PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plettenberg Bay ornithologist and environmentalist Dr Mark Brown has reached for the sky with his latest project as lead author of the new Roberts Sunbirds and Sugarbirds of southern Africa.
His achievement, as part of the project to complete a quality coffee table book on these delightful and colourful birds, is also reflected in the fact that he maintains his passion for the environment as conservation director of Conserve Eden.
Roberts is considered the "bible" of bird reference books in southern Africa and is backed financially by the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. The first edition was published by Dr Austin Roberts in 1940 as Birds of South Africa and then from 1957 as Roberts Birds of South Africa.
Birding is one of the most popular past-times in the country and has seen spectacular growth and awareness of this aspect of nature and the environment, with a growing appetite for quality publications.
'Awesome book'
"This is an awesome book and will be hitting the shelves in November," says Mark. A portion of each sale will be donated to Conserve Eden for local projects in Plett.
"I grew up being encouraged to spend time outdoors fishing and birding with my family and my grandfather, in particular, fuelled an early interest in birds.
"As a teenager, some scouting colleagues and I would spend many hours in the veld observing birds and getting to know them.
"As I finished my BSc and started looking at research projects for my BSc honours, I was naturally drawn to the ornithology-based ones, and I have never looked back.
"My interest in sunbirds and sugarbirds really stemmed from working with Prof Colleen Downs, my mentor at University of KZN and a dear friend."
Mark has published a large number of scientific papers with her, Prof Steve Johnson, and a cohort of students he has worked with, examining sunbird physiology (including metabolic work, dietary studies), ecology and their roles as important pollinators of a range of plant species.
Artist Gail Darroll
"For many years I dreamed of writing a book on these fabulous birds, so imagine my surprise when I got a call from artist Gail Darroll, a renowned bird artist living in Wilderness.
"She had spent the last 15 years or so painting sunbirds and sugarbirds and was now looking for someone to write a book with her! Fast forward through Covid, and we were delighted when the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund (of Roberts fame) took the project on.
"The artwork is simply incredible, supplemented with stunning photos from South Africa's top bird photographers.
'Dream come true'
"I was overwhelmed to see the proof - it is an absolute dream come true, and I am so proud and humbled to be involved in this project!" said Mark.
The text took about a year to finalise.
"I am lead author, but Ingrid Weiersbye contributed significantly to the text too." The JVBBF has published a small collection of other bird books - see https://www.robertsbirds.co.za/products.htm for their other books.
Mark was also a contributor to the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa "jumbo" 7th edition edited by Phil Hockey, Roger Dean and Peter Ryan, published in 2005.
He is an accomplished ornithologist and bird ringer and shares his knowledge in public lectures, articles and publications such as the Roberts Sunbirds and Sugarbirds of southern Africa.
Collaborators
Acclaimed illustrator Gail Darroll presents accounts for all 23 species, including the latest distribution maps generated from SABAP2 (South African Bird Atlas Project) data.
Darroll's collaboration with Professor Gordon Maclean in the Ducks of southern Africa coffee table book in 1986 led to her sharing with him the Lady Usher Literary prize.
Others involved in the book are Ingrid Weiersbye, artist-naturalist, who contributed text and content to the publication, and Guy Upfold, a passionate wildlife photographer and wildlife enthusiast, who is also "a devoted" trustee of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund.
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