Outing report: Mpenjati Conservancy - 24 February 2019

Attendees: Stan & Val Gulley, Graham & Sue Salthouse, Doug & Angie Butcher, Robin Eccles & Hanli Kloppers, Alastair Warman, Margie Cowan, Barrie Willis & Sue Hansbury, Bob & Hazel Van Rooyen (14)

Species: 29                                                                 Text: Hazel van Rooyen

Mpenjati Estuary (photo: Hazel van Rooyen)

It was one of the hottest days of the summer but Trogons Bird Club were Out There doing their thing as usual.  Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird and Laughing Dove called in the car park along with the Sombre Greenbul.

Scanning the estuary only a Little Egret on the opposite bank and the odd White-throated Swallow were noted.  The river must have recently broken through and was quite low, exposing quite a few metres of sandy edges. This also encouraged the fishermen who were already fishing from the middle of the river. 

Venturing first over the dunes and onto the beach, a family of four White-fronted Plovers were seen scurrying about the sand dunes and quite a large flock of Common Terns sat preening themselves next to the frothy reaches of the little waves, taking off on our approach but soon settling again.  Out at the breakers, Cape Gannets and Swift Terns skimmed the surface.

White-fronted Plover (photo: HvR)

Common Terns taking flight (photo: HvR)

Common Terns (photo: Doug Butcher)

We then made our way across the sand dunes, disturbing some Water Thick-knees, to the forest walk and back to the cars.  It was decided it was already too hot to do the grassland walk so we drove over to the other side of the river where there was shade for us to have breakfast.

After our refreshment we took the walk along the river bank but this was very quiet.  At least it was no longer water-logged as on our previous two visits but so far along the path was blocked off, this being because the tides were slowly eroding the sand banks.   

The forest walk seemed to be open and some of us ventured up it.  The wooden walk-ways were just about walkable but at the top the route was blocked by a massive fallen tree and we decided to call a halt and made our way back.

A relaxing lunch followed with good company.  Thanks to all who attended.

Birders on the estuary (photo: Doug Butcher)

For a full list of species identified see below.

Barbet, Black-collared

Bulbul, Dark-capped

Cormorant, White-breasted

Dove, Laughing

Dove, Red-eyed

Dove, Tambourine

Drongo, Fork-tailed

Eagle, African Fish

Eagle, Crowned

Egret, Little

Flycatcher, Ashy

Flycatcher, Paradise

Gannet, Cape

Greenbul, Sombre

Hamerkop

Kingfisher, Brown-hooded

Plover, White-fronted

Starling, Black-bellied

Sunbird, Amethyst

Swallow, White-breasted

Tern, Common

Tern, Swift

Thick-knee, Water

Tinkerbird, Yellow-rumped

Turaco, Knysna

Wagtail, Cape

Wagtail, Pied

White-eye, Cape

Woodhoopoe, Green

All photos copyright of photographer

Outing Report: Sezela Sugar Mill - 10 February 2019

Species Identified: 72                                                                      Text: Hazel van Rooyen

Attendees: Sandy Olver, Alastair Warman, Robin & Devin Mortimer, Robin Eccles & Hanli Kloppers, Graham & Sue Salthouse, Hazel Nevin, Stanley Gengan, Johan & Karin Burger, Stan & Val Culley, Margaret Jones, Doug & Angie Butcher, Clive & Margie Cowan, Bob & Hazel van Rooyen (21)

Giant Kingfisher (photo HvR)

Quite a crowd had gathered just off the highway for our outing to Sezela Sugar Mill grounds.  Alastair had organised all the keys for us as the dams are now fenced off for safety reasons and he led us to the first dam where we parked at the top and clambered down to get closer to the “action”.  First to be spotted was this Giant Kingfisher fishing from an inlet pipe.

Cars lined up on the dam wall  (photo Doug Butcher)

Happy Birders (photo Doug Butcher)

Giant Kingfisher (photo Doug Butcher)

Little Rush Warblers could be heard warbling in the thick reeds and Southern Red Bishops buzzed about building nests.  An African Darter flew in and proceeded to dry off his wings.  In a corner a Black Crake showed itself, then calmly stepped daintily back into the safety of the long grass.  Barn Swallows and Black Saw-wings made circles over the dam, hawking insects in their never-ending search for food.  A Burchell’s Coucal perched on the reed-tops while a Pied Kingfisher thought all the activity might have stirred up some tasty morsels for him too.  A large flock of Blacksmith Lapwings soared above us.  The more we looked, the more we saw, but eventually coffee called and we drove further on to a spot close to the river for breakfast.

 

Blacksmith Lapwings (photo Sue Salthouse)

Most of us then took a long walk next to the river which was, however, very clogged with reeds. A Common Buzzard perched on a dead tree.  Other birds spotted along here were Black-collared Barbet, Tambourine Dove, White-eared Barbet, Little Bee-eater, Purple Heron and a Pygmy Kingfisher. 

