With over 70 species recorded during the day, a good outing was had by club members.
Some got an early start on the gravel road heading towards the reserve. At the junction a Cardinal Woodpecker was calling from the roadside thicket. There were also a good number of Denham’s Bustard at various points along the road. At one location thirteen were counted. There have been recent reports of a Long-crested Eagle in the area, so every brown raptor got extra scrutiny. Although there was no evidence of the Long-crested Eagle, the extra vigilance paid off with a good sighting of an Osprey.
At the reserve excitement was mounting for the opportunity to find the Caspian Plovers which have been reported from the area. Recent reports indicated they were still two days prior to our visit. Unfortunately, there was no sign of them. In a sea of tiny plovers, a spotting scope would have been ideal! Despite the target species not being found there was still plenty of good birding. Plovers of various kinds as well as multiple Sandpipers were spread out in their multitudes across the sandbanks.
Multiple of the Grey Plovers were carefully scutinised to see if they were an elusive Golden Plover. Excitement (or hope) mounted until the birds flashed their black armpits to reveal their true identity as Grey Plovers. At this time of year some of the birds are starting to moult into their breeding plumage prior to their return northwards. This did complicate identification of an already challenging group. Between the more common Curlew Sandpipers and Common Ringed Plovers a few Terek Sandpipers and Red Knots provided a bit of extra excitement. Common Sandpipers were also in the mix.
Terns were plentiful. At this site there is always a chance of Damara Terns. But it was the equally tiny Little Terns that provided the thrill. They were in the breeding plumage with their distinctive black-tipped yellow bills. Other terns included the Caspian, Greater Crested, Sandwich and Common.
A group lunch was had under the trees near the office. Some of the familiar garden birds called from the canopy above the group, including Cape White-eyes, Cape Batis and Bar-throated Apalis.
Some of the members continued birding on their way home. Highlights included a European Roller outside Bredasdorp and a White Stork. Two of our members stopped at Napier Sewage works and added several ducks to the collective list.
All-in-all, a good day out for the members of BirdLife Overberg.
