Palearctic-African Migratory Birds in Tanzania

Transcription

1 169 Palearctic-African Migratory Birds in Tanzania Charles Mlingwa Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, P.O. Box 661 Arusha, Tanzania Abstract There are about 160 species of Palaearctic-African migratory birds currently known in Tanzania. However, very little is known of the population status, wintering sites and/or passage migratory routes of most, if not all, of the species. Hence the conservation status of these birds, including their critical wintering or passage sites as well as their conflicts with man in terms of crop damage or strikes with aircraft are not well known. This article briefly highlights what is currently known about these birds in Tanzania. It is suggested that research and monitoring be carried out in order to raise public awareness of socio-economic and educational importance of these migratory birds, and hence their conservation. Particular reference is made to land birds. Résumé Il y a environ 160 espèces d oiseaux migrateurs paléarctiques africains en Tanzanie. Cependant, pour presque toutes ces espèces, très peu est connu sur leur statut, leurs sites d hivernage et/ou leur route de migration. Par conséquent, le statut de conservation de ces oiseaux ainsi que leurs sites les plus importants d hivernage ou de passage et des conflits avec l homme sous forme de destruction des récoltes ou collisions avec des avions ne sont pas connus. Cet article passe en revue ce qui est connu sur les oiseux migrateurs paléarctiques africains en Tanzanie. Il recommande que la recherche et le suivi des ces oiseaux soient conduits pour accroître la sensibilisation publique sur leur importance socio-économique et d éducation ainsi que leur conservation. Le cas particulier des oiseaux terrestres est présenté Introduction Out of Tanzania s rich avifauna (1090 species), 192 species are believed to be regular seasonal migrants, 160 of which are passage or wintering Palaearctic birds (Britton 1980, Dowsett, and Dowsett-Lemaire 1993, van Perlo 1995). Mackworth - Praed & Grant (1960), Moreau (1972) and Curry-Lindahl (1981) have provided a general account of the distribution of Palaearctic birds in the Afrotropical region including Tanzania. Summers et al (1987) have described the migration systems of waders in southern and eastern Africa and western Asia, while Pearson and Lack (1992) have described the migration patterns and habitat use of Palaearctic migratory passerine birds in eastern Africa. However, much of the information by these authors was from studies carried out mainly outside Tanzania, in the case of eastern Africa (see references in Pearson and Lack 1992). Thus very little is known regarding population status, wintering sites and/or passage routes of most, if not all, of the species. Any conflicts with man are also largely unkown.

2 170 This article summarises the few major studies done so far on Palaearctic migrants in Tanzania, and indicates gaps in the knowledge that need to be addressed through research and monitoring in order to enhance the conservation of these birds. Methods A survey of the literature was carried out to determine major studies and/or surveys of Palaearctic birds in Tanzania. Results Records of Palaearctic birds in Tanzania General ornithological surveys carried out in Tanzania from the colonial period to the present (e.g Mackworth-Praed and Grant 1960, Britton 1980, Dowsett and Dowsett- Lemaire 1983, van Perlo 1995) have recorded a total of 160 species of Palaearctic birds in Tanzania (Appendix I). Schmidl (1982) produced a list of birds including Palaearctic migrants occurring in the Serengeti National Park. Records of Palaearctic birds in the Dar es Salaam area on the coast have been documented by Harvey and Howel (1987). Studies on distribution and abundance of Palaearctic birds in Tanzania The sole study of distribution and abundance of Palaearctic migratory landbirds in the Serengeti National Park was carried out by Sinclair (1978). Bregnballe et al (1990) performed a survey on distribution and abundance of waders along the coast of Tanzania (Fig. 1). The only other surveys on distribution and abundance of Palaearctic birds in Tanzania are those of waterbird counting carried out every January and July (e.g. Baker 1996, Fig. 2). All other studies on abundance of Palaearctic migratory landbirds have been on a smaller scale (e.g. Mlingwa 1992). Figure 1: Location of coastal survey areas 1988 and 1989 along the East African coast (After Bregnballe et al 1990).

