27 March – 30 April 2020 We will be posting a few more trip reports in the next two days from our walks in February and March. However, I thought it was worth letting the followers of this News and Reports page know about the dedicated webpage which was started on the 27 March as we…
Category: Trip Reports
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…
Umhlanga Lagoon
Saturday 7th March 2020 We arrived to find the gate locked! We were informed by the Breakers staff that the Reserve was closed to the public, due to flooding, which had created an electrical hazard. After consulting with the Reserve staff, we were eventually granted access at our own risk, which we duly accepted. We…
A stroll through Jubilee Park
Wednesday 26 February 2020 The outing was supposed to be held the week before but had to be re-scheduled due to rain. Just as well, as we were greeted by a glorious, sunny, windless morning. But maybe a little too hot for the birds? The main attraction of the park is the presence of Magpie Mannikins…
KwaXimba Conservancy, Umgeni Valley
Sunday 16 February 2020 This year’s visit was our 5th BLPN outing to the KwaXimba conservancy and with 16 birders joining me is also the largest group we’ve had down in the Umgeni Valley. It was a bright sunny day which progressively got hotter and hotter – in fact too hot for some so we turned…
Mbozambo Wetlands at Sappi Stanger
9th February 2020 Trip report by Nicolette & Ticky Forbes (all photographs Nicolette Forbes) An Early Start A total of 17 people, some of whom managed to make the very early start by meeting at the Sappi Stanger Mill carpark around 05h15, enjoyed a really wonderful morning at the Mbozambo Wetlands and Sappi Hide and…
Summer 2020 CWAC (Waterbird Count)
By Steve Davis with photos by Anneli Mynhardt 26 January was earmarked for the summer waterbird count at the Umgeni estuary and Durban Natural Heritage Site at Bayhead, counts which have been done since 1999. Thanks to extensive advertising and some cajoling, there was a good turnout at the Umgeni Bird Park, with some new…
Amanzimtoti Estuary & Beach bash
25 January 2020 Report by Steve Davis with photos by Anneli Mynhardt There was a reasonable turnout for the talk that Steve Davis gave to the Sapphire Coast birding group on 23 January at the Amanzimtoti Sports Club. However, there was a very good turnout for the outing early on Saturday morning. With the enthusiastic…