WITWATERSRAND BIRD CLUB Affiliated to PROGRAMME 01/2020 Birdlife South Africa FORTHCOMING EVENTS IN BRIEF

Date Activity Leader Venue

January 2020 10-12 CWAC weekend Barbi Forsyth Nylsvley Nature Reserve 11 Saturday Outing Christo Venter Moeka Wetland 18 East Rand CWAC Werner van Goethem Rolf’s, Bullfrog & Clearwater pans 19 East Rand CWAC Awie Coetzee Elandsvlei & Varkfontein pans 25 West Rand CWAC Johan de Jager De Pan, Carletonville 25 East Rand CAR count Werner van Goethem Rayton 25 Saturday Afternoon Margi Brocklehurst Delta Environmental Centre meeting Friends of Free Wildlife 26 East Rand CWAC Awie Coetzee Marievale Bird Sanctuary February 2020 2 Sunday Outing Karen Wiesler Bishop Bird Park, Centurion 5 Wednesday Outing Koos van Dÿk Bergland Instant Lawn 15 Saturday Course Geoff Lockwood Owl Course 22 Saturday Outing Werner van Goethem Ezemvelo Nature Reserve March 2020 5-8 Weekend away Andy Featherstone Marrick Safari, Kimberley 14 Saturday Bradwin Adendorf Zaagkuilsdrift Road 21 Saturday Afternoon WBC AGM Delta Environmental Centre meeting 22 Sunday Outing Werner van Goethem Marievale Bird Sanctuary 25 Wednesday Outing Frik Ernst Kloofendal – Birding by Call

April 2020 5 Sunday Outing Allan Weideman Kanonkop Farm 15 Wednesday Outing Andy Featherstone Beaulieu Bird Sanctuary 25-27 Long Weekend Awie Coetzee Nylsvley Nature Reserve 25 Long Weekends away Andy Featherstone Umlalazi Nature Reserve and surrounds April – – Northern KZN 1 May May 2020 9 Saturday Outing Christo Venter Syferbult (Boons) Road 16 Saturday afternoon Trevor Hardaker Delta Environmental Centre meeting 20 Wednesday Outing Awie Coetzee Korsmans and Bullfrog Pans Benoni 24 Weekend Camping and Shaun McGillewie Kgaswane Nature Reserve Sunday Outing

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WITWATERSRAND BIRD CLUB Affiliated to PROGRAMME 01/2020 Birdlife South Africa

AFTERNOON MEETINGS

Club meetings are held at Delta Environmental Centre unless otherwise stated

Route: Follow First Avenue, Linden, towards Johannesburg until it becomes Rustenburg Road. Turn left into Road No 3 at the robot. Follow the road past King David Primary School and into the Park. Once in the Park, turn left at the T-junction and follow the road to the parking lot of the Delta Environmental Centre. Cost: R20 per person (unless otherwise stated) Time: 13h45 for 14h00

Saturday 25 January 2020 Margi Brocklehurst Friends of Free Wildlife

Join us for an informative talk about the work that the Friends of Free Wildlife does. Friends of Free Wildlife is a wildlife rehabilitation centre in the Kyalami area. They have been open for over 2.5 years and have already had over 8000 patients. 80 percent of their patients are birds with the species list they tend to growing continuously. They also look after small mammals e.g. hedgehogs, bushbabies, mongoose, antelope, tortoises, terrapins and many more. They have also had the Endangered Giant African Bullfrogs at their facility. Friends of Free Wildlife is a community based, volunteer Centre and are totally reliant on donations from the general public who bring in injured and orphaned animals.

Saturday 15 February 2020 Geoff Lockwood A Delight of Owls

Geoff will present a full day course on these enigmatic and often misunderstood birds. The course will be broken down into three sections: 1. Designed for darkness – physical and behavioural adaptions 2. The life of owls – daily activities of an owl 3. Southern Africa’s Owls – identification of the different species Geoff will share many stories and anecdotes covering his experiences with owls over the years.

Saturday 21 March 2020 WBC AGM 60th AGM of the Wits Bird Club

At this meeting, the President and the Committee to hold office for the year 2020 will be elected. Please come along to the AGM and celebrate with our winners of the annual Diamond Award and Bearded Vulture Award (in honour of the late Steven Piper).

