New bird species seen at Bryanston Country Club

Bryanston Country Club has seen interesting bird activity during September, with two species seen for the first time at the venue.

A member, Wendy Lamb saw a leucistic peacock by the second green on 14 September.

This bird apparently lives in Shepherd Avenue, Bryanston, and has been seen visiting the country club a few times.

Leucism, or leukism, is an abnormal plumage condition caused by a genetic mutation that prevents pigment, particularly melanin, from being properly deposited on a bird’s feathers. As a result, the birds do not have the normal classic plumage colours listed in field guides or seen in most photos.

The country club is also home to leucistic yellow-billed ducks that can often be seen on the grounds.

A violet turaco was also seen in the trees near the 16th green. It is believed a pair escaped from an exotic bird sanctuary many years ago and they are seen around the Bryanston area occasionally but this is the first time one has been reported as observed at Bryanston Country Club.

When flying, they have spectacular red primary feathers under their wings like the country club’s purple crested turaco which is not seen in the wild in Gauteng. Their calls and behaviours are similar. The violet turaco originates from West Africa.

The increase in bird numbers on the grounds continues as summer approaches and there is lots of breeding activity.

There are several families of young Egyptian geese at the club too, some tiny red knobbed coot chicks around the dams by the 12th tee, the blacksmith lapwings are increasingly aggressive as they protect their eggs which they lay on open ground.

Some male birds of several species are starting to develop their breeding plumage, for example, the pin-tailed whydahs and southern masked weavers.

The grounds staff seek to identify clearly where eggs are lying on the ground and they and passers-by try to avoid these spots wherever possible.

The Inkwazi Bird Club will start hosting meetings at the country club again, with meetings scheduled for 21 October and 18 November at 7pm for 7.30pm. All Covid-19 protocols will be adhered to.

The presentation on 21 October will be by Peter Greaves on Galapagos. New members are welcome. Casual guests are similarly welcome and are asked to pay a nominal R50 attendance fee.

There will be a first post-lockdown nature walk for a limited number of Inkwazi members on 19 October.

Details: Bryanston Country Club 011 706 1361/2/3.