malvernmugadzikwaTinashe Farawo
ZIMBABWE has 674 bird species, of which 140 are migratory.
On October 12, Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in celebrating the annual World Migratory Bird Day.
The day was dedicated to the unbelievable journeys of migratory birds and the vital roles they play in our ecosystems, shining a spotlight on the intricate and vital relationship between insects and migratory birds that often goes unnoticed.
This year’s theme for the World Migratory Bird Day is “Protect Insects, Protect Birds”, highlighting the important relationship between these two groups.
Zimbabwe recognises the essential role insects play in fuelling the journeys of migratory birds across the globe.
Insects are essential for migratory birds as they provide the necessary energy for these long journeys, influencing the timing, duration and success of migrations.
Migratory birds often time their journeys to coincide with the abundance of insects.
This synchronisation ensures that they have enough food to fuel their long flights and to feed their young ones.
Migratory birds connect different parts of the world, symbolising the interconnectedness of the planet. An estimated 4 000 bird species migrate around the earth, with songbirds, waterfowl, waders and shorebirds constituting the majority. It is important to note that these birds migrate with a purpose, mainly to exploit the best food resources available, especially during the breeding season.
The migration of these birds is mainly triggered by changes in day length, hormonal changes and weather conditions.
We still don’t fully understand how birds navigate but several mechanisms are used: the sun, moon or stars as compasses; an ability to read the Earth’s magnetic field; the skill to interpret the landforms they are flying over; and learning familiarity with terrain that has been visited before.
Nine major flyways form conduits for the huge transfer of continental birds from the northern hemisphere to the tropics and beyond.
The three flyways that connect Europe, Asia and Africa make up the world’s largest migratory system.
Zimbabwe, as stated before, is home to 674 bird species and 140 of them are migratory.
Amur Falcons breed in Mongolia and fly to Zimbabwe each year for more than 14 000 kilometres. The birds fly more than 2 500 kilometres over the sea.
The Amur Falcon and its close cousin, the Western Red-footed Kestrel, nest in Mongolia and come to Africa crossing the sea from India and reaching the African coast at the Horn of Africa. They use the monsoon winds in both directions to help them on their journey.
On their long sea crossing, they join dragonflies, which also migrate at the same time, and these insects provide them with much-needed food. Amur Falcons roost at night at selected roosting sites usually in eucalyptus trees.
At these roosting sites, birds can number a few thousand.
In Harare, they can be seen in large numbers perched along the power lines on the Harare-Mutare highway, at the Mabvuku turnoff.
However, their journeys are fraught with challenges, facing a multitude of hazards both natural and artificial (for example, predation from other animals, the weather) and human-induced challenges such as hunting and trapping, coastal development, wetland degradation, deforestation, pollution (air, water and pesticides) and long-line fishing.
Insects provide essential proteins and fats that are crucial for the energy needs of birds, especially during migration and breeding seasons.
It is important to note that to protect migratory birds, there is a need to focus on conserving insect populations. This involves promoting sustainable agricultural practices, reducing pesticide use and preserving natural habitats.
By doing so, there will be a guarantee that migratory birds have the resources they need to thrive. Educating the public about the importance of insects and their role in the ecosystem can lead to more support for conservation efforts.
There is a need for continuous research and monitoring, which is essential to understanding migratory patterns and the challenges these birds face.
This data helps inform conservation strategies and international policies.
Zimbabwe has made significant strides in the conservation of migratory species by acceding to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) in 2012, an agreement that aims to conserve migratory species and their habitats across their migratory routes.
The country has been actively working on the expansion of Vulture Safe Zones, working on migratory species in transboundary areas such as the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (covering Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe) and identifying priority areas for migratory species and wetlands.
To show this commitment, the country has an active Vulture Action Plan that is being implemented across Zimbabwe.
Conservation partnerships have been instrumental in the conservation of migratory birds.
There is a need for communities to commit to taking simple yet effective actions to protect insects and, by extension, the birds that depend on them. Every effort counts.
Tinashe Farawo is the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson. He can be contacted on [email protected]
Online Reporter