Sonderend Birding - an endless experience

GREYTON NATURE RESERVE - MYBIRDPATCH

2011-11-02T09:15:00.003+02:00

Hello all. I have submitted the Greyton Nature Reserve as a public MyBirdPatch, drawn the map in for anyone to see, and a quick first list submitted. Go to http://mybirdpatch.adu.org.za. Stuart

July bird outing

2011-09-05T11:33:00.001+02:00

There was a surprisingly good turnout for the July trip considering the choice of destination - Caledon sewage works, where permission and access had been previously arranged. The intrepid birders made their way down past the oxidation pans and ending up at the clean water dam to the north of the site. Mother Nature smiled on us and kept the wind in the right direction. We saw the expected array of ducks, teals, and herons with a few waders. Much better birding can be expected in the Summer so a return trip will be arranged. There was much discussion about the erection of a hide at the bottom dam. This has been proposed to the municipality in the past and representation made by BirdLife Overberg, but to no avail. Avitourism is the fastest growing sector of the tourism industry, and a bird hide here would undoubtedly enhance local tourism. There is easy and reasonably concealed access, with adequate parking. It need not be a complex or expensive structure, preferably made from alien woods as at Rooisands - any volunteers? The morning was rewarded for the newly-named Greyton Gastrobirders with a delicious lunch at Driefontein.

2011-08-03T15:40:00.000+02:00

Check out our new animated weather window - click on it to go to full screen then click on days and use the arrows to move through time.

Guidelines for bird monitoring at wind farms

2011-07-14T11:15:00.000+02:00

MEDIA RELEASE

Guidelines for bird monitoring at wind farms
Johannesburg, 11 July 2011: BirdLife South Africa (BLSA), the largest bird conservation NGO in South
Africa, fully supports the responsible development of a renewable energy industry in South Africa.
Wind energy, although good for the environment, is not necessarily always good for birds. The most
important impacts of wind energy facilities (WEFs) on birds are displacement of sensitive species
from development areas, and mortality of susceptible species primarily through collisions with the
wind turbines. The nature and extent of these impacts is highly dependent on both site- and speciesspecific
factors and, as there is no detailed understanding of the possible effects of wind energy
developments on South African birds, conservationists are currently making use of the experiences
learnt from Europe and North America.

For all new wind energy facility developments, Environmental Impact Assessments are conducted,
and these include detailed bird impact assessments. The current bird assessments however do not
necessarily provide sufficient information for a decision to be made on the potential impact on birds.
BirdLife South Africa and its partner, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), have therefore produced
and released the “Best Practice Guidelines for Avian Monitoring and Impact Mitigation” to bring the
assessment in line with internationally accepted best practice.

BirdLife South Africa is confident that this proposed advanced monitoring will allow for informed
decisions, and allow wind farms to be developed at sites where impacts on birds are unlikely.
BirdLife South Africa encourages the wind energy industry to show that it respects not only the
carbon and economic benefits of wind farms, but also South Africa’s biodiversity. Globally, the
placement of renewable energy facilities are treated as important and BirdLife South Africa urges
the Department of Environmental Affairs and the financial sector to consider renewable applications
in South Africa no differently.

“The environmental community must work with the renewable energy industry in effectively
managing the environmental and social impacts of energy options to help it understand, avoid and
manage risks,” says Juan Marco Alvarez, Director of the IUCN Economy and Environmental
Governance Group. “We must ensure that renewable energy is developed in the right places,
meaning not just technically and financially, but also environmentally and socially.”
BirdLife South Africa and the EWT are proactively approaching the interaction between birds and
bats and wind energy through the development of the monitoring guidelines, an Avian Wind
Sensitivity Map and a “South African Good Practice Guidelines for Surveying Bats in Wind Farm
developments”.

“The avifaunal impact assessment must allow for the collection of adequate relevant field data to
support precautionary and strategic decision making,” says Dr Hanneline Smit, BirdLife South Africa’s
Conservation Manager. “This would translate into a baseline survey through pre-construction
monitoring over a minimum of 12 months, which is in line with international best practice,” adds Dr
Andrew Jenkins, representative of the Birds and Wind Energy Specialist Group (BAWESG).
Further, according to Jon Smallie from the Wildlife Energy Programme (WEP) of the EWT, site
alternatives must be considered as part of the pre-feasibility study, or desktop scoping process, for
all projects, particularly given that correct WEF positioning is widely agreed to be the primary means
of mitigating wind farm impacts on birds.

