François Laxalt A new study estimated the abundance and distribution of Grey-necked Picathartes nest sites in the Mbam Minkom – Kala IBA. Zoom In

BirdLife News-Bytes

20-05-2009

Grey-necked Picathartes conservation – A recently completed study of Grey-necked Picathartes Picathartes oreas [Vulnerable] in the Mbam Minkom – Kala Important Bird Area (IBA) in Cameroon has provided new insights into the species’ conservation. Tail-mounted radio transmitters were successfully used to study six birds, and showed that the method could be used to study other picathartes species. “This study estimated the abundance and distribution of nest sites in the IBA, and served to highlight the imminent likelihood of destruction due to agricultural encroachment and illegal timber exploitation”, said author Dr Awa Taku – The Cameroon Biodiversity Conservation Society (BirdLife in Cameroon). “These results have important implications in decision making to delimit forest boundaries and core areas for protection in the development of management plans”.

The dawn of birdwatching in Iraq - A recent training course by Nature Iraq (BirdLife in Iraq) successfully recorded 128 birds species during ten days of intensive tuition in birdwatching techniques. “Birdwatching in Iraq is a relatively new activity, and we uncovered a huge amount during the training”, said Mudhafar Salim from Nature Iraq. A team of ten trainees from across the country came together in Kurdistan (northern Iraq) to learn more about bird identification and counting methods, and how to input data and analyse threats. Notable observations during the course included: Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus (Endangered), Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni (Vulnerable), Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata and Cinereous Bunting  Emberiza cineracea (both Near Threatened). The course was conducted by Nature Iraq staff with the help of Richard Porter – BirdLife’s Middle East Advisor. “The training course provided crucial support to Nature Iraq’s monitoring activities at Important Bird Areas (IBAs)”, added Mudhafar Salim. “We also identified a number of potential IBAs, and agreed to undertake regular monitoring at these sites”.

First Site Support Group established in Egypt - Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE; BirdLife in Egypt) has established their first site Support Group in the country at Lake Qarun Protected Area (LQPA). The group is comprised of a coalition of local and national members, including fishermen who make up the majority of the local population. The group has already successfully stopped a big construction company from dumping waste in the lake by and locals are now coming forward with further reports of environmental law violations. “Even though the idea of SSGs is still new in Egypt, it is very promising and NCE hopes to start applying the concept in other places in the near future”, said Dr Kohar Garo Varjabedian from NCE. “Future plans include, various awareness-raising and education activities, working with more local schoolchildren, distributing a new booklet and actively protecting the Lake for the conservation of migratory birds”, added Mahmoud Farag from NCE.

Renewed hope for Indigenous people in Cameroon - Indigenous people in and around the Ngovayang Massif Forest IBA (Cameroon) were delighted to see the launch of a new five year project to continue BirdLife’s work to improve livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. “The new project aims to reduce the disparities in development and access to resource rights between the local hunter-gatherers, and their neighbours”, said Dr Paulinus Ngeh – BirdLife’s West Africa Sub-regional Coordinator. “We are also looking to improve the management and use of natural resources of the Ngovayang Massif Forest IBA”. The Cameroon Biodiversity Conservation Society (BirdLife in Cameroon) will be undertaking activities such as helping to provide access to clean water, and improved housing, health and education. This project is funded by the Department for International Development of the UK government.

Sustaining Capacity in the Upper Guinea Forest Area of West Africa - A new three-year project to conserve and manage protected areas in the Upper Guinea Forest area of West Africa has been launched. The project seeks to focus on protected area managers, young graduates and local community groups to build capacity for conservation in Ghana, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea and Sierra Leone. “We will work to improve knowledge in key emerging conservation issues like climate change, whilst also supporting young graduates to achieve effective conservation, and continue improving our support to Site Support Groups at Protected Areas at places like SAPO National Park and lake Piso forest reserves in Liberia, Gola Forest Reserves in Sierra Leone and Azagny Forest Reserve in Côte d’Ivoire”, said BirdLife’s Dr Paulinus Ngeh. The project is being funded by a US$ 600,000 grant from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund.