Familiar N e w s l e t t e r o f B i r d L i f e B o t s w a n a

Welcome to the Familiar Chat! October 2013 Since the last edition, we have had three walks – methinks the mornings "Every year, from one end of were too cold for most sensible , but we did see much to interest us. the Mediterranean to the other," wrote Franzen, "hundreds of millions of By being a member of BirdLife and learning more about birds, you are part of songbirds and larger migrants an international community, expressing your commitment to helping are killed for food, profit, conservation efforts all over the world. Birds don’t recognise international sport, and general millions of birds across the borders. amusement." Covering this Balkans and southern Italy Efforts being made to protect our migratory birds in Europe are highlighted, mass killing of birds was like twice a year. EuroNatur trains covering a war, according to local bird-watchers to monitor but recent information indicates we have our own problems in and around Guttenfelder. bird populations and is , with Grey Louries being found dead and accidental poisoning being Illegal hunting and trapping is developing no-hunting areas. suspected. Hundreds of vultures were deliberately poisoned in the Caprivi rampant in Italy, Cyprus, and A relatively young Strip area. Many pelicans have been found dead in the Savuti area. – Malta. BirdLife's affiliates in group, Nature Conservation indiscriminate use of pesticides is a possible cause. those countries--BirdLife Egypt aims to increase Cyprus, BirdLife Malta, protection and appreciation of Rachel Carson first brought the possibility of a “Silent Spring” to our attention and LIPU in Italy—effectively the country's natural heritage, over 50 years ago. Progress has been made but we still need to be vigilant. combat poaching through the including the birds that International companies take advantage of marketing opportunities in less legal system and public migrate across its borders. aware countries. BLB Director Kabelobelo Senyatso is negotiating with senior education. WWF Italy supports volunteer Government officials and Ministers to increase awareness and change policy Committee Against Bird rangers who pursue Slaughter (CABS) rescues and arrest poachers, monitor in Botswana. His intention is to get the offending chemicals ‘off the shelves’ birds and destroys traps in illegal hunting and trapping and to find sponsorship to initiate a programme with staff to monitor the aggressive anti-poaching sites, and seize illegal traps situation. (Read more on p2) We need a WAKE UP call…….. operations in Italy, Cyprus, and devices that lure birds by Malta, Spain, and France. playing recorded birdsong. Please start thinking about contributions (written or photographic) for the Based in Germany, EuroNatur works to Jane J. Lee National next edition and send them NOW! protect birds along Geographic Published July Janet ([email protected]) the Adriatic Flyway, a 23, 2013 migratory route followed by

Dear Colleagues, cause for concern, and effectively means that for every elephant poached, several hundred vultures are killed. Another 400-600 vultures have recently been killed in our environs (the Caprivi strip), which effectively means they were “Botswana’s birds”. As always, my team and I are available to provide more details and/or clarification on any of the issues raised on this note and the attached Because BirdLife Botswana has continually brought this issue to the documents. attention of Dept of Wildlife and National (DWNP), and seen very little urgency given to this matter, we are launching a public campaign. Regards, “I want Botswana's “I want Botswana's vultures Kabelo Senyetso ALIVE, not DEAD” vultures We hope to increase awareness on this issue, as well as articulate to Director Batswana why they should be concerned about the issue e.g. when you BirdLife Botswana lose vultures, you (1) lose income from tourism, (2) risk increased likelihood ALIVE, not DEAD” of disease as vulture remove dead that may harbour for instance anthrax, and (3) the use of poisons poses direct threats to human health, should some of the toxic chemicals be washed off into water-bodies (boreholes, rivers etc). The last point we hope will make more Batswana take heed of this crisis, and realise its not just a wildlife conservation issue, but has implications for their health. To this end, next week, BirdLife Botswana will be launching a public campaign and we will in due course share details with yourselves.

