Rationale
(Changed due to Not applicable)
The regional Area of Occupancy of Short-tailed Pipit Anthus brachyurus is estimated at 1 185-2000 km2. In addition, its range is severely fragmented, satisfying criterion B2a for classification as regionally Vulnerable. The regional population may be 3 000-5 000 individuals, although the species is so poorly known that estimation of even basic population statistics is very challenging. Given the ongoing deterioration and irreversible alteration of grasslands, the species may undergo a decline of 10% within the next 10 years (C1). For these reasons the Short-tailed Pipit is classified as regionally Vulnerable.
Distribution
The Short-tailed Pipit is restricted to south-central and southern Africa. The bulk of the global distribution occurs in a band stretching from Gabon, through Congo and southwards over much of western and southern Democratic Republic of the Congo to eastern Angola and Zambia. An isolated population occurs in the grasslands of Uganda and possibly in adjacent Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Within the region, the species is sparsely distributed in mesic grasslands of Mpumalanga, the south-eastern Free State and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, from sea-level to approximately 1 850 masl. SABAP data and unpublished reports suggest that its range is not only restricted, but also very fragmented: the extent of our knowledge of the distribution of the species is limited to a scattering of disparate records, which makes it difficult to infer meaningful patterns.
However, being small, inconspicuous and cryptic in appearance, the Short-tailed Pipit is remarkably unobtrusive; in addition, its vocalisations are poorly known and not particularly arresting, and aerial display flights are often performed pre-dawn. Consequently, the species is widely overlooked, and it is almost certainly far more widespread than current data suggest. This is evidenced by recent discoveries of breeding populations in areas where it was believed to have become locally extinct, such as Mkambati Nature Reserve in Eastern Cape and the eastern outskirts of Gauteng; indeed, a localised but apparently thriving breeding population is now documented in the latter region.
In South Africa, it is known or suspected to occur in the vicinity of Wakkerstroom, Carolina, Ermelo and Graskop (Mpumalanga), the Bronkhorstspruit area (Gauteng), Harrismith, Sterkfontein Dam and Golden Gate areas (Free State), the Drakensberg range of KwaZulu-Natal and various localities in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, for example Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve, Melmoth, Cedara, Ixopo, Donnybrook and, in winter, along the coastal plain, for example around Lake St Lucia, Ozabeni, Hluhluwe, Cape Vidal, Lake Sibaya and Kosi Bay (Peacock 2006). In Eastern Cape, it was recently recorded at Mkambati Nature Reserve and at Mpofu Game Reserve on Katberg Mountain, near Fort Beaufort. It is known to breed in Malolotja National Park in Swaziland (ED Marais pers. comm.). It may occur marginally in Lesotho. The species is not know from Zimbabwe, despite the presence of apparently suitable habitat in the Eastern Highlands of that country. However, it occurs widely in coastal grasslands in Mozambique and is described as locally common at Rio Savane, north of Beira (Clancey 1990); it has also recently been discovered at a number of sites south of the Save River in winter (ED Marais pers. comm.). It is possible that coastal lowlands in Mozambique may be a winter refuge for birds breeding in South Africa's uplands in summer (see Ecology).
The limited (but probably underestimated) range of the Short-tailed Pipit is reflected in the paucity of bird atlas data. It was recorded in only 10 Quarter Degree Grid Squares (QDSs) in SABAP1, and, at the time of writing, in 19 SABAP2 pentads. The regional EoO based on SABAP2 was calculated as 108 099 km2, while the AoO was estimated at 7 540 km2. Surprisingly, these figures represent increases from SABAP1 (of approximately 20% and 18%, respectively). However, this is unlikely to represent true range expansion, and is more likely an effect of increased observer awareness, and particularly the discovery of small previously overlooked populations. Furthermore, even within its already precariously small AoO, the area of habitat suitable for this species is likely much smaller still because of its strict ecological requirements. An inspection of satellite imagery suggests that approximately 20-40% of the surface area of each pentad represents remotely suitable habitat. This proportion rises to 70-90% in pristine pentads situated in the core of the Short-tailed Pipit's range, with a higher percentage of pristine natural habitat (e.g. in the Drakensberg). If an average of 55% of the surface area of each pentad is considered to constitute suitable habitat, and SABAP1 and SABAP2 data are combined, a rough estimate of the potential range amounts to 1 158 km2. In consideration of the fact that the species is almost certainly widely overlooked, a realistic upper limit may lie in the order of 2 000 km2, in agreement with the estimate of Barnes (2000).
