ACKNOWLEDGEMENT - Sappi BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA
I am delighted to introduce to you Sappi Birds of South Africa, published by Briza Publications. Whether you're a beginner or a committed twitcher, and whether you're trying to identify an 'LBJ' or a 'lifer', this field guide will help you hone your sense of observation and tell you what to look and listen for and how to make sense of what you see and hear.
In South Africa, with approximately one-tenth of the world's bird species, there is plenty of birdlife to see and hear.
This guide makes identification of local birds and global visitors easy through the use of detailed, high-resolution photographs, the 'Shapefinder' guide and four icon groups which give a quick reference to habitat, breeding, relative size and social behaviour.
Adding another dimension to the whole birding experience is the innovative 'Callfinder®'. When this electronic device is placed on a picture in the section with species descriptions it emits the call or song of that particular bird.
The debate about paper and electronic communication rages on, with some expounding the virtues of paper over electronic and vice versa. At Sappi we believe neither is mutually exclusive and for a full experience both types of media should be used. This field guide is an outstanding example of how paper and electronic media can work together to enhance the overall communication experience and deeper understanding of birds and birding.
As a major landowner in South Africa, we take our responsibility for the environment very seriously. Sponsoring this guide is in line with our long-standing commitment to conservation and to nurturing an appreciation for nature and the sustainable use of renewable resources. This commitment is highlighted by the fact that approximately one third of our land holdings are unplanted and are managed for biodiversity conservation. Over 450 bird species – over half the bird species in South Africa – have been recorded on Sappi land. These include the Peregrine Falcon, the Secretary Bird and the Crowned Eagle, all of which are listed as 'near threatened' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
In addition to initiatives such as the Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk and the Karkloof Conservation Centre (both SappiWWF TreeRoutes Partnership projects) where many special birds can be sighted, we also promote mountain biking on our land. This approach is based on the belief that the more we can encourage people to enjoy healthy outdoor pastimes like birding and mountain biking, the more we can foster an appreciation of the environment and the greater our chances of conserving our precious natural heritage.
Of course, the great thing about birding is that it crosses the divides of age and physical fitness – it's something the youngest and oldest member of any family can become equally proficient in and enjoy. And while you are probably more likely to see a greater diversity of birds in one of South Africa's many wildlife and nature reserves, birding can be just as rewarding in your own garden or nearby park.
Wherever you choose to use this book, I wish you many happy hours of reading and understanding.
VOORWOORD - Sappi VOëLS VAN SUID-AFRICA
Ek stel graag die Sappi Voëls van Suid-Afrika, gepubliseer deur Briza Publikasies, aan u bekend. Hierdie voëlgids sal u help om u waarnemingsvermoë te verskerp, het sy u voëlkyk as 'n stokperdjie beoefen, of eerder 'n toegewyde voëlkyker is. Daar is maar altyd voëls wat so eenders lyk dat 'n maklik-bruikbare gids onontbeerlik is.
Suid-Afrika is geseën met volop voëllewe – ongeveer 'n tiende van alle spesies wêrelwyd kom in Suid-Afrika voor.
Hierdie gids vergemaklik identifisering van besoekers en endemiese voëls deur middel van volkleur, hoë resolusie foto's, 'n profielgids en vier simbool groepe wat habitat, broei gewoontes, relatiewe grootte en sosiale gedrag met 'n oog op slag aandui.
Die Klankleser® voeg 'n nuwe, unieke dimensie tot voëlkyk toe. Dié elektroniese apparaat speel die spesie se roep wanneer dit op die betrokke foto in die spesie beskrywingseksies geplaas word.
Die opkoms van elektroniese media het 'n voortslepende debat oor gedrukte media versus elektroniese media ontketen. Sappi se standpunt is dat die een nie die ander noodwendig uitsluit nie en dat die eienskappe van elk gesamentlik voordelig benut moet word. Hierdie publikasie pakket is 'n uitstekende voorbeeld van gekombineerde gedrukte en elektroniese media wat vir die voëlkyker in besonder, asook die algemene publiek, 'n nuwe ondervinding oor voëls en voëlkyk bied.
Sappi is 'n belangrike grondeienaar in Suid-Afrika en is as sulks baie ernstig oor ons verantwoordelikheid ten opsigte van die omgewing. Sappi se betrokkenheid by hierdie publikasie is 'n uitvloeisel van ons voortdurende verbintenis tot bewaring en om natuur waardering, asook volhoubare benutting van hernubare hulpbronne, te bevorder. Die feit dat ongeveer 'n derde van ons eiendom nie beplant is nie en volgens biodiversiteit bewarings riglyne bestuur word, spreek van ons erns om ons bewarings onderneming gestand te doen. Meer as 450 voëlspesies – meer as die helfte van Suid-Afrika se voëlspesies – is al op Sappi-eiendom waargeneem. Dit sluit die swerfvalk, sekretarisvoël en kroonarend in, almal gelys as Amper Bedreig deur die IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
Behalwe die Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk en die Karkloof Bewaringsentrum (albei Sappi WWF Tree Routes Partnership-projekte) waar baie spesiale voëls gesien kan word, moedig ons ook bergfietsritte op ons eiendom aan. Hierdie benadering is gebaseer op ons oortuiging dat hoe meer ons mense kan aanmoedig om aan gesonde buitelewe-aktiwiteite, soos voëlkyk en bergfietsritte, deelteneem, hoe meer kan ons omgewings waardering en bewaring van Suid-Afrika se kosbare natuur erfenis bevorder.
Voëlkyk is by uitstek die oorbrugging tussen ouderdom en fisiekefiksheid, want almal, van die jongste tot die oudste gesinslede, kan saam die aktiwiteit geniet. Voëlkyk is nie beperk tot natuur- en wildreservate nie. Hoewel baie meer spesies in reservate gesien kan word, kan voëlkyk net so bevredigend in u tuin of nabygeleë park beoefen word. Waar u ookal hierdie unieke publikasiepakket gaan benut, wens ek u menige ure van lees- en luistergenot toe.