Fly Fishing and Birding

[Shamwari]

I thought this could be an interesting thread as everytime I go out fishing I enjoy checking out the birdlife.

I have been really spoilt living in the lowveld and have had the pleasure of spotting some rare or shy birdlife whilst fishing for eg: my buddy and myself have seen African Fin Foot on three separate occassions once on the Blyde and the other times on his farm, even better, he has spotted Pel's Fishing Owl nesting on the banks of the Olifants River...that is the cherry on top for me...

One of the reasons I have this addiction to Fly Fishing is obviously to catch ones quarry, but also to be out there and smell the bush, listen to the birds and just take it all in...we are really lucky to be able to have this on our doorstops...

Oh, this does not only apply to the feathered variety of "birdlife" our course

If anyone is interested, why don't we try and get this thread going and share the birdlife we spot whilst fishing maybe get a birdlist going, who knows, maybe some real gems will be spotted...be in Gauteng or Natal or the Cape wherever...what you guys think...


Just a thought...use or dont use it...

Shammers

[Chris Shelton]

I thought this could be an interesting thread as everytime I go out fishing I enjoy checking out the birdlife.

I have been really spoilt living in the lowveld and have had the pleasure of spotting some rare or shy birdlife whilst fishing for eg: my buddy and myself have seen African Fin Foot on three separate occassions once on the Blyde and the other times on his farm, even better, he has spotted Pel's Fishing Owl nesting on the banks of the Olifants River...that is the cherry on top for me...

One of the reasons I have this addiction to Fly Fishing is obviously to catch ones quarry, but also to be out there and smell the bush, listen to the birds and just take it all in...we are really lucky to be able to have this on our doorstops...

Oh, this does not only apply to the feathered variety of "birdlife" our course

If anyone is interested, why don't we try and get this thread going and share the birdlife we spot whilst fishing maybe get a birdlist going, who knows, maybe some real gems will be spotted...be in Gauteng or Natal or the Cape wherever...what you guys think...


Just a thought...use or dont use it...

Shammers

Great idea Shammers!

Just last night before last light I had the pleasure of watching a Fish Eagle circling Contermanskloof dam. I was firstly alerted by his call and then my eyes picked him up, soaring so gracefully and majestically overhead! To me a Fish eagle call is still one of the most beautiful calls of the wild. I can't think of any other call of the wild that smacks more of Africa.

Among other things that I have observed at the dam over the past month was a Giant Kingfisher engaged in its destinctive raucous laughing chatter whilst flitting low over the dam from a high perch on one side to another on the other side of the dam, absolutely beautiful!

Of the many interesting smaller species of birds I have seen at the dam, one in particular caught my attention the other day, a Orangethroated Longclaw. I haven't seen one in many years, so for me it was a rare sighting.

Anyway, great thread, I look forward to following this one.

[nicholas]

The Dam is a great place to watch the bird life, i also had the pleasure of watching an Owl fly over a section of the Dam a couple of weeks ago,not sure on names but it was a big fella,to watch it silently fly by was a great addition to my day.

[Shamwari]

Geepers, I have never seen an Orange Throated Long Claw...cool spot...

The best spot I have ever seen was, fair enough and a rehad center in Hoedspruit called Maholoholo, run by Brian Jones.

In one of the bird cages he had a Crown Eagle...to me that is the ultimate African raptor....talens as long as my index finger....

On Sat I saw a small Malachite Kingfisher...brilliant colours..

[Shamwari]

Just thought of another one...on the West Coast near Vredendal, on the way to Strandfontein, the Olifants River Estuary occurs, if you go visit the area, go to a town called Papendorp, look out for an extremely rare visitor from the USA....Little Blue Heron, they are breeding there...should be there at the moment...SUPER SPOT OKES!!!

[Buf Aloe]

Good idea. Being out in the open allows for so many more possibilities. I used to frequent the bush often when I lived in the good ole Transvaal and birding identification brought on many a heated debate which later was always cooled down by some form of refreshment.
I fish Lourensford farm and there we often have sightings of the Jackal Buzzard and Fish Eagles.
Birding is like everything else, if you do not pracise it you lose the hang of it. That is where I am now at the moment. Time to pull out the old Roberts / Newmans and get that refresher course going. I will follow this thread with great interest.

[Shamwari]

Good idea. Being out in the open allows for so many more possibilities. I used to frequent the bush often when I lived in the good ole Transvaal and birding identification brought on many a heated debate which later was always cooled down by some form of refreshment.
I fish Lourensford farm and there we often have sightings of the Jackal Buzzard and Fish Eagles.
Birding is like everything else, if you do not pracise it you lose the hang of it. That is where I am now at the moment. Time to pull out the old Roberts / Newmans and get that refresher course going. I will follow this thread with great interest.

Lekker man

I have an olded bent, half torn, mud stained Sasol book....well used

[Chris Shelton]

I have a spare copy of 'Best Birding in Kruger' that I am happy to give to anyone who is interested. The first person to respond will get the book.

[Buf Aloe]

You might want to call this thread "Bird Talk".

There's a place called Shamwari (i think) in the Klaserie area - any relevance?

[Shamwari]

You might want to call this thread "Bird Talk".

There's a place called Shamwari (i think) in the Klaserie area - any relevance?

Nah, Shamwari means "Friend", in Shona...