-Merensky 132kV Power Lines Project - Avifaunal Impact Assessment Study

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd

November 2015 Revision 3

DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Client : Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd

Project Name : Lydenburg – Merensky 132kV Power lines Project -Avifaunal Impact Assessment Study

Royal HaskoningDHV Reference Number : T01.JNB.000507

Compiled by : Paul da Cruz

Date : November 2015

Location : Woodmead

Review and Approval: Bronwen Griffiths (PrSciNat – Environmental Science – 400169/11)

______Signature

© Royal HaskoningDHV All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission from Royal HaskoningDHV

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS 0

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 0

ACRONYMS 1

SPECIALIST DECLARATION 1

1 INTRODUCTION 3 1.1 AIMS OF THE STUDY 3 1.2 ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS 3 1.3 PROJECT TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION 4 1.3.1 SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION 4

2 STUDY SITE CHARACTERISATION 5 2.1 STUDY AREA CLIMATE , TOPOGRAPHY AND VEGETATION 5 2.1.1 CLIMATE 5 2.1.2 GEOLOGY, MACRO-GEOMORPHOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY 5 2.1.3 VEGETATION TYPES 6 2.1.4 CURRENT LAND COVER AND LAND USE 6

3 HABITATS FOR IN THE STUDY AREA 7 3.1 HABITAT TYPES 7 3.1.1 SAVANNAH AND WOODLAND (BUSHVELD) 7 3.1.2 GRASSLANDS 9 3.1.3 RIVERS AND WETLANDS 11 3.1.4 RIPARIAN FOREST AND THICKET 12 3.1.5 CLIFFS AND MONTANE HABITAT 13 3.1.6 CULTIVATED LAND AND ORCHARDS 14 3.1.7 HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE 15 3.2 IMPORTANT AREAS 16 3.2.1 IMPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT 18

4 BIRD SPECIES OCCURRENCE IN THE STUDY AREA 18 4.1 OVERALL SPECIES OCCURRENCE 18 4.2 OCCURRENCE OF RED DATA SPECIES 19 4.3 OCCURRENCE OF ENDEMIC SPECIES 19 4.4 OCCURRENCE OF PRIORITY BIRD SPECIES 21

5 IMPACT ASSESSMENT 22 5.1 GENERIC IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH POWER LINES 22 5.1.1 COLLISIONS 23 5.1.2 ELECTROCUTIONS 23 5.1.3 DISTURBANCE 23 5.1.4 HABITAT DESTRUCTION 24 5.2 PRIORITY SPECIES -SPECIFIC IMPACTS 24

5.2.1 BLACK STORK 24 5.2.2 SOUTHERN BALD IBIS 25 5.2.3 CAPE VULTURE 26 5.2.4 VERREAUXS’ EAGLE 29 5.2.5 AFRICAN 30 5.2.6 LANNER AND PEREGRINE FALCONS 30 5.2.7 OTHER RAPTOR SPECIES 31 5.2.8 DENHAM’S BUSTARD 33 5.2.9 WHITE-BELLIED KORHAAN 33 5.2.10 BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD 34 5.3 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STUDY AREA HABITATS AND PRIORITY SPECIES OCCURRENCE IN THE STUDY AREA 36

6 COMPARATIVE ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT 40

7 MITIGATION MEASURES 42 7.1 POWER LINE ROUTING 42 7.2 MARKING OF LINES 42 7.3 TOWER -TYPE 43 7.4 PRE -CONSTRUCTION ‘WALK -DOWN ’ 43 7.5 AWARENESS OF BREEDING , AND DISTURBANCE OF PRIORITY SPECIES 43

8 IMPACT RATING MATRIX 43

9 CONCLUSIONS 46

10 REFERENCES 46 10.1 WEB PAGES REFERRED TO IN THE TEXT : 48

List of Tables TABLE 1 - RED DATA SPECIES LISTING FOR STUDY AREA 19 TABLE 2 – ENDEMIC BIRD SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE STUDY AREA 20 TABLE 3 – COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF LINE ALTERNATIVES 40

List of Figures FIGURE 1 – STUDY AREA 4 FIGURE 2 – WOODLAND HABITAT IN THE STUDY AREA 8 FIGURE 3 – HYPARRHENIA HIRTA -DOMINATED GRASSLANDS ALONG ALTERNATIVE 3 ON THE FARM BOOMPLAATS CLOSE TO THE LYDENBURG SUBSTATION 9 FIGURE 4 – TALL OPEN , PARTIALLY WOODED GRASSLAND ALONG ALTERNATIVE 2 10 FIGURE 5 – THE CHANNEL AND ASSOCIATED RIPARIAN ZONE OF THE WATERVALS RIVER 12 FIGURE 6 – RIPARIAN HABITAT IN THE THABA THOLO WILDERNESS RESERVE 13 FIGURE 7 – CLIFFS ON THE WESTERN SLOPES OF THE WATERVALS RIVER VALLEY CLOSE TO THE ALTERNATIVE 2 ALIGNMENT FIGURE 8 – IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS IN RELATION TO THE STUDY AREA 17 FIGURE 9 – CAPE VULTURE IN FLIGHT RECORDED TO THE EAST OF THE SPEKBOOM RIVER VALLEY FIGURE 10 – CLIFFS TO THE WEST OF BUFFELSVLEY FARM USED AS ROOSTING SITES BY CAPE VULTURES FIGURE 11 – LARGE NUMBERS OF AMUR FALCONS PERCHING ON THE EARTHING WIRE OF A POWER LINE IN THE NORTH WEST PROVINCE 32 FIGURE 12 – MALE BLACK -BELLIED BUSTARD RECORDED IN TALL GRASSLAND ON THE KUDU RANCH NATURE RESERVE PROPERTY 35 FIGURE 13 – AVIFAUNAL SENSITIVE HABITATS – NORTHERN PART OF THE STUDY AREA 37 FIGURE 14 - AVIFAUNAL SENSITIVE HABITATS – SOUTHERN PART OF THE STUDY AREA 38 FIGURE 15 – AVIFAUNAL “H OTSPOTS ” IN THE STUDY AREA 39

Appendices APPENDIX 1: STUDY AREA BIRD SPECIES LIST APPENDIX 2: SABAP2 DATA FOR THE STUDY AREA SUBMITTED BY THE AUTHOR

APPENDIX 3: MAPS

Glossary of Terms Afromontane Forest Temperate Forest found on the eastern seaboard of South , typically along the eastern escarpment on eastern / southern facing slopes and in areas protected from fire. These forests typically occur above an altitude of 900m, usually in areas receiving greater than 750mm rainfall per year. Accipter Family of raptors, including goshawks and sparrowhawks Avifauna The birds of a particular region, habitat, or geological period Earthing Wire Wire at the top of power line towers not connected to the conductors Ecotone A narrow and relatively sharply defined transition zone between two different communities. Ecotones are typically species rich. Endemic (Endemism) Species whose normal breeding and non-breeding ranges are entirely within a certain region – in this report endemism refers to southern Africa Facultative Occurring optionally in response to circumstances rather than by nature; applied to organisms that are able to adapt to different ways of living (in this case foraging). First Order Stream Refer to stream order below Frugivore A bird that primarily feeds on fruit Granivores Birds that feed on grains and seeds Herbaceous A plant having little or no woody tissue and persisting usually for a single growing season Intertropical An area where the Northern and Southern Hemispheric trade winds converge, usually Convergence Zone located between 10 degrees North and South of the equator. It is a broad area of low (ITCZ) pressure where both the Coriolis force and the low-level pressure gradient are weak, occasionally allowing tropical disturbances to form. It fluctuates in location, following the sun's rays, so that during the Southern Hemisphere summer, the ITCZ moves southward over southern Africa Intra African A migrant that visits southern Africa from other parts of Africa Marginal Plants and habitat on the edge of waterbodies Mesic Relating to an environment or habitat containing a moderate amount of moisture, as opposed to xeric (arid) or hydric environments Microphyllous Referring to plants and trees with small leaves, as opposed to broad-leafed plants. A microphyll is termed as a leaf 25-75mm long Migrant In a southern African avifaunal context, birds that typically visit the subcontinent, usually in the summer months, spending the southern hemisphere winter in other parts of Africa (Intra-African migrant) or the Palaearctic Mistbelt The Mistbelt refers to high altitudes associated with the escarpment (high altitude in the context of ) or eastern seaboard of (parts of KZN) with a temperate and damp climate; characterised by frequent mists in summer and frequent frosts in winter. They are naturally defined by a matrix of grassland and forest. Mistbelt forest represents a southern extension of the Afromontane forests of tropical Africa. Largest order of birds, which are characterised by feet adapted for perching (three toes forward-facing and 1 backward-facing) Palaearctic Zoogeographical region that incorporates Europe, northern Asia and northern Africa Piscivorous Fish-eating Rallid Of the family Rallidae (Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, Coots, Moorhens, etc.)

Raptor A bird of prey, e.g., eagle, buzzards, falcons, etc. Red Data species Species whose continued existence is threatened. Red Data Book species are classified into different categories of perceived risk. Riparian Zones the physical structure and associated vegetation of the areas associated with a watercourse which are commonly characterised by alluvial soils, and which are inundated or flooded to an extent and with a frequency sufficient to support vegetation of species with a composition and physical structure distinct from those of adjacent land areas Scree slope (or = Talus) – A sloping mass of boulders and rock fragments accumulated at the foot of a cliff or slope Stream Order A morphometric classification of a drainage system according to a hierarchy or orders of the channel segments. Within a drainage network the un-branched channel segments which terminate at the stream head are termed as “first order streams” Sward Cover of grassy vegetation within a grassland Ultramafic Mafic Rocks consisting of > 90% mafic materials; “mafic” is a geological term referring to dark coloured minerals, commonly found in basic igneous rocks Understorey The part of the forest / woodland which grows at the lowest height level below the canopy Vulture Restaurant A specific location where fresh and poison-free meat and/or carcasses of domestic livestock or wild mammals are put out to feed vultures and other scavengers.

Acronyms

Amsl – Above mean sea level CAR – Coordinated Avifaunal Roadcounts Project EWT – Endangered Wildlife Trust IBA – Important Bird Area IUCN – International Union for the Conservation of Nature MAP – Mean Annual Precipitation SABAP1/2 – Southern African Bird Atlas Project 1 / 2

Specialist Declaration

I, Paul da Cruz, declare that I – • act as a specialist consultant in the field of avifaunal assessment • do not have and will not have any financial interest in the undertaking of the activity, other than remuneration for work performed in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010;

• have and will not have any vested interest in the proposed activity proceeding; • have no, and will not engage in, conflicting interests in the undertaking of the activity; • undertake to disclose, to the competent authority, any material information that have or may have the potential to influence the decision of the competent authority or the objectivity of any report, plan or document required in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010; and • will provide the competent authority with access to all information at my disposal regarding the application, whether such information is favourable to the applicant or not.

PAUL DA CRUZ

1 INTRODUCTION

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. has appointed RHDHV to undertake a Basic Assessment (BA) Study for the proposed development of a 132kV distribution power line in the area between Mashishing (Lydenburg) and Steelpoort in Mpumalanga, a route that traverses both Mpumalanga and Provinces.

As part of the BA studies being conducted for the proposed development, the need to undertake a study that assesses the impact of the proposed development on birds has been identified, particularly in the context of overhead power lines which could exert a significant impact on birds in the development area. The study aims to identify how the avifaunal component of the biological environment on the site may be affected by impacts associated with the proposed power line development.

The current draft of this report has been updated to include two new alignment alternatives that have been created to take account of environmental sensitivities in the study area related to the presence of a proclaimed nature reserve (the Kudu Ranch Nature Reserve).

1.1 Aims of the Study

The aims of the study are to:

 characterise the study area in terms of its avifaunal assemblage and sensitivity  assess the potential impact of the proposed development on birds, and suggest requisite mitigation measures  provide input into the assessment of environmentally-preferred alignments for the respective line components from an avifaunal perspective

1.2 Assumptions and Limitations

A number of field visits were undertaken, at different times of the year between 2013 and 2015. Two site visits were undertaken in July (in 2013 and 2015 respectively), during the winter season, however observations of birds in the study area were also undertaken in October 2013 and 2015, during spring. Due to the timing of the site visits, not all Palaearctic or Intra African (summer) migratory species that occur in the study area were present. This is a limiting factor, however bird species data for the study area includes data collected during summer months through other studies when all migrant species are present, thus all migrant species that have been recorded and are likely to occur on the site have been included in this assessment.

Due to access limitations, certain sections of the route alternatives were able to be accessed during the field visit. However representative sections of all six route alternatives were visited in the field and an attempt was made to visit all habitats and all vegetation types traversed by the proposed route alternatives in order to gain a representative sample of the habitat types traversed by the proposed power lines.

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1.3 Project Technical Description

1.3.1 Site Location and Description

The Study Area stretches across the Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, being located within the Lydenburg and Steelpoort districts. The proposed line runs northwards from the Lydenburg Substation just to the north of Mashishing, crossing the Mpumalanga-Limpopo border and ending at the Merensky Substation just outside the town of Steelpoort. The area traversed by the proposed lines is predominantly rural in character, with the majority of it consisting of farming areas characterised by livestock rearing, as well as some areas of irrigated cultivation, as well as game farms and nature reserves. As such most of the area has thus retained a natural or rural character. The study area is indicated in the maps in the figures below.

Figure 1 – Study Area

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2 STUDY SITE CHARACTERISATION

It is important to characterise the physical components of the study area as part of an examination of habitats that are utilised by birds.

2.1 Study Area Climate, Topography and Vegetation

2.1.1 Climate

The greater study area lies within the transition area between the Highveld and the Great Escarpment that separates the high interior plateau of the sub-continent (i.e. the Highveld) from the lower-lying areas to the east that are typically referred to as the Lowveld. The Study Area falls within the summer rainfall area of South Africa, and as such rainfall is highly seasonal with rainfall predominantly occurring in the summer months. The occurrence of rainfall is related to the southward movement of the Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) towards southern Africa from the equatorial regions in the summer months, which feeds moisture towards the southern African interior plateau. The proximity of parts of the study area to the Great Escarpment entails that parts of the area receive a reasonably large amount of rainfall. There is a strong north-westerly rainfall gradient in the study area (as one moves away from the escarpment). The highest mean annual rainfall occurs in the southern-most parts of the study area – around the Lydenburg Substation and in the adjacent mountains to the north-west where MAP is c 695mm/yr. Moving northwards, the MAP in the Watervals River valley around Buffelsvley is approximately 670mm/yr, whereas the figure for the ridge to the west of the valley (traversed by Alternative 2) is slightly lower at 650mm/yr, reflecting a further distance west from the escarpment located to the east. The MAP drops substantially as one moves further north and west, with the MAP figure in the Ellofspruit valley where Alternatives 1 and 2 meet being 525mm/yr and the figure at the Merensky Substation being 485mm/yr (South Africa Rainfall Atlas website). The escarpment that lies to the east of the study area provides a rainfall shadow, and the much lower lying area furthest west from the escarpment in the Steelpoort Valley (around 740m amsl) receives much less rainfall than the much higher-lying area around the Lydenburg Substation at 1380m amsl. Interestingly this more arid climate in the far northwest of the study area supports an avifaunal assemblage with species components more typical of the drier western bushveld and Kalahari to the west than the more mesic Lowveld areas in the eastern parts of Limpopo and in Mpumalanga.

In terms of the Köppen-Geiger Climatic Classification System, most of the study area falls within the class that stretches over much of the northern interior of South Africa – class ‘Cwa’ – a warm temperate area with a dry winter and a hot summer. The southern-most parts of the route fall within the similar class ‘Cwb’ – a warm temperate area with a dry winter and warm summer, typical of the adjacent Highveld and escarpment. The area typically experiences hot summer temperatures, whilst winters are generally cold with a higher incidence of frost in the higher-lying southern areas and along the ridge tops (Mucina & Rutherford, 2006). Rainfall leads to surface water drainage; in the topographical setting as described below, this is typically expressed as rivers and drainage lines, which are an important habitat utilised by birds as discussed in greater detail below.

