birding birding briefs briefs otherwise be impossible to study. For miniature data loggers that simultane- instance, biotelemetry has been respon- ously recorded brain and blood tempera- Nine new Ramsar sible for several fundamental advances tures in ostriches. Following the surgery, sites in Uganda in our understanding of avian flight. By the ostriches were released back into the THE WORLDof birds attaching devices that transmit and/or wild. A few weeks later, the birds were ganda has added nine wetlands record information on heart rate, wing- recaptured and the loggers removed. Uto the List of Wetlands of Inter- beat and breathing frequency to birds as Ostriches, it would seem, do indeed keep national Importance designated under WANTED – ALIVE Ivory-bill update diverse as Barnacle Geese Branta leu- cool heads – the data from the loggers the Ramsar Convention, bringing the copsis on the Arctic tundra and Spotted revealed that they possess the capacity national total to 11 sites covering a owards the end of April 2005, While ornithologists dissect the Antbirds Hylophylax naivoides in Pana- to selectively cool their brains, and that total of 354 803 hectares. ‘This is a the ornithological world was Arkansas evidence, interesting develop- manian rainforests, ornithologists have brain temperature is regulated within wonderful step for conservation in stunned by the announcement ments are taking place elsewhere. been able to conduct detailed studies narrower limits than blood temperature. East Africa,’ said Achilles Byaruhanga, Tthat the Ivory-billed Woodpecker had Following a sighting in Florida of a bird of the physiology of flight. The physi- Impressive as recent technological Executive Director of NatureUganda, been rediscovered in eastern Arkansas, that they identified as an Ivory-bill, ological adaptations that allow penguins advances in biotelemetry may be, they the BirdLife Partner in Uganda. ‘The USA. An awe-inspiring bird with a Geoff Hill and his colleagues mounted and other diving species to spend long fade in comparison to those that are on wetlands are home to spectacular wingspan of more than 75 centimetres, an intensive year-long search. They periods of time underwater, often at the horizon. Plans are being developed wildlife like Shoebill, Papyrus Gonolek, the Ivory-bill was believed to have reported seeing Ivory-bills 14 times, remarkable depths, have similarly been in North America that will involve NASA sitatunga and black-and-white colobus been extinct in North America since and recorded just over 300 instances uncovered largely through biotelemetry- launching an additional radio telescope monkeys, whose presence ensures a the 1940s. News of the rediscovery of calls that match written descriptions based research. into orbit around the earth. Unlike other thriving tourism industry, which is vital galvanised birders and conservation- of Ivory-bill vocalisations. The Hill to the local economy.’ ists worldwide, and triggered a massive team also found other intriguing signs, The nine newly designated sites species recovery programme with including a number of fresh cavities range from Uganda’s largest tract of funding of more than $10-million that are substantially larger than those swamp forest to extensive papyrus from the US Government. excavated by Pileated Woodpeckers, beds and an impressive waterfall Reaction from the scientific com- but fall within the range reported for system. They are: Lake Bisina, Lake munity, however, was more sceptical. Ivory-bills. Mburo–Nakivali, Lake Nakuwa, Lake The evidence presented by the team Do Ivory-billed Woodpeckers still exist Opeta, Lutembe Bay, Mabamba responsible for the rediscovery con- in North America? The answer seems Bay, Murchison Falls–Albert Delta, sisted of a very blurred video recording to be ‘probably’. For Ivory-bill search Nabajjuzi and Sango Bay–Musambwa of a large woodpecker. Several promi- teams, the Holy Grail is a photograph of Island–Kagera. Lake Opeta is home to nent ornithologists disputed the sufficient quality to confirm the bird’s Fox’s Weaver, Uganda’s only endemic identification of the bird in the video as identity beyond all doubt. Until such bird species, whilst up to 1.5 million an Ivory-bill. Among them was David an image is obtained, or the DNA from a migrant White-winged Black Terns visit Sibley, author and illustrator of a recent feather found in the field matches DNA Lutembe Bay, close to Kampala, the field guide to North American birds, extracted from museum specimens, nation’s capital city. Painting by Peter Hayman of an Ivory- who believes that the bird in the video ornithologists, conservationists and billed