The Zambian Ornithological Society has been training Community Bird Guides in different IBA’s in Zambia. These Community Bird Guides have been trained to help locate the significant birds in the IBA’s. The guides live in or near the IBA’s and have cell phones so they can be contacted. The charge for a morning of guiding is K40,000 of which K20,000 goes to the guide himself and K20,000 goes to the Community Site Support Group.
The idea behind this is to:
- Assist the rural communities in income generation;
- Build awareness in the local community as to the importance of birds and bio diversity;
- Develop the bird tourism industry in the Important Bird Areas; and
- Develop national awareness of Important Bird Areas.
A meeting needs to be arranged with the Bird Guide by calling in advance. The guide will then show the visitor where to look for the significant birds. Usually the guide would travel or walk with the visitor as they do not have transport themselves. These guides are also trained to guide tourists to places of interest in the IBA
A wide variety of waterbirds occur, particularly when the floodwaters recede at the end of the rains and pools attract Slaty Egrets. Both Southern Brown-throated Weaver and Swamp Boubou occur in the riparian vegetation. This is the only place in Zambia where the Burchell’s Sandgrouse and the Koir Bustard have been recorded. Three other species of Bustard are quite common in the area, White-bellied Bustard in the driest parts, Black-bellied Bustard in the grassland and schrubs and the Red-crested Korhaan in the open woodland.
More species that are restricted to a Zambian range occur Burchell’s Starling, Cape Glossy Starling, Scaly-feathered Finch, Red-eyed Bulbul, Acacia Pied Barbet, Tit-Barbbler, Marico Flycatcher, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Black-cheeked Waxbill and Shaft-tailed Widow.
