Report by Terry Walls

Weather report was not favourable, as light rain was predicted for the Kloof area.

We met in overcast conditions with some experiencing light misty rain on their way to Krantzkloof. We decided to continue as patches of blue sky were visible among the clouds which is normally a good sign that it will not rain.

From the start it was clearly obvious that Krantzkloof had experienced heavy rain and there and the river had flowed extensively over the banks in places. Our first observation was a pair of Mountain Wagtail, who were extremely tame, and came to within five metres of the group, before they moved off, Uncharacteristically, mimicking their Cape Wagtail cousins by walking around on the lawn in the picnic area.

Also seen in the picnic area was an Olive Thrush, which as always created some debate about Olive and Kurrichane.

Crossing the bridge on the road we could see more evidence of the wash away which had been created by the heavy rain. The pathway to the Iphithi Waterfall was closed and we had to take a diversion up the hill to make our way to the trail.

Once back on the trail, we came a across a few birds. Doves at first, and then a small bird party, quite high up in the canopy. In the poor light, we did not get good views of the birds but were able to identify most of them by their calls.

A little further up the pathway, our concern about crossing the river to the Iphithi Falls was confirmed, when we came across the bridge which had been washed down the stream.

We decided to continue on the Long Shadow Trail, rather than to wade through the water.

The overcast conditions and the Forest habitat were however not conducive to birding and after walking a fair distance along this path and not seeing any birds, we decided to return to the picnic area.

The misty conditions closed in, and by the time we reached the picnic area it was raining, and we decided to call it a day.

A total of only 28 birds were listed.

Bird List

Apalis, Bar-throated 

Bulbul, Dark-capped

Barbet, Black-collared

Barbet, White-eared

Dove, Lemon    

Dove, Red-eyed

Dove, Tambourine

Drongo, Square-tailed

Drongo, Fork-tail

Goose, Egyptian

Goshawk, African

Greenbul, Sombre

Hornbill, Crowned          

Ibis, Hadeda

Kingfisher, Brown-hooded

Pigeon, Speckled

Puffback, Black-backed

Robin-chat, Red-capped

Starling, Red-winged

Sunbird, Collared

Sunbird, Grey

Sunbird, Olive

Thrush, Olive

Tit, Southern Black

Turaco, Purple-crested

Wagtail, Mountain 

Weaver, Dark-backed     

White-eye, Cape