April Newsletter 2025

Save the date for CAR!

Gather your binoculars and camera, get the datasheets, put on a jacket and grab your car keys. The dates for the next Coordinated Avifaunal Road Count (CAR) have been announced: 26 and 27 July.

This long-running project takes place twice a year, when observers drive set routes across the country while recording a specific suite of terrestrial bird species. The data gathered during this project are critical for estimating these species’ population density and abundance, and several of the target species face serious conservation issues. By recording the number of birds seen, the distances between them, their habitat choices and activities, observers contribute directly to complex scientific research. This enables us to continue refining our knowledge of how to better protect the birds we love.

CAR routes are scattered across all nine provinces in South Africa, and each precinct has a coordinator who directs and assigns the routes to participants. Details of these coordinators can be found on the CAR website. If none is assigned to a specific precinct, contact your local bird club for direction or reach out to Sally Hofmeyr at UCT (sally.hofmeyr@uct.ac.za) for advice.

Finally, the 38th issue of the CAR newsletter was published at the end of March and can be downloaded from the CAR website: car.birdmap.africa/newsletters. Enjoy reading more about this fantastic citizen science project and the birds it helps to conserve.

CASSIE CARSTENS, SECRETARYBIRD PROJECT MANAGER

Birding Ecotours supports grassland conservation

In June 2024, we approached Birding Ecotours with a vision: to strengthen conservation efforts for the imperilled bird species of South Africa’s grasslands. Ten months later, thanks to the company’s unwavering support, we have made significant progress towards achieving that goal.

One of our key accomplishments has been developing a comprehensive database of more than 100 landowners. Building relationships with these stakeholders has fostered greater awareness of the conservation challenges facing Botha’s Lark, Rudd’s Lark, Yellow-breasted Pipit and other grassland species. To date, we have engaged directly with a quarter of these landowners, strengthening partnerships to help secure a future for these birds and their habitats.

Our field work has been equally extensive. We have covered more than 250km on foot, meticulously surveying grassland ecosystems and identifying some 24 species of conservation concern. Each step taken and every data point collected contribute to a more informed position for protecting these critical landscapes.

The initiative has continued to grow. Two dedicated colleagues – Roy Robertson, our Grasslands Conservation Project Manager: Southern Mpumalanga, and Zoleka Mkize, our Grassland Community Conservation Officer – have joined the team and their contributions strengthen our capacity to make a real impact. Their involvement has also helped attract additional funding, such as the Albert Wessels Trust, ensuring that we have the resources needed to continue this important work.

In addition, while the BirdLife South Africa Grasslands Conservation Centre has shifted its primary focus from avitourism to broader conservation efforts, we continue to recognise the vital role that community guides and sustainable tourism play in supporting long-term conservation outcomes.

None of this would have been possible without Birding Ecotours’ belief in our mission. Its initial support has been the catalyst for everything we have accomplished, and for that, we extend our deepest gratitude. Conservation is a collective effort; through partnerships like these, real and lasting change can be achieved.

Thank you, Birding Ecotours, for travelling with us on this journey. The work continues, and we are excited for what lies ahead!

For more information about Birding Ecotours, go to birdingecotours.com/

MATTHEW OROLOWITZ, BIRDING ECOTOURS FELLOW OF GRASSLANDS CONSERVATION

Where do Secretarybirds go?

One of the primary gaps in our knowledge of Secretarybird behaviour and movement across the South African landscape is finally being filled. The longest-running study focusing on Africa’s most iconic raptor began in 2012 and has supplied numerous insights about these birds.

Early in the study, the movements of juvenile birds in the months after fledging and their eventual dispersal over vast distances were tracked. Habitat preferences are being investigated more, but the big gap in our knowledge has always been how adult birds move around a nest site. That gap is now being filled as only the third known breeding attempt by a tracked bird is coming to an end.

Ekapa, a male residing in the southern parts of the Free State and tracked since October 2020, has tried to breed twice. The first attempt, in 2023, unfortunately failed, but the following year the second was successful and the young bird fledged last month. Over the two breeding attempts, movement data spanning 26 months were collected, showing that adult birds, or in this case Ekapa, remain on average within 3.5km of the nest and move in an area roughly 9km² around it. These results are the first steps in updating the mitigation strategies and conservation recommendations to ensure the survival of these Endangered birds in a rapidly changing landscape. More data from additional birds need to be collected, but we are already moving in the right direction!

