Return of the migrants (September to April) - Birding in the South African Spring (and Summer) Season.

Caw!

Welcome to another entry of Where the birds at.

As it may have been noticed by South Africans, the cold days of winter has faded (as had the rainfalls  in the Western Cape in particular) transforming into warm and sunny days characteristic of that of the spring and summer months (with rain showers now expected in the western parts of SA).

As the temperatures rise and the days are becoming brighter and longer - what is immediately noticeable is the sound of birdsong filling in the air and the flashes of color from flying avians and also from among the green vegetation.

Dyer Island Cruises - Kleinbaai (Gansbaai) - a (Wintery) Birding Activity

Caw!

Welcome to a late posting of Where the birds at.

For this entry, I am going to discuss a bird trip that I participated in Mid-June last month

Pelagic Bird Trips (more specifically the Dyer Island Pelagic Birding Cruise).

Located in the world-famous Great White Shark hotspot and the well-known location where people have the chance to have close encounters with this endangered shark, the Dyer Island Cruises operates from the town of Kleinbaai, near Gansbaai.

The reason behind choosing this revolves mainly around the fact that I already highlighted Pelagic trips as a recommended winter birding activity (see my post Birding through the seasons - winter) along with the fact that this was my first pelagic trip experience (as I missed out on the one that operates in Simon's Town).

Momma Bird - a Mother's Day dedication

Caw!

Welcome to another entry of Where the birds at.

On this special day - known globally as Mother's Day (in South African time anyway), I will celebrating Mother's Day in this special segment of Where the birds at.

In dedication to my own mother, the other mothers in my family, and any other mother reading this blog, my gift to them will be a post that includes what this blog is about: birds.

My inspiration for this special post came about when deciding on what I can give to my mom on her special day that (as the cliche and/or proverb) that comes from the heart and put a personal spin on it.

After many ideas (ranging from chocolates, flowers and DIY Mother's Day gifts), it struck me that the perfect gift could be a written work from my own brain and fingers that reflects who I am as a person, but also reflecting what my Mom means to me, and what it means an avian mother in the natural world.

May - August - Winter Birdwatching

Caw!

Welcome to another part of Where the birds at.

It is officially winter in this part of the Southern Hemisphere - specifically the Western Cape - with its winter rainfall season and colder temperatures serving to emphasise the start of this freezing cold season. The time of the year that leads to warmer clothing choices (which include scarves, sweaters, hoodies and others); shorter days and longer nights; spending more time indoors; and other winter-related activities.

In dedication to the current season, I decided to highlight what Bird-Watching will be in this chilly season - after consulting several websites that I felt that held some promise for you.

Looking at the information that I have collected it is surprising to there are so many birding opportunities during this time of year and some opportunities presented include:

Vermont Salt Pan (Greater Hermanus area) - a Bird-Watching Hot Spot

Please note that as of 25 January 2019 - I have been informed that the Pan has completely dried up due to the Western Cape's current drought and giving off quite a powerful smell!

Update as of 15 December 2022 - Please note that due to moving to Limpopo in August 2018 - I was not aware of the Salt Pan’s condition. But having driven past now in 2022 - the Salt Pan is looking beautiful and full of water!

Caw!

Welcome to this week's segment of Where the birds at's Bird-Watching Hot spots - where the focus will be put on another potential bird-watching destination within one of Hermanus' suburbs - Vermont - better known as the Vermont salt pan.

This potential bird-watching destination is even recognised - like the previously explored Prawn Flats - among the top 10 bird-watching destinations along the Cape Whale Coast at no. 5 as "a variety of water birds at the Vermont salt pan.

Identifying Little Brown Jobs

Caw!

Welcome to another entry of Where the birds at  - where I will highlighting the key features of the different LBJ species found in Southern Africa that will hopefully improve your skills in identifying them.

One of the terms encountered by the everyday birder in the field of bird identification is the dreaded LBJs - otherwise known as the Little Brown Jobs which refers to "any of the large number of species of small brown passerine birds - which are notoriously difficult to distinguish". A very apt statement that summarizes how we birders feel about this particular category of birds.

If you American birders thought you had a LBJ problem, I ask you to find a South African Bird Field Guide, page through all those little drab brown birds that all look EXACTLY THE SAME, and then come back to me!

Seriously! One look at all those LBJs and it induces a freaking headache!

Which is unfortunate for birders, because in an addition to their nightmarish appearance,  most of South African LBJs are endemic and mostly sought after by bird enthusiasts because of this and that they make up a large portion of SA's bird species!

In this post, I will be providing a few key features in a few LBJ species that will HOPEFULLY make LBJ identification a little easier but don't get your hopes up!

Prawn Flats, Hermanus - a Bird-Watching Hot Spot

Caw!

Welcome to Where the birds at - in this segment I will be introducing a feature known as Where the birds at's Bird-Watching Hot spots where I will be exploring potential bird hot spots for you bird enthusiasts out there.

The Hot spot in question is located in Hermanus, more specifically the Kleinrivier Estuary near Grotto Beach.

This bird-watching destination (to no surprise) is ranked among the top 10 bird-watching destinations along the Cape Whale Coast - at least by Birdlife Overberg - in the Spring season. Ranked at no 7, it is described as "Greater Flamingos and waders at Prawn Flats along the shores of the Kleinrivier Estuary."