HOEKKLIP-ZANDKOPSDRIFT 132 KV POWER LINE AVIAN IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Transcription

1 HOEKKLIP-ZANDKOPSDRIFT 132 KV POWER LINE AVIAN IMPACT ASSESSMENT

2 1. INTRODUCTION Eskom is planning to construct a 132 kv power line from Hoekklip to the Zandkopsdrift Mine in the Lutzville/Bitterfontein area of the Western/Northern Cape Provinces, South Africa. GIBB was appointed to do the Basic Assessment and EMP for this development, and subsequently sub-contracted Dr Andrew Jenkins (AVISENSE Consulting cc) to conduct the required specialist avifaunal study. Dr Jenkins is an experienced ornithologist, with over 20 years of experience in avian research and impact assessment work. He has been involved in many power line EIA and EMP studies in South Africa, and also does scientific research on the avian taxa most affected by power line impacts (raptors, bustards and cranes) in various parts of the country. 2. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL The proposed Hoekklip-Zandkopsdrift 132 kv power line about 90 km long, and traverses between the proposed Hoekklip substation (about 4 km north-east of Koekenaap), via the proposed Landplaas switching station (about 27 km south-west of Nuwerus), to the Zandkopsdrift mine (about 17 km north-east of Kotzerus) (Fig. 1). There are two routing options, both of which traverse more or less directly north-west from Hoekklip to the Landplaas switching station (Alternative 1 deviating slightly east of the R363, and Alternative 2 slightly to the west), and again traverses north-west to the mine, with Alternative 2 perhaps assuming a slightly more direct route (Fig. 1). Alternative 2 is Eskom s preferred route for the line. 3. SCOPE The required scope of the specialist avifaunal study included the provision of: (i) (ii) A baseline description of the study area in terms of its avifauna and avian habitats; A review of bird:power line interactions generally, and specification of the likely impacts of the proposed development on the region s birds. (iii) An assessment of information gaps, uncertainties, study limitations and underlying assumptions; (iv) A formal assessment of potential avifaunal impacts associated with the development, and a comparison of the impacts stemming from each of the two routing options, according to the impact assessment methodology specified by GIBB; (v) A description of relevant and implementable mitigation measures to reduce, avoid, or minimise negative impacts and enhance positive impacts; (vi) A comprehensive list of all referenced information sources. 2

3 Figure 1. Proposed layout of the Hoekklip-Zandkopsdrift 132 kv power line, with the preferred routing option (Alternative 2) in orange. 3

4 4. METHODS The study included the following steps: (i) The compilation of a brief review of available published and unpublished literature pertaining to bird interactions with power lines and the impacts of new power line installations, summarizing the issues involved and the current level of knowledge in this field. (ii) The perusal of existing information on the natural vegetation, avian habitats, and bird recorded in the general area, to determine the nature of the avifauna likely to be affected by the new line. (iii) The compilation of a short-list of priority bird species (defined in terms of conservation status and ) which could be impacted by the proposed line. These species were subsequently considered as adequate surrogates for the local avifauna generally, and mitigation of impacts on these species was considered likely to accommodate any less important bird populations that may also potentially be affected. (iv) A site visit conducted on June to ground-truth predicted habitats and birds present, mainly by visiting as much of the inclusive area of the proposed development as possible. (v) An assessment of the likely impacts of the proposed new power line on the local avifauna, and a comparison of the two alignment options in terms of impacts and possible mitigation. The following data sources were used: (i) Bird distribution data of the Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP Harrison et al. 1997) were obtained from the Animal Demography Unit website ( for the SABAP 1 quarter-degree square in the area with the best coverage (3117BA and BB Ruitersvlei, only six cards submitted also note that the SABAP 1 data are now >15 years old), and for the relevant SABAP 2 pentads ( _ pentads, only four atlas cards submitted to date for all these pentads combined). This information on birds recorded in the area was refined by a more specific assessment of the actual habitats affected and general knowledge of birds in the region, to draw up an inclusive list of expected species. (ii) The conservation status and of all species considered likely to occur in the area was determined from the national Red-list for birds (Barnes 2000), informed by a more recent revision for raptors (Jenkins 2009), the most recent iteration of the global list of threatened species ( and the most up to date and comprehensive summary of southern African bird biology (Hockey et al. 2005). (iii) Coordinated Avifaunal Roadcount (CAR) data for large terrestrial birds and Black Harrier Circus maurus (available from the Animal Demography Unit, UCT - and the relevant published reference (Young et al. 2003). 4

