Its Monday morning and I am watching sunrise over the Indian Ocean here at Tinley Manor, Martie's home away from home at the coast, with Gannets and even the odd Albatross making an appearance.
This must be one of the few trips I have made this year that has not been about birding, I am down here with friends and our purpose is designing quilts. We are up to our elbows in gorgeous fabrics, there are sewing machines dotted around the huge table and fabric is slowly being transformed into quilts. Our group has been friends for two decades and our annual retreats have become a feature of our shared interest.
Even though I have been cutting and sewing with the Tour de France on in the background, what an amazing event, I am quietly birding too. I dragged Martie and Jan to Dlinza Forest near Eshowe early on Sunday morning to find some of the Kwa-Zulu Natal forest specials. Our time with Jotham Maduna as our Birdlife Guide was very rewarding - eventually saw the Spotted Ground-Thrush on our second attempt near Bishops Seat, we had almost given up for the morning when Jotham heard their low pitch winter call, a faint scratchy sound!
We started the morning with a sighting of an African Goshawk calling from the entrance to the Aerial Boardwalk, such a treat to see the raptor but he spoilt our chances of seeing the Narina Trogon which usually hangs around the entrance.
A Green Malkoha showed itself too high up in the forest canopy and I was so pleased to get onto the bird quickly as it is so secretive and a difficult bird to find, Olive Bush-Shrikes, Square-tailed Drongoes and the White-starred Robin made for a most productive morning of birds for the Big Birding Year list.
Talking about the list - I have less than 100 birds between my Life List of 659 and the Big Year list which is on 566. Great motivation to keep going.
Monday, July 13, 2009
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