A stalwart in the bird ringing business
Quentin Hagens (47) is passionate about birds and bird ringing.
POLOKWANE – There are only 150 active bird ringers in South Africa and watching Magoebaskloof bird ringer, Quentin Hagens (47), it’s no wonder as it is meticulous work that has to be done speedily. Quentin is passionate about birds and bird ringing. He is the only qualified bird ringer in the Kloof area, with three bird ringers in Polokwane.
This entails keeping notes plus setting up fine nets called mist nets. Quentin erects them in the shade, preferably with a dark-leafed tree behind, so that the birds don’t see the net, fly into it and get caught. The mist nets have pockets and it’s into these pockets that the birds fall. He never puts the mist net in the same spot as birds get wise to it.
Quentin gently lifts the bird out of the pocket and deposits it in a bag made of very soft material with seams so tight that the bird can’t hook itself. He knots the top of the bag to prevent the bird from opening the bag and escaping. He checks the nets every 15 minutes on a hot day, and every half hour on a cool day. He never rings in wet weather as it’s simply too cold for the birds.
Holding the bird in a specific but gentle manner, he identifies the bird before putting on the ring which is either made of aluminium or stainless steel. In order to attach the ring he measures the thickest part of the leg to see which size ring is correct. The smallest ring is 1.8 mm. Only qualified bird ringers can buy the rings and ringing equipment from the only supplier – Animal Demography Unit (ADU).
Quentin explains that the plumage of young and old birds differs. There are little signs to indicate age. With some birds one can’t tell the sex. Some have different colouring or size to determine sex. Bird ringers weigh the birds. The tail length is measured from below. The length is never measured on top because the preening gland is on top. This gland is sensitive and supplies oil to help preen and protect feathers. Culmen is the beak length and this, among other factors, determines the species. Quentin measures the head length and all this is done in three minutes. Speed is of the essence for minimal trauma to the birds. Some species, like bush shrikes, stress more than others. That is why Quentin rings birds that stress easily first.
Quentin was interested in birds as a young child. His enthusiasm was further fuelled by his uncle, Clive Walker, who started EWT (Endangered Wildlife Trust).
Quentin was born in Johannesburg, grew up in Windhoek, Namibia and matriculated in Kimberley. He studied nature conservation at Pretoria Technikon with special interest in birds and small mammals. There he became a research technician and that fired his interest in ringing birds. Quentin got involved in bird ringing 17 years ago.
His two-year training consisted of ringing 500 birds and 50 species. He renews his bird ringing permit annually and each province has another permit as bird ringing is classed as a form of hunting.
He and his wife bought their 21 hectare Magoebaskloof farm five years ago. Alien vegetation and avocados grow there. However, going back in history, he found photographs of his farm when it was just forest and grassland. He intends rehabilitating the farm and this will hopefully bring back the original bird and mammal life.
