Nuwejaars

It was a traumatic lead-up to our eventual departure from the Eastcliff SPAR parking area on-route to the Black Oystercatcher on the Agulhas plains. On Friday, four people cancelled for various reasons. Then a puncture sidelined one of our designated 4×4’s, leaving the two occupants with insufficient time to get to the Black Oystercatcher in time… Regardless, it turned out to be a very pleasant day with 62 bird species logged on the trip.

It had been several harrowing days of wildfires across the Overstrand area and the two-hour drive for many of us, to Nuwejaars, was characterised by a charred landscape and hazy, smoke-stained skies.

This report was provided by Graeme Hatley. Birders from BirdLife Overberg met at Black Oystercatcher Wines. Spotting started early as swifts and swallows dashed overhead. Raptors were about in good

It was an early start for the intrepid birders on Saturday. As always, the trip to Nuwejaars at this time of the day, was absolutely stunning with the early morning cloud formations over the estuary reminding us how privileged we are to be able to live in this special place.

When it was announced that the January club outing would be to Nuwejaarsrivier, it was fully subscribed within seconds. A second one was then arranged, as the February outing, and the response was just as enthusiastic. On 24 February keen birders hastily swallowed hot drinks to ward off the cold morning air and nippy breeze.

Twenty enthusiastic birders set out on the first BirdLife Overberg club outing of 2024, a specially arranged visit to the Nuwejaarsrivier Wetlands SMA. Our guide for the trip was Eugene Hahndiek, the Conservation Manager of the Area.