The loss of between 400-600 birds in this single incident will affect populations in the entire sub-region, including Botswana, and should act as a catalyst for further action at a number of levels. Notably, BirdLife Botswana requests for greater involvement of the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism (MEWT) leadership to coordinate actions required off other Botswana agencies (the army, police, immigrations and customs, ministry of agriculture etc). In this regard, BirdLife Botswana hopes you will help our campaign and put pressure on MEWT (and other agencies that need to attend to this crisis) and to assist us in raising awareness at the highest levels in governments so that the poisoning of vultures can receive the appropriate attention and priority for action similar to that of rhino and elephant poaching in terms of legislation, pursuit of those responsible and penalties once the culprits are apprehended – Botswana should take the lead in demonstrating what action could be taken at country-level. The fact that these incidents can be directly linked to elephant poaching is a major “I want Botswana’s Vultures ALIVE – not DEAD”. Thirdly, poisoning of carcasses of poached wildlife, as happened with the This is the message that BirdLife Botswana wants all Batswana to take to approximately 400–600 vultures killed in Caprivi Strip, requires government heart, and help the organization in its efforts to reverse the decline facing and non-state actor input, and especially with actions coordinated across Botswana’s vultures. international boundaries. In this regard, the “I want Botswana’s Vultures ALIVE – Intentional and accidental poisoning are topmost threats to vultures in not DEAD” campaign seeks to raise awareness at the highest levels in Botswana, and over the years several incidences have been reported; for governments in Botswana and across southern African region, so that the instance more than 250 were killed in Kwando (Ngamiland District) in May poisoning of vultures can receive the appropriate attention and priority for 2012. A turning point in this crisis is that in July 2013, 400–600 dead vultures action similar to that of rhino and elephant poaching in terms of legislation, were found at a poisoned elephant carcass in ’s Caprivi Strip. “This pursuit of those responsible and penalties once the culprits are apprehended. was an intentional attempt by poachers, who laced the carcass with a chemical The fact that these incidents can be directly linked to elephant poaching is a to kill vultures, because vultures congregate around carcasses and are major cause for concern, and effectively means that for every elephant therefore often used by law enforcers as an indication of poaching activity. poached, several hundred vultures are killed. Given that this occurred during the breeding season, many of these birds The generally negative public perception towards vultures worsens the would have been breeding, thus the total death toll when one considers eggs situation by making it difficult to convince people that the decline of vulture and chicks would most likely exceed 1,000 birds. Many of these would populations will have negative implications on their lives, such as loss of undoubtedly be “Botswana’s birds” and thus as nation, we should be environmental cleaning services and loss of income from tourism. concerned about this development”, he continued. Unfortunately this negative attitude permeates society at all levels at local, Vultures play an extremely important role in nature. They keep natural and national and international levels and it has been a challenge to convince man-made habitats free of carcasses, waste and even human excrement. This governments, donors and industries to support vulture conservation. What way, they limit the spread of diseases, such as anthrax and botulism, a rare people fail to realize is that all it takes is for one vulture poisoning event to disease that causes paralysis. In Botswana, as across much of Africa, they are occur near a water source such as a borehole or mogobe, and humans, would also of cultural value to many communities, and they have an important eco- then likely be killed or seriously harmed. Through the “I want Botswana’s Vultures tourism value. ALIVE – not DEAD” campaign BirdLife want each one of us to be able to In Botswana, BirdLife Botswana has identified three main routes through contribute towards fighting this crisis bearing in mind that it doesn’t only affect which vultures are poisoned, and the “I want Botswana’s Vultures ALIVE – not vultures, but our livelihoods and health. campaign will ensure individuals, farmers, government agencies and DEAD” BirdLife Botswana, together with collaborators in and outside Botswana, is private sector companies that may have intentionally or deliberately taking action to address the vulture crisis. Priority actions include: contributed to these threats are aware of the facts. 1) research and monitoring to produce evidence to persuade government Firstly some veterinary products and medicines, if given to livestock or wild and industry to change their practices and commit resources to vulture animals will poison vultures should they eat carcasses of such animals. conservation. Veterinarias and farmers should contact BLB for a list of products which should 2) map areas where vultures are found and the threats they face; not be used. There are many safer alternatives already in the market. mapping will enable identification and protection of ‘vulture hotspots’, Secondly, when farmers retaliate against mammalian carnivores which kill including vulture breeding colonies. their livestock, they often lace carcasses with poisons. If vultures locate the 3) educate people – including donors and decision-makers – and change carcasses first they become unintentional victims; the worst case we have on their perceptions about vultures. record is when more than 110 vultures died near Lesoma in 2010. BLB has 4) support local conservation action, and encourage farmers, community guidelines for farmers to ensure that efforts to control mammalian carnivores based organization, government agencies, companies and members of do not impact on vultures, copies are freely available from the organisation, or the general public from different areas of the country to network, share through http://www.birdlifebotswana.org.bw/publications.html under Books and experiences and get involved pamphlets. We need your support to stem the threats to Botswana’s vultures!

