Welcome to CAR

Bird Counting is a census of birds performed annually by volunteer birdwatchers. The purpose is to provide population data for use in science, especially conservation biology, by determining findings about our natural habitats and the birds that use them.If repeated at regular intervals, the counts allow us to track changes in bird populations. Each individual count is performed by at least 10 volunteers who then break up into small parties and follow assigned routes counting every bird they see. We at CAR administer bird road counts in Southern Africa which are performed seasonally (Summer and Winter).

Large and conspicuous birds offer the opportunity to monitor their populations by means of relatively simple techniques. One of these techniques is the "road count", in which observations are made from vehicles covering fixed routes.

This approach was pioneered in July 1993 in a joint Cape Bird Club/ADU project to monitor the populations of two threatened species: Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus and Denham’s/Stanley's Bustard Neotis denhami. The initial study area is known as the Overberg and consists of a mosaic of agricultural and natural landscapes on the coastal plain east of Cape Town in the Western Cape. The project began with 15 routes and detailed observations were recorded while driving slowly and especially during stops at regular two-kilometre intervals. During these stops, the surrounding countryside was scanned using binoculars. This pilot study was successful and the fieldwork method has not been changed significantly over the past 30 years.

CAR has since spread rapidly to other provinces and now monitors over 20 species of large terrestrial birds (cranes, bustards, korhaans, storks, Secretarybird and Bald Ibis) along 340 fixed routes covering 19 000 km. Fourteen of these species appear in the Red Data Book. Twice a year, in midsummer (the last Saturday in January) and midwinter (the last Saturday in July), roadcounts are carried out using this standardised method. A standardised method allows one to make comparisons between counts. Even though we do not attempt to count the entire population of a species, the area covered is so large that CAR is statistically capable of demonstrating trends in population size. The project also reveals details of habitat use and the relationship of populations to the agricultural practices of an area.

Routes have been grouped into clusters called precincts. Local Precinct Organisers play a vital role in organizing counts in their areas. Currently there are 34 precincts in seven provinces. CAR has thrived on the enthusiastic, voluntary participation of members of bird clubs and farming communities, conservators, schools and interested members of the public. Every six months, over 750 people travel along bumpy country roads, making this one of the largest birder-participation projects in Africa. CAR is coordinated by FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, based at the University of Cape Town.

Approximately 50% of the routes are covered by farmers, thereby fulfilling a major objective in encouraging conservation and bird-friendly land-management practices on private lands. Most large terrestrial birds have huge ranges and are not adequately conserved within protected areas. The contribution that farmers can make to the protection of these birds is enormous.