Thursday 22 August 2013

124 | KINDER ERLEBEN DIE VOGELWELT MIT YOUNG BIRDERS

124


KINDER ERLEBEN DIE VOGELWELT

Mit Young Birders können Kinder und Jugendliche die Vogelwelt kennenlernen

Fotos von Birgit Leicher und Stefan Rust und Text von Stefan Rust
2013

(In terms of the Geneva Convention the copyright of these texts belong to Stefan Rust)


Kinder und Jugendliche bis zum 18ten Lebensjahr zimmern Nistkästen und bringen diese an, basteln Vogelfutterprodukte oder wandern und beobachten derweil Wildvögel.

                                

Und das meistens im Garten oder in der Natur. Birding nennt sich das, schärft die Sinne, erhöht die Koordinationsfähigkeit, stärkt das Verständnis für den Artenschutz und regt die Gesundheit an durch die Bewegung an der frischen Luft. Sich so in der Natur zu verhalten um den Vögeln entsprechend nahe zu kommen, fördert die Geschicklichkeit. Wen dies als Kind oder Jugendlichen anspricht, der kann sich bei BirdsConTour (Vogelschutz und Tourismus) dem Veranstaltungsprojekt Young Birders anschliessen.
Weitere Aktivitäten sind unter anderen Errichtung von Wildvogelstationen und Vogelbeobachtungsstellen, Wildvogelzählungen, Vogelbestimmungen und Hilfe bei Vogelschutzprogrammen.
Sogar mehrtägige Exkursionen werden gelegentlich unternommen.

     

Wer Interesse an dieser ganzjährig einmal wöchentlich stattfindenden Young Birders Aktivität hat melde sich bei BirdsConTour.

Viel Spaß und Happy Birding!

Kontakt:
BirdsConTour, Stefan Rust
Mobiltel: 00264 (0)81 129 8415
Internet: www.birdscontour.blogspot.com (Bericht 103) 

126 | BIRDSCONTOUR REPORT (07.08.'13 - 19.08.'13)

126


BIRDSCONTOUR REPORT (07.08.’13 – 19.08.’13)

Text from Stefan Rust
2013

(In terms of the Geneva Convention the copyright of these texts belong to Stefan Rust)

Dear birding friends, 

as birdwatching is a relatively new and one of the fastest growing and a most popular pursuit, it attracts people of all ages around the world. There can hardly be a better place than southern Africa (Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho, South Africa) to nurture an interest in birds as it supports almost 1000 bird species, which is about 10 per cent of the world's entire bird. Taking birding to new heights, Hobby-Ornithologist Stefan Rust together with BirdsConTour represents some of the ontour bird sightings and several other interesting birding aspects to showcase the fun of birding, promote citizen science, highlight conservation, indicate where to view what birds and raise awareness of southern Africa's (sometimes international) birds and their habitats.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WORK GETS DISTRIBUTED INTERNATIONALLY

Have a quick look if you, your site or neighborhood is included in this scientific informational work (alphabetically arranged):

A-Little-Sossus Lodge
Canon Roadhouse (Gondwana Collection)
Chamäleon Reisen
Damara Mopane Lodge (Gondwana Collection)
Dias Point
Etosha NP. (Gemsbokvlakte and Okondeka Waterhole)
Etosha Safari Camp (Gondwana Collection)
Fish River Canyon
Garub Game Ranch (Heidi & Heinz Kühl)
Garub Wild Horses
Gemsbokvlakte Waterhole (Etosha NP)
Gondwana Collection (Etosha Safari Camp, Damara Mopane Lodge, Klein Aus Vista,   
                                     Canon Roadhouse, Kalahari Farmhouse)
Hotel A la Mer (Swakopmund)
Helmeringhausen
Hohenstein Lodge
Kalahari Farmhouse, Stampriet (Gondwana Collection)
Klein Aus Vista Lodge
Kolmanskuppe
Kühl Heidi & Heinz (Garub Game Ranch)
Leicher Birgit & Nino
Mesosaurus Fossils
Namib Sand Sea, Sossusvlei (Unesco World Heritage Site)
Okondeka waterhole (Etosha NP)
Omandumba Farm (Deike & Harald Rust)
Onjala Lodge
Pack Safari
Petrified Forest
Rust Harald & Deike (Farm Omandumba)
Seeheim
Solitaire Guest Farm
Sossusvlei , Namib Sand Sea (Unesco World Heritage Site)
Stampriet, Kalahari Farmhouse
Swakopmund (Hotel A la Mer)
Twyfelfontein (Unesco World Heritage Site)
Unesco World Heritage Site (Twyfelfontein and Namib Sand Sea)
Walvisbay Lagoon
Windhoek


BirdsConTour Report (Namibia) Personal Highlights:

AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE
A-LITTLE-SOSSUS LODGE – BIRD & BIRDER FRIENDLY AWARD
BRADFIELD’S HORNBILL
CINNAMON-BREASTED BUNTING
GREATER KESTREL
KLEIN AUS VISTA LODGE – BIRD & BIRDER FRIENDLY AWARD
LANNER FALCON
SICKLE-WINGED CHAT

Distance traveled: 4 549 km

07.08.'13  Windhoek  Burnt-necked Eremomela (6) A handsome little bird that isn’t seen in Windhoek as often as the very common Yellow-bellied Eremomela.

