BIRDLIFE KZN MIDLANDS – EVENINGS AND OUTINGS TO FEBRUARY 2012

Howick evening meetings are held at WESSA in their Goldfields Education Centre on the 3^rd Wed of the month, registration from 17:30 for 18:00. 

Pietermaritzburg evening meetings are held at the Zoology Lecture Theatre, John Bews Building, Life Science Campus, end of Carbis Road at 19:00.

Costs: BirdLife Members R10 pp. Non-members R15 pp.

November

Sun 6 Morning outing to ‘Darvill’ at 06:30. Leader Gordon Bennett 033 386 5555

PMB Thu 10 Illustrated talk by Brent Coverdale on ‘Confessions of an amateur twitcher - Balancing a professional conservation career and your hobby’

Sat 12 Morning outing to the ‘Perry’s Protea Farm’ in the Dargle. Meet at 06:30 at Umgeni Valley to arrange transport.  Leader Pam Nicol 033 330 2947

Sun 13 Morning outing to ‘Queen Elizabeth Park’ at 06:30. Leader Mike Spain 033 347 2797

Howick Wed 16 Illustrated talk by Ben and Shannon Hoffman on a topic to be announced.

Sun 20 Morning or day outing to ‘Bay Head’ and the ‘Umgeni Mouth’ in Durban.  For times and meeting point please phone the leader Gordon Bennett 033 867 5555    

Sat 26 Birding Big Day Get involved and support BirdLife SA and your Club by raising sponsorship by participating in a Garden Survey, Atlas work, or just a local trip to see how many birds you can spot in a day!

Wed 30 Day outing to ‘Dalton Private Reserve’ upstream from Wagondrift Dam, it is 2472 hectares in extent with 14 km of Bushmen’s River frontage.  Meet at Umgeni Valley at 06:30 to arrange transport. Cost of R20 pp for Education purposes, payable to the leader, Eve Hughes 033 330 2723

December

Sat 3 The Club will be having their Christmas outing and braai at the Hilton College Lapa.  We will be birding in the morning and then return to the Lapa for the braai. Please bring all your own food, drinks and chairs. Meet at the gate of the College at 07:00 if you want to take part in the birding, or arrive later for the braai. Cost of R20 pp (for the use of the Lapa) payable to the leader, Drummond Densham 033 330 4039

January

Sun 8 Morning outing to Darvil at 06h00. Leader Gordon Bennett 033 386 5555

Sun 15 Morning outing to Bisley Valley at 06h00. Leader Mike Spain 033 347 2797

Howick Wed 18 Evening meeting at WESSA - Illustrated talk by Brent Coverdale – ‘Confessions of an Amateur Twitcher – Balancing a professional conservation career and your hobby’

Sun  22 Morning outing to Shongweni Dam at 06h30. Leader to be announced.  Contact Pam Nicol 033 330 2947 or Eve Hughes 033 330 2723

Wed 25 Morning outing to Eston Sugar Mill Dams. Meet at Umgeni Valley at 07h00 to arrange transport, or at the Mill entrance at 08h00. Take N3 south and turn off at the Umlaas Road off ramp. Over the bridge and bear left on the R603 towards s Eston for about 20km. Pass the Tala Game Reserve and turn right just before the Caltex Service station onto the R624, the entrance to the Sugar Mill is the second on your left. Please go to Security to register, after which we will drive down to the dams. Take tea. Leader Drummond Densham 033 330 4039

CWAC counts will take place between Jan. 15 to Feb. 15, and the CAR count will take place on Sat Jan 28. Anyone who is interested in taking part, please contact Eve Hughes 033 330 2723

February

Sun 5 Morning outing to Darvill at 06h00. Leader Gordon Bennett 033 386 5555

Mon 6 to Fri 10 Feb The Club will be arranging a 5 day, 4 nights stay at Imfolosi or some other Zululand venue.  If interested in coming along please contact Eve Hughes 033 330 2723

Sun 12 Morning outing to Queen Elizabeth Park. Leader Mike Spain 033 347 2797

Howick Wed Feb 15 Evening meeting at WESSA - Illustrated talk by Jason Londt on ‘Insects’

Sat Feb 18 - Birdlife KZN Midlands will be having their AGM at the Karkloof Country Club at 11h00.  David Johnson will be the guest speaker. There will be birding before at Gartmore Farm, followed by luncheon. Details to follow.

Outdoor Meetings - Sep-11 to Dec-11

- Sun Sep 4 – Morning outing to ’Darvill’ at 07:00. Leader Gordon Bennett 033-386-5555
- Sat Sep 10 – Morning or day outing to ‘Marutswa Board Walk’ near Bulwer. For times and meeting point please phone the leader Colin Summersgill 033-818-9013 or 083-7825113 - Provisionally postponed - the BirdLife KZN Forum is taking place on this Saturday
- Sun Sep 11 - Morning outing to ‘Queen Elizabeth Park’ at 07:00. Leader Mike Spain 033-347-2797
- Sun Sep 18 – Morning or day outing to ‘Moor Park’ near Escourt. For times and meeting point
please phone the leader David Crampton 033-845-3512 or 082-771-7274
- Wed Sep 28 – Morning outing to ‘Mount Gilboa’ on Mondi property in the Karkloof. Meet at 07:00 at Umgeni Valley to arrange transport. Leader Eve Hughes 033-330-2723


- Sun Oct 2 – Morning outing to ‘Darvill’ at 06:30. Leader Gordon Bennett 033-386-5555
- Sat Oct 8 - Morning outing to ’Benvie’. Meet at Umgeni Valley at 06:00 to arrange transport or at Benvie at 06:30. Leader Eve Hughes 033-330-2723
- Sun Oct 9 – Morning outing to ‘Bisley Valley’ at 06:30. Leader Mike Spain 033-347-2797
- Sun Oct 16 – Morning or day outing to ‘Benvie’ at 06:00. Leader Colin Summersgill 033-818-9013
- Wed Oct 26 – Morning outing to ’Benvie’ meeting at Umgeni Valley at 06:00 to arrange transport. Leader Pam Nicol 033-330-2947.


- Sun Nov 6 – Morning outing to ‘Darvill’ at 06:30. Leader Gordon Bennett 033-867-5555
- Sat Nov 12 – Morning outing to the ‘Perry’s protea farm’ in the Dargle. Meet at 06:30 at Umgeni Valley to arrange transport . Leader Pam Nicol 033-330-2947
- Sun Nov 13 – Morning outing to ‘Queen Elizabeth Park’ at 06:30. Leader Mike Spain 033-347-2797
- Sun Nov 20 – Morning or day outing to ‘Bay Head’ and the ‘Umgeni Mouth’ in Durban. For times and meeting point please phone the leader Gordon Bennett 033-867-5555
- Wed Nov 30 – Day outing to ‘Dalton Private Reserve’ upstream from Wagondrift Dam, it is 2472 hectares in extent with 14 km of Bushmen’s River frontage. Meet at Umgeni Valley at 06:30 to arrange transport. Cost of R20 pp for Education purposes, payable to the leader, Eve Hughes
033-330-2723.

- Sat Dec 3 – The Club will be having their Christmas outing and braai at the Hilton College Lapa. We will be birding in the morning and then return to the Lapa for the braai. Please bring all your own food, drinks and chairs. Meet at the gate of the College at 07:00 if you want to take part
in the birding, or arrive later for the braai. Cost of R20 pp (for the use of the Lapa) payable to
the leader, Drummond Densham 033-330-4039

Evening Meetings to December 2011

- Howick evening meetings are held at WESSA in their Goldfields Education Centre on the 3rd
Wed of the month, registration from 17:30 for 18:00.
- Pietermaritzburg evening meetings are held at the Zoology Lecture Theatre, John Bews Building, Life Science Campus, end of Carbis Road at 19:00.
Costs: BirdLife Members R10 pp. Non-members R15 pp.
Howick - Wed. June 15 – Illustrated talk by Carolyn Goble and Pat Cahill on the ‘Karkloof Conservation Centre.’
Pmb. - Thurs. Aug. 11 – Illustrated talk by Drummond Densham on ‘Bird behaviour - a natural field indicator.’
Howick - Wed. Aug. 17 – Illustrated talk by Mark Brown on ‘Moult, Plumage and Sexy Breeding Dress.’
Pmb. - Thurs. Sep. 8 – Illustrated talk by Anne Burke on ‘The Secret Love-life of Cranes.’
Howick - Wed. Sep. 21 – Illustrated talk by Malcolm Gemmell on ‘The Sites and Sounds of Ntsikeni Nature Reserve.’
Pmb. – Thurs. Oct. 13 – Illustrated talk by Roy Cowgill on ‘Birds and the Sounds they make.’
Howick - Wed. Oct. 19 – Illustrated talk by David Maphisa on ‘A Long Journey from a Herdboy to Managing Ingula for Avifaunal Diversity.’
Pmb. Thurs. Nov. 10 – Illustrated talk by Brent Coverdale on ‘Confessions of an amateur twitcher - Balancing a professional conservation career and your hobby.’
Howick - Wed. Nov. 16 – Illustrated talk by Ben and Shannon Hoffman on a topic to be announced.

BIRDLIFE KZN MIDLANDS – NATIONAL BIRD WEEK

Celebrating National Bird Week your Club has arranged the following activities which are open to everybody and anybody who is interested:

Monday, May 2, 08:00 at the Darvill Sewage Works, Pmb. Mark Brown will be ringing Birds and identifying them for you, and telling you why Birds are ringed etc.

Thurs. May 5, 19:00 at the Zoology Lecture theatre, John Bews Building, Life Science Campus, end of Carbis Road, Pmb. Martin Taylor will give an illustrated talk entitled

‘The Vultures of Southern Africa’

Cost - BirdLife Members – R10.pp, All others R15.pp, Children under 12 R5.pp

Tea/coffee will be provided.

Sat. May 7, 08:00 a morning outing to Cumberland Nature Reserve.

Meet at the ‘Honesty Box’ at 08:00, and there is an entrance fee of R10.pp

Leaders – Drummond Densham (083-321-7959) and others.

Learn to identify Birds in the field, and enjoy the lovely surroundings.

Diary of Events to August 2011

Howick evening meetings are held at WESSA in their Goldfields Education Centre on the 3^rd Wed of the month, whilst Pietermaritzburg meetings will be resumed shortly at a venue to be announced. Costs - BirdLife Members R10 pp. Non-members R15 pp. Howick morning outings take place on the last Wed. of every month whilst other Branch outings are as below. Saturday morning outings are soon to be arranged.

Committee: Chairman Drummond Densham/033-330-4039, Outing activities Eve Hughes/033-330-2723, Evening activities Peter Divall/033-239-5537. Secretary Sally Cumming/072-119-4253, Membership Secretary Pam Nicol/033-330-2947

Sun. Mar. 20 – day outing to Mpushini Conservancy, Ashburton - Leader Nevill Durow. For meeting arrangements please contact Sally on 072-119-4253 or sally@wessa.co.za

Wed. Mar. 30 – Morning outing to Queen Elizabeth Park. Meet at Umgeni Valley at 07:00 to arrange transport, or at the Reservations Car Park at 07:30. Leader Peter Divall 033-239-5537

Sun. Apl. 3 - Morning outing to Darvill at 06:30. Leader Gordon Bennett 033-386-5555

Sun. Apl. 10 - Morning outing to Bisley Valley at 06:30. Leader Mike Spain 033-347-2797

Sun. Apl. 17 - Morning outing to Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve at 06:30. Leader Peter Divall 033-239-5537. There is an entry fee for non-members of WESSA of R18. per adult.

Wed. Apl. 20 Howick – Illustrated talk by Ann Burke, Volunteer Reserve Manager, KZN Crane Foundation, on ‘The Secret Love-life of Cranes.’

Wed. Apl. 27 – Morning outing to Umgeni Valley. Meet at the Valley at 06:30 and we will arrange to take a couple of vehicles down into the Valley for those not able to walk down. Entrance Fee - R18 if you are not a WESSA member. Leader – Pam Nicol 033-330-2947

Sun. May 1 - Morning outing to Darvill at 07:30. Leader Gordon Bennett 033-386-5555

Sun. May 8 – Morning outing to Queen Elizabeth Park at 07:30. Leader Mike Spain 033-347-2797

Sat. May 14/Sun. 15 – Weekend (or Sunday) outing to Zulu Falls (Southern Bald Ibis colony) near Mooi River. Accommodation has been offered on the Saturday night at a special rate of R1050 for 14 people (R75 per person provided all rooms are occupied). Saturday will be an informal day. David Crampton 082-771-7274 will guide on Sunday. Please contact Sally 072-119-4253 or sally@wessa.co.za if you wish to book accommodation.

Wed. May 18 Howick – Illustrated talk by Adam Riley on ‘Birding in Tanzania.’

Wed. May 25 – Morning outing to Cumberland Nature Reserve. Meet at the Umgeni Valley at 07:00 to arrange transport, or at the Reserve at about 08:00. There is an honesty box. Leader Eve Hughes 033-330-2723

Sun. June 5 - Morning outing to Darvill at 07:30. Leader Gordon Bennett 033-386-5555

Sun. June 12 - Morning outing to Bisley Valley at 07:30. Leader Mike Spain 033-347-2797

Wed. June 15 Howick – Illustrated talk by Carolyn Goble and Pat Cahill on the ‘Karkloof Conservation Centre.’

Sun. June 19 – Day outing to ‘Cumberland Nature Reserve’. Meet at the main picnic site (not the campsite) at 07:30. There is an Honesty box. Leader Hugh Bulcock 033-330-3055 (h), 082-373-6569

Wed. June 29 – Morning or all day outing to Spioenkop Dam Meet at Umgeni Valley at 06:30 to arrange transport, or at the Reserve Gate at 08:00. Entrance fee payable if you don’t have a Rhino or Wild Card. Leader - Drummond Densham 033-330-4039

Sun. July 3 - Morning outing to Darvill at 07:30. Leader Gordon Bennett 033-386-5555

Sun. July 10 - Morning outing to Queen Elizabeth Park at 07:30. Leader Mike Spain 033-347-2797

Sun. July 17 – Morning out to the Botanical Gardens, Pietermaritzburg. Meet at the carpark at 07.30. Leader Adrian Ogilvie 033-347-1685

Wed. July 27 – Morning outing to Pigeon Valley in Durban. Meet at Umgeni Valley at 07:00 to arrange transport. Pigeon Valley is a small patch of coastal forest just off South Ridge Road, near the University. Turn left down King George V Avenue, then turn right into Princess Alice Avenue, and the entrance is set back on the right. Leader Peter Divall 033-239-5537

Sun. Aug. 7 - Morning outing to Darvill at 07:30. Leader Gordon Bennett 033-386-5555

Sun. Aug. 14 - Morning outing to Bisley Valley at 07:30. Leader Mike Spain 033-347-2797

Sun. Aug. 21 – Mhlopeni. There is accommodation for about 15 people in two rustic camps, UmPhafa camp (a house/lodge) and UmVumvu camp which is being rebuilt. We will travel on Saturday late morning and spend the afternoon in the reserve. Richard or Andrew Alcock will lead a walk on Sunday morning. Please contact Sally on 072-119-4253 or sally@wessa.co.za if you wish to spend the weekend at Mhlopeni. The access road, we are told, is improved to the extent where it can be negotiated by a normal sedan driven slowly!

Red-chested Cuckoo

Brenda Davies sent me these two pictures featuring a Red-chested Cuckoo in her garden.

The first shows a very busy Cape Wagtail feeding the Cuckoo, while the second shows the contented looking Cuckoo resting, no doubt replete after the poor wagtail's efforts.

Thank you to Brenda for sending these pictures in.

Birding Further Afield

Dr John Carlyon sent me these two very interesting photos from his recent trip to Mpumalanga.

The first is of a Striped Crake with chicks taken in Kruger. This is a very interesting shot, besides being of a bird very few of us have seen, it may very well also represent the first breeding record for this species in South Africa.

The second picture is of a Bat Hawk taken in White River.

Thanks to John for sending these in.

Lesser Moorhen at Karkloof Conservation Centre

These pictures of a Lesser Moorhen were were taken by Pat Cahill on 28/2/2011 at the Karkloof Conservation Centre.

Pam Nicol and Karin Nelson saw it again on Thursday 3/03/2011.

Thanks to Pam Nicol for forwarding me these photos.

HOWICK BIRDING GROUP - DIARY OF EVENTS TO JULY 2011

Evening meetings are held at WESSA in their Goldfields Education Centre on the 3^rd Wed of the month. Registration from 17:30. BirdLife Members R10 pp. Non-members R15 pp. Morning outings usually take place on the last Wed. of every month. Committee: Drummond Densham/033-330-4039, Eve Hughes/033-330-2723, Pam Nicol/033-330-2947 Bob Murray/033-239-4233, Shirley Bennett/033-330-3234, Peter Divall – 033-239-5537.

Wed. Feb. 16 – Illustrated talk by David Johnson on ‘Nesting.’

Wed. Feb. 23 – Morning outing to ‘Hlatikulu Educaion Centre.’ Meet at Umgeni Valley at 06:30 to arrange transport. Take tea and Atlas! We will take up a collection for the running costs of the Centre. Leader – Eve Hughes

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

Sat. Feb. 26 – The AGM of BirdLife KZN Midlands and the Howick Birding Group, will be held at the Yellowwood Café in Howick. A walk in Umgeni Valley at 07:00 for those interested, followed by tea, and the meeting at 11:00 (Cost R20. pp). Guest speaker will be Mark Anderson, Executive Director of BLSA whose talk is entitled ‘Bird Conservation in South Africa’. Luncheon at 13:00 at a cost of R125. pp with a cash bar. Imperative to book for the luncheon, please contact Sally on 072 119 4253 or sally@wessa.co.za

Wed. Mar. 16 – Illustrated talk by Dr Bill Bainbridge on ‘Avitourism & the Umgano Community Project, Southern KZN.’

Wed. Mar. 30 – Morning outing to ‘Queen Elizabeth Park.’ Meet at Umgeni Valley at 07:00 to arrange transport or at the Reservations Car Park at 07:30. Leader – Peter Divall

Wed. Apl. 20 – Illustrated talk – Ann Burke, Volunteer Reserve Manager, KZN Crane Foundation, on ‘The Secret Love-life of Cranes.’

Wed. Apl. 27 – Morning outing to ‘Umgeni Valley.’ Meet at the Valley at 06:30 to double up for transport, and we will arrange to take a couple of vehicles down into the Valley for those not able to walk down. Entrance Fee - R18 if you are not a WESSA member. Leader – Eve Hughes

Wed. May 18 – Illustrated talk - Sadie Halbhuber, Events Manager, BLSA, her talk will probably be ‘Myths and tales of Owls!’

Wed. May 25 – Morning outing to ‘Cumberland Nature Reserve.’ Meet at the Umgeni Valley at 07:00 to arrange transport, or at the Reserve at about 08:00. There is an honesty box. Leader – Pam Nicol

Wed. June 15 – Illustrated talk by Carolyn Goble and Pat Cahill on the ‘Karkloof Conservation Centre.’

Wed. June 29 – Morning or all day outing to ‘Spioenkop Dam’ Meet at Umgeni Valley at 06:30 to arrange transport, or at the Reserve Gate at 08:00. Entrance Fee payable if you don’t have a Rhino or Wild Card. Leader - Drummond Densham.

July – no evening meeting – too cold!

Wed. July 27 – Morning outing to ‘Pigeon Valley’ in Durban. Meet at Umgeni Valley at 07:00 to arrange transport. Pigeon Valley is a small patch of coastal forest just off South Ridge Road, near the University. Turn left down King George V Avenue, then turn right into Princess Alice Avenue, and the entrance is set back on the right. Leader to be announced.