BIRDS AND PEOPLE

BirdLife ’s Bird Conservation Newsletter March, 2013 No. 37 March, 2013 No. 37 B IRDS AND P EOPLE

B IRD L IFE B OTSWANA ’ S B IRD C ONSERVATION N EWSLETTER

IN THIS ISSUE: E D I TO R I A L

IBA Status Report 3 People from all walks of life connect with birds in Crowned Crane Trade Suspended 6 one way or another. I don’t know anyone who isn’t moved by their beauty and vitality, and the dawn Lake Ngami Management Plan 7 chorus of awakening birds is a great way to start the AEWA Conservation Guidelines 7 day. Some people are inspired by birds’ ability to fly so effortlessly, while others find their varied Photo Gallery 8-9 behaviours interesting and worth studying. The incredible feats shown by migratory species which Waterbird count results 10 fly vast distances and call the world their oyster, are a source of wonderment to us all. Many birds are Look out for tagged birds 13 valued as food, and the bright feathers of some species are used for decoration or ceremonial World Migratory Bird Day 13 purposes.

Okavango WHS listing 14 Whatever your interest, birds share the planet with us and it will be a vastly impoverished world without Membership form 15 them.

Front cover: Pete Hancock (Editor) Front cover: Yellow-billed Stork (Pete Hancock) Pink-backed Pelican (PeteThis page: Hancock)

ThisYellow-billed page: Stork landing (Ken Oake) Pied Kingfisher (MilesKen OakeKamakama) is thanked for assistance with layout and design of this newsletter .

Birds and People No. 37 Page 3 Birds and People

IBA S TAT U S R E P O RT

Botswana has a net- Convention on prominent environ- work of protected Biological Diversity mental threat, areas (National Parks, (CBD) and the target exerting pressure on Game Reserves, Forest of reducing biodiver- the quality and Reserves, and Wildlife sity loss by 2010. quantity of biodiver- Management Areas), Agencies concerned sity within the some of which overlap with natural resources protected area with Important Bird management were network. The most Areas. Although some engaged on an annual affected areas include are on communal/ repetition of activities the Forests Reserves tribal land, they are for capacity building, (Chobe, Sibuyu, all protected by the co-ordinating, collect- Kasane Extension, government for their ing, analysing, storing Maikaelelo, Kazuma ecological integrity, and sharing informa- and Kasane), “IBAs are a network aesthetic quality and tion nationally, Makgadikgadi Pans regionally and inter- National Park and of sites critical for for long term maintenance and nationally. Annual Central Kalahari Game the conservation of sustainable flow of status reports were Reserve. This is a the world’s birds ecosystem services. produced to concern as fire can summarise the status, have prolonged and wider BirdLife Botswana has threats and negative impacts on biodiversity” been collaborating conservation response the breeding success with the Department at the various of some wildlife of Wildlife and protected areas. species and on the National Parks since vegetation. 2008 to implement Findings from the 2011 biodiversity monitoring Protected Area/ Another pressure in Protected Areas Important Bird Area related to human (PAs) and Important Status Report (which activities, has been Bird Areas. This was summarises the results the use of poisonous one of the initiatives from 2008 to 2011), agricultural pesticides; aiming to meet the suggest that veld fires in most cases the requirements of the have been the most chemicals used are

Fires in reedbeds in the Okavango Delta can have devastating impacts (Photo: Donovan Drotsky)

