Riverview House Sedgefield

15/05/2026

Some interesting colours in the Riverview garden...

10/05/2026

Magnificent sunrise from our deck. Beauty after the battering storms..

30/04/2026

Sunset from Riverview.. magnificent autumn evening...

29/04/2026

On Riverview Farm every autumn here at Ruigtevlei around early May we have a massive colony of Starlings who seem to go off chirping loud in the same tree at the same time every day. Every year same time. What is up

Gemini AI gave us the information...

What you’re witnessing is a classic avian "communal roost," and May is the peak time for this behavior in South Africa.

While starlings are around all year, their behavior shifts dramatically as the weather cools down. Here is the breakdown of why your specific tree has become the local "town hall" every afternoon:

1. The Winter Congregration
During the summer breeding season (roughly September to March), starlings are more territorial and focused on their individual nests. Once autumn hits in May, they transition into a "gregarious" phase. They abandon their private summer residences and gather in massive flocks—sometimes numbering in the hundreds or thousands—to sleep together for the winter.

2. The "Information Center" Hypothesis
Ornithologists believe these noisy gatherings aren't just for socializing. The loud chirping (which can be a mix of whistles, clicks, and even mimics of other sounds) serves as a beacon to bring the scattered group together.

Safety in Numbers: Large groups provide better protection against predators like falcons or hawks.
Resource Sharing: It's theorized that birds who found good food sources during the day "advertise" their success, and others follow them to the feeding grounds the next morning.
3. Why the Same Tree?
Birds are creatures of habit. If a specific tree—likely a dense evergreen or a well-sheltered deciduous tree—provided safety and the right micro-climate last year, the survivors of the flock will return to it instinctively. They prefer trees that offer:

Heat Retention: Sleeping shoulder-to-shoulder in a sheltered tree helps them survive the colder May nights.
Height and Cover: Protection from ground predators and wind.
4. Which Starling is it?
In South Africa, this behavior is most common with:

European (Common) Starlings: Famous for "murmurations" (those swirling clouds in the sky) before they all drop into a tree at once.
Red-winged Starlings: Very vocal and often roost in large, noisy colonies on buildings or specific trees.
Cape Glossy Starlings: While they usually stay in smaller groups, they can form larger foraging and roosting parties in the winter months.
Essentially, your tree has been "bookmarked" in their collective memory as a safe, warm hotel. The noise usually peaks just before sunset as the final members of the group check in for the night.

23/04/2026

April 2026 Public review ★5

Riverview house was wonderful, Dean was a great host and nothing was too much trouble.

The highlight for me was the optional use of the wood fired hot tub. A great pleasure in life is sitting in the hot water gazing up at the star strewn night sky, for me, there is no better way to relax. Our stay was very comfortable, the bed was huge and had good quality bed linen.

The kitchen was well stocked with utensils and everything you might need to cook. The dishwasher was appreciated.

There was a little library of books, games and puzzles. I enjoyed the chance to leisurely build a puzzle. The view is breathtaking

13/01/2026

A super Airbnb review from this week...

Overall rating
5 stars

Public review
Stunning views from a stylishly decorated house, with over and above amenities. Spacious in- and outdour leisure areas. Exotic birdlife from our deck. Well trained selection of dogs checking in on us. Nespresso machine a big bonus. Balsamic vinegar and olive oil, finer touches, elevating our experience in this heavenly location.

07/01/2026

These pics are from BirdLife South Africa.. the many Loeries we see in our garden every day...

31/12/2025

Our current guest has taken the most beautiful photographs of some of the daily bird visits to Riverview House...

06/11/2025

A lovely festival this weekend in Knysna

🛍️ Only two weeks to go and we’re cranking it up with longer trading hours 🎉

📅 Saturday, 8 Nov | Open from 9:00 AM
📅 Sunday, 9 Nov | Open from 10:00 AM

That means more time to browse your favourite stalls, discover new goodies, and treat yourself to something special. 💛

Bring your family and friends for a weekend full of unique finds, delicious food, and all the good vibes our community is known for. See you there! 🙌

06/11/2025

Some of our Riverview bees have received their new hives. They are made from concrete. Excellent for heat management and are baboon and honey badger proof! Winter is long and cold, so the new hives will retain the heat longer so the bees don't have to work so hard...

27/10/2025

Today we fed our 5 bee hives with sugar water and enzymes to help the swarms through a very cold and dry winter..
Here you see bees and honeycomb in the hives but no brood.. hopefully our queen bees will start laying..