birdlife south at work

birdlife How we’re tackling the mountain ou can help to not only put a news Ystop to the gruesome deaths of albatross chicks, but also restore the ecosystem of Marion Island. And no, it doesn’t mean that you actually go there – rather, you can sponsor a hectare on the island. Give hectares as gifts and set up challenges among your friends and social networks. We are approaching major donors and foundations for support, but we will still need all the help you can give to reach our R30-million target. Our main focus is on the use of so- cial media (Facebook and Instagram) and digital marketing to spread the message and to direct people to our fundraising website. The peter ryan website asks for donations, in return Africa felt it had the necessary mandate. Gaping head wounds on a Sooty Albatross for which donors receive a digital We started by raising money in 2014 for chick attacked by mice on Marion Island. certificate with GPS coordinates of a first-pass feasibility and risk assessment the hectares they have sponsored. study by Dr John Parkes, a New Zealand very cautious about being associated with The website will be in operation expert. In early 2017, Fredric Paulsen public appeals for money, whereas - until after the eradication has been of the Mamont Foundation donated to Life South Africa can take a completely completed and will also disseminate the Department of Environmental Af- different approach. information about the current state fairs (DEA) three helicopters that had Peter Ryan helped to launch an appeal of the project. been used to eradicate rodents from for funds to rid Marion Island of mice So check it out, get involved and South Georgia. The DEA’s Environmen- during Flock at Sea AGAIN! by asking help us to reach the summit! And tal Programmes and Oceans and Coasts for pledges – and then the trail went cold, don’t forget to share…

OTTO WHITEHEAD branches were already working on con- from our side. We have fielded many en- trol and eradication projects on Marion quiries about when it would be possible to www.mousefreemarion.org.za A fundraising mountain for Mouse Free Marion Island and this donation of helicopters make online donations, but the process is Instagram @marionisland served as a catalyst within the depart- not simple. We are in a partnership with a Facebook Mouse Free Marion nvasive alien species are recognised access. With those two advantages, if we The scientific evidence of the impacts ment to bring together experts and start number of organisations and couldn’t be- as one of the main threats to biodi- can throw enough resources at getting rid mice are having on Marion Island’s eco- planning the eradication of the mice. gin to take money from people without the versity and they are extremely costly of the problem, it’s job done. After that system is voluminous and the impacts However, the price tag for this operation prior agreement of our partners. BirdLife South Africa has committed toI remove from where they are not want- we can walk away and need only invest in themselves are pervasive. Mice have dis- is going to be substantial. There’s a strong Earlier this year BirdLife South Africa to working with credible partners to raise ed. Just think of the effect of the highly bio-security systems, which are generally rupted the flow of nutrients through the obligation for all involved to minimise received the necessary approval from the at least R30-million (half the estimated invasive Australian acacias on the fyn- far cheaper than eradication measures, to ecosystem, they have almost certainly the cost to taxpayers as much as possible. DEA to begin raising funds for the eradi- cost). The entire funding and expendi- bos of the south-western Cape and the prevent re-invasion. extirpated one of two flightless moth And so BirdLife South Africa offered to cation of mice on Marion Island, which in ture of our Mouse Free Marion campaign expensive but ongoing efforts to restore At Marion Island, South Africa long species at Marion (although it persists assist with fundraising. With fewer con- effect protects us, the department and the will be independently audited and made order in the Cape Floral Kingdom. In held the world record for clearing the on neighbouring mouse-free Prince Ed- straints than government departments general public. How so? If we’re the partner available to public scrutiny. After all, general, work to eradicate invasive aliens largest island of cats. The cats on the na- ward Island), and they have devastated have when it comes to purchasing goods mandated to raise money, we can be held to there is no better way to win trust than is tedious and repetitive and success is tion’s sub-Antarctic territory were kill- the remaining invertebrate communities. and employing people, we were confi- account by the DEA for all expenditure. At with complete transparency! not always achieved. But there are, some- ing more than 450 000 seabirds every But for BirdLife South Africa to get in- dent that a partnership with the DEA was the same time, the department can defend Now, at last, we can call on our sup- times, remarkable stories of battles won. year and it took longer than 10 years and volved, there has to be a negative impact a good way to go. us from any criticism, whether it comes porters to help us climb this R30-million Mostly those successes occur on islands, many millions of rands to achieve this on . And there most certainly is. What could possibly go wrong? Sadly, from the public, within the government mountain. Who knows, perhaps we can which are isolated and have manageable success. Once the cats had gone, only When Professor Peter Ryan and his there are many examples of fundraising or any other source. So finally, in March – even exceed this target and free up the house mice – probably introduced by students working on Marion began to initiatives that seem fine on paper, but a year after the launch of the appeal – we funds for other projects to eradicate in- above A pair of Wandering Albatrosses per- sealers in the 1800s – remained as an in- report increasing incidents of mice at- in practice the spending is not totally were granted permission to activate our vasive species? form a dance as they reunite before breeding. vasive mammal. tacking seabird chicks, BirdLife South above board. The government has to be fundraising website (see sidebar). NINI VAN DER MERWE & ROSS WANLESS

64 african birdlife september/october 2018 birdlife south africa 65 out & about with birdlife south africa Owl Awards 2018 BirdLife South Africa couldn’t achieve its goal to ‘give conservation wings’ without the outstanding, and often voluntary, efforts of individual members and corporate partners. Each year the organisation pays tribute to supporters who have gone ‘above and beyond’ by presenting them with Owl Awards.

Eagle-Owl Awards wind farm; and the proposed coal mine and has been passing on his extensive Derek Engelbrecht in the Mabola Protected Environment. At knowledge of the wildlife of KwaZulu- As a lecturer in zoology at the Univer- a time when the earth is facing innumer- Natal for the past 13 years. He has helped sity of the North, Professor Derek Engel- able environmental challenges, Sheree’s many birders to explore the region’s for- brecht not only trains young biologists, thoroughly researched and well-written ests and lagoons, but he particularly en- but also encourages other students on articles are playing a huge role in rais- joys conducting guided tours for school campus to be aware of the birds around ing awareness about these challenges and groups, believing that the future of con- them by leading birding walks. In ad- about how organisations such as BirdLife servation starts with educating young dition, he takes a keen interest in avi- South Africa are addressing them. people. Junior has been an environmen- tourism and the community bird guide tal educator for WESSA, assisted with training programme and has lectured at Alastair Campbell marine and estuarine research and taught Hoedspruit Wildlife College and served In 2012, Alastair came up with the idea tertiary-level ecology courses. He is cur- on the Birds and Forest Festival organ- of monitoring African Rails with camera rently helping Professor Adrian Koop- ising committee. His interests extend to traps, which are less intrusive than us- man to research the cultural significance African bird names and, with Peter Mo- ing a rope to flush these secretive birds. and isiZulu names of birds. kumo, Tshifiwa Mandiwana and Reuben Camera traps also enable researchers to Ramudzuli, he is determining the names monitor rails throughout the summer Craig Nattrass ALBERT FRONEMAN of birds in tshiVenda and sePedi. season, resulting in the collection of Craig is a member of the Witwatersrand sustainable environmental practices; and interest in the activities of tuna longline The presentation of annual Owl Awards to detailed information. This method has Bird Club ringing group and an avid it provides input for management plans fishing fleets, but have been unable to people and organisations enables BirdLife Eskom been extended to the Middelpunt wet- ringer who often volunteers his time and to help improve conservation outcomes. monitor them since the cancellation of South Africa to acknowledge their sterling Eskom has contributed massively to land, where 22 camera traps have been valued expertise to BirdLife South Africa The Nature’s Valley Trust’s efforts relating the observer programme in 2012. As the bird conservation efforts. bird habitat and species conservation deployed by Alistair and BirdLife South projects. He has been actively involved specifically to birds include its support chief marine conservation inspector for through the Ingula Partnership, which Africa’s Robin Colyn to study White- with the White-winged Flufftail project of BirdLife Plettenberg Bay, its Birding the Department of Agriculture, Forestry in the national Key Biodiversity Areas was formed in 2003 between the power winged Flufftails. In February the cam- since 2013 and ringed the only individual Masters and Champions programme and and Fisheries, Buyekezwa has ensured (KBA) Programme and will lead on the utility, BirdLife South Africa and the eras provided evidence that the flufftails of that species caught in a mist-net at the its #ShareTheShores project. that observers are once again allowed to revision of the national KBA network. Middelpunt Wetland Trust to manage breed not only in Ethiopia, as supposed, Middelpunt wetland. With his exception- monitor seabird bycatch and advise crews Its support has been vital in our efforts the Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme as a but also at