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The regional population of the elusive and poorly known White-winged Flufftail Sarothrura ayresi has been estimated to be <50 mature individuals, which satisfies the population criterion for regionally Critically Endangered.
The White-winged Flufftail is regularly recorded from three sites in the Ethiopian Highlands near Addis Ababa and eight sites within the region (Taylor 2005). Breeding has been confirmed only for the Ethiopian population (Taylor 2005). In South Africa, since 1995, the White-winged Flufftail has been recorded at two sites in KwaZulu-Natal (Franklin and Hebron), four sites in north-eastern Free State (Seekoeivlei, Vanger, Murphy's Rust and Bedford/Chatsworth) and from two sites in eastern Mpumalanga (Lakenvlei and Wakkerstroom) (Taylor 2005). Franklin Vlei is extensively degraded and unlikely to contain any White-winged Flufftails at present (M Drummond pers. comm.). White-winged Flufftails disappeared from Seekoeivlei after the raising of the dam wall, and subsequent flooding removed all suitable habitat (Taylor 2000). Between 2001-2004, Allan et al. (2006) did not locate any White-winged Flufftails in Franklin, Hebron, Vanger, Murphy's Rust, Bedford/Chatsworth or Wakkerstroom wetlands. In 2003, a single male White-winged Flufftail was observed in flight at Wakkerstroom (SW Evans pers. obs.). White-winged Flufftails may still be present at only two to eight of the 10 sites at which it was previously recorded. AoO is considered <10 km2. All eight sites that in the past and currently contain White-winged Flufftails are part of the IBA network (Barnes 1998) but this does not necessarily grant immunity from harmful development. None of the sites in South Africa where the bird has been recorded are formally protected under provincial or national legislation. Wakkerstroom (within IBA SA020) is without official legal status or protection. Ingula is in the process of being proclaimed as a nature reserve. Middelpunt, contained within Steenkampsberg (IBA SA016), is threatened by diamond mining.
The global population has been estimated at 700 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2014) although this is believed to be an overestimate. The regional population was previously estimated to be in the region of 200-250 mature individuals (Taylor 2000, Taylor and Grundling 2003, Taylor 2005). Due to the low confidence and data deficiency, as well as the current threats to the species in the past 10 years, it is believed that the regional population is now probably <50 mature individuals. However, confidence in this regional population estimate is low.
There is inadequate information on the population status of this species to derive any form of population trend.
The primary threat to White-winged Flufftails is loss or reduction in quality of their sensitive wetland habitat (Drummond et al. 2003, Taylor 2005). A reduction in habitat quality has been caused by mining activities, commercial plantations of exotic trees, eutrophication, erosion due to overgrazing of vegetation caused by excessive livestock stocking rates, siltation, incorrect burning methods and timing, changed hydrology caused by water abstraction, the influx of invasive species and the construction of fences and roads (de Smidt and Evans 2003). Loss of wetland habitat has been caused by the construction of dams, draining of wetlands, agriculture and mining (de Smidt and Evans 2003). The aforementioned threats are ongoing, with coal and diamond mining activities in particular threatening the loss and quality of habitat (M Drummond pers. comm.). Secondary threats to the species and its habitat include the disturbance of adult birds due to trampling by people and livestock. The migratory status of the species is unknown but is currently being investigated; if indeed proved to be migratory, the regional population could be affected by similar or additional threats on their migratory routes and in Ethiopia, which will require a wider conservation approach.
Action plans for White-winged Flufftails in Ethiopia and South Africa were compiled in 2003 (Drummond et al. 2003). Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Board are currently in process of having the Wakkerstroom Wetland (within IBA SA020) proclaimed a nature reserve in terms of Mpumalanga provincial conservation legislation (B Morris pers. comm.). The Middelpunt Wetland, part of Lakenvlei in the Steenkampsberg IBA (SA 016), is privately owned and currently managed by Middelpunt Wetland Trust (since 1995) to conserve White-winged Flufftails (M Drummond pers. comm.). BirdLife South Africa is involved in on-site research and monitoring at Ingula (Bedford/Chatsworth IBA SA043) and provides advice to Eskom to ensure that the construction activities will not adversely affect the birds or their habitat. In addition, Ingula is in process of being proclaimed a nature reserve. Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife is developing a habitat suitability model of the distribution of White-winged Flufftails in KwaZulu-Natal to identify potential sites at which the species may occur and that should be surveyed and potentially conserved (B Escott pers. comm.). The owner of Vanger had the site listed as a Natural Heritage Site, a designation that has subsequently been subsumed into the current conservation-stewardship programme.
The South African White-winged Flufftail Action Plan should be reviewed and updated as it has been almost 10 years since it was first produced (de Smidt and Evans 2003). The appropriate provincial conservation authorities should be approached to have all eight sites at which the species has been recorded since 1995 formally conserved. Potential White-winged Flufftail habitats in the region should be identified, rehabilitated where required and conserved. Private owners of wetlands containing, or potentially containing White-winged Flufftails, should be assisted with protecting these sites by becoming part of relevant provincial conservation stewardship programmes. A programme to monitor the regional population should be developed and implemented. A Biodiversity Management Plan is required.
* The size of the Ethiopian and South African populations needs to be accurately quantified.
* Further research into the habitat, distribution, breeding biology and vocalisations needs to be conducted.
* Migratory and dispersal behaviour, and possible population connections between South Africa and Ethiopia, need to be determined.
* Intensive field surveys should be conducted at the ten known localities in South Africa, and other possible localities should be explored.