Bokmakierie-238-December-2013.Pdf

WITWATERSRAND P O Box 641 Cresta, 2118

BIRD CLUB Tel: 011 782 7267 Fax: 086 512 7696 Email: [email protected] ISSUE NO 238 DECEMBER 2013 Web: www.witsbirdclub.org.za

Inside this issue: 2013 Committee:

4 Letter from the Chair Honorary President Murrie Slotar 5 Update from the Photographic Andy Feather- Course, 6th July 2013 by Lesley Cor- Chairman stone nish 6 Some Notes on the Cisticolas with a Vice-Chairman Lance Robinson Field Identification Key by Jack Vin- Treasurer Leanne Webster cent 10 From New Zealand with Love! by Courses Murrie Slotar Andy Featherstone Conservation Barbi Forsyth 11 Garden Ringing near Sandton City 2007-13 by Jim McLuskie Evening Meetings Lia Steen 14 Flock at Sea 2013 — Thank You Website & Youth Matthew Axelrod 15 Across the top of the World (part 1): 7th – 21st August 2013 (Part 1) by Club Secretary Lauraine Leigh Lesley Cornish 20 Short-toed Rock Thrush (Monticola brevipes) by Barbi Forsyth DEADLINE FOR APRIL 2014 22 Remembering Neville Hoets by John ISSUE - 1st MARCH 2014 Freer 23 Wits Bird Club Blue Swallow Spon- Contributions, addressed to the Editor, sorship Update by Nicholas Theron can be: 24 Action for Amur Falcons brings hope for an end to hunting in Nagaland E-mailed to: [email protected] by Jim Lawrence The Editor, Witwatersrand 29 Figures in South African Ornithology: Posted to: Bird Club, P O Box 641, Cresta, 2118 Francois Le Vaillant by Peter Greaves Delivered to: Delta Environmental 37 Rarities and Unusual Sightings Re- Centre, Road No 3, Victory Park port: August 2013 by André Marx 42 BirdLife Matters

Cover Photo: White-breasted Cuckooshrike by Matthew Axelrod Cover Design: Philip Tarboton

2 On the arrival front, I recently went to Letter Northern Farms where we discovered two From Western Yellow Wagtails that had just ar- rived and heard that a European Honey The Buzzard had also been seen earlier. So if you are not going away over the festive Chair season it could be a good time to visit some of our local reserves and gardens.

The reason for my visit to Northern Farms Dear Members, was not to look for birds but rather to attend the handover of the two new brick The end of the year is fast approaching and hides that have been built to replace the it is time to either head off for a well earned timber one that had been destroyed in a break at a holiday destination, visit family recent fire. The two new hides are well and friends or to just chill out at home in a worth a visit and should provide good pho- much quieter Johannesburg. tographic opportunities in the future once the surrounding vegetation has settled It seems that some of our feathered friends down. have similar ambitions as late migrants are still arriving and a few others seem to have Enclosed with this edition of the Bokmak- got the adventure bug and turned up in ierie you will find the booklet for next year’s unexpected places. A classic example of the AGM. It is often difficult to attract members latter is the bird featured on the cover, a to an AGM so this time we are going to try White-breasted Cuckooshrike that turned something different and have a Saturday up in the Groenkloof Nature Reserve in event at Delta Park. We will have an op- Pretoria. It is interesting that in recent times tional guided walk beforehand and a a number of oddities have appeared in the members braai after the AGM. Please help Gauteng area, maybe it is the new birdie us to make the day a success by being hot destination! Having visited Gisela there and taking part in the activities. We Ortner’s garden and seen its stunning loca- will also be awarding the annual Diamond tion I can well understand why Bush Black- Award at the AGM so please don’t forget caps could use it as an equivalent to a hu- to send in your nomination. man Drakensburg for a summer holiday. We have changed the font for the Bok- makierie for this edition, hopefully to make it easier to read. Please let us how you find it. Also, please send in your unusual sightings, articles and photos - we want to hear from you!

Enjoy the holiday break, wherever you may be and we hope to see you at an outing or evening meeting in the New Year.

Andy Featherstone

White-breasted Cuckooshrike watchers Rest in peace Tata Madiba. A light has at Groenkloof — photo by Andy gone out from the world but may your Featherstone shining example live on in the words and deeds of others. 3 the trip. Murrie had teased me on the Update from the Photo- course, saying that she wanted to see some graphic Course, 6th July nice photographs, and I threatened to cut them out of magazines! 2013 I knew about the Oceans of Life 2013 pho- By Lesley Cornish tographic competition before I left, and the deadline was a week after I came back.... So I had a bash, and although I did not As with Colin Gerrans (August 2013 “Bok”), I really have time to sort out the photo- was one of the lucky ones on Robbie graphs, I did pick some out, and one of my Aspeling’s Photographic Course, which was photographs was in the top 50 and was totally brilliant. After using my analogue published in the book of the Judges’ selec- camera on manual (until I trashed it), I had tion. So, here it is, “Ice-whirl”, one of the always used Errol’s digital camera on the many, many Black-legged Kittiwake pho- automatic setting, and then I trashed that tographs I took. (I was teased about that one in Ecuador on the WBC trip (it got too.) rather wet...). So with trepidation, I had to buy my own camera and had not had it Editors Note: Well done Lesley — although long before I went on Robbie’s course. Rob- you didn’t have to go so far away to prac- bie said that he would get us all off the tice! automatic mode, and he did! I played with the camera before I went on my Arctic trip in August, and played with it even more on

“Ice Whirl” Black-legged Kittiwake - photo by Lesley Cornish

4 tions. One species occurs only outside the Some Notes on the Ethiopian region, and of the remainder one Cisticolas with a Field is confined to Madagascar, and one to So- cotra Island, whilst one (the common jun- Identification Key cidis) ranges all over Africa and extends even to Europe and the Far East. The other Text by Jack Vincent 36 species are restricted to Africa, and the writer would like here and now to suggest that “CISTICOLA” is an entirely suitable The following article is reproduced at “English” name for all of these birds, instead the suggestion of John Freer, past Chair- of the commonly used and somewhat man of Wits Bird Club and first ap- meaningless “grass warbler”. peared in the Bokmakierie Vol 2 No 1 dated May 1949. In the area covered by excursions of the Witwatersrand Bird Club, that is to say in NB: Common and Scientific names have the Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Magalies- been updated to current usage. Some of berg districts, ten Cisticolas occur and all of the localities mentioned may no longer them have very distinctive calls or other exist or may no longer be safe to visit. habits to facilitate field identification. It is Please consult up-to-date guide books perhaps no exaggeration to say that these for status and more current locations. birds are easier to identify in the field than in the hand, and it is hoped that the follow-

The small brown warblers of the genus Cis- ing key may be of some assistance to those ticola altogether number 40 species, subdi- fellow club members who have expressed vided into some 180 geographical varia- difficulty in becoming acquainted with this somewhat puzzling group.

Field Identification Key 1. In open grass veld, sometimes with a little sparse Go to 2. scrub, such as Protea Among or near trees, in woodland or thorn bush Go to 7. country 2. Snaps wings (physically) or make a vocal sound Go to 3. which might at first be taken for that action Do not make wing snaps, or any sound which Go to 5. could be confused with them 3. Carry out high aerial cruises terminating with Go to 4. plummet dives back to earth Do much darting and swooping but always quite B Desert Cisticola low down (Cisticola aridulus) 4. Utter bold squeaking whistles of two notes (“B-B- C Cloud Cisticola chick-chick”) alternated with sharper chattering (Cisticola textrix) vocal notes, but NO wing SNAPS Utter wispy squeaking whistles (“squeaky- D Wing-snapping (Ayres’) squeaky”) with volleys of wing snaps (obviously Cisticola physical) when descending (Cisticola ayresii)

