GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - South Africa's birding fraternity is preening itself in anticipation of Birdlife SA's annual "Flock to Wilderness" birding event, which involves bird experts from Plettenberg Bay, Knysna and the rest of the Garden Route.
The annual extravaganza, a highlight on the South African birding calendar, will see about 150 birding enthusiasts from across the country, plus a few foreigners, descend on the Garden Route, injecting significant tourism spending into the region.
Flock to the Wilderness will cover the Lakes Birding Club, including Knysna, Sedgefield and Wilderness and specialists from these areas, while Plettenberg Bay will provide expert assistance, said Dr Melissa Whitecross, Landscape Conservation Programme manager of BirdLife South Africa.
The heart of the action takes place at the Wilderness Hotel.
"We will have a 'learn about birds' (LAB) conference on 25 and 26 May where participants will showcase some of the latest ornithological research and host layman's lab talks on a range of bird-related topics," said Whitecross.
The birding excursions will cover much of the area, targeting the many special birds that can be found throughout the Garden Route. It will also include a pelagic bird-watching trip out of Knysna, led by local expert Tim Carr of Reflections Eco Reserve.
They have used almost exclusively Garden Route guides to showcase the talent among the locals of this often overlooked birding hotspot.
The guides have been co-ordinated by Carr, with input from both Lakes Bird Club and Plett Bird Club.
Whitecross said accommodation establishments, transport and restaurants in the Garden Route can expect economic benefits from the "Flock" during what is otherwise a quiet period.
"We hope that the region will see the spending potential linked to avitourism and driving and supporting this type of tourism in the Garden Route even more in future. It will create a wider awareness of the Garden Route as a sought-after birding destination and new birders coming to enjoy the forest specials and local endemics found nowhere else in South Africa," said Whitecross.
Steve Serfontein, chairperson of Plett Bird Club said, "It's a privilege to host BirdLife South Africa and its associated clubs in the Garden Route. As a region we are excited to share the incredible diversity of habitats and species the Garden Route has to offer local, national and international birders. At the same time, being able to showcase the incredible conservation work in the area is a great opportunity."
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