Page 12 - 13 June 2025

PAGE 12 · THE REPORTER 13 JUNE 2025

they could catch a thermal
and soared higher. A
wonderful sight.
The soft sunlight filtered
through the clouds made for
great photography. As the
day went on the sunlight
faded and the clouds
At last . . . we ventured out darkened.
into the district. On Saturday
we set off birding, bright and Back on the tar, near
early. We decided to go Gertney, we had a very brief
despite the windy, cloudy sighting of a Black Harrier, a
weather. Our route: Clifford, family of 3 Grey Crowned
Clanville, a detour to New Cranes and a pair of Neddicky (Neddikkie)
England and home. Secretarybirds.
African Stonechat (Gewone Bontrokkie) female
Gerda Cloete had told me The one Secretarybird was
about an African Fish Eagle stomping on some or other
(Visarend) that had taken up potential prey in the grass. Streaky-
residence along the river on After more than 10 minutes headed
their farm. What a thrill of stomping it walked off Seedeater
hearing the iconic call most without a meal. (Streepkopka
narie)
mornings. Another highlight was briefly showing its
We stopped on the main chatting to old friends along streaky head
road at their farm entrance. the way. - this is where
We saw and heard the eagle We loved every moment out its name
fly off. We also spotted a in God's amazing creation. comes from.
B l a c k S p a r r o w h a w k Seeing the clouds build up
(Swartsperwer) perched in a and tumble over the
tall tree. mountains, seeing the
changing light and colours. Secretarybird (Sekretarisvoël) stomping at something in the
A great start to the cold, grass
windy morning. The birding What a wonderful world we
was not great, but we had live in?
some super sightings during The district experienced
the day. The scenery was as heavy snow falls and it is
always, spectacular. extremely cold. I hope that all
our feathered friends will be
We found a kettle of vultures
catching thermals. At times okay.
they flew low overhead until Till next time.

Yellow Bishop (Kaapse Flap) the beautiful colours of the
veld crating a spectacular background for the photograph Black Headed Heron (Swartkopreier)

Right: Grey Crowned Crane
(Mahem). The teenager looks
on while the adults “dance”.

African Red-eyed Bulbul (Rooioogtiptol)