This is a voluntary working relationship with the City of Cape Town and the Cape Bird Club since 1974.
As we approached the “forest” as we call it and unseen by us till a Spotted Eagle Owl flew out of the canopy of the trees towards us and then circled over the Keysers River towards a large Norfolk Pine tree in Frogmore Estate. It is not very often one sees an owl flying around at 14h00 on a bright hot sunny afternoon. The sky was clear and a NW breeze was blowing which did not help us, we were screened by the forest. The temperature was in the high 20’s and the humidity was high too.
Bert started on a 30cm tree which was soon laying on its side. Robin had found a photo taken from the mountain and when zoomed in, (see the photo) one can see “the forest” we are working on. From the mountain it looks insignificant, it is substantial when one is in it. After cutting down a few perimeter trees to “the dell” mentioned in last months report, there appeared to be some pinkish cloth or plastic tied to a shrub, on closer inspection it was two March lilies in bloom, which were not present last month. Once we get the trees near them cut down it will give them a better chance of multiplying. We are making progress.
The Keysers River also has water lettuce growing much larger leaves this month and the river is choked with invasive plants. No chance for any ducks or darters to swim about.
A Black shouldered Kite was hovering over the Keysers River and some open grass area beside it near where we were. There were not very many other species of birds around this afternoon. Maybe the lowering barometer with the cold front due tomorrow had something to do with the bird activity. A total of 8 species were seen. We had seen a small grey mongoose cross a pathway when walking to the site earlier. There were not many insects about, although Bert had a small Cape Lapped Moth caterpillar on his shirt collar when we were about to get in our cars on the way home.
See this link for the past reports of what we have done.
photographs by Gavin Lawson.
Gavin Lawson.
