Paarl bird sanctuary on world map
2005-03-24
A POSTER detailing the results of ten years of monthly monitoring by a small group of dedicated volunteers at the Paarl Bird Sanctuary has been exhibited at the Pan-African Ornithological Congress held in Tunisia.
It was presented by Doug Harebottle of the Avian Demography Unit, University of Cape Town.
The data was submitted to the Co-ordinated Waterbird Counts (CWAC) as part of the African Waterbird Census (AfWC) programme co-ordinated by Wetlands International.
Dr Tony Williams, the celebrated expert on waterbirds, was the co-author of the poster.
The poster reflects the analysis of what has happened at the sanctuary over the past decade. The sanctuary has now been proved to be a vital dry season refuge for birds, particularly ducks and geese, breeding at regional ephemeral wetlands.
After Strandfontein, the Paarl Sanctuary now ranks as the second most important sewage treatment works for waterbirds in the Cape Metropole area.
It also supports globally and regionally important numbers of more than 11 species and has been recommended for international and subregional status as an Important Bird Area (IBA).
The Sanctuary has developed exponentially as a result of the indefatigable efforts of Mr Graham Tong, now retired as Town Engineer.
He has been chairman of the Municipal Advisory Committee for the past decade, ably assisted by Cedric Morkel, Superintendent of the Waste Water Treatment Works.
Data collected monthly by a dedicated group of Paarl birders shows that the number of White-winged Terns has declined dramatically in the past decade, while the Lesser Flamingo numbers have dropped out of sight.
Both the Lesser Flamingo and the Great White Pelican are Red Data, or endangered species. Resident waders and gulls in winter and resident ducks and migratory terns in summer demonstrate the seasonal pattern of water bird abundance.
One of the largest populations of Blacksmith Lapwing in the region is resident at the sanctuary and the southern African endemic, Hartlaub’s Gull is shown to have the highest inland population in the sub-region.
The Paarl Bird Sanctuary is an internationally-renowned user-friendly sanctuary open to all bird lovers from 07:00 to 19:00 daily.
It is regularly visited by birders, photographers, schools and other groups. Sanctuary regulations apply, but entry is free for visitors checking in at the gate.
With the draining of the lower ponds at the Wellington Waste Water Treatment Works, many more birds are returning to the Paarl pans as a permanent home in the dry summer months.
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