PRESS RELEASE -- 3 September 2003

Big birds on farms - CAR project tracks the changes

Imagine driving 18 000 km along bumpy, country roads, stopping every 2 km, to count cranes, bustards, storks and other large terrestrial birds within six provinces! This is only possible due to the combined efforts of over 750 bird-watchers (farmers, bird club members, nature conservationists and some schools) who climb into their cars on the last Saturday of January and July to count these big birds, along 330 fixed routes, through agricultural areas. The CAR (Coordinated Avifaunal Roadcounts) project, coordinated by the Avian Demography Unit, of the University of Cape Town, monitors trends in populations and habitat use of over 20 species, including 14 Red Data species. A 200-page report summarising the information collected over the last eight years has just been published. About half of the routes are counted by farmers, and the report has been dedicated to farmers and farm workers because they carry the responsibility for conserving biodiversity on the land. Most large terrestrial birds have huge ranges and are not adequately conserved within protected areas.

The report provides landowners in each region with advice on how to promote the conservation of these magnificent birds on their lands. In summary 10 points are given to guide landowners in their conservation actions:

1. Adopt mixed farming strategies. CAR shows that large terrestrial birds do better in areas of mixed farming than where there is intensive cultivation of a single crop.

2. Use poisons responsibly. The responsible use of agro-chemicals is absolutely essential for large terrestrial birds to flourish on farms.

3. Monitor overhead cables and other dangerous structures. For example, those cables which kill birds regularly can be marked, and a few bricks placed in a drinking trough allows crane chicks to clamber out without drowning.

4. Protect natural veld. Large terrestrial birds roam across vast tracts of land, and there will never be enough protected areas to conserve them effectively. Landowners play a vital role in filling gaps and complementing formal nature conservation efforts.

5. Create habitat corridors. The value of patches of natural veld is greatly enhanced if they are interconnected by corridors. Landowners can do this along watercourses and ridges and alongside roads. At least 50 m is the target width.

6. Protect wetlands. Cranes depend on shallow, vegetated wetlands that are unpolluted and not excessively disturbed by livestock or fire. Landowners should value wetlands and their fringing habitats as special assets to be carefully conserved, not only for their biodiversity but also for their services in regulating natural drainage and improving water quality.

7. Protect breeding sites. Ground-nesting birds, especially large species, are particularly at risk while breeding. The young birds are exceptionally vulnerable in the weeks before they can fly. Try to eliminate disturbance by people, by dogs and cats, and prevent trampling by livestock.

8. Control dogs and cats. Uncontrolled dogs and cats have a huge negative impact on large terrestrial birds - and many other creatures.

9. Educate farm workers. These are the people who most frequently encounter wildlife on farms, and who have the potential to make or break conservation effectiveness. Two examples: workers should be trained to remove all pieces of baling twine from fields, so that entanglement with the legs of cranes can be eliminated; workers should be trained in the responsible use of poisons, both for their own health and safety, and to prevent bird poisoning incidents.

10. Collaborate with others. The good done on one farm can be undone by the neighbours. CAR results demonstrate the benefits of several farmers forming a conservancy to promote sound conservation practice on a number of neighbouring farms. Collaborate with experts to improve conservation strategies.

The report also includes detailed accounts for 15 bird species and for 17 geographical regions (precincts). The report has been a team effort involving species specialists, Precinct Organisers, farmers and members of 64 governmental and non-governmental organisations including bird clubs, Nature Conservation and schools. The Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, Environment and Conservation and the Free State Department of Tourism, Environment and Economic Affairs, as well as the Overberg Crane Group and the South African Crane Working Group have played significant roles. The Avian Demography Unit has run CAR with core funding from BirdLife SA and the Tony & Lisette Lewis Foundation SA. Mazda Wildlife has sponsored a copy of the report for each route. However, there is real uncertainty about future funding for the project.

Ongoing monitoring of threatened species is important and in the Overberg , where the project has been running for 10 years, there are encouraging results that are shown in the figure, with a gradual increase in the population of Blue Cranes. The Overberg Crane Group has been effective in this area, working with the farming community to conserve the Blue Crane, our national bird.

Big birds on farms: the Mazda CAR report 1993-2001