A SURVEY OF THE DUNE-BREEDING BIRDS IN THE EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

Summary Watson, J.J. & Kerley, G.I.H. 1995. A survey of the dune-breeding birds in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Ostrich 66:15-20. Increasing human activity in sensitive dune areas may negatively impact dune-breeding birds. The aim of this study was to survey populations of dune-breeding birds along 237 km of sand and dune coastline between Huisklip and The Great Fish River, Eastern Cape. The numbers of Whitefronted Plovers Charadrius marginatus, African Black Oystercatchers Haematopus moquini and Damara Terns Sterna balaenarum were recorded in 33 sections along the coast. A total of 589 African Black Oystercatchers (2.49 birds/km), 537 Whitefronted Plovers (2.27 birds/km) and 28 Damara Terns (0.12 birds/km), were observed. Only one Damara Tern was seen outside the Alexandria Dunefield, which provides 74% of the total potential Damara Tern nesting sites in the Eastern Cape. The area between the Kabeljous and Maitland Rivers and between the Sundays River and Woody Cape (Alexandria Dunefield) are important areas for all dune-breeding birds and both areas are heavily utilized by people, particularly with off-road vehicles. Although these areas are managed by conservation authorities, negative impacts on nestlings have been observed; the effects of this are not as yet evident in the population. The increasing human activity in coastal areas, especially in dunefields, is cause for concern. We recommend these sensitive areas be closed to vehicular traffic and that all off-road vehicle use in sandy areas be controlled more effectively.