DISTRIBUTION AND NUMBERS OF COASTAL WADERS (CHARADRII) IN THE SOUTHWESTERN CAPE,SOUTH AFRICA,SUMMER 1975–76

Summers, R. W., Cooper, J. & Pringle, J. S. 1970. Distribution and numbers of coastal waders (Charadrii) in the southwestern Cape, South Africa, summer 1975–76. Ostrich 48: 85–97. A survey of the distribution and numbers of waders (suborder Charadrii) in the coastal regions of the southwestern Cape was conducted from November 1975 to February 1976. Forty-four coastal wetlands and 49 sections of coastline were visited between the Olifants and Groot-Brak rivers. The estimated total wader population was 119 008 of which 102 841 (86,4%) were Palaearctic migrants. Langebaan Lagoon and the Berg estuary supported the largest numbers. The Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea and Sanderling Calidris alba were the most numerous species. The abundance of waders was greater on west coast shores than along the south coast.     

Breeding distribution,population size and conservation of the Greyheaded Gull Larus cirrocephalus in southern Africa

Brooke, R.K., Allan, D.G., Cooper, J., Cyrus, D.P., Dean, W.R.J., Dyer, B.M., Martin, A.P. & Taylor, R.H. 1999. Breeding distribution, population size and conservation of the Greyheaded Gull Larus cirrocephalus in southern Africa. Ostrich 70 (3&4): 157–163.

The Greyheaded Gull Larus cirrocephalus occurs throughout southern Africa, both coastally and inland, and has bred at one time or another at 67 known localities since the 1860s. Most of these sites have been occupied by small numbers of birds, even single pairs, and for only one or a few years. The two principal breeding areas are the East Rand in Gauteng and Lake St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal, both in South Africa. The next most important sites are Walvis Bay, Namibia and Lake Ngami, Botswana. The total southern African breeding population is estimated as about 2000 pairs. The Greyheaded Gull is not a threatened species in southern Africa, with 27 breeding sites supporting more than half the breeding population within formally conserved areas.     

DISTRIBUTION,POPULATION SIZE AND CONSERVATION OF THE SWIFT TERN STERNA BERGII IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

Cooper, J., Crawford, R. J. M., Suter, W. & Williams, A. J. 1990. Distribution, population size and conservation of the Swift Tern Sterna bergü in southern Africa. Ostrich 61: 56–65.

The Swift Tern Srerna bergü occurs commonly in coastal southern Africa, with a nonbreeding distribution extending the length of the southern African coast and into southern Angola. The known nonbreeding distribubon of the nominate subspecies S. b. bergü extends from Swakomund, Namibia to Kosi Bay, Natal, South Africa. In Natal its nonbreeding distribution overlaps with that of the subspecies S. b. enigma. The species very rarely occurs inland or far out to sea. The geedin distribution of tre nominate subspecies extends from Swakopmund to Algoa Bay, eastern Cape, South Afcnca.

Twenty-two breeding localities are known in southern Africa, but usually only six to seven are occupied. in any one year. Most breeding localities are marine islands where Swift Terns often breed in muted colonies with Hartlaub's Gulls Lorus hartloubii. In 1984 a complete breeding ansus estimated a breeding population of 4835 pairs. However, 6088 pairs were counted at only three localities in 1988. The size of the annual breeding population varies by a factor of as much as 1,6; although the overall size of the adult population is thought to be reasonably stable with no temporal trends evident. Thirteen breeding localities which are legally proclaimed nature reserves supported 72% of the 1984 breeding population. Existing and perceived threats to the Swift Tern are discussed in detail. To improve further tRe conservation status of the Swift Tern in southern Africa, it is recommended that: unprotected breeding localities be proclaimed reserves, also protecting those not on islands with adequate fences; feral cats be removed from breeding islands where they are present; and fisherman be educated to release entangled terns and not to discard lines and nets.     

WADER POPULATIONS (CHARADRII) OF THE MARINE LITTORAL OF THE CAPE PENINSULA,SOUTH AFRICA

Pringle, J. S. & Cooper, J. 1977. Wader populations (Charadrii) of the marine littoral of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. Ostrich 48: 98–105.

