APRIL 2021

MAY 2021

Saturday 1^ST MAY AND Sunday 2^nd MAY 07h00 BIRD WALK Pigeon Valley with Rowan Bartlett COMPLETED Pigeon Valley offers a bittersweet glimpse of what The Ridge must’ve looked like before it was settled. The birdlife is extraordinary throughout the year, with each season offering a slightly different cast of characters.  Firstly, watch the paths ahead for Green Twinspot, African and Red-billed Firefinches as well as Common and Grey Waxbills. We’ll stop at the various water points throughout the park and sit quietly to see what comes in. With any luck, we may encounter the very beautiful, but elusive, Buff-spotted Flufftail.  Other specials are Cardinal, Golden-tailed and Olive Woodpeckers and Grey-headed Bushshrike, as well as other more common forest standards such as Dark-backed Weaver, Square-tailed Drongo, Black-backed Puffback and African Paradise, Ashy and African Dusky Flycatchers. Gently strolling through the various paths, we’ll stop whenever we encounter a bird party, looking out for Chinspot and Cape Batis, Bar-throated and Yellow-breasted Apalis and Collared, Purple-banded, White-breasted, Olive, Grey and Amethyst Sunbirds. A resident pair of Black Sparrowhawks are often see, and sightings of Little Sparrowhawk and African Goshawk are also possible. Other specials include Brown-backed Honeybird and Green Malkoha and of course, the beautiful Spotted Ground Thrush. We’ll end at 11.30, but if you bring a picnic and blanket, we can find a sheltered spot somewhere on the main path and sit and watch what other birds pass through while we have our lunch.

https://forms.gle/PYfw8vddZAhwL7xv7

Tuesday 4^th MAY 07h00 SIT-IN North Park with Jane Morris We will be sitting in the picnic site which is a short distance from the parking area at North Park.  There is a lovely open glade surrounded by well-established trees  with a view onto the edge of a superb example of coastal lowland forest. There is an entrance fee of R 40.00p/p or use a Golden Rhino card.

https://forms.gle/qZxHJzrgZY7cemfb6

NOTE ADDITIONAL EVENT

Cape Parrot Count 8 and 9 May 2021

Birdlife eThekwini KZN will be involved in the Annual Cape Parrot count and we are fortunate to have been allocated the Impendle nature reserve, a closed reserve close to the village of Boston, and home to ten pairs of Blue swallow. In addition there are numerous other species of birds including Blue cranes and Ground Hornbills.  The Boston T Party accommodation (self-catering @ R320 per person sharing with camping facilities also available) (bostontparty.co.za) have agreed to accommodate us (about 30 minutes from the site) and Glynn Bullock (local birder) will guide us to the best observation sites. We should meet at midday on Saturday at the Boston T party where I am told there are very good water birds. We need to do our observations for three hours before sunset on Saturday, and three hours after sunrise on Sunday, so there should be plenty of time to enjoy the indigenous mist belt forest and grasslands.

Register using this link https://forms.gle/EYMijdSHWcWX6Neg6

Wednesday 12^th MAY 18h30 BIRD MEET PRESENTATION with Steve Woodhall The Butterfly Equivalents of Birds with Steve Woodhall.Come and have an entertaining evening as we find out which butterflies represent which bird. Raptors=Charaxes, LBJ’s = Skippers, CMF (like a Pitta) = Gold Banded Forester, Cuckoos = Skollies etc.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvc–prj8uG91cL6YXHrsJ7b0UEFQnsEvv

NOTE NEW & ADDITIONAL EVENT FOR MAY

Saturday 15^th MAY 08h00 – 15h00 KZN FORUM at the Amber Auditorium in Howick. Please diarise this date.  All members are encouraged to attend.  This is always a great day of talks about all things birding and conservation.  The BirdLife KZN forum is our regional assembly where KZN bird clubs and NGOs get together to share information and keep the birders in the province connected.  This day of talks always facilitates communication between clubs at a provincial level but also provides feedback to our National body as BLSA representatives are also always in attendance.  A programme of talks has been circulated to members and can be looked at by clicking here. The venue is at the Ambers so is safe with space for social distancing and parking.  There are some great birding spots nearby and so it is a lovely area and opportunity to tag some birding onto the Saturday.  For any members who wish to stay over on the Saturday night (there is lots of accommodation nearby) there is the opportunity to join a birding group early on Sunday morning.   The club will arrange a birding route to visit some of the more productive areas and connect with some midlands birds.  This will require car sharing or being in your own transport to move between areas which are all in close proximity to the venue.  Please email group@bekzn.org if you wish to be added to the attendance list for onward arrangements.

