Birds are acknowledged as an important part of the environment and Rio Tinto(plc), a British company and the owners of Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), have for some time believed that the knowledge and enthusiasm of birders living on their sites should be encouraged and enhanced. The question was how? The opportunity presented itself when discussions were held with BirdLife International regarding a partnership agreement in May 2000. Birds were selected as the focus of a partnership because they are important indicators of environmental quality, biodiversity and sustainable land-use practices. They also provide a powerful focus for engaging with local communities and employees.
The aims of the joint project between Rio Tinto and BirdLife International (called Birds and the Environment) are to collect data about birds from sites and to encourage staff to take an interest in birds and their environment. October was selected as the month for a 'Birdwatching Week' because it occurs in seasons around the globe that allow as many sites as possible to participate. The information that is collected during the 'Birdwatch Week' will be collated by BirdLife International and made available to sites. A guideline document was circulated and volunteer coordinators selected, with a good deal of autonomy being allowed to each site to chose events suitable to their own situations. Nineteen sites took part in the Birdwatch in ten countries around the world: Australia 1, Brazil 2, Canada 1 (our sister company QIT), France 1, Indonesia 1, Papua-New Guinea 1, South Africa 2 (RBM & Phalaborwa), United Kingdom 2, USA 3, and Zimbabwe 5.Bird talks by two local birders (both RBM employees) were held on 25 October at the Imvubu Log Cabins in Richards Bay. The first presentation by Pete Outhwaite was entitled 'How to Watch Birds - a Beginners Guide'. In addition to dealing with birding jargon, advice was given on practical aspects of birding including equipment, techniques and local birding 'hotspots'. Some comparisons of similar species were also illustrated. The talk was somewhat tongue-in-cheek and based to some extent on Bill Oddie's 'Little Black Birdbook'. Andrew Sutherland's offering covered several of the specials present in the area planned for the Birdwatch outings and concentrated on distinguishing features of some of the more colourful species, e.g. Livingstone's Lourie, Narina Trogon and Woodwards' Batis, the latter being a species in need of confirmation. Attendance was 50 people, with numbers being adversely affected by a heavy rainstorm immediately prior to the event. Response was positive with most of the people learning what it means to 'have' a rare 'endemic' and to 'grip' it on 'jizz'.
Our hearts were in our mouths as the week progressed with no let up in the rain but by Saturday the rain had decreased, to some extent, leaving a dull overcast day for the first Birdwatching event. The venue was part of RBM's ecostrip and comprised a particularly beautiful section of mature forest following the estuary of Lake Nhlabane, which is RBM's main source of water. Paths had been cut previously as part of a plan to develop a conservancy area. Guides from the 'Zululand Birding Route', Natal Bird Club (BirdLife SA), Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa, Nseleni Conservancy, Durban Natural Science Museum, and RBM employees took groups of around eight people at a time out at regular intervals as people arrived at the venue. Fifty-one people took part and a species count of 118 was achieved. Six new species for the area were identified. Five of these, Swift Tern, Palm Swift, Cardinal Woodpecker, Plum-coloured Starling and Red-breasted Swallow were not unexpected. Brown Robin represented a significant range extension but most significant was the confirmation of Woodwards' Batis, of which there had been only one previous record. David Allan, Curator of Birds at the Durban Natural Science Museum, who was the guide who found the batis, was most excited at this range extension of this restricted southern African endemic.The regular sightings of the beautiful Livingstone's Lourie (at times 'dripping off' the trees) was also considered extremely important. Good views of breeding African Bazas (better known as Cuckoo Hawks), several recently arrived intra-African migrant Broad-billed Rollers and several of the restricted range Brown-throated Weaver were also 'lifers' for many people. Numerous Yellowbills (usually called Green Coucals in southern Africa) were heard and a frustrating time was had trying to coax them out in the open.
Our 'nest-finder guide' Bruce Nicholson managed to find active nests of Long-crested Eagle, White-eared Barbet, Forest Weaver and Collared Sunbird, the latter being sited very close to a hornet's nest, presumably for protection. A Lesser Honeyguide was also seen parasitising the nest of a Cardinal Woodpecker. Ben Baxter's group heard the mournful call of the Buff-spotted Flufftail but no one had time to seek out this notoriously secretive bird. Tina Lickford had restricted views of a bird she believed to be an African Cuckoo. This is quite a rare species and the identification was supported the following day when the same species was found by Pete Outhwaite's group in the rehabilitating area.By lunchtime the weather was back to normal South African standard and braai fires were lit on the edge of the lake. This gave an opportunity for 'stringy' records to be discussed and rejected, and further observations of Striated (Green-backed) Heron, Black Crake, and Malachite and Giant kingfishers. The latter was observed entering its nest in the river bank above the fish ladder, this having recently been built to allow fish to traverse the outflow weir.
George Deyzel (RBM's Managing Director), who had birded along the lake shore with his wife Chrissie during the morning, met all who had taken part and thanked them for their participation. George's previous post at Phalaborwa, close to Kruger Park, had produced an interest in birding and he looked forward to seeing many new species in his new environment.The Sunday outing began on time at 06h30 the following day (29 October). Attendance was 35 and four groups of birders explored the 20-year-old rehabilitating forest areas adjacent to the old ecology offices. As expected, the species count was lower than the previous day but several surprises were in store. First on the list was Emerald Cuckoo which was much in evidence around the meeting point. These are normally winter visitors to the coast and have been quite rare in previous years. African Baza was again added to the list, as were African Goshawk, Gymnogene and Scaly-throated Honey guide. Flocks of Black-tailed (Grey) Waxbills and Black-and-White (Red- backed) Mannikins were found quite close to the sea, with a single Blue-mantled Flycatcher being heard nearby. The lovely call of the Forest Weaver was heard everywhere, with occasional views of this, most beautiful, of weavers. On returning to the braai site at around 11h00, with the temperature climbing into the high 20's, a hatch of alates (termites) was observed, with the birds going 'moggie' around them. Pygmy Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Bulbul and Black Saw-wing Swallow were all taking advantage of the bounty. A Black-throated Wattle-eye (or Wattle-eyed Flycatcher) was also seen nearby.
The braai was started early due to the heat and the day was completed with a count of 60 species. This brought the total for the weekend to 127 species.The consensus was that the Birdwatch had been well conceived and should probably become an annual event. The positive comment by WESSA, BirdLife SA, and other local bodies would indicate that attendance might be increased next year.
Pete OuthwaiteRio Tinto Birdwatch Coordinator
Richards Bay Minerals