finch conservation | ornithology | aviculture

The spectacular Gouldian Finch from Australia. Photo Russell Kingston

The Gouldian Finch ( Erythrura gouldiae )  from Australia is arguably one of the most beautiful finch species in the world . For many years the bird has been listed as threatened by BirdLife international and classified as endangered. The good news is that thanks to the great work done by a number of conservation organisations in Australia, which includes the Save the Gouldian Fund founded by Mike and Elizabeth Fidler and academically led by Dr. Sarah Pryke , the bird in 2012 was upgraded in status to Near Threatened.  In a recent quote by Dr Sarah Pryke she had this to say about their remarkable conservation work.

Artificial nest box for gouldians in the wild.Photo. Dr. Sarah Pryke

” Our nest box programme ( in the wild ) which started in 2008, has been incredibly successful  (with addressing the population growth of gouldians in the wild). The gouldians found a resulting population growth of between 130-380%…. we now have well over 2,500 nest boxes installed “

The Rare Finch Conservation Group would publicly like to congratulate all involved in the conservation work done on this spectacular finch species and sincerely hope that their work will continue to grow in a positive momentum.

The Rare Finch Conservation Group is registered in South Africa as a non-profit organisation and currently is trying to find one of the rarest finches in Africa, namely the Shelley’s crimsonwing finch ( Cryptospiza shelleyi ) . Without the generous support of our worldwide donors this work would not be possible. For those finch enthusiasts that would like to  make a donation to the the RFCG they can do so by simply using the convenient and secure  PayPal payment facility below. All donors will be publicly acknowledged on the RFCG website.

SEE – CONSERVE – ENJOY

http://www.rarefinch.org

The Shelley’s Crimsonwing is one of the rarest finches in Africa . It inhabits the same area as the threatened mountain gorillas in Rwanda , Uganda and the DRC. There currently is only one modern day photograph of the bird in the world. Painting by Howard Robinson

The Rare Finch Conservation Group would publically like to thank the following individuals and companies who all made and honoured their pledges to the ALL OR BUST fundraising solo cycle ride from Johannesburg to Cape Town. More than R30,000 was raised thanks to the donors listed below

Adrian Fitchet – www.gofishclientcatchers.com -South Africa

Alex Dicks. Pam Golding Estates – South Africa

Alkin Carbide (PTY )ltd. – South Africa

Anna Oelsen www.freechapter.co.za.- South Africa

Alpha Beta cycles – South Africa

CG Castle Graphics – South Africa

Chad Stuart – South Africa

Colin and Amanda Bannister – South Africa

Dave Smith. DJS Tax consultants – South Africa

Dr. Dylan Dukas – South Africa

Felicity Martin – South Africa

Fine Feathers Bird Club – South Africa

Fred Barnicoat – South Africa

Garun Group Short term Insurance – South Africa

Gouldian Finch Society – South Africa

Henk de Jonge. Ansobirds – South Africa

Ian and Alison Gibbons – South Africa

Ian Wilson. Design in Motion – South Africa

Jan P.Opperman – South Africa

Jeremy Wostenholm – South Africa

Joan Miller – South Africa

K. Martins – South Africa

Lelani Robertson. www.freechapter.co.za – South Africa

Mae Mason – South Africa

Mark Kronenberg – South Africa

M de Bruyn – South Africa

Michelle Horst – South Africa

Mike Pidduck – South Africa

Molkentin family – South Africa

Montecasino Bird Gardens – South Africa

Nell and George Steyn. www.freechapter.co.za.- South Africa

Nicholas Meyjes – South Africa

Nola Hanley – South Africa

Naomi and Dirk Ras – South Africa

N de Bruyn – South Africa

Parkhurst Hardware – South Africa

Plantae Orchids – South Africa

Rand Avicultural Society – South Africa

R. J.Kolberg – South Africa

Robbie Ihlenfeldt – South Africa

Rodney Shehab – South Africa

Russ Gillie – South Africa

Steve Yates – South Africa

Tracetec  www.tarcetec.net – South Africa

Walter Burgess – South Africa

Dr. Wolf Heinz and family – South Africa

The Rare Finch Conservation Group is currently trying to find one of the rarest finches in Africa. Without the generous support of its donors this work would not be possible. For those finch enthusiasts that would still like to  make a donation to the the RFCG they can do so by simply using the convenient and secure  PayPal payment facility below. The Rare Finch Conservation Group is registered in South Africa as a non-profit organisation.

LOOK – CONSERVE – ENJOY

http://www.rarefinch.org

Eelco Meyjes successfully arrives from Johannesburg at his daughters flat in Cape Town after the ALL OR BUST RFCG fundraising cycle ride. photo : Willem Law

After cycling a distance of 1,485 km from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Eelco Meyjes  successfully completed the ALL OR BUST Rare Finch Conservation Group’s ( RFCG ) fundraising cycle ride. An amount of R30,000 was pledged by well wishers towards the ride and its worthy conservation cause. The enduro cycle ride took a total amount of 19 days to complete, which included 2 rest days ( 1 in Kimberley and 1 in Beaufort West ). His average distance covered per day was 87 km and his average speed, with his 30 kg of self supporting spares, nutrition, first aid and riding kit, was 14.8 kph. His solo cycle ride was completed without the aid of a back up support vehicle. Crossing the Great Karoo in South Africa ( an approx distance of 600km ) with midday temperatures of 42c meant that a fair amount of  night cycling had to be done between 1 am and 9 am in the mornings. Even many of the finches seen on route found it difficult to fly in the midday heat.

