NatureUganda - The East Africa Natural History Society - Palearctic migrants breeding at Lutembe Bay

Palearctic migrants breeding at Lutembe Bay

During NatureUganda’s water bird counts at Lutembe Bay on the 28thAugust 2008, a pair of Black-winged stilt with young chicks were recorded by Achilles Byaruhanga and Lydia Tushabe.

In 2005, there was a different breeding record of a common Sandpiper. This may be an indication of the suitability of the site for Palearctic birds or changing conditions of the traditional breeding sites of these species.

Lutembe Bay is located on the northern shoreline of Lake Victoria and is a major stopover for millions of different species of migratory birds. It was designated as an IBA in 2001 and a Ramsar site in 2006. Though regular monitoring has been done on the site, there were no records of big numbers of breeding Palearctic migrants. However, Black-winged Stilts were recorded with three chicks of different age groups. In 2005, Common Sandpipers were also recorded with three chicks at the same site. It is not uncommon to record wader species such: Little stints, Ruff, Black-winged stilts, Black-tailed Godwits, Ringed plovers and Terns (White winged tern, Gull-billed Terns) regularly in breeding plumage. In August 2008, a total of 70,550 White-winged Terns (Chlidonias leucopterus) were recorded in breeding plumage. The number recorded was also interesting at this time of the year which may indicate that there is a huge population of the White-winged Terns in Africa over winter. The Bay is currently under big threat from the horticultural industry through pollution, water abstraction and reclamation.

Last Updated ( Friday, 31 October 2008 )

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Some Facts about the Wattled Crane

Name: Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus)

Range: Endemic resident, in 2 areas: Ethiopia, and central and southern Africa. In Ethiopia, usually only 1-3 individuals seen at a time but sometimes in flocks; population size unknown and no information since 1975. In Central and southern Africa locally abundant to rare, but declining, endangered or recently extinct in some areas.

Description: Easily distuigished from sympatric cranes by huge size and white neck, but at distance beware superficial resemblance to Wholly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus), which also has dark cap, white neck and dark wings and body. At closer range, Wattled Crane easily identified by grey wings, red face and throat wattles.

General Habitats: Inhabits very large open areas including wet grasslands, open marshes and river edges, usually above 2000m or below 1000m in non-breeding season.

Breeding Habits: Monogamous; each pair defends a territory c. 1km. sq. Pairs may not breed annually. In courtship bird sometimes spread wings, runs a little way, then jumps several metres straight up with wings spread and head held up and legs bent and dangling.

For more details: The Birds of Africa, Vol. II (Emil K. Urban; C. Hilary Fry & Stuart Keith; 1986). Copies of this book available in the resource center at NatureUganda offices, Kampala