text:
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 properties for sale by Elders - Alice Springs
At Elders Real Estate Alice Springs we provide Alice Springs with the leading use of technology and superior marketing techniques to sell or rent your home. Combining local knowledge and experience with the support of a trusted respected national network we enjoy a reputation as being at the forefront of the Alice Springs real estate market and our clients recommend us with confidence. We are here to offer the community access to our local Alice Springs experience and the national Elders network, our success has only been due to our clients successes. Elders Real Estate makes more possible. For all your Alice Springs real estate needs please call 08 8950 3200

subset: commoncrawl


text:
To check out the full index of Celtics videos and mixes click here.
7 Responses so far.
Wow!!! I mean what an amazing display. In garbage-time. Against a garbage-team.
Hang on, let me call the Guinness Book of World Records: Troy Murphy made a field goal.
Who cares -
im kind of with norman here. we already knew he can hit that long two. when we start seeing some plays against better teams that aren't zombified from the previous night, i'll be impressed. still, him seeing some possessions during a game might be what is needed to get him going, or at least started.
my least fave player in the new look celtic team..
I even like von & jermaine more! -
he looks a lot like tuberculosis in Pinellas County, Florida.
LOL I personally think that at least he's getting his confidence back. Whether he replicate the same performance with a better opponent, it has yet to be seen. But I'll take that over him walking around like a zombie on the court.


text:
Visual barriers are no match for holiday spirit
NEWPORT BEACH – "Don't eat it, Ashton, it's for decorating!"
Ashton Nipp, 2, stopped and his eyes opened wide as he held a blue M & M millimeters away from his mouth and took in his older brother Nathan's instructions – just for a second. He popped the little blue circle in his mouth anyway and looked at his brother.
"I said, don't eat it," Nathan said, without looking up.
Nathan's cane rested against a table in front of him. He was hunched over the table, which was overflowing with candy decorations – gummy bears, M & Ms, Jolly Ranchers, Starbursts and marshmallows.
Click here to watch a video of the kids enjoying the festive event.
The siblings from Irvine were at a special Christmas event organized for a group of about 30 children from the Blind Children's Learning Center in Santa Ana, by the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort Friday morning. The children decorated candy ornaments, told Santa about their wish lists, and walked across a Christmas tree lot, taking in the fragrance of the pine trees and running their fingers through the prickly branches.
Nathan was born with a rare visual impairment called Peter's Anomaly, which involves thinning and clouding of the cornea and attachment of the iris to the cornea, causing blurred vision. He has had five corneal transplants, said his mother, Elly Sung.
Last year, his right eye became infected and damaged and doctors determined it was inoperable, she said.
"Nathan is pretty smart," Sung said. "He somehow manages to figure things out and that's always amazing to me."
He had no problem figuring out what to do at the craft table. Nathan deliberately picked up every piece of candy at the event. He held a piece between his tiny fingers. He shook it, holding it close to his ears.
"Look, I found a Fruit Loop," he told his mother in Mandarin.
Nathan can fluently speak four languages – Mandarin, Hakka, Indonesian and English – his mother says.
He then peeled the wrapper of a Jolly Rancher. He put it very close to his left eye.
"Oh, that's blue," he said, smiling.
He put it under his nose and took a whiff. Then, he carefully placed it on to a piece of white paper cut in the shape of a Christmas tree.
Nathan prefers bright blues and greens as opposed to pink or red, his mother Elly Sung says.
Ashton, who is fully sighted, believes it's his duty to pick up anything his big brother drops, she says.
"Ashton has gotten so used to picking things up that he'll do it for other kids too, if they accidentally drop something," Sung says with a laugh.
Working on the Christmas tree craft with Nathan was a learning experience, says Troy Lindquist, activities director at Newport Dunes.
"Nathan is helping me understand that just because you can't see, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy life," he said. "It is really nice to see him smelling, tasting, feeling the texture and figuring things out for himself."
Later, Nathan played with a blow up reindeer pulling a blow-up Santa out of a chimney.
Santa goes up, Santa goes down.
Nathan laughed and tried to pull Santa out the chimney before the reindeer can get to him.
It's a game he can't seem to stop playing. He giggled.
"When I see him smiling," Sung says. "I know he's having a good time. That makes me happy."
Contact the writer: 714-796-7909 or email@example.com
Most Popular
- Longtime Irvine High water polo, swim coach Scott Hinman collapses at meet, dies
- Four people injured in fiery crash in front of a fire station in Westminster
- Authorities charge 2 Irvine women in suspected U.S.-wide sex trafficking ring
- Laguna Beach to crack down on bad behavior at Thousand Steps and other nearby beaches
- Orange County court clerk pleads guilty to illegally fixing more than 1,000 DUI, traffic
User Agreement
Comments are encouraged, but you must follow our Privacy Policy Policy & Terms of Use
Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to republish your name and comment in additional Register publications without any notification or payment.


text:
CCFA Support Group: Finneytown, OH
This support group serves patients throughout Southwest Ohio who are impacted by inflammatory bowel diseases. Our group is a journey to hope.
Meets: Third Monday, Monthly, 7 to 8:30 PM. On March 21, the group will feature Dr. Christopher South from Ohio GI. He will be speaking on medication / treatment options.
Our Finneytown Crohn's/Colitis group will meet at Journey to Hope at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 703 Compton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231. Journey to Hope is located in the house to the right of the church when you enter the parking lot. Enter through the house's back door off the church parking lot. http://www.northminsterchurch.net/care-and-support/support-groups-%e2%80%93-at-the-family-life-center/
Our current meeting schedule is: February, March, April, May, August, September, October, and November. We always meet the 3rd Monday.
Please note the change in our "bad weather" notification below.
BAD WEATHER REMINDER: On the evenings that we have a Finneytown Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Support Group meeting scheduled, please check WKRC-TV Channel12 for closing information either on their web site or scrolling across the bottom of their screen during their newscasts. We will be listed as Journey to Hope – FINNEYTOWN.
Free child care is available with one week's notice. Child care is provided in the church nursery across the parking lot from Journey To Hope. Call 931-5777 to reserve.


text:
Historic California Mission in Danger of Collapsing
Register Correspondent
June 11-17, 2006 Issue | Posted 6/12/06 at 11:00 AM
MONTERREY, Calif. — If repairs aren't made soon to Mission San Miguel Arcangel in Monterrey, more than 200 years of history may end up as a pile of adobe rubble.
"San Miguel is the last mission with original Indian artwork on the walls," said John Fowler, project manager at Mission San Miguel, and it is "in dire need of repair."
Mission San Miguel was founded in 1797 by Franciscan Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen, who followed Blessed Junipero Serra in establishing the California missions. The original building was destroyed by fire and rebuilt between 1816 and 1818.
The mission had withstood the test of time until Dec. 22, 2003. That day, the 6.5 magnitude San Simeon earthquake nearly knocked it over. Though Congress approved $10 million for the California missions in 2004 — much of which would have gone to Mission San Miguel — a lawsuit prevented the money from being allocated. The mission remains closed as its staff scrambles to raise money from the public and government and convince its insurers to cover the earthquake damage.
The current reconstruction project is fairly straightforward, Fowler explained. About $15 million is needed to retrofit and rebuild the mission, which is currently being held up by temporary shoring.
The sleepy town of San Miguel boasts a population of 1,400 people, and to raise such a sum there is impossible, he said. "We need to go the larger community," Fowler concluded.
But there have been problems. The Diocese of Monterrey and the Franciscan friars who run the mission are short of the cash needed for repairs. The insurance companies have balked at paying for the damage, citing the age of the mission, and even promised government money has dried up for now.
Money Blocked
In 2002, California voters approved Proposition 40 — which included $128 million in unallocated money for historical preservation.
Mission San Miguel applied for a grant from these funds earlier this year, but was turned down after California Attorney General Bill Lockyer issued an opinion that such funding would be unconstitutional.
