103 41-02. _ _ _ At RICAN BIRD CLUB V Bulletin of the African Bird Club Vol 21 No 1 March 2014 ISSN 1 352-481 XISSN 1352-481X ^ African Bird Club 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 regional 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£21 Rest of the World: UK£23 Family Europe & Africa: UK£24 Rest of the World: UK£26 Student Europe & Africa: UK£ 12 Rest of the World: UK£ 14 Supporting UK£35 minimum Life UK£500 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, Lionel Sineux, lionel.sinetrx@gmail.com ABC Council Keith Betton (Chairman), Nigel Birch (co-opted), Paul Buckley (co¬ opted), John Caddick (Vice Chairman), Richard Charles, Chris Magin (co-opted), Geoff Orton (Secretary), Stephen Pringle (Treasurer) and Danae Sheehan President: Tasso Leventis Vice President: Martin Woodcock Bulletin Editorial Board Chairman of the Board: Keith Betton Managing Editor: Guy Kirwan Editor: Ron Demey Chris Bowden, Callan Cohen, Lincoln Fishpool, Peter Lack, Lionel Sineux (Graphics Editor), Jeremy Lindsell and Nigel Redman Contact ABC African Bird Club, do 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 Orton • secretary@africanbirdclub.org Treasurer Stephen Pringle • treasurer@africanbirdclub.org Bulletin Managing Editor Guy Kirwan • editor@africanbirdclub.org Conservation Officer Chris Magin • consewation@africanbirdclub.org Information Officer Keith Betton • info@africanbirdclub.org Membership Secretary Geoff Orton • membership@africanbirdclub.org Representatives Coordinator Nigel Birch • reps@africanbirdclub.org Corporate Sponsors Officer Richard Charles • corporatesponsors@africanbirdclub.org Natural History Museum Library 300015590 ABC particularly wishes to thank its Corporate Sponsors for their invaluable financial support in 2014: African Affinity, Ashanti African Tours, Birdfinders, Birding and Beyond Safaris, Birding Ecotours, Birdquest, Field Guides, Letaka Safaris, Nature’s Wonderland Safaris, Rockjumper, Safariwise, Safari Consultants, Sunbird and Venture Uganda. 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 publication of studies on African birds by contributors 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) . ©2014 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 21 No 1 News & Comment Features 2 Club News Compiled by Keith Betton 9 Corrigenda . 10 Conservation Fund News 15 Advertising information 16 Africa Round-up Compiled by Ron Demey, Guy M. Kir w an and Peter Lack 93 Recent Reports Compiled by Ron Demey 112 Reviews 115 Obituaries 120 Notes for Contributors Photographs Mark Anderson, Jan Arras, Ruben Barone, Nigel Birch, Bruno Boedts, Nik Borrow, Ralph Buij, Ken Burton, Caroline Caddick, John Caddick, Antonio Castelo, David Erterius, Ramon Fernandez, Brian Finch, Kai Gedeon, Lee Gregory, Louise Jasper, Richard Jeanne, Tom Jenner, Aidan Kelly, Adam Scott Kennedy, Grzegorz Kopij, Marc Languy, John Ledger, M. J. McGrady, Charles Ayuk Nsor, Martin Odino, Georges Olioso, Stejfen Oppel, Geojf Orton, Madalena Patacho, William Price, Julien Ramanampamonjy, Adam Riley, Gerard Rocamora, Lionel Sineux, Werner Suter, Keith Valentine, Nigel Voaden, Roger Wilkinson, Jaber Yahia. 4 26 64 72 82 83 85 87 89 91 Front cover Riippell’s Vulture / Vautour de Riippell Gyps rueppelli (Adam Riley) Back cover Three-banded Plover / Pluvier a triple collier Charadrius tricollaris (Mark Anderson) The African Bird Club— 20 years of working for birds in Africa Bill Quantrill Raptors in northern Cameroon, December 2005-December 2010 Ralph Buij and Barbara M. Croes Migration of raptors across the Bab el Mandeb Strait, Djibouti, March 2013 M. J. McGrady, H. A. Rayaleh, A. M. Dara and E. Abdillahi Observations ornithologiques aux environs d’Antananarivo, Madagascar Bruno Boedts Unusual concentration of Red-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis niger nests on pylons in northern Namibia Grzegorz Kopij First documented record of Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata for Libya Abdulmaula Hamza and Jaber Yahia First record of Bamenda Apalis Apalis bamendae for Nigeria Charles Ayuk Nsor, Elijah Nicodemus and Usman Bashiru First record of Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus for Sao Tome and Principe Simon Valle and Madalena Patacho Northward range extension for Littoral Rock Thrush Monticola imerinus in south-west Madagascar Charlie J. Gardner and Louise D. Jasper First record of Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides for St. Helena, South Atlantic J. C. Hillman, Gavin Ellick, Kevin George and Dennis Leo , -wlUrtMLHtSifi ‘•'AR 2014 :Wf>V rv* «£ Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -1 Club News ABC is 20! Elsewhere in this Bulletin (see pp. 4-9) you can read how the Club was the brainchild of a small but dedicated band of birders in the early 1990s. We have come a long way since then and probably none of that band could have envisaged that by now the Club would have supported c.170 projects across more than 30 countries in Africa. It has been very satisfying to see how support for our work has grown — and many people have helped along the way. On Saturday 12 April we will hold our 20th Annual Meeting and AGM in the prestigious Flett Theatre at the Natural History Museum in London. We have contacted most of the 100+ Founder Members who provided extra support at the start and we hope that they and as many as other people as possible will be able to join us for this special milestone. Speakers during the day are Martin Woodcock, Achilles Byaruhanga, Roger Safford, Tim Birkhead, David Pearson and Jim Reynolds. ABC Trustees At the 2014 AGM we will be sorry to see two Trustees stand down. Danae Sheehan will be known to many through her work at the Royal Society for Protection of Birds (BirdLife in the UK) and across many African countries. She has assisted the Club with the regional Representatives network, and has been invaluable in helping us to consider ways to extend the Club’s activities. She joined Council in 2010. John Caddick has been a Council stalwart since 2004 acting as Treasurer in 2004-10 and Vice Chairman since then. But his greatest impact has been in overseeing our website development, incorporating many new features in the process. We shall miss them both, although feel sure that they will remain close to the Club. Council is always interested to hear from members who feel they may have time to help run the Club’s many activities. If you can help in any way, please contact Keith Betton: chairman@ africanbirdclub.org. ABC Treasurer Stephen Pringle has decided to undertake extensive studies as a mature student, meaning that he will need to relinquish his role as Treasurer at the end of 2014. Council is interested to hear from anyone who might wish to be considered for the role. Because ABC’s bank is in the UK this really has to be someone who is UK-based. The key roles are: (1) maintain accurate, detailed and up-to-date records of the Club’s income and expenditure, and financial reserves; (2) undertake or supervise the carrying out of all financial transactions on the Club’s behalf, including the processing of direct debit and credit card transactions, payments by cheque, the collection of refunds from the Inland Revenue under Gift Aid, international money transfers, etc.; (3) advise ABC Council on all aspects of financial policy; (4) prepare an annual budget for approval by ABC Council; (5) prepare the annual accounts and present them to the AGM; and (6) ensure that the Club complies with all obligations arising from its charitable status (including submitting annual returns to the Charity Commission). If you think you may be able to help, please contact Stephen Pringle: treasurer^ africanbirdclub.org British Birdwatching Fair Once again the Club attended the annual British Birdwatching Fair held at Rutland Water in August 2013. Around 20,000 enthusiasts attended over the three days, and we were pleased to meet many members there. Our thanks go to Adam Riley of Rockjumper who bravely represented ABC in the annual ‘Bird Brain of Britain’ contest, winning UKE250 for the Club in the process. In particular, we thank those members who gave their valuable time to help on the stand. The 2014 Birdfair dates are 1 5 — 1 7 August. We look forward to seeing many members there. If you think you can spare a couple of hours helping on the stand, please contact Nigel Birch: reps@ africanbirdclub.org Corporate Sponsorship 2014 The Club greatly values the support it receives from our Corporate Sponsors, whose membership contributes significantly to the Conservation Fund. This, in turn, awards grants for research on African birds and habitat conservation, a core aim of the Club. During 2013 it became clear that the existing corporate sponsorship package had become outdated and was, in several respects, no longer fit for purpose. After considerable consultation, including members’ opinions and soundings from sponsors, Council has now offered a tiered structure; Bronze, Silver and Gold Corporate membership offer a sliding scale of benefits to both Club and Sponsor. Details can be found on the Club website, and the new structure became active on 1 January 2014. At the time of writing, the Club is already delighted to welcome back many existing partners to the scheme: • Gold membership: Ashanti African Tours, Birding Ecotours, Rockjumper. • Silver membership: Birding and Beyond, Letaka Safaris, Safari Consultants. 2- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Club News WORKING l-UK BiKUS IN Af-KICi Figure 1. Narcisse Ndayambaje receives binoculars and field guides for use by the Nyungwe Bird Watching Club in Rwanda (Caroline Caddick) Narcisse Ndayambaje re<;oit des jumelles et des guides pour le « Nyungwe Bird Watching Club » au Rwanda (Caroline Caddick) • Bronze membership: African Affinity, Birdfinders, Birdquest, Fieldguides, Lawson’s Safaris, Nature’s Wonderland Safaris, SafariWise, Sunbird, Venture Uganda. Coincident with the new Corporate Sponsorship structure has been a significant upgrade to their exposure on our website. Almost every page displays two Sponsors’ advertisements, in miniature, in random order. A click on this image brings up the full-size version, and a further click takes you to the Sponsor’s own website, whilst keeping the ABC site open. We encourage you to explore this most attractive new facility. Fresh adverts and news of exciting forthcoming tour offers will be there to tempt your holiday plans for the year. Again, it is our pleasure to thank all of our Corporate Sponsors for their invaluable contribution to the Club, and to African birds and their habitats. Anyone interested in discussing the scheme should contact Richard Charles: corporatesponsors@ africanbirdclub.org. Contributed by Keith Betton & Richard Charles Binoculars and books for Rwanda At the British Birdwatching Fair in August, Birding Africa facilitated a presentation of binoculars and field guides to Narcisse Ndayambaje, a specialist birding guide from Rwanda. These were destined for deserving young members of the Nyungwe Bird Watching Club, established by Narcisse in 2009 for the children of the local village. The objectives of the Club are to train the guides of the future and to educate the local community as to the importance of protecting their biologically diverse forest, home to 26 Albertine Rift endemics. Narcisse does this entirely out of his own commitment to birds and education. Tim Stowe of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds presented 22 Figure 2. First prize in the 2013 Conservation Fund Raffle, organised by Richard Charles, was a stunning pair of Swarovski Swarovision 8 x 32EL binoculars, generously donated by Swarovski. Left to right: Richard Charles, Christine Percy of Swarovski Optik UK and Keith Betton at the British Birdwatching Fair, Rutland, August 2013 (Geoff Orton) Le premier prix de la tombola du Fonds pour la conservation du ABC, organisee par Richard Charles, etait une splendide paire de jumelles Swarovski Swarovision 8 x 32EL, offerte genereusement par Swarovski. De gauche a droite : Richard Charles, Christine Percy (Swarovski Optik UK) et Keith Betton au British Birdwatching Fair, Rutland, aout 2013 (Geoff Orton) pairs of binoculars and John Caddick presented four pairs on behalf of ABC (Fig. 1). Nigel Redman of Bloomsbury Publishing presented 20 field guides. If you have spare binoculars that you would like to see used in Africa or on other continents, please e-mail colin. hawkins@rspb. org.uk Contributed by Marje Hemp & John Caddick Club News Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -3 The African Bird Club— 20 years of working for birds in Africa Bill Quantrill L African Bird Club fete ses 20 ans. A l’occasion du vingtieme anniversaire de F African Bird Club, son histoire et ses realisations sont brievement presentees. Conqu en 1992 et lance en mars 1994 par un groupe de personnes avec un interet commun pour l’ornithologie africaine, le Club s’est rapidement developpe et compte a present environ 1.250 membres dans 92 pays a travers le monde, dont 42 pays africains. Son Bulletin semestriel au contenu varie et dont les articles sont examines par des specialistes, est devenu une publication respectee qui compte actuellement 256 pages en moyenne par an. Le site web, lance en 1995, quand l’internet etait encore a ses debuts, attirait initialement environ 500 consultations par mois ; en l’espace de dix annees, les consultations ont augmente jusqu’a 36.000 par mois. Des nouveaux elements y ont regulierement ete ajoutes, parmi lesquels la base de donnees « African Bird Image Database (AFBID) », auquel plus de 900 photographes ont contribue > 21.000 photos de 2.127 species. Depuis ses debuts en 1996, le Fonds pour la Conservation a permis a l’ABC de financer une grande diversite de projets de petite a moyenne taille a travers l’Afrique. A la fin de 2013 > UK£ 150,000 avaient ete versees a 161 projets dans 39 pays. Finalement, il convient de remarquer que si l’ABC est un Club florissant, c’est grace a ses nombreux volontaires qui donnent le meilleur d’eux-memes. Origins n 12 March 1994 some 180 people gathered at the Friends’ Meeting Ffouse on Euston Road, London, for what was later described, in this Bulletin, as ‘perhaps the largest-ever meeting in the UK to be devoted to African Ornithology’. The main business was to launch a new club that would focus on all things concerned with African birds and birding — namely, the African Bird Club. However, the origins of the Club go back to the summer of 1992, when a group of enthusiasts with a special interest in the continent first conceived the idea of a club that would do for the birds of the Afrotropical region what the Oriental Bird Club had done for Asia. At the time there already existed several societies covering different parts of Africa, but no birding umbrella organisation for the continent as a whole. Recent political developments, not least in South Africa, meant that certain parts of the continent that had previously been difficult to access were opening up to visiting ornithologists, making it increasingly possible to consider the continent’s ornithology as a whole, rather than a collection of self-contained sub-regions. A launch committee was established under the chairmanship of Martin Woodcock (at the time deeply involved in producing the plates for the monumental Birds of Africa), with Richard Webb as Secretary and Gary Allport, Mark Andrews, John Fanshawe, Lincoln Lishpool, Paul Green, Annie Harrap, Peter Lack, Duncan Macdonald, Rod Martins and Iain Robertson as its other members. The committee’s first task was to define the Club’s purpose. To this end, they drew up a series of objectives, which were later reproduced on the inside front cover of the first issue of the ABC Bulletin as follows: The ABC 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 regional 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; and develop a Conservation Research Lund’. This statement of aims has stood the test of time — the only modification in 20 years has been the re-writing of the final aim as ‘run the ABC Conservation Programme’. Membership The committee next addressed the matter of recruiting a core membership to raise the capital needed to float the Club. To achieve this, thev contacted everyone with a known interest in African birds, inviting them to subscribe UK£30 to become founder members: 191 did so by the time of the inaugural meeting in March 1994 and a further 88 joined before the Founder Member scheme closed at the end of the year. More than half of those 279 remain members to this day. 4- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) The African Bird Club at 20: Quantrill Executive Officers of the African Bird Club 1994-2014 Chairman Martin Woodcock 1994-98 Phil Atkinson 1998-2005 Richard Webb 2005-08 Keith Betton 2008- Vice-Chairman Geoff Randall 1998-2000 Keith Betton 2002-06 Phil Atkinson 2008—10 John Caddick 2010-14 Treasurer Colin Humpage 1994-97 Jonathan Gibbons 1997-98 Alan Williams 1998-2004 John Caddick 2004-10 Alan Williams 2010-13 Stephen Pringle 2013- Secretary Richard Webb 1994-96 Bill Quantrill 1996-2002 Julie Childs 2002-03 Flip Bruce-Lockhart 2003-05 Geoff Randall 2005-10 Sue Walsh 2010-12 Geoff Orton 2012- By the time of the March 1994 meeting 376 people had joined as members (including founders). Numbers increased steadily from then on, passing the 800 mark in the first year and the 1,000 mark in 1996, before finally peaking at just over 1,300 in January 1999. Since then the total has decreased slightly and in recent years has mostly fluctuated around 1,250. Some 10% of members do not renew each year, to be replaced by a roughly equal number of recruits. Altogether, just fewer than 3,000 individuals have been members of the Club at some stage during its lifetime. A survey of why members choose not to renew their membership revealed that the two principal reasons were (i) financial and (ii) a decision not to plan further visits to Africa. Almost nobody left because of dissatisfaction with the Club. Members have come from 92 different countries and from all five continents. From Africa, we have had members in 42 countries including all of the mainland states except Libya, Lesotho, Guinea Bissau, Niger, Chad, Central African Republic and Equatorial Guinea. The 50 non-African countries include 24 in Europe, 19 in Asia, three in Latin America and two each in North America and Australasia. Special efforts have been made to enable African members to join via local payment arrangements and the supported and associate membership schemes. With such a widely scattered membership, it was always going to be problematic to know how best to engage with members. The original intention was to organise regular meetings, in Africa as well as in the UK and possibly other European countries. In the UK a day¬ long programme has been arranged annually to coincide with the AGM, usually in London. These meetings have generally been successful but they have been accessible to just a small proportion of the membership. There have also been occasional evening meetings held in conjunction with local bird clubs. Arranging meetings in Africa has proved difficult. Members of ABC Council have attended all five Pan African Ornithological Congresses held since the Club was founded, and the 1998 International Ornithological Congress held in Durban, and these events have provided opportunities for some Club members from Africa and elsewhere to meet. But, otherwise, the logistics of organising meetings in Africa have proved to be beyond the Club’s capabilities. Another opportunity for Council members to interact with the broader membership is provided by the annual British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water (Figs. 1-2). ABC has manned a stand at the fair annually since 1 994 and as the fair has expanded in size over the years, so increasing numbers of ABC members, from the UK, Europe, even Africa and elsewhere in the world, have visited the Club’s stand. Birth of the Bulletin The original assumption was that the main means of communicating with members would be via written publications, dispatched by post. Such publications, in the form of the twice-yearly Bulletin, have indeed proved important, although the internet has come to be at least equally so, which was unanticipated at the time of the Club’s foundation. The African Bird Club at 20: Quantrill Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -5 A African Bird Club Figure 1. The Club’s stand at the British Birdwatching Fair, Rutland, August 1997, with Martin Woodcock (far left) looking on as the editors of The Birds of Africa sign copies of their work, left to right, Stuart Keith, Hilary Fry and Emil Urban, with (behind) Roy Hargreaves and Barbara Woodcock (photographer unknown) Le stand du Club au Birdfair de Rutland, Royaume- Uni, aout 1997, avec Martin Woodcock (a l’extreme gauche) observant les redacteurs de The Birds of Africa signant des exemplaires de leur livre, de gauche a droite, Stuart Keith, Hilary Fry et Emil Urban, avec derriere eux Roy Hargreaves et Barbara Woodcock (photographe inconnu). Des ses debuts, le Club a eu un stand au Birdfair, un evenement annuel qui attire des milliers de « birdwatchers ». The question of publications was inevitably high on the Launch Committee’s agenda. An editorial subcommittee was set up to recommend the type of publications the Club should produce. Initially, it was envisaged that the Club would publish an annual, peer-reviewed journal and a separate bulletin containing news about the Club’s activities and non-scientific material such as site guides and book reviews. Fdowever, this plan met with objections from the editors and publishers of journals such as Ostrich and Malimhus , who argued that there were already sufficient outlets for scientific papers. Thus, the idea of a journal was discarded, in favour of a twice-yearly Bulletin to include members’ news and views, a round-up of recent sightings, species identification guides and site guides, with the possibility of publishing some scientific papers. The Editorial Team then set about commissioning material for the first issue of the Bulletin, which was published to coincide with the March 1994 inaugural meeting. The fruit of their efforts was a 52-page magazine containing 13 articles, with features on specific species (ground hornbills Bucorvus spp. and Shoebill Balaeniceps rex ) and groups of species (bulbuls of Upper Figyre 2. Founder member, launch committee member and former Art Editor of Bull. ABC Mark Andrews at the British Birdwatching Fair, Rutland Water, UK, in August 2005 (John Caddick) Membre fondateur, membre du comite de lancement et ancien editeur artistique du Bull. ABC Mark Andrews au British Birdwatching Fair, Rutland Water, Royaume-Uni, en aout 2005 (John Caddick) Guinea), a site of special interest (Mount Kupe in Cameroon), book reviews, recent ornithological news from Africa and an article by John Fanshawe summarising the birding infrastructure of all 61 countries and archipelagos included within the Club’s remit. Since then the Bulletin has gone from strength to strength. The first seven issues were produced by the editorial subcommittee, but as the workload increased it became clear that production was proving too big a commitment for a voluntary team working in their spare time. In 1997 a decision was taken to appoint a professional editor to manage the production, with the Editorial Board providing guidance. Guy Kirwan was appointed to this role, subsequently supported by Ron Demey, and since then they have together been responsible for bringing out on schedule 14 further volumes of ever-increasing size — a typical recent volume consists of 256 pages with more than 40 features and articles. Over the years the Bulletin has filled an invaluable role in publishing a steady flow of new information about the distribution and behaviour of Africa’s birds — additions to national lists, range extensions and even the discovery of new species. The first issue contained the ’unofficial background story’ to the discovery, by Thomas Lehmberg and Lars Dinesen (both founder members of ABC), of Udzungwa Forest Partridge Xenoperdix udzungwensis, a species and genus new 6- Bull ABC Vo! 21 No 1 (2014) The African Bird Club at 20: Quantrill to science (their first sight of it was of ‘two small chicken-like feet.... at the bottom of the pot’ in which their evening meal had been cooked — the amazing story can be read in Bull. ABC 1: 24-25, available on the Club website if you do not have the original publication). ABC on the web The Club first launched an internet site in May 1995, at a time when the web was still so much of a novelty that, in announcing the news to the membership in Bull. ABC 2(2), it was thought necessary to explain what the internet was! Our first website, containing brief background information about the Club and a downloadable membership application form, was shared with the three other UK-based international bird clubs, Oriental Bird Club, Neotropical Bird Club and the Ornithological Society of the Middle East. It initially attracted c.500 hits a month, a rate that grew to 36,000 ‘page views’ a month within ten years. By 1997, it had become obvious that the Club needed more capacity. So, in November 1997, we entered into a new agreement that gave us much-expanded web space and our own domain name, www.africanbirdclub.org. Since then the site has expanded with new features being added regularly. In September 2003 a secure payment facility was added to permit subscriptions and purchases of Club merchandise online. Next, a searchable database of African ornithological literature was developed and a start was made on constructing individual pages for every African country with detailed information on local services relevant to the needs of visiting birders plus information on the local avifauna. Later, in 2004, the quarterly African bird ID challenge was started and in 2005 the African Bird Image Database (AFBID) was launched as a joint operation funded by Bird Explorers and with help from Birding Africa. Within three months, 117 photographers had contributed 2,314 images of 930 species. Most recently, more than 900 photographers have contributed >21,000 images of 2,127 species. In 2008, ABC participated in the creation ol a website devoted to African bird vocalisations, in partnership with Xeno-canto, which had previously developed a similar website of Latin American bird sounds. Other features of the website have included downloadable checklists for every country in Africa and translations of key pages into French and Portuguese. An e-mail discussion group, AfricanBirding@yahoogroups.com, initiated and moderated by ABC, has some 1,600 members and has proven very popular. It is used to disseminate new information quickly and acts as a question- and-answer forum for topics such as species identification and travel. By 2012 the website was becoming more difficult to maintain, lacked a consistent structure throughout and was looking dated. A professional website development company was commissioned to construct a new website and to migrate all of the existing content, some 1,500 pages. This brought together all of the features of the previous site in a logically constructed, simple-to-navigate and easy-to-use site. The redesigned site became operational in March 2013. Particular credit should be given to Alan Wilkinson, who set up the first website and steered it through the early years, and to Phil Atkinson and John Caddick who have developed it into the multi-featured resource that exists today. Conservation From the outset, the Club’s founders were determined that ABC should not just be a club for people who wanted to observe and study birds in Africa, but that it should promote the conservation of birds and their habitats — that the Club should be seen to be, in the words of its logo, ‘Working for birds in Africa’. To this end, the Club has sought to increase awareness of threats to birds in Africa, to encourage people to visit some lesser known areas of the continent and to gather data about the state of birds in them, to support local birding and conservation organisations, and to generally promote knowledge of and concern for bird populations. Specifically, the Club operates the Conservation Programme, financed via the Conservation Fund. Establishing such a fund was anticipated in the original statement of the Club’s objectives in 1994 and was formally launched at the 9th Pan African Ornithological Congress (PAOC) in Ghana in late 1996, with an initial allocation ol UK£2,000 from the Club’s reserves, followed by another UK£8,000 in 1997. Since then resources have come from profits from sales of Club merchandise, donations from Club members and sponsorship by companies and individuals of selected projects. The African Bird Club at 20: Quantrill Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -7 Figure 3. The first ABC Conservation Tour group on the rocky escarpment, home to the endemic Angola Cave Chat Xenocopsychus ansorgei , overlooking Kumbira Forest, Angola, October 2005 (John Caddick). Subsequent tours have visited Gabon (2006), Rwanda (201 1) and Zimbabwe and Mozambique (2012). Le groupe du premier « ABC Conservation Tour » sur l’escarpement rocheux, habitat de Fendemique Cossyphe des grottes Xenocopsychus ansorgei , surplombant la foret de Kumbira, Angola, octobre 2005 (John Caddick). Ces voyages ont pour but de visiter des endroits qui ne sont generalement pas inclus dans les itineraires ornithologiques ; les organisateurs acceptent de ceder une partie des benefices au Fonds pour la Conservation. Tes voyages suivants ont visite le Gabon (2006), le Rwanda (201 1) et le Zimbabwe et le Mozambique (2012). ABC Conservation Tours (Fig. 3), initiated in 2005, have proved to be another useful source of funding. Under the scheme, tours are arranged to parts of Africa not covered by the standard African birding itineraries, with the organisers donating a share of the profits to the Conservation Fund. The fund has also benefited from income raised by local payment schemes. In countries where these have been established, subscription income in local currency has been used to finance in-country conservation projects. The first expenditure from the fund was UK£800 to help pay for the attendance of Africans at the PAOC in Ghana. This was followed by a grant of UK£770 to the Ornithological Association of Zimbabwe, to help cover the costs of a training course for 1 5 A-level or undergraduate students interested in birds and their conservation. In 1998 seven projects were financed, covering a wide range of activities from environmental education to research on endangered species. Further projects followed as the programme gained momentum. By the end of Figure 4. The ABC representative in Madagascar, Julien Ramanampamonjy (right), welcomes the Director- General of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests, and the Director for National Education and Scientific Research to the ABC stand at the Malagasy Birdfair in October 2006 (Julien Ramanampamonjy) Le representant du ABC a Madagascar, Julien Ramanampamonjy (a droite), accueille le Directeur general du Ministere de Environnement, Eaux et Forets et le Directeur de FEducation nationale et de la Recherche scientifique au stand du Club au Malagasy Birdfair en octobre 2006 (Julien Ramanampamonjy) 2006, ten years after the its launch, >80 projects in 27 countries had been supported to a total value of more than UK£50,000. Since then the programme has continued to accelerate, thus by the end of 2013 >UK£1 50,000 had been distributed among 161 projects in 39 countries. Twenty-one awards totaling in excess of UK£3 1,000 were made in 2013 alone. Much of this has been made possible by the generous sponsorship of companies and private individuals — some 40% of expenditure in 2013 came from this source. 1999 saw the launch of the ABC / NFJBS Book Awards, a collaboration between the Club and the Natural FJistory Book Service whereby the latter provided up to five UK£100 vouchers annually for three years, to be redeemed against books from their catalogue, while ABC identified suitable recipients. Awards were made in the first year to Aride Island Nature Reserve (Seychelles), Makerere University (Uganda) and the Ethiopian Wildlife & Natural Flistory Society. Altogether, 13 awards were made during the three years of the scheme. Also launched in 1999 was the ABC Expedition award under which an award of UK£1000 was made available annually for ornithological 8- Bull ABC Vo/21 No 1 (2014) The African Bird Club at 20: Quantrill expeditions to or within Africa. Unlike standard awards, which are available only to residents of African countries, expedition awards are open to anyone. The first award, in 2000, supported the costs of a multidisciplinary expedition to the island of Annobon in Equatorial Guinea, undertaken by a joint team of Spanish and local biologists. Among other work, the team censused seabird populations and researched the habitat requirements of five passerine species endemic to the Gulf of Guinea islands. Subsequent awards have included contributions to the costs of an Oxford University expedition in collaboration with the Rare & Endangered Species Trust to determine population densities of three vulture species in the Waterberg Plateau Park in Namibia, a Glasgow University expedition to study two rare endemics in southern Ethiopia in collaboration with the Ethiopian Wildlife & Natural History Society, and an expedition organised jointly by Cambridge University and the Society for the Conservation of Nature in Liberia to search for the Liberian Greenbul Phyllastrephus leocolepsis , a species known only from the type specimen taken in 1984. For the development of the impressive conservation programme, we are much indebted to the members of the Conservation Committee, chaired initially by Rob Lucking (1998-2002), then by Steph Tyler (2002-10) and currently by Chris Magin. The African Bird Club at 20 That small band of optimists who in 1992 first dreamed of the ABC can look back with justified pride at the Club’s achievements. Today, ABC is thriving and has three particular strengths: the Bulletin, the conservation programme and the website. All of this has been achieved largely through the unpaid efforts of the many volunteers who have given freely of their time to make the Club the success it is today. More than 60 individuals have at one time or another served on ABC Council. Others have helped man ABC stands at bird fairs, promoted sales of Club merchandise and generally acted as ambassadors for the Club. And, we should not forget the contribution made by our overseas representatives — 42 of them at the latest count, although others have also served in the past — working to maintain our membership, to keep us informed of developments in their countries and to offer support to visiting ABC members if requested. With support like that, there is no doubt that the Club will flourish for decades to come. Finally a tribute to our Presidents: Martin Woodcock, who contributed so much to the Club in its early days and has maintained a close interest ever since, became the first President after stepping down as Chairman in 1998 and continued in the post for the full ten years permitted under the Club’s Constitution. As his successor we are privileged to have Tasso Leventis, a Founder Member of ABC, a director of the worldwide Leventis Group of companies and an active participant in international efforts to encourage sustainable development. do BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 ONA, UK. Corrigenda Bull . ABC 20(2) In the paper on ‘Bird observations around Juba, South Sudan’, Figs. 5-7 were transposed; Fig. 5 should be labelled 7, Fig. 6 should be 5 and Fig. 7 should be 6. In the reference list of the same paper, ‘Mallalieu, M. in press’ should read: Mallalieu, M. 2013. First records for South Sudan of African Cuckoo Hawk Aviceda cuculoides , Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina and White¬ winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus , and first sighting of Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae. Bull. ABC 20: 71-74. The African Bird Club at 20: Quantrill Bull ABC Vo! 21 No 1 (2014) -9 ^ African Bird Club Conservation Fund New awards The Conservation Committee reviewed 27 proposals ahead of the October 2013 Council meeting and recommended eight for funding. Council approved all eight projects and ABC funds totalling UK£9,339 were allocated to six; the other two were generously sponsored in their entirety by Tasso Leventis. A total of £12,280 was therefore released as follows. Grey Crowned Crane in the Doho wetlands, eastern Uganda Sarah Nachuha of the Islamic University in Uganda received UK£1,500 to investigate the current status of the Vulnerable Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum at Doho wetlands, an Important Bird Area. The last study was conducted by Gumony and Mafabi in 1989. The project intends to: (1) assess the current population size and distribution of the species; (2) target schools and local communities to improve local stakeholders’ understanding of wetland ecosystem functions as well as the ecology of Grey Crowned Crane; and (3) develop a comprehensive site-specific conservation strategy for this crane to inform subsequent research and interventions. Grey Crowned Crane / Grue royale Balearica regulorum (Adam Riley) Bird survey in Dzombo Hill Forest, Kenya Dzombo Hill Forest in Kwale District covers 293 ha and is among the larger fragments of the biodiversity rich coastal forests of East Africa. It is home to c. 33 forest-dependent species including the Endangered Sokoke Pipit Anthus sokokensis and three Near Threatened species. Ten coastal forest biome species of the 30 known to occur in Kenya and two restricted-range species occur in the forest, although it is suspected more may be present including the Endangered Spotted Ground Thrush Geokichla ( Zoothera ) guttata. Increasing human encroachment has probably had an adverse effect on bird populations at this site over the past few decades. Esther Wangui of the National Museums of Kenya received an Expedition Award of UK£ 1,996 to assess the avifaunal diversity, threats, and document the presence or absence of all bird species of conservation concern in the forest. Discovering the lost jewel of Sierra Leone: searching for the Emerald Starling Emerald Starling Lamprotornis iris is a beautiful but poorly known bird species endemic to the Upper Guinea region of West Africa, where it is known from just a few sites in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Ivory Coast; it is categorised as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List. Because the lack of knowledge of its ecology, movements and population size hampers an accurate assessment of its status, Sama Monde of the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone (CSSL) was awarded UK£1,500 — generously sponsored by Tasso Leventis — to review the species’ conservation status in Sierra Leone and Guinea. The project aims to: (1) increase understanding of the species’ distribution, habitat associations and conservation status; (2) better understand threats to the species; (3) improve capacity of West African conservation organisations to undertake surveys, monitoring and species protection work, via a transboundary project; and (4) increase awareness and monitoring of potential trade issues. 10- Bull ABC Vo! 21 No 1 (2014) ABC Conservation Fund African Bird Club Conservation Fund Long-billed Tailorbird / Couturiere de Moreau Artisornis moreaui (Adam Scott Kennedy) Tailor-made forest management for Long-billed Tailorbird in Tanzania Long-billed Tailorbird Artisornis moreaui is considered Critically Endangered. Two disjunct subpopulations are known, one in Tanzania and the other in Mozambique, c. 1 ,000 km apart. Their taxonomic relatedness requires further attention. The East Usambara Mountains in Tanzania hold c.80% of the species’ known population. Nsajigwa Kyonjole, working with Norbert Cordeiro, received UK£1,500 to investigate the effects of reduced human disturbance at forest edges in the Amani Nature Reserve. The project aims to increase understanding of the habitat requirements of this species; improve the quality of forest edge habitat for it; engage local stakeholders in supporting this work; and build capacity for nature conservation in Tanzania. Survey in Congo-Brazzaville Tchimpounga Nature Reserve in the Lower Kouilou basin, Republic of Congo, one of BirdLife’s Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and home to several globally threatened and poorly known bird species, is managed by the Jane Goodall Institute but is closed to visitors and no ornithological research has been conducted there despite the area’s significance for birds. Dr Stuart Sharp of Lancaster University received UK£ 1,441 — kindly sponsored by Tasso Leventis — to conduct baseline surveys over two weeks at Tchimpounga together with Malcolm Wilson of African Affinity, in order to quantify the reserve’s importance for avian biodiversity, assess the potential for long-term ornithological research, and provide basic training in bird identification and survey techniques to the local Congolese reserve staff. Conservation education in the Taita Hills, Kenya Lawrence Wagura of the National Museums of Kenya was awarded UK£ 1,347 to implement environmental education for school students via guided nature walks. He will target schools near the remnant forest fragments around Wundanyi, which have high endemicity and harbour small populations of the Critically Endangered Taita Apalis Apalis fuscigularis. Impact of fire on birds in Serengeti The use of fire as a management tool is widespread in Tanzania, both by conservationists and pastoralists. Elliot Kinsey of the Percy FitzPatrick Institute in South Africa was awarded UK£ 1,300 to further his research into the Fisher’s Lovebird / Inseparable de Fischer Agapornis fischeri (Nik Borrow) ABC Conservation Fund Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -11 impact of different fire regimes on birds in the savannahs of the Serengeti. His key research question is: how does avian species composition change with fire frequency and seasonality across a range of habitat conditions? Management of fire has conservation implications for many species, particularly for birds such as Grey¬ breasted Spurfowl Pternistis rufopictus , the Near Threatened Fischer’s Lovebird Agapornis fischeri, Usambiro Barbet Trachyphonus darnaudii usambiro , Rufous-tailed Weaver Histurgops ruficaudus and Grey-crested Helmetshrike Prionops poliolophus. Conservation of Anyiko wetland in Kenya Anyiko wetland lies c. 90 km north-east of Kisumu, in Nyanza province, and is potentially home to many different birds including Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum, Papyrus Gonolek Laniarius mufumbiri , Carruthers’s Cisticola Cisticola carruthersi, Papyrus Yellow Warbler Calamonastides ( Chloropeta ) gracilirostris, White-winged Swamp Warbler Bradypterus carpalis and Papyrus Canary Crithagra koliensis. Zeph Migeni of the Tembea Youth Centre for Sustainable Development was awarded UK£ 1,496 to support a community- based conservation project. Planned activities include a comprehensive survey of the birds present and the threats facing them, establishing regular bird walks in the area, educational outreach, including awareness-raising activities, and introducing sustainable methods of papyrus harvesting. Reports received Survey of Red-shouldered Vanga in Madagascar Red-shouldered Vanga Calicalicus rufocarpalis is a Malagasy endemic classified as Vulnerable. First described in 1997, it inhabits a small area of the spiny forest in south-west Madagascar. In 2011 Sama Zefania was awarded UK£991 for a survey within the species’ known distribution. Field work was conducted on 21 August-22 December 2011. A total of 129 vangas were observed, but the species occurred at low densities (1-3 individuals / ha of transect) throughout the surveyed regions. New locations for the species were identified in remote parts of Tsimanampetsotsa National Park, increasing its known range. However, increased human disturbance to the forest near the Ankilibe road to St. Augustin appears to have caused a decline in the species’ density at the northern limit of its range. Papyrus Gonolek / Gonolek des papyrus Laniarius mufumbiri (Nik Borrow) Sokoke Pipit survey Arabuko-Sokoke forest is the largest remnant of a once-contiguous mass of East African coastal forest. Part of the Eastern Arc Mountain and Coastal Forest biodiversity hotspot and regarded as the one of the most important habitats for bird conservation in Africa, it harbours nine globally threatened and four regionally threatened species. However, the forest is threatened by encroachment and degradation from the adjacent human community, which relies heavily on it for various resources. In 2011, Nickson Otieno received UK£1,165 for a survey of Sokoke Pipit Anthus sokokensis, an Endangered species, and to examine the effect of tree removal in three blocks of Brachystegia woodland (Narasha, Kararacha and Jilore) on the species' density and distribution. Over a period of two weeks in November 2011 and two 12 - Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) ABC Conservation Fund x African Bird Club Conservation Fund weeks in February 2012, six transects totalling 6 km were used to survey pipit’s population and sample key vegetation structure, depth of leaf litter and the main forms of human activity. The species’ overall density was 0.72 ±0.15 birds / ha, with an estimated population of 5,544 in Brachystegia woodland. Logging had a significant negative effect on pipit density, especially the removal of small trees. The species was positively correlated with deeper leaf litter. Overall, the intensity of human activity had little influence on the species’ spatial occurrence despite selective logging constituting an important part of this activity. Nickson and his colleagues concluded that logging is not the only cause of tree removal and suggested that elephant activity might be a significant contributor to this form of habitat degradation for Sokoke Pipit, since Arabuko-Sokoke is believed to harbour 100-200 African Elephants Loxodonta africana. Long term, Sokoke Pipit will require continued control of illegal logging as well as regulation of elephant damage across the forest especially in Brachystegia woodland. Lesser Flamingo disease in Kenya In February 2012 Juliet Kinyua, a Kenyan Ph.D. student based at Texas Tech University in the USA, received UK£ 1,430 for her project ‘Investigating the dynamics of mosquito vector populations within lake ecosystems: the case of East African Rift Valley lakes Nakuru, Bogoria and Lesser Flamingo ( Phoeniconaias minor ) mass-die offs’. In the last two decades, East Africa has experienced episodic mass die-offs of Lesser Flamingos at the Rift Valley lakes of Nakuru, Elementaita and Bogoria in Kenya, and Manyara and Natron in Tanzania. The episodes include c.40,000 mortalities in 1993, 20,000 in 1995 and 50,000 in 2000. In 2004 >50,000 Lesser Flamingos died in Tanzania. Currently, the species is categorised as Near Threatened by IUCN and is undergoing a ‘moderately rapid reduction’ in numbers. Numerous factors have been linked to these die-offs including heavy metal poisoning, cyanobacterial toxins, pesticide residues, septicemia and avian tuberculosis. One of the neglected factors in the investigation of the mass die offs is vector borne zoonotic diseases, particularly mosquito-borne arboviruses. The study involved the collection of mosquitoes around Nakuru and Bogoria in December 2012-January 2013. Using EVS C02 baited traps, 2,212 mosquitoes were collected from four genera Culex , Aedes , Mansonia and Anopheles. They were identified with the help of entomologists at the Kenya Medical Research Institute. The samples were to be sent to Texas Tech Vector laboratory for screening. Prior to travelling to Kenya, with the help of staff at the Institute of Environment and Human Health at Texas Tech University, all necessary permits to ship biological samples from Kenya to the USA were obtained and correct field work procedures identified and followed. However, despite this, the US Centre for Disease Control prevented the samples from leaving Kenya because the species listed are possible vectors for Biosafety Level 3 and 4 agents. The samples therefore remain unanalysed, but the information gathered has been sufficient to spark further interest into mosquito populations at the Rift Valley Lakes. Situation getting tighter for a Kenyan apalis Also in February 2012, Luca Borghesio was awarded UKL900 — sponsored by Tasso Leventis — to survey the Critically Endangered Taita Apalis Apalis fnscigularis in the Taita Hills, Kenya. Field work concentrated on Msidunyi, a 7.1 -ha forest fragment only recently discovered to support the species. Eight territorial pairs were estimated to occur there as of May 2013, or 2. 4-5. 2% of the global population (c.310- 654 individuals) or 3. 7-7. 6% of the estimated 210-430 mature individuals. This confirmed the site as a stronghold for Taita Apalis. Other endemic and globally threatened taxa such as the trees Dasylepis integra (Eastern Arc endemic; Vulnerable) and Prunus africana (Vulnerable) were also recorded, and the field work underlined the extreme urgency of preventing the destruction of the tiny area of remaining forest. Damage caused by logging, which is not illegal as the area is not government-owned, was considerable. If this continues, little forest soon will soon be left. ABC Conservation Fund Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -13 ^ African Bird Club Conservation Fund Grey Crowned Cranes in Kampala In May 2012 Dylis Ndibaisa of A Rocha Uganda was awarded UK£1,500 to undertake the first-ever survey of the Endangered Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum in Kampala. Four wetlands within the city — Walufumbe, Nakivubo, Kansanga and Lubigi — were surveyed weekly between September 2012 and August 2013. At Kiteezi landfill, 33-86 birds were found, five juveniles and 50-81 adults. By day, the cranes fed at the landfill and in nearby Walufumbe; at night they roosted on electricity pylons sited in the wetland. Key threats to the Kiteezi flock included limb injuries at the landfill and wetland reclamation. The largest number of cranes recorded at Kansanga was six, including one juvenile. At Lubigi, three cranes including one young were found. They fed at several places and roosted on trees within the wetland. Two cranes were found at Nakivubo. These fed along the railway line and roosted on a pylon in the wetland. There was little evidence of successful breeding. On 29 February 2013, two birds copulated on an electricity pylon. No nests were discovered, but on 10 July 2013, three chicks estimated to be just three days old were observed at Walufumbe. Unfortunately, one week later the wetland was burned following a change in the land’s ownership. Three weeks later, one of the chicks was killed by dogs. The lack of breeding success underlines the need for greater efforts to make people aware of the importance of protecting Uganda’s national bird. Djibouti raptor migration The Bab el Mandeb Strait between Djibouti and Yemen forms part of the Rift Valley / Red Sea flyway, the second-most important route for migrant soaring birds in the world. More than 1.5 million birds of 37 species use the strait each year to move between Eurasia and Africa, as it represents the shortest water crossing south of Suez; the Djibouti side is an Important Bird Area (IBA), but has been little studied. In 2010 Houssein Rayaleh of Djibouti Nature received UK£1,000, sponsored by Julian Francis, for a study of the Djibouti Francolin Pternistis ochropectus in the Mabla Mountains (see Bull. ABC 17: 8-9). However, continued insecurity Egyptian Vulture / Percnoptere d’Egypte Neophron percnopterus (Nik Borrow) meant that it was impracticable to conduct field work, so in February 2013 Houssein requested the funds support a raptor migration survey, supplemented with an additional UK£347 from ABC (Bull. ABC 20: 134). The survey took place on 2-10 March 2013 at Ras Siyyan on the Djibouti side of the Bab el Mandeb. The observers were particularly interested in the movements of Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus (Endangered). ABC is grateful to Julian Francis for allowing the funds to be transferred. A full report on the survey appears elsewhere in this issue (see pp. 64-71). In addition, with the assistance of Mike McGrady from International Avian Research, Krems, Austria, the Djibouti Nature team caught an adult Egyptian Vulture at the town of Tadjourah. In a collaborative venture with Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, the bird — named Assamo — was fitted with a 40-g GPS-PTT using a backpack harness. The transmitter is solar powered and has a theoretical life of several years. It is programmed to acquire eight GPS locations per day and send data via satellite every 2.5 days (see http:// egyptianvulturedjibouti.blogspot.co.at/). By the end of December 2013 Assamo was still transmitting and had mainly been in Djibouti and the Ethiopian town of Adigala, close to the Somali border, with one foray into Eritrea. 14- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) ABC Cojisewation Fund \ African Bird Club Conservation Fund Hooded Vulture survey in Accra Vulture populations are declining throughout Africa. This led to the reclassification (in 2012) of Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus from a conservation status of Least Concern to Endangered. In 2013, Japeth Roberts of the Ghana Wildlife Society received UK£ 1,430 to survey the species in the Ghanaian capital Accra. A total of 237 vultures was counted at 14 roosts within the Accra Metropolitan Area of 300 km2. Bombax was the preferred roost tree, with all known roosts using this genus. Trees were 19-28 m high, with diameter-at-breast height of 110-163 cm. Roosts were all within green zones in the city. Based on interviews, there was a lack of knowledge of the species’ threatened status, with some hunting for body parts (for use in traditional medicine) ongoing and one collector was encountered who supplied Nigerian buyers. The felling of roost trees is the major threat, with trees being most frequently cut because faecal waste from the roosting vultures is a nuisance to local people. Poisoning of Southern Ground Hornbill in South Africa Lucy Kemp of the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project was awarded UK£ 1,300 to part-fund a workshop to raise awareness of the threat to Southern Ground Hornbills Bucorvus leadbeateri from poisoning. According to the South African Bird Atlas Project 2, Southern Ground Hornbill has had the swiftest range contraction of any bird species in South Africa over the last 20-30 years. Now listed as Vulnerable globally, the species is considered Endangered nationally with just 400-450 groups in the country. The workshop was held on 16 October 2013, facilitated by Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, and the 13 participants agreed an action plan to combat the threat of poisoning from sources such as deliberate predator baiting, agricultural applications and disused cattle-dipping tanks. Council thanks the Puffback Fund for kindly sponsoring this award. Dr Chris Magin, Conservation Officer, on behalf of the Conservation Committee The ABC website (www.africanbirdclub.org/ conservation-fund-past-projects) shows the full list of conservation projects and awards made since the inception of the programme over a decade ago. A remarkable total in excess of UK£ 165,000 has been donated during this period. You can also view many of the final project reports — including full versions of those summarised above — by clicking on the hyper¬ links on the webpage. 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 InDesign tiles, preferably by e-mail to the March Bulletin 15 January August Bulletin 15 June 1 T/j Advertising Officer — advertising@africanbirdclub.org. 