By Andy Ruffle
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| (Photo Andy Ruffle) |
Attendees: Doug & Angie Butcher, Bob & Moira Clark, Stan & Val Culley, Mike Fagan, Stanley Gengan, Julian & Fiona Hicks, Yegas, Daphne & Vitay Naidoo, Hazel Parry, Noeleen Phillips, Dudley & Irene Reid, Andrew Spence & Marietjie Griessel, Hazel van Rooyen, Andy Ruffle, Barrie Willis & Sue Hansbury. (23 attendees)
We could not have hoped for a more perfect start to the day, with clear skies, little wind and a temperature of around 18 degrees as we arrived at the vulture restaurant. To our delight, Cape Vultures were already soaring enmass above the cliffs. With no cane to mask our approach, the birds were reluctant to settle on the ground. The cleared field did, however, produce African Pipit and Black-winged Lapwing, the latter not being a particularly common sight locally. We also had good sightings of about 6 Oribi buck.
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| (Photo Stan Culley) |
Not wanting to disturb the birds too much, we moved away from the restaurant and parked up inorder to walk to the cliff edge. Here we were treated to spectacular views, as birds flew just meters above our heads.
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| (Photo Stan Culley) |
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| (Photo Doug Butcher) |
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| (Photo Andy Ruffle) |
Close scanning of the cliff-face, revealed a vulture nest containing an egg. This was soon occupied by an adult as can be seen from Stan's photo below.
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Adult Cape Vulture sitting on a nest (top left)
(Photo Stan Culley) |
It was with great reluctance that we left to drive to the gorge for breakfast. In light of the fact that the Cape Vulture appears to be in 'free fall', according to the extremely worrying latest SABAP2 distribution map, we were very priviliged to be able to experience such an amazing show. I thought Mike had trained his vultures well, but it transpires that he had placed a fresh carcass at the restaurant on Saturday, especially for us. Mike, thank you for allowing us to witness the incredible work you are doing here.
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Breakfast at Oribi Gorge NR
(Photo Doug Butcher) |
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Mountain Wagtail, Oribi Gorge NR
(Photo Stan Culley) |
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