duet helping in a variety of light forest, woodland them not only to bond, but also to and wooded savannah habitats. As proclaim their ownership of their I said, they’re adaptable and fre- territory. Barbet territory will be quently live in and around human defined by the tree with their nest- suburbs. hole, and by several large fruiting The world’s barbets are divid- trees in the vicinity. Wild fig trees, ed into five different groups. The especially, are favoured, most spe- African barbets are one, the Asian cies bearing their nutritious fruits barbets another; in South America practically year-round. there are three groups: the regular Breeding barbets assist each South American barbets; the Tou- other, from excavating the nests to can barbets; and the toucans them- feeding the chicks. Most clutches selves. Yes, toucans (of the huge bill consist of three or four eggs, but fame) are actually close relatives of sometimes up to seven. They are barbets; indeed, barbets may be best sometimes parasitized by honey- classified inside the toucan family. guides, whose chicks even kill the Author e-mail: [email protected] barbet chicks after they hatch! But

The Lark 24 30 31 The Lark 24 Birdlife Polokwane Shopping bags @ R30-00/bag Contact Julia Friskin Mobile: 0839968841

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The Lark 24 32 Bird Briefs

Nightjar identification: fication fairly simple if the birds Swamp and Freckled aren’t calling. They are represent- Nightjars ed by two different colour forms Hugh Chittenden in southern Africa. The darker, E-mail: [email protected] more rufous/brown subspecies natalensis occupies the eastern coastal lowland regions. Its north- This is part 4 of an in-field nightjar ern counterpart is found in the identification series. margins of the swampy Caprivi and Okavango drainage systems. hese two nightjars are This is a paler, greyer subspecies distinctly plumaged (carpi). and shouldn’t present in-fieldT identification problems.

Swamp Nightjar The habitat niche for Swamp Nightjar is damp lowland grassland, and you’d probably think that for the most part, it would be alone in that habitat. Not so, Eu- Opposite Swamp Nightjar subspecies natalen- ropean, Square-tailed and Fiery- sis (Top) of the eastern regions of southern necked Nightjars all occupy the Africa is much warmer coloured and darker same insect-rich regions, the lat- than subspecies carpi (middle) of the swampy ter sometimes within metres of habitats in the northern regions of southern Africa. Swamp Nightjars. Swamp Nightjar is the only Opposite, below As with other night- species that has conspicuous jars,Swamp Nightjars don’t construct a nest, eggs are laid either on a pad of grass, or on bold, black ‘diamond-like’ mark- the bare ground below a grass tuft. ings on its wing coverts and back (dorsal region), making identi-

33 The Lark 24 The Lark 24 34 Top This dark, eastern Freckled Nightjar Freckled Nightjar subspecies granosus was photographed in Freckled Nightjar is another March, KNP. species that is uniquely plumaged, Above Freckled Nightjars in the western distinctive and easy to identify. regions of southern Africa (subspecies lentig- The eastern subspecies gra- inosus) tend to be a warmer brown colour. nosus is a darker, overall grey- This bird was photographed in September at er plumaged bird, whereas the Kamanjab in Namibia. western subspecies lentiginosus Opposite, top Two Freckled Nightjar chicks is found in the western half of on a lichen covered rock. southern Africa where the rock formations tend to be browner Opposite, below Three Freckled Nightjar chicks at another nest - Magnificent birds!

35 The Lark 24 (less blackish) than in some of the rock below your feet with each eastern regions. step you take when you suspect All nightjars and their chicks Freckled Nightjars are breeding are cryptically plumaged, but the nearby! chicks of Freckled Nightjar stand out as being superbly camou- Acknowledgements - Richard Peek flaged, so much so that one has to kindly allowed me to include the images cautiously and slowly inspect the of nestlings at the two nests.

The Lark 24 36 Jockey Mynas disturbed insects, then return to Marianne McKenzie their mounts. E-mail: [email protected] This behaviour is noted by Craig (2005): ‘Forages mainly on the ground, walking rapidly, and recently spent a few days often probing soil. Also hawks fly- in the northern section of ing insects, and perches on game the Kruger National Park and domestic stock to remove ec- and enjoyedI many interesting bird toparasites’. and game sightings. It was at the It is generally believed that lovely Dokweni waterhole on the mynas are commensal with man H1-7, north of Babalala picnic site, and are only found in the imme- that I was startled by the sight of two Common Mynas perched im- periously on the backs of two zebra. From these mobile vantage points, Below The idyllic Dokweni waterhole in they would fly down to hawk any the northern Kruger National Park.

Cape Starling 37 The Lark 24 Above One of a pair of Common Myna seen at the Dokweni waterhole on the 10th April 2019. diate vicinity of houses or build- References ings. This pair, however, appeared Craig AJFK 2005. Common Myna Acrido- disturblingly well adapted to life in theres tristis. In: Roberts Birds of Southern the wilds! Africa, 7th ed. Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ, Ryan PG (eds), pp. 972. The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town.

