Call for volunteers …

Are South Africa’s bird populations already affected by climate change? The arrival dates of two common migratory birds of the lowveld, the Wahlberg’s eagle (above) and the redchested cuckoo (below), appear to be getting later, probably as a result of global climate change. Volunteers will be tasked with recording the arrival day of common migratory species in their garden or favourite birding area. More dedicated birders may sign up to record sightings of all bird species on a monthly basis (Picture © Mitzi du Plessis)

The SAEON Ndlovu Node needs volunteers to assist in a survey of birds in South Africa’s savanna regions.

Long-term environmental monitoring, particularly in the northern hemisphere, shows mounting evidence that global climate change has already extended plant growing seasons, changed animal and plant distribution patterns, and altered the annual dates of flowering, breeding, and bird migration.

In Britain, for example, the arrival dates of certain migratory birds have been recorded by members of the Royal Meteorological Society since 1883. Long-term records such as these have allowed scientists to understand the effect of climate change on the migration of birds.

Recent studies have revealed that climate change is already affecting many common bird species in the northern hemisphere, with many species arriving later than normal. The delayed arrival can result in birds missing important food peaks, which can have disastrous impacts on bird populations.

Unfortunately, there is little long-term data for Africa, and global climate change is likely to affect birds here as well, if not already. However, without sufficient information on how our actions are impacting our migrant birds we are limited in our ability to improve the situation.

To start solving this knowledge gap, SAEON's Ndlovu Node has launched a citizen science survey to determine the effects of global climate change on bird migration behaviour.

The survey was initiated to investigate changes in migration patterns of bird species found in the savanna biome (or bushveld) of South Africa. The idea for the survey comes from similar projects that have been running for decades in some European countries.

A rare example of long-term records, kept by Mr Eldrid Hapfelt on the farm Birmingham in the Timbavati Game Reserve, suggests that changes may already be occurring for some species, such as the Wahlberg’s eagle, a raptor that migrates to Eurasia every winter (Figure 1).

The survey will be conducted by volunteer birding enthusiasts, and will initially be restricted to the savanna regions of South Africa. Volunteers will be tasked with recording the arrival day of common migratory species in their garden, workplace or favourite birding area.

More dedicated birders may sign up to record the occurrence of all bird species on a monthly basis. The results of these monthly surveys will then be used to detect any reductions, or expansions, of the ranges of certain savanna bird species.

The SAEON Ndlovu Node urgently needs volunteers, so if you are based in a savanna region and are interested in participating in the project, or have already been collecting such information, please contact Nikki Stevens ( nikki@saeon.ac.za, or Tel. 013 735 3540).

 Figure 1. The arrival dates of two common migratory birds of the lowveld, the Wahlberg’s eagle and the redchested cuckoo, appear to be getting later, probably as a result of global climate change. (Data courtesy of Mr Eldrid Hapfelt, Birmingham farm, Timbavati Nature Reserve.)

Table 1: Survey results for bird arrival dates in the lowveld savanna for 2007