DOCSLIB.ORG

Black Wildebeest

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Black Wildebeest SSOOUUTTHHEERRNN AAFFRRIICCAANN RRAAPPTTOORR CCOONNSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP REPORT 23 – 25 March 2004 Gariep Dam, Free State, South Africa Hosted by: THE RAPTOR CONSERVATION GROUP OF THE ENDANGERED WILDLIFE TRUST Sponsored by: SA EAGLE INSURANCE COMPANY ESKOM In collaboration with: THE CONSERVATION BREEDING SPECIALIST GROUP SOUTHERN AFRICA (CBSG – SSC/IUCN) 0 SSOOUUTTHHEERRNN AAFFRRIICCAANN RRAAPPTTOORR CCOONNSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP REPORT The Raptor Conservation Group wishes to thank Eskom and SA Eagle Insurance company for the sponsorship of this publication and the workshop. Evans, S.W., Jenkins, A., Anderson, M., van Zyl, A., le Roux, J., Oertel, T., Grafton, S., Bernitz Z., Whittington-Jones, C. and Friedmann Y. (editors). 2004. Southern African Raptor Conservation Strategic Plan. Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (SSC / IUCN). Endangered Wildlife Trust. 1 © Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG-SSC/IUCN) and the Endangered Wildlife Trust. The copyright of the report serves to protect the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group workshop process from any unauthorised use. The CBSG, SSC and IUCN encourage the convening of workshops and other fora for the consideration and analysis of issues related to conservation, and believe that reports of these meetings are most useful when broadly disseminated. The opinions and recommendations expressed in this report reflect the issues discussed and ideas expressed by the participants during the Southern African Raptor Conservation Strategic Planning Workshop and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of the CBSG, SSC, or IUCN. Cover photograph courtesy of Albert Froneman CBSG Southern Africa gratefully acknowledges the support of: Vodacom Elizabeth Wakeman Henderson Charitable Trust Lomas Wildlife Trust BP South Africa Davies Foundation Impala Platinum CBSG SSC/IUCN (USA) 2 SOUTHERN AFRICAN RAPTOR CONSERVATION Strategic Planning Workshop 23 – 25 March 2004 Gariep Dam, Free State, South Africa CONTENTS Page Executive Summary Section 1 4 The CBSG Strategic Planning Process Section 2 8 Presentations Section 3 11 Raptor Conservation in the Northern Cape Province: Mark D. Anderson 12 The Status and Conservation of Raptors in the Free State: BD Colahan 13 Raptor Conservation: Limpopo Province: Kobus Pienaar 16 The Status of Raptor Conservation in Gauteng: C.A. Whittington-Jones 18 Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Activities Towards Conserving Birds of Prey in KZN: Bill Howells 23 Profiling the Western Cape Raptor Research Programme: Andrew Jenkins, Odette Curtis, Koos de Goede, Anthony van Zyl and Ann Koeslag 25 Bird Monitoring – The ADU’s Approach: James Harrison 27 Raptor Ringing in Southern Africa: Mark Anderson for H Dieter Oschadleus 30 Raptor Conservation Group of the Endangered Wildlife Trust: Jenny le Roux 33 The Vulture Study Group: Mark D. Anderson and Kerri Wolter 37 Profile of BirdLife South Africa: Steven Evans 38 Migrating Kestrel Project: Hein Pienaar 43 Social Pale Chanting-goshawks and Tree-nesting Forest Raptors: Gerard Malan 45 Eagle conflict in the Eastern Cape: Survival of Two Beasts: Adri Barkhuysen 46 Powerline Interaction Programme: Chris van Rooyen 52 Falconry in South Africa: Alan Stephenson 57 Zimbabwe Falconers’ Club Raptor Research and Conservation programme: Dr Adrian Lombard for Ron Hartley 60 Pesticides, Poisons and Raptors in Southern Africa: Gerhard H Verdoorn 63 Raptors Drowning in Farm Reservoirs in Southern Africa: Mark D. Anderson, Abrie W.A. Maritz & Enrico Oosthuyse 66 The Role of NGOs, the EWT and the RCG…in the Bigger Picture, Dr. Nicholas King 67 3 Working Group Reports Section 4 72 Data Obsessive Scientists (DOS) 73 Legislation and Policy Enforcement 78 Education