The Trekkie's Forum

The only current bird guide, which I am aware of, of South Africa is Callen Cohen and Claire Spotteswood's SA Bird Finder.

I think we have the potential to really put an amazing guide together!

ok, nice idea. i would just suggest that we try and set some standards to write to to keep things consistant. I would add a no 5 to WTM's list and that is specific routes.

so we need to set a standard as to what the structure of each one would be i.e on routes:

1. Location, access and getting there.

2. Key habitats
3. Key common species
4. Specials and rarities
5. Route Description

Imax wrote:

ok, nice idea. i would just suggest that we try and set some standards to write to to keep things consistant. I would add a no 5 to WTM's list and that is specific routes.

so we need to set a standard as to what the structure of each one would be i.e on routes:

1. Location, access and getting there.

2. Key habitats
3. Key common species
4. Specials and rarities
5. Route Description

I Agree, and also just want to say that the Chamberlains book, should be used as a foundation, as it is probably the most user friendly book out there...

WTM, are we looking at this being an online bird guide?

oooh nice and ambitious eh? very good idea
I will of course offer to do my home area

WTM, what is your idea? Do you want a South Africa book, or Southern Africa book?

It gets very complicated with Southern Africa as you then have to include Moz, Zim, Botswana and Namibia.

IMO, the book could be split into the Nine Provinces... But unlike the Chamberlains book, places like Zaagkuil should fall into North-west section instead of Gauteng.

Do a proper Province by province hotspot, key endemics and species in the province's.

Just remember that the Chamberlains book has also covered many area's east and north of Gauteng, so emphasis could fall on places like the Garden Route, Pelagics, Free State, Karoo etc