07.08.'13  Garub Game Ranch (Heidi & Heinz Kühl), Otavi  Bradfield’s Hornbill (3) According to Mr. Heinz Kühl, this species is found on his 6 000 ha big farm only in the past five years. This is a definite indication that the ecology on the Garub Game Ranch has improved through a proper management scheme so that the habitat developed suitable for this species. Although logging has a negative impact, benefit is gained from creation of open patches that attract game on these areas.

08.08.'13  Garub Game Ranch (Heidi & Heinz Kühl), Otavi  Senegal Coucal (1) In the central northern Namibia these birds definitely benefit from man-modified habitats with thick cover such as parks and gardens.

08.08.'13  Etosha NP, Okondeka Waterhole  South African Shelduck (2) It is assumed that this species was historically restricted to central and west South Africa and recently colonized Namibia and south east Botswana. They nest in pre-existing holes in ground, mainly in those of Aardvark. This reliance on the threatened Aardvarks for nest sites can be of some concern.

08.08.'13  Etosha Safari Camp, Godwana Collection  Familiar Chat (1) Six subspecies do occur in southern Africa. Here in the northwestern part of Namibia it is the Cercomela familiaris angolensis.

09.08.'13  Etosha Safari Camp, Gondwana Collection  Bare-cheeked Babbler (3) Within southern Africa, the Turdoides gymnogenys kaokensis can only be seen in the central and western parts of north Namibia. No data exist about the incubation aspect of these birds.

09.08.'13  Etosha NP, Gemsbokvlakte Waterhole  Lappet-faced Vulture (1) Although sunbathing usually takes place in the midday at a waterhole after drying its feathers, this individual was quite a distance away from the waterhole and it was about 9:30 in the morning. Standing on the ground with spread wings sunbathing, perhaps the sudden cold temperature during the night, about 4 degrees above freezing, caused this behavior. Only when a Black-backed Jackal arrived to inspect, the vulture stopped sunbathing.

10.08.'13  Petrified Forest  White-throated Swallow (2) The first pair of this intra-African breeding migrant was seen here. It is not impossible that this record may be passage birds.

10.08.'13  Twyfelfontein (Unesco World Heritage Site)  Verreauxs’ Eagle (2) Both birds of the Twyfelfontein pair were seen simultaneously in the air. One high up in the sky and the other one lower down carrying a twig with green leaves on. Most probably they are busy preparing their nest. About a month and a half ago they were seen in courtship. It is not uncommon that the copulation takes place up to 30 days before egg laying.

10.08.'13  Damara Mopane Lodge (Gondwana Collection)  Common Fiscal (1) It is commonly found in well-watered farmhouse and lodge gardens with trees and responds aggressive towards Fork-tailed Drongos.

11.08.'13  Farm Omandumba (Harald & Deike Rust)  Pririt Batis (1) It seems as if the Pririt Batis benefits from the alien mesquite tree. Sometimes some birds gather to call excitedly, snap their bills and frip their wings. Such formations are called ‘batis parliaments’.

11.08.'13  Hohenstein Lodge, Erongo  White-throated Canary (3) Southern Africa presents four subspecies of this near-endemic bird and is well represented in the protected areas of the Nama and succulent Karoo as well as in Namibia.

12.08.'13  Hotel A la Mer, Swakopmund  Scarlet-chested Sunbird (1) As in the case of the garden of the A la Mer establishment with only one nectar spending aloe plant, it is sufficient to attract this beautiful little bird. Still it is unknown with what age these birds start breeding.

13.08.'13  Walvisbay Lagoon  Common Greenshank (1) Most of these birds arrive in August till September. Often after dark, they fly a distance of up to 10-15 km to their favorite roost site, roosting while standing in shallow water, moving with ebb and flow.

13.08.'13  Solitaire Guest Farm  Red-billed Spurfowl (1) Solitaire Guest Farm is the most south western distribution area of this species Further into this direction it becomes too dry for this species.