and Awareness 83 Habitat Loss / Change 87 Immediate Threats 89 Raptor Conservation Group Discussion Section 5 97 Workshop Participants Section 6 102 Participants Contact Details 103 Participants Hopes and Expectations 105 Appendices Section 7 108 APPENDIX 1: Raptor Conservation Workshop Invitation 109 APPENDIX 2: Raptor Conservation Workshop Programme 110 APPENDIX 3: The Endangered Wildlife Trust 112 APPENDIX 4: The Raptor Conservation Group 113 APPENDIX 5: CBSG and CBSG Southern Africa 115 4 SOUTHERN AFRICAN RAPTOR CONSERVATION Strategic Planning Workshop 23 – 25 March 2004 Gariep Dam, Free State, South Africa WORKSHOP REPORT SECTION 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 Executive Summary The Raptor Conservation Group (RCG) is a Working Group of the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) – one of the largest field-based conservation NGOs in southern Africa. The RCG coordinates and implements many raptor conservation programmes throughout South Africa and operates via a large network of volunteers and supporters (see appendices 3 and 4 for more). In order to ensure that the RCG continues to address the most critical raptor conservation issues and remains effective and relevant in light of the most pressing threats facing raptors in the region, it was deemed necessary that a strategic planning workshop be convened. The workshop needed to be inclusive and open to all stakeholders and the aims of the workshop were to determine the priorities for raptor conservation, identify the biggest threats facing raptors and highlight the gaps in current raptor conservation programmes which need addressing. With this background information at hand, it would then be possible to determine what role the RCG and other conservation groups need to play in order to be effective and deliver meaningful results. The workshop was organised by the EWT’s Raptor Conservation Group, sponsored by SA Eagle Insurance Company and attended by 38 people from a variety of stakeholder groups and organisations. The workshop ran over three days with the first day and a half being dedicated to presentations dealing with critical raptor issues and updates on various projects (see section 3 - Presentations). The second section (a day and a half) was used to run a strategic planning workshop for raptor conservation in southern Africa, and was facilitated by CBSG Southern Africa, a regional network of the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group of the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Species Survival Commission. The second section of the workshop, after formal presentations, began with a group brainstorming session to determine the main issues facing raptor conservation in the region. These issues were then themed resulting in the formation of five Working Groups namely: Data Obsessive Scientists (DOS) Legislation and Policy Enforcement Education and Awareness Habitat Loss / Change Immediate Threats Participants chose the working group in which they wished to work, according to the level of input they could provide and the contribution they could make. Working groups were given a set of tasks to work through which included formulating problem statements, developing possible solutions and, time permitting, developing recommendations and action steps for implementation. All problems and solutions were prioritised and filtered through a set of “checks” in order to ensure that solutions and recommendations were practical, realistic and appropriate. Between intensive working group sessions, open plenary sessions were held whereby working groups presented their discussions and conclusions to the entire group, openly discussed them and made adaptations where necessary in order to ensure that the reports and outcomes were as inclusive and representative as possible. The following summarises the outcomes of the Working Group reports. DATA OBSESSIVE SCIENTISTS (DOS) This group