Fifty-three birds were spotted during a recent birding event on UP’s Miertjie le Roux campus.

A group of University of Pretoria (UP) staff members together with BirdLife Northern Gauteng recently hosted a birding event on Miertjie le Roux campus. This was the second time that the event was held, but the first winter bird census on the campus.

The event was a great success, judging by the number of birds seen and new species recorded on the day. Birders walked transects of the farm and observed various bird species found in the area. The identified species could not be compared with previously recorded winter counts because it was the first winter event to be held on Miertjie le Roux campus. The group’s knowledge and expertise were particularly helpful as the census was taken on a cold, misty winter morning and some birds were identified based on their calls.

BirdLife Northern Gauteng uses a birding list that compares bird species according to grids. The list is far more scientific and extensive in terms of identifying species. UP’s collaboration with BirdLife Northern Gauteng will ensure that this bird census goes from strength to strength.

Fifty-three birds were identified, of which six newly identified species were added (never spotted before on Miertjie le Roux campus). The Department of Facilities Management would like to thank the group that attended the event. The contribution they made to the department's biodiversity recordings is invaluable.