14.08.'13  Sossusvlei, Namib Sand Sea (Unesco World Heritage Site)   It is scary what devastating footprints guests cause with their visit to Sossusvlei. A research showed that every guest climbing the dune Dune 45, walking to the Death Vlei and back and/or walking in the surrounding of Sossusvlei unconsciously kills with his or her stay an average of ±50 small animals (ants, beetles etc.). With hundred guests per day this is a loss of ±5 000 potential food items of in this case birds. Given the fact that most birds living in this hot and dry part of the Namib Desert prey on small animals to replenish their body moisture as an alternative to water, these footprints left behind by the guests cause a big loss in possible moisture for the feathered animals. This results in a severe decrease of the natural bird population in this area.
To counteract this negative influence and to help the birds to replenish their body moisture, BirdsConTour together with Pack Safari and Chamäleon (German travel company) came up with a solution. Every tour guide who leads Chamäleon guests into the Sossusvlei area takes a portable water feeder, constructed and funded by BirdsConTour, along. When the tour vehicle is parked at the 4x4 parking area, the guide fills the water feeder and hangs it to the wiper, a tree or puts it onto the ground close to the Pack Safari tour vehicle. With peace of mind, the Pack Safari guide together with the Chamäleon guests can now go and discover and enjoy the Sossusvlei area, while the birds can refill their needed body moisture with water as an alternative for the small animals that are destroyed unconsciously by each visitor.
The water feeder gets either attached to the wiper, a tree or put onto the ground for the birds to replenish their body moisture. This "Water for Sossus Birds" project is a joint venture between BirdsConTour, Pack Safari and Chamäleon.

14.08.'13  Sesriem Canyon  Speckled Pigeon ( ) A proud age of up to ten years can be reached. Often they benefit from man-made structures for breeding purposes.

14.08.'13  A-Little-Sossus Lodge  Bird & Birder Friendly Award  Jandré Germishuizen took the initiative to create an environment on the lodge ground that suits the birds and the bird watchers. And the bonus? Bird conservation and tourism (BirdsConTour) rewarded A-little-Sossus Lodge with a two out of six penguin rated Bird & Birder Friendly Award for their level of input.

15.08.'13  Helmeringhausen  Pygmy Falcon (1) Destruction of large trees may lead to habitat destruction and although the erection of utility structures allows Sociable Weavers to colonize previously unoccupied areas, it is arguable that the Pygmy Falcon follows this colonization because the nests in these artificial poles are never big and according to experience these falcons mostly occupy bigger nests of the Sociable Weaver.

15.08.'13  Garub Wild Horses  Greater Kestrel (2) Its distribution range has certainly increased into this area with the erection of the telephone line and electricity line across the treeless Sperrgebiet NP., creating nest sites for the Cape Crow and the Pied Crow and hence for the Greater Kestrel.

15.08.'13  Klein Aus Vista  Cinnamon-breasted Bunting (1) In southern Africa the subspecies Emberiza tahapisi nivenorum is found as an isolated group from the nominate and occurs only in Namibia within the southern African region. This individual bird was observed further south as the distribution map shows!

16.08.'13  Kolmanskuppe  Sickle-winged Chat (2) About 250 km west of its registered distribution range in Namibia, a pair of this endemic to southern Africa species has been observed at Kolmanskuppe. They gave themselves away with the dark ‘V’ on the rufous tail instead the ‘T’ as with the Familiar Chat.

16.08.'13  Klein Aus Vista  Bird & Birder Friendly Award  This establishment goes the extra mile to create a suitable habitat for birds and an attractive place for bird watchers. For this responsible input, Klein Aus Vista Lodge is rewarded with a two penguin rated Bird & Birder Friendly Award from bird conservation and tourism (BirdsConTour).

17.08.'13  Seeheim  African Fish-Eagle (2) In this remote area of Namibia, the distribution of this species only stretches all along the Fish River. Elsewhere it is too dry. Even here at Seeheim it is an unusual sighting.

17.08.'13  Fish River Canyon  Lanner Falcon (2) When breeding,  pairs favor cliff habitat and otherwise they prefer open habitat. In treeless area, utility pylons and poles are of benefit, having contributed with spreading into these areas.

17.08.'13  Seeheim, Fish River picnic site  BirdsConTour for a cleaner Bird Habitat  BirdsConTour arranged a cleaning session of the picnic site at the Fish River at the B4 road close to Seeheim. Such cleaning sessions are part of the "BirdsConTour for a cleaner Bird Habitat" project. 

17.08.'13  Canyon Roadhouse  Grey-backed Cisticola (2) All six African subspecies occur in southern Africa. In this region only the Cisticola subruficapilla namaqua occurs and is classified as uncommon for here.

18.08.'13  Mesosaurus Fossils  Kori Bustard (1) A nice surprise to have seen this large bird with a wingspan of 2.2-2.5 m and weight of up to 12.4 kg. In this area they are rather sparsely distributed.

18.08.'13  Kalahari Farm House (Gondwana Collection)  Bird & Birder Friendly Award  By traveling directly with BirdsConTour or making use of a guide from BirdsConTour you support bird conservation and create an economic platform for local livelihoods. Sometimes travelers also participate in other BirdsConTour projects. To say THANK YOU, every tour participant receives a Bird & Birder Friendly Award at the end of the tour.
Seven German-speaking guests were rewarded with one penguin-rated Bird & Birder Friendly Awards:
Nicole & Heinrich Buchal
Annette Menzel
Reinhild & Manfred Schnitzmeier
Ingrid Andrea & Jobst-Joachim Suchsland
This Etosha Tour, organized by Pack Safari and Chamäleon Reisen, took place from the 6th of August until the 21st of August 2013.