The Lark 24 38 A conservation conundrum Above A Cape Parrot feeding on the fruit of Black Cherry at the Ebenezer Dam in - Cape Parrot feeding on January 2019. alien invasive species Derek Engelbrecht E-mail: [email protected] major ones only. Although initial- ly regarded as a dietary specialist hat do you do if an (Wirminghaus et al 2002; Symes endangered species 2006; Perrin 2012), evidence is aids in the distri- mounting that the species is more butionW of an alien invasive species? of a dietary generalist, with 34 That’s the challenge conservation plant species recorded in its diet biologists sometimes face. to date (Wirminghaus et al. 2002; The Cape Parrot is listed as En- Downs 2005; Collar and Fishpool dangered in South Africa (Downs 2017; Engelbrecht 2019). 2015). Factors affecting the decline In early January 2019, I spent of the species are many and com- a few days at Ebenezer Dam near plex but include habitat degrada- the village of Haenertsburg, Lim- tion, food and nest site shortages, popo Province. Cape Parrots were trade, and disease, to name the very vocal in the area most morn-

39 The Lark 24 ings and, since I’ve never recorded Acknowledgements - Thanks to Sylvie them at the dam, I was interested Kremer-Kohne who confirmed the identi- to know what attracted them to the fication of the plant. area. I was surprised to see them feeding on the fruit of several Black References Cherry Prunus serotina trees in the Collar NJ and Fishpool LDC 2017. Is the gardens and surrounds. The Black Cape Parrot a species or subspecies, and Cherry is is listed as a Category 1b does it matter to CITES? Bulletin of the alien invasive species in South Af- African Bird Club 24: 156-170. rica and is a serious problem plant Downs CT 2005. Cape Parrot Poicepha- in the Haenertsburg region (Krem- lus robustus. In: Roberts Birds of South- er-Kohne, pers. comm.). ern Africa, 7th ed. Hockey PAR, Dean So, here we have the unusual WRJ, Ryan PG (eds), pp. 221-222. The situation of an endangered spe- Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book cies, the Cape Parrot, feeding on Fund, Cape Town. and contributing to the dispersal Downs CT 2015. Cape Parrot Poiceph- of a listed alien invasive species alus robustus. In: The Eskom Red Data in South Africa. The Cape Parrots Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho seemed to relish in the fruit, and at and Swaziland. Taylor MR, Peacock F, one stage I recorded no fewer than Wanless RW (eds.). Birdlife South Afri- 13 birds in a single tree! The birds ca, Johannesburg, were foraging in the area for at least Engelbrecht D 2019. Cape Parrot feed- a week while I was there. Although ing on flowers of Silver Sugarbush. The Cape Parrots have been recorded Lark 21: 54-57. feeding on alien species such as Eu- Perrin M 2012. Parrots of Africa, Mad- calyptus, spp., Black Wattle Acacia agascar and the Mascarene Islands: Bi- mearnsii, Syringa Melia azedarach, ology, Ecology and Conservation. Wits and are known to raid orchards University Press, Johannesburg: (nuts, apples, pears, plums, apricots Symes C 2006. Clarification of the Cape and peaches) (Wirminghaus et al. Parrot-Grey-headed Parrot split. Laniar- 2002), the fruit of Black Cherry has ius 101: 13-14. not been recorded in the diet of the Wirminghaus JO, Downs CT, Symes CT Cape Parrot thus far. This record and Perrin MR 2002. Diet of the Cape therefore represents another addi- Parrot, Poicephalus robustus, in Afrom- tion to the growing list of plant spe- ontane forests in KwaZulu-Natal, South cies known to be utilized by Cape Africa. Ostrich 73: 20-25. Parrots. The Lark 24 40 Happy 14th ringday to interaction with another, possibly Mokgalaje the Short- male, Short-clawed Lark involving clawed Lark chasing and lots of singing. How- ever, facing challengers is nothing Derek Engelbrecht new to him as he probably had to E-mail: [email protected] face challengers for his territory every year for many years already. ur club’s living legend, To those who may not know, Mokgalaje the Short- Mokgalaje is, as far as can be es- clawed Lark, turned tablished, the oldest known lark (at least)O 14 years old on the 24th on record in the world! Long live May 2019. I ringed this bird as an Mokgalaje! adult male For more information about on the 24th Mokgalaje’s life history, drop me a May 2005 note and I will send you some in the literature. Polokwane Game Reserve and, 14 years later, he is still the man to beat in his territory at the back of the reserve. I undertake an annual pil- grimage round about his ‘ringday’, to check on him and this year I went on th Above The old man, Mokgalaje the 25 May. It the Short-clawed Lark, photo- didn’t take me long to graphed on 25th May 2019 find him and I was happy to see in the Polokwane Game he hasn’t lost any of his charm, Reserve. still foraging in the company of a female. I also witnessed some 41 The Lark 24 Another extraordinary well-known host plant for sever- bird-insect spectacle al caterpillar plagues relished by Ingrid Weiersbye cuckoos. The relationship between this tree, the butterflyAcraea hor- E-mail: [email protected] ta, and the cuckoo feeding, is pon reading Joe Gro- well-documented, but I’m unable sel’s account in The to find evidence in the literature Lark 23, of the ‘cat- of this different butterfly species aclysmic’U caterpillar deluge he ex- in a similar relationship. In this in- perienced near Polokwane (Grosel stance the larvae were of the butter- 2019), I felt compelled to recount flyCymothoe alcimeda (the Battling another such spectacle I was Glider), and the event was preced- thrilled to come across on the other ed by a beautiful mass swarming side of the country, in my own for- and gathering of these butterflies ested suburban garden in Hilton, in my garden and vicinity in Feb- KZN, to be precise, and at around ruary 2019, so prolific that scores the same time. drowned and were scooped out the It is interesting to compare pool every morning, and at times and contrast what we each experi- one had to keep the mouth closed! enced, seeing as it was taking place With Acraea horta, the warn- concurrently. My own event lasted ing red and black colours of the well over a month and provided adult butterfly seem to work well, huge scope for detailed observa- and I’ve never seen them being tion - in fact I kept a daily diary. eaten by predators such as birds, The main participants in my case mantids or chameleons. However, were similar … a tree, an insect (in the black and white Battling Glider this case a butterfly species), and a butterfly, which shows strong sexu- very specialist group of birds. I was al dimorphism, is readily fed on by as fascinated by the extraordinary predators, and scattered wings lay cycle of the butterfly, as by the bird on the ground bearing testimony to spectacle - five cuckoo species in their palatability. Their caterpillars, numbers never normally occurring however, are a different issue, and in my garden, that accompanied for the duration of the outbreak I the phenomenon . only ever recorded them being eat- The tree wasKiggelaria af- en by the cuckoo family. More than ricana, the Wild Peach, a glyco- just eaten, they were gorged upon cide-producing garden tree and ... The Diederik Cuckoo males The Lark 24 42 Above Eggs, caterpillar and pupae of the Battling Glider butterfly © Ingrid Weiers- were beside themselves with the bye. sheer quantity of larvae, and were in a frenzy of collection and de- livery to the recipient birds, who forest patches around February for were utterly stuffed beyond com- their banquet. fort. Hysterical calling and solicit- The Red-chested Cuckoos are ing continued day in day out, and the most common during these when a male’s caterpillar offering caterpillar outbreaks, and on any was refused he would fly to a near- one day I would have six or seven by bare, exposed branch and swing individual birds hanging around. his caterpillar enthusiastically, all They were silent, and the adult the while calling in the hope of his birds very aggressive to the young- gift being accepted by another Die- er birds, confrontations resulting in derik Cuckoo in the vicinity. This intimidated juveniles being tempo- cuckoo species is unknown in my rarily chased out, accompanied by garden until the Wild Peach cater- loud shrieks and squawks. pillar abundance takes place every The African Emerald Cuckoos year. They know to come up from arrived too, and the trees usually the thornveldt into higher altitude harboured two males and one or 43 The Lark 24 two females. It was amazing how a The photography of this spec- species so gorgeous and eye-pop- tacle was immensely frustrating, as ping would suddenly vanish as they the cuckoos were not only feeding sat motionless digesting - the green in dense canopy where there were and rich-yellow plumage match- low-light conditions above my ing totally the green canopy leaves head, but at the point of collect- shot-through with golden back- ing a caterpillar, the cuckoo would light. They showed no inter-spe- shake it vigorously where-upon cies aggression, and seldom called, the juice was seen to spray out, no very aware of their vulnerability. doubt lessening the toxicity load At this time of year the raptors be- in the larvae derived from eating come aware of the feeding activity, the Kiggelaria leaves. This led to and the Red-chesteds and African many hundreds of grainy cuckoos Emerald Cuckoos in particular are with blurred heads - it was indeed targeted by African Goshawks and challenging and I hope to be bet- Black Sparrowhawks. In Febru- ter prepared next time, to achieve ary, our commonest small raptor, good photographs to accompany the Little Sparrowhawk, was seen a more comprehensive write-up. hawking and flying between the However, at the same time I find Wild Peach trees and feeding on, myself wondering if I will ever see not cuckoos, but the butterflies! a spectacle at a level as exciting as In this last February spectacle, this last event. the Black Cuckoos were my most As a final note, the African exciting arrival. Usually hard to Emerald and Klaas’s Cuckoos are stalk and photograph, these birds, still regularly calling from across around three I estimated, gorged the forested valley behind me and and in their replete state allowed it is June 14th! It would be most in- closer approach than usual. They teresting to know which caterpillar included a beautiful mahogany-red species are prevalent at the mo- infused barred individual. As with ment, enabling especially the Afri- all the cuckoos the gorging is con- can Emerald Cuckoos to stay into ducted in silence ... all except the winter in this bitterly cold area . vociferous soliciting Diederiks . The little Klaas’s Cuckoos were References the least prevalent of all the cuckoo Grosel J 2019. ‘Caterpillar cataclysm’ at species, and I only detected three Tembele Estate. The Lark 23: 77-83. females, no males. The Lark 24 44 What lurks inside those legs? Brett Gardner E-mail: [email protected]

