tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29897446678305673152024-02-07T10:20:22.113+02:00The Lazy BirderBird sightings and photos from South AfricaGareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-82493400317169123032022-12-28T21:26:00.001+02:002022-12-28T21:51:49.355+02:00Bezhoek Private Nature Reserve - Dec 2022On the 2nd of December, friends Adolf , Richard and myself headed off to Bezhoek Private Nature Reserve to join David, Vic and Nigel for the annual summer bird count which was arranged to be on the same day as the annual Birdlife SA, Birding Big Day event. Eric, who passed away recently was sorely missed over the weekend as he was one of the initiators of this twice annual bird count taking place in Winter and Summer on the farm. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARXzob3IjqQTV7RRGJLGif84yXymr-xYuYreZWwIZEBJwTxb85RP4GUewmlg_vYkwDi933Wh2iWQpZOdAnmx_ysddjU5yFllWPtIuBpTSD0W4rK0-QT7e6BNKJ7paeVmMmf97ytJtIAkLJf7GuaWgAz07UnbKxLX3_1UxGXaqP9RcMz_65JGMw4Dajg/s640/IMG_3600%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARXzob3IjqQTV7RRGJLGif84yXymr-xYuYreZWwIZEBJwTxb85RP4GUewmlg_vYkwDi933Wh2iWQpZOdAnmx_ysddjU5yFllWPtIuBpTSD0W4rK0-QT7e6BNKJ7paeVmMmf97ytJtIAkLJf7GuaWgAz07UnbKxLX3_1UxGXaqP9RcMz_65JGMw4Dajg/w640-h480/IMG_3600%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BYopNosbvG4HbHFKgWlwqYpkCgpguPyyiFIgyQr7ftTe3Ta4McpiJJSm_QRaRJkJ0usupIsKQrz2zc4lf-6_1-ZLW7LmrdLDDsKkYqwDbIq62sMGiQi8zOtFOK2dAjsM882Wh6PI6AVaZKU1CSxVFe6C1Hbu0OzMaAB8_OEAFMjCdeE1aZce6K_0ZQ/s640/IMG_3599%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BYopNosbvG4HbHFKgWlwqYpkCgpguPyyiFIgyQr7ftTe3Ta4McpiJJSm_QRaRJkJ0usupIsKQrz2zc4lf-6_1-ZLW7LmrdLDDsKkYqwDbIq62sMGiQi8zOtFOK2dAjsM882Wh6PI6AVaZKU1CSxVFe6C1Hbu0OzMaAB8_OEAFMjCdeE1aZce6K_0ZQ/w640-h480/IMG_3599%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First River stop.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The trip to the reserve was uneventful and we got to the farmhouse at around 17:45 on Friday. Sightings were good and we had a list of 35 species from the gate to the house including taking a short night drive. Highlights were a passing European Hobby and all the aerial cisticolas, Zitting, Desert, Cloud and Wing-snapping Cisticolas ticked before reaching the house. As the sun set the Rufous-cheeked Nightjars started calling incessantly around the house and in several places on the night drive. We also got some good photos of them and Fiery-necked Nightjar, taken during the sunset drive. Spotted Eagle Owl and Barn Owl were both heard. Freckled Nightjar which was heard, seen and photographed near the house during the winter count was absent this time..Banded Martin, Southern Anteating Chat and Long-tailed Widows were the most abundant species on the drives.<div><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUyaqc1ISzvfV-p4Kmuhv8U9lPHeqjhJFodxx5qIiajU5w9FlHmFCv28hfF2ZmnyhWvrkwW64L0zoqRYtTxMznWPf9iM2ikkADhp9rFRL3zQU8DUC03S4AK3N-9HLW7yDOyILMWxlyee_v5dPOx1FXDA_MhgxKh_viwAzxgO2vISiy_UqHEFtOWcUEg/s900/406%20Rufous-cheeked%20Nightjar%201b%20%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUyaqc1ISzvfV-p4Kmuhv8U9lPHeqjhJFodxx5qIiajU5w9FlHmFCv28hfF2ZmnyhWvrkwW64L0zoqRYtTxMznWPf9iM2ikkADhp9rFRL3zQU8DUC03S4AK3N-9HLW7yDOyILMWxlyee_v5dPOx1FXDA_MhgxKh_viwAzxgO2vISiy_UqHEFtOWcUEg/w640-h360/406%20Rufous-cheeked%20Nightjar%201b%20%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous-cheeked Nightjar</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHYt9LOHw3f495PwFY_8Z9v8FRcxtWArXbG625T882irqBrTFdHV2fxkfvJQxrelZWYnh3TCWHXSWH1Xtt_CvO4DmWeLdgm5tWjGq8w49hCNUWFUsY07vEV__dMFm2boBMMAYAzy7F59ftxzDA4qWYGJIV1NoKLcFeCd_niisO4uk_q2D2AXIrwuCFw/s900/405%20Fiery-necked%20Nightjar%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHYt9LOHw3f495PwFY_8Z9v8FRcxtWArXbG625T882irqBrTFdHV2fxkfvJQxrelZWYnh3TCWHXSWH1Xtt_CvO4DmWeLdgm5tWjGq8w49hCNUWFUsY07vEV__dMFm2boBMMAYAzy7F59ftxzDA4qWYGJIV1NoKLcFeCd_niisO4uk_q2D2AXIrwuCFw/w640-h360/405%20Fiery-necked%20Nightjar%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiery-necked Nightjar</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /> Saturday 3rd had an early start and we were all on the game viewer at 04:27 to start our bird count proper. I always enjoy these count weekends as the witty comments between the birders flow thick and fast and the atmosphere is always jovial. The farm has a number of different habitats and the bird diversity is amazing. Our first destination was to the river on the eastern side of the farm where the light was amazing but with few good photo opportunities. Otters hunted in the river but I couldn't get any good shots, just the back of a head and maybe a few ripples. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dUEmREGzn6WxPuBAYWm3nFaGStDEb3eL0iym0P2UjUsERKFTwAd7SvYL6mGpc16D2gAToDqe842Ue5KyZxlYSZUBievKCkMdCdM8uV7uxKyHmxf7i30tnA3lSwJC4QUnL4jpOqeDonm2a82UDBGHbQKRm2h46K-_O5Sl1GZkGmwpOwzaP-ATfypRfw/s900/001%20Otter%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022%20(1%20of%201).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dUEmREGzn6WxPuBAYWm3nFaGStDEb3eL0iym0P2UjUsERKFTwAd7SvYL6mGpc16D2gAToDqe842Ue5KyZxlYSZUBievKCkMdCdM8uV7uxKyHmxf7i30tnA3lSwJC4QUnL4jpOqeDonm2a82UDBGHbQKRm2h46K-_O5Sl1GZkGmwpOwzaP-ATfypRfw/w640-h426/001%20Otter%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022%20(1%20of%201).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otter, possibly Cape Clawless</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>Cinnamon-breasted Buntings were seen on the krantzes above the river and a Familiar Chat pair was feeding a squeaking juvenile Red-chested Cuckoo in the trees next to the river. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUqa5fsWutypBIHixXkuIHS21uv9azzrgQXZhLSUnllTVVmvlkPsR6BSxONdAwiokudFfc9aY4pukMjyhpPNC3qTc-LhKpKRFYunB8BzxDUpwTvdh1UniWY0hM140zmMe6uxOI2mjRZIu675gdhslSuDdY-uYB0OsBTsX9_u7r47Dv1eGqjCViG2CKw/s900/377%20Red-chested%20Cuckoo%20Juv%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUqa5fsWutypBIHixXkuIHS21uv9azzrgQXZhLSUnllTVVmvlkPsR6BSxONdAwiokudFfc9aY4pukMjyhpPNC3qTc-LhKpKRFYunB8BzxDUpwTvdh1UniWY0hM140zmMe6uxOI2mjRZIu675gdhslSuDdY-uYB0OsBTsX9_u7r47Dv1eGqjCViG2CKw/w640-h426/377%20Red-chested%20Cuckoo%20Juv%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Red-chested Cuckoo</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>But the next sighting we had was undoubtedly the best sighting of the weekend when we stumbled across a pair of Denham's Bustards busy with their courtship display. We were probabaly less than 100m from them, an amazing feat for this species, which normally moves off at about 500m as soon as he catches sight of you. The cameras on the gme viewer were sounding like machine gun fire as we rapidly captured image after image on our memory cards. The male was puffing up his ruff and strutting around after the female who slowly moved off when she noticed us with the male in hot pursuit. It was a once in a lifetime encounter in my opinion with the only disappointment being the poor quality of images I managed to capture which I can only ascribe to "bustard fever" and my eagerness to get the shot..Here are some of the better images at least to prove our sighting. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-t0gJ3cjWpjuNYxdmjBtUy38WUy1N3LmGVpfJ8Hp2fOR3ebslry-LTj227RlTkmTF8JLHbeHHwK4KZg_Q11HZ6h0bg2CHOJfIZ-30oQFx5ZJ0bPryGkc9Foi0k5Yb0Qo2nl6rLMhSsW-MdGdZxuhddhudLBqW3tiVBnRYNuQXfjKfAIeXQ2eaZnNwlg/s900/231%20Denhams%20Bustard%20Female%201%20RS%20%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022%20RS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-t0gJ3cjWpjuNYxdmjBtUy38WUy1N3LmGVpfJ8Hp2fOR3ebslry-LTj227RlTkmTF8JLHbeHHwK4KZg_Q11HZ6h0bg2CHOJfIZ-30oQFx5ZJ0bPryGkc9Foi0k5Yb0Qo2nl6rLMhSsW-MdGdZxuhddhudLBqW3tiVBnRYNuQXfjKfAIeXQ2eaZnNwlg/w640-h426/231%20Denhams%20Bustard%20Female%201%20RS%20%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022%20RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFl5vwWh1fbA_CsU98knVhJj1jtj92EX0D1cROMDBgG9EeRiUy4xcInhPWTU87noZ7EIy3YiV4PeU2wPxFGDCESvWjhic1AxGihBe80pn_D4bt984T6ZR0eiEZC74WBqiuniXdcEBsML8GiYJkIgKXkMNwyjeaSiSCOmXH4r2Us4FRMeSwLK3XZ-mDtg/s900/231%20Denhams%20Bustard%20Male%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFl5vwWh1fbA_CsU98knVhJj1jtj92EX0D1cROMDBgG9EeRiUy4xcInhPWTU87noZ7EIy3YiV4PeU2wPxFGDCESvWjhic1AxGihBe80pn_D4bt984T6ZR0eiEZC74WBqiuniXdcEBsML8GiYJkIgKXkMNwyjeaSiSCOmXH4r2Us4FRMeSwLK3XZ-mDtg/w640-h426/231%20Denhams%20Bustard%20Male%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41uc-CUxsWLN5fagnQPoFogd4X5SgMAJavv3a9lWjob7CMWkh0vU8e1uok62OWlVi6x0MCiIV2nt5SD68qrX5GJazjKykxIqTkT2A5cIptY_CrdjTjBcvMepupvzy4zNHiR4WfX-H9cl4uSS3WTA1H1RH4PkybZk7NwcbsNW9_hJKsx61bdmQB2JwUg/s900/231%20Denhams%20Bustard%20Male%202%20RS%20%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41uc-CUxsWLN5fagnQPoFogd4X5SgMAJavv3a9lWjob7CMWkh0vU8e1uok62OWlVi6x0MCiIV2nt5SD68qrX5GJazjKykxIqTkT2A5cIptY_CrdjTjBcvMepupvzy4zNHiR4WfX-H9cl4uSS3WTA1H1RH4PkybZk7NwcbsNW9_hJKsx61bdmQB2JwUg/w640-h360/231%20Denhams%20Bustard%20Male%202%20RS%20%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denhams Bustard (3)</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>On the way to our brunch site we had some more good sightings and captured some better images. The highlights being Bushveld and Striped Pipit, Black Sparrowhawk, Lesser and Greater Honeyguides and at the brunch spot we got a Mountain Wagtail on the river bank.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAo4ydybnZ6Abw4BlkVdNE0naFQUoPqtptRuvmM0vVaR-6SkvPxeYNcAraVRyh-AlB77ebClkPjDW9_w3HDkBwZs24d4PSIuUOY8SWMj4xu7LmjJ_qDsR91Iswiw96ZFRxpU2xQ6yh-H8L-EAkKRue6bAYP0-Stbl0lO6x6KEgNz3LtTaevgH1ZEn-ew/s640/IMG_3604.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAo4ydybnZ6Abw4BlkVdNE0naFQUoPqtptRuvmM0vVaR-6SkvPxeYNcAraVRyh-AlB77ebClkPjDW9_w3HDkBwZs24d4PSIuUOY8SWMj4xu7LmjJ_qDsR91Iswiw96ZFRxpU2xQ6yh-H8L-EAkKRue6bAYP0-Stbl0lO6x6KEgNz3LtTaevgH1ZEn-ew/w640-h480/IMG_3604.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday brunch spot</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJLdtW1saS2UEg1fAy_-3JdOkLn13i7y5mgwh23LPFQY78dWgW6gupZIcfrhxjvqDyzUM5bdHa48-NgOT3zWLKGaGu7AdVNSrQM40AQipxDUhUUk-Dmwzz20AfVTZbgHi0bNuVi9QITpK35rtmEfspq0b2YXwTDsCLX_nLe0kIodzdQHQffSzBxqOow/s900/720%20Striped%20Pipit%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJLdtW1saS2UEg1fAy_-3JdOkLn13i7y5mgwh23LPFQY78dWgW6gupZIcfrhxjvqDyzUM5bdHa48-NgOT3zWLKGaGu7AdVNSrQM40AQipxDUhUUk-Dmwzz20AfVTZbgHi0bNuVi9QITpK35rtmEfspq0b2YXwTDsCLX_nLe0kIodzdQHQffSzBxqOow/w640-h426/720%20Striped%20Pipit%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striped Pipit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8y4Xkg_QpUGIgOl1LnjGRlsckVPqZbSZhi2tiWChWypi95-k0uH0Vp21T9CZ4r3J5nD4ZV_HMCrgeEPg8YaA5K-ge-B06GYghaROsdawsxreJI9zMTELZ6wHuuZlOYzpf_CoS8KvfDRK6G7YBVg4bYc7zK1aG9smF5bV-wZJncP6lCq7XrtlvJtgVw/s900/723%20Bushveld%20Pipit%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8y4Xkg_QpUGIgOl1LnjGRlsckVPqZbSZhi2tiWChWypi95-k0uH0Vp21T9CZ4r3J5nD4ZV_HMCrgeEPg8YaA5K-ge-B06GYghaROsdawsxreJI9zMTELZ6wHuuZlOYzpf_CoS8KvfDRK6G7YBVg4bYc7zK1aG9smF5bV-wZJncP6lCq7XrtlvJtgVw/w640-h426/723%20Bushveld%20Pipit%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bushveld Pipit</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Mammal sightings were also good with numerous antelope species being sighted including several Klipspringer, Mountain Reedbuck and Kudu. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2R2RpQIL7Jzfty7tkIFVGg1zyYtKTeXNrpRDrWoOspTwEG6u6g7jvwQtlGu-EHKZvc0iZAZbN_d7q67estTXMy0FBELRqQSkOeEL83aYVeqOWlKLVLsPZKI3hFq9rdvP4_CB3T456qIQ120ZY00QoR8kXUfYjtPImM0AHJeGy2WvEdQkusZZTgzeCLw/s900/001%20Klipspringer%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022%20(1%20of%201).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2R2RpQIL7Jzfty7tkIFVGg1zyYtKTeXNrpRDrWoOspTwEG6u6g7jvwQtlGu-EHKZvc0iZAZbN_d7q67estTXMy0FBELRqQSkOeEL83aYVeqOWlKLVLsPZKI3hFq9rdvP4_CB3T456qIQ120ZY00QoR8kXUfYjtPImM0AHJeGy2WvEdQkusZZTgzeCLw/w640-h426/001%20Klipspringer%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022%20(1%20of%201).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Klipspringer were seen on most of the ridges</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WE7bVh5m1oEyK23aMCN6bg4KAPs7UyaM1Vn9dDpYgL3yNQD4p-Z67Rj-mqP8BQuJEH5xtlhLG41PTRdoY8BYj3_0rYmjwCh_rGu37K6kpYxusggq-5_SKzDtxrd25aRoUXaTvPGhaxRV_GxU7IM8EoLVkAHOBZ6nLfYzluIfYKL_hGxMHRCM-QossQ/s900/001%20Kudu%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022%20(1%20of%201).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WE7bVh5m1oEyK23aMCN6bg4KAPs7UyaM1Vn9dDpYgL3yNQD4p-Z67Rj-mqP8BQuJEH5xtlhLG41PTRdoY8BYj3_0rYmjwCh_rGu37K6kpYxusggq-5_SKzDtxrd25aRoUXaTvPGhaxRV_GxU7IM8EoLVkAHOBZ6nLfYzluIfYKL_hGxMHRCM-QossQ/w640-h426/001%20Kudu%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022%20(1%20of%201).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Healthy looking Kudu bull with his small harem</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijY7WfqCEmlL-NBODotxlrUB32pwmaLXHPCd4gXd7DDk2zLb9F1vPoMeQfXboCvgCHB8WmDmkEUwDMpG6Bml-Y9fvMwhwtTEo0l65mPcmMzD7SGGhWbtlf6d0zTfe9ll_iKI2j8XOPoRcPVMThmoafTEwmR-hZfu4_x2ELhXhkI-OCss0CvhUPb8VAgw/s900/001%20Mountain%20Reedbuck%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijY7WfqCEmlL-NBODotxlrUB32pwmaLXHPCd4gXd7DDk2zLb9F1vPoMeQfXboCvgCHB8WmDmkEUwDMpG6Bml-Y9fvMwhwtTEo0l65mPcmMzD7SGGhWbtlf6d0zTfe9ll_iKI2j8XOPoRcPVMThmoafTEwmR-hZfu4_x2ELhXhkI-OCss0CvhUPb8VAgw/w640-h426/001%20Mountain%20Reedbuck%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Reedbuck were encountered on a few occasions</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>On our late afternoon drive we got stuck in a marshy area, with storm clouds brewing in the distance it was a bit disconcerting to think that we were walking about looking for rocks to push under the wheels on an exposed ironstone ridge with lightning flashing in the not-so-distant skies! Anyway, we got out okay and ended the day with a great braai, beautiful sunset vistas and a tally of 124 species seen and heard for the day..</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTncbM5vTBhwGzAjlmkDhYV2xBFU_0epnkbuLBZmblccwbTnm7el4y-BClrJfyDd5mjw-1PTkbRLaGiOBIcTl71ccRlDoJqwOtYYcve_fKmfli5p1K9rUQXNYzpnScusm8CkuhiGQaEBLWphdAnLDJn2b5A9aZUP8bwtrNXSpsFjUnyEBZdXgmZKgnSg/s640/IMG_3618.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTncbM5vTBhwGzAjlmkDhYV2xBFU_0epnkbuLBZmblccwbTnm7el4y-BClrJfyDd5mjw-1PTkbRLaGiOBIcTl71ccRlDoJqwOtYYcve_fKmfli5p1K9rUQXNYzpnScusm8CkuhiGQaEBLWphdAnLDJn2b5A9aZUP8bwtrNXSpsFjUnyEBZdXgmZKgnSg/w640-h480/IMG_3618.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storm clouds on the horizon</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div> Sunday 4th was our day to do the south side of the reserve, along the river. This is one of my favourite routes and we weren't disappointed. We set off at 05:22 to visit the viewpoint which has amazing views over the river and lodges below, and found several Eastern Clapper Larks performing their conspicuous display flights and calls. At the lookout point, Lazy Cisticolas were calling around us as we enjoyed the views and a confiding Bar-throated Apalis allowed us to take some photos. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9ijq09sg5MWkmAk4LaQaJ5YlwelLRPUhOXgmlYSmDga8pyxOndGbmlDYRDzOgaewruJky31VtrFJnsCfi24-rn3CJtP7Z-ox8nWFNKoRMOm5XnyYXbC6WbBXT3QlnCGct-X1I4ECx8U9fQbtvR22IxTfWL3wSLS-deoz1bBIfBBWhy3wYHB2FDSTUA/s640/IMG_3620.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9ijq09sg5MWkmAk4LaQaJ5YlwelLRPUhOXgmlYSmDga8pyxOndGbmlDYRDzOgaewruJky31VtrFJnsCfi24-rn3CJtP7Z-ox8nWFNKoRMOm5XnyYXbC6WbBXT3QlnCGct-X1I4ECx8U9fQbtvR22IxTfWL3wSLS-deoz1bBIfBBWhy3wYHB2FDSTUA/w640-h480/IMG_3620.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viewpoint over the Olifants River with the lodges visible below</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiejoaQ1-KQKleR_MJUNvzXz-oVpJTKebUREmT_bdmzfJstmf1NKpiR7lxeg1s8SmzeT-otYc9AW5uC36U2mpwX8tMRwSbfN7t-jthLxruIAG999duluLgOFeyd9zHwpoTaRhtqAhBeklhJdmZDOnt6laUw29Ij-YKG4NtGoA4eOePzY7jVtCGWkwYUQ/s640/IMG_3628.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiejoaQ1-KQKleR_MJUNvzXz-oVpJTKebUREmT_bdmzfJstmf1NKpiR7lxeg1s8SmzeT-otYc9AW5uC36U2mpwX8tMRwSbfN7t-jthLxruIAG999duluLgOFeyd9zHwpoTaRhtqAhBeklhJdmZDOnt6laUw29Ij-YKG4NtGoA4eOePzY7jVtCGWkwYUQ/w640-h480/IMG_3628.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for more birding!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Dave, our friend and self-designated (excellent) chef for the weekend, missed his wake-up call and overslept so we had to retrace our steps back to the farmhouse to pick him up with the breakfast or go hungry which was not an option given the great food that Dave prepares. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGM_rmcbJkDXCWdc5IkDEI9m7eoDpcjAKOR9-IFZBKk4HRtd2E3P6H-H0Unk14_LD_VXXHwbv5Gcjb7wOoc-JCL6tqKcgAzRz2w9Xkq5dLI-iAeYlCHnLULWjj-qbFVt2DWQHXx9JOX4CH0d1QJuvhUk0PyTB9VdoOLetzZ1chDpj-D0-8zkcJNZiTJQ/s900/645%20Bar-throated%20Apalis%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGM_rmcbJkDXCWdc5IkDEI9m7eoDpcjAKOR9-IFZBKk4HRtd2E3P6H-H0Unk14_LD_VXXHwbv5Gcjb7wOoc-JCL6tqKcgAzRz2w9Xkq5dLI-iAeYlCHnLULWjj-qbFVt2DWQHXx9JOX4CH0d1QJuvhUk0PyTB9VdoOLetzZ1chDpj-D0-8zkcJNZiTJQ/w640-h360/645%20Bar-throated%20Apalis%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bar-throated Apalis</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5Z1i32PYLic5xXWt5DP2sp88ApVcTlOB9RxaLXftpV3w7SysGi-NwPYUlzXioV7i2_vjaqNxaRTmAtk7tPKYBlQZu2LnEX_c9tNiSW_R49826aUg57gnsJqUg6cynklNyoZ_JP2uEoRtRSmaKqyrh0TfZ6CIs49IIB-yWJaCe86s3-K5kHX59KFFpQ/s900/679%20Lazy%20Cisticola%202%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5Z1i32PYLic5xXWt5DP2sp88ApVcTlOB9RxaLXftpV3w7SysGi-NwPYUlzXioV7i2_vjaqNxaRTmAtk7tPKYBlQZu2LnEX_c9tNiSW_R49826aUg57gnsJqUg6cynklNyoZ_JP2uEoRtRSmaKqyrh0TfZ6CIs49IIB-yWJaCe86s3-K5kHX59KFFpQ/w640-h360/679%20Lazy%20Cisticola%202%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lazy Cisticolas are very common on Bezhoek</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Breakfast was arranged for the area called "The Zoo" and we added some more new birds to our list here, namely Violet-backed Starling, Yellow-throated Petronia and we had amazing views of an African Pygmy Kingfisher that also allowed a close approach for some photos. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHF1nspa3B0kV3ZBoDTsqjjBghfqqoK7rr5F1G2h9xPxvWaHPrmlwO1FzGsa3I3oOhDERJH557q4rl1LG-jtl2Z7VzR5n4L085l1NFj_6atAh3f2dXhQisoLOc3I0wWJ6wIfrb2XJjiDyHcjxWdUUipmK_RT9bypUGELo3bLsrwgMvU5ZJVQoH5Vorgg/s900/432%20African%20Pygmy%20Kingfisher%201b%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHF1nspa3B0kV3ZBoDTsqjjBghfqqoK7rr5F1G2h9xPxvWaHPrmlwO1FzGsa3I3oOhDERJH557q4rl1LG-jtl2Z7VzR5n4L085l1NFj_6atAh3f2dXhQisoLOc3I0wWJ6wIfrb2XJjiDyHcjxWdUUipmK_RT9bypUGELo3bLsrwgMvU5ZJVQoH5Vorgg/w640-h400/432%20African%20Pygmy%20Kingfisher%201b%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Pygmy Kingfisher</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>After a breakfast of some delicious brekkie buns we headed up to the lodges and along the southside next to the river. Here we found another calling Striped Pipit and the resident Cape Rock-thrush came in to be ticked.. Further up the drive towards the "S'es" we found some nice raptors in the form of a European Honey-buzzard, another calling Black Sparrowhawk who gave us a low-level flypast and an Ovambo Sparrowhawk. We tried for the Grey-headed Bush-shrike but could not locate them. Here we also ticked the Bearded, Bennets and Golden-tailed Woodpeckers and heard the Striped Kingfishers calling their duet. In the grasslands above the ridge, we managed to tick all 4 local widows, White-winged, Red-collared, Fan-tailed and Long-tailed. The grasslands on Bezhoek are great for LBJ's (Little Brown Jobs) and we had some great lark sightings on Saturday and Sunday..</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wgHWAOTX39OBAs7ZX7zTmPgDPd29nX1v8mcCQXPSo0u6q9KTm2cnGTIRWnwEH-pzFqavNNjffUjNhZvd9doItDTR4Ykko-EopMtkN2NXMc_bJEqbZYqvnGjXOVzaw8SueFkEmbThWT4uaIEjas6HwphkW4BDUs4anj3UQ8SFILAWMyqgS4BDXAYy6Q/s900/494%20Rufous-naped%20Lark%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wgHWAOTX39OBAs7ZX7zTmPgDPd29nX1v8mcCQXPSo0u6q9KTm2cnGTIRWnwEH-pzFqavNNjffUjNhZvd9doItDTR4Ykko-EopMtkN2NXMc_bJEqbZYqvnGjXOVzaw8SueFkEmbThWT4uaIEjas6HwphkW4BDUs4anj3UQ8SFILAWMyqgS4BDXAYy6Q/w640-h360/494%20Rufous-naped%20Lark%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous-naped Lark in the morning sun</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJl8GiYLb-Ns3GftXBY6fuAVlSvzreMY6K0vxfJBm4yqpeRZTvWjriRxvAidMqg1yTNm9bSZBThINOv9erYOmR7rbtbHyimyktYM6UL9ShM45HfH7Q8sVsGO6j-pa4F22Ma1TFMxRYTp8maEtrgQRqcIL_-PSpKt0OcGhB1L0-MZL9pYIDnk1gJz632w/s900/495%20Eastern%20Clapper%20Lark%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJl8GiYLb-Ns3GftXBY6fuAVlSvzreMY6K0vxfJBm4yqpeRZTvWjriRxvAidMqg1yTNm9bSZBThINOv9erYOmR7rbtbHyimyktYM6UL9ShM45HfH7Q8sVsGO6j-pa4F22Ma1TFMxRYTp8maEtrgQRqcIL_-PSpKt0OcGhB1L0-MZL9pYIDnk1gJz632w/w640-h400/495%20Eastern%20Clapper%20Lark%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Clapper Lark</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTdk1DySeBn3eOVI9rX4J7M6kjYHa0v_I2YZEJ8vmGIy3gKACQGchtIPv5okSjzQ5BI22Tn1Naw9QnLND0gUqKTZXGEG2CFh6WCzwqKFIHZqgGGTZh-WBFrgGvcVj1iLbJNgzeJ4RnA37AksRTJCKGu6w7s5RQNf_2gS77lqDlryGvIbnTy1S5knRxA/s900/506%20Spike-heeled%20Lark%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTdk1DySeBn3eOVI9rX4J7M6kjYHa0v_I2YZEJ8vmGIy3gKACQGchtIPv5okSjzQ5BI22Tn1Naw9QnLND0gUqKTZXGEG2CFh6WCzwqKFIHZqgGGTZh-WBFrgGvcVj1iLbJNgzeJ4RnA37AksRTJCKGu6w7s5RQNf_2gS77lqDlryGvIbnTy1S5knRxA/w640-h360/506%20Spike-heeled%20Lark%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spike-heeled Lark</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3r2aMHY0xbHxF3oDobRGJpjKDgcGUc1Ce9l3FenwgjCfXw89kyjikpH3pL4ALAE40JIjQ1b2sdXmM2E-t0B-iKeyL79mZHlT7vtOaIj3KnPV0jA60NvvOhumDnOBIQtDb5hKRVHeGX3dV8YHL-H1WE2EtXZZDFyOkDzbfvA61VPwiuOMpt_EGvHtOwQ/s900/526%20Greater%20Striped%20Swallow%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3r2aMHY0xbHxF3oDobRGJpjKDgcGUc1Ce9l3FenwgjCfXw89kyjikpH3pL4ALAE40JIjQ1b2sdXmM2E-t0B-iKeyL79mZHlT7vtOaIj3KnPV0jA60NvvOhumDnOBIQtDb5hKRVHeGX3dV8YHL-H1WE2EtXZZDFyOkDzbfvA61VPwiuOMpt_EGvHtOwQ/w640-h360/526%20Greater%20Striped%20Swallow%201%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Striped Swallow</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>All good things come to an end unfortunately after spending a great weekend on the farm where one can forget all the problems in the world and just enjoy some good bird watching with some great friends we had to get back to reality. Thanks to all for a great weekend and especially Vic for organizing the weekend and Dave for the great food and driving us around most of the weekend. Our final tick was a Black-chested Snake-eagle sitting next to the road and a magnificent Sable Bull seen on the way to the gate.. </div></div></div></div></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iTIy4jErtv7Vnih68bwBvZmAEhAd3MienizK5wEdoxf8gUyXpNsJ9KlWnFx-HU_dV5rfK5vHYsi2bsp1o7_znVcv_6rP48yJKjsWTlFDIb5mjZsuLTly4VxDzwSOVeKoF0gkVeF99a4sIHjxa-6h-XiQ9DZy63RcqlV5ilWpltEfRFsP5N7D0qTxig/s900/001%20Sable%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022%20(1%20of%201).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iTIy4jErtv7Vnih68bwBvZmAEhAd3MienizK5wEdoxf8gUyXpNsJ9KlWnFx-HU_dV5rfK5vHYsi2bsp1o7_znVcv_6rP48yJKjsWTlFDIb5mjZsuLTly4VxDzwSOVeKoF0gkVeF99a4sIHjxa-6h-XiQ9DZy63RcqlV5ilWpltEfRFsP5N7D0qTxig/w640-h426/001%20Sable%20RS%20-%20Bezhoek%20PNR%20Dec%202022%20(1%20of%201).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sable Antelope</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Until the next winter count 2023.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqEip66zhsEDmv7QXvQkmUn1wFnzPBAgxzuJCui0oCVHtxljS3Bjz_kIp2VZsRXiS0AcDX2IE4LKqPRaSQKRv2uH_g2fB5eNepfCWRj3429GSoK0q8IXzaT3qcFCnO_tS1iwJZa2BYrrvUIcER_JUGcHTrAUNYEMA6rmLkViPiIbddvtlkGSi6rsAlg/s640/IMG_3630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqEip66zhsEDmv7QXvQkmUn1wFnzPBAgxzuJCui0oCVHtxljS3Bjz_kIp2VZsRXiS0AcDX2IE4LKqPRaSQKRv2uH_g2fB5eNepfCWRj3429GSoK0q8IXzaT3qcFCnO_tS1iwJZa2BYrrvUIcER_JUGcHTrAUNYEMA6rmLkViPiIbddvtlkGSi6rsAlg/w640-h480/IMG_3630.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Lazy Birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05562671117392450745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-26905264333133252792020-08-20T20:30:00.003+02:002020-08-20T20:30:34.487+02:00 Wilge River Valley - 16/08/2020<p>Last Sunday, my son Mike and I headed off down the Wilge River valley to see if we could get him a few lifers for his list and it turned out to be a great day for lifers indeed. Arriving just after sunrise, we drove really slowly with lots of stops and got some really cool birds. LBJ's abounded and we started with Southern Masked Weavers, Red Bishop in their winter dress, Tawny-flanked Prinia calling from the long grass next to the roadside and a Black-headed Oriole calling from the tall Eucalyptus trees. A Cardinal Woodpecker called and we managed to see him moving around the small branches on the top of a dry tree.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLdBR6uDAFawtjziY_NtgmqrrUd0LVzpCCBMF5FVQLPU3tnhyphenhyphenPt6M2VDPO-SOPsnldHiTAwluz7iaHJQK2DUJl4sUVY2KNFs9mdO-E7T6dqYnLXv9uGTwMz697rXJlJEgJHz4NOQcotD2/s2048/486+Cardinal+Woodpecker+Male+-+Wilge+Valley+Aug+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLdBR6uDAFawtjziY_NtgmqrrUd0LVzpCCBMF5FVQLPU3tnhyphenhyphenPt6M2VDPO-SOPsnldHiTAwluz7iaHJQK2DUJl4sUVY2KNFs9mdO-E7T6dqYnLXv9uGTwMz697rXJlJEgJHz4NOQcotD2/s640/486+Cardinal+Woodpecker+Male+-+Wilge+Valley+Aug+2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cardinal Woodpecker Male<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>We heard and saw several White-throated Robin-chats as we idled down the road but didn't manage to photograph one unfortunately. Southern Black Flycatchers called to each other from the tree tops and we heard Kurrichane Thrush calling a few times but they remained hidden. Brown Crowned Tchagra was seen along with Familiar Chat and three Natal Spurfowl strolled nonchalantly down the middle of the dirt road but took off running and clacking indignantly into the bush as we approached too closely. Shortly after this a lone Lanner Falcon cruised along the valley, hugging the cliff face as it went.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLslepU7KIyzu1roqjjU-erKHsK9ZJn8Cw2LOptYzLIqlMvLA9vPeHn-kIEIO0ojPrculIMLeQwflpRmJVAe7L1kIFo8TVFd2TyrwQglpcyw7tHlBI2KjCKlFj-BJE09yuj66KmslejJl/s2048/172+Lanner+Falcon+-+Wilge+Valley+Aug+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLslepU7KIyzu1roqjjU-erKHsK9ZJn8Cw2LOptYzLIqlMvLA9vPeHn-kIEIO0ojPrculIMLeQwflpRmJVAe7L1kIFo8TVFd2TyrwQglpcyw7tHlBI2KjCKlFj-BJE09yuj66KmslejJl/s640/172+Lanner+Falcon+-+Wilge+Valley+Aug+2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lanner Falcon</td></tr></tbody></table><p>As the sun came over the cliffs and started warming the valley, the birds came alive and started moving around looking for breakfast. Some of the notables were a calling (drumming) Bearded Woodpecker which we saw nicely on the way back later that afternoon. This turned out to be a Gauteng lifer for me.. A small raptor flew into the trees higher up the slope and began to call, identifying itself as an African Goshawk, also a Gauteng special. We again saw the same bird or perhaps another individual further down the valley but it was rather skittish and didn't stick around for a photo shoot. A Puffback was displaying and puffing his back feathers out to look like the snowball he is named after in Afrikaans. This was something new for Mike and he was enthralled to see the little round white feather ball dancing through the trees. By the time I got the camera onto him, his feathers had relaxed...a bit disappointing I thought.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZETlTcY8qNAERaj4N_Wt4NCo2hFvKxT9PBdKEZJrvEJLcUQjWq5nPD3swgObFUWNfIWskytblmv9IPXdwAhAF2rZ-UCHi-MXdyykiALxO4LNZPQaQcgKuUHUNfrFhRThZ2EChxctNtqjC/s2048/740+Black-backed+Puffback+-+Wilge+Valley+Aug+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZETlTcY8qNAERaj4N_Wt4NCo2hFvKxT9PBdKEZJrvEJLcUQjWq5nPD3swgObFUWNfIWskytblmv9IPXdwAhAF2rZ-UCHi-MXdyykiALxO4LNZPQaQcgKuUHUNfrFhRThZ2EChxctNtqjC/s640/740+Black-backed+Puffback+-+Wilge+Valley+Aug+2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-backed Puffback</td></tr></tbody></table><p>A herd of cattle were lying along the wide, flat river bank scattered with debris from the floods last Summer. Amongst the broken branches and dead reed clumps were numerous small birds, including Blue Waxbill, Neddicky, Southern Masked Weaver, Red Bishop and another lifer for Gauteng, African Firefinch. While watching them, I heard a familiar call behind us and turned to find a small flock of White-crested Helmetshrike, another Gauteng lifer for me.</p><p>As the valley started to flatten out into the floodplain we got a large flock of White-winged Widowbirds in non-breeding plumage, Crowned and Wattled Lapwing, White-fronted Bee-eater, Bronze Mannikin, African Palm Swift, Black Crake and Swainsons Francolin. Eventually we got to Qudesh, a camp and coffe shop on the river, which make some amazing milkshakes. Both Mike and I had Caramel flavoured milkshakes which, according to our host, is her specialty, followed by a toasted sandwich. Suitably satiated we headed down to the river with the hopes of a possible Finfoot or the Mountain Wagtail which had been seen a few days before our visit but we saw neither unfortunately. A Fork-tailed Drongo however decided to pose for a photo in the camp site which had two sites occupied.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTrlpAekmGstpCwA1FFxyvJDK_3oHCaqXatwYXKipEzKE-v6NflK7gh8QRw-MZVTHduTWk26xCW2xXmNAnDF4Y15B4X1XU2EZ_M2ViM3G1_DGQ-ujda_nJO7uAIT_sH85tB-lKs-tlEkI/s2048/542+Fork-tailed+Drongo+-+Wilge+Valley+Aug+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTrlpAekmGstpCwA1FFxyvJDK_3oHCaqXatwYXKipEzKE-v6NflK7gh8QRw-MZVTHduTWk26xCW2xXmNAnDF4Y15B4X1XU2EZ_M2ViM3G1_DGQ-ujda_nJO7uAIT_sH85tB-lKs-tlEkI/s640/542+Fork-tailed+Drongo+-+Wilge+Valley+Aug+2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fork-tailed Drongo</td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p>As we left Qudesh and turned onto the main road, Mike called "Raptor" and on the line was sitting another Gauteng lifer for us in the form of a Lizard Buzzard which is not a common species in the area by any means.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNG6yPjddcQZCgCb-7UAmpb-HH5rlhl6qVT7QWQA7WSqX0Alexy3zuZSW0vTodycOf_-poMqor5yABwRmA2wUWlNRyfAgJKYTAbfGRL9-ee9zhEcorK-1PlJLaNytGcyWdbbgwERWfBVD/s2048/154+Lizard+Buzzard+-+Wilge+Valley+Aug+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNG6yPjddcQZCgCb-7UAmpb-HH5rlhl6qVT7QWQA7WSqX0Alexy3zuZSW0vTodycOf_-poMqor5yABwRmA2wUWlNRyfAgJKYTAbfGRL9-ee9zhEcorK-1PlJLaNytGcyWdbbgwERWfBVD/s640/154+Lizard+Buzzard+-+Wilge+Valley+Aug+2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lizard Buzzard<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>By this time it was after 12 and we started back up the valley and home. As mentioned earlier we got good views of the Bearded Woodpecker but the light was too bright to attempt photos. When we reached the tar road again we turned North and headed for Renosterkop in the hopes of finding some more lifers for Mike. The wind was really blowing when we reached the top so most birds were taking cover and we only managed a few elusive grass warblers, good views of sheltering Wailing Cisticolas and some Nicholsons Pipits that I tried to turn into Rock Pipits but could not! </p><p>With the total for the day on 73 species we headed for home. Mike was asleep by the time we reached the highway as it was an early start for he who normally only rises when the sun is close to its zenith..at least he managed two lifers for the day which surprised me as we had seen some really good birds.</p><p>Have a lekker one! TLB</p>The Lazy Birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05562671117392450745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-1467203047341939012020-07-28T12:31:00.002+02:002020-07-28T13:48:55.326+02:00Home Birding and mammal watchingHello Campers,<br />
<br />
Well I wish we could get out and do some serious camping and birding for a change. I thought that the lockdown would never last this long and I am beginning to realise what cabin fever is all about. It is not all gloom however as working from home, I was able to rethink my feeders and put some up right in front of my study window where I get to watch the birds all day. I have put up some suet cakes, seed and fruit feeders. Attracting ,mainly seed-eaters in the form of Cape Sparrow, Grey-headed Sparrows, Red-eyed, Cape Turtle and Laughing doves, Red-headed Finch as well as Dark- capped Bulbul, Cape Glossy Starling, Crested and Black-collared Barbet. Other birds seen were Black-headed Oriole, which is an extremely rare visitor to the garden, Cardinal Woodpecker, Speckled and Red-faced Mousebird, African Hoopoe, Grey Hornbill, Black-backed Puffback and Tawny-flanked Prinia.<br />
<br />
