Kzn Birds 45

July 2015 No 45 KZN BIRDS Newsletter of the KZN Branches of BirdLife South Africa KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45

EDITORIAL CONTENTS CHAIR’S CHIRPS Sugar farms, who recently also found Knob-billed Ducks there. Rob and THIS issue of the newsletter sadly feature a 3 Chair’s Chirps S a k a m u z i r e p o r t e d M a n g r o v e number of dead birds. Some fatalities were 3 BirdLife Zululand Kingfishers at Mtunzini where they are the result of the force of nature, some were 5 BirdLife Midlands regularly seen. Early birding seems to accidental by colliding with powerlines or an 5 BirdLife Sisonke IT IS still very dry here in our part of the produce the best result for this species aircraft, while others were wanton 6 BirdLife Port Natal world. Water levels are at their lowest for with Dunn's Pool being a particular hot destruction through poisoning. Alarm bells many years. In a way it makes it easier to spot. Sakamuzi reported other good are ringing about the future of vultures in 9 Conservation and Projects 9 Beijing Swift migration spot the waders, but when a dam dries birds in the area as well. Southern Africa. The endemic Cape Vulture up completely, it is not a pleasant sight. Mangrove Kingfishers were also seen species especially appears to continue its 12 In search of Blue Swallows 13 SAFRING statistics for KZN Richard has been finding good in Richards Bay at the sand banks. slide towards extinction. The Vulture Study species as usual and in the Lake African Stonechats, Dark-capped Group of the Endangered Wildlife Trust 13 Call to review ringing standards 15 New challenge for bird listers Hlabane area he recently recorded Yellow Warblers, Fiscal Flycatchers and which is contained within the EWT’s Birds of Saddle-billed Storks, African Black Cape Canaries were also recorded. Prey Working Group, deserve full support 15 Bird Notes and observations Duck, as well as a first for the area, a Most of our summer birds have gone for their efforts to conserve and stabilise the 15 Second chance for giant petrels Bearded Scrub-Robin. Richard has but recently Alison saw two Red- population. 17 Eagle struck by airliner been birding this area for many years so breasted Swallows over the fresh water On the plus side there is good news about 18 Powerlines killing Cape Vultures this was an excellent bird to find. dam where she works. the rescue and release of two giant petrels 21 Magnificent vultures in action Lake Mzingazi and Thulashilaleka At home in Empangeni our efforts in and finding more sites where Blue Swallows 22 Storm wreaks havoc in KZN Pan are also producing wonderful bird planting wild dagga are producing are breeding. And it is encouraging to find dividends. By the end of May the plants 23 Bird Trips sightings. The water levels here too are mentors fostering an interest in birding are flowering and are visited daily by 23 Bisley Valley NR delights very low. I was fortunate enough to find amongst young people. This bodes well for an African Rail. It was the first sighting of A m e t h y s t a n d S c a r l e t - c h e s t e d 25 Youngsters learn about birding the future of ornithology. the species in the area in 10 years. I Sunbirds. New in town are numbers of Crystelle Wilson 27 Honorary Recorder’s Report immediately alerted our local network Wattled Starlings. They are usually seen and a number of birders saw it, many for in outlying areas, but now they are 33 Club Activities the first time. There was actually a pair of visiting gardens and the town itself. 39 BLSA Flock 2016 and 2017 them. We are blessed in Empangeni to see The value of modern technology is many raptors: African Fish Eagles, certainly helping communication among Palm-nut Vultures, Black Sparrowhawk birders. Our Facebook group is now well and African Goshawk. Spotted Eagle- over 1200 members and still growing. It Owls are regulars in a friend's garden “Where did he learn to do that?” is sad however that only a small where they hatched a pair of owlets this percentage of them benefit from season. I watched a pair of Palm-nut KZN BIRDS attending the monthly meetings and Vultures interacting with an African Fish KZN Birds is the newsletter of BirdLife Port Natal, BirdLife KZN Midlands, BirdLife Zululand, BirdLife Sisonke and outings. Eagle. The aerial display was quite BirdLife Trogons, all branches of Birdlife South Africa, and is published three times a year. Any member of the public, whether members of a branch or not, are invited to submit articles for publication. Views expressed in KZN Birds are We thank Alan who recently created a exciting, until they all eventually went not necessarily those of the editor, the aforementioned clubs or BirdLife SA. All national rarities are subject to Whats App group by which news of new their own way. acceptance by the National Rarities Committee. Submissions are used at the discretion of the editor and may be held back for future editions. Contributions can be sent to the Editor, Crystelle Wilson, at [email protected] or and special sightings of birds can reach The local waste and sewerage works typed or neatly written and posted to Crystelle at 2 Lanville, 149 North Ridge Road, Durban 4001. Good quality, high members quickly. We encourage consistently produce good birds, resolution digital photographs are also welcome. members to share information. There is including about 120 Sacred Ibis, many Telephone: 031 2080577 or 082 7235158 Advertising in KZN Birds Per issue no point in seeing a special bird or any Hamerkop and Woolly-necked Storks. The deadline for the next issue Front cover logo R1000 bird for that matter and not reporting it. What was strange to note, however, was Back page colour R1500 that for a period of four months between is 1 October 2015 Full Page inside b&w R 1000 Speaking of reporting species, it was Front cover: Immature White-backed Vulture Half Page R 500 good to get notice of the arrival of the December and March 2015 there were by Hugh Chittenden Quarter Page R 250 Mangrove Kingfishers. The first record no Cattle Egrets at all at these sites. Smalls R2 per word Desktop Publishing: Crystelle Wilson came from Bruce of Umhlatuze Valley Suddenly they reappeared in April in July 2015 2 3 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45 large numbers. It is magical seeing pair of juvenile Cape Gannets. about 600 in waves of a hundred each We had the privilege of Dieter and Ali floating like cotton wool clouds above visiting our area. Apart from bird ringing, your car in the early morning. At dawn Ali used the opportunity to collect bird and dusk these birds fly in formation parasites. It was a new experience to down the main road in town. see what is being done to improve and We also have several immature Palm- update bird knowledge. It was alarming THE Club held its 26th AGM on 28 nut Vultures. Sadly an adult was shot at first to see the little birds in their glass February, which was followed by an with a pellet gun and it died despite stockades where the anesthetic killed excellent talk by David Allan on “Pelagic assistance from the local animal health the parasites. It seemed to take a while Birding off Durban”. inspector and a veterinary surgeon. A for them to recover and fly off after the Drummond Densham stood down as letter to the local paper had the ignorant usual data capturing. It was reassuring Crystelle Wilson chair after four very productive years at ABOVE: Peter Divall, the new chair of reply that this was a good thing as these to know that no bird deaths have the helm of the club. I would like to birds ate the person’s vegetable garden! occurred within their experience. At least BirdLife KZN Midlands, with bird author acknowledge his contribution to birding Ulrich Oberprieler I am currently house-bound after a for a while the tagged birds will be free of and conservation in general during this back operation and have to do birding ectoparasites. time. Fortunately for us, Drummond will approaching the number of species from my bedroom. One morning strange Richard has started a new trend of continue to serve on the committee to seen is diminishing. calls were heard. Alison thought it was photographing butterflies and moths. He give us guidance when needed. The Rosemary Forrester continues to an African Harrier-Hawk. Rushing as fast submits the photos to the virtual committee has remained much the produce an excellent quarterly e- as possible outside we spotted three museum at the Animal Demography same, but we welcome Norman newsletter, where members contribute Harrier-Hawks, two adults and an Unit of the University of Cape Town for Freeman who has moved to Howick and articles on our outings and their own immature. It seemed as if the immature their record keeping and statistics. The the Ambers from Durban and has joined travels. Mark Anderson has commented was begging and the adults were easy part is that no books are pored over Birdlife KZN Midlands. He will definitely on how good this publication is. chasing him away. They were about 20 like with LBJs. The identification comes be an asset to the committee and our Good birding to you all and don't metres away in the trees. back quickly. In the short time he has club. forget to atlas when you can. On a regular basis we see Black done this he has captured more than In March, Ulrich Oberprieler Peter Divall Sparrowhawks and African Goshawks 130 species locally. Richard still does a conducted a very successful course 033 2395537 hunting over the yard - proving my point lot of atlasing and he is the one to entitled “Celebrating Raptors” in the that one doesn't have to go far to go consult for Richards Bay birding. Ambers Auditorium. This was attended birding. Sarie Killian has done it again by by 44 registrants. I have started keeping a monthly finding a new bird on the block. Currently Our evening meetings continue to be record of the birds found at home and showing in her garden are three Cut- well supported with an average encourage others to do the same. It is throat Finches, two females and a male. attendance of over 100 members and interesting to see what others have on This is a lifer for many of us . guests in Howick and about 40 in their lists, like the Red-faced Mousebirds Our membership is still growing and Pietermaritzburg. Subjects have ranged APRIL and May is a busy time for our which have been visiting the gardens of meetings and outings are better from “In Search of the Snow Leopard” club as the JHB2c and Sani2c mountain some members. supported.There is more interaction presented by David Hoddinott in the bike races come round. These two races Our club has met with members of among members with mutual learning absence of Adam Riley, a panel completely transform the area with the the St Lucia-Mtubatuba Club. I gave a taking place. This area remains a discussion where there was difficulty in communities in our district abuzz with presentation at their club following an wonderful place for birding. identification of birds and a very almost every pair of free hands involved outing to Futululu Park and Richards Should you be in our patch, feel free interesting talk by Brent Coverdale on in some aspect of these events. Bay. These events were well attended to contact us, and we will try and help “Zululand Vulture Conservation - BirdLife Sisonke provides a water and it was great to meet new birders and you find the special ones! working together to save our tree table at the Belmont Wedding Venue. share with them. Keep well and hope to see you soon. nesting Vultures.” This is an apt location because it is Our shore bird count produced only a Johan Gouws The outings continue to be well situated just after the riders have come few birds, with the day's highlight being a 083 2943370 supported, both in Howick and through the Xumeni Forest which is the Pietermaritzburg, but as winter is home of the Cape Parrot. After leaving July 2015 4 5 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45 large numbers. It is magical seeing pair of juvenile Cape Gannets. about 600 in waves of a hundred each We had the privilege of Dieter and Ali floating like cotton wool clouds above visiting our area. Apart from bird ringing, your car in the early morning. At dawn Ali used the opportunity to collect bird and dusk these birds fly in formation parasites. It was a new experience to down the main road in town. see what is being done to improve and We also have several immature Palm- update bird knowledge. It was alarming THE Club held its 26th AGM on 28 nut Vultures. Sadly an adult was shot at first to see the little birds in their glass February, which was followed by an with a pellet gun and it died despite stockades where the anesthetic killed excellent talk by David Allan on “Pelagic assistance from the local animal health the parasites. It seemed to take a while Birding off Durban”. inspector and a veterinary surgeon. A for them to recover and fly off after the Drummond Densham stood down as letter to the local paper had the ignorant usual data capturing. It was reassuring Crystelle Wilson chair after four very productive years at ABOVE: Peter Divall, the new chair of reply that this was a good thing as these to know that no bird deaths have the helm of the club. I would like to birds ate the person’s vegetable garden! occurred within their experience. At least BirdLife KZN Midlands, with bird author acknowledge his contribution to birding Ulrich Oberprieler I am currently house-bound after a for a while the tagged birds will be free of and conservation in general during this back operation and have to do birding ectoparasites. time. Fortunately for us, Drummond will approaching the number of species from my bedroom. One morning strange Richard has started a new trend of continue to serve on the committee to seen is diminishing. calls were heard. Alison thought it was photographing butterflies and moths. He give us guidance when needed. The Rosemary Forrester continues to an African Harrier-Hawk. Rushing as fast submits the photos to the virtual committee has remained much the produce an excellent quarterly e- as possible outside we spotted three museum at the Animal Demography same, but we welcome Norman newsletter, where members contribute Harrier-Hawks, two adults and an Unit of the University of Cape Town for Freeman who has moved to Howick and articles on our outings and their own immature. It seemed as if the immature their record keeping and statistics. The the Ambers from Durban and has joined travels. Mark Anderson has commented was begging and the adults were easy part is that no books are pored over Birdlife KZN Midlands. He will definitely on how good this publication is. chasing him away. They were about 20 like with LBJs. The identification comes be an asset to the committee and our Good birding to you all and don't metres away in the trees. back quickly. In the short time he has club. forget to atlas when you can. On a regular basis we see Black done this he has captured more than In March, Ulrich Oberprieler Peter Divall Sparrowhawks and African Goshawks 130 species locally. Richard still does a conducted a very successful course 033 2395537 hunting over the yard - proving my point lot of atlasing and he is the one to entitled “Celebrating Raptors” in the that one doesn't have to go far to go consult for Richards Bay birding. Ambers Auditorium. This was attended birding. Sarie Killian has done it again by by 44 registrants. I have started keeping a monthly finding a new bird on the block. Currently Our evening meetings continue to be record of the birds found at home and showing in her garden are three Cut- well supported with an average encourage others to do the same. It is throat Finches, two females and a male. attendance of over 100 members and interesting to see what others have on This is a lifer for many of us . guests in Howick and about 40 in their lists, like the Red-faced Mousebirds Our membership is still growing and Pietermaritzburg. Subjects have ranged APRIL and May is a busy time for our which have been visiting the gardens of meetings and outings are better from “In Search of the Snow Leopard” club as the JHB2c and Sani2c mountain some members. supported.There is more interaction presented by David Hoddinott in the bike races come round. These two races Our club has met with members of among members with mutual learning absence of Adam Riley, a panel completely transform the area with the the St Lucia-Mtubatuba Club. I gave a taking place. This area remains a discussion where there was difficulty in communities in our district abuzz with presentation at their club following an wonderful place for birding. identification of birds and a very almost every pair of free hands involved outing to Futululu Park and Richards Should you be in our patch, feel free interesting talk by Brent Coverdale on in some aspect of these events. Bay. These events were well attended to contact us, and we will try and help “Zululand Vulture Conservation - BirdLife Sisonke provides a water and it was great to meet new birders and you find the special ones! working together to save our tree table at the Belmont Wedding Venue. share with them. Keep well and hope to see you soon. nesting Vultures.” This is an apt location because it is Our shore bird count produced only a Johan Gouws The outings continue to be well situated just after the riders have come few birds, with the day's highlight being a 083 2943370 supported, both in Howick and through the Xumeni Forest which is the Pietermaritzburg, but as winter is home of the Cape Parrot. After leaving July 2015 4 5 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45 our table the riders continue through the Reserve. Umgano is one of the most here, and beloved raptor lookout point, outings, which also have been well mistbelt grasslands which support some pristine patches of mistbelt forest in crashed to the ground; luckily its fall was supported for a midweek outing. of the last Blue Swallows in KwaZulu- KwaZulu-Natal and we were treated to a broken by a smaller tree so it was We said farewell to Mike and Jane's Natal. number of sightings of Cape Parrots. We diverted and missed the wall by organisation of weekends away at the Organising food and drink at these were also delighted to see Martial Eagle c e n t i m e t r e s . AGM in February, with a gift and a thank two events is a major undertaking and which appeared to be visiting a nest site What will the you that can never really express the during the Sani2c, 5 000 riders pass and early in the morning, a group of Yellow-billed commitment they have shown, through our water point over a three-day Southern Ground Hornbill were duetting Kites think the fun they have organised period. Over 20 volunteers from the club as the mist cleared over the forest. I am when they return in for everyone, and and two local schools help prepare and happy to report that the club's August? Please don't the chance to serve over 150 kg of potatoes, 100 membership has grown slightly over the forget to keep a bird visit out of the dozen eggs and 1 000 litres of Coke. past few months and I hope our new bath in your garden, w a y places and bird, This is all organised and co-ordinated by members will become involved with with fresh water bird, bird. Thanks to Paul for the Rina Theron and Trish Strachan who worthwhile causes such as the Cape replenished daily. w e b s i t e w h i c h c a r r i e s t h e spend many hours ensuring everything Parrot counts. I cannot believe photographs of those seen on these is in place and that everyone knows that we are already outings, so that many more of us can Nicholas Theron exactly what they need to do. Thanks to in June 2015, the enjoy them and bird vicariously. all our club members who were involved last five months Our AGM in February was a great this year - your efforts make a huge have sped by, with success - and although we had moved difference to the conservation and f i r s t S a t u r d a y s aplenty – venues to the Palmiet NR and the rain environmental awareness work the club thanks to Elena Russell for organising c a m e d o w n d u r i n g b r a a i t i m e , funds. so many wonderful outings, which I everything progressed smoothly and In March, Rina Theron started her know are so well supported. As are the those present were enthralled by Trevor work towards securing patches of the third Sunday outings, ably put together Hardaker's presentation of the birds he KZN mistbelt grassland IBA which What can make a dawn sky by Paul and thanks to all those who have has seen and photographed around the support the last remaining pairs of Blue and bright moon even better? responded to his request to lead a world. We said goodbye to Merle Swallow in South Africa. The project is Egrets in the air. Sunday outing. Then Sandi and I have Mackenzie and Dave Bishop who left the being managed by BirdLife South Africa been busy with Wednesday morning committee, and hello to Frankie in collaboration with Ezemvelo KZN Bird Haiku, by Cory Finger Wildlife. We wish Rina well with this very I AM afraid that the chirp is going to be BELOW: At the BLPN annual general meeting in February the guest speaker was important work which is made possible rather short this edition, as I have had a Trevor Hardaker of Cape Town (left). Years of organising weekend outings for the by our club members’ contributions family crisis and this has affected my club by Mike Roseblade and Jane Morris were acknowledged with a gift during the Sani2c and JHB2c. The club ability to write and present to Crystelle presented by honorary president Roy Cowgill had a successful AGM on 14 March and the chirp by the deadline. I do apologise. Pictures by Crystelle Wilson Rina was our guest speaker with her We are still suffering severe dryness fascinating presentation on Blue in eThekwini, and coastal KwaZulu- Swallow Conservation and Research in Natal. How has this affected the birds? KwaZulu-Natal. They certainly enjoy the bird bath and Members of our club also again when the sprinkler is on, different contributed to this year's Cape Parrot species appear to bathe and sing. But counts. A number of important forest when last week we had a four-minute patches occur in our district and the spatter of drops, it was amazing the counts in this area are co-ordinated by variety of birds that appeared to shower Malcolm Gemmell. I had the privilege of in the bush and sing away like crazy. spending the evening and morning with The last few days have been incredibly Drummond Densham at Umgano Forest windy but no rain to bring relief. Our which is south of Coleford Nature large fir tree, ringbarked before we came July 2015 6 7 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45 our table the riders continue through the Reserve. Umgano is one of the most here, and beloved raptor lookout point, outings, which also have been well mistbelt grasslands which support some pristine patches of mistbelt forest in crashed to the ground; luckily its fall was supported for a midweek outing. of the last Blue Swallows in KwaZulu- KwaZulu-Natal and we were treated to a broken by a smaller tree so it was We said farewell to Mike and Jane's Natal. number of sightings of Cape Parrots. We diverted and missed the wall by organisation of weekends away at the Organising food and drink at these were also delighted to see Martial Eagle c e n t i m e t r e s . AGM in February, with a gift and a thank two events is a major undertaking and which appeared to be visiting a nest site What will the you that can never really express the during the Sani2c, 5 000 riders pass and early in the morning, a group of Yellow-billed commitment they have shown, through our water point over a three-day Southern Ground Hornbill were duetting Kites think the fun they have organised period. Over 20 volunteers from the club as the mist cleared over the forest. I am when they return in for everyone, and and two local schools help prepare and happy to report that the club's August? Please don't the chance to serve over 150 kg of potatoes, 100 membership has grown slightly over the forget to keep a bird visit out of the dozen eggs and 1 000 litres of Coke. past few months and I hope our new bath in your garden, w a y places and bird, This is all organised and co-ordinated by members will become involved with with fresh water bird, bird. Thanks to Paul for the Rina Theron and Trish Strachan who worthwhile causes such as the Cape replenished daily. w e b s i t e w h i c h c a r r i e s t h e spend many hours ensuring everything Parrot counts. I cannot believe photographs of those seen on these is in place and that everyone knows that we are already outings, so that many more of us can Nicholas Theron exactly what they need to do. Thanks to in June 2015, the enjoy them and bird vicariously. all our club members who were involved last five months Our AGM in February was a great this year - your efforts make a huge have sped by, with success - and although we had moved difference to the conservation and f i r s t S a t u r d a y s aplenty – venues to the Palmiet NR and the rain environmental awareness work the club thanks to Elena Russell for organising c a m e d o w n d u r i n g b r a a i t i m e , funds. so many wonderful outings, which I everything progressed smoothly and In March, Rina Theron started her know are so well supported. As are the those present were enthralled by Trevor work towards securing patches of the third Sunday outings, ably put together Hardaker's presentation of the birds he KZN mistbelt grassland IBA which What can make a dawn sky by Paul and thanks to all those who have has seen and photographed around the support the last remaining pairs of Blue and bright moon even better? responded to his request to lead a world. We said goodbye to Merle Swallow in South Africa. The project is Egrets in the air. Sunday outing. Then Sandi and I have Mackenzie and Dave Bishop who left the being managed by BirdLife South Africa been busy with Wednesday morning committee, and hello to Frankie in collaboration with Ezemvelo KZN Bird Haiku, by Cory Finger Wildlife. We wish Rina well with this very I AM afraid that the chirp is going to be BELOW: At the BLPN annual general meeting in February the guest speaker was important work which is made possible rather short this edition, as I have had a Trevor Hardaker of Cape Town (left). Years of organising weekend outings for the by our club members’ contributions family crisis and this has affected my club by Mike Roseblade and Jane Morris were acknowledged with a gift during the Sani2c and JHB2c. The club ability to write and present to Crystelle presented by honorary president Roy Cowgill had a successful AGM on 14 March and the chirp by the deadline. I do apologise. Pictures by Crystelle Wilson Rina was our guest speaker with her We are still suffering severe dryness fascinating presentation on Blue in eThekwini, and coastal KwaZulu- Swallow Conservation and Research in Natal. How has this affected the birds? KwaZulu-Natal. They certainly enjoy the bird bath and Members of our club also again when the sprinkler is on, different contributed to this year's Cape Parrot species appear to bathe and sing. But counts. A number of important forest when last week we had a four-minute patches occur in our district and the spatter of drops, it was amazing the counts in this area are co-ordinated by variety of birds that appeared to shower Malcolm Gemmell. I had the privilege of in the bush and sing away like crazy. spending the evening and morning with The last few days have been incredibly Drummond Densham at Umgano Forest windy but no rain to bring relief. Our which is south of Coleford Nature large fir tree, ringbarked before we came July 2015 6 7 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45

