Barn Swallows viewed by a Cape Town VisitorBy Margaret Mac Iver
Hi Angie
How wonderful to find your website! And thats only because I was reading an
article in the Sunday times on travel in KZN, and it made a mention of your
site.
One of the most breathtaking memories I have is of visiting Mt. Moreland in
April two years ago. It may be have more than 2 years, I will have to check
up, but I had a spare day in Durban, and a hired car and I talked myself
into going, though here in CApe Town, we dont know much about your roost. I had been told by someone
who had heard about it from someone else etc.
There werent many people there, by the time I managed to find it! And I was
freezing, I hadnt even taken a jacket. Then the birds started arriving, and
just kept coming - I was entranced, clicking away with my camera, which is
really useless with that many birds. I do one nice photo however, looks
like soot flying around after a fire! I was lucky enough to see the 3 million birds just before they
left, and I will never forget it, ever.
When I returned home to Cape town, I wrote a piece for sabirdnet and
capebirdnet and tried to describe the scene, but it defied description.After
I sent my piece in, four or five Durban people contacted me, and said
they'd loved what I'd said, but they'd never really thought of going. Now
they had all made the effort and some of them ''fostered' swallows, and I
was so happy that I had a part in that.
I heard from birders in Jhb and many here in Cape town who all said they
just never really bothered, or werent there at the right time, but were all
going to put the site on their birding agenda. I couldnt believe how many
people were missing such an incredible sight, but hopefully they all did get
there.
This was just before the construction of the new airport, and I think people
just assumed the Swallows would be lost or move away.
I've often wondered what actually happened, I do know you are working with
the airports company, but I've also heard that not so many Swallows come to
roost any more.
In fact, todays article mentioned that more than 1 plane has had to be
re-routed to another runway to avoid the swallows?
Which brings me back to saying how happy I am to have discovered you have a website. When I am in
that area again, and if its right time of year, I can
now just check your daily log to see whats happening with the birds, and the
weather.
I do wish you all the luck in the world with protecting these birds. That
one evening gave me immense pleasure, and we cannot lose this roost. We do
have Barn Swallow roosts in Cape town, but they are nothing like Mt.
Moreland.
Well done to you all.
Best regards
Margaret Maciver
Cape Town
___________________
Published Story
I spent a few days in Umhlanga in KZN last week looking for lifers, and
though I did
get two, I also had an experience of a lifetime which had nothing to
do with lifers.
I was advised by Bob Rickards (who helped me find my two lifers at Ongoye)
that I must visit the Barn Swallow roost at Mount Moreland (which was
threatened by the proposed new Durban airport) and although he gave me
directions, I
didnt really think I would do it. After all, they are Barn Swallows and
who
hasnt seen a few of those?
However he persuaded me so I did go on Sunday evening. I arrived around
5p.m. and already people were setting up tables and chairs and opening the
wine bottles. After the clouds and rain of the days before, it looked as
though
there would be a glorious sunset.
More and more people arrived (many non birders without binoculars) and the
entrancing spectacle began. We all sat in wonder as three million plus
Barn Swallows circled above our heads twittering constantly. When you
kept
thinking there wasnt enough sky another huge flock would arrive. A few
million Swallows became black specks against the red setting sun making it
so much more dramatic than a normal sunset. The birds constant calling was
better than any open air concert.
There are info boards, people telling you about Barn Swallows, and
booklets
on sale. The booklets try to show you pictures and I tried to take a few
photographs, but you cant photograph the entire sky and the Swallows fill
the entire sky, completely encircling you and as far as you can see, from
dots
high in the sky to just over the reeds, and from right in front of you
into
the far distance.
We were told the huge numbers and the twittering means the Swallows are
preparing to leave so now is the best time to see the show.
It has
to rate as one of the natural wonders of the world, and was definitely the
highlight of my trip, but I'm not a poet so find it difficult to describe
the sheer magnificence of watching and hearing 3 million Barn Swallows!
If anyone is in the area before mid April when the Swallows are expected
to
leave, and hasnt seen the roost, please go, you will never ever forget it.
Margaret Maciver
Cape Town.
Story dated 19 March 2008, so I was at the Swallow roost the week before that - perfect timing for me!
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