A TOTAL of 55 412 birds were counted at the Walvis Bay winter count two weeks ago.
According to Peter Bridgeford, a member of the Coastal and Environmental Trust of Namibia, 18 volunteers took part in the count.
“This is not the lowest winter count we have had over the last few years. July 2009, 2011and 2012 all had lower counts.
In July 2015, we had a total of 56 448 birds,” he said in a statement.
“We have had very low numbers of flamingos over the past few months. They left Walvis Bay to breed and now many are back and we counted a few hundred juvenile greater flamingos.”
He said the lesser flamingos had not returned with their chicks – presumably they are still breeding in Botswana.
At least 22 900 greater flamingos were recorded during this count. A lower count was recorded in August 1990, with only 16 700 and in July 1996, 21 800.
Lesser flamingos totalled 9 600 birds.
The other very conspicuous birds along the lagoon were the 704 pelicans recorded. In November 1987, only 64 pelicans were found there. However, in April 1988, the number had shot up to 1 399.
Most of the waders have escaped the cold weather by moving to the northern hemisphere. Some remain behind each year and curlew sandpipers are found in greatest numbers.
“This count we found 4 879, not the lowest for a winter count, as in July 2004, we had 1 302. In contrast, the maximum number was 44 257,” Bridgeford said.
The Walvis Bay sewage ponds had a low count, only 1 368 birds of 25 species.
The summer count will be held in February 2018.
The count was sponsored by Buccaneers Squash Club, Walvis Bat Salt Refiners, the Lookout, Namib Marine Services and Radio Electronic. Namibia Breweries, Probst Bakery and Walvis Bay Salt Refiners provided the lunches.
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