Smit and Smallie recently returned from a Wind Energy and Wildlife Impact Conference in
Trondheim, Norway. The conference dealt with the global and case-specific wind turbine/farm
impacts on birds and bats. Ernst Retief, BirdLife South Africa Gauteng Regional Conservation
Manager, presented the Avian Wind Sensitivity Map, developed by BirdLife South Africa and the
EWT, at the conference to showcase South Africa’s advanced approach of mitigation to minimise the
impact on our country’s birds. Attendance at the conference has strengthened BirdLife South
Africa’s approach to conform to international best practice and guide the wind industry in the
proposed development of wind energy facilities in South Africa.

The Landmark Foundation

2011-03-28T09:06:00.000+02:00

ACT NOW: STOP LEGISLATION THAT WILL LEAD TO THE SLAUGHTER OF BIODIVERSITY ON SOUTH AFRICAN FARMS

Thousands of animals die each year in gin traps and other predator eradication practices on South African farms.The commonly used methods (e.g. gin traps, killer traps, dog hunting and poisons) are ethically unacceptable and ecologically damaging. New legislation proposes to keep them legal and even rename gin traps as "soft traps".

More than 80% of South African land is under commercial agriculture. This legislation (The Norms and Standards for the Management of Damage Causing Animals) affects the management of all wildlife on agricultural land.

SIGN THE PETITION

Hamerkom sighting

2011-03-27T12:15:00.001+02:00

On Saturday morning I saw a hamerkop fly into the Gobos River at the jeep
track crossing for the Maermanskloof /Boesmanskloof Trails. I've never seen
one around here before so wondered if it was unusual - although their
designated area is pretty much country wide.
Jan Burtt

Position statement on Avifaunal and Bat Impact Assessment for Wind Energy Facilities in South Africa

2011-03-25T17:22:00.000+02:00

Position statement on Avifaunal and Bat Impact Assessment for Wind
Energy Facilities in South Africa

Endangered Wildlife Trust & BirdLife South Africa

March 2011

To read this new and important statement please go to: Statement Link

NEW BIRDLIFE OVERBERG HONORARY MEMBERSHIPS

2010-07-16T11:17:00.000+02:00

NEW BIRDLIFE OVERBERG HONORARY MEMBERSHIPS

On Monday 12 July Trevor Hardaker entertained members of Birdlife Overberg with a beautifully illustrated talk on their trip to Argentina and the Antarctic peninsula. This was our traditional winter soup and sherry evening. Our thanks go to Trevor and the ladies who prepared the meal for a very entertaining and enjoyable evening.
The BLO committee decided to bestow honorary club and BLSA membership on four individuals who have made enormous contributions to the conservation of birds and their habitats over the last six months. These are:
ANGELA KEY:
Local artist Angela Key donated a fantastic painting of an African Penguin called “Surf Report” that we are currently raffling to raise funds for the development of educational programmes for this endangered bird. This painting added real spice to BLO's first golf day on 10 June and details of the painting and the raffle could be found elsewhere on this website. Angela has contributed to several similar fund raising efforts in the past and to crown it all she has also sold the most raffle tickets up till now. The organizations that will benefit from this effort are BLSA's Seabirds Division, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust and SANCCOB.
GLENDA POPE
Glenda is the owner the Mission House Art Gallery in Onrus and has framed Angela's painting mentioned above free of charge. Besides this she has started participating in the raffle aggressively and it is fairly difficult to leave the gallery without buying a raffle ticket. These are the types of contributions to the conservation of species that often go unnoticed.
DR. STUART SHEARER
Stuart is a BLO member who resides in Greyton and has in recent months become heavily involved in commenting on EIA processes related to the alarming number of applications for the development of wind farms in South Africa in general and our region in particular. He has assembled a team of experts to assist him in this regard and their work now represents the “state of the art” on how such comments should be done. An example of one of these comments could be found under the Conservation section of this website and is dated 14 July.
LEE WEPENER
Lee has been a loyal member of BLO for many years and has recently brought her considerable graphic design skills on board. She has designed a series of colorful posters of common birds in specific Overberg habitats such as mountains, fynbos, the wheatfields and coastal areas. These posters have been very well received at our golf day, expos and exhibits and are assisting us tremendously to broaden our membership base.
The committee members of Birdlife Overberg hereby express their sincere appreciation to Angie, Glenda, Stuart and Lee for the considerable contribution that they have made to our club activities. It is hoped that this small gesture of bestowing honorary club and BirdLife South Africa membership to them will lead to a long association with BirdLife activities.

