KINGFISHER DECEMBER 2013

December 2013 – No. 56

BIRDLIFE

PRESIDENT RIDGE Randburg’s Own Bird Club

KINGFISHER December 2013 _____________________________________________________________________________

1

IN THIS ISSUE Number 56

PAGE From the Editor’s Perch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Chairman Tweets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Down in the Sanctuary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Letters to Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 BLSA News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Ndumu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Botsalano with M-WIG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 M-WIG Explained . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 BLPR Trip Reports . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 You Saw What? In YOUR Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Let’s Learn A Little . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Let’s Go Indigenous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Club Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32


2

INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS

Dianne Brown

June Biddlecombe

Peter Gordon-Cumming

Welcome to Randburg’s Own (and friendliest) Birdclub

FROM THE EDITOR’S PERCH

In this issue we shall officially launch the BirdLife President Ridge Website. John Human our Chairman and wife Celia have been working hard to get this up and running before year end and, to all intents and purposes it is ready to go live, (see I know all the parlare). One of the main reasons for having a website is not because every other club has one but far more important to be able to be in continuous contact with you our members. We believe that communication is the life-blood of a club – if you know what’s going on your feeling of belonging is that much stronger. We already communicate quite well in that you receive a Network from us each month and a Kingfisher magazine three times a year. We intend to put both Kingfisher and the Network on the website but will retain the hard copies for at least a while longer. I will draw a line there because I am sure our Mr Chair will want to go into greater detail in his “Tweet”. On a different matter entirely, it is the aim of your committee and officers this year and, hopefully, in ensuing years, to ‘bring on’ our beginner and middle of the road birders so that they can, at the end of each season, look with pride at their enlarged life list and be motivated to grow it even more. In other words what I am saying is, enjoy the social side during the breaks, by all means catch up with your friends in the Club while enjoying lunch but when we’re birding, boy are we birding! There is a good spirit in the Club right now and we are motivated to not just bird as hard as we can but to also make sure Club is as well run and effective as possible. Thanks to all who are giving of their time and enthusiasm to help achieve this. PAUL HARDINGHAM – Editor


3

THE CHAIRMAN TWEETS As I take time out from birding to write my report for the Kingfisher we move into the festive season and reflect on 2013. Outings continue to be very successful and well attended – they remain the most important activity of our Club. We have been to some excellent venues like Wakkerstroom, Borakalalo, Wesson’s Farm, Bristle Cone Nursery and the Vaal Birding Route. Our lectures have generally been wonderful and informative – with really good attendances. We had this strong attendance on one speakerless Tuesday night in October. We do apologise for this mishap and certainly do everything in our power to avoid such non-events, fortunately the tea and eats (thanks Jenny, Lileen and team) seemed to pull the evening through and it appeared that most folk enjoyed the company and a chance to chat and relax. I have heard much talk of “lifers” and increasing bird lists which is music to ones ears and shows the focus of the club to more and more bird identification and study. This focus has not detracted from us remaining a very friendly club and having fun as well. Gill and her helpers continue to keep our Sanctuary up to standard and her report details one of our larger projects - the control of the reeds. I would like to add my thanks to Stan Madden and Ron along with SASOL and all the club members who assisted with this project. The other active project is the development of our website and our editor has given you reasons for having a website. Thanks to Celia for many hours of work. This work will continue as content is continuously updated – a website is only as good as the freshness of the information it shares with its users. Although the Birdlife President Ridge site goes live in mid-December on www.blpr.co.za we are well aware that there is more to do and continuous improvement will happen. We do welcome positive suggestions and ideas as long as these are within our very limited budget. While pondering over the year I listed the number of members involved in some way with the running of our Club and was pleasantly surprised when my count went over 21 - thank you for your involvement. The best way to know what is happening is to participate. I’m looking forward to the other 77 getting in on the action. Those that attend regularly should make a New Year resolution to phone and bring a less active member along on the next outing in 2014. Here is the Chairmans’ challenge for 2014: we have 102 member units – let’s see how many we can get onto a few Club events in the new year!


4

We always need new blood on the main committee and with a few folk retiring in February at the AGM it is again time to request you to give the Club a Christmas present by offering your services – the more members involved in the Club the better the Club will run, with a shared workload. Please contact me directly should you wish to offer your particular skills to the Club. (A nomination form is included in this issue) When I mentioned the involvement and attendance on outings to a few other Gauteng clubs they were amazed at the participation levels we are experiencing. Thank you and keep this up – it is your Club – be proud to be a member, I know I am! As always BirdLife President Ridge belongs to you and we welcome any constructive suggestions to improve our Club further. You may do this by e-mail; [email protected] or approach any committee member. BirdLife South Africa (BLSA) The magazine produced by BLSA is extremely good reading and money well spent. If you don’t get one, I can recommend that you subscribe. The AGM of BLSA will take place in the Berg in March 2014 and anyone may attend – it is always worthwhile and you get to do some birding with the very best birders in the country who also present many interesting lectures. For more details please go to the BLSA web site. BLSA membership and the management of this remains a serious topic and various policies and options are under discussion, these will be debated at the BLSA AGM and then shared with Bird Clubs who will have decisions to make – we will update you all in due course. Conclusion So it is time to thank our committee, the extended helpers and you the members of Randburg’s Friendliest Bird Club and to wish you all a wonderful, safe and happy Christmas and New Year! Take care and keep birding – December is a very good month to reward yourself with a “lifer” or two as a Christmas present. Also remember to set your New Year resolution: more birding, bring a less active member along and be more involved with the Club! JOHN HUMAN – Chairman


5

MEANWHILE, DOWN IN THE SANCTUARY……………..

The Sanctuary Clean-up on September 7 was attended by 29 members, the highest number of helpers ever! We listened to the cheerful sound of John cutting up fallen trees and branches assisted by some of our younger members, a gum pole was added to the banking behind the hide to slow down the erosion of same, benches were painted and the SASOL Bird Hide spring cleaned. This is just to mention a few of the tasks that were completed. We are most grateful, as always, to Ian Cuthbertson who had arranged to have the bridges and various gum poles creosoted and Lunn Steven who varnished the sills of the SASOL Hide, on separate occasions as they couldn’t make it on the day. During the past months we have been concentrating on spraying and controlling the reeds in the dam. Our grateful thanks to SASOL for sponsoring the herbicides and to Stan Madden and Ron for their expertise and equipment which belongs to the WESSA Nigel and Springs branch. The spraying actually took place on Saturday October 19 very early in the morning before the wind got up and blew the chemicals into our neighbours’ gardens. John organised the whole thing like a military mission, starting with Jane checking conditions at the Bird Sanctuary at 4am. John was assisted by Peter Sharland, Richard Hancock and Jane’s son-in-law John.


