The Winter CWAC count took place on Sunday 29th July 2007. The weather was far from pleasant, it was a cold and windy morning and not conducive to good birding. Despite the weather there was still a good turn out of participants who met at the Marievale Bird Sanctuary.  From there we formed our teams and departed for our different counting sections.  Counting started around 07:30.

Here are some brief highlights for the count:

All the sites showed an overall increased count compared with last winter. Total birds counted were 4 608 compared with 2 692 last winter. Marievale Bird Sanctuary increased from 1 555 last winter to 2 379 this count. A steady increase in the population at the Grootvaly Wetland Reserve since 2003 is attributed to the management of the reed encroachment which has resulted in the improved bird habitat in that area of the wetland: In 2003, 119 birds were counted, 2004: 190, 2005: 144, 2006: 277 and 2007: 541. At all sites Spurwing Geese numbers were again low with 154 this winter and 102 last winter. Ten duck species were present, a total of 928 compared with 534 last winter. Two African Black Duck and five South African Shelduck were recorded as well. Excluded from the count were 3 exotic / rare / vagrant / escapees / call them what you like ducks: a male Manderin at the Grootvaly wetland reserve, a male Red-crested Pochard and a male Ring Teal at Marievale. Red-knobbed Coot numbers remained fairly low - 747 compared to last winter's 402. This is way below most of the previous winters when numbers of between 1 000 and 2 000 were recorded. No Little Bittern were recorded this winter. A flock of 109 Greater Flamingo were present at Marievale. Four African Marsh Harriers were present. No Marsh Owls were recorded.

As in the past, the success of the Blesbokspruit CWAC counts was made possible by the dedication and commitment of the members of bird clubs. Clubs that helped this time round included President Ridge and Cuckoo Bird Clubs who despite the weather conditions turned out to get the job done. Other participants were members of the Springs Nigel Branch of WESSA , Ann de Jager and her group of helpers at Grootvaly on Blesbok site and a few of my "Birding Buddies". To all of you my grateful thanks.

The Summer Count will take place on 13th January 2008.

Stan Madden

18 Rudd Road , Dunnottar, 1496

Tel/fax 011 734 3661