The application of camera trapping to assess Rallidae species richness within palustrine wetland habitat in South Africa

Wetlands are vital habitats for a variety of organisms and ecosystem services, but the health of these valuable habitats is declining worldwide. The Rallidae species that rely on these habitats are typically elusive, cryptic and difficult to monitor accurately, especially in dense wetland vegetation. To date, invasive survey techniques such as rope dragging have largely been applied in surveying species within these genera. A survey of palustrine wetland habitat using camera traps was implemented to ascertain the efficacy of this non-invasive monitoring technique for surveying elusive wetland avian species. The survey yielded a total of 445 independent sightings across 15 target wetland species, including four Rallidae species. Our results clearly display that camera trapping as a non-invasive survey technique can effectively determine the presence and monitor arguably the most cryptic and elusive of the Rallidae genera within southern Africa. In addition, data sets produced through this survey technique are unique in that robust data are collected incorporating numerous aspects of species biology and behaviour. Our study further demonstrated the ability of camera trapping to produce accurate, reliable and rapid species inventories within palustrine wetland habitats.Keywords: camera trapping, conservation, non-invasive, rallid, species richness, wetland

Short Note: Challenges in nest monitoring of White-winged Flufftails Sarothrura ayersi in Ethiopia

The Critically Endangered White-winged Flufftail Sarothrura ayresi is only known to breed in the high-altitude wetlands of Ethiopia and South Africa. Several studies have documented the physical properties of nests in the well-known Berga wetland, Ethiopia; however, behavioural accounts of birds at these nests are limited. Remote monitoring techniques have revolutionised the ability to detect and observe elusive species, such as wetland rallids. We discuss the challenges experienced during a pilot study to collect observations at nests of White-winged Flufftails on the breeding grounds in Ethiopia. Lessons learnt from placement of camera traps at nest sites and conservation implications for future monitoring are discussed and guidelines for camera trap deployment are provided. Keywords: Critically Endangered, conservation, monitoring, northeastern Africa, wetland, White-winged Flufftai