This trip was planned at the very last minute. On the 23rd January I was told that my hip revision was postponed from 29th January to 3rd February. So, to fill in the week’s wait we decided to go to the Cape to find a few specials in Velddrif and at the same time to visit friends and family.
Following on from our viewing of the Snowy Egret, we took time to visit Strandfontein and Kirstenbosch.
After a wet and overcast previous day it was a pleasant surprise to have a bright sunny day for birding – albeit a wee bit cool.
Strandfontein wetlands are massive. Ponds and ponds of birds and a good road infrastructure to get around.
Greater Flamingos were everywhere.
Greater Flamingo
Greater Flamingo
Greater Flamingo
Greater Flamingo with Cape Shovelers
Greater Flamingo
Greater Flamingos ruffled by a breeze
It was satisfying to be able to review a number of species which we don’t often find in Natal and some other “Cape” birds.
Cape Bulbul
Cape Longclaw
Cape White-eye – capensis
Cape White-eye – capensis
Cape Spurfowl
Cape Shovelers
Common Starlings
Common Starling
Hartlaub’s Gull
Hartlaub’s Gull
Black-necked Grebes
Black-necked Grebes
African Pied Avocet
African Pied Avocet
Southern Pochard
Black-necked Grebe
Yellow-billed Egret
Here are some photos of other birds seen as we drove around Strandfontein.
Glossy Ibis
Glossy Ibis
African Purple Swamphen
Red-billed Teal
Little Rush Warbler
Little Rush Warbler
Zitting Cisticola
Zitting Cisticola
Lesser Swamp Warbler
Lesser Swamp Warbler
Kelp Gull
Little Grebe
Cape Shovelers
Of course there is always one bird that perplexes. In this case it was a group of about 3 or 4 birds together in a low shrub – head height. It appeared to be perhaps a tad smaller than a Bulbul with a plain dark back. Have a look and see if you can Id it.
Lesser Swamp Warbler
Lesser Swamp Warbler
Lesser Swamp Warbler
And then we were on to Kirstenbosch – see next instalment.