Steven shows learners and teachers how a wetland functions. Credit Sipho Shabalala Bonginkosi demonstrates MiniSASS, a smaller version of the South African Scoring System for wetland and river health. Credit Steven Segang Explaining the wetland food web. Credit Bonginkosi Ndaba Where better to learn about how a wetland works? Credit Bonginkosi Ndaba World Wetlands Day…
The Cape Parrot is the Bird of the Year for 2023. Credit Chris Brooke Conservation Conversations are back Our Conservation Conversations webinars will be back on your screens from 24 January 2023 at 19h00 (SAST). The format will be slightly different this year: webinars will take place every two weeks, on the first and third…
National Wetlands Indaba at Ingula The National Wetlands Indaba is an opportunity for a wide range of people involved in the conservation and sustainable use of South Africa’s wetlands to meet and exchange ideas. From 24 to 27 October, scientists, decision-makers, researchers, conservationists and educators gathered at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park for the…
Mel Tripp (left) and Stefan Theron with the battle maps. There was no excuse for getting lost on this atlas bash, thanks to the detailed maps for the entire survey domain supplied by Stefan. For beautiful views, just climb a Karoo koppie! A few moments previously, a Cinnamon-breasted Warbler was enjoying this view before it…
Shop for the Birds! As the year-end holiday approaches, BirdLife South Africa is inviting to readers to visit Shop for the Birds! at its headquarters (Isdell House, 17 Hume Road, Dunkeld West) in Gauteng, where they will find a wide range of birding-related items that make perfect gifts for the holiday season. From field guides…
Cape Gannet in Ostrich BirdLife South Africa’s Bird of the Year for 2022 is the Cape Gannet. In a fortuitous turn of events, the most recent issue of Ostrich features three articles on this species, as well as a perspective commenting on its precarious conservation status. We are grateful to the publishers NISC and Taylor…
Participants in the Kruger Birding & Wildlife Challenge are advised to check any African buffalo they see for an attendant Red-billed Oxpecker. Credit Chris van Rooyen Kruger Challenge 2023 From 12 to 19 February 2023 the Kruger Birding & Wildlife Challenge is on: see how many bird and other wildlife species you and your team…
July 2022 Newsletter Ostrich on a roll BirdLife South Africa’s scientific journal Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology has attained the highest-ever CiteScore (2.3) and the second-highest impact factor score (1.09) in its 90-year history. And crucially, the impact factor remains above the critical psychological barrier of 1. According to the Academic Accelerator website, Ostrich is…
June 2022 Newsletter Harrier expert Dr Rob Simmons releases a tagged Black Harrier. An example of tracking data acquired from a free-flying Black Harrier. Fundraising for Black Harriers Black Harriers are in deep trouble. Fewer than 1300 mature individuals now remain, making the species one of southern Africa’s most endangered raptors. Its population is estimated…
May 2022 Newsletter The African Bird Fair is back! Join BirdLife South Africa in The African Bird Fair 2022, which will be held on 22 and 23 July. This year we’re hosting a hybrid event: the entire programme will be available virtually, but you’re also welcome to join us in person at Isdell House in…