Middelpunt. al engineering skill, he designed and built Faansie Peacock on methods to avoid it. She has also given to mainstream birds into conservation sustainable conservation site. Situated on a walkway system with both camera and South African birders know Faansie a member of the Common Oceans team planning products. the watershed between the Orange River John Carter walk-in traps at Middelpunt so that the for a number of reasons, perhaps the access to foreign-flagged vessels in Cape and the Tugela River, Ingula and its sur- A member of the Somerset West Bird behaviour of the flufftail and other water- most compelling of which is that he is Town to raise awareness of seabird by- Owlet Award rounding nature reserve are a core con- Club for more than 25 years, John was its birds could be studied in depth. the author and illustrator of books that catch and the need to report it. Joshua Olszewski servation area and form part of a network chairman from 2001 to 2012. In the club’s help them to identify tricky species. His Josh’s immense knowledge of birds sur- of only a few known locations where the 27-year history, he is one of only seven Nature’s Valley Trust guides detailing the intricacies of pipit, South African National passes that of many seasoned birders, White-winged Flufftail regularly occurs. members who have been awarded honor- This small community conservation LBJ and wader identification are deserv- Biodiversity Institute yet his drive to learn more is insatiable Eskom has invested substantially in the ary membership. He was also a staunch organisation has been operating along edly popular, and perhaps more so be- The South African National Biodiversity and will stand him in good stead in his research and conservation of this Criti- advocate for the formation of the West- the Garden Route for the past 17 years, cause they are so beautifully illustrated. Institute (SANBI) coordinates research planned career as a natural scientist. He cally Endangered flufftail. ern Cape Birding Forum. Although still making significant contributions to the With degrees in environmental science, and monitors and reports on the state of has assisted the Terrestrial Bird Con- a club stalwart, John now plays a smaller lives of people and the protection of zoology and ecology, Faansie has writ- biodiversity in this country. It provides servation Programme with a number of Owl Awards role in its management and spends more biodiversity. The trust operates in four ten many academic as well as popular knowledge, gives planning and policy ad- projects, including the development of Sheree Bega time on other birding activities. He en- core areas: it uses data collected from articles for magazines and books and he vice and pilots best-practice management content for the Orange-breasted Wax- As the environmental journalist at the joys participating in CAR, CWAC and long-term research projects to document co-authored The Eskom Red Data Book of models, and is one of BirdLife South Af- bill initiative and the fitting of Grey- Saturday Star for the past 13 years, Sheree BIRP counts, but his real interest over the biodiversity and the impact of people Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swazi- rica’s most important partners, provid- headed Gulls with tracking devices. has supported BirdLife South Africa by past 10 years has been in atlasing. on the environment; with these find- land and The State of South Africa’s Birds. ing much-needed support for crucial Best of all, Josh enjoys being in the field writing about important conservation is- ings, it develops conservation education projects. In particular, it has partnered leading birding outings. He is also ac- sues, notably the first breeding record of Junior Gabela programmes; through its engagement Buyekezwa Polo with the Important Bird and Biodiversity tive on social media, sharing his love for the White-winged Flufftail; the contro- Well known to South African birders, programmes, it equips and empow- The Albatross Task Force and Com- Areas (IBA) and Policy & Advocacy pro- the natural world with the wider online versy surrounding the proposed Letseng Junior is a FGASA-qualified bird guide ers communities to become involved in mon Oceans Tuna Project take a strong grammes. Notably, SANBI is a partner community.