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 ABC Conservation Fund Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -15 Africa Round-up Compiled by Ron Demey, Guy M. Kinuan and Peter Lack General International response to the fate of migrant birds in North Africa Over the last few months, the indiscriminate and unsustainable killing of migrant birds in North Africa has become an issue of public concern in a growing number of countries, although the widespread hunting and trapping of migratory birds in Egypt and also Libya, especially using mist-nets along large stretches of the Mediterranean coast, has been known for some years. In response, the BirdLife Partnership, government agencies, the Convention on Migratory Species and the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds are addressing the situation. “Bird trapping in these countries is an ancient tradition. The main target species, Common Quail Coturnix coturnix , is a local delicacy”, said Marcus Kohler, BirdLife’s Senior Programme Manager for Flyways. “It’s a legitimate way for local people to supplement their diet. However, the indiscriminate nature and scale of the trapping has now reached worrying proportions and is having an impact upon other species.” It’s not only quail that are caught; many other species, such as European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur and Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio, are trapped as ‘bycatch' in significant numbers. The increasing use and magnitude of mist net-trapping is a new and worrying development. Current estimates are that millions of birds are caught each autumn en route from Eurasia to their wintering grounds in sub-Saharan Africa. In response, an international meeting brought together key people and organisations, including participants from both the government and non¬ governmental sectors from Egypt and Libya. The meeting was convened in late 2013 in Bonn, Germany, and included representatives from the BirdLife Partnership, NABU (BirdLife in Germany), Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (BirdLife in the UK) and Nature Conservation Egypt (the BirdLife Partner) and the Secretariats of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement. The meeting agreed a detailed plan of action to accurately measure the scale and impact of the problem, and to examine the socio-economic and legal aspects of bird trapping. It was also agreed that there is a need to ensure that effective legislation and regulations are in place and being adequately enforced while building capacity of local government, NGOs and communities to effectively address indiscriminate trapping in the region. “The illegal and unsustainable killing of birds is a global issue that BirdLife Partners are committed to tackling. While there have been significant and encouraging improvements in several countries over the last 20 years, many others need to step up and deal with this increasing and unsustainable practice. It is heartening to see commitment from the Egyptian and Libyan governments. The BirdLife Partnership is fully committed to support them in their efforts”, said Dr Marco Lambertini, BirdLife International’s Chief Executive. Source: BirdLife International press release, December 2013 Migration routes of Montagu’s Harriers revealed A ten-year study of satellite-tagged Montagu’s Harriers Circus pygargus , initiated by a Dutch working group, has revealed the migration routes, stopover sites and wintering areas of this raptor. Through international cooperation, researchers succeeded in tagging 50 Montagu’s Harriers from five north European countries, from the Netherlands and Denmark to Belarus. It appears the harriers possess three migration routes: a western route via Spain, a central route via Italy and a hitherto undescribed eastern route via Greece. Western populations winter mainly in the western Sahel, whilst eastern populations generally winter in the central and eastern Sahel, but there is some overlap and populations are not strictly separated at this season. Individual birds exhibited strong site fidelity. Counts of locusts and grasshoppers, the staple diet of harriers in the Sahel, revealed that the birds followed the highest densities of these insects. The study also found that, during their return journey, many harriers stop in north-west Africa, where breeding larks constitute welcome prey. The importance of north-west Africa for migrating Montagu's Harriers of the western populations was previously unknown. Source: Montagu ’s Harrier Workmg Group press release, 1 5 January 2014 ...and of Long-tailed Skuas Olivier Gilg and co-workers tracked the movements of eight adult Long-tailed Skuas Stercorarius longicaudus fitted with small light- level geolocators on their breeding grounds in the Arctic, on Svalbard and north-east Greenland. Being the most strongly pelagic of the three smaller skua species, little was known of its migration and the individual wintering areas. On their southbound journey, most birds arrived off Mauritania and Senegal in early September, with several following the West African coast to the Gulf of Guinea. Five travelled further offshore between Cameroon and Angola, which is remarkable as the species is almost unknown in this region. The others 16 - Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Africa Round-up remained in the central Atlantic or crossed to the Brazilian coast, but in December-March all eight used wintering grounds in the Southern Hemisphere at 0-40°S, between the Gulf of Guinea and waters south of Madagascar. On their return migration, which commenced in early March-April, most used a more westerly route. Over one year, the skuas flew between 43,900 and 34,200 km, and travelled as far as 10,500-13,700 km from their breeding grounds. Source: PLoS ONE 8: e646l4. doi: 1 0. 1371 /journal, pone. 0064614 Black-tailed Godwit improves distance record A satellite-tracked female Black¬ tailed Godwit Limosa limosa that successfully bred in Noord Holland, the Netherlands, reached Sierra Leone on 27 July 2013, 5,400 km from her breeding site — the longest distance ever recorded for a godwit breeding in the Netherlands. She left her stopover site in the Coto Donana, southern Spain, on 14 July and reached Morocco’s southern border next day. Like many Black¬ tailed Godwits, she also paused in north Senegal’s wetlands, where she remained for three days. On 27 July she alighted in Yawri Bay, on Sierra Leone’s west coast. Yawri Bay forms part of the Important Bird Area and Ramsar site ’Sierra Leone River Estuary’, a wetland of c.295,000 ha that is of international importance for Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus , Common Ringed Plover C. hiaticula , Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola , Sanderling Calidris alba, Curlew Sandpiper C. Black-tailed Godwit / Barge a queue noire Limosa limosa (John Caddick) ferruginea and Common Redshank Tringa totanus, and is also important for terns, including Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis. Source: Vogelbescherming Nederland press release, 31 July 2013 Endless flight...? It has often been suggested that Common Swifts Apus apus spend most of their entire lives airborne, but proof of such a claim has been lacking. Recently, however, a group of Swiss researchers has presented unequivocal evidence that an individual Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba can remain aloft throughout the non-breeding period for in excess of 200 days. To date, such long-lasting locomotive activities had been reported only for birds at sea. Six swifts at a breeding site in Switzerland were fitted with tags logging light for information on their whereabouts; after their return to the same site in the following spring, three of the six were recaptured and the stored data were used to reconstruct their non-breeding movements and activity patterns over a period ol at least seven months. Because the nest sites are inside a building (in the dark), nest visits during daytime were easily detectable by the abrupt change in the light level. When the birds are exposed to natural light conditions, light levels change gradually during twilight. The light-based geolocation confirmed the supposed winter quarters as being in West Africa and, in spring, after crossing the Sahara, the birds spent some time in North Africa and southern Spain, but most exciting was the confirmation that the birds really had spent the entire period away from the breeding grounds without landing! Source: Nature Communications 4, 2554, DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3554 The ongoing plight of the African Elephant... The latest analysis of poaching data estimates that in 2012 c. 15,000 African Elephants Loxodonta africana were illegally killed at 42 sites across 27 African countries, which could translate to an estimated 22,000 elephants illegally killed continent¬ wide in 2012, a slight reduction on the estimated 25,000 elephants poached in 201 1 (see also Bull. ABC 20: 139-140). “With an estimated 22,000 African Elephants illegally killed in 2012, we continue to face a critical situation. Current elephant poaching in Africa remains far too high, and could soon lead to local extinctions if the present killing rates continue. The situation is particularly acute in Central Africa — where the estimated poaching rate is twice the continental average’’ said John E. Scanlon, CITES Secretary-General. The IUCN / SSC African Elephant Specialist Group estimates the entire population to be c.500,000 animals. High poaching levels mean that even the large populations in southern and East Africa are at risk unless the trend is reversed. The poaching levels are mirrored by the ivory trafficking figures compiled via the Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS) database, which suggest that illicit trade in ivory rose in 2011 to the highest levels in at least 16 years, persisted at unacceptably elevated levels through 2012 and that even higher levels of illicit trade may have been reached in 2013. Although incomplete, the raw data for large- scale ivory seizures in 2013 (involving at least 500 kg in a single transaction) already represent the greatest quantity of ivory confiscated over the last 25 years for this type of seizure. In response, key states along the illegal ivory value chain have recently committed to urgent measures to halt the illegal trade and secure elephant populations across Africa. The agreement was reached at the African Elephant Summit convened by the government of Botswana and IUCN, which was the first-ever meeting focused on the dynamics of the entire ivory value chain. The measures were agreed by range states including Gabon, Kenya, Niger and Zambia, ivory transit states Vietnam, Philippines and Malaysia and ivory destination states, including China and Thailand. One of the 14 measures the delegates committed to involves classifying wildlife trafficking as a ‘serious crime’. This will unlock Africa Round-up Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -17 international law enforcement cooperation provided under the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, including mutual legal assistance, asset seizure and forfeiture, extradition and other tools to hold criminals accountable for wildlife crime. Other measures agreed include engaging communities living with elephants in their conservation, strengthening national laws to secure maximum wildlife crime sentences, mobilising financial and technical resources to combat wildlife crime, and reducing demand for illegal ivory. Sources: IUCN SSC Species e-bulletin November 2013; IUCN SSC Species e-bulletin December 2013 ...Africa’s vultures The recent death of up to 600 vultures that had fed on a poisoned elephant carcass near Namibia’s Bwabwata National Park in July 2013 has confirmed that the indiscriminate use of poison is one of the major causes of the ongoing decline in vulture populations across most of Africa. This is particularly evident in West Africa where an average decline of 42% in vulture numbers has been recorded over the past 30 years, with Ruppell’s Vulture Gyps rueppelli declining by up to 85%. It is now common practice for poachers killing elephants and other large mammals to lace carcasses with poison to kill vultures. Vultures congregating at these carcasses in large numbers are often used by law enforcement officials in many parts of Africa as an indication of poaching activity and as a way to pursue the Riippell’s Vulture / Vautour de Ruppell Gyps rueppelli (Werner Suter) offenders. “By poisoning carcasses, poachers hope to eradicate vultures from an area where they operate and thereby escape detection,” said Leo Niskanen Technical Coordinator, IUCN Conservation Areas and Species Diversity Programme. “The fact that incidents such as these can be linked to the rampant poaching of elephants in Africa is a serious concern. Similar incidents have been recorded in Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia in recent years”. Most of the birds killed in the recent incident were White-backed Vultures G. afrricanus , currently listed as Endangered by IUCN / BirdLife International. Two dead tagged birds recovered from the incident were found 1,000 km away, graphically illustrating the possible range of impact on vulture populations. The use of poison also negatively affects other large raptors such as Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax and Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus , as well as lions, hyenas and jackals. Africa’s vulture populations cannot sustain such losses and the current decline may have serious ecological and human health consequences in the longer term. Many countries in Africa lack appropriate legislation and other measures to control or prevent the indiscriminate use of poisons. Penalties in cases where those responsible are apprehended are often minimal and do not act as a deterrent to the perpetrators. “We believe that crimes of this nature should have the same priority and be subject to similar penalties as those ascribed to incidents of poaching of the mega¬ fauna such as elephant and rhino,” said Andre Botha, Co-chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Vulture Specialist Group. Sources: IUCN SSC Species e-bidletin August 2013; World Birdwatch 35(4), p. 2 ...and Palearciic migrants wintering in Africa Compelling evidence now exists that Afro-Palearctic migrant bird populations have declined in Europe in recent decades, often to a greater degree than resident or short-distance migrants. There appear to have been two phases of decline. The first in the 1960s- 1970s, and in some cases into the early 1980s, largely affected species wintering predominantly in the arid Sahelian zone, and the second since the 1980s has mostly affected species wintering in the humid tropics and Guinea forest zone. Potential drivers are diverse and spread across and interact within the migratory cycle. Knowledge of declining species is generally better for the breeding than the non¬ breeding parts of their life cycles, but there are significant gaps in both for many species. On the breeding grounds, degradation of breeding habitats is affecting the demography of the largest number of species, particularly in agricultural systems and woodland. In the non-breeding areas, the interacting factors of anthropogenic habitat degradation and climatic conditions, particularly drought in the Sahel zone, appear to be the most important factors. Based on a synthesis of existing information, Juliet Vickery and her co-authors have suggested four priorities for further research: (1) use of new and emerging tracking technologies to identify migratory pathways and strategies, understand migratory connectivity and enable field research to be targeted more effectively; (2) undertake detailed field studies in sub-Saharan Africa and at staging sites, where understanding of distribution patterns, habitat use and foraging ecology is particularly poor; (3) make better use of the wealth of data from the European breeding grounds to explore spatial and temporal patterns in demographic parameters and relate these to migratory pathways and large-scale patterns of habitat change and climatic factors; and (4) make better use of remote sensing to improve our understanding of how and where land cover is changing across these extensive areas and how this impacts Afro-Palearctic migrants. Such research is necessary to inform and underpin a flyway approach to conservation, evaluating drivers across the migratory cycle and combining this with an understanding of land 18- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Africa Round-up Wryneck / Torcol fourmilier Jynx torquilla (Georges Olioso) management practices that integrate the needs of birds and people in these areas. Source: Ibis 156, pp. 1-22 Wrynecks winter further north than thought Seven Eurasian Wrynecks Jynx torquilla equipped with geolocators during the breeding season of 2011, six in Switzerland and one in eastern Germany, and recaptured in 2012, spent the winter in the Iberian Peninsula (five) or Morocco (two), although Central European populations of the species are usually assumed to winter in Sahelian Africa. Source: Ibis 155, pp. 886-890 North Africa New species for Egypt and the Western Palearctic Two male Yellow Bitterns Ixobrychus sinensis were trapped in 2012 in mangroves at Hamata, on the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea, the first record for the Western Palearctic. This discovery led to follow-up work and to the finding in the same area of at least three nests in 2013; Yellow Bittern breeds commonly throughout southern Asia but the nearest known breeding areas to Egypt are in coastal Oman and Seychelles. Source: Limicola 26, pp. 253-278 Black-necked Grebe population in Morocco on the increase... A five-year study of the Black¬ necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis population on three Middle Atlas wetlands in Morocco — Aguelmam Afennourir, Dayet Aoua and Yellow Bittern / Blongios de Chine Ixobrychus sinensis (Werner Suter) Black-necked Grebe / Grebe a cou noir Podiceps ruficollis (Mark Anderson) Dayet Ifrah — showed a spectacular increase from 372 pairs in 2009 to 1,100 in 2013 — an annual increase of 62%. Several other waterbird species breeding in Morocco are also increasing, including Little Tachybaptus ruficollis and Great Crested Grebes Podiceps major. A ten-year survey at the well-known Ramsar site of Sidi Boughaba, revealed an increase in breeding populations ol Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina , Common Pochard Aythya ferina , Ferruginous Duck A. nyroca and White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala. This positive trend appears to be mirrored over most of the country’s wetlands. Source: Wetlands Ecol. Manag. 21, DOI 10. 1 007/s 1 1273-013-9321-7 ...and Northern Bald ibis enjoys record year The 2013 breeding season of Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita in Morocco appears to have been the second most successful on record, with 148 young fledging, thereby bring the total population in country to 443 birds. The 60 pairs in the Tamri colony fledged 71 young (in contrast to the complete failure there in 2012), with the other 77 being produced by 53 pairs in Souss Massa National Park (an additional six pairs there failed to nest, as a result of continued disturbance by a Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus overflying their breeding ledges). Source: World Birdwatch 35(4), p. 5 Common Quail found breeding in Libya In May 2008, breeding of Common Quail Coturnix coturnix was established in agricultural areas at Sarir, in the Libyan Desert, where 4-6 birds were observed. In March 2009, calling birds were recorded at three sites in cereal and fodder croplands in Fezzan, south-west Libya, and a quail egg was found. Common Quail had previously only been reported on passage and in winter, but the recent records prove that it breeds in the country and suggest that the species is probably a regular and not uncommon breeder. The population presumably increased with the establishment of radial oases in the 1970s. Breeding in desert oases in neighbouring Tunisia and Algeria has been known for some time. Source: Alauda 81, pp. 229-231 Atlantic Ocean islands Macaronesian Bulwer’s Petrels satellite tracked To record their foraging and post¬ breeding movements, five Bulwer’s Petrels Bu'lweria bulwerii were fitted with satellite transmitters in August 2010 on Alegranza, an islet off Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, where >150 pairs breed. On average, foraging trips lasted 5.6 days, whilst the distance covered ranged from 1,168 to 1,364 km, and foraging areas were located over the continental slope and adjacent pelagic waters, up to 350 km from the colony. In the post-breeding period, the birds dispersed south- westwards to the tropical central Atlantic, >2,000 km from the colony. The speed of travel away from the colony, initially quick, slowed down shortly before the signal was lost, indicating that their wintering areas may have been reached. This is in Africa Round-up Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -19 agreement with the hypothesis that the Macaronesian population of Bulwer’s Petrel might winter in the central Atlantic between 20°N and 10°S. Source: Bird Study 60, pp. 270-274 A new breeding locality of Madeiran Storm-petrel Santa Luzia is the smallest island in the Cape Verde archipelago and currently uninhabited. Unlike the remainder of the islands, which are generally rather important for their breeding seabirds, none is known to nest on Santa Luzia. However, a recent survey has uncovered reasonably strong evidence of the presence of Madeiran Storm- petrels Oceanodroma castro on the island’s north-west coast, which is of significance given that the Cape Verde population numbers just c. 1,000 pairs and has been treated at specific level by some recent authorities as Cape Verde Storm- petrel 0. jabejabe. Source: Zool. Caboverdiana 4(1), pp. 17-20 Mice problem on Gough being addressed Since the discovery that introduced House Mice Mus musculus were killing large numbers of chicks of Tristan Albatrosses Diomedea (i exulans ) dabbenena and other birds on Gough Island ( Bull ABC 17: 155 & 20: 144) there have been calls to address the problem. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (BirdLife in the UK) worked with Tristan’s Conservation Department to bring two New Zealand eradication specialists to Gough in September 2013. One of the specialists had been involved with the apparently successful eradication of mice, rats and rabbits on Australia’s subantarctic Macquarie Island in 2011, using aerial application of poisoned bait. On Gough, non-toxic bait was dropped on coastal cliffs in a try-out. The results were encouraging and a plan has been devised for the eradication, which could take place as early as 2015. All that is needed are funds to finance 180 tons of poisoned bait and the logistics to deliver it safely. Source: African Birdlife 2( 1 ), pp. 10-12 West and Central Africa High concentrations of Wilson’s Storm-petrels found off Mauritania In July 2005, a research expedition to the Mauritanian upwelling zone c.50-150 km west of Cape Timiris, an important feeding area for resident and migratory seabirds, enabled the seabird assemblage in midsummer to be assessed for the first time and discovered an unprecedented concentration of Wilson’s Storm- petrels Oceanites oceanicus. Flocks of up to 600 birds were encountered at the boundary between warm surface waters and cooler upwellings. These flocks formed an aggregation of at least 5,000 birds. Previous pelagic trips to the region in winter and spring had revealed important concentrations of species such as Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea, Northern Gannet Morns bassanus , Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus , Long-tailed Skua S. longicaudus, Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini, Common Tern Sterna hirundo and Black Tern Chlidonias niger. In July 2005, the commonest seabird species in the shelf-edge ‘mixing zone’ was Wilson’s Storm-petrel, but several thousand Black Terns (roughly 80-90% of which were first-summer birds) and hundreds of Cape Verde Shearwaters Calonectris edwardsii , Royal Terns Thalasseus Wilson’s Storm-petrel / Oceanite de Wilson Oceanites oceanicus (Adam Riley) Greyish Eagle Owl / Grand-due du Sahel Bubo ( africanus ) cinerascens (Adam Riley) maximus and Common Terns were also recorded, most of them, but not the storm-petrels, associating with fishing vessels or moving between vessels. Source: Seabird 25, pp. 47-53 Occurrence of Greyish Eagle Owl in Mauritania confirmed... Although Greyish Eagle Owl Bubo {, africanus ) cinerascens had been claimed for southern Mauritania, Isenmann et al. (2010. Birds of Mauritania), sensibly, did not retain it in their list of species confirmed for the country because the species had been reported by a single observer without supporting details. This has prompted three other observers to document records at three different sites in the south of the country, up to r.l8°40’N. The occurrence of Greyish Eagle Owl in the country is thus confirmed. Source: Malimbus 35, pp. 147—148 ...but African Palm Swift might not occur in northern Mauritania A single report of African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus in northern Mauritania, in July 1999, has been regarded as the only viable record for the Western Palearctic, based primarily on the observer's familiarity with the species further south in the country (see Bull. ABC 17: 153). However, the lack of physical documentation in support of the record, and absence of other reports 20- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Afiica Round-up from localities in the northern half of the country, have led to the suggestion that the species should, after all, be omitted from the list of birds reliably recorded in the Western Palearctic region. Source: Dutch Birding 35, pp. 249-250 Lesser Flamingos finally breed successfully in West Africa Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor has just one breeding colony in West Africa, at Aftout es Saheli, in south¬ west Mauritania. Several attempts at breeding have been documented since the late 19th century, but none was successful until very recently. In 2011, most threats were identified and averted, and consequently nearly 5,000 Lesser and just over 10,000 Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus were recorded incubating and approximately 10,000 chicks fledged. Deterring and trapping natural predators (mostly jackals and warthogs) and preventing the activities of poachers were the main interventions required, but even so nearly 5,000 juveniles were lost. Source: Bird Conserv. Intern. 23, pp. 426-436 First Pacific Golden Plover for Senegal documented The first record of Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva for Senegal has been documented. The bird, which was in near-complete breeding plumage, was photographed on the ‘lie aux oiseaux’ in Saloum Delta National Park on 10 May 2012. There are just two previous definite records in West Africa, both ol singles in coastal Cote d’Ivoire, in December 1987 and October- November 1989, although ‘golden plovers’ claimed as probable P. fulva have been reported from Ghana, Togo and Nigeria. Source: Malimbus 35, pp. 139-140 Aberrant Aquatic Warbler trapped in Senegal In February 2011, an aberrant pale-coloured Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola was trapped in Djoudj National Park, north-west Senegal. The bird had been ringed in France in August 2009 and was thus almost two years old. This is the only aberrantly coloured Aquatic Warbler among the 7,083 individuals ringed in France in 1982-2011. The bird is presumed to have originated from the breeding population in western Poland. The Djoudj and the Inner Niger Delta in Mali are now known to be two major wintering areas of this globally threatened species, which appears to exhibit high site fidelity. Source: Malimbus 35, pp. 142-146 Birds of the Tristao and Alcatraz islands, Guinea, surveyed An ornithological survey of the coastal archipelago of the Tristao and Alcatraz islands, Boke Prefecture, north-west Guinea, in February- May 2007, with additional records made in November-December 2012, produced a list of 236 species, amongst which one was new to Guinea: Madeiran Storm-petrel Oceanodroma castro , of which c. 20 individuals were observed at sea on 26 April. A White-backed Night Heron Gorsachius leuconotus was photographed in riparian forest — this is only the second site in the country where the species has been recorded, the first being Haut Niger National Park. Unexpected and highly remarkable was the observation of two Grey-throated Rails Canirallus oculeus , the westernmost record to date, fortunately proved by a good photograph. The archipelago is especially important for >20,000 wintering Palearctic waders, among them c. 1% of the global population of Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula. The rocky island of Alcatraz also harbours West Africa’s largest colony ol Brown Boobies Sula leucogaster (2,200 pairs) and a nearby sandy islet supports 3,700 pairs of Royal Terns Thalasseus maximus. Source: Malimbus 35, pp. 93-130 West Africa’s lions face extinction The Lion Panthera leo population in West Africa has undergone a catastrophic collapse in recent years and only c.400 animals survive, representing 250 mature individuals. Lioness / Lionne Panthera leo (Adam Riley) This is the alarming conclusion of a recently published study conducted by Philipp Henschel and co-workers. Surveys were conducted in 13 large protected areas (of >500 km2) and evidence of lion presence/absence was compiled in a further eight. In 2005 lions were still present in 12 protected areas. Now their presence was confirmed in just four, of which three harbour <50 individuals. In these three areas, which are isolated from each other — Niokolo-Koba National Park (Senegal), Kainji Lake National Park and Yankari Game Reserve (Nigeria) — lions are expected to become extinct soon. The only large population is in the W-Arly-Pendjari complex, at the borders of Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger, with an estimated 356 individuals. West African lions once ranged continuously from Senegal to Nigeria, but their present range is estimated at just 1.1% (or 49,000 km2) of what it once was. In the rest of Africa the lion’s range has also severely contracted, but not as dramatically as in West Africa. All but a few of the areas surveyed were in fact paper parks, with no management budgets or patrol staff, and had already lost all of their other large mammals. Black Rhino Diceros bicornis was officially declared extinct in West Africa in 2013; Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus. Wild Dog Lycaon pictus and Giant Eland Tragelaphus derbianus are imminently threatened with the same fate. Molecular and morphological data show that West and Central African lions are genetically distinct from other extant African populations and are closely related to the extinct Africa Round-up Bull ABC Mol 21 No 1 (2014) -21 ‘Barbary Lions’ that once occurred in North Africa, as well as to the last Asiatic lions surviving in India. The authors of the study therefore recommend to recognise the West African lions as a separate subspecies to highlight their potentially unique conservation value. Lion declines are mainly due to large-scale habitat destruction, prey base depletion through unsustainable poaching, and the retaliatory killing of lions due to perceived or real human-lion conflict. Today, fewer than 35,000 lions remain in Africa, as opposed to 100,000 in the 1960s. Source: PLoS ONE 9: e83500. doi:10. 1371 /journal, pone. 0083500 Birds from the Lagoa Carumbo area, north-east Angola During five days of field work, in April-May 2011, Michael Mills recorded 175 bird species in the Lagoa Carumbo area, an ornithologically poorly known Important Bird Area (IBA) in Lunda Norte province, north-east Angola. These included many new provincial records, range extensions and rare species, as well as two species new to the country: South African Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon spilodera and Red-tailed Leaflove Phyllastrephus scandens (documented in Bull. ABC 20: 200-203). The total number of species confirmed for the area, which lies at the interlace of the Guinea- Congo Forests and Zambezian biomes, now stands at 196, among them 1 5 species restricted to the latter biome. Lagoa Carumbo thus harbours the highest number of Zambezian biome species known for any IBA in Angola. Source: Malimbus 35, pp. 77-92 East Africa ‘Killer’ power line to go Since its construction in the 1950s a 31 km-long power line near Port Sudan has been estimated to have killed perhaps thousands of Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus alone. In March 2013 a workshop was convened by the Sudanese Wildlife Society to discuss ways of mitigating its effects, given that Egyptian Vulture is now considered globally threatened. Surprisingly, the director of the responsible electricity company promised to build a parallel and replacement power line replete with special conductors, and to remove the original line as soon as the new one is completed. Source: World Birdwatch 35(4), p. 11 Northern Bald Ibis wintering ecology in Ethiopia The relict eastern population of Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita discovered in Syria in 2002 has been declining ever since. It is known to winter on the central Ethiopian plateau and a new study by Gianlucca Serra and others has assessed the conditions the birds meet when they are there. The area is agro- pastural land inhabited by a settled community. The birds’ core area and extended range areas were c.20 and 60 times, respectively, smaller than the equivalent in the breeding season. They preferred to forage in pasture and recently cut hayfields, and avoided tall grass, uncut fields and cultivation. Human disturbance was minimal. The main threat is probably the potential conversion of pasture to croplands and the use of fertilisers and pesticides. Source: Bird Conserv. Intern. 23, pp. 399-413 Oldest wild Lesser Flamingo found in Kenya A Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor ringed as a chick at Lake Magadi, Kenya, in 1962 was found dead at Lake Bogoria in February 2013. The bird lived for 50 years and almost four months, making it the oldest-known wild flamingo. In 1961-62 the soda mudflats of Natron were underwater making the site unsuitable for nesting, thus that year breeding temporarily shifted to Lake Magadi. Of the 8,000 flamingos ringed, over ten recoveries have been made since 1962, notably one in West Africa, 6,197 km from Lake Magadi. Source: www. birdlife.org/africa/news/ pink-ring-safari-ends-lake-bogoria Farmland birds receive more attention Farmland birds have been the subject of a large amount of research in Europe but studies in Africa have concentrated mainly on natural habitats. However, two new studies on what is important in the farmland environment in eastern Africa have just been published. The first by P. Kariuki Ndang’ang’a et al. examined the effects of vegetation composition and structure on birds in the highland agricultural landscape of Nyandarua in Kenya. Bird diversity increased with increasing density of woody plant species and vegetation structural variability. Increasing structural heterogeneity (particularly closed-canopy cover and increasing fallow and cultivation of grassland / pasture cover) were the most important influences on overall diversity and, as expected, most of the species that were studied exhibited some benefit from structurally rich landscapes. The second study by David Douglas and colleagues looked specifically at the importance of native trees for forest birds in central Ugandan farmland. Neither total bird species nor richness of non-forest dependent species was related to any measure of tree cover, but richness of forest- dependent species was positively related to numbers of native trees (especially large ones), and native tree variables typically had a greater effect than those for exotic tree species. The latter contributed little even though they comprised f.40% of trees available. Sources: Ostrich 84, pp. 171-179 ; Anim. Conserv. online Southern Africa New study reveals lack of genetic diversity in Black Harrier Black Harrier Circus maurus is one of the three rarest endemic bird species in South Africa and certainly the rarest endemic raptor. The global population is currently estimated at fewer than 1 ,000 mature individuals, mostly in Northern and Western Cape provinces. Recent satellite- 22- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Afica Round-up Black Harrier / Busard maure Circus maurus (Mark Anderson) tagging work has revealed that birds in Western Cape move east post-breeding and may spend the summer in Lesotho and Free State (www.blackharrierspace.blogspot. com/), suggesting that the Eastern Cape and Free State population is not independent of that in the Western Cape, and that the world population may be smaller than assumed. A recent genetic study has confirmed that there appears to be no genetic variation in the species across most of its breeding range; two hypotheses exist to explain this finding, one being that the lack of diversity is not due to selection but rather to drift and fixation of alleles at small population sizes, as might be expected to occur during a bottleneck. If confirmed, this might provide even more worrying news for this globally threatened (Vulnerable) bird. Source: Ibis 156, pp. 227-230 Avifauna of Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve, Malawi The meticulous work of Fran<;oise Dowsett-Lemaire and Bob Dowsett has left Malawi among the best- known countries in Africa in terms of bird distributions, with a fine atlas-like avifauna ( The Birds of Malawi , 2006). Nevertheless, gaps in coverage remain to be filled. One such was Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve, which was surveyed by Josh Engel and colleagues over 12 days in October 2009, prior to the wet season, and two days in November 2009, after the first rains, in the process of which they documented six new species for the reserve — Red¬ chested Flufftail Sarothrura rufa , Augur Buzzard / Buse augure Buteo augur (Ken Burton) African Pitta Pitta angolensis , African Broadbill Smithornis capensis , African Reed Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus , Marsh Tchagra Bocagia minuta ( = Pellagra minutus ) and African Yellow Warbler Iduna (= Chloropeta :) natalensis — and recorded 56 new quadrat records, filling in distributional gaps in the country’s bird atlas. Source: J. East Afr. Nat. Hist. 101, pp. 223-240 Augur Buzzard recorded in South Africa On 5 June 2013, an adult Augur Buzzard Buteo augur was photographed in Richtersveld sandplain, r.30 km south of the Namibian border, Northern Cape, South Africa. This appears to be the first record for South Africa of this species, which has an isolated population in south-west Angola and north-west and central Namibia. Augur Buzzard is normally resident, with occasional nomadism linked to prey availability. Source: African Birdlife 1(6), p. 12 Taxonomic proposals More on Macaronesian petrel relationships The north-east Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores, Madeira, the Canaries and Cape Verdes have been host to complex patterns of colonisation and differentiation in many groups of birds including gadfly petrels (Pterodroma) . Despite considerable interest, the taxonomic status of the three gadfly petrel taxa breeding in Macaronesia (all of which were long treated as subspecies of the Southern Ocean Soft-plumaged Petrel P. mollis) remains a Tot potato’, with various authors advocating the recognition of three, two or just one species and prevailing wisdom over the past two decades generally favouring two species-level taxa, Zino’s Petrel P. madeira and Fea’s Petrel P. feae (the latter also comprising P. f deserta , which some more recent authors have suggested also merits specific status). These birds have already been the subject of genetic studies with only one mtDNA gene and relatively modest sample sizes. The most recent investigation, by a multi-author team, sampled a total of five genes (two mitochondrial genes and three nuclear introns) from the petrel populations breeding on the Madeira and Cape Verde archipelagos. Although the team was able to confirm complete lineage sorting in mtDNA, analyses of nuclear material failed to reveal any population structuring and Isolation with Migration analysis revealed the absence of gene flow during the differentiation process of these populations, which apparently diverged in the late Pleistocene, within the last 150,000 years, i.e. ten times more recently than previous estimates based solely on a single mtDNA gene. The other contrast with previous results was the suggestion that the Madeira petrel population is ancestral rather than that on the Cape Verdes. Source: Mol. Ecol. 22, pp. 495-507 Cyrenaic Partridge, a new North African endemic species? A short paper by Silvio Spano and colleagues has suggested that the barbata subspecies of Barbary Partridge Alectoris barbara , which is endemic to north-east Libya and north-west Egypt, is sufficiently different in morphology and mtDNA to be treated either as an Evolutionary Significant Unit, or a separate species. The level ol genetic differentiation uncovered by the authors, 0.6%, is reasonably significant at this locus, as other wider studies of Alectoris partridges Africa Round-up Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -23 have found generally rather small differences in mtDNA in this genus. Source: Avocetta 37, pp. 145-148 Relationships among hornbills established Although molecular studies of the hornbills (Bucerotidae) have been conducted in the past, these were based solely on mtDNA and a limited sampling of species diversity. Juan-Carlos Gonzalez and co-workers have now reconstructed relationships among all extant hornbill species and established a comprehensive molecular phylogeny for this distinct family. The resulting phylogenetic trees closely match vocal variation across the family but conflict with current taxonomic treatments. Concerning African species, they reveal that the genus Tockus as currently defined is divided into two major groups, each representing different vocal types (‘whistlers’ and ‘cluckers’). This supports the splitting of Tockus into two genera, with the name Lophoceros being revived for the ‘whistlers’. The latter include seven species: Bradfield’s Lophoceros bradfieldi, Crowned L. alboterminatus , African Pied L. fasciatus , Hemprich’s L. hemprichii, African Grey L. nasutus. Red-billed Dwarf L. camurus and Pale-billed Hornbills L. pallidirostris. Additionally, nuclear and mtDNA trees provide some support for the splitting of Red-billed Hornbill T. erythrorhynchus into several species, by confirming substantial genetic divergence among lineages in this complex.The most important and quite unexpected find, however, was that Black Dwarf Hornbill ‘ Tockus ’ hartlaubi does not belong to Tockus at all but is sister to White-crested Hornbill Tropicranus albocristatus. This placement actually makes sense on the basis of phenotype, as both species share several diagnostic characters, such as crest structure and a graduated tail. If T. hartlaubi is merged with Tropicranus , the latter name becomes a junior synonym of Horizocerus , which thus has priority over the characteristic and well- established Tropicranus. The species pair proposed as congeners should Madagascar Lark / Alouette malgache Mirafra hova (Keith Valentine) therefore be named Horizocerus hartlaubi and H. albocristatus. Sources: Mol. Phyl. & Evol. 67, pp. 468-483-, 68, p. 715 A new classification of larks Per Alstrom and others have undertaken a major analysis of relationships within the larks (Alaudidae). The family is cosmopolitan but reaches its greatest diversity in Africa. Based on the results of rvvo mtDNA and three nuclear loci, they propose a revised generic classification, some of which supports existing relationships and others not. It was also clear that larks are extraordinarily adaptable morphologically with numerous examples of parallel evolution and also some cases where an unrelated species has come to look like those of another genus, for example Madagascar Lark Mirafra hova seems actually to be closer to Eremopterix , although morphologically very unlike the latter genus. Some other relationships thought to be close from a morphological standpoint turn out not to be and vice versa. Indeed, as a whole larks show more disagreements between morphological taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships (from DNA) than almost any other family. Source: Mol. Phyl. & Evol. 69, pp. 1043-1056 Exit Long-tailed and Kimberley Pipits In 1996, the late Richard Liversidge described a new species of pipit from Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa, and named it Long-tailed Pipit Anthus longicaudatus. Amazingly he, with evolutionary biologist and geneticist Gary Voelcker, described a second new pipit from the same Kimberley sports fields in 2002, which was named Kimberley Pipit A. pseudosimilis. Since then, Kimberley has seen birders from all over the world trying to get to grips with the pipits present in winter. This proved to be much harder than expected and over the next decade scepticism gradually grew. However, no reassessment of the new species was conducted. In a recent article Faansie Peacock does just that. Having examined a long series of skins, including a syntype and two paratypes of Long-tailed Pipit and the holotype of Kimberley Pipit, Peacock and his collegue Greg Davies came to a sobering conclusion. The Long¬ tailed Pipit material proved identical to Buffy Pipit A. vaalensis, except one female paratype, which was a Long-billed Pipit A. similis, whilst the Kimberley Pipit holotype was in fact an African (= Grassland) Pipit A. cinnamomeus. Five of the other specimens identified as Kimberley Pipits were Long-billed Pipits, whilst one was a Mountain Pipit A. hoeschi. Liversidge maintained that Long-tailed Pipit exhibited distinctive behaviour, vocalisations and habitat preferences, but this is also convincingly refuted by Peacock. Based on the limited evidence available, it was hypothesised that Long-tailed Pipit was a non-breeding winter visitor from breeding grounds in the central African tropics, but Peacock questions this highly unusual strategy and asks why a subtropical breeding bird would winter in the dry, dusty and bitterly cold plains around Kimberley. Results of genetic analyses presented by Voelcker unsurprisingly revealed Long-tailed to be sister to Buffy Pipit, whilst Malindi Pipit A. malindae, an East African endemic, was unexpectedly identified as the closest relative of Kimberley Pipit. Subsequent sampling added considerably to the confusion, as further Kimberley Pipit specimens were found to genetically overlap with Plain-backed and African Pipits. This, together with other odd patterns in Voelcker's 24- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Afi-ica Round-up phylogenetic tree, actually suggested that the specimens were originally misidentified. Based on their thorough examination, Peacock and Davies reject the validity of both Long-tailed and Kimberley Pipits. Source: African Birdlife 2(1), pp. 61-66 Mourning Wheatear: an ongoing taxonomic headache The Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens complex has been investigated from a genetic standpoint previously, but studies have not covered all of the various recognised forms. Normally the complex is split into a north-east African group ( lugubris ), lugentoides in southern Arabia and lugens in North Africa and the Middle East (in each case there may be more than one subspecies). Now, Manuel Schweizer and others have analysed the entire complex and found that the group is certainly polyphyletic and should be split into at least three species corresponding broadly to these three groups. O. lugens {sensu stricto) is certainly the most disparate being more closely related to the Red-tailed O. chrysopygia / Kurdish Wheatear O. xanthoprymna complex, although the other two groups are each other's closest relatives. Overall, the results of this and previous genetic studies indicate that morphology appears to be a particularly poor predictor of relationships within Oenanthe. Source: Mol. Phyl. & Evol. 69, pp. 450-461 Two sympatric lineages of Common Raven on the eastern Canaries Recently, based on genetic analysis, a distinct lineage of Common Raven Corvus corax on the Canary Islands has been described and assigned to C. c. tingitanus. However, all sampled birds originated from just one island (Fuerteventura). Additional samples from other islands in the archipelago, as well as from other populations in North Africa and Europe, have now been used to confirm the occurrence of a distinct lineage on the two easternmost islands of the Canaries, whereas most specimens on other islands are closely related to birds from Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean islands. However, on at least one of these islands, the researchers found that the Canarian and Holarctic lineages coexist. The distribution patterns of the genetically distinct Canarian lineage match the subspecies C. c. jordansi, which was previously described from morphological characters such as small size and brownish feathering. The authors of the study recommend that the distinct mtDNA lineage (C. c. tingitanus) and the morphological subspecies C. c. jordansi from the eastern Canary Islands should be considered as referring to the same population and that the latter name has priority. Source: J. Ornithol. 155, pp. 243-251 Genetic variation in Trumpeter Finch populations A recent study has used nuclear and mitochondrial markers to investigate the phylogeography and to estimate chronology of colonisation events in Trumpeter Finches Bucanetes githagineus. Microsatellite and mitochondrial data showed the clearest differentiation as being between Maghreb and Canary Islands and between Maghreb and Western Sahara populations, and mtDNA alone suggests differentiation between different Maghreb populations, among Maghreb and Near East populations, between the Iberian Peninsula and Canary Islands, and between the Western Sahara and Maghreb. The species appears to have colonised North Africa during the humid Marine Isotope Stage 5 period of the Sahara region 125,000 years ago, and that its current range reflects this finch’s responses to Pleistocene climatic changes, which would have led to alternate expansions and contractions of its range. Source: Mol. Ecol. doi: 10.1111/ mec. 12588 Internet resources HBW Alive HBW Alive represents an online comprehensive reference resource for all the birds of the world and comprises the contents of the acclaimed 17-volume Handbook of the Birds of the World — the first of which appeared in 1992 and the last in June 2013. Now, the cumulative total of 13,367 pages (the product of 277 authors), 1,030 plates (by 33 artists), 20,617 figures, 10,200 maps and c. 100,000 bibliographical references are available online via subscription, and all of the contents, including texts, maps and artwork, are constantly updated via a combination of professional editors and moderated user participation. Links to videos, photographs and sound-recordings are used to complement the texts and HBW Alive also provides many other features, including the capacity to make various lists, with geographical filtering and personal notes. There are two membership categories (basic, which costs €29.95 / year, and supporting, at €44.95 / year, which provides additional features), both of which also require a one-off registration fee of €20. Sources: http://www.hbw. com/; https:// www. youtube. com/user/HB W Alive Africa’s avian cheats get their own website Cuckoos, cuckoo finches, honeyguides, indigobirds and other brood parasitic birds exploit the care ol other species to raise their young. In doing so they make ideal studv systems for field research on coevolution — the process by which two or more species affect each other’s evolution. Claire Spottiswoode and her colleagues have been studying brood parasites in the field at Choma, Zambia, since 2006. The researchers form part of the Behavioural Ecology Group in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Zoology, and now have their own website dedicated to their research, where you can follow their work and download some of their publications. Source: http://www2.zoo.cam.ac. uk/ africancuckoos/home. html Africa Round-up Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -25 Raptors in northern Cameroon, December 2005-December 2010 Ralph Buija'b & Barbara M. Croef Rapaces au Cameroun du nord, decembre 2005-decembre 2010. Les rapaces des principaux habitats du Cameroun du nord ont ete recenses entre decembre 2005 et decembre 2010. Une analyse est presentee de 60 especes de rapaces. Parmi celles-ci, six especes n’avaient pas ete documentees au nord du Cameroun avant 2005. Des informations sont presentees sur plusieurs especes afrotropicales regionalement rares ou peu etudiees telles que le Messager sagittaire Sagittarius serpentarius , le Baza coucou Aviceda cuculoides , le Circaete de Beaudouin Circaetus beaudouini , l’Aigle d’Ayres Hieraaetus ayresii , l’Epervier de Hartlaub Accipiter erythropus , l’Epervier de FOvampo A. ovampensis et le Faucon de Cuvier Falco cuvierii. Des donnees sont egalement fournies sur le comportement, le cycle de reproduction, la mue, le succes de reproduction, F alimentation, les modalites et le succes de chasse, la migration saisonniere, et la dispersion de nombreuses especes, ainsi que des observations de 12 migrateurs palearctiques peu observes. L’Aigle des steppes Aquila nipalensis , l’Aigle imperial A. heliaca , la Buse feroce Buteo rufinus et le Faucon de Barbarie Falco ( peregrinus ) pelegrinoides semblent etre plus courants dans la zone d’inondation de la region de FExtreme-Nord que precedemment rapporte. En conclusion les menaces qui pesent sur cette riche communaute de rapaces sont examinees. Summary. We conducted raptor surveys in all major habitats of northern Cameroon between December 2005 and December 2010. Details for 60 raptor species are presented. Of these, six had not been documented in northern Cameroon prior to our survey. Information is presented on regionally rare or little-studied Afrotropical raptors such as Secretary-bird Sagittarius serpentarius , African Cuckoo Hawk Aviceda cuculoides , Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle Circaetus beaudouini, Ayres’s Eagle Hieraaetus ayresii. Red¬ thighed Sparrowhawk Accipiter erythropus, Ovambo Sparrowhawk A. ovampensis and African Hobby Falco cuvierii. Details are given on the behaviour, breeding cycle, moult, reproductive success, diet, foraging, prey capture success, seasonal migration and dispersal of many species. Records further include details for 12 infrequently observed Palearctic migrants; Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis, Eastern Imperial Eagle A. heliaca, Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus and Barbary Falcon Falco {peregrinus) pelegrinoides appear to be commoner visitors to the inundation zone in the Far North Region than previously reported. We conclude with a discussion of threats to this rich raptor community. isolated records of new or rare species based on short visits (e.g. Girard & Thai 1996, Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 2000, Languy et al. 2005), including raptors (Mills et al. 2003). The lack of knowledge is especially pronounced for the vast Benoue Valley, one of the few large conservation complexes in western Africa and potentially of great importance to disturbance-sensitive large raptors. To fill some of this knowledge gap, we present information on the raptor community of northern Cameroon, collected between December 2005 and December 2010. Study area and Methods Surveys were mostly conducted in the Far North and North Regions of Cameroon, but extended into the Adamawa Region (Fig. 1). Rains occur between April into October, peaking in June— Information on raptor abundance, movements and breeding in many western African countries is scarce (but see Thiollay 1 977, 1989 and references therein), although repeated country-wide surveys between the late 1960s and 2003-04 show that many raptors have significantly declined over vast areas (Thiollay 2006). Northern Cameroon has been relatively well visited by ornithologists compared to some other countries in the region (see Louette 1981, Dowsett et al. 2013). The avifauna of the Waza-Logone floodplains in particular has been relatively well documented (Fry 1970, Mundy 1972, Robertson 1992, Sorensen et al. 1996, Scholte et al. 1999), including surveys that focused specifically on raptors (Thiollay 1978a, 2001, Scholte 1998). However, few recent publications cover the savanna region south ol the Waza-Logone area, most providing merely 26- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Raptors in northern Cameroon : Buij & Croes u zu Figure 1. Study area in northern Cameroon, and map with location of road transects. Dotted lines indicate the boundaries of the inundation zone (1), the Sudan zone (2) and the Benoue Valley (3). Zone d’etude au Cameroun du nord et carte indiquant les routes des transects. Les lignes en pointilles indiquent les limites de la zone d’inondation (1), la zone soudanienne (2) et la vallee de la Benoue (3). 