More than 30 people arrived for the walk at 8.00 a.m. and after welcoming everyone, I explained we would bird the lower parts of Kirstenbosch first and then move higher up, later in the walk.
As we set off, we heard Sombre Greenbuls calling. Egyptian Geese and Helmeted Guineafowl were waiting for us on the lawn ahead and before we had even turned right towards the Moyo restaurant, everyone had good views of a small flock of Bronze Mannikins, a good start to the morning.
Generally, however, it was very quiet and our best sighting was a Levaillant’s Cisticolla, in some Agapanthus flowers near the vlei, spotted by Brodie Pascoe, one of the club’s younger members.
As we arrived at the Dell there was a bit more activity. One of the large fruiting trees had a small bird party and Southern Double-collared Sunbirds, Cape Bulbuls, Cape White-eyes and a Forest Canary were enjoying themselves. Then Brodie spotted an Olive Woodpecker which entertained our group for quite a while. It was a female and I think everyone eventually saw it. An African Goshawk was also heard calling.
We then moved on to the Enchanted Forest hoping to find a Lemon Dove. This time it was Zoe Lunau-Johns’ turn. She spotted one sitting quietly in a dark area. It was quite difficult to see, but everyone waited their turn patiently. Then those who had seen it moved on and found another one a little further ahead, which was more easily seen and afforded some photographic opportunities.
The Tree Canopy Walkway always gives stunning views over Kirstenbosch. The hoped-for African Olive Pigeons were not in the Atlas cedar tree, but a lone Rock Kestrel was on top, surveying the area. A Sombre Greenbul also gave some people a close-up view, as it sat in the open just a few metres from the rail, close enough to see the pale eye without using binoculars.
As we left the Boomslang, we had a look back at that big Atlas cedar. The Rock Kestrel was still on top and a few Cape Canaries were seen in and near the tree, then the African Goshawk swooped down and whizzed past us.
We then headed for the Proteas and some Fynbos birds. We saw several pairs of Cape Sugarbirds, Karoo Prinia, Brimstone Canary, Malachite Sunbird and a male Common Chaffinch, that spent a lot of time in the open for the photographers.
On the downhill return, Speckled Mousebirds were seen, Cape Grassbird was heard calling and Orange-breasted Sunbird and Swee Waxbill were seen just before we got back to the Dell. The weather, although cloudy, had been kind to us, but it was now threatening rain.
Just after we passed the Otter Pond, we had an excellent view of an African Harrier-Hawk flying fairly low. A fitting end to a very pleasant walk and although there weren’t as many birds as are sometimes seen, we managed a total of 37 different species.
My thanks to Otto & Sandy Schmidt, Dennis & Gigi Laidler, Daryl & Lynette de Beer, Penny Dichmont and Linda Hibbin for all their assistance.
Bird list.
Egyptian Goose
Helmeted Guineafowl
Cape Bulbul
Bronze Mannikin
Common Waxbill
Sombre Greenbul
Red-winged Starling
Cape White-eye
Cape Spurfowl
Levaillant’s Cisticola
Pin-tailed Whydah
African Sacred Ibis
Southern Double-collared Sunbird
Forest Canary
Olive Woodpecker
Olive Thrush
Lemon Dove
Southern Boubou
Hadeda Ibis
African Paradise Flycatcher
Black Saw-wing
Rock Kestrel
Cape Canary
Cape Sugarbird
Cape Robin-chat
Karoo Prinia
Brimstone Canary
Common Chaffinch
Malachite Sunbird
Speckled Mousebird
Cape Grassbird
Orange-breasted Sunbird
Swee Waxbill
African Dusky Flycatcher
Cape Batis
African Harrier Hawk
Red-eyed Dove.
Photographs by Daryl de Beer and Zoe Lunau-Johns.
Report by Simon Fogarty.