he proper terminology for scaly and crusted legs in birds is tarsal hyperkeratosis.T This refers to the excessive abnormal skin that forms in response to the infection. There are a few different causes of this condition. Two of the most common causes diagnosed thus far in South Africa are two very different infectious organisms. The one is the scaly leg or face mite (Knemidocop- tes) and the other pox viruses. They don’t just cause crusting of the legs. There can also be blister formation, bleeding, secondary infections and Above An example of tarsal hyperkerato- discoloration or deformity of the sis in a White-browed Robin-Chat (Janu- legs. There are a few other less like- ary 2014, KZN) © Derek Engelbrecht. ly causes of similar leg lesions, such as a Vitamin A deficiency which is more common in captive and rehabilitation birds, burn wounds and ing lesions, but there haven’t been papillomavirus. This article will extensive studies into these other purely focus on scaly leg mite and bird species yet. Worldwide it has pox virus. been documented in quite a few Knemidocoptes infection has bird species and has occasionally been confirmed in Cape Sugar- been associated with population birds, Cape Wagtails and Black declines. Domestic chickens can Sparrowhawks. A few other species have a similar disease, caused by a such as robin-chats have come up mite of the same genus but at pres- with very suspicious similar look- ent it seems highly unlikely that the 45 The Lark 24 disease in chickens has any rela- from. The ‘wet’ form is rapidly fatal tion in having spread to wild birds. to young birds and doesn’t routine- These mites burrow through the ly cause external lesions. We have skin and in doing so cause a severe positively identified the virus as inflammatory reaction that togeth- the cause of scaly tarsus and toe le- er with their burrowing damag- sions in various thrush species. It es the blood supply to the leg and has also been documented in rob- toes. Spontaneous recovery is less in-chats, African Oystercatchers, likely in birds affected by scaly leg Rock Doves, and a few other spe- mites than in birds affected by pox cies. Domestic chickens are also af- viruses. It isn’t uncommon to see fected by their own version of this missing toes in Cape Sugarbirds virus and from genetic work done and Cape Wagtails affected by these thus far it appears that their virus parasites. This parasite has contri isn’t closely related to some of the buted to deaths in all three species strains we see in wild birds. it has been studied in, although the Both diseases are infectious, exact long-term effects it has on and both can be spread by direct these populations is currently not and indirect contact through bro- fully understood. ken skin. One of the main modes Pox viruses are exceptionally of spread of pox viruses though, is diverse and many species includ- through biting insects such as mos- ing the Cape Sugarbirds can har- quitos and midges. It is important bor these viruses in their bodies to remember that bird feeders can without ever really showing clini- act as a site for disease transmission cal disease. They have been record- amongst wild birds. This is more so ed from more than 70 families of when actual sick birds are noted to birds. They are more common in be visiting the feeder. I personally younger birds. As birds mature, have often used bird feeders to at- they tend to build up an immunity tract birds. They should however to the disease and then the lesions be constructed from materials that often resolve, potentially with some are easy to clean regularly and that mild scarring remaining. There are could withstand exposure to boil- two ways the disease can present. ing hot water, disinfectants like The ‘dry’ form is the more benign bleach or F10 SC and be managed form of the disease and this will re- responsibly. Having a garden with sult in the crusty leg and facial le- plants that attempt to supply natu- sions, which the birds can recover ral foraging year-round is great for The Lark 24 46 47 The Lark 24 supporting birds. At present there Most skin forms of the pox infec- is no evidence to suggest that avi- tion in birds tend to be self-limit- an pox viruses and scaly leg mite ing. pose any risk of transmission to As we continue to alter the humans. However, it is still good environment, our incredible wild practice to wear dishwashing gloves birds inhabit both directly and in- or latex gloves when cleaning your directly, we cause stress to these bird feeder and bird bath. Scaly leg wild populations. As a rule, contin- mite is treatable in captivity, but uous unnatural stress has a nega- very little work has been done on tive impact on the immune system. treatment in wild birds other than This, together with many other fac- opportunistic once off treatments tors, might be a reason as to why in rehabilitation cases. It is more in certain species of birds we are important to understand why the starting to see more cases of these disease is present and if it is having infections than what has previously a significant effect on the popula- been noted. tion than just randomly treating If you do notice birds with wild birds. A commercial vaccine suspicious strange looking lesions is available for vaccination of do- on their face and legs, it is import- mestic poultry against pox virus ant to take a good quality picture but again it wouldn’t be advocated and record the date and location. to vaccinate wild birds with this These pictures can be submitted vaccine as there is the potential for to the editor of the newsletter who more harm than good with its use. will forward it to interested parties.

