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The birds of the Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone Ron Demef and Arnold Okoni-Williamsb Les oiseaux des Monts Loma, Sierra Leone. En 18 jours de travaux sur le terrain dans les Monts Loma, au nord-est de la Sierra Leone, du 14 fevrier au 2 mars 2008, nous avons recense 257 especes d’oiseaux. En prenant en compte les mentions publiees precedemment, le nombre total des especes d’oiseaux connues du site, qui est une Zone d’Importance pour la Conservation des Oiseaux, est a present de 339, ou plus de 50% des especes enregistrees dans le pays entier. Parmi celles-ci, une est Menacee d’extinction (le Vautour charognard Necrosyrtes monachus), sept sont classees comme Vulnerables (l’Aigle martial Polemaetus bellicosus, la Chouette-pecheuse rousse Scotopelia ussheri, le Calao a joues brunes Bycanistes cylindricus, le Calao a casque jaune Ceratogymna elata, le Bulbul a barbe jaune Criniger olivaceus, la Prinia du Sierra Leone Schistolais leontica et le Picatharte de Guinee Picatbartes gymnocephalus), sept comme Quasi menacees et une comme Insuffisamment connue. Neuf des 16 especes confinees a la Zone d’Endemisme d’Oiseaux de la foret de Haute Guinee sont presentes et 123 (ou 73%) des 168 especes du biome des forets guineo- congolaises connues de Sierra Leone. Le site, qui avait ete designe comme reserve forestiere (avec chasse interdite) en 1952, est devenu un pare national en decembre 2013 et supporte toujours des etendues relativement importantes d’habitat intact, devenu rare ailleurs en Afrique de l’Ouest. Summary. During 18 days of Held work in the Loma Mountains, in north-east Sierra Leone, between 14 February and 2 March 2008, 257 bird species were recorded. With previous records, this brings the total number of bird species known from the site, which qualifies as an Important Bird Area, to 339, i.e. more than 50% of the species recorded in the whole of the country. Of these, one is Endangered (Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus), seven are classified as Vulnerable (Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus, Rufous Fishing Owl Scotopelia ussheri, Brown-cheeked Hornbill Bycanistes cylindricus, Yellow-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna elata, Yellow-bearded Greenbul Criniger olivaceus, Sierra Leone Prinia Schistolais leontica and Yellow-headed Picathartes Picatbartes gymnocephalus), seven as Near Threatened and one as Data Deficient. Nine of the 16 species restricted to the Upper Guinea forests Endemic Bird Area occur and 123 (or 73%) of the 168 Guinea-Congo Forests biome species recorded in Sierra Leone. The site, which was designated a non-hunting forest reserve in 1952, became a national park in December 2013 and still holds relatively large tracts of undisturbed habitat, which is rare elsewhere in West Africa. T he Loma Mountains, located in the are some villages, cultivated areas and farmbush mountainous north-east of Sierra Leone, around the base, mostly at r.400-500 m (Figs. support some of the rarest bird species in the 6-8); farming does not normally occur beyond country and have been recognized as an Important the lower slopes (Okoni-Williams et al. 2001). Bird Area—one of only ten IBAs in Sierra Leone The climate consists of a dry season, extending (Okoni-Williams et al. 2001). Their altitude from November to April, and a wet season, varies from c.400 m in the lowlands to 1,945 m in May-October. Mean annual precipitation is at the summit of Mount Bintumani (also called 1,600-2,400 mm, with January typically being Loma Mansa; 09°13’30”N 11°07’00”W), the the driest month and September the wettest. highest mountain in West Africa west of Mount Temperatures range from 10-33°C, with a cooler Cameroon (Fig. 2). The vegetation comprises and more mesic climate in the highlands than in Guinea-Congo lowland forest, here near its western the surrounding lowlands (Cole 1974, Forestry limit, with elements of montane evergreen forest Division 2012). up to c. 1,700 m (Fig. 3). Tree-ferns occur along The forests of the Loma Mountains are part watercourses at higher altitudes. On the plateau, of the Upper Guinea forest block, which forms most of which lies above 1,200 m, grassland and the western part of the West African Guinean rocky outcrops are interspersed by strips of gallery Forests hotspot, one of the 34 biologically richest forest along the many small streams (Fig. 4). On and most endangered terrestrial ecoregions in the the slopes of the plateau and at lower altitudes, world (Mittermeier et al. 2004). West African forest-savanna mosaic occurs (Fig. 5). There forests are rapidly disappearing and the survival Birds of the Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone: Demey & Okoni-Williams Bull ABC Vol 22 No 1 (2015)-43 11,2°W 11.15°W 11.1°W 11,05°W . Figure 1 Map of the Loma Mountains indicating the limits of the former non¬ hunting forest reserve and the national park (from Forestry Division 2012) Carte des Monts Loma montrant les limites de l’ancienne reserve forestiere et du pare national (d'apres Forestry Division 2012) of birds in the Upper Guinea forests is becoming and least populated region. The site, designated increasingly dependent on ever-fewer, and smaller, a non-hunting forest reserve, covering 33,201 areas. Montane ecosystems are especially rare and ha, in 1952, was upgraded to a national park in the Loma Mountains were thought by Sayer et al. December 2013 (Government of Sierra Leone (1992) to contain the largest undisturbed tract of Gazette Vol. CXLIV, No. 2, 16 May 2014), such forest remaining in the region, something to offset the environmental impact caused by which remains true. Forty-eight large mammal the building of the Bumbuna dam on the Sele species have been recorded, among them several River. A preliminary five-year management plan listed as Endangered, such as Chimpanzee Pan has been proposed (Forestry Division 2012). troglodytes verus, Western Red Colobus Piliocolobus Due to inconsistencies in the original boundarv badius, Diana Monkey Cercopithecus d. diana and description and the fact that some encroachment Pygmy Hippopotamus Hexaprotodon liberiensis. has occurred along the reserve’s edges, it was Whilst the Chimpanzee population may be one decided to re-demarcate the protected zone and a of the densest in West Africa, most other large new boundary, excluding human settlements, was mammals occur at relatively low densities. At least established in 2010 with support of the W orld 1,576 vascular plant species have been found, Bank, following natural contour lines, inter-village belonging to 135 families and 757 genera, some paths and watercourses. Concrete pillars have been species being endemic to the Loma Mountains erected along the 97.1 km-long new boundary and (Forestry Division 2012). the planting of 20,000 trees of Tectona grandis, The Loma Mountains are in Koinadugu Mangifera indica and Heritiera utilis to serve as District, Northern Province, Sierra Leone’s largest live boundary markers has commenced. As a result 44 - Bull ABC Vol 22 No 1 (2015) Birds of the Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone: Demey & Okoni-Williams Figure 2. Mount Bintumani, the highest peak of the Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone, February 2008; rising to 1,945 m it is also the highest mountain in West Africa west of Mount Cameroon (Ron Demey) Le Mont Bintumani, le plus haut sommet des Monts Loma, Sierra Leone, fevrier 2008 ; avec une hauteur de 1.945 m il s’agit egalement de la plus haute montagne en Afrique de l’Ouest a l’ouest du Mont Cameroun (Ron Demey) Figure 3. Evergreen forest along a (dry) watercourse in the highlands, Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone, February 2008 (Ron Demey) Foret sempervirente le long d’un cours d’eau (a sec) dans la zone de haute altitude, Monts Loma, Sierra Leone, fevrier 2008 (Ron Demey) of the re-demarcation, the size of Loma National threats are likely to increase, as local communities Park has been reduced to 28,731 ha (Forestry are dependent on the park for bushmeat, which Division 2012; Fig. 1). provides up to 60% of their protein, and for The protected area and Mount Bintumani timber (for construction, firewood and charcoal) are only accessible on foot via trails from various (Forestry Division 2012). villages near the boundary. Due to there being no The first ornithologist to visit the Loma roads within the protected area, while roads to the Mountains was G. L. Bates, who made an surrounding villages are poor or non-existent, the extensive tour through Sierra Leone and Guinea relatively low population pressure and the fact that in February-August 1930, during which he spent the plateau and most of its slopes are unsuitable 12 days, on 24 February-7 March, at Banda for cultivation, habitat-threat levels are currently Karafaia, near the foot of Mount Bintumani low (Okoni-Williams etal. 2001). Fdowever, given in the north-west, at c.500-600 m {cf Fig. 1), that the human population continues to grow, where he collected 42 species and observed several