WITWATERSRAND BIRD CLUB Affiliated to PROGRAMME 3/2019 Birdlife South Africa FORTHCOMING EVENTS IN BRIEF

Date Activity Leader Venue September 2019 7 Saturday meeting & Craig Nattrass Delta Environmental Centre Arbor day 14-15 African Bird Fair BLSA Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens 18 Wednesday outing Christo Venter Northern Farm 21-24 Long Weekend away Samson Mulaudzi Soutpansberg 28 Saturday night outing Grant Egen Cradle of Human Kind October 2019 2 Wednesday Outing Koos van Dyk Rocky Valley 5 Photo Editing Course Ernst Porter 11-13 Birding Bonanza Wakkerstroom Bird Club Wakkerstroom 19 Saturday afternoon Margi Brocklehurst Delta Environmental Centre talk Friends of Free Wildlife 20 Sunday outing Werner van Goethem Pretoria Botanical Gardens 25-27 Bird Calls Course Lance Robinson Sediba Game Lodge November 2019 9 Saturday Outing Christo Venter Roodeplaat Dam 16 Saturday afternoon Andy Featherstone Birding in Georgia talk 17 Sunday Outing Andy Featherstone Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve 20 Wednesday outing Lance Robinson Northliff Eco Park 24 Sunday Outing Alan Weideman Hekpoort 30-1 BBD Weekend away Lucky Ngwenya and Wakkerstroom Dec Andy Featherstone December 2019 7 Saturday Awie Coetzee Yearend function at Marievale 11 Wednesday outing Wendy Carstens Melville Koppies January 2020 10-12 CWAC weekend Barbi Forsyth Nylsvley Nature Reserve 11 Saturday Outing Koos van Dyk Bergland Instant Lawn 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 Dr. Stephan Woodborne About Baobabs and Birds meeting 26 East Rand CWAC Awie Coetzee Marievale Bird Sanctuary

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WITWATERSRAND BIRD CLUB Affiliated to PROGRAMME 3/2019 Birdlife South Africa

AFTERNOON MEETINGS

Club meetings are held at Delta Environmental Centre unless otherwise stated

Route: Follow First Avenue, Linden, towards 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 Arbor Day Celebration and a talk on Saturday 7 September 2019 Craig Nattrass ringing entitled “Feathers and Rings” We will start the day with our annual Arbor Day tree planting at Delta Park’s Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary. This will be followed by a talk by Craig Nattrass on bird ringing. Craig will tell us about the history of ringing in South Africa, its purpose, the differences between ringing and birding and why he is so passionate about ringing.

Saturday 19 October 2019 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 open and have already had over 8000 patients. 80% 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, and many more. Tortoises, terrapins. 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. Georgia – Mountains, History & Iconic Saturday 16 November 2019 Andy Featherstone Birds Following on last year’s trip to Belarus, four members of Wits Bird Club were intrigued by the thought of visiting Georgia, another of the previous U.S.S.R. countries. Using the same Hungarian guides we planned our trip for the end of April when the snow was retreating and the spring migrants are beginning to arrive. We were not disappointed as Georgia is very different to Belarus, not only scenically but also culturally, historically and in its avifauna. From the snow-capped Greater Caucasus Mountains on the Russian border to the rolling steppe grasslands on the border of Azerbaijan the scenery was amazing and birds stunning.

Saturday 25 January 2020 Dr. Stephan Woodborne About Baobabs and Birds

Come and listen to the most interesting facts about these ancient trees and what the analysis of Baobabs reveal to scientists. The presentation will show how we used radiocarbon dating to understand the “architecture” of baobab trees in southern Africa. The presentation will close with a brief reflection on baobab deaths that were widely reported in the media, and on the impact that climate change will have on arid zone birds in southern Africa.

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WITWATERSRAND BIRD CLUB DIRECTIONS & INFORMATION OF OUTINGS & EVENTS

MAY 2019 – SEPTEMBER 2019

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.

