A splash of colour in a barren burnt landscape

In the quiet aftermath of fire, when the land still smells of ash, and the ground lies bare, life has a way of surprising you. Over the past few weeks, an unexpected visitor has appeared. A European Roller, or rather three of them, frequent the permanent waters of a nearby riverine area. With much of the vegetation stripped away by fire, the landscape is open and exposed, creating ideal hunting conditions for these and other birds. Perched on high, bare branches, the rollers can scan the scorched landscape before swooping down to catch insects mid-air, and occasionally small mice. Their vivid aquamarine plumage stands out sharply against the muted tones of blackened fynbos. The European Roller is a non-breeding migrant, and sightings this far south are uncommon, though not unheard of. Similar sightings were recorded by our reserve manager on the boundary of the Grootbos reserve and in nearby Pearly Beach four years ago.For now, we’re savouring each glimpse. Soon, these flashes of blue will continue their journey home, and the landscape will quietly regenerate. When, or if, we’ll see them again is anyone’s guess. But for this brief window, after the flames and before the full green return, the European Roller has found its place here. And we were lucky enough to witness it.