Snippets from the past week.

On 22nd September I was delighted to see some broken egg shells
below the Spoonbill nest in my garden,
this means that there are some new kids in my garden!!
The nest are too high for me to see any activity from the chicks,
I'm sure that once they are a little older I will see them bobbing about in the nest.

Saturday morning Jugen, Thomas and I went "Forest birding"this turned out to be a great day, lots of very interesting birds, just a very frustrating time for Thomas as the Barratt's Warbler tormented him from deep within the dense bushes. Whilst Thomas was trying to get a glimpse of the elusive bird, I took this photo of a spider web, with dew studded jewels, framed in a natural frame.

The bright green spring leaves of the

Celtis africana were an amazing sight in the

Marustwa Forest.

Podocarpus Falcatus (Outeniqua Yellowwood) are the

tallest trees in Marustwa Forest, here is one really large tree, (photo taken up the trunk)

Cape Parrots feed on the fruit. And some are lucky enough to find a hole in an old Yellowwood,set up home, lay eggs and bring some youngsters into this world.

At the end of a very long day "Forest Birding"

I suggested that the best way to see the Cape Parrots

was to take up a good posture - flat on ones back, on the ground!!

The guys took my advice, this photo is the result.

They were enjoying the six Cape Parrots that had come into Marutswa to roost for the night.

I had a great two days birding with Jurgen and Thomas, we saw some really super birds, some specials were Pygmy Geese, African Marsh Harrier, Little Rush, Lesser Swamp, Dark-capped Yellow, African Reed, Yellow-throated and Barratt's Warbler. Bush Blackcap is always a treat to see, as are the Knysna Turaco and Cape Vulture.