ISSN 1012 - 2974 BABBLER Journal of BirdLife Botswana
BABBLER Journal of BirdLife Botswana
The sincere thanks of all the members of BirdLife Botswana go to Remi and Wendy Borello who have once again generously supported the printing of this issue of the Babbler.
Cover Design by: Impression House Number 56 December 2011 Printing by Impression House BIRDLIFE BOTSWANA
BirdLife Botswana is Partner-designate of BirdLife International. 6 BirdLife International is a global partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources.
Our mission
The BirdLife International Partnership strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources.
Our vision 5 1 By focusing on birds, and the sites and habitats on which they depend, the BirdLife Partnership is working to improve the quality of life for birds, for other wildlife (biodiversity), and for people. BirdLife’s aims are to: • prevent the extinction of any bird species • maintain and where possible improve the conservation status of all bird species • conserve and where appropriate improve and enlarge sites and habitats important for birds • help, through birds, to conserve biodiversity and to improve the quality of people’s lives 4 2 • integrate bird conservation into sustaining people’s livelihoods. 3 Recent good pictures from our Member of Flikr website depicting “Birds of Botswana” http://www.flickr.com/groups/blb/pool
1. Broad-billed Roller • Photo: Bonnie Fairbanks The World Conservation Union
2. Red-headed Weaver • Photo: Ian White
Partner designate of: 3. African Barred Owlet • Photo: Bonnie Fairbanks
4. Purple Heron • Photo: Ian White
5. Green-backed Heron • Photo: Ian White
6. Lilac-breasted Roller • Photo: Mike Soroczynski
July 2010 Babbler No. 54
BirdLife Botswana - Chairman’s report May 2010
Summary It is apposite that in this Year of International Biodiversity, today is International Biodiversity Day. BirdLife Botswana’s business is about helping to maintain Botswana’s biodiversity. We do this through protecting species, sites, habitats and creating opportunities for communities living near bird areas to earn a meaningful income. Lastly we create an interest and awareness among the population, especially the youth, in birds.
This has been a year of many challenges. We lost key staff at a crucial time, financial issues were ever-present but we did organise a successful Council of the African Partnership conference for twenty-three African partners in March at Kasane and produced an outstanding calendar. We have struggled at times but I believe are stronger for meeting these challenges.
Species Conservation Kabelo Senyatso has continued his study of the Kori Bustard. Eight birds have been fitted with transmitters (unfortunately two have died) and others have been wing-tagged in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and their progress monitored on a daily basis by satellite. The project is investigating the ecology of Kori Bustard. After nearly three years of research, five components have been developed, studied and are being written up: o A review of Kori Bustard status across Africa o The development of a census methodology for large grassland birds o A better understanding of factors attributing to Kori Bustard presence or absence o Census of other co-occurring species o The use of satellite transmitters to understand the habitat use of Kori Bustard and its seasonal movements.
This research is being done under the auspices of Dr Paul Dolman at the University of East Anglia and Dr. Nigel Collar, the acknowledged world bustard expert based at BirdLife International. Our thanks go to Debswana, Botash and the United States of America-based Kori Bustard Species Survival Plan for their financial contributions, which allowed us to purchase the transmitters.
Raptors and vultures are at the top of ecological food pyramids, and their population numbers and trends reflect the state of Botswana’s ecosystem. For this reason, Pete Hancock has a raptor monitoring programme, based on conducting counts along fixed road transects, a standard method used throughout Africa, to
NUMBER 56 JANUARY 2011 NUMBER 56 DECEMBER 2011 J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a 2 CONTENTSCONTENTS Editorial 1
Chairman’s Report May 2011-09-27 2
Articles Fidelity to non-breeding grounds by migrant Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea lathami in Botswana 11 Wendy D. Borello & Robert A. Cheke
Breeding record of Klaas’s Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas near Tshabong 15 Chris A. Brewster
Lake Ngami from March to September 2011 16 Ken & Mel Oake, Stephanie J. Tyler, Tony Tree, Pete Hancock, Pat Nurse and Ray & Val Lovett
Heuglin’s Robins in Francistown 20 Nicky Bousfield
More on African Pygmy-Kingfishers Ispidina picta in Francistown 21 Nicky Bousfield
Breeding birds at the Maunachira lagoons in mid August 2011 26 Pete Hancock
Further visits to Lake Xau 27 Pat Nurse, Ray & Val Lovett and Chris A. Brewster
Records of specimens collected on the Peterhouse Kalahari Expeditions 30 Peter Ginn
Reports from the Records Subcommittee Category A Records 34 Compiled by Chris A. Brewster
A summary of Category B records 36 Compiled by Chris Brewster and Stephanie Tyler
Interesting and Unusual Sightings 45 Compiled by Stephanie J. Tyler & Chris A. Brewster
Some breeding records in 2010 51 Compiled by Stephanie Tyler and Chris A. Brewster
Obituary: Edward Huw Penry (1943-2011) 54 Chris A. Brewster Obituary: Dr Brooks Childress 55 Graham McCulloch and Stephanie J. Tyler
Letters - The History of BirdLife Botswana from Mavis and Kenneth Smith 56 - Disturbance at Lake Ngami from Ross Galbraith 57 Globally threatened birds 58
A Review: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D. A. eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 14 Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows 60
Some publications of interest 61 Front Cover: Arican Rail, Photographer: Ian White • Back Cover: Black Crake, Photographer: Ian White
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Bird Life Botswana Donors and Sponsors 2011- Listed Alphabetically
Africa Bird Club And Beyond Bergstan Africa BirdLife International Borello, Remi and Wendy Botash Pty Ltd Botswana Wildlife Management Canon Office Chobe Holdings, Chobe Game Lodge Chobezi Creations of Africa Davies, Roy Department of Environment Affairs Debswana Diamond Co. Department of Wildlife and National Parks Desert and Delta Safaris Drotsky’s Cabins Equipment Sales European Union Fedex Express Gem Diamonds Global Environment Facility Island Safari IUCN Japanese Embassy JICA Jwaneng Mine Kalahari Kavango Safari Co. Kalahari Tours Kori Bustard Species Survival Plan Magnum Freight McColaugh, Doreen and Bob Ngamiland Adventure Safaris Okavango Boating Okavango Still Okavango Wilderness Safaris Planet Baobab Premiere Personnel Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Safari and Guide Services Serendipity B&B Stevenson, Peter Stewart Scott International Sunnyside Lodge Tarbotan, Warwick Thompson, Robinson Tuli Safari Lodge United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Unitrans US Embassy White, Ian
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Editorial
I was very sorry to hear that Huw Penry died on 23 April 2011 in Bristol after a short battle with cancer. Huw will be known to many birders in Botswana as the man who wrote the Botswana Bird Atlas in 1994. He personally spent an enormous amount of time doing the fieldwork for the Atlas, visiting numerous far-flung squares. Since he left Botswana Huw remained on the Records sub-committee and provided a valuable input to many decisions on rarities. Our sympahies go to Susan, his wife. Another sad loss to the birding world is flamingo specialist Dr Brooks Childress who died in July (see obituaries on pages 54 and 55)
On another matter entirely, there is an article in African Birds & Birding by Phil Hockey suggesting that the Palaearctic migrant, Black-winged Pratincole might be in serious trouble. Very few pratincoles, relative to 20 years ago, are now being recorded in South Africa (a flock of 1,000 in NE Free State in February 2011 was of note) on their non-breeding grounds. Pesticides in South Africa, as well as ploughing of steppes in their breeding range, may be causing the species’ decline. The most recent estimate is of 68,000 to 90,000 pairs in the world. Phil Hockey suggested that they have possibly moved northwards to northern Botswana; this is not likely to be true though, judging by our rather few records from this area.
In this issue of Babbler I am pleased to include our Chairman’s Annual Report and a paper on Red-billed Quelea by Wendy Borello and Bob Cheke. Bob and colleagues have been working for many years on this so-called pest species although the spectacle of tens of thousands of quelea flying in a dense flock is a memorable sight for any bird watcher. Wendy and Bob report on Queleas that were ringed at Atthol Holme Farm and subsequently caught or seen again in later years, showing site fidelity of some birds when not breeding. Chris Brewster writes on breeding of Klaas’s Cuckoo near Tshabong and Nicky Bousfield continues with her interest in Pygmy-Kingfishers and in Heuglin’s Robins, documenting more birds of both species seen or caught and ringed in Francistown. There are short notes on birds seen at Lake Ngami and at Lake Xau by various observers.
Stephanie J. Tyler, Editor
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a Chairman’s report May 2011
1. Introduction Change is happening on a universal level: latterly we have been subject to monstrous earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan and New Zealand, unprecedented snow and ice in the Northern Hemisphere and rain storms leading to severe floods in Australia, at the same time that we are exposed to an economic collapse on a universal level with political change sweeping across North Africa and the Middle East. With all these major happenings, how relevant is BirdLife Botswana?
2. Our missions and aims
To remind you, our mission is to conserve birds, their habitats and overall biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources. Our aims are to:
Prevent the extinction of any bird species Maintain and where possible improve the conservation status of all bird species Conserve and where appropriate improve and enlarge sites and habitats important for birds Help through birds to conserve biodiversity and to improve the quality of people’s lives Integrate bird conservation into sustaining people’s livelihoods.
2.1 Species Conservation
Kabelo Senyatso has continued his research of the Kori Bustard towards his doctoral thesis at the University of East Anglia. It is anticipated that he will have completed the formal content by September. Although Kabelo is still to formally publish his research, some of his findings include the following. A review of the conservation status of Kori Bustard across its entire African range, comprising 14 countries in East and Southern Africa, suggests that from the late 1860s to present, the East African sub-species has lost as much as 21 % of its former range, while over the same time period about 10% range contraction has been observed in southern Africa. In both sub-regions, population abundance is also much reduced. Kabelo has also assessed the extent to which community-managed conservation areas in the Kalahari may be effective at conserving large grassland birds and hunted mammals, and the extent to which these areas may abate livestock-induced bush encroachment. While the wildlife species respond differently in these community conservation areas, overall these sites have definite benefits, relative to
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unprotected areas. Using satellite telemetry, Kabelo has also assessed seasonal movement patterns of Kori Bustard, observing that, over the two years that eight Central Kalahari Game Reserve birds were tracked, none flew outside the reserve, much against his expectations and current theory of the bird’s movement. We look forward to his return, and more details on his findings.
Unfortunately we have been unable to mobilise funds to counteract the poisoning of raptors and vultures. We are continuing our efforts to lobby for stronger controls of poisons and hope to meet farmers and communities in affected areas.
Recently stakeholders from the Slaty Egret range states in Southern Africa came to Maun to participate in a workshop funded by the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) to develop an Action Plan for conserving this globally threatened species. The workshop was organised by Dr Stephanie Tyler and formed a logical follow-up from the baseline survey of the species done by BirdLife Botswana as part of the Okavango Delta Management Plan a few years ago. BirdLife International has formed a partnership with AEWA to develop action plans for species that are of common priority to both organisations, and Sergey Dereliev and Evelyn Moloko from the AEWA Secretariat managed to secure the necessary funding to make this a reality. Thanks are also due to Pete Hancock and Dikabelo Koboyatshwene for helping to make all the local arrangements.
The Bird Population Monitoring Programme (BPM), formerly known as Common Bird Monitoring, has progressed from strength to strength. The project is sponsored by the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB, BirdLife partner in the UK). The BPM scheme will develop a Wild Bird Index for Botswana showing bird population trends over time and will use these trends to set conservation priorities, to report on biodiversity changes/state of the environment in Botswana and to contribute to the African/worldwide effort for a global Wild Bird Index. Under the leadership of Ms Keddy Mooketsa, 152 counters traversed 122 transects last November. In February this year, 219 counters were involved on 161 transects. Both of these statistics were significantly better than what we had achieved before.
Of interest, the number of species identified was 289 in November and 352 in February and the number of species recorded per transect was 23 and 25 respectively. With the enthusiastic support of the Dr Danae Sheehan and her RSPB team, we hope to do even better in the future. As an aid to beginners we organised CDs of the hundred most common calls of local birds and these have been widely
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a distributed. Through this project BLB has been successful in creating a greater awareness of birds and is developing a most important database across the country, which will be of use to a variety of researchers and conservationists.
The Records sub-committee under the leadership of Chris Brewster continues to monitor our birds of concern and those on the A and B rarity lists and we appreciate this contribution very much.
The bi-annual waterbird counts in January and July, which are coordinated by Dr Stephanie Tyler, provide so much information. We are grateful to all the members around the country who took part in these counts and we thank them for their important contributions. There are many areas not being counted and if anyone can help in any of these areas they should contact Dr Stephanie Tyler, the BLB Co-ordinator of waterbird counts in Botswana for Wetlands International and BirdLife International. Hopefully as the BPM counters become more confident we can encourage some of them to take part in these waterbird counts which are so important.
2.2 Conservation of sites and habitats
The Strategic Partnerships to improve the financial and operational sustainability of protected areas project (PSPA) is a four-year project which started in January 2009 and will end in December 2012. It is the biggest and most important project we have undertaken and is largely funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and implemented by BirdLife Botswana in partnership with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, and the Department of Environmental Affairs. This project seeks to strengthen management partnerships between public, private, NGO and community stakeholders for the improvement of financial and operational sustainability of protected areas in a measurable manner; using Makgadikgadi/Nxai National Park as a pilot site.
In Botswana, the responsibility for managing protected areas currently solely lies with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, and has proved to be very expensive and a mammoth task. This project investigates an alternative way of managing protected areas which will improve the effectiveness and cost efficiency of management, ensuring that scarce protected area funds are optimally employed, thus maximizing impact-per-unit investment. Local communities residing around protected areas will be capacitated to co-manage these areas, together with government, the private sector and NGOs, to reduce the current expenses, and also the resentment which exists towards conserving these areas. Nature-based tourism
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initiatives will be developed so that local communities realise direct economic benefits from conserving these eco-systems.
Recently an Economic Valuation of Protected Areas consultancy was completed and showed overwhelmingly that co-management of the Southern Sua Pan protected area would be the optimal solution for all concerned. The priority now will be to facilitate this solution and persuade vested interests of this solution.
Pete Hancock has done a sterling job the last eighteen months in running with the project and he now has handed over responsibility to Virat Kootsositse who has re- joined us, and will take the project to conclusion. We thank Pete for his immense contribution and total commitment and hope that he enjoys studying species in future, which is his forte. This project is making a marked contribution to extending the Southern Sua Pan site and habitat for the protection of flamingos and for the benefit of the local communities.
The Instituting effective monitoring of Protected Areas as a contribution to reducing the rate of biodiversity loss in Africa (Important Bird Areas monitoring Project) experienced a hiccup this last year and the previous incumbent has now left. Lesego Ratsie has taken over day-to-day running of the project and will report to Virat. The project is dependent on the full cooperation of DWNP officers around the country for submitting their monitoring results. This project has significant benefit in protecting seven IBAs in Botswana
2.3 People programme
The 2010 World Migratory Bird Day celebration was held at Mogobane village last May with school children showcasing Botswana’s diverse culture. Various schools performed choral singing, dancing, drama and poetry depicting conservation issues. The event was funded by the Embassy of the United States of America, and was aimed at promoting culture, awareness and conservation of migratory birds and developing children’s interest in birds. The celebration included children from various orphanages and associations involved with Aids. The 2011 celebration was held at Otse and was just as successful as previous years. This is one of our flagship events and the shining eyes of children thoroughly enjoying themselves is reward enough. This is one of our main avenues for recruiting children as members. The celebration was organised by Yukiko Maki- Murakami who was ably assisted by Dibelang Raphakele. The project is significant in creating an awareness of birds among children who sadly now receive limited, if any, environmental education in their schools.
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a BLB continued publishing its popular scientific journal, the Babbler, under the editorship of Dr Stephanie Tyler. This outstanding technical journal, which appeals to the more serious birders, is a credit to the editor and is generously sponsored by Remi and Wendy Borello. We also produced two quarterly newsletters, Birds & People, edited by Pete Hancock and which is directed to wildlife officers, tour guides as well as the general public, and the Familiar Chat edited by Eugenie Skelton and which is directed more toward social members of BLB, and it has a “Kids Page” that is useful for schools and clubs. Both have niche markets and both enjoy an excellent reputation with their readers and do BLB proud.
The Society again produced a bird calendar for the year, this time featuring “Birds of the Makgadikgadi”. To do this a partnership was entered into with Daniel Suerga, a local graphic design artist, and feedback concerning the product has been positive. Two differently sized calendars are being produced for next year under the guidance of Mary Lane-Jones, Eugenie Skelton, Ian White and Daniel. The theme for this calendar will be “Birds of Chobe River.”
2.4 Education
During this past year (2010-2011) BirdLife Botswana’s multi-faceted Environmental Education (EE) Programme has continued to progress. Not only does it focus on school children in Environmental Clubs and classrooms in selected schools, many of which are junior members of BirdLife Botswana (BLB), but also includes other teaching and learning experiences for Community Based Organisations (CBOs), IBA Site Support Groups, Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) personnel and the general public.