Sunday 16^th May 06h30 DAY TRIPPING! Umlalazi Nature Reservewith Penny de Vries Umlalazi Nature Reserve has a lot to offer with winter specials such as Mangrove Kingfisher, Chorister Robin-Chat and Spotted Ground Thrush. Palm-nut Vulture is also a resident here. Estuary habitat with mangroves, salt marsh and reedbeds as well as climax forest and grassland.  Travel distance approximately 1hr 40 mins. Entrance fee of R 40.00p/p or use a wild card.

https://forms.gle/5c2sg5wFs5jvy3bCA

LEADER TRAINING EVENT – POSTPONED

Sunday 23^rd MAY 08h00 BIRD LEARN Leader training programme Beachwood Mangroves with Activities Team Leader training programme Beachwood Mangroves – – If you are interested in leading a walk on behalf of the club but have been hesitant about doing so, please come along and learn some of the basics of leading a group.  We will do a walk followed by a workshop and end with a braai.  The club will provide salads and rolls but participants will have to commit to leading two walks over the year.  This will also be essential for the people who will be part of the group for the early morning bird walks which the club will be providing for the International Ornithological Congress in Durban in August 2022.

https://forms.gle/BrGeVs4eXqVnnUwE9

NOTE ADDITIONAL EVENT

Saturday 29th MAY 2021 10:00 AGM Flock 2021: A Virtual Affair BirdLife South Africa will be holding a virtual Flock in 2021. This year, in addition to BirdLife South Africa’s 92nd AGM, the event will also include a two-day Virtual Learn About Birds (LAB) Conference. The LAB takes place on 27 and 28 May, and the 92nd BirdLife South Africa AGM takes place at 10h00 on Saturday 29 May. Find out more about LAB at https://www.birdlife.org.za/support-us/events/learn-about-birds-lab-conference/. We’d be pleased to have many of our members attend our AGM, so please register at https://www.birdlife.org.za/support-us/events/flock-2021/.

At this AGM, some of BirdLife South Africa’s staff will present short talks about their important work. The prestigious Gill Memorial Medal will also be presented to one of Africa’s foremost ornithologists.

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hqxKZVYRQ0GxMzKRiezwDw

NOTE DATE CHANGE TO ALLOW FOR THE SATURDAY BIRDLIFE SOUTH AFRICA AGM

Sunday 30^th MAY 06h15 ATLAS CMGEwith Nicolette & Ticky Forbes BLPN 2021 ATLAS CHALLENGE – PAINT ME GREEN eTHEKWINI – start giving back to bird conservation by recording your sightings.  Atlassing is an extremely rewarding way to bird.  If you have a passion for birds and conservation your sightings can make a difference and contribute to long term monitoring.  We will be choosing a group of four or more pentads to atlas and turn yellow and then green for 2020.  We will divide into groups do the 2 hour protocol for adjacent pentads and then come together to compare notes and chat about the sightings and the habitat.  Be part of this exciting challenge and join the monthly trips.  The pentads which need data and colour will be chosen and communicated to the booked participants prior to the day.