Opposite top to bottom, left to right: More examples of tarsal hyperkeratosis in wild birds. Cape Robin-Chat with Knemidocoptes mite infection; Cape Sugarbird (Knemidocoptes), Karoo Thrush toe (pox virus), Karoo Thrush feet (pox virus), Common Myna (pox virus), and African Oystercatcher (pox virus). All images courtesy of Brett Gardner.

The Lark 24 48 Homo horrendous sponsibly of course, I have friends An appeal to fishermen to who are keen fishermen and I act more responsibly know they act very responsibly Hugh Chittenden and would never discard a single E-mail: [email protected] matchstick at the water's edge, let alone bunches of discarded fishing he following set of pho- line. Sadly however, and judging by tos graphically illus- the amount of fishing line that one trates some of the worst sees lying around on the margins of traitsT in humans, and I for one hang dams and along beaches, the ma- my head in shame at our irrespon- jority of fishermen seem to have no sibility, and the knock-on effects to concern for the way they litter! wildlife that we profess to care for. All the photos below show How have we become insensitive to fishing line injuries to three sepa- our surroundings? In this case, the rate Woolly-necked Storks. Storks blame for discarded fishing line lies squarely at the feet of fishermen. Not all fishermen behave irre- Below Stork #1 with its left foot entangled in fishing line

49 The Lark 24 Above Stork #1 attempting to forage in the shallows of Albert Falls Dam. numbers 1 and 2 photographed Top Same bird with the right foot showing at Albert Falls Dam near Pieter- stump-end and loss of toes from a previous maritzburg (March 2019), and (healed) fishing line injury. Left foot now under- number 3, photographed at Mtun- going similar constriction and potential further zini in June 2014. loss of toes. The Lark 24 50 When storks become entan- means that the entangled birds can gled in fishing line, the line often no longer roost on tree branches becomes tight, stopping the flow at night as they no longer have the of blood, resulting in swelling and capability to clasp onto the branch eventually foot or toe loss. This also when the wind blows.