Saturday 16 May 2020 Trevor Hardaker The Wonderful World of Birding

Trevor and wife, Margaret, are self-confessed “avid twitchers” and more than happy to chase after a rare or vagrant bird at the drop of a hat. Life list numbers are a key driving force to connect with the birds and Trevor became the second person to pass the magical 900, in 2007, for his Southern African list, sharing this milestone with Ian Sinclair. Trevor’s field time takes on many different forms, from relaxation to photography to twitching or, more likely, in reverse order. The Hardaker’s are keen citizen scientists and stalwart supporters of programmes such as the second South African Bird Atlas (SABAP2), the South African Frog Atlas project and the South African Reptile Conservation Assessment, all run by the Animal Demography Unit.

Trevor has served as chairman of the Cape Bird Club; a member of the Council and Board of Management of BirdLife South Africa and, currently, the chairman of the South African Rarities Committee. He also runs Zest for Birds with John Graham, a pelagic trip and bird guiding company whose website hosts all the latest SA rarities. Trevor is also involved with the online rarities database for SA and runs the Southern African Rare Bird News Reports, an email alert system notifying people of the latest rarities in the region.

With this fine birding pedigree, at this meeting, Trevor will give further insight as to what attracts us to birds and birding.

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WITWATERSRAND BIRD CLUB DIRECTIONS & INFORMATION OF OUTINGS & EVENTS

JANUARY – MAY 2020

Target Bird Challenge

Target birds are not necessarily the most elusive, prettiest or rarest birds to be found. We encourage you to read up beforehand and get to grips with our nominated target birds; share your newly acquired knowledge with your fellow members and in this way, we all learn something new. Please note that the overall objective is to learn more and to have fun, therefore no prizes will be awarded for spotting the target bird on the day.

10-12 JANUARY 2020 / CWAC WEEKEND CAMP NYLSVLEY NATURE RESERVE (IBA SA008) Route: Travel on the N1 and take the Mookgophong / Naboomspruit turnoff. Turn left and follow the road until meeting up with the old road. Turn left towards Nylstroom and proceed about 10km southwards until Boekenhout station turnoff. THEN Continue on the dirt road over the N1 and then the railway line. Continue straight for about 2km. Nylsvley is well sign posted and the gate is on your left. OR Travel on the N1 North. At the Kranskop Toll Plaza, take the R33 Nylstroom exit. Travel into Nylstroom. At the crossing with R101, turn right in the direction of N1 - Pietersburg and Naboomspruit. Near Middelfontein, turn left towards Naboomspruit. Take the R101 and turn right to the Boekenhout station. Book: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: main gate S24°38’50.8”, E28°39’49.0” Meet: 07h00 on Saturday Leader: Barbi Forsyth SABAP2: Pentad 2435_2840 11 JANUARY 2020 / SATURDAY OUTING MOEKA WETLAND The Moeka wetland is on the Soutpanspruit in the North West province, situated between the Carousel and Borakalalo Nature Reserve. The Moeka area can be as productive as the Zaagkuilsdrift Road and there are many roads in the area on which to bird. Tswaing Crater is south of Moeka and is a good birding spot which could be visited on the same day. As there are safety concerns with Tswaing, please enquire beforehand. Route: Take the N1 North past Pretoria. From the Total Petroport, travel 24km and turn left onto the R734 (off-ramp 183 Hammanskraal). Continue 1,5km to the R101 and turn right at a set of traffic lights. After 400m, turn left onto Harry Gwala Avenue and continue on this road for 5.1km up to a T-junction. Turn left on the M21 (Soshanguve) and continue for 22.4km. Turn right onto Bushveld Road. Travel for approx. 18,4km and meet on the left- hand side of the road. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S25° 19’ 21.9” E28° 00’ 44.8” Meet: 06h00 Leader: Christo Venter SABAP2: 2515_2800 and 2520_2800 Target Bird: Greater Painted-snipe

