January 2025 Newsletter

Flock to Marion AGAIN! For those who may be new to the adventure, Flock to Marion is a unique initiative that BirdLife South Africa invites bird enthusiasts, scientists and conservationists to join. It’s an extraordinary journey to one of the most pristine and biodiverse locations on earth. Marion Island, situated in the sub-Antarctic region, is home to a rich variety of seabird species, some of which are Critically Endangered. We want YOU to be a part of the journey! To stay updated on our journey and all the exciting activities we have planned, be sure to follow us on our social media channels. You can find us on: Facebook: Group name – Flock to Marion AGAIN! 2025 Twitter: @birdlife_sa Bluesky: birdlifesa.bsky.social Instagram: @birdlife_sa We’ll be sharing regular updates, photos and videos straight from the ship. From birding to lectures to fun themed evenings, there’s so much to look forward to. And we’ll make sure you don’t miss a moment. Stay connected, stay informed and get ready to be inspired by the raw beauty of the Southern Ocean and the importance of our efforts to protect Marion Island’s seabirds. Thank you for your continued support as we work towards preserving the remarkable biodiversity of our natural world. See you on social media! MPHO MAGIDI, COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Penguin Awareness Day The African Penguin population has plummeted by 97% and fewer than 10 000 breeding pairs remain. Without intervention, the species could be extinct in the wild by 2035. Among several threats to its survival, competition from commercial fishing hampers its ability to find enough food – primarily anchovies and sardines. Although the African Penguin has been classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, the results of an independent poll commissioned by Blue Marine to mark Penguin Awareness Day reveal that 64% of respondents were unaware of the status of the African Penguin and 19% indicated that they had no idea that, without intervention, the species could disappear in the next decade. Yet more than 60% would feel devastated if the species were to go extinct and 59% believe the loss would significantly harm South Africa’s growing tourism economy. A recent study by Anchor Environmental found that penguins contribute between R1.946-billion and R4.545-billion annually, based on the assessment of their tourism value, existence value, property benefits and educational and media-related benefits. As far as the causes of the decline and the response to it are concerned, 53% of respondents to the poll attribute the species’ decline to human activities like overfishing and pollution, and 49% believe the national government is primarily responsible for taking action to curb these threats. As BirdLife South Africa and SANCCOB, represented by the Biodiversity Law Centre, continue their legal battle to enforce island closures around key penguin breeding colonies, please help urge the government to enact the changes needed to safeguard the species by signing the OnlyOne petition. DR KIRSTEN DAY, POLICY & ADVOCACY PROGRAMME MANAGER

Contamination challenges at Kamfers Dam 2024 ended badly for hundreds of waterbirds that died at Kamfers Dam in Kimberley. The crisis was brought to BirdLife South Africa’s attention by Ester van der Westhuizen-Coetzer, the environmental specialist at Kimberley’s Ekapa Minerals, which has been a long-term sponsor and facilitator of BirdLife South Africa’s conservation efforts at the dam. A Natural Heritage Site and Key Biodiversity Area, Kamfers Dam was previously home to southern Africa’s largest permanent Lesser Flamingo population – more than 80 000 flamingos were recorded there in 2006. The dam is now reduced, literally, to a cesspool. Ongoing breakdowns and lack of maintenance at the municipal Homevale Wastewater Treatment Plant have caused a significant increase in the dam’s water levels and a severe bacterial imbalance, sparking the outbreak of botulism that has resulted in the death of well over 100 birds. Untreated sewage entering the dam also poses a health and safety threat for local communities who have access to the dam. The worsening condition of the Homevale Wastewater Treatment Plant has been a source of concern for several years, prompting the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation to issue a directive (under Section 48 of the National Water Act) compelling the Sol Plaatje Municipality to repair and maintain the plant. Lack of compliance with the directive has resulted in criminal charges being laid. More recently, the court granted an interdict that was applied for by the private landowner on whose property the dam is situated. The resultant court order required the municipality to present a plan within 60 days to restrict untreated sewage from the treatment plant flowing into Kamfers Dam. The municipality has not complied, and the applicant awaits an enforcement order hearing. BirdLife South Africa sought to raise awareness of the issue via a press release earlier this month to draw public attention to the dire situation at the site, in the hope that this will add to the pressure on the municipality to take urgent action. Ester van der Westhuizen-Coetzer emphasised in a subsequent interview that it is unacceptable that hundreds of birds are dying in their natural habitat because of negligence on the part of local government. We are monitoring the situation and hope that, with the support of our partners and the Kimberley community, the dam will at some time in the future be reinstated as a haven for Lesser Flamingos and other species. DR KIRSTEN DAY, POLICY & ADVOCACY PROGRAMME MANAGER, AND DR DAVID EHLERS SMITH, SCIENCE & SPATIAL PLANNING PROJECT MANAGER