14-15 SEPTEMBER 2018 / AFRICAN BIRD FAIR WALTER SISULU BOTANICAL GARDEN The African Bird Fair provides a superb opportunity to create awareness about birds, bird research and conservation, and the bird conservation organisations, like BirdLife South Africa, who work tirelessly to conserve our country's birds. Should you wish to exhibit at the African Bird Fair 2018, or if you require more information, please contact the Events & Marketing Manager at [email protected]. Wits Bird Club will have a stand at the fair and we would welcome your assistance. Should you be willing to help out, please contact Lauraine at the office on either [email protected] or, (011) 782-7267 18 SEPTEMBER 2019 / WEDNESDAY OUTING NORTHERN FARM Northern Farm has a wide range of habitats with a number of dams and large expanses of grassland. The reserve is particularly good for raptors with Black Sparrowhawk, African Fish-Eagle and Long-crested Eagle regularly seen. Northern Farm is also an excellent area for Orange-breasted Waxbill as well as the many waterfowl that frequent the dams. Route: From Randburg take the R512 Malibongwe Drive past Cosmo City and Cosmo City shopping centre. At the traffic lights at the top of the hill, turn right onto the R114 towards Diepsloot. After 9km, the entrance is a white gateway on the left with a “City of Johannesburg Northern Farm” sign. Once through the gate meet at the parking area. Book: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S25°56'15.41", E27°59’19.74" Meet: 08h00 at the parking area Cost: There is a R50 entrance fee payable to the leader on arrival. Leader: Christo Venter SABAP2: Pentad 2555_2755 Target Bird: Black Sparrowhawk 21-24 SEPTEMBER 2019 / LONG WEEKEND AWAY SOUTPANSBERG We will re-visit this bird rich area after our very successful weekend in 2018 to enjoy the area specials at the start of the breeding season and to try and find some of the birds we missed out on previously. We will use local guide Samson Mulaudzi to visit all the special birding spots in the area. These will include among others Roodewal, Hanglip, Luvuvhu River and Entabeni Forests as well as the Thohoyandou Botanical Gardens. Special birds of the area include Bat Hawk, Orange Ground Thrush, Grey-headed Parrot, Black- fronted Bushshrike, Green Twinspot, African Broadbill, White-starred Robin, Yellow throated Woodland- Warbler, Mountain Wagtail, Forest Canary, Grey Cuckooshrike, Knysna Turaco, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Yellow-streaked Greenbul and Brown Scrub-Robin. At the Botanical Gardens, there is also the possibility of Blue-spotted Wood Dove and Pink-throated Twinspot. Route: Take the north to Louis Trichardt, at the junction with the R524 turn right and continue for approximately 34km. Turn left at the sign for the Time Out Lodge which is 950m along the dirt road. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S23°03'43.06", E30°12’51.84" – Time Out Lodge

