Burchell’s Courser, New Holme, 6/09/2023

 

On a New Holme ringing course we caught one of a pair of Burchell’s Coursers  in the karoo veld on the farm. I had placed a spring trap near a termite mound to try and catch larks. I walked about 150m towards the coursers (knowing that they would fly away) but to place another lark trap. Amazingly, the pair flew towards the first spring trap and landed very near to it. As I watched, one courser saw the mealworm, walked to it and was caught! (Two larks were caught in spring traps later.)

Fact sheet:
Number ringed to date (SAFRING): 37 [1948-2024]
Longevities: n/a in SAFRING
Trip report: trip
Reason special: very few ringed with SAFRING rings, ringing lifer

Dieter
Dieter is a qualified Bird Ringer and trainer, registered bird guide, and Weaver expert. Dieter is able to act as a bird guide for day trips in Cape Town, and is able to customise birds tours in South Africa and beyond.