Bull ABC Vol 22 No 1 (2015)-45 Birds of the Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone: Demey & Okoni-Williams Figure 4. The plateau in the Mount Bintumani environs, with grassland and rocky outcrops interspersed by strips of gallery forest, Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone, February 2008 (Ron Demey) Le plateau aux environs du Mont Bintumani, avec des prairies de haute altitude et affleurements rocheux entrecoupes de bandes de foret gaierie, Monts Loma, Sierra Leone, fevrier 2008 (Ron Demey) Figure 5. Forest-savanna mosaic, Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone, February 2008 (Ron Demey) Mosaique de foret-savane, Monts Loma, Sierra Leone, fevrier 2008 (Ron Demey) others (Bannerman 1931-32, Bates 1931; see 1951). His list contains 59 species (although Appendix 1). He climbed the mountain on 9 he mentions recording 62), of which 32 were March, having spent the previous day at a camp new and an equal number (not all of them new) site at f.900 m, where he collected three species were supported by specimens. Geoffrey Field, and observed two additional ones; higher up he a long-time resident based in Freetown, visited collected just two more specimens, one of which the mountains for five days in the first week of was the type of Saxicola torquatus nebularum January 1973 and published some of his records, (described in Bates 1930). To the list from Banda six of which were new for the site (Field 1973, Karafaia, a specimen of Narrow-tailed Starling 1974). The first systematic survey was undertaken Poeoptera lugubris, secured by G. J. Houghton by a University of East Anglia team (UEA) (who collected birds in Sierra Leone, mostly in February-April 1992, which recorded 247 on the Freetown Peninsula, in February 1911- species in eight weeks (Atkinson et al. 1996), of March 1914), must be added (Bannerman 1932). which 149 were additions to the site list. Among William Serle visited Mount Bintumani in late these, however, four had not previously been November 1942 and again in mid-April 1946, found in the country and therefore require proper and listed 33 species (including two from Banda documentation to be accepted. A. Kortenhoven, Karafaia), of which 21 were new for the site and a biologist studying ungulates in Loma, observed 22 were substantiated by specimens (Serle 1948— birds opportunistically in July 2002 and between 49). R. R. Glanville camped for ten days north of May 2006 and October 2007. He recorded 101 Mount Bintumani at c.900 m on 2-11 January species (A. Kortenhoven pers. comm.), of which 1951, and climbed the summit on 10th (Glanville 17 had not been found previously. 46 Bull ABC Vol 22 No 1 (2015) Birds of the Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone: Demey & Okoni-Williams - Figure 6. Farmbush and forest, Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone, February 2008 (Ron Demey) Formations secondaires post- culturales et foret, Monts Loma, Sierra Leone, fevrier 2008 (Ron Demey) Figure 7. Cultivation in forest near Sinikoro, Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone, February 2008 (Ron Demey) Cultures en foret pres de Sinikoro, Monts Loma, Sierra Leone, fevrier 2008 (Ron Demey) Figure 8. Savanna near Sinikoro, Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone, February 2008 (Ron Demey) Savane pres de Sinikoro, Monts Loma, Sierra Leone, fevrier 2008 (Ron Demey) Fiere we present the results of 18 days of field Camp 2 (09°13’21.00”N 1 lo09’28.47’W; work in the Loma Mountains, carried out in the 26-28 February) was established along the path dry season, from 14 February to 2 March 2008, to Camp 1 within closed-canopy forest on sloping and refer to previous records where relevant. A terrain crossed by small, rocky streams at c.770 m. comprehensive list of the birds recorded in the Approximately 100 m below the camp was an area Loma Mountains is given in Appendix 1. of wooded savanna. Camp 3 was established at the edge ol Sinikoro Study area and Methods (09°13’48.50”N 11°11,49.70”W; 29 February-2 We accessed the area via the village of Sinikoro, March) along the main access road, at 400 m. located at the north-western limits of the Patches of closed-canopy forest alternated with national park (see Fig. 1). Three camps were more open and degraded areas, farmbush, recently established. The main camp, hereafter named cut clearings, agricultural plots and wooded Camp 1 (09°12,45.10”N 11°08,37.40”W; 14-25 savanna. February), was sited next to a small, rocky stream The principal method used during this study