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.
APRIL 2025
MPA bird count – 29 March 2025 – Thank you to everyone who came to assist. It was our biggest group ever for that count.
Monthly bird count – 12 April at Paardevlei. Note winter meeting time of 15h00. Gather at gate near Cheetahs.
Monthly outing
•Change in schedule as Vergelegen cannot accommodate us on the 19th.
•Outing will be to the cannons at Sir Lowry’s Pass.
•Gather at Vergelegen Plein at 07h00.
•Will be a hike – 4 to 5 km from the vehicles to the cannons and back. Wear comfortable shoes.
•Possibility to see Rockjumpers.
•Pack lunch and water / drinks.
Change in Year End Function date
•New date is the last Saturday in November.
•Please make a note of this.
•Reason for change:
*1st weekend in Dec is Birding Big Day with a lot of club members participating in this global event.
*2nd weekend is the monthly bird count at either DD of PV.
*3rd weekend is usually very close to Christmas.
Club outing of December – since the YEF will move away from the club outing date, Riël will arrange an outing. People with holiday visitors are encouraged to tag them along to the outing.
Annual weekend away
•Weekend of 17 to 19 October 2025.
•Looking at visiting Nuwejaarsrivier.
•Looking at accommodation again at The Dunes.
•More info to follow.
MARCH 2025
1. 2025-03-08 – Dick Dent at 16h00. Park at AGS church. The idea is also to walk across Broadway and explore in the newly excavated area next to Victoria Park. It is very sandy with all the excavation work at DD, so please wear shoes fit for the terrain.
2. 2025-03-15 – Monthly outing to Strandfontein sewage works. Assemble at Habitat Centre from 06h45 for departure by 07h00. Pack a picnic basket and drinks.
3. 2025-03-29 – Summer bird count at MPA. Anyone welcome to come and assist. Meet at 06h30 at the big blue structure on the beach near the Lourens River mouth. This count takes place twice a year [summer and winter] and stats are sent thru to the FitzPatrick Institute. The previous count could not take place as just one person was there. For a citizen science count to be valid a minimum of three people is required. The club wants to establish a fixed MPA counting team. Please contact any of the committee members if you are willing to assist.
4. CAR counts – Donella Young gave a very interesting overview of the bi-annual CAR counts in the Overberg. People who are willing to become part of this great initiative can contact anyone of the committee members. Counts usually takes place the last Saturday in January and July.
Read more about Donella’s talk in the Events section of the website.
FEBRUARY 2025
Thank you to Marinda and all concerned for the Quiz night in January.
MPA Bird Count: On 22 February there is a bird count at the Strand MPA starting at 6am. Meet at the blue pipes. We please need at least 3 people. LATER MOVED TO 29 MARCH DUE TO NOT ENOUGH ATTENDEES
Outing: Our outing this month is to Delheim Estate on 15 February. Meet at Habitat Centre at 7am. Restaurant will be open after the walk but it will be on your own account this time. It may be busy so suggest make a booking.
Paardevlei: The City has cut the amount of biodiversity area in its plans. There is more high density building planned now.
Dick Dent: There has been a fire. Contractors are busy working there in connection with the Lourens river work. They will be stockpiling earth in the reserve.
Birdlasser: Charles Britz spoke to us about the Birdlasser app.
It is a South African product for bird atlasing. The info recorded feeds into the FitzPatrick institute at UCT.
There are many other apps but they are more international e.g. eBird, Merlin, Birda. eBird is generally used by international visitors. iNaturalist is also an option and includes other animals and plants as well as birds.
It is beneficial to use Birdlasser because of the info feeding into UCT. The app can be downloading from Play Store / App Store. You can create a Trip Card and record sightings from an outing or an Annual Card for an area such as your garden or somewhere you regularly visit. There are various views for your sightings such as a map view. The sightings build up into a lifelist for different regions or overall. You can search by bird or place sighted.
Birdlasser is used to record Birding Big Day sightings and for SABAP2 (SA Bird Atlasing project).
The AGM then took place. See Latest News for the full report.
JANUARY 2025
Marinda led the popular annual Quiz Night. Full report in the Batis 109.
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.