Birding Weekend in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park This annual event provides birders the opportunity to spot the rare Bearded Vulture, and various raptor and grassland species that frequent the area. The mountainous Golden Gate Highlands National Park (GGHNP) has a relatively high rainfall, which supports wetlands and montane forests. These systems provide habitats for bird species found nowhere else in the Free State Province. The data gathered at the event contribute to the official census of birds in the park. The birding weekend kicks off with an informal meet-and-greet function on Friday evening. Birding on Saturday offers a few options, which may include: • A self-drive on the park’s roads, • Accompanying the SHR and SANParks’ rangers on a 4 x 4 route, • A walk with an ornithologist up to Echo Ravine/ Boskloof or Mushroom Rock, • A guided group starting at Protea Corner and the area surrounding the Basotho Cultural Village, or • A self-drive short gravel road trip followed by a short walk with a guide to Holkrans or Cathedral Cave. Guests enjoy a special dinner on Saturday evening, with prizes. On early Sunday morning nets are placed for bird ringing by ornithologists. This event enhances the visitor experience in the GGHNP by showcasing the wonderful attributes of the park. It also raises funds for various SANParks conservation projects within GGHNP. The Vulture Hide and the information centre were partly funded by these birding events. The 17th annual Golden Gate Birding Weekend was hosted by the Free State Region in February 2024, attracting a record number of birders. Contact Dirk Bredenkamp dbredenkamp@lantic.net Photo © Nicky Erasmus Cape Grassbird. 132 SANParks Honorary Rangers 2024 BIRDING IN THE GOLDEN GATE HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK Members’ activities continued
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