COORDINATED AVIFAUNAL ROAD COUNTS (CAR)

Summer 2008 count

I am sitting in my study in Villiersdorp as I write this report, there is often the sound of leiwater running outside and of course bird song. I am delighting in living in a small town again with a beautiful river at the bottom of the garden and a farm on the other side. However, we do face the challenges and surprises of renovating one of the oldest Victorian cottages in the dorp and an over-grown garden! I am at UCT on Tuesday afternoon, all of Wednesday and usually part of Thursday morning. I do check for phone messages left at UCT from Villiersdorp, so if you leave your number I will return your call. Emails will come through to me as we do have an ADSL line here.

A big thank you!

The summer count went so smoothly that friends who usually accompany me asked if we were the only ones counting, as my cell phone was so silent! Thank you so much for sending your forms in promptly. It has really made a huge difference that all the Overberg observers remembered to post their forms to Inés and Duncan Cooke, who have taken over coordinating this precinct from me. I am sorry most of the acknowledgements of forms have been a bit late too, due to time pressures, especially as I took two weeks off in February while packing and moving.

Denise Lesch has made excellent progress with the capture of all the data and I am grateful to her for methodically working through the many roadcount forms. The CAR database now contains over 7000 roadcounts!

Thank you for the lengths that you go to in order to complete your counts. I think we had the record detour to complete a route this last count, when Des and Ann Des Brulais and Neil Champion came across a fallen tree blocking MS02 and made a 109.6 km detour to get to the other side to continue counting!

Count highlights

The summer count took place on the 26 January 2008. I think one always sees something new when outdoors is this country of such biodiversity; South Africa is the third most biodiverse country in the world! But there are always some more unusual sightings and adventures, which is not surprising since about 800 people are out on minor roads for any one CAR count.

The mud on the De Berg road (MS05) proved too much for Gertrude, a venerable old landy! Photo by: John Meiring

I think Gertrude, a respected and dignified landrover, had the most embarrassing adventure on extremely muddy roads in the Steenkampsberg precinct. The photo alongside shows her predicament - fortunately she was rescued without any damage to herself or those who own her! I am assured by David Gaynor, the Precinct Organiser, that all is well, and that Gertrude is no worse, but much wiser for her experience, and has completely recovered from the affront to both her person and her dignity!

In the Overberg exceptional early summer rains followed by fairly regular rain meant that there was more lucerne than usual and with re-growth the Overberg looked much greener than I have seen it in previous summers. There were consequently no feeding stations for livestock, points where Blue Cranes quite often usually gather in summer. On our route, OV29, we noticed a significant increase in irrigated maize cultivation and Inés Cooke remarked on the increase in maize seen on a previous trip down from George. On returning from their count they also had a vehicle mishap when they had a flat tyre, fortunately fairly close to home, as the spare tyre of a brand new car didn't fit! So having left home at 530 am, they only reached home at 7 pm! Thank you to Duncan and Inés Cooke for the following report on the Overberg count:

The weather, that all-dominating feature, turned out to be generally satisfactory to good for the day's activities, although it was very hot in places and in some areas very windy. Recent rains had produced lush conditions with very green pastures, and generally full dams. Some farmers had not put out feed so the social gatherings of Blue Cranes at the usual feed-lot 'restaurants' were not a feature of the day.

Because of flood damage and related road-works, many of our teams had to make detours and modify their route plans. However, this did not deter even the intrepid adventurers, Keith and Michele Moodie, who did their usual 75 km route on bicycles. Congrats to you both for the fortitude; who knows, others might choose to emulate you as the fuel costs soar!

One other thing that was noted, and that might well be seasonal weather related, was that unusually high numbers of Blue Crane chicks were recorded on many of the routes.

A source of concern was that there was a great deal of orange baling string seen littering the veld/pastures on many routes. In fact on Ken Price's route, one Crane was seen to have the orange string wound around both feet.

Most routes reported fewer than usual, or no White Storks; the number recorded on OV09 was 61; on OV14 (near Swellendam) it was 80; on OV10 (near Napier) 278 were seen; OV06 recorded 349, while the cherry on the top was OV07 (near Protem…and the Silos, of course!) with 437!!

