Lawson's Birding Academy
Specialist Birding Courses, all having FGASA accreditation and designed to increase your birding interests and awareness, improve your bird identification skills as well as general knowledge on birds and their behaviour.
We are confident that any person attending our course will leave us more enriched and with greater confidence in being able to pass on the wonders and beauty of the South African birdlife to friends, family and clients.
 What the Academy offers:
- Advanced 6 night / 7 day Birding Training Course in the EcoTraining Pafuri Camp in the far north of the Kruger National Park, in the Makuleke concession.
- Tailored In-house specialist bird training for Lodges, incorporating either our Advanced or an Intermediate Training structures.
- All training is undertaken by a qualified and specialist trainer and courses are FGASA Accredited
Bruce and Dee Lawson realised that there is a need for a professional birding course that could be adapted to train a wide spectrum of people interested in birding.
This Training Academy is aimed at that wide range of people who have an interest in birds, from the casual birder, to the professional who relies on their birding skills as a source of income.
Advanced Birding Courses:
 Our 6 night/7 day Advanced Birding Course has been designed to provide sufficient information and training for an individual to write the SKS Birding qualification with confidence, as well as being equally applicable for persons wanting to simply increase and improve their birding knowledge.
Courses incorporate theory sessions, incorporating use of electronic media. These sessions are undertaken after returning from the morning practical walk/drive and breakfast and then again after a midday break and prior to the afternoon practical walk/drive.
Major Theory Subjects Included:
Evolution, Anatomy and Physiology, Zoogeography, Habitats & Environments, Bird Behaviours (Breeding, Chick Development, Feeding, Mating etc), Migration, Ethics/Conservation and Bird Identification.
The practical bird identification sessions in the field, are of early morning and late afternoon drive/walks. Evenings can often include informal bird games and bird calls, interesting bird DVD's, which we have found to be enjoyed by all, as it allows each participant to test their skills learnt in an informal and fun manner. However, sitting around the camp fire, enjoying the conversation and company is also a wonderful way to spend the evening.
 An extensive Training Manual is provided, however we recommend participants bring notepad/book/pens to take further notes. Your own bird field guide (various bird books are provided for use during the course) and most importantly good quality binoculars are a necessity
The course includes 2 Assessments on the last full day, made up of a Bird Slide Identification and a Bird Call Identification Assessment. A written assignment handed out during the course is required to be completed, however, this is an 'open book style and is to be returned to Lawson's Birding Academy upon completion, for marking.
All course participants receive a 'Certificate of Participation' and those successfully passing all three assignments will receive a 'Certificate of Competency'.
Any guide who is keen to progress his/her skills and knowledge, to add another dimension to their existing guiding prowess, should not hesitate in attending one of these courses.
Clients will enjoy your ability to interpret the birds seen and heard on drives and walks.
Training Venue - EcoTraining Pafuri Camp in the Makuleke Concession in Northern Kruger
 Course Dates
4 - 10 March 2009
18 - 24 November 2009
9 - 15 December 2009
Course Prices
Please contact the Lawson's Birding and Wildlife Tours office for course prices.
Note: Discount will be offered on group bookings.
These courses are filling fast, so please don't delay in booking.
To book, please contact the email address below and further details and application forms can be emailed.
 In-House Lodge Training can be tailor designed to suit the requirements of the individual lodges. The training structures can be based on our advanced or intermediate level or a combination of both.
This is a cost effective method to provide ongoing training for your guides and is undertaken by Bruce Lawson or another of our qualified trainers.
Our Intermediate curriculum has been designed to cater for those not yet ready to undertake their SKS Birding qualification but have a need to improve their birding identification knowledge to enhance their guiding or personal skills.
Whilst this course still entails theory content, the emphasis is on the practical bird identification in the field. It has been designed to be incorporated into the in-house training that is offered to Lodges.
Contact Details for Enquiries and Bookings
Email: info@lawsons.co.za
Telephone: 013 741 2458
Fax: 013 741 3689
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