Kabelo Senyatso Director BirdLife Botswana Mannyelanong Game Reserve lies 15 km outside of Lobatse , close to Otse. It is home to a breeding colony of Cape Vulture, which is Kwando May 2012 an endangered species and entirely protected by the laws of Botswana. The name Mannyelanong means, "where vultures defecate" in Setswana, and refers to the guano cover cliffs where the vultures live. Cape vultures have stayed in Mannyelanong for hundreds of years, but in the very last 40 years or so their population has reduced significantly. In the late 1960s, the inhabitants dropped to 50 pair, but numbers have since improved. At the moment there are just fewer than 70 breeding pairs of birds in the colony, but it is still part of the main colonies of vultures in Botswana. The vultures can normally be seen flying over the area and during the breeding season, the young birds can be seen resting on the rocks. Other species which are occasionally sighted at Mannyelanong Hill include Black Stork which also breeds on the cliffs, occasional pairs of Black Eagle, Lanner Falcon, and Rock Kestrel.

Commercial Developments moving closer to Mannyelanong Game Reserve by Benjamin Noga (BLB Admin Assistant) Poisoned Vultures in Since its declaration as a Game Reserve in June 1985, Mannyelanong Hill and its Kwando surroundings has dramatically changed. The fencing of the site and the regulations regarding its operation became effective in January 1986; this meant that sanctuary became afforded full legal protection by conservation ordinance. Currently there are few developments towards the game reserve, the latest being a kilometer away from the reserve. The area around the game reserve is mainly used for farming. However, 28 years down the line, it is evident that the village of Otse, which is approximately 3 km away from the game reserve, is getting closer. In 2009, the first development towards the game reserve was a horticultural/vegetable garden; the garden is now extinct and the land has been take over by a new company that breeds goats, chickens etc. Caprivi Aug 2013 These developments use more modern farming that include larger buildings and overhead electricity wires. The machines which are used are noisy. BirdLife Botswana and the community-based organisation they work with in Otse The evidence of more victims of poisoning (Cape Vultures Environmental Association) are keeping an eye on these development (infrastructure, noise, waste disposal etc) to ensure they cause minimal impacts on the vultures.

