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Kingswood resident Karen Schoombie landed control of the ‘Queen of Birding’ reins when a homeowner previously in charge of the tweet had to up and move away from Kingswood Golf Estate earlier this year.
Please take note that, for the purpose of this article, the term ‘tweeters’ does not refer to loudspeakers or to social media users opining on Twitter, but rather hails back to the erstwhile collective noun describing those folk who are oh so very keen to spot and record movements of the feathered friends in our midst.
Update on birding at Kingswood Golf Estate When asked about the Kingswood Birding Group’s current state of being, Karen Schoombie said she was happy to let residents know that interested parties were starting talks again.
‘Birders at the estate used to have get-togethers a few years ago, when Wendy Thompson was the group’s co-ordinator and hosted the talks at her house.’
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The message Karen and like-minded residents would now like to get across is that, depending on interest expressed, they are hoping to recommence these talks in 2022 on a monthly basis.
‘We are considering hosting meetings on the last Monday of each month, and would like some feedback as to how many people would be keen to join us,’ she says.
Winging it with Mr Ginn
George-based ornithologist Peter Ginn needs no introduction in national birding circles, and Kingswood is particularly lucky to have established a relationship with this local expert on our flighty avifauna.
The author of 12 birding books to date, Peter’s 2014 tome entitled The Ultimate Companion for Birding in Southern Africa should be part of every tweeter’s home library, since it’s simply brimming with relevant information and excellent photos.
As has been the case for years, Peter has again agreed to present talks on his favourite subject to Kingswood residents, covering a series of lectures with accompanying photographs on a variety of topics.
Learning more about the habitats of South African birds invariably makes for interesting material, and Peter also specifically focuses on birds found at Kingswood and its surrounding areas.
Other themes for discussion will include birds of the Western Province, raptors, and flying creatures from further afield, including internationally renowned reserves such as Kruger National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
‘Suggestions for additional topics would be very welcome, too,’ says Karen, adding that anyone who is prepared to host these talks at their home can contact her on 083 553 1655. Alternatively, hosting these lectures at the Kingswood clubhouse will also be considered.
Dates to diarise
The new year’s first meeting is scheduled for 17 January, Covid permitting; from February onwards, the plan is to diarise each month’s last Monday for a tweeter rendezvous of note.
But if you’re considering joining the group, please don’t delay in contacting Karen post-haste so that she can swiftly ascertain what the level of interest is, and then subsequently get the ball rolling to start lectures or outings.
‘The feedback of residents keen to attend these sessions is now essential for us to gauge whether we should start early in the new year or wait a few months before trying again. CEO Willem Jacobs is very keen to revitalise the Kingswood birding group, and Peter is also raring to go, so now it’s up to residents to let us know their commitment,’ concludes Karen.
Thank you to avid Kingswood birder Regard van Dyk for the photos
