2 June 2024

Having joined the atlas bash for the 2^{nd of} June it was with dismay that I learnt that Dave Rimmer was not able to take us on a birding adventure once again.  I offered to take over the group, leading a group birding was not an issue but the idea of having to assist with technology challenges kept me sleepless the night beforehand. 

Pentad 2950_3055 was the pentad Dave had chosen as there were only 2 full protocol cards for this pentad.  This very interesting pentad incorporates Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve, Umbilo Ponds and Pigeon Valley, some of Roosfontein Nature Reserve a large part comprises suburbia, shops, offices, some hospitals and even a small piece of the harbour lying within its boundaries.  

To make the most of the various habitats we started in Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve where we were able to bird on grassland, along and around the wetland and with a walk along the road though forest habitat we were done.  We spent the first two hours here and on leaving we had recorded just on 50 species.  

One of the highlights was a superb view of Grey Cuckooshrike, Robyn Wainwright with her keen ears heard the soft high-pitched whistling call and then spotted the bird.  We were able to follow the bird and most of the group got really good view.  We paid our respects at Roy’s bench and looked out over the grassland where Little Bee-Eater hawked from the palms.

Just after 9am we dodged the Durban taxis and drove through to Umbilo Ponds logging a number of species on the way – House Crow, Common Myna, Rock Dove and House Sparrow! We stopped on the high ground on the south side of the ponds where there is some scrubby bush. Here we had great views of Red-billed Firefinch and Black Saw-wing and African Palm Swift.

The Black-crowned Night Herons were skulking in their usual place on the pond, White-breasted Cormorant, Reed Cormorant, African Darter and the ubiquitous Egyptian Geese were all present.

After the ponds we drove the 15 minutes to Pigeon Valley where many species were taking advantage of the bird baths. We were fortunate to see Lesser Honeyguide and to cap the day off Ros found us a Spotted Ground Thrush.

Report by Jane Morris