19.08.'13  Onjala Lodge  Lappet-faced Vulture (1) In the Caprivi-Strip in Namibia a few hundred birds have been reported poisoned this year. Ivory poachers deliberately kill these scavengers so that they do not give their illegal practices away by showing carcasses when circling in for feeding.

19.08.'13  Windhoek  Spotted Eagle-Owl (1) Sadly notice was taken of the unexplained death of the owl that lived for years in the area of the Falkenhausen Street in Pionierspark, Windhoek. Birgit and Nino Leicher found this big owl dead on the pavement, perhaps it died of old age. They have a life span of up to ten years in the wild and up to twenty in captivity.


Enjoy Birding, 
Stefan Rust
Please note: Most scientific information has been taken from Roberts Birds of Southern Africa, V11th edition!
(For further reading see www.birdscontour.blog.com)
(For more information contact Stefan Rust on +264 (0)81 129 8415 or birdscontour@iway.na)

Tuesday 20 August 2013

125 | INTERNATIONAL AWARDEES

125


INTERNATIONAL AWARDEES

Awarding tour participants

Photos and text by Stefan Rust
2013

(In terms of the Geneva Convention the copyright of these texts belong to Stefan Rust)


In this age traveling becomes more and more important to people around the globe. To keep an eye on nature and to balance tourism and nature conservation, BirdsConTour initiated the “Travel gives Wings” division.

By traveling directly with BirdsConTour or making use of a guide from BirdsConTour you support bird conservation and create an economic platform for local livelihoods. Sometimes travelers also participate in other BirdsConTour projects. To say THANK YOU, every tour participant receives a Bird & Birder Friendly Award at the end of the tour.

Mr. Jobst-Joachim Suchsland busy participating in a cleaning session of the picnic site at the Fish River at the B4 road close to Seeheim. Such cleaning sessions are part of the "BirdsConTour for a cleaner Bird Habitat" project.

Seven German-speaking guests were rewarded with one penguin-rated Bird & Birder Friendly Awards:

Nicole & Heinrich Buchal
Annette Menzel
Reinhild & Manfred Schnitzmeier
Ingrid Andrea & Jobst-Joachim Suchsland


The seven German guests relaxing in the garden of the newly Bird & Birder Friendly awarded A-little-Sossus Lodge.

This Etosha Tour, organized by Pack Safari and Chamäleon Reisen, took place from the 6th of August until the 21st of August 2013.

Friday 16 August 2013

090 | KLEIN AUS VISTA FOR BIRD WATCHERS

90


KLEIN AUS VISTA

for bird watchers

Photos and text by Stefan Rust
2013

(In terms of the Geneva Convention the copyright of these texts belongs to Stefan Rust)

 

For bird watchers seeking an unbeatable birding experience, Klein Aus Vista, neighboring the Sperrgebiet National Park, invites you to explore the reassures of this untamed birdlife.

Water table for birds protected from cats with thorn twigs 

Overlooking the vast expanse of the Namib Desert, Klein Aus Vista Lodge offers comfort and peace of mind. Accommodation from campsites to double rooms to exclusive rock chalets and a wooden deck in front of the country cuisine restaurant can be your home amidst this natural splendor.
As a bird watcher, take your time to explore this selection of birdlife on foot, by car or even by sitting on the veranda of your room or on the wooden deck. Many birds can be commonly found on Klein Aus Vista and surroundings.

Domesticated cats get a small bell attached to prevent them being successful bird hunters 

This establishment goes the extra mile to create a suitable habitat for birds and an attractive place for bird watchers. For this responsible input, Klein Aus Vista Lodge is rewarded with a two penguin rated Bird & Birder Friendly Award from bird conservation and tourism (BirdsConTour). 

Wednesday 14 August 2013

089 | DESERT BIRDING AT A-LITTLE-SOSSUS LODGE

89


DESERT BIRDING

at A-little-Sossus Lodge

Photos and text by Stefan Rust
2013

(In terms of the Geneva Convention the copyright of these texts belongs to Stefan Rust)

 

Want to combine visiting Sossusvlei, the highest dunes in the world, and some true desert birding?

Why not do so while lodging or camping at A-little-Sossus Lodge? The establishment is set close to Sossusvlei and offers a real desert birding experience. It’s a paradise for desert dwelling wild birds!
Jandré Germishuizen took the initiative to create an environment on the lodge ground that suits the birds and the bird watchers. And the bonus? Bird conservation and tourism (BirdsConTour) rewarded A-little-Sossus Lodge with a two out of six penguin rated Bird & Birder Friendly Award for their level of input.

