Familiar Chat

Newsletter of BirdLife Botswana

June 2009 Hi Members, The relatively serious content of this BLB has started a new initia- newsletter reflects the global Please renew your tive to grow our photographic concern for the state of the world membership if you database of Botswana’s birds. and the importance of birds as haven’t already done so We invite all keen photogra- indicators of it. In addition it - it runs from January to phers to join our group on reflects the growing change from a December. A form is Flickr, called Birds of Bot- ‘social’ club to a scientific available on page 15 or swana. It’s a lot of fun and organization, part of a much larger on our website international movement. Most we will link it to our web- www.birdlifebotswana.org.bw content has been generated by staff site, too. If you would like to and BirdLife International, however, join this group, please con- I can’t stress enough the importance tact Ian White or Harold of our members young and old, new (email addresses on page 14) and longstanding, to the running and success of the organization. The three beautiful BLB 2010 In This Issue Therefore I ask yet again, for birds’ calendars sake, for more of your stories, ideas WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD 2 DAY CELEBRATION and feedback. Carmines and Colleagues A2 Kori and Company A3 BIRD MIGRATIONS TO 4 Don’t miss Keddy’s report on page 2, INCREASE Oxpecker and Friends A5 of the delightful World Migratory STUDENT CONFERENCE 5 Bird Day celebrations, and Molebi’s will soon be available and we ON CONSERVATION SCI- reports on his travels to England on want you all to help market INTERNSHIP AT RSPB 6 pages 5 and 6. them. Please see the newsflash DARWIN’S FINCHES 7 attached at the back of this PART TWO On page 8 there is news on the newsletter or contact Harold or latest Red Data lists. It is not all MORE CRITICALLY ENDAN- 8 Molebi at the office for details GERED BIRDS THAN EVER gloom - there have been some great tel 319 0540 conservation success stories - saving EVER ON A SUNDAY 9 birds from extinction, giving hope BIRDING HOT SPOTS ON 10 and pointing the way forward. IF ANYONE CAN THE KENYAN COAST KIDS FOR BIRDS 11 It is up to us all to get involved with BLB initiatives such as Common Bird HUNTING WITHOUT GUNS 12

Monitoring, Tickbird and the Familiar BRANCH EVENTS 13 Chat! BLB COMMITTEE 14 Eugenie Skelton — editor MEMBERSHIP FORM 15 [email protected] CAN

2009 World Migratory Bird Day Celebrated in Style A report by Keddy Mooketsa The inaugural drama and poetry competition organized by BirdLife Botswana for school children in the Gaborone area was a spectacular success. The event, on the 23rd May, was held to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day, celebrated annually around the world to highlight the bi-annual, seasonal migration of mil- lions of birds from south to north and back again. It is hoped that through these celebrations a greater awareness can be cre- ated among communities of the dangers birds face at the hands of mankind and of the conservation issues involved.

Children, drawn from the schools’ environmental clubs and un- der the guidance of their environmental teachers, wrote their poems and acts, and performed them in front of discerning judges at the Little Theatre at the National Museum on Thursday st 21 May. The three leading schools in each category were then The workshop programme for those with invited to perform at Bokaa village kgotla in front of the Chief vision on the left and on the right is the and invited villagers on the Saturday. Braille programme for the visually impaired

More than three hundred children with their teachers and some of the community members arrived early at Bokaa Dam. Here four intrepid BirdLife Botswana members, using their telescopes, introduced the children to the beauty of a variety of water birds on the bank of the dam. This set the scene for the celebrations.

The village chief, Mr Sue Mosinyi, hosted the celebrations and in his speech urged his people to take notice of migratory species in Bokaa and to conserve Bokaa Dam as a habitat for birds. He mentioned that Bokaa village was fortunate to have been se- lected to host the event, and that should stimulate villagers to protect their birds. Two BirdLife Botswana staff members, Virat Kootsositse and Keddy Mooketsa introduced the Society, its ob- jectives and the aims for the day, to the assembled guests -

1. to celebrate migratory birds with school children and Bokaa village community; 2. to educate the pupils about the migratory bird species in Bot- swana (their migratory patterns); Galaletsang Primary School performing 3. to raise awareness and conservation of migratory species in their migratory bird drama Botswana starting from the grassroots level (school pupils); 4. to develop an interest and knowledge of birds amongst school children.