CASSIE CARSTENS, SECRETARYBIRD PROJECT MANAGER

A new webinar on the Red-billed Oxpecker

BirdLife South Africa invites you to a follow-up webinar focusing on our Bird of the Year 2025, the Red-billed Oxpecker. This session will highlight how the Bird of the Year campaign is being used to inspire educational and conservation efforts.

Date: Wednesday, 21 May 2025

Time: 16h00 (SAST)

During the webinar, we will:

• Introduce newly added educational materials.
• Share feedback from teachers and group leaders who have implemented the resources.
• Present recent updates and opportunities for continued engagement.

This is an excellent opportunity for educators, conservation practitioners and supporters of BirdLife South Africa to connect, learn and contribute to the ongoing success of the Red-billed Oxpecker campaign.

We look forward to your participation as we continue to build momentum around this important conservation initiative.

New African Birdlife website!

A transformative addition to African Birdlife is its new website. Not a replacement for the bi-monthly print magazine, this is a complementary offering that brings you bird and conservation news, exciting developments in the birding world, a Photo of the Day competition, trip reports, interviews and much more. Click on the link and expand your birding journey!

https://africanbirdlife.org.za/

Tracking five more European Rollers

As dawn breaks across southern Africa, five new European Rollers fitted with lightweight satellite trackers take flight, beginning journeys that will span thousands of kilometres and cross entire continents. For BirdLife South Africa, these birds’ migrations offer a rare window into one of nature’s most awe-inspiring spectacles – and a powerful call to action to protect migratory species and the habitats they depend on.

Recognised by its vibrant blue plumage and for its remarkable long-distance travels, the European Roller is experiencing a steady decline across its range, including local extinction in parts of Europe where it once bred. Although classified globally as Least Concern, regionally the species is listed as Near Threatened due to a worrying decline in parts of southern Africa. As these five newly tagged individuals take to the sky, they are not only continuing their species’ ancient migratory tradition; they are also becoming ambassadors for conservation efforts that reach far beyond our borders.

In a groundbreaking effort, BirdLife South Africa, supported by The Royal Portfolio Foundation, Thornybush Nature Reserve and Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, has equipped an additional five European Rollers with satellite trackers, enabling the team to follow their movements in near real-time. These birds will build on the data first collected in 2024, when a female European Roller we named Hera became one of the first individuals from the region to be tracked.

Hera’s journey captured hearts and made history. Over several months, she covered more than 10 000km from southern Africa to Uzbekistan, stopping in Somalia and India along the way. Her migration marked the first confirmed movement of a European Roller between southern Africa and Central Asia – a milestone in global migratory bird research.

Now, the five newly tagged birds will help deepen our understanding of this extraordinary species. By expanding the dataset and tracking additional individuals, we hope to uncover even more about where European Rollers rest, feed and stop during their long migrations. Each data point adds another piece to the puzzle. From the dry savanna of southern Africa to the rugged escarpments of Central Asia, the migratory corridors are under increasing threat.

The new data will complement research from Europe and fill critical gaps in our knowledge of migration routes from the southern end of the species’ range. By contributing insights from southern Africa, we strengthen international collaboration and help build a more complete picture of the European Roller’s flyway. Such cross-border cooperation is essential to ensure conservation actions are aligned across countries and continents, safeguarding the species throughout its entire migratory journey.

The challenges are clear: habitat loss, climate change and land degradation all threaten the species’ long-term survival. But there is hope. Collective action and continued support for BirdLife South Africa’s European Roller Monitoring Project will help to ensure that these magnificent birds continue to grace the sky for generations to come. Their incredible migration is a reminder of the resilience of nature, and our shared responsibility to protect it.

JESSICA WILMOT, FLYWAY AND MIGRANTS PROJECT MANAGER

Sponsoring a hectare? How to fulfil your pledge

It’s been almost three months since the MSC Musica set sail from Durban for the Southern Ocean on a voyage of a lifetime. We were extremely lucky to see some incredible seabirds at the Prince Edward Islands, a number of them soaring right alongside the ship.

