Birds breeding in mid winter

Horse Trails 17-June-2009

19-01-2009 (Milnerton Lagoon)

19-01-2009 (Milnerton Lagoon)

I drove down to Milnerton Lagoon to spot the reported crocodile. I saw no crocodile, but there were:

• Egyptian Geese and 10 goslings about three days old.

• 3 Grey Heron

• 4 Little Egret

To view photographs and information of the birds mentioned, click on the bird link in the side panel or search through the encyclopaedia link.

Tick-knee Chick 19-01-2009

Photographed Dikkop chick - by Wally Wolhuter - Rietvlei, Cape

19-Jan 2009

Remained at the reserve later than usual.

The wind was howling at 40 knots +.

While passing fishing site four, I saw the Water Thick-knee sitting under the trees, and to my surprise, there I spotted two chicks.

As soon as they saw me they scurried under their mother's soft plumage for protection.

• My old blog:

• My bird photo album:

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The Water Thick-knee’s eggs no longer in the nest

17 Jan 2009

• The Water Thick-knee’s (Water Dikkop) eggs are gone.

I suspect that it may be due to the activity at the fishing site, where she had her nest.

I still see the birds in the area.

My other blog: http://www.wally.iblog.co.za/

My new photo album:

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Brown -throated Martins

08-01-2009

Brown-throated Martins

Some Brown-throated Martins were nesting near the No 4 fishing site. Their nests are little holes in the sand bank.

Before going home in the evening, I have to check that everyone is gone so that I can lock the gates. I use this opportunity to check for fishing line and other debris that can harm the animals or birds, left behind by the day visitors, before locking the area for the night.

The martins were flying overhead and I felt something was amiss. As I surveyed the nest holes, I noticed that they were blocked by fresh mud. I opened the holes, as I suspected the children blocked them to trap the birds.

The next day the birds were using their nesting tunnels again.

Here is a link to some photographs sent to Google under the label of Brown-throated Martins. Note the Sand Martins have a white throat.

The Waterranger's blog

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12-01-2009 bird activity

12-01-2009

• An African Marsh-Harrier was sweeping low over the reeds in the South Pan and disturbed a flock of about 200 Weavers.

• About 30-40 Swift Terns arrived.

• I went to check on the Kittlitz's Plover. The nest was empty and there was no sign to indicate what happened to the eggs. I removed the barrier placed there to protect them.

Picture Links:

Marsh Harrier

Weaver

Kittlitz's Plover

My old blog: http://www.wally.iblog.co.za/

My bird photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/omdiebos/WallySBlog?authkey=0VT7Mn3IZkw#

Back to the top: http://waterranger.blogspot.com/

Kittlitz's Plover Nest

6-01-2009
The Kittlitz's Plover made nest right next to the path at the bird-hide block.
She covered the eggs so well that it was nearly impossible to see them.
I hope the eggs will hatch.
The nest is at a very vulnerable spot, as the service vehicles sometimes use that area.
I cordoned the site off.

My old blog: http://www.wally.iblog.co.za/

My bird photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/omdiebos/WallySBlog?authkey=0VT7Mn3IZkw#

Back to the top: http://waterranger.blogspot.com/

Bird Activity 2 January 2009

2 December 2009

Bird activity at Rietvlei:

• Cape Francolin with 8 chicks

• Helmeted Guineafowl with 15 chicks.

• The White-throated Swallows are breeding again.

Photograph: White-throated Swallows
Links to photographs of :
Helmeted Guineafowl
Cape Francolin

My old blog: http://www.wally.iblog.co.za/

My bird photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/omdiebos/WallySBlog?authkey=0VT7Mn3IZkw#

Back to the top: http://waterranger.blogspot.com/

Guineafowl attacking

1 December 2009

This evening, before leaving for home, I was checking the fishing sites for nylon left behind by the fishermen, when I saw a Helmeted Guineafowl attacking something. At closer inspection, I saw a mole lying on it's back while the bird is fiercely pecking it.

My approach disturbed the bird and the poor mole scurried away and instantly burrowed into an old mole mound. The aggressiveness of the birds is due to them having chicks.

Links:

• The my old blog: http://www.wally.iblog.co.za/

• My bird photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/omdiebos/WallySBlog?authkey=0VT7Mn3IZkw#

• Back to the top: http://waterranger.blogspot.com/

• The photo above is of a Guineafowl chick

The White-throated Swallow nest

White-throated Swallow nesting under the jetty at Rietvlei (2007-01-07)

My Garden Birds 12-12-2008

One of the masked weaver chicks - hatched

My Garden Birds 9-12-2008

My home Garden

The masked weaver chicks are squawking like mad.

We noticed both the male and female feeding on Sunday.

Since then a domestic cat killed the female. I heard the frantic distress call of a bird, but was too late to save her.

We could hear the persistent cries from the hungry chicks demanding for food. The male was doing his best to supply the demand.

He managed to rear both chicks.

Posted by Wally Water-ranger

Birds at Rietvlei - 27-Nov-2008

27-Nov 2008 Rietvlei

• Spotted White-throated swallow with one chick.

• Black-headed Heron with plastic caught on its bill.

Coot chicks - Intaka Island - Century City - Cape Town

Water Thick-knee nest

05-11-2008

The Water Thick-knee (Water Dikkop) nest in the boat-park contains only one egg.

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Ducklings swimming around 6-9-008

(photograph Cape Shoveler - Wally/Rietvlei - Cape)

06-09-2008

Went for a walk behind Mac Phearson’s Plant Nursery.

We saw a lot of nest building activity as the weavers were building their nests in the trees

There were lots of ducks with duckling.

Yellow-billed Ducks with 8 and another with 3 ducklings.

Cape Shovelers with 6, 4 and 8 chicks