3 171 Figure 2: Important wetlands counted in January 1995 (after Baker 1996). Figure 3: Principal Wildlife Protected Areas in Tanzania

4 172 Palaearctic birds and flight safety There are few studies of Palaearctic birds and flight safety in Tanzania (e.g Howell & Msuya 1993). According to Howell and Msuya (1993), the black kite (Milvus migrans) has been noted as a problem bird for flight safety at the Dar es Salaam International Airport, since it accounted for over 60% of all cases of bird strike with aircrafts between 1989 and Discussion Despite the occurrence of a high number of Palaearctic bird species in Tanzania, studies of their distribution and abundance as well as wintering sites and passage migration routes are remarkably scarce (e.g Britton 1980, Mlingwa 1992, Pearson and Lack 1992). Only waterbirds are the subject of regular annual counting, albeit on a generally limited scale (e.g. Baker 1996). Consequently, the need to initiate research and regular monitoring of distribution and abundance of Palaearctic landbirds in Tanzania cannot be over-emphasized (Mlingwa 2001). The rationale for the curent and future work on Palaearctic birds is as follows: Given the large land surface for the entire country (see Fig. 3), Tanzania provides possibly many more important sites for wintering and passage migratory Palaearctic birds than currently known. The Kilimanjaro International Airport, near Arusha in northern Tanzania, is located on a flyway for a number of Palaearctic migrants including the white stork (Ciconia ciconia) as well as intra-african migrants such as the Abdim s stork (Ciconia abdimii) (pers. observ.). Migratory birds know no boundaries, such that Tanzania must constitute part of an international network if we are to better conserve Palaearctic birds. In fact, in 1999 Tanzania ratified the Bonn Convention on migratory animals such as Palaearctic birds, for which thorough research and monitoring are essential activities for effective conservation. Bird migration offers a useful tool to disseminate education and public awareness of the natural wonders and the need to preserve them for the betterment of human life (see Leshem and Bahat 1999). About 30% of the total land area of Tanzania is wildlife protection, as Game Reserves and National Parks; these are also mportant for Palaearctic birds (see, for example, Plate 1). However, birds in general have received very little attention compared to other animal taxa found in such protected areas (Sinclair and Arcese 1995, Senzota and Mlingwa 2001). The fact that no serious bird strikes have been documented in Tanzania (Howell and Msuya 1993) does not mean that flight safety is guaranteed; they may be happening but are currently unreported to ornithologists. Although the protected area network in Tanzania offers a safe region for passage and/ or wintering Palaearctic birds, human activities such as encroachment and infractructural development pose a conservation threat (Mlingwa and Manyanza 2000). It is therefore

