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    Loch Athlone (28162819)

    Free State
    Card 512677
    Compiler 2043
    Location code 28162819Loch Athlone (Free State)
    Start date 2026-09-27
    Season OOther
    Start time 09:35
    End time 12:30
    Shoreline covered 100
    Openwater covered 100
    Total Species 29
    Total Count 832
    Wetland Condition 1Full (High tide for estuaries)
    Wetland Threats 20Pollution by fertilizers
    Count Condition 4Good
    Count Type 5Mixed
    Nil Count (No birds present) 0There were CWAC species present
    Notes Nest building and breeding by various herons has started early this year, and the heronry has also shifted location from last season. Previously the large reed island was used — the site typically favoured in normal water-level years. This season's site was also used in the past, but tends to be occupied in years of higher-than-usual water levels. This is notable given that a strong El Niño is forecast, which would normally suggest a drier late summer — yet currently conditions are wet, with the dam full. Eight species have been confirmed nesting or breeding so far: • Glossy Ibis — breeding confirmed; numbers likely to still increase • Cattle Egret — breeding confirmed; numbers likely to still increase • Black-headed Heron — breeding confirmed; numbers likely to still increase • Yellow-billed Egret — numbers appear to be at the maximum typically recorded for this site • Little Egret — numbers appear to be at the maximum typically recorded for this site • Black-crowned Night-Heron — most breeding pairs recorded to date; some birds still nest-building while others have already fledged chicks • Little Bittern — breeding confirmed; nest quantity unknown
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    Observer NumberNameOptions

    Current data
    Ref #SpeciesCountBreeding
    Pairs    		Breeding
    indicator
    6Grebe, Little
    (Tachybaptus ruficollis)    		40
    50Cormorant, Reed
    (Microcarbo africanus)    		60
    52Darter, African
    (Anhinga rufa)    		60
    55Heron, Black-headed
    (Ardea melanocephala)    		120
    56Heron, Goliath
    (Ardea goliath)    		10
    57Heron, Purple
    (Ardea purpurea)    		3515Confirmed Breeding
    59Egret, Little
    (Egretta garzetta)    		167Confirmed Breeding
    61Egret, Western Cattle
    (Bubulcus ibis)    		2510Confirmed Breeding
    62Heron, Squacco
    (Ardeola ralloides)    		2210Confirmed Breeding
    67Bittern, Little
    (Ixobrychus minutus)    		40Confirmed Breeding
    69Night Heron, Black-crowned
    (Nycticorax nycticorax)    		10040Confirmed Breeding
    81Ibis, African Sacred
    (Threskiornis aethiopicus)    		10
    83Ibis, Glossy
    (Plegadis falcinellus)    		5830Confirmed Breeding
    84Ibis, Hadada
    (Bostrychia hagedash)    		181Confirmed Breeding
    88Goose, Spur-winged
    (Plectropterus gambensis)    		70
    89Goose, Egyptian
    (Alopochen aegyptiaca)    		366Confirmed Breeding
    96Duck, Yellow-billed
    (Anas undulata)    		250
    99Teal, Blue-billed
    (Anas hottentota)    		60
    149Fish Eagle, African
    (Haliaeetus vocifer)    		10
    197Rail, African
    (Rallus caerulescens)    		60Probably Breeding
    203Crake, Black
    (Zaporina flavirostra)    		100
    205Flufftail, Red-chested
    (Sarothrura rufa)    		20
    208Swamphen, African
    (Porphyrio madagascariensis)    		100
    210Moorhen, Common
    (Gallinula chloropus)    		250
    212Coot, Red-knobbed
    (Fulica cristata)    		3100
    245Lapwing, Blacksmith
    (Vanellus armatus)    		40
    395Kingfisher, Giant
    (Megaceryle maxima)    		20
    686Wagtail, Cape
    (Motacilla capensis)    		150
    14799Egret, Yellow-billed
    (Egretta brachyrhyncha)    		6530Confirmed Breeding


    FITZ logo   Ramsar Wetlands International https://www.sanbi.org/

    Sunday 27 September 2026 06:25
    FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology
    Department of Biological Sciences - University of Cape Town

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