How the east was won: breeding range extension of the Grey-backed Sparrow-lark <i>Eremopterix verticalis</i>.

Abstract

The establishment of a breeding sub-population/s in South Africa?s Limpopo Province represents a considerable easterly range extension of the species. Furthermore, the increasing frequency of occurrence of GBSLs in areas outside its historical range, particularly in the eastern Lowveld regions of South Africa, including the Kruger National Park, is noteworthy. The species range expansion should be monitored so that we can accurately map this species conquest of the east. Is the GBSL perhaps ?the canary in the coal mine?? with regard to climate change in southern Africa?