6

As I write, the bulrushes have responded well to the spraying but as yet, we don’t have a lot to show for our work with the Phragmites. This area may need a second spraying but in the meantime the reed-occupying birds – Thick-billed Weavers, Southern Masked Weavers, Red Bishops and various warblers and cisticolas - are going about their business as usual. We are assured that the herbicide won’t hurt them and we have preserved an area where they can live and breed. City Parks was only able to appoint a contractor to cut our grass in November and we had our first grass cut on November 11 and I have to say he made a good job of it. As the rains came late at least the grass remained reasonably short until the cut. The Bird Sanctuary is now looking good. Some of the birds busy breeding at this time of year are: Egyptian Geese, Common Moorhens, Red-knobbed Coots, Spotted Thick-knees, both Grey and Black-headed Herons, Sacred Ibis’, Reed Cormorants and Cattle Egrets. The Little Sparrowhawk is in the gums on the dam wall and is once again, giving visitors a hard time. You are advised to wear a hat when visiting the Bird Sanctuary at the moment. The maintenance team of Gill, Jane, Celia, Helen, Shirley and Trina continue to monitor and tidy the reserve on Thursday mornings each week and would welcome additional members who are free on Thursday mornings to help us keep this little gem in Randburg at its best. We also encourage members to volunteer for the Sanctuary opening roster. This is a singularly undemanding contribution to your club as you will only be asked to do your duty every 6 months. Call me if this appeals and I will arrange for Peter Sharland our roster king to slot you in Gill: 011 462 9682 / 082 445 5413 GILL HARDINGHAM – Custodian

Donation received from:

Paul and Gill Hardingham


7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Hi Paul

2 Questions

Towards the end of winter, walking through my local reserve, I came across a Red Faced Mousebird sitting in the lower branches of a tree. The bird appeared to be in some sort of distress, and was pecking in a rather lack lustre way at its feet. My first reaction was that the bird may have caught its tail in the branches of the tree. When I approached, it flew off, apparently none the worse for wear. On further enquiry, it appeared that the bird may have been cleaning its feet of sticky material it had picked up when feeding on fruit. Does this sound to be the correct answer? A question asked of me by next door neighbour. “Why is it that you hardly ever see a dead bird lying on the ground?” Apart from some owls which had been poisoned by someone putting out Rattex for rats, I realised he had a point. Can anyone answer this? Or it is it that the natural scavengers are hyper efficient in their tasks?

With kind regards, Mike Cardwell Gardner Dear Michael Question One: The bird was almost certainly cleaning its feet/legs, whether of fruit residue or maybe a sticky secretion from a tree it was in. On the other hand it may have been sloughing loose skin or scales from its legs, depending on the season. If it was fruit, it could have been Mistletoe berries. These are the fruit of the parasite you see in many trees. Question Two: Clearly your neighbour walks around with his head in the clouds! I see many dead birds on the ground in the following categories: at this time of year, ie the breeding season, baby birds fallen out of the nest or maybe attacked by Myna Birds or some such, road kill, cat kill, (you can usually tell if it’s a cat as they bite the head off but leave the body intact),a raptor, Pied Crow or even Burchell’s Coucal attack. Then there will be feathers scattered around. It’s often the ground birds that get the death sentence.

Hope this answers your questions.

Yours - Mr Editor


8

BIRDLIFE SOUTH AFRICA NEWS

Your new BirdLife website is launched! www.birdlife.org has a new look to reflect a newly re-energised Partnership The old website dated back to 2003 (which is an awfully long time in the web world). Just think - Facebook, Twitter and YouTube didn’t exist back then! BirdLife’s new website is designed to reflect the BirdLife Partnership as it is today— a network of strong, contemporary, world-leading conservation organisations taking action for nature and people. Conserving the world's biodiversity is a complicated task, so we have endeavoured to make it as easy as possible for you to understand our work. How have we changed? Simplified structure and navigation: you are only ever a couple of clicks away from material you want. Different routes to news stories: there are multiple ways to enter each of our pages and on each of them you will find the most recent and relevant news. Local to global: all regions have dedicated web space for more independence and for local perspectives on international issues. Global to local: one common structure wraps regional and global content so it is easier to find your way around. Focus on the audience: we give easy access to your areas of specific interest, such as Policy or Science or Support. Additionally we have made the site mobile friendly so you can access it from the field. Same but different Our website continues to offer the great scientific content of our Data Zone and continues to provide News from all over the world. You can now find this information in whichever ways suit you: through receiving email alerts, through our social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr); and the new website increasingly becomes the meeting point for our Partnership. Any comments and suggestions for edits and additional content are welcome!

http://www.birdlife.org/regions

http://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/policy

http://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/science

http://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/support-us

http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/

http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/

http://www.birdlife.org/news

https://www.facebook.com/BirdLifeInternational

https://twitter.com/BirdLife_News

http://www.youtube.com/user/BirdLifeVideo

http://www.flickr.com/groups/birdlife-international

http://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/partnership/birdlife-partners


9

NDUMU 7 – 10 NOVEMBER 2013 by Heather and Steve Rasmussun We joined 14 others for an organised birding weekend in support of the Game Rangers Association of Africa. Ndumo doesn’t have much in the way of game – it’s speciality is Nyala with a handful of impala, blue wildebeest, giraffe, warthogs, hippo and crocs, but the bird life is spectacular. Unfortunately, being on the Mozambique border, rhino poaching is a curse and although they have both black and white, those that remain are seldom seen. Every morning began at 4:15 for a 5 a.m. start. We were split into two parties and ours went off for a drive while the others walked. Soon we heard Greater Honeyguide and Puffback and saw Crested Guineafowl. As it got lighter the species just kept coming – Cardinal, Bearded and Golden-tailed Woodpeckers, Purplecrested Turaco, Striped Kingfisher, Purple-banded Sunbird and Broad-billed Roller. Raptors included a Crowned Eagle at its nest, Martial Eagle, Yellow-billed Kites, a Little Sparrowhawk and of course many Fish Eagles. Our real prize was a good view of a Southern Banded Snake Eagle – a speciality of the region. We drove alongside the Nyamithi Pan seeing Marabou and Yellow-billed Storks, Spoonbills, a few Greater and Lesser Flamingoes and lots of little waders – Three-Banded, Little Ringed and Kittlitz’s Plovers, Common, Marsh, Curlew and Wood Sandpipers, Greenshank, Black-winged Stilt, Little Stint and Little, Great and Cattle Egrets. We also saw Goliath, Green-backed and Squacco herons and one Black repeatedly making his wing canopy. We returned to the camp at 11 for brunch and a swim with a list of 90 species and added a Bateleur flying overhead. In the afternoon we walked in the sandy forest and got Ashy, Grey-Tit (Fantailed) and Pale Flycatchers in the space of a few minutes. Little, European and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters flew overhead and whilst looking up we saw a huge Water Monitor about 2m up a tree with various birds alarm calling around him. A little further on we heard alarm calls again and our guide pointed out an enormous Black Mamba climbing a tree, luckily a safe distance away. The following morning we did what the other half of the party had done the day before, walking along the side of Shokwe Pan under spreading Fever and Fig trees – it was like being in a leafy cathedral. As it gets regularly flooded,


