August 2024 Newsletter

Eggsamining the risk of pesticides

Perfected in birds, the egg comprises a hard and protective, yet breathable shell formed around an internal life-support system. Add warmth and oxygen, and new life hatches.

Nearly half of all studies that assess exposure to chemicals in wild birds in South Africa have tested eggs exclusively. These studies reflect the mother’s exposure to pesticides, as chemicals are deposited in the egg as it forms. Sadly, they all reported the presence of chemicals in our birdlife. This should concern us, since birds are sentinels of the health of the environment.

As August is women’s month, let’s consider what this could mean for the females of our species. Biologically, women are more likely to absorb pesticides, and be affected by them, than are men. They have proportionally more fat tissue than their male counterparts, which places them at greater risk of accumulating lipophilic pesticides. They also tend to be shorter, which means that the same exposure may have a more significant impact on them. Their oestrogen-driven hormone cycles are disrupted by hormone mimics, which bind to oestrogen receptor sites in the female body, affecting fertility, reproductive cycles, foetal development and cancer risk. Women exposed to pesticides can pass these on through the womb and breast milk, and evidence now suggests that the changes the chemicals cause become compounded through generations, increasing susceptibility to disease in future populations.

It’s time to listen to the birds and to the voices of women calling for change that will enhance their well-being and that of future generations. After all, Nelson Mandela once said, ‘If you want to change the world, help the women.’

DR LORINDA HART, BIRDS AND AGROCHEMICALS PROJECT MANAGER

Extending conservation land in South Africa

The degradation and loss of habitat is one of the most urgent threats to the world’s biodiversity. Area-based conservation efforts rely on increasing the global network of both protected and alternative conservation areas to stem habitat loss; protect and conserve biodiversity; improve land management and the provision of ecosystem services; and help safeguard the socio-economic benefits associated with the protection of natural areas.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to which South Africa is a signatory, has set ambitious area-based conservation targets that call for ‘30% of the world’s marine, freshwater and terrestrial spaces to be well protected and conserved through an expanded, well-connected network of protected areas and OECMs’.

An OECM (Other Effective area-based Conservation Measure) is defined by the CBD as ‘a geographically defined area other than a protected area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in situ conservation of biodiversity with associated ecosystem functions and services and, where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic and other locally relevant values’. This simply means that there are areas outside formally declared protected areas that may not be managed specifically for the purpose of conservation but, as they do contribute to conservation targets, they should be identified, assessed, recognised and reported on. An example of an OECM could be an area such as a national botanical garden, an estuary or a piece of indigenous forest.

OECMs have become front and centre of South Africa’s international commitment to the CBD, but as yet there are no formally recognised OECMs in South Africa, only pilot sites in Mpumalanga and the Western Cape. BirdLife South Africa, in collaboration with partners, is already significantly and successfully contributing to addressing area-based biodiversity targets through its biodiversity stewardship work in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Free State.

In addition, BirdLife South Africa, in partnership with Conservation Outcomes and funded by the WWF Nedbank Green Trust, is initiating an exciting three-year project that aims to support the systematic implementation of the OECM concept throughout South Africa for the first time, providing guidance on its implementation based on international standards, criteria and guidelines.

This project is unique in that it is taking what has been learnt from work done in the Western Cape and translating it into a national OECM implementation strategy, primarily by co-developing implementation across South Africa. This is an essential next step if we are to contribute to the global OECM targets in any meaningful way.

The project aims to formalise the process of identifying, assessing and reporting OECMs nationally and to standardise their implementation across landscapes and seascapes throughout South Africa. It promises to make a significant contribution to area-based conservation in South Africa by contributing OECMs to the already successful Biodiversity Stewardship Programme and the country’s existing network of state-owned protected areas.

STEVE McKEAN, OECM PROJECT MANAGER

Bitou Birding Festival

In the heart of South Africa’s Garden Route, the coastal region of Bitou is one of our country’s best-kept birding secrets, with more than 300 species. Regarded as a destination that any birder or nature enthusiast should visit, Bitou – and specifically the greater Plettenberg Bay area – is teeming with birds waiting to be enjoyed!

BirdLife South Africa is proud to endorse the Plett Bitou Birding Festival, which will take place from 27 September to 6 October 2024 and aims to encourage birders to explore Bitou as a birding destination. Pre-booked, expertly guided activities afford birders an opportunity to spend time outdoors and add new birds to their lists, or simply just allow themselves to be captivated by the serenity of the forest’s dawn chorus. In support of this, birders will be able to explore key birding and biodiversity destinations that are listed on BirdLife South Africa’s GoBirding platform (gobirding.birdlife.org.za), and are encouraged to share their experiences and sightings on social media for the duration of the festival, using its official hashtag.

The Garden Route’s towering forests, natural fynbos, pristine beaches and dramatic coastal cliffs all contribute to setting the scene for what promises to be an extraordinary week of celebrating the region’s birdlife.

More information, a detailed programme and online tickets can be found on the festival’s website at bitou.birdingfestival.co.za, or its social media platforms by searching the hashtag #BitouBirdingFestival.

JOHN KINGHORN, AVITOURISM PROJECT MANAGER

The South African Bird Fair 2024

Get ready for the South African Bird Fair 2024, an event that promises to astonish you! Immerse yourself in a world where birding enthusiasts of all kinds – seasoned birdwatchers, eager novices and devoted conservationists – come together for a truly exceptional celebration.

This thrilling extravaganza takes place on 24 August 2024 and features early morning birding adventures, riveting talks from esteemed guest speakers and dynamic workshops designed for everyone from kids to garden bird aficionados, and even those tackling the elusive LBJs.

But that’s not all! Prepare to be enchanted by a vibrant array of exhibitors, the much-anticipated annual fundraiser auction and popular wine-down birding quiz, and a screening of Call of the Wild that will end the day on a high note.

To be part of this event, whether in person or online, be sure to book through our registration link birdlife.org.za/south-african-bird-fair-2024 for seamless access to all activities and lectures.

We would like to give a special thank you to all our South African Bird Fair sponsors: MSC Cruises; Canon; Dream Resorts & Hotels; Ford Wildlife Foundation; Italtile; Jonathan Ball Publishers; Rockjumper Birding Tours; and Westerman’s.

MPHO MAGIDI, COMMUNICATIONS INTERN & SOUTH AFRICAN BIRD FAIR ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Birding in the Kruger Park

Join the Honorary Rangers for the annual West Rand Region’s Kruger Birding Experience, where birding meets conservation. Explore the magic of the Kruger National Park, home to more than 500 bird species, including rare gems and summer migrants.

• Dates: between 21 January and 7 March 2025.
• Accommodation: Packages start from R5052 per person sharing, which includes accommodation, two dinners and 8–12 hours of birdwatching and game drives.
• Contact: For more information and bookings, call Norma on 011 476 3057 or e-mail westrandbirders@gmail.com

Book now to secure your spot and make a meaningful impact on conservation in the Kruger Park.

See more here

Bucket-list birding in Brazil?

Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest teems with vibrant birdlife – and you could find yourself exploring it! All you need to do is enter BirdLife South Africa’s annual fundraiser raffle at https://birdlife.org.za/jackpot-birding-2024/.

You and a partner could win an 8-day, 7-night birding escape (including return flights from Johannesburg) in October 2025 with Rockjumper Birding Tours. This is an incredible chance to witness some of the world’s most spectacular birds, including the Green-crowned Plovercrest, Saw-billed Hermit and Saffron Toucanet, as well as many more. And as a bonus, every ticket purchased supports BirdLIfe South Africa’s crucial bird conservation efforts.

Don’t delay, as tickets are selling fast. Simply go to https://birdlife.org.za/jackpot-birding-2024/ to purchase yours.

The winning ticket will be drawn on 25 October 2024.

Terms and conditions apply, and can be accessed at the link above. This raffle is registered with the National Lotteries Commission (Reg. no. 00293/06).

Our 2025 calendar is captivating!

BirdLife South Africa’s 2025 calendar is the perfect gift for your bird-loving buddies, clients and colleagues or family and friends (because we know you’ve got one eye on the holidays already).

The calendar features some of the top images from the BirdLife South Africa Photography Competition 2024. Not only do these photos capture the beauty of our feathered friends, but they also help raise vital awareness and funds for our conservation initiatives. A huge thank you goes to the talented photographers who participated in the competition, and everyone who supported this cause.

We expect these calendars to sell out once again, so make sure you pre-order yours at https://www.birdlife.org.za/support-us/2025-calendar/ for just R250! You can opt to pick it up at BirdLife South Africa’s Johannesburg headquarters, Isdell House in Dunkeld West, receive it via PostNet for an extra R95, or via a Pudo locker for R70. Dive into a year of avian wonder and make a difference today!

And the photo competition winner is…

Who will take this year’s top honours at the BirdLife South Africa Photography Competition 2024, in partnership with Canon? Who will win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Tswalu Kalahari Reserve worth R237 960?

Find out by joining us at the South African Bird Fair tomorrow, either in person at Country Club Johannesburg, or by live streaming via Zoom by registering at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84232307466?pwd=nf0h6YDBBZBWKgKuyH8LC13FYaYIay.1

We would like to extend our grateful thanks to our prize sponsors for making this year’s Photography Competition possible: Canon; Tswalu; Tintswalo Waterberg; The Royal Portfolio; The Oyster Box; Return Africa; Gardena; Struik Nature; Birding Africa; and Cape Town Pelagics.

We also appreciate the support of Orms, Outdoorphoto and Kameraz.

And last but not least, thank you to our team of professional judges for sacrificing your time and putting forward your shared experience and technical expertise to select our winners from an initial pool of almost 3000 photos: Roger Machin, Lizet Grobbelaar, Adam Riley, Prelena Owen and Isak Pretorius.

If you can’t make the South African Bird Fair, look out for the winners on our social media, in the online news or in next month’s newsletter.

Tracking ‘hot’ Secretarybirds

The Hot Birds Research Project is a long-term, multi-stakeholder study investigating the impacts of a warming climate on bird species around the globe. Led by Professor Andrew McKechnie of the Zoology Department at the University of Pretoria and Dr Susie Cunningham from the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology at the University of Cape Town, this study looks at how birds in desert and arid environments are coping with extreme temperatures.

One of the PhD students in this project is Wesley Gush, who is investigating how Secretarybirds respond when temperatures reach the upper 30s. Since these birds nest on top of large shrubs and bushes exposed to the baking sun, it is critical that we understand how increasing temperatures might impact their breeding success. This is being done through several camera traps placed strategically at nests in the arid Hantam Karoo of the Northern Cape. Wesley is also following several young birds across the country. These carry small GPS tracking devices that report the bird’s location every few hours.

Two of these birds, Mikasa and Jewel, came from a single nest on a farm north of Calvinia. The nest was found by Francois van der Merwe, a local farmer and keen conservationist, who pointed it out to the BirdLife South Africa Secretarybird Project in November 2023. A few weeks later, Wesley returned and, with the help of Dr Melissa Whitecross, fitted two of the three nestlings, both young females, with a tracking device. The two birds fledged and left their natal areas in February 2024, with Mikasa leaving first and Jewel following 13 days later. Both headed in roughly the same direction – north-east – and Mikasa travelled more than 600km over four days to reach Vryburg in North West while Jewel moved more than 500km to Kathu, a small mining town in the Northern Cape, in the same period.

How are these birds faring during this hot winter? Is there sufficient food available? And will their parents be able to raise new broods during the hot summers to come? Wesley’s data will eventually shed light on all these questions.

Do you know of any Secretarybird nests in your area? Please contact us with information at info@birdlife.org.za.

CASSIE CARSTENS, SECRETARYBIRD PROJECT MANAGER