Approximately one week ago and single White-Fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides was first spotted by Gustav and then confirmed by Rian, both from the First Electrical Supply Company, who then notified the members of the Plett Birdlife Association to come out to have a look at the bird.
The bird has taken up residence in an open area/greenbelt near the electric substation on Green Point Avenue, parallel to the Piesang Valley Road.
The White-Fronted Bee-eater is common in the Central and West Free State, Northern Cape, Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Mozambique and Zimbabwe, so according to many sources this bird is quite a long way out of its distribution and is therefore very rare in the Western Cape.
White-Fronted Bee-eaters can be solitary or seen in small groups, and prefer woodland habitat close to water where it feeds on flying insects and butterflies.
Reference:
Roberts Multimedia of South Africa PDA Version 2.2 – Guy Gibbon
Hi Gareth, wow – your blog looks great! I can’t wait to see more posts and will definitely be visiting your blog often.
Good Luck!
Hi Janet! Thank you for the visit and the wishes! I hope all is going well on your side?
I look forward to taking you on a hike sometime in the near future