Outing report: Oribi Gorge and Vulture Viewing Hide, 27 May 2018

Attendees: Stan & Val Culley, Barrie Willis & Sue Hansbury, Graham & Sue Salthouse, Stanley & Asothie Gengan, Bob & Hazel van Rooyen, Jonathan Davidson, Louis & Pat Fourie, Lennart Erikssen, Andy Ruffle

Bird count:  39 (see end)                                                 Text: Hazel van Rooyen

Cape Vulture carrying nesting material (photo: HvR)

Darkness blanketed the hutted camp on our arrival and nothing stirred on the little dam except for Hadeda Ibises, still roosting in a dead tree nearby.  As we watched, one flock flew off, then another and another, letting the whole land know it was time to rise and shine.  By now, Yellow-billed Ducks, Village Weavers and a lone Reed Cormorant were also awakening.  Far away on a tree-top a Jackal Buzzard surveyed his world.  After checking in, we made our way across the grassland towards the gorge, surprising only a Cape Longclaw which flapped off.

Walking across the grassland to the gorge

Cape Rock Thrushes (photo HvR)

  

From the edge of the gorge we enjoyed the sight of Cape Rock Thrushes and Mocking Cliff Chats flitting amongst the rocky outcrop.  Good sightings were also had of Cape White-eye, Dusky Flycatcher, Grey Cuckooshrike, Southern Black Flycatcher, Black-headed Oriole and Black-collared Barbet.  Back at the huts, Olive and Greater Double-collared Sunbirds investigated an Erythrinia, hoping for nectar from early blossoms.

At our breakfast spot half-way down the gorge, Trumpeter Hornbills called in the valley while Terrestrial Brownbuls scolded from nearby bushes.  After a brief stop at the river bridge, we made our way up the other side of the gorge to where Andy was waiting to lead our convoy to the Cape Vulture hide.  Only a couple of old carcasses remained from an earlier feeding frenzy and the Vultures now glided towards us, seemingly in greeting.  On the gorge face nests were taking shape, with one partner fetching nesting material and the other guarding the nest – otherwise a cheeky neighbour would steal a few twigs.  As usual Andy Ruffle was an interesting exponent of all things Vulture.  Thanks once again, Andy.  

Cape Vulture soaring over the gorge (photo HvR)

3 nests (photo HvR)

Cape Vulture (photo HvR)

Apart from the vultures, up here we saw African Stonechat, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Pied Crow, Lanner Falcon, and Crowned Hornbill.

Eventually we dragged ourselves reluctantly away from the vultures and returned to the bottom of the gorge to light the fire for the braai.  A most enjoyable day was had by all.

Andy explains (photo HvR)

Oribi Gorge (photo HvR)

There is so much to learn (photo Lennart Eriksson)

Mountain Reedbuck (photo Lennart Eriksson)

The vulture bath is fed from a tank and cleaned regularly (photo Lennart Eriksson)

Guarding their nests (photo Lennart Eriksson)

 Species: 39

Barbet, Black-collared Boubou, Southern Brownbul, Terrestrial Bulbul, Dark-capped Buzzard, Jackal Cameroptera, Green-backed Chat, Familiar Chat, Mocking Cliff Cormorant, Reed Crow, Cape Crow, Pied Cuckooshrike, Grey Dove, Red-eyed Dove, Tambourine

Dove, Turtle Duck, Yellow-billed Falcon, Lanner Fiscal, Common Flycatcher, Dusky Flycatcher, Southern Black Greenbul Sombre Honeyguide, Lesser Hornbill, Crowned Hornbill, Trumpeter Ibis, Hadedah Longclaw, Cape Oriole, Black-headed Prinia, Tawny-flanked

Puffback, Black-backed Raven, White-necked Starling, Glossy Starling, Red-winged Stonechat, African Sunbird, Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Olive Thrush, Cape Rock Vulture, Cape Weaver, Village White-eye, Cape Woodpecker, Golden-tailed

All photos property of photographer