PURCHASED TRING LIBRARY Bulletin of the African Bird Club Vol 17 No 1 March 2010 Identification and geographical variation in African Goshawk Status of Short-clawed Lark in south-east Botswana The Lubango Bird Skin Collection, Angola Bird observations from Sao Tome: Monte Carmo as a priority site for conservation Identification of Friedmann’s Lark Madagascar Serpent Eagle Finding the special endemics of southern Ethiopia ISSN 1 352-481 XISSN 1352-481X African • • . The African Bird Club aims to: • provide a worldwide focus for African ornithology • encourage an interest in the conservation of the birds of the region • liaise with and promote the work of existing region- al societies • publish a twice-yearly colour bulletin • encourage observers to visit lesser known areas of the region • encourage observers to actively search for globally threatened and near-threatened species • run the ABC Conservation Programme Registered Charity No 1053920 ABC Membership Membership is open to all. Annual subscription rates are: Individual Europe & Africa: UK£18 Rest of the World: UK£20 Family Europe & Africa: UK£21 Rest of the World: UK£23 Student Europe & Africa: UK£10 Rest of the World: UK£12 Supporting UK£30 minimum Life UK£350 To join or for further details please visit the ABC website (where there are secure online payment facilities) or write to the Membership Secretary — see contact information below. ABC Website http://www.africanbirdclub.org Photographers and artists ABC is always looking for drawings and photos to publish in the Bulletin. If you are interested in contributing, please contact the Graphics Editor, Pete Leonard, pleonard@care4free.net Bird Club ABC Council Phil Atkinson (Vice-Chairman, co-opted), Keith Betton (Chairman), John Caddick (Treasurer), Stephen Cameron (co-opted), Clive Dickson, Chris Magin, Geoff Randall (Secretary), Nigel Redman, Stephanie Tyler and Alan Williams President: Tasso Leventis Vice President: Martin Woodcock Bulletin Editorial Board Chairman of the Board: Keith Betton Managing Editor: Guy Kirwan Assistant Editor: Ron Demey David Allan, Chris Bowden, Callan Cohen, Lincoln Fishpool, Peter Lack, Pete Leonard (Graphics Editor), Jeremy Lindsell and Steph Tyler Contact ABC African Bird Club, c/o BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 ONA. E-mail: • info@africanbirdclub. org • 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 Keith Betton • chairman@africanbirdclub.org Secretary Geoff Randall • secretary@africanbirdclub.org Treasurer John Caddick • treasurer@africanbirdclub.org Bulletin Editor Guy Kirwan • editor@africanbirddub.org Conservation Officer Steph Tyler • conservation@africanbirdclub.org Information Officer Keith Betton • info@africanbirdclub.org Membership Secretary Alan Williams • membership@africanbirdclub.org Sales Officer Bev Randall • sales@africanbirdclub.org Rutland Officer • rutland@africanbirdclub.org Representatives Coordinator Clive Dickson • reps@africanbirdclub.org Corporate Sponsors Officer Stephen Cameron • corporatesponsors@africanbirdclub.org ABC particularly wishes to thank its Corporate Sponsors for their invaluable financial support in 2010: Abacus African Safaris, Ashanti African Tours, Access Africa Safaris, Aim 4 Africa, Ben’s Ecological Safaris, Bird Feeding Station, Birdfinders, Birding Africa, Birding and beyond Safaris, Birding Ecotours, Birdquest, Birdwatching Breaks, Calluna Books, Crystal Safaris, Field Guides, Greentours, Hyde- Lascelles, Lake Kitandara Tours and Travel, Lawson’s Birdwatching Tours, Limosa Holidays, MKA Ecology, Naturetrek, Ornitholidays, Rockjumper, Sarus Bird Tours, Sunbird, Turaco Tours, Turtle Bay Beach Club, WildSounds, Wildwings, and Zeiss. The Bulletin of the African Bird Club The Bulletin of the ABC provides a forum for news, letters, notices, recent publications, expedition results, reviews and interim publication of studies on African birds by contribu- tors from throughout the world. Publication of results in the Bulletin of the ABC does not preclude publication of final results as journal papers either by the ABC or elsewhere. No material should, however, be submitted simultaneously to the Bulletin of the ABC and to any other publication. Brief notes for contributors appear elsewhere in this Bulletin and further details are available from the Editor (editor@ africanbirdclub.org). ©2010 Copyright African Bird Club and contributors. Quotations should carry a full acknowledgement. No part etc may be reproduced, copied or stored in a retrieval system without the prior written permission of the Club or authors. Contents Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 — " V»4€-f#W ^tSTORTMUSEUM 2 6 APR 2010 tring library News & Comment 2 Club News Compiled by Alan Williams 19 5 Conservation Fund News 10 Africa Round-up Compiled by Ron Demey, Guy 32 M. Kirwan and Peter Lack 43 18 Advertising information 65 Corrigenda 99 Little-known African bird: Madagascar Serpent 54 Eagle Eutriorchis astur Jonathan C. Eames 66 72 102 Photospot: Friedmann’s Lark Mirafra pul pa Nik Borrow 79 114 Recent Reports Compiled by Ron Demey 82 128 Reviews 132 Letters to the Editor 85 136 Notes for Contributors Photographs Jason Anderson, Ruben Barone, P. Bentley, Kris Blachowiak, Nik Borrow, R. S. Boyes, Artur Bujanowicz, John 90 Caddick, Simon Colenutt, Toby Collett, John Cooper, Daniel Cornelis, Greg Davies, Paul Donald, Jonathan C. Eames, Augusto Faustino, S. Ferwerda, ** Daphne Gemmill, Bernard Hanus, Jens Hering, A. P. Leventis, Tess Macdonald, 97 Ian Merrill, Johannes & Sharon Merz, Michael Mills, Phoebe Munyoro, Georges Olioso, Fdbio Olmos, Phil Palmer, 1 06 Guillaume Passavy, Bruno Portier, Dave Richards, Adam Riley, Steve Rooke, Peter Ryan, Eugenie Skelton, Axel Smets, Claire Spottiswoode, GeojJJ & Hilary Welch, Manfred Wichmann, Alan Williams, Malcolm Wilson. Front cover plate Double-toothed Barbet / Barbican bidente Lybius bidentatus by Ian Fulton Features Plumage variation in African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro and its separation from congenerics in equatorial Africa Michel Louette; illustrated by Nik Borrow Status of Short-clawed Lark Certhilauda chuana in south- eastern Botswana Chris A. Brewster, Keddy Mooketsa and Marc Herremans Cataloguing the Lubango Bird Skin Collection: towards an atlas of Angolan bird distributions Michaels. L. Mills, Ursula Franke, Grant Joseph, Francisco Miato, Suzanne Milton, Ara Monadjem, Dieter Oschadleus and W. Richard J. Dean Bird observations from Sao Tome: Monte Carmo as a priority Conservation site Fdbio Olmos and Longtong G. Turshak First records of eight bird species for Eritrea Jason Anderson Recent bird records from Fogo, Cape Verde Islands Ruben Barone and Jens Hering The separate African winter quarters of Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca and Collared Flycatcher F. albicollis Robert J. Dowsett First breeding record and passage of Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipitar nisus in Libya Jens Hering, Elmar Fuchs and Stefan Brehme Correction of three historical bird records from Libya Adriano De Faveri and Nicola Baccetti Rock Firefinch Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis and its brood parasite, Jos Plateau Indigobird Vidua maryae, in northern Cameroon Michaels. L. Mills Rufous Fishing Owl Scotopelia ussheri camera-trapped at midday near Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone April Conway, Sonia Hernandez and John P. Carroll Noteworthy bird records from Sao Tome and Principe Phillip Hall, A. P. Leventis, Fdbio Olmos, Stephen Rumsey and Longtong Turshak Display behaviour of Shelley’s Oliveback Nesocharis shelleyi Michael S. L. Mills Finding southern Ethiopia’s endemic birds Claire N. Spottiswoode Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) - 1 Club News 2009 British Birdwatching Fair The worldwide economic difficulties led to much concern about the impact this might have on the premier UK birdwatching event, the annual Birdwatching Fair held at Rutland in central England. Everyone was pleased to see a favourable weather forecast, and this brought record attendances over the three days of the fair in August 2009. Business seemed as brisk as usual. The Club had its usual presence, a stand in Marquee 4, which was manned by Council members and other volunteers. Once again, thanks go to those who give freely of their time to ensure that members can meet those involved in running the Club. In particular, Geoff & Bev Randall designed and set up the stand, and ensured that the sales section was as successful as usual. It is also an opportunity to promote the pleasures of birding in Africa and to persuade interested non-members to join the Club. One member of Council, Nigel Redman, had a particularly busy time with his talk on ‘Birds of the Horn of Africa’, as our representative on the Figure 1. Nigel Redman signing a copy of Birds of the Horn of Africa at the Rutland Birdfair, August 2009 (Alan Williams) Nigel Redman signant un exemplaire de Birds of the Horn of Africa au Birdfair de Rutland, aout 2009 (Alan Williams) ‘Bird Brain of Britain’ quiz team and helping out on the stand. The fair also permits the Club to meet some of our Corporate Sponsors, of which there are currently over 30. Their invaluable financial support helps maintain the standard of the Bulletin. The full list of Corporate Sponsors appears on the inside front cover. ABC AGM Minutes and Accounts In future, to save space it has been decided not to publish the summary accounts and AGM minutes in the Club News section of the Bulletin. Copies of these will be posted on the website and any member can obtain a copy from the Secretary by e-mailing secretary@africanbirdclub.org or by writing to the Club's postal address. Overseas payment schemes The Club has set up several local payment schemes whereby membership payments can be made in local currency via a partner organisation. The membership benefits are the same as for a member paying in sterling. The income received is, however, retained in the country where the scheme is run Figure 2. A visitor to the ABC stand being persuaded to ‘Find the Plover’ by Chris Bowden, Rutland Birdfair, August 2009 (Alan Williams) Un visiteur au stand du ABC en train de se laisser persuader de «Trouver le Pluvian d’Egypte» par Chris Bowden, Birdfair de Rutland, aout 2009 (Alan Williams) and is used to fund agreed local conservation projects. Local payment schemes are currently active in Kenya, Uganda, Madagascar, South Africa and Zimbabwe. If you are a resident of any of these countries and wish to pay your membership fees in your local currency (at a significant discount compared to the prevailing sterling fees) please contact Alan Williams, Membership Secretary via membership@africanbirddub.org. Martin Woodcock’s Safari Sketchbook The last few years have seen the publication of many fine new or revised field guides to various African countries, but a completely different look at African birds is now in the offing. Six years after the last volume of The Birds of Africa appeared, Martin Woodcock, the principal illustrator of those volumes, has gone back to the sketchbooks and journals made during his field trips for that work and selected the material for a new book, Safari Sketchbook — A Bird Painter’s African Odyssey, to be published in spring 2010. While many of the African trips involved fairly intensive birding, others allowed time for much drawing in the field. Sketches in pencil and watercolour, and some in oil, show a wide variety of birds. Some trips were focused on netting forest birds, whilst others were more general, so that the work ranges from impressions of birds as you see them in the field to more detailed portraits, studies of birds in the hand, and sketches of landscapes and habitats. Much of this work resulted from some lengthy visits to East Africa, especially Tanzania and Kenya, but studies from Ethiopia, Uganda and Cameroon are also included. Nearly 200 pages from the sketchbooks are complemented by a lively text, in which anecdotes, 2-BullABCVol17No1 (2010) Club News Figure 3. Kenneth Gbenga, ABC’s representative in Sierra Leone and Rockjumper’s ground agent receiving a copy of Birds of Western Africa donated by ABC and presented by John Caddick (John Caddick) Kenneth Gbenga, representant du ABC en Sierra Leone et agent de Rockjumper, recevant un exemplaire de Birds of Western Africa offert par le ABC et remis par John Caddick (John Caddick) ‘incidents of the route’, a little poetry and some history enhance the underlying ornithology. All this will bring back vivid memories for anyone who has birded in Africa. For further derails and an order form, see Martin’s website (martinwoodcock.co.uk) or write to The Esker Press, Furlongs, Long Lane, Wiveton, Norfolk NR25 7DD, UK. Sales to ABC members, if they mention this when ordering, will benefit the Club’s Conservation Fund. Sales Officer vacancy Geoff & Bev Randall are standing down from their roles as Secretary and Sales Officer respectively. Although the post of Secretary is likely to be filled at the 2010 AGM, that of Sales Officer remains vacant at present. Anyone interested who can spare time for this important post should contact Chairman Keith Betton (chairman@africanbirdclub. org). Council would like to thank Geoff and Bev for all their work on behalf of the Club over many years. Back issues Newly joining members are offered a set of back bulletins at a discount. However, Vol. 2(1), Vol. 3(1-2), Vol. 5(1) and Vol. 6(1) are no longer available and the photocopies we provide are an inferior substitute. If you have copies of these issues you no longer wish to keep', we would be grateful if you could return them to the Club at the usual address: African Bird Club, c/o Birdlife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 ONA, UK. ABC Conservation Tour to Sierra Leone, 9-23 December 2009 1 he ABC / Rockjumper conservation tour to Sierra Leone in December 2009 was a great success. Five of the eight participants travelled direct from London Heathrow to Freetown, the country’s capital, on 9 December, where we were met by Kenneth Gbenga, our local ground agent and ABC’s representative in Sierra Leone. From there we transferred to our hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. David Hoddinott, the Rockjumper tour leader, had been travelling in Ghana and flight delays meant he was unable to arrive until the evening of 10th, whilst the other three participants, from South Africa, only joined the group in the afternoon of the 1 1th due to a flight cancellation. Birding in the heavily populated Freetown and Western Peninsula areas was remarkably productive. Kenneth took us east of the city for some roadside and coastal birding, whilst David took the same direction next day to the Guma Valley Forest Reserve, which is owned by the local water company, and on the 12th to Freetown’s golf course and the Regent Forest Reserve. Highlights of these days included a single White- backed Night Heron Gorsachius leuconotus, four Yellow-casqued Hornbills Ceratogymna elata, an obliging Little Green Woodpecker Campethera maculosa and a stunning male Crimson Seedcracker Pyrenestes sanguineus. In addition, we found time to visit the first of two White- necked Picathartes Picathartes gymnocephalus roosts only an hour’s drive from our hotel on poor roads. After a silent and uncomfortable wait of an hour on stony ground, we had good views of a Spotted Honeyguide Indicator maculatus before the main event of at least three picathartes showing well. Figure 4. Egyptian Plover / Pluvian fluviatile Pluvianus aegyptius, Moa River, Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone, December 2009 (John Caddick) Figure 5. Forbes’s Plover / Gravelot de Forbes Cbaradrius forbesi, Kenema rice fields, Sierra Leone, December 2009 (John Caddick) The following two days we birded the pristine forest of Tiwai Island on the Moa River, situated at the western edge of Cola West Forest Reserve, and took an evening boat trip around the island. Here we enjoyed a very obliging Egyptian Plover Pluvianus aegyptius, a Brown Nightjar Caprimulgus binotatus flying over the river at dusk, two Hartlaub’s Ducks Pteronetta hartlaubii with ducklings, Fire-crested (White- tailed) Alethe Alethe diademata in the forest, a stunning male Buff-throated Sunbird Chalcomitra adelberti and several Red-vented Malimbes Malimbus scutatus at a nest. Having spent the night at Zimmi, we left early next day for Gola South, where we had good views of a juvenile Long-tailed Hawk Urotriorchis macrourus , Blue Cuckooshrike Coracina azurea , Sharpe's Apalis Apalis sharpii, Red- billed Helmetshrike Prionops caniceps and Ussher’s Flycatcher Muscicapa ussheri. Later, we drove to the large town of Kenema and spent a couple Club News Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -3 of hours birding the rice fields, which held three species of snipe — Jack Lymnocryptes minimus , Common Gallinago gallinago and Great Snipes G. media — as well as Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis. Other waders included Forbes’s Plover Charadrius forbesi as well as Palearctic migrants such as Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava and Red- throated Pipit Anthus cervinus. From 16 to 19 December we visited Gola North. Having started from Kenema at 04.30 hrs, we arrived at the local village just after dawn and spent the rest of the day birding around the village and along the 9-km trail to our camp. We then enjoyed two full days of birding in the forest, followed by a final day along the trails back to the village, before returning to the hotel at Kenema. The local villagers participated in the logistical exercise of getting all the camping gear, food and cooking equipment to our forest campsite. Gola North provided views of several species that may be hard to observe elsewhere, including Afep Pigeon Columba unicincta, Blue- headed Bee-eater Merops muelleri, Narina’s Trogon Apaloderma narina, Black Dwarf Tockus hartlaubi, Red-billed Dwarf T. camurus and Brown-cheeked Hornbills Bycanistes cylindricus, Rufous-sided Broadbill Smithornis rufo lateralis, Green- tailed Bristlebill Bleda eximius, Yellow-bearded Greenbul Criniger olivaceus, Finsch’s Flycatcher Thrush Stizorhina fins chi, Forest Scrub Robin Cercotrichas leucosticta, Red- cheeked Dyaphorophyia blissetti and Yellow-bellied Wattle-eyes D. concreta, Fraser’s Sunbird Deleornis fraseri, Lagden’s Malaconotus lagdeni and Many-coloured Bushshrikes Telophorus multicolor and everyone’s favourite, a single stunning male Gola Malimbe Malimbus balmanni, seen after two days searching the forest. In the evenings back at camp we enjoyed the delicious tood prepared by our cook, Edna, sampled the local ale and listened to the Gola North choir. We remained in the Kenema area on 20 December. After another early start, we arrived at Kambui North in time for a pre-dawn breakfast before setting out on a long climb to the hill forest. Highlights of the morning included a single Red- chested Goshawk Accipiter toussenelii, a flock of c. 30 Mottled Swifts Tachymarptis aequatorialis, Red- headed Malimbe Malimbus rubricollis and five species of hornbills: African Pied Tockus fasciatus , a single Black Dwarf, Piping Bycanistes fistulator, Brown-cheeked and Yellow-casqued Hornbills. Following lunch, we set off for Kambui South and our second picathartes site. Our local guide introduced us to the village elders before we climbed through the forest to the roost site. This site was more open and situated alongside a stream with a small sandy beach, which afforded us outstanding views of four White-necked Picathartes coming to roost. For an hour, we watched these magical birds just c. 10 m away before returning to Kenema. The final three days were spent birding in savanna between Kenema and Makeni and in the Bumbuna area. In this more open habitat birding and photography were easier. My personal highlights were Brown Circaetus cinereus, Western Banded C. cinerascens and Beaudouin’s Snake Eagles C. beaudouini, male and female Red- chested Flufftails Sarothrura rufa, a male Yellow-throated Cuckoo Chrysococcyx flavigularis, Pearl- spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum, Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinicus, Cassin’s Honeybird Prodotiscus insignis, Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla, Fine-spotted Woodpecker Campethera punctuligera, a party of White Helmetshrikes Prionops plumatus. White-breasted Cuckooshrike Coracina pectoralis, several Turati’s Boubou Laniarius turatii. Blackcap Babbler Turdoides reinwardtii , Emerald Starlings Lamprotornis iris, Red-winged Pytilia Pytilia phoenicoptera, Dybowski’s Twinspot Euschistospiza dybowskii, Jambandu Vidua raricola and Cameroon Indigobirds V. camerunensis , and a male Togo Paradise Whydah V togoensis in breeding plumage. We all enjoyed our time in Sierra Leone immensely. The people are very friendly and birds are plentiful with some 340 species observed during the tour. The forests also produced eight species of primate. Thanks are due to Rockjumper for organising the tour so successfully and to David for his ability both to find new birds and ensure that all members of the party saw them well. Kenneth and the local team provided good logistical support throughout the tour. The tour continued the theme of ABC conservation tours of visiting poorer known countries with a view to finding little-known species and, in so doing, generating funds for ABC’s conservation work. You can read more about Sierra Leone and its birds on the Club’s website at www.africanbirdclub.org/countries/ SierraLeone/introduction.html and regular visits to the home page will keep you informed about future tour plans. Contributed by John Caddick A request from the Slender-billed Curlew Working Group (SBCWG) As part of the SBCWG’s work, the identification of several forms of Numenius in the Palearctic and adjacent areas is being investigated. The group is seeking photos of Slender-billed Curlew N. tenuirostris, Eurasian Curlew N. a. arquata, and the races N. a. orientalis and N. a. suschkini, as well as the following subspecies ofWhimbrel N. phaeopus, the nominate, N. p. alboaxillaris, N. p. variegatus, N. p. hudsonicus and N. p. phaeopus. Photographs taken in Eastern Europe / Western Asia are particularly sought. All photos should be sent to rossahmed@ gmail.com; please include relevant details such as photographer, date taken and location. Photos should preferably not be ‘manipulated’ before sending, although edited photos are welcome. 4 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Club News V African Bird Club Conservation Fund Despite the difficult financial times, ABC has, with the much-appreciated help of sponsors, made eight new awards since my last report. Avifaunal and threat status survey at Yala Swamp, Kenya ABC awarded UK£850 to Martin Odino for an avifaunal and threat status survey in the north of Yala Swamp IBA in Kenya. This was made possible by generous sponsorship from Paul Lascelles (Hyde-Lascelles). The project’s aims were to: (a) assess threats impacting the IBA inclusive of those associated with Bunyala Rice Scheme and its surroundings; (b) compile a thorough updated checklist of birds and their relative abundance; and (c) provide a basis to establish a Site Support Group. Martin led a three-person team representing the National Museums of Kenya, Ornithology Section. Wildlife Direct, a Kenyan-based international wildlife charity organisation to which Martin is affiliated, provided publicity. An assistant was hired to help with identification and data collection, and a local trainee helped disseminate the idea of a Site Support Group. Martin has already submitted an interim report, which can be seen on the ABC website. He and his team found 172 species, with Black-headed Gonolek Laniarius erythrogaster the most frequent, but no papyrus endemics. Worryingly, the team found much evidence of habitat destruction and encroachment on the swamp, as well as deliberate poisoning on the rice scheme land. Some 55 bird species were affected by this poisoning. Support for Sam Osinubi ABC made an exception to its normal guidelines and, with support from our President, Tasso Leventis, helped fund Sam Osinubi to attend a Sound Analysis Workshop organised by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology in September 2009, as well as have some additional training. ABC provided UK£900. Sam is a Nigerian doctoral student, who is studying the behaviour of Double-toothed Barbet Lybius bidentatus and Yellow-breasted Boubou Laniarius atroflavus in Ngel-Nyaki Forest Reserve, Nigeria, which is an Important Bird Area. The forest is threatened by grazing and burning that has reduced the Afro- montane forest habitat to 7.7 km2 within the 48 km2 of the reserve. L. atroflavus is a poorly known endemic. Sam is conducting his research through the School of Biological Sciences of the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. His project investigates the influence that the forest habitat has on behavioural adaptation and how this affects the fitness of the species inhabiting this threatened habitat. The focus will be on determining how territoriality, vocalisations, foraging strategy and breeding strategy are influenced by habitat quality and how adaptation has resulted in different measures of fitness. The ultimate aim is to assess the efficacy of behaviour as a rapid and accurate index of species-specific habitat quality. Sam was able to stay on for an extra week after the workshop to permit effective and complete analysis of his sound data. Cornell University’s Laboratory of Ornithology is at the forefront of bio-acoustic research and is the developer of both the Raven and XBAT sound analysis computer programs. Vulture awareness day in Kenya Nature Kenya received an award to help promote a Vulture Awareness Day on 10-11 October 2009 at NatureKenya’s Bird Fair in the National Museum’s grounds. The primary objective was to increase public understanding and compassion for vultures — one of the most threatened bird groups in the world. Vulture Awareness Day in Kenya was organised by the Raptor Working Group, a subcommittee of NatureKenya’s Bird Committee, and sought to increase awareness about the need to save Kenya’s vultures. NatureKenya planned to achieve this goal by operating (1) a nationwide art competition (‘the role of vultures in maintaining the cycle of life’) for schoolchildren, (2) a stand at the Bird Fair to educate visitors on the ecological importance of vultures and air a documentary on vulture poisoning, and (3) a play at the fair highlighting poisoning events that have decimated Kenya’s vulture populations. In addition, NatureKenya aimed to raise awareness through radio programmes and articles in newspapers and magazines. ABC provided UK£1,000 towards supporting materials, banners, leaflets, radio time, booth space, audio-visuals, prizes for the ABC Conservation Fund Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -5 f African Bird Club Conservation Fund Double-toothed Barbet / Barbican bidente Lybius bidentatus (Dave Richards) art competition and other incidental costs. The ABC logo appeared on all of the publicity items. Dispersal of Southern Masked Weaver and other passerines on the Cape Peninsula, South Africa ABC contributed UK£500 towards this proposed study led by Dieter Oschadleus, the bird-ringing Coordinator of SAFRING, based at the Animal Demography Unit, University of Cape Town. There was to be a strong training element in bird ringing. Dieter wrote ‘Natal dispersal is poorly studied in African passerine birds due to the difficulty of covering a large enough area to recapture birds ringed previously as chicks. In this study a network of sites will be used on the Cape Peninsula, where the focus will be on Southern Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus, which Southern Masked Weaver / Tisserin a tete rousse Ploceus velatus (Adam Riley) has expanded its range into the Western Cape over the last century. The aim of this study is to use ringing to determine natal dispersal and movements by adults at the edge of the species’ new range. At the same time it will be possible to study the movements of many other common passerines in the area. During Phase 1 (August- December 2009), chicks will be ringed; chicks of other species, particularly Cape Weavers P. capensis, will also be ringed for comparative purposes, although search effort for nests of other species will be limited to incidental finds. Phase 2 (January-December 2010) will consist of weekly mist-netting to attempt to recapture as many chicks as possible. In addition, all birds of other species caught will be ringed to study the movements of birds on the Cape Peninsula.’ Eritrean Sociable Lapwing surveys ABC, via sponsorship from Tasso Leventis, gave UK£500 to Russom Teklay and colleagues to undertake surveys in Eritrea for Sociable Lapwings Vanellus gregarius. The Royal Society for Protection of Birds (BirdLife UK) provided an additional UK£750 through ABC. The project commenced in December 2009. The 6 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) ABC Conservation Fund Erratum (Conservation fund news on pages 6-7): Unfortunately it transpires that the plovers observed by the team in Eritrea were Black-winged Plovers (Lapwings) and not Sociable Plovers. V African Bird Club Conservation Fund team aimed to explore the numbers, distribution and population trend of Sociable Lapwings in the central highlands of Eritrea, to identify special threats to the wintering site, and to increase local awareness of the birds. On the first day, the survey team reported 17 Sociable Lapwings 28 km south-west of Asmara, but next day the team counted only eight birds. On 25 December the survey team counted over 69 in the southern plains, near the small town of Dibariwa, over 12-15 km, and next day the team observed 54 around Mendefera. Russom wrote ‘It is an incredible discovery, which gives real encouragement to global conservation efforts to save this Critically Endangered species’. In the last three weeks of December, the team counted a total of 208 birds. These findings offer a significant boost to conservationists working to save this rare bird from extinction in Kazakhstan, Russia and the Middle East, and the team is very optimistic that suitable conservation action can be taken at this wintering ground. Some major threats have been identified already: habitat degradation due to overgrazing, mostly near human settlements; highly reduced animal grazing, especially in remote and less populated areas, due to continuous drought, because animal manure supports increased insect abundance; and human disturbance. During the evenings, lapwings were observed being chased by domestic dogs and cats, because some birds come close to villages at this time. The team is expecting that other threats will also be identified in the future, such as food scarcity and chemical pollution. Cape Parrots in South Africa Dr Steve Boyes from the Percy Fitzpatrick Institute in South Africa was awarded UK£820 for a study of the incidence of psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) virus in the largest remaining wild population of the globally threatened Cape Parrot Poicephalus robustus. Generous sponsorship by Julian Francis enabled this award. This parrot’s population is estimated as 1,000-15,000 birds and is threatened by habitat loss, illegal capture for the pet trade and avian diseases. The study’s primary objective is to capture as many parrots as possible to discover the incidence of PBFD and other diseases, to estimate body condition, to profile the population structure and to take blood for DNA-archiving (to be used in the forensic investigation into illegal trade). Steve will also undertake feeding trials with wild Cape Parrots in field aviaries to better understand their feeding ecology and preference lor pecan nuts over indigenous food resources in Afro-montane forest patches. Dr Boyes has studied Meyer’s Parrot P. meyeri in the Okavango Delta and has been experimenting with using nest boxes there, to determine if they can be an effective conservation tool for cavity-nesting bird communities in subtropical Africa. Fie aims to use data from this study to derive nest box prescriptions for use by Cape Parrots. This was the subject of a second application, but unfortunately ABC was unable to fund this. However, ABC Council member Stephen Cameron very kindly helped sponsor this project. Steve recently wrote ‘We had Green Wood-hoopoes Phoeniculus purpureus, Woodland Kingfishers Halcyon senegalensis and Cape Parrot / Perroquet du Cap Poicephalus robustus (R. S. Boyes) ABC Conservation Fund Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -7 African Bird Club Conservation Fund African Grey Hornbills Tockus nasutus nesting with signs of several successful attempts (i.e. good layer of excrement) in c.30% of the nest boxes, as well as several mammal species. We also mapped all the habitat types, located over 500 excavated nest cavities and did five cavity-nesting bird abundance transects in each habitat type.’ Study of birds at Lake Nasser in winter 2009/2010 In Bull. ABC 16: 137, I reported on an award towards a raptor training workshop organised by Haitham Ibrahim et al. in Egypt. Due to communication problems, the UK£850 awarded by ABC was not taken up, but the workshop went ahead successfully. Haitham submitted a new application, which has been approved by Council and he has now received the same amount from ABC for a survey, very kindly sponsored by Tasso Leventis. The project aims to survey birds at Lake Nasser, comparing sites on the eastern and western shores of the lake and in Wadi Allaqi Biosphere Reserve, and also to build the capacity of young people working for the Nature Conservation Sector of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (NCS/EEAA) and students at the University of South Valley. It also aims to raise awareness among local communities (fishermen, farmers and Bedouins) in the area. The Nile Valley and the Red Sea coast are important bird migration routes through Africa. Lake Nasser, which was created in 1964, is 496 km long with a mean width of 15 km. Water levels fluctuate greatly, between seasons and years, depending on the net annual volume of water it receives. Lake Nasser is one of the world’s largest man-made lakes with a very complex nature shoreline composed of numerous khors (inundated desert wadis). The shallow waters of these khors support aquatic flora and provide good breeding grounds for fish, whilst their often gently sloping shores permit vegetation to grow. In contrast, much of the rest of the lake’s shores are steep and rocky with little vegetation. Many islands (the tops of inundated hills) are widespread in the lake. Fishing and related activities are considered one of the main threats to birds at Lake Nasser, whilst farmers use pesticides on their crops, which kill birds and other wildlife. The Egyptian government is planning to resettle more of the surrounding land by the year 2017. Haitham considers that swift action is needed to collect data and raise the awareness of decision-makers and stakeholders about the area’s birds. A database to monitor common birds and record rare sightings and range extensions in Kenya After discussions with Ian Fisher who is overseeing Kenya Birdfinder-Worldbirds, the Conservation Committee approved this application, subject to suggestions made by Ian being taken up. An award of UK£1,000 will be made, kindly sponsored by Tasso Leventis. The Bird Committee of NatureKenya is very keen to pursue this work. Oliver Nasirwa wrote that ‘we are hopeful that with the renewed interest and support from the National Museums of Kenya, the work of collating and managing bird records will get back on track. With this work running we hope that we shall find ways of addressing capacity issues that have led to the record keeping falling behind.’ Further work on Djibouti Francolin in the Mabla Mountains, Djibouti ABC has agreed to award UK£ 1,000 towards field work costs for a follow-up survey to the March 2009 work on the highly threatened Djibouti Francolin Francolinus ocbropectus in the eastern Mabla Mountains, an Important Bird Area in Djibouti, from which a provisional population estimate of 108 birds was derived (cf Bull. ABC 16: 138). This was the first systematic survey of the species at this site. Unfortunately, access to the western and northern sides of the mountains was impractical due to security concerns at the time. Analysis of Google Earth images and conversations with a local shepherd suggest that there is potential habitat elsewhere in the mountains and that francolins are present. The team for the March 2010 survey, Houssein Rayaleh and Aden Dini, will visit the west and north sides of the mountains to determine if francolins are present and perform transects to prepare a more accurate population estimate for this endangered endemic. As with the March 8 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) ABC Conservation Fund ^ African Bird Club Male Djibouti Francolin / Francolin somali Francolinus ochropectus (Geoff & Hilary Welch) 2009 survey, the standard survey methodology developed by the World Pheasant Association in the species’ main stronghold of the Foret du Day will be used, and information on habitat structure and current or potential threats to the species will also be collected. Houssein Rayaleh is Executive Secretary of Djibouti Nature, the principal nature conservation NGO in Djibouti, and the country’s most experienced native ornithologist; he was a key member of the March 2009 survey. Reports Plight of vultures in Somaliland Abdi Jama recently sent a report on the second part of his survey, east of 45°E to the environs of Erigavo, the capital of the massive Sanaag region. Abdi’s first stop was the old Burao city dump where, c. 18 months previously, Egyptian Neophron percnopterus, Lappet-faced Torgos tracheliotus , Ruppell’s Gyps rueppellii and White- backed Vultures G. africanus had been present. Fie reports; This time Egyptian and Lappet- Conservation Fund faced Vultures were present in good numbers, but Ruppell’s was absent and just one White-backed Vulture was seen. As we headed east, almost every hamlet we passed had its own contingent Egyptian Vultures, but visits to interior bush communities revealed that the semi-commensal existence of Egyptian Vultures petered out as we entered poorer areas with apparently little to scavenge on. Not a single Egyptian Vulture was seen away from established villages and towns. We did not see any other vultures (other than the ubiquitous Egyptian) between Burao and Yuffle, a distance of c.400 km, other than a single contingent of 12 Lappet-faced Vultures, attesting to the drastic decline of vultures. Furthermore, the large dump just outside Erigavo had been cleared for development since the team’s last visit and the vultures were gone completely. Possible causes for the absence of vultures could include the general environment being cleaner and, perhaps, the decline in the once-abundant livestock herds and antelope. The string of drought years since the 1990s has possibly also reduced the food source for vulture species.’ ABC is particularly grateful to the individual sponsors who have personally pledged support for particular projects. This is a really valuable way to help the Club to achieve one of its main aims — to assist individuals and small groups undertake research that advances our knowledge of African birds. Several members have indicated that they are interested in helping the Club in this work, and without any obligation they are sent details of projects that the Conservation Committee feel merit support. If you would be interested in finding out how you can support projects such as these, please contact ABC Chairman, Keith Betton (chairman@ africanbirdclub). Steph Tyler, on behalf of the Conservation Committee ABC Conservation Fund Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010)- 9 Africa Round-up General Translating biodiversity monitoring into action In late 2009, BirdLife Partners from eight countries attended a workshop in Entebbe, Uganda, to discuss how to turn monitoring results from Africa’s Protected Area / Important Bird Area (IBA) network into policies and actions that ensure their sustainable use and improve the livelihoods of local communities. The workshop was organised to share ideas and learn lessons from across the BirdLife Africa Partnership. At present, 163 African I BAs are also Protected Areas. These sites are monitored to establish the state of their bird populations, identify the pressures that they face and to outline responses which counter these pressures. Humans are responsible for many threats to IBAs but climate change, with impacts already visible, may be the most serious threat of all. “African countries are most vulnerable to its [climate change] devastating impacts and least able to adapt”, said Jessica Eriyo (Minister of Environment ol the Republic of Uganda) who opened the workshop. “Climate change is affecting wildlife in the same manner it is affecting the people”, Ms Eriyo added. In keeping with the theme of the workshop, the Minister encouraged delegates to engage in advocacy with a meaning in order to address challenges facing both the people and the environment. Participants committed themselves to: influence governments to designate IBAs as legally Protected Areas and allocate adequate resources for enforcement of the conservation policies; influence landowners to adopt wise-use principles in water catchments and basins; lobby for inclusion of bird species as indicators for biodiversity within National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plans; and, ensure full enforcement of national Environmental Impact Assessment regulations, among other actions. The workshop was facilitated by a team of experts with regional and international experience, and included lectures, discussions, group exercises, case studies from Burkina Faso, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Tunisia, and a field visit to the Lutembe Bay IBA. The workshop was organised and sponsored by the BirdLife Africa I BA/PA Monitoring Project funded by the European Commission through the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB, BirdLife in the UK) and was hosted by Nature Uganda. Source: BirdLife International press release, October 2009 Wildlife poisoning in Africa A widely available poison is being used to kill thousands of birds every month in an area of Kenya, and by game poachers in Botswana to kill vultures. The poisoning of wildlife seems to have increased across the continent recently, and BirdLife is calling for increased concerted efforts to address this threat. Situated in western Kenya near Lake Victoria and the Ugandan border, the White-backed Vultures / Vautours africains Gyps africanus (Daniel Cornelis) Bunyala Rice Scheme is a heavily irrigated area, and the water-logging also creates suitable feeding habitat for many birds, which are being targeted by local people who view the meat as a delicacy. The poison used is called Carbofuran (or Furadan) and is designed to control insects in a wide variety of field crops. However, it is also toxic to animals, and has one of the highest acute toxicities to humans of any insecticide widely used on field crops. In Bunyala the poison is placed inside snail shells. Decoy birds are also used, and poachers disturb the surroundings to encourage wild birds to settle into the baited areas. Once captured, target birds are killed and sold for human consumption. Throughout eastern and southern Africa there are increasing reports of the use of Carbofuran to illegally poison wildlife. In Botswana, poachers have recently been observed lacing giraffe carcasses with poison to attract vultures and kill them. In two recent incidents, over 80 vultures including White-backed Gyps africanus and Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monacbus have been deliberately poisoned in the country. The BirdLife Africa Partnership and many other conservation organisations across Africa — -like Wildlife Direct— are already working to address this problem and are calling for increased efforts to deal with it. In Kenya, Martin Odino from the National Museums of Kenya — with funding from the African Bird Club and Rufford Small Grants — is working with NatureKenya (the BirdLife Partner) to quantify the threat, focusing specifically on the Bunyala Rice Scheme. BirdLife Botswana is also working to educate local people about the use of poisons. In response to problems caused by wildlife poisoning across the continent, 10 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Africa Round-up the BirdL.ile Africa Secretariat has also been focusing on chemicals and drugs as one of the threats to birds and their habitats. Over 2,000 posters are being distributed to raise awareness of the threat to vultures and coordinated counts will be undertaken in East Africa to verify the extent of the problem and make recommendations for mitigation. A high-resolution PDF of the poster is available at www. birdlife.org/regional/africa/pdfs/ vulture_poster_highres.pdf. It may be possible to send copies to institutions / individuals who need several- high quality copies; e-mail: paul. ndanganga@birdlife.or.ke Source: BirdLife International press release, November 2009 BirdLife Africa Wildlife Clubs Project The BirdLife Africa Wildlife Clubs Project has taken a step closer to its goal of connecting over 400,000 children across the continent with conservationists around the world. The project combines biodiversity conservation with education and sustainable development initiatives, and uses bird conservation to help bridge the digital divide in Africa. Along with the people responsible for the project, representatives from 1 3 other environmental organisations and educational institutions participated in a workshop in Accra, Ghana. The workshop’s host, the Ghana Wildlife Society (GWS; BirdLife in Ghana), has unrivalled experience in organising environmental education and conservation activity among young people. The junior wing of GWS, the Wildlife Clubs of Ghana, recently celebrated its 21st birthday. Starting with just two clubs in 1987, it now has over 1,000 clubs throughout the country. The participants developed a wildlife club / environmental education coordinators’ network, reviewed the contents of a draft manual for wildlife clubs in Africa, and discussed ways of persuading national governments to incorporate the manual into their education systems. As part ol the project, BirdLife Zimbabwe recently organised a High Schools Public Speaking Competition in partnership with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the Mukuvisi Woodlands Association. Schoolchildren from around Harare were given questions posed by BirdLife Zimbabwe and EMA. Mukuvisi Woodlands sourced varied prizes and BirdLife Zimbabwe donated Enjoy the Birds of Zimbabwe books to the children. Additional prizes were donated by the British Council, WWF, EMA and the IUCN. Source: BirdLife International press release, September 2009 Cory’s Shearwater / Puffin cendre Calonectris diomedea (Augusto Faustino) Spatial segregation between two closely related shearwaters breeding in sympatry Joan Navarro and co-workers used satellite-tracking and stable isotope data to study spatial segregation of Cory’s Shearwaters Calonectris diomedea borealis and Scopoli’s Shearwaters C. d. diomedea breeding in sympatry at a Mediterranean colony. It was found that Cory’s foraged mainly in the Atlantic, whilst Scopoli’s fed exclusively in proximity to the breeding colony in the Mediterranean. This segregation could reflect the foraging behaviour of Cory’s Shearwaters before they arrived in the Mediterranean from the nearby Atlantic colonies: they probably have remained faithful to their previous foraging area in the Atlantic. Alternatively, Cory’s Shearwaters are larger and have a greater wing loading compared with Scopoli’s, and therefore are probably better prepared to fly across the strong winds in the Strait of Gibraltar. The wintering areas of both taxa were also different: Cory’s Shearwaters wintered along the coast of southern Africa, whereas Scopoli’s wintered mainly in the Canary Islands Current. Source: Biol. Lett. 5, pp. 545-548 Understanding the Amur Falcon’s migrations Amur Falcon Falco amurensis conducts one of the most remarkable of avian migrations: the birds leave their Asian breeding range and travel to north-east India and Bangladesh, where they fatten up for the overland flight over peninsular India. It is believed to then undertake the longest regular over-water passage of any raptor, crossing the Indian Ocean between south-west India and tropical East Africa, a journey of >4,000 km, which also includes nocturnal flight. Birds arrive in their southern African winter range in November-December and depart by early May. In contrast, its return is probably largely overland, to the north and west of its southbound route. However, recent observations in late November— early December in Ethiopia suggest that there may be a regular overland passage at higher latitudes than previously known. Now, BirdLife South Africa, Microwave Telemetry, Inc., USA, and members of the World Working Group on Birds of Prey have commenced a satellite telemetry programme to study the migration routes and other aspects of the biology of this little-known raptor. At the largest winter roost known in South Africa (numbering r.26,000 birds) almost 30 birds were trapped in early 2010, and the biggest ten adults were fitted with 5g solar-powered satellite tags. Even Amur Falcon / Faucon de 1’Amour Falco amurensis (Phil Palmer, www.Birdholidays.co.uk) Afiica Round-up Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -11 after just a few days surprising new information was gathered, with one female roosting >100 km from the trap site. Source: Bernd Meyburg in litt. to AfricanBirding January 2010 More Eleonora’s Falcons GPS- tagged Following a German’s team study using GPS-tagged Eleonora’s Falcons Falco eleonorae (see Bull. ABC 16: 14), four Eleonora’s Falcons were fitted with satellite transmitters in Greece in spring 2009, to investigate the migration routes followed by the birds to their wintering areas in south-east Africa and Madagascar. The four started their journey to Africa in mid October. By late October, two were in Sudan, one in western Ethiopia and one in central Egypt. In early November, two had reached Madagascar, whilst the other two remained in central Africa, in Chad and Central African Republic, respectively. For maps showing the migratory routes of the four birds, see the website below. Source: www. ornithologiki.gr/life/ falcoellenlprogramlsatellite_map.htm North Africa Local group makes its mark at Egypt’s Lake Qarun Egypt’s first Important Bird Area (IBA) Site Support Group (SSG) (see Bull. ABC 16: 144) has persuaded one of the country’s largest construction groups to end the dumping of waste at Lake Qarun, which supports regionally important numbers of wintering waterbirds. Lake Qarun occupies the deepest part of the Fayoum Depression, >40 m below sea level. Once a large body of fresh water, the lake now receives almost all its water as drainage from irrigated land. As a result, and because the only outflow is via evaporation, levels of salinity have been steadily increasing. Because of these environmental changes, a local subspecies of Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala norrisae has become extinct, while Slender-billed Gull Larus genei, which first breed Slender-billed Gull / Goeland railleur Larus genei (Georges Olioso) in the 1990s, now numbers c.8,500 pairs. Numbers of breeding Spur- winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus also meet IBA criteria, as does the wintering population of Black- necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis. A salt extraction processing plant has been set up, which over time will improve water quality and permit habitats to be restored, as well as providing employment. However, unregulated tourist development in the south of the lake is destroying the best waterbird habitats and leading to increased disturbance. Hunters, including organised parties from Europe, regularly ignore the lake’s protected status. The SSG was established to enhance biodiversity conservation and benefit-sharing with local communities, in recognition that local people could make a significant contribution towards conservation efforts by reducing exploitation and hunting in the protected area. Its members have removed shooting blinds used by duck hunters, and plan to erect signboards with information about the lake and its importance as an IBA. They are also involved in awareness-raising and education activities with schoolchildren. The local government has an ecotourism strategy for Lake Qarun, so when the construction company began work on a tourist development, the SSG went into action, and the bulldozers were quickly pulled back to 30 nr from the shoreline. The construction company’s owner has pledged to set aside a proportion of his shoreline for saltmarshes to be re-established, providing a small bird sanctuary on the lake. This was to have been a hunting lodge in his original plan, and he has made a commitment not to allow or sanction hunting parties along the lake. Source: BirdLife International press release, September 2009; World Birdwatch 31(4), p. 7 Range extension of Plain Martin in north-western Morocco In November 2007-February 2008, Plain Martins Riparia paludicola were found breeding in an abandoned sand extraction site at Lower Loukkos, north-western Morocco. This is the north-westernmost breeding record of this species in the country and constitutes a range extension of c. 1 00 km from Khenichet, the nearest previously known breeding site. Morocco’s isolated population of the endemic subspecies R. p. mauritanica, has steadily expanded its range north since the 1960s. Source: Dutch Birding 31, pp. 304— 306 Mute Swan in Algeria In February 2009, three Mute Swans Cygnus olor were photographed at Lake Tonga, a Ramsar site in north-east Algeria. There are veiy few previous records of any Cygnus species in the country, the most recent in the late 1990s. Source: Alauda 77, p. 314 A Humblot’s Heron in Tunisia Endemic to the Malagasy region, the rare Humblot’s Heron Ardea humbloti, which was photographed at Oued Gouifla in October 2008, seems a highly unlikely vagrant. However, to date, the observers have been unable to locate any captive individuals in, for instance, Europe that might otherwise account for the record. Source: Alauda 77, p. 313 A migration bottleneck in Egypt Gudrun Hilgerloh of the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz has provided some counts from a migration bottleneck on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, at Zait Bay, in the coastal desert west of the main Suez-Hurghada road. Counts in late 12 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Africa Round-up February-early May 2007 produced almost 125,000 storks and nearly 40,000 raptors, with nearly 180,000 soaring birds counted in all. Source: Bird Conserv. Intern. 