Birds and People No. 37 Birds and People Page 4

IBA S C O N T D

Carbofuran (Furadan) “But, there are of every citizen to and Aldicarb (Temik). pockets of positive ensure sustainability of From 2008 to 2011, a news”, says Dr Kabelo biodiversity conserva- large number of Senyatso, BirdLife tion and monitoring globally threatened Botswana Director. actions. Stakeholders vultures were poisoned “Conservation action need to be supported in Botswana — a mini- is increasing as there in data collection and mum of 182 White- are more interventions management, compila- backed, 14 Cape, 4 at most sites, as well tion of reports and Hooded and 3 Lappet- as improvements in sharing of results. faced vultures. Many environmental policies However, national Uncontrolled fires more poisoning events and legislation within stakeholders should would without doubt Botswana”, he stated. utilize their available and pesticide use have gone unreported. Indeed, government, resources to ensure rank as the most The motives for the communities living in effective environ- serious threats to poisoning vary: in most and around these mental practices (see cases, the vultures are areas and other stake- next page opposite). biodiversity innocent victims of holders have attempts to kill embarked on active Community members ‘problem’ mammalian conservation measures should participate in predators that to curb these environ- public awareness and prey on livestock. mental threats. Such educational However, there have activities include programmes and been events where education and aware- disseminate informa- vultures appear to ness on best practices tion to other villages/ have been deliberately of natural resource settlements e.g . World targeted by poachers management, publicity Wetlands Day, World who kill large animals and communication to Environment Day and and bait the carcass students and the International Vulture with poisons to pre- general public by Awareness Day. vent circling vultures capacity-building and Engaging in such from alerting park specific targeted events will generally authorities to such events. increase awareness illegal hunting. It is the responsibility and understanding, Page 5 Birds and People

IBA S C O N T D

enabling community biodiversity conserva- Protected Areas members to make in- tion, and ensure that (Important Bird Areas) formed decisions, and conservation measures as a contribution to utilise culture and are supported by many reducing the rate of traditional knowledge sectors. biodiversity loss in for conserving biodi- Non-Governmental Africa ” (2008–2011) versity. Setswana cul- Organisations should was financed by a ture is rich in concepts better engage the grant from the of environmental private sector and European Union, and management which other stakeholders in received technical “Conservation are dying out. The biodiversity monitoring support from the Royal older generations and management. Society for the action is increasing, should impart their They should strive to Protection of Birds and environmental wisdom to young ones. improve collaboration (BirdLife in the UK) Govt. departments policies and with stakeholders to and BirdLife Interna- should increase the maintain and tional. All project legislation are number of people who strengthen working partners (government, improving” have an active role in relations. This will Community Based biodiversity and enable exchange of Organisations, private natural resource lessons learned from sector, NGOs, monitoring. This will projects, replication of individuals) are help in maintaining a best environmental thanked for their momentum during practices, maximise efforts in coordinating, staff transfers. In use of available collecting, analysing, addition, they should conservation funds and storing and sharing aim to mainstream enhance synergies for information nationally, biodiversity conserva- biodiversity manage- regionally and inter- tion and management ment. nationally. The in all production Department of Wildlife sectors. Relevant The project and National Parks departments should “Instituting effective (DWNP) co-ordinated secure high level monitoring of data collection within political and adminis- trative support for Lake Ngami IBA — currently unprotected (Photo: Mel Oake) Birds and People Page 6

IBA S C O N T D .

parks, while the the Environmental and the private sector Information System are reminded and Department of The IBA monitoring Forestry and Range (EIS). encouraged to get IBA Resources (DFRR) forms from their forms are available provided fire manage- The Protected Area/ nearest BirdLife office from BirdLife ment information, and Important Bird Area whenever visiting sites the Department of Annual Status reports to collect data. Botswana for those Environmental Affairs for the years 2008 to wishing to (DEA) publicized the 2011 are accessible Mabifhi Lesego Ratsie contribute to the project results through the BirdLife IBA Co-ordinator (especially through Botswana website. project. uploading reports onto Members, volunteers

The Common Waxbill feeds on grass seeds (Photo: Ian White) CROWNED CRANE TRADE SUSPENDED

Beauty can be a categorized as convention regulating disadvantage! The Endangered on the Red trade in endangered Grey Crowned Crane is Data List. Research by species, recently a beautiful bird which the Endangered announced a suspen- has undergone serious Wildlife Trust has sion of trade in Black declines in recent shown that illegal and Grey Crowned years due to demand trade is decimating Cranes from several for live birds as deco- wild populations of African countries. It is rative items in gardens both the Grey and hoped that this will of the wealthy. For Black Crowned Cranes. stop the decline in the this reason, the Consequently, CITES, numbers of this species was recently an international attractive bird.

