Secret Worlds of Birds of Prey

-Informative Workshop-

The Gans-Berg News is aware of several Birdwatchers in our area who are interested in Anton’s interesting workshops. “The previous presentations of this workshop were oversubscribed with the results that it is now being repeated,” said Anton Odendaal. “The Secret Worlds of Birds of Prey workshop explores many little-known facts about some of our raptors and highlights several serious conservation threats to their survival.”

Anton says the basic clues on the identification of these often difficult-to-identify birds are provided during the workshop. More importantly, anecdotal information on their survival skills will also be shared. The heaviest vulture, the bird that covers its nest with communal spider webs, two species that hunt in tandem in the Kalahari and astonishing migratory flights are just some of the examples of fascinating ‘secrets’ shared. “Basic notes on critical identification features will be forwarded to participants electronically,” says Anton.

Course-programme

Day 1 (27 April): 

(1) Celebrating secretary birds; (2) Focus on vultures; (3) Eagles and snake-eagles; (4) Accipiters - goshawks, sparrowhawks and related species; (5) Falcons, kestrels, harriers and kites.

Day 2 (28 April):

(6) Raptor flight patterns; (7) Owls and night jars; (8) Rare & vagrant raptors & vagrant raptors of Southern Africa; (9) Case-study on raptors of the Kalahari; (10) Case-study on the raptors of the Kruger National Park.

Registration:

Contact Anton at birding@overberg.co.za or WhatsApp at 082 550 3347 to register or to obtain more information. Remember the date for the ‘Secret Worlds of Birds of Prey’ workshop: 27-28 April 2024.

Hardus Botha