2.1.2 Geology, Macro-geomorphology and Topography

The predominant geological strata underlying the study area are shales and quartzites of the Pretoria Group, geology that comprises much of the Mpumalanga and Limpopo escarpment. Shale is predominant, but bands of quartzite and diabase sills occur and as these rocks are more erosion-resistant, these strata form the ridges and higher ground (Norman and Whitfield, 2006). The north-western-most parts of the study area are underlain by ultramafic intrusive rocks of the eastern Rustenburg layered suite of the Bushveld Igneous Complex. The topography and outcropping of rock gives rise to very shallow soils on the slopes, with deeper soils in the valleys. From a macro-geomorphological perspective, the incised terrain of valleys surrounded by hills reflects landscape-

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level erosional processes that have resulted in faster erosion of the softer shales, with the harder quartzites forming the ridges. Much of the study area is very mountainous and incised (e.g. the area to the north-west of Mashishing around the Watervals River Pass on the R37 and within the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve). However surface water drainage over a geological time span has incised valleys into the softer sediment. The wide Watervals River valley runs north-south, while the Steelpoort River runs through a similar north-south oriented valley. The former river appears to be eroding westwards into the more resistant sediments, as it is located in the far west of the valley. Slopes in the study area are thus typically steep, with the exception being the valley bottoms and in the more gently undulating area around the Lydenburg Substation.

The different geological and associated topographical settings provide different bird habitats, from grasslands in the higher-lying and flatter areas to bushveld on the slopes and in the valleys, and even patches of forest in some of the more sheltered kloofs.

2.1.3 Vegetation Types

There are a number of vegetation types that occur in the study area, including vegetation types from both the grassland and savannah biomes. The southern parts of the study area are characterised by the Lydenburg Thornveld vegetation type. This is frost-hardy woodland (a closed grassland that is invariably wooded) that occurs at the foot or mountains and on undulating plains (Mucina and Rutherford, 2005). Much of the southern third of the Alternatives 1 and 3 traverse this vegetation type. Alternative 3 traverses a small area of Lydenburg Montane Grassland within the mountains to the north-west of the substation. This grassland vegetation type occurs more commonly in the higher-lying area to the south of the study area. This comprises of low grassland in the higher altitudes, with a higher sward in lower-lying areas (typical of the section crossed by Alternative 3). Sections of Alternative 2 in the western-most part of the study area traverse the Sekhukhune Montane Grassland Vegetation Type that occurs in the higher-lying ridges within Sekhukhuneland to the west of the study area. This is comprised of dense, sour grassland on the slopes of mountains with trees and shrubs occurring in more sheltered habitats. The height of the sward increases in the lower-lying areas to form dense tall grassland. Most of Alternative 3 and the northern parts of Alternative 1 traverse the Ohrigstad Mountain Bushveld vegetation type. This is an open to dense woodland with associated woody to herbaceous shrubs with a closed to open grass layer on mountainsides. The north-western-most parts of the study area (along Alternative 3) fall within Sekhukhune Mountain Bushveld. It is comprised of dry open to closed microphyllous broad-leafed savannah on hills and on mountain slopes. Aspect and altitude determines how open the vegetation is, with open bushveld occurring on southern aspects and bushveld of valleys and the northern aspects being much denser, similar to thicket. Lastly the route around the Merensky Substation falls within the Sekhukhune Plains Bushveld - short open to closed thornveld with a predominance of aloe species.

The presence of different vegetation types and the representation of both grassland and woodland, as well as dense thicket and even small forest patches in the study area, along with the altitudinal range in the study area entail that the study area has a diverse avifaunal assemblage as explored below.

2.1.4 Current Land Cover and Land Use

Due to the mountainous terrain in much of the study area, the natural vegetation has been retained over large areas, due to the terrain limiting the use of land for either cultivation or human settlement. As a result the predominant landuse over much of the study area is livestock (cattle) rearing. This is an important factor in terms of the occurrence of birds and available habitat for birds, as much of the natural habitat has been retained, thus allowing the retention of a largely natural bird assemblage in these areas. Over parts of the study area, former cattle farms have been converted to game farms (on which hunting occurs) or eco-estates (as in the case of Kudu Ranch north of Mashishing).

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In some areas where the terrain and topography allows it, cultivation does occur. This primarily occurs in the Watervals River valley and in the Klipfontein area to the north-east of Mashishing, where the combined presence of water available for irrigation, and soils of suitable depth have allowed the cultivation of certain types of crop and the establishment of citrus orchards. Mining occurs in very small parts of the route – in the far northern end near Steelpoort, and in the Klipfontein area and small rural settlements are distributed across the study area. It should be noted that the gently undulating terrain to the north of the Lydenburg substation has been largely cleared of much of the natural woody vegetation that would occur and is currently being invaded by alien invasive vegetation. It should be noted that one of the properties to the north of the Lydenburg Substation has undergone land restitution, with smallholdings being established.

3 HABITATS FOR BIRDS IN THE STUDY AREA

3.1 Habitat Types

The above mix of land use and land cover, combined with terrain presents a number of avifaunal habitats that occur in the study area. These are described in more detail below.

3.1.1 Savannah and Woodland (Bushveld)

Savannah / Woodland (Bushveld) is the predominant habitat type in the study area, which covers the vast majority of the area traversed by the proposed power line with the exception of transformed areas and open grassland. This habitat is distinguished from grassland in that it is characterised by woody vegetation of variable density. Of the different types of savannah as defined by Bourlière and Hadley (1983), two typically occur in the study area; savannah ‘woodland’ with trees and shrubs forming a light canopy and ‘tree savannah’ with scattered trees and shrubs. Savannahs in Africa are strongly characterised by marked wet and dry seasons.

Woodland / bushveld of varying thickness occurs, with natural ecotones existing between woodland and true grassland habitat. Anthropogenic factors are contributing to the tree density within woodland in certain parts of the study area. Felling of woody vegetation for firewood is occurring on certain properties to the north of Mashishing. This factor is resulting in the ‘thinning out’ of woodland in these areas.

Woodland occurs on sloping ground as well as in the valley bottoms. A diversity of tree and shrub species occurs within this broad habitat type, including both broad-leafed and microphyllous species. The most common genera include those of the Combretum, Acacia, Terminalia and Commiphora. Some of the largest and most distinctive species in the lower-lying and flatter areas include such typical bushveld species such as the Marula (Sclerocarrya birrea), Knob thorn ( Acacia nigrescens ), Weeping Boer Bean (Schotia Brachypetala ), and Buffalo thorn (Ziziphus mucronata ). More mountainous habitats are characterised by species such as Faurea saligna , Cussonia tranvaalensis , Acacia caffra , Dombeya rotundifolia and Burkea africana . Certain areas have been invaded by the woody shrub . The woodland typically has a well-developed grassy and low shrub understorey.

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Figure 2 – Woodland habitat in the study area

Woodland / savannah as a habitat supports a high diversity of avifauna which is important as it covers most of the study area. The high diversity of avifauna within the savannah biome is indicated by the fact that only tropical rainforest has more birds per unit hectare than savannahs, however savannahs have a higher morphological diversity of birds due to their variable nature (Fry, 1983). Importantly, savannahs and woodlands support both seed-eaters (granivores) as well as insectivorous species. The opportunities for foraging in savannahs is reflected by the significant degree of radiation of these granivores into the African savannahs, with significant representation of major seed-eating families including Columbidae (pigeons and doves), Ploceidae (Weavers), Viduidae (widowbirds), Estrilididae (waxbills), Fringilidae (finches), as well as partial granivores such as Phasianidae (especially francolins) and Alaudidae (larks) (Maclean, 1990). Insectivorous species also occur in high densities in African savannahs (Maclean, 1990), and these species typically forage within the canopy of the woodland, with a number of species often foraging in a loose collective fashion in what are termed ‘bird parties’, the advantage of which is thought to be protective awareness of predators and a ‘beating function’ to disturb insect prey that would otherwise go unnoticed (Maclean, 1990).

Due to the seasonality of savannahs, many species are nomadic or migratory (especially seedeaters) (Maclean, 1990), and the numbers of birds within savannahs increase greatly with the arrival of Intra-African and Palaearctic migrants in the summer months.

Due to the high density of small mammals, reptiles, and smaller birds in this habitat type, this habitat supports a large number of raptors, in particular accipters as well as other birds of prey such as eagles and buzzards. The ability of this habitat type to support large mammals is reflected in the presence of a number of scavengers, in particular vulture species (Maclean, 1990). A number of raptor (and other smaller insectivorous bird species) species are migratory, and will typically occur within this habitat in the summer during and after rainfall when

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certain types of prey species, especially non-invertebrates tend to increase in abundance. Raptors represent the most important (priority) species present within savannah / woodland in the context of power lines, as certain of the species are collision prone and often interact with power lines by perching or nesting on them.

3.1.2 Grasslands

Grasslands predominantly occur in the southern part of the study area at the interface between the Highveld, escarpment and lower-lying bushveld. True grasslands occur at high altitudes, and two grassland vegetation types, Lydenburg Montane Grassland and Sekhukhune Montane Grassland are marginally intersected by certain of the alternatives as described above. The area immediately to the north of the Lydenburg Substation and parts of the Potloodspruit Smallholdings area are comprised primarily of grassland, although these areas fall within the Lydenburg Thornveld vegetation type, and have likely been cleared of woody vegetation. A relatively tall sward, comprising mainly of Hyparrhenia hirta , as well as Cymbopogon spp ., and some Themeda triandra was encountered in this area. A similar sward was encountered in the area traversed by Alternative 3 to the north-west of the substation and up into the mountainous area in the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve within the Lydenburg Montane Grassland Vegetation type, where the sward was dominated by H. hirta at a height of about 40-50cm above ground level. A much thinner sward was noted where rock outcropping occurred. Away from the line, areas of very tall Cymbopogon spp . and H. tamba were encountered within this vegetation type. The presence of this tall thick sward is important from an avifaunal perspective, as this is suitable habitat for the White-bellied Korhaan (Eupodotis senegalensis ) and Black-bellied Bustard 1 (Lissotis melanogaster ). Both species were encountered within this habitat in this part of the study area.

Figure 3 – Hyparrhenia hirta -dominated grasslands along Alternative 3 on the farm Boomplaats close to the Lydenburg Substation

1 The Black-bellied Bustard occurs commonly in the grasslands in the southern part of the Kudu Ranch Property (Mike Bredenhahn, pers. comm.) T01.JNB.000507 Page 9 Royal HaskoningDHV

Slightly further west on a ridge top along Alternative 3 in the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve, a different type of sward was encountered (still within the Lydenburg Thornveld vegetation type); a much less dense and lower sward with a different species composition, with the predominant species being Monocymbium ceresiforme and Loudetia simplex.

Areas of grassland were sampled on the ridge top west of the Watervals River valley within the Sekhukhune Montane Grassland along Alternative 2. The grassland encountered on the mountain slopes here was found to be more wooded, with clumps of woody vegetation (including Faurea saligna , Burkea africana , and Protea spp.) interspersed amongst a tall sward comprising mostly of what appeared to be Hyperthelia dissoluta . On the ridge top close to the site of a cell phone tower a shorter, more open sward with a more diverse species assemblage (but with the wooded component) was encountered.

Figure 4 – Tall open, partially wooded grassland along Alternative 2

As described above, these areas of grassland are important for bustard species, including a number of other species than the two species above, as described below. Areas of open grassland are likely to also be utilised by a number of grassland specialist species, such as widowbirds larks, , , quails, francolins, and certain raptor species such as the Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis ), as well as by a number of facultative grassland species. A number of priority species discussed further below also would frequent grasslands, including the Southern Bald Ibis (Geronticus calvus ) and three bustard species. These grasslands are important foraging areas for certain bird species that occur in other adjacent habitats (e.g. rocky outcrops and wetlands) such as bishops, weavers, waxbills, and certain aerial species such swallows and martins.

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It should be noted that the stands of alien invasive trees, in particular Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii ) that tend to occur across the lower-lying undulating terrain around the Lydenburg area are not a natural habitat and do not provide particularly productive habitat for birds. However they may be inhabited by some of the more secretive species such as the Cape Robin-Chat (Cossypha caffra ), Red-chested Cuckoo ( Cuculus solitarius ) and certain accipter species.

3.1.3 Rivers and Wetlands

Surface water drainage provides an important habitat for birds in the study area. As much of the terrain in the area is mountainous and highly incised, surface water drainage is mostly expressed in a riverine format with both seasonal drainage lines along with perennial rivers and streams occurring in the study area. Typical flat valley bottom marshy wetlands, as found extensively on the Highveld plateau to the south of the study area are relatively rare in the study area, and even springs / seeps are expressed as narrow rocky drainage lines in the mountainous terrain. The study area is thus characterised by riverine surface water habitats. Most rivers in the study appear to be fed by springs in the surrounding mountainous areas and thus groundwater discharge is an important component, especially in low flow periods. Streams and drainage lines in mountainous terrain are typically narrow features in the incised valleys, and higher order streams display little to no distinct riparian zone. However larger rivers within the valley bottoms display distinct riparian zones with tall woody vegetation, many having mature trees and a dense understorey, and forming riverine forest in certain places, as discussed below. The largest river in the study area is the Watervals. It displays an active (flowing) channel and an extensive riparian zone.

The aquatic habitat of rivers in the study area supports a number of aquatic specialists, including cormorants, certain kingfishers (including the near threatened Half-collared Kingfisher ( Alcedo semitorquata ) that favours fast- flowing secluded wooded streams 2) wagtails, herons and certain species of duck. The associated wooded riparian zones being wooded support a great diversity of species, as discussed under the forest habitat below.

In a few locations rivers have been dammed, and although the dams exert a negative impact on the riverine and riparian habitat, these ‘artificial’ habitats have improved avifaunal biodiversity by providing an open water habitat that is utilised by certain species such as cormorants, herons, kingfishers, ducks and geese, grebes, and the African Fish Eagle ( Haliaeetus vocifer ) with the marginal vegetation providing habitat for certain rallid and crake species. The only prominent dams close to the proposed power line alignments are the dams on the Libanon Citrus farm along the local link road between the R555 and R37, with the large Buffelskloof Dam being located approximately 2km distant from Alternative 2.

2 This species was recorded on two of the site visits along the reach of the Dorps River that is crossed by Alternative 5A T01.JNB.000507 Page 11 Royal HaskoningDHV

Figure 5 – The channel and associated riparian zone of the Watervals River

3.1.4 Riparian forest and thicket

Although true Afromontane and Riparian Forest does not occur in the study area, riparian vegetation along certain of the larger rivers in the area, and thickets occurring in kloofs and ravines in mountainous terrain in certain parts show affinities with true forest. As these habitats support an avifaunal assemblage that contains species not typically encountered in other habitats, they have been treated as a separate habitat. As described above, most rivers in the study area contain riparian zones with vegetation of a species composition and structure distinct from the surrounding woodland. However only along the large rivers in the study area that drain the valleys between the mountainous areas does this riparian vegetation have a structural composition that is forest-like, with large trees, a closed canopy and lush undergrowth. Such rivers include the Eloff Spruit and most importantly the Watervals River. On the cooler and moister southern slopes certain of the steep valley sides, and within the steep-sided ravines within this terrain, dense thickets are encountered. These contain certain tree and shrub species found within Afromontane Forest.

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Figure 6 – Riparian habitat in the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve

These ‘forested’ habitats provide habitat for a number of bird species that are not found in other habitats in the area, that would typically occur in forested areas such as Cape Robin Chat (Cossypha caffra ), Cape Batis ( Batis capensis ), Bar-throated Apalis ( Apalis thoracica ), Sombre Greenbul ( Andropadus importunus ), Narina Trogon (Apaloderma, narina ), Tambourine Dove ( Turtur tympanistria ) and certain raptor species such as the African Goshawk ( Accipiter tachiro ) and the African Crowned Eagle ( Stephanoaetus coronatus ). The latter species is important in a context of power lines as further explored below. These habitats are also important as they contain a relatively high density of fruiting trees such as the Sycamore Fig ( Ficus sycomorus ) that provides foraging opportunities for frugivores such as the African Green-Pigeon (Treron calvus) and Purple-crested Turaco (Gallirex porphyreolophus ).

3.1.5 Cliffs and Montane Habitat

Although montane habitat is essentially an extension of grassland habitat that typically occurs at high altitudes in the study area, the highest-lying ground in the area including ridge tops and vertical cliff faces provide a very important avifaunal habitat for a number of species, including certain which are priority species. A number of the steep mountainsides in the area, particularly on the western side of the Watervals valley are capped by very high vertical cliffs. Scree slopes below the cliffs have formed, with the boulders providing rocky micro-habitats. Rocky habitats in the study area provide habitat for a number of specialists in such habitats including the Speckled Pigeon ( Columba guinea ), Cape Rock-Thrush ( Monticola rupestris ), Mocking Cliff-Chat ( Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris ), Long-billed ( Anthus similis ) and Striped Pipit ( Anthus lineiventris ). Cliffs and rocky outcrops provide habitat for the Rock Hyrax ( Procavia capensis ) which is favoured prey of the Verreauxs’ Eagle (Aquila verreauxii ). Cliffs also provide suitable breeding habitat for the Cape Vulture ( Gyps coprotheres ), and critically cliffs on the western side of the valley are used as a satellite roosting site by these birds. A number of

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other raptors favour cliffs and rocky outcrops for hunting, roosting and nesting opportunities including a number of falcon species, as well as the African Harrier-Hawk ( Polyboroides typus ). Mountainous habitats are favoured by certain other raptor species such as the Rock Kestrel ( Falco rupicolus) and the Jackal Buzzard ( Buteo rufofuscus ), as well as a number of swift and swallow species, in particular the Rock Martin ( Hirundo fuligula ) and Alpine Swift ( Tachymarptis melba ). The larger raptors and vulture species have been listed a priority species and it is critically important to assess the impact of power lines crossing these habitats on such species.