A new nature reserve in Mpumalanga In an exciting development for conservation in Mpumalanga, a private farm was officially declared a nature reserve through biodiversity stewardship on 6 December 2024. This milestone represents a significant victory for both nature and people in the Steenkampsberg region. But what is biodiversity stewardship? At its heart, biodiversity stewardship is a partnership with landowners who become recognised custodians of South Africa’s natural heritage. This innovative approach allows sustainable land use to continue while ensuring that vital ecosystems are protected through various types of agreements, from informal to legally binding. The farm was bought in the 1960s by the Tilden-Davis family. A small house on the property was extended, but other than that no major changes were made. Tim Tilden-Davis, after whom the nature reserve is named, was keen to leave the farm as undisturbed as possible. Seven shareholders now own the farm, attracted by its beauty and simplicity, and are committed to preserving and protecting its biodiversity. The new nature reserve has numerous perennial springs, seeps and wetlands and is close to the source of the Klip River. Thanks to overwhelming public involvement, our campaign to establish the Tim Tilden-Davis Nature Reserve received 1169 signed letters of support, all of which were submitted to the provincial government. This impressive show of public support demonstrates the deep connection South Africans have to their natural environment. Situated in the Steenkampsberg mountain range, the Tim Tilden-Davis Nature Reserve creates a habitat corridor between the Verloren Valei and De Berg nature reserves, both of which are Ramsar sites. This strategic location protects:

• water resources supplying many downstream wetlands in the Olifants catchment;
• endangered Dullstroom Plateau Grassland;
• habitat for threatened and endemic bird species, including Blue, Wattled and Grey Crowned cranes, European Roller, Secretarybird, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Cape Rock Thrush and Greater Double-collared Sunbird;
• important water catchment areas that provide clean water to downstream communities.

The new nature reserve itself protects irreplaceable biodiversity identified in the Mpumalanga Biodiversity Sector Plan; safeguards poorly protected Steenkampsberg Montane Grassland; strengthens the network of protected areas in this globally important region; supports South Africa’s international conservation commitments; and ensures a sustainable water supply by protecting critical catchment areas. The declaration of the Tim Tilden-Davis Nature Reserve demonstrates how private landowners, conservation organisations and the state can work together to protect South Africa’s natural treasures. BirdLife South Africa and Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency will continue to work with the landowners to develop conservation objectives and management structures to ensure that the protection of species and habitats is maintained. We extend our gratitude to Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency for its support in this important conservation initiative. Visitor information Please note that the Tim Tilden-Davis Nature Reserve is a private reserve and is closed to the public. Visitors wishing to experience the remarkable wildlife and scenery of the Steenkampsberg area are welcome to visit the neighbouring provincial Verloren Valei Nature Reserve. DR MARLIZE MULLER, STEENKAMPSBERG CONSERVATION OFFICER; DR KYLE LLOYD, WETLAND CONSERVATION PROJECT MANAGER/ROCKJUMPER FELLOW OF WHITE-WINGED FLUFFTAIL CONSERVATION; CLIVE DIGNON, MANAGER, TIM TILDEN-DAVIS NATURE RESERVE