The feeders also produced some interesting results as the Lesser Bushbabies from the neighbourhood came in to eat the apples I put out for the birds. Now we see them regularly every evening and I have created their own feeding station as I can't imagine that they get enough te eat in an urban environment. Although they do eat acacia tree gum as a main source of food (we have a large Acacia karroo which is their favourite gum type I believe) , along with insects and some fruit.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzZv1hkuV4xs4LZYQyuK_AWZYHmLzXCOS1c9XFTUBpkUQylq7N9bHq64PBpY2InZKPwb5AtSWalWNZN2AIGDAqLvLd21tfsAYRG6Mq-0lv89fPtH94xv5mmdJaPFe6CZutoFmfCbETGvE/s1600/Lesser+Bushbaby+5+FR+RS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1200" height="409" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzZv1hkuV4xs4LZYQyuK_AWZYHmLzXCOS1c9XFTUBpkUQylq7N9bHq64PBpY2InZKPwb5AtSWalWNZN2AIGDAqLvLd21tfsAYRG6Mq-0lv89fPtH94xv5mmdJaPFe6CZutoFmfCbETGvE/s640/Lesser+Bushbaby+5+FR+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Bushbaby - Nagapie</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoIItH_o74uDslwY6Ugc_-8JlcaYVgnVgXxZY-6XKVeHsqN9-W0PNavvDc7zqAk_sr2xbiqxh9sTT7-M-ivA5LQ1Uik8kY8UvUraG44g3KdjAFnMr73bCPzCWiTPOJFyp3kC3OmqPf_Bn/s1600/Lesser+Bushbaby+6+FR+RS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoIItH_o74uDslwY6Ugc_-8JlcaYVgnVgXxZY-6XKVeHsqN9-W0PNavvDc7zqAk_sr2xbiqxh9sTT7-M-ivA5LQ1Uik8kY8UvUraG44g3KdjAFnMr73bCPzCWiTPOJFyp3kC3OmqPf_Bn/s640/Lesser+Bushbaby+6+FR+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Bushbaby - Nagapie</td></tr>
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I also set up a feeding stump for practicing my photography but it has one small flaw....it doesn't get much sunlight, with only small patches shining through the trees until after 12:30 when it is in full sun, so you have to be ready and quick when it happens. However, I think that this will improve as the sun moves towards the summer trajectory.. It is about 12m from our porch with the background another 7m beyond so that the background comes out blurred. Here are two from the weekend..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFt0yRQAAQSUliffyU3l2Rp2B6b2T6RHqzrQAxT3U2bl4N2BxmZsjJRUvfmfc-nGr0pzC2dtGe2JIopFHTG5vqf65KiJ1B8Ts1ayjqoikjyHo2ZChg9b2ZP9YjeX4Q3XSD6PW5bdkpy_63/s1600/601RS+Cape+Robin-chat+-+RHK+Garden+Jul+2020.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="900" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFt0yRQAAQSUliffyU3l2Rp2B6b2T6RHqzrQAxT3U2bl4N2BxmZsjJRUvfmfc-nGr0pzC2dtGe2JIopFHTG5vqf65KiJ1B8Ts1ayjqoikjyHo2ZChg9b2ZP9YjeX4Q3XSD6PW5bdkpy_63/s640/601RS+Cape+Robin-chat+-+RHK+Garden+Jul+2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Robin-chat</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrwUDm9UlcWWDJIw1r6nZQSSbzuQ1wkKJZpAgWNX_HV7QQQyQqg2jleYYMZGMKXC4h18yx-eGKArr0hvnHVp1PQApTqlchpO0myaACuhlv4X6gzFhmJGxXirVW3X35i5V1FvBnG-qRvDK/s1600/824RS+Southern+Red+Bishop+-+RHK+Garden+Jul+2020.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="900" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrwUDm9UlcWWDJIw1r6nZQSSbzuQ1wkKJZpAgWNX_HV7QQQyQqg2jleYYMZGMKXC4h18yx-eGKArr0hvnHVp1PQApTqlchpO0myaACuhlv4X6gzFhmJGxXirVW3X35i5V1FvBnG-qRvDK/s640/824RS+Southern+Red+Bishop+-+RHK+Garden+Jul+2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Red Bishop</td></tr>
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I have also played around with my camera settings, from AV - aperture priority I moved it to TV - shutter priority with much better results I feel. I set the speed to 1/1000 and auto ISO and then point and shoot. It definitely makes a difference with a higher percentage of shots coming out sharper. Here is one taken with this setting in the late afternoon light.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAafK7_SP4d12eQZh9nngy7uvtcKJea2fRdsJ_SSXYNx-1B4ABlF6U70fb2nRtJLzIaVeq0tTNr8JF3TlHW0YIfCELiYP_jcDBD98k3YN6hdRVFUyFJGxEjNKTor_e3-QJnAspd7WfbIa/s1600/683RS+Tawny-flanked+Prinia+2+-+Rhk+Garden+Jul+2020.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="900" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAafK7_SP4d12eQZh9nngy7uvtcKJea2fRdsJ_SSXYNx-1B4ABlF6U70fb2nRtJLzIaVeq0tTNr8JF3TlHW0YIfCELiYP_jcDBD98k3YN6hdRVFUyFJGxEjNKTor_e3-QJnAspd7WfbIa/s640/683RS+Tawny-flanked+Prinia+2+-+Rhk+Garden+Jul+2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tawny-flanked Prinia</td></tr>
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Until next time!The Lazy Birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05562671117392450745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-86815172104485909522020-04-06T17:07:00.002+02:002020-04-21T09:25:46.579+02:00Marievale - December 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Marievale is always a great place to visit to catch up on your waders for the year. I went there on the 19th December after our country had experienced quite a serious drought for a few years and had just had some rain the night before. There hadn't been much rain and the water levels were very low which is normally good for the waders. Oh, and did I mention that a rare Black-tailed Godwit had also been seen here...not that I am a twitcher by any means.<br />
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I don't often see Pied Avocet here but conditions must have been perfect for them as there were quite a number, wading belly deep and picking up insects in the mud..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszRb5RMDt8cNBhyphenhyphendC5IVpJcftmCHiY1R186VJ2mp6GsNgGonRjrbDfHTSjPwM5a-o5uk2AXqj-CTA8QVadbqbDCkkKgTlxwVDj-KgEfaqIFzu3cv4nqbp7lPhIHFy67vR6DdihYR5ryln/s1600/294+Pied+Avocet2+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="900" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszRb5RMDt8cNBhyphenhyphendC5IVpJcftmCHiY1R186VJ2mp6GsNgGonRjrbDfHTSjPwM5a-o5uk2AXqj-CTA8QVadbqbDCkkKgTlxwVDj-KgEfaqIFzu3cv4nqbp7lPhIHFy67vR6DdihYR5ryln/s640/294+Pied+Avocet2+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0Kf0JKhUujxTOG_JQsnwb0rF1idJ4rkyV25K0b-0o_G8nJbYA8S5MdeHYh1UHC0Df0u2MOucYpCUxlpVrymJhN1q7NOgbyaNI8KS_yaOTp4fF_NxC0F9_0Ug3W1WQiwsun5EcFWnvTPx/s1600/294+Pied+Avocet+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="900" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0Kf0JKhUujxTOG_JQsnwb0rF1idJ4rkyV25K0b-0o_G8nJbYA8S5MdeHYh1UHC0Df0u2MOucYpCUxlpVrymJhN1q7NOgbyaNI8KS_yaOTp4fF_NxC0F9_0Ug3W1WQiwsun5EcFWnvTPx/s640/294+Pied+Avocet+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Avocet (2)</td></tr>
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The open areas allowed some good views of the other birds as well. Glossy Ibis foraged fairly close to the road and proved friendly enough to pose for a photo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xnT67ezKk0L2vFORsO5ezW4Vlgz1zSFQA-uP-tTxCVhY9ShfUcrmkWe58D8eO7aPVxmYamNdOpB414A3pr3CEqxMzw-GIL384NU3wC-GKm3TN0_-tZnX4W6ytHy-m_Vs-F1CTOYaHnB6/s1600/093+Glossy+Ibis+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="900" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xnT67ezKk0L2vFORsO5ezW4Vlgz1zSFQA-uP-tTxCVhY9ShfUcrmkWe58D8eO7aPVxmYamNdOpB414A3pr3CEqxMzw-GIL384NU3wC-GKm3TN0_-tZnX4W6ytHy-m_Vs-F1CTOYaHnB6/s640/093+Glossy+Ibis+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glossy Ibis</td></tr>
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The rain had left a few puddles next to the road which made a nice bath for some of the smaller passerines. Here a Red Bishop was busy cleaning himself up for some serious displaying..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQRSdw0E137fZC4E4On1sN-BCMiagU9FjpoYlm4FZMwuQ5s2xfSoVB5kwReD6abmt2pknj43suRf-MpmHXTmT-ge0zOT6xgXlg5t3l00XRtEKRsRHaMtldkWN7VRUAMmuTeMMKXWzgwpZ/s1600/824+Red+Bishop+Bathing+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="900" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQRSdw0E137fZC4E4On1sN-BCMiagU9FjpoYlm4FZMwuQ5s2xfSoVB5kwReD6abmt2pknj43suRf-MpmHXTmT-ge0zOT6xgXlg5t3l00XRtEKRsRHaMtldkWN7VRUAMmuTeMMKXWzgwpZ/s640/824+Red+Bishop+Bathing+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Red Bishop enjoying a puddle bath</td></tr>
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There were nice Palearctic waders around, the usual Ruff and Little stint and a local in the form of a Kittlitzs Plover which are always nice birds to photograph as they stick around for a quick pic. Not like the others that are always on the move..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgJhWyY33raNylzKujhc1o4L9oB1fLvDT7Tz40_IB4ST0FX7BB91ON4BxNIHNl5VliVN12KBv8GeDTcY88xbioQAujZd48_FXCH4ZRbCkhuPit3r72Qd1uNDA6Uz2W_C3Er2IOVsfeJ1H/s1600/284+Ruff+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="900" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgJhWyY33raNylzKujhc1o4L9oB1fLvDT7Tz40_IB4ST0FX7BB91ON4BxNIHNl5VliVN12KBv8GeDTcY88xbioQAujZd48_FXCH4ZRbCkhuPit3r72Qd1uNDA6Uz2W_C3Er2IOVsfeJ1H/s640/284+Ruff+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruff or it it a Reeve on the rough road</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpseCmceTzzBBVHntyIykWM0jMCIQ9qfA3mZWxiy-pA2XA08qp1suty1BiVDYN62iWXJ6qE0NWvb6TuOmPt8jjnudT_cquSIGbcG7g3uOxXPu6Ug0p6YGY1ZvqDLgAFWc_5PMKgfSxiUOw/s1600/284+Ruff+2+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="600" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpseCmceTzzBBVHntyIykWM0jMCIQ9qfA3mZWxiy-pA2XA08qp1suty1BiVDYN62iWXJ6qE0NWvb6TuOmPt8jjnudT_cquSIGbcG7g3uOxXPu6Ug0p6YGY1ZvqDLgAFWc_5PMKgfSxiUOw/s640/284+Ruff+2+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruff in breeding plumage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPRY1vC25IlSWX4Dzx-NaMFjn3TNfW8wZf0lT-fTVGoLOVtj8vx1FOZYE1Gt-tyiN7z7rqLEumUSQE3Rf4-3iYaiMlWphOGhuQaHi0Oy9nHFw2OjmNTVHnHSdT7X14p7lquYBcsmA6Gbx/s1600/248+Kittlitzs+Plover+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="900" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPRY1vC25IlSWX4Dzx-NaMFjn3TNfW8wZf0lT-fTVGoLOVtj8vx1FOZYE1Gt-tyiN7z7rqLEumUSQE3Rf4-3iYaiMlWphOGhuQaHi0Oy9nHFw2OjmNTVHnHSdT7X14p7lquYBcsmA6Gbx/s640/248+Kittlitzs+Plover+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kittlitz's Plover</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesGbwbj6wZXHejQdNBBLIFfHUD-4NFUAuZU9AlOGvaIyN0vjHNSlM5jeTo51piaLfmMjwYqA-HIgJYppUftsYJhotc-ZTKEjfp75nZ0ZshQxxm-uayqcyM09pRQ6NdMitfIwzCeFd2jjZ/s1600/274+Little+Stint+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="900" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesGbwbj6wZXHejQdNBBLIFfHUD-4NFUAuZU9AlOGvaIyN0vjHNSlM5jeTo51piaLfmMjwYqA-HIgJYppUftsYJhotc-ZTKEjfp75nZ0ZshQxxm-uayqcyM09pRQ6NdMitfIwzCeFd2jjZ/s640/274+Little+Stint+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Stint</td></tr>
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Blackwinged Stilts were also around in smaller numbers with their bright pink legs and pied plumage.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRZCeKtgVLvIKFoTX7mdxemVCs2qhmYhZg6FIl1vm89aTBQ1ju0W3J0dbXIxnXMlWAsrST4ubCUlLYz1-SRBNmxw3AFbvDC2tleG7ttAicbkNGui0yf_HRNK5x4j4JXPfvdoEIJVnGc3p/s1600/295+Black-winged+Stilt+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="600" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRZCeKtgVLvIKFoTX7mdxemVCs2qhmYhZg6FIl1vm89aTBQ1ju0W3J0dbXIxnXMlWAsrST4ubCUlLYz1-SRBNmxw3AFbvDC2tleG7ttAicbkNGui0yf_HRNK5x4j4JXPfvdoEIJVnGc3p/s640/295+Black-winged+Stilt+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-winged Stilt</td></tr>
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At the Kingfisher Hide next to the picnic site we heard the raspy call of an African Reed -warbler and with a bit of patience, got to see it and get a dodgy photograph for the record.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_h5SaF9IV7OkAwOkGxDLxVXg48LitfyFjgg95kMb8ozBLIxJ8TV61oZ2KO0FaB8iWGy3XHnmirwIq5NxlaT39ce78Gxx2HWEoFzLRbjYzB5dsLY6dPkqWrhdjC9v1nI5qxLw2LKeoGBb/s1600/631+African+Reed-Warbler+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="900" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_h5SaF9IV7OkAwOkGxDLxVXg48LitfyFjgg95kMb8ozBLIxJ8TV61oZ2KO0FaB8iWGy3XHnmirwIq5NxlaT39ce78Gxx2HWEoFzLRbjYzB5dsLY6dPkqWrhdjC9v1nI5qxLw2LKeoGBb/s640/631+African+Reed-Warbler+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Reed Warbler</td></tr>
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Squacco Herons are always quite common here as they stand out in the open waiting for prey to make a mistake and show themselves within striking distance. You can see they are so successful, as they face towards you the profile is extremely narrow and probably hard to see from under the water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeqYHt65s9eppFmoqDr4WCjSFsnkzRBu6KKW4Gx2iQ697bvVClk2n3Pc0tJw2l3DVJBiVgV3HNLlj_uXdSJHVK_Buz41hN74q8lWBd55i4KHlCXvMeYDo0N0khegZxilg9kuS2YerwyS0/s1600/072+Squacco+Heron+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="900" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeqYHt65s9eppFmoqDr4WCjSFsnkzRBu6KKW4Gx2iQ697bvVClk2n3Pc0tJw2l3DVJBiVgV3HNLlj_uXdSJHVK_Buz41hN74q8lWBd55i4KHlCXvMeYDo0N0khegZxilg9kuS2YerwyS0/s640/072+Squacco+Heron+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squacco Heron</td></tr>
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Finally into the gated area, with some nice wader habitat to the left of the road. We searched for the Black-tailed Godwit and luckily enough got to see it at a distance. It wasn't going to come any closer so I had to get out the longer lens and get some record shots..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovRkZM15_O7EM8knEx6DEwITRYG2PuYJLpToUtSYeBEx2ikSCj2SLCUFwkX_7v5aOIaoF1-8RZa6XoG1pCGamHNWOpjehJF8ITm2mEXE7E1yz5iUk6BPFYdbnHgY-1NtmWOYdEqRnseth/s1600/287+Black-tailed+Godwit1+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="900" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovRkZM15_O7EM8knEx6DEwITRYG2PuYJLpToUtSYeBEx2ikSCj2SLCUFwkX_7v5aOIaoF1-8RZa6XoG1pCGamHNWOpjehJF8ITm2mEXE7E1yz5iUk6BPFYdbnHgY-1NtmWOYdEqRnseth/s640/287+Black-tailed+Godwit1+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-tailed Godwit with Ruff for size comparison</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4I62RHDIt2W-GOqx2miGnbsyrze1-kkvaImyxdiowQTmNz4GMx0TiLkd7iKiRvlO4uf-2gwXTvdaE1PcHOC_DIkgV-gei3xR2Pw5Pq2xdaR8730VQkx8fJaTc8FFBHkdxGe27jRd2_BgG/s1600/287+Black-tailed+Godwit2+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="900" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4I62RHDIt2W-GOqx2miGnbsyrze1-kkvaImyxdiowQTmNz4GMx0TiLkd7iKiRvlO4uf-2gwXTvdaE1PcHOC_DIkgV-gei3xR2Pw5Pq2xdaR8730VQkx8fJaTc8FFBHkdxGe27jRd2_BgG/s640/287+Black-tailed+Godwit2+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-tailed Godwit</td></tr>
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My last photographed bird for the day and a new tick for the year, this Great Crested Grebe is always a nice bird to see..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vPu0I2nsS6T1QM9tSc1sayGFS83e5GBNEwTZNYt9izaR8JIAhDQ6McE5qWH6oNxZUvFr4_h6UzOcQ5MRX9_35OuFo1-labSbTHjAtmFknGfAr6GRjH12zdRcSO2v4fWLf_04Kffz0Yh5/s1600/006+Great+Crested+Grebe+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="900" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vPu0I2nsS6T1QM9tSc1sayGFS83e5GBNEwTZNYt9izaR8JIAhDQ6McE5qWH6oNxZUvFr4_h6UzOcQ5MRX9_35OuFo1-labSbTHjAtmFknGfAr6GRjH12zdRcSO2v4fWLf_04Kffz0Yh5/s640/006+Great+Crested+Grebe+-+Marievale+Dec+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Crested Grebe</td></tr>
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With that in the bag and total list of 96 species for the morning, we headed the 100km back home to Pretoria feeling rather satisfied with having the rare Blackwit on the year list!<br />
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The Lazy Birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05562671117392450745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-3748543429337415802020-04-03T16:52:00.000+02:002020-04-21T09:36:36.817+02:00Rietvlei Nature Reserve - June 2018Rietvlei is another great place to visit. Not only can one see 100 plus species of bird in one day in summer and 80 plus species in winter but there are a number of mammals as well. They have large herds of antelope and zebra as well as bushpig and small predators like serval and genet to see.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_23-Zo8sUtBfgxtZENj6tnTRgmo4JMMFjA0CzsazGr79EiDZK0BuaS_IRxPJndMLWNtsd_vsM_gjEsp81CgAe1WA4P1OgJuKuZnDWuM0LvQIMxB30DK255W7Sibi05zHEiBh-SldKy3QW/s1600/001+Zebra+foals+playing+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_23-Zo8sUtBfgxtZENj6tnTRgmo4JMMFjA0CzsazGr79EiDZK0BuaS_IRxPJndMLWNtsd_vsM_gjEsp81CgAe1WA4P1OgJuKuZnDWuM0LvQIMxB30DK255W7Sibi05zHEiBh-SldKy3QW/s640/001+Zebra+foals+playing+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zebra foals at play</td></tr>
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These zebra foals were quite tame and allowed me to pass quite close to them, I couldn't resist touching one only to find that his baby fur was full of static and instead of being soft and fluffy, felt like a thousand pins pricking my fingers. Quite a disappointment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPaN6XJ-e0BxzvDw54Ibu_5dYa9k7We0HwRfmvzMvCpSzA3VEzYfoeAXQw3-VxNzu75bSUIKuZLPkivfsIaSiYoozHI58UK81carhMhjfYpvRBKeu44e8NdkN_C8CtwCac__BP3T2FrHT/s1600/003+Buffalo+close+up+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="684" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPaN6XJ-e0BxzvDw54Ibu_5dYa9k7We0HwRfmvzMvCpSzA3VEzYfoeAXQw3-VxNzu75bSUIKuZLPkivfsIaSiYoozHI58UK81carhMhjfYpvRBKeu44e8NdkN_C8CtwCac__BP3T2FrHT/s640/003+Buffalo+close+up+RS.jpg" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Buffalo with Blesbok in the background</td></tr>
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There is a large herd of about 70 buffalo on the reserve, but it is amazing how elusive they can be and remain hidden most of the time. It took me a while to see my first one but once you know their movements they can be found quite often. They mainly move along the dam inflow and sometimes appear at the Otter Bridge especially late in the afternoon.<br />
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Otter Bridge is a great place to sit and watch birds, mainly ducks and other water related birds. On this particular day, I found a small flock of Whitefronted Bee-eaters and spent hours trying to get shots of them in flight or with wings flared to land.....needless to say...I failed..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwa9sSLcPX4sRmy_Bv8N_a3Pgx767aqtKI6jQHFhRL3RBQj6FbaR4lxmd98RRfzz2MXO1DNFtsiy3dAdI_3-QMOxNEvihHcrB5rvbJS9ymgVojNC1iD4W-h-2Lc9hUY9glITdTtQhOLNbi/s1600/102+Egyptian+Goose+-+Rietvlei+NR+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwa9sSLcPX4sRmy_Bv8N_a3Pgx767aqtKI6jQHFhRL3RBQj6FbaR4lxmd98RRfzz2MXO1DNFtsiy3dAdI_3-QMOxNEvihHcrB5rvbJS9ymgVojNC1iD4W-h-2Lc9hUY9glITdTtQhOLNbi/s640/102+Egyptian+Goose+-+Rietvlei+NR+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egyptian Geese</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZofKK6MR3s-wdn4EBBBBWQjO-Z9ZoUt_g-ZfQaYZX225pPbTv7NJj_HSrw6srkyjPIRbmvQzARQmHn930Oh2YOB_DVY1oNPPbvXWsAhi2bfsxrC3FMSKpAXNgzpXUcUAYRC5Spaifz0X-/s1600/104+Yellow-billed+Duck+-+Rietvlei+NR+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="900" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZofKK6MR3s-wdn4EBBBBWQjO-Z9ZoUt_g-ZfQaYZX225pPbTv7NJj_HSrw6srkyjPIRbmvQzARQmHn930Oh2YOB_DVY1oNPPbvXWsAhi2bfsxrC3FMSKpAXNgzpXUcUAYRC5Spaifz0X-/s640/104+Yellow-billed+Duck+-+Rietvlei+NR+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-billed duck enjoying the last rays of sunlight</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXg_Szo2JpXM6SuY1UYrZ1ounX-3sfF6pMVTLU3ccv4fhyphenhyphenW1MKJuUpbCXDq_L5OY1QYMaG2-XcZQkMu9BfQjI_KyswZ1yGmgwPeNnA2xfZML4Pf1BTbyuw-bQo9MuiBrho0RYGQw47jwn1/s1600/127+Black-winged+Kite+-+Rietvlei+NR+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="773" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXg_Szo2JpXM6SuY1UYrZ1ounX-3sfF6pMVTLU3ccv4fhyphenhyphenW1MKJuUpbCXDq_L5OY1QYMaG2-XcZQkMu9BfQjI_KyswZ1yGmgwPeNnA2xfZML4Pf1BTbyuw-bQo9MuiBrho0RYGQw47jwn1/s640/127+Black-winged+Kite+-+Rietvlei+NR+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" width="547" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-winged Kite</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9W1DReQTD0brWwDgpY9WRpOCWzsotpudyxsjP-T7FVyUS884i9YkZyULO67halyX-Pc_hT5HpjIQslZYF7U-ARhTnGJ1t9OyWT5pwhDIQfoG8IhRkq-eLSI_nhEzhNT817qaBGmtGgE0/s1600/424+Speckled+Mousebird+-+Rietvlei+NR+June+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="724" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9W1DReQTD0brWwDgpY9WRpOCWzsotpudyxsjP-T7FVyUS884i9YkZyULO67halyX-Pc_hT5HpjIQslZYF7U-ARhTnGJ1t9OyWT5pwhDIQfoG8IhRkq-eLSI_nhEzhNT817qaBGmtGgE0/s640/424+Speckled+Mousebird+-+Rietvlei+NR+June+2018+RS.jpg" width="514" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of a Speckled Mousebird</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKilgNezyhJMO48MkYfkJn57s2CtcoTHhXsHMH_DRZpzqYYQKQRv6fN3rxZWKUQfGjTTIA3npsfHsfbI0JQ1C1uzx5CsTSf3vTkyVwTY0wOnCUImfI4HkEFuyN0MoMLzCdNOAD_ykA6pYY/s1600/443+White-fronted+Bee-eater+1+-+Rietvlei+NR+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="900" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKilgNezyhJMO48MkYfkJn57s2CtcoTHhXsHMH_DRZpzqYYQKQRv6fN3rxZWKUQfGjTTIA3npsfHsfbI0JQ1C1uzx5CsTSf3vTkyVwTY0wOnCUImfI4HkEFuyN0MoMLzCdNOAD_ykA6pYY/s640/443+White-fronted+Bee-eater+1+-+Rietvlei+NR+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkjdskcU_5_Dg5TE6Oje-BorjTMc1j3013kP1rCZ9sHoo2utOKYImp61E2DgO7UCMcJ20i4Vy0AJezA_yyfqSKJu4Iwzb_C8WP5jeJE6S1Vkr1PqrAD18EtxmgAJFeu_W3GPje6gND_VE/s1600/443+White-fronted+Bee-eater+3+-+Rietvlei+NR+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="900" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkjdskcU_5_Dg5TE6Oje-BorjTMc1j3013kP1rCZ9sHoo2utOKYImp61E2DgO7UCMcJ20i4Vy0AJezA_yyfqSKJu4Iwzb_C8WP5jeJE6S1Vkr1PqrAD18EtxmgAJFeu_W3GPje6gND_VE/s640/443+White-fronted+Bee-eater+3+-+Rietvlei+NR+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzRv8oD2dFT4EZnFZ_5C6MoEKeqbtFvBz-G4Q_3D0qpmEmxoekhv2alk7xBSqApwyCs5MBZR9D-jhhc3P4Hp1geMIQxKawoU5qc2btH3XBtWfaIPc9W0Qzk7SDCRJdTdJdoEYUUhT3R80/s1600/443+White-fronted+Bee-eater+4+-+Rietvlei+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1271" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzRv8oD2dFT4EZnFZ_5C6MoEKeqbtFvBz-G4Q_3D0qpmEmxoekhv2alk7xBSqApwyCs5MBZR9D-jhhc3P4Hp1geMIQxKawoU5qc2btH3XBtWfaIPc9W0Qzk7SDCRJdTdJdoEYUUhT3R80/s640/443+White-fronted+Bee-eater+4+-+Rietvlei+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" width="542" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeYI3u8OFj-xmk8Jc0LlaWqOP7XPSq-2kHX6DNO9qiM9u0e_7HpcAKVuEzH0T0n07IF5vx4fUg6-frC30j-0lV8rSQaXmH2xyWjzJJR51Egj0xBWA3ZwV992uf3cT9mVccXhP06QA3FRB/s1600/443+White-fronted+Bee-eater+5+-+Rietvlei+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="900" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeYI3u8OFj-xmk8Jc0LlaWqOP7XPSq-2kHX6DNO9qiM9u0e_7HpcAKVuEzH0T0n07IF5vx4fUg6-frC30j-0lV8rSQaXmH2xyWjzJJR51Egj0xBWA3ZwV992uf3cT9mVccXhP06QA3FRB/s640/443+White-fronted+Bee-eater+5+-+Rietvlei+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-fronted Bee-eaters (4), last one with a captured Honey Bee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7eKTO14Tl7LZRAR10OIsm6axHWBb5dkJSGFu9_c5IAsQFT7GYmu-NPnUbLx5_tAYTTPRjY3zBLp1OG_JKaVjmlS2fzNobJP1Q6wNjKrjYA7JazlQL16cPDw0xzjGZVHGDtLqcveXjUoS/s1600/759+Pied+Starlings+-+Rietvlei+NR+June+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="900" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7eKTO14Tl7LZRAR10OIsm6axHWBb5dkJSGFu9_c5IAsQFT7GYmu-NPnUbLx5_tAYTTPRjY3zBLp1OG_JKaVjmlS2fzNobJP1Q6wNjKrjYA7JazlQL16cPDw0xzjGZVHGDtLqcveXjUoS/s640/759+Pied+Starlings+-+Rietvlei+NR+June+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Starlings silhouetted against the golden sunlight</td></tr>
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And so ended the day! Winter offers the chance of heading to the gate after sunset and so the chance of an owl or nightjar on the road...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04zDyl163e0P4QysUECotSfZtfzBFZsnjO1mJwZoRe1WdYi4611h_R4oAq9-3RPwtOltP5D-prXprOZPLpfBqUZRkrn83oTYK3P5cUD7y_sJkI306Pzz0FKI0vX73JBUG0OTY0lpE8URM/s1600/395.Marsh+Owl+3+-+Rietvlei+Apr+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04zDyl163e0P4QysUECotSfZtfzBFZsnjO1mJwZoRe1WdYi4611h_R4oAq9-3RPwtOltP5D-prXprOZPLpfBqUZRkrn83oTYK3P5cUD7y_sJkI306Pzz0FKI0vX73JBUG0OTY0lpE8URM/s640/395.Marsh+Owl+3+-+Rietvlei+Apr+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Owl</td></tr>
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Stay healthy everyone!The Lazy Birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05562671117392450745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-18897987132913715372020-04-02T11:42:00.002+02:002020-07-28T13:51:05.786+02:00The Aloe Farm - June 2018Well its been a while since my last post, but what better time to try and catch up than during a 21 day lockdown.<br />
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I thought that I would start with a few nice trips that go all the way back to June 2018. It's not that I haven't been doing any birding, its just that I haven't been doing any blogging. In fact I have qualified as a Regional Bird Guide (Savanna Biome), registered with the South Africa Tourism Board and started Galimi Guides. Most of my guiding has been volunteer guiding for the SAN Parks Honorary Rangers, which has taken me to some really great places. I will send details of these trips in the next few days.<br />
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So, back to The Aloe Farm...this is a nursery out near the Hartebeespoort Dam which specializes in...you've guessed it...Indigenous Aloe plants. The nice thing for us birders is that in the winter months when the plants are in bloom, a plethora of nectar eating birds seem to gather here for the feast which gives us a great opportunity to photograph them from quite close distances.<br />
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This Brown-hooded Kingfisher allowed a close approach. I don't believe that he was here for the nectar but perhaps inspecting the abandoned White-fronted Bee-eater nests for a possible future home..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZYFY-pR_nbV7z7xmj63Y1x4XFwJ_ZFAphlm8-CMs9EwzpFe2zK3V528uMyfKQ3OT3RMA98UAyQGVfggg2WHEq_V2yQSTizpZEj2s4ZtxN7-TTgZ3B26Sy6glRm2bsp5ftqZBy5bI-81A/s1600/435+Brown-hooded+Kingfisher+-+Aloe+Farm+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="900" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZYFY-pR_nbV7z7xmj63Y1x4XFwJ_ZFAphlm8-CMs9EwzpFe2zK3V528uMyfKQ3OT3RMA98UAyQGVfggg2WHEq_V2yQSTizpZEj2s4ZtxN7-TTgZ3B26Sy6glRm2bsp5ftqZBy5bI-81A/s640/435+Brown-hooded+Kingfisher+-+Aloe+Farm+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown-hooded Kingfisher</td></tr>
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The sunbirds here are amazing with quite a number of species visiting, here are a few..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwI3bAHpMmpCKfffwhyphenhyphenIrBJ9gawjiQdVdg4mIIU9___g1nIVPDjnUNhYW5l_YgNu2sJmVwrIsgGxntdIRs-06HU9s8j6g-2URn5UckYfCIjRZVQrMnz0GtKS2dWzwDilgT8DYY339YFw6p/s1600/779+Marico+Sunbird+-+Aloe+Farm+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="900" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwI3bAHpMmpCKfffwhyphenhyphenIrBJ9gawjiQdVdg4mIIU9___g1nIVPDjnUNhYW5l_YgNu2sJmVwrIsgGxntdIRs-06HU9s8j6g-2URn5UckYfCIjRZVQrMnz0GtKS2dWzwDilgT8DYY339YFw6p/s640/779+Marico+Sunbird+-+Aloe+Farm+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marico Sunbird, full of nectar to pollinate the next flower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZ6cijxNuzuf6-Ce6_wBOq5H-Nn0ZXyM68U12Or5hOcSj18Glo3khh7daW94kdkX_KauOzJBbH9qzzJUAzGNo-TlUn2fdFkMt0ER30KrCYnlcFU63KDjzfvOIJkFZ0F7XzlOW1ygoOUOp/s1600/787+White-bellied+Sunbird+-+Aloe+Farm+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="900" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZ6cijxNuzuf6-Ce6_wBOq5H-Nn0ZXyM68U12Or5hOcSj18Glo3khh7daW94kdkX_KauOzJBbH9qzzJUAzGNo-TlUn2fdFkMt0ER30KrCYnlcFU63KDjzfvOIJkFZ0F7XzlOW1ygoOUOp/s640/787+White-bellied+Sunbird+-+Aloe+Farm+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-bellied Sunbird drinking nectar and having pollen deposited on his forehead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-09hfouNzxzLJcA6EE0qdad_ZM0cUxhpowgqiCa3g0vohNrNd_E37RNZSWD6P07_dXA5-wNOzt26576kxjbp329i34D7Js87e5n1UqUgUvzUaKkROv1gaQu0g6B4OE6rPjwqI4i6jEBe/s1600/787+White-bellied+Sunbird+Female+-+Aloe+Farm+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="900" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-09hfouNzxzLJcA6EE0qdad_ZM0cUxhpowgqiCa3g0vohNrNd_E37RNZSWD6P07_dXA5-wNOzt26576kxjbp329i34D7Js87e5n1UqUgUvzUaKkROv1gaQu0g6B4OE6rPjwqI4i6jEBe/s640/787+White-bellied+Sunbird+Female+-+Aloe+Farm+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-bellied Sunbird Female with a light dusting of pollen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKfndIa_bumP23D23CgHh4xSpMwrf8zpmRxRzeNizzRbfJmFt80lqNg10o8lrTTcaKdREidd-MFjaxavVR7B7GF4nq0CDi-Pzgk_nB-fue9rIjaezkkUfTTqkfOgQ8025g4C44Slb8gNv/s1600/792+Amethyst+Sunbird+-+Aloe+Farm+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="900" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKfndIa_bumP23D23CgHh4xSpMwrf8zpmRxRzeNizzRbfJmFt80lqNg10o8lrTTcaKdREidd-MFjaxavVR7B7GF4nq0CDi-Pzgk_nB-fue9rIjaezkkUfTTqkfOgQ8025g4C44Slb8gNv/s640/792+Amethyst+Sunbird+-+Aloe+Farm+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amethyst Sunbird</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">It is always difficult to capture the colours of this bird as it appears completely black until the light hits it at a certain angle. Here you can see the "amethyst" nicely under the chin..</span><br />
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However sunbirds are not the only ones who are attracted to the nectar, the bulbuls, weavers and canaries also come in for an energy drink..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjutczxEmbfEyiVib_IQfE-uIKi4iak2YF8qYF0CfooNO0XDgu-TAsOsdDBsBHd9kK2eL2iCYu8-tmtjPWVrgoLGeVva62gXr9vSvYRvrjKzIKyxD6pykmnxF_JU73HD6ei9JeaN1I8H_U/s1600/813+Cape+Weaver+-+Aloe+Farm+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="900" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjutczxEmbfEyiVib_IQfE-uIKi4iak2YF8qYF0CfooNO0XDgu-TAsOsdDBsBHd9kK2eL2iCYu8-tmtjPWVrgoLGeVva62gXr9vSvYRvrjKzIKyxD6pykmnxF_JU73HD6ei9JeaN1I8H_U/s640/813+Cape+Weaver+-+Aloe+Farm+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Weaver in a Highveld Coral tree - Erythrina <i>lysistemon</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBe07qpW82pmfFw16X9JY72wUsCspt1vzp_clZD-0nhzQelFB1KwUplX94fsjdX0eJPTGJXlwWwjcN_9YmqK1LoPIbxF7b4dZ6VwZRtTKKF6GaTMJ1LpvUsNfIEJ8rh4j1o8ADPSFR0igK/s1600/869+Yellow-fronted+Canary+-+Aloe+Farm+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="900" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBe07qpW82pmfFw16X9JY72wUsCspt1vzp_clZD-0nhzQelFB1KwUplX94fsjdX0eJPTGJXlwWwjcN_9YmqK1LoPIbxF7b4dZ6VwZRtTKKF6GaTMJ1LpvUsNfIEJ8rh4j1o8ADPSFR0igK/s640/869+Yellow-fronted+Canary+-+Aloe+Farm+Jun+2018+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-fronted Canary</td></tr>
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So, I hope you enjoyed the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them. I will continue to post some more as the days go on. Happy Lockdown and may you all stay well during this time! Greetings G..The Lazy Birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05562671117392450745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-88522982559123749012018-05-29T21:19:00.000+02:002018-06-06T14:54:02.667+02:00Mabusa Nature ReserveMabusa Nature Reserve is a little known, poorly visited reserve about 147km North East of Pretoria. The road network within the reserve doesn't seem to be well developed and to drive them one has to use a high clearance 4x4 but there is a well graded public gravel road that bisects the park and provides an ample amount of birding opportunities for the discerning birder! Some good Gauteng specials are to be found here including Lizard Buzzard, Green-capped Eremomela, Shelley's Francolin, White-backed Night Heron, Red-faced Cisticola, Wire-tailed Swallows and Short-toed Rock-thrush.<br />
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Adolf, Albert and I headed off early on the morning of the 5th May to try and find some of these elusive beasts for the year lists. Albert was on the hunt for some lifers and Adolf for some photo lifers (Adolf only ticks birds that he can capture on camera). They weren't too disappointed as the birds were out in force for the day with some really nice birds. Flappet Lark was calling and displaying over the grassland not far from the R25 tar road to Groblersdal. I had heard Shelley's Francolin calling the weekend before when I had visited with my wife but they were quiet today or foraging further afield. Green-capped Eremomela were heard near the Parks offices and we managed to get good views and captured a few images. Not real classy shots however. I call these Proctographs for obvious reasons.<br />
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A Lizard Buzzard called briefly and then flew over our heads to sit deep in the shade of a fairly leafy tree.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJf78sISWEm302LiCCI3Bn7y_IBWaaOe9aNZGOQEN107RBQF_wWHdzt-mj14CbLIJanke9rv4UEQv3b0S2dMwuHgUpuJXO3UDP5kdhlpQTIwRe2BtUr6UA2WADpNXdI4FHkf95nQnxoEU/s1600/655.Green-capped+Eremomela+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJf78sISWEm302LiCCI3Bn7y_IBWaaOe9aNZGOQEN107RBQF_wWHdzt-mj14CbLIJanke9rv4UEQv3b0S2dMwuHgUpuJXO3UDP5kdhlpQTIwRe2BtUr6UA2WADpNXdI4FHkf95nQnxoEU/s1600/655.Green-capped+Eremomela+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-capped Eremomela</td></tr>
