The Claremont High Bird Club had its first outing of the year at Strandfontein Birding Area (SBA) on Saturday 12th March. We met at the school a 9 a.m. CBC members helped drive the nine students (including eight from CHS and Zoë Lunau-Johns from Waldorf) to SBA. I was very grateful to have the help of Otto and Sandy Schmidt, Alison Gilbert, Joel Radue and Priscilla Beeton, all of whom have helped with previous CHS outings.
Once there, we competed in four teams to see who could see the most species in the two hours available. Most teams headed straight for P4, where Fulvous Whistling Ducks have been regularly seen recently. I was hoping to see them (a lifer), but did not expect to see over fifty birds – close!
For most of the Claremont High students, it was their first visit to Strandfontein. Amy Wasserfall, in Grade 10 writes, “It was my first time seeing flamingos up close. It was absolutely magnificent.”
A Grade 12 pupil, Lukhanyo Mtiki, wrote the following:
“The day started on a high note with inquisitive and eager birders. The group of learners was divided into small groups to make the outing run smoothly. We got to Strandfontein and the birding began. The excitement of being back in the field after two years made the outing more enjoyable for me.
“The sight of a Great White Pelican flying over near the gate was the lucky charm for the great species that were to follow, including many lifers, like the Fulvous Duck and the White-backed Duck. The sight of a Kelp Gull became a common sight over the waters.
“Soon it was time for lunch and there was a small award ceremony, where I was awarded a prize as the best returning birder. Joel’s team got the most species.
“While having lunch, the best and most surprising sighting graced us. It was the pale morph Booted Eagle. This was almost the last sighting, and most definitely the best.” (Lukhanyo Mtiki)
When we gathered at the “Hub” at the end, Joel’s team was well in the lead, but he was still able to add Booted Eagle and a couple more species while we were enjoying our coffee. His tally of 56 was impressive, including Blue-billed Teal and Ruff. Otto’s team was close behind. Otto had taken the gravel track close to the bottom of P7 and P8, hoping to see the Pink-backed Pelican there. Although unsuccessful, they had picked up a Rock Kestrel and a Black-winged Kite, which the other teams missed. These additions, plus others by his team, brought the combined tally of the whole group to a very pleasing 63.
There was another good raptor sighting: Zoë, in Alison’s team, was quick to spot, ID and photograph a dark morph Booted Eagle, making that two for the morning, with the pale morph at the end. Thanks to Zoë and Amy for their photographs, which captured the highlights of the outing so well.
Thank you to the students who were such good ambassadors of their two schools and to Mr Nick Chadwick for liaising with the CHS students, despite being busy himself, organising a school camp. I would also like extend my thanks to Joel, Priscilla, Alison, Otto and Sandy for helping to make it such an enjoyable and successful outing. Not only is your ID and guiding invaluable, but your enthusiasm about birding must surely rub off on these young birders and encourage them to pursue it as a more serious hobby.
Photographs by Penny Dichmont, Otto Schmidt, Zoë Lunau-Johns and Amy Wasserfall.
Article by Penny Dichmont.