Bird Counts
The first comprehensive survey of the waterbirds at Walvis Bay was undertaken in January 1977 by scientists from South Africa. Since 1994, CETN has coordinated regular midsummer (January) and midwinter (July) counts. The counts take place over two consecutive days. Data form part of Namibia's biodiversity monitoring programme and also contribute to the Namibian submission to the African Waterbird Census of Wetlands International. We also make monthly bird counts of the Bird Sanctuary and the coastline between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.
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| Bird count participants 2006 |
The wetland regularly supports over 150,000 birds in summer and over 80,000 in winter; the largest number of birds counted in recent years was 243,000 in January 2004. The most abundant wader is Curlew Sandpiper, at up to 44,000 birds. Flamingos are abundant in summer unless breeding inland due to good rains. Up to 44,000 Greater Flamingo and 43,000 Lesser Flamingos may be observed in the winter. Common Terns sometimes number almost 100,000 birds and an exceptional count of 61,000 Black Terns was made in January 2004.
If you would like to take part in the next biannual bird count, please contact us. We welcome locals and visitors from overseas to join us for the bird counts.