A day at the museum with DAWIE DE SWARDT

Anyone who is in the habit of reading ornithological literature is likely to link the name Dawie de Swardt with species such as Gurney’s Sugarbird, African Rock Pipit and Karoo and Drakensberg prinias, all of which he’s studied in depth and written about

- ALAN LEE

Being an ornithologist literally in the middle of the country, with a museum at his disposal, he is very well connected to all the other established ornithologists in South Africa, and his field of influence extends overseas too. A crown for Dawie’s nearly 35 years at the National Museum in Bloemfontein is that he will write the Gurney’s Sugarbird and African Rock Pipit texts for the new, online edition of Roberts 8 that will be uploaded to the Birds of the World platform.

This also isn’t the first time Dawie has featured in a media article. One of the first things he showed me at his home were features about him in Huisgenoot magazine and Die Volksblad newspaper. These articles showcase his ringing and public engagement, and he is certainly well known in the Afrikaans community.

I had the privilege of spending a day with Dawie, who kindly hosted me at his home in Bloemfontein. Our ‘day’ consisted of atlasing and counting birds on his favourite route, between Jagersfontein and Tierpoort Dam, as well as a tour of the National Museum.