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WhatsApp group for Wits Bird Club members
Please follow this link to join the group that we have created to send reminders for meetings, courses and outings. Joining the group is completely voluntary, but we trust it will help to keep members up to date with our offerings and with last minute reminders. Only Admins can post on the group, so that it is not used for replies or general chat. Please continue to email the secretary (witsbc234@gmail.com) for other matters. |
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13 April – Sunday Outing
Marievale Bird Sanctuary African Marsh Harrier – photo by Arno Ellmer |
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| Part of the Blesbokspruit RAMSAR site, Marievale’s large tracts of open water and reedbeds always have interesting birds on offer whatever the season. Potential birds for the area include the Endangered African Marsh Harrier, Marsh Owl, and African Rail. | ||||||||||||||
| Book: | witsbc234@gmail.com | |||||||||||||
| Meet: | 07h30 Reception parking area | |||||||||||||
| Leader: | Awie Coetzee (083 677 7097) | |||||||||||||
| 15 April – East Rand Bird Club’s Tuesday Evening Meeting |  |
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Looking for a Special for your Life List? Is there a bird that you really want to see for your Life List? Let the club know and we will try and tailor a trip to find it. |
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| John Gibbs will give a presentation on birds and renewable energy. | ||||||||||||||
| Time: | 18h45 for 19h00 | |||||||||||||
| Meet: | Country Life Retirement Village, Brentwood Park | |||||||||||||
| Cost: | R20 members inclusive of tea, coffee & snacks. R30 non-members. Tea, coffee and snacks will be served after the presentation. | |||||||||||||
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16 April
Wednesday Evening Meeting Sahel Birding in Senegal Egyptian Plover – photo Dylan Vasapolli |
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| Dylan Vasapolli will give a presentation on birding in Senegal. Located on the bulge of West Africa, and bordering on the edge of the mighty Sahara Desert, the peaceful country of Senegal might not seem like your immediate choice as a birding destination. But this couldn’t be further from the truth… Senegal offers birders a unique chance to access the Sahel zone, which has several restricted bird species, and some of both Africa’s and indeed, the world’s most sought-after birds. Egyptian Plover, Quail-plover, Golden Nightjar and so many more await in this long-overlooked country. Join Dylan Vasapolli, as he talks to you about the special birds occurring in this country, and where to find them.
Please note the change of date from Thursday 17th to Wednesday 16th April due to the Easter weekend. If you haven’t ordered Dylan’s new book, Birding Gauteng 2, please do so before April 9th. You will be able to collect your copy at the talk. |
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| Book: | witsbc234@gmail.com | |||||||||||||
| Time: | 18h45 for 19h00 | |||||||||||||
| Meet: | Linden Bowling Club | |||||||||||||
| Cost: | New pricing! Members free. R50 non-members. Tea, coffee, and snacks will be served. | |||||||||||||
| 27 April
Sunday Outing Boons Road Greater Kestrel – photo by Warwick Tarboton |
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| The Boons Road is a rural dirt road between the town of Boons and the N14 Ventersdorp Road. The adjacent grassland and cultivated fields hold many grassland species, and Orange River Francolin, Quailfinch, Eastern Clapper Lark, and Greater Kestrel are regularly seen. The target bird for the day will be Rufous-eared Warbler, recently discovered as an isolated population east of its known breeding area. This outing will be limited to 5 Vehicles. | ||||||||||||||
| Book: | witsbc234@gmail.com | |||||||||||||
| Meet: | 07h00 | |||||||||||||
| Leader: | Grant Egan (084 731 3344) | |||||||||||||
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1 May
Thursday Public Holiday Outing Wonderboom Lapa Cut-throat Finch – photo Warwick Tarboton |
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| Wonderboom Lapa has a convenient place to park and meet before starting our 4 to 5 km walk. The Friends of Magalies have created a network of trails southeast of Wonderboom Nature Reserve. There are multi-use paths with those dedicated to hikers and birders. The duration of the walk is dependent on the fitness of the members and the number of birds seen.
The bird life is remarkable considering that the area is in the centre of an urban sprawl. Several raptors can be found soaring on the thermals, as francolins and spurfowl scurry around. The thrushes will keep you on your toes with identification, but not as much as the various cisticolas and lingering swifts, swallows and martins |
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| Book: | witsbc234@gmail.com | |||||||||||||
| Meet: | 08h00 | |||||||||||||
| Leader: | Cameron Crole (072 259 3312) | |||||||||||||
PAYMENTS FOR ALL COURSES & OUTINGS TO BE MADE TO:BANK – NEDBANK CRESTA BRANCH CODE: 191-305 ACCOUNT NO: 1913 257 789 NAME OF ACCOUNT: WITS BIRD CLUB |
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| MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS
Please note that as of 1 October 2024, all membership invoicing is handled by Wits Bird Club. BirdLife South Africa no longer issue invoices, and all membership payments are to be made to Wits Bird Club. Membership of BirdLife South Africa will be invoiced separately by their membership division. |
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| President Ridge Bird Sanctuary
Volunteer Duties |
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| Weekend of 5 & 6 April: Andrew Brown
Weekend of 12 & 13 April: Wendy Pote Public Holiday 18 April: Jenny Ward |
Weekend of 19 & 20 April: Sansha van der Meulen
Public Holiday 21 April: Cilla Wildgoose Weekend of 26 & 27 April: Gavin Piercy |
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| Public Holiday 28 April: Bev Macleod
Thank you to all our volunteers who perform opening and closing duties at President Ridge Bird Sanctuary. |
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| Future Outings and Events | ||||||||||||||
| 15 – 20 May – Long Weekend Outing
Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve 15 May – Thursday Evening Meeting Linden Bowling Club 17 May – Saturday Outing Golden Harvest |
20 May – East Rand Tuesday Evening Meeting
Country Life Retirement Village 25 May – Sunday Outing Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve 31 May – Saturday Atlasing Day Various Pentads TBC |
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| The Protection of Personal Information Act (aka POPIA)
came into effect on 1 July 2021. The act requires that we obtain your consent to communicate with you in the future. If you are happy to keep receiving emails from us there’s no need to do anything. If you wish to be removed from our mailing list or change your mind at any time in the future, please contact the club secretary on witsbc234@gmail.com |
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