dealt with the issue facing the need for relevant, accessible scientific information to guide conservation actions. The group felt that there is insufficient information on the biology and 6 conservation status of raptors, the relative importance of threats and therefore, the effectiveness of conservation actions. Studies on the biology of many raptor species are lacking and need to be encouraged. There is insufficient collaboration and no coordinated plan to accumulate these data. Data gathering protocols (especially for monitoring and incident recording) are not currently available or nationally accepted. Existing and new information is not computerised and integrated, with no regular outputs or information dissemination. There is a strong birding and conservation community in southern Africa, who could provide the data if their efforts were coordinated. Thus, solutions suggested by this group included the development of a national raptor roadcount to monitor the populations of raptors and crows in the region and a review of existing databases and literature on southern African raptors with the objective of identifying important gaps in conservation-related topics. The establishment of a scientific advisory group was recommended to advise on project selection, design and execution and to review the suite of data collection protocols that exist, to consolidate and refine these and to develop additional protocols if necessary. The group also stressed the need to regularly update the conservation status of raptors according to the IUCN Red List Criteria and to monitor the productivity, mortality and dispersal of species selected using this system. The need for integrated databases and well-coordinated data collection methods was stressed time and again. Finally, the need to disseminate information (see group dealing with education and awareness) was emphasised. LEGISLATION AND POLICY ENFORCEMENT The participants in this group
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Percy Fitzpatrick Institute of African Ornithology Annual Report
    Percy FitzPatrick Institute DST/NRF Centre of Excellence Annual Report January – December 2009 Department of Zoology University of Cape Town Private Bag X3 Rondebosch 7701 SOUTH AFRICA +27 (0)21 650 3290/1 [email protected] http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za University of Cape Town Contents Director’s report 1 Staff and Students 3 Research Programmes & Initiatives • Systematics and Biogeography 5 • Cooperation and Sociality in birds 13 • Rarity and Conservation of African birds 19 • Island Conservation 26 • Seabird Research 28 • Raptor Research 33 • Spatial Parasitology and Epidemiology 36 • Pattern-process Linkages in Landscape 39 Ecology • Environmental & Resource Economics 41 • Climate Change Vulnerability and 44 Adaptation • And a Miscellany 49 Conservation Biology Masters 53 Board Members: Programme Niven Library 55 Mr M. Anderson (BirdLife SA) Scientific Publications 59 Mr H. Amoore (UCT, Registrar) Dr G. Avery (Wildlife and Environment Society of Southern Africa) Semi-popular Publications 63 Prof. K. Driver (UCT, Dean of Science, Chairman) Prof. P.A.R. Hockey (UCT, Director, PFIAO) Seminars 2009 65 Assoc. Prof. J. Hoffmann (UCT, HoD, Zoology) Mr P.G. Johnson (co-opted) Dr J. McNamara (UCT, Development & Alumni Dept) Prof. M.E. Meadows (UCT, HoD, ENGEO) Mr C.A.F. Niven (FitzPatrick Memorial Trust) Mr J.D.F. Niven (FitzPatrick Memorial Trust) Mr P.N.F. Niven (FitzPatrick Memorial Trust) Mr F. van der Merwe (co-opted) Prof. D. Visser (UCT, Chairman, URC) The Annual Report may also be viewed on the Percy FitzPatrick Institute's website: http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za Director’s Report Director’s Report To say that 2009 was a busy and eventful year would be an understatement! Early in January, Doug Loewenthal, Graeme Oatley and I participated in the Biodiversity Academy at De Hoop Nature Reserve.
