Conservation of coastal habitats of waders in the south-western Cape, South Africa

Abstract

Counts of waders (Aves: Charadrii) in the coastal regions of the south-western Cape, South Africa, were made in the austral summer of 1975/76. Forty-four coastal wetlands and 49 sections of coastline were visited. The total wader population was estimated to be 119,000, of which 103,000 (86%) were Palaearctic migrants. The most abundant Palaearctic species was the curlew sandpiper ( Caalidris ferruginea (Pontoppidan)) and the most abundant resident species was the white-fronted plover ( Charadrius marginatus Vieillot). No species can be considered to be endangered in the south-western Cape but a decrease in available wader habitat has occurred. South Africa is a Contracting Party to the ‘Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, Especially as Waterfowl Habitat’, and therefore should increase its protected wetland habitats. Ten major wetlands in the south-western Cape, containing 68% of the estimated total wader population, are recommended for elevation to nature reserve status. South Africa has a responsibility to protect Palaearctic waders already protected on their Northern Hemisphere breeding grounds.