let's atlas Lesotho's birds

Lesotho, that small, landlocked country nestled within the majestic mountain ranges of southern Africa, is home to a fascinating array of bird species

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The Maloti Mountains, which form part of the Drakensberg escarpment, are the highest range in Africa south of Kilimanjaro and support a varied range of wildlife and plant species, including many that are unique to the region. The kingdom's birdlife is strongly influenced by the mountainous terrain, with a mix of montane, grassland and wetland species. From the striking Southern Bald Ibis to the elusive Mountain Pipit, Drakensberg Rockjumper and Bearded Vulture, the birdlife of Lesotho is as diverse as it is captivating.

BirdLife South Africa, in collaboration with the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA), organised a bird atlasing expedition to northern Lesotho in March 2023. Its purpose was to survey and map the distribution of bird species in the region and to provide training to LHDA staff on bird monitoring and grassland ecology. The expedition was led by experienced birders Melissa Whitecross, Carina Pienaar and Ernst Retief, and they were joined by bird experts and volunteers, including David Maphisa (who as a young herd boy in Lesotho taught himself to recognise birds), Christina Hagen, Alan Lee, cousins Morné and Bernard Pretorius, and photographer Cassie Carstens. We explored a range of landscapes, from rural settlements and agricultural fields to high-altitude mountain peaks, to obtain a comprehensive snapshot of the birdlife in the region. The purpose from the conservation perspective was to fill the gaps in a previous avian baseline survey completed as a requirement for the construction of the Polihali Dam.