Birds and People No. 37 Page 7 Birds and People LAKE NGAMI MANAGEMENT PLAN

BirdLife Botswana is The management plan Specialist. The team’s participating in the has been contracted to work is overseen by a development of a EcoSurv (Pty) Ltd, a Reference Group com- Careful planning is management plan for consulting company prising all relevant needed at Lake Lake Ngami as a way with a long and stakeholders.

Ngami if its of securing the area respected track for birds. It is one of record. Apart from a The plan is progressing potential is to be our smaller but never- Project Manager, the well and is due to be realised theless most critical team also includes an completed during this Important Bird Areas Ecologist, Tourism quarter. It will need to and, as such, has great Planner, Fisheries be actively avi-tourism potential. Biologist and Bird implemented!

Birdlife at Lake Ngami is spectacular, but the area is sensitive to disturbance (Photo: K Oake) AEWA CONSERVATION GUIDELINES

The African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) regularly produces guidelines on relevant conservation topics, and the latest is “Guidelines on the Development of Ecotourism at Wetlands”. These guidelines examine a wide range of issues relating to nature-oriented tourism in general and offer practical advice for the development of responsible ecotourism in wetlands important for migratory birds. For more information please visit: http://www.unep-aewa.org/publications/ conservation_guidelines.htm

Birds and People No. 37 PHOTO

P hoto I White

A celebration of LBJs

Prinia cutout: K Oake Photo I White

te I Whi Photo GALLERY

te I Whi Photo

A celebration of LBJs

Prinia cutout: K Oake Photo I White

P hoto I White Birds and People Page 10

WATERBIRD COUNT RESULTS

The January waterbird floodplain between check 12 pan counts have been the old park entrance complexes in Chobe successfully completed gate and Ngoma National Park as well and the results Bridge. January counts as Savuti Marsh and submitted to Wetlands there are always lower Channel, part of the International. Of note than winter counts but Chobe River between was the relatively high a respectable 3,489 Kavimba and Kachikau number of birds birds were noted. and part of the counted in south- Species in the highest Linyanti River. Water eastern Botswana numbers were Cattle levels in Savuti The well-motivated compared to other Egret (818), Egyptian Channel and Marsh areas. However, the Goose (395) and Black- were lower than in Chobe River team scattered discrete smith Lapwing (779). A January 2012 so there conducted another dams and sewage good range of species were many fewer thorough count of ponds are easy to was seen with 2 Slaty birds. An Osprey was access and to count Egrets, 6 White- seen in the Channel. this spectacular compared with the crowned Lapwings, a At the 12 pans there area vast areas of wetland Wattled Lapwing and 3 were almost 2,000 in the north, so much Ringed Plovers waterbirds of 36 being inaccessible to amongst those of species; Blacksmith observers. particular interest. Lapwings were the Counts in early most numerous species In northern Botswana, January at Kasane (429) but other good the usual well- Seep turned up 4 counts included 68 motivated team led by White-fronted Plovers Woolly-necked and 198 Phil Zappala and Mark and a Western Osprey. Abdim’s Storks, 161 Vandewalle covered Gavin and Marjorie Comb Ducks and 180 the Chobe River and Blair managed to Egyptian Geese, 243

Three Southern Pochard fly past in formation (Photo: Ian White)

Birds and People No. 37 Page 11 Birds and People

Abdim’s Stork, an intra-African migrant, featured in many of the counts (Photo: P Hancock)

