Activities April to August 2014

PMB evening meetings are held at Woodgrove Retirement Centre on the second Tuesday of alternate months at 18:00.  Howick evening meetings are held in the Amber Valley Centre on the third Wednesday of the month at 18:00.  Entry by donation.

It has been decided to merge the second and the third Sunday outings, so Bisley and QE Park will be included in a rotation of venues for the third Sunday.

Please contact the coordinator before an outing to confirm the time of meeting and other arrangements.

Bird ringing:  Contact Karin Nelson on 033 3303027 or 072 7724219.

·         Darvill:  first or second Saturday of the month

·         at the home of Pam & Bill Nicol, 13 Riley Crescent, Howick:  four times a year

April 2014

Sun 6 –   Morning outing to Darvill at 06:30. Coordinator Gordon Bennett – 033 386 5555

Tues 8 – Sally Johnson will give a presentation at Woodgrove at 18:00 on Bird/Plant Relationships.

Sun 13 – Morning outing to Bisley at 06:30. Coordinator David Crampton – 082 771 7274.

Wed 16 – David Allen will give a presentation at Amber Valley at 18:00 on Conserving Vultures.  Remember to bring your Amber Valley entry card if you have one.

Sun 20 – Easter Sunday. There will be no formal outing.

Wed 30 – Morning outing to Umgeni Valley at 06:30. There will be a fee of R25.00 per person. Meet at the reception of Umgeni Valley to arrange transport into the nature reserve.  Coordinator Pam Nicol 033 330 2947 / 072 145 7802.

May

Sun 4 – Morning outing to Darvill at 07:00. Coordinator Gordon Bennett – 033 386 5555.

Sun 18 - Morning outing to Hilton College at 07:00. There will be a fee of R20 per person. Coordinator David Crampton – 082 771 7274.

Wed 21 – Roy Cowgill and Steve Davis will give a presentation at Amber Valley at 18:00 on Territory and Behaviour.  Remember to bring your Amber Valley entry card if you have one.

Wed 28  - Morning outing to Hilton College at 07:00. There will be a fee of R20 per person. Meet at Greendale Shopping Centre to arrange transport. Coordinator Drummond Densham 033 330 4039 / 083 321 7959.

June

Sun 1 – Morning outing to Darvill at 07:30. Coordinator Gordon Bennett – 033 386 5555.

Tues 10 -  Adam Riley will give a presentation at Woodgrove at 18:00 on South African Endemic and Near-endemic Birds.

Wed 11 – Bird ringing at Pam & Bill Nicol’s garden, 13 Riley Crescent, Howick.  Contact Karin on 033 3303027 or 072 7724219.

Sun 15 - Morning outing to Cumberland. There will be a fee of R20 per person. Contact the coordinator Luiz Mateus 033 343 4078 / 084 061 8496 to arrange transport and where to meet.

Wed 18 –  Bird Identification dilemmas at Amber Valley at 18:00.  Moderator Peter Divall and panel members.

Wed 25 – Morning outing to Cumberland. There will be a fee of R20 per person. Meet at Greendale Shopping Centre at 07:30 to arrange transport. Coordinator Peter Divall 033 239 5537.

July

Sun 6 - Morning outing to Darvill at 07:30. Coordinator Gordon Bennett – 033 386 5555.

Sun 20 – Morning outing to Bed Rock which is a property a few kilometres past Benvie. There will be a fee of R20 per person. Coordinator Eve Hughes 082 872 4333.

Sat 26 – Coordinated Avifaunal Roadcounts.  Contact Peter Divall if you would like to participate 033 239 5537.

Wed 30 - Morning outing to Kilgobbin Forest in the Dargle. There will be a fee of R20 per person. Meet at Greendale Shopping Centre to arrange transport. Coordinator Eve Hughes 033 330 2723 / 082 872 4333.

15^th July to 15^th August – CWACs at various lakes/ponds.  Please contact Eve Hughes if you would like to participate 033 330 2723 / 082 872 4333.