12 12 15 18 September in the north and in May-October in the south. Mean annual temperatures vary from 24°C in the south to 28°C in the north, and peak in March-May, when they reach 47°C in the inundation zone. Road surveys covered three biogeographical zones, which are representative of three main savanna types between the 450-1,600 isohyets in western Africa (White 1983) differing in productivity and vegetation composition. The Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -27 inundation zone in the Far North Region encompasses the 8,000-km2 Waza-Logone floodplains fringed by dry woodlands on higher ground. It is dominated by a Sahelian climate, and located at the transition of the Sahel and Sudan climatic zones (rainfall: 450-700 mm / year), in the southern Lake Chad Basin. Habitat is dominated by the partially flooded grasslands of the Waza-Logone area, with communities of Acacia and broad-leaved trees (White 1983), notably Sclerocarya birrea woodland with Anogeissus leiocarpus , Balanites aegyptiaca and Acacia seyal. Agriculture is mainly dry-season sorghum, millet and rice. The 1,700-km2 Waza National Park (NP) and 45-km2 Kalamaloue NP protect part of the floodplains, but poaching is a serious threat to wildlife (Scholte 2003, Tumenta et al. 2010). The Sudan savanna zone to the south (rainfall: 700-1,100 mm / year) is characterised by hilly terrain that rises to the Mandara Mountains in the west (500-1,000 m in the highest parts), with undifferentiated Sudanian woodlands (‘North Sudanian zone’: White 1983). Heavily exploited forest reserves and Mozogo-Gokoro NP support trees such as Isoberlinia doka , Balanites aegyptiaca , Piliostigma reticulatum and Combretum erythrophyllnm. Local people grow sorghum, millet, maize, beans, cotton and groundnut. The Benoue Valley is situated in the area of highest rainfall (1,100—1,600 mm / year). It lies on undulating terrain with some scattered rocky outcrops, south to Ngaoundere on the Adamawa Plateau (‘South Sudanian zone’: White 1983), and has often been referred to as the Northern Guinea savanna belt (e.g. Thiollay 1989). The Benoue Valley encompasses a large river system and three national parks (Benoue, Bouba Ndjida and Faro) covering c.7,600 km2 with Isoberlinia dbAz-dominated wooded savanna and Anogeissus leiocarpus- dominated riparian forests along watercourses. Twenty-eight sport-hunting zones cover an additional 16,000 km2 and are managed as protected areas, with hunting quotas for larger mammals and gamebirds (Mayaka 2002). Cultivation consists of traditional crops such as millet, but increasingly cotton. Most survey time was in the form of road transects (cf. Buij et al. 2013b for details), as well as point counts (e.g. for harriers; see Buij et al. 2012 for details), from December 2005 to December 2010, and while studying land- use effects on raptors as part of a Ph.D. study conducted in northern Cameroon from March 2007 (cf. Buij 2013 for details). Surveys covered all major habitat types, including cultivated land, national parks (Waza, Kalamaloue, Mozogo- Gokoro, Benoue, Faro and Bouba Ndjida), hunting zones (Benoue Valley) and forest reserves (FR; Kalfou and Mayo Louti). To determine the relative abundance of raptors in the dry and wet seasons, eight road transects each of 35-115 km were surveyed in each zone, totalling 425 km in the inundation zone, 897 km in the Sudan zone and 603 km in the Benoue Valley ( cf. Buij et al. 2013b). These were surveyed eight times, once every six-month period between March 2007 and December 2010, by both authors, from a slow-moving vehicle. We repeated surveys four times in the dry (15 October- 15 April) and four times in the wet seasons (15 April- 15 October). In the Benoue Valley, 90 km of transect (the area east of Tchollire) was inaccessible in the wet season and therefore was surveyed only during the dry season. Repeat transects were initiated from opposite directions to reduce time bias in raptor detectability in response to increasing air temperatures. Apart from repeated transects, an additional 675 km of road surveys were driven in the inundation zone during the dry season (October-December, February-March) and 327 km during the wet season (April-May, August- September); and in the Sudan zone, 1,040 km during the dry season (October-December, March-April) and 110 km during the wet season (July). These counts were used to examine monthly variations in abundance at different latitudes (i.e. not average dry- and wet-season estimates). Road transects started at 06.30-07.30 hrs and ended before 12.30-13.30 hrs. Transect counts provided an index of relative abundance (N / 100 km), which was averaged lor the entire survey period, separately for dry and wet seasons, or provided as monthly values for separate transects. Road counts were augmented by opportunistic observations, one-hour point counts (in 2006 and 2009-10) , whereby all raptors in view were recorded, and stationary counts during other field studies, in the Waza-Logone area and Benoue Valley. These covered all months, but some areas were more extensively covered during the dry than the wet season, notably the floodplains west ol the Logone River and the eastern Benoue Valley. 28- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Birds were identified based on available literature (e.g. Forsman 1999, Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001) and various species-specific publications (e.g. Shirihai & Forsman 1991, Forsman 1995, 1998, Clark 1996, 2004, Clark & Schmitt 1998). Plumage descriptions follow Clark (2004), e.g. juvenile is that plumage retained until first annual moult. Results and Discussion We recorded 60 raptor species, as follows. Species of conservation concern (IUCN 2013) are indicated by EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable and NT = Near Threatened. Sequence and taxonomy follow Dickinson & Remsen (2013). Secretary-bird Sagittarius serpentarius VU Sedentary. Mostly seen in woodland within Waza NP (often drinking at waterholes in February- May), but also on the floodplain, and near the Logone River 60 km south of Maga (one, 2 June 2007). Singles or 1-2 pairs noted annually in Waza NP, in all months except September. One pair often foraged on burnt grasslands in the western section of Waza NP in November- December 2007, 2008 and 2010. A pair with a dependent juvenile in Waza NP in February 2007 were possibly indicative of (nearby) breeding (Fig. 2). One in Waza NP in February 1973 (Thiollay 1978a, who attributed the species’ rarity there to seasonal flooding), and one in the hills south Figure 2. Adult and juvenile Secretary-bird Sagittarius serpentarius , Waza National Park, Cameroon, 22 February 2007 (Ralph Buij) Messagers sagittaires Sagittarius serpentarius adulte et juvenile, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 22 fevrier 2007 (Ralph Buij) of Mora in 1971 (Holmes 1972), but regular observations in Waza and Kalamaloue NPs in the 1990s (Scholte et al. 1999). Rare south of the inundation zone, with two records in Bouba Ndjida NP, both in April (2007/2010), possibly indicative of southward movement during the dry season (Thiollay 1978b). A specimen from Boki (van den Elzen 1975). Has strongly declined throughout West Africa and is on the brink of regional extinction (Hofmeyr et al. in prep.). Osprey Pandion haliaetus Palearctic migrant. Twenty-one recorded, mostly observed hunting over the Logone River, Lake Maga or canals of the Maga rice scheme, in October-April, but occurs throughout the study area south to Poli. A juvenile often roosted on a pruned Acacia near Maga town in October- November 2007. Max. on or near Lake Maga just three; in comparison, seven reported near Maga on 16 January 1993 (Scholte et al. 1999) and five during a census on and around the lake in January-Lebruary 2000 (Thiollay 2001). further, along 23 km of the Logone River, between Pousse and Tikele, 0.13 birds / km were recorded in January 2001 (Zwarts et al. 2009); mean abundance along the same stretch of river was 0.03 birds / km in 2005-10 (six counts in October-May; range: 0-0.10 birds / km). Along another 45-66 km of the Logone River and adjoining floodplains between Pousse and Yagoua, mean abundance was 0.02 birds / km (seven counts in November-May; range 0-0.07 birds / km). These data suggest a decline; Osprey may be vulnerable to shooting, trapping, contamination of surface water and reduced lish stocks in Sahelian floodplains, including the Lake Chad Basin (Zwarts et al. 2009). Earliest date: 27 October 2007, near Maga; latest: 29 May 2008, over the Logone near Yagoua. None recorded during the boreal summer, but one on 29 August 1994 in the Waza-Logone region had presumably over-summered (Scholte et al. 1999), and ringing recoveries from West Africa reveal that small numbers do so (EURING database). Black- winged Kite Elanus caendeus Recorded year-round in most areas, but local movements in the Ear North Region. This rodent specialist increased threefold in northern Cameroon between 1973 and 2000 (Thiollay Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -29 2001) and appears to be one of the few species that has benefitted from deforestation and expanding cultivation. Common throughout the north, particularly in the inundation zone (mean density 7.9 birds / 100 km), but scarce in continuous woodlands of the Benoue Valley and absent from parts of the floodplain during the inundation: abundance peaks in February-March (10.9 birds / 100 km), but gradually declines from the early rains (May-June: 6.8 birds / 100 km) to October (1.2 birds / 100 km), following which an influx occurs in November-December (7.6 birds / 100 km). This suggests exodus from the inundation zone during the rains, when high grass cover and flooding depress prey availability. Thiollay (1977) noted a four to eightfold increase in abundance in the Sahel in July-November, so such movements may be northwards. However, the species is observed year-round in other areas, such as rice fields and cultivated areas in the Sudan zone (dry season: 3.2 birds / 100 km; wet: 2.4 birds / 100 km) and the Benoue Valley (dry season: 2.9 birds / 100 km; wet: 4.6 birds / 100 km). Courtship and mating in the Far North Region observed in December-January, and pairs at nests in January- April. Five nests were in Faidherbia albida trees among sorghum (2) and rice fields (3, but up to five breeding pairs) in the inundation zone. African Swallow-tailed Kite Chelictinia riocourii Intra-African migrant. Common in dry wooded grasslands of the inundation zone, especially in December-June (abundance: 28.3 birds / 100 km), after which moves north into the Sahel; few linger to late July, none seen mid August- October, when present in small numbers further north (Gustafsson et al. 2003). Unlike in Nigeria, where this species is nowhere common and regular (mainly February in the Far North Region, also June-July: Elgood et al. 1973), it occurs regularly at the Waza-Logone floodplain, where it breeds singly or in colonies of 2-13 nests in woodlands and around cultivated fields and settlements, in April-July (mean 0.6 nests / km2; Buij et al. 2013a). Much less numerous in the Sudan zone, where 2.33 birds / 100 km in the dry and 1.06 birds / 100 km in the wet season. Two adults south of Garoua on 9 March 2008 (09°10’N 13°49’E) and 23 December 2008 (08°98’N 13°53,E). A single group of 211 individuals flying high over the centre of Waza NP in Figure 3. Juvenile African Swallow-tailed Kite Chelictinia riocourii swallowing a skink (Scincidae sp.), near Mora, Cameroon, 31 March 2007 (Ralph Buij) Elanion naucler Chelictinia riocourii juvenile avalant un lezard (Scincidae sp.), pres de Mora, Cameroun, 31 mars 2007 (Ralph Buij) the morning of 13 January 2009 was perhaps indicative of a nearby roost (cf. Buij et al. 2013a), and comparable in size to a group of 200 in April 1966 in Waza NP (De Greling 1972). Reptiles important in diet during breeding season (Buij et al. 2013a), but in non-breeding season takes mostly grasshoppers, and few reptiles (Fig. 3). No significant decline reported in northern Cameroon between 1973 and 2000 (Thiollay 2001), contrary to the situation outside protected areas in central West Africa (Thiollay 2006). Appears to adapt to modified habitats but may be impacted by loss of tree cover; nesting success in northern Cameroon rather low at 17% (Buij et al. 2013a). European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus Palearctic migrant. Observed between 1 September and 16 June (17 in the Far North Region and 14 in North Region). Eighteen (58%) were seen 22 April- 16 May, including six adults (five males, one female) circling north at low altitude in Waza NP on 5 May 2010 and an adult female perched and later flying through riverine woodland at Benoue NP on 22 April 2006 (Fig. 4). Eleven (35%) were recorded 1 September- 1 December. Most were flying high or rapidly gaining height, which together with the boreal spring and autumn peaks in records indicate that Cameroon’s savannas are mostly crossed en route to the main wintering range in the forest zone (cf Thiollay 1977). This is supported by observations of satellite-tracked birds from Sweden, which reached their West African wintering grounds at a mean latitude 30- Bull ABC Vo! 21 No 1 (2014) Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Figure 4. Adult female European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus , Benoue National Park, Cameroon, 22 April 2006 (Ralph Buij) Bondree apivore Pernis apivorus , femelle adulte, Parc National de la Benoue, Cameroun, 22 avril 2006 (Ralph Buij) of 06°24’N in September— November (Hake et al. 2003), although immatures may remain at relatively northerly latitudes, between 09°54’N and 13°33’N, before moving further south in November (Strandberg et al. 2012). All previous records in the Waza-Fogone area were in the boreal autumn: three in October, two in November (Scholte et al. 1999) and five on 10-11 September 1975 (Thiollay 1978a); two were seen in the Lake Chad region of Nigeria on 14 September 2000 (Gustafsson et al. 2003). African Cuckoo Hawk Aviceda cuculoides Sedentary, but local movements cannot be excluded (cf. Elgood et al. 1973). Recorded year- round but most frequently during the rains, when pairs are presumably breeding and therefore more conspicuous (Brown 1970). Uncommon in the Benoue Valley (15 birds; December, April- September) in woodland, riverine forest and at woodland edge, also over cultivation. Twice an adult pair was observed hunting; in both cases the birds perched 5-100 m from each other 3-6 m above ground while scanning the surrounding trees and ground for prey. A pair performed an undulating display flight (no calls heard) on 27 July 2009, c. 5 km south of Banda. A pair circling over Kalfou FR on 25 July 2008 and an adult there on 3 October 2008. A juvenile circling in Waza NP on 2 July 2010 is the northernmost record for Cameroon; a second-year was seen perched in Eucalyptus near Maga on 8 December 2007. Other records of single adults in flight in May and July, near Maroua and Rhumsiki. These are the first published records north of Ngaoundaba (07°08’N) and suggest that the species has previously been overlooked in northern Cameroon. African Harrier Hawk Polyboroides typus Throughout the north in small numbers, but commonest in the Benoue Valley (mean 1.0 bird / 100 km). No evidence of seasonal movements northwards with the rains (cf. Thiollay 1978b) and the only record north of Waza was in August. Observed predating weaver (Ploceidae spp.) nestlings in trees along the Benoue River, African Swallow-tailed Kite nestlings in the Far North Region (Buij et al. 2013a) and two adults were observed probing cavities in Waza Rock (probably for bats, possibly lizards). Individuals of all ages at waterholes in Waza NP in March-April. Two adults found dead after pesticide poisoning of a waterhole in Waza NP by local poachers in February 2010. Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus EN Palearctic migrant and local resident. Groups of 2-19 (mean: 8.8 birds ± 5.9) were observed each year between 27 November and 24 April in Waza NP, where most were recorded in December- March (90%; n = 118). One adult on 8 May 2007, another on 1 June 2008 and a third-year on 3 July 2010 in Waza NP. Of aged birds in 2006-10, 44% were adults (fourth-year plumage or older; n = 115). Often in groups near waterholes (Fig. 5) and twice at carcasses (goat Capra aegagrus hircus , Giraffe Giraffa Camelopardalis) with Ruppell s Gyps rueppelli , Fappet-faced Torgos tracheliotos and White-backed Vultures Gyps africanus ; also seen consuming grasshoppers. Other Waza records include up to four daily in December 1990 (Robertson 1992), ten on 15 November 1993 (Sorensen et al. 1996) and a group of 21 on 14 December 1996 (Scholte 1998). Past Nigerian occurrences have also been mainly in December- February (Elgood et al. 1966). Apart from these birds, probably of Palearctic origin ( cf. Thiollay 1977, 1989), presumed residents were recorded in the Mandara Mountains near Rhumsiki at 1,100 m above sea level, in November and July- August. An adult pair was frequently seen at this locality, once three adults near a dead donkey Equus asinus , but no juveniles. Scholte (1998) Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -31 Figure 5. Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus at waterhole, Waza National Park, Cameroon, 14 January 2007 (Ralph Buij) Percnopteres d’Egypte Neophron percnopterus a un point d’eau, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 14 janvier 2007 (Ralph Buij) concluded that breeding occurred here in 1997, based on a juvenile apparently with two adults on 21 September 1997. Also reported breeding elsewhere in the region (e.g. northern Nigeria: Elgood et al. 1994). Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus NT Sedentary and local. Most common in national parks (Fig. 6), where encountered at carcasses of Giraffe, Topi Damaliscus korrigum and Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus. Five seen in the Mandara Mountains. Its relative rarity outside national parks corresponds with a significant decline in northern Cameroon in 1973-2000 and away from protected areas in central West Africa since the 1970s (Thiollay 2001, 2006). Threats inside parks include poisoning of carcasses and waterholes, nest disturbance and declining food supplies. Often seen flying repeatedly over recently burnt grasslands, especially in the Benoue Valley. Relative abundance highest during the rains, with 4.4 birds / 100 km in the inundation zone (dry season: 1.9 birds / 100 km) and 3.2 birds / 100 km in the Benoue Valley (dry season: 2.4 birds / 100 km). Family groups of adults with juveniles in Waza NP in August-October. A roost of six discovered in Bouba Ndjida NP in April 2010. Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus Common Palearctic migrant in the inundation zone, October-June. Abundance: 0.7 birds / 100 km in October, 6.7 in November, 4.0 in December, 7.6 in January, 3.8 in February, 2.9 in March and 1.1 in April. Earliest record: 11 October 2008, near Kousseri. Fast dates: 24 June 2009 (second-year) and 3-6 May 2010 (two of unknown age), in Waza NP. Widespread but scarcer in lowland grasslands, cultivation and hills south of the inundation zone (one in the Mandara Mountains at c.900 m above sea level). Only snakes recorded as prey (twice), but monitor □ % outside NP ■ % inside NP Figure 6. Percentage of Afrotropical eagles and vultures (n indicated) counted in and outside the national parks of northern Cameroon, 2006-10. *) only presumed sedentary birds. Pourcentage d'aigles afrotropicaux et de vautours ( n indique) recense a Pinterieur et en dehors des pares nationaux au nord du Cameroun, 2006-10. *) oiseaux presumes sedentaires uniquement. 32- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes lizards apparently also important (Thiollay 1977). Three records near Koum, in December (two) and February (one). Wing moult in adults in December-February. Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle Circaetus beaudouini VU Intra-African migrant. Declined in central West Africa in 1969-2004 (Thiollay 2006), and breeding densities are low but dry-season numbers are traditionally under-recorded due to confusion with Short-toed Snake Eagle (e.g. Elgood et al. 1973). Juveniles and (fewer) subadults are widespread but scarce in the inundation zone during the dry season (mean 0.3 birds / 100 km), when gallicus is almost ten times more numerous. During this period C. beaudouini is widespread and uncommon in the Benoue Valley (0.1 birds / 100 km), where there are probably no more than c.30 pairs, and in extensive woodlands further south: during the dry season, two were seen on the Adamawa Plateau, south of Ngaoundere, and records exist south to Mount Cameroon (M. Languy in litt. 2013), but no nests have been found. From May (some in April; Fig. 7), adults move north to join juveniles and subadults; the species is then also observed in the Mandara Mountains, but is commonest in the inundation Figure 7. Adult Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle Circaetus beaudouini drinking, Waza National Park, Cameroon, 13 April 2010 (Ralph Buij) Circaete de Beaudouin Circaetus beaudouini adulte en train de boire, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 13 avril 2010 (Ralph Buij) Figure 8 (top). Adult Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle Circaetus beaudouini in moult, Waza National Park, Cameroon, 20 July 2008 (Ralph Buij) Circaete de Beaudouin Circaetus beaudouini adulte en mue, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 20 juillet 2008 (Ralph Buij) Figure 9 (bottom). Juvenile Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle Circaetus beaudouini , Waza National Park, Cameroon, 25 July 2007 (Ralph Buij) Circaete de Beaudouin Circaetus beaudouini juvenile, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 25 juillet 2007 (Ralph Buij) zone where there is an almost fourfold increase to 1.9 birds / 100 km during the rains (adults then outnumber juveniles / subadults 4:1). Migrants congregate in Sclerocarya woodlands south-west of the floodplain, where seasonal pools and patchy, still rather low, grass offer an abundance of accessible prey, especially in June-July. Snakes (30-60 cm) were caught on three occasions in Waza NP, where up to five (juveniles and adults) foraged over a 3-ha area in July. Distance analysis (, cf Buij 2013) of 160 km of transect surveys in July 2007-08 in the southern woodlands of the inundation zone (Waza village-Andirni-Pete- Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -33 Waza village) produced c.0.19 birds / km2, or c.266 individuals if extrapolated to the total area of similar habitat where surveys were conducted (c. 1,400 km2). Three were seen hunting in August in the Far North Region, south of Kousseri. In contrast, none was detected on road transects in June-August in the Benoue Valley, where four moved north in May. Southbound migration was noted from September, with one adult 10 km south of Garoua. No adults in the Far North Region after November. A nesting record of ‘C. gallicus / beaudouim in December-February in Waza NP by Scholte et al. (1999) is unusual in light of these observations. Most adults moulting in July-September (Fig. 8) and fresh juveniles in July (Fig. 9). Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus Most common year-round in the Benoue Valley (mean 2.1 birds / 100 km); often seen perched high above ground on electricity pylons, in shrublands or cultivated areas and relatively few in national parks (Fig. 6). Pairs are widespread but less common in the Sudan zone (0.4 birds / 100 km). Observed in the inundation zone only during the rains (July-August), mostly juveniles. Thiollay (1977) reported it bred frequently at 10-13°N in Nigeria in the 1970s. An adult caught a c.50-cm snake in cultivated fields west of Tchollire on 21 March 2009, and another was seen with a snake near Ngaoundere on 25 June 2008. Western Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus cinerascens Secretive but frequent in the Benoue Valley, where year-round resident in savanna and riverine woodlands of Benoue and Bouba Ndjida NPs, and surrounding hunting zones (year-round abundance: 0.6 birds / 100 km). Single adults and juveniles seen hunting over cultivated areas at the edge of woodland in the Benoue Valley, especially during the rains, when high grass probably limits prey accessibility. One pair in Benoue NP was most vocal in June-July, often calling during early morning from a dead tree in riverine forest, but also quite vocal during the dry season (January- April), mainly singing during aerial displays; also heard in March in Faro NP (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1999). Only one was observed north of the Benoue Valley: an adult perched at the edge of woodland near Guider on 15 July 2008. None in the inundation zone, where three were noted in February / April 1973 (Thiollay 1978a), and two in the 1990s (Kalamaloue NP, February and June: Scholte et al. 1999). White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis VU Rare resident in the inundation and Sudan zones (records in October, November, January, February, April-July). Two pairs and second- to fourth-year birds were regularly seen in the woodland zone of Waza NP, where a pair bred in 1969 (Fry 1970) and which was considered part of the small, fragmented western African breeding range by Mundy et al. (1992). Single juveniles in Waza NP on 30 November 2008 and 31 December 2006 suggest one or more pairs might still nest in the Far North Region. Other pairs were seen throughout the north, over wooded valleys in the Mandara Mountains, but most commonly in the Benoue Valley (where on average 0.4 birds / 100 km and recorded in December, February, March, May and August). Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus EN Sedentary. Together with Black Kite the commonest raptor in northern Cameroon, where highest abundance year-round in the Sudan savanna zone (36.9 birds / 100 km); several nests in Maroua and near Mokolo, where it breeds in December-June (cf. Scholte 1998). Often associated with human settlements, permanent or temporary, few seen in Waza NP, none in the protected areas of the Benoue Valley but seen in Benoue and Faro NPs in March 1999 (Dowsett- Lemaire & Dowsett 1999). Mean abundance in the Sudan zone was 38.7 birds / 100 km in January-April vs. 28.4 birds / 100 km in July- September, possibly indicative of some seasonal movements with the rains (cf. Thiollay 1977). However, no wet-season influx noted further north. Congregates at slaughterhouses in large towns throughout the region (Maroua, Garoua, Ngaoundere), where several tens (max. 81 together; Fig. 10), and at termite swarms during the rains also in large towns (e.g. Maroua). Three and a Riippell’s Vulture feeding on a human corpse near Maroua in 2007. Declined 67% in northern Cameroon in 1973-2000 (Thiollay 2001); in 1996 >100 Hooded Vultures died of an unknown cause as some literally fell out of the trees' in the town of Maroua (Scholte 1998). Frequently 34- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Raptors in northern Cameroon: Bitij & Croes Figure 10. Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus at slaughterhouse, Maroua, Cameroon, 13 October 2010 (Ralph Buij) Vautours charognards Necrosyrtes monachus pres d un abattoir, Maroua, Cameroun, 13 octobre 2010 (Ralph Buij) sought for consumption and traditional medicine trade, especially with the disappearance of larger vulture species, and dried individuals, eggs and parts are sold at markets in Garoua and Maroua (Ogada & Buij 2011). White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus EN Sedentary, but more were seen in the south during the rains. Recorded throughout the region, in groups of up to 37 in the inundation zone, where apparently resident and common year- round with a mean 3.3 birds / 100 km. Declined 60% in 1973-2000 in northern Cameroon (Thiollay 2001). Three pairs nested in Waza NP in December 1971 (Mundy 1972) and it was apparently still ‘common to abundant’ in the Lake Chad Basin in the 1990s, when six nests with young were found in Waza and Kalamaloue NPs (Scholte 1998). Two occupied nests, one with a fully feathered nestling, in Waza NP in January-April 2006, but none thereafter despite intensive surveys in 2009-10. Interviews with local communities indicate that up to 40 vultures were poisoned at a Waza waterhole in the early 2000s, mostly Gyps spp., mainly to supply the traditional medicine trade in Nigeria (Buij & Mohamadou unpubk). Increased intrusion by poachers and livestock herders may have negatively impacted disturbance-sensitive breeding pairs. According to local reports, nests have been set on fire and poles used to facilitate collection of chicks. At the start of the rains groups are associated with transhumance nomads and livestock herds moving through the inundation zone, but more commonly associated with the human-populated alluvial plains of the Logone than with the protected woodlands of Waza NP in October-July (Buij & Croes 2013). Also regular year-round throughout the Benoue Valley, but more common during the wet season (dry season: 0.8 birds / 100 km, wet season: 1.7 birds / 100 km), feeding on carcasses of wild herbivores (e.g. five at a dead Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius). Locally common south ol Ngaoundere (cultivation, grasslands, settlements including intensive cattle farms): five in March, eight in May, seven in June, 13 in July, 26 in August and 17 in December. Riippell’s Vulture Gyps rueppelli EN Sedentary in the Sudan zone; commonest in the south during the rains and in the north in the dry season. The commonest vulture away from protected areas after Hooded Vulture, but it declined 87% in 1973-2000 (Thiollay 2001). Nests were found during the dry season in the Mandara Mountains, especially on and near the peaks at Rhumsiki (at least 17 pairs) and near Mindif (max. 8-10 pairs), where most nests are inaccessible to humans. None was recorded on the more easily accessible Waza Rock or elsewhere in Waza NP. At least 12 pairs nested on Waza Rock in the 1970s (Mundy & Cook 1972), 20-30 pairs in 1993 (Scholte 1998), with two additional pairs at nests in Acacia trees and one brooding bird in November-December 1993 (Sorensen et al. 1996), but only four nests on Waza Rock in 1997 (Scholte 1998). More common in the dry (4.2 birds / 100 km) than the wet season (1.7 birds / 100 km) in the inundation zone, with large groups in Waza NP in December-April (up to 18 together). Similar numbers year-round in the Sudan zone (6.6 birds / 100 km) suggest breeding pairs there are more sedentary. Counts on 36-km road transect on the Adamawa Plateau south of Ngaoundere higher during the rains: five in December, 20 in May, 27 in June, nine in August; numbers also higher in the Benoue Valley during the wet (1.4 birds / 100 km) than the dry season (0.3 birds / 100 km). Groups gathered at wild herbivore (Waza, Benoue NPs) and livestock carcasses (e.g. 13 on a dead donkey near Guider on 4 June 2008). Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -35 Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos VU Almost exclusively seen in the inundation zone, where present year-round (mean 1.6 birds / 100 km), with highest numbers in the dry season. Singles further south near Faro and Bouba Ndjida NP, both in May (another in Faro in March 1999; Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1999). Observed with Flooded Vultures near nomad settlements, and seen feeding on cow carcasses three times, but a relatively large proportion were inside national parks (Fig. 6). Bred at Waza Rock in the 1970s (Louette 1981), but none thereafter in Waza NP (Scholte 1998). Two pairs bred in Waza NP in 2009-10 atop Balanites aegyptiaca trees, with large nestlings in June (Fig. 11) and a fledgling mid July; this suggests that breeding may have either gone unnoticed for a period or has resumed. Three pellets at a nest in Waza NP contained goat hairs; breeding pairs were often seen on foraging trips outside the park. Thiollay (2001) recorded too few to establish a trend in Cameroon, but noted a significant decline in central West Africa in 1973-2000, with none seen outside protected areas during recent surveys (Thiollay 2006). An exceptional group of 26 was near Kingueroua waterhole in Waza NP on 27 February 2008 (Fig. 12). Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus Sedentary. Patchily recorded in small numbers throughout the study area; however, probably under-recorded due to the species being mainly active at dawn and dusk. Three pairs and 1-2 juveniles were seen hunting bats at dusk (twice at dawn) year-round above rivers and the tourist camps of Benoue, Faro and Bouba Ndjida NPs. A minimum of 14 bats caught by two adults during 18 minutes at dusk in February 2008 at Benoue NP. Previously published records in the Benoue Valley were from Benoue NP (several at two localities at least: Robertson 1992, Dowsett- Lemaire & Dowsett 1999), Koum (Louette 1981) and two in Faro NP, including one drinking in mid afternoon (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1999). Another adult was seen flying low above ground and on an exposed perch one hour after sunrise in Bouba Ndjida NP in December (Fig. 13). Further north, one flew low over the canopy during the day in Kalfou FR after heavy rains, on 31 August 2009. Juveniles were seen in Waza NP during the day on 3 December 2009 (2), 4 January 2010 (1), and 28 November 2010 (1; Fig. 14). A pair was twice seen hunting bats and circling above Waza village at dusk in July 2010. These complement five records at Waza NP in the 1990s (Scholte et al. 1999). Figure 11 (top). Nestling Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos , Waza National Park, Cameroon, 16 June 2009 (Ralph Buij) Jeune Vautour oricou Torgos tracheliotos au nid, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 16 juin 2009 (Ralph Buij) Figure 12 (bottom). Group of 26 Lappet-faced Vultures Torgos tracheliotos with Riippell's Gyps rueppelli and White- backed Vultures G. africanus at Kingueroua waterhole, Waza National Park, Cameroon, 27 February 2008 (Ralph Buij) Groupe de 26 Vautours oricous Torgos tracheliotos avec Vautours de Riippell Gyps rueppelli et Vautours africains G. africanus au point d’eau de Kingueroua, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 27 fevrier 2008 (Ralph Buij) Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes 36- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Figure 13 (top). Adult Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus , Bouba Ndjida National Park, Cameroon, 28 December 2008 (Ralph Buij) Milan des chauves-souris Macheiramphus alcinus adulte, Parc National de Bouba Ndjida, Cameroun, 28 decembre 2008 (Ralph Buij) Figure 14 (bottom). Juvenile Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus , Waza National Park, Cameroon, 28 November 2010 (Ralph Buij) Milan des chauves-souris Macheiramphus alcinus juvenile, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 28 novembre 2010 (Ralph Buij) Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus VU Sedentary. Rare throughout. Mostly recorded in the Benoue Valley, where year-round mean abundance 0.7 birds / 100 km, south to c. 40 km north of Ngaoundere. Of 22 aged birds in the Benoue Valley, 73% were adults. Based on these results and distance sampling along road transects (Buckland et al. 1993) for large (>3 kg) raptors in these savannas (Buij et al. 2013c), 106-131 pairs are estimated to occur in the 30,800 km2 Benoue Valley, or one pair per 233-290 km2. No adults seen in the inundation zone, where the species was considered an uncommon resident in the 1990s (Scholte et al. 1999), but single juveniles, twice seen stooping at groups of Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris, were observed in Waza NP in May-July 2009 and 2010. At least two pairs in the Mandara Mountains and one pair at Kalfou FR (where also recorded in 2000: Thiollay 2001), and one pair in the hills c. 17 km north-west of Maroua between May and August 2007-09. The species’ often large nest, visible from afar, and its habit of occasionally preying on livestock (Buij & Mohamadou unpubh), increases its vulnerability to persecution and nest disturbance (J.-M. Thiollay pers. comm.). Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis Sedentary. Widespread, but commonest in the Benoue Valley, where mean 2.7 birds / 100 km; in the inundation zone 1.1 birds / 100 km. Several breeding pairs south and east of Waza NP, and in well-forested parts of the Mandara Mountains. Often perch-hunts in cultivated areas (sorghum, rice, cotton), occasionally near human habitation but close to woodland, and individuals were seen catching rodents on three occasions (near Maga, Tchollire). An adult caught two frogs within a 23-minute period in July 2009 at Waza NP. Begging fledglings in October in the Benoue Valley indicates breeding during the rains. Lesser Spotted Eagle Clanga pomarina Rare Palearctic migrant to the Waza-Logone floodplains with 0-2 individuals observed per dry season. Three over Waza NP, on 23 December 2006 (juvenile), 16 January 2008 (adult) and 5 December 2009, and one over the Logone floodplains north of Maga on 15 March 2010. Previous records: one at Maga on 14 June 1994 (Scholte et al. 1999). Thiollay (1978a, 1989) considered it ‘quite numerous’, but of 82 claimed individuals recorded in the 1970s in northern Cameroon (Thiollay 1978a), most on the Waza- Logone floodplains, an unknown but possibly large proportion were misidentified Steppe Eagles Aquila nipalensis (J.-M. Thiollay in litt. 2012). Raptors in northern Cameroon : Buij & Croes Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -37 Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga Rare Palearctic migrant. Adult at close range, gaining height near Anane waterhole in Waza NP, on 17 December 2006. Another tentative record in January 2008 in the inundation zone. Only previous records in Cameroon: four in Waza- Logone area in January / April 1973 and four in January / February 2000 (Thiollay 2001), an adult at Maga in February 2000 (M. Languy in litt. 2013) and a juvenile in Waza on 11 April 2003 (A. Riley et al. in Bull. ABC 11: 169). Tawny Eagle Aquila rap ax Partial migrant. Occurs throughout, commonest in the inundation zone, where mean 3.1 birds / 100 km. More than 30% were in national parks (Fig. 6). Least common in the Benoue Valley during the rains (0.2 birds / 100 km), but more numerous in dry season (0.9 birds / 100 km). Only three seen in August-September in the Far North Region, and none in June-September in the Benoue Valley suggest northward movements during rains (as in Nigeria: Elgood et al. 1973, Thiollay 1977). In groups of up to eight at waterholes in Waza in March-April, four together in rice fields north of Maga in April (both times with Steppe Eagles), and three at a Lion Panthera leo kill in Waza NP in May. Four nests in Waza NP, one in Kalamaloue NP, one east of Maroua in farmland, and two (on rocky outcrops and in woodland) in the Mandara Mountains, occupied November-May. Scholte et al. (1999) also recorded breeding in Waza and Kalamaloue NPs in December-April. Declined significantly in northern Cameroon in 1973-2000 (Thiollay 2001). Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis Frequent Palearctic migrant to the inundation zone (mean 3.7 birds / 100 km; Figs. 15-16). Of 36 aged birds in October-May, two were juveniles, eight second-years, four third-years, six fourth-years and 16 adults. First arrivals: two juveniles on 24 October 2010; first adult 12 November 2009 in Waza NP. Latest: third-year on 20 May 2008, in Waza NP. Commonly occurs around rice fields in the inundation zone (Buij & Croes 2013), with six together in December 2009 north of Lake Maga, twice seen catching rodents. Rare away from floodplains: one 40 km west of Yagoua on 15 December 2007. Southernmost records: three together on 21 January 2008 south¬ west of Tchollire (08°13’N) and a juvenile in Bouba Ndjida NP on 27 December 2008. These records and those further north (see Ottosson et al. 2002) suggest it is a rather common winter Figure 15 ( top). Adult and second-year Steppe Eagles Aquila nipalensis at roost, Waza National Park, Cameroon, 31 December 2006 (Ralph Buij) Aigles des steppes Aquila nipalensis adulte et de deuxieme annee au dortoir, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 31 decembre 2006 (Ralph Buij) Figure 16 (bottom). Fourth-year Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis in flight over Maga rice fields, Cameroon, 25 December 2006 (Ralph Buij) Aigle des steppes Aquila nipalensis de quatrieme annee en vol au-dessus des rizieres de Maga, Cameroun, 25 decembre 2006 (Ralph Buij) 38- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes visitor to the Lake Chad Basin. However, only two juveniles were noted in the Waza-Logone area in the 1990s, in February and May (Scholte et al. 1999), with nine there in 2000 (Thiollay 2001). Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca VU Rare Palearctic migrant. Nine records in the inundation zone, eight ol them in Waza NP, involving at least five birds: adult over Douroubatassa waterhole on 23 December 2003; juvenile in the western section of Waza NP on 30 December 2006, 22 February and 18 March 2007 (Fig. 17); juvenile in Waza NP on 13 and 17 January and 29 February 2008 (Fig. 18), pirating food from a Pied Crow Corpus albus ; fourth- year there on 17 January 2008; and juvenile or second-year north of Lake Maga on 2 February 2009. Previously published records in Cameroon: singles in Waza NP in November 1993 (Sorensen et al. 1996), Kalfou FR in February 2000 (Bobo & Njabo 2000) and Tchabal Ngandaba in April 2000 (Njabo et al. 2000). Another juvenile was seen at Lake Chad on 14 November 2001, in Nigeria, just west of the border with Cameroon (Velmala & Gustafsson 2003). African Hawk Eagle Aquila spilogaster Sedentary. Scarce throughout, commonest in the Benoue Valley {cf. Robertson 1992, Sorensen et al. 1996, Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1999), where 0.8 birds / 100 km, often in national parks (Fig. 6), along river courses, and in surrounding ecotone of farmland and woodland. A few pairs perhaps still breed throughout the Sudan zone in hilly terrain with forest remnants, such as the lower Mandara Mountains, where nest sites and small game (guineafowl, francolins, hyrax) are more secure from human hunting. No adults seen in the inundation zone but up to four juveniles recorded annually (1 June-28 November; Fig. 19), often hunting (young) Rock Hyrax Procavia Figure 19. Juvenile African Hawk Eagle Aquila spilogaster, Waza National Park, Cameroon, 28 November 2008 (Ralph Buij) Aigle fascie Aquila spilogaster juvenile, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 28 novembre 2008 (Ralph Buij) Figure 17 (top). Juvenile Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca, Waza National Park, Cameroon, 18 March 2007 (Ralph Buij) Aigle imperial Aquila heliaca juvenile, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 18 mars 2007 (Ralph Buij) Figure 18 (bottom). Juvenile Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca chasing Pied Crow Corvus albus, Waza National Park, Cameroon, 15 January 2008 (Ralph Buij) Aigle imperial Aquila heliaca juvenile poursuivant un Corbeau pie Corvus albus, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 15 janvier 2008 (Ralph Buij) Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -39 capensis and birds, also eating wild figs on rocky outcrops near Waza NP, particularly in July- August. Few previous records in the Waza-Logone area: two in February / April 1973 (Thiollay 1978) and two in the 1990s, in September and December (Robertson 1992, Scholte et al. 1999). Primary moult in an adult in March and another in April. Wahlberg’s Eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi Short- and long-distance intra-African migrant. Found throughout in the dry season, most commonly in the inundation zone (3.8 birds / 100 km), south to 07°19’N in December (but dry- season records to the coast) and mostly outside national parks (Fig. 6). Numbers increase during the rains (Fig. 20), when migrants from southern Africa visit the region, as revealed by two satellite- tracked females from Namibia and South Africa that reached northern Cameroon / north-east Nigeria and south-east Chad, respectively, in late April-May, remaining until mid August (Meyburg et al. 1995). Other examples of trans-equatorial migration are of birds ringed in southern Africa recovered in Sudan in April and in Democratic Republic of Congo in August-September (Oatley et al. 1998). In the Benoue Valley, numbers peak with the arrival of short- and long-distance migrants (May), but thereafter decrease sharply, subsequently peaking in the Sudan zone (June) and the inundation zone (July— August; Fig. 20) corresponding with the later start to the rains at higher latitudes. Numbers decline in November- April in the inundation and Sudan zones, but gradually increase in the Benoue Valley during this period, while most records in the savanna- forest transition zone and all those from the south-east are in the dry season (M. Languy in litt. 2013), supporting the hypothesis that local birds move to southern savannas in the dry season. Wahlberg’s Eagle breeds from June in Sclerocarya woodlands of the inundation zone at a mean density of one pair per 13 km2 (40 km2 surveyed). Aerial displays in the inundation zone were mostly observed from June. Four occupied nests were found, one in a large Faidherbia albida among cotton fields near Mora on 9 August 2009. One eagle was <100 m from the nest, the other on the nest rim. Three occupied nests with 1-2 adults in attendance, two containing one egg each (12 and 17 July 2010), were within and just south of Waza NP. Given a c.4-month period from laying to fledging (Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001), nestlings fledge in late September-early November when fires increase accessibility of abundant terrestrial vertebrate prey (Thiollay 1978). All nests were lined with green leaves and sited below the canopy of tall Sclerocarya birrea ••^Inundation zone - •- - Sudan zone Benoue Valley — Average 3 zones Figure 20. Wahlberg’s Eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi monthly abundance in the three savanna zones of northern Cameroon, and mean abundance for the three zones, based on transect counts 2007-10. The grey block indicates the approximate period spent in northern Cameroon and Nigeria by a satellite-tracked Wahlberg’s Eagle that bred in Namibia (source: Meyburg et al. 1995) Abondance mensuelle de l’Aigle de Wahlberg Hieraaetus wahlbergi dans les trois zones de savane au nord du Cameroun, et abondance moyenne pour les trois zones, basee sur les recensements le long des transects en 2007-10. La partie en gris indique la periode approximative passee au nord du Cameroun et au Nigeria par un Aigle de Wahlberg muni d une balise Argos qui avait niche en Namibie (source: Meyburg et al. 1995) 40- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes trees, which is typical for Wahlberg’s Eagle but does not exclude Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis (R. Simmons & W. Tarboton in litt. 2013). Thiollay (1977) recorded nesting pairs in western Africa during the rains at 12°-l4°N and saw birds on nests or bringing prey (J.-M. Thiollay in litt. 2013), but did not publish details. Two breeding records in Nigeria (by P. Ward & M. Dyer) perhaps best considered uncertain (Brown et al. 1982; F. Dowsett-Lemaire in litt. 2013), while a record of an occupied nest (female present in June-July) during the rains at Makalondi, south-west Niger, observed over a 1 4-year period, is unpublished (Souvairan 1990). Two pairs defending seemingly exclusive territories, with two adults accompanied by a begging juvenile, displaying and calling on the Obudu Plateau in south-east Nigeria (06°38’N), just west of the border with Cameroon, in February 2001 (Bijlsma 2001) indicate that dry-season records at southerly latitudes include adults and juveniles. We conclude that Wahlberg’s Eagles breeding in the Sahel are unlikely to originate from southern Africa, but instead perform shorter-distance seasonal movements entirely within the region (cf. Meyburg et al. 1993), visiting the forest-savanna mosaic or further south in the dry season and moving north after the first rains to breed. Food: congregates at alate termite or ant swarms in June and in larger groups at fires during the dry season in the Benoue Valley. Seen with an Agama Agama agama near Mora on 13 January 2008 and with a lizard on 23 July 2008 in Kalfou FR. Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus At least 370 observations of this, the second- commonest Palearctic migrant, with a mean dry-season abundance of 9.3 birds / 100 km in the inundation zone. First arrival on 1 1 October 2008; latest date: 21 April 2007 (two). Relative abundance in the inundation zone: 0.6 birds / 100 km in October, 9.4 in November, 9.9 in December, 10.5 in January, 8.1 in February, 7.0 in March and 2.7 in April. The commonest Palearctic migrant in the Sudan zone during the dry season (3.9 birds / 100 km), and in the Benoue Valley south to Ngaoundere. Often seen hunting over rocky outcrops (where abundant reptiles, francolins, doves etc.), near villages (pigeons, lizards, poultry, rodents) and at waterholes (birds); numbers relatively high in rice fields in the Figure 21. Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus with rodent, south of Waza National Park, Cameroon, 15 January 2007 (Ralph Buij) Aigle botte Hieraaetus pennatus avec un rongeur, au sud du Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 15 janvier 2007 (Ralph Buij) inundation zone (Buij & Croes 2013), where observed catching rodents (. Arvicanthis , Mastomys spp.) seven times (Fig. 21), typically by hanging into the wind and dropping down in a (staggered) stoop or shallow dive on closed wings. One caught a chicken south of Waza, with another two unsuccessful attempts observed on poultry near villages, in January-March. Thiollay (2001) recorded a significantly higher abundance in northern Cameroon in 2000 compared to 1973. Once recorded during the Palearctic summer, on 21 June 1994 (Scholte et al. 1999). Ayres’s Eagle Hieraaetus ayresii Partial migrant. Fifty individuals recorded; no dark morphs. Two to three pairs in the Benoue Valley and the Mandara Mountains. Compared to other Afrotropical eagles, a relatively large proportion was seen outside national parks (Fig. 6). In the dry season, records in October (one), November (three), December (three), January (two), March (three) and April (two), near Bouba Ndjida NP, Poli, Tchollire and in the Mandara Mountains. More common and widespread during the rains (6 May-1 September; 36 individuals): in the surroundings of Garoua (14), the Mandara Mountains (seven) and the Benoue Valley (eight), with singles in Waza NP on 20 June, 22 July and 27 July 2010 (first published records this far north), near Maroua on 24 July 2010, near Kaele on 31 July 2008, Moutourwa on 1 September Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -41 2008, and 10 km north of Ngaoundere on 27 July 2007. Of birds of known age, 17 were adults and eight juveniles / immatures. The presence of adults in the inundation zone during the rains suggests that birds from the forest zone, where the species is fairly common and probably under-recorded (Clark 1999), move north with the rains in the non-breeding season. Often seen hunting over farmland, villages and deforested hillsides, also large towns (e.g. Garoua, Figuil); an adult was captured in a village north-east of Garoua and brought to Garoua Zoo where it later died (collection Ecole de Faune, Garoua). One subadult attempted to capture feral pigeons Columba livia in a small village north of Garoua on 24 June 2007 (Fig. 22) and an adult stooped at a group of six domestic pigeons in a village north¬ west of Tchollire on 28 December 2008. An adult stooped at unseen prey in Acacia woodland of Waza NP in July 2010 (Fig. 23). Another adult stooped at a group of 12 Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis in the Mandara Mountains and was subsequently harassed by a Fox Kestrel Falco alopex and a Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates on 1 9 June 2008. Primary moult in three adults in the north in June-August. Figure 22 (left). Second-year Ayres’s Eagle Hieraaetus ayresii, north of Garoua, Cameroon, 24 June 2007 (Ralph Buij) Aigle d’Ayres Hieraaetus ayresii de deuxieme annee, au nord de Garoua, Cameroun, 24 juin 2007 (Ralph Buij) Figure 23 (right). Adult Ayres’s Eagle Hieraaetus ayresii , Waza National Park, Cameroon, 25 July 2010 (Ralph Buij) Aigle d’Ayres Hieraaetus ayresii adulte, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 25 juillet 2010 (Ralph Buij) Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus Sedentary. Recorded throughout but most frequently in the Benoue Valley (0.8 birds / 100 km), where more commonly detected (more vocal, also in flight) during the rains, perched in dense woodland or in cultivated fields, or circling high. Two in the Mandara Mountains and one circling near Yagoua. First records in the Waza-Logone area: singles on 23 December 2006, 2 March 2007, 24 November 2009 and 14 May 2010, perched in Sclerocarya woodland of Waza NP and once drinking at Louloumbaya waterhole. One near Mora on 22 March 1990 (Robertson 1992). Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates Sedentary. Throughout the region, commonest in the inundation zone (mean 12.9 birds / 100 km) and declining southwards (mean 2.3 birds / 100 km in the Benoue Valley). Highest densities occur on raised areas with Faidherbia albida , Hyphaene thebaica and Borassus aethiopum trees surrounded by seasonally flooded grasslands along the Logone River (Buij & Croes 2013), but also frequently seen over rice fields and dry Sclerocarya and Acacia woodlands to the south and west. Adult males in dry woodlands had mean dry-season ranges of 1.5 km2 (range: 0.57-2.52 km2; significantly larger outside than in Waza NP: Buij 2013), but evidence suggests that range size is much larger in the less productive wooded grasslands of the higher Sudan zone (c.7 km2 for a male south of Mora: unpubl. data). Nest building and courtship feeding of female by male from February / March in the Far North Region, vocal in early morning hours in January- April. Fledgling near nest on 2 May 2009 in Waza NP, a nest with one nestling of c. 2 weeks on 8 May 2009, four nests with one egg each on 7-13 May 2010, and two nests with one nestling (1-2 weeks) on 17 May 2010 ( contra Scholte et al. 1999, who assumed breeding during August-November). Dependent fledglings (food begging) until mid August in the inundation zone. Nest trees: Balanites aegyptiaca (six nests), Faidherbia albida (three) and Sclerocarya biirea (two). Food in the Far North Region mainly reptiles (lizards, some snakes) and rodents, few birds and insects (Buij 2013). Parasitic attacks noted by adults on Black-winged Kites and Booted Eagles with rodent and bird prey. Mean weight of 17 males 553 ± 26 g (range: 518-612 g) and of 12 females 660 ± 55 g (587-767 g). Declined 62% 42- Bull ABC Mol 21 No 1 (2014) Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes in 1973-2000 in northern Cameroon (Thiollay 2001), possibly due to increased nest disturbance and declining vegetation cover and prey biomass in unprotected areas (Buij 2013). Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar Sedentary. Commonest in the inundation zone (3.8 birds / 100 km) and especially associated with seasonally flooded plains along the Logone (Buij & Croes 2013), with smaller numbers further south (0.7 birds / 100 km in the Benoue Valley). Dark and grey morphs recorded throughout. On average one occupied nest per 3 km2 in the protected and cultivated woodlands in and around Waza NP (40 km2), April-July 2010. Also breeds in the centre of villages (nests recorded in Maroua, Rhumsiki and Kousseri). An adult observed catching a young domestic chicken G alius gallus in a village south of Mora, in January 2008. Nestlings at three nests (Fig. 24), and two nests with eggs (1-3), in Sclerocarya birrea trees in and south of Waza NP, in May 2009 and 2010, and begging juveniles in Kousseri in June. Congregates at waterholes in Waza in the dry season, where it is one of the commonest raptors (up to seven together), drinking, and two to three simultaneously chasing Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea flocks. Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Commonest Palearctic raptor, noted in all months except July- August with a mean dry- Figure 24. Nestling Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar , Waza National Park, Cameroon, 10 May 2010 (Ralph Buij) Jeune Autour Gabar Micronisus gabar au nid, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 10 mai 2010 (Ralph Buij) season abundance of 23 birds / 100 km in the inundation zone, but far less numerous in the drier Sudan zone and Benoue Valley (0.4 and 0.6 birds / 100 km, respectively). Together with Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus exceptionally stable in terms of abundance in Sudan and Sahel zones of central West Africa and northern Cameroon in 1969-2004 (Thiollay 2001, 2006). Exploits moist or shallowly flooded grasslands in September-November, but thereafter fires, grazing and retreating floods concentrate food resources, for example near water or in crops (e.g. rice; Buij et al. 2012) and numbers shift in response to spatio-temporal variations in food availability (Buij & Croes 2013). Common from 13 September, when 22 birds / 100 km in moist, partially cultivated grasslands south of Kousseri (southernmost record: 15 September 2009, five at 1 1°84’N 14°6TE), 99 birds / 100 km in October, declining to 37 birds / 100 km in November and 7-11 birds / 100 km in December-March. From November, with drying of grasslands and increasing fires, Western Marsh Fiarriers exploit crop fields and rich grasslands of the seasonally inundated floodplain along the Logone River, and the margins of wet depressions and Lake Maga, where they feed primarily on diurnal rodents, but also on grasshoppers, reptiles and birds (Buij et al. 2012). Over the course of the dry season, more strongly associated with extensive rice cultivation than grassland habitats in the Waza-Logone floodplain (Buij & Croes 2013), but also frequents drier habitats away from it. Observed hunting frogs in October-November and scavenging dead fish twice in the late dry season. Apart from small passerines (notably Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea ), avian prey included a Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago and adult male Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus , with failed attempts to predate Ruff Philomachus pugnax and White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata observed. Of 804 individuals aged and / or sexed in the Waza-Logone area in January-March 2009-10, 21% were adult males, 27% adult females and 52% juveniles. Late records: juvenile / female high over Maroua on 30 May 2010, two juveniles quartering rice fields near Maga on 2 June 2007, and two juveniles near Kousseri on 12 June 2008. Last record of an adult male was 17 March 2010, near Maga, but adult males do over-summer in the Sahel (Thiollay 1977). Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -43 Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus NT The least common Palearctic harrier in October- April in the inundation zone, where mean 3.2 birds / 100 km, but also further south. Southernmost record: south of Mbe (07°48’N 13°33’E), 7 March 2008. Earliest and latest records of juveniles: 10 October 2008, near Maroua, and 14 April 2007, Waza NP. Earliest and latest records of adult females: 16 November 2008, near Moutourwa, and 3 April 2006, Waza NP; and of adult males: 12 October 2008, near Mora, and 17 March 2008, Waza NP. First arrival reported by Scholte et al. (1999) on 18 September 1994. Of 364 birds aged and / or sexed in 2005-10, 25% were adult (> second-year) females, 21% adult males and 54% juveniles. Juveniles dominate winter populations in early and late dry season (Fig. 25a). Of those juveniles sexed (n = 112), 53% were females and 47% males. Rice fields with abundant rodents are an important foraging habitat in November-April (Buij & Croes 2013) and the species is relatively more frequent in dry grasslands than other harriers (Buij et al. 2012). Detailed observations in January-March revealed that adult males foraged more frequently over seasonally flooded grasslands than dry rice fields, whereas adult females not only foraged more often but also for longer periods over rice than flooded grasslands, probably reflecting intersexual dietary differences (Buij et al. 2012). Food: grasshoppers (on freshly burnt grasslands) and birds (more frequently targeted by males: Buij 2012), including Ethiopian Swallow Hirundo a aethiopica , also reptiles, but biomass dominated by rodents (Buij et al. 2012). No significant decline in northern Cameroon in 1973-2000 (Thiollay 2001), but few seen in both periods (16 and 11 individuals, respectively), making trends difficult to evaluate and decline was noted further west (Thiollay 2006). Previously reported rarity in comparison to Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus (which see) suggests that numbers may have been under-estimated due to identification difficulties and, possibly, lower detectability of Pallid Harrier, which often hunts closer to the ground, sometimes in ditches (rice fields) or through denser vegetation (pers. obs.) than Montagu’s Harrier. Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus Palearctic migrant, October-April. More common than Pallid Harrier, with mean 5.2 birds / 100 km in the inundation zone, where abundance along transects: 0.2 birds / 100 km in October, 2.7 in November, 1.8 in December, 10.0 in January, 8.4 in February, 4.7 in March and none in April. One satellite-tracked adult female from Belarus frequented the inundation area in December (arrival: 1 0— 1 2th) to February 2007/08, 21-29 November 2008 and December (arrival: 4th) to February 2009/10, but not in 2010/11 (Dutch Montagu’s Harrier Foundation unpubl.). Numbers four times greater than C. macrourus (65 vs. 16) along road transects in northern Cameroon in the 1970s (Thiollay 2001). However, C. pygargus comprised 59% of combined numbers in northern Nigeria in 1968-73 (Thiollay 1977), b OCT SCT.' DEC JAN FEB f.WR APR Figure 25. Age and sex composition of (a) Pallid Circus macrourus ( n = 564 birds) and (b) Montagu's Harriers C. pygargus (n = 805) wintering in northern Cameroon in October-April. Birds were recorded throughout the study area in 2005-10. Composition par age et sexe des (a) Busards pales Circus macrourus [n - 564 individus) et (b) Busards cendres C. pygargus (n = 805) hivernant au nord du Cameroun en octobre-avril. Les oiseaux ont ete recenses sur route la zone d’etude en 2005-10. 44- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes which is comparable to the proportion along road transects in northern Cameroon in 2007-10 (67% pygargus\ n = 168). Other reports from Waza NP probably over-estimated relative abundance of pygargus: up to 15 daily vs. only two macrourus in December 1990 (Robertson 1992) and 20 daily vs. four macrounis in November 1993 (Sorensen et al. 1996). Southernmost record: juvenile on 24 December 2008 south of Mbe (07°49’N). Of 808 birds aged and / or sexed in 2005-10, 20% were adult females, 42% adult males and 38% juveniles; males consistently commoner than females throughout the dry season (Fig. 25b). Of those juveniles sexed (n = 153), 52% were males and 48% females. Pellet analysis reveals that prey comprises mainly grasshoppers, but also reptiles, birds and rodents (Buij et al. 2012). First arrival of juveniles: 11 October 2008, Waza NP (one). Latest dates for juveniles (all single males): 6 May 2007 and 25 May 2009, Waza NP, and 30 May 2010, near Maroua. Earliest and latest records of adults: females on 15 November 2007, Waza NP, and 15 April 2007, near Maroua; males on 20 October 2007 and 2 April 2006, both in Waza NP. No wet-season records though known to over-summer (Thiollay 1977). West African floodplains are important wintering grounds (Thiollay 1977), and females are attracted to dry rice fields but embankment of the Logone River has probably negatively impacted foraging conditions especially for males (Buij et al. 2012). Abundance in 1973-2000 similar (Thiollay 2001), but declined further west during approximately same period (Thiollay 2006). Shikra Accipiter badius Intra-African migrant. Observed year-round at all latitudes but movements probably most evident north and south of the study area (Elgood et al. 1973, Thiollay 1978b). Commonest in the Benoue Valley, where mean dry-season abundance 2.4 birds / 100 km, and in wet season 2.1 birds / 100 km. More commonly seen during rains (May-August) in the inundation zone (wet-season abundance: 0.6 birds / 100 km, dry season: 0.3 birds / 100 km) and Sudan zone (1.0 bird / 100 km vs. 0.3 birds / 100 km in dry season), indicating an influx from the south. Breeds in the Benoue Valley during the dry season, where courtship, mating and three nests with one, two and two eggs, respectively, in January-February. Also breeds in May-July in the Far North Region, where fledglings recorded in July- August. Five nests in the centre of large towns (e.g. Maroua) during the rains. These observations support the theory that the region’s Shikras have an extended breeding season covering both seasons (Elgood et al. 1973): some move north with the rains and breed when the rains start in the north, whereas others breed at more southerly latitudes in the dry season. Individuals caught agamas and skinks on and near houses in Maroua, Figuil and Waza. Adults and juveniles seen foraging together on alate termites, ants and grasshoppers in June-July in the Far North Region. Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes Rare Palearctic migrant. Two adult females, circling near Poli and over Benoue NP on 14 and 15 April 2010, were identified by their dark brown upperparts, densely barred rusty brown underparts including lower belly (darker than Shikra), rather narrow ‘arm’ and pointed ‘hand’ compared to Shikra, with dark cheeks and dark iris of one female seen clearly. A juvenile near Guider on 23 April 2010 and another at the entrance to Bouba Ndjida NP on 17 April 2010 were also tentatively identified as this species. A male claimed from Waza NP in October 1992 (Skeen 1993) and another tentatively identified there in January / February 2000 (Thiollay 2001). Other published records in the region: Niger, 19 February and 27 May (Thiollay 1977). Red-thighed Sparrowhawk Accipiter erythropus Rare sedentary Accipiter. One seen at close range in typical AccipiterAdkz flight 5 m above the ground, on 27 December 2008 in open woodland near a large seasonal river within Bouba Ndjida NP. Northernmost record in Cameroon, the nearest being from the Bamenda Highlands (Louette 1981), but reported to nearly 10°N in Nigeria (Elgood et al. 1994). In Ghana occurs in the forest zone but is especially well represented in the forest / savanna transition zone, north to 08°-08°30’N, mainly in riparian forest (F. Dowsett-Lemaire in litt. 2013). Ovambo Sparrowhawk Accipiter ovampensis Probably sedentary. Five adults seen, all in the Benoue Valley in February-June, coinciding with the breeding season (Mills et al. 2003) when the Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -45 Figure 26. Adult Ovambo Sparrowhawk Accipiter ovampensis circling with prey, near Poli, Cameroon, 8 March 2008 (Ralph Buij) Epervier de fOvampo Accipiter ovampensis avec une proie pres de Poli, Cameroun, 8 mars 2008 (Ralph Buij) species is perhaps more conspicuous. Records as follows: one drinking in the Benoue River on 14 February 2007; one circling over savanna woodland near Tchollire on 13 May 2007; a dark morph r.60 km south of Banda on 7 March 2008 (catching a swallow Hirundo sp. and subsequently harassed by a Fox Kestrel Falco alopex) ; one in flight with prey east of Poli on 8 March 2008 (indicative of breeding; Fig. 26); and one r.30 km north of Banda on 24 June 2008. Previous records include a pair nest building in Benoue NP in March 2003 (Mills et al. 2003), and a specimen from Poli, dated September 1936 (Louette 1981). Records considered doubtful by us include one in Kalamaloue NP in April-May 1992 (Scholte et al. 1999) and two near Yagoua in 2000 (Thiollay 2001). African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer Sedentary. Most frequent along large rivers in the Benoue Valley, where mean 0.3 birds / 100 km along road transects under-estimates abundance along rivers; a nest was occupied during the dry season in 2008-10 near the Benoue River c.30 km north-west of Tchollire. Most records in the Far North Region were inside Waza NP, where two pairs were attending nests in December- May and juveniles and subadults were present in April-June 2007-09. Subadult and juvenile near Kousseri and Double (July), probably reflecting dispersal from Waza NP, and an adult near Maga (December), but relatively few outside national parks (Fig. 6). A lack of large trees may explain its rarity near Lake Maga (Thiollay 2001). Has declined significantly outside protected areas in the Sudan and Sahel zones of central West Africa since the 1970s (Thiollay 2006), when declines were already apparent (Thiollay 1977). Thiollay (2001) observed 48 individuals on 466 km of road transects, i.e. 10.3 birds / 100 km, in northern Cameroon’s inundation zone (Waza NP, Mora-Waza, Pousse-Yagoua) during the dry season of 1973 vs. a drv-season abundance of j 1.0 bird / 100 km in the same area in 2000 (January-February); abundance on the same transects in 2007-08 (January-February) was 1.6 birds / 100 km, suggesting numbers remained stable in 2000-08 but at a much lower level compared to 1973. Throughout, but notably also within Waza NP, pairs are under threat from overfishing of waterholes by local communities, as well as increased disturbance at nest sites and contamination of water sources {cf African Harrier Hawk Polyboroides typus). Black Kite Milvus migrans Common to locally abundant intra-Africa migrant (M. m. parasitus , Yellow-billed Kite), throughout the Far North Region but south of Garoua only in small numbers in cultivated habitats, villages and towns (e.g. Ngaoundere). Although it remains common today, a significant decline was noted between 1973 and 2000 in northern Cameroon (Thiollay 2001). A small number of Palearctic Black Kites (nominate migrans , <1% of total numbers) was identified, November-April, mostly in the inundation zone; possibly under¬ recorded due to difficulties in distinguishing between races. Relative abundance highest during the dry season in the inundation zone, when 108 birds / 100 km, but a mean 43 birds / 100 km in the wet season, when most abundant on the partially flooded grasslands north of Waza NP (166-386 birds / 100 km in Julv-September between Waza and Kousseri). During the dry and early wet season (October-July), which coincides with the breeding season in the inundation zone, more commonly associated with dry, protected woodlands, with sufficient nest-site availability, than cultivated grasslands, rice crops or flooded grasslands (Buij & Croes 2013), although large groups of non-breeders may forage over burnt rice fields and floodplains. Few remain in the Sudan zone in August-September, and the Benoue Valley is completely vacated in May-September, indicating northwards movement with the rains 46- Bull ABC Vo! 21 No 1 (2014) Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes into the Sahel as previously described (Elgood et al. 1973, Thiollay 1977). Two large roosts with several hundred birds each in Waza NP and north of Lake Maga, December-February, and 2-3 roosts with several tens north of Waza in August- September. Exploits alate termites and ants in foraging groups of 200-300 birds at the start of the rains in May-June in the inundation zone, insects and small vertebrates in October-January at fires, meat scraps at slaughterhouses (Mokolo, Maroua, Ngaoundere, Garoua) and fish remains at markets (Maga). Breeds in dry woodlands within and (less commonly) around Waza NP in March-July (one occupied nest per 6.7 km2 in 2009/10), but breeding may start earlier; one nest with two eggs on 2 May 2009 in Waza NP, another with two eggs there on 27 May 2010 and two nests with one 4-5 week old-nestling each, 10 and 20 May 2009. Nests were lined with plastic bags, cloth and pieces of dry livestock skin. Grasshopper Buzzard Butastur rufipennis Intra- African migrant, between c.08°30 and 12°N (Thiollay 1977). Commonest raptor in northern Cameroon after Black Kite and Hooded Vulture (Buij et al. 2013b), with 29.6 birds / 100 km in the dry season and 36.4 birds / 100 km during the rains in the inundation zone, where it comprises 9% and 24% of the raptors in the dry and wet seasons, respectively (Buij et al. 2013b). Vacates the Benoue Valley from April (dry-season abundance: 15.3 birds / 100 km), although some linger until June, when five were observed; none in July, when the entire population has moved north. Breeds in high densities at the start of the rains, in April-July, in Sclerocarya birrea woodland inside (mean nest density: 3.3 nests / km2) and around Waza NP (2.4 nests / km2; Buij et al. 20 1 3e); between October-July, more strongly associated with dry woodlands inside and outside Waza NP than flooded grasslands or rice fields (Buij & Croes 2013), because nest site and terrestrial prey availability are comparatively high in woodlands. Soon after breeding, the entire population moves north into the Sahel (July— September). Returns south in October-November with decreasing vegetation cover due to fires and grazing, which improves prey accessibility (Thiollay & Clobert 1990), south to the forest zone, but observed in the inundation zone until January. Feeds on reptiles, insects, rodents, birds, amphibians and arachnids during the breeding season (Buij et al. 2013d). Insects comprise mainly (large) grasshoppers: of 118 pellets examined, 25% contained remains of large-bodied bird locusts Ornithacris cavroisi. Non-breeding diet consists mainly of grasshoppers, alate termites and other insects, with one carrying a lizard on 2 May 2008 in Benoue NP. Nest success at a sample of 244 nests in 2009-10 was comparable between woodlands of Waza NP and surrounding cultivated dry woodlands, suggesting Grasshopper Buzzards cope well with habitat modification (Buij et al. 20 1 3e). However, loss of tree and grass cover in important breeding areas, possibly in addition to changing rainfall patterns, may threaten future productivity, and nestling condition is negatively affected by anthropogenic land use (Buij et al. 2013d). During the non-breeding season, appears to benefit from disturbance regimes (cultivation, fires, grass-cutting) that improve prey availability. Inner primary moult in breeding adult females noted in June-July, in males probably later, indicating that birds shed flight feathers during migration. Red-necked Buzzard Buteo auguralis Intra-African migrant. Breeds during the dry season in the Benoue Valley (2.5 birds / 100 km) and Sudan zones (1.1 birds / 100 km), often in well-wooded areas, on rocky hills but also in woodland on undulating hills (Benoue NP). Entire population moves north with the rains, when the highest mean abundance is in the Sudan zone (4.3 birds / 100 km). During this influx, abundance increases in the inundation zone from 0.4 birds / 100 km in the dry season (none in January-April) to 1.4 birds / 100 km in the wet season, north to Kousseri, with numbers peaking in June-September (majority juveniles / subadults). None in the Benoue Valley in July-September. These movements north with the rains are similar to those previously described from Nigeria (Elgood et al. 1973). Diet in the inundation zone lizards, rodents, eggs (e.g. of Grasshopper Buzzard: Buij et al. 20 1 3e), nestlings and wild figs. Juveniles moulting inner primaries and rectrices in April. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Rare Palearctic migrant. Singles of race vulpinus between Waza and Kousseri on 23 December Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -47 Figure 27 ’. Juvenile Common Buzzard Buteo buteo vulpinus , Waza National Park, Cameroon, 17 October 2010 (Ralph Buij) Buse variable Buteo buteo vulpinus juvenile, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 17 octobre 2010 (Ralph Buij) 2007 (not aged) and 10 October 2008 (juvenile), and a juvenile flew over a rocky outcrop just west of Waza village on 17 October 2010 (Fig. 27). Finely barred whitish secondaries and rufous body and tail in two birds; juveniles have indistinct dark trailing edge to wings. Smaller than Long-legged Buzzard B. rufinus , with more rapid flight action, relatively thickset body and shorter wings, lacking the contrasting dark carpal patch of most adult Long-legged Buzzards. Claimed on at least three previous occasions in Cameroon (Holyoak & Seddon 1990, Slabbekoorn & Ellers 1999, Bobo & Languy 2000), but none documented. Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus Regular Palearctic migrant to the Waza-Logone floodplains, November- April, south to Maroua. Twenty to 30 records each dry season, most in rice fields near Maga (Buij & Croes 2013), where up to five within 2-knT area in December-March (Fig. 28), catching rodents on at least four occasions. At least three dark morphs characteristic of B. r. rufinus observed near Maga. One photographed and individually recognisable adult returned three consecutive winters (2008-10) to an area of sorghum cultivation east of Maroua (Fig. 29), where it hunted rodents (two captures seen) and grasshoppers, often from electricity pylons (earliest and latest dates: 9 November, 2 April). Latest records: one on 20 April 2008 in Waza NP and another on 14 April 2006 just north of Maroua. Previously recorded in the inundation zone by Thiollay in 1973 (11 individuals) and 2000 (seven, three near Maga; Thiollay 2001), but only five in total in the 1990s (Sorensen et al. 1996, Scholte et al. 1999) suggest it may have been overlooked; also a frequent migrant further Figure 28 (top). Juvenile Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus , Maga, Cameroon, 25 December 2006 (Ralph Buij) Buse feroce Buteo rufinus juvenile, Maga, Cameroun, 25 decembre 2006 (Ralph Buij) Figure 29 (bottom). Adult Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus , near Maroua, Cameroon, 9 January 2008 (Ralph Buij) Buse feroce Buteo rufinus adulte, pres de Maroua, Cameroun, 9 janvier 2008 (Ralph Buij) north in the Lake Chad Basin (Gustafsson et al. 2003). Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Palearctic migrant. Thirty-one records, most in the inundation zone in and north of Waza NP in November-February. Southernmost: one on 1 1 November 2008 in a grassland with sorghum fields 4 km north-east of Maroua and three there on 21 November 2009. The contribution of naumanni to overall kestrel numbers appears to have declined in 2007-10: 9% naumanni vs. 91% tinnunculus (n = 192; Buij 2013), whereas 22.5% were naumanni of 80 well-identified kestrels 48- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Raptors in northern Cameroon : Buij & Croes in 1973 (Thiollay 2001). Several in January / February 2000 (Thiollay 2001), but just three published records in and around Waza NP in the 1990s, all in November-January (Sorensen et al. 1996, Scholte et al. 1999), which might also reflect identilication problems. The occurrence of at least several tens in the February / April 1973 counts compared to just 31 during five years of counts suggests that the species has declined considerably in northern Cameroon. However, larger numbers have fairly recently been reported further north, e.g. 60 on 14 April 1999 near Lake Chad in north-east Nigeria (Gustafsson et al. 2003). Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Palearctic migrant (A. t. tinnunculus) and resident breeder (A. t. rufescens). Ten times more numerous than A naumanni. Commonest in the inundation zone, where A. t. tinnunculus occurred at a mean abundance of 0.3 birds / 100 km in October, 4.0 in November, 3.4 in December, 7.6 in January, 7.4 in February, 6.8 in March and 1.6 in April. Thiollay (2001) recorded significantly lower kestrel numbers in January-February 2000 compared to February 1973 in northern Cameroon, but Lesser Kestrels may have comprised a large proportion of earlier counts. First recorded arrival on 1 1 October 2008, involving one just south of Kousseri. Palearctic birds occurred in farmland and grassland, often catching grasshoppers and drinking at Waza’s waterholes in April. The resident subspecies rufescens (paired adults and juveniles) was recorded year-round in mountainous terrain or near isolated rocky outcrops (38 records), most commonly in higher parts of the Mandara Mountains (rocky escarpment with short grass and bushland; >900 m above sea level), where it perched on electricity poles in small villages (Rhumsiki); others south of Maroua, near Waza NP and Poli. A. t. rufescens was found breeding in March-June in Nigeria (Elgood et al. 1973). Fox Kestrel Falco alopex Sedentary. Common in broken terrain, breeding in loose colonies in the Mandara Mountains and in isolated pairs on rocky outcrops elsewhere; also on buildings (e.g. Garoua airport). Commonest in the Sudan zone, where mean 8.4 birds / 100 km and the commonest raptor after Hooded Figure 30 (top). Fledgling Fox Kestrel Falco alopex several hours after its first flight, Waza National Park, Cameroon, 10 June 2010 (Ralph Buij) Jeune Crecerelle renard Falco alopex quelques heures apres son premier vol, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 10 juin 2010 (Ralph Buij) Figure 31 (bottom). Adult Fox Kestrel Falco alopex eating termites in flight, Mandara Mountains, Cameroon, 10 July 2008 (Ralph Buij) Crecerelle renard Falco alopex adulte mangeant des termites en vol, Monts Mandara, Cameroun, 10 juillet 2008 (Ralph Buij) Vulture at both seasons; less common in the Benoue Valley south to small rocky outcrops just outside Ngaoundere (but also recorded further south: Borrow & Demey 2001). Hunts in a variety of open habitats, including short grassland, shrubland, cultivated fields, at the edge of or in towns (e.g. Tchollire), but not in woodland in the Benoue Valley; never far from rocky terrain. Large groups gather in the evening near Rhumsiki to hawk insects; also in small groups hunting termite alates after rain (Fig. 31) and roosts on volcanic peaks, e.g. at least 32 in July 2009 and 43 in August 2008. In the dry season, when Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -49 some (probably mostly non-breeders) disperse to lower areas (cf Thiollay 1978b), recorded in groups of up to 22 (more commonly <10) at fires, taking grasshoppers and other fleeing insects (a gathering of r.30 was observed at a small fire near Rhumsiki in February: Holmes 1972); in smaller groups near irrigated fields. Breeds in April-June, with fledglings recorded in the first half of June (Fig. 30); one pair near the entrance to Waza NP had three fledglings in 2007, 2008 and 2010, two in 2009. Adults moult remiges in June- July. Rather secretive during incubation, breeding pairs become conspicuous and vocal during the nestling phase, chasing or dive-bombing potential predators (Red-necked Buzzard, Barbary Falcon Falco ( peregri mis) pelegri n oides, Patas Monkey Erythrocebus patas , Golden Jackal Can is aureus ) near their nests (<130 m); family groups similarly noisy. Prey is caught on the ground from a perch (tree, electricity pylon, low bush), occasionally in the air or after short hover. Prey items delivered at one nest in June included grasshoppers (n - 3), agamid lizards (n = 3) and a rodent. The largest known population is in the Mandara Mountains (Thiollay 2001), where eggs or nestlings are protected by their inaccessibility; the species appears to profit from greater prey availability with human activity. Grey Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus Sedentary, with seasonal dispersal. Recorded year- round throughout the study area but numbers increase about twofold during the rains, indicative of seasonal dispersal from the south, when mean 3.4 birds / 100 km in the Benoue Valley but still just 0.4 birds / 100 km in the inundation zone. Throughout the Sudan savanna zone, most commonly in the Mandara Mountains. Occurs in a variety of habitats, often mosaics of woodland and agriculture, more frequently in cultivated fields in the north but in riverine forest or well- wooded valleys in hilly terrain in the south. An influx of juveniles apparent each year in the inundation zone in June-July, exploiting insects (termites, beetles). A juvenile returning to the same perch caught 12 large beetles in 124 minutes on 11 June 2006. Small mammals also caught: an adult with a rodent in August north of Garoua, and a pair hunting bats (two captured) at dusk in Benoue NP. Courtship and mating observed during the dry season (February-March) in the Benoue Valley where two pairs occupied old Hamerkop Scopus umbretta nests at the Benoue River. Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera Sedentary. Found throughout, provided Borassus or Hyphaene palms are present (mostly dispersing juveniles where palms are absent, such as Waza NP), most commonly in the inundation zone, where dry-season abundance 3.2 birds / 100 km, but locally more common such as along the Logone River between Tikele and Yagoua, where 11.1, 7.0 and 9.3 birds / 100 km, respectively, in February, May and November. However, probably under-recorded during road transects: mean one pair per 1.7-2. 8 km: on the partially cultivated alluvial plains of the Logone, north of Lake Maga (r.800 km2), in 2009-10. Also present year-round but rather local in the Benoue Valley at 0.6 birds / 100 km and pairs at widespread locations in the Sudan savannas. Pairs at nests in palms in February-April in Benoue NP and north of Lake Maga; one pair attacked a Barbary Falcon. Prey near Maga, where pairs hunt passerines near the Logone River, in rice fields, villages and along the shores of the lake: Red-billed Queleas (two) and a Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus. A pair hunting White-throated Bee-eaters Merops albicollis on 4 November 2007 near Poli, and one with a weaver Ploceus sp. near Tchollire on 29 July 2009. Two juveniles in Waza NP hunting weavers and large insects above a waterhole in July 2008. Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus NT Rare Palearctic migrant (main wintering range in southern Africa: Hockey et al. 2005). Four seen: juvenile male between Waza NP and Kousseri on 7 May 2007, adult male there next day, juvenile between Maroua and Kaele on 18 October 2008, and adult female drinking at waterhole in Waza NP on 23 April 2010 (Fig. 32). One record in the Waza- Logone area, on 28 September 1994 (Scholte et al. 1999). Further south, one at Benoue NP on 22 March 1997 (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1999) and a specimen from Faro is dated 5 April (Reichenow 1911). Especially conspicuous on spring passage in West Africa (e.g. April 2011 in Benin and March-April 2010 in Ghana: F. Dowsett-Lemaire & R. J. Dowsett pers. obs.); large groups (several hundreds) have been reported from southern Cameroon (M. Languv 50- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Figure 32. Adult female Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus , Waza National Park, Cameroon, 23 April 2010 (Ralph Buij) Faucon kobez Falco vespertinus , femelle adulte, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 23 avril 2010 (Ralph Buij) in litt. 2013) and Nigeria in April (Elgood et al. 1966). Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae Rare Palearctic migrant. A pale morph hawking insects over mountains near Poli on 14 April 2010 (Fig. 33) is only the second field observation for Cameroon (the first being a dark morph briefly seen in the Mount Cameroon area in autumn 1996: Pdivekovics & Palatitz 1998), although northern Cameroon is routinely crossed by migrating Eleonora’s Falcons en route to their wintering grounds mainly in Madagascar (Gschweng et al. 2008, Lopez-Lopez et al. 2010). Figure 33. Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae near Poli, Cameroon, 14 April 2010 (Ralph Buij) Faucon d’Eleonore Falco eleonorae pres de Poli, Cameroun, 14 avril 2010 (Ralph Buij) Sooty Falcon Falco concolor Rare Palearctic migrant. One south of Rhumsiki on 1 May 2010 (10°24’N 13°33’E), hawking insects (cf Buij 2011). At least five seen, mostly above rocky outcrops, near the entrance to Waza NP (11°24’N 14°33’E) between 7 and 28 July 2010. The first published records for Cameroon, and among the few for the region. Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo Uncommon Palearctic migrant. Twelve observed, in Waza NP — on 20 October 2007 (juvenile), 10 November 2007 (two adults and a juvenile) and 10 October 2008 (one) — near Rhumsiki and in and around Bouba Ndjida NP — seven between 1 and 18 April 2010, among them at least three juveniles. On three occasions Eurasian Pdobbies were seen hawking dragonflies and other large insects. The only other records for northern Cameroon are an adult in February 1973 in Waza NP (Thiollay 1978a) and one in Benoue NP on 18 March 1999 (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1999). The migration routes of satellite-tracked adult Eurasian Hobbies from Sweden converged near the equator south of Cameroon (Strandberg et al. 2009), most crossing southern Cameroon; the majority of field observations are from the forest zone in March-April, including large groups (100+ birds; M. Languy in litt. 2013). African Hobby Falco cuvierii Sedentary, with seasonal dispersal northward with the rains. Regularly recorded in the Far North Region during the rains and in the Benoue Valley (where it breeds) during the dry season (all records there March-May); total of 61 records. In the north mainly in and around Waza NP (41 records), on 1 June-24 October, most in July-August. Often in loosely associated groups of 2-4, but at least 1 1 hawking dragonflies and other insects over rocky outcrops and surrounding plains in Waza NP on 26 July 2010. Also in the Mandara Mountains on 10-11 July 2008 at alate termite swarms (with Fox Kestrels, Hooded Vultures and Wahlberg’s Eagles), three near Maroua on 10 October 2008, and one near Moutourwa on 31 August 2009. Almost all those north of the Benoue Valley were juveniles or second-years (Figs. 34-35), but two adults tentatively identified in July 2007; most adults probably remain in the breeding areas, merely becoming more discreet during the non- Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -51 breeding season. Two recent fledglings returning to a nest (Fig. 36), where still fed by both adults (once an unidentified bird), on 2 May 2008, in Bouba Ndjida NP, suggest egg laying in late February / early March in the Benoue Valley. Left, top to bottom Figure 34. Second-year African Hobby Falco cuvierii (note remiges of different generations and moulted central rectrices) hawking insects, Waza National Park, Cameroon, 27 August 2006 (Ralph Buij) Faucon de Cuvier Falco cuvierii de deuxieme annee (noter les remiges de differentes generations et les rectrices centrales muees) chassant des insectes, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 27 aout 2006 (Ralph Buij) Figure 35. Second-year African Hobby Falco cuvierii hawking insects, Waza National Park, Cameroon, 28 July 2007 (Ralph Buij) Faucon de Cuvier Falco cuvierii de deuxieme annee chassant des insectes, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 28 juillet 2007 (Ralph Buij) Figure 36. Fledgling African Hobby Falco cuvierii at nest near river, Bouba Ndjida National Park, Cameroon, 2 May 2008 (Ralph Buij) Jeune Faucon de Cuvier Falco cuvierii au nid pres d une riviere, Parc National de Bouba Ndjida, Cameroun, 2 mai 2008 (Ralph Buij) Moulting (body and flight feathers) juveniles and second-years in July. Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus Partial migrant. Evidence of northward movement into the Sahel with the start of the rains in May— June, and south in November, as reported from Nigeria westwards (Elgood et al. 1973, Thiollay 1977). Most common in the inundation zone, where 4.3 and 4.6 birds / 100 km during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Peak numbers there in June and November (mostly juveniles; mean abundance both months: 7.3 birds / 100 km), and in August in the grasslands south of Kousseri (10.5 birds / 100 km), where none was seen in September-October, when migrants move north with the rains (Elgood et al. 1973). Mostly juveniles and subadults, which dominate migratory groups, seen foraging together (2-6 birds) in the inundation zone, May-August, for alate termites and larger insects (locusts, grasshoppers, dragonflies) often over rocky outcrops or open woodland. Larger numbers gather at fires in October-December, coinciding with southbound migration. F. biarmicus is more strongly associated with dry woodland than seasonally flooded grassland or cropland during the dry season (Buij & Croes 2013); few occur in rice fields. Up to three together at Waza NP’s 52- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes waterholes during the late dry season (March- April), where flocks of birds (weavers, doves, etc.) were hunted (one adult caught a Red-billed Quelea during ten attempted strikes on birds over period of 70 minutes, in April). Less common but still widespread in the Benoue Valley, where mostly seen near cultivation and settlements, and none seen in August-September. Rather common in the Mandara Mountains, where several nests on cliffs and rocky outcrops, and numbers peak in November-May at 6.6 birds / 100 km, with just 0.4 birds / 100 km in August-September. Adults and juveniles were seen taking young domestic chickens three times (out of nine attempts observed), around Waza NP, near Maroua and north of Banda, and an adult hunted domestic / feral pigeons south of Garoua on 3 November 2007. One pair bred in an old Pied Crow nest on an electricity pylon near Maroua in February- May in 2007-09 (two fledglings in 2007, three in 2008, none in 2009). Saker Falcon Falco cherrug EN Rare Palearctic migrant. An adult on a pylon 12 km north-west of Maroua on 1 3 October 2006, and another in flight near Bodelaram waterhole, Waza NP, on 29 and 31 December 2006 (Fig. 37), harassed by an adult male Montagu’s Harrier. The Far North Region is at the southern limit of the range of this rare migrant: three were in the Waza-Logone area in February-April 1973 (Thiollay 1978a), one in 1971 (Vielliard 1972) and three were south-west of Waza in January / February 2000 (Thiollay 2001), with one near Lake Chad in south-east Niger on 13 November 2009 (NiBiDatabase 2013). Figure 37. Saker Falcon Falco cherrug, Waza National Park, Cameroon, 29 December 2006 (Ralph Buij) Faucon sacre Falco cherrug, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 29 decembre 2006 (Ralph Buij) Figure 38. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus peregrinus / calidus, Waza-Logone floodplain, Cameroon, 29 November 2008 (Ralph Buij) Faucon pelerin Falco peregrinus peregrinus / calidus, plaine inondable de Waza-Logone, Cameroon, 29 novembre 2008 (Ralph Buij) Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus The Palearctic races calidus / peregrinus were identified on 29 November 2008 (Fig. 38), 1 March 2009, 1 and 8 March 20 1 0 in the inundation zone, and near Maroua in February 2008. Twice with bird prey (once a Streptopelia sp.). The local race minor is rare in northern Cameroon: singles on 6 March 2010, in the inundation zone, and on 1 June 2009, in cultivated fields 40 km south-west of Waza NP. None in the Mandara Mountains, where sedentary pairs reported to breed (Thiollay 1978a). One identified in Benoue NP on 4 April 1999 (N. Borrow in litt. to Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1999). Barbary Falcon Falco ( peregrinus ) pelegrinoides More common than the few published records suggest. Generally regarded as a Palearctic migrant or vagrant (Borrow & Demey 2001), possibly from north-east Africa. Observed in the inundation zone in October-January and May-July, between 9 December 2006 and 26 July 2010. First record: adult male and female, Waza NP, 20 May 2010. Latest record: adult and juvenile, Waza NP, 17 January 2008. Most often single adults (17 records; Fig. 39), but at least two different pairs seen January, May-July and October, whereas most juveniles (n - 7) were seen in July (Fig. 40). Adults and juveniles seen together on 29-30 July 2007, 17 January 2008 and 1 July 2010, near Waza NP, but the behaviour of the juveniles suggested they were independent. An adult was Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -53 Figure 39. Adult Barbary Falcon Falco (peregrinus) pelegrinoides , Waza National Park, Cameroon, 17 June 2007 (Ralph Buij) Faucon de Barbarie Falco ( peregrinus ) pelegrinoides adulte, Parc National de Waza, Cameroun, 17 juin 2007 (Ralph Buij) Figure 40. Juvenile Barbary Falcon Falco {peregrinus) pelegrinoides over Waza Rock, Cameroon, 30 July 2007 (Ralph Buij) Faucon de Barbarie Falco {peregrinus) pelegrinoides juvenile au-dessus du rocher de Waza, Cameroun, 30 juillet 2007 (Ralph Buij) seen hunting domestic pigeons (two unsuccessful attempts over two days) from the mobile phone tower in Waza village in July 2010; the male of this pair also made an unsuccessful effort to catch a Bruce’s Green Pigeon Treron waalia in level flight on 20 May 2010. One took a Chestnut- backed Sparrow Lark Eremopterix leucotis in December 2006 (Fig. 41). Away from Waza NP, observed south of Kousseri on 24 November 2007 (stooping at domestic / feral pigeons in a village) Figure 41. Barbary Falcon Falco {peregrinus) peleginoides with Chestnut-backed Sparrow Lark Eremopterix leucotis prey, Waza Rock, Cameroon, 16 December 2006 (Ralph Buij) Faucon de Barbarie Falco {peregrinus) peleginoides avec une Moinelette a oreillons blancs Eremopterix leucotis comme proie, rocher de Waza, Cameroun, 16 decembre 2006 (Ralph Buij) Figure 42. Male Barbary Falcon Falco {pereginus) pelegrinoides (the female was perched 20 m lower), Maga, Cameroon, 25 October 2010 (Ralph Buij) Faucon de Barbarie Falco {pereginus) peleginoides male (la femelle etait perchee 20 m plus bas), Maga, Cameroun, 25 octobre 2010 (Ralph Buij) and 5 January 2009, two over Maga rice Fields on 27 January 2010, an adult north of Lake Maga on 8 December 2007 and a pair perched together on the mobile phone tower in Maga village on 24 October 2010 (Fig. 42). Previous records included one in Waza NP on 20 December 1990 (Robertson 1992), one in Kalamaloue NP on 21 January 1993 (Scholte et al. 1999) and an adult south of Waza on 17 November 1993 (Sorensen et al. 1996). Two adults in November 2001 near 54- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Lake Chad in extreme north-east Nigeria (Velmala & Gustafsson 2003), f.190 km north-west of Kousseri and an adult flew over N’Djamena, Chad, in August 2010. Observations of paired adults with fresh juveniles and almost year-round records in dry and wet seasons might imply nearby breeding. However, pair-bonding may persist in non-breeding areas; furthermore, the lack of records of adults in the Waza-Logone area during a four-month period between 17 (or 21) January and 20 May, coinciding with the breeding period and spring migration peak further north, is more indicative of regular post-breeding dispersal to the Lake Chad Basin than of breeding (cf. Hogg 1983, Brouwer & Mullie 2000). Discussion With these observations, the list of raptors observed in northern Cameroon totals 60 species, five of which had not previously been documented in the region (African Cuckoo Hawk, Levant Sparrowhawk, Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Eleonora’s Falcon). Our observations reiterate the importance of the Lake Chad Basin as a wintering area for Palearctic raptors (Thiollay 1978a), and we recorded 23 species of (partially) Palearctic origin. Steppe Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard and Barbary Falcon proved more common and regular than previously reported (Vagrants’ to northern Cameroon: Borrow & Demey 2001), whereas the two spotted eagles appear to be irregular visitors to the southern inundation zone of the Lake Chad Basin. Western Marsh Harrier and, perhaps surprisingly, Booted Eagle are the most common migrants to the region. Brown (1970), who lived in neighbouring Nigeria for four years, stated that ‘in Africa south of the Sahara the Booted Eagle is seldom noticed’, while Thiollay (1978, 2001) saw only a handful in the inundation zone in the 1970s, but recorded three times as many Booted Eagles in 2000. Perhaps locally improved foraging conditions (expansion of rice; Buij & Croes 2013), or the increase of Booted Eagle populations in south-western Europe (they winter in Nigeria; cf. Chevallier et al. 2010) during recent decades (Mebs & Schmidt 2006), have contributed to the greater numbers wintering in the region. Palearctic falcons use the inundation zone during almost all months; while some only visit this region to refuel during short stopovers (Eurasian Hobby, Red- looted Falcon, Sooty Falcon), others depend on its food resources (mainly grasshoppers and birds) over 4-8 months of their non-breeding period (Common and Lesser Kestrels, Peregrine, Barbary and Saker Falcons). Most other Palearctic migrants remain in the inundation zone in September-April (especially October-March), while others only pass through to wintering grounds further south or east (European Honey Buzzard, Common Buzzard: Thiollay 1989), and Ospreys visit in relatively small numbers compared to coastal areas (Zwarts et al. 2009). The intracontinental shift in timing of the rains has important consequences for the spatial distribution of food resources for migrants (Newton 1998) and thus their occurrence in northern Cameroon. In East and southern Africa, the arrival of Palearctic migrants coincides with the rains when the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) moves south, and large- and small¬ bodied raptors are often seen feeding in large mixed groups on emerging termites and other wet-season-related prey outbreaks while tracking the rain fronts (Brown et al. 1982, Steyn 1982). In western Africa’s Sudano-Sahelian savannas, however, the flush of prey associated with the northward movement of the ITCZ occurs in the boreal spring and summer (e.g. Njiforti 1997), i.e. when most Palearctic migrants are absent. Whereas many insects and breeding Red-billed Queleas are still abundant on the arrival of Palearctic migrants in September (Thiollay 1989), their abundance rapidly declines thereafter, while grasshopper abundance is highest in drier vegetation (Zwarts et al. 2009, Trierweiler et al. 2013). Consequently, those insectivorous migrants that do winter for a prolonged period in western Africa’s savanna zone feed mostly on grasshoppers and, if outbreaks occur, locusts: Common and Lesser Kestrels, Black Kite and Montagu’s Harrier (Zwarts et al. 2009, Buij et al. 2012). These migrants track shifting seasonal changes in grasshopper availability with decreasing green vegetation and cover southwards (Thiollay 1989, Trierweiler et al. 2013), most arriving in northern Cameroon’s inundation zone in January. Their numbers appear to be smaller in East and southern Africa (Brown 1970, Harrison et al. 1997, Hockey et al. 2003), with the exception of Lesser Kestrel. Conversely, most Eurasian Hobbies, Eleonora’s, Sooty and Red-footed Falcons migrate with the Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -55 ITCZ to their main winter ranges in southern Africa and Madagascar, gathering in numbers only where aerial insects abound after heavy rains. Recent satellite-telemetry data indicate that these insectivorous falcons regularly pass over western Africa including Cameroon (Gschweng et al. 2008, Strandberg et al. 2009, Lopez-Lopez et al. 2010), but probably often at such high altitudes that they go largely undetected (cf. Brown 1970). They are most conspicuous in western Africa on their return journey, between April and July, when they descend to lower altitudes to forage after the first seasonal rains trigger insect flushes, although Eleonora’s Falcons also make substantial stopovers in autumn (Gschweng et al. 2008). Apart from their predominantly easterly entry into Africa (Newton 1998), the rarity of the four Palearctic Clanga and Aquila eagles west of Cameroon may also be partially explained by the prevailing dry conditions and relative scarcity of prey during much of the winter period. Lesser Spotted Eagles, particularly, exploit high- density flushes of easily caught, rain-related prey (alate termites, locusts, frogs, Red-billed Quelea nestlings), south to southern Africa (Steyn 1982, Meyburg et al. 2001). To some degree, the winter distribution of Steppe Eagles may also be governed by flushes of productivity generated by rains in East and southern Africa (Brown et al. 1982, Steyn 1982), and large numbers of Steppe and Lesser Spotted Eagles often appear when termites emerge after rains. However, many Steppe Eagles winter in dry conditions north of the equator, where vertebrates (rodents, carrion, queleas) are the dominant food (Smeenk 1974, Clouet et al. 2000, Meyburg et al. 2003). The same is true for most Eastern Imperial and Greater Spotted Eagles (Naoroji 2006, Al Hasani et al. 2012), although the latter possibly consume many locusts when outbreaks occur (Brown 1970) and also migrate south of the equator (Meyburg et al. 1998). We did not witness any insect-hunting by Clanga and Aquila eagles in northern Cameroon, where these birds often forage alone and vertebrates (also obtained as carrion or by pirating food) appear to be the dominant food source, as in other dry areas of the winter range. Because of the low food abundance in the Sahel in the second half of the winter period, productive wetlands and especially large-scale rice cultivation with abundant diurnal rodents are particularly attractive to Steppe Eagles, in addition to Booted Eagles, Long-legged Buzzards, Western Marsh and Pallid Harriers (Thiollay 1989, Buij & Croes 2013). During the transition period from the dry to the wet season, after the departure of most Palearctic migrants, the inundation zone acts as an important dispersal area for many Afrotropical raptors. These include intra-African migrants whose entire populations, or at least a significant proportion thereof, migrate north with the rains, which become shorter and start progressively later with increasing latitude. The timing of migrations differs between species: African Swallow-tailed Kite, Shikra, Grasshopper Buzzard and many Black Kites are already present in the inundation zone before the rains, while most Wahlberg’s Eagles, Beaudouin’s Snake Eagles and Red-necked Buzzards arrive after the first rains. Of these migrants, most move further north with the rains, which largely confirms the descriptions of raptor movements in neighbouring Nigeria (Elgood et al. 1973) and Chad (Salvan 1967-68), and in greater detail in Cote d’Ivoire, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali (Thiollay 1977, 1978b). Seasonal movements are correlated with food availability, especially activity, abundance and accessibility of terrestrial prey species, which are strongly influenced by the rains, and their effect on grass cover and inundation (Thiollay 1978b). After the rains (from October), migrants gradually return to lower latitudes, where abundant food resources become available with fires, grass cutting and grazing. Few African migrants linger in the inundation zone during the first half of the dry season (Grasshopper Buzzard, non-breeding Red-necked Buzzard), or throughout it (non¬ breeding Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Shikra), but most Black Kites and African Swallow-tailed Kites remain there throughout the dry season. In addition to intra-African migrants, other raptors in northern Cameroon display nomadic or partial movements, involving at least part of the adult population, namely Secretary-bird, Black-winged Kite, White-backed Vulture, Riippell’s Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Tawny Eagle and Lanner Falcon, confirming previous findings further west (Elgood et al. 1973, Thiollay 1978b). Ayres’s Eagle also appears to be a partial migrant that moves into northern Cameroon during the rains (May-September), as in Central 56- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes and southern Africa, where this species also occurs in more open woodland and similarly enters densely populated areas during the non-breeding (wet) season (September-April: Steyn 1982). Large vultures wander widely (Mundy et al. 1992), with changes in ungulate mortality rates due to seasonal variations in rainfall perhaps triggering such movements (Kendall et al. 2012). This would explain the dry-season increase in numbers of Riippelfs and Lappet-faced Vultures in the inundation zone. Interestingly, Ruppell s and White-backed Vultures were recorded in larger numbers during the rains at the Benoue Valley and Adamawa Plateau, and further studies are needed to determine the factors underlying such movements. Black-winged Kite numbers fluctuated greatly in the inundation zone, but this species appears to be resident in the Sudan zone and Benoue Valley, probably because rodents reliably occur in cultivated areas. However, long¬ distance seasonal movements cannot be excluded even when local numbers are relatively stable (Steyn 1982). The Lanner Falcon influx with the rains into the inundation zone mainly comprised immatures, which were attracted to abundant insects and also invade drier areas mainly during the rains in southern (Steyn 1982, Van Zyl et al. 1994, Herremans & Herremans-Tonnoeyer 1996) and East Africa (Tsavo NP: Smeenk 1974), attracted by locusts, Red-billed Queleas and swarming termites. Similarly, aggregations of non¬ adult Tawny Eagles occur during the rains in the Kalahari (Steyn 1982) and are probably drawn from a very wide area. Although little evidence was found for partial migration or nomadic movements by African Harrier Hawk, Bateleur, Western Banded Snake Eagle, Gabar Goshawk, African Fish Eagle, Fox and Common Kestrels (local race rufescens ), as reported further west (Thiollay 1978b), juveniles or subadults of various sedentary species also routinely dispersed to the inundation zone during the rains: Brown Snake Eagle, African Hawk Eagle, Martial Eagle, Grey Kestrel and African Hobby. This phenomenon was also reported by Thiollay (1978b) for African Harrier Hawk, Bateleur and African Hobby in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, and suggests that the ephemeral food increase on the Lake Chad plains is important for the survival of dispersing young raptors. Like seasonal displacements, the timing of breeding differs between Afrotropical raptors according to their morphological characters, corresponding accessibility of their principal prey items (Thiollay & Clobert 1990) and generally coincides with the seasonal peak thereof: many species nest during the transition period from the dry to wet season (April— July; African Swallow- tailed Kite, Lappet-faced Vulture, Gabar Goshawk, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Grasshopper Buzzard, Black Kite, Fox Kestrel) or the main wet season (African Cuckoo Hawk, Long-crested and Wahlberg’s Eagles, Shikra). African Swallow-tailed Kite and Grasshopper Buzzard feed nestlings on a diet dominated by small terrestrial prey (Buij et al. 2013a,d), which is accessible and abundant at the start of the rains at this latitude, while fledglings capture nutrient-rich termites or other insects in July, and subsequently move north with the shifting ITCZ (Thiollay 1978b). The start of breeding in migrants is later with a delay in the rains, e.g. Grasshopper Buzzard breeds later at higher latitudes (Buij et al. 2013e), reflecting the northward movement of the ITCZ and a later peak in food abundance. Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle and Red-necked Buzzard breed in more southerly woodlands during the dry season, but the protracted breeding period of Shikras encompasses dry and wet seasons at different latitudes. Finally, Wahlberg’s Eagle is exceptional because it is the only migrant that breeds during the rains in the inundation zone, when non-breeding visitors from southern Africa are also present (Meyburg et al. 1993). In addition to the nest records reported here, and others in western Africa, Wahlberg’s Eagles lay eggs at the height of the wet season north of the equator (one pair at 2,300 m in Addis Ababa: Vittery 1978), but 2-3 months before the peak rains in southern Africa (Zimbabwe: Steyn 1982; Botswana: Penry 1994; Malawi: Dowsett- Lemaire & Dowsett 2006; Zambia: Dowsett et al. 2008) and East Africa (Kenya: Brown 1970, Smeenk 1974). In areas north and south of the equator, nestlings apparently fledge when grass cover and prey abundance (birds, rodents, lizards) is high or even maximal after the peak in seasonal rainfall (cf Thiollay 1978b). Raptor declines The over-riding factor currently affecting raptors in northern Cameroon is the strong human Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Bull ABC Mol 21 No 1 (2014) -57 population increase, which has greatly changed landscape functioning and its capacity to support wildlife. The densely populated Sudan zone, normally the richest latitude for raptors in the region (Thiollay 1977), has an impoverished raptor community, with the exception of some species (human-commensal Hooded Vulture, Fox Kestrel) that are commonest here (Buij et al. 2013b). The diversity and species richness of Afrotropical raptors is highest in the Benoue Valley, where local deforestation around the national parks has improved prey accessibility for open-country raptors (Buij et al. 2013b,c), including large eagles. However, the negative association of human populations with species richness illustrates that population growth is impacting resident species irrespective of advantageous changes in habitat structure (Buij et al. 2013c). The ecological changes following embankment of part of the Waza- Logone floodplain for rice cultivation, notably the desiccation of large parts of the formerly rich flooded grasslands and increased permanent settlement, has negatively impacted Afrotropical raptors (Thiollay 2001, Buij & Croes 2013) and insectivorous Palearctic raptors (Buij et al. 2012, 2013c). In general, few species appear to have benefited from the expansion of food crops, with the exception of rodent specialists such as Black¬ winged Kite and vertebrate-hunting Palearctic migrants such as Booted Eagle and Western Marsh Harrier (Buij et al. 2013c, Buij & Croes 2013). The degraded woodlands around Waza NP still provide adequate habitat for nesting migrants adapted to exploit unpredictable, seasonal and easily accessible prey, such as African Swallow¬ tailed Kite and Grasshopper Buzzard (Buij et al. 2013a,e), but nestling condition and survival may be affected by land-use change (Buij et al. 2013d). Contrary to migrants, sedentary generalists depend on stable prey resources within fairly small ranges, and may have suffered from a reduction of prey quality (Buij 2013). Moreover, people target raptor nests for food in the inundation zone and further south (Mandara Mountains), e.g. during the early rains when seasonal workers supplement their diet with nestlings, squirrels, hedgehogs, monitor lizards, francolins and other bushmeat (Njiforti 1997). Many keep poultry and some feral pigeons for trade, but these are regularly captured by Lanner Falcons and other raptors, and retaliatory persecution increases pressure on all nesting raptors. Although all large raptors were also seen outside park boundaries, their richness decreases with distance to national parks (Buij etal. 2013c), while some (Lappet-faced Vulture, Bateleur, African Fish Eagle) appear more dependent on parks than others. A few eagles (Long-crested, Tawny and African Hawk Eagles) breed in small numbers where woodlands harbour small vertebrates (e.g. gamebirds, hyrax, squirrels) or even among cultivated fields (Wahlberg's Eagle). Others, e.g. Martial Eagle, breed in national parks, but range widely outside to hunt over cultivation, where mortality rates might be high due to persecution. Additionally, poaching reaches dramatic levels in the Far North Region, especially in Waza NP (Tumenta et al. 2010) and increasingly in the Benoue Valley, where local poachers with self-made firearms and commercial (elephant) poachers from Sudan and Chad constitute a threat to small to medium-sized vertebrates and ungulate populations. The harvest of Red-billed Queleas and other passerines for consumption is widespread, in towns and villages, with slingshots (children) and guns, but frequently pesticides. Pesticides are cheaply and widely available in local markets, while their heavy use in cotton probably underlies negative associations of cotton cultivation with raptor richness and abundance in the Sudan zone (Buij etal. 2013c). Carbofuran and other carbamate or organophosphate insecticides (monocrotophos, profenofos, trimethacarb) and rodenticides (zinc phosphide) are used to poison wildlife for consumption (Buij & Mohamadou unpubl. data), using baits (rice, meat), but often at waterholes during the late dry season by digging small depressions close to larger waterholes; drinking mammals and birds including raptors instantly succumb. Around Waza NP, this practice has been fought by local populations after domestic animals were killed, but it remains a frequent and widespread practice. This is likely to constitute a major threat, increasingly also in the Benoue Valley, for raptors gathering at waterholes and along seasonal rivers during the dry season: Secretary-bird, large vultures, Tawny Eagle, African Fish Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, Bateleur, African Harrier Hawk, Gabar Goshawk, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Grasshopper Buzzard, Lanner Falcon, and Palearctic Steppe Eagle, 58- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes harriers and kestrels are all at risk. Pesticides are also used for fishing in the Benoue Valley and thus contaminate waterbodies, while declining fish stocks in the Logone River, Lake Chad and dry- season waterholes inside Waza NP are intensively utilised (Scholte 2003), further weakening the prey base for African Fish Eagles and Ospreys. Vulture decline The disappearance of breeding colonies and comparative counts by Thiollay (2001) indicate that vultures have been relatively hardest hit, for various reasons that deviate somewhat from other raptors. First, and probably foremost, deliberate targeting of vultures to supply the traditional medicine market has become an important cause of vulture mortality in northern Cameroon since the start of the 21st century. Vulture carcasses sold on markets throughout the region are proof of large-scale persecution (Nikolaus 2001, Igoli et al. 2003, Soewu 2008), mainly to supply the large Nigerian traditional medicine trade. Vultures are killed by poisoning of waterholes or using other techniques, e.g. poisoned baits, shotguns and traps (Saidu & Buij 2013). All parts of vultures are used, even eggs, faeces and nests, but heads of Gyps and Lappet-faced Vultures are especially valued for their purported medicinal properties (Nikolaus 2011). According to local reports (Buij & Mohamadou unpubl. data), poaching of large vultures soared in the late 1990s and early 2000s; eyewitness accounts suggest dozens of vultures were killed near waterholes in and around Waza NP in the early 2000s. Hooded Vulture is now the commonest vulture sold in northern Cameroon and Nigeria (Nikolaus 2011, Ogada & Buij 2011). Lappet-faced and White-backed Vultures are probably more vulnerable to nest harvesting or disturbance by humans than RiippelFs Vulture, with most remaining nest sites being on steep, inaccessible cliffs. The disappearance of easily accessible nest sites of RiippelFs Vulture in trees and on low rocky outcrops in Waza NP in the late 1990s may be informative in this respect, as it coincided with a general increase in ungulate numbers in the area and an abundance of livestock carcasses (e.g. >1,300 cattle died during an epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease near Maga in 1997: Scholte 2005). Apart from their use in traditional medicine, other reasons for the vulture decline may include poaching and nest disturbance in national parks, better sanitation in human settlements, more rapid disposal of carcasses, and disease. Locals in the Waza-Logone area claim that vultures are killed because they reveal the whereabouts of poached animals, particularly elephants, to wildlife officials. Nest disturbance of White- backed and Lappet-faced Vultures in Waza NP has probably increased with more frequent incursions by poachers and shepherds (Tumenta et al. 2010), the latter having admitted to using vulture nests to protect their livestock against stinging flies (smoke from nests set alight). With increasing numbers of sedentary farmers in the Waza-Logone area, the collection of livestock carcasses for consumption has increased during the dry season, and is common practice by villagers and game guards in the Benoue Valley (pers. obs.; cf. Schoe et al. 2009). Although this might reduce food supplies, at present many carcasses especially in the inundation zone are left untouched, so lack of food is unlikely to cause further declines. Another potential source of concern is avian influenza virus H5N1, with reports of 45 dead or dying Hooded Vultures in February-June 2006 in Ouagadougou (Ducatez et al. 2007), where steep declines were noted after 2005 (P. Weesie in litt. 2011). The unknown cause of massive Hooded Vulture deaths in Maroua in the 1990s, where poisoning seemed unlikely (Scholte 1998), might also have been caused by disease. Acknowledgements The Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) of Leiden University, Netherlands, supported these surveys financially and logistically via a collaborative programme with the University of Dschang, Cameroon, at the Centre for Environment and Development Studies in Cameroon (CEDC). Additional funding was received from the Raptor Research Foundation, The Peregrine Fund and the British Ornithologists’ Union. Martijn Wagemans, Bachirou Mohamadou, Deborah van Winkel and Haman Unusa are gratefully acknowledged for their important contributions to data collection. We acknowledge William S. Clark and Dick Forsman for their input on identification. We also thank Framboise Dowsett-Lemaire and Robert J. Dowsett for their extensive comments on an earlier version of this paper. Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -59 References A1 Hasani, I. K., Azar, J. F., Nishimura, K., Amr, Z. S. & Katzner, T. E. 2012. Distribution, diet and winter ecology of the Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca in Jordan. Vert. Zool. 62: 273-280. Bijlsma, R. G. 2001. Waarnemingen van roofvogels op de grens van primair regenwoud in Zuidoost- Nigeria. De Takkeling 9: 233-262. Bobo, S. K. & Languy, M. 2000. 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Velmala, W. & Gustafsson, R. 2003. Two new raptors for Nigeria and other raptor observations at Lake Chad. Malimbus 25: 52-55. Vielliard, J. 1972. Donnees biogeographiques sur Favifaune d’Afrique centrale, part 2. Alauda 40: 63-92. Vittery, A. 1978. Wahlberg’s Eagle nesting in Ethiopia. Scopus 2: 18-19. White, F. 1983. Fhe Vegetation of Africa: A Descriptive Memoir to Accompany the UNESCO / AEFFAF / UNSO Vegetation Map ofAfica. Paris: UNESCO. Zwarts, L., Bijlsma, R. G., van der Kamp, J. & Wymenga, E. 2009. Living on the Edge. Wetlands and Birds in a Changing Sahel. Utrecht: KNNV Uitgeverij. a Conservation Biology, Leiden University, PO Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands. b Current address: Animal Ecology, Alterra Wageningen UR, PO Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, Netherlands. E-mail: ralph.buij@gmail.com, croes.barbara@gmail.com Received 26 March 2013; revision accepted 22 November 2013. Raptors in northern Cameroon: Buij & Croes Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -63 Migration of raptors across the Bab el Mandeb Strait, Djibouti, March 2013 M. J. McGradf , H. A. Rayalehb, A. M. Darab and E. Abdillahib Migration de rapaces au-dessus du Detroit de Bab-el-Mandeb, Djibouti, mars 2013. Du 2 au 10 mars 2013, 4,562 rapaces en migration ont ete recenses au-dessus du Detroit de Bab-el-Mandeb. L’Aigle botte Hieraaetus pennatus et le Percnoptere d’Egypte Neophron percnopterus etaient les especes les plus nombreuses, representant respectivement 53.9% et 35.5% des migrateurs identifies. Les Percnopteres d’Egypte etaient tous des adultes, sauf trois individus estimes ages de trois ans. La frequence des passages etait la plus elevee entre 08.00 etlO.OO h et la migration visible cessait vers midi, les oiseaux volant alors plus haut et la voie de migration se depla^ant apparemment vers le sud. A cause du fait que la voie de migration semblait se deplacer au cours de la journee et que les rapaces volaient tres haut, les resultats des comptages represented des valeurs minimales. II serait possible d’ameliorer le suivi des oiseaux migrateurs a Djibouti, d’y promouvoir la protection de la nature et d’y developper P observation des oiseaux, en particulier des rapaces. Summary. During 2-10 March 2013, 4,562 raptors were recorded migrating across the Bab el Mandeb Strait. Booted Eagles Hieraaetus pennatus and Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus were the most numerous migrants, accounting for 53.9% and 35.5% of the migrants identified to species level, respectively. Among the migrating Egyptian Vultures, all were adults apart from three birds judged to be three-year olds. Migration rates were greatest during 08.00-10.00 hrs, and visible migration ceased by noon due to birds soaring higher and an apparent shift in the migration path to the south. Because the migration path appeared to move as the day passed and raptors migrated at high elevations, our counts represent minima. Opportunities exist in Djibouti to enhance monitoring of migrant soaring birds, promote conservation and develop birdwatching, especially raptor watching. The Eurasian-East African Flyway is the second-most important flyway for migrant soaring birds in the world. Coincidental along much of the flyway’s path is the Great Rift Valley, which reaches its most northerly point in Jordan, includes the Red Sea, then extends south in Africa from Djibouti, Eritrea and Somalia to Mozambique. The Bab el Mandeb Strait, which separates Yemen from Djibouti, represents an important bottleneck along the route, and marks the closest point between Arabia and Africa south of Suez. Over 1.5 million soaring birds of 37 species (including five globally threatened species) move between Eurasia and Africa each year (BirdLife International 2013a), and Suez and the Bab el Mandeb are locations where the migration concentrates and large numbers of migrants can be observed. Despite its importance, the migration at the Bab el Mandeb Strait has been little studied; the majority of the available counts were made more than 20 years ago, most of them in autumn (Shirihai et al. 2000). These studies revealed that the Bab el Mandeb Strait is an important bottleneck site (Fishpool & Evans 2001) and that the species composition of the migration is seasonally different. More than 246,000 raptors of 28 species have been recorded crossing in a single autumn (1987), mostly Steppe Buzzards Buteo buteo vulpinus and Steppe Eagles Aquila nipalensis (Welch & Welch 1988). In spring, past field work has been limited to just three days in a single year on the Djibouti side (Welch & Welch 1991) and four days in 1998 on the Yemen side of the strait (Welch & Welch 1999a). In both years, large numbers of Booted Eagles Hieraaetus pennatus and Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus predominated the count totals of raptors moving north (Welch & Welch 1991). We studied the migration of raptors at the Bab el Mandeb during nine days in March 2013. We aimed to address some of the recommendations made in a report to IUCN and the Djibouti government (Welch & Welch 1999b), and confirm the importance of the spring migration, especially for Egyptian Vulture, a species that is currently considered globally Endangered (BirdLife International 2013b). With these data we hoped to create the early foundations for more 64- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Migration of raptors across the Bab el Mandeb Strait, Djibouti: McGrady et al. Figure 1. Ras Siyyan, a volcanic cone on the Djibouti coast, the western boundary of the Bab el Mandeb Strait (M. J. McGrady) Ras Siyyan, un cone volcanique sur la cote de Djibouti, la limite occidentale du Detroit de Bab-el-Mandeb (M. J. McGrady) work on the migration in Djibouti, and explore the possibility that counts at the strait may aid in monitoring the population of Egyptian Vultures that nest north of Africa and thereby support its conservation. Obviously, more information on the importance of the strait to migrants could support site protection efforts and highlight the importance of targeted conservation efforts in the area nearby. Counts of migrating raptors in other parts of the world have been used to monitor populations (Farmer et al. 2007), as well as providing information useful to public conservation education efforts. Also, raptor watching (e.g. http://mnsraptorwatch.wordpress.com/sponsors- and-supporters/) and birdwatching in general (e.g. Puhakka et al. 2011), can provide tourism opportunities that promote conservation and provide local job opportunities. Materials and methods We attempted to count as many migrating raptors as possible on the Djibouti side of the Bab el Mandeb each day during 2-10 March 2013. Observations were made using 8x and 10x binoculars and 20-60x spotting telescopes. Birds were identified to species and aged whenever possible, using Porter et al. (1981), Clark & Schmitt (1998), Clark (1999) and Forsman (1999). HR & MM are experienced observers of raptor migration. Most of HR’s experience is in Djibouti; MM has experience in Israel (particularly relevant because the species encountered there include those observed during this study), Europe, Asia, North and Central America. AD & EA were novices, but were always teamed with experienced observers during counts, in most cases teams comprised one experienced and one novice observer. Over the course of the field work we also sought the best location for making migration observations, and thus searched for places where the migration concentrated, including points of departure (on the Djibouti coast) for migrants heading to Yemen. During 2-3 March our counts were made from three locations near Ras Siyyan (VP1: 12°28’45”N 43°18’47”E; VP2: 12028’34”N 43°19,04.3,’E; VP3: 12°28T2”N 43°19’19,,E). Ras Siyyan is a small volcanic cone located on the northern Djibouti coast (Fig. 1). It, along with six small volcanic islands, form the ‘Les Sept Freres’ Important Bird Area (IBA). Ras Siyyan is a distinctive landmark on the western border of the Bab el Mandeb Strait and forms that part of the Djibouti mainland closest to Yemen. During 6-10 March observers were stationed at VP2 and at 12°25,25”N 43o17’00”E (VP4) and 12°23’5rN 43°17’02”E (VP5) (see Fig. 2). The locations of VP 4 and VP5 were suggested by our observations from Ras Siyyan of distant groups of raptors rising above terrain features after the migration volume at Ras Siyyan had decreased. During 6-10 March, as the volume of migration decreased during the morning, the observers quit their locations and searched as a single team for Migration of raptors across the Bab el Mandeb Strait, Djibouti: McGrady et al. Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -65 Figure 2. Locations of vantage points from which observations were made (satellite image courtesy of Google Inc. All rights reserved © © 2013 DigitalGlobe). Emplacement des points de vue utilises pour les observations (image satellitaire avec la permission de Google Inc. Tous droits reserves © © 2013 DigitalGlobe). the migration path. Searches were made south to the "Godoria plateau’, which is on the coast r.25 km south of Ras Siyyan and rises to c.250 m above sea level (Fig. 3). We also searched inland (west) from Ras Siyyan to the village of Lahasa (c.20 km). Counts were recorded in time blocks (08.00- 10.00, 10.01-12.00, 12.01-14.00, 14.01-16.00), and counts from different observation points were rationalised at the end of each day to ensure that double-counting was minimised. General weather conditions were recorded, including temperature, percent cloud cover, wind direction and strength (Beaufort scale). Results Weather During our study, the weather was dry throughout and hot during the daytime (temperatures ranged between 20°C early in the morning to the upper 30s at midday). The wind was moderate or strong on all days, sometimes gusting, north-easterly to easterly. Clouds were high and coverage varied from <5% to 80%, but was very changeable in the strong winds. Especially during late morning, soaring birds would disappear into the high clouds, making counting difficult. At times there was haze, dust and heat shimmer that impeded making distant observations. Numbers and composition Formal migration watches were made for a total of 46.3 hours, and total effort was 168 man-hours. Table 1 summarises the daily counts. A total of 4,362 raptors was recorded (mean daily count = 141.3; SD=388.0). Booted Eagle and Egyptian Vulture were the most numerous species and comprised a minimum of 38.9% and 25.6% of the total, respectively. Some 27.9% of the raptors that were seen could not be identified to species level because they were too distant or visibility was not ideal. However, flight profiles suggested to us that a large percentage of these were either Booted Eagles or Egyptian Vultures. Of birds that could be identified to species, Booted Eagle and Egyptian Vulture comprised 53.9% and 35.5% 66- Bull ABC Mol 21 No 1 (2014) Migration of raptors across the Bab el Mandeb Strait, Djibouti: McGrady et al. Figure 3. View from the Godoria plateau, looking north toward Ras Siyyan, which is c. 25 km distant, and invisible due to haze (M. J. McGrady) Vue vers le nord a partir du plateau Godoria vers Ras Siyyan, qui se trouve a environ 25 km et est invisible a cause de la brume (M. J. McGrady) Table 1. Counts of the visible raptor migration over the Bab el Mandeb Strait, Djibouti, 2-10 March 2013. Tableau 1. Recensements de la migration visible de rapaces au-dessus du Detroit de Bab-el-Mandeb, Djibouti, 2-10 mars 2013. 2 Mar 3 Mar 4 Mar 5 Mar 6 Mar 7 Mar 8 Mar 9 Mar 10 Mar TOTAL % Booted Eagle Hleraaetus pennatus 37 166 271 67 55 315 276 369 217 1,773 38.86 Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus 29 84 233 15 73 71 309 158 195 1,167 25.58 Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus 0 0 5 11 5 6 66 64 69 226 4.95 Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis 2 2 4 7 0 8 17 29 7 76 1.67 European Honey Buzzard Perm's apivorus 1 1 4 4 0 4 5 0 2 21 0.46 Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca 1 1 0 1 0 0 3 0 2 8 0.18 Bonelli’s Eagle Aquila fasciata 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 4 0.09 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0.07 Lesser Spotted Eagle Clanga pomarina 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0.07 Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.04 Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0.04 Shikra Accipiter badlus 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0.04 Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0.02 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.02 Unidentified falcons Falco sp. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.02 Unidentified raptors (most probably Booted Eagle and Egyptian Vulture) 3 21 ' 105 50 3 81 526 311 172 1,272 27.88 TOTALS 78 277 625 155 136 490 1,205 931 665 4,562 Migration of raptors across the Bab el Mandeb Strait, Djibouti: McGrady et al. Bull ABC Mol 21 No 1 (2014) -67 Table 2. Rate of migration (birds per hour) per two-hour time blocks for Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus and Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus at the Bab el Mandeb Strait, Djibouti, 2-10 March 2013 ( n = hours of observation within time block) Tableau 2. Frequence de passage (oiseaux par heure) par blocs de deux heures pour I'Aigle botte Hieraaetus pennatus et le Percnoptere d'Egypte Neophron percnopterus au Detroit de Bab-el-Mandeb. Djibouti, 2-10 mars 2013 ( n = heures d'observation a I'interieur du bloc) Time of day 08.00-10.00 (n= 72) 10.00-12.00 (n= 72) 12.00-14.00 (n=18) 14.00-16.00 (n=17) 16.00-18.00 (n=8) Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus 14.9 9.13 0.4 1.8 0.6 Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus 13.8 2.4 0.1 0.2 0.0 of the count, respectively. Only three non-adult Egyptian Vultures were recorded; all were judged to be three years of age. Booted Eagles comprised an approximately equal number of dark and pale colour morphs. Daily movement of migration path On most days migration started between 08.30 and 09.00 hrs. The earliest records were at 08.00 (6 March). Egyptian Vultures were the first species observed every day at Ras Siyyan, migrating singly or in small groups. At inland watchpoints Booted Eagles were the first species observed daily. Early in the morning the migration arrived at Ras Siyyan exclusively from the west (i.e. no birds were seen migrating along the coast from the north or south). Later in the morning the migration moved south along a path inland from the coast, and visible to us c. 1—2 km from the coastline. The rate of migration was highest at 08.00-10.00 hrs for Booted Eagles and Egyptian Vultures, after which the rates declined; after 12.00 hrs virtually no migration was visible from Ras Siyyan or our other observation locations (Table 2). The location of the point of departure from Djibouti towards Yemen appeared to change during the day. Early in the day (up to c. 10.00 hrs), Ras Siyyan was an important departure point. However, as the morning progressed (starting between 09.30 and 10.30 hrs) steadily increasing numbers of birds that arrived at Ras Siyyan from the west did not cross the strait, but turned south along the coast or moved south¬ west toward inland hills, where they gained altitude and disappeared from view, moving up and south. We searched unsuccessfully for a place where the migration concentrated after 10.00 hrs and birds departed Djibouti across the sea. We visited the Godoria plateau on three separate days (4, 7, 10 March) in the early afternoon. Only on 10 March did we witness any migration there, and on that day birds were still moving south along the coast and apparently not departing towards Arabia. Discussion We recorded a total of 4,362 migrating raptors of 14 species during nine days. The migration moved south as the morning progressed, and it gained altitude as temperatures increased, so these numbers represent only a proportion of the total migration that occurred during the period between Africa and Arabia. Our findings confirm those of Welch & Welch (1991): (1) a significant migration of raptors occurs in spring over the Bab el Mandeb; (2) migration is most visible in the morning; (3) Egyptian Vultures and Booted Eagles are by far the commonest migrants; (4) Steppe Eagles and Steppe Buzzards do not feature importantly in the migration across the Bab el Mandeb in early March; and (3) the migration appears to shift south from the point where the strait is narrowest (Ras Siyyan) as the morning progresses and temperatures rise. Our observations also demonstrate that the importance of the site has not diminished despite the passage of time and the apparent erosion of the global conservation status of Egyptian Vultures. Welch & Welch (1991) made their observations over just three days during unusual weather (overcast and hazy), and therefore were unsure if their findings were representative. Our observations during 2-6 March were made during unusually strong winds (according to local people) from the north-east and east, which probably also affected our counts, although they do not contradict the findings of Welch & Welch (1991). We recorded a greater variety ol species than Welch & Welch (1991), most certainly due in 68- Bull ABC Mol 21 No 1 (2014) Migration of raptors across the Bab el Mandeb Strait, Djibouti: McGrady et al. part to the longer duration of our study and perhaps the different weather conditions. It is our opinion that a very large proportion of the birds that were too distant to identify (almost 28% of all migrants seen) were eagles, probably Booted Eagles, and Egyptian Vultures because of their size and because the composition of the identifiable migration did not seem to change greatly over the course of the day. The few birds that were seen in the afternoons were almost always Booted Eagles or Egyptian Vultures. The importance of the Bab el Mandeb for both Booted Eagles and Egyptian Vultures on migration is highlighted by the results of counts of migrant soaring birds made in spring 2012 at a bottleneck in the northern Red Sea. There, over 63 days of observation, 1,128 Egyptian Vultures and 1,177 Booted Eagles were counted (total migration = 183,273 birds) (Megalli & Hilgerloh 2013). Generally, counts after 3 March were larger than those before that date. We do not know whether this was due to changes in our vantage points, different weather, a change in the volume of migration or some combination of these factors. Therefore, we do not know if our observations coincided with the peak migration. More work is needed to clarify this, but during a subsequent visit to Ras Siyyan on 19 March 2013, 1,861 migratory soaring birds, including 459 migrating Egyptian Vultures and 900 Booted Eagles, were recorded during just two hours (H. Rayaleh pers. obs.). Unless there is a separate spring migration route for non-adult Egyptian Vultures, the age composition of birds that we recorded supports the idea that immatures from migratory populations in Asia and Europe remain well south of the breeding areas (Yosef & Alon 1997, Mundy et al. 1999), although subadults are also observed on northern breeding grounds (e.g. Stoynov et al. 2013). We witnessed an apparent shift of the migration to the south as the morning progressed that coincided with the decline in numbers of migrants counted, but we were surprised not to then witness a stream of migrants over the Godoria plateau heading toward Yemen. The plateau is the only prominent topographic features on the coast south of Ras Siyyan and could provide uplift to facilitate the crossing. Welch & Welch (1991) thought that the decline in numbers of raptors seen crossing the strait as the day progressed was due to the migration gaining altitude over inland hills after mid morning and moving south, thereafter being unobservable at the strait. Our observations generally support this suggestion, but unlike the previous study we were unable to relocate the migration path further south, perhaps due to the unusually strong wind conditions. Like Welch & Welch (1991), we observed no Steppe Buzzards and few Steppe Eagles, although these species comprise large proportions of the migration observed further north and their winter ranges include areas south of Djibouti. Both of these species are recorded at Eilat, in southern Israel, in large numbers after early March (e.g. Leshem & Yom-Tov 1996) and so theoretically should be migrating at the latitude of Djibouti at the time our observations were made. Although neither we nor Welch & Welch (1991, 1999a) observed many Steppe Eagles or Steppe Buzzards in spring, it is impossible to categorically state that no significant passages of these species occur over the strait because the total number of observation days is small. In the case of Steppe Eagles, satellite tracking suggests that most individuals move north via Suez in spring (Meyburg et al. 2003, 2012), but these data are from a small number of individuals. It is interesting to note that Steppe Buzzards and Steppe Eagles do apparently form a major component of the autumn soaring bird migration over the strait (Welch & Welch 1988). Our observation of three Lesser Spotted Eagles Clanga pomarina is unexpected. This, species is easily confused with both Steppe Eagle and Greater Spotted Eagle C. clanga , and all are quite variable in plumage. The main distinguishing feature that we used was the barring of the remiges, which also indicates that the individuals were not adults. Although we are reasonably confident that these birds were correctly identified because all were seen at relatively close range by both of the experienced observers, we accept that this is a difficult species to reliably identify, and no comparison with other species was possible. Welch & Welch did not record this species at Bab el Mandeb in spring (1991), but saw a few during autumn counts (1988). While this work has demonstrated that a large number of Booted Eagles use the Bab el Mandeb during their spring migration, it is Migration of raptors across the Bab el Mandeb Strait, Djibouti: McGrady et al. Bull ABC Mol 21 No 1 (2014) -69 important to focus on Egyptian Vultures because of their poor and deteriorating conservation status. Raptors, particularly vultures, face a wide array of conservation challenges globally. In Africa targeted and inadvertent poisoning, intentional shooting, use for bushmeat and in traditional medicine, and electrocution and collision with utility infrastructure are just some of the threats that face vultures. Vultures provide important ecosystem services, some of which can directly benefit human health. Consequences of reductions in vulture populations can include greater risk of disease and increases in populations of other scavengers, including feral dogs (Markandya et al. 2008). Threats to vultures vary across regions / countries in Africa. In Sudan shooting appears to be relatively common, the use of vultures for bushmeat or traditional medicine is more common in West Africa, and poisoning of vultures appears most common in countries where poaching of big game animals occurs and where pastoralists / farmers seek to control mammalian predators. Along some of the Red Sea coast, wind farm developments and power transmission infrastructure are potential threats to vultures and other soaring birds (Angelov et al. 2012). The environment for vultures in Djibouti appears to be more benign than elsewhere in Africa. Factors that might affect this include low levels of agriculture or herding, a relatively small and mostly unarmed human population that is concentrated in the capital city, and low levels of poaching. There are very few conservation efforts being pursued in Djibouti. Djibouti is a small, politically stable, relatively safe and logistically ‘easy’ to visit country that offers opportunities to support Egyptian Vulture conservation in a number of ways. As an important migration bottleneck, the Bab el Mandeb can be used to monitor population trends (not numbers) of breeders from further north, especially if more is learned about how the migration path varies as the day progresses and long-term annual migration monitoring is established. However, in the case of Egyptian Vultures that use the Bab el Mandeb in spring, the immediate conservation value of counts is lessened by the difficulty of linking these to population size and the lack of long-term data. In terms of conservation, what is probably more important is to ensure that shooting and poisoning of migrants do not become common activities in Djibouti. While such persecution would obviously have a negative effect on any species, in the case of Egyptian Vultures the effect would probably be greater because of the age composition of the migration in Djibouti; we know that increased adult mortality (especially in a long-lived, delayed-maturity species like Egyptian Vulture) has the greatest effect on population size because it impacts numbers both directly and through decreased annual productivity (Mertz 1971, Stahl & Oli 2006). Also, it is important that any power generation and transmission infrastructure in the area is located sensitively and designed with migrating soaring and other birds in mind (Angelov et al. 2012). As a country in which Egyptian Vultures appear to be relatively safe, opportunities exist to better understand the ecology of resident birds, the ecology of young birds that will eventually seek to breed further north, and the non-breeding season ecology of breeding-aged birds from further north, and use any resultant data to better support conservation of the species across its range. Also, opportunities exist to promote conservation of vultures and other migrant soaring birds through eco-tourism (tourism of any type is under-developed in Djibouti) and public education. Egyptian Vultures may be a particularly appropriate flagship species for conservation in Djibouti because they are commensal with humans, even in very small and remote settlements, and so many people in small towns and rural areas are familiar with the species. Acknowledgements We thank Ahmed A. Hamadou for his help and companionship in the field. Financial support was provided by the European Science Foundation (ESF) through EURAPMON, an ESF Networking Programme, the African Bird Club, M. Shobrak at Taif University (KSA), and Milwaukee Counw Zoo (USA). In-kind support was provided by International Avian Research and Djibouti Nature. R. F. Porter and G. Welch provided useful comments that helped improve the manuscript. References Angelov, I., Hashim, I. & Oppel, S. 2012. Persistent electrocution mortality of Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus over 28 years in East Africa. Bird Conserv. Intern. 22: 1-6. 70- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Migration of raptors across the Bab el Mandeb Strait, Djibouti: McGrady et al. BirdLife International. 2013a. www.birdlife.org/ migratorysoaringbirds/ (accessed 18 April 2013). BirdLife International. 2013b. Species factsheet: Neophron percnopterus. www.birdlile.org (accessed 18 April 2013). Clark, W. S. 1999. A Field Guide to the Raptors of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Clark, W. S. & Schmitt, N. J. 1998. Ageing Egyptian vultures. Alula 4: 122-127. Farmer, C. J., Hussell, D. J. & Mizrahi, D. 2007. Detecting population trends in migratory birds of prey. A uk 124: 1047-1062. Fishpool, L. D. C. & Evans, M. I. (eds.) 2001. Important Bird Areas in Africa and Associated Islands: Priority Sites for Conservation. Newbury: Pisces Publications & Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. Forsman, D. 1999. The Raptors of Europe and the Middle East. London, UK: T. & A. D. Poyser. Leshem, Y. & Yom-Tov, Y. 1996. The magnitude and timing of migration by soaring raptors, pelicans and storks over Israel. Ibis 138: 188-203. Markandya, A., Taylor, T., Longo, A., Murty, M. N., Murty, S. & Dhavala, K. 2008. Counting the cost of vulture decline — an appraisal of the human health and other benefits of vultures in India. Ecol. Economics 67: 194-204. Megalli, M. & Hilgerloh, G. 2013. The soaring bird spring migration bottleneck at Ayn Sokhna, northern Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Sandgrouse 33: 28-35. Meyburg, B.-U., Paillat, P. & Meyburg. C. 2003. Migration routes of Steppe Eagles between Asia and Africa: a study by means of satellite telemetry. Condor 105: 219-227. Meyburg, B.-U., Meyburg, C. & Paillat, P. 2012. Steppe Eagle migration strategies - revealed by satellite telemetry. Br. Birds 105: 506-519. Mertz, D. 1971. The mathematical demography of the California Condor population. Amer. Natur. 105: 437-453. Mundy, P., Butchart, D., Ledger, J. & Piper, S. 1999. The Vultures of Africa. London, UK: Academic Press. Porter, R. F., Willis, I., Christensen, S. & Nielsen, B. P. 1981. Flight Identification of European Raptors. Calton, UK: T. & A. D. Poyser. Puhakka, L., Salo, M. & Saaksjarvi, I. E. 2011. Bird diversity, birdwatching tourism and conservation in Peru: a geographic analysis. PLoS ONE 6(11): e26786. Shirihai, EL, Yosef, R., Alon, D., Kirwan, G. M. & Spaar, R. 2000. Raptor Migration in Israel and the Middle East: A Summary of 30 Years of Field Research. Eilat: International Birding & Research Center in Eilat. Stahl, J. T. & Oli, M. K. 2006. Relative importance of avian life-history variables to population growth rate. Ecol. Modelling 198: 22-39. Stoynov, E., Grozdanov, A., Peshev, H. & Peshev, D. 2013. Present distribution and conservation specifics of the Egyptian vulture ( Neophron percnopterus Linnaeus, 1758) in southwest Bulgaria. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., Suppl. 2(19): 259259n. Welch, G. & Welch, H. 1988. The autumn migration of raptors and other soaring birds across the Bab el Mandeb Straits [sic] . Sandgrouse 10: 26-50. Welch, G. & Welch H. 1991. Spring raptor observations from Djibouti. Orn. Soc. Middle East Bull. 26: 25-27. Welch, G. & Welch, H. 1999a. Raptor migration Bab el Mandeb, Yemen - spring 1998. Phoenix : 15: 11-12. Welch, H. & Welch, G. 1999b. A Report on the Birds of Djibouti and the Bankouale Palm Livistona carinensis. Biodiversity Report No. 4. Djibouti: Ministere de FEnvironnement, du Tourisme et de LArtisanat, Direction de FEnvironnement. Yosef, R. & Alon, D. 1997. Do immature Palearctic Egyptian vultures Neophron percnopterus remain in Africa during the northern summer? Vogelwarte 118: 285-289. a M. J. McGrady, International Avian Research, Am Rosenhiigel 59, 3500 Krems, Austria. E-mail: mikejmcgrady@aol. com b Djibouti Nature, PO Box 3088, Djibouti. Received 28 May 2013; revision accepted 29 October 2013. Migration of raptors across the Bab el Mandeb Strait, Djibouti: McGrady et al. Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -71 Observations ornithologiques aux environs d’Antananarivo, Madagascar Bruno Boedts Ornithological observations around Antananarivo, Madagascar. Between 2005 and 2012, birds were observed at Ivandry Marsh, part of the vast plain of Laniera on the northern outskirts of Antananarivo, and in adjacent wastelands as well as at Lake Alarobia. A total of 63 species, including 32 Malagasy endemics, amongst which two are considered Endangered, three Vulnerable and one Near Threatened, has been identified. Several species difficult to observe or rare in other regions of Madagascar occur at Ivandry Marsh and its environs. Wastelands near the marsh are also regularly used by Sooty Falcons Falco concolor as a feeding ground in January-May. Lake Alarobia is an important nesting site for Ardeidae that feed in the surrounding marshes. Fiundreds of ducks use the area in the late dry season. Given the city’s proximity, the marsh and adjacent areas require protection to maintain the quality of the environment and its bird populations. Resume. Entre 2005 et 2012, les oiseaux ont ete observes dans le marais d’lvandry faisant partie de la vaste plaine de Laniera en peripherie nord d’Antananarivo, et dans les terrains en friches adjacents ainsi qu’au lac d’Alarobia. Un total de 63 especes, dont 32 endemiques, comprenant deux especes Menacees d’Extinction, trois Vulnerables et une Quasi Menacee, a ete identifie. Certaines especes difficilement observables dans d’autres regions de Madagascar ou rares peuvent etre vues au marais d’lvandry et dans ses environs. Les terrains en friches a proximite du marais sont aussi un lieu de nourrissage regulier du Faucon concolore Falco concolor , entre janvier et mai. Le lac d’Alarobia constitue un important lieu de nidification pour les Ardeidae qui trouvent leur nourriture dans les marais aux alentours. Des centaines d’Anatidae s’y reposent egalement en fin de saison seche. Compte tenu de la proximite de la ville, le marais et les terrains adjacents necessitent des mesures de protection pour maintenir la qualite du milieu et les populations d'oiseaux y vivant. En tant que resident permanent a Madagascar, j’ai effectue entre aout 2005 et avril 2012 une centaine de visites ornithologiques d’une duree d’environ deux heures chacune, realisees le matin ou en fin de journee pendant les week¬ ends et conges dans un marais et a ses alentours pres du quartier residentiel dTvandry (18°5rS 47°31’E), situe en banlieue nord d’Antananarivo sur les Elauts-Plateaux malgaches (1.266 m). Le climat dans la zone etudiee comprend une saison seche (mai-octobre) et une saison des pluies (novembre-avril). J’ai egalement realise quelques observations sur les lacs situes aux environs du marais, principalement le lac d’Alarobia et ceux du quartier d’Ankorondrano. Cette note presente le resultat de ces observations. Zone d’etude Le marais dTvandry se situe a l’extremite sud de la plaine inondee de Laniera cultivee sur plusieurs milliers d’hectares de riz et s’etendant au nord jusqu’a l’aeroport d’lvato. II couvre quelques dizaines d’hectares et est un des rares endroits non cultive dans la region. Les habitants du quartier proche d’Androhibe Futilisent pour pecher (petits poissons, ecrevisses), faire paitre leurs bovins, elever des canards domestiques et laver du linge. Quelques pigeons domestiques y vivent en liberte. Les terrains bordant du cote d’Androhibe le marais constitues de vieux vignobles en friches sont progressivement cultives (mais, manioc, haricots, arbres ornementaux / fruitiers) (Fig. 1). De l’autre Figure 1. Vue sur le marais d'lvandryet, en arriere-plan, les terrains en friche d'Androhibe, oil chassent chaque annee les Faucons concolores Falco concolor a la fin de la saison des pluies, mars 2009 (B. Boedts) View of Ivandry marsh and, in the background, the fallow lands of Androhibe where Sooty Falcons Falco concolor hunt each year at the end of the wet season, March 2009 (B. Boedts) 72- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Observations ornithologiques aux environs d Antananarivo, Madagascar: Boedts cote du marais se trouve la zone residentielle d’lvandry avec des jardins. Le lac d’Alarobia fait partie du Parc de Tsarasaotra, site prive classe Ramsar depuis mai 2005. Ce lac comprend une importante heronniere en saison des pluies et represente aussi avec les autres lacs peu profonds de la zone peri- urbaine d ’Antananarivo tels que le lac de 'Tana Water Front’ du quartier d’Ankorondrano, un lieu de repos pendant la journee pour des centaines d’Anatides en fin de saison seche surtout en octobre. Resultats J’ai observe 63 especes dont la liste est donnee en annexe. Au lac d’Alarobia, les herons et aigrettes nichent en colonies mixtes dans les roseaux ou sur les arbres (bambou, Eucalyptus ) en fin de saison seche. Environ 600 nids appartenant a sept especes d’Ardeides ont ete denombres en octobre 2007 dont la majorite appartenaient au Heron gardeboeufs Bubulcus ibis (34% des nids comptes, situes a faible hauteur dans les bambous), a l’Aigrette dimorphe Egretta dimorpha (32%, en haut de grands arbres ; continue de nicher jusqu’au debut de la saison seche en mai-juin) et au Crabier chevelu Ardeola ralloides (24%, au sol dans les roseaux). Les autres especes nichaient en plus petits nombres, telles que le Bihoreau gris Nycticorax nycticorax (4%, en haut de grands arbres ; commence a nicher plus tot que les autres especes, en aout-septembre), la Grande Aigrette Egretta alba (3%, en haut de grands arbres), le Heron ardoise E. ardesiaca (2% au sol dans les roseaux ; commence a nicher plus tard en octobre-decembre), et le Crabier blanc Ardeola idae (1%, pres de la colonie de Crabiers chevelus). Toutes ces especes sont observees chassant dans le marais d’lvandry soit isolement comme la Grande Aigrette et le Crabier blanc, soit en groupe. Sur les lacs de la zone etudiee, deux especes d’Anatides, le Dendrocygne veuf Dendrocygna viduata et le Canard a bee rouge Anas erythrorhyncha se reunissent en fin de saison seche en grand nombre pouvant depasser le millier d’individus. Le Canard a bosse Sarkidiornis melanotos est present dans ces groupes en plus petit nombre ne depassant pas une douzaine d’individus (Fig. 4). A la tombee de la nuit, les Dendrocygnes veufs survolent les rizieres par petits groupes vers leur lieu de nourrissage nocturne en faisant entendre leurs silflements. Les notes suivantes presentent des details concernant les especes globalement ou presque menacees ainsi que certaines especes, formes ou comportements irregulierement ou rarement observes dans la zone etudiee. Statut de conservation UICN (BirdLife international 2012) : EN = Menace d’Extinction, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Quasiment Menace. Grebe malgache Taehybaptus pelzelnii (VU) Observe deux fois au lac d’Alarobia le 13 octobre 2007 (trois) et le 20 septembre 2008 (deux, dont un en plumage nuptial marque). Crabier blanc Ardeola idae (EN) Present a Madagascar a la fin de la saison seche (observation la plus precoce d un individu au marais d’lvandry le 12 septembre 2009) et pendant la saison des pluies dans les zones non cultivees, telles que la zone etudiee, pour se nourrir notamment d’ecrevisses. Generalement seul, a l’ecart du Crabier chevelu A. ralloides, plus abondant et avec lequel il est en competition (Fig. 2). Le nombre de nids comptes au lac d’Alarobia a diminue entre 2007 (cinq) et 2010 (deux), conlirmant ainsi que dans la zone, l’autre espece de Crabier est mieux adaptee au milieu compose Figure 2. Crabier blanc Ardeola idae en plumage nuptial defendant son territoire contre l'intrusion d un Crabier chevelu Ardeola ralloides, lac d’Alarobia, octobre 2007 (B. Boedts) Madagascar Pond Heron Ardeola idae in breeding plumage defending its territory against a Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides, Lake Alarobia, October 2007 (B. Boedts) Observations ornithologiques aux environs dAntananarivo, Madagascar: Boedts Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -73 Figure 3. Aigrette dimorphe Egretta dimorpha de la forme partiellement sombre, marais d’lvandry, 4 septembre 2011 (B. Boedts) Dark form of Dimorphic Egret Egretta dimorpha , Ivandry marsh, 4 September 201 1 (B. Boedts) majoritairement de rizieres cultivees (Martfnez- Vilalta & Motis 1992). Aigrette dimorphe Egretta dimorpha Un individu de la forme partiellement sombre present deux jours au marais a ete photographie le 4 septembre 2011 (Fig. 3). La forme sombre est assez commune au bord de la mer mais rare a Finterieur des terres (Langrand 1993). Heron pourpre Ardea purpurea Chasse seul en fin de journee dans le marais dlvandry en janvier-avril. S’installe pour la nuit parfois a deux au sommet de grands arbres. Bec-ouvert africain Anastomus lamelligerus Un individu observe au lac d’Aiarobia du 22 septembre au 13 octobre 2007 et, probablement le meme individu, du 20 septembre au 23 octobre 2008, en fin de journee, au repos generalement perche sur un arbre dans File au milieu du lac. L’espece signalee auparavant en 1975 a Antananarivo est assez commune a Fouest de Madagascar bien qu’en diminution (Langrand 1995). Ibis falcinelle Plegadis falcinellus Vu une seule fois de passage en vol au-dessus du marais d’lvandry le 22 mars 2008. L’espece assez commune a l’ouest est rare dans les autres regions, alors qu elle etait autrefois commune aux environs d’Antananarivo (Langrand 1995). Figure 4. Dendrocygnes veufs / White-faced Whistling Ducks Dendrocygna viduata, Canards a bosse / Knob¬ billed Ducks Sarkidiornis melanotos et Canard a bee rouge / Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha , lac d’Alarobia, octobre 2008 (B. Boedts) Dendrocygne fauve Dendrocygna bicolor Une seule observation d’un individu s’envolant du marais d’lvandry le 24 juillet 2011. L’espece est localement commune a l’ouest et au nord, et assez rare dans les environs d’Antananarivo (Langrand 1995). Canard de Meller Anas melleri (EN) Une seule observation de deux individus en vol au-dessus du marais d’lvandry le 29 janvier 2009. L’espece est peu commune a Antananarivo (Langrand 1995). Milan des chauves-souris Macheiramphus alcinus Vu trois fois en vol en fin de journee dans les environs du marais dlvandry se dirigeant a chaque reprise vers le quartier plus urbanise d'Androhibe le 1 1 avril 2010 (deux adultes), le 16 octobre 2010 (un) et le 16 octobre 2011 (un). Bien qu'aucune preuve de nidification n'existe pour Madagascar (Langrand 1995), il est possible que les deux observations realisees en octobre puissent suggerer une nidification dans la zone etudiee. Busard de Madagascar Circus macrosceles (VU) Vu chassant en vol au-dessus du marais dlvandry le 10 septembre 2006 (un immature), le 25 octobre 2008 (un male) et au-dessus de la plaine de Laniera le 21 fevrier 2010 (un immature). En 2010, un immature a ete observe a plusieurs reprises entre le 10 octobre et le 21 novembre au lac d’Alarobia (Fig. 5). 74- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Observations ornithologiques aux environs d’Antananarivo, Madagascar: Boedts Figure 5. Busard de Madagascar Circus macrosceles immature essayant de capturer un Crabier chevelu Ardeola ralloides , lac d’Alarobia, 10 octobre 2010 (B. Boedts) Immature Reunion Harrier Circus macrosceles pursuing a Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides, Lake Alarobia, 1 0 October 2010 (B. Boedts) Buse de Madagascar Buteo brachypterus Trois observations d’individus de la forme sombre poses pendant de courtes durees pres du marais d’lvandry en avril 2008, mai 2009 et fevrier 2010. Faucon de Newton Falco newtoni La forme rousse est restreinte a la region des Hauts- Plateaux (Sinclair 2003) (Fig. 6). Cependant, la forme blanche a ete vue deux fois dans la zone etudiee le 30 octobre 2010 au lac d’Alarobia (un) et le 3 mars 2012 dans la plaine de Laniera (deux). Figure 6. Groupe de Martins tristes Acridotheres tristis poses pres d’un Faucon de Newton Falco newtoni, forme rousse, alentours du marais d’lvandry, mai 2007 (B. Boedts) Common Mynahs Acridotheres tristis and a rufous-morph Madagascar Kestrel Falco newtoni, near Ivandry marsh, May 2007 (B. Boedts) Figure 7. Faucons concolores Falco concolor adultes, pres du marais d’lvandry, mars 201 1 (B. Boedts) Adult Sooty Falcons Falco concolor, near Ivandry marsh, March 2011 (B. Boedts) Faucon concolore Falco concolor (NT) Observe durant sept annees de suite au marais d’lvandry et aux alentours, au plus tot le 21 janvier (en 2007) et au plus tard le 16 mai (en 2010). Les faucons se regroupent aux heures chaudes de la journee pour chasser des insectes aux alentours du marais (Boedts 2010). Un nombre maximum d’individus a ete enregistre avec six adultes et quatre immatures en 2011, annee ou les insectes Cetoniidae que chassent les faucons etaient abondants sur les plants sauvages d’Asteraceae a fleurs jaunes. De ce fait, contrairement aux autres annees, les faucons utilisaient plus comme perchoir les branches hautes des arbres surplombant l’endroit ou se trouvaient ces insectes, plutot que les fils electriques ou les poteaux en bois comme d’autres annees. Les faucons etaient tres proches les uns des autres, parfois a moins d’un metre, que ce soit lors de la chasse en vol ou sur leur perchoir (Fig. 7). Une forme sombre de faucon adulte photographiee en 2009 a ete revue en 2011 (Fig. 8). En 2010, une forme sombre atypique d’immature a egalement ete photographiee (Fig. 9). En 2010 et 2012, en raison de la coupe precoce par les riverains des plants d’Asteraceae destines a nourrir des animaux domestiques, les cetoines etaient moins abondants. De ce fait, les faucons se nourrissaient d’autres insectes tels que Observations ornithologiques aux environs d Antananarivo, Madagascar: Boedts Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -75 Figure 8 (en haut). Forme sombre de Faucon concolore Falco concolor adulte, pres du marais d’lvandry, mars 2009 (B. Boedts) Dark-morph adult Sooty Falcon Falco concolor , near Ivandry marsh, March 2009 (B. Boedts) Figure 9 (en bas). Forme sombre de Faucon concolore Falco concolor immature, pres du marais d’lvandry, mars 2010 (B. Boedts) Dark-morph immature Sooty Falcon Falco concolor , near Ivandry marsh, March 2010 (B. Boedts) des grands hymenopteres et odonates. De plus, la technique de decorticage en vol des insectes observee en 2009 et 2011 etait moins utilisee. En 2012, un faucon a ete vu en train de decortiquer en vol un petit oiseau du genre Fondia. La zone habituellement frequentee les autres annees par les faucons etait quasiment desertee en 2012 et aucun regroupement n’a ete observe, la plupart des observations concernant un ou deux individus chassant les libellules au crepuscule dans le marais. Faucon pelerin Falco peregrinus Deux observations : un adulte de passage en vol le 29 mars 2007 et un immature pose en fin de journee sur un arbre en bordure de marais d’lvandry le 28 aout 2011. L’espece est rare a Antananarivo (Langrand 1995). Caille de Madagascar Margaroperdix madagascarensis Vu une fois en bordure de marais d’lvandry le 29 J janvier 2009 (deux individus). Turnix de Madagascar Turnix nigricollis Vu deux fois furtivement dans les cultures aux alentours du marais d’lvandry le 13 avril 2008 (une femelle) et egare sur une terrasse le 21 janvier 2010 (un male). Rale de Cuvier Dryolimnas cuvieri Observation a deux reprises d’individus isoles aux alentours du marais d’lvandry le 5 fevrier 2006 et le 29 juillet 2008. Marouette de Baillon Porzana pusilla A partir du 30 decembre 2007 un adulte a ete observe pendant quelques jours et le 15 octobre 2008 a un autre endroit du marais d’lvandry. Consideree peu commune a Antananarivo (Langrand 1995). Rhynchee peinte Rostratula benghalensis Observe au marais d’lvandry entre le 11 et le 29 juin 2006 (deux femelles paradant et trois males), le 27 aout 2006 (une femelle), le 15 aout 2010 (deux en vol) et le 22 janvier 2012 (un en vol). Figure 10. Gravelot a triple collier Cbaradrius tricollaris a une mare temporaire pres du marais d’lvandry, mars 2007 (B. Boedts) Three-banded Plover Cbaradrius tricollaris at a temporary pond near Ivandry marsh, March 200~ (B. Boedts) 76- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Observations ornitbologiques aux environs d Antananarivo , Madagascar: Boedts Gravelot a triple collier Charadrins tricollaris Considere comme rare a Antananarivo (Langrand 1995), la sous-espece endemique bifrontatus (Fig. 10) a niche au marais d’lvandry ou deux petits etaient observes au nourrissage les 19 et 26 septembre 2010. Chevalier guignette Actitis hypoleucos Bien que considere commun sur les Fdauts-Plateaux (Langrand 1995), seulement deux observations d’individus isoles au marais d’lvandry les 15 aout 2005 et 26 septembre 2010. Becassine malgache Gallinago macro dactyla (VU) Observe au marais d’lvandry les 3-4 octobre 2009 (deux), les 16-17 janvier 2010 (deux), le 12 mai 2010 (un), les 28 mai (un) et 24 juillet 2011 (deux). Tourterelle a masque de fer Oena capensis Observe en mai 2010 (un male), decembre (un couple) et janvier 2011 (un male). Elle est rare a Antananarivo (Langrand 1995). Coucou de Madagascar Cuculus rochii Chant le plus precoce entendu le 27 septembre 2010. Present dans la zone etudiee jusqu’en avril (Fig. 11). Cependant, un jeune coucou blesse a la patte a encore ete vu en juin 2009. Chouette effraie Tyto alba Present dans les zones les plus boisees de la zone etudiee. En octobre 2006, un cadavre d’effraie a ete decouvert au pied d’un arbre pres du marais d’lvandry. Elle frequente en outre les bois et jardins du Parc de Tsarasaotra. Hibou du Cap Asio capensis Observe toute l’annee au marais d’lvandry et a ses alentours, sauf pendant la periode de mai-juillet. En tin de journee, il a ete observe perche sur des poteaux (avril 2007) ou des branches de vigne (octobre 2009), passant d’un tas de pailles a Fautre a l’affut sans doute de petits rongeurs attires par les derniers grains de riz (janvier 2009) (Fig. 12), pose dans l’herbe a proximite de vaches en pature (novembre 2010), ou sur des mottes de terre pour chasser de gros coleopteres dans un champ fraichement laboure (fevrier 2010). Engoulevent de Madagascar Caprimulgus madagascariensis Present toute l’annee dans la zone etudiee et reste localement abondant sur les terrains defriches du quartier residentiel d’lvandry malgre la perte d’habitat a cause de la construction de logements et de la presence de chats domestiques qui attrapent notamment des jeunes (janvier 2012). En octobre 2007, une femelle trouvee blessee a pondu un Figure 11. Coucou de Madagascar Cuculus rochii, pres du marais d'lvandry, octobre 2009 (B. Boedts) Madagascar Lesser Cuckoo Cuculus rochii, near Ivandry Marsh, October 2009 (B. Boedts) Figure 12. Hibou du Cap Asio capensis sur un tas de pailles de riz, marais d’lvandry, fevrier 2009 (B. Boedts) African Marsh Owl Asio capensis on pile of rice straw, Ivandry Marsh, February 2009 (B. Boedts) Observations ornithologiques aux environs d Antananarivo, Madagascar: Boedts Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -77 Figure 13. Guepier de Madagascar Merops superciliosus regurgitant une pelote, pres du marais d'lvandry, avril 2010 (B. Boedts) Madagascar Bee-eater Merops superciliosus , near Ivandry Marsh, April 2010 (B. Boedts) ceuf. Celui-ci etait ovale, mesurant 2,7 x 1,8 cm et de couleur blanc-jaunatre avec des taches allongees gris-noir plus denses a la base. Martinets noirs malgaches Apus ( barbatus ) balstoni Petits groupes ne depassant pas cinq individus en vol rapide observes le 15 octobre 2008 (pres du lac d’Alarobia), le 16 octobre 2010 et le 16 octobre 2011 (au-dessus des rizieres et du marais d’lvandry). Figure 14. Mannikins de Madagascar Lonchura nana se toilettant mutuellement, pres du marais d'lvandry, novembre 2008 (B. Boedts) Madagascar Mannikins Lonchura nana allopreening, near Ivandry Marsh, November 2008 (B. Boedts) Hirondelle paludicole Riparia paludicola En petits groupes d une dizaine d’individus de passage au marais d’lvandry en aout-octobre. Fiirondelle des Mascareignes Phedina horhonica Observe generalement en groupe depassant la vingtaine d’individus souvent poses a terre ou sur la route aux mois d’arrivee et de depart a partir du mois d’aout jusqu’en janvier. Observations a proximite du marais d’lvandry de jeunes nourris par leurs parents le 18 octobre 2009 et le 16 octobre 2010, pres d une ancienne ferme ou l’espece doit nicher. Tarier patre Saxicola torquatus Nichees observees au nourrissage dans la zone etudiee (jardins, friches, marais) le 8 octobre 2006, le 18 octobre 2008 et le 22 octobre 2011. Fluppe fasciee Upupa epops Observe qu’une seule fois dans un jardin du quartier d’lvandry le 25 septembre 2005. Consideree rare a Antananarivo (Langrand 1995). Alouette malgache Mirafra hova Bien que considere tres commun sur les Hauts- Plateaux (Langrand 1995), observe seulement trois fois : le 5 fevrier 2006, le 8 avril 2007 et 29 mai 2011, dans les herbes au bord du marais d’lvandry. Petite Eroesse Neomixis tenella Un juvenile observe le 22 octobre 2006 dans les arbres aux alentours du marais d’lvandrv. J Zosterops malgache Zosterops maderaspatana Observe isolement pendant la saison des pluies et en groupes de plusieurs individus emettant des cris passant d un arbre a l’autre en Pin de saison seche, notamment a la recherche de petits fruits, type Morns. 78- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Observations ornithologiques aux environs d’Antananarivo, Madagascar: Boedts Conclusion Les lacs et marais de la peripherie nord d’Antananarivo constituent un ensemble important de biotopes pour la nidification d’au moins sept especes d’Ardeidae, dont une menacee d’extinction, et pour le repos/nourrissage de centaines d’Anatidae en fin de saison seche. Malgre la forte pression humaine en raison de la proximite de la ville, un total de 63 especes d’oiseaux dont 32 endemiques a Madagascar ou a la region y a ete observe entre 2003 et 2012. Des especes Menacees d’Extinction, comme le Crabier blanc et le Canard de Meller, Vulnerables, comme le Grebe malgache et le Busard de Madagascar, et Quasiment Menacee, comme le Faucon concolore, ont ete vues de maniere reguliere ou sporadique. En plus des nicheurs reguliers autour du marais tels que le Coucou de Madagascar, l’Engoulevent de Madagascar, le Martin-pecheur de Madagascar Corythornis vintsioides , l’Hirondelle des Mascareignes, le Tarier patre et la Cisticole de Madagascar Cisticola cherina , certaines especes telles que la Sarcelle hottentote Anas hottentota, le Gravelot a triple collier, le Coucal malgache Centropus toulou et la petite Eroesse nichent de maniere occasionnelle dans le marais d’lvandry. Certaines especes plus discretes telles que le Milan des chauves-souris et la Rhynchee peinte pourraient egalement nicher dans la zone etudiee. Le statut et les habitats frequentes ont ete determines pour les especes vues a Ivandry entre 2003 et 2012. Si le lac d’Alarobia qui est visite par de nombreux ornithologues beneficie d’un statut de protection, il n’en va pas de meme pour les marais environnants, en particulier le marais d’lvandry. Les terrains en friches a proximite sont aussi un lieu de nourrissage regulier du Faucon concolore qui chasse des gros insectes comme les cetoines abondants certaines annees en fin de saison des pluies sur une espece de plante sauvage. Des mesures de protection sont necessaires pour maintenir la qualite de ces milieux et par la meme des populations d’oiseaux y vivant. Remerciements Je remercie Ron Demey et Olivier Langrand pour leurs commentaires utiles sur une premiere version de l’article, ainsi que Lily-Arison Rene de Rolland pour sa visite des Faucons concolores a Ivandry en mars 2011 et ses encouragements a publier l’article. Bibliographie Boedts, B. 2010. Photospot: Observations du Faucon concolore Falco concolor dans les environs d’Antananarivo, Madagascar. Bull. ABC 17 : 220- 224. Martinez-Vilalta, A. & Motis, A. 1992. Family Ardeidae (herons). In del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds.) 1992. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 1. Barcelona : Lynx Edicions. Kemp, A. & Kemp, M. 1998. Sasol Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands. London, UK : New Flolland. Langrand, O. 1995. Guide des Oiseaux de Madagascar. Lausanne & Paris : Delachaux et Niestle. Morris, P. & Hawkins, A. 1998. Birds of Madagascar: A Photographic Guide. Robertsbridge : Pica Press. Sinclair, I. & Langrand, O. 2003. Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands. Cape Town : Struik. BP 1718, Analakely, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar. E-mail : boedtsbruno@yahoo.f Re^u le 31 octobre 2012 ; revision acceptee le 29 avril 2013. Annexe 1. Especes d’oiseaux observees aux environs d’Antananarivo, Madagascar, 2005-2012. L’ordre et la taxonomie suivent Langrand (1995) avec quelques amendements. Statut de conservation UICN (BirdLife international 2012) : EN = Menace d’Extinction, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Quasiment Menace. Statut : * = endemique a Madagascar ou a d’autres iles du sud-ouest de I’Ocean indien, NS-r = nicheur sedentaire regulier (nidification observee plusieurs annees), NS-o = nicheur sedentaire occasionnel (nidification observee une seule annee), NM = nicheur migrateur (pendant la saison des pluies), S = sedentaire : present toute I’annee mais preuve de nidification manquante, V = visiteur irregulier de passage parfois prolonge quel que soit la saison, sauf si specifie, M-loc = migrateur local de passage pendant la saison des pluies, M-ic = migrateur intercontinental de passage pendant la saison des pluies, E = echappe de captivite. Frequence d’observation : C = commun ou assez commun (espece observee a chaque visite ou a >50% des visites dans le bon milieu et la periode de I’annee appropriee), I = irregulierement observe (<50% des visites dans le bon milieu), R = rare (1-3 observations sur la periode consideree). Appendix 1. Bird species recorded around Antananarivo, Madagascar, 2005-2012. Sequence and taxonomy follow Langrand (1995) with a few amendments. IUCN threat status (BirdLife International 2012): EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened. Status: * = endemic to Madagascar and other south-west Indian Ocean islands, NS-r = regular sedentary breeder (nesting observed several years ), NS-o = occasional sedentary breeder (nesting observed one year), NM = migrant breeder (during the wet season), S = sedentary: present throughout the year but evidence of nesting lacking, V = irregular visitor, passage sometimes extended regardless of season, unless specified, M-loc = local passage migrant Observations ornithologiques aux environs d’Antananarivo, Madagascar: Boedts Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -79 during the wet season, M-ic = intercontinental passage migrant during the rainy season, E = escaped from captivity. Encounter rate: C = common or quite common (species observed on every visit or >50% of visits in appropriate habitat and period of year), I = infrequently observed (<50% of visits in appropriate habitat), R = rare (1-3 records over the period). UICN Statut Frequence d’observation Habitats frequentes PODICIPEDIDAE Tachybaptus pelzelnii* ARDEIDAE Grebe malgache vu V R Lac Nycticorax nycticorax Bihoreau gris NS-r C Lac, marais Ardeola ralloides Crabier chevelu NS-r C Lac, marais Ardeola Idae* Crabier blanc EN NM-r, M-ic 1 Lac, marais Bubulcus ibis Heron gardeboeufs NS-r C Lac, marais Butorides striata Heron strie S 1 Marais Egretta ardesiaca Heron ardoise NS-r 1 Lac, marais Egretta dimorpha* Aigrette dimorphe NS-r C Lac, marais Egretta alba Grande Aigrette NS-r C Lac, marais Ardea purpurea SCOPIDAE Heron pourpre V 1 Marais Scopus umbretta CICONIIDAE Ombrette V 1 Marais Anastomus lamelligerus THRESKIORNITHIDAE Bec-ouvert africain V R Lac Plegadis falcinellus ANATIDAE Ibis falcinelle V R Marais Dendrocygna bicolor Dendrocygne fauve V R Marais Dendrocygna viduata Dendrocygne veuf M-loc C Lac, marais Sarkidiornis melanotos Canard a bosse M-loc C Lac Anas melleri * Canard de Meller EN V R Marais Anas erythrorhyncha Canard a bee rouge M-loc, S C Lac, marais Anas hottentota Sarcelle hottentote NS-o 1 Marais, lac (1 obs.) ACCIPITRIDAE Macheiramphus alcinus Milan des Chauves-Souris NS-o (?) R Friches Milvus aegyptius Milan a bee jaune V C Tout biotope Circus macrosceles* Busard de Madagascar VU V 1 Lac, marais Buteo brachypterus * FALCONIDAE Buse de Madagascar V R Friches Falco newtoni* Faucon de Newton S C Tout biotope Falco concolor Faucon concolore NT M-ic C Marais, friches Falco peregrinus PHASIANIDAE Faucon pelerin V R Friches Margaroperdix madagascarensis* TURNICIDAE Caille de Madagascar V R Friches Turnix nigricollis* RALLIDAE Turnix de Madagascar V R Cultures, friches Dryolimnas cuvieri* Rale de Cuvier S R Friches Porzana pusilla Marouette de Baillon V R Marais Gallinula chloropus ROSTRATULIDAE Poule d'eau commune S C Lac. marais Rostratula benghalensis CHARADRIIDAE Rhynchee peinte NS-o (?) 1 Marais Charadrius tricollaris SCOLOPACIDAE Gravelot a triple collier NS-o C Marais Actitis hypo/eucos Chevalier guignette M-ic R Marais 80- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Observations ornithologiques aux environs d' Antananarivo, Madagascar: Boedts UICN Statut Frequence d’observation Habitats frequentes Gdllinago macrodactyla * COLUMBIDAE Becassine malgache vu V 1 Marais Oena capensis PSITTACIDAE Tourterelle a masque de fer V 1 Friches, cultures Coracopsis vasa* Grand Perroquet Vasa E 1 Ville Agapornis cana* CUCULIDAE Inseparable a tete grise E 1 Friches, cultures Cuculus rochii* Coucou de Madagascar NM, M-ic C Friches Centropus toulou* TYTONIDAE Coucal malgache NS-o C Lac, friches Tyto alba STRIGIDAE Chouette effraie S 1 Jardins Asio capensis CAPRIMULGIDAE Hibou du Cap V 1 Marais, cultures Caprimulgus madagascariensis* APODIDAE Engoulevent de Madagascar NS-r c Friches, jardins Apus ( barbatus ) balstoni* ALCEDINIDAE Martinet noir malgache M-loc 1 Marais Corythornis vintsioides* MEROPIDAE Martin-pecheur de Madagascar NS-r c Lac, marais Merops supercil/osus* UPUDIDAE Guepier de Madagascar S c Marais, friches Upupa epops ALAUDIDAE Huppe fasciee V R Jardins Mirafra hova* HIRUNDINIDAE Alouette malgache V R Friches Riparia paludicola Hirondelle paludicole M-loc C Marais, friches Phedina borbonica* MOTACILLIDAE Hirondelle des Mascareignes NM, M-loc C Marais, friches Motacllla flaviventris* Bergeronnette malgache S C Marais, jardins PYCNONOTIDAE Hypsipetes madagascariensis * TURDIDAE Bulbul noir S 1 Jardins Saxicola torquatus Tarier patre NS-r c Tout biotope CISTICOLIDAE » Cisticola cherina * SYLVIIDAE Cisticole de Madagascar NS-r c Marais, friches Acrocephalus newtoni * Rousserole de Newton S 1 Marais, friches Nesillas typica* Fauvette de Madagascar S 1 Friches, jardins Neomixis tenella* NECTARINIIDAE Petite Eroesse NS-o 1 Jardins Nectarinia souimanga* Souimanga malgache V 1 Jardins, friches Nectarinia notata* Souimanga angaladian V 1 Jardins, friches ZOSTEROPIDAE Zosterops maderaspatana* STURNIDAE Zosterops malgache V 1 Jardins, friches Acridotheres tristis Martin triste S c Tout biotope PLOCEIDAE Foudia madagascariensis* ESTRILDIDAE Foudi de Madagascar S c Tout biotope Lonchura nana* Mannikin de Madagascar S c Friches, marais Observations ornithologiques aux environs d Antananarivo, Madagascar: Boedts Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -81 Unusual concentration of Red-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis niger nests on pylons in northern Namibia Grzegorz Kopij Concentration inhabituelle de nids de l’Alecto a bee rouge Bubalornis niger sur des pylones au nord de la Namibie. En mars 2011, presque chaque pylone d’electricite [n = environ 4.200) le long de la route d'Ondangwa a Katima Mulilo, au nord de la Namibie, supportait des nids de l’Alecto a bee rouge Bubalornis niger. Les pylones se trouvent a une distance de 300 m les uns des autres. Generalement chaque pylone ne supportait que quelques nids, mais certains en avaient de sept a 12. En avril 2013, de nombreux pylones n’avaient pas de nids du tout. La pluviosite au nord de la Namibie etait tres elevee en 2011, mais basse en 2013. Ceci pourrait indiquer que l Alecto a bee rouge prefere nicher sur des pylones pendant des saisons a forte pluviosite. Placer les nids en hauteur sur des constructions metalliques pourrait egalement limiter la predation. Red-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis niger, a common resident in southern and eastern Africa, constructs large-chambered nests of thorny sticks on trees and man-made structures such as windmills and pylons (Vernon & Dean 2005). There are apparently some regional variations in nest-site selection. For example, in Limpopo Province, South Africa, nests are frequently constructed in trees beside roads (Vernon & Dean 2005), whilst in the Omusati and Oshana regions, Namibia, they are usually in palms Hyphaene petersiana (pers. obs.). In northern Namibia, a high-voltage powerline follows the Ondangwa-Rundu (1,148 km) and Rundu-Andara (c.200 km) roads. The line runs mostly through Kalahari Sandveld (Mendelsohn et al. 2009), i.e. north-eastern Kalahari Woodland (c. 1,000 km) and Karstveld (c.300 km); between Rundu and Amdara it follows the Okavango River valley. In March 2011, I found that almost every pylon ( n = c.4,200, at 300 m-intervals) held Red¬ billed Buffalo Weaver nests (Figs. 1-2). All of the pylons that were visible from the car while travelling between Ondangwa and Katima Mulilo were checked. There were usually just a few nests on each pylon, but some held as many as 7-12 nests. No raptors were seen, although they are known to site their nests on those belonging to buffalo weavers (Vernon & Dean 2005). However, the breeding season of most raptors was already finished. Brown & Lawson (1989) also found Red¬ billed Buffalo Weaver to be the commonest bird species nesting on electricity pylons in southern and central Namibia, with a mean 4.9 nests per Figures 1-2. Red-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis niger nests on pylons, northern Namibia, March 2011 (Grzegorz Kopij) Nids de l'Alecto a bee rouge Bubalornis niger sur des pylones, Namibie du nord, mars 201 1 (Grzegorz Kopij) 82- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Red-billed Buffalo Weaver nests on pylons in Namibia: Kopij ten pylons. Unfortunately, the percentage of pylons occupied by buffalo weaver nests in those regions is not given, but it was most probably much lower than in northern Namibia, and lower by an order of magnitude than in southern Namibia. It appears that the number of buffalo weaver nests on pylons in Namibia is positively correlated with rainfall, while the reverse is true of raptors (Brown & Lawson 1989). In most bird species, the main factors influencing nest-site preference are predation, food resources and nest-site availability. Since the two latter factors are not limiting in Kalahari Woodland, it appears that only predation plays a role. Many snakes and viverids (Carnivora: Viveridae) occur in this area, and these may prey heavily on the large and conspicuous buffalo weaver nests in trees. Placing nests high above the ground on metal constructions may prevent predator access. Nests on pylons probably do not persist longer than those in trees. While travelling the same road in April 2013, 1 observed that many pylons were devoid of Red-billed Buffalo Weaver nests. Rainfall in northern Namibia was very high in 2011, but was low in 2013. This suggests that Red-billed Buffalo Weavers prefer pylons for nesting in very wet seasons. Acknowledgement Dieter Oschadleus kindly reviewed an earlier draft of this note. References Brown, C. J. & Lawson, J. L. 1989. Birds and electricity transmission lines in South West Africa / Namibia. M ado qua 16: 59-67. Mendelsohn, J., Jarvis, A., Roberts, C. & Robertson, T. 2009. Atlas of Namibia. Cape Town: Sunbird Publishers. Vernon, C. J. & Dean, W. R. J. 2005. Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver Bubalornis niger. In Hockey, P. A. R., Dean, W. R. J. & Ryan, P. G. (eds.) 2005. Roberts — Birds of Southern Africa. Seventh edn. Cape Town: Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. Department of Wildlife Management, University of Namibia, Katima Mulilo Campus, Private Bag 1096, Winela Road, Katima Mulilo, Namibia. E-mail: gkopij@ unam.na Received 24 November 2012; revision accepted 7 November 2013. First documented record of Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata for Libya Abdulmaula Hamzaa and Jaber Yahiah Premiere mention documentee du Gobemouche a demi-collier Ficedula semitorquata pour la Libye. Un male adulte du Gobemouche a demi-collier Ficedula semitorquata a ete photographie le 31 mars 2010 a Sebkhet Hasila, sur la cote libyenne a environ 90 km a Test de Sirte. Deux observations precedentes de males ont ete signalees a deux sites differents entre Ajdabiya et Benghazi, les 29 mars et 1 avril 2006. L’observation presentee ici est toutefois la premiere donnee documentee pour le pays de ce migrateur palearctique. During a field trip to the north-central coastal wetlands of Libya on 31 March 2010, a black-and-white Ficedida flycatcher was seen to land on a low sandstone hill, near the beach north of Sebkhet Hasila (31°24’45”N 17026’65”E), c.90 km east of Sirte. When it moved between shrubs <10 m from us, we were able to photograph it and notice the incomplete white collar, small white forehead patch and white outer tail feathers (Figs. 1-2). These features suggested the bird was an adult male Semi-collared Flycatcher F. semitorquata in breeding plumage. Adult male Collared Flycatcher F. albicollis in breeding plumage has an all-white collar, a large white Red-billed Buffalo Weaver nests on pylons in Namibia: Kopij Bull ABC Mol 21 No 1 (2014) -83 Figures 1-2. Semi-collared Flycatcher / Gobemouche a demi-collier Ficedula semitorquata , Sebkhet Hasila, Libya, 31 March 2010 (Jaber Yahia) forehead patch and a generally all-black tail, whilst Pied Flycatcher F. hypoleuca lacks a white collar (Mild 1993, Svensson etal. 1999). Although some male Pied Flycatchers of the North African race speeuligera (Atlas Flycatcher) possess a half-collar, they can be distinguished by their larger forehead patch and all-black tail (Svensson etal. 1999). The identification was subsequently confirmed from the photographs. The bird was observed between 12.30 and 13.13 hrs, during which period the sky was clear, temperature c.30°C and wind speed 15 km/h. Other species observed were two adult Black Wheatears Oenanthe leucura , a Northern Wheatear O. oenanthe and two Crested Larks Galerida cristata. Both Collared and Pied Flycatchers are passage migrants through Libya, but this is the first documented record of Semi-collared Flycatcher in the country (Toschi 1969, Bundy 1976, Clement & Taylor 2006). There are, however, two previous sight records of single males on 29 March and 1 April 2006 at two different sites between Ajdabiya and Benghazi (P. Isenmann & J. Hering in litt. 2013). The species breeds from south-east Europe and Turkey to the Caucasus and northern Iran, and winters in east-central Africa from southern Sudan to western Kenya and western Tanzania (Clement & Taylor 2006). Considered Near Threatened, the species is estimated to be undergoing a moderately rapid population decline, mainly because of habitat loss due to forestry practices on its breeding grounds (BirdLife International 2013). Return migration is early and in North Africa it is a regular spring passage visitor in Egypt between mid March and mid May (Goodman & Meininger 1989). Further west, there is only a single definite record, in Tunisia (Isenmann et al. 2005), with none from Algeria and those from Morocco are considered uncertain (Isenmann & Moali 2000, Thevenot et al. 2003). Acknowledgements We thank Nicola Baccetti for critically examining the photographs and confirming the bird’s identity, and Joe Sultana, Pierre Defos du Rau, Ron Demey, Paul Isenmann and Jens Hering for their valuable comments on a draft of this note. References BirdLife International. 2013. Species factsheet: Ficedula semitorquata. www.birdlife.org (accessed 16 April 2013). Bundy, G. 1976. Fhe Birds of Libya : An Annotated Check-list. BOU Checklist No. 1. London, UK: British Ornithologists Union. Clement, P. & Taylor, P. B. 2006. Muscicapidae (Old World flycatchers). In del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D. A. (eds.) Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 11. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. Goodman, S. M. & Meininger, P. L. (eds.) 1989. Fhe Birds of Egypt. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Isenmann, P. & 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 Funisie / Birds of Funisia. Paris: Societe d'Etudes Ornithologiques de France. Mild, K. 1993. Die Bestimmung der europaischen schwarzweifen Fliegenschnapper Ficedula. Limicola 7: 222-276. 84- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) First documented record of Semi-collared Flycatcher for Libya: Hamza &Yahia Svensson, L., Grant, P. J., Mullarney, K. & Zetterstrom, D. 1999. Collins Bird Guide. London, UK: HarperCollins. 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. Toschi, A. 1969. Introduzione alia Ornitologia della Libia, ecologia e zoogeografia della ornitofauna Libica. Bologna: Laboratorio di Zoologia applicata alia caccia. a Environment General Authority, Nature Conservation Department, Tripoli, Libya. Current address: LECS, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK. E-mail: abdhamza @gmail. com b Environment General Authority, Bayda Branch, Libya. Received 16 April 2013; revision accepted 30 September 2013. First record of Bamenda Apalis Apalis bamendae for Nigeria Charles Ayuk Nsof, Elijah Nicodemusb and Usman Bashirub Premiere mention de l’Apalis du Bamenda Apalis bamendae pour le Nigeria. Le 12 fevrier 2013, un Apalis du Bamenda Apalis bamendae a ete capture et photographic dans la Foret classee de Ngel Nyaki (07°05’N 1 1°04’E), a Pest du Nigeria. II s’agit de la premiere mention pour le pays de cette espece, qui etait consideree comme endemique au Cameroun. On 12 February 2013 at 11.10 hrs, we mist- netted a small, mainly pale grey warbler with a rufous ’face’ at Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve (07°05’N 11°04’E), Taraba State, Nigeria, which we tentatively identified as Bamenda Apalis Apalis bamendae (Figs. 1-3). We forwarded photographs to Dr Shiiwua Manu and Ron Demey, both of whom confirmed the identification. This is the first record for Nigeria of Bamenda Apalis, which was considered endemic to Cameroon, where it is a not uncommon to locally common resident in the Bamenda highlands and the Adamawa Plateau (Borrow & Demey 2001). Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve is located at the eastern edge of the Mambilla Plateau and is 43 km2 in extent, of which c.7.5 km2 comprises montane / submontane forest at altitudes of 1,400-1,600 m (Chapman & Chapman 2001). The forest is surrounded by overgrazed grassland and savannah (Dowsett-Lemaire 1989). It is an Important Bird Area (IBA) and harbours several species restricted to the Cameroon Mountains Endemic Bird Area, including Western Mountain Greenbul Andropadus tephrolaemus , Cameroon Olive Greenbul Phyllastrephus poensis , Black-capped Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus herberti , Cameroon Sunbird Cyanomitra oritis , Yellow-breasted Boubou Laniarius atroflavus and Bannerman’s Weaver Ploceus bannermani (Ezealor 2001). Figures 1-3. Bamenda Apalis / Apalis du Bamenda Apalis bamendae, Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve, Nigeria, 12 February 2013 (Charles A. Nsor) First record of Bamenda Apalis for Nigeria: Nsor et al. Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -85 Considering the occurrence of several other montane forest fragments on the Mambilla Plateau that may be suitable for Bamenda Apalis, it is recommended to search for the species at these sites and organise surveys to establish its population size. Acknowledgements We thank Dr Shiiwua Manu and Ron Demey for confirming the identification and encouraging us to prepare this note. Hazel Chapman improved a first draft. References Borrow, N. & Demey, R. 2001. Birds of Western Africa. London, UK: Christopher Helm. Chapman, J. D. & Chapman, H. M. 2001. The Forest Flora of Taraha and Adamawa States, Nigeria: An Ecological Account and Plant Species Checklist. Christchurch: University of Canterbury. Dowsett-Lemaire, F. 1989. Physiography and vegetation of the highland forests of eastern Nigeria. Tauraco Res. Rep. 1: 6-12. Ezealor, A. U. 2001. Nigeria. In Fishpool, L. D. C. & Evans, M. I. (eds.) Important Bird Areas in Africa and Associated Islands: Priority Sites for Conservation. Newbury: Pisces Publications & Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. a School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, 4800 Christchurch, New Zealand. E-mail: charlesnsor@ yahoo.co.uk b Nigerian Montane Forest Project, Taraba State, Nigeria. E-mails: elijahmontane@yahoo.co.uk, usbashmontane@ yahoo, co. uk Received 30 March 2013; revision accepted 6 April 2013. ^entaOl White-necked Picathartes by Adam Ri^f Please visit our website for more information on our wide selection of over 80 African bircling tours! We also offer customised private tours in addition to our scheduled departures. Website: www.rockjumperbirding.com Email: info@rockjumperbirding.com Tel: +27 (0)33 394 0225 j Rockjumper Worldwide Birding Adventures Join Rockjumper Birding in Africa We offer a superb selection of unbeatable African birding, photographic & wildlife tours, solid value for money & a long-established reputation. 86- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) First record of Bamenda Apalis for Nigeria: Nsor et al. First record of Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus for Sao Tome and Principe Simon Valle a and Madalena Patachob Premiere observation du Vanneau eperonne Vanellus spinosus a Sao Tome et Principe. Le 21 mars 2012, un Vanneau eperonne Vanellus spinosus a ete photographic au Bom Bom Island Resort, Principe. L’oiseau est reste sur le site jusqu’au 30 mars. Ceci constitue la premiere donnee pour Sao Tome et Principe et pour les lies du Golfe de Gurnee. De plus, il s’agit peut-etre de la premiere preuve que cette espece peut traverser une etendue de mer d’au moins 210 km. On 21 March 2012, MP observed a large plover on the beach of Bom Bom Island Resort (01°4l’N 07°24’E), at the northernmost tip of the island of Principe. MP immediately realised that it was very different from the bird species usually seen on the island (which do not include plovers), and obtained several photographs (Figs. 1-2). The bird remained on the resort grounds until 30 March, before disappearing. It was subsequently identified from the photographs by SV as an adult Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus based on its distinctive plumage. The crown and nape were jet black, sharply contrasting with the white lower face and neck-sides. The upperparts were buff-brown. A coarse black stripe ran from the throat to the black breast and flanks. In flight, the black primaries and secondaries were separated from the buff-brown upperwing-coverts by a broad white bar, and contrasted with the bright white underwing; the rump was white, the tail feathers black. Bill and legs were black. This appears to be the first record of Spur¬ winged Lapwing for Sao Tome and Principe: the species is not mentioned by Jones & Tye (2006), nor in the latest country checklist by Dowsett et al. (2013). It is also unknown from the other Gulf of Guinea islands (Perez del Val 1996, Perez del Val et al. 1997). In West Africa, Spur- winged Lapwing is a common to locally uncommon resident, ranging from southern Mauritania to Sierra Leone east to Chad and northern Central African Republic (Borrow & Demey 2001). A vagrant was photographed in 1977 at Gamba (02°47’S 10°02’E), south-west Gabon (Sergeant 1993; P. Christy pers. comm.). The island of Figures 1-2. Spur-winged Lapwing / Vanneau eperonne Vanellus spinosus, Bom Bom Island Resort, Principe, 21 March 2012 (Madalena Patacho) First record of Spur-winged Lapwing for Sao Tome and Principe: Valle & Patacho Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -87 Principe lies c.450 km south of the species’ known range and 220 km west of Gabon. In Africa, Spur-winged Lapwing is generally sedentary although it is known to perform intra¬ continental movements in response to rains and flooding of its habitat (Urban et al. 1986, Delany et al. 2009). North of the Mediterranean, birds are migratory and regular passage through Cyprus suggests a direct route from the east Mediterranean and a potential sea crossing of 70-220 km, although confirmation is lacking (Cramp & Simmons 1983). It is therefore noteworthy that our bird represents possibly the first evidence that Spur-winged Plovers can cross a stretch of at least 210 km of sea (i.e. the minimum distance from Bioko Island). In East Africa the species is reportedly expanding its range southwards into southern Tanzania (Baker 1996), Malawi and Zambia (Delany et al. 2009), but there is no published evidence as yet that anything similar is occurring in western Africa, thus the bird we describe here, like that recorded in Gabon, must be regarded as a vagrant. Acknowledgements We are grateful to Patrice Christy for his help with information concerning the Gabon sighting. We also thank Helene Bovy for translating the summary into French, and Ron Demey and Alan Tye for their valuable comments on the manuscript. References Baker, N. E. 1996. Tanzania Waterbird Count. The Tirst Coordinated Count on the Major Wetlands of Tanzania. January 1995. Dar es Salaam: Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania. Borrow, N. & Demey, R. 2001. Birds of Western Africa. London, UK: Christopher Helm. Cramp, S. & Simmons, K. E. L. (eds.) 1983. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. 3. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Delany, S., Scott, D., Dodman, T. & Stroud, D. (eds.) 2009. An Atlas of Wader Populations in Africa and Western Eurasia. Wageningen: Wetlands International. Dowsett, R. J., Atkinson, P. W. & Caddick, J. A. 2013. Checklist of the birds of Principe, www. africanbirdclub.org (accessed 1 August 2013). 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 and British Ornithologists' Club. Perez del Val, J. 1996. Las Aves de Bioko. Leon: Edilesa. Perez del Val, J., Castroviejo, J. & Purroy, F. J. 1997. Species rejected from and added to the avifauna of Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea). Malimbus 19: 19-31. Sargeant, D. E. 1993. A Birder’s Guide to Gabon, West Africa. Privately published. Urban, E. K., Fry, C. H. & Keith, S. (eds.) 1986. The Birds of Africa. Vol. 2. London, UK: Academic Press. a Division of Biology & Conservation Ecology , School of Science & the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester Ml 5GD, UK. E-mail: simon. valle@stu. mmu.ac. uk b Travessa das piteiras 10, 1400 299 Lisboa, Portugal. Received 8 August 2013; revision accepted 1” November 2013. 88- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) First record of Spur-winged Lapwing for Sdo Tbme and Principe: Valle & Patacho Northward range extension for Littoral Rock Thrush Monticola imerinus in south-west Madagascar Charlie J. Gardnef and Louise D. Jaspef Extension vers le nord de l’aire de repartition du Merle de roche du sub-desert Monticola imerinus au sud-ouest de Madagascar. Le Merle de roche du sub-desert Monticola imerinus est une espece endemique de la zone cohere du sud-ouest de Madagascar, mais aucune observation de l’espece au nord du fleuve Onilahy n’a ete confirmee. Nous presentons des photos de l’espece prises a Salary Nord, etendant son aire de repartition originale de 120 km vers le nord. Littoral Rock Thrush Monticola imerinus is one of two Monticola species endemic to Madagascar (Cruaud et al. 2011) and one of ten bird species entirely or largely restricted to the South Malagasy spiny forests Endemic Bird Area (Stattersfield et al. 1998). A habitat specialist with a highly localised distribution, it occurs only in ‘south western coastal bushland’ (Moat & Smith 2007), a low-stature vegetation type growing on sandy soils and Tertiary limestone outcrops in the south-west of the island. The northern limits of Littoral Rock Thrush’s distribution are debated. Langrand (1990) states that it occurs as far north as Morombe but notes that the species is ‘rather rare’ north of Toliara; no geo-referenced records exist, however, from north of the Onilahy River (Raherilalao & Wilme 2008). Further, it has been suggested that existing sight records from north of the Onilahy River (ZICOMA 1999, Gardner et al. 2009) might have been misidentified, as a specimen of Forest Rock Thrush M. sharpei has also been collected from this area (Cruaud et al. 2011). It therefore is unclear whether the species occurs along the 200 km of coastline between the Onilahy River and Morombe. Here we present a photographic record of a male and female Littoral Rock Thrush from Salary Nord (22°33’12”S 43°17’31”E), a coastal location on the edge of Mikea National Park between Toliara and Morombe (Fig. 1). The birds were photographed within 30 m of the coast, on the edge of a clearing in thicket vegetation dominated by Euphorbia stenoclada , at 18.30 hrs on 29 December 2011. The birds can be clearly distinguished from Forest Rock Thrush by the relatively long, slightly curved bill and the extremely pale orange colour of the male’s abdomen (Fig. 2). This record confirms the Figure 1. Map of southern Madagascar showing the record ol Littoral Rock Thrush Monticola imerinus from Salary Nord (black dot), the approximate distribution ol geo-referenced records following Raherilalao & Wilme (2008) (black shading), and other locations mentioned in the text. The inset shows the location of the region within Madagascar. Carte du sud de Madagascar indiquant l’observation du Merle de roche du sub-desert Monticola imerinus a Salary Nord (point noir), la distribution approximative des observations geo-referenciees d’apres Raherilalao & Wilme (2008) (zone noire) et les autres localites mentionnees dans le texte. L’encart montre la localisation de la region a finterieur de Madagascar. presence of Littoral Rock Thrush north of the Onilahy River, and extends its known range north by 120 km. It also represents the third distribution extension of range-restricted southern Madagascar Range extension for Littoral Rock Thrush: Gardner & Jasper Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -89 Figure 2. Male (left) and female (right) Littoral Rock Thrush Monticola imerinus , Salary Nord, south-west Madagascar, 29 December 2011 (Louise Jasper) Merle de roche du sub-desert Monticola imerinus male (a gauche) et femelle, Salary Nord, Madagascar du sud-ouest, 29 decembre 201 1 (Louise Jasper) endemics from the Salary area within the last few years, following the recent observations of Appert’s Tetraka Xanthomixis apperti (Langrand & von Bechtolsheim 2009) and Verreaux’s Coua Coua verreauxi (Raselimanana et al. 2012). Acknowledgements We thank Marie Jeanne Raherilalao for confirming the identification, and Olivier Langrand and Steve Goodman for their comments on the submitted note. References Cruaud, A., Raherilalao, M. J., Pasquet, E. & Goodman, S. M. 201 1. Phylogeography and systematics of the Malagasy rock-thrushes (Muscicapidae, Monticola ). Zool. Scripta 40: 554-566. Gardner, C. J., Kidney, D. & Thomas, H. 2009. First comprehensive avifaunal survey of PK32-Ranobe, a new protected area in south-western Madagascar. Phelsuma 17: 20-39. Langrand, O. 1990. Guide to the Birds of Madagascar. New Haven, CT & London, UK: Yale University Press. Langrand, O. & von Bechtolsheim, M. 2009. New distributional records of Appert’s Tetraka {Xanthomixis apperti ) from Salary Bay, Mikea Forest, Madagascar. Malagasy Nature 2: 172-174. Moat, J. & Smith, P. 2007. Atlas of the Vegetation of Madagascar, Atlas de la Vegetation de Madagascar. Kew: Kew Royal Botanical Gardens Publishing. Raherilalao, M. J. & Wilme, L. 2008 L'avifaune des forets seches malgaches. In Goodman, S. M. & Wilme, L. (eds.) Les forets seches de Madagascar. Malagasy Natu re 1 : 76-105. Raselimanana, A. P., Raherilalao, M. J., Soarimalala, V., Gardner, C. J., Jasper, L. D., Schoeman, M. C. & Goodman, S. M. 2012. Un premier apercu de la faune de vertebres du bush epineux de Salary- Bekodoy, a l’ouest du Parc National de Mikea, Madagascar. Malagasy Nature 6: 1-23. 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. ZICOMA. 1999. Les Zones d'Importance pour la Conservation des Oiseaux a Madagascar. Antananarivo: Projet ZICOMA. a Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NR, UK, and WWF Madagascar and Western Indian Ocean Programme Office, BP 738, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar. E-mail: cg23 5 @kent. ac. uk b BP 639, Toliara 601, Madagascar. Received 9 February 2013; revision accepted 1 June 2013. 90- Bull ABC Mol 21 No 1 (2014) Range extension for Littoral Rock Thrush: Gardner & Jasper First record of Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides for St. Helena, South Atlantic J. C. Hillman a, Gavin Ellick* , Kevin George* and Dennis Leoa Premiere mention du Crabier chevelu Ardeola ralloides pour File de Sainte-Helene, Atlantique Sud. Le premier Crabier chevelu Ardeola ralloides pour Sainte-Helene a ete observe et photographie le 9 aout 2012, et a plusieures reprises ensuite jusqu’en decembre 2012. Sainte-Helene se trouve a environ 1.900 km a l’ouest de la cote africaine en Namibie et en Afrique du Sud, oti l’espece niche. Des occasionnels ont precedemment ete observes sur d’autres ties Atlantiques, y compris File de l’Ascension, les lies Canaries et du Cap-Vert, Madere et les Azores. On 9 August 2012, GE noticed a small, hunched heron in marshy cattle pasture dominated by tall grasses and yam plants in the lower Fisher’s Valley, on the east side of St. Helena. It was easily identified as a Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides. Several photographs were taken on this and the next day (Figs. 1-2). The striped head, neck and mantle were characteristic, as were the biscuit-brown wings and back, and white primaries and secondaries, which were evident only in flight. There was some yellow on the long pointed bill and the lores. The eyes and legs were also yellow. The bird was noted over the next four months, until mid-December 2012, always in the same general area of marshy land at the bottom of the valley, and is the first record on St. Helena. Figure 1. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides holding the exotic frog Rana greyii, the only amphibian on the island, in its bill, Fisher’s Valley, St. Helena, August 2012 (Steffen Oppel) Crabier chevelu Ardeola ralloides tenant dans son bee la grenouille exotique Rana greyii , le seul amphibien sur file, Fisher’s Valley, Sainte-Helene, aout 2012 (Steffen Oppel) The bird was first observed in the flatter middle section of Fisher’s Valley (15°57.6’6.98”S 05°40’31.12”W) below Bradley’s, also known as the ’Government Garage’. The valley bottom has been fenced for many years, providing a long narrow strip of pasture in the otherwise arid surroundings of the Prosperous Bay plain in the semi-desert fringe of the island. The vegetation is dominated by grasses and yam Colocasia escidenta in the wet valley floor. This results in a long thin strip of ‘riverine’ vegetation suitable for the species, and probably the most extensive on the whole island. Rarely more than 3 m wide, upstream it has been modified for market gardening, while downstream there are a series of steep rocky waterfalls in the lower gorge before the stream flows into the sea at Prosperous Bay. On most occasions the bird was seen in the Figure 2. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides , in marshy grassland, Fisher’s Valley, St. Helena, August 2012 (Steffen Oppel) Crabier chevelu Ardeola ralloides , dans une prairie marecageuse, Fisher’s Valley, Sainte-Helene, aout 2012 (Steffen Oppel) First record of Squacco Heron for St. Helena: Hillman et al. Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -91 grassland area, or flying low along the valley. Once it was found roosting in a small leafless tree in the evening. Squacco Heron is widespread in Africa south of the Sahara, as well as being a common breeder in southern and eastern Europe, east to western Asia and the Middle East, and a vagrant further afield (Kushlan & Hancock 2005, Hockey et al. 2005). Two populations are recognised: a relatively sedentary or nomadic African population, and a migratory southern Palearctic-African one (BirdLife International 2013). It has been recorded on the Namibian coast, which is the nearest area of the African mainland to St. Helena, c. 1,900 km distant (Hockey et al. 2005). However, the possibility exists that the bird was a Palearctic migrant overshoot. Squacco Heron is a vagrant to Ascension Island, the Cape Verdes, Madeira and the Azores, and a rare visitor to the Canaries (McCulloch 2004, Clarke 2008, Hazevoet 2012), while the species has also been recorded recently on the Brazilian island ol Fernando de Noronha (Silva e Silva & Olmos 2006, Davis 2010). This is the third vagrant heron species added to the St. Helena bird list in recent years, following Purple Heron Ardea purpurea and Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii (Beard 2012, Hillman & Clingham 2012). Other herons recorded on St. Helena are Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (an almost annual visitor), Grey Heron Ardea cinerea (at least six records) and Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax (one record) (Rowlands et al. 1998, McCulloch 2004). Al are postulated to have reached the island on south-east trade winds from a similar location on the African coast. Acknowledgements Grateful thanks to Steffen Oppel for permission to use his photographs. Beau Rowlands, Steffen Oppel and Neil McCulloch reviewed an earlier version of the manuscript. The authors are all staff members of the St Helena National Trust, undertaking Wirebird Charadrius sanctaehelenae conservation work supported by the Royal Society for the Protection ol Birds, UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the UK Overseas Territories Environmental Programme and the UK Department for International Development. References Beard, A. 2012. First record of Purple Heron Ardea purpurea for St. Helena, South Atlantic. Bull. ABC 19: 215-216. BirdLife International. 2013. Species factsheet: Ardeola ralloides. www.birdlife.org (accessed 26 February 2013). Clarke, T. 2006. Field Guide to the Birds of the Atlantic Islands. London, UK: Christopher Helm. Davis, B. J. W. 2010. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides in the Fernando de Noronha archipelago: the fourth Brazilian record with comments on the prospects for a colonisation event. Rev. Bras. Ornitol. 18: 61-63. Hazevoet, C. J. 2012. Seventh report on birds from the Cape Verde Islands, including records of nine taxa new to the archipelago. Zool. Caboverdiana 3: 1-28. Hillman, J. C. & Clingham, E. 2012. First record of Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii for St. Helena, South Atlantic. Bull. ABC 19: 213-214. Hockey, P. A. R., Dean, W. R. J. & Ryan, P. G. (eds.) 2005. Roberts — Birds of Southern Africa. Seventh edn. Cape Town: Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. Kushlan, J. A. & Hancock, J. A. 2005. The Herons. Oxford: Oxford University Press. McCulloch, N. 2004. A Guide to the Birds of St Helena and Ascension Island. Sandy: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Rowlands, B. W., Trueman, T., Olson, S. L., McCulloch, M. N. & Brooke, R. K. 1998. The Birds of St. Helena: An Annotated Checklist. BOU Checklist No. 16. Tring: British Ornithologists Union. Silva e Silva, R. & Olmos, F. 2006. Noteworthy bird . records from Fernando de Noronha, northeastern Brazil. Rev. Bras. Ornitol. 14: 470-474. a St. Helena National Trust, Wirebird Conservation Programme, Broadway House, Jamestown, St. Helena, South Atlantic, STHL 1ZZ. E-mail: hillman.jesse@gmail. com; wirebirdcrew@shnt.org. uk Received 5 May 2013; revision accepted 3 June 2013. 92- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) First record of Squacco Heron for St. Helena: Hillman et al. Recent Reports These are largely unconfirmed records published for interest only; records are mostly from 2013, with a few from earlier dates. We thank all birders who have sent in their records and urge them to submit full details to the relevant national or regional organisations. It is suggested that observations of each species be compared with relevant literature to set new data in context and that observers who are unfamiliar with the status of birds in a particular country refer to the ABC country checklists (www. africanbirdclub.org/ countries/ checklists/index.html) or more recent or appropriate sources before submitting records. Les observations ci-apres sont en majeure partie non confirmees et sont publiees uniquement dans le but d'informer. La plupart des donnees sont de 2013 ; quelques- unes sont plus anciennes. Nous remercions tous les ornithologues qui ont pris la peine de nous faire parvenir leurs donnees et nous recommandons de les envoyer, dument documentees, aux organisations nationales ou regionales concernees. II est conseille de verifier le statut des especes observees dans la litterature appropriee, afin de mettre les nouvelles donnees en perspective, et de consulter notamment les ‘checklists’ des pays africains du ABC (www.africanbirdclub.org/ countries/checklists/index.html) ou des sources plus recentes ou appropriees. Angola Reports from August-November 2013 include the following. An Orange River Francolin Scleroptila gutturalis ( = levaillantoides) was observed near Luanda on 24 August — a very northerly record. A Blue Quail Synoicus ( =Excalfactoria ) adansonii was seen near Mount Moco, Huambo Province, on 9 November; this species’ status and distribution are poorly known and most records are from scattered localities in central and north-east Angola. A Pallid Honeyguide Indicator meliphilus and an African Pitta Pitta angolensis were encountered near Cambondo, Cuanza Norte, on 10 November (MM). Azores In the period June-December 2013, the following were reported. Several species were observed for the first time in the archipelago, including Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans (a first-winter female on Corvo on 1 November), Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula (one on Flores on 21 October), and White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis and Yellow-throated Warbler Setophaga dominica (both photographed on Corvo on 16-17 October; the second White-throated Sparrow was on Flores on 12 October-1 November). An Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae at Serra da Tronquiera, Sao Miguel, on 14 and 23 September, will be another first for the Azores, il accepted. On 25 August and 3 September, single Swinhoe’s Storm-petrels Hydrobates ( =Oceanodroma ) monorhis were seen during a pelagic at the Bank ol Fortune, 20 nautical miles east ol Graciosa, with a Brown Booby Sul a leucogaster also there on 4 September. An adult White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus was at Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, on 2-12 September and (presumably the same individual) at Agua de Pau, Sao Miguel, on 7 October; it is assumed to be the same individual noted in September / October 2011 on Flores and again in March-April and September 2012 on Terceira, Sao Jorge and Faial. Pied-billed Grebes Podilymbus podiceps remained on Sao Miguel and Terceira; an American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus was on Corvo on 29 October; a juvenile Yellow- crowned Night Heron Nyctanassa violacea on Santa Maria from late October until mid November; American Great Egrets Ardea alba egretta on Pico (one in late October), Terceira (two on 5 October) and Sao Miguel (up to two on 7 October-8 November); and a Great Blue Heron A. herodias on Pico from late October until late December at least, with another moribund on Sao Miguel on 28 November. Glossy Ibises Plegadis falcinellus were recorded on Sao Jorge (one on 5 September), Corvo (up to six in September-December), Flores (up to five in September— October), Terceira (one until 2 November), with a record flock of 22 on Santa Maria on 17-18 December. Rare waterfowl reported in September-December included Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis on Corvo (two on 1 5 October-3 November); Blue-winged Teal Anas discolor on Terceira (up to seven) and Sao Miguel (one); Green¬ winged Teal A. ( crecca ) carolinensis on Terceira (up to three); American Black Ducks A. rubripes on Corvo (one) and Flores (two); American Wigeons Mareca ( =Anas ) americana on Terceira (up to ten), Santa Maria (two) and Pico (six); Wood Duck Aix sponsa (again) on Flores (one); Ring-necked Ducks Aythya collaris (eight on various islands); Lesser Scaup A. affinis on Sao Miguel Recent Reports Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -93 (one), Faial (two) and Terceira (one); Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula off Corvo (one); Long¬ tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis on Terceira (one on 28 October); and Surf Scoters Melanitta perspicillata on Terceira (up to three) and Faial (one). The seventh Red Kite Milvus milvus for the Azores was observed at Caminho de Goyanes, Sao Miguel, on 1 1 July. A Sora Porzana Carolina was present on Santa Maria on 1 9 October and an American Coot Fulica americana (again) at Lagoa Azul, Sao Miguel, from 6 November until at least 7 December. A Sooty Tern Onychoprion fnscatus was at Praia do Almoxarife, Faial, on 10 August and up to two stayed on Ilheu da Praia, Graciosa, from 24 August until at least early September. Two Tree Pipits Anthus trivialis were claimed from Lagoa do Junco, Terceira, on 15 September, whilst a Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus was at Planalto dos Graminhais, Sao Miguel, on 23-29 November. Vagrant Nearctic waders included Semipalmated Plovers Cbaradrius semipalmatus on Terceira (1-15 throughout the period) and Graciosa (one on 5 September); a Killdeer C. vociferus on Pico on 21 December; an American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica on Terceira on 6-21 September and 14-22 November, with another on Santa Maria on 15 November; up to seven Semipalmated Sandpipers Calidris pusilla (including four at Cabo da Praia, Terceira, on 2-8 September); three Least Sandpipers C. minutilla ; up to c.25 White- rumped Sandpipers C. fuscicollis across the islands; a Baird’s Sandpiper C. bairdii on Flores on 1 5 October; a Western Sandpiper C. mauri on Pico on 9 September; a Buff-breasted Sandpiper C. (= Tryngites ) subruficollis on Corvo on 9-1 1 October; nine Wilson’s Snipes Gallinago delicata (including six at Lagoa do Ginjal, Terceira, on 7 September); a Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus at Cabo da Praia, Terceira, from 2 September until at least 23 December; a Hudsonian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus also there from September into early November; an Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda on Flores on 20 October; a Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca on Terceira on 19-20 October, with another on Flores on 31 October; up to five Lesser Yellowlegs T. flavipes on Terceira from mid September into early November; and up to eight Spotted Sandpipers Actitis macularius on Terceira, Sao Miguel and Pico. Other Nearctic vagrants included single pale- and dark-morph Rough-legged Hawks Buteo lagopus sanctjohannis on Corvo on 1-22 October; single Mourning Doves Zenaida macroura on Corvo and Flores in October; a Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus on Sao Miguel on 9 September; a Yellow-billed Cuckoo C. americanus on Santa Maria on 18 November; and a male Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus on Faial on 30 September. Except where otherwise indicated, all the following Nearctic passerines were recorded on Corvo in October: a Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor on 6th; up to two American Cliff Swallows Petrochelidon pyrrhonota on 6th— 1 4th (with one on Terceira on 26th); two American Buff- bellied Pipits Anthus rubescens on 3rd-7th (with another on Flores on 26th-28th); a Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum on 1 2th— 1 5th (second record for the Azores); a Grey-cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus on 1 4th; an American Robin Turdus migratorius on 1 5th (second record); single Philadelphia Vireos Vireo philadelphicus on 1 0th— 1 1th and 1 4th; at least six Red¬ eyed Vireos V. olivaceus (with one on Faial on 22nd-23rd); a Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea on 20th; three Rose-breasted Grosbeaks Pheucticus ludovicianus-, four Indigo Buntings Passer ina cyanea (with one on Flores on 1 1 th— 14th); a White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys on 20th— 30th (fourth record); three Bobolinks Dolichonyx oryzivorus on 12th (with one on Flores on 31st); three Black-and- white Warblers Mniotilta varia-, up to three Common Yellowthroats Geothlypis trichas on 6th and 1 4th — 1 5th; an American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla on 8th— 1 2th; up to three Northern Parulas S. americana on 6th-l4th; one or two male Black-throated Blue Warblers S. caerulescens on 4th- 17th; a Black- throated Green Warbler S. virens on 24th-28th; and a Myrtle Warbler S. coronata on Flores on 1 4th (per Dutch BirdingSA. 