Looking for Secretarybird nests? Eyes down!

Spring is here and Secretarybirds are beginning to breed in earnest. But finding their nests is no easy task. These wanderers of Africa’s grasslands and savanna make their nests on top of large bushes or trees, many of which are very thorny. From a distance the nest platforms, comprising small branches, sticks and clumps of grass, are all but invisible. You might not even realise a bird is sitting on it, close though you may be. Perhaps you’ll notice the platform’s grassy bulk, but unless you can see it from above there’s little chance you’ll be able to determine its status.

But there are ways to tell if a nest is being used, and it’s as easy as looking at your feet! Secretarybirds leave clues that point to their regular presence at a nest or roost site. Feathers of varying sizes plucked out during preening sessions may be lying around, if they haven’t been blown away by the wind. The scat marks left around, underneath and on the nest bush or tree are slightly more permanent and vary in size and shape. They look as though an incompetent painter has been splashing whitewash all over. Other marks further from the bush are usually elongated, splattered white uric acid strips with a dark clump of faeces at one end. Another tell-tale sign is large pellets or castings found underneath the nest site. These dense clumps of indigestible material regurgitated by the birds can be a fascinating window into their diet – if you have the stomach to scratch around in one!

Do you know of a Secretarybird nest in your area? If so, please contact the BirdLife South Africa Secretarybird Project at cassie.carstens@birdlife.org.za with the details. Each new nest helps us to learn more about these iconic birds, how best to conserve them and how to protect their habitat for generations to come.

CASSIE CARSTENS, SECRETARYBIRD PROJECT MANAGER

Last chance to win…

For just R650, you stand a chance to win a dream birding trip for two to Brazil, valued at R150 000. And at the same time you’ll be supporting vital bird conservation efforts. By entering BirdLife South Africa’s raffle, you contribute directly to the protection of our country’s beautiful bird species and their fragile habitats.

The prize includes a 7-night birding adventure with Rockjumper Birding Tours and return flights from Johannesburg.

There are only a couple of hundred tickets left (out of a maximum of 1000) and entries close in October, so act fast for your chance to win. Visit birdlife.org.za/jackpot-birding-2024/ to enter now.

The lucky draw will take place on Friday, 25 October 2024, at BirdLife South Africa’s head office in Johannesburg.

Terms and conditions apply; to view them, go to birdlife.org.za/jackpot-birding-2024/.

Society Lottery Scheme is registered with National Lotteries Commission (Reg. No. 00293/06).

MPHO MAGIDI, COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Celebrating our heritage, avian and cultural

September is Heritage Month and marks the launch of a short series, Called by Birds, that relates how birds feature in South Africa’s cultural past. The series, by Johan Vermeulen, reveals what birds meant to our forefathers and how they were regarded by early European naturalists.

The first episode takes viewers on a journey deep into the Cape Fold Mountains and down dusty village roads in search of tales of bird folklore.

Called by Birds is proudly endorsed by BirdLife South Africa. Be sure to watch and celebrate birds in our natural and cultural heritage this month. Episode one is available to watch from 20 September.

Watch the first episode at: https://youtu.be/crIPsVkA-p4

All at sea? Here’s help with ID

Bookings for our seabird and marine mammal ID workshops have opened! Tickets are available on Quicket and are limited to 500 tickets per workshop. Attendance at each workshop will cost R100, or R400 for all five. The workshops will be run on Zoom and begin at 19h00 SAST. Importantly, ticket sales will end at 8 am on the day of the workshop. We encourage everyone to watch live, but if you will be away for any of the workshops, the recordings can be made available to those who have bought tickets.

All funds raised will go towards 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

Our magazine heads south…

In a rare break from tradition, the latest issue of African Birdlife heads beyond Africa’s borders and into Antarctica to find a barely known Emperor Penguin colony in Queen Maud Land. Peter Ryan’s stunning photographs accompany his fascinating account of an extraordinary experience.

Exploration is a recurring theme in the September/October issue, as Rob Little canoes down the Cassai River in Angola and Andrew Jenkins and Anthony van Zyl set off in pursuit of Taita Falcons and African Hobbies. And then, on more familiar ground, we ascend the Swartberg Pass with Jo Grobler, remind ourselves of the rich birdlife of the Garden Route with Richard du Toit and join Thinus van Staden’s in-depth survey of his Magaliesberg pentad.

Be sure to get your copy of the September/October issue now. To find your nearest retail outlet, visit birdlife.org.za/media-and-resources/blsa-african-birdlife/

They ‘Won with Faansie’!

BirdLife South Africa extends warm congratulations to the winners of the South African Bird Fair 2024 ‘Win with Faansie’ colouring-in competition. Seven-year-old Zoey Fouché from Gauteng was awarded the prize for the 7–10 age group, while Nathan van der Meulen, aged 13, from KwaZulu-Natal was the winner in the 11–13 age group.

An amazing number of entries were received and BirdLife South Africa would like to thank everyone who submitted such beautiful drawings. The colouring-in was exceptional and choosing two worthy winners proved to be very difficult.

