🌿 BeKZN Birding Diary – November 2026

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🌿 BeKZN Birding Diary – October 2026

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🌿 BeKZN Birding Diary – September 2026

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🟠 Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 September – 2026 Plant Fair: Durban Botanic Gardens
⏰ 09h00–16h00
Combine a visit to the Durban Botanic Gardens’ annual Plant Fair with some casual birding in one of Durban’s best-known green spaces.
🌺 While buying new bird pins and browsing the plant stalls, take some time to explore the gardens and keep your binoculars handy. The dam and water features, mature trees, and rolling lawns provide habitat for a variety of birds.
🐦 An enjoyable outing for birders who want to combine their love of birds, plants and the outdoors.

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🟢 4 – 6 and 11 – 13 September
BeKZN Away Weekends in Kamberg

🛏️ LAST ROOMS AVAILABLE!

4–6 September: The 4-bed room with en-suite bathroom is still available — R2,100 for a family of four or R1,400 for a couple for the weekend.

11–13 September: One place remains available for a man to share a room with another male guest, with an en-suite bathroom — R700 for the weekend.

❗Please email activities@bekzn.org to book your spot ❗

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🔵 Wednesday 16 September – Bird Learn: Waders & Waterbirds
⏰ 19h00 | Online (Zoom) | 📚 Presented by Steve Davis
How well do you know your waders and waterbirds?
Join Steve Davis for an evening of learning about the birds we encounter around wetlands, estuaries, dams and coastal areas.
🦆 Learn how to recognise different groups, what features to look for when identifying them, and how to distinguish some of the trickier species in the field.
🔎 A useful session for anyone wanting to build confidence with waterbirds and waders before the migrants arrive.

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🟢 Thursday 17 September – Stake-Out: Memorial Park, Kloof
⏰ 07h30 | Easy terrain | 🔭 Hosted by Jenny Norman
🌿 Explore this beautiful green space and see what birdlife we can discover among the trees, gardens and open areas.
🔎 A great opportunity to practise your identification skills and discover what can be found right on our doorstep.

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🔴 Saturday 19 September – Conservation: Buffelsdraai Community Reforestation Project, Verulam
⏰ 07:00 | Medium terrain | 🌱 Hosted by Steve Davis
Come and visit the Buffelsdraai Community Reforestation Project in Verulam and learn more about the important work being done to restore indigenous forest and improve habitat for wildlife.
🌳 The project forms part of a long-term effort to restore natural vegetation and create healthier ecosystems within the community.

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🔴 Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 September – KZN Forum, Howick

✅ Please email Sally Cumming at sally.j.cumming@gmail.com to register your attendance

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🌿 BeKZN Birding Diary – August 2026

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🟢 Sunday 2 August – Walk: Palmiet Nature Reserve, Westville
⏰ 07h30 | Easy terrain | 🌿 Hosted by Terry Walls
Explore the varied habitats of this special, where forest, grassland and wetland areas meet to create a lovely mix of birding opportunities.
🎯 Possibly sightings include Half-collared Kingfisher, Mountain Wagtail, and Magpie Mannikin.

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🟢 Sunday 9 August – Walk: Everton Conservancy
⏰ 07h30 | Medium terrain | 🌳 Hosted by Garth Aiston
Let’s spend the morning quietly exploring the forest, listening and looking out.
🎯 Keep an eye out for Narina Trogon and Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, as well as seasonal visitors such as White-starred Robin and Bush Blackcap.
🎶 This is a wonderful opportunity to practice your knowledge of bird calls and discover how much you can find by listening before you look.

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🟢 Thursday 13 August – Stake-Out: Bridgevale Park
⏰ 07h30 | Easy terrain | 🔭 Hosted by Jenny Norman
Come and enjoy a relaxed morning of birding overlooking a mix of forest and grassland habitats.
🎯 Possible sightings include Little Bee-eater, Purple-banded Sunbird, and Red-throated Wryneck.

