A birder feature from a BirdLife KZN Midlands member

The preliminary notification of the next BirdLife KZN Forum (March 2025) has just come through. The day of Forum talks and awards will held be in Ballito at Simbithi Country Club.

As a relatively new member of BirdLife South Africa and BirdLife KZN Midlands, I really encourage members to attend Forum.  My introduction to Forums was at Ladysmith which was absolutely spectacular! The talks, including a number of students presenting their research projects, were fascinating and the opportunity to look for Southern Bald Ibis roosting at Bedford Dam (the top dam, part of the Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme) was wonderful. Some fortunate participants also got to watch the masses of Amur Falcons coming in to roost in Bergville, a spectacle of note.

Bonamanzi in Zululand was next up and what a memorable event that was! Specials of Rosy-throated Longclaw, Pels Fishing Owl and African Pygmy Goose, amongst many others, ensured there was something for everyone to get excited about. A range of speakers at Forum added to my birding knowledge.

As for the extreme weather birding at Sani, my goodness, the extremes of watching vultures in the snow at the new Umzimkhulu Vulture Hide, and at least three pairs of Denham’s Bustards displaying in Coleford Nature Reserve and then Yellow-breasted Pipit in broad sunshine was truly magnificent.  The Forum programme was varied with lots of interesting input, particularly about Atlas results and the rarities committee.

Sadly, I wasn’t able to attend much of the Midlands Forum hosted at Amber Valley due to work commitments.

Red-billed Queleas

Personally, I find the value in attending Forum is immense! The range of venues in very different habitats ensures that there are plenty of opportunities for spotting “lifers”, meeting new friends, as well as learning from a wide range of speakers.

Book your spot for Forum at Simbithi between 21-23 March 2025 (use this link to register:

https://forms.gle/wJVv4ew9j3GJ7pNa7)

and make a plan for Lake St Lucia from 24 to 29 September 2025, you can be sure that there will be plenty to see and do and learn!

Sarah Allan
BirdLife KZN Midlands