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18 JANUARY 2020 / EAST RAND CWAC EAST RAND PANS Rolfe’s Pan, Bullfrog Pans & Clearwater Pans Book on either: Werner (082 462 7108) as attendance is limited to a few participants. GPS: 26°10'16.3"S 28°13'13.1"E Meet: 07h00 – Thembelihle, 1 Michael Place, Yaldwin Road, Jet Park Leader: Werner van Goethem (082 462 7108) 19 JANUARY 2020 / EAST RAND CWAC EAST RAND PANS Elandsvlei & Varkfontein Pans. Book: Werner (082 462 7108) as attendance is limited to a few participants. GPS: 26°00'32.2"S 28°25'27.1"E Meet: 07h00 at the Caltex Garage, R25 / R50 intersect, Bapsfontein Leader: Awie Coetzee 25 JANUARY 2020 / WEST RAND CWAC DE PAN, CARLTONVILLE Route: From Johannesburg travel west on the N14 towards Ventersdorp. At the junction with the R41/R500 turn left, continue on the R500 past the R41 intersection and the entrance to the pan is 2.5 km on the left-hand side. Book: Johan de Jager (082 376 9675) as numbers taking part are limited GPS: S26°13’49.0”, E27°25’14.3” Meet: 07h00 Leader: Christo Venter 25 JANUARY 2020 / EAST RAND CAR COUNT RAYTON Route: Gauteng route GB03 (Bapsfontein to Rayton). Book: Werner (082 462 7108) as attendance is limited to a few participants. Meet: 07h00 – Caltex Garage, R25 / R50 intersect, Bapsfontein Leader: Werner van Goethem (082 462 7108) Various pentads depending on CAR route. 2 FEBRUARY 2020 / SUNDAY OUTING BISHOP BIRD SANCTUARY, CENTURION Bishop Bird Nature area was named after the Southern Red Bishop and is situated less than one kilometre north of the Rooihuiskraal Historical terrain and forms part of its rich cultural history. This nature area is 16ha in size and the site serves as a place where people can come and escape from everyday hassles and relax in the tranquility and peacefulness of natural surroundings. There is an abundance of bird species such as Helmeted Guineafowl, Cape Robin-chat, African Hoopoe, Karoo Thrush, Black-shouldered Kite, to name just a few. A short 2,08 km interpretive trail with a 3m high wooden deck in-between the canopy of white stinkwood trees is the ideal place for bird enthusiasts to see birds in their natural environment. Although the small animals such as mongoose, porcupine, hares, bushbabies, hedgehogs and reptiles are difficult to spot, they are still active in the nature area. There is also a small group of blesbuck. The vegetation in the nature area is classified as Bankenveld and consists of open grass areas with groupings of indigenous trees. There is also a wide variety of wild flowers to be seen Route: Roosmaryn Pl, Rooihuiskraal North, Centurion From Johannesburg, travel north on the N1 to Pretoria. Continue on Old Johannesburg Road north. Turn left into Uitsig Rd, turn right into Rooihuiskraal Road. You will cross the N14. Turn right into Theuns van Niekerk and then left into Roosmaryn Place. Book: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: -25.8774,28.1424 Meet: Meet 06h30 at the entrance

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Leader: Karen Wiesler (083 307 6233) SABAP2: 2550_2805 Target Bird: Yellow-crowned Bishop 5 FEBRUARY 2020 / WEDNESDAY OUTING BERGLAND INSTANT LAWN With the Percy Stewart Sewage Disposal Works (Mogale City) bordering Bergland on the eastern side, and the Krugersdorp Game Reserve on the west, this is an ideal spot for open grassland species. Lapwings, ibises, larks, and pipits are in abundance, foraging on vast lawn fields. Apart from a small dam, there is also a stream coming from the sewage works giving good opportunities for water-bird species. This is a hidden gem on the West Rand with entrances from both north and south. Route: From N14 (Krugersdorp Highway) or the M47 (Hendrik Potgieter). At the big intersection near Cradlestone Mall, continue west towards Ventersdorp on the N14. Follow this road for 10km up to a T-junction. Turn right. After 700m keep left, staying on the N14 towards Ventersdorp. The dirt road entrance to Bergland Instant Lawn is 2,8km further on the left. Alternative route from in the West Rand. At Clearwater Mall in Hendrik Potgieter, turn south onto Christian de Wet R564. In the kloof, turn right into Wilgerood. Wilgerood becomes Robert Broom towards Krugersdorp. Continue all the way with Robert Broom and approximately 7km after passing under the R28, you come to a four-way stop. Turn right into Carter St towards the Licensing Department. Turn right into Miller St at the stop sign towards the Testing Station. At the next stop (entrance to Testing station on your right), turn left into Verster St and follow this road until you get to the Bergland Instant Lawn sign where the road gently curves to the right. Follow the twisties down (bird along the way) until you get to the entrance gate of Bergland Instant Lawn where we meet. (Krugersdorp Sewage Works on your right). Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 S26° 02’ 56.8” E27° 42’ 48.4” GPS: Alternative route S26° 04’ 35.5” E27° 43’ 35.0 Meet: 07h00 at both entrances from where we will start to bird in two groups. Leader: Koos van Dyk SABAP2: 2600_2740 Target Bird: Cape Teal

