Enter our 2012 Competition and stand a chance to win 1 of 2 fantastic prizes!

We are very excited to announce our new 2012 competition, with 2 fantastic prizes on offer for 2 lucky individuals! Sponsored by One Ocean Expeditions and Seasons in Africa, these prizes entail a 14 night birding and wildlife cruise aboard the Akademik loffe through Canada's famous Northwest Passage, as well as a fabulous 3 night Safari at Tuningi Safari Lodge in South Africa for two people. All you have to do is click on the link below and then complete 3 simple steps to stand a chance of winning!

http://www.facebook.com/rockjumperbirding/app_227126964064186

Colombia's Antpitta Feeders by David Shackelford

Often inhabiting forests with dense understory vegetation, the secretive habits of antpittas have rendered representatives of this unique bird family to be among the most sought-after species in the world. Although many are relatively easy to detect by their distinctive voices, actually seeing these mega-skulkers is an entirely different matter…until now.

Chestnut-crowned Antpitta photographed at Rio Blanco by Adam Riley

Most birders have heard of antpitta feeding sites in Ecuador, but the practice of luring these reticent denizens into view has met with its greatest success for species diversity in the country of Colombia. In fact, with several forms yet to be described, Colombia hosts more antpittas than any other nation, with nearly 30 species recorded! There are now several sites here, ranging from the endemic-rich Santa Marta Mountains to numerous reserves peppered throughout the Colombian Cordilleras, where antpittas regularly visit worm-feeding stations. Perhaps the most incredible, however, is a site in the Central Andes only a short drive from the city of Manizales at a preserve called Rio Blanco. Here the local lodge-keeper and environmentalist named Albeiro daily makes his rounds with fresh worms at sites he has prepared for visiting birders. Sitting quietly while he gently places the worms and whistles into the forest, it doesn’t take long to see results – the endemic Brown-banded Antpitta practically hops across your feet, Chestnut-crowned Antpitta poses delightfully for photos, while other regular visitors include the tiny Slate-crowned, Chestnut-naped, and endemic Bicolored Antpittas, sometimes only a few feet away.

Chestnut-naped Antpitta photographed at Rio Blanco by Adam Riley

Combining visits to antpitta feeders and birding time in the field, while leading my most recent Rockjumper tour through Colombia we observed a whopping 13 antpitta species! Antpitta feeders are just one amazing aspect of birding in Colombia since it is, of course, the most bird-rich country on earth. Along with Rockjumper’s highly successful comprehensive tours through Colombia searching for Andean endemics, we now also offer a shorter Colombia Highlights tour that is very comfortable while still allowing an excellent overview of the countries’ birds.

Santa Marta Antpitta photographed at El Dorado in the Santa Marta Mountains by Adam Riley

Rockjumper Birding Tours sharing with our community

One of Rockjumper’s goals as an organization is to reach out into our communities and share the outdoors with younger generations. As a host and tour leader, David Shackelford helped sponsor a recent overnight biology field trip for Connolly High School. Together with teachers and parent volunteers, more than 40 high school students participated in a wide range of activities at Pedernales Falls State Park in the Texas Hill Country. Some of their activities including astronomy, hiking, water quality testing, camping, swimming, plant ecology, and of course birding!
 

 Group Photo - Pedernales Biology Field Trip 2011

 

David said about the event, “The kids were awesome – their energy was amazing and we had a great time learning together about the fascinating natural wonders that are sometimes right under our noses. Besides wildlife such as a male Painted Bunting, Broad-banded Water Snake, and American Porcupine, we also found the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler for everyone to see perched only ten feet away!” Rockjumper is always looking for new ways to teach our communities about the importance of conservation while introducing others to the joys of birding.
 

Golden-cheeked Warbler by David Shackelford

 

For the theme of the trip they quoted from Baba Dioum: “In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.”

2012 Bhutan Highlights by Glen Valentine

Erik Forsyth and I have just returned from another immensely successful tour through the Himalayan birding paradise of Bhutan and adjacent Assam in north-east India. Our birding adventure was timed perfectly to coincide with the onset of spring, ensuring that we scored a host of exciting winter visitors that were still present before migrating to higher altitudes to breed, as well as a bundle of summer visitors that had just arrived to breed in Bhutan’s verdant Himalayan forests. Most of Bhutan’s resident species were also extremely vocal and active and we were additionally treated to a wonderful visual display of flowering Rhododendrons, Magnolias and other gorgeous Himalayan flora.