Field Identification Key (Continued) 5. Prolonged undulating flights, with monosyllabic A Zitting Cisticola call of an oft-repeated “zit” (Cisticola juncidis) No prolonged flights, only raising a few feet out of Go to 6. the grass and down again 6. Inhabits longer grass on steep hillsides, usually near E Wailing Cisticola rocks (Cisticola lais) Inhabits longer grass near water H Levaillant’s Cisticola (Cisticola tinniens) 7. In long grass in hillside gullies or near bushy cover, J Lazy Cisticola but seldom perching in trees (Cisticola aberrans) Usually perching, and generally living in trees, al- Go to 8. though nesting normally in grass 8. Of small and slender build, with pleasant call and Go to 9. no unduly conspicuous alarm notes Of robust build, perching high up, and with very G Rattling Cisticola loud, harsh, or ‘swearing’ alarm notes (Cisticola chiniana) 9. Invariably remains well concealed in foliage, but F Tinkling Cisticola has a musical tinkling call (Cisticola rufilatus) Often perches high up, but has a monotonous I Neddicky monosyllabic piping call, ventriloqual in utterance; (Cisticola fulvicapilla) also a thin rattle sounding like a locust’s flight

The remarks which follow supply a few ad- better than commence by getting to know ditional notes to cover the ten species the birds in the breeding season. It is then above mentioned, and the letters of the that they are most demonstrative, and alphabet correspond with those following these present notes refer mainly to adult the birds’ names in the key. It should be males in Spring and Summer within the mentioned that space of course does not Witwatersrand area. The localities men- permit such detailed accounts as would be tioned serve only as some guide to areas necessary to describe differences between wherein the species may be observed, and the sexes, and between the immature and do not include all those places wherein they adult birds. In fact the beginner cannot do have been recorded.

Species Table A. Zitting Cisticola The “junker” is the only one of the four local ‘tiny’ Cisticolas (A, B, C (Cisticola juncidis) & D) which carries out no high-level aerial cruises, but merely flits round and round with conspicuously undulating flight. The upper parts show a strong pattern of light and dark browns like the three next mentioned, but the tail has a prominent ‘fan’ pattern of subterminal spots above and below. Its habitat is characteristic, and the observer soon comes to associate it not so much with the truly open veld as with old lands, edges of cultivated fields, and areas of generally rank grass and weed growth. The nest is a flimsy affair, with much cobweb in its construction, placed usually

Species Table (Continued) A. Zitting Cisticola in new green grass and shaped like a soda-water bottle with the (Continued) entrance pointing skywards. It is the only local Cisticola whose nest (Cisticola juncidis) is NOT of the domed or ball type, with side-top entrance. Noted near Benoni dams, at several disposal works, round Hartbeest- poort Dam, and at several cultivated areas along the Reef. B. Desert Cisticola Similar to A, C & D and perhaps most like A in that its tail is the (Cisticola aridulus) same length and a good deal longer than in C & D. Its patterned back is considerably lighter than in the Zitting Cisticola, while its tail differs in being plain black above and in having the fan pattern spots only below. Its antics, however, are quite different to A, since it frequently utters a small song when perched and does much of the wing snapping, which sound is never heard from juncidis species. The habitat of this bird is open dry grassveld, perhaps prefer- ring rather longer grass than C and D; it is certainly partial to much drier ground. Constructs a normal ball-type nest in grass, usually old grass, and near to the ground. Noted near Muldersdrift and Sterkfontein — i.e. to the west rather than to the east. C. Cloud Cisticola A very thick-set and short-tailed little bird with rather conspicu- (Cisticola textrix) ously long legs, found in open veld of short grass. Strong pattern of browns on the back, and the stumpy tail plain black above and below except for white tips to the feathers. Rises from grass at an angle of 45 degrees and mounts so high into the air as to be difficult to follow with the naked eye. Cruises back and forth making its bold, two-noted “B-B-chick-chick” call when mounting INTO the wind, and a vocal “qap-qap” (Zulu “q”) when casting back WITH the wind. Descends like a plummet, but jinks sharply upwards just before the ground is reached and before finally dropping into the grass. The important point is that it does NOT, like D, physically ‘snap’ its wings as it is coming down. Constructs normal ball-type nest, low down in a grass tuft, using living green grass to bind down over the roof. Noted commonly in all open veld from Krugersdorp to Pretoria, particularly round Muldersdrift, Beau Valley, and Zwartkop; not seen by the writer (although doubtless it occurs) eastward of somewhere around Witkoppen. Seems to prefer slightly shorter veld than D, and that containing some bare patches between the grass tufts. D. Wing-Snapping Small and very similar indeed to C but one soon realises that it (Ayres’) Cisticola does not appear so thick-set, whilst its legs do not seem to be so (Cisticola ayresii) disproportionately long as in the last mentioned. The plumage of C and D is so alike as to make recognition merely with glasses very difficult, but there are some most characteristic differences in habit. This bird carries out similar high cruises, but when aloft has not the ‘bold’ or two-noted whistle of textrix; its call is just a thin squeaking whistle, which can well be written as “squeaky-squeaky”. When it comes dashing back to earth and when it jinks upwards, ayresii

7 Species Table (Continued) D. Wing-Snapping gives vent to volleys of physical, crackling wing snaps. Usual ball- (Ayres’) Cisticola type nest, using green blades as in the case of C. Inhabits short (Continued) grass veld, but seems to like rather thicker and slightly longer grass (Cisticola ayresii) than C. The writer’s impression is that it moves about more IN the grass, and not so much on the ground. Noted commonly near the Johannesburg-Pretoria road, and in the Craighall-Jukskei River area, but not seen for certain further to the West towards Krugersdorp. E. Wailing Cisticola Extremely easy to identify. Large size, longish tail, conspicuous mot- (Cisticola lais) tling of black on the back, and rich rust-red head top. Inhabits dry hillsides, invariably associated with rocks or stones on which it perches freely. The male flies up a few feet uttering a shrill, far- carrying, sweeping whistle, and ‘dances’ down to its perch again. Ball-type nest, low in a grass tuft, using green blades. Noted commonly all along the North face of the Witwatersrand, from North- cliff to Krugersdorp, and very common on the protea clad rocky slopes near King’s Kloof. F. Tinkling Cisticola A very slimly built bird, of tinniens size and shape, but found IN the (Cisticola rufilatus) bush. Head top very red, back of normal mottled browns. Inhabits thicker patches of trees in woodland or thorn veld country. Has a peculiar and pleasing, bell-like tinkling song, but unlike all other Cisticolas in similar country stops calling and hides itself when alarmed. Noted near Rustenburg and North of Bon Accord Dam. Does not seem to occur nearer Johannesburg. Normal ball-type nest close to the ground in a bush or weed. NB: Seringveld is the nearest know current location to Johannesburg G. Rattling Cisticola A robustly built bird, common in most of the acacia thorn veld. (Cisticola chiniana) The male invariably sits on a prominent perch at the top of a thorn tree, and utters two or three whistled notes followed by a rattling trill, the latter increasing in duration as the breeding season advances. The call might be written as “cheeu-cheeu-chirr-r-r”, and if alarmed a loud, swearing “chair-chair” is repeatedly uttered. Usual ball-type nest in a grass tuft. Noted at Hartbeestpoort and Bon Accord Dams, Schurweberg, Magaliesberg, and many other thorn scrub localities. H. Levaillant’s Cisticola Most simple to identify. Slender build, fairly long tail, rust-red head (Cisticola tinniens) top, very strongly mottled with black on the back, blacker than any other species in the area. Call, a pleasant chirruping warble. This species is easily recognised because of its habitat, which is in- evitably associated with water and this cannot be said of any other species under review. Constructs the normal ball-type nest at edge of some damp or boggy ground. I. Neddicky This small and prominently red head topped bird is ubiquitous (Cisticola fulvicapilla) and too well known to need further description, other than that given in the key. The name Neddicky too seems now so widely known and used that it should perhaps become permanent, and the present writer had better learn to use it, in place of “Fulvy” by 8

Species Table (Continued) I. Neddicky which name he has hitherto affectionately known it. It may be (Continued) added that this bird is much plainer on the back than other Cisti- (Cisticola fulvicapilla) colas, with the exception of the next mentioned, which, however, is a much larger bird. J. Lazy Cisticola Easily identified if seen, on account of its plain looking brown back, (Cisticola aberrans) on which the soft dappling is not readily visible in the field, its plain reddish-brown head, and its unusually long tail, This species is invariably to be found on very broken ground, in long grass on rocky hillsides where the trees or scrub are also quite dense. There the birds move about usually low down and well within the cover, their long tails being flicked about and jerked almost up to the vertical, in a way normally expected only from Prinias, The Lazy Cisticola is a rare species in the Witwatersrand area, noted only near Rustenburg and on the hill slopes around Pretoria. From New Zealand with Love!