    [Show full text]
  • WILDLIFE JOURNAL SINGITA GRUMETI, TANZANIA for the Month of April, Two Thousand and Nineteen
    Photo by George Tolchard WILDLIFE JOURNAL SINGITA GRUMETI, TANZANIA For the month of April, Two Thousand and Nineteen Temperature Rainfall Recorded Sunrise & Sunset Average minimum: 19°C Faru Faru 47 mm Sunrise 06:40 Average maximum: 29°C Sabora 53 mm Sunset 18:40 Minimum recorded: 17°C Sasakwa 162 mm Maximum recorded: 34.3°C April has been another lovely month, packed full of exciting moments and incredible wildlife viewing. April is usually an incredibly wet month for us here in northern Tanzania, however this year we have definitely received less rain than in years gone by. Only at the end of the month have we seen a noticeable change in the weather and experienced our first heavy downpours. Thankfully there seems to have been just enough to keep the grasses looking green and although the heavy rains have arrived late, an encouraging green flush is spreading across the grasslands. Resident herds of topi, zebra, buffalo, Thompson’s gazelle, eland, Grant’s gazelle and impala are flourishing as usual and have remained as a great presence especially out on the Nyati Plain and the Nyasirori high ground. Reports of the migratory wildebeest were received towards the end of the month, and on the 27th we glanced from the top of Sasakwa Hill to see mega-herds of wildebeest, to the south of our border with the National Park, streaming onto the grasslands at the base of the Simiti Hills. We sit in anticipation and wonder where the great herds will move next. Cat sightings have been great this month, again, despite the long seeding grasses.
    [Show full text]
  • Eagle Hill, Kenya: Changes Over 60 Years
    Scopus 34: 24–30, January 2015 Eagle Hill, Kenya: changes over 60 years Simon Thomsett Summary Eagle Hill, the study site of the late Leslie Brown, was first surveyed over 60 years ago in 1948. The demise of its eagle population was near-complete less than 50 years later, but significantly, the majority of these losses occurred in the space of a few years in the late 1970s. Unfortunately, human densities and land use changes are poor- ly known, and thus poor correlation can be made between that and eagle declines. Tolerant local attitudes and land use practices certainly played a significant role in protecting the eagles while human populations began to grow. But at a certain point it would seem that changed human attitudes and population density quickly tipped the balance against eagles. Introduction Raptors are useful in qualifying habitat and biodiversity health as they occupy high trophic levels (Sergio et al. 2005), and changes in their density reflect changes in the trophic levels that support them. In Africa, we know that raptors occur in greater diversity and abundance in protected areas such as the Matapos Hills, Zimbabwe (Macdonald & Gargett 1984; Hartley 1993, 1996, 2002 a & b), and Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa (Simmons 1994). Although critically important, few draw a direct cor- relation between human effects on the environment and raptor diversity and density. The variables to consider are numerous and the conclusions unworkable due to dif- ferent holding-capacities, latitude, land fertility, seasonality, human attitudes, and different tolerances among raptor species to human disturbance. Although the concept of environmental effects caused by humans leading to rap- tor decline is attractive and is used to justify raptor conservation, there is a need for caution in qualifying habitat ‘health’ in association with the quantity of its raptor community.
    [Show full text]
  • A Soilscape Survey to Evaluate Land for In-Field Rainwater Harvesting in the Free State Province, South Africa
    A SOILSCAPE SURVEY TO EVALUATE LAND FOR IN-FIELD RAINWATER HARVESTING IN THE FREE STATE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA by Semere Alazar Tekle A dissertation submitted in accordance with the requirements for the Magister Scientiae Agriculturae degree in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa. September 2004 Supervisor: Dr. P.A.L. le Roux Co-supervisor: Dr. M. Hensley DECLARATION I declare that the thesis hereby submitted by me for the Masters of Science in Soil Science degree at the University of the Free State is my own independent work and has not previously been submitted by me to another University / Faculty. I further cede copyright of the thesis in favour of the University of the Free State. Semere Alazar Signature …………………………….. Date: September, 2004 Place: Bloemfontein, South Africa ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I am grateful to my promoter Dr. P.A.L. le Roux for his consistent guidance, timely responses, valuable suggestions, invaluable support and unfailing encouragement throughout the research period. My sincere gratitude to my co-promoter Dr. M. Hensley for his unreserved sharing of his long time research knowledge and experience and fatherly advices. My gratitude also to all the staff members of the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, particularly to: Prof. C.C. du Preez, the Department Head, for his consistent care and guidance throughout my stay in the University; Mrss. Elmarie Kotze, and Rida van Heerden administrative and logistical things, throughout my study period in the University; and Yvonne Dessels for helping me in many ways regarding laboratory materials and analysis.
