August / Augustus 2009

Day Outings / Daguitstappies

Sun 2 Aug : Mountain Sanctuary Park

Sat 15 Aug : Hoogland Health Hydro

Sat 22 Aug : Sandgrouse Search – Pilanesberg

Sun 30 Aug : Premier Game Park

Evening Meetings / Aandbyeenkomste

Tue 11 Aug : Kevin Ravno: Birding Cameroon

Held at Sci-Enza Centre. Directions at end of program.

Weekend Camp / Naweekkamp

7-10 Aug : Vredefort Dome - Elgro River Lodge

Bird ringing / Voëlberinging

Sat 1 Aug : Buffelsdrif

From our organiser Dear Members

Here it is, my first programme for BLNG. Compared to the programmes I used to coordinate in Zululand, the BLNG programme is a whole new juggling act. It’s really incredible that the club provides its members with so many outings and activities, and as a coordinator it’s a challenge, but certainly a challenge which I enjoy tackling.

This winter weather has kept some of us indoors and identifying birds on call from the comforts of a cosy bed on Sunday morning whilst some braver souls have scraped the ice off the windscreen and ventured into the frost covered landscapes to spot the early worm catchers defrosting their breakfasts. The prospect of spring makes me look forward to warmer birding conditions, the returning migrants, the smell of blossoming trees and easier identification of birds in breeding plumage. There are certainly plenty of outings and activities in our programme to keep you as busy as the weavers in spring time, so please come and join us and share this beautiful time of year.

Regards

Amanda Haggett-Haagner
BLNG Programme Coordinator

August / Augustus 2009

Sat 1 : Buffelsdrif: Bird Ringing
Meet / Ontmoet: 05:15
Leader / Leier: Chris du Plooy

Sun 2 : Mountain Sanctuary Park
Meet / Ontmoet: 07:30
Leader / Leier: Philip Calinikos
SABAP2 Pentad(s): 2545_2715

This is a private nature reserve in the Magaliesberg mountains. There are a number of hiking trails to explore in a pristine part of the Magaliesberg. The area is good for raptors including Cape Vulture and Verreaux's Eagle. Picnic and braai facilities available. Costs: R30p/p and R10p/car. Accommodation is available should you wish to stay over, contact the Park directly (014 534 0114). Bookings for this outing are essential, please book with the club secretary.
Directions: Will be supplied once you have booked.

Hierdie is ‘n privaat natuurreservaat in die Magaliesberge. Daar is heelwat staproetes om die ongerepte natuurskoon goed te verken. Die gebied is ook welbekend vir die roofvoël-diversiteit, insluitend Kransaasvoëls en Witkruisarende. Piekniek en braaifasiliteite is beskikbaar. Kostes R30p.p and R10p/car. Akkommodasie vir die wat wil oorslaap is beskikbaar, kontak die Park direk (014 534 0114). Besprekings vir hierdie uitstappie is noodsaaklik, bespreek asseblief by die klubsekretaresse.
Aanwysings: Sal met bespreking uitgereik word.

Fri 7 – Mon 10 : Camp at Vredefort Dome – Elgro River Lodge.
SABAP2 Pentad(s): 2650_2710 and surrounds

Join us for a long weekend in the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site. The dome is the oldest and largest meteorite impact site in the world. We will be joined for birding on Saturday by members of the Wesvaal Bird Club and on Sunday Bob Haagner will take you on a fascinating geological tour of the Dome. Accommodation is in the ‘Owl’s Cottage’ with communal self catering facilities. The cost for the weekend is R600 p/p plus an additional nominal fee for entrance to certain parts of the Dome Tour. Game drives and meals can be arranged with the lodge. Please inform the club secretary of your catering requirements when making your booking.

‘n Heerlike langnaweek in die Vredefort-koepel Wêrelderfenisgebied. Die koepel is die oudste en grootste meteoriet impak-krater ter wêreld. Vir die uitstappie sal ons op Saterdag vergesel word deur lede van die Wesvaal Voëlklub en op Sondag sal Bob Haagner ‘n fassinerende geologiese toer van die koepel aanbied. Akkommodasie vir die naweek is in die “Owl’s Cottage” met gemeenskaplike fasiliteite (selfsorg). Die kostes vir die naweek beloop R600 per person, plus ’n nominale fooi vir toegang na sekere gedeeltes tydens die geologiese toer. Wildbesigtigingsritte en maaltye kan by die lodge gereël word. Stel asseblief die klubsekretaresse in kennis van u spysenieringsbehoeftes wanneer u vir die naweek bespreek.

