Avifaunal Specialist Report: 2006 4x4 Eco-challenge Finals

The route followed during the 2006 4x4 Eco-challenge finals traversed some of the least-surveyed areas in southern Africa from an avifaunal perspective. With the exception of Vincent Parker, who conducted surveys for the Atlas of the Birds of Moçambique in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, the area is relatively un-explored in this regard, especially the inland areas along the Save River as well as the Zinave- and Banhine National Parks. A total number of 271 species of birds were recorded during the 4x4 Eco-challenge Finals. Some of the birding highlights along the route were as follows:

• Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, Gauteng
Upon our departure, the convoy was seen off by a spectacular display of a large group (70+) of endemic Cape Vultures circling above the vulture restaurant on the Reserve. The same spectacle also greeted us on the last day of the event.

• Kudu Lily Camp
Despite the late arrival and pitching camp after dark, we could hear nocturnal birds such as White-faced Scops Owl and Fiery-necked Nightjar calling. The light rain overnight and low mist in the early morning did not dampen the birds’ spirits as they were quite vocal in the early morning. Species such as Gorgeous Bush Shrike, Purple-crested Touraco, Sombre Bulbul and Southern Boubou were quickly added to the list. Intra-African migrants such as Lesser Striped Swallows and Paradise Flycatcher also were a clear indication that summer will be here soon.

• Route from Nelspruit to Paradise Magoo via Maputo
Although birding in a convoy traveling at +100km/h is not always ideal, we still managed to notch up quite a few species en route to our first extended camp at Paradise Magoo’s. The coastal plains with its extensive waterways, pans and floodplains produced quite good birds with species such as Brown-throated Weaver and Rufous-winged Cisticola being observed in the wetland along the road while waiting to pass through the toll-gate in Maputo.
Species recorded on the floodplains north-east of Maputo towards Xai-Xai include Collared Pratincole hunting for insects above the road and several flocks of Spur-winged Goose.

• Paradise Magoo
The substantial patch of dune forest tucked into the lee of the high dunes at Paradise Magoo provided some excitement in the form of specials such as Green Malkoha, Woodward’s Batis, Brown Robin, Grey Sunbird, Eastern Olive Sunbird and Livingstone’s Touraco. The sizeable pans and the short grass on their fringes towards the main road could not be thoroughly explored, but look rather promising for species such as Pygmy Goose, Whitebacked Duck and Rosy-throated Longclaw. Despite the strong on-shore wind, no seabirds were recorded from the beach at Paradise Magoo. Of interest upon our departure was a Malachite Kingfisher perching on mealie plants standing in shallow water right next to a settlement. It dived on several occasions, probably feeding on tadpoles trapped in the small, shallow pool in the mealie field. Imagine having to add mealie fields to the list of habitats frequented by this species!

• Route to Bat Caves near Inhassoro
The condition of the road in some areas along the route was not conducive to birding as we rather used all our eyes to focus on dodging potholes along some stretches! It was also a pity that time did not allow a visit to the Miombo Woodlands outside Panda which is the only known locality for the Olive-headed Weaver in southern Africa. There were however some very promising habitats that we passed through that would have been very interesting to explore, such as the extensive stands of baobabs, floodplains and miombo woodland north of Massinga. Of interest along the route was the only sighting of Mascarene Martin on the trip at Mavanza.

• Bat Caves and adjacent woodland
The colony of bats at Bat Cave shows good potential for the presence of Bat Hawk in the area, but we were unable to confirm this species’ presence during our brief stay here. Early morning birding in the woodland around the caves produced a great diversity of species including Lizard Buzzard, Pale Batis, Yellowbellied Eremomela, Yellowfronted Tinkerbird and Redheaded Weaver, the latter in breeding plumage. This site also produced the first Bateleur and Wahlberg’s Eagle of the trip. It was however quite unsettling to see the remains of several 1000+ year old leadwood trees that were cut down for the main trunks with the remainder of the crown and side branches left unused in the veld. The rate of harvest of these hardwood trees does not seem to be sustainable in this area.

