APRIL/MAY 2015
www.mountainecho.co.za
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PAGE 7
BIRDING IN THE SOUTHERN KZN DRAKENSBERG
The winter is closing in and the birds have
responded by getting off the high ground to
warmer low lying areas. The more obvious
would be the Storks, Amur Falcons and Barn
Swallows, but the local altitudinal migrants
actually start earlier. The Barratt’s Warblers
and Broad-tailed Warblers being some of the
early birds to depart, with Mountain Pipits
gone by 14 March. The bulk of the Amur Fal-
Birds & Beyond
Bird Tours & San
Rock Art Walks
www.birdsand beyond.co.za
Tel: 033 7021761.
Cell: 082 742 6981
Stuart Mc Lean
cons had left by 3 April leaving a few hundred
in the roost, but there were still birds on 10
April.
Some interesting observations for the last
month were Alan Payn’s Fish Eagle eating a
Coot, not something you see every day. Trish
Strachan and Dave Minney caught Cape Eagle Owls in the act of mating in the Scotston
area. Trish recorded Black-winged Lapwings
and Quail Finch, the latter being a difficult
bird to see, but if you can hear it you will
discover it is quite common in the natural
grasslands as long as they are not moribund
like much of the Drakensberg Park grasslands.
Aldo saw Forest Buzzard near Bulwer and had
a Willow Warbler in Reservoir Road and Green
Wood Hoopoes at Sani Lodge. Helga and I
counted 150 Bald Ibis roosting in the large
dead trees on Goxhill Dam on 15 March. I saw
Black Harrier and Yellow-breasted Pipit on 16
April on the Swartberg farm managed by Ken
MacKenzie.
Just before the Amurs began leaving, I did
a sample count of birds perched on the
Eskom lines. There were close to 400 falcons in a stretch of lines with the bulk
being Amur’s, but in the group were 10
Red-footed Falcons of which 9 were females and one an immature male. The male
being spotted only because it still showed
some orange on the breast. Adult Redfooted Falcons are difficult to separate
from male Amur’s, unless they are flying.
This year there were many more Red-footed
Falcons all over the country than previous years.
The Cape Parrot Count takes place on the
afternoon of 18th and morning of 19th April.
Please report any parrots seen and
counted.
Please also report feeding vultures.
For observations please contact Stuart on 082
742 6981 or 033 702 1761.
domestic cooking training
[email protected]
Cell: 0607219633
033 7012 394
Creighton Steam
Train &
Aloe Festival
11 & 12 July
Dates
Departure time
Sat 27th June 10am
Sun 28th June 10am
Sat 4th July Pensioners day R150pp 10am
Sun 5th July 10am
Sat 11th July 10am (Festival w/end)
Sat 11th July 2pm (Festival w/end)
Sun 12 July 11am (Festival w/end)
Sat 18 July 10am
Sun 19 July 10am
The train ride itself is a 2 -2.5 hr trip with
beautiful Aloe viewing along the way. It will
make 2 stops: 1. En route, for passengers to
walk amongst the Aloes & for a Photo opportunity. 2. At Riverside Station, to be entertained by singing groups & to explore whilst
the engine moves into position for the return
trip. There will be Egg & Bacon Rolls, teas &
coffees on sale at Creighton Station. Refreshments & snacks for sale on the train. Hot Air
Balloon trip (11th & 12th July only). Bookings Ann Cook- Hot Air Ballooning SA 083
446 9423 [email protected]
Please book or find out full details and options available to you with Glynnis
g l y n n i s @ t o o c e e . c o . z a
Whole Beef Fillets R145/Kg
Spatchcock Chickens R45/Kg
Mutton Shank Potjie R69/Kg
Beef Soup Meat R54/Kg
Emil Kaltenbrunn (47) is the new butcher at
Underberg Meat Supply. He grew up in
Steynsberg (Eastern Cape)and lived there for
the first 40 years of his life. He has 9 years
banking experience and 19 years butchery experience. He is quite a humourous character.
NEW WINTER RANGE :- MENS , LADIES
AND CHILDRENS
NGUNI
BOOTS
LEATHER
BOOTS
NGUNI BOOTS - SHEEPSKIN LINED OR
PLAIN LEATHER MADE TO ORDER
WITH 50% DEPOSIT
3 - 4 WEEKS DELIVERY
MENS &
LADIES
UNDERBERG HIGH GOAL POLO
TOURNAMENT 8 - 10 MAY
Underberg Polo Club welcomes you all to our Annual High Goal Tournament taking place from
8 – 10 May 2015, at the Underberg Polo Grounds. The best polo players from around the
country will be competing in the high goal section. On the Friday night (8 May) we will be
having our Cocktail Party (R100 entrance fee) where there will be light snacks and good music.
Come and join us for a fun filled weekend of Polo. For further information please contact the
Underberg Polo Secretary on 0795141322.
VELLIES
S. M. L. XL.
SHEEPSKIN
SLIPPERS
083 788 7702
@ CLOCKTOWER CENTRE UNDERBERG