Photo Essay: Cape Sugarbird.

Cape Sugarbird

On flowering Proteas.

These photographs were taken in October,
 when the Proteas were in flower.

This individual has pollen
 on its forehead.

The Cape Sugarbird (promerops cafer) is an iconic endemic, to the fynbos biome in South Africa. It is very closely associated with the variety of Proteas found here. It feeds on the nectar from these plants & in fact must be one of the main pollinators for these species. 

Summer in the Cape region, is not as productive

 for these birds.

Many birds visit the garden.

Delana has two feeders, 
which are a major attraction.

The veranda!

Waiting for their turn!

Photo Essay: White fronted Plover

White fronted Plover

The White fronted Plover ( Charadrius marginatus) is restricted to the Afro-tropical region. All the photographs here are of the nominate form which is found on sandy shores alongside the Benguela Current. A more sandy coloured form (m. arenaceus) is found along the eastern coast & a smaller race mechowi is found along large tropical rivers, like the Sabie River in Kruger National Park.

This individual is trying to distract you away

 from the nest.

Going towards the nest.

Settling down.

Nesting among kelp stranded on the beach.

Female calling to the male.

The breeding population of the nominate form is thought to be around 18,000 pairs, although this could be an underestimate due to the isolation of many stretches of beach. It favours sandy areas where rocks are also present, like here at Pearly Beach, where these photographs were taken. This population is basically sedentary, with just local movement to estuaries in winter.

Most breeding activity along this coast occurs between August & February so this pair breeding here is typical. It appears to be doing well here despite frequent disturbance from dog walkers. This and driving along the beach, in the breeding season, are the major threats to this species.

Pearly Beach 2020

Not only the dawn of a new year, 
but a new decade!

Little Egret

Very common along the coast here.

Kelp Gull

Hartlaub's Gull

Grey headed Gull

African Black Oystercatcher

Whimbrel

White fronted Plover

Cape Wagtail

The 1st January! And so it begins!

Sandwich Tern

Great crested Tern

On 2nd January 2020 an evening sea watch in flat calm conditions, produced a distant Whale species, a Pomarine & 7 Arctic Skuas. There were also over 100 Sandwich Terns; 25 Great Crested Terns & 3 Common Terns.

The water is very cold here!

Much nicer on dry land.

Another beautiful sunset from the house.

3rd January was spent around the house & on the beach. In the evening 6 Arctic Skuas were seen.

Just a small part of this immense flock.

Cape Cormorants

African Black Oystercatcher

Whimbrel

White fronted Plover

On 4th January thousands of Cape Cormorants had found a huge shoal of fish quite close inshore. It was an amazing spectacle. Hundreds of them then came & sat on the rocks close to the house. Mid morning Delana & I did a spot of sunbathing on the beach & had close encounters with African Black Oystercatchers & White fronted Plovers.

Looking towards Quinn Point.

Photo courtesy of Carma.

Photo courtesy of Carma.

Photo courtesy of Carma

Photo courtesy of Carma

Carma, Natalia, Clarissa & Kevin.

Cape Wagtail

Cape Sugarbird on the feeder on the veranda.

Up to 25 birds can be

 buzzing around!

Kevin, Carma & their two daughters arrived on 6th January. They were just staying one night. They are old university friends of Delana's. We all enjoyed a lovely meal & a chat & the next day went for a walk along the beach. It was very nice to meet them & we all had a great time together.

Spotted Dikkop, here found in fynbos 

just behind the beach.

Karoo Robin

The next day Delana & I enjoyed a walk around Pearly Beach (again). Weather was good & it was very pleasant.

Blue Crane

Jackal Buzzard

African Darter

African Spoonbill

Intermediate Egret

Caspian Tern

Common Tern

Grey headed Gull

Blacksmith Plover

Red knobbed Coot

Common here.

Olive Thrush

Dusky Flycatcher

Streaky headed Seedeater

Southern Red Bishop

Female African Stonechat

On 8th January we made a quick visit to Standford, a lovely old village which is next to the river. Freshwater is quite scarce around here, so one gets another suite of bird species which are not easily found elsewhere in this area.

Then it was all about packing up & closing down the house before we reluctantly left early on 11th January. It had been a fabulous stay, but five weeks was just not long enough.