I heard a bird call that I couldn't identify emanating from some thick undergrowth. I stopped and listened hoping it would show itself. My patience was rewarded when a few minutes later some movement caught my eye. This White-browed Robin-Chat eventually showed itself To top it all it then hopped out into the open and up onto this tree stump and began to sing. I love it when the plan comes together
0 Comments
There are three Spotted Eagle-Owl nests I have been monitoring. Here are some updates The site of the pair where the female had been ringed is being used again. They have moved the nest a few meters away from last years position and it is again in a hollow in a rock wall. I need to check if the ringed female is present, but for now whilst they are incubating eggs I will observe from a distance At the site where the pair was nesting at ground level under some grass last year and which was washed away when the stream started to flow, the pair have moved their nest up onto the ledge in the wall of the riverbank Very unfortunately it rained again and this time water from above on the bank inundated their nest again. As can be observed from this image the nest has been abandoned. I hope they will find another site and breed again The third nest, also in a hollow in a riverbank. contains three eggs and incubation is ongoing at this time. No images available yet. This particular nesting pair have also failed to raise chicks successfully for the last three seasons Brown-hooded Kingfisher male posing for me Striped Kingfisher, similar but smaller A thirsty Helmeted Guineafowl Crested Barbet enjoying a berry breakfast A black morph Jacobin Cuckoo, a lifer for me. It is separated from the similar looking Black Cuckoo by its crest and white wing patch, both of which are showing here. The pied morph of the Jacobin Cuckoo is more common in the drier regions of its range, and is seen regularly here A Pied morph Jacobin Cuckoo by way of comparison, showing the white underparts By further way of comparison here is a Black Cuckoo
When I stopped at one of our dams to see if there was anything interesting happening I noticed a pair of Three-banded Plovers standing their ground and being very vocal nearby. I quickly realized that they were busy breeding and had a nest or chicks close-by. I moved off a short distance and waited and observed their behaviour. Protective Parent Blending in perfectly with the background Following a parent at the waters edge Parent keeping a close watch on her chick Periodically the chick would take a break and snuggle underneath the the parent Time for a another 40 winks
Yellow-billed Kite in soft evening light White-backed Vulture Yellow tag A727 White-backed Vulture We have five male Wild dogs in our boma with a bit of a story attached to them. They are some males that had broken away from their pack but in their movements several had been caught in snares. Two have had snares removed successfully whilst a third had to have a foreleg removed from an injury that did not respond to treatment. The plan is to introduce a few females to them in the boma in the hope they will bond together and then establish a territory in this area once released. Here is hoping. Feeding on an Impala carcase in the boma Post op footage of the three legged male
I came across one of our male Cheetah lying on the road next to the boundary fence line. There were also some Vultures perched in the nearby trees. I then observed a male collared Cheetah on the other side of the fence. When the one moved the other followed it. I then realised the Cheetah on the other side was the brother and other half of our male coalition, and that it had breached the fence. I then noticed it was well fed and that explained the presence of the Vultures and also an Eagle that was also present. I think it had gone through the fence whilst chasing an Impala which it had subsequently fed on. The Vultures had then been attracted by the kill and come to investigate. A731, a tagged White-backed Vulture was among the gathering. Another new tag number for my growing collection. This bird was tagged on a neighbouring Reserve during November 2021 White-backed Vulture Hooded Vulture adult. Note the flushed face skin A Tawny Eagle was also present. Tawny Eagle Our collared male Cheetah on the other side of the fence, and the probable cause of the Vulture gathering
White-headed Vulture. Uncommon resident listed as VULNERABLE. My highlight of the trip Southern Ground-Hornbill. Also an uncommon resident listed as VULNERABLE Marabou Stork. We came across several of them feeding on what looked like insects that may have been pollinating the flowers of the blossoming Apple Leaf trees that lined the banks of the river near our camp. Listed as NEAR-THREATENED African Openbill. My first ever image of this species, so even though it was into the sun, I will take it. A species listed as NEAR-THREATENED, and a close run second place in the highlight of the trip competition Arrow-marked Babbler doing what they do well, scratch around in the leaf litter Double-banded Sandgrouse male Double-banded Sandgrouse female Red-winged Starling male African Jacana juvenile At home on the Lilly-pads African Scops Owl blending in well in a Mopane tree This Hamerkop nest constructed out of cut veld grass (rather than the usual wickerwork of sticks and twigs) had subsequently been used by a pair of Barn Owls for a successful breeding attempt in one of the camp sites Throughout the trip I kept a sharp look-out for Kori Bustards, another species listed as VULNERABLE. It was only on our way to the exit gate on the way home that I managed to get a brief visual of one of the world's heaviest flying birds strutting through the grass, as they do. Sadly no image.
Juvenile Yellow-billed Stork. This young Hippo is popular with the birds! Female Saddle-billed Stork. A scarce resident and an endangered species in South Africa Western Cattle Egret coming into breeding plumage Western Cattle Egret A pair of Golden-breasted Buntings. Male in foreground Hooded Vulture
|
Archives
April 2024
|