Woodpecker, from BirdLife’s Rare may well be a Pileated Woodpecker, a birders wait with bated breath. Bird Club collection. common species in the area. ANDREW McKECHNIE PETER RYAN Expedition to Tanzania’s Uluguru The transmitter attached to this juvenile Shy Albatross will reveal much about how it Mountains raises awareness spends its time at sea. A fascinating example of how bio- radio telescopes, pointed into the depths he Wildlife Conservation Society OUT OF THIS WORLD How biotelemetry reveals avian secrets telemetry can reveal the ways in which of space to detect and amplify weak Tof Tanzania (WCST, BirdLife in birds cope with challenging environ- signals from light-years away, this one Tanzania) organised two birdwatch- ne might imagine, perhaps, that the future effects of climate change (see smallest birds, and even to large insects ments is provided by recent work on will face downwards, towards the earth. ing expeditions to the North Uluguru the average ornithologist spends Africa – Birds & Birding, 10(5): 52–60). such as locusts and moths. Advances ostriches in South Africa. For animals Dubbed the Extra-terrestrial Biological Mountains and Pugu Forests Impor- most of his time observing birds Some of the most impressive applica- in biotelemetry have also involved the living in hot areas, a key requirement for Observatory, this radio telescope will be tant Bird Areas (IBAs), as part of the Othrough a well-used pair of binoculars or tions of new technologies to ornitholog- ways in which information is transmit- survival is that their brains, which are able to detect low-power signals from World Bird Festival celebrations. The poring over endless collections of speci- ical research have occurred in the field ted to researchers. Increasingly, radio- highly sensitive to heat stress, are kept tiny transmitters anywhere in the world, Uluguru team was lucky to see Ulu- mens in museum basements. In reality, of biotelemetry, the remote monitoring transmitters send signals not to receivers from overheating during hot weather and will completely revolutionise the guru Bushshrike Malaconotus alius, a ornithology has become a distinctly of birds using radio-transmitters and/or on the ground, but to orbiting satellites. and/or intense exercise. It is well known ways in which ornithologists and other Critically Endangered species endemic high-tech science, with a multitude of data loggers. A decade or two ago, the Satellite transmitters allow researchers that several large mammals solve this biologists keep tabs on their study ani- to the Uluguru Mountains. ‘These technological advances profoundly alter- size and weight of electronic circuits and to accurately track the movements of problem by selectively cooling their mals. Watch this space... expeditions will help raise conservation ing the ways in which the secret lives of batteries made biotelemetry a feasible species that regularly move long dis- brains and keeping brain temperature ANDREW McKECHNIE awareness amongst local people in the birds are revealed. For instance, comput- proposition only when working on rela- tances, such as penguins, albatrosses and below that of the blood reaching it Uluguru Mountains and Pugu Forests,’ ers with processing speeds and storage tively large species. Since then, these de- flamingos (see Africa – Birds & Birding, via the major arteries. A question that REFERENCE said Elias Mungaya, a participant on capacities undreamed of a decade ago vices have become progressively smaller 9(3): 14–15). remained unanswered, however, was Fuller, A., P.R. Kamerman, S.K. Maloney, G. the Uluguru trip. ‘Both places are are used in research facilities around the and more powerful, with the smallest Besides revealing birds’ exact loca- whether any birds had evolved a similar Mitchell, and D. Mitchell. 2003. ‘Variability in suffering from human encroachment,’ world to develop complex mathematical transmitters currently available weigh- tions, radio-transmitters and data loggers strategy. This mystery was solved when brain and arterial blood temperatures in free- he added. models of bird population fluctuations ing less than half a gram. These mini- can also be used to monitor aspects of a group of South African and Australian ranging ostriches in their natural habitat.’ Jour- BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL and increasingly realistic predictions of ature transmitters can be attached to the physiology and behaviour that would researchers surgically implanted nal of Experimental Biology 206: 1171–1181. 14 BIRDING BRIEFS AFRICA – BIRDS & BIRDING DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 BIRDING BRIEFS 15.