Live Learn Love: Radical Raptors round 2

A return trip to Radical Raptors yielded a lifer for me, a Black-chested Snake Eagle. Dennis had been rehabilitating this bird, which was almost ready for release, and asked Mark to come and ring it. Mark was kind enough to share the love and so one morning Mark, Cindy, Shane and I headed to Radical Raptors to ring the bird. Shane had the honour of ringing the juvenile bird as Mark has already ringed one of this species. A relatively swift and simple ringing and series of measurements, albeit with some blood drawn – bird 1 human 0, and the deed was done. Mark and Cindy headed off to work and Shane and I spent some time looking at the birds and chatting to Dennis. A special treat was to see BJ, the Cape Vulture, having his breakfast. Since being in captivity, and specifically being fed by Dennis, he has developed a tendency to beg, like a little baby bird! It is a most curious thing to see this big bird tuck his long neck back into his body, spread his wings and flutter them around while making croaking noises. And how he runs, a skipping hop which entertained me no end! A ringing job well done was rewarded with coffee and a chocolate brownie at the local café next to radical raptors, ah yeah!