Berghorst, Rowena Pankhurst CONSERVATION AND PROJECTS and Des Porter who have joined us. Dave is off on Pioneering study confirms swift migration various travels, but has also given of his time at an indoor A GROUND-BREAKING study has They begin the return journey in meeting and an educational revealed that the Beijing Swifts (Apus February, retracing a similar route, outreach in the Midlands. apus pekinensis) which breed at The arriving in Beijing in mid-April, a journey March is always a busy Summer Palace in Beijing, travel more that sees them cross about 20 borders. month for us what with Forum than 13 000 km to spend the winter in The project, a collaboration between followed close on its heels by southern Africa before returning the scientists from Beijing and Guangzhou the BirdLife South Africa following Spring. in China, Belgium, Sweden and the UK, Crystelle Wilson Flock, and this year was no This means that, in its lifetime, the began in May 2014 when ultra- ABOVE: The Animal Demography Unit of the exception. Roy had once average Beijing Swift will cover a lightweight ‘backpacks’ containing tiny University of Cape Town held citizen’s scientist again put together a very full migration distance greater than 180 000 lightsensing geolocators were fitted to days in Pietermaritzburg and Durban in May. and excellent programme for km, about half of the distance from Earth 31 Beijing Swifts as part of an ongoing Some of the speakers at the events were (from the Saturday. On Sunday the to the Moon. banding operation by the China left) Peter Greaves, Craig Peter, Les Underhill, chairs and other portfolio These iconic birds - synonymous with Birdwatching Society at The Summer Janet Prest Talbot and Steve Woodhall holders discussed the new Beijing since 1417 when they made their Palace. The geolocators, generously membership dispensation and nests in the original city gatehouses - provided by scientists in Sweden and other changes to the constitution. I am Bart's enthusiasm and knowledge, and arrive in Beijing in April and, after the UK, log the position of the swift by happy to report that it seems that most of the opportunity to observe the work that breeding, begin their long journey to measuring day length and local midday our members are happy to keep the is being done building the new dedicated Africa in late July, taking a route that first from which positions are calculated. status quo and BLSA in their lives, so bus route and to take in the community leads them west-north-west into When the swift is recaptured, one year there is little change for BLPN, other than housing and provision of other amenities Mongolia, from where they pass north of later, the data are downloaded and to the new membership form. We tried to many people. We wandered to the the Tien Shan mountains, then south analysed using special software. them out on 1 May at the honorary edge of the dam with the Nguni cattle, through Iran and central Arabia into Until now there was only speculation rangers' mangroves day at uMngeni and it was so worth it, even though I tropical Africa, before spending three about the journeys made by one of Mouth, and again at Cotswold Downs in suffered severe sand flea bites for days months of the winter in Namibia and the Beijing’s iconic birds. For the first time May at the Kloof Conservancy's afterwards. Western Cape. we know the distance traveled, the route Indigenous Gardens Day, and we Thanks again to all our members for taken and wintering areas certainly did not have people flocking to their support, especially the number of used by an individual bird. join BLPN only. new members who have joined in the As in many other parts of The Animal Demography Unit, based first part of the year. We are delighted to the world, swifts in Beijing at UCT, visited us in May and the citizen have you with us, and I do hope that you have declined dramatically (60 scientist day, held at the Durban Natural will make the most of what is offered to per cent in the last 30 years, Science Museum, was well attended our members - ringing, indoor meetings, a c c o r d i n g t o a B e i j i n g and much appreciated by us. Questions courses, outdoor meetings and professor). Understanding of how to submit records, when to do it, weekends away, pelagics and many their movements will help and what research is being done were all more. You have opportunities to support s c i e n t i s t s a n d answered. Thanks go to Alison Ruiters conservation by volunteering in the conservationists to discover and David Allan for their generosity in educational and publicity outreaches the reasons for the decline and hosting the day and providing the and by supporting our projects. to put in place measures to excellent eats. “Without birds, where would we have learned help them. One of the highlights of this year for that there can be a song in the heart?” Ms Fu Jianping, President me was the Green Hub outing with Bart - Hal Borland, American journalist of the China Birdwatching Fokkens organised in April. The birding Society, said: “Swifts have a Lesley Frescura was excellent, but the day was made by special place in the hearts of 083 2313408 July 2015 8 9 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45

