You should actually ignore those illustrations and rather study the distribution maps. Experienced birders pore over those miniature maps because they’re the key to unlocking the identification of the confusing bird.
How do we know a species occurs in one place and not another? Distribution maps are based on data gathered over many years by keen birders like you and me. Initiatives like the Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP2) have built a large distribution database ( sabap2.birdmap.africa)with the help of volunteers. Every time you head out on a dirt road, you can compile a list of the birds you see – along with the co-ordinates of their locations – and send it in. You can also update the database in real-time by using a smartphone app like Bird-Lasser ( birdlasser. com) – if you have cellphone reception, that is.
Since the start of the SABAP2 project in 2007, more than 17 million entries have been recorded. The international version of this project is known as e-Bird – hundreds of thousands of birders collect 100 million records annually. Algorithms and (more) experts help to make sure no-mistakes creep in.
この記事は go! - South Africa の April/May 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は go! - South Africa の April/May 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
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A river runs through it
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TAKE A HIKE
Harkerville's mini Otter
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A life through binoculars
If the name Hugh Chittenden sounds familiar, it's probably because you see it every time you use your Roberts Bird Guide he's one of the co-authors. He lives in Mtunzini on the KZN coast and birding is as much part of his day as a cup of coffee.
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The Kalahari remembers
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Take a Hike
Hug a baobab in the Bushveld