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Meet: Friday 18h30 for briefing Cost: R2,100pp (R410 single supplement) inclusive of meals Co-ordinator: Andy Featherstone (083 259 0231) SABAP2: Pentad 2300_3010 Target Bird: Orange Ground Thrush 28 SEPTEMBER / SATURDAY NIGHT OUTING CRADLE OF HUMANKIND The Cradle Nature Reserve and Cradle Boutique hotel are situated within the Cradle of Humankind on the Kromdraai Road. This is a private reserve which is close to 10.000 hectares it holds Plains game (buck species, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Zebra, Baboons and Monkeys etc. The reserve also has Leopard (rarely ever seen), Brown Hyena Jackals and smaller Cats. This is also a World heritage Palaeontology area with 5 active fossil sites for Flora and fauna and the latest excavation of "Homo sediba" hominid fossil dating back to around 1.95 million years. The species list for the area totals 190 and includes White-bellied Korhaan, various larks, cisticolas and pipits, Cape Vultures, Rock Kestrels and Ostriches as well as the occasional Blue Cranes. There is an award-winning restaurant at the hotel for those that wish to dine afterwards; the restaurant is open until 23h00. Route: Take Beyers Naude Drive (M5) in a Westerly direction. Turn left onto the R540. Drive for +- R3km, the entrance to the Cradle Nature Reserve and Cradle Boutique hotel will be on your right. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S25° 55’ 05.0” E27° 50’ 49.6” Meet: Meet in the car park at 15h00. Please be on time as the drive will start at 16h00 sharp Cost: R250 pp (Limited spaces available) Leader: Grant Egen (084 731 3344) SABAP2: 2550_2750, 2555_2750 Target Bird: White-bellied Korhaan 2 OCTOBER 2019 / WEDNESDAY OUTING ROCKY VALLEY Rocky Valley is an area consisting of 20 hectares of un-spoilt natural habitat, bordering the Sterkfontein World Heritage Site. There is a mix of indigenous trees, a small stream and some rocky ridges. A path leading through some Protea trees takes one up a gentle slope to some open grassland, from where one can look out over the Sterkfontein Heritage site. Route: From (Krugersdorp Highway) or the M47 (Hendrik Potgieter). At the big intersection near Cradlestone Mall, travel south towards Krugersdorp on the . Pass the Silver Star Casino on the left, up and over the hill and 4,8 km from the Cradlestone intersection, take the offramp to the left to Robert Broom. The half circle ends in a T- junction. Turn left towards Rustenburg (R24). After 1,1 km at the 4-way stop turn right into Leeu St, which becomes Clifford. Turn left at the second street, Edward, and follow the road which carries on after a sharp bend to the right. Rocky Valley Christian Camp and Retreat Centre is 1.4 km down the road past Achterberg Conference Centre. Route along Wilgerood Road through Roodepoort: At Clearwater Mall in Hendrik Potgieter, turn south onto Christiaan de Wet (). In the kloof, turn right into Wilgerood Rd and follow this road for 13,5km, which eventually becomes Robert Broom. After passing under the R28, at the 4-way stop turn right into Leeu St, which becomes Clifford. Turn left at the second street, Edward, and follow the road which carries on after a sharp bend to the right. Rocky Valley Christian Camp and Retreat Centre is 1.4 km down the road past Achterberg Conference Centre. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S26˚ 03’ 58.6” E27˚ 46’ 43.7” Meet: 07h00 Leader: Koos van Dyk SABAP2: Pentad 2600_2745 Target Bird: Cape Rock Thrush

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5 OCTOBER / SATURDAY PHOTO EDITING COURSE WITKOPPEN WILDFLOWER NURSERY Lightroom Course Part 1 Do you wish to improve your editing and photo management skills using Adobe Lightroom? This basic skills course with Ernest Porter (Of Eagle Eye Safaris) will show you how to enhance your images to their full potential. At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to import, edit, export and manage your photos in order to find them within seconds. This course will focus on, but not be limited to:  Setting up Lightroom  Basic and Advanced Importing  Advanced key wording  Flagging, Rating and Filtering photos  In-depth look at the Library Module  Overview of the Develop Module  Advanced Exporting  Proper Back-up of the Lightroom catalogue Route: Physical address is 363 Valley Road, North Riding. Follow Malibongwe Drive West; turn left into Olievenhout drive, cross Northumberland drive, drive past the Dome Parking, turn right into Valley Road and the nursery is on your left. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S26°03’32.6”, E27°56’15.9” Meet: 08:30 Witkoppen Wildflower Nursery Cost: R300 pp 11-13 OCTOBER / BIRDING BONANZA WAKKERSTROOM

Join the Wakkerstroom Bird Club for the first Birding Bonanza – a weekend with talks, practicals and something only Wakkerstroom can offer, country living at its best.

R800 per person includes a goodie bag with ‘Wakkerstroomian’ goodies, an opening dinner (entertainment and talks), early morning ringing sessions, a day with fabulous speakers, sundowner cocktails and snacks, a closing dinner (entertainment and a talk) and a free kiddies programme.

Presenters include: Faansie Peacock, Professors Bob and Mary Scholes, Dr Hanneline Smit-Robinson, Bradley Gibbons, Richard and Candice McKibbin, Ernst Retief, Steve Davis, Dr Melissa Whitecross, Rina Pretorius and Carina Coetzer

From Secretarybirds to Sungazers and everything in between. Explore charming Wakkerstroom with our very special guest speakers.

