The primary aim of the ONBP is to determine whether nest boxes
can be used as effective conservation tools for cavity-nesting bird
communities in subtropical Africa. We determine to do this by
gathering high-quality empirical data on the abundance and
distribution of cavity-nesting birds relative to 105 nest boxes along
four 1.5km transects in our 430 ha study area. These data will be
then be related to utilisation of nest boxes during the 2009/2010
summer breeding season – noting that the ONBP has been running
since January 2007. Data from this study will be used in the
derivation of nest box prescriptions for a nest box project for the
Critically Endangered Cape Parrot in South Africa.
Snapshot of OCNP results: We had Green Woodhoopoes,
Woodland Kingfishers and Grey Hornbills nesting in the boxes with
signs of several successful nesting attempts (i.e. good layer of
excrement) in almost 30% of the nest boxes. We also had Woodland
Dormouse (with young), Lesser Bushbabies (roosting in day) and
Tree Squirrels (with young) using 50% of the boxes. Except for the
woodhoopoes and doormouse, all are the first records of utilization of
nest boxes by these species. (We will probably be able to pick up
specific preferences in the analysis). We also mapped all the habitat
types, located over 500 excavated nest cavities and did 5 cavity-
nesting bird abundance transects in each habitat type.
can be used as effective conservation tools for cavity-nesting bird
communities in subtropical Africa. We determine to do this by
gathering high-quality empirical data on the abundance and
distribution of cavity-nesting birds relative to 105 nest boxes along
four 1.5km transects in our 430 ha study area. These data will be
then be related to utilisation of nest boxes during the 2009/2010
summer breeding season – noting that the ONBP has been running
since January 2007. Data from this study will be used in the
derivation of nest box prescriptions for a nest box project for the
Critically Endangered Cape Parrot in South Africa.
Snapshot of OCNP results: We had Green Woodhoopoes,
Woodland Kingfishers and Grey Hornbills nesting in the boxes with
signs of several successful nesting attempts (i.e. good layer of
excrement) in almost 30% of the nest boxes. We also had Woodland
Dormouse (with young), Lesser Bushbabies (roosting in day) and
Tree Squirrels (with young) using 50% of the boxes. Except for the
woodhoopoes and doormouse, all are the first records of utilization of
nest boxes by these species. (We will probably be able to pick up
specific preferences in the analysis). We also mapped all the habitat
types, located over 500 excavated nest cavities and did 5 cavity-
nesting bird abundance transects in each habitat type.
Baby woodland doormice wrapped in snake skin in nest box - 2009
Bushbaby roosting in PVC nest box in Mopane woodland in
the Okavango Delta, Botswana - 2009.
the Okavango Delta, Botswana - 2009.
Gathering samples of fruits and pods infested by larvae and
caterpillars - 2009.
caterpillars - 2009.
Baby squirrels staying close to their mother in wooden nest
box - 2009
box - 2009
Nesting Woodland Kingfigher -
2009.
2009.
Okavango Nest Box Project Team - 2009.
Green Woodhoopoe just before fledging - 2009.
Woodland Kingfishers eggs discarded by female - 2009.
Green Woodhoopoe
with caterpillar - 2009.
with caterpillar - 2009.
| FACILITATING WILDLIFE RESEARCH IN AFRICA'S WILD PLACES since 2003 |
Updated: 3/04/2010
Administrator: Dr. Steve Boyes BScFor (NatCon) MEnvDev(PAM) PhD Zoology
DST/NRF Centre of Excellence Postdoctoral Fellow: Percy FitzPatrick Institute
University of Cape Town, South Africa
E-mail: boyes@africaskyblue.org
steve.boyes@bigfig.com
rs.boyes@uct.ac.za
Administrator: Dr. Steve Boyes BScFor (NatCon) MEnvDev(PAM) PhD Zoology
DST/NRF Centre of Excellence Postdoctoral Fellow: Percy FitzPatrick Institute
University of Cape Town, South Africa
E-mail: boyes@africaskyblue.org
steve.boyes@bigfig.com
rs.boyes@uct.ac.za