66 african birdlife september/october 2018 birdlife south africa 67 birdlife south africa at work

In any conservation effort, one of the ba- sic things to ascertain is the population size conserving the of the species concerned. This is difficult for cape parrot the Cape Parrot as standard bird-counting techniques are unsuitable; the parrots are This, the only parrot species endemic nomadic feeders with unpredictable move- to South Africa, was previously classified ments and their cryptic coloration and as one of three subspecies of P. robustus, dense forest habitat make them difficult to but in 2017 it was officially declared a locate when perched. They are, however, separate species from the Brown-necked more conspicuous when calling in flight P. fuscicollis fuscicollis and Grey-headed and are most active after dawn and before P. f. suahelicus parrots. The split was based sunset as they leave and return to their on differences in plumage, bill size and roosts. This allows for a ‘total count’ to be call. Records of vocalisations are sparse, carried out. As part of its conservation ef- however, and the Wild Bird Trust’s Cape fort, the Cape Parrot Working Group has Parrot Project, in collaboration with Ot- held the Cape Parrot Birding Big Day an- terbein University (USA), is recording nually since 1998, taking advantage of the and analysing the calls of all three taxa birds’ periods of activity to collect data that in the wild. In addition to confirming the are used to monitor trends and estimate split, preliminary analyses reveal dialects occurrence and population size. In recent among Cape Parrot sub-populations that years approximately 1600 Cape Parrots may have implications for their conser- have been counted annually. above An adult male Cape Parrot in flight. vation. In 2017 the IUCN updated the The Cape Parrot Working Group is also A bag for parrots status of the Cape Parrot from globally involved in research projects examining opposite An adult female Cape Parrot in a n a bid to reduce the proliferation Least Concern to Vulnerable. forest structure and the presence of birds wild plum tree. The Cape Parrot is the only Iof single-use plastic bags and at In response to the rapidly increas- and mammals in forests of parrot species endemic to South Africa and the same time raise awareness and ing threat of bird extinctions, BirdLife the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Mid- was officially recognised as a separate species funds for worthy causes, Bags4Good International launched its Preventing lands and in monitoring the Cape Parrot in 2017. created a stunning shopping bag Extinctions Programme in 2008, with pet trade, developing education initiatives featuring Cape Parrots that has been two communities at its heart: Species and maintaining long-term databases. the Cape Parrot population occurs. It has a sold in Woolworths South Africa stores Champions and Species Guardians. The Protecting the dwindling areas of ma- comprehensive research database, which is around the country since December latter take responsibility for conservation ture afromontane yellowwood forest that updated daily and enables project members 2017. R10 from the sale of each bag is action by conducting surveys, raising the Cape Parrot depends on is critical for to track the diet, flocking behaviour and donated to BirdLife South Africa’s IBA awareness, developing and implementing the species’ survival. Less than two per movements of the birds in relation to food Programme and will go towards secur- conservation plans