Record flock of Falcons get ready to fly away – and they’re spectacular

VRYHEID’S colony of Amur falcons, which has spent summer here, are currently  “carbo loading” prior to flying back to their breeding grounds in China, Siberia and Manchuria. They will depart sometime between March 27 and April 6, depending on the weather.

There are more of them in the Vryheid colony than there have been for years and years, perhaps as many as 10,000 birds (although it has to be said that this is a complete guess). But the next few evenings will be the last chance to see the absolutely spectacular sight of them roosting.

The birds forage during the day in the fields and vleis around Vryheid. In the evening they fly into town, soaring in the evening sky before settling in frenzied waves into the trees at the municipal swimming pool in High Street.

It is astounding how many there are this year. They appear almost as a freak of nature.

They are best viewed from about 6:15pm from the pavement outside the old Moth Hall in High Street.

Don’t miss this sight. You won’t be sorry.