Trip reports
- Trip report: Lady Stanford cruise on the Klein River
Facebook Email Print This trip report was provided by Jill Wheater. Saturday 23 November was a perfect day for a river cruise. Guided by skipper Peter, an avid birder, 26 lucky BLO members joined the Lady Stanford river cruise for a couple of hours of tranquil birding. The cruise winds its way gently along the… Read more: Trip report: Lady Stanford cruise on the Klein River - Trip report: Agulhas Plains
This trip report was provided by Johan van der Westhuizen. Seventeen birders met at the Eastcliff SPAR at 06:30 for what promised to be a “cracker” of an outing. The convoy of 6 vehicles left a bit late but arrived safely at the bridge across the Uilenskraal Estuary where we met our guide for the… Read more: Trip report: Agulhas Plains - Trip report: The back roads of Caledon
This report was provided by Johan van der Westhuizen. Six birders in two vehicles left the Onrus OK at 07h30 in perfect weather conditions. At Salandra, 4 more birders joined the group. Here “Birding” started in earnest with several species added to the list, including the resident House Sparrows and a beautiful male Malachite Sunbird.… Read more: Trip report: The back roads of Caledon - Trip report: Mini Pelagic off Danger Point
After a period of stormy weather and wild winds, a beautiful day was much welcome. It was going to be a day for the Shy Albatross. While we didn’t tally up a large variety of species, the close-up views were amazing. - Trip report: Jessie Walton’s Farm
Well, not exactly the day for birding – the forecast for the day was intermittent rain with howling gales – if I was a bird I would have been hiding in some large tree! Undeterred by weather forecasts and muddy roads, 17 intrepid birders set off, literally, into the eye of the storm.
Events
- Changing Overberg bird profiles
A summary of the monthly meeting presented by Anton Odendal on 14 October 2024. Anton presented an illustrated talk at the BirdLife Overberg monthly talk in October. He reviewed species recorded in the Overberg during 2024 that had not been included in the first checklist of the birds of the region that was published in… Read more: Changing Overberg bird profiles - BirdLife Overberg year-end function 2022
At BirdLife Overberg’s year-end function fifteen members each showcased their five favourite photographs taken during the year. - October Talk: Gravel Road Birding – Napier Style
The birding potential of the Napier region particularly as far as overseas birders are concerned was well illustrated through species such as Cape Clapper and Agulhas Long-billed larks, Cape Grassbird, Cape Longclaw and many more.
Bird of the year
- The Bateleur as the Bird of the Year 2024
BirdLife South Africa recently announced that the Bateleur is Bird of the Year 2024. “Surely a Bateleur soaring high above the African bushveld, with its rocking, gliding motion, is one of the most iconic sights of our country and indeed our continent?” - World Parrot Day will focus on fate of the vanishing Cape Parrot
Since its inauguration in London by the World Parrot Trust in 2004, World Parrot Day highlights the threat to wild and captive parrots throughout the world. - The Bird of the Year 2023: The Cape Parrot
BirdLife South Africa announced that the Bird of the Year for 2023 will be the Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus). The usual educational resources will once again be released throughout the year.
Monthly counts
- January 2023 ObservationsWe managed to record 259 species that are the highest score for a single month, except for the three previous Birding Big Day months.
- Birds recorded in the Overberg since March 2020
We reacted to the COVID19 lockdown period by requesting members, collaborators and friends to report bird species recorded in the Overberg each month. n the end we managed to record more than 350 species in the Overberg region since March 2020. - December 2022 Observations
A total of 285 species have been identified during December. Most of the species on this list were recorded on Birding Big Day on 3 December. Maybe 300 species in one month could be attainable in future? - Birds recorded in the Overberg on Birding Big Day 2022
This impressive list of species was recorded in the Overberg region on Birding Big Day. A total of 252. - November 2022 observations
A total of 233 species were seen by members and friends of BirdLife Overberg during November 2022.