B e i j i n g e r s a n d t h e i r Background about swifts retrapping has shown that most swifts screaming flights at dusk return to the same breeding location n around many of our major The east Asian subspecies of every year. landmarks are one of the Common Swift arrives in Beijing in April However, this work has not revealed most enchanting features and, after rearing young, most have left any information about the location of the of our summer. For years the capital by the end of July wintering grounds or the migration route. n we have waved them Until now there was only speculation Following successful projects to fit goodbye at the end of July about where they spent the other eight geolocators to Common Swifts in not knowing where they months of the year Europe and the generous support of n go. Thanks to this project, Supreme aerialists, swifts spend Susanne Akesson at the University of now we do.” almost all their life in the air, a lot of that Lund in Sweden, and Dick Newell, of P r o f . Z h a o X i n r u , at low level, feeding on airborne insects. Action for Swifts in the UK, a project was n c o n s u l t a n t o f C h i n a If they need to, swifts can fly very high; developed to fit geolocators to some of Birdwatching Society, they have been observed migrating at Beijing’s swifts. said: “Birds are sensitive 5,700 metres over Ladakh in the In May 2014, 31 geolocators were Zhang Weimin to environmental change. Himalayas. fitted to swifts caught at The Summer ABOVE: Returned Common Swift with geolocator n They fly all over the world Some species of swift are among the Palace in an operation led by veteran without the constraint of fastest animals on the planet, with some swift ringer, Lyndon Kearsley. These tiny national boundaries. We care about the one of two species that we know makes of the fastest measured flight speeds in ultra-lightweight “backpacks” record the ecology of swifts not only because we this epic journey from Beijing to Africa, active flapping flight of any bird. The top location of the swift by measuring light want to discover the mystery of their (the other being the Amur Falcon). speed recorded in a recent scientific level and time every minute resulting in migration but also to help conserve Action for Swifts works to conserve and study was 111.6 km/h daily positions, which are stored in the n these amazing travellers. The experts create nesting places for swifts on the Swifts feed, drink, mate and sleep on memory of the device. Retrapping of the and volunteers in China are proud to be breeding grounds. It is only by finding the wing, and only land to breed. So a birds allows the data to be downloaded part of this team.” where swifts go that we can know where young swift will spend its first two or for analysis. Given the site loyalty, Prof Susanne Akesson at the Centre they may be encountering other three years in constant flight before it proven by the work of the Beijing for Animal Movement Research at Lund problems outside the breeding season” nests. Birdwatching Society, the scientists n University in Sweden, said “The swift is “As a bird ringer, migration has always Because they never land on the knew that there was a very good chance an exceptional bird, with advanced flight fascinated and driven me. Swifts ground, and are so fast and aerial, swifts that the birds carrying geolocators could and navigation adaptations that mean it embody all the wonder of a life in the air. are very hard to study. There's still a lot be retrapped at the same site a year spends all migration and wintering I’m grateful to have had the opportunity that we don't know about them. later. n continuously on the wing. The migration to take part in this ground-breaking Swifts eat billions of insects every On 24 May 2015 nets were erected to between China and Africa is unusual study. To have achieved this result is a single day. catch swifts at the same pavilion at the n among birds, and shows a capacity to crowning moment,” added Lyndon Swifts are fun - they enhance our lives Summer Palace and 13 birds carrying explore rich feeding areas far apart for Kearsley of the Royal Belgian Institute of with their dramatic flight and exciting geolocators were retrapped, allowing this highly aerial bird species. The data Natural Sciences. calls. the data to be downloaded and will help us understand how birds, like “This project has been made possible About the project analysed. The initial results presented the Common Swift, have evolved long- b y t h e t e a m w o r k , d e d i c a t i o n , here are part of an ongoing project to distance migration routes and time their cooperation and passion of the Since 2007 The China Biodiversity find out more about the migration migrations to local environmental organisations and individuals involved. Conservation and Green Development patterns of Beijing’s (and east Asia’s) c o n d i t i o n s a n d p e a k s i n f o o d That this tiny bird - that can fit into a Foundation Birdwatching Society swifts. Understanding their movements abundance. The great success of the human hand - travels to southern Africa (formerly The Beijing Birdwatching will help scientists and conservationists project is thanks to the fruitful and back every year without landing Society) has been ringing Common to discover the reasons for their c o o p e r a t i o n b e t w e e n l o c a l once, is simply awe-inspiring and proof Swifts at The Summer Palace. This dramatic decline and to put in place ornithologists, ringers and scientists.” that the natural world is the greatest ringing has revealed important measures to help them. And Dr Dick Newell of Action for Swifts source of inspiration there is,” said Terry information about the longevity of swifts Terry Townshend in the UK said: “The Common Swift is Townshend, founder of Birding Beijing. and their loyalty to breeding sites; [email protected] July 2015 10 11 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45