5 (iv) Information detailed in the scoping study for a proposed wind farm in the same general area (Jenkins 2010). 5. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF POWER LINES The construction and maintenance of new power lines, including associated infrastructure such as substations, servitudes and roadways causes both temporary and permanent habitat destruction and disturbance, and the power lines themselves pose a collision risk for overflying birds, and a risk of electrocution for certain species (Van Rooyen 2004, Lehman et al. 2007, Jenkins et al. 2010). Construction and maintenance of power lines Some habitat destruction and alteration inevitably takes place during the construction of power lines, substations and associated roadways. Also, power line service roads or servitudes have to be cleared of excess vegetation at regular intervals in order to allow access to the line for maintenance, and to prevent vegetation from intruding into the legally prescribed clearance gaps between the ground and the conductors. These activities have an impact on birds breeding, foraging and roosting in or in close proximity to the servitude, and retention of cleared servitudes can have the effect of altering bird community structure along the length of any given power line (e.g. King & Byers 2002). Collision risk Overhead power lines pose a collision risk to all birds, but particularly collision prone birds are generally either (i) large species and/or species with high ratios of body weight to wing surface area (wing loading), which confers low manoeuvrability (cranes, bustards, vultures, gamebirds, waterfowl, falcons), (ii) species which fly at high speeds (gamebirds, pigeons and sandgrouse, swifts, falcons), (iii) species which are distracted in flight - predators or species with aerial displays (many raptors, aerial insectivores, some open country passerines), (iv) species which habitually fly in low light conditions, and (v) species with narrow fields of forward binocular vision (Bevanger 1994, 1995, 1998, Janss 2000b, Anderson 2001, Drewitt & Langston 2006, 2008, Jenkins et al. 2010, Noguera et al. 2010). These traits confer high levels of susceptibility, which may be compounded by high levels of exposure to man-made obstacles such as overhead power lines and wind turbine areas (Jenkins et al. 2010). Exposure is greatest in (i) very aerial species, (ii) species inclined to make regular and/or long distance movements (migrants, any species with widely separated resource areas - food, water, roost and nest sites), (iii) species that regularly fly in flocks (increasing the chances of incurring multiple fatalities in single collision incidents). Mitigation of collision risk involves the informed selection of low impact alignments for new power lines relative to movements and concentrations of high risk species, and the use of either static or dynamic marking devices to make the lines, and in particular the earthwires, more conspicuous. While various marking devices have been used globally, many remain largely untested in terms of their efficacy in reducing collision incidence, and those that have been fully assessed have all been found to be only partially effective (Drewitt & Langston 2008, Jenkins et al. 2010, Barrientos et al. 2011). 5

6 Electrocution risk Avian electrocutions occur when a bird perches or attempts to perch on an electrical structure and causes an electrical short circuit by physically bridging the air gap between live components and/or live and earthed components (van Rooyen 2004, Lehman et al. 2007). Electrocution risk is strongly influenced by the voltage and design of the power lines erected (generally occurring on lower voltage infrastructure where air gaps are relatively small), and mainly affects larger, perching species, such as vultures, eagles and storks, easily capable of spanning the spaces between energized components. Mitigation of electrocution risk involves the use of bird-safe structures (ideally with critical air gaps >2 m), the physical exclusion of birds from high risk areas of live infrastructure, and comprehensive insulation of such areas (van Rooyen 2004, Lehman et al. 2007). 6. THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT The inclusive study area is located in the Namaqualand Hardeveld (east) and Namaqualand Sandveld (west, coastal) Bioregions of the Succulent Biome (Mucina & Rutherford 2006). The natural vegetation is predominantly Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland, with Namaqualand Strandveld and perhaps elements of Namaqualand Sand Fynbos in the south and western fringes of the affected area (Mucina & Rutherford 2006). The area traversed by the power line rises from about 75 m above sea level to about 280 m a.s.l. The area receives around 100 mm of rainfall annually, most of which falls in winter. Mean daily temperatures range from about 6ºC at night in winter, to about 32ºC at midday in summer. The affected area includes a substantial number of private properties, the vast majority of which are used for a mix of small stock farming (mainly sheep, some goats, game ostriches) and cereal agriculture. The area is criss-crossed by a network of public tar and gravel roads, private farm roads and tracks, and an existing network of transmission, distribution and reticulation power lines, servicing private farmsteads, the Namakwa Sands mine on the coast at the Sout River mouth, and the settlements of Lepeslfontein and Kotzesrus. Avian habitats include large tracts of open, heavily grazed Karoo (Fig. 2), wetlands including the lower reaches of the Sout and Brak Rivers (Alternative 2 only), and a scattering of small to medium-sized farm dams, rocky outcrops (particularly along Alternative 1, which features greater topographic relief), areas or strips of ploughed and cultivated lands, small, isolated plantations of alien trees (mainly eucalypts), supplemented by utility structures (used as perching, roosting and nesting sites by tree-nesting raptors). 7. THE AVIFAUNA The inclusive impact zone of the proposed power line and its associated infrastructure could support as many as 215 bird species (Appendix 1), of which 17 species are red-listed, 60 species are regional endemics or near-endemics, and three species - Ludwig s Bustard Neotis ludwigii, Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus, and Black Harrier Circus maurus - are red-listed endemics (Barnes 2000, Hockey et al. 2005). The southern end of the study area is located about 12 km north-east of the Olifants River Estuary (including the Papendorp Salt Works, situated just east of the mouth), which has been recognised as a national Important Bird Area (IBA - Barnes 1998). It is one of only four 6

