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Our Mission and Values at GBT... Here at GBT we hope to foster an interest in all things birding, and in so doing, also create a deep and abiding respect for our natural environment. We do so without taking ourselves too serioulsy, but we do take the state of our environment very seriously. We share our knowledge and our passion for all things birding willingly and enthusiastically.

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#1 05-02-2012 09:15:18

Boskat
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Location:  : Where the birds are
Registered: 26-07-2010
Favourite Bird: All those with wings

Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - what can we expect to find?

Ramkat and I are about to celebrate another wedding anniversary. We're planning to do it in style - back to southern Kruger big_smile.
We'd like to stop off at the Nelspruit Botanical gardens on the way and do some birding there. Boetie, et al - what highlights can we expect there, is it safe to wander around with cameras, etc? (We've just never managed to get there before, so it will be a new experience for us)
Thanks.
Oh, and has anybody been to Lake Panic since the floods? I know the boardwalk at the nursery was damaged, but is the hide at LP still usable?


"Do not invoke conspiracy as explanation when ignorance and incompetence will suffice, as conspiracy implies intelligence."

Latest lifers:Collared Flycatcher, Penant-winged Nightjar, Arnot's Chat.
 

#2 05-02-2012 11:34:44

Jay
Admin.-Nightjar awards Judge

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Location:  : Hoedspruit, South Africa
Registered: 03-05-2008
Favourite Bird: African Fish Eagle

Re: Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - what can we expect to find?

Congrats on the upcoming anniversary, Bk! cool

The last pix I saw was nooo more Lake Panic, it's gone sadsad the dam wall broke! I think there may be a tiny pond left...and some confused hippos hmm...as far as I know the hide is intact though...

BK, we did the Nelspruit Botanical garden only once, it seems perfectly safe, it's beeeeeeeautiful! Didn't spend all that much time there as we were on the way to drop a friend at the airport; Boetie is defs the one to give your the bird list for it wink


How to resize your photos
"Better Photography is a journey, not a destination." George D. Lepp
http://birdearth.wordpress.com/2012/03/ … -the-lens/

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world”. Mahatma Gandhi
     
Treat the Earth and all that dwell therein with respect.Remain close to the Great Spirit 
      Show great respect for your fellow beings. Work together for the benefit of all Mankind 
      Give assistance and kindness wherever needed. Do what you know to be right 
      Look after the well-being of Mind and Body. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater Good 
      Be truthful and honest at all times. Take full responsibility for your actions.
                                            American  Indian Ten Commandments
 

#3 05-02-2012 13:53:11

DotDaan
Member

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Location:  : Here and there
Registered: 11-11-2008
Favourite Bird: Martial Eagle

Re: Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - what can we expect to find?

Congrats guys big_smile

BK, are you talking about the Botanical gardens or nature reserve?

The Botanical Gardens is very safe indeed, much like our WS Botanical Gardens.

The Nature reserve on the other hand can be a bit dodgy.. and I would not really walk around there with expensive equipment.


I can levitate birds, but no one seems to care.
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#4 05-02-2012 14:24:27

Boskat
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Re: Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - what can we expect to find?

Oh bad news about LPanic! You're right, the hippo's must be wondering what happened?
DD, it's the Botanical Gardens we're interested in. We've hard the Reserve is a bit dodgy, so we don't want to go there. Old Omies carrying Canons and Old Tannies with bins don't run too fast these days lol


"Do not invoke conspiracy as explanation when ignorance and incompetence will suffice, as conspiracy implies intelligence."

Latest lifers:Collared Flycatcher, Penant-winged Nightjar, Arnot's Chat.
 

#5 05-02-2012 15:26:12

DotDaan
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Favourite Bird: Martial Eagle

Re: Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - what can we expect to find?

lol

In that case, enjoy the Gardens.. it is beautiful there, and they have great breakfasts!!

It is a pity about the reserve though, as WTM always says it is the best place for those Gorgeous Bush_Shrikes


I can levitate birds, but no one seems to care.
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#6 05-02-2012 16:02:21

Jay
Admin.-Nightjar awards Judge

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Location:  : Hoedspruit, South Africa
Registered: 03-05-2008
Favourite Bird: African Fish Eagle

Re: Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - what can we expect to find?

DotDaan wrote:

lol

... and they have great breakfasts!!

I'll second that, and they serve it so beautifully too!


How to resize your photos
"Better Photography is a journey, not a destination." George D. Lepp
http://birdearth.wordpress.com/2012/03/ … -the-lens/

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world”. Mahatma Gandhi
     
Treat the Earth and all that dwell therein with respect.Remain close to the Great Spirit 
      Show great respect for your fellow beings. Work together for the benefit of all Mankind 
      Give assistance and kindness wherever needed. Do what you know to be right 
      Look after the well-being of Mind and Body. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater Good 
      Be truthful and honest at all times. Take full responsibility for your actions.
                                            American  Indian Ten Commandments
 

#7 05-02-2012 20:55:35

Boetie
Member

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Location:  : Nelspruit, SA
Registered: 09-03-2009

Re: Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - what can we expect to find?

