Advertisement
This interview with legendary birding expert, educator and author Peter Ginn is complemented by input from resident wildlife fundi Adrie Conradie – enjoy the flight!
The BUZZard has featured Kingswood resident Karen Schoombie before on the subject of feathery things. For this update, she shared the news that birding is alive and well among the estate’s many enthusiasts, and introduced us to two gentlemen who contribute greatly to the exchange of information on the subject.
‘We meet every third Monday at the clubhouse, and Peter Ginn presents all the talks – a great privilege, as he is one of South Africa’s top birding experts. Our resident connoisseur is Adrie Conradie, who knows everything about Kingswood’s birds and lots about its wildlife,’ says Karen.
Birding is a hobby, but I’m no ornithologist
Author of The Complete Book of Southern African Birds (1989), The Ultimate Companion for Birding in Southern Africa (2014), and a slew of other books and booklets published since the early 1970s, one has to wonder how Peter Ginn became impassioned about birding in the first place.
‘My father was a squadron leader in the SAAF in World War II and was stationed at Robert’s Heights outside Pretoria. We lived below the aerodrome and quite close to Swartkops Golf Course. We did not have enough petrol to get me to school, so I rather ran wild on the surrounding farms. My uncle was also in the SAAF and lived close by. He encouraged me to collect birds’ eggs and get to know how to identify birds. He became my mentor after Father died in North Africa.’ Peter says they would go to his uncle’s farm, Nylsvlei, during the August holidays. ‘Here I continued to watch birds and collect eggs.’ Birds remained a hobby through school at St Andrews Prep and College, but Peter took a break during varsity years.
‘After varsity I spent a year working in the wilds of Botswana as a geologist. But living on my own was not my scene, so I resigned at the end of 1961. Liz and I got married and I started teaching Geography and Geology at Peterhouse in Zimbabwe in January 1962′ Peter ran the Natural History Society at Peterhouse and led annual school expeditions to Botswana, where the youngsters learnt about birds, small mammals, plants and conservation. This culminated in the development of Gosho Park on the Springvale site – the primary school now part of the Peterhouse Group. ‘Birding, and especially bird photography, flourished in Gosho, because our hides were safe there – but that’s a whole different story.
I’m passionate about people learning about and conserving the natural world we live in. I am a people person who knows a lot about birds and their behaviour. Unlike ornithologists, I don’t study birds systematically.
‘Birds and birding have always been a hobby but my passion is people and teaching them about nature, especially birds – initially as a school teacher, but since 1992 as a bird guide. A number of Kingswood residents, including Karen and Eugene Schoombie, John Strauss and Adrie Conradie, have been on my Birding Adventures at Khoisan Karoo Conservancy near Hanover.’
Advertisement
Pre-COVID-19 Kingswood history
Peter started doing his thing at Kingswood well before COVID-19, saying those early talks on individual topics were held in the clubhouse and arranged by Wendy Thompson. ‘We then moved to Wendy’s house, where we had bring-and-share suppers after the talk. When Wendy moved to Groenvlei, we moved back to the clubhouse and Karen Schoombie took over organisation at Kingswood. ‘I also organised a more formal programme, called “Birds and their nests”. The talks are arranged so that similar nests are categorised, and should last us well into next year.’ Peter says apart from his monthly talks, some residents have joined his bird walks and meanders open to members from Kingswood and Groenvlei. He thanks Karen, Adrie and John for facilitating and contributing to the success of his monthly presentations, and everyone who attends the talks so regularly.
A creatures’ paradise
Adrie Conradie says the estate offers exiting opportunities to witness animals in their natural environment. ‘As our gardens mature and construction activities come to an end, homeowners will increasingly be treated to the splendour of nature. ‘When considering wildlife on Southern Cape golf estates, species that spring to mind are Egyptian Geese, Hadeda and Sacred Ibis, Helmeted Guineafowl, Redknobbed Coot and springbok.
But Kingswood offers much more due to its ideal location bordering Fancourt, Outeniqua Research Farm and George Golf Club. ‘What’s more, we have the Witfontein and Rooi rivers supporting various habitats such as dams, fynbos, grassland, thicket, large trees, and bird-friendly gardens. So the Kingswood bird list comprises about 130 species, and expands as new species arrive to explore.’ Adrie says one of the estate’s success stories is the Spotted Eagle Owls that breed year after year in the same flowerbox and successfully raise their chicks.
With resident bird and raptor species too numerous to list here, he singles out a handful of special visitors. ‘Birds expand their ranges and visit certain areas due to suitable habitat being created by human activity. Examples at Kingswood include visits from a Blackcollared Barbet, Black Cuckoo-shrikes, and the Sombre Greenbuls that are now heard and seen more frequently.
The White-faced Whistling Duck currently breeding on the estate is another instance of this behaviour.’ Adrie adds that, on the small game front, resident bushbuck like to shelter in the thicket, especially close to the rivers, and occasionally one of the rams will be seen in the open. ‘The other smaller mammals on the estate are more secretive, so count yourself lucky if you catch a glimpse of the porcupines, water mongoose, Cape clawless otter, otomys or vlei rats, and Cape spiny mouse. A caracal was also seen on the estate some time ago!’ Thank you Adrie for the incrediable bird images. The next birders’ gathering is on 20 May – call Karen on 083 553 1655 for details.
