December 2023 Newsletter

Happy holidays!

As I write this message, I am reminded of the fragility of our planet. Some parts of South Africa have experienced searing heat, and the rains have not arrived. During the past few weeks birds have died in the northern and western parts of the country, some when the temperature reached the mid- to upper 40s and others, including European Bee-eaters and Barn Swallows, when we had an unseasonable cold snap. These birds were probably unable to maintain their body temperature and there were no insects for them to feed on.

We have to do all we can to conserve our country’s birds and their natural habitat – and when we do so, other biodiversity will benefit. BirdLife South Africa is making great strides in its conservation work. We are addressing threats to more than 50 bird species, some of which have been edging closer to the extinction precipice in recent years, and we have worked with landowners to protect more than 200 000ha of important grassland and estuary habitat.

This work is not done alone and we are fortunate to have an army of people and organisations that support our conservation efforts. It includes volunteers, our members, our affiliated bird clubs, citizen scientists, ornithologists and collaborating organisations as well as donors, and we are immensely grateful for their assistance.

It would be remiss of me not to mention also the work of our dedicated and hardworking conservation and administration teams. It is admirable what a relatively small group of people who are passionate about the cause can achieve. Thank you!

As the year draws to a close, I thank everyone who supports our efforts to conserve South Africa’s birds and their habitats. There is urgent work to do and the time to act is now! I wish you restful holidays, safe travels, and time spent enjoying nature.

MARK D. ANDERSON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

A million minutes of sound

At the end of November, after about one million minutes of sound recording data had been collected in the Western Cape as part of the BioSoundSCape project, BirdLife South Africa hosted an enlightening workshop on bio-acoustic monitoring, a rapidly evolving field that is transforming our understanding of avian behaviour and conservation. Facilitated by acoustics researcher Wendy Schackwitz and Leo Salas (Point Blue consulting agency), the workshop centred on the use of Arbimon, a web-based analysis tool that has been instrumental in identifying bird calls.

Bio-acoustic monitoring has emerged as a powerful technique to study a wide range of organisms, from the smallest insects to the largest whales. Wendy’s research, particularly on the Tricolored Blackbird in the USA, exemplifies its potential and illustrates how, coupled with low-cost technology and free software applications, it can provide detailed insights into the reproductive phenology and breeding success of bird species. During the Tricolored Blackbird’s breeding season, autonomous recording units collected sounds that included male and female songs as well as nestling calls. Analysis of these recordings yielded a rich tapestry of data that detailed the full timeline of the birds’ breeding activities from courtship and nest-building to incubation, hatching and fledgling departure.

The workshop demonstrated how these techniques could be applied in the South African context, particularly in studying the unique bird species in our diverse Western Cape ecosystems. Participants were introduced to the practical aspects of setting up a bio-acoustic monitoring station and the basics of using Arbimon for sound analysis. Recordings are visualised as spectrograms and sections of these are isolated for specific calls. A pattern-matching algorithm then searches through millions of files to look for similar call segments, after which volunteers determine whether or not the matches found identified a species correctly.

One of the key takeaways from the workshop was the level of detail that bio-acoustic monitoring can provide compared to traditional field monitoring. Although field observations are invaluable for gathering certain types of data, such as abundance counts, the sheer volume of bio-acoustic data is unparalleled for understanding breeding timelines and behaviour in a non-invasive manner. This methodology has wide-ranging applications for both research and conservation. In the case of BioSoundSCape, it enables researchers to draw more accurate pictures of bird distribution.

BirdLife South Africa’s commitment to embracing new technology such as this highlights our dedication to innovative conservation strategies. As we continue to harness the power of sound, we open new doors to understanding and protecting the avian wonders of our nation.

My involvement in this project is thanks to BirdLife South Africa’s sponsors AFRIT, Ekapa Minerals, Eskom and Italtile and Ceramics Foundation. I would also like to thank Daniël Cloete for organising the event, Janine Dunlop for use of the Niven Library, Sally Hofmeyr for facilitation from the FitzPatrick Institute, and Festus Adegbola, Campbell Fleming, Wim de Klerk, Patty Taljaard, David Leland and Mike Schackwitz for taking part. And thanks to you for taking a minute to read our story.

