A Waterbird Count in Juba - By Chris Wood

Waterbird Count Juba, January 2012

I was recently in Juba and took the opportunity to carry out a waterbird count for the South African Waterbird Census (AfWC) with Richard Trewby. Richard hired a boat at the Oasis hotel for Sunday 29^th January. The count was made on the 29^th January 2012 from 0745 am to 1200 midday.

We began at the Oasis Hotel harbour (4^o50.076’N: 31^o36.959’E) at 0745 and returned at around midday. We travelled North along the Eastern bank of the Nile for approximately 2.5 kms and returned along the Western bank. On the return trip a stop was made a medium size island at N4^o50.616: E31^o37.558’

Good numbers of birds were recorded but surprisingly few waders, the most common being the Common Sandpiper and Senegal Thick-knee. One Osprey was seen and two Rock Pratincole were also recorded. Overhead there were usual numbers of Marabou Storks, Black Kites and Hooded Vultures.

Senegal Thick-knee – Juba, January 2012

We were on a boat and so did not see many non waterbirds but travelling up close to the western bank we came across two breeding colonies of Red-throated Bee-eaters, which was a new bird for me, and lovely to see. The nests were in a vertical bank about 2.5 metres high and at the first site there were probably about 20 nesting holes and we saw around 10 – 12 pairs. At the second site there were fewer nest holes and birds, but the bank was similar in height and structure. The rocking of the boat made it difficult to get a decent photo.

 Red-throated Bee-eaters – Juba, January 2012

The weather was clear and hot with little wind. The Nile was flowing strongly and there were few other boats on the river.

Waterbird List.

Reed Cormorant -7

Fulvous Whistling Duck – 350 (est.)

Comb Duck - 2

Spurwinged Lapwing – 2

Egyptian Plover – 2

Rock Pratincole - 2

Sacred Ibis – 63

Goliath Heron - 1

Purple Heron – 4

Grey Heron – 1

Black-headed Heron – 2

Squacco Heron – 3

Green-backed Heron – 1

Little Egret – 1

Cattle Egret – 120 (est.)

African Jacana – 2

Senegal Thick-knee (Dikkop) – 15

Greenshank - 1

Common Sandpiper - 19

Marabou Stork - 26

Osprey – 1

Other Birds

Black-headed Gonolek

Pied Kingfisher

Malachite Kingfisher

Grey-headed Kingfisher

Dark-capped Bulbul

Common Bulbul

Red-throated Bee-eater

Little Bee-eater

African Mourning Dove

Black Kite

Laughing Dove

Senegal Coucal

Barn Swallow

Brown-throated Martin

Sand Martin

Red-cheeked Cordonbleu

White Wagtail

Chris Wood