OUTING REPORT: Ellingham Estate, 22 April 2018

Grey Crowned Crane (photo HvR)

Attendees: Stan & Val Culley, Margie Cowan, Hazel Nevin, Stanley Gengan, Ros Conrad and Andrew Warburton, Bob & Hazel van Rooyen

Species:  61                                                                                Text: Hazel van Rooyen

Early morning at Ellingham (photo HvR)

A successful morning's birding was had at Ellingham Estate, 62 species being identified.  Beginning the day with a walk towards the dams, some tall trees produced Southern Black Tit, Southern Black Flycatcher, Sombre Greenbull and White-eared Barbet.

White-eared Barbet (photo HvR)

Yellow-rumpted Tinkerbird (photo HvR)

 Collared Sunbird (photo HvR)

Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Thick-billed Weaver, Paradise Flycatcher, Black Cuckoo-Shrike, Southern Boubou, Black-backed Puffback and Collared Sunbird were also very active in the early morning sunshine.  

At the first dam a Malachite Kingfisher, 3-banded Plover and Cape Wagtail were spotted.  Around the corner a Long-crested Eagle surveyed the world from a a stand of casaurinas.  As we walked beneath some bushes reaching across the road two Grey Crowned Cranes were perched in the lower branches.  After observing for a while they inevitably flew off as we moved passed them, trumpeting as they went.

Grey Crowned Crane (photo HvR)

The next dam was home to Spurwing Geese.  An African Darter dried off its wings, catching the breeze from the top of a shrub on the island while some African Jacanas investigated the lily pads.  It was good to see them as they haven't been so prolific this summer.  

African Jacana (photo HvR)

Other birds seen in this area were Green Wood-hoopoe, Purple-crested Turaco, Black-collared Barbet, Black Saw-wing and Grey Heron.  A Pygmy Kingfisher was sitting on a branch by the water's edge but disappeared on our approach.

After breakfast we drove across the road to another dam but we couldn't find a good vantage point and only saw a couple of White-backed Ducks and these through the scope.  We tried a walk around the side but couldn't get closer.  Along this road we saw Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Fiscal Flycatcher, Amethyst Sunbird and White-fronted Bee-eater.

Little Bee-eater (photo HvR)

Hamerkop - can you do this with your head! (photo HvR)

Our next stop was the causeway where we parked and took a stroll around.  White-bellied Sunbird, Pied Wagtail, Red-backed Mannikin, Mountain Wagtail and a Jackal Buzzard were spotted.

As Hazel Nevin left she added Cape Glossy Starling and Violet-backed Starling to the list and as the stragglers left, we saw a Crowned Eagle.


Special thanks go to Stanley Gengan for collecting and returning the forms to Rocky Bay resorts, especially as he had to delay joining his family on a weekend in the Drakensburg. Thanks Stanley!

Species: 61
Tit, Southern Black 
Flycatcher, Southern Black 
Ibis, Hadedah
Greenbul, Sombre
Barbet, White-eared
Weaver, Thick-billed
Flycatcher, Paradise
Robin-Chat, Red-capped
Tinkerbird, Yellow-rumped
Bushshrike, Orange-breasted
Cuckooshrike, Black
Boubou, Southern
Puffback, Black-backed
Sunbird, Collared
Longclaw, Yellow-throated
Kingfisher, Malachite
Dove, Tambourine
Dove, Red-eyed
Starling, Black-bellied
Drongo, Fork-tailed
Plover, 3-banded 
Cuckooshrike, Grey
Wagtail, Cape
Eagle, Long-crested
Canary, Yellow-fronted
Sunbird, Olive
Mannikin, Bronze
Crane, Grey Crowned
Darter, African
Goose Spurwing
Jacana, African
Woodhoopoe, Green
Hornbill, Trumpeter
Goose, Egyptian
Turaco, Purple-crested
Barbet, Black-collared
Moorhen, Common
Saw-wing, Black
Heron, Grey
Hamerkop
Kingfisher, Pygmy
Greenbull, Yellow-bellied
Bulbul, Dark-capped
Kite, Black-shouldered
Goose, Spurwing
Bee-eater, Little
Duck, White-backed
Kingfisher, Brown-hooded
Flycatcher, Fiscal
Sunbird, Amethyst
Sunbird, White-bellied
Buzzard, Jackal
Wagtail, Pied
Mannikin, Red-backed
Wagtail, Mountain
Eagle, Crowned