https://forms.gle/uSZg9ELzq37ZNeit5

JUNE 2021

Wednesday 2^nd JUNE 14h00 BIRD WALK Stainbank Nature Reserve with Rowan Bartlett This is one of the most popular parks in Durban, and for good reason. The varying habitats offer a wide variety of birds, with beautiful scenery and close encounters with game too. We will walk through the forest loop, looking for Bushshrikes, Black-headed Orioles, Ashy Flycatcher and many other forest specials. There is a chance for Narina Trogon, Green Twinspot and Buff-spotted Flufftail, not to mention Terrestrial Brownbul, Sombre and Yellow-bellied Greenbul, and Spotted Ground Thrush. Keep looking up for the Majestic Crowned Eagle as well as many other raptors hunting overhead. We will then make our way through the grasslands and up to the dam to look out for any interesting waterfowl, we may even have a chance at Black-crowned Night Heron and Striated Heron. Then we will find nice forest clearings where we can sit quietly and see what passes us. Many birds enjoy hunting and foraging on the edges of forests, so this is always an excellent way to look out for things like Grey Waxbills, Grey-headed and Olive Bushshrikes and various types of Flycatcher.  If we have time, we will head down to the bottom picnic area. Bring any snacks or refreshments and we can spend the last moments of the day watching the surrounding trees and the sky for anything we may have missed at the top of the park.  Depending on what time the gates close, we may even have a chance at seeing a Spotted Eagle Owl. Stainbank is a fairly large reserve with trails of various lengths. To make it more accessible to all members, I would prefer to keep to the shorter trails and spend more time birding, less time hiking, but even so, it will still be a fair bit of walking so wear comfortable shoes!

https://forms.gle/otrLFqTHR5F7sD1Z7

Saturday 5^th JUNE 08h00 BIRD WALK New Germany with Elena Russel This lovely little reserve can be very rewarding.  The grasslands can produce Zitting Cisticolas, African Pipit and Little Bee-eaters, Robins and Flycatchers are found in the forest and if you are lucky an African Goshawk will show.

https://forms.gle/KZNnks4TSSDPhcnP8

Wednesday 9^th JUNE 18h30 BIRD MEET PRESENTATION with Gunnar Engblom, Peru The Bucket List Approach to Birding by Gunnar Engblom. The way to lure new birders and even non-birders to a birding tour is to make it short, focus on spectacular bird species and iconic mammals, and include world heritage sites such as Machu Picchu or the Taj Mahal. Gunnar Engblom – a Swedish birder living in Peru and owner of a bird tour company Kolibri Expeditions – gives examples from around the world and especially from Peru practising this new concept he calls 7 Wonders Birding.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pcuysqD0sGdZ58QSAklV3c1Y677praYIU

Tuesday 15^th JUNE 07h00 SIT-IN Pigeon Valley with Jenny Norman Pigeon Valley in winter is well known for Spotted Ground Thrush and if we’re lucky, Green Twinspot.  We will sit just inside the reserve near the sign board and a bird bath while we watch and wait.

https://forms.gle/DtgjpDNBLUA9yUHu6

Saturday 26^th JUNE 06h15 ATLAS CMGE with Nicolette & Ticky Forbes BLPN 2021 ATLAS CHALLENGE – PAINT ME GREEN eTHEKWINI – start giving back to bird conservation by recording your sightings.  Atlassing is an extremely rewarding way to bird.  If you have a passion for birds and conservation your sightings can make a difference and contribute to long term monitoring.  We will be choosing a group of four or more pentads to atlas and turn yellow and then green for 2020.  We will divide into groups do the 2 hour protocol for adjacent pentads and then come together to compare notes and chat about the sightings and the habitat.  Be part of this exciting challenge and join the monthly trips.  The pentads which need data and colour will be chosen and communicated to the booked participants prior to the day.

https://forms.gle/DUokW9JhMvdAvb6h7

Sunday 27^th JUNE 07h00 BIRD WALK Simbithi Eco-estate with Mike O’Donoghue Rich in history and boasting a vast acreage of indigenous forests, bush and natural wetlands Simbithi Eco-Estate is home to a range of animals and plants. Five walking trails are possible which span the various habitat types.  Possible winter sightings could include Spotted Ground Thrush, Little Sparrowhawk, Green Malkoha, Grey Waxbill as well as a wide variety of the more common coastal forest species.  Access to this gated estate is via codes that will be provided to those that have booked by the evening prior to the walk. Bring a driver’s licence or some form of identification for access purposes.  On returning to the clubhouse after the walk, the covered seating area around the pool will be available to those wanting to enjoy a rest and any refreshments or packed breakfast that they may have brought along.  