The atmosphere in the kgotla was electric with anticipation and excitement. The competition was divided into two categories - primary and secondary. The leading schools then paraded their talents and knowledge before the assembled community, coun- cillors and fellow competitors. The acts showed that the chil- dren had an excellent grasp of all the issues and included some others for good measure. In true African tradition the perform- ances were dynamic & exhilarating. Mr Motswagole Tlhawane, the Master of Ceremonies, compered the event outstandingly. Bokaa community member ululating

Continued overleaf... Page 2 This was a thrilling event for the school children, Bokaa community, stakeholders and BirdLife Bot- swana members. Lots of World Migratory Bird Day promotional t-shirts were given out and worn with pride. The day was an excellent example of migratory bird awareness raising and information sharing among the children and community. Importantly, it was educational in that schools performed their poems and dramatic acts in both Setswana and English. Among other factors that lead to barri- ers to migration, the dramas included references to poaching and hunting and called on the commu- nity to assist in the protection of birds. The poems highlighted various species, pleading for their recognition and conservation. The event was closed by Bokaa village councillor, Mr Joseph Rasefa- lana who thanked the children for their active participation in migratory bird educational dramas and poems. The councillor acknowledged BirdLife Botswana for celebrating the event in his village, and the community for their attendance. He highlighted to the community that this was their chance to learn more about BirdLife Botswana and to identify ways that they can work together for their common benefit. He closed the ceremony by acknowledging the teachers for their role and hard work in producing the various presentations.

To conclude the event Harold Hester presented trophies, certificates and prizes to the winners. The first prize for drama (primary category) was won by Tlhabologo Primary School and that for sec- ondary schools by Borwa Junior Secondary School. A full list of the prize winners can be obtained from Keddy.) One of the popular prizes was BirdLife Botswana’s publication Beginner’s Guide to Birds of Botswana. A special chairman’s award was made to Galaletsang Primary School in recogni- tion of their magnificent bird costumes and for the direct message which they had conveyed through their dramatic presentation. The spontaneous ululating throughout the morning was evidence that those present were thoroughly enjoying themselves and appreciating the celebrations.

Harold praised and thanked Keddy for organising an outstandingly successful event and for her atten- tion to detail. Lastly he acknowledged the sponsor of the event, Environment Support Programme (UNDP and Government of Botswana initiative) for their financial support. He hoped that a similar event next year would include a wider selection of schools around the country. The environmental choir from Solomon Dihutso Primary School performed three delightful songs about birds which con- cluded the celebrations appropriately.

Ed’s note: The World Migratory Bird Day was established by the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA). It is celebrated annually in May by BirdLife International Partners. Initiation of this day was influ- enced by the negative media coverage migratory birds received as a result of the false belief that they were the main cause of the spread of avian influenza around the world. It is a global awareness- raising campaign day, highlighting the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats.

Tlhabologo Primary School children World Migratory Bird Day winners Borwa Junior Secondary with their trophy and the certificate School playing out their migratory bird drama st for 1 prize drama Page 3 Bird Migrations to Increase — BirdLife International news 28-05-2009

Bird migrations are likely to get longer according to the first ever study of the potential impacts of climate change on the breeding and winter ranges of migrant birds. The length of some migrations could increase by as much as 400 km. “The predicted future ‘BirdLife and its Partners are temperature changes and the associated changes in habitat could working to provide a safer have serious consequences for many species”, said lead-author journey for migratory birds’ Nathalie Doswald of Durham University (UK). Richard Grimmett, A team of researchers - led by Durham University and with funding BirdLife’s Head of Conservation from the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) and Natural Environment Research Council – looked at the migration patterns of European Sylvia warblers (Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis and Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla), a group of birds that are common residents and visitors to Europe. Team leader, Dr Stephen Willis, said “Our findings show that marathon migrations for some birds are set to become even longer journeys ... bad news for birds like the Common Whitethroat”.

Some 500 million birds are estimated to migrate to Europe and Asia from Africa. Birds weighing as little as nine grams undertake the annual migration of thousands of kilometres between continents to find food and suitable climate. “Most warblers come here in spring and summer time to take advantage of the surplus of insects, and leave for warmer climes in the autumn”, added Dr Willis. “From 2071 to 2100, nine out of the 17 species we looked at are projected to face longer migrations, particularly birds that cross the Sahara desert”. Robert Tidman — Common Whitethroat Co-author of the research paper, Professor Rhys Green of Cambridge University and RSPB said: "These tiny birds make amazing journeys, pushing themselves to the limits of endurance. Anything that makes those journeys longer or more dependent on rare and vulnerable pit-stop habitats used for refuelling on migration could mean the difference between life and death.” "We have already seen evidence that birds' ranges are moving north to track suitable climate conditions in the way predicted by past modelling”, noted Professor Green. “This latest research suggests they will face an increase in the length of an already arduous journey.”

In response to worrying declines of many migratory species, BirdLife has launched the Born to Travel Campaign to protect migratory birds along the African-Eurasian flyway. “These birds face many threats during their incredible annual journeys”, said Richard Grimmett – BirdLife’s Head of Conservation. “BirdLife and its Partners are working to provide a safer journey for migratory birds”, added Mr Grimmett. “We have BirdLife Partners in over 70 countries across the migration routes between Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and are working together to tackle threats to migratory songbirds like agricultural intensification, desertification, deforestation and climate change”.

Page 4 2009 Student Conference on Conservation Science University of Cambridge - 24-26 March 2009 Molebi Mosokotso The tenth conference in the series was held in the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, and was attended by over 290 people including more than 200 postgraduate students working in conservation science. More than 20 scientists from various departments of the University of Cambridge and the uni- versities of Anglia Ruskin, Bournemouth, East Anglia, Kent and Oxford participated.

The conference was opened by Professor Malcolm Burrows (Zoology Dept). Four plenary lectures by distinguished senior scientists and conservation practitioners were given; Professor Talking with Dr Mike Rands about the farewell message I wrote to him on Callum Roberts (University of York, UK), Michael McCarthy (The behalf of BLB when he left BirdLife Independent), Professor Claire Kremen (University of California, International (now with Cambridge Berkeley, USA), and Professor Kingsley Dixon (Botanic Gardens Conservation Initiative and Parks Authority, Western Australia)

The most important part of the three-day programme was the poster sessions and 33 fifteen minute talks by students on any aspect of conservation science. Besides the posters and talks, presentations of work in progress, from a broad range of coun- tries, and from economic and social as well as biological aspects of conservation were given. I made a poster presentation on Common Bird Monitoring Scheme - its value as a tool to conser- vation of biodiversity. There were also workshops, presenta- tions by conservation NGOs and agencies and social events de- signed to give participants the opportunity to make new con- tacts in their own and related disciplines. Never take the quaint city’s weather for granted! In the background is A special feature of the conference was a session called Who’s Cambridge in all its glorious beauty… Who in Conservation? at which many conservation agencies, in- stitutes and NGOs displayed posters and provided staff to de- scribe their work and answer queries.

I attended two 90-minute conference workshop sessions by in- vited experts on some of the practical skills important with a “how to…” focus. They were - Raising Funds for a Conservation Project (by Dr. Rosie Trevelyan) and Planning a Conservation Research Programme (by William J. Sutherland). Prizes were awarded for posters and talks of outstanding quality and rele- vance to conservation. The prizes consisted of journal subscrip- tions donated by the Society for Conservation Biology, Elsevier, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Page 5 Internship Report — Royal Society for the Protection of th th Birds, Bedfordshire, March 27 - April 27 2009

Molebi Mosokotso

I am very grateful to the SCCS Miriam Rothschild Internships programme for sponsoring both my conference attendance and internship. Many thanks too, to the RSPB staff for their deep concern and sharing their knowledge, views and activities with me. It was a most valuable experience.

