VOËLS

DIE ONPEILBARE VLEIKUIKEN

DEUR FAANSIE PEACOCK

Watter voëlsoort is die skaarsste in Suid-Afrika? Daar’s ’n hele paar wat op dié titel kan aanspraak maak. Die brilpikkewyn en vaalrivierlewerik se getalle krimp kommerwekkend vinnig, en aasvoëls verloor stadig maar seker die stryd. Maar as ons nét na getalle kyk, behoort dié bedenklike titel waarskynlik aan die witvlerkvleikuiken. Vyftig. Dis hoeveel individue daar na raming in die koue, windverwaaide vleilande waar dié voëltjie hou, oor is. Om ’n vleikuiken te wil sien, is tevergeefs. In ons land is daar vyf spesies, maar bittermin voëlkykers kon al enige van hulle afmerk. Die witvlerk-enetjie is omtrent so groot soos ’n tennisbal; hy woon in ondeurdringbaar oorgroeide – en dikwels ook oorstroomde – vleilande. En is boonop vreeslik uitgeslape en ontwykend. Die voëltjie is meestal bedrywig in die nag, en vlieg…

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Weg! (Digital) - 1 Issue, Dec/Jan 2024/2025

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