Spring is definitely turning into summer on Meadowridge Common – heralded by the ‘meitjie’ call of Klaas’s Cuckoo announcing his return from equatorial Africa. This cuckoo breeds during its summer sojourn in South Africa, then departs in March or early April. Thus Meadowridge Common plays a part in providing habitat and plenty of insects to feed visiting, and local, birds. The 12th October is World Migratory Bird Day, with a focus this year on the insects that migratory birds depend on for their intriguing journeys across the world. The Friends of Meadowridge Common will be hosting a talk on Pharaoh’s Migratory Birds by Egyptologist John Lombard (more details to follow) during November. In the meantime, join the webinar ‘Migration and Migratory Birds’ by Jessica Wilmot on 15 October, or listen to the recording on You Tube that will be up a day or two after the webinar. There is also a good article on Daily Maverick, click here, to read.
So bring your kids or dogs (and poo bags) - and have a walk on the common. Don't forget to visit our fantastic new Cape Flats Sand Fynbos Circle. Take note of the birds, plants and goggas, and if you feel inspired, photograph some and upload them on iNaturalist to make a contribution to the study and monitoring of our amazing biodiversity.