19, pp. 338-352 Atlantic Ocean Islands Aberrantly dark Fea’s Petrel found in the Cape Verde Islands In March 2007, an odd Fea’s P etrel Pterodroma feae was trapped and photographed on Fogo, Cape Verde Islands. Unlike normal birds, which are clean white below, the entire underparts of this individual were ashy grey and the underwing- coverts lacked any white. The head was also darker than in normal birds. Melanism is considered to be a very rare phenomenon in Procellariiformes, with only five known cases up to 2005, none of which referred to Fea’s Petrel or the closely related Zino’s Petrel P. madeira. Source: Dutch Birding 31, pp. 302- 304 The former range of the Razo Lark The Critically Endangered Razo Lark Alauda razae, which is nowadays restricted to the tiny island of Raso, in the Cape Verde archipelago, and is thought to number in the region of just 100 individuals, was formerly present on the other north-western islands of Santo Antao, Sao Vicente and Santa Luzia. This is the finding of a group of Spanish researchers, based on a survey of subfossil bone deposits from all of the ten major islands of the Cape Verdes. All of the deposits date from before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century. This finding confirms previous speculation that the species’ modern range is relictual and that the Razo Lark was formerly more widespread. Source: Alauda 77, pp. 309—312 Last words on the kites of the Cape Verdes? 'Sabine Hille (University of Wien) and Nigel Collar (BirdLife) have taken a detailed look at the Milvus kites in the Cape Verde Islands. Sadly, it seems that the Red Kite M. milvus fasciicauda which occurred on the north-west and south-west islands ol the group is almost or actually extinct; and numbers of Black Kite M. migrans , which occurs on the eastern islands and differs morphometrically from mainland birds, are critically low. There has been much confusion between these forms. Many earlier visitors did not realise that two forms occur in the archipelago, and it may now already be too late to save either bird. Source: Bull. Br. Ornithol. Club 129, pp. 217-221 More on Cape Verde Warbler A recent survey of the island of Fogo, in the Cape Verde Islands, found that Cape Verde Warbler Acrocephalus brevipennis is widespread across the northern half of the island between 200 m and 975 m, with an estimated total population of 500 pairs there. On Fogo, the species favours coffee plantations and other introduced crops, including maize. The authors of the study, Jens Hering and Elmar Fuchs, also looked at the species’ breeding biology, and found that both sexes are responsible for incubating the eggs. Source: Vogelwarte 47, pp. 157-164 Red-billed Tropicbird breeding in the Canary Islands In November 2007, a pair of Red- billed Tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus was found breeding in the Canary Islands for the first time, on the westernmost island of El Hierro. One young successfully fledged. The next Red-billed Tropicbird / Phaeton a bee rouge Phaethon aethereus (Augusto Faustino) year, a pair again bred successfully on the island. The nearest breeding sites of this species are in the Cape Verde Islands and on lies de la Madeleine, off Dakar, Senegal, 1,300 and 1,400 km distant, respectively. Source: Quercus 281, p. 44 (July 2009) West & Central Africa Black-tailed Godwit / Barge a queue noire Limosa limosa (John Caddick) Black-tailed Godwit’s migration followed by satellite A Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa fitted with a satellite transmitter flew non-stop within 48 hours from the Netherlands to Senegal via Spain and over the Sahara, a distance of over 4,000 km. Its average speed was nearly 80 km per hour. In May 2009, Theunis Piersma’s research group fitted 15 Black-tailed Godwits in Friesland, Netherlands, with tiny transmitters that were placed into the abdominal cavity of the birds. The researchers are intent on discovering exactly how the birds migrate between their winter and summer grounds and, for example, whether they migrate in a ‘loop’. Indeed, it looks as if at least some godwits that arrive in West Africa via Spain and Morocco, use a more easterly route, via Mali and Italy, to return to their breeding grounds in Friesland. The project has revealed that the godwits have a flexible strategy, both during their migration and on their wintering grounds. The satellite- wearing godwits started to leave in late June and all had departed Friesland by early August. One bird initially also flew to Senegal, but continued to Guinea-Bissau and, Africa Round-up Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -13 foilwing a three-month stay, flew 1,200 km east to the Niger Delta in Mali, where it was killed in a fishing net in November. The migration routes of the birds can be seen at www.vogelbescherming.nl/grutto Source: http://www. rug. nil biologie/ 1 02_09 A scops owl on Principe? The Gulf of Guinea islands of Sao Tome and Principe are well known for their spectacular avian endemism, but no owl species is definitely known from the latter island, despite the presence of an endemic scops owl, Otus hartlaubi, on Sao Tome. Martim Melo and Martin Dallimer have recently published details of their recordings of owl-like calls in low- altitude primary forest on Principe during surveys in 2007. The calls are within the frequency range of Otus owls and differ from known, non-avian calls, suggesting that an endemic scops owl is present on the island, as had been speculatively reported since as long ago as 1928. Source: Malimbus 31, pp. 109-115 Partnerships strengthen migratory bird conservation in West Africa Six countries in West Africa have committed to conserving Important Bird Areas (IBAs) for migrant birds along their coastlines, following a recent joint workshop organised by BirdLife and Wetlands International. “The project offers an opportunity for coordinated monitoring and conservation of IBAs along the coast of West Africa, and for capacity building, which is crucial for migratory bird conservation, as well as enhancement of the livelihoods of local communities”, said Dr Hazell Thompson, Africa regional director of BirdLife International. Over 40% of long-distance migrants in the African-Eurasian flyway have shown signs of decline during the last three decades. Of these 10% are classified by BirdLife as globally threatened or Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Along the coast of West Africa — from Guinea to Mauritania — over 170 migrants have been recorded Marbled Teal / Marmaronette marbree Marmaronetta angustirostris (Georges Olioso) Aquatic Warbler / Phragmite aquatique Acrocephalus paludicola (Bruno Portier) including the Vulnerable Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris and Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola, and the Near Threatened Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca. However, of the 43 IBAs in the region that qualify for their migratory birds, 22 lack any conservation action. Key threats identified include agricultural intensification, pollution, commercial and residential development, unsustainable harvesting and hunting, modification of habitats such as wetlands, invasive species and human disturbance. Some of the critical IBAs for migratory birds in the region include Banc d’Arguin National Park and Chott Boul (Mauritania), Delta du Saloum and Djoudj Wetlands (Senegal), Arquipelago dos Bijagos (Guinea Bissau), Sierra Leone River Estuary, and lies Tristao (Guinea). Participants from Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Gambia met at the four-day workshop in Dakar, Senegal. They represented civil society organisations, government institutions and conservation programmes and initiatives in the region. Together, they identified and agreed on a network of sites and species, as well as a menu of conservation actions that will be undertaken over the four-year life span of the project. Source: BirdLife International press release, December 2009 White-necked Picathartes survey in Gola Forest, Sierra Leone A survey conducted in October 2006-January 2007 within Gola Forest Reserve and in surrounding community forest found 47 White- necked Picathartes Picathartes gymnocephalus breeding sites, of which 35 were active. A total of 109 active nests were counted, 64 of them located within the reserve. It is possible that the actual number is slightly higher, as some undiscovered nest colonies could exist at remote locations in the reserve. Source: Ibis 1 52, p. 205 Grey-necked Picathartes survey in Cameroon Taku Awa et al. from Reading University, in the UK, surveyed Grey-necked Picathartes Picathartes oreas in various parts of the Cameroon mountains, in particular Mbam Minkom Mountain Forest. During a complete survey in January-March 2006 they found 90 breeding and 24 potential breeding sites, but the whole area is under considerable pressure from agricultural encroachment and illegal timber use. The authors suggest various possible remedial actions and that the situation needs to be monitored. Source: Bird Conserv. Intern. 19, pp. 254-264 Good news for Ibadan Malimbe The globally Endangered Ibadan Malimbe Malimbus ibadanensis, whose population is considered to number fewer than 2,500 individuals confined to a tiny area circumscribed by Ibadan, Ife, Iperu and Ilaro, in south-west Nigeria, has recently been discovered in the Ifon Forest Reserve, 14 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Africa Round-up a newly created protected area of 282 knv, which now qualifies as an Important Bird Area. The finding extends the species’ range c. 140 km to the east, and observations made in the reserve suggest some degree of dependence on Kola Cola gigantea trees, a previously unknown association. Source: Malimbus 31, pp. 121-122 Plantations are not only bad news for birds Lars Holbech of the University of Ghana has been looking at tree crop plantations and their use by, mainly lower storey, forest birds. Such plantations have included rustic cocoa, neglected coconut and various plantations of exotic tree species. He found that those areas adjacent to or within large forest areas are superior to smaller areas near small species- poor forests, and a high forest tree density and a luxuriant undergrowth that is uncut for several years are the most important actors permitting forest specialists to survive. Fifty percent of species of conservation importance were found in such plantations, thus revealing that they are an important reservoir for such species. The considerable majority of the plantations lack formal protection. Source: Bird Conserv. Intern. 19, pp. 287-308 Sao Tome Short-tail is more widespread than thought A team from the Sao Tome Association of Biology has found three, perhaps four, family groups of the Sao Tome Short-tail Amaurocichla bocagii in the montane forests of the island. Previously the species was thought only to occur in the lowlands, but clearly it breeds higher up too. Similarly, one individual of Newton’s Fiscal Lanius newtoni was also found. Perhaps the conservation of both these species is not quite as critical as was thought? Source: Bull. Br. Ornithol. Club 129, pp. 213-216 East Africa East African Rarities Committee changes its remit The East African Rarities Committee has just changed its remit and will now consider the first to fifth records of any species from each of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. It is hoped that this will make it easier for observers to establish whether their sightings need to be submitted to the committee or not. If you see a species that has been recorded fewer than five times in any of the three countries please submit details to the EARC Secretary, Jeremy Lindsell, RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, UK, e-mail: jeremy.lindsell@rspb.org.uk. Past records of such rarities are also sought. Source: D. J. Fisher in litt. 2009 NABU protects unique wild coffee forests in Ethiopia NABU (BirdLife in Germany), in partnership with the Ethiopian government and others, is to operate a project to protect the last natural forests where the world famous 'arabica’ coffee is produced. In the last ten years, almost 43% of these forests have disappeared, having been transformed into arable land. “The clearing of tropical forests is a major source of greenhouse gases. Over the past 40 years, 35% of Ethiopian forests have been lost through deforestation. If we do not act now, Ethiopia will lose all its forests by 2020”, said NABU’s President. Experts estimate that the remaining forest — c.200,000 ha — contains c.25 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in soil biomass. It absorbs 600,000 tonnes p.a. of the harmful greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. The NABU project will provide the restoration of 700 ha of natural forest and cultivated areas with native wildlife and timber, whilst the reforestation of 10,000 ha will be jointly managed with the Biosphere Reserve following the principles of sustainable forestry. Special tourist infrastructures, such as animal and birdwatching towers, outdoor museums and hiking trails will also be constructed. After receiving special training, local people will be able to guide tourists and explain the effects of climate change and agriculture practices. Source: BirdLife International press release, December 2009 Natron community vows to protect its flamingos Villagers around Tanzania’s Lake Natron have vowed to protect the lake and its Lesser Flamingos Phoemconaias minor from industrial development. BirdLife’s Tanzanian Partner — the Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST) — has put forward an alternative to the environmentally destructive soda ash extraction plant proposed for the lake, calling instead for its unmatched tourism potential to be developed, and for the people of Lake Natron to be enabled to benefit from the income generated. Three-quarters of the global Lesser Flamingo population occurs in East Africa, with Lake Natron by far their most important breeding site. In 2007, the Indian-based multinational company, Lake Natron Resources Ltd., proposed to construct a major soda ash extraction plant to exploit the very alkaline nature of the lake (see Bull. ABC 15: 18). The company appears to have withdrawn its interest following a successful appeal by BirdLife and the Lake Natron Consultative Group, a coalition of community and environmental groups in East Africa. But in 2009 BirdLife learned that the Tanzanian government had published invitations to tender for soda extraction equipment, and plans an extension of the rail network to link Lake Natron to the port of Tanga. The government subsequently denied being responsible for the invitations. Speaking at a meeting organised by WCST, a Maasai elder, Lasoi Ole Nareshoi, said: “God gave us this resource for use by ourselves, our children and children’s children. We will protect it from any industrial exploitation that may chase away the flamingos and damage the environment”. Paul Nnyiti, of the Africa Round-up Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -15 WCST, said the time had come for stakeholders and the government to come to the assistance of the Lake Natron community so that they can benefit from tourism, whilst Ken Mwathe, who is the Coordinator of the Lake Natron Consultative Group, said that although the soda ash mining plans have been put on hold, stakeholders remain worried that the plans have not been abandoned. Source: BirdLife International press release, October 2009; World Birdwatch 31(4), p. 7 House Crows eradicated from Socotra House Crows Corpus splendens, which are native to the Indian subcontinent and are recognised as an invasive species in many parts of the world, were eradicated from Socotra, Yemen, in 2009. The first individuals arrived in 1996 and the population built up slowly to ten pairs, raising concerns about the damage the species could do to native biodiversity. Over the last 1 50 years the species has been spreading, aided largely by ships, which have enabled them to colonise many parts of the Arabian Peninsula. In mainland Yemen, they had reached a high density by the 1980s, posing a threat to agriculture. Half a million were exterminated, but complete eradication proved impossible. Source: Sandgrouse 31, p. 204 & www. birdwatch. co. uk! website I content! viewl2673l32l Indian Ocean Islands Madagascar NGOs unite against plunder of natural resources Asity Madagascar (BirdLife in Madagascar) has joined a group of Malagasy civil society organisations, Voahary Gasy, in calling for an end to the plundering of natural resources in the national parks of north-east Madagascar. Following the change of government in March 2009, all but essential humanitarian aid has been withdrawn by the international community, leaving Madagascar s national park and forestry services practically unfunded. Loggers have moved into protected areas, removing valuable hardwoods such as rosewood, ebony and mahogany. They work for influential business people in possession of illegal but ‘official’ documentation permitting them to export these hardwoods. Local communities who depend on forest resources and tourism have been threatened and attacked for their opposition to these highly destructive activities. A new trade in bushmeat has developed and lemurs in particular are being killed in large numbers. Several endemic birds are largely or entirely confined to pristine primary forest in this region, including the Endangered Madagascar Serpent Eagle Eutriorchis astur and Vulnerable Helmet Vanga Euryceros prevostii and Bernier s Vanga Oriolia bernieri. With the complete breakdown of protected area regulation, and armed gangs operating with impunity in the forests, it is impossible to assess the impact on these and other threatened species. Voahary Gasy is calling for an immediate halt to exports of hardwoods, particularly rosewood, the enforcement of protected area regulation, the creation of a task force to combat environmental crime, and a campaign to raise awareness within Madagascar ol the nature and extent of the destruction of the island’s remaining forests. The umbrella organisation is also emphasising that the range of new and extreme threats to Madagascar s environment and biodiversity is very broad and not restricted to the north- east of the country or to precious hardwoods. Other parts of the country, and valuable resources such as reptiles, shark fins and rare plants, are also affected or at least at risk. Asity Madagascar is working with other groups to control or prevent problems in the far south-east, where the largest expanse of lowland forest, Tsitongambarika, is under threat, and similar initiatives are taking place elsewhere. ‘These events are a disaster for Madagascar, profiting a tiny number of individuals at immense cost to the country’s economy and extraordinary heritage", said Dr Roger Safford, Senior Programme Manager at BirdLife International. “The global community must help to resolve the situation, but the emergence of Voahary Gasy is a very positive step, showing the commitment of Malagasy institutions and individuals to lead in publicising and tackling the problems. Source: World Birdwatch 31(4), p. 10 Southern Africa Pygmy Falcon / Fauconnet d’Afrique Polihierax semitorquatus (Dave Richards) Polyandrous Pygmy Falcons During a photographic trip to the Kalahari Desert, in August 2009, photographer Albie Venter documented two different male Pygmy Falcons Polihierax semitorquatus copulating with the same female, which had a nest nearby. An instance of cooperative breeding, wherein rwo male Pygmy Falcons had provisioned a single female, had been documented recently but such behaviour was unexplained, until now. It seems that, at least occasionally, the more strikingly coloured female Pygmy Falcon may avail herself of more than one mate. Source: Africa — Birds & Birding 14(6), pp. 16-18 Avian biodiversity in South Africa and the BirdLife South Africa List Committee There has recently been a major focus on the Southern African bird list, which includes the seven countries south of the Zambezi River. Remarkably, South Africa itself has never received much attention, and few birders even know how many species this remarkably diverse 16 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Africa Round-up country holds. BirdLife South Africa has now reconvened the BirdLife South Africa List Committee and the resulting official South Africa bird list contains 90% of the species known from the entire southern African sub-region. The South African bird list (which can be downloaded on the BirdLife South Africa website: www.birdlife.org.za) includes 84 1 species, plus another seven occurring in South African territory, on the subantarctic Prince Edward Islands. The list is highly conservative, as vagrants have been subject to approval by BirdLife South Africa’s Rarities Committee. Of the 841 bird species recorded in South Africa, 20 are true endemics, 50 others are near- endemics occurring in Swaziland and Lesotho or very marginally spreading into countries further north, three are breeding endemics and one is apparently a winter endemic (Long- tailed Pipit Anthus longicaudatus) , whilst 120 are vagrants and of the remaining 721, 80% are resident. An exciting prospect is that all nine provinces of South Africa may hold new species for the South African list. Limpopo and North West provinces are diverse yet relatively poorly studied, whilst the Northern Cape has an unidentified canary that could even be new to science. The coastal provinces could generate new seabirds and waders, and the Eastern Cape has also been poorly explored. Chris Lotz, Chairman of BirdLife South Africa’s List Committee, urges birders to submit sightings of species new to the South Africa list to the BirdLife South Africa Rarities Committee and the List Committee; please contact him for more information (info@ birdingecotours.co.za). Source: Chris Lotz in litt. January 2010 Damara Terns in Angola While it has been strongly suspected for some years that the globally Near Threatened Damara Tern Sterna balaenarum might breed in extreme south-western Angola, specifically in the region of the Baia dos Tigres, irrefutable evidence for this was lacking until January 2009. In that month, Rob Simmons visited Damara Tern / Sterne des baleiniers Sterna balaenarum (Peter Ryan) this remote area with the express intention of surveying it for the species. His trip was fantastically successful; around 35 km north ol the Cunene River mouth, Rob found a breeding colony of Damara Terns numbering approximately 570 individuals and 200 pairs. He found five nests with either eggs or young. Source: Africa — Birds & Birding 14(6), pp. 56-60 Taxonomic proposals A new boubou species Laniarius willardi has been described as a new species of boubou from the Albertine Rift by a team of researchers, based on its grey to blue- grey irides, external morphometries and genetic data, which indicate that its closest relative is Mountain Sooty Boubou L. poensis camerunensis from Cameroon. Crimson-breasted Bushshrike L. atrococcineus and Sooty Boubou L. leucorhynchus are together the sister clade to L. willardi / L. p. camerunensis. Laniarius willardi (the specific name honours David Willard, Curator of Birds at Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History) and the geographically sympatric L. p. holomelas differ by 1 1.5% in uncorrected sequence divergence, whilst elevational data from specimens suggest the possibility of elevational segregation at c.2,000 m, with L. willardi occurring below this. The team’s broad sampling of black and sooty boubou taxa also indicate that: L. poensis races do not form a monophyletic clade; L. p. camerunensis may represent multiple, non-sister lineages; and that at least one race of Fiilleborn’s Black Boubou L. fuelleborni usambaricus is genetically distinct from the other races of that species. Source: Auk online , doi:10.1525/ auk. 2009. 09014 A new ‘Winifred’s Warbler’ species Rauri Bowie et al. have studied genetic samples from the various populations of Winifred’s Warbler Scepomycter winifredae in the mountains of central Tanzania. The species was originally known solely from the Uluguru Mountains, but it has more recently been found in the Ukaguru and Rubeho ranges, with one record from the eastern scarp of the Udzungwas. The latter three populations lie >100 km from the Uluguru population with no contact as far as is known. They are also morphologically distinguishable, and their DNA is different at several localities, suggesting that these might be recognised specifically under the name Rubeho Warbler Scepomycter rubehoensis. Source: Ibis 151, pp. 709-719 How many species of Pterodroma occur in Macaronesia? Jose Jesus et al. from the University of Madeira have been examining the taxonomy and relationships of the gadfly petrels Pterodroma spp. in Macaronesia using cytochrome £-gene data and morphometries. Results suggest that all three forms: Zino’s Petrel P. madeira , and the two forms of Fea’s Petrel P. f. feae (from the Cape Verdes) and P.f. deserta (from Bugio) constitute a monophyletic clade most closely related to Bermuda Petrel P. cahow and Black-capped Petrel P. hasitata. The authors consider that all three Macaronesian forms warrant species status, which in turn has conservation implications as P. f. deserta might qualify as Vulnerable (see also Bull. ABC 16: 18). Source: Bird Conserv. Intern. 19, pp. 199-214 Dohrn’s Thrush Babbler is a Sylvia The taxonomic position of Dohrn’s Thrush Babbler Horizorhinus dohrni, the sole representative of this genus endemic to the Gulf of Guinea Africa Round-up Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -17 island of Principe, has remained uncertain since the species was formally described nearly 150 years ago. It has been variously placed in babblers (Timaliidae), flycatchers (Muscicapidae), thrushes (Turdidae) and warblers (Sylviidae). Molecular analysis by Gary Voelker, Martim Melo and Rauri Bowie resulted in strong support for the placement of Horizorhinus within babblers, and as part of the (babbler) genus Sylvia. Specifically, Horizorhinus was placed as sister to African Hill Babbler Sylvia (. Pseudoalcippe ) abyssinica , in a small Sylvia subclade that also included Blackcap S. atricapilla and Garden Warbler S. borin. The researchers therefore suggest that Horizorhinus be subsumed into Sylvia , and that Dohrn’s Thrush Babbler henceforth be recognised as Sylvia dohrni. Source: Ibis 151, pp. 580-583 Genetic work reveals surprising new relative of the Fairy Flycatcher Endemic to southern Africa, the Fairy Flycatcher (or Fairy Warbler) Stenostira scita has been variously placed close to the Monarchidae, within the Muscicapidae, as Incertae Sedis with other warblers, such as the tailorbirds Orthotomus, of uncertain relationships, or in the so-called Stenostiridae, which also comprises the genera Elminia , of the Afrotropics, and the Indo-Malayan Culicicapa (canary- flycatchers). The Stenostiridae is just one of seven lineages identified within the old Fairy Flycatcher / Mignard enchanteur Stenostira scita (Peter Ryan) Mount Moco website www.mountmoco.org expanded view of the Muscicapidae by recent molecular work. Now, further genetic sequencing, by Jerome Fuchs et al. suggests that the Asian taxon, Yellow-bellied Fantail Rhipidura hypoxantha, also belongs within the Stenostiridae. Because of this, the authors of the study recommend that this fantail be returned to the genus Chelidorhynx. Given strong, independent and multi-local support for the definition of this family group, Fuchs and his co-workers have now formally erected the name Stenostiridae under the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Source: Mol. Phyl. & Evol. 53, pp. 384-393 Internet resources Mount Moco website A new website, www.mountmoco. org, is devoted to ornithological work at Mount Moco, Angola’s highest mountain and arguably the most important site for bird conservation in Angola. The mountain has no formal conservation status and the few remaining Afromontane forest patches, <85 ha in extent, are being eroded by a single community of c.300 people. The region is thought to support half of all Afromontane forest in Angola, making it vital for the protection of birds dependent on these forests, the most notable being Swierstra’s Francolin Francolinus sutierstrai, with an estimated 80 pairs. No other viable population is currently known. The main aims are to have the site officially recognised as a conservation area and to reduce impacts on the forest by providing alternative sources of wood and increasing efficiency of natural resource use. Ultimately, it is hoped to start a small reforestation project and promote tourism to the site. A Portuguese version of the website should be available soon. Source: Michael Mills & Martim Melo in litt. October 2009 Advertise in the Bulletin of the ABC Reach over 1 ,200 subscribers in more than 60 countries. Copy deadlines Advertisements should be submitted as high-resolution PDF, Quark or Pagemaker files, preferably by e-mail to the March Bulletin 15 January August Bulletin 15 June 1 T/i Advertising Officer - advertising@africanbirdclub.org. 1/ Rates and technical details All advertisements must be prepaid: cheques made payable are available on the ABC web site at: to the African Bird Club or payment made via the ABC website www.africanbirdclub.org. www.africanbirdclub.org/club/advertise.html 18 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Africa Round-up Plumage variation in African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro and its separation from congenerics in equatorial Africa Michel Louettt f; illustrated by Nik Borrow b Variation dans le plumage de 1 Autour tachiro Accipiter tachiro et la distinction de ses congeneres en Afrique equatoriale. Le plumage de 1 Autour africain Accipiter tachiro presente une grande variation geographique et individuelle. Certains plumages lies a l’age et au sexe, ainsi que d’autres caracteristiques, sont souvent mal decrits dans la litterature. L auteur analyse les differences morphologiques caracteristiques et indique comment distinguer 1 Autour africain d autres especes d’ Accipiter en Afrique equatoriale, avec reference speciale a 1 Autour a flancs roux A. castanilius. Differents plumages adultes et immatures sont illustres et compares a ceux d’especes similaires et sympatriques du genre Accipiter. Summary. African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro displays remarkable geographical and individual variation; some of these plumages and other characteristics are often poorly described in the literature. Here I discuss the distinctive features and indicate how to separate African Goshawks from other Accipiter species in equatorial Africa, with special reference to Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk A. castanilius. Various adult and immature plumages are illustrated and compared with those of sympatric congenerics. African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro is one of the commonest raptors in African forests and woodlands. However, in the field as well as in the museum tray, the species can be easily confused with others of the same genus. Indeed, individual morphological variation is quite extensive, and the species also displays remarkable geographical variation, whilst some age- and sex-related plumages and other characteristics are often poorly described in the literature. Because the species' breeding season is prolonged in equatorial regions (yet seasonal elsewhere) and post-juvenile moult can take almost 12 months, moulting birds can be present virtually year-round here. These birds in post-juvenile moult are especially tricky to identify. Like all Accipiter species worldwide, size dimorphism is the rule, with the female being the larger of the sexes: in African Goshawk the wing- chord of females is up to c. 15% longer than that of males in Cameroon and up to c. 19% longer in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (hereafter DRC; also Congo-Kinshasa). Weight differences are even more important: the female usually weighs almost twice as much as the male (Louette 2001, 2003) Although the forest forms are monomorphic in colour, with both sexes being colourful, Chapin (1932) already noted that in the woodland forms ‘females have much less rufous on flanks and tibiae [than males] and often none at all’. Taxonomy The taxonomy of the genus Accipiter is not yet entirely clear. Robust results from molecular studies are best awaited in order to decide on the number of species in each of the three complexes (or ‘superspecies’) — Shikra A. badius (and relatives), African Little Sparrowhawk A. minullus (plus Red-thighed Sparrowhawk A. erythropus ) and African Goshawk (which has several recognisable forms). Stresemann (1923) unified, purely on morphological grounds, all of the described taxa into a single species in each of these three cases. Then followed a long period of taxonomic stability and some recent works (Kemp & Kemp 1998, Borrow & Demey 2001, 2004, Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001, Allan 2005) still consider African Goshawk as a single species. Under any of the phylogenetic species concepts, which tend to afford species rank to all recognisable forms, other works prefer to split African Goshawk into two species: African Goshawk A. tachiro sensu stricto and ‘Red-chested Goshawk’ A. toussenelii (Kemp 1994, Clark & Davies 2000, Sinclair & Ryan 2003) and this will also be the case in a forthcoming field guide to African raptors (W. S. Clark pers. comm.). Ail recent works retain Shikra as one species but separate African Little Sparrowhawk from Red- thighed Sparrowhawk. Helbig et al. (2002) proposed guidelines for assigning species rank, and, anticipating the Plumage variation in African Goshawk: Louette Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -19 results of molecular work by ML s team ot the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), Tervuren, Belgium, it appears that it is still quite acceptable to provisionally apply the concept of superspecies’ in the case of African Goshawk. There are behavioural arguments too, besides their morphological resemblance (Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1993). However, hybridisation between the woodland form tachiro and the forest form toussenelii is not yet proven in the contact region in Kivu, DRC (Louette 2003; and preliminary molecular work at the RMCA), and the plumage of some aberrant individuals might be due to age or individual variation. I therefore prefer to employ the term paraspecies for tachiro on the one hand, and for toussenelii on the other (Louette 2003, 2007). Each paraspecies has four morphologically identifiable regional populations consequently treated here as subspecies. In mainland equatorial regions, there is just one subspecies in the paraspecies tachiro (. sparsimfasciatus , which occurs from Angola to Somalia), but three in the paraspecies toussenelii (from west to east: macroscelides, from Senegal to westernmost Cameroon; nominate toussenelii, from Cameroon to western DRC; and canescens, in central and eastern DRC) (see Fig. 1). The close relationship of all subspecies of African Goshawk is demonstrable when examining the endemic island forms. The subspecies lopezi, restricted to Bioko Island, in the Gulf of Guinea, is a membei of the toussenelii paraspecies. It is well saturated with rufous below, especially on the breast, flanks and thighs and, in some, on the throat, the latter a feature unique to this population, although it is derived from macroscelides (Louette 2001). On the opposite side of Africa, subspecies pembaensis, a member of the tachiro paraspecies, is endemic to Pemba Island, off Tanzania. This bird is more deeply coloured than its founder population, sparsimfasciatus in mainland Tanzania and on Zanzibar (Louette 1993). The isolated Ethiopian form unduliventer , which persists within ecological islands , is intermediate in coloration between the two paraspecies. According to the preliminary molecular results, it could either be included in the tachiro paraspecies or separated in its own, third, paraspecies. Figure 1. Distribution of African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro subspecies. Repartition des sous-especes de l’Autour tachiro Accipiter tachiro. 20 Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Plumage variation in African Goshawk: Louette Size and plumage variation in African Goshawk There is a cline in size in equatorial Africa, from large East African to small West African birds: eastern DRC birds have a c. 16% longer wing- chord than those from Liberia, but again, the mass difference is no doubt much greater, probably c.40% (Louette 2001, 2003). Thus, macroscelides in West Africa is the smallest subspecies, toussenelii is slightly larger and canescens is again somewhat larger, with sparsimfasciatus being the largest, sex for sex; in the field, however, this will barely be noticeable. The pattern of spotting (in the juvenile) and barring (in the adult) of the breast feathers is variable among all subspecies (from heavily in most subspecies to an almost unspotted immature in toussenelii and canescens and an unbarred adult canescens ). I have explained elsewhere (Louette 2000, 2007) that plumage characteristics are functionally related to habitat (e.g. with plumage colour intensity increasing with habitat density), age and possibly mimicry. The adult female of the woodland sparsimfasciatus is cryptically coloured (probably related to nesting activities), with individual variation, possibly helpful for ‘image avoidance’ (so that potential prey does not learn the predator’s colour pattern). Specimens from DRC can be separated into two general morphs (with buff and whitish bellies), but with a variable amount of ventral barring. (Here the term ‘morph’ is used, although Thomsett (2007) prefers to use ‘phase’ for a transitional plumage.) The adult male is even more variably coloured, which is in part age-related. A so-called ‘sepia’ morph — a misleading name — exists (Plate 2: 4); this may be a ‘first adult’ (subadult) plumage; it occurs in at least part of the range (southern and eastern DRC, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania). Nevertheless, some immatures, in their first (post-juvenile) moult, are definitely buff or white ventrally, just like adult females. These (subadult) plumages, lacking the reddish flanks, may help to avoid aggression from older, territorial males. But these morphs also exist in adults, with no remaining juvenile feathers. The ‘standard’ morph has not yet been found in subadults, and may therefore well be restricted to older birds. It has whitish underparts, finely barred and dark grey upperparts and reddish flanks, supposedly becoming darker with age; it could be more conspicuous than the buff and sepia morphs. This might assist in territorial defence or be preferred by females. On Plate 2, a wide variety of sparsimfasciatus plumages is illustrated. Notice the paler general colour of the ‘sepia’ morph compared to the ‘standard’ birds. The specimen used for this illustration is young. Its juvenile characteristics (the as yet unmoulted rufous-fringed uppertail-coverts, see Louette 2003) are invisible on the plate. The adult evergreen forest canescens shows enforcement of colourful advertising plumage and loss of sexual plumage dimorphism — more pronounced colours may be useful for display in the shade of the equatorial forest. Here, the first adult plumage is heralded by the late moult of the barred juvenile flank-feathers in both sexes. Its juvenile is peculiar: it lacks (or has very few) breast spots, suggesting image avoidance, but possibly also character displacement (in order to help differentiate individuals from Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk A. castanilius ) or mimicry (of adult Black Sparrowhawk A. melanoleucus ). A rare melanistic morph, in both adult and immature, is only known in East African sparsimfasciatus. The ‘normal’ immature of sparsimfasciatus has two morphs: one with a whitish, the other with a huffish ground colour (respectively 22 and 17 specimens in the RMCA collection). Common identification problems 1. Separating African Goshawk from Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk In the rain forest zone, Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk is the most likely candidate to be confused with the local brightly coloured African Goshawk of the toussenelii paraspecies. This is true for immatures as well as for adults and is mainly due to their similar size and superficially similar coloration, combined with poor descriptions and illustrations in some handbooks and field guides. Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk is undoubtedly still one of Africa’s least-known raptors. Louette (1992) provided a key for distinction in the hand, and Louette & Herroelen (2007) were the first to publish a photograph. Unfortunately, several publications (among them Snow 1978) and some museum catalogues mention Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk in their Plumage variation in African Goshawk: Louette Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -21 22 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Plumage variation in African Goshawk: Louette Legend to plate on opposite page Plate 1. Adults of the forest taxa (with two woodland birds for comparison). Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk Accipiter castanilius 1-2 Adult female 3 Adult male Illustrated are the extremes in variation in the amount of red intermingled with black in the breast barring (which exists in both sexes). The dark cast to the yellow legs and feet is probably a good field character for perched birds. Both sexes are very similar in coloration and mainly differ in size. Red-thighed Sparrowhawk A. erythropus 4 Adult female A. e. erythropus 5 Adult male A. e. zenkeri A small species with heavily contrasting plumage colours and especially conspicuous white throat and uppertail- coverts. African Goshawk A. tachiro 6 Adult female A. t. macroscelid.es. Underparts are orange-chestnut barred whitish; the white throat is finely barred grey. 7 Adult male A. t. toussenelii. Note the very lightly barred, silvery grey throat. 8 Adult female A. t. sparsimfasciatus. A typical individual. 9 Subadult male A. t. sparsimfasciatus. This c.l -year-old individual is unusual as it has no rufous on its flanks. 1 0 Adult female A. t. canescens. 1 1 Adult female A. t. canescens. A less barred individual. 12 Adult male A. t. canescens. Adult A. t. canescens is less heavily barred whitish below than macroscelides and most toussenelii , and also than Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk. Some toussenelii and canescens , especially in the south-west of the range, are almost plain rufous below, with a silvery cast. Adults of both sexes of the paraspecies toussenelii are very similar in coloration. lists or among their holdings from West Africa, but my examination of specimens proves this to be incorrect in all cases. This species has also been erroneously mentioned from Ethiopia (BirdLife International 2009). Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk is definitely known only from the equatorial forest belt from Nigeria to DRC, where it seems to be quite common. There are 101 Planche 1. Adultes des taxons forestiers (accompagnes de deux oiseaux provenant de la savane arboree pour comparaison). Autour a flancs roux Accipiter castanilius 1-2 Femelle adulte 3 Male adulte Nous avons illustre les extremes dans la variation du rouge mele de noir dans les barres horizontales de la poitrine (presentes dans les deux sexes). Le saupoudrage noir des tarses et des pieds jaunes est probablement un bon critere d identification sur le terrain pour les oiseaux perches. Les deux sexes sont de coloration tres similaire et different surtout en taille. Epervier de Hartlaub A. erythropus 4 A. e. erythropus femelle adulte. 5 A. e. zenkeri male adulte. Une petite espece aux couleurs du plumage tres contrastees, d'ou ressortent la gorge et les sus-caudales blanches. Autour tachiro A. tachiro 6 A. t. macroscelides femelle adulte. Les parties inferieures sont orange marron barrees de blanc ; la gorge blanche est finement barree de gris. 7 A. t. toussenelii male adulte. Noter la gorge gris argente et tres legerement barree. 8 A. t. sparsimfasciatus femelle adulte. Un individu caracteristique. 9 A. t. sparsimfasciatus male subadulte. Ce specimen d’environ un an est particulier par fabsence de coloration rousse sur les flancs. 10 A. t. canescens femelle adulte. 11 A. t. canescens femelle adulte. Un specimen dont les barres sont moins evidentes. 