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( 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 Family Europe & Africa: UK£21 Rest oftheWorld: UKL23 Student Europe & Africa: UK£10 RestoftheWorld: UKX12 Supporting UK£30 minimum Life UKL350 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. Avifauna, Birding Africa, Birdquest, Safariwise Namibia, Sunbird, WildSounds, Wildwings and Zeiss. ABC Website http://www.africanbirdclub.org ABC Contact African Bird Club, c/o BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 0NA. E-mail: [email protected] • website: http://www.africanbirdclub.org 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: Chairman Phil Atkinson [email protected] Secretary Flip Bruce-Lockhart [email protected] Treasurer John Caddick [email protected] Bulletin Editor Guy Kirwan [email protected] Conservation Officer Steph Tyler [email protected] Information Officer Keith Betton [email protected] Membership Secretary Bill Quantrill [email protected] Sales Officer Moira Hargreaves [email protected] 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

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