7 perennial estuaries on the west coast, making it an extremely attractive haven for many coastal bird species, including both Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber and Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor, both of which are red-listed and prone to power line collisions, and both of which have also been seen on the Sout River estuary (Jenkins 2010).The lower Olifants River floodplain and other, smaller river systems along this section of coastline (e.g. the Sout River ) are also known to support breeding Black Harrier (Curtis et al. 2004, R.E. Simmons pers. comm.), while Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus is known to breed on utility structures in the general area (Pers. obs, Jenkins et al. 2013). The surrounding open Karoo is likely to receive erratic influxes of Ludwig s Bustard and possibly Blue Crane after good rains (Allan & Jenkins 1990, Allan 1994), with these birds being particularly prevalent in cultivated lands (J. Shaw pers. comm.). Both these threatened species are notoriously susceptible to collision with power lines (Jenkins et al. 2011, Shaw et al. 2010a & b). Fifty-six species were seen during the June site visit, which included as much of both proposed alignments as possible. Particularly relevant sightings included two Martial Eagle nest structures (neither of them obviously active), with one adult eagle present, on the existing wooden pole line next to the R363 just north of Hoekklip ( S, 18º E), and a second possible Martial Eagle nest site in a small stand of gums (again apparently inactive and no birds seen in the area), located just north-east of Waterklip (at S, 18º E). Ludwig s Bustard (x4) and Blue Crane (x2) were both seen around the croplands in the south of the development area, near Karoovlei, and a single Secretarybird was seen just east of Hendriksvlei, at the southern end of route Alternative 2. In addition, the general area clearly supports high densities of a diversity of endemic lark species, including Cape Clapper Lark Mirafra apiata, Karoo Lark Calendulauda albescens and Cape Longbilled Lark Certhilauda curvirostris. The area also features good populations of Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk Melierax canorus, Jackal Buzzard Buteo rufofuscus, Pied Crow Corvus albus and Cape Crow Corvus capensis, all of which are likely to build nests in existing and any new power line infrastructure, while Greater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides (and possibly Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus) are likely to take over and breed in such structures. 7

8 Figure 2. Avian habitats present in the vicinity of the two alternative routes for the proposed Eskom Hoekklip-Zandkopsdrift 132 kv power line, (above) open Succulent Karoo in the north, near Zandkopsdrift, (centre) granite koppies along both route alternatives, (below) Martial Eagle nest structure in an existing wooden pole power pylon just north of Hoekklip. 8

9 Table 1. Priority bird species considered central to the avian impact assessment process for the Hoekklip-Zandkopsdrift 132 kv power line, selected mainly on the basis of South African (Barnes 2000) or global conservation status ( or level of, estimated conservation or ecological significance of the local population. Redlisted endemic species are shaded in grey. Common name Scientific name SA conservation status/ (Global conservation status) Estimated importance of local population Preferred habitat Risk posed by Collision Electrocution Disturbance / Cape Eagle-Owl Bubo capensis - - Moderate Rocky ridges - High Moderate Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori Vulnerable - Low Open Karoo, drainage lines High - Moderate Ludwig s Bustard Neotis ludwigii Vulnerable (Endangered) Nearendemic High Open Karoo, croplands High - Moderate Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus Vulnerable (Vulnerable) Endemic Moderate Croplands, open Karoo High - Moderate Black Harrier Circus maurus Near-threatened (Vulnerable) Endemic Moderate Heathland, open Karoo, croplands Moderate - High Martial Eagle Secretarybird Polemaetus bellicosus Sagittarius serpentarius Vulnerable - Moderate Open Karoo High High Moderate Near-threatened - Low Croplands High - Moderate Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus Near-threatened - Moderate Rocky ridges, fynbos slopes, croplands High Moderate - Greater Flamingo Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber Phoenicopterus minor Near-threatened - High Floodplain, flying through High - Moderate Near-threatened - High Floodplain, flying through High - Moderate