Figure 7 – Cliffs on the western slopes of the Watervals River Valley close to the Alternative 2 alignment

3.1.6 Cultivated Land and Orchards

Although not predominant, cultivated areas occur within certain parts of the study area, especially within the Watervals River valley that is traversed by Alternative 3 and the Klipfontein area to the north-east of Mashishing that is traversed by Alternative 5A (although the proposed power line route does not directly traverse these mainly centre-pivot irrigated areas). In the Watervals valley water abstracted from the nearby river has been used to support localised but extensive citrus orchards. In smaller areas centre pivots support the growth of fodder crops. Both the citrus orchards and the cultivated fields represent transformed environments, being representative of monoculture. The citrus orchards are likely to be one of the least favourable habitats for birds in the study area as they typically comprise of rows of citrus trees with little to no understorey, thus providing very few foraging or shelter opportunities. However the cultivated fields areas are likely to be more utilised by birds and are likely to be a food source utilised by a number of bird species such as egrets, ibises, ducks and geese (in particular the Egyptian (Alopochen aegyptiacus ) and Spur-winged Geese (Plectropterus gambensis )). These habitats are unlikely to be important for many of the priority species, except for the Southern Bald Ibis which forages in these cultivated lands. The usage of these areas as foraging sites is likely to vary during the year, with greater concentrations of birds occurring within these areas certain times of the year such as in spring when the fields are

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ploughed, and in late summer / autumn when the crops are harvested and the birds are attracted to feed on the residual grains left in the fields.

Figure 8 – Cultivated fields in the Klipfontein area

3.1.7 Human Infrastructure

In spite of the largely rural nature of the study area, there are parts of the study area that are characterised by human infrastructure. The largest human settlements are Steelpoort and Mashishing, in the far north and south of the study area respectively. Most human settlements in the area are however small localised rural homesteads or farmsteads. Although not a natural habitat, the environs of these farmsteads and their associated gardens (which comprise of mostly exotic tall trees and shrub species) stores and feedlots represent a productive habitat for a number of bird species due to the human infrastructure availability of water, cover, foraging and nesting areas. In many ways the gardens are similar to forest habitats and have been colonised by a number of species that would occur within forests or thickets. The presence of grain stores and buildings and other structures which provide nesting opportunities for a number of species is an added attraction.

Although not a habitat as such, other human-related infrastructure that occurs in the study area is very important for a number of bird species, particularly as roosting, perching and even nesting areas. There is a not a high density of existing power lines that traverse the study area, with the highest density being around the Lydenburg

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and Merensky Substations. A high voltage power line (along which Alternative 1 and parts of Alternative 2 are proposed to run) runs northwards across mountainous ground and then through the Eloff Spruit valley. A series of four-parallel-running power lines (along which Alternative 5B is aligned) run north-east from the Lydenburg Substation, passing Mashishing’s cemetery. A number of smaller reticulation lines cross the area. These power lines are well-utilised by a number of species, in particular raptors for perching and roosting. A number of smaller raptor species that commonly occur in the study area were noted to predominantly use power lines as vantage points.

3.2 Important Bird Areas

The Important Bird Areas Programme is one of BirdLife International's most important conservation initiatives that identifies and works to conserve a network of sites critical for the long-term survival of bird species that are threatened, have a restricted range, or which are habitat-specific. Lastly IBAs have also been designated based on significant bird populations that inhabit a certain area. The purpose of the IBA Programme is to identify and protect a network of sites, at a biogeographical scale, critical for the long-term viability of naturally-occurring bird populations. The IBA Programme helps BirdLife South Africa's partners prioritise conservation action amongst sites. South Africa has 101 Global IBAs and an additional 21 Regional IBAs 3.

There are no IBAs within or in the immediate vicinity of the study area. The closest IBAs to the proposed line are located 25-40km to the east and north-east, and about 35km to the south-west. Three IBAs are located along the Mpumalanga escarpment – the Mac Mac Escarpment and Forests (SA012), Graskop Grasslands (SA011) and Canyon (SA010), while the Steenkampsberg IBA is located in the high altitude grasslands of the Steenkampsberg to the south.

3 (http://www.birdlife.org.za/conservation/iba) T01.JNB.000507 Page 16 Royal HaskoningDHV

Figure 9 – Important Bird Areas in relation to the study area

Although the study area does not occur within any IBA, the above-mentioned IBAs are sufficiently close, and importantly certain are comprised of similar habitats to the study area; and as such the rationale for the declaring of these IBAs must be taken into account in this study.

The Mac Mac Escarpment and Forests IBA contains habitats (Afromontane forest and mistbelt grassland) that are not encountered in the study area. Similarly the Steenkampsberg IBA contains high altitude grasslands (of the Lydenburg Montane vegetation type) that are only marginally found within the study area. Certain of the key grassland species located within the Mac Mac and Steenkampsberg IBAs are however likely to range into the higher altitude grasslands in the study area; these include the Southern Bald Ibis, Denham’s Bustard and White- bellied Korhaan.

The Blyde River Canyon however contains similar habitats (in particular cliffs and mountainous protea-dominated grassland). The Blyde River Canyon IBA is important as it holds breeding populations of a number of threatened species typically associated with cliffs and mountainous terrain including an internationally important colony of Cape Vultures, the only known breeding location of the Taita Falcon ( Falco fasciinucha ) in South Africa, as well as breeding populations of Black Storks ( Ciconia nigra ), Peregrine Falcons ( Falco peregrinus ) and the Cape Eagle-Owl ( Bubo capensis ), as well as Southern Bald Ibises. Grassland areas support the Black-rumped Buttonquail ( Turnix hottentotta ), Striped Flufftail ( Sarothrura affinis ), Denham’s Bustard ( Neotis denhami ), amongst other species, while proteas in the montane grasslands support populations of the Gurney’s Sugarbird (Promerops gurneyi ). Two key raptors, the African Crowned Eagle and Martial Eagle ( Polemaetus bellicosus ) occur within the area. A number of similar habitats occur within the study area, in particular the cliffs and

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mountainous areas as well as surrounding montane grassland and protea communities. As such many of the above-mentioned species are likely to range between the study area and this IBA.

3.2.1 Implications for Development

The presence of these IBAs and the species that they have been set out to protect has important ramifications for the routing of the power lines, as a number of these species are likely to occur in the study area, and as similar habitat types to certain of those located in the IBAs are found in the study area. Part of the rationale as to why the IBAs have been declared is to protect a number of threatened grassland species and species inhabiting mountainous terrain and to act as a tool for ensuring the correct management and conservation of the habitat on which these species depend. It is thus important that the proposed power lines do not either negatively affect these species, or the habitat that is important for the species.

4 BIRD SPECIES OCCURRENCE IN THE STUDY AREA

The South African Bird Atlas Project data has been consulted to gain an understanding of the recorded occurrence of bird species across the study area. Data from both the SABAP1 project (completed) and the SABAP2 project (on going since 2007) has been used to compile a species list the for the site (recorded species on the field visit were submitted to the SABAP2 project, thus the species recorded on the site assessment for this project have been captured through the SABAP2 data for the site). From this overall list a number of ‘priority’ species have been identified. The identification of priority species has been based upon the potential impacts of the proposed development on bird species which entails that certain species are more likely than others to be impacted, as well as on the respective rarity and endemism status of individual species that would potentially make them more vulnerable than others to potential impacts.

4.1 Overall species occurrence

369 species have been recorded across the study area. SABAP1 data was collected at the scale of quarter degree squares. The lines cover three such quarter degree squares; the vast majority of the line alternatives fall with 2430CD with two more (2430CA and 2530AC) being partially traversed. In the case of these latter two quarter degree squares it should be noted that these cover a wider area than the area traversed by the lines, and the potential presence of species that may occur in different habitats to those in the study area were thus noted. Secondly current data for the current SABAP2 project was consulted to check if any new species had been recorded. The overall species database lists which species which are either endemic to southern Africa, or which are listed on the South African Red Data Bird Species list. The overall species list is contained in Appendix 1.

It should be noted that certain species recorded in quarter degree squares in which the line alternatives fall in the SABAP1 associated with habitats that are not well represented in the study area or previously recorded at extremely low reporting rates have been excluded from the study area bird list. This includes species associated with true Afromontane Forests such as the White-starred Robin (Pogonocichla stellata ), Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler (Phylloscopus ruficapilla ), Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher ( Trochocercus cyanomelas ) Southern Double-collared ( chalybeus ) and those species typical of the dry western interior of southern Africa which would only occur marginally in the study area such as the Kalahari Scrub-Robin (Cercotrichas paena ).

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4.2 Occurrence of Red Data species

A number of Red Data species could potentially occur within the study area. The table below lists the Red Data species that have been recorded in the study area, along with their conservation status. Red Data species are very important in the context of the proposed development, as any impacts on these threatened species will be potentially significant at the population level. In addition many of these species are large birds with poor flight mobility, and thus they are particularly vulnerable to collisions with power lines.

Table 1 - Red Data species listing for study area Common Name Scientific Name SA Red Data Status Black Stork Ciconia nigra Near Threatened Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis Near Threatened Southern Bald Ibis Geronticus calvus Vulnerable Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius Near Threatened Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres Vulnerable White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus Vulnerable Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus Vulnerable African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus Near threatened African Marsh-Harrier Circus ranivorus Vulnerable Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus Near Threatened Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus Near Threatened Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus Least Concern Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Vulnerable Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus Vulnerable Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum Vulnerable Denham’s Bustard Neotis denhami Vulnerable White-bellied Korhaan Eupodotis senegalensis Vulnerable Black-bellied Bustard Eupodotis melanogaster Near Threatened Black-winged Lapwing Vanellus melanopterus Near Threatened Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata Near Threatened Yellow-breasted Pipit Anthus chloris Vulnerable Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus Near Threatened

4.3 Occurrence of Endemic Species

The table below lists the endemic species have been recorded within the study area. It should be noted that species endemic to the southern African sub-region have been listed. A distinction has been drawn between birds completely endemic to the sub-region, as well as those species whose distributions mostly fall within the sub- region (near endemic).

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Bird species endemic to southern Africa are important as they do not occur anywhere else in the world. A minority of the World's bird species have small, restricted ranges, being confined to a particular area, and they are thus endemic to that area. Typically a bird is termed endemic if it is constricted to a range of 50,000 km 2 or smaller. The constricted range makes these species vulnerable to population reduction - half of all restricted-range species in the world are globally threatened or near-threatened and the other half remain permanently vulnerable to the loss or degradation of habitat owing to the small size of their ranges. It is in this context that the endemic birds occurring in the study area are listed below.

Table 2 – Endemic Bird Species occurring in the Study Area Common Name Scientific Name SA Red Data Endemi sm Status Status Southern Bald Ibis Geronticus calvus Vulnerable Endemic Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres Vulnerable Endemic Jackal Buzzard Buteo rufofuscus Endemic Grey-winged francolin Scleroptila africana Endemic Natal Spurfowl Pternistis natalensis Near Endemic Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus Vulnerable Endemic Double-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus Near Endemic Knysna Turaco Tauraco corythaix Endemic Burchell’s Coucal Centropus burchellii Near Endemic Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus leucomelas Near Endemic Acacia Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas Near Endemic Ground Woodpecker Geocolaptes olivaceus Endemic Cape Rock-Thrush Monticola rupestris Endemic Sentinel Rock-Thrush Monticola explorator Endemic Mountain Wheatear Oenanthe monticola Near Endemic Buff-streaked Chat Campicoloides bifasciata Endemic Anteating Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora Endemic Cape Grassbird Sphenoeacus afer Endemic Cloud Cisticola textrix Near Endemic Fiscal Flycatcher Sigelus silens Endemic Cape Batis Batis capensis Endemic Yellow-breasted Pipit Anthus chloris Vulnerable Endemic Cape Longclaw Macronyx capensis Endemic Southern Boubou Laniarius ferrugineus Endemic Bokmakierie Telophorus zeylonus Near Endemic Olive Bush-Shrike Chlorophoneus olivaceus Near Endemic Pied Starling Lamprotornis bicolor Endemic Gurney’s Sugarbird Promerops gurneyi Endemic

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Common Name Scientific Name SA Red Data Endemi sm Status Status Greater Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris afer Endemic Cape White-eye Zosterops capensis Endemic Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus Near Endemic Cape Weaver Ploceus capensis Endemic Violet-eared Waxbill Uraeginthus granatinus Near Endemic Red-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala Near Endemic Cape Canary Serinus canicollis Endemic Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis Near Endemic

Importantly a number of threatened species found in the study area are endemic to the southern African sub- region, and certain of these are larger bird species that are vulnerable to collisions with overhead wires as discussed below. Most of the other species listed as endemic are not threatened and have viable populations within a southern African context. The proposed development is not likely to be associated with large-scale loss of habitat, thus it is highly unlikely that the proposed development would exert an impact of any significance on most of the more common endemic bird species.

4.4 Occurrence of Priority Bird Species

Based on the species lists compiled for the study area, a number of ‘priority species’ with respect to the proposed development have been identified. This has been based on the conservation or endemism status of the species, as well as whether the species would be vulnerable to collisions with overhead power lines. Species recorded in the wider area have been included as these could easily move into the study area. The priority species are:

 Black Stork  Southern Bald Ibis  Cape Vulture  Verreauxs' Eagle  African Crowned Eagle  Lanner Falcon  Peregrine Falcon  Denham’s Bustard  White-bellied Korhaan  Black-bellied Bustard

Many of these species could potentially be affected / impacted or interact with the power lines due to their behavioural habits (i.e. a significant part of their behaviour would entail that they would fly at an elevation above the ground at which the lines are located) along with their generally poor mobility in flight. These types of behaviour would include:

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 flying between foraging / roosting / breeding sites  hunting or foraging for prey on the ground at a height above the ground at which the overhead lines are located high altitudes (in the case of many raptors), or hunting aerial prey (e.g. other birds in flight)  undertaking aerial displays  perching / roosting on power line towers  nesting on power line towers

Certain other species have been included as they are endangered, and habitat loss or disturbance associated with the power lines especially construction activities may have a critical impact on these species. The vulnerability of these priority species to negative impacts associated with the proposed power lines is discussed below.

It should be noted that certain species that could occur in the study area and which are threatened have not been included as priority species. In spite of being recorded in the study area, the typical habitat favoured by a number of species does not exist or only exist marginally in the study area. This is relevant to the Blue Crane (Anthropoides paradiseus ) and Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum ); these two species favour open grasslands with access to wetland habitats. Although high altitude grasslands do occur in parts of the study area, this habitat is marginal and there are not any large wetlands or other surface water features adjacent to this habitat type. No cranes have been recorded on properties where such high altitude grassland occurs (e.g. Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve – Alan Watson, pers. comm.). During the SABAP2 project Blue Cranes have not been recorded in the study area and there is only one record for the pentad in the north-eastern part of the study area (2445_3020) in which the Grey Crowned Crane has been recorded, presumably in the wetland formed by the Watervals River about 2km north of Alternative 1. The study area is similarly too woody for the Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius ) that favours open grassland. There are not deemed to be sufficient open water bodies such as dams and wetlands to attract the Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis ) to the area. Lastly although the Yellow-breasted Pipit (Anthus chloris ) could occur within the high altitude grasslands in the southern part of the study area, but a relatively small area of this habitat is traversed by this lines and the Yellow-breasted Pipit would only marginally occur in the study area, thus it has not been included as a priority species. Lastly the Half-collared Kingfisher ( Alcedo semitorquata ) has been confirmed to occur along certain of the rivers in the study area. This species is threatened, being listed as near threatened, but is unlikely to be affected by collisions with the power line that would span the rivers along which it exists. The clearing of vegetation along servitudes within riparian corridors could adversely affect this species by removing overhanging vegetation, however this impact would be spatially limited and non-woody vegetation on the banks of rivers is unlikely to be affected by the development of such a servitude if correct vegetation clearing guidelines are adhered to.

