Grapevine Landscape & Nature
Cape Canary
Hamerkop
White-throated Swallow
Spotted Eagle Owl
T ygerberg B ird C lub O uting
V al
de
V ie
“This Spotted Eagle Owl is a regular visitor to
my wooden pergola structure on our garage,
he definitely thinks that is his roost!”
Fran Gee, Homeowner Val de Vie Estate
Jackal Buzzard
Greater Striped Swallow
A total of eleven Tygerberg Bird Club members
White-throated Swallow flew past us frequently,
As usual the lovely outing was ended with
arrived at Val de Vie Estate, on Tuesady 7
giving us great views of these lovely birds.
us doing a bird count and a staggering 53
October. We were anticipating a successful
It is always nice when the swallows return in
different species were seen. This is a good
birding day and extremly glad that the weather
the spring to once again come and build their
count given that we didn’t see many water
was somewhat cooler than the preceding few
nests and breed under our eaves. Along the
birds. A big thank you to the Val de Vie
days. We set off from the Sports & Leisure
river pathway, we saw the majestic African
Homeowners’ Association for allowing our club
Centre, birding along a meandering walkway
Paradise Flycatcher male, with its lovely long
to do our second bird count in this area.
towards the river. Along the way we had
tail. This striking chestnut-and-grey bird, with
The well maintained walkways and indigenous
wonderful views of Cape Canaries feeding
its blue bill and eye-ring, is a welcome summer
gardens will undoubtedly attract many more
near the path totally oblivious to us all.
visitor. We were hoping to see some kingfishers
bird species in the future.
or Black duck but were unfortunately not lucky
We stopped and admired Greater Striped
this time. Jackal Buzzard, Yellow-billed Kite,
Swallow and Rock Martins collecting mud, to
Hamerkop and a Spotted Eagle Owl were all
reinforce their nests. White-rumped Swift and
Brigid Crewe
seen near the Manor house and wine cellar.
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