August

Sun 3 - Morning outing to Darvill at 07:00. Coordinator Gordon Bennett – 033 386 5555.

Tues 12 – there will be a presentation at Woodgrove at 18:00.  Topic to be announced.

Sun 17 – Day outing to Zulu Falls Lodge near Mooi River, where the Bald Ibis breed. Contact the coordinator Sally Cumming 033 330 7175 / 072 119 4253.

Wed 20 – There will be a presentation at Amber Valley at 18:00.  Topic to be announced.

Wed 27 - Morning outing to Albert Falls Dam at 07:00. There is an entrance fee but a Wild card and Rhino card will get you in.  Meet at Greendale Shopping Centre to arrange transport. Coordinator Pam Nicol – 033 330 2723.

Outings January to April 2014

BIRDLIFE KZN MIDLANDS OUTINGS TO APRIL 2014

Committee: Chairman Drummond Densham 033 330 4039, Outing activities Eve Hughes 033 330 2723, Evening activities Peter Divall 033 239 5537, Treasurer Viv O’Neill 083 464 7666; Secretary Sally Cumming 072 119 4253, Membership Secretary Pam Nicol 033 330 2947.  Pmb evening meetings are held at Woodgrove Retirement Centre and will be advertised in the press and by email and sms.  Howick evening meetings are held in the Amber Valley Centre usually on the 3rd Wed of the month; registration from 17:30 for 18:00.  Costs:  BirdLife Members R15 pp. Non-members R20 pp.

Please contact the coordinator before an outing to confirm the time of meeting and other arrangements.

January

Sun 5 -  morning outing to Darvill at 6am.  Coordinator Gordon Bennett – 033 386 5555.
Sun 12 – Morning outing to Queen Elizabeth Park at 6am.  Coordinator David Crampton – 082 771 7274
Wed 15 – Evening meeting at Amber Valley at 5.30 for 6pm:  a presentation by David Johnson on “Birds of the Drakensberg”.
Sun 19 – Day outing to Durban Bay with Gordon Bennett who must be contacted to arrange transport, time and meeting place – 033 386 5555.
Wed 29 – Morning outing to Bed Rock which is a property a few kilometres past Benvie. There is a fee of R20 per person. Meet at Greendale Shopping centre, Howick, at 6.30am to arrange transport.  Coordinator Eve Hughes - 033 330 2723 or 082 872 4333.                                                                

February

Sun 2 – Morning outing to Darvill at 6am.  Coordinator Gordon Bennett – 033 386 5555.
Mon 3-7 – Birdlife KZN Midlands outing to Zululand, with accommodation at Sand Forest Lodge near Hluhluwe.   Costs:  Camping: R100 pppn;  Bungalows: R175 pppn;  Cottages: R250 pppn sharing;  Cottages: R400 pppn single.  Daily outings from the lodge will be organised. We will visit Hluhluwe GR, Muzi Pan, Mkuze GR, and False Bay. Coordinator Eve Hughes - 033 330 2327 or 083 872 4333.
Sun 9 – Morning outing to Bisley at 6am.  Coordinator David Crampton – 082 771 7274.
Tues 11 – Evening meeting at Woodgrove, Old Howick Rd, Pmb at 5.30 for 6pm:  a presentation by Mike Spain on “Birding!  Where, Why and How?” 
Wed 19 – Evening meeting at Amber Valley at 5.30 for 6pm:  a presentation by Martin Taylor on “2013 Regional Red List of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland”.
Sat 22 –  25th AGM of Birdlife KZN Midlands. The meeting will be held a Fernhill Hotel, and the guest speaker will be Professor Peter Ryan, past president of Birdlife South Africa. There will be an outing to Umgeni Valley at 7h00 before the AGM, followed by tea at Fernhill.  Lunch will be served after the AGM.
Contact Sally Cumming at 072 119 4253 / 033 330 7175 and sally.j.cumming@gmail.com.
Wed 26 - Morning outing to Milestone Forest, the property of Priscilla Francis in Balgowan.  Meet at Greendale Shopping centre, Howick, at 6.30am.  Coordinator Eve Hughes – 033 330 2327 or 082 872 4333.