10 8. IMPACTS AND MITIGATION Of the total avifauna, ten priority species are recognized as key in the assessment of avian impacts of the proposed Hoekklip-Zandkopsdrift 132 kv (Table 1). These are mostly nationally and/or globally threatened species which are known to occur, or could occur in relatively high numbers in the development area and which are likely to be, or could be, negatively affected by the proposed new power line. In terms of these key species, the impacts of the proposed line (Tables 2 and 3) are most likely to be manifest in the following ways: (i) Mortality of large terrestrial birds (especially Ludwig s Bustard, Blue Crane and Secretarybird) birds in collisions with the line while commuting between resource areas (croplands, nest sites, roost sites/wetlands), and/or disturbance of resident or visiting large terrestrial birds from nesting and/or foraging areas by construction and/or maintenance of the line. (ii) Disturbance of resident/breeding raptors (especially Martial Eagle, but possibly including Lanner Falcon and Black Harrier) from nesting and/or foraging areas by construction and/or maintenance of the line, and /or mortality of these species in collisions with the line while hunting, or by electrocution when perched on pylons, transformers or substation infrastructure. (iii) Mortality of wetland birds (especially flamingos) in collisions with the line while commuting between resource areas (wetlands, and/or disturbance of wetland birds from nesting and/or foraging areas by construction and/or maintenance of the line. Mitigation of these impacts will be best achieved in the following ways: (i) Minimizing the disturbance impacts associated with the construction of the line by abbreviating construction time, scheduling construction activities around avian breeding schedules where necessary, lowering levels of associated noise, and reducing the size of the inclusive development footprint. This may be particularly relevant where the new line is located close to an existing line where key species e.g. Martial Eagle are already resident and breeding. Ideally, the construction corridor of the selected alignment should be closely inspected immediately before the start of construction in order to locate any active nests, and a case-specific mitigation plan to minimise disturbance at each. (ii) Minimizing the disturbance impacts associated with the maintenance of the line, by abbreviating maintenance times, scheduling maintenance activities around avian breeding schedules where necessary, and lowering levels of associated noise. The mitigation plans developed for particular sites as per (i) above should also include recommendations to minimise harmful disturbance of these sites associated with ongoing maintenance. 10

11 Table 2. Impact predictions pre- and post-mitigation for route Alternatives 1 and 2 of the proposed Hoekklip-Zandkopsdrift 132 kv power line. Impact Nature Cumulative Irreplaceable Reversibility Intensity Extent Duration Probability Confidence Consequence Significance Construction Disturbance of raptors Negative No Yes Low Medium Mediumterm With mitigation Negative No Yes Medium Low- Medium Disturbance of large terrestrial birds Highly probable Local Short-term Highly probable Negative No No High Low Local Short-term Highly probable High Medium Medium High Low Low High Low Low With mitigation Negative No No High Low Local Short-term Probable High Low Low Disturbance of wetland birds Negative No No High Low Local Short-term Probable High Low Low With mitigation Negative No No High Negligible Local Short-term Improbable High Low Low Operation Disturbance of raptors Negative No Yes Low Low- Medium Local Mediumterm With mitigation Negative No Yes Medium Low Local Mediumterm Probable High Medium Medium Probable High Low Low Mortality of Negative Yes Yes Low Medium Long-term Probable Medium Medium Medium raptors With mitigation Negative Yes Yes Low Low- Medium Local Long-term Improbable Medium Low Low Disturbance of Negative No No High Low Local Short-term Probable High Low Low large terrestrial birds With mitigation Negative No No High Negligible Local Short-term Improbable High Low Low Mortality of large terrestrial birds Negative Yes Yes Low Medium- High With mitigation Negative Yes Yes Low Low- Medium Long-term Highly probable Medium Medium-High Medium- High Local Long-term Probable Medium Low-Medium Low-Medium 11

12 Impact Nature Cumulative Irreplaceable Reversibility Intensity Extent Duration Probability Confidence Consequence Significance Disturbance of wetland birds Negative No No High Negligible Local Short-term Improbable High Low Low With mitigation Negative No No High Negligible Local Short-term Improbable High Low Low Mortality of wetland birds Negative Yes Yes Low Low- Medium With mitigation Negative Yes Yes Low Low- Medium Local Long-term Probable Medium Low Low Local Long-term Improbable Medium Low Low 12