I started off with a tour of The Lodge - RSPB headquarters, with my super- visor Dr. Mark Eaton, who introduced me to each department and its activi- ties and discussed the objectives of my internship with me. I was based in the conservation unit and was so impressed by their creative ideas in set- ting conservation priorities.

My supervisor had scheduled my visit in a well organized way that covered many areas of interest and included meeting the Director of Conservation, Dr. Mark Avery and Drs Richard Gregory and Danae Sheehan, who is assist- It was always a pleasure talking to ing BLB to implement the Common Bird Monitoring Programme. and being around this witty man, Dr. Mark Avery, I participated in a 3-day RSPB experience workshop for new employees and Director of Conservation RSPB volunteers where the aim was to welcome us, help us learn more about RSPB’s work and to enthuse and inspire us in our careers. More importantly, the workshop oriented me on environmental stewardship, communication processes, marketing and fund raising for conservation missions. During the following weeks I interacted with staff from many units includ- ing the International Education unit, who promote inter-cultural under- standing and awareness and provide support and resources to Birdlife part- ners. I learned about writing funding proposals and funding sources for con- servation missions while with the International Division and met with the Public Affairs Department, Media Officer, Youth and Education Department to discuss awareness raising, events/ joint events, publicity opportunities and projects.

I learned about the RSPB’s international conservation strategy and commu- nication techniques to shape and influence caring and concerned attitudes in ways that promote an environmentally sustainable society. The RSPB funds some of the projects that BirdLife Botswana is undertaking including Dr Richard Gregory and I having a chat the Common Bird Monitoring Scheme, Important Bird Areas project etc. about my Common Bird Monitoring poster presented at the conference I also visited the Botswana High Commission in London to discuss prospects for birding tourism and paid a courtesy visit to BirdLife International where talks included their structure, communication of key conservation issues, goals and campaigns and the importance of working together.

My internship at the RSPB went beyond expectations. I enjoyed it very much and the people were so helpful and willing to put up with my endless questions with delight. It was a most beneficial , interesting, yet hectic time! I learned specific skills related to the study of birds, but most of all I learned something about myself - that the work I wanted to do would have to be consistent with the life I wanted to live. The other key part of the experience was the contacts I made there. More importantly, the in- ternship made me know that this was definitely what I wanted to do for a career. Once back in Botswana, I was much more committed, though it took me a few tries to finish reports!

Ed: report edited for publication here

Page 6 Darwin’s Finches Part Two A report from BirdLife International 12.03.09

The discovery of a new bird to science in a distant archipelago ‘Like Darwin’s finches, these birds is providing evidence of how, in the absence of competitors, have evolved unique beak struc- unique species can evolve rapidly to fill empty niches. But the tures and feeding behaviour in the archipelago is not the Galapagos, and the bird is not one of Dar- absence of competitors’ win’s finches. In the year of the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth, a paper in the leading scientific journal, Ibis, describing a Dr Guy Dutson, Birds Australia new bird species in the Solomon Islands, has reinforced evi- dence that white-eyes evolve new species faster than any other known bird family – including Galapagos finches.

The new species has been named Vanikoro White-eye Zosterops gibbsi. The formal description was published in Ibis by Dr Guy Dutson of Birds Australia (BirdLife in Australia), who led a re- cent expedition to the small island of Vanikoro, in the south- west Pacific, to gather evidence about the bird. Its scientific name gibbsi is in honour of the first person to see the species – David Gibbs. Vanikoro White-eye differs from other family mem- bers by having a distinctively shaped bill, along with different leg and eye-ring colours.

