22 August 2024

It was a overcast and windy day but still most people braved it and came along, which was just as well as it was sheltered in the valley and we didn’t feel the wind. After a short delay waiting for the gate to open, we settled down amongst some trees overlooking the river.

A Mountain Wagtail was soon spotted on the river with Cape White-eyes, Collared and Olive Sunbirds in the Coral Tree above us.

A lot of the people wandered off to the far end of the picnic site where they recorded a Rose-ringed Parakeet which I’ve never seen at this reserve before.

In the meantime, the sitters had a Giant Kingfisher zoom down the river and a pair of Egyptian Geese meandered past. Later a Grey Heron was also seen on the river, none of these birds seemed to mind that there was supposed to be pollution in the river.

Above our heads were a Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird and an Ashy Flycatcher while in a nearby tree was an African Dusky Flycatcher.

The walkers also had African Paradise Flycatcher and a Crested Barbet.

An Olive Thrush flew through the group while above in the open sky were African Palm Swifts and a very high Crowned Eagle.

We ended the day on 37 species which considering the weather wasn’t bad at all!

Report by Jenny Norman