March

Sun 2-   Morning outing to Darvill at 6.30am.  Coordinator Gordon Bennett – 033 386 5555.
Sun 9 – Morning outing to Queen Elizabeth Park at 6.30am.  Coordinator David Crampton – 082 771 7274.
Sun 16 – Day outing to Gwahumbe, this is an Estate near Tala Valley which has very good birding. There is an entrance fee of R55pp and R70 per vehicle.  Contact Coordinator Hugh Bulcock - 082 373 6569 or hugh.bulcock@gmail.com, to arrange meeting place and time.
Wed 19 –  Evening meeting at Amber Valley at 5.30 for 6pm:  a presentation by Adam Riley on “South African endemic and near-endemic birds”.
Wed 26 - Morning or day outing to Fountain Hill Estate near Wartburg. There is a conservation fee of R50pp.  Meet at Greendale Shopping centre at 6.30am.  Coordinator Eve Hughes - 082 872 4333 or 033 330 2723.

April

Sun 6 –   Morning outing to Darvill at 6.30am. Coordinator Gordon Bennett – 033 386 5555.
Tues 8  - Evening meeting at Woodgrove, Old Howick Rd, Pmb at 5.30 for 6pm:  a presentation by Peter Divall on “Birds and mammals of Namibia and Botswana”.
Sun 13 – Morning outing to Bisley at 6.30am.  Coordinator David Crampton – 082 771 7274.
Sun 20 – Morning outing to Umgeni Valley. There will be a fee of R24.00 per person.  Meet at Umgeni Valley reception at 6.30am.  Coordinator David Crampton – 082 771 7274.
Wed 29 – Morning outing to Umgeni Valley. There will be a fee of R24.00 per person. Meet at Umgeni Valley reception at 6.30am.  Coordinator Pam Nicol - 033 330 2947 or 072 145 7802

July and August Outings

July

Sun 7 – Morning outing to Darvill at 7h30. Coordinator - Gordon Bennett – 033 386 5555

Sun 14 – Morning outing to Bisley at 7h30. Coordinator – David Crampton – 082 771 7274 

Sun 21 – Day outing to Shongweni Reserve.  Contact coordinator – Janice Shipway – 033 343 3278 or 082 574 7879 to arrange time and meeting place.

Wed 31 – Day outing to Weenen Game Reserve near Escourt.  Meet at the Greendale Shopping Centre at 7h30 to arrange transport. There is an entrance fee of R30.00pp unless you have a Golden Rhino or Wild Card.  Coordinator - Drummond Densham – 033 330 4039 or 083 321 7959.

August

Sun 4 – Morning outing to Darvill at 7h30. Coordinator – Gordon Bennett – 033 386 5555

Sun 11 – Morning outing to Queen Elizabeth Park at 7h30. Coordinator – David Crampton - 082 771 7274

Sun 18 – Morning outing to Cumberland. There is an entrance fee of R10 pp. Contact the coordinator – Colin Summersgill- 033 818 9013 or 083 782 5113 to arrange time and where to meet.

Wed 21 – Evening meeting at WESSA Howick, Eve Hughes will give an illustrated talk on ‘The Flora and Fauna of KZN Midlands.’ Costs BirdLife Members R15 pp, all others R20 pp.

Wed 28 – Morning outing to the PMB Botanic Gardens, there is an entrance fee payable.  Meet at the Greendale Shopping Centre at 7h15 to arrange transport, or at the Garden entrance at 8h00.  Coordinator – Pam Nicol – 033 330 2947

BirdLife KZN Midlands Outings: May-Aug 2013

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, Treasurer Viv O’Neill 083-464-7666 Howick evening meetings are held at WESSA in their Goldfields Education Centre usually on the 3^rd Wed of the month, registration from 17:30 for 18:00. New Costs: BirdLife Members R15 pp. Non-members R20 pp.

People wanting to go on the outings should contact the coordinator beforehand, because the venue may change due to unforeseen circumstances.

