Adios Plett

26 December 2024 - Lookout Beach, Plett; Day 14

Boxing Day and our last day in Plett in what also may be our last holiday here too, as the apartment we rent every year, has now been sold. We certainly had a fantastic 2-weeks that went by way too quickly.

I was up early for a last walk around Lookout Beach and spent time at my Warbler patch and this time was really rewarded with an adult and juvenile. The adult was bringing food to the youngster, although I never got to see it being fed in the depths of the coastal scrub. But for sure this was a privilege and the best sighting I have had of these elusive Warblers. There is certainly merit, in just sitting quietly and waiting too

Adult Knysna Warbler (Bradypterus sylvaticus)

Juvenile Knysna Warbler (Bradypterus sylvaticus)

The Apalis was also in the same vicinity of the Warbler

Bar-throated Apalis (Apalis thoracica)

Along with a juvenile Cape Robin-Chat on the path to the beach

Cape Robin-Chat (Dessonornis caffra)

The Oystercatcher's were out to and some had young birds foraging with them

African Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini)

The Kelp Gull's made their presence known, whilst some juveniles were chilling at the waters edge

Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)

I picked up a few Whimbrel's on the exposed sand banks

Eurasian Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)

Walking along the lagoon, I came across some Cape Cormorants 'fishing'

Cape Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capensis)

A stately and patient Grey Heron

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

As well as a much more animated Little Egret hunting, that eventually was successful

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

The White-fronted Plovers were in their usual spot too

White-fronted Plover (Anarhynchus marginatus)

Walking back on the beach a 2-eyed Raven flew by

White-necked Raven (Corvus albicollis)

When I reached the Lookout Deck, a Speckled Pigeon passed by overhead

Speckled Pigeon (Columba guinea)

Walking the beach path, I glimpsed a Tambourine Dove, a species I had not seen in Plett before. This a record image

Tambourine Dove (Turtur tympanistria)

It was then back to the apartment to start packing with a heavy heart for our return trip tomorrow. 

The weather changed in the late afternoon, with some rain and a stunning rainbow

Keurboom's Rainbow

Followed by gorgeous afternoon light on the mountains - a fitting way to bid farewell to Plett, not knowing when we will see you again

Lookout Sunset