UPCOMING OUTING: Oribi Gorge NR

Dear Members & Friends

Knysna Woodpecker (photo Hazel van Rooyen)

Sunday 27 May 2018 at 07:00 am BirdLife Trogons will visit Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve and the Vulture Viewing Hide.   Bring chairs, breakfast and something to braai for lunch.  All Welcome.  An entrance fee of R30 per person is payable but is negated if you have either a Rhino card or Wildcard – ensure you take it with you! There is a R20 pp charge for non-members of BirdLife Trogons. Outings may be cancelled due to weather.  Check www.birdlifetrogons.blogspot.com or phone Hazel van Rooyen before setting off. For further details **telephone  Hazel  on 072 355 8837.

** Please note we cannot respond to text messages or “call me” requests.

Directions:  Take N2 towards Harding, the Oribi Gorge N.R. turnoff is on the right just before Paddock.  Turn first left and meet at the KZN office at the hutted camp.

Set GPS to DD MM SS.S = S30 43 55.5  E30 16 24.0

PLEASE LET HAZEL KNOW IF YOU WILL BE ATTENDING THE OUTING

Outing report: Umdoni Park, Pennington,13 May 2018

Attendees: Sandy Olver, Stan & Val Culley, Barrie Willis & Sue Hansbury, Graham & Sue Salthouse, Doug & Angie Butcher, Hazel Nevin, Stanley Gengan, Ros, Sandi & Eleanor from Port Natal Club, Bob & Hazel van Rooyen

Species: 41                                                                            Text: Hazel van Rooyen

Knysna Turaco (photo: HvR)

On the whole, our visit today was very quiet, although in the end we attained a tally of 41 species.

The people (photo: Doug Butcher)

Starting off with a walk from the Environmental Centre up the road, Red-capped Robin-Chat and White-bellied Sunbird were in evidence and the usual Trumpeter Hornbills flew around.  

The White-eared Barbets were not in their normal place but appeared later close to the houses.

White-eared Barbets (photo: HvR)

Wild Pink Tibouchina (photo HN)

Of interest throughout the park, especially in the Red Milkwoods were tent moth nests which look like bundles of spider webs.

Tent Moth nests (photo: Hazel Nevin)

Bark Spider (photo: Hazel Nevin)

Good sightings were had of Knysna Turacos and one group of people saw both Knysna and Purple-crested in the same tree.  Collared, Olive, Grey and Amethyst Sunbirds were all busy in the trees surrounding the houses and Southern Black Tit, Black-backed Puffpack, Lesser Honeyguide, Black Cuckooshrike and Paradise Flycatchers were seen in the large fig tree.

Knysna Turaco (photo: HvR)

Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird (photo: Hazel Nevin)

After breakfast we walked across the golf course (where we sighted a juvenile African Fish Eagle) to the Otter view. 

Searching the skies for raptors (photo: HvR)

Otter view (photo: HvR)

 Usually we see raptors here but the skies were clear today.  











Even the Green Twinspot didn't put in an appearance at the bird bath, although the Lemon Dove and Red-capped Robin Chat did.

Red-capped Robin-Chat (photo: Doug Butcher)

Stan caught this beautiful Blue Duiker in his lens.

Blue Duiker (photo: Stan Culley)

It was an enjoyable day with excellent company.

(All photos property of photographer)

Species:
Bullbul, Dark-capped
Robin-Chat, Red-capped
Sunbird, White-bellied
Wagtail, Pied
Drongo, Square-tailed
Ibis, Hadedah
Hornbill, Trumpeter
Dove, Red-eyed
Sunbird, Collared
Boubou, Southern
Starling, Black-bellied
Greenbul, Sombre
Turaco, Knysna
Sunbird, Olive
Stork, Woolly-necked
Dove, Tambourine
Sunbird, Grey
Woodpecker, Golden-tailed
Sunbird, Amethyst
Barbet, White-eared
Tit, Southern Black
Puffback, Black-backed
Honeyguide, Lesser
Tinkerbird, Yellow-rumped
Cuckoo-Shrike, Black
Flycatcher, Paradise
Greenbul, Yellow-bellied
Turaco, Purple-cested
Eagle, African Fish
Drongo, Fork-tailed
Wood-hoopoe, Green
Oriole, Black-headed
Flufftail, Buff-spotted
Batis, Cape
White-eye, Cape
Dove, Lemon
Weaver, Dark-backed
Weaver, Spectacled
Flycatcher, Southern Black
Mannikin, Red-backed
Weaver, Thick-billed

UPCOMING OUTING: UMDONI PARK, PENNINGTON

Dear Members and Friends

Sunday, 13 May at 07:00am BirdLife Trogons will visit Umdoni Park, Pennington.  Bring chairs, breakfast and something to braai for lunch.  All welcome.  There is a R20pp charge for non-members of BirdLife Trogons.  Outings may be cancelled due to weather, check this blogspot or phone Hazel before setting off.  

Please let Hazel know on 072 355 8837 if you will be attending the outing.

Directions:  Take N2 to Durban, take exit 93 for the R102 to Sezela.  Turn right onto R102. Travel 4.8 km, turn right onto Pennington Drive.  After 655m turn right onto Minerva Ave. Continue straight to Umdoni Park and meet at the Environmental Centre.

Sept GPS to DDMMSS.S = S30 23 32.2 E30 41 21.7

Kind regards
Hazel van Rooyen
Secretary
BirdLife Trogons Bird Club