Outing report- 10th March 2012 Gaze Farm, Port Edward

(Photo Andy Ruffle)

Attendees: Stan & Val Culley, Doug & Angie Butcher, Stanley & Asothie Gengan, Cathy Lee, Andy Ruffle, Irma Smook, Ron Whitham, Barrie Willis & Sue Hansbury. (12 attendees)

We finally made it to Gaze Farm, following the cancellation of the outing last week due to the rain. Our walk up to the Dam and back revealed an immature Lanner Falcon which perched long enough for us to determine it's true identity. An immature African Fish-eagle (see Doug's photo below) was also seen souring over the grasslands. Both Croaking and Lazy Cisticola showed themselves nicely. Good views of a Black-crowned Tchagra were had by Stan, Barrie and Andy.

Breakfast at Culley's Curio & Coffee Shop
(Photo Doug Butcher)

immature African Fish-eagle
(Photo Doug Butcher)

After breakfast some of the group headed up to the viewing deck at Clearwater Trails. Little birdlife was seen, but the view is always stunning. Whilst at Clearwater we learnt that Cape Vultures have been seen hanging around the area. Let's hope they start breeding here again.

viewing deck at Clearwater Trails
(Photo Doug Butcher)

Thanks go to Stan & Val for their hospitality and another enjoyable visit to this popular venue.

Birds recorded: Village Weaver, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Black-bellied Starling, Purple-crested Turaco, Hadeda Ibis, Southern Boubou, Cape Glossy Starling, Red-winged Starling, Black-collared Barbet, Knysna Turaco, Black-headed Oriole, Tambourine Dove, Square-tailed Drongo, Sombre Greenbul, Collared Sunbird, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Dark-capped Bulbul, Amethyst Sunbird, Red-throated Wryneck, Lanner Falcon (immature), Black-crowned Tchagra, Yellow-fronted Canary, Southern Grey-headed Sparrow, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Pin-tailed Whydah, Croaking Cisticola, Speckled Mousebird, African Jacana, Blacksmith Lapwing, Three-banded Plover, Cape Longclaw, Olive Thrush, Black Saw-wing, Barn Swallow, Cape Wagtail, Common Moorhen, African Fish-eagle (immature), Natal Spurfowl, White-necked Raven, Lesser-striped Swallow, Lazy Cisticola, Brown Scrub-robin, Olive Sunbird, African Hoopoe, Jackal Buzzard. (45 species)