Keurbos Bird Reserve.

 

In Spring, Elgin, an apple and pear area, is at its most beautiful. The orchards, vineyards and flower gardens were full of colour and dog-roses lined the roads and vineyards.

The weather on Sunday 17 November was perfect for our visit to Keurbos Nature Reserve. Thirty-four members and friends gathered at the gate on No 71 on Highlands Road. Before entering the Reserve, two Yellow-billed Kites were spotted high up in a dry tree.

At the first stop, the bird hide, the group split. The first group entered the hide and the second group continued on a leisurely stroll around the upper dam. The large willow tree in the middle of the dam provides a good breeding spot for Black-headed Herons (three pairs), Reed Cormorants, African Darters, Black-crowned Night Herons and Cape Weavers. And this year, for the first time, a pair of White-breasted Cormorants has also taken up residence here and is breeding.

As the walk continued, a number of very young Raucous Toads were spotted in the path and these were re-located closer to the water. James (6), Olivia (14) and Mitchell (11) relocate a tiny Raucous Toad, before it got trodden on by one of the group.

On the path between the upper and lower dams we saw Karoo Prinia and heard Black Crakes calling – a Black Crake was seen from the hide later in the morning by the second group of visitors. A number of Paradise Flycatchers were seen high up in the trees and Yellow-billed Ducks, Little Grebes and Red-knobbed Coots were swimming on the water.

It was lovely to have Jessie Walton join us on our walk and later we enjoyed our mid-morning coffee/tea and snacks on the large deck of her home overlooking a different dam. Here we enjoyed watching Jackal Buzzards, Greater-striped Swallows and White-rumped Swifts flying by.

A male Paradise Flycatcher, flitting around a willow, was enjoyed especially by two sharp-eyed young birders. We missed the Giant Kingfisher that we had seen on our last visit.

Several of the party walked into the garden to view a Spotted Eagle Owl and then a Barn Owl that is being cared for by Jessie in her Rehabilitation Centre for injured birds. This Barn Owl is recovering from an eye infection. Under Jessie’s supervision, one of our young birders was permitted to view the Barn Owl up close.

The members of CBC enjoyed the outing and we thank Jessie for making us so welcome. Jessie reiterated that birders are always welcome to visit Keurbos Reserve – contact her for the gate code and rules.

Photographs by Daryl and Lynette de Beer, Penny Dichmont, Dennis Laidler and Stephen Judge.

Report by Daryl and Lynette de Beer.