Preliminary survey of Taita Falcon Falco fasciinucha in the Drakensberg escarpment region of Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, South Africa

Abstract

The Taita Falcon Falco fasciinucha is a rare and poorly known species, with less than 40 known nest sites scattered across eastern sub-Saharan Africa. This project was initiated to determine the size and conservation value of a possible population of Taita Falcons in northern South Africa, centred on the Mpumalanga/Limpopo escarpment region. A team of expert observers was assembled in September 2006, and dispatched to known or likely Taita Falcon nest sites to search for breeding birds over a two-week survey period. Two new nest sites were located, in addition to two sites already known in the area. Three pairs of Peregrine Falcon, 12 pairs of Lanner Falcon, 23 pairs of Rock Kestrel, five pairs of Verreaux’s Eagle and five pairs of Jackal Buzzard were also located and mapped. Not all possible or likely Taita Falcon sites were checked in 2006 because of time and logistical constraints. A repeat survey in 2007 is proposed in order to complete the project, and a Pan-African workshop is suggested to discuss research priorities for this threatened species.