Ixopo Primary School Bird club visit Blue Swallow nest site

On 28th November Sue, Rina, Mbeki and I took twenty seven members of IPS birding club out for lunch,  we went to Korongo valley farm, this is the home to endangered Blue Swallow.  We were hoping to see these endangered little Blue Birds enjoying the sunny warm weather, but sadly we did not see any.  The artificial nest site built by the late Dr Jacky Morford has been used for about 12 years, last year the nest was destroyed, presumably by a Genet or other roaming wild critter.  This site is now being used as a 'cat latrine'

The happy group of birders ready for an exciting, fun filled day

Rina spoke to the children about the endangered Blue Swallows, key words were:  Blue Swallow, Endangered, habitat loss, mist belt grasslands, sink hole and save paper, these are the words that the children were encouraged to used in the song they made up.

We walked up to the Blue Swallow nest site, normally if the birds were around, we would not take anyone to this nest site, but because there has been no sign of the birds here this season we took the children in small groups.

Rina looking for the Blue Swallow nest site

 Nest Site that is over grown

The artificial nesting hole that has been used by Blue Swallow for many years. 

After looking at the nest site the group went back to Korongo Guest House for our lunch.

 Rina show children the juvenile Common Fiscal that was at the base of a nearby tree. 

Group discussing and planning the Blue Swallow song

The Blue Swallow song

Farmyard Critters

My camera does some talking about life on our wonderful farm.  Our farm is alive with critters large and small!!

In our workshop all work on the mechanical saw came to a stand still when Mr and Mrs Cape Wagtail decided that this was the best place to set up home.  With all the rains that we have had in the area, I guess they decided that the noisy workshop was safer than out in the wet and cold

The chicks hatched, they fledged and now enjoy reducing the fly population in the nearby calf pens





























 The chicken run is a great source of enjoyment for me and Tessa my Border Collie, she takes pleasure in 'herding' chickens for me.

Koekoek Rooster

Jackie the escape artist

Tessa busy 'herding' a Koekoek hen

Tessa and Black boy eying each other!!!

A moth lays eggs on the  kitchen window frame

My sleepy cat Joe is 17 years old, Joe spends his days and nights sleeping, eating and gardening with me.

These hooves are made for walking

Why do we need to wait so long to get to those greener pastures across the road

So are you going to let us go after this photo