The community of Wakkerstroom requests your vote for the Botha’s Lark to be named BirdLife South Africa’s Bird of the Year 2026.

At its current rate of extinction, grasslands conservation project manager for southern Mpumalanga, Roy Robertson, believes this may well be the Botha’s Lark’s last chance to be named Bird of the Year.

“Statistically, this bird could be completely extinct by December, marking the first extinction of an avian species on mainland Africa in known history,” Robertson fears.

Wakkerstroom is located within Mpumalanga province on the KwaZulu-Natal border and is only an hour’s drive from Newcastle (roughly 70km).

While it is predominantly an agricultural community, Wakkerstroom is also a premier birding destination that boasts grassland endemics and wetland species, drawing birders from around the globe.

It is home to the Botha’s Lark.

The Botha’s Lark is a small, unpretentious, grey-brown bird with a streaked, buffy chest that feeds on seeds and insects.

BirdLife describes the Botha’s Lark as South Africa’s most endangered bird, tiny, shy and living on the edge.

“It’s not the most flashy bird but it belongs in our ecosystem and deserves its place there,” said Robertson. “Statistics tell us that there are about 340 left, but this is doubtful. We are struggling to find them. Before this bird takes its last flight, we are fighting tooth and nail to protect it.”

According to Robertson, the reason for declining populations may be a change in the agricultural landscape resulting in loss of habitat, predators, including dogs used for hunting that eat the eggs and chicks when they come across them, and, possibly, a declining population of the insects these birds depend on as a food source.

Winning Bird of the Year means raised awareness of the plight of Botha’s Lark from BirdLife South Africa’s dedicated actions dedicated towards marketing and education around this bird.

“Spread the word. Make as many people aware of the plight of this little bird as possible. Vote for Botha’s Lark as Bird of the Year to give it the recognition it deserves and to secure the resources we need to deliver education,” urged Robertson. “Thinking about this little bird for just 10 seconds (long enough to cast your vote) will make such a big difference.”

In the meantime, BirdLife is doing extensive research in an effort to prevent the Botha’s Lark’s extinction.

This includes considerable effort to find any surviving populations.

“We are planning an Atlas Bash in October, when top birders from around the world will come to look for them during their breeding season when they are less likely to move around. Once we have found them, we will conduct the research required to better understand them. At the same time, we are also doing insect research do determine if there are insects missing from the ecosystem that the birds feed on. At this stage we just don’t know,” said Robertson.

To vote for the Botha’s Lark as Bird of the Year, visit BirdLife’s website, https://www.birdlife.org.za/vote-boty2026/ Scroll till you find Botha’s Lark and cast your vote.

It means everything to this little bird and to the community of Wakkerstroom.

“This is extremely important to us,” said Wakkerstroom businesswoman, Christine Harburn. “Wakkerstroom is an international birding destination. The birds endemic to this region can be found on many a birders’ bucket list. In a struggling economy, the international tourists who hope to get a glimpse of these birds help keep the wheels turning. This is an endangered bird and it’s important to us to do everything we can to protect it. We really value your vote.”

Voting closes at midnight on Sunday, September 28.

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