Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve, in the Northern Cape, South Africa, is one of the De Beers Diamond Route properties. Robert Thomson, University of Turku, Finland, invited me to visit for a few days. I was able to assist with, and observe, several weaver research projects at Tswalu. Some of the weaver colonies have been uploaded to PHOWN (Photos of Weaver Nests), see here.

Robert is investigating the interactions between Sociable Weavers and the world's smallest bird of prey, the Pygmy Falcon. The photo (left) shows a large Pygmy Falcon chick from Sociable Weaver colony 110 (VM 1556).

To see many more photos of Roberts project, and the other weaver projects, see the trip report here.

Thanks to the Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve for sponsoring my trip, and to Robert for inviting me.