Outing report: TC Robertson NR, Scottburgh - 26 August 2018

Spotted Ground Thrush (photo: Stan Culley)

Attendees: Hazel Nevin, Graham & Sue Salthouse, Stan & Val Culley, Stanley & Asothie Gengan, Lennart Erikssen & Evelyn Heunis, Albert & Denise Pienaar, Doug Butcher, Robin Eccles & Hanli Kloppers, Desiree Kruger & Butch Goldstone, Bob & Hazel van Rooyen (18)

Species identified: 60                                                              Text: Hazel van Rooyen

Sunday dawned full of good possibilities and proved true to its promise – good weather, good birding and an enthusiastic bunch of 18 people!

Meeting up just inside the gate and parking next to the river, Blacksmith Lapwing, 3-banded Plover, Egyptian Goose and Yellow Weaver were soon seen, along with a Yellow-billed Kite. 

Yellow-billed Kite (photo: HvR)

Nearly everyone was excited to report that during the previous two weeks, they had already seen their first “YBK” arriving back from its winter migration, the sightings of which always herald Spring just around the corner (not that we suffer from the cold in our neck of the woods but a new season is always eagerly anticipated).  Spurwing Goose, Village Weaver, African Darter, Bronze Mannikins, Reed Cormorant and Pied Kingfisher were also seen in this spot.

We then drove round to the picnic site where we parked the vehicles and paid our R20 per car to Keith Layfield who does a really excellent job of looking after the reserve, on a volunteer basis.  It was such a pleasure to spend our day there.

From here we took the grasslands trail, spotting Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Black-collared Barbet, Cardinal Woodpecker, Olive Sunbird, Common Waxbill amongst others.  Hazel Nevin led us to where she was sure we would see the Little Bee-eaters and indeed there were two swaying in some tall reeds.  Little Rush Warbler and Tawny-flanked Prinia could be heard and a Burchell’s Coucal gurgled some way off.  A flock of about 8 Cape Crows was a surprise sighting, being unusual for this area.

Brown-hooded Kingfisher with mud on her beak (photo: Lennart Erikssen)

 Further along a Brown-hooded Kingfisher posed nicely for the photographers.  We had been hearing the “what-to-to-dooo” call of the Orange-breasted Bushshrike for a while and then he was seen, hopping around in some bushes, lost and spotted again.  Dusky Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied and Sombre Greenbuls were also seen on this trail.  Red-capped Robin-Chats were seen a few times and although we kept our eyes open for Cape Robin-Chats, (as requested by Peter Vos) none were seen.  By this time the trail had led us up the hillside and into more wooded terrain.  Here the path split and the bottom route produced African Firefinch, Collared Sunbird and Cape White-eye while those who went on the higher route found an African Green Pigeon.

The people (photo: Lennart Erikssen)

Coming back down to the grassland we noticed an unfamiliar brown & blue butterfly.  This turned out to be a Forest Queen which my book says is one of the most saught-after butterflies.  The appearance of bluey-green in the males is a phenomenon "created by diffraction of light rays striking the microscopic sculpturing of the white areas".* So now we know! 

Forest Queen (Charaxes wakefieldi) (photo: HvR)

A cisticola singing from high on a tall dead tree was initially identified as Red-faced but on closer inspection later discovered to be a Rufous-winged Cisticola.

Rufous-winged Cisticola (photo: Stan Culley)

So far it had been an eventful morning and after a well-earned breakfast most of us took the forest path where Alfred had already found a Spotted Ground Thrush.  And yes indeed, with everyone treading carefully in the dead leaf litter, Stan spotted it on the path where it shot off.  However after a little while it decided we weren’t a danger and showed itself again, typically turning over dead leaves looking for grubs with gusto. 

Spotted Ground Thrush (photo: HvR)

Spotted Ground Thrush (photo Doug Butcher)

We searched in this area for the Black-throated Wattle Eye but weren’t lucky.  We did spot Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Purple-crested Turaco and Southern Black Tit along this trail which is very pretty with little bridges and tinkling streams.  Arriving back at the river Common Sandpiper and Pied Wagtail were busy foraging at the water’s edge while a Black Saw-wing performed aerial acrobatics.  White-eared Barbets perched on the tops of the Strelitzias.