In search of Blue Swallows 2014 SAFRING ringing statistics for KZN T H R E E t e a m s w e r e s c a t t e r e d site in the Harding area. We were less SAFRING received a total of 10 265 ring recovered 3 May 2014 in Mooi River (a throughout the Ebuta Valley looking for successful in the Ixopo area which records (initial ringing, retrap and distance of 12 874 km). the critically endangered Blue Swallow supports the core of the Blue Swallow recovery) from qualified ringers and We thank the 53 registered ringers Hirundo atrocaerulea. Amazingly the population in South Africa. public (reported recoveries) in KwaZulu- who aided in this result and special reports came in: two birds flying over the The Ebuta Valley outside Umzimkulu Natal from the beginning of January thanks go to Dr Barry Taylor who is our grasslands this end; another pair was the most promising and yielded the 2014 until the end of December 2014. top KwaZulu-Natal ringer with an overall perched on bracken along a water most exciting results. Our surveys This total makes up 16% of the total ring total of 1 906 birds ringed over this course; and a possible third pair at the far confirmed the species is foraging over a records received by SAFRING over the period. end of the valley. Looking across from much wider area than previously period. one of the ridges, a vast expanse of thought and the possibility remains that The KZN total was made up of 9 184 Dane Paijmans, SAFRING rolling grassland habitat still remained to a number of previously overlooked i n i t i a l r i n g r e c o r d s , 1 0 4 2 [email protected] http://safring.adu.org.za/ be explored. breeding pairs r e c a p t u r e s / r e s i g h t i n g s a n d 3 9 F i n d i n g n e w remain in the area. recoveries from 338 species. The most p a i r s o f B l u e Finding as little as commonly ringed of these species was Call for review of Swallow is not as three to four new Barn Swallow (787 records), Cape norms and standards easy as it sounds pairs boosts the White-eye (601 records) and Southern even if you know known breeding Red Bishop (568 records). for raptor ringing, exactly where to p o p u l a t i o n b y M o s t o f t h e r e c a p t u r e s a n d marking and tracking l o o k a n d 10%! resightings were identified by registered a s s u m i n g t h e The results of ringers while trapping, with only 29 SOUTH AFRICA'S raptors are important s p e c i e s i s the survey are records coming in from unregistered environmental indicators and monitoring Nicholas Theron present. With only fantastic news for birders identifying metal or colour rings of, and research into several, species 30-40 pairs of this ABOVE: Surveys have revealed the a species that in the field. The most common species helps to improve our knowledge and enigmatic bird Ebuta Valley near Umzimkulu might faces an uncertain recaptured was the Cape Vulture (82 inform conservation decision-making. r e m a i n i n g i n support 5 - 6 pairs of Blue Swallows future in South records), Cape White-eye (79 records) Given the growing interest in raptor South Africa and Africa. With such and African Reed Warbler (57 records). ringing, marking and tracking in South less than 10% of small population Of the recoveries received most did Africa, the Endangered Wildlife Trust its preferred habitat intact it can be like numbers and a limited range, it is of not have identifiable causes of death (EWT) and BirdLife South Africa are of looking for a needle in a haystack. critical importance that we continue to with many being found washed up on the opinion that the current approach to Recently, however, a niche model was identify sites where the species occurs beaches and around residences. The these activities should be reviewed. developed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and expand the boundaries of the KZN main recorded cause of fatalities was Information obtained through the that pinpointed a number of scattered Mistbelt Grasslands Important Bird and collisions (window/vehicle) (6 records), tracking of birds with satellite and other sites throughout southern KwaZulu- Biodiversity Area (IBA) accordingly. The while three Egyptian Geese were sophisticated tracking devices can Natal where the species potentially IBA map is being used increasingly by reported as shot, and two raptors were provide answers to important research occurred. During October 2014 g o v e r n m e n t d e p a r t m e n t s a n d electrocuted on power lines (a Southern questions that can ultimately contribute members of the Blue Swallow Working conservation planners. By including Banded Snake Eagle and a Jackal to their conservation. This will provide Group and other volunteers set out to these sites the IBA programme is Buzzard). conservationists and decision-makers investigate some of these sites and creating awareness around and The recoveries were predominantly with a better understanding of determine whether in fact the species did elevating the status of these areas and made up of Southern Red Bishops (6 movements of birds which can help occur in them and to test the model. helping to conserve this flagship species records), Egyptian Geese (3 records) inform placement of wind turbines and Three areas were targeted, centred of the grassland biome. and Village Weavers (3 records). An other infrastructure which can pose a o n H a r d i n g , U m z i m k u l u a n d Nicholas Theron interesting foreign recovery for this significant risk to some bird species. Donnybrook. During the week we BLSA KZN regional conservation manager period was an Arctic Tern (ring number Handling birds and attaching devices confirmed Blue Swallows breeding at 078 5458977 133220783) initially ringed 20 June 2011 to them can, however, pose inherent one historical site with a possible new on Wooden Ball Island, Maine and risks for the individual birds. These risks July 2015 12 13 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45 must be minimised, and must be justified and standards should be developed to BIRD NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS in terms of the expected science and provide clear guidance on the sharing of conservation outcomes for the species marking and tracking data as well as the Giant petrels receive a second chance from the deployment. The ad hoc fitment storage of such information in a central of tracking devices where the research database. Researchers and specialists IT WAS with great surprise that on 17 surprise, surprise, it was another giant questions are unclear is considered to are also encouraged to share the April I received a message and a photo petrel but this time a Northern Giant be unethical. lessons they have learnt from their work. from Michelle Pearson, who along with Petrel, clearly identified by the A w o r k s h o p t o d i s c u s s t h e This would improve tracking methods her husband, Arthur, own and run the pinkish/reddish tinge to the tip of the requirements to undertake these ringing, and techniques, thus minimising local bird rehabilitation centre Second beak. The bird was younger than the marking and tracking activities was impacts on birds during future studies. Chance Avian Rescue situated in Shelly Southern and I estimated it to be a first therefore held recently at Ithala Game The EWT, BirdLife South Africa and Beach. year bird by its plumage. It had been Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, and co-hosted SAFRING acknowledge the importance The cell-phone photo was of a giant rescued at Oslo Beach near Port by the EWT's Birds of Prey Programme of bird ringing, tagging and tracking. petrel but the poor quality made it Shepstone also by a member of the and BirdLife South Africa's Terrestrial These technologies are amongst the difficult to be certain if it was a Northern public who was not as severely attacked Bird Conservation Programme. The most important and powerful tools in or Southern. I forwarded the photo to as the first rescuer. outcomes of the discussions will provide recent ornithology providing key Trevor Hardaker who said the same, so The birds were kept in aviaries next to guidelines in terms of ensuring a more information which informs conservation on the Monday I went around and each other and like typical petrels they rigorous approach with regard to the decisions. quickly identified it as a young (two- to didn't see eye to eye. The Northern training of researchers and the Dr Hanneline Smit-Robinson three-year-old) Southern Giant Petrel, Giant was in better condition than the permitting of projects which involves BLSA Terrestrial Bird Conservation Programme identified by the greenish tinge to the tip Southern Giant which quickly started to these activities. Manager, [email protected]; of the beak. The bird had been rescued copy the other bird, which speeded up its The South African Bird Ringing Unit 011 789 1122 near the tidal pool at Manaba Beach by a recovery. The birds were eating 10 (SAFRING) keeps a record of all bird member of the public, who received a sardines each per day along with other ringing undertaken in the country. A André Botha few cuts from the beak when the bird protein-rich food. "ringing" qualification is also granted EWT Birds of Prey Programme Manager, decided that attack was in order and Thankfully within a week of the through SAFRING following a rigorous [email protected]; Tel 011 372 3600 took a dislike to its human rescuer. Other Northern Giant arriving, the two birds training process. All ringing, marking and than being exhausted, the bird showed had improved so much that we were tracking projects have to comply with the no other signs of being injured. able to start planning their release. But relevant legislation which is ultimately Appeal not to handle Imagine my surprise when a week how to arrange to release two large sea controlled by the provincial nature later I received a phone call from birds posed a problem. You can't just conservation ordinances. stranded birds Michelle to say that the petrel had a release them on the beach as they need The meeting was of the opinion that, friend. I went to investigate and, to run to get airborne, which with for all projects involving marking and THE wild bird rehabilitation centre at Shelly Beach on the south coast, tracking, the granting of provincial BELOW: Two giant petrels were rescued in one week off the south coast earlier permits should be subject to ethical Second Chance Avian Rescue, has made an urgent appeal to people not this year. Left is the Northern Giant Petrel and right the Southern Giant Petrel. approval by a relevant ethics committee. Both recovered and were released at sea The workshop participants also agreed to handle birds found on beaches. Pictures by Andrew Pickles to the establishment of a committee to Bad weather can lead to exhausted oversee projects which involve this work, seabirds washing up on the sand. If following the example of the British a bird is found on the beach, people Ornithological Trust, UK. The advisory must refrain from handling them as committee will comprise representatives these birds are extremely sensitive to from relevant organisations, such as stress, which can result in death. SAFRING, South African National Please contact SCAR immediately Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), BirdLife and they will respond as soon as they South Africa and the EWT. can. The emergency number is It was further suggested that norms 083 246 6765. July 2015 14 15 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45 must be minimised, and must be justified and standards should be developed to BIRD NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS in terms of the expected science and provide clear guidance on the sharing of conservation outcomes for the species marking and tracking data as well as the Giant petrels receive a second chance from the deployment. The ad hoc fitment storage of such information in a central of tracking devices where the research database. Researchers and specialists IT WAS with great surprise that on 17 surprise, surprise, it was another giant questions are unclear is considered to are also encouraged to share the April I received a message and a photo petrel but this time a Northern Giant be unethical. lessons they have learnt from their work. from Michelle Pearson, who along with Petrel, clearly identified by the A w o r k s h o p t o d i s c u s s t h e This would improve tracking methods her husband, Arthur, own and run the pinkish/reddish tinge to the tip of the requirements to undertake these ringing, and techniques, thus minimising local bird rehabilitation centre Second beak. The bird was younger than the marking and tracking activities was impacts on birds during future studies. Chance Avian Rescue situated in Shelly Southern and I estimated it to be a first therefore held recently at Ithala Game The EWT, BirdLife South Africa and Beach. year bird by its plumage. It had been Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, and co-hosted SAFRING acknowledge the importance The cell-phone photo was of a giant rescued at Oslo Beach near Port by the EWT's Birds of Prey Programme of bird ringing, tagging and tracking. petrel but the poor quality made it Shepstone also by a member of the and BirdLife South Africa's Terrestrial These technologies are amongst the difficult to be certain if it was a Northern public who was not as severely attacked Bird Conservation Programme. The most important and powerful tools in or Southern. I forwarded the photo to as the first rescuer. outcomes of the discussions will provide recent ornithology providing key Trevor Hardaker who said the same, so The birds were kept in aviaries next to guidelines in terms of ensuring a more information which informs conservation on the Monday I went around and each other and like typical petrels they rigorous approach with regard to the decisions. quickly identified it as a young (two- to didn't see eye to eye. The Northern training of researchers and the Dr Hanneline Smit-Robinson three-year-old) Southern Giant Petrel, Giant was in better condition than the permitting of projects which involves BLSA Terrestrial Bird Conservation Programme identified by the greenish tinge to the tip Southern Giant which quickly started to these activities. Manager, [email protected]; of the beak. The bird had been rescued copy the other bird, which speeded up its The South African Bird Ringing Unit 011 789 1122 near the tidal pool at Manaba Beach by a recovery. The birds were eating 10 (SAFRING) keeps a record of all bird member of the public, who received a sardines each per day along with other ringing undertaken in the country. A André Botha few cuts from the beak when the bird protein-rich food. "ringing" qualification is also granted EWT Birds of Prey Programme Manager, decided that attack was in order and Thankfully within a week of the through SAFRING following a rigorous [email protected]; Tel 011 372 3600 took a dislike to its human rescuer. Other Northern Giant arriving, the two birds training process. All ringing, marking and than being exhausted, the bird showed had improved so much that we were tracking projects have to comply with the no other signs of being injured. able to start planning their release. But relevant legislation which is ultimately Appeal not to handle Imagine my surprise when a week how to arrange to release two large sea controlled by the provincial nature later I received a phone call from birds posed a problem. You can't just conservation ordinances. stranded birds Michelle to say that the petrel had a release them on the beach as they need The meeting was of the opinion that, friend. I went to investigate and, to run to get airborne, which with for all projects involving marking and THE wild bird rehabilitation centre at Shelly Beach on the south coast, tracking, the granting of provincial BELOW: Two giant petrels were rescued in one week off the south coast earlier permits should be subject to ethical Second Chance Avian Rescue, has made an urgent appeal to people not this year. Left is the Northern Giant Petrel and right the Southern Giant Petrel. approval by a relevant ethics committee. Both recovered and were released at sea The workshop participants also agreed to handle birds found on beaches. Pictures by Andrew Pickles to the establishment of a committee to Bad weather can lead to exhausted oversee projects which involve this work, seabirds washing up on the sand. If following the example of the British a bird is found on the beach, people Ornithological Trust, UK. The advisory must refrain from handling them as committee will comprise representatives these birds are extremely sensitive to from relevant organisations, such as stress, which can result in death. SAFRING, South African National Please contact SCAR immediately Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), BirdLife and they will respond as soon as they South Africa and the EWT. can. The emergency number is It was further suggested that norms 083 246 6765. July 2015 14 15 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45 webbed feet is a rather did was have a drink and paddle away Orkney Islands, a straight line distance impossible task. Then they before stretching its wings and of 6 303 km. Two months later it was also need the updraft of the air disappearing. reported from Australia, also a straight off the waves. The Northern Giant was next and, as line distance of 1 767 km. Unfortunately Arthur approached the soon as the cage was opened, it came there were no further records of this bird. Shelly Beach Ski Boat Club to out, jumped into the ocean and likewise At least if either of our birds is found or see what the cost would be to had a good drink. This bird was more resighted we can get some information; hire a boat. The first company obliging and flapped its massive wings the ideal would be to get a report of them that he spoke to, C-Freaks, and ran on the water before taking to the at their nesting site or in 20 years’ time. were only too happy to assist air, all within a few metres of the boat. I would like to take this opportunity on and after the whole story had We stayed out there for a good 20 behalf of all us birders to thank people been told they said “it's on the minutes watching the two birds in the like Michelle and all the other house”. That was a stroke of distance obviously enjoying being back rehabilitation workers for all their hard luck for all of us and the date in their natural habitat. Thankfully for work put into looking after our feathered was set for Saturday 2 May. ABOVE: The two giant petrels on their way to them, the wind was starting to pick up to friends so we can enjoy this “hobby” that Leon Bruggeman, one of our freedom. From left are Andrew Pickles, Michelle enable them to get on their way without we do. Michelle can be contacted via local vets and supporters of the Pearson and her husband, Arthur, with a crew too much effort. facebook (where Second Chance Avian rehabilitation centre, was on member of C-Freaks and an interested onlooker I checked on Safring’s database and Rescue has a page) or on cell phone 083 hand to assist, and of course I there was a record of one Southern 2466765. was there to ring the birds before release asking questions for Michelle and myself Giant Petrel in Margate in June 1965 Andrew Pickles on the off chance that we could get some to answer. Phones came out and people with a ring on. This was three months [email protected] feedback in the years to come. A dog were taking photos (bet they never after it had been ringed in the South transport box was borrowed from the thought a walk down to the beach could SPCA and Leon had a smaller cage that be this exciting). African Crowned Eagle struck he carried around for emergencies. The birds were loaded onto the large Once the birds were ringed and had a semi-inflatable boat, passengers by commercial airliner final sardine feast, they were loaded into climbed aboard and we were off. We separate transport containers and we decided at about 10 km out to sea that ON 14 May 2015 I got an email from Shivanie were off to the Ski Boat Club. we were far enough away and the Sudu, the Bird and Wildlife Officer at King Shaka The birds caused quite a stir with engines were cut. International Airport, reporting that on that day members of the public looking and The time had arrived and first to go staff of a commercial airliner had heard the thud was the Southern of a large bird colliding with the aircraft. The aircraft was, however, undamaged. On BELOW: And it is lift off for the Northern Giant Petrel Giant. When the door was opened it was very investigation, Shivanie and her team found a Andrew Pickles dead African Crowned Eagle amongst the 24 dubious about leaving. Shivanie Sudu M a y b e i t w a s approach lights that had been struck by the airliner in the northern part of the airfield. ABOVE: Carcass of the wondering if the five African Crowned Eagle struck star hotel back on land Interestingly, she also located nearby a freshly dead adult giant cane rat with severe injuries to its by a commercial airliner at might be a better option King Shaka International Airport than flying around the head. It looked as if the eagle had killed the cane Southern Oceans for a rat and then been disturbed by the aircraft life. After a couple of resulting in the collision. Shivanie has kindly deposited both the remains of the eagle minutes, instinct took and the carcass of the cane rat (which is about the size of a medium-sized dog!) with over and the bird the Museum. A pair of African Crowned Eagles is known to breed close to the airport s t e p p e d o u t a n d and this unfortunate bird was likely to have been one of the members of this pair. jumped into the ocean David Allan where the first thing it Curator of Birds, Durban Natural Science Museum, [email protected] July 2015 16 17 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45 webbed feet is a rather did was have a drink and paddle away Orkney Islands, a straight line distance impossible task. Then they before stretching its wings and of 6 303 km. Two months later it was also need the updraft of the air disappearing. reported from Australia, also a straight off the waves. The Northern Giant was next and, as line distance of 1 767 km. Unfortunately Arthur approached the soon as the cage was opened, it came there were no further records of this bird. Shelly Beach Ski Boat Club to out, jumped into the ocean and likewise At least if either of our birds is found or see what the cost would be to had a good drink. This bird was more resighted we can get some information; hire a boat. The first company obliging and flapped its massive wings the ideal would be to get a report of them that he spoke to, C-Freaks, and ran on the water before taking to the at their nesting site or in 20 years’ time. were only too happy to assist air, all within a few metres of the boat. I would like to take this opportunity on and after the whole story had We stayed out there for a good 20 behalf of all us birders to thank people been told they said “it's on the minutes watching the two birds in the like Michelle and all the other house”. That was a stroke of distance obviously enjoying being back rehabilitation workers for all their hard luck for all of us and the date in their natural habitat. Thankfully for work put into looking after our feathered was set for Saturday 2 May. ABOVE: The two giant petrels on their way to them, the wind was starting to pick up to friends so we can enjoy this “hobby” that Leon Bruggeman, one of our freedom. From left are Andrew Pickles, Michelle enable them to get on their way without we do. Michelle can be contacted via local vets and supporters of the Pearson and her husband, Arthur, with a crew too much effort. facebook (where Second Chance Avian rehabilitation centre, was on member of C-Freaks and an interested onlooker I checked on Safring’s database and Rescue has a page) or on cell phone 083 hand to assist, and of course I there was a record of one Southern 2466765. was there to ring the birds before release asking questions for Michelle and myself Giant Petrel in Margate in June 1965 Andrew Pickles on the off chance that we could get some to answer. Phones came out and people with a ring on. This was three months [email protected] feedback in the years to come. A dog were taking photos (bet they never after it had been ringed in the South transport box was borrowed from the thought a walk down to the beach could SPCA and Leon had a smaller cage that be this exciting). African Crowned Eagle struck he carried around for emergencies. The birds were loaded onto the large Once the birds were ringed and had a semi-inflatable boat, passengers by commercial airliner final sardine feast, they were loaded into climbed aboard and we were off. We separate transport containers and we decided at about 10 km out to sea that ON 14 May 2015 I got an email from Shivanie were off to the Ski Boat Club. we were far enough away and the Sudu, the Bird and Wildlife Officer at King Shaka The birds caused quite a stir with engines were cut. International Airport, reporting that on that day members of the public looking and The time had arrived and first to go staff of a commercial airliner had heard the thud was the Southern of a large bird colliding with the aircraft. The aircraft was, however, undamaged. On BELOW: And it is lift off for the Northern Giant Petrel Giant. When the door was opened it was very investigation, Shivanie and her team found a Andrew Pickles dead African Crowned Eagle amongst the 24 dubious about leaving. Shivanie Sudu M a y b e i t w a s approach lights that had been struck by the airliner in the northern part of the airfield. ABOVE: Carcass of the wondering if the five African Crowned Eagle struck star hotel back on land Interestingly, she also located nearby a freshly dead adult giant cane rat with severe injuries to its by a commercial airliner at might be a better option King Shaka International Airport than flying around the head. It looked as if the eagle had killed the cane Southern Oceans for a rat and then been disturbed by the aircraft life. After a couple of resulting in the collision. Shivanie has kindly deposited both the remains of the eagle minutes, instinct took and the carcass of the cane rat (which is about the size of a medium-sized dog!) with over and the bird the Museum. A pair of African Crowned Eagles is known to breed close to the airport s t e p p e d o u t a n d and this unfortunate bird was likely to have been one of the members of this pair. jumped into the ocean David Allan where the first thing it Curator of Birds, Durban Natural Science Museum, [email protected] July 2015 16 17 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45

