PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The first Bitou Birding Festival has soared to great heights, with support not only from locals, but from across the country and abroad.
"The festival exceeded our expectations for an inaugural event. We saw significant support not only from the local community but also from visiting birding enthusiasts from as far afield as Gauteng and we even had some international visitors from the Netherlands, which underscores the growing interest in avian tourism and conservation," festival organiser Stephan van Wyk said.
"The festival's diverse activities, from guided walks and activities to expert talks, provided a platform for both seasoned birders and newcomers to immerse themselves in birdwatching and conservation.
"Overall, the turnout, and enthusiasm from attendees, were very encouraging."
He added that more than 460 tickets were issued for the 10-day festival's various activities, which took place from 26 Sep-tember to 6 October.
Diverse habitats
The festival attracted more than 250 unique participants, with some of them attending multiple events throughout the week. "Our birding walks saw the highest attendance, with around 130 participants exploring the beautiful and diverse natural habitats of the Bitou region.
"Expert talks, which featured topics like 'Raptors of the Bitou' and climate change impacts on birds, were also well-attended, with over 100 tickets sold across the week."
Van Wyk said canoe trips along the Bitou and Keurbooms rivers also offered a unique perspective on birdwatching while the pelagic trips offshore drew some adventurous birders, and the festival's bird-ringing demonstrations also generated significant interest, attracting those keen on learning more about this important aspect of avian conservation.
Fundraising dinner
Van Wyk said there were many highlights, but the most rewarding one was a fundraising dinner, along with a Raptor Rescue tour and display. "We managed to raise R15 920 for the Raptor Rescue Rehabilitation Centre in Plett."
He added that given the enthusiastic response, they were highly motivated to start planning for next year. "We will take stock and make notes on how to enhance the overall experience for the next event.
'Introduce new activities'
"We hope to introduce a few new activities and collaborate with more private landowners to find exciting new birding routes in the area. Our goal is to make this an annual event that not only celebrates birdlife but also promotes birding and fosters a deeper understanding and commitment to avian conservation within our community."
Van Wyk also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers, speakers, and attendees who made the Bitou Birding Festival a success.
"The support from local conservation groups, BirdLife Plettenberg Bay, businesses, and the Plett community was truly instrumental. We're excited to build on this year's success and look forward to creating even more meaningful birding experiences in the future."
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