Doug joined the ADU in March 1999 as the first full-time CWAC (Co-ordinated Waterbirds Counts) co-ordinator. He also assisted with the co-ordination of BIRP (Birds in Reserves Project) and NERCS (the Nest Record Card Scheme). In January 2004, through project funding from AEWA (African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement), Doug took the post of African Waterbird Ringing Co-ordinator. He is now responsible for setting up waterbird ringing programmes in Africa in order to generate more movement data for waterbirds in the African Eurasian flyway, and co-ordinating waterbird ringing schemes through the establishment of a homologous ringing body in Africa, AFRING.

Qualifications:

• B.Sc. (Zoology & Entomology) 1990
• B.Sc. (Hons.) (Zoology)1991
• M.Sc. (Zoology) 1994

For both his Honours and Masters degrees Doug worked on the conservation biology of the Spotted Ground Thrush in South Africa. His M.Sc. thesis was entitled "Conservation biology of the Spotted Thrush Zoothera guttata guttata in Southern Africa".

Research interests:

Continuing looking into other aspects of the biology of the Spotted Ground Thrush, in particular looking at a revised status and distribution scenario for this species. Specific aspects of interest include looking at overwintering and reproductive success of these birds in the eastern Cape. He is currently the National Spotted Ground Thrush Co-ordinator in South Africa.

Doug has also developed a keen interest in waterbirds since joining the ADU (as the CWAC Project Coordinator in 1999) and is currently registered for a PhD looking at the status, distribution and conservation of waterbirds in the south-western Cape. Most of his work will come from the CWAC, SABAP and SAFRING databases housed at the ADU.

Other interests:

Doug is an active bird ringer and co-ordinates a long-term ringing project at Zandvlei Nature Reserve. to date over 1000 birds have been ringed on a monthly basis since September 1999.