International Vulture Awareness Day 3rd September 2011

By Andy Ruffle

Andrew Pickles, Wolf Meyer and Mike Neethling
 scan the cliffs from 'Mikes Point' for vulture nests
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

As part of International Vulture Awareness Day, Mike Neethling carried out a survey of the Cape Vulture breeding colony at Oribi, with the assistance of Andrew Pickles, Andy Ruffle,Wolf Meyer and Dr Roger Uys from KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife.

The morning began with counting the number of adult vultures on the cliffs above the Umzimkulu Valley. An impressive 75 adult birds were present.

The next task was to carefully scan the cliff faces to check the status of nesting sites which had been previously noted on the 18th June 2011.

25 juveniles have been succesfully reared to pre- fledging stage, despite the arrival of White-necked Ravens which had been raiding the nests of both eggs and chicks. This relates to a heartening 47% increase on the previous years figure of 17 fledglings.

Andrew Pickles and Mike Neethling
confer as they record the status of each vulture nest site.
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

Mike & Andrew scan 'Francolin face',
whilst Andy records the results
(Photo Wolf Meyer)

click photo to visit IVAD website