      
Offering water, food, nesting possibilities and protection attracts wild birds into the garden 

Friday 9 August 2013

123 | EIN GLÜCKSBRINGER, RAUCHSCHWALBE

123


EIN GLÜCKSBRINGER

Rauchschwalbe

Text von Stefan Rust
2013

(In terms of the Geneva Convention the copyright of these texts belong to Stefan Rust)


6   6   6
Steckbrief

Namen: Hirundo rustica (Lateinisch) / Barn Swallow (Englisch) /
               Europese Swael (Afrikaans)

Familie: Schwalben

Verbreitung: Wintergast auf der südlichen Halbkugel; Brutvogel in Eurasien,
                       Nordamerika und Nordafrika

Lebensraum: Offene Landflächen, häufig in Wassernähe

Größe: 14 cm (18 cm mit verlängerten Schwanzfedern)

Gefieder: Oberseite glänzend dunkelblau; Unterseite rahmgelb; blaues Kropfband;
                 Kehle und Stirn kastanienrot; Geschlechter gleich

Stimme: Kurzes, blubberndes Gezwitscher

Nest: Kein Nestbau in Namibia. In Brutgebiet offene aus Lehmstückchen bestehende Viertelkugeln an senkrechte Flächen angeklebt. Mit Federn ausgepolstert.

Brutzeit: Brütet nicht in Namibia. Im Brutgebiet Februar - April

Nahrung: Überwiegend fliegende Kleininsekten und Ameisen

6   6   6
Besonderes

Bevor sie im Spätsommer in den Süden ziehen, sammeln sie sich in großen Trupps in Schilfgebieten was, bevor man den Vogelzug verstand, Anlass gab zu glauben, dass sie im Schlamm überwintern. Einige unterstützten sogar die Theorie dass die Schwalben auf dem Mond überwintern.

6   6   6

Die Rauchschwalbe ist ein Mitglied der Schwalbenfamilie die laut momentanen Erkenntnissen in 89 Arten mit 14 Gattungen unterschieden wird.
Zu erkennen ist sie an dem bereits beschriebenen Gefieder und am schlanken Körper, den langen, schmalen und zugespitzten Flügeln sowie den gegabelten Schwänzen. Die äußeren Schwanzfedern sind zur Zeit des Brutkleides verlängert. Laut einem Widerfund einer beringten Rauchschwalbe können sie ein Alter von 17 Jahren erreichen.

Diese überragenden Flugkünstler sind in Namibia wegen ihrer Rolle als Vorboten des Sommers und als Insektenvertilger ausgesprochene Sympathieträger. Ein bekanntes Sprichwort erinnert uns an die Rauchschwalbe: Eine Schwalbe macht noch keinen Sommer. Dieses Sprichwort geht auf zwei in Stuttgart tätige schwäbische Schneider des 18. Jahrhunderts zurück. Hieronymus Sommer fertigte exzellente, passgenaue Gehröcke an während seine Konkurrenz, Frau Wiebke Schwalbe und ihr Mann billige Massenware produzierten. Als sich wieder Qualitätsbewusstsein bei den Stuttgartern durchsetzte, sagte man: „Eine Schwalbe (Frau Wiebke Schwalbe) macht noch keinen Sommer (Qualität Gehrock des Herrn Sommer).
Sie verweilen von September bis April. In Namibia und generell auf der südlichen Halbkugel ist die Nahrung der Rauchschwalbe im Winter drastisch reduziert, weshalb sie in nördlicher gelegene Gefilde abwandert. Anders als die meisten Singvögel zieht die Rauchschwalbe am Tag und in geringer Höhe. Beringte Vögel geben preis, dass einige Schwalben von Skandinavien bis nach Namibia wandern und dies sogar mit einer stark geprägten Ortstreue. Von 120 beforschten Rauchschwalben kehrten 68 (56,6 %) nach ihrem Zug zum selbigen Schlafplatz wie im Vorjahr zurück. Bis auf vier der restlichen übernachteten alle innerhalb eines Umkreises von 100 km des vorjährig benutzten Schlafplatzes. Die längste bestätigte Flugdistanz lieferte ein Ringvogel mit 11 358 km von Südafrika bis Russland.

Rauchschwalbenweibchen bevorzugen bei der Partnerwahl Männchen mit langen Schwanzfedern. Dieser sexuell induzierte Selektionsdruck fördert über Generationen die Schwanzfederlänge. Gleichzeitig dienen die verlängerten Außenfedern des Schwanzes der aerodynamischen Funktionalität. Anhand der Schwanzfederlänge beurteilt das Weibchen die Vitalität eines Männchens. Testosteron, ein Steroidhormon, ist für die Immunabwehr zuständig und gleichzeitig für den Wachstum des Schwanzes. Über die Schwanzfederlänge demonstriert das Männchen den Zustand seines Immunsystems. Ähnlich verhält es sich mit der Symmetrie dieser beiden äußeren verlängerten Schwanzfedern.