    [Show full text]
  • The Birds (Aves) of Oromia, Ethiopia – an Annotated Checklist
    European Journal of Taxonomy 306: 1–69 ISSN 2118-9773 https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2017.306 www.europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu 2017 · Gedeon K. et al. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. Monograph urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A32EAE51-9051-458A-81DD-8EA921901CDC The birds (Aves) of Oromia, Ethiopia – an annotated checklist Kai GEDEON 1,*, Chemere ZEWDIE 2 & Till TÖPFER 3 1 Saxon Ornithologists’ Society, P.O. Box 1129, 09331 Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany. 2 Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise, P.O. Box 1075, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. 3 Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Centre for Taxonomy and Evolutionary Research, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany. * Corresponding author: [email protected] 2 Email: [email protected] 3 Email: [email protected] 1 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:F46B3F50-41E2-4629-9951-778F69A5BBA2 2 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:F59FEDB3-627A-4D52-A6CB-4F26846C0FC5 3 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:A87BE9B4-8FC6-4E11-8DB4-BDBB3CFBBEAA Abstract. Oromia is the largest National Regional State of Ethiopia. Here we present the first comprehensive checklist of its birds. A total of 804 bird species has been recorded, 601 of them confirmed (443) or assumed (158) to be breeding birds. At least 561 are all-year residents (and 31 more potentially so), at least 73 are Afrotropical migrants and visitors (and 44 more potentially so), and 184 are Palaearctic migrants and visitors (and eight more potentially so). Three species are endemic to Oromia, 18 to Ethiopia and 43 to the Horn of Africa. 170 Oromia bird species are biome restricted: 57 to the Afrotropical Highlands biome, 95 to the Somali-Masai biome, and 18 to the Sudan-Guinea Savanna biome.
    [Show full text]
  • Postal: PO Box 116, Ficksburg, 9730 Physical: 27 Voortrekker Street, Ficksburg Tel: 051 933 9300 Fax: 051 933 9309 Web: TABLE of CONTENTS
    Postal: PO Box 116, Ficksburg, 9730 Physical: 27 Voortrekker Street, Ficksburg Tel: 051 933 9300 Fax: 051 933 9309 Web: http://www2.setsoto.info/ TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3 List of Maps ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................4 List of Tables ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................5 List of Acronyms ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7 Definitions ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................8
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Wildlife in Botswana
    THE ROLE OF WILDLIFE IN BOTSWANA: AN EXPLORATION OF HUMAN-ANIMAL RELATIONSHIPS A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of Graduate Studies of The /University of Guelph by ANDREA BOLLA In partial fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Arts y May, 2009 © Andrea Bolla, 2009 Library and Archives Bibliotheque et 1*1 Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 OttawaONK1A0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-57096-8 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-57096-8 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non­ L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'lnternet, prefer, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le loan, distribute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non­ support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. The author retains copyright L'auteur conserve la propriete du droit d'auteur ownership and moral rights in this et des droits moraux qui protege cette these. Ni thesis. Neither the thesis nor la these ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci substantial extracts from it may be ne doivent etre imprimes ou autrement printed or otherwise reproduced reproduits sans son autorisation.