12 A. t. canescens male adulte. Les barres blanches sur les parties inferieures de A. t. canescens adulte sont moins apparentes que chez macroscelides , la plupart des toussenelii , ainsi que chez l’Autour a flancs roux. Certains toussenelii et canescens , et surtout ceux provenant du sud-ouest de leur aire de repartition, ont les parties inferieures quasi uniformement rousses et saupoudrees de gris argente. Les adultes des deux sexes de la para-espece toussenelii sont de coloration tres similaire. specimens of Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk in the collection of the RMCA, compared to 127 specimens of toussenelii — all collected randomly during colonial times — suggesting that both are about equally common in forested DRC, unless there is a behavioural difference, which would make one or the other more prone to be collected. The range of Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk thus Plumage variation in African Goshawk: Louette Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -23 Table 1 . Identification features of adults of five Accipiter taxa from mainland equatorial regions: four subspecies of African Goshawk A. tachiro and Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk A. castanilius. Tableau 1. Criteres d'identification des adultes de cinq taxons de Accipiter de regions equatoriales continentales : quatre sous-especes de I’Autour tachiro A. tachiro et I’Autour a flancs roux A. castanilius. Accipiter tachiro Accipiter macroscelides toussenelii canescens sparsimfasciatus castanilius Upperparts slate-grey grey grey male: variable; mostly dark grey; female: blackish brown blackish Throat white, finely barred grey plain silvery grey white or grey pale grey, finely streaked white, finely streaked Breast and belly rufous barred greyish white rufous barred whitish or grey most: (almost) unbarred rufous: some: as toussenelii whitish barred grey dirty white with bold blackish-brown bars (sometimes with chestnut traces) Flanks rufous rufous rufous barred greyish brown (male) or brown (female) chestnut Thighs rufous rufous greyish white barred greyish brown (male) or brown (female) plain chestnut Tail blackish with three relatively large white spots white spots present, less distinct or absent blackish with 3-4 relatively large spots Irides usually yellow, occasionally orange usually red Legs and feet bright yellow bright yellow bright yellow bright yellow bright yellow with black cast Table 2. Identification features of immatures of five Accipiter taxa from mainland equatorial regions: four subspecies of African Goshawk A. tachiro and Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk A. castanilius. Tableau 2. Criteres d'identification des immatures de cinq taxons de Accipiter de regions equatoriales continentales : quatre sous-especes de I'Autour tachiro A. tachiro et I’Autour a flancs roux A. castanilius. Accipiter tachiro Accipiter macroscelides toussenelii canescens sparsimfasciatus castanilius Upperparts dark brown blackish brown blackish brown brown dark brown Throat dark brown mesialstripe white white white with central streak white with central streak Breast drop-like spots few or no spots few or no spots drop-like spots heavily spotted Belly drop-like spots white white white white with a variable amount of spots Flanks barred dark brown broadly barred dark brown variable; some heavily streaked spotted heavily streaked or barred Thighs barred dark brown white white drop-like spots barred with wider bars than toussenelii paraspecies Legs and feet yellow yellow yellow yellow yellow with black cast partially overlaps with that of the three mainland forms of the toussenelii paraspecies. Adult Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk has dark blackish upperparts and head-sides; in the sympatric African Goshawks these are paler slate- grey (in macroscelides ) or grey (in toussenelii / canescens). Ventrally, the flanks of Chestnut- flanked Sparrowhawk are also darker (chestnut vs. orange or rufous in the toussenelii paraspecies) and the breast and belly are dirty white with bold, dark blackish-brown bars, sometimes with chestnut traces; in African Goshawk these parts are rufous barred whitish or grey (in toussenelii and some canescens) or (almost) unbarred rufous (in most canescens ) or whitish barred grey (in sparsimfasciatus). The thighs are plain chestnut 24 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Plumage variation in African Goshawk: Louette Legend to plate on p. 26 Plate 2. Variation in adult African Goshawk woodland taxon and flight patterns of different species 1-2 Adult male A. t. sparsimfasciatus in flight. The variation in the amount of reddish on the flanks and the underwing in A. t. sparsimfasciatus is quite extensive. In adults the heavy colour saturation overall is more often than not correlated to an almost unpatterned underwing. However, underwing pattern is quite variable, as shown here. 3 Adult male A. t. sparsimfasciatus. A particularly dark specimen from south Sudan. 4 Apparently subadult male A. t. sparsimfasciatus in the sepia morph. 3 Adult male A. t. sparsimfasciatus. Another variant with more rufous colour in the barring, possibly an old individual. 6 Adult male A. t. sparsimfasciatus. A normal, dark male with typically barred underparts and rather pronounced rufous flanks. 7 Adult female A. t. sparsimfasciatus. Some birds from Kivu, eastern DRC, and especially those from Idjwi Island in Lake Kivu, like this female, have a yellowish or even chocolate wash to the underparts. 8 Adult female A. t. sparsimfasciatus. A bird with heavily barred underparts and reddish flanks which was suspected to be a hybrid canescens / sparsimfasciatus (see Louette 2003). 9 Adult Red-thighed Sparrowhawk A. erythropus in flight. Red-thighed Sparrowhawk is, with African Little Sparrowhawk A. minullus , unique amongst the African Accipiter in having a white band on the uppertail-coverts. 1 0 Adult Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk A. castanilius in flight. The tail spots are small but quite apparent. 1 1 Adult A. t. macroscelides in flight. Tail spots are variable and may be absent. 12 Adult A. t. sparsimfasciatus in flight. Tail spots are variable and may be absent. in Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk; they are quite variable in the African Goshawk: rufous barred white or greyish, rufous mixed with white or grey, plain grey or white barred grey. In the ■southern part of the range of toussenelii, there is a silvery grey barring or cast over the orange-rufous ground colour of the ventral side and the thighs. The throat is white with some faint, narrow grey bars in Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk, whereas it is plain silvery grey in toussenelii and white in canescens-, in the mainly allopatric macroscelides , however, the white throat is also finely barred. Planche 2. La variation chez 1’Autour tachiro Accipiter tachiro adulte du taxon de la savane arboree et patterns en vol de differences especes 1-2 A. t. sparsimfasciatus male adulte en vol. La variation dans l’intensite de la coloration rousse sur les flancs et le dessous de 1’aile chez A. t. sparsimfasciatus est considerable. Chez l’adulte une coloration intense sur l’ensemble du corps est souvent correlee a un dessous d’aile sans dessin caracteristique. Cependant, le dessin du dessous de l’aile est fort variable, comme montre ici. 3 Male adulte A. t. sparsimfasciatus. Un specimen particulierement fonce provenant du sud du Soudan. 4 A. t. sparsimfasciatus probablement male subadulte de la forme sepia. 5 A. t. sparsimfasciatus male adulte. Une autre variante, avec plus de coloration rousse dans les barres, peut- etre un individu age. 6 A. t. sparsimfasciatus male adulte. Un male fonce caracteristique, presentant les barres typiques dessous et une coloration rousse prononcee sur les flancs. 7 A. t. sparsimfasciatus femelle adulte. Quelques oiseaux du Kivu, de Test de la RD Congo, et notamment ceux de Hie Idjwi sur le lac Kivu, comme cette femelle, ont les parties inferieures lavees de jaune ou meme de brun chocolat. 8 A. t. sparsimfasciatus femelle adulte. Un oiseau au dessous fortement barre et aux flancs roux qui fut suspecte d’etre un hybride canescens / sparsimfasciatus (voir Louette 2003). 9 Epervier de Hartlaub A. erythropus adulte en vol. L’Epervier de Hartlaub (ainsi que l’Epervier minule) est unique parmi les Accipiter africains par la bande blanche sur les sus-caudales. 10 Autour a flancs roux A. castanilius adulte en vol. Les taches sur la queue sont petites mais bien apparentes. 11 A. t. macroscelides adulte en vol. Les taches sur la queue sont variables et peuvent etre absentes. 12 A. t. sparsimfasciatus adulte en vol. Les taches sur la queue sont variables et peuvent etre absentes. The two species have white spots on the upper tail (Plate 2: 10-11). Adult female Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk is not noticeably smaller than male African Goshawk in the area of overlap, but the black breast barring, bright chestnut flanks and deeply coloured chestnut thighs distinguish it from its congener (Plate 1: 1-2). Immature African Goshawks are quite variable according to subspecies and region: toussenelii and especially canescens are only sparingly spotted ventrally, some even without spots; in macroscelides Plumage variation in African Goshawk: Louette Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -25 Legend to plate is on p. 25 26 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Plumage variation in African Goshawk: Louette Legend to plate is on p. 28 Plumage variation in African Goshawk: Louette Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -27 Legend to plate on p. 27 Plate 3. Immatures (with adult Black Sparrowhawk A melanoleucus) 1 Immature male A t. macroscelides. Resembles immature Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk (2); they are, however, sympatric only in southern Nigeria and westernmost Cameroon. 2 Immature female A. castanilius. Note the browner upperparts than A. t. macroscelides, more richly coloured barring on the flanks and thighs, the different shape to the ‘tear-drop’ breast markings, and more mottling on the nape and back. 3 Immature female A. e. erythropus. Upperparts darker than in any race of tachiro. 4 Immature female A. e. zenkeri. The underparts pattern is quite distinctive: buffy-white with uniquely spotted breast-sides and dark-barred flanks slightly washed rusty. 5 Adult male A. melanoleucus. Note black patches on flanks and thighs. 6 Immature male A. t. sparsimfasciatus (buff morph). Generally a brownish bird, with much less contrasting plumage than immatures of the toussenelii paraspecies. 7 Immature female A. t. sparsimfasciatus (white morph). Somewhat more contrasting than 6. 8 Immature female A. t. canescens. May look superficially similar to 3, but has many fewer or no black markings on flanks and plain white thighs. 9 Immature male A. t. canescens. As 8, but distinctly smaller. 10 Immature male A. t. toussenelii. May look superficially similar to 5, but has many fewer black markings on flanks and thighs. Some specimens of this subspecies have slightly more brown markings on the underparts. the spotting is well marked (Plate 3: 1, 8-10). Nevertheless, the sympatric subspecies can be difficult to separate from immature Chestnut- flanked Sparrowhawk, which however always has heavy ventral spotting. Immature Chestnut- flanked Sparrowhawk also has darker brown upperparts (especially after the rufous juvenile feather tips have worn off) and the brown bars on the thighs are equally both darker and wider than in the paraspecies toussenelii. Within the range of Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk the confusion forms would be macroscelides in south-east Nigeria Planche 3. Immatures (avec 1’adulte de 1’Autour noir A. melanoleucus ) 1 A. t. macroscelides male immature. Ressemble a l’immature de l’Autour a flancs roux (2) ; ils ne sont toutefois sympatriques qu'au sud du Nigeria et dans l’extreme ouest du Cameroun. 2 Autour a flancs roux A. castanilius femelle immature. Noter les parties superieures plus brunes que chez macroscelides, les barres sur les flancs et les cuisses plus richement colorees, les formes differences des marques sur la poitrine, et le dos et la nuque plus marbres. 3 Epervier de Hartlaub A. e. erythropus femelle immature. Les parties superieures sont plus foncees que chez n’importe quelle sous-espece de tachiro. 4 Epervier de Hartlaub A. e. zenkeri femelle immature. Le pattern des parties inferieures est assez caracteristique : blanc chamois avec les cotes de la poitrine tachetes et les flancs avec des barres sombres legerement lavees de roux. 5 Autour noir A. melanoleucus male adulte. Noter les taches noires sur les flancs et les cuisses. 6 A. t. sparsimfasciatus male immature (forme chamois). En general un oiseau brunatre, avec un plumage beaucoup moins contraste que les immatures de la para-espece toussenelii. 7 A. t. sparsimfasciatus femelle immature (forme blanche). Quelque peu plus contrastee que 6. 8 A. t. canescens femelle immature. Peut sembler superficiellement similaire a 3, mais possede beaucoup moins ou quasi pas de marques noires sur les flancs. De plus, les cuisses sont uniformement blanches. 9 A. t. canescens male immature. Comme 8, mais nettement plus petit. 10 A. t. toussenelii male immature. Peut paraitre superficiellement similaire a 5, mais possede beaucoup moins ou quasi pas de marques noires sur les flancs et les cuisses. Certains specimens de cette sous-espece presentent legerement plus de marques brunes sur les parties inferieures. / south-west Cameroon or a small juvenile male sparsimfasciatus (as illustrated on Plate 3). Immature / juvenile toussenelii and canescens are easier to separate, as they have a plainer white breast with fewer or no drop-shaped markings. Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk’s tail has fewer and smaller white spots than sympatric African Goshawk. If seen well the darker legs and feet of the former should be distinctive in both adults and immatures. Photographs suggest some differences in the amount of naked skin around the eye, the cere, 28 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Plumage variation in African Goshawk: Louette bill, legs and feet colours, and the head shape. Adult Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk may have the brighter yellow cere and facial skin of the two, but this could be due to temporal, individual or even sexual variation. 1 here is a photograph taken at the nest in Kenya of a male sparsimfasciatus showing a restricted amount of naked skin around the eye (van Someren 1956), whereas this seems quite extensive in the female. Legs and feet are yellow in both species, but in Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk it seems as if a black cast has been put over the yellow ground colour. The head of Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk is proportionately wider (Louette & Herroelen 2007; Plate 1: 1). An Accipiter photographed by M. Wilson, at Bwindi, Uganda (Figs. 2-3), provoked a discussion. Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk is not yet known for Uganda, but its occurrence in this border area with DRC is plausible. Obviously, it is in adult plumage. However, the bird does not show the decidedly black dorsal plumage colour, or the dark cast to the yellow legs and feet, which are so obvious in Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk. Other features of the Bwindi bird are the barred flanks and thighs; these are plain chestnut in Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk but barred in sparsimfasciatus , the subspecies of African Goshawk in this area. Additionally, the white tail spots are indistinct; the bars on the vent are single-coloured reddish and lack the black component typical of Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk. A female sparsimfasciatus is large and much paler than the bird in the photograph, and the relative length of the tail and the size of the person’s hand both indicate that the bird’s size was approximately correct for a male. The bars on the breast are bicoloured, which is not the rule for a male, but not impossible. 2. Separating African Goshawk from larger Accipiter species The peculiar immature female of African Goshawk in west-central Africa, between Cameroon and DRC ( canescens and toussenelii) , which sometimes lacks ventral spots, could be confused with adult male Black Sparrowhawk (Plate 3: 5 and 8). Superficially, the latter differs only in that it has more extensive black patches on the flanks and even more on the thighs (it also has the typical adult red irides, whereas the immature female African Goshawk still has brown or pale yellow eyes). 3. Separating African Goshawk from smaller Accipiter species When size is difficult to appreciate in the field, confusion of the small toussenelii males is also possible with the generally smaller Red-thighed Sparrowhawk; in fact, the largest females of Red- thighed Sparrowhawk attain just about the same size as the smallest males of Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk (Plate 1: 3-4). Adults of these two species have decidedly blackish upperparts (grey in toussenelii) and red eyes (orange or yellow in toussenelii ). Male Red-thighed Sparrowhawk is noticeably smaller. Just as in African Goshawk, the western nominate subspecies of Red-thighed Sparrowhawk is smaller than the eastern subspecies A. e. zenkeri, but to a lesser extent (c.5% difference in wing-chord: Louette 2002), and it is usually less saturated with rufous on the ventral side than the eastern one (see Borrow & Demey 2001). The ventral colour of female A. e. zenkeri is usually, but not always, overlain with silvery grey, as is the case with most toussenelii. In woodland, where an appreciable size difference separates male sparsimfasciatus from female African Little Sparrowhawk, confusion is less likely, although the identification of a lone bird can prove difficult, even from a photograph, see e.g. www.birdquest.net/afbid/birdspecies. php?func=view&slideno=3&af_bs_id=276. 4. Separating African Goshawk from other similar raptors Shikra is also a common woodland Accipiter, its iris is orange to red in the adult and its central pair of tail-feathers is plain (compared to other species discussed here, on Plate 2). Immature Shikra has a dark mesial throat stripe and contrasting blotches on the breast, which are lacking, indistinct or narrow in African Goshawk. It is less likely that African Goshawk will be confused with Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk A. rufwentris or Ovambo Sparrowhawk A. ovampensis ; these species exhibit several features that distinguish them from the former and are well depicted in several handbooks (although a photograph of Ovambo Sparrowhawk is misidentified as A. tachiro in del Hoyo et al. 1994: 79). Long-tailed Hawk Urotriorchis macrourus has Plumage variation in African Goshawk: Louette Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -29 Figures 2-3. African Goshawk / Autour tachiro Accipiter tachiro sparsimfasciatus, Bwindi, Uganda, 26 October 2000 (M. Wilson) a much longer, graduated tail with a conspicuous white bar at its base. Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar has, among other differences, prominent white uppertail-coverts, even when immature. Key features to check 1. Iris and cere colour. This is often a useful character for species recognition. The iris is red in most adult Chestnut-flanked and Red-thighed Sparrowhawks, but mostly yellow (occasionally orange) in African Goshawk. The cere is bright orangey-yellow in most Chestnut-flanked and Red-thighed Sparrowhawks but rarely so bright in the toussenelii paraspecies of African Goshawk. In sparsimfasciatus it is yellow or (more often) greenish-yellow (Chapin 1932, Zimmerman et al. 199 6; specimens in RMCA); in southern Africa (nominate tachiro ) it is grey or greenish-grey (Allan 2003, Kemp & Kemp 1998). 2. Leg and foot colour. Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk is peculiar among African Accipiter in having a blackish cast overlaying the yellow ground colour. Ail RMCA specimens show this feature, and this must be visible in live birds too. All adult African Goshawks have bright yellow legs and feet (although dark legs appear also on a macroscelides specimen from The Gambia, photographed by C. Barlow after it was kept in a fridge for ten years). 3. Tail spots in adults. A. t. toussenelii, canescens and macroscelides have three relatively large white spots on the uppertail. While these spots are largest in the toussenelii paraspecies, they also occur in some individuals of the tachiro paraspecies: in sparsimfasciatus some males have them, but others do not and some females also have spots, although these are less distinct. (In southern Africa’s nominate tachiro only the male has uppertail spots: Allan 1997). Conclusion It is important to realise that in such a variable species as the African Goshawk, many characteristics should be taken into account before a definite identification can be made in those areas where it occurs alongside other Accipiter species. Whilst it cannot be excluded that individuals occasionally occur outside their normal range, this must be rare, because African Goshawks are sedentary. Therefore, the locality is an important clue to the I taxon concerned and possible contusion species. Acknowledgements Ron Demey initiated this project by suggesting an overview paper for the information published up to now in technical papers. Alain Reygel examined all the specimens with me, photographed many of them for Nik Borrow and proffered useful comments. Malcolm Wilson sent the photograph of the Bwindi bird. Clive Barlow sent photographs of birds from The Gambia. Mary Hennen sent photographs of specimens in The I 30 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Plumage variation in African Goshawk: Louette Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, USA. Bill Claik and Emmanuel Cilissen provided other useful advice. References Allan, D. G. 1997. Field identification of African Accipiter species and similar-looking hawks. Bull. ABC A: 74-82. Allan, D. G. 2005. African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro. In Hockey, P. A. R„ Dean, W. R. J. & Ryan, P. G. (eds.) Roberts’ Birds of Southern Africa. Seventh edn. Cape Town: Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. BirdLife International. 2009. IBA factsheet. Senkele Sanctuary. www.birdlife.org/datazone/sites (accessed 16 June 2009). Borrow, N. & Demey, R. 2001. Birds of Western Africa. Fondon, UK: Christopher Helm. Borrow, N. & Demey, R. 2004. Field Guide to the Birds of Western Africa. Fondon, UK: Christopher Helm. Brown, L. H., Urban, E. K. & Newman, K. 1982. The Birds of Africa. Vol. 1. Fondon, UK: Academic Press. Chapin, J. P. 1932. The birds of the Belgian Congo. Part 1. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 65. Clark, W. S. & Davies, R. A. G. 2000. Taxonomic problems in African diurnal raptors. In Chancellor, R. D. & Meyburg, B.-U. (eds.) Raptors at Risk. Proceedings of the 5th World Conference on Birds of Prey and Owls, Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, 4-11 August 1998. Berlin: World Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls & Blaine, Washington DC: Hancock House Publishers. Dowsett, R. J. & Dowsett-Femaire, F. 1993. Comments on the taxonomy of some Afrotropical bird species. Tauraco Res. Rep. 5: 323-389. Ferguson-Lees, J. & Christie, D. A. 2001 . Raptors of the World. London, UK: Christopher Helm. Helbig, A. J., Knox, A. G., Parkin, D. T., Sangster, G. & Collinson, M. 2002. Guidelines for assigning species rank. Ibis 144: 518-525. del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) 1994. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 2. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. Kemp, A. C. 1994. Afrotropical Accipitridae. In del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 2. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. Kemp, A. &c Kemp, M. 1998. Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands. London, UK: New Holland. Louette, M. 1992. The identification of forest Accipiters in central Africa. Bull. Br. Ornithol. Club 112: 50-53. Louette, M. 1995. A catalogued immature specimen of the Pemba African Goshawk in the National Museums of Kenya. J. East Afr. Nat. Hist. 84: 35-37. Louette, M. 2000. Evolutionary exposition from plumage pattern in African Accipiter. Proc. Ninth Pan-Afr. Ornithol. Congr. Ostrich 7 1 : 45-50. Louette, M. 2001. Redescription of African Goshawks Accipiter tachiro on Bioko Island and the adjacent mainland. Ostrich 72: 24-27. Louette, M. 2002. Relationship of the Red-thighed Sparrowhawk Accipiter erythropus and the African Little Sparrowhawk A. minullus. Bull. Br. Ornithol. Club 122: 218-222. Louette, M. 2003. Size, plumage, moult and supposed hybrids of African Goshawks (. Accipiter tachiro / toussenelii group) in DR Congo. Ostrich 74: 18-29. Louette, M. 2007. The variable morphology of the African Goshawk (. Accipiter tachiro). Ostrich 78: 387-393. Louette, M. & Herroelen, P. 2007. Comparative biology of the forest inhabiting hawks Accipiter spp. in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ostrich 78: 21-29. Sinclair, I. & Ryan, P. 2003. Birds of Africa South of the Sahara. Cape Town: Struik. Snow, D. W. 1978. An Atlas of Speciation in African Non-passerine Birds. London, UK: Br. Mus. (Nat. Hist.). van Someren, V. G. L. 1956. Days with birds. Fieldiana, Zool. 38: 1-520. Stresemann, E. 1923. Ueber einige Accipiter-Aiten. J. Ornithol. 71: 517-525. Thomsett, S. 2007. A record of a first year dark plumage Augur Buzzard moulting into normal plumage. Gabar 18: 25-30. Zimmerman, D. A., Turner, D. A. & Pearson, D. J. 1996. Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. London, UK: Christopher Helm. "Royal Museum for Central Africa, B-3080 Tervuren, Belgium. E-mail: michel.louette@africamuseum.be. h Flat 5, 63-67 St George’s Drive, Pimlico, London SW1V 4DD, UK. E-mail: n.borrow@btinternet.com Received 3 June 2006; final version accepted 26 October 2009. Plumage variation in African Goshawk: Louette Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -31 Status of Short-clawed Lark Certhilauda chuana in south-eastern Botswana Chris A. Brewstef, Keddy Mooketsab and Marc Her remans Le statut de l’AIouette a ongles courts Certhilauda chuana au sud-est du Botswana. La grande majorite de la population de I’Alouette a ongles courts Certhilauda chuana , une espece endemique a I’Afrique australe, se trouve au sud-est du Botswana. Des recensements par transect ont ete effectues en novembre 2007-janvier 2008 afin d’etablir son statut dans cette region et de comparer les resultats avec ceux d un recensement effectue en 1992-93. En janvier 2008 des observations ont egalement ete faites pour etablir les limites de son aire de repartition. Les resultats indiquent une modeste augmentation des effectifs et une legere diminution de la superficie d’habitat approprie, tandis que l’aire de repartition a peu change. On n’a pas trouve de correlation entre les changements de la superficie de l’habitat approprie et les changements des effectifs, ce qui indique qu’a present il y a suffisamment d’habitat qui convient. Au sud-est du Botswana, l’Alouette a ongles courts est presque entierement confinee a des terrains en jachere ou la cultivation est avec des methodes agricoles traditionnelles. Les dernieres annees on a enregistre une diminution substantielle de la surface plantee avec du sorgho et du mat's selon des methodes traditionnelles. Si cette tendance continue, cela pourrait avoir un effet defavorable sur l’Alouette a ongles courts. L’espece beneficierait probablement beaucoup de l’instauration d une prime gouvernementale pour stimuler [’utilisation de methodes agricoles traditionnelles. Summary. The large majority of the population of Short-clawed Lark Certhilauda chuana , a southern African endemic, is found in south-eastern Botswana. A series of transect surveys was undertaken in November 2007-January 2008 in order to establish its status in this region and to compare the results with those obtained during a 1992-93 survey. In January 2008 observations were made to establish the limits of its range. Results suggest a modest increase in numbers and a small decline in the area of suitable habitat, whilst there has been little change to the range. No correlation between changes to the area of suitable habitat and changes in numbers was found, indicating that currently there is no shortage of suitable habitat. In south-east Botswana, Short-clawed Lark is almost completely confined to fallow land that has been cultivated for field crops using traditional agricultural practices. In recent years there has been a large decrease in the area of land cultivated with sorghum and maize using traditional practices. If this trend continues, this could have an adverse impact on Short-clawed Lark. The most beneficial support for the species is probably a government incentive to farmers to cultivate field crops using traditional practices. Short-clawed Lark Certhilauda chuana (Fig. 1) is endemic to southern Africa. There are two discrete populations: a large one in south- eastern Botswana and the North West Province of South Africa, extending marginally into the Northern Cape and Free State Provinces, and a smaller, isolated, population largely restricted to the Pietersburg Plateau in Limpopo Province, South Africa. A survey conducted in the 2004-05 breeding season in the North West, Northern Cape and Free State Provinces indicated an apparent range reduction and possible decrease of Short- clawed Lark in South Africa (Engelbrecht et al. 2007). This prompted CAB and KM to undertake a survey in south-eastern Botswana in November 2007-January 2008, in order to establish the species’ current status in the country and make a comparison with an earlier, unpublished survey undertaken by MH in November-December 1992 and November-December 1993. Short-clawed Lark is found territorially in pairs for most of the year (Herremans & Herremans 1992). Only the male sings the territorial song (Herremans & Herremans 1992). The male usually sings from a bush, fence-post or small tree up to cA m tall, occasionally from a clod of earth in a ploughed field. In south-east Botswana the intensity of its song increases dramatically from October to December (Herremans & Herremans 1992). There is a spectacular aerial display, which reaches its peak in October-November. Territorial activity is much reduced in the latter part of the rainy season, when birds are moulting, and in the dry season (Herremans & Herremans 22 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Status of Short-clawed Lark in south-eastern Botswana: Brewster et al. 1992). In a study of the eastern population in the Polokwane Game Reserve on the Petersburg Plateau, Engelbrecht (2005) found that territorial activity commenced in early August, reached its peak towards mid and late September, then continued at a low frequency throughout the summer before reaching a second peak at the end of the breeding season in March-April. Farmers are often familiar with the species and call it sebota , the Setswana word for lark. Possibly because it is accustomed to the presence of farmers it is a confiding species, showing little fear of people. The first indication of its presence is often of a male singing, just a few metres away. It appears to have the tendency to move towards an intruder, such as a person or vehicle, venturing into its territory and then announce its presence by singing at close range. Occasionally it follows the intruder at close quarters, right through its territory until the intruder has left. Due to its confiding nature and its obtrusive habits, the male is often easy to observe, particularly in early summer. Study area Location The study area was located in the core range of Short-clawed Lark in south-eastern Botswana. 1 his is an area of c. 16,000 knr extending west to c.24°59’E, north to c.24°00’S and east to c.26°30’E. The international boundary with South Africa represents the southern limit. There are also a few records outside of this core range, particularly north of 24°00’S (Herremans 1997). i Climate The climate is characterised by long hot summers, with summer rainfall, and short, cool, dry winters. Annual rainfall around Gaborone averages 450- 500 mm, with most rain falling in October-April (Campbell & Main 2003). Rainfall varies greatly from year to year. Annual rainfall data at Gaborone since 1980 indicate that the summers with the lowest rainfall were 1984-85, with 243 mm, 1991-92, with 2 44 mm, and 2006-07 with only 1 45 mm (Department of Meteorolgical Services, Gaborone, in litt. 2008). For the same period the summer with the highest annual rainfall was 1999-2000, with 886 mm; 2007-08 was also particularly wet, with 713 mm. The study period was thus preceded by a particularly dry summer. Habitat The natural vegetation of south-east Botswana is predominantly Acacia savanna, though habitat dominated by broad-leaved tree species is also widespread, particularly on sandy soils and rocky hills. Short-clawed Lark occurs primarily in areas with Acacia savanna. Its distribution is centred on luvisols and lixisols on granite substrate. The species is generally absent from rocky ground and, accordingly, avoids rocky hills (Herremans 1997). Rocky hills occupy extensive areas in south- east Botswana, particularly between Mochudi and Molepolole and also to the south-west of Gaborone, and around Kanye and Lobatse. The species avoids Kalahari sands, which are most prevalent in the west of the study area, at the eastern edge of the Kalahari and also avoids vertisols, though such soils are localised and mainly confined to the area between I lokweng and Sikwane (Ministry of Agriculture 1990). Most land in south-east Botswana is tribal leasehold land. There is, however, an extensive block of freehold farms around Lobatse, and immediately north and south of Gaborone is also private land. The city of Gaborone is situated on former freehold farming land. Short-clawed Lark is almost totally confined to areas of tribal land that have been cultivated using traditional dry-land farming practices (Herremans 1997, 2005). Such traditional practices involve the dry- land planting of field crops, mainly sorghum and maize, and the grazing of fields, after crops have been harvested, by livestock, primarily cattle, donkeys and goats. Short-clawed Lark prefers fallow fields, grazed by livestock, with scattered bushes and small trees, primarily Acacia tortilis , though occasionally A. mellifera and Dichrostachys cinerea (Fig. 2). It has a preference for open habitat. Large open fields devoid of bushes or small trees, characteristic of commercial farms, are also unsuitable. However, the great majority of arable land in south-east Botswana is cultivated using traditional practices. According to data for 2002, 42.8% of the 16,000 km2 core range of Short-clawed Lark is considered to be land either cultivated, or previously cultivated, for crops using dry-land farming practices (Department of Surveys and Mapping, Gaborone, in litt. 2008). However, this figure is likely to include some land subsequently encroached by Acacia and no longer suitable for Short-clawed Larks. Status of Short-clawed Lark in south-eastern Botswana: Brewster et al. Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -33 Figure 1. Short-clawed Lark / Alouette a ongles courts Certhilauda chuana, Ntlhantlhe, south-eastern Botswana, August 2008 (Eugenie Skelton) Methods Both in 1992-93 and in 2007 a series of transect surveys was undertaken along a representative selection of routes in order to estimate the number of territories of Short-clawed Larks and to assess the area of habitat suitable for the species. The same methods were used for both sets of surveys so the results are directly comparable. Most transects were undertaken along gazetted roads but a few went along un-gazetted tracks. All transects had a width of 400 m — 200 m on either side of the road or track. Hence for every 1 km of road or track, 40 ha were surveyed. A Short-clawed Lark was usually first located when a singing bird was heard, although occasionally one was first located by the sound of its alarm or contact call. Only veiy seldom was a bird initially located by sight. The presence of a singing bird or of a bird in display flight was considered to be evidence of a territorial pair. Habitat was considered to be suitable for Short- clawed Larks if it was open land or fallow land with or without scattered trees or bushes, and unsuitable if it was thick, closed bush, woodland, habitation or had a rocky substrate. Occasionally birds were found in unsuitable habitat, such as closed bush or the vicinity of habitation, but always there was suitable habitat nearby, within 100 m from the bird. Fallow land that had been largely encroached by Acacia was considered to be no longer suitable. For each transect habitat was recorded at 100-m intervals for the entire transect, so that the area of habitat and proportion of the land suitable for Short-clawed Lark could be calculated. Habitat was recorded separately on each side of the road, as quite often there was suitable habitat only on one side of the road. Along each transect, on both sides of the road, the start and finish of suitable habitat, to the nearest 100 m, was recorded. All transects were undertaken by vehicle. Wherever habitat was considered to be suitable, the vehicle was driven slowly and stopped at 100-m intervals to listen for Short-clawed Larks within 200 m of the road or track. If, following a wait of five minutes, no Short-clawed Larks were recorded, a tape-recording of the song (recorded by MH in 1992-93) was played, using the sound system of the vehicle. For all singing birds, the perpendicular distance of the bird to the road and coordinates of the point on the road closest to the bird, were recorded. Coordinates were recorded 34 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Status of Shot t-clawed Lark in south-eastern Botswana: Brewster et al. Figure 2. Short-clawed Lark Certhilauda chuana habitat, Ntlhantlhe, south-eastern Botswana, August 2008 (Eugenie Skelton) Habitat de l’Alouette a ongles courts Certhilauda chuana, Ntlhantlhe, Botswana du sud-est, aout 2008 (Eugenie Skelton) correct to the nearest hundredth of a minute, using a Garmin GPS, model MAPbOCx. If birds were recorded at successive stops, 100 m apart, then an effort was made to hear all birds recorded at both stops at the same time, to avoid recording the same bird or birds twice. When they could not be heard at the same time they were not recorded as birds had the tendency to follow the vehicle while it remained in their territories. Most field work was undertaken in the morning, starting as early as possible after sunrise (05.30 hrs); it was seldom continued after 14.00 hrs. Territorial males are most vocal early in the morning, and till c. 10.00 hrs it was generally possible to locate them without playing the tape- recording. From c. 10.00 hrs to c. 14.00 hrs males were less vocal, although they would often still sing. To locate males at this time it was often necessary to play the tape recordings of the song and wait for a response; these tape recordings included both dialects. After c. 14.00 hrs rerritorial males became much more difficult to locate, even using playback. Evidence of this was obtained for the transect survey undertaken along the Kanye- Mmathethe road. When this transect was surveyed in the mid-afternoon, no birds were recorded despite the habitat being suitable, but when the transect was re-surveyed in the early morning, two weeks later, seven pairs were located. The efficiency with which birds were located was probably also influenced by the weather conditions. It was generally easier to locate birds on windless days than on windy days. It was also easier to locate birds on cool days, following a period of rain rather than during hot and/or dry periods. Fortunately, during the 2007 surveys the weather was relatively cool and cloudy with well above average rainfall, with nearly all transects being undertaken in favourable conditions. In 1992-93 a total of 1,350 km were surveyed. To allow direct comparison, the large majority of transects in 2007 were exactly the same as in 1 992- 93. However, transects in which no Short-clawed Larks were recorded in 1992-93, such as from Mochudi and from Sikwane to Olifants Drift, were not repeated in 2007 (see Appendix 1 for all place names mentioned). Transects on which Short- clawed Larks were recorded only at low density in 1992—93, were not deemed to be a priority, so the majority of such transects were not surveyed again in 2007. Un-gazetted tracks in rural Botswana tend to vary their route over time, due to allocation of fields and plots, fallen trees and erosion. Attempts to follow the exact routes of three transect surveys, from Oodi ro Mochudi, from Mogoditshane to the eastern corner of rhe international airport and from Makgomane to Tswaaneng, which were undertaken on un-gazetted tracks in 1992-93, were unsuccessful as the exact route followed could not be re-located. Accordingly the data for these three transects are not directly comparable (although they are certainly in the same area). One transect, from Pitsane via Tlharaseleele to Rakhuna, adjacent to the area where Engelbrecht et al. (2007) searched unsuccessfully for Short-clawed Larks in South Africa, was surveyed in 2007, though it had not been surveyed in 1992-93. In January 2008 S. & L. Tyler, using the same methods, surveyed an additional transect from Botlhapatlou via Hatslatladi to Lentsweletau that was also not surveyed in 1992-93; the results of this transect are included in the data. In 2007-08 transects surveyed had a total length of 990 km, which represents r.2.5% of the core range of Short-clawed Lark; 841 km of these are directly comparable with data for 1992-93. In January 2008, an effort was made, with the assistance of S. & L. Tyler, to visit areas at the edge of the range that had not been covered in transect surveys, in order to establish the range limits. Locations where the species occurred 15 years previously were revisited to ascertain if there had been any range changes. Status of Short-clawed Lark in south-eastern Botswana: Brewster et al. Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -35 Results Survey efficiency The estimated perpendicular distances of territorial birds from the road or track (the centre of the transect) are grouped into 10-m class intervals and are presented in Fig. 3. The estimated perpendicular distances show a bias to more ‘convenient' distances from the road, particularly for greater distances. Class intervals, such as 100 < d < 110, 150 < d < 160 and 200 < d < 210 (d = perpendicular distance, in metres, from road) are represented in the data more frequently than other class intervals, because ol rounding-off of estimates. The data clearly indicate that a greater proportion of territorial birds were recorded closer to the road than further away. Indeed, 77% of territorial birds were recorded at <110 m from the roads, while only 23% were found in the peripheral 48% of the transects. It is reasonable to assume that the data do not include all the territorial males present within the transects. To estimate the proportion of birds present that were detected in a survey is not straightforward. Assuming the drop-off in numbers recorded with distance (Fig. 3) represents the probability of being detected as a function of distance, we can fit a polynomial curve and estimate the efficiency of the surveys. Accepting the curve as a probability density function, it can be estimated that only 46% of the birds present were actually recorded during the surveys (though see also Discussion). Numbers and population density The 30 transects that were surveyed both in 1992-93 and in 2007, for which the results are directly comparable, are listed in Table 1. For comparable transects a total of 396 pairs were recorded in 1992-93 and 447 in 2007, representing a 12.9% increase. While the results suggest that the numbers ol pairs increased between the two surveys, the area of habitat considered suitable for Short-clawed Larks decreased slightly, from 11,410 to 10,810 ha, i.e., for comparable transects, a 5.3% reduction. Accordingly, there was also an increase in density in suitable habitat, from 3.57 pairs / 100 ha in 1992-93 to 4.14 pairs / 100 ha in 2007, an increase of 19.2%. Short-clawed Lark is clearly more common in some parts of its range than in other areas. In 20 40 60 80 100 120 |40 160 180 200 20 40 fit) 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 Figure 3. Perpendicular distance of pairs of Short-clawed Larks Certbilauda chuana from line of transect. Distance perpendiculaire des couples de l'Alouette a ongles courts Certbilauda cbuana par rapport au transect. 2007 the highest densities were around Mosopa, Kubung and Thamaga; >10 pairs / 100 ha of suitable habitat were recorded for several transects in this area. Relatively high densities of >6 pairs / 1 00 ha of suitable habitat were also found around Ntlantlhe and north of Gaborone. Densities in the southern part of the range, south of the Lobatse- Kanye main road, were noticeably lower: south of 25°10’S densities for all transects were < 4 pairs / 100 ha of suitable habitat. The pattern of densities is illustrated in a 15-minute grid (Fig. 4). For most transects more pairs were recorded in 2007 than in 1992-93. Those for which fewer were recorded are Bokaa-Kopong (from 12 pairs to nine pairs), Lentsweletau-Kopong (ten pairs to five pairs), Letlhakeng-Gasese (24 pairs to three pairs), Mmangodi-Moshupa (26 pairs to 22 pairs), Boatle-Mmankgodi (11 pairs to eight pairs), Mmathethe-Metlojane (11 pairs to two pairs), Good Hope-Mmathethe (nine pairs to six pairs) and Metlojane— Good Hope (two pairs to one pair). For the Mmankgodi-Mosopa transect, the reduction in numbers was due to a large decrease in pairs recorded around Mmankgodi, whereas near Mosopa a small increase was actually recorded. 36 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Status of Short-clawed Lark in south-eastern Botswana: Brewster et al. Table 1. Summary of results of transect surveys (from north to south) Tableau 1. Apergu des resultats des recensements par transect (du nord au sud) TRANSECT Total ha % suitable habitat Pairs Density, pairs/100 ha in suitable habitat 2007 1992-93 2007 1992-93 2007 1992-93 Molepolole-N of Hatsalatladi 2,180 34.4 25.7 19 13 2.54 2.32 Molepolole — Lentsweletau 1,400 22.8 23.6 5 3 1.57 0.91 Lentsweletau — Rasesa — Pilane 1,334 19.7 12.9 4 1 1.52 0.58 Lentsweletau— Kopong 1,020 9 15.4 5 10 5.42 6.37 Bokaa— Kopong 572 34.8 38.5 9 12 4.52 5.45 Mabalane — Mochudi 1,682 7.3 14.2 2 1 1.62 0.42 Mmamashia turn-off — Modipane — Mabalane 1,664 20.8 16.9 9 2 2.6 0.71 Letlhakeng— Gasese 1,994 19.8 29.6 3 24 0.76 4.06 Gasese— Pitseng 844 41 52.3 16 11 4.62 2.49 Molepolole — Thamaga 1,398 27.7 20.8 18 10 4.65 3.44 Thamaga— west along power-line 1,360 15.9 36 23 14 10.63 2.86 Kubung— north to power-line— N of Losilokgokong 924 20.5 24.5 25 19 13.17 8.4 Mosopa — Kubung 644 25.2 20.9 19 6 11.72 4.46 Mosopa— edge of sandveld (Ralekgetho road) 792 31.1 27.5 17 15 6.9 6.89 Mosopa— Thamaga 624 21.1 51.3 14 11 10.66 3.44 Mmankgodi— Mosopa 948 24.3 36.3 22 26 9.58 7.55 Boatle (Ramotswa turn-off)— Mogonye— Mmankgodi 1,060 18.8 28.2 8 11 4.01 3.68 Mogobane turn-off — Borotsi — Ntlhantlhe — Ranaka 1,396 38.8 36.1 40 37 7.38 7.34 Ranaka— south through fields— Ntlhantlhe 778 62.8 47.4 43 41 8.8 11.13 Ntlhantlhe — Gamoswane (Kanye — Lobatse road) 858 57.8 62.6 38 36 7.67 6.71 8 km along Mmathethe — Kanye road 326 79.1 70.2 7 5 2.71 2.18 Pelotshetlha turn-off— Dipotsana 748 52.8 75.5 10 8 2.6 1.42 Lobatse road turn-off— Mmathethe 1,548 55.7 56.8 17 16 2.07 1.82 Mmathethe— Metlojane 1,084 28.1 21.3 2 11 0.66 4.77 Mmathethe— Good Hope 1,100 39.4 30.6 6 9 1.38 2.67 Mmathethe— Metlobo 1,470 43.2 45.3 14 10 2.21 1.5 Good Hope— Lorwana 944 57 75 18 17 3.34 2.4 Metlojane— Good Hope 372 60.1 43.5 1 2 0.45 1.24 Metlojane— Makgomane 630 79.2 60.9 15 7 3,01 1.83 Borobodilepe — Hebron — Phitsane Molopo 1,946 28.2 27.2 18 8 3.27 1.51 TOTAL OF 30 TRANSECTS SURVEYED IN BOTH 1992-93 AND 2007 33,640 32.1 33.9 447 396 4.14 3.47 Oodi— Mochudi 1,282 14.1 11 6.08 Oodi— Mochudi 1,580 18.9 3 1.05 Mogoditshane— Mmopane— E corner of airport 896 28.4 18 7.08 Mogoditshane— Mmopane— E corner of airport 1,092 30.9 14 4.14 Makgomane— Tswaaneng 1,132 48 4 0.74 Makgomane— Tswaaneng 1,256 47.1 4 0.68 TOTAL OF 33 TRANSECTS (2007 data) 36,950 31.9 33.6 480 417 4.07 3.3 Lentsweletau— Botlhapatlou (January 2008) 1,962 29.3 37 6.25 Pitsane — Tlharaseleele — Rakhuna 692 54.5 4 1.06 TOTAL OF ALL DATA 39,604 32.2 521 4.09 Status of Short-clawed Lark in south-eastern Botswana: Brewster et al. Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -37 There is no correlation between change in area ot suitable habitat and change in numbers, indicating that there is currently no shortage of suitable habitat. While near Mmankgodi and Kopong a decline in numbers appears to be related to bush encroachment, there are other transects where numbers have increased despite a large decrease of suitable habitat between the two surveys. For example, for the transect from immediately north of Thamaga westwards along the power-line, the area of suitable habitat decreased from 490 ha to 216 ha, whilst the number of pairs recorded increased from 14 to 23 pairs. In 2007 the highest densities of Short-clawed Larks were recorded for the transect northwards from Kubung to north of Losilokgokong, with 25 pairs in 189.86 ha, i.e. 1 pair / 7.6 ha. Noticeably high densities were also recorded locally around Gathwane, on a section of the transect from Good Hope to Lorwana. Around Gathwane ten pairs were recorded in 78 ha of suitable habitat, a density of 1 pair / 7.8 ha. In 1992, between Ranaka and Ntlhantlhe, 30 pairs were recorded in 234 ha ol suitable habitat, i.e. 1 pair / 7.8 ha. Continued occupation by territorial males In both surveys, coordinates (correct to the nearest hundredth of a minute) were recorded for the point on the road closest to each territorial male. The perpendicular distance from the road was also recorded. With these data the localities of territories could be compared between the two surveys. For all birds recorded less than 110 m from the road in 2007, 38% (127 out of 334) were in the same localities (±100 m) as a territorial male in 1992-93. For birds <60 m from the road, 39% (93 of 237) were at the same location (±100 m) as a territorial bird in 1992-93. However, continued occupation of localities by territorial males was in general lower, or even non-existent, for transects where Short-clawed Lark occurs at lower densities and higher for transects with higher densities. Such a relationship is perhaps not unexpected as where Short-clawed Larks occur at highest densities, the great majority of suitable habitat is likely to be occupied. The highest continued occupation of localities by territorial males was for all three transects near Ntlhantlhe where 63% of the territories <1 10 m from the road remained occupied and 68% of those <60 m from the road. Range limits The 1992-93 survey found that the core range of Short-clawed Lark extended westwards to Phitsane Molopo, Tswaaneng, Metlobo, Pitseng and Gasese. Field work in January 2008, in areas not visited in 1992-93, established that it extends slightly further west along the Molopo Valley, west of Phitsane Molopo. The westernmost record in this area is of a bird seen west of Leporung at 25°47.50’S 24°52.27’E. In January 2008 the species was also found commonly to the south of Sesung. These records extend its known range but it seems likely that it had simply been overlooked in 1992-93, due to lack of visits, rather than the species has expanded its range. Between Gasese and Letlhakeng, along the Moshaweng Valley, there was a drastic reduction in numbers at the edge of the range between the two surveys: from 24 territorial males in 1992 to only three in 2007. In 2007, the most northerly record was in the Moshaweng Valley at 24°22.97’S 25°01.04’E, exactly where there was also a record in 1992, whereas in 1992 the northernmost record was at 24°14.82’S 24°59.84’E, 16 km further north. The apparent contraction of range from the northern Moshaweng Valley is the only indication of any change in the core range between the two surveys. The northern limit of the core range of Short- clawed Lark is c.24°00’S. North this there are only scattered records. There were rwo isolated records in 1993, north-west of the core range, one c. 14 km north-northwest of Letlhakeng and the other c. 17 km north-west of Botlhapatlou. These two locations were not visited in 2007-08; both are situated in valleys, which provide some localised suitable habitat, in areas that are largely unsuitable for Short-clawed Larks, due to the predominant Kalahari sands. In 1992 two birds were found near Lephephe, well to the north of the core range of the species, and birds were also recorded at two other different locations to the east-northeast of Lephephe. There was also, in 1992, an isolated record east of Shoshong at 23°15.01’S 26°34.85’E, which is the most northerly location at which Short-clawed Lark has been reported in Botswana. In 2007-08 the Lephephe area was searched, without success, for Short-clawed Lark. Attention was then focused on the Sojwe area, west of Lephephe, where a territorial bird was eventually located 1 1 km 38 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Status of Short-clawed Lark in south-eastern Botswana: Brewster et al. 25°E 26°E 27°E Shoshong x Mahalapye ■ X X Sojwe BOTSWANA N i Botlhapatlou X Letlhakeng ■ ■ Lentsweletau s' Molepolole Mochudi Mogoditshane Gaborone Moshupa Thamaga Tlokwang f SOUTH AFRICA Ramotswa ■ Kanye Lobatse t Goodhope Pairs (d)/ lOOha Relative of suitable habitat abundance d < 2 ■ uncommon 2<d<6 ■ fairly common 6 <d < 10 ■ common d > 10 ■ very common X recorded in 1992-93 Okm 50km Figure 4. Distribution of Short- clawed Lark Certhilauda chuana in south-eastern Botswana 2007-08. Repartition de l’Alouette a ongles courts Certhilauda chuana au sud- est du Botswana 2007-08. north of Sojwe. The continued presence of Short- clawed Lark in the Lephephe area was therefore confirmed, though it certainly must occur only sparsely in this area In the east, in 1992-93, transect surveys from Sikwane and from Mochudi to Olifants Drift failed to produce any records of Short-clawed Lark and, apart from one record c.20 km south-east of Mochudi, on the road to Mabalane, it was not found to the east of Mochudi. In January 2008 territorial birds were seen about 22 and 28 km east north-east of Mochudi. These records extend the known limits of its range in the east; it is likely, however, that Short-clawed Lark had been overlooked in this area, due to lack of visits, rather than the species had extended its range. Short-clawed Lark was searched for, without success, between Tlokweng, a large urbanised village immediately to the east of Gaborone, and the South African border; the predominantly black cotton soils in this area appear to provide unsuitable habitat. It was neither recorded in the city of Gaborone, nor on freehold land immediately to the south of Gaborone, where suitable habitat is lacking. On most freehold land to the north and south of Lobatse it is likely to be absent due to lack of suitable habitat (rocky hills and wooded savannas). It does, however, occur commonly close to the South African border in the Ramotswa area. Population estimate An estimate of the population of Short- clawed Lark in south-eastern Botswana involves the consideration of several parameters. These include the range, the proportion of the range that is suitable, the representativeness of the transects, the density in suitable habitat and the proportion of the territories that were detected in surveys. Lhe total range, excluding the outlying Lephephe area, where it occurs only sparsely, is estimated at 16,000 km2. For the calculations, we use 2007 and January 2008 transects except for parts of three transects (Mmamashia-Mabalane, Mabalane-Mochudi and Letlhakeng- Gasese) that are not considered to be within the range. 