Overberg birds on the move as the climate changes

Above: The SPARC scientists assessed how species will move in the face of climate change, and mapped these movements for individual species. For example, in a low-emission scenario, the Orange-breasted sunbird will move out of the coastal regions (the purple layer on this map) into the orange-coloured regions by 2070.

So let’s take a look at how some key bird species in the Overberg move and are affected as the climate changes.

Blue crane (Anthropoides paradiseus)

Even in a low-emission scenario, the Blue Crane’s range across the Overberg is severely affected by 2070. Currently the Blue Crane is commonly found across the district. But by 2070, the species is likely to move out of the eastern parts of the Overberg, including the De Hoop Nature Reserve, and north up to Montagu. Should we be faced with a high-emission future, the Blue Crane will disappear from most of the Overberg, excluding the Caledon, Botriver, Grabouw and Villiersdorp areas. 

Image: Warwick Tarboton

Orange-breasted sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea):

In the low-emission scenario, by 2070 the Orange-breasted sunbird is expected to move out of the coastal areas of the Overberg, particularly around the Agulhas National Park, all the way up to Gansbaai in the west and Arniston in the east (including De Mond Nature Reserve), as well as up to Bredasdorp. It also disappears around the Swellendam and Buffeljagsrivier area, but is likely to still occur north of Swellendam in the Marloth Nature Reserve, and in the De Hoop Nature Reserve.

Image: LoveGreen Communications

Black harrier (Circus maurus):

As the climate changes, the Overberg becomes an even more important sanctuary for the Black harrier. It moves out of its range in the northern parts of the Western Cape, as well as coastal areas around East London. Should we be faced with a high-emission scenario, then the species is likely to also disappear from parts of the De Hoop Nature Reserve, Buffeljagsrivier and up to Robertson and Montagu.

Image: Sharon Brink

Southern black korhaan (Afrotis afra)

The Southern black korhaan occurs in the Overberg and all along the coast up to East London. In the light of a changing climate, the species becomes even more concentrated around the coastal areas, moving out of its range in the northern parts of the Western Cape, as well as along the West Coast. It’s therefore important that their habitat is protected in the Overberg, to provide sanctuary in the future.

Image: Sharon Brink

Denham’s Bustard (Neotis denhami)

This Near Threatened species occurs along a coastal strip from the Cape Town region up to Mozambique. It also occurs currently in Zambia and Angola. In a high-emission scenario, the Denham’s Bustard will move out of the northern parts of its current range, and focus more along the coast.

Image: Sharon Brink

Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres)

The Cape Vulture is also a species on the move in the face of a changing climate. While it will remain in much of its current range along the east coast of the country, its range in the Overberg nearly halves – even if we only experience the low-emission scenario. Whereas the De Hoop Nature Reserve currently provides a sanctuary for a burgeoning population of Cape Vultures, this range decreases by around 50% around De Hoop and north of De Hoop, in the landscapes around Buffeljagsrivier.

Image: Sharon Brink