Residential Commercial development development During this season, the young participants are encouraged not Africa welcomes feathered only to register their first observations of the five species but globetrotters! Among the also to consider how people can make contributions to assist millions of birds migrating to their feathered friends to lead better and longer life. Having Africa for autumn and winter, one thought it over, children should grab pencils or paints and take can observe representatives part in the drawing contest “How Can I Help Birds?” and of five species impatiently illustrate these reflections. awaited by participants of Along with the seasonal activities of Spring Alive, the Spring Alive, a long-term preparations for the pilot edition of “Spring Twins” programme educational campaign of BirdLife International. Its African will be undertaken. The action aiming at strengthening the edition, with the record breaking number of eleven cooperation between Europe, Asia and Africa is due to start participating countries, has just begun. next year. The participants of the Spring Alive campaign in Africa expect Contact: to observe the first arrivals of Barn Swallows, White Storks, [Randall Tumelo Tseleng] Environmental Education Coordinator Common Swifts, Cuckoos and European Bee-eaters, which in BirdLife Botswana [email protected] August and September leave their European and Asian For more information please visit www.springalive.net breading areas. Some of the individuals will have to cover several thousand kilometres and may encounter many dangerous situations before reaching the wintering grounds of The Original Environmentalist - Africa. This year, the residents of as many as eleven African Rachel Carson (1907 – 1964) countries will watch the sky in Botswana, Ghana, , Nigeria, , Sierra Leone, Uganda, and, Rachel Carson’s book SILENT SPRING appeared in September 1962 and the for the first time, in , and Rwanda. outcry that followed its publication forced the banning of DDT and spurred revolutionary changes in the laws affecting our air, land, and water. Carson’s “The Spring Alive initiative provides a unique and interesting passionate concern for the future of our planet reverberated powerfully educational platform for African children, youth and bird lovers throughout the world, and her eloquent book was instrumental in launching to learn more about the value and beauty of nature through its the environmental movement. It is without question one of the landmark 5 flagship species. The project’s focus on outdoor activities in books of the twentieth century. (Amazon book review – Silent Spring) particular makes it very attractive to African children who have The book also met with furious resistance, chiefly from the big chemical a strong feeling for nature” – explains Callistus Akachabwon companies and the scientists in their employ. Multiple attempts were made to Agbaam of BirdLife International African Division. destroy not only Carson's scientific credibility but also her personal reputation: The campaign lives also online, as the observations are she was a fanatic, she was a "bunny hugger", she was a dangerous reactionary who would drag modern society backwards into a new Middle Ages filled with registered on the www.springalive.net website, where the pests, vermin, crop destruction and lethal diseases. (Book review New York Times Spring Alive participants can also follow news on bird related – there are many web sites with more information) issues and manage invitations to Spring Alive events, watch the dynamics of birds’ flyways, as well as play interactive bird (The title “Silent Spring” refers to a future season when singing games. (Right Click on above web address then Open Hyperlink) birds and other animals have been wiped out by insecticides.)

Spring Alive Corporation Fund for Europe and Africa (MCFEA), Spring Alive is an international project organised Spring Alive’s main sponsor. The aims of the by BirdLife International, a worldwide MCFEA are to encourage the appreciation and organisation for the protection of birds. The conservation of flora and fauna with an emphasis campaign is designed to promote children’s on endangered species. The campaign is also interest in nature and its conservation through financially supported by the Royal Society for the tracking the arrival of spring. The core component Protection of Birds (RSPB - BirdLife in the UK). of Spring Alive is the website www.springalive.net •The five spring migrating bird species are: with contributions from participants in over 40 White Stork, Barn Swallow, Common Swift, countries in Europe and Africa. All citizens, but Common Cuckoo and European Bee-eater. specifically children and families, are encouraged to observe and record the arrival of 5 migratory For more information on the Spring Alive bird species each year: White Stork, Barn Swallow, drawing contest go to www.springalive.net. Common Swift, Common Cuckoo and European Bee-eater. The Spring Alive project is originally from Germany. In 1987 in Bavaria, the first programme campaign was led by the German Birdlife Partner. Since then, Spring Alive unfolded both in terms of number of countries involved and observations made. At the moment the project is conducted by BirdLife Partners in over 40 countries across Europe and Africa. Funding: The whole project would not be possible without the great support of The Mitsubishi

“It is ironic to think that man might determine his own future by something so seemingly trivial as the choice of an Spring Alive with spray.” Harold and Boswa Primary School (Rachel Carson – Silent Spring 1962) 2012 Spring and the Yellow-billed Kites Harold Hester

