25 August 2024

BeKZN hasn’t had an outing to Kenneth Stainbank Reserve in Yellowwood Park for over a year and planned it for the end of August 2024. Unfortunately, we didn’t know that the yearly fundraising big walk for CROW was scheduled for the same morning that we had planned, only finding out a few days before. Initially 28 members planned to join us but only 17 wanted to continue with our outing.

It actually turned out very well as the walkers only started at 09h00 and we didn’t cross paths with them as we started at 06h00. The weather was good, slightly chilly with a light breeze but clear skies. We met at the top picnic site to avoid any parking issues with the walk organisers being at the bottom parking area. It was the first time I’d been to this picnic site and it is very pleasant with good ablution facilities.

The top picnic site where we met up with plenty of parking available and good ablution facilities (Dot van der Merwe)

On the road leading to the top picnic site

Dave Rimmer joined us to lead a group as we had initially planned to split into two, but this became unnecessary as we had fewer members. The access to Stainbank is still via the N2 and Higginson Highway as the Coedmore bridge has not been repaired from the floods. The Reserve is well maintained and has good day visit facilities. The grasslands had been burnt a few months before so fewer species than normal were seen there. The birding was fairly good but not many species seen – a total of 57. The highlight for many was a good sighting of Brown-backed Honeybird – a lifer for many. We also had a close flyby of the impressive Palmnut Vulture.

The highlight of the day and a lifer for many – Brown-backed Honeybird (Dot van der Merwe)

Other good sightings were of Black Cuckooshrike, and Grey Waxbills.

There is a lovely dam with numerous Village Weavers nesting but none of the usual Yellow and Thick-billed Weavers were present.

Village Weaver – Trevor Mitchell

Also present at the dam were African Darter (Dot van der Merwe)

and Reed Cormorant (Dot van der Merwe)

This Little Grebe was very active on the reed fringes (Dot van der Merwe)

We spent a bit of time looking for the Spotted Ground Thrush and Lemon Dove in the forests which we saw on our last outing, but no luck this time.

Walking along the forest path looking for the elusive Spotted Ground Thrush – with no luck (Dot van der Merwe)

Red-capped Robin-Chats were seen frequently in the forests (Dot van der Merwe)

Little Bee-Eaters were seen in the grasslands (Dot van der Merwe)

The small herd of Zebras were very tame and inquisitive (Dot van der Merwe)

The dainty African Dusky Flycatcher was seen commonly in the forests (Dot van der Merwe)

Hopefully we will plan another trip later this year for those who couldn’t make it and when the migrants are back to boost the number of species which should be well over 100 in summer.

Trip report by Terry Walls