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While trying to take shots of the eremomelas, we hit on quite a nice bird party, with Black Flycatchers, Chinspot Batis, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbirds, Southern Boubou and a pair of Mocking Cliff-Chats. The male of this species was playing hard to get and refused to sit still for a decent photo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZpFUWSeVI7H3zqI3KKpbfNokiJVVRgxQbX89LQoqgPx9ha8bdA3D429eWU3PEPytOol8h8rALm0dNlp5gKbhxCoIaA2Tom7RjlB9UkLIFkCWMH6TkorTcyiXfrM2QKFOWXRciT8x2cE/s1600/694.Southern+Black+Flycatcher+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZpFUWSeVI7H3zqI3KKpbfNokiJVVRgxQbX89LQoqgPx9ha8bdA3D429eWU3PEPytOol8h8rALm0dNlp5gKbhxCoIaA2Tom7RjlB9UkLIFkCWMH6TkorTcyiXfrM2QKFOWXRciT8x2cE/s1600/694.Southern+Black+Flycatcher+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Black Flycatcher</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnHE0kluPMdvQpyQfS5h2YWYruFi4_ZeN07_UpUyQx0YZX6YnXjiJolIUX3cdZMpY298IP-aczmXwU4yAYUn_erXlEkcpRNXrb3V53YmOULOu2jZxaxMlLSCrLl-Ath1UhBsXTun41rU/s1600/701.Chinspot+Batis+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnHE0kluPMdvQpyQfS5h2YWYruFi4_ZeN07_UpUyQx0YZX6YnXjiJolIUX3cdZMpY298IP-aczmXwU4yAYUn_erXlEkcpRNXrb3V53YmOULOu2jZxaxMlLSCrLl-Ath1UhBsXTun41rU/s1600/701.Chinspot+Batis+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinspot Batis Male</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRDsdkaR9fvuA9N23B_Eh5Qs7ZTtFV3dORHa4_NOs23cJtziUwpOIeHUqsv_THMNZckgbmmUqjitaXOlipPJy7lqusZmMLl0_-tOvz3vk0uEToZlhA2HP0QkeLwl-8TdDoxk8YoDKQYs/s1600/470.Yellow-fronted+Tinkerbird+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRDsdkaR9fvuA9N23B_Eh5Qs7ZTtFV3dORHa4_NOs23cJtziUwpOIeHUqsv_THMNZckgbmmUqjitaXOlipPJy7lqusZmMLl0_-tOvz3vk0uEToZlhA2HP0QkeLwl-8TdDoxk8YoDKQYs/s1600/470.Yellow-fronted+Tinkerbird+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDUEmmLhiESvGRrtCGu4FCUhxZXPwavl_BGYYtu1936Zj4iYZnc5glEcCgbTZseSP-oKmCqGWKWt63dL8N-CvvbdxHSYB1Y_8U1iKQYAxjcrbh7lLgTZr5m2Dah6Ll4G-SI35F7dZd7U/s1600/593.Mocking+Cliff-chat+Female+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDUEmmLhiESvGRrtCGu4FCUhxZXPwavl_BGYYtu1936Zj4iYZnc5glEcCgbTZseSP-oKmCqGWKWt63dL8N-CvvbdxHSYB1Y_8U1iKQYAxjcrbh7lLgTZr5m2Dah6Ll4G-SI35F7dZd7U/s1600/593.Mocking+Cliff-chat+Female+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mocking Cliff-Chat Female</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzdDuSw9fP3q7xyMdU5pmYL_n2ro4gd0Saa8Wf2I0W6GlGEGPbZrzguMjQxCCRgAotFrIiE4ExblgkoZGCM6Nr2CZYppPd1JD_FZLiBgrAkdgC8loQs1yIUdj6svePKy6y2-13-A-AwQ/s1600/154.Lizard+Buzzard+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzdDuSw9fP3q7xyMdU5pmYL_n2ro4gd0Saa8Wf2I0W6GlGEGPbZrzguMjQxCCRgAotFrIiE4ExblgkoZGCM6Nr2CZYppPd1JD_FZLiBgrAkdgC8loQs1yIUdj6svePKy6y2-13-A-AwQ/s1600/154.Lizard+Buzzard+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lizard Buzzard</td></tr>
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Just across from the Parks Office gate I heard a Cape Grassbird calling from the grassy ditch, These birds can be very difficult to spot as they sit in a bush calling, with as many leaves and branches between themselves and the observer for safety. However after practicing a bit of patience, Albert got his lifer with good views and even a few good photos.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJlde3ch9yd4LXoFcdjZMXsfh1DYvhkubUKfoTUCPAeXXkCcm4ZxR5tjT3VLpAgkfBrPLf22JPa7lE_0YhHAxTbovfwnrS18XPzc7sBQ5M1fzEe4qGGhJ8meSWx3Z-pzqQa-H3ueKsqM/s1600/661.Cape+Grassbird+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJlde3ch9yd4LXoFcdjZMXsfh1DYvhkubUKfoTUCPAeXXkCcm4ZxR5tjT3VLpAgkfBrPLf22JPa7lE_0YhHAxTbovfwnrS18XPzc7sBQ5M1fzEe4qGGhJ8meSWx3Z-pzqQa-H3ueKsqM/s1600/661.Cape+Grassbird+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Grassbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A few meters further down the road, the Dark-capped Bulbuls were calling loudly and seemed extremely agitated. More and more birds gathered and made short forays into a particular tree. This is always a sure sign of a predator of sorts and on investigation we saw a Pearl-spotted Owlet who, although quite alert, seemed quite unperturbed about the ruckus going on around it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG26AkHvPk2u8SM84czFdsoVwe_Ieb5dbMrAJc5w7zqbm0iOUeMbNz-luJrLjqSY-15Mw3k7CcSveuFkqMyT6x9gGCnQAqav7BFoauq7dp0hHUtPCNF_8I2DrGREKTB7NJoSrGtW9v0Bo/s1600/398.Pearl-spotted+Owlet+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG26AkHvPk2u8SM84czFdsoVwe_Ieb5dbMrAJc5w7zqbm0iOUeMbNz-luJrLjqSY-15Mw3k7CcSveuFkqMyT6x9gGCnQAqav7BFoauq7dp0hHUtPCNF_8I2DrGREKTB7NJoSrGtW9v0Bo/s1600/398.Pearl-spotted+Owlet+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearl-spotted Owlet</td></tr>
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Leaving them in peace to sort out who stays and who doesn't we moved on further down the road and just before the high bridge a cinnamon coloured bird flit across in front of us and into a bush next to the railings. Cinnamon-breasted Bunting was the initial call but on closer inspection we found that it was a female Short-toed Rock-Thrush. A great bird for the Gauteng year list.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqtRTkR0PWX30ql6nHxu_G8HJ4N7Ir9gVJf2RGiEu8tbs375Fhjr7Vti9rheyyqWJyDZ7zBotXNfPFw7ijRbtsDdQF6wf06LHguDnO-mEe6R6zr7U1w9r76aN0RJViT49wZu9hlKaLiU/s1600/583.Short-toed+Rock-thrush+Female+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqtRTkR0PWX30ql6nHxu_G8HJ4N7Ir9gVJf2RGiEu8tbs375Fhjr7Vti9rheyyqWJyDZ7zBotXNfPFw7ijRbtsDdQF6wf06LHguDnO-mEe6R6zr7U1w9r76aN0RJViT49wZu9hlKaLiU/s1600/583.Short-toed+Rock-thrush+Female+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Short-toed Rock-Thrush Female</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The list was growing longer as the sun got warmer and warmer. Just at the old holiday resort that is now disappearing slowly back to its original bushveld state (I think this must have been a beautiful place to stay in its heyday) we found a flock of White-crested Helmet-Shrikes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXeig3NG_A_H2HYxlrD6eWAYFRIhQ-mTRLD2oqzhEErVM4h2QrBrTPDefSHzRmttl17nNWN-baRj0kzhMvUKJskYsgaL_eC1nJOw7QG4ly1hRGpZY30qHI48L65ut0NoHOfRqy5I0l1g/s1600/753.White-crested+Helmet-Shrike+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXeig3NG_A_H2HYxlrD6eWAYFRIhQ-mTRLD2oqzhEErVM4h2QrBrTPDefSHzRmttl17nNWN-baRj0kzhMvUKJskYsgaL_eC1nJOw7QG4ly1hRGpZY30qHI48L65ut0NoHOfRqy5I0l1g/s1600/753.White-crested+Helmet-Shrike+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-crested Helmet-Shrike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Eventually it was time to start heading back and we stopped for one more photo shoot of a Streaky-headed Seedeater which was a lifer for Albert and a photo lifer for Adolf as well I think..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wM3SjgpWKMengjQt59N-vFiDs8iKOB3ziJrpAKGmfQlBkzFW0rT5NjRqQfAWS7oqtRhFL9DNh6hWOtfNS-vTHB_FN68rpnJ-oAMHeghN-JabdD9GVKgbMCFLhCOUpltKFy6RbrElbnc/s1600/881.Streaky-headed+Seedeater+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wM3SjgpWKMengjQt59N-vFiDs8iKOB3ziJrpAKGmfQlBkzFW0rT5NjRqQfAWS7oqtRhFL9DNh6hWOtfNS-vTHB_FN68rpnJ-oAMHeghN-JabdD9GVKgbMCFLhCOUpltKFy6RbrElbnc/s1600/881.Streaky-headed+Seedeater+1+-+Mabuso+May+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Streaky-headed Seedeater</td></tr>
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Along the main R25 to Bronkhorstspruit we stopped off at Renosterkop and were lucky to see a small herd of Mountain Reedbuck grazing next to the access road. Obviously persecuted in this area, they immediately took off for the safety of the tall grass.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_dv0JZYzMI2JaEbgdRfrfEq-JpHF6KmSvP3qplYjTf9Dp3_N_tk0P1I2-fla3Jv8T1oZIHaQLXSV5-U67wALVdWke0H6S0VIkthhvSDNkw79GYb7iopXOA983pbx7nWLkU3Um_Dtwx4/s1600/46.Mountain+Reedbuck+Male+1+-+Renosterkop+May+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_dv0JZYzMI2JaEbgdRfrfEq-JpHF6KmSvP3qplYjTf9Dp3_N_tk0P1I2-fla3Jv8T1oZIHaQLXSV5-U67wALVdWke0H6S0VIkthhvSDNkw79GYb7iopXOA983pbx7nWLkU3Um_Dtwx4/s1600/46.Mountain+Reedbuck+Male+1+-+Renosterkop+May+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Reedbuck Male (trying his best to look like the Springbok Rugby emblem)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Other nice species for the mountian were another Short-toed Rock-Thrush, Rock Kestrel and a Brown Snake-Eagle hiding among the aerials on one of the radio masts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDYcGmMTINrSxTWvzUcOmXfjRxAlBszfcDQjd2r8i4r3M5kJlD_ASh_1D2yk6tSgWgsKo5DtDVryERCzlk2K0ckeDyuxQGpA3bFozVCAh9JpM1YYRR3iogsWA8TYbPqcuG0SSz4uk7po/s1600/181.Rock+Kestrel+1+-+Renosterkop+May+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDYcGmMTINrSxTWvzUcOmXfjRxAlBszfcDQjd2r8i4r3M5kJlD_ASh_1D2yk6tSgWgsKo5DtDVryERCzlk2K0ckeDyuxQGpA3bFozVCAh9JpM1YYRR3iogsWA8TYbPqcuG0SSz4uk7po/s1600/181.Rock+Kestrel+1+-+Renosterkop+May+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Kestrel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDngaDt5oFWr6dyVI5ggPAwl6vrm0ZMnHo32y8Z5wx6qxCRGiujAeYmolaT_IBl1NbZgmnP5dD6Fjg1kK-3ujqwomI5C_Inum8x0Zb824Yu86CqtmUJcHCHodoyM9LNPhyZL0dnoScTW8/s1600/142.Brown+Snake-Eagle+1+-+Renosterkop+May+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDngaDt5oFWr6dyVI5ggPAwl6vrm0ZMnHo32y8Z5wx6qxCRGiujAeYmolaT_IBl1NbZgmnP5dD6Fjg1kK-3ujqwomI5C_Inum8x0Zb824Yu86CqtmUJcHCHodoyM9LNPhyZL0dnoScTW8/s1600/142.Brown+Snake-Eagle+1+-+Renosterkop+May+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Snake-Eagle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And that was it for the day, we then headed back down the mountain and took the long road back to Pretoria.<br />
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It's amazing how bird dynamics work as just a week before I had visited the same area and saw other birds that did not feature in this days list. For example, Half-collared Kingfisher, Southern Black Tit, a pair of Lanner Falcon harassing a Pied Crow, Little Bee-eaters, Lazy Cisticola, Buff-streaked Chat, Cape Rock-Thrush and Wailing Cisticola were all seen on that day.<br />
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Until next time, happy birding!!<br />
<br />Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-76635403800581132152018-04-08T19:24:00.002+02:002018-04-08T19:24:34.441+02:00Rietvlei Nature Reserve - Night DriveRietvlei Nature Reserve, which is managed by the City of Tshwane municipality, is a perfect little reserve to get away from the city during the day, without even leaving the city, but a night drive in the reserve is very special. The cars have all gone home so you have it all to yourself, well including all the others on the game drive vehicle, and the night animals come to life and start their hunt for food!<br />
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Marsh Owl in this reserve can be considered abundant I think with one encountered around every corner but it is the other specials that can occur that is the attraction. There have been 5 owl species and 4 nightjar species recorded in this reserve which include Marsh Owl, Spotted Eagle Owl and Barn Owl which are fairly common and then the two elusive species, Grass Owl and Southern White-faced Owl representing the owls and then Rufous-cheeked and Fiery-necked Nightjar which are fairly common, Square-tailed Nightjar which is recorded occasionally and European Nightjar has also been recorded in the past.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91CGJPMwXo5pKkKYmssvKWaYi3wzimSuFYS22yOMd3TDHIplDaPfgNQ11_6yrSosp8Ai3guzrL8nhPtrPCR4j5-hOlFt-w-3NfRHeEnjEtnqI13m62UKNYbjn0Mft2Jccx_emvHYjpSg/s1600/395.Marsh+Owl+1+-+Rietvlei+Apr+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91CGJPMwXo5pKkKYmssvKWaYi3wzimSuFYS22yOMd3TDHIplDaPfgNQ11_6yrSosp8Ai3guzrL8nhPtrPCR4j5-hOlFt-w-3NfRHeEnjEtnqI13m62UKNYbjn0Mft2Jccx_emvHYjpSg/s1600/395.Marsh+Owl+1+-+Rietvlei+Apr+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Owl #1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQthLC9QtiOE287JdHgh27yPK2V9w235aCC3prqmMIKVUeAtVblVUP2lfsscI77CDJ2lttRH9O2wFRftUalizhhd6xVIRf7-Elr02XQDxJXpk9ZSiJ2VeUp7LGbob5WNud7QtdjGu04Fs/s1600/395.Marsh+Owl+2+-+Rietvlei+Apr+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQthLC9QtiOE287JdHgh27yPK2V9w235aCC3prqmMIKVUeAtVblVUP2lfsscI77CDJ2lttRH9O2wFRftUalizhhd6xVIRf7-Elr02XQDxJXpk9ZSiJ2VeUp7LGbob5WNud7QtdjGu04Fs/s1600/395.Marsh+Owl+2+-+Rietvlei+Apr+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Owl #2</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYArA9IBoPrzP1HPNiJamDF83wLNplXoIkASJhTSfr6yxhSFew6-LtoHxITLJdUDcj7K-VN2xpHhP5WIc43WVc8rkbdM8HxUIr8dYscHA6iinNIgvSTH1-ChmCnLKQA8N6esOaI72996M/s1600/395.Marsh+Owl+3+-+Rietvlei+Apr+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYArA9IBoPrzP1HPNiJamDF83wLNplXoIkASJhTSfr6yxhSFew6-LtoHxITLJdUDcj7K-VN2xpHhP5WIc43WVc8rkbdM8HxUIr8dYscHA6iinNIgvSTH1-ChmCnLKQA8N6esOaI72996M/s1600/395.Marsh+Owl+3+-+Rietvlei+Apr+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Owl #3</td></tr>
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As I said Marsh Owls are by far the most common but there is a chance of seeing other birds. For example, Spotted Thick-knees are extremely common and love to sit on the roads at night as well as the full range of common lapwings, Crowned, African Wattled and Blacksmith Lapwings.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKEfKUJAGWYXFN6zAFMj9AopPFLGsFaaqmqaC50c4ZjOA2ac656Icmd1EoXfcTubeYC80NrkcdK-JyodR-kLRkCtuCZNuhFqQmjvWlnBw2AAigLUZX1WA5foiMG0QzuqniYWI4AvgYgw/s1600/297.Spotted+Dikkop+1+-+Rietvlei+Feb+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKEfKUJAGWYXFN6zAFMj9AopPFLGsFaaqmqaC50c4ZjOA2ac656Icmd1EoXfcTubeYC80NrkcdK-JyodR-kLRkCtuCZNuhFqQmjvWlnBw2AAigLUZX1WA5foiMG0QzuqniYWI4AvgYgw/s1600/297.Spotted+Dikkop+1+-+Rietvlei+Feb+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Thick-knee</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYUZrV7M66EZKQn3jJCUCI18bodCamSjnw64Ftpz9oYAomYaVpbcUo7Yc7chX4GcPuWGwBxAlGsbzYc_kHwswtj93PHGJzz46esVvf6Se-VKZY47TnJvA5l5oEKiUjUzT3Oi5ft2FxeE/s1600/260.African+Wattled+Lapwing+-+Rietvlei+Feb+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYUZrV7M66EZKQn3jJCUCI18bodCamSjnw64Ftpz9oYAomYaVpbcUo7Yc7chX4GcPuWGwBxAlGsbzYc_kHwswtj93PHGJzz46esVvf6Se-VKZY47TnJvA5l5oEKiUjUzT3Oi5ft2FxeE/s1600/260.African+Wattled+Lapwing+-+Rietvlei+Feb+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Wattled Lapwing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-74kCaHrXb_g7ZUH_MdKOSV0fsu7ut7f8c63Bxz79eRfaOxUc1pNFEzx1AX7t43g0LaVNv8KkEizvERdy46z48J1KDbNWYDwTwLlFvWQFRRCIDjnp8hPcCCI5klxagW05gMKqWSqmc4/s1600/255.Crowned+Lapwing+-+Rietvlei+Feb+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-74kCaHrXb_g7ZUH_MdKOSV0fsu7ut7f8c63Bxz79eRfaOxUc1pNFEzx1AX7t43g0LaVNv8KkEizvERdy46z48J1KDbNWYDwTwLlFvWQFRRCIDjnp8hPcCCI5klxagW05gMKqWSqmc4/s1600/255.Crowned+Lapwing+-+Rietvlei+Feb+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowned Lapwing</td></tr>
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And of course we sometimes find roosting birds who have found a safe, warm dry spot to curl up and spend the night.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSGKiSMqQHxqjnJk4o2UMsiQ3c7OWqIvLs9ZluGuTGyjI_nCSAHgGhxAGnr4nHIv52C6qsLJ6gqWz6YaW7a9EO5Uy8S102iJ3CSAlLGVJDXp9tuWKVMcb6_32u1zkQ8LYQsUjV7tK1qM/s1600/063.Black-headed+Heron+Imm.+-+Rietvlei+Feb+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSGKiSMqQHxqjnJk4o2UMsiQ3c7OWqIvLs9ZluGuTGyjI_nCSAHgGhxAGnr4nHIv52C6qsLJ6gqWz6YaW7a9EO5Uy8S102iJ3CSAlLGVJDXp9tuWKVMcb6_32u1zkQ8LYQsUjV7tK1qM/s1600/063.Black-headed+Heron+Imm.+-+Rietvlei+Feb+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immature Black-headed Heron roosting on one of the dead Eucalyptes trees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_GqUT2sp0wgOVUdmYVxWJVAo8dsuillo0vqgGAK8LaLpPu5gJq1ESrHGM4Y87LFD7YAAWnbpxAmcUsOeoobwvUeifo0aMthWDEloMbihRtgPE8xSosTPspN1PZ0PryM8NrJGC_4ztuQ/s1600/105.African+Black+Duck+1+-+Rietvlei+Feb+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_GqUT2sp0wgOVUdmYVxWJVAo8dsuillo0vqgGAK8LaLpPu5gJq1ESrHGM4Y87LFD7YAAWnbpxAmcUsOeoobwvUeifo0aMthWDEloMbihRtgPE8xSosTPspN1PZ0PryM8NrJGC_4ztuQ/s1600/105.African+Black+Duck+1+-+Rietvlei+Feb+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roosting African Black Duck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCmPvWMlXbeypfqGyVKhBxA-xdL0lUY9b2CF9S3kCKaLb4fCLdaMvL82IL1n7K-NoGoM9uwz1pU_mEVEo66hhY6VEssBanUqhH9EItH44WnAweiWDi-G4sm4QzV54SSZ5l13EQV1ir9E/s1600/239b.+Northern+Black+Korhaan+-+Rietvlei+Feb+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCmPvWMlXbeypfqGyVKhBxA-xdL0lUY9b2CF9S3kCKaLb4fCLdaMvL82IL1n7K-NoGoM9uwz1pU_mEVEo66hhY6VEssBanUqhH9EItH44WnAweiWDi-G4sm4QzV54SSZ5l13EQV1ir9E/s1600/239b.+Northern+Black+Korhaan+-+Rietvlei+Feb+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Black Korhaan (White-quilled Korhaan)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We even found a young Black-backed Jackal who was enjoying the warmth of the tar road and we almost had to push him out of the way before he finally moved. The jackals are quite a menace on the reserve unfortunately. Without any natural predators, their population has exploded and not many antelope young make it to adulthood because of predation by the jackals.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiByyFAJqLd3bwdQZ9Khb3xKTMcAMyAByLLhySKoyFuCABQh4fvxmafoJ5jMgpmw4Q7hu0WNfxg_A3WLIbFAFiI0uxa3VcvC0x26WewOqDXz2x9l8fXoWh3lqa4IlmxllDW336SdXht3Q/s1600/Black-backed+Jackal+-+Rietvlei+Apr+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiByyFAJqLd3bwdQZ9Khb3xKTMcAMyAByLLhySKoyFuCABQh4fvxmafoJ5jMgpmw4Q7hu0WNfxg_A3WLIbFAFiI0uxa3VcvC0x26WewOqDXz2x9l8fXoWh3lqa4IlmxllDW336SdXht3Q/s1600/Black-backed+Jackal+-+Rietvlei+Apr+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-backed Jackal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Oh and I almost forgot to show the photographs of the nightjars we have seen..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiL1SllFdnozL7JJJmd8Apt33U30dCHSb4pX5WnZYGmUQFHY6kgXkjrzdLuE4d3YfvJe_gMIyWYU46Rn3KLaNlxhkW-IRP0DStNy1fNPUelFhWbGF1z-aRK3yIQq8LmAESWuaKGbnRZUo/s1600/Square-tailed+Nightjar+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiL1SllFdnozL7JJJmd8Apt33U30dCHSb4pX5WnZYGmUQFHY6kgXkjrzdLuE4d3YfvJe_gMIyWYU46Rn3KLaNlxhkW-IRP0DStNy1fNPUelFhWbGF1z-aRK3yIQq8LmAESWuaKGbnRZUo/s1600/Square-tailed+Nightjar+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Square-tailed (Mozambique) Nightjar - note the buffy outer tail feather </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZT1mxf8ga4OpItzXlw1neADp3z26EusMz6irWd2jGBMlf3RwzAUflSg3D25djASCXzh7u9rae6Mr6ocnDkHKJcoMkwkeUYO0614_xAQ011rCLRtTWB7EjxHsWsWfOM6oY-WNK4zXwnf8/s1600/406.Rufous-cheeked+Nightjar+2+-+Rietvlei+Feb+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZT1mxf8ga4OpItzXlw1neADp3z26EusMz6irWd2jGBMlf3RwzAUflSg3D25djASCXzh7u9rae6Mr6ocnDkHKJcoMkwkeUYO0614_xAQ011rCLRtTWB7EjxHsWsWfOM6oY-WNK4zXwnf8/s1600/406.Rufous-cheeked+Nightjar+2+-+Rietvlei+Feb+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Rufous-cheeked Nightjar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Unfortunately that's all for this outing, the Fiery-necked Nightjar and Spotted Eagle Owl proved too elusive to photograph but hopefully I will get some good photos soon. Although, with winter (brrr) coming, the nightjars and owls will soon move out of the reserve for warmer climates and the Lazy Birder will prefer a warm house to a cold car anyday!<br />
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Have a good one!!<br />
<br />
For a chance to go on a owl night drive in the reserve, contact Nicky Ras (clscreen@mweb.co.za) of the Pretoria Region of the SA National Parks Honorary Rangers for more information.<br />
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Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-66277114944988083822018-04-02T12:58:00.001+02:002018-04-02T16:41:57.618+02:00Ezemvelo Nature Reserve<div style="text-align: center;">
This 4,500 hectare reserve is located just outside Bronkhorstspruit off the R25 towards Groblersdal, a mere hour from downtown Johannesburg and 45 minutes from Pretoria. The eastern boundary of the reserve is the Wilge River, which demarcates the boundary between the Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces.</div>
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The Ezemvelo Nature Reserve is a for-profit business, owned and managed by the students of MERU, (this looks like a great idea to preserve our natural areas), who help to run the business for learning experience and earning a small income, will help contribute to sustainability.<br />
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The Reserve is situated on the Bakenveld, which is the transition ecotone between grassland and savanna biomes. Ecologically this is very valuable as elements of both biomes occur within the reserve, creating very rich biodiversity. The reserve is naturally divided into well preserved grasslands and associated rocky outcrops and wetlands. The clear waters of the Wilge River is the boundary and forms beautiful gorges and valleys of colourful Wilge sandstone. The reserve is home to some 268 bird species, and a host of game; black and blue wildebeest, kudu, zebra, blesbuck, waterbuck, steenbok, eland, gemsbok, springbok, civet, caracal, vervet monkey, baboon, aardvark and aardwolf (just to mention a few). </div>
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Well it was for the 268 species of bird that Adolf and I headed out for some bird photography practice that is sadly lacking as far as I am concerned. Lately, all of my images seem to be blurred so I was convinced it was something to do with my camera, unfortunately I can't really say that anymore as I think it is my impatient button clicking that has produces the bad results. So...we set at off at 05:00 along the back roads through Bapsfontein to get to the turn-off just passed Bronkhorstspruit town. The Weather looked ominous and we thought it would rain all day but a thin layer of cloud produced some great photography light.</div>
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Suddenly along the 20 odd km access road, a raptor flew low over the road and banked back towards a leafless tree growing next to the road. We turned back and discovered it to be a juvenile Ovambo Saprrowhawk.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccvmMGRN2FugWQ_uUQtlQzA6kDLT0OHalYxEgMDrDbIPlSLuP2gsNviPqF2W1bw8vkVd_IfuwpkcFidkkhhRPTVbAe6tscDszQiD4XxgG2U0hEx3eGaw8Ogc7ghfaNOvaVywbYi21Syw/s1600/156.Ovambo+Sparrowhawk+Juv.+-+Ezemvelo+Mar+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccvmMGRN2FugWQ_uUQtlQzA6kDLT0OHalYxEgMDrDbIPlSLuP2gsNviPqF2W1bw8vkVd_IfuwpkcFidkkhhRPTVbAe6tscDszQiD4XxgG2U0hEx3eGaw8Ogc7ghfaNOvaVywbYi21Syw/s1600/156.Ovambo+Sparrowhawk+Juv.+-+Ezemvelo+Mar+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Ovambo Sparrowhawk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When eventually reaching the gate to the reserve, the only co-operating bird we had seen along the way was the sparrowhawk. Although lots of euplectids, stonechats and cisticolas offered fleeting glimpses as they flew out of the roadside stands of exotic cosmos flowers and indigenous climax grasses.<br />
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We thought we would joke with the guard at the gate and made as if we were going to slip through after the car in front but he was not amused. However we soon had him smiling and believe that all was forgiven. After signing in at the gate we had to report to the reception to pay our reasonable feea and found the staff to be extremely friendly and were made to feel very welcome.<br />
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Birding in the reserve proved difficult however and the list of birds seen grew very slowly, mainly due to the season, a few wrong turns and attempting to bird along roads that are now closed to public vehicles, although it is possible to walk passed the boom and bird on foot (heaven forbid). So we had to turn back to the reception to follow the signs to the Northern section of the reserve where the Family and Hikers huts are situated above the river. Up this way it is mainly grassland with a few dead exotic eucalyptis trees covered in perching doves. The grasslands were thick with vegetation after the good rains we received this summer and the lack of avian targets even forced me to photograph a mammal or two....one of these was the Black Wildebeest which, despite its formidable appearance is actually tiny in comparison to its Blue cousin.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi03hah3DNg9WNG6vHfJxKiYQz1ZJ9DoACyLkwAhXVA1nJ5nznTiLiGEbmLz9OkepZ8qhJln2qVM4coNhX7GlmMzsjs9GLvH2NvF2PLVEq9b-4vIY2Ik7zDoFdQhYz59-lG0Uxh_8F4g8/s1600/Black+Wildebeest+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi03hah3DNg9WNG6vHfJxKiYQz1ZJ9DoACyLkwAhXVA1nJ5nznTiLiGEbmLz9OkepZ8qhJln2qVM4coNhX7GlmMzsjs9GLvH2NvF2PLVEq9b-4vIY2Ik7zDoFdQhYz59-lG0Uxh_8F4g8/s1600/Black+Wildebeest+1+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Wildebeest</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAuv7EcopdBg1xgcodE5_ZqtfhI2Gyc9p16kBev-Ck238w9dj71teIbniLiEvevWhcpJw41N_PvvknNB0j0Fu-gAbDnYM4gcDXxwVXFrpkeaiQb1iyye-7gx5QtImBWqEzmkmniFkNog/s1600/Plains+Zebra+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAuv7EcopdBg1xgcodE5_ZqtfhI2Gyc9p16kBev-Ck238w9dj71teIbniLiEvevWhcpJw41N_PvvknNB0j0Fu-gAbDnYM4gcDXxwVXFrpkeaiQb1iyye-7gx5QtImBWqEzmkmniFkNog/s1600/Plains+Zebra+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plains (Burchells) Zebra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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But after a while we found some lbj's conducting their daily business and allowed us to practice our ID skills. The fact that they weren't calling made the identification more challenging. The Eastern Clapper Lark was one of them, but it has a sort of "grizzled" appearance around the face and chest which gives it away.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLexNeNSQ94ud0AcGLBVcLI-IC1YFiNFZYfJcc7y_9I3Jq3Gw5BJMMVLYTasy4a0Aln4Nk3qdZJjIDUY2EPUTzme86XULdqbUsEyQtmImbnF9Lq8wTkwJ3pdTFkc6-CCNuvbYpmldd-Fg/s1600/495b.Eastern+Clapper+Lark+-+Ezemvelo+Mar+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLexNeNSQ94ud0AcGLBVcLI-IC1YFiNFZYfJcc7y_9I3Jq3Gw5BJMMVLYTasy4a0Aln4Nk3qdZJjIDUY2EPUTzme86XULdqbUsEyQtmImbnF9Lq8wTkwJ3pdTFkc6-CCNuvbYpmldd-Fg/s1600/495b.Eastern+Clapper+Lark+-+Ezemvelo+Mar+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Clapper Lark</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
African Quailfinch were flying over and calling while one male landed in the road in front of us and proceeded to hop directly toward us. Now I can speak from experience and say that these tiny grassland birds are not easy to see, let alone photograph but this was an opportunity not to be missed. Problem, the bird is directly in front and the windscreen is in the way!! I slowly moved the car across the road and we got one or two pics, with grass inflorescence partly obscuring the little fella, before it turned around, hopped off and flew away.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcm4rPeDZHYwLF5YTgAP0vBT8ucF3v2fUu7rTBq1QeWphyjOg_np9B4028JtuaEikjm4zd5aFIPnibuRgPXRayZpo1iaynRpyrDo9ijt5389uFy0yu9LX4xVDy7Vq3OLd5DZfQ3o-kw6A/s1600/852.African+Quailfinch+Male+-+Ezemvelo+Mar+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcm4rPeDZHYwLF5YTgAP0vBT8ucF3v2fUu7rTBq1QeWphyjOg_np9B4028JtuaEikjm4zd5aFIPnibuRgPXRayZpo1iaynRpyrDo9ijt5389uFy0yu9LX4xVDy7Vq3OLd5DZfQ3o-kw6A/s1600/852.African+Quailfinch+Male+-+Ezemvelo+Mar+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Quailfinch Male</td></tr>
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In this one spot, we got quite a few LBJ's with two pipits as well, both Buffy and African Pipit although the African was sporting a pink lower mandible and had white outer retrices to prove his identity.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOcBFH6MV0OpahH4W_POQXwfPXjHc05nsOsQPoVCV2jIxO5C3R1HwqRfIaMljPnFea8XCVKD9Fyp7Hly-8QEUKeT6_G8ox4-Oqjk2MrbvGtu0R10McfjW7PT1sBeo1n5csBoCon2upYQ/s1600/719.Buffy+Pipit+1+-+Ezemvelo+Mar+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOcBFH6MV0OpahH4W_POQXwfPXjHc05nsOsQPoVCV2jIxO5C3R1HwqRfIaMljPnFea8XCVKD9Fyp7Hly-8QEUKeT6_G8ox4-Oqjk2MrbvGtu0R10McfjW7PT1sBeo1n5csBoCon2upYQ/s1600/719.Buffy+Pipit+1+-+Ezemvelo+Mar+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buffy Pipit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguVtTSBIAycR8eocHKe935wLPwQiNEjTF8OpvwnrtPyIFJpDNrt1dOCM7Y5E7U5_SAyClCqVYqByp32cG36QUL9tpXooAJpuFeeJ33XMrsw-Ef-FHvRenlDZhoPe-QYs-gMgCLmmvYQA/s1600/716.African+Pipit+1+-+Ezemvelo+Mar+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguVtTSBIAycR8eocHKe935wLPwQiNEjTF8OpvwnrtPyIFJpDNrt1dOCM7Y5E7U5_SAyClCqVYqByp32cG36QUL9tpXooAJpuFeeJ33XMrsw-Ef-FHvRenlDZhoPe-QYs-gMgCLmmvYQA/s1600/716.African+Pipit+1+-+Ezemvelo+Mar+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Pipit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Just as we were about to leave the Pipits in peace, Adolf spots another LBJ sunning himself on a rock close to the car...A Spike-heeled Lark, one of my favourites, mainly due to the fact that they are easy to identify and they can be quite confiding. True to form he ignored us completely and we were able to snap away at our leisure, playing with settings and compositions and just enjoying every minute.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLtvC2sm2djy8C3SWh95Dt5BTwXqrA1quQZMRLcjAcx1xKog3d7y96MMVYFDghzNRxGsvqu13VDH_mSr7_aaDjGmlM4AeKYfjfqHzoJksh5w85Qs96cMjJlepFp7JLAZ_CqQ60M_ySE0/s1600/506.Spike-heeled+Lark+4+-+Ezemvelo+Mar+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLtvC2sm2djy8C3SWh95Dt5BTwXqrA1quQZMRLcjAcx1xKog3d7y96MMVYFDghzNRxGsvqu13VDH_mSr7_aaDjGmlM4AeKYfjfqHzoJksh5w85Qs96cMjJlepFp7JLAZ_CqQ60M_ySE0/s1600/506.Spike-heeled+Lark+4+-+Ezemvelo+Mar+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spike-heeled Lark</td></tr>
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Another bird we found to be quite common here was the Banded Martin, a large swallow type of intra-African breeding migrant in the summer which spends our winters in the Southern equatorial belt. Also a favourite of mine as they were one of my first birds I identified while birding the grasslands around Centurion. They breed in soil banks or erosion gulleys and I had noticed these birds diving into the grass at the same point, so went to investigate and had found an old excavation where they had dug their nest into the wall. As you can imagine, as a beginner birder, I was immensely proud of my discovery.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8jQJz9S4dZiP01g1rfFmBs1W0paZKMGYS0z4N5bZogTT0-FBsuJKGBsf4GwhsZTeSOmw4xVpcG_jkrxNUUuHm5SaRScMJq5R4IqsJitQbWqBwE2HeFpX52Ufm_3_FdTuH6LfOu89dnc/s1600/534.Banded+Martin+2+-+Ezemvelo+Mar+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8jQJz9S4dZiP01g1rfFmBs1W0paZKMGYS0z4N5bZogTT0-FBsuJKGBsf4GwhsZTeSOmw4xVpcG_jkrxNUUuHm5SaRScMJq5R4IqsJitQbWqBwE2HeFpX52Ufm_3_FdTuH6LfOu89dnc/s1600/534.Banded+Martin+2+-+Ezemvelo+Mar+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banded Martin</td></tr>
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Its amazing how time seems to fly past when you are doing something you really enjoy. Anyway, before we knew it, it was time for home again and we made our way back to the gate and home again. As a last note, I have to add a photo of the Ant-eating Chats which are common in our grasslands which have termite mounds scattered about, but here at Ezemvelo they are extremely common and also don't mind posing for a photo or two! They are a bit drab, I suppose, but show white wing and shoulder flashes in flight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-9seD15V2YJZ7EYmNR_oHpFbs27AaNCQjEMN4yC1O_U8Fv8cZToH4Qe2sXyT2uko1TnsnndhMwLREOFXM4xXhXvlVtvz8p1-XZ3T0bmdW_eHDLjmxvTa0pQC1FEgv43BAUcS5TDkis4/s1600/595.Ant-eating+Chat+2+-+Ezemvelo+Mar+2018+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-9seD15V2YJZ7EYmNR_oHpFbs27AaNCQjEMN4yC1O_U8Fv8cZToH4Qe2sXyT2uko1TnsnndhMwLREOFXM4xXhXvlVtvz8p1-XZ3T0bmdW_eHDLjmxvTa0pQC1FEgv43BAUcS5TDkis4/s1600/595.Ant-eating+Chat+2+-+Ezemvelo+Mar+2018+RS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ant-eating Chat</td></tr>
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Tonight I am doing night patrol in the local reserve, so I hope to post some owl and nightjar pics in the next post. Happy Easter !!<br />
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Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-25119747653699740442018-02-26T21:02:00.001+02:002018-02-26T21:02:34.596+02:00Marakele Birding Weekend - November 2016<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZtBBYrLiRuWvNZZ9nAZ3pLzrREyA-IYC2ryP2UFCJgCgs4z614SCyyPKIFE1-dF074q9QHid6bhSRR79c_Afr1sPge5OzrE2LvnKB9JeXyjLikz8SU5ZevWNyOAx412ZI-laafoxfys/s1600/Marakele+Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZtBBYrLiRuWvNZZ9nAZ3pLzrREyA-IYC2ryP2UFCJgCgs4z614SCyyPKIFE1-dF074q9QHid6bhSRR79c_Afr1sPge5OzrE2LvnKB9JeXyjLikz8SU5ZevWNyOAx412ZI-laafoxfys/s640/Marakele+Panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marakele Vistas</td></tr>
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Well what do you know, a new blog!! Its about time I know but its been a really busy year again and hasn't it just flown past?? Anyway I have done quite a bit of birding over the last few months so hopefully I will get the chance to tell you all about it!<br />