13 (iii) Ensuring that all new lines are marked with bird flight diverters along their entire length (Jenkins et al. 2010), using industry standard markers and marker fitting protocols (e.g. Van Rooyen 2004). Note that current understanding of power line collision risk in birds precludes any guarantee of successfully distinguishing high risk from medium or low risk sections of a new line (Bevanger 1994, Jenkins et al. 2010, Barrientos et al. 2011). The relatively low cost of marking the entire length of a new line during construction, especially quite a short length of line in an area frequented by collision prone birds, more than offsets the risk of not marking the line, causing unnecessary mortality of birds, and then incurring the much greater cost of retro-fitting the line post-construction. In situations where new lines traverse in parallel with existing, unmarked power lines, this approach has the added benefit of reducing the collision risk posed by the older line. (iv) Ensuring that all new power infrastructure is adequately insulated and bird-friendly in configuration (Bevanger 1994, Lehman et al. 2007). (v) Establishing a practical and sustainable management plan for dealing with raptor stick-nests built on the new line. These may include nest sites of red-listed species such as Martial Eagle and Lanner Falcon. 9. ROUTE SELECTION In terms of a comparison of the various bird impact and mitigation scenarios (Table 2), there is no appreciable difference in the relative sustainability of the two route alternatives, provided that the stipulated mitigation measures are applied uniformly to both. Given that Alternative 2 steers further away from the known Martial Eagle nest on an existing line just north of Hoekklip, and is marginally shorter than Alternative 1 (81.5 km vs 82 km), this is probably the preferable option, likely to yield very slightly lower bird impacts. 10. REFERENCES Anderson, M.D The effectiveness of two different marking devices to reduce large terrestrial bird collisions with overhead electricity cables in the eastern Karoo, South Africa. Draft report to Eskom Resources and Strategy Division. Johannesburg. South Africa. Barnes, K.N. (ed.) The Important Bird Areas of southern Africa. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg. Barnes, K.N. (ed.) The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg. Barrientos, R., Alonso, J.C., Ponce, C. & Palacín, C Meta-analysis of the effectiveness of marked wire in reducing avian collisions with power lines. Conservation Biology 25: Bevanger, K Bird interactions with utility structures: collision and electrocution, causes and mitigating measures. Ibis 136: Bevanger, K Estimates and population consequences of Tetraonid mortality caused by collisions with high tension power lines in Norway. Journal of Applied Ecology 32:

14 Bevanger, K Biological and conservation aspects of bird mortality caused by electric power lines. Biological Conservation 86: Curtis, O., Simmons, R.E. & Jenkins, A.R Black Harrier Circus maurus of the Fynbos biome, South Africa: a threatened specialist or an adaptable survivor? Bird Conservation International 14: Harrison, J.A., Allan, D.G., Underhill, L.G., Herremans, M., Tree, A.J., Parker, V & Brown, C.J. (eds) The atlas of southern African birds. Vol. 1&2. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg. Hockey, P.A.R., Dean, W.R.J., Ryan, P.G. (Eds) Roberts Birds of Southern Africa, VIIth ed. The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town. Janss, G.F.E. 2000b. Avian mortality from power lines: a morphologic approach of a species-specific mortality. Biological Conservation 95: Jenkins, A.R A proposed new list of the threatened raptors of southern Africa. Gabar 19 (1): Jenkins, A.R Exxaro Namakwa Sands wind energy facility: Avian impact assessment. Report to Savannah Environmental (Pty) Ltd. Jenkins, A.R., Smallie, J.J. & Diamond, M Avian collisions with power lines: a global review of causes and mitigation with a South African perspective. Bird Conservation International. Published online 19 March King, D.I. & Byers, B.E An evaluation of powerline rights-of-way as habitat for earlysuccessional shrubland birds. Wildlife Society Bulletin 30: Lehman, R.N., Kennedy, P.L. & Savidge, J.A The state of the art in raptor electrocution research: a global review. Biological Conservation 136: Mucina. L. & Rutherford, M.C. (Eds) The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Strelitzia 19. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. Shaw, J., Jenkins, A.R., Ryan, P.G. & Smallie, J. 2010a. A preliminary survey of avian mortality on power lines in the Overberg, South Africa. Ostrich 81: Shaw, J., Jenkins, A.R. & Ryan, P.G. 2010b. Modelling power line collision risk in the Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus in South Africa. Ibis 152: Van Rooyen, C.S The Management of Wildlife Interactions with overhead lines. In: The fundamentals and practice of Overhead Line Maintenance (132kV and above), pp Eskom Technology, Services International, Johannesburg. Young, D.J., Harrison, J.A., Navarro, R.A., Anderson, M.D. & Colahan, B.D. (eds) Big birds on farms: Mazda CAR report Avian Demography Unit, Cape Town. 14

15 Appendix 1. Annotated list of the bird species considered likely to occur within the broader impact zone of the Hoekklip-Zandkopsdrift 132 kv power line. Species seen during the June site visit appear in bold. Common name Scientific name Conservation status Open Karoo Wetlands Rocky outcrops Preferred habitat Susceptibility to Alien trees Cultivated lands Collision Electrocution Disturbance and Common Ostrich Grey-winged Francolin Cape Spurfowl Common Quail Helmeted Guineafowl Struthio camelus Scleroptila africanus Pternistis capensis Coturnix coturnix Numida meleagris - Endemic X X X Moderate - - Endemic X Moderate - Moderate - - X X - Moderate - - X X X Moderate - Moderate Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa - - X Moderate - - Egyptian Goose South African Shelduck Spur-winged Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca - - X High High - Tadorna cana - Endemic X High - - Plectropterus gambensis - - X High High - Cape Teal Anas capensis - - X Moderate - - African Black Duck Mallard Yellow-billed Duck Anas sparsa - - X Moderate - - Anas platyrhynchos - - X Moderate - - Anas undulata - - X Moderate - - Cape Shoveler Anas smithii - Endemic X Moderate - - Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha - - X Moderate

