Learn about birds on a fun walk

SPRING is the season when nature comes to life again with fresh breezes, flowers and more sunny hours in a day.

False Bay Nature Reserve (FBNR) will host the annual Fun Walk and Birdathon Festival next week. The event celebrates nature and biodiversity and gives those who attend a chance to learn and enjoy some exercise. The fun walk will begin at 8am and there are options for 4km, 5km or 6km walks.

Media and fund-raising coordinator Helen Whelan said: “The FBNR Birdathon Fun Walk and Festival was started as a way to bring together people of all ages to introduce them to the area and its incredible natural resources by letting them experience it in a fun way, while learning about why this is such an important project to the City of Cape Town.”

“The FBNR was declared a Ramsar Site in 2015 – a title only given to wetlands of international importance,” said Whelan.

The birdathon is an opportunity to learn about birds. “Members from the Cape Bird Club will be positioned along the walk route with binoculars and scopes so that participants can properly look at the birds found within the reserve such as greater flamingo, great white pelican, African darter and black-headed heron,” Whelan added.

There will also be environmental education stations along the route for participants to interact with, highlighting reserve biodiversity as well as other aspects of conservation. Children completing the walk will receive a medal and environmental education activity booklet. Participants are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes and a hat.

Whelan said the event will have a number of interactive exhibits. These include “music from local school bands, reptile exhibits, talks from Eagle Encounters, a police dog and horse display and a number of lucky draw prizes presented by Miss Earth Ambassador from Cape Town”.

Food will be on sale and entry is R5 per person.

False Bay Nature Reserve will host its annual Fun Walk and Birdathon Festival next week. Picture: Supplied