A Federal Emergency Management Agency application for $7 million seems to have taken a backseat after Hurricane Katrina, Fowler said, and the 2004 Congressional approval of $10 million for the California Missions Foundation was never appropriated because a lawsuit was filed by Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
The lawsuit argued that such funding violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
Government funding amounts to "a church tax," said Rob Boston, spokesman for Americans United for Separation of Church and State." It forces everyone to pay for the upkeep of [Catholic] Missions."
According to Boston, his group only seeks to block funding of 19 of the 21 California missions that are controlled by the Church. Americans United has no interest in stopping funding at the other two missions, which are run as museums by the State of California.
Fowler finds such reasoning inadequate.
"We meet the requirements of [the Constitution]," he said. "Eighty percent of the Mission's use is public." Moreover, he said, "thousands of fourth graders have been turned away since it was closed."
Fourth graders in California must study the missions in schools, and thousands of public school children visit a mission each year as part of educational field trips.
Knox Mellon is executive director of the California Missions Foundation, a "secular non-profit that collects money and passes it on directly to the Missions." He said he is confident that the government will eventually write the check and that the foundation will prevail in court, but it will take time.
For now, the foundation "does as much as it can" for San Miguel, Mellon said, but without promised government funding, its impact has been limited.
"We gave $100,000 last year, and this year, we received a Save America's Treasures grant for $300,000," Fowler said. That money, he said, will be matched by the foundation and disbursed to San Miguel over the course of several months.
San Miguel is at the top of the foundation's list for funding because it is in the most danger, but it is not alone among endangered missions in California, Mellon said.
Mission San Luis Obispo is also in danger of being closed if a costly seismic retrofitting project is not completed by 2008.
Mellon said that more government funding would not only help save the missions immediately, but would also help with public fund-raising since government funding requires the foundation to match those funds.
"People like it when they can double their money," he said.
Making Progress
Despite the obstacles, Fowler remains optimistic. In addition to their $7 million FEMA application, Fowler said the group has a $15 million insurance claim and has even managed to raise $1 million locally.
Msgr. Francis Weber is the archivist of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and works at San Fernando Mission in Southern California. The author of the Encyclopedia of California's Catholic Heritage, he is one of the foremost experts on California's Catholic history.
Weber's prognosis for the future of San Miguel is clear: "If we [Catholics] don't help [San Miguel], no one else will, and if the mission doesn't get the needed money, it will fall down."
That would be a tragedy, according to Mellon.
"These are like the pyramids," he said. "They are California's pyramids, and we need to save them."
Andrew Walther is based in
New Haven, Connecticut.
Copyright © 2013 EWTN News, Inc. All rights reserved.


text:
Miss East Cascades accepting applications
WENATCHEE — Miss East Cascades, a local preliminary pageant for the Miss Washington scholarship organization, is accepting applications. Applicants from Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan and Kittitas counties are eligible. Deadline to apply is Dec. 31.
For more information, call Jennifer Noyd, 670-7473, or email her at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Criminal Law & Procedure - Part A
Criminal Law and Procedure (Parts A and B) is an introductory course to the criminal law. The course will develop your knowledge of the key areas of criminal liability, and aims to develop a critical understanding of the function and application of the criminal law. The focus is primarily the criminal laws of New South Wales, although a comparative component is included.
This course will introduce students to the principles of criminal responsibility. It will include detailed consideration of a broad range of criminal offences, defences, and the broader context of the criminal law. The rules of criminal procedure will be examined in some detail. The principal agencies, procedures and routines involved in the administration of criminal justice will be addressed. This course will also contribute to the further development of skills in legal problem solving, legal research and analysis, and written communication in a professional legal context.
- Semester 1 - 2017
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a comprehensive contextual knowledge of the concepts and principles of the criminal law;
2. Demonstrate a comprehensive contextual knowledge of the major agencies and procedures involved in the criminal justice system;
3. Critically evaluate the social, political, moral and ethical dimensions of the criminal law;
4. Locate and retrieve primary and secondary materials relevant to the study of criminal law;
5. Interpret, analyse and critique primary and secondary materials relevant to the study of criminal law;
6. Engage in legal reasoning and apply legal knowledge in solving hypothetical criminal law problems;
7. Demonstrate developed written communication skills in the context of criminal law.
This course will introduce students to the concepts and principles of the criminal law, including: principles of criminal responsibility; a broad range of criminal offences (such as assault, sexual assault, murder and manslaughter, property offences, drug offences, traffic offences and public order offences); principles by which criminal responsibility is extended; and the major defences (including the mental state defences, provocation, self-defence and related issues). This course will also address in detail the major agencies and procedures that comprise the criminal justice system (including contemporary policing, pre-trial procedures and prosecution of crime), and the major principles of criminal sentencing.
Multi-term Sequence
This course is part of a multi-term sequence. Both Part A and Part B must be completed to meet the requirements of the sequence. Part A and Part B must be completed in consecutive terms. Students must complete Part A before completing Part B. Students must complete the sequence within a twelve month period. If students complete Part A but are unable to complete Part B within the timeframe, they must re-enrol in Part A.
This course is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws and associated combined degree programs or Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and associated combined degree programs.
Assumed Knowledge
The course assumes students have completed the core 1000 level law subjects (LAWS1001A, LAWS1001B, LAWS1003A and LAWS1003B) or equivalents, or are Graduate Entry LLB (Hons) students.
Assessment Items
Written Assignment: Problem Solving Assignment *
Written Assignment: Client advice on Liability *
Formal Examination: Formal Examination *
* This assessment has a compulsory requirement.
Compulsory Requirements
In order to pass this course, each student must complete ALL of the following compulsory requirements:
Course Assessment Requirements:
- Formal Examination: Attempt / Submission Requirement - Students must attempt/submit this assessment item to pass the course.
- Written Assignment: Attempt / Submission Requirement - Students must attempt/submit this assessment item to pass the course.
- Written Assignment: Attempt / Submission Requirement - Students must attempt/submit this assessment item to pass the course.
Contact Hours
Online 1 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term


text:
Can you ever really go back? For a Time Lord it's as easy as flicking the wrong switch but for David Tennant, there were some reservations about donning the old pinstripe suit once more for the 50th anniversary special, The Day of the Doctor.
At last weekend's Tenth Doctor BFI event, a ponytailed Tennant said:
Part of me would have stayed doing it forever. But it's one of those things where you just have to take a deep breath and think: 'If I don't leave this show now, people will resent me still being there in 25 years.'
Unsurprisingly, returning to the show was a fraught business for Tennant. Not only were there nervous to contend with but also the floppy-haired presence of his successor, the equally popular Matt Smith.
As reported earlier this week, in recently published extracts from The Doctor: His Lives and Times, Tennant spoke of the trepidation he felt as filming approached.
I thought, 'Oh this'll be great'. As the day approaches, I then think, 'What if Matt feels like I'm stepping on his toes?' Or, 'What if I can't remember how to do it? Surely I'm too old to be doing this now?'
The Day of the Doctor will be simulcast across the globe on the 23rd November.
The Doctor – His Lives and Times is available to order now for just £12 from Amazon UK.


text:
- What's on ABC Jazz radio now?
- Hide what's on
ABC Jazz Home > Programs > Jazztrack > JZ on JT
JZ on JT
Also on the program, pianist David Hazeltine, who revisits his 'classic trio' with two new members. Bad Plus drummer Dave King's album of (mostly) standards with a very subtle approach.
Plus new releases also from Chris Potter inspired by Homer's The Odyssey, New York drummer Ed Schuller, Australian cellist Will Martina and remastered release from pioneering UK saxophonist Joe Harriott.
See the complete playlist here.
