Scores of bird enthusiasts joined a guided walking tour of the Rondevlei Nature Reserve in Zeekoevlei on Saturday, April 18, to uncover different species of birds.
The guided bird walk was organised by the Cape Bird Club and the Cape Town Lions Club, while special guests, an ornithologist, Dieter Oschadleus, shared more insight into the world of birds.
Mr Oschadleus, who is an associate member of The South African Bird Ringing Unit (SAFRING), shared more details on why bird ringing is important. He said placing either a metal or plastic ring on the bird’s tarsus helps to collect more data on birds, which includes their life history, their movements, and their survival instincts.
“Birds are intriguing to many people, they are really colourful, they are really good to use as a flagship species for conservation,” he said.
The Lions District 410w Governor, Bevil Lakay, said that one of his organisation’s global causes is conserving the environment.
“Once we look after the environment, we are looking after the people; the Lions get involved with bird conservation, it is also part of looking at the environment, once we look after the world, the world will look after us,” he said.
Some of the birds that were identified during the guided walk included the Gull Hartlaub’s, the Kelp Gull, the White-breasted Cormorant, two species of heron, which included the Grey Heron and Black-Headed Heron, and the African Sacred Ibis, to name a few.
The Cape Bird Club has its monthly meetings with bird enthusiasts at the Nassau Centre in Newlands. Longtime representative, Penny Dichmont, said that many people appreciate nature, and they would like to create awareness about their group, if anyone would like to be involved.
“It is not only for the adults, but young people are also keen on birding as well,” she said. Apart from their monthly meetings, Ms Dichmont said they try to organise outings for their members to see birds at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or Strandfontein.
Visit the Cape Bird Club for more information.
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