Die Überlebensrate der jährlich zwischen 22-44 Millionen aus Westeuropa und den 44-88 Millionen aus Osteuropa und Asien nach Afrika während ihres Südzuges einreisenden Rauchschwalben ist hauptsächlich von der Regenmenge und der daraus entspringenden Nahrungsmenge abhängig.
Auch ungewöhnliche Kaltwetter-, Regen- und Hagelereignisse, Kollisionen mit Fahrzeugen, Fang von Greifvögel, Marabu und Tigerfischen und Zeckenbefall sind gravierende Todesursachen.
In Ost-, Zentral- und Westafrika, also auf voller Zugbreite, verlangen Vogeljäger im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes ihren Zoll. Doch diesen Zoll zahlt der Sympathieträger leider mit seinem Leben. Ist dies der Dank dafür, dass diese Millionen Rauchschwalben uns die Insektenplagen vom Leibe halten?
Es ist traurig, dass die Ehrfurcht vor dem Leben der Tiere immer mehr verloren geht. Ein altes spanisches Sprichwort lautet: „Wer eine Schwalbe tötet, wird seine Mutter umbringen“.
Bis vor einem halben Jahrhundert waren Rauchschwalben, früher auch Stallschwalben genannt, in Europa regelrechte Haustiere, die in Bauern- und Wohnhäusern in Fluren, Wohn- und Schlafzimmern brüteten. Seit Jahrhunderten hieß es in Deutschland, ein Schwalbennest am Haus bringe Glück und Segen, und nur ein schlechter Mensch sei fähig, es zu zerstören.

Tuesday 6 August 2013

122 | BIRDSCONTOUR REPORT (27.07.'13 - 06.08.'13)

122


BIRDSCONTOUR REPORT (27.07.'13 – 06.08.’13)

Text from Stefan Rust
2013

(In terms of the Geneva Convention the copyright of these texts belong to Stefan Rust)

Dear birding friends, 

as birdwatching is a relatively new and one of the fastest growing and a most popular pursuit, it attracts people of all ages around the world. There can hardly be a better place than southern Africa (Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho, South Africa) to nurture an interest in birds as it supports almost 1000 bird species, which is about 10 per cent of the world's entire bird. Taking birding to new heights, Hobby-Ornithologist Stefan Rust together with BirdsConTour represents some of the ontour bird sightings and several other interesting birding aspects to showcase the fun of birding, promote citizen science, highlight conservation, indicate where to view what birds and raise awareness of southern Africa's (sometimes international) birds and their habitats.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WORK GETS DISTRIBUTED INTERNATIONALLY

Have a quick look if you, your site or neighborhood is included in this scientific informational work (alphabetically arranged):

Chamäleon Reisen
Chromec Susanne
Dietz Claudia
Dietz Regine & Horst (Gästefarm Etendero)
Deuss Paul Ludwig
Glauser Dagmar Sylvia
Etendero Gästefarm (Regine & Horst Dietz)
Etosha NP, Okaukuejo Restcamp
Etosha Safari Camp (Gondwana Collection)
Gondwana Collection
Grashoek
Heinemann Dr. Frauke
Kashana, Omaruru
Koark Sylvia Katrin & Frank Dieter
Leicher Birgit
Leicher Family
Lethaus Friedrich Jürgen
Lukaschik Sylvia & Stephan (Gästehaus Seidarap)
Meier Elisabeth
Michaud Mireille
Mohammadi-Heinemann Masoud
Namib Desert Lodge (Gondwana Collection Group)
Okuakuejo Restcamp, Etosha NP.
Onjala Lodge
Pack Safari
Penduka (Goreangab Lake)
Rusch Mr.
Schäfer Ulrich
Seidarap Gästehaus (Sylvia & Stephan Lukaschik)
Solitaire
Sossusvlei
Swakopmund
Voigtland Farm (Stephan & Gabi Voigts)
Voigts Stephan & Gabi
Von Falkenhausen Str. (Family Leicher)
Windhoek


BirdsConTour Report (Namibia) Personal Highlights:

AFRICAN WATTLED LAPWING
BIRDSCONTOUR FOR A CLEANER BIRD HABITAT
GÄSTEFARM ETENDERO BIRD & BIRDER FRIENDLY AWARD
LANNER FALCON
NAMIB DESERT LODGE BIRD & BIRDER FRIENDLY AWARD
TOURISMUS NAMIBIA
VIOLET WOOD-HOOPOE
WOOD SANDPIPER

Distance traveled: 3 120 km

27.07.'13  Farm Voigtland, Stephan & Gabi Voigts  Fork-tailed Drongo (1) These birds are always good for surprises. In the bird and birder friendly garden on Farm Voigtland an individual bird was observed feeding on the porridge that was put out at the wild bird support station. This proofs the high rate of capability of adaptation of this species.

27.07.'13  Penduka, Goreangab Lake  Great White Pelican (32) At the Goreangab Lake these birds seem to feel save. For them having the Goreangab Lake as a refuge is good news because Great White Pelicans have recently been uplisted to regionally Vulnerable.