Listen again
Audio has expired.Broadcast
Feb 24, 2013. 5:05pm - 7:00pm
Feb 27, 2013. 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Feb 27, 2013. 9:00pm - 11:00pm


text: Bruce P. Clark & Associates, founded in 1988, is an insurance and corporate defense firm awarded the highest rating for legal ability by Martindale-Hubbell, serving the insurance industry, private businesses and the public sector throughout Indiana and the Chicagoland area. We are recognized for our work in defending clients in such areas as construction/industrial, product liability and toxic tort litigation. Bruce P. Clark & Associates has extensive litigation experience, having tried hundreds of cases. Our firm is proud of its dedicated team of attorneys, known for their competency, integrity, strong work ethic and determination. The depth of our experience allows us to competently handle complex issues and deal with the intricate nature of catastrophic personal injury, property damage claims and related coverage and indemnity issues. We work closely with our clients to provide confident, thorough analysis and prompt reporting. Bruce P. Clark & Associates is committed to providing the highest quality legal services at reasonable rates.


text:
Item # 400000
Replacement abrasive pads for the EdgeCrafter 420 Diamond Sharpener/File. Choose from coarse, medium or extra fine grits. Handle NOT included. Engineered and made in the U.S.A.
Q. What grits are the Extra Fine, Medium and Coarse abrasive pads?
A. The extra fine is 600, the medium is 270 and the coarse is 120 grit.


text:
The district attorney's office on Thursday identified the man who was found dead under an Interstate 93 ramp in Boston earlier this week.
Investigators are still trying what led to Corey Thompson's death. Thompson was a 43-year-old Roxbury resident, according to the Suffolk district attorney's office.
A passerby reported finding Thompson's body in a gravelly area under the ramp near Albany and Traveler streets about 8 a.m. Monday.
Detectives were investigating the death as a possible homicide, but have not definitively ruled on the manner of death.
An obituary for Thompson that was posted online said he worked as a hair stylist at a Newbury Street salon.
"Corey was a fun loving, kind, compassionate man who enjoyed traveling, working out, and his pugs 'Oso' and 'Nikko,'" the obituary said.
Anyone with information can call 617-727-8817.
Follow Michael Naughton on Twitter @metrobosmike.


text:
South Africa
South Africa is one of the best value birding destinations on the entire continent. The outstanding infrastructure, great accommodation, excellent food, wonderful South African hospitality, spectacular and varied scenery, and the presence of Africa's big and small mammals makes it one of the most pleasant countries in the world to bird in. Typically, the birds are easy to find, and well over 500 species can be seen during a 3-week trip. But South Africa is not only one of the best countries to start one's African birding in - it is also boasts more endemic species than any other country on this vast continent, making it an essential country for any world birder.
The vast majority of international birders fly into South Africa. The country has three international airports – Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. The country is served with regular daily flights by most major airlines. The important domestic airports at Port Elizabeth, East London, George, Bloemfontein, Kimberley and Upington are all serviced by regular internal flights. It is also possible to reach the country via overland trips through Africa or via one of the many cruises that visit the country's major ports - Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London and Durban. For UK Birders the time zone is GMT + 2.
Major Topographical Features
Simply put South Africa is comprised of a high lying plateau (known locally as the Highveld) in the eastern interior largely 1,500m or more above sea level. This falls away in the west and north into a bowl-shaped feature known as the Kalahari Basin. These two features are rimmed by a mountainous escarpment - known as the Great Escarpment or simply the Escarpment - which varies in altitude from around 800m in the west to more than 3,000m in the Drakensberg range in the east. Finally there is a narrow coastal plain 50 to 200km wide and mostly below 500m in altitude.
Major Birding Regions
Bird-wise South Africa can be divided into seven major natural regions: Grassveld - almost treeless grassland; Fynbos (pronounced fain-bos) - a sort of Macchia or chaparral; Karoo - an arid to very arid semi-desert; Afromontane Forest - more or less evergreen with a closed canopy; Bushveld - a fairly arid to arid open to closed woodland often referred to in South Africa as Savannah; the East Coast Littoral - a moist tropical to sub-tropical mosaic of forest, coastal thicket and grassland; and Pelagic - open sea up to 200km off-shore. Each of these regions have their own suite of birds and the first four hold many endemic species.
There are now pages for each South African Province with links, Top Birding Spots, trip reports and all the usual links and facts… just click on the Provinces on the map below.
Top Sites
Birding Hotspots
Birding hotspots abound throughout South Africa and birders are referred to the "Southern African Birdfinder" by Callan Cohen, Claire Spottiswoode and Jonathan Rossouw, published by Struik in 2006. The hotspots listed below are merely representative of those in each Birding Region and finally Pelagics
Pelagic trips are run out of various harbours in South Africa but, generally, Cape Town offers, by far, the best sea birding in South Africa. In fact, is considered to be some of the best anywhere in the world. The cold Benguela Current brings highly nutrient-rich waters up from the south, and the strong winds (predominately from the south-east) create an up welling that brings all the nutrients to the surface. This, in turn, sustains the phytoplankton that forms the basis of the marine food chain. Pelagic fisheries thrive in the area, and discards from the trawlers provide a constant food source for pelagic birds. There are around 85 species that have been recorded on South African pelagic trips including albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, skuas and a whole host of other exciting birds. Day trips can produce in excess of 30 species with, particularly winter trips, providing the spectacle of some 30,000 individual birds. Added to this, there are a number of whale and dolphin species that are encountered as well as some other interesting marine wildlife.
Pelagic trips are spectacular to say the least and will provide one with many cherished memories. If you are in South Africa, it should become a priority on your birding itinerary and should not be missed.
For more information on the seasonality of the various species, photographs and other general information regarding pelagic trips in South Africa, visit www.zestforbirds.co.za and http://birdingecotours.com/pelagic-birding-with-birding-ecotours/. Regular trips are offered out of Cape Town and Durban and occasionally trips are organised from Port Elizabeth. Interested birders should contact Zest for Birds/Trevor Hardaker firstname.lastname@example.com, Birding Ecotours firstname.lastname@example.com or Cape Town Pelagics email@example.com
The Afromontane Forests - Approx. 1,000 km²
South African Afromontane forests are highly fragmented and largely scattered along the southern and eastern slopes of the Great Escarpment. With the exception of the fairly extensive forests around the coastal towns of George and Knysna and to the south of Port Elizabeth, all are located more than 40 km inland. The southern forests are best accessed from Cape Town, Durban, George or Port Elizabeth. Johannesburg is the closest airport to the northern forests of Mpumalanga and the Northern Province. As is typical of mountainous areas everywhere the weather is rarely predictable except that it will be cold in winter. Summers are generally mild and evenings can be cool. Rain and mist can be expected throughout the year.
Some 120 species occur regularly in the Afromontane Forests. Nine of South Africa`s endemic species (two are endemic to the forests) and a further 15 species (eight of them are nearly endemic to these forests) endemic to southern Africa are found here. Birding hotspots include Grootvadersbos and the George-Knysna area in the Western Cape Province, Hogsback and Weza-Ingele forests in the Eastern Cape, Xumeni and Ntumeni in KwaZulu-Natal, the Barberton-Graskop-Blyde River Canyon area in Mpumalanga and Woodbush/Magoebaskloof in the Northern Province.
The Bushveld - Area 385,799 km²
The Bushveld can basically be divided into two areas - the arid Bushveld of the Kalahari in the west and the moist Bushveld in the east. It shares the Kalahari basin with the Karoo in the west and the north, but also extends into the lower lying area between the Great Escarpment and the East Coast Littoral in the east. The arid west is best accessed from Kimberley and Upington while the east and north is best accessed from Johannesburg. South Africa`s two giant conservation areas - The Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – as well as the Pilanesberg and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserves, are situated in the Bushveld and most of the country`s remaining large mammal population is found here. For the most part summers are warm to hot and winters mild to cool. What rainfall there is falls during summer. Malaria can be a problem throughout the year in the moister east, but particularly in summer so anti-malarials are needed.