The rugged volcanic island of Vanikoro, with steep, forest- Adam Bowley covered hills was visited by Jules D’Urville in 1829 – six years Vanikoro White-eye Zosterops gibbsi prior to The Beagle landing in the Galapagos - who collected (middle) differs from other family specimens of Vanikoro Flycatcher Myiagra vanikorensis and Uni- members by having a distinctively form Swiftlet Collocalia vanikorensis. shaped bill; top: Santa Cruz White-eye Zosterops Vanikoro White-eyes are found in forest habitats, mostly above sanctaecrucis; bottom: Sanford's 350m, and feed on insects and small fruits. They were found to White-eye Woodfordia lacertosa. be abundant towards the summit of the highest mountain and were observed at an active nest. Up to three adults fed chicks at a single nest, suggesting cooperative breeding, which has only been documented in two other white-eye species

They also display different feeding behaviour to closely-related birds, foraging in a slower, more methodical manner, suggesting that in the absence of competitors, they have evolved perfectly into an empty niche, like Galapagos finches. Alien species such as rats, introduced by humans, now pose a huge threat to na- tive species across the Pacific. Elsewhere in the Solomon Is- lands, birds are also threatened by logging, which can extend from the coast high into the hills. ‘Genetic research has shown that white “So little is known about biodiversity in the Solomon Islands”, -eyes evolve new species faster than said Don Stewart – Director of BirdLife’s Pacific Programme. any known bird family. Islands only 3 “Who knows what is still to be found in the Solomon Islands? We km apart in the Solomons have their need more expeditions like this throughout Melanesia before own white-eye species, and the Solo- threats such as illegal logging wipe species out before we can mon Islands alone have 13 species‘ Guy help them”. Dutson Page 7

More Critically Endangered Birds than Ever Before

BirdLife International's latest evaluation of the world's birds has revealed that more species than ever are threatened with ‘In global terms, things continue to extinction. A staggering 1,227 species (12%) are now classified as get worse – but there are some real Globally Threatened but the good news is that when conservation conservation success stories this year to give us hope and point the action is put in place, species can be saved. way forward’

The rarest of the rare are growing in number Dr Leon Bennun, BirdLife International's annual Red List update, on behalf of the Director of Science & Policy IUCN, now lists 192 species of bird as Critically Endangered, the BirdLife International highest threat category, two more than in the 2008 update. In SW Colombia the recently discovered Gorgeted Puffleg now appears on the Red List as Critically Endangered. A flamboyantly coloured hummingbird, it only has 1,200 hectares of habitat left in the cloud forests of the Pinche mountains and 8% of this is being damaged every year to grow coca. In Ethiopia, Sidamo Lark is in danger of becoming mainland Africa’s first bird extinction, due to changes in land use. Coinciding with the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, the Medium Tree-finch from Galapagos also becomes Critically

Endangered, partly as a result of an introduced parasitic fly.

Common bird declines Common birds are also becoming less common. In North America, Bateleur — Moremi Game Reserve Chimney Swift has been uplisted to Near Threatened with continent -wide declines of nearly 30% in the last decade "Across Africa, widespread birds of prey are also disappearing at an alarming rate, and emblematic species such as Bateleur and Martial Eagle have been uplisted as a result. These declines are mirrored in many species, in every continent", said Jez Bird, BirdLife's Global Species Programme Officer.

Where there's a will there’s a way But it's not all doom and gloom, conservation does work and there are some great examples in this year's BirdLife/IUCN Red List. In Brazil, Lear's Macaw is downlisted from Critically Endangered. Numbers of this spectacular blue parrot have increased four-fold as a result of a joint effort of many NGOs, the Brazilian government Martial Eagle — Kutse Game Reserve and landowners. In New Zealand, Chatham Petrel has benefited from work by the NZ Department of Conservation and has been ’Both the petrel and fody have downlisted from Critically Endangered. In Mauritius the stunning, suffered from introduced invasive species, and tackling these is one of Mauritius Fody has been rescued from the brink, downlisted to the 10 key actions needed to Endangered after the translocation & establishment of a new prevent further bird extinctions population on to a predator-free offshore island. that BirdLife has indentified. Similar work is also underway for 32 Critically Endangered species as part of the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme. What this year's Red List changes tell us is that we can still turn “It extremely worrying that the number of Critically Endangered things around for these species. birds on the IUCN Red List continues to increase, despite the There just has to be the will to number of successful conservation initiatives around the world”, act and the resources to back said Simon Stuart, Head of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission. this up’ “The IUCN Red List is the global standard when it comes to Dr Stuart Butchart, measuring species loss so we urge governments to take the BirdLife's Global Research and information contained in it seriously and do their level best to Indicators Coordinator. protect the world’s birds.” Page 8 Ever on a Sunday — Gaborone Branch Walk 7.06.09

