The Animal Demography Unit (ADU) launched the Coordinated Waterbird Counts (CWAC) project in 1992 as part South Africa’s commitment to International waterbird conservation. This is being done by means of a programme of regular mid-summer and mid-winter censuses at a large number of South African wetlands. 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. It is one of the largest and most successful citizen science programmes in Africa, providing much needed data for waterbird conservation around the world. Currently the project regularly monitors over 400 wetlands around the country, and furthermore curates waterbird data for over 600 sites. The project’s Goal & Objectives are outlined below:
To act as an effective long-term waterbird monitoring tool, benefiting conservation efforts worldwide.
- Ensure effective project management through working closely with a host of national and international stakeholders; steadily updating and integrating this network of people;
- Coordinate, prioritise and expand waterbird surveys on a national scale with the emphasis on long-term monitoring;
- Ensure effective data management throughout the project;
- Manage, maintain and expand the project database;
- Undertake effective IT development within the project, including the upkeep and expansion of the project website;
- Disseminate data and results through the project website, reports, scientific papers, popular articles, direct liaison with stakeholders, or any other useful means;
- Promote and facilitate the use of census data specifically for policy, planning and research purposes;
- Raise awareness and promote the project through the website, popular articles, newsletters, interviews, talks, or any other appropriate means;
- Submit census data towards the African Waterbird Census Programme in part fulfilment of South Africa’s contribution to international agreements such as Ramsar, Bonn and AEWA.
There are many reasons for collecting waterbird data from around the country. A comparison of counts from different wetlands gives indications of seasonal movements and the relative importance of sites for the conservation of different species. Long-term monitoring of population numbers on a site basis allows for the development of annual population indices to trace the fluctuations of populations. A few more reasons are listed below:
- better understand how waterbirds use wetlands;
- identify important wetlands for waterbird conservation;
- provide information support for management policies;
- assist in monitoring the health of wetlands;
- raise awareness of importance of wetlands as biodiversity hotspots;
- serve as an early warning system for wetland degradation;
- serve as an early warning system for waterbird population decline.
The development of this website in 2008 marks a new era in waterbird conservation in South Africa since the availability of data for much-needed conservation work is now a reality. The Animal Demography Unit in conjunction with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) encourages you to use this site as a source of information. Furthermore, this site aims to serve as a wetland assessment tool. If you suspect problems around your wetland, raise the issue with the relevant authorities; take action. We hope that we will be able to continually expand and upgrade this information portal for you. We also encourage you to have a look at the TOTAL CWAC Report published in 1999. The report provides a useful summary of all the data collected between 1992 and 1997. A summary of the main findings contained in this report have also been published in Bird Numbers. The report can be ordered from Horizon Book Services, or directly from the ADU.
We encourage the use of the CWAC data for conservation, education, and recreational purposes. This information may not be incorporated into other websites, or used for explicit commercial gain. Please contact the project coordinator for further details. Effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the data; however, the ADU cannot guarantee that all data are correct. If you are aware of any errors or omissions in the data, please contact the project coordinator.
We at the ADU are proud of the achievements the CWAC project has made over the last sixteen years. We are thankful to all the people that contribute their time and money towards this worthwhile cause. This project is a success because of you! If you are not participating yet, please consider lending your support. Your participation will make a real contribution towards waterbird conservation, not only in South Africa, but truly on a global scale. Please feel free to have a look through the CWAC information sheets which contain all the relevant information. Alternatively contact the project coordinator (telephone 021 650 4698).
Latest news |
| 2010-02-06 | Les Underhill | | 35 years of Langebaan Lagoon counts |
In 1974, Ron Summers arrived as a postdoc to study waders at Langebaan Lagoon. He was from Dundee and a member of the Tay Ringing Group. He brought with him this crazy Scottish idea that waders should not only be ringed, they should also be counted. Starting with a midwinter count in June 1975, he persuaded the members of the Western Cape Wader Study Group to attempt a complete census of all the waders (and other waterbirds) at Langebaan Lagoon. It took a while to work out the best strategy for dividing the lagoon into sections that could be covered on foot in about three hours each. Currently, the lagoon is divided into 10 count sections.
The CWAC count at Langebaan Lagoon today marked the completion of 35 years of midsummer and midwinter surveys of all the waterbirds at Langebaan Lagoon. At the time the surveys started, most of Langebaan Lagoon was private property, but all landowners except one, allowed the counts to go ahead. The results of the early counts were a large component of the motivation that lead to the proclamation of the West Coast National Park in 1986, with the lagoon as its key component.
The 35 years of waterbird counts at Langebaan Lagoon make it the wetland with the longest time series of counts in the southern hemisphere. Sadly, in spite of the extra level of protection that the national park has brought to the lagoon, numbers of waders have decreased over the decades. Curlew Sandpipers, which breed in the northern zone of the tundra in Siberia, have shown the largest decrease. This is more likely to be a consequence of global change impacts on the tundra and the loss of habitat at stopover sites on migration routes than an impact of any changes at Langebaan Lagoon itself, or the general area.
CWAC plays an important role, across South Africa, in monitoring the trends in waterbird populations. At the ADU, we greatly value the contributions made by all the people who faithfully "CWAC" their wetlands in midsummer and midwinter. | | |
| | 2010-02-02 | Les Underhill | | Report from Barberspan, and the SAFRING Ringers' Conference |
ADU postdoc Magda Remisiewicz is currently at Barberspan Nature Reserve doing fieldwork. This is the site of the SAFRING Ringers' Conference next month.
Magda reports:
"We are having very good catches of waders – more than 60 in less than a week. Little Stints and Kittlitz's Plover are abundant, and there are also having more Ringed Plovers and Common Sandpipers than usual. There are lots of ducks and we trapped a few Yellow-billed Ducks in our walk-in traps for waders. There is also a
mixed flock Lesser and Greater Flamingos containing about 3000 birds.
"We are also making some local arrangements for the Ringers' Conference. There is enthusiasm here for all ringers attending to participate in a large quelea ringing project during that weekend.
"This past weekend the waterbird count was done for CWAC, coordinated by Mafeking Bird Club and the Westvaal Bird Club."
The dates of the Ringers Conference are 12–15 March. Dieter Oschadleus, SAFRING coordinator, says:
"Registrations for Barberspan are rolling in at a steady pace.
There are still quite a few places open but don't wait too long to
register, to ensure you get the type of accommodation you would like.
This conference is open to anyone interested in
ringing in particular, and the study of birds in general."
Details are on the SAFRING website
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| | 2010-02-02 | Les Underhill | | World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2010 |
The government of the Republic of South Africa has designated its 20th Wetland of International Importance, and its seventh in KwaZulu-Natal, effective on World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2010. Ntsikeni Nature Reserve
(9200 ha, 30 08S 29 28E), located in an area rich in wetlands, is one of the largest high altitude wetlands in South Africa and has undergone the least ecological change due to the protective measures in place as a Nature Reserve. As summarized by Assistant Advisor for Africa Cynthia Kibata from the accompanying RIS, the site is recognised as the second most important breeding site for the Wattled Crane in South Africa and also as significant to the endangered Long-toed Tree Frog Leptopelis xenodactylus, Oribi Ourebia ourebi, and other wetland dependent mammals.
This news is reported on the Ramsar website | | |
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