Almost 550 species of birds occur regularly in the Bushveld. None of these are endemic to the South African Bushveld, but no fewer than 86 of the species endemic or nearly endemic to southern Africa as a whole can be found here. Birding hotspots are many in such a diverse area, but some of the best known ones include the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserves in KwaZulu-Natal, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park in the Northern Cape and Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga and Northern Province. Other less well-known spots include Nylsvley and Langjan Nature Reserves in Northern Province, the area north of Pretoria in Gauteng Province, the Kimberley area and Witsand Nature Reserve in the Northern Cape and Loskop Dam Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga.
The East Coast Littoral
This area is made up of a mosaic of sub-tropical to tropical grassland, woodland and forest and not surprisingly has a high diversity of species. As the name implies it is a narrow strip stretching up the east coast of South Africa from north of Port Elizabeth to the South African-Mozambique border. The area is best accessed from Durban or Port Elizabeth. The climate is generally humid with hot, wet summers and warm winters. Malaria can be a problem in the areas north of the towns of Eshowe and Mtunzini and anti-malarial drugs and other precautions are recommended when visiting these areas.
Nearly 430 regularly occurring species can be found in this narrow coastal strip. While no species are endemic to the South African portion itself, five species - Pink-throated Twinspot, Neergard`s Sunbird, Rudd`s Apalis, Lemon-breasted Canary and Woodwards Batis all have a very localised distribution in northern KwaZulu-Natal and southern Mozambique, occurring only marginally outside this area. Overall, 38 species found here are endemic or nearly so to southern Africa. It is difficult to single out any particular birding hotspot - virtually the entire area is a hotspot! Mkuzi and Ndumo Game Reserves, the Greater St Lucia Wetland area (a World Heritage site); Mtunzini village, Ongoye, Ntumeni and Dhlinza Forests near Eshowe and Oribi Gorge near Port Shepstone are but a few that spring to mind.
The Fynbos - Area 59,282 km²
The Fynbos occurs on the coastal plain and southern mountain slopes in the southernmost part of the African continent. It stretches from north of St Helena Bay in the west to around Port Elizabeth in the east. The vegetation comprises mostly a macchia type of scrub and it is renowned for its botanical variety. It is best accessed from Cape Town, George or Port Elizabeth. Typically the climate consists of mild to warm, dry summers (wetter in the east) and cool, wet winters.
Some 270 species of birds occur regularly in the Fynbos, with a respectable suite of rather localised endemics. Birding hotspots include the Cape Peninsula, the West Coast National Park, the Berg River Estuary and De Hoop Provincial Nature Reserve.
The Grassveld - Area 280,047 km²
South Africa's Grassveld is concentrated in the high lying interior plateau and is best accessed from Johannesburg or Durban. East London, Bloemfontein and Kimberley are other possibilities, particularly for the more arid western areas. The climate is typically mild to warm, wet summers and cold, frosty, dry winters with snow sometimes in the higher lying areas.
More than 400 species occur regularly in the Grassveld, including a good number of South Africa's endemics. In common with grasslands throughout the world South Africa's grasslands are under huge pressure from human development programmes. As much as 80% of South Africa's grasslands have been put to the plough, planted to alien trees, covered by urban sprawl or swallowed up by huge open-cast pits. These threats are reflected in its bird life.
Birding hotspots in the Grassveld include Wakkerstroom and Sani Pass (between South Africa and Lesotho) in the moist eastern area and Barberspan and the Bloemhof area in the arid west.
The Karoo - Area 369,946 km²
The Karoo stretches eastward from South Africa`s west coast, north of St Helena Bay across the southern portion of the Kalahari basin. The most arid parts are found in the north-west along the Namibian border, gradually becoming less arid to the east and south. It is best accessed from Cape Town, George, Port Elizabeth, East London, Kimberley or Upington. Generally summers are hot and dry with winters being cold and dry. What rain there is generally falls in spring and autumn and this is the best time for birding in this fascinating part of the country.
More than 300 species occur regularly in the Karoo, and the number of endemics here is staggering.
Number of Species
Number of bird species: 842
Number of bird species: National Bird
Blue Crane Anthropoides paradisea
Number of endemics: 19
Blue Korhaan Eupodotis caerulescens
Southern Black Korhaan Afrotis afra
Hottentot Buttonquail Turnix hottentottus
Knysna Woodpecker Campethera notata
Cape Parrot Poicephalus robustus
Rudd's Lark Heteromirafra ruddi
Red Lark Calendulauda burra
Cape Long-billed Lark Certhilauda curvirostris
Agulhas Long-billed Lark Certhilauda brevirostris
Botha's Lark Spizocorys fringillaris
Orange-breasted Sunbird Anthobaphes violacea
Cape Rock-jumper Chaetops frenatus
Cape Sugarbird Promerops cafer
Yellow-breasted Pipit Anthus chloris
Cape Bulbul Pycnonotus capensis
Victorin's Warbler Cryptillas victorini
Knysna Warbler Bradypterus sylvaticus
Protea Seedeater Crithagra leucopterus
Cape Siskin Crithagra totta
In addition there is a 'Breeding Endemics':
South African cliff-Swallow Petrochelidon spilodera
There are another 45 'Near Endemics' - that is birds with small populations (less than 30%) outside of South Africa. Such as, for example, the tiny population of Blue Cranes in Namibia. These are:
Fairy Flycatcher Stenostira scita
Gurney's Sugarbird Promerops gurneyi
Greater Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris afer
Southern Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris chalybeus
Layard's Tit-Babbler Sylvia layardi
Large-billed Lark Galerida magnirostris
Cape Rock-Thrush Monticola rupestris
African Rock Pipit Anthus crenatus
Bush Blackcap Lioptilus nigricapillus
Black-eared Sparrowlark Eremopterix australis
Southern Tchagra Tchagra tchagra
Grey Tit Parus afer
Forest Buzzard Buteo trizonatus
Cape Spurfowl Pternistis capensis
Karoo Thrush Turdus smithi
Karoo Eremomela Eremomela gregalis
Eastern Long-billed Lark Certhilauda semitorquata
Pied Starling Lamprotornis bicolor
Cape Clapper Lark Mirafra apiata
Sickle-winged Chat Cercomela sinuata
Cloud Cisticola Cisticola textrix
Barratt's Warbler Bradypterus barratti
Buff-streaked Chat Campicoloides bifasciata
Forest Canary Crithagra scotops
Melodious Lark Mirafra cheniana
Cape White-eye Zosterops capensis
Ground Woodpecker Geocolaptes olivaceus
Sclater's Lark Spizocorys sclateri
Karoo Lark Calendulauda albescens
Jackal Buzzard Buteo rufofuscus
Black-headed Canary Serinus alario
Drakensberg Prinia Prinia hypoxantha
Chorister Robin-Chat Cossypha dichroa
Sentinel Rock-Thrush Monticola explorator
Knysna Turaco Tauraco corythaix
Southern Bald Ibis Geronticus calvus
Fiscal Flycatcher Sigelus silens
Grey-winged francolin Scleroptila africana
Swee Waxbill Coccopygia melanotis
Cape Weaver Ploceus capensis
Cape Grassbird Sphenoeacus afer
Black Harrier Circus maurus
Brown Scrub-Robin Erythropygia signata
Karoo Prinia Prinia maculosa
Cinnamon-breasted Warbler Euryptila subcinnamomea
Namaqua Warbler Phragmacia substriata
There are several other species that have a large part of their population in Lesotho and/or Swaziland, both of which are tiny nations almost entirely contained within the borders of South Africa! An example is Drakensberg Rockjumper Chaetops aurantius. The "official" list of endemics – as well as Red Data species (including annual updates) can be found at http://birdlife.org.za/publications/checklists. These lists are a subset of the official Birdlife South Africa country list, also downloadable in excel or pdf format from that same link.