The June outing of the Gaborone branch was a relaxed affair. A handful of regulars met at Molapo crossing at the civilised winter hour of 8 am and the convoy grew steadily as we passed through Phakalane and Ruretse, such that by the time we reached our destination near Modipane, we were a sizeable group, with a number of juniors in tow as well. We parked near a beautiful granite koppie just south of the village and split into two groups, under the respective leadership of Chris Brewster and John Dalziel, and straggled off in opposite directions around the hill. Bird spotting was slow to start with, but picked up strongly near the dam, which still had a good volume of water. Highlights included a highly vocal Black-headed Oriole, pairs of Cape Wagtails, Three-banded Plovers and Mocking Cliff-chats, several Southern White- crowned Shrikes, Green Pigeons, a swooping Black- shouldered Kite, a tuneful White-throated Robin-chat and a host of Waxbills and small seed eaters as well. There was plenty in the area for the tree lovers too - magnificent Marulas, Black Monkey Thorns (A. burkei), Large-leaved Rock Figs (F. abutilifolia), Lavender Croton (C. gratissimus) in stunning orange leaf, Leadwoods (C. Imberbe) and other Combretums, huge Bushveld Shepherds Trees (Boscia foetida) and many more species around the hills. History boffs were also intrigued by the five Joubert family graves on the east side of the hill – four young children dying at tender ages circa 1929, and the mother, aged 33 in 1930. One wonders what scourge befell the family and what became of the survivors. As always, everyone eventually came together for a well-earned and much appreciated ‘breakfast’. The next event, a camp in the Mabule area, from 19-21 June, was under discussion and promises to be a well attended affair. Please contact Harold or Mike

Goldsworthy for details. By Mark and Eugenie Skelton

Page 9 Birding Hot Spots on the Kenyan Coast - Part 2 … see part one in the March issue Karin Duthie Sources: Google - Birding in Kenya and Magical Kenya The Kenyan South Coast extends from the Tanzanian border north to Mombasa, and includes the well-known Shimba Hills Re- serve which is 15-20 km inland from the coast. This is famous mostly for its Sable Antelope (it has the last remaining breeding population in Kenya) but it also has a very rich avifauna featuring species such as Fischer's Turaco, the Southern Banded Snake Ea- gle, East Coast Akalat and Sokoke Pipit. The Diani Forest, a 12 km strip of deciduous coral rag is home to the Little Yellow Fly- catcher, Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird, Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Fischer's Turaco, Spotted Ground Thrush and Plain-backed Sunbird. The Dzombo Hill forest (mixed coastal forest) is home to the rare Sokoke Pipit and the African Crowned Eagle. African Crowned Eagle

IBA’s within 150km of Malindi — Arabuko Sokoke Forest, Diani Forest, Gede Ruins National Monument, Kaiungu Marine Reserve, Malindi Watamu Coastline including Mida Creek and Whale Island, Sabaki River Mouth, Shimba Hills, Tana River Delta, Tana River

Forests and Tsavo East National Park.

EBA – East African Coastal Forests include Fischers Turaco, (Tauraco fischers); Sokoke Scops Owl, (Otus ireneae); Tana River Cisticola (cisticola restrictus); Whitewinged Apalis (Apalis chariessa); Amani Sunbird (Anthreptes palidigaster); Clarkes Weaver (Ploceus golandi); Sokoke Pipit (Anthus sokokensis).

