AI and BirdNET insights
We are excited to provide an update on the BioSoundSCapes project, a key component of the broader BioSCape initiative that aims to understand and preserve the unique ecosystems of the Cape Floristic Region. As you may recall, our extensive field work involved deploying acoustic recording devices (AudioMoths) across this richly diverse area to capture the calls and songs of bird and frog species. We are now thrilled to share how we are leveraging cutting-edge technology to analyse these recordings.
BirdNET, developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Chemnitz University of Technology, is a groundbreaking tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify bird species from audio recordings. This tool has a vast sound archive and sophisticated algorithms that make it an invaluable resource for researchers and conservationists worldwide. It is designed to process large datasets of bird sounds, identifying species based on their vocalisations. BirdNET’s AI-driven platform automates the identification of bird species from our extensive audio recordings. By significantly reducing the time and effort required for manual identification, it enables our team to focus on interpreting data and devising conservation strategies.
However, the data used to identify species from South Africa are still in development, so predictions currently have lower accuracy than we would like. We have therefore been tagging species to develop our own algorithms. Nonetheless, running our million minutes of recordings through BirdNET has already shown some interesting results. BirdNET detected more than 650 000 call events from 164 species from a potential set of about 250 species in about 100 000 of the one-minute recordings. By correlating these findings with our point count surveys and remote sensing data, we can create a comprehensive picture of the region’s biodiversity.
In the interim, we are pleased to see seasonal results illustrating bird phenology patterns across our study domain. Although expected, it is interesting to note that call rates (using species detections per minute as a baseline) are lower in the winter period (May–July) compared to the spring period (September–early December). In addition, the peak detection rate occurs later in the day during winter (07h00 and 08h00) compared to spring (05h00 and 06h00).
As we move forward, the insights gained from AI methods will play a pivotal role in informing our ecological understanding. We remain committed to innovative, collaborative approaches in preserving Africa’s natural heritage.
Thank you for your continued support and interest in the BioSoundSCapes project. Stay tuned for more updates as we delve deeper into the data and uncover the ecological mysteries of the Cape Floristic Region.
DR ALAN LEE, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION PROGRAMME MANAGER, AND DR MATT CLARK, SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
The Landscape Conservation team expands
We are excited to announce that Dr Marlize Muller has been appointed as the Steenkampsberg Conservation Officer within the Landscape Conservation Programme. Marlize joined BirdLife South Africa as the Conservation Biology Intern through the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s (SANBI) Groen Sebenza Programme in January 2023. A key objective of the programme is to provide training for the intern and secure employment with the host organisation, depending on funding, performance and suitability.
During her internship, Marlize worked with me to research and conserve the Critically Endangered White-winged Flufftail and its wetland habitat. She will continue with this work, maintaining existing and establishing new conservation initiatives. This will entail getting involved in wetland management, stewardship, protection, rehabilitation, advocacy and awareness-related projects. More specifically, Marlize will focus on expanding protected areas and providing post-declaration support for landowners of the Steenkampsberg in northern Mpumalanga. The Steenkampsberg is home to nearly 400 bird species, many of which are threatened and endemic to the high-elevation grasslands, wetlands, rocky outcrops and forests of the mountain range.
Marlize brings to her new position the knowledge and skills she gained during her internship and from her PhD specialising in grassland ecology. From an early age, she says, she has felt a profound connection to the natural world and a strong desire to protect it. She wants to be part of the solution, channelling her efforts into tangible conservation successes. ‘Whether it’s removing invasive species, protecting habitats or advocating for endangered creatures, I’m determined to make a real difference,’ she adds. We wish Marlize well in her new role and fulfilment in giving conservation wings!
DR KYLE LLOYD, WETLAND CONSERVATION PROJECT MANAGER/ROCKJUMPER FELLOW OF WHITE-WINGED FLUFFTAIL CONSERVATION
What’s the buzz?
As part of a postdoctoral research project, I spent two years ringing and completing monthly bird of prey surveys in the southern Drakensberg area of KwaZulu-Natal. One of our interests was to study plumage polymorphism in Jackal Buzzards, which made a particularly pale specimen stand out.