EE Coordinator Yukiko Maki-Murukami has carried out the school programme of working with teachers and club advisors and their students, making weekly visits to schools to present a variety of bird-related activities to help them become more interested in the birds around them, their conservation and the need to maintain biodiversity. These on-going activities culminated in the annual Migratory Bird Day Festival held in Otse in April where approximately 500 students attended the festival. The very talented groups of students presented dramas, poems, singing and dancing that celebrated birds in myriad manners. Over the year Yukiko was assisted by interns, Lesego Ratsie and Dibelang Raphakele. As difficult as it is to work with schools in any extra-curricular activities these days, the hard work and dedication put into the education programme continues to help BirdLife Botswana shine in the NGO Environmental Education efforts in Botswana. The productivity of their efforts is reflected in our increased membership of wildlife/environmental clubs and school children.
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As a member of the NEEC (National Environmental Education Committee), BLB takes a role in helping to celebrate national and international environmental days such as World Environment Day, among others. This entails attending the national celebrations at different locations around Botswana and having a booth/stand at the accompanying Environmental Fairs. Because of this exposure, and award winning efforts, BirdLife Botswana continues to become better known and spread its influence and expertise in bird-related matters. BLB is also called upon to take part regionally by providing a resource person, Doreen McColaugh the doyen of EE in Botswana, in regional EE training programmes such as the recent SADC REEP EE course for EE trainers held in Mahalapye in November-December 2010. Also on a regional basis BLB takes part in the annual conferences of the Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa (EEASA) – held in Zambia in 2010 – where Keddy Mooketsa presented a paper about the Common Bird Monitoring programme for schools. In addition BLB has made the Bird Activity Book available to other environmental NGOs in the southern Africa region to use as a basis in developing their own bird activity books that are specific to their areas. Requests have come from Zambia, Namibia and Malawi, with Malawi publishing theirs in 2010.
Through other projects concerning Birds, IBAs (Important Bird Areas) and Common Bird Monitoring, education takes place through specialized training for bird monitoring counters, bird recognition training for DWNP personnel, and good governance and fiscal accounting training for CBOs, such as conducted by Pete Hancock in the Makgadikgadi.
3. Membership
The table shown here illustrates the make-up of our membership during the last three years: 2008 2009 2010 Ordinary 77 103 97 Student 42 24 21 Corporate 10 11 9 Corp members &Pro guides 68 58 52 Schools & Clubs with paying members 7 12 14 School & Club members 111 79 189 Juniors 5 6 0 Honorary non paying 16 16 16
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December 2011 Babbler No. 56 b a Schools & Clubs non paying 21 19 19 Life 13 13 13 Professional 34 20 5 Total 404 361 435
Our membership last year reached the highest level ever, namely 435. That we were so successful in signing on new members is a reflection of our work with schools, fallout from our Bird Population Monitoring programme and to the untiring efforts of Kathleen Toomey in encouraging newcomers to Gaborone to join us in our social activities.
4. Finance
The last few years have been very difficult financially, but we have survived and I think we have turned the corner. Thanks to Ian White, we are now on a sound financial footing, and provided our capital house-keeping is good, we should now start growing apace. I would like to thank particularly our auditor Mrs Jean Jones, who has conducted two professional audits of our books of account. She has pointed out shortcomings in our procedures, most of which we have addressed. All of her recommendations will be implemented as soon as possible. Mention must be made of the significant assistance and time given by Daphne Goldsworthy to ensure that our accounts meet Quickbooks criteria.
I would like to thank our many donors who have helped in so many ways. Their contribution is enormous and we would not be able to survive without their support. A list of our donors is appended to the financial report.
We encourage donors and supporters to link their websites to ours so that we can look forward to a growth in these linkages. Mike Goldsworthy has been proactive in keeping the BLB website up to date, interesting and relevant to what is taking place on the birding scene. Ian White has been very successful in engendering significant interest in our BLB Flikr site which now hosts nearly 2000 pictures. This idea has been copied by other BirdLife societies.
In the past I have made mention of an investment using a five year loan from one of our generous members. That loan has matured and been returned, not a penny more and not a penny less, and we have left under investment a million Pula to our credit, subject to the vagaries of the market. The good news is that we saw the financial clouds enveloping the world and acted accordingly. The bad news is that
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we suffered as badly as most in 2008 during the economic collapse. We are setting up a Trust to handle these funds. We encourage members who would like to contribute to this fund, either in the form of an endowment or legacy, to do so.
We do not have enough funds to be self-sustaining, but we do now have a treasure chest which we plan to grow and use in the future for the long term conservation of birds and sustaining people’s livelihoods.
5. Retail
After several years of a fruitful partnership with quilter Jenny Heeley, we decided to move to “The Gift Shop” at Kgale View, where we are a small partner of Creations of Africa. We are hopeful that this positioning in future will yield better sales. Allied to this, Mary Webb has taken over the mantle of buyer from Angelika Orford, who had filled that role for three years. We thank Angelika for her contribution and look forward to Mary’s enthusiasm and new ideas.
6. Branches
The Kasane branch is very active. Pete Laver has done an outstanding job in creating an interest in birds by organising walks and talks, doing vulture nest surveys and particularly the bi-annual bird counts along the Chobe River. He will be leaving Kasane in September, but has ensured that there is a vibrant committee to take his place. We thank Pete for an outstanding contribution over a number of years and wish him well in his future career. At the same time we welcome Phil Zappala who is taking his place as branch chairman and Bonnie Fairbanks, the new branch Secretary, and the rest of their enthusiastic committee.
The branches in Francistown, Maun, Ghanzi and Jwaneng have been supportive of the BPM programme and we thank them for this and hope that they can generate even more support in future.
Gaborone chapter has been very active; in fact some might say the walks have been too popular. It has been good to welcome a large number of beginners on these outings where they have gained a better understanding of what birds and birding means. A number of successful camps have been organised which were also well attended. We thank Helen Barbera for her role in stimulating this activity.
We are indebted to the support we receive from the BirdLife Secretariat in Nairobi in so many ways for all our projects. I would particularly like to mention Jane
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December 2011 Babbler No. 56 b a December 2011 Babbler No. 56 Gaithuma and Thandiwe Chikomo who have been especially patient, b a understanding and supportive. DecemberDecemberGaithuma 2011 201and 1 Thandiwe Chikomo who have been especially BabblerBabbler patient, No. No. 56 56
understanding and supportive. b a Lastly I wish to thank our staff in Gaborone and Maun for their enthusiasm and Gaithuma and Thandiwe Chikomo who have been especially patient, understandingLastlydedication I wish and to andit thank has supportive. be ouren staffa pleasure in Gaborone working and with Maun them. for their enthusiasm and dedication and it has been a pleasure working with them. Lastly I wish to thank our staff in Gaborone and Maun for their enthusiasm and dedication and it has been a pleasure working with them. 7. Conclusion 7. Conclusion
BirdLife7. BotswanaConclusion has developed into a fairly big wide-ranging business with a BirdLife staff of seven Botswana and a hasnumber developed of full intotime a volunteers, fairly big widetwo full-ranging time officesbusiness and with four a staffadditional of seven branches. and a number We enjoy of full excellent time volunteers, relationships two full with time the offices Government and four departments responsible for the environment, wildlife conservation and education. BirdLifeadditional Botswana branches. has We developed enjoy excellentinto a fairly relat bigionships wide- rangingwith the business Government with a From the projects being undertaken it can be seen that BLB is playing a vital role staffdepartments of seven responsible and a number for theof fullenvironment, time volunteers, wildlife two conservation full time offices and education. and four in monitoring species, sites and habitats and is doing excellent work with the additionalFrom the projectsbranches. being We undertaken enjoy excellent it can be relatseenionships that BLB with is playing the Government a vital role communities around Southern Sua. Significant success has been achieved in departmentsin monitoring responsible species, sitesfor the and environment, habitats and wildlife is doing conservation excellent workand education. with the creating an awareness of birds among the general population. BLB has become Fromcommunities the projects around being Southern undertaken Sua. it Significantcan be seen successthat BLB has is playingbeen achieved a vital role in more financially independent and is relevant to the changes taking place in the increating monitoring an awareness species, ofsites birds and among habitats the andgeneral is doing population. excellent BLB work has withbecome the world today. It is my impression that BirdLife Botswana is indeed an important communitiesmore financially around independent Southern and Sua. is relevantSignificant to thesuccess changes has takingbeen placeachieved in thein and necessary role player in our changing world. creatingworld today. an awareness It is my impressionof birds among that BirdLifethe general Botswana population. is indeed BLB anhas important become
moreand necessary financially role independent player in our and changing is relevant world. to the changes taking place in the Harold Hester (Chairman BirdLife Botswana) world today. It is my impression that BirdLife Botswana is indeed an important andHarold necessary Hester role (Chairman player in BirdLife our changing Botswana) world.
Harold Hester (Chairman BirdLife Botswana)
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Fidelity to non-breeding grounds by migrant Red-billed Quelea quelea lathami in Botswana
Wendy D. Borello & Robert A. Cheke
Introduction Breeding site fidelity is well known amongst populations of the Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea, both within-seasons (Jaeger et al., 1989) and between seasons. Examples of the latter in Botswana include Gobojango at 21°52’S 28°46’E near Bobonong where there was a breeding colony in February 2008 and February 2009 and many similar examples are known from the Francistown and Maun areas and elsewhere. However, confirmation that the birds return to particular sites where they do not breed, during times of year when they could breed and also during their “off-season”, in Botswana is lacking. Here we show from re-sightings of marked birds that birds do sometimes return to the same place in subsequent years to a site where and when they do not breed.
Materials and Methods Between February 1992 and January 2010, 324 Red-billed Queleas were caught in mist-nets by various bird-ringers (M. Herremans, S.J. Tyler, U. Franke, P. J. Jones and R. A. Cheke) at Atholl Holme farm (24° 45’S, 25° 51’E) near Gaborone and marked with metal rings, as part of the AFRING bird-ringing scheme and, in many cases, colour rings were also added. Birds at the site were attracted to feeding stations supplied with grain and came to bird-baths to drink, close to the house. Here it is possible to read their ring numbers using a telescope or binoculars and, sometimes, to photograph the ringed birds with a digital camera and then magnify the images on a computer. In addition, the presence of quelea at the site was noted, to establish when they were present or presumed to be absent. The birds are only known to have bred at Atholl Holme farm once, in February 1986 in Acacia erubescens, and they did not do so during the period of this study.
Results and Discussion The presence of Red-billed Quelea at Atholl Holme farm between 2004 and 2010 was confirmed by sightings and photographs, with absences in the intervening periods presumed, in the following years and months: 2004 (September, December); 2005 (January, November); 2006 (February, May, July to December inclusive); 2007 (January, February, March, April); 2008 (May, September); 2009 (June, November, December) and 2010 (January).
Ringed queleas were first noted on 9 December 2006, with other sightings in each year up to and including 2010 (Table 1, Fig. 1). A minimum of four birds were re-
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DecemberDecemberDecember 2011 201 201 1 1 BabblerBabblerBabbler No.No. No. 5656 56 b b a a sightedsighted at atintervals intervals of of 11 11 to to 39 39 months months after after they they had had been been ringed, ringed, withwith interveningintervening periodsperiods when when no no queleas queleas were were noted noted at at the the site. site. Thus, Thus, itit isis veryvery likelylikely thatthat these birdsbirds had had migrated migrated away away after after being being ringed ringed and and then then returned returned to to thethe site,site, usingusing it as a nona non-breeding-breeding feeding feeding station. station. In In addition, addition, four four re re-sighted-sighted birds birds werewere seenseen twotwo to fourfour months months after after capture capture which which had had probably probably remained remained at at thethe sitesite inin thethe interim.interim. DetailsDetails of ofadditional additional birds birds noted noted less less thanthan twotwo monthsmonths afterafter ringingringing areare notnot includedincluded in inthe the Table. Table.
TableTable 1. 1.Details Details of ofre -resighted-sighted Red Red-billed-billed Quelea Quelea at at Atholl Atholl Holme Holme farm farm
RingRing Date(s)Date(s) of of AgeAge SexSex DateDate of of AgeAge SexSex CommentsComments NumberNumber ReRe- - RingingRinging sightingsighting AM8340AM83409 9 29 29& 30& 30 AdultAdult MM 1212 Oct. Oct. AdultAdult MM 39.39. NovNov 2009; 2009; 20062006 MetalMetal ringring onon right 8 &8 21& 21Dec Dec legleg 2009;2009; 1 & 1 2& 2 JanJan 2010 2010 A?????8A?????8 9 Dec9 Dec AdultAdult in in F F ? ?Oct. Oct. ? ? ?? ?26.?26. 2006;2006; 2, 9,2, 9, breedingbreeding 20062006 MetalMetal ringring onon right 11 11& 13& 13 plumageplumage leg,leg, photographedphotographed FebFeb 2007; 2007; 7 7 bubutt unreadable,unreadable, DecDec 2008 2008 possiblypossibly AM83308AM83308 (see below) (see below) A????45 9 Feb 2007; Adult in M ? Oct. ? ? ?26. A????45 9 Feb 2007; Adult in M ? Oct. ? ? ?26. 7 Dec 2008 breeding 2006 Metal ring on right 7 Dec 2008 breeding 2006 Metal ring on right plumage leg, photographed plumage leg,but photographedonly partially butreadable only partially AM83346 10 Aug Adult ? 11 or 13 ? ? readable22. AM83346or 10 2008Aug Adult ? 11Oct or 200613 ? ? 22.Metal ring on right or AM83446 2008 Oct 2006 Metalleg. Both ring AM83346 on right AM83446 leg.and Both AM83446 AM83346 were andringed AM83446 as Red-billed were ringedQuelea as (446 Red as-billed an Queleaunsexed (446 adult) as an AM83350 16 Sept ? ? 11 Oct Adult ? unsexed11. adult) AM83350 16 2007Sept ? ? 112006 Oct Adult ? 11.Metal ring on right 2007 2006 Metalleg, red ring above on right green leg,colour red ringsabove on green left colourleg rings on left AM83308 9 Feb 2007 ? ? 11 Oct Adult F leg4. AM83308 9 Feb 2007 ? ? 112006 Oct Adult F 4.Metal ring on right 2006 Metalleg. ring on right AM83349 7 & 9 Feb ? ? 11 Oct Adult F leg.4. AM83349or 7 &2007 9 Feb ? ? 112006 Oct Adult F 4.Metal ring on right or AM83393 2007 2006 Metalleg, red ring colour on right ring AM83393 leg,on leftred legcolour ring on left leg
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Babbler No. 56 BabblerBabbler No. No56. 56 JulyJulyDecember 20112011 2011
RingRing Date(s)Date(s) of of AgeAge SexSex DateDate of of AgeAge SexSex CommentsComments NumberNumber ReRe- - RingingRinging sightingsighting ?????????????? 5 Jan5 Jan 2007 2007 ? ? ? ? 1212 Oct Oct ? ? ?? 3.3. 20062006 MetalMetal ringring onon rightright leg,leg, white white colourcolour ringring on on leftleft legleg AM83402AM83402 23 23Dec Dec ? ? ? ? 1212 Oct Oct AdultAdult ?? 2.2. 20062006 20062006 MetalMetal ringring onon rightright leg,leg, yellow yellow aboveabove whitewhite colourcolour ringsrings onon left left legleg
ThreeThree birds birds returning returning in in subsequent subsequent seasonsseasons (AM3346/446,(AM3346/446, AM83350AM83350 and AM83409)AM83409) had had been been ringed ringed within within 48 48 hours hours ofof oneone anotheranother providingproviding ffurtherurther evidenceevidence for for the the phenomenon phenomenon of of cohesion cohesion amongst amongst migrating migrating flocksflocks (Jaeger(Jaeger etet al., 1989,1989, Jones Jones 1989). 1989).
RReferenceseferences
JaegerJaeger, M.M.,, M.M., Elliott Elliott, C.C.H.,, C.C.H., B ruggersBruggers, R.L., R.L. & & A Allanllan, ,R.G. R.G. 1989 1989. .Distribution, Distribution, populations,populations, and and migration migration patterns patterns of of quelea quelea in in eastern eastern Africa. Africa. PagesPages 113113-- 131131 in inBruggers, Bruggers, R.L. R.L. & & Elliott, Elliott, C.C.H. C.C.H. (1989) (1989) Quelea Quelea quelea quelea Africa’sAfrica’s BirdBird PestPest, Oxford, Oxford University University Press, Press, Oxford, Oxford, UK. UK. Jones, P. J. 1989. Distribution, populations, and migration patterns of quelea in Jones, P. J. 1989. Distribution, populations, and migration patterns of quelea in southern Africa. Pages 132-143 in Bruggers, R.L. & Elliott, C.C.H. (1989) southern Africa. Pages 132-143 in Bruggers, R.L. & Elliott, C.C.H. (1989) Quelea quelea Africa’s Bird Pest, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Quelea quelea Africa’s Bird Pest, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.