Above Stork #2. Within min- utes of photographing the first Woolly-necked Stork entangled with fishing line, a second bird was seen limping badly with a swollen toe dangling and about to fall off!

Right Stork #3. This bird, in obvious pain, was found limping badly at the edge of the Umlalazi Lagoon, Mtunzini. Umlalazi Nature Reserve is managed by Ezemvelo. 51 The Lark 24 Above A woolly-necked Stork on the edge of Finally, in November of 2015, Albert Falls Dam, completely oblivious to the a Palm-nut Vulture, was photo- danger of fishing line just one metre behind graphed at Mtunzini with fishing where it is standing! line attached to its one foot. The insert (below) shows one toe badly swollen and would have in all pro- Fishermen are urged to act bobility lost that extremity shortly more responsibly, both along coast- after this photograph was taken! al shore lines and at inland fishing Msinsi Holdings manage the sites. Albert Falls and Midmar Dam resorts, and do a good job of running these facilities. However, there should be more account- ability with not only keep- ing water margins clean of debris, but also signage to alert and educate fishermen re the dangers of items such as discarded fishing line. The Lark 24 52 Who's who at the Coral trees. However, in contrast to the Carnival Mountain Aloe, relatively little is Derek Engelbrecht, Joe Grosel known about opportunistic avian and Daniel Engelbrecht nectarivory at Erythrina species. E-mail: [email protected] For at least three seasons we documented opportunistic avian Winter and early spring is nectarivory at coral trees in South the time of the year for two of the Africa, especially at Lucky Bean bushveld's biggest avian extrava- Trees E. lysistemon, Broad-leaved ganzas: Aloe Mania and the Cor- Coral Tree E. latissima, and the al Carnival. The first refers to the Coast Coral Tree E. caffra. flowering spectacle of the Moun- The observations of Archer tain Aloe Aloe marlothii. Its sweet (1992) is the most comprehensive nectar attracts a great diversity of publication providing information species - 104 species to be exact - about opportunistic avian nec- to this annual spectacle (see Engel- brecht et al. 2014). Another equal- ly eye-catching event is the Coral Carnival, a nectar feast hosted by Below Scarlet-chested Sunbird visiting the various Erythrina species or coral flowers of Erythrina lysistemon © Derek Engelbrecht

53 The Lark 24 tarivory at Erythrina trees, spe- was recorded feeding on nectar of cifically the Broad-leaved Coral E. lysistemon in a natural setting at Tree, and included 21 species. A Hwiti Peak near Haenertsburg in literature search of Hockey et al. September 2018. (2005), showed Erythrina necta- We recorded 11 'new' bird rivory is specifically mentioned species for the list of Erythrina for 42 species, including the sun- nectarivores in southern Africa. In birds. In addition to these records addition to these species, we also of nectarivory, there are also a few recorded a Crowned Hornbill feed- records of birds eating petals, but ing on the flowers of a Coast Cor- these were not listed as nectarivory al Tree E. caffra. Consumption of per se. These include Drakensberg nectar-rich flowers by hornbills has Siskin (Skead 1960), Grey Go- been reported for Trumpeter Horn- away Bird (Rowan 1983), Red-eyed bill and Southern Yellow-billed Dove (Archer 1992), and Rose- Hornbill (Kemp 1995; Engelbrecht ringed Parakeet (Perrin and Cow- et al. 2014), and this behaviour may gill 2005). The Drakensberg Siskin well be more common than gener- (Skead 1960) and Gurney's Sugar- ally thought. bird (Skead 1963) records represent cultivated or garden plants outside the normal range of Erythrina spe- Below Crowned Hornbill feeding on cies. However, during the course nectar-rich flowers of the Coast Coral Tree of this study, Gurney's Sugarbird (Morgan Bay, September 2018) © Daniel Engelbrecht.

