Outing to the Majik Forest, Durbanville.

 

 

It was a typical 1st of July morning, cold and fresh. A stunning and clear morning, leading us into the second half of the year.

When Clara and I drove into the parking lot at the Majik Forest shopping centre, we could already see a few of our birding buddies saddling up. Everyone received a warm welcome from Daryl and Lynette (Lynette was appropriately dressed, with a light pink knitted beanie on her head and a snug, warm top). What would the CBC do without people like the two of them? When problems occur with other leader guides, Daryl is always willing (and able, may I add) to step in and to lead us eager beavers. He does this voluntarily, over and above the walks that he leads anyway. Give that man a Bells!

Immediately, Daryl drew our attention to a stunning Gymnogene, flying overhead while we gathered binocs, hats, water, etc. To start with an African Harrier-Hawk, whilst still in the parking lot, is not too shabby for a winter’s morning!

Daryl then explained the route that we were going to walk to the thirty or so birders, and asked for someone to write something about the outing. The only reason why I accepted, was the enormous discount that Daryl offered on the bird-walk fee, for any volunteer to put pen to paper.

We started to slowly circle the water of the lovely Majik Forest grounds. A Cape White-eye immediately popped out of a thicket to welcome us all to its abode.

The Southern Red Bishop was next on the menu, and its breeding plumage didn’t disappoint. This sighting was followed by a Cape Weaver and, just to show that they’re also here, a Southern Masked Weaver, too. This all happened while the Hadada Ibis fly-past was hard to miss, due to vocalising their constant fear of heights!

Some Common Moorhen then showed themselves at the water’s edge, while a Reed Cormorant and Jackal Buzzard flew over. This all before nine in the morning! I realised again how spoilt and lucky we all are to live in this city with its diverse areas and natural wonders.

Next was the Red-eyed Dove, Cape Bulbul and some Cape Sparrows in the trees in front of a few houses on the perimeter of the grounds. Then the Red-knobbed Coots with their very expanded and awkward toes walked towards us on the short grass adjacent to the water. These guys have enormous feet!!

While a few dogs were barking and were very active as the sun kept climbing into the sky, the birds also became more active. The dogs definitely didn’t bother our feathered friends!

Then, out of nowhere, a strange looking bird arrived high in the sky. A new species perhaps, we wondered? Oh no, it was just a multi-coloured Safair aeroplane, followed five minutes later by Singapore Airlines. Their flight path obviously was not too far from us. A graceful African Darter and some scruffy (and pumped up against the cold morning air) good ol’ noisy Helmeted Guineafowl all strutted their stuff.
Then the call of the African Goshawk! Where? Above us of course! In the distance, a Southern Fiscal and a Forked-tailed Drongo competed for attention. The latter, always noisy, dashed off for food. Both were trumped by the Fiscal Flycatcher that decided to join the rest of us, on a wooden fence directly next to us. Show-off!

It was clear, from some of the houses that we strolled past, that it was ‘Washing Wednesday’, with some Cape Spurfowl calling from the bushes near the washing lines. A pair of Egyptian Geese, like always, constantly calling out to the world from their fly-past overhead. Then some hybrid Lovebirds appeared out of nowhere, and went to sit in a dead tree to show off their cuteness, while the African Sacred Ibis glided overhead.

Underneath the trees, the Olive Thrush scratched around and flew, scratched around and flew, while the White-backed Mousebirds flew about. Only at this stage of the walk did the Pied Crows start to wake up. There were somewhat hoarse after a rough night, but there they were, clearly harassing each other. (They were probably just practising their never-ending harassing skills…) At this very moment, a nearby cat also started his bird-watching for the day, although I suspect he had more of a culinary intent!

Some hyperactive Cape Weavers were building their nests just opposite us, above the waterline, in some overhanging branches. At this stage Daryl also showed us a Hadada Ibis nest in a blue gum tree. They are definitely minimalists in nest building, or they follow the bird version of Marie Kondo on Avian Instagram. As soon as we started crossing the wooden bridge, a Black-headed Heron did its ‘stop-start’ moonwalking version on the sunny lawn in front of us. And then he struck his prey… Wham!

Before we reached the end, a slender Malachite Sunbird perched very high up on a leafless branch. What closure! Some birders then went in search of the Bar-throated Apalis and the Acacia Pied Barbet that were very vocal nearby, while others joined the usual ‘circle of friends’ after fetching chairs, Stanley flasks, coffee, hot chocolate and something to nibble on.

We reflected on the Levaillant’s Cisticola that not all of us saw, and the elusive African Black Ducks that didn’t show themselves at all today! But we shall not complain. It was a lovely winter’s morning spent outdoors in nature!

Photographs by Jenny Murphy and Stephen Judge.

Report by Pieter Swanepoel.