Rainfall affects coastal birds

THE record rainfall throughout the country and the flooding in the Walvis Bay area earlier this year had a marked effect on the number of birds counted, the July 2011 annual bird count at the coast revealed.

The absence of flamingos is the most obvious sign of environmental changes. Stilts, avocets, Cape teal and chestnut banded plovers were conspicuous by their absence. With inland pans, dams, gravel pits and other water sources all full, many birds have moved away from the coast to breed and feed.Looking at figures for the last five years, 2011 with 22 725 birds is the lowest winter count yet. The second lowest was in 2009 with 52 661 birds. The other winter counts were all around 100 000 birds.The lowest summer count was in 2009 with 95 380 birds and the highest in 2008 with 190 189 birds.The Walvis Bay sewage ponds had only 499 birds, again the lowest count over the last five years. The highest was summer in 2009 with 2 240 birds.Holger Kolberg and assistants counted at Cape Cross and Sandwich Harbour, and there were very few birds in comparison to other years as well.Volunteers who helped with the bird count included experienced birders from the Namibia Bird Club.- Contributed by Peter Bridgeford