To find out more about the BioSoundSCape project, visit

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/aaa4835da57c4405b4dfd3a03d3ae2c7

DR ALAN LEE, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION PROGRAMME MANAGER

Another year of Conservation Conversations

BirdLife South Africa’s successful series of webinars, Conservation Conversations, started off the year with a fantastic presentation on the Cape Parrot, the Bird of the Year for 2023, setting the tone for the rest of the series. We had webinars focusing on species, like the Southern and Northern ground-hornbills, and birding areas like Hogsback and the Knysna Estuary. We also shared inspiring conservation stories from BirdLife South Africa staff, including birds and renewable energy and the Albatross Task Force. This was all summed up brilliantly by Dr Hanneline Smit-Robinson’s closing webinar on BirdLife South Africa’s conservation highlights. If you missed any episodes, you can catch up on our YouTube channel.

The originator of Conservation Conversations, Melissa Whitecross, left BirdLife South Africa in the middle of the year, but we remain committed to delivering a quality show with exciting and educational topics. So we will be back on 23 January 2024, and every second Tuesday thereafter, for another year of fantastic webinars. We’re preparing an exciting schedule of talks by BirdLife South Africa staff and birders and ornithologists from around the world. As has become tradition, we’ll kick off the new year with a presentation on the Bird of the Year, the Bateleur.

If you have already registered, the link that you have used to access the webinars on Zoom will continue to work into the new year. You will also receive reminders before each webinar. If you have ideas for speakers, or would like to present on the show, please contact us at conversations@birdlife.org.za

We would like to thank all our amazing speakers, without whom there would be no show. And thanks also to our viewers, whether you have tuned into all the webinars or only managed to catch a few here and there. And last but not least, a big thank you to Andy Wassung, Mpho Magidi and Valery Phakoago for helping us behind the scenes. As Melissa would say, ‘Keep your eyes on the skies and keep enjoying those birds!’

See you all back for Season 5 in 2024!

CHRISTINA HAGEN AND ANDREW DE BLOCQ, CONSERVATION CONVERSATIONS CO-HOSTS

Cape Sugarbird Library donation

BirdLife South Africa recently opened an office in Claremont, Cape Town, to house its staff based in the Western Cape. The office has a small library, named after the Cape Sugarbird, whose shelves are now well stocked with field guides and other nature-related books courtesy of a generous donation from Penguin Random House’s Struik Nature division. Titles range from Trees of Southern Africa to a guide on the Cradle of Humankind and include a wide range of bird field and photographic guides produced by Struik Nature. Thank you very much to Pippa Parker and her team for this kind support!

CHRISTINA HAGEN, PAMELA ISDELL FELLOW OF PENGUIN CONSERVATION

Regional Conservation highlights

As we embrace December, it seems appropriate to reflect on the eventful year that the Regional Conservation Programme has experienced.

Dr Simeon Bezeng, the manager of the Regional Conservation Programme, has worked tirelessly to expand the Key Biodiversity (KBA) programme in Africa. In addition to providing advice, he has helped to build capacity and reviewed KBA proposals, and his leadership has resulted in seven countries investing in the review of KBA boundaries and the training of more than 70 conservationists in 2023. Another noteworthy achievement was the establishment of KBA National Coordination Groups in Ghana, Gabon and Guinea.

Simeon has also assisted African countries in developing IUCN National Red Lists. Through this initiative, active support has been provided to Kenya, Namibia, Mozambique and Malawi, and species experts in these countries have been shown how best to assess the conservation status of endemic and near-endemic species using the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species standard. Representing BirdLife South Africa at the 31st International Congress for Conservation Biology in Kigali in July, Simeon gave a talk about strengthening the links between global and national Red Lists. In addition, he has overseen the establishment of the IUCN Species Survival Commission’s National Species Specialist Groups in Madagascar and Kenya. The implementation and progress of the KBA and IUCN Red Listing programmes in Africa owe much to the efforts of the Regional Conservation Programme’s efforts to catalyse positive conservation change across Africa.

I joined the programme in June 2023 as the Flyway and Migrants Project Manager and work alongside Dr Melissa Lewis, BirdLife South Africa’s Policy and Advocacy Programme Manager, to increase public awareness of the plight of migratory waterbirds and the efforts required to protect species and their habitat. With the support of Melissa, Ian Barber of the RSPB and Julia Pierini of BirdLife Zimbabwe, I hosted a regional strategic partnership workshop to coordinate efforts within the East Atlantic Flyway and develop a work plan for 2024.

