GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - For a recent outing, eleven members of the Graaff-Reinet Bird Club visited the farm Letskraal, belonging to Johan and Rina Minnaar.
They approached the farm by way of the Coloniesplaats road and were rewarded with a wonderful sighting near the road of two Blue Korhaan calling to each other.
A small group of Blue Crane was also spotted.
On reaching the farm they were met by the staff who made them feel very welcome and opened the house to them.
The birders felt privileged to be able to use the house and admire the historic architecture and excellent restoration done by the Minnaars.
The birders then walked from the house to the river and followed the railway line in both directions, spotting typically Karoo birds along the way and a tortoise balancing on the rail, trying to cross it!
Paradise flycatchers showed themselves so clearly and the Diederik cuckoo called. Pearl-Breasted and Greater Striped Swallows were seen flying near the house.
A braai brunch was enjoyed under the trees in the garden and William Luckhoff shared stories of visiting the farm with his grandfather when he was young.
Of interest was the graveyard, neatly kept with mostly Ferreira family graves, and an old graveyard near the railway line which Luckhoff said had graves of workers on the line who died in the Great 'Flu epidemic.
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