5 173 necessary to enhance research and monitoring of distribution and population status of Palaearctic birds both within and beyond the protected areas, with a view to establishing effective conservation measures, including habitat protection. The Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI) is drawing up a programme to study and monitor the population status of Palaearctic migrants in Tanzania (see Mlingwa & Manyanza 2000). In addition, the Institute recently established an education programme to disseminate conservation education to a wider audience with a view to raising public awareness of, among others, Palaearctic birds. In this endeavour, the Institute sees the importance of collaborating with other interested parties, for migratory birds provide a global conservation challenge that requires international cooperation, with a good example being the Migrating Birds Know No Boundaries Programme initiated by Yossi Leshem in Israel (Leshem 2001). References Baker, N.E (comp.) Tanzania Waterbird Count; January Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania: Dar es Salaam. Bregnballe, T.K. Halberg, L.N. Hansen, I.K. Petersen & O. Thorup Ornithological winter surveys on the coast of Tanzania ICBP Study Report No. 43. Britton, P.L. (ed.) Birds of East Africa. East Africa Natural History Society: Nairobi. Curry- Lindahl, K Bird Migration in Africa. Academic Press: London Dowsett R.J. & F. Dowsett-Lemaire A contribution to the distribution and taxanomy of Afrotropical and Malagasy birds. Tauraco research Paper No. 5 Tauraco Press: Liege. Harvey, W.G. & K.M Howell The birds of the Dar es Salaam area, Tanzania. Le Gerfaut 77: Howell, K.M. & C.A. Msuya Bird hazards to aircraft at Dar es Salaam International Airport, Tanzania. Proc. VIII Pan-Afr. Orn. Congr.: Leshem, Y African International Seminar on Bird Migration. Research, Conservation, Education & Flight Safety; Israel, April 29-May 11, Abstracts. Leshem, Y. & O. Bahat Flying with the Birds. Kal Press: Tel Aviv. Mlingwa, C Birds of the main University campus in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a ringing study. Scopus 16: Mlingwa, C.O.F A new research agenda for the Serengeti ecosystem: priority research for the maintenance of biodiversity. In: Senzota, R.B.M & C.O.F. Mlingwa Contributed papers at the workshop on new wildlife research agenda in Tanzania, held in Arusha, October 13-14, DUP (1996) Ltd: Dar es Salaam. Mlingwa, C.O.F & D.N. Manyanza New Wildlife Research Agenda in Tanzania. Proceedings of the workshop held in Arusha, October 13-14, DUP (1996) Ltd: Dar es Salaam.

6 174 Moreau, R.E The Palaearctic-African Bird Migration Systems. Academic Press: London. Pearson, D.J. & P.C. Lack Migration patterns and habitat use by passerine and near- passerine migrant birds in eastern Africa. Ibis (suppl) 134: Schmidl, D The Birds of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Checklist No.5 British Ornithologists Union: London. Senzota, R.B.M & C.O.F. Mlingwa Contributed papers at the workshop on new wildlife research agenda in Tanzania, held in Arusha, October 13-14, DUP (1996) Ltd: Dar es Salaam. Sincair, A.R.E Factors affecting the food supply and breeding season of resident birds and movements of Palaearctic migrants in a tropical African savannah. Ibis 120: Sinclair, A.R.E. & P. Arcese Serengeti II. Dynamics, management and conservation of an ecosystem. University of Chicago Press: Chicago & London. Summers, R.W., L.G. Underhill, D.J. Rearson & D.A. Scott Wader migration systems in southern and eastern Africa and western Asia. Wader Study Group Bull (suppl.) 49: Van Perlo, B Birds of Eastern Africa. Collins illustrated checklist. Harper Collins Publishers: London. Appendix I Palearctic-African Migratory Species in Tanzania. English Name Scientific Name English Name Scientific Name White Pelican Bittern Little Bittern Dwarf Bittern Grey Heron Purple Heron Great White Egret Night Heron White Stork Black Stork Glossy Ibis European Spoonbill Greater Flamingo Pintail Shoveler Teal Wigeon Garganey Pelecanus onocrotalus Botaurus stellaris Ixobrychus minutus Ixobrychus sturmii Ardea cinerea Ardea purpurea Egretta alba Nycticorax nycticorax Ciconia ciconia Ciconia nigra Plegadis falcinellus Platalea leucordia Phoenicopterus ruber Anas acuta Anas clypeata Anas crecca Anas penelope Anas querquedula Gadwall Northern Pochard Tufted Duck Southern Pochard Eurasian Marsh Harrier Pallid Harrier Montagu s Harrier Eurasian Sparrowhawk Steppe Eagle Lesser Spotted Eagle Imperial Eagle Tawny Eagle Grasshopper Buzzard Common Buzzard Long-legged Buzzard Booted Eagle Black Kite Honey Buzzard Anas strepera Aythya ferina Aythya fuligula Netta erythrophthalma Circus aeruginosus Circus macrourus Circus pygargus Accipiter nisus Accipiter nipalensis Accipiter pomarina Accipiter heliaca Accipiter rapax Butastur rufipennis Buteo buteo Buteo rufinus Hieraaetus pennatus Milvus migrans Pervis apivorus