As always, birds provide the unexpected and interesting: One European Roller was seen near Bredasdorp. Two routes saw Cape Vultures, with one of the group feeding on sheep carcasses. Great that the farmers concerned keep up the practice of feeding their dead livestock to the Potberg Vultures. Some 60 Pelicans, over 100 Spur-winged Geese and sundry other waterfowl were seen on a vlei that has never before been recorded as hosting these birds.

Reports were received of several sightings of Bat-eared Foxes, and Black Harriers were seen on several routes. But, to crown it all, one Blue Crane was seen standing on the back of an Ostrich!!! Beat that for a Circus Act!

As this was our first CAR Count as Donella's 'Overberg Support Team' we would like to say a big thank-you to the group that do the routes. It has been so pleasant and encouraging to engage with you all and make new friends, or renew long standing friendships of yesteryear. We look forward to many CAR Counts together.

It was a very hot day in the Swartland, Sean and Louise Tucker actually saw a pair of Blue Cranes wading in water. Brigid de Kock remarked on the increase in vineyards on SW07. Both Brigid and Philbert Melck noted the absence of Spur-winged Geese on their routes, SW07 and SW04 respectively.

Justine Sharples checking the 'chasm' in their route, WU06, caused by floods at the end of last year. Photo by: Natalie Baker

Those counting in the Uniondale precinct had a complete contrast to the winter count - sweltering conditions compared to the freezing cold of winter with snow on mountain tops. Jonas Witbooi and his team saw 120 Blue Cranes on their route, WU02. Natalie Baker and Justine Sharples found the last 2 km of their route, WU06, washed away at the Keurbooms crossing due to the heavy rain in the area at the end of last year (see photo). Mike Euston-Brown, who always writes an interesting report with his count, noted that there were new dams as a result of the rains and a large road-side warning sign: FLOOD DAMAGE! However, fortunately all the river crossings had been repaired. Despite green veld there were surprisingly few birds. I was glad to see that Koos Maya ,Kerry Hampson and Alistair Petersen had thirteen children from Deneprag Primary School accompany them on WU07.

On WK04 Laurel Bloch and her team noted that 10 kms into the route about 10 ha of fynbos/renosterveld had been cleared in preparation for other farming activity. They also saw saw two African wild cat, alive this time, on nature reserve land.

There were very few White Storks in KwaZulu-Natal this last summer. The grass was tall in the East-Griqualand and Underberg precincts following good summer rains. Two route leaders remarked on the absence of Grey Crowned Cranes in East-Griqualand. Pat and Bruce Whittle were unable to cross the wetland on the Dorning's farm due to too much water and vegetation, so had to turn back after 2.7 km and continue counting on the other side. In contrast, Alan Geldart remarked on the dry conditions on KG08. I checked the CAR database and Bob Williams was correct in thinking that this was the first time that he had seen a Wattled Crane on his route, KG04, but it was with a Blue Crane. Chris Thomas recorded 49 Southern Bald Ibis on KU01, a route on which this threatened species is regularly sighted. Over 50 White Storks were seen on each of the two Underberg routes.

Shirley Bennett remarked on the lack of birds in the Midlands, for no obvious reason. Pam Nicol thought the reason may be that much of the ground was very burnt in winter fires therefore very little insect food was available. Changes in land use were noted on sections of three Midlands routes.

I am delighted that Annemarie Röhrs, who initiated the Escourt routes in 1998 has been able to take over KE01, that Rose Laatz counted until the roads deteriorated so much that it was difficult for a normal car. Annemarie is now teaching at St Gregory's School, where Rose taught previously, so it is wonderful that this school can continue it's involvement in CAR. They had the excitement of seeing three Southern Ground Hornbills cross the road, when they took a wrong turning off their route.