By Andy Featherstone

It’s not often that a plan comes together in true “A” Team fashion but for once on the 22nd August 2013, Wits Bird Club was quite literally able to deliver the goods!

On the 16th July 2013 I received an email, which had been sent to several of the local clubs, asking whether any of our members Jeanne Thomas handing over the binocu- would be visiting Tanzania in the near fu- lars and books to Zola at Arusha Airport - ture. The email was from a lady by the photo by Ling Dobson name of Jean Caulton who lives in New Zealand, and who had visited Tanzania the As luck would have it I had occasion to talk year before where she had met “a young to Jeanne Thomas, one of our club mem- and enthusiastic birder who (by forming bers, a few weeks later and discovered that bird clubs) is trying to encourage school pu- she would be travelling to Tanzania on sa- pils to take up birding in the Moshi area of fari. A couple of quick emails later and all Tanzania”. Jean went on to say that she was arranged. I would collect the binoculars had put together a collection of second and books from Jean Caulton when she ar- hand binoculars and bird birds that she rived in S.A., deliver them to Jeanne Thomas would like to donate to Zola, the young and Jeanne would meet Zola in transit at man in question, but needed to find a will- Arusha airport and hand them over. ing carrier to get them there. Jean said that she would be visiting family in South Africa As you can see from the photo above all from the 15th—18th August and could bring went like clockwork and there is now one the items over with her then. very happy young man in Tanzania!

9 garden and several families have been Garden Ringing near raised in the recent years. They nest in the garden in sisal logs. Sandton City 2007-13 Honeyguides: The number of these has By Jim McLuskie really surprised me but must be related to the wild bee nests we have had from time RSA Ringer No: 1422 to time.

I have attached a table of the more than Cape Robin-Chat: Many of these are resident in the garden. They nest in the garden. 1000 birds I have ringed in my garden over more than 5 years. The report may be of Southern Boubou: They reside in the gar- interest to someone. I offer below some re- den. marks on aspects that I consider to be of interest. Cape Sparrow: By far the most prolific species in the garden. African Olive Pigeon: Out of 78 only 3 have been re-trapped. These birds are in Southern Grey-headed Sparrow: Surpris- the garden frequently in ones or twos but ingly common. obviously are just “passing through”. Southern Masked Weaver: There are two Red-eyed and Cape Turtle Doves: These colonies , at opposite ends of the garden. appear to be locally resident. Southern Red Bishop: Quite far from wa- Laughing Dove: They seem to be resi- ter and reeds. dent in a larger area and do not live in the The most interesting species garden . Lots of them must be just “passing Karoo Thrush: ringed. The numbers of thrushes ringed is through”. unexpectedly high. Very few of them are Green Wood-Hoopoe: These appear to resident; most are passing through. I have be part of a large flock that lives in the noted that each April a mass migration of greater area and is seen all over the sub- Karoo thrushes seems to take place and 10 urb. Karen Dixon has ringed some of them or more thrushes are ringed in one day in her nearby garden. In June 2012 I ob- with more being spotted but not trapped. served a mixed flock [male, female and ju- The impression I have is that they are mov- venile] “attacking” a nest of a Southern ing northwards, although this is not a scien- Masked Weaver. They were clinging to the tific observation. outside of the nest and pushing their bills into the grass of the empty nest. They ap- If anyone has any comments on this note, I peared to bring out nothing but spent half would be glad to hear them. an hour or more in this activity. I concluded that the nest must be infested with some Jim McLuskie, 011 883 1636, sort of mite or other tasty morsel. [email protected] Crested Barbet: These are resident in the

WITWATERSRAND BIRD FOLLOWER OF ? CLUB HAS ITS OWN FACEBOOK PAGE!

10 101 East Ave ringing analysis at 1 Aug 2013

SAFRING

Number

ringed Re-trapped Roberts English Name Scientific Name At least More No % Twice once often

84 94 Hadeda Ibis Bostrychia hagedash 1 312 350 African Olive Pigeon Columba arquatrix 78 3 3.8% 314 352 Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata 23 2 10.0% 316 354 Cape Turtle Dove Streptopelia capicola 9 3 33.3% 317 355 Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis 56 4 7.1% 3 2 330 367 Rosy-faced Lovebird Agapornis roseicollis 1 339 373 Grey Go-away-bird Corythaixoides concolor 2 352 386 Diederick Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius 1 390 424 Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus 11 3 18.2% 2 418 451 African Hoopoe Upupa africana 1 419 452 Green Wood-hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus 8 1 12.5% 431 464 Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus 9 1 11.1% 439 473 Crested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii 20 5 25.0% 3 440 474 Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator 5 1 20.0% 442 476 Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor 15 2 13.3% 1 453 489 Red-throated Wryneck Jynx ruficollis 1 545 568 Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor 19 3 15.8% 3 3 581 601 Cape Robin-Chat Cossypha caffra 18 5 33.3% 1 1 654 689 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 1 709 736 Southern Boubou Laniarius ferrugineus 5 2 40.0% 1 734 758 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 8 1 12.5% 737 764 Cape Glossy Starling Lamprotornis nitens 4 784 801 House Sparrow Passer domesticus 19 1 5.3% 786 803 Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus 246 30 12.8% 4 1 787 804 Southern Grey-headed Passer diffusus 43 3 7.0% Sparrow 803 814 Southern Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus 204 41 20.1% 16 6 808 824 Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix 17 2 14.3% 820 856 Red-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala 5 823 857 Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata 37 1 2.9% 940 348 Rock Dove Columba livia 48 8 16.7% 3 1 1104 577.1 Karoo Thrush Turdus smithii 138 16 11.6% 11 5 1172 796 Cape White-eye Zosterops capensis 11 1 9.1% 1 1 TOTAL 1064 139 13.1% 34 13 11 you can dispose of almost any manner of Don’t Talk Rot! kitchen waste including cooked and un- cooked meat, seafood, onions and bones. By Andy Featherstone All that’s needed to start the whole thing I recently received an email from the Public going is a large sealed container such as a Relations company representing the Cradle plastic bucket with a sealed lid and the Bo- of Humankind asking whether we (the kashi mix which is made up as follows: club) would like to interview Robere 1kg wheat bran Brockman, the maintenance manager of 750ml water Maropeng. The subject matter was related 7.5ml molasses (or brown sugar) to the then forthcoming Recycle Day on the 7.5ml EM probiotics 20th September 2013 which in turn formed NB: a number of stores sell complete part of the Clean Up South Africa Week Bokashi kits and individual ingredients (16th—21st September 2013). At first I dis- missed the email as it appeared to be a You can make up any volume of material strange request and not relevant to a bird using the same basic ratio above. club, but on subsequent readings I realised that here was something which might catch Boil the water to remove the chlorine and the imagination of our club members. While let it cool, add the molasses and probiotics I never followed up on the interview offer I and mix well. Add the mix to the bran and did research the subject matter. thoroughly knead in to make sure all the bran is moistened. Once mixed store the In the email the author states that the sub- material in either large zip-lock bags or a ject of the interview would have been heavy duty dustbin bag for 2-3 weeks until “Bokashi - a Japanese term for organic fully fermented before using. fermented matter consisting of wheat bran inoculated with beneficial micro-organism.” When ready you can start composting - sounds yummy doesn't it? Robere, it process by layering your food waste in the seems, has introduced this system of waste sealed container with a covering of the disposal at Maropeng and wanted to ex- bran mix. Repeat the process until the plain the process and share its benefits with bucket is full then drain off any liquid. If you the readers. have only one bucket then even though the top layer has not had time to ferment “Bokashi is used to ferment food waste so bury the mix in a shallow trench or hole that it firstly doesn't rot and therefore pre- where it will continue the process and dissi- vents bad smells. It also allows it to be easily pate into the ground as compost. If you recycled into soil food (compost) - thereby have two buckets replace the first one with reducing CO2 emissions by 435kg per ton the clean bucket and allow the first one to when compared to sending it to a landfill - stand for 1-2 weeks before burying. Don’t as well as enabling faster uptake of nutri- be put off by the appearance when you ents by plants. Furthermore it not only turns empty the bucket as the waste will still food-waste into a resource, it also reduces have its original shape but just look the volume of other material going to land- ‘pickled’. fill. To date Maropeng has diverted 3,510kg of food waste from landfill - consequently There are a number of websites than can saving 1,526.85 CO2 emissions.” give you detailed descriptions of the process and can tell you where you can obtain the Looking at a number of websites it seems ingredients. Just Google Bokashi South Af- that unlike many other forms of composting rica. Let me know if you have tried it.

