What is CWAC?
The Coordinated Waterbird Counts (CWAC) is one of Southern Africa’s leading citizen science initiatives. Established in 1992 by the Animal Demography Unit (ADU) at the University of Cape Town and now managed by the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, CWAC plays a vital role in monitoring waterbird populations throughout the region. Through regular counts conducted by volunteers and conservationists, the programme tracks population sizes, long-term trends, seasonal movements, and the conservation status of waterbirds across hundreds of wetlands in Southern Africa. This information provides valuable insights that support wetland management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental decision-making.
How does it work?
Volunteer-driven monitoring:
Dedicated volunteers and conservation professionals visit more than 600 registered wetland sites across Southern Africa, including lagoons, estuaries, marshes, rivers, and dams. During these surveys, all waterbirds present are systematically identified and counted using standardized monitoring methods.
Regular survey schedule:
Counts are conducted at least twice annually, during mid-summer (January–February) and mid-winter (July–August). This timing enables the programme to monitor both resident waterbird populations and seasonal fluctuations associated with migratory species.
Conservation value:
The information collected through CWAC provides invaluable long-term data on waterbird populations and wetland ecosystem health. These data help guide conservation planning, support informed wetland management decisions, identify population trends, and contribute to international biodiversity databases such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), enhancing our understanding of biodiversity at regional and global scales.
How to get Involved
Register as a Citizen Scientist
Visit the CWAC Website and create an account to receive your official Citizen Science (CS/ADU) number.
Find a Site
You can find registered waterbodies on the CWAC Website’s directory that is near you.
Start counting!
CWAC counts happens twice a year, during mid-summer (January/February) and mid-winter (July).
Follow the standardized CWAC Information Sheets to record the birds and local site conditions.
Submit your Data
Submit your completed census form on the CWAC Website.
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