Getting to know the East Rand Bird Club
The East Rand Bird Club offers a different kind of pastime, one that members are proud to call their ''divine hobby".
The club is a satellite branch of the Wits Bird Club, and provides an opportunity for avid fanciers to meet and share information on birds.
Willem Grobbelaar and Erich Hahn have both been involved with the club for 12 years.
“Our love for birds is an enjoyable hobby that got us involved with the East Rand Bird Club,” said Grobbelaar.
The club meets every third Tuesday of the month.
“The meetings usually offer a guest speaker who discusses a variety of topics on birds, both national and international,” said Grobbelaar.
The club also arranges various outings, such as visits to the Bullfrog Pan and Sand pan, where a variety of bird species can often be found.
The purpose of the outings often involves projects with the University of Cape Town and O R Tambo International Airport.
Due to the increase in bird strikes on the runways at the airport, the club conducts assessments on how to reduce the number of such incidents.
“We monitor the feeding patterns and try to find a safer feeding area for the birds, or attempt to move them entirely,” said Hahn.
The club also conducts Coordinated Waterbird Avifaunal Counts (Cwac) twice a year, during winter and summer.
“These are assessments that we conduct at the water pans on which bird species have increased or decreased,” said Grobbelaar.
An interesting observation made by the club, is the link between the environment and a bird species.
The number of birds found within an environment means that they are attracted to a particular aspect offered within that environment, such as the weather or food.
The club also offers a bird identification course for beginners.
Interested persons can attend the club’s monthly meetings at the Benoni Library Auditorium, every third Tuesday of month, at 7.30pm. .
For more information on the club contact Grobbelaar on 082 479 2053.
