The first bird ringing course run by the BDI has been completed at the KhoiSan Karoo Conservancy. Eight attendees plus leader Dieter had an exciting week of ringing new species, going on night drives, and enjoying excellent meals!
Attendees included ringers and trainees from the USA, UK, Namibia and South Africa.
Catching techniques were mostly mist-netting and spring traps baited with bacon. In addition to ringing most of the time, there were opportunities to discuss various aspects of ringing, and trainees had practice at putting up nets on their own.
The total number of birds caught was 246 birds of an amazing 31 species. The top species caught was the Cape Sparrow (52), followed by Southern Masked-Weaver (45) and Southern Red Bishop (41). Starlings featured well with Pied Starling (26) and Wattled Starling (15). Wader nets on the shore line produced a few Kittlitz’s Plover and Little Stint, and also unexpected birds like Capped Wheatear. Ringing in the Karoo shrub gave the best species like Rufous-eared Warbler, Grey-backed Cisticola, Black-chested Prinia, Karoo Scrub-Robin, Long-billed Crombec, African Pipit and Lark-like Bunting. A highlight for me was spot-lighting and catching a Double-banded Courser (after an unsuccessful attempt!).
To join a BDI bird ringing course, see dates and contact person here.
Previous blogs:
11-12/11/2019 Test ringing weekend – 86 birds
16/03-21/04/2022 Students ringing (includes ring summary and catching types)
01-06/09/2022 BDI ringing course – 246 birds (this course)
Thanks to all the staff at New Holme for hosting us so well!
Table of ringing totals, Karoo Gariep NR, 1-7 Sept 2022
| Sp no. | Species | Total caught |
| 237 | Kittlitz’s Plover | 3 |
| 245 | Blacksmith Lapwing | 1 |
| 253 | Little Stint | 2 |
| 278 | Double-banded Courser | 1 |
| 314 | Red-eyed Dove | 1 |
| 390 | White-backed Mousebird | 7 |
| 495 | White-throated Swallow | 2 |
| 568 | Capped Wheatear | 1 |
| 619 | Rufous-eared Warbler | 2 |
| 638 | Grey-backed Cisticola | 1 |
| 650 | Black-chested Prinia | 1 |
| 583 | Karoo Scrub-Robin | 4 |
| 604 | Lesser Swamp Warbler | 1 |
| 606 | African Reed-Warbler | 2 |
| 621 | Long-billed Crombec | 1 |
| 686 | Cape Wagtail | 4 |
| 692 | African Pipit | 1 |
| 707 | Common Fiscal | 5 |
| 722 | Bokmakierie | 2 |
| 735 | Wattled Starling | 15 |
| 746 | Pied Starling | 26 |
| 784 | House Sparrow | 1 |
| 786 | Cape Sparrow | 52 |
| 803 | Southern Masked-Weaver | 45 |
| 805 | Red-billed Quelea | 9 |
| 808 | Southern Red Bishop | 41 |
| 820 | Red-headed Finch | 2 |
| 871 | Lark-like Bunting | 1 |
| 1104 | Karoo Thrush | 9 |
| 1172 | Cape White-eye | 2 |
| 4139 | Karoo Prinia | 1 |
| TOTALS | 246 |
Below is a selection of some of the wonderful birds caught in the mist nets during the course:
