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.

PMB Activities: Dec-10 to Apr-11

BirdLife KZN Midlands (Pmb)

Activities December 2010 to April 2011

Please note that it has been suggested that instead of having an outing to QE Park every month we alternate with Bisley Valley. The first Bisley outing is in February (see below)

* 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.

* Sunday 9^th January 2011- morning outing to Darvill; Leader Gordon Bennett 033 386 5555; Time: 6am

* Sunday 16^th January - morning outing to Queen Elizabeth Park; Leader: Mike Spain 033 347 2797; Time: 6am

* Sunday 23^rd January – day outing to Shongweni Resources Reserve. Leader Jenny Norman of BirdLife Port Natal 083 453 3999. Meet at the entrance to the reserve at 6.30am. Bring chairs, and food for brunch. There is an entrance fee.

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

* Sunday 13^th February - morning outing to Bisley Valley; Leader: Mike Spain 033 347 2797; Time: 6am

* Sunday 20^th February – day outing to Bird Valley. Please contact the leader, Mike Spain on 033 347 2797 to arrange meeting place and time.

* Saturday 26^th Febuary: Annual General Meeting of BirdLife KZN Midlands. Details to follow.

* Sunday 6^th March - morning outing to Darvill; Leader Gordon Bennett 033 386 5555; Time: 6.30am

* Sunday 13^th March - morning outing to Queen Elizabeth Park; Leader: Mike Spain 033 347 2797; Time: 6.30am

* Sunday 20^th March – day outing to Mpushini Conservancy, Ashburton. Leader Nevill Durow. For meeting arrangements please contact Sally on 072 119 4253 or sally@wessa.co.za

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

* Sunday 10^th April - morning outing to Bisley Valley; Leader: Mike Spain 033 347 2797; Time: 6.30am

* Sunday 17^th April – morning outing to Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, Howick. Leader: Eve Hughes 033 330 2723. Time 6.30am

Howick Activities - Oct-10 to Apr-11

HOWICK BIRDING GROUP - DIARY OF EVENTS TO APRIL 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, Karin Nelson/033-330-3027, Shirley Bennett/033-330-3234, Peter Divall – 033-239-5537.

Wed. Oct. 20 – Illustrated talk by Alan Manson – ‘Interesting experiences in atlasing’.

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. We go early in order to see the Cape Parrots. Take tea and don’t forget to Atlas! Leader – Pam Nicol.

Wed. Nov. 17 - Illustrated talk on ‘Owls’ by Martin Taylor, BirdLife SA Avitourism District Manager.

Wed. Nov. 24 - Morning outing to ‘Gilboa Vlei.’ Meet at Umgeni Valley at 06:30 to arrange transport. Take tea and don’t forget to Atlas! Leader – Eve Hughes

Sat. Nov. 27 – Birding Big Day! How about getting a team together and enjoying a day’s outing? But please get your friends and family to sponsor you, and send your lists and money to BirdLife SA.

Thurs. Dec. 2 – Mark Brown will be ringing birds in Pam & Bill’s garden. All welcome from 09:00, tea/biscuits will be provided, and a collection will be taken to help cover the costs of Mark’s rings etc. Contact Pam Nicol, Tel above.

Wed. Dec. 8 - New date for our year end 'Get-together'. No longer Sat. Dec. 11 unfortunately. Meet at ‘Bush Willow’ in the Karkloof for tea and birding at 08:00, followed by a bring and braai lunch. Leader - Peter Divall 033 239 5537

Wed. Jan. 19 – Illustrated talk by Roger Porter – ‘Birding in Ethiopia.’

Wed. Jan 26 – Morning outing to the ‘Eston Sugar Mill Dams.’ Meet at Umgeni Valley at 07:00 to arrange transport, or at the Mill entrance at 08:00. Take N3 south and turn off at the Umlaas Road off ramp. Over the bridge and bear left on the R603 towards Eston for about 20 kms. 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 you left. Please go to Security to register, after which we will drive down to the Dams. Take tea and Atlas! Leader – Drummond Densham

Sat. Jan. 29 – CAR Count!

Mon. Jan. 31 – Fri. Feb. 4 – Trip away to Mkhuze – 5 x 2 bed tented units booked!

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

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. Take tea and Atlas! Leader – Peter Divall

Wed. Apl. 20 – Illustrated talk – Speaker and topic to be announced.

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. Take tea and Atlas! Leader – Pam Nicol

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