A few other birders chose to watch at the low-level bridge for any activity.

 

Purple Heron (photo Doug Butcher

Little Bee-eater (photo HvR)

Moving on to the picnic spot at Mkumbane Dam, tall trees provided some much-appreciated shade.  Scanning the lake, Little Grebe and African Jacana were seen and through his scope Stan spotted  African Black Duck on the opposite side.  Around us Golden-tailed Woodpeckers shrieked and Klaas’s Cuckoo called.  Taking a walk to the end and through some fencing brought us closer to the lily pads where we saw a 3-banded Plover, Wood Sandpiper, and Yellow-billed Duck.  Going even further along Stanley, Alastair, Robin and Bob saw a Lesser Moorhen which are rare on the South Coast but have been turning up more often this year.

 

3-banded Plover (photo HvR)

Brown Snake Eagle and Black-chested Snake Eagles were identified along with a juvenile Crowned Eagle and the day wouldn't have been complete with an African Fish Eagle.

Black-chested Snake Eagle (photo HvR)

African Fish Eagle (photo Doug Butcher)

African Crowned Eagle (photo HvR)

 

Birders looking... looking.. (photo Sue Salthouse)

All photos property of photographer

Species: 72

Barbet, Black-collared Barbet, White-eared Bee-eater, Little Bishop, Southern Red Boubou, Southern Bulbul, Black-capped Cameroptera, Green-backed Canary, Yellow-fronted Cormorant, White-breasted Coucal, Burchell’s Crake, Black Cuckoo, Diderik’s Cuckoo, Klaas’s Darter, African Dove, Red-eye Dove, Tambourine Drongo, Fork-tailed Duck, African Black Duck, White-faced Duck, Yellow-billed Eagle, African Fish Eagle, Black-chested Snake Eagle, Brown Snake Eagle, Crowned, Juv Egret, Cattle Fiscal, Common Flycatcher, Southern Black Goose, Egyptian Goose, Spurwing Grebe, Little Heron, Black-headed Heron, Goliath (Juv) Heron, Grey Heron, Purple Jacana, African Kingfisher, Brown-hooded

Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Pygmy Kite, Yellow-billed Lapwing, Blacksmith Longclaw, Yellow-throated Mannikin, Red-backed Moorhen, Common Moorhen, Lesser Mousebird, Speckled Myna, Common Oriole, Black-headed Plover, 3-banded Prinia, Tawny-flanked Sandpiper, Wood Saw-wing, Black Spurfowl, Natal Starling, Black-bellied Starling, Red-winged Starling, Violet-backed Stonechat, African Swallow, Barn Swallow, White-throated Turaco, Knysna Turaco, Purple-crested Wagtail, Cape Wagtail, Pied Warbler, Little Rush Weaver, Thick-billed Weaver, Village Weaver, Yellow Whydah, Pin-tailed Widowbird, Fan-tailed Wood-hoopoe, Green Woodpecker, Golden-tailed

UPCOMING OUTING: Mpenjati NR, 24 February 2019

Dear Members & Friends

White-fronted Plover

Sunday 24 February at 06:30 BirdLife Trogons will visit Mpenjati Nature Reserve.  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 www.birdlifetrogons.blogspot.com or phone Hazel before setting off.  For further details telephone Hazel van Rooyen on 072 355 8837 or visit the blog.

Please let Hazel know if you will be attending the outing.

Directions:  From R61 meet at the Mpenjati South entrance gate.  There is a R20 per person entrance fee, negated if you have a Rhino card.  Set GPS to DD MM SS.S = S30 58 18.2 E30 16 39.3

Kind regards

Hazel van Rooyen

Secretary

BirdLife Trogons Bird Club

UPCOMING OUTING: Sezela Sugar Mill, Pennington - 10 February 2019

Collared Sunbird (photo: Stan Culley)

Dear Members and Friends

Sunday 10 February at 06:30 BirdLife Trogons will visit Sezela Sugar Mill, Pennington.  Bring chairs, breakfast and something to braai for lunch.  ALL WELCOME.  There is a R20 charge for non-members of BirdLife Trogons.  Outings may be cancelled due to weather, check www.birdlifetrogons.blogspot.com or phone Hazel on 072 355 8837 before setting off.

PLEASE LET HAZEL KNOW IF YOU WILL BE ATTENDING.

Directions: From the N2 take the R102 off-ramp and turn towards Pennington.  Meet on the left-hand side grass verge just before the right turn to Sezela.  Set GPS to DD MM SS.S = S30 23 25.9 E30 39 16.9

Many thanks

Hazel van Rooyen

Secretary

BirdLife Trogons