These pictures were taken on 26th January 2002, with Doug Harebottle from the Avian Demographic Unit at the University of Cape Town, leading the group. The special part of the morning was ringing 2 Blackwinged Stilt chicks which had hatched on the 23rd January 2002. This is a very late brood, as they usually fledge their young before the end of November.
We all hoped to see these birds as adults in years to come.



The table and all the paraphernalia set up to record the information about the birds. Doug is giving the details to Charl van Tonder (his 'first bird ringing' outing) to record. Brian Herman is looking on.



This Common Waxbill's feathers being checked for the state of moult, the 'bird ringers' can tell surprising amounts of information about the condition and age by holding and inspecting the bird.



Ready for release. The birds are processed as quietly and as quickly as possible so not to stress them unduly.



A Le Valiants Cisticola ready for release.



The 4 day old Blackwinged Stilt waiting to have his/her measurements taken and the be given a leg ring, which has all the individuals particulars recorded in the register which will be transposed to the database.



The babies were caught by hand swimming across the 'Central Pan' by Charl. He enthusiastically waded knee deep in mud to catch up to them.



All the particulars being recorded.



The first ringed Blackwinged Stilt at Zandvlei Nature Reserve.



The second ringed Blackwinged Stilt at Zandvlei Nature Reserve.



Both babies ready for release together. They immediately set off across the 'pan' into a strong south easterly wind which had just started to blow, watched by their parents. We waited until they made it safely to the opposite shore and shelter of the reeds.