Ernst Retief - July 2007

The SABAP2 (South African Bird Atlas Project 2) has been launched and you can now start submitting data to the project. To do this you will have to familiarise yourself with the SABAP2 protocol which is different from that of SABAP1. However, with a little bit of dedication it will only take you a day or two to get to know the protocol and the software/ forms that will be used to submit your data. Detailed manuals have been written and every effort was made to explain the protocol to you.

Where can you get more information about the manuals? If you have Internet access your first port of call is: http://sabap2.adu.org.za/. Here you will be able to get background information about SABAP2 and will also be able to download all manuals and field data sheets. This is also the place to register as a SABAP2 participant. After doing so you will receive an observer card with your observer number. Your e-mail address will also be added to an e-mail list server that will is dedicated to SABAP2.

To get all the tools you need to obtain a starter kit; please contact the SABAP2 team directly in this regard. The starter kit contains a CD with all the software (SABAP2 Data Management System) and manuals as well as Diva-Gis - a GIS program. You can also order a set of 6 DVDs that contain all the 1:50 000 topographical maps of Southern Africa. You will be able to open these images with any image software that can open TIFF files. If you have these images there will be no need for you to buy maps from the Government Printer's offices, as you had to do with SABAP1.

We also hope to have atlassing training sessions soon - so please keep an eye on BLNG-Alert where we will make the necessary announcements. I will be coordinating the SABAP2 effort in the Northern Region (Gauteng, North-West and Limpopo). If you have any questions please feel free to contact Etienne Marais or myself.

Hope to see you soon on an Atlas outing!