Trogons Outing Report - Oribi Gorge & Vulture Hide, 24 April 2016

Attendees: Sandy Olver, Andrew Pickles, Michelle Pearson, Clive & Margie Cowan, Graham & Sue Salthouse, Doug & Angie Butcher, Irma Smook, Margaret Jones, Hazel Nevin,, Stan & Val Culley, Andrew Maree, Barrie Willis, Sue Hansbury and Cameron Den, Alastair Warman, Robin Eccles, Tim & Heather Thompson, Bob & Hazel van Rooyen (24)

(Text: Hazel van Rooyen)

Bird count:: 54  (see end)

Knysna Woodpecker (photo: Hazel van Rooyen)

Sunday 24 April was a day we were all looking forward to as we were going to one of our favourite places, Oribi Gorge, and also paying a visit to the Vulture Hide.  Starting at the hutted camp, an excellent number of 24 people turned up and eagerly made their way to the grasslands leading to a view down into the gorge.  It was still a bit early for birds (and the campers who were emerging bleary-eyed from their huts for coffee on their patios and wondering where all these senior citizen’s had materialised from, jaunting passed their huts at the crack of dawn). 

The front-runners disturbed a Yellow-throated Longclaw which flapped and glided off over the grass-tops in surprise and surveyed us from a dead tree.  The group split into two, some took the high road and some took the low road – we didn’t make it to Scotland but we did all meet up at the gorge.  Here we spent a while examining the gorge and surrounds, spotting a Little Sparrowhawk, Black-headed Oriole, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, African Dusky Flycatcher.  A flock of Trumpeter Hornbills landed in a few dead Lombardy Poplar trees, calling out like babies - as they do.  A pair of Olive Pigeons were also spotted.  Completing the loop we passed the edge of the forest where Sombre Greenbulls were calling, “Willie Willie”.  Moving back up the entrance road we knew there was a dam at the top but couldn’t see it for long grass.  It was almost surrounded by an electric fence but we squeezed through a gap successfully.  Andrew Pickles unintentionally tested the fence to see if it was live and getting a bit of a shock, concluded that it was!  Could only happen to Andrew – our electrical expert!  As we approached the dam a Jackal Buzzard glided away and a pair of African Black Duck took off, flying in perfect synchronisation.  Barn Swallows, Common Moorhen and Egyptian Goose also put in an appearance.

African Black Duck - synchronised flying (photo: Hazel van Rooyen)

African Black Duck (photo: Hazel van Rooyen)

Breakfast was partaken at a view spot half-way down the gorge.

Having breakfast looking up the cliffs (photo: Dooug Butcher)

Bark Spider? (photo: Hazel van Rooyen)

 A scary spider hung in its web in the bushes, I identified this as a Bark Spider but am not an expert.   An African Fish Eagle called overhead and we all sighed contentedly at the beauty surrounding us.  After coffee, some took a walk up the road spotting an Olive Sunbird while others went a short way up the Hoopoe Falls path identifying Grey Cuckoo-Shrike, Cape Batis, Cape White-eye, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Knysna Turaco, and Dark-backed Weaver amongst others.  Hearing the near-threatened Knysna Woodpecker calling close by we excitedly searched the trees but sadly couldn’t spot it.

  

Hereford or Nguni? (photo: Doug Butcher)

On the way to our next venue a beautiful bull grazed in a field.  I don’t know much about cattle but it struck me as having a Hereford shape with the hide of the eye-catching Nguni breed.  

White-necked Raven(photo: Stan Culley)

 At the hide we were met by Herbie Osborne who guided us around.  The new hide is a stonebuilt structure, aesthetically fitting into the surroundings and ergonomically designed for taking photographs of the vultures at a carcass.  Unfortunately the dead goat recently put out had been devoured too quickly and just a few White-necked Ravens were still pecking at it.  Herbie explained that ravens have a symbiotic relationship with the vulture as their presence indicate that there is food around. 

Vulture Viewing Hide - Andy Ruffles pride (photo: Hazel van Rooyen)

  

White-necked Raven (photo: Andrew Pickles)

Cape Vulture (photo: Stan Culley)

Cape Vulture coming into land (photo: Hazel van Rooyen)

Cape Vulture fetching nesting material (photo: Hazel van Rooyen)

At the cliff-edge we were fascinated to see the vultures wheeling about, flying to and from the rocky ledges where, being breeding season, they were taking nesting material.  

Precarious nesting place but not if you are a Cape Vulture 

(photo: Hazel van Rooyen)

Sandy Olver looking at the vultures 

(photo: Hazel van Rooyen)

 Other birds seen up here were a Familiar Chat, African Stonechat, and Lanner Falcon.  The occasional flower also added a bit of colour and this little Kalanchoe luciae caught my eye, also known in Afrikaans as Bird Brandy.  
  

Kalanchoe luciae - Bird Brandy (photo: Hazel van Rooyen)

Andrew Pickles was lucky enough to get a close sighting of the rare Oribi, after which of course the area is named.