Moreover, the birds are still hunted for Study reveals high death rate the muthi (traditional medicine) market. of young Cape Vultures at power lines The growing wind-generated power industry, which already causes high “FOUND the carcass…, definite experts from South Africa and Germany, collision rates elsewhere in the world, is electrocution” came the message from which aims at conserving the Cape going to increase vulture deaths Frik Lemmer, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, to Vulture in Southern Africa. Cape significantly in Africa. his fellow vulture conservationists in Vultures, as is the case for all vultures At least for power lines, the way South Africa and Germany. “The despite their bad image, are very forward is clear: Eskom, the national carcass” had until that day been a young valuable for the functioning of power supplier, is using the data on Cape Vulture called “Marie”, hatched out ecosystems. They dispose of carcasses collision hotspots to install bird guards at the Mzimkulu colony near Oribi Gorge, naturally and prevent the spread of on critical pylons that prevent birds from Kate Webster being electrocuted. Newly installed KwaZulu-Natal, just a few months d i s e a s e s , p o t e n t i a l l y s a v i n g ABOVE: A juvenile Cape Vulture structures are created in a bird-friendly earlier, in late 2014. governments and farmers huge sums in that was electrocuted at a power line way. However, resources are limited and With the help of a transmitter on her health care and clean-up costs. pylon in the Eastern Cape back, researchers had followed her The Cape Vulture only occurs in we are rapidly running out of time. “We movements since January 2015. She Southern Africa, and its population has world, as power lines are one of the main definitely need to gather more had only been away from her home been declining over the recent past. The causes of large raptor mortalities in knowledge on these birds to be able to colony for one month, when in early April, global population is estimated at 12 000 Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas. protect them”, said Ruffle. “Let's hope Andy Ruffle, project coordinator of the birds of which 80% occur in South Africa. Experts assume that the birds are that with joint efforts, we can keep these Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide, raised the The German-South African project is electrocuted when perching on the impressive creatures soaring over our alarm. He had realised that the eager to understand the movements of power line pylons, or trying to land on landscapes.” Marie's time has already transmitter had been sending signals young Cape Vultures, from the time them. As soon as they come into contact run out, but hopefully her death will not from a single spot near Colenso for a few when they leave their natal colony to the with two wires or a conductive structure be in vain. days in a row. Lemmer set out to find the time they start mating at an age of five or and a wire, they are electrocuted. If you find any injured or dead carcass, and confirmed the researchers' six years. These early years are critical, This is especially problematic for vultures, please contact: Andre Botha, worst concerns: another vulture killed a s t h e m o r t a l i t y r a t e s o f t h e birds with large wingspans, such as Birds of Prey Programme, Endangered through electrocution at a power line. inexperienced birds are high. The team v u l t u r e s . S o m e b i r d s a r e n o t W i l d l i f e T r u s t , 0 8 2 9 6 2 5 7 2 5 , Marie was part of a joint project with tries to find a way to minimize the high electrocuted, but are injured when [email protected] attrition rate of young birds to colliding with the wires whilst flying. Being unable to move due to injured or Dana Berens BELOW: Christian Hoefs releases Marie, a young ensure a future for the broken wings, they simply starve to Marburg University, Germany Cape Vulture after she was fitted with a satellite species. death or are preyed upon by predators. transmitter to record her movements In 2013 and 2015, a total of Mike Neethling six first-year birds were fitted Comparative studies on adult birds Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide showed that death rates owing to w i t h s o l a r - p o w e r e d LOCATED close to the Oribi Gorge electrocution are lower than those of transmitters to record their Nature Reserve in Kwazulu-Natal, the juveniles. “We are aware that, with data movements. “The statistics Barry Porter Memorial Vulture Viewing on only six first-year birds, it is difficult to are scary. Of the six birds with Hide overlooks a “vulture restaurant” on generalise our findings. Still, assuming transmitters, we have lost the site of a breeding colony of over 120 our birds are representative of the n e a r l y 7 0 % t h r o u g h C a p e V u l t u r e s . V i s i t o r s a n d population of youngsters, our statistics electrocution or collision with photographers can observe the vultures are alarming”, said Neethling. power lines, within the first 18 in their natural habitat. Two hour viewing On top of all that, power lines are not months of their lives,” said visits can be booked at R100 per person. the only human-made threat causing Mike Neethling, a local farmer Advanced booking is essential. For vulture mortalities. The past years saw involved in the project. more information see several severe poisoning incidents, This figure is in line with http://vulturehide.blogspot.com statistics from all around the where hundreds of vultures died. July 2015 18 19 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45

Pictures by Hugh Chittenden LAPPET-FACED Vultures have a wingspan of almost Magnificent vultures in action three metres, making this IN February and May this year Hugh Chittenden spent time at the Pongola Dam scavenger by far the most Nature Reserve photographing vultures, which rank amongst his favourite birds. But dominant bird at carcasses. he has expressed concern about their future, saying that it is likely that vultures may On arrival at a carcass, there become extinct in Southern Africa within the next 30 years. Apart from collisions with seems to be no rush to powerlines and loss of habitat, a major cause for the decline in numbers is poisoning. d o m i n a t e t h e s c e n e In May André Botha, manager of the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Birds of Prey because they know they can Programme, reported that 65 birds were poisoned in a single incident at Hoedspruit. move in and get the lion's This was followed in June by the death of another 12 White-backed Vultures in the share whenever it suits Lionspruit Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga, bringing the known number of vultures them.When we arrived at poisoned close to 1000 over the past two years. the site, the impala carcass See https://www.ewt.org.za/BOP/bop.html was completely intact, with only the stomach opened and the contents removed. At this point, most of the about 100 birds surrounding the impala were mainly juvenile White-backed Vultures. Then the “Boss” arrived and began feeding, while the riff-raff stood aside (pictured top and left). Exactly two hours after we arrived on the scene, all that was left of the impala were bones, horns and hooves (pictured below right) Hugh Chittenden Mntunzini, [email protected] July 2015 20 21 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45

Storm wreaks havoc in northern KwaZulu-Natal BIRD TRIPS AND OUTINGS A VIOLENT storm with huge hail stones in the Bisley Valley Nature Reserve Pongola Dam area of northern KwaZulu-Natal on 5 Feb 2015 left a swath of destruction to provides rich experience farm buildings, crops and animal life. These ON Wednesday 29 April 2015 I joined was half submerged when we visited it, images by Hugh Chittenden of Mtunzini some members of the BirdLife KZN we were still able to stand nearby and capture the damage to crops, as well as bird Midlands Bird Club on a very pleasant enjoy watching a variety of birds that like fatalities and injuries. The side of the Osprey outing led by birding enthusiast Pam to live in or around quiet water, such as head was smashed by hail stones reported to coot, moorhen and grebe. I heard the ABOVE: damage to a top banana Nicol to Bisley Valley Nature Reserve. It be up to tennis ball size. Two dead Pink- excitingly different calls of an African plantation and is about seven kilometres west from the backed Pelicans were found and the stork and Snipe and a Lesser Swamp Warbler BELOW: the head of an Osprey centre of Pietermaritzburg. Pam is an heron would eventually die of starvation. All come from the reeds which surround the hit by hail stones and a Goliath excellent leader, able to remain focused photos were taken four days after the storm. small dam at this hide. Heron with a broken wing on the purpose of the outing amidst all the chatter, and with admirable ability to Because of its small size and different see and hear birds, and remember their habitats, one is able proudly to delight in previous and present names, as well as a rich selection of truly Afrotropical bird their calls. groups on foot within Bisley in only a few The reserve is a small thornveld area hours. On this autumn morning we also of about 350 ha managed by the saw or heard lapwings, thick-knees, e n v i r o n m e n t a n d c o n s e r v a t i o n batises and other flycatchers, weavers, d e p a r t m e n t o f t h e M s u n d u z i waxbills, cisticolas, bushshrikes, Municipality. It includes a variety of mousebirds, longclaws, kingfishers, semi-arid habitats such as drought- hoopoes and barbets, to name but a few. resistant grassland, bush thickets, and My favourite was a beautiful little bird open and closed woodland. The main with a glorious song and a long name - type of tree is the indigenous “paper the White-browed Scrub Robin. It puffed bark Acacia” Vachellia sieberiana var. out its streaky chest to sing to our group woodii, a very wildlife-friendly plant of eight women: “Who ARE you, a pretty because it provides food and/or shelter girl, and is she rich?” to many types of mammals, birds and We saw monkey,duiker,giraffe, Yellow-billed Stork (above) and a dead insects ranging from giraffe to sunbird wildebeest, impala and zebra - Pink-backed Pelican (below) and honey bee. sometimes at very close range! For this A small stream runs through the reason there are ticks in the grass reserve. Overhanging trees are a overhanging the numerous footpaths favourite nesting site for intra-African that one can walk on throughout the migrant African Paradise Flycatchers reserve. It is advisable to wear long who nest there mainly from September pants and to check one's clothing for to March. They look like little red comets ticks afterwards, and also to wear closed when they dive into the water to bathe. shoes with strong soles to protect one's There are two bird hides, and both feet from thorns - in addition to a hat and overlook wetland. One of them is at the sunscreen protection, of course - just top of the reserve near the reservoir and like our kind mothers always taught us to quite hard to find; the other one was do. kindly provided by KZN Midlands Bird Pietermaritzburg's Bisley Valley was Club and is at the end of a footpath near named after the small village of Bisley the resource centre. Although this hide which is just south of London in Surrey July 2015 22 23 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45

County, SE England. The word 'Bisley' is wall every spring for eight years. One education and dormitory facilities for the fence next to it into the reserve. derived from two Old English words: year there was a larger, different egg laid small groups, and there are toilets, a Follow the marked trails of your choice 'Bysc' meaning bushes, and 'Leah', a in the clutch by the brood-parasitic Red- braai pit, and a scullery there. It is an on foot from there. clearing, as recorded in the Westminster chested Cuckoo. The Cape Robin-Chat ideal place to see birds. There are a few Before planning a birding walk in this and Lambeth Palace Assize Rolls in the is a non-discriminator, and so the benches outdoors, including one valuable and little-known nature 13th century. Therefore 'Bisley' means 'a cuckoo female did not have to match the dedicated at a memorial service on 27 reserve, for courtesy and safety reasons clearing where bushes grow'. In colour of her egg to avoid it being tossed July 2008 to my late husband, Emeritus please inform Mr Chris Metherell. England, Bisley is the headquarters of out by the rightful owner of the nest. Professor Gordon Maclean, Ph.D. Phone 072 9029541, or his Environment the National Rifle Association of the At one end of the practice wall is a (Rhodes); D.Sc. (UNP). It was kindly and Conservation unit's office number United Kingdom and has long been the double-storey building that might have funded by Dr Dominique Homberger of 033 3923242, or write to him at home of target shooting sport in the UK. been an armoury or a place of safety the International Ornithological [email protected]. He During 1939-40 in what is now our during training, and some underground Congress Committee, and the KZN has been in charge of Bisley for many Bisley Valley Nature Reserve, South storage rooms have also survived. Midlands Bird Club, which was chaired years on behalf of the municipality, and African soldiers built a range for rifle There used to be an extremely thick at that time by Mike Spain. is happy to provide information of all practice in preparation for going north to concrete wall all around the building, but The inscription reads: kinds about it. fight in the Second World War. The the front wall of it was replaced with Gordon Lindsay Maclean Cherie Maclean infrastructure included a small railway glass when it became part of the 20-05-1937 - 30-03-2008 [email protected] track which facilitated practice in resource centre. In recognition of his invaluable shooting at moving targets. The long The picnic site is situated at the contribution to ornithology concrete wall which fixed targets stood resource centre deep within the reserve. in Southern Africa. Youngsters learn on remains in quite good repair. The only It would be too far for anyone whose - BirdLife KZN Midlands troops who still use it regularly are the mobility is difficult to manage that about birding at vervet monkeys. Names of soldiers and distance on foot from the car park The reason this last remaining Highover regiments written in pencil long ago can outside the gate. The centre houses t h o r n v e l d i n t h e d i s t r i c t o f still be seen on the Pietermaritzburg has not been A MEMORABLE weekend where birding wall, as well as a developed into housing is because BELOW: Mrs Cherie Maclean sits on the bench dedicated expertise was passed on to the younger drawing of Adolf Gordon in the 1970s and 80s, together to her late husband, Prof Gordon Maclean, generation took place at the beginning of Hitler's face. The with Rob Haswell of the council's town during the memorial service held in July 2008 May at Highover, Hela Hela, near railway track behind planning committee and the then Mayor, Mike Spain Richmond. the wall was buried P a m e l a R e i d , p e r s u a d e d t h e There were 50 of us, the eldest being 15-18 years ago by municipality not to sell the land but to 75 years old and the youngest five and t h e M s u n d u z i r e z o n e B i s l e y ' s t h o r n v e l d a n d two. It was the Women's Leadership and M u n i c i p a l i t y ' s Ferncliffe's indigenous forest as Training Programme's (WLTP) first environment and Pietermaritzburg's first conservation birding conference. WLTP staff conservation unit. areas. members all belong to BirdLife SA and to O n s e v e r a l Entry to Bisley Valley Nature Reserve their respective local birding clubs - previous visits I saw is free, and I regard that as a great BirdLife Sisonke, the Underberg Bird mud nests of Lesser privilege. There isn't even anything to Club, BirdLife KZN Midlands and Striped Swallows sign. Entrance for vehicles is via a BirdLife Port Natal. We drew on the built into the back of sliding gate off Gladys Manzi (Murray) expertise in these clubs to help us the target wall in the Road at the Canterbury horse-riding accomplish our aim to gain more birding angle with its roof. In school from 07h00. Then take the only experience. the 1970s-80s I also road to the right to a locked farm gate. WLTP has established four bird clubs saw a new cup nest Vehicular traffic into the reserve is over the past two years in KwaMashu, of a Cape Robin- discouraged in order to prevent road Hlokozi (between Highflats and Chat built in the erosion and car damage. Park outside Umzinto/Oribi), Centocow near same hole in that that gate and walk through a V-gate in Creighton, and Mqatsheni near the Sani July 2015 24 25 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45

