BirdLife KZN Midlands (Pmb) - Activities August to December 2010

New outing times from September 2010, as proposed by a number of members and supported by the committee:
November, December, January, February 06h00
March, April, September, October 06h30
May, June, July, August 07h30

Sunday 1^st August - morning outing to Darvill; Leader Gordon Bennett 033 386 5555; Time: 7am

Sunday 8^th August - morning outing to Queen Elizabeth Park; Leader: Mike Spain 033 347 2797; Time: 7am

Thursday 12^th August – evening meeting at Ezemvelo Headquarters in QE Park at 7pm. Mark Anderson, Executive Director of BirdLife South Africa will give a presentation on: “Kimberley’s Pink Gems”.

Sunday 15^th August – day outing to Cumberland Nature Reserve. Meet at the campsite at 7am. The campsite has been booked for Saturday night for those who would like to spend the weekend at Cumberland, and if you would like to stay longer please contact Stella Behn direct on 082 376 5600. Contact Sally by 6^th August on 072 119 4253 or sally@wessa.co.za if you wish to camp (R50pppn, plus day entry R10pp). Leader: David Crampton 082 771 7274

Sunday 5^th September - morning outing to Darvill. Leader Gordon Bennett 033 386 5555; Time: 6.30am

Sunday 12^th September - morning outing to Queen Elizabeth Park. Leader: Mike Spain 033 347 2797; Time: 6.30 am

Sunday 19^th September - morning outing to Botanical Gardens, Pmb. Leader Hugh Bulcock 033 330 3055 (h), 082 373 6569. Meet at the gate to the Gardens at 06h30. You may like to have brunch at the restaurant after the walk, or a picnic in the gardens.

Sunday 3^rd October - morning outing to Darvill; Leader Gordon Bennett 033 386 5555; Time: 6.30am

Sunday 10^th October - morning outing to Queen Elizabeth Park; Leader: Mike Spain 033 347 2797; Time: 6.30am

Sunday 17^th October – Harburg campsite. Leader Colin Summersgill 033 345 3349 (h), 083 782 5113. Camping is available, but we have booked for a day outing only. If you would like to camp please contact Gerald at pvtrust@mweb.co.za or on 082 214 5959.

Sunday 7^th November - morning outing to Darvill; Leader Gordon Bennett 033 386 5555; Time: 6am

Sunday 14^th November - morning outing to Queen Elizabeth Park; Leader: Mike Spain 033 347 2797; Time: 6am

Sunday 21^st November – outing to New Germany Nature Reserve, and Mt Moreland. Phone the leader, Adrian Ogilvie on 033 347 1685 (h) for times and transport arrangements. We will probably meet for a picnic lunch in the reserve and then have a walk, and then go on to Mt Moreland in time to see the barn swallows arrive at the roosting site (bring drinks and snacks).

Sunday 5^th December - end-of-year braai at Bisley Valley. Meet at the gate at Canterbury Stables at 7am for a walk, or else come along at about 11am for the braai. Bring chairs, drinks, food, family and friends. Contact Sally at sally@wessa.co.za or 172 119 4253.

HOWICK BIRDING GROUP – DIARY OF EVENTS – TO NOVEMBER 2010

Howick Birding Group – Wed. July 28 – Morning or all day outing to ‘Weenen Game Reserve’. Meet at Umgeni Valley at 07:00 to arrange transport, or at the Reserve Gate at about 08:30. There is an entrance fee unless you have a Wild Card. Take tea and lunch. Leader – Pam Nicol – 033-330-2947

Howick Birding Group – Thurs. July 29 – Mark Brown will be ringing in the Nicol’s garden. All welcome to come along from about 09:00 to watch and learn. Tea will be provided, and a collection will be taken to cover Mark’s rings etc. Please phone Pam – 033-330-2947 for directions.

Howick Birding Group – Wed. Aug. 18 – Illustrated talk by Peter Divall – ‘A Kenyan Bird Safari.’ Meet at the WESSA Goldfields Education Centre, at 17:30 for registration. Members R10 pp, all Others R15 pp.

Howick Birding Group – Wed. Aug. 25 – Morning outing to ‘Moor Park’ in the Estcourt area. Meet at Umgeni Valley at 06:30 to arrange transport. There is an entrance fee unless you have a Rhino or Wild Card. Take tea. Leader – Eve Hughes – 033-330-2723.

Howick Birding Group – Wed. Sept. 15 – Morning/or day outing to ‘Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve’. Meet at Umgeni Valley at 06:30 to arrange transport, or at the Reserve Gate at about 08:00. There is an entrance fee unless you have a Rhino or Wild Card. Take tea/lunch. Leader – Drummond Densham -033-330-4039.

Howick Birding Group – Wed. Sept. 29 – Illustrated talk by Tony Roberts – ‘Birding at Dunblane in the Little Drakensberg (Newcastle Area)’. Meet at the WESSA Goldfields Education Centre, at 17:30 for registration. Members R10 pp, all Others R15 pp.

Howick Birding Group - Wed. Oct. 20 – Illustrated talk by Alan Manson – ‘Interesting experiences in Atlassing.’ Meet at the WESSA Goldfields Education Centre, at 17:30 for registration. Members R10 pp, all Others R15 pp.

Howick Birding Group - Wed. Oct. 27 – Morning outing to ‘Ben Vie.’ Meet at Umgeni Valley at 06:00 to arrange transport. There is an entrance fee of R20. per head. Take tea. Leader – Pam Nicol – 033-330-2947

Howick Birding Group - Wed. Nov. 17 - Illustrated talk on ‘Owls’ by Martin Taylor. Meet at the WESSA Goldfields Education Centre, at 17:30 for registration. Members R10 pp, all Others R15 pp.

Howick Birding Group - Wed. Nov. 24 - Morning outing to ‘Gilboa Vlei.’ Meet at Umgeni Valley at 06:30 to arrange transport. Take tea. Leader – Eve Hughes - 033-330-2723