This report was provided by Johan van der Westhuizen.
Six committed birders in two vehicles left the Eastcliff SPAR at 06:30 despite the windy conditions and the fuel shortage crisis, destination the De Mond Nature Reserve. The Birding only started once we hit the gravel roads. Special sightings on the gravel road included Denham’s Bustards, a lone juvenile Peregrin Falcon and a small flock of Grey-winged Francolin. We could not stop at every bird sighted, as we were running late for our appointment with the two new members at the entrance to De Mond and must have missed a few. We did not see any Larks, which was a bit of a surprise.
After the introductions, we had a quick cup of coffee and then ventured onto the boardwalk along the edge of the lagoon. There were very few birds around. A Common Ringed Plover afforded some photographic opportunities and Grey Plovers, Whimbrel and White-fronted Plovers were also dotted along the shoreline. Our timing was spot on and the tide was as low as it could get. We could venture onto the large sandbank without getting our feet wet. An ailing Common Tern, probably a victim of the Avian Flu epidemic was photographed from every angle. A small group of Terns together with a smaller LBJ, hunkered down on the shoreline against the strong wind. What we hoped were Damara Terns turned out to be Common Terns with the LBJ identified as a Curlew Sandpiper. Two Grey-headed Gulls sat motionless nearby.
Across the water channel three Eurasian Curlew could be seen. On the return to the entrance, a Common Greenshank was seen in the company of a Whimbrel and a Common Ringed Plover.
Lunch was enjoyed under the Milkwood canopy, where the talk was understandably, mostly about birds. The group decided to make a detour to Danger Point rather than return home directly. The route taken via Elim and Baarskeerdersbos were very unproductive though.
At Danger Point there was the usual mix of Crowned-, White-breasted- and Cape Cormorants with a lone Bank Cormorant also spotted. There were also a large number of Whimbrel present as well as Kelp Gulls and White-fronted Plovers. We were alerted by one of the members to a feeding frenzy of Hartlaub- and Grey-headed Gulls and a large flock of Ruddy Turnstone in the next little bay. The photographers went ballistic. One even ran out of space on his Camera’s Memory Card. This was undoubtedly the sighting of the day.
What a way to end an otherwise challenging day! After having more of Ruth’s famous “Crunchies”, we returned to Hermanus, once again feeling privileged to live in this special part of the world and to be part of the Overberg birding community.
Our next outing is on the 25th of April to Rooiels, Harold Porter Botanical Gardens and Stoney Point.