Anton with Angie Key, Trevor Hardaker, Lee Wepener, Glenda Pope and Dr. Stuart Shearer

CWAC count on the Botriver estuary - 10 July 2010

2010-06-30T11:16:00.000+02:00

Dear all,

Mariana Delport and her team have been doing the CWAC on the Bot for more than a decade and have built up a substantial body of information regarding the water birds of the area. There is now a need to do these counts more regularly and I would like to invite you all to become involved in this exciting project. The regular winter count will be done on Saturday the 10th of July and the team leaders of the various sections will be on hand to teach all newcomers on how it should be done. On some of the sections you will have to walk a rather lengthy distance and others are not as streneous. Kindly let me know by return e-mail

If you want to participate on 10 July
If you want to participate on a more regular basis (if available)
Whether you would want to hike the longer or shorter distances

Kindly let me know by 18h00 on Monday 5 July so that the teams could be put together.

Your help with this will be appreciated.

Regards.

Anton

If interested, please contact Anton Odendal at birding@overberg.co.za

Baby Bird Rescue

2010-06-14T09:03:00.001+02:00

From: john king [mailto:the.lord.pickleby@iafrica.com]
Sent: 07 June 2010 14:36
To: Ria Wills
Subject: baby bird

Hi Ria

Hope you can make a reasonable story out of the facts about the baby bird.

He was found by passersby outside the Lord Pickleby one evening and decided they would put

Him in the flowerpot on the verge. It was cold and rainy and late so I decided he deserved a better

Chance and brought him in – a sorry little sight and quite weak. Found a box and kept him warm

Sharon from High Hopes rushed down with seeds which we ground up with glucose – probably

All the wrong food but thankfully was alive next morning. Thought we was not a seed eater

And fed him many earthworms which he happily gobbled up..

We kept him in his box for a few days then decided he was strong and perky and needed

Some sunshine – covered his box with a grid and put him on a table in the back garden.

We had heard that if he had been handled only for a short time he would be rejected by his mother but to our

Amazement there she was sitting on the box - we opened the top a little and she was back straight away

And fed him all day – we brought him in at night for a few nights and then put the opened box in the

Shrubs. From then on for a few days she moved him further and further into the main garden and we

eventually lost sight of him. Just hope all went well and he survived his ordeal.

Managed to identify the mom on the box as an Olive Thrush

Sending you the three pics I showed you just hope someone will derive as much pleasure as we did

in seeing how cute he was

Thanks for your interest

Regards Joan..

BIRD LISTS FURTHER AFIELD

2010-05-16T10:46:00.000+02:00

Bird lists for Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and some National Parks can now be found at SA Bird Atlas Project

Secretarybird in danger?

2010-04-24T17:31:00.000+02:00

To find out more go to The Greytonian - http://www.greytonian.blogspot.com/

The first Biodiversity Festival at Harold Porter Botanical Gardens

2010-04-19T16:30:00.000+02:00

Hello Birders

Here is an interesting email from Anton Odendaal re the Biodiversity Festival at Harold Porter.

Dear all,
SANBI and BirdLife Overberg are proud to announce the programme for this festival to be held between 26 and 29 May 2010. The project is being done in association with Arabella SA, that is sponsoring the transportation of school children to the venue and the presentation of lunch packs.
The Flight for Birders identification and conservation course will be held on 26 and 27 May and details of this could be found at the following link:

http://www.westerncapebirding.co.za/events.php?article=view&id=107

The Biodiversity Festival will be held on 28 and 29 May and will include interesting lectures, exhibits, outings and hikes guided by both birders and plant experts, as well as programmes for learners. It will also feature the official opening of the new bird hide at Rooisands along the Botriver estuary at the Arabella Hotel. The programme is available at the following link:

http://www.westerncapebirding.co.za/events.php?article=view&id=112

This is an open invitation to all to attend what promises to be a very exciting event. Kindly assist us by disseminating this information as widely as possible.

With appreciation and regards.

Anton Odendal

BUTTERFLY CENSUS WEEKEND

2010-04-04T16:03:00.000+02:00

South Africa's first Butterfly Census Weekend will take place on the weekend of 24-25 April 2010.

Not birds exactly...... but why not help in contributing to the sum of biodiversity knowledge in this country as well as enjoying and enriching yourselves? Provincial identification booklets are available to download from the website.