I first met number 32, a striking adult male, on 1 August 2013. We went on to record him on the same set of poles in the Kamberg area in May, September and November 2014. The project ended in 2015, but as fate would have it (and spurred on by a recent publication on the dire population numbers of African birds of prey), I resumed the monthly surveys this year. Driving towards the familiar poles, I spotted an unmistakably pale-chested buzzard. Could it be number 32? I approached slowly, taking photos as I crept closer, and saw a metal ring on his leg. Still open to the possibility that perhaps someone else could have ringed a similar individual in the area, I remained cautiously optimistic and, not knowing the ring number, decided to take an ‘independent audit’ of my suspicions. From the multitude of images, I could piece together the numbers 8844…28.
Searching through my old records, I found a match. Unmistakably number 32, nearly 11 years later, on the very same poles. How old is he? How long has he lived here? Why this area? How have things changed (or remained the same) over the past decade? The South African Bird Ringing Unit (SAFRING) database reports Jackal Buzzards as old as 22 and 26 (ringed as adults, so we can conservatively add three years to their ages), both recovered near where they were first ringed. I can’t help but wonder what a farm-dwelling individual must be exposed to in its lifetime. There is still so much to learn about these resilient birds.
DR LORINDA HART, BIRDS AND AGROCHEMICALS PROJECT MANAGER
10% off Seabirds
As the excitement builds for Flock to Marion AGAIN! 2025, we’re making an offer you can’t refuse: 10% off the purchase price of Seabirds: The New Identification Guide. This long-awaited, completely new identification guide by Peter Harrison MBE is the only one that covers all known seabirds and it will be indispensable on the Flock to Marion AGAIN! cruise.
At https://www.lynxeds.com/product/seabirds/, just enter the coupon code FLOCKSEABIRDS2025 at checkout and you’ll save 10%! Don’t forget to bring your copy with you on the cruise for Peter Harrison to sign.
2024 Bird of the Year on stamps
I recently spent a couple of days in the Kruger National Park and no day was complete without seeing the silhouette of a Bateleur soaring on the thermals above the savanna. My mind kept going back to that stamp album on my bookshelf. Unlike the handful of Secretarybird stamps, my dad left me quite a few Bateleur ones. And they take me on a cross-Africa journey into not just the distribution of this iconic bird, but also the continent’s history.
South Africa tops the list with five stamps if you include the old homeland state of Venda – well, four to be accurate. The two dating from the early 1990s are, disappointingly, blatant mirror images! Venda, a region located in the far north-east of Limpopo, was declared a homeland in 1962, received its independence in 1979 and was re-amalgamated into South Africa in 1994.
Neighbouring Namibia has my favourite: a portrait of an adult male and an adult female in flight and a scene of the bird’s preferred habitat. Zimbabwe has two: one of a pair in flight on a dark red and black background dating from the country’s colonial era and the other a portrait from 1994.
Botswana, Malawi and Angola each contribute a single stamp following the themes we’ve learnt so far: striking portraits and birds in flight. Tanzania has two portraits, one of which, with a green background, is particularly impressive. The Central African Republic’s stamp has a hunched bird, and the one from Guinea – at the far west of the species’ distribution – is the only one to show a close-up of its face. There are also Bateleur stamps from Oman and Lesotho, which is somewhat surprising – the species does not occur in either country! The fact that it features in the philatelic collections of these countries points to the high esteem in which it is held far beyond its range.
The last and possibly most interesting of the stamps dates from the late 1930s. Most of the writing is too small for me to read, but the currency and country of origin are legible: five lire and Italian East Africa. Ethiopia was the only African country that was never actually colonised by a European power, although for a brief period during the late 1930s Italian forces, acting on the orders of dictator Benito Mussolini, annexed parts of modern-day Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia. These forces were defeated during the Second World War and, after a brief period of British administration, the Ethiopian region returned to its rightful owners. But the fact that a Bateleur features so prominently on a stamp dating from a brief period in African history shows how iconic the BirdLife South Africa Bird of Year for 2024 truly is.
CASSIE CARSTENS, SECRETARYBIRD PROJECT MANAGER
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And the winner is…
In May, a lucky draw was held for Conservation League Donors to celebrate the launch of the programme’s new logo, which features the Southern Bald Ibis. We are pleased to announce that Stephan Terblanche has won a copy of a new field guide, Birds of Greater Southern Africa, and a birder’s bag from Melvill & Moon.
