Report-back on the Walk in Springside Nature Reserve held on Wednesday 11 March 2020
On a fine and warm early autumn morning 18 people were guided by Derek Spencer, Elena Russell and Alan Taylor and 53 bird species were identified. Many thanks for their expert help. Amongst birds seen: African Goshawk, Red-chested Cuckoo, Olive Thrush, a couple each of Greater and Lesser Swallows seen perched together on bare twigs at the top of a large tree (to the left of the first bridge), Black Saw-wing, Southern Black Tit, Cape Rock Thrush, Collared Sunbird, White-eared Barbet, Terrestrial Brownbul, Neddicky.
Birds heard: Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Green-backed Camaroptera, Cardinal & Golden-tailed Woodpeckers, Cape Grassbird, Black-backed Puffback, Cape Batis, Natal Spurfowl, Bar-throated Apalis, Brimstone Canary.
Many thanks to Maggie Fleming, Anne Oliver and Dianne Lyall for all their help with providing eats and serving the teas.
Thanks to all who attended and contributed towards conservancy projects.
Report-back on the Walk on Wednesday 12 February 2020 : At least 24 people set off on the cloudy and warm morning by Derek Spencer, ably assisted by Elena Russell, Alan Taylor and Oscar van Eyssen. Conditions changed during the morning and the walkers returned to the Centre in a steady drizzle.
55 bird species were identified by sight and sound. Birds seen included: Crowned Eagle (the only raptor seen), African Hoopoe, White-eared Barbet, Greater and Lesser Striped Swallows, Barn Swallow, Cape Rock Thrush, Olive Thrush, Cape Wagtail, Thick-billed Weaver, Southern Red Bishop (not often seen in Springside NR but spotted amongst a group of swallows in the grassland opposite the first bridge). Birds heard: Buff-spotted Flufftail (heard in the forest on the right near the first bridge), Natal Spurfowl, Tambourine Dove, Lesser Honeyguide, Black-backed Puffback. It was noted that no cuckoos were heard calling.
Thanks, as always, to Derek, Elena, Alan and Oscar for guiding the group, and to Ann Gibson, Dianne Lyall and Carolyn Victor for providing eats and helping with teas. Thank you to all who attended and donated towards on-going Hillcrest Conservancy projects.
Southern Red Bishop and Buff-spotted Flufftail
Buff-spotted Flufftail