White-eared Barbet (photo: Doug Butcher

Doubling up in the vehicles, Hazel Nevin led us up the hill to the Crookes family church.  Along the way she pointed out a new retirement village where the famous Elsa Pooley (botanist, landscaper, author) had planted a hillock with attractive and colourful indigenous flora. However, there was another purpose for this detour and from the bottom of the pretty church-yard we could look over the stone wall to where the Crowned Eagles were busy nesting and we watched for quite a while. 

African Crowned Eagle taking off (photo: Stan Culley)

People in the churchyard (photo: HvR)

In the meantime a Natal Spurfowl was creating a disturbance in the bush close by and Red-winged Starlings flew in flocks between the Erythrina trees, murmering and twittering happily.  Fantailed Widowbird and Black-headed Oriole were also seen.

After all this excitement we proceeded back to the reserve where Keith had shown us where we could braai with some privacy from the usual Sunday picnickers.  Thank you once again to TC Robertson for letting us share their very special “bird patch”.

African Crowned Eagle (photo: HvR)

Black-collared Barbet (photo: HvR)

Species Identified: 59

Barbet, Black-collared Barbet, White-eared Bee-eater, Little Boubou, Southern Brownbul, Terrestrial Bulbul, Dark-capped Bushshrike, Orange-breasted Cameroptera, Green-backed Cisticola, Rufous-winged Cormorant, Reed Coucal, Burchell’s Crow, Black Darter Dove, Red-eyed Drongo, Fork-tailed Eagle, Crowned Egret, Little Firefinch, African Flycatcher, Dusky Flycatcher, Southern Black Goose, Egyptian Goose, Spurwing Greenbul, Sombre Greenbul, Yellow-bellied Ibis, Hadedah Kingfisher, Brown Kingfisher, Pied Kite, Yellow-billed Lapwing, Black-smith Mannikin, Bronze

Mousebird, Speckled Oriole, Black-headed Pigeon, African Green Plover, 3-banded Prinia, Tawny-flanked Robin-Chat, Red-capped Rush Warbler, Little Rush Sandpiper, Common Saw-wing, Black Spurfowl, Natal Starling, Red-winged Sunbird, Amethyst Sunbird, Collared Sunbird, Olive Swallow, Lesser-striped Thrush, Spotted Ground Tinkerbird, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Yellow-rumped Tit, Southern Black Turaco, Purple-crested Wagtail, Pied Waxbill, Common Weaver, Spectacled Weaver, Thick-billed Weaver, Village Weaver, Yellow White-eye, Cape Widow, Fantailed Woodpecker, Cardinal Woodpecker, Golden-tailed

*Field Guide to Butterflies of Southern Africa by Ivor Migdoll

(All photos property of photographer)

Outing report: Skyline NR & Uvongo River Conservancy, 22 July 2018

Attendees: Graham & Sue Salthouse, Stan & Val Culley, Barrie Willis & Sue Hansbury, Stanley & Asothie Gengan, Doug & Angie Butcher, Margaret Jones, Hazel van Rooyen (12)

Species: Total 39                                                 Text: Hazel van Rooyen

Knysna Turaco (photo: Doug Butcher)

A dozen keen birders constituted a good turnout for a wintry Sunday morning.  Having "meeted and greeted" we started our walk through a slice of forest and past the old garden.  One can imagine how it had looked in by-gone days when it had been loved and cared for by the various families that had owned it down the years, from the first owner who purchased it from the Knox-Gores with visions of making a home for his future wife who was on her way by sea from the UK and then met someone else on board ship, to the gentleman who turned it into an arboretum of exotic botanical plants and planted turpentine trees from Australia as windbreaks.  After a few other changes of ownership it was handed to Margate Borough and thence to its current custodianship with the Natal Parks Board (now Ezemvelo Wildlife) who are slowly returning it to its original natural state, preserving indigenous trees and rare coastal grassland.

Jack fruit in SA? (photo: HvR)

First spotted was a White-eared Barbet perched on the top-most branch of a dead tree and a Knysna Turaco flashing its brilliant colours in the early morning sunshine.  A Black-headed Oriole sang happily whilst Amethyst and Olive Sunbirds flitted in the mid-canopy.

Female Amethyst Sunbird (photo: HvR)

The forest gave way to grasslands which didn’t yield much except for Black-bellied Starling in the distant tree-tops and a lone Hamerkop flying overhead. 