 

 

The legendary Satyr Tragopan was seen once again in fair numbers in the highlands of Bhutan

Our trip succeeded in recording an impressive 467 species (of which 456 were seen), including some of Asia’s (and the world’s!) most exciting and highly desired birds. Legendary species such as the marvellous Satyr Tragopan, resplendent Himalayan Monal, Blood and Kalij Pheasants, bizarre Ibisbill, unique Wallcreeper, extremely localized and rare Long-billed Wren-Babbler and Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler, 4 species of parrotbill (including the rare Pale-billed (Lesser Rufous-headed)), seldom-seen White-hooded Babbler, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, dazzling Fire-tailed Myzornis, Rufous-necked Hornbill, White-bellied Heron, Ward’s and Red-headed Trogons, eye-catching Long-tailed Broadbill, and the much-desired Beautiful Nuthatch were all seen exceptionally well on the main Bhutan tour, while a host of extremely rare species were also found on the Assam Extension. These included the endangered White-winged Duck, equally rare and threatened Slender-billed Vulture, Pied Falconet and Bengal Florican, to name just a handful! Several very special mammals were also encountered in Bhutan: namely the extremely localized and handsome Golden Langur, crepuscular Yellow-throated Marten, Black Giant Squirrel, and the seldom-seen, nocturnal Hodgson’s Giant Flying Squirrel – a real mega for mammal enthusiasts!
 

Yellow-billed Blue Mapie - This handsome species is also seen in the Bhutanese highlands 

 

Our extension to fabulous Kaziranga, which literally teems with large mammals, saw us marvelling at several iconic animal species that we would otherwise have been unable to see. These included the localized Swamp and Hog Deers roaming commonly alongside good numbers of magnificent Indian One-horned Rhinoceros, surely one of the world's most pre-historic looking species! These regal but extremely localized and threatened mammals are almost solely confined to Kaziranga and Royal Manas National Parks in north-east India and it was a real treat to get so close to these very special creatures. Family groups of playful Smooth-coated Otters were encountered frolicking in the pans that are dotted all over the reserve, while Indian Elephant and Water Buffalo were also enjoyed.
 

 Long-billed Wren-Babbler - A once mythical species that is now regularly seen in Bhutan

In addition, we were thrilled to encounter two new bird species for Bhutan: White-cheeked Partridge and Vernal Hanging Parrot! Both are north-east Indian birds that could very well be expected around the seldom-birded lowlands of Sarpang and Gelephu, where we happened upon these species. Very exciting stuff indeed and it shows that Bhutan remains a rather unexplored, very intriguing and must-visit Asian destination!

To view more great pics of this year's Bhutan tour, scroll down...

 

Great Hornbill - this regal bird is over a meter long and was seen on several occasions in Assam & Bhutan

 

The dazzling Fire-tailed Myzornis is another of Bhutan's highland specialists, favouring extensive Rhododendron and coniferous forest

 

The gorgeous Chestnut-headed Bee-eater was seen rather commonly on the Assam Extension

 

The seldom-seen and extremely elusive Black-headed Shrike-Babbler is another Bhutanese specialty

 

The impressive Rufous-necked Hornbill is undoubtedly one of Bhutan's top birds!

 

Green-tailed Sunbird - this exquisite sunbird is a pleasantly common feature of Bhutanese forests

 

From one specific hide in Kaziranga, we saw over 50 of these magnificent beasts, including several mothers and calves

The huge Punakha Dzong situated along the Puna Tsang Chu River

 

Hope for the Madagascar Pochard?

Rated as possibly the world’s rarest and most endangered bird, the Madagascar Pochard population has just increased by 30% with the hatching of 18 chicks at a specially built captive breeding centre in Antsohihy, Madagascar. Incredibly, this brings the entire world population to a mere 60 birds!

Madagascar Pochard by Dubi Shapiro

Led by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, the goal of the captive breeding programme is to help save these birds from extinction. In fact, the pochard was previously thought to already be extinct until their rediscovery in 2006, when 22 birds were found at Lake Matsaborimena in northern Madagascar, the only site where they are now known to exist. After this fortuitous discovery, the WWT and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust began an emergency program with the intention of hopefully rescuing these critically endangered birds from a second “extinction”. They therefore collected 24 eggs from lakeside nests, which were subsequently hatched in a hotel bathroom while awaiting the final preparation of the captive breeding centre. The latest batch of chicks are descended from these initial hatchlings and symbolize the hopes of all those intrepid conservationists whose efforts and vision they now so poignantly represent.