27.07.'13  Von Falkenhausen Str. 36, Family Leicher  Spotted Eagle-Owl (1) The bird-friendly garden of Mr. and Mrs. Schneider in the middle of Windhoek, added a special bird to the list of birds seen in it. Mrs. Birgit Leicher spotted a Spotted Eagle-Owl and got to shoot good pictures of it. Especially for her two children it was excitement pure, to experience such a big owl (43-47 cm) this close, a mere 5 meters away. This species is known to be resident in many towns and cities.

28.07.'13  Namib Desert Lodge, Gondwana Collection  Dune Lark (3) Namib Desert Lodge is an ideal place to view the Dune Lark. This desert-dwelling species is the only real endemic bird species Namibia has to offer. As such it is another major attraction that the recent registered Namib Sand Sea as a UNESCO Nature World Heritage has to offer.

29.07.'13  Sossusvlei  Water for Sossus Birds  Heavy sandstorms as today keeps the birds in their hides. Only quite late they made their appearance on the 4x4 parking area in search of the water that is offered to the wild birds in this area by visiting guides. Every guide from Pack Safari stopping here with a group of guests, puts out a by BirdsConTour special developed water feeder. This project called “Water for Sossus Birds” under the BirdsConTour “Travel gives Wings” division arose because of the ever-increasing amount of guests visiting this Sossusvlei area and having an impact on the insects and beetles. Walking and driving into this area kill them. These animals would naturally be water supply for different birds. To balance this negative impact, BirdsConTour together with Pack Safari and Chamaeleon Reisen make an effort to give back as far as possible by offering water for the duration of the visit.

29.07.'13  Namib Desert Lodge, Gondwana Collection  Bird & Birder Friendly Award  BirdsConTour aims to promote the enjoyment, conservation, study and understanding of wild birds and their habitats. One way to achieve this is by offering Bird & Birder Friendly Awards.
Recently the Gondwana Collection Namib Desert Lodge was identified. Namib Desert Lodge meets certain benchmarks, such as a bird and birder friendly garden, bird friendly waterholes and bird friendly practices in the private nature reserve surrounding the lodge establishment.
Therefore the Namib Desert Lodge was rewarded with a three penguin-rated Bird & Birder Friendly Award.

30.07.'13  Solitaire  Cape Sparrow (35) In southern Africa occur three subspecies, the Passer melanurus melanurus, Passer melanurus damarensis and the Passer melanurus vicinus. The P.m. damarensis is the one that is found in Namibia and is the smallest and palest subspecies.

30.07.'13  Swakopmund  African Wattled Lapwing (1) It seems that this species definitely benefits from man-modified habitats. In this case from the coastal city Swakopmund. When trying to get closer to photograph it, this individual flew up and dive-bombed me in an attempt to chase me away. Usually this behavior is typically for these birds when they are nesting. Possibly there is a nesting partner.

31.07.'13  Swakopmund  Cape Cormorant (±55) Namibia has the largest colonies of this near-endemic species, on Ichaboe Island about 45 805 and on the Swakopmund platform about 43 542. For this near-threatened species these two colonies are southern Africa’s stronghold population.

31.07.'13  Walvisbay Lagoon  Damara Tern (3) One bird was seen carrying fish to mainland over lagoon. Most probably they still have chicks to feed. Laying dates are recorded till end of June and the incubation takes about 17-30 days.

01.08.'13  Spitskoppe  Lanner Falcon (2) Probably this is a breeding pair because breeding pairs generally prefer cliff habitat as nest site. In non-breeding season they prefer open grassland, agricultural areas and open or cleared woodland.

01.08.'13  Kashana, Omaruru  Violet Wood-Hoopoe (2) Although this species is not on the red data list, it is classified as considerable conservation concern because of the small population size. The concern even grows if it is proven that the Namibian population is taxonomically distinct from the isolated population of Phoeniculus damarensis granti in Kenya.

01.08.'13  Gästefarm Etendero  Bird & Birder Friendly Award  Regine and Horst Dietz from Gästefarm Etendero are walking the extra mile by attending to the birdlife on the farm. Knowing that a severe drought hits their farm, they are supplying the artificial dam near the farmhouse with borehole water. Hereby helping some animals and the birdlife in this area to survive. This and other bird friendly practices gave BirdsConTour reason to reward Gästefarm Etendero with a two penguin-rated Bird & Birder Friendly Award.

02.08.'13  Etosha NP.  Cape Crow (8) It may well be that these birds start nesting soon. In the Etosha NP they have been observed probing elephant dung.

02.08.'13  Etosha Safari Camp, Gondwana Collection  African Red-eyed Bulbul (12) During drought seasons these birds wander widely. Here in the garden of the Etosha Safari Camp they profit from the man made food resources.

03.08.'13  Etosha NP., Okaukuejo Restcamp  BirdsConTour for a cleaner Bird Habitat  Not even three months later Namibia’s best known Sociable Weaver nest in the Okaukuejo Restcamp, Etosha NP, has been cleaned again and again a dead bird, that got entangled in thread in the nest, got removed. Freelance helpers were guests and another Tour guide, Mr. Rusch.