(Photos property of H van Rooyen)

UPCOMING OUTING: Ellingham Estate, Park Rynie, 22 April 2018

Spurwing Goose (photo by Stan Culley)

Sunday 22 April at 06h30 BirdLife Trogons will visit Ellingham Estate, Park Rynie. There is a R20pp entrance fee, which Stanley Gengan will collect at the outing on behalf of Rocky Bay Resorts together with signed indemnity forms. Bring chairs, breakfast and something to braai for lunch. ALL WELCOME. There is a R20pp charge for non-members for BirdLife Trogons. Outings may be cancelled due to weather, check www.birdlifetrogons.blogspot.co.za or phone Hazel van Rooyen on 072 355 8837 before setting off. For further details telephone Hazel or visit the blog. Please note we cannot respond to text messages or "call me" requests.

PLEASE LET HAZEL KNOW BEFOREHAND IF YOU WILL BE ATTENDING THE OUTING.

Directions: Take the Umzinto/Park Rynie offramp from the N2. Turn inland, towards Umzinto. The very first farm on your left is Ellingham. Meet near the paddock but please do NOT enter.

Set GPS to DD MM SS.S = S30 18 53.2 E30 42 54.6

Thanking you

Kind regards

Hazel van Rooyen

Secretary BirdLife Trogons Bird Club

OUTING REPORT: Lake Eland Nature Reserve, 8 April 2018

Attendees: Barrie Willis & Sue Hansbury, Danie & Bella du Toit, Robin Eccles & Hanli Kloppers, Bob & Hazel van Rooyen joined for the braai only with family

Species:  41

A good morning was spent at Lake Eland Nature Reserve.  Thanks go to Andy Ruffle who negotiated a discount for members.  

Species Waxbill, Blue
Turaco, Knysna
Starling, Black-bellied
Barbet, Black-collared
Mousebird, Speckled
Dove, Tambourine
Drongo, Ford-tailed
Prinia, Tawny-flanked
Tinkerbird, Red-fronted
Weaver, Thick-billed
Cameroptera, Green-backed
Wagtail, Cape
Kingfisher, Brown-hooded
Weaver, Dark-backed
Wagtail, Pied
Kingfisher, Malachite
Eagle, African Fish
Bulbul, Dark-capped
Straling, Red-winged
Weaver, Spectacled
Dove, Red-eyed
Dove, Speckled
Canary, Forest
Heron Grey
Goose, Egyptian
Crow, Pied
Guineafowl, Helmeted
Raven, White-necked
Weaver, Village
Sunbird, Amethysst
Canary, Yellow-fronted
Neddicky
Stonechat, African
Ibis, Hadedah
Coucal, Burchell's
Longclaw, Cape
Pipit, African
Francolin, Red-winged
Crane, Grey-crowned
Vulture, Cape
Apalis, Bar-throated

UPCOMING OUTING: 8 April 2018 - Lake Eland Nature Reserve

 

Long-crested Eagle (photo: Stan Culley)

Dear Members & Friends

Sunday  8 April 06:30 am BirdLife Trogons will visit Lake Eland Nature Reserve.  Bring chairs, breakfast and something to braai for lunch.  ALL WELCOME.  There is a R20pp charge for non-members of BirdLife Trogons.  Entrance charge to Lake Eland is  R40  for pensioners and R60 adults.

 

Outing may be cancelled due to the weather, check www.birdlifetrogons.blogspot.com or phone Hazel on 072 355 8837 before setting off.  Please note we cannot respond to text messages or "call me" requests.

 

PLEASE LET HAZEL KNOW IF YOU WILL BE ATTENDING THE OUTING.

 

From Port Shepstone take N2 to Harding. Just before Murchison Hospital turn right into road signposted Oribi Flats East.  Proceed down the hill passed NPC factory, then the road climbs up to Oribi Flats. Keep straight on to Lake Eland which is well signed.  Set GPS to DD MM SS.S  =  S30 41 35.7   E30 10 42.8

Kind regards

Hazel van Rooyen

Secretary

BirdLife Trogons

CANCELLED: Outing 25 March 2018 to Bushbuck Trail, Southbroom

Dear all

Due to an adverse weather forecast and not much interest we have made an early decision to cancel tomorrow's outing.  My apologies if you were thinking of coming along.

