Search for the Ibisbill

WORLD renowned bird expert, artist and Edenvale resident Clive Hopcroft has recently returned from the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan where he went in search of the Ibisbill.

The Ibisbill is a bird which has long fascinated him, and many other bird lovers around the world. Did he find it?

Hopcroft will reveal all in his humorous and erudite fashion at the next evening meeting of the Modderfontein Conservation Society at Modderfontein Town Hall, 1 Casino Road at 7:30 pm on April 10.

The Ibisbill is a bird related to the waders, but distinctive enough to merit its own family: Ibidorhynchidae.

It is grey with a white belly, red legs and long down-curved bill, and a black face and black breast band.  It occurs on the shingle riverbanks of the high plateau of central Asia and the Himalayas.  Ibisbills nest at 3 000 metres or higher but they over winter in the foothills.

“Bhutan is not that easy to access,” said Hopcroft.  “It is a landlocked country in South Asia located at the eastern end of the Himalayas.  It is bordered to the north by China and to the south, east and west by India. Our journey proved to be quite an adventure one and I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences with members and friends of the society.”

Hopcroft’s presentation will cover more than the birds of the high Himalayas and will include landscapes and culture of Bhutan.

Visitors are welcome.  There is a charge of R30 at the door to cover expenses.  For more information, contact Peter Olive on 011 609 4708011 609 4708 or 083 461 6221083 461 6221.

Also visit the website: www.modderconserve.org.