SURVEY OF THE DUNE-BREEDING BIRDS IN THE EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH-AFRICA

Increasing human activity in sensitive dune areas may negatively impac t dune-breeding birds. The aim of this study was to survey populations of dune-breeding birds along 237 km of sand and dune coastline betwee n Huisklip and The Great Fish River, Eastern Cape. The numbers of Whit efronted Plovers Charadrius marginatus, African Black Oystercatchers H aematopus moquini and Damara Terns Sterna balaenarum were recorded in 33 sections along the coast. A total of 589 African Black Oystercatche rs (2.49 birds/km), 537 Whitefronted Plovers (2.27 birds/km) and 28 Da mara Terns (0.12 birds/km), were observed. Only one Damara Tern was se en outside the Alexandria Dunefield, which provides 74% of the total p otential Damara Tern nesting sites in the Eastern Cape. The area betwe en the Kabeljous and Maitland Rivers and between the Sundays River and Woody Cape (Alexandria Dunefield) are important areas for all dune-br eeding birds and both areas are heavily utilized by people, particular ly with off-road vehicles. Although these areas are managed by conserv ation authorities, negative impacts on nestlings have been observed; t he effects of this are not as yet evident in the population. The incre asing human activity in coastal areas, especially in dunefields, is ca use for concern. We recommend these sensitive areas be closed to vehic ular traffic and that all off-road vehicle use in sandy areas be contr olled more effectively.