Waders (Charadrii) were counted regularly on two stretches of coastline, totalling 5,6 km, on the Cape Peninsula from January 1975 to July 1976. Eight Palaearctic species and seven indigenous species were observed. Arrival of migrants extended from mid-August to January. Autumn departure of Curlew Sandpipers Calidris ferruginea occurred approximately six weeks before departure of Sanderlings C. albu. No overwintering populations of migrant waders were observed. Information is presented which suggests that overwintering Turnstones Arenaria interpres, but not Sanderlings, Maycongregate at a sheltered coastal wetland. Observations of marked birds suggest that individual Sanderlings regularly use particular feeding localities. Populations of indigenous waders showed little seasonal variation in numbers, Flocking was observed in winter.     

DISTRIBUTION,POPULATION SIZE AND CONSERVATION OF HARTLAUB'S GULL LARUS HARTLAUBIL

Williams, A. J., Steele, W. K., Cooper, J. & Crawford, R. J. M. 1990. Distribution, population size and conservation of Hartlaub's Gull Lorus hurtlaubii. Ostrich 61: 66–76.

Hartlaub's Gull Larus hartlaubii is endemic to southern Africa, where it breeds between Swakopmund, Namibia and Dyer Island, southwestern Cape Province, South Africa. The species has been re breeding at 48 localities within this range. Between 1984 and 1989 an estimated 12000 pain brered at 31 localities. Twenty-eet percent of the population breeds at Robben Island off the Cape Peninsula, sQuth Africa. Hartlaub's Gull frequently has low breeding success and is considered endangered in Narmbia, where 12% of the poulation occurs. However, the population is increaslng around the urbanmd Cape Peninsula where HartLub's Gull has the potential to become a pest species.     

DISTRIBUTION,POPULATION SIZE AND CONSERVATION OF THE CASPIAN TERN STERNA CASPIA IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

Cooper, J., Brooke, R.K., Cyrus, D.P., Martin, A.P., Taylor, R.H. & Williams, A.J. 1992. Distribution, population size and conservation of the Caspian Tern Sterna caspia in southern Africa. Ostrich 63: 58–67.

The Caspian Tern Sterna caspia occurs along the whole southern African coastline and on large river systems and water bodies away from the coast. A total of 28 definite breeding localities has been recorded in southern Africa. Breeding has occurred recently at at least 14 coastal localities between Swakopmund, Namibia, and Lake St Lucia, Natal, South Africa. Inland breeding has been recorded in recent years at Sua Pan, Botswana and Kalkfonteindam, Orange Free State, South Africa. Based on censuses conducted between 1980 and 1991, the southern African breeding population is estimated to be of the order of 500 pairs, 91% of which breed coastally and 89% breed on islands. Up to 290 pairs (58%) bred at Lake St Lucia. Seventyone per cent of the 1980–1991 breeding population falls within eight nature reserves. Conservation of the Caspian Tern in southern Africa requires protection at breeding localities, including commercial salt and soda ash extraction works, against the effects of changing water levels, human disturbance and predation. Pesticide levels of addled and abandoned eggs should be measured at selected breeding localities.     

REMARKS ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF BIRDS COLLECTED IN MASHONALAND AND EASTERN SOUTHERN RHODESIA (Part I)

Oatley, T. B. 1983. Twenty-third ringing report for southern Africa. Ostrich. 54:141-149.

Bird ringing activities in southern Africa are summarized for a two-year period from July 1979 to June 1981. A total of 42 374 birds were ringed. Much ringing effort was devoted to marine buds. Palaearctic migrants comprised nearly 12% of the birds ringed, with waders, swallows and warblers being the most frequently ringed families. There were 747 recoveries or recaptures reported during the reviey period, of which 73 were foreign-ringed birds. The remainder involved 103 species of birds, only nine of which contributed 10 or more recoveries to the total. Five of the nine are marine birds and collectively account for 55% of all recoveries and recaptures. A selected list of recoveries and recaptures of southern African-ringed birds is given.     

Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite loci from Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) and their cross‐utility in related species

We isolated one trinucleotide and seven tetranucleotide microsatellite loci for the Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola). We describe polymerase chain reaction conditions and primers for the successful amplification of these loci and report the results obtained from their use in 42 specimens from two populations in Europe. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 15, observed heterozygosity was comprised between 0.11 and 1.00 and expected heterozygosity ranged between 0.10 and 0.91. Cross‐specific amplification experiments highlighted the potential usefulness of these molecular markers for the study of three related scolopacid waders.     

SONG MIMICRY AND SPECIES STATUS OF THE GREEN WIDOWFINCH VIDUA CODRINGTONI

Summary

Payne, R. B., Payne, L. L. &; Nhlane, M. E. D. 1992. Song mimicry and species status of the Green Widowfinch Vidua codringtoni. Ostrich 63:86-97.