Collared Pratincoles Ponds, Xigera lagoon, the delta was visited. and 11 Lesser and two short (4 km) Moorhens. sections of the Boteti At the edge of the River between Makgadikgadi Pans, In the Okavango Delta, Dikgathong and Steph Tyler & Felicity counts were made by Samedupi. No full Burge surveyed the Steph Tyler & Felicity count was made at eastern shore of Lake Burge along the Lake Ngami but a visit Xau near Mopipi from Okavango River to a short stretch the inflow to Kedia. between the Namibian (500m) of wooded There they found more border to Mohembo, shoreline showed how than 3,000 waterbirds from Mohembo to rich the birdlife was including 750-800 Shakawe Camp and there. Martin Kays and White Pelicans, 219 Lake Xau had over down to Palm Island. Antony Mulligan Greater Flamingos and In Moremi Game covered the Jao and 39 Lesser Flamingos. 3,000 waterbirds, Reserve the same Kwetsani Flats and saw Other species of inter- including good observers counted among other water- est included 95 Black numbers of pelicans along transects birds, 12 Saddle-billed Herons, a White- between South Gate Storks, 9 Slaty Egrets fronted Plover, a and flamingos and Third Bridge and and 13 Wattled Common Ringed between Third and Cranes. Plover, 11 Grey- Fourth Bridges, as well As usual a wide range headed Gulls and 21 as on the Xini Lediba of species (69) was Caspian Terns. The Loop. Over 1,500 seen within the southwest corner of waterbirds were noted Okavango system Rysana Pan had 840 between South Gate including 4 White- Greater and 54 Lesser and Third Bridge, backed Night-Herons, flamingos but unfortu- including 429 Cattle 9 Wattled Cranes, 15 nately heavy rain Egrets and 385 Woolly- Slaty Egrets and 4 prevented access necked Storks. Other African Skimmers, the around the whole pan. sites covered included latter at Xigera Four members of Dombo Hippo Pool in Lagoon. Nonetheless DWNP staff from Moremi, Maun Sewage only a tiny fraction of Serowe were unable to

Birds and People No. 37 Birds and People Page 12

WATERBIRD COUNTS C O N T D .

count at Mmeya Pan, African Spoonbills, 35 Ramotswa Sewage Nata Sanctuary and Abdim’s Storks and a Ponds, 90 Greater Zibanana Pan because Fish Eagle. Flamingos at Ngotwane of floods preventing Dam and 100 at Bokaa access. In southeast Botswana Dam with 8 Lesser there was excellent Flamingos, 2 Black In eastern Botswana, coverage of 13 dams, Ducks at DWNP staff did visit sewage ponds and and 1 at Jwaneng Sew- Shashe, Letsibogo, pans. The highest age Ponds, 15 Maccoa Ntimbale and Bonwa- count came not from Duck at Jwaneng S.P. katlhako Dams and , but from and 6 at Mosupa Dam, made partial counts. Thagale Dam 50 km 54 Black-crowned Numbers of birds at all north of Gaborone, Night Herons at the dams were where 3,000 White Gamoleele Dam, 34 remarkably low but a Storks and 1,200 Yellow-billed Storks flock of 114 White Abdim’s Storks were and 2 Fulvous Ducks Pelicans and 8 Pink- seen. The count at and a flock of 250 backed Pelicans were Thagale Dam (4,875) Black-winged Pratin- Waterbirds are seen at even if the White coles at Bokaa Dam. already colonizing and a Black Stork at Storks are subtracted, At Mokolodi Nature the new Thune Dam . Over 100 is the highest since Reserve a count of Lesser Flamingos were records began there, birds roosting on an in eastern Botswana at Bonwakatlhako. the previous highest island in Gwithian Dam Near the Limpopo on being in January 2012 was made; 44 Darters, the border of when 1,481 waterbirds 63 Reed Cormorants, 5 Botswana a new large were noted. Counts at Little Egrets, 1,061 dam called Thune Dam Bokaa Dam of Cattle Cattle Egrets and 62 which is 25 km long, Egrets, Egyptian Geese Sacred Ibis were was counted a few and Blacksmith counted although weeks after it first Lapwings exceeded numbers may have filled with water by the previous highest been more than twice Helena Fitchat and totals of these species. those counted as the David Hancock. Not Other highlights in the whole island was not surprisingly numbers of southeast included a visible and birds were birds were low but Little Bittern and 12 still arriving as the already there were 13 Wattled Lapwings at observers left. species of waterbird at Lobatse Sewage Ponds, the dam, including 12 7 Lesser Moorhens at Stephanie Tyler

