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I feel like a dog with nine tails - and I want to wag them all at the same time! We heard the seagulls kick up a big racket outside my office window about 10 minutes ago ( it is now exactly 11:00 am on 11/6/2012). Lo and behold, they are mobbing a gymnogene - right in the middle of Cape Town! I was amazed! They are not often spotted in the wild, but outside my office window, Long Street, Cape Town? Absolutely made my day!
And no, I did NOT have a camera. I took a photo with my cell, but it really only serves as proof that it was actually here. And sorry, I am not allowed to post pics.

Nice One!!!

Funny enough the gymnogene is one of the raptors that has adapted pretty well to city life. Also look out for Cape Towns city population of Peregrene falcons.... I love it when a pigeon meets its maker

Please post the photo doedsie. There are a lot of similar posts about birds in our gardens, birds at the bird bath etc. After all, there are a lot of birders around that will be interested in this.

For some reason I am not allowed to post attachments. Send me your e-mail address to dudley.lee101@gmail.com and I will send you the pic.

Nice 1 doedsie

The gymnogene's are very active in Cape Town city centre especially around the gardens at the top of Kloof Street and beyond. THey also maybe roosting or nesting in De Waal Park. They have been visiting my parents garden for the last 7 years that I can recall.

In summer the Booted Eagles are also becomming more active over the main citybowl area. Black Eagles are rarer these days (resident until 5-10years ago) and plenty of Kestrels, Buzzards, Ravens and Crows.

Nice to see the gymnogene right in the middle of town though!

I would love something like that in my garden! Blackshouldered and yellow billed kites, a pair of kestrels, crows are often seen out our way. I would love to see the peregrines! My wife reported later on that there seemed to be a lot of excitement in the Company's Gardens, which was the sort of direction the gymnogene took.

Fantastic Doedsie

so Cape Town is finaly accepting city status

Where I work, in a real city, one without a sea and mountain (no wonder I Capetownians), I am often kept amused by an Olive Thrush and Robin Chat. It supplies a moment of soul lifting on a chilly winters day.

I once went to my car a couple of months ago to be met by the unmistakable "Piet my vroe" very close. I spend an agonising few moments wishing I had my camera with me as the bird perched a couple of metres away in full view. I have now started taking my camera everywhere.

Sorry doedsie, only seen this now. Yes attachments aren't allowed, not sure of why.

However you can post pictures, you just need to load them onto a hosting site first.

This may help but if you have any questions please let me know.