Ugandan shines on global birding stage

Twenty three-year-old bird guide Arshley Brian Baboineki emerged second best among 78 participating nations at the Intercontinental Birding Competition for Youths in Singapore yesterday.

The two-week long competition targeting ages 17- 26 was organised by the Singapore Tourism Board and conducted from three birding areas of Jurong Bird Park,  Sungei Buloh and West Coast Park.

Rodriguez from Costa Rica was declared winner,  Kilmumani from Papua Guinea in third position, participants from Ecuador and Russia took the 4th and 5th slots, respectively.  

Baboineki bagged a silver medal, trophy, field guide book of birds of Singapore and cash prize of $1,742.  

"My heart kept pounding because the competition was so tight and everyone seemed worthy of a medal. Upon mentioning my name,  tears rolled down my cheeks and my mind flashed back home," said the ecstatic  Baboineki in a telephone interview. He is grateful to Samuel James Ferguson of The Sustainable Birding Company for sponsoring his trip.  

The global contest which attracted 10 African countries such as Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Liberia, and Madagascar focused on birds family identification around the world,  continental birds,  Aviary terms,  assessment on migratory birds,  bird quiz and presentation on aviary.