Birders will be happy to hear that it is almost time for the SANParks Honorary Rangers (SHRs) of the West Coast Region’s annual Wader Bash taking place from 16 to 18 February.
The West Coast National Park Wader Bash is a unique opportunity to experience the vast wealth of birds of Langebaan Lagoon – a Ramsar site, wetlands of international importance – and the surrounding Park.
The objective of the Wader Bash is to go out into the Park and identify as many bird species as possible within a 24-hour period. This fun and informative birding game starts the Friday at 17:45 and finishes the Saturday at 17:45.
Birders will participate in teams of four and will be accompanied by an experienced birdwatcher, who will show participants the best spots in the Park to find specific bird species. Novice groups will be assisted in acquiring bird identification techniques.
Prizes will go to the team that spots the highest number of bird species and also to the individual who spots and identifies the best, most unusual or rarest bird in the Park, as decided by the judges. Participants will receive the rules at registration, which is Friday between 12:00 and 16:45 at the Geelbek Environmental Education Centre, followed by a briefing session at 17:00.
The counting will officially start at 17:45 on Saturday, followed by a gala dinner and prize giving at 19:30 at the Geelbek Enviromental Centre.
The weekend will conclude on Sunday with lectures by guest speakers, Eric Herrmann at 09:00 and Faansie Peacock at 10:30.
Herrmann’s lecture is titled “Cycling the world for birds: Venezuelan Amazon to Ecuadorian Andes”. He is a conservationist with an interest in birds and mammals.
In July 2012 he embarked on a cycle tour across Europe, South-east Asia and South America while indulging in his favourite hobby, birding.
Peacock will share “The weird and wondrous world of the Waders” with birders. He likes to describe himself as a “professional birder”. But making a living by studying birds full-time is not as lucrative as one may think. As such, he’s had to add a number of subdisciplines to his portfolio — Peacock is one of southern Africa’s best renowned birders and most talented bird artists.
- He has authored or co-authored six books on birds, including , the acclaimed Chamberlain’s LBJs (2012) and, most recently, Chamberlain’s WADERS.
Entry to these talks is free, but donations will be welcomed.
Rustic self-catering accommodation will be provided in the Park, which is included in the registration fee of R1 000 per person (also includes the gala dinner). Birders can also stay at Duinepos Chalets or in Langebaan, in which case they are liable for their own bookings.
For more information e-mail: waderbash.wcnp@gmail.com or phone Noeline van den Berg on 072 250 0045.
