Projects of the Avian Demography Unit

CWAC - Coordinated Waterbirds Counts

Report on Summer 2001 CWAC at Blesbokspruit

Stan Madden

The CWAC summer count for the Blesbokspruit Sites took place on Sunday 28 January 2001. The following is a brief report of the count which includes Marievale Bird Sanctuary.

Most of the people assisting with the count met in the Picnic Area at the Marievale Bird Sanctuary at 06.00, the count started at 06.30 and finished at 10.30. As has become the custom after the count, every one returned to the Picnic area for the Social bring and braai brunch. Over 65 people took part in the count. The Bird clubs were well represented; there were 24 members from the President Ridge Club and at least 11 members from the Cuckoo Bird Club, and as always members of the Springs-Nigel Branch of WESSA gave their invalueable service. I wish to thank everyone who helped make the occasion the success that it was.

A few highlights of the count: This was the largest summer total count since CWAC began in January 1993, 5701 birds were recorded in the six sites of which 3077 were in the Marievale Bird Sanctuary; the total species recorded for CWAC requirements at Marievale was also the highest at 65. The biggest news on this particular day was the first recorded presence of a Buffbreasted Sandpiper at Marievale, the bird was seen for the first time the day before by Richard Monteniero and Paul Wood and was seen on this day by a good few of the CWACers. Another two of Marievale's specials were also recorded - two Blacktailed Godwits and two Slaty Egrets.

14 species of herons (Ardeidae) were recorded of which 13 were at Marievale, 110 Squacco (84 Marievale), 40 Black Egret (20 Marievale), 120 Little Egret (53 Marievale), 13 Goliath Heron (8 Marievale). 4 Little Bittern at Marievale.

One of the most interesting records of the day for me was the return to Marievale of a species long absent from the area, 8 Yellowbilled Stork; this is the first record for this species in the Blesbokspruit CWAC counts since January 1983. 31 Greater Flamingo were present on a site north of Marievale, with only 1 recorded at Marievale itself. There were 13 species of duck of which 11 were recorded at Marievale, the largest population were Yellowbill (total 413 with 354 at Marievale). An uncommon duck for the area was South African Shelduck, with 5 at Marievale and 9 at Noord Pan.

Other interesting records.

• 1 African Jacana at Marievale;
• 1 African Marsh Harrier and 1 European Marsh Harrier recorded at Marievale.
• 21 Yellow wagtails were recorded, 20 of these at Marievale. On the previous day, Paul Wood had counted 40.
• 2 Giant Kingfishers were recorded at the private owners site known as 'Grootvaly on Blesbok', this is a new species for the Blesbokspruit.

Noteworthy species present on that day but not required for CWAC purposes were the following: about 200 Blackwinged Pratincole, 4 Temminck's Courser, 2 White Stork, 3 Abdim's Stork, 1 Lanner Falcon, 3 Montagu's Harrier (2 female, 1 male).

I would again express my thanks to all who help me to co ordinate this important count and I hope to see as many out there for the next CWAC, which will take place on Sunday 22 July 2001 starting at 07.30.