Ronnie Hazel was, as usual, very proactive in organising an exciting summer challenge for members to identify and list as many birds as they could in our Overstrand area. The response was somewhat underwhelming with only 8 members submitting their lists, but those who took part did so with much enthusiasm and a sense of fun.
Our Chairman, Ed Meyer, wrote:
We had only 8 participants( some with their partners), although I believe a lot more started , but did not bother to submit their results. Those who did submit results identified 220 species in the 2 months of this first Challenge for 2023, which was pretty good.
We should try to emphasise the fun & motivation of having a goal to one’s birding. As we know, it is not necessarily about winning, but rather to have your own goal in the number of species you have been able to identify.
The result of the January – February challenge was:
The winner: Ronnie Hazell with 194 birds listed. (The picture, above, is not of Ronnie accepting his prize.)
Ronnie was followed by:
Mike Ford – 192 species
Mike Kokot – 176 species
John & Shelagh Bowman – 160 species
Barbara Swart and Margie – 139 species
Ed Meyer – 136 species
Philip Wassung – 101 species
Johan & Imogen Groenewald – 100 – species
We want to encourage members to join in the challenges, even if you only manage a few birds, the idea is to go birding and enjoy the experience. Sometimes we forget we are a BIRDING club! To this end, our stalwart Ronnie Hazell has drawn up a list of Western Cape Birds and we are going to start a new challenge. You will see the details on the blog which Ronnie kindly posted.
So, lets approach this new challenge with enthusiasm on Monday 20 March, start listing!
Mike Kokot
Hermanus Bird Club 
Reblogged this on Wolf's Birding and Bonsai Blog.
Hi Mike, a number of excellent photos often appear on the blog but unless the author signs the picture, as you did, there is no credit given to the photographer. Is there any way that the name of the photographer could be put below the photo as is done in the weekly SA rare bird news by Trevor Hardaker. Frank Hallett
Hi Mike, a number of excellent photos often appear on the blog but unless the author signs the picture, as you did, there is no credit given to the photographer. Is there any way that the name of the photographer could be put below the photo as is done in the weekly SA rare bird news by Trevor Hardaker. Frank Hallett
Hi Frank, when people submit photos it is better for them to include their “signature”. However, I will always endeavour to credit the photographer. Good tip, thanks!