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🟢 Sunday 16 August – Walk: Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve, Glenwood
⏰ 07h15 | Easy–medium terrain | 🌿 Hosted by Steve Hughes
Explore the rich birdlife of this beautiful pocket of coastal forest, tucked away in the heart of Durban.
🎯 Possible sightings include Spotted Ground Thrush, Buff-spotted Flufftail, Olive Woodpecker, and Green Twinspot.

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🟠 Saturday 22 August – Day Trip: Sunhill Farm, Ballito
⏰ 07h00 | Day Trip | 🌾 Hosted by Ronnie Herr
Join us for an exciting day trip to Sunhill Farm near Ballito, where macadamia orchards meet grassland, a dam and wetland habitats.
🎯 Look out for Black-crowned Tchagra, Orange-breasted Waxbill, White-backed Duck, and Yellow-throated Longclaw.
A full day of birding in a varied landscape, with plenty of time to explore different habitats and enjoy the company of fellow birders.

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🔵 Wednesday 26 August – Talk: Where Conservation Meets Reality – An Overview of BirdLife South Africa’s Conservation Projects
⏰ 19h00 | Online (Zoom) | 🎤 Presented by Hanneline Smit-Robinson
Join Dr Hanneline Smit-Robinson, Head of Conservation at BirdLife South Africa, as she highlights BirdLife South Africa’s conservation projects and the work being done to protect South Africa’s birds and their habitats.
💚 An opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how conservation works in practice and the role we can all play in supporting the protection of birds and their habitats.

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🔴 Sunday 30 August – Conservation: Van Riebeeck Park, Bluff
⏰ 06h30 | Easy terrain | 🌱 Hosted by Steve Davis
Join our ongoing conservation efforts at Van Riebeeck Park as we continue monitoring this important wetland site and the birdlife it supports.
🎯 Learn to identify grassland and wetland birds, including cisticolas and warblers.
🦆 An interesting and meaningful morning of birding that gives us the opportunity to contribute directly to conservation in our community.

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🌿 BeKZN Birding Diary – July 2026

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🟢 Thursday 2 July – Stake-Out: Jubilee Park, Westville
⏰ 07h30 | Easy terrain | 🔭 Hosted by Jenny Norman
A peaceful morning beside the wetlands, letting the birds come to us.
🎯 Keep an eye out for Green Twinspot, Magpie Mannikin, and Tambourine Dove.
Bring a chair and enjoy a relaxed birding session in one of Westville’s hidden gems.

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🟢 Saturday 4 July – Walk: Ashburton Aloe Festival
⏰ 08h00 | Easy–medium terrain | 🌺 Hosted by Simon Joubert & Tayla van Rees

Join BirdLife eThekwini KZN for a guided bird walk on Galago Farm as we explore the local river and bushveld trails, as part of the 2026 Ashburton Aloe Festival.

The festival runs from 09h00–16h00 across four venues and offers nature walks, talks, local stalls, food vendors, plant and aloe sales, a snake show, and anti-poaching K9 demonstrations.

🎟️ Tickets: Quicket | Adults R50 | Children R20 | Under 6 free. One ticket gives access to all four festival venues. Funds raised support anti-poaching activities in the Lower Mpushini Valley Conservancy.

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🟢 Saturday 11 July – Walk: Danville Park, Durban North
⏰ 07h30 | Easy terrain | 🌳 Hosted by Marco Franchini
A favourite coastal reserve offering a reed-lined dam, and surrounding open grassland and forest.
🎯 Possible sightings include Purple-banded Sunbird, Grey Sunbird, Red-headed Quelea, Brimstone Canary and Black Cuckooshrike.
An excellent venue for beginners and experienced birders alike.