The Wilge River crossing on GB02 on 26 January 2008! Photo by: Francois Wolfaardt

This was the tenth count in the Gauteng province! I am very glad to see that these routes are regularly counted by the same people each time. It is most encouraging to see this commitment in an area where the diversity of large terrestrial birds is very low and there are so few birds on routes. Land transformation has been extensive in Gauteng and the urban sprawl continues to spread. Peter Huggins saw one Secretarybird on GB03, the only additional CAR species in the province other than Helmeted Guineafowl, Black-headed Heron, Northern Black Korhaan and Spur-winged Goose. John and Moira Randell saw about 1000 Black-winged Pratincoles on their route GC05. On Diane Rose's route, GD03, the potholes were really large and extensive in a tarred section outside Devon. Diane wrote that one pothole was so big you could probably bury a donkey in it standing up!

In the Eastern Cape Ken and Gertie Griffiths saw a pair of majestic Crowned Eagles and three ravens at Witches Krantz on EB01, and thought that this perhaps explains why there is no longer a heronry or signs of other breeding there. Graham Winch saw a Maccoa Duck male on a dam on EB03, which is a rarity for area. Des and Martie Schroeder, who used to count ES10 but have now moved, contacted me in January regarding setting up a new route near Lady Grey. They had noticed many Spur-winged Geese on a particular dam en route to Aliwal North, before the lucerne was baled. When I checked on google earth at the time, it was surprising what an extensive area was under lucerne.

John Potter wrote that this was Tim Cockcroft's last CAR count on EK04, as he is a founding member of the route and will be sorely missed. Pat Hulley noted that the salt pan at the end of their route, EG02, was full of water for only the second time since they started this route in 1998. On both occasions there has been a pair of Blue Cranes on this pan.

It seems that game reserves/farms continue to increase in the Eastern Cape, as Laurie Wood, Jenny Roxburgh and Bee Brown saw four lions, bontebok, zebra, giraffe, impala, wildebeest and bushbuck on their route EK05 for the first time and Bo Bonnevie noted that the last 19.2 km of their route, EG03, is all game reserve now which means that almost their entire route is now in reserve! On EQ02 Don Field and Fin Weakley didn't see or hear Blue Korhaan, a species that has been recorded on all previous counts except in summer 2000. White Stork numbers were low in this province, with 37 being the highest total recorded by Adéle Moore on EE02. Alison Drewnicki and Morven and Fiona Munro remarked on the lush veld and tall grass after fantastic rains, so korhaans would have been invisible on ES03.

Yvonne Craig managed to gather enough birders to cover all four Humansdorp routes, even though three couples who usually count were away. In her report Yvonne wrote 'EH05 found that birds were few and far between along the 10 to 20 km section as the road was under construction with huge piles of gravel covering one half of the road. They also had construction vehicles to contend with as they plied up and down creating an enormous amount of dust. No bustards were seen along this section possibly as a result of the noise and dusty conditions. The observers were covered in dust at each stop, endured a plague of miggies, and a water cart caught them unawares and sprayed them with water. All in a day's fun!!!'

In the Chrissiesmeer precinct in Mpumalanga conditions were very wet and the grass tall following heavy rains in the weeks prior to the count. In a report in the Wits Bird Club newsletter, Bokmakierie, Barbi Forsyth wrote that "the grass was very long in places, which may account for the lack of korhaans and the low numbers of Guineafowl. They were probably there, but could easily have sneaked away without being spotted. However, the height of the grass cannot account for the exceptionally low numbers of White Storks. This summer yielded the lowest species count during the four summers we have been counting in Chrissiesmeer, but the numbers of Bald Ibis were pleasing."

Brian and Sheila Taylor have been stalwarts counting the only surviving Middelburg route and are now leaving. However I am delighted that Billy Smith, Chairperson of Middelburg Bird Club, will continue counting this route as this area has seen a significant increase in mining activity, as have other areas in Mpumalanga. The extent of mining was obvious on their roadcount form as 'mining' was noted as the 'relevant feature nearby'! It is very important to monitor bird species in areas such as these where there is change in land use.

The water nearly flowed into David Gaynor's "wellies" when he checked this water hazard for potholes on MS01. Photo by: David Gaynor (Helen was driving!)

In the Steenkampsberg precinct there had been much rain for three weeks prior to the count and the roads were in very bad condition, so MS04 and MS05 could not be completed. David and Helen Gaynor saw 40 Southern Bald Ibis on MS01 and Jim McLuskie saw 24 White Storks in a flooded mown field on MS09.

Roads were also bad due to continuous rain in the Standerton precinct and the grass was therefore also very tall. Colin Williams noted that the lower Swainson's Spurfowl numbers on MT01 were probably due to the very tall grass. On MT03 Dries and Bonita Schoeman wrote that they would not have seen the two Northern Black Korhaan and Blue Korhaan if it were not that they were flushed by dogs.

I am relieved that for the first time in a long time the Wakkerstroom count went smoothly, altogether 446 birds were recorded, of which the majority (193) were Southern Bald Ibis! I am sure you are all aware that this area with wonderful grasslands and wetlands is also under threat from mining.

Elton le Roux, Beverley le Roux, Lize Wolfaardt and Albert Bredehann who counted NA01 in the Augrabies Falls National Park Photo by: camera on timer!

The Karoo Large Terrestrial Bird Survey went well in the Eastern Karoo. Fritz Bättenhaussen saw the highest total of Blue Cranes (183) on NK061. Very few White Storks were seen in this region. Elton le Roux and his team (see photo) saw a Kori Bustard flying on the new route in the Augrabies Falls National Park. This species is the world's largest bustard and one of the world's heaviest flying birds with a wingspan of 2.2-.2.5 m - this must have been an amazing sight.

The first batch of Free State forms are about to arrive, as Brian Colahan, who gathers in and checks about a hundred Free State routes, emailed me about their postage.

Funding

The ongoing search for funding for CAR continues. We are relieved to have just heard that the South African National Biodiversity Institute's (SANBI) will provide core funding for CAR for another year. Thankfully the African Bird Club Conservation Award has agreed to make an exception and donate funding to CAR for a further year. Funding from the Darwin Initiative project 15/002 and from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund will also continue this year. Thank you to those of you who support CAR with individual donations, these do help enormously in the day to day running of the project as there is still a shortfall in the budget. Funding for publication of the booklet and poster that are part of the Big Birds on Farms project still needs to be sourced. This is now extremely urgent as we are at the editing stage. James Harrison has completed first drafts of the text and is now implementing comments. If you have any suggestions do please contact me. James and I would like to thank members of the CAR Working Group and others who have commented on the summary chapter for the booklet. I am sending the draft species accounts out shortly for comment.

CAR 2008

This is the last year of the Big Birds on Farms project that has been supported by the Critical Ecosytem Partnership Fund. This funding has enabled us to take CAR a significant step further. The benefits of this project will certainly be felt beyond the Cape Floristic Region. This year we are focusing on communicating the results to landowners, agricultural and conservation extension staff. I am arranging workshops and public presentations in the region in the next few months. We are also keen to gather responses from landowners when the booklet and poster are distributed. I am planning to attend the Agri Megaweek in Bredasdorp again in August.

In September I hope to present the CAR project and results at the Pan-African Ornithological Conference near Worcester. I am very aware that without your consistent counting this project would not exist.

We hope that the lengthy permit process for the blood samples for the conservation genetics research on the Blue Crane will finally come together so that analyses of these samples can begin this year. One advantage of the delay is that Kate Meares, of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, has just had a paper accepted for the Conservation Genetics journal, concerning the microsatellites of the Blue Crane isolated during her Masters studies. Renee Bellinger, of Oregon University, who plans to analyse these samples, will therefore find her task facilitated.

Do remember to keep an eye on crane legs for colour-rings at all times of year! We can learn so much from ring re-sightings about movement patterns and life history.

We are certainly concerned about the effects of the regular increases in the petrol price and are extremely grateful to you for bearing these costs in order to gather this important monitoring information. It would be impossible to gather sightings over more than 19 000 km twice a year without your generous individual contributions. Thank you so much for your huge contribution to this conservation project.

Kind regards to you all,

Donella Young
(CAR Project Coordinator)