5 IMPACT ASSESSMENT

5.1 Generic Impacts associated with power lines

Power lines are large structures and can have significant negative, as well as some positive impacts on birds. The power line-related impacts on birds are listed below:

• Electrocutions • Collisions with overhead wires, leading to bird mortalities • Habitat Destruction

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• Disturbance • New nesting and roosting opportunities (positive impact)

5.1.1 Collisions

Collisions with overhead power lines are the most important of these impacts (Van Rooyen, 2004), especially as they tend to affect mostly larger birds such as cranes, bustards, raptors and certain types of water fowl. These birds are often susceptible to collision, especially with the earthing wire which is not highly visible, due to their lack of manoeuvrability and restriction in vision. The large, heavy-bodied, terrestrial species are especially prone to collision-related impacts, as they tend to fly from place to place at fairly low altitudes, within the elevation ranges of even the lower voltage lines, and because they are relatively clumsy fliers, with a lot of forward momentum and not much manoeuvrability (Jenkins and Smallie, 2009). Aerial agility is largely a function of wing loading (the ratio of body weight to wing surface area), and large-bodied birds with relatively comparatively small wings are often not sufficiently mobile in flight to avoid obstacles at short notice (Jenkins and Smallie, 2009). Unfortunately many of the collision prone species are threatened and Red Data listed, with low breeding rates exacerbating the problem of adult mortalities caused by power lines. This impact is explored further below in the context of the birds occurring on the site.

The risk of birds being subject to collisions is likely to be greater on or near areas regularly used by large numbers of feeding or roosting birds especially where power lines are constructed across migratory flight paths or daily local-level flight paths. The timing of flights is also important as birds undertaking flights in poor lighting conditions (around dusk and dawn) are also less likely to be able to see the overhead lines, thus increasing the collision risk.

A recent study has analysed the contribution of limitations of the fields of vision in certain large collision-prone species in causing collisions with overhead wires (Martin & Shaw, 2010). Data presented in that report shows that aspects of the bird species’ visual fields, especially in terms of blind areas that project in the frontal hemisphere above the binocular field, entail that these bird species would be unable to see objects ahead of them while in flight, especially if the bird’s focus is on the ground below them (pitching its head downwards). According to the study birds flying upwards, either from the ground close to a power line array or in trying to avoid collision with conductors which lie directly ahead may be unable to view the lines in front of them. In these situations lines may fall within the upward and forward projecting blind portion of the visual field above the binocular area (Martin & Shaw, 2010).

5.1.2 Electrocutions

For 132kV lines, the risk of electrocution depends on the design of the tower. Birds can be electrocuted when an electrical short circuit is created through a bird bridging the gap between live and / or earthed components (Van Rooyen, 2004). The design of the tower is very important in this regard, with certain types of towers not being associated with the risk of electrocution.

5.1.3 Disturbance

This is an indirect impact that potentially affects bird distribution and movement within the vicinity of power lines. Birds may avoid power line construction areas during construction in particular, and in so doing this factor would affect the birds’ ability to effectively forage and / or breed within the area surrounding power line. The disturbance factor may relate to movement of people and machinery during construction. This impact is likely to be a transient impact, however.

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5.1.4 Habitat Destruction

Although power lines do not have an extensive physical footprint, typically allowing the existing land cover to be maintained, they could result in another indirect impact, whereby the natural habitat available to birds in the area is modified. This is particularly relevant in the case of the clearing of certain types of vegetation in a strip of land under the lines. A certain clearance has to be maintained between the lines and the underlying vegetation, and thus vegetation over a certain height would need to be cleared. As most of the natural vegetation in the study area is grassland, this would typically not need to be cleared, except for the possible mowing of grass directly under the lines in winter to avoid the risk of flash- overs caused by fire. Clearing of vegetation would be necessary in areas where natural thicket occurred (on slopes and along certain rivers), as well as in areas where invasive alien vegetation (e.g. wattle groves) or planted forestry occurs. The latter would not constitute a negative impact on birds as discussed below, but the clearing of natural thicket vegetation could have significant localised impact in this habitat type.

5.2 Priority Species-specific impacts

The potential impacts of the development on the priority species listed earlier in this report are examined below.

5.2.1 Black Stork

The Black Stork has been considered a priority species, in spite of relatively low reporting rates during SABAP 1 and no SABAP 2 records to date. This species breeds on cliff faces, and the gorges of the Blyde River IBA located to the north-east host a breeding population of this species (Barnes, et al, 2001). There are a number of similar cliffs in the study area (particularly on the western side of the Watervals River valley) and as such the species could occur on the site in areas surrounding these cliff habitats.

This species is typically associated with surface water habitats such as pans, dams and shallows of rivers where it forages. It is primarily piscivorous; its optimum habitat appears to be in drying-up pools in which fish are trapped (Hockey et al, 2005). It is important to note that such habitats in the study area are typically rare with a low number of dams and either ephemeral drainage lines or fast-flowing hydrologically active perennial streams making up the bulk of the surface water drainage (although Black Storks have been recorded at the dam in one of the valleys at the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve – Alan Watson, pers. comm.). The species is unlikely to regularly forage in the study area, but due to the presence of suitable nesting sites and roosting terrain, the species could well inhabit the study area. The species roosts on cliffs, trees or pylons, and during the breeding season roosts on the nest cliff site (Hockey et al , 2005). They nest on cliffs, with the nest often located on a ledge under an overhang, with the nest site being mostly located 10-100m above the base of the cliff (Hockey et al , 2005). Birds are typically solitary nesters, with nests being placed 6-20km apart (Hockey et al , 2005). There is much suitable nesting habitat for this species in the study area, with a number of vertical cliffs being located within certain parts of the study area, particularly on the sides of the Watervals valley.

This species is threatened, being listed as being “near threatened” in a South African context. SABAP2 data appears to show worrying contractions in distribution for the Black Stork (SABAP 2 webpage news items 4,5). There are an expected approximately 1000 breeding pairs in South Africa (Mundy, 1989). The main threat to this species, both worldwide and in a southern African context appears to be loss of / transformation of surface water

4 Darkness falls for the Black Stork in South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland; Les Underhill (2011-09-11) (http://sabap2.adu.org.za/news.php?id=2028 )

5 On this Threat Thursday we pay attention to the Black Stork, a species which is not doing well in our region; Les Underhill (2013-03-28) ( http://sabap2.adu.org.za/news.php?id=3935 ) T01.JNB.000507 Page 24 Royal HaskoningDHV

habitats, although power line collisions and electrocutions do appear to be playing a smaller role. This species is thus an important one and collisions with lines in the vicinity of their cliff-side roosting and possible nesting habitats on the site could result in a very important regional-scale impact on the species.

Black Storks are likely to interact with power lines as they move between mountainous areas (cliffs) where they could roost or breed and areas further afield in which they forage. Birds typically soar well (Brown et al , 1982), and typically soar around their cliff-side habitats using thermals to manoeuvre in this difficult terrain. Power lines placed close to the cliffs on top the ridges or mountain tops would thus arguably pose the greatest level of risk to these species as they move to and from their cliff-side habitats. Certain alternative alignments have been routed very close to cliffs and within mountainous terrain – including certain stretches of Alternative 3 that traverse the mountainous terrain within the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve, stretches of Alternative 2 located close to the top of the ridges and cliff faces on the western side of the Watervals Valley to the west of the Buffelsvlei farm, and those which ‘climb’ onto the higher ground from the Watervals River valley in the vicinity of the Waterval Road, as well as stretches of Alternative 5A that are located close to, and which cross (at two locations) the deeply incised Spekboom River valley.

Birds of this species may roost on the power lines constructed in mountainous areas; in Israel, over-wintering Black Storks typically use 166kV power lines for roosting, and birds have been recorded to suffer fatalities from electrocution (exacerbated by their wide wing span), although these were not at high numbers (Bahat, 2008). Birds are occasionally killed by collision with overhead lines (Hockey, et al , 2005). As detailed in the mitigation measure section below, it is strongly recommended that the above-mentioned stretches of the alternatives be avoided from being developed as they pose a high risk of collision and impact for this species and certain other species as detailed below.

5.2.2 Southern Bald Ibis

The Southern Bald Ibis is a southern African endemic, only occurring in South Africa, Lesotho and marginally into Swaziland. Its range is restricted to the high altitude (1200-1850m) and high rainfall (>700mm) grasslands in the eastern Highveld and escarpment. It forages gregariously, favouring recently burnt or overgrazed grasslands (Hockey et al, 2005 ). Birds roost communally, in groups of 40-50, sometimes on power lines (Van Rooyen, 2005). The bird is listed as vulnerable in the South African Red Data list because it has a small population which is believed to be declining owing to habitat loss and degradation, with current rates of habitat loss leading to the projection of rapid population declines in the future (BirdLife International, 2013), coupled with its restricted range.

The study area is located on the margins of the range of this species, with its core range in the northern parts of Mpumalanga being located on the main escarpment to the north-east and east of the site, and in the high altitude grasslands from Lydenburg south towards Dullstroom and further to the south. However the southern-most parts of the study area form part of the range of this species as the terrain is relatively flat with grassland and importantly some areas of cultivated land in which this species would be likely to forage. A small flock of these birds has been recorded by the author on two locations just to the east of the study area in cultivated land near Doornhoek to the east of the R36. This locality is very close to one of the power line routes, and as the habitat is mirrored to the west of the R36 close to the Alternative 5A alignment, this species is highly likely to occur in this part of the route. The species has been recorded at Kudu Ranch (Mike Briedenhann pers. comm.), being most likely to occur within the open grasslands in the southern part of the property. The species is also likely to forage up into the higher altitude grasslands along Alternative 3 to the north-west of the Lydenburg Substation (on the Boomplaats farm and within the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve), as this species prefers high altitude sour treeless grasslands that have a short dense sward (Allan, 1997) (such suitable habitat exists in this part of the study area). The species is unlikely to forage within the more wooded grasslands on higher ground further to the north that contain a tall sward, however the species could range into the Watervals valley to forage within cultivated fields within the valley. The species typically breeds on cliffs in inaccessible areas (Tarboton, 2001), and the possibility exists that breeding sites could be located on suitable habitat (cliffs) that occur widely in parts of the study area. Thus the potential impact of the proposed power line on this threatened species must be examined. Birds could be negatively impacted by power lines in terms of collisions through the birds’ habit of T01.JNB.000507 Page 25 Royal HaskoningDHV

using power lines towers as roost sites in certain areas – this habit has increased the potential and occurrence of collisions of birds with earthing wires and their resultant mortalities. It is uncertain the degree to which these birds would use power lines as roosts in the study area, with birds most likely to roost on power lines in the undulating grasslands / farmland in the southern-most part of the study area.

The parts of Alternative 5A that traverse the Klipfontein farms and the southern-most part of Alternatives 1 and 3 and western-most parts of Alternatives 5A&5B are the parts of the study area in which this species is most likely to interact with the proposed power line. In this area birds foraging in the higher and lower altitude grasslands may interact with power lines, mainly in flight in moving between foraging sites, and possibly in using power lines as roosting sites. It is recommended that priority spans of the proposed power line in this part of the route be marked with bird diverters; especially spans traversing croplands (where they occur). Along with the recommendations for certain other priority species, it is recommended that alternatives that traverse areas of high altitude open grassland (primarily Alternative 3) not be developed.

5.2.3 Cape Vulture

The Cape Vulture is a southern African endemic, and in many ways is a key species in the context of the conservation and threats to larger raptors and avifauna on the subcontinent, due especially to its restricted range and declining population trend. This species is listed as vulnerable in South Africa and extensive research and monitoring of the species since the 1980s has demonstrated that there has been a marked reduction in both the number and the distribution of the species over the past 100 years (Jenkins, 2010). The distribution range and breeding range of the vulture declined in the Twentieth Century – whereas this species once bred in river gorges and on isolated inselbergs in the Karoo, it has now effectively become a montane species, inhabiting mountainous areas (Jenkins, 2010). Although factors like poisoning and habitat loss and loss of key prey species are largely responsible for the decline of the species, power line-related mortality remains a significant factor (Boshoff et al , 2011, Allan, 2013). From 1996, when data on avian mortalities caused by power line infrastructure became formally recorded, the second highest proportion of known power line incidents, and known mortalities of bird species listed in South Africa’s Red Data Book (Barnes 2000), refer to the Cape Vulture (Boshoff et al, 2011). Progress has been made with reducing electrocution-related mortalities by altering power line tower design, but collision-related mortalities remain highly problematic and are probably increasing with the greater coverage of power lines into rural areas in South Africa as part of the country’s electrification process (Allan, 2013). It is in this context, and in the context of the preferred habitat type of this species that it has been identified as one of the key priority species in the context of the current study.

The Cape Vulture is now largely restricted to mountainous areas, with the largest colonies being in northern south Africa - in the Waterberg at Kransberg near Thabazimbi, Blouberg (Limpopo) and on the cliffs of the Mpumalanga escarpment (Manutsa) in the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve (situated relatively close to the study area) (Wolter – Vulpro, 2012). The species typically breeds in large colonies with hundreds of individual birds, while a smaller segment of the population is found on less crowded satellite roosts, where non-breeders and travelling birds reside or overnight but don’t breed (Jenkins, 2010). However birds also roost on power lines (birds have been observed perched on the power lines crossing the Kudu Ranch property when attracted to the vulture restaurant there – Mike Briedenhann, pers. comm.) Birds disperse daily from these mountainous roosts to forage over many hundreds of kilometres to search for carcasses on which to feed. This species is often strongly associated with subsistence communal grazing areas where stock losses are high (Mundy et al , 1997). Such areas do occur in parts of the area (in the mountainous area to the west of the Watervals valley as traversed by Alternative 2) where land has been restituted to communal trusts.

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Figure 10 – Cape Vulture in flight recorded to the east of the Spekboom River valley

Cape Vulture tracking data has been sourced from the VULPRO (Vulture Programme) project in order to determine the likely frequency of occurrence of this species in the study area. Data for two separate birds was provided by VULPRO, and this data shows a number of locations within the study area in which these two birds have been recorded (refer to the figures in section 5.3 below). Importantly, a number of the tracking locations that are located closest to the lines are associated with cliffs, appearing to confirm that birds visiting the area are likely to be closely associated with the cliffs in the study area, using these as roosting locations. Another tracking location is located close to the Kudu Ranch vulture restaurant. The two records of this species on the site visit were from the high altitude grassland in the southern part of the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve, and from the Kudu Ranch property (both records of birds in aerial foraging trips). The species could thus occur anywhere over the study area but is most likely to occur within the mountainous terrain, and particularly in association with cliffs.

Reports of vultures breeding in the study area – on the cliffs behind (to the west of) Buffelsvlei in the Watervals River Valley were received from landowners consulted in the area, however this site is not listed as a breeding site in the latest Cape Vulture Task Force Report (Wolter -Vulpro, 2012) that lists an almost complete breeding data set for all known breeding sites in South Africa. VULPRO was thus consulted to ascertain the status of this ‘colony’. Feedback from Keri Wolter of VULPRO indicates that this species once bred in the study area, but that this is now used solely as a roosting location (Keri Wolter, pers. comm.). The closest colony is the Manutsa (Manoetsa) colony which holds 434 breeding pairs, making it one of the largest in South(ern) Africa. The observed presence of multiple birds on cliffs on the western side of the Watervals Valley thus appears to be this satellite roosting colony referred to above. During the October 2013 site visit to the study area, a number of individuals were observed on, or flying close to the high vertical cliff faces just to the west of the Buffelsvley Guest Farm at both dusk and early the following morning. The presence of a roosting site on the cliffs on the western side of the Watervals River Valley is critically important in the context of routing of power lines in this part of the study area.

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It is important to note that the Kudu Ranch Estate has established a vulture restaurant in the southern part of their property, on which livestock carcasses are regularly placed for vultures. The Cape Vulture is the main species that visits this site, but White-backed Vultures ( Gyps africanus ) visit less regularly and there have been occasional records of Lappet-faced Vultures ( Torgos tracheliotus ) (Mike Briedenhann, pers. comm.). Cape Vultures were observed across the study area, particularly on high-lying ground in the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve and in the vicinity of the cliffs to the west of the Buffelsvley Guest Farm in the Watervals River valley, but also in the Kudu Ranch Nature Reserve and on the eastern side of the Spekboom River valley. This species is most likely to occur in the vicinity of the Kudu Ranch vulture restaurant, as well as along the high cliffs and mountainous areas in the study area, particularly the cliffs on the ridges flanking the Watervals Valley which are used as roosting sites.