10

the ground was dried mud, littered with leaves and Porcupine quills. Here we got Pink-Throated Twinspot, Reitz’s Helmet-shrike, Woolly-necked Stork and Village, Yellow and Dark-backed Weavers building their nests in the reeds lining the shore. There were also numerous African Jacana and a pair of Fish Eagles with 2 juveniles. We had to make a few detours around basking crocs but only saw a few hippos in the Isutu River. Our guide heard and then located a Narina Trogon for us and back at the parking area we saw a pair of Burnt-Necked Eremomela on their tiny golfball-sized nest. On the way back to camp we had an excellent sighting of two African Cuckoo Hawks sitting in a tree at the side of the road. The camp itself yielded some specials – Yellow White-eyes, Violet-backed Starlings (the gorgeous male and the very-different looking female), Blackbellied Starlings and right under our deck, a beautiful bluegreen Spotted Bush Snake (non-venomous, eats geckos). On Sunday morning we kitted up to go across the Pongola floodplain to look for Pel’s, having been told that our likelihood of success was in single figures. But our secret weapon was our guide Joseph, although he couldn’t do anything about the zillion mozzies (NO exaggeration!) that assailed us as we opened the car doors. Tabard and Peaceful Sleep were of no use whatsoever, just sauce on breakfast – us! We trudged across the reeds to the tree-lined river and within 10 minutes Joseph had spotted my lifer sitting in the far distance but very clearly outlined against the sky. By now the sun was up and because it was in the easternmost tree, the sun shone on those chestnut feathers and we all got an excellent sighting. Pel’s Fishing Owl – megatick! On the way back we saw a Yellow-throated Longclaw and as we were making our way to the cars we first heard and then spotted another Narina Trogon, not 10m away sitting right in the front of a dead tree. The blue throat patch was very evident as he hoot-hooted - what a perfect way to end an awesome weekend. The final count was 180 of which I saw 134. It is an amazing birding location but credit must go to Bongani, Joseph and Sontho without whom our list would have been a lot shorter. Their ability to recognize calls and mimic them outdid any PDA. We hope the above will have whetted your appetite to go birding in KZN. Watch this space – or similar spaces. Ed’


11

BOTSALANO WITH M+WIG – 11th November to 15th November 2013 by Paul Hardingham Eight lucky M+WIGers were invited to come on this mid-week stay-away at the Mogobe tented camp in the Botsalano North West Parks Game Reserve. The N4 toll highway, which is the chosen route, has greatly improved since the Club visited it in March this year. There was one stop/go and a couple of areas, which were a lane in each direction but other than that there were long stretches of new tar, some so new there were, as yet, no road markings. Zeerust was reached therefore comparatively easily and there we stocked up on ice and filled up as there are no petrol facilities at the reserve. The Reserve was and probably still is very dry. None of the ‘casual’ dams had water and the only ones with water had it pumped to them. One of these was the water hole in front of the boma at the Mogobe camp. Whereas in March it had been full to overflowing, now it was down to a constructed water hole in the centre, which the reserve staff kept topped up by pumping all day. When they weren’t pumping water down to the little dam, they were filling our JoJo water tank. The fridges, which had been inadequate previously…….were still inadequate but a couple of us brought camping fridges and overall the food was kept in good shape. We even had ice until the last day. It was hot! 37 degrees most days with fearsome rain-less thunder storms at night. The Reserve looked parched but was beautiful nevertheless and we really enjoyed the drives and visiting the bush camps. We were the only ones staying in the Reserve although we saw a couple of day visitors during the week. The animals are very skittish as a result of the hunting that is allowed there. Most of the game we saw running away from us. But the game was plentiful. Eland, Gemsbok, Red Hartebeeste, Buffalo and hundreds of Springbok plus of course the Black Wildebeeste with their white tails. There are many White Rhinos and we were searched coming in and going out of the Reserve. The staff at the gate were mainly looking for guns. The birding was excellent. 93 separate species were seen and bearing in mind that there few water birds this was a good score. Some of the more interesting species seen were: Ashy Tit, Barred Wren-warbler, Black-faced Waxbill, Common Scimitarbill, a Greater Kestrel, Lesser Grey Shrike, Northern Black Korhaan, (this was the trash bird, they were every 100 metres), Red-crested Korhaan, (one of which did its display, straight up and flip over and land right beside the road). Rufous-cheeked Nightjars called every night, Short-clawed Lark were seen several times, and Secretary Birds came strutting down to the water hole to drink.


12

The really special birds were the Namaqua Sandgrouse, the Double-banded Courser and the Yellow-throated Sandgrouse. There were also Cape Griffons and a Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk. Altogether an excellent trip. We were: five President Ridge members and three M+WIG regulars. Botsalano is a place I am sure we shall return to time and again.

M+WIG, (Midweek Interests Group) First there was M NET, then MTN, then MWEB and now………………………….M+WIG! Ron Timm and Paul Hardingham conceived this idea when asked by their Minister at St Columba’s Church in Parkview to start a “Wild Life Group”. This was, he hastened to emphasise, not about drunken parties and scantily clad women but rather to go places and see things associated with the wonderful natural history of South Africa. M+WIG has grown in two main ways: a] it is no longer restricted to the members of St Columba’s which now forms a relatively small part of the total mailing list of 150 names and b] we no longer cover just wild life, birding and natural history themes but have spread our interests to cover cultural history and art. For example we have been to rehearsals of the Joburg Symphony Orchestra, Caxton Printing works and the Citizen editorial offices. We were recently at artist Sydney Kentridge’s house and garden where we had the run of the place under the watchful eye of Jane Henderson, the Kentridge horticulturalist. We have been to the Apartheid Museum, Museum Africa in Newtown and the Origin’s Centre at Wits. We also go on at least two ‘stay-aways’ a year. We were at Botsalano, a NW Parks reserve on the Botswana border near Zeerust, in November, and we were at Sterkfontein Dam in the Free State in February from where we branched out to areas surrounding, including a Hydraulic Electricity Generating pumping scheme, which took us 56 storeys underground! Next year we are planning: a day outing repeat to Northern Farm near Diepsluit, a fishing trip to Dullstroom/Belfast, Swaziland, a return visit to that Victorian gem, Lindfield House in Auckland Park, a trip up the Harties Cable way, a midweek stay at Itala Game Reserve, famous for its Rhino population, (long may they last), and have several twinkles in our eyes concerning: a railway trip to Cullinan, a visit to Melrose House and Kruger House in Pretoria, the Wits Art Museum, a river walk down the Jukskei in Rivonia, a return visit to the Walter Szulu Botanical Gardens and the SA Mint, (we love looking at all that money).


