Birdlife Berg River have had their first weekend outing to Little Stone Cottage on the Robinson Pass between Mosselbay and Oudshoorn. What a wonderfully relaxing, tranquil weekend it was, filled with good company, good food and great birding.
We left from Franschhoek on Friday morning and stopped to collect an adequate supply of fresh mountain water from our special mountain-side spring before starting the long trek.
We took the route over the Franschhoek Pass, onto the N2 and before long we were in Crane Country.
After a while we took a break to stretch our legs and came across this lovely raptor feeding in a field. It seemed to be a juvenile of some sort but we are still unsure of what it is. Anyone have any suggestions?
Update: - I have been told by a very realiable source that this lovely raptor is a juvenile Jackal Buzzard. I'll take your word for it, Callan, thanks.
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| Juvenile Jackal Buzzard ? |
We were on our way in good spirits, making good time when suddenly we came across a line of cars... well let me say that again, a very long line of cars, hundreds of cars to be exact.
There were 2 stop and go's on the way and we were in the que, adding at least an hour and a half to our journey. Of course, being birders, we jump at any opportunity to look for birds and we were able to while away the time easily enough.
It took quite a long time but eventually we arrived at Mosselbay where stopped off to eat "Mossels" at the sea food restuarant on the beach... what a treat. We then headed off to our final stop and reached Little Stone Cottage past 5pm. It is such a wonderful little place and our club where immediately enchanted with it. Before long the tents were up for Cecile and Cynthia who had opted to camp outside.
As it was quite late, we put the fire on and got ourselves organised. Cynthia (from the USA) had brought along the makings of her favourite camp-snack , Smores - melt marshmellows, put block of chocolate onto Gram Crackers (or equivelant found in SA like Marie biscuits) and put melted marshy onto the choccy and close with another biccy and squash together.... eat and enjoy and careful of the mess.
The next morning I took a walk early on but didn't see too much so waited for the group before heading off on the walk along the stream and the forest looking for the elusive Narina Trogon, the bird we all wanted to see. Of course, there were plenty of Knysa Loeries to make our hearts glad.
After the "Big Tree" there is a large Yellowwood that had a Scaly-throated Honeyguide hiding in its branches. We went back 3 times to have a look for it and heard it calling incessently but to no avail, it never showed itself to us and we moved on, all dejected.
At the end of the beautiful forest path we found this lovely raptor sitting peacefully in a large tree. We think it is a Forest Buzzard.
We found many other wonderful birds and thoroughly enjoyed the lovely walks all around the cottage, up the hill, down the river and through the forest. We enjoyed each others company and one of our members Johann, made a fantastic lamb potjie for us for Saturday night dinner. We spent the night indoors as it had got quite chilly and played charades, screeching with laughter and having a great time.
And the high-light? Well of course, it could only be one thing! The bird we had wanted to see above all others.... the Narina Trogon, the shy elusive bird found in only a handful of places and not one we would get to see again for quite a while. Joeline and Marius are firm friends with their local celebrity and knew exactly where to find them and how to call them out. And... success!!!! We found our prize. A beautiful light emerald green back and shocking red front with bright yellow bill was sitting in full view on a bare branch, being very obliging and allowing us to have a great look before it disappeared into the forest. We were so pleased! I was so excited at seeing it that I forgot to take a pic so I went back later and with Marius's help, found it again and managed to snap this little pic before it flitted deeper into the thick foilage.
What a gorgeous bird and it is a HUGE tick on my life list. Just then, my camera batteries went flat! Thank heavens not before I managed to get this pic.
We left LSC after another long walk at 11am on Sunday morning and went via Oudshoorn and the R62 to avoid the stop and go's. We went through the Robinson Pass, the Huis Rivier Pass and the beautiful Tradouw Pass before eventually getting to the Franschhoek Pass and home.
The end of a wonderful weekend, emensely enjoyed by all who joined us. Hopefully another good one will be coming up soon. Join us!
