Knob-Billed Duck’s at Rondervlei July 2021

Knob-Billed Duck’s (Sarkidiornis melanotos)
Rondervlei July 2021

Rondervlei Bird Sanctuary, Knob-Billed Duck, Birds, Picture Perfect, Bird Hides,

(Knob-Billed Duck, graced by their appearance at Rondervlei)

Picture perfect winters day and a successful twitch for the out of range Knob-billed Duck’s. Deciding in the week that a trip to Rondervlei was way overdue, never mind the opportunity to tick Cape Town’s latest celebrity ducks.

(Rondervlei Bird Sanctuary was picture perfect on the day, Winterbottom Hide, Michael Mason enjoying the moment)

(Knob-Billed Duck, graced by their appearance at Rondervlei)

On route, a report came through(c/o Vanessa Stephen) that the Duck’s had been located at the Winterbottom hide at Rondervlei Bird Sanctuary. Arriving some twenty minutes later, anxious, as we still had to work our way to the far end of the reserve with tripod and all.

(Rondervlei Bird Sanctuary was picture perfect on the day, Winterbottom Hide)

(Knob-Billed Duck, graced by their appearance at Rondervlei)

(Image c/o Tarboton.co.za, Breeding Kob-Billed Duck, one can appreciate were the name comes from)

Settling down in the hide, we scanned for the birds but nothing, much to my irritation. Resigning ourselves to enjoying the excellent weather conditions, appreciating the general birds on the mirror blue water. While observing, something flushed all the birds; the coast was clear, all moving off in seconds.

(Knob-Billed Duck, graced by their appearance at Rondervlei)

(Rondervlei Bird Sanctuary was picture perfect on the day, Scotto Hide)

(Knob-Billed Duck, graced by their appearance at Rondervlei)

To our amazement and with no apparent rush, the Knob-Billed Duck’s appeared. We couldn’t believe our good fortune. The setting was sublime, with excellent soft light, warm colours providing the perfect backdrop.

(Purple Swamphen, bright and colourful)

(Rondervlei Bird Sanctuary was picture perfect on the day)

We spent a memorable hour entertained by these elegant birds, recorded as rare in the Western Cape. Exploring the remaining hides produces a few unique birds. The warm wind still conditions provided a unique setting, with a soft prefrontal cloud providing the finishing touches to the scene.

(Knob-Billed Duck, graced by their appearance at Rondervlei)

(Juvenile Southern Fiscal Shrik

In the end, it was a rather entertaining outing, and we will cherish the time spent in such an idyllic setting, not to mention the rare Duck’s that graced us with their presence.