The Old Diocesan Issue 12 - Magazine - Page 77
YOUNGSTER TO WATCH
can use apps like Bindo, BirdLasser,
eBird, FireFinch and iNaturalist.
There’s a new energy in birding
locally, and some of the young
birders I took on their first outings
are now vetting my sightings on
eBird. Birding apps seem to be
a crucial part of that interest.
“I’ve met young people who are
using iNaturalist to learn how to
identify plants, animals and birds,”
says Adam. “A lot of credit must
also go to Bindo, an app my dad
has been working on. It brings a
social and healthy competitive
element to birding, which we
both enjoy. I have lots of mates
at Stellenbosch who you wouldn’t
think are birders but who are
using Bindo. I think they like the
competitive aspect. They also just
enjoy being outdoors – and seeing
birds is a plus.”
Adam is also an award-winning
photographer. “I’ve used all my
dad’s hand-me-downs – cameras,
lenses – and I’m grateful that
I’ve had good equipment to use.
But I’m also developing my
photography outside of birding.
I love landscape photography, and
I like taking photographs of people.
Maybe I can earn some extra
money as a student doing that…”
Meanwhile, the appeal of birding
has once again united the Buckham
family. “About 18 months ago,
Thomas got back into birding;
he now he joins us on outings.”
I mention seeing Thomas at
the Black-headed Gull twitch
at Strandfontein last year. “Yes,
I missed that one,” says Adam
ruefully, chalking up another
bird that Thomas has over him.
“I was in the Kruger Park with my
girlfriend.” That doesn’t sound like
a bad alternative, at least.
From my perspective, having
spent many years chasing birds
around the country, it’s remarkable
to see the youthful energy that
is invigorating the local birding
community. Young chargers are
finding rarities, and I’m as likely
to find a clutch of 12-year-olds
(and their parents) at Rondevlei
on a Sunday morning as grizzled
veterans. All power to the Bishops
Field and Stream Society and
teachers like Mr Robertson
for supporting this energy.
As for Adam’s current priorities,
he is focused on his degree.
Somewhat mischievously,
I mention the Upland Sandpiper
that ruffled birders’ feathers in
November last year when it was
spotted at Cape Point – only the
third sighting in Africa ever. Would
he bunk lectures at Stellies for
something like that?
“Probably, to be honest. But
I was fortunate to be on holiday
for the Upland, so I did see it.”
Ian-Malcolm
Rijsdijk (1991B)
is a film scholar,
birder and
environmentalist.
He lectures at UCT.
Young chargers are
finding rarities and
invigorating the local
birding community.
Peregrine Falcon.
