Outing report- BirdLife Trogons Shorebird Surveys 31st Jan-2nd Feb 2014 results

Here are the results from the shorebird survey that took place along our coastline from 31st Jan to 2nd February.

Thanks go to all who participated.

Munster to Umtamvuna Beaches surveyed 31^st Jan-2^nd Feb

Munster co-ords S30,59,43.7 E30,16,7.8

Umtamvuna co-ords S31 04 47.7  E30 11 42.2

Counters – Angie Butcher, Doug Butcher, Stan Culley, Sue Hansbury, Andy Ruffle, Barrie Willis.

Kelp Gull – 2

Sandwich Tern – 3

Sanderling – 3

Ruddy Turnstone – 8

White-breasted Cormorant – 6

African Black Oystercatcher – 4

White-Fronted Plover – 7

Common Sandpiper - 2

Blacksmith Lapwing – 6

Egyptian Goose – 44

African Pied Wagtail – 1

Water Thick-knee -  12

Pied Kingfisher – 3

Giant Kingfisher – 2

Hamerkop - 1

African Fish-Eagle – 1

Woolly-necked Stork – 1

Hadeda Ibis – 1

White-necked Raven – 3

Port Shepstone to Uvongo Beaches surveyed 1^st-2^nd Feb

Port Shepstone co-ords 30°44'29.42"S

Uvongo co-ords 30°50'5.92"S 30°23'44.91"E

Counters – Eileen Brannigan, Eric Kok, Herbie Osborne, Jeanette Osborne, Andy Ruffle.

Kelp Gull – 10

Swift Tern - 3

African Black Oystercatcher – 2

White-breasted Cormorant – 15

Ruddy Turnstone – 19

Common Sandpiper – 1

Three-banded Plover – 2

Marsh Sandpiper - 1

Water Thick-knee - 11

Blacksmith Lapwing – 50

Pied Kingfisher – 4

Woolly-necked Stork – 14

Hadeda Ibis – 1

Spur-winged Goose – 1

Yellow-billed Duck – 2

Egyptian Goose – 7

African Spoonbill – 1

Grey Heron - 4

Additional coverage

Mpenjati River in the south to Centre Rocks in the north surveyed 1^st-2^nd Feb

Co-ords (30˚58’18.61”S/30˚17’09.24”N to 30˚56’41.32”S/30˚18’16.61”E)

Counters – (TRAFALGAR CONSERVATION GROUP ) Dan and Dorothy McIntyre, John and Shirley Barclay, Hans and Marian Albach, Steve and Jenny Rennie and Jamie Kotze.

Common Greenshank – 1

White-Fronted Plover – 5

Caspian Tern – 2

African Black Oystercatcher – 1

Reed Cormorant -1

White-breasted Cormorant – 1

Pied Kingfisher – 1

Pennington to Kelso surveyed 31^st Jan

Co-ords (30°23'12.94"S 30°41'48.68"E to 30°21'48.99"S 30°42'49.92"E)

Counters – Evelyn Heunis.

African Black Oystercatcher – 6

White-Fronted Plover – 2

Kelp Gull – 2

Munster to Leisure Bay leg of Shorebird Count 31st Jan 2014

By Andy Ruffle

Counters- Doug & Angie Butcher, Andy Ruffle. (Lift shuttle provided by Vic Neilsen)

Vic dropped us off at Munster Beach, where we were greeted by the sight of a pod of +/- 50 dolphins cruising behind the breakers. Quite unusual for this time of year, Vic commented. African Fish-Eagle, Pied Kingfisher and Egyptian Goose were noted at the mouth of the Kandandlovu River. Further down the beach we stumbled upon what appeared to be an old rusty boiler.

Part of wreckage of MV Nightingale
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

This was infact part of the wreckage of the MV Nightingale, which sank off the coast in 1933.

Subsequent storms and high tides have gradually deposited various parts of the vessel on the beach and rocks. Unfortunately, I've been unable to find out anymore about the ship.

Angie & Doug Butcher
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

It wasn't until reaching Glenmore Beach that we saw our first true waders. Three White-fronted Plover scurried along the waterline. Water Thick-knee, Rock Hyrax a plenty and Rock Agama were also seen here.

White-fronted Plover
(Photo Doug Butcher)

Water Thick-knee
(Photo Doug Butcher)

 Rock Hyrax
(Photo Doug Butcher)

Andy & Angie
(Photo Doug Butcher)

After well deserved Ice Cream treats at Glenmore, our final walk took us to the delightful Kidd's Beach at Leisure Bay, where we were picked up by Vic and whisked back to his place for a wonderful braai.

(Photo Andy Ruffle)

What a thoroughly enjoyable day. The survey was a good excuse to explore and appreciate some of our beautiful beaches.
For the results from the south coast survey click here.