at the forest edge at 1,330 m, just below the consisted of observing birds by walking slowly plateau. A few paths and transects ran from this along tracks and trails, where present, and stopping camp in various directions; the main path reached frequently. Attempts were made to cover as much the edge of the plateau after c.300 m. ground and visit as many habitats as possible. Birds of the Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone: Demey & Okoni-Williams Bull ABC Vol 22 No 1 (2015) - 47 Mist-netting was carried out on one morning and in 2008 include Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes one afternoon at each of the three locations. Two monachus, Brown-cheeked Hornbill Bycanistes 6-m nets were set in forest next to small streams cylindricus and Yellow-bearded Greenbul Criniger for a total of 42 hours (5.04 100-m net-hours). olivaceus. The weather was usually sunny with daytime In total, nine of the 16 restricted-range species, temperatures of 18-24°C in the highlands, to more i.e. landbirds with a global breeding range of than 30°C in the lowlands; at night, temperatures <50,000 km2, whose combined distributions cover could be as low as 15°C in both areas. Although the Upper Guinea forests Endemic Bird Area the sky was clear on the first two days, it became (which extends from Sierra Leone and south-east increasingly hazy thereafter due to the Harmattan, Guinea to south-west Ghana: Stattersfield et al. the dry and dusty north-easterly wind from the 1998, Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 2014) are Sahara, which was particularly strong on some now known from the site (Appendix 1). The site days. It rained only twice: a short, heavy shower at thus holds an important proportion of Upper 17.00-17.30 hrs on 25 February and continuous Guinea endemics. Of the 168 Guinea-Congo rain at 22.00-06.30 hrs during the night of 28-29 forests biome species recorded in Sierra Leone February. (Okoni-Williams et al. 2001), 123 (73%), have been found in the Loma Mountains, whilst Results six (21.5%) of the 28 Sudan-Guinea Savanna In total, 257 species were recorded by us (see biome species also occur (Appendix 1). Note that Appendix 1). Of these, four are classified as in the light of recent field work or taxonomic Vulnerable (Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus, reappraisals, some changes have been made to Yellow-casqued Fiornbill Ceratogymna the lists of restricted-range and biome-restricted elata, Yellow-headed Picathartes Picathartes species (cf. Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 2014: gymnocephalus and Sierra Leone Prinia 75-79). Schistolais leontica), seven as Near Threatened (Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus, Crowned Notes on selected species Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus, Pallid Harrier The following notes provide details mainly on Circus macrourus, Blue-moustached Bee-eater the species of conservation concern and some Merops mentalis, Black-headed Rufous Warbler that are noteworthy in West Africa. Sequence Bathmocercus cerviniventris, Rufous-winged and scientific nomenclature generally follow the Illadopsis Illadopsis rufescens and Copper-tailed Howard & Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of Glossy Starling Hylopsar cupreocauda), while one the World (Dickinson & Remsen 2013, Dickinson is considered Data Deficient (Emerald Starling & Chiristidis 2014). English names are those Lamprotornis iris) (BirdLife International 2014). used in Borrow & Demey (2014). IUCN Red Rufous Fishing Owl Scotopelia ussheri, classified as List categories (BirdLife International 2014) are Vulnerable and recorded during the 1992 survey indicated by EN = Endangered; VU = Vulnerable; (Atkinson et al. 1996), was possibly heard on one NT = Near Threatened; DD = Data Deficient. occasion. i Among the 13 mist-netted species (Appendix Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus NT 2), just one—White-bellied Kingfisher Corythornis Observed just once, flying over the highlands leucogaster—was not recorded otherwise. Fifty-one in the environs of Camp 1 at c. 1,300 m. Serle species had not been recorded previously. Thus, (1948) saw one at Mount Bintumani on 18 April 339 bird species are now known from the site 1946. An open-country species that may wander (Appendix 1). These comprise 289 presumed widely; considered a vagrant to Sierra Leone residents, 31 Palearctic migrants and 16 intra- (Borrow & Demey 2014, Dowsett et al. 2014). African migrants. Of the remaining three species, - two