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🔴 Sunday 19 July – Conservation: Winter Coordinated Waterbird Count (CWAC), uMngeni River Mouth
⏰ 08h30 | Easy terrain | 🌱 Hosted by Steve Davis
🌊 Explore the estuary while improving your waterbird identification skills and contributing to one of South Africa’s longest-running citizen science projects.
🐦 Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just getting started, this is a fantastic opportunity to bird alongside experienced members while making a real contribution to conservation.
🎯 All skill levels are welcome! If you can identify common birds such as Grey Herons and Blacksmith Lapwings, you already have the skills to contribute.

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🟢 Saturday 25 July – Walk: Umbogavango Nature Reserve, Amanzimtoti
⏰ 07h00 | Medium terrain | 🌿 Hosted by Rob McLennan-Smith & Adam Cruickshank
A beautiful reserve and birding gem with a combination of coastal forest and a series of wetlands and dams, making for an exciting morning of birding.
🎯 Possible sightings include Magpie Mannikin, Black-throated Wattle-eye, and Spotted Ground Thrush.

🌿 BeKZN Birding Diary – June 2026

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🟢 Saturday 6 June – Walk: Virginia Bush Nature Reserve
⏰ 07h00 | Easy terrain | 🌳 Hosted by Marco Francini
A well-known urban reserve with with wonderful coastal forest.
🎯 Expect a good variety of forest species, with possible Spotted Ground Thrush as a Winter migrant.
A relaxed winter morning walk with birding opportunities for all levels.

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🟢 Thursday 11 June – Stake-Out: Bluff Nature Reserve
⏰ 07h30 | Easy terrain | 🪑 Hosted by Jenny Norman
This reserve includes a large wetland, reedbeds and coastal forest, with two bird hides offering excellent viewing opportunities for waterbirds and forest species.
🎯 Possible sightings: Black-throated Wattle-eye, Purple-banded Sunbird, Red-headed Quelea and Red-billed Quelea.

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🟡 Sunday 14 June – Atlas Outing (Pentad Atlassing)
⏰ 06h00 | Easy terrain | 🗺️ Hosted by Dave Rimmer
Take part in citizen science and help build South Africa’s bird distribution data.
📋 Explore lesser-birded areas and contribute to SABAP2 records.
🎯 Past atlasing trips have produced African Firefinch, Blue Waxbill and a number of raptors.
This is a great opportunity for new birders to be exposed to a variety of habitats and bird species in an area you most likely haven’t explored.

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🏡 Saturday 20 – Sunday 21 June – Indigenous Open Gardens: Garden 1
⏰ 09h00 – 16h00
📍 Cliffview Estate, 58 Buckingham Road, Kloof
Come and visit BirdLife eThekwini KZN at Garden 1 – and get access to Gardens 2 and 3, as well as the Cliffview Common Gardens and Forest Walk.
🌿 A celebration of indigenous gardening and biodiversity.

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📚 Tuesday 23 June – Bird Learn: A Lifelong Journey – Essentials for Improving your Birding
⏰ 19h00 | Online (Zoom) | 🎤 Presented by Steve Hughes
🦜 Whether you’re new to birding or looking to refine your skills, discover the tools, techniques, and identification processes that will help you get more from every birding outing.

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🟢 Sunday 28 June – Walk: Tanglewood
⏰ 07h00 | Easy–medium terrain | 🌿 Hosted by Sean Walker & Steve Hughes
A productive and varied habitat offering good forest and bushveld birding.
🎯 Expect grassland and forest birds as well as raptors on this private estate.
🐦 There will be plenty of opportunities to practice the Bird Learn techniques at this event.

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🟢 Sunday 28 June – Stake-Out: Tanglewood
⏰ 07h00 | Easy terrain | 🔭 Hosted by Tayla van Rees & Jenny Norman
A relaxed sit-and-watch session at the estate dam, focusing on observation and patience.
🌿 Ideal for photography and practicing the Bird Learn techniques looking out over the dam.

