Bulletin of the African Bird Club

2004·6.5 MB·English

by  African Bird Club

( Lv-LvO 2—
Bulletin of the African Bird Club Vol 11 No 2 August 2004
Conservation of
Prince Ruspoli's
Turaco
Nubian Nightjar
taxonomy
Preliminary survey
of the birds of Pic
de Fon, Guinea
Brown-necked
Parrot diet
Hybridisation
between White-
cheeked and
Prince Ruspoli's
Turaco
Rameron Pigeons
drinking and
bathing
Yellow-browed
Warbler in Senegal
Gabela Akalat
Unusual nests of
Sao Tome Weaver
X
ISSN 1352-481XISSN 1352-481
African Bird Club
The African Bird Club aims to: ABC Council
John Armitage, Phil Atkinson (Chairman), Keith Betton (Vice-
provide a worldwide focus for African ornithology Chairman), Flip Bruce-Lockhart (Secretary), John Caddick
encourage an interest in the conservation ofthe birds (Treasurer), Elaine Cook, Moira Hargreaves, Roy Hargreaves, A1
ofthe region Henderson, Steve Jones, Bill Quantrill, Claire Spottiswoode, Toby
Tebbit, Hazell Thompson, Steph Tyler and Richard Webb.
liaise with and promote the work ofexisting regional President: Martin Woodcock.
societies
Bulletin Editorial Board
publish a twice-yearly colour bulletin Chairman ofthe Board: Keith Betton
Managing Editor: Guy Kirwan
encourage observers to visit lesser known areas ofthe
Assistant Editor: Ron Demey
region
David Allan, Mark Andrews, Phil Atkinson, Chris Bowden, Callan
encourage observers to actively search for globally Cohen, Lincoln Fishpool, Peter Lack, Jeremy Lindsell, Rodney
Martins, Roger Safford, StephTylerand RichardWebb
threatened and near-threatened species
run the ABC Conservation Programme ABC Membership
Membership is open to all. Annual subscription rates are:
Registered Charity No 1053920 Individual Europe & Africa: UK£18 RestoftheWorld: UKL20
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Supporting UK£30 minimum
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ABC particularly wishes to thank its Corporate To join or for further details please visit the ABC web site (where
Sponsors for their invaluable financial support in 2004: there are secure on-—line payment facilities) or write to the
Membership Secretary see contact information below.
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Contact
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Further information can be obtained directly from individual Council members by writing to them at the Club’s postal
address, or by e-mail as follows:
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Conservation Officer Steph Tyler [email protected]
Information Officer Keith Betton [email protected]
Membership Secretary Bill Quantrill [email protected]
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The Bulletin of the African Bird Club
The Bulletin ofthe ABC provides a forum for news, letters, material should, however, be submitted simultaneously to the
notices, recent publications, expedition results, reviews and Bulletin oftheABCand to any other publication.
interim publication ofstudies on African birds by contribu-
tors from throughout the world. Publication ofresults in the Briefnotes for contributors appear elsewhere in this Bulletin
Bulletin of the ABC does not preclude publication of final and further details are available from the Editor
results as journal papers either by the ABC or elsewhere. No ([email protected]).
©2004 CopyrightAfrican Bird Club and contributors. Quotationsshouldcarrya fullacknowledgement. No part etc maybe
reproduced, copied orstored in a retrievalsystem without the priorwritten permission oftheCluborauthors.