The Green Widowfinch Vidua codringtoni mimics the songs of the Redthroated Twinspot Hypargos niveoguttatus, its apparent foster species, in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mala?i. Of 38 male Green Widowfinches, 37 mimicked the twinspot; one mimicked a firefinch and not the twinspot. A wild-captured juvenile developed mimicry of twinspot song after six months and retained its mimicry through the next year. Male Green Widowfinches have glossy breeding plumage (green to blue), black wings, white bill and bright orange feet, a colour combination unlike other widowfinches in their range in southern Africa. Females are marginally distinguishable from other widowfinch species. Green Widowfinches occur together locally with Black V. funerea nigerrima, Purple V. purpurascens and Steelblue V. chalybeata Widowfinches and do not interbreed with them. The four species of widowfinches in southern Africa each have distributional ranges within the limits of their foster species.     

MIGRATION PHENOLOGY OF WADERS (CHARADRII) ON THE TAIMYR PENINSULA,NORTHERN RUSSIA

Syroechkovski, E.E. Jr. & Lappo, E.G. 1994. Migration phenology of waders (Charadrii) on the Taimyr Peninsula, northern Russia. Ostrich 65:181–190.

Palearctic waders from six flyways breed on the Taimyr Peninsula. They can be observed in winter from Europe to South Africa and Australia. The interval between pre- and postbreeding movements of waders in Taimyr is short. Breeding waders, which spend from 50–70 days on the tundra have a arrival tight schedule, dependent mostly on weather conditions. Most species arrive during the first half of June, with the more northern areas occupied several days later than southern areas. However, Turnstone, Dunlin and Curlew Sandpiper arrive in the optimal art of their breeding ground first, and subsequently occupy sup-optimal areas to the north and the south. In autumn waders migrate in small groups across the tundra. The schedule depends greatly on the breeding success of the year. Large numbers of Ruff and Bartailed Godwit concentrate in high arctic areas, 300–500 km north of their breeding grounds, before commencing southwards migration. Autumn concentrations of waders in intertidal areas are rare.     

ON THE BREEDING OF THE WHITE-RUMPED SWIFT (APUS CAFFER CAFFER) IN GATOOMA

Crawford, R. J. M., Cooper, J. &; Shelton, P. A. 1982. Distribution, population size, breeding and conservation of the Kelp Gull in southern Africa. Ostrich 53:164:177.

The Kelp Gull Lams dominicanus in Africa occurs coastally between Luanda, Angola and Delagoa Bay, Moçmbique. It breeds between Cape Cross Lagoon, South West Africa/Namibia and Riet River, eastern Cape, South Africa. Censuses of nests and breeding birds at all known southern African breeding localities in the period 1976–1981 indicated that 11 199 pairs bred at 52 localities; 79.5% of this population occurred in South Africa, 57,1% in the Saldanha Bay to Dassen Island region, southwestern Cape. Of the breeding pairs 83% occurred on offshore islands and rocks. Colony size at islands is related to their surface area andMayalso be influenced by food availability and the level of human disturbance. The species breeds in a wide variety of habitats ranging from cliffs and rock stacks to wooden platforms, lowlying vegetation among sand dunes and estuarine sandbars. Any available material is used in the construction of nests, whichMaybe as dense as 4/m² Clutch size is 2–3 eggs. In 1978 breeding took place earlier in South Africa than in South West Africa/Namibia. 92% of the population breeds m sites which are legally protected. Kelp Gulls have decreased or increased in numbers at some breeding localities but there is no clear overall trend. Any increases in colony size near urban areasMayresult in added airstrike hazards.     

WADERS (CHARADRII) AND OTHER SHOREBIRDS AT CAPE RECIFE,ALGOA BAY,SOUTH AFRICA: SEASONALITY,TRENDS, CONSERVATION,AND RELIABILITY OF SURVEYS

Spearpoint, J. A., Every, B. & Underhill, L. G. 1988. Waders (Charadrii) and other shorebirds at Cape Recife, Algoa Bay, South Africa: seasonality, trends, conservation, and reliability of surveys. Ostrich 59: 166–177.