16 Common name Scientific name Conservation status Open Karoo Wetlands Rocky outcrops Preferred habitat Susceptibility to Alien trees Cultivated lands Collision Electrocution Disturbance and Southern Pochard Greater Honeyguide Ground Woodpecker Cardinal Woodpecker Acacia Pied Barbet Netta erythrophthalm a Indicator indicator Geocolaptes olivaceus Dendropicos fuscescens Tricholaema leucomelas - - X Moderate Endemic X X - - Moderate - Near-endemic X - - Moderate African Hoopoe Upupa africana Malachite Kingfisher Giant Kingfisher Alcedo cristata Megaceryle maximus Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis European Beeeater White-backed Mousebird Speckled Mousebird Merops apiaster Colius colius - Endemic X - - Moderate Colius striatus Red-faced Mousebird Klaas's Cuckoo Diderick Cuckoo Burchell's Coucal Urocolius indicus Chrysococcyx klaas Chrysococcyx caprius Centropus burchellii - - X X X X

17 Common name Scientific name Conservation status Open Karoo Wetlands Rocky outcrops Preferred habitat Susceptibility to Alien trees Cultivated lands Collision Electrocution Disturbance and Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba - - X X Common Swift Apus apus - - X X X X X African Black Swift Apus barbatus - - X X Little Swift Apus affinis - - X X Horus Swift Apus horus - - X X White-rumped Swift Apus caffer - - X X X Barn Owl Tyto alba - - X X X X - Moderate Moderate Cape Eagle- Owl Spotted Eagle- Owl Fiery-necked Nightjar Freckled Nightjar Rufouscheeked Nightjar Bubo capensis - - X - High Moderate Bubo africanus - - X X X X - High Moderate Caprimulgus pectoralis Caprimulgus tristigma Caprimulgus rufigena - - X X X - - Moderate Rock Dove Columba livia - - X X Speckled Pigeon Laughing Dove Cape Turtle- Dove Red-eyed Dove Namaqua Dove Columba guinea Streptopelia senegalensis Streptopelia capicola Streptopelia semitorquata Oena capensis - - X X X X X - - Moderate - - X X X - - Moderate 17

18 Common name Scientific name Conservation status Open Karoo Wetlands Rocky outcrops Preferred habitat Susceptibility to Alien trees Cultivated lands Collision Electrocution Disturbance and Ludwig's Bustard Neotis ludwigii Vulnerable Near-endemic X X High - Moderate Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori Vulnerable - X High - Moderate Southern Black Korhaan Karoo Korhaan Blue Crane Red-chested Flufftail African Rail Black Crake African Purple Swamphen Common Moorhen Red-knobbed Coot Namaqua Sandgrouse African Snipe Common Greenshank Spotted Thickknee Black-winged Stilt Afrotis afra - Endemic X X Moderate - Moderate Eupodotis vigorsii Anthropoides paradiseus - Endemic X Moderate - Moderate Vulnerable Endemic X X X High - Moderate Sarothrura rufa Rallus caerulescens Amaurornis flavirostris Porphyrio madagascarien sis Gallinula chloropus - - X X X X Fulica cristata - - X Pterocles namaqua Gallinago nigripennis Tringa nebularia Burhinus capensis Himantopus himantopus - Near-endemic X X X X X Moderate - Moderate - - X Moderate

19 Common name Scientific name Conservation status Open Karoo Wetlands Rocky outcrops Preferred habitat Susceptibility to Alien trees Cultivated lands Collision Disturbance and Pied Avocet Kittlitz's Plover Three-banded Plover Electrocution Chestnutbanded Plover White-fronted Plover Blacksmith Lapwing Crowned Lapwing Double-banded Courser Kelp Gull Recurvirostra avosetta Charadrius pecuarius Charadrius tricollaris Charadrius pallidus Charadrius marginatus Vanellus armatus Vanellus coronatus Rhinoptilus africanus Larus dominicanus - - X Moderate X X X Near-threatened - X X X X Moderate X Moderate - Moderate - - X Moderate - Moderate - - X Moderate Moderate - Hartlaub's Gull Larus hartlaubii - Endemic X X Moderate - - Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Near-threatened - X Moderate - - White-winged Tern Osprey Blackshouldered Kite Chlidonias leucopterus Pandion haliaetus Elanus caeruleus - - X Moderate X Moderate Moderate X X X Moderate - Moderate Black Kite Milvus migrans - - X X X Moderate - - African Fish- Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer - - X Moderate High - 19

