Attendees: Stan & Val Culley, Barrie Willis & Sue Hansbury, Graham & Sue Salthouse, Stanley & Asothie Gengan, Bob & Hazel van Rooyen, Jonathan Davidson, Louis & Pat Fourie, Lennart Erikssen, Andy Ruffle

Bird count:  39 (see end)                                                 Text: Hazel van Rooyen
Cape Vulture carrying nesting material (photo: HvR)

Darkness blanketed the hutted camp on our arrival and nothing stirred on the little dam except for Hadeda Ibises, still roosting in a dead tree nearby.  As we watched, one flock flew off, then another and another, letting the whole land know it was time to rise and shine.  By now, Yellow-billed Ducks, Village Weavers and a lone Reed Cormorant were also awakening.  Far away on a tree-top a Jackal Buzzard surveyed his world.  After checking in, we made our way across the grassland towards the gorge, surprising only a Cape Longclaw which flapped off.

Walking across the grassland to the gorge
Cape Rock Thrushes (photo HvR)


  
From the edge of the gorge we enjoyed the sight of Cape Rock Thrushes and Mocking Cliff Chats flitting amongst the rocky outcrop.  Good sightings were also had of Cape White-eye, Dusky Flycatcher, Grey Cuckooshrike, Southern Black Flycatcher, Black-headed Oriole and Black-collared Barbet.  Back at the huts, Olive and Greater Double-collared Sunbirds investigated an Erythrinia, hoping for nectar from early blossoms.

At our breakfast spot half-way down the gorge, Trumpeter Hornbills called in the valley while Terrestrial Brownbuls scolded from nearby bushes.  After a brief stop at the river bridge, we made our way up the other side of the gorge to where Andy was waiting to lead our convoy to the Cape Vulture hide.  Only a couple of old carcasses remained from an earlier feeding frenzy and the Vultures now glided towards us, seemingly in greeting.  On the gorge face nests were taking shape, with one partner fetching nesting material and the other guarding the nest – otherwise a cheeky neighbour would steal a few twigs.  As usual Andy Ruffle was an interesting exponent of all things Vulture.  Thanks once again, Andy.  
Cape Vulture soaring over the gorge (photo HvR)

3 nests (photo HvR)

Cape Vulture (photo HvR)

Apart from the vultures, up here we saw African Stonechat, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Pied Crow, Lanner Falcon, and Crowned Hornbill.

Eventually we dragged ourselves reluctantly away from the vultures and returned to the bottom of the gorge to light the fire for the braai.  A most enjoyable day was had by all.



Andy explains (photo HvR)

Oribi Gorge (photo HvR)


There is so much to learn (photo Lennart Eriksson)
Mountain Reedbuck (photo Lennart Eriksson)

The vulture bath is fed from a tank and cleaned regularly (photo Lennart Eriksson)


Guarding their nests (photo Lennart Eriksson)



 Species: 39
Barbet, Black-collared
Boubou, Southern
Brownbul, Terrestrial
Bulbul, Dark-capped
Buzzard, Jackal
Cameroptera, Green-backed
Chat, Familiar
Chat, Mocking Cliff
Cormorant, Reed
Crow, Cape
Crow, Pied
Cuckooshrike, Grey
Dove, Red-eyed
Dove, Tambourine
Dove, Turtle
Duck, Yellow-billed
Falcon, Lanner
Fiscal, Common
Flycatcher, Dusky
Flycatcher, Southern Black
Greenbul Sombre
Honeyguide, Lesser
Hornbill, Crowned
Hornbill, Trumpeter
Ibis, Hadedah
Longclaw, Cape
Oriole, Black-headed
Prinia, Tawny-flanked
Puffback, Black-backed
Raven, White-necked
Starling, Glossy
Starling, Red-winged
Stonechat, African
Sunbird, Greater Double-collared
Sunbird, Olive
Thrush, Cape Rock
Vulture, Cape
Weaver, Village
White-eye, Cape
Woodpecker, Golden-tailed

All photos property of photographer