Pass. During this time club directors, William Nhlanhleni Dlamini, HONORARY RECORDER’S REPORT membership has steadily showed us around. We were impressed grown. Our members have to hear that he had sunk his life savings GREETINGS fellow birders! A number of weathered the derisive into making Highover a good birding interesting sightings in this report seem comments of their peers, establishment, against many odds. to have been the result of migrant “You watch birds!” “You Highover is part of the Ezemvelo KZN movements, although the European count Cape Parrots! You Wildlife Stewardship Programme. Honey Buzzards have still been are crazy”, and have shown William himself came birding with us, plentiful. A surprising discovery was a to the many sceptics in their along with two of his staff transporting us pair of Greater Painted-snipe in the communities that birding is in the Highover Landcruiser and bakkie. Umlaas Canal near the old airport, along exciting and fun. He also gave us a very good discount. with large numbers of Cape Wagtails, WLTP has grown the The highlight of the weekend was the Three-banded Plovers and Black- staff and club members' two guided birding outings, first in the winged Stilts. birding knowledge by taking Sbongile Mtungwa grassland at the top of the property them to the AGMs and where we met our five guides. Dave ABOVE: Aspirant birders on the back RARITIES forums of the clubs in their Bishop had responded to Lesley of a Land Cruiser waiting to be transported areas and by attending Frescura's email asking for guides, and HARLEQUIN QUAIL to the grassland area at Highover these clubs' birding outings travelled from the South Coast to spend Coturnix delegorguei and “Flock at Sea”. The the day with us. Stuart McLean, Sharon KZN Rarity WLTP clubs have gone on outings with Moreland Inkonjane Barn Swallow and Aldo Berruti, and Rosanne Clark One found dead at Standard Bank, Trish Strachan, Malcolm Gemmell, Nick roost. They met Angie Wilkens and other from Underberg, completed the guiding Kingsmead, mid-February 2015, and Rina Theron, Mike and Yvonne young people who were enjoying their complement. Sharon helped us Tony Dickson Spain, and Stuart McLean. picnic supper watching the spectacle of understand about the grasses - how the In June last year, Lucy Kemp and tens of thousands of the circling birds, farming practices of past farmers had some of her colleagues from the Mabula prior to their departure for Europe. degraded the grassland by ploughing it Southern Ground-Hornbill Project in Our director, Sbongile Mtungwa, took for potatoes or overgrazing it, resulting Bela-Bela spent a week with us in a bird's eye view of the growing numbers i n t h e h a r d y i n g o n g o n i g r a s s Centocow and Hlokozi. They worked of bird club members and their predominating over other grasses that with school children, traditional leaders enthusiasm and said, “How about were hardly visible. and traditional healers (izangoma), organising a birding conference where Most of the birds were “lifers” for us. In community members, local dog hunters the best birders in the clubs will get the grassland area we saw Wailing and farmers from the Highflats area to together to improve their birding skills?” Cisticola, Southern Black Flycatcher, raise awareness of the importance of We had two weeks to pull together a Cape Longclaw, African Stonechat, Southern Ground-Hornbills, which are conference to take advantage of the White-necked Raven, and Jackal found in both areas. WLTP staff May Day long weekend, find a venue, Buzzard. In the forest and river areas, members subsequently travelled to and most important, bird guides. Stuart our list included Green Wood-Hoopoe, Limpopo to see first-hand Mabula's McLean was available and suggested Yellow-Fronted Canary, Green-backed work. They learnt to use the GPS and Highover. What a good choice! My Camaroptera, Crowned Hornbill, Tony Dickson Google Earth to record sightings back Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Cape Glossy colleague, Nomusa Mkhungo, and I ABOVE: Harlequin Quail home. Game drives in the Mabula Game travelled to Highover from Richmond via Starling, Bar-throated Apalis, Southern reserve were a bonus. the Hela Hela, conjuring up childhood Boubou, and African Pied Wagtail. The KwaMashu bird club was not to memories for me of my family's folklore. Our bird club members had an GREY-HEADED KINGFISHER be outdone. Flick McKenzie from Highover and the surrounding forests experience they will never forget and Halcyon leucocephala BirdLife Port Natal helped with an outing felt to me like the Garden of Eden before some of them are dreaming of becoming KZN Rarity to see African Penguins at uShaka “Adam and Eve” spoilt it all. It was ornithologists like Aldo. One, Mavela Game Lodge, Zululand, Marine World. And a recent highlight was exciting to meet the beneficiaries of a 26 February and 13 March 2015, Marilyn Aitken a trip for 35 aspirant birders to the Mount land claim. One of the five family Andre Bernon (SA Rare Bird News) Howick [email protected] July 2015 26 27 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45

One, Durban Bay, 6 March Karin Nelson (SA Rare Bird News) One, Park Rynie, 31 January 2015, 2015, David Allan. This bird One, Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve, Sandy Olver (KZN Rarity accepted) was still present on 7 April beginning of March 2015, reported by One, Albert Falls dam, 25 March 2015, LESSER MOORHEN Crispin Hemson. Malcolm Robinson Gallinula angulata One, Umtentweni, South Coast, (KZN Rarity accepted) KZN Rarity 8 March 2015, Adeline McCarter, RED-TAILED TROPICBIRD One, Ellingham Estate, (SA Rare Bird News) Phaethon rubricauda Park Rynie, One, Hilton College Nature Reserve, National Rarity 14 February 2015, 14 March 2015, (SA Rare Bird News) One, near Port Edward, 1 April 2015, Sandy Olver Two, Cape Vidal, 21 March 2015 Dawie and Sarieta Kleynhans Sandy Olver (KZN Rarity accepted) (SA Rare Bird News) (SA Rare Bird News) ABOVE: Lesser Moorhen Two, Brettenwood Coastal One, Cape Vidal, 1 April 2015, RUFOUS-BELLIED HERON Estate, Ballito, 1 March Werner van der Walt Ardeola rufiventris LEVAILLANT'S CUCKOO 2015,Chris MacDonald (SA Rare Bird News) KZN Rarity Clamator levaillantii (KZN Rarity accepted) Two, 16 April 2015, Bosch Hoek, near One, Sappi Mbozambo Wetlands, KZN Rarity FRANKLIN'S GULL Larus pipixcan Creighton, Malcolm Robinson Stanger, 1 April 2015, Don Cowie One, Mavela Game Lodge, Zululand, National Rarity (KZN Rarity submitted) DWARF BITTERN Ixobrychus sturmii 13 March 2015 (SA Rare Bird News) One, St Lucia estuary, HOODED VULTURE KZN Rarity BLACK COUCAL Centropus grillii 25-30 April 2015, Dawid Fourie Necrosyrtes monachus One, near Estcourt, 6 April 2015, KZN Rarity One, Durban bay, 1 May 2015 KZN Rarity Alan Manson One, Cape Vidal, 25 February 2015, (SA Rare Bird News) One, Phinda Private Game Reserve, ABDIM'S STORK Ciconia abdimii Karin Nelson (SA Rare Bird News) SOOTY TERN Onychoprion fuscatus 30 April 2015, John Vogel KZN Rarity VERREAUX'S EAGLE-OWL National Rarity (SA Rare Bird News) One, near Darvill Wastewater Bubo lacteus Two, St Lucia estuary, 2-3 April 2015, DARK CHANTING GOSHAWK Treatment Works, 24 December 2014 KZN Rarity Werner van der Walt Melierax metabates (KZN Rarity submitted) One, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, (SA Rare Bird News) KZN Rarity BLACK-BELLIED STORM PETREL 24 March 2015 (SA Rare Bird News) One, St Lucia estuary, 10 April 2015 One, Mkhuze Game Reserve, Fregetta tropica STRIPED FLUFFTAIL (SA Rare Bird News) 15 March 2015, T Malan KZN Rarity Sarothrura affinis Several offshore of KZN, seen from (KZN Rarity accepted) Several at sea off Durban, KZN Rarity Queen Mary 2, 19 April 2015 LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE 17 May 2015, David Allan One heard calling, Umzimkulu, (SA Rare Bird News) Aquila pomarina (SA Rare Bird News) 24 February 2015, Nick Theron EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD KZN Rarity EUROPEAN STORM PETREL (KZN Rarity accepted) Pernis apivorus One, Hilton College Nature Reserve, Hydrobates pelagicus GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus KZN Rarity 14 March 2015, (SA Rare Bird News) KZN Rarity National Rarity One, Nibela Peninsula, isiMangaliso AYRES'S HAWK-EAGLE Four, offshore Durban, One, Nyamithi Pan, Ndumo Game Wetland Park, 10 February 2015, Hieraaetus ayresii 10 January 2015, Niall Perrins and Reserve, 17 March 2015 Malcolm Robinson KZN Rarity David Allan (KZN Rarity accepted) (SA Rare Bird News) (KZN Rarity accepted) One, Richards Bay, One, offshore Durban, 21 March 2015, PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER One, Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, 23 November 2014, Thomas Hohls Niall Perrins (SA Rare Bird News) Pluvialis fulva 14 February 2015, Desire Pelser (KZN Rarity accepted) BARAU'S PETREL Pterodroma baraui National Rarity (SA Rare Bird News) One, Cowies Hill, 15 February 2015, National Rarity One, Mpempe Pan, Zululand, One, near Palmiet Nature Reserve, Chris Paar (SA Rare Bird News) One offshore of KZN, seen from 11 April 2015, Josh Crickmay and Ryan 18 February 2015, Shirley Sage PEREGRINE FALCON Queen Mary 2, 19 April 2015 Tippett, and 12 April, Mark Lautenbach (SA Rare Bird News) Falco peregrinus (SA Rare Bird News) LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL One, Clansthal, 22 February 2014, KZN Rarity CORY'S SHEARWATER Larus fuscus Jeremy Cooke (KZN Rarity accepted) One, Muzi Pans, Zululand, Calonectris diomedea National Rarity One, Cape Vidal, 25 February 2015, 18 January 2015, Pieter Vrey KZN Rarity (KZN Rarity submitted) One, offshore Durban, 21 March 2015, July 2015 28 29 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45

Niall Perrins (SA Rare Bird News) OUT-OF-RANGE SIGHTINGS Sooty Falcon DUSKY LARK Pinarocorys nigricans South African Shelduck Two, near Mbazwana, Zululand, KZN Rarity Two males and a female, Sappi 28 February 2015 Three, Mavela Game Lodge, Zululand, Mbozambo wetlands, Stanger, (SA Rare Bird News) 26 February 2015, Andre Bernon 3 March 2015, Don Cowie Eurasian Hobby (SA Rare Bird News) Great Spotted Cuckoo One, Pigeon Valley Nature One, Mavela Game Lodge, Zululand, One, Phinda Resources Reserve, first Reserve, 11 March 2015, Anders Peltomaa week of April 2015, Daryl Dell 5 March 2015, Anders Peltomaa (SA Rare Bird News) (SA Rare Bird News) Spotted Ground Thrush One, Mavela Game Lodge, Zululand, Southern White-faced Scops Owl One, Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, mid-April 2015 (SA Rare Bird News) One, Hillcrest, 8 March 2015, 4 March 2015, Paolo Candotti. Two, Mavela Game Lodge, Zululand, Dave Rimmer The first recorded sighting of the 2 May 2015 (SA Rare Bird News) Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark season at Pigeon Valley Nature Two, Ndumo Game Reserve, A pair, Phinda Resources Reserve, first Reserve was 17 April 2015, 4 May 2015, Jenny Sharland week of April 2015, Daryl Dell MAGPIE MANNIKIN (SA Rare Bird News) RIGHT: Southern White-faced Lonchura fringilloides Cut-throat Finch Scops Owl

KZN Rarity A pair, Richards Bay, 28-31 May 2015, Dave Rimmer Several, Durban North, October 2014 Sarah Kilian (SA Rare Bird News) to May 2015, Engela Bloch. Engela KZN RARITIES ACCEPTED reported that the flock was quite large OTHER SIGHTINGS THE following previously reported KZN records have been accepted by the KZN with a number of young birds, and Red-fronted Tinkerbird Rarities Committee since the October 2013 Honorary Recorder's Report. These thinks that they may have been One, Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve, include records forwarded to the committee for adjudication from SABAP2 field breeding in a Macadamia tree in her 27 May 2015, Crispin Hemson. An cards. garden unusual record so close to the coast in SHORT-TAILED PIPIT Durban Anthus brachyurus Lesser Jacana KZN Rarity One, Darvill Bird Sanctuary, One, Ongoye Forest reserve, 18-27 April 2015 (SA Rare Bird News) 22 February 2015, Richard Johnstone Temminck's Courser (KZN Rarity submitted) Two, Mavela Game Lodge, Zululand, 2 May 2015 (SA Rare Bird News)