Wendy Borello, B.P. 603, Gaborone, Botswana WendyRobert Borello Cheke, ,B.P. Natural 603, Resources Gaborone, Institute, Botswana University of Greenwich at Medway, RobertCentral Cheke Avenue,, Natural Chatham Resources Maritime, Institute, Kent ME4University 4TB, UK of Greenwich at Medway, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. 5656 b a Figure 1. Male Red-billed Quelea AM????45, photographed on 9 February 2007 (photograph W.D.Borello).
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Breeding record of Klaas’s Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas near Tshabong
Chris A. Brewster
About 25 km northeast of Tshabong, to the south of Makalaleng, well developed open Acacia woodland is found on dunes adjacent to pans. On the morning of 28 March 2011, in one such area of woodland, I heard the repeated unfamiliar call of what was probably a recently fledged bird. The call was heard from within the canopy of the Acacia woodland and it was difficult to see the bird that was making the call. Eventually I located the source of the call, a juvenile Klaas’s Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas that was apparently recently fledged. The juvenile Klaas’s Cuckoo was begging from a male Pririt Batis Batis pririt. The Klaas’s Cuckoo, always in the company of the Pririt Batis, was present in the area for an hour or more. The Pririt Batis was seen to follow the Klaas’s Cuckoo as it flew from one tree to another.
Klaas’s Cuckoo is recorded primarily in the east and north of Botswana. Though it is also recorded around Ghanzi, and further west in Namibia, it is unrecorded from the southwest of the country (Penry 1994). This record of Klaas’s Cuckoo is, therefore, outside of the expected distribution of the species in Botswana.
Pririt Batis is one of the 16 known host species of Klaas’s Cuckoo in southern Africa (Steyn 1996). The timing of the observation, in late March, indicates egg- laying in February.
References
PENRY, H. 1994. Bird Atlas of Botswana. University of Natal Press. Pietermaritzburg. STEYN, P. 1996. Nesting Birds. Fernwood Press. Vlaeberg.
Chris A. Brewster, P.O.Box 26292, Gaborone
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a Lake Ngami from March to September 2011
Ken Oake, Mel Oake, Stephanie J. Tyler, Tony Tree, Pete Hancock, Pat Nurse and Ray & Val Lovett
Lake Ngami, one of Botswana’s Important Bird Areas, filled in July and August 2010 and again in 2011 and water extended again into the surrounding woodland making access and views of the lake very difficult.
Ken and Mel Oake (KO and MO) with Pete Hancock (PH) periodically visited the lake by boat throughout the summer 2010/2011 checking out what species were nesting. On 6 March 2011 when the lake level was dropping slightly, Tony Tree, who was visting from South Africa and who knew the lake well in the late 1970s, and Stephanie Tyler were fortunate to be able to join KO and MO in their boat, driven by O. Samuel for a trip along the Kunyere River out into the lake. We left Maun in pouring rain and this continued all the way to a launching place on the inflow river that was known to the Oakes. Soon after we launched the boat the rain stopped and we began counting birds.
Along about 5 km of the tree-lined river we encountered rather few birds, mainly Green-backed Herons Butorides striata, Squacco Herons Ardeola ralloides and Common Sandpipers Actitis hypoleucos with the ubiquitous Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis and a single Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata. At one point we had to negotiate past a Hippo in the narrow river channel. As soon as the river opened out into a series of shallows and sand bars at the delta area birds were abundant – over 1,000 White Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus, Pink-backed Pelicans P. rufescens, Yellow-billed Storks Mycteria ibis, a host of African Darters Anhinga rufa, Grey Herons Ardea cinerea and Great Egretta alba and Little Egrets E. garzetta plus at least eight Saddle-billed Storks Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis, several Marabous Leptoptilos crumeniferus, many African Spoonbills Platalea alba and both Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus and Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus and sitting in trees at least 11 African Fish Eagles Haliaeetus vocifer.
On the floating vegetation were a few Lesser Moorhens Gallinula angulata, many more Common Moorhens G. chloropus, a smattering of Allen’s Gallinules Porphyrio alleni many of them juveniles, numerous African Jacanas Actophilornis africanus and the first of the Lesser Jacanas Microparra capensis. Whiskered Terns Chlidonias hybrida flew overhead.
Once out on the more open lake the dominant birds were White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus, Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata, Common Moorhens,
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African Jacanas, White-winged Terns Chlidonias leucopterus, Whiskered Terns with some breeding on floating islands of Ludwigia and Potamogeton where Wood Sandpipers Tringa glareola and Kittlitz’s Plovers Charadrius pecuarius fed, and most exciting of all, almost 200 African Skimmers Rynchops flavirostris.
In all 4,737 birds were counted of 58 species with other notables including Purple Swamphens Porphyrio madagascariensis, Long-toed Lapwings Vanellus crassirostris, Purple Herons Ardea purpurea and Goliath Herons A. goliath. The numbers were not high but we estimated that we had only covered 5-10% of the lake.
KO and MO together with Pete Hancock continued to visit the lake and on 29 May KO photographed a Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica that had been found by Mark Muller. This gull is a real rarity in Botswana.
PH and KO monitored nesting birds. Pink-backed Pelicans started a few nests in a tree, as did Marabou Storks, but these nests were abandoned, probably due to human disturbance as more people are finding out about the lake. Unfortunately the Pink-backed Pelicans and Marabou Storks chose an easily accessible place.
On 24 July PH, KO, MO with OS again visited the lake and made an incomplete count conducted by boat, travelling along the southern part of the lake-bed, starting at the eastern end, and ending near the centre of the lake at S20.46802 E22.80410. Most of the shallows were inaccessible, and rank vegetation also obscured the observers’ view. This count only gives a minimum number of birds present, and is not useful for monitoring purposes but does give an indication of the relative abundance of some species (see Table 1). White-faced Duck Dendrocygna viduata, Reed Cormorants Phalacrocorax africanus and Whiskered Terns were the most numerous species.
On 6 September PH, KO and OS went out onto the lake with Pat Nurse (PN) and Ray & Val Lovett (RL and VL) and they again made a count but were unable to access the shallow areas and much was hidden from view by tall emergent vegetation. They estimated that about 6-8% of the open lake was surveyed. PN, RL and VL also counted birds at two points on the shore – at Sehitwa where the road south is now inundated and just east of Sehitwa where the old access track ends at a fishing camp by the lake. The count in the table below includes birds at these two points as well as on the lake itself.
Of note in the September count was the large number of African Darters, White- backed Duck, Purple Swamphens, Grey-headed Gulls Larus cirrocephalus and Whiskered Terns.
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December 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a Table 1. Counts of waterbirds at Lake Ngami on three visits between March and September 2011.
N.B. All these counts are incomplete and only represent a fraction of birds at the lake.
Species No. Birds on each Species No. Birds on each count date count date Mar Jul Sept Mar Jul Sept Little Grebe 120 113 305 Cape Shoveler 14 Great White Pelican 1040 136 252 Southern Pochard 9 21 132 Pink-backed Pelican 55 28 5 Pygmy-Goose 30 27 185 White-br. Cormorant 7 58 Comb Duck 12 Reed Cormorant 94 384 325 Spur-winged Goose 5 African Darter 112 197 1092 African Fish-Eagle 17 3 9 Grey Heron 21 4 102 African Marsh Harrier 1 3 Black-headed Heron Black Crake 20 3 12 Goliath Heron 4 7 5 Purple Swamphen 7 34 Purple Heron 12 2 17 Allen’s Gallinule 14 Great Egret 42 32 7 Common Moorhen 280 66 155 Yellow-billed Egret 1 12 Lesser Moorhen 3 Little Egret 94 21 22 Red-knobbed Coot 420 17 183 Black Heron 1 African Jacana 560 63 266 Slaty Egret 1? Lesser Jacana 15 5 7 Cattle Egret 3 Common Sandpiper 8 Squacco Heron 77 10 124 Wood Sandpiper 56 5 Rufous-bell. Heron Common Greenshank 1 Green-back. Heron 6 Little Stint 4 Bl.-cr. Night-Heron 7 Ruff 48 6 Little Bittern 2 Ringed Plover 2 Yellow-billed Stork 70 Kittlitz’s Plover 4 13 African Openbill 1 21 18 Three-banded Plover 1 Saddle-billed Stork 8 12 Blacksmith Lapwing 4 7 Marabou Stork 2 50 80 Long-toed Lapwing 20 4 Hamerkop 6 Black-winged Stilt 4 3 1 Sacred Ibis 8 Water Thick-knee 1 Glossy Ibis 48 1 43 Collared Pratincole 65 African Spoonbill 42 Grey-headed Gull 7 24 394 White-faced Duck 34 1134 377 Whiskered Tern 174 277 874 Fulvous Duck 47 57 13 White-winged Tern 400 1 White-backed Duck 308 23 449 African Skimmer 190 Egyptian Goose Hottentot Teal 13 13 59 Total count 4737 2835 5844 Red-billed Teal 150 1 194 No. Species 58 35 48 Yellow-billed Duck 2
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In the above table a small number of birds seen on the Kunyere inflow were included in the March count (a few Squacco Herons, Common Sandpipers and Green-backed Herons).
In September the river counts were kept separate. In all there were an additional 2708 birds on and by the Kunyere River on 6 September. These birds included three Pink-backed and 77 White Pelicans, a White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocrax lucidus, 781 Reed Cormorants, three Darters, 20 Grey Herons Ardea cinerea, 89 Great Egrets, 39 Yellow-billed Egrets Egretta intermedia, 1434 Little Egrets, one Black Egret Egretta ardesiaca, nine Squacco Herons, a Green-backed Heron, 12 Black-crowned Night Herons Nycticorax nycticorax, six Yellow-billed Storks, 50 African Openbills Anastomus lamelligerus, 12 Saddle-billed Storks and 53 Marabou Storks, four Hamerkop Scopus umbretta, 25 White-faced Duck, a Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos, eight Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegptiaca, 18 Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha, nine Hottentot Teal A. hottentota, a Common Moorhen, five African Jacanas, two Long-toed Lapwings, a Wood Sandpiper, five Common Sandpipers and 28 African Fish Eagles.
An additional species, a Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres was photographed by
KO on 25 Sept and another was seen on the Kunyere River at Toteng on 10
October (per Trevor Hardaker).
Ken Oake, Mel Oake, Stephanie J. Tyler, Tony Tree, Pete Hancock, Pat Nurse and Ray & Val Lovett
Gull-billed Turn Photo: Ken Oake Gull-billed Tern Photo: Ken Oake
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a Heuglin’s Robins in Francistown
Nicky Bousfield
On 24 April 2010 I was mist-netting birds for ringing at Botshabelo, a 10 acre housing estate some 500 m from the Marang Hotel in Francistown. I caught 33 new birds and five retraps (birds previously ringed by me there) and was very surprised to catch a Heuglin’s Robin (White-browed Robin-chat) Cossypha heuglini as I had never seen or heard one in Francistown before in all the years I have lived there. On 26 March 2011 I caught a second Heuglin’s Robin in a mist net at Botshabelo and I ringed this bird too and then on 1 May 2011 I caught another two Heuglin’s Robins. John Hepburn, a very knowledgeable birder, has a pair resident in his garden about 1 km from Botshabelo. That means at least six birds have been seen in Francistown although I have not heard their typical melodious call. One ponders the cause of a new species manifesting here.
This beautiful species with its very distinctive song occurs as a common resident in northern Botswana in the Chobe and Linyanti areas and in the Okavango Delta. Penry (1994) noted that it occurred in eastern Botswana along the Limpopo River as far south as Martin’s Drift and it is known to occur in adjacent Zimbabwe and South Africa. Its presence in Francistown is a significant extension of range to the west.
Nicky Bousfield Email: [email protected]
Editor: Chris Brewster commented that in the last four years there has been well above average rainfall and it is possible that Heuglin’s Robin has had as a result successful breeding seasons. This factor together with a positive impact of the rainfall on riverine thickets may have resulted in Heuglin’s Robin expanding its range. In this case it is possible that Heuglin’s Robin either moved up the Shashe River or moved southwestwards from Bulawayo / Plumtree.
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More on African Pygmy-Kingfishers Ispidina picta in Francistown
Nicky Bousfield
I believe I have sufficient data to prove, not only that Pygmy-Kingfishers are seen throughout the summer season in Francistown, but that they breed in the banks of the Tati River (see also my observations in Tyler et al. (2010) in Babbler 54).
All references that I have indicate that they skim past Botswana on their annual migration to breeding sites in the south. Usually they fly in small flocks at night and at high speed, and low level. This behavior means that they commonly impact buildings and other obstacles so that the usual way they are ‘seen’ in Botswana is when they are stunned or killed. I have on one occasion, some years back, resuscitated and released a Pygmy-Kingfisher and on another occasion witnessed two dead specimens.
The following encounters with African Pygmy-Kingfishers were made at a 10 acre housing estate named Botshabelo on the banks of the ephemeral Tati River, 2 km south of Francistown city co-ordinates 21.11S 27.31E. The habitat is relatively dry grassy woodland.
On the 20 October 2003 an adult Pygmy-Kingfisher was found injured in the city centre and brought for rehabilitation. The left leg showed soft tissue injury and water soluble doxybiotic was administered together with an adequate diet. By 3 November 2003 the bird was flying strongly in-house. It was ringed the following day with ring no. E29404 – an adult, unknown sex, wing 57mm, tail 24mm, culmen 26.8mm, tarsus 9.7mm, weight 13gms – and released on 5 November.
This episode is in keeping with the well reported annual migration to breeding destinations in the south. These kingfishers migrate at night, flying at a low level at high speed and are frequently killed or stunned when impacting buildings etc.
Fry et al. (1992) reported that the Pygmy-Kingfisher was absent in most of Botswana and Newman described it as rare with its exact status not established. Hockey et al. (2008) reported some passage through Botswana in October/November and February/March.
I carry out monthly ringing at Botshabelo and on 19 February 2010 I captured a very juvenile bird, (pale feather colours, black mandible, primary flight feathers
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a only just “out of sheath”) which was fitted with ring No. E29424, wing 55mm, tail 24mm, weight 12gms.
On 6 March 2010 No.29424 was re-trapped, having gained 1.5gms and weighing 13.5gms. On the same day in the same locality a second immature pygmy kingfisher was captured. These two birds seemed to be much the same age. Ring No. E29425 was fitted, wing 54mm, tail 22mm, and weight 16.5gms.
At this stage it was assumed that these youngsters lagged behind in the Northern migration to gather strength and fuel for the journey, or could they have bred here?
In late March a report was received that two Pygmy-Kingfishers had probably impacted a plate glass door at a home 1/2km away. One died the second was given a drink of water and flew off.
In October 2010 a Pygmy-Kingfisher was observed perching quietly under a bush watching for prey. It was seen on several occasions.
On the ringing session on 6 November 2010 an adult Pygmy-Kingfisher was captured. This bird slipped out of grasp before the ring was applied. During November Pygmy-Kingfishers were frequently observed in quick flights – landing on a low branch, sitting unmoving, waiting for prey to stir.
On 11 December ringing session an adult bird was caught and fitted with ring E29432; it was possibly a male, wing 53mm, tail 23mm, weight 14gms. Pygmy- Kingfishers were consistently seen through the month of December.
On 22 January 2011 an adult of unknown sex was ringed with no. E29435; its wing length was 55mm, tail 23mm and weight 13.5gms. African Pygmy-Kingfishers, including immature, were seen on several occasions during January,
On 25 February 2011, another adult was caught and ringed with no. E29445; it was a probable male, with wing length of 56mm, tail 23mm and weight of 16gms.
My most recent sighting of a Pygmy-Kingfisher at Botshobelo was on 21 April 2011 – a singularly late date?
Given that the observer, a non resident of Botshabelo, spends perhaps one hour per day at Botshabelo – other than at monthly ringing efforts where at least a full day is spent there – there are a remarkable number of sightings. Sightings are also reported by keen birders amongst the tenants living in Botshabelo.
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Pied Avocet Photo: Ian White
It is evident that African Pygmy-Kingfishers are present along this section of the Tati River throughout their southern sojourn. It is also likely, given the number of juveniles seen during the breeding season that they breed in the banks of the Tati River.
References
Fry, C.H., Fry, K. & Harris, A. 1992. Kingfishers, Bee Eaters and Rollers. A Handbook. Christopher Helm/A & C Blacks Hockey, P., Dean, R. & Ryan, P. 2008. Roberts’ Birds of southern Africa. John Voelker Bird Book Fund. Tyler, S.J., Bousfield, N. & Muller, M. 2010. African Pygmy-Kingfishers Ispidina picta in Botswana. Babbler 54: 40.
