Outing to Crowned Eagle Conservancy

Report by Sandi du Preez

A few of us attended the outing on Wednesday 13 January 2016. This is a new outing venue for the Bird Club and one that will definitely be repeated.

Twin brothers Clive and Mervyn George have created a paradise by developing this Conservancy. I won’t go into detail here, but Google it at: http://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/brothers-conservation-project-crowned-with-success-1.1440785. It is fascinating!

We began by birding from the deck of Clive’s house which overlooks the pond. There was a profusion of Bronze and Red-backed Mannikins flying back and forth from garden bird feeders to the pond and settling on the waterlilies.

The Dam from Clive’s Deck

The Dam

Mervyn gave us a comprehensive historical background to the area and we were shown some ancient artifacts as well as posters of frogs and other fauna occurring in the area.

Then we walked to a viewing deck to see the waterfall (very pretty). At the dam we were greeted by a Mountain Wagtail bobbing it’s tail on a rock.

The Waterfall

View of the waterfall

As we walked through the forest we heard and saw some different bird species including Cape Batis; Terrestrial Brownbul; Green-backed Camaroptera,; African Paradise Flycatcher; Black-headed Oriole; Black-backed Puffback; Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird; Dark-backed Weaver. In all, we recorded 44 species.

We were also fortunate to see some non-bird specials such as the endangered Pink-footed Giant Black Millipede

and the eggs of the endangered Kloof Frog, and a cute green Reed Frog.

We went back to Clive’s deck and were treated to iced water with lemon slices – so refreshing! To end it all, two male African Firefinches were feeding below the deck and an Olive Sunbird flew in to take advantage of the nectar from some flowers!

It was a real privilege to experience the wonderful work done by Clive and Mervyn who are obviously so proud of what they have accomplished. Well done, guys!

Sandi du Preez