To find out more go to Butterfly Census Information

RAPTOR IDENTIFICATION COURSE IN CAPE TOWN

2010-03-25T12:23:00.000+02:00

RAPTORS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA - AN ID COURSE

Friday 16 April (evening) and Saturday 17 April (full day)

Ulrich Oberprieler, known for his superb courses on nature and related topics, will present an ID course, based on his recently published “Raptor Guide of Southern Africa”. The course will provide an overview of Southern Africa’s raptors and will teach a systematic, step-by-step approach to raptor identification and appreciation. It will be based on the fact that the key to raptor identification is a thorough knowledge of South Africa’s 11 raptor groups. These groups will be discussed in detail, with special emphasis on a number of representative species within each group. A mixture of regional species occurring in the Western Cape and raptors that occur elsewhere in Southern Africa will be described, with emphasis on those that are less readily identified. In addition to the broad overview of species, Ulrich will cover roughly one third of Southern Africa’s 83 raptors in more detail.

Venue: Nassau Centre, Groote Schuur High School, Palmyra Road, Newlands.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a master in his field. Bookings are now open. To register or make enquiries, contact Judith Crosswell on 021 - 6711787 after 19h00. Or e-mail Judith@kingsley.co.za

RENEWABLE ENERGY

2010-02-11T11:01:00.002+02:00

Media release from EWT & BirdLife released yesterday - to read it go to NGOs RESPOND TO GROWTH IN SOUTH AFRICAN WIND ENERGY SECTOR

MORE WIND FARMS

2010-02-07T12:00:00.000+02:00

Sadly, since first writing about the Caledon Wind Farm, it has come to light that there are several more projects planned for our area, as well as many others in the region and and the rest of the country. Farewell 'Overberg Tapestry' - enjoy it whilst you can.

Caledon Wind Farm

2010-02-01T16:03:00.004+02:00

A wind farm is being planned for the Caledon area. It will comprise 150 wind turbines, between 2 – 3.6 MW each in size. The hub height will be between 80m and 100m and the turbine blade length between 40m and 58.5m. (that's about 12 storeys high!) Here is the link if you'd like to read more http://projects.gibb.co.za/Projects/CaledonWindDSR.aspx

You can also read Stuart Shearer's blog - Greytonian (http://greytonian.blogspot.com/) for extensive information about wind turbines and the plans for the Caledon Wind Farm and how you can object.

Following is an article about the effect of wind turbines on bats:

Wind turbines threatening bats survival

August 26 2008 at 03:50PM

Washington - Wind turbines pose a greater danger to bats than birds as the power generators produce a sudden drop in air pressure that causes the nocturnal animal's lungs to burst, a study has found.

While the turbines' blades may endanger birds, Canadian researchers found that 90 percent of bats found dead at wind farms had suffered internal hemorrhaging caused by the drop in air pressure, a condition known as barotrauma.

Only about half of the migratory bats showed any evidence of direct contact with the blades, said the study published in the August 26 edition of the journal Current Biology.

Bats, which emit a sonar-like sound to detect objects, rarely collide with man-made structures, the researchers noted.

"An atmospheric-pressure drop at wind-turbine blades is an undetectable - and potentially unforeseeable - hazard for bats, thus partially explaining the large number of bat fatalities at these specific structures," said Erin Baerwald of the University of Calgary in Canada.

"Given that bats are more susceptible to barotrauma than birds, and that bat fatalities at wind turbines far outnumber bird fatalities at most sites, wildlife fatalities at wind turbines are now a bat issue, not a bird issue."

Birds have more rigid lungs than bats that allow them to more easily withstand sudden drops in air pressure.

The lungs of bats are balloon-like, with two-way airflow ending in thin flexible sacs surrounded by capillaries. A drop in air pressure can cause the sacs to expand too much, making the capillaries explode, the researchers said.

Bat deaths caused by wind turbines could have far-reaching consequences, the researchers warned.

While bats can live for 30 years or more, most only produce one or two pups at a time and not necessarily every year.

"Slow reproductive rates can limit a population's ability to recover from crashes and thereby increase the risk of endangerment or extinction," said Robert Barclay of the University of Calgary.

Their deaths could also affect ecosystems on the bats' migration routes as they eat thousands of insects, including many crop pests, every day, the researchers added.