7 175 English Name Scientific Name English Name Scientific Name Osprey Eastern Red-footed Falcon Saker Falcon Sooty Falcon Eleonora s Falcon Lesser Kestrel Peregrine Falcon Hobby Kestrel Red-footed Falcon Blue Quail Quail Corncrake Spotted Crake Lesser Spotted Crake Oystercatcher Caspian Plover Little Ringed Plover Forbes Plover Ringed Plover Great Sandplover Mongolian Sandplover Lesser Golden Plover Grey Plover Common Sandpiper Curlew Whimbrel Spotted Redshank Wood Sandpiper Greenshank Green Sandpiper Marsh Sandpiper Redshank Terek Sandpiper Common Snipe Great Snipe Jack Snipe Sanderling Knot Curlew Sandpiper Little Stint Temminck s Stint Broad-billed Sandpiper Bar-tailed Godwit Black-tailed Godwit Pandion haliaetus Falco amurensis Falco cherrug Falco concolor Falco eleonorae Falco naumanni Falco peregrinus Falco subbuteo Falco tinnunculus Falco vespertinus Coturnix chinensis Coturnix cortunix Crex crex Porzana porzana Porzana pusilla Haematopus ostralegus Charadrius asiaticus Charadrius dubius Charadrius forbesi Charadrius hiaticula Charadrius leschenaultii Charadrius mongolus Pluvialis dominica Pluvialis squatarola Actitis hypoleucos Numenius arquata Numenius phaeopus Tringa erythropus Tringa glareola Tringa nebularia Tringa ochropus Tringa stagnatilis Tringa totanus Xenus cinereus Gallinago gallinago Gallinago media Lymnocryptes minimus Calidris alba Calidris canutus Calidris ferruginea Calidris minuta Calidris temminckii Limicola falcinellus Limosa lapponica Limosa limosa Ruff Turnstone Black-winged Stilt Avocet Red-necked Phalarope Crab Plover Spotted Thicknee Stone Curlew Common Pratincole Herring Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Sooty Gull Black-headed Gull Whiskered Tern White-winged Black Tern Gull-billed Tern Little Tern Lesser Crested Tern Crested Tern Caspian Tern Roseate Tern Saunders s Tern Common Tern Sandwich Tern Great Spotted Cuckoo Eurasian Cuckoo Lesser Cuckoo Scops Owl Eurasian Nightjar Eurasian Swift Alpine Swift Eurasian Bee-eater Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Eurasian Roller Hoopoe House Martin White-throated Swallow Red-rumped Swallow Eurasian Swallow Sand Martin Golden Oriole Sprosser Nightingale Little Rock Thrush Rock Thrush Philomachus pugnax Arenaria interpres Himantopus himantopus Recurvirostra avosetta Phalaropus lobatus Dromas ardeola Burhinus capensis Burhinus oedicnemus Glareola pratincola Larus argentatus Larus fuscus Larus hemprichii Larus ridibundus Chlidonias hybridus Chlidonias leucopterus Gelochelidon nilotica Sterna albifrons Sterna bengalensis Sterna bergii Sterna caspia Sterna dougallii Sterna saundersi Sterna hirundo Sterna sandvicensis Clamator glandarius Cuculus canorus Cuculus poliocephalus Otus scops Caprimulgus europaeus Apus apus Apus melba Merops apiaster Merops persicus Coracias garrulus Upupa epops Delichon urbica Hirudo albigularis Hirundo daurica Hirundo rustica Riparia riparia Oriolus oriolus Luscinia luscinia Luscinia megarhynchos Monticola rufocinerea Monticola saxatilis

8 176 English Name Scientific Name English Name Scientific Name Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus Garden Warbler Sylvia borin Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Whitethroat Sylvia communis Stonechat Saxicola torquata Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris Little Tawny Pipit Anthus caffer Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina White Wagtail Motacilla alba Upcher s Warbler Hippolais languida Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis Red-tailed Shrike Lanius isabellinus Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor