GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — Entries have opened for the annual Camdeboo birding weekend hosted by the SANParks Honorary Rangers in Graaff-Reinet's Camdeboo National Park.
The event, which kicked off in 2014, saw only eight participants registering. The weekend showed tremendous growth in 2015 and 2016. Organisers believe this year’s event, scheduled for March 17 to 19, will be even more popular as it continues to attract nature lovers from all walks of life.
A total of 138 different species were ticked from the park’s bird list during last year’s event - not as many as what was expected due to the dry conditions experienced at the time. Along with the African olive pigeon and a Red-backed shrike, spotted near the Khwalimanzi hide, 252 species can now be ticked off the park’s birding list.
You might also be lucky enough to spot the Greater Pelicano.
The second annual “Birding Inter-schools” will take place at the Camdeboo National Park’s education centre situated just outside of Graaff-Reinet in October this year. Children from local schools will be participating and enjoy a weekend of exciting birding hikes and outdoor activities. The organisers' vision is to enrich aspiring nature lovers, young and old, and for everyone to come and enjoy this fun filled educational weekend.
The registration fee for the serious birders for the weekend is R450 per person, which includes a welcoming cocktail event, a gala charity dinner at the renowned 5 star Drostdy Hotel with live entertainment.
Guided birding excursions, kayaking tours on the Nqweba Dam, picnic at the beautifully restored Winterhoek house where Professor Adrian Craig will be doing bird ringing, access to the park over the entire weekend and many great prizes and goodies are up for grabs.
Charity dinner seats are also available for organisations - corporate businesses and non-birders alike can purchase a seat for R500. All proceeds will go towards the Interschool birding weekend planned for October 2017.
Enquiries and bookings can be made through the park’s Senior People and Conservation Officer, Rosemary Scheepers, via Rosemary.Scheepers@sanparks.org or 049 892 3453.
The organisers would also like to give thanks to their sponsors from last year: Safari & Outdoor, FNB, Shoprite, Drostdy Hotel, Spandau Spar, Wildman, Elsona, SANParks, Glen Harry Game Reserve
Karoopark Guest House, Desert Springs Spur, Wimpy, Anthonij Rupert Wines and L’ormarins.
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