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WINDOW ONTO NATURE'S WORLD OUR BIRDLIFE DISPLAYING NEW UNISON WITH NATURE

WINDOW ONTO NATURE'S WORLD OUR BIRDLIFE DISPLAYING NEW UNISON WITH NATURE

Author: Jill Theunissen
Date: 2022-08-24

Since the Floods there has been inland devastation with extensive soil erosion, loss of topsoil and crops, and broken dam walls, with a downstream domino effect with loss of irrigation equipment and production. Amidst this partially man-made catastrophe it is amazing and of interest to observe that our birdlife appears to be adjusting rapidly to the new environment its conditions and challenges.

Around the homestead the Red-winged Starlings are delighted with the fresh crop of soggy moss for nest building on the Patio ledge. The Kurriechane Thrush with handsome orange breast plumage, paces across soft lawn with renewed intent. The bustling house sparrow with grey crown, and reddish-brown back and has already adopted an old swallows' nest. From the thicket the Burchell's Cauca! scouts the nearby grassland, often called the "Rain bird" with a long "doo-doo-doo"! Where there are ripe autumn fruits the Purple crested Louries alight fluttering their conspicuous red wing feathers. The birdlife around our homesteads naturally reduces pests, assists pollination and increases germination for many species.

The Flood water has opened up a nearby low-lying Water-body with an amazing list of visitors. The fresh Water-body is an added attraction to a local flock of Egyptian Geese, with their distinctive brown markings, who forage in the nearby grasslands. When nesting in the water reeds the pair become territorial, with the male hissing at any intruder. The larger Spurwinged Geese with their distinctive white throat, neck and belly markings are evident relaxing in the moist grasslands. Regular visitors include the Cattle Egret with spotless white plumage, from the Farmlands with cattle grazing nearby. Evident regularly are Sacred Ibis with their un-feathered head and neck and long curved black bill, nearby a group of Southern Bald Ibis feeding in the cultivated turf near the waters edge. This is unusual because this Ibis is associated with higher countryside, although their range may be increasing in Natal.

Another exception is the presence of the Wooly-necked Storks with their glossy black plumage and white woolly neck and white belly and under tail are distinctive. This species used to be rare south of Mtunzini, but are now common. Last but not least, the occurrence of a single White Stork, which nest on the roof tops in Europe. The White Stork is migratory and are generally summer visitors. Maybe the exceptional heat-wave conditions in Europe has caused an early migration to Natal during a mild winter.

At the Water-body our local Hadeda are regulars. An amazing, complex construction by the Hammerkop in a very old Flambouyant Tree forms the foundation for the male Hadeda to add additional material to flatten the surface enabling the female to lay her eggs and rear their chicks.

Throughout the ages mankind has learnt skills from our birdlife. Early communities learnt from birds the skill of weaving, hence ladies rush baskets, and woven mats used by Arab travellers in the desert. The lack of purity for our fresh water resources is becoming a threat to our existence. The increase in temperatures reinforces the urgent need to restore our indigenous Treed Environment for shade and cooling wherever possible.

Credit - Water-body bird species identified by Richard Boon M.Sc during his recent visit to Ballito