Programme
Our 2025 Programme is below.
The programme can change at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances.
As this is the Full Year programme for 2025, there are likely to be changes. We will keep members informed by email and on our WhatsApp group.
Please take particular note of the Meeting Dates. Our regular spot (first Thursday of the month) is not always available at the Library Hall, so some dates have been changed.
For any information or confirmation, please contact the committee member named or email us at somersetwestbirdclub@gmail.com
| May | 10 | Saturday | 15h00 | Bird watch / count: Dick Dent |
| May | 15 | Thursday | 19h00 | Meeting: Eco Schools: Joanne Trinchero |
| May | 17 | Saturday | 07h30 | Outing: Vergelegen Estate |
| June | 5 | Thursday | 19h00 | Meeting: Birds and crop agrochemicals: Lorinda Hart |
| June | 14 | Saturday | 15h00 | Bird watch / count: Paardevlei |
| June | 21 | Saturday | 07h30 | Outing: Van der Stel Pass |
| July | 7 | Thursday | 19h00 | Meeting: Birds of New Zealand North Island: John Magner |
| July | 12 | Saturday | 15h00 | Bird watch / count: Dick Dent |
| July | 19 | Saturday | 07h30 | Outing: Lourensford Estate |
| August | 7 | Thursday | 19h00 | Meeting: Bird Ringing: Dieter Oschadleus |
| August | 9 | Saturday | 15h00 | Bird watch / count: Paardevlei |
| August | 16 | Saturday | 07h30 | Outing: Hartenberg Estate, Bottelary |
| August | 25 | SWBC Birthday | ||
| Sept | 11 | Thursday | 19h00 | Meeting: Speaker TBC |
| Sept | 13 | Saturday | 15h00 | Bird watch / count: Dick Dent |
| Sept | 20 | Saturday | 07h30 | Outing: Kirstenbosch |
| October | 2 | Thursday | 19h00 | Meeting: Monsiuer Levaillant: Prof Ian Glenn |
| October | 11 | Saturday | 16h00 | Bird watch / count: Paardevlei |
| October | 17/18/19 | Weekend | Weekend Away: Nuwejaars Wetlands, Bredasdorp | |
| October | 25 | Saturday | Helderberg Marine Protected Area Bird Count | |
| Nov | 1 | Saturday | Wader Conservation World Watch | |
| Nov | 6 | Thursday | 19h00 | Meeting: Black Harrier update – Megan Murgatroyd |
| Nov | 8 | Saturday | 16h00 | Bird watch / count: Dick Dent |
| Nov | 15 | Saturday | 07h30 | Outing: Fernkloof, Hermanus |
| Nov | 29 | Saturday | Year End Function: Venue TBC | |
| Dec | 4 | Thursday | 19h00 | Meeting: Photography Evening |
| Dec | 6 | Saturday | Birding Big Day | |
| Dec | 13 | Saturday | 16h00 | Bird watch / count: Paardevlei |
| Dec | 20 | Saturday | Possible outing: TBC |
Venues and Times
Club meetings – 18h30 for 19h00 at the Somerset West Library hall, c/o Victoria and Andries Pretorius Streets, Somerset West, every first Thursday of the month (except January where it is the second Thursday).
Club outings – departing at 07h00 [summer time] or 07h30 [winter time] unless communicated via WhatsApp group or email with a different time / venue. Please arrive 15 minutes before the departing time so that car sharing can be arranged.
Depending on where we are going, parking at Habitat Centre, c/o N2 and R44, Somerset West [next to Somerset Mall], 34.0795783°S, 18.8207871°E or Vergelegen Plein c/o Sir Lowry’s Pass Rd and Bizweni Ave, 34.101943°S, 18.873910°E.
Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary and Paardevlei – April till September at 15h00; October till March at 16h00. DD – park at the church, c/o Woltemade and Jennings Streets, Strand. Paardevlei – park at Cheetah Sanctuary [34.091037°S, 18.813905°E].
This year’s past events
| Jan | 9 | Thursday | 19h00 | Meeting: Quiz Night |
| Jan | 11 | Saturday | 16h00 | Bird watch / count: Dick Dent |
| Jan | 18 | Saturday | 07h30 | Outing: Rooiels, Howard Porter |
| Feb | 8 | Saturday | 16h00 | Bird watch / count: Paardevlei |
| Feb | 13 | Thursday | 19h00 | Meeting: AGM / Birds of Socotra: Willene van der Merwe |
| Feb | 15 | Saturday | 07h30 | Outing: Delheim Estate |
| Mar | 6 | Thursday | 19h00 | Meeting: Coordinated Avifaunal Roadcounts: Donella Young |
| Mar | 8 | Saturday | 16h00 | Bird watch / count: Dick Dent |
| Mar | 15 | Saturday | 07h30 | Strandfontein Sewage Works |
| April | 12 | Saturday | 15h00 | Bird watch / count: Paardevlei |
| April | 19 | Saturday | 07h30 | Outing: Sir Lowry’s Pass cannons |