Aloe maculata (photo: HvR)

Walking through the grassland (photo: HvR)

The dam at the bottom of the property was quite dry but further along a pond just about supported a few sad lily pads.

No ducks on this dam! (photo: HvR)

The remainder of the walk produced Sombre Greenbul, Bronze Mannikin, Greater Honeyguide and an African Fish Eagle called from the direction of the river.

The whole reserve had been cleared and thinned out recently but there was still a lot of dead wood lying around.  The remains of a weaver's nest below caused some discussion.

Immature Greater Honeyguide moulting into adult plumage (photo: Stan Culley)

Forest or Spectacled Weaver nest? (photo: HvR)

Returning to the parking we enjoyed some breakfast before driving around to the Uvongo River Conservancy. 

Breakfast (photo: HvR)

Although the river comprised mere puddles amidst the sand a Goliath Heron and Egyptian Goose were seen.  Also spotted were Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, African Green Pigeon and Green Woodhoopoe amongst others.

BirdList (Total: 39 species)

Skyline (21 species)

Uvongo River Conservancy (27 species)

Barbet, Black-collared Barbet, White-eared Bulbul, Dark-capped Dove, Red-eyed Drongo, Fork-tailed Drongo, Square-tailed Eagle, African Fish Greenbul, Sombre Hamerkop Honeyguide, Greater Hornbill, Crowned Ibis, Hadedah Mannikin, Bronze Oriole, Black-headed Starling, Black-bellied Sunbird, Amethyst Sunbird, Olive Turaco, Knysna Wagtail, African Pied Weaver, Dark-backed Weaver, Village

Barbet, Black-collared Boubou, Southern Bulbul, Dark-capped Canary, Yellow-fronted Dove, Red-eyed Eagle, African Fish Flycatcher, Southern Black Goose, Egyptian Heron, Goliath Honeyguide, Scaly-throated Hornbill, Crowned Ibis, Hadedah Kingfisher, Brown-hooded Mannikin, Red-backed Mousebird, Speckled Oriole, Black-headed Pigeon, African Green Prinia, Tawny-flanked Starling, Red-winged Sunbird, Collared Thrush, Olive Turaco, Knysna Turaco, Purple-crested Wagtail, African Pied Weaver, Spectacled White-eye, Cape Woodhoopoe, Green

Outing report: Mpenjati Nature Reserve, 24 June 2018

Attendees: Stanley & Asothie Gengan, Stan & Val Culley, Graham & Sue Salthouse, Doug & Angie Butcher, Rob Eccles, Rene & Anne Rey, Pete & Ann Wright, Alastair Warman, Veronique Warman, Di Smith, Bob & Hazel Van Rooyen (18)

Species: 28                                                                                          Text: Hazel van Rooyen

Woolly-necked Storks (photo HvR)

Pied Wagtails, Pied Kingfishers and Woolly-necked Storks greeted our arrival at the Mpenjati estuary on a bright but blustery winter’s morning. 

Sun rising over the lagoon (photo Doug Butcher)

Reed Cormorants (photo HvR)

We spent a short while surveying the lagoon which was quite full, with no nice sandy edges for waders.  With not much activity there, we walked back up the road, past the offices, on the way sighting, amongst others, Fork-tailed Drongo, Red-eyed Dove, Southern Black Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Yellow Weaver, Fan-tailed Widowbird and Natal Spurfowl amongst the tall dry grassland. 

Tree Aloes like candles lighting up the dune forest (photo HvR)

Moving through the dune forest nothing stirred but as we came out onto the beach a couple of families of Kelp Gulls stood where the little waves were breaking, keeping their eyes open for anything the tide might expose

Kelp Gull (photo Doug Butcher)

 

Back at the cars we had our breakfast with the wintry sun beginning to warm us up.  

We then crossed back over the bridge to the north side.  The resident family of Water Thick-knees (at least 5) stood with half-closed eyes in their favourite spot on the rounded boulders at the water’s edge beneath the bridge.

Water Thick-knees (photo HvR)

Approaching the dune forest Rene spotted a raptor which landed on the top-most tree.  Stan identified it as an immature African Fish Eagle. 

Immature African Fish Eagle (photo HvR)

The entrance to the boardwalk was water-logged but we found a dry path around it.  However, a short way further along, another water-logged section blocked our path and the walk up through the dune was still cordoned off.  There had been reports of scout parties helping to repair this once pretty walk but signs informed us it was still under construction.  Sadly we had to reverse and we made ourselves comfortable under the shady trees next to the lagoon for an early lunch.

