contribute. (Slide 19). Forums are set to play an increasingly important role in BirdLife South Africa, so we really are looking for strong membership support.

The club was approached by Vernon Head, BLSA Chairperson and Mark Anderson in the middle of 2013, to find out whether we would be interested in starting a Save our Seabirds Festival in eThekwini. Roy and Steve took this up with enthusiasm and met with Judy Mann and the team at uShaka, which found ourselves with speakers and a photographic exhibition on 7 October. The event was well attended and enjoyed, and we will be continuing with it in October this year. Please speak to Roy if you would like to become involved.

Due to the wonderful support that members and others give to our calendar, we were able to make donations to CROW in 2013, specifically for the rehabilitation of the many wild birds that they taken in, especially during the breeding season. We also support the work done by Prof Colleen Down and her students, and funded a camera for the use of the ongoing Crowned Eagle research. Coastwatch's Diana Dold and their EIA expert, Carolyn Schwegman support Arnia with her work on the Bay and the various development initiatives that we monitor. For this, we contribute a monthly amount of R2000.00.

We are looking forward to the reports from those members attending the Flock in the Berg in March. There will be a LAB with experts from both South Africa and overseas, some birding in the area, and a report back at the meeting itself. There is much afoot in planned changes for BLSA, especially around membership and club autonomies. I will be reporting back to you after the meeting.

KZN Birds, our inhouse magazine gives you detailed information on what is happening in your club. I have brought some extra copies along for those who might not have received it.

The committee's most sincere thanks go to Fran de Jager and Merle Paton for all the extra help you have given the club throughout the year. But as I said last year, the loudest shout out goes to our members - for without you, there would not be a club.

Our condolences to Rex Wakely- Smith's family on his loss late last year. I am sure many of you remember Rex who was so involved in so many hobbies and initiatives throughout his life. Wealso remember Jo Savage today - whose support is very much missed.

Thankyou members for all your support and feedback in 2013.

I think you all know by now my love of poetry, so I make no excuse for ending with one by Mary Oliver. In a world that sometimes seems too depressing and destructive, for me words remind me of its beauty.

Thankyou.

### The Swan

Did you too see it, drifting, all night, on the black river? Did you see it in the morning, rising into the silvery air - An armful of white blossoms, A perfect commotion of silk and linen as it leaned into the bondage of its wings; a snowbank, a bank of lilies, Biting the air with its black beak? Did you hear it, fluting and whistling A shrill dark music - like the rain pelting the trees - like a waterfall Knifing down the black ledges? And did you see it, finally, just under the clouds - A white cross Streaming across the sky, its feet Like black leaves, its wings Like the stretching light of the river?

#### And did you feel it, in your heart, how it pertained to everything? And have you too finally figured out what beauty is for? And have you changed your life