343 | Bookmark promotes Bird of the Year

CONSERVATION

The House Sparrow is Namibia's Bird of the Year 2015. Though it is widespread in the world and abundant, its numbers have declined in many areas, especially in cities. This situation should alert us because in many areas the House Sparrow is strongly associated with human habitations.

Taking into consideration how fast cities in Namibia are growing (article #310), BirdsConTour acts in advance to prevent a decrease in the Namibian House Sparrow population.

In order to promote the House Sparrow as Bird of the Year, BirdsConTour hands out a bookmark, designed by beeline design, showing all birds of the year since starting with this project in 2013. The reverse side of the bookmark explains a lucky draw, how anyone can participate, when the draw takes place and what the prize is.

341 | Krumhuk Farm - healthy & fresh in all aspects of life

WELFARE, CONSERVATION & TOURISM

Farm Krumhuk is a farming operation which deals with social, conservation and tourism projects. 

The self-sufficiency outlet supplies the staff and families with healthy food and lets the guests and visitors marvel at the appetisingly fresh food on the table.

The Farm Krumhuk was awarded with a BirdsConTour top three penguin-rated Welfare, Conservation & Tourism Support 2015 Award for their exemplarily input.

340 | Kalahari Farmhouse - farmhouse charm

WELFARE, CONSERVATION & TOURISM

Discover this lush green oasis in the arid Kalahari.

This secret and bird-friendly garden offers unique bird watching.

An artesian well gives rise to the adjacent Self-Sufficiency Centre (SSC) that can be visited. This Gondwana SSC not only creates job opportunity but lets guests of all Gondwana accommodation establishments marvel at the mouth-wateringly fresh salads, dairy and meat products.

This intimate lodge was honored with a BirdsConTour top three penguin-rated Welfare, Conservation & Tourism Support 2015 Award.

375 | Camp Chobe - don't just dream ...

WELFARE, CONSERVATION & TOURISM

Camp Chobe in Namibia, occupies a very privileged position at the border of Botswana. It is a marvelous way to discover this waterlogged and fauna-rich region.

BirdsConTour rewarded Camp Chobe with a three penguin-rated Welfare, Conservation & Tourism Support 2015 Award.

BirdsConTour reports in article 323.

339 | Cañon Roadhouse - nostalgic adventure

CONSERVATION & TOURISMUS

 

Just a short drive from the Fish River Canyon, the nostalgic Cañon Roadhouse is nestled in the Gondwana Cañon Park, providing superb game viewing.

For having conservation aspects in place and practicing responsible tourism the roadhouse earns a BirdsConTour two penguin-rated Conservation & Tourism Support 2015 Award.

386 | Congratulation to our prizewinner - Ethan Kruger

WELFARE & CONSERVATION

Namibia's bird of the year - the House Sparrow.

BirdsConTour ran a successful Bird of the Year 2015 competition from January to June 2015. BirdsConTour reported in article 310 and 343. 

In order to promote the House Sparrow as Namibia's bird of the year, BirdsConTour handed out bookmarks, generously designed by Birgit Leicher from beeline design. 

During a visit to the Delta Kindergarten BirdsConTour read the interested children a children's book that writes about the bird of the year. 

After that, the children painted the House Sparrow and thereafter a nesting box for the House Sparrow, constructed out of scrap by BirdsConTour, was placed in the garden.

Many people from around the world participated in the contest. Especially children had lots of fun showing their talents drawing Namibia's bird of the year. 

The lucky draw gave anyone who handed in an own photo of the House Sparrow (drawn or photographed) the chance to win the book Gardening for birds, planting and projects to entice birds to your garden written by Tracey Hawthorne and illustrated by Verné.

On June 5 the draw was held and the number 3 has been pulled. Number 3 is the drawing by Ethan Kruger.

Prizewinner Ethan Kruger with his excellent drawing and his prize.

Ethan is an avid birder and looks forward to attract even more birds to his family's garden under the instructions of his new won book.

338 | Klein Aus Vista - experience Aus and surrounding at its best

WELFARE, CONSERVATION & TOURISM

Wild horses

Privately owned Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park

Annual Social Event: Klein Aus Vista MTB Challenge

The perfect spot from which to explore beautiful surroundings and attractions such as the Garub Wild Horses, the Aus Mountains by foot or mountainbike, the old diamond mining town of Kolmannskuppe and Lüderitz and discover the privately owned 51 000 ha Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park.

Furthermore the lodge Klein Aus Vista supports the community of Aus through various projects.

Klein Aus Vista proudly welcomes the top three penguin-rated Welfare, Conservation & Tourism Support 2015 Award from BirdsConTour.

337 | Little Sossus Lodge - True African Hospitality

CONSERVATION & TOURISM

Little Sossus Lodge, strategically located nearby Sossusvlei, where you can witness stunning sunsets and breathtaking star gazing. 

A waterhole and a thoughtful constructed bird-friendly garden attracts an unbelievable richness of wild bird species, simultaneously providing unique opportunities for close observations.

BirdsConTour awarded Little Sossus Lodge with a two penguin-rated Conservation & Tourism Support 2015 Award.