A group of 10 BLPN members plus the leader met around 6am on the 7th November at our (Mervyn Gans’) complex in Buckingham Rd, Kloof, undeterred by the prospect of rain. Although it had been raining hard in Westville, we were lucky with the weather. The rain held off, turning into perfect weather for birding. We entered…
Category: Trip Reports
Nature Journaling for Birders – Online
Thanks to Nicky’s support, we started with three of us on Zoom at 13h30 on the 15th November 2020. Unfortunately, a fourth person was not able to connect successfully. We began with a brief introduction to nature journaling – the hand recording of observations, thoughts and feelings while experiencing nature. More details about the what,…
Lake St Lucia Estuary Restoration webinar and short videos
A Webinar hosted by BLPN profiled the Lake St Lucia Estuary Restoration project which Nicolette Forbes (Chair BLPN) has worked on for the past decade. The event was extremely well attended with over 100 people registering to attend with an eventual audience of 87 people coming from both the membership but with many visitors from…
Birdlife Port Natal Pigeon Valley morning walk
On the 7th November 2020 which was an overcast Saturday morning, eight birders set off for our walk at Pigeon Valley. Johan Bodenstein had kindly agreed to be our guide for the morning. He is an absolute mine of information on avifauna and flora and his input was enjoyed by all. We took the left hand…
A Sunday Surprise…
A NEW booking system for BLPN’s walks and talks! Starting in November 2020 BLPN is launching a new streamlined booking system for walks and talks. Each walk on our monthly Birding Diary will have link to a registration page. This will, in a few easy clicks, allow you to book your place on the walk…
PRICILLA VALE FARM, ESTON
BLPNs visit to Priscilla Vale on the 25 October 2020, was hosted by Malcolm Stainbank and his son Warren. Warren kindly assisted to allow more members to attend. Unfortunately, we were a little late in leaving as some members missed the turnoff, but the weather played ball for a change and the day was clear…
Brettenwood Coastal Estate
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…
PIGEON VALLEY
Wednesday 14 October It’s always a treat to go to Pigeon valley, and 15 birders spent a pleasant morning birding there. Near the reservoir where most of us had parked our cars we looked for the Spotted Eagle-Owl in the trees, but we couldn’t see it. Crispin Hemson, the Pigeon Valley fundi, was duly contacted…
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…