On Tuesday, 12 October, 34 enthusiastic birders met at Gate 1 for the Kirstenbosch Bird Walk led by Daryl de Beer. The weather conditions were perfect: warm, wind-free and a cloudless sky.
Before entering the Garden, we checked on the Spotted Eagle Owl breeding in the hanging basket, all appeared well with ‘mom’.
As we entered the Garden, we sighted the Black-headed Heron, that seems to have made itself at home in the Garden, on the lawn near the pond. We spied many Cape Canaries enjoying the seeds in the colourful flower beds and were fortunate to see a Levaillant Cisticola in the Strelitzias. We had good views of Bronze Mannikins and Swee Waxbills.
As we moved further into the Garden, we were treated to a spectacular aerial display of a chase – Egyptian Goose vs Black Sparrowhawk! Result inconclusive! After much discussion, the consensus of opinion on the ID of a large raptor flying against the mountain, was European Honey Buzzard, which was at one stage ‘buzzed’ by an African Goshawk.
Many of the group were thrilled to get good views of Common Chaffinch and Sombre Greenbul which were unperturbed by our presence. Some of the group were fortunate to see an Olive Thrush feeding its chick in a nest near the Boomslang.
As we exited the Enchanted Forest, we enjoyed an extended sighting of a male Paradise Flycatcher in full breeding plumage – the highlight of the morning!
We were fortunate to be joined by three of the Kirstenbosch Volunteer Guides who added another dimension to our walk by sharing their knowledge of the beautiful floral kingdom that is Kirstenbosch.
A total of 29 bird species was seen with 4 ‘heards’ – Bar-throated Apalis; Southern Boubou; Klaas’s Cuckoo; Common Waxbill.
This was a most enjoyable stroll through the Garden.
Report by Lynette de Beer.
Photographs by Phillip Green.