Avian Demography Unit
Department of Statistical Sciences
University of Cape Town 		ADU home     UCT Home page
Home Page

Background

Species Profile

Field Work

Volunteer Forms

Student Profile

Swift Tern Project
Sterna bergii

Janine le Roux


Photo: H.D.Oschadleus

One can only describe a Swift Tern as graceful, beautiful (and pretty noisy at their breeding ground!). I am very privledged to be able to do research on these amazing seabirds and really feel that this project will uncover some interesting facts about the distribution and movement patterns of these birds.
But I can't do this without the help of volunteers!
Volunteers are going to be essential to making this project work and should be prepared to do the following things:

  • Take a weekly trip to your local Swift Tern roosting site.
  • Count the number of adult and juveniles Swift Terns present.
  • Check all Swift Terns legs for colour bands

A telescope would be handy, to be able to read engraving on the red colour bands (But please don't despair, if you don't have a telescope, binoculars will do and reporting just the band colours is also important.)
For more information on the details that need to be collected, have a look at the Volunteer Form I will also keep the Field Work page udated, so that everyone can see what progress we are making.

So for all those keen 'Sea-birders' out there, please keep a watch for these birds.

And a big THANK YOU to all those of you who have already volunteered.


Photo: H.D. Oschadleus. One of the Swift Tern nestlings photographed at Robben Island on 3 May 2002.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the following, who have made this project possible:

  • Avian Demography Unit, UCT
  • Marine and Coastal Management
  • Robben Island Museum
  • Koeberg Nuclear Power Station
  • All the Volunteers


Photo: H.D. Oschadleus

If anyone wants to contact me for further information about this project please e-mail Janine le Roux at the ADU.

Back   ADU Home page
Office Avian Demography Unit
Enquiries/More Information: adu-info@uct.ac.za
Last updated 23 May 2002