    [Show full text]
  • South Africa: Magoebaskloof and Kruger National Park Custom Tour Trip Report
    SOUTH AFRICA: MAGOEBASKLOOF AND KRUGER NATIONAL PARK CUSTOM TOUR TRIP REPORT 24 February – 2 March 2019 By Jason Boyce This Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl showed nicely one late afternoon, puffing up his throat and neck when calling www.birdingecotours.com [email protected] 2 | TRIP REPORT South Africa: Magoebaskloof and Kruger National Park February 2019 Overview It’s common knowledge that South Africa has very much to offer as a birding destination, and the memory of this trip echoes those sentiments. With an itinerary set in one of South Africa’s premier birding provinces, the Limpopo Province, we were getting ready for a birding extravaganza. The forests of Magoebaskloof would be our first stop, spending a day and a half in the area and targeting forest special after forest special as well as tricky range-restricted species such as Short-clawed Lark and Gurney’s Sugarbird. Afterwards we would descend the eastern escarpment and head into Kruger National Park, where we would make our way to the northern sections. These included Punda Maria, Pafuri, and the Makuleke Concession – a mouthwatering birding itinerary that was sure to deliver. A pair of Woodland Kingfishers in the fever tree forest along the Limpopo River Detailed Report Day 1, 24th February 2019 – Transfer to Magoebaskloof We set out from Johannesburg after breakfast on a clear Sunday morning. The drive to Polokwane took us just over three hours. A number of birds along the way started our trip list; these included Hadada Ibis, Yellow-billed Kite, Southern Black Flycatcher, Village Weaver, and a few brilliant European Bee-eaters.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation Support Services Funding Sources
    annual conservation report of the Endangered Wildlife Trust Endangered Wildlife Trust Tel: +27 11 486 1102 Fax: +27 11 486 1506 www.ewt.org.za [email protected] 2009 Table of Contents Messages from the Chairman STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE 5 and CEO 2 Explore and develop opportunities for mentorship and capacity building within the Introduction to the Endangered conservation sector 32 Wildlife Trust 4 STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE 6 Conservation activities Provide a leadership role in ensuring efficient The EWT Conservation and adequate implementation, compliance and Strategy 2008 – 2013 6 enforcement of conservation legislation 36 Addressing our Strategic Imperatives Project list 40 STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE 1 Broader engagement 44 Identify human-induced threats and the affected Human resources 47 species in order to halt or reverse species decline 8 Fundraising, marketing and STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE 2 Ensure that the viability of threatened habitats communications 54 and ecosystems is maintained 16 Our supporters 2009 59 STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE 3 Scientific publications 61 Develop innovative, economically viable EWT Trustees 62 alternatives to address harmful impacts to the benefit of people and biodiversity 22 Contact us 63 STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE 4 Map of project and staff locations 64 Increase awareness and mainstream environmental considerations in daily lives of people and decision makers 27 Thank-you to the photographers who provided images for our conservation report at no cost. They are: Andre Botha, Marion Burger, Deon Cilliers, Rynette Coetzee, Steven Evans, Albert Froneman, Anique Greyling, Mike Jordan, Kirsten Oliver, Glenn Ramke, Rob Till and Graeme Wilson. Special thanks to the Cheetah Conservation Fund for providing the photograph of the Anatolian Shepherd and smiling man on back cover - www.cheetah.org.
    [Show full text]
  • Harrier References
    Introduction This is the final version of the Harrier's list, no further updates will be made. Grateful thanks to Wietze Janse and Tom Shevlin (www.irishbirds.ie) for the cover images and all those who responded with constructive feedback. All images © the photographers. Please note that this and other Reference Lists I have compiled are not exhaustive and are best employed in conjunction with other sources. Joe Hobbs Index The general order of species follows the International Ornithologists' Union World Bird List (Gill, F. & Donsker, D. (eds.) 2019. IOC World Bird List. Available from: https://www.worldbirdnames.org/ [version 9.1 accessed January 2019]). Final Version Version 1.4 (January 2019). Cover Main image: Western Marsh Harrier. Zevenhoven, Groene Jonker, Netherlands. 3rd May 2011. Picture by Wietze Janse. Vignette: Montagu’s Harrier. Great Saltee Island, Co. Wexford, Ireland. 10th May 2008. Picture by Tom Shevlin. Species Page No. African Marsh Harrier [Circus ranivorus] 8 Black Harrier [Circus maurus] 10 Cinereous Harrier [Circus cinereus] 17 Eastern Marsh Harrier [Circus spilonotus] 6 Hen Harrier [Circus cyaneus] 11 Long-winged Harrier [Circus buffoni] 9 Malagasy Harrier [Circus macrosceles] 9 Montagu's Harrier [Circus pygargus] 20 Northern Harrier [Circus hudsonius] 16 Pallid Harrier [Circus macrourus] 18 Papuan Harrier [Circus spilothorax] 7 Pied Harrier [Circus melanoleucos] 20 Réunion Harrier [Circus maillardi] 9 Spotted Harrier [Circus assimilis] 9 Swamp Harrier [Circus approximans] 7 Western Marsh Harrier [Circus aeruginosus] 4 1 Relevant Publications Balmer, D. et al. 2013. Bird Atlas 2001-11: The breeding and wintering birds of Britain and Ireland. BTO Books, Thetford. Beaman, M.