2002 data (Department of Surveys and Mapping, Gaborone, in litt. 2008) indicate that 42.8% of the range of Short-clawed Lark has a land-use which could make it suitable for the species. From our transect surveys 31.7% is suitable habitat and the average density of Short- clawed Lark here was 3.9 pairs / 100 ha; we use these figures in the calculation. The proportion of occupied territories that were detected during transect surveys is more debatable than the other variables. We use the figure of an efficiency of 46% as indicated by the curve in Fig. 3, which could represent a probability-density function. Based on the above figures, we estimate the total population of Short-clawed Larks at 43,000 pairs. If the efficiency of the data is assumed to be higher (e.g. 60%, see discussion for particular reasons affecting the probability of recording), Status of Short-clawed Lark in south-eastern Botswana: Brewster et al. Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010)- 39 the population could be 33,000 pairs. Both these figures contain a wide margin of error. While it is difficult to make a more accurate estimate, it seems reasonable to assume that the total population in 2007 was in excess of 20,000 pairs. This is an improvement on the previous estimate (‘over 10,000 pairs’) made by Herremans (2003), which even referring to data of 1992-93 may have been too prudent. Discussion For comparable transects a 12.9% increase in numbers and a 19.2% increase in density was recorded between the two surveys. The methods used for the two surveys were the same. However, some of the differences in numbers could possibly be accounted by factors other than an increase in numbers. For example, comparable transect surveys could have possibly been undertaken at different times of day, when detection rates are not necessarily the same. Secondly, weather conditions might not have been the same for comparable transects; surveys undertaken in good conditions are likely to be more comprehensive than surveys undertaken in unfavourable conditions, such as windy or hot days. There might too have been differences in the approaches of the observers. Due to these factors it likely, as stated above, that the data contain a wide margin of error. Nevertheless, the results of the two surveys suggest that there has been a modest increase in numbers between the two surveys. There appear to be three possible reasons for a greater proportion of birds being recorded closer to roads. Firstly, detection probability decreases with distance: birds that are at greater distance from the road are more likely to be overlooked as their vocalisations are less likely to be heard than those that are closer to the road, particularly on windy days. Secondly, as already indicated, Short- clawed Larks tend to move towards an intruder, which makes them more likely to be encountered nearby than further away. Birds at greater distances are, however, expected to be less likely to move to an intruder as their territories would be less likely to include the road. Thirdly, the use of a tape- recording to locate territorial birds is more likely to be effective for birds nearby than for distant birds, particularly because the vehicle’s sound system was not powerful (50 watt). However, these factors could be partially offset by the tendency of all males to commence singing when they hear one male start to sing. These reasons indicate that the probability-density function as presented in Fig. 4 might underestimate the efficiency of the surveys, because there are genuine reasons for birds to be detected closer to the roads. The decline in numbers recorded around Kopong and Mmankgodi is likely to be related to a relatively large reduction in suitable habitat: in 2007, bush encroachment on land that had previously been cultivated was particularly noticeable. When fields are not cultivated any longer and become steadily encroached by bushes and trees, primarily acacias, they become unsuitable. For the three transects between Mmathethe, Good Hope and Metlojane, however, the decrease in the number of pairs recorded between the two surveys is not obviously related to a change in habitat; there was actually a large increase in suitable habitat for these transects. The factors that might have caused this apparent reduction in numbers are unclear. Engelbrecht (2005) states that males defended approximately 6- 10-ha territories in a study of the eastern population in the Polokwane Game Reserve. The size of these territories is remarkably similar to the highest densities recorded in the two surveys in Botswana. This suggests that when Short-clawed Lark was recorded at its highest densities in south-east Botswana, almost all available suitable habitat was occupied by territorial males. Considering, firstly, that not all territorial birds were recorded and, secondly, that 12.9% more territories were located in 2007 compared to 1992-93, the degree of continued occupation of localities by territorial birds is probably considerably higher than the above figures suggest. If all territories <60 m from the road were detected in 2007 and 60% of the territories, irrespective of the distance from the road, were detected in 1992-93, then an estimated 65% of the localities recorded as occupied in 2007 were also occupied in 1992-93. Given the higher number of territories recorded in 2007, the degree of continued occupation of localities over the period between the two surveys is likely to be slightly higher, possibly over 70%. These figures suggest that localities have ceased to be occupied at an estimated average rate of c.3% per annum between the two surveys. 40 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Status of Short-clawed Lark in south-eastern Botswana: Brewster et al. Threats The data from 2007 support Herremans’ (1997, 2005) contention that Short-clawed Lark in south-east Botswana is almost totally restricted to tribal land that is cultivated using traditional agricultural practices. Any changes to agricultural practices are therefore likely to have an impact on the species. Although there is an extensive block of freehold farms to the north and south of Lobatse, the great majority of agricultural land is tribal land under traditional farming practices. While there have been no major changes in either land ownership patterns or farming practices in recent years, and none seem likely in the near future, there has been a steady decrease in the area of tribal land that has been cultivated for field crops (Ministry of Agriculture, Gaborone, in lift. 2008). Botswana is prone to a great variation in rainfall from year to year. In drought years the area planted with field crops is very small, while in years of good rainfall a much greater area is planted. For the ten years from 1981-82 to 1990-91, mean annual area planted for field crops in the traditional sector was 227,890 ha. For the ten years from 1996-97 to 2005-06 (the last year for which figures are available) this area decreased by 53% to 106,260 ha. In 1988-89, a year of good rainfall, 237,100 ha of sorghum and 76,000 ha of maize were planted in the traditional sector, while in 2005-06, another year with good rainfall, the totals were only 38,700 and 45,900 ha. These figures illustrate the precipitous decline of the area planted with sorghum in the traditional sector in recent years. The area planted with maize has also decreased, but less markedly. Though there are no supporting data, the reasons for these decreases are likely to be primarily socio- economic. With increasing prosperity and a higher standard of education young people tend to lose interest in farming. Older people also appear to have lost some of the enthusiasm to farm, either due to increasing age or due to the opportunity now to be able to rely financially on their relatives working in the urban areas. Whereas previously, young people would help their older relatives with cultivation of their fields, now they are more likely to be gainfully employed in urban areas and unable to assist their relatives in cultivation of the land. In 2008 the government introduced a new scheme, ISPAAD (Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agricultural Development), to support the traditional sector, in a bid to reverse the decline in crop production. The result of declining cultivation of field crops is a decline in the availability of suitable habitat for Short-clawed Larks. As less land is cultivated, fields are encroached by bushes, rendering them unsuitable. It is unclear how long it takes for a fallow field to become bush encroached, but it is likely to be more rapid in years of high rainfall than in dry years and when there is no grazing by livestock. 1 hough there are no supporting data, it seems possible that it can take ten years or more for a fallow field to be encroached by Acacia to the extent that it becomes unsuitable for Short- clawed Lark. For several years, when bushes are coppicing, the land can still be suitable. The other main threat to Short-clawed Larks is likely to be the expansion of settlements, particularly the city of Gaborone and the villages nearby. While currently Gaborone is situated on land that in recent years has never provided suitable habitat for Short-clawed Larks, the rapid expansion of the city and of nearby villages, such as Mogoditshane, Mmopane and Metsimotlhaba, is taking place where Short-clawed Larks occur at relatively high density. Inevitably there will be a localised decline in the numbers of Short-clawed Larks, particularly to the north of Gaborone. The expansion of settlements is also taking place elsewhere in south-east Botswana, albeit to not such a great extent. It is possible, too, that the large numbers of small stock discourage farmers to cultivate fields close to the settlements due to the high risk of goats destroying their crops. Therefore bush encroachment of fields is likely to be greater close to settlements than elsewhere. This was noted particularly around Kopong, Mmankgodi and Lorwana. The current favourable status of Short-clawed Lark in south-east Botswana is in sharp contrast with that in the adjacent parts of its range in South Africa, where the species has experienced an apparent range contraction and a possible decline in numbers (Engelbrecht et al. 2007). The factors that Engelbrecht et al. (2007) consider to be inimical to Short-clawed Lark in South Africa include commercial agriculture, cultivation of pasture grass, insufficient grazing pressure resulting in excessively lush vegetation, bush encroachment in areas with traditional agricultural practices and, lastly, development. In contrast to Status of Short-clawed Lark in south-eastern Botswana: Brewster et al. Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -41 its status on agricultural land there, where very few birds were found, it was common in the Botsolano Game Reserve, a protected area in Botswana close to the South African border, near Pitsane, where commercial agriculture, cultivation of pasture grasses and insufficient grazing pressure do not occur, or only marginally so. Bush encroachment and development have, as yet, only a localised effect on numbers in south-eastern Botswana. In conclusion, Short-clawed Lark is currently still doing well in south-eastern Botswana. Results suggest that numbers have shown a small increase since an earlier survey was undertaken in 1992- 93. Its conservation status is favourable, and, due to a possible decline in numbers in South Africa (Engelbrecht et al. 2007), its population probably constitutes an increasingly large proportion of the world population of this species. However, the continued decline in the cultivation of field crops using traditional practices presents a potential threat. The most beneficial support for the species would appear to be an incentive, by the government of Botswana, to farmers to cultivate sorghum and maize using traditional practices. This would not only support the Short-clawed Lark but also improve farmers’ livelihoods and Botswana’s food security. Acknowledgements We thank BirdLife Botswana for providing a Garrnin GPS, logistical support and much positive encouragement, the African Bird Club Conservation Fund and the Royal Society for Protection of Birds for providing financial support, Stephanie and Lindsay Tyler for assisting with fieldwork, the Department of Surveys and Mapping in Gaborone for compiling maps, the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana for providing agricultural data, the Department of Meteorological Services in Gaborone for providing rainfall data, and Stephanie Tyler and Derek Engelbrecht for commenting on this report. References Campbell, A & Main, M. 2003. Guide to Greater Gaborone. Gaborone: The Botswana Society, Engelbrecht, D. 2005. Breeding biology of the eastern population of the Short-clawed Lark in South Africa. Ostrich 76: 1 54-1 61. Engelbrecht, D., Grosel, J. & Dippenaar, S. 2007. The western population of Short-clawed Lark Certhilauda chuana in South Africa revisited. Bull. ABC 14: 58-61. Herremans, M. 1997. Shortclawed Lark Certhilauda chuana. In Harrison, J. A., Allan, D. G., Underhill, L. G., Herremans, M., Tree, A. J., Parker, V. & Brown, C. J. (eds.) The Atlas of Southern African Birds. Johannesburg: Birdlife South Africa. Herremans, M. 2005. Shortclawed Lark Certhilauda chuana. In Hockey, P. A. R., Dean, W. R. J. & Ryan, P. G. (eds.) Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa. Seventh edn. Cape Town: The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. Herremans, M. & Herremans, D. 1992. Breeding of the Shortclawed Lark Mirafra chuana in Botswana. Babbler 23: 6-17. Ministry of Agriculture. 1990. Soil Map of the Republic of Botswana. Gaborone: Ministry of Agriculture. “PO Box 26292, Gaborone, Botswana. E-mail: cbrewster@ botsnet. bw hBirdLife Botswana, Private Bag 003, Suite 348, Mogoditshane, Botswana. E-mail: keddii@webmail. co.za Mead of Research, Natuurpunt (BirdLife partner, Flanders), Coxiestraat 1 1 , B-2800, Mechelen, Belgium. E-mail: marc.herremans@natuurpunt. be Received 20 January 2009; revision accepted 5 October 2009. Appendix 1. Gazetteer of localities Annexe 1. Liste des localites citees Boatle 24°50'S 25°49’E Mmopane 24°44’S 25°52’E Borobodilepe 25°37’S 25°29’E Mochudi 24°23’S 26°08’E Borotsi 24°57'S 25°43’E Modipane 24°37’S 26°07’E Bokaa 24°26'S 26°01’E Mogobane 24°58’S 25°42’E Botlhapatlou 24°02'S 25°30'E Mogoditshane 24°37’S 25°52’E Dipotsana 25°14'S 25°25’E Mogonye 24°49’S 25°42’E Gaborone 24°40'S 25°55’E Molepolole 24°24'S 25°31’E Gamoswane 25°07'S 25°29'E Mosopa 24°47’S 25°25’E Gasese 24°31’S 25°03'E Ntlantlhe 24°58'S 25°35’E Good Hope 25°28’S 25°26'E Olifant's Drift 24011’S 26°51'E Hatsalatladi' 24°08'S 25°35'E Oodi 24°34’S 26°02’E Hebron 25°40’S 25°24'E Pelotshetlha 25°12’S 25°22'E Kanye 24°58’S 25°20'E Pilane 24°24’S 26°05’E Kopong 24°28’S 25°54'E Pitsane 25°28’S 25°36’E Kubung 24°37'S 25°20'E Phitshane Molopo 25°45’S 25°13'E Lephephe 23°21’S 25°51'E Pitseng 24°41'S 25°02'E Leporung 25°46’S 24°58'E Rakhuna 25°34'S 25°34'E Letlhakeng 24°06'S,25°02'E Ralekgetho 24°41'S 25°11’E Lentsweletau 24°15’S 25°51'E Ramotswa 24°52'S 25°53'E Lobatse 25°13'S 25°40’E Ranaka 24°55'S 25°28'E Lorwana 25°19'S 25°32’E Rasesa 24°22’S 26°05’E Losilokgokong 24°33’S 25°22'E Sesung 24°53’S 25°00’E Mabalane 24°38’S 26°22'E Shoshong 23°02'S 26°30'E Makgomane 25°33'S 25°14'E Sikwane 24°38’S 26°24’E Metlobo 25°26'S 24°58’E Sojwe 23°26'S 25°45’E Metlojane 25°32'S 25°22’E Thamaga 24°40’S 25°32’E Mmamashia 24°32'S 26°00'E Tlharaseleele 25°29'S 25°37’E Mmankgodi 24°44'S 25°39'E Tlokweng 24°40’S 25°57’E Mmathethe 25°19’S 25°16’E Tswaaneng 25°31’S 24°59’E 42 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Status of Short-clawed Lark in south-eastern Botswana: Brewster et al. Cataloguing the Lubango Bird Skin Collection: towards an atlas of Angolan bird distributions Michael S. L. Mills'1', Ursula Frank?, Grant Joseph', Francisco Miato'1, Suzanne Milton1’, Ara Monadjerri, Dieter OschadleuJ and W. Richard J. Deanb Cataloguer la collection de peaux d oiseaux de Lubango : vers un atlas des repartitions des oiseaux angolais. La collection de peaux d oiseaux logee a Lubango, Angola, comprend plus de 40.000 specimens, lepiesentant plus de 850 taxons. En juin 2008, nous avons travaille sur la collection pendant deux semaines, a de collecter des donnees concernant la distribution des especes. Ces travaux font partie d un projet atlas pour les oiseaux de 1 Angola. La collection est toujours en bon etat et le «Instituto Superior da Ciencias e Educaqao)) (ISCED), qui abrite la collection, doit en etre felicite. Les donnees mentionnees sur les etiquettes de 1 5.000 peaux, dont celles de tous les specimens des especes moins connues, ont ete saisies dans une base de donnees informatisee. Les 25.000 enregistrements restants sont faits sur la base de photos des «fiches de catalogue». Les specimens les plus interessants sont ceux de quatre Aigrettes vineuses Egretta vinaceigula — les premieres donnees pour 1 Angola de cette espece cataloguee mondialement «Vulnerable». D’autres exemples de peaux interessantes sont illustres par des photos et attirent l’attention sur l’importance de la collection pour des etudes systematiques. La collection de mammiferes est aussi mentionnee brievement. Enfin, des recommandations sont faites pour la gestion future de la collection. Summary. The bird collection housed in Lubango, Angola, contains more than 40,000 skins, representing more than 850 taxa. As part of an atlas project for Angolan birds, we visited rhe skin collection for two weeks in June 2008, to extract distributional information from the specimens. The skin collection is still in good condition, and the Instituto Superior da Ciencias e Educa^ao (ISCED), which houses the collection, is to be commended for this. Data from labels of 15,000 skins were entered into an electronic database, including all specimens of lesser known species. The remaining 25,000 entries are being made from photographs of ‘catalogue’ cards. The most interesting specimens are four Slaty Egrets Egretta vinaceigula, the first records of this globally Vulnerable species in Angola. Other examples of interesting skins are illustrated in various photographs, drawing attention to the importance of the collection for systematic studies. A brief mention is also made of the mammal collection. Finally, a list of recommendations is given for the future management of the collection. With the sixth-longest bird list of any African country, Angola harbours an exceptionally rich biodiversity. Add to this one of Africa’s highest bird conservation priorities — the Western Angola Endemic Bird Area (Stattersfield et al. 1998) and its biologically important scarp forests — and the biological importance of the country becomes unquestionable. During the 1960s and 1970s the country’s biodiversity was investigated, plant and animal collections established, and several reserves were appropriately managed (Huntley 1974), but 30 years of civil unrest have left conservation and research in Angola well behind that of other southern African countries. Basic information on species distributions is poor, and the network of reserves is dysfunctional. Recent peace and stability have provided new opportunities for improving the situation. As a first step, old reserves need to be re-established, knowledge of species distributions updated and Figure 1. The team working on the skin collection, entering details from bird labels into a database (Michael Mills) L’equipe travaillant sur la collection de peaux, saisissant par ordinateur les donnees mentionnees sur les etiquettes (Michael Mills) Cataloguing the Lubango Bird Skin Collection: Mills et al. Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -43 refined, key gaps in the conservation network identified and remedied, and links built with Angolan counterparts. Whilst available data on Angolan bird distributions were recently summarised (Dean 2000), the contents of the largest collection of Angolan bird skins, referred to here as the Lubango Bird Skin Collection (LBSC), were largely unknown. Summaries based on some information contained in the LBSC were published by Pinto (1970, 1972, 1973, 1983), but the collection of more than 40,000 specimens must be considered the largest untapped source of information on Angola bird distributions, and a primary source for systematic research. A sizeable collection of mammal skins and skulls is also housed here. The aim of our visit to Lubango was four- fold: (1) to report on the condition ol the LBSC and make recommendations for its future management, (2) to garner valuable distributional information from the LBSC on birds (and to a lesser degree bats), (3) to draw attention to the value of the collection for study purposes, and (4) to build links for future research and capacity building in Angola, centred on the collection. Here we report on the condition of the LBSC and make recommendations for its future management and use, draw attention to the importance ol the collection by highlighting its contents, and provide a progress report on the cataloguing of the skin collection. Links with Angolan counterparts are being developed on several fronts, most notably through the work of Brian Huntley and colleagues of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), but are not reported on here. Short history of the skin collection and collecting in Angola The LBSC is one of the largest collections of bird specimens in south-central Africa and contains many well-prepared specimens, comparable in quality to any collection in Africa. The collection is a tribute to the late Dr Antonio da Rosa Pinto, who, in 1958, began the nucleus of the collection by leading a collecting trip to Moxico Province, in the east of the country. At the time, Dr Pinto was a teacher at Salazar High School in Lourenqo Marques (now Maputo) in Mozambique, and was in Angola on an official ‘temporary’ mission with the objective of establishing an Ornithology Department at the Instituto de Investigaqao Cientifica de Angola (IICA). In 1963 Dr Pinto was appointed leader of the Centre for Studies at the IICA in Lubango. He subsequently managed to gather a very competent group of collectors and taxidermists, most of them Angolans, familiar with the birds and the countryside. This group, usually a team of six men but involving over 60 different personnel over the years, served the IICA well by establishing a collection of over 40,000 specimens, representing almost all of the avian taxa known to occur in Angola. The collection is currently housed at the the Instituto Superior da Ciencias e Educaqao (ISCED), whose staff is to be commended for maintaining the collection in excellent condition. Although the collection at Lubango contains very little ‘old’ material, there is a long history of collecting natural history specimens in Angola. Bird collections had commenced by the 1850s, with visits by Dr Francisco Welwitsch, a botanist who collected some birds between 1853 and 1860, and Joaquim Monteiro, a mining engineer who collected birds in 1858-67. Collecting activity at about this time was stimulated by requests for bird specimens from Prof. J. V. du Bocage in Portugal, who requested that military and administrative officers in Angola collect birds for him. Also, in 1864, Jose Alberto D’Oliviera Anchieta went to Angola to collect birds for Prof. Bocage. His first collection, said to be ‘rich’, was lost in a shipwreck (Pinto 1983). Anchieta returned to Angola in 1 866, and remained in the country until his death in 1897. He worked mostly in central and western Angola, collecting almost 4,400 specimens of 460 species of birds, of which 46 were new species to science. A number of collectors of many different nationalities followed Anchieta in the late 1800s; O. Sala (Dutch), C. J. Andersson (Dean et al. 2006; Swedish), A. W. Eriksson (Swedish), C. Hamilton (British), J. Falkenstein (German), L. Petit and A. Lucan (French), O. Schiitt and F. W. von Mechow (Steinheimer & Dean 2007; German), P. J. van der Kellen (Dutch) and the Valdivia Expedition. Many of these are remembered in the names of Angolan birds. With interest growing in the natural history ol Angola, expeditions sponsored by museums began to visit the country in the early 1900s: the French mission of Rohan-Cabot (Menegaux & 44 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Cataloguing the Lubango Bird Skin Collection: Mills et al. Berlioz 1923), the Swiss scientific expedition to Angola in 1928-29 (Monard 1934), the Phipps- Biadley expedition (with Rudyerd Boulton as collector), the Vernay-Angola expedition and collecting trips by Hubert Lynes and Jack Vincent (Lynes & Sclater 1933, 1934), and the Pulitzer- Angola expedition, again with Rudyerd Boulton as collector. Boulton subsequently collected and described a new endemic species, Pulitzer’s Longbill Macrosphenus pulitzeri (Boulton 1931). In 1929-30, the Gray African Expedition of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, collected birds and mammals in central-western Angola (Bowen 1931, 1932), and an Italian expedition in 1930 collected the holotype of an endemic subspecies of Liihder’s Bushshrike Laniarius luehderi amboinensis (Moltoni 1932). Individuals, some sponsored by museums and owners of private collections, were also active in Angola during the early 1900s. Dr William Ansorge made several trips to Angola between 1903 and 1909, collecting r.8,000 bird specimens (and many previously undescribed freshwater fish). The Portuguese naturalist Francisco Newton visited Angola at about the same time (de Seabra 1903), C. H. Pemberton collected in 1901-02 and Willoughby Lowe collected some material in the Luanda area in 1910-11 (Bannerman 1912). Important collections in the 1930s were made by Jean Bodaly who collected birds at Chitau, Bie, and by H. K. Prior at Dondi, Huambo. During a similar period, Rudolf Braun, who was resident in Angola, collected some material, most of which is now in the Zoological Museum in Berlin. The last collections of birds in Angola before the Ornithology Department of the IICA was established were made by H. A. Beatty, who collected for the Field Museum in Chicago. In two separate major collecting trips in 1954-55 and 1957, Gerd Heinrich collected birds for the Zoologisches Institut, Hamburg, the Field Museum and the Peabody Museum at Yale University. The Transvaal Museum and the British Museum sponsored expeditions in the 1950s, and both expeditions obtained very useful study material. With the exception of some birds donated to the IICA by Heinrich and the British Museum, most of the specimens collected between 1850 and 1960 in Angola are scattered in museums in Europe, the UK and North America. However, many of the specimens collected in Angola and sent to Portugal in the late 1800s and early 1900s were destroyed in a fire at the University of Lisbon in 1978 (Mearns & Mearns 1998), and many other specimens have not been traced. Fortunately the bird collection at Lubango remains intact and is an extremely important source of reference material for ongoing research on the birds of Angola. Methods For two weeks in June 2008 the authors worked at the LBSC. Bird specimens were removed from drawers and information displayed on their labels transcribed into an electronic database on laptop computers (Fig. 1). The following information was captured for each specimen: specimen number, species name, subspecies, sex, age, weight, collection date and locality, and collector’s name. In addition, photographs were taken of many skins, including representatives of all of the rarer specimens. Lesser known species were generally processed first. During the available time, data from 15,000 specimens were captured into the database, covering all of the rarer species. Handwriting on the labels was often hard to read, requiring substantial cleaning of the database, to correct names of collection localities and collectors. This work is ongoing. In addition toentering data from labels, specimen ‘catalogue’ cards (cf Fig. 2) were photographed for the entire collection. Each card represents a single species and subspecies, and contains the following information on specimens belonging to the taxon: INSTfTUTO DE INVESTIGA^AO CIENTIFICA DE ANGOLA S*cc*o d* Ornilologi* ESPECIE Franco 1 i_nus . JJr-: t |28b 0^/^ ^ q 12861 '• a [320 1 yy q W FT? ' , V I ls»* ~ , ) ( V ' ' p* 'r -’v. M?' .V, ,j 0" 235 G 6- ?. J&i, f £ o' O 65 2.V VyxSjt',, g Figure 2. An example of the bird ‘catalogue’ cards, for Grey-striped Francolin Francolinus griseostriatus, giving the specimen number, date and location of collection, and sex (Michael Mills) Un exemple d une «fiche de catalogue», pour le Francolin a bandes grises Francolinus griseostriatus, avec le numero du specimen, date et localite de collection, et sexe (Michael Mills) Cataloguing the Lubango Bird Skin Collection: Mills et al. Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010)- 45 46 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Cataloguing the Lubango Bird Skin Collection: Mills et al. Legend to figures on opposite page Figure 3. i wo of the four specimens of Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula in the collection: (a) adult, (b) immature. 1 hese are the first published records of the species in Angola (Michael Mills) Deux des quatre specimens de l’Aigrette vineuse Egretta vinaceigula de le collection : (a) adulte, (b) immature. II s’agit des premieres donnees publiees de l’espece pour 1’ Angola (Michael Mills) Figure 4. A comparison of Black-chinned Quailfinch Ortygospiza gabonensis (top) and African Quailfinch O. fiiscocrissa (bottom), from Angola. The latter species has a white chin and spectacles, but overall the species are very similar and may belong to a single species (Payne & Sorenson 2007). Skins from the Lubango museum come from a contact zone of the two taxa and could be used as part of a detailed phylogenetic study using multiple representatives from each quailfinch form, required to properly test whether the three detected genetic lineages exhibit consistent plumage differences (Fry & Keith 2004, Payne & Sorenson 2007) (Michael Mills) Une comparaison entre l’Astrild-caille a face noire Ortygospiza gabonensis (en haut) et l’Astrild-caille a lunettes O. fiiscocrissa (en bas) de 1’Angola. La derniere espece a le menton blanc et des lunettes blanches, mais pour le reste les deux especes sont tres semblables et pourraient comprendre une seule espece (Payne & Sorenson 2007). Les specimens du musee de Lubango proviennent d une zone de contact des deux taxons et pourraient servir pour une etude phylogenetique detaillee. Une telle etude devrait utiliser plusieurs representants de chaque forme d’astrild-caille pour pouvoir examiner si les trois lignees detectees ont des differences de plumage consistantes (Fry & Keith 2004, Payne & Sorenson 2007) (Michael Mills) Figure 5. Male (top) and female (bottom) specimens of Black-chinned Weaver Ploceus nigrimentus , collected in Huambo town (previously Nova Lisboa) in March 1966 probably the most recent ot this rare species in Angola. Only two other specimens are listed in Dean (2000), with the only other localities being Galanga (the type locality) and Mombolo (Michael Mills) Specimens male (en haut) et femelle (en bas) du Tisserin a menton noir Ploceus nigrimentus, collectes a Huambo (auparavant Nova Lisboa) en mars 1966 probablement les mentions les plus recentes de cette espece rare en Angola. Seulement deux autres specimens, de Galanga (la localite type) et Mombolo, sont mentionnes par Dean (2000) (Michael Mills) Figure 6. An example ol the striking endemic male Golden-backed Bishop Euplectes aureus in breeding plumage (top), alongside Yellow Bishop E. capensis (bottom). A population of Golden-backed Bishop on Sao Tome is believed to have been introduced (Fry & Keith 2004) (Michael Mills) Un exemple du remarquable male en plumage nuptial de l’endemique Euplecte dore Euplectes aureus (en haut), a cote de I’Euplecte a croupion jaune E. capensis (en bas). La population de l’Euplecte dore a Sao Tome est supposee avoir ete introduite (Fry &c Keith 2004) (Michael Mills) Figure 7. The near-endemic Bocage’s Sunbird Nectarinia bocagii (second, fourth and sixth) alongside the distinctive, endemic gadowi subspecies of Bronzy Sunbird N. kilimensis. Bocage’s Sunbird is dark purple and black, whereas Bronzy Sunbird is greenish bronze and has a longer, more curved bill (Michael Mills) Le quasi endemique Souimanga de Bocage Nectarinia bocagii (deuxieme, quatrieme et sixieme specimens) a cote de la sous-espece endemique distincte gadowi du Souimanga bronze N. kilimensis. Le Souimanga de Bocage est violet fonce et noir, tandis que le Souimanga bronze est bronze verdatre et a un bee plus long et plus arque (Michael Mills) Figure 8. The very similar Bates’s Sunbird Cinnyris batesi (top) and Little Green Sunbird Anthreptes seimundi (bottom). The latter is overall brighter green, with a shorter, straighter bill; Bates’s Sunbird is greyer below, and has a black tail, which is hard to see in the field (Michael Mills) Les tres semblables Souimanga de Bates Cinnyris batesi (en haut) et Souimanga de Seimund Anthreptes seimundi (en bas). Ce dernier a le plumage vert plus vif, avec un bee plus court et plus droit ; le Souimanga de Bates est plus gris dessous et a une queue noire, ce qui est difficile a voir sur le terrain (Michael Mills) specimen number, collection date and locality, and sex for each example in the collection. Photographs of these cards (4,661 in total, representing 859 species) have now been labelled and ordered by family. Data entry is continuing using these photographs, but is expected to take at least another 18 months to complete. A small amount of time was dedicated to comparing specimens of similar species, and taking side-by-side photographs, as well as inspecting the mammal collection. Findings Broadly, the collection remains in excellent condition, free of insect damage. Specimens are housed in wooden drawers lined using paper, in 28 large wooden cupboards. All specimens are labelled and the complete collection of field journals remains with the skins. However, the room in which the collection is kept is incredibly dusty, the field journals are unordered and poorly Cataloguing the Lubango Bird Skin Collection: Mills et al. Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) - 47 Table 1. Details of the four specimens of Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula in the Lubango Bird Skin Collection. Tableau 1. Donnees sur quatre specimens de I’Aigrette vineuse Egretta vinaceigula loges dans la collection de peaux d'oiseaux de Lubango. Specimen details Collection details No. Sex Age Mass (g) Locality Date Collector 23532 F Imm. 300 Rio Cunene (Quiteve) 27 June 68 A. R. Pereira 23257 F Ad. 245 Luamucua (Quiteve) 19 June 68 D. Mumputu 23259 F Ad. 175 Luamucua (Quiteve) 19 June 68 A. R. Pereira 23432 F Imm. 300 Rio Cunene (Quiteve) 24 June 68 D. Mumputu kept, and a large number of mounted specimens are clumsily arranged, making for poor working conditions. Although the collection has been kept in good condition by Prof. Jose Luis Alexandre and his staff at ISCED, there is no official curator or ornithologist at the collection. The current ‘caretaker’ of the collection has no training in biology or taxidermy, and the collection remains largely unused. There is not yet an official protocol for access, although permission to work on the collection can be granted by the Dean of ISCED, Prof. Matondo Tomalela. Francisco Miata is employed and trained to maintain and care for the herbarium collection housed here, and a counterpart in the bird collection is urgently needed. The LBSC is significant for both the number of specimens it contains (>40,000) and the great variety of taxa presented (>850), including numerous rarer species. More than 1,600 photographs of skins were taken, representing >400 species, and have been databased. The most interesting discovery was the presence of four specimens of Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula , erroneously labelled as Black Herons E. ardesiaca (Fig. 3). These specimens (Table 1; Fig. 1) were all collected during a trip to Quiteve, Huila Province, on the banks of the Cunene River (16°02’S 15°lTE), on 19-27 June 1968, and constitute the first records of this Vulnerable species for Angola (Dean 2000). Some other specimens of interest are summarised in Table 2 and species and species comparisons are illustrated in Figs. 4-12. DO worked exclusively on the Ploceidae. Most Angolan Ploceidae are represented in the collection, notable exceptions being Orange Weaver Ploceus aurantius and Slender-billed P. pelzelni. Pinto (1972) listed a specimen of P. pelzelni collected in Cabinda that should have been present in the museum and is listed on the ‘catalogue’ cards, but it was not found. While the collection generally contains few types, it does house the type series of the subspecies of Scaly-fronted Weaver Sporopipes squamifrons pallidus described by Pinto (1967). Several rare or uncommon weavers are represented: Black-chinned Weaver P. nigrimentus (2), Loango Weaver P. subpersonatus (2), Brown- capped Weaver P. insignis (5), Black Bishop Euplectes gierowii (1 from Tanzania) and Golden- backed Bishop E. aureus (47). Three specimens of Southern Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus were collected by Pinto from the isolated Lake Dilolo during August 1958 (Pinto 1965, Dean 1996), with further specimens from this expedition housed at the Lisbon Museum (Louette 1984). It has been suggested that these birds belong to the reichardi-ruweti species complex (Dean 2000). The LBSC specimens are dull-plumaged, but one is a male starting to moult: there are a few orange feathers on the upper throat. Other than this orange plumage anomaly (the throat should be turning black), the weavers appear to match nominate Southern Masked Weaver found further south in Angola. The nearest locality for Southern Masked Weaver is in north-west Zambia (Dowsett et al. 2008). Mammals The mammal collection at Lubango consists of skins and skulls of a variety of species. The aim of this expedition was to catalogue the bird collection, thus there was only limited time for AM to examine the mammals, which numbered more than 3,000 specimens of at least 123 species. The bats were examined in greatest detail and included 211 specimens of 23 species. This represents about one third of the 63 species known to occur in Angola. With respect to collecting sites, there is a geographical bias towards the south-east of the country, which is unsurprising since that is where Cataloguing the Lubango Bird Skin Collection: Mills et al. 48 -Bull ABC Vo! 17 No 1 (2010) Table 2. Summary of some of the more interesting specimens contained in the Lubango Bird Skin Collection, with the number of specimens for each species (No.). Tableau 2. Apergu d un nombre de specimens interessants dans la collection de peaux d’oiseaux de Lubango, avec I indication du nombre de specimens pour chaque espece (No.). Common Name Scientific Name Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk Accipiter rufiventris Swierstra’s Francolin Francolinus swierstrai Grey-striped Francolin Francolinus griseostriatus White-throated Francolin Francolinus albogularis Horus Swift Apus horus Bradfield's Hornbill Tockus bradfieldi White-headed Barbet Lybius leucocephalus Benguela Long-billed Lark Cedhilauda benguelensis Grimwood’s Longclaw Macronyx g rimwoodi Angola Cave Chat Xenocopsychus ansorgei Black-necked Eremomela Eremomela atricollis Congo Moor Chat M yrmecocichla tholloni Gabela Akalat Sheppardia g abela Pulitzer's Longbill Macrosphenus pulitzeri Laura's Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus laurae Rock-loving Cisticola Cisticola aberrans Angola Slaty Flycatcher Melaenornis brunneus Margaret’s Batis Batis margaritae White-fronted Wattle-eye Platysteira albifrons Bare-cheeked Babbler Turdoides gymnogenys Black-faced Babbler Turdoides melanops Rockrunner Chaetops pycnopygius Bannerman's Sunbird Cyanomitra bannermani Bocage’s Sunbird Nectarinia bocagii Ludwig’s Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris ludovicensis Oustalet’s Sunbird Cinnyris oustaleti Gabela Helmetshrike Prionops gabela Chestnut-backed Sparrow Weaver Plocepasser rufoscapulatus Bar-winged Weaver Ploceus angolensis : Black-chinned Weaver Ploceus nigrimentus . Golden-backed Bishop Euplectes aureus Dusky Twinspot Euschistospiza cinereovinacea No. Notes 3 Rare in Angola 6 Vulnerable endemic 12 Near-Threatened endemic 6 Rare in Angola 12 Form toulsoni, often treated specifically as Loanda Swift 16 Scarce species 37 Endemic and distinctive ssp. leucogaster 55 Near-endemic 38 Data Deficient 31 Endemic 65 Localised species 29 Near-endemic 7 Endangered endemic 4 Endangered endemic 1 Endemic ssp. laurae ; rare in Angola 6 Endemic ssp. bailunduensis 32 Endemic 1 Rare in Angola; endemic ssp. margaritae 4 Near-Threatened near-endemic 15 Near-endemic 21 Near-endemic 22 Near-endemic 13 Near-endemic 11 Near-endemic 76 Endemic 31 Localised species 3 Endangered endemic 82 Near-endemic 11 Near-endemic 2 Near-endemic 47 Endemic 29 Endemic ssp. cinereovinacea Lubango is situated. The collection includes a number of interesting bat specimens such as two D’Anchieta’s Fruit Bat Plerotes anchietae, a species known from just 11 specimens (Bergmans 1989, Kock et al. 1998); 21 specimens of Angolan Epauletted Fruit Bat Epomophorus angolensis, an Angolan near-endemic; and African Sheath-tailed Bat Coleura afra, a widespread species but in southern Africa known from just three specimens (Monadjem et al. in press). Non-chiropteran mammals well represented in the collection include genets ( Genetta ), hares ( Lepus ), hyraxes (dassies) ( Heterohyrax and Procavia ) and at least 33 genera of rodents. Primates are particularly poorly represented with skins of just six species. Habitats: erosion of biodiversity in the environs of Lubango The habitats in which birds were collected between 1958 and 1974 ranged from coastal desert through palm and baobab savanna on lowland alluvium along the Cunene River, to grassland and sclerophyllous shrubland on the sandstones of the high-altitude tableland that surrounds Cataloguing the Lubango Bird Skin Collection: Mills et al. Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -49 Lubango, to escarpment forest along the ‘Scarp’ and equatorial gallery forest along various rivers. Travelling from northern Namibia to Lubango we passed successively through palm savanna and mopaneveld, baobab savanna, Baikiaea (teak) woodland on yellow sand, mixed woodland with Combretum , Terminalia, Commiphora and Albizia set among spectacular granite hills, and then, at higher altitudes on red sands, miombo woodland. The sandstone plateau above the town of Lubango supports stunted miombo and a high diversity of shrubs including Protea welwitschi and grass trees Xeris sp. Closed Afromontane forest patches occurred in deep, well-watered gorges on the escarpment. When the bird collection was constituted, in 1958-74, the human population of Angola was sparse and most of the woodland in the southern part of Angola was intact. Tall woodland that included large specimens ol such hardwoods as Pterocarpus angolensis (kiaat), Combretum (bush willow) and Baikiaea plurijuga (teak) extended from the Namibian border to Lubango. Human population growth over the past four decades has changed the face(s) of the landscape. Within a 50-km radius of Lubango miombo woodlands have been cleared and replaced with subsistence agriculture based on grain crops, goats and cattle, with charcoal made from large miombo trees as a cash supplement. Further from the city of Lubango bags of charcoal and honey for sale at roadside markets are witness to the continued erosion of the woodland, as trees make way for more subsistence crops, cut to raid bee hives, ringbarked for materials used in medicine or to construct bark hives, and converted to charcoal 50 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Cataloguing the Lubango Bird Skin Collection: Mills et al. Legend to figures on opposite page Figure 9. I he endemic Monteiro’s Bushshrike Malaconotus monteiri (second and fourth) alongside its closest relative, Grey-headed Bushshrike M. blanchoti, which differs in lacking the pale ring around the eye, in having a yellowish, not greyish eye, and a less robust bill. Monteiro s Bushshrike is supposedly less orange below (Fry & Keith 2000, Sinclair & Ryan 2003), but these two specimens contradict this (Michael Mills) L endemique Gladiateur de Monteiro Malaconotus monteiri (deuxieme et quatrieme specimens) a cote de son parent le plus proche, le Gladiateur de Blanchot M. blanchoti , qui differe par l’absence du cercle oculaire pale et par son oeil jaunatre, non pas grisatre, et son bee moins fort. Le Gladiateur de Monteiro est suppose etre moins orange dessous (Fry & Keith 2000, Sinclair & Ryan 2003), mais ceci est contredit par ces deux specimens (Michael Mills) Figure 10. Rosy-throated Longclaw Macronyx ameliae (second and fourth) alongside examples of the Data Deficient Grimwood’s Longclaw, well represented in the collection by 38 specimens of two subspecies, grimwoodi and cuandocubangensis , the latter not mentioned in Keith et al. (1992) (Michael Mills) La Sentinelle a gorge rose Macronyx ameliae (deuxieme et quatrieme specimens) a cote d’exemplaires de la Sentinelle de Grimwood, espece «Insuffisamment documente» bien representee dans la collection par 38 specimens de deux sous-especes, grimwoodi et cuandocubangensis. Cette derniere n’est pas mentionnee par Keith et al. (1992) (Michael Mills) Figure 11. The Endangered, endemic Gabela Helmetshrike Prionops gabela (first and third) alongside its closest relative, the widespread Retz’s Helmetshrike P. retzii, illustrating the latter species’ larger size and darker plumage (Michael Mills) Le Bagadais de Gabela Prionops gabela (premier et troisieme specimens), espece endemique «Menacee d’extinction», et son parent le plus proche a large distribution, le Bagadais de Retz P. retzii, illustrant la taille plus grande et le plumage plus fonce de ce dernier (Michael Mills) Figure 12. Two subspecies of Meves’s Starling Lamprotornis mevesii found in Angola; the more glossy mevesii (top and third) alongside the duller benguelensis, endemic to the southern escarpment zone, that may deserve specific status (Hall I960). Specimens from the Lubango Bird Skin Collection could help unravel the 'systematics of this species (Michael Mills) Deux sous-especes du Choucador de Meves Lamprotornis mevesii representees en Angola; mevesii, plus brillant (en haut et troisieme), et benguelensis, endemique de la zone australe de fescarpement, plus terne. Les deux formes pourraient etre des especes a part entiere (Hall 1960); des specimens de la collection de Lubango pourraient ■servir a elucider leur taxonomie (Michael Mills) for hearing and cooking in the ever-growing urban centres. Large trees are disappearing in even quite remote areas such as the slopes above the precipitous cliffs of the escarpment at Leba. Smoke rising from the woodland, cut stumps, charcoal pits, paths made by ox-drawn sleds, and feathers of wild birds used to sustain the woodcutters bear silent witness to the ongoing erosion of the natural capital of this beautiful land. Towards an atlas One of the objectives of compiling a catalogue and database of the bird specimens in the Lubango collection is to build a georeferenced database of bird specimen records for Angola. These data will be merged with another database, containing data on distributions taken from Traylor (1963), Pinto (1983), Dean (2000) and Mills & Dean (2007), data on bird specimens in other collections and sight records of birds contributed by visitors to Angola. These data will then be mapped, probably at a 15’ x 1 5’ scale. The maps will provide guidelines for the recommendation of protected areas and will also provide some basic distribution patterns, useful for modelling effects of climate change and potential environmental disasters (e.g. oil spills from offshore wells along the northern coast). Gap analyses using these data will establish priorities for future ornithological field work in Angola. Bird atlas studies not only show bird distribution patterns, but more importantly also identify areas for which there are no data. Globally, bird atlases have made a key contribution to conservation, through highlighting the conservation priorities of species (providing fundamental data for Red Data listing) and habitats (e.g. Fishpool & Evans 2001). Angola, emerging from decades of political instability, is a country where knowledge of bird distributions is particularly poor, although the avifauna is diverse. Most surveys and collecting have been conducted in western and north-central Angola, and along the coastal areas and parts of the Mayombe in Cabinda. We do not know whether gaps in the distribution of certain species are ’real’ or artefacts of surveys. An atlas will help close these gaps or show whether they are real. This has important implications for conservation in Angola in that attention will then be drawn to areas of high avian species richness, which might also prove to be areas of high species richness amongst other taxa. Identifying focal areas will Cataloguing the Lubango Bird Skin Collection: Mills et al. Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -51 also lead to an evaluation of land use practices in these areas and an assessment of their impacts; for example, charcoal burning using native woodland (miombo species complex) trees. Recommendations for the collection Although the collection is being kept in reasonable condition, conditions can be greatly improved and the collection should be put to practical use. We recommend that the following steps be taken: • Produce an electronic database of the bird skin collection, which work is in progress, and once the ciatabase is complete, copies will be provided to colleagues in Angola and worldwide, to promote work using the skins. Data will start to be made available online via the website of Natural World (www.nat- world.org) within the next 12 months. • Training of (a) young Angolan ornithologist(s), to act as curator for the collection. • Possible 'adoption’ of the collection by a foreign museum to assist with training and to improve the conditions in which skins are kept. • Cleaning of the entire room in which the skins are housed. • Properly organising all documents pertaining to the collection. • Cleaning and cataloguing the valuable collec- tion of books associated with the collection. • Encouraging collaboration between Angolan and foreign researchers, using the skin collec- tion as a point of contact. • Stimulate interest in Angolan birds by incor- porating informative visits to the collection in standard biology courses at the institute and making use of the specimens for student projects. Conclusions Given the threats to biodiversity in Angola, it is important that some of the plant and animal collections from the 1970s remain in the country to guide and inspire a new generation of Angolan scientists. With the help of SANBI, other biodiversity experts in the South African Development Community and assistance from outside the region there may still be time to plan a protected area network for Angola that will retain all vegetation types and the associated fauna. Without planning, active protection and initiatives to provide alternative sources of income for the local inhabitants, it is unlikely that the next generation of Angolans will be able to enjoy the beauty of the country and the biological diversity experienced by their grandparents, to taste wild honey, see Giant Sable Hippotragus niger variani in the wild, or even to simply find sufficient wood or charcoal for their daily needs. Acknowledgements Funding for this research came from the generous contributions of Ursula Franke, the African Bird Club Conservation Fund, Tony Dowd and Robert Angiers. Brian Huntley assisted tremendously with organising access to the collection, and with logistical support. Many thanks to Yudo Borges and especially Eduardo & Tanya Traguedo for their help during our visit, and for being such hospitable hosts. Prof. Matondo Tomalela, Dr Fernanda Lages, Prof. Jose Luis Mateus Alexandre and other staff at ISCED were incredibly supportive of our work, and this project would have been impossible without them. Dr Michel Louette, Robert J. Dowsett, Ron Demey and Guy Kirwan commented on an earlier version of this paper. References Bannerman, D. A. 1912. On a collection of birds made by Mr Willoughby P. Lowe on the West Coast of Africa and outlying islands; with field notes by the collectors. Ibis 9(6): 219-268. Bergmans, W. 1989. Taxonomy and biogeography of African fruit bats (Mammalia, Megachiroptera). 2. The genera Micropteropus Matschie, 1899, Epomops Gray, 1870, Hypsignatus H. Allen, 1861, Nanonycteris Matschie, 1899 and Plerotes Andersen, 1910. Beaufortia 39: 89-153. Boulton, R. 1931. New species and subspecies of African birds. Ann. Carneg. Mus. 21: 43-56. Bowen, W. W. 1931. Angolan birds collected during the Gray African expedition, 1929. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil. 83: 263-299. Bowen, W. W. 1932. Angolan birds collected during the second Gray African expedition, 1930. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil. 84: 281-289. Dean, W. R. J. 1996. The distribution of the Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus in Angola. Bull. Br. Ornithol. Cl. 116: 254-256. Dean, W. R. J. 2000. The Birds of Angola: An Annotated Check-list. BOU Checklist No. 18. Tring: British Ornithologists’ Union. Dean, W. R. J., Sandwith, M. & Milton, S. J. 2006. The bird collections of C. J. Andersson in 52 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Cataloguing the Lubango Bird Skin Collection: Mills et al. southern Africa, 1850-1 867. Archiv. Nat. Hist. 33- 159-171. Dowsett, R. J., Aspinwall, D. R. & Dowsett-Lemaire, F. 2008. The Birds of Zambia. An Atlas and Handbook. Liege: Tauraco Press & Aves. Fishpool, L. D. C. & Evans, M. I. 2001. Important Bird Areas in Africa and Associated Islands: Priority Sites for Conservation. Newbury: Pisces Publications & Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. Fry, C. H. & Keith S. (eds.) 2000. The Birds of Africa. Vol. 6. London, UK: Academic Press. Fry, C. H. & Keith S. (eds.) 2004. The Birds of Africa. Vol. 7. London, UK: Christopher Flelm. Hall, B. P. I960. The faunistic importance of the scarp of Angola. Ibis 102: 420-442. Huntley, B. J. 1974. Outlines of wildlife conservation in Angola. J. South Afr. Wildlife Manag. Assoc. 4: 157-166. Keith, S„ Urban, E. K. & Fry C. H. (eds.) 1992. The Birds of Africa. Vol. 4. London, UK: Academic Press. Kock, D., Burda, H., Chitaukali, W. N. & Overton, M. J. 1998. Plerotes anchietae (Seabra, 1900) in Malawi, Central Africa (Mammalia: Chiroptera). Z. Saugetierk 63: 114-116. Louette, M. 1984. The identity of swamp-dwelling weavers in northeast Angola. Bull. Br. Ornithol. Cl. 104: 22-24. Lynes, H. & Sclater, W. L. 1933, Lynes-Vincent tour in Central and West Africa in 1930-1931. Part I. Ibis 13(3): 694-729. Lynes, H. & Sclater, W. L. 1934. Lynes-Vincent tour in Central and West Africa in 1930-1931. Part II. Ibis 13(4): 1-5L Mearns, B. & Mearns, R. 1998. The Bird Collectors. London, UK: Academic Press. Menegaux, A. & Berlioz, J. 1923. Mission Rohan- Chabot, Angola et Rhodesia 1912-1914. Oiseaux, Histoire Naturelle 4: 107-155. Mills, M. S. L. & Dean, W. R. J. 2007. A revision ol the avifauna of Angola. Ostrich 78: 55-63. Moltoni, E. 1932. Uccelli d Angola raccolti da L. Fenaroli durante la spezione 1930 Baragiola-Durini Atti. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat. Milan 71: 169-178. Monadjem, A., Taylor, P., Cotterill, F. P. D. & Schoeman, M. C. In press. Bats of Southern Africa: A Biogeographic and Taxonomic Synthesis. Johannesburg: University of the Witwatersrand Press. Monard, A. 1934. Ornithologie de l Angola. Arqu. Museu Bocage. Arq. Mus. Bocage 5: 1-1 10. Payne, R. B. & Sorenson, M. D. 2007. Integrative systematics at the species level: plumage, songs and molecular phylogeny of quailfmches Ortygospiza. Bull. Br. Ornithol. Cl. 127: 4-26. Pinto, A. A. da Rosa. 1965. Contribui^o para o conhecimento da avifauna da regiao nordeste do Distrito do Moxico, Angola. Bol. Inst. Invest. Cient. Angola 1(2): 153-249. Pinto A. A. da Rosa. 1967. Descri^ao de 4 novas subespecies de aves de Angola. Bol. Inst. Invest. Cient. Angola 4: 29-32. Pinto A. A. da Rosa. 1970. Um catalogo das aves do Distrito da Hufla. Mem. Trab. Instituto Invest. Cient. Angola 6. Pinto, A. A. da Rosa. 1972. Contribuigao para o estudo da avifauna do Distrito de Cabinda (Angola). Mem. Trab. Inst. Invest. Cient. Angola 10: 1-103. Pinto A. A. da Rosa. 1973. Aditamento a avifauna do Distrito de Mo9amedes, Angola. Livro de homenagem ao Professor Fernando Frade Viegas da Costa 700 Aniversdrio: 383-419. Pinto, A. A. da Rosa. 1983. Ornitologia de Angola. Vol. 1. Lisbon: Instituto de Investiga^ao Cientifica Tropical. Seabra, A. F. 1905. Aves de Angola da explora^ao de Francisco Newton em Angola. Ann. Sci. Nat. Porto 9: 153-159. Sinclair, 1. & Ryan, P. 2003. Birds of Africa South of the Sahara. Cape Town: Struik. Steinheimer, F. D. & Dean, W. R. J. 2007. Avian type specimens and their type localities from Otto Schutt’s and Friedrich von Mechow’s Angolan collections in the Museum fur Naturkunde of the Humboldt-University of Berlin. Zootaxa 1387: 1-25. Traylor, M. A. 1963. Check-list of Angolan birds. Publ. Cult. Companhia de Diamantes de Angola 61: 1-250. ‘A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, University of Jos, PO Box 13404, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. E-mail: michael@birdingafrica. com b Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa. Hal 34, 80331 Munich, Germany. 'JSCED, Department of Natural Sciences, Lubango, Angola. ‘ Department of Biological Sciences, University of Swaziland, Private Bag 4, Kwaluseni, Swaziland. 1 Animal Demography Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa. Received 18 February 2009; revision accepted 9 June 2009. Cataloguing the Lubango Bird Skin Collection: Mills et al. Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -53 Bird observations from Sao Tome: Monte Carmo as a priority conservation site Fdbio Olmof and Longtong G. Turshakb Observations d’oiseaux de Sao Tome : Monte Carmo comme site de priorite pour la conservation. A l’occasion d’inventaires effectues sur l’ile de Sao Tome, dans le Golfe de Guinee, en juillet-aout 2007, 46 especes one ete trouvees, y compris tous les taxons endemiques. L’abondance avienne, basee sur le taux de rencontre, est plus elevee dans les forets montagnardes que dans les forets a plus basse altitude, mais ces dernieres abritent plus d’especes. Les zones agricoles supportent une avifaune mixte d’especes endemiques et introduites. Les especes les plus abondantes dans les deux habitats forestiers sont quatre especes endemiques : le Souimanga de Newton Anabathmis newtoni, la Prinia de Sao Tome Prinia molleri , le Tisserin de Sao Tome Ploceus sanctithomae et le Serin roux Serinus rufrobrunneus. Les forets de basse altitude de Monte Carmo (Ribeira Peixe) abritent plusieurs Ibis de Bocage Bostrychia bocagei dans une zone relativement limitee, ainsi que le Neospize de Sao Tome Serinus ( Neospiza ) concolor et la Pie-grieche de Sao Tome Lanius newtoni. Le Nasique de Bocage Amaurocichla bocagii et la pie-grieche ont aussi ete observes au dessus de 1.000 m dans la zone d’Ana Chaves. Les forets de Monte Carmo sont considerees comme une priorite pour des projets de conservation, qui pourraient inclure du tourisme base sur l’observation des oiseaux, mais leur avenir est incertain a cause des developpements recents dans les plantations d’huile de pal me avo is in antes. Summary. Surveys carried out on the Gulf of Guinea island of Sao Tome in July-August 2007 found 46 species, including all of the endemic taxa. Bird abundance was higher in montane forests, based on encounter rates, than in forests at lower elevations, but the latter held more species. Agricultural areas supported a mixed avifauna of endemic and introduced species. Numerically dominant species in both forest habitats were the endemic Newton’s Sunbird Anabathmis newtoni, Sao Tome Prinia Prinia molleri, Sao Tome Weaver Ploceus sanctithomae and Principe Seedeater Serinus rufrobrunneus. The low- elevation forests of Monte Carmo (Ribeira Peixe) held several Dwarf Olive Ibises Bostrychia bocagei in a comparatively small area, as well as Sao Tome Grosbeak Serinus ( Neospiza ) concolor and Sao Tome Fiscal Lanius newtoni. Sao Tome Short-tail Amaurocichla bocagii and the fiscal were also recorded above 1,000 m in the Ana Chaves area. The forests of Monte Carmo are considered a priority for conservation projects, which might include birding-based tourism, but their future is uncertain because of recent developments in nearby oil-palm plantations. The islands of Sao Tome (857 km:) and Principe (139 km2) in the Gulf of Guinea hold at least 17 and eight single-island endemics, respectively, probably representing the largest number of endemic birds per land area for any island group (Melo 2007, Melo & Jones in press). Several of the endemics are of conservation concern, mostly due to habitat loss, including the Vulnerable Sao Tome Short-tail Amaurocichla bocagii and the Critically Endangered Newton’s Fiscal Lanius newtoni, Sao Tome Grosbeak Serinus {Neospiza) concolor and Dwarf Olive Ibis Bostrychia bocagei (BirdLife International 2008). These volcanic islands possess a rugged topography with limited level ground along the coast and in some valleys. Sao Tome reaches 2,024 m, whilst on Principe the highest elevations peak at 945 m. Fast-running streams radiate down the mountains through lush forest and cropland to the sea on both islands (Christy & Clarke 1998, Jones & Tye 2006). The islands are covered in lush montane and low-elevation forest, shade forests (cocoa and coffee plantations), derelict plantations ( capoeiras ) and some open savannah (on Sao Tome). The islands were first occupied by humans after their discovery by the Portuguese in the 1470s, and their economy became dependent on cash crops, especially cocoa and coffee, both cultivated under shade trees in large plantations {rogas or shade forest) (Seibert 2002). The result was that most forest below 1,000-1,200 m was drastically modified, if not destroyed; the least disturbed forest areas at lower elevations are concentrated in the wettest south-western part of Sao Tome, and in southern Principe. On the other hand, one of 54 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Bird observations from Sao Tome: Olmos & Turshak the key habitats on both Sao Tome and Principe is the shade forest or capoeira resulting from the abandonment of former plantations of cocoa, coffee, coconut and oil-palm after independence in 1975 (Christy & Clarke 1998, Jones & Tye 2006). Data on the local avifauna appeared only after the mid- 19th century. Due to the country being closed to most foreigners until the recent past (Seibert 2002), updated information on some of the rarest endemics became available only after the 1980s (Sargeant 1994, Jones & Tye 2006). More recent research has addressed the taxonomy and biogeography of the endemics (Melo 2007, Melo & Jones in press), compared the densities of endemic species in different habitats and human impacts (Dallimer et al. 2009) and the distribution and basic ecology of the threatened species (ABS 2007, Maia & Alberto 2009). Sao Tome possesses three Important Birds Areas (IBAs) that encompass the main habitat types (lower elevation and montane forests, and savannahs (Christy 1998). Some sites within the IBAs have been well explored by ornithologists, such as the montane forests of Lagoa Amelia and the nearby capoeiras and agricultural mosaic of Bom Sucesso (Rocha 2008, Dallimer et al. 2009). However, areas such as the lower elevation forests of Monte Carmo, above Ribeira Peixe, although well known to birders and visited by researchers (Melo 2007, Leventis & Olmos 2009), lacked descriptions of their bird communities. Here we report the findings of a bird survey on Sao Tome during a fact-finding visit to the islands sponsored by BirdLife International and the A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute carried out between 13 July and 12 August 2007, with further on visits in January and July-August 2008. Study sites and Methods Observations were made along existing paths in selected localities according to access and bird species expected to be found. Characterisation of the different vegetation types follows Jones & Tye (2006). Bom Sucesso (00°17’20”N 06°36’45”E; 1,148 m): visited on 19, 23-28 July and 9 August. The site of the national botanical garden and a gateway to the trails leading to Pico de Sao Tome, Lagoa Amelia and other locations in the central massif. A nearby elevation (Macrambala) is also accessible by vehicle, with a trail starting along the ridge overlooking the Nova Ceilao Valley (walked on 28 July). I he gardens cover a small area, with both native and introduced trees, and flowering plants. This area is surrounded by farms cultivating bananas, plantains, carrots and yams, with isolated clumps ol trees. Large areas are occupied by invasive grasses and herbs. This part of the island is much cooler and more subject to mist than lower elevations. Lagoa Amelia (00°16’50”N 06°35’36”E; 1,385 m): visited on 23—24 and 26—27 July. Covering montane forest inside Parque Natural Obo this well-known birding spot is accessed via a track from Bom Sucesso. Within the park’s boundary, which is already encroached by farmland, the forest becomes continuous as the track ascends the mountain. Trees may reach over 30-35 m, with a heavy cover of moss and epiphytic plants. Exotic bamboos along the track mark old roads between now derelict rogas. Lagoa Amelia is an old volcanic crater, now filled by grassy vegetation (no standing water during our visit), surrounded by montane forest. Monte Carmo (campsite at 00°09’06”N 06°33’60”E; 363 m): visited on 1-4 August. Situated in the south-west of the island near Ribeira Peixe, this is a well-known site for the rarest species on Sao Tome (Leventis & Olmos 2009), and is reached after a rwo-hour walk from the nearby oil-palm plantation of Emolve. Above the plantation the vegetation gradually changes Rom capoeira and shade forest to mature low forest (with many Symphonia globulifera ) and the trail follows a fairly gentle slope bordered by deep valleys. The ground is commonly strewn with rocks, which probably precluded cultivation. There are many level areas along the slope and water collects in some places. Signs of foraging feral pigs were plentiful. This is one of the wettest parts of the island and it rained throughout our stay, despite this being the ‘dry’ season. Sites in Sao Tome where only qualitative observations were carried were Ro9a Binda (00°13T0”N 06°27’57”E; 30 m) and Ro?a Juliana de Sousa (00o12’01”N 06°28’20”E; 214 m), both visited on 15 July; Roqa Bombaim and Formoso Grande (campsite at 00°13’5T’N 06°37’42”E; 631 m), visited on 29-30 July; the well-known trail between Bom Sucesso and Pico de Sao Tome, Bird observations from Sao Tome: Olmos & Turshak Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -55 and from there down to Ponta Figo (see Christy & Clarke 1998), walked on 16-17 July; and the headwaters of the rio Ana Chaves (00°15’45”N 06°34’23”E, 1,182 m), visited on 9 August. Birds seen or heard were recorded along the trails, including species with far-carrying vocalisations such as orioles and pigeons. Quantitative data were recorded only when it was not raining, accounting for the seemingly low effort at Monte Carmo. Some species were sound- recorded, the relevant files being available at Xeno-canto (XC; www.xeno-canto.org/africa). As a measure of relative abundance we used encounter rates (Bibby et al. 1998) expressed by the number of individuals recorded per ten hours (see Table 1 for sampling effort). This index and its variations give a less subjective idea of the relative abundance and detectability of birds present in a given area (Pacheco & Olmos 2003). We took GPS coordinates of all individual Dwarf Olive Ibises, Sao Tome Fiscals, Sao Tome Grosbeaks and Sao Tome Short-tails detected. As reliable altitude readings could not always be made due to the dense tree cover we use values obtained from GoogleEarth throughout this paper. Nomenclature principally follows Jones & Tye (2006) with the modifications suggested by Melo (2007) and Melo & Jones (in press). Results and Discussion All endemic birds known on Sao Tome were recorded (Table 1). Overall, 45 species were observed, including one seabird nesting in tree hollows in the forest and one shorebird on the beach. Twenty-five species were found in the agricultural mosaic of Bom Sucesso and the capoeiras between Binda and Juliana de Sousa, both sharing 16 species, whilst 20 were found in the shade plantations and capoeiras of Bombaim. The environs of Sao Tome town harboured 22 species, including most of the introductions, many of which also occur at Born Sucesso, but montane and lowland forests support only native species. None of the introduced birds has, to date, colonised the latter habitats despite the long history of European colonisation and trade with mainland Africa (Seibert 2002, Jones & Tye 2006). Montane forests at Lagoa Amelia, where survey effort was greatest, held 1 5 species compared to 20 at the lower elevation Monte Carmo, with 12 of these shared. Species found only in mature or old secondary forest included Dwarf Olive Ibis, Sao Tome Short-tail, Sao Tome Fiscal and Sao Tome Grosbeak, all found at Monte Carmo. We found no evidence of any endemic species breeding during our survey, and only two (Sao Tome Oriole Oriolus crassirostris and Newton’s Sunbird Anabatbmis newtoni ) consistently responded to playback. Sao Tome Prinia Prinia molleri was commonly seen performing aerial displays, but these appear to occur year-round (Christy & Clarke 1998, Jones & Tye 2006). Only Vitelline Masked Weavers Ploceus velatus were observed nest building and displaying, but several Sao Tome Weavers were observed nest building in the Bom Sucesso area during the July 2008 visit. A greater richness at Monte Carmo agrees with the findings of Dallimer et al. (2009), who compared Lagoa Amelia with another lower elevation site, rio Sao Miguel, in western Sao Tome. The main difference between forest types uncovered by their study and ours was the lack of endemics such as the ibis, fiscal, grosbeak, short-tail and Giant Weaver Ploceus giganteus in montane forest. On the other hand, that the ibis, fiscal and short-tail do occur in montane forest some distance from Lagoa Amelia (Rocha 2008; see below) lends credence to the theory that human activities like hunting and gathering of forest products result in lower densities of those species (Dallimer et al. 2009). The point counts undertaken by Rocha (2008) found 15 species in montane forest in the Bom Sucesso / Lagoa Amelia area, although his sampling in less-disturbed areas further from Lagoa Amelia resulted in the addition of Dwarf Olive Ibis and Sao Tome Short- tail. The agricultural mosaic of Bom Sucesso yielded only 17 species, compared to 25 in our list, a difference probably the result of recce walks being a more effective method of recording uncommon species. As noted by other observers (Christy & Clarke 1998, Jones & Tye 2006) most endemic birds utilise shade plantations and agricultural areas with a mosaic of cultivation, sparse trees and hedges, which finding has since been corroborated by more detailed research (Rocha 2008). These habitats possess abundant introduced plants providing nectar (the shade tree Erythrina poeppigiana and the shrub Tithonia diversifolia ) 56 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Bird observations from Sao Tome: Olmos & Turshak and fruit (the trees Cecropia peltata and Musanga cecropioides plus several cultivated species; the shrub Cestrum levigatum ) consumed by many endemics (Leventis & Olmos 2009). Species such as Principe Seedeater Serinus rufobrunneus , Sao Tome Flycatcher Tcrsiphone atrochalybeia, Sao dome Thrush Turdiis olivaceus , Sao Tome Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathusf.fidgidus, Newton s Sunbird and the globally threatened Sao Tome White-eye Zoster ops ( ficedulinus ) feae had their highest encounter rates in the Bom Sucesso mosaic compared to nearby forest, although this result masks differences among discreet habitats (annual cultivation, tree clumps, banana groves, etc.) comprising the mosaic. Birds, as a whole, were commonest in Lagoa Amelia compared to Monte Carmo, with encounter rates of 540 birds / 10 hours at the first compared to 170 at the latter. Limited sampling effort and almost constant rain during our stay at Monte Carmo were factors, but the lower abundance of birds observed was striking, especially of common species such as prinias, speirops and Newton’s Sunbird (Table 1). The commonest endemics (Principe Seedeater, Newton’s Sunbird, Sao Tome Speirops Zosterops lugnbris and Sao Tome Weaver) were also the most abundant species in both montane and lower elevation forest, but with striking differences in relative abundances. Overall, Monte Carmo had lower encounter rates for most endemics, and the white-eye was absent. Only the flycatcher, starling and speirops had encounter rates that could be considered similar. King & Dallimer (2003) and Dallimer et al. (2009), using mist-netting and point counts, also found striking differences between montane and lowland forests in the relative abundances of Sao Tomean endemics, with montane forest holding greater numbers of seedeaters, prinias, speirops, Sao Tome Weaver and Newton’s Sunbird. In contrast, orioles, paradise flycatchers, thrushes and Giant Sunbird are commonest at lower elevations. Data from encounter rates broadly agree with this pattern. Significant records Dwarf Olive Ibis Bostrychia bocagei This species was recorded only at Monte Carmo, a known site for the species together with the 16 Grande River and hillsides in the Formoso Grande area (ABS 2007, Leventis & Olmos 2009). What sounded like a call was heard briefly at a distance in Formoso Grande. Although considered silent compared to other Bostiychia ibises (Christy & Clarke 1998, Jones & Tye 2006), on 1 August three birds were heard calling from different perches at dusk and one called at dawn on 2 August. The voice (XC 18130) is, however, similar to related species. Despite being used by hunters, Monte Carmo harbours an important ibis population. On 1 August we recorded the first ibis near the campsite, perched c.8 m above ground. On 2 August, at 06.18 hrs, one was seen perched in the lower canopy at 00°09’02.8”N 06°34’05.1”E (321 m), with another nearby at 10.00 hrs. On 3 August we found eight birds during the morning (07.10- 11.20 hrs) while walking from 00°08’52.1”N 06°34T4.7”E (303 m) to 00°09’13.2”N 06°33’52.9”E (386 m). These included four lone birds and two ‘pairs’, one of the latter comprising an adult and a juvenile (which had a shorter bill and drabber plumage). All of these birds, except one of the lone individuals, were foraging on the ground when first seen, with one bird perched on a tree. Additionally, on 4 August another pair was found at 00°08’55.6”N 06°34’32.6”E (c.284 m) in a tree-fall gap in second-growth forest with little leaf litter and much exposed soil. Sightings were at least 150 m apart (the latter much further), but we can not discount the possibility of double-counting, although we tried to track the direction birds flew or if they remained perched when we lost contact with them. The clumped records show an extraordinary gathering of those rare, apparently solitary birds, in a small area. The ibises foraged alone or in loose family groups, and were quite silent by day, calling only at dusk and dawn, if at all. All were in mature or old second-growth forest at 150-400 m with well- spaced large trees, very Open undergrowth and large patches of exposed soil resulting from feral pig activity or rainwater. In some areas, the soil was largely covered by irregularly shaped rocks, which also results in an open understorey. The association between ibises and disturbed soil or open understorey has been mentioned previously (Jones & Tye 2006). Bird observations from Sao Tome: Olmos & Turshak Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -57 58 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Bird observations from Sdo Tome: Olmos & Turshak Sao Tome Maroon Pigeon Columba thomensis Two adults perched on a jackfruit tree at Juliana de Sousa, with another in montane forest at Pico Carvalho (00°16T2”N 06°34’35”E; 1,393 m) on 18 July, and one in the same spot on 9 August feeding on the fruit of Schefflera manii. Another adult seen at 00°17’04”N 06°33’25”E (1,165 m) on 20 July completes our records of this uncommon species. The record at Juliana de Sousa (214 m) reveals that the species is not strictly associated with montane lorest and can utilise capoeira at low elevations, at least seasonally. Dallimer et al. (2009) found this species is not a montane specialist as has sometimes been suggested (Jones & Tye 2006), with significant populations present in the lowlands of western Sao Tome, where Juliana de Sousa is sited. On the other hand, it was not found at Monte Carmo during our survey (although one was seen in January 2008), suggesting its occurrence in the lowlands might be patchy or seasonal. Sao Tome Short-tail Amaurocichla bocagii Although Jones & Tye (2006) set the altitudinal limit for this species at 500 m, Dallimer et al. (2003) found one at 1,100 m in the island’s central massif, the same general area where the species was found breeding by Rocha (2008). Maia & Alberto (2009) found short-tails to be regular dwellers in montane forests above 1,300 m, and fairly common in some areas. Our records support those findings. We located the species near Formoso Grande, where a pair was seen repeatedly on 29-30 July at 00°13’50.6”N 06°37’44.4”E (622 m) in a gully cut by a stream running among boulders in low forest. More interestingly, on 9 August we also found short-tails along the slope of the Ana Chaves Valley, where Legend to figure on opposite page Figure 1. (a) Sao Tome Scops Owl / Petit-due de Sao Tome Otus hartlaubr, (b) Sao Tome Green Pigeon / Colombar de Sao Tome Treron sanctithomae\ (c) Sao Tome Short-tail / Nasique de Bocage Amaurocichla bocager, (d) Sao Tome Thrush / Merle de Sao Tome Turdus olivaceofuscus ; (e) Juvenile Sao Tome Oriole / Loriot de Sao Tome Oriolus crassirostris; (f) Male Sao Tome Oriole / Loriot de Sao Tome Oriolus crassirostris ; (g) Male Sao Tome Paradise Flycatcher / Tchitrec de Sao Tome Tersiphone atrochalybeia\ (h) Sao Tome Prinia / Prinia de Sao Tome Prinia molleri (Fabio Olmos, except (c) A. P. Leventis) a pair was seen at 00°15’45.4”N 06°34’23.7”E (1,174 m), and a lone individual at 00°15’36”N 06°34’25”E (1,162 m), all in steep terrain covered by transitional montane-low forest, and away from water. As noted by Maia & Alberto (2009), this suggests that potential habitat for the species is more extensive than had been assumed. The species was also found at the well- known area of Monte Carmo. A pair was seen at 00°09’09”N 06°34T4.8”E, c.230 m, and a lone bird at the campsite, both on 1 August. Next day, a trio, a pair and a single individual were recorded while walking the area of more level ground between the campsite and 00°09 14.4”N 06°32’04.3”E, a transect of cA km. On 3 August a pair was seen on the ground at 00o09’13.2”N 06°33’52.9”E in an area where the undergrowth was open with many rocks on the forest floor, which appears washed by rain, with little litter. Another bird was observed in the lower strata (3-4 m high) on more level ground at 00°09T3.2”N 06°33’52.9”E (386 m), at least 100 m from a wet gully. One bird was also seen nearby the following morning. In the very humid forests of Monte Carmo only one pair was closely associated with water, foraging near the ground by a drainage line with a trickle of water. The others were seen on the forest floor and lower strata of the forest. In montane forests, Maia & Alberto (2009) also found short- tails were not particularly associated with water, unlike as previously suggested (Atkinson et al. 1991), and this finding was corroborated for lower elevation forest by Dallimer et al. (2009). Sao Tome Fiscal Lanius newtoni Restricted to few sites in the south-east and south-west of Sao Tome (those areas of highest rainfall), from the Bombaim / Formoso area south-west through the 16 Grande Valley (Schollaert & Willem 2001), the Martim Mendes basin above Ribeira Peixe and west to the Xufexufe basin (King & Dallimer 2003) to c. 1 ,300 m (Maia & Alberto 2009). On 3 August, one was observed low down in a narrow forested gully at Monte Carmo (00°09T2.7”N 06°33’48.9”E; 400 m). Our excursion to Ana Chaves, south-west of the Bombaim / Formoso area and within the headwaters of the 16 Grande, had the specific goal of finding this species. The site lies in a deep valley with steep slopes. As we descended we heard Bird observations from Sao Tome: Olmos & Turshak Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -59 Table 1. Bird species recorded during this survey. Numbers indicate the number of individuals detected per ten hours of all- records censuses, whilst x indicates species recorded outside census periods. Tableau 1. Especes d’oiseaux observees pendant I’inventaire. Les chiffres indiquent le nombre d’individus detecte par dix heures de recensement, tandis que x indique les especes observees en dehors des periodes de recensement. A: Farms around Bom Sucesso, including tree clumps and small remnant forest patches amid cultivated areas. Census effort: 5.5 hours. B: Montane forest near Bom Sucesso, mostly along the trail to Lagoa Amelia and to Novo Ceilao. Census effort: 14.15 hours. C: Low forest around the Monte Carmo campsite. Census effort: 7.8 hours. D: Trail through shade forest and capoeira (old coconut and cocoa plantations) between rogas Binda and Juliana de Souza. Census effort: only qualitative observations. E: Trek through montane forest from Bom Sucesso up Pico de Sao Tome and down to shade forest above Ponta Figo. Census effort: only qualitative observations. F: Tall shade forest near Roga Bombaim. Census effort: qualitative observations. G: Gardens, orchards, vacant lots, urban areas and the airport environs around Sao Tome town. Census effort: only qualitative observations. A : Zones cultivees autour de Bom Sucesso, y compris des fourres et des lambeaux de foret au milieu de cultivations. Effort de recensement : 5,5 heures. B : Foret montagnarde pres de Bom Sucesso, principalement le long du sentier vers Lagoa Amelia et Novo Ceilao. Effort de recensement : 14,15 heures. C : Foret de basse altitude autour du camp a Monte Carmo. Effort de recensement : 7,8 heures. D : Sentier a travers de la foret ombrophile et de capoeira (vieilles plantations de cocotiers et de cacao) entre ropas Binda et Juliana de Souza. Effort de recensement : uniquement des observations non systematiques. E : Trajet a travers de la foret montagnarde de Bom Sucesso a Pico de Sao Tome et, a la descente, traversal la foret ombrophile au dessus de Ponta Figo. Effort de recensement : observations non systematiques. F : Foret ombrophile pres de Ropa Bombaim. Effort de recensement : observations non systematiques. G : Jardins, vergers, terrains vagues, zones urbaines et environs de I'aeroport autour de la ville de Sao Tome. Effort de recensement : observations non systematiques. Common name Scientific name A B C D E F G White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus X X Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 12.5 X X Green-backed Heron Butorides striata X X Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis X Dwarf Olive Ibis Bostrychia bocagei 11.5 Yellow-billed Kite Milvus ( migrans ) parasitus X X Red-necked Spurfowl Francolinus afer X Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos X Sao Tome Green Pigeon Treron sanctithomae 1.8 10.6 2.6 X X X Sao Tome Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba matherbii 3.6 2.1 Sao Tome Lemon Dove Cotumba larvata simplex 16.1 26.1 2.6 X X X Sao Tome Maroon Pigeon Columba thomensis X X Feral Pigeon Columba livia X X Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 1.8 X X X Red-headed Lovebird Agapornis pullarius X X Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus insularum 1,8 X X Barn Owl Tyto alba thomensis X X Sao Tome Scops Owl Otus hartiaubi X X X Sao Tome Spinetail loonavena thomensis 69.6 4.9 X X X Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus 12.5 X X X Common Swift Apus cf. apus X Little Swift Apus affinis bannermani 8.9 X X X Sao Tome Kingfisher Alcedo ( cristata ) thomensis X X Sao Tome Thrush Turdus olivaceofuscus 16.1 9.2 1.3 X X X X Sao Tome Prinia Prinia molleri 35.7 42.4 12.8 X X X X Sao Tome Short-tail Amaurocichla bocagii 7.7 Sao Tome Paradise Flycatcher Tersiphone atrochalybeia 26.8 14.1 15.3 X X Newton's Sunbird Anabathmis newtoni 128.6 84.1 20.4 X X X X 60 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Bird observations from Sao Tome: Olmos & Turshak Common name Scientific name A B C D E F G Giani Sunbird Dreptes thomensis 3.5 1.3 X X Sao Tome White-eye Zosterops (ficedulinus) feae 50.0 17.0 X Sao Tome Speirops Zosterops lugubris 117.9 114.5 17.9 X X X Sao Tome Fiscal Lanius newtoni X Sao Tome Oriole Oriolus crassirostris 12.5 21.2 14.0 X Sao Tome Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathus f. fulgidus 17.9 2.8 2.6 X X X X Vitelline Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus peixotoi 35.7 1.3 X X Giant Weaver Ploceus grandis X X X Sao Tome Weaver Ploceus sanctithomae 30.4 84.8 25.5 X X X Fire-crowned Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus X Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild 282.1 X X Southern Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus angolensis X Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata 50.0 X Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura X Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus X Principe Seedeater Serinus rufobrunneus thomensis 123.2 102.5 33.2 X X X Sao Tome Grosbeak Serinus ( Neospiza ) concolor X a bird calling at 00°15’45.4”N 06°34’23.7”E (1,174 m). More were heard when we reached the bottom at 00°15’39.4”N 06°34’33.9”E (1,065 m) and playback during the next three hours elicited vocal response, although no birds approached the source. At least three were heard together along the creek running along the valley, one of them <20 m away. Together with information in the literature our records suggest an association between this species and watercourses, or at least to more open areas in forest, like gullies and riversides, created by water. That could mean that fiscal habitat is more linear, or patchy, than currently believed. Sao Tome Grosbeak Serinus ( Neospiza ) concolor Positively recorded only from lower altitude forest in the south-west of the island (Jones & Tye 2006), although there is one record from the Monte Cafe area, near Bom Sucesso (Simpson 2002). In the Monte Carmo area (at 00o09’12.4”N 06°33’55.3”E; 370 m), we heard a song identified as a grosbeak (XC17889) on 4 August at 07.50 hrs. The bird responded but did not approach after playback, moving to a nearby gully, where two individuals were seen in the canopy and lower understorey. The same recording was successfully used to attract a pair in the Monte Carmo area in January 2008. Conservation issues Recent conservation initiatives in the country have been linked mostly to ECOFAC (Central Africa Forest Ecosystem Programme), the largely French-funded project that aims to conserve West African forests. Starting in 1992, this resulted in the establishment of the 295 km2 Obo Natural Park, covering the most mountainous and least accessible parts of both Sao Tome and Principe (c.30% of the country), and other related initiatives. Although all land belongs to the government (a legacy of the previous socialist regime), the park’s status is still fragile, the law creating it being issued only in 2006. The zoning and management plan of the park were being prepared in 2008, when the first directors were appointed, but the park still lacks sufficient personnel and means to enforce the law. Agricultural encroachment is evident in more accessible parts of the park such as Bom Sucesso, whilst hunting is widespread. With an only recent opening for free enterprises (Seibert 2002), cocoa, coffee and oil palm exports from Sao Tome are to date limited. Much of the economy is at subsistence level; small-scale farming is widespread and extractive activities such as the harvesting of palm-wine and hunting of pigeons, introduced monkeys and pigs are locally important (Carvalho 2008). These occur wherever forest can be accessed. During our stay, large numbers of Bird observations from Sao Tome: Olmos & Turshak Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -61 62 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Bird observations from Sao Tome: Olmos & Tursbak people were harvesting palm-wine and hunting in the Formoso Grande / Bombaim area, which was crisscrossed by heavily used trails (some to the point of eroding) and some shelters had been built even inside the park. The same was true of the Brune area, adjacent to Juliana de Sousa and also part of the Obo park. Hunting is a widespread, unregulated and socially accepted activity (Carvalho 2008), and hunters were met frequently in the Obo park, including within the environs of Lagoa Amelia and the trail to Pico de Sao Lome. Although subsistence hunters prefer feral pigs and Mona Monkeys Cercopithecus mona , larger birds like Dwarf Olive Ibises and pigeons are also taken. Also, several commercial hunters harvest pigeons using airguns to supply urban consumers. On most ol the trails small piles of feathers (mostly from Sao Tome Green and Bronze-naped Pigeons but, at Juliana de Sousa, also Sao Tome Pigeons) and spent shotgun cartridges were easily found. 1 he abundance of harvested and threatened species on both Principe and Sao Tome is negatively correlated with distance from roads and trails (Dallimer & King 2007, Dallimer et al. 2009). The effect of hunting on species such as the ibis is obvious and might explain the species’ absence from Lagoa Amelia, but more subtle effects from the presence of people must affect species that are not directly exploited, for example the fiscal, short-tail and grosbeak. Monte Carmo harbours all of the threatened endemics, including surprising numbers of ibises. The area (sometimes called Ribeira Peixe) has been considered a priority site for conservation action by the BirdLife International partnership. BirdLife has supported the establishment and staff Legend to figure on opposite page Figure 2. (a) Newton’s Sunbird / Souimanga de Newton Anabathmis newtoni; (b) Giant Sunbird / Souimanga de Sao Tome Dreptes thomensis\ (c) Sao Tome White- eye / Zosterops beefigue Zosterops ( ficedulinus ) fear, (d) Sao Tome Speirops / Zosterops de Sao Tome Zosterops lugubris-, (e) Sao Tome Chestnut-winged Starling / Rufipenne de foret Onychognathus fulgidus fulgidus ; (f) Sao Tome Seedeater / Serin roux Serinus rufobrunneus thomensis ; (g) Sao Tome Weaver / Tisserin de Sao Tome Ploceus sanctithomae ; (h) Male Giant Weaver / Tisserin geant Ploceus grandis (Fabio Olmos) training of a local NGO, Associa^ao dos Biologos Saotomenses (ABS) as a country partner, whilst ABS has already undertaken a broad survey of ibis distribution (ABS 2007) and has commenced monitoring all of the Critically Endangered species at Monte Carmo by employing field assistants from the local community. Further activities are planned to promote the conservation of the area, part of the buffer zone of the Obo park, including awareness campaigns targeting local people. Monte Carmo is probably the most accessible site where all of the threatened endemics can be found and is already a well-known destination for birders. An international workshop to promote ecotourism in Sao Tome and Principe held in February 2008 listed birding as an activity to be encouraged and specifically mentioned Monte Carmo as a site for a pilot project. In July 2009 ABS promoted a short course for training bird guides to work in Monte Carmo and it is hoped that this initiative will bear fruit and be supported by the birdwatching community. However, Monte Carmo faces pressure from neighbouring communities. The lowlands adjoining the forested slopes are occupied by the old oil-palm plantations of EMOLVE. Once the main supplier of cooking oil for the country prior to independence, the plantations subsequently entered a period of decline, with only limited renovation since. The plantations are home to some 500 people, who lack access to electricity or treated water. The oil-processing plant currently employs just 30 persons, half of them on a part- time basis, down from some 400 a few decades ago. The result is that large numbers of people are engaged in palm-wine harvesting, hunting and other extractive activities, signs of which are evident in the core of Monte Carmo. Sao Tome and Principe faces daunting problems associated with poverty and an increasing population, now estimated at c. 156,000 people, etching a living in a very limited land area (Leventis & Olmos 2009, Dallimer et al. 2009). The post- independence regime oversaw the collapse of most of the commercial plantations that the economy was reliant upon, and a move to food crops for the local market and extractive activities. This is now changing as the current government seeks to restore the country’s agricultural potential, with direct impacts at Monte Carmo. Bird observations from Sao Tome: Olmos & Tursbak Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -63 In June 2009 the plantations were ceded by the government (which owns all land in the country) to the French-Belgian-Luxembourg Socfinal company, which owns oil-palm plantations in Africa and Indonesia. According to the local press, Socfinal plans to restore c.2,000 ha of plantations on the south coast ol Sao Tome, which could either result in greater local employment and fewer people engaged in hunting and other damaging activities, or more people moving to the area being attracted by possible jobs, with more substantial impacts on the forest and its threatened birds. The outcome will largely depend on policies adopted by the plantation’s managers. Also in mid 2009, a similar concession to a Libyan group was announced for the Monte Cafe plantation, near Bom Sucesso and site of an undocumented grosbeak sighting (Simpson 2002). As the business environment in the country improves and investors’ interest increases, it is probable that more initiatives of this nature will appear, almost certainly resulting in capoeiras being turned into plantations and potentially resulting in increasing pressure on natural areas if expansion is deemed profitable. A real threat is that small-scale producers of food crops will be dislodged, with further encroachment into the park resulting, as is already occurring in the Bom Sucesso area. The sustainability of conservation initiatives in Sao Tome and Principe is a real issue. The country still lacks a critical mass of trained conservation professionals and NGOs rely entirely on external support. Furthermore, it is uncertain if projects such as ECO FAC will leave an enduring legacy when funding is removed. On the other hand, new actors are forcing changes that, for good or worse, will affect the country’s endemic and threatened species. The outcome remains uncertain. Acknowledgements Peter Jones and Will Cresswell made important suggestions on an earlier draft of his paper. Our work would have been impossible without the support of the A. P. Leventis Conservation Foundation. Nigel Collar proffered continuous encouragement and helped unravel many problems. Bastien Loloum ‘navigated’ us through many local issues in Sao Tome and Principe. We also acknowledge with gratitude the assistance of Faustino Oliveira, Alzira Rodriques, Luiz Mario Almeida, Antonio Alberto, Pedro Leitao and all those who contributed in one way or the other to our survey. Finally, we thank Rita Souza and Ruth Ndam for their understanding while we were away. References ABS (Associa^ao de Biologos Saotomenses) 2007. Status and distribution of the Dwarf Ibis Bostrychia bocagei in Sao Tome. Unpubl. report to BirdLife International. Atkinson, P., Peet, N. & Alexander, J. 1991. The status and conservation of the endemic bird species of Sao Tome and Principe, West Africa. Bird Conserv. Intern. 1: 255-282. Bibby, C., Jones, M. & Marsden, S. 1998. Expedition Field Techniques: Bird Surveys. London, UK: Expedition Advisory Centre, Royal Geographical Society. BirdLife International. 2008. Species factsheets. www. birdlife.org (accessed 10 December 2008). Carvalho, M. B. 2008. Utilizacpto de recursos animais, desenvolvimento rural e conserva^ao da biodiversidade em Sao Tome, Repiiblica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe. Relatorio de Progresso, Projeto SFRH/ BD/ 30171 / 2006. Christy, P. 2001. Sao Tome and Principe. In Fishpool, L. D. C. & Evans, M. I. (eds.) Important Bird Areas in Africa and Associated Islands: Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. Christy, P. & Clarke, W. P. 1998. Guide des oiseaux de Sao Tome e Principe. Sao Tome: ECOFAC. Dallimer, M. & King, T. 2007. Habitat preferences of the forest birds on the island of Principe, Gulf of Guinea. Af. J. Ecol. 46: 258-266. Dallimer, M., King, T. & Atkinson, R. 2003. A high altitude sighting of the Sao Tome Short-tail Amaurocichla bocagei. Malimbus 25: 101-103. Dallimer, M., King, T. & Leitao, P. 2003. New records of the Sao Tome Grosbeak Neospiza concolor. Bull. ABC 10: 23-25. Jones, P. & Tye, A. 1988. A Survey of the Avifauna of Sao Tome and Principe. ICBP Study Rep. 24. Cambridge, UK: International Council for Bird Preservation. Jones, P. & Tye, A. 2006. The Birds of Sao Tome & Principe with Annobon: Islands of the Gulf of Guinea. An Annotated Checklist. BOU Checklist No. 22. Oxford: British Ornithologists’ Union & British Ornithologists’ Club. King, T. & Dallimer, M. 2003. Daily activities, moult and morphometries of the birds of Sao Tome and Principe. Bull. ABC 10: 84-93. 