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Biodiversity Observations
Number of Followers: 2

This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Print) 2219-0341
Published by U of Cape Town

[5 journals]

Cape Sparrow trapped in Cape Weaver nest
- Authors: H. Dieter Oschadleus
  Pages: 1 - 4
  Abstract: On 29 November 2023, during a bird ringing session at the Vanrhynsdorp Sewage Works, we discovered a dead female Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus hanging from an old Cape Weaver Ploceus capensis breeding nest. This is the first record of a nest fatality of a Cape Sparrow in any weaver nest.
  PubDate: 2024-01-19
  DOI: 10.15641/bo.1513
  Issue No: Vol. 14 (2024)
The open-access journal Biodiversity Observations: report for 2023
- Authors: Les G Underhill, Rene A. Navarro, Megan Loftie-Eaton
  Pages: 5 - 8
  Abstract: Volume 13 of Biological Observation, published in 2023, contained 39 papers. The largest number of papers in a single volume was in the year 2016, when Volume 7 contained 103 papers.
  PubDate: 2024-01-23
  DOI: 10.15641/bo.1515
  Issue No: Vol. 14 (2024)
Birds as indicators for the environmental impact of anthropogenic
activities on Onguma, Namibia
- Authors: Manuel Weber, Ilse Storch, Timm Hoffman, Robert Thomson
  Pages: 9 - 26
  Abstract: Protected areas must be managed to maintain biodiversity. Management strategies can be optimized by assessing the impact of implemented management tools and land uses. This study assesses the environmental impact of the major anthropogenic forms of disturbance that occur or have occurred on Onguma Nature Reserve, including the presence or absence of game, cattle farming, manual plant removal, chemical plant control, and veld fires. Birds were employed as indicator taxon for the state of the environment. Using generalized linear models, bird species richness, diversity, and abundance were predicted by the variables of interest as well as soil and vegetation gradients to account for the underlying environmental variability. Additionally, the species composition of the different sub-communities was examined with a NMDS ordination. Manual plant removal increases, chemical plant removal decreases bird species richness and diversity. Veld fires act diversifying on the avifauna. Removing game significantly lowers the species richness and diversity of birds, indicating that the overall game numbers on Onguma are healthy. The species composition differs among land uses, with grassland specialists less present where cattle farming occurred, suggesting that habitat-selective degradation has taken place. These results must be contextualized to the study site because the environmental effect of a land use depends on the intensity at which it is implemented, and the consequences of a management tool depend on the need and method of the intervention. Furthermore, the environment dictates the choice of treatment and reacts to the latter, ultimately impacting the bird fauna. Thus, the state of the underlying environment mediates the effect of the treatment on the indicator taxon.
  PubDate: 2024-05-17
  DOI: 10.15641/bo.1180
  Issue No: Vol. 14 (2024)
Evidence for a possible range expansion of White-fronted Bee-eater Merops
bullockoides into the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa
- Authors: Brandon P.M. Edwards, Allison D. Binley
  Pages: 27 - 34
  Abstract: Many bird species are undergoing rapid range shifts in response to habitat change, climate change, and anthropogenic factors. Although ranges shift, these shifts may not be accurately reflected in static range maps, particularly if range maps are not updated regularly. We observed a White-fronted Bee-eater (Merops bullockoides) while birding in the Western Cape province of South Africa, an area not currently covered by this species’ known range. However, after investigating some other recent reports on the popular citizen science platform eBird, and comparing to changes in occurrence of this species from the Southern Africa Bird Atlas Projects, we suspect that this species is undergoing a range shift into the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa. We illustrate this potential range shift with evidence from these citizen science platforms as well as from the literature. We conclude with a recommendation for conservation managers to adapt dynamic range maps for use in conservation decisions.
  PubDate: 2024-05-21
  DOI: 10.15641/bo.1375
  Issue No: Vol. 14 (2024)
Garden bird ringing at 3 Florence Street, Oatlands, Mkhanda (Grahamstown):
the closing chapter
- Authors: Adrian JFK Craig
  Pages: 35 - 43
  Abstract: This is the third and final report summarizing 42 years of bird ringing in a garden in Mkhanda. In total, 2036 birds of 59 species were ringed, of which 217 individuals (27 species) were recaptured at least once, and 34 birds (17 species) were recovered dead.
  PubDate: 2024-05-22
  DOI: 10.15641/bo.1500
  Issue No: Vol. 14 (2024)
Second bibliography of biodiversity research on Robben Island
- Authors: Richard B. Sherley, Les G Underhill, Peter J Barham
  Pages: 44 - 49
  Abstract: This bibliography of published output of research relating to Robben Island, Table Bay, South Africa, covers the period 2016–2024. The previous bibliography covered the period up to 2016. All authors are grateful to the Robben Island Museum for support for this research, which is a contribution to the knowledge record of this World Heritage Site.
