[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]This season, Craig and I have one clear goal: to ring as many European Rollers as possible. Our ambitious target? Forty-three individuals. While it might not sound like a daunting number, catching European Rollers in a short timeframe is anything but easy.
The conditions need to be just right—birds perched within a few meters of the road and at a height of more than three meters. It’s a rare combination, but when the stars align, the process is swift. Once the trap is set, we usually catch the individual within five minutes. Yet, the thrill never diminishes. Holding a bird that has just traveled over 10,000 km is a humbling and awe-inspiring experience.
So far, we’ve successfully caught five individuals this season. Of these, four were first-year birds—barely six or seven months old. It’s incredible to think these young birds have already navigated vast, unfamiliar landscapes to reach South Africa. The only adult we caught had a visible brood patch, indicating it had recently incubated chicks before embarking on its epic journey southward.
These moments remind us of the resilience and mystery of migratory birds. Each capture not only contributes to our understanding of the species but also leaves us in awe of their extraordinary capabilities.
Next month, we’ll shift our trapping efforts to a new area—fingers crossed for a successful round of captures!
Please note: The trapping and ringing of birds is conducted exclusively by trained professionals. Craig has played a key role in several of BirdLife South Africa’s projects, and we are incredibly grateful for his time and dedication. All our efforts are carried out in strict accordance with ethical clearance guidelines[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