African Birdlife: a special issue With a well-deserved focus on Marion Island, the January/February issue of African Birdlife explores the history of Marion Island, from sealers to researchers; its importance to the seabird community of the Southern Ocean; and the vital conservation effort to rid its terrain of seabird-eating mice. Complemented by a portfolio of stunning photographs, this is a fascinating read for everyone on Flock to Marion AGAIN! – as well as for those who couldn’t make it this time. But that’s not all. Sunbirds searching for sustenance in a snow-covered landscape contrast with Sociable Weavers in the dry-as-dust Kalahari, and the birds and beasts of the bushveld are now within easy reach of Cape Town. South Africa is truly a ‘world in one country’! And even that’s not all; with the January/February 2025 magazine you’ll find a poster of the current BirdLife South Africa Bird of the Year, the Red-billed Oxpecker. So be sure not to miss this bumper issue! To find your nearest retail outlet, visit birdlife.org.za/media-and-resources/blsa-african-birdlife/

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa: the app  The Roberts Birds of Southern Africa app is already available on the Apple app store and the development of the Android app is progressing well; our team is working diligently to make sure it is released before BirdLife South Africa’s Flock to Marion AGAIN! 2025. This app is in its final testing phase and we would like to thank our testing team for their outstanding efforts. The Android app contains updates that are currently not included in the Apple app. However, the first update on the Apple app will take place before Flock to Marion to bring it in line with the Android app. We encourage everyone to make sure they have the updated versions of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa app downloaded on their devices before boarding the MSC Musica. The development of the sightings feature, which will allow sightings recorded in the old app to be transferred to the new app, is ahead of schedule. This feature will be available to both Android and Apple users. We will announce its release along with instructions on how to use it as soon as it is ready. Already, the new app is 2.1 GB (the old app was 1.6 GB) and it currently includes more than 11 000 photos and 2000 calls; more photos and calls will be added in 2025. The Roberts 7 text is also being updated and will be included in a future update. Andy Featherstone will be aboard the MSC Musica as it sails to Marion Island and will be happy to hear from fellow passengers what they like about the app and what they think can be improved. Please do seek him out. Herman van den Berg and Peter Thomas from SmartSearch Apps will also be on board. The old Roberts Bird app was developed by Gibbon Multimedia and all issues concerning this app should still be directed to its support team at support@gibbonmm.com. SmartSearch Apps is not affiliated to this app and unfortunately cannot assist with any technical issues. However, if your concerns remain unresolved, please feel free to contact us at birds@robertsbirds.co.za and we will do our best to help. If you have any further questions, comments or suggestions about the app, please direct them to birds@robertsbirds.co.za

Secretarybirds: the next generation… BirdLife South Africa’s Secretarybird Project has been conducting a long-term tracking study to determine the movement patterns and habitat choices of this fascinating raptor. A total of 17 birds have been successfully tracked since 2013, revealing young birds’ fledging and dispersal movements, how habitat selection changes with age, and how adult birds behave around an active nest site. All the birds are special, but the 18th bird recently added to the study is possibly the most special of all! But first we need to share details about the father of this new addition. Ekapa is an adult male Secretarybird that was ringed and fitted with a GPS by Dr Melissa Whitecross near Kimberley in October 2020. For more than 1500 days, the small solar-powered unit strapped to the bird’s back has diligently collected and transmitted the precious geospatial data points. In early 2023, the movement patterns ceased the typical meandering pattern across the plains of the southern Free State and shrank to a 20km² patch centred on a specific tree. A brief survey visit recorded a nest with two eggs! Much celebration followed this discovery, as it was only the second time in the study’s history that a tracked adult bird had started breeding. Unfortunately, an empty nest with broken eggshells was found during a return visit to monitor the progress. We suspect the eggs were removed and consumed by a predator, most likely an aerial one. In mid-2024, similar breeding-related movement patterns were observed about 5km to the south, centred on a new nest. Another long trip in October 2024 to survey the area again found two eggs. We feared the worst on the return trip two months later to check progress, but much to our relief, a single fluffy nestling was found on the grassy platform. Serious plans were then put into motion, with a new tracker unit ready and waiting to be deployed to follow this second-generation bird on its wanderings. The bird was ringed and fitted with the tracking device on 11 January 2025. It was a big day and we approached the nest with trepidation – but that evaporated when we found the youngster still there! With great care, we took it from the nest on top of the buffalo thorn, measured it, fitted it with a tracking device and returned it safely a few minutes later. We don’t know the bird’s sex yet, but genetic tests will reveal that soon. How will this Secretarybird fare in a rapidly changing landscape? Will it avoid the many threats that dot the landscape to flourish and eventually breed as well? Will there be enough food for the parents to provide a sufficient supply until it fledges? We believe that the second nestling might have succumbed to starvation. Hopefully, this youngster will overcome all those challenges. Rest assured, we will constantly monitor and learn about these fantastic birds. CASSIE CARSTENS, SECRETARYBIRD PROJECT MANAGER

