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editorial
Birders are frequently lampooned as a bunch of anally retentive ‘anoraks’. I guess one has to acknowledge an element of truth in this, but marketers beware: ignore us at your peril because we travel and we buy lots of expensive stuff.
But don’t take my word for it. Turn to page 52 and read Peter Ryan’s comments on the South African Department of Trade and Industry’s report on the existing and potential contribution that avitourism makes and could make to the country’s economy.

The highlight is the R800-million to R1.5-billion a year spent on avitourism by South Africans and visitors. The study estimated that between 21  000 and 40  000 bird tourists travelled in South Africa in 2009, of whom 60 per cent came from within the country (bear in mind that a tourist is defined as anyone who has travelled more than 40 kilometres from home). And all of this translates into an industry estimated to be worth at least R1-billion per year to South Africa’s gross domestic product.

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cover story

São Tomé and Príncipe

Given their amazing birdlife, stunning scenery and rich history, it is surprising that these two Gulf of Guinea islands have largely been ignored by independent birders. Martim Melo and Peter Ryan discuss how, relative to their size, São Tomé and Príncipe are the islands with the greatest number of endemic birds in the world.

Profiling avitourism in South Africa

Current thinking holds that relative to other forms of ecotourism, birding has the greatest potential to contribute to local communities, educate people about the value of biodiversity, and create incentives for the successful conservation of natural areas. This fast-growing hobby also contributes significantly to the economy of the country.

Birding out of Africa - Colombia

Colombia holds the world record for the number of bird species in one country (1 899) and is considered the most mega-diverse in the world. But just what makes Colombia so special? Adam Riley paid a visit.

The hidden lives of seabirds

Steve Benjamin and photographer Jean Tresfon take to the water during the annual sardine run along South Africa’s east coast and discover the secret lives of Cape Gannets and Cape Cormorants as they struggle for – and steal – food.