Lunch (Photo Doug Butcher)

 Species: 28

Barbet, Black-collared Bulbul, Dark-capped Cormorant, Reed Dove, Laughing Dove, Red-eyed Drongo, Fork-tailed Eagle, African Fish Egret, Cattle Fiscal, Common

Flycatcher, Southern Black Goose, Egyptian Greenbul Sombre Gull, Kelp Ibis, Hadedah Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher, Pied Longclaw, Yellow-throated Pigeon, Green Spurfowl, Natal

Stork, Woolly-necked Sunbird, Amethyst Sunbird, Olive Tern, Swift Thick-knee, Water Wagtail, Cape Wagtail, Pied Weaver, Yellow Widowbird, Fan-tailed

Outing report: Umdoni Park, Pennington,13 May 2018

Attendees: Sandy Olver, Stan & Val Culley, Barrie Willis & Sue Hansbury, Graham & Sue Salthouse, Doug & Angie Butcher, Hazel Nevin, Stanley Gengan, Ros, Sandi & Eleanor from Port Natal Club, Bob & Hazel van Rooyen

Species: 41                                                                            Text: Hazel van Rooyen

Knysna Turaco (photo: HvR)

On the whole, our visit today was very quiet, although in the end we attained a tally of 41 species.

The people (photo: Doug Butcher)

Starting off with a walk from the Environmental Centre up the road, Red-capped Robin-Chat and White-bellied Sunbird were in evidence and the usual Trumpeter Hornbills flew around.  

The White-eared Barbets were not in their normal place but appeared later close to the houses.

White-eared Barbets (photo: HvR)

Wild Pink Tibouchina (photo HN)

Of interest throughout the park, especially in the Red Milkwoods were tent moth nests which look like bundles of spider webs.

Tent Moth nests (photo: Hazel Nevin)

Bark Spider (photo: Hazel Nevin)

Good sightings were had of Knysna Turacos and one group of people saw both Knysna and Purple-crested in the same tree.  Collared, Olive, Grey and Amethyst Sunbirds were all busy in the trees surrounding the houses and Southern Black Tit, Black-backed Puffpack, Lesser Honeyguide, Black Cuckooshrike and Paradise Flycatchers were seen in the large fig tree.

Knysna Turaco (photo: HvR)

Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird (photo: Hazel Nevin)

After breakfast we walked across the golf course (where we sighted a juvenile African Fish Eagle) to the Otter view. 

Searching the skies for raptors (photo: HvR)

Otter view (photo: HvR)

 Usually we see raptors here but the skies were clear today.  











Even the Green Twinspot didn't put in an appearance at the bird bath, although the Lemon Dove and Red-capped Robin Chat did.

Red-capped Robin-Chat (photo: Doug Butcher)

Stan caught this beautiful Blue Duiker in his lens.

Blue Duiker (photo: Stan Culley)

It was an enjoyable day with excellent company.

(All photos property of photographer)

Species:
Bullbul, Dark-capped
Robin-Chat, Red-capped
Sunbird, White-bellied
Wagtail, Pied
Drongo, Square-tailed
Ibis, Hadedah
Hornbill, Trumpeter
Dove, Red-eyed
Sunbird, Collared
Boubou, Southern
Starling, Black-bellied
Greenbul, Sombre
Turaco, Knysna
Sunbird, Olive
Stork, Woolly-necked
Dove, Tambourine
Sunbird, Grey
Woodpecker, Golden-tailed
Sunbird, Amethyst
Barbet, White-eared
Tit, Southern Black
Puffback, Black-backed
Honeyguide, Lesser
Tinkerbird, Yellow-rumped
Cuckoo-Shrike, Black
Flycatcher, Paradise
Greenbul, Yellow-bellied
Turaco, Purple-cested
Eagle, African Fish
Drongo, Fork-tailed
Wood-hoopoe, Green
Oriole, Black-headed
Flufftail, Buff-spotted
Batis, Cape
White-eye, Cape
Dove, Lemon
Weaver, Dark-backed
Weaver, Spectacled
Flycatcher, Southern Black
Mannikin, Red-backed
Weaver, Thick-billed