Upcoming Events

Time: 18h45 for 19h00

Register in advance for this webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0tcu-opjMqGtT3kDPLYx3QuRCakdb1L9n-

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Aldo Berruti “Kruger Bird Course”

Aldo Berruti is a bird guide, ornithologist and author with 55 years of birding experience. He was the first Director of BirdLife South Africa (1996-2004) and co-author of the first ‘Where to Watch Birds in South Africa’. He founded BirdLife SA’s guide training programme and has deep experience in coaching birders. He currently runs the very successful “Birding with Aldo” online courses. The Kruger with Aldo course provides a unique path to adding value and reward to your next Kruger Park trip.

The course is suitable for beginners and intermediate birders, introducing 110 of the most common birds which can present identification challenges.

The course is structured over 3 x 75 minute Sessions and will highlight the topics below:

Session 1. Birds of woodlands and savannas
Session 2. Birds of the camps and bird hides
Session 3. Birds of thickets and riverine

Times: 18h45 for 19h00 for 12 Oct & 14 Oct.
08h45 for 09h00 on Saturday 16 Oct.

3 sessions of 1¼ hours each

Cost: R 200 for members

R 250 for non-members

Please register with the link below for the course, and pay the course fee to the Wits Bird Club account.

Account: Wits Bird Club, Nedbank, Branch 191305, Account 1913257789

Reference: Name and MFM

Please send POP to witsbc234@gmail.com

Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpdemtrz4sE9T9VTlqWV2wQjg2nP2h-wWU

Join Trevor Hardaker for our Wits Bird Club August talk that promises to bring colour and warmth to our winter.

The International Ornithologists’ Union (IOU), which has convened the world’s largest summit on avian biology since its first congress in 1884, will partner with the University of KwaZulu-Natal to organize the 28th IOCongress^® in Durban, South Africa, 14–20 Aug. 2022.

Every four years, the IOCongress brings together the world’s foremost ornithologists and others whose work advances avian biology at every level. More than 1,600 scientists and other professionals came together for the 2018 IOCongress in Vancouver, British Columbia. Durban hosted the event the one time it was convened in Africa in 1998.

Whether you’re new to the birding nest or a seasoned watcher, the Kruger National Park offers a richly diverse collection of South Africa’s most stunning winged wildlife. Join the SANParks Honorary Rangers for insightful morning and evening game drives led by experienced and knowledgeable birding experts that will leave you with fond memories, great sightings and fine friendships. Funds raised go towards conservation projects in our national parks.

Dates: Please enquire for dates in Jan-Feb 2022

Cost: From R 3 750 per person sharing (2/3 night options)

Venue: Various camps in the Kruger National Park

Contact Norma: Westrandbirders@gmail.com

The Johannesburg Region of the SANParks Honorary Rangers invites you to join them for a four-night birding weekend at one of South Africa’s premier birding locations – the legendary Ndumo Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal.  The reserve boasts no less than 490 species, including Neergard’s Sunbird, Rudd’s Apalis, Eastern Nicator, Pink-throated Twinspot, Rosy-throated Longclaw, Narina Trogon, Sooty Falcon and Pel’s Fishing-Owl to name a few. Enjoy guided walks through Ndumo’s sand forest habitat, explore the fig tree forest at Shokwe and view shorebirds from Nyamithi Pan’s bird hides. Here’s your chance to experience a truly special reserve and to spot those “lifers” you’ve been waiting for. Proceeds will go towards conservation projects in our national parks.

DATES:  21 – 24 October 2021

ACCOMMODATION: chalet or camping options available

CONTACT: Ian at Jhb.birding@honoraryrangers.org

Join the SANParks Honorary Rangers, Waterberg Region, for a luxurious birding weekend in the spectacular Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site. The park boasts numerous habitat types and supports an impressive diversity. More than 450 species of birds have been recorded here. Specials include Pel’s Fishing-Owl and Three-banded Courser. In January, you can also expect to add several migrants to your list. Proceeds go towards conservation projects in the Mapungubwe National Park.

DATE: January 27, 2022 – January 30, 2022

Contact Susan: susanotto0@gmail.com

 In view of current uncertainty related to COVID-19 and the different levels of impacts in many countries, THE PAOC committee and the local organising committee have decided, with close input of the Government of Zimbabwe, to POSTPONE PAOC15 to 2022 – DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY

We have made this decision for the following reasons:

• THE continued potential HEALTH RISK FOR TRAVELERS durIng 2021
• many travel restrictions are still in place around the world, and it is difficult to predict when these will ease.
• based on questionnaires with PAOCC, symposia chairs and others, it became clear that a majority would prefer PAOC15 to take place in 2022, and some would not participate if it was in 2021. Very few opted for a virtual congress.
• PAOC would NOT BE ABLE TO BRING enough PEOPLE TOGETHER FROM ACROSS THE CONTINENT AND FURTHER AFIELD TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT AFRICAN BIRDS AND TO PLAN FOR THEIR CONSERVATION.

In light of these and other factors, we believe that postponing PAOC to 2022 is the most suitable and responsible path to take.  we would like to apologise to those who were still hoping to participate in PAOC15 this year, but we hope that you will support us in holding a successful congress in 2022.

For Delegates who have already paid:

• if you wish to remain registered and intend participating in PAOC in 2022 and you agree that Birdlife Zimbabwe is authorised to retain your registration fee, please inform us in writing to info@paoc15.org.
• alternatively, If you wish to cancel your registration and require your fee to be paid back please indicate this in writing to info@paoc15.org and supply bank details for the refund.

We look forward to holding PAOC15 in 2022 and hope that you can join us in Victoria Falls then.