13

Membership of M+WIG merely involves indicating you are interested in the things we do to get on the mailing list. And then you will get regular updates on our activities and the chance to book for the ones you fancy. Ron and Paul have a motto: “We are going anyway so if you would like to come along, you are very welcome”. Paul Hardingham: 011 462 9682 / 082 445 5413. [email protected] Ron Timm: 011 802 3687 / 082 979 9252. [email protected]

Grass Owl – FIELD VISIT In April 2014 Matt Pretorius will present his Grass Owl lecture. Matt will add two practical field visits for 2 groups of 6 lucky members where we go out there and find the Grass Owl in its natural habitat. As this can only be for a small group we have had a draw from the members that attended the October evening and you will be contacted should you have won this wonderful opportunity to join Matt. A date for this field outing still has to be confirmed.

------------------------------------------- AFRICAN GRASS-OWL Tyto capensis Length: 34-37cm Weight: 355-520g Identification: Similar to the Barn Owl, but larger and darker above. Below, whitish with a buff breast. The upperparts and under parts contrast strongly. The face is white to pale brown and the eyes are dark brown. Voice: Usually silent, but when vocal, mostly a series of high clicking notes or a shrill screeching territorial call. Distribution: Patchily distributed from southern Cape to Ethiopia. Status: Numbers declining due to habitat destruction. Vulnerable Red Data species in South Africa with fewer than 5 000 estimated to remain. Habitat: Long grass, usually near water and wetlands. Habits: Usually found in pairs or family groups of 4-5 birds. Roosts and breeds on the ground in rank grass. Flushes reluctantly, soon dropping back into the grass. Food: Mostly rodents (76-98% of diet), especially vlei rats, but also birds, reptiles, frogs and insects.

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


14

BLPR CLUB OUTING REPORTS VAAL BIRDING ROUTE WEEKEND Friday 13 September to 15 September My name is Craig Napier and together with my wife Tasha and my 11 year old daughter Tiffany, we are new and proud members of BirdLife President Ridge. Celia Human identified me as a soft target and suckered me into writing a report on our Vaal Birding Route weekend. I haven't ever read any of the Bird Club newsletters so I have no clue as to the format or type of content that is normally included. However what follows is my perspective of a most enjoyable and productive birding weekend. The Napier family arrived fashionably late at Brentwood Lodge just before 16h00 on Friday afternoon. I am saying fashionably late just to comfort myself because due to work commitments I couldn't make it any earlier. And what made it worse was that some of the members led by Jane had already started bird spotting in the garden of the lodge. This put me on the back foot and I was never really able to catch up the whole weekend! Some of the early finds included Red-throated Wryneck, Orange River White-eye and Red-eyed Bulbul. But I soon got in on the act also, by sighting the Orange River White-eye. Jane's keen ears heard a Fairy Flycatcher which we soon managed to locate and were able to admire its hyperactivity, cute colours and constantly flicking tail. We all took a drive down to the edge of the Vaal Dam in the vicinity of the recreational area to see which water birds were out and about. The two best finds were probably a lonesome Ruddy Turnstone and a Caspian Tern. Some Curlew Sandpipers were to be seen, a few of them still with remnants of their breeding plumage. Kittlitz's Plovers were also thick on the ground displaying their lovely orange coloured undersides. We all had supper at Paul and Gill’s chalet. We made our plans for the next day and retired to bed fairly early. Saturday morning we hit the road at 6 o'clock sharp. We actually went back into Gauteng, our destination being the water treatment works at Panfontein. En route the road side birding was excellent. The first good find of the morning was an Orange River Francolin. Although it was some distance away, the worth of Paul's scope providing help to make the identification.


15

Coffee and breakfast was a welcome break on the side of the gravel farm road. During breakfast I picked up a fantastic bit of information to make even the most amateur birder look like a pro. If you see a whole lot of brown birds together and you haven't the faintest clue what they are, you should proudly announce that they are Plectes! Apparently that describes a flock of birds of different species, which are in their non-breeding plumage. Thanks for that one Jane! I can't wait to try out my new found knowledge on some innocent and unsuspecting victims! In the midst of the Plectes, Jane spotted a Red Capped Lark. After much patient explaining by Jane we all managed to see it. We arrived at Panfontein mid-morning. Thankfully it had started to warm up quite nicely, as it had been a bit nippy first thing in the morning. At the very first pan we came to, we flushed a Spoonbill and Purple Heron which were new additions to our list. Some of us decided that a visit behind the bushes was overdue. I walked into a clump of Pine trees and out flew a Spotted Eagle Owl. We parked our vehicles at the bottom of a large berm containing water, and pursued further sightings of the local feathered denizens on foot. A fairly large flock of Pied Avocets was a welcome and awesome sight. These beautiful birds are not such a common sight these days and certainly not in such large numbers as we witnessed. A lone South African Shelduck was another good sighting; also not a bird which is seen too often. Southern Pochard and Common Greenshank were another two birds added to the list before we departed for lunch at Stonehaven on the Vaal River.