337-339 & 388- 407; Birding World 26: 243, 278, 377, 422 & 462). Benin Two Lesser Moorhens Gallinula angulata were observed at Mare Bali in Pendjari National Park on 29 June 2013 {JM&SM ). Botswana The following were reported from the period July-December 2013. At Mahalapye sewage ponds, 66 Maccoa Ducks Oxyura maccoa were counted on 27 July {PDA). Another good count was that of 191 Cape Vultures Gyps coprotheres near the breeding colony at Mannyelanong Game Reserve, south of Gaborone, on 1 December {MG). At least 1,000 vultures, mainly White-backed G. africanus and Lappet-faced Torgos tracheliotos , were poisoned in Botswana during the six-month period {ST). A Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla was observed in a small channel off the Chobe River on 2 August {GB). In the Okavango Delta, a Denham’s Bustard Ardeotis denhami was seen in Moremi Game Reserve on 7 September, with another there on 3 December {ET, WS) . A Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum at Pete’s Pond in Mashatu Game Reserve on 23 October was well outside its normal range. A small flock of Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus was reported from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve near Letiahau Waterhole on 13 September, with a single at Gaborone Dam on 22 October. A Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres was reported from the Linyanti Swamps, in the north, on 22 October (per TH). A 94- Bull ABC Mol 21 No 1 (2014) Recent Reports Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus was photographed at Lake Ngami on 24 August (PH), whilst single Black¬ headed Chroicocephalus ridibundus and Lesser Black-backed Gulls Larus fuscus were seen at Lake Xau (=Dow) in July ( CB ). Grey-backed Sparrow Larks Eremopterix verticals and Lark¬ like Buntings Emberiza impetuani were common at Gaborone Dam in October-November (IW) and two Mountain Pipits Anthus hoeschi were photographed there on 2 November ( IW, CB). A Collared Palm Thrush Cichladusa arquata and a Common Myna Acridotheres tristis were seen at Nata Lodge, in the north of the Makgadikgadi Pans, on 16 November (per 777); the former species was first recorded at Nata village in November 2004. A shrike that was initially reported as a Souza’s Shrike Lanius souzae, at Kasane Sewage Works on 2 June (see Bull. ABC 20: 218), was in fact an immature Fiscal Shrike L. collaris (ST). Burkina Faso A Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo vulpinus was claimed from Koubri Monastery, south-east of Ouagadougou, on 24 October 2013; this species would be an addition to the country list (RSI). Burundi A Franklin’s Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan was photographed in Rusizi National Park in early November 2012 (YG & AMa per GQ; this is perhaps the same individual that was reported subsequently in Uganda and Malawi (see below). Cameroon Records from the period August- December 2013 include the following. On 13 October, a male Mallard Anas platyrhynchos was discovered on the small lake of Parcours Vita, on the outskirts of Yaounde, where it remained until the year-end at least. The bird was shy and had normal plumage (Fig. 1); this is the first documented record for Cameroon (ML & MvB). A Flooded Vulture Necrosyrtes Figure 1. Male Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Parcours Vita, Yaounde, Cameroon, 22 December 2013 (Marc Languy) Canard colvert Anas platyrhynchos male, Parcours Vita, Yaounde, Cameroon, 22 decembre 2013 (Marc Languy) Figure 2. Pearl-spotted Owlet / Chevechette perlee Glaucidium perlatum, Yaounde Golf Club, Cameroon, 8 December 2013 (Marc Languy) Figure 3. Zenker’s Honeyguide / Indicateur de Zenker Melignomon zenkeri, near Nkoteng, Cameroon, 12 October 2013 (Marc Languy) Figure 4. Speckle-breasted Woodpecker / Pic a poitrine tachetee Dendropicos poecilolaemus , Yaounde Golf Club, Cameroon, 27 October 2013 (Marc Languy) monachus flew over Yaounde on 24 November (RE)-, there are just two previous records so far south, one from Yaounde in the late 1960s and another from Dja Faunal Reserve in 1999. A Red-chested Owlet Glaucidium tephronotum was heard on three occasions at Yaounde Golf Club in August-September; on 6 October, a Pearl-spotted Owlet G. perlatum responded to playback of the song of Red-chested and was subsequently seen and heard until late December (Fig. 2); the closest known population ol Pearl-spotted Owlet is on the Adamawa Plateau, c.400 km to the north. A Zenker’s Honeyguide Melignomon zenkeri was singing near Nkoteng, 80 km north¬ east of Yaounde, on 12 October (Fig. 3). On 27 October, a Speckle¬ breasted Woodpecker Dendropicos poecilolaemus was photographed at Yaounde Golf Club (Fig. 4); this is a rare bird in Cameroon and the most recent record is from 2008 at the same site. A small group of Long-legged Pipits Anthus pallidiventris was discovered at Yaounde Golf Club on 6 October; several, probably including breeding pairs, were regularly seen in October-December (Fig. 3). More were observed at Ebogo and near Mbalmayo during the period, confirming the species’ north-easterly expansion (ML & MvB). A Northern Wheatear Recent Reports Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -95 Oenanthe oenanthe was in a clearing south of Deng Deng National Park, eastern Cameroon, on 4 October {RF); there are very few records from central and southern Cameroon, and none so far south in the east. Sooty Chats Myrmecocichla nigra were found south of Nkoteng on 12 October; these are the southernmost for Cameroon. A male Verreaux’s Batis Batis minima was displaying to a female near Ebogo on 14 December. At Yaounde Golf Club, a pair ot Orange-tufted Sunbirds Cinnyris bouvieri was seen on 27 October and again on 19 December, at the southern edge of their distribution in the country {ML & MvB). Canary Islands Two species were recorded for the first time in the archipelago: Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus (one at the airport of La Palma from 4 October to at least mid-December 2013) and Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago delicata (two at the reservoirs of Tejina and Bajamar, La Laguna, Tenerife, from 17 October until the year-end; Fig. 6). Other records from June- December 2013 include the following. A Cape Verde Shearwater Calonectris edwardsii was trapped in the Cory’s Shearwater C. borealis colony on Montana Clara islet, north of Lanzarote, on 28 June. A Swinhoe’s Storm-petrel Hydrobates (= Oceanodroma ) monorhis was reported from the Lanzarote to Gran Canaria ferry on 13 August. On Lanzarote, a pair of Red-billed Figure 5. Long-legged Pipit / Pipit a longues pattes Anthus pallidiventris , Yaounde Golf Club, Cameroon, 9 October 2013 (Marc Languy) Figure 6. Wilson’s Snipes / Becassines de Wilson Gallinago delicata, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, 26 October 2013 (Ramon Fernandez) Figure 7. Female Mallard Anas platyrhynchos. La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, 5 August 2013 (Ruben Barone) Canard co\\en Anas platyrhynchos femelle, La Laguna, Tenerife, lies Canaries, 3 aout 2013 (Ruben Barone) Figure 8. Spotted Crake / Marouette ponctuee Porzana porzana, Tejina ponds, Tenerife, Canary Islands, 12 September 2013 (Ruben Barone) Figure 9. Spotted Sandpiper / Chevalier grivele Actitis macular ius, San Miguel de Abona, Tenerife, Canary Islands, 27 October 2013 (Ruben Barone) Figure 10. Male European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola , La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, 1 November 2013 (Ruben Barone) Tarier patre Saxicola rubicola male, La Laguna, Tenerife, lies Canaries, 1 novembre 2013 (Ruben Barone) Tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus seen on the last date. A Glossy Ibis remained at a nest at Orzola from 9 Plegadis falcmellus was at a reservoir April to at least 19 July; a chick was near El Medano, Tenerife, from 21 96- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Recent Reports September to 10 October. A Black Stork Ciconia nigra flew south over Telde, Gran Canaria, on 14 December. A female Mallard Anas platyrhynchos remained on a reservoir between Tejina and Valle de Guerra, La Laguna, Tenerife, between 5 August and 17 November (Fig. 7), and a male Green-winged Teal A. (crecca) carolinensis was at Embalse de Armenime, Adeje, Tenerife, on 9-14 December. A Red- footed Falcon Falco vespertinus flew over Los Rodeos plains, La Laguna, Tenerife, on 27 September. A Spotted Crake Porzana porzana was at Tejina ponds, Tenerife, on 12 September-24 October (Fig. 8). Rare waders on Lanzarote included an American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica at Salinas de Cocoteros on 12-13 October; two Pectoral Sandpipers Calidris melanotos in October; a White- rumped Sandpiper C. fiuscicollis at Salinas de Janubio on 29 August; and a Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macidarius at Ancones on 10 August, with another at San Miguel de Abona, Tenerife, in October-December (Fig. 9). A Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii was claimed from El Hierro on 8 October. On Gran Canaria, a first-winter Audouin’s Gull Ichthyaetus audouinii was observed at San Bartolome de Tirajana on 9 November. Two Laughing Doves Streptopelia senegalensis were at La Laguna, Tenerife, on 16 October. A Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola was discovered on El Hierro on 8 October. On Tenerife, a male European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola was at La Laguna on 1 November (Fig. 10), whilst three Ring Ouzels Turdus torqnatus were in Teide National Park on 3 December. On La Graciosa, an African Desert Warbler Sylvia deserti was reported on 30-31 October, and ten Yellow-browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus and a Red¬ breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva on 2 November. Eleven Yellow- browed Warblers were counted on Lanzarote in December (per RB; Dutch BirdingS'b'. 255, 337 & 391; Birding World 26: 278, 331, 424, 463 & 499). Congo-Brazzaville A White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus flew around a research vessel off Congo on 28 and 30 October 2012; this would be an addition to the country list. Other species recorded from the same vessel include Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus , Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini and unidentified terns, whilst a Melodious / Icterine Warbler Hippolais polyglotta / icterina was photographed on deck (per JMI). Cote d’Ivoire The following records are from the period June 2013-January 2014. Highlights include the first Black Noddy Anous minutus for the country at the Bandama River mouth, near Vieux Lahou, on 25 August (Fig. 1 1), a Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva at Assouinde, near the Ghanaian border, on 18-19 January (third Ivorian record; Fig. 12), the discovery of a Greater Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens at Grand Bassam on 14 July (a new locality for this patchily distributed species; Fig. 13), and the second Ivorian record of Eurasian Wigeon Mareca ( =Anas ) penelope at Figure 11. Black Noddy / Noddi noir Anous minutus , Vieux Lahou, Cote d’Ivoire, 25 August 2013 (Lionel Sineux) Figure 12. Pacific Golden Plover / Pluvier lauve Pluvialis fulva, Assouinde, Cote d’Ivoire, 19 January 2014 (Lionel Sineux) Figure 13. Greater Swamp Warbler / Rousserolle des Cannes Acrocephalus rufescens , Grand Bassam, Cote d’Ivoire, 14 July 2013 (Lionel Sineux) Figure 14. Eurasian Wigeons / Canards silfleurs Mareca penelope, Assouinde, Cote d’Ivoire, 18 January 2014 (Lionel Sineux) Figure 15. Collared Pratincole / Glareole a collier Glareola pratincola, Assouinde, Cote d’Ivoire, 25 January 2014 (Lionel Sineux) Assouinde marsh on 18 January (Fig. 1 4), the same site at which the first was recorded a year ago. Recent Reports Bull ABC Mol 21 No 1 (2014) -97 Figure 16. Common Redshank / Chevalier gambette Tringa totanus, Assouinde, Cote d'Ivoire, 12 January 2014 (Lionel Sineux) Figure 17. Hartlaub's Ducks / Canards de Hartlaub Pteronetta hartlaubii , Assouinde, Cote d’Ivoire, 25 January 2014 (Lionel Sineux) Figure 18. Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus nest, Assouinde, Cote d'Ivoire, 19 January 2014 (Lionel Sineux) Nid de Vanneau eperonne Vanellus spinosus, Assouinde, Cote d'Ivoire, 19 janvier 2014 (Lionel Sineux) Figure 19. Kentish Plover / Gravelot a collier interrompu Charadrius alexandrinus, Vieux Lahou, Cote d'Ivoire, 15 December 2013 (Lionel Sineux) Figure 20. Congo Serpent Eagle / Serpentaire du Congo Diyotriorchis spectabilis, Azagny National Park, Cote d’Ivoire, 4 August 2013 (Lionel Sineux) Figure 21. Spotted Flycatcher / Gobemouche gris Muscicapa striata , Azagny National Park, Cote d’Ivoire, 26 October 2013 (Lionel Sineux) Figure 22. Piapiac / Piapiac africain Ptilostomus afer, near Bouake, Cote d'Ivoire, 2 November 2013 (Lionel Sineux) Other noteworthy records from the Assouinde area include three Collared Pratincoles Glareola pratincola on 12 January and at least 16 on 25 January (Fig. 15), two male and three female Northern Pintails Anas acuta on 7 December, a female Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis on 25 January, and a Common Redshank Tringa totanus on 12-18 January (Fig. 16). African Darter Anhinga rufa , a scarce species in Cote d’Ivoire nowadays, is regularly present at Assouinde, with 1-2 observed in October-January; one also flew over the lagoon at Grand Bassam on 13 January. Hartlaub’s Ducks Pteronetta hartlaubii were also regularly observed at this site throughout the period (Fig. 17). Although Spur¬ winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus is rather scarce in Cote d’Ivoire, particularly on the coast, some appear to be resident at Assouinde marsh: since a first visit in January 2013, at least 19 individuals have been present and a nest with three eggs was discovered on 19 January 2014 (Fig. 18). Two birds were also photographed at Kossou Dam, in the centre of the country, on 26 July. At the coastal lagoon of Vieux Fahou, c.150 km west of Abidjan, a Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres was observed on 25 August and a Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus on 1 5 December (Fig. 19). At nearby Azagny National Park, a Congo Serpent Eagle Dryotriorchis spectabilis, photographed on 4 August (Fig. 20), and a Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata on 26 October (Fig. 21) were additions to the park list. One or two Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus were regularly seen at Vieux Fahou in August-November. A flock of six Piapiac Ptilostomus afer, including an immature, was accompanying cattle near Bouake on 2 November (Fig. 22), well south of their known range. The small group of 'b—A House Sparrows Passer domesticus found near Abidjan International Airport in May 2013 was still there in January (LS). DR Congo In September 2013, the following noteworthy species were recorded at Sakania, in extreme south-eastern Katanga Province, near the border 98- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Recent Reports Figure 23. Black Stork / Cigogne noire Ciconia nigra , Sakania, Katanga, DR Congo, 22 September 2013 (Nigel Voaden) Figure 24. Greater Spotted Eagle / Aigle criard Clanga clanga, Sabober Plains, between Mount Fantalle and Lake Basaaka, Metehara, Ethiopia, 8 November 2013 (Nigel Birch) Figure 25. Griffon Vulture / Vautour fauve Gyps fulvus, east of Robe, Bale area, Ethiopia, 10 May 2013 (Kai Gedeon) Figure 26. Rock Martin / Hirondelle isabelline Ptyonoprogne fuligula obsoleta (=Pale Crag Martin / Hirondelle du desert), Bale Mountains, Ethiopia, 11 May 2013 (Kai Gedeon) Figure 27. House Sparrow / Moineau domestique Passer domesticus, Megado, south-west of Mega, Ethiopia, 23 May 2013 (Kai Gedeon) with Zambia. A Black Stork Ciconia nigra photographed on 22nd (Fig. 23) appears to be the first for the province: the species is not mentioned in Louette & Hasson (2011. Birds of Katanga) , whilst a Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus on 2nd is apparently just the second record for Katanga, the first having been photographed on the Lulua River at Tshibamba on 13 October 2008. A Lark-like Bunting Ember iza impetuani was present again on 15th; presumably the same individual was photographed at this locality in May (cf. Bull. ABC 20: 222) (NV). Egypt The first Grey-necked Bunting Emberiza buchanani for Egypt was photographed at Hurghada on 29 March 2013, whilst two African Openbill Storks Anastomus lamelligerus photographed at Kom Ombo on 31 May constitute the second record for the country; the first was at Luxor on 26 May 2009 {Bull. ABC 17: 117). In July 2013, the following were reported. At Abu Simbel, two Pink- backed Pelicans Pelecanus rufescens , >100 Yellow-billed Storks Mycteria ibis , six African Skimmers Rynchops flavirostris and an African Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens were present on 19th-22nd. Two Three- banded Plovers Charadrius tricollaris were found at a new site near Aswan on 19th. On 25th, the first breeding of Saunders’s Tern Sternula saundersi was confirmed at Ras Sudr, Sinai, where 20-25 pairs and a few young were photographed (the species was first found there in July 2012). Up to 50 Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus were observed at Sandafa, Minya, on 24th (per Dutch Birding 35: 255, 337-339; Birding World 26: 278). Ethiopia A Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga was photographed on the Sabober Plains, between Mount Fantalle and Lake Basaaka, Metehara, on 8 November 2013 (Fig. 24; NBi) . A Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus was observed east of Robe, Bale area (07°23’09”N 40°8’26”E) on 10 May Recent Reports Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -99 (Fig. 25); this is the southernmost record, according to Ash & Atkins (2009. Birds of Ethiopia and Eritrea). A pair of Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus of the subspecies minor was seen at their nesting site, with nestlings calling, near Mega (04°7’18”N 38°14’52”E) on 19 May; there are apparently just two definite breeding records for Ethiopia ‘presumably [of] minor . About ten Rock Martins Ptyonoprogne fuligula of the subspecies obsoleta (=Pale Crag Martin) were in a mixed colony with Black Saw-wings Psalidoprogne pristoptera in the Bale Mountains (06°44’57”N 39°42’52”E) on 11 May (Fig. 26). Surprisingly, the birds were visiting burrows like Riparia martins. All appeared much paler below than P. f. fusciventris ; the occurrence of this race in Ethiopia has not been documented to date ( cf Ash & Atkins: ‘may also occur’). At least four pairs of House Sparrows Passer domesticus were in Megado, south-west of Mega (03°53’45”N 38°13’1 8”E) on 23 May (Fig. 27); a female was leaving a nest in the roof of a hut. On 24 May, at least one pair of House Sparrows was seen entering a nest in a roof at Dubluk (04°21’58”N 38°16’46”E; KG). These are the first records of House Sparrow in southern Ethiopia; Ash & Atkins (2009) mention none, but the species was found in the extreme north-west, at the Sudan border, in July 2011. Equatorial Guinea Reports from a visit to mainland Equatorial Guinea and Bioko in November 2013 include the following. A Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni at the Aeropuerto de Bata appears to be a new species for the country list — it is not mentioned in the ABC checklist of Equatorial Guinea (Dowsett et al. 2013). A Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola foraging at the edge of Altos de Nsork on 27 November was a first for the Region Continental. On the island of Bioko, a Garden Warbler Sylvia borin was observed on Pico Biao; Perez del Val (1996. Las Aves de Bioko) mentions only two previous records. A Slender-billed Greenbul Stelgidillas gracilirostris at Moka, at c. 1,200 m, was noteworthy, as Perez del Val (1996) states that the species occurs only up to 400 m. Also there were Black-capped Apalis Apalis nigriceps and Dark-backed Weaver Ploceus bicolor {JC ). Gabon In July 2013, c.60 Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus (a recent addition to the Gabon list) and c.50 Lesser Flamingos Phoeniconaias minor were observed at the Moka River on 13th. A male Verreaux’s (=Gabon) Batis Batis minima was nest-building along the Belinga Road on 21st (Fig. 28); the nest is hitherto undescribed (NB). The Gambia The second Eurasian Coot Fidica atra for the country was at Kartong Bird Observatory, Western Division, on 25 December 2013 (JCr)\ the first was observed at Kaur, in February 1994. Also there was the second Hudsonian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus from 29 December until early February at least (Fig. 29) — the first was on 4 September 2007 (LG)-, there are just two other records from West Africa, from Sierra Leone and on Sao Nicolau, Cape Verde Islands. Ghana Records from the period November 2013-January 2014 include the following. The most remarkable report was that of a first-winter Audouin’s Gull Lchthyaetus Figure 28. Male Verreaux’s Batis Batis minima nest-building, Belinga Road, Gabon, 21 July 2013 (Nik Borrow) Pririt de Verreaux Batis minima male en train de construire un nid, route de Belinga, Gabon, 21 juillet 2013 (Nik Borrow) Figure 29. Hudsonian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus (left) with Eurasian Whimbrels N. phaeopus , Kartong Bird Observatory, Western Division, The Gambia, 29 December 2013 (Lee Gregory) Courlis hudsonien Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus (a gauche) avec des Courlis corlieux N. phaeopus, Kartong Bird Observatory, Western Division, The Gambia, 29 decembre 2013 (Lee Gregory) 100- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Recent Reports Figure 30. First-winter Audouin’s Gull Ichthyaetus audouinii, Muni Lagoon, near Winneba, Ghana, 13 January 2014 (Aidan Kelly) Goeland d’Audouin Ichthyaetus audouinii de premier hiver, Muni Lagoon, pres de Winneba, Ghana, 13 janvier 2014 (Aidan Kelly) Figure 31. Female Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos, Sakumono Lagoon, Ghana, 14 January 2014 (Aidan Kelly) Canard a bosse Sarkidiornis melanotos femelle, Sakumono Lagoon, Ghana, 14 janvier 2014 (Aidan Kelly) audouinii observed in a flock of Royal Thalasseus maximus and Sandwich Terns F. sandvicensis at Muni Lagoon, near Winneba, on 13 January (Fig. 30; AK); this is a quite unexpected first for Ghana, as the species has not previously been reported south of Senegambia (full details will be published in Bull. ABC). A White-crested Tiger Heron Tigriornis leucolopha appeared to be displaying to a second bird in Nsuta Forest on 2 December. At Sakumono Lagoon, 17 Glossy Ibises Plegadis falcinellus were present on 28 November ( DH ). Also there, on 14 January, were a female Knob¬ billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos (apparently just the second coastal report in recent years; Fig. 31) and a female Common Teal Anas crecca (only the fifth report) (AK). A subadult African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer and three Riippell’s Vultures Gyps rueppelli were in Mole National Park (=NP) on 10-11 December (DH). Excellent views of a Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo were obtained from the canopy walkway at Kakum NP on 8 January (AK)-, this species occurs mostly on passage through Ghana, especially on its spring migration. Another was observed at Shai Hills on 26 November (DH). An adult and two juvenile Lesser Moorhens Gallinula angulata were at a wetland near the Nasia River on 14 December (DE). On 29 December, three Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus were photographed at Winneba Lagoon (DH). An Egyptian Plover Pluvianus aegyptius chick and at least five adults were observed on the Volta River on 29 November; this is the first breeding record for the country (CT). A Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus was photographed at Tono Dam on 13 December (DH). Three Rosy Bee-eaters Merops malimbicus were seen in degraded farmland near Kakum NP on 9 November, whilst a Northern Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus was at Pepease, near Abetifi, in the Mampongtin Range, on 17 November (RS). A Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla was observed near Opro River Forest Reserve, north of Kumasi, on 3 January (AK). At Odwenanoma Mountain, north of Nkawkaw, two Brown¬ chested Alethes Alethe poliocephala were mist-netted in November (RS). Two or three Rufous Scrub Robins Cercothrichas galactotes were noted in Acacia scrub near the White Volta in the north-east (DE) and two Western Bonelli’s Warblers Phylloscopus bonelli in thickets at Tono Dam on 13 December (DH). A Gambaga Flycatcher Muscicapa gambagae was photographed on Brugbani road, Mole NP, on 1 1 December (DH). At least 50 Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca were counted along a 4-km transect at Mole NP on 7 November (RS). At Pepease, a pair of Western Violet-backed Sunbirds Anthreptes longuemarei was seen on 17 November, with at least five pairs of Variable Sunbirds Cinnyris venustus breeding there on 16 December (RS)', a male was also seen at Shai Hills on 26 November (DH). Two Forest Penduline Tits Anthoscopus flavifrons were recorded at Nsuta Forest on Recent Reports Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -101 Figure 32. Red-winged Francolin / Francolin de Levaillant Scleroptila levaillantii , Masai Mara, Kenya, 29 October 2013 (Nik Borrow) Figure 33. Madagascar Pratincole / Glareole malgache Glareola ocularis , Bunyala Rice Irrigation Scheme, Kenya, 17 August 2013 (Martin Odino) Figure 34. Madagascar Cuckoo / Coucou de Madagascar Cuculus rochii, Naivasha, Kenya, 6 October 2013 (Brian Finch) 4 December. Also in December, a group of ten Magpie Mannikins Lonchura fringilloides were again seen feeding on the seeds of Chinese Bamboo Bambusa vulgaris at the same place in Bobiri as in 2012 {Bull. ABC 20: 223), when this behaviour was first reported ( DH ). Kenya The following reports are from May-December 2013. Two Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus chicks observed in Nairobi National Park (=NP) on 6 June constitute a rare confirmed breeding record for this well-watched site. Two Madagascar Pond Herons Ardeola idae were noted at Lake Kwenia, near Magadi, on 1 June; records from the southern Riff Valley are scarce. An adult Black Stork Ciconia nigra was observed in Nairobi NP on 29 July; the early date suggests an over-summering individual, which is highly unusual. Also there, on 23 July, was a Woolly¬ necked Stork C. episcopus — a rare bird for Nairobi. A Western Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus cinerascens was found at Imenti Forest, Meru, on 10 November; this species is a rarity east of the Rift Valley. An unseasonal Grasshopper Buzzard Butastur rufipennis in the Rift Valley west of Ngong Hills on 15 September was an unusual location for this more easterly migrant. A Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga was at a carcass with vultures in Nairobi NP on 2 December (CJ). Two pairs of Red-winged Francolins Scleroptila levaillantii were seen in the Masai Mara on 29 October (Fig. 32; NB). A male Striped Crake Amauromis (-Aenigmatolimnas) marginalis , a rarely recorded intra-African migrant, was foraging on a garden lawn in Naivasha on 24 June. A Bronze-winged Courser Rhinoptilus chalcopterus at Nairobi NP on 25 June is the first record for the park. Madagascar Pratincoles Glareola ocularis were reported from Nairobi Race Course on 22 June (one) and Bunyala Rice Irrigation Scheme on 17 August (>20; Fig. 33); the western record is of special interest, as inland records are very rare. A flock of c.250 Pacific Golden Plovers Pluvialis fulva flying south over Watamu on 25 September represents the most southerly record of any significant number in East Africa (and possibly Africa as a whole). A Sanderling Calidris alba in Nairobi NP on 30 September is the first confirmed record for the park. An immature Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus off Kisite Island on 24 July is the first Kenyan record since 1995. An adult Heuglin’s Gull Larus heuglini of the race taimyrensis was' identified on Lake Naivasha on 16 May — a rare record for this race, particularly inland. On 6 December, a Lesser Noddy Anous tenuirostris was observed at Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park. A pair of Black-faced Sandgrouse Pterocles decoratus with two chicks in Nairobi NP on 29 July constitutes the first breeding record for Nairobi County. An apparently territorial Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus with characteristics of the western race gabonensis in Tsavo West NP on 6 December is extremely odd given the very eastern locality and the dry habitat. A Madagascar Cuckoo C. rochii was photographed at Naivasha on 6 October (Fig. 34); this is a very rare bird in Kenya, especially in the Riff Valley. Several swifts photographed in the Riff Valley south of Ngong Hills on 1 5 September were thought to be Pallid Swifts Apus pallidus; this would constitute the first record for Kenya, if accepted by the East African Rarities Committee, although the species is occasionally reported. A Swamp Nightjar Caprimulgus natalensis was photographed near Talek, Masai Mara, on 10 June — a rare record away from the species’ usual range north of Kisumu. At Hog Ranch, Nairobi, a male Pennant¬ winged Nightjar C. (= Macro dipteiyx ) vexillarius was flushed on 17 August. A Hoopoe Upupa epops, probably of the race waibeli , was encountered in Nairobi NP on 10 June and an individual of the same subspecies was apparently collecting food to feed nestlings on 25 August; these are very southerly records for this race and even more surprising if the latter bird was breeding. A Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla, a rarity in Kenya, was observed in the Kerio Valley on 14 November. In Tsavo West NP, Friedmann’s Larks Mirafra pidpa were displaying on 25 May; the status and distribution of this enigmatic species are still little understood. A Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix ringed at Ngulia on 2 December was only the tenth trapped at this 102- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Recent Reports site since 1969; the species is rare in Kenya. A male Black-and-white Flycatcher Bias musicus was calling at Kagumoni, Meru, on 27 June; this species is rarely reported nowadays. A pair of Grey-headed Sparrows Passer griseus suahelicus in the Rift Valley next to the northern limit of the Ngong Hills on 25 August, represents a probable range extension towards Nairobi. A male Green¬ winged Pytilia on the edge of Ngong Hills at >2,000 m was well above its normal altitudinal limit (CJ). The eagle photographed at Lake Nakuru on 10 March 2013 and claimed to be an Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca {Bull. ABC 20: 224, Fig. 27), has been re-identified as a Tawny Eagle A. rapax (see Corrigendum below). Liberia An expedition to eastern Liberia conducted in February-March 2013 to search for the mysterious Liberian Greenbul Phyllastrephus leucolepis , sponsored by the ABC and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (BirdLife UK partner), was unsuccessful in locating the species, but recorded some others of interest. Eight species were new for the two quarter-degree grid cells targeted by the expedition (that containing Zwedru and the one north of it; cf. Gatter 1997. Birds of Liberia), including Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus, Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis and Plain- backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys , all in Zwedru town. Brown Nightjars Veles binotatus were heard and recorded in Cavalla Forest, north¬ west of Zwedru (sound-recordings have been uploaded to xeno-canto. org). Other new grid-cell records from the Cavalla Forest were Yellow¬ footed Honeyguide Melignomon eisentrauti , White-throated Greenbul Phyllastrephus albigularis, Black-capped Apalis Apalis nigriceps and Grey-throated Flycatcher Myioparus griseigularis. Five globally threatened species were observed. Groups of White¬ breasted Guineafowl Agelastes meleagrides , including a flock of c. 8, were seen in three well-separated locations. Timneh Parrots Psittacus (, erithacus ) timneh were seen daily, but in small numbers (largest count was of ten on 22 February); they are reportedly trapped to be sold across the border in Cote d’Ivoire. Brown-cheeked Hornbill Bycanistes cylindricus and Yellow-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna elata were reasonably common in Cavalla Forest, the latter being observed on most days. Yellow-bearded Greenbul Criniger olivaceus was not uncommon in closed-canopy forest. Five Near Threatened species were also observed: Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus, Green-tailed Bristlebill Bleda eximius, Rufous¬ winged Illadopsis Illadopsis rufescens , Copper-tailed Glossy Starling Lamprotornis cupreocauda and Red- fronted Antpecker Parmoptila rubrifrons. Other records of interest from Cavalla Forest included Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash, Spot-breasted Ibis B. olivacea, Hartlaub’s Duck Pteronetta hartlaubii, Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus , Long-tailed Hawk Urotriorchis macrourus, Forest Wood-hoopoe Phoeniculus castaneiceps , Black Dwarf Hornbill Tockus hartlaubi , African Piculet Sasia africana and Brown-chested Alethe Alethe poliocephala. Elsewhere in Liberia, House Sparrows Passer domesticus were observed in small numbers at Roberts International Airport, Monrovia, and at Robertsport. Ethiopian Swallows Hirundo aethiopica were also seen at Roberts International Airport and were common in Monrovia {BP, LF, EL, FG&FM). Libya The second Pied Crow Corvus albus for the country was photographed at Tajura, near Tripoli, on 7 June and was still present on 17 June; the first was collected in April 1931 (per Dutch Birding 35: 261). Madagascar A downy juvenile Madagascar Rail Rallus madagascariensis in the company of at least one adult at Mananara Lodge on 29 November 2013 differed in some respects from published descriptions (Safford & Hawkins 2013: 357) in having a very obvious medium pink base to the maxilla, no pale patch on the rear ear-coverts and lacking any evidence of barring on the underparts (Fig. 35); there seems to be confusion as to whether the published description truly refers to the downy young or not, given that it mentions the presence of feathers on some tracts. On 14 November, a winter- pi umaged Sandwich Tern Fhalasseus sandvicensis was observed on the crossing to the Masoala Peninsula, but could not be documented with photographs; there are only two previous records in Madagascar, in August 1990 and September 2008 (Safford & Hawkins 2013) {GK). Also between Maroansetra and Masoala, Sooty Tern Onychoprion fiuscatus , Brown Noddy Anous stolidus and Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus were recorded on 6-9 December {MM). Three Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica were observed on the island of Nosy Ve, off the south-west coast, on 19 November, further emphasising that the species appears to be a regular visitor in the boreal winter to this part of Madagascar {Bull. ABC 18: 207-210) {GK). Figure 35. Downy young Madagascar Rail Rallus madagascariensis , Mananara Lodge, Madagascar, 29 November 2013 (William Price) Poussin de Rale de Madagascar Rallus madagascariensis, Mananara Lodge, Madagascar, 29 novembre 2013 (William Price) Recent Reports Bull ABC Vo 1 21 No 1 (2014) -103 Figure 36. Northern Wheatear / T raquet motteux Oenanthe oenanthe, near Berenty, Madagascar, 16 July 2013 (David Erterius) A Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe was photographed near Berenty, Madagascar, on 16 July 2013 {DE) (Fig. 36); the first documented record of this species for Madagascar was in December 2005, on the Anjiabe Plateau, in the north-west ( Bull ABC 16: 223). Two or three House Crows Corvus splendens were found in Tamatave on 2 January 2014 {cf http://observado. o rg/waarnemi ng/ view / 80921085); these are apparently the first for Madagascar (TL). Madeira The first Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago delicata for Madeira was photographed at Machico on 19-21 October 2013 ( CC-F & HR, www.madeirabirds.com/ wilso n-sn ipe-galli nago -delicata-fi rst- record-madeira) . Other noteworthy records in June-November 2013 include the following. The first Tawny Owl Strix aluco for Madeira was found dead in the pond at Casa Velha do Palhiero Hotel on 4 November, whilst the second Long¬ tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis for the island, a male, was at Lugar de Baixo, Ponta do Sol, on 1-2 June. A Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus was seen off Calheta on 3 June and 5 July, and a Brown Booby Sula leucogaster off Porto Moniz on 17 September. A Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides was at Lugar de Baixo in early June. A Black Stork Ciconia nigra was on Selvagem Grande on 1 1 October, a Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus at Machico on 21 October, with a Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea also there on 19 October, and a Spotted Crake Porzana porzana at Lugar de Baixo on 23 October. Single Semipalmated Sandpipers Calidris pusilla were at Lugar de Baixo on 27 September and Ribeira Brava on 6 November; on the same date at the latter site there was also a White- rumped Sandpiper C. fuscicollis , whilst a Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria was at Machico on 1 3 September. On Pico do Areeiro, two Isabelline Wheatears Oenanthe isabellina were found on 6 November (per Dutch Birding 35: 251; Birding World 26: 278, 422-424, 499). Malawi A Franklin’s Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan was present along the Shire River at Mvuu Lodge, Liwonde, in August 2013 (www. wilderness-safaris, com/blog/ posts/ mvuu-camp-and- mvuu-lodge-august-2013); this is apparently the first for the country — it does not figure on the latest ABC checklist of the birds of Malawi (Dowsett et al. 2013). Morocco The following records are from the period April-December 2013. The most unusual report was of a White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis observed at Gleb Jdiane, Oued Ad-Deheb, Western Sahara, on 5-6 December ( NJ & HJ per go-south, org); this is not only a first for Morocco but also for the Western Pakarctic. Seawatching at Cap Rhir, north of Agadir, on 8 July yielded, among others, three White-faced Storm-petrels Pelagodroma marina , 25,000 Cory’s Shearwaters Calonectris borealis , five Sooty Shearwaters Puffinus griseus, a Barolo (Macaronesian) Shearwater P. b. baroli and a Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweria bulwerii (JV & FW per moroccanbirds. blogspot. com) . Two Great Shearwaters Puffinus gravis were observed off Bouznika, Zaer, on 24 August {AM & BM per go-south, org). A Blue- winged Teal Anas discors was at Dar Bouazza, Casablanca area, in October- November {BM). In eastern Morocco, a Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus was photographed near Midelt on 10 October {BBa). A few Common Buttonquails Furnix sylvaticus were singing between Oualidia and El Jadida, western Morocco, on 18-19 May; a new highway planned between these two towns may threaten the survival of the last known population of the nominate subspecies (per Dutch Birding 35: 255). At Casablanca, a Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima was at the Marabout de Sidi Abderrahmane on l"7 December {BM). A Long¬ billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus was seen in the Larache marshes on 25 August {AM). In Western Sahara, an Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda was photographed near Dakhla, Oued Ad Deheb, on 1 1 October (per Dutch BirdingM'. 391). Single Ring¬ billed Gulls Larus delawarensis were reported from Oued Ksob on 28 April {RW), Essaouira on 23 August {BBa) and Dar Bouazza on 16 November {BAP). At Oukai'meden, western High Atlas, a White-rumped Swift Apus caffer was noted on 1 5 July {JV & FW). Five Yellow-browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus were encountered in the Figuig area on 3-6 November {KL, BM, AM & SZ) and a male Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva was observed at Essaouira on 23 October {PG-S). Mozambique Records from October-December 2013 include the following. A pelagic trip out of Maputo on 9 November produced a Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus , a White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon leptunis, a Black Tern Chlidonias niger (apparently the first record for the country) and an Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea. At least two Arctic Terns were reported on a trip into Maputo Bay on 25 November, a particularly unusual species in this area. A Lesser 104- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Recent Reports Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus was reported from Benguerra Island on 20 October. A European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus was observed near Goba on 8 December. A remarkable find was a Short-tailed Pipit Anthus brachy urus near Maputo on 25 October. Some Common Mynas Acridotheres tristis were reported from Maputo on 7 October. The presence of Red-throated Twinspots Hypargos niveoguttatus in the University Botanical Gardens in Maputo on 22 October was surprising and the possibility of escapes cannot be ruled out. On 24 November, a male Cuckoo Finch Anomalospiza imberbis was also reported from Maputo — an excellent record for the country (per TH). Namibia Southern Africa’s first Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana was photographed at NamibRand Nature Reserve, central Namibia, on 13 November 2013 (full details will be published in Bull. ABC). Other records from the period July-December 2013 include the following. A Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans , first seen from a fishing vessel just south of the Orange River, Northern Cape, South Africa, on 22 October, remained with the ship all day, eventually passing into Namibian waters. At least six Leach’s Storm-petrels Oceanodroma leucorhoa were reported r.50 nautical miles off Luderitz on 13 November. In late July, a Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca and a Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus were at the Walvis Bay Sewage Works. Single European Honey Buzzards Pernis apivorus were reported from Otjiseva farm, c.30 km north of Windhoek, on 27 October; c.40 km west of Windhoek on 29 November; and from Ngepi Camp, in the western Caprivi, on 13 December. An American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica was located at Walvis Bay Salt Works on 29 July (possibly one of the individuals reported from this area earlier in the year), whilst a Pacific Golden Plover P. fulva stayed at Walvis Bay Lagoon from 30 October until at least 8 December. A Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa was found at Rundu Sewage Works on 16 December and a Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus near Katima Mulilo, in the eastern Caprivi, at the end of August. A Common Redshank T. tot anus was in the Walvis Bay area in late July, with at least one other individual at Mile 4 Salt Works, north of Swakopmund, in mid December. At Walvis Bay Salt Works, at least two Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus were present in late July; their numbers increased to 35 at the end of October and to at least 50 in late November, with large numbers still there in December. A Wilson’s Phalarope Steganopus tricolor was also seen in the area on 15-17 October, and a Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius on 8 December. A Franklin’s Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan was observed in Swakopmund in mid August. Gull-billed Terns Gelochelidon nilotica were reported from Island View Lodge, Katima Mulilo, on 30 July, and the Andoni Plains, Etosha National Park, on 16 October (still present on 14 December). A Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis was, once again, present at Monte Christo farm, c.30 km north of Windhoek, on 24 November — this is the fifth successive season that this bird has returned to this site, well south of its normal range. Also well outside of its known range in the subregion was a Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis in a garden in Luderitz on 26 November. A Whinchat Saxicola rubetra was photographed at Palmwag Lodge, in northern Namibia, on 5 December; this appears to be southern Africa’s 18th record. A Grey Penduline Tit Anthoscopus caroli was observed c. 2 km west of Ruacana on 17 October, apparently c.300 km west of where it normally occurs (per EH). Niger Due to ongoing security problems in the country only a few reports were received in the second half of 2013, including two Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota on 28 September and 27 October, as well as 1-2 House Sparrows Passer domesticus on 24 September, all in the south; there are fewer than 20 records of these species (per JB & UL). Sao Tome & Principe Excellent views of Principe Thrush Turdus xanthorhynchus were obtained in the moist forests in the south of Principe on 10 July 2013 (NB). This Critically Endangered species, recently split from Sao Tome (or Gulf of Guinea) Thrush T. olivaceofuscus , was rediscovered in 1997 after an absence of records since the 1920s and it is estimated that fewer than 250 mature individuals remain. Two Pied Kingfishers Ceryle rudis were present in the estuary of the rio Papagaio, Principe, from 21 Figure 37. Pied Kingfisher / Martin-pecheur pie Ceryle rudis , Rio Papagaio, Principe, 21 July 2013 (Antonio Castelo) Recent Reports Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -105 Figure 38. Spotted Crake / Marouette ponctuee Porzana porzana, Etoile, Seychelles, 26 November 2013 (Gerard Rocamora) July until at least early October (Fig. 37; AC, RQ & JT per MMe). In Sao Tome and Principe, the species has been recorded only at this locality, in June 1997 (Jones & Tye 2006. The Birds ofSdo Tome & Principe with Annobon. An Annotated Checklist) and June 2008 {Bull. ABC 16: 107). Senegal Records from 2013 include the following. At least ten occupied nests of Red-billed Tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus were counted at the regular breeding site on the lies de la Madeleine, off Dakar, on 17 February, most with adults still incubating and one with a single chick; one nest contained a dead adult (BPi); the site has apparently not been monitored in recent years. A female Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos with six pulli was observed at Fac Tanma, north¬ west of Thies, on 3 November; although breeding was suspected, there appear to be no previous confirmed nesting records for Senegal (J 'Pi & PR). A small group Speckle- fronted Weavers Sporopipes frontalis at Almadies, Dakar, in mid February was rather unusual at this location (. BPi ). Seychelles Reports received by Seychelles Bird Records Committee (SBRC) from the period June-December 2013 include late submissions of several remarkable sightings at sea on 9 February 2011: the first country record of Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus (two adults and one unaged bird halfway between Figure 39. kittle Egret / Aigrette garzette Egretta garzetta, St Francois, Seychelles, 12 December 2013 (Richard Jeanne) Coetivy and Agalega), at least 30 Jouanin’s Petrels Bulweria fallax in the same area (1 1 previous records involving 17 birds in total) and the first sight record of Herald Petrel Pterodroma arminjoniana , south of Coetivy (30 geolocator records from Seychelles waters have also been accepted recently by SBRC). A Broad-billed Sandpiper Calidris {■ =Limicola ) falcinellus on Mahe on 10-12 February 2011 has been accepted as a sixth Seychelles record (chronologically the fifth). A Spotted Crake Porzana porzana on Etoile on 26 November was the second country record (Fig. 38), whilst a Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta on Cousine Island on 2-30 November was the third. An Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus on Bird on 8 July and a Flesh-footed Shearwater Pujfmus carneipes ofi Mahe on 21 October were both fifth records for Seychelles. There were two unusual reports of resident species. A Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus on African Banks on 28 November was the first report from the coralline islands west of the granitic islands, where it is resident. A Madagascar Coucal Centropus toulou on Assumption from 29 January until 12 November at least was the first record from the island for more than a century — it was wiped out following the commencement of guano mining in the early 20th century, but is still resident on Aldabra. On 14 November, the first ornithological visit to Grand lie, Cosmoledo, since the eradication of rats from the island in 2008 located seven active nests of Figure 40. Broad-billed Roller / Rolle violet Eurystomus glaucurus, Alphonse, Seychelles, 13 December 2013 (Richard Jeanne) Masked Booby Sula dactylatra , the first breeding attempt there since 1968. Brown Booby S. leucogaster was found breeding on Boudeuse on 25 November, the first reported breeding record from the island since 1958 and the first reported recolonisation of any island in Seychelles by this species. There were several sightings of landbirds on Aldabra in August, which is very unusual for the time of year. These included the second record of Madagascar Bee-eater Merops superciliosus (four on 9 August, with at least one remaining until 15 September), a fourth record of Common Hoopoe Upupa epops on 1-2 August and a Mascarene Martin Phedina borbonica on 21-28 August (11 previous records). A remarkable 1 5-20 Eleonora’s Falcons Falco eleonorae on Aldabra on 12 April was a record number (all but one of 36 previous accepted records have been of lone birds). Singles were also on Aldabra on 4 November and Denis on 1 1 December. There were four reports of Little Egret Egretta garzetta : on Curieuse between 23 January and 23 May, Mahe on 7 June and 9 December, and St Francois on 12 December (Fig. 39). Common House Martin Delichon urbicum was reported twice: on Bird on 22 April and on Assumption on 1 1 October. Also of interest were a Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus on Alphonse on 1 0 October (nine previous records), a Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides on Alphonse on 18-20 November (six records), a Yellow-billed 106- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Recent Reports Kite Milvus migrans parasitus on Assumption on 4-6 August (seven records), two Collared Pratincoles Glareola pratincola on Aldabra on 21 October, a Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos on Alphonse on 4 December (eight records), a Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida on lie Perseverance on 4 May (seven records), a Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus on Assumption on 24 June-4 July, a European Roller Coracias garrulus on 1 1 December on Alphonse, a Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus on Alphonse on 13 December ((Fig. 40), a Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla on Aldabra on 4 November (six records), a Red- throated Pipit Anthus cervinus on Remire on 27 November, a Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava on Aldabra on 23 October, and a Common Redstart Phoenicians phoenicurus on Aride on 12 December. During the period, SBRC reviewed the only country record of Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferrugina based on newly received and conflicting evidence. This record has now been rejected and the species removed from the Seychelles list (per AS). Sierra Leone A female Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus was observed at Guma Dam, Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve, near Freetown, on 14 March 2013; there are few records in the country ( BdB ). South Africa The following records are from the period July-December 2013. Noteworthy species seen in the waters south and west of Cape Point include the Critically Endangered Amsterdam Albatross Diomedea ( exulans ) amsterdamensis (photographed c.6 nautical miles south-west of Cape Point on 13 July), Wandering Albatross D. exulans (one in July; three in August; at least ten in September; six in October; one in November), Southern Royal Albatross D. epomophora (one in July; three in August; at least eight in September; three in October), Northern Royal Albatross D. ( e .) sanfordi (one in July; three in August; at least seven in September; four in October; one in November), Salvin’s Albatross Thalassarche ( cauta ) salvini (one on 18 August; one in October), Spectacled Petrel Procellaria conspicillata (one in October), Slender-billed Prion Pachyptila belcheri (one on 20 July), White- bellied Storm-petrel Fregetta gr allaria (one in October), Leach’s Storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa (one on 21 July) and Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius (two on 29 September; at least 20 in October; one in November). In Northern Cape, a Wandering Albatross was seen just south of the Orange River from a fishing vessel on 22 October. A Manx Shearwater Pujfinus puffinus was observed in the waters south of Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, on 13 July. Pelagic trips out of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, produced Wandering Albatross (one on 22 November; the first for the province in c. 10 years), Northern Giant Petrel Macronectes halli (one on 5 October; first record for the province), Barau’s Petrel Pterodroma baraui (one on 3 October; nine on 22-24 November) and Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus (at least two on 22-24 November). Sooty Phoebetria fusca and Light- mantled Albatrosses P. palpebrata were satellite-tracked into the waters of Western and Eastern Cape in August. Species observed from a fishing vessel in August-September in the waters 160 nautical miles south of Cape Agulhas, 60 nautical miles south of Port Elizabeth and 100 nautical miles south-east of Durban included Wandering Albatross (> 1 00), Southern Royal Albatross (35), Northern Royal Albatross (40), Tristan Albatross Diomedea {exulans) dabbenena (5-6), Sooty Albatross (three), Blue Petrel Halobaena caerulea (four), Atlantic Petrel Pterodroma incerta (one), Spectacled Petrel (two) and South Polar Skua Stercorarius maccormicki (one). A Southern Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus in the tern roost at the St Lucia estuary, KwaZulu-Natal, on 12 October was an interesting find. In Eastern Cape, a Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus was again present on Bird Island in Algoa Bay on 15 August; almost certainly the same individual was seen there on 3 December. An Australian Gannet Morus senator was also on the island from 1 1 November until at least early December. Another Australian Gannet was on Malgas Island in Saldahna Bay, Western Cape, on 19 October. A frigatebird, probably Greater Frigatebird Fregata minor , soaring over Hartbeespoort Dam, Gauteng, on 7 December, was a surprising record. A Green-backed Heron Butorides striata was reported east of Graaff- Reinett, Eastern Cape, on 19 August. In Western Cape, a Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca, which is very rare in the province, was at Thesen Island, Knysna, on 3-8 December, whilst a Goliath Heron Ardea goliath remained at Rondevlei Nature Reserve throughout the period. An Abdim’s Stork Ciconia abdimii was located between Cannon Rocks and Woody Cape, Eastern Cape, on 27 July. In October-December, reports involving at least 30 European Honey Buzzards Pernis apivorus were received from Limpopo, North West Province, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape. In KwaZulu- Natal, an adult Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus soared over the Ixopo-Highflats road on 6 December, whilst at least six Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus were at Zimanga Private Game Reserve, north of Mkuze, on 7 July. A Riippell’s Vulture Gyps rueppelli was repeatedly photographed by camera traps at Blouberg Nature Reserve, Limpopo, during the period. A rather out-of-range juvenile Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis was observed at the Giant’s Castle vulture hide, KwaZulu-Natal, on 17 November. Ayres’s Eagles Hieraaetus ayresii were seen in KwaZulu-Natal at Durban on 9 October, Hluhluwe Game Reserve on 18 November and near Reitvlei on 23 November, Recent Reports Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -107 with one at Groenkloof Nature Reserve, Gauteng, on 29 October. In Western Cape, a Long-crested Eagle Lopbaetus occipitalis was observed at Plettenberg Bay on 2 November and near George Airport on 9 November. A Corncrake Crex crex was in the wetlands south of Pienaars River in Buffesdrift, Gauteng, on 5 November, and a Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla at Ghio Pans, Eastern Cape, on 21 November. A surprising record for Northern Cape was an adult and a juvenile Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata in Augrabies Falls National Park (=NP) on 9 December, well south and west of the species’ usual range. On 5 September, a White-winged Flufftail Sarothrura ayresi was located at King Shaka International Airport, KwaZulu-Natal. In Mpumalanga, a Wattled Crane Grus carunculatus was still present near Devon in July. A remarkable record concerned 14 Blue Cranes G. paradisea at Sandpan in Benoni, Gauteng, on 29-30 November. A Snowy (Greater) Sheathbill Chionis albus at Mazeppa Bay, Eastern Cape, on 20 June, was still present on 2 July. Single Lesser Jacanas Microparr a capensis were reported near Ladysmith, KwaZulu- Natal, in early July, and near Komatipoort, Mpumalanga, on 9 December. In KwaZulu-Natal, an immature Crab Plover Dromas ardeola was at Umlalazi River mouth, Mtunzini, on 17-20 November; probably the same individual was at Umfolozi River mouth on 23 November and at the St Lucia estuary from 30 November until at least 6 December. In Eastern Cape, Crab Plovers were reported from Kei River mouth in November and at the Gamtoos estuary in December. A Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus was at Langebaan Lagoon, Western Cape, on 4 August. A Bronze-winged Courser Rhinoptilus chalcopterus was found at Hauser Park, Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, on 13 December. Chestnut-banded Plovers Charadrius pallidas were observed at Mkhombo Dam (two) and Leeupan near Leandra (two), both in Mpumalanga, on 13 September, and at Barberspan Nature Reserve, North West Province, on 3 October, whilst Caspian Plovers C. asiaticus were at Mooiplaas waterhole, northern Kruger NP, Limpopo, in mid October (five) and at Gariep Dam, Free State, on 23 October (two). In Western Cape, a Lesser Sand Plover C. mongolus was at Seeberg on 26 November, and up to three Greater Sand Plovers C. leschenaultii at De Mond Nature Reserve on 2 November— 4 December. Single Pectoral Sandpipers Calidris melanotos were recorded at Fish River mouth, Eastern Cape, in late September; at Cannon Rocks, Eastern Cape, on 12 October; in Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, on 17 October; and at Barberspan Nature Reserve, North West Province, on 28 November. Up to two Common Redshanks Tringa totanus were at West Coast NP, Western Cape, from late October until December. In October-December, at least 12 Green Sandpipers T. ochropus were reported from Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. A Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus was at Borakalalo Nature Reserve, North West Province, on 13-16 December, and two Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus were at Strandfontein Sewage Works, Western Cape, on 9-19 November. A Franklin’s Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan was reported from Dyer Island in Gansbaai on 17 July and from Strandfontein Sewage Works, Western Cape, on 13-21 October. In Eastern Cape, at least one Lesser Black-backed Gull Laras fascus was still present at Orient Beach, East London, on 7 July; an immature was at Mazeppa Bay on 1 9 November. In KwaZulu-Natal, a Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica was seen in Kosi Bay on 24 October. In the same province, a Sooty Tern Onichoprion fuscatus was again present at St Lucia from August until at least early December. In Eastern Cape, a Sooty Tern was present on Bird Island in Algoa Bay, Port Elizabeth, at the end of September and on 23 October; one was found dead at Mazeppa Bay on 19 November. An out-of- range Damara Tern Stemula balaenarum was at the St. Lucia estuary, KwaZulu-Natal, on 27 September-12 October, whilst a Black Tern Chlidonias niger was noted at De Mond Nature Reserve, Western Cape, on 8 December. In Limpopo Province, an African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris was reported from the Samaria Pans, near Mapungubwe NP, on 7 October. In Gauteng, a male Namaqua Sandgrouse Pterocles namaqua was seen in Rietvlei Nature Reserve on 1 8 September — the first record for the greater Pretoria area. A Levaillant’s Cuckoo Clamator levaillantii at Mavela Game Lodge, KwaZulu-Natal, on 6 October was an interesting find. A surprising record concerned an immature Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus in West Coast NP, Western Cape, on 16 November. Another immature was observed at Jeffrey’s Bay, Eastern Cape, on 17 November, following a record near Queenstown the week before. Southern Africa’s ninth Madagascar Cuckoo C. rochii remained near Biyamithi, Kruger NP, Mpumalanga, on 22 November- 1 December. In Western Cape, a group of 12-20 White-fronted Bee- eaters Merops bullockoides bred at Matjiesvlei near Calitzdorp in July- August; some were still there in early December. A Common Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas was present at the same farm. A small group of White-fronted Bee-eaters was also reported near Jansenville, Eastern Cape, on 17 November. A Black- • collared Barbet Lybius torquatus was at Wilderness, Western Cape, on 1 1 July; this species appears to be expanding its range westwards. A small group of Melodious Larks Mirafra cheniana was discovered in the Moletsi area, 20 km north-west of Polokwane, Limpopo, on 3 July; this is apparently only the second confirmed record for the province. Well out of the species' respective ranges were a Stark’s Lark Spizocorys starki in Mountain Zebra NP, Eastern Cape, on 15 June, and a Black Saw-wing Psalidoprocne holomelas at Roodekoppies Dam, 108- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Recent Reports north of Brits, North West Province, on 17 August. An irruption of Grey- backed Sparrow Larks Eremopterix verticals occurred in Kruger NP in July-November. In Mpumalanga, two Grey Wagtails Motacilla cinerea were observed at the Blue Swallow Natural Heritage Site in Kaapschehoop on 14 December. A small population of Short-tailed Pipits Anthus brachyurus was found in Mabusa Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, in December. Southern Africa’s 15th Golden Pipit Tmetothylacus tenellus was discovered in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on 8 November. In Gauteng, a White-breasted Cuckooshrike Coracina pectoralis was reported from Groenkloof Nature Reserve, Pretoria, on 7 July and was seen again between mid October and early November. Also there during the same period was a Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara. The first Bush Blackcap Lioptilus nigricapillus for Western Cape stayed at Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, Betty’s Bay, on 7-1 1 September; the westernmost limits of the species’ distribution lie c.720 km to the east. Other out-of-range Bush Blackcaps were reported at St. Lucia, KwaZulu- Natal, on 30 September-24 October (one), and at Randburg, Gauteng, on 7 October-3 November (two). A Whinchat Saxicola rubetra near Percy Fyfe Nature Reserve, Limpopo, on 14 December, appears to be the 19th for southern Africa. A Red-capped Robin Chat Cossypha natalensis was still present in Sedgefield, Western Cape, in August, with another at Sasolburg, Free State, on 3 October. A Collared Palm Thrush Cichladusa arquata at Hoedspruit, Limpopo, on 25 August-2 September, may represent the southernmost record. An Olive- tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum was at Augrabies Falls NP, Northern Cape, on 12 December — possibly South Africa’s westernmost record. A Spotted Creeper Salpornis spilonotus was at Mabula Game Reserve, Limpopo, in September; this is the first photographically confirmed record in South Africa. In Eastern Cape, a pair of Violet-backed Starlings Cinnyricinclus leucogaster was reported near Queenstown, with another individual outside of East London, on 7-8 December. In Northern Cape, a Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus was seen on an African Buffalo Syncerus caffer at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve on 30 July. The influx of Lark¬ like Buntings Emberiza impetuani , which commenced earlier in the year (cf Bull. ABC 20: 230) continued throughout July-November, with significant numbers being reported from Kruger NP and Limpopo (per 77/; sa-rarebirdnews@googlegroups. com). Sudan Records from 2013-January 2014 include the following. Hottentot Teals Anas hottentota were observed regularly throughout 2013 at the sewage pools at Bahri, just north of Khartoum, and Soba Hospital, with up to 15 birds present at both sites; Nikolaus (1987. Distribution Atlas of Sudan’s Birds) mentioned just two records in Sudan, but suspected the species may have been overlooked (ME, TJ, SB). Two female Ferruginous Ducks Aythya nyroca were photographed at Khartoum Sewage Pools on 16 December; the species is rarely recorded in Sudan (77). A male Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma was photographed at Bahri Sewage Pools and up to eight males and a single female were present at Khartoum Sewage Pools on 30 November and 2 December (Fig. 41); the species is rarely reported so far north and there are only a handful of previous records from the country. With only one record mentioned by Nikolaus (1987), Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio might be considered a very rare bird in Sudan, but sightings throughout 2013 from the sewage pools at Bahri, Khartoum and Soba Hospital suggest that it is a fairly common resident in appropriate habitat. This also suggests that the population in Egypt is not as disjunct from other African populations as previously thought (MT, Tf. Up to 44 Red-knobbed Coots Fulica cristata were at Khartoum Sewage Pools from 30 November until late January at least, including a pair with two young, photographed on 24 January (Fig. 42); these are the first records for Sudan {MT, TJ, SB). A Figure 41. Southern Pochards / Nettes brunes Netta erythrophthalma, Khartoum Sewage Pools, Sudan, 30 November 2013 (Tom Jenner) Recent Reports Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -109 Figure 42. Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata with young, Khartoum Sewage Pools, Sudan, 24 January 2013 (Tom Jenner) Foulque a crete Fulica cristata avec jeunes, Khartoum Sewage Pools, Soudan, 24 janvier 2013 (Tom Jenner) Figure 43. Female Menetries’s Warbler Sylvia mystacea, Sennar, Sudan, 2 November 2013 (Tom Jenner) Fauvette de Menetries Sylvia mystacea femelle, Sennar, Soudan, 2 novembre 2013 (Tom Jenner) Figure 44. Franklin’s Gull / Mouette de Franklin Leucophaeus pipixcan, Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, 24 July 2013 (Jan Arras) female Menetries’s Warbler Sylvia mystacea mist-netted near Sennar, c.300 km south-east of Khartoum, on 2 November (Fig. 43), was a rare record so far south ( FJ ). Uganda The most remarkable record in 20 1 3 was of a Franklin’s Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan , photographed in the Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth National Park, on 24 July (Fig. 44; JA); this is a major rarity in East Africa and there is just one previous record for Uganda, of an adult discovered in Murchison Falls National Park on 8 June 2011 {Bull. ABC 19: 108). Three Semi-collared Flycatchers Ficedula semitorquata were observed at close range in the grounds of Makerere University on 1 6 September after heavy overnight rain {RS & DP); the species is considered to be an uncommon passage migrant, but there are few reliable records in the country. An early male Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio was at Lira on 20 September; according to Carswell et al. (2005. The Bird Atlas of Uganda) autumn passage usually commences in October {RS). A male Hartlaub’s Marsh Widowbird Euplectes hartlaubi was observed near Kajjansi, south of Kampala, on 22 September; apparently the bird had been present for some time {BPi & DM). Zimbabwe Records from July-December 2013 include the following. Twenty African Darters Anhinga rufa at Chipinda Pools, Runde River, on 11-15 July, was a good count; they have been netted out of the main Harare Dams (Lakes Chivero and Manyame) where they bred in their hundreds c. 15 years ago. At Greengrove Nature Reserve, Harare, 760 breeding Sacred Ibises Fhreskiornis aethiopicus , representing at least 1% of the Zimbabwean population, were counted on 26 July; on 30 August many chicks of variable age were present, with two being eaten by two Purple Swamphens Porphyrio porphyrio {DR-G). An African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus was observed at Rainham Dam, Harare, on 13 July {DW), whilst a Western Marsh Harrier C. aeruginosus was reported from Lake Manyane on 13 December (per TH). Two Wattled Cranes Grus carunculatus were seen at Chikokerano Pan on 10 July ( IM ); according to local people, the pair returns to this pan every year. A Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum was at Crowborough Farm, near Harare, in July {IM), whilst at Dreifontein, the country’s crane heartland, none was recorded. African Finfoots Podica senegalensis were found at Chipinda Pools and Chishakwe Dam, in the Save / Runde area of the south-east lowveld, in July; this species seldom frequents dams {TA & DR-G). The presence of Speckled Mousebirds Colius striatus at Chipinda Pools, Runde River, Gona re Zhou National Park, on 11-15 July, was rather unexpected; the species seems to have replaced Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus in Harare. The first European Bee-eater Merops apiaster for the season was noted on 22 September, in Harare {DR- G). A male Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe was reported near Mahuwe in the lower Zambezi Valley on 26 November. In Gosho Park, near Marondera, a Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla was seen on 21 November and a Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis on 12 December (per 110- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Recent Reports TH). A Spotted Creeper Salpornis spilonotus was photographed on its nest in Mukuvisi Woodlands on 1 September ( CvQ and a Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala feeding a Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata was photographed at Lake Chivero, on 1 July (AW; see facebook. com/birdlifezimbabwe) . An Orange¬ breasted Waxbill Amatidava subflava in Gona re Zhou National Park on 5 July represents a range extension (BB &DB). Records were collated by Ron Demey from contributions supplied by Tony Alegria (TA), Jan Arras (JA), Peter DArcy (PDA), Brahim Bakkass (BBa), Ruben Barone (RB), Nigel Birch (NBi), Gavin Blair ( GB ), Stephen Blight (SB), Mark van Boekel (MvB), Bruce & Doreen Bolnick (BB & DB), Nik Borrow / Birdquest (NB), Chris Brewster ( CB), Joost Brouwer (JB), Bernd de Bruijn (BdB), Antonio Castelo (AC), Celesta von Chamier (CvC), Geoffroy Citegetse (GC), Jacob C. Cooper (JC), C. Correia- Fagundes ( CC-F), James Henry Cross (JCr), David Erterius / Rockjumper Birding Tours (DE), Eddy Everaerdt (EE), Lincoln Fish poo l (LF), Roger Fotso (RE), Yves Gaugris (YG), Kai Gedeon (KG), Mike Goldsworthy (MG), Lee Gregory (LG), Peter Greig-Smith (PG-S), Trokon Grimes (TG), Pete Hancock (PH), Trevor Hardaker (TH), David Hoddinott / Rockjumper Birding Tours (DH), Jerome Mokoko Ikonga (JMI), Colin Jackson ( CJ), Noelle & Herve Jacob (NJ & HJ), Tom Jenner (TJ), Aidan Kelly (AK), Guy M. Kir wan ( GK), Karim Laidi (KL), Marc Languy (ML), Ulf Lieden (UL), Theo Linders (TL), Emmanuel M. Loqueh (EL), Innocent Magunje (IM), Benoit Maire (BM), Arsene Manirambona (AMa), Alain Mathurin (AM), Martim Melo (MMe), Johannes & Sharon Merz (JM & SM), Michael Mills / Birding Africa (MM), Flomo Molubah (EM), Deogratius Muhumuza (DM), Ben Phalan (BP), Bram Piot (BPi), Derek Pomeroy (DP), Rita Quiterio (RQ), Paul Robinson (PR), David Rockingham-Gill (DR-G), H. Romano (HR), Lionel Sineux (LS), Roger Skeen (RS), Adrian Skerrett (AS), Walter Smith (WS), Marwa Taha (MT), Joao Teles de Vasconcelos (JT), Chris Townend (CT), Steph Tyler (ST), Jorrit Vlot (JV), Nigel Voaden (NV), Ann Warner (AW), Ian White (IW), Richard White (RW), Debbie Wiggins (DW), Frank Wildschut (FW), Sabine Zegres (SZ), and from Birding World, Dutch Birding, sa-rarebirdnews@ googlegronps. com, www. azoresbs. Corrigendum Recent Reports Bull. ABC 20(2) Dick Forsman commented as follows on the eagle photograph taken by Brian Finch in Kenya and published in the last issue of Recent Reports as Fig. 27 (reproduced below): “It is claimed to be an Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca, but in my opinion it is a Tawny Eagle A. rapax. Although the overall impression is very similar to an adult Eastern Imperial Eagle, the combination of features excludes the possibility of it being one. First, if an Eastern Imperial Eagle had a mantle this dark and uniform, it would be a full adult, as all younger age classes are very mottled, including above. Flowever, the head and tail are wrong for an adult Eastern Imperial Eagle. Indeed, the head of an adult Eastern Imperial Eagle is far more Tawny Eagle / Aigle ravisseur Aquila rapax. Lake Nakuru, Kenya, 10 March 2013 (Brian Finch) weebly.com, www.go-south.org, observation, org and www. wilderness- safaris, com. Contributions for Recent Reports can be sent to Ron Demey, Walter Thijsstraat 9, B-3500 Hasselt, Belgium and (preferably) by e-mail: rondemeyl@ gmail.com or recent_reports@ africanbirdclub. org contrasting, with a uniformly pale yellow nape and neck reaching down to the mantle, whilst the throat and cheeks are contrastingly black. These features are already visible in the mottled immature plumages 2-3 years before the final adult plumage is attained. The tail of the bird in the photograph looks rather uniformly dark grey, whereas an older immature or adult Eastern Imperial Eagle would have a barred, pale grey tail with a broad black subterminal band. Younger Eastern Imperial Eagles do exhibit a tail like the bird in the photo, but then the rest of the plumage is very mottled and pale. Second, the wings, which were the first to catch my attention. Among the larger Aquila eagles, only Tawny Eagles have pale-spotted / -streaked upperwing- coverts within an otherwise dark plumage, a feature which often causes confusion with the spotted eagles Clanga clanga / C. pomarina. Not all dark Tawnies show this type of markings, but if streaking is present, both Steppe A. nipalensis and Eastern Imperial Eagle can be ruled out by this feature alone. An adult Eastern Imperial Eagle, with a dark mantle as here, would have dark upperwing-coverts, possibly admixed with some browner and worn feathers, but they would be still uniform, not distinctly marked. And last but not least, this bird does not have white braces to the scapulars / mantle; although some adult Eastern Imperial Eagles may lack them, most adults would show at least a few scattered white feathers. These eagles can be tricky!” Recent Reports Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -111 Reviews Several books reviewed in the Bulletin , and many others, including the major African field guides and avifaunas, can be purchased via the African Bird Club website from WildSounds. The Club receives a donation for its Conservation Fund for every item purchased via the Books and Media Sales page. Click the "Buy Now’ button by the relevant book to check the latest price, purchase the item and help us to protect Africa’s birds. Plusieurs livres analyses dans le Bulletin , et beaucoup d’autres, parmi lesquels les guides et avifaunes les plus importants, peuvent etre achetes via le site web de f African Bird Club aupres de WildSounds. Pour chaque article achete via la page « Book and Media Sales », le Club recoit une donation pour son Fonds pour la Conservation. Cliquez sur Fonglet lBuy Now’ a cote de 1’article recherche afin de verifier le dernier prix, et aidez-nous a proteger les oiseaux africains en l’achetant. The Birds of Africa Vol. 8: The Malagasy Region Roger Safford and Frank Hawkins. London, UK: Christopher Helm. 1,024 pp, 63 colour plates including one of extinct birds and 15 of vagrants, maps of vegetation, national parks and protected areas, species dis¬ tribution maps, tables and line drawings. ISBN (hardback, print) 978-0-7136-6532-1, (e-book) 978-1-4081-9049-4. UKE150. This final volume in the eight- volume Birds of Africa ( BoA ) series is a magnificent multi-authored work, scholarly, comprehensive and edited to a uniform standard of easy-on-the- eye, excellently presented texts. But before its praises are sung in detail, permit a historical digression. In the earlier, biennial, week-long BoA meetings at Academic Press, London, during a period when the original concept of a three-volume work gradually extended to seven volumes, the desirability of an eighth book on the avifauna of Madagascar and its associated islands was repeatedly discussed. Publication of the seven volumes (Brown et al. 1982, Fry et al. 1988, 2000, Fry & Keith 2004, Keith et al. 1992, Urban et al. 1986, 1997) was protracted over 22 years, and at the time when it was becoming increasingly apparent that 'Madagascar’ was quite beyond the capabilities of the BoA team as then constituted, the names and Malagasy researches of Roger Safford and Frank Flawkins were becoming increasingly well known. That was in the early 1990s. Safford and Hawkins were encouraged by Andy Richford of Academic Press to embark on what ultimately became a colossal enterprise, and soon 'Africa' and 'Madagascar' were proceeding along slightly different paths. BoA was traded to Christopher Helm in 2002; two years later BoA 7 (which its authors had by then come to think of as the final volume of the series: Fry et al. 2004) was published under Nigel Redman’s capable direction. At first sight BoA 8 is in the same companion format as vols. 1-7, the jacket with bird portraits against the familiar risen sun, the same fonts, spine and frontispiece logo. But the main text layout differs substantially from that of the rest of the series, as befits an avifauna that is so distinctively different from mainland Africa’s. Page height is 5 mm less than in BoA 1-7; the two columns of text per page have greater line width and spacing, and the distribution maps are presented differently (necessarily so, on account of the Malagasy region’s numerous far-flung islands and archipelagos). Endpapers are the shocking pink of the breasts of the mainland’s Carmine Bee-eaters Merops nubicus — much lovelier on the bird than in the book! It is no wonder that this tome has had such a long incubation period. It has evolved over a period of exponentially increasing interest in, and consequent knowledge of, the Malagasy region by visiting and home-grown birders, photographers, ornithologists and other specialists. Because of the unusually high degree of endemism and massive habitat destruction, the region is recognised as one of the world's critical biodiversity hotspots, and it has amongst the highest conservation priorities globally. Long and informative as the introductory sections are, a review of this remarkable region’s ornithological exploration is unfortunately missing. However, the geological history, geography, climate and vegetation are mapped and discussed at length, island by island: Madagascar, Seychelles, Comoros, Mascarenes, and the many 'outer islands’, rich in seabirds, in the Mozambique channel and 112 - Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Reviews east of Madagascar. We learn that the Seychelles micro-continent rifted from India c.64 million years ago (MYA) and that other islands are of volcanic or coralline origin. Separation of Seychelles and Madagascar from Africa started c. 160 MYA; the distance between Madagascar and Africa was reduced by falling sea levels 45-26 MYA. Avian biogeography and evolution are addressed at length, with plenty of tabulation. Of 254 resident Malagasy species (other than seabirds), the geographical origin of half can be safely inferred: 84 are from mainland Africa and 33 from Asia. The three vasa parrots Coracopsis are of Australasian origin and the three blue pigeons Alectroenas may be too. Of the two Malagasy families that have undergone classic radiation, the 21 species in 1 5 heterogeneous genera of the endemic vangas (Vangidae) are of either Asian or African provenance, and the 1 1 species in eight genera of the endemic tetrakas and similar ‘warblers’ (Bernieridae) originated in mainland Africa. Madagascar itself is endemic-rich but species- poor, the poverty discussed but ill-understood. Other endemic Malagasy families are mesites (Mesitornithidae), the beautiful ground rollers (Brachypteraciidae), Cuckoo-roller (Leptosomidae) and asities (Philepittidae), plus the extinct elephant birds (Aepyornithidae). What wonderful birds! What a magnificent book about them! Roger Safford and Frank Hawkins are the principal authors, editors and compilers of a compendium ‘based on the consolidated efforts and knowledge of field workers, scientists, birders and other observers’, no fewer than 58 of whom are co-authors. They have been given full reign to write species accounts at whatever length is needed to provide exhaustive details under the headings of Distribution (accompanied by large bicoloured range maps for the 382 regularly occurring species), Description (of every subspecies, with weights and measurements), General Habits, Food, Breeding Habits (as studied in the region, with some information from mainland Africa for shared birds), and an informative and up-to-date final section on Status and Conservation. The last four sections are particularly heavily referenced. The admirable colour plates, by John Gale and Brian Small, encompass 47 near the front of the book of regular occurring birds, with a 48th of extinct species, and a group of 15, of vagrants, near the end. All major plumages and distinctive subspecies of regular species are portrayed. Style is similar to the plates in Birds of the Western Palearctic and of another acclaimed work, the Handbook of the Birds of the World , with birds in profile, unidirectional, most images numbered, identified in a legend at the foot of the plate. It sometimes takes a moment to work out which is what — for instance, the eight images (seven numbered) of Yellow- bellied Neodrepanis hypoxantha and Common Sunbird-asities N. coruscans in Plate 34. I have found it helpful to enclose the various images of each species in pencil boundaries. It is good but sad to see the portraits of extinct birds in Plate 48, including four parrots, two starlings, two rails, two pigeons (the Dodo Raphus cucullatus of Mauritius and Solitaire Pezophaps solitaria of Rodrigues) and a huge elephant bird, one of 7-8 species of Mullerornis and giant Aepyornis , all of Madagascar. The reviewer is not conversant with Malagasy birds (apart from a 1976 visit to Seychelles and Jeff Watson’s Seychelles Kestrel Falco araeus project), and if there are any factual errors or questionable assertions in the book, he has failed to spot them. The work exudes authority in every sentence and is apparently quite free of the shortcomings of earlier BoAs (Fishpool 2001, Leonard & Demey 2006). To give a taste of species texts: in a five-page account the endemic White-throated Rail Dryolimnas cuvieri is ‘believed to be close to Lewinia of Australasia’, has a race throughout Madagascar lowland and up to 2,450 m and another on Aldabra which is flightless; sings in duet and also has a ‘solo song... of increasing loudness and complexity, continuing for up to 4 min’; forages ‘...while wading, turning stones and probing.. .sometimes submerging head’, kills crabs ‘with powerful blows from bill’, shakes geckos and skinks in its bill and beats them against the substrate, and ‘reportedly gleans ectoparasites from Aldabra Giant Tortoises [Aldabrachelys giganteaf ; does not have helpers- at-the-nest as formerly thought; has 12 ‘formal behavioural postures and displays’ which are described and illustrated with line drawings; and the Aldabra race is of much interest ‘as the last surviving flightless bird in the Malagasy region (many such species occurred on at least Mascarenes and Madagascar but are now extinct... overall density of 1.5 birds/ha in open scrub and 3 birds/ha in dense scrub’ with a total Aldabra population after birds reintroduced to Picard have ‘reached equilibrium, expected to be c. 13,500’. Finally, there are 92 pages of References to original scientific descriptions, Bibliography and Indexes. The bibliography cites no fewer than 1,340 references. What a monumental work. What a magnificent achievement, the authors, collaborators and publishers are to be warmly congratulated. C. H. Fry References Brown, L. H., Urban, E. K. & Newman, K. 1982. The Birds of Africa. Vol. 1. London, UK: Academic Press. Fishpool, L. D. C. 2001. Review of The Birds of Africa. Vol. 6. Bull. ABC 8: 142-143. Fry, C. H., Keith, S. & Urban, E. K. (eds.) 1988, 2000. The Birds of Africa. Vols. 3 and 6. London, UK: Academic Press. Fry, C.H. & Keith, S. (eds.) 2004. The Birds of Africa. Vol. 7. London, UK: Christopher Helm. Fry, C. H., Urban, E. K. & Woodcock, M. 2004. All The Birds of Africa. Bull. ABC 1 1: 59-66. Keith, S., Urban, E. K. & Fry, C. H. (eds.) 1992. The Birds of Africa. Reviews Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -113 Vol. 4. London, UK: Academic Press. Leonard, P. & Demey, R. 2006. Review of The Birds of Africa, Vol. 7. Bull. ABC 13: 231-233. Urban, E. K., Fry, C. H. & Keith, S. (eds.) 1986, 1997. The Birds of Africa. Vols. 2 and 5. London, UK: Academic Press. Oiseaux du Katanga / Birds of Katanga Michel Louette & Michel Hasson , 2011. Tervuren: Royal Museum for Central Africa. 404 pp, 400 colour photographs, four maps. Hardback. ISBN 978-9-0817-9400-8 (French edition); 978-9-0817-9401-5 (English edi¬ tion). €65.00 (RMCA) / UK£ 65.00 (NHBS) Lying in the heart of the continent, the Democratic Republic of Congo, or Congo-Kinshasa, Africa’s largest country, has a rich avifauna comprising some 1,100 species. Of these, 693 have been recorded in south-easternmost Katanga province, among them some local forms of ‘masked’ weavers, variously treated as distinct species or subspecies. Although many contributions on its avifauna have been published, mostly during the 20th century, a handbook or atlas that synthesises and updates the ornithology of this diverse area is still lacking. Having resided in the country many years ago (RD) and in Katanga for the last four years (NV), we thus eagerly anticipated the publication of this work. Does it live up to our expectations? It is a large (21 x 30 cm) hardback lavishly illustrated with colour photographs but with comparatively limited text. At first sight, it therefore looks more like a coffee-table book. The introductory part of 30 pages includes brief notes on geography, climate, vegetation types, ecology and biogeography, illustrated with 23 photographs of different habitats. A short history of ornithology in Katanga, based mainly on Schouteden (1971), outlines various historical collecting expeditions and other observations dating back to the late 19th century. The main body of the book deals in systematic order with du Katanga those bird species occurring in the province. For each family a list of species reliably recorded in Katanga is given, with occasional notes on rejected species and vagrants or species with few records. Also mentioned are species that may occur, typically based on Dowsett et alls (2008) excellent work on the birds of neighbouring Zambia. Species accounts then provide information on distribution and status, ecology, breeding, movements and, where relevant, conservation concerns. Curiously, only those species illustrated by photographs, mostly taken by the second author, are given an individual account. This results in some families being relatively better treated than others. For example, both jacana species receive an individual account, each illustrated with two large photographs, totalling four pages. In contrast, of the 12 falcon species occurring in Katanga, only two are treated individually, each with a single photograph, the whole family Falconidae thus receiving just two pages. This is disappointing, especially as a large proportion of the scarcer and arguably more interesting species are not covered. It would have been interesting to learn more about Black-necked Eremomela Eremomela atricollis, Margaret’s Batis Batis margaritae and Chestnut-mantled Sparrow Weaver Plocepasser rufoscapulatus , to name but a few, but these have been left without an account, whilst many common and widespread species get one. It seems that the choice to include individual species accounts has been dictated principally by the availability of photographs taken by the second author. Fortunately, these have all been taken in the field and depict free-living birds, unlike those in Lippens & Wille (1976), which are from trapped birds in unnatural poses. Species are illustrated by up to four photographs of generally good quality, although some are rather poor ‘record shots’. The information given in the species accounts varies in extent and, although generally useful, is nowhere as detailed and precise as in Dowsett et al. (2008). The absence of detailed accounts for all species is the main disappointment concerning this work. Distribution maps would also have been welcome. The Royal Museum for Central Africa, publisher of the book, possesses >14,000 bird specimens from Katanga (Schouteden 1971), which could have provided data for the production of these. However, despite its shortcomings, this is an important volume for anyone with a keen interest in the birds of Katanga. In their acknowledgements the authors state that the decision to produce a colourful, well-illustrated book (made possible via sponsorship) was deliberately made to attract a wider public. We hope they’ll succeed in their aim and that the book will represent the first step towards a comprehensive atlas and handbook of this under-explored region. Nigel Voaden & Ron Demey References Dowsett, R. J., Aspinwall, D. R. & Dowsett-Lemaire, F. 2008. The Birds of Zambia: An Atlas and Handbook. Liege: Tauraco Press & Aves. Lippens, L. & Wille, H. 1976. Les Oiseaux du Zaire. Tielt: Lannoo. Schouteden, H. 1971. La Faune ornithologique de la Province du Katanga. Tervuren: Mus. Roy. Afr. Centr., Ser. Doc. Zool. no. 17. 114- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Reviews Obituaries Alexander (Alec) David Forbes-Watson: 1935-2013 Born at Wylam in Northumberland, UK, on 26 February 1935, Alec came to Kenya as a child and spent much of his early years at the family home first at Kitale, and later at Ruiru near Thika. He was educated at the Prince of Wales School in Nairobi and, following a short period of military service with the Kenya Regiment, he spent four years at the University of Cape Town. His interest in birds started as a very young boy and was greatly influenced by such well-known ornithologists as Charles Belcher, Myles North, John Williams and Leslie Brown. On his return from Cape Town in 1959, Alec joined the Kenya Game Department and for the next four years to 1963 was stationed at Kapenguria near Kitale, and at Kilgoris in the Trans-Mara District of south-west Kenya. In late 1966 he was fortunate to follow in John Williams’ footsteps as head of the Ornithology Department at the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi where he and his trusted assistant Joseph Mwaki added several hundred important specimens to the Nairobi collection, which at the time was on a par with those in the Bulawayo and Durban museums as important repositories of Afrotropical bird specimens. Alec’s reputation as an extraordinary ornithologist was recognised by everyone who came in contact with him, particularly those of us who spent time with him in the field. From March 1964 to February 1966 he made a series of collections for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, the most notable of which was his 1964 Socotra collection that included the discovery of Apus berliozi , described and named Forbes-Watson’s Swift by Dillon Ripley in 1966. Later, while still working for the Smithsonian on the Kenya coast in January 1966, Alec collected two additional swifts flying over Gedi Forest near Malindi, described by Richard Brooke as a new subspecies {A. b. bensoni) of his Socotra birds. The following year (1967) he was engaged by the Mount Nimba Research Committee to make a collection of birds from the Nimba region of northern Liberia. During his two years there (May Alec Forbes-Watson at the sixth Pan-African Ornithological Congress, Botswana, 1985 (John Ledger) 1967-December 1968 and January-April 1971) Alec made one of the most important collections ol birds from a hitherto little-known area of West Africa, including the discovery of Nimba Flycatcher Melaenornis annamnrulae , which he described and named after his wife Anna in 1970. On his return from Nimba, Alec soon turned his attention to the birds of Madagascar and the Malagasy region, and for the next few years he and I made several visits to the Comores, Seychelles, Madagascar, Reunion and Mauritius, while in 1976 we were able to resuscitate the Pan African Ornithological Congresses (PAOC) with a very successful and well-attended fourth PAOC in the Seychelles. By the time of PAOC5 in Lilongwe, Malawi, in 1980 and PAOC6 in Francistown, Botswana, in 1985, Alec was one of only a handful of individuals fortunate to have attended all of these gatherings up to that time, such was his passion for Africa and its unparalleled birdlife. Later, in 1993, he co-authored with Bob Dowsett a Checklist of the Birds of the Afrotropical and Malagasy Regions. During a visit to Tsavo West National Park in November 1969, Alec noticed that large numbers Obituaries Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) -115 c of Palearctic migrant birds were attracted to the floodlights of Ngulia Lodge, and so alerted Daphne & Graeme Backhurst, Hazel & Peter Britton and David Pearson, all experienced ringers, to witness for themselves the opportunity to ring hundreds of migrants on their southward passage. This phenomenon has now been studied in some detail, and since the mid 1970s huge numbers of migrants have been ringed annually by both local and overseas ringers, while the Ngulia Ringing Group, now in its 37th year of operation, has ringed well over 300,000 birds to date, all due in part to Alec’s timely observations back in 1969. With a long outstanding commitment to write up his field work at Mount Nimba, Alec resigned his position at the National Museums of Kenya and in 1978 sent his collection to the British Museum where Peter Colston and Kai Curry- Lindahl were able to start work on the entire Mt Nimba collection. After several delays the report itself ( The Birds of Mount Nimba, Liberia ) was finally published by the British Museum (Natural History) in 1986. In 1979 Aiec traveled to the USA where long¬ time friend and colleague Frank Gill arranged for him to work on the VIREO photographic project at the Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia. Alec remained in the USA for a few years before going to England in 1983, then back to the USA in 1983-86. He returned to East Africa in 1988 and from 1990-92 participated in bird surveys of several Uganda Forest Reserves under the auspices of the IUCN Tropical Forest Programme. However, his health was deteriorating badly and, following a minor stroke, he was forced to move into the Nanyuki Cottage Hospital in 2003 where, under excellent medical supervision and care, he remained until his death on 16 September 2013. Alec’s commitment to African birds and his enthusiasm for birding was palpable at all times. He was also a talented artist and some of his many line drawings adorned the book Oh Quagga published in 1983 by Ian Parker and Alan Root. He was constantly the life and soul of many parties and impromptu get-togethers, so much so that he will be fondly remembered by many friends and colleagues in the USA, the UK, as well as in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and several other African countries as a fount of knowledge on not only birds, but on all aspects of natural history. With no surviving next of kin, his two brothers having been killed under tragic circumstances several years earlier, Alec Forbes-Watson, an extraordinarily talented individual, will be long- remembered by many of us who were so fortunate to know him as a true friend and colleague. Don Turner This obituary was first published in Bull. Br. Ornithol. Cl. 133: 254-255 and is reproduced here with kind permission of the author and the British Ornithologists’ Club. Bob Sharland: 1917-2013 Bob Sharland’s death in England on 28 June 2013, at the impressive age of 95, ended a close association with Nigerian ornithology that had lasted 64 years. During this time he aided and encouraged many researchers, was active in the Held himself, published his findings, and was a pillar of the Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society (later the West African Ornithological Society, WAOS). His 90th birthday had been celebrated with a dedicated issue of the latter’s journal Malimbus in 2008. Robert Edgar Sharland was born on 17 December 1917 at Bournemouth, Hampshire, where his father was a dental surgeon. After war service in the Indian Army (he held the rank of Captain and was awarded the Burma Star), Bob completed his training as an accountant. Wishing to work overseas, in about 1949 he took employment with the United Africa Company’s Nigerian Oil Mills, and was initially based in Lagos, then, soon after, Jos. He very quickly took an active interest in the Nigerian avifauna, and his first discovery of importance occurred in 1951, when he found a completely new population of Long-billed Pipits Anthus similis on the Jos Plateau; a specimen that he collected on 20 September 1951 became the type of the subspecies, josensis. The date of this discovery has repeatedly been cited as 1957 (e.g. The Birds of Nigeria, 1994), but this is wrong, and the specimen was registered 116- Bull ABC Vol 21 No 1 (2014) Obituaries in 1952 at the British Museum. Bob was not a systematic collector, but he knew when it was advisable to obtain a specimen. Also on the Jos Plateau, in August 1952 he shot the hirst Nigerian Three-handed Plover Charadrius tricollaris , and on 8 October 1958 he discovered, and collected a specimen of, the very isolated population of Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea that has since been found to be resident there. Most of Bob’s observations were made with binoculars and (from the late 1950s) using mist- nets as a ringer. Other species that he found for the first time in Nigeria were Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum (caught at Kano on 22 October 1971) and Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris (obtained from a hunter at Nguru on 27 December 1977). The first of these was the result of his intensive ringing activity, the second of his pioneering monitoring of the exceptionally important northern Nigerian wetlands, for the International Wildfowl Research Bureau. It is impossible to know the number of birds ringed in Nigeria by Bob, but for many years he was the only ringer in the country. In 1959-60 he was at Calabar, where his ringing of Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica produced nine foreign recoveries; in Kano from I960 into the early 70s, Bob was even more successful with his main target species, Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava, producing no fewer than 45 recoveries abroad. Bob Sharland did more than go about his own birding, he was convinced that collaboration was essential, especially in a country as large and little known as Nigeria. He was in close touch with other resident field ornithologists of the time, notably Leslie Brown, John Elgood, Hilary Fry, Stephen Marchant and William Serle. In 1964 he and John Elgood started the Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society, whose Bulletin was to become an invaluable repository of knowledge of Nigerian birds. Visiting researchers were always warmly welcomed by Bob and accommodated (helped by his wife Jane). Moreover, they were willingly driven wherever necessary in the field, whether it be to the Nguru wetlands for waterfowl, or the local borrow pits for wagtail ringing. His car, if I remember rightly, was a Citroen DS (the still, famous ‘deesse’), and with its hydro-pneumatic self-levelling suspension and Bob driving, who needed four-wheel drive? I particularly appreciated the hospitality and help I received from the Bob Sharland at Kagoro, Nigeria, 1985: left to right, Roger Wilkinson, Gus Ezealor, Bob Sharland and Roger Beecroft (Roger Wilkinson) Sharlands when I arrived at Kano in 1968 to join the British Ornithologists’ Union expedition at Lake Chad, where I spent the best part of a year, and where my vehicle and I were kept running thanks to Bob’s numerous contacts. For more than 40 years Bob was treasurer and / or secretary of WAOS; he ceased to be resident in Nigeria in 1982, but continued in office until 2009(!), and he was also active in the Nigerian Field Society. Bob published more than 80 articles and notes, including (as co-author) the book The Birds of Nigeria (Elgood et al. 1994), a review of Palearctic migrants in Nigeria {Ibis 108: 84-116, 1966), the birds of Kano State (. Malimbus 3: 7-30, 1981) and of Nindam Forest, Kagoro {Malimbus 8: 2-20, 1986). In the obituary that Bob wrote of that other pillar of Nigerian ornithology, John Elgood {Bull. ABC 7: 50, 2000), he ended with ‘we have all lost a great friend’. We can say the same of that tall, lean, often rather diffident figure that was Bob Sharland. Further memories of Bob appear in Malimbus (2008, 2013). Bob leaves behind Jane, and their children Peter and Philippa. I am grateful for additional information (and the photograph) from Roger Wilkinson. Robert J. Dowsett Obituaries Bull ABC Mol 21 No 1 (2014) -117 EXCEPTIONAL BIDDING WORLD CLASS LEADERS UNBEATABLE PRICES JOIN ASHANTI AFRICAN TOURS ON ONE OF THEIR SCHEDULED YEAR ROUND DEPARTURES, ALTERNATIVELY ALLOW THEIR EXPERT TEAM TO DESIGN BESPOKE TOURS FOR INDIVIDUALS Sponsor AND SMALL GROUPS. fifrican Bird Club Gold Corporate Sponsor LOCATION GNTC Building, Commercial Street, Kingsway; Cape Coast, Ghana. CONTACT US: Email - info@ashantiafricantours.com Website - www.ashantiafricantours.com Tel -+233(0)332131679 Mobile- +233(0)541 1 51282 118- Bull ABC Mol 21 No 1 (2014) Advertisement uvemiir m, --*• ' Jjjll Birding info@birdingecotours.co.za www.birdingecotours.co.za Advertisement Bull ABC Vol21 No 1 (2014) -119 AFRICA Your Dream - Our Passion Specialising in bespoke safaris to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia and Madagascar. Fully bonded ATOL (3783) & ABTOT / Member of AITO Safari Consultants Ltd. Tel: +44(0)1787 888590 Email: info@safariconsultantuk.com Web: safari-consultants.com The Bulletin of the African Bird Club welcomes original contributions on all aspects of the birds of Africa, here defined as the area covered by Collar, N. J. & Stuart, S. N. 1985. Threatened Birds of Africa and Related Islands: The ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book. Cambridge, UK: International Council for Bird Preservation, namely continental Africa, Indian Ocean islands west of 80°E, e.g. Madagascar, the Mascarene Islands and Socotra; Atlantic Ocean islands on or east of the mid-Atlantic ridge, e.g. the Tristan da Cunha group, the Azores and the Canaries. Contributions will Notes for Contributors be accepted subject to editing and refereeing by independent reviewers, where appropriate. The Editorial Team will be happy to advise authors on the acceptability ol material at draff stage if desired. Submissions Submissions are accepted in English or French and should be sent by e-mail to editor@africanbirdclub.org. All submissions are acknowledged. French summaries are required for all papers published in English, and vice versa. Those submitting papers should supply a summary for translation into English, or French, as appropriate. Unless a sketch map is provided as part of the article, place names should follow those on standard or readily available maps (preferably a recent edition of The Times Atlas of the World). Style Authors are requested to follow conventions used in the Bulletin of the African Bird Club and to refer to a recent issue for guidance. A detailed stvle °;uide can be obtained on request from the Editor. Typesetting and layout by Alcedo Publishing, Arizona, USA • e-mail engli@sufficio.org Colour repro & print production by Swallowtail Print of Norwich, UK • FSC accredited • tel +44 (0)1603 868-862 • e-mail info@swallowtailprint.co.uk sO MIX Paper from responsible sources FSC wwvfsc.org FSC* * Cl 13523 Ascension Island: John Hughes, The Old Shop, High Street, Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire SP9 7UE, UK. E-mail: rasuk@btconnect.com Angola: Pedro de Franca Doria vaz Pinto, Rua Helder Neto 12, 7°A; Luanda. E-mail: pvpinto@clix.pt Australia: K. David Bishop, PO Box 1234, Armidale, NSW 2350. E-mail: kdbishop@ozemail.com.au Austria: Graham Tebb, Graf Starhemberggasse 20/14, 1040 Vienna. E-mail: graham.tebb@gmail.com Botswana: Chris Brewster, PO Box 26292, Gaborone. E-mail: cbrewster@botsnet.bw Cameroon: Dr Taku Awa 11, Cameroon Biodiversity Conservation Society (CBCS), PO Box 3055, Messa, Yaounde. E-mail: takuawa@yahoo.co.uk Canada: Antonio Salvadori, 17 Colborn Street, Guelph, Ontario. NlG 2M4. E-mail: Salvadori@rogers.com Canary Islands/Spain: Ruben Barone Tosco, C/. Eduardo do Zamacois, 13-13A edificio Ipanema, 38005 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife, Canary Islands. E-mail: makaronesia68@yahoo.es Denmark: Uffe Gjol Sorensen, Ovengaden Oven Vandet 68,2, 1415 Copenhagen. E-mail: contact@ ugsorensen.dk Democratic Republic of Congo: Byamana Robert Kizungu, Head of Ornithology Laboratory, CRSN- Lwiro, DRC, BP02 Cyangugu, Rwanda. E-mail: kbyamana@yahoo.com Djibouti: Houssein A. Rayaleh, Executive Secretary, Djibouti Nature / BirdLife in Djibouti, PO Box 3088, Djibouti, Djibouti. E-mail: naturedjibouti@ gmail.com Egypt: Sherif Baha El Din, 2 Abdalla El Katib St. Apt. 3, Dokki, Cairo. Tel/Fax: 3608160. E-mail: egyptcalling@yahoo.com Eritrea: Russom Teklay, do Andeberhan Teklay, PFDJ, zone: Maekel, sub-zone: south east, PO Box 4618, Asmara. E-mail russotek79@yahoo.com Ethiopia: Mengistu Wondafrash, Ethiopian Wildlife & Natural History Society, PO Box 13303, Addis Ababa. E-mail: m.wondafrash@ewnhs.org.et France: Bob & Fran^oise Dowsett, Le Pouget, Sumene, F30440. E-mail: Dowsett@aol.com Finland: Annika Forsten, Tornvalksv. 2 bst 15, 02620 Esbo. E-mail: annika.forsten@elisanet.fi The Gambia: Solomon Jallow, do WABSA, Department of Parks & Wildlife, Management HQ, Abuko Nature Reserve, Abuko, PMB 676 SI K. E-mail: habitatafrica@hotmail.com Ghana: Samuel Kofi Nyame, PO Box KIA 30284, Airport, Accra. E-mail: samknyame02@yahoo.com Supported and Affiliated Membership The Supporting Members scheme is a key part of the Club’s strategy of encouraging the spread of knowledge and understanding of birds as widely as possible throughout Africa. The scheme enables Africans who would not otherwise have the resources to join, to become members of the Club. The scheme is funded by Supporting Members who pay a minimum of UK£30 to cover their own membership and the subscription of at least one African member. The money they contribute over and above their own subscription is placed in a special fund that is used to cover the membership expenses of African members whom they may have nominated, or who have been nominated by other Club members. Although we have suggested a minimum of UK£30 to become a Supporting Member, any contribution is welcome. All members of the Club, even if they do not feel able to become Supporting Members themselves, are invited to nominate candidates for supported memberships. Candidates should be nationals of an African country, with a genuine interest in wild birds but without the resources to become members in their own right. Africans who think they may qualify are very welcome to put their own ABC Representatives Italy: Giuseppe Micali, Via VoLterra 3, Milano, MI 1-20146. E-mail: giuseppe.micali@bms.com Kenya: George Were Eshiamwata, Dept, of Natural Resources Faculty of Environment & Resource Development, Egerton University, Njoro Campus, PO Box 536-20115 Egerton. E-mail: eshiamwatagw@ yahoo.co.uk Liberia: Moses A. Massah, Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia, Monrovia Zoo, PO Box 2628, Monrovia. E-mail: mosesmassah@ yahoo.com Libya: Abdulmaula A. Hamza, Head, Marine Conservation, Nature Conservation Dept., Environment General Authority EGA, Box 13793 Tripoli. E-mail: abdhamza@gmail.com Madagascar: julien Ramanampamonjy, Section Oiseaux, PBZT, BP 4096, 101 Antananarivo. E-mail: julien_asity@mel.moov.mg (mark FAO: Julien Ramanampamonjy). Malawi: Tiwonge Gawa, PO Box 31277, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi. E-mail: birdsmalawi@gmail.com Mali: Mary Crickmore, Bamako Bird Club, do Mary Crickmore, Mission Protestante au Sahel, BP 2210, Bamako. E-mail: marycrickmore@compuserve.com Namibia: Tim Osborne, PO Box 22, Okaukuejo, vis Outjo 9000. E-mail: kori@iway.na Nigeria: Phil Hall, A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, Jos. E-mail: philhall.obe@ btinternet.com Rwanda: Marcell Claassen, Elegantafrica, PO Box 181, Musanze. E-mail: marcell@elegantafrica.com Senegal: Moussa Sega Diop, 191, Cite SICA de MBAO, BP 20077 Dakar Thiaroye, Senegal. E-mails: mousediop@yahoo.fr / msediop@gmail.com Seychelles: Adrian Skerrett, Shipping House, PO Box 336, Victoria, Mahe. Fax: 380538. E-mail: maheship@seychelles.net or adrian@skerrett.fsnet. co.uk Somaliland/Somalia: Abdi Jama, do Guelle Osman Guelle, PO Box 239, Djibouti City, Republic of Djibouti. E-mail: abdi.jama@ymail.com South Africa: Adam Riley, Managing Director, Rockjumper Birding Tours, PO Box 13972, Cascades 3202. E-mail: adamprivate@rockjumperbirding.com Swaziland: Dr Ara Monadjem, UNISWA, P/Bag 4, Kwaluseni. E-mail: ara@uniswacc.uniswa.sz Tanzania: Lota Melamari, CEO/Coordinator, Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania, Garden Avenue, Plot 39; PO Box 70919, Dar es Salaam. E-mail: melamarilota@yahoo.co.uk names forward, supported by a letter of recom¬ mendation from someone such as their employer, teacher or an officeholder in a local wildlife organisation. The scheme now also includes clubs who wish to be affiliated with the African Bird Club in African countries where it is difficult for local individuals to become members in their own right. Clubs accepted for membership under the scheme receive up to six copies of each issue of the bulletin for circulation among their members. Instead of paying a membership fee, Clubs are asked to provide a short annual report on their activities that may be published in the bulletin. Clubs interested in becoming Affiliated Member Clubs are invited to apply to the ABC Secretary giving details of their membership, their constitution or a statement of their objectives and conditions of their membership, and their activities to date. ABC Information Service ABC offers a service to help members with information requests. Perhaps you are planning a trip to Africa and need local advice, or maybe you are in search of an obscure fact about an African species. The Club does not guarantee Tunisia: Hichem Azafzaf, 1 1 rue Abou el alia el maari, Cite el houda, 2080 Ariana. E-mail: azafzaf@gnet.tn Uganda: Prof. Derek Pomeroy, Makerere University Institute of the Environment and Natural Resources, PO Box 7298, Kampala. E-mail: derek@imul.com USA: Kurt Leuschner, 70065 Sonora Road #267, Mountain Centre, CA 92561. E-mail: kleuschner@ collegeofthedesert.edu Zimbabwe: The Executive Officer, BirdLife Zimbabwe, PO Box RVL100, Runiville, Harare. E-mail: birds@zol.co.zw The ABC Representatives scheme aims to support existing members by providing a local point of contact in their region, for example, to answer queries to the Club, to solicit submissions for the bulletin, and possibly to arrange local meetings for members. Existing ABC members can contact their local Representative in the first instance with queries relating to the Club. ABC Representatives help to recruit new members in their region, for example, by distributing posters and arranging local advertising. In Africa, ABC Representatives help to identify opportunities to invest the ABC Conservation Fund and candidates for the Supported Membership scheme. The Club aims to appoint many further ABC Representatives. If you are interested in supporting and promoting the Club in your region, have any queries, or require further information relating to the ABC Representatives scheme please do not hesitate to contact the Membership Secretary at the Club address, e-mail membership@africanbirdcl ub.org. ABC is seeking Country Representatives in the following countries, principally within the Club’s region: Algeria, Azores, Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros & Mayotte, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Madeira, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, Niger, Reunion, Rodriguez, Sao Tome & Principe, Sierra Leone, Socorra, Somalia, St Helena, Sudan, Togo, Tristan da Cunha and Zambia. to find all the answers but will try to help. The service is free to ABC members. Contact: Keith Betton, who is also custodian of ABC’s journal library, at 8 Dukes Close, Folly Hill, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 ODR, UK. Tel: +44 1252 724068. E-mail: info@africanbirdclub.org. AfricanBirding e-mail discussion list Launched, in October 2000, by the ABC and the Pan-African Ornithological Congress, AfricanBirding or AB, as it is known, has become a useful forum for those interested in African birds. To join the discussion, which averages 1-2 messages a day, send a blank e-mail to AfricanBirding-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. You will then receive an e-mail instructing you how to join. The Club also maintains a list of members’ e-mail addresses. This list is confidential and used only for Club purposes, e.g. for informing members of upcoming events and news concerning the Club. It is not divulged to anybody outside the Club or used for commercial advertising. At present it includes addresses for about 50% of the membership. Please send any additions or amendments to the Membership Secretary: membership@africanbirdclub.org.