Grey-backed Sparrowlarks Eremopterix verticalis and Lark-like Buntings Emberiza impetuani are well distributed over the western half of Namibia. Both these nomadic species are irruptive after rains and then appear in their thousands. In 1997, from January to March, the pro- Namib, from the Gaub River towards the southern end of the NamibRand Nature Reserve, received its best rainfall for many years. In this area, on the grass covered plains of the Namib, Grey-backed Sparrowlarks and Lark-like Buntings filled the air with their happy songs. Both species bred prolifically and young birds were everywhere.