Camera settings were f5.6, 1/40sec, ISO 12800
Largest African Courser. This little known nocturnal species has a resident population but is supplemented by an influx of birds in November that depart northwards again by May/June. Usually solitary or in pairs. I came across two birds. Bronze-winged Courser Image taken in the tired old headlights of my Game viewing Landrover.
Camera settings were f5.6, 1/40sec, ISO 12800
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I was alerted to the presence of a large raptor by one of my neighbours. It turned out to be a juvenile Martial Eagle. It was quite relaxed and I managed to get a few reasonable images even though it was a grey overcast morning Martial Eagle juvenile
I have been monitoring the Ox-pecker and Hornbill nests to record the progress There seem to be three adult birds involved in the care of the two fledglings. Here one bird arrives with a beak full of juicy ticks gleaned from some nearby Giraffe Busy feeding the two hungry chicks Surveying the scene. Note that the diagnostic colour of the beaks and the eyes has not yet been achieved The bolder chick out and about doing some exploring up the tree trunk Meanwhile insect feeding carries on at pace at the Hornbill nest. Look carefully and you will notice the tips of two beaks appearing at the nest entrance when food is delivered. I believe the female has vacated the nest and is also assisting with the feeding and these are the two chicks still housed within the nesting cavity Another delicious snack is delivered Whilst I have been staking out the Hornbill nest I noticed a pair of Crested Barbets busy in the same area. Finally after observing their movements for some time I also managed to locate their nest site A room with a view I have not managed to determine the status of this breeding attempt yet, but here a juicy meal is being delivered to the nest
We have had some good rains recently which has meant the dams have been able to start filling again. It bodes well for the upcoming dry season. With the rain and the water come the bird species that arrive in response to rising water levels. African Spoonbill. Seen here in soft evening light at the edge of Hippo dam One of two juvenile White-faced ducks seen at a small dam. The adult birds show a cleaner white face and throat. Note the muddy colour of the water that has recently flowed into this dam Here is a rather grainy image of a Dwarf Bittern (taken in fading light at long range) An uncommon species that favours seasonally inundated floodplains. The near endemic Burchell's Coucal. Its call, when heard, is often associated with the onset of rain A Tawny Eagle seen perched on top of a tree late one evening. It came to inspect some Jackal feeding activity on the ground below Some of our recently re-introduced Jackals feeding on meat left for them as part of their release protocol A Hooded Vulture waiting for the Lionesses to vacate their Zebra kill A European Roller seen hawking insects
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March 2024
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