For further information or to book your place please contact Claudine on [email protected] or visit www.wakkerstroombirdclub.org.za

20 OCTOBER 2019 / SUNDAY OUTING PRETORIA BOTANICAL GARDENS The Garden, which is surrounded by urban development, offers a much needed green area and corridor for wildlife in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria. The ridge that runs through the Garden, the natural grassland and lawned areas containing beds of indigenous plants, offer a habitat for many animal species. Over 220 bird species have been listed for the Pretoria NBG, including various hawks, falcons and kestrels. The garden is home to many colourful birds including Malachite Kingfisher, Green Wood-hoopoe, Crested Barbet, Black-headed Oriole, African Paradise Flycatcher, Bokmakierie and Violet-backed Starling. The artificial wetland directly north of the Mokha Restaurant caters for species such as Thick-billed and Southern Masked Weavers, Common Moorhen, and Reed Cormorant. On the grasslands and lawn areas Crowned and Blacksmith Lapwings, Spotted Thick-knee and Helmeted Guineafowl are to be seen. Medium difficulty walk, some steep gradients.

There are toilet facilities, lawns for picnics, a Coffee shop & restaurant on site.

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Route: Heading north on N1 to Pretoria, take the M6 Lynnwood exit and turn right over the highway. Directly after the highway turn left onto M16 Meiring Naude Road (keep right to avoid turning back onto N1 south). Follow M16 to T-junction and turn left onto Cussonia, the entrance to the gardens is 300m along on the right. From the N4 East towards Pretoria, take the M14 Watermeyer St exit, turn left onto Watermeyer St and left again onto M16 Cussonia Ave, travel 2.2 km and the entrance will be on the right. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: 25°44'22.4"S 28°16'24.3"E Meet: In the car park at 08h00 Cost: Adults: R37, Senior Citizens (with ID): R15, Scholars: R15 (all as per website) Leader: Werner Van Goethem SABAP2: 2540_2815 Target Bird: Brown-backed Honeybird 25-27 OCTOBER 2019 / WEEKEND AWAY BIRD CALLS COURSE Bird ID Skills Course: How to Learn Bird Songs and Calls Presented by Lance Robinson and Lesley Cornish Listen up: take your birding to the next level by learning bird song as an indispensable birding skill. This fun course will be presented in the bushveld at the height of the spring breeding season. Arrive Friday evening for a briefing. Early start for obligatory "Dawn Chorus" each day. The weekend course will be a combination of lectures and walks in order to put newly acquired skills into practice. Leave after lunch on Sunday. Route: From Randburg take the R512 past Lanseria. At the Broederstroom T-junction turn left. Turn right at the Sun City/ Brits turn-off and cross over the bridge over Hartbeespoort Dam. At the T-junction turn right towards Brits/ Sun City. At the 4-way stop turn left towards Brits R512. At the next stop turn right onto the R512. Proceed to and through Brits and turn left onto the R511 to Thabazimbi. Travel 17 km from the outskirts of Brits to the stop street at the railway line. Cross over the railway and travel 4km. Turn right (signposted Sediba and Dikhololo) onto the Veekraal road (sand road). Sediba is 13km from the intersection. The gate is locked at all times. A code for the main gate will be issued the week before arrival and will only be advised to those going. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S26°03’32.6”, E27°56’15.9” Meet: Friday 18h30 for briefing Cost: Chalets have their own en suite bathrooms and linen and towels are provided. The communal kitchen facilities include all crockery and cutlery for chalet guests.

Shared chalet accommodation: R1,300 per person

Single supplement (limited availability): R100

The Bush Camp is situated near the main lodge and campsites have electricity, kitchen facilities and an ablution block with showers. Cost per person is R750 The weekend is self-catering but tea and coffee will be provided during the course of the lectures. Leader: Lance Robinson SABAP2: Pentad 2520_2740 9 NOVEMBER 2019 / SATURDAY OUTING ROODEPLAAT DAM Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve lies on the southern shore of the Roodeplaat Dam and has two hides overlooking the water. The reserve is accessed by a network of roads and is generally comprised of Acacia woodland with reed beds along the shore of the dam. The bushveld areas are good places to look for Chinspot Batis, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Burnt-necked Eremomela and Long-billed Crombec amongst others. The picnic site overlooks the dam and is ideal for looking for the various water birds present. Route: Travelling north on the N1, take off-ramp No152 in Pretoria through the toll gates and turn right onto Sefako Makgatho Drive (R513). Continue east on the R513 for

