African Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus baeticatus
Records: 235
Drafted by: Faansie Peacock
Draft Text Last Updated: 14 June 2005
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Distribution: Recorded widely thoughout
the region – recorded from all major wetlands (i.e. Diepsloot
NR, Grootvaly Wetland, Kgomo-kgomo
floodplain, Marievale BS, Mkhombo
NR, Rietvlei NR, Rondebult
BS, Rooiwal Sewerage Works
& Zonderwater). One bird was ringed at Rietvlei NR on 17
April 2004 (R. Geyser).
Gaps in Knowledge: Several areas are still unsampled,
and should support large numbers of this species. Efforts should be made to
establish how many birds (if any) overwinter.
Habitat: Principally restricted to emergent aquatic vegetation, including Typha & Phragmites,
also entering shrubbery, tall grass, weeds & thickets on the edges of its
wetlands. Occasionally found in atypical habitats including suburban gardens,
e.g. 1 bird (possibly sub-adult male or passage migrant) arrived in a garden in
Moreleta Park, Pretoria on 28 September 2003, where it frequented a 400m2
area, foraging 2-6m above the ground. Joined by a 2nd bird during
the night of 11 October, and disappeared early November. Same territory was occupied
by a Marsh Warbler March – April (pers. obs).
Status and movements: Common, summer breeding inter-African migrant.
The first birds arrive in August, with the earliest record being that of 2
birds at Buffelsdrift on 6 August 2002 (G. Scheepers). However,
the main mass of breeding birds arrive in September, whereupon males
frantically start singing to establish territories and attract females – this
greatly increases their conspicuousness, and was reflected in the data by a
striking rise in reporting rates. 5 records were received for August, while
September produced 21 birds, including 8 individuals at Diepsloot
NR on 7 September 2003. At the same
locality, 15 were seen on 11 October (A. Marx). Recording rates were stable
between October and February, reaching a maximum of 39 in January and a minimum
of 29 in February. After breeding, numbers dropped off gradually, with most
birds having departed by the last week of April. Singletons were recorded in
May (1 bird) and June (2 birds) – these were probably overwintering
juveniles. N of the PCC/BiG region, African Reed
Warblers are mostly resident.
Population: Widespread, and often successfully breeds in small,
isolated reedbeds. In Nov – April, the total
population in the PCC / BiG region probably exceeds
10 000 birds.
Conservation: Not threatened.