This is the time of year we all look How does one recognize a Yellow-billed Kite? forward to: spring. We have enjoyed Easily! They are large (almost the size of an a rather mild winter, but spring holds eagle), all brown, with fanned tails and a yellow out so much promise. The days and gape. nights will become warmer, and we What is a gape? The gape of a bird is hope for some early rain to settle the its mouth and the yellow mark, which dust and start re-filling our dams. almost extends to below its eye. These Blossoms on the trees start coming out, birds normally fly alone, but can also spring flowers start to bloom and the be seen in large flocks either wheeling summer birding migrants return. in the air or standing quietly on the One of the most noticeable of these ground when left undisturbed. migrants is the Yellow-billed Kite. There do they go? In our winter they One day one suddenly becomes aware fly up over Africa to Europe, the they are with us again. No trumpet Middle East and Russia. They can’t call, no banners, no warnings, there wait to return again to our warm they are silently swooping down over sunny climate. They are normally first the roads and in the villages looking seen in Gaborone towards the end of for a scrap of meat to eat. August

These articles were originally published in ‘Familiar Chat ‘ Sept. 2005. Birds do not change their habits in 8 years, and BirdLife has not changed it’s subscriptions – only P120 even then! (allowing for inflation, we should be paying at least P200) When to look for Migratory Birds Kenneth Newman Migratory birds fall into two groups, local and long distance migrants, and both move seasonally, usually departing in late summer and returning in spring. We call those that migrate within Africa the intra-Africa migrants and those that come from the northern hemisphere, the Palaearctic migrants. Many of these migrants come to us as non-breeding visitors, a few come here to breed. These migrants include birds of prey, shorebirds, small warblers, swallows and many others. When reading about a bird in your field guide, check whether it is a resident species or a migrant. If the latter you’ll know that it’s unlikely to be here between May and August. BirdLife – Winners at the 2013 Botswana Consumer Fair By Dikabelo Koboyatshwene (Administration Officer, Gaborone) BirdLife Botswana participated in the 2013 Botswana Consumer A highlight of the week, just a Fair held at Fairground Holdings on the 22 – 28 July 2013.The day after the setting of stalls, theme for this year’s event was Shop, Discover, Explore. There were the stalls were judged. 500 stalls with 387 exhibitors, 30 local manufacturers and 15 foreign BirdLife Botswana was awarded countries represented. These included Government agencies, local first prize in the information community – based organizations ,private corporations, media category, chosen from among houses, environmental NGOs and private companies from countries 6 NGOs. like Nigeria, Zambia, South Africa, Kenya and others. It was the first time that BirdLife Botswana had won first prize in this event, The BirdLife Botswana stall turned out an achievement we had long worked for. We were awarded this to be one of the busiest of all the prize due to overall appearance of the stand, quality of exhibits, NGOs, receiving a steady stream of salesmanship and administration of stand. Visits from the public, students, governmental officials and other It was a highly rewarding experience that we will remember for Exhibitors. The visitors were admiring years to come . We were congratulated by the Botswana Vice and enjoyed the unique stall with President - who had been giving the awards, the management of pictures of different birds and nice shop Fairground Holdings and many other people. It was the day for products with birdfeeder, clothing, mugs, water bottles, post cards BirdLife Botswana to be acknowledged by the public. The whole etc. Most of our visitors did not know much about BirdLife and our experience at the Botswana activities before they came the Botswana Consumer Fair, so Consumer Fair, Dikabelo Koboyatshwene (the stall manager) and her helpers, were clearly showed that we need to kept busy informing them of our mission and activities whilst reach out more to people and that we distributing brochures. We were selling our BirdLife products and should be more active in attending many customers were interested in knowing more about our BLB such events. People really showed shop in Kgale Spar Shopping Complex and our offices located in an interest in BirdLife Botswana. Kgale Siding, Gaborone Dikabelo receiving the Award