Useful Reading
Birds of Africa
A Complete Illustrated Field Guide to the Birds South of the Sahara by Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - 767 pages, 340 col plates, col illus, dist maps Paperback C Struik 2010
Buy this book from NHBS.comNewman's Birds of Southern Africa
Kenneth Newman Paperback - 510 pages ( 1 January, 1999) Southern Book Publishers
Buy this book from NHBS.comPhotographic Guide to Birds of Prey of Southern, Central and East Africa
David Allan, Peter Hayman (Illustrator) Paperback - 144 pages ( 1 November, 1996) New Holland Publishers (UK)
Buy this book from NHBS.comSasol Birds of Southern Africa (4th Edition)
The Region's Most Comprehensively Illustrated Guide by Ian Sinclair, Phil Hockey, Warwick Tarboton and Peter Ryan | 464 pages, colour plates, distribution maps | published by C Struik | Softcover | 2011 | Edition: 4
See Fatbirder Review
Buy this book from NHBS.comSouthern African Birdfinder
Where to find 1400 bird species in southern Africa and Madagascar Callan Cohen, Claire Spottiswoode and Jonathan Rossouw 456 pages, 80 col photos, 100 maps, pull-out route map. New Holland Publishers 2006
Buy this book from NHBS.comThe Bradt Travel Guide: Southern African Wildlife
A Visitors Guide
Mike Unwin
Series: BRADT TRAVEL GUIDES
284 pages, col photos, maps.
Bradt Travel Guides
See Fatbirder Review
Buy this book from NHBS.comThe ESKOM Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland
Edited by Keith N Barnes 169 pages, maps. BirdLife South Africa
Buy this book from NHBS.comThe Important Bird Areas of Southern Africa
Edited by Marnewick MD, Retief EF, Theron NT, Wright DR and Anderson TA | 2nd Edition 2015 | (BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg)
Buy this book from NHBS.comGuides & Tour Operators
Absolute Birding
My name is Sean de Nobrega and welcome to Absolute Birding ! Absolute Birding was founded on my passion for nature and its conservation. I am at my happiest when I am somewhere in nature away from the madding crowds appreciating what comes naturally. I have travelled Southern Africa extensively in search of the very best spots to see all sorts of animal life especially birds. Let me share my passion for all things wild with you…
Aves Birding Tours
Aves Birding Tours offers simply the ultimate in Birding. With 98 endemic and 62 near endemic bird species, it is no wonder that Southern Africa should be at the top of any international birder's list. More than 800 spectacular bird species to be seen whilst enjoying the rich botanical heritage, extensive wildlife and vast scenic beauty. The First World infrastructure, fine food and wine and great hospitality, makes it a must-visit destination.
Avian Leisure Tours
Essentially our business is organising birding and wildlife tours throughout South Africa - tailored to individual interests and requirements: both fully guided and self drive trips or a combination of self drive & guides in certain places. Patrick has an in depth knowledge of the country and puts together itineraries that are optimised for an individual client's requirements - minimising distances required to travel in one day and using accommodation in or near to the best birding localities. We do not run set departure tours (unless on behalf of another tour operator). Our focus is on small groups (between 2 and 6 ideally). We also run a self catering birder friendly guest house in Cape Town which is a convenient place for birders to stay whilst in the Cape, but this does not necessarily have to be part of the birders itinerary…
Birding Africa
Birding Africa is run by three Capetonian birders and naturalists, Callan Cohen, Claire Spottiswoode and Peter Ryan, all based at the University of Cape Town`s Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology. Callan and Claire are postgraduate research students, and have recently published an new birding site guide to Cape Town and beyond: Essential Birding - Western South Africa. Peter is a lecturer and researcher, and the author of numerous publications, most recently a new field guide to the birds of Afrotropics.
Birding Ecotours
Small group and custom-made birding tours worldwide. Our trips are for small groups of only 6-8 participants. Quality is of paramount importance to us – we prefer to use superior accommodation (where available, at the top birding sites) and vehicles. Despite our focus on small groups and the fact that we err on the side of superior quality, our prices are competitive. We like to do things differently. For example, we offer some unique tours, including Owls of the World® Tours, tough mammal tours (fancy an Aardvark or a Black-footed Cat?), and more. Since 2003, we have been innovating some of the most wonderful tours available.
Birding Voyages
Upon departure from Tristan da Cunha bound for Cape Town, RMS St. Helena will sail around Inaccessible and Nightingale Islands to view the abundant bird life and detour to the remote southern outpost of Gough Island, 200 miles to the south east.
Indicator Birding
With over 20 years of birding experience throughout Southern Africa, Etienne Marais will be your host and guide, on a birding tour of note! Tours are designed to maximise your specific birding objectives, and you can be sure of a big list. Typically we make all arrangements, according to your requirements…
As Southern Africa is so diverse, with a great number of vastly different habitats, the birdlife is considerable. This makes the sub-region a popular birdwatching destination with over 900 species on the list. Lawson`s plan and run tailormade guided birdwatching tours for small groups throughout the sub-region. Most trips are led by Peter Lawson who is a highly experienced specialist tour guide. His knowledge and ability at finding and identifying difficult species is well known by birders from various parts of the globe. When Peter is not available to personally lead tours we engage the services of other knowledgeable registered guides and we have a good reputation for our expertise. P O BOX 16849, NELSPRUIT, 1200 SOUTH AFRICA
Lifers and Twitchers Birding Tours
We have been birding for over 20 years, an activity that has given us much pleasure, especially in South Africa where even those who have been birding for many years can go to a new region and clock up more "lifers". The South African climate is generally warm, so birding is pleasant even in the early mornings and evenings. Having been involved in the South African travel/tourism industry for many years and, being keen outdoors people, we have developed an excellent knowledge of the country's natural history (including birds) and know which regions and places will give tourists the best possible nature-based experience…
Merlan Adventure Tours
The people of the region carry a proud heritage of endeavour, wealth and traditions and the cultural diversity of it`s tribal and western civilizations are united to celebrate the African Century. The wildlife of our subcontinent is legendary and this, combined with our scenic beauty and cultural heritage makes Southern Africa a place of renewal and a sanctuary for the soul.
Our tours are intended for birders who wish to spend most or all of their holiday time birding. To optimise the increased bird activity in the cooler morning hours, an average day on tour usually begins before sunrise and frequently ends well after sunset with a night drive in search of nocturnal birds and mammals, although we often take a rest during the heat of the day. We try, where possible, to divide the day`s activities into optional sections, allowing participants greater freedom and flexibility. Whilst the hours are often rigorous, most Rockjumper tours are not physically strenuous, requiring no more than moderate fitness. Less focused itineraries can be planned for groups who wish to concentrate on the cultural or other wildlife aspect of the countries in which we offer tours (although in no way are these ignored on our standard itineraries.)
SafariWise is an eco-tourism operator based in South Africa. We have been operating specialised and personal guided and self-drive tours throughout southern Africa since 1992…
Tropical Birding
We are an innovative and rapidly-growing company offering superb birding tours to many tropical destinations throughout the world. One of the things that sets us apart is our commitment to protecting the same birds that we love to show our clients. We are running several tours in conjuction with BirdLife International where we will donate half, or in a few cases ALL of the profits to bird conservation!
Zest for Birds
We specialise in extended birding tours throughout South Africa as well as guided birding day trips in the Western Cape targeting all the endemic and near endemic species. These trips are designed either to maximise the number of species our client can see or to chase their specific target birds. All trips are led by highly experienced guides to ensure you get the most out of the time you have available.
Trip Reports
CloudBirders was created by a group of Belgian world birding enthusiasts and went live on 21st of March 2013. They provide a large and growing database of birding trip reports, complemented with extensive search, voting and statistical features.
