24th October 2020 We met at 06h30 at the Woody’s Community Centre. In spite of some getting lost and others arriving with flat phones and no access number into Brettenwood Mike O’ Donoghue was able to leave promptly with the first group of 14. This group reminded me of going on a pelagic as they had…
Category: Activities
BLPN Walk in Kenneth Stainbank
10th October 2020 The first BLPN walk since lockdown began on an overcast day with a hint of rain in the air and chilly breeze that blew. This did not deter the eager birders who had signed up for the mornings birding. As per the ‘new normal’ we had to limit our numbers. Unfortunately Mike Roseblade…
After the Fun of the Bird Fair!
BLPN would like to inform you of our next exciting event… Details and rules of the competition were launched on the 15th September 2020 at http://www.blpn.org/photo 📷🦉📸 The Spring Swarovski Optik / BirdLife Port Natal Bird Photography Competition Swarovski Optik decided they would like to act as an anchor sponsor for this competition and have…
Lockdown birding in and around the Simpson Family Farm, Harding, KZN
For most of use a national lockdown means staying at home, isolated from the rest of the world and not being able to move around very much. Fortunately this was not the case for me. My father owns a farm in Harding, southern KZN. So as soon as the schools were closed, we were off, going back…
Birding at Kenneth Stainbank
Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve is another one of Durban’s gems and it is only 12 or so kms from the city. Este Shearar and I (Penny de Vries) went on a two-person masked walk (our new normal) on yet another glorious July day. From the parking lot, we headed around the corner to walk through…
Giba Gorge – Birding at last!
On a glorious but chilly day we (Jane & Mike Roseblade) arrived at Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park at 7:45am and proceeded up the purple trail towards the dams and waterfall. It is very easy walking and comfortable from a Covid-19 perspective as there are very few people about apart from the odd cyclist that whizzes…
Birding in Krantzkloof Nature Reserve
19th July 2020 Cecily Salmon lives on the edge of Krantzkloof, the Uve Road side, which is across the gorge from the main entrance. She invited me to join her for a birding walk on Sunday morning (she said walk but it was more like a hike). The Uve Road entrance is still closed so…
Five days in Zululand.
21 – 25th February 2020 While packing the tent and camping equipment into Charka (our trusty Landrover) on the eve of our sojourn to Zululand, the sky is grey and gloomy while the occasional shower pelts down, I wonder if we are completely crazy! We are heading to Sand Forest Lodge in the morning for four…
Nature Journaling for Birders
Thursday 12th March 2020 On Thursday 20th March 2020, seven of us gathered at Durban Botanic Gardens. It is a gem of a public urban green space, with reliable birding from comfortable benches especially by the lake. Also, there is excellent coffee at the kiosk! Thanks to the generosity of the Durban Botanic Gardens Curator’s Office, we…