12 Hi Andy and Gisela Flock at Sea 2013 — By now you are probably both Thank You back into life’s daily routine.

This is a quick note to say a great big thank you for making all the arrangements for Lin and I.

To you Gisela – I hope that you received the accolades you deserve for getting through such a mam- Wits Bird Club received the following moth task. thank you letters from Christopher Nthonzhe, recipient of sponsorship raised Finally, I hope that you both had through the Flock Prize Draw, and Lin an enjoyable trip. & Mike Shields winners of the cruise prize. Kind regards Lin Shields I am here to thank you and all Birdlife team who organise my flock at sea trip, This is my life time trip which was fantastic I enjoy every part of the trip from flight up to the boat and I got new lifers along the trip.

Thank you once again

Christopher Nthonzhe

13 Ringed Plover, Temminck’s Stint, Grey- Across the top of the tailed Tattler, Wood Sandpiper and White World (part 1): 7th – Wagtail. There was quite a lot of vegetation down by the river, and Red-throated 21st August 2013 Pipit was seen, with Asian House Martins flying over the vegetation and the river. (Part 1) There was entertainment in watching a Vega Gull chasing off three Common Ra- Text and Photos by Lesley Cornish vens. In a small park near the hotel was an Arctic Redpoll, as well as many House Spar- Not only was this the most expensive trip I rows. have even been on, it was also the one where I travelled the furthest. There were two flights to get to Moscow (for some work - honest), and then an 8-hour flight across 8 time zones to get to Anadyr (which is just across the Bering Strait from Alaska). I actually spent a week travelling to spend two weeks on the cruise! When I had booked the trip, it was hot in Jo’burg, and being somewhere cold seemed like a good idea. When the time for the trip was getting closer, not only was it winter in South Vega Gull chasing a Common Raven Africa (and I was wishing I had arranged a trip to somewhere hot), but also the rand had plummeted and I really wondered th what I was doing! So “it seemed a good 7 August idea at the time” and after I had been, it As I was not being collected until 16.30, I was! had arranged a birding excursion in the morning. Although I knew that there were 6th August no English-speaking bird-guides available, I We were advised to arrive in Anadyr the was ready to see some new birds. Initially, I day before the “Spirit of Enderby” sailed, in was disappointed to be dropped off at one case there were any travel delays. After place, after passing many birds on the road, being met very efficiently at the small including Grey Plover. However, there was Anadyr airport, we were taken to Anadyr a small marsh where a smaller stream River in a minibus, then caught the came to the Anadyr River, which had “ferry” (which looked like a marine troop Common Sandpipers, Yellow Wagtail and a transporter) across the river. Of course, Siberian Stonechat. Nearby, were Siberian birding started immediately, with Pelagic Rubythroat and Bluethroat. There was Cormorants, Vega Gulls (if split from Herring even a far sighting of a Lanceolated War- Gull), one Slaty-backed Gull and Glaucous bler. Gulls. Beluga Whales came very close to the beach when we were disembarking. They Wandering off into the tundra, my guide like murky water, so the best views were started to tell me some of the local customs, obtained when they came to look at us! like once something has been dropped in the tundra, it belongs to the tundra, and it After checking in at the hotel, I immediately is very bad luck for another person to pick went down to the river, and saw Common it up, and she gave me two scary stories

14 regarding the misfortunes of people who The sun was starting to set as we left found and collected knives from the tundra. Anadyr, and some Larga (or Spotted) Seals We came across a Pechora Pipit, then a were seen. lake with Red-necked Phalarope, another with a few Greater Scaup and Black Scoter 8th August and while we sat down for lunch, a small Since the ship was out of the protection of flock of Sandhill Cranes flew overhead. the river inlet, there was more movement, Two Arctic Ground Squirrels were also seen. and already some started to experience a Thus, the trip was actually successful. bit of discomfort. For those on deck, there were the first of many sightings of Black- legged Kittiwakes, Northern Fulmars and Short-tailed Shearwaters. Other birds included Pomarine Skuas and Vega Gulls. Today the lifeboat drill was done, and we experienced the closeness inside the lifeboats. New regulations also stipulated that we should wear the “immersion suits”, bright -orange, huge, one-size-fits-all, one-piece suits. It was generally reckoned that if we were all wearing them, the lifeboats would be even more cramped! There was also Red-necked Phalarope the Zodiac briefing, so that we could safely get the most out of our excursions in the small rubber boats. We were collected from the two hotels and left on the beach to be collected by the “ferry” again, and taken to the “Spirit of En- derby”, all the time seeing Belugas. The ship is fairly small, but was very comfortable and warm. The cabins were well designed, with plenty of space for unpacking, and two sockets (joy: one for each passenger), with off-set berths for some privacy. The food was also amazing! I was impressed with the ship’s doctor; we first met him behind the bar serving drinks! There were lec- tures throughout the trip, covering safety Sandhill Cranes and the plans (by Rodney Russ the hands- on owner of Heritage), and also for education: birds by the on-board ornithologist The main feature was Preobrazheniya Mark Maftei; Polar Bears by Nikita Bay, which was more sheltered, and in the Ovsyanikov, who is the Warden of Wrangel afternoon, the ship dropped anchor, so we Island, and a world expert on Polar Bears; could undertake our first Zodiac trip. This Ecology, Culture by Katya Ovsyanikova was to Capes Archen and Kikilin, and the (the daughter of Nikita); Women in Russia, aim was to get close to the seabird colonies and Kamchatka by Elena Sabanina; and on the cliffs. As we had turned closer to- Veliky Novgorod (the historical heart of wards land, the birds became more com- Russia) by Ksenia Shults. mon. There were many thousands of birds on the cliffs, most just loafing. Since it was

15 wind meant a change of plan for the Zo- diac trips was necessary and, instead of stopping at the famous Whale Bone Alley site, we landed at Glazenapa Bay, which was on the lee side on another island. Here there were Pikas, with Buff-bellied Pipits and Northern Wheatears, as well some remains of dwellings.

Later, the ship sailed the short distance to Gilmimyl Bay, where a pool made by the hot springs was used by the non-birders. Tufted Puffin Those interested in the local culture visited Ivan, a local Chukchi, who lives by the bay towards the end of the nesting season, and had probably made the pool at the there were few chicks seen, and these were hot springs. Meanwhile, the birders found fairly well grown. Birds on the cliffs included Lapland Buntings, two Rough-legged Buz- mainly: Black-legged Kittiwakes, Pigeon, zards, Eurasian Wigeon, and a Peregrine Common and Brünnich’s Guillemots. There stooping on a flock of Pectoral Sandpipers, were also a few Horned and Tufted Puffins, as well as a few Arctic Ground Squirrels. as well as Parakeet and Crested Auklets between the rocks, which were more diffi- 10th August cult to see. We landed on the pebbly We had crossed the Arctic Circle at ~7.30 peach, more for the experience, than any- am. The north wind had become stronger, thing useful. We saw a young Brown Bear, and the sea was much rougher as we had and it was speculated that it had fallen left the shelter of the islands, and birding on down the cliff. deck became quite scary. As well as the usual pelagic birds, Arctic Skua and a small flock of Long-tailed Duck were seen. After a partial breakfast, I managed to attend most of the lecture on indigenous Chukotka people, but gave up and retreated to my cabin (missing the all-important Wrangle Island lecture) to read my kindle. The excursions were postponed until our return, and even walking inside was unnerving! It was decided that we would make a run for Herald Island, which lies to the north- east of Wrangle Island.

