South African Birding: Events Diary - 19 February 2024
- Adam Cruickshank
- Feb 19, 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.
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
Saturday, 24th February - 6am
Outing to Mark Weiss’ farm Wiltinside, Ncera road. Meet at Beacon Bay Library at 6am
For more information about BirdLife Border Outings contact Maurice Durrheim: 083 650 9723
BirdLife Eastern Cape
Thursday, 22nd February - 7am
Venue: Tankatara
Meet: 7am at the gate at the entrance to Tankatara. Please contact the leader if you are needing a lift. Cost: R50 per passenger to cover petrol costs
Info Judy Burrows 084 673 1541
Saturday, 24th February - 8am
Venue: The Island - Champagne Breakfast
Meet: 08:00 Lapa at Island Reserve. Do some birding, breakfast from 9:00+
Cost: Bring your valid BLEC Membership card for free entry. R 60.00 per person for the Breakfast
Info Cliff Hopkins Contact: 0827843242
FREE STATE
GAUTENG
WITS Bird Club
Once common across the open savannas and grasslands of South Africa, Secretarybird numbers have declined dramatically over the past two decades. Habitat loss and extreme landscape modifications, collisions with power lines and fences, and a possible decline in prey items are but a few of the reasons that have led to this decline. Join Cassie Carstens, BirdLife South Africa’s Secretarybird Conservation Officer, on a journey across the country following these iconic African birds and learn what conservation and research work is being done to ensure their survival.
Venue: Linden Bowls Club
Bookings: witsbc234@gmail.com
R30 members, R40 non-members inclusive of tea, coffee & snacks. Drinks and meals are available from the Bar.
BirdLife Northern Gauteng
WEEKEND CAMP AT NYLSVLEY (COMBRETUM PARK), 23 TO 26 FEBRUARY (3 nights)
Leader: Christo VenterSelf Catering
The Nylsvley floodplain is more than 70 km long and is one of the largest of its kind in the country. The timing of the seasonal flooding is erratic but when conditions are at it's best, the Nyslvley floodplain attracts a large range of waterbirds, and some tropical species too. Even when dry, the Nyslvley floodplain offers excellent bushveld birding too. Some key species are Slaty Egret, Black Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, Little Bittern, Dwarf Bittern, African Pygmy Goose, Western Marsh-Harrier, Striped Crake, African Rail and so many more.
Accommodation for the 3 nights will be at Combretum Park.
Combretum Park covers over 1300 ha which is divided into two areas of which the camping area is about 400 ha, and the game reserve is about 900 ha. There are chalets and a camping site, communal ablutions and kitchen, a braai area and lapa, as well as a jungle gym and a lovely swimming pool.Directions: Distance: 132 kms, 1 hour 34 minutes (from Fairie Glen Pretoria)Leave Pretoria on the N1 towards Polokwane. At the Kranskop Toll Plaza, take off-ramp on left to Modimolle, At the 1st traffic light, turn right going east over the N1 highway, Drive 2km max, at signpost ‘Boekenhout’ turn left, drive 4 km until Combretum signpost on left. At gate, enter code into keypad, (you have to get out of car to enter pin), gate opens, drive through. Wait for gate to close, follow road to camp site, max 1 km.
Accommodation: Bedrooms with 2x single beds, sharing or single occupant, and camping stands. There are communal ablutions, male/female separate, outside.
Bedrooms (single occupant) – R1,500 pp
Bedrooms (sharing) – R1,270 pp
Camping (tent / caravan) x 1 person – R970 (with electricity)
Camping (tent / caravan) x 2 people – R1,870 (with electricity)
Booking via Google Form https://forms.gle/9fg6bUesBxKmZ1Wg7
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
BeKZN Talks - Wednesday 21February @ 6pm
Venue: Online
Vultures with Linda van den Heever
A talk about vultures and their conservation. Linda works for BirdLife South Africa and heads their species conservation section. This is one of the projects that BeKZN has supported with the proceeds of the BeKZN Calendar – please come and find out more. Linda has done some fascinating work on lead poisoning in vultures and other birds of prey.
Register using the zoom link: You are invited to a Zoom meeting. Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpdOqsqTwtGt1FEyADR5DKW0XcddR9ngmU After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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
BeKZN Walks - Saturday 24 February @ 6am
Inanda Dam Resort hosted by Rob McLennan-Smith
A large dam surrounded by bushveld where you can get birds such as Gorgeous and Olive Bush Shrikes along with Red-faced Mousebirds and Grey Waxbills.
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
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
Thursday, 22 February, 19:30-22:30
Evening Meeting: Wrapping up the 2023 CBC-COCT-BBY. Speakers: Mike Buckham and Cliff Dorse.
Nassau Centre, Groote Schuur High School, 77 Palmyra Road, Newlands, Cape Town
Mike and Cliff will present the final prizes for the 2023 Cape Bird Club/City of Cape Town Birding Big Year. In addition to the prizes, a presentation will be shared as a review of many of the highlights from a great year of birding in the City.
Info Mike Buckham 0834629220 or mikebuckham3@gmail.com
Friday, 23 February, 8:30am-11am
Symphony Way Nature Reserve Bird Count
Symphony Way Nature Reserve, Symphony Way , Delft, Cape Town
Please join us by meeting at the Edith Stepehens Nature Reserve gate at 08h30 on Friday morning. Then we travel to the Symphony Way Nature Reserve up the road.
The Reserve is situated next to the Cape Town Airport, south of the Stellenbosch Arterial Road and the eastern boundary is Symphony Way.
Info Gerhard Bothma 0743200813
Saturday, 24 February, 9am-11am
Paarl Bird Sanctuary CWAC and Monthly Count
Paarl Bird Sanctuary, Drommedaris Road, Paarl
Info Gilbert Reinhardt 0791307876
OTHER
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