This report was provided by Jill Wheater.
Where’s the bird? That became the phrase of the morning.
“There! Look – in the canopy to the left … “
A quick dash across the forest floor would follow, rewarded by a flurry of wings, some clicking of shutters and a few contented sighs from patient bird watchers. Today’s outing was all about listening – tuning into the call – identifying and then searching for the performer.
A heartfelt thank you to Johan, who skilfully guided us on this trip with patience.
Platbos is an ancient, endangered indigenous forest, described as Africa’s southernmost forest. Existing for potentially millions of years, its endurance is due in part to its remarkable trees, some over a thousand years old, and it is now protected under a contract nature reserve status. After the 2006 fires, a reforestation project continues to work to restore and connect Platbos to other reserves through the planting of trees and creation of fire breaks. Species of tree such as White Stinkwood and Milkwood, give the forest it’s unique character and the existence of the forest is something of a botanical mystery.
A visit to Platbos is a magical experience, listening to unique bird calls and walking through age-old trees draped with old man’s beard. The ancient, gnarled trunks and branches are alive with a myriad different mosses and ferns, and it truly feels like a timeless, enchanted forest.
The canopy is alive with birds, and we were privileged to hear … and see… a Tambourine Dove, an African Dusky Flycatcher, an African Paradise Flycatcher and a Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher. Hearing the characteristic call of the Sombre Greenbul was very exciting and we managed three separate sightings of this elusive bird: a first for many in the group.
We also saw African Olive Pigeon, Speckled Pigeon, Bar-throated Apalis, Southern Boubou, Cape Batis, along with Black Saw-wing and plenty of smaller forest birds.
Our group of nine birders were all captivated by this outing and there was a tangible sense of peace and awe as we wandered through this unique environment. Reluctantly, after several hours, we left the calm embrace of the forest and continued our birding adventure.
Earlier in the day we had all met at the bird hide in Stanford and never missing the prospect of focused viewing, we quickly dived into the hide to see what bird opportunities awaited us! Ten minutes of viewing produced several water birds, but we were especially excited to see two African Swamphens in the reeds and delighted by the White-throated swallows just posing for photos!
We left Platbos and headed for the bridge over the Uilenkraals river, excited to scan the estuary for bird life. Two nimble Pied Kingfishers delighted us by their acrobatics on the wire, and we were treated to beautiful views of the estuary with flocks of Kelp and Hartlaub’s Gulls, White-breasted and Crowned Cormorants, interspersed with African Oyster Catcher and Eurasian Whimbril.
Our final stop was Danger Point – a well-earned picnic break – and time to view the birds at our leisure. What a treat to see three Ruddy Turnstones, with White-fronted Plovers scurrying amongst the rocks between them.
A huge flock of Greater Crested Terns were seen in the distance with the ubiquitous, White-breasted Cormorant and Cape Cormorant. A garden over the road provided a super sighting of a tiny baby Blacksmith Lapwing, fiercely guarded by its parents.
A total of 59 bird species were identified (the full list can be found here) and a magical morning of birding had by all. Many thanks to Johan for his outstanding guiding and organisation of the birding outing.