Birds and People No. 37 Page 13 Birds and People LOOK OUT FOR TAGGED BIRDS

There have been birds have come from engraved on them. frequent sightings in neighbouring countries the past of vultures, or further afield. Please look out for storks, pelicans and these tagged birds, other birds that have Recently however, we noting the species, been marked by have fitted a number date, locality and tag Report sightings of scientists studying of birds with patagial number. If you are tagged birds to your these birds. These (wing) tags while able to photograph the sightings have capturing Lappet- bird, this would be nearest BirdLife contributed to our faced Vultures to fit very valuable. Office understanding of the them with satellite movements of these tracking devices. Please send all species, as well as These tags are information to Pete providing data on illustrated in the Hancock (e-mail survival rates and photograph below — address at the back of causes of mortality. they are all yellow and this newsletter). Most of the marked have a black number Thank you!

A tagged White-backed Vulture W073 seen along the Boteti (Photo: L Hutchings) WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY

This year’s theme is “Networking for migratory birds”.

We invite everyone to join us to celebrate, conserve and raise awareness of migratory birds Celebrate World on 11-12 May 2013 by holding bird-watching Migratory Bird Day events, educational programmes, lectures, art on 11 and 12 May exhibitions, competitions and other public events.

More information is available through the World Migratory Bird Day website, which is in English, French and Spanish: www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/

Birds and People No. 37 Birds and People Page 14 OKAVANGO WHS LISTING

The Botswana team unacceptable during the Minister of working on the World the evaluation process Environment, Wildlife Heritage Site listing to find that people on and Tourism, the Hon. for the Okavango Delta the ground know Tshekedi Khama, who has been hard at work. nothing about the reiterated the The procedure to be process or, worse still, Botswana Govern- followed to get a site are against it! To this ment’s commitment to listed is quite onerous, end, all dikgosi the Okavango WHS and hinges firstly on (chiefs) have been listing. We were the submission of a consulted and kgotla surprised to hear that comprehensive dossier meetings held in every the Namibians are now outlining why the site village in and around already considering is of Outstanding the Delta, with listing their stretch of Universal Value. This general consensus that the Okavango River dossier must also un- it is important to have (we shouldn’t have equivocally spell out the site formally been though, as they the Botswana Govern- recognized by the already have several ment’s commitment to international World Heritage Sites, managing the site in community. and are quite familiar The listing of the perpetuity and meet- with the process). The Okavango Delta as a ing the WHS criteria. High level diplomatic workshop was very World Heritage Site Happily, the dossier consultations have also successful, and we are has been accepted by been held with the now awaiting a visit is progressing slowly UNESCO, so this hurdle other Okavango Basin from the Evaluation but steadily. is now behind us! states viz . Angola and team from IUCN. Namibia. In addition, Another important during March this year, As can be seen from feature of the listing an international the above, WHS listing process is widespread workshop was held to is not a joy-ride; it consultation with provide representa- requires commitment stakeholders, particu- tives from both and perseverance, but larly communities countries with details if the prescribed steps associated with the of the implications of are followed, they site proposed for the listing. The work- eventually lead to listing — it is quite shop was opened by success!

Birds and People No. 37 Page 15 Birds and People

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Birds and People No. 37 PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Is it possible to get a great photo of an ugly bird in filthy surroundings? We are quite happy to see scavenging birds cleaning up after lions and other predators, but are generally turned off when they help with our waste disposal! (Photo: Pete Hancock)

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BIRDLIFE BOTSWANA MISSION

BirdLife Botswana aims to conserve birds and important bird habitats, by creating awareness, carrying out research and promoting beneficial relationships between birds and people .