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One of the conservation initiatives that the Kruger to Canyons Birding Route is involved in, is the survey of Taita Falcons, in conjunction with the Endangered Wildlife Trust. One such survey took place from 28-30 October 2008. This was an aerial survey, organized by the Birds of Prey Working Group of the Endangered Wildlife Trust.

This was the second South African Taita Falcon survey. The first survey took place two years ago, in the form of a two-week long search of the mountains outside Hoedspruit, by a group of raptor biologists and enthusiasts, whose aim it was to add to the two known South African nest sites, and to derive an estimate of the national population of this very rare, cliff-loving species. After much sweating and waiting and waiting ... at all the best rock faces in the region, they came away with two more nest sites, a deal of cuts and bruises, and the great satisfaction of having doubled the known population of Taita Falcons in South Africa.

This second attempt unearthed an additional three Taita Falcon nest sites in this tough, seemingly impenetrable mountain habitat, bringing the known South African population to seven pairs, of which six were actively breeding during 2008. This comfortably positions the eastern escarpment region as a core area for Taita Falcons globally!

Range & population Falco fasciinucha is uncommon to rare throughout its wide range in eastern and southern Africa. Due to variations in observer effort and because 'islands' of suitable rock-face habitat are infrequently visited by ornithologists, the distribution of records is patchy. Its range, distribution and population are therefore poorly known, with probably around 40 known active nest-sites. Despite this, there are probably more than 1,000 mature individuals. It is recorded from southern Ethiopia, south-east Sudan, eastern Uganda, Kenya (may occur at low densities throughout the country), Tanzania (scattered records), eastern Zambia (a few sites), Malawi (two recent records), Zimbabwe (20-50 pairs), Mozambique (one record of unknown reliability), Botswana and north-eastern South Africa (one site).