More about the project
WESSA Lowveld
The WESSA Lowveld Branch is currently supporting a Bat Hawk Monitoring Project which has both an important education and a conservation value. The seldom-seen, unique Bat Hawk is considered by many birders to be a ‘Lowveld Special’.
For a camera installation at the White River Bat Hawk nest WESSA Lowveld has partnered with Peter Retief (Sweni Tech), Petri Viljoen (Surveyworx) and Dr Garth Batchelor to take part in the Bat Hawk Monitoring Project.
For this purpose a camera system, BathawkCam, was developed and installed.
The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) is a South African environmental organisation which aims to initiate and support high impact environmental and conservation projects to promote participation in caring for the Earth.
WESSA implements environmental, ecotourism, education and youth development programmes throughout South Africa, and activates a wide range of local initiatives for the environment through its membership network. More info: wessa.org.za
BathawkCam
Project initiation and funding
- WESSA Lowveld (project funding)
- Bat Hawk South Africa (project funding)
- Dr Jeremy Anderson (WESSA Lowveld)
- Rael Loon (The Lowveld Institute for Ornithology and Nature Conservation)
Camera system development
Camera monitoring and photo evaluation
Camera installation
- Wimpie Nel (electricty and cable connection)
- Lowveld Mobile Crane Hire
- Rael Loon, Petri Viljoen, Dr Garth Batchelor, Peter Retief
Website
- Web design, maintenance and web sponsorship: Petri Viljoen
- Web content: Rael Loon, Petri Viljoen, Dr Garth Batchelor, Dr Jeremy Anderson, Peter Retief, Roy Sarkin
- Bat Hawk photos: Stewart Matheson
The Bat Hawk Monitoring Project welcomes collaboration with other bird conservation efforts such as BirdLife SA Conservation Department and the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Birds of Prey Monitoring Programme.
Top banner photo: © Petri Viljoen