GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - During their first outing of the year on 1 February, 10 members of the Graaff-Reinet Bird Club spotted no less than 63 species on Paul and Liezl Merifield's farm.
Members were welcomed with a cup of coffee while they recorded numerous birds in the garden next to the house, including red-winged and common starlings, masked weavers and Karoo thrushes.
The birders later set off towards the river and walked in the river bed where kikuyu grass was green and spreading. Birds seen included green wood-hoopoe, Jacobin and Diederik cuckoo, chestnut-vented warbler, bar-throated apalis, red-faced and speckled mousebirds. Golden-breasted bunting and red-billed firefinch were also seen bathing and drinking at the weir, where there was a pool of water.
Next came a drive to the eastern side of the farm where the members saw an enormous Schotia afra, the Karoo boer-boon.
At first sight, it appeared to have succumbed to the drought, but on closer inspection, green leaves were emerging.
“It was such a joy to see green grass and new shoots on the bushes after the rain,” said member Judy Caryer. A grey-backed finch-lark was seen on the barbed wire during the drive.
Back at the house, the members enjoyed a braai with the Merifields, who spoke about their farm and their love of the Camdeboo.
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