Birdlife Botswana

 
In 1980 the Botswana Bird Club (BBC) was established to fill the void in ornithological knowledge and interest that existed then in Botswana, and still to a certain extent remains today, despite the great strides made by the BBC and the Society, under its current name, BirdLife Botswana.
 
The BBC was originally a branch of the Botswana Society in 1980.   It has, throughout its history; been composed of members, who were and still are mainly, expatriate birders who temporarily reside in Botswana. However, efforts are being made to secure the future of the organization by encouraging a greater local, resident membership.
 
In 2000 the BBC became independent and moved into the offices of the local branch of IUCN (the World Conservation Union) and became the official BirdLife International representative for Botswana also. The change of name from the Botswana Bird Club, to BirdLife Botswana also heralded a change in focus from a broadly social club with interests in bird conservation, to a more formal science and research based organization.
 
The policy of BirdLife Botswana is to be actively involved with bird conservation. In the 1980's in conjunction with the Cape Vulture Study Group, BLB (formerly known as Botswana Bird Club - BBC) assisted in ensuring the survival of the important breeding colony of these endangered species near Otse.
 
In addition, the BBC initiated surveys of the breeding flamingos at Sua Pan and was involved in the compilation of the Bird Atlas of Botswana by Huw Penry. Later, the BBC was successful in obtaining a close season for Sandgrouse in the winter months when they are breeding, and a longer close season and reduce bag limits for waterfowl.
 
The BBC also helped persuade the department of Animal Health to modify a veterinary fence at Sua Pan which formerly entangled young flamingos. BirdLife Botswana has always maintained links with non-governmental organization’s (NGO's) which concern themselves with policies relating to bird protection, conservation and environmental education; and to the government's Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP).
 
The Society and DWNP carry out counts on pans, dams, sewerage ponds and rivers twice a year to demonstrate the importance of these wetlands for different bird species. Data collected are submitted to Wetlands International. BirdLife Botswana also contributed data on Botswana's important bird areas for the book 'Important Bird Areas of Southern Africa' (Barnes, K.N. (ed.) 1998.
 
On going research projects are:

• Flamingos at Makgadikgadi Pan
• Vultures at Mannyelanong Reserve near Otse
• Rarities
• Wetlands International African Bird Census (summer and winter counts)
• Wattle Crane Study
• Nest Record Scheme
• Lappet Faced Vulture Project
• Species
• Southern Ground Hornbill Study
• Birds of concern

Link to Website
http://www.birdlifebotswana.org.bw/