Tue 11 : In search of the Picathartes, an introduction to West African birding
Meet / Ontmoet: 19:00

Kevin Ravno will be speaking on his recent trip to Cameroon where he went in search of the Picathartes. No doubt Kevin will have some wonderful photos to share with us.
Directions: Directions at the end of this programme.

Kevin Ravno vertel vir ons meer oor sy onlangse toer na Kameroen waar hy op soek was na die beroemde Rotsvoëls (Picathartes). Hy het ook wonderlike foto’s om met ons te deel.
Aanwysings: Aanwysings aan die einde van program.

Sat 15 : Hoogland Health Hydro
Meet / Ontmoet: 07:00
Leader / Leier: Etienne Marais

Hoogland is situated on a private Nature Reserve with an interesting diversity of woodland and grassland in the area. It is well known for Short-toed Rock-Thrush, but Striped and Long-billed Pipit, Bar-throated Apalis and Lazy Cisticola can also be seen.
Directions: The area is most easily approached via the N4 (Vom Hagen Street). At Transoranje Street (just before the toll road starts), turn left into the R55 and proceed in a southerly direction towards Laudium. Pass the turns to Atteridgeville and Laudium (staying on the R55). Soon afterwards you will take a left turn to Erasmia (R26). From the R55 Junction with the M26 you proceed 2.7km through Erasmia, and then turn right at the “Schurveberge” sign. (there is also a sign to “Hoogland Health Hydro”) Proceed through the suburb along Grey Street (which becomes van Melle) for 1km. Drive straight on for about 8 km on the gravel road to the Hennops River. Hoogland's entrance is 500 m along on the left, turn left here and proceed for about 700m to the gate, where we will meet.

Hoogland is geleë in ‘n privaat natuurreservaat met ‘n interessante verskeidenheid gras- en bosveld habitatte. Die area is welbekend vir Korttoonkliplyster, maar Bandkeelkleinjantjie, Nicholsonse koester en Luitinktinkie kan ook waargeneem word.
Aanwysings: Ry uit op die N4 (Vom Hagen str). Draai links op die R55 by Transoranjeweg (net voor die tolpad begin) en ry suidwaards na Laudium. Ry verby die Laudium- en Atteridgeville afdraaie (bly op R55). Kort daarna, draai links na Erasmia (R26). Ry 2.7km deur Erasmia vanaf die R55 se kruising met die M26 en draai dan regs by die “Schurveberge” bordjie (daar is ook ‘n bordjie na die “Hoogland Health Hydro”). Ry verder deur die buurt in Grey str (wat later Melle str word) vir ‘n verdere 1km. Ry dan verder vir 8km op ‘n grondpad na die Hennopsrivier. Die ingang na Hoogland is 500m op linkerkant. Ontmoet by die hek.

Sat 22 : Sandgrouse Search – Pilanesberg
Meet / Ontmoet: 07:30
Leader / Leier: Stuart Groom

We will be in search of the Yellow-throated sandgrouse at the renowned waterhole close to Sun City. If we’re not successful there we’ll be targeting the surrounding sunflower fields. High clearance vehicles are required to get to the waterhole but the roads to the fields are tarred. Bring good walking shoes and a light fold up camping chair as we might have to sit and wait.
Directions: Meet at the main entrance gate to Sun City.

Ons gaan soek na die Geelkeelsandpatrys by die beroemde watergat naby Sun City. Ons sal ook die omliggende sonneblomlande probeer as ons daar nie suksesvol is nie. Voertuie met hoë grondhoogte is nodig om tot by die watergat te kom, maar die omliggende paaie is geteer. Bring goeie stapskoene en kampstoele as ons moet sit en wag.
Aanwysings: Ons ontmoet mekaar by die hoofhek van Sun City.

Sun 30 : Premier Game Park
Meet / Ontmoet: 07:00
Leader / Leier: Erik de Villiers
SABAP2 Pentad(s): 2530_2830

This private park promises productive bushveld birding. Braai facilities available. Costs: R20p/p, R10 p/car.
Directions: From the N1 north take the Zambesi/Cullinan off-ramp. Turn right onto the R513 to Cullinan. Premier Game Park is about 20km along on the left. Meet at the entrance.

Hierdie privaat park beloof om goeie bosveldvoëls op te lewer. Braaifasiliteite is beskikbaar. Kostes beloop R20p/p en R10 per voertuig.
Aanwysings: Neem die Zambesi/Cullinan wisselaar vanaf die N1 Noord. Draai dan regs op die R513 na Cullinan. Premier Game Park is omtrent 20km verder op linkerkant. Ontmoet mekaar by die ingangshek.