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  LBJ's Field Course - Larks, Pipits and Cisticolas

Next Course: 18-20 November 2011

Introduction


Since 2004, Etienne Marais has been leading regular field course in the identification of LBJ's, based at Ezemvelo nature reserve. The weekend provides participants the opportunity to learn more about the most challenging and difficult bird groups, namely Cisticola's, Larks and Pipits.

This is not a class-bound course, but provides real practise, while seeing the birds in the field.

Learning about LBJ’s involves the development of a knowledge base about the birds in question: What key features to look for, habitats, calls and most importantly GIZZ (General Impression of Shape and Size). An introductory lecture focuses on some key aspects of each group and key species which occur in the wider Gauteng Region. Participants will receive a course booklet which includes a set of detailed notes on the identification of Larks, Pipits and Cisticolas. In these notes you will find some pointers which you will not find in the field guides (Not yet anyway!).

However the knowledge element alone will not help you master these groups - so the field outings are focussed on getting excellent and sustained views of the birds in question and usually we get to see at least 8 Cisticolas, and 11-15 Larks/Pipits in the field. For reports on previous weekends see Oct 2006. or the course in February 2007. At some points during the field sessions, you will be required to do some work on your own. This is essential in order to put the skills and theory into practice!

To date we have seen 12 Lark species, 6 Pipit species and 10 Cisticola species in the area, which is why it is perhaps unsurpassed as a base for this field course.

After participating in this weekend, you will be able to identify a range of LBJ's with far greater confidence, and will have mastered the process required to get to grips with the more difficult birds. If you complete the rather easy "homework" assignment, you will also become the proud owner of a beautiful certificate.

Ezemvelo and Surrounds - an area of huge birding potential.

Ezemvelo offers excellent birding in grassland and transitional bankenveld habitats. The Wilge River cuts through kloofs and krantzes, creating habitat for riverine species, including African Finfoot, Half-collared Kingfisher and Black Duck, as well as a host of woodland and bushveld birds. Kloofs, kranztes and rocky outcrops hold Verreaux's Eagle, Alpine Swift, Striped Pipit and both Cape and Short-toed Rock-Thrush. Gauteng's only African Goshawks occur in wooded kloofs in this area.

Extensive vleis hold Red-chested Flufftail and numerous warblers, including Dark-capped Yellow Warbler, which is common here. The grassland is excellent for larks, including endemic Eastern Clapper, Melodious, Spike-heeled and Eastern Long-billed Lark.

While Ezemvelo is itself a very productive area, nearby grasslands provide added diversity and increase the chance of a seeing an amazing number of 10 Larks and 10 Cisticolas! While looking for these species there is also the chance of bumping into species like Denham's Bustard, Blue Crane and Temminck's Courser. Indeed on our last trip we saw all these species, and also a pair of Secretary birds

Other great birds we have encountered on the LBJ weekend are distinctly not LBJ's ! This is a good time for Nightjars and we have recorded four species on the weekends. African Cuckoo-Hawk, White-bellied Korhaan, Red-Chested Flufftail and Honey-Buzzard are among the best birds recorded on previous weekends.

Web page Updated 20 February 2011 © Indicator Birding
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