20-21 January 2019: Bogey slain!

Kevin Ravno, a birding friend of mine, helped me to find the Cape endemics. Kirstenbosch delivered the Cape Bulbul, Dusky Flycatcher, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Karoo Prinia, Cape Francolin and Cape Grassbird. The next day a Victorin’s Warbler was seen near Kleinmond, and the Cape Rockjumper outside Rooi Els.

Birding with Kevin Ravno

My search for the elusive Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk continued unabated. A rufous-breasted, juvenile Jackal Buzzard had my adrenaline going, as well as the far off call of a soaring Booted Eagle. After an exhausting climb up the Constantia slopes of Table Mountain, we reached the position indicated by Cliff Dorse for the Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk. I did not have much hope, as numerous previous searches have taught me that the Rufies are only active at dawn and dusk; the rest of the day they sit well camouflaged in the forest. After about an hour of searching we gave up on this long-term bogey bird of mine, and started to return to the car. Just then Kevin’s finely tuned ear picked up a faint call that I was unable to hear.

Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk Juvenile, Constantia, Cape Town

Back up the slope a juvenile Rufy flew out of the Pine forest, calling for his parents. Not long afterwards the two parents arrived to console their crying child. Another endemic! Another Southern African lifer! Another bogey bird slayed! Another Madiba shuffle – stiff knees- slow jive – just as the old man showed us!

Vagrant Twitcher at rest