The Cape Bird Club

Strandfontein outing – 4th April 2005

The CBC Juniors were scheduled to visit Intaka Island, but because the reserve has been temporarily closed, we visited Strandfontain WWTW instead. The day was calm and sunny and the ponds were beautiful.

photograph by Heather Howell

Being so late in the year, most of the flamingos have migrated but stints and swallows are still evident. The overwintering flamingos were in small flocks of which only 3 were located. Pond 2 was once again a focal point and provided very interesting viewing for the Juniors, including Shelduck and Spurwinged Geese as well as waders -- for which we lacked a scope. Other ponds yielded a very wide variety of ducks.

Of raptors we saw Blackshouldered Kite and Greater Kestrel. A good and brilliant view of a Swamp Hen is obligatory for the venue and was accomplished, much to the leaders relief! The highlight was probably the excellent views of Ringed Plover.

The group of  6 children and 5 adults, overstayed our allotted one and a half hours and the group expressed delight in the mornings birding with a count of 52 species.

Heather Howell.