J
Contents
Bull ABC Vol 11 No 2
News & Comment
Features
90 Club News 104 A reassessment of the conservation status of Prince
Compiled by PhilAtkinson Ruspoli’s Turaco Tauraco ruspolii
91 Minutes of the Tenth AGM Luca Borghesio, Fabio Giannetti, Kariuki Ndanganga, Anteneh
Shimelis, Andrea Borghesio, Daniele Rizzo andKetema Fufa
92 Summary statement of
112 Does hybridisation with White-cheeked Turaco
accounts
Tauraco ieucotis represent a threat for Prince Ruspoli’s
93 Africa Round-up Turaco T. ruspolii?
Compiled by Ron Demey Jean-Marc LernouldandRolandSeitre
101 ABC Conservation Fund 117 Some remarks on the taxonomy of Nubian Nightjar
Caprimulgus nubicus, with particular reference to
160 Advertising Rates
C. n. jonesi Ogilvie-Grant & Forbes, 1899
161 Reviews Guy M. Kirwan
168 Recent Reports 126 The birds of Pic de Fon Forest Reserve, Guinea:
Compiled by Ron Demey a preliminary survey
Ron Demey andHugo Rainey
183 Letter to the Editor J.
139 On the importance of the forest tree Parinari exceisa in the
184 Notes for Contributors
diet of Brown-necked Parrots Poicephalus robustus in
Malawi-Zambia
Frangoise Dowsett-Lemaire
Front cover plate
Prince Ruspoli's Turaco 142 Unusual nests of Sao Tome Weaver Ploceus sanctithomae
Tauraco ruspolii Ben Fisher
byJohn Gale 144 Rameron Pigeons Columba arquatrix drinking and bathing
Giles Mulholland
Illustrations 147 Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus in Senegal in
MarkAndrews and Craig Robson December 2003
Richard Cruse
149 Little-known African bird: Gabela Akalat, Angola’s long-
Photographs neglected Gabelatrix
Simon Aspinall,Luca Borghesio, MichaelMills, Callan Cohen and Claire Spottiswoode
Gideon Climo, Callan Cohen,
Marc Guyt, Shannon Kenney, Guy 152 Birding western Angola
M. Kirwan, Jean-Marc Ian Sinclair, Claire Spottiswoode, Callan Cohen, MichaelMills,
Rodney Cassidy, Pedro vaz Pinto andPeter Ryan
Lernould,Giles Mulholland,
Hugo Rainey, RolandSeitre,
J.
Adrian Skerrett, Per Smitterberg
and Claire Spottiswoode. THE NATURAL
I
HISTORY MUSEtA
m
2 4 2004
PURCHASED
—
T—RINC r'-' j
!
-• - ' L',.
BullABC Vol 11 No2 (2004) -89
Club News
ABC AGM 2005 Buy books and CDs from The ABC website lists all the
The 2005 London meeting and WildSounds and support ABC major African bird titles and pro-
AGM
will be held on Saturday 5 WildSounds, our official bookseller, vides reviews and advice for those
March, at the Association ofBritish has recently updated its website to who are unsure as to which guide is
Travel Agents (ABTA) offices, 68-71 include online ordering and new the best to use in the different
Newman Street, London WIT innovations such as usability icons. regions.
3AH. The nearest Underground sta- ABC is part oftheir Commission for
tions are Goodge Street, Oxford Conservation scheme under which a Tanzania Waterbird count,
January 2005
Circus andTottenham Court Road. proportion ofeach sale is donated to
Details ofthe speakers, the AGM the Conservation Fund. This is a A countrywide waterbird count is
programme and confirmation of new innovation for the Club and we planned forTanzania in January
venue will be posted to members in would like to thankWildSounds for 2005 covering areas counted in
early 2005. In order to save on the their continuing support. We ask 1995. The count is organised by the
considerable postage costs involved, members to use the scheme when Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute
Council proposes to send the AGM ordering books. To access the in conjunction with the BirdLife
programme only to UK-based mem- scheme you can either link through partner, the Wildlife Conservation
bers. The minutes ofthe AGM are the ABC website (there is a link on Society ofTanzania (WCST),
published in the following Bulletin. the front page) and thereafter that Tanzania National Parks and
Overseas members who wish to you accessed through the Club site Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
receive the AGM agenda should will be logged. Alternatively, you can These organisations are inviting
WCST
notify the Club Secretary via secre- accessdirecdyviawww.wildsounds.co.uk overseas participation. will
[email protected]. /index.htm?ref=ABC. When you take the lead in counting coastal
view the contents ofyour shopping areas between the Kenya and
Update to the Bird Recorders list trolley you will see the Commission Mozambique borders. Volunteers
The new Recorder for Namibia is as for Conservation scheme and ABC will be afforded free access to parks
follows: Tim Osborne, Tandala being mentioned. WildSounds offers and reserves, but will have to make a
Ridge Wildlife Lodge, PO Box 22, a competitive service with post-free small contribution to vehicle costs
Okaukuejo via Outjo, Namibia; e- books in the UK and is run by spe- etc. The contact at WCST is Elias
mail: [email protected]. cialists in the African birding scene. Mungaya ([email protected]).
