This report was provide by Steve Peck.
The Big Day finally arrived, and the teams and individuals set about covering the Overberg in search of as many bird species they could record in a 24 hour period. The challenge was centred on either a 6km radius or, for the more adventurous, a 50km radius.
The club had encouraged members to form teams, or to bird on their own, and enter our own 6km challenge. We would then collate the findings into one submission to BLSA.
We ended up with results from three teams of four and three individuals who tackled the 6km, and another team who tackled the 50km challenge.
As well as the birds you would expect to see, such as doves, sparrows, swallows, ducks and geese, some great sightings were also recorded. Johan’s team waded in with White-faced Whistling Duck, Osprey and the mega Gull-billed Tern, ending up with an impressive 106 species for the day.
Tierck’s team added Cape Rock Thrush, Olive Woodpecker and Purple Heron to their list and logged a good 85 species.
Individuals on the day also recorded some crackers. Sandra from DICT with Sooty Shearwater, Ruddy Turnstone and Parasitic Jaeger, Carolyn birded around the Onrus area and added African Harrier Hawk, Spotted Eagle Owl and the beautiful Swee Waxbill, while Graeme at Stanford waded in with Black Crake, Burchell’s Coucal and the impressive African Palm Swift.
Carin’s team (competing in the 50km challenge) had some great sightings of Black Sparrowhawk, Grey-headed Gull, Fiery-necked Nightjar and Red Knot.
Just creeping in at the top was Steve’s team who recorded 119 species around the gravel roads of Napier. Their best sightings were of Red-billed Quelea, Diederik Cuckoo, African Fish Eagle, Lanner Falcon and White-throated Canary.
However, it wasn’t really about who saw the most, it was about getting out and having fun with like-minded birders, and the collection of valuable data for the conservation programs run by BLSA.
Collectively, we recorded 176 different species on the day. Disappointingly, it was down on last year’s total of 253. The heat of the day, the complete lack of water and the lack of coverage of the Overberg due to not many teams, no doubt contributed to the numbers.
However, after reading this report about the birds we did get, I’m sure you feel inspired to join in next year with the fun and help find the missing birds!