We arrived at Strandfontein Pans at 8:45 on Tuesday, September 6^th in a strong cold wind from the south east. This cold wind makes birding at Strandfontein and Rondevlei difficult.

The first birds we saw were a large group of Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis –  many in breeding plumage with pinkish buff plumes on the head, back and breast. Bills, bright Orange/Yellow. On the first pan large numbers of Cape Teal – Anas capensis, Southern Pochard – Netta erythrophtalma and Black-necked Grebe – Podiceps nigicollis, some in breeding plumage.

Blacksmith Plovers – Vanellus armatus, Speckled Pigeon – Columba guinea, Cape Turtle Dove – Streptopelia capicola, feeding on the road between pans one and two. On pan two Yellow-billed Duck – Anas undulata  with Young, Red-billed Teal – Anas erythrorhyncha, Common Moorhen – Gallinula chloropus, Hartlaub’s Gull – Lanus hartlaubi, Swift Tern – Sterna bergii  and White-Breasted Cormorant – Phalacrocrax carbo.

On the South Eastern Pans we had stunning views of Greater Flamingo’s – Phoenicopterus ruber flying with the conspicuous flame red wing, a fantastic site. Here we also had great sightings of Cape Grassbird – Sphenoeacus afer, African Black Oystercatcher – Haematopus moquini, Black-winged Stilt –Himantopus himantopus and Spurwinged Geese – Plectropterus gambensis.

The western pans had White-backed Duck – Thalassornis leuconotus , Maccoa Duck – Oxyura maccoa, Levailiant Cisticola – Cisticola tinniens, African Marsh Harrier – Circus ranivorous, White-necked Raven – Corvus albicollis, Pied Crow – Corvis albus, African Pipit – Anthus cinnamomeus, Yellow Bishop – Euplectes capensis and Cape Longclaw – Macronyx capensis.

The cold wind made birding from the Rondevlei Hides unpleasant. On arrival we saw African Fish Eagle – Haliaeetus vocifer, overhead, Cape Robin-chat – Cossypha caffra, Karoo Prinia – Prinia maculosa, Black-headed Heron – Ardea melanocephala, Cape Bulbul - Pycnonotus capensis and Glossy Ibis – Plegadis falcinellus.

From the hides we had great sightings of Cape Shoveler – Anas smithii, Sacred Ibis – Threskiornis aethiopicus, Black-crowned Night Heron – Nycticorax nycticorax, Reed Cormorant – Phalacrocorax africana, African Darter – Anhinga melanogaster , African Purple Swamphen – Porphyrio porphyrio , Grey Heron – Ardea cinerea, Great Crested Grebe – Podiceps cristatus and African Spoonbill – Platalea alba.

No wind at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, possibly one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world and a mass of spring colour. We had fantastic sightings of Cape Spurfowl – Francolinus capensis, Cape Sugarbird – Promerops cafer, Southern Double-collared Sunbird – Nectarinia chalybea, Egyptian Geese – Alopochen aegyptiacus, Sombre Greenbul – Andropadus importunes, Olive Thrush – Turdus olivaceus, African Harrier Hawk – Polyboroides Typus,  Forest Buzzard – Buteo trizonatus, Black Saw-wing - Psalidoprocne holomelaena and Spotted Eagle Owl – Bubo africanus.

A great days birding enjoyed by all with 11 endemic’s.

Endemic in Red