Ifordering by phone, please men-
tion ABC as this will count as well!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Andre Brosset 1926-2004 Paul Alexander Zino 1916-2004 Selvagems, and Fea's Petrels
A great naturalist, who studied Alec Zino was a pioneer in the Pterodromafeae, on Bugio, the out-
birds and mammals (particularly study and conservation ofthe birds ermost ofthe Desertas. Perhaps
bats) on several continents. His ofMadeira, and especially ofZino's strangely, as a youth Alec Zino was
many contributions to African Petrel Pterodroma madeira, which a proficient and enthusiastic hunter,
ornithology include his studies on since its general recognition as a but underwent a sudden change to
the biology ofraptors, bulbuls, mal- separate species since the early the cause ofconservation through
imbes and the Grey-necked 1980s has been appropriately meeting Christian Jouanin and
Picathartes Picathartes oreaswhile named after him. Together with his Francois Roux in the early 1960s.
he worked at the research station at son, Frank, Alec Zino also studied [see Obituaries: Br. Birds97:
Makokou in Gabon. Trocaz Pigeon Columba trocaz, as 362-363 and Ibis 146: 575-576]
[see Obituary: Alauda 72: well as Cory's Shearwaters
165-166] Calonectris diomedea on the
,
90- BullABC Vol 11 No2(2004) Club News
Minutes of the Tenth AGM of the African Bird Club
held at the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)
68-71 Newman Street, London W1 at 13.15 hrs on 13 March 2004
Present
3. Matters Arising from the Treasurer for the last five years, with
The following registered their atten- Minutes whom it had been a joy to work.
dance at the meeting: Desmond There were no matters arising. The Chairman then welcomed the
Allen, Jono Angliss, Phil Atkinson, proposed new Council members.
Helen Baker, Neil Baker, David 4. Report of the Council for 2003
Barker, Roy Barkes, Keith Betton, In introducing the report, copies of 5. Presentation of the Accounts
Miss J. R. Binstead, Mike Blair, which had been distributed at the for 2003 and the Treasurer’s
Richard Bosanquet, Flip Bruce- meeting, the Chairman reported that Report
Lockhart, David Buchanan, John the past year had been another suc- In presenting the accounts, copies of
Caddick, Mark Catterall, Anthony cessful one for the Club. 2003 was which had been distributed at the
Cheke, Bob Cheke, Kathleen marked by the tenth year ofpublica- meeting, the Treasurer reported that
Claydon, Simon Colenutt, Chris tion ofthe Bulletin, which contin- the financial position to end
Collins, Elaine Cook, Famara ued to be well received and the December 2003 was very similar to
Drammeh, David Ebbutt, S. John Editorial Board would focus on that for the previous year: total assets
Farnsworth, David Fox, Hilary Fry, improvement rather than on change. as shown on the balance sheet were
John Gale, Neil Gartshore, Martin The website had been revamped and slightly lower. Local Payment
Gauntlett, Tony Gibbs, Andrew the Club was indebted to Claire Schemes accounted for the apparent-
Grieve, Moira Hargreaves, Roy Spottiswoode for the new design; the ly contradictory reduction in sub-
Hargreaves, Alan Harman, Richard new format had helped raise the scription income, bearing in mind
Hearn, Christopher Helm, Alastair Club’s profile, especially overseas. the small increase in membership
Henderson, Chris Hendley, Stephen Membership numbers were slightly reported by the Chairman. Higher
Jackson, R. J. Jeffers, Michael Kings, up and local payment schemes had Bulletin costs reflected the increased
Mrs P. A. Lawson, Pete Leonard, continued to be well used. Sales had number ofcolour pages, and the
Michel Louette, Stephen Lowe, generally slowed, although back Editorial Board would be examining
Duncan Macdonald, Clive Mann, issues ofthe Bulletin sold well on the cost implications ofinse—rting
Bob Medland, Andy Merritt, the website; the separate sales sheet extra colou—r pages. Gift Aid at
William Nicoll, David Porter, is distributed with this next Bulletin. UKf1,400 was a significant con-
Madeleine Prangley, Bill Quantrill, The Chairman thanked all ofthe tribution to the Club’s income. Total
Rowena Quantrill, GeoffRandall, Club’s corporate sponsors, expenditure in 2003 was slightly
Nigel Redman, Steve Rooke, David WildSounds and everyone who had lower than in 2002: the Club was
SClaalimroenS,poKtetiitshwoSeoadteo,n,ToPb.yJ.TSeeblbliart,, CroensspeornvdaetdisoongAepnpeeraolu.slIyntteroetsthein the nthoewArGeaMpinagt AthBeTAbe.neCfoitnsoefrvhaotlidoinng
Michael Thain, TonyTodd, Louise Club’s Conservation Fund continued Awards were considerably up on the
Warburton, David White, Kay to be brisk and many good-quality previous year, accounting for all of
White, Alan Williams, Barbara applications had as a result, regret- the Fund’s income, thus making it
Woodcock and Martin Woodcock. tably, been turned away: Council obvious that the Club is highly
would be seeking core funding. ABC dependent on donations and sales.