https://forms.gle/N5M1dRsRi26qZYJSA

AUGUST 2021

Thursday 12 August @18h30 BE KZN’s Let’s Chat–Birds and Birding

LEARN ABOUT THE NATIONAL BIRD ATLAS PROGRAMME (SABAP2) For beginners or those wanting to fill in the gaps: Learn about atlassing – an interactive session where you can ask the questions you have always wanted to ask to understand the national bird atlas programme.  We will go through the basics of what the atlas programme is, what the SABAP2 database can provide and how you input into it.  SABAP2 is the most important bird monitoring project in the southern African region. Birding with a purpose will provide huge satisfaction, particularly when you are able to contribute valuable data to the SABAP2 programme.

Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAodeyvrzsuHdzvRzYhkER_qwWHx3XP3Hd4

Wednesday 18 August @18h30 BE KZN’s Let’s Chat–Birds and Birding

GUEST PRESENTATION by Cameron McLean Biodiversity planning and protection in Durban- What are we doing and how can it be improved Cameron is a Senior Specialist Ecologist at eThekwini Municipality and has worked tirelessly on the Durban Metropolitan Open Space System (DMOSS) which covers the inclusion and protection of so many of our much loved areas for birding within the municipal boundaries.  Cameron will tell us a bit about how areas are included and the progress of implementation of the conservation plan to ensure our biodiversity hotspots support all life forms including a diverse and abundant bird population.

Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pcuqorDMrGNPjT5c9dm2NSxOrhBlUVXDq

Friday 20 August @18h30 BE KZN’s Let’s Chat–Birds and Birding

GET FAMILIAR WITH YOUR GARDEN BIRDS Twenty Common Garden Birds – For the beginners and those needing refreshing Come and learn about the most common garden birds so you can begin recognising these species wherever you are.  We will place close attention to diagnostic features and the obvious or easy calls.

Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErcuqtqD8vHdLA_uHjnCNX22wD150kQcxD

Wednesday 25 August @18h30 BE KZN’s Let’s Chat–Birds and Birding

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION #1 by Dave Rimmer Nibela Peninsula, Mpempe and Muzi Pans: This is the first session in a series that will profile great birding locations around KZN. We will have different people profile their favourite birding spots near and far – their location, how to get there, what they look like, facilities available, birds you can see there and specials.

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItf–oqjwjGtKwrQaiS82g-mOY6synW5P

Friday 27 August @18h30 BE KZN’s Let’s Chat–Birds and Birding

Fun Birding Quiz Please join us online to keep the club connected and sharing and have some fun.  Have your drinks, thinking brains and mouse(s) ready and participate in teams or as individuals a fun birding quiz. We will have a general section, birds and culture, bird identification and a trick question or two.

Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAufuqpqjwuE9PNczRGH3hlNZmE3iV10ROy

Monday 30 August @18h30 BE KZN’s Let’s Chat–Birds and Birding

BE KZN Colour Me Green, eThekwini Atlas Challenge Get updated on the challenge and raise any queries you may have. We will discuss the club’s  atlassing and chat through some of the issues we are seeing from club members and raised by club members for pentads and cards submitted.  The participants are encouraged to attend.  We will look through the species list and position of the challengers as well as the Full Protocol card data.

Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrcu-tpjwpH9I_PIGdexWHDq4VzhZ7NbUt

SEPTEMBER 2021

Wednesday 8 September @18h30 BE KZN’s BIRD TALKS! GUEST PRESENTATION by Leigh Richards         

Using Acoustic Data to Determine the ‘Who’, ‘Where’ & ‘When’.   Leigh Richards – eThekwini Bat Monitoring Programme.  This presentation was seen by Nicolette Forbes at the recent biodiversity meeting and is not to be missed!  A fascinating look at these other flying creatures that share our urban spaces and the monitoring being done by eThekwini Municipality EPCPD.

