Botha’s Lark

We are working to arrest the dramatic and alarming decline in the population of Botha’s Lark, South Africa’s most threatened endemic bird species. The species faces a high probability of
extinction without conservation action. Declines in population estimates and suitable habitat
within its very limited distribution fulfil the criteria for uplisting to Critically Endangered,
with projections that the species could become extinct within the next few years.

The Species Action Plan (viewable below) proposes strategic research and conservation goals that include consistent species and habitat
monitoring, including line transect, camera-trapping and acoustic surveys; landowner and stakeholder
engagement; raising public awareness; and an effective synthesis of these aims to coordinate action and monitor conservation success.

If you look closely at any printed image (try looking with your binoculars the wrong way round), it is made up of dots. Hundreds of thousands of dots. So, I made a Botha’s Lark drawing, but I
only used as many dots as larks are remaining. As such, the image is made up of exactly 340
dots, one for each Botha’s Lark.

And here’s the best part. We will be turning this concept art into a giant physical artwork
that we will erect at the BirdLife South Africa Grasslands Conservation Centre at Wakkerstroom, right in the heart of the species’ remaining stronghold. I will be travelling up to Wakkers to help put up the artwork, and I can’t wait to see this at 2 × 2 m size!

We invite, ask and implore you to purchase a dot for R500 or, if you are keen, make an additional donation. Your name, or whatever name you want, will then be engraved on that dot, which will be displayed on the giant artwork. We will also send you a small digital token of appreciation to say thank you.

 

A rendering of what the Botha’s Lark artwork will look like, once completed.

 

To be clear, 100% of the money goes to BirdLife South Africa’s Botha’s Lark work. FIREFINCH never even sees the money. You pay it directly into BirdLife South Africa’s account. We cover the costs associated with the project.

– Faanise Peacock,
FIREFINCH

Fill in this form and make your donation to join the 340!

We search for Botha’s Lark across its scattered grassland range and track populations over time. Currently, around 20–30 birds are known from two populations. Monitoring includes breeding activity through careful observation and camera traps, tracking nest success (19 nests in 2024/2025 and at least 11 so far in 2025/2026), and ringing birds to study movement, survival, and renesting attempts. These combined efforts provide essential data on population health, breeding outcomes, and threats such as predation, guiding practical, evidence-based conservation actions.

The Species Action Plan sets out five key goals: research, stakeholder engagement, education and awareness, policy and advocacy, and collaboration. It provides a framework to coordinate monitoring, research, and targeted interventions, ensuring efforts are strategic, science-based, and focused on measurable outcomes that safeguard the species’ long-term survival.

Download the Botha’s Lark Species Action Plan

The Species Action and Implementation Plan is an expanded version, which goes into finer detail about how the Species Action Plan will be implemented.

Download the Species Action and Implementation Plan

Botha’s Lark is a flagship for South Africa’s high-altitude grasslands, highlighting the value of these overlooked ecosystems. Its sensitivity to habitat change also makes it a “canary in the coal mine”: declines signal wider environmental pressures. By protecting the species, we gain insight into grassland health, which benefits biodiversity, ecosystem services, and sustainable land use.

Ongoing research has improved our understanding of distribution patterns, breeding ecology, and the pressures affecting Botha’s Lark populations. Monitoring has highlighted the variability of nesting success and the importance of local environmental conditions. Each field season strengthens the evidence base needed to refine conservation strategies and ensure actions are grounded in robust scientific knowledge.

• Visitation to regularly occupied and known breeding localities during the documented breeding season (September – November) is strongly discouraged. The welfare of both the species and their habitat remains the highest priority.
• Driving vehicles off-road and/or straying off known footpaths and/or trails while not birding from a vehicle is strongly discouraged, given the species’ tendency to nest in open patches of grassland.
• Birders are to be respectful of private property at all times and should in no manner, shape, or form take it upon themselves to infringe upon the rights of others and/or their private property.
• Should you locate a Botha’s Lark while birding:
  • Maintain a safe observational distance of no less than 10 (ten) meters from the birds.
  • If possible, please verify your sighting with a photograph and do not disturb the bird(s), adhering to the recommended observational distance.
  • Retreat immediately once you have taken a photograph, and do not spend more time than necessary at the sighting.
  • Please submit a copy of any photograph(s) directly to Matthew Orolowitz, Birding Ecotours Fellow of Grasslands Conservation at BirdLife South Africa, by emailing  as soon as possible.
  • Kindly ensure to include the following important details: GPS location, habitat description, date and time, behaviour (e.g., breeding, feeding, etc.), number of birds, and your contact details.
  • Ensure that you log your sighting(s) on the BirdLasser App and join the BirdLife South Africa Threatened Species Cause under the “causes” tab.
  • If you use an alternative application to log your bird sightings, such as eBird, iGoTerra, Bindo, Birda, etc., please ensure that you share the data submitted to these platforms with Matthew Orolowitz.
  • Refrain from using any form of callback, laser pointers, flush lines, and/or rope dragging.
  • Nest approaching is strongly discouraged, given the catastrophic consequences such conduct may have on the nest’s success.
  • These recommended observational guidelines serve as a strong recommendation to all birders and bird guides, and are binding on all BirdLife South Africa trained birding guides, who will not entertain requests to breach them. Please respect and adhere to their instructions.

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