Monthly Reminder

WITWATERSRAND BIRD CLUB

MONTHLY REMINDER

4-2025                                   APRIL 2025

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.

https://chat.whatsapp.com/Bu9ufPb4jOD7VuEyQKnsE7

A bird flying in the sky AI-generated content may be incorrect. 13 April – Sunday Outing

Marievale Bird Sanctuary

African Marsh Harrier photo by Arno Ellmer

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 999+ Wind Farm Pictures | Download Free Images on Unsplash Cartoon Shocked Business Woman Using Binoculars #10404 by Ron Leishman .

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.

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.
16 April

Wednesday Evening Meeting

Sahel Birding in Senegal

Egyptian Plover photo Dylan Vasapolli

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.

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

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)
Cut-throat Finch 1 May

Thursday Public Holiday Outing

Wonderboom Lapa

Cut-throat Finch photo Warwick Tarboton

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

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

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.

President Ridge Bird Sanctuary

Volunteer Duties

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

Public Holiday 28 April: Bev Macleod

Thank you to all our volunteers who perform opening and closing duties at President Ridge Bird Sanctuary.

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

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