16

We then headed back to Brentwood Lodge, which was only a 20 minute drive from Stonehaven. Most of us were able to have a quick nap before our next excursion starting at 15h45. Our next mission was to meet a local farmer to look at the Blue Cranes on his farm which were apparently an awesome sight. We met the farmer Graham and his son Ian who looked about 10 years of age. Graham has within the last 6 months become a bird watching enthusiast. This is what led him to take notice of the Blue Cranes and they are somewhat of a phenomenon. The sight of 138 Blue Cranes as counted by John, in close proximity is an awe inspiring sight. Graham is a softly spoken and super guy. He related some very interesting facts about his cattle, which he breeds. He had been up until midnight the previous evening unloading a new batch of cattle from Van Zylsrus in the Northern Cape. Graham is fortunate enough to have 12 km of Vaal Dam frontage onto his property. Whilst driving behind him he stopped to show us an endangered Secretary Bird sitting in a tree. It looked as if it was testing the tree to see whether or not it was suitable for building a nest. Graham mentioned that he frequently sees that particular bird in that area. Sunday morning, our much anticipated boat ride on the Vaal Dam was due. John had gone to a lot of trouble to arrange it and we weren't disappointed. Carl was the skipper and quite knowledgeable about the local area. Whilst we were hoping to see some birds, the main idea was just to have an enjoyable


17

boat ride outing together. Of course we managed to spot some birds to add to our list, the most notable being Pearl Breasted Swallow and Black Necked Grebe. We mostly hugged quite close to shoreline in order to maximise our bird watching opportunities, but then we cut across the middle of the dam to get to quite a large island in the middle. It took us a fair while, as the dam is huge. I found out that the circumference of the dam is 950 km! When we got to the island which is owned by Rand Water Board and run by Wits University, we were a bit disappointed, because besides one lone Impala, there was nothing else to be seen. In the meantime the wind had picked up and caused the water to become quite choppy. To minimise the discomfort we sailed closer to the shoreline again, which helped a lot. We docked safely and Shirley bravely overcame her fear of descending the boat ramp. It was apparent that she prefers terra-firma because the more firmer the less terror! We arrived back at the Lodge to have some lunch. We managed to add a couple more last minute birds to our list which we saw in the garden of Brentwood Lodge. Jane and Gill did their final tally and reconciliation of the bird list. The final figure was 117! Not bad I would venture to suggest! An awesome and memorable weekend was had by all. It was certainly so for me. I know that this was my first weekend away with BirdLife President Ridge and I vouch that there will be many more to come. Thanks to Paul, Gill John and Celia for all your dedication and hard work in making our outing possible.


18

WESSON’S FARM – 29 SEPTEMBER 2013 by Paul Hardingham Twenty of us assembled at the start of the somewhat precipitous drive up to the farm owned by John and Jenny Wesson. John is the Chair of BirdLife West Harties and very active in the area. Once refreshment had been taken, he led us off on a tour of his and neighbouring farms. Being right under the mountains, we were trekking over the foothills and despite John saying the walk would contain some small uphills, one, in particular, had us all gasping for breath and dispelling any ideas that this would be an easy walk. However the scenery was excellent and everywhere you looked was green, hilly and much of it wooded. We saw Cape Griffons in the distance and John explained that the vulture restaurant at Skeerpoort has been revived and sometimes as many as 600 vultures could be seen there. Definitely one for the future programmes. John said if we were to warn him beforehand he would arrange for some carcasses to be put out the day before and we would be guaranteed excellent sightings. That’s what I like; sitting in comfort in the hide enjoying my ham sarmies and watching vultures get tore into the meat on a carcass. One of our members had a slight accident and tore a hole in her shin. I only mention this because of the ministrations of, first Jean Dell who always carries first aid with her on hikes. Then Jane who went and fetched her car and helped our victim back to the farmhouse and Jenny Wesson who did a fine of job cleaning up the wound, dressing it and applying a bandage. Our thanks to all three. Other birds of interest were: Southern Boubou easily seen and heard, Grey Headed Bush-Shrike, Bonze Mannikins, Black-chested Snake-Eagle and a Violet Turaco in the trees around the Farmhouse, probably an escapee. A total of 41 species was seen. John laid on a massive braai fire at the bottom of the garden and a most pleasant lunch hour was spent with John and Jenny. We shall definitely be seeing them again.

E-mail address for general Club matters:

[email protected]


19

BRISTLECONE NURSERY – OCTOBER 27 2013 by Peggy Morgan I`m so impressed with what Leon has collected over the years for his garden, stuff that you don`t see in the nurseries, very often foliage plants with the interest in leaves as opposed to flowers, which is what many folks go for in the beginning. And all, so well grown. I`m pleased that I can do something for the magazine since my bird-watching has taken a knock with declining eyesight, thank heavens that plants don`t take off just as you spot them. Smooth lawns (I know, a green desert) are bounded by trees, shrubs and perennials in full and glorious leaf and the house and offices are surrounded with shaded walks and grassed areas and yet more borders of plants, which rely more on the many colours and varying forms and textures of leaves to give effect. Through greens, greys, plum colours and hints of yellows, a tapestry is seen with occasional flowers which, while welcome, play just one of the roles in a remarkably well planted garden. Many of the trees and shrubs are familiar, the fun is in spotting something that Leon has collected in his years of gardening, and is unknown to you. Then you have a new name to absorb. The Orange River Crinum (C. bulbispernum) is planted amongst tall grasses flying silky white inflorescences amongst the pink and white crinum trumpets. As for the dreaded lily borer, spray twice a year with a poison says Leon. Paths lead off through patches of woodland to the nursery and to the dams, here are water lilies and the unfurling leaves of the lotus plants.


20

Young trees are planted in rows for those who can`t wait to grow a small one, and the familiar bags of colourful perennials are in trim lines for selling to nurseries through-out the country, and beyond. As you can tell, I just loved this visit! The Editor writes: Thanks Peggy but I think we should mention some of the birds at Bristle Cone as well. 63 species were seen. Among these were: European Bee-eaters just arrived, Southern Boubou, Burchell’s Coucal, Black, Red-chested and Diderick Cuckoos, various ducks including White-faced, a Long-crested Eagle, an African Fish Eagle and a Black-chested Snake-Eagle, lots of Paradise Flycatchers and a Cape Griffon. Altogether a most pleasurable outing.

WAKKERSTROOM 8 – 10th November 2013 by Trina MacGregor We all got settled into the Country Inn after dealing with the road works on route which were better than expected. Then off we went to the hides, overlooking the wetlands around town. We had a lovely afternoon spotting all the water birds as there was always something new popping up, which was to be the start of a very enjoyable social weekend . Before dinner Andre Steenkamp from BirdLife gave us an insight into his conservation work plus his training and development of the local guides in the surrounding communities. We also had a very informative talk by Eileen Strydom on her study of the Secretary Birds breeding in the area which are becoming quite rare. We were all gone by 6am next morning in search of the Denham’s Bustard and Cranes as we were in two groups. We found the Denham’s Bustard’s which were in full display, what a special sighting it was. We then proceeded to the farming area’s and wetlands where we found Lanner Falcon, Barrow’s Korhaan, Blue Korhaan, Southern Bald Ibis, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Buff- streaked Chat, Barratt’s Warbler, Marsh Harrier, Blue Crane, Grey Crowned Crane, Botha’s Lark, Rudd’s Lark & Ground Woodpecker to name just a few. We were on route to the Heyslope dam when to our amazement we came across a family of Spotted Eagle Owls with two chicks that were perched in the boulder section of a quarry. After giving us a good check over, the parents flew off leaving the two fluffy chicks, who proceeded to scramble up the sandy slope - all legs and feet. The first chick hid behind a grassy tuft verge and the other one behind a rock where he proceeded to peek over the


21

top of the rock, ducking up and down like a naughty child. It was a wonderful experience we will all not forget. (see photo on center-spread) Both our teams had a great time with very many specials and lifers between them over the weekend. Jean Dell who was a co-organiser of this trip tells us “we came across a Botha’s Lark’s nest in an open area with one egg. That was really special. “ “The specials for our group were the Botha’s, Rudd’s Larks, White bellied Korhaan.”

