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