Lake Matsaborimena by Felicity Fryer

In the words of conservation biologist Dr Glyn Young, who works with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and has spent many years studying the Madagascar Pochard: “The ducklings represent an incredible step forward in the fight to save the pochard from extinction…. [T]he arrival of these ducklings has led to real hope that the birds can one day flourish again.”

Nonetheless, with such a small total population, the pochard still remains exceedingly vulnerable to extinction, whether in the form of pollution, disease outbreak or, as seems the case for their current predicament, a lack of available food.

Madagascar Pochard pair photographed by Adam Riley

According to the head of species recovery at WWT, Peter Cranswick, the lake is far from ideal as there is “too little food” for the birds, which might be the cause of the low survival rate of ducklings in the wild and hence their declining numbers. Nonetheless, scientists are still studying the remaining population in the hope of ascertaining conclusively the reasons for their decline as well as to determine the correct conditions under which to release them back into the wild. They are also hoping to either find, or possibly even create, further wetlands for the pochard that are free from invasive predators and interference from local fishermen. The intention is ultimately to create a safe haven within which the birds can flourish and proliferate on their own.

Other partners in this very noble endeavour are The Peregrine Fund (who were responsible for the rediscovery of the pochards), Asity Madagascar and the Madagascan government. If you would like to also take part in this fabulous conservation initiative, then please click on the following link that will take you directly to the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Pochard project webpage: http://www.durrell.org/How-to-help/Donate/Special-appeals/Madagascar-pochard/

Picathartes – Africa’s strangest birds by Adam Riley

(This article first appeared on 10000birds.com)

The family Picathartidae consists of two very unusual birds; White-necked or Yellow-headed Picathartes, endemic to the Upper Guinea forests of West Africa; and Grey-necked or Red-headed, restricted to Lower Guinea forests of Central Africa. Their strange appearance and habit of communally nesting in rock overhangs and caves has given them their alternative name of rockfowl, and before that the rather charming ‘Bald-headed Crow‘. Further illustrating their unusual long-tailed, yet crow-like demeanor and bright bald heads is the word ‘picathartes’ which translates as ‘magpie-vulture’!

White-necked or Yellow-headed Picathartes, Bonkro, Ghana. Photo by Adam Riley

Despite initial appearances, these birds are in fact very large passerines (13-16 in) and research has shown them to be an ancient basal offshoot from the passerine evolutionary tree. They diverged at approximately the same time as the rockjumpers (two quite unique bird species endemic to Southern Africa and now in their own family), and as a result for a while were even placed in the same family. However this classification is no longer widely accepted, and in my opinion quite correctly so. They are also believed to be related to the Rail-Babbler of Tropical Asia. Picathartes have been a taxonomist’s nightmare indeed, having also been classified at one time or another as babblers, flycatchers, starlings, Old World warblers and crows. It has also been suggested that the picathartes may be the last survivors of a now extinct ancient bird order.

Grey-necked or Red-headed Picathartes in Korup National Park, Cameroon. Photo by Markus Lilje

Both species occur in close-canopied primary and mature secondary rainforest, building cup-shaped mud nests attached to cave walls and rock overhangs, usually close to a steam in order to obtain building material. Their populations are highly fragmented as a result of these rather specific requirements. Forest cover in both species’ ranges is being destroyed at an unsustainable rate and these birds’ populations are dwindling. Both species of picathartes are threatened by extinction and categorized on the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable.

A Grey-necked Picathartes nesting colony in Cameroon. Photo by Keith Valentine

This past December I visited Ghana specifically to search for White-necked Picathartes. Colonies of this most wanted bird had historically been recorded throughout the rainforest zone of Ghana, however relentless forest clearance resulted in all known populations being destroyed, and it was considered extinct in Ghana when I first visited ten years ago. Suspecting they still occurred, we went to considerable effort searching unsuccessfully for picathartes, our suspicions all but confirmed when several hunters I interviewed said they knew the bird and claimed they still existed. Then a few years ago the news broke that picathartes had been rediscovered in Ghana at a community forest reserve! Researchers explored surrounding areas and several more colonies were discovered (some of this research, including aerial surveys, was supported by funds from the Rockjumper Bird Conservation Fund). One of these colonies has now been opened to tourism after researchers studying the birds deemed visits by birders to be non-disruptive.

