Attendees: Stan & Val Culley, Danie & Bella
du Toit, Bob & Hazel van Rooyen
Species: 50 Text & Photos:
Hazel van Rooyen
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| Black-winged Lapwing |
Our first outing of the year was quite ambitious –
Ingeli Forest, checking for Cape Parrots and Blue Swallows and the Summer CWAC
but six of us gave it a good shot. After
a long drive in very misty conditions we met up at Ingeli Forest Lodge (now
called Anew Hotel Ingeli Forest & Spa).
Whilst greeting, we saw Long-crested Eagle, Cape Robin-Chat, Amethyst
Sunbird, Jackal Buzzard, Olive Pigeon & Grey Crowned Cranes. The weather suddenly changed, the sun evaporated
the mist and we had blue blue skies for the rest of the day - gorgeous!
We proceeded into the forest to check out our
favourite spots. First up was a little
cut-away section which was usually full of little birds but now was quiet
except for the incessant call of a bird imitating the “pretty Georgie” call of
the Emerald Cuckoo – a hoarse Red-capped Robin-Chat, Val suggested! In the meantime a Red-chested Cuckoo called
its repetitive “Piet my vrou” and not to be outdone a Black Cuckoo joined in
with its prettier song.
Moving deeper into the forest, Purple-crested and Knysna
Turacos flapped about in the tree canopy, flashing their red wings. In this part of the woods the Yellowwoods were
massive, putting you in mind of more ancient times. The Cape Chestnuts made a lovely show of
their abundant pink blossoms.
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| Cape Chestnut |
Settling down for breakfast a Bar-throated Apalis
proved quite friendly and Stan identified an African Harrier Hawk sailing in
the skies.
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| Bar-throated Apalis |
Our next stop was at a small dam which was beginning
to look more like a young forest it was so full of saplings but the little
stream was gurgling strongly away and looked healthy. Living here were Little Rush Warbler, African
Yellow Warbler (old name Dark-capped Yellow warbler), Tawny-flanked Prinia,
Drakensberg Prinia, Common Waxbill and an elusive Bush Black-cap.
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| African Yellow Warbler |
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| Bush Black-cap |
Staying on this dirt track we passed the workers’
homes, which marked the tree spot where the parrot boxes had been installed a
few years ago. Now there was no sign of
the boxes and even some of the trees were no longer there.
Still continuing along this track, Val led us back to
the tarred road and eventually stopped for us to survey the field where the
Blue Swallows used to nest. Stan scoped
it but we could already see there were no hirundines of any description and he
identified only a single Croaking Cisticola on the fence and some Fan-tailed
Widowbirds.
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| Harding Dam |
Arriving at Harding Dam we were alarmed to note the
number of local weekend fishermen and their families, plus someone even
launching a jet ski on the opposite side (perfect day for it though!). All these would surely have an effect on the
birdlife, either chase it away or send it into hiding. The view from the road, even with the scope,
was rather dismal but once down at the water’s edge Stan began to tot up some
numbers but nothing like the usual count.
We erected the gazebo (thank goodness because the heat was intense by
this time) and enjoyed our braaied lunch.
During the course of our count we were questioned by a security company
but when we explained our purpose and that we were authorised by the farmer who
had been notified of our impending visit, they were happy. They also questioned the jetski family who
confirmed they were the owners of the land on the other side which gave them
rights of access.
Waterbirds seen were Yellow-billed Duck, Red-knobbed
Coot, Spurwing Goose, Goliath Heron, Egyptian Goose, Common Moorhen, Grey
Heron, Wood Sandpiper, White-breasted Cormorant, African Fish Eagle and
3-banded Plover. A full report will be
sent out later. Other species seen were
Barn Swallow, Red Bishop, Pin-tailed Whydah and Black-winged Lapwing.
It was an enjoyable and relaxing day. Thanks for your efforts.
Species
Ingeli Forest:
Apalis, Bar-throated
Ibis, Hadedah
Batis, Cape
Black-cap, Bush
Bulbul, Dark-capped
Buzzard, Jackal
Cameroptera, Green-backed
Crane, Grey Crowned
Cuckoo, Black
Cuckoo, Emerald
Cuckoo, Red-chested
Eagle, Long-crested
Greenbull, Sombre
Hawk, African Harrier
Kite, Yellow-billed
Oriole, Black-headed
Pigeon, Olive
Prinia, Drakensburg
Prinia, Tawny-flanked
Robin-Chat, Cape
Sunbird, Amethyst
Swallow, Greater-striped
Swallow, White-throated
Turaco, Knysna
Turaco, Purple-crested
Wagtail, Cape
Warbler, African Yellow
Warbler, Little Rush
Waxbill, Common
Weaver, Spectacled
White-eye, Cape
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Blue Swallow site:
Cisticola, Croaking
Widowbird, Fantailed
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Harding Dam:
Bishop, Red
Cormorant, White-breasted
Crane, Grey Crowned
Cuckoo, Dideriks
Duck, Yellow-billed
Eagle, African Fish
Fiscal, Common
Goose, Egyptian
Goose, Spurwing
Heron, Grey
Lapwing, Blacksmith
Lapwing, Black-winged
Moorhen, Common
Plover, 3-banded
Red-knobbed Coot
Sandpiper, Wood
Swallow, Barn
Whydah, Pin-tailed
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