The Saving Marion Island’s Seabirds: The Mouse-Free Marion Project team was thrilled by the success of Flock to Marion AGAIN! 2025. Thanks to the remarkable generosity of passengers, we are now one step closer to a mouse-free Marion Island! Almost R3-million in Sponsor-a-hectare pledges were made, thereby allowing not one, but two winners to each walk away with a pair of Swarovski binoculars.

If you have not yet had the opportunity to fulfil your pledge, here’s how to do so:

Donors from South Africa

You can make your payment by EFT or directly via the MFM Project website.

• EFT: (see bank details here). Kindly use your name and surname as a reference and send proof of payment to donations@mousefreemarion.org

• Website: mousefreemarion.org/product/marion-island-hectare1000/

Note that Section 18A tax certificates for South African taxpayers are available on request. Please complete the relevant form and e-mail info@mousefreemarion.org to request your tax certificate.

International donors (excluding from the USA) 

Please make payment via the MFM Project website (see above).

Note for German taxpayers: we can provide tax certificates to donors from Germany. For tax-deductible donations, please e-mail donations@mousefreemarion.org to make your donation via our fiscal sponsor in Germany.

Donors from the USA

If you would like a 501(c)(3) tax receipt, please donate via this link mousefreemarion.org/product/donate-any-amount-us/If you have any questions, please contact us at info@mousefreemarion.org. You can sign up for our newsletter here.

Thank you again for your fantastic support during Flock to Marion AGAIN! 2025 and beyond.

ROBYN ADAMS, MOUSE-FREE MARION PROJECT COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER AND PROJECT ASSISTANT

Saving Seabirds team sets off for Marion Island

Since 2022, the Saving Marion Island’s Seabirds: the Mouse-Free Marion (MFM) Project has maintained a research presence on Marion Island. Each year, field assistants are deployed to conduct critical research that informs the planning of the operation to restore the island’s degraded ecosystem by eradicating invasive mice. This year is no exception and this month we once again set sail for Marion Island.

The annual Marion Island relief voyage will see the SA Agulhas II, South Africa’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research and support vessel, travel to the island to relieve the current overwintering personnel and resupply those at the research base with food, fuel and provisions to sustain them for the year they will spend on the island. There is a takeover period that is essential for ensuring a smooth transition between outgoing and incoming field assistants and support staff, as well as for training the new team members.

Each year, the MFM Project deploys new research personnel. We are pleased to introduce Vonica Perold and Roelf Daling, who will be relieving Monique van Bers (M81 2024/2025) after her year-long stint on Marion Island. Vonica and Roelf will form part of the M82 overwintering team and join the larger MFM Project team participating in the takeover voyage.

Accompanying them on the month-long voyage will be Keith Springer (MFM Project Operations Manager) and Josh Kemp, who will be overseeing the research activities planned for the takeover period. After closely examining possible reasons for two recent failed eradications, this research will include new field trials specifically designed to investigate key parameters relating to bait and mice, further refining our approach to eradication planning. Filmmaker and scientist Otto Whitehead will also be part of the MFM Project team for the voyage, and he will assist with the field work, document activities and help raise awareness for the project.

During the 2025/2026 period, Vonica and Roelf will continue various monitoring initiatives that have been established to inform the planning of the baiting operation and support long-term monitoring of the ecological outcomes. Addressing key knowledge gaps through well-designed field trials plays a critical role in ensuring the success of the eradication operation.

Before the SA Agulhas II left for Marion Island, Vonica and Roelf shared their personal stories and why they are looking forward to their year on Marion Island.

Vonica said, ‘I’m thrilled to be joining the Mouse-Free Marion team as an overwintering field assistant! This is a huge milestone for me, both professionally and personally, because Marion Island and its seabirds hold a special place in my heart.

‘My journey with Marion began in 2014 when I spent a year on the island as a seabird field assistant. Here I saw the devastating impact of invasive mice on albatross and petrel chicks – a heartbreaking sight that solidified my commitment to island restoration. In 2020, I gained valuable experience in mouse eradication as a field officer for the Gough Island Restoration Programme with the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds). Witnessing the immediate relief the seabirds experienced after the eradication attempt only deepened my passion for this work and fuelled my commitment to Mouse-Free Marion.

‘Academically, I hold a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing and an MSc in Zoology from the University of Pretoria, and I’ve just graduated with a PhD in Conservation Biology from the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology. I can’t wait to apply my skills and collect crucial data to support the planning and implementation of this groundbreaking project.