Register for this meeting by clicking on the link below:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYld–rqzwsHNM20C0X9pniNR3LbkXW5kQ_

Thursday 9 September @07h30 BEKZN SIT-IN PARADISE VALLEY with Jenny Norman.  A little gem of a Nature Reserve in Pinetown, with quality forest and riverine birding.  Mountain Wagtails are some of the special species we can expect to see.  Over the years Crowned Eagles have nested here. There is a small entrance fee with pensioners’ rates. 

Register for this walk using this link: https://forms.gle/tVcWwCNzKzFFbA2d9

Saturday 11 September @07h30 BEKZN BIRD WALK DURBAN BOTANICAL GARDEN with Ismail Vahed.  These gardens can be broadly divided into three areas, open grassy ornamental gardens, wooded areas with tangles of vegetation and large trees and then the star of the show which is the lake area with its constant noisy and busy community of weavers, herons, ibis and waterfowl going about their business.  Red-capped Robin-chat, drongos and Black Flycatcher are all present and give great opportunities for close encounters.  Black-throated Wattle-eye is a real possibility

Register for this walk using this link: https://forms.gle/4cMAjvqcTfTyid1y8

Sunday 12 September @06h00 BEKZN DAY TRIPPING TANGLEWOOD FARM with Dave Rimmer Hidden below the cliffs alongside the Kloof Country Club area is a nature sanctuary called Tanglewood Farm.  160 acres of grassland and pristine forest between Kloof and the factories of Westmead.  An impressive variety of birds can be found here, the specials will hopefully include, Narina Trogon, Crowned Eagle, Knysna Turaco, African Golden Weaver, Green Wood-hoopoe, Olive Woodpecker, Common Square-tailed Drongo, Lazy Cisticola, Croaking Cisticola. 

Register for this walk using this link: https://forms.gle/YUW7Bh6yeNnNT3iN7

Wednesday 15 September @07h00 BEKZN BIRD WALK NEW GRMANY NATURE RESERVE with Terry Walls.   A delightful reserve comprising coastal grassland, bush clumps mosaic, riparian forest and wetland. This diverse habitat has over the years has produced several special birds. Some of the species we hope to see are Rufous-naped Lark, Yellow-Throated Longclaw, Blue-Mantled Crested Flycatcher. A Spotted Eagle Owl has been seen in the past.

Register for this walk using this link: https://forms.gle/W5F5x3N5DuBjywzY6

Thursday 23 September @09h00 BEKZN BIRD LEARN NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM with David Allan.  A final chance of going through the bird room in the Research area of the museum with David Allan. David Allan has been Curator of Birds at the Durban Natural Science Museum since 1996. The Durban Natural Science Museum, houses over 40 000 skins, and many type specimens collected by imminent collectors, and is one of the most important bird collections in Africa.  The skins at the museum serve a valuable function by being available to ornithologists, students, authors and artists of bird books to study, sample and compare.   Come and spend a morning with David to see what work in the museum entails.

Register in advance for this session:  https://forms.gle/Cvm2Eb1Y3b86NuSXA

Saturday 25 September @06h00 BE KZN’s Atlas Challenge CMGE ATLAS ADVENTURE #4 with Nicolette and Ticky Forbes.  BEKZN Colour Me Green, eThekwini Atlas Challenge Activity #4We will be atlassing the pentads around the area affected by the now infamous UPL chemical spill (uMhlanga estuary/ river and surrounds) – come and see the effects and contribute to data collection to record this significant event.

Register for this exploration using this link: https://forms.gle/4SD9L8NTFY1m63tn8

Wednesday 29 September @18h30 BEKZN’s Let’s Chat–Birds and Birding GET FAMILIAR WITH YOUR GARDEN/URBAN BIRDS with Nicolette & Ticky Forbes.  Common Urban Birds – For the beginners and those needing refreshing (CONTINUED from last session). Come and learn about the most common urban birds so you can begin recognising these species wherever you are, your garden, park or game reserve.  We will place close attention to diagnostic features and the obvious or easy calls.

