Weaver news

Report of Barberspan Ringers Conference and travels to the BLSA AGM

2010-03-23 (50)


The period 11-21 March saw successful days of ringing and bird talks. At Barberspan Bird Sanctuary 1610 birds were handled of 82 species. Birds not ringed at Barberspan previously were Darter (10 chicks), Cloud Cisticola, and Crimson-breasted Shrike. Of the retraps already reported, the greatest elapsed time was for 2 White-browed Sparrow-weavers ringed in June 2008. Top species caught were Southern Red Bishop (743), Red-billed Quelea (183), Southern Masked-Weaver (128), Kittlitz's Plover (70), and Egyptian Goose (38).

About 300 birds were ringed at Wakkerstroom over 2 days to demonstrate ringing to birders attending the BLSA AGM. Ringers Rina Pretorius, Sylva Francis (with trainee Michael), Yahkat Barshep and Doug Harebottle helped with the ringing. The retrap with the greatest elapsed time was a Southern Red Bishop ringed on 07/01/2005.

Brief reports of these events may be seen as a web report and SAFRING news items.