2006 [10 October] - Bo Beolens
…the lanes around the village specifically to a spot where there are Broad-tailed Warbler which he taped out into the open for most of us to see; oddly Cape Grassbird also responded to the tape. In the area raptor sightings were confined to Yellow-billed and Black-shouldered Kites, Jackal Buzzard but we also saw our first Long-crested Eagles sitting on a telegraph pole close enough for photo silhouettes against the sky. In the fields there were also Fan-tailed, Red-collared and Long-tailed Widows, Cape Canary, White-throated Swallow, White-breasted Cormorant, Grey-crowned Crane and African Wattled Lapwing. He took us to a farm where he has regularly seen Black-bellied Korhaan and we got great views. Whilst looking for the Korhaan we also had a distant view of a magnificent Lanner Falcon…
2006 [11 November] - Kruger & Drakensberg
…Unfortunately, there was no sign of the African Scops Owl despite searching possible roosting trees. After lunch, an hour's walk around camp produced further good views of Crested Barbet, African Black Flycatcher, Southern Black Tit, Violet-backed Starling, Diederik Cuckoo and Bennett's Woodpecker. At least one African Black Swift was amongst the large numbers of Little Swifts chittering overhead. The Sunset Drive (5pm - 8pm) produced good views of the 'usual' mammals, plus several pairs of Crowned Lapwings…
2008 [10 October] - Glen Valentine
Our 24 day Mega Endemics Birding tour around South Africa was nothing short of brilliant! We saw 91 South African endemics, near endemics and breeding endemics, 48 Southern African endemics and near endemics, a host of other wonderful birds and 59 species of mammal….
2008 [10 October] - Jan Pienaar
After arrival at O.R Tambo International airport we left the hustle and bustle of the city and headed toward the quiet country town of Wakkerstroom….
2009 [10 October] - David Hoddinott
Our record breaking trip total of 523 species in 24 days reflects the immense birding potential of South Africa. Whilst the focus of the tour was certainly the rich assemblage of Southern African endemics, we did not neglect the amazing diversity of mammals…
2010 - [10 October] David & Amanda Mason - South Africa:- Cape to Kruger and beyond
South Africa has been on our wish list for a number of years. It's such a big place, so narrowing down an itinerary which would enable us to see lots of birds, wildlife, flowers and still find time to relax and enjoy our holiday was quite a challenge. Our original agenda centred around Cape Town and the Kruger National Park, but when we started looking at logistics it soon became clear, if we were to make the most of one trip, we would need to clock up some mileage and stay for at least a month…
2010 [10 October] - Charley Hesse
Some highlights of our trip included: coming face to face with the adorable African Penguins at Simon's Town, finding Cape Rockjumper at Sir Lowry's Pass, watching Southern Right Whales basking close to the coast at De Hoop Nature Reserve, eating our breakfast in Wilderness with the gorgeous Knysna Turaco just a few feet away…
2010 [10 October] - Mark Finn & Geoff Crane
…The vast majority of the Cape's specialty birds were observed including the uncommon and declining African Penguin, Bank Cormorant, Cape Rockjumper, Black Harrier, Black and Denham's Bustards, Blue Crane, Knysa Woodpecker, Namaqua and Victorin's Warblers and Cape Grassbird…
2011 [08 August] - Leon Marais – Cape to Kalahari
Our second day began with an early departure for Rooi Els on the far side of False Bay. Being a weekend the traffic was light and we drove all the way around the bay via Muizenberg to Gordon's Bay, where we took the incredibly scenic (but what part of the Cape isn't?) drive along the coast, with the mountains of the Kogelberg Range rising up steeply on our left and the clear waters of the Atlantic crashing against the rocks on our right. We had a coffee stop on the way and then made our way to the holiday hamlet of Rooi Els (Red Elder in English) where we began our search for the Cape's most sought-after bird, the endemic Cape Rockjumper. We took a walk down the dirt road below the steep slopes and then set up the scope and waited while patiently scanning the rocks for the birds. After a little while we caught sight of one, which was soon joined by a second bird, and were thrilled to have success…
2011 [09 September] - Rainer Summers - South Africa's Western & Northern Cape & Namibia
The western half of southern Africa is an enthralling area that exhibits huge contrasts – scenically stunning Cape Town and its equally enthralling endemics, the rich oceanic waters off of Cape Point, and the semi-arid Northern Cape – that little-populated segment of South Africa more famous for its wilderness and wild animals than it is for its breath-taking beauty….
2011 [10 October] - Athol Marchant
A couple of us started the tour off on an unusually cool Johannesburg morning with Cape Robin-Chat, Cape Wagtail, Cape Sparrow and Cape Turtle Dove, followed by a Karoo Thrush and some distant Green Woodhoopoes around our B&B. We then set off north to the Pienaarsrivier area of dry thornveld north of Pretoria….
2011 [11 November] - Athol Marchant
On this tour we explored the fabulous eastern half of South Africa, including Kruger National Park, the teeming Zululand Game Reserves and the dramatic Drakensberg, before heading off to the endemic-rich Western Cape to round off our adventures…
2011 [12 December] - Markus Lilje
On this very comprehensive tour through the eastern and south-western regions of South Africa, we covered much of the wide range of possible biomes, finding an astonishing 529 bird and 60 mammal species in the 19 days allotted to us – a new Rockjumper record for this particular tour!
2012 [02 February] - Jan Pienaar
On this comprehensive tour of South Africa we explored much of what our great country has to offer – from the vast plains and savannahs of the world-renowned Kruger National Park, the upland grasslands around Wakkerstroom and the mountains and forests of Kwa-Zulu Natal, the teeming west coast and a pelagic birding adventure, this tour was certainly not short of diversity! In the end we managed to find 478 bird species and 50 species of mammal, making it a very successful and enjoyable tour for everyone involved…
2012 [03 March] - Leon Marais - Eastern South Africa & Swaziland
Raptor quest! After meeting up for coffee at 05h15 we left camp in the vehicles and headed north-east into the Mavumbye Plains (below right), a region of productive grasslands on the Basalt Soils. Our target birds of Common Ostrich, Kori Bustard and Chestnut-Backed Sparrowlark were seen, as well as numerous other species and incredible numbers of certain birds such as Red-billed Quealea and Wattled Starling. We could hear the chirping of hundreds of thousands of chicks in a massive Quealea colony some distance off to the south of the S90 dirt road, over which was the most incredible congregation of eagles - most probably Lesser-spotted (identified in flight), Steppe and Tawny Eagles, perhaps several hundred birds in total and truly something to behold…
2012 [04 April] - Stephen Burch - South Africa (north east & south west)
With a business trip to Durban, South Africa in April 2012, this was a great opportunity I could not resist for some birding and photography afterwards! Making a full week available after the business part of this trip, I decided to spend about half my time in the coastal areas north east of Durban which are semi-tropical and promised to be rich in birds…
2012 [07 July] – Glen Valentine
This 19 day tour of eastern and south-west South Africa took us to many of the country's best birding and wildlife sites and delivered a wealth of highly desirable species, many of which are endemic. The trip scored an impressive 436 species of birds and 59 mammals…
2013 [07 July] - Andrew Stainthorpe
…a few more birds to our ever-growing list, including Common Ostrich, Natal and Swainson's Spurfowls, Lizard Buzzard, Tawny Eagle, Brown Snake Eagle, Red-crested Korhaan, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Magpie Shrike and Burchell's Starling…
2013 [08 August] - Andrew Stainthorpe - Eastern
…The following morning saw us exploring the riches of the Kruger National Park, with Brown-headed Parrot, Green Wood Hoopoe, Golden-breasted Bunting, Lilac-breasted and Purple Rollers, plus a group of Red-billed Oxpeckers searching Buffalo for some tasty morsels being some of the early morning highlights….
