APRIL/MAY 2015 www.mountainecho.co.za [email protected] 0824938700 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
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