Cape Recife -- Roseate Tern Hiking trail. Saturday 27.3.2021.

 

Cape Recife -- Roseate Tern Hiking trail.   Saturday 27.3.2021.  

Saturday 27th March 2021.   Cape Recife -- Roseate Tern Trail from Pine Lodge.   

The Roseate Tern Hiking trail is a regular for our group.   We have done this hike on a number of occasions.  

Today we have a group in which a some have never done this trail before.   

We meet at the Pine Lodge off Marine Drive in Gqeberha and start walking at 8.30am.   A small group of men met last week to clear some of the overhanging branches and so the trail is clear and easy to navigate.  

The firs section of the walk takes us on the tar road and then into the bushy area.  We walk in the forest trail and then to the Bird Hide.   Unfortunately the lake has no water and is covered in a weed looking cover which will be hard to control once the rains fill the lake again.   The only birds we see are Blacksmith Plovers and Egyptian Geese.  We continue on towards the dunes which provide us with some uphill climbing until we reach the Military observation post.   

We find the Barracks below with the Radar room and living quarters.   This was built during WW2 to observe passing ships and in particular the Submarines that were sinking British and other ships.   We cross the Pati Road and make our way to the beach area.   The westerly is blowing strongly.  Fortunately for us it is now on our backs.   The walk from where we get onto the beach all the way to the lighthouse is not particularly pleasant.   After our short snack break we find mounds of litter on the beach which we pick up and carry out in black bags.   

We walk around the Lighthouse and past the Beacon.  Here we see a Gannet sitting on the beach.   She appears to be weak and does not move as we walk past.   Later I report this to SANCCOB who send a man to find the bird.   He is able to rescue it and take it back to the Sanctuary.   The lady at the Sanctuary reports:   

Yes the gannet is with us, it seems to just be weak, no apparent injuries

 Gannets are large white birds with yellowish heads; black-tipped wings; and long bills. Gannets are large seabirds having a wingspan of up to 2 m . 

Gannets hunt fish by diving into the sea from a height and pursuing their prey underwater, and have a number of adaptations:

• They have no external nostrils; they are located inside the mouth, instead.
• They have air sacs in the face and chest under the skin, which act like bubble wrap, cushioning the impact with the water.
• The position of their eyes is far enough forward on the face for binocular vision, allowing them to judge distances accurately.

Gannets can dive from a height of 30 m , achieving speeds of 100 km/h (60 mph) as they strike the water, enabling them to catch fish at a much greater depth than most airborne birds.

Today the sea is very low tide.   We are able to see the rocks and beaches that would normally be covered by water.    We end our walk at the SANCCOB bird sanctuary where Di; Megan; Theresa; Ingrid and I stop for a pancake before leaving for home.   

Cape Recife Nature Reserve.  

Peter Joseph takes on this trail for the first time.  He tells me that the walk was most interesting as he had never been to the Observation post nor the barracks buildings. 

Our group at the Observation Post

A great group of hikers with Faye; Gillian;  Cheryl; Aletheia; Glynette and Jeanne

Aletheia has a good laugh

In the area which a small group of men cleared just a week ago. 

On the hike is Ayanda; Zanele and daughter Sesona -- First timers. 

Walking on the Roseate Tern Trail.  

Peter and Peter at the barracks. 

There are about 3 longish dune climbs. 

Our group.  Today we were 16 on the trail. 

A nicer group of people you could not hope for . 

Talita; Alta and Faye

Zanele and Daughter Sesona

Sesona is a NMU studying Tourism. 

The Military observation post

Faye overlooking the views below

Framed for the pic.  Di; Belinda;  Theresa and Megan. 

Walking down to the beach 

On the beach with an extremely low tide

The lighthouse is a good feature. 

Snack break with Megan; Di and Theresa

Ingrid and Cheryl. 

Ayanda climbing a Dune

cloudy skies; strong west wind; cool weather -- nothing put us off our hike

The bird hide.   Or perhaps the Aletheia Hide

Snack break ... A bit of shelter from the wind. 

Walking on the beach. 

Simphiwe.  Peter;  Peter and Faye

Peter and Peter on the beach.  

The lighthouse is being smothered by dunes.  I do not think that it is possible for people to stay here any longer.  A few years ago, Chris and I would cycle here regularly and meet up with Tom and Nicky who were in charge of the Anti Poaching unit. 

Walking towards our first dune climb

Up and Up and Up the dunes. 

Di and Megan.  

Simphiwe and Ayanda on the observation post

Talita and mother Alta. 

Belinda;  Megan;  Theresa;  Di

Walking over the rocks at low tide. 

We come across this Gannet.  It seems to be in distress.   I call the SANCCOB when we get back and they come to rescue the bird.  They take it to the Penguin Place and report that it does not seem to have injury but is weak.  They will monitor its progress. 

Low tide on the Cape Recife beaches. 

Friendships are reestablished or created on hikes like this.   Zanele; Glynette; Ayanda and Jeanne

On the Cape Recife Hiking trail today -- Peter and Peter;  Zanele and Sesona;  Alta and Talita;  Di and Megan;  Ingrid and Cheryl;  Theresa; Belinda;  Faye;  Glynette and Jeanne;  Simphiwe.   A great combination of men and women who really enjoyed the outing and completed the walk with a sense of fulfilment.  

SA Guided Tours and Peter Giddy Guided Tours -- Shore Excursions -- Addo Elephant and other Wildlife Reserves -- Garden Route.  Flowers of Namaqualand -- 

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After the hike we stop at Sanccob for a pancake.  They are having some kind of Fund Raising activity. 

Super low tide

No water in the Bird Hide dam 

Gulls enjoying the feast in the shallows

The beacon has lost the top and the base is crumbling from being weathered for the past 100 years.   Unusual low tide makes it possible to walk to the Beacon without getting your feet wet.