My new water fountain had a new visitor today in the form of a male Wattled Starling!! I know of one other record in our area before, but this is certainly not a common bird in our neighbourhood!!
We tried to take some photos but unfortunately they are not good enough. So you will just have to trust me!!!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
White Storks at Rust-de-Winter
This morning I atlased the pentad between Rust-de-Winterdam and the town. Birding was slow but I saw some nice species. The surprise of the morning was 5 White Storks feeding in the agricultural fields. Maybe they have decided to stay here for winter as more and more White Storks do.
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Magpie Shrikes are very common in the Rust-de-Winter area.
One of the White Storks can be seen here next to a Cattle Egret
Other interesting species I encountered were Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver (more than usual), Yellow-throated Pretonia, Southern White-crowned Shrikes, Southern Pied Babblers and lots of Pearl-spotted Owlets (even two together)!!
Magpie Shrikes are very common in the Rust-de-Winter area.Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Sunbird Feast!!
While birding this morning I thought the title of this message should be "patience, patience...". I atlased the Seringveld and birding was really slow. It was cold, windy and unpleasant. The birds must also have thought so as for long periods they were nowhere to be seen. During the first hour I had 29 species. However during the second hour I could only add THREE. I tried all sort of roads I have not travelled before, but nothing...I was ready to go home and call it a day but decided to continue. The third hour was a lot better and I eventually managed to see 51 species. Not a great total at all, but better than I thought it would be.
The highlight of the morning was not a rarity but a whole bunch of sunbirds!! Next to the road was a large patch of Wild Dagga (also called Lion's Ear) Leonotis leonurus. They are in full bloom at the moment and can be seen all around Pretoria (by the way if you are looking for information about plants in South Africa, I found the following website of SANBI of great value: http://www.plantzafrica.com/). This patch had about 25+ sunbirds feeding in it. The majority were White-bellied Sunbirds with a few Amethyst and one Marico male. They were calling insistently and sometimes competing for the same flower. Really something special to see. Now would you think that with all that sunbirds around it is easy to get some great photographs - alas not...
The highlight of the morning was not a rarity but a whole bunch of sunbirds!! Next to the road was a large patch of Wild Dagga (also called Lion's Ear) Leonotis leonurus. They are in full bloom at the moment and can be seen all around Pretoria (by the way if you are looking for information about plants in South Africa, I found the following website of SANBI of great value: http://www.plantzafrica.com/). This patch had about 25+ sunbirds feeding in it. The majority were White-bellied Sunbirds with a few Amethyst and one Marico male. They were calling insistently and sometimes competing for the same flower. Really something special to see. Now would you think that with all that sunbirds around it is easy to get some great photographs - alas not...
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Roodeplaatdam NR and Northern Farm
On Thursday afternoon I visited Roodeplaatdam NR and on Saturday Northern Farm. At Roodeplaatdam NR I had two very interesting records namely Brown-back Honeybird and Striped Pipit. Brown-backed Honeybird is not a common species in our area so it is always nice to see them.
The Striped Pipits were way out of their normal habitat, maybe they were only moving through this area. This is a new species for me for this reserve.
I love to visit Northern Farm for there is always a chance of seeing something interesting. It was no different this time around. You can learn more about this venue by visiting the following website: http://www.northernfarm.co.za/.
This must now be one of the best spots in Gauteng to see Comb Duck and I had nice views of them while they were walking with Egyptian Goose on the agricultural lands. On land they look rather comical I must say....
In the vlei area at the northern boundary of the pentad I saw a group of Orange-breasted Waxbills, to me the highlight of the morning’s birding. This was a relatively common species in Gauteng a few years back, but during the last two years a few birders mentioned to me, and it was also my experience, that these beautiful waxbills are nowhere to be seen. It was really good to see that they are still around. But I am still worried about their numbers…..
Other interesting species seen were Long-crested Eagle, Goliath Heron, Hottentot Teal, Great-crested Grebe and African Fish-eagle. The Fish-eagle’s call had the mountain bikers that were driving past me very excited especially as it was sitting right above me in a tree – however the bird they referred to was a White-breasted Cormorant!!! The Fish-eagle sat at its usual vantage point on the other side of the dam….
The Striped Pipits were way out of their normal habitat, maybe they were only moving through this area. This is a new species for me for this reserve.
I love to visit Northern Farm for there is always a chance of seeing something interesting. It was no different this time around. You can learn more about this venue by visiting the following website: http://www.northernfarm.co.za/.
This must now be one of the best spots in Gauteng to see Comb Duck and I had nice views of them while they were walking with Egyptian Goose on the agricultural lands. On land they look rather comical I must say....
In the vlei area at the northern boundary of the pentad I saw a group of Orange-breasted Waxbills, to me the highlight of the morning’s birding. This was a relatively common species in Gauteng a few years back, but during the last two years a few birders mentioned to me, and it was also my experience, that these beautiful waxbills are nowhere to be seen. It was really good to see that they are still around. But I am still worried about their numbers…..