BIG BIRDING DAY WEEKEND 22 -24 November 2013 – BORAKALALO by Errol Kilpatrick Friday 22 November Trina and Shirley arrived at Harveston Village, the car was packed and just after 11am we set off for the Northwest. Covered 2 km and Kay phoned to say I (Errol) had left a few utensils at home. Back on the road again heading for Brits where I missed the first turn to Borakalalo due to 2 large slow trucks in the right lane! We arrived safely just before 2pm to find the gazebos set up and half the party relaxing in the shade. During the unpacking of food and cooler bags I left the back door open and the monkeys raided a packet getting away with my Diddle Daddle popcorn and some rusks – monkeys 1 us 0. The afternoon stroll started with a great sighting of the seldom seen Pygmy Kingfisher but no Finfoot seen in the morning. Day 2 – Birding Big Day – started at 04:45am (a few hours later than the “A” team) to the call of the Fish Eagle, Woodland Kingfisher and Red-chested Cuckoo (Piet my vrou). The Rangers arrived in camp at 05:30 and after a few rules the day started with a convoy headed to the Wilderness area, closed to normal visitors. On the way we stopped at the quarry and Moretele River bridge to get the bird count off to a good start. Henk Nel had joined my car and his sharp eyes and bird call identification were a boon to us. The second advantage in our car was Trina’s camera which proved to be a great help to correctly identify uncommon birds. After 30+ minutes we parked the cars and the walk began. The party all managed to see the Red-chested Cuckoo which we heard calling from dawn to dusk daily. The Steppe Buzzard was circling above us for most of this morning. On arrival on Friday we were all given a bird list with some species being allocated more than 1 point as part of the competition. From here we moved down to the Klipvoor Dam to collect a good number of water birds. On the way we had the Rangers doing their best to find a Korhaan and although we made 3 stops for possible sightings, no Red-crested seen or heard. We made it back to camp after 11am for breakfast and the skottle was lit and cooking got under way for a few. Henk told me not to


22

wait for him if he was not back in time and went off on a solo mission to grow his personal big day tally. While we were out the monkeys again got up to mischief, even though Joe chased them off once and tried to secure food in Carol and Bruce Funston’s tent, they still managed a second sortie, breaking into an ammo box and stealing rolls and other food. The irony is that Carol is unable to open this box – monkeys 2 us 0. The afternoon drive was set for 15:30. Our cooler boxes were getting warm so Trina, Joe and I set off to the entrance gate to buy ice. Did some birding on the way and the big disappointment was at the Quarry where a large bird of prey took off before we could get a look at it and no call! Joe thought it may have been a Wahlberg’s Eagle due to the white coloured under parts and a “W” pattern visible. During this trip we met the “A” team lunching at the picnic site and were shown a Bennett’s Woodpecker in its breeding hole – Trina has some great pics. Ice and ice creams bought and headed back to camp, seeing a Great Egret in the dam on the way. Back at the camp, all of us were relaxing in any shade we found and I was under a tree watching the river, when a large water bird – red beak and red legs – giving one call flew quickly past. Checking my bird guide, confirmed this to be the sort after Finfoot. I was considered mean for keeping this 5 second view to myself (Celia!). The afternoon got underway, this time to the area south of the dam and to the air strip, then to the dam for sundowners. This part of the Reserve had more game to see while driving, but bird sightings slow. This was where Trina’s photos really helped with Identifying a Shikra and Grey Plover. The party split up at the dam with 1 car back to the camp, while the Rangers and the rest of us had a drink and checked out water birds and game including zebra, kudu, water buck and a black backed jackal.

Trying to monkey proof a tent Shrika (photo by Trina)


23

Celia set about doing the final tallies and we heard the results on Sunday morning. The “A” team 166 species, the rest 115 species which ironically included 15 species that the A’s did not see. Club total for day 181 species. Birder of the weekend was won by Henk. I managed to get the second highest point score (thank you African Finfoot for 10 points). Our sightings scoring more than 1 point were:- Pied Avocet, Cape Bunting, Steppe Buzzard, Jacobin Cuckoo, Levaillant’s Cuckoo, White faced Duck, Common Fiscal, Spotted Fly Catcher, Gabar Goshawk, Goliath Heron, Greater Honey Guide, Red-billed Quelea, Shikra, and Bennett’s Woodpecker. Sunday morning started early with a river walk for the Finfoot, followed by breakfast and then the search for the Grey-headed Kingfisher, which was successful and a lifer for many. A great weekend and the competition added a lot of spice to this adventure.

BIG BIRDING DAY - BORAKALALO 22nd to 24th November 2013 by John Human It seems an age ago that I thought it would be a good idea to visit Borakalalo as our Big Birding Day venue and then it developed to “let’s see if we can fill Moretele camp and make a Club BBD event”. It was them against us, them being the 12 members in Borakalalo with assistance from the HO’s for part of the day, and us being Jane, Celia, our special SA migrant Andrew and of course me, someone had to drive (only reason I am invited-I guess).

See Errol’s article on “their” side of the story, below is mine:


24

We did 2 recce’s to the area earlier in the year and the only thing we needed and prayed for was rain – well sadly it did not happen for Bora but it did 40km down the road at Kgoma Kgoma and Zaagkuildrift – fortunately as this was our route for the day.