In conclusion, the participation of BIRDLIFE BOTSWANA in the Consumer Fair was a great success. We managed to capture many peoples attention and inform them about our organisation. Moshupa Hills The large crystalline granite of these imposing hills th formed deep underground over 3000 million years 4 August 2013 ago. Constant erosion has exposed these rocks and Acacia Pied Barbet created the landscape we see today. African Dark Capped Bulbul Ashy The structure of lichens allows them to grow in harsh environments - forming a crust on the surface of rocks, or Bar-throated Apalis sometimes hanging from tree branches. Blue Waxbill A photosynthetic algae teams up with a filamentous fungi The algal cells are photosynthetic, and as in plants Burnt-necked Eremomela they reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic Cape Turtle-Dove carbon sugars to feed both symbionts. Both partners gain water and mineral nutrients mainly from the atmosphere, Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler through rain and dust. The fungal partner protects the Crested Barbet alga by retaining water, serving as a larger capture area for mineral nutrients and, in some cases, provides minerals obtained from the substrate Grey Go-away-bird Kalahari Scrub-Robin These colourful aloes were found in abundance Kurrichane Thrush along the route Marico Sunbird Namaqua Dove Natal Francolin Red-headed Weaver Is there a better way to end a walk? White-bellied Sunbird

White-throated Robin-Chat Photos : Janet – on her cell phone Yellow-bellied Eremomela

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know?? you do What This is the third Owl article for the Kid’s Page and we do hope that you kids have been looking for owls and finding evidence that owls are around. Such evidence might include sightings of owls, hearing their calls and finding owl feathers and pellets. The first Owl article was a general one about owls and the second featured our two smallest owls, now called owlets. These were the Pearl-Spotted Owlet and the Barred Owlet. In contrast this third Owl article features two of Botswana’s largest owls – the Verreaux’s (Giant) Eagle-Owl and the Spotted Eagle-Owl. (The largest of all the owls in Botswana is Pel’s Fishing-Owl which has a special habitat and will be featured in a later article.) Verreaux’s Eagle- Owl and the Spotted Eagle-Owl are among the so-called “horned owls”, referring to the tufts of feathers shaped into a protruding point, with the two pointed tufts on either side at the top of the head. Although these might look like “horns” or “ears”, they are really just made up of feathers.