03.08.'13  Etosha Safari Camp, Gondwana Collection  Southern Pale-chanting Goshawk (1) This individual scavenged on a Cape Hare roadkill. More often this habit is observed, where these birds scavenge on roadkills.

04.08.'13  Etosha NP., Klein Namutoni  Wood Sandpiper (2) Being one of the first migrating birds these two individuals arrived at the Klein Namutoni waterhole. As a non-breeding, overland migrant to southern Africa, they breed from Finland to east of the Ural Mountains.

04.08.'13  Gästehaus Seidarap, Grootfontein  African Hoopoe (1) Stephan Lukaschik built nest boxes for his garden birds and it will be interesting whether the African Hoopoe in the garden will make use of this offer. Only the male bird selects the nesting site whereas only the female incubates the eggs. The male feeds the female 5-8 times per hour.

05.08.'13  Grashoek  White-backed Vulture (12) Twelve White-backed Vultures were observed feeding on a roadkill Brown Hyena on the gravel road leading to Tsumkwe. These birds are able to fill their crop with up to 1 kg in 2-5 minutes time. A single bird needs an average of 400 g of food per day. After feeding they can soar up to 800 m in thermals and when gliding between them they reach a speed of up to 65 km per hour.

05.08.'13  Gästehaus Seidarap, Grootfontein Bird & Birder Friendly Award  Four Swiss and eight German Sossusvlei Tour members of the Sossusvlei Tour organized by Pack Safari and Chamäleon Reisen were rewarded with a one penguin-rated Bird & Birder Friendly Award. Not only their participation indirectly supported bird conservation but they also assisted in cleaning the Sociable Weaver nest in the Okaukuejo Restcamp.

06.07.'13  Onjala Lodge  Southern Masked-Weaver (2) In southern Africa there are five distinguished subspecies of the Southern Masked-Weaver, in the Onjala area it is the Ploceus velatus caurinus. The first male birds developed their breeding plumage – a black throat and face and other parts of body feathers a bright yellow and yellowish green color.

06.07.'13  Windhoek  African Grey Hornbill (1) More and more they enter Windhoek. The gardens offer a variety of food such as small animals and a few fruits picked from bushes and trees.

06.07.'13  Windhoek  Tourismus Namibia  Find out more about birds in this monthly Tourismus Namibia Journal in German, English and Afrikaans. It is published today.


Enjoy Birding, 
Stefan Rust
Please note: Most scientific information has been taken from Roberts Birds of Southern Africa, V11th edition!
(For further reading see www.birdscontour.blog.com)
(For more information contact Stefan Rust on +264 (0)81 129 8415 or birdscontour@iway.na)

Saturday 3 August 2013

119 | GÄSTEFARM ETENDERO CONTRIBUTES TO BIRD CONSERVATION

119


GÄSTEFARM ETENDERO CONTRIBUTES

to bird conservation

Photos and text by Stefan Rust
2013

(In terms of the Geneva Convention the copyright of these texts belong to Stefan Rust)




For quite some time Regine and Horst Dietz, the managers of Gästefarm Etendero, have been operating with bird friendly practices on this farm.



Environment friendly farming principles go hand in hand with bird conservation. Through leaving dead tall trees standing to be used by raptors as a perch, through pumping water into the dried out dam nearby the farmhouse to offer drinking water and keeping their dogs under control so that the ground scratching birds can clear the area around the farmyard from ticks are a few aspects that earned Gästefarm Etendero a two penguin-rated Bird & Birder Friendly Award.



So, if you are embarking on a bird watching journey into the Erongo region or passing by, make sure you visit the Bird & Birder Friendly Gästefarm Etendero. You will be overwhelmed by the species’ richness on this farm.

118 | AWARDING TOUR PARTICIPANTS

118


INTERNATIONAL AWARDEES

Awarding tour participants

Photos and text by Stefan Rust
2013

(In terms of the Geneva Convention the copyright of these texts belong to Stefan Rust)


In this age traveling becomes more and more important to people around the globe. To keep an eye on nature and to balance tourism and nature conservation, BirdsConTour therefore initiated the “Travel gives Wings” division.


Tourists are led through the vulnerable nature on a sustainable manner. The tourism aspect serves as an income for the money consuming bird research and conservation projects. Only through visitors participating on tours, the research and conservation of our precious birdlife is possible. To say THANK YOU, every tour participant receives a Bird & Birder Friendly Award at the end of the tour.

Four one penguin-rated Bird & Birder Friendly Awards were handed to German guests and one to a guest from Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Limpopo Tour, organized by Pack Safari and Chamäleon Reisen, took place from the 7th of July until the 24th of July 2013.

Mr. Antl Norbert
Mrs. & Mr. Brüning Stefanie & Heinrich
Mr. Gumlich Sigurd
Mr. Morgenstern Werner
Mr. Walgering Petrus