CLARE NEALL, EVENTS MANAGER

Diversity is the name of our game

Diversity. As South Africans, we are very familiar with the term. We are, after all, the rainbow nation, ‘stronger together’, celebrating our array of cultures and sharing the spirit of ubuntu. But how many of us understand ecological diversity and why it, too, is important? Ecological diversity essentially refers to the variety of an ecosystem’s abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) components. Ecological diversity is important because it supports resilience and the ability to absorb the effects of change and bounce back. So what happens when biodiversity is lost?

Imbalance. A state that favours the few and, in many cases, is unsustainable. It can be overwhelming to consider how we have altered our ecological diversity at a global scale, so let’s consider an example a little closer to home. Many landscaped parks and gardens contain just a few plant species, neatly grouped for aesthetic pleasure. These gardens lack diversity and may suffer pest outbreaks, which can lead to a gardener reaching for pesticides. These act without discrimination, targeting the pests, their predators and any creatures that happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time – further reducing diversity. And, without diversity, the chances of future pest plagues remain. So what can you do?

Restore resilience. One of the best natural defences against garden pests is increasing diversity. Adopt an eclectic gardening style and create safe, chemical-free microhabitats. I encourage you to embrace our indigenous diversity and enjoy the rainbow of colours that will soon flood the garden. After all, those caterpillars that do escape will soon become butterflies, and you may just increase your garden bird list!

DR LORINDA HART, BIRDS AND AGROCHEMICALS PROJECT MANAGER

Birdle goes global!

You’ve obsessed over the buff ‘secondaries’ of a Square-tailed Nightjar (or was it a Fiery-necked)? You’ve been thrown off the trail trying to solve a White-winged Flufftail – without audio. You’ve stayed awake to get your next rush of Birdle-induced dopamine (yes, we see you playing at 00h01).

Whether you are a birdwatching pro and can identify a Sabota Lark calling in one guess (despite its mimicry skills) or simply enjoy seeing birds in your garden and need a few more clues, Birdle Earth is fun for everyone. Every day until 20 October 2024, a new migratory bird from around the world will be shared for you to guess!

Birds have to be clever about where, when and how they travel. They rely on vast networks of habitats that act as refuelling stations, where they can rest and gain energy. What connects these habitats are the flyways, the fastest, most energy-efficient routes of choice for thousands of migratory birds. Learn more about the flyways at birdlife.org/globalflyways/.

Birdle Earth has been created by a collaboration between Raining Rock Studio, BirdLife International, BirdLife South Africa and Nature Canada for the run-up to the 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP16) that will be held in Colombia. Its aim is to showcase international migratory birds. The original Birdle, which many readers are familiar with, was developed by Raining Rock Studio together with BirdLife South Africa.

Don’t miss out! Join the daily (global) bird-guessing game challenge now by clicking one of the options below:

• Download the app for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rainingrock.birdle
• Download the app for iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/birdle-a-daily-guessing-game/id6447200029
• Play the web version: https://birdle.earth/

ANDY WASSUNG, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

The Photo Competition winners are…

The BirdLife South Africa Photography Competition 2024, in partnership with Canon, has been a huge success. Almost 3000 fantastic images were submitted, proving to be a wonderful showcase of South Africa’s birds and the talents of the country’s photographers. And close to R150 000 was raised, making it a successful initiative for the important work of BirdLife South Africa.

If you haven’t yet seen the exquisite range of winning images, it gives us great pleasure to reveal them below:

Reminder: secure your balcony cabin

With more than 1500 excited passengers already booked to join us on board, and the ship sailing from 24 to 31 January 2025, now is the time to secure your spot, if you haven’t already.

Join many of the BirdLife South Africa team and seabird and marine mammal experts (including world-renowned author and artist Peter Harrison MBE once again) as we voyage in search of the stunning seabirds of the Southern Ocean, while contributing to their global conservation.

Spaces are filling up quickly, so secure your spot on this unforgettable birding adventure here: birdlife.org.za/flock-to-marion-again-2025.

MPHO MAGIDI, COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

CARnival – counting large birds is fun!

The Coordinated Avifaunal Roadcounts (CAR) project is one of the easiest, yet most impactful ways to contribute to bird conservation in South Africa. By focusing on large, easily identifiable species like cranes, bustards and Secretarybirds, CAR participants help monitor some of the country’s most vulnerable bird populations. The data gathered are critical to conservation efforts, helping scientists track population trends and inform actions that protect these birds. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get into nature, contribute to citizen science and make a difference.

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a newcomer, CAR offers a rewarding experience in bird monitoring. With routes spread across South Africa and counts happening twice a year, it’s a chance to enjoy the beauty of the landscape while supporting essential research. Get involved, help monitor these majestic birds and enjoy the camaraderie that comes with every count.

Find out more at https://car.birdmap.africa/

And for a touch of fun, don’t miss the newly composed Conservation CAR song – perfect for humming during your next road count adventure: https://suno.com/song/e6acf609-c231-470e-90bc-82a8fcea5284

DR ALAN LEE, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION PROGRAMME MANAGER, AND CASSIE CARSTENS, SECRETARYBIRD PROJECT MANAGER