May

Sun 5 – Morning outing to Darvill at 7h00. Coordinator – Gordon Bennett – 033 386 5555

Sun 12 – Morning outing to Bisley at 7h00. Coordinator David Crampton – 082 771 7274

Wed 15 – Evening meeting at WESSA – an illustrated talk by Meyrick Bowker entitled ‘Zululand’s large

Colonially nesting birds – how are they doing?’

Sun 19 – Day outing to Sani Pass.  Contact Hugh Bulcock – 82 373 6569 or email – hugh.bulcock@gmail.com 

to arrange time, where to meet and transport.

Wed 29 - A morning outing to Boschhoek Golf Estate in Balgowan. Meet at 7h15 at the Greendale Shopping

Centre to arrange transport.  Bring your own tea or you may buy tea at the Golf Club.  Coordinator – Eve

Hughes 033 330 2723 or 082 872 4333.

June  

Sun 2 – Morning outing to Darvill at 7h30. Coordinator – Gordon Bennett – 033 386 5555

Sun 9 - Morning outing to Queen Elizabeth Park at 7h30 – Coordinator – David Crampton – 082 771 7274

Sun 16 – Morning outing to Mpushini Valley. Contact coordinator – Colin Summersgill – 033 818 9013 or

083 782 5113 to arrange time and meeting place.

Wed 19 – Evening meeting at WESSA – Nic Theron  will talk about ‘ Conserving Birds in the Important

Bird Areas in KZN’

Wed 26 – Morning outing to Cumberland   Meet at the Greendale Shopping Centre at 7h30 to arrange

transport. There will be an entrance fee of R10 pp.  Coordinator – Peter Divall – 033 239 5537 or 083 263 4169.

July

Sun 7 – Morning outing to Darvill at 7h30. Coordinator - Gordon Bennett – 033 386 5555

Sun 14 – Morning outing to Bisley at 7h30. Coordinator – David Crampton – 082 771 7274 

Wed 17  - No evening meeting – too cold!

Sun 21 – Day outing to Shongweni. Contact coordinator – Janice Shipway – 033 343 3278 or 082 574 7879 to arrange time and meeting place.

Wed 31 – Day outing to Weenen Game Reserve near Escourt.  Meet at the Greendale Shopping Centre at

7h30 to arrange transport. There is an entrance fee of R30.00pp unless you have a Golden Rhino or Wild

Card.  Coordinator- Drummond Densham – 033 330 4039 or 083 321 7959.

August

Sun 4 – Morning outing to Darvill at 7h30. Coordinator – Gordon Bennett – 033 386 5555

Sun 11 – Morning outing to Queen Elizabeth Park at 7h30 – David Crampton – 082 771 7274

Sun 18 – Morning outing to Cumberland. There is an entrance fee of R10 pp. Contact the coordinator –

Colin Summersgill- 033 818 9013 or 083 782 5113 to arrange time and where to meet.

Wed 21 – Evening meeting at WESSA – Eve Hughes will give an illustrated talk on ‘The Flora and Fauna of

KZN Midlands’

Wed 28 – Morning outing to the PMB Botanic Gardens, there is an entrance fee payable.  Meet at the

Greendale Shopping Centre at 7h15 to arrange transport.  Coordinator – Pam Nicol – 033 330 2947

Some More Midlands Sightings

Malcolm Robinson saw this Palm-nut Vulture on the PMB-Wartburg road on 2/02/2013.
We assume that this is the same bird first seen in this area by Iain Guthrie in Oct-2009. There have been sporadic sightings in this general area ever since.

Malcolm then sent in this photo of a White-naped Crane Grus vipio seen at Darvill on Sunday 3-Feb.
Word from John Carlyon is that this is in fact an escapee.
According to the International Crane Foundation's White-naped Crane data page there are 4,900-5,300 of these birds left. They breed in NE China and winter in S China, the Korean DMZ and S Japan. The closest site is Dongting Lake, which according to Google Earth 10,915 km away.

