South Africa marks World Migratory Bird Day with Middelpunt Nature Reserve RAMSAR site designation

11 October 2025

This Word Migratory Bird Day, 11 October 2025, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, celebrates Middelpunt Nature Reserve Ramsar Site Designation as a positive example of the collaboration between two key conventions – the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands – that aims to conserve wetlands and the species that depend on them, especially migratory waterbirds.

"The Ramsar Convention and AEWA share strong synergies, as both treaties focus on the conservation of wetlands and the species that depend on them," said Minister George. The Minister highlights that these synergies are actively advanced through jointly funded projects, the exchange of expertise and best practices, coordinated monitoring and reporting, and shared strategies for Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA).

"The Ramsar Site Designation of Middelpunt Nature Reserve in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga is a prime example of the relationship between these two agreements and the crucial role they play in providing habitats for migratory birds," said Minister George.

Middelpunt Nature Reserve is located along the headwaters of Lakenvleispruit - a stream in the Olifants River basin approximately 14 kilometres from the town of Dullstroom in Mpumalanga – the reserve was designated as a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) on 15 March 2022. The site serves as a habitat for the flagship species, the White-winged Flufftail. This enigmatic bird is only found in Ethiopia and South Africa. Each October, as South Africa commemorates World Migratory Bird Day (celebrated biannually in May and October), the country welcomes the return of this remarkable species.

The number of White-winged Flufftail sites in South Africa has fluctuated, with recent estimates suggesting it may be present at a small subset of two to eight of its ten historical sites. The survival of the White-winged Flufftail depends on clean, undisturbed habitats such as the Middlepunt Nature Reserve Ramsar Site for survival. The importance of this site and publication of the recent guideline on managing sites for White-winged flufftails, published by BirdLife South Africa, will be celebrated on 07 November 2025 at the Ramsar Site in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga, during the handover of the official designation certificate. The day will also mark the start of a new initiative by BirdLife South Africa in partnership with the DFFE which aims to identify wetlands like Middelpunt which are crucial for providing habitats for waterbird species. This study will highlight further opportunities for designating these wetlands as Ramsar Sites.

The collaboration of the two conventions was vital ahead of the 9th Meeting of the Parties (MOP9) of the AEWA. "As we head towards the 9th Meeting of the Parties of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA)we celebrate a collaboration rooted in shared values and a commitment to making a meaningful impact between two key conventions," said Minister George.

The AEWA is dedicated to the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, Greenland and the Canadian Archipelago while the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands which seeks to promote the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, regional, national actions, and international cooperation to achieve sustainable development worldwide.

In July 2025, the DFFE, alongside other government departments, participated in the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention. The COP expressed deep concern over the continued decline of many migratory waterbird populations, including shorebirds and several common, globally widespread species – some of which have declined by more than a third in recent decades, with some facing an accelerating rate of decline. In response, the COP reaffirmed the urgent need for countries to adopt national measures aimed at conserving and restoring wetlands that serve as critical habitats for these migratory species. Furthermore, it encouraged countries to strengthen synergies between their Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and national programmes. This integrated approach is essential for addressing complex and interconnected environmental complexities – such as the drivers of wetland loss and the impacts of climate change – while broadening the reach of conservation efforts by engaging a wider range of stakeholders, including NGOs, the private sector, and Indigenous communities.

Editor's note:

The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty adopted on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar (Iranian City) and currently has 172 contracting parties. South Africa (SA) became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention in 1975, which was then the 5th signatory to the Convention.

List of Wetlands of International Importance in South Africa is available here.

South Africa is also a member of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA)

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