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Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The site is centred on an area of near-vertical cliffs, where the upper reaches of the Senqu (Orange) river have incised deeply into the basalt layers. The surrounding highlands support a traditional pastoral economy with a low-density population. Approximately 35% of the surrounding area (within a 25 km radius) is cultivated, the remainder being open pasture. The vegetation is primarily montane grassland, but thick bush and scrub flank the lower gorge walls. High-altitude shrubs form a heath of
Erica,
Chrysocoma and
Helichrysum. The summits are generally rocky with bare, shallow soil patches and extensive bare rock at higher altitudes.
See Box and Tables 2 and 3 for key species. The cliffs hold 84 breeding pairs (226 birds) of
Gyps coprotheres, in two ‘stable nucleus’ colonies and four satellite colonies. Several undiscovered colonies are suspected to exist within the IBA. The site also incorporates the foraging areas around the colonies, as well as a roost site. Undoubtedly some exchange occurs between the colonies. The area around Mokhotlong, which means ‘the place of the Bald Ibis’, is important for breeding
Geronticus calvus. Several groups, comprising up to 200 birds, have been seen in the vicinity. The steep inaccessible cliffs of the Senqu, Moremoholo and Mokhotlong rivers are undoubtedly one of this species’s strongholds in Lesotho. The rare but widespread
Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis also forages widely across this area. Other cliff-nesting species include
Buteo rufofuscus,
Falco biarmicus and
Ciconia nigra (3–5 pairs); the latter is particularly common along the Senqu river valley. The high-altitude, rocky, boulder-strewn slopes and outcrops (above 2,000 m) support
Chaetops aurantius, and the surrounding grassy slopes and plateau hold
Anthus hoeschi, which breeds in large numbers during the austral summer (especially above 3,000 m).
Serinus symonsi occurs commonly above 1,500 m, and has become commensal with humans, occupying and foraging in villages and among fallow and harvested crop fields.
Anthus crenatus,
Monticola explorator and
Geocolaptes olivaceus occur commonly in the vicinity of rocky outcrops.
Cercomela sinuata hypernephela,
Sylvia layardi barnesi and
Circus maurus are uncommon. The small, isolated, endemic subspecies
Parus afer arens also occurs.
Non-bird biodiversity: The alpine floral communities found in the Maloti/Drakensberg mountains are unique in southern Africa, holding a remarkable number of endemic species. A recent botanical survey of three valleys in the Maloti yielded many species that could not be identified and some may be new to science. Extremely rare and localized butterflies occur in the Senqu Valley region, including Torynesis pringlei (endemic), Metisella syrinx and Lepidochrysops loewensteini (VU). The high-altitude streams and seepages hold the Drakensberg-endemic frogs Strongylopus hymenopus and Amieta vertebralis. Near-threatened endemics such as the lizards Pseudocordylus langi (LR/nt) and P. spinosus (LR/nt) and the threatened mouse Mystromys albicaudatus (VU) are also known from this region. The extremely poorly known endemic and threatened small mammal Chlorotalpa sclateri (VU) may occur here.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The site is located on communally owned land. The abundant goats and sheep occasionally disturb breeding
Gyps coprotheres as they are able to approach to within 5 m of the nests. This species is utilized for traditional medicinal and ceremonial purposes, and is targeted by rural residents who use either poisoned carcasses or a gin-trap to kill individuals.
Geronticus calvus may occasionally be taken by local people for food or medicinal purposes.
Buteo rufofuscus and
Falco biarmicus are sometimes persecuted as chicken thieves, and
Bubo capensis is occasionally used for medicinal purposes, but there is currently no conservation concern for these common and widespread birds, provided that levels of persecution and utilization do not increase. Overgrazing, trampling, agriculture and other human activities have not seriously affected any of the globally near-threatened, restricted-range or biome-restricted birds. Some species, such as
Serinus symonsi, benefit from an association with humans.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Upper Senqu River (Lesotho). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/upper-senqu-river-iba-lesotho on 22/11/2024.