🌿 BeKZN Birding Diary – May 2026

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🟢 Saturday 2 May – Walk: Umhlanga Nature Reserve
⏰ 06h30 | Easy-medium terrain | 🌊 Hosted by Tayla van Rees
A mix of wetland, coastal forest, and lagoon birding.
🎯 Possible species: Black-throated Wattle-eye, Spotted Ground Thrush, and Southern Brown-throated Weaver.
An adventurous walk with a great variety of habitats and birds.

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🟢 Thursday 7 May – Stake-Out: Durban Botanic Gardens
⏰ 07h30 | Easy terrain | 🔭 Hosted by Jenny Norman
Urban birding at its most rewarding. We will sit beside the lake and watch the activity unfold.
🎯 Regular highlights include Palmnut Vulture, breeding Black Sparrowhawk, Brown-backed Honeybird, Buff-spotted Flufftail and heron activity – with hopes for Black-crowned Night Heron.
A relaxed sit-and-watch outing ideal for beginners and photographers.

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🔴 Saturday 9 May – eBird Global Big Day (Citizen Science Event)
🐧 Join birders across the globe in one of the biggest birding events of the year! Take part by birding anywhere – your garden, local park, or favourite reserve – and logging what you see.
⏰ You can bird for 10 minutes or the whole day – every sighting helps scientists better understand bird populations and distribution.
🎯 Submit to eBird (website or mobile app) and contribute to a global snapshot of birdlife.
https://ebird.org/news/global-big-day-2026

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🟢 Sunday 10 May – Walk: Umdoni Park (Pennington)
⏰ 06h30 | Easy-medium terrain | 🌳 Hosted by Garth Aiston
Coastal forest birding at its best.
🎯 Regular highlights include Spotted Ground Thrush, Brown Scrub-Robin, Brown-backed Honeybird, Knysna Turaco and Green Malkoha.
Keep your eyes peeled for coastal forest specials!

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📚 Wednesday 13 May – BeKZN Bird Learn: Warbler Sounds
⏰ 19h00 | Online (Zoom) | 🎤 Presented by Steve Davis
🎧 Are you confused about which bird is calling from deep within the reeds or bushes? Join this talk to start identifying warblers by learning some of the most common warbler calls around you.

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🟢 Saturday 16 May – Walk: New Germany Nature Reserve
⏰ 07h30 | Easy–medium terrain | 🌿 Hosted by Cara Christianson
A compact but productive reserve combining grassland and forest habitats.
🎯 Possible species: Yellow-throated Longclaw, Rufous-naped Lark, Narina Trogon and occasionally Spotted Eagle-Owl.
Excellent variety and a very enjoyable winter morning walk.

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🔴 Sunday 31 May – Conservation: Van Riebeeck Park (Bluff)
⏰ 07h00 | Easy terrain | 🌱 Hosted by Steve Davis
Return to our ongoing wetland monitoring site. Members can see first-hand how habitat restoration benefits birds over time.
🦆 Expect waterbirds, weavers and seasonal visitors while supporting one of BirdLife eThekwini KZN’s most important hands-on conservation initiatives.

🌿 BeKZN Birding Diary – April 2026

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🟢 Sunday 12 April – Walk: Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve
⏰ 07h30 | Easy terrain | 🌳 Hosted by Rob McLennan-Smith
One of Durban’s most reliable and enjoyable birding venues, offering grassland, coastal forest and wetland habitat around the dam.
🎯 Regular specials include Narina Trogon, Green Twinspot, Grey Waxbill and occasionally Green Malkoha.
A relaxed walk with excellent variety and good chances for both beginners and experienced birders.

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🔵 Wednesday 15 April – Talk: Raptors – A Beginner’s Guide to “Large Brown Jobs”
⏰ 18h00 | Online (Zoom) | 🎤 Presented by John Kinghorn
Confused by that soaring raptor overhead? This practical introduction will help demystify raptor identification.
🦅 Learn key shapes, flight styles and behaviour cues to separate buzzards, eagles and hawks with confidence.

