A Birding Paradise

There’s a place that was once a sewage farm,

But now the ponds are settled and calm,

And filled with wild and wonderful birds;

A perfect place for Avian Nerds

As you travel along the many dirt roads,

Look out for crabs and occasional toads.

Perhaps you’ll find a mongoose or buck

There will certainly be a yellow-billed duck.

The pelicans swim the swallows they fly

And maybe you’ll hear the fish eagle cry.

There are stilts and avocets, teal and coots.

A purple swamp-hen chews on roots.

And as well as all these waterfowl

You may even spot the eagle-owl.

The long claw with its orange throat

Sings out with a meowing note.

 In rain, in shine, no matter what

You’re bound to see a helovalot.

Come join us at the Ecology Park

We’ll show you more than just a lark.

Today members of The Cape Bird Club took the delegates from Heather’s Beginners’Course on an outing to The False Bay Ecology Park where they put their newly acquired birding skills to the test.  The rain had stopped and the skies were clear – we saw a beautiful rainbow – but the roads were somewhat muddy.  Nothing could dampen the enthusiasm of the beginners though and the ‘guides’ were just too thrilled to show off this amazing place.  We loaded the cars with each one having a window seat and each car set off to separately find the 27 target birds plus anything else that might show up.   When we stopped to compare notes the vibe of excitement was tangible as the beginners shared what they had seen.   Personally I never get tired of seeing the flamingos doing their amazing ballet in the shallows or impersonating ducks in deeper water.   It was hugely rewarding to share my passion with others.