Learn more about crowned eagles
IF you missed raptor expert Shane Mcpherson’s recent talk on KwaZulu-Natal’s crowned eagle, you will be pleased to know you have another chance of enjoying this fascinating illustrated presentation.
Crocworld Conservation Centre near Scottburgh holds regular monthly environmental lectures that are always enjoyable and always well supported. Shane is this month’s speaker and he will give his presentation there on March 14. He will offer nature lovers a rare insight into the life of one of South Africa’s most impressive birds of prey.
Shane recently completed his Master of Science degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the subject of which was the urban ecology of the near-threatened crowned eagles in KwaZulu-Natal. His research could prove vital to their survival as a species.
Even after finishing this, Shane continues to be fascinated by the crowned eagle and he is now in the process of translating his Masters into a PhD. Whereas his previous studies focused on establishing the eagles’ diet and nest site preference in urban areas, the PhD research will monitor breeding success and the survival rate of young eagles after fledging.
Much of Shane’s data is collected using nest cameras, which monitor the birds in a way that is both hugely informative and unobtrusive.
His Crocworld lecture will focus on the findings of his past and ongoing research efforts. Guests will be shown some of the photos and video sequences taken with the nest cameras. These images provide an incredible chance to learn more about the crowned eagle and to witness first hand the life history of this spectacular avian predator.
Shane will walk his listeners through a year in the life of an urban-dwelling crowned eagle – from nest-building to rearing newborn eaglets. This lecture promises to be one of the Centre’s most fascinating yet, informed as it is both by Shane’s passion for his subject and his extensive experience in the wider field of ornithology.
Before selecting crowned eagles as the subject of his latest research project, Shane worked on several other bird research and conservation projects around the world. These included studies on the New Zealand falcon, the saker falcon in Mongolia and the echo parakeet in Mauritius. He first discovered a love for Africa while volunteering on a project working for raptor conservation in Kenya – and it was from there that his decision to dedicate his career to the preservation of the crowned eagle was born.
The lecture starts at 9am and is about an hour and a half in length, but be there half an hour earlier for registration and welcoming. After the talk there will be time for questions while tea, coffee and muffins are served. Tickets are R70 per adult with a concessional price of R30 for pensioners and students and these include admission into Crocworld Conservation Centre.
To book contact Nolean Allun at 039 976 1103 or 083 654 9651.
