The Cape Bird Club

Ringing terns at the Lourens River Estuary by Gordon Scholtz

Lourens River Estuary and terns coming in to roost

It was at the end of 1999 that a group of Somerset West birders visiting the Strand beach and looking through the perimeter fence noticed a large flock of birds, mainly terns on the beach at the estuary of the Lourens River. The area concerned was strictly out of bounds and under tthe management of AECI. Historically the company had been involved in the production of explosives for the De Beers mines and ultimately for the SA Government as well. With the scaling down of these operations it was felt worthwhile as a group of bird ringers to request permission to have a closer look at the potential.

Consent was given on certain strict conditions and we began our  first tilt at the migrant terns early in January 2000. We managed over 60 birds, mostly Common and Sandwich plus a few White-winged Terns, and we felt we had discovered a wonderful potential for migratory bird study.

Early in the following season, October 2000 we were at it again and to great delight secured our first ringed visitor, a Common Tern first ringed as a nestling in Hame, Finland in June 1994, exactly 6 years, 4 months  and 1 day previously. This was followed by a couple of birds ringed in sweden and Belgium and in no time we had a collection  of foreign ringed terns. Other countries like Lithuania, Estonia, Holland, UK and Northern Island are all represented. Over the years we have caught a total of 37 birds ringed in the Northern Hemisphere and the pattern has varied between birds ringed at their birthplace mere months before to a couple as far back as 16 years!

Image the history of some of these beautiful creatures who follow an age old migratory instinct.

Each successive season has seen our team amoungst the migrants with varied success but the numbers of birds have often fluctuated from year to year, really dependent on the availability of food offshore. This season for example our total capture has been a mere 31 birds though one of these was a first from Denmark.

There is currently speculation as to the future of the area and it is to be hoped that a serious effort will be made to accomodate this phenomenal experience.