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African Openbill Photo: Cheryl Carolus
Nicky Bousfield Email: [email protected]
Chris Brewster noted that with regard to Pygmy-Kingfisher, trapping of young birds and regular re-trapping of adults indicated that the species was almost certainly breeding along the Limpopo at Seleka Farm when he used to ring there 10 to 15 years ago. He also suspected that it was breeding, in Aardvark Orycteropus afer holes in the vicinity of the nets he was using to trap the birds, as he noted in Tyler, Bousfield and Muller (2010) in Babbler 54.
On 12 October 2011 Nicky reported the first Pygmy-Kingfisher back at Botshabelo.
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Other news from Francistown
Tachila Nature Reserve (TNR) is slowly moving ahead. We had 50 children from ‘Child-line’ spending a week at the guest house. These traumatized youngsters aged between 5 and 18 years old found great benefit experiencing nature. So TNR is becoming known and used by the community. We also attended a Game Park meeting at Orapa, the outcome of which was that Debswana pledged a donation of four Giraffe, 30 Zebra, 30 Gemsbuck and 30 Eland – including the capture of same. Tachila is required to foot the bill for transpost. We are encouraged and delighted.
Nicky Bousfield, Email: [email protected]
Pied Kingfisher Photo: Ian White
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a Breeding birds at the Maunachira lagoons in mid August 2011
On 14 and 15 August 2011 I visited the three lagoons on the Maunachira River with Ara Monadjem and we counted all breeding birds present at each lagoon.
At Xakanaxa Lediba there was no breeding activity except for one Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis on a nest with three large chicks. Two Marabou Storks Leptoptilos crumeniferus were nearby but there was no evidence of breeding.
There was virtually no bird breeding activity at Gadikwe Lediba considering that it was mid-August and all the storks and herons should have been breeding by then. There were no birds except two Marabou Storks sitting on nests. They may still have been building or possibly incubating. One Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens appeared and flew low over the heronry – giving the distinct impression it was checking the suitability of the site for nesting, or checking for the presence of other pelicans or nesting birds.
A check of previous counts shows that breeding activity at this site and at Xakanaxa Lediba has been steadily dwindling. The Marabou Storks have moved to Gcobega Lediba but what about all the other species? Could the declines be due to tourist disturbance?
At Gcobega Lediba six nests were being constructed by Marabou Storks, 16 nests were being lined and there were a possible 10 other nests, giving a total of 32 Marabou Stork nests. There were also Reed Cormorants Phalacrocorax africanus incubating eggs at six nests and African Darters Anhinga rufa on three nests.
Gcobega has now become a more active breeding site than Gadikwe. There were however, only five Yellow-billed Storks Mycteria ibis present and none of them had a nest – it was only the Marabou Storks, Reed Cormorants and Darters that were nesting.
Pete Hancock Email:[email protected]
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Babbler No. 56 July 2011
Babbler No. 56 Further visits to Lake Xau December 2011
Pat Nurse, Ray Lovett, Val Lovett and Chris A. Brewster
In late 2010 the Boteti River reached Lake Xau for the first time for many years and there was a small flow of water into Lake Xau, which had been dry for 30 years or more. In July 2011 the Boteti River started to flow strongly resulting in a large amount of water reaching Lake Xau and inundating a large area of the hitherto dry lakebed.
At the end of June Mike and Daphne Goldsworthy visited Lake Xau (Dow) but it was dry at that time and they only saw Crowned Lapwings. In mid September and at the end of September further visits were made by other observers as water poured into the lake. Dust proved a problem to them all.
On 16 and 17 September Pat Nurse (PN) and Ray and Val Lovett (RL and VL) found their way to the lake and made a partial count. They covered ca. 25 km of the western shore where they could access it and also one spot point on the eastern shore (see Table 1).
On 15 September, PN, RL and VL turned off near the dam wall at Mopipi and looked for water on right, i.e. Lake Xau. They went south as far as Kedia and saw a dry grassy lake bed there so headed up the western side before deciding to head out east on small tracks. They eventually ended up just south of the main road where they found a channel flowing east; they camped there for the night with thick black fine dust and millions of mosquitoes. Next morning they decided to look a bit further east and finally found water, lots of it but not as many birds as they had thought or hoped for. They then spent the whole day following the western shore of Lake Xau until late afternoon when the fences for cultivated fields prevented them getting close to the water. On the next day there was a strong easterly wind so that they could not see where they were driving for dust, having to keep stopping to spot the holes. They finally retraced their steps and got back to the Xhumo road and went east to Mopipi, again turning off near the dam wall, and turning right on a small track. They did find the eastern shore but by then it was too late to do a full count or drive too far. Where they had given up on the western side there was a very swiftly flowing channel heading south and they had seen birds heading in that direction. They commented that the lake would best be surveyed from the air as there are so many inlets and undulating ground.
Whilst at the lake they also saw 54 White-backed Vultures Gyps africanus, six Lappet-faced Vultures Torgos tracheliotos, a Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus, a
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax, a Greater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides and two Spotted Thick-knees (Dikkops) Burhinus capensis.
From 30 September to 1 October Chris Brewster (CAB), who had been to the lake in 2010 (see Babbler 55), drove right round the lake over 1.5 days. He accessed by driving along the gravel road from Mopipi to Kedia and, about 2 km from where this road leaves the tar road west of Mopipi, taking a track to the right (going west). This track led to where the Boteti River flows over a shallow sill into Lake Xau.
The lake extended southwestwards for about 15 km from the inlet, almost reaching Kedia in the southwest of the lake. It was clear that due to a strong inflow from the Boteti that the area of the lake was continuing to extend. As the lake was then probably up to 3 to 4 km wide at its widest many birds would probably have been missed by CAB due to distance from the shore. In the southern part of the lake many birds would also not have been seen because the water extended into longish, dry grass, making visibility poor. Near the inlet at the northeastern end CAB was not able to access the western side, so missing some birds there also. In the newly inundated part of the lake (western side) there were virtually no birds on the open water though there were plenty of herons and egrets along the shore. Only near the inlet was there any emergent vegetation at all. Over 4,000 waterbirds were counted.
The area around the lake is very dusty due to the fine, black, alluvial soil and overgrazing with cattle. On 1 October in the morning dust was a real problem, with visibility down to a few hundred metres in the strong northerly wind. The thousands of cattle and the moving vehicle compounded the problem – it took a minute or so at each stop for the dust to subside, before CAB could see through the windscreen and open the door. Driving was difficult and very slow (5 km/h) as there were numerous Cape Ground Squirrel Xerus inauris and Aardvark Orycteropus afer holes, into one of which CAB’s vehicle fell, resulting in one front wheel stuck in the hole, one rear wheel suspended in the air and a puncture on a third wheel. CAB eventually got out by jacking up the front wheel, then digging under it and inserting the spare wheel in the hole under the wheel.
Table 1. Counts of waterbirds at Lake Xau in September 2011
Species Early Late Species Early Late Sept Sept Sept Sept Little Grebe 6 2 Common Moorhen 2 Grey Heron 12 44 Red-knobbed Coot 8
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BabblerBabbler No. No. 5656 JulyDecember 2011 2011
Species Early Late Species Early Late Sept Sept Sept Sept Goliath Heron 1 African Jacana 1 Great Egret 2 17 African Marsh Harrier 1 Yellow-billed Egret 9 Black-winged Stilt 11 80 Little Egret 20 77 Pied Avocet 1 Black Egret 2 Crowned Lapwing 30 NC Cattle Egret 3 750 Wattled Lapwing 1 Squacco Heron 3 40 Blacksmith Lapwing 76 140 White Stork 5 Kittlitz’s Plover 3 8 Marabou Stork 15 21 Ringed Plover 1 Sacred Ibis 11 Grey Plover 1 Glossy Ibis 163 300 Wood Sandpiper 2 8 African Spoonbill 1 Greenshank 6 58 Wattled Crane 1 Marsh Sandpiper 2 White-faced Duck 1 Little Stint 750 Fulvous Duck 4 Curlew Sandpiper 40 S. African Shelduck 2 Ruff 50 Red-billed Teal 65 1450 Unidentified waders 61 Southern Pochard 19 56 Collared Pratincole 18 36 Spur-winged Goose 2 5 Grey-headed Gull 2 Unidentified duck 7 Whiskered Tern 14 Black Crake 1 White-winged Tern 20 TOTALS 541 4007 Total no. species 26 35
CAB also saw two Pied Kingfishers Ceryle rudis, a Lappet-faced Vulture, an adult Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus, an adult female Bateleur, a Tawny Eagle, two Secretary Birds Sagittarius serpentarius, a Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori and three Fiscal Shrikes Lanius collaris. There were many thousands of Grey-backed Sparrowlarks Eremopterix verticalis and Pink-billed Larks Spizocorys conirostris, both species being abundant. Pink-billed Lark must be more numerous here than at any other location in Botswana. CAB camped at Xorodumo Pan to the west; a Western Redfooted Falcon flew by here at dawn on 1 October.
Pat Nurse,
Ray and Val Lovett,
Chris A Brewster
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a (Continued from Babbler 55)
Records of specimens collected on Peterhouse Kalahari Expeditions
Peter Ginn
(Originally published in The Wagtail, special number January 1971)
Peterhouse Natural History Society, Marandellas; Kalahari Expeditions – List of Material Collected 1966 – 1970 M = Male, F = Female; U = Sex not determined
272. Riparia cincta Banded Sand-Martin Mompswe. 3 MM: 20g; 20g; 24g. 1 u: 22g. Parties of up to 10 or 15 birds quartering back and forth over the grassland areas or drinking at pans.
274. Hirundo rustica European Swallow Mompswe. 4 MM: 18g; 11g; 15g; 17g. F: 20g. Small numbers hawking insects over grassland areas.
281. Hirundo abyssinica Lesser Striped Swallow Mompswe. F: 13g. 1 u: 18g.
285. Delichon urbica House Martin Mompswe.F: 15g. A new locality for this species.
288. Motacilla capensis Cape Wagtail Mompswe.MM: 21g; 26g. This species moved into the area after the rains. Seen along edge of temporary pans.
289. Motacilla aguimp Pied Wagtail Khumaga. One seen near camp at about 17.30 on 4th August, 1970.
290. Anthus novaeseelandiae Richard’s Pipit Nata. 4 MM: 5 FF: 22g. Khumaga. 6 MM: X=23g.; N=6; Obs. range 21-30g. F: 25g. 2 u: 18g; 21g. Mompswe.15 MM: X=23.8g; N=14; Obs. range 21-27g. 23 FF: X=22g; N=21; Obs. range 16-27g. 4 u: 21g; 22g; 20g. Very common in both grassland and wooded grassland. Often very large loose groups. Nthane/Mosu. 5 MM: 26g; 23g; 16g; 31g; 31g. 4 FF: 22g; 30g; 23g; 32g. Very common on short grass flats, less so in cultivated lands whereas at Mompswe this species was present both in the short grasslands and also in the areas with longer grass and scattered trees. Sokwane. 6 MM: X=23.4g; N=6; Obs. range 22-24g. 3 FF: 20g; 22g; 24g. Common on the short grass flats next to the river.
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292. Anthus vaalensis Buffy Pipit Mompswe. 9 MM: X=27.6g; N=6; Obs. range 22-31g. 18 FF: X=25.5g; N=18. Obs. range 20-36g. Usually occurred singly or in small parties in the short grasslands, but did not hesitate to enter woodland or settle in trees when pursued.
298. Eurocephalus anguitinens White-crowned Wood Shrike Nata. MM: 68g. FF: 84g. Khumaga. M: 65g. Mompswe. MM: 72g; 74g. Collected at Nata – not present in Mompswe. Nthane/Mosu. 3 MM: 75g; 101g; 103g. F: 64g. Quite common, particularly near Mosu. Sokwane. M: 55.7g. FF: 59.0g; 65g. Widely but sparsely distributed in woodlands.
299. Prionops plumata White-helmet Shrike Nata.MM. Mompswe. 4 MM: 31g; 36g; 35g; 30g. 3 FF: 33g; 30g; 35g. Fairly common in wooded areas. Nthane/Mosu. 5 MM: 26g; 26g; 26g; 31g; 30g. FF: 38g, 38g. Very common. Sokwane. 6 MM: X=30.1g; N=6; Obs. range 27-36g. FF: 29.4g; 33.3g. Fairly common near river.
300. Prionops retzii Red-billed Helmet Shrike Nata. MM: 45g. FF. This is an extension of known range. Smithers (1964).
301. Nilaus afer Brubru Nata. MM: 25g. F: 20g. Mompswe. 3 MM: 21g; 22g; 24g. 4 FF: 24g; 20g; 24g; 21g. Very common in woodlands. Nthane/Mosu. MM: 32g; 20g. 5 FF: 22g, 18g; 22g; 26g; 30g. Very common. Sokwane. M: 22g. Not uncommon.
302. Dryoscopus cubla Puffback Shrike Nata. MM: F: 22g. Khumaga. MM: 26g; 28g. Nthane/Mosu. MM: 36g. FF: 30g. Fairly common. Sokwane. 3 MM: 24g; 24g; 25.3g. 4 FF: 22g; 23.8g; 21.0g; 21g. Common in tall trees near the river.
303. Tchagra australis Three-streaked Tchagra Nata. 4 MM: 28g. F. Khumaga. 3 MM: 30g; 35g; 30g. F: 29g. 1 u: 30g. Mompswe. 1 u: Rare. Nthane/Mosu. 3 MM: 37g; 31g; 32g. FF: 26g; 30g. Common. Sokwane. F: 29g. Quite common in the thicker wooded areas near the river.
304. Tchagra senegalensis Black-crowned Tchagra
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a Nata. M: FF: 55g. Mompswe. 3 MM: 51g; 55g; 65g. F: 54g. Mainly in thorn scrub. Sokwane. M: 55g. Rather rare. Only in thornveld and scrub away from the river.
307. Laniarius atrococcineus Crimson-breasted Shrike Nata. MM: 49g. F. Khumaga. MM: 40g; 56g. FF: 40g; 45g. Mosu. F: 46g. One pair seen in thornveld (mainly Acacia sp.) jutting out onto the Makgadikgadi grass flats. Sokwane. M: 44g. FF: 41g; 44g. 1 u: 50g. Very common in all areas of woodland and scrub.
308. Malaconotus sulfureopectus Sulphur-breasted Bush-Shrike Khumaga. MM: 27g; 29g. The nearest localities mapped by Smithers (1964) appear to be near Maun so this represents a considerable eastward extension. Sokwane. M: 28g. F: 26.3g. Fairly rare – only in tall trees along the river.
310. Corvinella melanoleuca Long-tailed Shrike Nata. 4 MM: 96g; 84g. Khumaga. F: 96g. MM: 88g; 90g. 1 u: 90g. Common. Parties of 3-10 birds. Mompswe. M: 5 FF: 82g; 78g; 80g; 88g; 83g. Nthane/Mosu. 3 MM: 89g, 93g; 90g. Fairly common above the escarpment. Sokwane. 5 MM: 62g; 77g; 71.5g; 54.8g; 72.3g. F: 72g. Common especially near the river.
311. Lanius collurio Red-backed Shrike Mompswe. FF: 16g; 30g. Occasionally seen.
312. Lanius minor Lesser Grey Shrike Mompswe. M: 52g. Several seen near Tsigara Pan.
315. Oriolus auratus African Golden Oriole Nata. M: 76g.
316. Oriolus larvatus Black-headed Oriole Nata. Seen in tall trees along river.
317. Dicrurus adsimilis Fork-tailed Drongo Nata. MM: FF. Khumaga. 3 MM: 40g; 45g. Mompswe. MM: 41g. F: 41g. 1 u: 43g. Nthane/Mosu. 3 MM: 56g; 50g; 42g. FF: 41g; 40g. Sokwane. M: 43g. 3 FF: 39g; 30g; 30g. Common.
319. Lamprotornis chalybaeus Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling Nata. MM: 79g. Only records from the Makgadikgadi.
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320. Lamprotornis nitens Red-shouldered Glossy Starling Nata. 5 MM: 84g. FF. Khumaga. M: 90g. FF: 82g; 79g. Mompswe. MM: 82g; 87g. FF: 80g; 79g. Only Glossy Starling in area. Nthane/Mosu. 8 MM: X=84g; N=8; Obs. range 72-90g. F: 81g.Very common. Sokwane. 3 MM: 85g; 82g; 68g. FF: 92g; 70g. Fairly common in scrub areas – drinking at river at all hours of the day.
321. Lamprotornis australis Burchell’s Glossy Starling Khumaga. MM: 139g; 130g. FF: 127g; 100g. 1 u: 116g. Not uncommon along river. Sokwane. M: 144.4g. 4 FF: 130g; 120g; 108g; 100.4g. 1 u: 115g. Common all along the river.
322. Lamprotornis mevesii Long-tailed Starling Nata. MM: 90g. F. Common in riparian woodland.
323. Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Violet-backed Starling Mompswe. 6 MM: 38g; 47g; 43g; 50g; 49g. F. Common in tall trees near Mompswe well.