64 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Bird observations from Sao Tome: Olmos & Turshak Leventis, A. P. & Olmos, F. 2009. As Aves de Sao Tome e Principe: Um Guia Fotografico / The Birds of Sao Tome e Principe: A Photoguide. Sao Paulo: Aves e Fotos. Maia, H. A. & Alberto, A. C. 2009. The occurrence ol Sao 9 ome Short-tail Amaurocichla bocagii and Newton’s Fiscal Lanius newtoni in the montane forests of Sao Tome. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 129: 213-216. Melo, M. 2007. Bird speciation in the Gulf of Guinea. Ph.D. thesis. Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh. Melo, M. & Jones, P. J. (in press) Bird speciation in the Gulf ol Guinea island system. In Harebottle, D. M., Craig, A. J. F. K., Anderson, M. D., Rakotomanana H. & Muchai, M. (eds.) Proc. 12th Pan-Afr. Orn. Congr., 2008, Cape Town: Animal Demography Unit. Pacheco, J. F. & Olmos, F. 2005. Birds of a latitudinal transect in the Tapajos-Xingu interfluvium, eastern Brazilian Amazonia. Ararajuba 13: 27-44. Rocha, J. R. T. 2008. Birds in humanized landscapes: Sao Tome endemic birds' response to agricultural intensification. M.Sc. thesis. Imperial College, London, UK. Sargeant, D. 1994. Recent ornithological observations from Sao Tome and Principe Islands. Bull. ABC 1: 96-102. Seibert, G. 2002. Camaradas, Clientes e Compadres: Colonialismo, Socialismo e Democratiza^do em Sao Tome e Principe. Lisbon: Ed. Veja. Schollaert, V. & Willem, G. 2001. A new site for Newton’s Fiscal Lanius newtoni. Bull. ABC 8: 21-22. Simpson, N. 2002. New observations of Sao Tome Grosbeak. Bull. ABC 9: 90. 'Largo do Paissandu 10014c, 01034-010, Sao Paido, SP, Brazil. E-mail: f-olmosdPuol. com. br 'A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, University of Jos, PO Box 13404, Plateau State, Jos, Nigeria. E-mail: longtongturshak@yahoo. com Received 5 December 2007; revision accepted 18 November 2009. Corrigenda Bull. ABC 16 (1) In the report of the Moroccan Rare Birds Committee, the captions for Figs. 6 and 7 on p. 34 should be reversed. In Salewski et all s paper on the search for the winter quarters of the Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola , the person holding the Aquatic Warbler in Fig. 3 on p. 63 is Indega Bindia, not Ibrahima Gueye. Bull. ABC 16 (2) In the reportage concerning the Djibouti Francolin Francolinus ochropectus survey, on p. 138, the area of potentially suitable habitat in the Mabla Mts. should have read 4.3 km2. In Louette & Hasson’s paper on the rediscovery of the Lake Lufira Weaver Ploceus ruweti , the reference ‘Craig 2004’ on p. 169 should be replaced by ‘Oschadleus 2004a’, and on p. 172 by 'Oschadleus 2004b’. In the reference list, the entry ‘Craig, A. J. F. K. 2004. Ploceus ruweti. In Fry, C. H. & Keith, S. (eds.) The Birds of Africa. Vol. 7. London, UK: Christopher Helm’ should thus be replaced by: Oschadleus, D. 2004a. Ploceus ruweti. In Fry, C. H. & Keith, S. (eds.) The Birds of Africa. Vol. 7. London, UK: Christopher Helm. Oschadleus, D. 2004b. Ploceus velatus. In Fry, C. H. & Keith, S. (eds.) The Birds of Africa. Vol. 7. London, UK: Christopher Helm. The lark shown in Recent Reports on p. 234, Fig. 2, is not Friedmann’s Lark Mirafra pulpa, but Foxy Lark M. alopex. The Kenya record of Friedmann’s Lark of 17 May 2009, mentioned on p. 232, is thus also erroneous See the Photospot in this issue for a discussion of the identification features of both species. Bird observations from Sao Tome: Olmos & Turshak Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -65 First records of eight bird species for Eritrea Jason Anderson Premiere mention de huit especes d’oiseaux pour l’Eritree. Huit additions a l avifaune de l’Eritree, observees en octobre 2007— avril 2009, sont documentees. II s’agit des especes suivantes : 1 Erismature maccoa Oxyura maccoa , le Courvite somalien Cursorius somalensis , le Pigeon rameron Columba arquatrix, le Grand-due du Cap Bubo capensis, l’Engoulevent d’Abyssinie Caprimulgus poliocepbalus, la Bergeronnette a longue queue Motacilla clara, le Traquet familier Cercomela familuzris et la Locustelle tachetee Locustella naevia. Quatre d’entre elles sont presumees etre des residents, deux sont vraisemblablement des migrateurs locaux, une est probablement occasionnelle, tandis que la derniere est un migrateur palearctique. Trois especes ont ete vues a deux occasions separees et une, 1’Erismature maccoa, a ete notee sept fois en quatre localites differences, indiquant qu’il s’agit probablement d un colonisateur recent, qui a etendu son aire de distribution vers le nord a partir de l’Ethiopie. Summary. Eight additions to Eritrea’s bird list, recorded in the period October 2007-April 2009, are documented: Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa, Somali Courser Cursorius somalensis, African Olive Pigeon Columba arquatrix, Cape Eagle Owl Bubo capensis, Montane Nightjar Caprimulgus poliocepbalus, Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara, Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris and Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia. Ot these, four are presumed residents, two are likely to be local migrants, one is probably a vagrant and one is a Palearctic migrant. Three species were seen on two separate occasions and one, Maccoa Duck, was recorded seven times at four different localities, indicating that it is probably a recent colonist, having expanded its range north from Ethiopia. From September 2007 to June 2009 I lived in Adi Keyih, a town in the south of the Eritrean highlands. During this time I recorded eight new species for the country, which are documented here. Some of these have already been included in Ash & Atkins (2009) and Redman etal. (2009). As I spent most of my time in and around Adi Keyih, unsurprisingly six of these species were recorded in the vicinity of the town, which lies c. 35 km north of the Ethiopian border. The other two were found in Eritrea’s only remaining extensive forest area, Filfil, in the centre of the country. Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa On 25 April 2008 at c. 16.00 hrs, on a small reservoir near the village of Hawatsu (14°53’48”N 39°20’55”E) at 2,300 m, c. 10 km from Adi Keyih, I observed four unusual ducks, c. 50 m distant. Given their close proximity and the lack of confusion species, it was easy to identify them as Maccoa Ducks, despite the absence of males in breeding plumage. They had a pale stripe below the eye, which contrasted with the overall dark brown plumage, and a stiff tail, diagnostic in sub- Saharan Africa of this species. The bill was dark. I took several photos, in which the key features can be seen. Subsequently, I recorded the species on six other occasions (Table 1; Fig. 1). These records indicate that Maccoa Duck is widespread in the Eritrean highlands and present year-round, although I did not observe evidence of breeding. It is probable that, with the increasing number of reservoirs, Maccoa Duck has extended its range north from Ethiopia, colonising Eritrea in recent years. As other reservoirs are planned, other waterbirds might also extend their range north into Eritrea in the near future. Table 1. Records of Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa in Eritrea, 2008-09 Tableau 1. Mentions de I'Erismature maccoa Oxyura maccoa en Eritree, 2008-09 Date Locality / Localite Number / Nombre 25 Apr 2008 Small reservoir near Hawatsu 4 10 May 2008 Afoma Reservoir, near Senate 2; 1 d breeding plumage (br.) 2 Jul 2008 Tseaziga Reservoir, near Tsada Christian IT br. 21 Jul 2008 Adi Nfas Reservoir, near Asmara 8-9; at least 4 d br. 1 Sep 2008 Acria Reservoir, near Asmara 2; Id br. 25 Jan 2009 Adi Nfas Reservoir, near Asmara 1 non-br. 14 Feb 2009 Afoma Reservoir, near Senate 5; 2d coming into br. 66 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) First records of eight bird species for Eritrea: Anderson Figure 1. Male Maccoa Duck / Erismature maccoa Oxyura maccoa , Acria Reservoir, near Asmara, 1 September 2008 (J. Anderson) Figure 2. African Olive Pigeon / Pigeon rameron Columba arquatrix , Karibosa (S. Ferwerda) Figure 3. Cape Eagle Owl / Grand-due du Cap Bubo capensis dillonii, Adi Keyih, Eritrea, April 2008 (J. Anderson) Figure 4. Montane Nightjar / Engoulevent dAbyssinie Caprimulgus poliocephalus (sex unconfirmed), Abi Girat, Eritrea, 25 February 2009 (J. Anderson) Figure 5. Adult Mountain Wagtail / Bergeronnette a longue queue Motacilla clara, Adi Keyih, Eritrea, 21 October 2007 (J. Anderson) Figure 6. Juvenile Mountain Wagtail / Bergeronnette a longue queue Motacilla clara , Adi Keyih, Eritrea, 21 October 2007 (J- Anderson) Figure 7. Grasshopper Warbler / Locustelle tachetee Locustella naevia, Sabur, near Filfil, Eritrea, 26 January 2009 (J. Anderson) First records of eight bird species for Eritrea: Anderson Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010)- 67 Somali Courser Cursorius somalensis On 6 March 2008, at 07.10 hrs 1 was passing on my motorbike near the village of Mealewia (14°49’13”N 39°2f50”E), c. 3 km south-west of Adi Keyih, at 2,400 m. Approximately 20 m from the road, on some ploughed but barren land I noticed a courser. I observed it through binoculars from a distance of c. 20 nr and made field notes. The bird’s overall coloration was beige, and it had a clear black eye-stripe, a white supercilium, a dark grey crown and a white belly/vent, obviously paler than the breast. The bill was black and the legs pale grey. I twice flushed the bird and on both occasions clearly saw its pale inner wing, which is diagnostic of Somali Courser, Cream- coloured Courser C. cursor having an all-dark underwing. Subsequent visits to the same spot did not produce any more sightings, either that day, or on the following two days. This is the first documented record of Somali Courser for Eritrea. An unpublished trip list by K. Harte and D. Berhane from December 2004 mentions a record of four Somali Coursers in the Eritrean coastal lowlands near Foro, c.50 km from Adi Keyih at sea level. D. Berhane (pers. comm.) informed me that he was unaware at the time that the species had not previously been recorded in Eritrea, and that he did not possess any field notes to confirm the identification. The nearest confirmed sightings are from the north-eastern lowlands of Ethiopia and just across the border in Djibouti, c.400 km south-east of my sighting (Ash & Atkins 2009). The Eritrean records indicate that the species occasionally occurs significantly further north of its usual range and could conceivably occur alongside Cream- coloured Courser. However, the high altitude of my bird is atypical, suggesting a vagrant. African Olive Pigeon Columba arquatrix On 26 January 2008 at 09.20 hrs, I was birdwatching near Filfil Solomuna, in the vicinity of the Medhanit Recreation Centre (15°37’0T’N 38°56’07”E) at 1,000 m, in the middle of Eritrea’s largest remaining tract of tropical forest. In a mature broad-leaved tree I observed a large pigeon with a dark head, yellow eye-ring, yellow bill, purple-grey on the wing and mantle, pale spots / mottling on the breast, and yellow feet. These features are diagnostic of African Olive Pigeon. The bird was only visible for c.30 seconds before it disappeared into denser forest. I remained in the area for another three days, frequently returning to the same spot, but did not see the bird again. On 14 February 2008 at 11.35 hrs, I was walking with two colleagues through riparian woodland at Karibosa, near Adi Keyih (14°54’42 N 39°25T2”E; c.100 km south of the first sighting) at 2,500 m, when I observed another African Olive Pigeon in a broad-leaved tree, c. 5 m above me. We watched the bird for 5-7 minutes in excellent conditions and one of my colleagues took several photographs (Fig. 2). These two sightings extend this pigeon’s range north significantly, the nearest confirmed records being from 500 km further south, in Ethiopia (Ash & Atkins 2009), although the species has recently also been discovered slightly nearer, in Djibouti (Redman et al. 2009). The species is probably resident in small numbers in isolated patches of mature woodland in Eritrea. Cape Eagle Owl Bubo capensis On 1 April 2008, when I was visiting a school in Adi Keyih (14051’14”N 39°22’07”E), at 2,400 m, I noticed a group of children surrounding a boy who was carrying a large owl. It transpired that he had bought the bird from a person who had found it injured on the ground close to a nearby village. I took the owl home and kept it alive for several days. The humerus of the left wing was completely broken close to the body. The bright yellow-orange eyes separated it from all other large owls except Desert Eagle Owl B. ascalaphus. The overall darkness of the plumage, very heavy mottling on the upper breast and strong mottling on the belly identified it as Cape Eagle Owl (Fig. 3). Its length was 50 cm. The race present in Ethiopia (and presumably that involved here) is dillonii, which is sometimes treated with B. c. mackinderi (of Mozambique to Kenya) as a separate species, Mackinder’s Eagle Owl Bubo mackinderi. The Natural History Museum at I ring possesses a specimen of Cape Eagle Owl collected in Senafe, Abyssinia, in 1868 (BMNH 1887.11.11.24), which is erroneously mentioned as a Desert Eagle Owl in Ash & Atkins (2009), leaving just one confirmed record for the latter species in Eritrea. As Senafe is in present-day Eritrea, the specimen becomes the first confirmed record of Cape Eagle Owl for the country, the record documented here being the second. 68 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) First records of eight bird species for Eritrea: Anderson Although the nearest confirmed records are from central Ethiopia, 600 km to the south, there are also lour uncertain records from northern Ethiopia (Ash & Atkins 2009). It seems likely that the species is a rare resident in Eritrea, and possibly also in northern Ethiopia. Montane Nightjar Caprimulgus poliocephalus On 25 February 2009, at c. 13.00 hrs, I flushed a nightjar from the ground near the village of Abi Girat, near Adi Keyih (14°53’33”N 39°22’00”E) at 2,200 m, along a lightly wooded stream in a small, quite barren valley with some small Acacia abyssinica and Prickly Pear Opuntia ficus- indica. 1 he bird settled c. 7 m away, and I took several photographs (Fig. 4). The only features I noticed were the rather dark overall coloration, a prominent chestnut collar, and several cream spots on the wing-coverts. It seemed similar in size to Dusky Nightjar C. frenatus , a species I had positively identified nearby, and I initially suspected that it was that species. When the bird flew off, it showed clear white wing spots, but I did not notice the tail pattern. When I tried to relocate the bird, I was only successful in flushing it again, whereupon it emitted a monosyllabic call twice in quick succession, kwa-kwa. It flew a little further away and, despite extensive searching, I was unable to find the bird again. Subsequent analysis of the photographs revealed the bird to be a Montane Nightjar. Two months later, on 25 April 2009 at c. 11.30hrs, 1 was birdwatching with D. Berhane at Karibosa, near Adi Keyih (14°54’49”N 39°25’18”E) at 2,500 m, when he flushed another Montane Nightjar from dense cover close to a dry riverbed. The bird settled on a branch, where we could take good-quality photographs. Comparison of these with two specimens at the Natural History Museum, Tring, collected near Fake Tana, in north-west Ethiopia (one male and one female), revealed that the plumage of the Eritrean birds was identical to that of the specimens. Montane Nightjar is a rather uncommon resident in Ethiopia and the nearest confirmed record is from the Simien Mountains (Ash & Atkins 2009). Given the presence of suitable habitat in the southern Eritrean highlands, the species had long been suspected to occur. It is probably resident there, extending the species' range c.200 km northwards. Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara On 21 October 2007 ar 14.30 hrs, I was birdwatching in the Maka stream gorge near Adi Keyih (14°51’52”N 39°23’13”E) at 2,300 m. Following heavy rains, the stream was flowing well and I came across three wagtails that seemed quite different to White Wagtail M. alba, which is a common Palearctic migrant in the area. All three had a plain grey head and mantle, and dark wing feathers narrowly edged white. Two birds had a slim, dark ‘V’-shaped breast-band, but this was absent on the third, which followed the other rwo. All three birds frequently uttered short sharp contact calls. I watched them for c. 20 minutes, following them downstream, and took several poor-quality photographs, which confirm their identity as Mountain Wagtails (Figs. 5-6). The third bird’s lack of breast-band indicates it was a juvenile. Whilst confusion with juvenile White Wagtail is possible, I observed the key features of Mountain Wagtail (narrow white supercilium, no black moustachial stripe, no white on the median coverts, very long tail). This is the first record of Mountain Wagtail for Eritrea. 1 he species is common in northern Ethiopia (Ash & Atkins 2009), making it unsurprising that it ranges slightly into Eritrea. However, despite checking the same stream regularly during the next two years, I did not see the species there again. In 2008 the rains were not as heavy and the water level was much lower. Mountain Wagtail may be a local migrant, appearing, and possibly breeding, in Eritrea only after heavy rains. Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris On 12 October 2007 at 16.00 hrs, close to the village of Safira, near Adi Keyih (14°51T8”N 39°24’19”E) at 2,550 m, in an area of open scrub with large boulders, I spotted a small passerine pursuing insects 10-15 m away. The bird, which was constantly flicking its wings and bobbing its tail, was drab brown overall and had a brownish- rufous rump and outer tail with a ‘T-shaped dark central band and tail end. The slender, horizontal jizz did not match Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus or Black Redstart P. ochruros, both of which I know well, and the underparts were also too pale for either. I observed the bird for c. 5 minutes before it flew off and identified it as a Familiar Chat. Despite extensive observation, First records of eight bird species for Eritrea: Anderson Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -69 I did not notice the rufous mask described and illustrated in Sinclair & Ryan (2003); instead, the head appeared uniformly brown. Exactly one year later, on 12 October 2008, I encountered the species again, feeding in a dry streambed in a rocky valley several kilometres south of the original sighting. I attempted to take a photograph, but the bird flew off and I failed to relocate it. These are the first records for Eritrea of Familiar Chat, whose Ethiopian range extends right up to the Eritrean border. My sightings thus extend the species’ range only slightly but they are from a higher altitude than those in Ethiopia (1,090-2,000 m: Ash & Atkins 2009). I visited both sites regularly thereafter, but did not find the species again. Possibly Familiar Chat is a local migrant, with some birds moving north after the rainy season: both sightings were made in mid October, following the rains, when insects are most plentiful. Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia On 26 January 2009 at 11.30 hrs, near Sabur Recreation Centre, Filfil Solomuna (c. 1 5°36’N 38°35’E), at c. 1,300—1,400 m, in an area of open, ungrazed meadows on a steep hillside with small bushes, surrounded by broadleaf woodland, I separately flushed two small brown birds from the 20-80 cm high grass. Both dived into small bushes nearby. I was unable to relocate the first bird, but the second remained for 20 minutes in a very small bush, which I approached to within 10 m. Immediately, I noticed diagnostic dark markings on the pale undertail-coverts, as the bird cocked its tail and turned away. I also noted the generally brown upperparts with black streaking on the mantle, crown and wings, slight streaking on the breast below a pale throat, and dark face with no clear supercilium. These features are consistent with Grasshopper Warbler. I obtained several reasonable photographs, which confirm the bird’s identity (Fig. 7). I suspect that the other bird I flushed, as well as a third I briefly saw the same day, were also Grasshopper Warblers. Possibly the area is a wintering ground for this Palearctic migrant. (See also Anderson & Berhane (submitted) for more about the importance of this site.) There are no previous records in Eritrea of Grasshopper Warbler, which is an uncommon winter visitor to Ethiopia, with only 13 records mentioned by Ash & Atkins (2009). Note This paper originally also included a record of Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo from Mai Nefe Reservoir, near Asmara (15°15’34”N 38°47’47”E) on 3 February 2009. Recently, however, two records of Great Cormorant have been published, albeit undated (De Marchi et al. 2009). Giuseppe De Marchi (pers. comm.) informed me that these concerned a dead bird on NN045 Island in Howakil Bay on 30 December 2002 and a live bird in shallow water in the Gulf of Zula on 7 January 2006. My record from Mai Nefe thus becomes the third confirmed record of Great Cormorant in Eritrea. Acknowledgements Thanks to John Ash, John Atkins, Nigel Redman, Nigel Cleere, Nik Borrow and John Caddick for their assistance in identifying some of the above species from photographs and field notes, to Dawit Berhane and Giuseppe De Marchi for details of their Great Cormorant records, and to Steve Smith for his support and advice concerning the Cape Eagle Owl. Nigel Redman commented on a draft of this paper. References Anderson, J. & Berhane, D. (submitted) Recent observations on the Abyssinian endemic species in Eritrea. Bull. ABC. Ash, J. & Atkins, J. 2009. Birds of Ethiopia and Eritrea: An Atlas of Distribution. London, UK: Christopher Helm. De Marchi, G., Chiozzi, G. & Semere, D. 2009. Wings over the Red Sea — the birds of the Eritrean Islands. Natura, Riv. Sci. Natur. 99(2) Suppl.: 1-128. Redman, N., Stevenson, T. & Fanshawe, J. 2009. Birds of the Horn of Africa. London, UK: Christopher Helm. Sinclair, I. & Ryan, P. 2003. Birds of Africa South of the Sahara. Cape Town: Struik. c/o 5 Wilton House , St. Paul’s Cray Road, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6QG, UK. E-mail: jasonandersonl@gmail. com Received 19 August 2009; revision accepted 9 January 2010. 70 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) First records of eight bird species for Eritrea: Anderson THE WILDLIFE ART GALLERY Birds of Africa by MARTIN WOODCOCK All the original plates Martin Woodcock painted for the seven volumes of Birds of Africa, published by Academic Press, will for the first time be offered for sale in this exhibition. They represent a unique achievement and are illustrations of the highest quality. The exhibition will also include work from his new book Safari Sketchbook 9th -23rd MAY 2010 For further details, please contact us on 01787 248562 or visit our website : www.wildlifeartgallery.com 97 High Street, Lavenham, Suffolk CO 10 9PZ wildlifeartgallery.com Advertisement Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -71 Recent bird records from Fogo, Cape Verde Islands Ruben Barone' and Jens Herinfr Observations recentes de Fogo, lies du Cap-Vert. Des donnees sont presentees concernant 12 especes d’oiseaux observees a Fogo, lies du Cap-Vert, parmi lesquelles deux premieres mentions pour 1 ile (Chevalier gambette Tringa totanus et Hirondelle de fenetre Delichon urbicum ), les premieres donnees de nidification du Martinet du Cap-Vert Apus alexandri et les premieres observations babies du Phaeton a bee rouge Phaethon aethereus indiquant la nidification probable de celui-ci. Des informations sont egalement presentees sur d’autres taxons mal connus a Fogo, tels que certaines especes pelagiques et l’Effraie des clochers Tyto alba detorta. Summary. We present data on 12 bird species observed on Fogo, Cape Verde Islands, among them two first records for the island (Common Redshank Tringa totanus and Common House Martin Delichon urbicum ), the first breeding records of Cape Verde Swift Apus alexandri and the first reliable observations of Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus indicating probable breeding. Information on other taxa poorly known on Fogo, such as some pelagic seabirds and Barn Owl Tyto alba detorta, is also given. Fogo, one of the Cape Verde Islands, is situated in the leeward group (‘Ilhas do Sotavento’), c.724 km from the African continent. With a surface area of 478 km2, the highest peak (Pico Novo) reaches 2,829 m (Michell-Thome 1976). Its landscape is characterised by an active volcano (which last erupted in April 1995) and an impressive caldera rim c. 1,000-m high, a rugged coast with vertical cliffs that rise up to 200 m, many small and medium-sized volcanoes, lava plains and a few steep gorges. Large areas are cultivated and/or used as pasture. The remaining original vegetation is mainly confined to the Bordeira’ and ‘Cha das Caldeiras’ areas, in cliffs and gorges and in volcanic badlands (see Ribeiro 1954, Mitchell-Thome 1976, Diniz & Matos 1987, Correia 1996, Day et al. 1999, Leyens 2002, Olehowski et al. 2008 and Foeken et al. 2009 for more information on the geology, geography, climate and vegetation). Few ornithologists have studied the avifauna of this island. Among them are Leonardo Fea {in Salvadori 1899), Jose G. Correia {in Murphy 1924), de Naurois (1969, 1987, 1994), Jaime Vieira dos Santos {in Frade 1976), Norrevang & Hartog (1984), de Bruyn & Koedijk (1990), Flazevoet (1995, 1998, 2003), Barone (1997), Geniez & Lopez-Jurado (1998), Ratcliffe et al. (2000), Jens Hering (Hering & Hering 2005, Hering 2008, Hering & Fuchs 2008, 2009) and Jesus et al. (2009). During five ornithological trips to Fogo in 2004-06, we observed several bird species not reported previously, and some others for which there are only a limited number of observations. Local information on breeding birds was mainly collected by RB. Dates of our visits are as follows: 18-21 October 2004 (JH & H. Hering), 5-10 February 2005 (RB), 18-29 September 2005 (RB), 28-30 December 2005 and 4-5 January 2006 (JH & H. Hering) and 19 October-1 November 2006 (JH & E. Fuchs). Information on the Cape Verde Cane Warbler Acrocephalus brevipennis (Hering & Hering 2005, Hering 2008, Hering & Fuchs 2008, 2009) and the diet of the Barn Owl Tyto alba (Siverio et al. 2008) has been published elsewhere. Methods RB carried out a total of 24 diurnal point counts of 20-60 minutes (both visual and aural, three of them repeated 2-4 times), in different habitats across the island (sea cliffs, lowland xerophytic vegetation, cultivation, inland cliffs, gorges and high-mountain vegetation), largely following the recommendations of Bibby et al. (1992). Observations focused on seabirds, herons, raptors, swifts and some passerines, using both binoculars and a telescope. In addition, 14 gorges and inland cliffs, suitable as habitat for diurnal raptors and Barn Owl, were explored, and random walks in the lower, middle and higher parts of the island were performed. These were complemented by five nocturnal listening stations of 20 minutes (one of them repeated four times) in the Mosteiros area, Bangaeira (Cha das Caldeiras) and the main 72 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Recent bird records from Fogo, Cape Verde Islands: Barone & Hering town, Sao Filipe, aimed at detecting pelagic seabirds approaching land and Barn Owls. JH iocused his attention mainly on the Cape Verde Cane Warbler, conducting listening point counts and line transects to detect the species during its breeding season (see Hering & Hering 2005, Hering 2008, Hering & Fuchs 2008, 2009). Results and Discussion We have selected data on 12 species observed on Fogo, including two new island records of migrants (Common Redshank Tringa totanus and Common House Martin Delichon urbicum) and observations concerning breeding taxa, namely Cape Verde Swift Apus alexandri (first breeding records for the island), Red-billed Tropicbird Phaetbon aethereus (first reliable observations), several pelagic seabirds and Barn Owl Tyto alba detort a. Fea’s Petrel Pterodroma feae At least one was seen flying over open sea, more than 500 m otf Mosteiros, in the north of the island, by RB on 6 February 2005, at 16. 20- lb. 25 hrs. Two were seen from the same site, at 17.20-17.55 hrs the next day. This species breeds at several localities on Fogo, mainly in the Cha das Caldeiras area above 1,600 m (Hazevoet 1995, Ratcliffe et al. 2000, Jesus et al. 2009), but there are few published sightings from adjacent seas. We were informed of a previously unknown colony on Monte Vaca, on the west side of the island, but it was not possible to verify this. Following recent genetic and morphometric studies, the nominate Cape Verdes’ population has been proposed as a species different from the birds of Bugio, in the Desertas Islands, Madeira, which are now referred to as P. deserta in some literature (Jesus et al. 2009). Cape Verde Shearwater Calonectris edwardsii Six were observed flying at sea late in the evening of 18 September 2005 from Porto de Vale dos Cavaleiros, in the west of the island. In the afternoon of 20 September 2005, two were seen flying c.500 m off Mosteiros, with at least three on 21 September. We obtained reliable local information about the breeding of this species on the marine cliffs below Corvo, in the north- east. At Alcatraz, in the south-east, we saw some possible breeding sites, indicated by droppings at the entrance of several crevices in the marine cliffs, on 24 September 2005. Despite the fact that Fogo possesses many seemingly suitable breeding sites, there are no breeding records of Cape Verde Shearwater (de Naurois 1994, Hazevoet 1995). This is likely due to the lack of a detailed inspection of its sea cliffs. Bourne (1955) included this species in his list of birds of the islands as it had been ‘reported by a reliable inhabitant’. Cape Verde Little Shearwater Puffinus (, assimilis ) boydi On several occasions on 5-8 February and 20-23 September 2005, we heard birds calling at night while approaching the cliffs behind Mosteiros, where there seems to be a breeding colony. Maximum number of contacts included ten heard between 19.45-22.15 hrs on 21 September, and 13 between 21.30-22.00 hrs on 22 September. At times, two birds were heard simultaneously, and sometimes males and females could be distinguished due to their different vocalisations, as pointed out by James & Robertson (1985) for Puffinus ( assimilis ) baroli and by Robb et al. (2008) for the Cape Verdean endemic. Calls were clearly different from those of P. (a.) baroli (, cf Robb et al. 2008). During the late afternoon of 21 September 2005, one or two birds were observed at sea off Mosteiros. The same locality is mentioned by Hazevoet (1995), who heard several birds there in April 1990. The only known breeding records are from Ilheu de Cima, Branco, Raso, Santiago and Boavista islands (Hazevoet 1995). Red-billed Tropicbird Phaetbon aethereus Three, all apparently adults, were seen approaching the coastal cliffs of Ponta Lenha-Baia da Reconhigao, in the south-west (near ‘Santuario de Nossa Senhora do Socorro’), in the afternoon of 19 September 2005 by RB. One entered a hole in the basaltic cliffs, but left after four minutes; later the same or another individual visited a different cavity and stayed longer. These observations may indicate breeding at this locality. To date, Red-billed Tropicbird had not been definitely reported on Fogo, although it had occasionally been observed close to the coast Recent bird records from Fogo, Cape Verde Islands: Barone & Hering Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -73 (T. Leyens pers. comm.) and Bourne (1955) mentioned it for the island based on information by a ‘reliable inhabitant’. Breeding has been confirmed on Sal, Boavista, Santiago and Brava, and on Raso and Rombos islets (Hazevoet 1995, 1998), and it probably breeds on Santo Antao as well (Palacios & Barone 2001, Hazevoet 2003). It has been observed recently on Ilheu dos Passaros, Sao Vicente (Hazevoet 2010). Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis We found a roost of this species in a tree at Mosteiros. On 5 February 2005 there were c.125 birds, with 152 there the next day between 17.50-18.55 hrs. In September 2005 there were no Cattle Egrets at all on the island, and in December 2005 and October 2006 only small numbers were recorded, the maximum being 12, south of Mosteiros, on 19 October. This egret is present in the Cape Verdes mainly in December-April (Hazevoet 1995), with some breeding records from Santiago in the 1960s (Bannerman & Bannerman 1968, de Naurois 1969). Our roost seems to be one of the largest in the archipelago, although 540 birds were counted near the sewage farm of Sao Vicente on 9-10 March 1996 (Hazevoet 1997). A roost of 1,344 birds was found on Santiago in March 2008 and a breeding colony containing c.6 0 nests occurred on Boavista in 2004 (Hazevoet 2010). Grey Heron Ardea cinerea One flew above the coastal cliffs of Fajazinha, north-west of Mosteiros, on 7 February 2005, an immature was seen above Mosteiros on 20 September 2005, and another bird along the shore at Mosteiros, on 24 and 29 October 2006. Hazevoet (1995) mentioned the existence of <10 records from Fogo, Santo Antao and Sal, but there has been an increase in observations on the last two islands during the past decade and even some breeding records on Santo Antao (Hazevoet 1997, Barone & Delgado 1999, Palacios & Barone 2001, Hazevoet 2003). Fogo does not offer suitable habitat for this heron, which prefers coastal plains and lagoons. Sanderling Calidris alba Two were observed on a dark sandy beach close to Porto de Vale dos Cavaleiros on 18 September Legend to figures on opposite page Figure 1. Satellite image of Fogo Island, Cape Verde Islands, with the main localities cited in the text (modified after a NASA photograph). Image satellite de file de Fogo, lies du Cap-Vert, avec les principals localites citees dans le texte (modifiee d apres une photo de la NASA). Figure 2. Fajazinha, in the north of Fogo; one of the best places for waders on the island (R. Barone) Fajazinha, dans le nord de Fogo ; un des meilleurs endroits de File pour les limicoles (R. Barone) Figure 3. Small canyon between Fajazinha and Sambango; within its interior two nests of Cape Verde Swift Apus alexandri were discovered (R. Barone) Petit canyon entre Fajazinha et Sambango, ou deux nids du Martinet du Cap-Vert Apus alexandri ont ete decouverts (R. Barone) Figure 4. Mosteiros: from the coast several pelagic seabirds were seen and in the cliffs behind the town Cape Verde Little Shearwater Pujfinus ( assimilis ) boydi and Barn Owl Tyto alba detorta were heard (J. Hering) Mosteiros : plusieurs especes d’oiseaux pelagiques y ont ete vus a partir de la cote, tandis que le Puffin semblable du Cap-Vert Pujfinus ( assimilis ) boydi et FEffraie des clochers Tyto alba detorta ont ete entendus dans les falaises derriere la ville (J. Hering) Figure 5. Pai Antonio is one of the main tropical agriculture areas in the Cape Verde Islands. Barn Owl Tyto alba detorta was found at this site, which is one of the most important for Cape Verde Cane Warbler Acrocephalus brevipennis in the archipelago (J. Hering) Pai Antonio est une des zones principales d'agriculture tropicale dans les lies du Cap-Vert. L’Effraie des clochers Tyto alba detorta a ete trouvee sur ce site, qui est un des plus importants de l’archipel pour la Rousserolle du Cap- Vert Acrocephalus brevipennis (J. Hering) Figure 6. Partial view of the caldera rim of Cha das Caldeiras, situated in the centre ol the island, with two villages, Portela and Bangaeira, at its base. This is one of the most important breeding sites of Fea’s Petrel Pterodroma feae (J. Hering) Vue partielle du bord de la caldera de Cha das Caldeiras, situee au centre de File, avec deux villages, Portela et Bangaeira, a son pied. Ceci est un des sites de nidification les plus importants du Petrel gongon Pterodroma feae (J. Hering) Figure 7. Coastal cliffs close to Santuario de Nossa Senhora do Socorro, in the south-west, where Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus was observed (R. Barone) Falaises pres de Santuario de Nossa Senhora do Socorro, dans le sud-ouest, ou le Phaeton a bee rouge Phaethon aethereus a ete observe (R. Barone) 74 -Bull ABC Vol 1 7 No 1 (2010) Recent bird records from Fogo, Cape Verde Islands: Barone & Hering 3^ Samban5&4^ • v- .. 'wtbsieiros .Pdota da Pai Antonio ajazinha Salina Corvo Bangaeira Mira-Mira Portela Sao Lourenco P. Vale dos Cavaleiros ao Filipe Nossa Sra" do Socorro Y Recent bird records from Fogo, Cape Verde Islands: Barone & Hering Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -75 2005. On 25 September, two, possibly the same birds, were on a similar beach between Porto de Vale dos Cavaleiros and Sao Filipe. Four were on Ponta da Salina on 30 December 2005 with a maximum of three on Porto de Vale dos Cavaleiros the same day. This wader is more common on the eastern islands of Sal, Boavista and Maio (Flazevoet 1995, Barone & Delgado 1999, Barone et al. 2001), which possess extensive flat coastal habitats and lagoons, although it occurs locally throughout the archipelago. Our records suggest that Sanderling is probably a regular migrant visitor in small numbers on Fogo. Common Redshank Tringa totanus An immature was observed at the shore of Fajazinha on 21 September 2005. This is the first record for Fogo. There are previous observations from Sao Vicente, Sal, Boavista, Maio and Santiago (Hazevoet 1995, Barone et al. 2001, Hazevoet 2003). Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos We have several records from different months, all of them along the northern shore. One east of Mosteiros and three at Fajazinha on 6-7 February and 21 September 2005; three at Mosteiros on 29 December 2005, and one there next day; finally, two at Mosteiros on 24 October 2006, with three there five days later. There are few published records for Fogo (Hazevoet 1995, Barone 1997). Our observations suggest that it is a regular migrant visitor to this island, as well as to the rest of the archipelago (Hazevoet 1995). Cape Verde Barn Owl Tyto alba detorta One was calling above Mosteiros at 23.36 hrs on 6 February 2005. The next day, we discovered two cavities used by the species on the Sambango volcano, in the north. The first, which contained bones ol House Mouse Mus musculus and some insect remains, was old, but the second (situated at 20 m), where we collected c.20 pellets, was still in use. On 9 February we found five pellets at Ribeira Gomes, near Mira-Mira, on the west side of the island, at c.700 m (see Siverio et al. 2008 for analysis of the pellets). Other records include: a bird calling at night above Mosteiros, at the same place as in February, on 20 September 2005; a new pellet, containing many insect remains, found below the roost on Sambango on 21 September; one soaring in a cultivated area between Cova Lima and Cutelo Alto, in the north of the island, on 20 October 2006; one perched in daylight in a mango tree Mangifera indica at the outskirts of Pai Antonio, in the north, and another on the roofs of the southern part of Mosteiros on 28 October. The diurnal search for the species in several gorges, small canyons and inland cliffs in some other northern (between Mosteiros and Fajazinha), central (Cha das Caldeiras area) and western (Sao Filipe-Sao Louren^o) areas of the island was unsuccessful. These data suggest that Barn Owl is a locally common species on Fogo, as also indicated by information obtained from local people. The only previous records were published by Hazevoet (1995), who saw it several times in June 1989 and April 1 990, indicating its probable breeding on this island. Previously Bourne (1955) mentioned that the species was ‘reported by a reliable inhabitant’. Our observations, especially the finding of fresh pellets and birds calling at night with territorial behaviour, are proof of its establishment on Fogo. To date, breeding of the Barn Owl has been confirmed on Santo Antao, Santa Luzia, Branco, Boavista, Maio, Santiago, Ilheu Grande (Rombos) and Brava, but the species is also present on Sao Vicente, Raso and Sao Nicolau (Siverio et al. 2007). Furthermore, there is fossil evidence for its presence on Sal (Boessneck & Kinzelbach 1993). Cape Verde Swift Apus alexandri This endemic was observed in many localities, mainly over coastal and inland cliffs and steep gorges. It exhibited some nocturnal activity, as we heard one or two birds at night above Mosteiros on 6 February 2005, a behaviour also recorded in similar species like the Plain Swift Apus unicolor (Rodriguez 1988). The largest groups consisted of 20-21 birds at the cliffs near Porto de Vale dos Cavaleiros on 18 September 2005 and more than 100 at Cha das Caldeiras on 4 January 2006. However, the most interesting records concern the discovery of several nests. On 7 February 2005 three were seen approaching the cliffs west of Fajazinha, one of which tried to enter a small hole, and a nest (probably in use, as it had droppings at the entrance) was discovered in the same area. 76 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Recent bird records from Fogo , Cape Verde Islands: Barone & Hering 1 he same day, two other nests were found in a small canyon situated in the interior, at 60 m, between Fajazinha and Sambango. One of them, at c. 5 m height, was occupied, with another, at 3.5 m, nearby. Bones of Cape Verde Swift were lound in Barn Owl pellets collected at Sambango in February 2005 (Siverio et al. 2008). These are the first breeding records of Cape Verde Swift on Fogo. Previously, there were nesting data only for Brava and Sao Nicolau, but its breeding was considered likely on Santiago, Fogo and Santo Antao as well (Hazevoet 1995). Listed as breeding on all of the islands in the archipelago by de Naurois (1994). Common House Martin Delichon urbicum One was observed near Bangaeira, in the Cha das Caldeiras area, on 5 January 2006 by JH. Hazevoet (1995) mentioned that this species had not been reported from Fogo. Acknowledgements JH acknowledges the collaboration of Heidi Hering and Elmar Fuchs during the field work. Dr Berthold Seibert and his wife Rosi are thanked for their company and friendship during some of RB’s trips. Guillermo Garcia located some references on geology and geography of the island, and assisted with the toponymy of the localities, whilst Dr Peter Sziemer provided additional literature. Dr Cornelis J. Hazevoet, Miguel Fernandez del Castillo and Ana Monedero read and corrected the first draft, and Ron Demey proffered editorial advice. Leopoldo Moro scanned some original slides of bird habitats, Miguel Angel Noriega placed the localities on the satellite image of Fogo and finally, Dr Juan Jose Bacallado helped RB with a small, personal fund. References Bannerman, D. A. & Bannerman, W. M. 1968. Birds of the Atlantic Islands. Vol. 4. Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd. Barone, R. 1997. Observaciones de aves migratorias en el archipielago de Cabo Verde, septiembre de 1997. Rev. Acad. Canar. Cienc. 9: 87-96. Barone, R. & Delgado, G. 1999. Observaciones ornitologicas en el archipielago de Cabo Verde, septiembre-octubre de 1998. I. Aves migratorias no nidificantes. Rev. Acad. Canar. Cienc. 10 [1998]: 9-19. Barone, R., Fernandez del Castillo, M. & Almeida, R. S. 200 1 . Observaciones ornitologicas en la isla de Maio (archipielago de Cabo Verde), octubre de 2000. Rev. Acad. Canar. Cienc. 12 [2000]: 143-155. Bibby, C. J., Burgess, N. D. & Hill, D. A. 1992. Bird Census Techniques. London, UK: Academic Press. Boessneck, J. & Kinzelbach, R. 1993. Ein prahistorischer Brutplatz von Seevogeln auf der Insel Sal (Kapverden). J. Ornithol. 134: 245-271. Bourne, W. R. P. 1955. The birds of the Cape Verde Islands. Ibis 97: 508-556. de Bruyn, D. & Koedijk, O. 1990. Bird watching during the Great Drought on the Cape Verde Islands. Cour. Forsch. -Inst. Senckenberg 129: 191-1 96. Correia, E. 1996. Contribuipoes para o conhecimento do clima de Cabo Verde. Garcia de Orta, Ser. Geogr. 15: 81-107. Day, S. J., Heleno da Silva, S. I. N. & Fonseca, J. F. B. D. 1999. A past giant lateral collapse and present- day flank instability of Fogo, Cape Verde Islands. J. Volcano l. Geotherm. Res. 94: 191-218. Diniz, A. C. & de Matos, G. C. 1987. Carta de zonagem agro-ecologica e da vegetapao de Cabo Verde. II — Ilha do Fogo. Garcia de Orta, Ser. Bot. 9: 35-70. Foeken, J. P. T„ Day, S. & Stuart, F. M. 2009. Cosmogenic 'He exposure dating of the Quaternary basalts from Fogo, Cape Verdes: implications for rift zone and magmatic reorganisation. Quaternary Geochronology 4: 37 — 49. Frade, F. 1976. Aves do arquipelago de Cabo Verde. (Colecpao do Centro de Zoologia da J.I.C.U.). Garcia de Orta, Ser. Zool. 5: 47-58. Geniez, P. & Lopez-Jurado, F. F. 1998. Nouvelles observations ornithologiques aux lies du Cap-Vert. Alauda 66: 307-31 1. Hazevoet, C. J. 1995. The Birds of the Cape Verde Islands: An Annotated Check-list. BOL1 Check-list No. 13. Tring: British Ornithologists’ Union. Hazevoet, C. J. 1 997. Notes on distribution, conservation, and taxonomy of birds from the Cape Verde Islands, including records of six species new to the archipelago. Bull. zotil. Mus. Univ. Amsterdam 15: 89-100. Hazevoet, C. J. 1998. Third annual report on birds from the Cape Verde Islands, including records of seven taxa new to the archipelago. Bull. zool. Mus. Univ. Amsterdam 16: 65-71. Hazevoet, C. J. 2003. Fifth report on birds from the Cape Verde Islands, including records of 15 taxa new to the archipelago. Arq. Mus. Bocage, n. ser. 3: 503-528. Hazevoet, C. J. 2010. Sixth report on birds from the Cape Verde Islands, including records of 25 taxa new to the archipelago. Zool. Caboverdiana 1 : 3-44. Recent bird records from Fogo, Cape Verde Islands: Barone & Hering Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -77 Hering, J. 2008. Eine Entdeckungsgeschichte: Der Kapverdenrohrsanger auf Fogo. Falke 55: 2 1 7 — 221. Elering, J. & Fuchs, E. 2008. Grundzum Optimismus — Bestandssituation des Kapverdenrohrsangers Acrocephalus brevipennis auf Fogo (Kapverdische Inseln). Vogelwarte 45: 371-372. Hering, J. & Fuchs, E. 2009. The Cape Verde Warbler: distribution, density, habitat and breeding biology on the island of Fogo. Br. Birds 102: 17-24. Hering, J. & Hering, H. 2005. Discovery of Cape Verde Warbler Acrocephalus brevipennis on Fogo, Cape Verde Islands. Bull. ABC 12: 147-149. James, P. C. & Robertson, H. A. 1985. Sexual dimorphism in the voice of the Fittle Shearwater Pujfrnus assimilis. Ibis 127: 388-390. Jesus, J., Menezes, D., Gomes, S., Oliveira, P., Nogales, M. & Brehm, A. 2009. Phylogenetic relationships of gadfly petrels Pterodroma spp. from the northeastern Atlantic Ocean: molecular evidence for specific status of Bugio and Cape Verde petrels and implications for conservation. Bird Conserv. Intern. 19: 199-214. Feyens, T. 2002. Biodiversidade da prevista area protegida na Ilha do Fogo I Cabo Verde. Elaboragao de programas e medidas para a sua conservagao sustentavel. Eschborn: Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit(GTZ)GmbH,Tropen6kologisches Begleitprogramm. Mitchell-Thome, R. C. 1976. Geology of the Middle Atlantic Islands. Beitr. Region. Geol. Erde, Bd. 12. Berlin / Stuttgart: Gebriider Borntraeger. Murphy, R. C. 1924. The marine ornithology of the Cape Verde Islands, with a list of all the birds of the archipelago. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 50: 211-278. de Naurois, R. 1969. Notes breves sur l’avifaune de l’archipel du Cap-Vert. Faunistique, endemisme, ecologie. Bull. I.F.A.N. 31, ser. A: 143-218. de Naurois, R. 1987. Fes oiseaux de l’archipel du Cap Vert. Peuplements, adaptations, endemisme. Bull. Soc. Zool. France 112: 307-326. de Naurois, R. 1994. Les Oiseaux de PArchipel du Cap Vert / As Aves do Arquipelago de Cabo Verde. Fisboa: Instituto de Investiga^ao Cientifica Tropical. Norrevang, A. & Hartog, J. C. den. 1984. Bird observations in the Cape Verde Islands (4—22 June 1982). Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg 68: 107-134. Olehowski, C., Naumann, S., Fisher, D. & Siegmund, A. 2008. Geo-ecological spatial pattern analysis ol the island of Fogo (Cape Verde). Global & Planetary Change 64: 188-197. Palacios, C.-J. & Barone, R. 2001. Fe Heron cendre Ardea cinerea , nouvelle espece nidificatrice aux ties de Cap Vert. Alauda 69: 18. Ratcliffe, N„ Zino, F. J., Oliveira, P., Vasconcelos, A., Hazevoet, C. J., Costa Neves, H., Monteiro, F. R. & Zino, E. 2000. The status and distribution of Fea’s Petrel Pterodroma feae in the Cape Verde Islands. Atlantic Seabirds 2: 73-86. Ribeiro, O. 1 954. A ilha do Fogo e as suas erupgoes. Mem., Ser. Geogr. I. Fisboa: Junta de Investigates do Ultramar, Ministerio do Ultramar. Robb, M., Mullarney, K. & The Sound Approach. 2008. Petrels Night and Day. Poole: The Sound Approach. Rodriguez, F. 1988. Activite nocturne du Martinet unicolore Apus unicolor dans la ville de Fas Palmas (ties Canaries). Alauda 56: 181. Salvadori, T. 1899. Collezioni ornitologiche fatte nelle isole del Capo Verde da Feonardo Fea. Ann. Mus. Civ. Storia Nat., Genova (2)20: 283-312. Siverio, F., Barone, R. & Delgado, G. 2008. Notes on the diet of Tyto alba in two oceanic islands from the Mid-Atlantic, Porto Santo and Fogo (Aves, Tytonidae). Vieraea 36: 163-165. Siverio, F., Mateo, J. A. & Fopez-Jurado, F. F. 2007. On the presence and biology of the Barn Owl Tyto alba detorta on Santa Fuzia, Cape Verde Islands. Alauda 75: 91-93. “C/. Eduardo Zamacois, 13-3°A, 38005 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. E-mail: makaronesia68@ yahoo, es. bCI. Wolkenburger Strafe 11, D-09212 Limbach- Oberfrohna, Germany. E-mail: jenshering. vso-bibliothek@t-online.de. Received 4 August 2009; revision accepted 29 September 2009. 78 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Recent bird records from Fogo, Cape Verde Islands: Barone & Hering The separate African winter quarters of Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca and Collared Flycatcher F. albicollis Robert J. Dowsett Le Gobemouche noir Ficedula hypoleuca et la Gobemouche a collier F. albicollis ont des quartiers d hiver africains bien separes. Goodenough et al. (2009) ont ecrit que le Gobemouche noir Ficedula hypoleuca et son proche cousin le Gobemouche a collier F. albicollis hivernent en sympatrie dans des pays comme le Tchad et le Nigeria, mais c est incorrect. Le Gobemouche noir hiverne principalement dans les forets claires soudaniennes de la Sierra Leone au Cameroun, tandis que le Gobemouche a collier hiverne dans les forets claires de la region zambezienne au sud de l’Equateur. Summary. 