Main Research Proposal

Since the pilot study observed high territoriality of the bird species to its nesting site, in situ implementation approach of the mitigation method shall be applied. In situ in this case means within their feeding range of 1.6km from their nest. The alternative nesting structures will be placed at 10m from nested power line poles, far enough for electromagnetism to be substantially reduced, but not too far from the original nesting site that it would become ex situ. Electromagnetic exposure has altered the behavior, physiology, endocrine system, and the immune function of birds, which generally resulted in negative repercussions on their reproduction or development. The sociable weaver species that live intimately with powerlines may therefore be in significant danger, although the effects on the species in not well documented, if at all.

In the main study, I will test the effectivity of two alternative nesting structures: dummy powerline poles and dummy trees. Dummy poles are isolated powerline poles (i.e. without electricity transmission wires), and provide the same structural support as functional real powerline poles. In addition, due to the lack of electromagnetism around the dummy poles, the birds are expected to prefer these structures to functional powerline. Dummy trees are models of the main tree species that the bird naturally nests on i.e. Acacia erioloba. A previous study by showed that the gap in sociable weaver distribution in some areas of South Africa highly coincided with the extensive clearance of the Acacia veld. Furthermore, during the pilot study a lack of trees was observed in the area. Therefore, tree models of Acacia erioloba are also a good fit as alternative nesting sites for the bird if not a better alternative.

The study will still be conducted in the Mariental District in Namibia from April to September 2014.

Pilot Study Results

I previously blogged about the pilot study plans, find out here http://juliaschallenges.blogspot.com/2014/01/pilot-study.html

I conducted the pilot study in the Mariental District of Namibia on a 15km powerline section, totaling to 175 powerline poles, of which 12 had nests on them. Most of these twelve poles had more than one nest on them. The result of the pilot study indicated high site fidelity of the sociable weaver to its nesting: the colonies came back to their exact nesting pole after I continuously removed their nests twice a week for six weeks. I only observed one pole out of the 12 nested poles (8.33%) to be a new nest which did not exist before the beginning of the study, which could possibly mean that adjacent colonies diverged, or that a new colony of the species settled in. Neither of the two possibilities are unexpected since the study took place during the species’ breeding period, September to May, and the birds are therefore expected to construct more nests than at other times. The photo below shows vegetation along the pilot study site. Trees are only found around farm houses and none are a natural or suitable nesting choice for the sociable weaver.

I'm happiest when

I'm out there in the wilderness.

Pilot Study

My bird research is still going on. I thought I would test all 12 of my potential mitigation measures this year but time is not on my side. 

I chose to test only two of the methods, artificial trees and fake poles. They will both act as alternative nesting structure for the birds as opposed to real powerlines. 

I will spend the nest 6 weeks in the field doing a pilot study that will determine the design and plan for the main study. The pilot study will:

• Find out whether or not the species under the study are territorial birds. 
• Assess the vegetation around the area where the birds' populations are highest, since I hypothesize that the reason birds nest on powerlines is because there is a lack of suitable trees. 
• Find out distances between nests in order to determine the extent of intra- and inter-specific competition. 

The result will then tell me in what manner I should plant dummy trees and poles in the field during the main study.

See images below for a dummy tree and dummy poles respectively.

Potential Mitigation Measures

The following are possible methods that I identified as mitigation measure for birds nesting on power linesand and a brief explanation why the methods were chosen as:

1. Dummy snakes

I found no other enemy of the Sociable Weaver to be more influential in the bird’s nesting behaviours than snakes. The study therefore assumes that any other scare device (such as scare crows) will be less effective compared to dummy snakes.

2. Artificial trees and Fake poles/pylons

One of the crucial factors in nest construction is the ability of the structure to support the nest. Therefore providing alternative support structures, such as artificial trees or fake poles, may reduce nesting on electrical poles and pylons.

3. Relocation of nests

In this case nests are moved away from distribution wires where they may pose a threat to power distribution, to the less sensitive parts of the poles/pylons. Relocation may also be from power lines to other support structures available/provided.

4. Anti-nesting devices

A Spanish electricity distribution company, Red Electrica, and a French one called Electricité de France (EDF) tested 7 different devices selected as anti-nesting devices on cat-head type pylons. Some proved to be best as ant-nesting devices (such as the T-shaped, crossed and parallel designs).

5. Reflective features or Laser beam technology

Reflective features include any device with an intense sunlight reflective surface (a nuisance to the birds) that is small enough to be fitted on and/or around electrical structures as anti-perching devices. These can be made at home or from recycled materials and are probably the cheapest option. Good examples would be CDs, cans and aluminium foil.

6. Bird control chemicals

The study identified four chemicals that can be possibly used to rid birds from poles and substations. These are 4-nitropyridine-N-oxide (Avitrol 100) or 4-aminopyridine (Avitrol 200), Methiocarb, Fenthion and Methyl anthranilate (MA). Although some of the above chemicals were proved to be naturally occuring and/or non-toxic, all chemicals shall be used with caution.

7. Other measures (least recommended)

     i. Bird deterrent fog/haze devices

     ii. Netting

     iii. Sticky gums or jells

     iv. Ultrasonic devices

Necessary business Registrations

I am happy to announce that our business, F.L.I.C.C Investments cc, is finally registered for all the necessary registrations as a business in Namibia. Here I will walk you through what it takes to get each.

1. Ministry of Trade and Industry 

I previously blogged about how to register a business with the Ministry. Find the post here: Registering a business in Namibia  

 

     2.  Ministry of Finance

You neeed to register your business with the ministry, they deal with all tax issues (income tax deductions, VAT certificates, etc.). They require you to have a business bank account (it can be a personal account) and the application form asks for the bank's stamp to confirm the account.

We import some of our merchandise from abroad, so we needed to apply for a VAT certificate which is required to in order get an import/export certificate in order to anything into/out of the country. You also applly for this certificate with the Ministry of Finance.  

     3. Social Security Commission (SSC)

This is for the employees benefits mostly. It includes services such as leave, pension, death benefit fund and insurance. We currently have 5 employees. Every time one applies for a tender, it is required that one gets a certificate of good standing from the SSC (as well as the Ministry of Finance) and you have to have been registered with the SSC in order to get this certificate. The certificate of good standing is specific and once off, you have to re-apply at every occassion you need one.

     4. City/Town Municipality

This is basically to register the business in the municipal area where the business exists. The Municipality come over to your facilities and make sure that the environment is at least minimmaly suitable for running a business. They also give you a certificate of good standing if you have good sanitation, suitable environemntal for the workers, necessary convenience for the customers and so forth. This registration requires you to get the consent of your neighbors of a certain distance from you (depending on the type of business). 

     5. Small and Medium Entrepreneur (SME)

This registraton is optional and only beneficial to one's business. SMEs Competitiveness Consultancy (Pty) Ltd is a consultancy firm known by the acronym SMEs Compete that helps Namibian SMEs to grow business, create wealth and employment. SMEs Compete provides assistance and support for income growth and job creation in the Namibian SME sector. The primary objective of the firm is to improve entrepreneurial, management, marketing and information technology skills of SMEs in Namibia. Read more about them here: http://www.smecompete.com/



Happy Holidays Everyone!

This year went by so fast. Personally I wouldn't ask for a better year. It feels so good at this point to have achieved most of my year's resolutions. I am grateful for the support and motivation I got from everyone both in South Africa and Namibia, the people I met this year and amazing colleagues at work.

I am looking forward to new challenges in 2014 and I wish only the best for all of us this coming year. 

 Marry Christmas and Happy New Year!