Snake handling course

Hi all,

Johan Marais author of the book a complete guide to snakes of Southern Africa will be holding another venomous snake handling course at the St Lucia crocodile center on the 9th September.

Any one interested in attending the course or would like to find out more information please contact Johan atjohan@reptileventures.com 

Regards

Spider & Scorpion Course 19th of August

Hi all,

A full day's course in arachnids will be presented by arachnologist Jonathan Leeming on Sunday 19th August at Bonamanzi.
Jonathan is one of South Africa’s foremost experts on scorpions and spiders and author of the book ‘Scorpions of South Africa.'

Also conducting 'Scorpions Adventures', Hoedspruit based Jonathan recently spend time in the area presenting courses and leading field trips, and got to know some of our local eight legged creepy crawlies.
Northern Natal offers a variety of habitats and a high arthropod diversity and is home to high population densities of spiders and scorpions. In some areas of KZN the scorpion population density can be as high as 3 scorpions per square meter!!

This course is ideal for anyone interested in spiders, scorpions, amblypygids and solifugids,
or for those who would like to learn from a leading authority. Everyone is welcome even if you can't tell the difference between a scorpion and a crab.
The course consists of lectures in the morning and hands on practical field work in the afternoon and provides the solid foundations for understanding and identifying Southern African spiders and scorpions.
Handling of spiders and scorpions is not compulsory but provides a very exiting hands on experience.
The course is endorsed by both F.G.A.S.A and the I.Z.S

Cost of the course is R945 per person and includes workbooks. For more information download the pdf brochure on https://dl.dropbox.com/u/25478279/BonamanziCourse_2012_small.pdf or visit Jonathan's website www.scorpions.co.za, or contact him directly Jonathan@scorpions.co.za

KZN North Tree Outings

The Tree Enthusiast Working Group in Hluhluwe is organising tree outings usually every second Saturday of the month, and it has recently been decided to make them more accessible for 'beginners' as well. Hence, some of the next three outings will include a lecture on how to actually identify the tree families and individual trees in KZN. They are given by Dr Du Randt which is a tree specialist in the area. Every time a different area will be visited and will focus on identifying trees and learning about them. This is of course a great way to learn about the trees in this area which are usually considered so difficult to ID. The dates for the next few months are mentioned below, so make sure you diarise these! Participation is for free for both FGASA and non-FGASA members! The full information can be found below. For more info phone Greg Davies on 0791893996

Make sure you come, it is an awesome way to learn more trees in KZN, which will make you a better guide! 

Click here for a summary of the previous outing in April http://fgasakznnorth.blogspot.com/2011/04/report-on-great-tree-outing-at-ehlatini.html

SATURDAY, 23 JULY 2011:

Beginners power-point presentation on Tree Identification, etc, combined with a short walk in bushveld, on SAND FOREST LODGE, near False Bay Park. The presentation will be at the LAPA of Sand Forest Lodge. 

Time:  12h00 - 14h00

WEEKEND OF 12 - 14 AUGUST 2011:

Please join the Zululand Dendrological (Tree) Society for a weekend camp at NDUMO GAME RESERVE. Please do your own booking at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife for either a campsite or chalet for the Friday and/or Saturday night. (Mine is booked already) There is limited space, but we can combine campsites, if we need too. We want to look at the vegetation and trees of Ndumu Game Reserve and esp Usuthu Gorge, which promise a few rare findings. I will probably go up early on Friday morning. I will also come back on Sunday via Tembe andTsongwe Sand Forest - interested people can join us. This weekend is organised by Denis Oscroft from the Tree Society.

SATURDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2011:

Power-point presentation on Tree Identification, etc, combined with a walk in bushveld and/or sand forest, at SAND FOREST LODGE, near False Bay Park. The presentation will be at the LAPA of Sand Forest Lodge.

Time: 12h00 - 14h00

KZN North Lecture on Animal Behaviour

As the FGASA KZN North committee we realise that many learners have already started studying for the next national sitting, and that some people struggle with certain modules. Hence we are happy and proud to offer a lecture on Module 16: Animal Behaviour, to help those learners that struggle to come to grabs with group hierarchies, the differences between flash colouration, counter shading and disruptive markings, the differences between home ranges and territories, and what all the different definitions of animal behaviour and related aspects actually mean. The lecture will focus on FGASA material, and will be specifically aimed to get you ready for the exam. The lecture will be given by Dylan Panos, a FGASA Level 3 trails guide with years of experience.

When: Tuesday the 17th of May, 7 pm to 10 pm (including time for questions, actual lecture will be shorter)

Where: Ehlatini Bush Camp, False Bay. (Take R22 from Hluhluwe Town towards Sodwana Bay. Just before you get Amorello on your left, there is a turn off into a dirt road on your right, sign posted with Ehlatini Bush Camp. Take the first left, follow the road as it turns left, first right again and there you go. Follow the signs Ehlatini Bush Camp/Bhejane Nature Training)

Costs: Paid up FGASA members: R50, Non-FGASA members R100. Fees payable upon arrival.

Need transport? Comment on this post to find buddies so you can drive up together.

Regards,

The FGASA KZN North committee