For more information on wind turbines you can also have a look at this link: http://www.aweo.org/ProblemWithWind.html

Flight for Birders course, Stanford, 24-25th Feb 2010

2010-02-01T15:46:00.003+02:00

FLIGHT FOR BIRDERS

A bird identification course for novice and intermediate bird-watchers at Stanford

(24 and 25 February 2010)

The presentation of the “Flight for Birders” bird identification course by Anton Odendal in Stanford has been scheduled for 24 and 25 February 2010. The costs will be R 350-00 per head. The costs include the course manual and a certificate endorsed by BirdLife South Africa – roughly 1,400 slides and drawings will be used. The contents of the course get updated every second year and this has now been done – in many cases images of similar and potentially confusing species have been combined on the same slide in order to illustrate differences. The development of an infrastructure for birding tourists in the local area will also be highlighted. In the vast majority of the slides English and Afrikaans names of species are printed onto the slide. The course focuses on basic steps in the identification of birds, places heavy emphasis on where to find the rare and often endemic birds in southern Africa and illustrates how ordinary bird-watchers could become involved in the conservation of birds and their habitats.

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

WHAT PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BRING ALONG:

· One of the bird guide books (Newman's, SASOL or Robert's), preferably one that you are prepared to make notes in to illustrate key identification features of species

· Notebook and pen

· Binoculars

· Comfortable walking shoes

· Hat and sunscreen

· Picnic basket and refreshments (Coffee and tea will be provided).

DAY 1: 24 February 2010

(Kindly note that short breaks will be taken on the hour).

07h30 to 08h00: Registration

08h00 to 09h00: The basic approach to Flight for Birders and what to look for when trying to identify a bird

09h00 to 10h00: The identification of garden birds

10h00 to 10h15: Tea

10h15 to 11h00: The identification of garden birds. A special new talk on how to attract birds to one's garden will be included here.

11h00 to 11h15: An overview of some threatened birds in Southern Africa: what is BLSA trying to do about the problem through conservation programs and how can ordinary birders help? The work of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust

11h15 to 11h45: The special and endemic birds of the Western Cape province, used as a case-study on how to prepare when visiting a new area – both the fynbos specials and the endemic species of the Benquela current to be highlighted. This will include a section on the birding hot spots in the Overstrand region.

11h45 to 12h15: An overview of some threatened birds in Southern Africa: what is BLSA trying to do about the problem through conservation programs and how can ordinary birders help? BLSA's Albatross Task Force and Mark Anderson's work on Lesser Flamingos at Kamfers dam near Kimberley.

12h15 to 13h00: Lunch

13h00 to 15h00: An introduction to the identification of some difficult groups – Little Brown Jobs and Swallows

15h00 to 15h30: A special section on some of the cuckoos of southern Africa and their host species

15h30 to 16h00: Typical birds found along the highways and byways: Focus on Chats, Bustards and gamebirds.

16h00 onwards: Practical outing in small groups applying the principles taught.

DAY 2: 25 February 2010

08h00 to 09h45: The identification of raptors and birds of prey, with a special focus on the Owls of southern Africa

09h45 to 10h15: How to prepare when visiting a new birding area: Birding in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park as a brief case-study, during which we place heavy emphasis on the difference between eastern and western species.

10h15 to 10h30: Tea

10h30 to 12h30: The identification of the fairly common water birds of southern Africa

12h30 to 13h00: Short lunch

13h00 to 14h30: Concluding integration: a focus on the conservation of birds and birding tourism - the critical role that the Overberg in general and the Stanford and Danger Point regions in particular could play in this regard

14h30 to 15h00: The 101 species in southern Africa that every avid birder needs to be able to identify – how to distinguish between the various families of birds. (An open-ended participatory discussion on photographs of the most common birds representing different families of birds).

15h00+: Presentation of certificates endorsed by BLSA

DETAILS IN BRIEF:

DATES: 24 and 25 February 2010

VENUE: The Main Hall of the Stanford Arms Hotel opposite the NG church in Stanford

COSTS: R 350-00, that include the course manual and certificate endorsed by BirdLife South Africa.

TO REGISTER AND SECURE YOUR PLACE:

Contact Elaine at mwjasser@mweb.co.za or Tel and Fax: 028 - 3161105 or Mobile: 0824558402.

Greyton Environs Bird List

2010-01-30T15:08:00.000+02:00

This bird list has been updated to reflect the recent African Openbill sightings in the area.

