NATIONAL
July and January are the months when members throughout the country
are requested to make a special effort to participate in the African Waterfowl
Census. These sightings are sent to Wetlands International Africa in Dakar,
Senegal where they are entered onto the international database and the
results analysed, so threats and changes in bird populations can be monitored.
Not only is this information important but collecting it enjoyable. Although
the national office staff manage to count some water bodies, there are
many that are not covered, so please help by going to more out of the
way ones and spending a few hours counting water birds.
Please contact Fadzai Matsvimbo at the national office for the forms fadzai@blz.co.zw
MASHONALAND
Please contact a committee member if you need transport to any of the
events. Beginners are welcome - don’t worry if you do not have a
pair of binos – there is usually an extra pair at most outings.
Remember to always bring chairs and refreshments.
We have a bird walk almost every weekend and a monthly Evening Meeting
on the 3rd Thursday of each month 5:30 for 6:00 p.m. The venue is the
Avondale Sports Club on Brighton Road between 2nd Street Extension and
Upper East Road. There is a bar and hopefully a security guard.
Evening Meetings are on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 5.30
for 6.00 p.m.
The venue is the Avondale Sports Club on Brighton Road between Sam Nujoma
Street Extension and Upper East Road. There is a cash bar and a security
guard. Pies and meals like lasagne, spaghetti bolognaise, cottage pie
and chicken curry can also be ordered when the list goes round at the
beginning of the meeting – either to eat there or take home and
pop into the microwave.
ACTIVITIES
Please diarise these events now, as it is easy to forget later on.
Sunday 13 June - 7.00 a.m : Lake Chivero Bird Sanctuary
You might see Lesser Masked Weavers, African Cuckoo Hawk, Retz’s
Helmet-shrikes and Southern Hyliota, as well as the more common miombo
woodland and water birds. Meet at Marimba Shopping Centre, Samora Machel
Avenue West .
Yes, I know the World Cup will have started but I`ve checked and there
aren`t any games on between 7 - 1300hrs on Sunday! (First game of the
day - Algeria vs Slovenia - starts at 1.30pm) So that leaves everyone
ample time to come to the bird walk at Lake Chivero and get back in front
of the telly in time for the match. As for the rest of you, who are not
into football but do feel the winter chill, last Sunday at Mukuvisi was
surprisingly warm....and among other birds, we saw Swallow-tailed Bee-eaters
and a Lanner Falcon!
See you there then
For those of you who couldn`t make it, Lake Chivero was a very
pleasant escursion. Specials for me were: a Little Bittern, 3 African
Rails, 2 Hottentot Teals, an African Fish Eagle sitting on its old - not
new - nest in the woodland area and 2 African Spoonbills flying overhead.
Julia
Thursday 17 June – Movements of Heavenly Bodies
Not human, but in the sky! Tony Alegria will guide us round some interesting
astronomical phenomena. This will be followed by a presentation by Nick
Hart, one of our young members and a keen amateur photographer, of some
unusual pictures he took at Seldomseen.
Thursday 15 July – Ringing Programme
Dave Dalziel will talk about ‘Interesting aspects of the 2010 BLZ
Ringing Programme’. This will be followed by a session of ‘Questions
you always wanted to ask but never dared to’ – so bring along
some fun topics.
Saturday 19 June – 7 a.m: Marlborough Vlei
Don’t miss a chance to possibly see Marsh Owls. From Harare Drive
take Princess Margaret Road - follow this, passing 5 roads on the left
until it bends to the left near the sewage works. Continue until you see
cars parked in a road on the right near a fenced wooden shed.
Posted 29 June 2010
Yes, I know exactly how you feel.... I`m also struggling to get out of
bed in the morning with these polar temperatures! But at the end of the
day, if you don`t get out there...you don`t get to see the birds, folks!
Last Sunday at Haka Park 107 species were counted and among them African
Black Duck, Southern Pochard, African Pygmy-Goose, African Cuckoo Hawk,
African Purple Swamphen, Senegal Coucal, White-breasted Cuckooshrike,
Spotted Creeper, Miombo Tit, Southern Black Tit...a rich booty indeed!
This Sunday we`re heading back to Mukuvisi Woodland!
Sunday 4 July 7 am Mukuvisi Woodland
Last month`s special sightings included Little Sparrowhawk, Lanner Falcon,
Bearded Woodpecker, Grey Penduline-Tit, Copper Sunbird. Turn off the Chiremba
Road into Ford Road (opposite Queensdale shops) and continue down to Blatherwick
Road (T- junction). Turn right and the gate is about 150 metres on the
left. Bring a reasonable tip for the guard, taking into account the value
of your vehicle! Don’t forget refreshments (hot tea & coffee!)
for after the walk when we record the number of species.