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Two weeks ago I was involved in a birding weekend to Marakele National Park as the bird "expert" :-) . It was with a bit of trepidation that I took on this role as I am by no means an expert on the level of the local experts but I can identify a bird or two and know quite a few calls which helped to me to fake it for the weekend. My wife always uses a quote "Fake it until you make it!" Hahahaha, don't try this at home though...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFlyfA9b8Qfn7O1jWNCrCeUY_vUm1Z3vGWJblCEHo-_A1Ta_zaFALNWAH_JWoPjMZq8kI22CCYmaLOiKj1jVnTyZc7XZAob2ginJ8hz9G5orlazbTdOdqIT8-El5UUni_3Yv6sK3OvAw/s1600/Home+for+the+weekend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFlyfA9b8Qfn7O1jWNCrCeUY_vUm1Z3vGWJblCEHo-_A1Ta_zaFALNWAH_JWoPjMZq8kI22CCYmaLOiKj1jVnTyZc7XZAob2ginJ8hz9G5orlazbTdOdqIT8-El5UUni_3Yv6sK3OvAw/s640/Home+for+the+weekend.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home away from home, my quarters were the little add on tent to the right....</td></tr>
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Tent set up and settled, the weekend started with a quick drive around to familiarize myself with the habitat and surroundings. Just out of the camp we bumped into a pair of Bennets Woodpeckers feeding in the dry woodland, I managed to get a quick record shot of the male before they disappeared into the bush.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmzM4L9F5Fauo7fvaHnzSFzz6arVQuSFLog5-14HqaWvi8JKHbLOSAVL68UWZY8wXuNwt4Ih8BGtmQ6QA7T727hvPhJ0hdB5956IJlgnyAnc5BE4NcNMnLQx_6mBHlLn71tI35_TjHXE/s1600/1.+Bennets+Woodpecker+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmzM4L9F5Fauo7fvaHnzSFzz6arVQuSFLog5-14HqaWvi8JKHbLOSAVL68UWZY8wXuNwt4Ih8BGtmQ6QA7T727hvPhJ0hdB5956IJlgnyAnc5BE4NcNMnLQx_6mBHlLn71tI35_TjHXE/s640/1.+Bennets+Woodpecker+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Bennets Woodpecker</td></tr>
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After the guests had arrived I gave a short presentation on the park, explained the agenda for the next day and went through a list of the possible birds we might see as well and explaining the differences between similar species we might encounter. That done, the two kids in the group set out to look for scorpions with their ultra-violet light. I really didn't think they would find any but was I surprised......and I was sleeping on the ground....I took a photo of one hidden in a tree hole..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JsBd7CDdYMD5qoSBpHF2vHrMngy5y_-P5cWFam_hRMWzfb04mKgsTRfzs6EKjKfWoLn6COXZg8h-yuTThyjFLpQTPbdvD_EmYLVcBAVlvKgT5Cz2dH3a62Ru9mvtmTJMs3wz0xgruQk/s1600/Scorpion+under+UV+Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JsBd7CDdYMD5qoSBpHF2vHrMngy5y_-P5cWFam_hRMWzfb04mKgsTRfzs6EKjKfWoLn6COXZg8h-yuTThyjFLpQTPbdvD_EmYLVcBAVlvKgT5Cz2dH3a62Ru9mvtmTJMs3wz0xgruQk/s640/Scorpion+under+UV+Light.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No idea what type it was but it looked pretty formidable..</td></tr>
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So it was off to bed, I kept the lights off in the tent to keep the insects out and to minimize the potential mosquito attack. Luckily Marakele is not a Malaria area so they would just be an irritation not a danger. Surprisingly enough there were very few mosquitos around the whole weekend, probably due to the late rains that had just recently fallen. I didn't get bitten once.....I think because there were juicier targets around, who wants to chew on an old goat when there is fresh meat about hey?<br />
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The best part was falling asleep to the sounds of the crickets and nightbirds calling. Two of my favourite night calls are those of the Fiery-necked Nightjar and the African Scops Owl, both of which serenaded me to sleep.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJdUz7j6q8Z5DAESPKPVF0dAm4VYYxnun_4RykyEgAjA_EMzCkkS9w1OHh13WaCL1bUdHbmNIxAxBOZvD4Y6FC1klrC1clxGYG5qdrqG6oi9RgXjBGSZDyA2zlJVmBjsROGM_wkmhd-Y/s1600/2.+Violet-backed+Starling+Male+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJdUz7j6q8Z5DAESPKPVF0dAm4VYYxnun_4RykyEgAjA_EMzCkkS9w1OHh13WaCL1bUdHbmNIxAxBOZvD4Y6FC1klrC1clxGYG5qdrqG6oi9RgXjBGSZDyA2zlJVmBjsROGM_wkmhd-Y/s640/2.+Violet-backed+Starling+Male+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Violet-backed Starling - Male</td></tr>
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Early the next morning, I had one guest that opted to accompany me in a camp walk, where we found quite a few species like Pearl-spotted Owlet, Violet-backed Starling, Red-billed Hornbill, Bru-bru and Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuOEWYzFyGy-VOhxXCTMAMQ5IKGbIkWnISupa4BFgmEGpD1dGH5BW-QnI80heweBFRdB50RykMIQwTwNtXuzQW-lEnJteQNrZVHTvZlwvtikI5k7MxNbaYam0YDBsUNU9FmtzGTJ4e2s/s1600/3.+Southern+Red-billed+Hornbill+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuOEWYzFyGy-VOhxXCTMAMQ5IKGbIkWnISupa4BFgmEGpD1dGH5BW-QnI80heweBFRdB50RykMIQwTwNtXuzQW-lEnJteQNrZVHTvZlwvtikI5k7MxNbaYam0YDBsUNU9FmtzGTJ4e2s/s640/3.+Southern+Red-billed+Hornbill+RS.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-billed Hornbill</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI07dEsj16wbYP5GFo3HlPlwq3tCOB41TX35kM-KBCKnSFvv1c8D0lvQHmyrZT7gQWwVO5rgj9fQQhcMwAVvft2mwF79qNCbtcQKTmbw9ZhpVZeXNbb75utnoxVpHYlD3EMDIIeYxjfG0/s1600/4.+Bru-bru+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI07dEsj16wbYP5GFo3HlPlwq3tCOB41TX35kM-KBCKnSFvv1c8D0lvQHmyrZT7gQWwVO5rgj9fQQhcMwAVvft2mwF79qNCbtcQKTmbw9ZhpVZeXNbb75utnoxVpHYlD3EMDIIeYxjfG0/s640/4.+Bru-bru+RS.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bru-bru (so nice, they named it twice ;-))</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cuHtrNtViH8oj0oxXg4AqaOufKECNb4yLENTuqR7lJ_k9KTvzM62rg-pQqXnCQ6kBSHZDnMauMJuajPirRQbtK8ruq08S0UoXl4ayZqVzoCsh4ZcNhAKCUjqZaQ_Vg8SlbDeOO8IYHI/s1600/5.+Yellow-fronted+Tinkerbird+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cuHtrNtViH8oj0oxXg4AqaOufKECNb4yLENTuqR7lJ_k9KTvzM62rg-pQqXnCQ6kBSHZDnMauMJuajPirRQbtK8ruq08S0UoXl4ayZqVzoCsh4ZcNhAKCUjqZaQ_Vg8SlbDeOO8IYHI/s640/5.+Yellow-fronted+Tinkerbird+RS.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird</td></tr>
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After the walk, we were dished up a rather sumptuous breakfast prepared by Wynand, who is quite the chef (his chicken burgers served at the owl events are delicious). Once everyone had eaten their fill and were keen to take on the birds, we headed up the mountain to try and find some of the specials. to get to the mountain you travel through the Big-five area of the park but did not see any unfortunatelky. The road up the mountain is rather hairy with straight drops of about 50-100m close to the wheels of the car with a one way path right to the top and occasional wider sections to let cars on their way down pass on the inside.....needless to say, we still got some birds sitting on branches hanging over the valley. Namely Common (Steppe) Buzzard which is a migrant to South Africa from the Steppes of Russia and a Sunbird that just wouldn't sit still for an ID or photo.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Tkujypst3lxVBhiPX5TNI3PU6v-ZHT3sdFU_ySFmiSqT-fnGehNI2_Kwc2H77wFprK2GEne8O9NvfBSEDUMZt8bj7RLZRTohiNqPL5PgwpWt_9R2Wi7ac9zM1M3bccqAuX_165uJuIw/s1600/6.+Common+Buzzard+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Tkujypst3lxVBhiPX5TNI3PU6v-ZHT3sdFU_ySFmiSqT-fnGehNI2_Kwc2H77wFprK2GEne8O9NvfBSEDUMZt8bj7RLZRTohiNqPL5PgwpWt_9R2Wi7ac9zM1M3bccqAuX_165uJuIw/s640/6.+Common+Buzzard+RS.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common (Steppe) Buzzard</td></tr>
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Once at the top there are some unusual birds that are normally associated with the Drakensberg Mountains of Natal. These are the Buff-streaked Chat and the Gurneys Sugarbird that we were assured we would not find as they are attitudinal migrants that spend their summers in the 'Berg. Cape Buntings were common and we found a Male Malachite that was using one of the radio masts as its calling post. Then there are these small lizards running around on the rocks, I call them commando lizards as they seem to be wearing camouflage uniforms but they are actually Rock Agamas. they are really cute to watch as they hunt flies and other insects.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oxJLW6Sb-L0fNMKh_u0HtzMvMruIK7Ui47xpKP5VnVOUd35jIkUP1DdxFKkLzln82W0LiACnvrla9asW6epN9JFs0tq-0mZB9z5B3wULcaSBDO-TbFnz1ImUT8gKDfSq8tt7kO5LjCQ/s1600/7.+Cape+Bunting+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oxJLW6Sb-L0fNMKh_u0HtzMvMruIK7Ui47xpKP5VnVOUd35jIkUP1DdxFKkLzln82W0LiACnvrla9asW6epN9JFs0tq-0mZB9z5B3wULcaSBDO-TbFnz1ImUT8gKDfSq8tt7kO5LjCQ/s640/7.+Cape+Bunting+RS.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Bunting admiring the view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrj5M7JOqgAVIbCq12w2iF6Jc7nfYZdKKLXhWzyk9yLn9AZradiCrcmw0mgJlg3_Qk8qVjwcvw8Cf4abz9zm2UzmaDTzOtrYlYxm0ZAcB7S6Uh2Lc3yx7hrTMLRa_KhpKyXI9rvcuONg/s1600/View+from+the+top+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrj5M7JOqgAVIbCq12w2iF6Jc7nfYZdKKLXhWzyk9yLn9AZradiCrcmw0mgJlg3_Qk8qVjwcvw8Cf4abz9zm2UzmaDTzOtrYlYxm0ZAcB7S6Uh2Lc3yx7hrTMLRa_KhpKyXI9rvcuONg/s640/View+from+the+top+crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The View...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS42Zy2ID3xYXNss8sqBoZmbZvEQB2SlhATcUFG90m5o_Q6mgrgWo-e-uAeHLKV6hYr3mZQTJzTkFXJVy-T5jYFiEzIrHbovD-fRD1ZVNiMvxQ2UD-nPewLUva2hgILzi9yA67ST6qDVo/s1600/8.+Buff-streaked+Chat+Female+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS42Zy2ID3xYXNss8sqBoZmbZvEQB2SlhATcUFG90m5o_Q6mgrgWo-e-uAeHLKV6hYr3mZQTJzTkFXJVy-T5jYFiEzIrHbovD-fRD1ZVNiMvxQ2UD-nPewLUva2hgILzi9yA67ST6qDVo/s640/8.+Buff-streaked+Chat+Female+RS.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buff-streaked Chat Female</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0vuaitP-xfPCOLPP_NCMCR-0XEfwRIJVx0KSXmR1PXi2Vha_gi0L7AjccjEzlnEvfIgTQl6IDns_iJcMLqssXpq0OOnpgatZqgL4MTUXqX35RzOerKEmTvtmNIfPDZLiKvzNobI3czM/s1600/8.+Buff-streaked+Chat+Male+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0vuaitP-xfPCOLPP_NCMCR-0XEfwRIJVx0KSXmR1PXi2Vha_gi0L7AjccjEzlnEvfIgTQl6IDns_iJcMLqssXpq0OOnpgatZqgL4MTUXqX35RzOerKEmTvtmNIfPDZLiKvzNobI3czM/s640/8.+Buff-streaked+Chat+Male+RS.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buff-streaked Chat Male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1Q_1xv0UfgbIXSNcg8yVC_OEFfHhVQGhThhKfLWrW8uJRPZICr5DdLAXuKFH20vFVbm2qVKqDJH18zTB4xf-EHqEWCBQnG6pl2q1lHT16HMTU-HuDioMfwSr216ibGwKcF_-MheNjJw/s1600/9.+Gurneys+Sugarbird+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1Q_1xv0UfgbIXSNcg8yVC_OEFfHhVQGhThhKfLWrW8uJRPZICr5DdLAXuKFH20vFVbm2qVKqDJH18zTB4xf-EHqEWCBQnG6pl2q1lHT16HMTU-HuDioMfwSr216ibGwKcF_-MheNjJw/s640/9.+Gurneys+Sugarbird+RS.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gurneys Sugarbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIjxvodQMNhG-p0P-PVdgiIrnp-nci7bwDgNfnGZKTld7MQf5M2BcEABY1kCNwJkIH8ShkX705sseVpNr4chhjYwIq_TPdTMaWnz_gbqvNMOhEIdboqs4-VgIKd9z4XTgSnzTgY9ikDM/s1600/13.+Malachite+Sunbird+rs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIjxvodQMNhG-p0P-PVdgiIrnp-nci7bwDgNfnGZKTld7MQf5M2BcEABY1kCNwJkIH8ShkX705sseVpNr4chhjYwIq_TPdTMaWnz_gbqvNMOhEIdboqs4-VgIKd9z4XTgSnzTgY9ikDM/s640/13.+Malachite+Sunbird+rs.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malachite Sunbird - Male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The biggest attraction at Marakele is the Cape Vulture colony which at 800 pairs is the largest colony of this species in the world. Unfortunately our timing was out as they had already left the roost to forage and there were only few catching thermals in the skies above us.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UGdvw63Uicr1cngzFHj1XeASPfPG_BJ5-xk1gKSEv0NrM1h0dz-OMUwQm9aSAM3FR2nbhQnkyc8v3O5jkoxlx9JL0nDNOJ67BpIIZYqfBZsCA1oMcSXtKOMTACkGwzm3hALALh-Hiys/s1600/12.+Cape+Vulture+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UGdvw63Uicr1cngzFHj1XeASPfPG_BJ5-xk1gKSEv0NrM1h0dz-OMUwQm9aSAM3FR2nbhQnkyc8v3O5jkoxlx9JL0nDNOJ67BpIIZYqfBZsCA1oMcSXtKOMTACkGwzm3hALALh-Hiys/s640/12.+Cape+Vulture+RS.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Vulture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioF1Z22LUZH4Z_-Wz7tiSaPTUxqrJJr-dhHzGb5eJvHe-QsBQ98BBmBvgMWRKAAN7dbaL7DDPNo2z2ckcNdegBlBwUucFMisnZbbv2y15korZgDzwb75YNNrbWBtk-58ruum9WWpMy4gY/s1600/8.5+Rock+Agama+2+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioF1Z22LUZH4Z_-Wz7tiSaPTUxqrJJr-dhHzGb5eJvHe-QsBQ98BBmBvgMWRKAAN7dbaL7DDPNo2z2ckcNdegBlBwUucFMisnZbbv2y15korZgDzwb75YNNrbWBtk-58ruum9WWpMy4gY/s640/8.5+Rock+Agama+2+RS.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Agama</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6fOrU30ZBh56Rsj_2slfA6mSf8ss4loZwoUWK7sagSMLg2k2HswXHXrFmzFQH05VnoPp6mYa-jvLG4T2_M5JzHOnrXKp9KEXKxJRzDfYNcKj4Zp4XdPCTO-O7rV89QTITHGqaPtDSqI/s1600/8.5+Rock+Agama+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6fOrU30ZBh56Rsj_2slfA6mSf8ss4loZwoUWK7sagSMLg2k2HswXHXrFmzFQH05VnoPp6mYa-jvLG4T2_M5JzHOnrXKp9KEXKxJRzDfYNcKj4Zp4XdPCTO-O7rV89QTITHGqaPtDSqI/s640/8.5+Rock+Agama+RS.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Agama</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We had a great time on top of the mountain, so much so that we almost missed our bus for the evening drive...where we didn't see that much although the ranger took us to see the overweight Unicorns...who's true names may not be mentioned for fear that someone may crave their appendages for an aphrodisiac.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4f8DJql333DLn7AS-5hQsm_LWevSLjujE_EG2-IKHTmuyldLThAaw-8sTyoBQzCBcgoCzORVBb6VGR4pn1plEM4hWiB3GzNHpwurTUmGzGAWVzdRC0K6aVoLsBIti7SYgmcS_0nzbC8/s1600/10.+Purple+Roller+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4f8DJql333DLn7AS-5hQsm_LWevSLjujE_EG2-IKHTmuyldLThAaw-8sTyoBQzCBcgoCzORVBb6VGR4pn1plEM4hWiB3GzNHpwurTUmGzGAWVzdRC0K6aVoLsBIti7SYgmcS_0nzbC8/s640/10.+Purple+Roller+RS.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Roller.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back at camp, we were treated to Wynands chicken burgers and sat around the fire chatting about the days birds and enjoying the glow of the fire and the calls of the Scops Owls coming from the darkness beyond the glow of the fire.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUsynkl7ZVQwL8YQwZzBrF1ISZMETEZMK1_G1Gj8fuM8kKbKYdVRjPzrI8Oy0eyh7y_A8mYg0vJp60QqmPUvTpsyYcwGWRUCxv-2ddKkEf-tpmVO8gku5QgLfrwc2Y0yYDSAZNc8MEdg/s1600/11.+African+Scops+Owl+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUsynkl7ZVQwL8YQwZzBrF1ISZMETEZMK1_G1Gj8fuM8kKbKYdVRjPzrI8Oy0eyh7y_A8mYg0vJp60QqmPUvTpsyYcwGWRUCxv-2ddKkEf-tpmVO8gku5QgLfrwc2Y0yYDSAZNc8MEdg/s640/11.+African+Scops+Owl+RS.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Scops Owl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sunday morning and my official duties were complete although I took some of the guests around the camp once more to enjoy the common bushveld birds before we headed back to the jungle, the concrete one that is, where the real animals live....you know, the rat race? The camp is really great, situated on the edge of a large area with a water hole where some of the animals come down to drink and even join you in camp sometimes..<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuADS9OUiquIyDqylWfey_TcEsZnL_88BtE2f8vlGd9tkoMFbiQ-YltXzajfnvFi5xrduP8NgZRwjk9n3N7cf-MUOWTDre9G9pBD5lqzpTNSm2ngWsAttVLrB5A1OCCH-tW4Rj1GvpGg/s1600/12.+Crested+Barbet+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuADS9OUiquIyDqylWfey_TcEsZnL_88BtE2f8vlGd9tkoMFbiQ-YltXzajfnvFi5xrduP8NgZRwjk9n3N7cf-MUOWTDre9G9pBD5lqzpTNSm2ngWsAttVLrB5A1OCCH-tW4Rj1GvpGg/s640/12.+Crested+Barbet+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crested Barbet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmyg11q2woI8TTMEfzmj7Wb530WSkjaFlSAlOemrLOwFHYtQEWvDWrdlgDr1elCr2PAhDxTNeGSBG-pYX96SfR_YJpoRlZ1H6A0rNXpeMg1kDrwc_AQoNKHzev9YiCtsS_azKZeW59vQ/s1600/13.+Arrow-marked+Babbler+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmyg11q2woI8TTMEfzmj7Wb530WSkjaFlSAlOemrLOwFHYtQEWvDWrdlgDr1elCr2PAhDxTNeGSBG-pYX96SfR_YJpoRlZ1H6A0rNXpeMg1kDrwc_AQoNKHzev9YiCtsS_azKZeW59vQ/s640/13.+Arrow-marked+Babbler+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrow-marked Babbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBGqeSmnPG74kJR6-eQOCr-flG6E7nrtC-trLAmvzXfr4uv40WzKeESWpMI6pDSAkrU118bZjBlGG_c60OM_A05RWNEBZds7VfJd0Gxn9acHIVLAAFrMDsw1MnPxllhCelPTqP2Xf7nI/s1600/14.+Ostrich+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBGqeSmnPG74kJR6-eQOCr-flG6E7nrtC-trLAmvzXfr4uv40WzKeESWpMI6pDSAkrU118bZjBlGG_c60OM_A05RWNEBZds7VfJd0Gxn9acHIVLAAFrMDsw1MnPxllhCelPTqP2Xf7nI/s640/14.+Ostrich+RS.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ostrich close-up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTK8We2onenhOt1u-_zICb7qg27f-hLCzGAvhFCMjVwB2qoerBEVnM-qw2eIZfnzeNqOlciQiFHSvg6hyphenhyphenRi1EtBgZKNPlXDGpGzJYtZN-y_WEa6-soKyPcPnVi4qbQ8WyrhlWpkoPmBQ/s1600/15.+Warthog+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTK8We2onenhOt1u-_zICb7qg27f-hLCzGAvhFCMjVwB2qoerBEVnM-qw2eIZfnzeNqOlciQiFHSvg6hyphenhyphenRi1EtBgZKNPlXDGpGzJYtZN-y_WEa6-soKyPcPnVi4qbQ8WyrhlWpkoPmBQ/s640/15.+Warthog+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warthog visitor to the camp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkdkhpQ2XfKIciHdpxnWgQVQbyZAtHY0DBC1CPNqRvTEqq_xdFt-UzNJ_mpM-ybbTaDBV9M0RbLIG0Amiumr7GdCKK3F8P3gBhO2PmhV9G0vtLtzdp4sN6z-sHI_EFesw6hjQ9xJRgNU/s1600/16.+Levaillants+Cuckoo+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkdkhpQ2XfKIciHdpxnWgQVQbyZAtHY0DBC1CPNqRvTEqq_xdFt-UzNJ_mpM-ybbTaDBV9M0RbLIG0Amiumr7GdCKK3F8P3gBhO2PmhV9G0vtLtzdp4sN6z-sHI_EFesw6hjQ9xJRgNU/s640/16.+Levaillants+Cuckoo+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Levaillants Cuckoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cXmbo_bHKYXh9T8sKvaz7SdbYO-xSAmM94uoIvoSKh4aa-G5jW_eSCqCfhk0nCJ_pazRE8DeL1R1IpWvrOjLOafbhK0woFShPepDse9CHfcpBX0pvnarhaeXweOGclAon9xsyGe0fkc/s1600/17.+Bru-bru+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cXmbo_bHKYXh9T8sKvaz7SdbYO-xSAmM94uoIvoSKh4aa-G5jW_eSCqCfhk0nCJ_pazRE8DeL1R1IpWvrOjLOafbhK0woFShPepDse9CHfcpBX0pvnarhaeXweOGclAon9xsyGe0fkc/s640/17.+Bru-bru+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bru-bru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMf0-b2FbcgtMuDxX7v_EE8GmNMY7fg5_sMoVit7XWWHSBMQMLv8qNE-j8h_etjyWUprP5LFYozUy4wvXJz1QKYpLMxFAy5pCLH4w5S6lxA4D3flvChg92bb8g83NRVkuSCdOijzP96c/s1600/18.+Tree+Agama+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMf0-b2FbcgtMuDxX7v_EE8GmNMY7fg5_sMoVit7XWWHSBMQMLv8qNE-j8h_etjyWUprP5LFYozUy4wvXJz1QKYpLMxFAy5pCLH4w5S6lxA4D3flvChg92bb8g83NRVkuSCdOijzP96c/s640/18.+Tree+Agama+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree Agama.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And so another weekend in the bush comes to an end....happy birding!!<br />
<br />
<br />Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-88993312786038899102016-03-13T19:17:00.002+02:002018-02-26T21:05:12.110+02:00Warbler Weekend - Zaagkuildrift Feb 2016Well, after many years of wanting to attend the Warbler Weekend run by Etienne Marais in the Zaagkuildrift area I finally found the time and funds to go with and I wasn't disappointed.<br />
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<div>
Firstly I have to say that my birding trips of late have been plagued by bad weather, so much so that farmers actually invite me to come birding on their farms just so that they can get a bit of rain. I mean we have had a bad drought this season and rain has been minimal to say the least. As I left Pretoria in peak traffic, the thunder clouds were looming to the North and I assumed that this weekend was not going to be a sunny affair. Arriving at Pienaars River, there were puddles everywhere and it was obvious that there had been quite a cloud burst. This was confirmed as I reached the dirt road to Zaagkuil....I had not yet experienced the road in this condition with the new bird mobile and was a bit worried about the notorious intersection where the sand congregates to create a deep sand trap that had caught numerous vehicles in the past. But I cruised over this area with a bit of slipping and sliding and converted the mobile from a shiny city car to something resembling a Dakar rally contestant. Mud clung to the bodywork and splattered the wind screen making bird spotting a challenge to say the least... and using the wipers was a disaster as the window washer reservoir depleted itself after the first squirt....Murphy!! Squinting through the brown blurr I finally made it to the Zaagkuildrift Bird Sanctuary and Lodge which was to be our base for the weekend.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8xJsbsmBGQf0YElz1b0_BObjGreOlFnrjQZcj7Pe1KZeoh428sHwq5gN9Aly-o4J54LXcjmYkSr5e6pnS91Gng-0W4UlMnJtuOGSyrEhUDaA4b2-lXFOxURo2WuTXXvgq8VJjDXuoXA/s1600/Rooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8xJsbsmBGQf0YElz1b0_BObjGreOlFnrjQZcj7Pe1KZeoh428sHwq5gN9Aly-o4J54LXcjmYkSr5e6pnS91Gng-0W4UlMnJtuOGSyrEhUDaA4b2-lXFOxURo2WuTXXvgq8VJjDXuoXA/s640/Rooms.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Room (the pillows were very comfy)</td></tr>
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It is always a bonus to go birding and have comfortable lodgings at the same time and this lodge was very comfortable and the food was divine.....my mouth is watering again just at the the thought of those steaks we had on Saturday night....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KBnDKtxs2pLlx5lWyv7xtkzZSLwSA1xqI9A1P0HZlNLUXcMfjMkxawoo2OKOYkZ9JjnbUauBPhsioWpGp0BsosxmytLtyhYeTx8lw5adltz7fbEbrKD2nMkE_H42JzQwVOOSJzJxhFg/s1600/Room+View.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KBnDKtxs2pLlx5lWyv7xtkzZSLwSA1xqI9A1P0HZlNLUXcMfjMkxawoo2OKOYkZ9JjnbUauBPhsioWpGp0BsosxmytLtyhYeTx8lw5adltz7fbEbrKD2nMkE_H42JzQwVOOSJzJxhFg/s640/Room+View.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from my room</td></tr>
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So after a short briefing and some background on the techniques to use when searching for these elusive species, we had supper and headed of to bed to get enough rest for an early start (Lazy Birder heaven?).<br />
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Saturday morning saw us walking off into the veld to search for the abundant warblers of Zaagkuildrift, well that's what you expect when birding with an expert in the correct habitat. I was kind of expecting them to jump out of every bush fighting for a position, chirping and whistling a birdy translation of "tick me, tick me!!". It turned out to be a little harder than this, of course!<br />
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A short walk from the lodgings is the floodplain with lots of good warbler habitat along the edge of it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_EN6hyphenhyphenEC7-wwAZGJifgWAJEHz7b9KFpZeFz1TlqVkqY7fty8PdjaYqEfvnHanB3xh3iZyD0IpGtdsJ_lIIpdcvv-jiMhz7YyHCuqKxyBltKR22TFOQ0mz2kRP6Pl8prgxwz_3yuPdYw/s1600/Flood+Plains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_EN6hyphenhyphenEC7-wwAZGJifgWAJEHz7b9KFpZeFz1TlqVkqY7fty8PdjaYqEfvnHanB3xh3iZyD0IpGtdsJ_lIIpdcvv-jiMhz7YyHCuqKxyBltKR22TFOQ0mz2kRP6Pl8prgxwz_3yuPdYw/s640/Flood+Plains.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floodplain (note the Oxpecker taxis to the right)</td></tr>
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Crossing the floodplain had its own issues and we were all carting a fair percentage of the soil along with us as the mud clung to our shoes. It was a case of walk ten paces, stop, clean shoes, carry on, or like me try to ignore the escalating weight on your feet and focus on the birds..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0khzFM6nrEqfdsLGXVAVMCDFOCkW59mn6FpElJPs_WYZtEDJLaS0wn0_2PuGk2Y2D1BdvHuWz4bka0Ie6mzQWIRs6V1Dow4_6a4CKlmBcXXMXmQrU6gh1fYdoRPrKsSQvM40baFzvE40/s1600/Muddy+Boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0khzFM6nrEqfdsLGXVAVMCDFOCkW59mn6FpElJPs_WYZtEDJLaS0wn0_2PuGk2Y2D1BdvHuWz4bka0Ie6mzQWIRs6V1Dow4_6a4CKlmBcXXMXmQrU6gh1fYdoRPrKsSQvM40baFzvE40/s640/Muddy+Boots.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muddy Boots - (<i>Photo courtesy of Fay and Peet van Eeden</i>)</td></tr>
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Etienne Marais is an excellent birder with an ear tuned in to birdsong, within minutes he was picking up all the churrs, chips and tjeets which make up the various warbler alarm calls. Whitethroats and Marsh Warblers were more common in the smaller bushes along the floodplain and Garden Warbler was found in the taller trees along the river banks. Icterine Warbler was found in the taller trees away from the water and Willow Warblers popped up just about everywhere. This sounds amazing I know but seeing them was another challenge altogether. Etienne chirped and squeaked and spished to try and lure them into the open but all that most of us could see were brief glimpses of these phantoms hopping from one bit of cover to the next. I suppose from the birds point of view, having thirteen apex predators focussing on you alone must be extremely intimidating....so if observing these birds was a mission, photography was a no-go...the Icterines were the only furtive warblers to let me have a sniff at a record image..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBmYG-bJBoeqKTO24SZc0eG-I0SX96jk_ER9AchBdolTWVBwshh5BNYhWCQkGcyb7Oe8itN0e9DXAyT1839auq9koZ-RbEDU0x3P24xExmrfT1wVd4sYKASbSDnpJykHt-3N7tan6QqE/s1600/Icterine+Warbler+2+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBmYG-bJBoeqKTO24SZc0eG-I0SX96jk_ER9AchBdolTWVBwshh5BNYhWCQkGcyb7Oe8itN0e9DXAyT1839auq9koZ-RbEDU0x3P24xExmrfT1wVd4sYKASbSDnpJykHt-3N7tan6QqE/s640/Icterine+Warbler+2+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An actual Icterine Warbler, note the grey legs</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigb_mVsW_EXpj5SqyG89PA1LjS5T8Qr7hq0fvMcuexkefXhMTfJ7rAtEx9drMi2Ydd_vmzFJ8jtmAK5BsEI9A6B92TCchCw1Kg6_5cLndS5m-UEffbCZnPWLXJ5gCZ4PXmGQBSzBOmUeA/s1600/Icterine+Warbler+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigb_mVsW_EXpj5SqyG89PA1LjS5T8Qr7hq0fvMcuexkefXhMTfJ7rAtEx9drMi2Ydd_vmzFJ8jtmAK5BsEI9A6B92TCchCw1Kg6_5cLndS5m-UEffbCZnPWLXJ5gCZ4PXmGQBSzBOmUeA/s640/Icterine+Warbler+1+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Icterine Warbler that allowed a quick snap (from a safe distance of course)</td></tr>
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After all this excitement and hard birding, my stomach was making growls similar to those made by a lioness when her cubs are threatened, luckily it was time to head back to the lodge for a sumptuous breakfast with all the necessary proteins and carbs to keep us going for the day. This done we headed out to the Kgomo Kgomo floodplain to look for the other elusive warbler, Olivetree, but we couldn't find any as the area was still very dry despite the good rains on Friday night. We did see a good number of other birds (84 on my count) with highlights for me being, Village Indigobird, Burnt-necked Eremomela, Barred Wren-warbler, Marabou Stork, Gabar Goshawk, Juvenile Lanner Falcon, Ashy Tit, Great Sparrow pair feeding chicks, Temmincks Courser and a large flock of Black-winged Pratincole. At the end of the day we went to a secluded spot on the floodplain for a sundowner where a pair of Yellow-billed Storks gave us a slow fly past. (We had just been talking about Saddle-billed Storks being seen on the plain so I blurted out "Saddle-billed Storks" when this pair came into view....oops!)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WjtOzDrayL6DeTTOOe_POPauoBTuDJV7Ml0ECWUjGMnYbIEiNI1Csz-JZUyXznpjCCyBLWvz99JH7s2ZosiJnvJ1hwkuJ-bk-iNhRQ5BBOzrTbtfYkLKMebaWFwJ-oUwJOHtkXL-Fmg/s1600/2.+Village+Indigobird+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WjtOzDrayL6DeTTOOe_POPauoBTuDJV7Ml0ECWUjGMnYbIEiNI1Csz-JZUyXznpjCCyBLWvz99JH7s2ZosiJnvJ1hwkuJ-bk-iNhRQ5BBOzrTbtfYkLKMebaWFwJ-oUwJOHtkXL-Fmg/s640/2.+Village+Indigobird+1+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Village Indigobird</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdpm9OX5KrRlBcVI2SKLeKSHWgkGLCC4Mlr-5gJuHwGw1_8Zsp8l1XZhP3vDpchTAy2FVsVm85nf5Wm1uPKH0Nn5Pg26IvMkdNIKGdC24kjURyMTqQevMavOdlhPbouI5viVVVn1zmtU/s1600/2.+Village+Indigobird+2+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdpm9OX5KrRlBcVI2SKLeKSHWgkGLCC4Mlr-5gJuHwGw1_8Zsp8l1XZhP3vDpchTAy2FVsVm85nf5Wm1uPKH0Nn5Pg26IvMkdNIKGdC24kjURyMTqQevMavOdlhPbouI5viVVVn1zmtU/s640/2.+Village+Indigobird+2+rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Village Indigobird</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnriKYbbGhHXmYkFwxnFprw9MM7h0_BrBBqTYBXOlaQQkMXe5y65j_fQr5OIl1GprS_hmRo_C529Ri2E-jac_kbofDL2F3GQgBIOVt4ZZhlHIGV8x5YOdyYgoxpB_k15AvMLDJ_iyTGA/s1600/4.Barred+Wren-warbler+2+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnriKYbbGhHXmYkFwxnFprw9MM7h0_BrBBqTYBXOlaQQkMXe5y65j_fQr5OIl1GprS_hmRo_C529Ri2E-jac_kbofDL2F3GQgBIOVt4ZZhlHIGV8x5YOdyYgoxpB_k15AvMLDJ_iyTGA/s640/4.Barred+Wren-warbler+2+rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barred Wren-warbler</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudRjTVA9wbmlKnH4VALr7snWHHKvE7OK4gnWtwr5xtaNuYetLBEu50eD_zhbILOtXTEQMqeNp3vMEUzkdF9FHLyMcEXxZRXkflzDkf6-2XG5wOtAQFpoSBqZwx7fN2vFrlhld5hnnYN4/s1600/3.+Lesser-spotted+Eagle+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudRjTVA9wbmlKnH4VALr7snWHHKvE7OK4gnWtwr5xtaNuYetLBEu50eD_zhbILOtXTEQMqeNp3vMEUzkdF9FHLyMcEXxZRXkflzDkf6-2XG5wOtAQFpoSBqZwx7fN2vFrlhld5hnnYN4/s640/3.+Lesser-spotted+Eagle+rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Spotted Eagle?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmb3R9OKjovFM2ti4nE7qCOz2apPggRSdtJqh5akfk0NotUy8tRwYGeW88a0b8cWQWQUwMBum-LWh2rfHU3cQcO04K2zQtfagJS7RKEn51Ap9fJYmhLUwd3SAkMqhU4penuRkgK0FDg2g/s1600/5.+Yellow-billed+Stork+Rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmb3R9OKjovFM2ti4nE7qCOz2apPggRSdtJqh5akfk0NotUy8tRwYGeW88a0b8cWQWQUwMBum-LWh2rfHU3cQcO04K2zQtfagJS7RKEn51Ap9fJYmhLUwd3SAkMqhU4penuRkgK0FDg2g/s640/5.+Yellow-billed+Stork+Rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-billed Storks</td></tr>
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Back at the lodge we all went down to the boma for another delicious meal! The 300g steaks, mentioned earlier were cooked to perfection and my favouite pudding was served for dessert. It was here that the group got to know each other a bit better, a glass of wine or beer always helps to break the ice in a new group and we got to talking on some really interesting subjects. Birds mainly! I for one found out that I am not the only one that has bogey birds or has an influence on the weather conditions when birding, whilst others are blessed with finding these same bogey birds and was informed that if you go to the prime habitat for said birds they will "always be there" just waiting to show themselves to you....hmmmmmm! It was also decided at supper to move our search for the Olivetree Warbler to Mkhombo Dam the next day. Mklhombo is a large dam mentioned in a previous blog on this site, which is about 50km up the road from Zaagkuildrift, that is known as a regular spot for this species. </div>
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Sunday morning came around and we were up early as usual, had another great breakfast and headed off to Mkhombo. Once again the clouds were building up and rain looked imminent. The drive there was quite rewarding as there were a lot of raptors along the way. The first one seen along Zaagkuildrift road was this Ovambo Sparrowhawk that looks as if it is partially leucistic?</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92xhpTLOQZamUdWncXOm1akmzOJtJCs6vstQjEkwdTjTVgN-uOgu8jgQeiXgjyUbHWNkdjtYWeI6ct8zwTOXUr0ahCJ9dGtB2Fknhz_i61g7uUC1hh7uGQnH_lcozPkt5NKT7bCztyS8/s1600/1.+Ovambo+Sparrowhawk+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92xhpTLOQZamUdWncXOm1akmzOJtJCs6vstQjEkwdTjTVgN-uOgu8jgQeiXgjyUbHWNkdjtYWeI6ct8zwTOXUr0ahCJ9dGtB2Fknhz_i61g7uUC1hh7uGQnH_lcozPkt5NKT7bCztyS8/s640/1.+Ovambo+Sparrowhawk+rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ovambo Sparrowhawk</td></tr>
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The others were pretty normal for the area with the exception of a dark form Steppe Buzzard in fresh plumage!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkexEQXlIfiWclc5QIesh6awtlNvLQSwT-3mT0eret4ONZjQ8ey18Hlm5t3S9M9iuOMMS1pKzNgIaQV8JOVmdDzeD5SYpkEsufzMaNIZ3G3tl_cQRz7WEe4Vl30eOirPdZFYcPKYD_PDw/s1600/2.+Wahlbergs+Eagle+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkexEQXlIfiWclc5QIesh6awtlNvLQSwT-3mT0eret4ONZjQ8ey18Hlm5t3S9M9iuOMMS1pKzNgIaQV8JOVmdDzeD5SYpkEsufzMaNIZ3G3tl_cQRz7WEe4Vl30eOirPdZFYcPKYD_PDw/s640/2.+Wahlbergs+Eagle+rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wahlbergs Eagle</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMu5Wi3jZIqkYIayCA5zdwOEe-78agjlFMsFtDVLOCcORPD1XmSXvWaR087KniLfgFIUhkvpJhKR3Jp2aOgHCDSnvpoIn3er8yMlVOMqumlUP_eY7JcFMW77nrNOxbB-NMUgj7WTmH7g/s1600/3.+Lesser+Kestrel+Male+1+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMu5Wi3jZIqkYIayCA5zdwOEe-78agjlFMsFtDVLOCcORPD1XmSXvWaR087KniLfgFIUhkvpJhKR3Jp2aOgHCDSnvpoIn3er8yMlVOMqumlUP_eY7JcFMW77nrNOxbB-NMUgj7WTmH7g/s640/3.+Lesser+Kestrel+Male+1+rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Lesser Kestrel</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ifiUS0-N8_6CgXw-hZ3gdc9vJ6VJ0U06FclqWxTqzV-RL_7w4STlFedN7sZ4Vx1BWssIrSOyrgHpga5360WAaoXivglqDb5eKc7CeU33ZnRpyCMtL_DuokzRsw6LHvVPDIR310KFPcg/s1600/4.+Steppe+Buzzard+1+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ifiUS0-N8_6CgXw-hZ3gdc9vJ6VJ0U06FclqWxTqzV-RL_7w4STlFedN7sZ4Vx1BWssIrSOyrgHpga5360WAaoXivglqDb5eKc7CeU33ZnRpyCMtL_DuokzRsw6LHvVPDIR310KFPcg/s640/4.+Steppe+Buzzard+1+rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steppe Buzzard</td></tr>