1 he claim that Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca and its close relative the Collared Flycatcher F. albicollis winter sympatrically in countries such as Chad and Nigeria’ (Goodenough et al. 2009) is not tiue. Pied Flycatcher winters mainly in the Sudanian woodlands from Cameroon west to Sierra Leone, but Collared Flycatcher does so in the Zambezian woodlands south of the equator. In their discussion of factors relevant to the conservation of Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca , Goodenough et al. (2009) claim that this species and its close relative the Collared Flycatcher F. albicollis ‘winter sympatrically in countries such as Chad and Nigeria (Dowsett 1993, Elgood et al. 1994)’. This is untrue, and is not what was shown by Dowsett (1993). A literature search has produced many specimen and correctly identified sight records of Ficedula flycatchers in sub-Saharan Africa. To these have been added my own observations from several countries in which these two species occur in winter or on passage, from western Mali to northern Cameroon for Pied Flycatchers, and north-east Nigeria to southern Zambia for Collared Flycatchers. Winter distribution of Pied and Collared Flycatchers 1 Goodenough etal. (2009) were perhaps influenced by the fact that Elgood et al. (1994) wrote of Collared Flycatcher in Nigeria ‘uncommon... Sep-Mar’, which implies a presence throughout that period. This echoed Elgood et al. (1966), who considered that it is ‘probably a regular winter visitor’. Elowever, the few records of Collared Flycatcher in Nigeria all fall between 13 September and 1 November, except for one bird which spent the period 23 February-23 March at Vom (Smith 1966). There is a handful of records from neighbouring Chad (11 September-19 October and 1 1-13 April: Salvan 1968). For both Nigeria and Chad, Dowsett (1993) made it clear that the species occurs only on passage. Pied Flycatchers too are known only on passage through Chad (7 September to the first half of October and 29 March-10 April: Salvan 1968, Newby 1980), which is at the eastern limit of the species’ migration. But they do winter in considerable numbers in Nigeria. Elgood et al. (1994) reported them between October and April, but extreme dates are in fact 17 September (Malamfatori, Lake Chad: Dowsett 1969) and 23 May (Vom: Smith 1966). Pied Flycatchers winter south in Nigeria from 11°N (Falgore, January: Wilkinson & Beecroft 1985; Zaria, 27 February: Fry 1965), mostly between 07°N and 10°N. There are few records from the coastal zone of Nigeria (e.g. Lagos: Forrester 1971, Gee & Fleigham 1977). In its overall wintering area (essentially Cameroon west to Mali, south to Sierra Leone: Serle 1949; pers. obs.) the species frequents especially the Sudanian woodlands, less often clearings or the edge of forest. In the Sahel it occurs only on passage, and then there is a preponderance of autumn (southbound passage) records at several localities; e.g. at Malamfatori, at least 14 between 17 September and 9 October (Dowsett 1969), but only three on northbound passage (early April to 3 May: Dowsett 1968, Sharland 1969). In contrast, with the drying out of the Lake Chad area, Gustafsson et al. (2003) in the period 1997-2000 had only a single autumn record at Malamfatori (8 September), and none at all in spring. Near Jos (2001-09), M. Stevens (in African winter quarters Pied and Collared Flycatchers: Dowsett Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -79 15W 10W 5W 0 5E 10E 15E 2 0E 2 5E 30 E 35E 40E Figure 1. Records (mapped by degree square) of Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca (black squares), Collared Flycatchers F. albicollis (open squares) and Semi-collared Flycatchers F. semitorquata (black dots). Localities at which two species occur are denoted by ‘pied’ symbols. Distribution (par carres d un degre de latitude-longitude) des Gobemouches noirs Ficedula hypoleuca (carres noirs), a collier F. albicollis (carres creux) et a demi-collier F. semitorquata (points noirs). Les localites oil se rencontrent deux especes sont indiquees par un symbole noir et blanc. lift. 2009) ringed 100 in October compared to 45 in March-April. In contrast to Pied Flycatchers, Collared Flycatchers winter south of the equator, in the Zambezian woodlands, centred on Zambia and Malawi in particular (Moreau 1972, Dowsett- Lemaire & Dowsett 2006, Dowsett et al. 2008). Fig. 1 shows the distribution of these two species, and the separation of the centres of distribution is clear, with the Central African rain forest largely avoided. Records of Semi-collared Flycatchers F. semitorquata are also mapped; as they are difficult to separate, some records might have to be reassessed, but it does seem that their winter distribution is near the equator, centred on Uganda and western Kenya (e.g. Pearson 1998, and references therein). Future workers are likely to be misled by the published statement in such an authoritative journal as Ibis , but the editor declined to publish this clarification there. Acknowledgements I thank Peter Jones, David Pearson and Matt Stevens for their helpful comments on the manuscript. References Dowsett, R. J. 1968. Migrants at Malam’fatori, Lake Chad, spring 1968. Bull. Nigerian Orn. Soc. 5: 53-56. Dowsett, R. J. 1969. Migrants at Malam’fatori, Lake Chad, autumn 1968. Bull. Nigerian Orn. Soc. 6: 39-45. Dowsett, R. J. 1993. Afrotropical avifaunas: annotated country lists. Nigeria and Chad. Tauraco Res. Rep. 5: 69-77 & 103-108. Dowsett, R. J., Aspinwall, D. R. & Dowsett-Lemaire, F. 2008. The Birds of Zambia. An Atlas and Handbook. Liege: Tauraco Press & Aves. 80 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) African winter quarters Pied and Collared Flycatchers: Doivsett Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, R. J. 2006. The Birds of Malawi. An Atlas and Handbook. Liege: Tauraco Press & Aves. Elgood, J. H., Sharland, R. E. & Ward, P. 1966. Palaearctic migrants in Nigeria. Ibis 108: 84-116. Elgood, J. H., Heigham, J. B., Moore, A. M„ Nason, A. M., Sharland, R. E. & Skinner, N. J. 1994. The Birds of Nigeria: An Annotated Check-list. BOU Check-list No. 4. Second edn. Tring: British Ornithologists' Union. Forrester, M. F. 1971. The birds of Ikoyi, Lagos. Bull. Nigerian Orn. Soc. 8: 13-21. Fry, C. H. 1965. The birds of Zaria. IV — Residents, vagrants and check-list (Passerines). Bull. Nigerian Orn. Soc. 2: 91-102. Gee, J. & Heigham, J. 1977. Birds of Lagos, Nigeria. [Part 2], Bull. Nigerian Orn. Soc. 13: 103-132. Goodenough, A. E., Elliot, S. L. & Hart, A. G. 2009. I he challenges of conservation for declining migrants: are reserve-based initiatives during the breeding season appropriate for the Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca?. Ibis 151: 429-439. Gustafsson, R., Hjort, C., Ottosson, U. & Hall, P. 2003. Birds at Lake Chad and in the Sahel of NE Nigeria 1997-2000. Ottenby: Lake Chad Bird Migration Project. Moreau, R. E. 1972. The Palaearctic-African Bird Migration System. London, UK: Academic Press. Newby, J. E. 1980. The birds of the Oadi Rime — Ouadi Achim Faunal Reserve, a contribution to the study of the Chadian avifauna. [Part 2.] Malimbus 2: 29-50. Pearson, D. J. 1998. Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca at Kakamega Forest — a readmission to the East African list. Scopus 20: 46-48. Salvan, J. 1968. Contribution a Fetude des oiseaux du Tchad. [Part 4.] Oiseau & R.F.O. 38: 249-273. Serle, W. 1949. Notes on the birds of Sierra Leone. [Part 3]. Ostrich 20: 70-85. Sharland, R. E. 1969. Mallam Fatori, spring 1969. Bull. Nigerian Orn. Soc. 6: 98-101. Smith, V. W. 1966. Autumn and spring weights of some Palaearctic migrants in central Nigeria. Ibis 108: 492-512. Wilkinson, R. & Beecroft, R. 1985. Birds in Falgore Game Reserve, Nigeria. Malimbus 7: 63-72. Le Pouget, 30440 Sumene, France. E-mail: Dowsett@ aol. com Received 15 September 2009; revision accepted 20 October 2009. African winter quarters Pied and Collared Flycatchers: Dowsett Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -81 First breeding record and passage of Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus in Libya Jens Hering ', Elmar Fuchsb and Stefan Brehmef Premiere mention de nidification et passage de I’Epervier d’Europe Accipiter nisus en Libye. La decouverte est rapportee de deux nids occupes d’Eperviers d’Europe Accipiter nisus au nord-ouest de Cyrenaica, Libye, en mai 2008. Le premier etait dans une plantation de pins au nord de Cyrene, pres du complexe hotelier de Muntasah Shahhat, le second environ 1,2 km au sud-ouest du premier, dans une zone cloturee ayant l’aspect d un pare. Des plumees contenaient des plumes d une Tourterelle des bois Streptopelia turtur , d un Coucou gris Cucidus canorus et de 11 passereaux qui se trouvent dans la region comme especes nicheuses ou de passage. Ceci constitue les premieres mentions de nidification de l’Epervier d’Europe en Libye. Deux observations en mars 2009 a Wadi Ash Shari, les premieres pour cette espece au Fezzan, pourraient indiquer que ce rapace est aussi un visiteur hivernal plus frequent qu’on ne le pensait jusqu’a present. In North Africa, Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus is known to breed in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia (race punicus : Orta 1994) and as a regular passage migrant or winter visitor (the European nominate race: Isenmann & Moali 2000, Thevenot et al. 2003, Isenmann etal. 2005). According to Bundy (1976), it is only a winter visitor to Libya, where it has been infrequently and irregularly recorded from November to April in Tripolitania, mainly in the coastal region. Other sightings confirm the rarity of the species in this region (Misonne 1973, Brehme et al. 2002). The few records from Cyrenaica are from the coast and Jebel Akhdar in November-April. However, the species is also stated to be occasionally ‘fairly common' (R. S. M. Green in Stanford 1953, 1954, Latham 1973). In the Libyan Desert there have been a few spring observations in March and April (Bundy 1976). Table 1. Analysis of the material found in the pluckings at Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus nest sites near Cyrene, Libya, in May 2008. Tableau 1. Analyse du materiel trouve dans les plumees aupres des nids d’Eperviers d’Europe Accipiter nisus pres de Cyrene, Libye, in mai 2008. Location: A = wood near the Muntasah Shahhat hotel complex, B = wood on the northern periphery of the city of Cyrene. ‘probably part(s) of a plucking. Location: A = bois pres du complexe hotelier de Muntasah Shahhat, B = bois a la peripherie nord de la ville de Cyrene. ‘faisant probablement partie dune plumee. Species Number Location Remarks European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 1 A Juvenile Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 1 A 2 undertail-coverts, 1 tertial* Crested Lark Galerida cristata 1 B Adult, 1 tail feather, 1 secondary* Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis 1 B 2 tail feathers Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida 2 A warbler Phylloscopus sp. 1 B 1 tail feather*, probably P. collybita Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 1 B Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala 1 B Adult male, 1 primary* Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca 1 A Blue Tit Parus caeruleus 1 A Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis or House Sparrow P. domesticus 1 A 3 B 1 adult + 2 juveniles Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 10 A 9 juveniles + 1 adult 5 B 4 juveniles + 1 adult Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 1 A Juvenile 82 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Eurasian Sparrowhawk in Libya: Hering et al. Figure 1. The pine plantation near the Muntasah Shahhat hotel complex, Cyrene, Cyrenaica, where the first nest of Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus was found, 27 May 2008 (J. Hering) La plantation de pins pres du complexe hotelier de Muntasah Shahhat, Cyrene, Cyrenaica, ou le premier nid d’Epervier d’Europe Accipiter nisus a ete trouve, 27 mai 2008 (J. Hering) Figure 2. Female Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus near its nest in the pine plantation near the Muntasah Shahhat hotel complex, Cyrene, Cyrenaica, Libya, 27 May 2008 (J. Hering) Epervier d’Europe Accipiter nisus femelle pres de son nid dans la plantation de pins pres du complexe hotelier de Muntasah Shahhat, Cyrene, Cyrenaica, Libye, 27 mai 2008 (J- Hering) Figure 3. Occupied Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus nest in a pine tree, Muntasah Shahhat hotel complex, Cyrene, Cyrenaica, Libya, 27 May 2008 (J. Hering) Nid occupe d’Epervier d’Europe Accipiter nisus dans un pin, complexe hotelier de Muntasah Shahhat, Cyrene, Cyrenaica, Libya, 27 mai 2008 (J. Hering) Figure 4. The pine plantation on the northern periphery of the city of Cyrene, Cyrenaica, Libya, where the second nest of Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus was found, 29 May 2008 (J. Hering) La plantation de pins a la peripherie nord de la ville de Cyrene, Cyrenaica, Libye, ou le second nid d’Epervier d’Europe Accipiter nisus a ete trouve, 29 mai 2008 (J. Hering) In May 2008 we visited Cyrenaica, where we concentrated our observations in the north-west. In a pine plantation of several hectares, at c.600 m, near the Muntasah Shahhat hotel complex, Cyrene (32°49’N 21°52’E; Fig. 1), on 27 May, we discovered a Eurasian Sparrowhawk’s nest, from which the female flushed, uttering loud alarm calls. The bird was not particularly shy and permitted us to approach to within 20 m (Fig. 2). The nest, which was lined with white down, was in a fork on the trunk c. 10 m high and c. 30 m from the forest edge (Fig. 3). We also found another nest, undoubtedly from the previous year, in the centre of the small wood c.50 m from the first. Several moulted feathers belonging to the female, including four primaries, two secondaries and a single tail feather, were found on the Eurasian Sparrowhawk in Libya: Hering et al. Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -83 forest floor, as well as the remains of 19 birds of six species of passerines, a European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur and a Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus (Table 1), all of which are known breeding birds or passage migrants in Cyrenaica (e.g. Bundy 1976). Two days later, we found a second occupied nest, c. 1.2 km south-west of the first, in an enclosed park-like area on the northern periphery of the city of Cyrene at c.615 m (32°49’N 21°52’E; Fig. 4). It was at a height of c. 13 m, also in a fork on the trunk, within a veiy sparsely wooded pine plantation of c. 5 ha. During our presence the male vocalised continuously. We found five primaries and a secondary of the female as well as 12 pluckings of seven locally occurring songbirds (Table 1). These two occupied nests at the end of May agree temporally with the findings of Isenmann & Moali (2000) and Isenmann etal. (2005), who give the breeding season for Eurasian Sparrowhawk in Algeria and Tunisia as mid April to the beginning of June. Based on habitat in the region, and possibly also in other suitable areas of Cyrenaica and Tripolitania, we believe that the Eurasian Sparrowhawk breeds here, especially where pine plantations occur. The present status of this raptor as a rare visitor to Libya also needs to be questioned. During an 11 -day visit to Fezzan in March 2009, we saw Eurasian Sparrowhawks twice: on 28th an individual, probably an adult male, flew over the administrative centre and on 30th an immature female flew over a cultivated area of the A1 Dabwat Agricultural Production Project radial oasis complex, in Wadi Ash Shati (27°38’N 14°08’E) (Hering et al. in prep.). These birds were probably returning from their winter quarters in Niger or Chad, of which little is known at present (cf Brown et al. 1982). These are the first records for this part of the country. Acknowledgements We thank P. Becker for analysis of the pluckings and T. Kraft and D. Saemann for other assistance. Our thanks also go to Abdullah Zaied Agilla of the General Management of Agricultural Production Projects, Tripoli, who permitted us to conduct field studies in the Wadi Ash Shati radial oasis complex. Translation of the manuscript into English was by David Conlin. References Brehme, S., Thiede, W. & Borges, E. 2002. Beitrage zur Vogelwelt Libyens, III: Accipitridae bis Charadriidae. Ornithol. Mitt. 54: 391-399. Brown, L. H., Urban, E. K. & Newman, K. 1982. The Birds of Africa. Vol. 1. London, UK: Academic Press. Bundy, G. 1976. The Birds of Libya: An Annotated Check-list. BOU Check-list No. 1. London, UK: British Ornithologists’ Union. Hering, J., Brehme, S. & Fuchs, E. in prep. Beitrag zur Fruhjahrs-Vogelwelt in West-Libyen. Isenmann, P. &c Moali, A. 2000. Oiseaux dAlgerie / Birds of Algeria. Paris: Societe d’Etudes Ornithologiques de France. Isenmann, P., Gaultier, T., El Hili, A., Azafzaf, H., Dlensi, H. & Smart, M. 2005. Oiseaux de Tunisie / Birds of Tunisia. Paris: Societe d'Etudes Ornithologiques de France. Latham, J. J. 1973. Birds of Al Adem, Tobruk, and adjacent desert areas of Cyrenaica. Roy. Air Force Ornithol. Soc.J. 8: 24-44. Misonne, X. 1973. Notes sur les oiseaux hivernant a Nofilia, Golfe de Syrte, Libye. Gerfaut 63: 211-217. Orta, J. 1996. Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus. In del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 2. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. Stanford, J. K. 1953. Some impressions of spring migration in Cyrenaica March-May 1952. Ibis 95: 316-328. Stanford, J. K. 1954. A survey of the ornithology of northern Libya. Ibis 96: 449-473, 606-624. Thevenot, M., Vernon, R. & Bergier, P. 2003. The Birds of Morocco: An Annotated Checklist. BOU Checklist No. 20. Tring: British Ornithologists’ Union & British Ornithologists’ Club. " Wolkenburger Strafe 1 1, D-09212Limbach-Oberfrohna, Germany. E-mail: jenshering. vso-bibliothek@t-online. de hHartensteiner Strafe 48a, D-09376 Oelsnitz, Germany. E-mail: elmar.fuchs@gmx.de l Gdrschstrafe 47, D-13187 Berlin, Germany. E-mail: stefan. brehme@klinikum-niederlausitz. de Received 5 July 2009; revision accepted 11 November 2009. 84 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Eurasian Sparrowhawk in Libya: Hering et al. Correction of three historical bird records from Libya Adriano De Faveri" and Nicola Baccetti“ Correction de trois mentions historiques d’oiseaux en Libye. 7 rois specimens collectes par Toschi en Libye en 1939, s averent avoir ete mal identifies : deux Pouillots fitis Phylloscopus trochilus sont en fair des Pouillots veloces P. collybita et un traquet libelle comme Traquet motteux Oenanthe oenanthe est un Traquet du desert O. deserti. Ces mentions constituaient les seuls donnees hivernales pour les especes en question, a part quelques mentions plus anciennes du Pouillots fitis qui sont probablement egalement erronees. II y a toutefois des observations hivernales recentes du Pouillot fitis et du 1 raquet motteux dans le pays. Three major reviews of Libyan birds have been published: Zavattari (1934), Toschi (1969) and Bundy (1976). They contain most details of the original literature sources and historical skin collections. Inevitably, they also contain a few errors and inaccuracies. We found evidence of three such cases while cataloguing the bird collection at the Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA; formerly the Istituto Nazionale Fauna Selvatica) in Ozzano Emilia, Italy. Here we came across Augusto Toschi's series of Libyan skins, originally published by Toschi (1947). Three specimens proved to have been misidentified by the collector, namely: • Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus no. 10150, shot February 1939 in the Fezzan. Correct species: Common Chiffchaff P. collybita. • Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus no. 10151, shot 5 February 1939 at Brak, Fezzan. Correct species: Common Chiffchaff P. collybita. • Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe no. 9996, shot 3 1 January 1 939 at Mizdah, western Libya. Correct species: Desert Wheatear 0. deserti , female. Only the latter two specimens were mentioned by Toschi (1969) and none were included in Bundy (1976). According to these authorities, there are no other winter records of either species in Libya, apart from a few of Willow Warbler from December-January taken by previous collectors, and retained without examination by Toschi (1969), but these are probably erroneous too (see, however, Brehme et al. 2002-06 for recent winter observations of both species). The correct species are considered to be regular winter visitors, and are common at this season. The identity of the remaining 151 preserved specimens (of the original 154: Toschi 1947) appeared correct, at least at the species level. Acknowledgements Thanks are due to Ron Demey for improving an earlier draft and to Stefan Brehme for his constructive comments. References Brehme, S., Thiede, W. & Borges, E. 2002-06. Beitrage zur Vogelwelt Libyens, II— VIII. Ornithol. Mitt. 54: 202-212, 391-399; 55: 54-66, 277-287; 56: 207-219; 57: 337-345; 58: 194-211. Bundy, G. 1976. The Birds of Libya: An Annotated Check-list. BOU Check-list No. 1. London, UK: British Ornithologists’ Union. Toschi, A. 1947. Risultati di una escursione zoologica in Libia (dicembre 1938-febbraio 1939). Riv. Ital. Ornitol. 17: 1-24. Toschi, A. 1969. Introduzione alia ornitologia della Libia. Suppl. Ric. Zool. appl. Caccia, Bologna 6: 1-381. Zavattari, E. 1934. Prodromo della fauna della Libia. Pavia: Tipografia gia Cooperativa. “ISPRA, via Ca’Fornacetta 9, 40064 Ozzano Emilia BO, Italy. Received 26 August 2009; revision accepted 1 October 2009. Correction of three historical bird records from Libya: De Faveri & Baccetti Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -85 Rock Firefinch Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis and its brood parasite, Jos Plateau Indigobird Vidua maryae, in northern Cameroon Michael S. L. Mills L’Amarante de roche Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis et son parasite, le Combassou de Jos Vidua maryae , au nord du Cameroun. L'Amarante de roche Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis est une espece extremement locale seulement connue avec certitude, avant 2005, des flancs de collines rocheuses et herbeuses au nord du Nigeria. Recemment, plusieurs observations au nord du Cameroun indiquent que sa repartition est plus etendue ; ces observations sont recapitulees ici. Le Combassou de Jos Vidua maryae est un parasite de l’Amarante de roche et etait suppose etre endemique au Plateau de Jos du Nigeria. L auteur rapporte une observation de mars 2009 dans le nord du Cameroun de combassous en plumage internuptial, qui imitaient les emissions vocales de l’Amarante de roche. Des sonogrammes de leurs imitations du hote sont presentes, ainsi que des sonogrammes de cris de P Amarante de roche. Comme il est peu probable qu’une autre espece de combassou parasiterait un amarante aussi local, il est suppose que ces oiseaux representent une population auparavant inconnue du Combassou de Jos dans le nord du Cameroun. Rock Firefinch Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis was described only 12 years ago, from the Jos Plateau in northern Nigeria (Payne 1998). It belongs to the African/Jameson’s Firefinch L. rubricata / rhodopareia clade of firefinches (Payne 2004), and is similar to African Firefinch, Mali Firefinch L. virata and Chad Firefinch L. umbrino dorsalis, but differs from these species in having a reddish back in the male. The combination of a blue-grey bill, reddish back and grey crown in the male is diagnostic. Uniquely, Rock Firefinch was discovered by song mimicry of its brood parasite, Jos Plateau Indigobird Vidua maryae. Jos Plateau Indigobird was first found Figure 1. Male Rock Firefinch Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis near Mora, northern Cameroon, on 12 March 2009. Birds from northern Cameroon may have less extensive grey on the head than birds from the Jos Plateau (Simon Colenutt) Amarante de roche Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis male pres de Mora, Cameroun du nord, 12 mars 2009. Les oiseaux du nord du Cameroun ont peut-etre moins de gris sur la tete que ceux du Plateau de Jos (Simon Colenutt) 86 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Rock Firefinch and Jos Plateau Indigobird in Cameroon: Mills m. Jr 01 03 0) &S 06 07 08 Q« Turn (*) 11 13 1 J 14 Figure 2. Sonogram of mimicry by Jos Plateau Indigobird Vidua maryae of the most common vocalisation ot Rock Firefinch Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis , a rapid descending trill of 12-13 notes per second, recorded near Mora, northern Cameroon, 13 March 2009. Sonogramme de F imitation du Combassou de Jos Vidua maryae de remission vocale la plus commune de 1 Amarante de roche Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis, un trille descendant rapide de 12—13 notes par seconde, enregistree pres de Mora, Cameroun du nord, 13 mars 2009. 9- 8- 7- 0 05 0.1 0.15 0 2 0.25 0.3 0 35 0 4 0 45 0 5 Time (s) 9- 8- 7- ! f ri-r t it 2- / m 1 - * 0 05 o'l 015 02 0 25 0 3 0 35 Time (s) Figure 3a. Sonogram of mimicry by Jos Plateau Indigobird Vidua maryae of Rock Firefmch’s Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis contact trill, recorded on 12 March 2009, near Mora, northern Cameroon. Sonogramme de l imitation du Combassou de Jos Vidua maryae du trille de contact de l’Amarante de roche Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis , enregistree pres de Mora, Cameroun du nord, 12 mars 2009. Figure 3b. Sonogram of the contact trill of Rock Firefinch Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis, recorded near Mora, northern Cameroon, 12 March 2009. Sonogramme du trille de contact de l’Amarante de roche Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis , enregistre pres de Mora, Cameroun du nord, 12 mars 2009. Figure 4. 1 he non-breeding (presumed) male Jos Plateau Indigobird Vidua maryae whose mimicry of Rock Firefinch Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis vocalisations are visualised in Figs. 2 and 3a. The whitish bill and purplish-grey legs are consistent with those of Jos Plateau Indigobird (Simon Colenutt) Le Combassou de Jos Vidua maryae presume male en plumage internuptial dont les imitations des emissions vocales de l’Amarante de roche Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis sont representees par les Figs. 2 et 3a. Le bee blanchatre et les pattes gris pourpre sont caracteristiques du Combassou de Jos (Simon Colenutt) in 1968, and initially described as a subspecies of Dusky Indigobird V. funerea because it was thought to mimic African Firefinch calls (Payne 1982). Subsequent investigation revealed that it mimics unique calls and differs in morphology, although it differs only in size from Jambandu Indigobird V. raricola , from Barka Indigobird V. larvaticola by having a slightly darker wing, and from Quailfinch Indigobird V. nigeriae by its slightly brighter gloss and larger size (Payne 1996). At the time of its description, Rock Firefinch was known mainly from the Jos Plateau in Nigeria (09°56’N 08°53’E), but also tentatively from the Mandara Mountains on the border with Cameroon (11°04’N 13°45’E) and from near Rano, in Kano State, Nigeria (11°33’N 08°34’E). Other records of ‘African Firefinch’ from northern Nigeria were also suspected to belong to the newly described species, as were records from northern Benin and Burkina Faso (Payne 2004). The distribution of Jos Plateau Indigobird was confined to the Jos Plateau. Recently, several reports of Rock Firefinch have come from northern Cameroon, in similar habitat — bushy and grassy rock)' outcrops (Brandt Rock Firefinch and Jos Plateau Indigobird in Cameroon: Mills Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -87 Table 1. Records of Rock Firefinch Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis from northern Cameroon Tableau 1. Mentions de I’Amarante de roche Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis du Cameroun du nord Date Observer Details Locality Mar 2004 C. Cohen (pers. comm.) 2 probable 20 km north of Maroua Feb 2005 N. Borrow [in Bull. ABC 12: 179) 1 female 5 km north of Maroua Mar 2005 A. Riley & R. White [in lift. 2005) 2 birds north of Maroua Mar 2005 A. Riley & R. White (in lift. 2005) 12 birds Lagdo Lake, c.40 km south-east of Garoua Apr 2006 D. Hoddinott (in lift. 2006) 12 birds north of Maroua Mar 2007 M. S. L. Mills (pers. obs.) c.10 birds 10 km south-west of Mora Apr 2007 K. Valentine (in lift. 2007) 2 birds north of Maroua Oct 2007 C. Artuso (in lift. 2007) 6 birds north of Mora Mar 2008 N. Borrow (pers. comm.) several 5 km north of Maroua Mar 2008 M. S. L. Mills (pers. obs.) 1 pair 110 south-south-west of Maroua Mar 2009 M. S. L. Mills (pers. obs.) 20-30 birds 10 km south-west of Mora & Cresswell 2008) — in the vicinity of Maroua (10°36’N 14°20’E) and Mora(10°58’N 14°12’E). The first potential record was by C. Cohen in March 2004 (pers. comm.), although the first published record (in Bull. ABC 12: 179) was from 2003, a sighting by N. Borrow, who found a single female on a rocky outcrop c. 5 km north of Maroua. Since then, repeated sightings in the Mora-Maroua area (Table 1) indicate that this species is at least fairly common here during the dry season, and almost certainly a resident breeder. I have also once recorded birds further south, nearer Garoua (09°44’N 13°50’E; 110 km south- southwest of Maroua), also at a rocky outcrop, although these birds were only seen briefly. A better sighting would have been preferable to be certain of their identity, although the only other possible candidate is Chad Firefinch, which was recently rediscovered in Cameroon (Voaden 2008). There are also unpublished records of Rock Firefinch from Lake Lagdo (09°03’N 13°4TE), south of Garoua, <90 km from where Chad Firefinch was found (see Table 1). These should be treated as unconfirmed until further data become available. Rock Firefinches from Cameroon and the Mandara Mountains appear to differ slightly from those from the Jos Plateau, by having less grey on the crown in the male (see Fig. 1), although the difference is slight and poorly documented, and their calls are reported to be the same (Abakala et al. submitted). Given the relative abundance of Rock Firefinch in northern Cameroon, and because indigobirds often show similar distributions to their hosts, it could be expected that Jos Plateau Indigobird should occur in Cameroon also. However, few ornithologists and birders visit northern Cameroon during or shortly after the rains, when indigobirds are in breeding plumage and on their songposts. Indigobirds rarely sing outside the breeding season and are generally impossible to distinguish in the field in non-breeding plumage. On 12 March 2009, I was searching for Rock Firefinch and other rocky-country birds with a group of nine other birders, on some rocky hills just south of Mora, where I had seen Rock Firefinch in March 2007. Shortly after sunrise I could hear calls and song of firefinches coming from the base of the hills, and soon we found a loose flock of c. 20 Rock Firefinches. While observing the firefinches, I made recordings of their contact trills. After c.30 minutes of observations, I heard the distant calls of an indigobird Vidua sp. I scanned the tops of trees in the direction of the call, and located a non-breeding bird singing from a Faidherbia albida tree at the base of the rocks, in the company of at least two other indigobirds. I quickly moved closer so I could observe their vocalisations and plumage in more detail. I played some generic indigobird calls to try to stimulate singing, and fortunately the birds sang again. Included in the generic ramble of indigobird calls was mimicry of at least two different Rock Firefinch vocalisations, which I recorded using an Edirol R09 recorder with a Sennheiser MKE400 88 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Rock Firefinch and Jos Plateau Indigobird in Cameroon: Mills microphone. Recordings were inspected and sonogiams produced using Raven Lite software (Cornell Lab of Ornithology 2003-08). The most common and distinctive call of Rock Firehnch is described as a rapid descending trill of 12-13 notes per second (Payne 2004). This call, visualised in a sonogram (Fig. 2), was made by Jos Plateau Indigobird, and delivered at a rate of 13.6 notes per second (n= 1). A second call, a short trill, was mimicked by Jos Plateau Indigobird; a sonogram is presented in Fig. 3a. Analogous calls by Rock Firefinch were recorded and are presented as a sonogram in Fig. 3b. Call structure (shape of notes), rate of delivery and frequency are nearly identical, although the firefinch trill consisted of more notes. Male breeding plumage gloss colour and intensity were not observed, although bill (whitish) and leg colour (purplish-grey; Fig. 4) are consistent with Jos Plateau Indigobird. Given the small range of Rock Firefinch, it is highly unlikely that another indigobird species parasitises the population in northern Cameroon. Hence, it can be safely assumed that these birds represent a previously unknown population of Jos Plateau Indigobird in northern Cameroon. Further investigations during the indigobirds’ breeding season should enable a better understanding of the distribution and abundance of Jos Plateau Indigobird in Cameroon. Acknowledgements I thank Hemme Batjes, Andrew Bunting, Simon Colenutt, Andy Deighton, Martin Kennewell, Ian Merrill, Jonathan Newman, Volkert van der Willigen and Barry Wright, who observed the bird with me, for their patience while I made sound-recordings. Nik Borrow generously shared information on his records, and, with Ulf Ottosson, commented on the manuscript. Bob Payne helped to improve the paper’s contents. References Abalaka, J. I., Ottosson, U., Tende, T. & Larson, K. Submitted. Rock Firefinch Lagonosticta _ sanguinodorsalis in the Mandara Mountains, north- east Nigeria: a new subspecies? Bull. ABC. Brandt, M. J. & Cresswell, W. 2008. Breeding behaviour, home range and habitat selection in Rock Firefinches Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis in the wet and dry season in northern Nigeria. Ibis 150: 495-507. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2003-08. Raven Lite 1.0. Ithaca, NY: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Payne, R. 1982. Species limits in the indigobirds (Ploceidae, Vidua) ol West Africa: mount mimicry, song mimicry, and description of new species. Misc. Publ., Mus. Zool., Univ. of Michigan 162: 1-96. Payne, R. 1998. A new species of firefinch Lagonosticta from northern Nigeria and its association with the Jos Plateau Indigobird Vidua maryae. Ibis 140: 368-381. Payne, R. B. 1996. Field identification of the indigobirds. Bull. ABC 3: 14-25. Payne, R. B. 2004. Rock Firefinch Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis. In Fry, C. H. & Keith, S. (eds.) The Birds of Africa. Vol. 7. London, UK: Christopher Helm. Voaden, N. 2008. Chad Firefinch Lagonosticta umbrinodorsalis ‘rediscovered’ in northern Cameroon. Bull. ABC 15: 238-241. Birding Africa, PO Box 34146, Rhodesgift 7707, Cape Town, South Africa; Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa; and A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, University of Jos, PO Box 13404, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. E-mail: michael@birdmgafrica.com. Received 25 April 2009; revision accepted 3 November 2009. Rock Firefinch and Jos Plateau Indigobird in Cameroon: Mills Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -89 Rufous Fishing Owl Scotopelia ussheri camera-trapped at midday near Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone April Conwaf,b, Sonia Hernandez f and John P. Carroll" Une Chouette-pecheuse rousse Scotopelia ussheri photographiee a midi par un piege photographique pres de File de Tiwai, Sierra Leone. Une Chouette-pecheuse rousse Scotopelia ussheri a ete photographiee a midi par un piege photographique a infrarouges pres de file de Tiwai, Sierra Leone, le 16 juin 2009. Ceci est apparemment la premiere fois que cette espece a ete photographiee dans la nature. Curieusement, l’oiseau semblait etre actif pendant la journee. As part of a study on Pygmy Hippopotamus Choeropsis liberiensis , near-infrared digital camera-traps were placed on and around Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone (07°33’N 1 1°19’W), between November 2008 and June 2009. Cameras were set to take a single photograph followed by another automatically after ten seconds; the cameras could then not be triggered for a further 60 seconds. Cameras were moved to different locations after each two-week sampling period. On 7 June, two cameras were placed on Tagati Island, a small island of <1 km2, west of Tiwai. On 16 June, four photographs of an owl were taken by a camera facing a seasonal inlet on the west side of Tagati. The first two (one of which is reproduced here: Fig. 1) show the owl on the ground near the inlet, facing away from the camera at 11.53 hrs. In the third photograph the owl is landing on a Raffia Palm Raphia vinifera at 12.02 hrs (Fig. 2). In the last picture, the facial disk is partially visible (Fig. 3). Although the owl remained in the field of view of the camera for c. 10 minutes, it may not have moved enough to trigger the camera until it flew off. The orange-rufous plumage and the plain upperparts identify it as a Rufous Fishing Owl Scotopelia ussheri\ the only confusion species, Pel’s Fishing Owl S. peli , has barred upperparts (Borrow & Demey 2001). Both species are known to occur at Tiwai Island (R. Demey in Bull. ABC 15; 275 and in litt. 2009). To our knowledge Rufous Fishing Owl has never before been photographed in the wild. The ecology and biology of this Upper Guinea forest endemic are largely unknown. Although most owl species are nocturnal or crepuscular, some are also diurnal (Marks et al. 1999). The three species of African fishing owls Scotopelia , however, are all considered to normally hunt at night (Konig & Weick 2008), although Pel’s Fishing Owl is reported to be occasionally active in daylight when stressed by food scarcity due to rivers drying up (Kemp 1988). It is Figures 1-2. Rufous Fishing Owl Scotopelia ussheri on the ground beside a small inlet (1) and perching on a Raffia Palm Raphia vinifera (2), on Tagati Island, Sierra Leone, 16 June 2009 (camera-trap photos) Chouette-pecheuse rousse Scotopelia ussheri par terre a cote d une petite crique (1) et perchee sur un palmier raffia Raphia vinifera (2), ile de I agati, Sierra Leone, 16 juin 2009 (photos prises par un piege photographique a infrarouges) 90 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Rufous Fishing Owl camera-trapped at midday: Conway et al. Figure 3. Rufous Fishing Owl Scotopelia ussheri, Tagati Island, Sierra Leone, 16 June 2009; part of the facial disk is visible (camera-trap photo) Chouette-pecheuse rousse Scotopelia ussheri , ile de Tagati, Sierra Leone, 16 juin 2009 ; une partie du disque facial est visible (photo prise par un piege photographique a infrarouges) therefore noteworthy that the Rufous Fishing Owl was photographed during the day and appeared to be active. Whether this is normal behaviour is unknown. Rufous Fishing Owl is restricted to the forest zone from Sierra Leone to south-west Ghana and is considered Endangered, with an estimated population of <2,500 individuals (BirdLife International 2009). Tiwai Island, a Wildlife Sanctuary with a research station, might represent a convenient base to study this threatened species’ ecology, if it proves to occur there regularly. New data could be used to support sustainable land management and conservation plans for the area. Acknowledgements Research at Tiwai was funded by Conservation International, Tulsa Zoo Conservation Program, The University of Georgia Graduate School, and the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at The University of Georgia. We thank the Environmental Foundation for Africa, officials of the Sierra Leone Forestry and Wildlife Division in Freetown, and the staff of Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary for allowing access to the island and for logistical support. Ron Demey, Lincoln Fishpool and Jeremy Lindsell confirmed the identification and commented on the manuscript. References BirdLife International. 2009. Species factsheet: Scotopelia ussheri. www.birdlife.org (accessed 31 July 2009). Borrow, N. & Demey, R. 2001. Birds of Western Africa. London, UK: Christopher Fielm. Kemp, A. C. 1988. Strigidae. In Fry, C. H., Keith, S. & Urban, E. K. (eds.) The Birds of Africa. Vol. 3. London, UK: Academic Press. Konig C. & Weick F. 2009. Owls of the World. Second edn. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. Marks, J. S., Cannings, R. J. & Mikkola, H. 1999. Family Strigidae (typical owls). In del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 5. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ‘'Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 USA. h Corresponding author E-mail: conwaya@warnell.uga. edu Received 23 September 2009; revision accepted 21 October 2009. Rufous Fishing Owl camera-trapped at midday: Conway et al. 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P. LeventiP , Fdbio Olmof, Stephen Rumsey1 and Longtong Turshak Observations remarquables d’oiseaux de Sao Tome et Principe. Des observations remarquables d’une douzaine d especes d oiseaux sont rapportees, faites a 1’occasion de visites a Sao Tome et Principe en juillet-aout 2007 et janvier et aout 2008. We report noteworthy bird records made during trips to Sao Tome and Principe in July-August 2007, and January and August 2008. For coordinates of the localities mentioned see Jones & Tye (2006). Little Egret Egretta garzetta One near the mouth of the Rio Papagaio, Santo Antonio town, Principe, on 7 August 2007 (FO & LT; Fig. 1). It was feeding on the shallow ponds among the sand and mudflats with a Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus and two dark-morph Western Reef Egrets E. gularis. Jones & Tye (2006) mention only one record from Principe, also at the mouth of the Rio Papagaio, in January in the mid 1990s. Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia One in a large grassy area around the Voice of America facilities south of Sao Tome town, with several Whimbrels and Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis, on 18 January 2008 (Fig. 2). This appears to be the first record for Sao Tome (Jones & Tye 2006), although the species was previously recorded on Principe, on 7 April 2003 (M. Melo in Bull. ABC 11: 77). Dwarf Olive Ibis Bostrychia bocagei On 23 January 2008 at least three were heard calling at dusk at our camp near Monte Carmo (sometimes known as Ribeira Peixe; 00°09’06”N 06°33’60”E). Next morning seven birds (including three pairs) were found on a forested plateau surrounded by deep valleys covering about 2.0 x 0.5 km. Most ibises were flushed from the ground and perched nearby. A Critically Endangered endemic, the population density at Ribeira Peixe seems fairly high. African Crake Crex egregia A medium-sized rail with a short bill, dark legs and a dull brown back mottled with black, flushed from the track from Terreiro Velho to the Rio Pipi, Principe, just before the start of the Oque Pipi trail, on 22 January 2008, was identified as an immature African Crake. On Sao Tome, FO observed an adult crossing a track between Sao Vicente and Praia Piscina on 22 August 2008. The species is rarely recorded from Sao Tome and Principe, where it is perhaps only a straggler (Jones & Tye 2006). Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Two were foraging with a Whimbrel near the mouth of the Rio Papagaio, Principe, on 22 January 2008 (Fig. 4). Greenshanks have been recorded on the islands mainly in December-January (Christy & Clarke 1998), with few records from Principe (Jones & Tye 2006). Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres One on the east shore of Tinhosa Pequena and two groups of four birds each at Tinhosa Grande, near the slope allowing access to the island, on 21 January 2008 (Fig. 5). Considered uncommon on Principe, with only one record from the Tinhosas cited by Jones & Tye (2006). On 26 January 2008, one, with two Whimbrels, was photographed by APL at Praia Jale, on the south- west coast of Sao Tome. Swifts Apus spp. On 15 July 2007, LT and FO observed a pair of all-dark swifts, noticeably smaller than the Little Swifts Apus affinis nearby, over the outskirts of Sao Tome. On 25 January 2008, SR also observed a small, all-dark swift with a square tail, over the dirt road between Sao Vicente and Praia Jale, in south-west Sao Tome. Common Swifts A. apus have been reported from Sao Tome (Christy & Clarke 1998), but the birds we saw appeared too small and had square tails unlike that species, so their identity is uncertain. Bird records from Sao Tome and Principe: Hall et al. Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -93 94 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Bird records from Sdo Tome and Principe: Hall et al. Also, whilst the race bannermani of Little Swift is supposedly endemic to both Sao Tome and Principe, the Principe birds look noticeably smaller than those on Sao Tome when compared to the abundant African Palm Swifts Cypsiurus parvus. Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica dryas One was observed smashing a land snail Columna columna against a rock on the trail to Oque Pipi on 22 January 2008 (Fig. 6). The anvil had the remains of at least 100 Columna snails (C. columna or the similar C. leai). Three more anvils along the trail had mostly Columna spp. shells, but one had fragments of a small Achatina bicarinata and one crab. Anvils with broken snails found on Principe were first attributed to thrushes until it was realised that Principe kingfishers show this behaviour (Jones & Tye 2006), which is apparently unknown in mainland forms. Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Two were perched on the wires of an antenna at Principe airport on 23 January 2008. One had the dark mottling on the chest of a first-winter; Legend to figures on opposite page Figure 1. Little Egret / Egrette garzette Egretta garzetta, Santo Antonio, Principe, 7 August 2007 (F. Olmos) Figure 2. Intermediate Egret / Egrette intermediate Egretta intermedia , the Voice of America facilities, Sao Tome, 18 January 2008 (F. Olmos) Figure 3. Dwarf Olive Ibis / Ibis de Bocage Bostrychia bocagei, Monte Carmo, Sao Tome (A. P. Leventis) Figure 4. Common Greenshank / Chevalier aboyeur Tringa nebularia , Santo Antonio, 22 January 2008 (A. P. Leventis) Figure 5. Ruddy Turnstones / Tournepierres a collier Arenaria interpres, Tinhosa Grande, Principe, 21 January 2008 (A. P. Leventis) Figure 6. Blue-breasted Kingfisher / Martin-chasseur a poitrine bleue Halcyon malimbica breaking a Columna snail against a rock, Oque Pipi, Principe, 22 January 2008 (A. P. Leventis) Figure 7. Yellow Wagtail / Bergeronnette printaniere Motacilla flava, Praia Seca, Principe, 6 August 2007 (F. Olmos) Figure 8. Sao Tome Grosbeak / Neospize de Sao Tome Serinus ( Neospiza ) concolor , Monte Carmo, Sao Tome, 24 January 2008 (A. P. Leventis) no details were noted of the second bird, as it flew off immediately. There appears to be only one old previous record, from Bafa de Santo Antonio (Jones & Tye 2006). Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava On 6 August 2007, during a visit to Praia Seca (01°32’46”N 07°23’36”E), on the south-east coast of Principe, FO and LT observed a Yellow Wagtail in non-breeding plumage foraging on the beach near some fishermen huts (Fig. 7). It remained there throughout the afternoon and was still in the same area the following day. The occurrence of wagtails Motacilla spp. in Sao Tome and Principe has been a minor mystery. They were reported as fairly common in Principe during the second half of the 19th century, and it was suggested they were White Wagtails M. alba , but there are no specimens (Jones & Tye 2006). This seems to be the first documented record of this species for the country (Jones & Tye 2006). Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucopbnys A group of four pipits seen twice flying over the landing strip of Principe airport on 23 January 2008 had unmarked, dark brown upperparts, buffish underparts without obvious spots or stripes, and buff outertail feathers. These features suggest Plain-backed Pipit, a common species in Nigeria with which PH is very familiar. Although in need of proper documentation, this seems to be the first country record for the species (Jones & Tye 2006). Sao Tome Grosbeak Serinus ( Neospiza ) concolor A pair was feeding on the small green fruit of a Dicranolepis thomensis tree (a known food item) at Monte Carmo, at c.315 m, on 24 January 2008 (Fig. 8). The birds peeled the husk off and crushed the seed, and were readily attracted by whistles mimicking their single-note contact calls, similar to those of Principe Seedeater Serinus rufobrunneus, but much stronger, lending support to their suggested close relationship (Melo 2007). The birds approached closely, singing in response to the playback of a song recorded during a previous visit to the area (available at http://xeno- canto.org/africa, XC 18131). Bird records from Sao Tome and Principe: Hall et al. Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010)- 95 References Christy, P. & Clarke, W. V. 1998. Guide des Oiseaux de Sao Tome et Principe. Sao Tome: ECOFAC. Jones, P. & Tye, A. 2006. The Birds of Sao Tome & Principe with Annobon: Islands of the Gulf of Guinea. An Annotated Checklist. BOU Checklist No. 22. Oxford: British Ornithologists’ Union & British Ornithologists’ Club. Melo, M. 2007. Bird speciation in the Gulf of Guinea. Ph.D. thesis. Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh. "5 Louis Solomon Close, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. E-mail: philhall. obe@btinternet. com h19 Ilchester Place, London W14 8AA, UK. E-mail: elizabeth. thaddeus@leventis-overseas. com ‘ Largo do Paissandu 1 00 /4c, 01034-010, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. E-mail: f-olmos@uol. com. br d Ashes Farm, Hogg Hill, Icklesham, Winchelsea, East Sussex TN36 4AH, UK. E-mail: srumsey@beamingbroadband. com ' A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, University of Jos, PO Box 13404, Plateau State, Jos, Nigeria. E-mail: longtongturshak@yahoo.com Received 8 October 2008; revision accepted 17 November 2009. 