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🟢 Thursday 16 April – Stake-Out: Crowned Eagle Estate
⏰ 07h30 | Easy terrain | 🔭 Hosted by Jenny Norman
A special visit to a private estate overlooking a river and waterfall.
🌿 Expect quality forest birding and a peaceful sit-and-watch session in beautiful surroundings.
Bring a chair and enjoy birds coming to you.

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🟡 Sunday 19 April – Atlas Outing (Pentad Atlassing)
⏰ 06h00 | Easy terrain | 🗺️ Hosted by Dave Rimmer
Take part in citizen science and help build South Africa’s bird distribution data.
📋 Explore lesser-birded areas and contribute to SABAP2 records.
🎯 Past atlasing trips have produced Orange-breasted Waxbill and a variety of raptors.

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🟢 Saturday 25 April – Walk: Giba Gorge Grasslands
⏰ 06h00 | Medium terrain | 🌾 Hosted by Adam Cruickshank
A chance to explore open grassland habitat — very different from forest birding.
👣 Expect early morning activity and good visibility for larks, pipits and other grassland specials.

🔴 Sunday 1 March – Conservation: Van Riebeeck Park (Bluff)
⏰ 06h30 | Easy terrain | 🌱 Hosted by Steve Davis
Our regular wetland monitoring visit. This small Bluff reserve continues to improve through ongoing clean-ups and habitat care.
🦆 Expect waterbirds, weavers and seasonal visitors while learning how habitat restoration benefits birds.
💚 A simple but important way members directly contribute to conservation.

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📋 BeKZN AGM – Annual General Meeting
🗓️ Details circulated separately
The club’s main annual gathering — reports, plans, committee matters and the future direction of BirdLife eThekwini KZN.

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🟢 Saturday 14 March – Walk: Springside Nature Reserve (Hillcrest)
⏰ 07h30 | Easy terrain | 🌾 Hosted by Cara Christianson
Grassland and forest along a small river corridor.
🎯 Target species: Broad-tailed Grassbird, Holub’s Golden Weaver, Red-throated Wryneck.
A relaxed and reliable birding venue with good visibility and pleasant walking.

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🔵 Wednesday 18 March – Talk: “The Big Year of African Sounds”
⏰ 18h00 | Online (Zoom) | 🎤 Presented by Ian Davies with John Kinghorn
Cornell University and BirdLife South Africa are collecting recordings of African bird vocalisations — and birders can help!
🎧 Learn how sound recording contributes to research and conservation and how you can add a new skill to your birding toolkit.

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🟢 Thursday 19 March – Stake Out: Westville Scout Bowl
⏰ 07h30 | Easy terrain | 🔭 Hosted by Jenny Norman
A surprising urban oasis surrounded by suburbia.
We will sit beside a vegetated pond and watch what comes in.
🎯 Often productive for Pied Mannikin and other woodland and wetland birds.
🪑 Bring a chair — this is classic sit-and-watch birding!

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🔵 Wednesday 25 March – Talk: “Location, Location, Location – Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park”
⏰ 18h00 | 🎤 Presented by Nicky Forbes
Planning a trip to the Kgalagadi?
Learn the best camps, roads and viewing areas — where to stay, how to drive it, and how to maximise sightings in this iconic desert park.

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🟢 Saturday 28 March – Walk: Grass Roots (Cato Ridge)
⏰ 06h00 | Medium terrain | 🌾 Hosted by Adam Cruickshank
A working farm growing instant lawn with three large ponds and wide open views — easy walking and excellent birding.
🦆 Expect African Swamphen, African Black Duck, Black-winged Lapwing and Southern Bald Ibis.
🚗 Important: Please keep vehicles off the grass when parking.