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approximately 6km and turn left on the Kameelfontein road. After 3,6km turn left towards the reserve entrance. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S25° 38’ 59.7” E28° 21’ 48.4” Meet: 06h30 at the entrance to start at 07h00 Cost: An entrance fee is payable Leader: tba SABAP2: Pentad 2535_2820 Target Bird: Cape Penduline Tit 17 NOVEMBER 2019 / SUNDAY OUTING MORELETA KLOOF NATURE RESERVE

This is a great destination just a few minutes from the highway. There are a number of habitats to be found including wetlands, open grassland, rocky ridges, broadleaved woodland, acacia woodland and even tall riverine forest around the Rademeyer Spruit. Specials include Lesser Honeyguide and Brown-backed Honeybird, with the occasional dash past of either an Ovambo or Little Sparrowhawk. This is a small reserve, and very suitable for a family outing.

Route: From the N1, take the Rigel Avenue offramp and travel east on Delmas Road. Turn left into Solomon Mahlangu Drive (Hans Strijdom Avenue) at the second intersection. Turn right into Rubenstein and travel until you get to Helios Street. Turn left in Helios Street. Parking is in Helios Street at the entrance to Rademeyer’s Restaurant. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S 25°49’1.72″ E 28°17’27.61″ Meet: 07h00 in the car park Leader: Andy Featherstone SABAP2: Pentad: 2545_2815 Target Bird: Cape Grassbird

20 NOVEMBER 2019 / WEDNESDAY OUTING NORTHCLIFF ECO PARK Join us for an early morning walk at Northcliff Ridge, formerly known asAasvoëlkop, with its landmark water tower built in 1939. This small park (11 hectares) enclosed with palisade fencing, is 1807m above sea level, making it the second highest point in Johannesburg from which you can enjoy a 360˚ view of Johannesburg and beyond. Various swifts, swallows and martins grace the air with their presence and one can also normally enjoy good views of the migrant European Bee-eaters that may be plentiful at times. Be on the lookout for the Occasional Cape Rock Thrush, Striped Pipit and even Peregrine Falcon. Route: Travelling along Beyers Naudé Drive (M5) (from Melville towards Honeydew), turn left into Frederick Drive and follow the road as it ascends the hill. Turn left into Hearn Drive, pass the Northcliff Manor Guest House and then continue along Rockey Drive. Turn right into Louie Avenue, proceed through the boom and turn right into Lucky Avenue where there is parking at the base of the water tower. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S26°08'45.7", E27°58'12.2" Meet: 06h30 in the parking area Leader: Lance Robinson Target Bird: Striped Pipit 24 NOVEMBER 2019 / SUNDAY OUTING HEKPOORT The outing is in the Doornspruit Conservancy between Hekpoort and Magaliesburg, bordering on Askari. There is actually 2 separate, but bordering conservancy areas, one of about 350 hectares and the other about 250 hectares, while Askari itself is around 8000 hectares. We will do the smaller Conservancy and the walk is moderate to strenuous, but the actual route we will follow is quite accessible and participants can choose to only do half of the intended walk. We will walk for maybe 3 hours at most and at a very slow pace.

