These days, visitors to the African wilderness areas want to do more than simply spot the large game. Birding as a hobby has become popular and EcoTraining's courses have been designed to broaden and enrich your knowledge and skills by educating you about the fascinating world of birds and the interdependent relationships between them and other life forms.

Birding in this area is unsurpassed all year round, with many South African ‘specials’ being found here, such as Black-throated Wattle-eye, Racket-tailed Roller, Three Banded Courser, Bohm’s and Mottled Spinetails, Lemon-breasted Canary and Pel’s Fishing Owl. The wonderful diversity of habitats lends itself to a staggering 400 species of birds found here.

This Training Course (FGASA Accredited) has been designed to provide sufficient specialist information and training for any individual wishing to boost their bird knowledge or undertake any formal birding qualifications. Previous students who have joined the course to prepare for their Special Knowledge and Skills Birding examination have all indicated to us, that their success in their exam was due to the knowledge gained whilst attending the course. Courses incorporate theoretical lectures on different aspects of birds and birding as well as early morning and afternoon/evening practical birding excursions.

Students are provided with a Lawson’s Training Manual, which contains detailed information on all the lecture theory subjects covered by electronic media. We do recommend participants bring notepad/book/pens to take further notes, your own bird field guide (various bird books are provided for use during the course) and most importantly good binoculars

Major Theory Subjects

Evolution, Anatomy and Physiology, Zoogeography, Habitats & Environments, Bird Behaviours (Breeding, Chick Development, Feeding, Mating etc), Migration, Ethics/Conservation and Bird Identification.

Practical Field Sessions

The practical sessions in the field will assist you in knowing what to look for to successfully identify birds, also to point out the differences between certain 'difficult' species.  Both sight id and call id is discussed during the practical sessions.
The practical sessions, will be either walking or in an open game drive vehicle or a combination of both.

Course Assessments

The course includes both a Bird Slide and Bird Call Identification assessments along with a Theory test on the final full day. 75% pass mark on both assessments and the Theory is required to pass the course. We are confident that any person attending our course will leave us more enriched and with greater confidence in being able to pass on the wonders and beauty of the South African birdlife to your clients or friends and family.

Certification and Accreditation

The course participants receive a Lawsons "Certificate of participation"and those succesfully passing both assessments (Slide and calls) will receive a Lawson's "Certificate of Competency".

Head Instructor – Bruce Lawson

Bruce Lawson is a fully qualified (FGASA, SKS Birding and Dangerous Game, Level 3 Tracker) Specialist Wilderness Guide and Trainer.  Bruce has been leading bird tours throughout Africa for the past 18 years and has a deep love and understanding for all wilderness areas.Where we utilize a second trainer, that person will also be a qualified SKS or Specialist Birding Guide.

Duration: 7 days, 6 nights
Cost: Contact Us
Venue: Kruger Park Makuleke Camp

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