1. Apologies for Absence would again fund the Abstracts There were no questions and the
Apologies were received from: John booklet for the Pan-African accounts were approved unanimous-
Armitage, Chris Bowden, Patrick Ornithological Congress, and hoped ly-
Claffey, David Fisher, Lincoln to raise sponsorship to enable
Fishpool, John Hammick, Frazer African delegates to attend the event. 6. Election of Council
Henderson, SteveJones, Paul After paying tribute to Crowes The following were elected to the
African Bird Club Council for 2004:
Lascelles, Colin McKerrow, (printers for the Bulletin), the
John Armitage, Phil Atkinson, Keith
Aunberley Moore, Yvonne Savidge, Association ofBritish Travel Agents,
Betton, Flip Bruce-Lockhart, John
Richard Webb, Avi Wells and Geoff the Editorial Board, the
Wisdom. Conservation Committee and the Caddick, Elaine Cook, Moira
volunteers who assisted at Rutland Hargreaves, Roy Hargreaves, Ai
2. Minutes of the Last Meeting and at the AGM, the Chairman Henderson, SteveJones, Bill
The Minutes ofthe last meeting added his personal thanks to ABC’s Quantrill, Claire Spottiswoode, Toby
were taken as read and approved Council, in particular to the four Tebbit, Hazell Thompson, Steph
unanimously. members who were standing Tyler and Richard Webb.
—
down among them Alan Williams,
Club News BullABC Vol 11 No2(2004)-91
7. Election of Executive Officers African Bird Club—summary statement of accounts at
The following were elected as 31 December 2003
Executive Officers ofthe Club for
2004: ‘Income and expenditure account—year to 31 December 2003
Chairman: Phil Atkinson £ £
Vice-Chairman: Keith Betton CLUB ACCOUNT 2003 2002
Secretary: Flip Bruce-
Income
Lockhart
Subscriptions 16,231 16,477
Treasurer: John Caddick
Sales and other revenue 810 610
8. Appointment of Auditor Bank and Building Society Interest 282 257
Messrs Burton Sweet were elected as Tax refund (Gift Aid) 1,407 1,344
18,730 18,688
Independent Examiners for 2004.
Less:
9. Any Other Business Bulletin costs (including postage) 15,138 14,186
There being no other business, the Income before expenses 3,592 4,502
Chairman declared the meeting
Expenses
closed at 13.45 hrs. —
General expenses stationery, telephones meetings etc. 2,337 2,960
—
Finance costs bank charges, depreciation, accountancy etc. 1,146 1,459
Total expenditure 3,483 4,419
Surplus for the year 109 83
CONSERVATION ACCOUNT
Income
Donations and sponsorship 2,313 2,330
Profit on sales ofClub merchandise 1,544 1,144
Total income 3,857 3,474
Expenditure
Conservation Awards paid in year 4,112 2,317
IBA book launch
Balance for year carried forward -255 1157
Balance sheet as at December 31st 2003
Fixed assets 2003 2002
Equipment 0 292
Current assets
Stock ofgoods for resale 2,332 2,952
Balance at Building Society 8,460 9,178
Balance at Bank 5,132 2,048
15,924 14,178
Less:
Current liabilities
Subscriptions paid in advance 7,142 6,766
Life membership 8,124 6,900
15,266 13,666
Net current assets 658 512
Total assets 658 804
Represented by:
Accumulated Club Fund B/F -394 -477
Surplus for year 109 83
Conservation Fund B/F 1,198 41
Balance for year -255 1,157
Conservation Fund C/F 943 1198
658 804
A copy ofthe full statement may be obtained from the Club Treasurer.
92-BullABC Vol 11 No2 (2004) Club News
Africa Round-up
S. lowei. Known calls comprise a browed Albatross T. melanophrys,
General
series ofdry nasal rattles, sometimes Black-footed Albatross Phoebastria
A new species from Tanzania: separated by low smacking calls; (Diomedea) nigripesand Dark-man-
Rubeho Akalat these are lower pitched than similar tled SootyAlbatross Phoebetriafusca.