So after a pleasant braai and chat with everyone on Friday night it was off to bed after preparing the car and goodies for the day. Then the grand total of 4 hours sleep found us up at 02.30 to leave at 03.00. We arrived at the gate to a bewildered security man called Dan who obligingly opened the gates (there are 2) – and wished us bon voyage, which is equivalent in an African language for “you are mad?” By this time we had listed under 10 birds – frustratingly, with no owls nor key night birds. The first bird was the Cape Turtle Dove bringing new meaning to the “work harder” tune at 02.45 in the morning ----dumb bird! As we left the Park a nightjar flew up off the tar road – oh dash it, which one….aaah Rufous-cheecked….thank you for calling at exactly the right moment. Onward and left to Kgoma Kgoma - funny how it all looks so different at night. Trip was uneventful and not special bird wise. The decision was to drive to end of Zaagkuildrift and then bird back along this route with the sun behind us – no matter as there was no sun so we just birded. The list started to move upwards and we were on around 50 species by 05.00 – 20 behind the target! Cuckoos – Jacobin and Levaillant’s were numerous on the day – coffee somewhere down the road trying to spot Common Whitethroat – failed, but did pick up many others including: Black Heron, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Violet-backed Starling and zillions of Red-backed Shrikes. The end of Zaagkuildrift gave us really good swifts and swallows with the Northern Black Korhaan going for it in the nearby grasslands. Total now around 90 and we were feeling better. The most popular sighting for our import, Andrew (who is a very good birder by the way), and for the rest of us due to our team name was the Monotonous Lark. This proved to be a lifer for Andrew and very important for all team members to know what our name bird looks like, Andrew had arrived and was now officially a ‘Monotonous Lark’.

Rushed through the puddles and mud – some pretty scary and needed 4x4 to be sure of not sticking – love this part of the trip and Celia is terrified so more fun for me – back to the bridge at Kgoma Kgoma where another 12 birds were added. Then back to Borakalalo for lunch in the picnic site. Bennett’s and Bearded Woodpecker spotted - the former in a nest.


25

It was then on to the dam. Some of the waders on the water edge; Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Sanderlings, Kittlitz’s Plover, Grey Heron, White-winged Tern. We were shown a Gabar Goshawk by some friendly guys from Pretoria area we had chatted to earlier in the day. We confirmed that we were both on around 150 species – it was VERY hot and we were melting at this stage.

Back to camp and a shower for me – this is luxury – never done before but was wonderful. Then out again on the loop in Bora behind Moretele Camp where we added some species to the list. A quick stop at the hides didn’t produce anything new except that I crashed my car into a ‘moving tree’! It was now around18.00 so we decided enough was enough and headed back to Moretele Camp only to find that the entrance boom was locked – we had conveniently forgotten that you are supposed to be out of the game viewing area by 17.00. So it seemed had Henk, who was also trying to get a few more birds on his list. We drove to the far side of the game loop in the hope that the boom there would be open – it was not – so a bit of gentle bundu bashing had to be done to get back on the road to camp. We ended on 166 species which was poor by our standards and we were a bit disappointed that we were not around 180 plus. Missed some really easy birds – that’s what all BBD competitors say, but had huge fun and did a lot of birding in an area that was relatively new for us.

All that was left was to chat around the fire discussing day’s highlights and the birds seen, knowing that the first dozen birds the next morning would be new ones for the weekend – and we would say – “if only……..” We did achieve more species than “them” but “them” were limited to Borakalalo and did extremely well. I see a few new teams starting next years’ BBD competition! Last is to mention, to those that were unable to join us, Borakalalo is a wonderfully rewarding birding venue, African Pygmy Kingfisher and African Finfoot say it is so. Take yourself there over the holidays – a day’s visit should give you at least 100 species.

African Finfoot


26

MONAGHAN FARM, SUNDAY OUTING FOR 19TH JANUARY 2014 Several of us ventured out beyond Lanseria to check out Monaghan Farm for the day outing on January 19 next year. It will be a very pleasant and productive morning and our thanks to member Dave MacLean for introducing us to it. He lives there in a flat at his son’s house. It can hardly be said to be a farm anymore although we saw a herd of cattle and noted vegetable farming. It is a vast estate of sloping grasslands and woods either side of the Jukskei River where plots sell for millions and already some truly beautiful and sizeable houses are being built. There is also a very attractive restaurant and members may decide to have a light lunch there after the walk. You will need to book and we will get hold of the telephone number closer to the time so that you can do that. There are stables and we saw both children and adults horse riding. There are well marked paths winding through the woods beside the river and Dave says he walks for hours and has never covered it all. The birds are there in numbers. For example the mulberry trees were covered in fruit when we were there and there were literally hundreds of African Olive (Rameron) Pigeons in the air and among the trees feeding on them. We also heard the Cape Grassbird and saw all the usuals in profusion. There is a truly beautiful birding hide overlooking the river where we will take a break after the first half of the walk. What has really prompted this piece is that Monaghan Farm has a historic background. It was, in fact, the property of the diamond magnate Abe Baily and many of the roads there are named after the family and Jim his son and Drum magazine editors and journalists. The restaurant has art work by Prospero one of Jim Bailey’s sons who still has a connection with the place.

To live there must be bliss! Security is tight – we had our car licence scanned as was our driving licence. Our vehicle was searched both coming in and going out. So book with Gill Hardingham: 011 462 9682 / 082 445 5413 but be warned we are limiting the numbers so get in early!


27

YOU SAW WHAT?............in YOUR garden

Lunch time by Gill Hardingham During November a Red-chested Cuckoo has been calling constantly in our complex. One afternoon while taking a stroll, a bird flew out of a Kiggelaria tree onto the middle strut of the palisade fencing. It was the Red-chested cuckoo which had been feeding on the Acraea butterfly caterpillars and he looked accusingly at me, objecting to having his meal interrupted. Two Bulbuls started harassing him using loud strong language. The cuckoo eventually flew off to another Kiggelaria tree hoping for a quieter meal. It does pay to plant indigenous! A neighbour tells me the cuckoo often sits on the trellis outside his front door and he has magic pictures to prove it. A study of a pair of Cape Robin-chats nesting in our garden by Joe and Jane Irvine ‘Our’ pair of Robins, which have been in our garden for a couple of years, decided this year to build a nest in the creeper on our veranda. Normally the female builds the nest and incubates the eggs and there are usually 2 or 3 of them laid at one day intervals. Incubation begins when the last egg is laid and lasts for 13 to 19 days. After hatching the female sits and broods the chicks. So, on August 6th she started to build the nest and was busy carrying leaves, sticks and even a bit of plastic. Later, about a week before sitting, she carried fine material to line the nest. She would take something into the nest and then try it for size.


28

We went away to Golden Gate and upon our return on the 13th we saw she was sitting. On Tuesday 30th of August they both started feeding two chicks. Both adults and young love cheese and meal worms! On our gardener’s day, they followed him around hoping he would turn up a worm. Both parents feed the young and once they are a little bigger, you know when they are being fed by the noise they make calling their parents. Sunday 15th September, they fledged and we found them both in the garden very low down in the thickest parts and this lasted for about a week. After that one parent would be with a chick in the front garden and the other in the back with the other chick. Our resident Mongoose visited a couple of times and the noise from the parents and all our other avian residents, warned us he was here. Around the second week after fledging, the babies showed themselves more and more and were trying to feed themselves. By 1st October they were still around and begging but the parents were having none of it – not interested! The last time we were aware of them was October 6. But the parents are still around busy feeding and hoping for cheese.


