BirdLife Botswana

05/06/2026

World Environment Day 2026

Today, BirdLife Botswana joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Environment Day , under the theme;
“Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”

This theme reminds us that nature is not separate from our survival. It is the foundation of clean air, fresh water, food security, healthy ecosystems, and climate resilience. For birds, the environment is everything. It provides nesting sites, feeding grounds, migration routes, shelter, breeding habitats, and safe spaces for survival. When wetlands dry up, grasslands are degraded, forests are cleared, or pollution enters our rivers and landscapes, birds are often among the first to show us that nature is under pressure.

Birds are powerful indicators of environmental health. Their presence, decline, movement, and breeding success tell us a story about the state of our ecosystems. Protecting birds therefore means protecting the habitats that support many other species, including people.

As we reflect on this year’s theme, BirdLife Botswana calls on individuals, communities, institutions, and decision-makers to take stronger action for nature and climate. Caring for the environment is not only about protecting wildlife;
it is about securing our own future. Healthy ecosystems help buffer communities against climate change, support livelihoods, sustain biodiversity, and keep the natural systems we all depend on functioning.

This World Environment Day, let us be inspired by nature to act with urgency, responsibility, and unity. Every tree protected, every wetland conserved, every grassland restored, every piece of waste properly managed, and every bird habitat safeguarded contributes to a healthier planet.

For birds.
For nature.
For climate.
For our future.

03/06/2026

Dear BLB member

Next Sunday's walk, on 7 June, will be near Manyana. The walk
will be along a flowing stream with many beautiful trees. Birds are plentiful there and we hope to see Streaky-headed Seedeaters and other species coming to drink at the stream. We will meet at Molapo Crossing at 7 30 am for a prompt departure. Please bring binoculars, refreshments and a chair.

See you there Sunday sharp!

Regards
Chris

03/06/2026

📣 𝐒𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐭 (𝐄𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚) 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐤𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐚 🦩🌿

On the 28th of May 2026, BirdLife Botswana, in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, convened at the Botswana Wildlife Training Institute (BWTI) in Maun to discuss the monitoring of the Slaty Egret in line with the AEWA Slaty Egret International Single Species Action Plan (ISSAP).

The meeting brought together key stakeholders to share updates on the status of the species, present findings from the Slaty Egret Survey on the distribution and identification of breeding sites in the Okavango Delta, and explore ways to strengthen the long-term monitoring of these important sites. 🗺️🐦

The Slaty Egret is listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List, with a global population estimated at 3,000–5,000 individuals. Most of the population breeds in Botswana, particularly in the Okavango Delta and along the Chobe River in Botswana and Namibia. Its main threats include habitat change, fire, flooding, human disturbance, and the spread of Salvinia molesta. The species feeds mainly on fish and breeds in Phragmites reed beds, date palm thickets, water fig thickets, and flooded Acacia trees. 🌱🌊

The meeting highlighted just how special and how elusive this remarkable bird is, and reinforced the importance of strong collaboration between conservation partners, local communities, tourism operators, and field teams. It was a productive and insightful session, filled with valuable contributions, reflections, and renewed commitment to Slaty Egret conservation. 🙌🏽💚

📌 𝐀 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫: 𝟐𝟐 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲

All volunteers are encouraged to actively participate in the counting exercise and record sightings from wherever they can. Every sighting counts and helps deepen our understanding of the Slaty Egret’s distribution, movements, and breeding patterns. 📋👀

Together, we can continue to protect this unique bird and the wetlands it depends on. 💚🦩

01/06/2026

🦅🌿 District Stakeholder Awareness Workshop on Lead (Pb) Poisoning in Vultures and Wildlife

On the 29th of May 2026, BirdLife Botswana hosted a successful District Stakeholder Awareness Workshop at Maun Lodge, bringing together key partners to exchange knowledge, raise awareness, and discuss practical solutions to address lead (Pb) poisoning in vultures, wildlife, and even human health. 🦅

The workshop featured valuable presentations and discussions from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Northwest District Council, Raptors Botswana, Department of Environmental Protection, Botswana Defence Force, and Botswana Wildlife Producers Association, among others. Participants explored the ecological importance of vultures, the risks of lead exposure, safe carcass disposal, and the need to transition to lead-free ammunition. 🌍

A big thank you to all speakers, stakeholders, and participants for your active engagement and commitment to conservation. Together, we can reduce lead exposure pathways and protect vultures, wildlife, and our environment for future generations. 💚

29/05/2026

12/05/2026

🔍 Did you know? 🤔

According to the BirdLife Africa 2025 report 🦅, vultures are worth over $1.8 billion a year to the SADC region – and they're disappearing. 😟

⚠️ Act now! 🚨

Click and follow the link to The Ngami Times Online to read more. 📰👇
https://www.ngamitimes.co.bw/vultures-provide-1-8-billion-in-economic-value-to-sadc-region-report-finds/
📢 Share this post to help raise awareness. 🔄

Nature Reserve 🦁
Botswana 🦅
of Wildlife and National Parks 🏞️
of Environment and National Park 🌍

A landmark economic valuation report released by BirdLife Africa has revealed that vultures contribute an estimated $1.8 billion annually to the SADC region through vital ecosystem services, sparking urgent calls for governments to fund conservation programmes. The 2025 report, which follows extensi...

12/05/2026

With Mokolodi Nature Reserve – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers 🎉

08/05/2026

Today is World Migratory Bird Day!
As they cross mountains, deserts and oceans, billions of migrating birds use similar
routes to take them to and from their breeding grounds. They’re known as flyways – the
superhighways in the sky.
Flyways connect a network of breeding sites, feeding grounds, stopover sites and
wintering areas that birds depend on to survive. But migratory birds are disappearing.
Worldwide, more than 40% of species are in decline.
This year’s theme is: “Every bird counts. Your observations matter.”
By recording the birds you see on eBird, you are engaging in community/citizen
science that helps track migration patterns, population trends, and changes in habitats
across flyways.
Birds are our compass. Their health reveals the health of the planet and shows where
action is most urgently needed.
Submit your sightings here https://ebird.org/news/global-big-day-2026
Join us in celebrating !
international
regional account

08/05/2026

What you need to know about the World Migratory Bird Day. Stay tuned for more updates about the WMBD 2026 event with us. 🦆🦆🦆

06/05/2026