  PubDate: 2024-05-22
  DOI: 10.15641/bo.1565
  Issue No: Vol. 14 (2024)
A spanner in the taxonomic works' A simultaneous spawning irruption of
Giant Pyxicephalus adspersus and Edible P. edulis Bullfrogs
- Authors: Derek Engelbrecht
  Pages: 50 - 54
  Abstract: This note reports on observations of the simultaneous breeding irruptions of Pyxicephalus adspersus and P. edulis at the same place and time on the farm Uitkoms 864 LS north of Polokwane (23° 41' 30"S, 29° 30' 23"E, QDGC 2329DA; 1192 m a.s.l.). The frogs were calling and spawning over an area of approximately 3 500 m2 which comprised of a series of several shallow pools of varying degrees of interconnectedness. There was no apparent niche separation within the pools, and both species were found in all areas of the pools. Callings males were well-spaced, usually at least 30 cm between calling P. adspersus and P. edulis males. Typical of bullfrog spawning aggregations, both species exhibited aggressive behaviour, both intra- and interspecifically.
  PubDate: 2024-05-23
  DOI: 10.15641/bo.1538
  Issue No: Vol. 14 (2024)
First record of African Dusky Flycatcher on Robben Island
- Authors: H. Dieter Oschadleus, Karis Daniel, Liam Charlton, Felicity Ellmore
  Pages: 55 - 57
  Abstract: An African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta was observed on 23 May 2024 on Robben Island, Table Bay, South Africa. This brings the total number of bird species recorded on Robben Island to 166; the number reported since 2000 is 135.
  PubDate: 2024-05-28
  DOI: 10.15641/bo.1567
  Issue No: Vol. 14 (2024)
Winged laughter: First confirmed sighting of the Laughing Dove Spilopelia
senegalensis in Kollam, Kerala, India
- Authors: Pathissery John Sarlin, Sandie Morris, Sancia Morris, Savio Morris, Polycarp Joseph
  Pages: 58 - 59
  Abstract: The Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis had previously not been recorded in Kollam, Kerala, India; the sighting reported here was made on 2 December 2023. The distance to the nearest previous record is c. 80 km.
  PubDate: 2024-05-29
  DOI: 10.15641/bo.1561
  Issue No: Vol. 14 (2024)
Bathing in the Southern Brown-throated Weaver
- Authors: H Dieter Oschadleus
  Pages: 60 - 61
  Abstract: The first record of bathing in the Southern Brown-throated Weaver Ploceus xanthopterus was made n 18 September 2021 in Katima Mulilo (17°29'42.07"S, 24°19'26.36"E) , Namibia.
  PubDate: 2024-05-30
  DOI: 10.15641/bo.1569
  Issue No: Vol. 14 (2024)
Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris: a veritable avian weightlifter
- Authors: Peter Cunningham
  Pages: 62 - 66
  Abstract: Four nests of Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris were examined. The nests were constructed mainly of awns and stems grasses (genus Stipagrostis) on substantial foundations averaging 827 components, mostly small stones, with an average weight of 723 g, which is 33 times the weight of the average Familiar Chat.
  PubDate: 2024-05-30
  DOI: 10.15641/bo.1570
  Issue No: Vol. 14 (2024)
Seasonality of breeding by Chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar on Robben
Island
- Authors: Les G Underhill
  Pages: 67 - 70
  Abstract: Eight records suggest that the timing of breeding of the introduced Chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar on Robben Island can tentatively be described as from September to November.
  PubDate: 2024-06-07
  DOI: 10.15641/bo.1573
  Issue No: Vol. 14 (2024)
Southern giant petrels as indicators of ocean surface currents
- Authors: Megan Cimino, Carlos Moffat
  Pages: 71 - 74
  Abstract: A southern giant petrel was satellite tracked during a long foraging trip. While presumably at rest on the sea surface, the giant petrel drifted in a counterclockwise corkscrew pattern that is characteristic of an inertial oscillation in the Southern Ocean. This note demonstrates that tracking data from resting seabirds, like giant petrels, can be used as passive drifters to estimate ocean surface currents in a notoriously stormy environment where data near the air-sea interface is difficult to obtain.
  PubDate: 2024-06-10
  DOI: 10.15641/bo.1503
  Issue No: Vol. 14 (2024)
White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides increasing its presence along
the Orange River in southern Namibia
- Authors: Peter L Cunningham (Snr), Peter L Cunningham (Jnr)
  Pages: 75 - 78
  Abstract: The White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides is common in northeastern Namibia, in the Caprivi Strip. This paper reports the first records for southern Namibia, along the Orange River. The first record was made in 2010, in southeastern Namibia. By 2023, they were observed in small groups on seven out of 12 days on a canoe trip downstream of the 2010 sighting, as far west as Senderlingsdrift.
  PubDate: 2024-06-12
  DOI: 10.15641/bo.1576
  Issue No: Vol. 14 (2024)
Cape Rock Thrush Monticola rupestris kills and eats a snake
- Authors: Bruce M Dyer, Madeleine Dyer
  Pages: 79 - 80
  Abstract: Cape Rock Thrush Monticola rupestris was observed to kill and eat a Spotted Skaapsteker Psammophylax rhombeatus at Rooi Els, Western Cape South Africa. This is the first record of the diet of this bird species including a snake.
  PubDate: 2024-08-02
  DOI: 10.15641/bo.1616
  Issue No: Vol. 14 (2024)

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