National Gamebird Survey - A Call For Field Observers. (8 August, 1996)

A Project by the National Gamebird Federation (NGF). Aim: To promote the conservation of indigenous gamebirds and their habitat through sustainable utilisation.

Following the initial conception at the National Gamebird Symposium in July 1994 and the subsequent workshop during December, the NGF has become firmly accepted as the national umbrella body for all serious stakeholders in gamebirds.

The backbone of the NGF is the thirteen private member organisations who can be regarded as the who's who in game conservation and utilisation in South Africa. These member organisations not only represent more than 10 500 individual members, but from within their ranks we can draw on the knowledge and expertise of virtually all the universities and research institutes necessary to make this one of the most successful ventures ever. We have also managed to establish a relationship with all nine provincial nature conservation agencies in the country, with most of them being full members and participating actively in the meetings. At these meetings it became clear that the NGF will play an increasingly important role in gamebird conservation at a time when the funds and manpower of the conservation agencies are dwindling.

In its short period of existence the NGF have actively contacted, promoted, negotiated and corresponded with statutory bodies and other organisations. Workshops and meetings regarding legislation were held with conservation agencies. In alliance with organisations such as the Agricultural Research Council and the SA Wildlife Management Association, a national workshop on the future of gamebird utilisation as well as an international workshop in collaboration with Ducks Unlimited from America, were held.

Originally intended as a forum only, it became clear during NGF meetings, as well as during discussions with statutory bodies, that the NGF as an umbrella body will have to play a more active role in order to achieve its aims. While many of the issues and concerns regarding gamebirds are more than adequately addressed by our member organisations, certain issues of national importance can only be addressed effectively by a national organisation such as the NGF.

One such issue, as indicated by conservation organisations, is our lack of knowledge on the status and trends of our terrestrial gamebird populations on a regional and national level on which effective policy decisions, legislation and management should/can be based. Following a committee decision, the NGF now has the task of building up a national network of field observers to cover at least each bioclimatic zone in the country. This network, in collaboration with other surveys, will operate through a central data bank and will enable us to monitor population trends on a regional and national basis. This will not only aid legislation and forecasts for the hunting season but will also identify problem areas pro-actively.

Field observers can be any farmer, conservationist, bird- watcher, hunter, gundog owner, falconer etc. who spends some time in the veld. It will be required of each field observer to complete a simple data sheet of his/her region once a year and send it through to the NGF. There will be two categories of field observers and each observer can choose in which he/she wants to be.

In the first category the observer simply lists the species of gamebirds in his region together with his/her impressions of whether the birds are scarce or abundant and whether they had a good or bad breeding season. This data will then be correlated with regional climatic conditions and existing research data to determine trends. From a scientific point of view, it will still be far from accurate, but will be one hundred percent more accurate than the system used this far.

The second category will be required to do an actual census of the gamebirds in his/her area. Each observer will be advised of the appropriate census techniques applicable to the gamebird species and habitat in his/her region. By standardising the census techniques and timing, we will be able to compile a database from which accurate long and short term trends can be determined.

Poison Survey

The alarming increase of reports on gamebird poisoning also compelled the NGF to investigate the matter. Linked to the survey of the gamebird trends and numbers, field observers will also be requested to report on cases of gamebird poisoning in their area. In this way the NGF plans to establish channels countrywide through which reports on gamebird poisoning can be consolidated and analysed. The ultimate aim will be to find practical solutions to the problem which will benefit conservation and agriculture alike.

Anybody who wishes to participate in the scheme can call Slang Viljoen at tel: (012) 841-9726 or (012) 548-0841. Fax: (012) 841-9816.