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Wow Johan thats incredible that they used to be this far down!

Only ever had one lucky sighting of a very low flying pair near the Lesotho border some years back but it is a sighting that will stay with me forever. I really was left speechless by them.I still feel privileged.

UCT students are known for consuming vast quantities of fire water Joh, so they probably also saw the Yeti, Elvis and the Loch Ness monster on TM

Thanx for clearing that up Johan...I think my source was from the Fitztitute, ornithological institute up at UCT and Roberts...amazing!
Also relatively recent records of an Egyptian Vulture nest site in the Western Cape, the 50's I think.

Very interesting to have caught up on the thread.....A few weeks ago, I went to visit my Girlfriend during the varsity holidays in the Underberg....I noticed a few Cape vultures and White-Necked Ravens circling on the property, and found out that the day before I arrived, a diseased cow had been shot on their farm.........So I went to go have a closer look, hoping to get a photo of the vultures...............And that I did.........




I have Never experienced anything so warming, in -8 Degree weather before!
Having these 2 immatures, on the ground no more then 10 metres from us.....refusing to fly while we were parked next to the cow in the car....Unfortunately, while stretching over the back set to get the camera (Rookie Error ) they took flight, but sat hovering above us for a few mintues (Stone throws distance, not that I tried ) After getting so excited, my Girlfriend got a little jealous , and cold......and we headed home! With these two magic birds chasing each other, and the car all the way home! The best sighting possible of my life, and the least expected! Turns out, that one day they had seen 7 individuals at an Eland carcass at once, and have a outcrop regularly used by these vultures for dropping bones near to their vulture restaurant....Seems the Underberg, still has a fighting population! (Next mission is to visit with a small hide, and get some really close up photos of these seemingly not so shy birds)

Well done RJ!! Great sighting!!

Thanks Yolande, It's a pity, African Rails don't feed off Carrion, might have been able to add one too!

Fantastic sighting, Justin!

Two more juvenile birds have been caught by the Beardies working group very recently and have both been fitted with tracking devices that are working well and returning information about the birds' whereabouts. Neither of the new birds have been named nor sexed as yet ( two totally different tasks as the former requires lab work on blood samples that were taken from the two birds).

For those of you who are beardie fans (actually ALL vulture fans) - the 5th September 2009 has been designated as Vulture Awareness Day, worldwide; which is also the day of the annual National Vulture Count during which the number of vultures at all existing active vulture feeding sites will be counted. The exercise aims to provide a minimum count of all vultures and also aims to raise awareness. This count provides the only estimate of the non-breeding population, particularly juveniles. Nest site surveys of most vulture species indicate that all population numbers are declining. This decline is cause for concern since most vulture species are on the red data list.

I am trying to get contact information of active vulture restaurants in South Africa to allow anyone interested to join the effort to identify and count vultures (and other raptors) feeding at their "local" restaurants between 6am and 2pm on the 5 September 2009. It woukld be a great fun day out during which lots can be learnt from the more expert observers that would be present at these sites.

Unfortunately the procedings have been largely low-key whereas, in my opinion, it should be very high on die general birding agenda in order to achieve the objective of raising awareness of the plight of these birds.

Great sighting and a photo to proof it, RJ!

Thanks for the info Johan, will mark it on the calender..

Thanks Lizet, and JvR for the upated information!

I really would like to get back there, and see these birds again! A feeling I could never get over, seeing an Adult now is definately next on my list of things to do!

RJ,
Giants Castle is a great place to see them eye to eye...and for photography, as they fly past almost on the same level as the hide.

Great Photo Lizet, I've heard nothing bad about that hide, and have seen some brilliant bird and Jackal photographs from there.....One Day, I'll get the chance to visit I hope

Hi Lizet Grobbelaar,
Yet another spectacular photo. Thank You.

Thanks RayK & RJ

Thanks RJ and Lizet, great photos...lucky you

Thx Lizet for the great shot! Will have to make a mental note about that hide.....