involve a mix of both potentially resident Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus EN individuals and either Palearctic or intra-African Not observed in 2008. Noted as common (daily migrants, and the third is an intra-African vagrant. records) in farmbush by the UEA expedition Species of global conservation concern recorded (Atkinson et al. 1996). in 1992 (Atkinson et al. 1996) and not observed 48- Bull ABC Vol 22 No 1 (2015) Birds of the Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone: Demey & Okoni-Williams Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus NT as a subspecies of Blue-headed Bee-eater M. Recorded on 12 out of 18 days, at all altitudes. muelleri, but has recently been afforded species Usually one or a pair displaying above the forest rank (BirdFife International 2014). around midday; once four adults together. Not observed by the UEA expedition (Atkinson et al. Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni 1996); Glanville (1961) reported one at r.900 m. Observed twice in 1992, over montane grassland near Mount Bintumani, at c. 1,900 m (Atkinson Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus VU et al. 1996). This Palearctic migrant, which is an An adult soaring high above the highlands on uncommon to locally fairly common visitor to 24 February. Mentioned as rare (1-2 records) in West Africa, was not encountered in 2008. February-April 1992 (Atkinson et al. 1996). Yellow-headed Picathartes Picathartes Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus NT gymnocephalus VU Observed twice: an immature on 20 February and Two singles were encountered in forest at higher an adult female on 23 February, both hunting altitudes. A large rock within the forest in the over montane grassland. Serle (1948) observed a vicinity of Camp 2 had a single fresh nest. With single quartering the grasslands at c. 1,673 m on the help of local villagers, the UEA expedition 22 November 1942 and Glanville (1961) saw an found 11 breeding sites, four of them abandoned, immature, which he believed to be this species, in each containing 2-3 nests, the majority in the same area in January 1931. An uncommon or very disturbed forest outside the protected area scarce to locally fairly common Palearctic visitor to (Atkinson et al. 1996). West Africa, just reaching northern Sierra Feone. Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting Fringillaria Rufous Fishing Owl Scotopelia ussheri VU tahapisi An owl call, emanating from gallery forest in the A nest containing a single, feathered chick was highlands just before dawn on 20 February, was found on 13 February on the highland plateau, possibly of this species. The UEA expedition had below a tuft of dry grass that had survived a bush seven sightings of probably two individuals along fire; thereafter the nest was checked daily from a the Benge River (Atkinson et al. 1996). distance and was found empty on 24 February. The species was very common in rocky grassland Yellow-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna elata VU at high altitudes, with daily sightings of up to Relatively common in forest at low and mid 15; also observed in wooded savanna at c.700 m. altitudes (400-800 m), with daily observations Reported by all previous observers; Serle (1949) of up to six individuals. Also observed daily in found it in November 1942, but not on his 1992 (Atkinson et al. 1996). A not uncommon second visit in mid-April 1946, suggesting the resident in tall forest in eastern Sierra Feone (e.g. species may spend the rainy season elsewhere. Gola Forest), but rare to uncommon and local elsewhere in its fragmented range from south-west Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana Senegal to western Cameroon. One at the edge of gallery forest at c. 1,600 m on 17 February. Field (1973) found the species to be Brown-cheeked Hornbill Bycanistes cylindricus common in January 1973 on the steep south-east VU face of Mount Bintumani, at c. 1,640-1,820 m; he Just one record, on 3 February 1992, of a single in tentatively estimated that up to 50 may have been mature secondary forest at low altitudes (Atkinson present. A generally rare Palearctic winter visitor et al. 1996). This Upper Guinea endemic reaches to West Africa, but locally fairly common in a few the western limits of its range in Sierra Feone. uplands (Borrow & Demey 2014). Blue-moustached Bee-eater Merops mentalis NT Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana Four seen in the Sinikoro area on 2 March. Noted Singles were observed on five