New Adjusted Level 4 Restrictions: implications for Birders and the details of the BEKZN July Diary

The Third Wave of Covid-19 currently affecting South Africa has resulted in the President moving the country to an Adjusted Alert LEVEL 4. The full and official regulations gazette pertaining to this can be downloaded here.

Some of our members who are in the medical field have advised us that KZN will reach the peak during mid-July so cessation of activities as of today reduces the risk to our members and helps prevent the spread. Bear in mind that the more people are vaccinated the safer we will all be. So for now keep birding with your ‘pod’ and wearing your masks and you will keep the risk significantly reduced.

As a result of the regulation change and the risk to our members all our outdoor activities (walks, sit-ins, atlassing) planned to take place over the next four weeks have been postponed. We will be putting on extra online activities during July so join us on our online zoom platform BE KZN’s Let’s Chat – Birds and Birding so please check our 2021 Activities Diary page http://www.blpn.org/activities-2021, as well as keep an eye on your emails, WhatsApp chat and the official BEKZN Facebook page (many club members on facebook have not linked to this communication channel so please do so to keep up to date on other interesting articles and birding news).

What do the new Adjusted Level 4 Regulations mean for BE KZN birders:

A sub regulation has been added which has a direct bearing on BE KZN with regards to facilitating any gatherings or providing a platform for the flouting of the regulations.

“Any person who incites, instigates, commands, or procures any other person to commit any offence in terms of these regulations, commits an offence and is, on conviction, liable to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.”.

The regulations which are pertinent for birders include the main items below:

All gatherings are prohibited and this is specified to be the case for beaches, parks and dams.
It is mandatory for birders to wear a mask when in a public place.
A curfew is in place from 21h00 to 04h00 daily.
Parks, nature reserves and game park will remain open and accessible but on a controlled entry basis with number limitations.
Interprovincial travel for leisure purposes IS allowed with the exception of Gauteng which is closed for inbound and outbound travel.

July 2021 BEKZN Birding Diary

(please check for updates on our 2021 Activities Diary http://www.blpn.org/activities-2021)

A reminder to use the link below each event to register before the talk to receive details – all events free if you are a member but visitors are welcome with a R50 donation to the club.

Wednesday 7th July at 18h30–BE KZN Webinar Presentation
Kenya Birding Highlights: Birding on the Equator by Washington Wachira

Online Virtual Meeting – Washington Wachira was born and raised in Kenya. He started his nature exploration and photography career at age 14 as a High School student. His passion grew fast and in the year 2009, he won his first nature photography award (Runners-up in the High School Nature Photography category at the National Environmental Competition by AFEW-Kenya, Giraffe Centre). Washington is a wildlife biologist and conservationist who specialises in urban birds of prey. He has received funding from National Geographic for his research on the species ecology of the African crowned eagle—work aimed at improving forest management in and around Nairobi. He is a charismatic speaker and it will be a great pleasure to hear him talk on his beautiful home country which is a wildlife and birding mecca.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Friday 16th July at 18h30 – BE KZN’s Let’s Chat – Birds and Birding
Club news, atlassing discussion and Fun Birding Quiz by Ticky Forbes

Please join us online to keep the club connected and sharing. Get updated on club matters and raise any queries you may have. We will discuss atlassing with the club and also point out some of the issues we are seeing from club members on the SABAP2 programmed. Then have your drinks, thinking brains and mouse(s) ready as we end off with Ticky taking us through a fun birding quiz.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Tuesday 27th July at 19h00 – BLSA Conservation Conversations
Estuaries, important bird habitats and how we go about protecting them by Dr Giselle Murison and Nicolette Forbes

This talk will be co-presented by Dr Giselle Murison talking about Western Cape Estuaries and Nicolette Forbes bringing her expertise to the table with the eastern seaboard estuaries of KZN, Eastern Cape and Mozambique.

Register for these webinars: note this is BLSA’s usual Tuesday webinar so register through their link).
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqdOigqDMoHdbZweEB5q0YsoDwJOwiA2m1

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Thursday 29th July at 18h30 – BE KZN’s Let’s Chat – Birds and Birding
Bishops and Widows: Confusing females and non-breeding plumages by Steve Davis

Steve Davis has been birding since moving to South Africa in 1975, and has birded in most parts of southern Africa and many countries around the world, including all continents except Antarctica. He has presented numerous birding talks and courses with the late Roy Cowgill, as well as publishing two bird books with Roy. He has previously served on the BirdLife Port Natal Committee and is a regular member of the KwaZulu-Natal Rare Birds Committee. Steve has a passion for all nature and nature photography, as well as creative writing in his rare spare time.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

30 & 31 July 2021 BLSAs Virtual African Bird Fair 2021

The biggest event in African birding is here! BE KZN will be one of the exhibitors so come and visit the club. To register, please go to: www.eventmobi.com/birdfair

This virtual event will take place on 30 and 31 July 2021 and includes a star-studded line-up of speakers, including Chris Packham CBE, David Lindo (The Urban Birder) and Dr Hazell Thompson. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with exhibitors and online stores and to network with other birders on the continent and around the world. BirdLife South Africa is using an amazing platform that allows a range of people to present both pre-recorded and live talks. There will also be discussions, interviews, demonstrations, a quiz, and a wide variety of exhibitors will be in attendance. Best of all, the event will be truly African because of its virtual nature.

This year’s event will take place from late Friday afternoon with an opening ceremony and a comedic look at what makes birders tick, followed by a jam packed Saturday, with parallel sessions and workshops to choose from. As always, our commitment is to the birds, with all proceeds from this event going straight back into supporting BirdLife South Africa’s important and renowned conservation work.