When asked why he is a Conservation League Donor, Stephan replied, ‘I believe – no, I know – that the small band of people working for BirdLife South Africa is making a massive difference to our local birdlife and its survival, and to ordinary people’s awareness of birds. This is a cause more than worthy of financial support, and the Conservation League Donor Programme provides a superb vehicle for such support. Added perks, such as automatic entry to lucky draws and occasional shorter queues, bring pleasant surprises for members.’
Congratulations, Stephan, and thank you for your support.
Thank you to all our Conservation League Donors for your ongoing support in conserving South Africa’s birds and their habitats.
TARRYN McKECHNIE, PHILANTHROPY OFFICER
Close to home
For all that it’s exciting to travel beyond South Africa’s borders to find new birds, let’s not forget that, with almost 900 species, this country has a huge bounty to offer birders. So the July/August 2024 issue of African Birdlife takes readers to northern KwaZulu-Natal, the Drakensberg and a special birding destination in Gauteng.
In addition, Peter Ryan sheds light on the risks and toll of migration, and he and Martin Benadie review, respectively, Canon’s new 200–800mm zoom lens and Swarovski’s AX Visio binoculars that also function as a camera – they can even identify the bird you’re looking at!
Be sure to get your copy of the July/August issue now. To find your nearest retail outlet, visit birdlife.org.za/media-and-resources/blsa-african-birdlife/
Swipe to make a difference
Thank you to all our supporters who have selected BirdLife South Africa as a beneficiary on their MySchool card. Every time you swipe your card, you raise funds that help us to protect South Africa’s birds and their habitats.
If you would like to sign up for a MySchool card, simply scan the QR code or click here.
TARRYN McKECHNIE, PHILANTHROPY OFFICER
Polish your at-sea ID skills
To help you prepare for Flock to Marion AGAIN! – or even if you just want to improve your ID skills – BirdLife South Africa will be hosting a series of five must-attend seabird and mammal identification workshops. They will cover all the species we’re likely to see on the Flock to Marion AGAIN! voyage and will be presented by experts in seabird and marine mammal identification.
| 6 Nov 2024 | Small seabirds (prions, storm petrels and diving petrels) | Daniel Engelbrecht, Birding Ecotours |
| 13 Nov 2024 | Medium seabirds (petrels, shearwaters, skuas and jaegers) | Vincent Ward, Birding Africa |
| 20 Nov 2024 | Large seabirds (albatrosses and giant petrels) | Trevor Hardaker, Zest for Birds |
| 27 Nov 2024 | Mammals (dolphins, whales, seals and elephant seals) | Ken Findlay, Cape Peninsula University of Technology |
| 4 Dec 2024 | Coastal and ‘other’ birds (terns, gulls, gannets, cormorants and penguins) | Daniel Danckwerts, Rockjumper Birding Tours |
Bookings will open in September but, in the meantime, you can register your interest here: bit.ly/FlockIDCourse.
Attendance at each workshop will cost R100, or R400 for all five. The workshops will be run on Zoom and begin at 19h00 SAST. All funds raised will go to our African Penguin conservation work.
Please contact me at christina.hagen@birdlife.org.za if you have any questions about the workshops.
CHRISTINA HAGEN, PAMELA ISDELL FELLOW OF PENGUIN CONSERVATION
After the honey badger, penguins return to De Hoop
For BirdLife South Africa, CapeNature and SANCCOB it was cause for celebration when a pair of African Penguins started breeding at the De Hoop Nature Reserve penguin colony in 2022. It meant that their efforts to attract the birds back to the site after a gap of more than 15 years looked like being successful.
Four pairs bred in 2023 and the 2024 breeding season seemed to be getting under way when at least four pairs were observed preparing to breed. However, disaster struck in March in the form of a honey badger that managed to get under the fence constructed to keep out predators. It killed 11 penguins, including most of the pairs looking likely to breed. One penguin survived with injuries and was cared for by SANCCOB. Having been released at Stony Point (Betty’s Bay), it made its way back to the colony within four days! This demonstrates the penguins’ strong homing instinct.