Oribi Male (photo: Andrew Pickles)

Returning to the gorge we set up at the picnic site for our braai.  While Stan and Bobby got the braai ready, Michelle and I took a stroll through the woodland next to the river hearing Southern Boubous and Green Wood-Hoopoes cackling close by.  Walking slowly back up the road to the picnic site we focused on a bird jumping around in a tree.  Michelle got her eyes on it and identified it as a woodpecker and on examining our photos it dawned on us it just might be the infamous Knysna Woodpecker.  We hesitantly showed it to our experts Stan and Andrew who said, Yes, definitely.  We were obviously dead chuffed about that one.  Tick! 

Knysna Woodpecker (photo: Hazel van Rooyen)

Knysna Woodpecker (photo Hazel van Rooyen)

 Other birds noted in this area were Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Spotted Ground-Thrush, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler and Collared Sunbird

Enjoying the braai (photo: Doug Butcher)

A scrumptious braai and great company rounded off our day and we parted feeling well-satisfied with our day’s birding.

Cape Vulture (photo: Doug Butcher)

 All photographs property of photographer
Count: 54 species 

Barbet Black-collared Batis Cape Boubou Southern Bulbul Dark-capped Buzzard Jackal Camaroptera Green-backed Chat Familiar Cormorant Reed Crane Grey Crowned Cuckoo-shrike Grey Dove Red-eyed Drongo Fork-tailed Drongo Square-tailed Duck African Black Eagle Long-crested Falcon Lanner Fiscal Common (Southern) Fish-eagle African

Flycatcher African Dusky Goose Egyptian Greenbul Sombre Ground-thrush Spotted Hornbill Crowned Hornbill Trumpeter Ibis Hadeda Kingfisher Brown-hooded Longclaw Yellow-throated Moorhen Common Olive-pigeon African Oriole Black-headed Prinia Tawny-flanked Puff-back Black-backed Raven White-necked Robin-Chat Red-capped Sparrowhawk Little Starling Red-winged

Stonechat African Sunbird Collared Sunbird Olive Swallow Barn Tinkerbird Yellow-rumped Tit Southern Black Turaco Knysna Turtle-dove Cape Vulture Cape Wagtail Cape Warbler Yellow-Throated Woodland Waxbill Common Weaver Dark-backed White-eye Cape Wood-hoopoe Green Woodpecker Golden-tailed Woodpecker Knysna

Barry Porter Memorial Hide damaged by veld fire

Text and photos by Andy Ruffle

damage sustained to front and one side

Unfortunately, a veld fire has raged through the grasslands at the vulture colony causing damage to the hide.

The fire started yesterday afternoon in the Umzimkulu Valley below and jumped up and over the cliffs heading straight for the hide.

Despite the very quick response from Mike's workers, who doused the area around the hide with water, the fire just tore through.

The front and one side has sustained alot of damage and will need the supports and cladding replaced. One roof panel will also need to be replaced.

the interior is relatively unscathed

we came close to totally losing the hide

Incredibly the back, one side and interior are relatively unscathed.

I have contacted the original builder to request a quote for materials and repairs. The outcome of this will determine the way forward.

The hide project does have some funds in the bank, which will hopefully go a long way to covering the repairs.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to find an insurer prepared to insure the structure at an affordable premium, although after this we will have to address the situation.

We will still be able to conduct 2hr vulture viewing visits, which are proving very popular and a good income generator. This will also assist in covering repair costs.

The landowner feels that we have achieved too much thus far, to throw in the towel now and I have to agree with him.

It may take a little time, but we will get the hide fully up and running again.

Black Stork makes a Youth Day appearance

Whilst escorting a group at the Oribi vulture colony on Monday (Youth Day), we noticed a large bird join the thermal being used by some 20 Cape Vultures. It was quickly identified as a Black Stork. This is a nice visitor to see in our neck of the woods.
We will be keeping a close eye out to see whether there are any signs of nesting by the stork.

Black Stork riding the thermal
(Photo Adeline Mccarter)

Spotted Thick-knee were also seen during this visit. Another bird not often seen in our South Coast region.

Some other good news from the vulture colony is that 30 vulture nests have been counted, just on the cliffs that are visible where we normally stand. This is the highest number so far recorded and is just a small part of the cliff face on which they nest.

There will be a full census done this month, hopefully, so it will interesting to see the total tally. We will keep you posted.

eHowzit.co.za coverage of the Vulture Hide Launch on 8th February 2014

Vulture Viewing Hide Project Fund Launch

18th February 2013

Birdlife Trogons Bird Club today announced plans to erect a Vulture Viewing Hide at Oribi.

‘The provision of a vulture viewing hide will not only raise awareness of the plight of the Cape Vulture, but also be a huge asset to the local tourist trade. We anticipate the hide being used not only by locals, but also attracting visitors nationally and internationally.’ Said Andy Ruffle, Birdlife Trogons Bird Club Chairman.

The Trogons have launched a Vulture Hide Project Fund to finance the construction of the hide and appeal to corporates and individuals to assist with this very worthwhile project.

Anyone wishing to make a donation or to offer any other assistance, is asked to contact Andy Ruffle on 039 695 0829 or email andy_ruffle@yahoo.co.uk.

‘This is a very exciting time for Trogons. To see the ribbon cut during an opening ceremony will be an extremely proud moment for us.’ Commented Andy Ruffle.

View you could expect from the hide
(Photo John Marchant)