This is only the third sighting I have had of this magnificent Eagle in all the time we have been here. Early one morning the monkeys were going mad and chattering away. I went outside and sat quietly and listened and watched, trying to work out what was bothering them. After awhile it all went quiet so I thought whatever it was it had moved off. A while later I heard a raptor calling and then the pieces fell into place. I went outside again and scanned the tree canopy and was lucky enough to finally spot what the fuss was all about Crowned Eagle
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I was fortunate enough t be invited on an outing to this Mountain Reserve for a spot of birding. My birding camera was left at home so no images were added to my collection. The landscape was a mixture of indigenous forest in the foothills and then grassland as we traveled up to higher altitude. A busy day of birding with the bins was had, something I have not done on a long time, and which was very enjoyable for a change. There were two very experienced birders in the group and it was great to be able to tap into their vast knowledge during the course of the day After the very good recent rains there was water everywhere. We came across this waterfall as we made our way through the indigenous forest 1370 m A view down one of the valleys once we reached the higher ground An interesting mix of birds was recorded. I managed 4 lifers to add to my list. Eastern Clapper Lark, Cloud Cisticola which was displaying well, Cape Grassbird, and Nicholson's Pipit (Long-billed Pipit)
Some other notable ticks were a pair of Broad-billed Rollers, African Stonechat, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, White-necked Raven, Red-billed Oxpecker (which were in the company of some cattle found grazing at the top of the pass), Terrestrial Brownbul, Orange and Yellow-throated Longclaw and Familiar Chat. A day count of 44 species A lot has been happening in the lives of our Hippos. After the calf was born the male left the dam where Mum and new born were situated and went to take up residence in another dam. The calf spent most of its time resting on its Mum's back. After the recent heavy rains all of our dams have filled up nicely. The Mum moved her calf to another dam and The male returned to join them for the first time Happy Hippo dreams Great view from up here The male has joined the female and calf Here the calf swims over to the male After checking in with them the male departed again and I found him at another dam several kilometers away the next day As I sat and observed him in the evening he put on a great show. Unfortunately he swiveled anticlockwise as he yawned, still an impressive sight though
Sometimes juvenile raptors can be challenging to ID. These two are similar in many ways but there are a couple of distinguishing features that help to tell them apart. Notes taken from the Raptor Guide of Southern Africa Juvenile Little Sparrowhawk The juvenile is brown above. The tail has the same two white spots as the adult.(not visible in this image) The underparts are dull white with prominent tear-shaped brown spots.The dark centre line on the throat is either absent or faint. The eyes, cere and legs are yellow Juvenile African Goshawk
Brown above with white a eyebrow. The underparts, which are usually white but may be pale brown, are boldly marked with brown tear-drop shaped spots.There is a dark streak down the centre of the throat.It has a grey cere and yellow legs. The eyes are yellow but may appear dark as in this image. It lacks the white spots on the tail of the juvenile Little Sparrowhawk Wood Sandpiper African Black Duck A pair of African Black Ducks Woodland Kingfisher Woodland Kingfisher European Bee-Eater
They are common non-breeding Palearctic migrants the majority of which arrive in mid to late November and most depart again by April The adult male is a very distinctive bird and unlikely to be confused with any other shrike on the region. The female is duller than the male, has a robust bill and lightly scalloped underparts This is a first year male in transition They are insect specialists in their non-breeding grounds and I sat and watched as this bird went about the business of feeding
One of the males (collared male) has an ankle wound on one of his forelegs and is limping a bit. They have now made their first confirmed kills. each male taking down an Impala.(the limp was not a hindrance in the heat of battle!) Collared male Cheetah left and his brother Patrolling the southern boundary You check that way and I will check this way Relaxing together Non collared male Cheetah Collared male Cheetah
It was raining gently when a family of Retz's Helmetshrikes on a feeding foray checked out what was on offer in a dead tree in front of our patio. A couple of juveniles were pleading loudly for food which was keeping the adults busy Parent on the lookout Ferries a catch to a begging juvenile Open wide Down the hatch More of the same please A male Bearded Woodpecker was also busy feeding nearby As was a family of Green Wood-Hoopoes
There was a flurry of activity as a mixed bird party visited us the other morning Violet-backed Starling male Violet-backed Starling male Violet-backed Starling female (possibly juvenile see the fleshy gape) Cape Glossy Starling Cape White-eye Cape White-eye Jameson's Firefinch male Crested Barbet Black-headed Oriole Golden-tailed Woodpecker male Golden-tailed Woodpecker male Southern Black Flycatcher Fork-tailed Drongo Southern Black Tit Spotted Flycatcher Spotted Flycatcher Willow Warbler White-bellied Sunbird juvenile male Scarlet-chested Sunbird juvenile male Scarlet-chested Sunbird juvenile male Marico Sunbird male Marico Sunbird male
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April 2024
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