Kind regards
Hazel van Rooyen
Secretary
BirdLife Trogons
 

AWAY TRIP REPORT: ST LUCIA - 19-23 MARCH 2018

Participants: Sandy Olver, Margaret Jones, Doug & Angie Butcher, Stanley & Asothie Gengan, Barrie Willis & Sue Hansbury, Graham & Sue Salthouse, Stan & Val Culley, Robin Eccles, Bob & Hazel van Rooyen 

Species: 132                                                                             Text: Hazel van Rooyen

Monday:  Arriving at St Lucia Wilds more or less all at the same time, we scuttled about off-loading luggage and quickly got settled in so that we could suss out our surroundings.  Livingston’s Turaco and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird competed for The Voice.  We then visited the ski-boat club where the verandah overlooked the estuary.  On the opposite side a Goliath Heron stood in the shallows along with Pink-backed Pelican, Grey Heron and Black-winged Stilts, amongst others.  Taking the popular boardwalk brought us closer to more waders – African Spoonbill, Little Egret, Ruff, Whimbrel and White-winged Terns.  

Pink-backed Pelican (photo HvR)

An African Pipit skittered about the sand dunes (photo HvR)

An immature African Fish Eagle hunted over the estuary (photo HvR

A Spotted Flyctacher at our accommodation (photo HvR)

Tuesday:  In the morning we got an early start into Isimangaliso Wetland Park but Crested Guineafowl were even earlier, rushing hither and thither (as they do) around the grassy area outside our chalets.  Once in the park, White-eared and Black-collared Barbets were very visible and soon Amethyst and Scarlet-chested Sunbirds along with Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters were showing off their iridescent plumage. 

Scarlet-chested Sunbird (photo HvR)

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (photo HvR)

Amongst all the activity, a Diederik’s Cuckoo caught a juicy caterpillar (photo HvR

Woolly-necked Stork (photo HvR)

The water had receded greatly since our last visit but following a loop we came to iZindondwe Pan which at first glance looked deserted but on closer inspection we picked up a Wood Sandpiper, African Jacana, Black Crake on the periphery while a Woolly-necked Stork peeped out of the tall sedges.  A Black-chested Snake Eagle soared regally above us.  Moving along, a family of Amur Falcons looked settled in a leafless tree and a few minutes later we drove passed a Brown Snake Eagle perched in another tree.

Amur Falcons (photo Stan Culley)

Amur Falcon Male (photo HvR)

Amur Falcon Female (photo HvR)

Black-chested Snake Eagle (photo Stan Culley)

Bushbuck (photo HvR)

Breakfast had been planned for the hide at Mfazana Pan but the water was so far away we decided to picnic at Mission Rocks beneath the shady thorn trees.  Bushbuck and Duiker foraged creating an idyllic atmosphere. 

Relaxing at Mission Rocks (photo DB)

Breakfast in a shady spot (photo Doug Butcher))

Breakfast (photo Doug Butcher)

At Catalina Bay we stopped to enjoy the view.  A pair of Buffalo stood drowsily cooling off in the lake.  Bliss!

Buffalo enjoying a cool siesta (photo HvR)

Brown Scrub-Robin (photo Stan Culley)

Moving on to Cape Vidal, Cape & Pied Wagtail were busy amongst the holiday makers and a shy Brown Scrub Robin caught Stan’s sharp eyes.  Driving back slowly via the Red dunes, Senegal Lapwing posed obligingly and a single Red-backed Shrike balanced on the telephone wires.  

Senegal Lapwing (photo Stan Culley)

Red-backed Shrike (photo HvR)

View from Mission Rocks (photo HvR)

A herd of Buffalo gazed lazily at us, chewing their cud and letting Red-billed Oxpeckers groom them.

Red-billed Oxpeckers (photo HvR)

Red-billed Oxpeckers (photo Doug Butcher)

Later in the afternoon Stanley & Asothie, Bob and I took a walk in the iGwalagwala Forest which was next to our accommodation.  We were looking for the African Broadbill which we actually found -  hoorah! (Unfortunately no photo)

Assassin Bugs (photo HvR).

Assassin Bugs, in camouflage outfits, enjoyed an orange-coloured fruit.  It was very humid after a very hot day and going round in circles, we almost got lost.  We had just found the road when Barrie & Sue drove by on their way to the ski-boat club for drinks. 

