R.F.C.G. News

Crimsonwing project update August 2007:

What started as a pipe-dream a year ago is now fast becoming reality. The RFCG crimsonwing research project is about to kick off as our team prepares to head deep into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south-western Uganda for the initial scoping work. Park permits have been arranged and once a few more logistics issues have been sorted out and equipment/supplies purchased the show will be on the road.

“Indeed it's exciting that it's time for field action now. For the first one and a half months we'll be trying out the methods and establishing the transects for the research.” says our researcher Andrew Ocama, who is completing his MSc at the Makerere University Institute of Environment and Natural Resources in Kampala.

RFCG member Simon Espley will spend time in Bwindi with Andrew and his team later this year and hopes to catch a glimpse of that ever-elusive Shelleys crimsonwing. He will also travel to the remote Mgahinga National Park to search for crimsonwings and other endemic forest birds.

Finch fanatics around the world have been very kind and donations have been coming in slowly but surely. We are confident that more funds will be provided in the next few weeks and request all interested people to contact us to support this worthwhile project.