324. Creatophora cinerea Wattled Starling Nata. M: 82g. F. Khumaga. MM: 66g; 60g. F: 69g. Nthane/Mosu. MM: 69g; 63g. 5 FF: 85g; 67g; 58g; 64g; 75g. Common. Many drinking at borehole.
327. Corvus albus Pied Crow Nata. M: F: 568g. Khumaga. M: 592g. FF: 490g. Mompswe. 3 MM: 560g. Fair numbers near camp and around pan. Nthane/Mosu. FF: 515g. Common at Mosu, uncommon elsewhere. Sokwane. F: 498.3g. Not common.
328. Corvus capensis Black Crow Nata. MM: F: 511g. Fairly common in open areas. Mompswe. F: 490g. Mosu. One pair seen on tree on flats bordering the Makgadikgadi. Sokwane. M: 612g. Few seen south of Tsoi airstrip.
To be continued in a future issue
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a Reports from the Records Subcommittee
Category A Records
The following substantiated records were assessed by Chris A. Brewster, Andrew Hester, Richard D. Randall, Grant Reed and Stephanie J. Tyler. Records were accepted on the basis of majority votes or reports from referees. Observers did not vote on their own records.
Species Square Date Comments Common Quail 2320D2 07.04.10 One heard calling at Poswane Coturnix coturnix Pan (C.A.Brewster) Narina Trogon 1825D1 12.12.10 Adult female seen in garden at Apaloderma narina Pandamatenga Farm 50 (D.Hatty) African Emerald 1923D3 27- One adult male seen and heard Cuckoo 29.12.10 calling near Thamalakane River, Chrysococcyx cupreus 15 km north-east of Maun (R.D.Randall). Second accepted record away from Kasane Schalow’s Turaco 1725C3 23.09.10 Two seen along Chobe River at Tauraco schalowi Kasane (P.Nurse). Fourth accepted record for Botswana Schalow’s Turaco 1725C3 05.10.10 Two seen along Chobe River at Tauraco schalowi and Kasane (P.Laver). This record 29.11.10 and the previous record seem likely to refer to the same birds. Ross’s Turaco 1823B4 09.08.11 One seen at Boscia Lagoon, Musophaga rossae Linyanti (D.Luck). Second accepted record for Botswana Bar-tailed Godwit 2026A3 10.08.09 Four seen at Nata River mouth Limosa lapponica (C.A.Brewster) Terek Sandpiper 2026A3 25.07.10 One seen at Nata sanctuary Xenus cinereus (R.I.Bashford) Pectoral Sandpiper 1923C4 06.03.10 One seen at Maun Sewage Calidris malanotos Ponds (R.D.Randall, M.Muller)
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Species Square Date Comments Pectoral Sandpiper 1824C1 31.03.11 One seen at Harvey’s Pan, Calidris malanotos Savuti (M. Kirk)
Red-necked Phalarope 1923A2 25.09.11 One seen at Fourth Bridge area Phalaropus lobatus of Moremi Game Reserve (B.Reed). Second accepted record for Botswana Gull-billed Tern 2022B/D 29.05.11 One seen at Lake Ngami Sterna nilotica (M.Muller & K.Oake). Second accepted record for Botswana Levaillant’s Cisticola 2425D2 30.08.10 Two seen at Gaborone Game Cisticola tinniens Reserve (I.White). Second accepted record for Botswana Croaking Cisticola 1825B3 14.02.10 Two seen and heard calling at Cisticola natalensis Kazuma Forest Reserve (R.D.Randall). Fourth accepted record for Botswana Grey Wagtail 1824C1 12.11.09 One seen at Savuti Safari Lodge Motacilla cinerea (R.D.Randall). Third accepted record for Botswana
Records not accepted Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus at Pandamatenga, 14 December 2010
Chris A. Brewster, Records Subcommittee, BirdLife Botswana
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a Summary of Category B Records
Compiled by Chris A. Brewster and Stephanie J. Tyler
All records refer to the period January to early November 2011 unless otherwise stated. For species on the ‘B’ List, please see Babbler 52: 53-56 or visit BirdLife Botswana’s website. The order of species given below follows the new Roberts’ Birds of southern Africa.
FULVOUS DUCK Dendrocygna bicolor Six were noted at Lake Dow (Xau) on 1 Jan and four were there on 1 Oct (CAB). About 50 were seen at Lake Ngami on 6 March when only 5% coverage by boat, 47 on 24 July and 13 on 6 Sept (PH, SJT, KO, TT, PN, RL, VL). On 7 March 45 were at Shashe Dam (NB, BvM, MT). There were 14 at Bokaa Dam on 29 Oct (CAB).
WHITE-BACKED DUCK Thalassornis leuconotus The commonest duck on Lake Ngami on 6 March with over 300 seen in ca. 5% of the lake (SJT, KO, TT, OS); on 24 July only 23 were seen (PH, KO, OS) but on 6 Sept 449 were noted with only 6-8% of the lake covered by boat (KO, PH, PN, RL, VL).
AFRICAN BLACK DUCK Anas sparsa One was on Shashe Dam on 7 March (NB, BvM), three at Thagale Dam on 3 April (BLB) and three at Mogobane Dam on 6 Nov (CAB).
MACCOA DUCK Oxyura maccoa Three males were at Kgoro Pan and one male at Hildavale Dam on 30 Jan. One was at Ramotswa SP on 26 June (CAB), four at Jwaneng S.P. on 18 July, five at Gamoleele Dam on 23 July (MMG, DG, HH) and 11 at Mahalapye S.P. on 18 July (PD’A).
EUROPEAN ROLLER Coracias garrulous Two were seen at Mmashoro on 1 Jan (CAB), two near Maun in 1923D1 on 11 Feb (RH), 14 in Moremi Game Reserve (1923B3) on 16 Feb (SN) and three in Moremi Game Reserve on 17 Feb (OD). One was at Savuti on 18 and 21 Feb (MBl, ED) and three near Olifants Drift on 19 Feb (CAB).
RACKET-TAILED ROLLER Coracias spatulatus Two were seen in Kasane Forest Reserve extension in 1725C3 on 17 July (MV).
GREY-HEADED KINGFISHER Halcyon leucocephala Three were seen on 6 Jan 2011 at Pandamatenga Farm Q50 (DH).One was at Kasane on 12 Feb (BF), two at Savuti on 19 Feb, one at Kachikau (1824A2) on 20 Feb (GB, MBl) and one by the Chobe River east of Kasane on 29 Oct (PZ).
ALPINE SWIFT Tachymarptis melba One was seen at Moremi Gorge on 16 October (BLB).
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PENNANT-WINGED NIGHTJAR Macrodipteryx vexillarius Seen at Kasane S.P. on 16 Oct (MV).
DENHAM’S BUSTARD Neotis denhami One was seen at Orapa Game Park on 15/16 Jan (PC) and one on 21 Jan at Pandamatenga Farm 50 (DH).
KORI BUSTARD Ardeotis kori Records: one at Serondella on 9 Nov (IN), one along KD15 cutline (2522B3) on 26 Nov 2010 (EMu), 10 at Pandamatega Farm 50 on 27 Jan (DH), three at Farm 102, Hainaveld (2023C4) on 1 Feb (DS), one northeast of Tshabong (2522D1) on 8 Feb (EMu), seven at Phalaphala (2021C1) on 17 Feb (MSM), one at Tswaiing Pans on 29 Mar, one at Boridze Pan on 22 May, 16 in Deception Valley on 2 July, one at Khumaga on 5 July and 19 in Nxai Pan National Park on 8 July (MGG, DG), three in Jwana Game Park on 12 July (KD), four between Lediba loop and 3rd Bridge and another on the South Gate to 3rd Bridge track on 14 Sept (PN, RL, VL), singles in Chobe N.P. on 14 Sept and at Lake Xau on 1 Oct (CAB).
WATTLED CRANE Grus carunculatus Three were seen at Vumbera Plains on 6 Feb (SD), 12 at Samedupi (2023C4) on 2 Feb (CV), three near Jack’s Camp on 24 Feb (JE), two adults and an immature on the Bodumatau loop in Moremi G.R. at S19º 22.56' E23º 30.36' on 4 March (SJT et al.), one by a pool northwest of Fourth Bridge S19º 15.03' E23º 23.87' on 13 Sept (PN, RL, VL) and one at Lake Xau on 30 Sept (CAB)
AFRICAN FINFOOT Podica senegalensis One at Kasane Rapids on 30 Sept (PZ, JM).
AFRICAN RAIL Rallus caerulescens One was seen and photographed at Gaborone G.R. on 26 Sept (IW). This is a regular site for this elusive species which is more often heard than seen.
STRIPED CRAKE Aenigmatolimnas marginalis An adult male and adult female were seen at a small wetland at Deception Valley, Central Kalahari Game Reserve on 29 Jan (AT).
ALLEN’S (LESSER) GALLINULE Porphyrula alleni On 13 Jan 14 were noted on the Thamalakane River near Matlapaneng on 13 Jan and three upriver from Xobe on the Boteti River (PH, KO, OS). At the inflow end of Lake Ngami 14 birds were flushed on 6 March 2011, many of them juveniles (SJT, KO, TT). In July eight were seen on the upper Boteti River between Dikgathong and Samedupi and just one on the lower Thamalakane River (PH).
GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus One was 10km south of Sepupa in the western Panhandle in mid Jan (TH).
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola BabblerSingles were No. 56 at Lake Xau on 30 Sept, at Bokaa Dam on 29 Oct and at Mogobane July 2011Dam on 6 Nov (CAB). LAPPET -FACED VULTURE Aegypius tracheliotos CHESTNUT-BANDED PLOVER Charadrius pallidus No.One was photographedDate atLocation Bokaa Dam on 21 Aug (IW). Comments Obs. birds 1WHITE -FRONTED7 Nov PLOVERSavuti Charadrius marginatus MBl One was at 2010Bokaa Dam on 16 Jan (CAB), one by the Chobe River on 1 Oct and two at 1Kasane seep26 on Nov 22 Oct (MVMmatshumo). Quarantine MMa 2010 (2125B1) 7BLACK -WINGED6 Feb PRATINCOLEPhohushadi (2424C2) Glareola nordmanni CM 210 were seen13 at Feb Bokaa DamNxai on Pans 16 Jan N.P. and one at Thagale Dam on 3 April (CAB). DH 1 21 Feb Savuti Ed 2SANDERLING 4 March Calidris Moremi alba G.R. SJT et al. 2.Four were noted4 March at Bokaa Xini Dam Lediba on 29 loopOct (CAB).in Moremi Flying over SJT et al S19º 23.45’ E23º 30.90’ 2EURASIAN 22 CURLEW May KalahariNumenius Rest arquata north of Kang At a water trough with CAB One was at Nata Sanctuaryin 2322D1on 9 Oct (per TH). ca.45 White-backed Vultures and four RUDDY TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres Marabou Storks 2There was oneLate at Aug Lake NgamiSavuti on Marsh 25 Sept (KO) and one on the Kunyere River at TotengGB, MBl on 111 Oct (per 14TH). Sep t Moremi G.R. Third Bridge RL, VL, to S Gate S19º 23.28' E19º PN AFRICAN SKIMMER 23.2Rynchops8' flavirostris Between 190 and 200 birds were at Lake Ngami on 6 March 2011 (SJT, KO, TT, OS). 6 16 Sept Lake Xau With 54 White-backed RL, VL, During the waterbird count along the Chobe River between Kasane and Ngoma Bridge 44 Vultures PN were seen on 23 July whilst two were at Kasane rapids on 31 July, two flew over Kasane on 1 1 Oct Lake Xau CAB 6 Aug, four were at the rapids on 30 Sept, three at Kasane seep on 25 Oct and three over the
Chobe River east of Kasane on 29 Oct (CF, MV, PZ et al.). WHITE-HEADED VULTURE Trigonoceps occipitalis
CASPIAN TERN Sterna caspia No.Two were atDate Bokaa Dam onLocation 16 Jan (CAB) , one at ShasheComments Dam on 21 Sept (PN, RL,Obs. VL) . Birds 1OSPREY Pandion20 Nov haliaetusSavuti MBl Two were seen2010 on the Boteti River at Khumaga on 5 July (MGG, DG), one on the Chobe 1River beteen6 FebSimwanza Valley Kazuma and NgomaPan Bridge on 23Flying July (MV) over and+ 9 Whiteone at- KasaneDH seep between 28 Sept and 2 Oct (MV, PZ, LF). backed Vultures 2 24 June Sandibe in Okavango JV CAPE VULTURE Gyps coprotheresDelta in 2319A4 1Seven were17 seen Aug at MokolodiWest N .side R. on Savuti 20 Feb Marsh (LN) and Flyingthree, south over lionof Kanye kill (2525A2)GB, MBlon 125 Feb (MGG,15 Oct DG). In MoremiBottle Gorge Pan in 18 1825C1 were noted as breeding on 16 Oct (BLB). DH
HOODED VULTURE Necrosyrtes monachus Three were seen at Savuti on 21 Feb (ED), one on the Bodumatau loop track at S19 22.323 E23 30.053 on 4 March (SJT et al.), one at Katchikau on 13 May (JM) and one flying over Kasane (17.80ο S 25.24ο E) on 31 July (MV). Two were seen at a lion kill on the west side of Savuti Marsh on 17 Aug (GB, MBl) and three in Chobe N.P. on 25 Sept (PZ).
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LAPPET-FACED VULTURE Aegypius tracheliotos
No. Date Location Comments Obs. birds 1 7 Nov Savuti MBl 2010 1 26 Nov Mmatshumo Quarantine MMa 2010 (2125B1) 7 6 Feb Phohushadi (2424C2) CM 2 13 Feb Nxai Pans N.P. DH 1 21 Feb Savuti Ed 2 4 March Moremi G.R. SJT et al. 2. 4 March Xini Lediba loop in Moremi Flying over SJT et al S19º 23.45’ E23º 30.90’ 2 22 May Kalahari Rest north of Kang At a water trough with CAB in 2322D1 ca.45 White-backed Vultures and four Marabou Storks 2 Late Aug Savuti Marsh GB, MBl 1 14 Sept Moremi G.R. Third Bridge RL, VL, to S Gate S19º 23.28' E19º PN 23.28' 6 16 Sept Lake Xau With 54 White-backed RL, VL, Vultures PN 1 1 Oct Lake Xau CAB
WHITE-HEADED VULTURE Trigonoceps occipitalis
No. Date Location Comments Obs. Birds 1 20 Nov Savuti MBl 2010 1 6 Feb Kazuma Pan Flying over + 9 White- DH backed Vultures 2 24 June Sandibe in Okavango JV Delta in 2319A4 1 17 Aug West side Savuti Marsh Flying over lion kill GB, MBl 1 15 Oct Bottle Pan in 1825C1 DH
HOODED VULTURE Necrosyrtes monachus Three were seen at Savuti on 21 Feb (ED), one on the Bodumatau loop track at S19 22.323 E23 30.053 on 4 March (SJT et al.), one at Katchikau on 13 May (JM) and one flying over Kasane (17.80ο S 25.24ο E) on 31 July (MV). Two were seen at a lion kill on the west side of Savuti Marsh on 17 Aug (GB, MBl) and three in Chobe N.P. on 25 Sept (PZ).
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a MARTIAL EAGLE Polemaetus bellicosus
No. Birds Date Location Obs. 1 20 Nov 2010 Motopi MJ 1 immature 13 Feb 2011 Tachila Nature Reserve, Francistown NB 1 21 Feb Savuti ED 2 5 July Khumaga in Boteti valley 2024B3 MGG, DG 1 8 July Nxai Pan National Park MGG, DG 1 Juvenile July Near Pandamatenga, eating a Yellow-billed TG Hornbill 1 25 Sept Chobe N.P. PZ 1 30 Sept Lake Xau CAB 1 15 Oct Bottle Pan in 1825C1 DH
BATELEUR Terathopius ecaudatus All records of this species are of interest. Records should include number of birds seen.
Please if putting a list on Botswana Tickbird remember to put how many birds you have seen.
No. Seen Date Location Obs.
5 8 Nov 2010 Savuti MBl 1 20 Nov 2010 Kasane BF 1 21 Nov 2010 Xigera MS 1 24 Nov 2010 Peach Pan, Kaa (2421C1) RM 1 25 Nov 2010 Kasane Forest Reserve (1825A2) PL 1 27 Nov 2010 Sibuyu Forest Reserve (1825D3) DH 1 28 Nov 2010 North of Tsetseng (2323A3) NK 1 adult male 2 Jan Semane, c36 km north of Francistown IN 1 immature 23 Jan 2011 Thagale Dam 50 km north of Gaborone CAB 2 22 Jan Flying over Kasane FR extension DH 1 1 Feb Farm 102, Hainaveld (2023C4) DS 1 4 Feb Khwai (1923B2) AN 2 6 Feb Kazuma Pan in 1825B1 DH 1 10 Feb Near Maun RH 1 immature 11 Feb Sibuyu Forest Reserve (1825D3) EH 5 12 Feb Moremi Game Reserve (1923D1) OSe 1 16 Feb Moremi Game Reserve (1923B3) SN 3 18 Feb Savuti MBl 1 24 Feb East of Mahalapye (2326B2) BR 1 24Feb Chobe Forest Reserve (1824B1) EM 1 25 Feb Maun (1923C4) LS 1 26 Feb Khutse Game Reserve (2324B3) JG
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No. Seen Date Location Obs.