We reinforced the fence immediately after the predation incident and have plans for further work which will be done soon. Since the attack, several penguins have visited the colony, often staying a few days at a time. Seven birds have been seen there at the same time. While this is a sad reduction in the numbers before the honey badger, it is encouraging that they are there. One pair has made a nest and successfully hatched a chick. It is still quite young, probably less than a month old. This renews our hope that this colony can grow to become successful and contribute to the survival of the species – and renews our commitment to ensuring that De Hoop will be a safe space for them to breed.
CHRISTINA HAGEN, PAMELA ISDELL FELLOW OF PENGUIN CONSERVATION
Tech for penguins
Over the past 30 years we have seen a 73% drop in the number of breeding pairs of African Penguins. If the current trend continues, the species could be extinct by 2035.
There are many threats to African Penguins, ranging from oil spills to avian influenza. It is becoming increasingly evident, however, that a shortage of food is the key driver of their decline. A steady decrease in stocks of anchovy and sardine, their main prey, correlates with the significant drop in the number of penguins, particularly in island colonies where there is competition for food from the purse-seine fishing industry.
As specialised hunters, African Penguins target fish species that are rich in protein, enabling them to replace the fat reserves and muscle mass lost while moulting, incubating eggs or attending to chicks. At these times, penguins are either confined to land or can only hunt within a limited distance from their nests.
Thanks to generous donations from Massmart and other contributors, BirdLife South Africa, SANCCOB and Nelson Mandela University have been able to deploy technology that gathers valuable information about how the penguins are faring in their foraging efforts. The Automated Penguin Monitoring System comprises weighbridges and pit-tag readers that collect real-time data.
The system has been installed at four of the largest island colonies, enabling researchers to scrutinise the comings and goings of the penguins and determine how successful they are at finding sufficient food. By measuring the weight of individual birds before and after hunting trips, as well as the amount of time they spend at sea, the system helps us understand the severity of food shortages and the impact on the survival of adult penguins and their offspring. Although the system is still relatively new, we are already seeing a dramatic contrast in the condition of birds in different colonies. Penguins from Bird Island in Algoa Bay fare a lot better than penguins from colonies in the Western Cape.
To demonstrate how this technology works, our Massmart sponsors and web designers, Ninepoint, have created a website that provides real-time footage of penguins crossing the weighbridges, live maps of their foraging routes and other interesting information. We invite you to visit the site and witness at first hand how the technology is helping us understand the plight of the African Penguin. We also ask that you share the website with as many people as possible and support our conservation efforts by clicking the donate button at the top of the landing page.
Penguins are not forever and we need to do all we can to save them from extinction.
DR ALISTAIR McINNES, SEABIRD CONSERVATION PROGRAMME MANAGER; DR KIRSTEN DAY, POLICY & ADVOCACY PROGRAMME MANAGER; ELEANOR WEIDEMAN, COASTAL SEABIRD PROJECT MANAGER
Birdle now available in isiZulu
It’s now possible to play Birdle in isiZulu, thanks to the recent compilation of a complete list of names for South African birds for isiZulu-speakers. Compiling the list took years of hard work that included consultation with isiZulu-speaking bird guides, linguists, students of the history and origin of names, and bird experts, as well as members and elders of various Zulu communities.
Having a name for every bird is important for connecting people to the birds around them, so we congratulate everyone in the South African Names for South African Birds project for this amazing achievement.
Who tells the farmers of the coming rain? Who hints at the start of summer? Who promises a bountiful harvest? In Zulu culture, birds have been watched over generations and are associated with different events. Without technology, the best way to predict the season ahead is to observe nature’s signs.
When you look to the sky and see European Bee-eaters (Amahlolamvula) flying high in circles, it is said in Zulu culture that today it will rain. The call of a Burchell’s Coucal (umGugwane or uFukwe) suggests light rain is coming, but be more wary when you hear the call of the Southern Ground-Hornbill (iNgududu/iNsingizi), as it may rain for days. Swallows calling as they fly signify that a storm may be brewing.
The coming and going of Barn Swallows (iNkojane) signals the changing of seasons. As the birds group together in preparation for their flight, it is time to prepare for the winter months. They will return at the beginning of summer, at the same time the Red-chested Cuckoo (uPhezukomkhono) sings out, calling farmers back to their fields.