and, in some cases, cent of South Africa’s landscapes com- availability and climatic conditions. Five ac- ing the remaining patches of Cape establishing captive breeding and rein- prises natural forest and only a small pro- tive nest sites have been recorded and nest- Parrot habitat through Biodiversity troduction programmes. Their activities portion of that fits the requirements of the ing in artificial nest-boxes is monitored. Stewardship. A portion of the funds include monitoring trends in the species’ parrots. The loss and fragmentation of this Given the importance of indigenous raised will be channelled into support- status, conducting research and quan- habitat continue as a result of the legal and forest for the Cape Parrot’s survival, the ing the annual Cape Parrot census, tifying the intensity of threats. Species illegal extraction of yellowwoods, cutting project is making particular efforts to re- which provides important information Guardians are also expected to develop, down further on the birds’ living space. store and protect the remaining patches. about population trends and distribu- review and implement the actions of a For this reason, the Cape Parrot is a prior- Thousands of indigenous tree saplings tion. Through initiatives such as this, Species Action Plan. ity trigger species for identifying Impor- have been planted in degraded forest, BirdLife South Africa strives to protect Earlier this year, the Cape Parrot Work- tant Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs). largely through the efforts of local peo- suitable forest habitat for Cape Parrots. ing Group (hosted by Professor Colleen The core of its population is represented ple who grow the saplings from seed in Downs at the University of KwaZulu- by three IBAs: the Wolkberg Forest Belt community nurseries, plant them out in CASSIE CARSTENS (2) Natal) and the Cape Parrot Project (linked in Limpopo, the KwaZulu-Natal Mistbelt the forest and remove exotic vegetation umbers of the Endangered Cape from the Hogsback in the Eastern Cape to to the ) became Forest and the Amatola-Katberg Moun- to give the young trees space to grow. In Parrot Poicephalus robustus have Balgowan and Karkloof in KwaZulu-Natal, BirdLife Species Guardians for the Cape tain in the Eastern Cape. this way, local communities become for- been falling since the early 1900s with a small population in the Magoebas- Parrot. Following its recognition as a full Run by the Wild Bird Trust, the Cape est custodians, earning livelihoods and Nand by 1989 the species’ wild population kloof in Limpopo. Factors contributing to species and its uplisting to Vulnerable, a Parrot Project plays its part in conserving deriving benefits from the healthy forest. was estimated at less than a thousand. As the species’ decline have been determined as review of the existing Action Plan for the the species through research and reforesta- habitat specialists that depend on mature the loss or change in quality of their forest Cape Parrot is needed. Relevant stake- tion and regards community involvement afromontane yellowwood forest for food and habitat, shortages of food and nesting sites, holders are planning to meet in 2019 to as integral to its success. The project’s fo- nest sites, the parrots are now restricted to illegal poaching for the pet trade, disease, identify current knowledge gaps and new cus is on the Amatola-Katberg region of patches of this forest in a mosaic that extends avian predators and climate change. conservation priorities. the Eastern Cape, where about one third of