22 FEBRUARY 2020 / SATURDAY OUTING EZEMVELO NATURE RESERVE The reserve is situated on the Bankenveld, a transition zone between the grassland biome to the south, and the savannah to the north. The bird list (286) therefore comprises species from both biomes. For the enterprising LBJ sorters, as many as seven lark species and four different pipits can be located here. Shelley’s Francolin may tantalize you with their “I’ll drink YOUR beer” call. Aardvark and Aardwolf may also be encountered. This is a day outing, however, should you want to stay overnight, you are welcome to make your own arrangements for accommodation. Route: (± 75km from Pretoria) Take N4 eastwards to just beyond Bronkhorstspruit. Turn left onto the R25 off-ramp to Bronkhorstspruit and Groblersdal. Travel towards Groblersdal for 4,5km and turn right towards Vlakfontein. Follow the Ezemvelo signs (a dirt road), until the reserve is reached some 20km further. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: 25°42'30.2"S 28°55'49.3"E Meet: 8:00 just outside the gate Cost: There is an entrance fee payable Leader: Werner van Goethem (082 462 7108) SABAP2: Pentad 2540_2855 Target Bird: Southern Bald Ibis

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5-8 MARCH 2020 / WEEKEND AWAY MARRICK SAFARI

PLEASE NOTE THIS WEEKEND IS FROM THURDAY TO SUNDAY Marrick Safari is located in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, approximately 12km out of Kimberley. Nestled in 3000 hectares of unspoilt savannah thornveld, this family-run business offers a vast expanse of space and silence providing endless opportunities for returning to nature. The property itself sustains a range of ecosystems, from African savanna to rocky hillscapes to thicker, thorny bushveld and there is an ephemeral wetland area. Birder's can enjoy a variety of unique sightings of small to larger bird species including African Fish Eagle, Double-banded Courser as well as a breeding pair of Blue Crane. When full of water the Marrick Pan is home to both Greater and Lesser Flamingo but is also a bird magnet for other large variety of water-associated species such as South African Shelduck. Marrick is legendary for its unusual mammal species seen regularly on guided night drives; these include Aardvark, Aardwolf, Black-footed Cat, Porcupine and African (Striped) Polecat. Route: Follow the N12 to Kimberley. Continue on the N12 through Kimberley. On leaving Kimberley, turn right onto the R31, after 2.9km turn left onto the R357. Marrick Safaris are +- 10.3km from the turn off onto the R357. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S 28° 46' 40.152" E 24° 36' 39.888" Meet: Meet at Marrick Safaris on Thursday 5 March at 18h00 for weekend briefing session Cost: R1240 pp/sharing, R1 815 pp / pp/single self-catering. Excluding game drive PAYMENT TO BE MADE BY 31 JANUARY 2020 TO CONFIRM YOUR BOOKING Leader: Andy Featherstone SABAP2: Pentad 2845_2430 Target Bird: Double-banded Courser 14 MARCH 2020 / SATURDAY OUTING ZAAGKUILDRIFT ROAD PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS OUTING WILL BE LIMITED TO 5 VEHICLES The Zaagkuisldrift Road has become almost legendary in Gauteng birding circles for yielding a great number of the special birds to be found in the region. The road runs parallel to the Pienaar’s River, from the town of Pienaarsrivier to the semi-rural village of Kgomo-Kgomo. In years of good rainfall, the river forms a floodplain but there’s always good birding to be enjoyed in the adjacent acacia woodland. This is a day outing, however, should you want to stay overnight, you are welcome make your own arrangements for accommodation. Route: Take the N1 north through Pretoria towards Polokwane. Approximately 63km from the N1/N4 junction in Pretoria take the Pienaarsrivier/Rust de Winter off-ramp (exit 205). Turn left on the R25 towards Pienaarsrivier and drive approximately 700m towards the intersection with the R101. Just before the intersection turn left onto the parking area in front of the Pienaarsrivier Supermarket. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S25°12'18.70", E28°17’48.09" (Pienaarsrivier Supermarket parking area) Meet: 06h00 at the start of the route next to the railway tracks Leader: Bradwin Adendorf

