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The Citizen
08-07-2025
- Science
- The Citizen
PhD ecologist shares bird insights in Phalaborwa
LIMPOPO – With a bird book in hand before he could even speak, Dr Rion Lerm's journey from curious infant to internationally respected bird ecologist is as remarkable as the wildlife he studies. On Friday, June 6, that journey came full circle as he returned to the region where it all began, delivering an inspiring and insightful presentation at the Phalaborwa Conservation evenings held at the Coffee Lounge. The event, hosted by the Phalaborwa Natural Heritage Foundation in collaboration with the SA Hunters and Game Conservation Association, Mopani branch, drew a crowd of conservationists and nature lovers eager to learn from one of South Africa's leading voices in avian ecology. Lerm, a technician and ecologist with the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, captivated the audience with his lifelong journey through the world of birds, a passion that began before he could even walk. His story took flight in the early 1990s during family visits to the Kruger National Park, where, at just nine months old, a bird field guide was placed in his tiny hands. While others admired lions and elephants, young Lerm, nicknamed 'Tokka' by family, was mesmerised by the feathered inhabitants of the bushveld. This early spark ignited a deep and enduring love for birds, leading him to outshine seasoned birders at identification courses during his school years, and even portray his winged subjects through watercolour paintings. His skills earned him recognition among seasoned ornithologists. As his academic journey unfolded, so did his scientific curiosity. Lerm's BTech Honours degree at Tshwane University of Technology introduced him to ecological research, focussing on bird communities along elevation gradients in the Lebombo mountains bordering South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique. A formative gap year followed, where he worked alongside leading international ecologists to investigate bird physiology and behaviour. His master's research took him into the vast semi-arid landscapes of the Kalahari, where he explored how land-use changes affect bird diversity. This year, Lerm earned his PhD through the University of KwaZulu-Natal, producing critical research on bird diversity in and around the Kruger National Park, including how birds respond to environmental extremes such as drought and seasonal shifts. These findings, which offer valuable insights for Sanparks and savanna conservation efforts across the continent, have gained widespread attention in both academic and public platforms. His work underscores the importance of birds as indicators of environmental change and the need for adaptive management in protected areas. Lerm emphasised the growing role of technology in ecological research and called on citizens to contribute to scientific knowledge through platforms like the South African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP2), African Bird Atlas Project (ABAP), eBird, and iNaturalist. 'I am looking forward to continuing my ecological work, focusing not only on birds but also on other biota, using emerging technologies and software developments to better understand and protect our natural world,' said Lerm. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
23-04-2025
- Science
- The Citizen
Salt Rock twitcher turns birding into a high-tech adventure
Luke Allen caught the birdwatching bug at the age of six, going on game drives with his bird-loving grandparents. His parents and siblings, however, do not share his love of birding. Over time, the 32-year-old has become known as a 'rarity twitcher' – chasing sightings of rare and difficult-to-find birds to all corners of the country. Despite being thought of as an older generation pastime, Allen says birding is growing in popularity with 'youngsters' because technology is making it easier to spot birds, which makes the pursuit less time-consuming for the modern birder. 'I think new technology is changing the way people birdwatch. Birders can now record their sightings on apps and databases that help us better understand the movements of species,' he said. 'Technology has brought a whole new element to birding that is more enticing to the younger generation. Platforms like the South African Rare Bird Alert on the eBird app are up-to-date and user-friendly. The app allows birders to be quickly alerted to rare birds seen in their area.' Allen lives in Dunkirk Estate in Salt Rock and is currently studying Sustainable Development and Environmental Studies at Stellenbosch University. He hopes to work within the environmental impact assessment industry and on conservation projects. The expert twitcher believes new technologies are further improving conservation. 'These new platforms and apps ultimately contribute to citizen science projects, such as the South African Bird Atlas Project. This project aims to map the distribution and abundance of birds in southern Africa.' Allen's favourite place to spot birds is the Mkuze Game Reserve, where you can sometimes see more than 200 species in a day. On the North Coast, however, he can be found in Dunkirk and Zimbali Estate searching for the spotted ground thrush – one of the rarest birds on the North Coast and among the hardest to spot. 'Unlike most estates, the rare spotted ground thrush is more accessible because Dunkirk has a smaller area and forest for the bird to hide. Zimbali has more of them because it is more than four times the size, although the large forest makes spotting the thrush harder.' Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