A total of 126 surveys of waders (Charadrii) and other shorebirds were made along 4 km of shore northwest of Cape Recife. The surveys were conducted bv two observers who counted independently of each other. The variability between observers was least for conspicuous species such as Whitefronted Plover, Blacksmith Plover, African Black Oystercatcher, Whimbrel and Grey Plover, but greatest for cryptic species such as Ringed Plover and for species which formed a minority in mixed flocks such as Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint. Variability of surveys within years and between years is also considered. Turnstones and Sanderlings were the most abundant waders in summer. Of the Palaearctic waders, Turnstones, Grey Plovers, Sanderlings, Greenshanks and Whimbrels overwintered. In contrast, Ringed Plovers, Curlew Sandpipers, and Little Stints rarely overwintered. Little Egrets, Threebanded Plovers and Water Dikkops occurred mainly in winter. It is recommended that surveys to estimate numbers of Palaearctic waders in summer and winter should be conducted in December, January or February and June or July, respectively. Because of three-year cycles in breeding productivity of certain waders, surveys should be extended over at least three years. There was evidence that waders associated with rocky shores increased in numbers during the study period: this coincided with the erosion of sandy beaches near Cape Recife. Density, biomass and daily field metabolic rates, expressed on an area basis, were similar to those in eastern Scotland. Nine species of tern utilized Cape Recife. It is recommended that the bait-collecting regulations be enforced, that vehicles be prohibited on the beach, and that the tern roost and breeding site be fenced off to create a sanctuary.     

An assessment of the diversity of early Miocene Scolopaci (Aves,Charadriiformes) from Saint‐Gérand‐le‐Puy (Allier,France)

Abstract: ‘Totanus’lartetianus, Elorius paludicola and ‘Tringa’gracilis are the three scolopacid birds from the early Miocene of Saint‐Gérand‐le‐Puy described by the French palaeontologist Milne‐Edwards in the 19th century. Since then, no revision of these taxa has been performed. Our re‐examination revealed that not much of the material originally assigned to ‘Totanus’lartetianus can be retained within the species. Presumably plesiomorphic features of the humerus – and potentially the coracoid we attributed to this taxon – indicate that it is misplaced in the extant scolopacid genus and may not even belong to the Scolopacidae (sandpipers and allies), and we therefore place it in the new genus Scolopacimilis. Comparisons of the material assigned to Elorius paludicola and ‘Tringa’gracilis show that they are morphologically similar, both exhibiting distinct scolopacid anatomical features. The latter, however, cannot be referred to the extant taxon Tringa and is classified into the new genus Parvelorius. We further introduce three new species, ?Elorius limosoides sp. nov., and ?Parvelorius calidris sp. nov., which we have tentatively assigned to the extinct scolopacid genera Elorius and Parvelorius, respectively, and Becassius charadriioides gen. et. sp. nov., which, together with Scolopacimilis, display a morphology uncharacteristic for extant Scolopaci. For the first time we have assigned skulls to some of the postcranial elements described in this study. The presence of at least six species of Scolopaci from the early Miocene considerably increases the number of members of the group known from this time.     

New species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dypsis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ravenea</Emphasis> (Arecaceae) from Madagascar

Fourteen new species of palms (Arecaceae) from Madagascar are described and named, based on material collected over the last 15 years. Twelve species belong to the genus Dypsis, namely D. andilamenensis Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. anjae Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. betsimisarakae Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. culminis Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. dracaenoides Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. gautieri Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. gronophyllum Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. jeremiei Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. metallica Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. reflexa Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. sancta Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf. and D. vonitrandambo Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf. and two species belong to the genus Ravenea: R. beentjei Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf. and R. hypoleuca Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf. Despite the fact that most of these species have been recorded from protected areas that are difficult to access in the eastern region of Madagasacar, they are all threatened. Based on IUCN categories and criteria, seven are Critically Endangered and seven are Vulnerable.     

Origins of Horseshoe Bats (Rhinolophus, Rhinolophidae) in Southern Africa: Evidence from Allozyme Variability

Morphological analyses indicate that horsehose bats in the genus Rhinolophus constitute a monophyletic group which most likely originated in southeastern Asia but which presently inhabits Oriental, Australian, Palaearctic, and Ethiopian zoogeographical provinces. Ten species occur in southern Africa, but it is uncertain which species represent dispersals from Eurasia through North Africa and which have resulted from speciation in Africa. Analyses of 34 allozyme encoding loci in these 10 species and in 2 southern African species of leafnose bats in the sister genus Hipposideros reveal the presence of at least three lineages of Rhinolophus in southern Africa. One lineage includes R. clivosus, R. darlingi, R. fumigatus, and R. hildebrandtii, all of which, except R. clivosus, are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. Rhinolophus blasii is genetically allied with, but distinct from this group, and appears to be a recent migrant from another lineage centered on the Mediterranean. A third lineage, including at least R. capensis, R. denti, R. simulator, and R. swinnyi, is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. The phylogenetic position of R. landeri is uncertain, most likely because of the small sample size used to estimate allelic frequencies for this species. The biochemical genetic definitions of these lineages largely agree with previous morphological analyses of Rhinolophus species. Divergences between species within two lineages (R. clivosus, R. darlingi, R. fumigatus, and R. hildebrandtii; and R. capensis, R. denti, R. simulator, and R. swinnyi) appear to reflect two bursts of speciation in the Plio-Pleistocene period within Africa.     

