Talk on all things pelagic
LOCAL birders interested in finding out about South Africa’s fascinating pelagic seabirds are invited to the talk by well-known ornithologist David Allan at Crocworld Conservation Centre on July 11.
David’s talk, ‘Deep-Sea Bounty – The Magnificent Seabirds of KwaZulu-Natal’s Open Oceans’, will offer insight into the pelagic (open ocean dwelling) seabirds that can be seen off our coast. It will be the latest in an ongoing series of monthly environmental lectures. These focus on the magnificent flora and fauna of Southern Africa and, in particular, of the South Coast. Their purpose is to instill in those who attend a greater understanding of and appreciation for the natural wonders that exist right on our doorstep.
As the curator of birds at the Durban Natural Science Museum, David has had plenty of experience with the birdlife of KwaZulu-Natal. He is an expert on a wide variety of avian species but is particularly passionate about pelagic seabirds. After moving to Durban from Cape Town nearly two decades ago, he began leading deep-sea birding trips to allow others to experience the thrill of seeing these ocean-going species in their natural environment. Since then, he has led more than 60 such expeditions, and has become a renowned authority on pelagics.
Those who attend the talk will be regaled with stories from his expeditions, including the tale of how David and his team learned to attract rare seabirds to the vessel using a unique chumming technique. He will touch on some of his favourite pelagic species, including skua, petrels, shearwaters, and of course, the awe-inspiring albatrosses. Guests will learn about the amazing adaptations that allow these species to find food in the vast expanse of open ocean and to survive without seeing land for long periods of time. Best of all, David will illustrate his talk with the spectacular photos that he has collected during his time at sea.
His talk begins at 9am, although guests should aim to arrive half an hour beforehand in time for welcoming and registration. He will talk for about 90 minutes, including a question and answer session. The talk will be followed by tea, coffee and scones. Crocworld Conservation Centre general manager Martin Rodrigues is looking forward to the event.
“David presents fantastic talks. We expect this lecture to be popular, so please book your seats as soon as possible to avoid disappointment,” he said.
Tickets are R70 per adult and R30 for pensioners, students and scholars. They include entrance into Crocworld Conservation Centre’s regular exhibitions, and guests are invited to stay on and explore the park after the talk finishes.