1 27 Feb Jwana Park, Jwaneng RK 1 27 Feb Passarge Valley TR 1 27 Feb Nossob Valley (2522B3) MM 1 28 Feb Monarch Siding, 15 km north of BvM Francistown 2 immatures, 4 March S19º 22.323’ E23º30.053’ in Moremi SJT et al. 1 adult G.R. 1 4 March Near above SJT et al. 3 4 March Near Bodumatau Lagoon, Moremi G.R. SJT et al. Adult female 4 March S19º 23.291’ E23º 30.538’ Xini Lediba SJT et al. loop, Moremi G.R. Adult male 4 March S19º 22.634’ E23º 30.570’, Xini Lediba SJT et al. loop, Moremi G.R. 4 24 June Sandibe, Okavango Delta in 2319A4 JV 3 28 June Lake Xau (Dow) in 2124B2 MGG, DG 3 2 July Deception Valley MGG, DG 2 5 July Kumaga in Boteti Valley MGG, DG 2 8 July Nxai Pan National Park MGG, DG 5-6 immature 17 Aug Savuti marsh area of Chobe N.P. GB, MBl and 3 adults 1 16 Sept Lake Xau RL,VL, PN 1 25 Sept Kasane Forest Reserve extension MV 1 imm and 1 30 Sept Near Khama RS, probably attracted by CAB adult male veld-fires that were active in the area 1 adult female 30 Sept Lake Xau CAB 2 15 Oct Bottle Pan in 1825C1 DH
STEPPE EAGLE One was seen on 27 Jan at Panda Farm 50 (DH).
BOOTED EAGLE Hieraatus pennatus There was one at Letlhakane on 1 Jan and one at Pitsane on 30 Jan (CAB); one at Savuti on 19 Feb (MBl) and one in Gaborone on 1 Nov (DC).
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE Lophaetus occipitalis One was seen at Kasane Rapids on 30 Sept (PZ, JM, MV) and another seen and photographed on 30 Oct in Francistown well outside the usual range for this species (MSZ).
HONEY BUZZARD Pernis apivorus One was seen and photographed over the Thamalakane River, Maun on 29 Jan (GS & GA); one was seen at Pandamatenga Farm 50 on 10 Feb (DH) and another on 17 Aug on the east side of Savuti Marsh near Rhino Vlei (GB, MBl).
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a BLACK SPARROWHAWK Accipter melanoleucus One adult was seen by the Thamalakane River at Maun Rest Camp on 1 March 2011 (SJT) and one was over the Main Mall, Gaborone on 23 Mar (CAB).
AFRICAN MARSH-HARRIER Circus ranivorus In the Okavango Delta there were singles on the Okavango River near Shakawe on 8 July, on the Jao River on 20 July, and on the Maunachira River and at Gadikwe Lediba on 15 July (PH et al.). One was at Lake Ngami on 24 July (PH, KO) and three on 6 Sept (PN, RL, VL). Singles were in Moremi G.R. on the Xini Lediba loop, between Third and Fourth Bridges and between Fourth Bridge and Xakanaxa between 10 and 13 Sept (PN, RL, VL). Two were on Savuti Marsh on 17 Aug (GB, MBl) and one at Lake Xau on 16 Sept (PN, RL, VL).
PALLID HARRIER Circus macrourus Two were seen at Pandamatenga Farm 43 on 10 Feb (DH).
LESSER KESTREL Falco naumanni 22 were seen at Savuti on 8 Nov 2010 (MBl), one south of Kanye on 25 Nov 2010 (MGG) and 12 at Pitsane on 27 Mar 2011 (CAB).
RED-FOOTED FALCON Falco vespertinus One was at Xorodumo Pan on 1 Oct (CAB). This was an early date for this species.
AMUR FALCON Falco amurensis On 1 Jan there was one north of Mahalapye (CAB), three were seen on 21 Jan at Pandamatenga Farm 50 (DH) and one at Gweta on 17 Feb (OG, RB).
EURASIAN HOBBY Falco subbuteo Two were seen at Kasane Forest Reserve (1825A2) on 25 Nov 2010 (PL) and one at Sibuyu Forest Reserve (1825D3) on 27 Nov 2010 (DH).
BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis There were seven at Kgoro Pan and 14 at Hildavale Dam on 30 Jan (CAB).
BLACK HERON Egretta ardesiaca One was at Lake Xau on 1 Jan and two there on 1 Oct (CAB). There were 28 at Shashe Dam on 7 March and nine on 3 Sept (NB, BM, MT).
SLATY EGRET Egretta vinaceigula On 30 Jan M.Kays et al. counted 78 on the Jao Flats. On 4 March there were 12 on the floodplain along the Xini Lediba loop off the South Gate to Third Bridge track and one on the Bodumatau floodplain (SJT et al.). Eight were noted at Sandibe in 2319A4 on 24 June (JV), two on the Jao River on 20 July and one on the upper Boro on 24 July (PH), two at Savuti marsh on 17 Aug (GB, MBl) and 17 in Moremi G.R. between South Gate and Xakanaxa, including the Xini Lediba loop, in early Sept (PN, RL, VL).
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YELLOW-BILLED EGRET Egretta intermedia Away from the northern wetlands, two were noted at Lake Xau on 1 Jan, three at Thagale Dam on 23 Jan, one at Bokaa Dam on 14 Aug and one at Khama R.S. on 30 Sept (CAB).
WHITE-BACKED NIGHT HERON Gorsachius leuconotus One was seen by the Chobe River between the safari lodge and Puku Flats on 1 Oct (MV).
BLACK STORK Ciconia nigra Two were at Boatle on 21 May (CAB), three at Mahalapye sewage ponds on 18 July (PD’A) and two at Lekgolobotlo on 21Aug (CAB, RG).
WOOLLY-NECKED STORK Ciconia episcopus One was at Vumbera Plains (1922B) on 6 Feb (SD), 15 at Savuti on 21 Feb (ED) and one at Xigera (1922B) on 28 Feb (BG).
SADDLE-BILLED STORK Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis Away from the Okavango Delta and Chobe areas one was seen at Gweta on 17 Feb (OG, RB), eight, including several juveniles, at the shallow inflow end of Lake Ngami on 6 March (SJT, KO, TT) and one at Shashe Dam on 3 Sept (NB, BM, MT).
PEARL-BREASTED SWALLOW Hirundo dimidate One was at Bokaa Dam on 4 Sept (CAB).
BROWN-THROATED MARTIN Riparia paludicola About 15 were seen at Maokgamatshwane Dam, south of Ramotswa on 10 April, two at Phakalane S.P. on 4 June and one at Bokaa dam on 14 Aug (CAB).
OLIVE-TREE WARBLER Hippolais olivetorum Two were seen on 12 Feb in Acacia mellifera savanna by Tswaiing Pans (CAB) along with four Icterine Warblers Hippolais icterina in the vicinity of wells. One was heard on 20 Feb between Olifant’s Drift and Dibete in 2426B1, close to the Ngotwane River (CAB).
GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin Individuals were caught and ringed at Botshabelo, Francistown on 14 Nov 2009, 16 Jan 2010, 19 Feb 2010, 11 Dec 2010 and 25 Feb 2011 (NB). One was singing at Crocodile Pools, Notwane on 20 Jan – 19 Feb (CAB) and one at Ruretse on 13 Feb (JD).
DUSKY SUNBIRD Cinnyris fuscus One was seen near Maralaleng (2522D3) on 28 March (CAB).
VILLAGE WEAVER Ploceus cucullatus Active breeding colony at Moreokwe Farm, Otse in early 2011; this colony is active every year (MB). One was present in a plot at Ngotwane on 20 Aug (HH).
CHESTNUT WEAVER Ploceus rubiginosus A male was on the S.African side of the Nossob valley at Twee Rivieren on 13 Apr (TH).
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a BUSHVELD PIPIT Anthus caffer Two at Lekgolobotlo on 21 Aug and two at Lokgokgotho Hills on 10 Sept (CAB, AC, RG)
STREAKY-HEADED SEEDEATER Serinus gularis One was at Selebi Phikwe on 22 Feb (MMa) and three at Ranaka on 24 Sept (CAB).
Chris A. Brewster P.O.Box 2316, Gaborone & Stephanie J. Tyler, c/o BirdLife Botswana, P/Bag 003, Suite 348, Mogoditshane, Gaborone
Yellow-billed Stork Photo: Ian White
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INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL SIGHTINGS
Stephanie J. Tyler and Chris A. Brewster
This section does not cover rarities but rather interesting observations of more common birds. It might report on a species seen out of its usual range or on notably large numbers of a species. Observations on breeding or feeding behaviour are also welcomed. Records are mainly from January to October 2011.
MONTAGU’S HARRIER Circus pygargus Eight were at Pandamatenga Farm 41 (1825D1) on 9 Feb (DH).
LEVAILLANT’S CUCKOO Clamator levaillantii Late departure: calling regularly at dusk at Crocodile Pools, Notwane until 5 May (CAB).
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO Cuculus solitaries Early arrival: one calling at Crocodile Pools, Notwane on 2 Oct (CAB, MGG).
GIANT KINGFISHER Megaceryle maxima One was on the Thamalakane River at Matlapeng on 1 March 2011 (SJT) and birds were seen regularly at Ngotwane (HH, GH). In July four were seen on the Okavango River between Shakawe and Mohembo and one on the lower Boro (PH et al.).
WHITE-FACED DUCK Dendrocygna viduata Large counts in the winter came from the Chobe floodplain where there were 1,498 between Simwanza valley and Ngoma Gate (MvD).
SOUTH AFRICAN SHELDUCK Tadorna cana 84 were at Tswaiing Pans on 12 Feb (CAB). 100 were seen during winter waterbird counts in SE Botswana with the highest count being 42 at Tswaiing Pans on 4 June (CAB). Outside the southeast stronghold were two at Mahalapye S.P. on 24 July (PD’A) and two at Shashe Dam on 21 Sept (PN, RL, VL).
AFRICAN PURPLE SWAMPHEN Porphyrio porphyrio Seven counted on a small area of Lake Ngami on 6 Mar and 34 on 6 Sept (RL, VL, PH, PN, SJT, KO, TT).
LESSER MOORHEN Gallinula angulata Three were seen at Lake Ngami on 6 Mar (SJT, KO, TT).
RED-KNOBBED COOT Fulica cristata Some 420 were seen on a small area (ca. 5%) of Lake Ngami on 6 Mar (SJT, KO, TT).
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December 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a LESSER JACANA Counts in July 2011 included one on the Jao/Kwetsani Flats, six on the lower Thamalakane River and 10 on the Boteti upriver of Xobe; one was on the Bodumatau floodplain on 4 March and 15 were seen at Lake Ngami on 6 March and seven on 6 Sept with many more undoubtedly overlooked (MC, PH, PN, RL, VL, SJT, KO, TT et al.).
BLACK-WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus The only high summer count was 190 at Lake Xau on 31 December 2010 and the highest winter count was of 160 at Tswaaing Pans on 4 June (CAB).
COMMON RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula Two were seen at Lake Ngami on 6 Mar (SJT, KO, TT), one at Shashe Dam on 21 Sept (PN, RL, VL) and one at Kasane S.P. in Oct (MV).
AFRICAN WATTLED LAPWING Vanellus senegallus Two were at Kasane seep on 29 Sept (PZ) and one at Lake Xau on 16 Sept (PN, RL, VL).
GREY-HEADED GULL Larus cirrocephalus Seven were on Lake Ngami on 6 Mar (SJT, KO, TT), 46 on the Chobe River between Simwanaza valley and Ngoma Bridge on 23 July (MvD) and 394 at Lake Ngami on 21 Sept (PN, RL, VL).
WHISKERED TERN Chlidonias hybrida Almost 200 were seen at Lake Ngami on 6 Mar when four nests were found – three with 1 or 2 eggs, and 874 on 21 Sept (PH, PN, RL, VL, SJT, KO, TT).
WHITE-WINGED TERN At least 400 were observed at Lake Ngami on 6 Mar (SJT, KO, TT).
SECRETARY BIRD Sagittarius serpentarius There were 12 in Deception Valley on 2 July, four in Nxai Pan N.P. on 8 July (MGG, DG), two on the Xini Lediba loop, one between Third Bridge and Mboma Island on 11 Sept and two northwest of Fourth Bridge, Moremi G.R. on 13 Sept (PN, RL, VL).
YELLOW-BILLED KITE Milvus aegyptius Departure was late in 2011; regularly present at South East District Council Landfill Site along main road south of Boatle until last seen 4 April, when a pair was present (CAB); departure is typically in early March.
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE Gyps africanus There were 85 active nests in the Lesoma Valley along the Zimbabwe border from Kazungula in the winter of 2010 (PL).
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No. Date Location Comments Obs. birds 60 27 March Good Hope, SE Botswana At a carcase CAB 50 27 March Makgomane At a donkey CAB carcase 15 27 March West of Mabule CAB 45 22 May Kalahari Rest north of Kang At water trough CAB 13 24 June Sandibe in 2319A4 JvE 18 28 June Lake Xau MGG 42 5 July Khumaga MGG, DG 29 8 July Nxai Pan N.P. MGG, DG 5 6 Sept Between Ghanzi and Maun Group 2 and 3 PN, RL, VL 6 10-14 Sept South Gate to Third Bridge Groups 2,1,2,1 PZ 6 15 Sept Maun to Motopi PN, RL, VL 1 15 Sept Motopi to Mopipi PN, RL, VL 54 16 Sept Lake Xau PN, RL, VL 2 23 Sept North of Serule PN, RL, VL 4 23 Sept Palapye to Tewane PN, RL, VL 34 23 Sept 70km north of Gaborone PN, RL, VL 15 25 Sept Chobe N.P. PZ 25 29 Sept Kasane S.P. PZ 2 15 Oct Bottle Pan 1825C1 DH 3 26 Oct Kasane Flying over PZ
GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus Only 19 were seen in the southeast in the winter waterbird counts, one at Moshupa Dam on 18 July and 18, including six young birds, at Gamoleele Dam on 23 July (MGG, DG, HH).
LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis Few were seen in summer counts at any site, presumably because so many waterbodies were full. In the winter 300 at Ramotswa S.P. on 26 June was the highest count (CAB). Some 305 were counted on a small area of Lake Ngami on 6 Sept (PH, PN, KO, RL, VL).
WHITE-BREASTED or GREAT CORMORANT Phalacrocorax lucidus Seven were seen on Lake Ngami on 6 Mar (SJT, KO, TT, OS) and 58 on 6 Sept (KO, PH, PN, RL, VL); this is not a common species in the Okavango system.
BLACK-HEADED HERON One was seen between First and Third Bridges, Moremi G.R. on 11 Sept (PN, RL, VL).
GOLIATH HERON Ardea goliath Two were at Gaborone Game Reserve on 26 Sept (IW).
DWARF BITTERN Ixobrychus sturmii One was seen at Tswaiing Pans on 30 March and 25 April (CAB).
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a LITTLE BITTERN Ixobrychus minutus One was at Shashe Dam on 7 March (NB, BM), two at Lake Ngami on 6 Sept (PH, KO, PN, RL, VL) and one by the Chobe River east of Kasane on 29 Oct (PZ).
GREATER FLAMINGO Phoenicopterus roseus (ruber) One was at Kgoro Pan on 15 Feb and one at Shashe Dam on 7 March (CAB, NB & BvM). There were five at Ramotswa S.P. on 26 June, one at Sojwe Pan on 28 June and 11 at Bokaa Dam on 14 Aug (MGG, DG, HH, CAB).
GREAT WHITE PELICAN Pelecanus onocrotalus >1,000 were at Lake Ngami on 6 Mar (SJT, KO, TT, OS) and 252 on 6 Sept (PH, PN, RL, VL). At Shashe Dam there were 28 on 7 Mar with 64 there on 3 Sept. (NB, BvM, MT). Eight were seen on the Chobe River between Simwanaza valley and Ngoma Bridge on 23 July (MV) with 42 further downriver (CF et al.) and eight in Savuti marsh on 17 Aug (GB).
PINK-BACKED PELICAN Pelecanus rufescens One or two were seen daily on the Thamalakane River near the River Lodge east of Maun in late Feb/early March (PH, SJT et al.). At least 40 were at Lake Ngami on 6 March when only a small % of lake was covered (KO, PH, SJT, TT). Small numbers attempted to breed, unsuccessfully, in June at Lake Ngami, where 28 were counted on 24 July and five on 6 Sept (PH, KO, PN, RL, VL). Elsewhere in the Okavango Delta singles were noted at Gcobega and Gadikwe Lediba on 15 July and two on the upper Boro on 24 July. At Shashe Dam 12 were counted on 7 March (NB, BvM, MT).
