The Vaal Bird Club is organising a practical introduction to bird identification on Saturday morning, October 19. The club says it especially hopes to attract young people, but all ages can join and families are welcome too.
This introduction will be held in the form of a guided bird watching walk at a venue next to the Vaal River, just outside Sasolburg. They will all meet at Zaaiman Motors, Sasolburg (just off the R59), at 06:15. From there they will drive to the entrance of the venue.
Rina de Klerk, the Club secretary, says the idea of the outreach is to attract future birders who did not have the courage to participate in the club’s activities in the past, either because they feel that they do not know birds well enough, or that they do not know anybody in the bird club. She requests all participants to be there on time on Saturday as they will have to enter the venue at the same time.
Each guide, one of the Vaal Bird Club members, will lead a small group of participants and spend one to two hours spotting and identifying birds.
The venue has different habitats: trees and bushes, grass veld and the river. After the walk everybody will assemble under the trees for feedback and a brief discussion on bird identification tips and tricks. Participation is free of charge, but you need to register by Wednesday October 16 as the club needs to take attendance. English and Afrikaans guides will be available. Bring something to drink, a snack, a hat, sunscreen, a bird book and
binoculars (If you have some. If not, come in any case!). For more information or to register, kindly call Johan Fick on 082 651 2884.