The Animal Demography Unit (ADU) launched the Coordinated Waterbird Counts (CWAC) project in 1992 as part South Africa’s commitment to International waterbird conservation. This is being done by means of a programme of regular mid-summer and mid-winter censuses at a large number of South African wetlands. Regular six-monthly counts are regarded as a minimum standard; however, we do encourage counters to survey their wetlands on a more regular basis as this provides more accurate data. All the counts are conducted by volunteers; people and organisations with a passion for waterbird conservation. It is one of the largest and most successful citizen science programmes in Africa, providing much needed data for waterbird conservation around the world. Currently the project regularly monitors over 400 wetlands around the country, and furthermore curates waterbird data for over 600 sites. The project’s Goal & Objectives are outlined below:

To act as an effective long-term waterbird monitoring tool, benefiting conservation efforts worldwide.

Ensure effective project management through working closely with a host of national and international stakeholders; steadily updating and integrating this network of people;

Coordinate, prioritise and expand waterbird surveys on a national scale with the emphasis on long-term monitoring;

Ensure effective data management throughout the project;

Manage, maintain and expand the project database;

Undertake effective IT development within the project, including the upkeep and expansion of the project website;

Disseminate data and results through the project website, reports, scientific papers, popular articles, direct liaison with stakeholders, or any other useful means;

Promote and facilitate the use of census data specifically for policy, planning and research purposes;

Raise awareness and promote the project through the website, popular articles, newsletters, interviews, talks, or any other appropriate means;

Submit census data towards the African Waterbird Census Programme in part fulfilment of South Africa’s contribution to international agreements such as Ramsar, Bonn and AEWA.

There are many reasons for collecting waterbird data from around the country. A comparison of counts from different wetlands gives indications of seasonal movements and the relative importance of sites for the conservation of different species. Long-term monitoring of population numbers on a site basis allows for the development of annual population indices to trace the fluctuations of populations. A few more reasons are listed below:

better understand how waterbirds use wetlands;

identify important wetlands for waterbird conservation;

provide information support for management policies;

assist in monitoring the health of wetlands;

raise awareness of importance of wetlands as biodiversity hotspots;

serve as an early warning system for wetland degradation;

serve as an early warning system for waterbird population decline.