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

To act as an effective long-term waterbird monitoring tool, benefiting

conservation efforts worldwide.

Project Objectives• 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.

Methods• Bi-annual surveys

Mid-summer (January); Mid-winter (July) Some sites counted monthly/quarterly/ad hoc basis

• ObserversVolunteers (bird club members, etc.)Conservation organisationsProfessional ornithologists

• Data submission & interpretationCensus forms to National Coordinator (ADU)Data computerised, curated, analysed and publishedVerification of count data by observers

Volunteers

The CWAC census form

http://mybirdpatch.adu.org.za

395 (61%) counted regularly645 registered sites

KZN

102 registered sites

70counted regularly

3 newly registered

30 protected sites

CWAC Growth45 sites in 1992 540 sites in 2005 target 600 sites in

2007Summer 2005 had 363 sites countedSummer 2011 had 120 sites counted!!

19

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100000

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300000

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050100150200250300350400

Examples of Sites

Examples of species counted

Publications

SABAP, CWAC & SAFRING

Greyheaded Gull Larus cirrocephalus

Core breeding areas

Map adapted from :

Greyheaded Gull Larus cirrocephalus

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 19990

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Lake St Lucia, Kwazulu/Natal

Summer

Winter

Year

No

.s o

f in

div

idu

als

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 19990

100200300400500600700800

Rolfe's Pan, Gauteng

Summer

Winter

Year

No

.s o

f in

div

idu

als

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 19990

100200300400500600700800900

Umgeni River Estuary, Kwazulu/Natal

Summer

Winter

Year

No

.s o

f in

div

idu

als

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 19990

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

Vlakplaas Waste Water Treatment Works, Gauteng

Summer

Winter

Year

No

.s o

f in

div

idu

als

Summer Peak : Non-breedingWinter Peak : Breeding

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 in monitoring 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.

The future…• Improved coverage in poorly censused regions• Greater representation of wetland diversity

Seasonal pans Farm dams Rivers (linear densities) Palustrine wetlands (special surveys) Shore sections

• Collection of breeding data ID important sites Monitor breeding activity

• Data submission & availability Via Internet (on-line census form on ADU website) Automatic computerization Site & species information on website - data can be used!

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 speciese.g. Rallidae and snipes

• More frequent monitoring at important sitese.g. RAMSAR & IBAs

Conservation outcomes

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)

CWAC - Sponsors & VIPs

The Tony and Lisette Lewis Foundation South Africa

Dept of Environmental

Affairs & Tourism

Department of Agriculture, Conservation and

Environment