White-necked Picathartes about to leap from a liana, these birds are incredibly fast and agile. Photo by Adam Riley

So for this reason I found myself journeying to the remote village of Bonkro in the central region of Ghana. Here local hunters who had known about the colony and for generations had been harvesting the birds by simply picking the adults off their nests during the breeding season. Now that the colony is off limits for hunting, the population has grown and the village is benefitting tremendously from entry and guide fees, and a school is being built courtesy of conservation funds. We arrived in the afternoon and once we had met our local village guide and managed to escape the friendly throngs of children, we walked through fields of cocoa, corn and other crops. Vast tree stumps indicated these fields had recently been primary rainforest. Finally we slipped into the dark forest and followed a meandering trail for 2 miles, passing massive forest giants with expansive buttress roots, until we reached a very steep rise. After managing a sweaty climb of 400 feet or so, before us lay the colony of mud cup-shaped nests stuck against the walls of a rock overhand. We quietly arranged ourselves on a nearby rock and waited. Picathartes spend their days hopping and bounding along the forest floor and over mossy rocks and lianas, foraging for insects, snails and other prey. They also attend swarms of army ants to prey on insects they might flush. Very little is known of their behavior away from their nests as they are incredibly shy birds, disappearing at the first signs of disturbance. However, around their colonies (to which they usually return each evening) they seem to lose their fear, perching close to observers to preen, sometimes ignoring people and at other times displaying great curiosity. I was on my way to a White-necked colony in Ivory Coast in 2002 when a coup broke out and we had to reluctantly turn back, so finally seeing this bird was a dream come true for me, and what a show they gave us!

The friendly children of Bonkro village will soon have a school which is currently being constructed from conservation funds raised as a result of the nearby picathartes colony. Photo by Adam Riley

A preening White-necked Picathartes, note the filoplumes (hair-like feathers) on its otherwise bald head. Photo by Adam Riley

White-necked Picathartes may also be seen in Sierra Leone, even quite close to the capital Freetown. Here local people consider these birds the sacred guardians of their nesting rock formations (which are believed to house ancestral spirits), and have protected their colonies for generations. They also occur in Liberia, Ivory Coast and Guinea.

Grey-necked Picathartes foraging in leaf-litter on the forest floor in Korup National Park, Cameroon. Photo by Markus Lilje

Further to the south, the Grey-necked or Red-headed Picathartes has a wider range along the Gulf of Guinea. It occurs from south-west Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea (both mainland and on the island of Bioko), Cameroon and Gabon. It has recently also been discovered nesting in rainforests of the Sangha area of Central African Republic (CAR). Its ecology and behavior is much like that of its slightly larger cousin. I have only seen this species in the massive and beautiful Korup National Park in Cameroon. Reaching the site involves quite an ordeal, including driving or boating close to the Nigerian border, then crossing a massive swing bridge over the Mana River and hiking 6 miles to Picathartes Knoll, where a colony of these fabulous birds exist. Again, they are best seen in the late evening when they sometimes (but not always) return to roost close to their nests. From previous experience we have had an 11/12 success rate at this site, sometimes the views are fleeting and other times the birds provide a breathtaking show!

Markus Lilje on the swing-bridge over the Mana River with Korup National Park in the background. Photo by Keith Valentine

Picathartes are often very curious of observers; here a Grey-necked Picathartes stretches its neck as it peers at the photographer. Photo by Markus Lilje

Picathartes are obviously highly sough-after species for birders, not only because they are an essential tick for family listers, but they are really cool birds to observe. If you want to see either of them, I would say the most reliable and easily accessible site to tick a picathartes is Bonkro in Ghana, followed by the Western Peninsula Forest Reserve near Freetown in Sierra Leone. Both these countries are safe and English-speaking, with very friendly people. Ghana’s tourism infrastructure is far more developed than that of Sierra Leone and it is generally a more economical country in which to travel. If you would rather seek the somewhat less-reliable Red-headed Picathartes, Korup National Park is as good a site as any, although I do believe there are some very reliable sites in Nigeria, however navigating that difficult country might prove to be a nightmare not worth attempting. Sites in Gabon and CAR seem to be very seasonal and hit-and-miss, and Equatorial Guinea, like Nigeria, is not a recommended birding country.

