It was going to be a windy morning on the river. Regardless, the enthusiasm was high. All the birders were on the boat thirty minutes before the planned departure time. The skipper had not yet arrived, and the boat still needed fuelling!
Birding got off to a quick start with a pair of White-throated Swallows swooping under and around the boat. These summer visitors regularly nest under the Lady Stanford.
We cast off and drifted past some reed-bed regulars, including some Southern Red Bishops, and Cape and Southern Masked Weavers. Lesser Swamp Warblers were calling from within the dense reeds. Levaillant’s Cisticola chirped from the top of the water-side shrubbery.
A short while down the river, we were treated to a family of Spotted Eagle-Owls. The very fuzzy chicks huddled closely together, while peering at us with interest. Getting of a sighting of an owl is always a treat, but a family group is extra special.
On the river, water birds obviously make up a good part of the experience. Darters, Reed Cormorants, Common Moorhen and Red-knobbed Coot all made an appearance. We were especially lucky to get a view of an African Swamphen glistening in the sun. The blue plumage and red bill shows off beautifully in that light!
We dipped on the elusive African Black Ducks. But we did see Yellow-billed Ducks, including some younger birds. Groups of Spur-winged Geese flew overhead, and Egyptian Geese always make their presence known.
Kingfishers put on a good show, mostly the Pied Kingfisher. These were often in small groups along the river. Malachite Kingfishers were fleetingly seen. Towards the end of our journey, the Giant Kingfisher allowed us to add that extra tick to the list.
Along any shoreline, there are likely to be some waders. Blacksmith Lapwings, including immature birds, and both Water and Spotted Thick-knees were seen. The latter is apparently not that commonly during the river trips.
We had good luck with raptors — albeit with some sightings being brief. We recorded buzzards, both Common and Jackal, African Goshawk, Black Sparrowhawk, Yellow-billed Kite and a Black Harrier!
Towards the farthest point of our trip, the picked up some birds more closely associated with the sea, including a Common Tern and a Kelp Gull. At that point we weren’t too far away from the lagoon.
This marked the point at which we had to turn around and head back into the wind. Despite the blustery conditions, all the birders appeared to be in a good mood after an outstanding outing.
A total of sixty-three species were logged. The list is here.