Figure 11 – Cliffs to the west of Buffelsvley Farm used as roosting sites by Cape Vultures

Birds of this species typically search aerially for food, watching the ground but also watching other vultures and scavengers (Mundy et al , 1992). Because this vulture is a large, heavy bird, it probably relies heavily on updraughts created by wind passing over areas of mountainous terrain to stay aloft during its aerial foraging trips (Jenkins, 2010). It is in this context that birds would presumably be most at risk of collisions with the proposed power line, especially if the power line was routed in mountainous terrain in the study area and close to cliffs and ridge tops where the birds are likely to forage, and where they would be relying on the uplift of thermals. Birds could also come into contact with power lines placed close to the vulture restaurant at Kudu Ranch. Accordingly there are a number of parts of the study area and certain alignment alternatives that are considered highly sensitive in the context of potential impact on the Cape Vulture; these include the stretch of Alternative 1 in the vicinity of the Vulture Restaurant on the southern part of the property (although it is acknowledged that the power line would run adjacent to the existing power line, thus representing a ‘consolidation’ of the impacts), as well as stretches of Alternative 3 that traverse the mountainous ground (and especially cliffs) in the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve, and the importantly most of the southern part of Alternative 2 that traverses and runs very

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close to the top of the cliffs on the western side of the Watervals valley where a vulture roosting site is located. It is strongly recommended that the sections of Alternatives 2 and 3 that traverse the mountainous ground not be developed in order to ameliorate the risk to the lines to this species in terms of collision. If developed along Alternative 1, spans close to the vulture restaurant would need to be fitted with flappers / diverters.

5.2.4 Verreauxs’ Eagle

The Verreauxs’ Eagle is a very habitat-specific species, occurring in mountainous and rocky areas with cliffs present. As such the mountainous terrain and cliffs that are present in most parts of the study area offers very suitable habitat for this species. Apart from the presence of rocky habitats, the occurrence of this species in an area is largely dependent on its primary prey item – the Rock Hyrax – that appears to commonly occur in the area. The bird typically occurs in pairs, and pairs remain close for most of the day (Gargett, 1990). They are most active at first light and at dusk (Davies, 1994) hunting their Rock Hyrax prey in the early morning and evening as they sun themselves in exposed positions (Davies and Ferguson, 2000), suggesting that they would be vulnerable to collisions with power lines within their foraging habitats at these lower light times of the day while hunting.

This species is not listed as being threatened, and Roberts VIII reports that populations of this species have remained stable in spite of persecution by small stock farmers (Hockey et al, 2005). However the species has been listed as a “special watch” species in the SABAP2 project as there is concern that the reporting rates have dropped and the range of the bird appears to have contracted from the SABAP1 project to the SABAP2 project 6 (refer to: http://sabap2.adu.org.za/special_watch.php?Spp=ve ). As this species is highly dependent on the Rock Hyrax for its prey, population fluctuations in the Rock Hyrax can affect the eagle. This appears to be the largest threat to the eagle 7, although in the context of power lines this species is occasionally killed in collisions with overhead wires (Oatley et al , 1998).

The species has not been widely recorded over the study area, however the staff at the Black Leopard Camp within the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve report that there is a resident pair on the reserve, and that these birds hunt regularly on the cliffs close to the lodge and to the south of the lodge. The pair used to breed but have stopped breeding at the old site since a pair of African Crowned Eagles started to breed on the reserve (Alan, Watson, pers. comm.). Two sightings of this species were made on the reserve during the site visit in these locations. Densities of this species vary across southern Africa from 1 pair per 10km 2 in the Matopos of to 1 pair per 24 km2 in the Karoo and 35-65k m 2 in the Magaliesberg. With the density of this species most likely being similar to the Magaliesberg, there are thus likely to be a number of pairs across the study area in suitable mountainous terrain.

Like other cliff-inhabiting species this species is most likely to be adversely affected by the proposed power line if this power line is placed within mountainous areas. It is a species of high mobility but could be vulnerable to collision during high speed aerial pursuits of prey. Of particular concern is the stretch of Alternative 3 that runs up into the mountainous terrain north-west of the Lydenburg substation on the Boomplaats property and then traversing the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve. The alignment of Alternative 3 across the reserve runs very close to a number of cliff faces and rocky areas, spanning two valleys that are flanked by cliffs which are frequented by the resident pair of eagles. Alternative 2 runs up the western side of the Watervals valley and then traverses the top of the ridge running close to the top of a number of cliffs in this area. Routing the power line along these alternatives would be likely to have an important potential impact on the resident Verreauxs’ Eagles, greatly raising the potential for collision risk. While birds could potentially use power line towers as a vantage point or even for roosting, these benefits are outweighed by the potential negative impacts relating to collision risk

6 Range-change maps between SABAP1 and SABAP2 for Verreauxs’ Eagle; Les Underhill (2010-12-05) (http://sabap2.adu.org.za/news.php?id=1362 ) 7 The Verreauxs’ Eagle – an interview with Dr Rob Davies; August 12th, 2010 on African Raptors - The online home of African Raptor interests ( http://www.africanraptors.org/the-verreauxs-eagle-an-interview-with-dr-rob-davies/ ) T01.JNB.000507 Page 29 Royal HaskoningDHV

of placing power line spans so close to the areas inhabited by these species. As such it is strongly recommended that these parts of the above-mentioned two alternatives are not developed.

5.2.5 African Crowned Eagle

African Crowned Eagles are raptors that exclusively inhabit afforested habitats, in particular Afromontane Forest, but also dense woodland and forested gorges in savannah and grassland (Hockey et al , 2005). In the context of the study area, large areas of true Afromontane forest are not encountered; however there are areas of dense thicket and thickly wooded kloofs which are effectively localised forest patches that provide suitable habitat for this species. Such areas are located on the slopes of mountainous terrain, in particular the cooler south-facing slopes and protected gullies on mountainsides, and within parts of the highly incised Spekboom River valley downstream of the Lydenburg Waterfall. These localised habitats are primarily located within the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve and on the steep slopes of the western side of the Watervals valley to the north, with the Spekboom River gorge occurring within the Kudu Ranch Nature Reserve, extending northwards out of the reserve. This is reflected in the SABAP2 records for this species in the study area which are limited to this part of the study area. There is a breeding pair of African Crowned Eagles that are resident in the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve (Alan Watson, pers. comm. - this pair nests in one of the thickly wooded kloofs on the reserve), as well as a breeding pair in the Kudu Ranch Nature Reserve (Mike Briedenhann, pers. comm.). The limited and localised extent of this species’ habitat in the study area entails that this species is not likely to inhabit the study area in high densities, however it is resident in the study area in suitable habitat.

Dissimilarly to other eagle species, the African Crowned Eagle typically spends long periods perching within the forest canopy, watching for prey. However it does undertake aerial display flights, soaring high over its forest habitats and diving steeply back to the forest. As these densely wooded areas are typically located in deeply incised kloofs or valleys or on very steep slopes, the power line would be able to span these areas and the forest habitat would thus not be physically affected. However power lines located in close proximity to these habitats pose a risk of collision to this species due to their habitat of undertaking aerial flights above their forest habitat and steep dives to return. The species is listed as near threatened in South Africa, and the main threats are considered loss of forest habitat and persecution by small stock farmers. The species has been reported to be occasionally electrocuted (Oatley et al , 1998), but collisions with power lines are not listed as being significant. Nonetheless this large eagle remains collision-prone and power lines placed close to its forest habitat pose a significant risk of collision. Stretches of Alternatives 2 and 3 pass close to, or even directly over areas of localised forest patches. Alternative 3 that traverses the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve passes immediately over a number of such areas as it spans a number of the deeply incised valleys on the reserve. Alternative 2 runs up onto the high ground west of the Watervals valley traversing a the steep south-facing slope of the ridge that consists of suitable Crowned Eagle habitat and to the north would span a number of deep kloofs containing small forest patches. These stretches of the two alternatives are considered high risk to this species and are this recommended not to be developed. Alternative 5A crosses the deeply incised Spekboom River valley in two locations, along which the pair that breeds in the Kudu Ranch Reserve is likely to forage. The deeply incised nature of the valley would allow the valley to be spanned without towers being placed into the valley, but the respective spans across the valley would still pose a risk to this pair moving up and down the valley, thus it would be important to places power line markers along the lines in these areas if Alternative 5A were to be developed.

5.2.6 Lanner and Peregrine Falcons

The Lanner and Peregrine Falcons have been grouped due to their similar size, flight style and habitat. Both species are highly agile aerial hunters that typically hunt birds on the wing, reaching high speeds in pursuit of their prey. The Lanner Falcon is less restricted to mountainous habitat than the Peregrine Falcon, as it forages in open grassland, cleared woodland and agricultural areas. The Lanner Falcon however has a strong link to cliffs and mountainous habitats where these occur within its range as it typically roosts and nests on cliffs (Jenkins, 1994). The resident subspecies of the Peregrine Falcon ( Falco peregrinus minor ) typically occurs in mountainous habitat, particularly where cliffs exist and conditions are suitable for specialised aerial hunting of smaller bird prey, in

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particular high cliffs overlooking vegetation with a raised or discontinuous canopy (Hockey et al, 2005) such as open woodland on slopes. Such habitat is commonly found in parts of the study area such as in parts of the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve and on the western side of the Watervals valley where high cliffs are located above open mountainous bushveld. Suitable habitat also exists in the gorge-like deeply incised valley of the Spekboom River that passes through the Kudu Ranch Property and which extends to the north of the reserve. Like the Lanner Falcon, Peregrine Falcons roost and nest on high cliff faces. Both species hunt from high perches on cliffs, but also from the air. Peregrines engage in a steep, extremely rapid stoop, taking the prey in the air, with aerial chases often taking place over distances of 2km or more (Jenkins 2000). Lanners also dive steeply, often taking prey close to the ground (Hockey et al, 2005).

Both species are considered near threatened in South Africa, but power line-related mortalities are not listed as a primary threat to this species. In the USA Peregrine Falcons are particularly susceptible to power line collisions (Gipe, 1995). The high speed at which these two species undertake aerial flights endangers them by putting them at risk of collision; a certain theory is that aerial hunters such as swifts, swallows, and certain raptors like the Peregrine and Lanner may be at risk of collision in spite of their excellent manoeuvrability and very good vision as the speed at which they fly may not allow them to perceive the presence of a power line in time to avoid a collision (APLIC, 2012). Power lines placed close to the cliff habitats typically inhabited by these species would pose the greatest risk to these two falcon species (although the Lanner Falcon is likely to hunt more widely in grassland and agricultural settings). As discussed above for the Verreauxs’ Eagle stretches of Alternatives 2 and 3 that run very close to cliffs in the study area pose the greatest risk of collision to these birds as these are the areas on the site which are most likely to be frequented by these species. The recommendation made for the Verreauxs’ Eagle that these stretches not be developed is recommended in the context of these two species.

There is a slim possibility that the Taita Falcon (Falco fasciinucha ) could range into the study area. This species has been recorded in very small numbers from the cliffs of the escarpment at the Abel Erasmus Pass on the R36, approximately 45km to the north-east of the study area (where the species has bred), and similar mountainous habitat consisting of towering vertical cliffs occurs in parts of the study area. Any impact of this species due to power lines would be highly significant; the mitigation measure stipulated above for the other two falcons would be relevant for this species.

5.2.7 Other Raptor Species

Other raptor species in the area warrant a discussion as a number of species could benefit from more power lines in the area, but could also be adversely affected through collisions with overhead wires. Certain species are likely to range over very large areas, and are thus only likely to be visitors to the study area. These species could be killed in collisions with overhead wires, but the infrequency of visits of certain of these species to the study area is likely to entail that the proposed power lines pose a low level of risk to these species.

No Martial Eagles have yet been recorded in the study area during the SABAP2 project, however information provided by the Black Leopard Camp staff indicates that this species is being more and more regularly recorded in the reserve, in particular in the high ground in the southern part of the reserve (Alan Watson, pers. comm.). Of the other threatened raptors recorded in the study area the Pallid Harrier ( Circus macrourus ) is likely to be a very occasional visitor and the African Marsh-Harrier ( Circus ranivorus ) is unlikely to occur in the immediate vicinity of any of the proposed routes as it is largely restricted to marshes and reedbeds which do not occur in the study area. For the Red-footed Falcon ( Falco vespertinus ) and Lesser Kestrel ( Falco naumanni ), the study area is not part of their core distribution in southern Africa and these species are unlikely to be affected. Other eagle species do occur across the study area as they inhabit the savannah and woodland which characterises most of the area. These species are not considered threatened, and although they are at risk of colliding with power lines, the threat to them is considered of low importance, especially if the new power line is routed alongside the existing power lines (Alternatives 1 and part of Alternative 2).

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The most commonly recorded larger raptor in the study area by the author as part of the study is the Brown Snake-Eagle, being recorded both in the more mountainous, natural parts of the study area, but also in the lower- lying areas closer to Mashishing with a greater human footprint. Such a sighting was of a bird perched on the power line towers of the existing distribution power lines (along which Alternative 5B is aligned) close to the Lydenburg Substation along the Dorps River. This species is not listed as threatened, but interactions with proposed power line could be negative.

Smaller raptors like the Amur Falcon ( Falco amurensis ), Rock Kestrel and the Black-shouldered Kite ( Elanus caeruleus ) are most likely to utilise the power lines. These species commonly use power lines for roosting and as convenient perches for hunting. The Black-shouldered Kite is a common resident, while the Amur Falcon is a late summer migrant that inhabits open grasslands. Amur Falcons are a gregarious species, often occurring in large numbers, using power lines as roosts and perches. The species is most commonly encountered on the open grasslands (montane and lower altitude) in the southern part of the site. In the latter half of summer when Amur Falcons are present in the area, they perch in large numbers on the existing power lines on the Kudu Ranch Property (Alan Watson, pers. comm.). Thus in a converse manner to the collision-related impacts described above the presence of the power lines could be a positive factor that could benefit these species by providing increased perching and roosting locations. Thus would be true for other commonly-occurring raptors in the area including the Jackal Buzzard and Steppe Buzzard.

Figure 12 – Large numbers of Amur Falcons perching on the earthing wire of a power line in the North West Province

For certain raptors, the power lines could even be utilised as nesting locations. Although not constructing their own nests on power lines, Lanner Falcons have been known to utilise existing nests of other species on power line towers (Hockey et al , 2005).

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5.2.8 Denham’s Bustard

The Denham’s Bustard is one of the three largest bustard species in southern Africa, and like the other two species is non-agile in flight, thus being prone to collisions with overhead lines. The species inhabits grasslands, with a distribution in the higher rainfall areas than the related Ludwig’s Bustard ( Neotis ludwigii ) that occurs in the drier Karoo interior in the western part of southern Africa. As a grassland-inhabiting species, the Denham’s Bustard is not likely to occur across the entire study area, but only in the southern part of the study area where open grasslands occur. The species has been recorded on both the Kudu Ranch (Mike Briedenhann, pers. comm.) and in the mountainous grasslands in the southern part of the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve (Alan Watson, pers. comm.) and the species is likely to range into the grassland habitats in the southern parts of the study area. Population densities in the nearby Steenkampsberg area 8 to the south-west of the study area reach 0.78 birds/km 2 in the breeding season (Tarboton, 1989), but densities could be lower in the study area due to its preferred habitat only marginally occurring. In grassland areas the species typically inhabits high-lying sour grassland, often frequenting rocky areas and high-lying plateaux (Hockey et al , 2005). It is also attracted to burnt areas. This type of habitat occurs in the study area and the species is thus most likely to occur in the high altitude grassland on the Boomplaats property and within the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve.

Denham’s Bustards are at risk of mortality through power line collisions. In the context of an assessment to the threats posed to South African korhaan and bustard species, Allan and Anderson (2009) assessed that power lines posed a ‘major threat’ to this species. This threat exists in the context of the species being threatened in other ways, such as habitat destruction and disturbance. The authors concluded that collisions with overhead lines by Denham’s Bustards required urgent further research and mitigation, an urgent recommendation mirrored by Shaw (2009). These threats reflect the species’ status as vulnerable, although one of the key findings of the study was that strong consideration be given to the uplifting of this species’ status. A study of birds killed by power lines in the Overberg region of South Africa (Shaw et al , 2010) revealed that Denham’s Bustards represented the second highest number of mortalities (16%), all due to collisions. The study confirmed that reported mortalities represented a very small percentage of the actual mortalities, indicating a worrying vulnerability of this and other species to collision-related mortality. Shaw (2009) estimated an annual mortality for this species in the Overberg of 30%.

The collision-related vulnerability of the species and its threatened status make it a key priority species. The focus is on the southern-most part of the study area, in which the bird is likely to frequent open grasslands. Alternative 1 traverses the open grasslands to the north of the Lydenburg Substation, extending onto the southern part of the Kudu Ranch property. This alternative follows the existing power lines (with a number of smaller reticulation lines crossing this area). A power line placed along the existing lines would represent consolidation of an existing impact. Alternative 3 in contrast does not follow any existing line and runs through lower altitude grasslands to the north-west of the substation and then up into montane grasslands within the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve. This stretch of the Alternative 3 poses the greatest risk of collision to this species, as there are no existing lines on this alignment, and due to the arguably more difficult flying conditions for these large birds in a montane context. In this regard, Alternative 1 is strongly preferred, although the marking of spans within grassland areas is strongly recommended.