days in highland as ‘frequent’ by the UEA expedition (Atkinson grassland; one was displaying on 17 February. et al. 1996). This taxon was previously treated Reported as ‘rare’ by the UEA expedition Birds of the Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone: Demey & Okoni-Williams Bull ABC Vol 22 No 1 (2015)-49 (Atkinson et al. 1996). West of Nigeria, the Rufous-winged Illadopsis Illadopsis rufescens NT species is represented by the subspecies henrici, Fairly common, with 1-3 singing individuals which is very local and has been recorded only on recorded in forest almost daily, at all altitudes. Mount Nimba and at a handful of sites in Sierra Also recorded as ‘frequent’ in lowland and gallery Leone and Guinea. forest by the UEA expedition (Atkinson et al. 1996). Bates secured a specimen at Banda Karafaia Sierra Leone Prinia Schistolais leontica VU (Bannerman 1932), Serle (1949) collected two Three family groups of 3-4 individuals were males at c.760 m and c. 1,220 m, respectively, and observed in bracken and shrubbery at forest edge, Glanville (1961) a male at c.915 m. at c. 1,300-1,400 m, in the environs of Camp l. The species was also recorded in 1992, when Emerald Starling Lamprotornis iris DD three groups of 3-4 birds were seen in high- Observed in wooded savanna at 400 m on two altitude gallery forest (Atkinson et al. 1996). This days: four individuals on 1 March and a group of Upper Guinea endemic is uncommon to rare and nine the next day. Bates obtained a specimen at extremely local, from Guinea to extreme western Banda Karafaia (Bannerman 1932). Cote d’Ivoire. Copper-tailed Glossy Starling Hylopsar Black-headed Rufous Warbler Bathmocercus cupreocauda NT cerviniventris NT Uncommon, with only 1-3 individuals per day Two pairs and three males were found in dense in the lowlands, at c.400 m. This Upper Guinea vegetation in moist areas and near a small stream endemic reaches the north-western limits of its at the forest edge in the environs of Sinikoro. range at Loma. All were singing; the pairs duetting. This Upper Guinea endemic has a fragmented range and is Common Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis generally rare to uncommon and very local. Observed on 20 February (one) and 23 February (two), at the edge of gallery forest on the rocky Yellow-bearded Greenbul Criniger olivaceus VU plateau at c. 1,600 m. Also reported by Field Not observed in 2008. An adult and a recently (1973) in similar habitat and on the slopes of fledged juvenile were trapped in lowland forest on Mount Bintumani, and by A. Kortenhoven (pers. 30 March 1992 and a further five sightings were comm.). A rare to scarce Palearctic winter visitor obtained during the UEA expedition (Atkinson et to West Africa (Borrow & Demey 2014). al. 1996). Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius Baumann’s Greenbul Phyllastrephus baumanni Field (1973) observed the species on several Three individuals were found: in low, dense occasions on the rocky south-east face of Mount shrubbery at the forest edge (adjacent to Bintumani, from c. 1,640 m to the summit, a Sierra Leone Prinia territory) and in thick, in January 1973, with five individuals on one bushy vegetation just inside rather open forest morning. A patchily distributed, rare to scarce at 1,300-1,400 m, and in farmbush at c.400 Palearctic winter visitor to West Africa, favouring m. They were located by their song, which was rocky habitats (Borrow & Demey 2014). uttered only occasionally and most often in the early morning, when it was more sustained, Grey Ground Thrush Geokichla princei but also, albeit very briefly, later in the day, One foraging in leaf litter along a forest stream in including late afternoon. This species’ status has the highlands was observed for c. 13 minutes on 22 changed from Near Threatened (Collar et al. February. Reported as ‘rare’ in lowland forest by 1994) and Data Deficient (BirdLife International the UEA expedition (Atkinson et al. 1996). These 2000, 2004) to Least Concern due to increased are the westernmost records of this extremely shy knowledge (Dowsett-Lemaire et al. 2011, BirdLife and rarely observed forest species. International 2014). 