WHITE STORK Ciconia ciconia Four were at Maun Airport on 28 Feb (SJT) and 30 at Shashe Dam on 7 Mar (NB, BvM). Two were at Tswaiing Pans on 4 June and five at Lake Xau on 30 Sept (CAB).
MARABOU STORK Leptoptilos crumeniferus One was at Jwaneng S.P. on 18 July (MGG, DG & HH) and 27 at Shashe Dam on 3 Sept (NB et al.). There were 15 at Lake Xau on 16 Sept and 21 on 30 Sept (PN, RL, VL, CAB).
YELLOW-BILLED STORK Mycteria ibis Over 70 were at Lake Ngami on 6 Mar (SJT, KO, TT).
BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica 10,000+ in Francistown in May 2008 (TB) and large roost at Third Bridge (KB).
GREY-RUMPED SWALLOW Pseudohirundo grisepyga One was seen at Thakadu south of Ghanzi, outside its usual range, on 10 Oct (per TH).
BURNT-NECKED EREMOMELA Eremomela usticollis Four or five were seen north of Kang at Kalahari Rest in 2322D1 on 21/22 May (CAB); the Kalahari is outside their usual range.
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COMMON WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis 18 recorded, together with 6 Icterine warblers Hippolais icterina along a 2 km transect east of the Ngotwane River in 2426B1 (west of Olifants Drift) on 20 Feb (CAB)
EUROPEAN MARSH WARBLER Acrocephalus palustris Single birds were caught and ringed on 5 Dec 2009, 16 Jan 2010, 19 Feb 2010, four on 11 Dec 2010 and singles on 22 Jan 2011, 25 Feb 2011 and 26 Mar 2011; a bird originally ringed on 17 Jan 2009 was re-trapped on 11 Dec 2010 (NB).
DUSKY LARK Pinarocorys nigricans About 10 were near Tswaiing Pans on 13 Feb, one at Kui Pan (2522D3) and one along Tsabong – McCarthy’s Rust road on 28 March, ca. 10 at Thagale Dam on 4 April, one at Maokgamatshwane Dam, south of Ramotswa, on 10 April (CAB); the species appeared to be more numerous in southern Botswana in early 2011 than in other years.
COMMON MYNA Acridotheres tristis A pair was seen along the Molopo Valley at Boshoek (2524C) on 27 March and another pair seen at Maralaleng (2522D3) in southwestern Botswana on 27 March (CAB).
PLAIN-BACKED PIPIT Anthus leucophrys One, east of the Ngotwane River, in 24126B1 (west of Olifants Drift) on 20 Feb and one at Thagale Dam on 3 April (CAB).
BUFFY PIPIT Anthus vaalensis Two were seen north of Tsabong and three at Kui Pan on 28 March, one at Maokgmatshwane Dam, south of Ramotswa, on 10 April (CAB).
REFERENCES BARNES, J. & BUSHELL, B. 1989. Birds of the Gaborone area. A Checklist. Botswna Bird Club, Gaborone. BEESLEY, J.S.S. & IRVING, N.S. 1976. The status of birds of Gaborone and its surroundings. Botswana Notes and Records 8: 231-261. HOCKEY, P.A.R., DEAN, W.R.J. & RYAN, P.G. (eds). 2005. Roberts – Birds of southern Africa. The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town. TYLER, S.J. & BORELLO, W.D. 1998. Birds in the Gaborone area and where to watch them. Botswana Bird Club, Gaborone.
Stephanie J. Tyler & Chris A. Brewster, c/o BirdLife Botswana, P/Bag 003, Suite 348, Mogoditshane, Gaborone
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a CONTRIBUTORS
AC Alan Curry MGG Mike Goldsworthy AN Amos Nkatholang MJ M.Jotia AT Antero Topp MK Mark Kirk BF Bonnie Fairbanks MM Mmatli Matlotle BG Barobi Garenomotse MMa M.Makwati BR Boikobo Ready MS Max Seigal BvM Buzz von Memmerty MSZ Mike Soroczynski CAB Chris Brewster MSM M.S.Mokara CF Craig Foaden MT Michael Turner CM Collin Morris MV Mark Vandewalle CV Cornelius Vanderpost NB Nicky Bousfield CVr Cheryl Vroom NK Nametle Knortze DC Dean Chalmers OD Olorato Dipuo DG Daphne Goldsworthy OG Oyapo Gotshajwang DH Dean Hatty OS O. Samuel DS Dave Steyn OSe Olebile Sebogiso ED Ezekial Ditshameko PC Patrick Cairns EH Ellen Hatty PD’A Peter D’Arcy EM Ernest Madimabe PH Pete Hancock Emu Edwin.Mudongo PL Pete Laver GA Grant Atkinson PN Pat Nurse GB Gavin Blair PZ Phil Zappala GS Graeme Skinner RB Robert Barclay HH Harold Hester RG Ross Galbraith IN Ian Nuttall-Smith RH Robyn Hartley IW Ian White RK Reuben Kokole KB Keith Blomerley RM Rapula Mooketsi KO Ken Oake RL Ray Lovett JD John Dalziel SD Simon Dures JE John Easer SJT Stephanie Tyler JG Jan Graaf SN Stopper Nkate JV Jacques Van Eck TG Tony Goosen LF Lyn Francey TH Trevor Hardaker LS Leutlwamang Samosupa TR Thatayaone Rabakane LN Lincoln Njiru TT Tony Tree MB Mark Bing VL Val Lovett MBl Marjorie Blair
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50 Journal of BirdLife Botswana
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Some Breeding Records in 2011
Species Date Location Nest site; nest contents Obs Spur-winged Goose 7 Mar Shashe Dam Many immature birds NB, BM Plectropterus gambensis Egyptian Goose 16 Jan Bokaa Dam Pair with seven young, ca. 7 CAB Alopochen aegyptiaca days old and a pair with three young < 5 days old Egyptian Goose 12 Feb Tswaiing Pans Pair with six young, ca. 10 – CAB 2524B2 14 days old Egyptian Goose 30 Mar Tswaiing Pans Pair with 6 young, ca. 2 CAB weeks old Egyptian Goose 3 Sept Shashe Dam Pair with 7 goslings NB, BM & MT South African Shelduck 26 June Ramotswa S.P. Pair + 5 young, c10 days old CAB Tadorna cana South African Shelduck 29 Oct Bokaa Dam Pair + 1 young, circa 10 days CAB old Cape Teal 26 June Ramotswa S.P. Pair with 7 young, ca.5 days CAB Anas capensis old, Cape Teal 26 June Ramotswa S.P. Pair with 8 young, ca.5 days CAB old Cape Teal 26 June Ramotswa S.P. Pair with 5 young ca. 2 weeks CAB old Cape Teal 18 July Jwaneng S.P. Adult with 8 small ducklings MGG, on small dam below sewage DG, HH ponds Red-billed Teal 3 Sept Shashe Dam Adult with 6 ducklings NB, BM Anas erythrocephala & MT Cape Shoveler 25 Apr Tswaiing Pans Adult with 5 tiny young, ca. 5 CAB Anas smithii 2524B2 days old Cape Shoveler 26 June Ramotswa S.P. Female + 3 young, ca.7 days CAB Red-knobbed Coot 30 Mar Tswaiing Pans Nest of floating vegetation CAB Fulica cristata with 2 young, c 10 days old Red-knobbed Coot 24 Sept Bathoen Dam, Adult with 3 young ca. 14 CAB Kanye days old Black-winged Stilt 25 April Tswaiing Pans 23 nests of floating CAB Himantopus himantopus vegetation, some being built. 10 nests had adults on nests; One young, ca. 10 days old present on 4 June Blacksmith Lapwing 16 Jan Bokaa Dam Pair with one young ca. 5 CAB Vanellus armatus days old Blacksmith Lapwing 14 Aug Bokaa Dam Pair with 1 young ca. 12 days CAB Blacksmith Plover 29 Oct Bokaa Dam pair + 1 young, ca. 10 days CAB
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December 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a Species Date Location Nest site; nest contents Obs old Kittlitz’s Plover 1 Jan Lake Xau Pair with one 3-5 day old CAB C. pecuarius chick Great Crested Grebe 23 July Gamoleele Dam 2 pairs, each with 3 young MGG, Podiceps cristatus DG African Darter 7 Mar Shashe Dam Nests with 7 young NB, BM Anhinga rufa African Darter 3 Sept Shashe Dam Nest with 3 chicks NB, BM & MT White-breasted (Great) 14 Aug Bokaa Dam 6 nests with fully grown CAB, Cormorant Phalacrocorax young KM lucidus White-breasted 3 Sept Shashe Dam 5 active nests containing 11 NB, BM Cormorant chicks & MT Cattle Egret 19 Jan Mogobane Dam Breeding in reeds at inflow MGG, Bubulcus ibis, end of dam – also Black- DG, HH Grey Heron crowned Night Herons Ardea cinerea and Nycticorax nycticorax Black-headed Heron Ardea melanoocephala Cattle Egret and Black- 18 July Mogobane Dam Some still on nests in reeds at MGG, headed Heron inflow end (263 adults + 27 DG, HH young Cattle Egrets; 34 herons) Black-headed Heron 3 Sept Nr Boat Club, 32 adults in active heronry in NB, BM Shashe Dam large Acacia tree & MT African Spoonbill 3 Sept Shashe Dam 2 nest each with 4 chicks NB, BM Platalea alba & MT African Openbill August Kasane Rapids 15 nests in waterberries PZ Anastomus lamelligerus Syzygium, laying in August and fledging in October Green (Red-billed) Wood Feb/Mar Crocodile Pools, Nest in Aloe marlothii – 2 CAB Hoopoe Ngotwane young flew on 6 and 7 March; Phoeniculus purpureus no other birds assisted in rearing the young. Whiskered Tern 6 Mar Lake Ngami Four nests on floating SJT, Chlidonias hybrida vegetation; two with 2 eggs, TT, KO one with 1 egg and one empty Arrow-marked Babbler 25 Apr Moroekwe 3 eggs in a cup of grass in MB Turdoides jardineii Farm, Otse dense bush, ca. 1 m above ground. A Levaillants Cuckoo Clamator levaillantii pinned down several babblers
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Species Date Location Nest site; nest contents Obs Kalahari Scrub-Robin 19 Jan Mabuasehube 2 eggs in a cup of grass, just DD Cercotrichas paeana above ground in a tuft of grass Amethyst Sunbird 25 Sept Croc. pools, Adult feeding young in nest, a CT Chalcomitra amethystina Ngotwane ball of grass and plant materials, 2m above ground Red-winged Starling 7 Mar Moeding 2 young, ca. 7 days old, in CAB Onychognathus morio College, Otse nest under overhang of roof, c 6 m above ground Red-winged Starling 9 Mar Moeding 2 young, full-grown, in nest CAB Onychognathus morio College, Otse under overhang of roof, c 3.5 m above ground Red-headed Finch 4 June Tswaiing Pans pair with two recently fledged CAB Amadina erythrocephala begging young Village Indigo-Bird Vidua 21Apr Gaborone A recently fledged Village DC chalybaeta/, Red-billed Indigo-Bird was Firefinches Lagonosticta accompanying Red-billed senegala Firefinches.
Observers: CAB Chris Brewster; DC Dean Chalmers; CT Chris Toye; DD Dian Derksen, DH Dean Hatty; PD’A Peter D’Arcy; BM Buzz von Memmerty; IW Ian White; KM Keddy Mooketsa; MB Mark Bing; MS Mike Soroczynski; MT Michael Turner; NB Nicky Bousfield; PN Pat Nurse; PZ Phillip Zappala; RS Robert Smith
Compiled by Stephanie J. Tyler and Chris Brewster
Look out for colour-ringed Chestnut-banded Plovers
If you are in the Makgadikgadi Pans and see any Chestnut-banded Plovers please check their legs carefully to see if any bear colour rings. Mark Boorman has been colour-ringing these small plovers at Swakopmund on the Namibian coast and it is possible that there is movement between the coast and the pans in Botswana.
Please note the colour of any ring you see and whether on the left or right leg.
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a Obituary: Edward Huw Penry (1943-2011)
Edward Huw Penry was born and educated in the UK. He qualified as a medical doctor in 1967 and came to Zambia in 1971 to work as a Medical Officer on the Zambian Copperbelt. He remained in Zambia for nine years.
During his time in Zambia Huw became involved in birdwatching and devoted most of his spare time to watching birds. He joined the Zambian Ornithological Society (ZOS) and became editor of the monthly Newsletter of ZOS. He wrote several articles and notes for the ZOS Bulletin and in his last year in Zambia in 1979 he took over as editor of the Bulletin from Bob Dowsett. He spent four years contributing records to the Zambian Bird Atlas Project.
In 1980 Huw left Zambia and moved to Jwaneng and took up a post as Chief Medical Officer at the new diamond mine there. His main leisure activity continued to be birdwatching and it was not long before he initiated the Botswana Bird Atlas project in conjunction with the newly formed Botswana Bird Club. Until its publication in 1994 Huw was the sole coordinator of the project. For ten years he made numerous field trips to the Kalahari for data collection, either with Nigel Hunter or by himself, and also published regular updates of the project in the Babbler. In 1982, after only two years in Botswana, he was transferred by his employers to South Africa. Despite being transferred to South Africa he continued to enthusiastically coordinate the project and make regular field trips to Botswana. For the final four years of the project, Huw prepared the maps and text, a time consuming and onerous task. In 1994 the Bird Atlas of Botswana was published by University of Natal Press with Huw as the sole author.
After retirement from his post as Medical Director of AngloGold Health Service in 2001, Huw moved to the Bristol area of England where he worked as a Medical Officer until his retirement in 2004. He was a member of the Records Subcommittee of BirdLife Botswana for many years and he continued to actively participate in the committee until his death in 2011.
Huw will always be remembered for his unwavering support for the Botswana bird atlas project. The Bird Atlas of Botswana has been the authoritative reference to bird distribution in Botswana since its publication in 1994 and it is likely to remain so for years to come. Though I only met Huw a few times I corresponded with him regularly for the past 25 years. I always found him to be full of enthusiasm. He always took the time to write a courteous, thorough and considered reply anytime I wroteBabbler to No . him56 concerning birds in Botswana. It was a loss when July 2011 he died unexpectedly after a short illness in 2011.
Huw is survived by his wife Susan and two daughters.
J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a Chris54 A. Brewster
54 Journal of BirdLife Botswana Obituary: Dr Brooks Childress
Sadly bird conservation suffered the loss of another champion in July 2011 when Dr Brooks Childress died. His name is now synonymous with flamingos as he had done a huge amount of work raising funds for flamingo research and developing an international action plan for the near-threatened Lesser Flamingo after organising a workshop in Kenya. From this flowed national action plans in Kenya and Tanzania. Action plans in Botswana and South Africa are in the pipeline with country representatives agreeing to co-ordinate in a combined workshop for the development of respective country action plans.
From 2001 to 2009 he carried out research on Lesser Flamingos in East Africa including one of the first ever satellite-tracking studies of Lesser Flamingos. He was a very effective Chair of IUCN’s Flamingo Specialist Group (FSG) for many years, where he instilled a sense of responsibility and an appetite for progressive collaboration among its many members. His positive approach to research and conservation, enveloped with a contagious enthusiasm was truly inspirational to all that knew and worked with him.