20 Common name Scientific name Conservation status Open Karoo Wetlands Rocky outcrops Preferred habitat Susceptibility to Alien trees Cultivated lands Collision Electrocution Disturbance and Black-chested Snake-Eagle African Marsh- Harrier Circaetus pectoralis Circus ranivorus - - X Moderate Moderate Moderate Vulnerable - X X X Moderate - Moderate Black Harrier Circus maurus Near-threatened Endemic X X X High - Moderate African Harrier- Hawk Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk Gabar Goshawk Black Sparrowhawk Polyboroides typus Melierax canorus - - X Moderate Near-endemic X Moderate Moderate Moderate Melierax gabar - - X Moderate - Moderate Accipiter melanoleucus - - X Moderate - Moderate Steppe Buzzard Buteo vulpinus - - X X X Moderate Moderate - Jackal Buzzard Buteo rufofuscus - Endemic X X X X Moderate Moderate Moderate Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax Vulnerable - X High High Moderate Verreauxs' Eagle Booted Eagle Martial Eagle Secretarybird Lesser Kestrel Rock Kestrel Aquila verreauxii Aquila pennatus Polemaetus bellicosus Sagittarius serpentarius Falco naumanni Falco rupicolus - - X High High X X X Moderate - - Vulnerable - X X High High Moderate Nearthreatened - X X High - Moderate Vulnerable - X X X - - Moderate - - X X X - - Moderate 20

21 Common name Scientific name Conservation status Open Karoo Wetlands Rocky outcrops Preferred habitat Susceptibility to Alien trees Cultivated lands Collision Electrocution Disturbance and Greater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus Near-threatened - X X X High Moderate Moderate Peregrine Falcon Little Grebe Great Crested Grebe Black-necked Grebe White-breasted Cormorant Little Egret Yellow-billed Egret Falco peregrinus Tachybaptus ruficollis Podiceps cristatus Podiceps nigricollis Phalacrocorax lucidus Egretta garzetta Egretta intermedia Near-threatened - X X X High Moderate X X Moderate X Moderate X X Moderate Moderate X X X Great Egret Egretta alba - - X Grey Heron Ardea cinerea - - X Moderate Moderate - Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala - - X X Moderate Moderate Moderate Purple Heron Ardea purpurea - - X Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis - - X X Black-crowned Night-Heron Little Bittern Hamerkop Greater Flamingo Nycticorax nycticorax Ixobrychus minutus Scopus umbretta Phoenicopterus ruber - - X X X Near-threatened - X High

22 Common name Scientific name Conservation status Open Karoo Wetlands Rocky outcrops Preferred habitat Susceptibility to Alien trees Cultivated lands Collision Electrocution Disturbance and Lesser Flamingo Glossy Ibis Hadeda Ibis African Sacred Ibis African Spoonbill Great White Pelican Phoenicopterus minor Plegadis falcinellus Bostrychia hagedash Threskiornis aethiopicus Near-threatened - X High X X X X Moderate X X Moderate - - Platalea alba - - X Moderate - - Pelecanus onocrotalus Near-threatened - X High - - Black Stork Ciconia nigra Near-threatened - X X High Moderate - White Stork Ciconia ciconia - - X X X High High - Fork-tailed Drongo Bokmakierie Dicrurus adsimilis Telophorus zeylonus - Near-endemic X - - Moderate Pririt Batis Batis pririt - Near-endemic X - - Moderate Cape Crow Corvus capensis - - X X X - - Moderate Pied Crow Corvus albus - - X X X - - Moderate White-necked Raven Red-backed Shrike Common Fiscal Cape Penduline-Tit Corvus albicollis - - X X X X Lanius collurio - - X Lanius collaris - - X X X - - Moderate Anthoscopus minutus - Near-endemic X - - Moderate Grey Tit Parus afer - Endemic X - - Moderate 22

23 Common name Scientific name Conservation status Open Karoo Wetlands Rocky outcrops Preferred habitat Susceptibility to Alien trees Cultivated lands Collision Electrocution Disturbance and Sand Martin Riparia riparia - - X Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola Banded Martin Riparia cincta - - X X Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica - - X X X White-throated Swallow Pearl-breasted Swallow Greater Striped Swallow Rock Martin Cape Bulbul Hirundo albigularis Hirundo dimidiata Hirundo cucullata Hirundo fuligula Pycnonotus capensis - - X X X - - Moderate - Endemic X - - Moderate Fairy Flycatcher Stenostira scita - Endemic X - - Moderate Cape Grassbird Long-billed Crombec Yellow-bellied Eremomela Karoo Eremomela Little Rush- Warbler African Reed- Warbler Greater Swamp- Warbler Sphenoeacus afer Sylvietta rufescens Eremomela icteropygialis Eremomela gregalis Bradypterus baboecala Acrocephalus baeticatus Acrocephalus rufescens - Endemic X - - Moderate - Endemic X - - Moderate 23

