Melville Koppies nets a feathered globe-trotter
Volunteers were delighted when a willow warbler, fresh from a 10 000km journey, was caught and released during a recent ringing session.
Once a month on Melville Koppies, dedicated bird-ringers set up their mist nets before the sun rises.
Their task is to catch the birds, weigh them, record their wing measurements and other dimensions and check whether they have been ringed before.
Mostly it’s the same old, same old weavers and bulbuls, but every now and then there’s something wonderful.
Recently, the group netted an 8-gram willow warbler.
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It easily fits in your hand, weighs less than two R5 coins, but its long, narrow and pointed wings mean it needs less energy to fly than other similar-sized birds.
“The willow warbler had been born this European summer and had made its first 10 000km night flight from Europe,” said bird-ringing expert Craig Nattrass.
Koppies open every Sunday 08:00 to 11:30, people are advised to come and see how many of the 185 recorded birds they can tick off.
The cuckoos are back and singing, the Orange River francolin is a very unusual visitor, while the orange-breasted bushshrike is always a beauty.
If birding is not your hobby, visitors can do a leisurely hike, test themselves on the 5km self-guided trail and can book a guided tour on 079 532 0083, or visitors can just enjoy the quiet in the middle of a big city.
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Adults are charged R100 each, the U18s are charged R50, and it is free for the U5s. Visitors can secure parking at Marks Park, Judith Road. Security on the Koppies is provided.
For more information, visitors can e-mail wendavid@mweb.co.za, contact Melville Koppies on 079 532 0083 or 072 348 0578 or visit www.mk.org.za.
