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Ivan Zhakata

Features Correspondent

BIRDING, the observation of birds, either as a recreational activity or as a form of citizen science, is gaining momentum in Zimbabwe.

Many people are thronging game parks and bird sanctuaries to watch different species of birds.

Zimbabwe early this month joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), which is celebrated annually on October 9.

The day was celebrated under the theme “Sing, Fly, Soar — Like a Bird”.

The theme sought to inspire and connect people in the shared desire to celebrate and protect migratory birds and their habitats as migratory birds continue to sing, fly and soar between their breeding and non-breeding sites.

The presence, numbers and trends of birds indicate the health of an ecosystem.

Zimbabwe is home to 674 bird species with over 140 being migratory birds.

Birdwatching is one of the fastest growing recreational activities in the world, with ecotourism benefits to a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

In Zimbabwe, birdwatching attracts tourists from different parts of the world, with the visitors coming to record the unique and diverse species found in the country.

Apart from mammals and reptiles, all National Parks in the country provide for diverse bird species.

These include Bataleur (Chapungu), African Fish Eagle (Hungwe), Secretary Bird (Hwata) and Meyer’s Parrots.

Harare’s wetlands attract tourists who are after birds such as the Black Coucal, Striped Crake, Streaky-breasted Flufftail and Rosy-throated Longclaws.

The Eastern Highlands is a unique birding area. It provides bird species which are range restricted to the Eastern parts of the country.

These birds include Blue Swallows, Gorgeous Bush-shrike, Malachite Sunbird, Swynertton’s Robin and Gurney’s Sugarbird.

To celebrate WMBD, the birding community in Zimbabwe led by BirdLife Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Professional Guides Association participated in an event, the Global Big Day.

The competition celebrates the birdlife present in different countries.

 More than 50 000 people from 160 countries participated in the Global Big Day.

Zimbabwe fared decently in the competition, finishing sixth in Africa with 455 bird species.

Jim Mackie recorded the most species (190), followed by the Eastern Districts Team with 182 species, whilst Dean Martin came third with 174 bird species.

The BirdLife Zimbabwe Youth teams performed exceptionally well.

A team led by Terry Makhusa, which was based at Lake Chivero recorded 139 species.

Inyanga Blues EAFI Team recorded 117 species, Jean-Michel Blake recorded 114 species while the Mat’land Chirpers recorded 90 species.

Another team led by Tim Mudhulyi based in Chimanimani recorded 69 species.

BirdLife Zimbabwe conservation officer, Mr Ronny Chirimuta, said birding in Zimbabwe has improved and gained momentum.

Mr Chirimuta said the improvement is evidenced by an increase in the number of participants in the Global Big Day and teams that participate in Zimbabwe’s Big Birding Day.

“More young people are joining the BirdLife Zimbabwe Youth Club via their different branches in Harare, Matabeleland, Manicaland and at the Bindura University of Science Education,” he said. “Zimbabweans countrywide are sending in their observations on Facebook platforms like Birding Zimbabwe.”

Mr Chirimuta said due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown, domestic tourism had increased in the country.

“This has also resulted in an increase in birding tourism as well,” he said. “Places like Monavale Vlei, Marlborough Vlei, Mukuvisi Woodlands, Seldomseen in Vumba, Kent Estate in Norton, Mazvikadei, Pindi Park in Banket, Nyanga National Park, Masoka Camp attract tourists who are interested in the diverse bird species offered by the above mentioned destinations.”

In the next edition of Global Big Day, which is slated for the first Saturday of May in 2022, Zimbabwe is expecting more teams to participate and challenge for the top spot in Africa.

October Big Day contributors joined from a record-setting 195 countries and reported 7 269 species.

This made October 9 the biggest day in the month’s birding history.

This year’s global team consisted of more than 800 e-Birders in Africa, 2 000 in Asia, 2 500 in Europe, and 5 300 in Central and South America. The tremendous efforts showcase the power birds have to bring people together.