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22 MARCH 2020 / SUNDAY OUTING MARIEVALE BIRD SANCTUARY

Part of the Blesbokspruit RAMSAR site, Marievale’s large tracts of open water and reedbeds always have interesting birds on offer whatever the season. Early April is an excellent time for migrating waders and, if water levels are right, there should be plenty on show. Marsh Sandpiper, Ruff, Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint are all regular visitors. In addition, other potential birds for the area include African Marsh Harrier, Marsh Owl and African Rail. Marievale is also regularly visited by the occasional Western Marsh Harrier. Route: Take the N3 south. At the Klipriver/Nigel off-ramp turn left towards Nigel on the R550. About 20 km further, turn right at a T-junction to Nigel (M63). Continue through Nigel to Marievale on the R42 (Delmas Road). To enter through the main entrance (about 5km from Nigel), pass the turn-off at Union Carriage and over the Blesbokspruit bridge, turn left into a marked gate (just after Holgatfontein/Nigel sign) heading towards the Conference centre, turn right onto a dirt track and continue past the Hadeda hide, continue straight to the gate. Turn left and then right towards the picnic area Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S 26°21’27.40″ E 28°30’56.17″ (Picnic area) Meet: 07h00 in main parking at gate Leader: Werner van Goethem (082 462 7108) SABAP2: Pentad: 2620_2830 Target Bird: African Marsh Harrier

25 MARCH 2020 / WEDNESDAY OUTING KLOOFENDAL NATURE RESERVE

This will be a bird calls focused outing. The 150 ha Kloofendal Nature Reserve comprises a mixture of tall woodland along the stream by the entrance, dense scrub along the rocky ridge above the mine and grassland covered rocky areas to the south and west. Black Sparrowhawk have bred at the reserve and Malachite Sunbird can sometimes be seen on the protea shrubs in the grassland areas. Crimson-breasted Shrike is often encountered in the picnic area. Route: From Johannesburg take the M5 Beyers Naude Drive north and cross the N1 Western Bypass Freeway. At the next set of traffic lights turn left onto Jim Fouché Road and keep on this road crossing JG Strydom and Hendrik Potgieter Roads before turning right onto Christian de Wet Road. At the first set of traffic lights turn right into Galena Road. The entrance to the Nature Reserve is ± 1km on the left. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S26°07'38.7", E27°52'50.4" (entrance road) Meet: 06h30 in the parking area Leader: Frik Ernst SABAP2: Pentad 2605_2750

5 APRIL 2020 / SUNDAY OUTING KANONKOP FARM

Kanonkop is a game farm in the Potchefstroom area, close to Boskop Dam Nature Reserve. The terrain is grassveld, interspersed with acacia thickets and koppies. There are two big sink holes with caves on the farm. Birding will be on foot. We will also visit Minnebron close by which is one of the eyes as a source for the Mooi River. Please use the proposed route, as informal settlements are developing on the alternative routes. Camping is available for those that want to stay overnight. Cost to be confirmed Route: Travel on the N12 towards Potchefstroom, cross over the Fochville / Carletonville (R500) 4-way stop. From this point continue towards Potchefstroom for 13,5km. Turn right to Blyvooruitzicht, travel for 5km and turn left to Welverdiend. After 8,9km turn left at the 4- way stop towards Potchefstroom (R501). Continue for 17km on the R501, farm entrance on left hand side. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S26° 28’ 52.9” E27° 09’ 30.2” Meet: 06h30