29

GROUNDBREAKING FIELD GUIDE FEATURES SOUND OF BIRD CALLS

Unlocking sound from pictures!

SAPPI BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA by Saartjie Kidson and Herman van Niekerk enables readers to hear the call of the birds by pointing the unique Callfinder to a photo, unlocking the sound. It is the all-in-one bird guide that changes the way bird lovers experience nature. Recent developments have allowed bird lovers to download bird calls via the internet or specialised applications, but nothing could replace the book form of a bird guide. This pioneer book brings together the practicality of a field guide and the ease of technology, taking birding to a new level. The nature lover is no longer bound by internet connections, poor network coverage or impossibly small fonts. The innovative printing technology prints an invisible grid over each photo. The eye of the Callfinder reads this grid and translates it into sound. For the first time the guide user can recall the sound of a particular bird instantly. The Callfinder is battery operated (rechargeable batteries) and very easy to operate – no complicated menus or operating instructions: simply point it to the photo to hear the sound! When enjoying nature and bird life, birdwatchers can use the Callfinder and guide anywhere with the greatest of ease. Other devices rely on smartphone applications or internet- based software whereas the Callfinder has all the information stored in its memory. Not only does it allow the user to combine sound and picture effortlessly, but it is much cheaper than any other electronic device currently on the market. “Point the Callfinder to an image to hear the bird. Simply brilliant!” says Simon Gear from 50/50. “ Birding has never been easier and more enjoyable. This book is the ideal guide for any bird lover and gives the user knowledge – basically anywhere, any time.” SAPPI BIRDS OF AFRICA is ideal for birders, tour guides and game rangers. Actually everyone with an interest in birds. Its layout and unique grouping ensure fast and easy identification of more than 720 species and contains over 800 high quality photographs. Apart from the Callfinder, birds can also be identified by means of shape, grouping and habit. Any bird can easily be identified with the unique Shapefinder which contains simplified sketches of the main groups as well as group names and page numbers. Quick reference searches are further simplified by the Dualdex, a bilingual index of all the birds by common group names, such as duck or sparrow. The book also includes interesting facts about each species. There are also the latest distribution maps.


30

Nail A reinforced, thickened or hooked piece of keratin that

overlaps the end of the bill of some birds such as raptors – used among other things to tear prey.

Naricorn One of the lower bill-plates at the base of the upper Mandible in some seabirds such as petrels. Near-endemic A species whose range is largely restricted to a region but extends slightly outside the region’s borders. In southern Africa, this category includes mostly

species whose ranges extend into the arid regions of southwestern Angola.

Neck balloon A bare, usually brightly coloured and inflatable piece

of skin on the nape of birds such as marabou stork males that is visible when breeding and presumably serves a display function.

Nictitating Membrane A ‘third eyelid’ that moves sideways across the eye (from the inside outwards) to protect and clean the eye. Nidifugous Describes a chick that leaves the nest almost

immediately after hatching to follow the parents, growing and developing on the move.

Nidicolous Describes a chick that is confined to the nest for an

extended period during its initial growth and development.

Nuchal Describes the back or nape of the neck.

LET’S LEARN A LITTLE


31

LET’S GO INDIGENOUS

CREATE A FRAGRANT INDIGENOUS GARDEN Be sure to position your aromatic plants where you can walk or sit beside them so that you can touch or pick the leaves to release their fragrance. Some indigenous aromatics: Eriocephalus africanus (wild rosemary) Description: A much-branch, ‘furry-looking’ grey green shrub with soft foliage that is either covered in masses of tiny delicate white flowers, or with puffs of cottonwool-like fruits. These are said to resemble snow, hence the Afrikaans name kapok. The tiny semi-succulent needle-like leaves can be used as a substitute for rosemary. Orthosiphon labiatus (shell bush, pink sage) Description: The Shell Bush is a fat-growing shrub (1.5m x 1.5m) with soft hairy heart-shaped leaves and pretty spikes of two-lipped pale pinkish-mauve flowers. It is semi-deciduous, losing some of its aromatic leaves in winter. Plant it where it will receive some morning sun and shade for the hottest part of the day. Cut back hard at the end of summer and replenish its mulch layer, it will quickly regrow in spring. Pelargonium graveolens (rose-scented pelargonium) Description: The Rose-scented Pelargonium is a shrubby bushy pelargonium with smallish pink flowers and wonderfully scented leaves – the scented pelargoniums all contain essential oils. Either position these fast growing plants (about 1 m high) right at the front of the border, or place them towards the middle and plant a colourful groundcover, such as Orthonna carnosa or Bulbine frutescens in front of them. An easily grown plant, add plenty of compost to the soil before setting them out. Anisodontea scabrosa (pink mallow) Description: The Pink Mallow has soft hairy three-lobed leaves that are aromatic and often sticky. Masses of smallish pink-mauve flowers, each marked with dark-pink streaks grace this rewarding free-flowering small shrub. Can be planted in sun or semi-shade, it is frost hardy, evergreen with moderate watering requirements,


32

PRESIDENT Jan Fourie 044 384-0295 CHAIRPERSON John Human 011 704-3196 VICE CHAIR Paul Hardingham 011 462-9682 TREASURER Errol Kilpatrick 082 326-9278 MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Peter Mason 011 478-0865 NETWORK Errol Kilpatrick 082 326-9278 SANCTUARY Gill Hardingham 011 462-9682 ROSTER Peter Sharland 011 782-8600 MINUTES SECRETARY Paul Hardingham 011 462-9682 PUBLICITY/KINGFISHER Paul Hardingham 011 462-9682 PROGRAMME SUBCOMMITTEE

Co-ordinator Jane Irvine 011 782-9923

Programme Secretary Trina MacGregor 082 587-4863

Outing Organisers Gill Hardingham 011 462-9682 Jean Dell 011 792-5299 Ian Cuthbertson 011 447-8602 Linda Koch 011 792-8011 MEMBERSHIP LIAISON Dee Cuthbertson 011 447-8602

JUNIOR CERTIFICATES

BirdLife President Ridge has set in place a scheme to award pupils and

scholars, ages 0 to 18 years, JUNIOR CERTIFICATES for sighting a

minimum of 150 Southern African bird species. Further certificates will

be awarded (increments of 50) as the young peoples’ life lists increase.

Encourage your children to start their life lists now!

Apply to Celia Human for more details: 011 704 3196

CLUB COMMITTEE

KINGFISHER DECEMBER 2013

Documents

Transcript of KINGFISHER DECEMBER 2013