It is clear from recent research that changes are occurring in the timing of many natural events. In most cases it is assumed that the changes, or most of them, are climate related, although associated changes in distribution, habitat quantity and quality, and population size must not be ignored. In this article we present our opinion that study of the timing of features of life cycles is vital in helping to predict the effects of climate change on wildlife. It represents cheap science and yet is extraordinarily good value for money because it generally relies on geographically widespread networks of volunteer observers. The consequences of phenological changes are large and conservationists ignore them at the peril of the wildlife they seek to conserve.

Ornithological surveys were conducted in Tanzanian submontane forest at Nilo Forest Reserve in the East Usambaras and Nguu North Forest Reserve in the Nguu Mountains in July-September 1995. Information on the ecology of poorly known bird species of conservation interest was collected and combined with previously published information to assess their conservation status. Sixteen species of conservation interest were recorded during fieldwork, including five Vulnerable (Usambara Eagle Owl Bubo vosseleri, East Coast Akalat Sheppardia gunningi, Amani Sunbird Anthreptes pallidigaster, Banded Green Sunbird Anthreptes rubritorques and Usambara Weaver Ploceus nicolli); three Near-threatened (Southern Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus fasciolatus, Fischer's Turaco Tauraco fischeri and Moreau's Sunbird Nectarinia moreaui); one regionally Endangered (Southern Hyliota Hyliota australis); one regionally Vulnerable (Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes neglectus), two regionally Near-threatened (Lemon Dove Aplopelia lavata and Evergreen Forest Warbler Bradypterus barratti); and 10 in total as restricted-range species (Fischer's Turaco, Usambara Eagle Owl, Sharpe's Akalat Sheppardia sharpei, Red-capped Forest Warbler Orthotomus metopias, Spot-throat Modulatrix stictigula, Amani Sunbird, Banded Green Sunbird, Moreau's Sunbird, Kenrick's Starling Poeoptera kenricki and Usambara Weaver). New information on the ecology of these species is presented in this paper. It is recommended that the conservation status of East Coast Akalat and Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird be changed to globally Near-threatened and regionally Near-threatened, respectively. Should further work confirm that the Usambara race of Southern Hyliota deserves specific status it is strongly recommended that it be considered globally Endangered. All other species recorded should retain their current status and continue to be monitored. The Nguus represented a new locality for several species. Sharpe's Akalat, Spot-throat, Red-Capped Forest Warbler, otherwise widely distributed throughout the east Tanzania, were absent from the Nguus.

Australasian teal consist of five taxa (Anas gracilis, A. castanea, A. chlorotis, A. aucklandica and A. nesiotis) whose taxonomic identities and relationships have been uncertain. Analysis of variation at 14 allozyme loci indicates limited but clear divergence of New Zealand taxa (A. chlorotis, A. aucklandica, A. nesiotis), in agreement with previous studies of morphological variation. The New Zealand taxa are “terminal and evolutionarily independent units” that clearly meet the criteria for specific recognition in line with the phylogenetic species concept (PSC). Because each is also geographically restricted and has small world population size, specific recognition supports increased conservation status for each. The three New Zealand species do not form a sister group with A. castanea, as previously hypothesized; instead, A. castanea and A. gracilis are sister taxa.

The Raso Lark Alauda razae is a globally endangered species that is endemic to the islet of Raso (16°93′ N, 24°38′ W) in the Cape Verde archipelago (Collar et al. 1994). Raso is a small (c.7 km2) uninhabited islet with a plain averaging 25 m in elevation to the south and west and small boulder-strewn hills to the north and east rising up to 164 m (Figure 1). The islet comprises mostly rocky desert, with some extensive sandy patches on the western plain. Vegetation is sparse and confined to small patches on the plains and along dry river valleys.

Studies of how avian communities are affected by human forest disturbance have given variable results. In order to focus conservation efforts we need comparative data for studying the relationship between community resilience and ecological predictability over much longer periods of time. This paper compares avian communities in mature forest and adjacent disturbed forest at a site in the Tanzania-Malawi Mountains which has probably had humid forest cover permanently since the Tertiary. At the same time the study presents a possible model design for such studies, which may be a suitable compromise between the needs for quantitative data and logistical constraints during exploratory visits to areas difficult of access. The method is highly time efficient as it is based on continuous recording of all birds during “random” walking through the forest. There were at least 70 species in disturbed, against 61–65 species in different kinds of adjacent mature forest, but with a marked loss of range-restricted species as we passed from mature to disturbed forest. Most seriously affected were birds of the shaded forest understorey, but also the larger insectivores of mixed canopy feeding parties declined. These species search for food in the masses of epiphytic lichens, mosses and ferns in mature forest canopies. Comments are given on the specific requirements of six species of conservation concern.

A group of villagers in Vanuatu are concerned that continuing development pressures are contributing to the over-exploitation of eggs of the Vanuatu Megapode Megapodius layardi. The Vanuatu Megapode or “namalau” as it is known locally, is endemic to the country and classified as Vulnerable. Repeating a previous survey carried out in 1995, the Vanuatu Protected Areas Initiative mapped and classified the burrows at three communal nesting grounds on north-west Ambrym in November 1996. The number of active and probably active burrows on the beach was low compared with 1995, whereas it was higher on both the raised promontories. The beach nesting site had recently been affected by a cyclone, and storm waves had inundated the area with the highest concentration of burrows. There is concern over the high percentage of megapode burrows checked by villagers at Buwoma, as well as the localized impact visitors could be having. Discussions with villagers raised useful points to be included in the proposed protection plan, particularly the support for a protected area.

Between June and September 1995 estimates were made of the population densities of birds inhabiting fragments of unprotected montane cloud forests in southern Ecuador. The study focused on 10 species: Bearded Guan Penelope barbata, Golden-plumed Parakeet Leptosittaca branickii, Red-faced Parrot Hapalopsittaca pyrrhops, White-capped Parrot Pionus seniloides, Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan Andigena hypoglauca, Barred Fruiteater Pipreola arcuata, Turquoise Jay Cyanolyca turcosa, Great Thrush Turdus fuscater, Hooded Mountain-tanager Buthraupis montana, and Mountain Cacique Cacicus leucoramphus. Species assemblages and population densities varied greatly between sites, despite the presence of similar habitats and altitudinal ranges. Substantial populations of the threatened Bearded Guan, Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan and Golden-plumed Parakeet were found in areas previously unstudied, as well as in areas previously known to be important. Currently unprotected areas are important for the conservation of montane cloud forest birds.

The rare and threatened Long-wattled Umbrellabird Cephalopterus penduliger inhabits the canopy and mid-storey level of humid to wet foothill and montane forests (150–1,800 m)of the Andean slopes of south-west Colombia and western Ecuador. Here we report on male activity pattern and display behaviour observed at one of two leks recently discovered in the vicinity of Playa de Oro, Rio Santiago, Esmeraldas Province, north-west Ecuador. Courtship behaviour of C. penduliger is compared with the Central American and Amazonian congeners (Bare-necked Umbrellabird C. glabricollis and Amazonian Umbrellabird C. ornatus). The lek of C. penduliger was active during the whole study period (February 1997 to January 1998), but both lek structure and daytime activity pattern changed markedly within the observation period.