Pamela Beresford, Jon Fjeldsa and calls ofS. loweiand are never fol- The only species previously regarded
Jacob Kiure have described a new lowed by the sharp ascending whis- as ‘secure’, Laysan Albatross
tles that are often part ofthat Phoebastria Diomedea immutabilis,
species ofakalat, endemic to the ( )
Eastern Arc montane forests in species’ repertoire. The song has not is now classified as Vulnerable, as
Tanzania. Named Rubeho Akalat yet been recorded. Although new data revealed population
Sheppardiaspecies appear to be declines ofat least 30% over three
Sheppardia aumntiithorax, it is dis-
sedentary, the record ofone auranti- generations.
tinguished from its presumed sister
taxon, Iringa Akalat S. lowei, and ithoraxin a lowland forest east ofthe Source: World Birdwatch 25 (4), p 9
Mkata Plains suggests that move-
from Usambara Akalat S. montana, ments into the lowlands take place Identification of the ‘soft-
buyppaenrobrreaansgte,-othcehraabcseeonucsetohfroaantyand in the dry season. More field work is Aplruemceangtepdappeertrbely’AcnodmrpelwexHarrop
required to determine the species’
white on the throat, and a richer reviews the literature concerning the
biology, ecological requirements,
copper wash on the upperpart feath- taxonomy and identification ofthe
range and population density.
ers. The morphological distinctive- Source:Auk 121,pp 23-34 ‘soft-plumaged petrel’ Pterodroma
ness is supported by molecular data. feaelmadeiralmolliscomplex. It con-
The new taxon was mist-netted as Global bird population decline cludes that there are no known con-
early as 1989 in the Ukaguru The current global estimate ofthe sistent plumage differences between
Mountains, which are located 150 number ofindividual birds is 86.7 Fea’s Petrel Pfeaeand Zino’s Petrel P.
km north ofthe range ofS. lowei, billion, which is lower than previ- madeira and that proposed differ-
but in the absence ofspecimens the ously thought. A recent analysis cal- ences in wing structure remain of
population was referred to as a mar- culated that global bird populations unproven validity in the field. At
ginal isolate ofS. lowei. When in have declined by 20-25% world- present, only bill structure can be
2000-2001 specimens were finally wide since pre-agricultural times, regarded as diagnostic and evalua-
collected in the Rubeho Mountains, largely due to conversion ofnatural tion ofthis feature will require excel-
which are adjacent to the Udzungwa vegetation to pasture and cropland. lent views at close range. The author
range, and later in the Ukaguru Source: Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond. B 270, draws attention to a feature that had
Mountains, it appeared that the pp 1293-1300 not been noted before: in the heavier
birds were diagnosably distinct from billed Fea’s Petrel the distance
Conservation status of six between the tip ofthe nostril and
albatrosses worsens the back ofthe hook at the tip of
New research by BirdLife the upper mandible is very short,
International has shown that 19 forming a short notch in profile. In
albatross species are at risk ofextinc- slimmer billed Zino’s Petrel the dis-
tion, almost entirely because ofthe tance is longer and forms the
unsustainable levels ofmortality impression ofa wedge. Between
caused by longline fishing. The two Soft-plumaged Petrel P mollisand P.
remaining species, Light-mantled feaelmadeirasome consistent
Sooty Albatross Phoebetriapalpebrata plumage differences exist which
and ShyAlbatross Thalassarche make field identification ofP mollis
{Diomedea) cauta are considered possible. On pale morphs ofP. mollis
NearThreatened. Five species saw the crown is typically paler than on
their threat status being upgraded to P.feaelmadeira and therefore con-
Endangered: Atlantic Yellow-nosed trasts more stronglywith the dark
Albatross T. (chlororhynchos) facial mask. The mantle and greater
chlororhynchos, Indian Yellow-nosed coverts are also paler grey and there
Thalassarche (Diomedea) cauta salvini Albatross T. (c.) carteri, Black- is a variable, but typically bold, grey
by Craig Robson
Africa Round-up BullABC Vol 11 No2 (2004) -93
11
breast-band. However, light and tory waders (shorebirds) in Africa digesting. Afrotropical nightjars for-
wind can have a significant effect on and Western Eurasia. age most commonly by hawking sin-
the appearance ofbirds at sea, so Extensive analyses consider thematic, gle insects from a terrestrial or ele-
these factors must be taken into taxonomic and geographic status vated observation post, and a night-
account. and issues. jar sitting on a road can easily see
Source-. Brit. Birds 97, pp 6-15 It appears that ofthe 131 popula- flying insects silhouetted against the
tions, 45 are ofsignificant conserva- sky, but so can a nightjar in a natu-
Migration, wintering and
tion concern because rheir popula- ral open space. So the question
breeding of a Lesser Spotted
tions are in decline and/or are small. remains why nightjars are attracted
Eagle tracked by satellite
An adult male Lesser Spotted Eagle Some ofthese are threatened with to roads in the first place. Jackson
extinction. Others are in very rapid suggests that nightjars have learned
Aquilapomarina that occupied the
decline. Populations using rhe East over time to associate lights with fly-
same nest site in Slovakia for 1
Atlantic Flyway are the best known, ing insects and are therefore also
years running (1992-2002) was fit-
with a little over one-third in attracted to roads, where insects are
ted with two satellite transmitters by
decline. Knowledge ofpopulations attracted to lights ofmoving vehicles
Bernd Meyburg and his co-workers.
