It starts with a flash.

Every summer, as the sun rises over the grasslands of Londolozi, a burst of turquoise and chestnut flits through the trees. The European Roller has returned. These vibrant birds may stay with us for just a few months, but their arrival marks the end of one of nature’s most extraordinary journeys.

The European Roller isn’t just a beautiful visitor—it’s a long-distance migrant that travels over 10,000 kilometres between Europe and Southern Africa each year. And until recently, much of their story remained a mystery. Where exactly do they go? What challenges do they face? Why have their numbers been dropping? Thanks to satellite tracking technology and the pioneering work of BirdLife South Africa, we are beginning to get answers—and what we’re discovering is nothing short of astonishing.

The bounty of summer migrants has kept birders on their toes as they flock in to feed on the abundance of insects. A European Roller perches on a dead tree looking for its next meal. It’s not too long until a few of these birds will be travelling thousands of miles north to Europe.

Following Hera’s Flight

One of our greatest teachers in this unfolding story has been a Roller named Hera.

Satellite Tracker on Hera the European Roller (Image from Daily Maverick: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-06-10-miniature-backpack-traces-remarkable-journey-of-the-goddess-of-the-skies-the-european-roller/)

In early 2024, Hera was fitted with a tiny, solar-powered tracker before departing Southern Africa. These trackers weigh just 3.2 grams—light enough not to hinder the bird, yet powerful enough to transmit signals across continents. What followed was a breathtaking journey through Somalia, across the Gulf of Aden, over the mountains of Oman and into the dry plains of Pakistan. She soared through Afghanistan, weaved through Uzbekistan, and finally reached her breeding grounds. After several months, Hera turned around and began the long journey home.

European Roller Migratory Map (Image from BirdLife South Africa) Red line – Hera’s spring migration (30 March 2024 – 30 July 2024) Yellow line – Hera’s autumn migration (01 August 2024 – present)

In total, Hera travelled more than 25,000 kilometres in just nine months. At times, she flew over 2,500 kilometres in just two days, crossing oceans and deserts with little more than her instincts and insect-fueled energy to guide her. One of her most notable stopovers was in Somalia—a region now identified as a key migratory staging area. These rest stops are critical: they’re where Rollers feed intensively to fuel their next leg, often covering several hundred kilometres per day.

When she returned to South Africa in late December—later than expected—she didn’t return to the exact area where she was first tagged. That small detail sparked big questions. Do these birds return to the same places every year? How does their timing shift with changing climates? What happens when critical stopover sites disappear?

To highlight the importance of National Parks for migratory birds, some individuals travelled through Kruger National Park, Limpopo National Park, Banhine National Park, just west of Zinave National Park, through Mucheve Forest Reserve to end up in Gorongosa National Park. These protected areas may not seem connected on a map, but to a migrating bird, they form a lifeline of green stepping stones.

Why We’re Tracking Them

European Rollers have been in decline since the 1970s. In parts of Europe, they’ve disappeared altogether. Habitat destruction, agricultural intensification, pesticides, and illegal hunting have all taken their toll. While they’re still globally listed as “Least Concern,” their regional status in South Africa has been downgraded to “Near Threatened.”

This is where tracking becomes so important.

Satellite tracker on European Roller

By following individual birds like Hera, researchers can gather data on where these birds go, how far they fly each day, how long they stop to rest, and which areas are vital to their survival. For instance, another Roller tagged in 2025 flew over 720 km in just 3.5 days, making strategic stopovers. Each stop was chosen for its insect-rich environment. These aren’t random detours—these sites are lifelines.

The map presents the migration routes of Eleven (marked with red) and another Rollers breeding in the Carpathian Basin. It is distinct that the population migrates along East Africa, however, the different individuals choose rather diverse paths. In contrast, the map on the right demonstrates the typical West African migration path of the European Rollers from Spain. (https://rollerproject.eu/en/content/journey-our-satellite-tagged-rollers).

And this is where Londolozi’s own wild spaces become essential. Protected wilderness areas like ours provide a safe resting place for exhausted migrants. The shade of a marula tree, a patch of moist ground rich in insects, or a quiet place to perch could be the difference between life and death for a bird on a 10,000 km journey.

Lessons from the Skies

What makes the Roller’s journey even more awe-inspiring is that it’s powered by insects. Without a healthy insect population, these birds wouldn’t make it far. That means their migration connects far more than countries and continents—it links entire ecosystems.

It’s a reminder that everything is connected.

At Londolozi, we weave this idea into our Lessons in Conservation program, where we teach local children about the incredible journeys of birds like the European Roller. Imagine telling a group of young learners that the colourful bird sitting on a branch just above them flew here all the way from Uzbekistan. That it crossed oceans. It may have paused in a Somali forest or a Kenyan field, all to reach this place. The looks on their faces say it all: wonder, curiosity, connection.

Ranger Robbie Ball teaches how to identify birds from the bird book.

These are the seeds of conservation.

Unanswered Questions and Hope on the Horizon

With each tracker deployed, we learn more. But we’re still only scratching the surface. Why was migration late this year? Are some birds changing their routes? What happens when the weather shifts or stopover sites are lost to development?

Not all stories end as beautifully as Hera’s. Another Roller named Royal Wasi hasn’t transmitted since April 30th, 2024. Whether due to tag failure or tragedy, we may never know. It’s a sobering reminder that for every triumphant return, there’s a Roller who may not make it home.

Map of Hera and Royal Wasi Migration Route (Image from BirdLife South Africa: https://www.birdlife.org.za/what-we-do/regional-conservation-programme/what-we-do/european-roller/)

That’s why every piece of data matters.

It helps us identify priority areas for protection. It guides land management decisions. It fuels international cooperation. And it gives us a reason to look up, to marvel, to learn, and to act.

A Global Journey with a Local Heart

The migration of the European Roller is a reminder of just how far some creatures go to survive and how many places their lives touch along the way. From distant breeding grounds in Europe and Central Asia to the open skies of Londolozi, their journey connects continents and ecosystems.

And it’s not just their journey that matters—it’s ours too. Our journey to understand, to protect, and to teach. To show the next generation that even a bird with tiny wings can travel continents. The important role we play in protecting the wild spaces they rely on. That the insect buzzing past your ear may one day fuel a 2,000 km flight. That what we do here—on this land—ripples out across the globe.

So, the next time you see that flash of blue in the sky above Londolozi, take a moment.

That bird has seen more of the world than most of us ever will.

And let’s hope that it will continue to do so for generations to come.