24 Common name Scientific name Conservation status Open Karoo Wetlands Rocky outcrops Preferred habitat Susceptibility to Alien trees Cultivated lands Collision Electrocution Disturbance and Lesser Swamp- Warbler Layard's Tit- Babbler Chestnutvented Tit- Babbler Cape Whiteeye Grey-backed Cisticola Levaillant's Cisticola Zitting Cisticola Acrocephalus gracilirostris Parisoma layardi Parisoma subcaeruleum Zosterops virens Cisticola subruficapilla Cisticola tinniens Cisticola juncidis - Endemic X - - Moderate - Near-endemic X - - Moderate - Endemic X - - Moderate - Near-endemic X - - Moderate Cloud Cisticola Cisticola textrix - Near-endemic X - - Moderate Karoo Prinia Namaqua Warbler Rufous-eared Warbler Bar-throated Apalis Cape Clapper Lark Karoo Lark Spike-heeled Lark Cape Longbilled Lark Prinia maculosa Phragmacia substriata Malcorus pectoralis Apalis thoracica - Endemic X - - Moderate - Endemic X - - Moderate - Endemic X - - Moderate Mirafra apiata - Endemic X X - - Moderate Calendulauda albescens Chersomanes albofasciata Certhilauda curvirostris - Endemic X X - - Moderate - Endemic X X - - Moderate 24

25 Common name Scientific name Conservation status Open Karoo Wetlands Rocky outcrops Preferred habitat Susceptibility to Alien trees Cultivated lands Collision Electrocution Disturbance and Grey-backed Sparrowlark Red-capped Lark Large-billed Lark Cape Rock- Thrush Sentinel Rock- Thrush Eremopterix verticalis Calandrella cinerea Galerida magnirostris Monticola rupestris Monticola explorator - Near-endemic X X - - Moderate - Endemic X X - - Moderate - Endemic X - - Moderate - Endemic X - - Moderate Karoo Thrush Turdus smithi - Endemic X - - Moderate Chat Flycatcher Fiscal Flycatcher Spotted Flycatcher Cape Robin- Chat Karoo Scrub- Robin African Stonechat Mountain Wheatear Capped Wheatear Sickle-winged Chat Karoo Chat Bradornis infuscatus - Near-endemic X - - Moderate Sigelus silens - Endemic X X - - Moderate Mucicapa striata Cossypha caffra Cercotrichas coryphoeus Saxicola torquatus Oenanthe monticola Oenanthe pileata Cercomela sinuata Cercomela schlegelii - Endemic X - - Moderate - - X X X - - Moderate - Near-endemic X X - - Moderate - Endemic X - - Moderate - Near-endemic X - - Moderate 25

26 Common name Scientific name Conservation status Open Karoo Wetlands Rocky outcrops Preferred habitat Susceptibility to Alien trees Cultivated lands Collision Electrocution Disturbance and Tractrac Chat Familiar Chat Ant-eating Chat Red-winged Starling Cercomela tractrac Cercomela familiaris Myrmecocichl a formicivora Onychognathus morio - Near-endemic X - - Moderate - Endemic X - - Moderate - - X X X - - Moderate Pied Starling Spreo bicolor - Endemic X X - - Moderate Wattled Starling Common Starling Malachite Sunbird Southern Doublecollared Sunbird Creatophora cinerea Sturnus vulgaris Nectarinia famosa Cinnyris chalybeus - Endemic X X - - Moderate Dusky Sunbird Cinnyris fuscus - Near-endemic X - - Moderate Cape Weaver Southern Masked- Weaver Red-billed Quelea Southern Red Bishop Yellow Bishop Ploceus capensis - Endemic X X X X - - Moderate Ploceus velatus - - X X X X - - Moderate Quelea quelea - - X X X - - Moderate Euplectes orix - - X X X - - Moderate Euplectes capensis 26

27 Common name Scientific name Conservation status Open Karoo Wetlands Rocky outcrops Preferred habitat Susceptibility to Alien trees Cultivated lands Collision Electrocution Disturbance and African Quailfinch Common Waxbill Pin-tailed Whydah House Sparrow Cape Sparrow Cape Wagtail Cape Longclaw African Pipit Plain-backed Pipit Ortygospiza atricollis Estrilda astrild Vidua macroura Passer domesticus Passer melanurus Motacilla capensis Macronyx capensis Anthus cinnamomeus Anthus leucophrys - Near-endemic X X X - - Moderate - - X X X X - - Moderate - Endemic X X - - Moderate Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis Cape Canary Black-headed Canary Black-throated Canary Yellow Canary White-throated Canary Lark-like Bunting Serinus canicollis - Endemic X - - Moderate Serinus alario - Endemic X - - Moderate Crithagra atrogularis Crithagra flaviventris Crithagra albogularis Emberiza impetuani - Near-endemic X X - - Moderate - Near-endemic X - - Moderate - Near-endemic X - - Moderate 27

28 Common name Scientific name Conservation status Open Karoo Wetlands Rocky outcrops Preferred habitat Susceptibility to Alien trees Cultivated lands Collision Electrocution Disturbance and Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis - Near-endemic X X - - Moderate 28