The annual summer bird count took place on Saturday with 50 volunteers who helped to count the birds on a large part of the Ramsar Site in Walvis Bay while 30 volunteers completed the count on Sunday.
According to Peter Bridgeford of the Coastal and Environmental Trust of Namibia (CETN) the weather was excellent on Saturday but there were less birds than expected for this summer count. On Sunday, the Sewage Ponds on the outskirts of town were visited to ascertain the number of birds using this site bringing the total number of birds counted this summer to 116 000 birds. Since 2009, the figures have been down from a high of 190,000 in 2008. Bridgeford added that he was told that flamingos are still breeding in Etosha. The huge flocks of terns were not found in the area counted and this reduced the total number of birds considerably. The Black-necked Grebes seem to be back in force, and over 11,000 were recorded. Curlew Sandpipers abounded as usual and over 31, 000 were counted. A few rarer migrants had the bird-watchers excited and these were three Terek Sand-pipers and one Redshank. Red-necked Phalaropes seem to have become a fixture of the Ramsar Site and 13 were recorded. A single Osprey was seen on its annual visit to the area. An unusual visitor to the Sewage Ponds was a lone Glossy Ibis. The numbers were as follows (only the total number of birds in different families are listed and not broken down into species): Walvis Bay Sewage Ponds - Grebes 44, Pelicans 44, Herons and Egrets 15, Ibises 1, Flamingos 3, Geese and Ducks 1052, Rails, Gallinules and Coots 524, Waders/-Shorebirds 348, Gulls, Terns and Skimmers 31; Walvis Bay Ramsar Site – Grebes 11 626, Pelicans 653, Cormorants and Darters 3343, Herons and Egrets 137, Flamingos 14 237, Geese and Ducks 1390, Waders/Shorebirds 66 533, Gulls, Terns and Skimmers 18 517, Birds of Prey 1, Additional Species 15 (Common Redshank 1, Red-necked Phalarope 13, Pied Kingfisher 1) – Total 116 452. The first count took place in 1983 and next year the Walvis Bay Bird Count will be 30 years old. The counts would not be possible without the help of countless birders and supporters over the years and CETN appreciates the help of volunteers who make the count possible. The Windhoek contingent is especially thanked as they drive a long way to assist. Bridgeford concluded that with the many develoments taking place in and around Walvis Bay and projects that could impact on birds and people, the bird counts of the past 30 years are becoming increasingly important to planners and environmentalists. He thanked all the volunteers and spo-nors for their contribution.