Outing report: River Valley Nature Reserve, Uvongo - 25 February 2018

Attendees:  Barrie Willis & Sue Hansbury, Graham & Sue Salthouse, Doug, Angie & Andrew Butcher, Bob & Hazel van Rooyen

Species identified: 36                                               Text: Hazel van Rooyen

Thick-billed Weaver (photo: Hazel van Rooyen)

Yet another cloudy morning greeted us at River Valley but this was our second attempt in a few weeks to visit and although there were some cancellations, a few of us were determined to “get out there”.

Arriving a bit early, we parked by the small dam just before the entrance where a Pied Wagtail flew over to welcome us.  At the dam a Black-headed Heron stood frozen in concentration and in contrast a Black Crake put in a fleeting performance, flashing across our vision – blink and you would miss it.

Black-headed Heron (photo: Hazel van Rooyen)

Andrew Lewis, the owner, met us at the gate, very organised with a bird list and map of walking trails.  He explained the geography of the reserve and Barrie led us down a winding sand road to the river.  On route, a Jackal Buzzard flew overhead, investigating the usurpers of its hunting pastures.  Yellow-fronted Canaries chased each other in the tree-tops.

Vungu River (photo: Hazel van Rooyen)

Down by the lush little river, Green Wood-Hoopoes cackled as they bounced around in the branches while Crowned Hornbills clambered about in the tree canopy.  Southern Black Flycatchers swooped from the lower branches and pounced on their unsuspecting prey in the filtered light.  In the reed-beds Thick-billed Weavers were busy making their neat nests between two reeds and as mom dived into one, tiny squawks issued from within.

Following the Impithi trail through tussocky grassland, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbirds could be heard pop-pop-popping and a Klaas's Cuckoo sang meit-jie, meit-jie in the distance.   Yellow-throated Longclaws flapped and glided to their perches on the topmost twigs of shrubs. Those are seriously long claws!

 

Yellow-throated Longclaw (photo: Doug Butcher)

Locostylis alata (photo Hazel van Rooyen)

Locostylis alata (photo Hazel van Rooyen)

Amongst some rocky grassland a tree stood out with pinky-red blossoms.  Later research identified it as Loxostylis alata or Tarwood.  The female flowers are borne on separate trees from the male.  Both are small and a creamy-white but once the fruit starts forming the surrounding sepals expand rapidly and become bright pink to brick-red and the tree looks as though it is in flower.  Other horticultural stand-outs were clumps of Watsonia densiflora whose startlingly pink flowers lit up the grassland. 

Watsonia densiflora (photo Hazel van Rooyen)

A small bird caused some discussion as to what type of fly-catcher it could be but later on, showing our expert Stan the photos, he identified it as an immature Brown-backed Honeybird (an addition to the River Valley bird list).

Brown-backed Honeybird (photo Hazel van Rooyen)

The Culprits (photo Doug Butcher)

 Re-tracing our steps back to the picnic site for breakfast, we startled a pair of Yellow-billed Ducks which flew up river.  A Tambourine Dove called woohoo, woo tutu-tu-tu-tu .....and a Knysna Turaco crowed gruffly from the mid-canopy.  

Trumpeter Hornbill (photo Doug Butcher)

After a good breakfast next to the river, accompanied by the baby-like cries of Trumpeter Hornbills and Crowned Eagles, the Nyala trail took us in the other direction through some forest.  Out in the open once again, a rumour in the wind spoke of an imminent shower and after a while our party decided to turn back and head for shelter.  Along the way a chirpy little bird caught our attention and from its song we identified it as a Levaillant’s Cisticola.  By the time we got back the rain had stopped but soon started up again and we took refuge sitting on the long verandah.  The sharp shower dissipated and the guys decided to start the braai.  Whilst we were quietly relaxing we noticed a Bush Buck foraging half-way up the steep bank on the other side of the river.  Just then an African Fish Eagle called out which perfected the peaceful scene.

Bush buck (photo Hazel van Rooyen)

The people (photo Hazel van Rooyen)

The people  (photo Doug Butcher)

Thanks go to all participants for their knowledge-sharing and fun attitude.  Also thanks to Andrew Lewis, the owner and moral custodian, for providing such a lovely venue which was a delight - well-maintained and cared for.

Species identified: 36

Barbet, Black-collared Bulbul, Dark-capped Buzzard, Jackal Canary, Yellow-fronted Cisticola, Levaillant’s Coucal, Burchell’s Crake, Black Cuckoo, Klaas’s Dove, Red-eyed Dove, Tamborine Duck, Yellow-billed Eagle, African Fish Eagle, Crowned Fiscal, Common Flycatcher, Southern Black Goose, Egyptian Heron, Black-headed Honeybird, Brown-backed

Hornbill, Crowned Hornbill, Trumpeter Kingfisher, Brown-hooded Longclaw, Yellow-throated Saw-wing, Black Sparrow, Grey-headed Starling, Glossy Starling, Red-winged Starling, Violet-backed Swallow, Barn Swallow, Lesser-striped Tinkerbird, Yellow-rumped Turaco, Knysna Wagtail, Pied Weaver, Cape Weaver, Thick-billed Widowbird, Fan-tailed Wood-Hoopoe, Green