5.2.9 White-bellied Korhaan

The White-belied Korhaan is another threatened Highveld species, being listed as Vulnerable. The Southern African subspecies ( Eupodotis senegalensis barrowii – Barrow’s Korhaan) is a near endemic, entailing a restricted distribution, which combined with its small population size (probably not more than 5 000 individuals – Barnes, 2000) makes it threatened. The main threat facing this species is habitat loss, with suitable habitat having been altered at a dramatic rate, and causing population fragmentation (Bustard Working Group Homepage -

8 The Verloren Valei Nature Reserve within the Steenkampsberg IBA is listed as a very important protected area for this species (Hockey et al, 2005), and thus one of the core areas for this species is located relatively close to the study area (40km from the southern part of the study area). T01.JNB.000507 Page 33 Royal HaskoningDHV

http://www.birdlife.org.za/conservation/threatened-species/bustard-working-group ). This species is not listed as being vulnerable to collisions with overhead lines as is the case with the larger bustard species (Allan & Anderson, 2010).

The southern African subspecies prefers fairly tall, dense grassland in open undulating to hilly terrain (Hockey et al , 2005). The White-bellied Korhaan occurs sparsely in both the Grassland and Savannah Biomes. It is often most common in transitional areas between different habitats (ecotones), and undisturbed, rolling grassland dotted with some tree cover and where termite mounds are plentiful (especially on rocky ground) seems to be considered prime habitat by this species (Bustard Working Group Homepage). The secretive habits of this species make it often difficult to identify in an area as it is not typically sighted. The record of this species on the site visit was of birds calling at dusk in the tall Hyparrhenia hirta -dominated grassland on the Boomplaats property near the Jood se Loop stream. Taking into account the habitat preferences of this species, it is likely to occur in this lower-lying area to the north of the Lydenburg Substation as well as into the higher altitude montane grasslands on the Boomplaats property and Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve. Grassland areas along Alternative 3 within the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve investigated during the site assessment revealed a relatively dense and high sward in places which would be suitable habitat for this species. The species may also inhabit the grasslands further to the north on the top of the ridge on the western side of the Watervals Valley (as traversed by Alternative 2), where a tall sward with scattered trees occurs. Nonetheless the most likely part of the study site in which this species is likely to occur is in the southern part, as traversed by Alternatives 1 and 3.

The apparent densification of communal settlement on the Boomplaats property probably poses more of a risk to this species than collision with overhead lines. The risk of overhead collision for this species is likely to be low, but should be monitored during operation as it is a threatened species.

However a disturbance factor associated with the construction of power lines does pose a risk to this species; the White-bellied Korhaan relies on tall grass as its preferred habitat. The practice of keeping the servitudes under the power lines mowed in order to prevent fire risks may alter suitable habitat for this species where longer grass occurs. However due to the limited aerial extent of the servitude, this is not expected to be significant, provided the mowing of the servitude occurs only in the vicinity of the servitude. In this context (and also to mitigate against collisions) ensuring that the proposed power line is routed parallel to existing power lines would be beneficial as these areas are already disturbed in this way, and as such Alternative 1 is preferred.

The most significant potential risk to this species associated with the power line is that of disturbance during construction, especially to nesting birds, as they nest on the ground. Line construction activities in the vicinity of nesting birds could adversely affect these birds and could negatively affect egg-laying or chick-rearing activities. This species is a summer breeder, and if construction activities occur during this time then the breeding / nesting activities could be negatively affected. As these species are threatened, any nesting activities are extremely significant. The EMPr for the project must include measures to ensure that any nesting birds encountered are not disturbed, as detailed below.

5.2.10 Black-bellied Bustard

The Black-bellied Bustard is a species of tall dense grassland and grassy savannah, typically inhabiting relatively lower altitudes than the White-bellied Korhaan, but does occur at higher altitudes to the south of the study area in the Dullstroom area. This species is near threatened in a South African context due to range contraction and population reductions over parts of its range due to habitat destruction and overgrazing (Hockey et al, 2005). Although not recorded in the study area as part of the SABAP1 project, it has been reported from both the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve and from Kudu Ranch (Mike Briedenhann 9, Alan Watson, pers. comm.), and a male

9 Mike Briedenhann reports this species as being relatively commonly observed in the southern grassland areas of the Kudu Ranch property in summer. T01.JNB.000507 Page 34 Royal HaskoningDHV

bird was observed giving its distinctive call on the Kudu Nature Reserve property near in tall grassland near the airfield by the author during the October 2013 site visit. This species is thus likely to occur within the grasslands and very lightly wooded savannah of the southern part of study area, and possibly on the ridge tops along the southern part of Alternative 2.

Like the White-bellied Korhaan, this species is not listed as being vulnerable to collisions with overhead lines (Allan & Anderson, 2010). This species is more vulnerable to habitat destruction and other pressures such as hunting (Allan & Anderson, 2010). Collision risks could however potentially exist for the Black-bellied Bustard as this species embarks on aerial displays at the beginning of the breeding season (Hockey et al , 2005). The risk of overhead collision for this species is likely to be low, but should be monitored during operation as it is a threatened species.

The most significant potential risk to this korhaan species in the study area is that of disturbance during construction, especially to nesting birds, as they nest on the ground. Line construction activities in the vicinity of nesting birds could adversely affect these birds and could negatively affect egg-laying or chick-rearing activities. Like the White-bellied Korhaan this is a summer breeder, and if construction activities occur during this time then the breeding / nesting activities could be negatively affected. As these species are threatened, any nesting activities are extremely significant. The EMPr for the project must include measures to ensure that any nesting birds encountered are not disturbed, as detailed below.

Figure 13 – Male Black-bellied Bustard recorded in tall grassland on the Kudu Ranch Nature Reserve property

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5.3 Relationship between study area habitats and priority species occurrence in the study area

There is a strong correlation between many of the priority species listed above and particular habitats that are present in the study area; this relationship is potentially important in the context of impacts associated with the proposed power line. As part of the impact assessment and associated implementation of mitigation measures, it is important that this study identify whether there are any specific habitats which are more likely to be associated with impacts on birds than others.

Much of the study area is mountainous with a low human footprint. This means that the natural habitat has largely remained intact, thus allowing most of the natural avifaunal assemblage to be retained. These montane areas include areas of montane grassland, lightly wooded savannah and pockets of dense woodland or forest patches. Most of the priority species in the study area are habitat specific in terms of inhabiting mountainous areas, or are largely dependent on these areas for foraging, nesting and roosting. Montane grassland is likely to attract other priority species such as the Southern Bald Ibis and certain bustard species including the Denham’s Bustard and White-bellied Korhaan. The presence of cliffs, many of which are prominent and of significant height is a very important component of the mountainous habitat on the site. These cliffs are used as nesting locations for certain raptor species such as the Verreauxs’ Eagle, and are favoured hunting habitat for a number of priority raptor species. The presence of the Cape Vulture in the area is strongly linked to these high cliff faces, as two of the locations in which tracked vultures have been recorded in the study area is on cliff faces (as indicated in the figures in section 5.3 below). Although no breeding colonies exist within the study area anymore, an old breeding site on the cliffs on the western side of the Watervals valley is used for roosting. These species are highly adapted to flight within these montane environments, depending on wind and thermals to manoeuvre. Certain of the raptor species hunt within these environments, flying at great speed and embarking on steep dives to pursue their prey. In this context a power line placed within these montane environments, in particular adjacent to or spanning cliff faces poses a significant risk of collision for birds flying at great speed during aerial hunts, or when flying to and from their cliff-side roosts or nests. If the power line was routed through the montane grassland areas on the site this would pose a significant collision risk for any bustards or korhaans attracted to this area, in particular as these species are relatively immobile in flight and tend to fly to and from roosting areas at dawn and dusk – low light conditions when overhead lines would be much less visible.

The maps below indicate the spatial distribution of the above mentioned montane habitats, including patches of montane grassland and cliffs. It is evident that sections of alternatives 2 and 3 traverse large areas of montane grassland and pass over, or very close to a number of cliff faces. These sections of the alternatives are associated with a strong risk of collision for a number of the priority species, as well as a disturbance factor, and these areas have been designated as avifaunal ‘hotpots’ of significant sensitivity, that should be avoided, as discussed in section 6 below.

Although less pristine and subject to more human disturbance to more human disturbance than the higher-lying montane grasslands, the lower-lying grasslands found in the southern part of the study area are nonetheless also important. These lower-lying grasslands are typified by a relatively dense, tall sward that is the favoured habitat of the White-bellied Korhaan. This species was recorded in this part of the site. Both Alternatives 1 and 3 traverse this area, and pose a potential collision risk and disturbance factor to this and other grassland-inhabiting priority species.

Lastly, although no forest or dense woodland patches are likely to be physically affected, the African Crowned Eagle exclusively inhabits this habitat could be adversely affected if the proposed power line were to pass over kloofs and steep south-facing slopes in which this habitat type occurs, by greatly enhancing the potential for these birds to suffer collisions with the lines during their aerial displays.

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Figure 14 – Avifaunal sensitive habitats – northern part of the study area

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Figure 15 - Avifaunal sensitive habitats – southern part of the study area

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Figure 16 – Avifaunal “Hotspots” in the study area

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6 COMPARATIVE ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT

As part of the Basic Assessment process, power line alternative alignments have been provided for comparative assessment. The Basic Assessment process requires that an environmentally-preferred alternative be selected. The sections below provide input into the selection of a preferred alternative from an avifaunal perspective. The table below lists the factors that can be considered in comparatively assessing the two alternative routes. It should be noted that this comparative assessment does not include the northern section of Alternative 2 for which no alternative alignment has been provided.

Table 3 – Comparative Assessment of Line Alternatives Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Alternative 4 Alternatives 5A/B Sensitive -Lower-lying -Roughly half of -Traverses a -Traverses a None Avifaunal grassland north the length of the relatively large small area of Habitats of the Lydenburg alternative area of lower high altitude Affected Substation traverses lying grassland grassland montane north-west of the -A few forest / grassland or Lydenburg dense woodland forest / dense Substation patches woodland -Traverses patches. sensitive -Runs over, or montane close to a grassland, forest number of cliffs / dense woodland patches in the southern part of the alternative -Runs close to a number of cliffs in the southern part of the alternative -Traverses stretches of the riparian forest of the Watervals River Avifaunal -Traverses the -Traverses the -Traverses the None -Both Hotspots avifaunal hotspot avifaunal hotspot avifaunal hotspot alternatives affected associated with associated with a on the cross the Dorps the lower-lying forest patch and Boomplaats River riparian grasslands montane property and corridor (White-bellied grassland north- Thaba Tholo -Alternative 5A Korhaan east of the Wilderness spans the occurrence) and Buffelskloof Dam Reserve Spekboom River the vulture associated with -Traverses the in two locations. restaurant at montane avifaunal hotspot The alternative Kudu Ranch grassland, forest associated with also runs fairly patches and the montane close to the cliffs grassland and Spekboom valley

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cliffs west of the edge in the Watervals valley Klipfontein area. Other factors -Runs parallel to The northern -Runs parallel to -Alt 5B runs existing power part of the the R37 road, in parallel to four lines for most of alternative runs an area with a existing power its length within the high human lines Watervals valley footprint that has a high human footprint

It can be seen from the above table that Alternatives 2 and 3 traverse the highest number of sensitive habitats from an avifaunal perspective, and accordingly the highest number of ‘hotspots’. The hotspots associated with the mountainous areas traversed by Alternative 2 and 3 along the ridge forming the western side of the Watervals valley and on the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve property are considered to be very important for most of the priority species within the area, and are associated with the highest degree of adverse impact on these species associated with the lines. These stretches also run very close to a number of cliffs. It is also important to note that there is no existing power line along either Alternative 2, 3, 4 or 5A in contrast with Alternatives 1 and 5A. The confirmed presence of a roosting site for Cape Vultures in very close proximity to the part of Alternative 2 to the west of the Watervals River valley, and the confirmed presence of a number of priority raptor and bustard species on the high-lying mountainous areas in the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve as traversed by Alternative 3 makes these two alignments fatal flaws from an avifaunal perspective; the likelihood of an impact of these species is regarding as being high, and impacts would be very difficult to mitigate.

Alternative 4 links up with Alternative 3 in the Watervals River valley, and thus bypasses the highly sensitive avifaunal hotpots traversed by Alternative 3. The alternative follows the R37 as it climbs over the mountainous area of the Watervals River Pass. Although there is a high noise factor related to the presence of vehicles moving along the road, the route traverses mountainous terrain which is otherwise undisturbed, and which is likely to be more frequented by raptors and vultures than lower-lying areas. In the context of other alternatives which run through lower altitudes and areas of more greatly transformed habitats, the traversing of this high ground by a power line which is likely to introduce the risk of collisions of raptors and vultures with the line spans is not seen as acceptable from an avifaunal perspective and is not recommended.

Alternative 1 would run parallel to an existing power line for its entire length, which is usually preferable as birds (especially large birds of poor mobility) will be aware of the presence of existing power lines. Although much of the route traversed by Alternative 1 is relatively undisturbed (except for the presence of the power lines) and mountainous, the area traversed is covered in woodland rather than grassland, with the route not running past any cliff faces. Although this alternative runs through an avifaunal hotspot associated with the lower-lying grassland favoured by the White-bellied Korhaan and is located close to the Kudu Ranch Vulture Restaurant, vultures are likely to be aware of the presence of the existing power lines, and power line collision-related mortality is considered a lesser threat to the White-bellied Korhaan than habitat disturbance and alteration. Alternative 1 would consolidate power line-related impacts to one part of the study area where an existing impact is present.

Alternatives 5A and 5B run through areas of a relatively high human footprint and partial transformation of the landscape in the parts of the study area to the north-east of Mashishing. The alternatives do not traverse any avifaunal hotpots due to this factor, except for the two crossings of the Spekboom River valley. A single span of the power line is likely to be able to cross the valley due to the incised ‘gorge-like’ nature of the valley, but the lines could pose a risk of collision to raptors that are flying along the course of the valley, in particular certain priority species such as the African Crowned Eagle. It is important to note that these alternatives join Alternative 1 to the north of the Kudu Ranch Nature Reserve, thus running along an existing power line to the Merensky Substation. It is also important to note that Alternative 5B runs along a set of four existing power lines, and is thus the preferred alternative along this part of Alternative 5A/B.

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The presence of the existing power lines along Alternative 1 (and thus much of the Alternative 5A/B route), and the avoidance of the most sensitive montane habitats and avifaunal faunal hotspots in the study area by Alternatives 1 and 5A/B entails that these two alternative routings are the most optimal routing alternative options from an avifaunal perspective. Alternative 1 is beneficial from an avifaunal perspective as it runs parallel to existing power lines for its entire length, but it runs through areas of suitable grassland habitat for kohaans and bustards in the Kudu Ranch Nature Reserve and it traverses a proclaimed nature reserve (Kudu Ranch). Alternative 5A traverses slightly more transformed habitats with a lower likelihood of the occurrence of priority species and is thus slightly preferred from an avifaunal perspective. If Alternative 5A/B is selected for development, Alternative 5B must be developed as it runs parallel a set of existing power lines.

7 MITIGATION MEASURES

A number of mitigation measures are specified below in order to reduce or negate the impact of the proposed power line and substation on priority bird species in the study area.

7.1 Power line routing

Section 6 above has provided a comparative assessment of the line alternatives along both line components. Alternatives 1 and 5A/B are considered the most optimal routing alternatives, in particular for priority species. The other alternatives are likely to be associated with a much higher likelihood of impacting birds and their habitat. It is thus a very important mitigation measure that the proposed power line is developed along either of these two alternatives, preferably along Alternative 5B.

7.2 Marking of lines

The presence of a number of priority species, in particular a number of large, less flight-mobile bustard and korhaan species as well as the Cape Vulture which are highly prone to collisions entails that the marking of lines with bird flappers and bird diverters or similar measures to heighten the visibility of the lines needs to be undertaken as a key mitigation measure. Although recommendations have been made to avoid the most sensitive parts of the study area, marking of certain spans along the final line will be required. If Alternative 1 is developed then certain spans will need to be fitted with markers / diverters, in particular the spans located closest to the Kudu Ranch Vulture Restaurant and within open grassland in this part of the route. Any spans passing close to patches of forest or running close to any open surface water bodies (dams) will need to be fitted, subject to the avifaunal walk down, as discussed below. If Alternative 5A/B are developed the span of the line that crosses the Dorps River riparian corridor and those immediately adjacent should be marked. It is critical that the spans of the power line along Alternative 5A/B that cross the Spekboom River valley (in two locations), and the spans of the section of the line in the Klipfontein area that runs close to the edge of the Spekboom valley must similarly be marked.