2013 [08 August] - Andrew Stainthorpe - Western
…This did not disappoint and we found hundreds of moulting Black-necked Grebes, had good sightings of Greater Flamingo, Cape Teal, Southern Pochard, Cape Shoveler, Great White Pelican and a distant view of a Maccoa Duck. A few raptors were also about including a pair of African Fish Eagles, quartering African Marsh Harrier, hovering Black-winged Kite and a well-seen Jackal Buzzard. Some of the reedbeds around the ponds produced Little Rush and Lesser Swamp W arblers, Levaillant' s Cisticola, African Swamphen and Black Crake…
2013 [08 August] - Peregrine Bird Tours
…We punctuated the long drive by frequent roadside birding stops, where we saw a large and varied selection of birds. By far the longest and most productive birding stops were at two fairly large lakes, situated on the outskirts of Johannesburg. With great excitement, we began observing a host of wetland birds, which included Little Grebe, Great and Reed Cormorants, Sacred Ibis, Greater Flamingo, Spur-winged and Egyptian Geese, Yellow-billed and Maccoa Ducks, Southern Pochard, Cape Shoveler, Red-billed Teal, Eurasian Moorhen, Red-knobbed Coot, Blacksmith Lapwing and African Snipe. Other new birds at the lakes included Speckled Pigeon, Cape Turtle-Dove, Laughing Dove, Pied Kingfisher, Southern Fiscal, Brown-throated Martin, Cape Sparrow, Southern Red Bishop, Long-tailed Widowbird, Cape Longclaw and our only Black-throated Canaries of the tour…
2013 [11 November] - Tertius A Gous - Subtropical South Africa
The tour started in rainy conditions in the big garden of our guest house in Durban, but the birding was good, with great sightings of African Paradise-Flycatcher, Southern Black Flycatcher, Kurrichane Thrush, Red-capped Robin-Chat, Sombre Greenbul, Blackbacked Puffback, Green-backed Camaroptera, Olive Sunbird, Crested Barbet, and a nesting pair of Rose-ringed Parakeets. We were entertained by a very protective Egyptian Goose and her nine goslings that decided to adopt the swimming pool on the property...
2013 [12 December] - John Tinkler
Namaqualand, Kalahari, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape plus Garden Route Extension - Birds and Mammals
2015 [01 January] - Joe Grosel
...good birds were seen including Bokmakierie, Cape Grassbird, Horus Swift, Rufous-necked Wryneck, Cape Canary, Bush Blackcap, Cape Rock Thrush and Drakensberg Prinia. At the border control post we were informed that the pass had been closed due to rock slides...
2015 [04 April] - John Davies - South Africa's Rare Mammals
After the overnight flight, group members caught an internal flight to Kimberley. The plane landed at the small Kimberley airport on a nice, sunny day and John was waiting to meet the group. After loading the vehicle, we had a short drive to the north of town to view the large flamingo colony at Kamfers Dam. Although the area was rather overgrown, we did have distant views of a large number of Lesser Flamingoes. From here we drove the short distance back into town where we had a walk around the well-known 'Big Hole', reputed to be the largest site in the world excavated by hand and started when diamonds were discovered there in 1871.
2015 [06 June] - Birding Ecotours
2015 [10 October] - Birding Ecotours
2015 [12 December] - Bruce Wedderburn - South Africa, Zimbabwe & Mozambique
This was a month long trip to Southern Africa, from early November through to early December 2015, with a focus on a number of difficult to get birds, the key target being the Africa Pitta. The plan was to spend about four days in the Johannesburg/Pretoria area before doing an overnight trip to Dullstroom in Mpumalanga (Zulu for "the place where the sun rises") for the Cape Eagle Owl. Following this a one-week pre-tour from Johannesburg through to Harare in Zimbabwe looking for three species of Flufftail and other targets. Then a two-week main tour from Harare through the Eastern Highlands and central Mozambique, ending up in Beira on the coast.
2015 [12 December] - Chris Lotz - S Gauteng to Dullstroom
2015 [12 December] - John van der Woude
For this December trip Nollie and I chose western South Africa as it would be one of the few regions in the tropics and southern hemisphere with little influence of the prevalent severe El Niño. Also, we like the Karoo region very much, and the Western and Northern Cape in general. Needless to say, any trip to South Africa is a sheer pleasure, even though we would see only very few lifer bird species. I had guessed that we might see five lifers, and was content with the four we got. This was our fourth trip to South Africa, although the last one was quite some time ago, in 2006.
2015 [12 December] - Leon Marais
2015 [12 December] - Rockjumper
2016 [01 January] - Gareth Robbins - Eastern SA & Cape
2016 [01 January] - Lisle Gwynn
2016 [03 March] - Matt Prophet - Northern Cape to Zululand
2016 [04 April] - Geoff Upton
Last year we had our first safari experience in Sri Lanka, which everyone enjoyed. I was particularly impressed that the drivers and guides knew and loved their birds as much as the animals. So this year we decided to take the family to Africa for more safari - and a new continent for all of us (excluding Sarah's day trip to Tangiers back in the 70s!). I'd always wanted to go to Cape Town and the Cape area, and we found we could fairly easily combine that with the Kruger area. Because of our daughter's teaching commitments we could only go for 10 days, but with careful planning and some early starts we managed to do all the things we most wanted to do.
2016 [06 June] - Budget Eastern South Africa I
...we still managed to see a good number of birds, such as: Black-collared Barbets; Speckled and Red-faced Mousebirds; Red-eyed and Laughing Doves; African Olive Pigeon; Yellow Canary; Cape Sparrows; Common Fiscal; Fiscal Flycatchers; a female Southern Masked Weave; Darkcapped Bulbuls; Cape Robin-Chat; Common Mynas; Crowned Lapwings; Cape White-eyes; Wood Doves; Spotted Thick Knee; Grey-headed Gulls; Amethyst Sunbirds, and plenty of Karoo Thrushes...
2016 [08 August] - Dylan Vasapolli - Gauteng, Mpumalamga & Western Cape
This custom tour was specially designed for two clients to obtain sightings of specific bird species which they wished to see within South Africa. The tour focused on the broad-leaved woodlands in northern Gauteng, the high altitudinal grasslands of the Highveld plateau, and the Tankwa Karoo, De Hoop Nature Reserve, and the Garden Route in the Western Cape.
Places to Stay
Agri South Africa`s 40,000 commercial and 30,000 small scale farmers proudly present this fully electronic gateway to agricultural and ecotourism in South Africa. Click around and discover the wide variety of farmstays and activities on farms and in rural areas offering quality facilities in attractive yet unconventional surroundings and at tariffs you can afford - bed and breakfast, self-catering, game viewing, bird watching, hiking, biking, 4x4 routes, fly-fishing, horse riding, and many more…
African Bird Club
The Republic of South Africa, a large country boasting extraordinary natural history, is probably better known for apartheid, a fading legacy in a new democratic society. A popular destination for the birder interested in Africa's southern latitudes, South Africa's varied climate and topography has produced a variety of habitats that supports an astounding array of nearly 850 species, a large number of which are endemic or near-endemic. Ornithologically the country is well researched, which is evident from the excellent field and site finding guides available to birders. Coupled with a well developed infrastructure and a stable economy, South Africa must rank as one of Africa's prime birding destinations…
P0 Box 515, Randburg, Johannesburg 2125. +27 11 7891122 firstname.lastname@example.com
BirdLife.org.za is the official web portal of BirdLife South Africa, which represents close on 8000 birders in the subregion. The
site provides news, events, rarity reports, competitions, bird ID quiz and opinion polls.
Also operate websites about selected birding groups - see: http://www.birdlife.org.za/gobirding/birding-routes
South African Bird List Committee
This committee updates the official Birdlife South Africa country checklist, which it publishes a printed version of annually (sponsored by Zeiss) as well as an online PDF and excel versions.
South African Rarities Committee
The BirdLife South Africa National Rarities Committee is tasked with the evaluation of records of birds which would constitute national rarities anywhere in South Africa.
