As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Wednesday 6 June 2018

Meet the “strange white man looking for birds”



James Rawdon is a licensed bird ringer – he captures birds to help identify and track them.

May 25, 2018

Ballito’s James Rawdon has a passion for birds which he recently carried all the way to Sierra Leone.

Rawdon is a licensed bird ringer – he captures birds to help identify and track them.

He was invited to Sierra Leone by the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary on the outskirts of Freetown in the Western Area Peninsula National Park.

Initially established to enforce wildlife laws plus rescue and rehabilitate orphaned chimpanzees, Tacugama has grown into a diverse conservation organisation.

“The aim of the trip was to identify as many bird species as possible in the three areas Tacugama operates in, with the additional method of bird ringing included,” Rawdon explained.
“Unfortunately, there was no final result in the presidential elections in March. This disappointingly meant being advised not to travel to Jaibui Island on the Moa River, which was to be the most productive birding site as well as shortening my trip by five days.

“The trip was however a great success with regards the community outreach and environmental education aspects.”

Rawdon said bird ringing allowed you to see the birds up close and offered a wonderful opportunity to teach children and adults about birds, conservation and the preservation of their natural resources.



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