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Bird lovers flock to Pretoria garden for birding bonanza

Bird lovers enjoyed a full day of bird walks, workshops, talks, and photography at the Pretoria National Botanical Garden on Saturday.

Birding enthusiasts filled the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens on Saturday, for a day dedicated to celebrating birdlife, conservation and community.

Zandru (middle), Michel and Miane Le Roux with owl mascot

The event kicked off with a morning birding walk, where experts guided groups through the garden’s pathways in search of feathered treasures.

Zandru, Michel, Lisa and Miane Le Roux

A live bird ringing demonstration drew particular interest, allowing visitors to see up close how researchers safely capture, tag, and release birds to study their movements and behaviour.

As the day progressed, attendees could choose from a variety of workshops, covering topics from bird photography to garden-friendly landscaping, designed to attract birdlife.

Rodhie Sapinoso, Lushmika Morar-Nagar and Michael Ochse

Guest speakers inspired the audience with talks about conservation challenges and success stories, while local authors delighted fans with book readings and signings.

Sairusha Govindsamy and Joshua Winter from the Onderstepoort Birding Club

Attendee Lorna Smith said the highlight of the afternoon was the announcement of the winners of the 2025 Photography Competition, showcasing striking images of South Africa’s diverse bird species.

“It was such a treat to see bird ringing in action and to learn more about conservation,” said Smith.

Cindy, Harper, Kurt and Kal Thomas

Another visitor, James Molefe, said he enjoyed the bird hunt and the talks.

“The talks were inspiring, and the whole day really brought our birding community together.”

The event hosted by BirdLife South Africa concluded with a strong sense of appreciation for nature and birding camaraderie.

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