www.eagle-encounters.co.za

Summer migrants welcomed home

On Sunday bird lovers from all over attended the annual welcome-home celebration for the summer migrants returning to the West Coast National Park. The event was held at the Environmental Centre presentation room at the stables behind the Geelbek homestead from 10:30.

Guests were addressed by Honorary Ranger, Heidi Duncan, a qualified tour guide who has studied migratory birds in the Middle East, Europe, America and the Carribean. She talked about the migratory routes of the returning birds and guests went on guided excursions to the two Geelbek bird hides in time for suitable wader spotting on the incoming tide.

After everyone had had lunch, which was sold to raise funds for the Junior Honorary Rangers, the highlight of the programme started.

The team from the Eagle Encounters Raptor Rehabilitation Centre at the Spier Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, introduced guests to Mick, an eight-year-old female black eagle and her other birds of prey colleagues. Hank Chalmers, falconer, described how they rescue and rehabilitate injured birds, mostly falcons and eagles, at the centre.

Guests were allowed to touch the majestic Mick - a wonderful experience. Rosemary, a three-year-old greater kestrel, flew from one end of the room to the other, occasionally alighting on someone's head.

Chalmers and his team then led the guests outside where Rags, a brown Harris hawk (12 years old) flew back and forth over a short distance. She then sat on the glove to eat a small piece of turkey meat.

Chalmers then demonstrated how they trained birds that had been recovering in rehab to start hunting on their own again. Speedy, a five-year-old Lanner falcon astonished with the speed at which he kept on coming for the bait Chalmers swung on a string.

This was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about birds of prey and to see them close-up in all their splendour.

Chalmers stressed that when a bird of prey is found injured, its head should first be completely covered by a towel and then the bird put in a dark cardboard box. No holes. This will keep the bird from stressing and injuring itself even further.

For more information call the Raptor Rescue Line on 084 584 3684 and visit the website www.eagle-encounters.co.za

Westlander, Langebaan - Thursday 18 October 2007