In 1994 and 2000-2002 its behav- umsuicnhg tphoeoroetrh,erantdwothmeiarjostratfulsywiasys is gatrenaitgehrtnaumnbdecrosn.sequently occur in
iour during migration was followed
much poorer too: ofpopulations Source-. Ostrich 74, pp 228-229
in detail by means ofsatellite with known trends, 53% ofthose on
telemetry. The results ofthis study the WestAsian/East Africa Flyway Systematics of Alethe,
have now been published. The eagle are in decline, as are 55% ofthose Sheppardia and related taxa re-
took the known route for this examined
on the Black Sea/Mediterranean
species to SouthAfrica. In 2001 it A molecular study was carried out
spent 43% ofthe year at its breeding wFilytwhayt.heWleasrtgeesrtnnEuumrboepreoisftdheeclairneiang by Pamela Beresford to resolve taxo-
site, 33% in its winter quarters, with nomic uncertainties concerning
the remaining 24% being spent on waders. As this is also the region alethes Alethe akalats Sheppardia and
with the most complete internation- ,
migration. In three cases the autumn some robin chats Cossypha. As a
al nature conservation legislation,
migration took 40, 48 and 61 days result, the author suggests that the
there is an urgent need to refocus
respectively. In two cases the spring genus Alethecomprises only two
the implementation ofthis legisla-
migration occupied 49 days. All five species, A. castaneaand A. diademata
tion. Major gaps in our knowledge
recorded migrations averaged a daily remain: for 60% ofpopulations con- (treated as a single species by Birds of
flight distance of 178 km. The Africa), whilst the four other species
sidered, monitoring is insufficient to
longest flight distance was recorded previously considered as congenerics,
provide even the most basic infor-
from 30 March to 2 April 2001, poliocephala,fuelleborni, poliophrys
mation on trends.
between Uganda and the Red Sea, and choloensis, are grouped into a
Source: International WaderStudy
during which the bird covered a Group May2004 new genus Pseudalethe (and not vice
total of 1,650 km, averaging 412 km versa, as in Sinclair & Ryan 2003,
per day. The wintering grounds, Why are nightjars attracted to Birds ofAfrica South ofthe Sahara).
where in two years the bird spent roads at night? Grey-winged Robin Chat Cossypha
around 3.5 months, comprised a Nightjars are often seen on roads polioptera is included in Sheppardia,
large part ofZimbabwe together throughout Africa and road traffic is whilst Usambara Akalat Sheppardia
with the Kruger National Park in a major cause ofdeath for Afro- montana, Iringa Akalat S. loweiand
South Africa and neighbouring parts tropical nightjars (see BullABC the newly described Rubeho Akalat
ofMozambique. The annual jour- 11:4). But why are they attracted to S. aurantiithorax(see above) are
neys flown, including movements roads? There has been much specula- incertaesedisbut provisionally
around the wintering grounds, tion on the possible reasons, such as retained in Sheppardia.
amounted in 2000/01 to at least dust-bathing, collecting grit or Source: Ostrich 74,pp 58-73
20,396 km and in 2001/02 to insects (dead or alive) from the road
19,041 km. surface, resting on a drier, warmer or International Common Crane
Network
Source-. J. Orn. 145, pp 1—7 cooler surface, or foraging for flying The European Crane Working
insects. Field work in Zimbabwe by
Major new analysis of wader Group (http://www.kraniche.voge!-
nightjar researcher H. D. Jackson
population status in Africa and showed that most ofthe prevailing freund.net/db) is developing an
western Eurasia theories can be discarded and that international reporting network. It is
The International Wader Study looking for people who could pro-
Group (WSG) has published a nightjars use roads as an observation vide information on the population
major review ofthe status of 13 pfleawthfoorumrsfoarftherunsruinnsegtdaunrdinsgubtshee-first ofCommon Cranes Grusgrus in
populations of55 species ofmigra- African countries where they have
quently as a place for resting and
been observed on passage or winter-
94 - BullABC Vol 11 No2 (2004) Africa Round-up
ing (e.g. Algeria, Chad, Eritrea, increase in breeding pairs during
Ethiopia, Libya, Morocco, Niger, that period. In 2001, c.4,500 pairs
Nigeria, Sudan). Interested observers raised over 9,500 young. A majority
should contact Otwin Franz, ofnests was found outside human
European Crane Working Group / settlements, with many nests built
International Crane Network on e- on pylons (34% in 2001) and in
mail [email protected]. trees (44%). The expansion ofthe
Source. AfricanBirdingMay 2004 breeding population is thought to be
the result ofincreased survival rates,
Connecting conservationists in which is possibly due to improved
Africa
A news service is being developed conditions in the wintering areas in
sub-Saharan Africa (better rains), a
which aims to collect information
higher number ofsedentary birds
on Africa’s environment and to do
and the use ofrefuse tips for feeding.
