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COORDINATED WATERBIRD COUNTS

COORDINATED WATERBIRD COUNTS. Coordinated Waterbird Counts (CWAC). CWAC started in 1992 with 45 sites counted in South Africa Currently there are 645 wetlands registered with the CWAC project 1600 participants (~ 960 regular) Focus on waterbirds (~ 130 species). Project Goal.

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COORDINATED WATERBIRD COUNTS

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  1. COORDINATED WATERBIRD COUNTS

  2. Coordinated Waterbird Counts (CWAC) • CWAC started in 1992 with 45 sites counted in South Africa • Currently there are 645 wetlands registered with the CWAC project • 1600 participants (~ 960 regular) • Focus on waterbirds (~ 130 species)

  3. Project Goal To act as an effective long-term waterbird monitoring tool, benefiting conservation efforts worldwide.

  4. Project Objectives • Ensure effective project managementthrough 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.

  5. Methods • Bi-annual surveys • Mid-summer (January); Mid-winter (July) • Some sites counted monthly/quarterly/ad hoc basis • Observers • Volunteers (bird club members, etc.) • Conservation organisations • Professional ornithologists • Data submission & interpretation • Census forms to National Coordinator (ADU) • Data computerised, curated, analysed and published • Verification of count data by observers

  6. Volunteers

  7. The CWAC census form

  8. http://mybirdpatch.adu.org.za

  9. 645 registered sites 395 (61%) counted regularly

  10. KZN 102 registered sites 70 counted regularly 3 newly registered 30 protected sites

  11. CWAC Growth • 45 sites in 1992  540 sites in 2005  target 600 sites in 2007 • Summer 2005 had 363 sites counted • Summer 2011 had 120 sites counted!!

  12. Examples of Sites

  13. Examples of species counted

  14. Publications

  15. SABAP, CWAC & SAFRING

  16. Greyheaded GullLarus cirrocephalus Core breeding areas Map adapted from :

  17. Greyheaded Gull Larus cirrocephalus Winter Peak : Breeding Summer Peak : Non-breeding

  18. Benefits of CWAC: an effective tool to….. • better understand how waterbirds use wetlands • fulfil S.A.’s commitment to international agreements (e.g. RAMSAR, CBD, AEWA) • ID important wetlands for waterbird conservation (e.g. roosts, breeding colonies, moulting refuges, Red Data species, etc.) • provide information support for management policies • assist national and regional population estimates • assist inmonitoring the health of wetlands (waterbirds as indicators) • raise awareness of importance of wetlands as biodiversity hotspots • provide early warning of declines in populations and wetland degradation.

  19. The future… • Greater representation of wetland diversity • Seasonal pans • Farm dams • Rivers (linear densities) • Palustrine wetlands (special surveys) • Shore sections • Improved coverage in poorly censused regions • Collection of breeding data • ID important sites • Monitor breeding activity • Data submission & availability • ViaInternet (on-line census form on ADU website) • Automatic computerization • Site & species information on website - data can be used!

  20. The future… (contd.) • Site information • Basic wetland assessment: • Wetland classification • Detailed habitat description • Detailed threat classification • Site management information • Fixed-point photography (habitat changes) • Special surveys of secretive waterbird species e.g. Rallidae and snipes • More frequent monitoring at important sites e.g. RAMSAR & IBAs

  21. The future… (contd.) • Catchment Management Plans (DWAF) • Other wetland programmes • SA Wetland Conservation Programme • mondi Wetlands Project; SA Crane Working Group • Setting sustainable hunting seasons & quotas • Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) • RAMSAR & BirdLife International programmes • International Waterbird Census (IWC) – Waterbird Population Estimates (Rose & Scott; Delany & Scott) Conservation outcomes

  22. CWAC - Sponsors & VIPs The Tony and Lisette Lewis Foundation South Africa Dept of Environmental Affairs & Tourism Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment

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