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Leader: Allan Weideman (079 641 6543) SABAP2: 2625_2710 and 2625_2705 Target Bird: Orange River White-eye 15 APRIL 2020 / WEDNESDAY OUTING BEAULIEU BIRD SANCTUARY, KYALAMI Beaulieu is a 16 ha sanctuary with ablutions, a lapa for picnics and three hides overlooking the Witkop Dam. In addition to water birds the wooded areas around the dam can produce Ovambo Sparrowhawk and Greater and Lesser Honeyguides Route: From Johannesburg take the M71 Main Road towards Kyalami. On reaching Kyalami turn left onto Percheron Street and then right onto Percheron Road. The entrance to the sanctuary is on your left off Percheron Road. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S25° 58’ 51.2” E28° 04’ 12.6” Meet: 08h30 in the car park Leader: Andy Featherstone (083 259 0231) SABAP2: 2555_2800 Target Bird: Greater Honeyguide

25 – 27 APRIL 2020 – LONG WEEKEND AWAY NYLSVLEY NATURE RESERVE

Nylsvley floodplain is spectacular when it is in flood. This 16 000 hectare floodplain, which floods every 3 to 4 years, has been registered as a RAMSAR site due to the importance it has for waterfowl in South Africa. Of the 365 bird species recorded in the Nylsvley area, 104 are water birds and, of those, 87 breed here in the wet years. Specials to look out for include Little; Dwarf and Eurasian Bittern, 15 species of duck and goose, Allen’s Gallinule, Lesser Moorhen as well as seven species of crake and rail, to mention a few. Besides the water birds, the bushveld surrounding Nylsvley also offers great birding, with 8 species of owl being recorded and a chance of seeing the spectacular Orange-breasted Bush Shrike and Crimson-breasted Shrike amongst the 200 other bushveld species found here. Route: Travel on the N1 and take the Mookgophong / Naboomspruit turnoff. Turn left and follow the road until meeting up with the old road. Turn left towards Nylstroom and proceed about 10km southwards until Boekenhout station turnoff. THEN Continue on the dirt road over the N1 and then the railway line. Continue straight for about 2km. Nylsvley is well sign posted and the gate is on your left. OR Travel on the N1 North. At the Kranskop Toll Plaza, take the R33 Nylstroom exit. Travel into Nylstroom. At the crossing with R101, turn right in the direction of N1 - Pietersburg and Naboomspruit. Near Middelfontein, turn left towards Naboomspruit. Take the R101 and turn right to the Boekenhout station. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: main gate S24°38’50.8”, E28°39’49.0” Meet: 07h00 on Saturday Cost: tbc Leader: Awie Coetzee (083 677 7097) SABAP2: Pentad 2435_2840 Target Bird: Dwarf Bittern 25 APRIL 2020 – 1 MAY 2020 / LONG WEEKENDS UMLALAZI NATURE RESERVE AND SURROUNDS – NORTHERN KZN Northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is known for its rich birdlife. The Umlalazi Nature Reserve is a coastal reserve situated 1 km from Mtunzini on the KZN North Coast. Umlalazi was established as a protected area in 1948 and is 10.28 km2 in extent and home of the Palm-nut Vulture. The belts of coastal forest are important wintering grounds for Spotted Ground Thrush and provide habitat for Green Twinspot, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Black- bellied Starling and Grey Sunbird. Woolly-necked Stork and Crowned Eagle regularly nest in the reserve. We will be exploring the reserve as well as surrounding areas with one of the local guides. Route: From Durban, travel north on the N2. Take the Hely Hutchinson off ramp (approx. 113km north of Umhlanga). Take a slight right onto Station road. Turn right into Siyayi street. Turn left into Valley Drive. Follow the road to the entrance.

