The endangered blue swallow is feared to be the bird most likely to become extinct next in South Africa. Two surveys, in 1985/6 and 1986/7, revealed only 63 pairs in all of KwaZulu/Natal, Swaziland and the former Transvaal.

WHY ENDANGERED?

The blue swallow is the rarest of the swallows in southern Africa. It favours unspoilt, mist-belt grasslands. These areas are characterised by high rainfall, frequent mists, and deep soils. As such, they are ideal for commercial timber plantations. Forests of pine, gum and wattle trees now cover huge areas of former habitat for these birds. The disappearance of the blue swallow's habitat has caused the numbers of birds to decline rapidly.

DISTRIBUTION

In South Africa the blue swallow occurs in mist-belt grasslands of the eastern Transvaal, the midlands of KwaZulu/Natal, and in the high-lying districts of Zululand. It also occurs from western Swaziland, through the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, from Inyanga to Chimanimani, to the highlands of Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania.

BREEDING

Blue swallows breed in this, the southern part of their range, during summer, and return to the Lake Victoria basin in Uganda during winter - they are thus termed intra-African migrants. It is thought that individuals return to the same area each season and may even make use of the same nesting site!

The birds arrive in southern Africa during September. They quickly find a mate and suitable nesting site which is usually a pothole, donga, or similar depression in the grassland. Aardvark burrows are also used regularly. The nest consists of mud pellets and dried grass, and may be as much as a metre below the ground. The cup-shaped nest is lined with feathers, and two or three heavily spotted eggs are laid. Incubation, by the female only, lasts fifteen days. The nestlings are fed by both parents and grow rapidly. They leave the nest approximately 25 days after hatching. Two broods of eggs are usually laid each season, so the parents have the potential to rear up to six youngsters during the summer. However, nestling survival is poor. Nests may be destroyed by predators, or the chicks may starve during prolonged wet weather. Fledged young forage alongside their parents before joining them on the return trip to central Africa.

FEEDING

Blue swallows are rapid and graceful flyers, skimming above the grasslands in search of tiny airborne insects which are captured and swallowed in one movement. They often feed in the company of other swallows. They are active throughout the day, and seem to rest only occasionally when they will perch on the branch of a low shrub or wire strand of a fence.

THE FUTURE

Research and conservation action has now begun in earnest and certain populations have been safeguarded for the foreseeable future. The birds' habitat is officially protected in Malalotja Nature Reserve in Swaziland, Blinkwater Nature Reserve in KwaZulu/Natal, and Zimbabwe's Chimanimani National Park. Only time will tell, however, whether these fragmented populations are large enough to survive. All other breeding habitat is at risk, and the conservation status of their wintering grounds in central Africa is unknown.

The best long-term prospect for safeguarding the remaining breeding habitat is through the Natural Heritage Site system. Sites so designated are in effect reserves, although remain private property. Natural Heritage Site status confers other benefits, and all appropriate landowners should consider registration of blue swallow sites.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

* Should you come across blue swallow nesting sites, stay well away from them as any disturbance could result in the parent bird leaving the nest and consequently no young will survive.

* Inform the local provincial conservation authority if you find a nest site. It may be a new one where protective steps should be taken.

* Use less paper - demand for paper drives the forestry industry to plant more trees, thereby converting grasslands into plantations of alien trees. Consider starting a newspaper collection and recycling project at your school or community centre.

* Join your local bird club to learn more about all birds - and share your knowledge of, and interest in, the blue swallow. * Write to South Africa's Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Forestry Branch, address below, to find out what they are doing to protect the blue swallow.

FURTHER READING

SOUTH AFRICA'S THREATENED WILDLIFE. J. Ledger. Endangered Wildlife Trust, Johannesburg, 1990.

ROBERT'S BIRDS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA. G.L. Maclean. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town, 1985.

All books are available from Russel Friedman Books, PO Box 73, Halfway House 1685. Tel. 011-7022300/1.

Enviro Facts: Afforestation

USEFUL ORGANISATIONS

The Endangered Wildlife Trust. P/Bag X11, Parkview, 2122. Tel. 011-4861102.

Southern African Ornithological Society. Head Office, P.O. Box 87234, Houghton, 2041. Tel. 011-7821547.

Wildlife Society of Southern Africa. Head Office, P.O. Box 44344, Linden, 2104. Tel. 011-486 3294/5or 0938.

Natural History Society of Swaziland. P.O. Box 1631, Mbabane, Swaziland.

Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. Forestry Branch, P/Bag X313, Pretoria, 0001. Tel. 012-299 9111.

Dept. of Environment Affairs and Tourism. P/Bag X447, Pretoria, 0001. Tel. 012-310 3425. For more information on Natural Heritage Sites.