Flight for Birders course, Swellendam, 28-29 January 2010

2010-01-07T07:54:00.003+02:00

FLIGHT FOR BIRDERS

A bird identification course for novice and intermediate birders at Swellendam

(28 and 29 January 2010)

(To register contact Aldo Pekeur at aldop@sanparks.org or Tel: 028 - 5142735 or Fax: 028 – 5142646)

The presentation of the “Flight for Birders” bird identification course by Anton Odendal in Swellendam has been scheduled for 28 and 29 January 2010. The costs will be R 350-00 per head. The costs include the course manual and a certificate endorsed by BirdLife South Africa – roughly 1,400 slides and drawings will be used. In the vast majority of the slides English and Afrikaans names are printed onto the slide. The course focuses on basic steps in the identification of birds, places heavy emphasis on where to find the rare and often endemic birds in southern Africa and illustrates how ordinary bird-watchers could become involved in the conservation of birds and their habitats. The development of an infrastructure for birding tourists in the local area will also be highlighted.

The contents of the course get updated every second year and this has now been done – in many cases images of similar and potentially confusing species have been combined on the same slide in order to illustrate differences.

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

WHAT PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BRING ALONG:

· One of the bird guide books (Newman's, SASOL or Robert's), preferably one that you are prepared to make notes in to illustrate key identification features of species

· Notebook and pen

· Binoculars

· Comfortable walking shoes

· Hat and sunscreen

· Picnic basket and refreshments (if applicable).

DAY 1: 28 January 2010

(Kindly note that short breaks will be taken on the hour).

07h30 to 08h00: Registration

08h00 to 09h00: The basic approach to Flight for Birders and what to look for when trying to identify a bird

09h00 to 10h00: The identification of garden birds

10h00 to 10h15: Tea

10h15 to 11h00: The identification of garden birds. An illustrated talk on how to plan your garden for birds and other wildlife has recently been developed and this will form part of the course.

12h15 to 13h00: Lunch

13h00 to 15h00: An introduction to the identification of some difficult groups – Little Brown Jobs and Swallows

15h00 to 15h30: A special section on some of the cuckoos of southern Africa and their host species

15h30 to 16h00: On chats, bustards and gamebirds – common birds found along roads and highways

16h00 onwards: Practical outing in small groups applying the principles taught. Those who want to may leave from 16h00.

DAY 2: 29 January 2010

08h00 to 09h45: The identification of raptors and birds of prey, with a special focus on the Owls of southern Africa

10h15 to 10h30: Tea

10h30 to 12h30: The identification of the fairly common water birds of southern Africa

12h30 to 13h00: Short lunch

13h00 to 14h30: Concluding integration: a focus on the conservation of birds and birding tourism - the critical role that the Overberg in general and the Swellendam region in particular could play in this regard

15h00+: Presentation of certificates endorsed by BLSA

DETAILS IN BRIEF:

DATES: 28 and 29 January 2010

VENUE: The conference hall in the Bontebok National Park

COSTS: R 350-00, that includes the course manual and certificate endorsed by BirdLife South Africa.

TO REGISTER AND SECURE YOUR PLACE:

Contact Aldo Pekeur at aldop@sanparks.org or Tel: 028 - 5142735 or Fax: 028 – 5142646.

Larks and pipits

2009-12-18T14:31:00.000+02:00

If you are interested in a simple guide to our local larks and pipits follow the link from The Greytonian blog: The Greytonian

Visitor in 35 Vigne Lane

2009-11-27T11:28:00.000+02:00

Visitor in 35 Vigne Lane:

African Goshawk, Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk, ...

Unhappily it would not turn to display more clues and flew away before I could sneak around.

On my recent trip to Seekoeivlei near Memel I was able to "shoot" this Orange-throated Longclaw

Regards

Klaus Wehrlin k.wehrlin@tiscali.co.za
35 Vigne Lane
Greyton
ZA-7233

Baby Owl in Vei Street, Greyton

2009-11-13T12:57:00.001+02:00

Storms a year or two ago shattered an old oak tree on Vlei Street, Greyton. This provided a perfect nesting place, and I have watched a baby owl there gradually getting bigger and fluffier over the past weeks. I took a photo of it in situ on 31^st October 2009.

Richard Whitaker

New Roberts Online web site

2009-11-07T14:16:00.000+02:00

Some of you might be interested in this site which I just stumbled on: Roberts Online

music of the night

2009-11-03T20:50:00.001+02:00

Isn't it magical how we can start to identify birds with our eyes closed? My mental list of bird songs is very small but I hope it will expand soon! For the past few nights I have been interested to hear the persistent call of the Red-chested Cuckoo (Piet-my -vrou) competing for air time with a Nightjar (?presumably the Fiery-necked Nightjar). Round about 3am and beyond. Vicinity of Park Street. Is it the full moon or is this normal for the Cuckoo??