‘Beyond the research and preparation for the aerial baiting trials, I’m looking forward to experiencing Marion’s breathtaking beauty once more – its unique wildlife, spectacular landscapes and the undeniable magic of the island. I’m also eager to share this experience with the M82 team as we take on the challenges and adventures of island life together.

‘This expedition is a rare and exciting opportunity and I couldn’t be more grateful to be part of it. Here’s to an unforgettable year of trailblazing research and conservation in action in one of the wildest places on earth!’

Roelf, too, was excited about the year ahead. ‘After hearing countless stories from former Marion Islanders, I felt as if I had already lived a part of their experience,’ he said. ‘Now the incredible opportunity to visit the island myself feels almost surreal. The vivid images and imagined scents that once filled my mind will finally come to life – what a privilege!

‘My career is deeply rooted in the arts. I hold an Honours degree in Fine Arts from the University of Pretoria, along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Interactive Media Design. As an artist, I work at the intersection of art, conservation and technology. I believe that solving the world’s challenges requires fresh perspectives, not outdated ways of thinking. That’s why I value interdisciplinary collaboration and whole-system approaches – a necessary shift from “ego” to “eco”. The urgency of conservation work drew me in and by merging my artistic and technical background with my passion for science and nature, I have cultivated a unique skill set.

‘Several field-work trips with the FitzPatrick Institute, along with my role as a technical field officer during the mouse eradication project on Gough Island, have strengthened my scientific expertise and reinforced my purpose. I’m eager to bring that experience to Marion, contributing to the critical mission of eliminating invasive mice and restoring the island’s delicate ecosystem. The sheer complexity of this operation both excites and motivates me.

‘I’m also a keen photographer and I can’t wait to document the beauty and the challenges of life on the island, capturing moments through a lens that blends creativity with science. Hopefully, these images will help raise global awareness for the Mouse-Free Marion Project. And, of course, I’m looking forward to my first “Killers in the Bay!” moment – the legendary call that signals a killer whale sighting in the waters off the base.

‘Here’s to an unforgettable year in the wild – and to making a lasting impact in protecting Marion’s precious ecosystem!’

We will report more on the 2025 Marion relief voyage and activities on the island once the takeover team, along with Monique van Bers, return safely to Cape Town in May. Until then, we wish the team all the best, safe travels and smooth seas as they sail to Marion Island.

ROBYN ADAMS, MOUSE-FREE MARION PROJECT COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER AND PROJECT ASSISTANT

Promac Paints – Paints with Purpose

Promac Paints handed over a cheque for R50 000 to BirdLife South Africa on 27 February 2025, having raised this amount at its Yes!Wood Charity Golf Day in October 2024.

From the sales of Yes!Wood products, contributions are made to BirdLife South Africa, reinforcing Promac Paints’ commitment to ensuring that both people and the planet thrive for generations to come.

The Yes!Wood range pays tribute to nature by featuring cavity-nesting birds in its marketing materials, celebrating the beauty and importance of birdlife while supporting conservation efforts.

Thank you, Promac Paints, for your invaluable support in protecting South Africa’s birds and their habitats!

TARRYN McKECHNIE, PHILANTHROPY OFFICER

Join our new WhatsApp channels! 

With its new WhatsApp channels, BirdLife South Africa is inviting you to learn even more about birds, birding and what we are doing to conserve birds. No ads, no algorithms, just updates about our conservation work, the latest news in birding and heart-warming stories, delivered directly to your phone.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Seeking accommodation

Dr Guy Preston, the Vice-chair of the Saving Marion Island’s Seabirds: The Mouse-Free Marion Project is embarking on an ambitious trip to raise much-needed funds for the project. Leaving in early May and returning in early August, he will be seeking to meet with potential donors in the UK, Europe, the USA and possibly other countries. As the costs of accommodation are so high, this is an appeal to any BirdLife South Africa members and supporters who have an accommodation unit that Guy might use while overseas to write directly to him at guy.preston@mousefreemarion.org.

Guy is not certain where he will be in these countries as it depends upon where meetings can be secured, but he will probably be in the major cities in various countries. Any help with accommodation will be greatly appreciated, as we seek to raise the funding necessary for us to implement the project.