LIBA   (Local Important Birding Areas) – March 2021.

The Conservation Committee initiated the concept of LIBA’s with a number of descriptions and designators in its grappling of the concept and its acceptance. This started in about 2014. There have been numerous arguments for and against the idea. The Committee’s justification was that many conservation worthy areas potentially maybe overlooked especially when local land development proposals are instituted and could negatively impact the birds of these areas.
The formal conservation areas are reasonably well protected from these impacts.

It was felt that the local residents would know of such areas in their communities and could suggest that these be assessed to the LIBA criteria for appraisal.
The Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary in Strand, next to the Lourens River is a good example. Also The Paarl Bird Sanctuary at the sewerage works is another. The Dick Dent is to formally receive a LIBA certificate as the first such recipient.

The Conservation Committee, the Western Cape Birding Forum and independent bird scientists ratify and accept or decline a proposed area against a documented criteria, which includes species numbers and or total bird numbers as some of the inputs.

If you know of a LIBA in your area please contact Dave Whitelaw and discuss it with him.

David Whitelaw.
Chairman: Cape Bird Club Conservation Committee.