South African Birding: Events Diary - 12 March 2024
- Adam Cruickshank
- Mar 12, 2024
- 1 min read
We have scoured the web to find the best birding events around South Africa. The Events Diary is a free service for Bird Clubs and conservation organizations in South Africa. If you would like to ensure that your events are listed, please send the details to info@thebirdinglife.com. Please make sure to send the events for the week by the preceding Friday to ensure their inclusion.
Please note, we do our best to ensure that information provided is correct. However, we do encourage you to get in touch with the contact person for the event to ensure details are correct.
This events diary is and will always be free, but if you find value in the work we do, we ask you to make a R10 donation to BirdLife South Africa using the link below. We are not in any way affiliated with BirdLife South Africa; however, we believe in the important work they do and encourage you to support them.
EASTERN CAPE
BirdLife Border
Event: Holme Park Outing
Date: 23rd March
Location: Holme Park, Komga Beacon Bay
Meeting Point: Library at 6:00 am
Info: Maurice Durrheim 083 650 9723
BirdLife Eastern Cape
Event: Morning Outing
Date: 14th March (Thursday Morning)
Venue: Geelkrans near Hankey
Meet: 6:00 am at Pick and Pay 4th Ave Newton Park
Cost: R80.00 per passenger to cover petrol costs
Description: Join us for a morning outing to Geelkrans near Hankey led by Barry Kurten. We will meet at 6:00 am at the Pick and Pay 4th Ave Newton Park. Each passenger is required to contribute R80.00 to cover petrol costs.
Info - Barry Kurten 084 779 3448
Event: Morning Outing
Date: 23rd March, (Saturday Morning)
Time: 6:30 am
Venue: Thorneycroft Farm near Nanaga
Meeting Point: Pick and Pay 4th Ave. Newton Park
Cost: R80.00 per passenger to cover petrol costs
Info: Barry Kurten - Contact: 084 779 3448
FREE STATE
BirdLife Free State
Event: "Slow Birding" Outing
Date: Thursday, 21st March
Description: Join us for a leisurely morning outing in the Bloemfontein vicinity. This outing is especially suitable for beginners who wish to learn the tricks of the trade. Visitors are welcome.
Info: Louise Coetzee - 082 382 1341
GAUTENG
BirdLife Inkwazi
Event: Evening Talk on Secretary Birds
Date: March 19th
Time: 7:00 pm for 7:30 pm
Speaker: Cassie Carstens, Secretarybird Conservation Officer, BirdLife South Africa
Venue: Bryanston Country Club
Description: Join us for an evening talk on Secretary Birds by Cassie Carstens, Secretarybird Conservation Officer at BirdLife South Africa. Visitors' fees are R50. Bookings are essential; please RSVP to pennyabbott@mweb.co.za.
BirdLife Northern Gauteng
Event: Magaliesberg Hike (MBT)
Date: Wednesday, March 13
Time: 6:30 am – 11:30 am
Description: Come and hike together in the Magaliesberg from Wonderboom Lapa, behind Wonderboom High School. The route is maintained by "Friends of Magalies". There is a wide variety of hiking trails that can be undertaken, varying in difficulty. The hiking trail starts at Wonderboom Lapa where a stream flows past, attracting a wide variety of birds such as the purple indigobird, lesser honeyguide, greater honeyguide, orange-breasted bushshrike, cinnamon-breasted bunting, violet-backed starling, brown-backed honeybird, black cuckooshrike, shelley's francolin, and many more. Beautiful wild syringa adorn the ridge, creating an ambiance of being miles outside the city. Other species include Flappet Lark, White-throated Robin-chat, Green-winged Pytilia, Red-billed / Jameson Firefinches, various cuckoos, Black / Brown-crowned Tchagra, etc. Watch out for birds of prey and waterfowl flying overhead.
Meeting Time: 6:30 am
Leader: Ilse Muller
SABAP2 Pentad: 2540_2810
Bookings: Please make bookings via the GOOGLE form: Google Form
Directions: Wonderboom Lapa appears on Google Maps, so if entered into Google Maps there should not be any problem with finding the destination. The last section can perhaps feel a little strange, as one has to drive past Hoërskool Wonderboom’s main entrance and then past a boom that is usually open. The road forks, take the right-hand road and drive along the upper boundary of Hoërskool Wonderboom until the road ends at Wonderboom Lapa. Meet at the entrance.
Event: Marievale Bird Sanctuary Outing
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024
Time: Meet at 06:00 am
Leader: Hannes van den Berg
SABAP2 Pentads: 2620_2830; 2615_2830
Bookings: Please make bookings via the GOOGLE form: Google Form
Description: Join us for an outing to Marievale Bird Sanctuary, which falls within the Blesbokspruit wetland and is a special venue for waterbirds. It regularly produces rarities such as Spotted Crake and Slaty Egret. Other specials include African Crake, African Rail, Great Crested Grebe, Greater Painted Snipe, Red Chested Flufftail, and more.
Directions: Take the N1 Rigel off-ramp and travel eastwards on the R50 for 64.5km passing Delmas on the way. Turn right on the R42 to Nigel (no route marker). (This turn-off is approximately 4km past Delmas.) Go on for 31.8km and turn right at the Marievale sign. Meet at the PARKING AREA just inside the main access gate. After some early morning refreshments, the group will depart from here. Total distance is 100km (1½ hours' drive).
Entrance Fee: R25 per vehicle. Adults: R39 & Pensioners: R37
Northern Region Bird Club Forum Event
Birding Basic Course, Presented by Lance Robinson
Venue: Theory 13th April.2024. Time 08h30 for 09h00 to 13h00.
Fiddlewoods Restaurant & Conference Centre, Inside Ryan Nurseries.