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The habitat is mountain grassland and some dense woodland areas. 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 right on the R563 towards Hekpoort. From this point continue for approximately 22km to the T-junction with the R560. Turn left on the R560 towards Magaliesburg. Entrance to the farm is approximately 10km further on the left (sign showing ‘CONTENT’). Enter through the red gates and follow the paved road up to the rondawels From Robert Broom in Krugersdorp, take the R563, travelling north past Sterkfontein towards Hekpoort. Continue for approximately 29km to the T-junction with the R560. Turn left on the R560 towards Magaliesburg. Entrance to the farm is approximately 10km further on the left (sign showing ‘CONTENT’). Enter through the red gates and follow the paved road up to the rondawels. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S25° 55’ 59.13” E27° 32’ 01.32” Meet: Meet at 06h00 to start at 06h30 Leader: Allan Weideman SABAP2: 2555_2730 Target Bird: Long-billed Pipit 29 NOVEMBER 2019 – 1 DECEMBER / BIRDING BIG DAY WEEKEND AWAY WAKKERSTROOM We have organised a weekend at Mahem cottage, Wakkerstroom for Birding Big Day with camping available at the nearby BirdLife cebtre. The Wakkerstroom grasslands are outstanding containing many exciting species such as Yellow-breasted Pipit, Rudd’s Lark, Botha’s Lark, Ground Woodpecker and Pale-crowned Cisticola. We will be using local guide Lucky to help us find the more difficult grassland species. Route: Take the N3 South and take the Balfour off-ramp (just past Heidelberg). Turn left onto the R23 towards Standerton, go through Standerton and carry on to Volksrust. As you get close to Volksrust, take the very first road to the left (there is a B&B on your left) and wind your way through the suburb till you reach a traffic light after about 1 km. Go straight at the traffic light, this is the R543 to Wakkerstroom which is 27km further along. On entering Wakkerstroom turn left onto Hoek Street and Mahem cottage is on the corner of Hoek and Loop Streets. Book on either: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 GPS: S27°21'22.14", E30°08'12.64" Cost: Self-catering accommodation: R1,100 per person

Single supplement (limited availability): R100

Camping at BirdLife cost per person is R420 Coordinator: Andy Featherstone (083 259 0231) SABAP2: Pentads 2720_3005+ Target Bird: Yellow-breasted Pipit 7 DECEMBER 2019 / SATURDAY OUTING YEAR END FUNCTION - MARIEVALE Joins us for the year-end function at Marievale hosted by the East Rand Bird club. We will meet at the picnic site at 09:30 for a guided walk along the road to the picnic site. East Rand Bird Club will provide the fires, salads, dessert and bread rolls - please bring your own meat, drink, chairs, plates and cutlery. Please book with Lauraine for Catering purposes. 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

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Book: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 Meet: Meet at the picnic site at 10:30 for 11:00 - the braai fires will be lit at 11:00 Coordinator: Awie Coetzee (0836777097) 11 DECEMBER 2019 / WEDNESDAY OUTING MELLVILLE KOPPIES Melville Koppies has long been a favoured venue for the Bird Club Ringers. There are a variety of habitats such as grasslands, rocky hillsides, and riverine forest. For this reason, the birdlife is varied and often surprising. Proclaimed a Nature Reserve in 1959 the Reserve is also a Johannesburg Heritage Site. We are lucky to have Wendy Carstens to lead this outing. Wendy and her team of workers are responsible for the pristine condition of the Koppies. Route: Entrance on Kafue Rd. Take Beyers Naude towards Melville. Left onto Judith Rd. Turn left into Hill Rd Left into Congo. Through a boom. Left into Tugela Rd and right into Kafue Rd. Parking is at the end of the road in front of the gate. Book: [email protected] or (011) 782-7267 Cost: A donation of R30-R50 to contribute to the upkeep of the Koppies Meet: Meet 07h30 at the entrance Leader: Wendy Carstens SABAP2: 2610_2800 10-12 JANUARY 2020 / CWAC WEEKEND CAMP NYLSVLEY NATURE RESERVE (IBA SA008) Route: Travel on the N1 and take the Mookopong / 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 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

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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 till you get to the Bergland Instant Lawn sign where the road gently curves to the right. Follow the twisties down (bird along the way) till 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 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 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. Programme Planning: Karin Mitton – Conservation Activities: Lance Robinson Courses: Fiona van Zyl - Meetings: Dael Stojacovic Atlasing: 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 29 September 2019 Sunday 1 December 2019 Saturday 26 October 2019 Sunday 12 January 2020 Saturday 23 November 2019

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”.

Atlasing/ 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 waterbird conservation. It is one of the largest and most successful citizen science programmes in Africa, providing much-needed data for waterbird 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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