Temminck's Courser at Cedara

Alan Manson saw this young Temminck's Courser at Cedara on 29-Jan.
Never an easy species to see in the Midlands.

BL KZN Midlands Outings: January to April 2013

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, Treasurer Viv O’Neill 083 464 7666

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

People wanting to go on the outings should contact the coordinator beforehand, because the venue may change due to unforeseen circumstances

January

Sun 6 - Morning outing to Darvill at 06h00. Coordinator - Gordon Bennett 033 386 5555
Sun 13 - Morning outing to Bisley at 06h00. Coordinator – David Crampton 082 771 7274
Wed 16 – Evening meeting at WESSA-An Illustrated talk by David Allan – Geographic Variations of Southern African Birds
Sun 20 – Day outing to Bayhead in Durban. Please phone the coordinator Gordon Bennett 033 386 5555 to confirm time and meeting place.
Wed 30 – Morning outing to Lemonwood in the Dargle. There will be a fee of R10pp. Meet at Umgeni Valley at 06h00 to arrange transport. Coordinator – Eve Hughes 082 872 4333 or 033 330 2723

February

Sun 3 – Morning outing to Darvill at 06h00. Coordinator Gordon Bennett 033 386 5555
Mon 4 – Fri 8 -A Midlands Birdlife outing to Zululand. We will be staying at Sand Forest Lodge near Hluhluwe, in self-catering cottages at a cost of R200 pppn sharing. Single cost, is R350pppn. Booking has been secured for 14 people. Daily outings from the lodge will be organised. We will visit Hluhluwe GR, Muzi Pan & Mkuzi GR, and False Bay. Leader Eve Hughes 082 872 4333
Sun 10 – Morning outing to Queen Elizabeth Park. Coordinator David Crampton 082 771 7274
Sat 16 – Birdlife KZN Midlands will be having their AGM at the Karkloof Country Club at 11h00. The guest speaker will be to be announced. There will be an outing to Gartmore Conservancy before the AGM.
Wed 20 – Evening meeting at WESSA-An Illustrated talk by Roy Cowgill and Steve Davis on “Birds and the Sounds they Make”
Wed 27 – Morning outing to Benvie in the Karkloof. Meet now at the Greendale Shopping Centre at 06h00 to arrange transport or meet at the Benvie gate. There will be an entrance fee of R30pp.  Coordinator  Drummond Densham 033 330 4039

March

Sun 3 – Morning outing to Darvill at 6h30. Coordinator- Gordon Bennett. – 033 386 5555
Sun 10 – Morning outing to Bisley at 6h30. Coordinator David Crampton 082 771 7274
Sun 17 – Morning outing to Lemonwood in the Dargle. Meet at 6h30 at Umgeni  Valley to organise transport. There will be a fee of R10 pp. Coordinator – Eve Hughes 082 872 4333
Wed 20 – Evening meeting at WESSA - An Illustrated talk by Shane McPherson on “Raptors of the Steppe & the Mongollian Saker Falcon and the Artificial Nest Project”
Wed 27 – Morning outing to Hlatikulu Crane Centre.  Meet now at the Greendale Shopping Centre at 7h00 to arrange transport. There will be a fee of R20.00 pp. Nick Shaw will speak about his work with the Cranes and show us around his centre. After tea we will be able to take a walk to the wetlands. Coordinator Eve Hughes 082 873 4333

April

Sun 7 – Morning outing to Darvill at 6h30. Coordinator – Gordon Bennett – 033 386 5555
Sun 14 – Morning outing to Queen Elizabeth Park at 6h30. Coordinator – David Crampton 082 771 7274
Wed 17 – Evening meeting at WESSA – An Illustrated talk by Peter Divall & Pam Nicol on “Winter LBJs Made Easier – We Hope”!
Sun 21 - Morning outing to Umgeni Valley at 6h30. Coordinator Sally Cumming – 072 119 4253
Wed 24 - Morning outing to Umgeni Valley at 7h00. Coordinator Pam Nicol – 033 330 2947