Like the owlets, these two large owls naturally live in summer (May – Aug) and usually lay two eggs, the bushveld habitats of open woodland, although larger clutches (number of eggs in a nest) and also in tree-lined watercourses, but not in deep have been found. The incubation period for the eggs forest. Amazingly the large (45cm) Spotted Eagle- is about 31 days and the young nestling owls remain Owl has also adapted to living successfully in many in or near the nest for about 40 days. However, these towns and cities, and even nests and breeds in nestlings often move around out of the nest before school grounds! The Spotted Eagle-Owl is not fussy they can fly. Sometimes people think the chicks have about what it eats or where it roosts or nests. been abandoned by their parents and pick them up Spotted Eagle-Owls are known to have nested on the and remove them from the area. Don’t do this roofs of or Hamerkop nests, in forks (unless they are being attacked by cats or dogs) as of trees, in quarry walls, caves, erosion dongas that the parents will continue to feed them even if they might have a shelf, in haystacks and often on the are on the ground and can’t fly. If you get too close ground where the nest is just a scrape in the dirt. It is to these nestlings the parents are likely to attack easy to make your own owl nest box. See the Kid’s you. Page # 12 in the June 2011 issue of the Familiar Chat As mentioned above the Spotted Eagle-Owl also is for plans to build a Barn Owl nest box. This nest box not a fussy eater. This is probably why this owl is can be modified for the larger Spotted Eagle-Owl to found throughout Botswana. Its diet mostly consists be used in your garden or school grounds. A pair of of rodents such as mice, rats, gerbils and dormice, Spotted Eagle-Owls mate for life and they usually among others but also includes return to use the same nest year after year. (grasshoppers, , crickets etc.), geckos, frogs, Spotted Eagle-Owls nest during winter and into early birds including other owls, reptiles and bats. Large and grey-coloured with ear tufts, the Spotted Eagle-Owl and pellets as well as parts of prey items on the ground are might be confused with Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl but they are not additional clues to look for. During the breeding season (June – always found in the same habitat areas, as Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl August, though they don’t breed every year) they are often is not often seen in the middle third of Botswana (the Kalahari) found near or in the large nest made of sticks they are using. and there is a noticeable size difference with the latter being These nests have been made by eagles or other large birds of 65cm compared to 45cm of the former. Though being of similar prey and these owls also like to use the rooftops of Sociable colour in their plumage, the Spotted Eagle-Owl has orange- Weaver nests. Verreaux’s Eagle Owls do not build their own yellow eyes, and small feet for its size, while Verreaux’s Eagle- nests nor do they repair ones they might be using. They do, Owl has black eyes and bright pink eyelids which are all the more however, look for a well-built nest and just take it over even if noticeable because there is a black rim around this owl’s facial the birds that built the nest were using it. They have been disk. Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl is darker grey on the back and lighter reported nesting on the rooftop of a Hamerkop nest even when in the front that also has very fine or wavy lines on it. the Hamerkops were nesting inside. Calls of these two owls differ with the Spotted Eagle-Owl male’s Usually only two eggs are laid two days apart and incubation by call being “HU-hooo” that is answered by the female’s “ho-HU- the female only, starts when the first egg is laid and lasts 38-39 hooo”. Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl’s call is a series of deep sounding days. During incubation the female is fed by the male. Seldom grunts. The female Verreaux’s Eagle- Owl is much larger than does the chick from the second egg survive after hatching. the male, and this size difference is easily noted when a pair is Verreaux’s Eagle-Owls take a variety of prey (up to 70 different together. Although these owls’ hunting activities take place at kinds have been recorded) of various sizes. These especially night they can be seen during the day if you look in amongst the include Barn Owls and other owls, ducks, herons, crows, game leaves in tall trees in areas where they have been sighted or birds, hares, hedgehogs, mongooses and rodents among many have been heard calling at night. Verreaux’s Eagle-Owls have not others. If you see one of these owls, report to BirdLife Botswana adapted to urban areas as the Spotted Eagle-Owls have so you where you saw it and what it was doing. do have to look carefully for them in areas where they are known to occur. They often roost in the same places over a Doreen McColaugh period of time and the presence of whitewashing from faeces,

Resources consulted for this article: A Beginner’s Guide OWLS by G. Lockwood Birds of Botswana by K. Newman Nests & Eggs of Southern African Birds by W. Tarboton Owls & Owling in Southern Africa by W. Tarboton & R. Erasmus

“In nature nothing exists alone.” Spotted (Rachel Carson – Silent Spring – 1962) Eagle-Owl Amazing Migrations Sooty Shearwaters travel an incredible distance each year, logging as much as 40,000 miles as they travel their circular route from their breeding colonies in the Falkland Islands in the spring to Arctic waters to feed throughout the summer, and back down to the breeding grounds in the fall. They are regular globe trotters, moving from southern to northern hemispheres and covering as much as 310 miles a day. The Sooty Shearwater was once the record-holder for the longest migration for a bird. You don't have to be big to travel far, as the Pied proves. This small insect-eating bird travels from the extreme southeast of Europe to China, wintering in India and northeastern Africa. Moving from breeding grounds to wintering grounds and back means one bird may travel more than 11,000 miles in a year. For some of us it's hard to imagine driving our car 18,000 miles in a year, so just imagine flying that distance in the average course of annual life.

Many species travel amazing distances over the course of a season, but what about in a single flight? The longest nonstop flight for a bird ever recorded was taken by a Bar-tailed Godwit, a migrating wader bird. This bird flew 7,145 miles from Alaska to New Zealand in nine days, without ever once stopping for food, water or to rest. Talk about endurance! While the species makes an annual migration from Alaska to New Zealand and back, researchers had no idea that they could make such long flights without stopping.

