Large and conspicuous birds offer the opportunity to monitor their populations by means of relatively simple techniques. One of these techniques is the "road count", in which observations are made from vehicles covering fixed routes.


This approach was pioneered in July 1993 in a joint Cape Bird Club/ADU project to monitor the populations of two threatened species: Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus and Denham’s/Stanley's Bustard Neotis denhami. The initial study area is known as the Overberg and consists of a mosaic of agricultural and natural landscapes on the coastal plain east of Cape Town in the Western Cape. The project began with 15 routes and detailed observations were recorded while driving slowly and especially during stops at regular two-kilometre intervals. During these stops, the surrounding countryside was scanned using binoculars. This pilot study was successful and the fieldwork method has not been changed significantly over the past 14 years.


CAR has since spread rapidly to other provinces and now monitors over 20 species of large terrestrial birds (cranes, bustards, korhaans, storks, Secretarybird and Bald Ibis) along 360 fixed routes covering over 19 000 km. Fourteen of these species appear in the Red Data Book. Twice a year, in midsummer (the last Saturday in January) and midwinter (the last Saturday in July), roadcounts are carried out using this standardised method. A standardised method allows one to make comparisons between counts. Even though we do not attempt to count the entire population of a species, the area covered is so large that CAR is statistically capable of demonstrating trends in population size. The project also reveals details of habitat use and the relationship of populations to the agricultural practices of an area.


Routes have been grouped into clusters called precincts. Local Precinct Organisers play a vital role in organizing counts in their areas. Currently there are 42 precincts in seven provinces. CAR has thrived on the enthusiastic, voluntary participation of members of bird clubs and farming communities, conservators, schools and interested members of the public. Every six months, over 750 people travel along bumpy country roads, making this one of the largest birder-participation projects in Africa. CAR is coordinated by Donella Young at the Avian Demography Unit.


Approximately 50% of the routes are covered by farmers, thereby fulfilling a major objective in encouraging conservation and bird-friendly land-management practices on private lands. Most large terrestrial birds have huge ranges and are not adequately conserved within protected areas. The contribution that farmers can make to the protection of these birds is enormous.


In 2003, we published a major 200-page report, Big birds on farms: Mazda CAR Report 1993-2001, summarising the information collected over the first eight years. There are accounts for 15 species and 17 precincts, as well as a summary chapter and information about organisations that are helpful to landowners. The report provides advice on how to promote the conservation of these magnificent birds on farm lands. We are grateful to Mazda Wildlife Fund for sponsoring the copies of reports sent out to route leaders.


In summary, 10 points are given to guide landowners in their conservation actions:

  1. Adopt mixed farming strategies. CAR shows that large terrestrial birds do better in areas of mixed farming than where there is intensive cultivation of a single crop.
  2. Use poisons responsibly. The responsible use of agro-chemicals is absolutely essential for large terrestrial birds to flourish on farms.
  3. Monitor overhead cables and other dangerous structures. For example, those cables which kill birds regularly can be marked, and a few bricks placed in a drinking trough allows crane chicks to clamber out without drowning.
  4. Protect natural veld. Large terrestrial birds roam across vast tracts of land, and there will never be enough protected areas to conserve them effectively. Landowners play a vital role in filling gaps and complementing formal nature conservation efforts.
  5. Create habitat corridors. The value of patches of natural veld is greatly enhanced if they are interconnected by corridors. Landowners can do this along watercourses and ridges and alongside roads. At least 50 m is the target width.
  6. Protect wetlands. Cranes depend on shallow, vegetated wetlands that are unpolluted and not excessively disturbed by livestock or fire. Landowners should value wetlands and their fringing habitats as special assets to be carefully conserved, not only for their biodiversity but also for their services in regulating natural drainage and improving water quality.
  7. Protect breeding sites. Ground-nesting birds, especially large species, are particularly at risk while breeding. The young birds are exceptionally vulnerable in the weeks before they can fly. Try to eliminate disturbance by people, by dogs and cats, and prevent trampling by livestock.
  8. Control dogs and cats. Uncontrolled dogs and cats have a huge negative impact on large terrestrial birds - and many other creatures.
  9. Educate farm workers. These are the people who most frequently encounter wildlife on farms, and who have the potential to make or break conservation effectiveness. Two examples: workers should be trained to remove all pieces of baling twine from fields, so that entanglement with the legs of cranes can be eliminated; workers should be trained in the responsible use of poisons, both for their own health and safety, and to prevent bird poisoning incidents.
  10. Collaborate with others. The good done on one farm can be undone by the neighbours. CAR results demonstrate the benefits of several farmers forming a conservancy to promote sound conservation practice on a number of neighbouring farms. Collaborate with experts to improve conservation strategies.
     
    We welcome any suggestions from farmers about best practice in land management for the stewardship of biodiversity, especially as we are compiling a booklet specifically for use by landowners.
     
    For further information see the following short articles in the Newsletters below:
    Conservation Farming Project - Newsletter 12
    The significance of biodiversity - Newsletter 16
    Conservation of Biodiversity – Newsletter 17
    Climate change, biodiversity and energy – Newsletter 19
    Business and Biodiversity – Newsletter 20
    Sustainability, Farmland Bird Index and the role of bird watchers – Newsletter 21
    Footprints – Newsletter 22

We plan to post annual updates of species densities on this website (click on different species on table below). CAR can contribute to Environmental Impact Assessments of developments such as wind farms and new powerlines, as well as changes in land use. CAR increases awareness of large terrestrial birds and their needs, especially amongst rural landowners. CAR also contributes to monitoring of Important Bird Areas, South African Crane Working Group and Ground Hornbill Working Group.


In KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, where there is concern about game bird populations, observers also include game birds in their counts. The Black Harrier, a low-flying endemic raptor that is easily seen while scanning for large terrestrial birds, is also included nationally in CAR counts to assist the Western Cape Raptor Research Programme at the Percy Fitz Patrick Institute, UCT. A recent development is the inclusion of Oribi in CAR counts in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape. This information contributes to research conducted by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and Endangered Wildlife Trusts's Oribi Working Group on this threatened species.


CAR works closely with the South African Crane Working Group of the Endangered Wildlife Trust and with the Overberg Crane Group. We value the support of many bird clubs, and especially the small clubs in country towns. In addition, many nature conservationists, in particular Mark Anderson of Northern Cape Department of Tourism, Environment and Conservation, Craig Whittington-Jones, Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment and Brian Colahan of the Free State Department of Tourism, Environment and Economic Affairs, do a tremendous amount of work in support of CAR.


Please refer to the newsletters and information sheets below for more detailed information about the development of CAR and its methods and results.


Donella Young (Project Coordinator)
James Harrison (Project Manager)