Bird Club enjoys blissful outing to Zuurplaats

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Last Saturday the Graaff-Reinet Bird Club visited Zuurplaats, the home of Kevin and Lisa Watermeyer.

An early start from Graaff-Reinet saw the group of 12 arrive at the farm in Sneeuberg before 7am. After a welcome cup of coffee, Kevin and Lisa guided the group on a walk along the edge of the old silt control works, over the ridge and back to the house.

"It was wonderful to see the various grasses and veld flowers thriving after the rains," enthused Judy Caryer.

Red bishop birds, masked and Cape weavers, African reed warbler and lesser swamp warbler were active in the reeds and a malachite kingfisher and its juvenile sat motionless for long enough for all to get a good sighting.

The first bird call heard on arriving at the farmhouse was of the Diederick cuckoo. On the walk the calls of a fish eagle, the hadedah ibis, the boubou shrike and the bokmakierie were noted.

On the ridge the eastern clapper lark and the lark-like buntings were calling.

On a drive into the veld northwards, Kevin pointed out where the martial eagle has its nest on a cliff, an unusual nesting site, and a Verreaux's eagle soared high in the sky. Kevin also pointed out the strong water spring which has never failed in a drought.

The birders relax in the shady garden.

Back at the farmhouse, while members prepared their braai brunch, Lisa took a group on a tour of their home and shared its history. Kevin then gave an interesting talk on the development of the farm in the 33 years he has owned it, having bought it on the advice of his father when he was still a student.