    [Show full text]
  • Connochaetes Gnou – Black Wildebeest
    Connochaetes gnou – Black Wildebeest Blue Wildebeest (C. taurinus) (Grobler et al. 2005 and ongoing work at the University of the Free State and the National Zoological Gardens), which is most likely due to the historic bottlenecks experienced by C. gnou in the late 1800s. The evolution of a distinct southern endemic Black Wildebeest in the Pleistocene was associated with, and possibly driven by, a shift towards a more specialised kind of territorial breeding behaviour, which can only function in open habitat. Thus, the evolution of the Black Wildebeest was directly associated with the emergence of Highveld-type open grasslands in the central interior of South Africa (Ackermann et al. 2010). Andre Botha Assessment Rationale Regional Red List status (2016) Least Concern*† This is an endemic species occurring in open grasslands in the central interior of the assessment region. There are National Red List status (2004) Least Concern at least an estimated 16,260 individuals (counts Reasons for change No change conducted between 2012 and 2015) on protected areas across the Free State, Gauteng, North West, Northern Global Red List status (2008) Least Concern Cape, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal TOPS listing (NEMBA) (2007) Protected (KZN) provinces (mostly within the natural distribution range). This yields a total mature population size of 9,765– CITES listing None 11,382 (using a 60–70% mature population structure). This Endemic Yes is an underestimate as there are many more subpopulations on wildlife ranches for which comprehensive data are *Watch-list Threat †Conservation Dependent unavailable. Most subpopulations in protected areas are stable or increasing.
    [Show full text]
  • Is the Black Harrier Circus Maurus a Specialist Predator? Assessing the Diet of 3 a Threatened Raptor Species Endemic to Southern Africa
    1 2 Is the Black Harrier Circus maurus a specialist predator? Assessing the diet of 3 a threatened raptor species endemic to Southern Africa 4 5 Marie-Sophie Garcia-Heras1, François Mougeot2, Beatriz Arroyo2, Graham Avery3,4 , 6 Margaret D. Avery3 & Robert E. Simmons1 7 8 1Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Private 9 Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa. 10 2Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de 11 Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain. 12 3Iziko South African Museum, P.O. Box 61, Cape Town 8000, South Africa. 13 4Archaeology Department, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, 14 South Africa 15 16 Correspondence: Marie-Sophie Garcia-Heras, Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST-NRF Centre of 17 Excellence, University of Cape Town, private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa. 18 Email: [email protected] 19 ORCID ID: orcid.org/0000-0002-3460-5484 20 21 22 23 Keywords: 24 Specialist predator, food requirements, small mammal, South Africa, Fynbos, Karoo 25 1 26 Abstract 27 Studying the diet of wild animals is central for understanding their flexibility in food requirements. 28 The Black Harrier Circus maurus is an endangered raptor in South Africa and Namibia. To date, 29 information about the diet of the species is insufficient for a comprehensive understanding of their 30 ecology. We studied the diet composition of breeding Black Harriers using ca. 1000 pellets (> 1700 31 identified prey) collected at nest sites in two geographical regions (coastal vs. interior-mountain) 32 over 10 breeding seasons (2006-2015).
    [Show full text]