🌿 BeKZN Birding Diary – February 2026

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🟢 Sunday 8 February – Walk: Durban Botanic Gardens
⏰ 06h00 | Easy terrain | 🌴 Hosted by Elton Bartlett
Urban birding at its best! The gardens consistently produce exciting sightings.
🎯 Possible highlights: Palmnut Vulture, breeding Black Sparrowhawk, Brown-backed Honeybird, Buff-spotted Flufftailand recently breeding Black-crowned Night Heron.
A relaxed walk with excellent photographic opportunities.

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🟡 Sunday 15 February – Atlas Outing (Pentad Atlassing)
⏰ 06h00 | Easy terrain | 🗺️ Hosted by Dave Rimmer
Help collect real conservation data while discovering new birding areas.
📋 Contribute to SABAP2 by birding “off the beaten track”.
🎯 Previous outings have produced Orange-breasted Waxbill and various raptors.
A perfect way to turn birding into meaningful science.

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🔵 Wednesday 18 February – Talk: House Crow Eradication & Invasive Species Management
⏰ 18h00 | Online (Zoom) | 🎤 Presented by Bheka Nxele
How eThekwini Municipality is tackling invasive species and restoring ecosystems.
🪶 Case study: the House Crow eradication programme.
An important conservation topic showing how urban management directly protects indigenous birds.

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📚 Saturday 21 February – BeKZN Bird Learn Course: Bird Names, Species, Splits & Lumps
👩‍🏫 Presented by Ticky & Nicky Forbes
A deeper learning workshop on bird taxonomy and changing species lists.
Understand why names change, what “splits” and “lumps” mean, and how it affects your life list and field guides.

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🟢 Sunday 22 February – Walk: Palmiet Nature Reserve
⏰ 06h00 | Medium terrain | 🌳 Hosted by Rob McLennan-Smith
Riverine forest in Westville with excellent habitat diversity.
⭐ Recently added due to requests following sightings of Half-collared Kingfisher.
Quiet walking may also produce forest specials and kingfishers along the river.

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🟢 Thursday 26 February – Stake-Out: Palmiet Nature Reserve (Pond Sit-and-Watch)
⏰ 07h30 | Easy terrain | 🔭 Hosted by Jenny Norman
Bring a chair and watch the pond and cliffs.
🎯 Possible birds: Half-collared Kingfisher, Mountain Wagtail, Giant Kingfisher — and whatever else flies in!

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🟠 Saturday 28 February – Day Trip: Darville Settling Ponds (Pietermaritzburg)
⏰ 06h00 | Medium terrain | 🚶 Hosted by Adam Cruickshank
A longer ±5 km walk — sometimes muddy — but worth it!
🦆 Target wetland specials: Greater Painted Snipe, African Snipe, African Rail, Baillon’s Crake.
👢 Gumboots recommended if wet.

Part of UKZN’s natural heritage, this small forest reserve offers surprising diversity in a compact space. 🎯 Possible species: Black-bellied Starling, Brimstone Canary, Square-tailed Drongo, Thick-billed Weaver, and Large Rock Martin. 🧭 Excellent for a relaxed morning of urban-adjacent birding.

🔴 BeKZN Talks!
 CWAC Counts & Citizen Science
Wednesday 21 January | 🎤 Presented by David Ehlers Smith (BirdLife South Africa)

⏰ 18h00 | Online (Zoom) 
💬 Learn why Common Waterbird Counts (CWAC) are vital, how data helps conservation, and how YOU can get involved.
📣 This talk aims to prep participants for our Saturday field count.
🧠 Bonus: tips on waterbird ID and counting techniques included as part of the talk

⏰ 24/1 | 09h00 | Easy terrain |
Join the BeKZN team for this national citizen science initiative.
🦆 Start at the Green Hub (uMngeni River mouth), then on to the Bayhead wetlands.
📋 Bring: binoculars, hat, water, snacks, clipboard (if you have one!)
🎯 All skill levels welcome — if you can count and spot a Grey Heron or Blacksmith Lapwing, you can contribute!