To address the plight of migratory birds, I have expanded the European Roller monitoring project and plan to place trackers on some individuals to learn about their migratory routes, use of habitat and the threats these migrants are likely to face. Generous donations for this work have been secured from Future for Nature, Marc Solomon and Rael and Helene Loon (Sabi Sabi Foundation). Finally, with assistance from Dr Giselle Murison, the Western Cape Estuaries Conservation Project Manager, I submitted a proposal as part of a consortium within the East Atlantic Flyway to introduce salt marsh restoration, avitourism, capacity building and monitoring efforts along the west coast. If we obtain a grant for this work, we aim to increase the focus on protecting estuaries in South Africa that are important stopover sites for migratory species.

It has been a busy year for our small team and we eagerly anticipate sharing more bird and other biodiversity conservation success stories in the months to come. If you are interested in getting involved or learning more about our work, contact Simenon Bezeng at simmy.bezeng@birdlife.org.za or me at jessica.wilmot@birdlife.org.za

JESSICA WILMOT, FLYWAY AND MIGRANTS PROJECT MANAGER

South Africa Listers, boost your total this summer!

December is usually a bumper month for birding, with Birding Big Day and the opportunity to travel and add to your various bird lists. Don’t forget to submit your updates via the South Africa Listers’ Club webpage. Or if you’re not yet a member, use some of your downtime to compile your South African list and join up. It’s as simple as filling in your name, home town and total. Done! The leader board is updated at least every two weeks.

While you’re at it, why not reward yourself or your family and friends for milestones achieved? We have Listers’ Club pin badges available for sale at our online shop, as well as personalised certificates for every milestone from 300 to 700 – and they will make wonderful Christmas gifts. Each badge is designed with a different colour of the South African flag, so you can build your patriotic collection as you go.

BirdLife South Africa is proud to be a champion of the country’s natural heritage and we value your support in protecting and celebrating its birds.

The South Africa Listers’ Club was started just over two years ago and we now have a thriving community of more than 650 birders who have submitted their proudly South (not southern!) African lists.

ANDREW DE BLOCQ, AVITOURISM PROJECT MANAGER

Congratulations to four new guides

The BirdLife South Africa Birding Guide Project trains people from historically disadvantaged backgrounds to become birding guides and supports them as they deliver a service to the birding community. The project celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

One of our celebrations was a Birding Guide Indaba, a first-ever gathering of our guides from across the country. The indaba was held in Wakkerstroom at BirdLife South Africa’s Wakkerstroom Tourism and Education Centre, the birthplace of the project, in mid-October. It coincided with the end of the current training course so that the new guides could mingle and network with their counterparts and the senior guides could congratulate the new guides at their graduation.

The indaba was a huge success for the 13 guides who attended. There were workshops, discussions and training, plus plenty of birding. The graduation was an emotional affair as the four successful guides saw their hard work come to fruition. The guides have already asked that this event is repeated next year and we will be looking for funding and an opportunity to do so.

We are grateful to Swarovski Optik as well as Nick and Jane Prentice for their ongoing support of the Avitourism Project. We also acknowledge the funding and support from Eskom Holdings (Ltd) for the training of our new guides as part of the Ingula Project.

ANDREW DE BLOCQ, AVITOURISM PROJECT MANAGER

A lifetime achiever

Congratulations to our CEO, Mark D. Anderson, who has been presented with an Eco-Logic Lifetime Achievement Award for his indefatigable dedication to conserving birds. It’s an honour well deserved and is testament to Mark’s unwavering commitment to birds, biodiversity and conservation. A true eco-champion, he leads by example and has had a massive positive impact on the welfare of our planet.

ANDY WASSUNG, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Sam Ralston-Paton, environment hero

Massive congratulations to Sam Ralston-Paton, BirdLife South Africa’s Birds and Renewable Energy Project Manager, who was recognised in the Biodiversity Stewardship category at the Mail & Guardian’s 2023 Greening the Future awards in November. Biodiversity stewardship, which seeks to protect areas critical for wildlife, has become increasingly important as habitat change and destruction continue to place at risk a multitude of threatened species. This award acknowledges the important work Sam does within the renewable energy sector to create partnerships and protect birds. Sam’s colleague John Gibbs, the Birds and Renewable Energy Project Leader, was at the event to accept the award on her behalf.

ANDY WASSUNG, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Welcome Keneilwe!

Keneilwe Makalela joined BirdLife South Africa in November as a bookkeeper. Having obtained a BCom Accounting degree from the University of Johannesburg, she has gained four years’ worth of experience and a passion for finance and its discipline. In her spare time she enjoys watching movies, reading and spending quality time with family and friends.