UPCOMING OUTING: River Valley Nature Reserve in Uvongo - 22 March 2020

Little Bittern

Dear Members & Friends

Sunday, 22 March 2020 at 06:30 BirdLife Trogons will visit River Valley Nature Reserve in Uvongo.  Bring chairs, breakfast and something to braai for lunch.  ALL WELCOME.  There is a R20 pp charge for non-members of BirdLife Trogons and R25 entrance charge.  Outings may be cancelled due to weather, check www.birdlifetrogons.blogspot.com or phone Hazel before setting off.  For further details telephone Hazel van Rooyen on 072 355 8837 or visit the blog.  Please let Hazel know if you will be attending the outing.

Meet at the gate to River Valley.

Travel south from Durban on the N2 toll road. At the Port Shepstone toll head continue on highway towards Port Edward. Take the second off ramp, (Margate/Uvongo) and turn Right into Wingate Ave and cross the highway. You will pass the Margate Country Club on your right hand side. Carry on along Wingate for another 500m past Country Club and you will see our sign pointing right into Portal Ave. Drive down Portal Ave and follow signs to the gate.

GPS Co Ordinates S 30.83’436” E 30.35’880”

Kind regards

Hazel van Rooyen

Secretary

BirdLife Trogons BirdClub

Outing report: Perlemoen Estate, Umzumbe - 8 March 2020

Malachite Kingfisher

Attending: Barrie Willis & Sue Hansbury, Derrick & Edith Megson, Robin Eccles, Teresa Smith & Nick Dreyer, Lia Steen, Graham Wells, Kobus Wentzel, Stanley & Asothie Gengan, Bob & Hazel van Rooyen

Species identified: 38 (see below) 

                                                                                       Text & Photos: Hazel van Rooyen

For once, the weather was kind to us, although it did become very hot and most birds wisely stayed hidden in the coolth of the vegetation.  

First we had a pleasant walk through the lower forest area where the stream trickled and gurgled, wild foxgloves like delicate lace, edged the pathways.  After breakfast we took a longer walk up the hill where we split into two groups and one group climbed higher while the other got a bit lost, although we all came back together eventually. 

Wild Foxgloves, like lace, edged the pathways

Although the birds were difficult to find, butterflies and dragonflies were bountiful. 

Layman Butterfly

The terrain is quite challenging and we were happy to sit back and relax when braai-time came around.

Thanks to all the members who attended and to our two visitors, Graham Wells and Kobus Wentzel.  Thank you also to Bernhard Grdseloff for letting us visit his charming farm.

38 species

Barbet, Black-collared

Barbet, White-eared

Boubou, Southern

Bulbul, Black-capped

Brownbul, Terrestrial

Bushshrike, Grey-headed

Cameroptera, Green-backed

Dove, Lemon

Dove, Red-eyed

Dove, Tambourine

Drongo, Fork-tailed

Drongo, Square-tailed

Duck, African Black

Eagle, African Fish

Hoopoe, African

Hornbill, Trumpeter

Ibis, Hadedah

Kingfisher, Brown-hooded

Kingfisher, Malachite

Robin-Chat, Red-capped

Saw-wing, Black

Starling, Black-bellied

Starling, Cape (Glossy)

Sunbird, Amethyst

Sunbird, Collared

Sunbird, Greater Double-collared

Sunbird, Olive

Tinkerbird, Yellow-rumped

Tit, Southern Black

Turaco, Knysna

Turaco, Purple-crested

Waxbill, Grey

Weaver, Spectacled

Weaver, Thick-billed

White-eye, Cape

Woodhoopoe, Green

Woodpecker, Cardinal

Woodpecker, Golden-tailed

UPCOMING OUTING: Perlemoen Farm, Umzumbe - 8 March 2020

Dear Members & Friends

Grey-headed Bushshrike

Sunday, 8 March BirdLife Trogons will visit Perlemoen Farm in Umzumbe.  Bring chairs, breakfast and something to braai for lunch.  All Welcome.  There is a R20pp charge for non-members of BirdLife Trogons.  Outings may be cancelled due to weather, check www.birdlifetrogons.blogspot.com or phone Hazel on 072 355 8837 before setting off.  Please let Hazel know if you will be attending the outing

Directions: Travelling North on the R102 towards Durban,  pass the sign to Pumula on your left.  Turn left at Follyfields Nursery sign and travel 2 kms.  Meet at the T-junction at 06.30.

Kind regards

Hazel van Rooyen

Secretary

BirdLife Trogons Bird Club