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migratory birdslatest news & developments
Qualified bird handlers fitting a satellite tracking device to a Curlew Sandpiper. Photo: BirdLife South Africa
AFRICA EURASIAN FLYWAY

Tiny birds, vast journeys: Inside SA’s first shorebird tracking project

BirdLife South Africa launches its first tracking project for migratory shorebirds, revealing complex journeys and new conservation priorities across the Africa–Eurasian flyway

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
In March, Hera was one of two individuals tagged with tiny, solar-powered satellite trackers through BirdLife South Africa’s European roller monitoring project. (BirdLife SA)
AFRO PALEARCTIC MIGRANT

Hera the European roller’s epic migration uncovers new flight paths for bird conservation

Tagged by BirdLife SA, Hera completed a 10 000 km journey from Limpopo to her breeding ground in Uzbekistan

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
There are early signs that fewer lesser kestrels (above) and Amur falcons are visiting South Africa this year. (Photo by: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
ANDRE BOTHA

Insect decline threatens migratory bird

There are early signs that fewer lesser kestrels and Amur falcons are visiting South Africa this year

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
The bodies of numerous bee-eaters (above) and swallows who had migrated from the Northern Hemisphere were found around the country. (Supplied)
BIRD DEATHS

Scores of migratory birds perished during SA’s recent cold spell

The bodies of numerous bee-eaters and swallows who had migrated from the Northern Hemisphere were found around the country

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
Artificial: A satellite image of Africa and part of Europe at night. Light pollution is not yet a major problem in most of Africa but development will change this. (Planet Observer/Universal Images Group/Getty Images)
ARTIFICIAL LIGHT AT NIGHT

Blinding wildlife: The dark side of artificial light at night

A new guide says cities should power down to reduce the harmful effects of light pollution on all life from insects and bats to birds and turtles

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read