A rare sight - Oyster catcher

The African black oystercatcher can often be seen in the Cape St Francis area. This is really special, because sadly these birds are in danger of extinction, as their habitat is increasingly being threatened by man.

There are apparently less than 5 000 birds left in the world and it is the only oystercatcher that breeds in Africa.

Oyster catchers mate for life and may live for 35 years. The name is a misnomer, as the birds eat limpets and mussels and not oysters. They do not breed until they are three years old.

Hanging out

A while ago I featured a cormorant, and mentioned that they like to hang their wings out to dry, but as I could not find the picture I wanted to show you, I included a painting I did of it instead. Well going through my archives this morning, I came across it, so here you have it, not the greatest shot (taken on a video camera which has poor quality stills) but at least you can get the idea!

Cormorant

Continuing with the assortment of creatures we saw in the clear water on the same day as the moth and the seal, here is a cormorant.


Aside from the ever present seagull, which is to coastal cities what pigeons are to inland ones, (only their droppings are bigger and stink of fish!) the other common bird is the cormorant, who is often seen bobbing on the waves and snaking its sleek neck into the water to grab a fish.

It also has the habit of standing around with its wings out, to dry the feathers. We don't have a digital shot of this, so here is a painting I did based on a photo we took in Knysna several years ago, with 4 cormorants sitting on poles that protruded from the water at different heights, all in a line.

Easter at Ajubatus

This morning we had breakfast at the Lighthouse. The little restaurant there has been set up to raise funds for the penguin rescue centre next door. Our grandson is enjoying reading the little booklet of laminated photos attached to the salt and pepper holder, with pictures of various seabirds that have been rescued here recently. Next to it is a tin for donations of coins, also to be used for penguin rescue. In the background behind the waitress, the sign on the blackboard reads Happy Easter from all at Ajubatus, and shows a penguin popping out of an egg.

Resident penguin

The resident penguin at Port St Francis is anything but cooperative when it comes to being photographed. It was extremely busy on Sunday afternoon, chasing fish and zipping though the water like a high speed submarine. These photos are the result of following this bird around for about an hour.

In the spotlight

A seagull on the harbour wall is highlighted by the rising sun. I loved Clarice's comment the other day that in St Malo they call them Rats with wings!

Ajubatus Marine Wildlife Rescue

Jackass penguins at feeding time. As you can see from the wall behind them, they are much smaller than the king Penguin. (taken through sea spray covered glass, so a bit blurry)

Yesterday we showed you the King Penguin that ended up at St Francis. Isadora asked a very good question, 'Does this happen often? The reason I ask is that there is a Penguin rehabilitation center ready to help! I was surprised.'

So I am answering it with today's post. No Isadora, it is extremely rare to see a King Penguin in Africa. Ajubatus was created to rescue marine and wildlife in the St Francis area. They do a lot of work with the local Jackass penguins, which have become a vulnerable species, as well as seals and many other species too. So the king penguin was just really lucky that he got stranded where and when he did!

Here yours truly enjoys a cup of coffee and a view of the lighthouse. The penguin centre is the building between the coffee shop and the lighthouse, with the green wall.

They now have a base at the Cape St Francis Lighthouse, and raise funds by running a coffee and curio shop next door, and giving lighthouse tours.

I wanted to find out what became of the stray visitor so I phoned Jared of Ajubatus this morning for an update.... I also found a much nicer picture that Max took, as well of one of him when he first got there looking all bedraggled. You can read about it and see the extra pix here.

I also found a very interesting post giving details of his capture and rehabilitation here.

It's For the Birds!

On the top of the hill overlooking St Francis Bay is a group of large Pine trees. These have become the nesting grounds for a large family of Egrets and Herons. The birds congregate there each day at sundown, and the jockying for position as they settle in for the night is great fun to watch!