Guided bird walk at Marievale
The Springs/Nigel branch of the Wildlife Environmental Society of South Africa (Wessa) held their annual bird walk and stargazing at the Marievale Nature Reserve on Saturday.
Environmentalist Stan Madden took the group of 40 people on an informative guided bird watching experience at 4.30pm.
Stan was pleased with the turnout and the family units in the group.
“It was a beautiful time of the day and warm as well,” he says.
• Read: Avid bird-watchers flock to Marievale Bird Sanctuary
The walk was introduced by Stan who gave a talk on the history and importance of the area.
“We should not only see the treasure of birdlife but other creatures should also be seen in this special protected area, species including otters, such as the spotted necked, and Cape clawless otter, and the water or marsh mongoose,” he says.
He also showed the group the tracks and droppings of the otters.
He says the highlight was to see a few otters swimming about.
The black-backed jackal, porcupines, slender tail and yellow mongoose, the rare civet and Cape fox are also resident wild animals in the area.
At least 30 species of birds were identified.
• Also read: Stargazing with Wessa
Stan said it is winter and many bird species had departed a few weeks previously on trips of 8 000km to 12 000km to the northern hemisphere where they would breed and return again during September to October.
At nightfall Andrew Helsdon, from Benoni, set up his 14 inch (35.5cm) telescope and Tim Cooper, also from Benoni, set up his 10 inch (25.5cm) telescope for the curious stargazing guests to enjoy viewing the heavens.
Stan says it was a stargazing experience he will never forget.
“A beautiful sunset and stars were admired through the two telescopes made available by Andrew and Tim, before returning to the aroma of the braai suppers in the picnic area,” says Stan.
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