<< BACK
CAPE BIRDING - 18 JULY 2010
Being someone who gets really miserable when it is cold and or wet I had to make the most of the great weather we had this weekend. I decided to go to Strandfontein on Saturday and WC Nat Park today. Every time I visit these places I cannot help but feel smug when I think that I live within 1 hours drive of these IBAs.
Being winter I was not expecting much but I was pleased to see that the Spotted Eagle Owls are back at their usual site. I was worried that they may have disappeared as I have not seen them there for a long time now. Last year they managed to raise at least 4 chicks so it was good to see them again. Other than that just the usual with a nice sighting of a Purple Gallinule on a nest.
The birds at the Geelbek hide at WC Nat Park were sparse. Nothing unusual other than the flamingoes, pelicans, avocets, gulls whimbrel, a few greenshank and others. The rail was calling it's heart out but was not to be seen. I figured that as the rail was so vocal I will stand a better chance of seeing it at Abrahamskraal. What a bonus that was, I have never seen the rail like I did today. A pair of them came swimming across the pond, I was so dumb struck by what I saw that it took me a couple of seconds to compose myself and grab the camera. Despite not having webbed feet these birds swim very well and fast too. Once they reached the banks I just had to sit back patiently to get some really great shots. I have a shot of what I believe to be a juvenile rail, it is attached along with the other pics. If it is not then I would be keen to know what it is.
Attached are a few pics I took at Strandfontein and WCNP te past two days.
Shaun Overmeyer
 COMMENTS
No current posts. Be the first to post a comment
Please fill in the details below to post a comment. Please note that no comment will be viewable until approved or otherwise if you are a trusted user. To sign in please use the login box below the menu.
|