Brünnich (left) and Common (right) 11th August Guillemots After what seemed like many hours being tossed about on a fair ground ride (and 9th August more reading), we reached the south (lee) While sailing early in the morning, there side of Herald Island which was sheltered, were Black-throated Divers, Bean Geese and after lunch we could go for a Zodiac (for some), Northern Pintails, White-winged cruise, and some of us landed on this rarely Scoters (far off), Common Eiders, and (for visited island. The last people to actually some) Spectacled Eiders. A strong northerly inhabit it were Nikita and his biologist wife

16 Irina, who left in 1993. The Zodiacs cruised because there was so much large Cold War along the cliffs, and we saw the same spe- junk lying about and you have to learn to cies as before, as well as Black Guillemot ignore this. Also, many of the houses are and a closer look at Pelagic Cormorants falling apart. We were joined by the with large chicks. Nikita’s group saw a Po- Wrangel Island Reserve rangers and scien- lar Bear, but the rest of us were kept back tists, including Irina (Nikita’s wife who stud- so that we did not frighten it out to sea. ies Snowy Owls), Olga (an ornithologist who This was done because it was obviously on studies Snow Geese), and the rangers Igor the island to feed and/or rest, and to chase and Vladimir who later joined us aboard it to sea would have compromised its well- for the Wrangel part of the trip. We were being. Back on the ship, we saw Minke told where we could wander while the Whales. rangers stayed outside this area to ensure our safety. 12th August In the very early morning (3 a.m.), we were On the beach, we saw Ruddy Turnstone, sailing through the ice, and this had nearly and soon many small flocks of Snow Bun- everyone out deck, because this is where tings. Further in, we saw a Long-tailed the various seals, Walruses and of course Skua hunting Siberian Brown Lemmings. the Polar Bears, who feed on them, are Lying on the river bed was a small tusk of a found. Also, the seabirds have learned to mammoth. Wrangel Island had the last population of mammoths, and these had become smaller to survive. Later, we saw a Siberian Brown Lemming very close up. The flowers were very interesting, mostly small because of the winds and lack of shelter, but there were also larger Lapland Poppies (which were lime green), purple Pasqueflowers and red Sorrel.

There was a fair amount of passage between the settlement and the ship, because some supplies were being brought in and Glaucus Gull also the first of the two “Overlander” trips was starting (these were booked up over 18 stay with any ships, because when the ice is months before!) After lunch on the beach, broken by the ship, the fish which shelter under we started to make our way back to the the ice can be easily reached. The “Spirit of En- ship. This was quite exciting as the ice had derby” is not actually an ice-breaker, but it is drifted, and the Zodiac pilots had to make ice-strengthened, so it can push its way several attempts to find a way back to through the ice, breaking the smaller pieces. ship, often asking for help from the Bridge Although at a distance, we did see where there was the advantage of greater Bearded Seals and Walruses hauled out on height. The later Zodiacs came really close the ice. to a Polar Bear mother and cub, and also the ship had to push some ice out of the The ship remained off-shore (dropping the way to allow the last Zodiacs back. The anchor in ice is bad because the ice drifts, rest of the day was spent looking across the and could place the ship in great danger), ice, and taking photographs of the impres- and we had a Zodiac trip to Doubtful Bay, sive lenticular clouds. which is one of the settlements on Wrangel Island. Initially it was very disappointing

13th August son, and the bulls get very dangerous Although the plan was to go further west (more so than Polar Bears), we beat a to Cape Blossom (where Polar Bears con- hasty retreat back to the Zodiacs. I have gregate), the thick ice eventually forced us read that Musk Oxen are actually closely back the way we had come, and so we related to sheep, so we had actually run kept going anticlockwise around the island. away from a giant sheep! By this time, the The going was very slow, and we all en- light was getting low, and we had the ship’s joyed the time on deck or on the Bridge lights to guide us home. We celebrated taking many photos. I saw my first Polar with cheese and wine in the bar, which was Bear, a large male, far out on the ice. We probably needed to douse our excitement also saw Ringed Seals, and sometimes they to then allow us to sleep. swam on their backs. Eventually, once free of the ice, we could increase speed, and 14th August saw some Sabine’s Gulls. In the night, we had sailed over halfway around the island on the northern side, and At last, after dinner, we stopped at Cape we awoke to find ourselves on the western Waring, which had some smaller bits of ice side, on a foggy and calm sea. After break- in the bay. We managed to get very close fast, we had our first Zodiac cruise along to two different bears (in two different en- Ptichy Bazar (bazaar is “bird colony” in counters) that were on the beach, by Russian), which is one of the largest bird switching off the outboard motors, and us- colonies in the area. Just before, we had a ing the oars for less noise. We also saw glimpse of a Grey Whale. some Brent Geese, and a pair of Grey Phalarope. After lunch we took the Zodiacs to Cape Florence, partly to change over the “Overlanders”. As we came in to land, we saw two rare Ross’s Gulls, so the birders went after these. It was amazing how well the two immature gulls were camouflaged; we nearly trod on one! They got back together again, and we managed to get some stunning photographs. We also saw a young Arctic Fox and Pacific Golden Plover. There was a Polar Bear sleeping on our next planned landing beach, so we had to turn back so as not to disturb him. Immature Ross’s Gull Our last Zodiac trip of the day was Komso- Returning to the ship, we carried on north mol, where Rodney had seen up to seven on the east side of Wrangel Island, and later bears on the beach, but by the time we got had another Zodiac trip, landing at the there, they had wandered up the valley, to base camp of the survivors of the wreck of become far distant white blobs. However, the “Karluk”. Here, the Captain split the we landed and had a look around any- party, and those that went south perished. way. There was a hut which had originally There were also Snow Geese on the beach, been the hunting base of a Chukchi family, and we were careful not to disturb them. but is now a base for Wrangel’s roving Our visit was cut short, because a huge rangers. In the lagoon behind the cabin, Musk Ox bull appeared over the rise and there were many Long-tailed Ducks, and deliberately made his way to us, all the our best sighting of Brent Geese. while snorting. Since it was the rutting sea- (End of Part 1)

18 research the species and wrote comprehen- Short-toed Rock sive notes on its nest and breeding habits. Thrush (Monticola At the AGM held on 21 February 2002 brevipes) Sheila reported that “Very little is known about the bird, its breeding habits, its By Barbi Forsyth movements, its call and most importantly, whether the species is the same as the far western and central birds of southern Af- In their review of the Rock Thrushes; Out- rica.” Great strides were made that year law, Voelker and Outlaw acknowledge the with 12 birds being colour ringed, including 3 Witwatersrand Bird Club for “their generos- chicks. Blood samples and feathers were ity in supplying samples, without which this taken and recordings made of both alarm study would not have been possible.” and contact calls. Sheila referred to them as “The Grand Masters of Secrecy and En- This prompted me to share some of the citi- ergy Conservation!!” zen science work which members of our club have undertaken, specifically in respect There were tales of trials and triumphs in of the Short-toed Rock Thrush. I believe in her pages too. In May 2003 Sheila wrote this instance the work was both practical and financial. Some of you will be aware of the work done by Sheila Blane whilst she was a member of the Wits Bird Club. Sheila now lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland, but I recently did some reading of the file which Sheila put together on the Short-toed Rock Thrush. I wish I had known her, but I nev- ertheless got to meet Stanley, Cedric, Samantha, Haggis, Alan and Maarten (the ringed thrushes) amongst her pages. I also came to understand how incredibly thor- ough and dedicated Sheila and everyone else who participated in the research had Short-toed Rock Thrush (Namibia) - been. By the end of August 2004 they had photo by Warwick Tarboton clocked up 132 field trips amounting to ap- proximately 950 hours! “One male ringed in August 2001 (Maarten), has remained in the study area, The research was conducted in the 4 years but the others have disappeared – where between October 2000 and October 2004 have they gone??” Then triumph on 9 No- at the Hoogland Health Hydro which is in vember 2003 “I’VE DONE IT - 2 EGGS in a the Schurweberg range south of the Ma- NEST !!!!!!!!!!!” galiesberg. Sheila’s fascination with the Short-toed Rock Thrush goes back to 19 Glimpses at the weather conditions illustrate June 1994 when she saw her first bird at the dedication of all the participants - “a Meerhof close to Hartbeesport Dam. warm morning with a slight breeze”, “a cold start”, “weather conditions were perfect” Other Wits Bird Club members have also “hot and humid” “a very unpleasant windy been entranced by this bird. Koos van Dÿk morning – gale force wind at times”. “IT located a nest in the Kloofendal Nature Re- RAINED THE WHOLE DAY AND MOST serve in November 1997. Koos went on to OF THAT NIGHT”.

