Robyn's Cape Bird Chat Photo Blog

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10 July 2010

Today's CWAC in the pouring rain


Today was the official CWAC (co-ordinated Water Avian Count) day so we duly reported to the Benguela Cove wine estate on the Bot River estuary to do our duty.  Adel and I, Mariana Delport, Beverley and Anina were the only brave souls to make the journey to our side of the estuary. There were others counting on the other side of the water as well. 

We counted what precious little there was to see and got absolutely drenched in the process.  We started out on the bridge facing in the wrong direction and a diligent member of the police force stopped by to warn us that if we didn't remove ourselves quick smart, he would give us a R2500.00 fine.  We were gone in a second.  We went on to the Benguela Cove estate and made our way down the slippery slope between the vines.  After seeing very little, we decided to head out and found our dear bakkie well and truly stuck in the mud....  literally. 

Thank heavens one of the other team of counters had a nice big 4x4 Volvo and he kindly pulled us out.  We moved on to firmer tarred road and continued our count until we decided, enough was enough.  We went up to the estates wine tasting centre, got changed into dry clothes (except those of us who forgot to take some with!) and had our lunch.  We then made our weary wet way home and thats the CWAC done for another 6 months.  Die-hard birders survive all things!


And then on the way home, we came across a whole flock of Blue Cranes next to the road.  So pretty.

See you all on Wednesday (14th of July) for our 1st Anniversary party.  Please bring some small change with you as we will be selling raffle tickets for R5.00 and we have a number of nice prizes to be won during the course of the evening.  A light supper will be served which is with our compliments but feel free to make a donation in the box if you wish.  See you at 7.00pm.

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