Debbie

Gobos walk 01 November 2009

2009-11-02T09:24:00.001+02:00

A list from a 1 hour walk from 8 Oak St along the Gobos river walk, across the bridge, up and across at the picnic site, following the MTB track back down via the rugby field. A pleasant stroll!

African Black Duck

Black Crow

Black Sawwing Swallow

Black Sunbird

Brownhooded Kingfisher

Cape Batis

Cape Bulbul

Cape Canary

Cape Clapper Lark

Cape Cormorant

Cape Francolin

Cape Robin

Cape Sparrow

Cape Sugarbird

Cape Turtle Dove

Cape Wagtail

Cape Weaver

Cape White-eye

Common Waxbill

Egyptian Goose

Eurasian Starling

Fiscal Shrike

Forktailed Drongo

Grassbird

Grassveld Pipit

Greater Striped Swallow

Hadeda Ibis

Helmeted Guineafowl

House Sparrow

Jackal Buzzard

Karoo Prinia

Laughing Dove

Malachite Sunbird

Olive Thrush

Paradise Flycatcher

Pintailed Whydah

Rameron Pigeon

Redchested Cuckoo

Rock Pigeon

Speckled Mousebird

Stonechat

Streakyheaded Canary

Whitethroated Swallow

Yellow Canary

Rodney

A great place for a swim!

2009-11-02T09:17:00.000+02:00

Cooling off

Rodney

Sorry - yet another swallow posting

2009-10-30T12:55:00.000+02:00

This isn't a particular good picture - but I'd never noticed the what markings in the tail feathers before.
Brian Dawes

O Ye Of Little Faith!

2009-10-26T08:56:00.000+02:00

If anyone is in any doubt about the enthusiasm of people to share and post their pictures and comments to a blog site, check out http://350.birdingafrica.com the level of interest surpassed everyone’s expectations for the 24 October event .... you see - people do care!

Thank you Stuart...

2009-10-26T00:43:00.001+02:00

I have always said that ‘blogging’ is the sound of one man/woman talking to themselves. There is a blog from me, somewhere, saying just that - back in 2006.

I’d love for people to prove me/Stuart wrong.

‘Blogs – Web-based Logs – (Web-based Diaries) are now commonplace. They can be as public or as private as the ‘owner’ desires.

As we all know secret - locked away diaries are probably more read than public diaries. I suppose that’s the nature of secrecy… people will find a way!

I co-authored a public ‘blog for some 4 years. It was very popular. It had some 1000 hits a year – we won awards BUT we had no more than 12 followers – family, close friends and the occasional passing trade. We might as well have been a private ‘blog limited to the club of 12. That was the point – it was a way for the 12 of us to keep in touch.

Facebook technology now to my mind seems to fulfil this ’need’ better than a ‘blog BUT Facebook does not, easily, become a way of creating a club notice board. Facebook is too public and at the same time too personal.

The, unfortunately named, ‘blog – (though no more quirkily named than: facebook/twitter;/youtube/google/myspace) is the easiest and cheapest way of creating a web based forum for a club notice board.

Most clubs, no matter how big, depend on one or two people willing to do the public work so I would expect that ‘blog contributions would be limited to a few people – those with internet access (of course) and those with something, and the time, to say it.

If the experience is worthwhile , most people will be happy to use the web technology to read what is happening. In my experience, though, there will be a greater number of people who will be reluctant to do so–either through apathy or anarchy. The social aspect of an actual meeting rather than virtual ‘blog meeting is what works for them.

I suggest that as many people as possible, with the desire, contribute and engage through the ‘blog BUT that the periodic meeting has on it’s agenda a discussion of the ‘blog content over the previous period.

Our next real meeting should decide on the agenda and formality for the following meetings – and also not lose sight of the social aspect.

Cheese, Wine and good interactive discussion do not happen in the virtual world.

Brian Dawes
26 Oct 2009

Blogging a dead horse

2009-10-25T11:48:00.000+02:00

Brian, I fear you may be blogging a dead horse .................!?

Rockjumper at Nooienskop?

2009-10-24T09:43:00.000+02:00

I think I saw a Cape Rockjumper on Nooienskop about three weeks ago, anyone else seen it there? Light was bad and eyes not as good as they was! Mark Berning.

