Southern African Bird Atlas Project 2 (SABAP2)

What is a bird atlas and why have it? A bird atlas, firstly, is generally not a once-off exercise but is repeated on a regular basis, for instance, every 5 to 10 years. The main function of a bird atlas is to provide us with a "snapshot" of the changing environment we live in. Environmental change occurs in a number of ways, for instance habitat modification for agricultural use, global warming, commercial aforestation, and so on.

Birds and bird habitats are in a state of unprecedented change, especially as a result of alterations in land use and because of climate change, and we are consequently seeing significant alterations in range. Range expansions are easy to detect as is the case with the Hadeda's incursion into the western Cape and Egyptian geese throughout the entire country, but range contractions are more difficult to measure and need systematic monitoring if we are to detect them and to make the appropriate conservation decisions. Most importantly, birds are a highly visible and well documented species group about which people feel passionate. They allow us a lens into changes affecting other kinds of biodiversity and provide us with an important tool when deciding on conservation priorities.

The bird atlas requires the collection of many records relating to the range and sometimes the abundance of birds over a large area. Because it requires the collection of so much information it needs the participation of thousands of people. Data is collected through the "citizen scientists" in the field, generally on a bird watching outing where the species seen or heard are recorded in a fixed way that is meaningful to the final output of the project. Usually the area that the data is collected in, and the time spent in the area is recorded. In the case of SABAP2, the area for data collection is named a "Pentad", which is an area of 5 minutes of longitude by 5 minutes of latitude. The minimum time period that should be spent collecting data within the Pentad is 2 hours. These outlines are called the spatial (space) and temporal (time) resolutions respectively.

BirdLife South Africa is very privileged to partner on the SABAP2 project with the Animal Demography Unit and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

We would like to encourage people and organisations such as farmers, conservation organisations both governmental and non-governmental, private game reserves, and most importantly, people from the majority of our population groups to participate. In conclusion, participation as a "citizen scientist" will allow birdwatchers to make a valuable contribution to the conservation of biodiversity in the Southern African region, and in this is well summarised in the statement "birding with a purpose"

To learn more, visit the SABAP2 website where all the software and information you will need to get started can be found. Alternatively contact Doug Harebottle on email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on +27 (0) 21 650 2330.

SABAP2 Special Watches - OMA and OSBI

Special_Watch

The SABAP2 website has a new feature called "special watch". Two species are currently on "special watch" - Operation Mallard Alert and Observations of Southern Bald Ibis.

SABAP2 Stories

Do you want to know more about the successes and challenges of bird atlasing? Read about the experiences observers are having while they are out atlasing.

Click here for some fun stories