By Peter Hamming
As mornings grow colder and the veld dries up, food and water become scarce, prompting some birds to depart South Africa, flying north for warmth and sustenance. As summer ends, these birds undertake perilous migrations each year, facing threats like habitat loss and hunting. Researchers aim to map these fly routes to form partnerships that protect vital stopover sites.
Recently, BirdLife South Africa tagged two European rollers, Royal Wasi and Hera, to uncover their migration paths. While Hera’s tag ceased in Somalia, Royal Wasi’s journey continued through Mozambique, Oman, and Afghanistan, covering over 10,000 km.
At the College, we also welcome back the Woodlands Kingfisher every year. As a bird-ringer, I put a metal ring with a code around the leg of a Woodland Kingfisher in December 2022. The Kingfisher returned in December 2023, confirming their annual migration to breeding grounds here in the Lowveld. These Kingfishers travel about 3,500 km to South Sudan and the Central African Republic for the winter, departing in March and returning by November.
Next time you spot a Woodlands Kingfisher, remember the incredible distance and challenges it has overcome to visit us again.