Consider the European Roller, a stunning Afro-palearctic migrant embarking on an extraordinary journey spanning over 10,000km annually to southern Africa from November to March. Despite their global classification as Least Concerned, they are regionally listed as Near Threatened, with populations declining since the 1970s with records of local and national extinctions throughout Europe.

The species also is recognised under Appendices I and II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and included in Category A of the African Eurasian Migratory Landbird Action Plan (AEMLAP) Species List. Under the Strategic Plan for Migratory Species 2015-2023, a Flyway Action Plan for the European Roller was adopted in 2017, covering all range states across Africa, Asia, and Europe. The European Roller is also one of the flagship species for monitoring under the EAFI.

This comprehensive plan outlines critical conservation and research actions necessary to safeguard the European Roller throughout its range. Key actions include (1) investigating the habitat requirements of this species and the migration route it uses to reach its wintering grounds, as well as (2) conserving and managing the existing habitat it utilises.

South Africa was identified as a key country along the migration route. While much of the research and conservation work on European Rollers has traditionally focused on their breeding grounds in Europe, expanding our monitoring and tracking efforts to southern Africa will deepen our understanding of their overwintering behaviour and potential threats, thereby ensuring our protection efforts include all of their life stages.

Two subspecies are recognised and occur within its overwintering sites in southern Africa, namely C. g. garrulus (from the Western Palearctic) and the C. g. semenowi (from western and central Asia), although C.g. semenowi is the dominant species. It is thought that the population from Asia, considered the dominant subspecies within the region, may not be declining at such a fast rate, but without monitoring data, this can’t be confirmed.

The main aims of this project are to: 1) gain a better understanding of the migration of European Rollers; 2) identify key stop-over sites utilised by European Rollers from within their overwintering sites, which may be used to secure additional key habitat for this species and to understand some of the threats faced at these key sites; 3) understand their habitat preference within South Africa, to ensure these sites are well protected for this life-stage of the species; 4) implement a long-term monitoring project at key sites within South Africa (and beyond) and 5) use the European Roller as a flagship species for the support of flyway-wide conservation.

The project, with support from the RSPB, was established in December 2022 in the Kruger National Park and two private nature reserves in KwaZulu Natal. Since then, the project has expanded to include several additional reserves across South Africa. Data is collected by citizen scientists, reserve staff and BirdLife South Africa staff during the period of peak abundance of European Rollers in South Africa.

Monitoring Migration

As of March 2024, two individuals were tagged with tiny, solar-powered satellite trackers to expand our understanding of their migratory routes. The birds were also ringed with unique colour rings.The tags weigh a mere 3.2g, to ensure that we don’t interfere with their migration and mating success.

In the coming season, we will aim to deploy 4 more tags and ring 48 additional individuals so that we get a complete picture of their migration route, key stopover sites and the threats that they face.

Help us deploy more satellite tags!

One Lotek Sunbird tracker costs R47 000 / $2 500

Data fees per month is estimated to cost R1 300 / $70 per tracker

Created using the Donation Thermometer plugin https://wordpress.org/plugins/donation-thermometer/.R407,000Raised R198,000 towards the R407,000 target.R198,000Raised R198,000 towards the R407,000 target.49%

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Monitoring Reports

Report 2024
Report 2023
Report 2022

FAQs

Why are we studying European Rollers?

Global migratory bird populations are in decline. The European Roller is one such bird. In just 15 years, the population has declined by more than 30%, with records of local and national extinctions throughout Europe.

The charismatic, well-liked, European Roller acts as a flagship species for migratory birds. Advocating for the protection of this species, will indirectly benefit other species too.

Why do we need to tag more individuals?

Statistically, we need the data of 6 individuals, who have completed 2 migration cycles (i.e. fly back and forth to their breeding grounds, twice).

Why? We need enough movement data to make any sort of deductions for research purposes.

There are many risks involved in tagging birds, as you’ve seen with Royal Wasi, sometimes technology fails us, or the bird dies.

How can I get involved?

  1. If you live on a farm/game reserve or drive a public road often where European Rollers are known to occur – join our monitoring project.
  2. Share our posts, help us raise awareness about migratory birds and what we’re trying to do to help protect them and their habitats.
  3. Donate towards the cause or start your own fundraising campaign.

Every bit counts!

Why do we need to ring individuals?

Statistically we need to ring 50 individuals. Ringing birds is a cheaper method of researching bird migration than fitting satellite tags.

By recapturing a bird with a ring or finding a ring from a deceased bird, scientists can see where that bird has been. This helps them map migration routes and identify important stopover and wintering areas for different species.

Bird Migration Updates

Click on the date to get an update on the migration

Breeding Behaviour Series Part 1
Breeding Behaviour Series Part 2
12 June 2024
Hera is currently flying between Uzbekistan 🇺🇿, Tajikistan 🇹🇯 and the border of Afghanistan 🇦🇫. Why? We suspect she’s looking for the ideal breeding site. Partners in Uzbekistan shared the following: all of Hera’s travelling routes are along the Surkhandarya River and along the arid foothills (local name «adyr») of the Babatag, Kugitang and Baisuntau ranges. These are clay hills with sparse vegetation and shrubs. There are many clay cliffs in these areas, formed by soil erosion. Rollers, Bee-eaters, Passers and Mynas nest there.
15 May 2024
While most of us were in bed this morning, Hera, after spending a week in Afghanistan 🇦🇫, crossed into southern Uzbekistan 🇺🇿.
As seen in the satellite imagery, Hera’s journey is full of challenges. Imagine having to navigate through extremely transformed landscapes to find an insect or two, water or a place to rest. Safeguarding these sites along her migration route is vital for her survival.
The solution: satellite tags like Hera’s are the only way to track their migration routes and identify these critical stopover sites.
By supporting our goal of deploying more satellite tags, you’re helping protect these migration corridors. Every bit counts!
08 March 2024
A first in southern Africa: two European Rollers fitted with satellite tags!
This momentous moment will help us track their migration and understand the threats that they and other migratory birds face.
A big thank you to the following for making this happen: Future For Nature, Sabi Sabi Foundation, Marc Solomon, our master bird ringer Craig Nattrass, all the guides at Royal Malewane, the Royal Portfolio Foundation and Thornybush Nature Reserve.
We would like to thank the following donors for their support:
Future for Nature Foundation, Sabi Sabi Foundation, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Ecological Restoration Fund and Marc Solomon.