JANUARY 2013
Bird Ringing with Garth Aiston: Usually held early on a Sunday each month. Please call Garth closer to the time for details. 084 5491752.
Saturday 5 January – Springside 06h00 Elena Russell. Please phone to confirm meeting time. Tel: 031 7052902 (after 6pm). Directions: From M13, turn off at Hillcrest off-ramp. Turn right at traffic lights into Old Main Road. At Heritage Market, turn right into Stonewall. Travel under the subway and at the T-junction turn right into Springside Road. Continue along this road until you see the reserve on your left. There are braai & picnic facilities.
Saturday 5 January. BMCG Meeting at Springside, immediately after the Saturday Outing.
Sunday 06 January. Bird Ringing with Andrew Pickles. Venue Umzumbe Floodplain (target species are Warblers). Please contact Andrew for details. Cell 082 338 3302 or send him an email.
Wednesday 09 January. Indoor Meeting with Mike Roseblade and Jane Morris “Birding Victoria and Malaysia”.
Sunday 13 January. Mbona with Mike White. If you intend to come then you have to email Mike (mikew@saol.com) with the names of all in your party and your car registration number and to confirm the meeting time and place. Mike’s cell number for emergencies only : 082 6570444. Possible birds include: CapeParrot, White-starred Robin, Orange Ground Thrush, African Crowned Eagle, Bush Blackcap, Barratt’s Warbler , Broad-tailed Warbler, Forest Canary etc. For those interested after the bird walk, Mike has offered to use his home in Mbona for breakfast. Bring breakfast, drinks, chairs. Directions from N3. Take exit 103 to Howick. Pass Howick Falls Hotel on right, through 2 more sets of traffic lights. Turn right at the second lights where the road turns sharply left. Travel 34 kms (last 8 kms on dirt) passing Karkloof Conservancy and Reitvlei. Meet at the gate into Mbona on your right.
Wednesday 16 January 08h30. Palmiet NR – Lesley Frescura. We’ll beat the heat with the sound of the river waters and enjoy the shade of the many trees, whilst hoping for good sightings of the 231 species on the current bird list. Bring tea and chairs for later. Directions: Take the M13 from Durban until you reach the Rockdale Ave/Jan Hofmeyer Road turnoff. Keep left and cross the highway and continue along Jan Hofmeyer Road for just over 1km. Turn right into Old New Germany Road which is just after the Westville Hotel on your left and the Village Market shopping centre on your right. Go to the end of the road and turn right and immediately left into the parking area. Meet in the parking area.
Friday 18 to 20 January. Weekend Away at Highover – Hella Hella with Mike Roseblade and Jane Morris. A beautiful campsite on the banks of the Umgeni. Chalets at reasonable prices. Bushveld and upland grassland. Blue Swallow a regular visitor. About 2 hours from Durban via Richmond. Book direct through their website: or phone 0828260760. Please let Mike Roseblade know that you have booked.
Sunday 27 January. CWAC at Umgeni River Mouth and Bayhead – with Roy Cowgill and Steve Davis. Meet 08h30 at the Bird Park car park, Riverside Road. Contact Roy or Steve to confirm you will attend – 031-2054459; 0837754459 or email: sdavis@smri.org. Bring wellies and a picnic.