The Lark 24 54 Details of the 11 new records Cape Sparrow are briefly given below. A male seen what appeared to be Red-faced Mousebird robbing nectar from flowers (Uni- Seen on a fairly regular baisis feed- versity of Limpopo). ing on flowers and clearly drinking Lesser Masked Weaver nectar of E. lysistemon (University One of two weaver species known of Limpopo). to be opportunistic nectarivores at Crested Barbet a variaty of nectar-producing plants Regularly seen obtaining nectar but for which no published records from flowers in the Greater Polok- of Erythrina nectarivory seem to wane region. exist. Lesser Masked Weavers were Sombre Greenbul uncommon visitors to floweringE. A bird seen drinking nectar (St. Lu- lysistemon trees at the University of cia). Limpopo. Greater Blue-eared Starling Southern Masked Weaver A few bird seen foraging and drink- Known to be an opportunistic nec- ing nectar (Skukuza). tarivore but not listed as an Eryth- Black-bellied Starling rina nectarivore, this is a regular Several birds drinking nectar prober of Erythrina flowers (Great- (Mkhuze and Eastern Cape coastal er Polokwane region). regions). With these 11 new records of Purple-banded Sunbird Erythrina nectarivory, the list of One of a few surprises of obligate birds now known to exploit Erythri- nectarivores for which Erythri- na nectar in southern Africa stands na nectarivory has not previously at 53 species, representing 12 avi- been reported in the literature. A an families. This is a considerably regular visitor to flowering Erythri- less diverse assemblage compared na trees (Mkhuze). to the 104 species in 26 families Neergaard's Sunbird recorded for the Mountain Aloe. It Same as previous species. A few is interesting to note that the spe- sightings of this sunbird feeding at cies exploiting Erythrina nectar are Erythrina flowers. dominated by three avian families White-browed Sparrow-Weaver only: sunbirds (Nectariniidae, 16 Small numbers seen infrequent- species), weavers (Ploceidae, 11 ly obtaining nectar at flowering species), and starlings (Sturnidae, 7 Erythrina trees (Greater Polokwane species). It is interesting to note that region). opportunistic nectarivores such 55 The Lark 24 Table 1. Avian nectarivores of Erythrina trees in southern Africa. Common name Reference Brown-headed Parrot Oatley and Skead (1972) Cape Parrot Wirminghaus et al. (2002) Speckled Mousebird Archer (1992) *Red-faced Mousebird Black-collared Barbet Archer (1992) Whyte's Barbet Archer (1992) Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Archer (1992) *Crested Barbet Black-headed Oriole Archer (1992) Dark-capped Bulbul Archer (1992) *Sombre Greenbul Tree Pipit Maclean (1993) Common Starling Craig and Feare (2019a) Common Myna Sengupta (1976) Wattled Starling Jacot-Guillarmod et al. (1979) Cape Starling Skead (1995) *Greater Blue-eared Starling *Black-bellied Starling Red-winged Starling Craig and Feare (2019b) *Gurney's Sugarbird Skead (1963); This study Malachite Sunbird Archer (1992) Bronzy Sunbird Archer (1992) Marico Sunbird Skead (1967) Purple-banded Sunbird Greater Double-collared Sunbird Skead (1954) Miombo Double-collared Sunbird Archer (1992) Southern Double-collared Sunbird Skead (1967) *Neergaard's Sunbird Variable Sunbird Archer (1992) White-bellied Sunbird Skead (1967) Grey Sunbird Skead (1967) Olive Sunbird Skead (1967)

The Lark 24 56 Common name Reference Western Violet-backed Sunbird Tree (1990) Collared Sunbird Skead (1967) Amethyst Sunbird Skead (1967) Scarlet-chested Sunbird Skead (1967) Cape White-eye Skead (1967) African Yellow White-eye Archer (1992) *White-browed Sparrow-Weaver *Cape Sparrow Dark-backed Weaver Skead (1995) Spectacled Weaver Archer (1992) *Lesser Masked Weaver Village Weaver Oatley and Skead (1972) Cape Weaver Oatley and Skead (1972) Yellow Weaver Skead (1997) Golden Weaver Lorber (1982) *Southern Masked Weaver Red-collared Widowbird Archer (1992) Swee Waxbill Archer (1992) Yellow-fronted Canary Archer (1992) Brimstone Canary Archer (1992) Streaky-headed Seed-eater Archer (1992) Flower/petal consumers

Grey Go-away Bird Rowan (1983) Rose-ringed Parakeet Perrin and Cowgill (2005) Red-eyed Dove Archer (1992) *Crowned Hornbill Drakensberg Siskin Skead (1960)

* New records of Erythrina nectarivory as observed in this study.

57 The Lark 24 Above Red-winged Starlings are Erythrina as flycatchers (Muscicapidae), tits nectar addicts © Derek Engelbrecht (Paridae), cisticolas (Cisticolidae), sylviid babblers (Sylviidae), and drongos (Dicruridae) are well-rep- resented at flowering Mountain and to send your observations to Aloes, but have not been recorded The Lark. We are sure the list can utilizing nectar at Erythrina trees easily top 60 species! in southern Africa. Furtermore, the diversity of waxbills (Estrildidae) References and canaries/seedeaters (Fringilli- Archer DM 1992. The Broad-leaved dae) is also not as great at flower- Erythrina as a food source. Honeyguide ing Erythrina trees as at flowering 38: 173-176 Moutain Aloes. Craig A, Feare C 2019a. Common Starling With the Erythrina flowering (Sturnus vulgaris). In: del Hoyo, J, Elliott season about to start in earnest in A, Sargatal J, Christie DA, de Juana E (eds). July/August, we kindly request our Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. readers from all over Africa to take Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from special note of visitors to Erythri- https://www.hbw.com/node/60851 on 23 na trees and, where possible, to get June 2019). images of wild birds either feeding Craig A, Feare C 2019b. Red-winged Star- on or probing flowers for nectar, ling (Onychognathus morio). In: del Hoyo The Lark 24 58 J, Elliott A, Sargatal J, Christie DA, de Jua- David Philip, Cape Town. na E (eds). Handbook of the Birds of the Sengupta S 1976. Food and feeding ecolo- World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. gy of the Common Myna. Proceedings of (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/ the Indian National Science Academy 42: node/60881 on 23 June 2019). 338-345 Engelbrecht D, Grosel J, Engelbrecht D Skead CJ 1954. A study of the Larger Dou- 2014. Nectar-feeding by southern African ble-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris afra afra) birds, with special reference to the Moun- (Linnaeus)). Ostrich 25: 76-88 tain Aloe Aloe marlothii. Biodiversity Ob- Skead CJ 1960. The Canaries, Seed-eaters servations [S.l.]: 49-74. and Buntings of Southern Africa. Trust- Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ, Ryan PG (eds) ees of the South African Bird Book Fund, 2005. Robetrts Birds of Southern Africa, Cape Town. 7th ed. The Trustees of the John Voelcker Skead CJ 1962. A Study of the Collared Bird Book Fund, Cape Town. Sunbird Anthreptes collaris (Veillot). Os- Jacot-Guillarmod A, Jubb RA, Skead CJ trich 33: 38-40. 1979. Field studies of six Southern African Skead DM 1963. Gurney's Sugarbird, species of Erythrina. Annals of the Mis- Promerops gurneyi Verreaux, in the Natal souri Botanical Garden 66: 528-527. Drakensberg. Ostrich 34: 160-164. Kemp AC 1995. The Hornbills. Buceroti- Skead CJ 1967. Sunbirds of Southern Afri- formes. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ca. AA Balkema, Johannesburg. Lorber P 1982. Feeding behaviour of Skead CJ 1995. Life-History Notes on East the Large Golden Weaver. Honeyguide Cape Bird Species, 1940-1990. Vol. 1. Al- 111/112: 61. goa Regional Services Council, Port Eliz- Maclean GL 1993. Roberts Birds of South- abeth. ern Africa, 6th ed. John Voelcker Bird Skead CJ 1997. Life-History Notes on East Book Fund, Cape Town. Cape Bird Species, 1940-1990. Vol. 2. Al- Oatley TB, Skead DM 1972. Nectar feed- goa Regional Services Council, Port Eliz- ing by South African birds. Lammergeyer abeth. 15: 65-74. Tree AJ 1990. Notes on sunbird move- Perrin MR, Cowgill R 2005. Rose-ringed ments and nectar sources in Zimbabwe. Parakeet Psittacula krameri. In: Roberts Honeyguide 36: 178-182. Birds of Southern Africa, 7th ed. Hockey Wirminghaus JO, Downs CT, Symes CT, PAR, Dean WRJ, Ryan PG (eds), pp. 229- Perrin MR 2002. Diet of the Cape Parrot 230. The Trustees of the John Voelcker Poicephalus robustus in Afromontane for- Bird Book Fund, Cape Town. ests in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Os- Rowan MK 1983. The Doves, Parrots, trich 73: 20-25. Louries and Cuckoos of Southern Africa.