BirdLife Botswana sincerely regrets that the agreement they We will continue looking for projects in which Pete can have with Pete Hancock will come to an end on 31st August, become involved and will employ him on an ad hoc basis 2013, should such opportunities arise. We urge those of you in Pete will have worked for and represented the conservation and environmental fields to consider using BirdLife Botswana passionately for nine years, during which his considerable experience and services in ornithological time he applied himself unstintingly to the conservation of matters, if at all possible. birds and to creating awareness among professionals and public alike about birds and birding. The BirdLife Botswana BirdLife Botswana is indebted to Pete Hancock for his conservation newsletter he initiated and edited “Birds and scientific contribution to so many initiatives over the years people” was particularly popular. The conservation of our endangered vultures has always Kabelo been of concern to him.

There’s no shower at my house Is anybody looking? “Only within the 20th Century has No? OK, bottoms up! biological thought been focused on ecology, or the relation of the living creature to its environment. Awareness of ecological relationships is — or should be — the basis of modern conservation programs, for it is useless to attempt to preserve a living species unless the kind of land or water it requires is also preserved. Taking advantage of So delicately interwoven are the circumstances relationships that when we disturb one - an thread of the community fabric we alter it opportunistic Time for Tea all — perhaps almost imperceptibly, Cape Weaver perhaps so drastically that destruction Who’s a handsome follows.“ Rachel Carson boy then? Southern Ground-Hornbill

Lehututu BirdLife Botswana P O Box 26691, Game City, Gaborone, BOTSWANA Tel/Fax: +267 3190540 Website: www.birdlifebotswana.org.bw Email: Photographer: Lyn Francey [email protected]

The Southern Ground-Hornbill is one of thirty Find a Friend threatened species in Botswana for which we seek and encourage them local companies to support conservation. to

join Please contact us for more details BIRDLIFE BOTSWANA Support Botswana’s Birds Email Dikabelo ([email protected])

Acknowledgments –http://www.avocet.zoology.msu .edu, http://www.treehugger.com/ Ian N White, Wikimedia, Wikipedia , www.xeno-canto.org BirdLife Botswana Membership Form 2013 Membership is due in January each year, subscriptions run from January to December Fees - Standard (individual/family) – P120 Overseas (SADC) – P350 Corporate – P2000 Professional (Rangers/guides/SSG) – P60 Life - P2000 Students in Botswana - P 15 Overseas (non SADC) – P450 Schools – P50 plus P5 per member (min 10 members)

Please complete the following form I /We wish to become members of BirdLife Botswana

Name of Primary member (Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms) ………………………………………………………………

Other member (adult) ……………………………………………………………… (number under 18 yrs) …………………………………

Address ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Payment Details …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Cheques payable to BirdLife Botswana Electronic Funds Transfer Contact Phone ………………………………………………………………………………………….. FNB Botswana Kgale View 284567 acc# 57110052562 Swift FIRNBWGX\ Email address ……………………………………………………………………………………………. I acknowledge that my family, dependents and guests take part in BirdLife Botswana organised events entirely at our own risk. I, in my personal capacity and a s representative of my spouse, children, dependents and guests hereby keep BirdLife Botswana, it’s committee, members and agents indemnified and hold them harmless against all loss, injury, damage to person or property from any cause (including negligence) arising from our participation in events organised by BirdLife Botswana

Signed …………………………………………. Date ……………………………………

BirdLife Botswana Regional Representatives Gaborone – The Membership Secretary BirdLife Botswana PO Box 26691 Game City Gaborone Botswana Francistown – Nicky Bousfield Ghanzi – Kevin Grant PO Box 820 Ghanzi 72112297 Kasane – Phil Zappala PO Box 570 75186109 Maun – Pete Hancock PO Box 20463 7865681