Our journey with the Tygerberg Bird Club
We, Rodney and Anke, met in the mid-1960’s whilst working at Onderstepoort. Anke moved
to the Cape in 1968. I was able to move in 1969 and we married a year later. Although we
were interested in birds and animals, the dual demands of family life and work meant that
some things, like birding, music and dinghy sailing, only became part of life much later.
Our introduction to the Tygerberg Bird Club was at Fairmont High School in 1989 and we
have always enjoyed the activities of the club. The outings to various venues over the years
have given us access to some areas that we could not have visited alone. Many interesting
presentations have been given during meetings, both by club members and by visitors. None
of this would have happened without the hard work of chairmen and committees over the
years. For this we say "Thank You".
We have always tried to take part in most of the activities of the club and to assist where
possible. To this end Anke helped with the old education programme and we have both been
involved with the Co-ordinated Waterbird Counts (CWAC) at Botriviervlei since mid-1994. I
also scanned the early typewritten Kites to PDFs and re-submitted many CWAC records after
a database problem.

Some places and sightings over the years:​

Wilderness: Black-backed Puffback, African Emerald Cuckoo, Black-headed Oriole
Nature’s Valley: Narina Trogon, Grey Cuckooshrike, Black Cuckoo (call only; still to be seen)
Velddrif saltpans: Red-necked Phalarope, Chestnut-banded Plover, Spoonbills foraging en-
mass, Great White Pelicans fishing in unison.
Grootvadersbosch: Victorin’s Warbler, Peregrine Falcon in a near-vertical stoop
Botriviervlei CWAC: Greater Painted Snipe (M and F), Kittlitz's Plover chicks (tiny balls of fluff on incredibly thin legs)
Tienie Versveld Nature Reserve: Cape Longclaw displaying, Banded Martin

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Outings and Camps:
We are grateful to have been on many memorable outings and camps. Regardless of high or low bird counts, we have always enjoyed being out in the veld and the camaraderie of fellow-birders.

Rodney Gray