Sheila compiled a 16 page report with me- referenced by the team in the USA. ticulous detail – nest measurements, egg measurements, elevation, GPS co-ordinates, To all those involved, I say well done. egg colours, brood patches and evidence, or not, of white speckles on the crowns of the Reference birds distinguishing M. brevipes from M. pre- Outlaw, R.K., Voelker, G., Outlaw, D.C., toriae. 2007. Molecular systematics and historical biogeography of the Rock-Thrushes Blood samples were also collected from (Muscicapidae: Monticola). Auk 124, 561–577. some of the birds and these were used and

Lucky Ngwenya, Wakkerstroom’s renowned bird guide, receiving a 10 Year Long Ser- vice award - From Left to Right - Lucky Jotham Ngwenya, Wendy Watson (Wakkerstroom Tourism Association), Brian Guerin (Chairman Wakkerstroom Bird Club), Rupert Lawlor (Wakkerstroom Natural Heritage Association) and Andre Steenkamp (Wakkerstroom Tour- ism and Education Centre Manager)

BEWARE! APOLOGY BOKMAKIERIE No 237 Please pay your membership fees by Electronic Transfer, or at the local branch Bokmakierie wishes to formally of your bank, as posted cheques are be- apologise to both Lance Robinson and ing intercepted in the post and used for Philip Tarboton for the extremely poor Cheque Fraud. If this happens to you reproductive quality of the Cover of that your membership payment is lost! edition

20 Mount Olympus over the next couple of Remembering Neville days. There was a communal stop-over Hoets dormitory and eatery half way up, where all spent the night. The energetic managed to make the summit and return for the The Following Tribute was Received night, but Pam and I and most of the party from John Freer got no further. The dormitory was one thing – sleeping on the floor – the loos were I picked up in the death notices yesterday something else, crouched to the floor and that Neville Hoets had died. then keep clear while flushing.

He was one time Chairman of the Wits Bird The climb and descent were fantastic, Club. Not at any time that I was in the JHB meeting with donkeys laden with supplies area. I only met him once at some function for the halfway house, their bells jingling until he and I shared a chalet at Dronfield a around their necks as the convoy threaded few years ago, when Mark Anderson took its way up on a narrow path through the the WBC under his wing for a week-end’s bush. I made a video of the whole trip birding there and in the Kimberley area; an which is on tape and DVD in a box in the illustrated talk on the flamingos and their garage at the Douglasdale Retirement Vil- artificial nesting island and a close ap- lage. proach the next day to the island itself. This started as a report on the death of Neville Hoets. This then pulled me into my I knew Neville’s brother, Dawie, much bet- memoirs which I do to keep myself partly ter. He was very involved with the Conti- occupied in retirement for my own enjoy- nuity Club and hiking. So was I. He married ment in bringing back the past but also for Mary who is of Greek descent. As a result the benefit of family. So take from this and through Dawie and his travel agent what you will, but at least I will know that friends in Greece, the CC still arranges an the WBC has information it needs. almost annual visit to Greece and Crete, where Dawie and Mary now live. Pam John Freer. and I went on one of the earlier excursions 24 November, 2013 while Dawie and Mary still lived in JHB, and what a treat it was – educationally, gastro- nomically and scenery wise. A lot was cen- tred on the Minoan civilisation by way of Members’ excavations and museums. Also much of early Greek mythology, life and the ruins of Interesting Sightings amphitheatres. The voyages took us to Mikanos, Santorini and other Greek islands Lance Robinson reports that a Jacobin but the best was an island (?) to the east of Cuckoo was located during a recent visit Crete where we spent several days relaxing, to the Klipriviersberg NR on Birding Big swimming, canoeing and eating, after our Day, 23rd November 2013, which is the hike down the Samarian Gorge in Crete first record for that particular Reserve. with half of Europe tramping on our heels Mark Turpin has written to the club to For the first night of our trip we stayed at a B&B on the east coast on our way to Mt. say that a pair of Hadedas are nesting Olympus. The next at Olympus, also on the in a tree at the back of the Rosebank east coast before attempting the climb of Fire Station for the second year running.

21 ture Reserve. Wits Bird Club Blue  We also do advocacy work surround- Swallow Sponsorship ing the Blue Swallow sites. For in- Update stance we have provided comments and are following an application to cultivate a portion of grassland where By Nicholas Theron Blue Swallow are known to forage. We still hope to influence a positive outcome with the farm owners con- ducive to finding a suitable solution.

 We have finished assessing the KZN Mistbelt Grassland IBA. This included updating the map to ensure all Blue Swallow breeding locations are included within the IBA, accurate de- Wits Bird Club sponsored R15,000 towards tails of population numbers and a re- the purchase of an imported antenna view of all the threats was also com- reader required for the Critically Endan- pleted. This map has been sent to gered Blue Swallow research project. The Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and has been following update was received from Nicho- incorporated into the Umgungund- las Theron, BLSA Regional Conservation lovu District Biodiversity sector Plan. Manager in KZN: EKZN have provided this plan to the District Municipality and highlights  We are active members of the Blue these sites as critical biodiversity areas Swallow Working Group with mem- where development may not take bers consisting of local farmers, EKZN place. Wildlife, the EWT, Forestry and BirdLife South Africa. THANK YOU FOR YOUR  We actively contribute to monitoring DONATION the species in KZN. There are approxi- mately 25 nests active at the moment Matthew Axelrod and most pairs are currently laying Wendy Burtenshaw eggs with the first two clutches having hatched in the past 2 weeks or so. Johan de Jager John Freer We are making good progress with  Peter Huggins the Biodiversity Stewardship work at Tillietudlem (a Blue Swallow site) and Janice Isom the owner has signed a Biodiversity Felicity Kanichowsky agreement. In future he will update this to a Protected Environment af- Ginny Mes fording the farm formal protection RJ Mortimer status. Good news is that we have Lester Niss received funding from Sappi and we hope to start work at a Blue swallow Joan Saggers site called Roelton (owned by Sappi) Billy van Eck in the near future. We will be working with Sappi to declare this site a Na- Marcelle van Wyk

22 Action for Amur India. Falcons brings hope for Tens of thousands of migrating Amur Fal- cons Falco amurensis were being illegally an end to hunting in trapped on the roost at a reservoir at Doy- Nagaland ang and then being taken to local markets alive, or killed and smoked, for sale as food.

By Jim Lawrence

Last year’s news of the massacre of Amur Falcons in India shocked the world. BirdLife’s Indian Partner BNHS moved immediately to mobilise a response. The trap- ping was stopped, nets destroyed and ar- Hunter with illegally captured Amur rests made, although not before terrible Falcons - photo by Ramki Sreenivasan damage had been done.