Thankfully he offered us a lift back and we all managed to get into his spacious new car.

Yellow-breasted Apalis (photo HvR)

Rudd's Apalis (photo HvR)

Wednesday morning dawned sunny and breezy and the whole group gathered for another walk in the Forest.  Black-backed Puffback and Square-tailed Drongo chortled and whistled and a Dark-backed Weaver performed somersaults in his immaculate yellow and black suit, swinging upside-down looking for tasty grubs.  We were eyeing up several small birds flitting in the thicket when we realised one was the Woodward’s Batis.  How thrilled were we!  Another Lifer for most of us.  The Rudd’s Apalis was another of the little darting birds along with Yellow-breasted Apalis.
   

Golden-tailed Woodpecker (photo HvR)

A Golden-tailed Woodpecker squawked loudly and a Crowned Hornbill came to see greet us.  Then we espied a pair of Yellow-bellied Greenbulls feeding two hungry chicks on a nest.  That was very special.  

 Yellow-bellied Greenbull chick (photo Sue Salthouse)

In the open grassy area a beautiful Flame Tree was in full flower.

Natal Flame Tree (photo HvR)

Home then to breakfast, after which most of us set off for a trip up the Western Shores.  This was rather disappointing  as regards birdlife except for a large flock of Collared Pratincoles on the dirt road which kept flying up as the vehicles approached, only to land a few paces further on, and nearly always facing away from us. 

Collared Pratincole (photo HvR)

A Wattled Lapwing and Common Fiscal were also seen.  Arriving at the aerial boardwalk we were glad to have a snack break in a shady glade.  The short boardwalk was very pretty with lovely views at the end.  Intermediate Egrets were spotted and Barrie and Sue saw an African Marsh Harrier hunting over the reed beds.  A Terrestrial Brownbul complained crossly from the understory.

Aerial Boardwalk (photo HvR)

Aerial Boardwalk (photo HvR)

Lilac-breasted Roller (photo HvR)

Herd of Blou Wildebeest (photo HvR)

Lilac-breasted Roller (photo Stan Culley)

In the meantime the Butcher party off four had caught up with us.  They had cleverly followed the one way detour and had seen Banded Martin and Martial Eagle, plus a single elephant.  

Martial Eagle (photo Doug Butcher)

Pied Crow (photo Doug Butcher)

Driving back the heat was intense and the only birds seen were African Pipit and European Roller.  A herd of Blou Wildebeest lazily looked on, such a quintessential sight of the African bushveld.

On Thursday morning, our last day, we breakfasted first then ventured onto the beach dune walk, managing to see Curlew Sandpiper, White-fronted and Grey Plovers plus Little Stint but then the rain came down and we rushed for shelter beneath some bushes.  It soon stopped and only a bit damp,  some of us ventured further on but soon it started up again and eventually we had to give in and went home, wet tails between our legs, to get into dry clothes.

African Jacana, Juv (photo HvR)

Wood Sandpiper (photo HvR)

Common Ringed Plover (photo HvR)

Undeterred, the Ponds were our next port of call, brave souls that we are! (It was a bit stinky).  An immature African Jacana, a company of White-faced Ducks, 3-banded Plover, Wood Sandpiper and Common Ringed Plover  were seen while White-faced Bee-eaters graced the air and Wire-tailed Swallows congregated on dead sticks in the middle of the pond.

Wire-tailed Swallows (photo HvR)

3-banded Plovers (photo Doug Butcher)

Then, taking a risk with the weather, some of us decided to give the estuary beach another chance.  This was worth the effort, adding several species to our list – Swift Tern, Grey-headed Gull, Water Thickknee, and Lesser-crested Tern.  We had a long return walk - all of two km’s but heavy going across the sand (especially for Stan with his scope) and eventually we called it a day and returned to those waiting patiently in the cars.  

Top R: Swift Tern/ Middle L: Lesser Crested Tern (photo HvR)

Swift Terns (photo HvR)

Grey-headed Gull (photo HvR)

Intrepid bird watchers (photo HvR)

Water Thick-knee (photo HvR)

Caspian Terns (photo HvR)

Curlew Sandpipers, transitioning into breeding plumage (photo HvR)

As we got home the rain started in earnest and didn’t let up till the following morning when we had to leave anyway.  The guys still managed to braai and they must be thanked for cooking for us every night.  Also thanks to Imelda and her team at St Lucia Wilds for making us so at home.  The units lacked for nothing and everything worked!  The swimming pool was most welcome too.  We didn’t see the hippo which sometimes takes a short cut through their property but Sue & Barrie encountered him (or her) on the street on their way to their accommodation one dark and lonely night - must have been a shock.  

