This report was provided by Jill Wheater.
Well, not exactly the day for birding – the forecast for the day was intermittent rain with howling gales – if I was a bird I would have been hiding in some large tree! So, in all honesty not so much a day for an extensive bird list – although the final count was 55! But definitely a day of blomme, braaiing, birthdays and splendid birding company! And without a doubt experiencing nature at its most dramatic and that is always a privilege.
Undeterred by weather forecasts and muddy roads, 17 intrepid birders set off, literally, into the eye of the storm. Driving from Houwhoek pass towards the Elgin district, the wind was brutal and the rain squally and unpredictable. But the weather gods were often in our favour and for at least 20 minutes there was a huge rainbow stretching across the road and you could see both ends as they disappeared into the edge of the landscape. It was quite spectacular and just another marvel of nature, finding the rainbow in the storm.
We arrived at the gate to the bird hide, grinning at each other through hooded raincoats and muddy boots. At least we were all in this together! We dived into the bird hide and some of us stayed there for an hour or so enjoying the warmth as the rain pelted down outside. Others ventured out further to top up the bird list; thank you for spotting in the rain.
The dam was full of activity and the Reed Cormorants and African Darters were a pleasure to watch despite their somewhat bedraggled appearance. We spotted many White Throated Swallows, a Little Rush Warbler and a Lesser Swamp Warbler, Yellow-billed Ducks, a Grey Heron, two Little Grebes and of course plenty of Common Moorhens. The Red Knobbed Coot was a stunning photograph with the raindrops clinging to its feathers and bringing a different aspect to the simple beauty of a bird we see every day.
A gap in the clouds and we ventured out, climbed back in the car and headed for Jessie’s nursery and incredible gardens. The plant life in the gardens is quite unique and we were treated to all sorts of flowers and plants rarely seen. Jessie focuses on fynbos on the farm and in her nursery but has some exotic plants available for the public to enjoy. As the sun broke through the clouds, the Southern Double-collared, Amethyst and Malachite sunbirds arrived for our enjoyment. We were lucky to see a Common Buzzard circling overhead and we quickly moved away as he was inspecting a tree for nesting purposes and Jessie was hoping that he would nest again on the property. The nursery was alive with Cape Weavers, Cape White-eyes, Cape Robin-chats, Fiscal Flycatchers and a Cape Batis. And let’s not forget the substantial orchards surrounding the nursery as far as the eye can see; tall and stark and it was hard to imagine that soon they would be full of foliage and blossoms.
Not wishing to disturb the Common Buzzard we drove back to the house for hot drinks and sustenance. With the chilly weather, Jessie had suggested a braai on the patio and charcoal and wood was unloaded and the fire efficiently started whilst we took a walk in the fynbos behind the house. Magnificent proteas and leucodendrons abound on the farm and the flowers were full of sunbirds and nectar loving birds. What a treat to walk in such beautiful fynbos with birds flitting in between. As the rain started to fall again, we headed back to the smell of a delicious braai, wished Stoney Steenkamp a very happy birthday and watched two African Black Ducks glide across the lagoon in the rain!
It is always a gift to visit Jessie Walton’s farm. She is still maintaining the legacy of her late husband and continuing to build her own legacy in the form of plants and wildlife; her personal resilience and dedication to nature is much to be admired.
Many thanks to Jessie for her hospitality, to Johan for his superb organization as always and to those birding stalwarts who made a wet birding day so much fun.
The complete bird list can be found here.