White-Fronted Bee-Eater visits Plettenberg Bay
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 KwaZulu-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.
If you happen to see the bird, try to spend some time watching the bird feeding as you can be treated to a magnificent aerial display.
Please let me know if and when you see the bird.
Regards
Gareth Robbins
info@goldenorbtours.co.za
082 5253 946