Wild goose in flight

South Africa is a birding destination with no comparison. The total number of bird species south of the Zambesi-river, viz. 945, makes it the most desirable bird watching area on the continent. Likewise, Treeferns Trout Lodge and immediate environment boast a bird paradise. It is therefore no surprise that it on 27 – 29 November 2009 the West Rand Birding Club (WRBC), 19 members of which were hosted by Treeferns Trout Lodge, whilst enjoying a most delightful weekend in perfect birding weather, identified and confirmed 88 different species of birds at Treeferns, and another 40 more species on the surrounding farms, i.e. a total of 128 .

Our sincere thanks to John Burtenshaw, Member( above left), a much esteemed and regular customer at Treeferns, who started it all, Hennie Bornman, Chairman (WRBC)(right), and members who contributed.

The WRBC is a satellite of the Witwatersrand Birding Club and has 30 active members.

Here is a list of the names of the birds identified and confirmed by members of the Club. Peter Greaves, also a member of the WRBC, captured the sightings of the birds at Treeferns and surroundings onto a database that he built himself, using the Roberts Six (Old) and Roberts Seven (New) names. The lists here-under are the New names.

Thank you , Peter!

Peter will be happy to respond to any enquiries/comments. His contact details are :

Watch the birds :

At Treeferns Trout Lodge we are proud of our trout management policy. Foremost we selected a professional and reliable supplier in Katrinasrust Trout Farm. Tim and Leslie-Anne Brewer and team render an excellent service not only in regard to the quality of fish, but also in the numbers and sizes that we order. We stock on a monthly programme, which results in our dams rather over-stocked than under-stocked. It also means that the fish stay and grow. We have recorded sizes up to 3.6 kg, not to mention the “big ones” that got away.

Rainbow trout are mostly stocked, and brown and golden whenever available.

Slide show follows in a few seconds, enjoy.

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With its rocks and cliffs Vlakfontein, host farm of Treeferns Trout Lodge, is an ideal habitat for aloes, of which the Aloe perfoliata, family : Asphodelaceae, is the more spectacular. Untill recently this species was also known as Aloe mitriformis.

In its natural habitat the plants have long creeping stems with secondary side shoots.They favour sandstone slabs and rocks and also grow down vertical cliffs, hence the Afrikaans name of “krans aalwyn”.

At Vlakfontein the Aloe perfoliata flower in  May, and the flowers are orange and dull to bright red, cone shaped or mostly poker like.

Reproduction takes place through pollination by sugar birds and ants. Pieces of branch that breaks off also root easily when falling on the ground.

The roots and stems are occasionally eaten by dassies and some small game. However, no record of human use excists.

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Treeferns (Cyathea Dregei), from which Treeferns Trout Lodge took its name, are found in several clusters in sheltered spots along the stream or near water. They flourish in a cool, moist climate, and are not easily transplanted. Normally they are evergreen, but in the higher, cooler regions the leaves dry to a dark almost black colour in winter, and hang downwards. In spring they sprout to a spectacular bright green umbrella. The trunks are erect, dark brown, and sturdy, 200 – 400 mm in diameter. They grow to a height of 4 – 5 m, and some are known to be very old. As they bear no annual rings, it is very difficult to determine age.

The indigenous vegetation include treeferns, Highveld cussonia, Transvaal yellow wood,  shrubs,  among them fruit bearing  shrubs, a variety of bulbs of which the arum lily is best known, and other species of the lily family, flowers, water plants like bullrushes, various grass species.  Aloe are also found.  Treeferns, from which Treeferns Trout Lodge took its name, is described in detail under “Treeferns”,  in the section Fauna and Flora.

Among alien species the black wattle is present mainly along the stream, and some pines, blue gum, poplar, willows and oaks were planted years ago.

One of only a few proteas which remained after years of veld fires

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Animal life comprise mainly small game, viz. mountain rhebuck, steenbuck, duiker, jackal, monkeys, baboon, otters, mongoose, and a rich variety of birds. Guineafowl, pheasants, partridges, blue cranes, eagles, falcons, sacred ibis, hadeda ibis, waterbirds, viz. wild duck, Egyptian or wild goose, cormorants, and several smaller species of birds have been identified and recorded by bird watchers.

Red Bishop                                   Cape Weaver building its nest

Sugarbird (suikerbekkie)                                     Wild duck

Darter (Slanghalsvoël)

Blue Cranes                      White faced duck

Reed Cormorant                                    Sacred Ibis

Guinea fowl                                Silhouette of Mountain Rhebuck

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They are pale blue in colour, and appears grey from a distance. The bird has a short bill, long neck, and long, black legs, approximately 120 cm in height, weighing more or less 5 kg.

Cranes are omnivorous, feeding on seeds of grasses and sedges, waste grains, insects and small vertebrate.

The Blue Crane favours dry grasslands at high altitudes, and are therefore often seen in the area. They also frequent  Vlakfontein in a couple of breeding pairs. Where shallow wetlands are available, they also tend to roost and breed there. They usually announce their presence with a piercing call.

Courtship is characterised by a dance as the male chases the female with leaps, bows, and spells of calling. Nesting occurs in summer and two eggs are usually laid. Incubation takes 30 – 33 days.

The Crane is an endangered specie, and conservation measures are enforced.

                           Some birds prefer to feed and nest in arable or pasture land.