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Mkhombo was full of waders and waterbirds as usual and it took some time to sift through all of them in search of the recent specials that had been seen there. Black-tailed Godwits, Caspian Plover, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Osprey were on the list but unfortunately we did not see the godwits or the plovers. The Osprey made an appearance in the distance, but then again it is "always there"....(private joke)...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6GGwn5eb5wjso-ByCYk74-k8igMry4AFRlelzbY0RIuia39ybXLsoEKFJGisVdyn39Vf8NDAm7Go4be7tfDEezNd_wJarFDIEysuJHrw3JCpbNb4kVGds9JyNvWStaa-mL9VXZFAl3I/s1600/6.+Osprey+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6GGwn5eb5wjso-ByCYk74-k8igMry4AFRlelzbY0RIuia39ybXLsoEKFJGisVdyn39Vf8NDAm7Go4be7tfDEezNd_wJarFDIEysuJHrw3JCpbNb4kVGds9JyNvWStaa-mL9VXZFAl3I/s640/6.+Osprey+rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Osprey</td></tr>
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<div>
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<div>
One of the exciting parts of driving Mkhombo Dam is navigating the tracks without driving over one of the sharp stumps that are littered about everywhere and getting a puncture. Needless to say we all succeeded and got away without a single flattie. Woodland birds here are excellent as well and at last we caught up with the Olivetree Warbler, not one, not two but 4 birds calling in one small area, seeing them was once again a challenge that I failed in, despite standing still and watching the bush for any movement. But we again saw Whitethroat nicely and also saw a few Willow Warblers..</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5JKS5-GBuwRF7CLr6iyBnkHEYglaR19S0O29gI3RobBJXpqWh0-3MWtL82U9lABeaCWBV-N_vvXwgzgVp8hGCxxU5gbZkywAPnvXrxGI2tV7BQ3Qk319qW1ba1VPnbOseMWh1yRuCMY/s1600/Out+Birding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5JKS5-GBuwRF7CLr6iyBnkHEYglaR19S0O29gI3RobBJXpqWh0-3MWtL82U9lABeaCWBV-N_vvXwgzgVp8hGCxxU5gbZkywAPnvXrxGI2tV7BQ3Qk319qW1ba1VPnbOseMWh1yRuCMY/s640/Out+Birding.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Searching for the Olivetree Warbler</td></tr>
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<div>
Luckily there are more willing photographic subjects and I managed a few snapshots before I had to call it a day and head back home.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhlKWx-_2xzJFEZin_1zGw0GicqXvwzRg6GL2-WBVEZ6_t2fccXDjdx2RU30VZ9dBEntY0H_wzCajDL0xKD7J_3SuCT7icm93RRDoUX_N8cwFnyX7W7X4eYuqqeGcNEa5r6soTFsASQI/s1600/7.+Blue-cheeked+Bee-eater+1+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhlKWx-_2xzJFEZin_1zGw0GicqXvwzRg6GL2-WBVEZ6_t2fccXDjdx2RU30VZ9dBEntY0H_wzCajDL0xKD7J_3SuCT7icm93RRDoUX_N8cwFnyX7W7X4eYuqqeGcNEa5r6soTFsASQI/s640/7.+Blue-cheeked+Bee-eater+1+rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-cheeked Bee-eater</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqWdPiiBX6-04YQR6dByaaLahHoMG3rdzS0l7g1TVEhuEkhd63B99_3jGrhLPWpWI9vRdjU7b6ODyMLKPikgw1ZwZyNyGEe0JSECU7UHLMd-zzgWYmVwd6wJd1MihLnf6jt7j6yJth_Y/s1600/8.+Namaqua+Dove+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqWdPiiBX6-04YQR6dByaaLahHoMG3rdzS0l7g1TVEhuEkhd63B99_3jGrhLPWpWI9vRdjU7b6ODyMLKPikgw1ZwZyNyGEe0JSECU7UHLMd-zzgWYmVwd6wJd1MihLnf6jt7j6yJth_Y/s640/8.+Namaqua+Dove+rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Namaqua Dove</td></tr>
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<div>
So all in all it was a great weekend with great accommodation, great food, great company and great birding, oh, and the weather wasn't that bad after all! So until next time!! Toodles!</div>
Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-36176905119993108122015-12-09T22:10:00.002+02:002015-12-09T22:10:38.329+02:00Bezhoek Lodge - Mpumalanga<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSy6iEn5RJzNwSWQi_zF-xw8_yJJAInznJsEk6Ij_wUhkHtnYJeaTVWuJW-52-q_XrsLk9r7Bt7bJLiyib7mQFjt8b2LZJEU-if7_TK89LVtF36P_HSpdpfkaV3GLpRKqcn2AhIJssC0c/s1600/Bezhoek+Cycads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSy6iEn5RJzNwSWQi_zF-xw8_yJJAInznJsEk6Ij_wUhkHtnYJeaTVWuJW-52-q_XrsLk9r7Bt7bJLiyib7mQFjt8b2LZJEU-if7_TK89LVtF36P_HSpdpfkaV3GLpRKqcn2AhIJssC0c/s640/Bezhoek+Cycads.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cycads - <i>Encephalartos middelburgensis</i> </td></tr>
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After our return from the UK I was invited to take part in a team doing a survey of the birds of Bezuidenhoutshoek Farm near Middelburg in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. Adolf and I left after work on the Friday and drove through to the farm, arriving at around 21:00 with the wind blowing which didn't bode well for a good list. Obviously it was dark when we arrived and birding was rather quiet, apart from a Spotted Eagle-Owl that we flushed from the roadside. I was introduced to the rest which comprised of Eric (part owner of the farm), Vic (the birder who has an excellent knowledge of the birds on the farm) and Dave (the photographer) who works with Adolf. Our sleeping quarters were luxurious to say the least and we each had our own rooms, which meant we could each snore to our hearts contents without bothering the others....although I woke up in the early hours thinking I had heard a leopard coughing outside. This was a blessing as I had once shared a much smaller house with some serious snorers whoc kept me awake most of the night..<br />
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It felt like I had just closed my eyes for 5 minutes when It was time to get up and go birding.. At 04:29, not normally a productive time for The Lazy Birder, the first bird I heard was Natal Spurfowl followed by Black and Red-chested Cuckoos, Woodland Kingfisher and a Rufous-cheeked nightjar calling close to the house.We bundled our cameras and selves into a Landcruiser game viewing vehicle and set off into the dawn. By 05:30 our list was already at 23 and counting. We stopped for a Black Cuckooshrike that was calling and heard a Woodpecker tapping in a nearby tree. As we watched and listened I became aware of a vaguely familiar call in the background which bugged me as I tried to place it. Suddenly it dawned on me..............trogon!!! Narina Trogon, identified for the first time on this farm and pretty close to Gauteng too. The light was pretty bad as it was overcast so photograph opportunities were non-existent at this stage but we tried some shots anyway, just for the record...opening my photo account with a Violet-backed Starling female.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrw5LFTfpc0VBhJe-WJ8zddmm3QbPpzrVfachEPPzytrWvDNQb7F0Th8zsp6x2sM757lL-9Cx6j6P0HxPaWISBhAEcXz0Yj9WZp6mmRGkehjSOkmxJ0vuoXjTUQxWoviZlgr6FWysXJsI/s1600/3.+Violet-backed+Starling+Female+1+-+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrw5LFTfpc0VBhJe-WJ8zddmm3QbPpzrVfachEPPzytrWvDNQb7F0Th8zsp6x2sM757lL-9Cx6j6P0HxPaWISBhAEcXz0Yj9WZp6mmRGkehjSOkmxJ0vuoXjTUQxWoviZlgr6FWysXJsI/s640/3.+Violet-backed+Starling+Female+1+-+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Violet-backed Starling - Female</td></tr>
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One thing I was impressed with was that these guys knew how to bird, we stopped often and even had a great cooked breakfast out in the bush with Dave doing a brilliant job with his gas bottles and pans. Vic showed us his identification skills and was a great on his calls too. Eric did all the driving and I personally felt that he did an excellent job, switching off immediately after we had a called a stop to studying some flitting bird or listen to calls. During breakfast I learned that these guys had been friends since 1977 after meeting during off-road/enduro motorcycling events and they had even done the tricky Roof-of-Africa event back then, when it was more difficult on the old bikes. Having been an off-road biker myself (although probably nowhere near as dedicated as these guys) I thought that it must be a natural progression to go from biking to birding...the camaraderie between them showed through and it turned out to be a really enjoyable day of birding..<br />
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So for what it is worth, here are the best of a really bad bunch of photographs..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNVz4fO6BuzJ3BSVcO24zBDed91VZ_l5B5FvX2iueR7wAgFiQrbxH5udEz56ekRQO2XNV7ZVsbnON11BsvDBLwPvn7QnHugP-rGPSn-43U93P_WivLIEraQywdXAkw_SISFCp5Yt-sjw/s1600/5.+Levaillants+Cuckoo+1+-+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNVz4fO6BuzJ3BSVcO24zBDed91VZ_l5B5FvX2iueR7wAgFiQrbxH5udEz56ekRQO2XNV7ZVsbnON11BsvDBLwPvn7QnHugP-rGPSn-43U93P_WivLIEraQywdXAkw_SISFCp5Yt-sjw/s640/5.+Levaillants+Cuckoo+1+-+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Levaillants (Striped) Cuckoo</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjF60U4pVSY2HUwTHuuj90acjmDBxHJfqLwlMF3_zz9fF1kpIezwnNrx9zgfOzW4dGcDvf_ACQCsFAQH-F7U0r9qOvuxpv5vD3ceNe8nld6U-KL8U6kaHjAbaW2iPMlcAmEg_NLqHEd8/s1600/6.+Black+Cuckoo+Male+-+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjF60U4pVSY2HUwTHuuj90acjmDBxHJfqLwlMF3_zz9fF1kpIezwnNrx9zgfOzW4dGcDvf_ACQCsFAQH-F7U0r9qOvuxpv5vD3ceNe8nld6U-KL8U6kaHjAbaW2iPMlcAmEg_NLqHEd8/s640/6.+Black+Cuckoo+Male+-+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Cuckoo</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4zIcvhGpHQEWdi69nAK-guXjCcA7c1TYH1QHAjOwEAQ_fCnOJm3vesyAyWfMHeTSLt2WXnjBge51aHAaZ_RlIuopWgQMbRSgTnoCufj0YnDYq9fzlY7do4fGiO-xy9p254GN628TNWw/s1600/4.+Lazy+Cisticola+1+-+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4zIcvhGpHQEWdi69nAK-guXjCcA7c1TYH1QHAjOwEAQ_fCnOJm3vesyAyWfMHeTSLt2WXnjBge51aHAaZ_RlIuopWgQMbRSgTnoCufj0YnDYq9fzlY7do4fGiO-xy9p254GN628TNWw/s640/4.+Lazy+Cisticola+1+-+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lazy Cisticolas were common and very vociferous</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqvei5Fx2x4kCHvaVI0XeZL3kjSTncojZNIrpCqphiOlWoIyTMP25Wo4TLq4mPqiB-oMSQQ8opquMjzey-jvHd65mAdvRjYVaJitBAg-rRtAoOsvGhiaEoFZmx3iPjfnCE1WtyYwUHsQ/s1600/7.+Wailing+Cisticola+1+-+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqvei5Fx2x4kCHvaVI0XeZL3kjSTncojZNIrpCqphiOlWoIyTMP25Wo4TLq4mPqiB-oMSQQ8opquMjzey-jvHd65mAdvRjYVaJitBAg-rRtAoOsvGhiaEoFZmx3iPjfnCE1WtyYwUHsQ/s640/7.+Wailing+Cisticola+1+-+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wailing Cisticola</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKm8wIdZZINgjMXrt3CATosfNoHHpVAQH-tW96AoiyHErfspo0g-KGmEJkdOeHCZniXf4ZHjY7IAxSa_S2rphYlMYa1cm_N_LhBhaVgCC6N1iBlbftd3mEt4dxgvqhTrt7u_RDJ7NlnuA/s1600/8.+African+Quailfinch+3+-+PS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKm8wIdZZINgjMXrt3CATosfNoHHpVAQH-tW96AoiyHErfspo0g-KGmEJkdOeHCZniXf4ZHjY7IAxSa_S2rphYlMYa1cm_N_LhBhaVgCC6N1iBlbftd3mEt4dxgvqhTrt7u_RDJ7NlnuA/s640/8.+African+Quailfinch+3+-+PS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Quailfinch - biggest flocks I've ever seen...<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SkQ31D1LaeP_JXMIAEqr1LreVIJXp1qsgxvEYqyzLiQwmgoDt32WRq5wDKZgC-AQ4SPYxAgy0qiP4IvuH8BukZTkR4kqvJwBc6CypoAH3JATIQVDsmBn3lnUet51paR2ioegm17Imm4/s1600/10.+Little+Bee-eater+3+-+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SkQ31D1LaeP_JXMIAEqr1LreVIJXp1qsgxvEYqyzLiQwmgoDt32WRq5wDKZgC-AQ4SPYxAgy0qiP4IvuH8BukZTkR4kqvJwBc6CypoAH3JATIQVDsmBn3lnUet51paR2ioegm17Imm4/s640/10.+Little+Bee-eater+3+-+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Bee-eater</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4137jqfpgzrrK4r1kf8Jevm5l-95h__n-SHsGSBBH1MV0LNcLI7Zoz2gtPx6WLmkdfDNmDtCSqzAFHexYRz6A9WxlT6lU9Jin0ZSYayHZducZKxLKbQ3oLBLX_k94MwsFbPtPq3zj5w/s1600/11.+Denhams+Bustard+1+-+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4137jqfpgzrrK4r1kf8Jevm5l-95h__n-SHsGSBBH1MV0LNcLI7Zoz2gtPx6WLmkdfDNmDtCSqzAFHexYRz6A9WxlT6lU9Jin0ZSYayHZducZKxLKbQ3oLBLX_k94MwsFbPtPq3zj5w/s640/11.+Denhams+Bustard+1+-+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denhams Bustard Flypast</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QUGGzOyElrT4WQGj-3-kaa220O7VHhx5of-WdEjJHIDfoeaL2uqrdbUxF5ZyjHeXjlCYFVgpW0HFrFgz825X2ZOKxGA-7RlNvKrBxixs8X93nNjfOoT87HxlMTMc46x1xXYS-GTvlNk/s1600/12.+Spike-heeled+Lark+1+-+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QUGGzOyElrT4WQGj-3-kaa220O7VHhx5of-WdEjJHIDfoeaL2uqrdbUxF5ZyjHeXjlCYFVgpW0HFrFgz825X2ZOKxGA-7RlNvKrBxixs8X93nNjfOoT87HxlMTMc46x1xXYS-GTvlNk/s640/12.+Spike-heeled+Lark+1+-+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spike-heeled Lark - showing the spike heel for which he is named</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Rjo7p45o_Ut2Aye8A3i37lCYvYMmCH13K8hHKCp57pwoJK7SO_6jDs2G4jXjLd5ILD6Ppmzv29rZnwaA9KZmy_zpErqKtCdOtetCOFwC3eqDIRNiBjz8SRImfPNKkzXi81_ndVfyF6A/s1600/13.+Lesser+Kestrel+Female+1+-+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Rjo7p45o_Ut2Aye8A3i37lCYvYMmCH13K8hHKCp57pwoJK7SO_6jDs2G4jXjLd5ILD6Ppmzv29rZnwaA9KZmy_zpErqKtCdOtetCOFwC3eqDIRNiBjz8SRImfPNKkzXi81_ndVfyF6A/s640/13.+Lesser+Kestrel+Female+1+-+RS.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Kestrel - female settling into the roost for the evening</td></tr>
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And lastly so that the mammals also have a place here.....a slinky Cape Clawless Otter which we observed from a tall cliff overlooking the Olifants river which runs through the farm..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXt65ZzcT2uQPdnHn-2RcHXUyq4vzzUHiCDEB3Q3e4HT0r5tc3bESIL7dF6dxhHzIr6GpMdB5rCrtDKX9b3QEbWd0m_6eC_pbSH2i_lTweolELpRweDVY1oOClueTegYrwOOFtCa-qjE/s1600/1M.+Cape+Clawless+Otter+1+-+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXt65ZzcT2uQPdnHn-2RcHXUyq4vzzUHiCDEB3Q3e4HT0r5tc3bESIL7dF6dxhHzIr6GpMdB5rCrtDKX9b3QEbWd0m_6eC_pbSH2i_lTweolELpRweDVY1oOClueTegYrwOOFtCa-qjE/s640/1M.+Cape+Clawless+Otter+1+-+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Clawless Otter - see the webbed hind feet through the water?</td></tr>
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Adolf and I had to leave on Saturday afternoon as I had other obligations to perform on the Sunday but I really hope to go back one day and do it all over again....and again.....and again....but will probably have to wait until next years bird count (if I'm lucky)<br />
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<br />Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-40853116645162648392015-11-23T21:17:00.001+02:002015-11-23T21:17:16.762+02:00UK Oct 2015 (Part 3) - Lands End to WeymouthOnce again the bed at Lands End Hotel was very comfortable, I don't know what they make them of but they are definately not like the ones they have here in SA. If I could get one like that here I would most definately.....what is this blog all about again....oh yes, the birds I saw on the trip.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OXWv-cFfwh6d0z5amt1lqDhvFuFIOOiSkwlciHDqTH-EF6TqEssNfB2njIZRzD49wZgC2ZHRt90L075HgUNItnsdSphSxgHssu6oehqi0fynNhvbBIpaMX2v89cSLPVezHuIxSVBfr0/s1600/Early+Morning+-+Lands+End.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OXWv-cFfwh6d0z5amt1lqDhvFuFIOOiSkwlciHDqTH-EF6TqEssNfB2njIZRzD49wZgC2ZHRt90L075HgUNItnsdSphSxgHssu6oehqi0fynNhvbBIpaMX2v89cSLPVezHuIxSVBfr0/s640/Early+Morning+-+Lands+End.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning at Lands End</td></tr>
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One of the first birds I saw for the morning was another couple of lifers in the form of a few Great Black-backed Gulls with a couple of Shags on the rocks below the hotel. don't know why they call them that but I did think of a few funny scenarios when telling friends about what birds I had seen.......nope, I'd rather not say but I'm sure you have a good imagination.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzp-neRdyGfpH0HXr3fDws3nQm8_h-1JswRpr5dnfdS9Y-fO7cBlJMrIMnFf_4sFgnDg6s_V9zjnmzPseZXU495Vnxl0PgTmVTNcWdRHmLZup53tijn61Sn2Q1YJI4s6HGQCFy-lsskw/s1600/20.+Great+Black-backed+Gull+-+Lands+End+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzp-neRdyGfpH0HXr3fDws3nQm8_h-1JswRpr5dnfdS9Y-fO7cBlJMrIMnFf_4sFgnDg6s_V9zjnmzPseZXU495Vnxl0PgTmVTNcWdRHmLZup53tijn61Sn2Q1YJI4s6HGQCFy-lsskw/s640/20.+Great+Black-backed+Gull+-+Lands+End+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Black-backed Gulls</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHin005OKFqz5rex_Q9qMJ_Mp5JvAn6Gj1SPNRRvbdsY4tjvwyJ2nQZc4uk8P5ZZ5iGXWz4UNaTwi4M5NInJRkD4RY9FaoW0k5gNDbPJQaZlZCsJHsBpnGe9kkqujrvv0LT74YRip854/s1600/21.+Shag+-+Lands+End+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHin005OKFqz5rex_Q9qMJ_Mp5JvAn6Gj1SPNRRvbdsY4tjvwyJ2nQZc4uk8P5ZZ5iGXWz4UNaTwi4M5NInJRkD4RY9FaoW0k5gNDbPJQaZlZCsJHsBpnGe9kkqujrvv0LT74YRip854/s640/21.+Shag+-+Lands+End+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">European Shag</td></tr>
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Time was running out so we headed off from Lands End, down the narrow country roads once more to the quaint little town of Mousehole (pronounced Mowzel locally). A really small village with narrow streets and houses with small doorways.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sNVpmrkZHbmdgBRq6o9qiFD0sYeSDuRtLcvtAN5epubOiDKwwj-8wLlhGRBt0HfUvVtuj0cfb6NGt3SNY2N6fpNlINYjb0NHDr56x7gXf63vetmx6-h3sSZAxWMhptaQ9HlUlzF3tEY/s1600/Mousehole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sNVpmrkZHbmdgBRq6o9qiFD0sYeSDuRtLcvtAN5epubOiDKwwj-8wLlhGRBt0HfUvVtuj0cfb6NGt3SNY2N6fpNlINYjb0NHDr56x7gXf63vetmx6-h3sSZAxWMhptaQ9HlUlzF3tEY/s640/Mousehole.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mousehole Harbour </td></tr>
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We spent a bit of time here, after parking on the harbour wall we took a walk around the town and I was able to get a few photos of the local birds. Herring Gulls were plentiful as usual in the coastal areas and there seemed to be a lot of immature birds. These I identified as first winter birds?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9m_5-gtKo_S5Ay76mzZW-ZHtcYtovwv6zj62sqQyD-ecja-18WpvbwI2g3cHOtVAMznbAOph06U0P4dl7sSpML9OsBbdg3csFcTRHZbOMuuQw-cF6Fe6AgBCBYe_PHor05MFvlSNSSw/s1600/24.+Herring+Gull+-+1st+Winter+Mousehole+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9m_5-gtKo_S5Ay76mzZW-ZHtcYtovwv6zj62sqQyD-ecja-18WpvbwI2g3cHOtVAMznbAOph06U0P4dl7sSpML9OsBbdg3csFcTRHZbOMuuQw-cF6Fe6AgBCBYe_PHor05MFvlSNSSw/s640/24.+Herring+Gull+-+1st+Winter+Mousehole+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZaMy9RnBGi1q58OActkOAFSlImCJEPvqZ9GCmVk9EpWssTdy6VLOi4_0ksqGBS9yRVw00bgLhb8ijw7jKJZraCxtpA_NtlkUZUIhucwo6d-a_ngmZHBuhONM9YK8L7DUB3cLt6SCmww/s1600/23.+Herring+Gull+-+1st+Winter+Mousehole+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZaMy9RnBGi1q58OActkOAFSlImCJEPvqZ9GCmVk9EpWssTdy6VLOi4_0ksqGBS9yRVw00bgLhb8ijw7jKJZraCxtpA_NtlkUZUIhucwo6d-a_ngmZHBuhONM9YK8L7DUB3cLt6SCmww/s640/23.+Herring+Gull+-+1st+Winter+Mousehole+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herring Gulls - 1st Winter Birds?</td></tr>
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Down on the beach in the harbour I noticed some small waders running along the beach. We took a stroll down and as we got closer, we realised that they were Turnstones....not at all shy like ours in SA. I sat down in front of their intended path and managed to photograph a few before they got nervous and headed back up the beach away from us..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-8CIRo3LsrmyjxOVnSKg_sGnHUaRI0uo5AE_G112Gqe0Sa9_PE4I1B8QD3Sug4WmfjHI7SDiIpYTJ-jiM-xFEF3EZGGVkDnYZY1pkt6ZmJQrJmc_gYXZGMZx3pfc4Oq8amP2dq7VZ-s/s1600/25.+Turnstone+-+Mousehole+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-8CIRo3LsrmyjxOVnSKg_sGnHUaRI0uo5AE_G112Gqe0Sa9_PE4I1B8QD3Sug4WmfjHI7SDiIpYTJ-jiM-xFEF3EZGGVkDnYZY1pkt6ZmJQrJmc_gYXZGMZx3pfc4Oq8amP2dq7VZ-s/s640/25.+Turnstone+-+Mousehole+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sy2USmoZQ1Guzp42qM6jM2DbVVzXyQacKp7m2auob25ApyNKDc83Zz_2yn-2NHQRnog7A3cXxbtvaTHqZ7cXYGOdBqEp7u0LXArgAEj5pbFdGL5CbA9kEtoHOAbOv5ms1pp2ZowdoS8/s1600/26.+Turnstone+-+Mousehole+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sy2USmoZQ1Guzp42qM6jM2DbVVzXyQacKp7m2auob25ApyNKDc83Zz_2yn-2NHQRnog7A3cXxbtvaTHqZ7cXYGOdBqEp7u0LXArgAEj5pbFdGL5CbA9kEtoHOAbOv5ms1pp2ZowdoS8/s640/26.+Turnstone+-+Mousehole+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turnstone</td></tr>
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One thing that was a challenge was the light, it was overcast a lot of the time and I had to play with the ISO settings to get the shutter speed up fast enough to get sharper images. After we left Mousehole, we headed up to Weymouth with the cloud cover getting thicker and thicker and the light fading badly.<br />
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We got to Weymouth and checked into the Riviera Hotel. After dumping our bags in the room we headed off to explore the town and I discovered that there was a bird sanctuary on the outskirts. RSPB Lodmoor! The light was really horrible by now and it was decidedly more miserable than the last few days had been. Taking a stroll around the reserve I got another few birds for the trip.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjty0IPmTkSrbhpsUp4OpZ2bDhrK1F7ruJv_AkAMhDNXsqYyCxkRCT93gdKnRwsaDBymxEOVbGlD0fm8UWIREFWStnqPxbcAjd0SBAUSn6Y0A8_ZsIL0Jc_N5EsT4MCnTcdv1_p2YsbiXE/s1600/30.+Teal+Male+-+Weymouth+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjty0IPmTkSrbhpsUp4OpZ2bDhrK1F7ruJv_AkAMhDNXsqYyCxkRCT93gdKnRwsaDBymxEOVbGlD0fm8UWIREFWStnqPxbcAjd0SBAUSn6Y0A8_ZsIL0Jc_N5EsT4MCnTcdv1_p2YsbiXE/s640/30.+Teal+Male+-+Weymouth+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eurasian Teal - Male </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pCdG5bbdAK6KucCbcp8E5LtodtiaTCldl2yX3qIuTSeC58kDGgtiOf6eubNisJUq57MWrCEpEKxJdHKcLcQlNgbjIan4NUwICdpsnZv7kUyIvb6kR8j7m2YvgAn3QXxT51p_KabLzKw/s1600/33.+Northern+Lapwing+-+Weympouth+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pCdG5bbdAK6KucCbcp8E5LtodtiaTCldl2yX3qIuTSeC58kDGgtiOf6eubNisJUq57MWrCEpEKxJdHKcLcQlNgbjIan4NUwICdpsnZv7kUyIvb6kR8j7m2YvgAn3QXxT51p_KabLzKw/s640/33.+Northern+Lapwing+-+Weympouth+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Lapwings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvUv4ceiSIO5BrU5OlwQtB9zTWUyRZzHpFxygeL8BGNSEKZvL_qBGsMxRH2OYL50syyShc4qq4_SH8F1tP_Sl7YKdkxsSWfGHw5rtyZf4evYbwlC1jWmdrG9sbNxB1gJzK_Y8Gy0Eu4k/s1600/37.+Spoonbill+Juvenile+-+Weymouth+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvUv4ceiSIO5BrU5OlwQtB9zTWUyRZzHpFxygeL8BGNSEKZvL_qBGsMxRH2OYL50syyShc4qq4_SH8F1tP_Sl7YKdkxsSWfGHw5rtyZf4evYbwlC1jWmdrG9sbNxB1gJzK_Y8Gy0Eu4k/s640/37.+Spoonbill+Juvenile+-+Weymouth+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eurasian Spoonbill - Immature</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqWIKiDdUKJZDBsAHT2kf7wZNnyt6xtby2hMoBKjoBkSrb9a0Z3LXzs0z0cvUEWdIqOJPDY9uSBXv58y-yhs46zV-sPB0eI8X1mhLuG57B_F43fFFP7dwh27kzU2j2cCG5FAjykgTiRI/s1600/27.+Blue+Tit+-+Weymouth+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqWIKiDdUKJZDBsAHT2kf7wZNnyt6xtby2hMoBKjoBkSrb9a0Z3LXzs0z0cvUEWdIqOJPDY9uSBXv58y-yhs46zV-sPB0eI8X1mhLuG57B_F43fFFP7dwh27kzU2j2cCG5FAjykgTiRI/s640/27.+Blue+Tit+-+Weymouth+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eurasian Blue Tit</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdtUuzXjhFr3IdYXxc9NchwdrPmUzDZLRWYdWx-iDp7TIc01dq1CFtsibjABDnFJbGjXQwdGfOOIVvLi-fk_nKWhWe6JHq322V1oiQL8shGUVdKhssGJ-q7AR5WqkQjP1UyGQarrwUxE/s1600/34.+Coot+-+Weymouth+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdtUuzXjhFr3IdYXxc9NchwdrPmUzDZLRWYdWx-iDp7TIc01dq1CFtsibjABDnFJbGjXQwdGfOOIVvLi-fk_nKWhWe6JHq322V1oiQL8shGUVdKhssGJ-q7AR5WqkQjP1UyGQarrwUxE/s640/34.+Coot+-+Weymouth+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eurasian Coot</td></tr>
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And that was it for the day, it started to drizzle and after spending some trying to photograph a snipe and a distant Dunlin we headed back to the hotel for a meal and bed..Hopefully it was one of those soft comfortable ones again?</div>
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Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-19619360308380699552015-11-04T22:42:00.002+02:002015-11-04T22:53:58.123+02:00UK Oct 2015 (Part 2) Lynton to Lands EndWe had a nice stay at the North Cliff Hotel in Lynton, the bed was extremely comfortable and the room was very cosy. It was with great effort that we got up to continue our journey, so late in fact that we opted to skip the tour of the flood museum at Lynmouth and carry on to next overnight stop at Lands End.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CxFIi3j-NQ1uaoVmTEm_c6pyiVKythyq6Pz8R2MqORLrr45mju4v9m8kX7WLivQVsgiM0wk1h3fxyoJrJjCIPx6IAx4bsYP302e1SF7PsGH8YVic6yy-cLpxqEFvg4YWoytJkTIMGXQ/s1600/Lynton+Railway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CxFIi3j-NQ1uaoVmTEm_c6pyiVKythyq6Pz8R2MqORLrr45mju4v9m8kX7WLivQVsgiM0wk1h3fxyoJrJjCIPx6IAx4bsYP302e1SF7PsGH8YVic6yy-cLpxqEFvg4YWoytJkTIMGXQ/s640/Lynton+Railway.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynton to Lynmouth Railway</td></tr>
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We drove down along the coast through Bude and Bodmin until we reached the Bedruthan Steps where a giant supposedly used the rocks to cross the bay at high tide when the beach is completely submerged.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWiDCEfP5fZvElRfG_FThujmdAYR4iJI-qR55CyADBtoXCLMgYsLPm1K2hnfNSBW2cpM9EG9fYbAISqTqO5rexm6g2lQEjbaW1950FiJjdi52NfZ8x7kusTdODi9SfrNDW-TTE-E_Xiw/s1600/Bedruthan+Steps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWiDCEfP5fZvElRfG_FThujmdAYR4iJI-qR55CyADBtoXCLMgYsLPm1K2hnfNSBW2cpM9EG9fYbAISqTqO5rexm6g2lQEjbaW1950FiJjdi52NfZ8x7kusTdODi9SfrNDW-TTE-E_Xiw/s640/Bedruthan+Steps.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedruthan Steps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This was eventually where I managed to get to grips with some birds, I noticed small flocks of birds that kept landing and taking off along the cliff edge. With some patience and a bit of stalking I eventually managed to photographed them and what did they turn out to be, pipits.....Rock Pipits.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRb2WXlM7VcHra6NxfzUwsp0-Et5nNYFSHOOL6A2HOd3xxcxjo5N_8FyCPBsAjlbn9is8JQqt9mUYInYNAypoZneJlV0VffwXh8w_A8c0mQ35Xp2nrxhqV7X8LVy2JojWN0o7vWGXjX0/s1600/14.+Rock+Pipit+-+Bedruthan+Steps+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRb2WXlM7VcHra6NxfzUwsp0-Et5nNYFSHOOL6A2HOd3xxcxjo5N_8FyCPBsAjlbn9is8JQqt9mUYInYNAypoZneJlV0VffwXh8w_A8c0mQ35Xp2nrxhqV7X8LVy2JojWN0o7vWGXjX0/s640/14.+Rock+Pipit+-+Bedruthan+Steps+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1qveK_bJoEHLluUtKaz9do1xQVKt7M7_V229iFDh7NMcj0WmaGKT5hwL8p9GVgIdelTCd-4XAyq-d_7PIIYpsIDjENLfom7kiNmY5SUgV_fdoHaBTpyV2KR7SAmX7WpPMibY6i5sfas/s1600/15.+Rock+Pipit+-+Bedruthan+Steps+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1qveK_bJoEHLluUtKaz9do1xQVKt7M7_V229iFDh7NMcj0WmaGKT5hwL8p9GVgIdelTCd-4XAyq-d_7PIIYpsIDjENLfom7kiNmY5SUgV_fdoHaBTpyV2KR7SAmX7WpPMibY6i5sfas/s640/15.+Rock+Pipit+-+Bedruthan+Steps+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhvNyZw5MCuBcr0mQ3nG6C0t8xi-LZZjgY7_SCYCMAyKOzygDdBm1lq4Q3kJuRRZOjFfTL2KacVb-xUNnELkFNcLFzW0c5OPOOMhaNWyJfpU-E-xIovzqPHyd9T27k1nmPuPB7FsyVzk/s1600/16.+Rock+Pipit+-+Bedruthan+Steps+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhvNyZw5MCuBcr0mQ3nG6C0t8xi-LZZjgY7_SCYCMAyKOzygDdBm1lq4Q3kJuRRZOjFfTL2KacVb-xUNnELkFNcLFzW0c5OPOOMhaNWyJfpU-E-xIovzqPHyd9T27k1nmPuPB7FsyVzk/s640/16.+Rock+Pipit+-+Bedruthan+Steps+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Pipit (<em>Anthus Petrosus) </em>x 3</td></tr>
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I really enjoyed these birds and sat and watched them for quite a while. Their high pitched piping contact calls are very un-pipitlike in my opinion and when I first saw them flying around I thought that they may be some form of euplectids? It was strange for me to see them in flocks as our pipits are mainly loners or at least associate in loose groups. <br />
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While watching them I picked up a different bird sitting right on the edge of the cliff. On closer inspection, this turned out to be a male Northern Wheatear in non-breeding plumage..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUMLLjMEZQ3RrgRTWc6qLmo0BI5abHy6OAR3kfTtG7Dm3jCN4Tq5c6Qp29bY3kszAf3v6710lfagmjESBSyOppvthyphenhyphenOGbUvzYPgHIj3xDR42jpkLREN8StAJ1kg7BOtGVluVCs6CCtck/s1600/12.+Northern+Wheatear+-+Male+non-br+Bedruthan+Steps+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUMLLjMEZQ3RrgRTWc6qLmo0BI5abHy6OAR3kfTtG7Dm3jCN4Tq5c6Qp29bY3kszAf3v6710lfagmjESBSyOppvthyphenhyphenOGbUvzYPgHIj3xDR42jpkLREN8StAJ1kg7BOtGVluVCs6CCtck/s640/12.+Northern+Wheatear+-+Male+non-br+Bedruthan+Steps+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Wheatear - <em>Oenanthe Oenanthe</em></td></tr>
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Unfortunately I only got the one shot as in my excitement to photograph the bird I didn't check my settings properly and completely blew the rest. Notice all the "miggies" flying around his head, as I walked along the path I had to keep dodging them so that I didn't get a face full, I imagined it was like a Star Wars movie and I was flying through a meteor field, hahahaha (I'll never grow up...).<br />
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Another bird I enjoyed watching was this Stonechat (Northern?), which is a familiar bird here in SA but this one looked somehow different, not as neat and colourful as ours but a little scruffy and grizzled looking (according to my Collins fieldguide this should be spring plumage?).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbp_iDUpLJWJec7I2uban_9TPl6TOXtGQ768Wa841_ag3S_oa62RIvljC2AOEQczl5HCwYIq6lciL5X5gIwvGxAftocT3Z61F2pAREnbTWKELcYgZCAPX_OEXjnITU_rcU15Ox1PKsTbM/s1600/10.+Stonechat+-+Bedruthan+Steps+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbp_iDUpLJWJec7I2uban_9TPl6TOXtGQ768Wa841_ag3S_oa62RIvljC2AOEQczl5HCwYIq6lciL5X5gIwvGxAftocT3Z61F2pAREnbTWKELcYgZCAPX_OEXjnITU_rcU15Ox1PKsTbM/s640/10.+Stonechat+-+Bedruthan+Steps+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stonechat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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One bird that I heard almost everywhere I stopped was the European Robin which is very vociferous and extremely furtive at the same time. It took me a while to realise that the calls I was hearing (which sounded very sunbirdlike at times) belonged to this bird. I tried everything to get the bird in the open but as you approach them they go quiet and disappear, eventually out of frustration I played a Willow Warblers call from my Roberts Multimedia and out popped the robin..(he probably thought that it was spring and the warblers had returned).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGBc0zmxi7XfDPFfNE_jSHflKsylyMYvsTjKKHYocglHRAqCQbomQ7zYpBQW8M2l8DjiyHKNvYH7-0u8XbJxQqu1d26aE63OHNEKmbpe_XZY8PSYEKVK1r5e8CqPTHkShQL6maLRfm60/s1600/17.+Robin+-+Bedruthan+Steps+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGBc0zmxi7XfDPFfNE_jSHflKsylyMYvsTjKKHYocglHRAqCQbomQ7zYpBQW8M2l8DjiyHKNvYH7-0u8XbJxQqu1d26aE63OHNEKmbpe_XZY8PSYEKVK1r5e8CqPTHkShQL6maLRfm60/s640/17.+Robin+-+Bedruthan+Steps+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">European Robin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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A real Christmas card type photo don't you think? It looks like snow in the background but its actually the light coloured roof shingles of the shed behind him... <br />
