This report was provided by Johan van der Westhuizen.
The twelve birders left the Onrus OK parking area at 07:30 for what promised to be a great day of birding. At Salandra, two more birders joined the group. The 2-way radios were distributed, and we left for the Helderstroom road turn-off from the Villiersdorp road. The thick mist necessitated careful driving. As we neared the turn-off the mist cleared miraculously. We were joined there by one more birder.
Birding started in earnest as the convoy of six vehicles made its way slowly down the road. The birds were very active, and a number of stops had to be made to ID some of the more distant ones. The more common birds such as Southern Red- and Yellow Bishops were ticked off as we slowly travelled along the gravel road. A Grey-backed Cisticola, perched on a roadside fence offered the first photographic opportunity. The convoy stopped at the usual spot overlooking the marshes. The group mingled, enjoying an early cup of coffee, while scanning the marshes for any sign of life. Little Rush Warblers called from the marshes, and we caught a glimpse of an African Marsh Harrier before it disappeared behind a clump of trees. Birds were added to the list at regular intervals. Bulbuls, Cape Weavers and Yellow-billed Ducks amongst others were spotted. A Brimstone canary perched on the wires next to the road, affording another photographic opportunity. Further along the road two Brown-headed Kingfishers perched on the wires next to the road. Unfortunately, they disappeared before the last vehicle could reach the spot. A Burchell’s Coucal was spotted in the distance, sunning itself. Another special sighting!
In Greyton we stopped at the Fuel Station/Deli for the customary toilet break. The town was crowded with visitors. At the entrance to the Greyton Nature Reserve, a Greater-collared Sunbird was seen along with its more abundant cousin, the Southern Double-collared Sunbird. The Reserve turned out to be very quiet bird wise, probably due to the devastating veld fires of last year. A single Cape Sugarbird and a sighting of an Orange-breasted Sunbird, at least made up for the disappointment. Lunch was enjoyed on the “stoep” at the entrance to the Reserve. A range of topics were discussed, including where in the world the best tasting Honeys can be found. What an amazing group of people!
The next stop to the surprise of many, was to the Greyton Sewerage Works. One of the ladies anticipated her husband’s reaction when she told him of her visit to this unusual birding spot. Red-billed- and Cape Teals, Three-banded Plover, Water Thick-knees amongst others were seen here.
The six-vehicle convoy left Greyton, with the plan being to travel a different route along the Helderstroom wetlands. The sighting of the day came when we crossed a little bridge across the wetland. Perched on a fence post was a Brown-hooded Kingfisher with a small snake in its beak. The Photographers went crazy. What a sighting!
68 Bird species were logged during this very enjoyable outing.
The next Birdlife Overberg outing is on the 25th of July 2026 to the Napier area, where Steve Peck will hopefully be our guide again.