something with it. Africa Source. Alauda 72,pp 47-52
Environmental News Service
(AENS) is the first news service ded- Raso Lark population declining
icated to environmental information Monitoring work on the Critically
about Africa and is expected to pro- Endangered Raso Lark Alauda razae,
vide a resource that draws attention endemic to the small Cape Verde Yellow-casqued Hornbills
to the linkages between Africa’s envi- island ofRaso, has shown that its Ceratogymna elata
by Mark Andrews
ronmental health and its potential numbers are falling. In 2001, c.130
for sustainable development and birds were counted, two-thirds of
alleviation ofpoverty which were males. Subsequent visits Leopard Pantherapardusgrowls. The
(http://www.aens.org). in 2002 and 2003 found that the
Source. CEPFE-NewsJanuary2004 population had fallen to an estimat- hornbills, which are among the
largest birds in the forest, are vulner-
ed 98 birds, ofwhich only 30 were
able to predation by Crowned
North Africa & North Atlantic females. The cause ofthis continued Eagles, but are not preyed on by
Islands decline is presumed to be the pro- Leopards. More interestingly, Hugo
longed drought. Between November
Rainey and colleagues found that
Black-headed Gull breeding in 2001 andJanuary 2003 there has Yellow-casqued Hornbills were also
Morocco been little rainfall, and consequently
able to distinguish between the
The first breeding ofBlack-headed little breeding. An additional cause alarm calls that Diana Monkeys
Gull Larus ridibundusin Africa was ofconcern is that recent massive Cercopithecus dianamake to these
reported from A1 Massira reservoir, tourist developments on the nearby two predators. They responded to
c.125 km south ofCasablanca, islands ofSao Nicolau and Sao playback ofDiana alarm calls to
Morocco, in May—July 2002. A Vicente increases the risk ofacciden- Crowned Eagles but not Diana
colony numbering c.70 adults was tal introduction ofrats or cats to alarm calls to Leopards. This is the
found on an islet in the reservoir Raso, while unregulated visiting by first study to show that birds have
and 28 nests were counted. Breeding tourists will cause disturbance to the the capability to distinguish between
has been suspected once previously birds and could lead to nests being the alarm calls ofa sympatric mam-
in Morocco, when two juveniles that trampled. mal species.
were barely able to fly were observed Source. World Birdwatch 25 (4),p 5 Source: Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond. B 271,
at a coastal wetland south of 755-759
pp
Casablanca in July 1977, but this West & Central Africa
cannot be considered a certain proof White-necked Picathartes
ofbreeding, as recently fledged Hornbills distinguish between rediscovered in Ghana
young accompanied by adult birds primate alarm calls Until 2003, it was widely believed
begin to arrive in North Africa from A study in Tai National Park, Cote that White-necked Picathartes
Europe in July. d’Ivoire, has demonstrated that Picathartesgymnocephalushad been
Source. Alauda 72, pp 59-60 Yellow-casqued Hornbills extirpated from Ghanaian forests.
Ceratogymna elata, a Near- Since the 1960s, all attempts to
Algerian White Stork population Threatened western African endem- locate this species in the country had
increasing ic, responded to playback of indeed been unsuccessful. However,
Following a decline until 1991, the Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coro- one was mist-netted and pho-
breeding population ofWhite Storks natusshrieks by calling and tographed between Ayum and
Ciconia ciconia in Algeria has dra- approaching the loudspeaker, but Subim forest reserves (06°71’N
matically increased. Surveys carried that the birds did not respond to 02°73’W) in Brong-Ahafo Region,
out in 1995-2001 indicated a 75%
Africa Round-up BullABC Vol 11 No2 (2004) -95
on 26 March 2003. With the help including the Amani reserve. This reserve, but was absent from other
ofa local hunter, a nest site was has caused a great deal oflocal con- smaller reserves in the Ulugurus.
found containing two nests, of cern, although it is not widely Although the species does not seem
which one was new. known about outside the region. threatened, its long-term survival
Source: Bull. Br. Ornithol. Cl. 124, According to most accounts the will depend on the survival ofthe
PP 151-153 population on the Amani Plateau forest.
