Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 September 2016
Report by Paul and Sally Bartho
This was both a Week-end and Sunday outing.
It was attended by ten members for the weekend and a further eleven for the Sunday outing. And as usual it was a resounding success surpassing everyone’s expectations. Not only was the birding excellent but the venue and hospitality of Richard Alcock were equally so.
As noted on both previous visits this year (and reported on the website) this can be considered the “Okavango” of South Africa.
Peter and Frankie arrived Thursday afternoon as did Sally and I. It was a drizzly cold afternoon. Despite this we took a drive round the estate heading for the hide.
On the way just before entering the forest over 30 White-backed Ducks took off from the water’s edge showing us why they got their name. A magnificent sight. It was so unusual to see so many together.
Then we drove through the woods to the 200 metre narrow grassy path through the marsh to the hide. Our mistake was not wearing our wellies as the path was through tall wet grasses.
The hide is located at the start of the 7 kms channel into the wetland. As expected we saw many waterbirds including African Pygmy-Geese and White-backed Ducks. Two Grey-crowned Cranes did a fly pass and a pair of Wattled Cranes were observed some distance away close to the forest.
The next morning we returned to the hide – this time suitably attired in Wellies and warm weather-proof clothing. Again we saw most of the birds we saw the evening before including the African Pygmy-Geese, White-backed Ducks and Wattled Cranes.
The excitement was observing an African Rail walking along the water’s edge on the far bank.
There was one little bird right next to us which we failed to ID – have a go.
That afternoon Cecil and Jenny arrived followed by Cheryl and John. Everyone lent a hand to set up their campsites.
While setting up we had a juvenile Black-headed Oriole serenading us from the trees above as a Village Weaver tried to distract us.
After setting up, we all left Cecil and Jenny to enjoy their consumptions as we headed for the lower side of the dam wall.
Richard has cut paths through the bush below the dam with several bridges crossing the fast flowing water from the dam. Totally different habitat and birds to be seen. Here are some of the birds we managed to photograph on that afternoon and on Sunday morning (while the Sunday outing members went on the boat trip).
It was fascinating to see how all the spider’s webs had collected dewdrops.
Friday night proved too cold and windy for a braai so we all ended up chin-wagging till late around Cecil and Jenny’s open tent area! However we did manage an early night as it was up early to depart on the Pontoon with Richard at 06h30! the next day.
If you desire to visit this wetland paradise then you need to contact Richard Alcock – see their website for details: http://www.birdvalleyestate.co.za. You will need to come as a large group if you want to visit and be able to go up into the wetland area by boat.
Saturday morning we were all ready on time. The water was flat and we watched the fish jumping for the flies and the otters chasing behind. This was a treat we experienced each morning.
We also had two members from the Midlands Bird Club (Ian Gordon and Barry Taylor) join us. They had been on a similar outing with their members the week before and got a glimpse of what they thought might be a Striped Crake – the underside of the tail looked rufous.
Our hopes were high but expectations muted. The day still and sunny.
There were 10 of us and Richard as captain. Off we set towards the dam wall for a quick look round before heading up into the wetland area.
Our first surprise were a pair of African Black Ducks at the overflow of the dam.
As we headed north towards the wetland area there were large groups of African Pygmy-Geese and White-backed Ducks.
Just before we entered the channels there was this sighting of an African Darter which had us confused as to on what it was perched.
And then as we passed the Bird Hide we headed into the narrow channels going upstream towards the distant hills.
Onward we travelled with Richard imparting interesting information about the area and the formation of the channels. We eventually reached the area where the possible Striped Crake may have been. Barry disembarked and flushed the likely spots but unfortunately to no avail. Then we headed back.
On return Cecily and Mark arrived and setup their roof-top tent. Mark then proceeded to get out his fishing rod and headed to where the pontoon was tied up. Out he cast -no luck; try again – out he cast and lo and behold he brings in a huge bass which when weighed was recognised as the largest caught in the dam at a whopping 3.8 kgs. and which he generously donated to local staff.
Saturday evening was braai night. And then another gathering for more tales of past adventures which got more exaggerated as the evening wore on and the imbibing increased.
Sunday arrives – another glorious day – the water still and the otters playing. The Sunday outing members started arriving at 06h30 for the 07h30 start. Hennie and Decklan the first to arrive and then a little later Ann and Andy, followed by Dave and Penny then Sandi, Elena and Prem and finally Penny and Cheryl.
Decklan was quick to spot Mark fishing and joined him catching a fish in no time.
Then it was time for the Sunday outing members to depart. Richard the captain of course.
Everyone returned astonished at how good an experience they had had with Richard. Everyone wants to return and make this a regular outing. They had seen Black-backed Jackal, Reed Buck and 6 Otters – both on land and in the water – apart from the abundance of White-backed Ducks and African Pygmy-Geese. Apart from these, their sightings of the day included an African Snipe circling overhead and a pair of African Fish-Eagles trying to disperse their young.
On return everyone gathered to take in their experience and to invest in something to eat and drink before taking a walk below the dam wall, meanwhile those of us who came to make a weekend of it stayed behind to de-camp.
Some of the birds seen on their walk include:
And finally we got together to tally the birds identified for the weekend. In total there were 104 different species – click here to see the list. And we had added another 17 to the total list for Bird Valley Estate. Click here to see the Bird Valley list.
This is a very special place and a birding experience not to be missed. Get a group together, contact Richard ( see details earlier) and plan a visit.
Paul and Sally Bartho
Photos by Paul or Sally Bartho unless otherwise stated in the captions.
Birds are our Story 