Population
The global population has not been quantified (BirdLife International 2014). The limited distributional data and unobtrusive nature of this species make it virtually impossible to accurately estimate population numbers and trends. Furthermore, the species can occur at surprisingly high local densities in optimal habitats, e.g. Davies et al. (2003) reported up to five pairs in 40 ha in Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve. During breeding peaks, adjacent nests can occur at near-colonial densities, to the extent that some observers have questioned whether the species may employ a polygynous breeding system; for example, Davies and Christian (2008) recorded six nests in an area of approximately 6 ha, with the closest two active nests only 55 m apart.
Barnes (2000) provided a preliminary regional population estimate of less than 3 000 mature individuals, but this number may be an underestimate. Based on reports by Davies et al. (2003), that suggest local densities may be as high as 25 breeding adults/km2 and extrapolating this to the adapted AoO discussed above, the population may be in the order of 30 000-50 000 birds. However, in the absence of more extensive population density data, this estimate is dangerously speculative. Taking a more cautionary approach, especially considering seasonal fluctuations in the availability of suitable habitat, a total regional estimate of 3 000- 5 000 mature adults is advocated. Confidence in this estimate is low.
Population trend
The global population is thought to be stable in the absence of any evidence of declines. Barnes (2000) suggested a possible population decline of 10% in the past three generations and a possible future decline of up to 20% in the next three generations. It is not certain that these declines have taken place, and with the discovery of hitherto overlooked localities and increased observer awareness, both the EoO and AoO of this species have increased in SABAP2 data. However, given the continued destruction and degradation of its grassland habitat, the Short-tailed Pipit is likely to undergo at least moderate declines in the near future.
Threats
As is the case with many other range-restricted grassland species, the Short-tailed Pipit is threatened by historic, ongoing and predicted habitat alteration and degradation (Peacock 2006). Some local habitat losses, and therefore population reductions or local extinctions, can be attributed to over- or undergrazing by domestic livestock and the resultant changes in plant species composition, habitat structure, prey availability and breeding success. These impacts are compounded by unfavourable fire regimes, although some localised burning during the non-breeding season may be beneficial, or indeed essential, to the species (Davies and Christian 2008). Further threats related to habitat loss include open-cast coal mining, commercial afforestation, and agricultural expansion.
Conservation
Underway
No dedicated conservation or research efforts focused on this species are currently underway. As stated by Barnes (2000), research on the species' ecological requirements, and on land-management practices and their effects on the Short-tailed Pipit, is urgently required.
Proposed
Pending the results of proposed research questions outlined here, conservation measures should focus on maintaining suitable breeding habitat, focusing particularly on suitable grazing pressure and frequency and timing of burns. Species-specific management practices in grasslands, both on privately- and state-owned properties, as well as in existing conservation areas, could prove very beneficial.
Research
* Assessing the current AoO through intensive surveys in areas where it is known to occur, could potentially occur, or has been recorded in the past is essential.
* Accurate population density estimates and other basic demographic data are urgently required.
* The degree of fragmentation of the distribution range of the Short-tailed Pipit should be determined, and the anthropogenic and intrinsic factors responsible for fragmentation identified and mitigated as far as possible.
* Investigations into macro- and micro-habitat requirements of this species, with emphasis on grazing pressure levels and fire regimes are urgently required.
* Research on the movements would be beneficial to identify key conservation sites and formulate an effective, population-level management plan.