This year, the generous response to our in- Online news articles and a graphic video of ternational appeal has enabled BNHS, with the atrocity were quick to spread via social the support of the BirdLife Partnership, to media. Many individuals from around the organise a comprehensive programme to world responded generously to the interna- keep the falcons safe around the Doyang tional appeal we launched. reservoir, where they roost during their stopover. The programme has mainly been We are delighted to report today that this implemented by a local NGO, Nagaland appeal has been an outstanding success. Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Trust, Robust conservation has been put in place working with the Nagaland Forest Depart- with the funds raised and actions taken to ment. ensure the prevention of illegal hunting of As a result, not a single Amur Falcon was Amur Falcons this year have been com- trapped during the 2013 autumn migration. pletely successful. An innovative long-term Attitudes have changed so much in the community outreach campaign has also space of a single year that the Amur Fal- been initiated that has been received very cons are now treated, in the words of Na- well locally. galand’s Chief Minister, as “esteemed guests”. This year, the hundreds of thousands of Amur Falcons that visited Doyang reservoir were able to do so in peace. They have now passed safely through Northern India A year ago we brought you the shocking and continued their migration on to South- news of a hunting massacre taking place in ern Africa. Nagaland, India, which BNHS (BirdLife in India) had been alerted to by colleagues The BirdLife International Partnership from the campaigning NGO - Conservation would like to thank all who joined forces to

23 make this happen! Jayanthi Natarajan - the Indian Minister for “From an estimated 100,000 falcons killed Environment & Forests - personally inter- last year, none have been trapped in nets vened and the Indian Forest Department this year. The transformation is extraordi- and District Administration were also swift nary and the change has come very to act. The result was that nets were de- quickly. But we also have to guard against stroyed, captured birds were released, the this rapid change getting reversed. We sale of falcons was stopped and arrests needed to also set up solutions which are were made. sustainable and of practical use to the community,” said Dr Asad Rahmani, Director, The key next step was to put plans in place BNHS. "I would like to thank Nagaland to ensure the atrocity would not be re- Forest Department, the people of Na- peated again this year. galand, the Government of India, BirdLife Preparation for the return of the Amur Fal- International and all the NGOs working on cons to Nagaland this autumn has been this issue for this conservation success" comprehensive. Supported by our appeal,

BNHS has coordinated a widespread cam- Last year BNHS took action from the out- paign of action that has been primarily im- set and many other BirdLife Partners plemented locally by Nagaland Wildlife quickly showed their support by lending and Biodiversity Conservation Trust. Others their authority to our international cam- supporting the campaign include WCS In- paign too. dia, Raptor Research and Conservation Following a call from Dr. Rahmani, Smt. Foundation and WildLife Conservation

PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR WEBSITE ADDRESS IS:

www.witsbirdclub.org.za

AND THE EMAIL ADDRESS IS:

[email protected]

24 Trust. the church, schools and other local groups. Specific actions taken this year, enabled by An innovative PR campaign “Friends of the BirdLife’s appeal, have included the em- Amur Falcon” was developed to galvanise ployment of staff to patrol the Doyang community action throughout the region area and to act as ambassadors within the supported by a comprehensive set of eye- local community. The local Government catching promotional and educational ma- Forest Department has also been patrolling terials. the roost areas. As part of the initiative, locals from Doyang, As a result of the advocacy campaign, The Pangti, Asha and Sungro villages in Na- Deputy Commissioner of the Wokha Police galand were employed to start eco-clubs committed his forces to respond as needed and target students with a powerful con- and enforce the law rapidly when neces- servation message. sary. Local government also issued a timely anti-hunting order. The local outreach activities began in Au- gust with a ‘train the trainer’ programme The spectacular site at Doyang Reservoir is for teachers and church leaders and the now recognised as a stopover for up to a eco-club programme for children soon fol- million Amur Falcons each year and will lowed. The community received this activity soon be declared an Important Bird Area. enthusiastically with more than 70 children Long-term community action plans have enrolling and actively participating. also been established in Nagaland through “When we were starting out, we were told

Michael Raum

Amur Falcons gather safely over their roost at Doyang Reservoir - photo by Ramki Sreenivasan

25 this was a very difficult part of the world to received this as evidence of their personal work in. There had been virtually no history commitment to protect Amur Falcons in of conservation action in the areas we their community. worked in. But we found that in the students we have real hope for creating con- Additionally to their outreach in Nagaland, servation ambassadors. Some of them have BNHS has extended its advocacy to several never been exposed to Nagaland and In- villages in nearby Assam, which they discov- dia’s magnificent natural history. They are ered had also seen some hunting of Amur genuinely impressed with it and here is a Falcons. These villages include Habang, long-term hope for change,” says Neha which is next to Habang IBA—chosen for Sinha, Advocacy and Policy officer, BNHS. another congregation of Amur Falcons, as well as the nearby Umro village, on the As- sam-Meghalaya border.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio lent his weight to the campaign when he made a surprise visit to Doyang reservoir this No- vember. As well as witnessing the spectacle of the migrating Amur Falcons first hand, he met students and members of the eco clubs there.

“The state government is committed to end the unfortunate killings of the migratory Amur falcons and fully support the efforts of Dr Rahmani (BNHS) leading an eco-club NWBCT and other NGOs to educate the meeting at Sungro - photo by Neha people about these migratory birds and to Sinha give them a safe passage through Na- galand,” he said during his visit. One particular component of the eco-clubs that caught the children’s imagination and proved very popular was the issuing of an Prior to his visit to Doyang, the Chief Minis- ‘Amur Ambassador’ Passport. Each child ter had asked Nagas to “extend hospitality”

The ‘Amur Ambassador’ Passport

26 towards their ‘esteemed guests’- the Amur Falcons – via a prominent poster campaign displayed on billboards throughout the state. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Wendy Paardekraal Baumgartner Elizabeth-Anne Cramerview Booth Janet Cheney Rivonia Joan Dommisse Kensington Merle Finch Gallo Manor Jonathan Hemson Pierre van Ryneveld Minister Neiphiu Rio meeting children Carol Lippert Ferndale from the eco-clubs at Doyang Reservoir - photo by Ramki Sreenivasan Nan Phyffer Delmas Michael Raum Edenvale The outreach activities coordinated by Leanne Webster Fairland BNHS this year will be continued in 2014 with the hope that a gradual change can Craig van Zyl Primrose be brought about in the region and help all Karin Wiesler Bedford Gardens in the community there live in greater har- mony with their environment. Rolf Wiesler Bedford Gardens

27 Figures in South Plovercrest Stephanoxis lalandi are all named after Uncle Pierre Antoine Dela- African Ornithology: lande.

The Verreaux Brothers In 1825 Jules returned to Africa and in 1830 requested that Edouard join him to double Text by Peter Greaves the collection process. On this trip they at- tended the funeral of an African tribesman When we think of Verreaux’s Eagle and and then obtained and preserved the body Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl we automatically before Edouard took it back to Paris assume they are named after the same where it was displayed in their shop. Al- Naturalist. However, with these specific two though the concept of a preserved and dis- birds they are named after two of three, played human may be disturbing in mod- brothers. The brothers were Jules Pierre ern thinking the brothers became famous (J.P.), Jean Baptiste Edouard (J.B.) and Jo- for their “…greatest curiosity” and were seph Alexis (J.A.) and all three spent time praised by the French press for their endur- and collected in South Africa. ance and perseverance. The body was

known as “The Bechuana” until it was sold In 1803 their father, Jacques Philippe, started to Fransisco Darder of the Barcelona Mu- a taxidermy business in Paris called Maison seum in 1888. On Darder’s death the body Verreaux which became a huge and very was moved to a new museum honouring famous emporium and dealership in natu- Dardes at which time it was know as “El ral history specimens, with Princes and the Negro” and became a symbol of Spanish Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle as exploitation of black peoples. Fortunately, clients. At times their warehouses contained after 170 years on display, the body was up to 3,000 mammal and 40,000 bird repatriated to Gaborone on 4th October skins. It was expected that the brothers 2000 where it lay “In State” for 24 hours would all become involved in the family before being giving a dignified burial. business and in 1818, at the age of 12, Jules accompanied his uncle, Pierre Antoine De- After delivering the specimens to Paris lalande, on a 3 year trip to South Africa Edouard returned immediately to South where they collected some 130,000 speci- Africa with the 3rd brother Alexis and col- mens which is reported to have included lecting continued until 1838 when a large 2,205 birds, 288 mammals, 322 reptiles, 265 collection of specimens was lost in a ship- fish, 3,875 shellfish, some human skulls, a wreck. dozen full human skeletons and over

100,000 plants. Uncle Pierre was a well es- Jules went to Australia in 1842 for 5 years tablished collector employed by the and then returned to run the family busi- Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle. He ness until its dissolution in 1855. Our Black also collected in Brazil in 1816. The Swallow- Eagle, renamed Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila tail Butterfly Papilio delalandei, endemic to verreauxi (to eliminate confusion with the Madagascar, Delalande’s Antpipit Corytho- Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis of Asia) pis delalandi, Delalande’s Coua Coua dela- was named by Lesson in 1831 in Jules’s hon- landi and Delalande’s (Black-breasted)

28 our. Jules died in 1868 aged 61. Thrush) Turdus mupinensis, Verreaux’s Turaco (Yellow-billed Turaco) Tauraco macrorhynchus and Verreaux’s Twinspot (Our own Pink-throated Twinspot) Hypar- gos marginatatus. Edouard died in 1873 aged 63.

