Birdlife Polokwane and the University of Limpopo was well represented at Birdlife South Africa's Flock 2016 event in Skukuza, KNP from 9-13 March. At the LAB (Learn about Birds) conference we had a significant contribution with eight presentations at at - eight oral presentations by Derek Engelbrecht(2), Tshifhiwa Mandiwana-Neudani, Dikobe Molepo, Ali Halajian, Joe Grosel(2) and Peter Mokumo and two poster presentations by Masotla Makhudue and William Malepe. Not only was the conference very fruitful but also our game and bird sightings.

On our first day as we drove through the park towards Skukuza through the first good rains of the season, we got to see the big-5 and an extra bonus in a Cheetah at a kill. On our outing during the event we were also lucky to have two wild dog sightings and a rare Sooty Falcon, a lifer for everyone in our group except for Joe.

Unfortunately there were still many signs of the terrible drought with a lot of hippo and buffalo carcasses, particularly around the Sabie River. Birdlife Polokwane's latest 'lifer hunter' Peter Mokumo used the opportunity to add to his life list and did so with in excess of 30 species.

On the Saturday afternoon of the event Birdlife South Africa held its Annual General Meeting and our clan from Polokwane were there to represent one of the 'most successful' bird clubs in the country.