Outing report- 27th July 2013 Bird & Whale Watching Boat Trip

(Photo Andy Ruffle)

Passengers: Renate Deveden, Gerald & Sue McCay, Geoff Nichols, Hazel van Rooyen, Sean Ross, Andy Ruffle,  Val Smith, Penny Taylor, Anne Thompson.

Conditions were perfect for us this morning, on the last of this year’s boat charters.

Clear sky, little wind and a beautifully calm sea greeted us at the Shelly Beach Ski Boat Launch Site.

We weren’t out long before Geoff called ‘’Albatross’’ and sure enough, behind us we saw an immature Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross flying towards the boat. It circled us a few times before heading off. It was interesting to note that our offerings of sardines didn’t tempt it in this time.

immature Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross
(Photo Geoff Nichols)

 

immature Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross
(Photo Geoff Nichols)

Signs of whale activity could be seen in the distance, so we set course to obtain some closer views, but made a quick detour to a sea angling boat, to stock up on sardines.  As we moved away the arrival of the whales was heralded by the spectacular sight of a Humpback breaching some 100m from us.

The stage was now set as we saw whale after whale.

(Photo Geoff Nichols)

(Photo Geoff Nichols)

(Photo Hazel van Rooyen)

A dark bird sitting on the water attracted our attention. Closer inspection revealed a Subantarctic Skua. This bird was much more accommodating, giving us a nice show as we tossed out sardines.

 Sub-antarctic Skua
(Photo Geoff Nichols)

 Sub-antarctic Skua
(Photo Hazel van Rooyen)

Sub-antarctic Skua
(Photo Geoff Nichols)

 

Three Cape Gannets flying over the water in formation and a Swift Tern were other bird sightings today.

This trip was by far the best of the series so far.’ What will next year hold in store?’ we ask.

2014 Bird calender for sale

We are now taking advance orders for the 2014 Birdlife Port Natal calendar.

 Only R90.00 each or R250.00 for 3*

 Stocks will be available for collection from mid September.

Postage can be arranged at R10.00 extra per calendar.

The club will not be keeping surplus stocks, so to order your copies please email Andy Ruffle on andy_ruffle@yahoo.co.uk with BIRD CALENDER in the subject line or telephone 039 695 0829 before 31st August 2013.

Outing report- 14th July 2013 Umzimkulu Valley

Aloe ferox were flowering beautifully
(Photo Doug Butcher) 

Attendees: Doug Butcher, Helgard du Preez, Stanley & Asothie Gengan, Margaret Jones, Eric Kok, Dave & Joy Mullin, Keith & Maureen Roach, Andy Ruffle, Noelene Sapiro, Irma Smook, Steve & Paula Thomas. (15 attendees).

It was a rather overcast sky that greeted us as we gathered at Lake Eland. Not a major problem for us birders, but somewhat a handicap for the good contingent from Hibiscus Coast Camera Club who had come along to join us.

Aloe ferox flowers
 (Photo Doug Butcher)

We took a slow steady drive down in to the valley, stopping for bird parties and photo opportunities. This road was alive with bird calls and the Aloe ferox adorning the hillsides were absolutely stunning. By the time we reached the valley it was time for our breakfast.

Trogons and Hibiscus Coast Camera Club members
enjoy breakfast  together
 (Photo Doug Butcher)

After our refreshments, we walked down to the river, where we witnessed a pair of Hamerkop mating. African Black Duck, African Fish-eagle and a Flap-necked Chameleon Chamaeleo dilepsis were also seen.

Flap-necked Chameleon Chamaeleo dilepsis
(Photo Doug Butcher)

When we finally dragged ourselves away from the river, we drove to our usual lunchtime picnic spot. The camera club headed straight for the waters edge again, while the birders went off on another walk before returning for lunch.

White-browed Scrub-robin skulking in bushes by the road
 (Photo Doug Butcher)

Great birding and stunning backdrops
(Photo Doug Butcher)

(Photo Doug Butcher)

The beauty of this place never ceases to delight. We look forward to our next visit.

Birds recorded: African Stonechat, Pied Crow, Common Fiscal, Southern Boubou, Village Weaver, Egyptian Goose, Cape Starling, White-browed Scrub-Robin, Red-eyed Dove, Cape Turtle-Dove, African Hoopoe, Olive Thrush, Spectacled Weaver, Sombre Greenbul, Red-winged Starling, Dark-capped Bulbul, Neddicky, Green Wood-Hoopoe, Fork-tailed Drongo, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Cape Batis, African Firefinch, Brimstone Canary, Southern Black Tit, White-breasted Cormorant, Yellow-fronted Canary, Hadeda Ibis, Black Saw-wing, Amethyst Sunbird, Yellow Weaver, Hamerkop, Green-backed Camaroptera, Streaky-headed Seedeater, African Pied Wagtail, Three-banded Plover, Red-capped Robin-Chat, Brown-throated Martin, Cape Wagtail, African Fish-Eagle, African Black Duck, Cape Vulture, Black-headed Oriole, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Bar-throated Apalis, Cape Robin-Chat, Giant Kingfisher, Common Waxbill, White-necked Raven, Cape White-eye, Chinspot Batis, Rock Martin, White-bellied Sunbird, Purple-crested Turaco. (54 species).

Outing report- Boat trip 13th July 2013

The lucky participants on the 13th July charter
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

Passengers: Roz & Clive Addison, Eileen Brannigan, Doug Butcher, Renate Deveden, John Irven, Stacy Jones, Andy Ruffle,  Alida Stofberg, Penny Taylor.

We were fortunate to have lovely conditions for this morning’s boat trip. Calm wind, blue skies and a relatively calm sea, the 2m swells being bouncy rather than rough.

Formalities completed, we boarded our vessel ‘Mama Mia’ (I feel a song coming on) and headed out to the great blue yonder. Negotiating the breakers was a bit more challenging today, but our skipper did a great job of getting us to the calmer waters passed the back line.

It wasn’t too long before we were seeing signs of whale activity. 6kms out and abeam Margate someone called ‘bird’, drawing our eyes to what we were expecting to be a gannet flying directly towards us. As the large bird banked around the boat, we couldn’t believe our eyes when it revealed itself as an albatross.

The albatross flies in
(Photo Doug Butcher)

 

juvenile (immature) Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

The relaxed atmosphere on the boat immediately turned to excitement as the skipper scrambled for a box of sardines and the passengers rooted for their cameras and binoculars.

The bird was very obliging, making itself comfortable on the water close to the boat and devouring the sardines being offered. Our unexpected visitor was soon identified as a juvenile Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross.

The yellow top to the bill can be seen developing
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

According to Roberts Online the world population of Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross is estimated at 140,000 birds. Of these, some 20,000 spend winter over the southern African continental shelf and shelf-break (where the shelf plummets down to the ocean floor). This could explain why we saw the bird so close to shore.

Narrow continental shelf along our coast
(Image: Google Earth)

family of Humpback Whales
(Photo John Irven)

(Photo Doug Butcher)

(Photo Doug Butcher)

 

What a ride!!!!!!!
(Photo Mama Mia Boat Cruises)

To see more pics from the trip click here.
So, yet another enthralling trip. The question is, what will we see next time?