68 african birdlife september/october 2018 birdlife south africa 69 out & about with birdlife south africa

Staff gathering irdLife South Africa’s annual staff meeting wetlands, waterbirds and Waxi Bcomprised presentations and discussions on conservation strategies, report-backs on projects, Flufftail Festival 2018 staff training and guest contributions. The staff training (mainly on various aspects of commu- nication, which were identified as necessary dur- ing last year’s skills audit) was kindly presented by Yvette Nowell from Rand Merchant Bank and her guests Helen Nicholson and Ralf Schmitt. Other guests who presented talks and led discussions were Stephen Koseff (CEO of Investec), Mark Read (vice-chairman of WWF-SA), Yvonne Pen- nington (a member of BirdLife South Africa’s Board), Jacques du Bruyn (of Flume digital ad- vertising agency) and Shaun Retief (of V Designs, who is revamping our website).

BBD registration is open! irding Big Day 2018 will be held on Saturday, 24 November and you can register now. This Grant Pearson Toni Geddes Bannual event is all about enjoying the wonderful diversity of birds in South Africa and raising his year the Flufftail Festival took City Parks team, was where visitors above Wandi the Wattled Crane is one of funds for conservation. For more information, please visit www.birdlife.org.za/events/birding-big- on a slightly different format, with learned about the threats to wetlands, the learners’ favourite characters in the day. The link to the BirdLasser online map can be found at www.birdlasser.com/events/bbd2018 two events instead of one and both including agriculture, mining and pol- ‘Waxi the Hero’ educational puppet show. Theld at Johannesburg Zoo. BirdLife South lution. The BirdLife South Africa team Africa partnered with Rand Water’s Wa- manned the Flamingo Station and pre- above left The Rand Water team explains to ter Wise team, Johannesburg City Parks sented the different bird species that live Grade 6 learners the important role played and Zoo, the Department of Environ- in South African wetlands, especially the by plants in a wetland ecosystem. mental Affairs, the Rare Finch Conserva- White-winged Flufftail. tion Group and HDI Youth Marketeers to Once participants had visited all three The first two stations, Wetlands and put together an exciting programme that stations and collected their stamps, they Hippo, had similar messages to those engaged everyone on the importance of could return to the main entrance to see of their counterparts on the family day, conserving wetlands and waterbirds. if their entry had won a prize in the draw. while the Flamingo Station was merged Support BirdLife South Africa and help conserve South Africa’s magnificent birdlife. You will receive 6 issues of African Prizes ranged from BirdLife South Africa with the Wetlands Station to add infor- Birdlife magazine, 12 e-newsletters, a membership card and bumper sticker and, very importantly, you will contribute to Flufftail Festival Family Day: 21 April buffs to Water Wise bottles and vouchers mation about waterbirds, including the the conservation of South Africa’s birds and their habitats. The Family Day was designed as a scav- for free entry to Johannesburg Zoo. The White-winged Flufftail. The main differ- enger hunt around the zoo, with partici- grand prize was a trip for four to Soweto ence between the two days was the inclu- pants answering questions and playing with Bay of Grace Tours and BirdLife sion of the Puppet Show Station, where MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY activities at three stations to earn stamps South Africa-trained guide Raymond learners saw a performance of the ‘Waxi Please tick the appropriate box for a one-year membership (South African residents and stand a chance to win a range of Rampholokeng. the Hero’ show created by Alastair Find- only; please contact BirdLife South Africa for international membership fees). Standard  R530 prizes. HDI activators and the talented lay and Eelco Meyjes of the Rare Finch PAYMENT DETAILS ‘Waxi the Hero’ puppeteers were on hand Flufftail Festival Schools Day: 1 June Conservation Group. This entertaining Youth, Student or Senior Citizen  R372 Group Membership  R530 to welcome families as they arrived and Part two of the 2018 Flufftail Festival saw puppet show tells its audience about the  Visa/Master Conservation League Donor  R______explain how the scavenger hunt would about 480 Grade 6 learners from schools importance of conserving wetlands and (Conservation League Donors need to be signed-up members of BirdLife South Africa Name of cardholder ______work. Each person was given a flier with in Soweto and Johannesburg descend on that they shouldn’t be polluted with litter and make a minimum donation of R2800. A tax certificate can be issued on request.) a guide to the three Flufftail Festival sta- the zoo. They were welcomed by Manzi, and plastic. At the end of the morning, Fees are valid until 30 June 2019. Card number     tions and sent off on their journey around Rand Water’s Water Wise mascot, and each learner received a lunch pack and personal DETAILS the zoo. shown how to be a ‘Water Wise Warrior’ enjoyed a picnic on the lawns. Expiry date  /  CVC no.  The Wetlands Station was manned by with a vibrant mix of song and dance. Af- A big thank you goes to all the staff in- TITLE first NAME sURNAME Direct payment: the Water Wise team, who told families ter this show, the learners were divided volved from each partner organisation for physical Address First National Bank, Randburg, Acc no. 62067506281, about the services that wetlands provide, into three groups and assigned to their making the 2018 Flufftail Festival days of POSTAL CODE Branch code 254005. (Please use initials and surname as reference.) like cleaning water, preventing floods and team of facilitators from the host organi- fun and learning. Let’s hope that a new providing space for animals and water- sations. Each group started at one of the generation of conservation-minded indi- postal Address adapted vegetation to thrive. The Hippo three stations and moved to the next after viduals has been unleashed into the world. POSTAL CODE sigNATURE

Station, manned by the Johannesburg 45 minutes. MELISSA WHITECROSS Tel. CELL. AB09/18 E-mail DATe

70 african birdlife BirdLife South Africa • Private Bag X16, Pinegowrie 2123 • Tel. (011) 789 1122 • Fax (011) 789 5188 • [email protected] • www.birdlife.org.za