The Life Of Birds

2009-10-24T08:45:00.000+02:00

I have on dvd the PBS documentary series featuring Sir David Attenborough called The Life Of Birds. It is a magnificent series and I thought it would be fun to show the series over a few evenings to Bird Club members. If you'd like that and are interested please reply to this post. We will decide on a venue based on the number of interested people. Have a look at the link to learn more about this documentary: http://www.pbs.org/lifeofbirds/
Andi

A story worth reading ' threatened korhaan and bustard

2009-10-19T12:29:00.001+02:00

From: stuart.shearer@telkomsa.net

Sent: 19 October 2009 08:11
Subject: A story worth reading

Falconers hover over korhaans

Concerns are mounting in birding circles that wealthy Arab falconers are

eyeing Southern Africa as their next hunt ing ground, endangering South

Africa's rich korhaan and bustard diversity. "We are definitely worried," said Mark Anderson, exe...

Read the rest of this story at http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-10-19-falconers-hover-over-korhaans

White Eyes -12 Oct 2009

2009-10-17T14:34:00.001+02:00

We've never seen these out at the farm before - we are 8km from Greyton. The picture isn't too good (taken through glass at dusk) - but can anybody tell me if they are just lost Cape White Eyes from town or are they vagrants from further afield?

Swallow-v-Blue Crane

2009-10-16T23:47:00.001+02:00

I'm no sure where I stand on this.
The SA national bird is the Blue Crane: (see family below)

but - contentiously - I am now starting to think that it should be THE Swallow - more importantly : The European Swallow..... I am told it does not breed South of the Equator - discuss, debate, enlighten.. ...... see left<<<<<

Birdlife Walks by appointment guided by Hilton Seekoei,

2009-10-12T10:26:00.005+02:00

Birdlife Walks by appointment Guided by Hilton Seekoei.
Hilton is passionate about birds and has completed the Bird Life of South Africa course on bird guiding.
Contact Hilton on 028 251 8582 or 072 537 9300
Bring your own birding equipment.

Bird List Links

2009-10-12T10:20:00.006+02:00

We have 2 lists now:
Link to Greyton Area Bird List

This is a Greyton Area Birding List (courtesy of Stuart Shearer) in a Spreadsheet Format.
Stuart points out that ...."It is not a Western Cape list, but a Greyton environs list. What might be or has been seen in this area, roughly bounded by the N2, the R406 to Riviersondernd and Caledon and the areas across Middleplaas to the R43 to Villiersdorp. I have just updated it with two regional rarities identified this year - Comb Duck and Black Cuckoo." Count at 12/10/2009 = 229

and
a Sonderend Bird List (courtesy of Rodney Wills) - also a sortable Spreadsheet format
Link to Sonderend Bird List Count on this sheet 12/10/2009 = 228

also see links on right hand side panel

Thank You Brian Dawes

2009-10-11T21:20:00.003+02:00

Thanks for creating this blog. I hope all the members of Sonderend Birding use it to read about upcoming events; post their sightings; talk about their experiences of birding in the Greyton area and surrounds, etc. etc.

Birding opportunity - note from Andi

2009-10-11T21:01:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone
We have an experienced birder and atlaser staying in Greyton for a month. She has offered to share her expertise with anyone who is interested. She is prepared to take two people with her when she goes out and it could be for the best part of a day. If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity please contact Debbie Weeks and she will arrange it. Her email address is: debbiejill@telkomsa.net

I would also like to pass on Bronwyn Botha's details as promised. She is the coordinator of the SA Crane Working Group working for blue crane conservation in the Western Cape:
bronwynb@ewt.org.za
082-320-0911

Opening Note from Andi Brand

2009-10-11T20:47:00.007+02:00

Hi everyone
Thanks to all of you who attended the meeting before the Crane talk.
We are working on forming an organising committee with those members who have expressed an interest in getting involved. The next step is to formulate a calendar of events for our club. With that in mind I have included a link to the latest newsletter from BirdLife Overberg which lists some interesting events that we might want to participate in.
Let me know your thoughts.
The blog is now up and running as you can see. Here we can record our bird sightings, chat about possible upcoming events and generally exchange information with each other.
In the meantime, let's decide which of these (if any) upcoming events we want to attend. Birding Big Day is certainly one we must start thinking about. Looking forward to your suggestions and ideas about events you'd like to see on the calendar and how you want the weblog to develop.

BIRDLIFE OVERBERG E-NEWSLETTER NO. 5: OCTOBER TO NOVEMBER 2009
The summer migrants are returning to our shores increasingly, ............