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Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: -28.985852,31.735888 Meet: Arrive on Saturday 25 April 2020 (programme to be confirmed) Cost: R2 900 pp sharing, R3 660 single. PAYMENT TO BE MADE BY 17 FEBRUARY 2020 TO CONFIRM YOUR BOOKING Leader: tbc SABAP2: Pentad 2855_3140, 2855_3145 ++ Target Bird: Palm-nut Vulture 9 MAY 2020 / SATURDAY OUTING SYFERBULT (BOONS ROAD) The Boons Road is a rural dirt road that runs 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 which was recently discovered as an isolated population many kilometres east of its known breeding area. Route: From Johannesburg take the N14 Krugersdorp highway towards Ventersdorp. Where the N14 bears right keep straight on the R563 towards Hekpoort. In approximately 8km turn left onto the R400. At the intersection with the R24 turn right towards Magaliesburg. After passing through Magaliesburg turn left onto the R509 Koster road. From this point continue for 32.5km and then turn left onto the Geodgedacht/Molotecity road from where birding will start. Meeting point will be where the tar road ends and the dirt road starts. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S26° 00’ 25.5” E27° 19’ 38.0” Meet: 07h00 Leader: Christo Venter (083 655 1912) SABAP2: Pentad 2600_2715+ Target Bird: Rufous-eared Warbler 20 MAY 2020 – WEDNESDAY OUTING KORSMAN BIRD SANCTUARY & BULLFROG PANS, BENONI Declared a natural reserve in 1967, the sanctuary covers an area of around 44 hectares. At the centre is a natural pan about 1.5 metres deep. It is inhabited by some 170 bird species and includes several active heronries. The reed beds could yield Little Bittern or Black Crake, while the shore edges should be scanned for migrant waders. A spotting scope is recommended. Route: Take the Atlas Road/Benoni turnoff from the N12 to Witbank. Turn right into Atlas road and proceed to the Total garage (meeting point) on the corner of Atlas and Racecourse Road. The sanctuary is located in a closed off suburb. Book: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S 26.1976 E 28.2838 (meeting point) Meet: 07h30 at the Total Garage Leader: Awie Coetzee (083 677 7097) SABAP2: Pentad 2610_2815 Target Bird: Goliath Heron 24 MAY 2020 / CAMPING WEEKEND AND SUNDAY OUTING KGASWANE NATURE RESERVE Kgaswane Nature Reserve is located in a wide valley in the Magaliesberg Mountains with open grasslands, rocky hillsides, woodland and a central wetland area. Verreaux’s Eagle are often encountered on the drive into the camping area and the winter months are the best time to encounter Fairy Flycatcher, Sentinel Rock-Thrush and Eastern Long-billed Larks. The camp sites are set in an area of mixed woodland.

Camping will be from Friday until Sunday and day trippers are welcome to join the guided drive/walk on Sunday morning.

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Route: From Johannesburg, take the R512 Malibongwe Drive north to Hartbeespoort. After passing through Hartbeespoort take the on ramp onto the N4 towards Rustenburg. Leave the N4 at junction 18 and take the R104 towards Kroondal/Buffelspoort, after 0,5 km turn right onto Dinie Estates Road. In 4.5 km enter roundabout and take third exit onto R24 and then right onto Tierkloof Road to the Reserve entrance. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S25° 43’ 03.9” E27° 14’ 15.0” Meet: 17:00 on Friday evening for a meet and greet for campers and 07:30 at the visitor’s centre/camp site for the Sunday outing Cost A R40 entrance fee is payable by day visitors. Camping rates TBC Leader: Shaun McGillewie (083 702 1462) SABAP2: 2540_2710 Target Bird: Sentinel Rock-thrush Programme Planning: Karin Mitton – Conservation Activities: Lance Robinson Courses: Fiona van Zyl - Meetings: Dianna Cowen Atlassing: Andy Featherstone

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SABAP2/ BIRDMapping

Calling all BIRDMAPPERS!

Andy Featherstone, Wits Bird Club SABAP2 coordinator, has organised the following exclusive atlas days that all members can participate in:

Sunday 12 January 2020 Sunday 19 April 2020 Saturday 8 February 2020 Saturday 23 May 2020 Sunday 29 March 2020

Please e-mail [email protected] with your contact details and Observer number (if you are a registered Observer). If you are interested in becoming an Observer, send your details to Andy and he will assist with the process of getting you started. You do not have to be a registered observer to take part, anyone keen to participate can join in and act as a “spotter”.

Atlassing/ BIRDMapping adds a whole new dimension to your birding and is a contribution, through citizen science, to a better understanding of our bird life!

GLOSSARY:

BBD – BIRDING BIG DAY: The annual BirdLife South Africa Birding Big Day is a fun, yet competitive day for South Africa’s birdwatchers, both beginners and competitive twitchers, while at the same time raising much- needed funds for the organisation’s important bird conservation and bird species monitoring work. Anyone can take part, anywhere in South Africa. Get a group of fellow birders together and visit your favourite birding spot; get the family together for a day out or just enjoy the birds in your garden. Let’s put the BIG back into Birding Big Day.

CAR - COORDINATED AVIFAUNAL ROADCOUNT: Large, conspicuous birds offer the opportunity to monitor their populations by using the road count technique where observations are made from vehicles covering fixed routes. The counts take place twice a year, once in midsummer and once in midwinter. Comparisons can then be made.

CWAC - COORDINATED WATERBIRD COUNT: a programme of regular mid-summer and mid-winter censuses at a large number of South African wetlands. All the counts are conducted by volunteers; people and organisations with a passion for water bird conservation. It is one of the largest and most successful citizen science programmes in Africa, providing much-needed data for water bird conservation around the world.

IBA - IMPORTANT BIRD AREA: The designation of a locality as an IBA means that it satisfies at least one of a set of strict criteria that define it as a site of importance for birds, thus providing scientific backing for the conservation argument and facilitating legal protection.

SABAP2 –SECOND SOUTHERN AFRICAN BIRD ATLAS PROJECT: the follow-up on the Southern African Bird Atlas Project (for which the acronym was SABAP, and which is now referred to as SABAP1). The first atlas project took place from 1987-1991. The current project is a joint venture between the Animal Demography Unit at the University of Cape Town, BirdLife South Africa and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). The project aims to map the distribution and relative abundance of birds in southern Africa and the atlas area includes South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. SABAP2 was launched in Namibia in May 2012. The second atlas project started on 1 July 2007 and plans to run indefinitely. The fieldwork for this project is done by more than a thousand volunteers, known as citizen scientists - they collect the data from the field at their own cost and in their own time and as such, they make a huge contribution to the conservation of birds and their habitat. The unit of data collection is the pentad, five minutes of latitude by five minutes of longitude, squares with sides of roughly 9 km. There are 17000 pentads in the original atlas area of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, and a further 10000 in Namibia.

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NOTES

1. Always consult a map before leaving home or the AA for routes, tollgate costs and road works. GPS coordinates (where applicable) have been sourced from the internet or from the venue and it should be noted that accuracy, completeness, reliability, usability or suitability cannot be guaranteed. WBC assumes no responsibility for incorrect results or damages resulting from the use of the data. 2. Entrance fees may apply at some venues and these may have been revised by the time of publication. 3. Before the walk, please advise your leader of any medical problems. 4. If you have booked for a weekend away/ outing/ event requiring payment, but you are unable to attend and if you haven’t cancelled before the due date, you are still liable to pay the Club. We have to pay the venues very shortly after the due date mentioned in the programme. Too many losses are incurred because members are neither cancelling nor paying for their bookings. If your payment is not received by the due date, we will have to cancel your booking/ reservation. 5. PAYMENT OPTIONS FOR WEEKENDS AWAY AND OUTINGS You may make your payments for weekends away and other outings in any of the following ways: a. Preferably pay directly into the Wits Bird Club Bank account and email deposit slip to [email protected] Banking details as follows: BANK – NEDBANK CRESTA BRANCH CODE: 191-305 ACCOUNT NO: 1913 257 789 NAME OF ACCOUNT: WITS BIRD CLUB b. Bring your cheque or cash to the WBC office between 09h00 and 15h00 on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. c. Please note NO CREDIT CARD FACILITY. d. Please assist the Club to minimise exorbitant banking fees by paying by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) wherever possible.

RULES REGARDING BOOKINGS AND PAYMENTS OF OUTINGS:  A booking for an outing or weekend away will only be confirmed once a deposit has been received;  If the cost is below R1000, payment in full must be paid on booking;  If the cost of the outing/weekend is over R1000 a 50% deposit must be paid on booking;  In all cases 25% will be non-refundable to cover costs;  The final 50% must be paid one week prior to the closing date;  Non-members accompanied by members are welcome. For weekend outings and courses, an additional administration fee of 20% may be payable.

NB: Grading of outings - distance to be walked or steepness of terrain Most outings are grade we will therefore only show grades  and  on the programme Please note the following:

 An easy stroll suitable for people of all ages and abilities  A comfortable but slightly challenging walk (e.g. uneven terrain with some gradient)  A strenuous / challenging walk (fairly long distances covered, or steep gradients, or difficult terrain)

FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT: Lauraine Leigh, Wits Bird Club Office, Delta Park Environmental Centre Office Hours: 09h00-15h00 Tuesdays and Wednesdays PHONE: 011 782 7267 • FAX: 086 512 7696 • EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.witsbirdclub.org.za

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