** STOP PRESS ** With effect from July 2012, this publication will be incorporated into our new e-zine, Conservation Africa – another terrific, informative and beautifully illustrated publication focusing on general wildlife and conservation issues in Africa in addition to birds.  More details will be available soon.

WIN WITH “THE BIRDER” ONLINE! We have a fabulous subscription competition this month for new subscribers (or existing subscribers wishing to give a gift or refer friends, family or collagues). Subscribe and pay before 30 April 2012 and you could stand a chance to win a copy of the fabulous book Guide to Birds of Africa south of the Sahara from Random-Struik Publishers. The winner of our April 2012 book prize is Marie McCrae of Ruimsig, Johannesburg – congratulations, Marie!  We also have a brand-new look and feel and our e-zine is better than before.  Existing subscribers can also apply to enter the giveaway competition.  Just e-mail us to enter.

The Elusive White-bellied Korhaan: The White-bellied Korhaan is a grassland species which has been little studied since it was first described in the 1800s.  Now BirdLife South Africa has engaged a PhD student to study this small, elusive small bustard whose threats include habitat destruction and land-use change.  Read about the latest discoveries on the biology and habits of this threatened species, which may even be a subspecies unique to South Africa.

In A Crowded World – Finding Space for Southern Ground-Hornbills: In January 2011, we brought you the story of how second chicks are rescued from Southern Ground-Hornbill nests and hand-reared to be released into the wild.  This month, we bring you the story of what happens to these chicks when we visit the Mabula Southern Ground-Hornbill Project, which endeavours to find homes and territories for these birds in rural areas, both inside and out of reserves.

Saving Secretarybirds: Secretarybirds are iconic grassland birds, often seen stalking across the veld.  Despite their visibility and large size, they have been little studies and now their numbers are declining both globally and in South Africa, to the point where the bird was recently listed as Vulnerable by BirdLife International and IUCN.  Find out about an exciting new project aimed at finding out just how these big birds use their various grassland habitats as well as how young birds disperse.

What’s in a Name?  More LBJs: Get to grips with LBJs in a different way – by finding out who named all those little brown birds you see in the veld.  Peter Greaves continues with his fabulous series.  This month he looks at another selection of explorers and collectors including Layard, Swynnerton and others.

Plus all our regular features… Birding events including weekends away, bird courses, fund-raisers and more interesting stuff for your diary; book reviews; this month’s threatened species (African Black Oystercatcher) and plenty else. A bumper read for everyone interested in birding and conservation.

Not a subscriber? Note that our e-zine is only available on subscription at a very affordable cost of ZAR100 per year (South Africa) for 12 issues. Note that our e-zine has NO advertising whatsoever and offers a quality, very informative read, delivered directly to your e-mail in-box every month!