Fynbos Research Program

       For the next 5 years, the NVT, in collaboration with SANPARKs, will be doing fynbos research in and around the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park and Nature's Valley. The project will examine the intricate pollination systems in the fynbos, and how these may change over time.
       We launched the project [on the morning of the 17th April] with a bird ringing session. We were joined by SANPARKs staff, ORCA, BirdLife Plettenberg Bay, WWISA, Nature's Valley Open Spaces Committee and a crew from NetNews, who filmed the event for a program. Helping Mark run the ringing station were Minke Witteveen and Shane McPherson, who made sure the birds got top priority. We netted and ringed 66 birds this morning, including a whopping 39 Southern Double-collared Sunbirds, 14 Cape Sugarbirds, and 2 Orange-breasted Sunbirds. Thanks to all who participated!

By Dr. Mark Brown, Program Director, Natures Valley Trust


We were blessed with great weather, a calm and cloudy dawn that persisted right through 'til midday - despite a forecast of approaching rain. There was plenty of trail to set mistnets and so eight tall and seven low nets were erected.  The flow of birds being caught and ringed was steady right through the morning and the 66 birds was about twice as much as was expected or hoped for.  Very special species included the fynbos endemic Orange-breasted Sunbird, and the beautiful White-starred Robin which was also a birding lifer for me.

The selection of photos here are mine, more can be seen on the NVT blog

fire in the sky over Tsitsikamma mountains

setting up the first run of nets

when the film crew from NetNews arrived, mark ditched us to take the heat

what a fantastic setting for the nets

although fynbos shrubs have a knack of snagging the nets

one of the first birds to be captured - Orange-breasted Sunbird   Anthobaphes violacea

male OBS from the back

female OBS

a great turnout of collaborators and visitors for the inaugural ringing day at Site A

the ringing table set amongst the vibrancy of the fynbos in bloom

all Cape Sugarbirds   Promerops cafer   are color-ringed, this site will be monitored fortnightly for 5 years

a fairly short sugarbird tail

its more tricky to measure tail length of the male sugarbirds

a male Southern Double-collared Sunbird   Cinnyris chalybeus

papparazzi and a Bar-throated Apalis   Apalis thoracica

female Olive Woodpecker   Campethera cailliautii   - males have a fiery red crown

White-browed Scrub-robin   Cercotrichas leucophrys

such a rich and vibrant yellow, White-starred Robin   Pogonocichla stellata