Accommodation on the coast is plentiful and ranges from pack- age hotels to private villas. Neem House in Malindi, is a private residence built in the classic Swahili /Arab style. It is fully fur- nished, fully staffed and sleeps a maximum of 12 people. The lush, tropical garden attracts a variety of birds and has a resi- dent population of Palm Swifts. Car or 4x4 hire, with or without a driver, can easily be arranged. For more information please go Fischer’s Turaco to www.neemhousekenya.com.

Page 11 Kids For Birds Compiled by Doreen McColaugh

Dear Kids,

In this our fourth issue, we look at feathers. Have you found any feathers? Did you keep them so you can try and match them with the descriptions of the various feathers that will be given here? When you find a feather it is best to mount it as illustrated. Even if you don’t know now what bird it comes from, as you learn more about birds you will be able to identify many of the feathers in your collection. Also a collection of the three main types of feathers - down, contour and flight feathers, can help in examining their different structures & use.

It is the feathers that really distinguish birds from all other animals - not just the ability to fly. All birds have feathers, even though not all birds can fly. (Can you name any of the world’s flightless birds?) How might the feathers of flightless birds differ from those of birds that fly? (Look at an Ostrich feather and compare.) In some birds parts of their bodies are without feathers such as the head and neck of vultures. Why do you think these birds lack feathers on their heads and necks? Most birds also have a bare, featherless patch of skin on their stomach, called a brood patch and when a bird is incubating eggs in a nest, this bare patch of skin helps to transfer heat to the eggs so they will hatch.

Flight feathers are long and firm, but flexible and help birds fly and manoeuvre in the air. They are found on a bird’s wings and tail. Contour feathers cover the bird’s body, are small and overlap one another. They come in many different colours amd help protect and insulate the bird. Down feathers are soft and lie next to the skin, under the contour feathers. They help keep the bird warm. (shoulder) Primary coverts The different flight feathers found on the wings have special names, illustrated here.

Secondary coverts

Primary feathers Continued overleaf Secondary feathers

Page 11 Bird’s tails can differ greatly in shape, with some ending in a rounded shape, others square, some forked and yet others with long, streaming decorative feathers. The shape of a bird’s tail can frequently be a clue to its identity so learn to look at that also.

Different kinds of birds have different numbers of feathers. Swans have the most with just over 25,000. Small birds such as sparrows and weavers have betwen 2,000 and 3,500. The smallest number of feathers of all birds is in the hummingbirds found in the Americas — they have less than 950.

See if you can answer the following questions and explain your answers.

• Can all birds fly?

• What, besides feathers, enables birds to fly?

• Do feathers wear out like clothes?

• Can you give examples of birds that change their feathers with the seasons? What do the changes look like?

• Why, and how, do birds groom themselves?

• What do you think the saying, “birds of a feather stick together”, means? For more information on feathers see the BLB book: Bird Activity Book by Doreen McColaugh

Hunting without Guns - taken from a report in the US Economist - 1.03.09 Along with decorating the tree and sending out Christmas and New Year wishes, thousands of Americans are now counting birds, instead of hunting them for the pot. In the 19th century it was common to bag the Christmas bird plus a few extra as sport, but in 1900 an ornithologist, Frank Chapman, came up with the idea of a count rather than a kill.

Growing from 27 observers who took part in the first count in 25 places in the US and Canada, the band of ‘citizen scientists’ has now grown to 59,918 people and a tally of 57,704,250 birds counted over a three week period! This information has contributed invaluable data to researchers on the changes within bird populations and their distribution.

As examples, a once common bird in the south-eastern and eastern US, the bobwhite, has declined by 70% in Arkansas since 1967 and the loggerhead shrike by 92%. The loss of open spaces and grasslands is blamed for this. Other birds are moving into new areas while the insects or plants they normally eat are not, possibly causing an upset to ecosystems that were stable for thousands of years. In addition new species, often escapees or introduced by man, are moving in to the US and multiplying dramatically. In Canada only 200 wild turkeys were present 15 years ago but have now increased to 10,000. One can easily speculate on the unbalance climate and land-use changes are wreaking.

