BirdLife Free State

17/08/2026

📢 FEEDBACK on our visit to The National Museum
We had an awesome and very interesting visit to the National Museum where Dawie de Swardt the HOD of the ornithology department host us.
We were 23 people of which 3 were children.

Dawie gave us a talk on the history and the work of the ornithology department. We were fortunate to see and pass around many samples of birds species. It was an amazing experience to saw some of the LBJ's close-up and to saw the difference in sizes.

Something else that was special was to see four of our Owl specimen next to each other, Veraux Eagle Owl, Cape Eagle Owl, Spotted Eagle Owl and the Marsh Owl.
Next we visited the Ornithology halls in the museum where we witnessed some great specimens of many birds including the Cape Vulture, Bearded Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Martial Eagle and many other birds of prey, waxbills etc.

It was an amazing experience and I am delightful to report that the museum is in a very good state. Do yourself a favour and visit the National Museum in Henry street.
👇Some pictures below with thanks to Anne-Marie
Dates to save:
1. 05/09/2026 - Day outing to Kopano Nokeng with Breakfast.
2. 19/09/2026 - Day Outing.
3. 24/09/2026 - Bird Ringing with Dawie de Swardt.
4. 01/10/2026 - Evening Meeting.
5. 23-25 Ocktober - Weekend outing to Parys.
BLFS COMMITTEE

19/07/2026

📢 FEEDBACK 🐦‍⬛‼️
We were 17 people that joined the outing on a crisp winter's morning.
As a group we managed to record 111 species, which is a great total for a morning outing in the winter. Quite a few birders were able to log lifer's on their lifelist.
The highlight of the day was surely the Mocking Cliff Chat at Truksvy and also the Little Bee-eaters on five different spots we saw at Soutpan. Other species include: Goliath Heron, Squacco Heron, African Black Duck, Lanner Falcon, Kittlitz Plover, Pied Avocet, little Swift, Alpine Swift, Sabots Lark, Spike-heeled Lark, Cape Penduline Tit, Sickle-winged Chat, Browned-crown Tchagra, Violet-eared Waxbill etc.
Thanks to Theo and Jeanette and Johan for some nice Photos.

BLFS COMMITTEE

21/06/2026

📌 FEEDBACK on our outing to Woodlands on 20/06/2026
We were 35 people of which+- 15 on their first outing with BLFS including a very talkative and wise 9 year old young man.
Well done for bracing the cold and windy conditions.
We managed to log 46 species with some nice sightings including; Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Pririt Batis, African Harrier-Hawk, Black-Crowned Night-Heron, Lesser Swamp Warbler, Nicholson's Pipit, Ashy Tit, White-bellied Sunbird, Malachite Kingfisher etc.
Thank you to Annatjie for the arrangements, which even included having a portion of the footpath that was very muddy paved with stones.
Upcoming events:
1. 18/07/2026 - Day outing.
2. 06/08/2026 - Evening meeting
👇Photos of yesterday. Thanks to Inge and Theo for great photos.

BLFS COMMITTEE

19/06/2026

18/06/2026

📢‼️ BLFS WEEKEND VISIT TO PARYS‼️
We are planning a weekend outing to Parys along the Vaal river.
We will stay at Westvaal Holiday Resort.
There are different types of accommodation available including; glamping, wooden cabins, caravans (already been setup) and camping sites.
SEE PHOTO BELOW FOR COST OF ACCOMMODATION. IT IS PER UNIT.
We need to confirm the accommodation at the end of July.
If you want to join us or for any further information please feel free to contact
Hanno on 0832573736.

BLFS COMMITTEE

03/06/2026

📌 Morning Outing ‼️
Date: 20/06/2026
Place: Woodland Hills
Time: 07:00
FEE: A fee of R20.00 for Non-members can be paid to Annatjie on the day.

Come join us for a lovely morning walk in the beautiful surroundings of Woodlands.
It is always a great birding experience in Woodlands.

If you like to join is and for any enquiries please feel free to contact Annatjie on 0829235955.

BLFS COMMITTEE

17/05/2026

🪶Feedback on Birdringing event‼️

We recorded a record attendance for a Birdringing event with a total of 41 adults and few children.
Birdlife Freestate would like to thank Dawie de Swardt and Oliewenhuis for this yearly event.
11 birds were rung. It included Orange river White-eye, Chestnut vented Warbler, Karoo Thrush and a Black Chested Prinia which was recaptured after six years.
‼️Upcoming events🔥
1. Evening meeting on 4th of June. Very interesting talk on Prickly pears.
2. Next Day Outing on 20th of June.
BLFS COMMITTEE

02/05/2026

‼️ Bird-ringing Event 🪶
We encourage our members and friends to come and join us on the 16th of May for an amazing experience.

Come and experience firsthand and from close by how Dawie from The National Museum in Bloemfontein catch birds in nets and ring them.
This is a yearly event held by The National Museum and proved over the years to be very interesting and a unique way to see some of the smaller species from very close by.
Hope to see you there.

BLFS COMMITTEE

26/04/2026

FEEDBACK on our Day Outing on Saturday 25/04/2026.
We extend our gratitude to all participants who joined us. Our group consisted of 16 individuals, including two on their inaugural outing.
As a collective effort, we documented 121 species, featuring the following notable highlights:
Purple Heron, Blue Korhaan, Greater and Lesser Flamingos, White wing and Whiskered Tern, Oranje river Francolin, Cape Teal, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Fork Tailed Drongo, Gabar Goshawk, Hamerkop, Secretary Bird, Long-tailed Paradise Whydah, Brown Hooded Kingfisher, Pied Avocet, Pririt Batis, Violet-eared Waxbill, Black-faced Waxbill, Cardinal Woodpecker, Goliath Heron, Three-banded Plover, Fawn-colored Lark, Mountain Chat, Fairy Flycatcher, Brubru, etc.
Something Special
We encountered a rare bird with a white head, identified as a Leucistic African Pipit. (See photo)
We appreciate the outstanding photographs contributed by Johan van Niekerk, Ryno, and Marianne.
BLFS COMMITTEE 📌🪶

21/04/2026

Daar is nog paar plekke oop. Indien jy wil bywoon kontak my gerus op 0832573736.
Hanno