Waterbird count on the Vaal Dam shows an abundance of many bird species

Date

12 February, 2015

More than 80 birding enthusiasts from across the country set out in 17 boats for the 12th Sasol BirdLife Vaaldam Coordinated Waterbird Count (CWAC) last weekend on the Vaal Dam.

The Animal Demography Unit (ADU) launched the CWAC project in 1992 as part South Africa’s commitment to international waterbird conservation. This is conducted through a programme of regular mid-summer and mid-winter censuses of waterbirds at a large number of South African wetlands. The Sasol Vaaldam CWAC last Sunday was the climax event of the ADU’s Citizen Science Week, dubbed the Summer Storm.

This Bird Count is arranged by BirdLife Vaaldam and sponsored by Sasol. A total of 13,098 waterbirds were counted, compared to last year’s total of 15,051. The most abundant species this year were the Blacksmith Lapwing with 3165 birds (1873 last year), followed by the Egyptian Goose with 1662 (2349 last year). The Vaal Dam is the stronghold in the interior of South Africa for two important waterbird species: the largest tern and the largest heron. 631 Caspian Terns were counted, a big increase on the 268 recorded last year. 103 Goliath Herons were spotted this year, close to last year’s total of 114.

Birdlife Vaaldam Chairman, Jerome Ainsley said, “With 12 years of data available, it starts to make sense to do a trend analysis, and establish which species are on increasing trajectories and which are decreasing. The Animal Demography Unit of the University of Cape Town will complete this analysis, and have it ready for presentation at the 2016 Sasol Vaaldam CWAC.”

Professor Les Underhill of the ADU adds that regular six-monthly counts are regarded as a minimum standard. “However, we do encourage counters to survey their wetlands on a more regular basis as this provides more accurate data. All the counts are conducted by volunteers; people and organisations with a passion for waterbird conservation. Currently, the project regularly monitors over 400 wetlands around the country, and curates waterbird data for over 600 sites.”

Sasol’s Group Sponsorship Manager, Richard Hughes said, “Sasol’s involvement in bird wildlife is focussed on environmental conservation and education, whilst also promoting birding as a pastime. The Sasol Vaaldam Bird Count is one of the largest and most successful citizen science programmes in South Africa, providing much needed data for waterbird conservation around the world.”

Ends

Total Stores	Division	Store Location	Address	Tel No
1	Relabelled	Salt River	29 Brickfield Road, Salt River, Cape Town	(021)4479913
2	Relabelled	Bellville	Shop 4, Corner Voortrekker Rd & Durban RD, Bellville	(021)9171860
3	Relabelled	Kenilworth	Unit number 3 access park, Chichester road, Kenilworth	(021)6714778,
4	Relabelled	Kuilsrivier	Shop 4 & 5 Access Park, Kuilsrivier	(021)9031294 061 287 3980
5	Relabelled	Mobeni	Cnr Grimsby & Leicester Rd, Mobeni, Durban	(031)4620540 W\House (031) 469 9409
6	Relabelled	Pier 14	21A Pier 14, Shopping Centre, Port Elizabeth	(041)4841575 083 5176 728
7	Relabelled	Marlboro	13 Sparten Crescent ,Marlboro , Ext 3 Johannesburg	(011) 262 0460
8	Relabelled	Soweto	Maponya Shop 200 2127 Chris hani Road, klipspruit ext5 Soweto	(011) 933 1023
9	Relabelled	Umlazi	Shop 155 Umlazi Mega City 50 Griffiths Mxenge Highway Umlazi	(031) 902 1325
10	Relabelled	Epping	10 Losack avenue , epping industrial	(021) 534 0401
1	BCWC	Kloof	Lifes on Kloof, 50 Kloof Street, Gardens ,Cape Town, shop G-15	(021) 422 1593 078 211 8051
2	BCWC	Canal Walk	Shop 619 Canal Walk , Century BLVD, Century City , Cape Town 7441	(021) 551 2891
3	BCWC	Monte Casino	Shop 80B Montecasino, No1 Monticasino Bouelvard Fourways , 2191 Magents	(011) 465 0438
4	BCWC	Menlyn	Shop UF 42 & 43 cnr atterbury road & lois avenue , menlo park , Pretoria	(012) 764 9600
5	BCWC	Balito	SHOP 608 LEONORA DRIVE,DOLPHIN COAST,BALLITO,4399	032 586 0242
6	BCWC	Rosebank	Shop GF08, The Zone, Rosebank mall, Oxford Street, Johannesburg	(011)268 1114
1	Magents	Canal Walk	Shop 08 , Century Blvd , Century City 7441	(021) 551 2533 JP CELL: 064 686 4026
2	Magents	Monte Casino	Shop 21 Montecasino, No1 Monticasino Bouelvard Fourways , 2191 Magents	(011) 465 6721 074 669 6310 073 804 4352 079 884 7607
3	Magents	Menlyn	MENLYN MALL , SHOP G190 CNR ATTERBURY ROAD & LOIS AVENUE,MENLO PARK,PRETORIA	(012) 348 4725 073 8677 468 - Sieya , kiley , OUPA, Micheal
4	Magents	Balito	SHOP 608 LEONORA DRIVE,DOLPHIN COAST,BALLITO,4399	061 521 7446 032 586 1467
1	WSA	Menlyn	MENLYN MALL ,LF41A CNR ATTERBURY ROAD & LOIS AVENUE,MENLO PARK,PRETORIA	Vicky - 078 816 1921 land line - 012 348 4766
6	BCWC	Rosebank	Shop GF08, The Zone, Rosebank mall, Oxford Street, Johannesburg	(011)268 1114
1	Magents	Canal Walk	Shop 08 , Century Blvd , Century City 7441	(021) 551 2533 JP CELL: 064 686 4026
2	Magents	Monte Casino	Shop 21 Montecasino, No1 Monticasino Bouelvard Fourways , 2191 Magents	(011) 465 6721 074 669 6310 073 804 4352 079 884 7607
3	Magents	Menlyn	MENLYN MALL , SHOP G190 CNR ATTERBURY ROAD & LOIS AVENUE,MENLO PARK,PRETORIA	(012) 348 4725 073 8677 468 - Sieya , kiley , OUPA, Micheal
4	Magents	Balito	SHOP 608 LEONORA DRIVE,DOLPHIN COAST,BALLITO,4399	061 521 7446 032 586 1467
1	WSA	Menlyn	MENLYN MALL ,LF41A CNR ATTERBURY ROAD & LOIS AVENUE,MENLO PARK,PRETORIA	Vicky - 078 816 1921 land line - 012 348 4766

Overview

Overview

Overview

Overview

Overview

Overview

Overview

Waterbird count on the Vaal Dam shows an abundance of many bird species

Waterbird count on the Vaal Dam shows an abundance of many bird species