appears to have quadrupled in four Source. Bird Conserv. Intern. 14,
Liberia increases protected areas
weeks since the discovery ofgold. pp 25-32
In November 2003 Liberia’s interim Prices ofstaples in the markets and
government published three new bus fares have increased by 30-50% Density and species richness of
bills that represent a 60% increase in and many tea pickers have aban- bird communities in papyrus
protected areas and a dramatic doned the tea estates and are now studied
reform ofthe country’s natural mining. In one reserve a peak of The results ofa study into the effects
resource conservation policies. Sapo 40.000 people was recorded. ofhabitat degradation on avian
National Park, an Important Bird guilds in East African papyrus
Activities appear to be centred
Area (IBA) ofc.130,000 ha in the around the village ofSakale on the Cyperuspapyrusswamps suggest that
south-east, will increase by 30,000 MongaTea Estate. the species richness ofbird commu-
ha, and the creation ofthe Nimba DuringJanuary to March 2004 nities in stands ofpapyrus disturbed
Nature Reserve, another IBA at the stafffrom the UN Development by burning, grazing or pollution is
border with Cote d’Ivoire and Programme, the Forest and higher than in nearby stands that are
Guinea, will protect an additional Beekeeping Division and NGO staff not disturbed. Fdowever, there are
13,500 ha. fewer species and individuals of
visited all 14 districts containing
Source. Oryx 38, p 125 Eastern Arc mountains in Tanzania. highly specialised birds or species
characteristic ofpapyrus, such as
Information was collected on the
Society for the conservation of Papyrus Gonolek Laniarius
Congo’s birds current status ofgold mining across mufumbiriand White-winged
The Amicale Congolaise pour la the entire range and its effects on Warbler Bradypterus carpalis, in dis-
wCgioasnstssseftrarvroatmteditohbneydDteewsmooOicysroeauatnuigxc’oRr(enApiCtuhbColOlio)c- pnfiohrtoeetslotyshwaocbrairntyaibtnse;gv.tihTeehweesidtfuualatlttirhoenepoAisrBtdeCwfiit-h Tftohurreebssetedbfitirhndadincnogimnsmumunnadititcsihteustr,hbeewdchaessreweaomfdpiss-.
soOirfonCnisothnhogelloodg(iactDaRtlChe)C,o1n0fgtorhlelsPosawnii-nnAgfAdriiCsccCaunsO- websi2Sto0eu0r(c3Aewf.warwniB.cdiaalfPlnrhBNiiicelradwAnimtbnkiagirr,dnkcsMloaiunnbr.iclnoihtrtlg.i2t)tN0..o0tv4o atnsuortabfaganrvcooeuuprbyasrpheecuoimaflaicnsotnsasceptreicvviaiettsii,eosnwdhcoioecnsh-
Kampala, Uganda, in 2000. cern. Specialist species may occur at
aims to work with local communi- First population survey of high densities, but ifthey are
ties and establish partnerships with Loveridge’s Sunbird restricted to one habitat, they run a
national and international non-gov- A study to estimate the population high risk ofextinction through habi-
ernmental organisations for the con- size ofLoveridge’s Sunbird Cinnyris tat loss or degradation. Species rich-
servation ofbirds. It has already loveridgei, endemic to the Uluguru ness should therefore not be the only
gathered information on Important Mountains, eastern Tanzania, was consideration when conservation
Bird Areas and wetlands in the east- conducted in September-December
ACCO
ern part ofthe country. wel- 2000. Mist-nets were used to gather
comes everyone, Congolese and for- data at 1 1 sites at 1,300-2,600 m
eigners, interested in conserving altitude in four different areas. The
birds in the DRC. For more infor- computer programme CAPTURE
mation, contact Emile Mulotwa at was used to estimate the population
the Faculte des Sciences, Universite at each site. Combining the data on
de Kisangani, DRC; e-mail: the forest area with assumed home
[email protected]. range sizes (which is unknown for
Source. BirdLife Africa/Afrique this species) of0.1 km" to 0.8 km",
5(3), p3 resulted in an estimated total popu-
lation ranging from 21,000 to
East Africa 166.000 individuals. A median
home range of0.45 km" estimates
Eastern Arc gold rush the population close to 37,000 indi-
threatening reserves in Tanzania viduals. Loveridge’s Sunbird was
A gold rush currently taking place in found within Uluguru North and Papyrus Gonolek
Tanzania is threatening nature and South Forest Reserves, and Bunduki Laniarius mufumbiri
forest reserves in the Eastern Arc, by Mark Andrews
96- BullABC Vol 11 No2 (2004) Afi-ica Round-up