Ruddy Turnstones near Danger Point

A trip to Uilenkraalmond to look for returning waders was a bit disappointing as the wind was blowing quite hard and it made long distance binocular viewing very difficult. We did, however, manage to identify a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Eurasian Curlew on the sand flats. There was also a lot of flowing water, which bears testimony to the sodden nature of the hinterland after our recent heavy rains.

Near Danger Point there were many Whimbrels and a large flock (ca 20 birds) of Ruddy Turnstones, along with lesser numbers of Three-banded and White-fronted Plovers, but no Common Greenshanks as yet. The Turnstones are always there and can be relied on to allow for some good sightings. They are migratory and are Arctic breeders, so we do not see them in their bright breeding plumage in the southern hemisphere, and they are normally very well camouflaged, nevertheless, they present a good spectacle once one distinguishes them from their background.

Flood Damage in Fernkloof

Yesterday we walked up to the Visitors’ Centre and were able to witness the damage caused when we had severe storms a short while ago. The road around the top of the Golf Course is completely washed away at one point. Within the Reserve, we were able to count around 12 landslips and saw the resulting damage at roads, paths and bridges.

Birding at Strandfontein and in David’s Garden

After the floods and the ensuing damage we decided to move to Cape Town to stay with David for as few days whilst the water situation sorted itself out. A visit to the Strandfontein Sewage works is always worthwhile and we had a good few hours there, managing to boost my Challenge List to 250 species with the addition of a couple of waders that had returned for the summer.

We were also lucky to get good sightings of the Bronze Mannikins that frequent David’s garden and I managed to get some good shots of them.