Hope to see you there!
Julia
Saturday 17 July – 7 a.m : Mukuvisi Woodland
Meet in the main car park. This is a chance to see a different aspect
of the Woodlands.
Sunday 6 June and 4 July – 7.00 a.m : Mukuvisi Woodland
Last month special sightings included Great Spotted Cuckoo, Wood Pipit
and Purple Indigobird – a species count of 94 was excellent. Winter
is a good time to see some raptors such as the Long-crested and Black-chested
Snake-eagle and Black Sparrow-hawk. Spotted Creeper and Southern Hyliota
can also be found. Turn off the Chiremba Road into Ford Road (opposite
Queensdale shops) and continue down to Blatherwick Road (T- junction).
Turn right and the gate is about 150 metres on the left. Bring a reasonable
tip for the guard, taking into account the value of your vehicle! Don’t
forget refreshments for after the walk when we record the number of species.
Sunday 13 June and 11 July - 7.00 a.m : Lake Chivero Bird Sanctuary
You might see Lesser Masked Weavers, African Cuckoo Hawk, Retz’s
Helmet-shrikes and Southern Hyliota, as well as the more common miombo
woodland and water birds. Meet at Marimba Shopping Centre, Samora Machel
Avenue West.
Sunday 20 June and 18 July - 7:00 a.m : Monavale Vlei
Meet on the BS Leon side of Fenella Drive to see a variety of birds –
will the vlei have been burnt this year or been protected from wandering
people? Depending on the status of the vlei the species vary, so brave
the chill and see what’s there.
Sunday 27 June 7.00 a.m: Haka Park, Msasa
Usually worth a visit - Pygmy Geese and White-backed Ducks can be seen
on the dam, and miombo woodland specials such as the Miombo Rock-thrush
as well as all 3 species of longclaw. Meet at the entrance gate.
Sunday 25 July – 7.00 a.m : Christon Bank Nature Reserve
This attractive venue borders on the Mazowe River and interesting birds
that have been seen there include Grey Tit-flycatcher (Fan-tailed), Red-backed
Mannikin, Striped Pipit, Mocking Cliff-chat and Brown Snake-eagle. Meet
at the CABS head office, Northend Road.
MATABELELAND BRANCH
Weekend 19-20 June : Winter Birding Big Day
BLZ Matabeleland members have enjoyed the annual national Birding Big
Day so much we have decided we want to do it twice a year. The emphasis
is not on fund raising but on having fun – with a bit of friendly
rivalry thrown in. Teams will record how many different species of birds
they see within a specified period. We are offering 24-hour and 36-hour
categories and a garden section. Contact Julia Duprée for entry
forms and check lists or more information - phone 246269.
July : African Waterfowl Census
On Saturdays and/or Sundays throughout July we will be counting waterfowl
as per the list submitted by Wetlands International – with a few
extra water-related species (such as kingfishers, warblers and wagtails)
added for our own interest. These outings are always enjoyable and worthwhile;
every time we see something different and interesting. Most surveys are
just half-day affairs, which culminate in morning tea and a pondering
of what we saw. Areas to be covered include Aisleby, SAST (near Khami
Dam) and Cowdray Park. For more information and details of which sites
will be visited on which days, contact Julia Duprée, phone 246269.
Sunday 15 August : Joint Outing Matobo Conservation Society
BLZ with be joining up with members of the Matobo Conservation Society
(MCS) for a day of birding in the Matopos. On arrival at our destination
we will split into groups, mixing members of both societies, and do a
walk through various habitat types to see what we find. This will not
be an MCS epic hike but a relatively short walk allowing plenty of time
to stop and peer into every bush and behind every rock. Meet at the Churchill
Arms car park at 8:15 for 8:30 a.m. departure. For more information contact
Adele Edwards, phone 882242 or 0712-366917.
COUNTRY DISTRICTS
Mashonaland South (Kadoma) - Contact Margaret Parrock
on 068-22005 or her daughter, Coralee on 0912-739370.
Eastern Districts - Monthly outings are on the last Sunday
of the month and depart at 7.30 a.m. from the Mutare Museum. Spare binoculars
and field guides are available. Members with a vehicle are encouraged
to attend and fuel can be provided. Contact Peter Gwidibira 0913-524844or
pggroup.gwidibira38@gmail.com for details.
Other Areas - Those members in other areas – we
are always interested to hear what is happening in your bit of the country.
Please send in what you have seen. Ed
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