BELOW: South African Shelduck Don Cowie

July 2015 30 31 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45

BELOW: South African Shelduck Don Cowie

July 2015 30 31 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45

a property near Albert Falls CLUB ACTIVITIES dam in recent years. This population apart from BIRDLIFE PORT NATAL staying on the property, have also dispersed into MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE: KINDLY PHONE THE CONTACT PERSON FOR other areas of KwaZulu- ANY SPECIFIC OUTING BEFOREHAND TO ENSURE THAT THE OUTING Natal and I would suspect WILL TAKE PLACE. Participation is at your own risk. BirdLife Port Natal cannot that the birds observed on be held responsible for theft/loss of property at any venue. Tala Game Reserve are DIRECTIONS TO VENUES: On the website go to such. Further introductions http://blpn.org/activities/directions-to-bird-club-venues. If unsure, then ask the have taken place in the outing leader when you make contact to confirm your attendance. Directions to province to supplement this new venues will be shown below. dispersal which have OUTDOOR OUTINGS: Please don't forget to bring your tea/lunch baskets and proven to be very socialise afterwards. Please note that many places now charge so take entrance successful.” money, Wild and/or Rhino Cards with you on any outing. Red-headed Quelea INDOOR MEETINGS are usually held on the second Wednesday evening of every Paul Bartho One, Westville Trail, month (except February and December) at 19h00 at the Westville Methodist Church, ABOVE: Greater Painted-snipe (female) 15 April 2015, Jan Hofmeyr Road, Westville. reported by Crispin Hemson Mike Roseblade BIRD RINGING: Normally starts very early, but people are welcome to arrive later One, Umlalazi Nature Reserve, and see what is going on. Bird Ringing with Garth Aiston: Usually held early on a 12 May 2015, Julia Botha Caveat: the sightings recorded here Sunday each month. Please call Garth for details if no notification is put out nearer to Greater Painted-snipe have been submitted directly to me or the time on the BLPN website and KZN Birds@yahoo. Cell: 084 549 1752. A pair, Umlaas Canal, March 2015, have been posted on the SABirdNet or Bird Ringing with Andrew Pickles. Usually the first or second Sunday of the month. Paul and Sally Bartho. A most SA Rare Bird News, and have not been Venue to be advised. Please contact Andrew for details. Cell 082 338 3302 or unexpected place to find this normally vetted by any rarities committee for [email protected] skulking species. validation unless otherwise noted. As Bird Ringing with James Rawdon. James visits many private estates on the North Red-billed Oxpecker such, the information presented here Coast from Umhlanga into southern Zululand. Contact James for details: 083 745 One, Tala Game Ranch, 24 May 2015, should be used with due consideration. 6007 or [email protected] Barry Swaddle. In response to this, Steve Davis: Honorary Recorder KRANTZKLOOF BIRDS: Meetings are held at 09h30 on the second Tuesday of Brent Coverdale of Ezemvelo KZN 031 2054459, Fax: 031 2731302 every second month at Krantzkloof Interpretive Centre. Wildlife reports that “Red-billed e-mail: [email protected] BMCG: The Bird Monitoring and Conservation Group meets at 13h30 on the second Oxpeckers have been introduced onto 59 Edmonds Road Glenwood 4001 Saturday of each month. Venue to be advised. If you would like to improve your birding skills and knowledge or give something back to the birds please join us. AUGUST 2015 2016 CALENDARS Bird Ringing. See details in the introduction. NOW AVAILABLE Saturday 1 August 06h15 - Vumbuka with Elena Russell. Please confirm: Tel: 031 BLPN’s popular bird calendars 7052902 or email [email protected] . Please note we are only allowed 15 continues the theme of cars and the booking is for 30 people. Ensure your booking and give a friend a lift! “Fascinating facts about Southern We will meet at the entrance/security area at 06h15 and depart at 06h30 to ensure African birds” for 2016. number of cars. NB: This booking is for Vumbuka only - we cannot go into They will be available from August. Umbogavango. For more details see the website Saturday 8 August 13h30 - BMCG Meeting. Venue to be advised. http://blpn.org/ Tuesday 11 August 09h30 - Krantzkloof. Sally Johnson - topic of talk to be advised. or contact Crystelle Wilson Contact Tessa to confirm venue. Email: [email protected]. Please note that at [email protected] as the Interpretive Centre is still undergoing improvements, we will be holding the or 082 7235158 meeting at the Kloof Methodist Church hall (this will probably be our venue until the end of the year). For those of you who are not familiar with Kloof, the address is 4 Park July 2015 32 33 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45 a property near Albert Falls CLUB ACTIVITIES dam in recent years. This population apart from BIRDLIFE PORT NATAL staying on the property, have also dispersed into MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE: KINDLY PHONE THE CONTACT PERSON FOR other areas of KwaZulu- ANY SPECIFIC OUTING BEFOREHAND TO ENSURE THAT THE OUTING Natal and I would suspect WILL TAKE PLACE. Participation is at your own risk. BirdLife Port Natal cannot that the birds observed on be held responsible for theft/loss of property at any venue. Tala Game Reserve are DIRECTIONS TO VENUES: On the website go to such. Further introductions http://blpn.org/activities/directions-to-bird-club-venues. If unsure, then ask the have taken place in the outing leader when you make contact to confirm your attendance. Directions to province to supplement this new venues will be shown below. dispersal which have OUTDOOR OUTINGS: Please don't forget to bring your tea/lunch baskets and proven to be very socialise afterwards. Please note that many places now charge so take entrance successful.” money, Wild and/or Rhino Cards with you on any outing. Red-headed Quelea INDOOR MEETINGS are usually held on the second Wednesday evening of every Paul Bartho One, Westville Trail, month (except February and December) at 19h00 at the Westville Methodist Church, ABOVE: Greater Painted-snipe (female) 15 April 2015, Jan Hofmeyr Road, Westville. reported by Crispin Hemson Mike Roseblade BIRD RINGING: Normally starts very early, but people are welcome to arrive later One, Umlalazi Nature Reserve, and see what is going on. Bird Ringing with Garth Aiston: Usually held early on a 12 May 2015, Julia Botha Caveat: the sightings recorded here Sunday each month. Please call Garth for details if no notification is put out nearer to Greater Painted-snipe have been submitted directly to me or the time on the BLPN website and KZN Birds@yahoo. Cell: 084 549 1752. A pair, Umlaas Canal, March 2015, have been posted on the SABirdNet or Bird Ringing with Andrew Pickles. Usually the first or second Sunday of the month. Paul and Sally Bartho. A most SA Rare Bird News, and have not been Venue to be advised. Please contact Andrew for details. Cell 082 338 3302 or unexpected place to find this normally vetted by any rarities committee for [email protected] skulking species. validation unless otherwise noted. As Bird Ringing with James Rawdon. James visits many private estates on the North Red-billed Oxpecker such, the information presented here Coast from Umhlanga into southern Zululand. Contact James for details: 083 745 One, Tala Game Ranch, 24 May 2015, should be used with due consideration. 6007 or [email protected] Barry Swaddle. In response to this, Steve Davis: Honorary Recorder KRANTZKLOOF BIRDS: Meetings are held at 09h30 on the second Tuesday of Brent Coverdale of Ezemvelo KZN 031 2054459, Fax: 031 2731302 every second month at Krantzkloof Interpretive Centre. Wildlife reports that “Red-billed e-mail: [email protected] BMCG: The Bird Monitoring and Conservation Group meets at 13h30 on the second Oxpeckers have been introduced onto 59 Edmonds Road Glenwood 4001 Saturday of each month. Venue to be advised. If you would like to improve your birding skills and knowledge or give something back to the birds please join us. AUGUST 2015 2016 CALENDARS Bird Ringing. See details in the introduction. NOW AVAILABLE Saturday 1 August 06h15 - Vumbuka with Elena Russell. Please confirm: Tel: 031 BLPN’s popular bird calendars 7052902 or email [email protected] . Please note we are only allowed 15 continues the theme of cars and the booking is for 30 people. Ensure your booking and give a friend a lift! “Fascinating facts about Southern We will meet at the entrance/security area at 06h15 and depart at 06h30 to ensure African birds” for 2016. number of cars. NB: This booking is for Vumbuka only - we cannot go into They will be available from August. Umbogavango. For more details see the website Saturday 8 August 13h30 - BMCG Meeting. Venue to be advised. http://blpn.org/ Tuesday 11 August 09h30 - Krantzkloof. Sally Johnson - topic of talk to be advised. or contact Crystelle Wilson Contact Tessa to confirm venue. Email: [email protected]. Please note that at [email protected] as the Interpretive Centre is still undergoing improvements, we will be holding the or 082 7235158 meeting at the Kloof Methodist Church hall (this will probably be our venue until the end of the year). For those of you who are not familiar with Kloof, the address is 4 Park July 2015 32 33 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45

