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Warbler Weekends
Feb/March '10 | |
Due to popular demand we are running three Warbler weekends in 2010. These are: 1. Warbler Course 26-28 February, Wolfhuiskraal. This weekend will be run as a course in the identification and location of warblers in South Africa, with an emphasis on the palearctic migrants which are present.(Fully Booked) 2. Warbler Weekend 19-21/22 March (option to stay over an additional night) (Fully Booked) 3. Warbler Midweek 22-25 March (Places still available) The latter weekend is an excellent time for the enigmatic River Warbler !! The latter two events take place during mid-march, which is usually (depending on sufficient rains) prime time for the highly elusive River Warbler). Other Warbler species are also present, but not in the same numbers as in February. All three weekends include a course booklet with additional information on warblers and the aim is to become confident in their identification and location. IntroductionCome and take part in a birding weekend with a difference! This is currently the only birding event on the South African birding calendar specialising in seeing difficult warblers, and has become an annual event - which is usually booked out several months in advance. Based at Wolfhuiskraal - a bird-rich cattle ranch in the Zaagkuildrift area, these weekends will enable you to learn about this difficult group of birds, and work towards mastering the identification of warblers as well as learning how to watch and find them in the field. The March weekends takes place at the very best time to find the elusive and sought after River Warbler - which may be present if rainfall during mid and late summer is sufficient. The February weekend is unlikely to produce River Warblers but this is a superb time for Common Whitethroat, Icterine, Great Reed and Olive-Tree Warblers, as well as all the aquatic species (we will run an excursion to nearby wetlands to ensure we find virtually all the warbler species!) The weekends will be focussed on getting to know and getting to see several of the more difficult warblers,  which are found in our region and become more active before migration. Species to be expected include Common White-throat, Olive-tree Warbler, Garden Warbler, Marsh Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, and quite possibly at this time of year, the very elusive River Warbler. The latter usually requires an early start and some patience to have a chance of seeing, and we will be there at the right time to locate this bird, which has in some previous years been common in the area. Depending on conditions, the wetland birding can also be excellent and we expect to encounter species such as Dwarf Bittern, Greater Painted-Snipe, Lesser Moorhen, Allen's Gallinule, and even possibly African Crake. Other species which occur in the area and which one may see at this time of year include Lesser Spotted Eagle, Cuckoo Finch, Kurrichane Buttonquail and even Baillon's Crake. Rufous-bellied Heron has also been recorded and at times the floodplain is visited by large numbers of assorted herons and may also host pratincoles and harriers. This is a self-catering weekend, and we will be staying at the new improved Wolfhuiskraal Bush Camp. The house has several en-suite rooms, as well as rooms which share a bathroom, and/or for which the bathroom is outside. There is a well equipped kitchen and the braai area in front of the house will be the focus of much good cheer. Firewood and braai-fires will be provided for the evenings. Cost is dependent on the types of rooms used: Booking of specific accommodation is on a first-payed first served basis and a 50% deposit is required to confirm your booking. Book/Ask for information | ||
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