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One group of birds that were also very common on our trip were corvids. They seem to be everywhere but are very wary and don't really allow a close approach..here are two of the species we saw..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNolP_DeujbmxPgNLqxU4u6SFOHcSIKvKMrexL9vLg9TPAzhyphenhyphenkmdmYG8MyI3mDbNew541kZ-6zarYY1rMqPYgQUgkmucHUXnRdZPuS1Q5UrwuElgFQ8AiSETTfs1jfECydt9xnmNXKmco/s1600/11.+Carrion+Crow+-+Bedruthan+Steps+Oc+t+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNolP_DeujbmxPgNLqxU4u6SFOHcSIKvKMrexL9vLg9TPAzhyphenhyphenkmdmYG8MyI3mDbNew541kZ-6zarYY1rMqPYgQUgkmucHUXnRdZPuS1Q5UrwuElgFQ8AiSETTfs1jfECydt9xnmNXKmco/s640/11.+Carrion+Crow+-+Bedruthan+Steps+Oc+t+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrion Crow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuQ5rWrIGWn8ltDltAf4zY9PKWj-Ddzn3jOpw5b7HuGxkeNf38APthR2pIuw2ZibXw8om5_uWcLwmhA3OQNvnkfVRPtwTP2AtqH3VAI4gH7B_sYD0nkTfnxHU-eU1q7ORy7muDeAsg1E/s1600/18.+Rook+-++Bedruthan+Steps+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuQ5rWrIGWn8ltDltAf4zY9PKWj-Ddzn3jOpw5b7HuGxkeNf38APthR2pIuw2ZibXw8om5_uWcLwmhA3OQNvnkfVRPtwTP2AtqH3VAI4gH7B_sYD0nkTfnxHU-eU1q7ORy7muDeAsg1E/s640/18.+Rook+-++Bedruthan+Steps+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rook</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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With that we left Bedruthan steps and headed off again through the hedgerows to Lands End where the sun was shining and we got some nice sunset shots and another difficult to photograph birdie..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fm44Kqb62lF4jwFrLHH1a-X3vbRudAbUMSBeMsYgUIQZWkmQBwa5wn9FVhqVdhjo0VOCX2fQMKskBfMddsSsozPhu_LiDhoN24sFkU9KYNz8onDvjWOPmtMjKBo9VQvHM6D70NJyEI8/s1600/Lands+End+Hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fm44Kqb62lF4jwFrLHH1a-X3vbRudAbUMSBeMsYgUIQZWkmQBwa5wn9FVhqVdhjo0VOCX2fQMKskBfMddsSsozPhu_LiDhoN24sFkU9KYNz8onDvjWOPmtMjKBo9VQvHM6D70NJyEI8/s640/Lands+End+Hotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lands End Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUoLM8QMxRb31mp4sbkBGmYAIFOSzs3DXLbZQB4KoGzhf3utGP8ssC_LDu53lt5BXX0NQf3giMPiX58XBrsZtRB3V05jUHTRfYTsy2Ra13SGswRAQ6I7ujbz4e_H8UEG51w6mv9eyxGI/s1600/Lands+End+Sunset+Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUoLM8QMxRb31mp4sbkBGmYAIFOSzs3DXLbZQB4KoGzhf3utGP8ssC_LDu53lt5BXX0NQf3giMPiX58XBrsZtRB3V05jUHTRfYTsy2Ra13SGswRAQ6I7ujbz4e_H8UEG51w6mv9eyxGI/s640/Lands+End+Sunset+Panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lands End Panorama</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We walked the paths around the hotel, enjoying the scenery and taking lots of photos. then just before the sun disappeared behind the horizon I caught up with a tiny bird which had been teasing me all day, they just don't sit still for a minute. It wasn't really a competition quality photo but at least I had a record shot of a Winter Wren..(its on the right hand rock by the way ;-) )<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJYOQ6m7jOiKg2QzjPnfd-rCm0YaotcA-oDcVac20EdV-NKrDXsMQ2ykVlAmyZBNlNBcoMQ6Ucbd2AUFrS0GrJBkg5UO6KszX31Dvu9pY_MO3UkWRMLOHUgSxP4mncdteGgnQx2QgOPI/s1600/19.+Winter+Wren+-+Lands+End+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJYOQ6m7jOiKg2QzjPnfd-rCm0YaotcA-oDcVac20EdV-NKrDXsMQ2ykVlAmyZBNlNBcoMQ6Ucbd2AUFrS0GrJBkg5UO6KszX31Dvu9pY_MO3UkWRMLOHUgSxP4mncdteGgnQx2QgOPI/s640/19.+Winter+Wren+-+Lands+End+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter Wren</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And that was it for the day, we went to the hotel pub and spent R450 on two toasted sandwiches with crisps and salad and two beers....the restaurant food was even more expensive!! Imagine what food you could buy for that amount here in Pretoria???<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SMhxkCWBY0L4y0l2vdFFxvfMJUyvRyP6yXWm_ADCD988nLLSO7bxPbG0F5e9VXu2V15Who7NRZLxOeeDLnAbpCcBYdUrWFEjoNMNETXelSAa8ZVjBiNRuVbJ2cryBSZDb75XLdy39uE/s1600/Expensive+pub+meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SMhxkCWBY0L4y0l2vdFFxvfMJUyvRyP6yXWm_ADCD988nLLSO7bxPbG0F5e9VXu2V15Who7NRZLxOeeDLnAbpCcBYdUrWFEjoNMNETXelSAa8ZVjBiNRuVbJ2cryBSZDb75XLdy39uE/s640/Expensive+pub+meal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">R450!!!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well at least the room was nice, the bed was again very comfortable and we slept well. The view from our window was also great!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlt2ykjCXJAfCMO9I6n8gH-zR9VFd5LSfHGhkfxV33VbzJabTMbFvaDdlrSclpkwN1tFK377pyqnk_tCK70C0Xlg9is0a8QLEiXTo3FGfyhmjSzAA4l011_Up6ZrddlDZ6hJOE7pH5hs/s1600/Lands+End+Hotel+Room+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlt2ykjCXJAfCMO9I6n8gH-zR9VFd5LSfHGhkfxV33VbzJabTMbFvaDdlrSclpkwN1tFK377pyqnk_tCK70C0Xlg9is0a8QLEiXTo3FGfyhmjSzAA4l011_Up6ZrddlDZ6hJOE7pH5hs/s640/Lands+End+Hotel+Room+view.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lands End Hotel window views!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Part 3 to follow shortly.....Lands End to Weymouth<br />
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<br />Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-42502896220572044182015-10-27T22:22:00.001+02:002015-10-31T12:53:55.716+02:00UK - Oct 2015 (Part 1)Hello,<br />
<br />
Its been a while so I decided to prise myself away from the television and work and write a few lines. The Lazy Birder was sent to England for a weeks training and while there decided to spend a week touring the countryside a bit. The training was held in Swindon in Wiltshire (everybody asked "what on earth are you going to Swindon for?"). It was a smallish town when I was last there in 2005 but has grown a lot and the traffic has increased dramatically (I think I must have done a few roundabouts more than once when getting stuck in the wrong lane for my exit). <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnjfveRBqj9BiZsFqdK0Ae8FX6iNUCjvZ5BVDEkvq1pjOhrPB4WQWfSNEJRGsWoWcqlLyomOq7n8WQTtItBublBwqldGBKJo06IsiEp8u8tC5vRQySrME7CEQpFQzlwj0PQ-sKy8v6KM/s1600/Swindon+Town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnjfveRBqj9BiZsFqdK0Ae8FX6iNUCjvZ5BVDEkvq1pjOhrPB4WQWfSNEJRGsWoWcqlLyomOq7n8WQTtItBublBwqldGBKJo06IsiEp8u8tC5vRQySrME7CEQpFQzlwj0PQ-sKy8v6KM/s640/Swindon+Town.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swindon Town from the Jury's Inn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I remembered that the birding at Coate Water wasn't bad from the last time I was there, but that was in the summer and being Autumn this time around all was a bit quiet. Save for the ducks and geese lining up for a free hand-out. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0gvSqTDYeAR1lLcXco6lfSvr9CVfrAfWfItHbQEFYmZNy3wwvAmYW7ubeF1EJ5qCFcZYi_KrFWSLb9q6XmG5JL1Yih6jfF2N7qnkjzqUniOvqc3luw3m9a47Lzdp-xUZAJziOZVW1pw/s1600/Coate+Water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0gvSqTDYeAR1lLcXco6lfSvr9CVfrAfWfItHbQEFYmZNy3wwvAmYW7ubeF1EJ5qCFcZYi_KrFWSLb9q6XmG5JL1Yih6jfF2N7qnkjzqUniOvqc3luw3m9a47Lzdp-xUZAJziOZVW1pw/s640/Coate+Water.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coate Water mixed flock</td></tr>
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After the training, we headed off to Oxford for a bit of a historical tour of this University town and then travelled down to see the roman baths at Bath! The light wasn't very good as it was overcast most of the time we were travelling so had to up the ISO to as much as 3200 on my Canon 50D but the results weren't too bad. Check this one of the Mallard..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0NsrEePq09wjOPKGrPpzeHUBPBa_9E61lhB6CveAhjxfuPtj0rh1U0rhLNr0EM2KxSXnS_lBHlRIRX0zDFsk2pB2KQ0mfuGs6aXpAbqwNS9i-INDc_hGP1H_A-dQ6sjHACkXKn8xxLE/s1600/4.+Mallard+Male.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0NsrEePq09wjOPKGrPpzeHUBPBa_9E61lhB6CveAhjxfuPtj0rh1U0rhLNr0EM2KxSXnS_lBHlRIRX0zDFsk2pB2KQ0mfuGs6aXpAbqwNS9i-INDc_hGP1H_A-dQ6sjHACkXKn8xxLE/s640/4.+Mallard+Male.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Mallard - Thames River Oxford</td></tr>
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The Wood Pigeons are huge compared to ours here in SA. They were probably the most common bird we saw there. Ever noticed how the white stripes on the wings in flight resemble similar stripes painted on some Spitfires in WWII ?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Mjl6YO5yMcPMqSojX_X849GQG6bsW_mLM9MYaxJhAKsdMfSuGZ8qCzE2F7Klzp8uiu00SWWbUVg04zXR82JRVlfdbAztFgPc5z2x2nFrxEy7O9zjIea3zCoiWbZcN8HF7sHhJwzxkFs/s1600/3.+Wood+Pigeon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Mjl6YO5yMcPMqSojX_X849GQG6bsW_mLM9MYaxJhAKsdMfSuGZ8qCzE2F7Klzp8uiu00SWWbUVg04zXR82JRVlfdbAztFgPc5z2x2nFrxEy7O9zjIea3zCoiWbZcN8HF7sHhJwzxkFs/s640/3.+Wood+Pigeon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Pigeon - Oxford</td></tr>
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Magpies are very common as well but extremely wary and really difficult to photograph. I managed to get a fair shot in Oxford on the outside walls of Christchurch. He didn't sit for long though before he flew off to sit in the leafy interior of a young Oak tree.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRQ5IbuNXi0qWkUOEXXUaZ8bY4Jhayiq9StAnV3-oBG1kiYegqkoQ7FURAarDtaMSBooBlcEkhDoGiKbrCQQIL8J1TQ3ssMyTIcGkgbKBluD8qxpIoNGo6LPrLyqOJUBY6SI2kumqPvo/s1600/2.+Magpie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRQ5IbuNXi0qWkUOEXXUaZ8bY4Jhayiq9StAnV3-oBG1kiYegqkoQ7FURAarDtaMSBooBlcEkhDoGiKbrCQQIL8J1TQ3ssMyTIcGkgbKBluD8qxpIoNGo6LPrLyqOJUBY6SI2kumqPvo/s640/2.+Magpie.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magpie - Oxford</td></tr>
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We had decided to visit Cardiff as well but it was quarter finals day and the Irish were playing Argentina in Cardiff, needless to say the roads were packed and we decided to turn away and head for the coast. On the way we went through Avesbury and in the village of Littleworth I saw a Red Kite fly over but wasn't fast enough to photograph it before it disappeared over the roofs of the village houses. While there I got my first pictures of White/Pied Wagtails which were also wary and difficult to photograph (are the farmers shooting birds?) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7wbgkDYOQXUHoh9piIQ4eBdR3z-U5NcBAFhbMU2KBNXqQWnMOLqYz8x2VfnESklyMERz1mMGU_dUmuvLFDm8zzrfreYi8u4dByuDj_Fbz3hifsS-rRgc_lTgJyvZ3iOcSFDXbDRnSAY/s1600/6.+White+Wagtail+-+Littleworth+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7wbgkDYOQXUHoh9piIQ4eBdR3z-U5NcBAFhbMU2KBNXqQWnMOLqYz8x2VfnESklyMERz1mMGU_dUmuvLFDm8zzrfreYi8u4dByuDj_Fbz3hifsS-rRgc_lTgJyvZ3iOcSFDXbDRnSAY/s640/6.+White+Wagtail+-+Littleworth+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXK_O0o3Q8brzj9j0x93oWaugrI3xDDwCA_7K2nZJkPr2CCnbjtzDKkCEMO9Trlx0-cH1loGdA57LdJxAujIednObvST518kl0NrDNIBa1C28-xURx8zvnz-CzBdBTS7LUvmPeKoLEAg/s1600/8.+White+Wagtail+-+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXK_O0o3Q8brzj9j0x93oWaugrI3xDDwCA_7K2nZJkPr2CCnbjtzDKkCEMO9Trlx0-cH1loGdA57LdJxAujIednObvST518kl0NrDNIBa1C28-xURx8zvnz-CzBdBTS7LUvmPeKoLEAg/s640/8.+White+Wagtail+-+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Wagtails - Littleworth Oxfordshire</td></tr>
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Further down the road we came across Dunster Castle (built around 1086), hidden away in the trees on a small hillock overlooking the village of Dunster and in the grounds I noticed a European Jay foraging in the long grass, he too didn't stick around for a photo session.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVZP3iPmdALX8Dfe6SnxflWZtBanVitq6F3VXRO2wMoAtx32pMArLX9HNbxQe-R-Pe_wcDcrlqfDw66UHEgUDHXweD7iuUQ6eKmqn78X8l0dhUvmi0JxLpRJMxGjmNVjTR4PtIJlCHLA/s1600/Dunster+Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVZP3iPmdALX8Dfe6SnxflWZtBanVitq6F3VXRO2wMoAtx32pMArLX9HNbxQe-R-Pe_wcDcrlqfDw66UHEgUDHXweD7iuUQ6eKmqn78X8l0dhUvmi0JxLpRJMxGjmNVjTR4PtIJlCHLA/s640/Dunster+Castle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dunster Castle - Somerset</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYF4tnU99dGiMomj-8aO-6GIPOQXvN12uGRbnUyXtvvXZfi7h6nlqU7AKU-xPicVqPXROCKyPd-YZTaR2nUWOERD8ORO5xwiyGqZFXRRORuJA8hQFC6DKRsLUaDq8Q5e-lAqBaCMhXaxU/s1600/7.+European+Jay+-+Dunster+Castle+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYF4tnU99dGiMomj-8aO-6GIPOQXvN12uGRbnUyXtvvXZfi7h6nlqU7AKU-xPicVqPXROCKyPd-YZTaR2nUWOERD8ORO5xwiyGqZFXRRORuJA8hQFC6DKRsLUaDq8Q5e-lAqBaCMhXaxU/s640/7.+European+Jay+-+Dunster+Castle+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">European Jay - Dunster Castle</td></tr>
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I noticed there was a National Park in North Devon so we had to take a look. The North Cliff Hotel in Lynton was our first overnight stop, which had beautiful views over the Bristol Channel with Swansea's lights twinkling in the distance. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhs7-fruK9knzf3N-vnM0rImhCbCO3JadqztCU8M5-18XOfDWhSgDouEEW8QowFU8lzzHI26bmmJ4ge7-p7n9wmNge12kF321u_KzVTDgynz7kKgPAqxbDzSHzKsuCXfzOOcsvhn5eckA/s1600/North+Cliff+Hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhs7-fruK9knzf3N-vnM0rImhCbCO3JadqztCU8M5-18XOfDWhSgDouEEW8QowFU8lzzHI26bmmJ4ge7-p7n9wmNge12kF321u_KzVTDgynz7kKgPAqxbDzSHzKsuCXfzOOcsvhn5eckA/s640/North+Cliff+Hotel.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Cliff Hotel - Lynton</td></tr>
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Exmoor National Park is nothing like the parks we have in SA by the way, with farmlands stretching out over the horizon in both directions from the road. The views are amazing however with so many green rolling hills, not like the brown grasslands of the Highveld of SA that we had just come from.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9p-GRaeEdTn8qre2KqdthrdPmFOT2E4P7XBx-sOazw0oEly-gFwi9o21c3oemAlqF3tsx2PiL85iheq8D_4tOANS-wq1Lbt2_ZW96A2Ezgi3s6G8O1PIPigtN74k37M23rxeVGSWjf2E/s1600/Exmoor+National+Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9p-GRaeEdTn8qre2KqdthrdPmFOT2E4P7XBx-sOazw0oEly-gFwi9o21c3oemAlqF3tsx2PiL85iheq8D_4tOANS-wq1Lbt2_ZW96A2Ezgi3s6G8O1PIPigtN74k37M23rxeVGSWjf2E/s640/Exmoor+National+Park.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exmoor National Park</td></tr>
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Arriving in Lynton, Herring Gulls dotted the pier and I managed to creep up close enough for a full frame shot although the light wasn't great.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHQsqGkw0FQ62YrquRvxaVMuVtSQX-pe4wOy5aWVsY5uICuFsbNyvynoeibdoUd2V8c9JEAEOU2O2N-MqfkDidP_JqIFoMaXKCJ3xHaxv2hwVzkLCSClg65-SBqcYtS3Yg9JhIw7Q5Q8/s1600/9.+Herring+Gull+non-Br+Adult+-+Lynton+Oct+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHQsqGkw0FQ62YrquRvxaVMuVtSQX-pe4wOy5aWVsY5uICuFsbNyvynoeibdoUd2V8c9JEAEOU2O2N-MqfkDidP_JqIFoMaXKCJ3xHaxv2hwVzkLCSClg65-SBqcYtS3Yg9JhIw7Q5Q8/s640/9.+Herring+Gull+non-Br+Adult+-+Lynton+Oct+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herring Gull - Lynton (Exmoor National Park) North Devon</td></tr>
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After getting settled at the hotel, my wife and I headed off to find a pub that had the TV on the quarter final between South Africa and Wales. We found The Queens pub where we ordered a pint and an 'arf a lager and settled in to watch with some locals (and a few Welshmen I noticed by the accent) luckily my Bok shirt was under the warm one (just in case). When South Africa won in the dying minutes with a lucky try, I had to keep the reaction subdued so as not to upset anyone. I couldn't resist flashing the Bok shirt when no-one was watching however.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0j_LqWsknH3awOKR2UBMZPVFV7AQdwKJQrL8w1Zcn3Nte2mi9FaZex8Iw35UXpRQj4hiZNmHxg5nhnc-cGLateF77CEdstmN7QiTbO3DS8vPsIB1Nl1dgxcRBQf1Lkc8c952V0qB4jQ/s1600/Queens+Pub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0j_LqWsknH3awOKR2UBMZPVFV7AQdwKJQrL8w1Zcn3Nte2mi9FaZex8Iw35UXpRQj4hiZNmHxg5nhnc-cGLateF77CEdstmN7QiTbO3DS8vPsIB1Nl1dgxcRBQf1Lkc8c952V0qB4jQ/s640/Queens+Pub.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching rugby in The Queens pub in Lynton</td></tr>
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After the game I got to chatting to some of them who congratulated me (as if I had any effect on the outcome of the game) and they left. Later on we passed one of the staunch Welsh supporters who muttered in his broad Welsh accent "oh no, not twice in one day, its like rubbing salt in the wound" <br />
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Part 2 to come shortly!Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-13941240026434904832014-09-09T13:44:00.000+02:002014-09-10T18:50:10.689+02:00Seringveld<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, miracles never cease...here I am again blogging for the first time in months! I have had complaints from a few friends who have missed the piccies and waffle I used to enjoy posting on this site,,,so here is another one from last weekend.<br />
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Last Sunday the 7th of September a friend, Adolf Joubert, and I headed off to the Seringveld to see what birds were around. I have changed my strategy a bit since I last posted as I have decided to bird more and photograph when the opportunity arises which makes the ordeal less frustrating in my opinion. Adolf doesn't agree on this as he feels, no picture, no tick, but he is fairly new to the sport so time will tell.<br />
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The day started at 04:00 with a quick shower, packing some nibbles and then the trip to fetch Adolf and the drive to Seringveld. We arrived in the dark with the hope of picking up an owl or the odd nightjar but it was deathly quiet and nothing moved except our car..<br />
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As the light strengthened we had reached the end of Rinkhals road where we turned back with the sun now behind us! All we had seen up until then were silhouettes of Groundscraper Thrush and Fork-tailed Drongo. Moving back up the road we were surprised with a Lizard Buzzard sitting on one of the powerline support poles. This is not a bird I have seen regularly in our region so was quite excited that the day had started so well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl3kHHN2z6qus1UWX6QqxBlmpuM8152QsS79ckYE7m4FG8VMx26AiGY5gl4g8ZUAc5GJp2mT0XAx3CygBy5UOaoLYsbzzDq6rS0w6nz-r7DfsxqbCzUBXu6pZX3eafzLdyhgFoO3rYfI/s1600/Lizard+Buzzard+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl3kHHN2z6qus1UWX6QqxBlmpuM8152QsS79ckYE7m4FG8VMx26AiGY5gl4g8ZUAc5GJp2mT0XAx3CygBy5UOaoLYsbzzDq6rS0w6nz-r7DfsxqbCzUBXu6pZX3eafzLdyhgFoO3rYfI/s1600/Lizard+Buzzard+1+RS.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lizard Buzzard x 2</td></tr>
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It wasn't long after that, that we heard a Brubru calling and seeing that Adolf had not seen one before we decided to wait it out for the bird to get closer. Shortly after stopping, the bird flew into a nearby tree and started to call. It was completely unperturbed by our presence and allowed us to walk around the well branched tree for an open shot of him. I enjoy these birds as they have a very distinct call, beautiful markings and always appear so neat. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPwaaEjM7tqPh6-rYC6VWmUtQhk8fjGAzJwvfjmp3dojNklKVamD_C2lbp4V44-Lcq5YF04BJZSnugHRGtPrpwkTFvK3xef-6weWg58S6AV0Ctl0VRIoqZa3DIoltvH4u65Q6fQycCCc/s1600/Brubru+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPwaaEjM7tqPh6-rYC6VWmUtQhk8fjGAzJwvfjmp3dojNklKVamD_C2lbp4V44-Lcq5YF04BJZSnugHRGtPrpwkTFvK3xef-6weWg58S6AV0Ctl0VRIoqZa3DIoltvH4u65Q6fQycCCc/s1600/Brubru+1+RS.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brubru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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With two new birds for the year list, things were going very well. We had seen quite a few common birds by this stage...Yellow-fronted Canaries, Black-crowned Tchagra, Streaky-headed Seedeaters, Pearl-breasted Swallows and Whitebellied Sunbird amongst others.<br />
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Further along the road we saw White-fronted Bee-eaters, Amethyst Sunbird, Green Woodhoopoes, Hamerkop, Southern Black Tit, Cardinal Woodpeckers and my favourite for this area, Striped Kingfisher. Previous pics I had taken of this species had always been on the telephone or power-lines but this chap was conveniently perched on a low-level branch watching for insects in the grass below....lucky day indeed!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQbEYEcnq55sNLI7Lu-AI23YwWyy8MVsLfvsHtTurUdauY89fBd1STsbQJmIwRr32rETId1A2eDnm1llVNiMyCn4XX6nsrLkmm77b7oeDtKiScSPmWMEN6qUPjNnIH2LoI9Vq99IcpMg/s1600/Striped+Kingfisher+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQbEYEcnq55sNLI7Lu-AI23YwWyy8MVsLfvsHtTurUdauY89fBd1STsbQJmIwRr32rETId1A2eDnm1llVNiMyCn4XX6nsrLkmm77b7oeDtKiScSPmWMEN6qUPjNnIH2LoI9Vq99IcpMg/s1600/Striped+Kingfisher+1+RS.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjR5wOykOwLK1A4MKueaDKj8uftOMWelYvJIOToeRNYdJ7YAHy78OOWwatWakTqjMOFL5QaLOQn26vXXGDDXA3ZXQVcgFmFqAgLBAv8Pyz6_E9EGo2NOpj7iO1a2dzNBknAEYr9bNudc/s1600/Striped+Kingfisher+2+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjR5wOykOwLK1A4MKueaDKj8uftOMWelYvJIOToeRNYdJ7YAHy78OOWwatWakTqjMOFL5QaLOQn26vXXGDDXA3ZXQVcgFmFqAgLBAv8Pyz6_E9EGo2NOpj7iO1a2dzNBknAEYr9bNudc/s1600/Striped+Kingfisher+2+RS.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striped Kingfisher</td></tr>
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Unfortunately our time was limited as I had an appointment back in town at 13:00 so we had to start moving back home. The house at the T-junction of Rinkhals and the Bynespoort road has beautiful gardens and lawns and we have often found some goodies here. Sunday was no exception as we found Chinspot Batis, Cape Robin-chat, Blue Waxbills, Black-collared Barbet and at last I found the Striped Pipit that is often reported in this area but I have never seen here. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x_S6AvdaC_4Lftt2y2d7PrIMd5oEsTVpNArZbvrHUwUPe9nYnENp275nhYmBrkS4Mmfz1lof_f8k47mS0SXN29b9ExKkQrAlgUcACm8cT9caGnjDa_ChUSexiYbRxGvAm8ZHaXK6t6Y/s1600/Striped+Pipit+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x_S6AvdaC_4Lftt2y2d7PrIMd5oEsTVpNArZbvrHUwUPe9nYnENp275nhYmBrkS4Mmfz1lof_f8k47mS0SXN29b9ExKkQrAlgUcACm8cT9caGnjDa_ChUSexiYbRxGvAm8ZHaXK6t6Y/s1600/Striped+Pipit+RS.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striped Pipit</td></tr>
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Then just as we thought we should call it a day, we found a watering point that was very busy with birds coming in to drink and bathe. We got Crested Barbet, Karoo Thrush, Kurrichane Thrush, Cape White-eyes and a Yellow-fronted Tinker Barbet that kept coming in and out (or was it four individuals)?? We battled to get good images of this guy as he was moving around and preferred the shady areas with extremely busy backgrounds. This was the only fairly decent shot I could get for the record!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgELxD33OYOM7ddI-gsFfWTmZCH54nG5GK32bZFr27F3nT5IfUQTQIudacmgEMsFNSB7ruy7nmj_kGz2NHW_pijO6AHHT4873H36Q-gL49w225Jt8Lcqk1aAYblJiKHt5feLaQXgnORs/s1600/Yellow-fronted+Tinker-barbet+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgELxD33OYOM7ddI-gsFfWTmZCH54nG5GK32bZFr27F3nT5IfUQTQIudacmgEMsFNSB7ruy7nmj_kGz2NHW_pijO6AHHT4873H36Q-gL49w225Jt8Lcqk1aAYblJiKHt5feLaQXgnORs/s1600/Yellow-fronted+Tinker-barbet+RS.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-fronted Tinker-barbet</td></tr>
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With 40 species on the list it really was time to move, so reluctantly we drove off down the last stretch of road only to find another three goodies for the list...White-throated Robin-chat, White-browed Scrub-robin and a Long-billed Crombec....<br />
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Not a huge list for the day but we had some really good sightings and were able to spend some time with the cameras. The watering point is definitely a place to stop at and we would have spent more time there if time was in our favour..<br />
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And that is it for now, I am sure I will be posting soon again! See ya!Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-812121712202949722013-02-03T19:59:00.002+02:002013-02-03T20:12:00.821+02:00Recent Birding outingsHowzit? I haven't had to time to blog lately (honestly :-)) with my recent change in circumstances and starting a new company, its been rush, rush, rush over the last few months. I have however done a few birding trips which I thought I would share,. One of them included a sighting of the elusive White-backed Night-heron which I am sure is on a lot of peoples wish lists. I also went out to Mkhombo Dam again which is an area I really love to visit. Just a pity it is so far from home. Oh and Getaway website used one of my photos for their site recently which you can see at <a href="http://blog.getaway.co.za/wildlife/birding/the-cape-floral-kingdom/">http://blog.getaway.co.za/wildlife/birding/the-cape-floral-kingdom/</a>.<br />
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Firstly, the White-backed Night-Heron....I sent my wish list through to a good birding bud who noticed that I hadn't seen this bird and so on the following Sunday I met up with him at a bridge crossing a small stream on one of the back roads through Mpumalanga, parked the cars and after a 200m walk next to the river came up with this chap or chapess on the opposite bank of the river (So if you are reading this, thanks Richard ).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbYxpE9BFfBtiryt4OtvcAHbo3pB4PBH7Xvljpx-DGSqpZp3fg22yQiB8utzTdk2TxlT5VxxOjxtaAJb0cqQzz4h6YC9QdRHiC5PEVkYPAL3itV-PQy-MhTzf7xKrmQrxX52NaQRE3XU/s1600/White-backed+Night+Heron+1+Birdforum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbYxpE9BFfBtiryt4OtvcAHbo3pB4PBH7Xvljpx-DGSqpZp3fg22yQiB8utzTdk2TxlT5VxxOjxtaAJb0cqQzz4h6YC9QdRHiC5PEVkYPAL3itV-PQy-MhTzf7xKrmQrxX52NaQRE3XU/s640/White-backed+Night+Heron+1+Birdforum.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have done a couple of birding trips to Mkhombo, the first was in November where Phil Penlington and I went looking for the Chestnut-banded Plovers and came up trumps for a change with some good views and great photos of adult breeding and non-breeding birds..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibw5MDkaWHrRVpFsaJXpZ9-OzcBLmtKo-QwqOpA9ctdlGpDTYmYfb1evTKdKvPKBGRWmCbABXjnorciQ4QTIscmBfXpF-l5r_FkLDtbRDb8sztuEgAsoQUO3V2CO-5cvzRv8zAXwkzSA/s1600/Chestnut-banded+Plover+Br+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibw5MDkaWHrRVpFsaJXpZ9-OzcBLmtKo-QwqOpA9ctdlGpDTYmYfb1evTKdKvPKBGRWmCbABXjnorciQ4QTIscmBfXpF-l5r_FkLDtbRDb8sztuEgAsoQUO3V2CO-5cvzRv8zAXwkzSA/s640/Chestnut-banded+Plover+Br+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breeding Chestnut-banded Plover</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADDN4iIYxBd18XpbM2cY9l6aJGRgf8IMF7vwfPNwyofjGUODGfFQZdxY48qPH3T-ldbiTFlOrC9ZxKkTxeumkdlrb1w1tvCjVFiXVM43PHWb87SDKSw8J0vFD6OMyN7CjHkdfN_xsXEU/s1600/Chestnut-banded+Plover+N-Br+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADDN4iIYxBd18XpbM2cY9l6aJGRgf8IMF7vwfPNwyofjGUODGfFQZdxY48qPH3T-ldbiTFlOrC9ZxKkTxeumkdlrb1w1tvCjVFiXVM43PHWb87SDKSw8J0vFD6OMyN7CjHkdfN_xsXEU/s640/Chestnut-banded+Plover+N-Br+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Non-breeding Chestnut-banded Plover</td></tr>
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We also saw an Osprey that had just caught a fish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKe5USmTADxrueFyExU4rsYIJh9205E0e9mRajWLH6QoSSVNWhXLVIiIqI4wdYzr3Dqx72bAKqlDbSZupdGZUgdRrPiJ5ddNhqCmxi76uKeQggTDFESfcWZIiy-ae3IvJRN690Wf9S3S4/s1600/170.Osprey+1+-+Mkhombo+Dam+Nov+2012+pp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKe5USmTADxrueFyExU4rsYIJh9205E0e9mRajWLH6QoSSVNWhXLVIiIqI4wdYzr3Dqx72bAKqlDbSZupdGZUgdRrPiJ5ddNhqCmxi76uKeQggTDFESfcWZIiy-ae3IvJRN690Wf9S3S4/s640/170.Osprey+1+-+Mkhombo+Dam+Nov+2012+pp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2BH0fEDFYyjWENYGNLkAf8ZIvhggKfi1ocfwzSK8zmvujoC_xY98MSP4WgkMCDhIhf55NHfT7CoaXuaVDBkyBa2nbPhxM_-IZnlJcl8qw2MBmM0spMdxz4jd4aJ49zYYYRidfRv-5b0/s1600/170.Osprey+4+-+Mkhombo+Dam+Nov+2012+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2BH0fEDFYyjWENYGNLkAf8ZIvhggKfi1ocfwzSK8zmvujoC_xY98MSP4WgkMCDhIhf55NHfT7CoaXuaVDBkyBa2nbPhxM_-IZnlJcl8qw2MBmM0spMdxz4jd4aJ49zYYYRidfRv-5b0/s640/170.Osprey+4+-+Mkhombo+Dam+Nov+2012+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osprey</td></tr>
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Another interesting spectacle was a large flock of mixed Egrets and Spoonbills feeding in the shallows just off shore. They kept in a tight group, wading or flying forward in stages whilst feeding constantly. They kept this up for about 100m with the Black Egrets seeming to try to stay ahead of the group all the time. They would fly forward, spread their wings over their heads to form a canopy as they normally do and then fly off again as soon as the larger birds caught up.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRH2l9N6LZfmMrUEyNTb-fMp6rHaDQmZ7p96Se1tXAHgeqlCwMqYx30UgHjpe2XUVYTaIvrXWc3Ig5LyxBHij9GXvXKt8HEe6t3YoclhFGB13geOPKRJ092iN2ozQEke1p11PHGVLJHow/s1600/Egrets+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRH2l9N6LZfmMrUEyNTb-fMp6rHaDQmZ7p96Se1tXAHgeqlCwMqYx30UgHjpe2XUVYTaIvrXWc3Ig5LyxBHij9GXvXKt8HEe6t3YoclhFGB13geOPKRJ092iN2ozQEke1p11PHGVLJHow/s640/Egrets+1+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Egrets flying off ahead of the flock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6bQxNX04p7KN5hnAsKriQJMZUo99w0MKlvmfuCm9j0IkUJQP5rPCcGTJV8DWmiA7Oc4vjYCFl-jzaNg2OzQOHnf10KSPDr5OMa5ZOiSeJ5hE64Rco7-yUcEk12WN9AlrDwt5rhYKUs4/s1600/Egrets+2+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6bQxNX04p7KN5hnAsKriQJMZUo99w0MKlvmfuCm9j0IkUJQP5rPCcGTJV8DWmiA7Oc4vjYCFl-jzaNg2OzQOHnf10KSPDr5OMa5ZOiSeJ5hE64Rco7-yUcEk12WN9AlrDwt5rhYKUs4/s640/Egrets+2+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here they land ahead of the feeding flock again</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkVd9DTpyu7Mhr8JczYNWw-PcsyA1_pfNI7qRXtz6MIGiiYLGFZu0zCzWwOjjzL0o1dTWR4GENVlJFh_CaC5uvuu7x92AJqrOSadmxNU-3qJiMdA0mb_cAEVOPZKXdryvw0WEjvlzIBI/s1600/Egrets+3+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkVd9DTpyu7Mhr8JczYNWw-PcsyA1_pfNI7qRXtz6MIGiiYLGFZu0zCzWwOjjzL0o1dTWR4GENVlJFh_CaC5uvuu7x92AJqrOSadmxNU-3qJiMdA0mb_cAEVOPZKXdryvw0WEjvlzIBI/s640/Egrets+3+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They immediately assume hunting position with backs to the wind</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLxA8V64PAc0iEvGolFw2j2miCqbmnvzRRlvqez4rf_GqJuqnmXgd1ERvUooKwx69RJ6rga0ViIGk2Gts9tAxP5v_nmsegdJ5dYB0dCxVc5D7mvHH7MVB-1Xbl2JCjIh4PqA9zp2pbxQ/s1600/Egrets+4+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLxA8V64PAc0iEvGolFw2j2miCqbmnvzRRlvqez4rf_GqJuqnmXgd1ERvUooKwx69RJ6rga0ViIGk2Gts9tAxP5v_nmsegdJ5dYB0dCxVc5D7mvHH7MVB-1Xbl2JCjIh4PqA9zp2pbxQ/s640/Egrets+4+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here they start to move forward again as the flock catches up</td></tr>
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We also got this very interesting looking Yellow Wagtail in moult which looks like it could the flavissima race (the British race) of this species but I dare not speculate for fear of being ridiculed by those in the know.. although I have probably already opened myself up for some serious body shots....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAS526CTGOMqaD3KT87o0wJtwWm_p5mBra7IW016YlJSnvcaZEQoGAmyH9BBTAz3nXEhzN2Q65WAKtScceNsnSUhSOcDTDAEeN3edquA7I77C1-0hhtA_CgxBgOrCTNCeVH7mJZ457Oc/s1600/Yellow+Wagtail+3+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAS526CTGOMqaD3KT87o0wJtwWm_p5mBra7IW016YlJSnvcaZEQoGAmyH9BBTAz3nXEhzN2Q65WAKtScceNsnSUhSOcDTDAEeN3edquA7I77C1-0hhtA_CgxBgOrCTNCeVH7mJZ457Oc/s640/Yellow+Wagtail+3+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Wagtail</td></tr>