Verreaux’s Eagle - photo by Warwick Tarboton

Edouard, like his uncle Pierre was an em- ployee of the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle also collected in Java, Sumatra, the Philippines and Indo China before going to Australia in 1842 where he collected about 115,000 specimens. One of his contributions to South Africa was his assistance to Andrew Smith in founding the South Afri- can National Museum at Cape Town. There are 7 birds named after Edouard. These are Verreaux’s Coua Coua verreauxi, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl - photo by Verreaux’s Fulvetta Alcippe ruficapilla, Ver- Warwick Tarboton reaux’s Monal Partridge Tetraophasis ob- scurus, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl Bubo lacteus, Alexis remained in South Africa where he Verreaux’s Song Thrush (Chinese Song died in 1868.

NOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS

Bokmakierie is published three times annually. Contributions may be in Afrikaans or English. English names of birds should be those used in Roberts VII. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the Editor, Club, the Committee, Members or those of BirdLife South Africa. The Editors reserve the right to edit articles as necessary.

This issue of Bokmakierie has been produced and edited by Andy Featherstone and Lance Robinson.

Rarities and Unusual Chestnut-banded Plover. Rooiband- strandkiewiet: one bird was at Sightings Report: Mkhombo Dam, 9 June 2013, (RG, MG). In the following weeks until at least early August 2013 August the bird was still present when it was reported by a number of birders. By André Marx Terek Sandpiper. Terekruiter: a single bird was at Bronkhorstspruit Dam in pentad 2555_2840, 25 July 2013 (CWJ). Several excellent rarity reports continued into the later part of summer from January Black Saw-wing. Swartsaagvlerks- a solitary bird was photographed to April 2013. African Skimmers appeared wael: at Roodekoppies Dam, north of Brits in once again, this time at Vaalkop Dam and pentad 2525_2735, 17 Aug 2013, (DV, LS). an immature Lesser Black-backed Gull was White-breasted Cuckooshrike. Witbor- at a very accessible pan in Midrand for a skatakoeroe: a remarkable sighting while, to name just two national rarities. came to light of one bird that was pho- The spate of Pectoral Sandpiper records tographed at the Groenkloof Nature Re- abound and could mean that species’ rarity serve at Fountains Valley, Pretoria, (RTE). status may have to be reviewed. SABAP2 This record is considerably out of range records contributed a great deal once and could be the first confirmed record again to this report, as can be evidenced by for Gauteng. the reference to pentads (5 minute squares) in the report, as did the Wider Gauteng Yellow-breasted Pipit. Geelbor- birds in non-breeding plumage 100km Challenge with a number of birders skoester: continued to be recorded in the Suiker- coming up with some specials in their pur- bosrand area into June and July, with a suit of a 400+ total for the region for this few birds present here, 17 Jun 2013 (NP). In year. My thanks to everyone who contrib- the following weeks a number of records utes records directly to me at the e-mail of this species were received from the address given below. same general locality, where this species is a likely winter visitor to the area. National Rarities / Nasionalerariteite

African Skimmer. Waterploeër: one bird was at Rust de Winter Dam, 5 May 2013, (BF). Together with the Mkhombo Dam and Vaalkop Dam sightings, this is the third sighting of this species in the region for this year.

Regional Rarities / Streeksrariteite

Wattled Crane. Lelkraanvoël: a sighting of one bird in pentad 2625_2850 near Devon may be the same bird that was first recorded in 2010; the bird was always in the company of a large flock of Yellow-breasted Pipit / Geelborskoester Blue Cranes, 15 Jun 2013, (EM) and was – Niall Perrins still present during July 2013 when a number of people reported it in the same area.

30 Other Interesting Observations / Ander at Mkhombo Dam, 23 Jun 2013 (GH); Interessante Waarnemings with a number of birds recorded again at this locality in pentad 2505_2845, 29 Cape Vulture. Kransaasvoël: a single Jun 2013, (AV, JA). bird was seen at Waterfall Estate, Mid- Southern Pied Babbler. Witkatlagter: rand, when it was being mobbed by a a sighting of one bird in Fochville in pen- group of Pied Crows, 8 June 2013, (DS). tad 2625_2725 is somewhat out of range African Cuckoo Hawk. Koekoekvalk: one for this species, 3 Aug 2013, (JN). bird was found at Northern Farm, north- Dark-capped Yellow Warbler. Geel- west of Joburg in pentad 2550_2755, 12 sanger: during a club ringing session and May 2013, (EM). outing one bird was a surprise find in the Peregrine Falcon. Swerfvalk: a perched nets, 6 Jul 2013, (BLNG). bird could be viewed through a scope at Waterfall Estate, Midrand, where this bird is seldom recorded, 18 Aug 2013, (RS). Southern White-faced Scops-Owl. Wit- wanguil: a sighting of one bird at Dam- hoek, just south of the Magaliesberg near Hekpoort in pentad 2545_2735, is a first at this locality, 8 June 2013, (BLNG). Kurrichane Buttonquail. Bosveldkwar- teltjie: this species was a surprise find in a backyard garden in Morningside, Sand- ton, where it spent a few minutes before flying off, 11 Jun 2013 (VdC).

Black-collared Barbet / Rooikophout- kapper (yellow morph on left) – Ian Grant

African Rock Pipit. Klipkoester: this species was recorded at Suikerbosrand on 4 May 2013, where there are very few records, (DvZ, EK); another record within 100km of Johannesburg was near Grey- lingstad, 11 May 2013, (JB, MA and others). Swee Waxbill. Suidelike Swie: a sighting of this species in pentad 2550_2730 in a well wooded kloof in the southern slopes of the Magaliesberg is a first confirmed re- Kurrichane Buttonquail / Bosveldkwar- cord for Gauteng for the atlas project, 15 teltjie – Viv de Chalain May 2013, CWJ); a group of birds in the same pentad were found on 16 Jul 2013, Black-collared Barbet. Rooikophout- when a male was observed carrying kapper: the very interesting and seldom nesting material, suggesting breeding ac- seen xanthocroic (yellow morph) of this tivity at this site (JB, DV, EdB). species was seen in Roodpoort, 31 May 2013, when it was reported by a number Observers / Waarnemers: of local birders, (Gbird). Grey-backed Sparrowlark. Grys- Anneke Vincent (AV) ruglewerik: a small group of birds was Ben Fouché (BF)

31 BirdLife Northern Gauteng birders This column is mainly concerned with obser- (BLNG) vations of rarities and interesting sightings Craig Whittington-Jones (CWJ) made in the greater Gauteng region, de- Debbie van Zyl (DvZ) fined as 100km from the centre of both Jo- Desmond Searle (DS) hannesburg and Pretoria, however obser- Dylan Vasapolli (DV) vations made further afield are also wel- Elouise Kalmer (EK) come. While the majority of records are in- Errol de Beer (EdB) cluded it is sometimes necessary to exclude Etienne Marais (EM) some depending on whether the subject Gareth Hazell (GH) matter has already been well reported. Oc- Gauteng birders (Gbird) casionally records are sourced from the Jason Boyce (JB) Internet. Members are invited to submit de- Jerome Ainsley (JA) tails of sightings to André Marx at e-mail John Randell (JN) [email protected] or 083 4117674. Leon Spies (LS) Mathew Axelrod (MA) Michal Groenewald (MG) CONGRATULATIONS! Rob Geddes (RG) To Rob Sears on winning the Robert Tibbitt-Eggleton (RTE) original Bokmakierie painting Ron Searle (RS) by Graeme Arnott in our End of Viv de Chalain (VdC) Year Prize Draw

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