50 Bull ABC Vol 22 No 1 (2015) Birds of the Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone: Demey & Okoni-Williams - Species whose presence is doubtful or i.e. almost half of those known in the country requires confirmation (BirdLife International 2014). Among these, the The following four species listed by the UEA charismatic Yellow-headed Picathartes and the expedition (Atkinson et al. 1996) had not rare and little-known Rufous Fishing Owl are previously been found in Sierra Leone and would especially noteworthy. Moreover, highlands are therefore need proper documentation, lacking in a very rare habitat in West Africa and support the report, to be accepted. particular bird species, such as Sierra Leone Prinia, which is very local in its restricted range and Brown Nightjar Veles binotatus known from only one other site in Sierra Leone, One reportedly seen at 20.00 hrs 'hawking and the Tingi Hills (Okoni-Williams et al. 2001). sitting on lianas over Benge River near lowland Most Palearctic migrants were encountered at base camp on 18 April 1992’. Although the higher altitudes, an observation also made by the habitat is suitable and the record may well be UEA expedition (Atkinson et al. 1996); Loma correct, Black-shouldered Nightjar Caprimulgus appears to be an important wintering and passage {pectorails) nigriscapularis, not listed in the report area for some species, e.g. Common House Martin yet recorded in 2008, cannot be eliminated. Delichon urbicum, Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis, Brown Nightjar has since been documented in Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus, Garden Gola Forest (Lindsell et al. 2008) and Tiwai Island Warbler Sylvia borin, Blackcap S. atricapilla and (Klop et al. 2010, N. Borrow in Bull. ABC 15: Pied Flycatcher Ficedida hypoleuca. Also worthy of 275)—the westernmost records to date. note is the presence of Common and Blue Rock Thrushes and Ortolan Bunting, which are rare Chestnut-bellied Starling Lamprotornis pulcher to uncommon and local winter visitors in West One seen 'high in trees on forested slopes c.2 km Africa. The number of restricted-range species is north-east of lowland base camp on 7 March also significant: nine of the 16 restricted-range 1992’. The presence of this Sahel species is species, and 123, or 73%, of the 168 Guinea- highly unlikely. Confusion with Emerald Starling, Congo Forests biome species recorded in Sierra not listed in the report and whose distinctive Leone. The fact that Loma still harbours relatively coloration can be surprisingly hard to distinguish large tracts of undisturbed habitat, which is rare in certain lights (RD pers. obs.), cannot be elsewhere in West Africa, further highlights its eliminated. importance for the conservation of biodiversity. Its recent upgrading to national park combined Familiar Chat Oenanthe familiaris with its relatively remote location and difficulty of Black-rumped Waxbill Estrilda troglodytes access gives cause for hope that it may survive the Both observed in grassland below Bintumani peak ongoing onslaught on natural habitats throughout on 9 April 1992, the former on boulders. These the region. would be interesting records, as they are quite distant from the nearest sites where the species are Acknowledgements known to occur, in Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire. The The 2008 survey was conducted as part of a long-term habitat appears suitable for both. plan to offset the biodiversity losses resulting from the inundation of the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project Discussion catchment area and the deleterious effects on the ecosystem in the immediate vicinity of the reservoir. The total of 339 bird species now known to We thank Abdulai Barrie for organising the survey occur in the Loma Mountains is remarkably and inviting us to participate, Aaron Kortenhoven high, representing more than 50% of the species for providing his bird records, Alhaji Siaka and Alhaji documented for Sierra Leone (cf. Dowsett et Kamara for assistance in the field, Bob Dowsett for al. 2014). Although all major habitats have providing the Glanville (1961) paper, and Lincoln been surveyed, this total is likely to further Fishpool and Phil Atkinson for comments on earlier increase with additional survey work conducted at versions of the manuscript. different seasons. Moreover, 15 species of global conservation concern occur—one Endangered, seven Vulnerable and seven Near Threatened— Bull ABC Vol 22 No 1 (2015) - 51 Birds of the Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone: Demey & Okoni-Williams References Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, R. J. 2014. The Birds Atkinson, P., Turner, P. A., Pockwell, S., Broad, G., of Ghana: An Atlas and Handbook. Liege: Tauraco Koroma, A. P., Annaly, D. & Rowe, S. 1996. Press. Land-use and conservation in the Mount Loma Dowsett-Lemaire, F., Demey, R. & Dowsett, R. J. Reserve, Sierra