Corner Hawley & Kings Road, Bedfordview
Venue: Theory 13th April.2024. Time 08h30 for 09h00 to 13h00.
Fiddlewoods Restaurant & Conference Centre, Inside Ryan Nurseries.
Corner Hawley & Kings Road, Bedfordview
Venue: Practical 14th April, Time, and place to be confirmed
Cost per person: R600.00
Birding Basics Course: If you are keen on learning more about birds and the birding hobby and have always wanted to develop the correct habits of identifying a bird, or perhaps need a refresher, then this Birding Basics Course is just what you have been looking for. The Birding Basics Course will be held over two sessions (approx 90 minutes each) and a practical outing to develop your newly acquired skills will be arranged.
Course content includes: Reviewing the essential tools (binoculars, field guides, and how to navigate them); knowing the parts of a bird and an introduction to plumage patterns, bills/beaks, and the different avian foot structures.
The 7-habits methodology to develop in identifying birds and an overview of the key habitats where one can find different birds.
Bio: Lance Robinson is an enthusiastic observer of nature with a keen interest in birds, butterflies, and dragonflies. He is reading for a Masters in Science and currently works as an avifaunal field specialist and freelance bird guide. He's currently the Honorary President, a former chairman of the Witwatersrand Bird Club, and a past ExCo member of BirdLIfe South Africa. Lance is keen to share his birding passion with others and presents beginner’s bird courses and other birding-related presentations to bird clubs and at the annual BirdLife South Africa African Bird Fair. Lance is an active citizen scientist and an invited part-time lecturer for bird identification and bird ecology for Bushveld Experience Skills and Training (BEST).
Booking: Email: dennis.townsend4@gmail.com Please send proof of payment
Payment details: PLEASE USE FOLLOWING REFERENCE WHEN PAYING (NF Course & Surname)
BirdLife South Africa bank details:
Account Name: BirdLife South Africa
Bank: First National Bank, Randburg
Branch Code: 254005
Account Number: 6206 750 6281
KWAZULU NATAL
BirdLife Ethekwini KZN Events
Event: BEKZN SIT-IN
Date: Thursday, 14th March
Time: 07:30 am
Location: Memorial Park, Kloof
Host: Jenny Norman
Description: Join us for a sit-in at Memorial Park, hosted by Jenny Norman. This park in the Kloof area was donated to the community by two farmers in memory of their sons killed in the 2nd World War. It features a nice reed bed for bishops and weavers and plenty of mature trees. We will sit near the reed bed in the shade of one of the trees and see what wildlife appears. During our last sit-in, we observed a diverse range of species, including African Crowned Eagle, Woolly-necked Stork, Violet-backed Starling, Trumpeter Hornbill, and even a sighting of Red-chested Cuckoo. Register for this activity by joining the WhatsApp group when it is created – it will have a green tick.
Attendance at activities is FREE for paid up club members. Non-members R 50.00 p/p per outdoor activity / webinar. For information activities@bekzn.org
Event: BEKZN DAY-TRIPPING
Date: Saturday, 16th March
Time: 06:30 am
Location: Cumberland Nature Reserve, Pietermaritzburg
Host: Adam Cruickhank
Description: Join us for a day-trip to Cumberland Nature Reserve, hosted by Adam Cruickshank. This private nature reserve near Table Mountain by Pietermaritzburg features beautiful grassland with Acacia trees and a small river gorge. African Finfoot has been frequently spotted in the river, along with Striped Pipits on the cliff and various Bush Shrikes. The reserve can be excellent for raptors. Please note that there is an entry fee payable by cash. Register for this activity by joining the WhatsApp group when it is created – it will have a green tick.
Attendance at activities is FREE for paid up club members. Non-members R 50.00 p/p per outdoor activity / webinar. For information activities@bekzn.orgCruickshank
LIMPOPO
Download the BirdLife Polokwane Newsletter to find out more about their events https://www.birdlifepolokwane.co.za/index.php?action=Newsletters%20View&rid=120
MPUMALANGA
Wakkerstroom Bird Club
NORTH WEST
BirdLife Wesvaal Events
WESTERN CAPE
Cape Bird Club Events
Event: Wildevoëlvlei CWAC Count
Date: March 14
Time: 8:30 am - 11:00 am
Location: Wildevoelvlei, Imhoffs Gift, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Description: Participate in the Wildevoëlvlei CWAC Count, where we will be conducting a waterbird count. This event is free of charge.
Info - Gillian Barnes 021 782 5429
Event: Evening Meeting: 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Cape Bird Club
Date: March 14
Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Nassau Centre, Groote Schuur High School, 77 Palmyra Road, Newlands, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Description: Join us for the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Cape Bird Club. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the Chairman’s Report, review the Financial Statements, and engage in discussions about the club’s activities over the previous year. Tonight's speakers include Mike Buckham, Joy Smith, and young birders from the Mentorship Program.
Info 021 674 2165
Event: Outing – Farewell the Waders at Langebaan Lagoon, West Coast National Park
Date: March 17
Time: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: West Coast National Park, Geelbek Car Park, West Coast National Park, Western Province, South Africa
Description: Join us for a special outing to bid farewell to the waders at Langebaan Lagoon. Led by Mel Tripp, we will meet at 7:15 am at the Geelbek Homestead car park. Remember to bring your Wild Card to avoid paying the entrance fee. Catching the tides at the right time is crucial for optimal viewing of waders at Langebaan Lagoon. We will begin with bush birding on the way to Seeberg Hide before returning to Geelbek by 1:00 pm. Optionally, Abrahamskraal or Tsaarsbank can be explored after lunch. We recommend carpooling and planning for a full day's outing. Don't forget to bring chairs and refreshments.
Info - Mel Tripp 083 461 4365 / trippmel3@gmail.com
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