Seven new species of Cis Latreille (Coleoptera: Ciidae) from southern Africa

Here we describe seven new species of Cis Latreille from southern Africa: Cis aster sp. nov., Cis makebae sp. nov., Cis mandelai sp. nov., Cis masekelai sp. nov., Cis neserorum sp. nov., Cis stalsi sp. nov. and Cis urbanae sp. nov. We also provide information on their host fungi and geographic distributions.     

BIOGEOGRAPHICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL VARIATION IN THE PREY OF THE BLACK EAGLE IN THE CAPE PROVINCE,SOUTH AFRICA

Boshoff, A.F., Palmer, N.G., Avery, G., Davies, R.A.G. & Jarvis, M.J.F. 1991. Biogeoraphical and toporaphical variation in the prey of the Black Eagle in the Cape Province, South Africa. Ostrich 62: 58–72.

Prey remains collected at or near Black Eagle Aquilu verreauxii nest sites in the Cape Province, South Africa, were analysed according to frequency of occurrence of prey scies in the samples. A total of 5748 prey individuals, collected from 73 sites, was analysed according to tree biome groups and four nest site types. The Rock Hyrax Procuvia capensis is the dominant prey species, but the eagles' diet sctrum vanestypes. The according to its availability. Indices of species richness and diversity of the prey are inverser correlated with the proportion of the prey contributed by P. capenis, which in turn is determined by topography and vegetation. Biome has a greater influence on the indices than has nest site type. The age structure of the P. capensis prey remains closely reflects the juvenile: sub- adult: adult ratios in the biomes and at the nest site tpes. hfedium-sized (aprox. 1–4,5 kg) pre is usually taken. Juvenile domestic small-stock (lambs ani goat kids) comprised onb 3,4% of the over, total.     

NINETEENTH RINGING REPORT FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA

Vernon, C. J. 1977. Nineteenth ringing report for southern Africa. Ostrich 48:106-109. A report on ringing activities for southern Africa from July 1975 to June 1976 is presented. A total of 36 016 birds of 419 species was ringed. The trends follow the general decline in ringing activities sinze a peak in 1970/71.     

7. SHORT NOTES FROM MEMBERS

Cooper, J., Ross, G. J. B. &; Shaughnessy, P. D. 1978. Seasonal and spatial distribution of Rockhopper Penguins ashore in South Africa. Ostrich 49:40-44. There are 30 records of Rockhopper Penguins Eudyptes chrysocome ashore in South Africa. Both the southern subspecies E.c. chrysocome, and the northern subspecies E.c. moseleyi have been recorded. The northern subspecies has occurred more frequently. Most records are of moulting juveniles in January and February. Records of adult birds are more scattered throughout the year. Rockhopper Penguins in South Africa have been recorded only south of 30S. Birds of the northern subspecies probably originate from South Atlantic islands (Tristan da Cunha group and Gough). Birds of the southern subspecies are probably from the Prince Edward Islands.     

Evolutionary trends in southern African glossy starlings (Lamprotornis)

Craig, A.J.F.K. 2000. Evolutionary trends in southern African glossy starlings (Lamprotornis). Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 244–245.

In southern African six Lamprotornis species occur in savanna woodland. Locally up to five species may be sympatric, dependent on similar food sources and sharing roost sites. All are obligate tree-hole nesters. Morphological differences concern signal structures (tail length and shape, iris coloration, wing notches) rather than adaptations for feeding. There is very little sexual dimorphism, and when body size is accounted for, there are no significant inter- or intra-specific differences in bill dimensions. The long-tailed L. mevesii and L. australis are probably sister taxa, which evolved in southern Africa. L. nitens and L. acuticaudus are also likely to be southern African in origin, whereas L. chalybaeus and L. chloropterus may have evolved to the north, with their current distribution in southern Africa a consequence of later range expansion. Similar modifications of signal structures in sympatric species are evident in northern glossy starlings.