I was alerted to the presence of a Harrier-Hawk nest site in the fork of an Apple-leaf tree on the banks of a river near our house. Early one morning I went to stake it out and see what would transpire. After a short wait one of the adults (I presume the female) flew into the tree and quickly made its way onto the nest. It looks like incubation has already begun. Exciting times ahead
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I had a wonderful interaction with a family of 5 Southern Ground-Hornbills as they patrolled down a wide dry riverbed busy feeding. These birds are uncommon residents and their status is Endangered.This is the first juvenile I have recorded on the Reserve in the five years that we have lived here. Could not manage to get all five in a frame, so four will have to do A male, note the leg ring A juvenile, the only one in the party This juvenile with pale grey-brown facial skin is well under a year of age. This skin turns yellow within a year, flecked red by two years, orange by three and only fully red by four to six years A female bird as denoted by the bare inflatable throat skin with a blue patch Another male bird
Cattle Egret in soft evening light The near endemic Red-crested Korhaan males are busy staking out their territories These young European Bee-eaters were busy hawking insects on the banks of a rivebed. The lack of a gorget and the paler colouring denotes juvenile birds A male Lesser Masked Weaver busy gleaning caterpillars in the leaf canopy
A not often seen Lappet-faced Vulture in overcast conditions but I will take it. It is on the Endangered list in South Africa My first Lesser Striped Swallow of the season. Several of their nest sites from last year are being used again Red-billed Quelea Female Marico Sunbird tbc African Fish Eagle African Pygmy Kingfisher White-faced Ducks with a female Comb Duck trying very hard to blend in Male Red-crested Korhaan in full cry Bearded Scrub Robin My first Red-chested Cuckoo of the season
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April 2024
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