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Media Release: First ever Inter-Schools Birding Weekend planned at Camdeboo National Park
The event, which kicked off in 2014, saw only eight participants registering. The weekend showed tremendous growth in 2015 – attracting 49 eager birders. Organisers believe this year”s event, scheduled for 29 April to 1 May, will be even more popular as it continues to attract nature lovers from all walks of life.
SANParks Honorary Rangers Chairperson of the Camdeboo region, Johan Bouwer, says “We want to include school groups for the first ever interschool”s birding weekend this year as a separate initiative, as well as a fundraising event where the proceeds will be used towards getting more learners involved in birding activities and Park awareness”. Hopefully this initiative will grow into a national event in the near future.
A total of 138 different species were ticked from the Park”s bird list during last year”s event – not as many as what was expected due to the dry conditions experienced at the time. A rare sighting of a Tractrac chat caused much excitement as it is not a regular sighting in the Park and usually only occurs in the western part of the country in dry, open areas. A Dusky indigobird in the Winterhoek area was another special find as one has to be very alert to spot them, says birding enthusiast Leone Fouche. Along with the African olive pigeon and a Red-backed shrike, spotted near the Khwalimanzi hide, 252 species can now be ticked from the park”s birding list.
The first ever “Birding inter-schools” will also take place at the Park”s Environmental Education Centre. Grade 5 children from 10 local schools will be participating and enjoying a weekend of fun-filled birding hikes and outdoor activities at no cost to the children.
The registration fee for the birding weekend is R300 per person, which includes a welcoming cocktail event and a black tie charity dinner at the renowned five-star Drostdy Hotel with live entertainment. Guided birding excursions, access to the Park over the entire weekend and many great prizes and goodies are also on the cards. A total of 40 gala dinner seats are available for organisations and non-birders alike – all proceeds will be used for educational outreach programmes.
Enquiries and bookings can be made through the Park”s Senior People and Conservation Officer, Rosemary Scheepers, via [email protected] or 049 892 3453.
Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks) Frontier Region Communications
Enquiries
Fayroush Ludick
Regional Manager: Communications, SANParks
Cell: 082 888 0201
E-mail: [email protected]