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Mkhombo is great for waders as well and some of the common ones are...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYba3zbsfi94x8q-wS45R6wlPRj9EXRmwlFSlWiAJKqk7jEYHaWQizFN-wEIbW4YCNu0Al-Th88RIdenA2OL4ia9rQX3PvFw5eNV3-VeR24rk4PfZ5lGyIC06XD-ALGg2R9CifJP21jk/s1600/c+Little+Stint+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYba3zbsfi94x8q-wS45R6wlPRj9EXRmwlFSlWiAJKqk7jEYHaWQizFN-wEIbW4YCNu0Al-Th88RIdenA2OL4ia9rQX3PvFw5eNV3-VeR24rk4PfZ5lGyIC06XD-ALGg2R9CifJP21jk/s640/c+Little+Stint+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Stint</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrx0bV6J8y4y9asAugPYst847mYwJEma5VQD1BOkGAN7hTrB6Gx9vuU45PjBZnv8GAkptaBU-kwLaGBDyWicTFHavGsT_IHltOoTr9nk9Bqgo-SlZxjAcGVH3gbVIQ1LEItDpZISuxZY/s1600/C+Ruff+1RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrx0bV6J8y4y9asAugPYst847mYwJEma5VQD1BOkGAN7hTrB6Gx9vuU45PjBZnv8GAkptaBU-kwLaGBDyWicTFHavGsT_IHltOoTr9nk9Bqgo-SlZxjAcGVH3gbVIQ1LEItDpZISuxZY/s640/C+Ruff+1RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruff - getting his waltz all wrong</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHmj-1bEd059jTKiO7VZnm7McHvoPaCzTLGJfzXXmj78N12niAo7DPpWcp4tXthdUfgx6vHmyJ3-PdDLmeYvOn1AjLMed-LtH-Q0LoBLPOFuBzp8vwEwReSQQK9M0CAUEpfOTOxmQpic/s1600/c+Wood+Sandpiper+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHmj-1bEd059jTKiO7VZnm7McHvoPaCzTLGJfzXXmj78N12niAo7DPpWcp4tXthdUfgx6vHmyJ3-PdDLmeYvOn1AjLMed-LtH-Q0LoBLPOFuBzp8vwEwReSQQK9M0CAUEpfOTOxmQpic/s640/c+Wood+Sandpiper+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Sandpiper (with Little Stint in the background)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoRCV9ttjX3OVotWyceeqLmB4e11Eb8IdQlqt2EfC8u7-EHKH63woGGyqDc0lB9I-y4SLf5-Hh_07a-PRHV6z_ox_VKGbH1ChgHcEqkFlaPZI18DO8oCO5D9r7zQG23pAMtPZoGC48kU/s1600/Common+Greenshank+1RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoRCV9ttjX3OVotWyceeqLmB4e11Eb8IdQlqt2EfC8u7-EHKH63woGGyqDc0lB9I-y4SLf5-Hh_07a-PRHV6z_ox_VKGbH1ChgHcEqkFlaPZI18DO8oCO5D9r7zQG23pAMtPZoGC48kU/s640/Common+Greenshank+1RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Greenshank</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyywBGJU3GRSqIAAM3bNR06isO4EKbmUmmWHb9QDvTG_GxfFTOxweQmCf06i6Zy4TF2sCGFhuMf-BjLtlLeYcwsJ4M9j7_GIypsB-zF4YsfQ6AUtTDnlh9yMDcokfTfX-7fn_UfdYOVZ4/s1600/Common+Ringed+Plover+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyywBGJU3GRSqIAAM3bNR06isO4EKbmUmmWHb9QDvTG_GxfFTOxweQmCf06i6Zy4TF2sCGFhuMf-BjLtlLeYcwsJ4M9j7_GIypsB-zF4YsfQ6AUtTDnlh9yMDcokfTfX-7fn_UfdYOVZ4/s640/Common+Ringed+Plover+1+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Ringed Plover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In Late December JP was up in Pretoria from the Lowveld to visit in early Jan so he and I also did a trip to Mkhombo to try and find the Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwits and Chestnut-banded Plovers which had been seen there but unfortunately we dipped on all of them. One plus point was that we came across the inland race of the White-fronted Plover which got me/us pretty excited initially.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhIuWEmyFfprOlE0JOwWtevSWAanZshHAL8Oe7iCSuVZJc0jfaix3lDrijCmUk2oBuKyTL0W0sI860saNhLfhW-sDYXHKWobqbLe_QYgcGsBRzhM6CG1V1q65NOTOVC2ACgmi7N9WInQ/s1600/!.+Whitefronted+Plover+2+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhIuWEmyFfprOlE0JOwWtevSWAanZshHAL8Oe7iCSuVZJc0jfaix3lDrijCmUk2oBuKyTL0W0sI860saNhLfhW-sDYXHKWobqbLe_QYgcGsBRzhM6CG1V1q65NOTOVC2ACgmi7N9WInQ/s640/!.+Whitefronted+Plover+2+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-fronted Plover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There were plenty of Yellow Wagtails around in different plumage's, which made identifying the races a bit tricky but I think they were these:-<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggV7knM_t6-zv_F9ryHkekJWpi2qbXQPjEB7VoOlfXetuwFTkLPJq9zfUId-DyfsGaU7A3Mq3yy19myz8FSgKbkSWWtayOGjrs-yVyBiAKK_xvXTJfRrJgPdzbyrsFq5nRQIrds9uhAW4/s1600/1.+Yellow+Wagtail+-+Flava+2+spp+SP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggV7knM_t6-zv_F9ryHkekJWpi2qbXQPjEB7VoOlfXetuwFTkLPJq9zfUId-DyfsGaU7A3Mq3yy19myz8FSgKbkSWWtayOGjrs-yVyBiAKK_xvXTJfRrJgPdzbyrsFq5nRQIrds9uhAW4/s640/1.+Yellow+Wagtail+-+Flava+2+spp+SP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motacilla flava flava moulting adult</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiPkj-o8gerdO49LVUXCok6kPoFNc8uHLGrB80IA3uJ9pd5GiBrfHL8x58DyCL5WjsdTkeAtiI_HI6TjNVRUCDZVMw6aYgG3OqOA8FoBimr2cTw3A2bPq2zxeIKiAQQFHoeBeurTNOm4/s1600/1.+Yellow+Wagtail+-+Flava+3+spp+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiPkj-o8gerdO49LVUXCok6kPoFNc8uHLGrB80IA3uJ9pd5GiBrfHL8x58DyCL5WjsdTkeAtiI_HI6TjNVRUCDZVMw6aYgG3OqOA8FoBimr2cTw3A2bPq2zxeIKiAQQFHoeBeurTNOm4/s640/1.+Yellow+Wagtail+-+Flava+3+spp+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motacilla flava flava - male in breeding plumage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOt9ZSDs7w_NTPw47fXhrfOF4EamQS_ksMFB-HclTh1CDgjE787O7JfblngGeaoVbtn3Vc9uVYBPlzqST-8z26HXB_ppHo4AfnPvYDggPNSFYltnlzPGapqdL4G2UaIbTfzTd2ZXl-Yk/s1600/1.+Yellow+Wagtail+-+Flava+4+spp+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOt9ZSDs7w_NTPw47fXhrfOF4EamQS_ksMFB-HclTh1CDgjE787O7JfblngGeaoVbtn3Vc9uVYBPlzqST-8z26HXB_ppHo4AfnPvYDggPNSFYltnlzPGapqdL4G2UaIbTfzTd2ZXl-Yk/s640/1.+Yellow+Wagtail+-+Flava+4+spp+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motacilla flava flava - non breeding plumage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZswQ6lScSpCzrXFb-O1A3jF3DLU9Ur57v_9RdekNPLNDyuPV9NbqqRiFwz8uOQMHhhSFpbnReEYT3FiYyxYgGBzUSpMdJ4PwCv5kfD5YCw8cJewsZUQm5MscJ2z4XP02s3X2uQfYREDE/s1600/1.+Yellow+Wagtail+-+Flava+spp+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZswQ6lScSpCzrXFb-O1A3jF3DLU9Ur57v_9RdekNPLNDyuPV9NbqqRiFwz8uOQMHhhSFpbnReEYT3FiYyxYgGBzUSpMdJ4PwCv5kfD5YCw8cJewsZUQm5MscJ2z4XP02s3X2uQfYREDE/s640/1.+Yellow+Wagtail+-+Flava+spp+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motacilla flava flava - 1st winter bird?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmu1oNvX6ePnUZ5KBb756M2i1NmYmNuYBzlnSKu4iN-_qiq8Q92w2-taK1VzUhG1M7G5cCjLcPmbfdWXTiCqfDWsebMFK5bwDlvvXczZscVS090_r_n4BbI4i28Na1cgrdHgATNsEHISc/s1600/1.+Yellow+Wagtail+-+Flavissima+spp+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmu1oNvX6ePnUZ5KBb756M2i1NmYmNuYBzlnSKu4iN-_qiq8Q92w2-taK1VzUhG1M7G5cCjLcPmbfdWXTiCqfDWsebMFK5bwDlvvXczZscVS090_r_n4BbI4i28Na1cgrdHgATNsEHISc/s640/1.+Yellow+Wagtail+-+Flavissima+spp+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motacilla flava flavissima moulting male (I think this is the same bird as the first Yellow Wagtail image at the top of the page but taken two weeks later)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As far as bushveld birds were concerned we found a Juvenile Great Spotted Cuckoo which had found a huge caterpillar and was beating it to death on a convenient branch. There didn't seem to be much left of it when I took this photo.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16clvIo8M9EXuyWeT8nvCZG1PkITeLmYTqlrScpoGF1jZ4XHWTMYTJrbjNKh4ZougD86B9GSlSgpPv8sVx_yWvSzk0O7cn0OhRLTpiboLe8S8_xiy5Mu88YfwJfIQOQ2WGK6PVb9daug/s1600/Great+Spotted+Cuckoo+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16clvIo8M9EXuyWeT8nvCZG1PkITeLmYTqlrScpoGF1jZ4XHWTMYTJrbjNKh4ZougD86B9GSlSgpPv8sVx_yWvSzk0O7cn0OhRLTpiboLe8S8_xiy5Mu88YfwJfIQOQ2WGK6PVb9daug/s640/Great+Spotted+Cuckoo+1+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Great Spotted Cuckoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
More excitement came in the form of my first confirmed Icterine Warbler ( I think all the others may have been Willow Warblers). It's a bit embarrassing to admit this by the way...seeing as I have been birding for the last 20 years...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtrwTycN6u5P0oAnqtOmXtosGI8qlRTd6HuQLyAPOiB9zmjLvB0ikj8FNKB-TSFdZrQNDonvX9kRpiJ1bnXpzhJxUcNsDrOG-6toh84WiCgpxvRhCTUQQ-cZYFvu98HRjmBrJ7GrzhCk/s1600/Icterine+Warbler+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtrwTycN6u5P0oAnqtOmXtosGI8qlRTd6HuQLyAPOiB9zmjLvB0ikj8FNKB-TSFdZrQNDonvX9kRpiJ1bnXpzhJxUcNsDrOG-6toh84WiCgpxvRhCTUQQ-cZYFvu98HRjmBrJ7GrzhCk/s640/Icterine+Warbler+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icterine Warbler - note yellow colour and GREY legs :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters are plentiful and we saw them on both occasions sitting on the numerous petrified tree stumps scattered around the shore just waiting to shred a tyre. The bee-eaters are fairly approachable and allow a photo session as long as you stay in the vehicle.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqV3vt50_mSAcbtvyjhzT9LE-Hwy5Kt6FiT47lO_hGb62eY9xcyASH-o5AZFe8TuKFa8e3XudBGcyhGwRBcXW4TFN4rdSxPWwpvIU_rrcSrkzQofh6tWtXwBYWZpycCFPhZ_pvpxaG3Q/s1600/Blue-cheeked+Bee-eater+1RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqV3vt50_mSAcbtvyjhzT9LE-Hwy5Kt6FiT47lO_hGb62eY9xcyASH-o5AZFe8TuKFa8e3XudBGcyhGwRBcXW4TFN4rdSxPWwpvIU_rrcSrkzQofh6tWtXwBYWZpycCFPhZ_pvpxaG3Q/s640/Blue-cheeked+Bee-eater+1RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-cheeked Bee-eater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On both visits there was a flock of Greater Flamingos made up mainly of juvenile birds and a few adults. It looked almost like a type of creche?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJdgHrVZHjNB83WP6oTagKHxbnoGzGB0kXfpJhyphenhyphenlk_sbXZ8GFI8spVn10LgvyBbnCkWnmSsxs9dSxQm2qxTw515c8KDnjcFS19NyXRcY3TqxR_DhpQSvBodTimpsaMKo8AvY9lF1WrCo/s1600/Greater+Flamingos+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJdgHrVZHjNB83WP6oTagKHxbnoGzGB0kXfpJhyphenhyphenlk_sbXZ8GFI8spVn10LgvyBbnCkWnmSsxs9dSxQm2qxTw515c8KDnjcFS19NyXRcY3TqxR_DhpQSvBodTimpsaMKo8AvY9lF1WrCo/s640/Greater+Flamingos+1+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6aXgc3pArzhXRNMO6zkikzR9xP2EguxRtieYvcSUv75s3Qh3ZV-9XoawbbUQfAB3vkOXK-Bj5_wAiNR5S11hUF0SAxC72rm7n1NvJIvSiVX37qGgtUEQQiRtKMCrjoBO6RnB01_g6tM/s1600/Greater+Flamingos+2+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6aXgc3pArzhXRNMO6zkikzR9xP2EguxRtieYvcSUv75s3Qh3ZV-9XoawbbUQfAB3vkOXK-Bj5_wAiNR5S11hUF0SAxC72rm7n1NvJIvSiVX37qGgtUEQQiRtKMCrjoBO6RnB01_g6tM/s640/Greater+Flamingos+2+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Flamingos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Finally, what would an African bird watching outing to a dam be without the old Fish Eagle, this guy always seems to be at the same place near the dam inflow.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe27vrjundWRRGgHXMwG-MIjfa2O-GrSGWKsSQxTqMgkQxn2fo3-ltMWJEsZDRERHcB5cRGEuDC0qDynbj6iH_sZ5hT2J5X5TkRuZUDvwgE4Y4IsSgT6eWkjY101TJ4OV9wYOsM5EB66I/s1600/1.Fish+Eagle+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe27vrjundWRRGgHXMwG-MIjfa2O-GrSGWKsSQxTqMgkQxn2fo3-ltMWJEsZDRERHcB5cRGEuDC0qDynbj6iH_sZ5hT2J5X5TkRuZUDvwgE4Y4IsSgT6eWkjY101TJ4OV9wYOsM5EB66I/s640/1.Fish+Eagle+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Fish Eagle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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There is not going to be much time for birding or blogging this year by the looks of it but I will try to sneak out now and again for some photos and a story....<br />
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Oh and one more photo to make the mouth water and keep the brain ticking over..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_2TzqhkZwJe6_rBUXWFyRPu5pORf4k-fwHnUPZITc2MC1rgECdMn7ZLvyOiJM2JnGbvwrwGKK0P8SWNiJBUmM6ETWpPW1R7nj3HuvAFKM15NtqmKleRYrGpVc3JUS9t6eX9hAvdsu5g/s1600/Mystery+Eagle+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ea="true" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_2TzqhkZwJe6_rBUXWFyRPu5pORf4k-fwHnUPZITc2MC1rgECdMn7ZLvyOiJM2JnGbvwrwGKK0P8SWNiJBUmM6ETWpPW1R7nj3HuvAFKM15NtqmKleRYrGpVc3JUS9t6eX9hAvdsu5g/s640/Mystery+Eagle+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mystery Eagle - taken in a pine forest in Mpumalanga </td></tr>
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Hahaha.....with that I say...toodles!!<br />
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Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-81961493503125048862012-12-07T17:12:00.001+02:002012-12-07T17:15:09.751+02:00The Quick TwitchWell, what can I say? On Thursday 6th I braved the protest marchers and potential traffic delays to go and view the latest rarity to South Africa. A Collared Flycatcher was seen by a local birder and ringer, Malcolm Wilson, in his Robindale garden in Randburg Gauteng and he quickly put the news out for all the twitchers come and see. Some European birders are probably wondering what all the fuss is all about but this was only the 9th recorded sighting of this species in South Africa. It was first sighted on Tuesday 4th and by Thursday an estimated 400 birders had been through his garden and surrounding suburb to see and photograph the bird. <br />
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I left home at 15h30 and I reached the turnoff on the highway at the same time that I reached the back end of the protest march and with a bit of detours arrived at the house at around 16h16. Luckily when I got there, there were only a few birders and I could move around and photograph to my hearts content. The bird kept his distance and left me wishing I had a longer lens again!! Any sponsors out there wanting to get rid of a 400mm f2.8 Canon lens with a converter or two??<br />
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Anyway here of the results of my attempts. Not very good I'm afraid as the lighting was poor, I didn't take my tri-pod (silly me) and the distance was too great...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahZh1uti9RSeE8ggzHdpmi7WqvlFGJ3ef14zk5hLngKPK4t5LSE0IfBRzxLq6aObiTxLxLcMtA8c0lAOaKXPWJ4oXoyJHf4OekzSyL90lK_86-pboPPTI1_91W4VyrPmPhCrKh5dAvjc/s1600/Collared+Flycatcher+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahZh1uti9RSeE8ggzHdpmi7WqvlFGJ3ef14zk5hLngKPK4t5LSE0IfBRzxLq6aObiTxLxLcMtA8c0lAOaKXPWJ4oXoyJHf4OekzSyL90lK_86-pboPPTI1_91W4VyrPmPhCrKh5dAvjc/s640/Collared+Flycatcher+1+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdnOOErK18tu0WnpQkhKHK5Ddh2XOpVSJ7l0_tX_PTW_oIN02i73TKAV9mdVd2e-VngUsas23FzVdWtrNpIgF7gD9vsUIv9N9N0rnanW8ivRrAcutRtoEecLkbl7jZOKqz8_xqsxshI8/s1600/Collared+Flycatcher+2+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdnOOErK18tu0WnpQkhKHK5Ddh2XOpVSJ7l0_tX_PTW_oIN02i73TKAV9mdVd2e-VngUsas23FzVdWtrNpIgF7gD9vsUIv9N9N0rnanW8ivRrAcutRtoEecLkbl7jZOKqz8_xqsxshI8/s640/Collared+Flycatcher+2+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17JGUVRiY_CEzLr6_7HSXrDBT_zA1IXCPzGFQEnX_nAWkKsENlSIB4fSc_Gm7cCMrJ2D9aCkml6AfyUw2sW1o1yiADBL5FH6imDEW3JxGPRzpbl9RQ8-vsc7XPPQuOBY89DUajlRiBoE/s1600/Collared+Flycatcher+3+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17JGUVRiY_CEzLr6_7HSXrDBT_zA1IXCPzGFQEnX_nAWkKsENlSIB4fSc_Gm7cCMrJ2D9aCkml6AfyUw2sW1o1yiADBL5FH6imDEW3JxGPRzpbl9RQ8-vsc7XPPQuOBY89DUajlRiBoE/s640/Collared+Flycatcher+3+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hQqLENu07Ina4MmVFVqroYG8WrN8PQ0aMYnFufHOMf9LKM1DV0eTfWpBpdyV4CGB3gVZUn2DkfyTOu1y-UXgGqDCwEybha5UiLTf615gOcA7laqbdvpXvtMQ2W-yGSAKzAto6OykjTs/s1600/Collared+Flycatcher+4+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hQqLENu07Ina4MmVFVqroYG8WrN8PQ0aMYnFufHOMf9LKM1DV0eTfWpBpdyV4CGB3gVZUn2DkfyTOu1y-UXgGqDCwEybha5UiLTf615gOcA7laqbdvpXvtMQ2W-yGSAKzAto6OykjTs/s640/Collared+Flycatcher+4+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZywGTUoPOLYJmigK1xjP7qFkn6CV0FjJW_3wQkUEJZtPeSE2_lMd-N0Ueg2oyC8S7bKRdKhNdmpen1O7_23tfNorjw_ooPz2xK5Kf2w8iFt8S1kuxdePyrI0_DqTqLKkbOLpMU2zzMVM/s1600/Collared+Flycatcher+5+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZywGTUoPOLYJmigK1xjP7qFkn6CV0FjJW_3wQkUEJZtPeSE2_lMd-N0Ueg2oyC8S7bKRdKhNdmpen1O7_23tfNorjw_ooPz2xK5Kf2w8iFt8S1kuxdePyrI0_DqTqLKkbOLpMU2zzMVM/s640/Collared+Flycatcher+5+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOlXWKnNRxJSLfsBxRRHUQzRgIk9NfeMobmFttneHOa8n04vSoJqWMeWDI5OXjQCfZ5MF5QVR8-OSeJ0hyphenhyphen8eTaqsvQNzTepBTDPQhSg7T4HqnZQ4U-_Mm0tCQydOREJz81bYdSiWWWCo/s1600/Collared+Flycatcher+6+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" nea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOlXWKnNRxJSLfsBxRRHUQzRgIk9NfeMobmFttneHOa8n04vSoJqWMeWDI5OXjQCfZ5MF5QVR8-OSeJ0hyphenhyphen8eTaqsvQNzTepBTDPQhSg7T4HqnZQ4U-_Mm0tCQydOREJz81bYdSiWWWCo/s640/Collared+Flycatcher+6+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collared Flycatcher (6)</td></tr>
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I am also seriously thinking of changing my blog name from The Lazy Birder to The Busy Birder because I always have to be somewhere else when I have a gap to go birding! Rush, rush, rush....<br />
<br />Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-951774693111888412012-12-02T10:50:00.002+02:002013-02-03T13:43:26.967+02:00Amsterdam Rd and Hoogland Health HydroI popped out for a quick birding trip the other day to Amsterdam Rd to see if the Cuckoofinches and Melodius Larks were about but I dipped on both of them. All I got was a Capped Wheatear with a juvenile and some distant Clapper Larks and the usual Rufousnaped Larks and Whitewinged Korhaans.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VJaSyQnQcQkZ-NtsjfW_NBQFPmyC2TznB47vaeBLHcRGo9bPyxFj-UbTfMeF2oD17cJfnqS4QTca9-1fLHCyOG8FRRdcYP7mJ1_u-wl9A8PvQQd5BCDpQM_6Se1v1IYVH7N2F1v-3PA/s1600/2.Capped+Wheatear+-+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VJaSyQnQcQkZ-NtsjfW_NBQFPmyC2TznB47vaeBLHcRGo9bPyxFj-UbTfMeF2oD17cJfnqS4QTca9-1fLHCyOG8FRRdcYP7mJ1_u-wl9A8PvQQd5BCDpQM_6Se1v1IYVH7N2F1v-3PA/s640/2.Capped+Wheatear+-+RS.jpg" tea="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Capped Wheatear</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLxhdl-TDNfSgjalSeKyybc_zBDJDLKz3pnWnmTt2JRMKGY1v5R75A3rMIplfHdc0Ce7JS-B4aYhoN3QorMZfNBZE07eyN3G3gqQb06DHtoZnzhY35FP3lbWwbz0WgwAGbWYf9GAAiZ4/s1600/1.Capped+Wheatear+Juv+1+-+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLxhdl-TDNfSgjalSeKyybc_zBDJDLKz3pnWnmTt2JRMKGY1v5R75A3rMIplfHdc0Ce7JS-B4aYhoN3QorMZfNBZE07eyN3G3gqQb06DHtoZnzhY35FP3lbWwbz0WgwAGbWYf9GAAiZ4/s640/1.Capped+Wheatear+Juv+1+-+RS.jpg" tea="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Capped Wheatear</td></tr>
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There was a Micro-light aircraft practising its landing procedures which probably contributed to the lack of birds as well as some off-road bikers that were tearing around the place making a racket! I decided to go through to Hoogland Health Hydro to see what was about here and was pleasantly surprised with a Yellow-throated Petronia pair that were feeding their chicks at the nest in a tree stump right next to the road. The nest was in a tree next to a slope so I could get up high and photograph level with their position.. This is the first time I have seen this species so close to home!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtftcGMy_WI-Fmi0NoOAKBvae3Q7IEkQgeSrsjIJBhqMzcs9hALZtav6DASXNbhyv3Z7LzXZVLzQGrBFCXb9iE9tdQGMIdTdkszIR8dHPxotymLzUZCUBN041ClMT9w-s5XXOmH3tzzng/s1600/1.+Yellow-throated+Petronia+3+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtftcGMy_WI-Fmi0NoOAKBvae3Q7IEkQgeSrsjIJBhqMzcs9hALZtav6DASXNbhyv3Z7LzXZVLzQGrBFCXb9iE9tdQGMIdTdkszIR8dHPxotymLzUZCUBN041ClMT9w-s5XXOmH3tzzng/s640/1.+Yellow-throated+Petronia+3+RS.jpg" tea="true" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNjtkONbtgXIvXBwVHl8F1F_dnr_5uo-rbFKXie4hfRoV8nPY-K0JqNUgFOE_McHeQlQQEupplR0p0NtGcbdueMU139eJdENMugDYQ-R6dCEV7ZfWun469WFl-xHNwi7Ut4MSzioMne0/s1600/1.+Yellow-throated+Petronia+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNjtkONbtgXIvXBwVHl8F1F_dnr_5uo-rbFKXie4hfRoV8nPY-K0JqNUgFOE_McHeQlQQEupplR0p0NtGcbdueMU139eJdENMugDYQ-R6dCEV7ZfWun469WFl-xHNwi7Ut4MSzioMne0/s640/1.+Yellow-throated+Petronia+1+RS.jpg" tea="true" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_eh8HxXHYPhWKnJ1pwC_2Zrtypr5woTyZ0Od7AT6v1N3LFDLJbAinca4L9_0nDyGEatC9HYTJUX9s5a-vJyci96lzmkKsiDpy80oKyaCXJZvGhN0UsvoHHhzzoPXHTggJkTNQKt3U1w/s1600/1.+Yellow-throated+Petronia+2+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_eh8HxXHYPhWKnJ1pwC_2Zrtypr5woTyZ0Od7AT6v1N3LFDLJbAinca4L9_0nDyGEatC9HYTJUX9s5a-vJyci96lzmkKsiDpy80oKyaCXJZvGhN0UsvoHHhzzoPXHTggJkTNQKt3U1w/s640/1.+Yellow-throated+Petronia+2+RS.jpg" tea="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-throated Petronia (3)</td></tr>
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Not wanting to disturb the Petronias too much I left them after a few minutes and headed down to reception to announce my presence. Down at reception I found a very obliging Kurrichane Thrush who sat still while I got a few photos of him.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6QmjFllZ1Bkc-eYBPNSFPtMXyb4nGV1pXbzP6wvFwpsdsbj2LIrqAzt2MR21vqD7r0ZNS6K4HAANgWghd3F_uF8o1dLFE8-F7doCfE_u7i1NtV1OIVHxlV6GoQFMQLlE8d-f8R_aiPw/s1600/3.+Kurrichane+Thrush+2+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6QmjFllZ1Bkc-eYBPNSFPtMXyb4nGV1pXbzP6wvFwpsdsbj2LIrqAzt2MR21vqD7r0ZNS6K4HAANgWghd3F_uF8o1dLFE8-F7doCfE_u7i1NtV1OIVHxlV6GoQFMQLlE8d-f8R_aiPw/s640/3.+Kurrichane+Thrush+2+RS.jpg" tea="true" width="426" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiBkIieAT1ApvBvd-3mcHtmfQcKgjFiKxkjiE4VCrfLWGRv_fOgqex_sa_wJYfWjB8LQ2NEaQSooR7-OI7N0MxTCKDT2NEhfSH9OHhIcC0FIhgke_HFMeCDwYoCi3OXgYR_6_hKlhYOs/s1600/3.+Kurrichane+Thrush+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiBkIieAT1ApvBvd-3mcHtmfQcKgjFiKxkjiE4VCrfLWGRv_fOgqex_sa_wJYfWjB8LQ2NEaQSooR7-OI7N0MxTCKDT2NEhfSH9OHhIcC0FIhgke_HFMeCDwYoCi3OXgYR_6_hKlhYOs/s640/3.+Kurrichane+Thrush+1+RS.jpg" tea="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kurrichane Thrush (2)</td></tr>
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Another interesting sighting for this area was a Short-toed Rock-thrush which is only supposed to be a winter visitor to this site?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwIGDZiwWSGBrC9Bdd_dPB912fsizg7wucMNRZa-NzRveu5Z6CFz4EW46RaJVsF_PKjXKD2ZG1Lq24Woz0ikjVBRzbC1Es7xkH-I4veywi7bgKiQ93_33fe6y14MJgE6v2nlHXXgx4Bc/s1600/2.Short-toed+Rock+Thrush+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwIGDZiwWSGBrC9Bdd_dPB912fsizg7wucMNRZa-NzRveu5Z6CFz4EW46RaJVsF_PKjXKD2ZG1Lq24Woz0ikjVBRzbC1Es7xkH-I4veywi7bgKiQ93_33fe6y14MJgE6v2nlHXXgx4Bc/s640/2.Short-toed+Rock+Thrush+RS.jpg" tea="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Short-toed Rock-thrush</td></tr>
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After asking for permission, I took a drive to the air-field which has a picnic site nearby. This was a great spot for some good birds, I saw Lesser Honeyguide, Bru-bru, Violet-backed Starling, Red-throated Wryneck, Paradise Flycatcher, Black Cuckooshrike, Black-backed Puffback, Klaas' Cuckoo and SA Cliff Swallows. On the drive up there I heard Red-wing Francolins calling higher up and spotted a Black-breasted Snake-eagle circling overhead. I could not get close enough for decent photos of any of these species however.<br />
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Finally for the possible reptile fans out there who may find this site, I photographed two interesting fellows who I have tentatively identified as a Transvaal Girdled Lizard and a Spotted Gecko but if you know better then let me know the correct names, thanks!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Nov5AiFFjslzMBRWgK1gdXUwFvaJJVA0FesbCCVcyvr7Erxez_s7eYIDIW7BmyjkTi0C-grvqVJ0MBXO363wccMPcHaHUbAO2yxEItbFnzdAW9otkBN18fqMrzkXkHsbZhAsBokstAU/s1600/4.+Girdled+Lizard+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Nov5AiFFjslzMBRWgK1gdXUwFvaJJVA0FesbCCVcyvr7Erxez_s7eYIDIW7BmyjkTi0C-grvqVJ0MBXO363wccMPcHaHUbAO2yxEItbFnzdAW9otkBN18fqMrzkXkHsbZhAsBokstAU/s640/4.+Girdled+Lizard+RS.jpg" tea="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transvaal Girdled Lizard?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kRuIDJBJX8FA2UCtQ5ehkho1ghyphenhyphenlKPhN6CemOvVDENOCt__-V6mtoOrM8g8jYujplrGeWDvby0cXqQRMVtZlh0dnR2NFbSxxXyvlO2ufjLbV6Mamr_Z3Tv9oy2iJ990W1Rn4Z9zErX8/s1600/5.+Spotted+Gecko+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kRuIDJBJX8FA2UCtQ5ehkho1ghyphenhyphenlKPhN6CemOvVDENOCt__-V6mtoOrM8g8jYujplrGeWDvby0cXqQRMVtZlh0dnR2NFbSxxXyvlO2ufjLbV6Mamr_Z3Tv9oy2iJ990W1Rn4Z9zErX8/s640/5.+Spotted+Gecko+RS.jpg" tea="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Gecko?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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That's all I have time for now but I had a great trip to Mkhombo Dam again last weekend which I will be posting shortly so keep an eye out for it.<br />
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Cheers!Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-8200901730319087702012-11-10T08:24:00.002+02:002012-11-10T08:24:54.957+02:00Spring Time Birding in GautengI can't believe that this year has flown past so quickly and so much has happened this year. It is definately going to be a year to remember. Well so far the Spring is has arrived and brought with it lots of rain and lots of migrants that have arrived earlier than usual. It all started when the Greater Striped Swallows arrived almost a 10 days earlier than they have for at least the last 5 years, then the Red-chested Cuckoo was heard calling on the 17th October whereas we normally only hear them around the 30th and the Paradise Flycatchers arrived on the 21st October, much earlier than the first week of November. I wonder what these signs mean....they can only mean good things! Maybe they know the Mayan calender and want to enjoy their last African summer......tee hee hee....<br />
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Other interesting sightings in the garden since the beginning of spring were our first Olive Pigeon, a (European) Marsh Warbler which was sighted having a dip in the bird bath on the 14th, a Wattled Starling on the 17th and a Rose-ringed Parakeet flying overhead. The Bronze Mannikins have become regular visitors now and we see them almost everyday which is still exciting for me to sit and watch them. I suppose the excitement of seeing them will wear off eventually as this tends to happen when birds become regulars to the garden. I can't even imagine that when we first moved in here 18 years ago we didn't have Karoo Thrush or Cape Robin in the garden (which was pretty bleak). Now as many as 5 Thrushes at a time display on the lawn and up the paths around the house dragging their wings and fanning their tails to attract the ladies. They are really comical when they do this and extremely bold. Our garden list has now grown to a cool 108 species in the last 18 years with 45 species being seen for the month of October.... Although this total also includes birds flying overhead there are 37 species which regularly visit our garden itself.<br />
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Anyway, I have really been battling with my camera to get nice crisp images and after much experimentation have re-calibrated the auto-focus using a calibration chart set at 45 degrees to the camera. It is now set to minus 7 and I am much happier with the result. For more details on how to set your own autofocus see Bill Majoros' website listed under My Favourite Websites..(<a href="http://www.thirdbirdfromthesun.com/mac.html">http://www.thirdbirdfromthesun.com/mac.html</a>). He has an excellent photographic instruction manual (that you can read for free) which has very detailed information on just about everything to do with bird photography and he is a nice (and patient) guy who is happy to explain the technical stuff if you ask him!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwP39GdLSPpctRwIDL9BlaFgcgJMZ8lvE1pkiGSI9GVpH4maL1nQ2CHFvMXosudLMJNWHVB7L_OPI8uTwi7fhV_Nr5buCgRxxA1ZpWxveE0hmstGPfUIVEXyJHTBZyQHUis65PQtsJ2Y/s1600/Focus+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwP39GdLSPpctRwIDL9BlaFgcgJMZ8lvE1pkiGSI9GVpH4maL1nQ2CHFvMXosudLMJNWHVB7L_OPI8uTwi7fhV_Nr5buCgRxxA1ZpWxveE0hmstGPfUIVEXyJHTBZyQHUis65PQtsJ2Y/s320/Focus+1+RS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, here are some garden bird images after the auto focus calibration. Please feel free to comment to if you feel that there is a difference in the image sharpness (or not). I have done some re-sizing of the images for quicker uploads and one unsharp mask after the resize, on the parrot and hornbill shots I did adjust the shadows and highlights a bit but then again these were more record shots of special birds in the garden. We were on our way out when the hornbill arrived so had the wife pressing me to hurry up with that photo. I don't think it is that bad under the circumstances??<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFilyVQzVlvOHhBPe5yfg2FHyxX_DaksveMkHLhZFIxWk9S_ELuaERnbbaJP1Q8QIiT1xvQoro7rQu-WDHu_3Ha2jxU_C7lKW8ThNHIfV1y6prHvsIEPCeMXoS4CFrZpbqQ6TdhJOSDI/s1600/1.+Red-faced+Mousebird+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFilyVQzVlvOHhBPe5yfg2FHyxX_DaksveMkHLhZFIxWk9S_ELuaERnbbaJP1Q8QIiT1xvQoro7rQu-WDHu_3Ha2jxU_C7lKW8ThNHIfV1y6prHvsIEPCeMXoS4CFrZpbqQ6TdhJOSDI/s640/1.+Red-faced+Mousebird+rs.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-faced Mousebird</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXQoF_gjIuq8Ze5cJ1w1tAtOivk7TYgbEMyhSMc8JylH-kTnOtX-Vd0F4_MoPwH4Tyw1Xq7UINKCmZq1iskePg7uveXSx8uf8timXBt2mfgLzoy1w_yCxqH9H0-QqoJbJyABhXI7toYc/s1600/2.+Black-throated+Canary+1+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXQoF_gjIuq8Ze5cJ1w1tAtOivk7TYgbEMyhSMc8JylH-kTnOtX-Vd0F4_MoPwH4Tyw1Xq7UINKCmZq1iskePg7uveXSx8uf8timXBt2mfgLzoy1w_yCxqH9H0-QqoJbJyABhXI7toYc/s640/2.+Black-throated+Canary+1+rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-throated Canary</td></tr>
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Sorry for this one but when you are eager to try out the new auto focus setting, any birdy subject will do!! But, hey, they have their own characters and being birds I enjoy them just as much as the others. Using Sir David Attenboroughs ranking formula on the BBC program Life of Birds (based on the bib size), this must be at least a lieutenant? A rather cheeky one as he was later seen chasing off a Colonel...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5F7FFcKAci1_gLwAPvzGx6jO8Du6xnitjzjMlW-KFugy7iLlBr5srPmrcBU8OiWQlQGz26p8GwNhfkwpFQOhkqlpelI2e8aZYL-bpTFMNyWKwonnNin4NDpPUiaeg9X_mYgI7K3CmIw/s1600/3.+House+Sparrow+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5F7FFcKAci1_gLwAPvzGx6jO8Du6xnitjzjMlW-KFugy7iLlBr5srPmrcBU8OiWQlQGz26p8GwNhfkwpFQOhkqlpelI2e8aZYL-bpTFMNyWKwonnNin4NDpPUiaeg9X_mYgI7K3CmIw/s640/3.+House+Sparrow+rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House Sparrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Some more Glossy Starling shots.....you regular visitors have probably seen enough of them on my blog. But aren't they pretty??<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVjsVEvakz_xXvyZQsf2uqoNuP9dSTc9PDiCmASRkRm4iT1O-mubMqfOeqmxjqNGTkazqx1WeJOiybqFrc2IKKsqflIOB6juYPGNo6AJSsawPvsIilE3jMRK0lS9ZiB_a_NWbVEj3mfY/s1600/Cape+Glossy+Starling+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVjsVEvakz_xXvyZQsf2uqoNuP9dSTc9PDiCmASRkRm4iT1O-mubMqfOeqmxjqNGTkazqx1WeJOiybqFrc2IKKsqflIOB6juYPGNo6AJSsawPvsIilE3jMRK0lS9ZiB_a_NWbVEj3mfY/s640/Cape+Glossy+Starling+1+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tried a panoramic crop here..<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcP3-T3BnZZV1_MopUQDZIiYOsVQB3glcbpASjRmBEM4KZwf-EHJt2v2Z2UMcajy00v9HQkwpDAfMmbf4SOTTysEJmpdGFbDqBquZBaLTSQtKruFmzOY_-qoGJUOdo1Q2ppWHRHTkmsd4/s1600/Cape+Glossy+Starling+2+Pano+pp+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcP3-T3BnZZV1_MopUQDZIiYOsVQB3glcbpASjRmBEM4KZwf-EHJt2v2Z2UMcajy00v9HQkwpDAfMmbf4SOTTysEJmpdGFbDqBquZBaLTSQtKruFmzOY_-qoGJUOdo1Q2ppWHRHTkmsd4/s640/Cape+Glossy+Starling+2+Pano+pp+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And a Portrait type shot...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JLXpfoyZ7Txe7oLbYcTmetE_YFhIz7g-vTc0kYd8XBprOKHmxgh1TCoEzory6uXXSu3Hw1H6BE8WwfqP196QqiRXEStNs2k2uAVQ-YtB3e3zAYG-sGeqA5JV_tm1R3ovKSI9tirhG9Q/s1600/Cape+Glossy+Starling+3+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JLXpfoyZ7Txe7oLbYcTmetE_YFhIz7g-vTc0kYd8XBprOKHmxgh1TCoEzory6uXXSu3Hw1H6BE8WwfqP196QqiRXEStNs2k2uAVQ-YtB3e3zAYG-sGeqA5JV_tm1R3ovKSI9tirhG9Q/s640/Cape+Glossy+Starling+3+RS.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Glossy Starling (3)</td></tr>
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Oh and some time in October we heard a strange call from the front garden. I initially thought that the neighbour must have got a new parrot but then realised after half the day had gone by that the call was coming from the Karee tree right outside our lounge window...on closer inspection it turned out to be a Senegal Parrot. Not an indigenous bird in our area but a very popular cage bird so someone had lost a good R900 worth of exotic parrot.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7R2ztNVlugEr7xZg9Z37NCoEnGfOS3z3EUbtXOpStYUxasyII33CC9IB-57PkcQAAtIJX3ek7WoYrCXL-y97YztxQwk7F8vhAuMiVgbjF7cKeCzPuWTsoI8FE2GVVx-dV6gG8yOsr2E/s1600/1.+Senegal+Parrot+1+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7R2ztNVlugEr7xZg9Z37NCoEnGfOS3z3EUbtXOpStYUxasyII33CC9IB-57PkcQAAtIJX3ek7WoYrCXL-y97YztxQwk7F8vhAuMiVgbjF7cKeCzPuWTsoI8FE2GVVx-dV6gG8yOsr2E/s640/1.+Senegal+Parrot+1+rs.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senegal Parrot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Finally, the Hornbill photo......competition time, if you can sex the bird you win bragging rights for a month. No peeking in the books now, this should be an easy one!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihed618929nmqTHZXEg_5bmx0Aj-87xkABmEkqCJzI2oTS9nS8zrN5h1-9kL5BZ2B8VAatyd-l7w9eSM258GfqdApJ-8Lf4ZTVyx8P8DltXNazHR1jv3eGZN34ZrNaPfd8AB7pFjCOHWo/s1600/Grey+Hornbill+Female+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihed618929nmqTHZXEg_5bmx0Aj-87xkABmEkqCJzI2oTS9nS8zrN5h1-9kL5BZ2B8VAatyd-l7w9eSM258GfqdApJ-8Lf4ZTVyx8P8DltXNazHR1jv3eGZN34ZrNaPfd8AB7pFjCOHWo/s640/Grey+Hornbill+Female+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-billed Hornbill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I really hope I will be getting out soon to bring you more exciting bird photos but with a new job and a reputation to uphold I can't promise anything.<br />
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Toodles!<br />
<br />Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-13913438038472614092012-06-27T20:36:00.001+02:002012-06-27T20:36:23.554+02:00Giants Castle - Drakensberg<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXs3HIyvVTGVDkCPwk98Zj0qv9mMVU403LnJi90jlmyhER2e8ielIUMOasQ1gPkOAnBAiJ3Zx3Uu39dR3-udiREra27vFDRrUdws-bF1C1rTEwQlikRJFAb44OT9_FKNowFy42V61aSNs/s1600/01.Giants+Hide+-+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXs3HIyvVTGVDkCPwk98Zj0qv9mMVU403LnJi90jlmyhER2e8ielIUMOasQ1gPkOAnBAiJ3Zx3Uu39dR3-udiREra27vFDRrUdws-bF1C1rTEwQlikRJFAb44OT9_FKNowFy42V61aSNs/s640/01.Giants+Hide+-+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giants Castle Vulture Hide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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What a luck, my old birding bud Phil Penlington phones out of the blue with a offer to go with to the vulture hide at Giants Castle in the Drakensberg mountains of Kwa-Zulu Natal. The waiting list for this hide is roughly 18 months so this was an offer I couldn't pass up. We would be joined by another friend of Phils, Neil Cillie who arrived armed with a monster 600mm lens that made my 400mm look like a "dinky" toy! After my initial decision to use my wifes Suzuki to save on petrol, we rather decided to take the bird mobile with its go anywhere capabilities so that we didnt have to wait for the 08:00 Parks Board lift to take us up to the hide (I'm glad we did after realising we would have had to walk back to camp in the afternoon).<br />
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We set off on Sunday morning after I had to work on Saturday to be able to take two days off....how ironic is that.....work an extra day and you can take two of your own leave days. Humph nothing comes for free these days! The drive was undramatic with no mishaps along the way. Weather was perfect and we expected freezing weather with possible snow falls at Giants Castle so clothing took up a lot of space in the car. We arrived at Giants Castle at around 15:00 and took a drive up to the hide after seeing that it had been vacated by the previous birders. The road up is fairly rough and steep, I wouldn't like to tackle this in wet or snow conditions and I dont think the Suzuki SX4 would have made it up with the three of us and all our baggage. After a quick look around we decided to go down to reception to check in, luckily we did because we arrived just in time to catch the reception staff packing up to go home....The chalets are really neat and clean and some have magnificent views of the mountains.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZaxhicMYei5ET1ub0kmg6qdCrpdbQtsU60iqOhW5HpCDqJ_cRFMpP3MID-VwFF11XPSYm6rhqWmT2564o7z-EG3RP_o80V7EG7b5HVQzYtTDHjvFRui_9kT1MnBZTQeiXXt39FaXkqg/s1600/The+chalet+view+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZaxhicMYei5ET1ub0kmg6qdCrpdbQtsU60iqOhW5HpCDqJ_cRFMpP3MID-VwFF11XPSYm6rhqWmT2564o7z-EG3RP_o80V7EG7b5HVQzYtTDHjvFRui_9kT1MnBZTQeiXXt39FaXkqg/s640/The+chalet+view+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Chalet 39</td></tr>