To change the language in Birdle
- Click the top right button to open your profile settings.
- Click on the language selector to choose which language you would like the app to be in.
- (Optional) Select an additional language for the bird names. The bird names will be shown in the app language and this additional language. This is for people who might like to learn the bird names in another language. It is also possible to select ‘None’ or ‘Scientific Name’ for this option.
If you would like to help with the translations or to see Birdle translated into another language, please get in touch! We would love to hear from you.
Thank you to everyone who worked on the translations, in particular Nandi Thobela, BirdLife South Africa’s Empowering People Programme Manager, for making this a reality and for sharing your bird stories with us!
ALBERTO VACCARI AND LILY BICKERSTAFFE, BIRDLE DEVELOPERS
Relief voyage to Marion successfully completed
Having sailed from Cape Town on 15 April 2024, the SA Agulhas II completed a month-long round trip to Marion Island and docked at Gqeberha on 16 May. The purpose of this annual expedition is to retrieve the meteorological and research teams who spend 13 months on the island and deploy the new overwintering team.
The main aim of my participation in the relief voyage was to continue preparatory, planning and monitoring work for the Mouse-Free Marion (MFM) Project. The annual expedition offered a valuable opportunity to review the past year’s work, provide training and orientation to the new research assistants and finalise the research and monitoring plans for the coming year. It also gave me a chance to discuss logistical and regulatory aspects of the project with colleagues from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), a key project partner.
The visit was productive, helpful and hugely enjoyable, underscoring the magical and awe-inspiring nature of Marion Island. It also emphasised the importance of the mouse eradication project; eliminating the introduced house mice is crucial for securing the island’s ecological future.
Read more about the MFM Project’s work on Marion Island here.
ANTON WOLFAARDT, MOUSE-FREE MARION PROJECT MANAGER
Book for the South African Bird Fair 2024
The South African Bird Fair 2024 is not just another event; it’s an experience tailored for bird lovers of all ages and expertise levels. Whether you’re an avid birder, a curious beginner or a conservation enthusiast, there’s something special for you.
Most of the talks featuring renowned experts will be streamed live on the day via Zoom, for free. Plus, don’t miss the series of pre-fair Conservation Conversations webinars from Tuesday 20 to Thursday 22 August at 19h00 (SAST), setting the stage for the Saturday.
To attend either in person or virtually, tickets are required and must be pre-booked via our registration link. This ensures a seamless entry to all the talks and activities throughout the day. Space for the in-person event is limited, so visit birdlife.org.za/south-african-bird-fair-2024 to secure your spot now and gain access to an unforgettable day celebrating the beauty and importance of birds.
Mark your calendars and spread the word! The South African Bird Fair 2024 promises an inspiring blend of education, conservation and pure birding joy. Whether you’re near or far, we look forward to welcoming you. For more information and to register, please visit birdlife.org.za/south-african-bird-fair-2024
BirdLife South Africa is very grateful to the following sponsors for making the South African Bird Fair possible: MSC Cruises, Canon, Dream Hotels & Resorts, Ford Wildlife Foundation, Italtile, Jonathan Ball Publishers, Rockjumper Birding Tours and Westerman’s.
MPHO MAGIDI, COMMUNICATIONS INTERN & SOUTH AFRICAN BIRD FAIR ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Win a birding trip to Brazil!
Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest is world renowned for its abundance of colourful birdlife – and you could win a trip to view these magnificent birds. All you have to do is enter BirdLife South Africa’s annual fundraiser raffle to stand a chance to win an 8-day, 7-night birding trip to Brazil from 5 to 12 October 2025 for two people sharing, with Rockjumper Birding Tours. The prize includes return flights from Johannesburg.
This adventure of a lifetime is an opportunity to see some of the spectacular birds of the Atlantic Rainforest. Tickets are selling fast and all funds raised support BirdLife South Africa’s important work to conserve our country’s magnificent birdlife.
To enter, click here: birdlife.org.za/raffle
This raffle is subject to terms and conditions that can be viewed on our website at the above link.
Society Lottery Scheme is registered with National Lotteries Commission (Reg. no. 00293/05).
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