Other interesting species seen were Long-crested Eagle, Goliath Heron, Hottentot Teal, Great-crested Grebe and African Fish-eagle. The Fish-eagle’s call had the mountain bikers that were driving past me very excited especially as it was sitting right above me in a tree – however the bird they referred to was a White-breasted Cormorant!!! The Fish-eagle sat at its usual vantage point on the other side of the dam….
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Buffelsdrift pentad - 102 species
Last week I decided it is time for another list with 100 plus species! So the past weekend was spent in the Buffelsdrift pentad – a pentad to the west of Roodeplaatdam. I suppose I could have chosen a better pentad to look for 100 species, but during my visit to this area last week (see previous post) I saw lots of birds and thought if I spend enough time in the pentad 100 species could be a possibility.
EarlySaturday morning myself and Rob Geddes (an atlaser who has submitted literally 1000s of incidental sightings to the SABAP2 project) listened for owls and nightjars and our patience paid off when we were able to tick Marsh Owl and Fiery-necked Nightjar. The resident Barn Owls kept quiet but luckily Rob heard them the next morning and I could add them to the list. As it got light we ticked a number of common species and the River Warblers were also calling again. The melodious calls of White-browed Scrub-Robin and White-throated Robin-Chat were heard as well as Marsh Warbler.
A little bit of a surprise were two African Black Ducks flying over us – I suppose on the way to a river in the area where they can usually be found. Also flying past was a group of Black-faced Waxbills. I would have loved to watch them for a while – but as they moved on it was not to be. Groundscraper Thrushes entertained us with their antics on the telephone lines and White-bellied Sunbirds enjoyed themselves in the flowers around us.
Two Violet-backed Starlings flew past – so they are still with us and a family of Burnt-necked Eremomela’s moved through the trees. Two Cuckoo species were recorded namely Diederick and Levaillant. A Bearded Woodpecker tapped like mad. Amazing group of birds – the woodpeckers.
With just over 70 species on my list when I left Rob’s farm I had some work left to do to get to 100 species but I kept going and added White-throated Swallow, African Grey Hornbill, European Bee-eater and maybe the highlight of the two day’s of atlasing - Common House-Martin. The only raptor for the weekend was a Black-shouldered Kite. I returned home with 85 species on my list. My only hope to get to 100 species was to find some waterbirds the next day.
The pentad is cut in two by the N1 highway and I did not give much thought to bird the strip of the pentad to the NW of the highway. But Rob suggested that I have a look at the wetland there and also look out for ducks at the dams at Ludwig’s Roses. The dams contained nothing but the wetland and surrounding area were a big surprise. On the road next to the highway (not near the wetland) I ticked Grey-backed Camaroptera, White-browed Sparrow-Weaver, Black-crowned Tchagra and Marico Sunbird.
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The Marico Flycatchers were vary tame and posed nicely for a photo or two. The wetland did not contain a lot of water but I am certainly going to keep this area in mind for a visit next summer. It must contain lots of flufftails and crakes and with the road network running through it I think it might just be possible to see some of the secretive birds crossing the roads. Woodland Kingfisher, Lesser Swamp-Warbler and Cape Longclaw were seen or heard as well as some bishops and widowbirds.
My final total was 102, but of more significance to me is the fact that it is possible to see more than 100 species in 5 hours in this area! Parts of it are totally degraded and there is a major highway running through it! I am certainly blessed with such variety within a few minutes drive from my home.
EarlySaturday morning myself and Rob Geddes (an atlaser who has submitted literally 1000s of incidental sightings to the SABAP2 project) listened for owls and nightjars and our patience paid off when we were able to tick Marsh Owl and Fiery-necked Nightjar. The resident Barn Owls kept quiet but luckily Rob heard them the next morning and I could add them to the list. As it got light we ticked a number of common species and the River Warblers were also calling again. The melodious calls of White-browed Scrub-Robin and White-throated Robin-Chat were heard as well as Marsh Warbler.
A little bit of a surprise were two African Black Ducks flying over us – I suppose on the way to a river in the area where they can usually be found. Also flying past was a group of Black-faced Waxbills. I would have loved to watch them for a while – but as they moved on it was not to be. Groundscraper Thrushes entertained us with their antics on the telephone lines and White-bellied Sunbirds enjoyed themselves in the flowers around us.
Two Violet-backed Starlings flew past – so they are still with us and a family of Burnt-necked Eremomela’s moved through the trees. Two Cuckoo species were recorded namely Diederick and Levaillant. A Bearded Woodpecker tapped like mad. Amazing group of birds – the woodpeckers.
With just over 70 species on my list when I left Rob’s farm I had some work left to do to get to 100 species but I kept going and added White-throated Swallow, African Grey Hornbill, European Bee-eater and maybe the highlight of the two day’s of atlasing - Common House-Martin. The only raptor for the weekend was a Black-shouldered Kite. I returned home with 85 species on my list. My only hope to get to 100 species was to find some waterbirds the next day.
