Women’s Day turned out to be a perfect day for birding – sunny and warm with no wind. As it was a Public Holiday, approximately 70 people turned up for the walk. Fortunately, there were a number of Cape Bird Club members present, so we were able to split into 3 groups, each with knowledgeable leaders.
Most people managed to see the Spotted Eagle Owl behind the Conservatory before setting off. At first the birds were a little scarce, but as it warmed up they came out in their numbers. Initially we saw a lot of Dusky Flycatchers, Cape Spurfowl, SDC Sunbirds and Cape White Eyes. Once we reached the protea beds, many more birds were seen, including Sugarbirds, Southern Boubou, Speckled Mousebirds and Karoo Prinia, amongst others. A couple of raptors gave rise to some discussion amongst the experts, the general consensus being Forest Buzzard. Heading down towards the Boomslang, the “rock owls” were in their usual spot.
With coffee and scones calling, the walk finished at Gate 1 with a combined total of 33 species, including 3 heard.
Many thanks to all those Bird Club members who so willingly assisted.
photographs by Zoe Lunau Johns.
Report by Pat Thompson.
Zoe Landau John’s bird list.
Trip: Kirstenbosch
Date: 2022-08-09 to 2022-08-09
Observations: 33
Species: 30
Species (heard only): 3
1. Malachite Sunbird, 2022-08-09 08:59
2. Egyptian Goose, 2022-08-09 08:59
3. Hadada Ibis, 2022-08-09 08:59
4. Cape Spurfowl, 2022-08-09 08:59
5. Southern Double-collared Sunbird, 2022-08-09 08:59
6. African Dusky Flycatcher, 2022-08-09 09:00
7. Common Chaffinch, 2022-08-09 09:11
8. Cape Robin-Chat, 2022-08-09 09:18
9. Little Egret, 2022-08-09 09:18
10. Forest Canary, 2022-08-09 09:18
11. Olive Thrush, 2022-08-09 09:19
12. Cape White-eye, 2022-08-09 09:19
13. Bar-throated Apalis, 2022-08-09 09:25
14. African Olive Pigeon, 2022-08-09 09:35
15. Red-winged Starling, 2022-08-09 09:37
16. Spotted Eagle-Owl, 2022-08-09 09:37
17. Cape Bulbul, 2022-08-09 09:40
18. Pied Crow, 2022-08-09 09:42
19. Karoo Prinia, 2022-08-09 09:45
20. White-necked Raven, 2022-08-09 09:45
21. Brimstone Canary, 2022-08-09 09:48
22. Cape Sugarbird, 2022-08-09 09:48
23. Cape Grassbird, 2022-08-09 10:12
24. Speckled Mousebird, 2022-08-09 10:25
25. Peregrine Falcon, 2022-08-09 10:26
26. Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk, 2022-08-09 10:37
27. Booted Eagle, 2022-08-09 10:37
28. Southern Boubou, 2022-08-09 10:39
29. Sombre Greenbul, 2022-08-09 10:58
30. Cape Canary, 2022-08-09 11:04
31. Common Waxbill, 2022-08-09 11:15
32. Little Rush Warbler, 2022-08-09 11:18
33. Red-eyed Dove, 2022-08-09 11:44