Another highly anticipated and over subscribed outing on the Keurbooms ferry was organised for the morning of the 30^th of April. Everything went according to plan except for the weather!!

We checked out the weather forecast and as always advised people to dress for any weather, which they duly did. However, when we were all aboard and heading down the
river, a strong and very cold wind appeared to numb everyone into a state of “partial hibernation”. Despite this we had some very good close encounters with Half -collared
Kingfishers and Black-crowned Night herons.

Things cheered up dramatically when we beached at the top of the estuary and had a hot coffee and rusks – which gave us a chance to thaw out and recover our senses of humour.

While exceptionally beautiful, birding up the river is challenging as you are basically doing forest birding from a distance. Having said that, we managed to identify 37 species, with a couple of specials being: Black duck, Black-crowned Night Heron, Giant and Half-collared Kingfishers, Knysna and Olive Woodpeckers and a Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler.

Despite the weather, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and successful morning with the usual camaraderie, good birds and the cold giving us all something to chirp about. The club will organise this or similar trips in the future, so keep and eye out for the next one.

A quick thank you to Stephan for organising yet another successful trip and especially for organising the hot coffee!!

See you soon