Field Ornithology: building capacity for strategic conservation of birds and habitats in Nigeria

As part of our conservation initiative, we organized and executed a field ornithology workshop between 10 -14th September 2018 at the Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Nigeria. This was in conjunction with the A.P Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI), University of Jos, Nigeria and the Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Norway.

Prof. O.O. Komolafe and Dr T.C. Omotoriogun before the workshop opening

Participation and activities

About 70 participants registered and congregated at the Elizade University for the workshop from the different states of the federation. We had delegates from the Federal Ministry of Environment, FCT, Abuja, and several Universities .

Plate 1: Workshop registration team comprising Olanike Aladeyelu, Olatunbosun Arowolo, and Olukayode

Plate 2: A session of the workshop and participants

Delegates were exposed to several aspects of ornithology by seasoned Guest Speakers under the following subthemes: APLORI: building capacity for biodiversity conservation in Nigeria (Prof S.A. Manu), NiBAP: mapping the distribution of birds and promoting public engagement for biodiversity conservation in Nigeria (Dr S.T. Ivande & NiBAP Team),

Plate 3: Dr S.T. Ivande leading a group of participants during the Atlasing at the Elizade University Campus, Ilara-Mokin

conserving habitats for birds ( Dr J.D. Onoja), A journey to understaning the life of birds (Dr T.C. Omotoriogun), Bird migration, palaeartic migrants and tracking devices (Dr S. iwajomo),

Plate 4: A slide from Dr S. Iwajomo's presentation

bird ringing and monitoring, and wildbird song and sound (Dr T.A. Adeyanju), birds' people and tourism (Dr B.A. Agboola), bird census and field techniques (Mr A-A Uwatt),

and potential research areas in ornithology: BSc, MSc and PhD in view (Dr Y. Barshep).

Field session were observed with visits to strategic locations such as the Ilara-Mokin forest and Smokin Hills Golf Resort Arena for bird viewing and ecotourism.

Dr T. Tende leading a group of participants during atlasing at the Smokin Hills Golf Arena, Ilara-Mokin

Interactive sessions

We had interactive sessions where participants' identification skills were tested. Many questions were raised and answered.

The Ondo Bird Club (OBC)

The workshop also officially inaugorated the Ondo Bird Club (OBC) comprising the Elizade University Bird Club (EUBC) and FUTA Bird Club.

Group photograph and memeber of the Ondo Bird Club

Acknowledgments

Many thanks to the Elizade University Management for approval to hold the workshop, and for supporting with vehicle to convey participants to birdviewing locations. We appreciate the Natural History Museum, University of Oslo for financial support, and the A.P Leventis Onithological Research Institute, University of Jos for logistic support. Many thanks to all staff of the Department of Biological Sciences, Elizade University for thier effort during the workshop. Thanks to all invited guest speakers and executive trainers, and to all patrons for advise and supports.