Outing report- 9th June 2013 Bushbuck Trail

David Halle explains why there have been
changes at the Bushbuck Trail
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

Attendees: Brian & Dennise Carlin, Stan & Val Culley, Frans & Lana du Plooy, Stanley Gengan, David Halle, Margaret Jones, Eric Kok, Sandy Olver, Hazel Parry, Barry Pullock, Sean & Beathe Ross, Andy Ruffle, Bob & Hazel van Rooyen, Cees & Sharlene van der Slikke, Barry Willis & Sue Hansbury. (22 attendees).

We had a wonderful turnout for this morning's outing, despite a rather bad weather forecast which predicted winds gusting up to 40kts and a 60% chance of rain.
There have been a few changes around the entrance to the trails, which David Halle explained were as a result of the recent Women's Golf Tournament (see photo above). David also gave us an update on last year's Crowned Eagle juvenile. The parents are apparently eager to nest again, but junior doesn't want to leave home, despite aggressive measures being taken. Hopefully the story will have a happy ending.
Our morning walk took us along the main trail, but with little success due to the wind increasing.
The Halleria lucida (Tree Fuschia) along this trail were giving a stunning display with their flowers eminating directly from the old wood.

flowers of Halleria lucida
(Photo Hazel van Rooyen)

On the way back for breakfast some of the group diverted along a new trail which has been cut.
This runs from near the entrance and comes out by the tennis courts. It was along here that a Geocache box was found. To read more about this worldwide treasure hunting phenomenon click here.
After breakfast we walked through the golf course towards the beach and then followed the Frederika Trail to the viewing deck. From here you not only have a wonderful ocean view, but get a real idea of the coastal bush belt straddling the coast. A few Cape Gannet were around, so may be we will see some sardines soon.

The lagoon at Southbroom
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

Leaving the Frederika Trail
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

Rather windy, but we will braai
(Photo Hazel van Rooyen)

Birds recorded: Red-eyed Dove, Fork-tailed Drongo, Hadeda Ibis, Black-bellied Starling, Dark-capped Bulbul, Red-winged Starling, Black-headed Oriole, Amethyst Sunbird, Cape White-eye, Spectacled Weaver, Square-tailed Drongo, Olive Sunbird, Collared Sunbird, Natal Spurfowl, Trumpeter Hornbill, Sombre Greenbul, African Harrier-Hawk, Bar-throated Apalis, Little Swift, Southern Black Flycatcher, Knysna Turaco, African Paradise-Flycatcher, African Dusky Flycatcher, Crowned Hornbill, Blacksmith Lapwing, Red-capped Robin-Chat, Cape Gannet, Kelp Gull, Southern Boubou, Green Wood-Hoopoe. (30 species).