VulPro - Vulture Conservation
VulPro approaches vulture conservation in an integrated, multidisciplinary fashion, with the benefits from the programme accruing to both vultures and society at large. VulPro combines education and good science, with networking, capacity building and knowledge generation. The veterinary disciplines of toxicology, pharmacology, clinical pathology and medicine are combined with the science of GSM/GPS telemetry and the banking of genetic and DNA resources, with the goal being to positively influence the well-being of our natural resources to ultimately benefit society. In this regard, VulPro engages in a number of interrelated activities, and uses a variety of resources, in endeavouring to meet its objectives.
Sasol Bird Fair
The Sasol Bird Fair will be held on 5 and 6 September 2015 at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Roodepoort, Gauteng. The annual Sasol Bird Fair provides a superb opportunity to create awareness about birds, bird research and conservation, and the bird conservation organisations, like BirdLife South Africa, who work tirelessly to conserve our country's birds. BirdLife South Africa is very grateful to Sasol for sponsoring this important event, and for SANBI and the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden for hosting the Fair.
Animal Demography Unit
Animal Demography Unit, Deparment of Zoology, University of Cape Town - From 1 January 2008, the Avian Demography Unit (or the ADU for short) will become the Animal Demography Unit (still the ADU). What prompted this? Ever since the ADU initiated the frog atlas project a decade ago in 1998, there have been issues with the name Avian Demography Unit – "Why is the Avian Demography Unit doing the frog atlas?" This inconsistency has recently been heightened by our involvement with projects on reptiles (Southern African Reptile Conservation Assessment, effectively the reptile atlas), and with butterflies (Southern African Butterfly Conservation Assessment, the butterfly atlas), and with five postgraduate students doing PhD and MSc projects on seals, one on rare mammals in Namibia and even one on dwarf chameleons…
Ornithology Department - National Museum
National Museum, PO Box 266, Bloemfontein, 9300 SOUTH AFRICA
tel. +27 (0)51 4479609;
fax +27 (0)51 4476273
e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com
National Museum: http://www.nasmus.co.za
Transvaal Museum
Bird Department's Information Cache - Would you like to ask one of us a bird question? Alan Kemp - specializes in hornbills and raptors but has a wide knowledge and much experience on all birdy topics; Tamar Cassidy - an expert in bird specimen collections and has good knowledge on the finer identification points of difficult birds; Richard Satekge - bird skin preperation.
University of Cape Town Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology
Welcome to The Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology on line! This web site provides an overview of what the Institute is about, study opportunities, including the Institute`s Conservation Biology Masters Programme, and current research themes and projects. You can also familiarise yourself with the staff and students of the Institute, and visit our hot links page for some useful and interesting websites.
Diamond Birding Route
The Diamond Birding Route is a partnership project between two Diamond companies and BirdLife South Africa and its mission is to maximise the potential of the rich and diverse natural resources of the Oppenheimer and De Beers properties to advance bird conservation, enhance environmental awareness and contribute to social development…
Gough Island Wildlife Reserve
The spectacular cliffs, towering above the ocean, are home to one of the world`s largest colonies of sea birds…
South African National Parks
The vision of the South African National Parks is that national parks will be the pride and joy of all South Africans. The mission of the South African National Parks is to acquire and manage a system of national parks that represent the indigenous wildlife, vegetation, landscapes and significant cultural assets of South Africa for the pride and benefit of the nation.
Forums & Mailing Lists
To post to list: firstname.lastname@example.com
List contact: firstname.lastname@example.com
Discussion Group South Africa - see website to join…
To post to list: firstname.lastname@example.com
To subscribe to list: email@example.com.
Birdlife Zululand and the Zululand Birding Route has just established a new e-mail based forum for the area called Zulubird. The Zulubird forum is an email group where birders from around Zululand can correspond with the whole group by posting an e-mail message to the forum.
The '800 Challenge' - Southern Africa
Mark Kirk's challenge… 800 species targeted in the Southern African region in a single calendar year (2013)
Other Links
Accipiters of Southern Africa
Dedicated to the Goshawks, Sparrowhawks and related species of Southern Africa…
BirdInfo is Run by two enthusiastic Zululand birder/photographers, Guy Upfold and Hugh Chittenden. With their passion for birds and photography, a website like BirdInfo seemed like a great way to share photographs and birding experiences, and with the participation of other birders in the region, it promises to be a very exciting project. It will essentially remain a non-commercial site that we hope will not only attract contributions (photographic and text), but will update birders on forthcoming events, new publications, conservation concerns and of course general bird news…
BirdLife South Africa Avitourism - Birding Routes
The objective of BirdLife South Africa's avitourism division is to provide domestic and international birders with a one-stop resource to enjoying birding in South Africa. The avitourism division is however not only an information provider. Under the umbrellas of the different birding routes we have become involved in a number of different conservation and community initiatives with the aim of having a positive impact upon the environments and communities that we work in.
Birds of Southern Africa
South Africa is home to more than 500 bird species of which only a few can be presented in this travel guide. Among them are migratory birds like the African Hoopoe, minute nectar birds like the Collared Sunbird, colourful Redbreasted Robins like the Green Twinspot, roller birds like the Lilac-Breasted Roller, innumerable birds of prey like the Martial Eagle, exotic cranes like the Crowned Crane…
Birdwatching info for Southern Africa
A very good developing site - worth dipping into.
PLANNED CONTENTS OF THIS SITE - CURRENT ISSUES Preparing for Birding Big Day? What`s new - recent additions. What is bird watching? - birding skills and types of birder. Southern African Birds A guide to the birds of the region, including specials, photographs and checklists. Birding links - finding birder information - regional organisations, links and worldwide web resources. Where to watch birds in Southern Africa - best birding places, trip reports & site checklists. Bird watching resources - Fieldguides, Birdsound products, software and links to on-line shopping. Birder Travel - Guides, Tour Companies & travel information.
What started as a dream and a love for the outdoors became a reality for Carole and Mike Bridgeford when they first opened the doors of Bushwillow - in February 1990. The shops, named after the combretum family of trees, are nature conservation retail outlets closely associated with the Endangered Wildlife Trust, to which a proportion of sales are donated. Over and above Endangered Wildlife Trust regalia, the Bushwillow outlets sell all items associated with birding and animal watching, including field books, videos, tapes and CDs. There`s an excellent range of outdoor clothing and a large selection of gift items. We also stock Birdlife SA regalia. Bushwillow - run by people who enjoy and appreciate the great outdoors! Browse around and become part of the Bushwillow experience.
South African Birding
This site is about birds and birding in South Africa and the Southern African region, including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho, and Zambia. The region`s best birding sites are featured under Birding Spots, together with birding resources under Bird guides, tours and Accommodation. The latest rare bird sightings are posted on our Twitchers Tales page, What`s On highlights major events, and Birding Organisations puts you in touch with other birders and organisations working towards bird conservation. Some stunning pictures too!
Southern African Birds
Welcome to Birdz, my South African Amateur Bird Photo page. The aim of this site is to try and assemble photographs of every South African bird species…
Zest for Birds
This site's aim is to provide an up to date resource centre which will appeal to all birders, whether you are a beginner starting out and hoping to find out more about this fascinating pastime or an avid twitcher working on augmenting your life list. We will provide general information on both land based and pelagic birding and will also keep you up to date with all the latest news and views of the birding world.
Zululand Birding Route
A unique self-guided birding route in Southern Zululand. The Zululand Birding Route offers a range of great birding localities, with expert local guides and diverse accommodation.
Photographers & Artists
Photographer - Frank Droge
Photographer - Per Holmen - Per's Birding Pages
Per Holmen's Photos of birds of Southern Africa… Welcome to Per's Birding Pages. On this site you will find a collection of my bird pictures and my trip reports in Southern Africa. There will also soon be a few birds posted from my home country Norway…
Photographer - Stephen Hammer
Welcome to my world, Cape Town, South Africa. Here you will find a collection of images captured in and around Cape Town and South Africa.
Photographer & Videographer - Carol Blackard
Still and moving images from an excellent photographer
Photographers - Russell & Rina Warren
Russell and Rina Warren's bird pictures, mostly of South African species…