Monthly Round-up
We share useful information at our monthly meeting before we listen to our speaker.
On this page you can read a round-up of that information. We hope you find this useful if you missed a meeting.
DECEMBER 2024
December Outing: Saturday 7th December Year End Function at Jessie Walton’s house at Keurbos, Grabouw.
January 2025 meeting: First meeting of 2025 will be on Thursday 9 January in the library hall and will be our Quiz evening.
Subs: Subs are due by 1st January – details in November round-up below.
Everyone must have a great festive season and those travelling, please travel safely.
NOVEMBER 2024
November Outing: Saturday 16th November at Lourensford Estate. Details to be circulated once the outing is confirmed. Please refer to the WhatsApp Notices group & emails
Bird counts: Dick Dent this Saturday, usual arrangements apply
Paardevlei: Reserve status proposed, this is partly thanks to the bird counts Sakkie and team have carried out.
Flock to Marion: If anyone is going on the trip please connect with each other
Batis 108 was sent out this week, printed copies are available tonight for those that have them. BirdLife magazines are also available.
Year End Function – Saturday Dec 7th at Jessie Walton’s farm from about 11am.
Where: Keurbos Nursery, Restanwold Farm, 65 Highlands Road, Elgin
It’s a Bring & Braai event so please bring:
- Food and drink
- Crockery, cutlery and glasses
- Braai tongs, tools etc – braai grid if you have one
- Wood also appreciated
Subs are due on January 1st 2025.
The annual club fees for 2025 have not increased.
R160 per person or family per year for the Batis via e-mail.
- R220 per person or family per year for a hard copy of the Batis
- R1 945 per person or family for life membership with Batis via e-mail
Use your name as reference when paying by EFT. Sorry – no cash payments
Bank details:
Somerset West Bird Club
Absa – Account no 9016949256
Branch code 632005
Please email Sakkie your proof of payment at sakkie@krynauw.net
Life members and Honouree members do not need to renew.
OCTOBER 2024
Sorry no notes were taken
SEPTEMBER 2024
Sightings: A spoonbill was seen in water next to the N2 near Borcherds Quarry Rd
Helderberg Nature Reserve: A bird checklist is now available at the visitor centre, also check out the updated information boards
Bird Counts: Due to bad weather we had to cancel a few
- Paardevelei count will be on 14th September, meet at 15:00
- From October the meeting times at Paardevlei and Dick Dent will move to 16:00
September Outing
• Delheim Wine Estate on the R44, Paarl side of Stellenbosch
• Changed to 28th as per Delheim request
• Introducing their bird route to us and some media people and WWF
• 2-to-3-hour hike
• Meet at Habitat centre at 06:30, leaving at 06:45
• Make sure to take enough liquids, sun protection and comfortable shoes
• Delheim will provide a snack platter after the hike, so probably not necessary to pack a picnic as usual.
October No outing – weekend away to Grootvadersbosch
December
• Outing date changes to 7th as 21st is too close to Christmas and 14th is in a public holiday weekend
• 7th will be our year-end function at Jessie Walton’s place on Highlands Road near Grabouw
• There will be great birding opportunities as well
• Jessie has rewilded her garden and created areas for sunbird and sugarbirds, seed eaters, butterflies, etc.
• We had a brilliant outing to her place in June.
Conservation
• Paardevlei petition
Tiffany will assist people who would like to sign the petition. Please go to her after the meeting if you’re interested.
• De Hoop Penguin Project
Committee decided on meeting of 29 August to donate R5000 to the project
Suggestions for 2025 for:
*Speakers
*Outings
Please email suggestions to one of the committee members
Tonight’s speaker was suggested by Charlie de Wet; thanks a lot Charlie