Zandvlei Trust

Western Cape Raptor Research Programme 

We need more helpers!

While securing the funding for research projects, and particularly for raptor studies, is always difficult, we have reached a stage in the development of the WCRRP where perhaps our most limiting factor is the availability of personnel to achieve the tasks that we have set ourselves. Part of the solution to this problem lies in our local tertiary institutions, and we hope to extend the academic horizons of the programme, and take on more post-graduate students, in the near future. Another important resource that remains largely untapped is the Western Cape birding community, and we would like to appeal to you, the birding public, to participate in some aspect of field data collection for any and all of the projects within the WCRRP.


                                            photograph by Heather Howell

Tish Foyle watching for Buzzards, Hawks, Kestrels and other raptors.

For Cape Town birders, one way in which you can help;

  • is to 'adopt’ one or two raptor nest sites in your area of the Peninsula, and 

  • keep an eye on activities there through the breeding season, 

  • letting us know if and when the birds appear to have laid eggs or started to feed young. 

  • With some initial guidance, this wouldn’t require much more than two or three visits to the relevant area each breeding season. 

  • Establishing a network of such observers to keep tabs on at least some of our study sites would free us up for the more hands-on work – nest visits, ringing etc and 

  • allow us to use our time more productively. 

On a broader front, the harrier project is about to launch a major public-participation campaign, aimed at involving birders, conservators and landowners in collecting data to help us learn more about the nesting and foraging habitat requirements of the Black Harrier.

The WCRRP is involved with two other local raptor projects that would greatly benefit from some enthusiastic assistance.


                                                           photograph by Anthony van Zyl

Part of the volunteer group on an outing watching for raptors.

 Firstly, in collaboration with the Western Cape Nature Conservation Board, we have been working to rationalize and improve raptor rehabilitation protocols and facilities in the province. Part of this process requires that the general public;

  • know what to do and 

  • who to contact when they recover sick or injured birds of prey. 

  • Birders can contribute simply by being aware, and

  • making others aware, of the existing system of `accredited’ rehabbers and vets, and

  • also by making themselves available to fetch and carry patients as required.

Secondly, we feel that the raptors of the Peninsula should be put on the map;

  • both from a management priority perspective and in terms of their ecotourism potential.

  • We have been trying for some time to launch the `Cape Peninsula Raptor Route’, 

  • a self-guided `route’ comprising 10 of the best raptor viewing sites on the peninsula.

Generally, the idea is a good one, and should be happening already, but for a lack of funding for the interpretive signage. Ideally, this project needs someone with the time, energy and personality to take it on and market it to the right corporate sponsors….any takers?

Contact Andrew Jenkins if you are able to help;

tel   +27 21 650 4124
cell  +27 82 959 9238

                                       

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