• Inhassoro, BD Lodge and Paradise Island
This site will be remembered for two pelagic species that breed on the Indian Ocean islands to the east and that seldom venture close inshore. Both the Greater Frigatebird and Brown Booby were seen during the dhow race between BD point and Paradise Island. Other birding highlights included an Osprey flying along the beach on our approach to BD point. The same bird was also seen later in the mangroves during a boat-trip up the river from BD Lodge. This trip also yielded the first African Fish Eagle of the trip and produced a variety of waders including Marsh Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Curlew Sandpiper and numerous Whimbrel. Although we tried to locate Mangrove Kingfisher and Collared Palm Thrush in the channel and palms at BD Lodge we were unable to locate these species. Lodge management however assures us that these species are regularly recorded here. In summer, Madagascar Bee-eater is apparently also common here. Of particular note were the Mozambique Nightjars roosting in the dune vegetation and foraging along the beach at first light.

• Route to Save River and Zinave National Park
A variety of promising birding habitats were identified along this route, which included a one night stop over in very attractive woodland where we were able to fit in an hour or so of birding in the early morning. Large areas of Sand Forest are likely to hold species such as Grey Wagtail, Crested Guineafowl, Green- and Pink-throated Twinspot while the extensive stands of tall Mopane must maintain good populations of Arnott’s Chat. Miombo woodland is well-represented and a host of species associated with this habitat should be encountered in this habitat including Racket-tailed Roller, Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike, Mashona Hyliota and Violet-backed Sunbird. Unfortunately, there was little time to sufficiently bird these habitats along the route.

The single morning’s birding at our overnight stop yielded sightings of Grey-headed Parrot, Bennett’s Woodpecker, Retz’s Helmetshrike, Pale Batis and many other typical woodland species. Of particular interest was a Greater Honeyguide male that attempted to lure us to a hive with its typical “come hither” chattering. Several raptor species were recorded along the way including at least 12 records of Bateleur, sightings of Brown- and Black-chested Snake Eagle, Wahlberg’s- and Martial Eagle. A small group of White-backed Vultures were seen upon our arrival at the Save River.

• Save River and surrounds
The Save River and environs shows great potential as a birding venue with good species and habitat diversity and the quality of birding that rivals that along any of the Kruger National Park’s river systems. The wide, sandy river bed is reminiscent of many of the larger rivers in Kruger and also contains good numbers of species such as Saddle-billed Stork (at least 3 pairs in the vicinity of our camp), Woolly-necked Stork, White-crowned Lapwing, Goliath Heron, White-fronted Plover and Collared Pratincole. Spur-winged Geese were present along the river in large flocks. Waders were well-represented, including a single Bar-tailed Godwit that came and foraged quite close to the vehicles during one of the river crossings. The riverine woodland along the banks contained a wide variety of woodland species and was quite productive from a ringing perspective (see later).

Another highlight in this area was the large pan, discovered by some of the contestants about 1,5km south of the river near the village of Matata. A visit to the pan, that stretches for over a kilometer and consists mostly of inundated short grass, water-lilies and sedges, produced more than 40 species in under an hour. Lesser- and African Jacana were both common with the young of the latter requiring careful study to distinguish the Lesser’s from them. The pan contained large flocks of White-faced- and Comb Duck and also produced the only Open-billed Stork, Purple Heron and African Crake of the trip. The pan is well worth a visit on its own in future.

• Route from Save to Mapai, Pafuri and Twanana
Travelling from the Save River to Twanana in the Kruger National Park required two consecutive days of driving for 10 hours or more with limited opportunities for birding. However, the few stops along the way were used to notch up a few more species and any raptors or other large birds noticed in flight were recorded. A stop for lunch in a patch of miombo woodland at midday did not produce a great variety of birds, but Eastern Bearded Scrub Robin in the undergrowth along the road was a new addition to the list. A very obliging immature African Harrier Hawk (Gymnogene) provided great views for everyone in the convoy. The overnight campsite in a small patch of miombo also produced an excellent sighting of Spotted Eagle Owl, but the early departure next morning prevented the opportunity for substantial birding at this site. The last leg to the border post at Pafuri was memorable for the first sightings of African Goshawk and White-crowned Shrike.

