Some things stay on the wish list for far too long. Making BRC’s identification presentations available online has been one of them, and I’m particularly proud that we’ve finally made it happen. Our first presentation, on Montagu’s, Pallid and Hen Harriers, is now out there for everyone to explore.
For years, these presentations have been part of training volunteers in Batumi. Getting that material onto the website means you can now take your time with it at home, whether you’re preparing for a season at the count or simply trying to get to grips with ringtail harriers elsewhere.
I’ve taken care of the design and development, with Marc Heetkamp, Elien Hoekstra, Valentin Cordes and Tohar Tal selecting most of the photographs. The guide combines annotated images, plumage comparisons and quizzes, so you can work through the features and then try your own identifications.
We’ve used photographs from Batumi wherever possible. Finding images that show the right combination of features, at a useful angle and in good light, has been part of the challenge. This first version is still a work in progress, and better photographs and feedback are very welcome.
Open the ringtail harrier identification presentation — preferably on a desktop or laptop, as it isn’t yet optimised for phones.
It feels good to finally be able to share this. I hope it helps a few more birders enjoy the challenge of these birds! You can read more about the launch, including how to contribute photographs, in my announcement on the BRC website.