Pigeon Valley Sit-in
15^th June 2021

Ten club members joined this social sit, with a couple of them arriving (pre-planned) about an hour after the others. We all settled in a little clearing just past the sign board. The very early members were treated to a view of a Black Sparrowhawk sitting and calling on a dead branch just next to the clearing. 

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Just above our heads was a beautiful flowering mistletoe (Erianthmum dregei) which the Olive Sunbird loved and came in and out to visit throughout the morning.

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The birds were very vocal with Bar-throated Apalis chipping away and Purple-crested Turaco croaking, Terrestrial Brownbul chatted away in the undergrowth only showing themselves fleetingly.  Square-tailed Drongo showed off its ruby red eye. There were a few Flycatchers around with Dusky Flycatcher sitting quietly and African Paradise flitting through the trees.

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Noisy visitors were a flock of Black-bellied Starlings and a family group of White-eared Barbets.  Red-capped Robin-chat was also vocal.

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We were also visited by the ever-present Red Duiker.

Another flying creature was the barely flying African Wood White – if it flew any slower it would fall down! Quite a few members went for a walk to chase down the visiting Spotted Ground Thrush which was found along the fence line near the reservoir.

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They were also lucky enough to see an Olive Bush Shrike while the ones left behind were lucky enough to get good views of a pair of Red-billed Firefinch.

We ended up with a list of 39 species which is not bad for a winter’s morning birding while predominantly sitting still in a forest. And, a lucky few had their binoculars expertly cleaned by Al Nicoll as a real bonus!

Trip Report by Jenny Norman