Hi Guys

Well first of all the Botanical Gardens is really safe to walk around, it is well fenced and the security have been brilliant the last couple of years seeing they had problems with the theft of “Brood Bome”. Should you guys want to visit the Nature Reserve, I can make a plan and take you to the safer sites.big_smile
Ok now Lake Panic, the main dam’s wall did not break as far as I know, it’s only the small dam at the golf club that’s brokens o the hide and dam is still all intact.
Please let me know when you planning this trip so we can at least meet up! wink

Last edited by Boetie (05-02-2012 20:56:57)


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#8 06-02-2012 07:22:05

Boskat
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Registered: 26-07-2010
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Re: Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - what can we expect to find?

Thanks Jay and Boetie, we're planning to go to Nellies on Friday the 17th Feb, and then on to B&Dal the 17th late afternoon, Skukuza the 18th,and L Sabie the 19th. We'd love to meet up with you, but I know you're working, so whenever suits you, we could make a plan, ok? We won't be going to the Nature Reserve though, just the Botanical Garden. (maybe fit in a breakfast too wink)
I'd love to see a list of possibilities (some specials to look out for) at the Bot Gdns.
Thanks about the Panic info, that's good news. Ramkat's trigger finger is itching big_smile


"Do not invoke conspiracy as explanation when ignorance and incompetence will suffice, as conspiracy implies intelligence."

Latest lifers:Collared Flycatcher, Penant-winged Nightjar, Arnot's Chat.
 

#9 06-02-2012 08:31:15

wildtuinman
Bird Sighting of the Year

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Location:  : Vêr in die wêreld, Kitty
Registered: 15-08-2008
Favourite Bird: Pearl-Spotted Owlet

Re: Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - what can we expect to find?

Jip, Lake Panic is in perfect working order. big_smilebig_smile

The gardens are awesome: Boetie always brags with his Finfoot sightings. It is also good for Half-collared Kingfisher. Some of the specials there for me are always Tambourine Dove, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Olive Woodpecker, Red-capped Robin-Chat and White-browed Robin-Chat. We also saw two Lanner Falcons near the waterfall once. Green-backed Camaroptera is also very common.


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641
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#10 06-02-2012 08:46:36

Boskat
Moderator

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Location:  : Where the birds are
Registered: 26-07-2010
Favourite Bird: All those with wings

Re: Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - what can we expect to find?

Thanks WTM, I remember talks of some special weaver, or something, or is it Canary??? I have looked through the previous posts, but can't find it?


"Do not invoke conspiracy as explanation when ignorance and incompetence will suffice, as conspiracy implies intelligence."

Latest lifers:Collared Flycatcher, Penant-winged Nightjar, Arnot's Chat.
 

#11 06-02-2012 09:01:45

wildtuinman
Bird Sighting of the Year

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Location:  : Vêr in die wêreld, Kitty
Registered: 15-08-2008
Favourite Bird: Pearl-Spotted Owlet

Re: Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - what can we expect to find?

Golden Weaver is also very common in Nelspruit. wink


Laine and Dirk's Bird Photos - created with Bird Photo Organizer - v3.0!

Follow me on Twitter @wildtuinman

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#12 06-02-2012 09:06:49

Boskat
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Location:  : Where the birds are
Registered: 26-07-2010
Favourite Bird: All those with wings

Re: Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - what can we expect to find?

That's the one... thanks WTM. smile

Another question: has anybody seen the Brownthroated Weaver near Croc Bridge recently?

Last edited by Boskat (06-02-2012 09:08:01)


"Do not invoke conspiracy as explanation when ignorance and incompetence will suffice, as conspiracy implies intelligence."

Latest lifers:Collared Flycatcher, Penant-winged Nightjar, Arnot's Chat.
 

#13 06-02-2012 09:11:35

wildtuinman
Bird Sighting of the Year

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Location:  : Vêr in die wêreld, Kitty
Registered: 15-08-2008
Favourite Bird: Pearl-Spotted Owlet

Re: Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - what can we expect to find?

I think it may well be ticked on an Indian ocean pelagic trip now, BK. lollol

btw Red-faced Cisticola is also very common in Nelspruit.


Laine and Dirk's Bird Photos - created with Bird Photo Organizer - v3.0!

Follow me on Twitter @wildtuinman

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Latest Lifer(s): Grey Sunbird, Yellow-breasted Pipit
 

#14 06-02-2012 09:21:01

Boskat
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Registered: 26-07-2010
Favourite Bird: All those with wings

Re: Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - what can we expect to find?

lollol


"Do not invoke conspiracy as explanation when ignorance and incompetence will suffice, as conspiracy implies intelligence."

Latest lifers:Collared Flycatcher, Penant-winged Nightjar, Arnot's Chat.
 

#15 06-02-2012 10:11:33

Johan
Member

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Location:  : Centurion
Registered: 14-11-2010

Re: Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - what can we expect to find?

I am planning to be in Nelspruit on Sunday afternoon 19 Feb but the Freckled nightjar, Gorgeous Bush Shrikes, Olive bush shrikes and Red-backed mannikins are at the Nature Reserve. Do I need to get a body guard even if I use the entrance at Impala street? lol

 


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