The pentad is cut in two by the N1 highway and I did not give much thought to bird the strip of the pentad to the NW of the highway. But Rob suggested that I have a look at the wetland there and also look out for ducks at the dams at Ludwig’s Roses. The dams contained nothing but the wetland and surrounding area were a big surprise. On the road next to the highway (not near the wetland) I ticked Grey-backed Camaroptera, White-browed Sparrow-Weaver, Black-crowned Tchagra and Marico Sunbird.
The Marico Flycatchers were vary tame and posed nicely for a photo or two. The wetland did not contain a lot of water but I am certainly going to keep this area in mind for a visit next summer. It must contain lots of flufftails and crakes and with the road network running through it I think it might just be possible to see some of the secretive birds crossing the roads. Woodland Kingfisher, Lesser Swamp-Warbler and Cape Longclaw were seen or heard as well as some bishops and widowbirds.
My final total was 102, but of more significance to me is the fact that it is possible to see more than 100 species in 5 hours in this area! Parts of it are totally degraded and there is a major highway running through it! I am certainly blessed with such variety within a few minutes drive from my home.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
River Warbler - lifer - eventually
We all have our bogey birds. I still have lots. But luckily I can take one of my list - River Warbler. But the saga begins a long time back - about 4 years ago I think.
I was still an active ringer at the time and together with my son we left early one morning to do some ringing on the farm Buffelsdrift. On the way to the meeting point my son fell sick and I had to return home and as my wife was at work that day could not return for the ringing session. A few hours later I got a call from the ringers - they caught a River Warbler!! With my son still not feeling well there was no chance of going to see it.....
The following year (I think) the bird club visited Wolfhuiskraal and there on the Zaagkuildrift road we sat for hours under the trees listening to this bird's characteristic call. But still no luck seeing it.
The next summer I visited Rust de Winter - again a single bird was calling as if his life depends on it. But seeing it - no way. Twice I returned to the same spot - still no luck.
So with not much hope I returned this week to Buffelsdrift to try my luck again - the same place I missed the species a few years ago. The story begins very similar to the previous years - three individuals were heard and we quickly moved closer to a spot where the bird was seen earlier in the week. Now I must state here, that I have rather strict "rules" as to how well I must see a bird in order to tick it for my life list. I want to see most of the identification features of a bird before ticking it and while trying to do so have already missed a few species in the process. But driving to Buffelsdrift I decided to make an exception this time - even if I see the bird for 5 seconds I am going to tick it. Forget about seeing the distinctive undertail patterns etc. I paid my dues on this one!!! And that is exactly what happened - I saw it - no distinctive features but believe me - I saw it! Somehow I expected a smallish warbler so was surprised by its size and "thick" tail. Really a great feeling to see it after so many years and hours of trying.
Now I am prepared to bet you a few rand that next year I will see this species calling in every tree, it always works like that with me and bogey birds!!
But somehow seeing this bird has made me more intrigued with it - where do they go during the day, where are they the rest of the summer, what do they eat etc. We still have so much to learn - don't we?
I was still an active ringer at the time and together with my son we left early one morning to do some ringing on the farm Buffelsdrift. On the way to the meeting point my son fell sick and I had to return home and as my wife was at work that day could not return for the ringing session. A few hours later I got a call from the ringers - they caught a River Warbler!! With my son still not feeling well there was no chance of going to see it.....
The following year (I think) the bird club visited Wolfhuiskraal and there on the Zaagkuildrift road we sat for hours under the trees listening to this bird's characteristic call. But still no luck seeing it.
The next summer I visited Rust de Winter - again a single bird was calling as if his life depends on it. But seeing it - no way. Twice I returned to the same spot - still no luck.
So with not much hope I returned this week to Buffelsdrift to try my luck again - the same place I missed the species a few years ago. The story begins very similar to the previous years - three individuals were heard and we quickly moved closer to a spot where the bird was seen earlier in the week. Now I must state here, that I have rather strict "rules" as to how well I must see a bird in order to tick it for my life list. I want to see most of the identification features of a bird before ticking it and while trying to do so have already missed a few species in the process. But driving to Buffelsdrift I decided to make an exception this time - even if I see the bird for 5 seconds I am going to tick it. Forget about seeing the distinctive undertail patterns etc. I paid my dues on this one!!! And that is exactly what happened - I saw it - no distinctive features but believe me - I saw it! Somehow I expected a smallish warbler so was surprised by its size and "thick" tail. Really a great feeling to see it after so many years and hours of trying.
Now I am prepared to bet you a few rand that next year I will see this species calling in every tree, it always works like that with me and bogey birds!!
But somehow seeing this bird has made me more intrigued with it - where do they go during the day, where are they the rest of the summer, what do they eat etc. We still have so much to learn - don't we?
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