Biodiversity (1 - SRK Consulting

The remaining four threatened species are expected to be erratic visitors when high
rainfall creates productive conditions (plant cover, seeds, insects, small vertebrates).
Some are resident species in the general area of the Northern Cape whose ephemeral
habitats on the property are also only likely to become suitable after good rains, the
Chestnut-banded Plover visiting and possibly feeding and breeding in/around the more
saline pans and Sclater's Lark using large grass seeds on the few chalky gravel
patches. The Kori Bustard generally prefers higher rainfall areas with more ground
cover and productivity, so although they do sometimes visit the area it seems unlikely
that they breed there. Finally, the Black Harrier is expected only as an erratic, nonbreeding
winter visitor to the area from the western Cape, again most likely when good
rains have produced abundant small animals.
9.5. General Conclusions
The main conservation objectives for birds on Portion 3 of the farm Zuurwater 62 are to
retain untransformed the mountains and their gravel skirts, the deep red sands and
dunes, and as much as possible of the Koa River washes and pans, together with
whatever of the adjacent grassy plains is not transformed by the proposed solar PV
electricity generation facility. The mountains, pans and dunes should be designated
sensitive areas and excluded from any development, apart from low densities of
livestock grazing. Of 169 bird species recorded and/or expected on Zuurwater, nine are
threatened species, of which the resident, near-endemic, habitat-specific and rangerestricted
Ludwig's Bustard and Red Lark are both considered Vulnerable by IUCN
criteria. The PV array is not considered a direct threat to any bird species, given its
limited impact in space (