Originally a business man in the USA, UK and Canada for 27 years he had a total change of lifestyle when he went to Kenya with his wife in 1991 and studied for a doctorate on the breeding biology and feeding ecology of the Great (White- breasted) Cormorant on Lake Naivasha. From this came his passion for birds and flamingos in particular. Dr Childress was also a prominent figure in the fight to prevent a soda ash factory being developed at Lake Natron. His wife Sandy sent this message to the FSG list serve, via his colleague and long-standing friend Baz Hughes of Wetlands International:
“He died of cancer, at home, listening to a recording of the dawn chorus, garden birdsong and woodland birdsong. He loved birds because they are gentle (except for cormorants!) and beautiful and some of them make the most amazing sounds. He especially loved waterbirds and the interplay in their lives of water and air. He was proudest of the growth and direction of the FSG under his guidance. He felt blessed to have had the opportunity to travel and meet conservation-minded people all over the world”. Graham McCulloch and Stephanie Tyler
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Babbler No. 56 July 2011 Babbler No. 56 July 2011
Huw is survived by his wife Susan and two daughters. Huw is survived by his wife Susan and two daughters. BabblerChris A. No. Brewster 56 December 2011 Chris A. Brewster Obituary: Dr Brooks Childress Obituary: Dr Brooks Childress Sadly bird conservation suffered the loss of another champion in July 2011 when DrSadly Brooks bird Childressconservation died. suff Hisered name the isloss now of synonymousanother champion with flamingos in July 2011 as he when had doneDr Brooks a huge Childress amount ofdied. work His raising name fundsis now for synonymous flamingo research with flamingos and developing as he had an internationaldone a huge amountaction plan of work for the raising near -fundsthreat forened flamingo Lesser Flamingoresearch and after developing organising an a workshopinternational in action Kenya. plan From for the this near flowed-threat enednational Lesser action Flamingo plans after in organisingKenya and a Tanzaniaworkshop. Ainction Kenya. plans From in Botswana this flowed and Southnational Africa action are plans in the in pipeline Kenya withand countryTanzania representatives. Action plans agreeingin Botswana to co and-ordinate South in Africa a combined are in workshthe pipelineop for with the developmentcountry representatives of respective agreeing country to action co-ordinate plans. in a combined workshop for the development of respective country action plans. From 2001 to 2009 he carried out research on Lesser Flamingos in East Africa includingFrom 2001 one to of2009 the hefirst carried ever satelliteout research-tracking on Lesserstudies Flamingosof Lesser Flamingos.in East Africa He wasincluding a very one effective of the Chairfirst everof IUCN’ satellites Flamingo-tracking Specialiststudies of GroupLesser (FSG) Flamingos. for many He yearswas a, verywhere effective he instilled Chair a ofsense IUCN’ of responsibilitys Flamingo Specialist and an appetiteGroup (FSG) for progressive for many collaborationyears, where heamong instilled its manya sense members of responsibility. His positive and anapproach appetite tofor research progressive and conservation,collaboration envelopedamong its withmany a contagiousmembers. enthusiasmHis positive was approach truly inspirational to research to and all conservation,that knew and envelopedworked with with him. a contagious enthusiasm was truly inspirational to all that knew and worked with him. Originally a business man in the USA, UK and Canada for 27 years he had a total Originallychange of lifestylea business when man he in went the USA,to Kenya UK withand Canadahis wife for in 271991 years and he studied had a fortotal a changedoctorate of lifestyleon the breedingwhen he wentbiology to Kenyaand feeding with his ecology wife in 1991of the and Great studied (White for a- breasted)doctorate Cormoranton the breeding on Lake biol Naivasha.ogy and From feeding this ecologycame his of passion the Great for birds (White and- flamingosbreasted) Cormorant in particular. on LakeDr Childress Naivasha. was From also this a prominent came his passionfigure in for the birds fight and to preventflamingos a sodain particular. ash factory Dr beingChildress developed was also at Lakea prominent Natron. figureHis wife in theSandy fight sent to thisprevent message a soda to ashthe factoryFSG list being serve, developed via his colleague at Lake andNatron. long His-standing wife Sandyfriend sentBaz Hughesthis message of Wetlands to the FSG International: list serve, via his colleague and long-standing friend Baz Hughes of Wetlands International: “ He died of cancer, at home, listening to a recording of the dawn chorus, garden “birdsongHe died andof cancer, woodland at home, birdson listeningg. He loved to a recordingbirds because of the they dawn are chorus, gentle (exceptgarden forbirdsong cormorants!) and woodland and beautiful birdson andg. He some loved of birdsthem makebecause the they most are amazing gentle sounds.(except Hefor especiallycormorants!) loved and waterbirds beautiful and thesome interplay of them in make their thelives most of water amazing and sounds.air. He wasHe especially proudest lovedof the waterbirdsgrowth and and direction the interplay of the inFSG their under lives his of waterguidance. and air.He feltHe blessedwas proudest to have of had the thegrowth opportunity and direction to travel of andthe meetFSG conservationunder his guidance.-minded Hepeople felt allblessed over tothe have world had”. the opportunity to travel and meet conservation-minded people Grahamall over the McCulloch world”. and Stephanie Tyler Graham McCulloch and Stephanie Tyler
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a LETTERS
The History of BirdLife Botswana from Mavis and Kenneth Smith
Dear Harold,
The reason for contacting you is to ask whether BirdLife Botswana has any system of keeping records of the society's history, and whether it has records of the formation of the society.
Looking through our documents of the old Botswana Bird Club, we have the record of a meeting of the Botswana Society dated 27th October 1980 at the National Museum, Gaborone, attended by over 100 birdwatchers at which the decision was taken to form a Birdwatching Club in Botswana, initially under the auspices of the Botswana Society. The meeting also elected a Bird Club Committee, of which the Chairman was Malcolm C. Hodgson. We were both present at that meeting. In November 1981 a circular to all members announced that its membership then stood at 175, but that Malcolm Hodgson and four other committee members had left Botswana. He had been replaced as Chairman by Mrs Janet Barnes; and Kenneth was added as a Committee Member. The First Annual General Meeting of the Botswana Bird Club was held at the National Museum on December 1st 1981 at 7.30pm. Janet Barnes was formally elected President, and Kenneth was among those elected to the Committee. He continued as a committee member until Easter 1986 when Kenneth and Mavis left Botswana.
We have kept copies of the Minutes of all the Bird Club's committee meetings and of the Newsletters circulated to members, during the years we were in Botswana. If those documents are of any value to you and the present members as archives to add to the records of the Society, or to be deposited with the Botswana National Archives, we would be very happy to send them to you. However, you may already have these documents, or you may not want them, in which case, please let us know and we will dispose of them ourselves. We also have copies of the Babbler from the first issue dated February 1981 - though interestingly the title 'Babbler' was not determined until Issue No.2. Again, if you would like any copies to complete the club's records, please let us know, and we would be happy to forward them.
And our family Visitors book has the signatures of the 25 or so Bird Club members who enjoyed a monthly Bird Walk through the bush near to Moeding College in September 1983 and again two years later on 1st September 1985, followed by their picnic lunches and coffee in our front garden at the college.
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More recent editions of the Babbler are beautifully printed and with coloured covers, thanks to the generosity of Remi and Wendy Borello - whom we remember with pleasure from our time in Botswana. The Babbler continues to provide quality information which we appreciate, as we are sure do all who receive it.
We now live in Norwich, England, and continue to receive the Babbler regularly, for which we are most grateful. We do sometimes meet Janet Barnes who lives in neighbouring Suffolk.
With all good wishes to you and to the Bird Club members,
Mavis and Kenneth Smith
Disturbance at Lake Ngami – from Ross Galbraith
Dear Mr. Hancock,
My name is Ross Galbraith and I work for Environment Canada as a federal Wildlife Enforcement Officer. Following an INTERPOL sponsored work-related training assignment at the Police Academy in Otse, I have recently returned from a fabulous vacation in Botswana. Due to the fact that one of my favourite activities is bird watching, the highlight of my entire trip to Botswana was without a doubt a visit to Lake Ngami with local guide Richard Randall.
As incredible as my trip to Lake Ngami was, it was very disturbing to see that there were jet skis operating in close proximity to the breeding colonies of many species of birds. These watercraft were traveling at high speed and making a lot of noise. I know from personal experience that watercraft such as these can be very disruptive of the breeding behaviour of waterbirds and I would urge the authorities to do whatever is necessary to control the access of these individuals and to protect the breeding colonies on the lake.
Despite the brief tenure of my visit to Lake Ngami, I consider it to be one of the truly amazing wonders of the world. Properly advertised and managed, this spectacularly beautiful natural feature will provide not only a critically important breeding site for many species but also a sustainable source of tourist-generated income for the local economy. If these craft are permitted to continue to operate in the manner which I witnessed at first hand, I believe that it will only be a short
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a period of time before the breeding colonies are abandoned because of the high levels of unnatural disturbance.
I am writing this note to you as I understand that you are involved in Birding Botswana; and that you will know to whom this complaint should be forwarded. Accordingly, please forward this message to the appropriate authorities as there is so much at risk in this particualr case. Unrestricted access to this lake for personal watercraft is a recipe for disaster waiting to happen. I look forward to returning to Botswana and Lake Ngami will definitely be on my itinerary if the breeding colonies survive.
Thank you very much and best regards,
Ross Galbraith, Operational Support Officer, Environment Canada
Globally threatened Birds
In the latest changes to the list of globally threatened species Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus has been moved from Least Concern category to Endangered whilst Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius has been moved from Least Concern to Vulnerable. Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni has now been downlisted from Vulnerable to Least Concern.
The bird species in Botswana that are considered by IUCN and BirdLife International to be Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened are given below:
Scientific name Common name Red List Category Agapornis nigrigenis Black-cheeked Lovebird VU Balearica regulorum Grey Crowned-crane VU Bucorvus cafer Southern Ground-hornbill VU Charadrius pallidus Chestnut-banded Plover NT Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier NT Circus maurus Black Harrier VU Coracias garrulous European Roller NT
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Scientific name Common name Red List Category Egretta vinaceigula Slaty Egret VU Falco vespertinus Red-footed Falcon NT Gallinago media Great Snipe NT Glareola nordmanni Black-winged Pratincole NT Grus carunculatus Wattled Crane VU Gyps africanus White-backed Vulture NT Gyps coprotheres Cape Vulture VU Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit NT Mirafra cheniana Melodious Lark NT Necrosyrtes monachus Hooded Vulture EN Neotis denhami Denham's Bustard NT Numenius arquata Eurasian Curlew NT Oxyura maccoa Maccoa Duck NT Phoeniconaias minor Lesser Flamingo NT Polemaetus bellicosus Martial Eagle NT Rynchops flavirostris African Skimmer NT Sagittarius serpentarius Secretarybird VU Terathopius ecaudatus Bateleur NT Torgos tracheliotos Lappet-faced Vulture VU Trigonoceps occipitalis White-headed Vulture VU
Two species found in Botswana, White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus and Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum, are the subject of current consultation as to whether they should be considered more threatened than the listing suggests.
VU = Vulnerable NT = Near Threatened EN = Endangered
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a A Review - del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D. A. eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 14 Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
The Handbook has received widespread accolades for each volume. This is the 14th of 16 volumes and it lives up to all expectations. All the adjectives have been used before – superlative, excellent, inspiring and masterly.
In this volume there is an initial chapter on Birding Past, Present and Future. The past covers 100 years of birding from the ‘preserve of a few eccentric enthusiasts to the mass-participation leisure activity of today’. The present section discusses such topics as the economics of bird-watching, birding and the media and technological advances in the study of birds. The future section is rather depressing as looks at the loss of habitat and birds – more declines and extinctions are forecast – and the problems of birding in some countries – with political instability, credit crunch and the need to reduce our carbon footprints all moving us away from travel to far-flung places in search of new species for our life lists. The authors argue that turning away from seeking rarities and towards looking at birds in your local patch may bring benefits in for example, more in depth studies of behaviour.
The family texts are written by experts with a now familiar format. Each family has a general chapter of 30-40 pages covering systematic, morphology, habitat, general habits, voice, food and feeding, breeding, movements, relationships with man and arguably, the most important section on status and conservation, and of course references. The whole chapter is liberally sprinkled with stunning photographs of various species in the family, many photos depicting bird behaviour. Then space is allocated to species accounts. These cover most of the topics in the general chapter and also cover taxonomy and subspecies and include a map of the distribution. Colour plates illustrate every species with separate illustrations where relevant for males and females and subspecies.
Volume 14 includes much of interest to ornithologists in Australia and New Zealand with the families covered including Wattlebirds and Stitchbirds, mudlarks and other mud-nesters, Wood Swallows, Butcherbirds and Bowerbirds. Vangas of Madagascar and Birds of Paradise of New Guinea and NE Australia are also covered. However, there is much for African birders too – Bush-shrikes, Helmet- shrikes, Drongos, Crows, Starlings and Old World Sparrows. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on Bush-shrikes and the superb photos of all those colourful bush- shrikes, tchagras, puffbacks, brubrus and boubous with which we are familiar in Botswana. The Bush-shrikes occur throughout Africa, occupying mainly woody
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habitats from the lowlands to highlands with a few species in high altitude heathland and others in papyrus swamps. This is not a book to sit down and read from cover to cover but rather one to dip into. I for one would not be without my own set of HBW volumes. Each volume is authoritative; it is a mine of information and it is a pleasure to look at as it has so many excellent photos, many of which depict the behaviour of birds rather than a simple portrait photo. My only grouse is that the volumes are so heavy.
The number of volumes has increased since the series’ inception with 10 or so originally planned but with the wealth of new data available, both family and species texts increased in size resulting in 15 huge volumes. Later volumes are inevitably more up-to-date than earlier volumes.
Stephanie J. Tyler
Publications of relevance to birds in Botswana
Honeyguide, the journal of BirdLife Zimbabawe continues to include much of interest. Below are two papers by Tony Tree on two waders familiar to most BirdLife Botswana members in Botswana. BLB has copies of Honeyguide in its office should anyone want to read them.
Tree, A. J. 2008. The Common Sandpiper in Zimbabwe. Honeyguide 54: 40-51
The Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos is a widespread migrant in Africa especially in the mesic eastern half. In Zimbabwe it is the first Palaearctic migrant to arrive, mostly from mid July with the main arrival from September to November. The earliest birds are probably the southernmost breeders. Birds leave Zimbabwe from late March. Common Sandpipers are most numerous on southward migration when there is lots of good habitat – muddy edges to dams and rivers – and tend to overfly on northward passage when areas are flooded.
All ringing recoveries are from Russia except for two from Sudan. There is limited movement between sites within Zimbabawe and recaptures within and between seasons suggest strong site fidelity. It seems that birds seen from July to September are on passage through the country whereas those that arrive from October onwards are over-summering.
The mean weight was 45-50g from July to February with a peak in the pre- migration period when the maximum weight was 93g. Primary moult is descendent in adults with a duration of 4.5 to 5 months. First year birds may have a full or
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DecemberDecember 2011 201 1 BabblerBabbler No. No. 56 56 b a partial moult and moult may be descendent or centrifugal. The proportion of young in the population varied from 16-50% between 1972 and 1982.
Tree, A.J. 2011. The Black-winged Stilt in Zimbabawe and southern Africa. Honeyguide 57(1): 5-9.
Tony Tree documents the occurrence of the Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus in Zimbabwe where when he arrived in 1958 it was a rather scarce bird, occurring mainly in the Zambezi and the Save valleys and only rarely being seen briefly on the plateau. He notes that the creation of man-made wetlands has encouraged a massive increase in numbers. In particular when Lake Manyame (Lake Darwendale/Lake Robertson) began to fill in 1976 numbers increased markedly. The highest numbers ever recorded were in 1993 – 1,030 at Whitehead Pools.
Tony caught a small number of birds at Whitehead Pools and Lake Manyame and he provides biometric data for 17 birds caught and compares these with South African data.
He discusses the species’ status and its movements throughout southern Africa and notes that the highest reporting rates in southern Africa came from the Free State and Western Cape in South Africa and from northeast Botswana. He reported that in Botswana stilts are 30 times more common on man-made wetlands than at natural wetlands. Unfortunately he overlooks more recent data from Botswana, gathered since the inception of waterbird counts in 1991. Our highest counts in Botswana come from natural wetlands –Lake Ngami (4,200 in December 2004) and Nata Delta (1,300 in January 2002). In the northeast the highest count from the Chobe River was of only 365, in July 2007.
Tony also notes that breeding may occur in Zimbabawe in any month of the year as has been found in Botswana. Although Neville Skinner reported them breeding from May to December in Botswana, more recent records come from January and February.
Stephanie J. Tyler
J o u r n a l o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a 62
62 Journal of BirdLife Botswana
BIRDLIFE BOTSWANA
BirdLife Botswana is Partner-designate of BirdLife International. 6 BirdLife International is a global partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources.
Our mission
The BirdLife International Partnership strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources.
Our vision 5 1 By focusing on birds, and the sites and habitats on which they depend, the BirdLife Partnership is working to improve the quality of life for birds, for other wildlife (biodiversity), and for people. BirdLife’s aims are to: • prevent the extinction of any bird species • maintain and where possible improve the conservation status of all bird species • conserve and where appropriate improve and enlarge sites and habitats important for birds • help, through birds, to conserve biodiversity and to improve the quality of people’s lives 4 2 • integrate bird conservation into sustaining people’s livelihoods. 3 Recent good pictures from our Member of Flikr website depicting “Birds of Botswana” http://www.flickr.com/groups/blb/pool
1. Broad-billed Roller • Photo: Bonnie Fairbanks The World Conservation Union
2. Red-headed Weaver • Photo: Ian White
Partner designate of: 3. African Barred Owlet • Photo: Bonnie Fairbanks
4. Purple Heron • Photo: Ian White
5. Green-backed Heron • Photo: Ian White
6. Lilac-breasted Roller • Photo: Mike Soroczynski ISSN 1012 - 2974 BABBLER Journal of BirdLife Botswana
BABBLER Journal of BirdLife Botswana
The sincere thanks of all the members of BirdLife Botswana go to Remi and Wendy Borello who have once again generously supported the printing of this issue of the Babbler.
Cover Design by: Impression House Number 56 December 2011 Printing by Impression House