Thanks to all participants and helped make the trip so pleasant and share their vast knowledge, especially Stan Culley. Everyone agreed that it was a successful trip.  Stan commented that overall some species were conspicuous by their absence, such as flycatchers, mannikins and waxbills.  Graham must have got the most Lifers – at least 19-plenty!  He still didn’t get his “Tufted" Flufftail (and mostly likely never will) but he gave us a lot of laughs.  I wonder what our next trip holds.

Curlew Sandpipers take off (photo HvR)

A swirl of Sandpipers (photo HvR)

Searching ... searching (photo Doug Butcher)

Visibility was poor (photo Doug Butcher)

Straggling along (photo HvR)

Drinks at the ski-boat club (photo by waiter)

4 Caspian Terns & 1 Swift Tern (photo Doug Butcher)

Bird List

Apalis, Rudd’s Apalis, Yellow-breasted Barbet, Black-collared Barbet, Crested Barbet, White-eared Batis, Woodwards Bee-eater, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, European Bee-eater, Little Bee-eater, White-fronted Boubou, Southern Broadbill, African Brownbull, Terrestrial Bulbul, Dark-capped Bush-shrike, Gorgeous Bush-shrike, Orange-breasted Cameroptera, Green-backed Canary, Brimstone Canary, Yellow-fronted Cisticola, Croaking Cisticola, Rattling Cisticola, Zitting Cormorant, Reed Cormorant, White-breasted Coucal, Burchell’s Crake, Black Cuckoo, Diederick’s Cuckoo, Klaas’s Cuckooshrike, Grey Dove, Emerald-spotted Dove, Red-eyed Drongo, Fork-tailed Drongo, Square-tailed Duck, White-faced Duck, Yellow-billed Eagle, African Fish Eagle, Black-chested Snake Eagle, Brown, Eagle, Martial Egret, Intermediate Egret, Little Falcon, Amur Fiscal, Common Fly-catcher, Spotted

Goose, Egyptian Goose, Spurwing Greenbul, Sombre Greenbul, Yellow-bellied Guineafowl, Crested Guineafowl, Helmeted Gull, Common Gull, Grey-headed Harrier, African Marsh Hawk, African Harrier Heron, Goliath Heron, Grey Heron, Purple Honeyguide, Greater Hornbill, Crowned Hornbill, Trumpeter Ibis, Hadedah Jacana, African Kingfisher, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Pygmy Lapwing, Blacksmith Lapwing, Senegal Lapwing, Wattled Longclaw, Yellow-throated Martin, Banded Martin, Sand Oxpecker, Red-billed Pelican, Pink-backed Pipit, African Plover, 3-banded Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Kitlitz Plover, White-fronted Pratincole, Collared Prinia, Tawny-flanked Puffback, Black-backed Robin, Brown Scrub Robin-Chat, Red-capped Roller, European Ruff Sanderling Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood

Saw-wing, Black Shrike, Red-backed Shrike Sparrow, Grey-headed Sparrow, House Spoonbill, African Starling, Black-bellied Stilt, Black-winged Stint, Little Stork, Saddle-billed Stork, Woolly-necked Sunbird, Amethyst (M&F) Sunbird, Collared Sunbird, Grey Sunbird, Olive Sunbird, Purple-banded Sunbird, Scarlet-chested Swallow, Barn Swallow, Wire-tailed Swamphen, African Swift, African Palm Swift, Common Swift, Little Swift, White-rumped Teal, Red-billed Tern, Caspian Tern, Common Tern, Lesser-crested Tern, Little Tern, Sandwich Tern, White-winged (black) Thickknee, Water Tinkerbird, Yellow-rumped Turaco, Livingston’s Turaco, Purple-crested Wagtail, Cape Wagtail, Pied Weaver, Dark-backed Weaver, Spectacled Weaver, Thick-billed Whimbrel, Common Whydah, Pin-tailed Woodpecker, Golden-tailed

All photos property of photographers