Introduction to Ornithology Course A three-day training course for Professional Safari Guides and anyone else with a particular interest in knowing more about Ornithology
May and November/ December each year at Suyian Soul, Laikipia
The course will be taught by Washington Wachira who is one of the top ornithologists in East Africa; having led hundreds of birding expeditions, field courses and safaris across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.
He studied his BSc from Kenyatta University, where he studied the feeding habits of sunbirds. He further started an MSc from the same university working on birds of prey ecology in Nairobi forests. He has co-authored several books and checklists on birds, in Kenya. He is a member of the East Africa Bird Rarities Committee. He is also a member of the Bird Committee of Nature Kenya, where he chairs the National Bird of Kenya Sub-committee. He is also a TED Speaker and a 2016 National Geographic Explorer.
Ornithology course outline
Birds are exciting for many people and we often see and hear them at home or even at school. Birds have been part of our lives and culture all over the World. Every society has a story about birds. The ancestors of African Crowned Eagles are believed to have contributed to the evolution of man. Birds have been used as labels and brands all over the world e.g. Kiwi shoe polish- our regular shopping commodity in primary school. For every safari, you are likely to come across a huge array of birds and it is likely some of them may appear slightly tricky to identify. When walking with an experienced birder, you will be marveled at the speed with which they identify a fly-by bird. So we are here to let you in on some of their secrets; and help you become a better birder.
This exciting course introduces you to the field of birding, covering topics such as: –
• Bird identification
• Bird anatomy
• Feeding
• Breeding
• Classification
• Migration
• Binoculars use
The course will focus on the birds of Kenya, with a few case examples of birds from other locations. Kenya has over 1100 species of birds, and we hope to learn about a good sample of the bird families represented in Kenya. This course covers the introductory level of birding unlocking key principles that are often missed when starting a birding career.
There will be enough classroom lectures and discussions, aided by projected power point presentations. This will help you visualize the art of birding and also get to refine your theoretical concepts; such as bird anatomy and terminology.
Fieldwork consists of practical birding tests and birding walks to identify birds in the field.
Illustrations and group assignments will help you familiarize with birding terminology and field
craft.
There will be a small test at the end but that will be very engaging too. This will then lead to awarding of certificates.
Training Schedule: 3 days ornithology with a maximum of 15 participants.
Contact: Anne Powys – Tel: 0722 397 860 – Email: annepowys@gmail.com
Advanced Ornithology Course A three-day training course for Professional Safari Guides and anyone else with a particular interest in knowing more about Ornithology
May each year at Suyian Soul, Laikipia
The course will be taught by Washington Wachira who is one of the top ornithologists in East Africa; having led hundreds of birding expeditions, field courses and safaris across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.
He studied his BSc from Kenyatta University, where he studied the feeding habits of sunbirds. He further started an MSc from the same university working on birds of prey ecology in Nairobi forests. He has co-authored several books and checklists on birds, in Kenya. He is a member of the East Africa Bird Rarities Committee. He is also a member of the Bird Committee of Nature Kenya, where he chairs the National Bird of Kenya Sub-committee. He is also a TED Speaker and a 2016 National Geographic Explorer.
Ornithology course outline
In this advanced course, we shall dive deeper into the world of birds and build on our skills gained from the introductory course.
There will be enough classroom lectures and discussions, aided by projected power point presentations. This will help you visualize the art of birding and also get to refine your theoretical concepts; such as bird anatomy and terminology.
Fieldwork consists of practical birding tests and birding walks to identify birds in the field.
Illustrations and group assignments will help you familiarize with birding terminology and field
craft.
There will be a small test at the end but that will be very engaging too. This will then lead to awarding of certificates.
Training Schedule: 3 days ornithology with a maximum of 15 participants.
Contact: Anne Powys – Tel: 0722 397 860 – Email: annepowys@gmail.com