If your heart is set on seeing one of these bizarre birds, I can highly recommend venturing to the little-visited but fascinating corners of Africa where they survive. It’s guaranteed to be the trip of a lifetime!

White-necked Picathartes near its nesting colony at Bonkro, Ghana. Photo by Adam Riley

Hugh Chittenden honoured for his contribution to South African ornithology

Hugh Chittenden is undoubtedly one of South Africa’s finest bird photographers and his work has graced the pages of many Southern African birding publications. Hugh is also a self-taught ornithologist who has spent countless hours in the field studying birds and publishing his fascinating findings thereafter. In recognition of his great contributions to this field, Hugh will be one of six African luminaries who will be having honorary degrees conferred on them by the University of KwaZulu-Natal in April 2012. For Hugh, the fact that he never attended university makes this accolade all the more special.

 Hugh Chittenden

Praising Hugh for his sterling efforts in increasing the public’s understanding of ornithology, the university called his knowledge “encyclopaedic”. However, according to Hugh he is merely a retired horticulturalist with birding as a hobby. In Hugh’s words: “This (the honorary degree) is a huge accolade for anyone. There are not many people in KwaZulu- Natal who have received it. I never went to university. When I was young I just wasn’t interested.”

For those who do not know, Hugh is currently chairman of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, which oversees the publication of all editions of Roberts Birds of South Africa. Hugh, who resides in the quaint town of Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is presently also making the final corrections to an illustrated guide on the sub-species and regional variations of southern African birds, which is scheduled to be published later this year. Other books that Hugh has authored or co-authored include Roberts Bird Guide: Kruger National Park and Adjacent Lowveld: A Guide to More than 420 Birds in the Region, which he co-authored with Ian Whyte, and Top birding Spots of Southern Africa.

On behalf of the entire Rockjumper team, we would like to congratulate Hugh on this excellent and very well-deserved achievement. Below is just a small selection of some of the many amazing images that Hugh has managed to capture over the years. Enjoy!

Crowned Eagle with Vervet Monkey prey - Here's an image that has done the rounds, and rightfully so. What an incredible photo!

Malachite Sunbird - Some birds it is just impossible to ever see enough of, and this is definitely one of them. Arguably Southern Africa's most spectacular sunbird, this image certainly does it full justice!

Narina Trogon - One of the most striking of all African birds, this lovely trogon is very seldom witnessed like this is the wild.

Buff-spotted Flufftail - Well, well, well. Merely catching a glimpse of this bird is difficult enough, but to photograph it like this is almost miraculous! A splendid image of a very special bird!


Violet-backed  Starling - This is another species that one simply cannot see enough of, particularly up close and in full sunlight, as with this wing-flagging male that Hugh photographed just outside his bedroom.

Palmnut Vulture - This smart looking raptor breeds in the coastal town of Mtunzini, a short drive from Eshowe where Hugh resides.

African Emerald Cuckoo - Wow! What more can we say – an amazing photo of an amazing bird!

Jackal Buzzard - A brilliant capture of this very smart raptor!

Livingstone's Turaco - For obvious reasons, Hugh is justly famous for the clarity of his close-up shots of really beautiful birds. Just look at the detail on this turaco's face – gorgeous!


Green Malkoha with Hyperolius frog sp. - One of Hugh's specialities is photographing elusive birds at their nests through the use of carefully positioned hides. This in turn allows us glimpses into their lives that we would possibly never otherwise obtain – such as this scene of an adult malkoha bringing a meal to its chicks.


Painted Snipe - A bird that is seldom seen in the open like this, Hugh has certainly done the species full justice with this gorgeous portrait shot of a lovely female.


Four-coloured Bushshrike - A stunning photo of a stunning bird; this is another species that is very difficult to see well, let alone photograph like this!


Southern Bald Ibis - A really great shot of one of Southern Africa's most sought-after endemics.


Rudd's Apalis - This very vocal and busy little bird is typically difficult to photograph as it bounces about doing its birdy thing - yet in this great image it almost looks as if it has intentionally posed for Hugh's camera!


Drakensberg Rockjumper – One of Southern Africa’s finest and most charismatic endemics, this fantastic image perfectly captures the essence of this very smart and proud looking species.