It is recommended that the EBM flapper and the Tyco Flight Diverter be used on the spans that are required to be marked. These are the latest designs being used by Eskom, in consultation with the EWT. It should be noted that a new type of flapper device is currently being tested by the EWT and Eskom (Constant Hoogstad, pers. comm.). At the time at which the line is constructed, should this device be used for approved for use, the line should be fitted with this device on spans identified to require marking.

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7.3 Tower-type

The monopole tower type is proposed for this project. This tower type is “Bird-friendly” in that it is not associated with a risk of electrocution for birds. This tower type is thus supported.

7.4 Pre-construction ‘walk-down’

A pre-construction ‘walk-down’ of the lines by an avifauna specialist is recommended to confirm the spans on which marking devices are required to be placed, as described above. The walk-down will also be used to identify sensitive areas, and to input span-specific / area-specific mitigation measures into the construction EMPr.

7.5 Awareness of breeding, and disturbance of priority species

As detailed in the species accounts above, a number of priority species make their nests and raise young terrestrially, making them particularly vulnerable to disturbance related to power line construction. Certain of these species nest within grasslands (all bustard and korhaan species). Depending on the time of the year in which power line construction takes place in a certain area, nesting birds could be disturbed by construction activity, at worst causing them to abandon the nest or destroying the nest. If it occurred, disturbance of breeding activities that resulted in breeding failures would be highly significant in the context of breeding priority species, as many of these have a low breeding success rate and breed infrequently, especially in the context of already lowered numbers of certain species. In order to mitigate against this, the following mitigation measures are specified:  The ECO and Contractor’s EO must be made aware and trained in recognition of certain key species, especially those species that nest in grasslands.  If there is a period of time in between the pre-construction walk-down by the avifaunal specialist and the onset of construction in a certain area, the ECO / EO must walk the line in order to identify the presence of any nests.  Construction workers must also be trained in awareness of priority species in the event that a ground- based nest is discovered.  Should an active nest of a priority species be discovered in or near the servitude, construction activities should be halted until such time as the young have successfully fledged as far as possible. Should this not be possible, the guidance of an avifaunal specialist and BirdLife South Africa / the Endangered Wildlife Trust must be sought.  Construction activities must be restricted to the servitude, and the footprint of the construction area must not be expanded unnecessarily.  In pre-determined sensitive areas (as identified by the pre-construction walk-down), a construction vehicle access right of way must be identified and demarcated, from which vehicles must not deviate.

8 IMPACT RATING MATRIX

The Impact rating matrix for the project appears below.

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Phase Potential Aspect and or Significance rating of Mitigation Significance rating Impact impacts before mitigation of impacts after mitigation

Construction • Construction Activities in sensitive Extent: Regional ( - • Construction to be guided by Eskom Extent: Site ( -1) avifaunal habitats could lead to 3) guidelines for construction Duration: Short-term disturbance of sensitive / threatened Duration: Long term • The ECO and Contractor’s EO must be made (-1) species, that could result in them moving (-3) aware and trained in recognition of certain key Intensity: Low (-1) away from the area, thus adversely Intensity: High (-3) species, especially those species that nest in Probability: Possible affecting natural foraging habits. Probability: grasslands. (-2) • Terrestrial nesting species could be • Possible (-2) If there is a period of time in between the pre- disturbed by construction activities, construction walk-down by the avifaunal Significance: Low potentially resulting in the death of specialist and the onset of construction in a fledglings or destruction of the nest, and Significance: certain area, the ECO / EO must walk the line (-5) the failure of the breeding attempt. For Medium (-11) in order to identify the presence of any nests. threatened species, this could be • Construction workers must also be trained in significant at the regional population awareness of priority species in the event that level. a ground-based nest is discovered. • Should an active nest of a priority species be discovered in or near the servitude, construction activities should be halted until such time as the young have successfully fledged as far as possible. Should this not be possible, the guidance of an avifaunal specialist and BirdLife South Africa / the Endangered Wildlife Trust must be sought. • Construction activities must be restricted to the servitude, and the footprint of the construction area must not be expanded unnecessarily. • In pre-determined sensitive areas (as identified by the pre-construction walk-down), a construction vehicle access right of way must be identified and demarcated, from which vehicles must not deviate. • Vehicles must not enter / cross any wetland / seepage grassland area. Operations Collisions Extent: Regional (- • The most sensitive parts of the study area Extent: Local (-2) • Power line-sensitive species (i.e. those 3) must be avoided in routing the lines Duration: Long Term species that are poorly mobile in flight), in Duration: Long- • A walk-down by an avifaunal specialist must (-3) particular large birds that are threatened term (-3) be conducted along the route chosen for Intensity: Low are at significant risk of collisions with Intensity: High (-3) development prior to construction. This walk- (-1) overhead lines, resulting in injury and Probability: down must identify spans along which flappers Probability: Possible death. Power lines placed in bird- / bird diverters must be fitted in order to Probable (-3) (-2) sensitive habitats in the area – i.e. on mitigate the risk of collisions of birds with cliffs and in high-altitude grasslands, are overhead wires associated with a high risk of collision Significance: High Significance: (-12) Medium

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Phase Potential Aspect and or Significance rating of Mitigation Significance rating Impact impacts before mitigation of impacts after mitigation (-8) Increased perching and nesting Extent: Local (+2) • N/A locations for certain species Duration: Long- • The development of power lines could term (+3) represent a positive impact on a number Intensity: Moderate of raptor species, in terms of providing (+2) new perching, roosting and even nesting Probability: habitats (on the towers) Probable (+3)

Significance: Medium (+10) Decommission • Decommissioning activities could result Extent: Regional (- • Decommissioning to be guided by Eskom -ing in disturbance of birds and adverse 3) guidelines for construction / decommissioning impacts on breeding birds, in a similar Duration: Long term • Decommissioning to be monitored by an ECO manner to construction above. (-3) according to the stipulations of the EMPr Intensity: High (-3) • Mitigation measures specified above for Probability: construction should be applied to Possible (-2) decommissioning

Significance: Medium (-11) Cumulative • The proposed lines would be unlikely to • Refer to activity / phase specific mitigation result in cumulative impacts for most bird measures above species. • However the lines could contribute to cumulative impacts for a number of regionally and nationally threatened species that have a possibility of occurrence in certain parts of the study area. Any impact of the lines on these species could contribute to the existing impacts on these species (related to other factors esp. habitat loss), and thus cause a cumulative impact.

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9 CONCLUSIONS

This avifaunal impact report has characterised the avifaunal assemblage of the study area by examining bird atlas data for the area, and through site visits in which birds were identified on the site. Habitat type is a critical factor in determining the species assemblages of birds and priority bird species in a particular area, and a number of different habitat types have been identified on the site, a number of which are associated with particular assemblages of bird species. Mountainous areas, in particular undisturbed high altitude grasslands, forest patches and cliffs have been identified as the most sensitive avifaunal habitats in the study area.

A number of priority bird species in the context of power lines have been identified as occurring, or potentially occurring on the site. These priority species have been identified based on the level of potential risk that they could be adversely affected by the proposed development due to their behavioural characteristics, as well as based on a consideration of threatened species that tend to, or could occur on the site. A number of species associated with mountainous terrain, in particular cliff faces and other rocky montane habitats as well as grassland bird species birds that are important in a national and southern African context (many of which are threatened and endemic) do, or are likely to occur on the site. As such sensitive habitat types from an avifaunal perspective have been identified and a number of avifaunal hotspots have been identified. The report has investigated the nature of the impact of the proposed power line at a species-level for these priority species.

The most significant potential impact relates to collision of large, relatively immobile bird species with the overhead lines, as well as collision of more mobile species with the lines while these species embark on high speed aerial pursuits of prey. For certain of the more threatened species that have been confirmed to occur on the site (i.e. Cape Vulture, Denham’s Bustard and White-bellied Korhaan), collision mortality-related impacts could be highly significant. Disturbance of these birds, in particular of ground-nesting birds has also been identified to be a significant potential impact. In this context a number of mitigation measures have been recommended; importantly the most sensitive parts of the study area must be avoided by the proposed power line; this entails that the stretch of Alternative 3 crossing the mountainous terrain on part of the Boomplaats property and on the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve to where it enters the Watervals Valley, and the stretch of Alternative 2 that traverses the high ridge west of the Watervals Valley should be avoided completely as these are considered to be fatal flaws from an avifaunal perspective . Alternatives 1 and 5A/B have been assessed to be the optimal alternatives from an avifaunal perspective, considering that Alternative 1 and part of Alternative 5A/B runs parallel to an existing power line, and that these two alternatives traverse fewer areas of sensitive habitat from an avifaunal perspective than the other alternatives. Alternative 5A/B is slightly preferred over Alternative 1. The other crucial mitigation measure is the marking of the lines with bird flappers or similar devices along power line spans that occur within sensitive areas (habitats) typically occupied by the priority species.

10 REFERENCES

 Allan, D.G., 1997. Bald Ibis. In: The atlas of southern African birds. Vol. 1: Non-. Harrison, J.A., Allan, D.G., Underhill, L.G., Herremans, M., Tree, A.J., Parker, V. & Brown, C.J. (Eds). BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg.  Allan, D.G., 2013. Cape Vulture – Apocalypse Now? Article in Africa Birds and Birding, Jan-Feb 2013, Vol. 1 no 2 pp58-59.  Allan, D.G., & Anderson, M., 2010. Assessment of the threats faced by South Africa’s bustard species. Birdlife South Africa Report  Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC). 1994. Reducing Avian Collisions with Power Lines: State of the Art in 2012. Edison Electric Institute and APLIC. Washington, D.C.

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 Bahat, O. 2008. Wintering Black Storks ( Ciconia nigra ) cause severe damage to transmission lines in Israel – A study on the risk and mitigation possibilities; paper presented at the EDM International Conference on Overhead lines, Fort-Collins, CO, March 31-April 3, 2008  Barnes, K.N, 2000. The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Johannesburg: BirdLife South Africa.  Barnes, K.N., Johnson, D.J, Anderson, M.D., & Taylor, P.B., 2001, South Africa pp 793-876, in Fishpool, L. D. C., & Evans, M.I., eds. Important Bird Areas in Africa and associated islands: Priority sites for conservation. Newbury and Cambridge, UK: Pisces Publications and BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 11).  BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org .  Boshoff. A.F., & Allan, D.G., 1997. Secretarybird. In: The atlas of southern African birds. Vol. 1: Non- passerines. Harrison, J.A., Allan, D.G., Underhill, L.G., Herremans, M., Tree, A.J., Parker, V. & Brown, C.J. (Eds), pp. 152-153. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg.  Boshoff A.F., Minnie, J.C., Tambling, C.J. & Michaal, M., 2011. The impact of power line-related mortality on the Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres in a part of its range, with an emphasis on electrocution, Bird Conservation International (2011) 21:311–327.  Bourlière, F. & Hadley, M. , 1983. Present-day savannas – an overview. In Bourlière, F. (Ed.) Ecosystems of the World, 13: Tropical Savannas, 1-17. Amsterdam. Elsevier.  Brown, L. H., Urban, E. K,; Newman, K., 1982. The birds of Africa vol I. Academic Press, London.  Davies, R.A.G., 1994, Black Eagle Aquilla verreauxii predation on rock hyrax Procavia capensis and other prey in the Karoo. PHD Thesis, Univ. Pretoria.  Davies, R.A.G. & Ferguson, J.W.H., 2000, The influence of predation by Black Eagles Aquila verreauxii on Rock Hyrax numbers in the Karoo. In Chancellor, R.D., Meyerburg B-U, eds. Raptors at Risk, pp 519-526.  Fry, C.H., 1983. Birds in savanna ecosystems. In Bourlière, F. (Ed.) Ecosystems of the World, 13: Tropical Savannas, 337-357. Amsterdam. Elsevier.  Gipe, P., 1995. Wind Energy comes of Age, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York  Gargett,V. 1990. The Black Eagle. Acorn Books and Russell Friedman, Johannesburg.  Harrison, J.A., Allan, D.G., Underhill, L.G., Herremans, M., Tree, A.J., Parker, V. & Brown, C.J. (Eds). 1997. The atlas of southern African birds. Vol. 1: Non-passerines. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg.  Hockey, P.A.R., Dean, W.R.J, Ryan, P.G. (Eds), 2005. Roberts – Birds of Southern Africa, VIIth Ed. The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town  Jenkins, A.R. 1994. The influence of habitat on the distribution and abundance of Peregrine and Lanner Falcons in South Africa. Ostrich 65: 281–290.  Jenkins, A. R. 2000. Hunting mode and success of African Peregrines Falco peregrinus minor: does nesting habitat quality affect foraging efficiency? Ibis 142: 235-246.  Jenkins, A.R., and Smallie, J. 2009. Terminal Velocity – End of the line for Ludwig’s Bustard? Article in Africa Birds and Birding, April-May 2009.  Jenkins, A.R., 2010. Red Alert – focus on South Africa’s threatened birds: Cape Vulture. Article in Africa Birds and Birding 15(2):62-63.  Maclean, G.L., 1990. Ornithology for Africa. Pietermaritzburg: University of Natal Press  Martin, G.R., and Shaw, J.M. Bird collisions with power lines: Failing to see the way ahead? Biol. Conserv. (2010), doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2010.07.014  Mucina, L., & Rutherford, M.C., 2006. The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, Strelitzia 19, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria  Mundy, P.J., 1989, The OAZ Species Survey. Honeyguide 35:102-111

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 Mundy, P.J., 1992, Ledger, J.A., and Friedman, R., 1992. The vultures of Africa. Academic Press, London.  Mundy, P.J, Benson, P.C., and Allan, D.G., 1997. Cape Vulture. In: The atlas of southern African birds. Vol. 1: Non-passerines. Harrison, J.A., Allan, D.G., Underhill, L.G., Herremans, M., Tree, A.J., Parker, V. & Brown, C.J. (Eds). BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg.  Norman, N., and Whitfield, G., 2006, Geological Journeys: A Traveller’s Guide to South Africa’s Rocks and Landforms, Struik Publishers, Cape Town  Oatley, T.B, Oschadleus, H.D., Navarro, R.A., Underhill, L.G., 1998, Review of ring recoveries of birds of prey in Southern Africa, 1948-1998, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Johannesburg.  Shaw, J.M., 2009. The End of the Line for South Africa’s National Bird? Modelling Power Line Collision Risk for the Blue Crane. MsC Thesis. Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town  Shaw, J.M., Jenkins A.R., Smallie, J.J., & Ryan, P.G., 2010. Modelling power-line collision risk for the Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus in South Africa. Ibis (2010), 152, 590–599  Tarboton, W.R. 1989. Breeding behaviour of Denham’s Bustard. Bustard Studies 4: 160–169.  Tarboton, W.R., 2001. A Guide to the nests and eggs of Southern African Birds. Struik. Cape Town  Van Rooyen, C.S., 2004. The Management of Wildlife Interactions with overhead lines. In: The fundamentals and practice of Overhead Line Maintenance (132kV and above), pp217-245. Eskom Technology, Services International, Johannesburg.  Van Rooyen, C.S., 2005. Bald Ibis: interactions with powerlines. Endangered Wildlife 54: 47-48.  VULPRO (Vulture Programme) / Wolter, K., 2012. Cape Vulture Task Force Report 2012

10.1 Web pages referred to in the text: http://www.capebirdclub.org.za/cbc/articles-african%20fish%20eagle%20electrocution%20nov%202012.html http://www.birdlife.org.za/conservation/threatened-species/bustard-working-group

South Africa Rainfall Atlas: http://134.76.173.220/rainfall/index.html

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Appendix 1: Overall Study Area Species List

T01.JNB.000507 Page 49 Royal HaskoningDHV LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY

Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status 1 001 Common Ostrich Struthio camelus  2 006 Great crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus  3 008 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis    White -breasted 4 055 Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus    5 058 Reed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus    6 060 African Darter Anhinga rufa    7 062 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea  8 063 Black -headed Heron Ardea melanocephala    9 064 Goliath Heron Ardea goliath  10 065 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea    11 066 Great Egret Egretta alba    12 067 Little Egret Egretta garzetta  13 068 Yellow -billed Egret Egretta intermedia  14 069 Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca  15 071 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis   16 072 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides  17 074 Green -backed Heron Butorides striata   Black -crowned Night - 18 076 Heron Nycticorax nycticorax  19 078 Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus  20 081 Hamerkop Scopus umbretta   

