Outing report: Mpenjati Nature Reserve, 24 June 2018

Attendees: Stanley & Asothie Gengan, Stan & Val Culley, Graham & Sue Salthouse, Doug & Angie Butcher, Rob Eccles, Rene & Anne Rey, Pete & Ann Wright, Alastair Warman, Veronique Warman, Di Smith, Bob & Hazel Van Rooyen (18)

Species: 28                                                                                          Text: Hazel van Rooyen

Woolly-necked Storks (photo HvR)

Pied Wagtails, Pied Kingfishers and Woolly-necked Storks greeted our arrival at the Mpenjati estuary on a bright but blustery winter’s morning. 

Sun rising over the lagoon (photo Doug Butcher)

Reed Cormorants (photo HvR)

We spent a short while surveying the lagoon which was quite full, with no nice sandy edges for waders.  With not much activity there, we walked back up the road, past the offices, on the way sighting, amongst others, Fork-tailed Drongo, Red-eyed Dove, Southern Black Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Yellow Weaver, Fan-tailed Widowbird and Natal Spurfowl amongst the tall dry grassland. 

Tree Aloes like candles lighting up the dune forest (photo HvR)

Moving through the dune forest nothing stirred but as we came out onto the beach a couple of families of Kelp Gulls stood where the little waves were breaking, keeping their eyes open for anything the tide might expose

Kelp Gull (photo Doug Butcher)

 

Back at the cars we had our breakfast with the wintry sun beginning to warm us up.  

We then crossed back over the bridge to the north side.  The resident family of Water Thick-knees (at least 5) stood with half-closed eyes in their favourite spot on the rounded boulders at the water’s edge beneath the bridge.

Water Thick-knees (photo HvR)

Approaching the dune forest Rene spotted a raptor which landed on the top-most tree.  Stan identified it as an immature African Fish Eagle. 

Immature African Fish Eagle (photo HvR)

The entrance to the boardwalk was water-logged but we found a dry path around it.  However, a short way further along, another water-logged section blocked our path and the walk up through the dune was still cordoned off.  There had been reports of scout parties helping to repair this once pretty walk but signs informed us it was still under construction.  Sadly we had to reverse and we made ourselves comfortable under the shady trees next to the lagoon for an early lunch.

Lunch (Photo Doug Butcher)

 Species: 28

Barbet, Black-collared Bulbul, Dark-capped Cormorant, Reed Dove, Laughing Dove, Red-eyed Drongo, Fork-tailed Eagle, African Fish Egret, Cattle Fiscal, Common

Flycatcher, Southern Black Goose, Egyptian Greenbul Sombre Gull, Kelp Ibis, Hadedah Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher, Pied Longclaw, Yellow-throated Pigeon, Green Spurfowl, Natal

Stork, Woolly-necked Sunbird, Amethyst Sunbird, Olive Tern, Swift Thick-knee, Water Wagtail, Cape Wagtail, Pied Weaver, Yellow Widowbird, Fan-tailed