Register for this meeting by clicking on the link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsfuugpjIvE9IkMH5FP374SY0Jw4W3hPhn

OCTOBER 2021

Saturday 2 October @ 06h30 BEKZN BIRD WALK BRETTENWOOD COASTAL ESTATE with Rex Aspeling. The Brettenwood Coastal Estate walk is through lush coastal forest where there is a good variety of birds to be seen.  The previous BEKZN visit produced 72 different species and this included Palm-nut vulture, Black-throated wattle eye, Red-faced cisticola and Scaly-throated honeyguide.  On other occasions Mangrove kingfisher and Green malkoha have been spotted on the estate.

Register for this walk using this link: https://forms.gle/SZoweN8SagGEFzzr7

Monday 4 October @ 06h30 BEKZN DAY TRIPPING TOTI BIRD PARK with Hazel Nevin           

A visit to the Amanzimtoti Bird Park is always exciting.  There are lovely birds to be seen and one can expect to see a range of different birds.  Some of the species we hope to see are Malachite sunbird, Grey-headed sparrow, Sombre Greenbul, Dark-backed Weaver.  Previous sightings have been recorded of Grey Waxbill and Black-throated wattle-eye and the Half-collared kingfisher has made an appearance before.

Register for this outing using this link: https://forms.gle/touS8E3WBLXRBSFz5

Saturday 9 October @ 07h00 BEKZN BIRD WALK GIBA GORGE with Cameron McLean 

This walk will start from the Upper End of Giba Gorge.  Birding in Giba has been very rewarding in the past and some of the species we hope to see are Emerald–spotted Wood dove, Southern Boubou, Black-headed Oriole, Golden-tailed Woodpecker and Mountain Wagtail.  And there is always the chance of seeing some special raptors like Long-crested Eagle, African Fish and Crowned Eagles.  Booted Eagle have also been recorded at Giba.  

Register For this walk using this link: https://forms.gle/L7P2aHyNPjSJXUqj6

Wednesday 13 October @18h30 BEKZN TALKS! PISHING AND PLAYBACK with Eckhart Buchmann

Online Presentation with Eckhart Buchmann. Pishing and playback for birds, an experiment, the evidence and thoughts on right and wrong. 

Register for this meeting using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuf-igrjgrG9dSDgjjaU3lkKG_K-RiVxCV

Sunday 17 October @06h30 BE KZN BIRD WALK SAPPI MBOZAMBA WETLANDS with Mike O’Donoghue      

This birding venue is very rewarding and time at the hide can produce a good list with good changes at times for more unusual species such as African and Painted snipe, African rail, Baillon’s crake, Lesser moorhen. There is usually a great variety of waterfowl and waders, that are starting to arrive back on our shores from their northern breeding grounds.

Register for this walk using the link: https://forms.gle/ReXdh6HmPUuziL9i9

Saturday 23 October KZN FORUM IN HOWICK.  KZN FORUM at the Amber Auditorium in Howick. Please diarise this date.  All members are encouraged to attend.  This is always a great day of talks about all things birding and conservation.  The BirdLife KZN forum is our regional assembly where KZN bird clubs and NGOs get together to share information and keep the birders in the province connected.  This day of talks always facilitates communication between clubs at a provincial level but also provides feedback to our National body as BLSA representatives are also always in attendance.  This time the CEO of BirdLife South Africa Mark Anderson will be there to deliver two presentations.   A programme of talks will be circulated to members. There are some great birding spots nearby and so it is a lovely area and opportunity to tag some birding onto the Saturday.  

Thursday 28 October @07h00 BEKZN SIT IN WESTVILLE SCOUT BOWL with Jenny Norman This little gem of a park is situated in the heart of Westville, it is surrounded by the M13, shopping malls and sports clubs but it offers really good quality birding.  The habitat consists of forest patches, bush clumps, open woodland and grassland patches.  Right close to the parking is a heavily vegetated pond.  We will bring our chairs and sit alongside the pond and see what comes in.  Pied Mannikin are usually seen in the trees alongside the pond.  

Register for this Sit In using the link:  

https://forms.gle/2grNHU4dA3VG4Zf7A