Colouring-in champions BirdLife South Africa is pleased to announce the winners of the ‘Win with Faansie’ colouring-in competition, which was part of the African Bird Fair last month. The winner for the 7–10 age group is Nate Eatwell (aged 9) from KwaZulu-Natal; and for the 11–13 age group is Claire Fowler (aged 11) from the…
John Gibbs, BirdLife South Africa’s new Birds and Renewable Energy Project leader. Wind turbines produce clean energy, but they can negatively impact biodiversity. BirdLife South Africa helps the wind energy industry minimise this risk. Credit Sam Ralston-Paton A new leader for Birds and Renewable Energy A transition to renewable energy is essential to reduce greenhouse…
The BioSoundSCapes team receives equipment training from Rose Snyder (right). Credit Matt Clark Matt Clark pitches the BioSoundSCapes project. Credit Alan Lee Baboons, an integral part of the local environment, showed their mischievous side to workshop delegates on a visit to the Harold Porter Botanical Garden. Credit Alan Lee BioSCapes comes to South Africa From…
May 2023 Newsletter Flock to the Wilderness is here! Bird lovers of all persuasions will descend on Wilderness in the Western Cape this May to celebrate South Africa’s rich birdlife. The occasion will see the return of BirdLife South Africa’s Learn About Birds conference, the first in-person version of the event since 2018. As usual,…
Sponsorship for three LAB attendees This year’s Learn About Birds (LAB) conference, which forms part of Flock to Wilderness from 24 to 28 May, will see three emerging researchers give presentations, their attendance generously sponsored by Dunefields Private Nature Reserve. Dunefields nestles in a mosaic of fynbos and dune thicket vegetation on the Garden Route…
Discovering a precious treasure While doing research on the beautiful and charismatic Cape Parrot, I frequently came across the description of it as a ‘jewel of the forest’. As an artist with a particular love of rich colour, I was excited to explore a palette of iridescent bright and deep bottle-greens, golden yellows and dramatic…
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…