The RFCG would hereby publicly like to thank Tracetec, who kindly sponsored his on board satelitte tracking system, CG print ( Castle Graphics ) who printed all the promotional material, as well as all the individuals, bird clubs and organisations who kindly made a pledge to the Rare Finch Conservation Group.

The money raised from the ALL OR BUST Johannesburg to Cape Town cycle ride will be used to try and help find one of Africa’s rarest finches . The Shelley’s Crimsonwing ( Cryptospiza shelleyi ). Painting done by Howard Robinson

For those finch enthusiasts that would still like to  make a donation to the the RFCG they can do so by simply using the convenient and secure  PayPal payment facility below . All donors will be publicly acknowledged on the Rare Finch Conservation Group website. The Rare Finch Conservation Group is registered as a non-profit organisation.

Have some fun in the Joburg to Cape Town ALL OR BUST pledge donation fundraising cycle ride ( a distance of 1,500 km )

Starting on 9 Feb. Eelco Meyjes , who is a director of the Rare Finch Conservation Group ( RFCG ) , will attempt to do a solo cycle ride from Johannesburg to Cape Town, a distance of 1,500 km, as part of a novel fundraising initiative. We are pleased to report that a substantial amount has already been pledged to the ALL OR BUST cycle ride, but we always need more . It’s simple and fun to participate . All you need to do is send an e mail to editor@avitalk.co.za, give your name plus contact details and pledge an amount of money . If he makes it to Cape Town you need to honour your pledge and if he doesn’t you owe absolutely nothing ( Please note that no cash will be taken by the cyclist whilst doing the ride. A pledge means that money is not involved until the ride is successfully completed )

An online pledge can be made at any-time during his cycle ride. It is estimated , if he makes it, that it will take him 20 to 24 days to get there . For those readers wanting to know a bit more about the specs of the bike and the ride here goes… he will be riding a 29er MTB with tubeless tires. His kit weighs 30 kg and the bike weighs 12 kg. Everyday he starts off with 5 litres of water on the bike. He will try and average about 80 km a day. He will stay in B+B’s and guest farms wherever possible. Thanks to Tracetec, who have kindly sponsored his satelitte tracking system, you will be able to follow his progress each day live on http://www.tracetec.net

The money raised from the ALL OR BUST Johannesburg to Cape Town cycle ride will be used to try and help find one of the rarest finches in Africa . The Shelley’s Crimsonwing ( Cryptospiza shelleyi ). Painting done by Howard Robinson

If his epic fundraising cycle ride from Johannesburg to Cape Town is a success then pledge donors will be able to honour their pledges by simply using the convenient and secure  PayPal payment facility below . All donors will be publicly acknowledged on the Rare Finch Conservation Group website. The Rare Finch Conservation Group is registered as a non-profit organisation.

Eelco Meyjes will attempt to do a 1,500 km Johannesburg to Cape Town fundraising cycle ride

Raising conservation money for threatened and visibly impressive Mountain Gorilla’s, wild dog’s, Panda bears and tigers etc.  is never an easy task. Raising money to try and find one of Africa’s rarest finches ( which is hardly visible ) is even more difficult. The truth is, as many of us know, birds often act as keystone indicators. And as per the recommendation of BirdLife International,  work needs to be done on trying to find out why the threatened and elusive Shelley’s crimsonwing finch ( Crytospiza shelleyi ) has become so rare. The Rare Finch Conservation Group ( RFCG ) has now been in existence for 7 years. And thanks to some valuable donations and sponsorships received from our supporters around the world, we have completed 2 important field studies in the Bwindi Impenetrable forest in Uganda in central Africa. We are currently trying to raise funds to conduct our third field study ( Target 30,000 USD is needed to conduct a 12 month study )

2012 was an important year for the RFCG because we introduced the concept of EcoTours for finch enthusiasts, as another way, to help raise much needed additional funding. The good news is that based on the success of the first tour more of these tours will take place over the next 24 months. ( Visit our RFCG EcoTours category on this blog for more info )

The money raised from the ALL OR BUST Johannesburg to Cape Town cycle ride will be used to try and help find one of Africa’s rarest finches . The Shelley’s Crimsonwing ( Cryptospiza shelleyi ). Painting done by Howard Robinson

NOW FOR SOME FUN and a novel way to hopefully raise more financial support . On 9 February Eelco Meyjes , who is 63 years old and a director of the Rare Finch Conservation Group ( RFCG ), will attempt to do a solo cycle ride from Johannesburg to Cape Town (a distance of 1,500km)  The All OR BUST pledge donation to the RFCG is simple and fun. If he makes it then pledge donors will be expected to honour their pledge and if he doesn’t you will owe nothing. You will be able to track his progress on line on the TRACETEC website www.tracetec.net , who have kindly sponsored his satellite tracking system. Hopefully it will take Eelco Meyjes approximately 20 to 24 days to do the distance. You can make a pledge, no matter how big or small, to editor@avitalk.co.za. The RFCG will simply require your name, the amount of your pledge and your contact details. ( Because of the PayPal payment facility the amount must please be reflected in US dollar currency )

If the epic fundraising cycle ride from Johannesburg to Cape Town is a success then pledge donors will be able to honour their pledges by simply using the convenient and secure  PayPal payment facility below . All donors will be publicly acknowledged on the Rare Finch Conservation Group website. The Rare Finch Conservation Group is registered as a non-profit organisation.