96 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Bird records from Sao Tome and Principe: Hall et al. Display behaviour of Shelley’s Oliveback Nesocharis shelleyi Michael S. L. Mills Parade du Dos-vert a tete noire Nesocharis shelleyi. La parade du Dos-vert a tete noire Nesocharis shelleyi, une espece a repartition restreinte confinee a la Zone d’Endemisme pour les Oiseaux des Montagnes camerounaises, n’a pas encore ete documentee. Cette note decrit la parade d’un male, observe au Mont Cameroun, et fournit des informations sur son comportement et son chant. The olivebacks Nesocharis are a trio of Central and West African finches (Estrildidae) characterised by their distinctive grey, black and olive plumage (Fry & Keith 2004). Shelley’s Oliveback N. shelleyi is a range-restricted endemic of the Cameroon Mountains Endemic Bird Area, which straddles Cameroon, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea (Stattersfield et al. 1998). Little is known concerning its behaviour or breeding (Goodwin 1982, Fry & Keith 2004), and its nuptial displays are undescribed. On 7 March 2009 I was observing birds on the Race Track above Buea, Mt Cameroon, with a group of nine other birders. At 14.00 hrs, at 1,700 m, I heard high-pitched calls emanating from cA m above the ground, directly above the trail. The source proved to be a male Shelley’s Oliveback, distinguished from the female by its having an olive breast and whitish borders to the sides of the black head (Fig. 2). In its bill it held, by the very tip, an upside-down grass stalk with seeds, c. 15 cm in length. During c. 3 minutes of observation it hopped back and forth along a bare branch, singing as it did so. Some of the time its flank feathers were expanded. This is similar to the observed behaviour of a singing male White- collared Oliveback N. ansorgei, its sister species, which sang from a branch 10 m above the ground, with its flank feathers expanded and its head and bill raised (Chapin 1959). Eighty seconds of song were recorded in .wav format (using an Edirol R09 recorder with a Sennheiser MKE400 microphone). Recordings were inspected using Raven Lite software (Cornell Lab of Ornithology 2003-08) and a sonogram produced (Fig. 1). The song consisted of a repeated series of 4-8 different, high-pitched, buzzy trills, in the 5-8 kHz range. Within each series, trills differed in duration, pitch and structure, some having an upward or downward inflection, and others being flat. Pitch appeared to undulate between successive notes, and different trills were repeated in a similar sequence, giving the song quite a musical tone. During 80 seconds, the sequence was repeated 14 times, lasting a mean 5.7 seconds. Acknowledgements Hemme Batjes, Andrew Bunting, Simon Colenutt, Andy Deighton, Martin Kennewell, Ian Merrill, Jonathan Newman, Volkert van der Willigen and Barry Wright observed the bird with me. Volkert van der Willigen recorded some invaluable video material, which was used in the description, and Simon Colenutt Series 1 Ser ics 2 Figure 1. Sonogram of the display song of Shelley’s Oliveback Nesocharis shelleyi. The song consists of a series of 4-8 buzzy trills in the 5-8 kHz range and lasting 5-6 seconds; here series of five and six notes are shown. 'Sonogramme du chant de parade du Dos-vert a tete noire Nesocharis shelleyi. Le chant consiste de series de 4-8 trilles de 5-6 secondes dans la bande de 5-8 kHz ; ici des series de cinq et six notes sont montrees. Display behaviour of Shelley ’s Oliveback: Mills Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -97 Figure 2. Displaying male Shelley’s Oliveback Nesocharis shelleyi , holding a c. 1 5 cm grass stalk in its bill, Mt Cameroon, Cameroon, March 2009 (Ian Merrill) Dos-vert a tete noire Nesocharis shelleyi male en parade, tenant une tige d'environ 1 5 cm dans son bee, Mont Cameroun, Cameroun, mars 2009 (Ian Merrill) and Ian Merrill took some excellent photographs. Hilary Fry, Guy Kirwan and Ron Demey helped to improve the contents of this manuscript. References Chapin, R. T. 1959. The behaviour of the Olive Weaver-Finch Nesocharis ansorgei. Proc. I Pan-Afr. Orn. Congr., Ostrich Suppl. 3: 230-232. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2003-08. Raven Lite 1.0. Ithaca, NY: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Fry, C. H. & Keith, S. (eds.) 2004. The Birds of Africa. Vol. 7. London, UK: Christopher Helm. Goodwin, D. 1982. Estrildid Finches of the World. London, UK: Br. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) & Oxford: Oxford University Press. Stattersfield, A. J., Crosby, M. J., Long, A. J. & Wege, D. C. 1998. Endemic Bird Areas of the World: Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. “Birding Africa, PO Box 34146, Rhodesgift 7707, Cape Town, South Africa. E-mail: michael@birdingafrica.com Received 20 April 2009; revision accepted 3 November 2009. 98 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Display behaviour of Shelley 's Oliveback: Mills Little-known African bird: Madagascar Serpent Eagle Eutriorchis astur Jonathan C. Eames Un oiseau africain peu connu : le Serpentaire de Madagascar Eutriorchis astur. Malgre le fait que nos connaissances concernant le Serpentaire de Madagascar Eutriorchis astur ont avance de faqon significative ces dernieres 15 annees, ce rapace globalement menace, qui est confine au nord-est de Madagascar, est rarement observe et encore plus rarement photographic. Superficiellement, il ressemble a un Accipiter : il a des ailes relativement courtes et une longue queue barree, ainsi que des parties superieures brunes et des parties inierieures marquees de larges barres. La htterature mentionne qu’il pourrait etre confondu avec 1 Autour de Henst Accipiter henstii, dont la femelle a une taille similaire, mais le serpentaire est barre de sombre dessus et a la queue plus arrondie, les barres sur la poitrine plus larges et une crete courte mais bien visible. Contrairement a ce que son nom suggere, il ne prend que rarement des serpents, se nourrissant principalement de cameleons Furcifer et Calumma spp. et de geckos Uroplatus spp. Figures 1-2. Adult Madagascar Serpent Eagle Eutriorchis astur , Masoala National Park, Madagascar, 24 November 2008 0- C. Eames) Serpentaire de Madagascar Eutriorchis astur adulte, Parc National de Masoala, Madagascar, 24 novembre 2008 (J. C. Eames) Above all other poorly known or seldom seen bird species of Madagascar, pride of place surely belongs to Madagascar Serpent Eagle Eutriorchis astur. This globally Endangered Malagasy endemic has recently been recorded only in the north-east where it occurs mainly in primary forest (Thorstrom & Rene de Roland 2003, BirdLife International 2009). It has been described as elusive and secretive, and is one of the rarest birds of prey in the world (Thorstrom & Rene de Roland 2000, 2003, Thorstrom et al. 2003). Although it is not the rarest of Malagasy endemics, Madagascar Serpent Eagle is amongst the hardest to see, even at the handful of sites from which it is known. Our knowledge of the species has advanced significantly in the last 15 years and clarification of its territorial call has lead to the eagle’s discovery Figure 3. Adult Henst’s Goshawk Accipiter henstii, Ranamofana National Park, Madagascar, 2 December 2005 (J. C. Eames) Autour de Henst Accipiter henstii adulte, Parc National de Ranamofana, Madagascar, 2 decembre 2005 (J. C. Eames) Little-known African bird Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010)- 99 at several new sites (BirdLife International 2009). However, there are few published images of the species, helping to perpetuate the near-mythical aura that surrounds this eagle. I have been able to trace only five photographs, all by staff of The Peregrine Fund, who have conducted most of the research to date on this species. Probably the two best known are those of an adult in the hand and an adult perched in the forest subcanopy, published in Morris & Hawkins (1998), whilst two others, of an adult and fledgling at the nest, and of a young bird in the canopy, were published in Thorstrom & Rene de Roland (2003). A photograph of an adult and pullus at the nest can be viewed at http://www.peregrinefund.org/press. Having not previously encountered the species, I resolved to see and photograph it on a return visit to Masoala National Park in November 2008. Based at Masoala Forest Lodge, I made early- morning forays into the forest with Andrianoelina Fitia Lofontsiriniaina and guide Marco, in the hope of hearing birds calling as they left their nocturnal roost. From 19 to 24 November, we searched daily along trails from 04.00 hrs. We concentrated our efforts on a relatively small area of primary littoral forest (according to Marco the species never ventures into the hills at Masoala) and visited two old nests. Although we never heard the species calling and despite frequent heavy rain, persistence finally paid off. In the early afternoon of 24 November, c.500 m from Marco’s village of Ambodifonaha and close to a pit-sawing site, we disturbed a large raptor suspended upside-down from an epiphytic fern (possibly an Asplenium sp.) f.10 m from the trail in logged primary forest. It hung, flapping, preoccupied with trying to take a prey item, possibly a gecko or frog, from within the fern. Upon our approach it dropped whatever it had caught and flew to an exposed perch above the trail, where it was dive-bombed by a Crested Drongo Dicrurus forficatus. I was able to take three photographs, of which two are published here (Figs. 1-2). It then flew off through the forest and despite a mad dash over several hundred metres we were unable to relocate it. Madagascar Serpent Eagle has been described as a rather small and atypical snake eagle, having the shape and general brown and barred appearance of a large Accipiter (Morris & Hawkins 1998, Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001). Superficially Madagascar Serpent Eagle does indeed appear Accipiter-Yikf. it has relatively short wings and a long barred tail, as well as brown upperparts and broadly barred underparts. The similarity is such that three specimens in collections were originally misidentified as Henst’s Goshawk Accipiter henstii (Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001). The two species are reportedly difficult to separate (Morris & Hawkins 1998, Thorstrom & Rene de Roland 2000). Indeed, female Henst’s Goshawk is closely similar in size and plumage (Ferguson- Lees & Christie 2001). However, the serpent eagle averages larger (although some measurements overlap) and has dark-barred upperparts, a fuller, more rounded tail, broader breast barring and a short but obvious crest. It also has conspicuous and abundant rictal bristles and a slight ruff on the nape, which has pale tips and dark subterminal bars to each feather. Henst’s Goshawk lacks the pale scaling on the nape and has plain, darker brown upperparts and finer barred underparts. In addition, the serpent eagle possesses 6-7 even- width dark tail bars, which are narrower than the brown gaps between them (Morris & Hawkins 1998, Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001, Sinclair & Langrand 2003). The bulging head shape is also sometimes referred to (BirdLife International 2009). In life, at close range, the likeness to an Accipter is superficial because of the odd bill, teddy-bear like eye and facial shape and feathering. A closely observed serpent eagle is instantly and easily identified as such. In Figs. 1-2 most of the diagnostic features mentioned above can be seen; for comparison with Henst’s Goshawk see Fig. 3. The short crest is flattened and invisible. Although it has been stated that the serpent eagle has short tarsi (Sinclair &: Langrand 2003), they appear proportionately long to me. Tarsus length is given as 80-92 mm for Madagascar Serpent Eagle and 81-100 mm for Henst’s Goshawk (Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001), the latter a bird one would not describe as having short tarsi. Other structural points to note (mentioned by Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001) are the apparently relatively short toes and nails, although these are not easy to see. Also noteworthy is the large yellow eye, an adaptation perhaps to taking Uroplatus geckos, which are nocturnal. Furthermore, note the swollen, bulbous appearance of the bill, which lacks the tooth- notched upper mandible of Henst’s Goshawk, and the grey cere, which is largely hidden by the rictal 100 - Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Little-known African bird bristles. In the photographs at full resolution one can see the scutellated tarsi, described elsewhere as heavily scaled and knobbly looking (Ferguson- Lees & Christie 2001). Madagascar Serpent Eagle is traditionally placed alongside Congo Serpent Eagle Dryotriorchis spectabilis (Kemp 1994, Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001) and it had even been suggested that this genus and the monotypic Eutriorchis should be united (Brown & Amadon 1968). However, recent research has revealed that Eutriorchis astur is not related to the serpent eagles Spiliornis of Asia or to Dryotriorchis spectabilis — which have now been placed together in the Circaetinae — but nestles within one of two Old World vulture clades, the Gypaetinae, alongside Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus , Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus and Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis (Lerner & Mindell 2005). Its English name also does not accurately reflect its dietary preferences as it rarely eats snakes. In a recent study, snakes comprised just 1.5% of prey items brought to a nest, whereas chameleons Furcifer and Calumma spp. and leaf-tailed geckos Uroplatus spp. comprised over 80% (Thorstrom & Rene de Roland 2003). On this trip to Masoala, and despite considerable effort, I failed to locate any Uroplatus geckos, which I had easily found after dark on an earlier visit. These geckos are popular in the exotic- pet trade and in some areas there is concern that collectors are reducing the populations (http:// www.wildmadagascar.org/wildlife/uroplatus. html). I have no evidence of Uroplatus collecting in Masoala National Park, but perhaps the issue is worthy of further investigation? Acknowledgements I thank my Asity counterpart Andrianoelina Fitia Lofontsiriniaina, Tsiry, who was simply invaluable, as well as being good company. I would like also to thank Voninavoko Raminoarisoa (aka Vony), Coordonnateur , Asity Madagascar for her support and collaboration. Thanks also to Nigel Collar, Frank Hawkins, Simon Mahood and Roger Safford for their encouragement and for commenting on drafts of this article. Particular thanks to Pierre & Sandra Bester for their hospitality, and guide Marco at Masoala Forest Lodge. Special thanks to Roger Safford for making many useful comments added at proof stage and for suggesting additional references. References BirdLife International. 2009. Species factsheet: Eutriorchis astur. www.birdlife.org (accessed 22 July 2009). Brown, L. H. & Amadon, D. 1968. Eagles, Hawks and Falcons of the World. Feltham: Country Life Books. Ferguson-Lees, J. & Christie, D. A. 2001. Raptors of the World. London, UK: Christopher Helm. Kemp, A. C. 1994. Madagascar Serpent-eagle Eutriorchis astur. In del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 2. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. Lerner, H. R. L. & Mindell, D. P. 2005. Phylogeny of eagles, Old World vultures, and other Accipitridae based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. Mol. Phyl. & Evol. 37: 327-346. Morris, P. & Hawkins, F. 1998. Birds of Madagascar: A Photographic Guide. Robertsbridge: Pica Press. Sinclair, I. & Langrand, O. 2003. Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands. Cape Town: Struik. Thorstrom, R. & Rene de Roland. L. A. 2000. First nest description, breeding behaviour and distribution of the Madagascar Serpent-Eagle Eutriorchis astur. Ibis 142: 217-224. Thorstrom, R. & Rene de Roland, L. A. 2003. Eutriorchis astur, Madagascar Serpent-eagle, Fandrasasalambo. In Goodman, S. M. & Benstead, J. P. (eds.) The Natural History of Madagascar. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. Thorstrom, R., Rene de Roland, L. A. & Watson, R. T. 2003. Falconiformes and Strigiformes: ecology and status of raptors. In Goodman, S. M. & Benstead, J. P. (eds.) The Natural History of Madagascar. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. PO Box 89, 6 Dinh Le, Hanoi, Vietnam. E-mail: EamesdPbirdlife. org. vn Received 27 July 2009; revision accepted 23 October 2009. Little-known African bird Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) - 101 Photospot: Friedmann’s Lark Mirafra pulpa Nik Borrow L’Alouette de Friedmann Mirafra pulpa. Bien que l’Alouette de Friedmann Mirafra pulpa ait ete decrite en 1930 — par l’ornithologue americain Herbert Friedmann sur la base d’un specimen collecte en 1912 au sud de l’Ethiopie — ce n’est que pendant les annees 1970 que nos connaissances de l’espece ont augmentees substantiellement. Elle demeure toutefois classee comme «InsufFisamment documentee». L’oiseau est d’apparence quelque peu erratique et n’est pratiquement jamais observe en dehors de la periode de reproduction, en saison des pluies. Son aire de repartition s’etend de la localite type en Ethiopie du sud jusqu’a la Reserve de Mkomazi au nord de la Tanzanie, en passant par les Reserves de Samburu/Shaba et du Parc National de Tsavo au Kenya. Les criteres d’identification sont presentes et illustres par des photos, et compares avec celles d’autres especes d’alouettes. Figure 1. Friedmann’s Lark Mirafra pulpa, Shaba National Reserve, Kenya, 3 November 2008 (Nik Borrow). The drawn-out and far-carrying hoo-ee-oo song is usually given during song-flight or from the topmost branches of a prominent bush. Whilst singing the bright white throat is forced outwards forming a distinctive ‘beard’. Alouette de Friedmann Mirafra pulpa, Reserve Nationale de Shaba, Kenya, 3 novembre 2008 (Nik Borrow). Le chant etire et portant loin hoo-ee-oo est d’habitude emis en vol ou a partir du sommet d’un buisson preeminent. La gorge blanche est gonflee en chantant, formant ainsi une ‘barbe’. Figure 2. Friedmann’s Lark Mirafra pulpa, Shaba National Reserve, Kenya, 3 November 2008 (Nik Borrow). Features to look for on a silent bird include the brown centres to the median and greater coverts that are bordered by a darker submarginal line. Also, the streaks on the breast-sides tend to coalesce, giving the illusion of a dark patch. Alouette de Friedmann Mirafra pulpa, Reserve Nationale de Shaba, Kenya, 3 novembre 2008 (Nik Borrow). Les caracteristiques a noter chez un oiseau silencieux comprennent les centres bruns des moyennes et grandes couvertures hordes d’une ligne sombre sub-marginale. Les stries sur les cotes de la poitrine ont aussi tendance a s’unir, donnant I’impression d’une tache sombre. Friedmann’s Lark Mirafra pulpa is probably one of those few birds that really deserve the often-misused adjective ‘enigmatic’. The species was described in 1930 by the American ornithologist Herbert Friedmann from a specimen collected in southern Shoa Province, Ethiopia, by E. A. Mearns in May 1912 (Friedmann 102 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Photospot: Friedmann s Lark Figure 3. Friedmann’s Lark Mirafa pulpa, Tsavo East National Park, Kenya, 28 November 2009 (Axel Smets). In worn plumage the appearance is more uniform but although the pale edges have abraded to quite an extent, the brown-centred coverts with darker vane and submarginal areas can still be seen. Even when not singing this individual shows the distinctive white throat. Alouette de Friedmann Mirafra pulpa , Parc National de Tsavo Est, Kenya, 28 novembre 2009 (Axel Smets). En plumage use 1’apparance est plus uniforme, mais bien que les liseres pales soient deja bien abrases, les couvertures aux centres bruns et les parties plus sombres des plumes sont toujours visibles. La gorge blanche caracteristique est bien apparente, meme chez cet individu silencieux. Figure 4. Foxy Lark Mirafra alopex, Shaba National Reserve, Kenya, 17 May 2009 (Adam Riley / Rockjumper Birding Tours). The form that overlaps with Friedmann’s Lark shows greater contrast and a much warmer tone to the plumage than the latter. Note also that in Foxy Lark the pale-fringed greater and median coverts are dark- centred and the supercilium and semicircular mark below the eye are whiter and more prominent; this effect is further heightened by the blackish lores. Alouette abyssinienne Mirafra alopex. Reserve Nationale de Shaba, Kenya, 17 mai 2009 (Adam Riley / Rockjumper Birding Tours). La forme qui chevauche avec l’Alouette de Friedmann a un plumage plus contraste, au teint beaucoup plus chaud, que 1 Alouette de Friedmann. Noter egalement que chez l’Alouette abyssinienne les grandes et moyennes couvertures ont un centre sombre et des liseres pales, et que le sourcil et la marque semi-circulaire en dessous de l’ceil sont plus blancs et plus prononces ; cet efifet est augmente par les lores noiratres. Figure 5. Williams’s Lark Mirafra williamsi, Shaba National Reserve, Kenya, 3 November 2008 (Nik Borrow). This lark prefers more open, rocky, lava or sandy plains, is virtually plain-backed and blotched or spotted below and not likely to be confused. Alouette de Williams Mirafra williamsi, Reserve Nationale de Shaba, Kenya, 3 novembre 2008 (Nik Borrow). Cette alouette prefere les plaines plus ouvertes, rocailleuses, de lave ou sablonneuses et est pratiquement unie dessus et tachete dessous; il est improbable qu’elle soit confondue. Figure 6. Somali Short-toed Lark Calandrella somalica, Liben Plains, Ethiopia 19 October 2006 (Nik Borrow). This species has a distinctive facial pattern with obvious pale semicircular areas around the eye and a browner plumage with dark centred median and greater coverts. Alouette roussatre Calandrella somalica, Plaines de Liben, Ethiopie, 19 octobre 2006 (Nik Borrow). Cette espece a un pattern facial distinct avec des zones pales semi- circulaires marquees autour de 1’oeil et un plumage plus brun avec des grandes et moyennes couvertures aux centres sombres. Photospot: Friedmann 's Lark Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -103 1930a). During the same expedition, three more specimens were collected from near Archer’s Post in the Samburu area of northern Kenya, but these were originally described as a separate species M. Candida (Friedmann 1930b). There were subsequently no further records until December 1972 when the ringing team at Ngulia Lodge, Tsavo West National Park, south-east Kenya, found a corpse there after the bird flew into the walls at night, having presumably been attracted to the bright lights of the lodge (Lack 1977). During the 1970s our knowledge of the bird was much advanced, in particular by Peter Lack who described its song and field features (Lack 1977). However, the species remains elusive and somewhat erratic in its appearances ro this day, and it is almost never seen outside the breeding season (see Lack 1997 for all records prior to 1997). It is still classified as ’Data Deficient’ (BirdLife International 2009). In order to stand a good chance of seeing Friedmann’s Lark the visiting birder must firstly visit the known range, which stretches from the type locality in southern Ethiopia, through the Samburu/Shaba Game Reserves and Tsavo National Park areas of Kenya into the Mkomazi Game Reserve in northern Tanzania. The species’ preferred habitat is rather open grassland with sparse to dense bush cover. The best time to look is definitely in the rainy season, but as the rains can be erratic in this region, this is not something that can be easily planned several months in advance. However, a visit timed within the months December to January (‘short’ rains) or possibly April to May (‘long’ rains) seems to coincide with the optimum times. Friedmann’s Lark usually makes its appearance once the rains start falling but even this doesn’t seem to be 100% guaranteed in the same localities every season. Nonetheless, when the species is present it is often reasonably numerous and probably not easy to miss, provided its most distinctive song is known. One should listen out at any time of day (or night) for a single, long drawn-out and far-carrying hoo-ee-oo with an emphasis on the middle part. This simple phrase is monotonously repeated at intervals of one to two seconds, either from a conspicuous perch or in an undulating but rather lazy song flight that reaches up to a height of c. 10 m. No other smaller lark in range sings like this; Singing Bush Lark M. cantillans, Williams’s Lark M. ivilliamsi, Flappet Lark M. mfocinnamomea, Foxy Lark M. alopex and Somali Short-toed Lark Calandrella somalica all give more complex or variable scratchy, warbling or melodious songs. The distinctive Short-tailed Lark Pseudalaemon fremantlii sings a slow, deliberate, but slightly slurred whistle from the ground seen seeu . . . seen seen seeu . . . seeu seeu TEWleu. Perhaps the song of Friedmann’s Lark might be overlooked as coming from a White-browed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys , although this is rather unlikely. Having heard the song the bird shouldn't be difficult to locate, as it is by no means a ‘skulker’ when singing or displaying. Check the tops of the bushes for a typical Mirafra lark that will be slightly raising its crown feathers and puffing out its pure white throat with every song phrase. This prominent white throat extends in a half-collar around the neck, immediately giving the bird a most distinctive appearance totally unlike its congeners (Figs. 1-2). Perhaps the real mystery is to where this species goes when it is not breeding and vocal. There is some evidence to suggest that Friedmann’s Lark is a local or intra-African migrant (for example, the appearances at Ngulia Lodge at night), but if this is the case exactly where are the non-breeding areas that it migrates to and from? Perhaps part of the problem lies in identifying the bird using plumage alone and if faced with a silent lark in north-east Africa what features should be looked for? The larks in the genus Mirafra range in size from small to large with short, rounded wings, and variably shaped bills that can be short and conical or long and decurved. Friedmann’s Lark is typical of the smaller, shorter billed types. Of the several comparable Mirafra larks, White-tailed Lark M. albicauda occurs in dense grasslands on black cotton soils, probably a habitat not suited to Friedmann’s, and albicauda also appears blackish from a distance and so can be immediately rejected as a confusion species. The similar looking Flappet Lark M. rufocinnamomea, unlike Friedmann’s, lacks any white in the tail, although the buff or rufous outer tail feathers can be confusingly pale in some populations. The localised Williams’s Lark M. ivilliamsi prefers more open, rocky, lava or sandy plains, is virtually plain-backed and blotched or spotted below, and again unlikely to be confused. The distinctive facial pattern of Somali Short-toed Lark Calandrella somalica with 104 - Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Photospot: Friedmann s Lark its obvious pale semicircular areas around the eye and browner flight feathers should also be enough to immediately discount this species. We are therefore left with two widespread and common species that perhaps offer the greatest challenge to correct identification. A Foxy Lark M. alopex was recently misidentified as Friedmann’s Lark: see the photograph in Bull. ABC 16: 234, reproduced here (Fig. 3). Comparing this bird with Friedmann’s Lark, we should note that the general coloration of Foxy Lark shows greater contrast, being generally warmer and much more rufous. I his is particularly noticeable on the edges of the primaries, which form an obvious reddish panel on the closed wing. The pale-fringed greater and median coverts of Foxy Lark are dark-centred, whereas in Friedmann’s Lark these feathers are brown-centred with a darker submarginal line. The white supercilium and semicircular mark below the eye are whiter and more prominent on Foxy Lark, which effect is heightened by the blackish lores. An encounter with the little-known rufous morph of Friedmann’s Lark may be more problematic but this form should show an even more uniform appearance with the white areas washed warm buff. Singing Bush Lark M. cantillans is somewhat more similar in plumage tone to Friedmann’s and is perhaps the most likely confusion species. However, it is always a colder, greyer looking bird and completely lacks the rufous fringes to the flight feathers (Lack 1992, Zimmerman et al. 1996). The central rectrices of Friedmann’s are also reddish-brown as opposed to cold grey or sepia brown in the appropriate race, marginata , of Singing Bush Lark. Another feature seemingly unique to Friedmann’s is that the streaks on the breast-sides tend to coalesce, giving the illusion of a dark patch somewhat akin to that often seen on short-toed larks Calandrella spp. With increased understanding of the field features, perhaps it will not be too long before the final mysteries of this little-known bird are finally unravelled. References BirdLife International. 2009. Species factsheet: Mirafra pulpn. www.birdlife.org (accessed 20 November 2009). Friedmann, H. 1930a. A lark new to science from southern Ethiopia. Occ. Pap. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 5: 237-259. Friedmann, H. 1930b. A lark new to science from north-central Kenya Colony. Auk 47: 418-419. Lack, P. C. 1977. The status of Friedmann’s Bush-Lark Mirafra pulpa. Scopus 1: 34-39. Lack, P. C. 1992. Mirafra pulpa. In Keith, S., Urban, E. K. & Fry, C. H. (eds.) The Birds of Africa. Vol. 4. London UK; Academic Press. Lack, P. C. 1997. Lriedmann’s Lark Mirafra pidpa — an enigma. Bull. ABC 4: 132-134. Zimmerman, D. A., Turner, D. A. & Pearson, D. J. 1996. Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. London, UK: Christopher Helm. Flat 5, 63-67 St George’s Drive, London SW1V 4DD. E-mail: n. borrow@btinternet. com Received 1 5 November 2009. Photospot: Friedmann ’s Lark Bull ABC Vol 1 7 No 1 (2010) -105 Finding southern Ethiopia’s endemic birds Claire N. Spottiswoode Trouver les oiseaux endemiques au sud de l’Ethiopie. Le sud de l Ethiopie possede un endemisme avien remarquable et est reconnu comme une Zone d'Endemisme pour les Oiseaux. Cet article fournit des informations concernant cinq especes endemiques et explique comment les trouver sur le terrain. II s’agit du Touraco de Ruspoli Tauraco ruspolii, de l’Engoulevent de Nechisar Caprimulgus solala, de l’Alouette d’Erard Heteromirafra sidamoensis , de l’Hirondelle a queue blanche Hirundo megaensis et du Corbin de Stresemann Zavattariornis stresemanni. Ces especes sont menacees par la degradation ou la destruction de leur habitat par les activites d une population humaine toujours en augmentation. ^ cattered along the southernmost escarpment of in Ethiopia’s highlands are the tiny distributions of five endemic bird species. This nucleus of remarkable and unexplained endemism grassland, savanna and juniper forest is recognised as a global Endemic Bird Area (EBA; Stattersfield et al. 1998). All five endemics are globally threatened, one critically so, and conservation projects in the region will be beneficiaries of funds raised by the 2010 British Birdwatching Fair. This support is urgently needed to avert at least one imminent extinction: without immediate conservation intervention, southern Ethiopia’s Liben Lark (previously known as Sidamo Lark: see Collar 2009) seems destined to become mainland Africa’s first recorded bird extinction (Spottiswoode et al. 2009). Endemics aside, birdwatching in this region is tremendously diverse, enjoyable and for the most part straightforward, owing to its open habitats and dry climate. The focus of this article is, however, the endemic species, briefly sketching their ecology and how and where each can most reliably be seen during a short birding trip. Much of the information is adapted from a forthcoming bird-finding guide to Ethiopia (Spottiswoode et al. in press), which also describes in detail other sites along the journey ‘linking’ the endemic species, from Negele to Yabelo via the village of Arero. Until recently, the pantheon of southern Ethiopia’s endemics would also have included the far-flung Degodi Lark Mirafra degodiensis , but Collar et al. (2008) have shown this species to be poorly defined with respect to morphology, voice and genetics, and best regarded as a subspecies of Gillett’s Lark Mirafra gilletti , itself a relatively localised endemic to the Horn of Africa. Above: general map of southern Ethiopia showing the main areas discussed herein. All of the maps reproduced here are by Claire Spottiswoode, and taken from Finding Birds in Ethiopia , reproduced with permission of the publishers. Legend to figures on opposite page Figures 1-2. Liben (formerly Sidamo) Lark / Alouette d’Lrard Heteromirafra sidamoensis, Liben Plain, Ethiopia, 2 August 2007 (Greg Davies) Figure 3. Prince Ruspoli s Turaco / Touraco de Ruspoli Tauraco ruspolii, Arero Forest, Ethiopia, 31 August 2005 (Claire Spottiswoode) 1 06 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Finding southern Ethiopia ’s endemic birds: Spottiswoode ■■H Finding southern Ethiopia ’s endemic birds: Spottiswoode Bull ABC Vol 1 7 No 1 (2010) -107 Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco Tauraco ruspolii When Prince Ruspoli was trampled to death by an elephant in south-west Ethiopia in 1893, his collecting bag — happily intact— contained the type specimen of this turaco. The specimen was presumed to originate from Arero Forest (described below), but it is now clear that the bird occurs patchily over a wider area of southern Ethiopia, and is not confined to forest. Despite its tolerance of tall Acacia and secondary growth, it remains heavily threatened by wood extraction and agriculture (Borghesio et al. 2004). There is little confidence that its distributional limits have been properly defined, and any records outside its established range (between Arero and the Genale River) are of great interest and should be reported to the Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society (EWNHS; BirdLife in Ethiopia). The three sites below represent those where it can most reliably be seen, but keep an eye out for the species in any denser roadside vegetation throughout the wooded highland foothills (particularly from Negele to Kebre Mengist and Shakisso). This species and the more widespread White-cheeked Turaco T. leucotis occur alongside one another at Arero Forest and in the Kebre Mengist region; hybrids are worryingly widespread at the latter (Lernould & Seitre 2002, Borghesio et al. 2004). Finding it. Although habitat degradation in the heavily populated Negele region has already taken a heavy toll on Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco (Borghesio et al. 2004), one site in this area is perhaps still the simplest place to see it. Halfway between Negele town and the Liben Plain (see Liben Lark below), a drainage line with sparse thicket crosses the road (1 on Negele map; 05°18.44’N 39°38.04’E). Scan for turacos perched in the open on exposed branches in the early morning and evening, often calling hoarsely, or stroll through the habitat to search for them; when flushed they typically fly only a short distance to the next clump of thicket. Travelling between Negele and the Bale Mountains, many birders have sought this species (with some success) at the point where the road crosses the Genale River. Stop at the sandy drift (2 on Negele map; 05°41.10’N 39°31.85’E) 2.8 km south of the main Genale bridge, and search the many impressive fig trees here, particularly in the dry season. A local turaco guide, Adem Dube, may well appear and help, and guide you up a beautiful wooded valley to the east. Turacos also occur in mixed Acacia-Terminalia-Combretum woodland further from the Genale River. Arero Forest, a mixed juniper and Podocarpus evergreen forest west of Negele, is the presumed type locality of Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco. This area is prone to ethnic disputes so it is worth checking on the security situation before visiting. Entering Arero village, turn left at the large ‘roundabout’ centred on a big tree, and you will shortly enter juniper forest (1 on Arero map). Turn right 6.2 km from the roundabout (04°47.42’N 38°49.47’E), and keep an eye out from this point for turacos at the roadside, although they are more commonly seen further on. Continue through this forest, beyond a cleared area, until you reach a second, better-developed forest patch. Soon after this point there is an area of exposed rock on the right-hand side of the road (2 on map), which provides a fine place to stand, ideally with a scope, and scan the juniper canopy for turacos. Also walk slowly along the road either side ol this site, and keep alert for ‘crashing’ sounds in the canopy, nasal, squirrel-like trilling or explosive alarm calls, or red wings gliding amongst the junipers. Beware, though, that all of these can also indicate White- cheeked Turaco. The forest beyond the exposed rock, extending along another 2.6 km of road, is also an excellent area for the turaco. Arero Forest itself can feel rather birdless, but other species include Hemprich’s Hornbill Tockus hemprichii, Northern Brownbul Phyllastrephus strepitans and White-breasted Cuckooshrike Coracina pectoralis. Nechisar Nightjar Caprimulgus solala So far as is known the Nechisar Nightjar is endemic to the isolated grasslands of the Nechisar Plain, at the western extremity of this EBA. To date it is known with certainty only from the type specimen, a single and distinctive wing famously rescued from a decomposing roadkill in 1990 (Safford et al. 1993), and an excellent guide to its potential field identification has already been published in Bull. ABC (Butchart 2007). There has recently (2009) been a tantalising first claim of a live bird (I. Sinclair pers. comm.), although full details remain forthcoming. It is probable that an individual will need to be captured to confirm this species’ continued existence. Finding it. The Nechisar Plains lie within the spectacularly beautiful Nechisar National Park, 1 08 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Finding southern Ethiopia 's endemic birds: Spottiswoode near the town of Arba Minch in the Great Rift Valley. At the time of writing the agonisingly poor road from Shashemene to Arba Minch was being remade, which will hopefully simplify future searches. 1 he black cotton soils of the plains are crisscrossed by several tracks, a jolting 30 km (occasionally impassable after rain) beyond the park entrance, and this is also the best place in the world to see the oddly localised White-tailed Lark Mirafra albicuuda. The area is very good for nightjars in general, with nine species occurring in all, and a night search is likely to turn up one or several of the following: Slender-tailed C. clarus , Star-spotted C. stellata, Donaldson-Smith’s C. donaldsoni. Montane C. poliocephaliis and perhaps even Standard-winged Macrodipteryx longipennis. Liben (formerly Sidamo) Lark Heteromirafra sidamoensis The Liben Lark is a perilously threatened bird confined to the arid grassland of the Liben Plain near Negele, and recent surveys indicate that fewer — probably far fewer — than 250 individuals survive within its tiny range, which continues to be rapidly squeezed by habitat loss through crop planting, overgrazing and scrub encroachment (Collar et al. 2008, Spottiswoode et al. 2009). By 2009 it was confined to less than 3,000 ha of heavily degraded habitat (Donald et al. in press). It belongs to a uniformly imperilled genus of highland grassland larks that also comprises the Vulnerable Rudd’s Lark H. ruddi of South Africa and rhe Critically Endangered Archer’s Lark H. archeri of Somaliland, which has not been seen with certainty since its discovery in 1922. Finding it. For a species so close to extinction, the Liben Lark could still, at the time of writing, relatively easily be seen. It remains most numerous at the western end of the Liben Plain (3 on Negele map; around 05°16.37’N 39°4l.08’E), just south (1-2 km) of a dilapidated but still active military camp, which it is essential to avoid. The lark is found in relatively short grass with very sparse or absent shrubs. Early mornings are best (especially 06.30-09.30 hrs), seemingly year-round, when males are most likely to be heard giving their short skylark Alauda- like aerial song that is audible at several hundred metres. Males hover as they sing only c.lO m above the ground, resembling a fly on the horizon before they parachute down after about 20 seconds. At closer range, their incredibly elongated hindclaws can be seen dangling conspicuously. This short and largely stationary song-flight contrasts with the long, high, circular and somewhat chirruping song-flights of Somali Short-toed Lark Calandrella somalica, which is very common here. When flushed, Somali Short- toed Lark is easily distinguished by its rather nasal flight call (if anything, a flushed Liben Lark gives a rather melodious tseep-eeep-eeep-eeep, reminiscent of a Pectoral-patch Cisticola Cisticola bnmnescens) , and on the ground by its relatively heavy pinkish bill, conspicuous whitish eye-ring, heavily streaked (rather than scalloped) mantle, and generally pot- bellied and horizontal posture. The alternative (if you are unable to visit in the morning) is to walk until you flush a Liben Lark; they tend not to fly, but run quickly and rodent-like through the grass, occasionally standing upright to scan their surroundings, showing their pale, triangular- looking head, markedly scalloped back and pale central crown-stripe. Birds are thin on the ground on the Liben Plain, but other interesting species to be seen here are Hartlaub’s Bustard Eupodotis hartlaubi, remarkably high concentrations of Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori , Somali Courser Cursor somalensis, Black- winged Lapwing Vanellus melanopterus , White-crowned Starling Spreo albicapillus, whilst Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco and Salvadori’s Seedeater Serinus xantholaemus occur nearby. Quail Plover Ortyxelos meiffrenii has been seen here, and occasionally small groups of unusually easterly White-tailed Swallows Hirundo megaensis (Gabremichael et al. 2009). White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis The range of this species overlaps almost perfectly with that of the Ethiopian Bush Crow; this coincidence is not at all understood, since the birds have quite different ecologies. White-tailed Swallows have an extremely agile, bat-like flight, and are typically seen speeding gracefully over open savannah and scrubland. They especially favour places with sparser cover, such as open valleys, but sometimes occur over woodland. The species was first collected by Con Benson and his Mozambican collector, Jali Makawa, while they were stationed at Mega during the Second World War and did much pioneering work (Benson 1946). Benson suspected that they bred in hollows in termite mounds, and this has been confirmed Finding southern Ethiopia s endemic birds: Spottiswoode Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -109 110 -Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Finding southern Ethiopia ’s endemic birds: Spottiswoode Legend to figures on opposite page Figure 4. White-tailed Swallow / Hirondelle a queue blanche Hirundo megaensis, Liben Plain, Ethiopia, 29 June 2006 (Claire Spottiswoode) Figure 5. Ethiopian (Stresemann’s) Bush Crow / Corbin de Stresemann Zavattariornis stresemanni, between Yabello and Arero, Ethiopia, 29 May 2009 (Paul Donald) Left: map of the Negele region of southern Ethiopia Below: map of the Yabelo region of southern Ethiopia, with (inset) details of the Arero Forest. to occur (M. N. Gabremichael pers. comm.), but circumstantial evidence strongly suggests that they may also nest against the interior beams of Borana houses, as does the sympatric Ethiopian Swallow H. aethiopica. Any breeding records are of interest and should be submitted to EWNHS. Finding it. White-tailed Swallows can be seen anywhere in the Yabelo- Arero-Mega triangle, and are likely simply to be bumped into during a couple of days birding in the area. If time is short and luck is low, though, there are some specific areas that are well worth focusing on. Perhaps best of all is the open, heavily grazed vicinity of the village of Dubuluk (2 on the Yabelo map). Scanning the open country immediately north and south of the village is likely to turn up a swallow. The arid, rocky country along the gravel road from the main Yabelo-Mega road to Soda (turn-off at 04°09.56’N 38°16.83’E; 3 on map) is also good for swallows, as well as species typical of arid stony country such as Somali Courser, Short-tailed Lark Pseudalaemon fremantlii and Somali Fiscal Lanins somalicus. (Note that a smaller short- cut track — 4 on the map — leaving the tar road a little further north, Finding southern Ethiopia s endemic birds: Spottiswoode Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) -111 at 04°12.52’N 38°16.87’E, and rejoining the main Soda dirt road at 04°11.51’N 38°20.59’E is also very good for birding; you might choose to return this way.) A third place to search is the open, largely cultivated area just south of Mega town, on the road to Moyale. Stop along the road 6-1 4 km south of the town (3 on the map; 04°01.05’N 38°22.02’E) scanning especially in open areas along river valleys. Beware that Ethiopian Swallows also occur in all of these areas, but are readily distinguishable by their dark tails, breast markings, and noticeably less agile flight. Ethiopian (Stresemann’s) Bush Crow Zavattariornis stresemanni Ethiopia’s star endemic is also an evolutionary and ecological enigma: its closest relatives are the ground-jays Podoces of central Asia (Ericson et al. 2005), and it is bafflingly confined to a small scrap of arid savannah in the triangle formed by Yabelo, Arero and Moyale in Ethiopia’s far south. Happily it is patchily common in this area, and very easily seen. The first sign of its presence is often its nest, a large gourd of spiny sticks with an upward- facing entrance tunnel, sitting on the flat top of an Acacia. It is highly social, confiding, wonderfully characterful, and especially common and tame in the vicinity of villages and livestock enclosures, where it turns over pieces of livestock dung in search of grubs, and even perches on cattle. Flocks are noisy and mobile, frequently giving metallic, Eurasian Jackdaw Corvus monedula-XiVt calls, from which comes its Borana name, kaka. Although bush crows are still relatively numerous, there is much concern that they are currently declining owing to the whittling away of their habitat of mature Acacia savannah by commercial cultivation, charcoal production, and bush encroachment probably caused by overgrazing and fire supression (Borghesio & Giannetti 2005, Gedeon 2006, Mellanby et al. 2008). Finding it. Seeing an Ethiopian Bush Crow is still unlikely to pose any problems. Any area with some tall acacias and ideally a village or animal enclosure nearby is likely to reveal a party of bush crows. If time is very short, an excellent area to focus on is the tall woodland just north of Yabelo, on the main road to Addis Ababa (map) and in the vicinity of a small settlement called Harobake (1 on the Yabelo map; 04°59.56’N 38°12.59’E), where a livestock market is held on Sundays. The combination of tall acacias, little ground cover, and the presence of cattle and camel enclosures is prime habitat for bush crows, but take care when photographing them that no livestock are in the background, as this can offend their owners. Another area with a particularly good concentration of bush crows is the first 10-40 km of the dirt road from Yabelo to Arero, where bush crows are almost invariably present in the vicinity of small Borana settlements. General birding in the Yabelo-Mega area is tremendously diverse and exciting, long after the first bush crows and swallows have been sighted. Species likely to be seen during a 2-3-day visit include Somali Courser, Vulturine Guineafowl Acryllium vulturinum, Short-tailed Lark, Somali Short-toed Lark, Foxy Lark Mirafra alopex. Scaly Chatterer Turdoides aylmeri , Somali Crombec Sylvietta isabellina, Pygmy Batis Batis perkeo, Pringle’s Puffback Dryoscopus pringlii, Somali Fiscal, Red-naped Bushshrike Laniarius ruficeps, White-crowned Starling and Northern Grosbeak Canary Serinus donaldsoni. The future Ail of southern Ethiopia’s endemics are threatened. The turaco faces habitat destruction from wood cutting and agriculture, and the lark, swallow and bush crow from bush enroachment, agricultural expansion and rangeland degradation. There are hints that new species to science might still await discovery in the region, but if so they will doubtless find themselves listed as threatened as soon as they are described. In the face of relentless population pressure and large-scale vegetation shifts hastened by climate change, the long-term challenges to the birds of southern Ethiopia are truly daunting. Yet there is reason for optimism, not least that human and conservation interests often coincide in this region: bush encroachment and rangeland degradation favour neither birds nor pastoralists (Spottiswoode et al. 2009, Donald et al. in press). The 2010 Birdfair will be the first to focus on the Afrotropics for many years and will bring significant support to the invaluable work of the Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society. Most urgently of all, their efforts at grassland restoration on the Liben Plain should give the Liben Lark a fighting chance of seeing out the new decade. 112 - Bull ABC Vol 17 No 1 (2010) Finding southern Ethiopia 's endemic birds: Spottiswoode Acknowledgements I am grateful to Nigel Collar, 1 im Dee, Paul Donald, Julian Francis, John Miskell and Nigel Redman for helpfully commenting on earlier drafts, and ro Julian Francis and Merid Gabremichael for their support and collaboration in the field. References Benson, C. W. 1946. Notes on the birds of southern Abyssinia. Ibis 88: 287-306. Borghesio, L. & Giannetti, F. 2003. Habitat degradation threatens the survival of the Ethiopian bush crow Zavattariornis stresemanni. Oryx 39: 44-49. Borgeshio, L„ Gianetti, F„ Ndang’ang’a, K„ Shimelis, A., Borghesio, A., Rizzo, D. & Fufa, K. 2004. A reassessment of the conservation status of Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco Tauraco nispolii. Bull. ABC 11: 104-111. Butchart, S. 2007. Birds to find: a review of ‘lost’, obscure and poorly-known African bird species. Bull. ABC 14: 139-157. Collar, N. J. 2009. Letter. Conservation-driven changes in English bird names, and the case of the Liben Lark. Bull. ABC 16: 245. Collar, N. J., Dellelegn, Y., Fishpool, L. D. C., Gabremichael, M. N., Spottiswoode, C. N. & Wondafrash, M. 2008. Type locality, behaviour, voice, nest, eggs and plight of the Sidamo Lark Heteromirafra sidamoensis. Bull. ABC 15: 180- 190. Collar, N. J., Dingle, C., Gabremichael, M. N. & Spottiswoode, C. N. 2009. Taxonomic status of the Degodi Lark Mirafra degodiensis, with notes on the voice of Gillett’s Lark M. gilletti. Bull. Br. Ornithol. Club 129: 49-62. Donald, P. D., Buchanan, G. M., Collar, N. J., Dellelegn Abebe, Y., Gabremichael, M. N., Mwangi, M. A. K., Ndang’ang’a, P. K., Spottiswoode C. N. & Wondafrash, M. (in press) Rapid declines in habitat quality and population size in the Sidamo (Liben) Lark Heteromirafra sidamoensis necessitate immediate conservation action. Bird Conserv. Intern. Ericson, P. G.