The Parys Wetland Task team recently welcomed a new member, Galeboe Modisapodi, who has been a member of Birdlife SA for years.

Galeboe came to know about the Parys Wetland rehabilitation project through reports in Parys Gazette. while visiting his mom in his hometown, Parys.

Although staying in Johannesburg, he immediately offered his help to identify birding spots in and around Parys, compiling birding lists for all local birding sites including the Parys Wetland, and to ensure bird guides get trained in the area to create jobs.

On Saturday he also joined the local Feathers Bird Club on their eccursion to Vaal de Grace, and identified several bird species in the Parys Wetland area on Birdlasser, as Saturday was BirdLife SA’s 40th Birding Big Day. On this day birders all over the country try to record as many bird species as possible withing 24 hours.

Asking what his favourite bird is, Galeboe says the Greater Painted Snipe that he saw at Marievale Bird Sanctuary in Nigel.

Birds teach us a lot we do not know, he says, They are a good guide and you can trust their warning system, he adds.

“I have been living birds for 30 years,” says Galeboe, emphasising the direct relationship between wetlands and birds.

You are sure to find birds in a wetland. When you spot them, look at the beak shape and colour, the colour of the feathers on the breast and neck, the tail, the size of the bird, the feet and toes, and the colour of the eye, Galeboe explains.

Binoculars is a good investment for any birder, but be warned -birding is not a hobby, it is a lifestyle, he says

I have lost count of the places I visited over the years to spot birds, he says. Actually it was his seniors at Unilever SA, who sparked his curiosity about birdlife when they used to got to game reserves for conferences. He saw them with their binoculars and curiosity got the better of him.

He bought his first Sasol pocket bird guide and started exploring. “I was hooked instantly,” Galeboe says.

Next thing he got his own binoculars and started going places on his own.

For Galeboe it was an enjoyable weekend spending time with Feathers Club members and becoming part of the Wetland task team.
He encourages bird loverrs to join Feathers to create awareness and knowledge of our local birdlife. Those interested can contact Hansie Bekker on 082 820 4306.