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status 21 083 White Stork Ciconia ciconia  Near 22 084 Black Stork Ciconia nigra  Threatened 23 085 Abdim’s Stork Ciconia abdimii  Near 24 090 Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis  Threatened 25 091 African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus   26 092 Southern Bald Ibis Geronticus calvus    Vulnerable Endemic 27 094 Hadeda Ibis Bostrychia hagedash    28 095 African Spoonbill Platalea alba  29 099 White -faced Duck Dendrocygna viduata  30 102 Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca    31 104 Yellow -billed Duck Anas undulata    32 105 African Black Duck Anas sparsa    33 108 Red -billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha   34 113 Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma  35 116 Spur -winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis    Near 36 118 Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius  Threatened 37 122 Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres    Vulnerable Endemic 38 123 White -backed Vulture Gyps africanus   Vulnerable 39 126 Black Kite Milvus migrans  40 126.1 Yellow -billed Kite Milvus aegyptius  

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status 41 127 Black -shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus    42 128 African Cuckoo Hawk Aviceda cuculoides  43 130 European Honey -Buzzard Pernis apivorus  44 131 Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verreauxii    45 132 Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax  46 133 Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis  47 135 Wahlberg’s Eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi   48 136 Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus  49 137 African Hawk -Eagle Aquila spilogaster    50 139 Long -crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis    51 140 Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus  Vulnerable Near 52 141 African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus   Threatened 53 142 Brown Snake -Eagle Circaetus cinereus    Black -chested Snake - 54 143 Eagle Circaetus pectoralis    55 148 African Fish -Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer    56 149 Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo   57 152 Jackal Buzzard Buteo rufofuscus    Endemic 58 154 Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus    59 156 Ovambo Sparrowhawk Accipiter ovampensis  60 157 Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus  61 158 Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus   

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status 62 159 Shikra Accipiter badius  63 160 African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro    64 161 Gabar Goshawk Melierax gabar  65 165 African Marsh -Harrier Circus ranivorus  Vulnerable Near 66 167 Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus  Threatened 67 169 African Harrier -Hawk Polyboroides typus    68 170 Osprey Pandion haliaetus  Near 69 171 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus  Threatened Near 70 172 Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus   Threatened 71 173 Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo  72 179 Red -footed Falcon Falco vespertinus  Least Concern 73 180 Amur Falcon Falco amurensis   74 181 Rock Kestrel Falco rupicolus    75 182 Greater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides  76 183 Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni  Vulnerable 77 188 Coqui Francolin Peliperdix coqui    78 189 Crested Francolin Dendroperdix sephaena    79 190 Grey -winged francolin Scleroptila africana  Endemic 80 191 Shelley’s francolin Scleroptila shelleyi   81 192 Red -winged francolin Scleroptila levaillantii 

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status Near 82 196 Natal Spurfowl Pternistis natalensis    Endemic 83 198 Swainson’s Spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii    84 200 Common Quail Coturnix coturnix  85 203 Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris    86 205 Kurrichane Buttonquail Turnix sylvaticus   87 208 Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus  Vulnerable Endemic 88 209 Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum   Vulnerable 89 213 Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostra    90 217 Red -chested Flufftail Sarothrura rufa  91 226 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus  92 228 Red -knobbed coot Fulica cristata  93 231 Denham’s Bustard Neotis denhami  Vulnerable 94 233 White -bellied Korhaan Eupodotis senegalensis    Vulnerable Near 95 238 Black-bellied Bustard Eupodotis melanogaster   Threatened 96 240 African Jacana Actophilornis africanus   97 249 Three -banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris   98 255 Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus    Near 99 257 Black-winged Lapwing Vanellus melanopterus  Threatened 100 258 Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus    101 260 African Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus  

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status 102 264 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos  103 266 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola  104 269 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis  105 274 Little Stint Calidris minuta  106 294 Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta  107 297 Spotted Thick -knee Burhinus capensis   108 300 Temminck's Courser Cursorius temminckii  109 315 Grey -headed Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus  Double -banded Near 110 347 Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus  Endemic 111 348 Rock Dove Columba livia   112 349 Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea    113 350 African Olive -Pigeon Columba arquatrix  114 352 Red -eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata    115 354 Cape Turtle -Dove Streptopelia capicola    116 355 Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis    117 356 Namaqua Dove Oena capensis  Emerald -spotted Wood - 118 358 Dove Turtur chalcospilos    119 359 Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria    120 361 African Green -Pigeon Treron calvus    121 370 Knysna Turaco Tauraco corythaix  Endemic 122 371 Purple -crested Turaco Tauraco porphyreolophus   

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status 123 373 Grey Go -away -bird Corythaixoides concolor    124 375 African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis  125 377 Red -chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius   126 378 Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus    127 381 Levaillant's Cuckoo Clamator levaillantii  128 382 Jacobin Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus  129 385 Klaas's Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas    130 386 Diderick Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius    Near 131 391 Burchell’s Coucal Centropus burchellii    Endemic 132 392 Barn Owl Tyto alba   133 394 African Wood -Owl Strix woodfordii    134 395 Marsh Owl Asio capensis  135 396 African Scops -Owl Otus senegalensis  Southern White -faced 136 397 Scops-Owl Ptilopsis granti  137 398 Pearl -spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum  138 400 Cape Eagle -Owl Bubo capensis  139 401 Spotted Eagle -Owl Bubo africanus   140 402 Verreaux’s Eagle -Owl Bubo lacteus  141 405 Fiery -necked Nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis   142 406 Rufous -cheeked Nightjar Caprimulgus rufigena  143 408 Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status 144 412 African Black Swift Apus barbatus    145 415 White -rumped Swift Apus caffer   146 416 Horus Swift Apus horus  147 417 Little Swift Apus affinis    148 418 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba    149 421 African Palm -Swift Cypsiurus parvus    150 424 Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus    151 426 Red -faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus   152 427 Narina Trogon Apaloderma narina  153 428 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis    154 429 Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima    Near 155 430 Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata    Threatened 156 431 Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata  157 432 African Pygmy -Kingfisher Ispidina picta   158 433 Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis  159 435 Brown -hooded Kingfisher Halcyon albiventris    160 437 Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti    161 438 European Bee -eater Merops apiaster    162 443 White -fronted Bee -eater Merops bullockoides    163 444 Little Bee -eater Merops pusillus   164 446 European Roller Coracias garrulus 

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status 165 447 Lilac -breasted Roller Coracias caudatus  166 449 Purple Roller Coracias naevius  167 451 African Hoopoe Upupa africana    168 452 Green Wood -hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus    169 454 Common Rhinopomastus cyanomelas   170 455 Trumpeter Hornbill Bycanistes bucinator  171 457 African Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus    172 458 Red -billed Hornbill Tockus rufirostris    Southern Yellow -billed Near 173 459 Hornbill Tockus leucomelas    Endemic 174 464 Black -collared Barbet Lybius torquatus    Near 175 465 Acacia Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas    Endemic 176 470 Yellow -fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus    177 473 Crested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii    178 474 Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator    Scaly -throated 179 475 Honeyguide Indicator variegatus    180 476 Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor    181 478 Brown -backed Honeybird Prodotiscus regulus   182 480 Ground Woodpecker Geocolaptes olivaceus  Endemic Golden -tailed 183 483 Woodpecker Campethera abingoni   

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status 184 486 Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens    185 487 Bearded Woodpecker Dendropicos namaquus    186 489 Red -throated Wryneck Jynx ruficollis    187 494 Rufous -naped Lark Mirafra africana    188 496 Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea   189 498 Sabota Lark Calendulauda sabota   190 507 Red -capped Lark Calandrella cinerea  Chestnut -backed 191 515 Sparrowlark Eremopterix leucotis  192 518 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica    193 520 White -throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis    194 522 Wire -tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii   195 523 Pearl -breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata    196 524 Red -breasted Swallow Cecropis semirufa   197 526 Greater Striped Swallow Cecropis cucullata    198 527 Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica    199 529 Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula    200 530 Common House -Martin Delichon urbicum  201 531 Grey -rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga 202 533 Brown -throated Martin Riparia paludicola    203 534 Banded Martin Riparia cincta  204 536 Black Saw -wing Psalidoprocne holomelaena  

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status 205 538 Black Cuckooshrike Campephaga flava    206 541 Fork -tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis    207 545 Black -headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus    208 543 Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus  209 547 Cape Crow Corvus capensis   210 548 Pied Crow Corvus albus    211 550 White -necked Raven Corvus albicollis    212 554 Southern Black Tit Parus niger    213 558 Grey Penduline -Tit Anthoscopus minutus  214 560 Arrow -marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii    215 568 Dark -capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor    216 569 Terrestrial Brownbul Phyllastrephus terrestris   217 572 Sombre Greenbul Andropadus importunus    218 576 Kurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyanus    219 577 Olive Thrush Turdus olivaceus  220 580 Groundscraper Thrush Psophocichla litsitsirupa    221 581 Cape Rock -Thrush Monticola rupestris    Endemic 222 582 Sentinel Rock -Thrush Monticola explorator  Endemic Near 223 586 Mountain Wheatear Oenanthe monticola  Endemic 224 587 Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata  225 588 Buff -streaked Chat Campicoloides bifasciata   Endemic

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status 226 589 Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris    227 593 Mocking cliff -Chat Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris    228 595 Ant -eating Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora    Endemic 229 596 African Stone Chat Saxicola torquatus    230 598 Chorister Robin -Chat Cossypha dichroa   White -browed Robin - 231 599 Chat Cossypha heuglini   23 2 600 Red -capped Robin -Chat Cossypha natalensis   23 3 601 Cape Robin -Chat Cossypha caffra    White -throated Robin - 234 602 Chat Cossypha humeralis    White -browed Scrub - 235 613 Robin Erythropygia leucophrys    23 6 619 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin  Chestnut -vented Tit - 237 621 Babbler Sylvia subcaerulea   23 8 628 Great Reed -Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus  23 9 631 African Reed -Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus  240 633 Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris   24 1 635 Lesser Swamp -Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris  Dark -capped Yellow 242 637 Warbler Iduna natalensis  24 3 638 Little Rush -Warbler Bradypterus baboecala    24 4 643 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus   

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status 24 5 645 Bar -throated Apalis Apalis thoracica    24 6 648 Yellow -breasted Apalis Apalis flavida    24 7 651 Long -billed Crombec Sylvietta rufescens    Yellow -bellied 248 653 Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis  24 9 656 Burnt -necked Eremomela Eremomela usticollis   Green-backed  250 657 Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura   Grey -backed 251 657a Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata   25 2 661 Cape Grassbird Sphenoeacus afer    Endemic 25 3 664 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis    25 4 665 Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus   Near 256 666 Cloud Cisticola Cisticola textrix   Endemic 25 7 667 Wing -snapping Cisticola Cisticola ayresii  25 7 670 Wailing Cisticola Cisticola lais   25 8 672 Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana    25 9 674 Red -faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops    260 677 Levaillant’s Cisticola Cisticola tinniens    26 1 678 Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis    26 2 679 Lazy Cisticola Cisticola aberrans    26 3 681 Neddicky Cisticola fulvicapilla   

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status 26 4 683 Tawny -flanked Prinia subflava    26 5 685 Black -chested Prinia Prinia flavicans   26 6 689 Spotted flycatcher Muscicapa striata   26 7 690 African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta  26 8 691 Ashy Flycatcher Muscicapa caerulescens    26 9 693 Grey Tit -flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus    270 694 Southern Black flycatcher pammelaina    27 1 695 Marico flycatcher Bradornis mariquensis   27 2 696 Pale flycatcher Bradornis pallidus  27 3 698 Fiscal Flycatcher Sigelus silens    Endemic Near 274 700 Cape Batis Batis capensis    Endemic 27 5 701 Chinspot Batis Batis molitor    African Paradise - 276 710 Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis    27 7 711 African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp  27 8 712 Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara   27 9 713 Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis    280 716 African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus    28 1 717 Long -billed Pipit Anthus similis    28 2 718 Plain -backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys  28 3 719 Buffy Pipit Anthus vaalensis  28 4 720 Striped Pipit Anthus lineiventris  

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status 28 5 723 Bushveld Pipit Anthus caffer   28 6 725 Yellow -breasted Pipit Anthus chloris  Vulnerable Endemic 28 7 727 Cape Longclaw Macronyx capensis    Endemic Yellow -throated 288 728 Longclaw Macronyx croceus   28 9 731 Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor  29 0 732 Common Fiscal Lanius collaris    29 1 733 Red -backed Shrike Lanius collurio  29 2 736 Southern Boubou Laniarius ferrugineus    Endemic Near 293 739 Crimson-breasted Shrike Laniarius atrococcineus    Endemic 29 4 740 Black -backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla    29 5 741 Brubru Nilaus afer    29 6 743 Brown -crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis    29 7 744 Black -crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus    29 8 746 Bokmakierie Telophorus zeylonus    Endemic Orange -breasted Bush - 299 748 Shrike Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus    Near 300 750 Olive Bush-Shrike Chlorophoneus olivaceus  Endemic 30 1 751 Grey -headed Bush -Shrike Malaconotus blanchoti    White -crested Helmet - 302 753 Shrike Prionops plumatus    30 3 754 Retz's Helmet -Shrike Prionops retzii   

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status Southern White -crowned 304 756 Shrike Eurocephalus anguitimens  30 5 758 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis   30 6 759 Pied Starling Lamprotornis bicolor  Endemic 30 7 761 Violet -backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster    30 8 764 Cape Glossy Starling Lamprotornis nitens    30 9 769 Red -winged Starling Onychognathus morio    Near 310 772 Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus    Threatened 31 1 774 Gurney’s Sugarbird Promerops gurneyi    Endemic 31 2 775 Malachite Sunbird Nectarinia famosa  313 779 Marico Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis   Greater Double -collared 314 785 Sunbird Cinnyris afer    Endemic 31 5 787 White -bellied Sunbird Cinnyris talatala    31 6 791 Scarlet -chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis  31 7 792 Amethyst Sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina    31 8 793 Collared Sunbird Anthodiaeta collaris   31 9 796 Cape White -eye Zosterops capensis    Endemic White -browed Sparrow - 320 799 Weaver Plocepasser mahali    321 801 House Sparrow Passer domesticus    Near 322 803 Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus   Endemic

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status Southern Grey -headed 323 804 Sparrow Passer diffusus    32 4 805 Yellow -throated Petronia Gymnoris superciliaris    32 5 806 Scaly -feathered Finch Sporopipes squamifrons   32 6 807 Thick -billed Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons    32 7 810 Ploceus ocularis    32 8 811 Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus   32 9 813 Cape Weaver Ploceus capensis    Endemic Southern Masked - 330 814 Weaver Ploceus velatus    331 815 Lesser Masked -Weaver Ploceus intermedius    33 2 816 Golden Weaver Ploceus xanthops   33 3 820 Cuckoo Finch Anomalospiza imberbis  33 4 821 Red -billed Quelea Quelea quelea   33 5 824 Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix    33 6 826 Yellow -crowned Bishop Euplectes afer   33 7 827 Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis  33 8 828 Fan -tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris    33 9 829 White -winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus    340 831 Red -collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens    341 832 Long -tailed Widowbird Euplectes progne    34 2 834 Green -winged Pytilia Pytilia melba   34 3 840 African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata  

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status 34 4 841 Jameson's Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia    34 5 842 Red -billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala   34 6 844 Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis    Near 347 845 Violet-eared Waxbill Uraeginthus granatinus   Endemic 34 8 846 Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild    34 9 847 Black -faced Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos   350 850 Swee Waxbill Coccopygia melanotis  351 852 African Quailfinch Ortygospiza fuscocrissa    35 2 854 Orange -breasted Waxbill Amandava subflava  35 3 855 Cut -throat Finch Amadina fasciata   Near 354 856 Red-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala   Endemic 35 5 857 Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullata    35 6 858 Red -backed Mannikin Spermestes bicolor  35 7 860 Pin -tailed Whydah Vidua macroura    35 8 861 Shaft -tailed Whydah Vidua regia  Long -tailed Paradise - 359 862 Whydah Vidua paradisaea  360 864 Dusky Indigobird Vidua funerea  361 867 Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata   36 2 869 Yellow -fronted Canary Crithagra mozambica    36 3 870 Black -throated Canary Crithagra atrogularis   

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LYDENBURG TO MERENSKY 132KV POWERLINE – AVIFAUNAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY Roberts V1 SABAP 1 SABAP 2 Recorded SA Red Data Endemism Count Number Common Name Scientific Name Record Record on Site Status Status 36 4 872 Cape Canary Serinus canicollis    Endemic 36 5 877 Brimstone Canary Crithagra sulphurata    Streaky -headed 366 881 Seedeater Crithagra gularis    36 7 884 Golden -breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris    Near 368 885 Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis   Endemic Cinnamon -breasted 369 886 Bunting Emberiza tahapisi  

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