Leone. Report of the University 2011. On the voice, distribution and habitat of East Anglia-International Council for Bird of Baumann’s Greenbul Phyllastrephus baumanni. Preservation-Fauna and Flora Preservation Society Bull. Br. Ornithol. Cl. 131: 154—164. expedition to the Mount Loma reserve in north¬ Field, G. D. 1973. Ortolan and Blue Rock Thrush in eastern Sierra Leone (January-April 1992). Unpubl. Sierra Feone. Bull. Br. Ornithol. Cl. 93: 81-82. rep. Norwich: University of East Anglia. Field, G. D. 1974. The distribution and behaviour Bannerman, D. A. 1931-32. Account of the birds of Apalis warblers in Sierra Leone. Ostrich 45: collected (i) by Mr. G. F. Bates on behalf of 258-260. the British Museum in Sierra Leone and French Forestry Division. 2012. Loma Mountains National Guinea; (ii) by Lt. Col. G. J. Houghton, R.A.M.C. Park: Preliminary Management Plan 2013-2017. in Sierra Leone, recently acquired by the British Sierra Feone: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Museum. Part I & II. Ibis (13)1: 661-697; (13)2: Food Security. 1-33, 217-261. Glanville R. R. 1961. Birds of Bintimani Peak, Sierra Bates, G. L. 1930. [New birds from West Africa.] Bull. Leone. Nigerian Field 26: 53-64. Br. Ornithol. Cl. 31: 47-34. Gonzalez, J.-C. T., Sheldon, B. C., Collar, N. J. & Bates, G. L. 1931 Account of an expedition to Sierra Tobias, J. A. 2013a. A comprehensive molecular Leone and French Guinea on behalf of the British phylogeny for the hornbills (Aves: Bucerotidae). Museum; with an introduction by David A. Mol. Phylo. & Evol. 67: 468-483. Bannerman. Ibis (13)1: 446-466. Gonzalez, J.-C. T., Sheldon, B. C., Collar, N. J. BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened Birds of the & Tobias, J. A. 2013b. Corrigendum to ‘A World. Barcelona: Fynx Edicions & Cambridge, comprehensive molecular phylogeny for the UK: BirdLife International. hornbills (Aves: Bucerotidae)’ [Mol. Phylo. & Evol. BirdLife International. 2004. Threatened Birds of the 67: 468-483.] Mol. Phylo. & Evol. 68: 715. World2004. CD-ROM. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife del Hoyo, J. & Collar, N. J. 2014. HBWand BirdLife International. International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the BirdLife International. 2014. IUCN Red List for birds. World. Vol. 1. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. www.birdlife.org (accessed November 2014). Klop, E., Lindsell, J. A. & Siaka, A. M. 2010. The Borrow, N. & Demey, R. 2001. Birds of Western Africa. birds of Gola Forest and Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone. London, UK: Christopher Helm. Malimbus 32: 33-58. Borrow, N. & Demey, R. 2014. Birds of Western Africa. Lindsell, J., Klop, E. & Siaka, A. 2008. First record of Second edn. London, UK: Christopher Helm. Brown Nightjar Veles binotatus for Sierra Leone. Cole, N. H. A. 1974. Climate, life forms and species Bull. ABC 15: 82-84. distribution on the Loma Montane grassland, Mittermeier, R. A., Robles Gil, P., Hoffmann, M., Sierra Leone. Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 69: 197-210. Pilgrim, J., Brooks, T., Mittermeier, C. G., Collar, N. J., Crosby, M. J. & Stattersfield, A. J. 1994. Lamoreux, J. & da Fonseca, G. A. B. (eds.) 2004. Birds to Watch 2: The World List of Threatened Hotspots Revisited. Earth's Biologically Richest and Birds. Cambridge, UK : BirdLife International. Most Endangered Terrestrial Ecoregions. Mexico Dickinson, E. C. & Christidis, L. (eds.) 2014. The City: CEMEX/Agrupacion Sierra Madre. Howard & Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of Okoni-Williams, A. D., Thompson, H. S., Wood, the World. Fourth edn. Vol. 2. Eastbourne: Aves P., Koroma, A. P. & Robertson, P. 2001. Sierra Press. Leone. In Fishpool, L. D. C. & Evans, M. I. Dickinson, E. C. & Remsen, J. V. (eds.) 2013. The (eds.) Important Bird Areas in Africa and Associated Howard & Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of Islands: Priority Sites for Conservation. Newbury: the World. Fourth edn. Vol. 1. Eastbourne: Aves Pisces Publications & Cambridge, UK: BirdLife Press. International. Dowsett, R. J., Atkinson, P. W. & Caddick, J. A. Sayer, J. A., Harcourt, C. S. & Collins, N. M. 1992. 2014. Checklist of the birds of Sierra Feone. www. The Conservation Atlas of Tropical Forests: Africa. africanbirdclub.org (accessed November 2014). Cambridge, UK: Macmillan. 52 Bull ABC Vol 22 No 1 (2015) Birds of the Loma Mountains, Sierra Leone: Demey & Okoni-Williams -

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