Eds note: Botswana is taking part in the Common Bird Monitoring programme which aims to use common birds as indicators of the general state of nature, using scientific data on changes in populations. Page 12 BirdLife – Kasane This branch plan to meet on either the last Saturday or Sunday of the month. Contact Lyn Francey [email protected] or Pete Laver [email protected] or check the website www.birdlifebotswana.org.bw for details BirdLife – Ghanzi Contact Lorraine Boast [email protected] tel: 72146997 BirdLife – Maun Evening activities (talks, films etc.) at Maun Lodge starting at 19h00 unless otherwise indicated. Field outings on weekends commence from the parking area outside Ngami Toyota. Exact details for outings (e.g. time of departure) are announced at the evening meeting prior to the field outing. Additional activities may be scheduled depending on demand. Contact P Hancock at BirdLife Maun office for further information - 6865618. Maun office address – P O Box 1529, Maun BirdLife - Jwaneng Contact Kabo Ditshane for details [email protected] BirdLife – Francistown The Francistown branch hold their meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, starting at 19h00 at the Supa-Ngwayo Museum, located at the corner of the first turn to the left as you travel from the Bulawayo roundabout towards the light industrial area. If you have any questions please call Guy Brina on 2412913 or email him at [email protected]. BirdLife - Gaborone Bird walks start at 06:30 September to April and 08:00 May to August. Meet in the southern carpark of Malapo Crossing. Please note the change. We have discontinued the monthly talks. Sundry talks may be held at the Museum on the third Tuesday of the month if a speaker is arranged. Members will be informed.

Date Activity Remarks June 19, 20, 21 camp Mabule, near Molopo River July 5 Walk Notwane/Ramotswa July 12, 13 Water bird counts S Tyler August 2 Walk Mogobane September 6 Walk Bokaa September 25, 26, 27 Camp Mrs Riggs’ farm October 3 National meeting Gaborone October 3 Annual dinner To be announced October 4 Walk Gabane November 1 Walk Modipe Hill December 6 Walk Mokolodi

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Committee of BirdLife Botswana 2009/10

Chairman Harold Hester [email protected] Vice-Chairman Mike Goldsworthy [email protected] - also membership secretary Hon. Treasurer Ian White [email protected] Secretary Sandra Stonehill [email protected] Committee members Balisi Bonyongo - business [email protected] Chris Brewster - recorder [email protected] Mary Lane-Jones -marketing [email protected] Dolina Malepa - DEA [email protected] Doreen McColaugh – education [email protected] Eugenie Skelton – editor Familiar Chat [email protected] Lucas Rutina – DWNP [email protected] Mike Barclay - [email protected] Mike Soroczynski - organiser of activities in Francistown [email protected] K. Grant - organizer Ghanzi [email protected] Kabo Ditshane - organizer Jwaneng [email protected] Pete Laver - organizer Kasane [email protected] Staff members Kabelo Senyatso – Dir. & Conservation Officer [email protected] Pete Hancock - Conservation Officer Maun [email protected] Keddy Mooketsa - education – Gaborone [email protected] Virat Kootsositse – Ass. CO Gaborone [email protected] Boitumelo Sekhute-Batungamile – Proj. Man.Gabs [email protected]

Dikabelo Koboyatshwene – Admin. Officer –Gabs –[email protected]

Records sub-committee Recorder Chris Brewster, PO Box 2316, Gaborone Secretary Keddy Mooketsa [email protected] Andrew Hester Huw Penry [email protected] Stephanie J. Tyler [email protected] Richard D. Randall [email protected]

Conservation/Research sub-committee Chair Pete Hancock [email protected] Kabelo Senyatso [email protected] Stephanie Tyler [email protected] Graham McCulloch [email protected] Sekgowa Motsumi [email protected] Caspar Bonyongo [email protected]

Editorial sub-committee (Babbler) Editor Stephanie J. Tyler [email protected] Asst. Editors Pete Hancock & Doreen McColaugh BirdLife Botswana Private Bag 003, Suite 348, Mogoditshane, Gaborone, Botswana. tel. 319 0540 Website: www.birdlifebotswana.org.bw

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