59 The Lark 24 Above Rudd's Lark Rudd's Lark One of South Africa's Below The pale grass patch on the upper Top 5 rarest endemics right is an inundated wet grassy vlei-like depression that holds ankle deep water in Hugh Chittenden and David summer. These damp margins are the prime Weaver habitat for the unique upland grassland en- E-mail: [email protected] demic, Rudd's Lark.

Rudd's Lark - summer like this, 12 months of the year! Can you imagine what sort How do you find sufficient food to of special and remarkable creature rear chicks, and provision yourself you have to be to occupy an Afro- during the long, bitterly cold win- montane, 2000 m high territory ter months in an area (below) that

The Lark 24 60 Above A copy of the latest SABAP2 map only covers a few hectares? All the below shows the entire distribution of this photos in this note were taken at species - and highlights how rare and endangered this local endemic really is. the site above in both mid-summer (January) and mid-winter (June). Opposite Top With an extended white Rudd's Larks are difficult to throat, Rudd's Lark gives it bubbling call. locate because of their skulking Opposite Bottom There are two character- habits and rodent-like behaviour, istic features that draw your attention to this but it does have a unique call that species. Firstly, the distinctive and well-known may help you pinpoint its territory pale, median crown stripe, and the other is the somewhat exaggerated, laterally protruding along plateau tops in the Drakens- eyebrows that perhaps help shield its eyes berg escarpment. from the midday sun!

Rudd's Lark - winter One of the most remarkable perature that most insects would things about this species is their be able to operate in! Of course, ability to survive, and find suffi- there are many, many bird species cient food during the bitterly cold that cope well enough in north- winter months in a seemingly bleak ern hemisphere temperate climate landscape where food supplies are zones with subzero temperatures, low. Early morning temperatures but these diminutive larks have along the Drakensberg plateau evolved in what is, to a great ex- where these birds occur, are often tent, a subtropical region. Many -8 to -10 °C! Hardly the sort of tem- other occupants of upland grass- 61 The Lark 24 land in our region vacate these ar- ly that same locality as those shown eas in mid-winter and then return above, but here, DW has been able to breed in the warmer summer to capture them during mid-winter months. searching for food items in the her- The photographs below of this bivore dung found in short grass- diminutive lark were taken in exact- land, so it's possibly these sort of The Lark 24 62 Above Rudd's Lark winter habitat. additional feeding strategies that enable them to find sufficient food Bottom Note the warmer and brown- in our upper Drakensberg plateau er plumage displayed by these birds in winter regions? Their ability to utilize re- dress. sources such as these, makes them Below Extra food in the way of seed such great upland grassland survi- and insect larvae found in herbivore dung vors! What a fantastically interest- helps sustain Rudd's Larks during the critical cold winter period. ing rare bird species that we still have so much to learn about.

