Counting Parrots- Report on the 2006 Cape Parrot Big Birding Day, the 9^th annual count.

Colleen T. Downs

School of Biological & Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa. Email: downs@ukzn.ac.za

Member of the Cape Parrot Working Group

Despite the bitterly cold weather, observers braved the conditions and assisted with the 9^th consecutive annual Cape Parrot count or Cape Parrot Big Birding Day (CPBBD) as it is known. This was initiated to determine numbers of birds in the wild as they are Endangered and their numbers have declined considerably in the past 30 years. In addition, the count creates public awareness and involves the public conserving South Africa’s only endemic parrot; and highlights the need for the protection of their forest habitat. Various factors have caused the decline in numbers of Cape Parrots. These factors include: forest degradation; food and nest-site shortages resulting in poor breeding success; removal of birds from the wild for the avicultural and pet trade; diseases, especially the beak and feather virus; and predators.

The areas of South Africa that are covered by the count include the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo Provinces. In the latter, there is only a remnant population of Cape Parrots. This year 282 volunteers were posted at 103 observation points in the three provinces. A total of 1108 parrots were seen during the afternoon count while 1322 were seen the following morning. These results are significantly higher than numbers in previous years. Observers saw parrots at 65% and 78% of the localities for the Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning respectively despite the cold and misty weather.

Variability of results between years and discrepancy between the morning and afternoon counts can be a consequence of poor weather, double counting, and missing areas where parrots are on the particular day. Also, when birds are concentrated at feeding sites, they give a false impression of abundance. However, as the count is continued year after year, there appears to be a positive trend of gradually increasing numbers of Cape Parrots, particularly this year. This is positive but I think we cannot get complacent because of the patchy distribution of the parrots and their dependence on yellowwood forests. I think this year I may have over counted birds, particularly in the Creighton area as birds were seen leaving forests and were later observed in large flocks feeding in pecan orchards. Although I checked times of departure and arrival I could not always identify whether they were the same parrots. Furthermore, I think we need to continue with the CPBBD to monitor the trends and hopefully in about 10 years time the population may approximate 10000 parrots but this requires a 25% yearly increase with no poaching which may be over optimistic. On the negative side, this year the parrots were observed feeding at sites away from forests on the CPBBD and in recent months, often in areas where they have not been previously seen or have been absent for many years. Furthermore, this year in many areas the parrots fed on exotic pecan nuts before they ripened and visited orchards earlier than previous years. In some areas they have been feeding on the ground (something they rarely do) on acorns that are high in tannins to discourage animals from eating them. At these non-forest feeding sites the parrots have often congregated in great numbers. All of this suggests that there is little suitable natural fruit available in the indigenous forests.

As mentioned in previous reports, one of the problems of covering the range of the Cape Parrots is that some observers do not see parrots. However, these nil counts are as important as sightings of the birds. The observers in the Byrne Valley near Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal have diligently observed for 9 years and were rewarded with their first sighting of Cape Parrots this year. Historically the parrots were common here as vouched by my grandfather who grew up in the area and who turns 100 years old in September.

Year	Weather	Observers	Cape Parrots am Total	Cape Parrots pm Total	Number of locations am	Number of locations pm	% obs. at locations am	% obs. At locations pm
1998	Good	136	321	179	47	37	64	38
1999	Poor	155	282	237	53	53	53	47
2000	Good	118	459	460	42	38	69	66
2001	Good	153	356	316	75	69	57	52
2002	Good	339	634	476	144	141	44	41
2003	Mixed	332	885	717	149	148	46	45
2004	Good	336	994	1021	127	125	68	58
2005	Good	339	969	894	125	122	58	56
2006	Mixed	282	1332	1108	103	103	78	65

Table 1. Summary of results of Cape Parrot Big Birding Day (1998-2006).

A summary of Cape Parrots numbers observed in different regions and provinces of South Africa is presented in Table 2. Unlike previous years, the most birds were recorded in KwaZulu-Natal, especially in the Creighton area. As mentioned earlier this may be a consequence of over counting. This total was slightly higher than the total number recorded in the Eastern Cape (the Amatola Mountain area from Alice to Stutterheim. In Limpopo Province, the highest number of birds was recorded compared with previous years here.

I can never express my gratefulness adequately to all those who participated in the CPBBD, particularly for the enthusiasm and continued support of the co-ordinators (Appendix 1) and volunteers, many of whom have participated now for 9 years. This is particularly rewarding. Many of the areas where people observe are remote localities, and again I am grateful that they continue to participate and bear the costs of getting to these sites. Thanks also to Kate Henderson for her assistance. In addition, the contribution of the DWAF, Sappi and Mondi foresters, Indwe Security (especially Gary Harvey and Bertus Bouwer), and E. Cape Nature Conservation and KZN Wildlife officials is greatly appreciated. Special thanks to Jean Pattison and the American Aviculturalists and bird clubs, and Mazda Wildlife for their continued support. This year the cost of students participating in the CPBBD was covered by a donation from the UK Parrot Society Conservation Fund for which I am most grateful.

Table 2. Summary of results of the Cape Parrot Big Birding Day 2006 (afternoon of the 6^th and morning of the 7^thMay) according to areas and provinces.

Area	Cape Parrots in morning	Cape Parrots in evening
Zululand	0	0
Boston	9	9
Bulwer	21	13
Byrne	0	2
Dargle	17	15
Karkloof	19	6
Creighton (KZN)	315	328
Creighton (Trans)	223	172
Weza	29	13
Glengarry	15	0
Umtata	115	93
Transkei Coast	62	50
Stutterheim	89	60
FF-Hogs-Keis	320	342
Limpopo	88	5
Total	1322	1108
KZN	410	386
Transkei	415	315
E.Cape	409	402
Limpopo	88	5

REMINDER: Next CAPE PARROT BIG BIRDING DAY

The 10^th CPBD will be held in 2007 on the Saturday afternoon of the 5^th May and the morning of the Sunday 6^th May. Please diarise this and contact one of the co-ordinators in the area where you would like to assist (see Appendix 1).

Appendix 1. Contact persons for Cape Parrot Big Birding Day 2007

Area	Name	Tel	Email
Overall co-ordinator	Prof. Colleen Downs	033 260 5127; 0829202026	downs@ukzn.ac.za
Zululand (Nkandla & Qudeni)	Pat Brenchley	035 474 2629 082 654 3549	pat.brenchley@sugar.org.za
Newcastle (Ncandu)	Tony Roberts	034 2125585 082 8217779	trtours@dundeekzn.co.za
Karkloof	Caroline Goble	033 3304590 0721399057	triandra@nitrosoft.co.za
Dargle/ Nottingham Rd/ Balgowan	Adam Robinson	033 2344484 0726146081	adamjnr@mweb.co.za
Byrne Valley	Malcolm Anderson	033 2122744 082 5723455	mmanderson@mweb.co.za
Boston	Barbara & Glyn Bullock	033 997 1783