Lane; this is the second turn to the right after the road to the SPCA coming from the We will walk the forest and the grasslands and later on have a braai/brunch at the bridge over the M13. dam. Caryl has offered us the facilities of the picnic site by the dam and a half drum to Wednesday 12 August 19h00 - Indoor meeting. Moses Chibesa on Trumpeter braai on - “let the good times roll”. Hornbills. Saturday 10 October 13h30 - BMCG meeting. Venue to be advised. Sunday 23 August 07h00 - Ellingham Estate with Rex Aspeling and Tina Haine. Tuesday 13 October 09h30 - Krantzkloof. Tanya Smith, regional manager of the Contact: 082 3018177 or email: [email protected] to confirm meeting time. African Crane Conservation Programme of the Endangered Wildlife Trust. Contact Ellingham is a cane farm, with extensive riverine forest, great climax trees, bush and Tessa to confirm venue. Email: [email protected]. Please note that as the dams, plus some well-left dead eucalypts which often yield raptors. Meet at the horse Interpretive Centre is still undergoing improvements, we will be holding the meeting paddock. Afterward we will raise a few glasses in honour of Barry Pullock who loved at the Kloof Methodist Church hall (this will probably be our venue until the end of the this farm. Please bring your chairs and picnic gear. There will be a R20 pp year). For those of you who are not familiar with Kloof, the address is 4 Park Lane; conservation contribution. this is the second turn to the right after the road to the SPCA coming from the bridge over the M13. SEPTEMBER 2015 Wednesday 14 October - Save Our Seabirds Festival. Details to follow. Bird Ringing. See details in the introduction. Sunday 18 October - Kwa-Ximba Conservancy with Dave Rimmer. Please confirm Saturday 5 September 07h15 - Durban Botanic Gardens with Elena Russell. m e e t i n g t i m e a n d p l a c e w i t h D a v e . 0 8 2 4 5 3 7 2 5 5 o r Please confirm with Elena: Tel: 031 705 2902 or email: [email protected]. email:[email protected]. The outing to Kwa-Ximba will involve a walk along At the end of our walk we will partake of the culinary delights at the Kiosk. the southern banks of the uMngeni and Mgceweni Rivers. The plan is for everyone to Wednesday 09 September 19h00 - Indoor meeting with Mark Liptrot. “Plastic meet at iSithumba Cultural Village on the uMngeni. Directions to isiThumba Cultural Packaging - Is It Really Necessary?” Village (all on good tarred roads): From Durban take the N3 heading to Saturday 12 September 13h30 - BMCG meeting. Venue to be advised. Pietermaritzburg. From Kloof/Hillcrest take the M13 heading to Pietermaritzburg and Wednesday 16 September 07h30 - Paradise Valley with Sandi du Preez. Please then the N3. Go off the N3 at the Hammersdale/Inchanga Exit. At the end of the off- confirm: Tel. 031 7014 839 or 073 3324 431. Forest and riverine birding - Mountain ramp turn right over the N3 and follow the road past Inchanga Station. Just after the Wagtails are always present. station turn right into Inchanga Drive - stay on this road (it bears left) until you come to Thursday 24 to 27 September - Long weekend outing. Mhlopeni Nature Reserve a T-junction with the R103 (Old Main Road). Turn right onto the R103 and then first with Cheryl and John Bevan. Tel: 031 708 3731; cell: 083 407 9785 or email: left (about 200 m) onto the D1004. Stay on this road for 9 km as it meanders steeply [email protected]. Camping (no power) and a rustic self-catering lodge for up down into the uMngeni Valley until you come to iSithumba Cultural Village on your to 10 people - see website http:www.mhlopeni.co.za. Book with Joy by email: joy@ right. mhlopeni.co.za and advise Cheryl. As a bird sanctuary, Mhlopeni is abundant with Wednesday 21 October 08h30 - Virginia Bush NR with Lesley Frescura. Please majestic birds of prey, and is on the confluence of the north, south, coastal and inland confirm: Tel: 031 2664150 or 083 2313408. This 38 hectare reserve consists of species distribution limits of bird species. You have to book at least two months coastal bush; unfortunately a large portion of the vegetation is alien. This was once ahead as it is very popular. Directions: Take the N3 towards Pietermaritzburg and natural grassland, but now only a few small patches of grassland remain. Virginia then turn off at the exit for Greytown (R33). Drive 78 km to Greytown. At Greytown Bush is a birder's paradise; the bush birds are easily spotted. Some of the bird turn left on to the R74. After 1.8 km bear right to Muden. Travel 21.5 km and then turn species to be seen are Green Twinspot, Grey Waxbill, Red-capped Robin-Chat, left at the signboard to the reserve. GPS co-ordinates are S28.58.398 E30.24.210 (or White-browed Scrub-Robin, Southern Boubou, African Firefinch, Bushshrikes and S28.97388 E30.40334). Allow two hours from the Pavilion shopping centre. Note: Flycatchers. Blue Duiker, Greater Spotted Genet and mongoose can be seen too. The road to the camp can be very rough and high clearance vehicles are advised. Sunday 27 September - Mhlopeni NR - see above for directions. If you intend NOVEMBER 2015 making the two hour journey (from Pavilion) then check with Cheryl (see above for Bird Ringing: See details in the introduction. contact info) to find out what time the outing will start on Sunday. There will be a small Saturday 7 November - Alvestone with Elena Russell. Please confirm attendance, charge for day visitors. Note: The road to the camp can be very rough and high meeting time and place: Tel: 031 7052902; email [email protected]. More clearance vehicles are advised. details to follow. Wednesday 11 November 19h00 - Indoor meeting with Nelis Wolmarans of OCTOBER 2015 Rockjumpers - “Mountain Gorillas of the Virunga. A Time with Giants”. Bird Ringing. See details in the introduction. Saturday 14 November 13h30 - BMCG meeting. Venue to be advised. Saturday 3 October 06h15 - Tanglewood Farm Nature Reserve with Elena Russell. Sunday 22 November 06h30 - Virginia Farm and Wingfield NR with Malcolm P l e a s e c o n f i r m m e e t i n g t i m e a n d p l a c e : 0 3 1 7 0 5 2 9 0 2 ; e m a i l Stainbank. Please confirm meeting time and place with Malcolm on cell: 083 [email protected]. We will gain access at 06h30 – please do not be late. 7811130 or send SMS. Email: [email protected]. See July 2015 34 35 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45 http://www.virginiafarm.co.za for details about Virginia Farm and Wingfield NR. AUGUST Directions: Go along the N3 and take the Camperdown fly off. Go left at the bridge Sunday 2 - Morning outing to Darvill at 07h00 Gordon Bennett 033 3865555. and follow that road until the T-junction. Go left towards Eston and Umbumbulu. At Tuesday 11 - Presentation at Woodgrove at 18h00 by Craig Nelson on “17 000 km in the Caltex Service Station keep going straight on the R603 for about 15 km. The East Africa”. single lane goes into a double lane going up a hill. Pass the Telkom and MTN tower on Sunday 16 - Day outing to Zulu Falls near Mooi River, where the Southern Bald Ibis top of the hill. Go down the hill around two sharp bends and turn right onto a tar road breed. There will be a R25 entrance fee. Contact the coordinator Hugh Bulcock 082 called Ezimwini. Meet at Virginia Trails Start. Allow 65 minutes from Durban. GPS 3736569. Co-ordinates at the eZimwini Turn Off from the R603 are: S 29 59'27.73″; E30 Wednesday 26 (note change of date) - Presentation by Morgan Pfeiffer at 18h00 in 36'35.10″. Some parts of the reserve are unsuitable for low clearance vehicles. There the Ambers Auditorium, Amber Valley. “Factors influencing the flight height of an is no entry fee. Voluntary donations to Beaumont Eston Conservancy are welcome. endangered vulture: indications for wind-energy.” Wednesday 26 - Day outing to Zulu Falls near Mooi River, where the southern Bald DECEMBER 2015 Ibis breed. There will be a R25 entrance fee. Meet at Greendale shopping Centre at Bird Ringing. See details in the introduction. 07h00 to arrange transport. Coordinator Drummond Densham 033 3304039 or 083 Saturday 5 December - Springside with Elena Russell. Please confirm attendance, 3217959. meeting time and place: Tel: 031 705 2902, email [email protected] . More details to follow. SEPTEMBER Tuesday 8 December 09h30 - Krantzkloof. Rockjumper Birding. Contact Tessa to Sunday 6 - Morning outing to Darvill at 06h30. Gordon Bennett 033 3865555. confirm venue. Email: [email protected]. Please note that as the Wednesday 16 - Presentation at the Ambers Auditorium “Lifting the Veil on Interpretive Centre is still undergoing improvements, we will be holding the meeting Falconry” by Bruce Padbury of the Natal Falconry Club. at the Kloof Methodist Church hall (this will probably be our venue until the end of the Sunday 20 - Morning outing to Benvie in the Karkloof. There is a R50 entrance fee. year). For those of you who are not familiar with Kloof, the address is 4 Park Lane; this Ian Gordon 033 386 2314 or 083 5706782. is the second turn to the right after the road to the SPCA coming from the bridge over Wednesday 30 - Morning outing to Benvie in the Karkloof. There is a R50 entrance the M13. fee. Meet at the Greendale shopping Centre at 07h00 to organise transport. Karin Nelson 033 3303027 or 072 7794219. BIRDLIFE ZULULAND For information or details check out the website: www.birdlifezululand.co.za OCTOBER Sunday 4 - Morning outing to Darvill at 06h30. Gordon Bennett 033 3865555. BIRDLIFE KWA-ZULU NATAL MIDLANDS Tuesday 13 - Presentation at Woodgrove at 18h00. Topic to be advised. Sunday 18 - Morning outing to Rockwood on the Karkloof Nature Reserve. Committee: Chair Peter Divall 033 2395537, vice-chair Eve Hughes 033 3302723, Entrance fee to be confirmed. Eve Hughes 033 3302723 or 082 8724333. treasurer Viv O'Neill 083 4647666, secretary Sally Cumming 072 1194253, Wednesday 21 - Presentation at the Ambers Auditorium “Keep on clicking! Use your membership secretary Pam Nicol 033 3302947, rarities/SABAP2 Colin Summersgill camera as tool to learn more about birds” by Crystelle Wilson. 083 7825113, conservation Karin Nelson 072 7794219 and Drummond Densham Wednesday 28 - Morning outing to Rockwood on the Karkloof Nature Reserve. 033 3304039, e-Newsletter Rosemary Forrester 082 767 7366, evening meetings Entrance fee to be confirmed. Meet at Greendale shopping centre at 07h00 to Norman Freeman 083 453 7949. organise transport. Drummond Densham 033 3304039 or 083 3217959. Bird ringing: Contact Karin Nelson on 033 3303027 or 072 7724219 Darvill: first or second Saturday of the month NOVEMBER At the home of Pam and Bill Nicol, 13 Riley Crescent, Howick: four times a year, Sunday 1 - Morning outing to Darvill at 06h00. Gordon Bennett 033 3865555. Karkloof Conservancy, Cedara. Sunday 15 - A full day outing up Sani Pass. Take passports and lunch. Hugh Bulcock Pietermaritzburg evening meetings are held at Woodgrove Retirement Centre on the 082 3736569. second Tuesday of alternate months at 18h00. Howick evening meetings are held in Wednesday 18 - Presentation at the Ambers Auditorium on “Birds and Mammals of the Ambers Auditorium in Amber Valley, on the third Wednesday of the month at Namibia and Botswana. A Photographic Tour” by Peter and Anita Divall. 18h00. Entry R10 pp or by donation. Wednesday 25 - Morning outing to Fountain Hill Estate near Wartburg. There is a Please contact the coordinator before an outing R50 entrance fee. Meet at the Greendale Shopping Centre at 06h30 to organise to confirm the time of meeting and other arrangements transport. Eve Hughes 033 3302723 or 082 8724333. Coordinators of outings to private property must please phone the owner a Saturday 28 - BLSA Birding Big Day week in advance to confirm the outing. July 2015 36 37 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45 http://www.virginiafarm.co.za for details about Virginia Farm and Wingfield NR. AUGUST Directions: Go along the N3 and take the Camperdown fly off. Go left at the bridge Sunday 2 - Morning outing to Darvill at 07h00 Gordon Bennett 033 3865555. and follow that road until the T-junction. Go left towards Eston and Umbumbulu. At Tuesday 11 - Presentation at Woodgrove at 18h00 by Craig Nelson on “17 000 km in the Caltex Service Station keep going straight on the R603 for about 15 km. The East Africa”. single lane goes into a double lane going up a hill. Pass the Telkom and MTN tower on Sunday 16 - Day outing to Zulu Falls near Mooi River, where the Southern Bald Ibis top of the hill. Go down the hill around two sharp bends and turn right onto a tar road breed. There will be a R25 entrance fee. Contact the coordinator Hugh Bulcock 082 called Ezimwini. Meet at Virginia Trails Start. Allow 65 minutes from Durban. GPS 3736569. Co-ordinates at the eZimwini Turn Off from the R603 are: S 29 59'27.73″; E30 Wednesday 26 (note change of date) - Presentation by Morgan Pfeiffer at 18h00 in 36'35.10″. Some parts of the reserve are unsuitable for low clearance vehicles. There the Ambers Auditorium, Amber Valley. “Factors influencing the flight height of an is no entry fee. Voluntary donations to Beaumont Eston Conservancy are welcome. endangered vulture: indications for wind-energy.” Wednesday 26 - Day outing to Zulu Falls near Mooi River, where the southern Bald DECEMBER 2015 Ibis breed. There will be a R25 entrance fee. Meet at Greendale shopping Centre at Bird Ringing. See details in the introduction. 07h00 to arrange transport. Coordinator Drummond Densham 033 3304039 or 083 Saturday 5 December - Springside with Elena Russell. Please confirm attendance, 3217959. meeting time and place: Tel: 031 705 2902, email [email protected] . More details to follow. SEPTEMBER Tuesday 8 December 09h30 - Krantzkloof. Rockjumper Birding. Contact Tessa to Sunday 6 - Morning outing to Darvill at 06h30. Gordon Bennett 033 3865555. confirm venue. Email: [email protected]. Please note that as the Wednesday 16 - Presentation at the Ambers Auditorium “Lifting the Veil on Interpretive Centre is still undergoing improvements, we will be holding the meeting Falconry” by Bruce Padbury of the Natal Falconry Club. at the Kloof Methodist Church hall (this will probably be our venue until the end of the Sunday 20 - Morning outing to Benvie in the Karkloof. There is a R50 entrance fee. year). For those of you who are not familiar with Kloof, the address is 4 Park Lane; this Ian Gordon 033 386 2314 or 083 5706782. is the second turn to the right after the road to the SPCA coming from the bridge over Wednesday 30 - Morning outing to Benvie in the Karkloof. There is a R50 entrance the M13. fee. Meet at the Greendale shopping Centre at 07h00 to organise transport. Karin Nelson 033 3303027 or 072 7794219. BIRDLIFE ZULULAND For information or details check out the website: www.birdlifezululand.co.za OCTOBER Sunday 4 - Morning outing to Darvill at 06h30. Gordon Bennett 033 3865555. BIRDLIFE KWA-ZULU NATAL MIDLANDS Tuesday 13 - Presentation at Woodgrove at 18h00. Topic to be advised. Sunday 18 - Morning outing to Rockwood on the Karkloof Nature Reserve. Committee: Chair Peter Divall 033 2395537, vice-chair Eve Hughes 033 3302723, Entrance fee to be confirmed. Eve Hughes 033 3302723 or 082 8724333. treasurer Viv O'Neill 083 4647666, secretary Sally Cumming 072 1194253, Wednesday 21 - Presentation at the Ambers Auditorium “Keep on clicking! Use your membership secretary Pam Nicol 033 3302947, rarities/SABAP2 Colin Summersgill camera as tool to learn more about birds” by Crystelle Wilson. 083 7825113, conservation Karin Nelson 072 7794219 and Drummond Densham Wednesday 28 - Morning outing to Rockwood on the Karkloof Nature Reserve. 033 3304039, e-Newsletter Rosemary Forrester 082 767 7366, evening meetings Entrance fee to be confirmed. Meet at Greendale shopping centre at 07h00 to Norman Freeman 083 453 7949. organise transport. Drummond Densham 033 3304039 or 083 3217959. Bird ringing: Contact Karin Nelson on 033 3303027 or 072 7724219 Darvill: first or second Saturday of the month NOVEMBER At the home of Pam and Bill Nicol, 13 Riley Crescent, Howick: four times a year, Sunday 1 - Morning outing to Darvill at 06h00. Gordon Bennett 033 3865555. Karkloof Conservancy, Cedara. Sunday 15 - A full day outing up Sani Pass. Take passports and lunch. Hugh Bulcock Pietermaritzburg evening meetings are held at Woodgrove Retirement Centre on the 082 3736569. second Tuesday of alternate months at 18h00. Howick evening meetings are held in Wednesday 18 - Presentation at the Ambers Auditorium on “Birds and Mammals of the Ambers Auditorium in Amber Valley, on the third Wednesday of the month at Namibia and Botswana. A Photographic Tour” by Peter and Anita Divall. 18h00. Entry R10 pp or by donation. Wednesday 25 - Morning outing to Fountain Hill Estate near Wartburg. There is a Please contact the coordinator before an outing R50 entrance fee. Meet at the Greendale Shopping Centre at 06h30 to organise to confirm the time of meeting and other arrangements transport. Eve Hughes 033 3302723 or 082 8724333. Coordinators of outings to private property must please phone the owner a Saturday 28 - BLSA Birding Big Day week in advance to confirm the outing. July 2015 36 37 July 2015 KZN BIRDS No 45 KZN BIRDS No 45

DECEMBER Sunday 6 - The end-of-year braai will be held at Hilton College Lapa. Meet at Hilton Get early bird rates for BLSA Flock events College gates at 07h00 for early morning birding, or arrive later for the braai. The fee BIRDLIFE South Africa officially the two-day LAB conference on 10 and will be R30. Bring chairs, food and drinks, and friends and family. The fires will be announced Flock 2016 and 2017 at its 11 March 2016. LAB will include an organised by the club. Peter Divall 033 2395537 or 083 2634169. NB If the road A n n u a l G e n e r a l M e e t i n g i n i n t e r a c t i v e s e r i e s o f l e c t u r e s , down to lapa is too wet, the walk and the braai will be held at Cumberland. Johannesburg on 21 March 2015. The presentations and discussions co- organising committee negiotiated with hosted by BLSA and the Percy BIRDLIFE TROGONS both SANParks and MSC Cruises and F i t z P a t r i c k I n s t i t u t e o f A f r i c a n PLEASE note all outings are on a Sunday unless otherwise stated. They are secured special discounted rates. A Ornithology. The 87th BLSA AGM will be advertised in the South Coast Herald, South Coast Fever and The Rising Sun a few variety of accommodation will be held on Saturday 12 March 2016. days prior to each event. The venues and dates of outings may be changed at short available at Skukuza from 9-13 March Flock at Sea AGAIN! 2017 offers a notice; please check www.birdlifetrogons.blogspot.com for updated information or 2016 and there will be discounted rates unique opportunity of a five day cruise phone Eric Kok 039 6950573 or 072 7510686 for further details and lift sharing. on all cabins on a five day cruise from along the continental shelf from Cape Cape Town and back onboard the MSC Town and back. The route will be Friday 10 - Sunday 12 July - Trogons will have a stand at the Lions’ Show Sinfonia from 24-28 April 2017. specified for optimum seabird spotting. 26 July 07h00 - Sezela Sugar Mill It is important to note in order to With top seabird guides on deck and a 9 August 07h00 - Empisini NR Umkomaas qualify for the special discounted rates variety of on-board lectures and talks by 23 August 06h30 - Izotsha Creek wetland area, Shelly Beach on accommodation at Skukuza and for leading seabird experts, this promises to 13 September 06h30 - Umdoni Park, Pennington cabins onboard the MSC Sinfonia, be an unforgettable trip. The 88th BLSA 27 September 06h30 - Beacon Hill, Umtamvuna for Spring flowers BLSA requires bookings to be done by AGM will be held on-board during the 11 October 06h30 - Ellingham Estate, Park Rynie 30 September 2015 for both events. cruise. For more information contact 25 October 06h30 - Culley's Dam, Port Edward Flock in Kruger 2016 will be held at Nikki McCartney on 083 6361060 or Skukuza in the Kruger National Park. e v e n t s @ b i r d l i f e . o r g . z a o r s e e http://birdlifetrogons.blogspot.com/ Importantly, this event will incorporate http://www.birdlife.org.za/events/flock

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July 2015 38 39 July 2015