63 The Lark 24 Interesting sightings 16 April 2019 - 15 June 2019 Share your interesting sightings, interactions, behaviour etc. seen within a 100 km radius of Polokwane. Please submit your sightings to [email protected] and include the date, locality and a brief write-up of your sighting. Photos are welcome but will be used at the discretion of the editors. *= SABAP2 Out of Range record; ** Re- gional rarity; *** National Rarity Compiled by Derek Engelbrecht Non-passerines African Skimmer - 15 June 2019. A pair seen on a farm dam east of Tzaneen (Johan Botma)***. Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle - Several sightings at the Polokwane Bird Sanc- tuary between 19 April and 1 May 2019 (Jody De Bruyn)*; 7 May 2019. An adult bird seen hunting Crowned Lapwings at the Tom Naude Dam (Sean-Christopher Slattery); 21 May 2019. An adult seen in Dorp early in the morning African Skimmer © Daniel Engelbrecht (Sean-Christopher Slattery). The Lark 24 64 of Vivo at dusk (Derek Engel- brecht). Grey-headed Gull - 4 May 2019. Eleven birds seen at Houtriver Dam (Daniel Engelbrecht). Pied Avocet - 28 May 2019. A small flock of about 13 birds seen at Letaba Estates (Johan Botma). Secretarybird - 12 June 2019. A bird soaring over De Drift to the west of Polokwane (Derek Engel- Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle © Jody De Bruyn brecht). Black Stork - 1 May 2019. A single Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill - bird at a quarry near Meropa Ca- 21 May 2019. A single bird seen sino (Jody De Bruyn). in the suburb of Bendor (Jody De Bruyn). Steppe Buzzard - 11 May 2019. An unseasonal fresh roadkill was found on the R521 just north of Mogwadi (Derek Engelbrecht). Tawny Eagle - 28 May 2019. A single bird seen in woodland near Mogwadi (Dendron) (Ryan Van Huyssteen).*

Black Stork © Black Stork Denham’s Bustard - 25 April 2019. A single adult bird seen in a fallow field on the farm Scheveningen between Mokopane and Roadtan Tawny Eagle © Ryan Van Huyssteen (Ashleigh Pieterse)*. This record is a first for the Polokwane 100K. Verreaux’s Eagle - 7 June 2019. An Double-banded Sandgrouse - 15 immature bird seen flying over une 2019. A pair seen just south the Polokwane Game Reserve 65 The Lark 24 (Susan Dippenaar and San3 De of a Yellow-billed Kite scaveng- Wet). ing roadkill on the R521 north of Mogwadi (Daniel Engelbrecht).

Passerines African Pied Wagtail - 24 April 2019. A pair seen at the Polok- wane Bird Sanctuary (Joe Grosel). Bushveld Pipit - 1 June 2019. A bird seen on the Tweefontein smallholdings (Jody De Bruyn). Lark-like Bunting - 4 May 2019. A single bird seen in the Polokwane Verreaux's Eagle © San3 De Wet Game Reserve (Derek Engelbre- cht); 8 May 2019. Five five birds White-rumped Swift - 7 June 2019. seen near Atok Mine Daniel An unseasonal record of several Engelbrecht)*; 1 June 2019. Sev- birds in a mixed species flock of eral birds at a leaking pipe on the swifts and swallows at Chuenes Tweefontein smallholdings road poort Dam (Derek Engelbrecht). (Jody De Bruyn)*. White-winged Tern - 22 April 2019. A single male in breeding plumage at the Polokwane Bird Sanctuary (Daniel Engelbrecht).

Lark-like Bunting © Jody De Bruyn Wire-tailed Swallow - 7 June 2019. Several individuals in a White-winged Tern © Jody De Bruyn mixed species flock of swifts and swallows at Chuenespoort Dam Yellow-billed Kite - 11 May 2019. (Derek Engelbrecht).* Yet another unseasonal record The Lark 24 66 EVENTS

Birdlife Polokwane monthly meeting Date: 2 July 2019 Time: 18:30 Venue: Polokwane Golf Club

Birdlife Polokwane monthly meeting Date: 6 August 2019 Time: 18:30 Venue: Polokwane Golf Club

67 The Lark 24 Klubuitstappie Waar? Levubu en Roodewal Datum: 6 Julie 2019 Leier: Richter Van Tonder Kontak:: 082 213 8276

Inkopielys: Dwerggans (African Pygmy Goose), Breëbek (African Broadbill), Witrugnagreier (White-backed Night Heron), Blouvlekduifie (Blue-spotted Wood Dove), Gevlekte Heu- ningwyser (Scaly-throated Honeyguide), en Vlermuisvalk (Bat Hawk)

Klubuitstappie Waar? Randfontein Datum: 17 Augustus 2019 Leier: Richter Van Tonder Kontak:: 082 213 8276

Inkopielys: Gestreepte Koester (Striped Pipit), Swartkatakoeoroe (Black Cuckooshrike), Gewone Swartmees (Southern Black Tit), Luitinktinkie (Lazy Cisticola), Konkoit (Gor- geous Bushshrike), Swartsaagvlerkswael (Black Saw- wing)

The Lark 24 68 Club outing Where? Club Ranch Date: September 2019 (exact date to be confirmed) Leader: Richter Van Tonder Kontak: 082 213 8276

Inkopielys: Pel's Fishing Owl (Visuil), White-crowned Lapwing (Wit- kopkiewiet), White-fronted Plover (Vaalstrandkiewiet), Meve's Starling (Langstertglansspreeu), Meyer's Parrot (Bosveldpappegaai), Swallow-tailed Bee-eater (Swael- stertbyvreter)

69 The Lark 24 WEST RAND HONORARY RANGERS BIRD COURSES

For details and reservations, contact Norma Gardiner [email protected] [email protected] 0797541987. The Lark 24 70 Cinderella's page Birdlife Polokwane honours the LBJs of this world which may never make it onto a cover page

71 The Lark 24