UPDATE ON ORIBI VULTURE VIEWING HIDE

Andy Ruffle has kindly provided this update on activities and conservation efforts at the hide which I thought would of be interest.

 

Cape Vulture (photo: Hazel van Rooyen)

Avitourism and education

During 2015, over 260 visitors and learners were hosted, up from 240 in 2014.  This is a good increase, despite being closed throughout January for the capture programme.  Three schools/colleges were also hosted and we hope to step this up in 2016.

 

School children visiting the hide

On 23rd January, the hide will be hosting a Poisoning intervention and investigation training course, with 17 attendees currently registered.

Conservation and research

235 tag re-sightings (with more for December outstanding) were submitted to the Safring, Endangered Wildlife Trust and Vulpro databases.

Andy will be speaking to Andre Botha from EWT about instigating more tagging at outlying colonies.  Butt Farm in Kamberg is a good potential ringing site, as it seems to attract birds from a wide area. Bird 'N103 Heidi' regularly travels between Butt Farm and Oribi.

 

"Heidi" N103 (photo Andy Ruffle)

 

Heidi's movements in pink

Andy is annotating his observations (from his hours in the hide) and will be collating the data for publication on the Ornitholigical Observations website.

Visitors to the hide appear to be having little impact on the vultures.  In fact, it sometimes seems that the birds actually play up to their adoring admirers!

The Marburg University students will be arriving on the 6 January for a month. The hide will be closed to visitors for the duration.  Fingers crossed for a successful capture this year.  It is hoped that some adult birds may possibly be fitted with transmitters this time around. This will be invaluable for us to determine where the adult birds are foraging.

Thanks once again to Mike Neethling for giving us the opportunity to experience these wonderful birds.

Exciting News! Barn Swallow recapture Z215476

Andrew Pickles was very excited recently when, during one of his regular bird ringing sessions at the Umzumbe roost, he captured a Barn Swallow which had already been ringed.  He could immediately see from the ring engraving that it had originated in the United Kingdom and has just received official confirmation from the British Trust for Ornithology that a Mike Haigh ringed this Barn Swallow as a 6 day old chick in horse stables at Llanfechain, in Powys, Wales in the United Kingdom on 24 June 2015.  

Mike Haigh was also thrilled, calling it the Holy Grail for bird ringers to have one of their swallows turn up in South Africa, something they always dreamed of.  Next year he will be particularly vigilant to see if the bird returns and he will keep Andrew informed. 

 

Just to imagine  - this tiny bundle of feathers followed its innate instincts to fly all the way to our neck of the woods.  We know this happens but to have our own proof gives me, for one, goose-bumps!

Congratulations and well done Andrew on all the effort you put into this project.

Photographs property of photographer

Attend the BirdLife South Africa AGM (Flock) Virtually

Dear colleagues

We are very pleased to announce that you can now attend our next AGM virtually, This important meeting will be livestreamed (at http://www.inventafrica.co.za/Flock-in-Jozi) to our members across the country (and even internationally). 

The AGM will start sharply at 16h00 on Saturday 21 March and be concluded by 18h00. Please encourage all members of BirdLife South Africa to attend our AGM using this cheap, low carbon meeting alternative. Many thanks to John Bowey for all the hard work in ensuring that our AGM will be accessible to our members.

Regards
Mark D. Anderson
Chief Executive Officer
BirdLife South Africa

White-eared Barbets on the South Coast

text and photos by Andy Ruffle

Eric Kok recently reported that he had seen some White-eared Barbet (Stactolaema leucotis) in Umtentweni.

The furthest south we usually see these birds is Umdoni Park at Pennington.

Today, I was alerted to an unusual call in my back garden in Sea Park. Further investigation revealed two White-eared Barbet busily eating the fruit of a Bridelia micrantha tree.
They now take my garden bird list to 113 species.

White-eared Barbet in Bridelia micrantha, Sea Park
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

White-eared Barbet in Bridelia micrantha, Sea Park
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

Photos copyright of photographer

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.

Vulture Hide helps green up local schools

The Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide has recently donated 5 indigenous trees each to Enxolobeni Primary School (Oribi) and Mdlalzi Primary School (Murchison), to assist with their 'Greening Up' Projects.

This worthwhile initiative, co-ordinated by the KZN Wildlife Honorary Officer Corp, will hopefully encourage the learners to take an interest in the environment.

We thank our visitors who have made this possible.

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

Official launch of Barry Porter Memorial Hide 8th February 2014

By Andy Ruffle

(Photo Lennart Eriksson)

 

Some 40 guests attended the official launch and naming of our Barry Porter Memorial Hide. They comprised representatives from UGU South Coast Tourism, representatives from Ezinqoleni Municipality, representatives from Ezinqoleni Tourism, BirdLife Trogons members, family members of Barry Porter, Mike & Heidi Neethling, representatives from the local tourism industry and  members of the media.

We assembled at Leopard Rock Coffee Shop before doubling up in cars and setting off to the hide.

Proceedings were opened by myself with a speech welcoming attendees, explaining briefly how the hide came about and thanking all those involved in bringing this exciting project to life.

Andy Ruffle
(Photo Lennart Eriksson)

Howard Kelly, who is on the Board of Directors of UGU South Coast Tourism (Pty) Ltd, then explained how and why UGU SCT became involved in this project.

Howard Kelly
(Photo Doug Butcher)

Next, Warren Porter, Barry’s son, gave a short speech about his father.

Warren Porter
(Photo Doug Butcher)

This was followed by Mike Neethling telling us some fascinating facts and figures about Cape Vultures.

Mike Neethling
(Photo Lennart Eriksson)

Warren Porter was then asked to the cut the ribbon and formally open the hide.

Andy Ruffle with Warren Porter - ribbon cutting
(Photo Hazel van Rooyen)

Andy thanks Warren
(Photo Lennart Eriksson)

Carol Kent, from Ezinqoleni Tourism, then gave a closing speech.

Carol Kent
(Photo Hazel van Rooyen)

With the formal proceedings completed, attendees were eager to check out the hide and experience the vultures for themselves. Mike enthusiastically offered information as guests surveyed the vulture restaurant and then went to the cliffs.

(Photo Doug Butcher)

(Photo Doug Butcher)

(Photo Hazel van Rooyen)

(Photo Hazel van Rooyen)

(Photo Hazel van Rooyen)

(Photo Hazel van Rooyen)

(Photo Doug Butcher)

(Photo Doug Butcher)

The gathering finally moved back to Leopard Rock for refreshments.

The launch was an overwhelming success and we have received nothing but positive feedback.

Certainly a day BirdLife Trogons can be very proud of!!

There are some more photos on our facebook group here.

Thanks go to the photo contributors