Once we crossed the border at Pafuri, a short drive along the very scenic Luvhuvhu River produced a few of the very special species that this area of the Kruger National Park is renowned for. Meeve’s Long-tailed Starling, Yellow White-eye and Tropical Boubou were recorded as new additions to the list. The re-fuelling and re-stocking stop at Punda Maria will be remembered for the Weeping Boerbean in full flower in front of the shop that had over 30 sunbirds of a variety of species making use of the nectar that it had on offer. The trip in the early evening to Twanana rewarded us with our first views of Marsh Owl, Spotted Thick-knee and Bronze-winged Courser.

• Twanana, Mopane and Kumane School
Although the focus at Twanana was mostly on the catching, ringing and release of birds, there was also ample time to add new species to the trip list. The Pioneer Dam and well-watered mopane woodland produced a good variety of species with Green-backed Heron, Giant- and Pied Kingfisher, Great White Egret, Goliath Heron, African Fish Eagle and African Pied Wagtail being particularly noticeable along the water. An exciting species to add to the list was a female Painted Snipe feeding in a shallow pool along the access road to Mopane camp and shown to us by Johann Oelofse’s wife, Jocelyn. A male was later flushed in the small backwater to the north of the camp.

The mopane woodland also produced a good variety of species with Grey-headed- and Orange-breasted Bush Shrike, Chinspot Batis, Bearded Woodpecker, Red-billed Oxpecker and Brown-headed Parrot being common. At night, we could hear Barn-, African Scops-, African Barred- and Pearlspotted Owl calling with Water Thick-knee, Fiery-necked- and Moçambique Nightjar also adding to the nighttime sounds. An exciting addition to the list was a Yellow-billed Oxpecker seen feeding on a cow in the village during the visit to the Kumane School.

• Return trip to the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve
The first leg of the trip through the Kruger National Park produced Martial Eagle and at least 2 pairs of Wahlberg’s Eagles that have returned from their migration to nest. A further highlights was the pair of Secretarybirds circling over the road between Mokopane and Modimolle.

• Capture, Ringing and Release of Birds on the trip
Participation in the 4x4 Eco-challenge provided the opportunity to catch, ring and release birds at Paradise Magoo, the Save River and Twanana in Kruger National Park. A total of 42 individual birds of 31 species were ringed at the three sites with at least 2 species that were caught in the mistnets adding to the trip species total. Ringing enabled close observation and discussion of a number of species with contestants who were able to obtain a new perspective of the region’s avifauna in this manner. Species such as Tambourine Dove, Little Bee-eater, African Scops Owl, African Barred Owl and Fiery-necked Nightjar that were ringed were of particular interest.

The reporting of a suspected Southern Giant Petrel that was washed ashore at Inhassoro and found by Stephan du Plessis, Fanie du Plessis’s son, was of particular interest as the bird was found to have been ringed with a metal ring from the British Trust for Ornithology. This indicates that the bird could have been ringed as far a-field as the Falklands, Prince Edward Island or even the Antarctic! In addition, the recovery of this species at Inhassoro is about 1000km north of the species’ normal distribution range in the Indian Ocean. The record has been reported to SAFRING and the BTO and we await feedback from them.

Conclusion

The 4x4 Eco-challenge most certainly provided an excellent opportunity to visit fairly poorly-known areas from a birding perspective and has created great interest in returning to these areas with a larger group to focus on and study the avifauna of the area in more detail. I would like to thank Gerhard Groenewald and his team from Klipbokkop, the contestants in the 4x4 Eco-challenge, the Sponsors, hosts, media and other scientists for their assistance and interest during the trip. Particular thanks is due to Johann Oelofse and Renier Balt for their company and assistance, we were not known as the Cuckoo’s Nest for nothing.

André Botha
Manager: Birds of Prey Working Group
Endangered Wildlife Trust
Johannesburg
Tel: 082 962 5725
E-mail: Andreb@ewt.org.za