Welcome to our flock! Roy Robertson recently joined BirdLife South Africa as the Grasslands Conservation Project Manager in the Landscape Conservation Programme. His work is based in Wakkerstroom, where he’ll be focusing on safeguarding the high-altitude grasslands of southern Mpumalanga and the remarkable bird species they support. Roy’s career has taken him across various fields, from law to agriculture and environmental management. He holds an LLB from the University of Pretoria, an MBA in Agribusiness from the University of São Paulo and a Master’s in Organic Agriculture from Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra. He has also spent time in Thailand and Tanzania working on the certification of products for export, which provided him with insight into international compliance and sustainable practices. Growing up in Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal, fostered a deep connection to South Africa’s landscapes. Roy is a passionate fisherman, and is now also diving into birding and learning to appreciate the incredible biodiversity in the regions he works in. We are also excited to welcome Zoleka Mkhize as the new Grassland Community Conservation Officer in the Empowering People Programme. Originally from iXopo in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Zoleka has a passion for environmental conservation that was inspired by her uncle, a game ranger. She holds an Honours degree in Ecological Sciences from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, focusing on the impact of alien grass species on native grasslands. With experience in biodiversity stewardship and enhancing community livelihoods, Zoleka has worked on projects promoting biodiversity economies and sustainable community roles in wildlife conservation. She is dedicated to amplifying community voices and addressing socio-economic challenges while advancing conservation goals. In her new role, Zoleka will build partnerships with local communities in Wakkerstroom, Daggakraal and Groenvlei. She will lead environmental education programmes centred on biodiversity conservation, using Botha’s Lark as a flagship species, and oversee sustainable livelihood initiatives for subsistence livestock farmers. Zoleka is honoured to contribute to restoring South Africa’s biodiversity while empowering local communities.

Lesotho atlas bash in February As part of BirdLife South Africa’s efforts to get coverage of bird distributions in Lesotho via SABAP2, we are planning an ‘atlas bash’ in the Katse Dam–Mokhotlong region of the country from 7 to 10 February 2025. An atlas bash aims to fill in the gaps in under-surveyed pentads (the 5×5 degree square grid system upon which SABAP2 is stratified), so a coordinated effort will take place during this weekend, in collaboration with the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority. Special birds such as the endemic Drakensberg Rockjumper, Drakensberg Siskin, Mountain Pipit and Ground Woodpecker are expected to be on the list, as well as more arid species such as Layard’s Tit-babbler, Black-headed Canary, White-throated Canary, Karoo Scrub Robin and Grey Tit, which are at the eastern edge of their range. Charismatic montane species such as Bearded Vulture, Cape Vulture, Grey-winged Francolin, Southern Bald Ibis and Black Stork are also likely to be found. But it’s not just the birds that are the stars of the show – the scenery is spectacular! To find out more, or to volunteer your time, please contact me at david.ehlers.smith@birdlife.org.za, or to find out more about becoming a registered citizen scientist for SABAP2, please visit https://sabap2.birdmap.africa/ Please note that your own 4×4 vehicle is essential, as is a spirit for adventure in some of southern Africa’s least explored and most rugged terrain! DR DAVID EHLERS SMITH, SCIENCE & SPATIAL PLANNING PROJECT MANAGER