Apologies

I have been neglecting my blogging terribly but shall get back to regular blogging when we relocate to Cape L'Agulhas.

I have been saddened by the indiscriminate removal of large trees at Rietvlei and is no longer involved with the conservation side there.

Recreation on the water

Helmeted Guinaefowl

Guinaefowl caught in fishing line

Two Helmeted Guineafowl was found on one day with their feet entangled in fishing line

Mongoose released at Rietvlei, Cape

One female Water Mongoose, caught at Intaka Island , was released in the bird-hide block on 31-7-2009

A male Water Mongoose was trapped and released to join the female on 5 August 2009

Bird Activity Rietvlei, Cape -- bird-hide block

Tue 28 Jul 2009

35 Glossy Ibis
1 African Fish-Eagle
2 Black-shouldered Kites
4 Great Crested Grebes
10 Mousebirds

African Pygmy Mouse

Found on the Island

Otters at Rietvlei

I noticed some movement on the waters edge near the new hide - South lake.
It turned out to be a family of otters

Rietvlei reserve 7-7-2009

Rietvlei 7-7-2009 - Mole

W

We spotted this mole sunbathing -- just his head sticking out.

Rietvlei 7-7-2009

Juvenile Swift Tern

Rietvlei Walk 11-Jun-07

11-Jun-009

Rietvlei Walk

Birds spotted:

• * 8 Black-headed Herons - one has just caught a frog. There seems to be a great number of frogs in the area (photograph below)

• * A pair of Black-shouldered Kites in the area between North and South-vlei

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9 June 2009

A pair of Southern Pochards was spotted flying over the South-lake.

Rietvlei 1-6-2009

01-06-2009
We watched how a Black Sparrowhawk was trying to get to a dove he dropped on the other side of a fence while the Hartlaub’s Gulls were dive-bombing him.
He gave up and flew away.
Later we saw him return to when the coast was clear to collect his prey.

Pied Kingfisher -- Rietvlei

26-May-2009 14:07
Three Pied Kingfishers
Young birds.
Two of them look as if they are mating.

Pelican ring no. H1257

26 May 2009

Pelican found -- died about four days ago.
Ring number H1257. Ringed on Dassen Island in 2005. (4 Years ago)
It has been seen on a pig farm near Tygeberg about ten times.

Night life at Rietvlei 26-05-2009

Read more: http://wally.iblog.co.za/2009/06/03/along-the-night-path/

Rietvlei 23 May 2009 White-breasted Cormorant

Photograph by Wally Wolhuter

Male and juvenile Pelicans -- Darters

23 May 2009

Morning walk:
I spotted 50 Flamingos at the South vlei
I managed to photograph a male and juvenile Pelican together with a group of Darters.