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Monday morning we were up early, dressed in at least 3 layers of clothing (temperature was 2 degrees) and set off to the hide at 06:00 in the dark, arriving on top at the hide at 06:30 just as the sky was starting to lighten. We threw out the complimentary bones along with lumps of bone meal we had brought with and settled down in the hide for the birds to arrive. The hide faces roughly WSW and the sun paints the mountains gradually until the light reaches the ledge in front of the hide at around 08:00.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrlm33nQszpot6eklohm_c1BdmgKGpaL77qy1lfQpl3pN4jVTAV_9DVTbsTxcoi9YOnMK4NhnGkYqdD4VzKXbXph5RVsEuIc7WbKQXPJMzdR9Dmw7Clv5WqfNAOy595-yf-b8jyYUasU/s1600/The+hide+view+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrlm33nQszpot6eklohm_c1BdmgKGpaL77qy1lfQpl3pN4jVTAV_9DVTbsTxcoi9YOnMK4NhnGkYqdD4VzKXbXph5RVsEuIc7WbKQXPJMzdR9Dmw7Clv5WqfNAOy595-yf-b8jyYUasU/s640/The+hide+view+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the hide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWFKtTqPk2qzz8wLs0WZZ7p5xqGM8IBlYVFf72Wykup2VuPVw2jcqbKsHsZ3iCP9UwO1Q8kaTJYSxKIOYMhMoYRQocpr0kxxuLtdc1eEawcJl-GDAlEmKSsgRKm5f_OvCY_jgRlsQq40/s1600/The+Guys+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWFKtTqPk2qzz8wLs0WZZ7p5xqGM8IBlYVFf72Wykup2VuPVw2jcqbKsHsZ3iCP9UwO1Q8kaTJYSxKIOYMhMoYRQocpr0kxxuLtdc1eEawcJl-GDAlEmKSsgRKm5f_OvCY_jgRlsQq40/s640/The+Guys+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neil (left) and Phil all set up waiting for the birds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We didn't have to wait long for the birds as the first Bearded Vulture glided past at around 06:40. It was a dark headed juvenile bird which I didn't even attempt to photograph as the light was still bad at that time. The ground ahead was full of smaller birds that were feeding on the bone meal and crows and ravens that were feeding on the cow carcass and fresh bones we had put out. We were to learn that the ravens are actually a pest. They, and the jackals, carried off a few bones and actually harass the raptors and vultures that come in for a meal. We observed White-necked Ravens, Cape Crows, Red-winged Starlings, Cape Buntings, Familiar Chats, Cape Rock-thrush, Yellow Bishops and Buff-streaked Chats all before 08:00. Trying to photograph them in the shadow proved difficult however. The Bearded Vultures made several fly pasts during this time which kept us busy trying to get our settings right and get the birds in focus.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWLrT-Lwhdtq2zP97grge_ThgVHHXMwpz8fnW_QxB2nc4KqIpEMo8bSyiKcgZLATB0RABKC5W5dsy7_unDPkQrZQb7T230sJp8V8SItYh8ObFtoar6_EHBTymDG0EX59x6MifrvtY8oE/s1600/119.Bearded+Vulture+Adult+02+pp+RS.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWLrT-Lwhdtq2zP97grge_ThgVHHXMwpz8fnW_QxB2nc4KqIpEMo8bSyiKcgZLATB0RABKC5W5dsy7_unDPkQrZQb7T230sJp8V8SItYh8ObFtoar6_EHBTymDG0EX59x6MifrvtY8oE/s640/119.Bearded+Vulture+Adult+02+pp+RS.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Bearded Vulture - <em>Gypaetus Barbatus</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Later as the light strengthened and came closer and closer to the hide, it became difficult to decide where to focus. Vultures were passing overhead, chats were posing on the rocks, even a Gurneys Sugarbird put in an appearance for a few minutes..<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig93J-u4wJeGa16YJZqsxbdbOsXue0SvaPjVqx1HmLqQzMtL_BL8wdSU9BsXWwiaKFKVx3cuqKCDsNWp7Rp6FNY7f22HOVri7hFPYiGWazp4YOcoicRCmEiASXQst9p7B0JmUVEW0Tym4/s1600/119.Bearded+Vulture+Juv+04+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig93J-u4wJeGa16YJZqsxbdbOsXue0SvaPjVqx1HmLqQzMtL_BL8wdSU9BsXWwiaKFKVx3cuqKCDsNWp7Rp6FNY7f22HOVri7hFPYiGWazp4YOcoicRCmEiASXQst9p7B0JmUVEW0Tym4/s640/119.Bearded+Vulture+Juv+04+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Bearded Vulture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cLaqnAnnCmRKPM1il7XHmVBbEZIHI7HMR57fGcpm5iEJCJ9-mrhglo-FZu14eGGjDk_uf3uovUwS4Gwnu-u86RvrS8_asThI00T9y8WPsp4bTKpc-JWq3W71aik4Fj-uCeU72YAQHe0/s1600/119.Bearded+Vulture+Adult+05+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cLaqnAnnCmRKPM1il7XHmVBbEZIHI7HMR57fGcpm5iEJCJ9-mrhglo-FZu14eGGjDk_uf3uovUwS4Gwnu-u86RvrS8_asThI00T9y8WPsp4bTKpc-JWq3W71aik4Fj-uCeU72YAQHe0/s640/119.Bearded+Vulture+Adult+05+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Bearded Vulture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We were hoping for one of the vultures to land but the ravens harrass them whenever they flew too close. Eventually at around 10:00 an adult bird landed on the furthest ledge from the hide. Everyone immediately strated firing away so that it sounded something like a movie firefight in the hide. All too quickly it was over and the bird took off again.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5viUpZiQPNKmbNVJ2UdJ4Iy6xytUIK_r-BJ79tkP-Uhv9EiZEOgPitC9l61g9dxBputWzc9Y1u3pom7pw_-0EW_wi0DxtkfNDwRd3x2o2KC6zYqeBHiRP4wxXDPoINbnQHugERwpvoUE/s1600/119.Bearded+Vulture+Adult+on+ground+02+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5viUpZiQPNKmbNVJ2UdJ4Iy6xytUIK_r-BJ79tkP-Uhv9EiZEOgPitC9l61g9dxBputWzc9Y1u3pom7pw_-0EW_wi0DxtkfNDwRd3x2o2KC6zYqeBHiRP4wxXDPoINbnQHugERwpvoUE/s640/119.Bearded+Vulture+Adult+on+ground+02+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Bearded Vulture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdZETRJ-Pw3jq-PPwvRGF3-jfgPykTGu3OTUapk8Q19D4s4aVv6WX-4XTDJvW8dD5rGWBfa8d6f6b9RcDyZ93ABxSYm6L2tR1eCwCDZswcyt3Pc9YBVjKK9uhFT8aSRJmW-JwVpoZ4Xw/s1600/119.Bearded+Vulture+Adult+on+ground+03+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdZETRJ-Pw3jq-PPwvRGF3-jfgPykTGu3OTUapk8Q19D4s4aVv6WX-4XTDJvW8dD5rGWBfa8d6f6b9RcDyZ93ABxSYm6L2tR1eCwCDZswcyt3Pc9YBVjKK9uhFT8aSRJmW-JwVpoZ4Xw/s640/119.Bearded+Vulture+Adult+on+ground+03+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Bearded Vulture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbO33dxgEE11N6U3tqP69xUbiF74Ougj3fPqqkqQdkaeC87coYPEg5399P4RMArBD8O-Knw7mORBPCinNAL8pMkdindhb2_KdlkUKwcEnrXSKndG0eCRbYqtPRbhkSRvxWIW1V50ksRWY/s1600/119.Bearded+Vulture+Juv+07+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbO33dxgEE11N6U3tqP69xUbiF74Ougj3fPqqkqQdkaeC87coYPEg5399P4RMArBD8O-Knw7mORBPCinNAL8pMkdindhb2_KdlkUKwcEnrXSKndG0eCRbYqtPRbhkSRvxWIW1V50ksRWY/s640/119.Bearded+Vulture+Juv+07+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Bearded Vulture fly past</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7F1Hs1bi-rU4ZBzBlpED1klmzA6jpmEvSm-IxyfP5zsMlkPKpdaS1gruE1ltvwSzb7NFCk8Itny_V6PtUB2ocUroL-IOFX_ZK9siJeSILdjcG89c3-QlzrKm7H2iONtv_8Ab-O7u_mY/s1600/119.Bearded+Vulture+Juv+on+ground+03+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7F1Hs1bi-rU4ZBzBlpED1klmzA6jpmEvSm-IxyfP5zsMlkPKpdaS1gruE1ltvwSzb7NFCk8Itny_V6PtUB2ocUroL-IOFX_ZK9siJeSILdjcG89c3-QlzrKm7H2iONtv_8Ab-O7u_mY/s640/119.Bearded+Vulture+Juv+on+ground+03+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Bearded Vulture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Eventually we had so many opportunities for Bearded Vultures in flight we could practice with light settings and even tried to compose photos of the birds with the mountains in the background. But, as I found out the hard way, take as many photos as possible....those "good" shots dont look so good when you download them onto the computer screen so keep trying!!<br />
<br />
In between taking shots of the vultures we got some close-up shots of the smaller passerines..<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BJn-zd_dwkyNmzvIPR2fiXOezW6paQV4viyMNV5jQj_ci88etcprOoxNT-algGMQQSVxlY7PTk1pQp9eOTzGi580f6dIv-1xTv4ZamPBBFaBmhcw9iWrer_WY26u_BhkztqQWVaf7TI/s1600/581.Cape+Rock-thrush+male+02+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BJn-zd_dwkyNmzvIPR2fiXOezW6paQV4viyMNV5jQj_ci88etcprOoxNT-algGMQQSVxlY7PTk1pQp9eOTzGi580f6dIv-1xTv4ZamPBBFaBmhcw9iWrer_WY26u_BhkztqQWVaf7TI/s640/581.Cape+Rock-thrush+male+02+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Cape Rock-thrush</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIe4CIqzJumP4W-mntZHild6uo94NKeCMzJn_s2Tu0yZPmrJOhbSw_yGqSNyASymDxyWomcQz40I34TZjr5mqVK8NQhQd9whHKj-02lqKLuKZtt0wIt106gWiqYW9gImEG3z-9R07Gcg/s1600/588.Buff-streaked+Chat+female+01+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIe4CIqzJumP4W-mntZHild6uo94NKeCMzJn_s2Tu0yZPmrJOhbSw_yGqSNyASymDxyWomcQz40I34TZjr5mqVK8NQhQd9whHKj-02lqKLuKZtt0wIt106gWiqYW9gImEG3z-9R07Gcg/s640/588.Buff-streaked+Chat+female+01+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Buff-streaked Chat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigk-G9dtcW0gIFuQQQPvLlcNNwMyFKjFdCMdTr3zT5rzpjGXP67jaXW-wX4d5NuoRIyPPLLplwyPHOPUD38d6SzgF2TmDYW25qhv9jTbX6IFE0RlM8AEPnLzKiKqPOvei85LPSdksmn3k/s1600/588.Buff-streaked+Chat+male+03+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigk-G9dtcW0gIFuQQQPvLlcNNwMyFKjFdCMdTr3zT5rzpjGXP67jaXW-wX4d5NuoRIyPPLLplwyPHOPUD38d6SzgF2TmDYW25qhv9jTbX6IFE0RlM8AEPnLzKiKqPOvei85LPSdksmn3k/s640/588.Buff-streaked+Chat+male+03+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Buff-streaked Chat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0XMU7c5psQE6ABS8HdxEWpHrNSsootYc5S5EkMkMTay-MIJ1_d7cdFRB2sw9J5rEdBugL7Xo2ERkH1q0i-z-ttMbXBzDtRnGf4yfTNUFUwS0brLU87xXKL2VmW7dQjgMjPInG2aIIeo/s1600/589.Familiar+Chat+03+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0XMU7c5psQE6ABS8HdxEWpHrNSsootYc5S5EkMkMTay-MIJ1_d7cdFRB2sw9J5rEdBugL7Xo2ERkH1q0i-z-ttMbXBzDtRnGf4yfTNUFUwS0brLU87xXKL2VmW7dQjgMjPInG2aIIeo/s640/589.Familiar+Chat+03+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Familiar Chat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozMHLhe9te-XqgFLEQLCJBvQkzSKXQ2YNK1ujSb6YBEqEpiQMGfBwZvP5sOQQu42S73J4zFn8HJLZn0evdsqrMdTYyDTDsufMYvHoTZqrodcuCmpQXj_HfTn3JTyi8RQA9rU5BZGSJU4/s1600/769.Red-winged+Starling+female+02+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozMHLhe9te-XqgFLEQLCJBvQkzSKXQ2YNK1ujSb6YBEqEpiQMGfBwZvP5sOQQu42S73J4zFn8HJLZn0evdsqrMdTYyDTDsufMYvHoTZqrodcuCmpQXj_HfTn3JTyi8RQA9rU5BZGSJU4/s640/769.Red-winged+Starling+female+02+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Red-winged Starling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZcvoqhj1gGsHkbUzXg7LlvzT7ANQ_Dnxa9rFtRwVpm0qNtEi64BfZqOZ__FbRgEQvGW5rLCquUf77RtU0xQ8_-oTkfVCmCIKyS37FzELrfJ7_CNWcgx_KftlJ4I6n6O_lnYWLAInYIs/s1600/769.Red-winged+Starlings+01+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZcvoqhj1gGsHkbUzXg7LlvzT7ANQ_Dnxa9rFtRwVpm0qNtEi64BfZqOZ__FbRgEQvGW5rLCquUf77RtU0xQ8_-oTkfVCmCIKyS37FzELrfJ7_CNWcgx_KftlJ4I6n6O_lnYWLAInYIs/s640/769.Red-winged+Starlings+01+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Male (left) and female Red-winged Starlings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3j0BXv6az74Ma1lihne6dGSprZL22wRlHR5yisDeRjmF1-BVPJJZrgdQzhS-LQ6mfSXPRa1VufKFxBEcadg3-GOHHC30TykjXWsynxEL0vwtrX4HM30NWXPFLmadbR3004v2RttwULek/s1600/885.Cape+Bunting+01+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3j0BXv6az74Ma1lihne6dGSprZL22wRlHR5yisDeRjmF1-BVPJJZrgdQzhS-LQ6mfSXPRa1VufKFxBEcadg3-GOHHC30TykjXWsynxEL0vwtrX4HM30NWXPFLmadbR3004v2RttwULek/s640/885.Cape+Bunting+01+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Bunting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-zYJV6DWqekeW2AQ-i8zZOsGaucXQt-OrEd2u-iXCQS9NfKuwScsDB2BvLIvVn99k78xUQmZ0FFU661n2E9fVfRu5xuqVsj4KoY9r-DwVSRpE_mvnOE-joeJO3OzvmcLNcUm1vQ0dog/s1600/774.Gurneys+Sugarbird+01+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-zYJV6DWqekeW2AQ-i8zZOsGaucXQt-OrEd2u-iXCQS9NfKuwScsDB2BvLIvVn99k78xUQmZ0FFU661n2E9fVfRu5xuqVsj4KoY9r-DwVSRpE_mvnOE-joeJO3OzvmcLNcUm1vQ0dog/s640/774.Gurneys+Sugarbird+01+rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Gurneys Sugarbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBsjQPksmcZOxXoPC1AzaWAnxmPYdN-YgkbbzH0lGJT93E0gnfc6eZ9uoNuvtE8OQjhbmNUXqteJ6AENbi_gvQ8uLsOmXov8_0Yo7hLY2l3PtUBcUtg1BHC8TAlNM-pWPk9yAJQAVySk/s1600/547.Cape+Crow+01+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBsjQPksmcZOxXoPC1AzaWAnxmPYdN-YgkbbzH0lGJT93E0gnfc6eZ9uoNuvtE8OQjhbmNUXqteJ6AENbi_gvQ8uLsOmXov8_0Yo7hLY2l3PtUBcUtg1BHC8TAlNM-pWPk9yAJQAVySk/s640/547.Cape+Crow+01+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Crow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvTu2Xv0L4FlhhHn7M6jDTDcO9sfIGhgxIMJIduUgX7ADYbTXjiNw4OdYVEQMXjtMUqbRN8AkzdoBVOjFStbU2eHGOxk-np18I-9kD9BVX7dhyKsw-8qbOW9YIJIDPke7JmNcstctWk8/s1600/550.White-necked+Raven+05+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvTu2Xv0L4FlhhHn7M6jDTDcO9sfIGhgxIMJIduUgX7ADYbTXjiNw4OdYVEQMXjtMUqbRN8AkzdoBVOjFStbU2eHGOxk-np18I-9kD9BVX7dhyKsw-8qbOW9YIJIDPke7JmNcstctWk8/s640/550.White-necked+Raven+05+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-necked Raven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Phil had said that the last time he was there he saw several Jackal Buzzard and hardly any Bearded Vultures, plus it was raining. We had the opposite conditions, sunny with lots of Bearded Vultures and only one Jackal Buzzard visited in the two days we were there..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpL-0KxuWZRGpVM6oDkrrYccbH9KMSjU4_GiSV-FvUGqlPG16I9MRKYW061aGmrabqYrnMEMwJRKiBO6ye75TkOVVPHbaBEgk_kptMiW_CpC6TtlY0Zfm0wjcyC8zauKv6kJ8NnN7nu5o/s1600/152.Jackal+Buzzard+01+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpL-0KxuWZRGpVM6oDkrrYccbH9KMSjU4_GiSV-FvUGqlPG16I9MRKYW061aGmrabqYrnMEMwJRKiBO6ye75TkOVVPHbaBEgk_kptMiW_CpC6TtlY0Zfm0wjcyC8zauKv6kJ8NnN7nu5o/s640/152.Jackal+Buzzard+01+rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackal Buzzard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Later in the day, after lunch, we got our first Cape Vultures....they preferred to glide past checking out the fare with only one adult and one juvenile actually landing. We noticed that the Bearded Vultures seemed to come closer when the Cape Vultures were on the ground.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkqdGbdKRc5km4rLBXI49uJWRtwJ260ciZE2oEByQODr_6aQOZOdW6xevbCz4_pIRgiFFpPXKNNuVlXtslgz2LftQGvlrHGnyWaSD8_UpEPYkvTPTNiBDBm7U4PrzFnuzVadfRcqtKwc/s1600/122.Cape+Vulture+01+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkqdGbdKRc5km4rLBXI49uJWRtwJ260ciZE2oEByQODr_6aQOZOdW6xevbCz4_pIRgiFFpPXKNNuVlXtslgz2LftQGvlrHGnyWaSD8_UpEPYkvTPTNiBDBm7U4PrzFnuzVadfRcqtKwc/s640/122.Cape+Vulture+01+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Cape Vulture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8VFs7sly6j4kAaDPJWg0EZf7JZG_T5F0ZIBSpAONBnwDifUfgXEsP3T38K4mHDEiSJ_prZSi1ecvPEc1E0vVue8hXolY-rouZ93iczlJAHca0s1F3xsOZcg4Mof2dHMCuiClaZBxuW8/s1600/122.Cape+Vulture+02+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8VFs7sly6j4kAaDPJWg0EZf7JZG_T5F0ZIBSpAONBnwDifUfgXEsP3T38K4mHDEiSJ_prZSi1ecvPEc1E0vVue8hXolY-rouZ93iczlJAHca0s1F3xsOZcg4Mof2dHMCuiClaZBxuW8/s640/122.Cape+Vulture+02+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Vulture landing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8knN_CN6ma5RXPRm_9nLSxQoF3lEX7o2Zmm2XYwPRA2Q59J7IQZh4NYVvzA6OeFjvT-8w8-lGUnRWt1o7K0vwvi7WqxtG-l6nIhiBoxRrONX4soJgm6dWzreGyknEXnxVGc2FYJ7CwwE/s1600/122.Cape+Vulture+04+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8knN_CN6ma5RXPRm_9nLSxQoF3lEX7o2Zmm2XYwPRA2Q59J7IQZh4NYVvzA6OeFjvT-8w8-lGUnRWt1o7K0vwvi7WqxtG-l6nIhiBoxRrONX4soJgm6dWzreGyknEXnxVGc2FYJ7CwwE/s640/122.Cape+Vulture+04+rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Vulture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Once the Vultures were on the ground the Ravens began to pester them and even made contact as they dive-bombed them. Being intelligent birds they used one bird to distract the vulture while another flew off and hit them from behind. The vultures didn't appreciate this attention and took off again after a short while....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AsglgCWF_C8shPxzd2VEGhPQwfLdrhzy0NOmea3gSdQzacvwOl65RdKaPXillkMNeoAbsKwPTNXLZt5iws0fKURQHOmMhZFmK7pV9UiXvSstMd6F6nz_1WhrqN9UuPa7uHqgq8AdtGw/s1600/122.Cape+Vulture+07+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AsglgCWF_C8shPxzd2VEGhPQwfLdrhzy0NOmea3gSdQzacvwOl65RdKaPXillkMNeoAbsKwPTNXLZt5iws0fKURQHOmMhZFmK7pV9UiXvSstMd6F6nz_1WhrqN9UuPa7uHqgq8AdtGw/s640/122.Cape+Vulture+07+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Vulture eyeing the White-necked Ravens </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyBS8Am7aPU4hg-RA-uyctAAUr7kYEeidSU1BRhxvZ6xoXcE10-s1yZQqqVFDZvhyphenhyphenlcCmxDVULtDryme4-pkMTteVy55U1uxcXOI9HR6KtJC6d5Jq32emmyagS5nxQordRHZhYt-BB7w/s1600/122.Cape+Vulture+on+ground+02+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyBS8Am7aPU4hg-RA-uyctAAUr7kYEeidSU1BRhxvZ6xoXcE10-s1yZQqqVFDZvhyphenhyphenlcCmxDVULtDryme4-pkMTteVy55U1uxcXOI9HR6KtJC6d5Jq32emmyagS5nxQordRHZhYt-BB7w/s640/122.Cape+Vulture+on+ground+02+rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Vulture being dive-bombed by White-necked Raven (1)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxIOXY4S9CfXIRRZX6jd7lDDsiPYnqlfsjsPkJL70Ti9iA4v-xwLea-Ky2bki2hUG8-no2W0II5Pmg6i9NRVSOfMSfn7Mvgvr9JjwyoZYyiGq_VbSjPoIvGTEMa3pifl-a-2pIHCewjM/s1600/122.Cape+Vulture+on+ground+03+rs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxIOXY4S9CfXIRRZX6jd7lDDsiPYnqlfsjsPkJL70Ti9iA4v-xwLea-Ky2bki2hUG8-no2W0II5Pmg6i9NRVSOfMSfn7Mvgvr9JjwyoZYyiGq_VbSjPoIvGTEMa3pifl-a-2pIHCewjM/s640/122.Cape+Vulture+on+ground+03+rs.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Vulture being dive-bombed by White-necked Raven (2)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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All too soon the first day was over, the sun had traversed around to shine almost in our faces and chances of good photos had dwindled accordingly. On the way back to the camp Neil alerted us to some Oribi (which are very rare antelope) on the hillside near the hide. We managed to get some decent photos before they ran off over the ridge.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDLETebfp2WIL4iHc3pxH3GQtZAN9QmTsa165L_vphTxFKBBgGoyQ-kLS64GDW4Cj5blBTIbcWFoonq-BonLse9vnkLXertlJVdt5Rm8dGQn09-Nmg07BnCSsi4edGMV0Id85WIowlUw/s1600/01.Oribi+pp+RS.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDLETebfp2WIL4iHc3pxH3GQtZAN9QmTsa165L_vphTxFKBBgGoyQ-kLS64GDW4Cj5blBTIbcWFoonq-BonLse9vnkLXertlJVdt5Rm8dGQn09-Nmg07BnCSsi4edGMV0Id85WIowlUw/s640/01.Oribi+pp+RS.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oribi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As we arrived on the outskirts of the camp we spotted a pair of Red-necked Spurfowl which froze on the road verge, allowing us a chance to get some record shots (lifer photos for me).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvIu9U044F0FjPTslac6p0lJv9wfPNln3zEpWzYZQ6nbt_BCKAjw46qBjt9NaQ1cwVHJ7e_1Qz1SYXSt9uONg4JOetJvncLULGrPYgcnUnU64R04N1-9xGKm1jVEsnNKdHhhgXhbFPCU/s1600/198.Red-necked+Spurfowl+01+rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvIu9U044F0FjPTslac6p0lJv9wfPNln3zEpWzYZQ6nbt_BCKAjw46qBjt9NaQ1cwVHJ7e_1Qz1SYXSt9uONg4JOetJvncLULGrPYgcnUnU64R04N1-9xGKm1jVEsnNKdHhhgXhbFPCU/s640/198.Red-necked+Spurfowl+01+rs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-necked Spurfowl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Day two brought no new species but allowed us more opportunities to practice our photography skills and get more flight shots of the Bearded and Cape Vultures. As Murphy would have it the Hide was swarming with Vultures on the ground close to the hide as we were making our way home.....I really wouldn't recommend that other birders go to the hide, it is really not worth the effort (and it will make it more available to us if you don't ;-))Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-39474244678171942402012-04-01T19:54:00.000+02:002012-04-01T19:54:10.680+02:00Birding my Local Patches<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLEVj8dpRkUkpSa-nDR0ho1vfyjb8L173Ax4MXEiBxFYvvbxWon-sCOaFRlaGf7QeoAtrOEVM8QFtRDABu8yXqPlbwUdsV8Mw51nv7AZ218tU2zx3TfYXFh01XWNEY9xgG_tFbbAToYc/s1600/Camo+gear+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLEVj8dpRkUkpSa-nDR0ho1vfyjb8L173Ax4MXEiBxFYvvbxWon-sCOaFRlaGf7QeoAtrOEVM8QFtRDABu8yXqPlbwUdsV8Mw51nv7AZ218tU2zx3TfYXFh01XWNEY9xgG_tFbbAToYc/s640/Camo+gear+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After trying the leaf suit out on Zaagkuil I was sure that I was going to get great close ups of some of the migrant warblers that frequent Bishop Bird Park. I had been to the park earlier in the week and Etienne Marais had pointed out a whole plethora of migrant warblers, Willow, Marsh, Garden and even a Common Whitethroat, so it had to be a done deal. Arriving at the park in the early morning I checked if anyone was around before donning the leaf suit and heading off into the park. I think I would have scared the c..p out of someone if i had bumped into them, lol. It all started off well, the Blackchested Prinia's came out to scold me as I carefully stalked my way around the park.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-OEWstqzerYehHqPhXuhvOOmh92r0GHTvp4_mG-Espq7rq-mWVd-Qj7is1WYMz-LwEw4Vifol1f_J31HLMPt1RwpvEtGSMg4uEfDO9Pn2V7lKKue7HCONq9ds0TB2xB9HLtC8Siiojc/s1600/Black-chested+Prinia+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-OEWstqzerYehHqPhXuhvOOmh92r0GHTvp4_mG-Espq7rq-mWVd-Qj7is1WYMz-LwEw4Vifol1f_J31HLMPt1RwpvEtGSMg4uEfDO9Pn2V7lKKue7HCONq9ds0TB2xB9HLtC8Siiojc/s640/Black-chested+Prinia+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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They normally move away when a human approaches but this time they actually hung around and even carried on preening, it had to bode well for some warbler pics..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhxdXJwCYhAYbroV-k1TQ5uoF852ffjSAOg70-RuRq1JW0LO6tvZABdQjkkrkGa5SBubJBVK6KOHNqRv05GStcAH1kRNAhBZBicLL22bhlepehauzkDibyEQVZWRYea9lWrgiQPWnHMA/s1600/Black-chested+Prinia+2+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhxdXJwCYhAYbroV-k1TQ5uoF852ffjSAOg70-RuRq1JW0LO6tvZABdQjkkrkGa5SBubJBVK6KOHNqRv05GStcAH1kRNAhBZBicLL22bhlepehauzkDibyEQVZWRYea9lWrgiQPWnHMA/s640/Black-chested+Prinia+2+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-chested Prinia (2)</td></tr>
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Another (normally skittish) bird, the migrant Spotted Flycatcher was very confiding and came and sat so close to me I had to zoom out to get him in the frame. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UooHXay8I5hPAloUaTs3k-3UzsuYLLzOI4GcLOITqY6D4DrKLsQH7okgRFz5bEzMrrj-PrkjYDFXMa3sdNn10D_oK22Qh0YOwoQMDRjr9TL689Hds1VUpWg30XwE9nqvqEuRCGU1riw/s1600/Spotted+Flycatcher+2+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UooHXay8I5hPAloUaTs3k-3UzsuYLLzOI4GcLOITqY6D4DrKLsQH7okgRFz5bEzMrrj-PrkjYDFXMa3sdNn10D_oK22Qh0YOwoQMDRjr9TL689Hds1VUpWg30XwE9nqvqEuRCGU1riw/s640/Spotted+Flycatcher+2+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was able to stalk one as well and could approach failry close before he decided he had had enough and flew off to more distant perch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjF3aLM7q18c8cWhAD2oMKIEqTNepy0WG7p66h93t5AR0X_tZIMOO9gU_V52IT9RENIrzGMGgxHf-VGKqlIeoonYKYAeU3eQCVF0xYTTtE8qpwIt8830Lj9KvE1vVP8W1CWQj5CDg_TEA/s1600/Spotted+Flycatcher+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjF3aLM7q18c8cWhAD2oMKIEqTNepy0WG7p66h93t5AR0X_tZIMOO9gU_V52IT9RENIrzGMGgxHf-VGKqlIeoonYKYAeU3eQCVF0xYTTtE8qpwIt8830Lj9KvE1vVP8W1CWQj5CDg_TEA/s640/Spotted+Flycatcher+1+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Flycatcher (2)</td></tr>
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This was going too well, I was going to get stunning photos of the warblers. At about 08:00 the warblers all started calling, almost simultaneously. I decided to sit at a spot that Etienne had pointed out as being a good spot for warblers. So I made myself comfortable and waited....10 minutes, I heard a Marsh Warbler approaching, I watched the bush intently.....15 minutes, the warbler started moving off again, all quiet...20 minutes, still quiet....25 minutes, another warbler calling softly ahead, faint movement detected in the thicket.....30 minutes, my a..se is going numb, the warbler is moving back deeper into the thicket.....35 minutes, I realise that these warblers are not as dumb as I think they are.....40 minutes, come on give me a break, just one warbler pic to show the guys.....45 minutes, thats it, I am going to have to stalk these guys. The problem is that the trees and thickets are so thick you cant see the warblers for long enough to get a photo and its normally in the shaded areas where the light is bad...oh well back to the drawing board..<br />
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On the way back to the car, a Red-faced Mousebird lands so close I can't get him all in the frame..now why couldn't it have been a migrant warbler??<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AcUZYfKt7rdq3m8OOevvzlSLxmlnbQFkPbK5my1hw484RdIfT5b9f9ECo6AM3EIKfktAK6G5wq56BCZyXxItxRfGsu-N5KhQC9AWOtkZnq_4hyHTa_iEHS5ggjxYDnTBbOq1A7L6R8E/s1600/Red-faced+Mousebird+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AcUZYfKt7rdq3m8OOevvzlSLxmlnbQFkPbK5my1hw484RdIfT5b9f9ECo6AM3EIKfktAK6G5wq56BCZyXxItxRfGsu-N5KhQC9AWOtkZnq_4hyHTa_iEHS5ggjxYDnTBbOq1A7L6R8E/s640/Red-faced+Mousebird+RS.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-faced Mousebird</td></tr>
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As I arrive back at home I hear a Grey Hornbill calling. This is great because they only visit our garden about once or twice a year. I rush out into the front garden only to see a pair moving through the trees..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpO9CCS9IWSwDJ3zFhmJz-biHna09WFFmdS35F1sDoQgpEAkByW7SSMxBkpNKp2jlKNMi64WoDGFHP6kcGGQ1kaeljJ27BknZnU9g2asyvaJFvl7ejdJJtakb-gwmB_xFl-UAEIXXndc/s1600/Grey+Hornbill+Male+2+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpO9CCS9IWSwDJ3zFhmJz-biHna09WFFmdS35F1sDoQgpEAkByW7SSMxBkpNKp2jlKNMi64WoDGFHP6kcGGQ1kaeljJ27BknZnU9g2asyvaJFvl7ejdJJtakb-gwmB_xFl-UAEIXXndc/s640/Grey+Hornbill+Male+2+RS.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The fact that thay are a pair brings great excitement as I think they may be checking out the old Barbet nests for a potential nest site.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2UZdAmN7omc_eh__wxzJ4osOnX29AwYllFO7iuhVFQbC-QbpMFYJHiLSWJgpsKDGZr-jH94RXAShrGpIJzeT52EyBRvaJSRq_rPAMz360i1_gRICoX-NKPP46Bq_6Bp8yUC7FVz-qZo/s1600/Grey+Hornbill+Male+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2UZdAmN7omc_eh__wxzJ4osOnX29AwYllFO7iuhVFQbC-QbpMFYJHiLSWJgpsKDGZr-jH94RXAShrGpIJzeT52EyBRvaJSRq_rPAMz360i1_gRICoX-NKPP46Bq_6Bp8yUC7FVz-qZo/s640/Grey+Hornbill+Male+1+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Grey Hornbill (Male) (2)</td></tr>
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The female is very shy and stays in the back of the trees all the time but I managed a record shot of her. Note the diagnostic "lipstick" on the bill<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHf7w4V_bq3Q7dlS7UeTSMXhoqMwslXQxdLzQJKfqnBQfRPK-ST6GmBDSNGHSZpOND7PmLi8IXWfbM691FBljX2eIpdrW5U49V1aaSomuAR-MB4D3BN_fQBY9sTtkPrgbc3pEpCFBw1k/s1600/Grey+Hornbill+Female+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHf7w4V_bq3Q7dlS7UeTSMXhoqMwslXQxdLzQJKfqnBQfRPK-ST6GmBDSNGHSZpOND7PmLi8IXWfbM691FBljX2eIpdrW5U49V1aaSomuAR-MB4D3BN_fQBY9sTtkPrgbc3pEpCFBw1k/s640/Grey+Hornbill+Female+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Grey Hornbill (female)</td></tr>
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Another bird which may be breeding in the garden presently is the Burchells Coucal, we often see him in the same area of the garden in the mornings. When I took this photo he was busy hunting snails..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7wAKIzupsMsT6-HODYR5WhrnfGlk7l9PyGcCc8EV_sOva_A2Hqj9alaZC50vcgijKYompQB5Jfgm7d3xb8oyKHIaGj6NzT7BYwYg2OoMneT4H1CEqSpS1QjkR_TZGn8lwrPjWRivv9c/s1600/Burchells+Coucal+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7wAKIzupsMsT6-HODYR5WhrnfGlk7l9PyGcCc8EV_sOva_A2Hqj9alaZC50vcgijKYompQB5Jfgm7d3xb8oyKHIaGj6NzT7BYwYg2OoMneT4H1CEqSpS1QjkR_TZGn8lwrPjWRivv9c/s640/Burchells+Coucal+1+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdC1aje4kh9oAk7_1353f77GvdGiEUMeEmdPrFP4eGXK3G6OK59tddeUPFWJcLJvgnRKg5d0BHzFpO_2YFhrpGGj2hVsXM91_XH05NW2eMVxO6Ed1M289H5qKeLbkltpccNucgefijW-E/s1600/Burchells+Coucal+2+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdC1aje4kh9oAk7_1353f77GvdGiEUMeEmdPrFP4eGXK3G6OK59tddeUPFWJcLJvgnRKg5d0BHzFpO_2YFhrpGGj2hVsXM91_XH05NW2eMVxO6Ed1M289H5qKeLbkltpccNucgefijW-E/s640/Burchells+Coucal+2+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burchells Coucal (2)</td></tr>
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This morning again I decided to try the leaf suit to see if it does actually work. The Hadedas were not too bothered about me and remained sitting on the garden wall doing their morning ablutions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QalvUnxhC07DgXGa_IHBYFNnczT9sRuo6wrjXO4hIf4A0TCgWwHChjsR4lrucmp13CMHQUgtk7sKItdP7-iH39ZRvjsvtwXycxzmHVsAQLXgSSbbO29Wj2nCY_MPOS-n9EQqAVFNW-k/s1600/Hadeda+Ibis+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QalvUnxhC07DgXGa_IHBYFNnczT9sRuo6wrjXO4hIf4A0TCgWwHChjsR4lrucmp13CMHQUgtk7sKItdP7-iH39ZRvjsvtwXycxzmHVsAQLXgSSbbO29Wj2nCY_MPOS-n9EQqAVFNW-k/s640/Hadeda+Ibis+RS.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hadeda Ibis</td></tr>
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Even the Common Mynas, which are normally very wary birds, came down for a drink and were not bothered by my presence or the sound of the shutter clicking away.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesEpHeoKWfQrB0tRZyaKQw9K799m_jNdk1bsqx2rxEC9k7SvX8Khdo5yKLTIpiJsIPs95KN4lcwp9HUOr7Z-AxY1plZRkaoRNZs1_hu78OC-EuluEnkDjMCtbdqRwCiK3OqngFfwhfnw/s1600/Common+Myna+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesEpHeoKWfQrB0tRZyaKQw9K799m_jNdk1bsqx2rxEC9k7SvX8Khdo5yKLTIpiJsIPs95KN4lcwp9HUOr7Z-AxY1plZRkaoRNZs1_hu78OC-EuluEnkDjMCtbdqRwCiK3OqngFfwhfnw/s640/Common+Myna+1+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Myna</td></tr>
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This Laughing Dove almost landed on me before heading to the pond for a drink..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqqWOOYm0oj9k42bI-sYA3oo9TumwWawqNERoe4NrYAwbDcVkp6juDuoCWLu-sk76Isvnqyrt39qBfSGrwVe14ehz8yx1N3ZAiRcVEUOeIioRaeaafvzwOAimnwlkl4JG4Kxxr0qESbY/s1600/Laughing+Dove+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqqWOOYm0oj9k42bI-sYA3oo9TumwWawqNERoe4NrYAwbDcVkp6juDuoCWLu-sk76Isvnqyrt39qBfSGrwVe14ehz8yx1N3ZAiRcVEUOeIioRaeaafvzwOAimnwlkl4JG4Kxxr0qESbY/s640/Laughing+Dove+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immature Laughing Dove (note buffy feather edges)</td></tr>
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At about 09:30 this morning I noticed a large flock of large birds circling around above the house which, on closer inspection, turned out to be White Storks. They circled around for a while, slowly gaining altitiude until, almost on command, they broke out of the circle towards the North..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQMteazMZK-gXl7EnNbIN_8H8BIqC8XY7o_DG1-5x5mjqluQ74xJt3XQC8N9FXenngIMOw0q9TnPeENgsvZiG3w7Fjdhl3BZJqyC27fgyX485yM2s1G1D_ZsTP4mGzqkSFJcjvnQQjF0/s1600/White+Storks+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQMteazMZK-gXl7EnNbIN_8H8BIqC8XY7o_DG1-5x5mjqluQ74xJt3XQC8N9FXenngIMOw0q9TnPeENgsvZiG3w7Fjdhl3BZJqyC27fgyX485yM2s1G1D_ZsTP4mGzqkSFJcjvnQQjF0/s640/White+Storks+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Storks (I counted 70 in the frame) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Finally, it seems as if winter is on the way as it was rather chilly this morning forcing me to put on a fleece jacket and the first Amethyst Sunbirds were seen around the garden. These birds are common all year round in Gauteng but I only get them in my garden in winter..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOXG26iw6khVExGtZkGBfn04JSpFUpM-yrfDEBwfsht3v93msiqPk7jUBJ4NejTVmSJrT3QU565L3QvhyNNTiIZz4L9O5sRibIztoqZghgM0ptfd7kKmfegBGG83dF6EANEaP2DWcwbg/s1600/Black+Sunbird+Immature+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOXG26iw6khVExGtZkGBfn04JSpFUpM-yrfDEBwfsht3v93msiqPk7jUBJ4NejTVmSJrT3QU565L3QvhyNNTiIZz4L9O5sRibIztoqZghgM0ptfd7kKmfegBGG83dF6EANEaP2DWcwbg/s640/Black+Sunbird+Immature+RS.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immature Amethyst Sunbird</td></tr>
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I am still planning a trip to Mkhombo again, so maybe Easter Weekend will be a good time...if my wife shortens the list she has in mind for me!! Cheers!Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-57292709894081453092012-03-05T14:05:00.000+02:002012-03-05T14:05:31.569+02:00Zaagkuildrift Rd to Kgomo KgomoI surprised myself yesterday by actually getting up at 04h30 to go birding. I initially wanted to go to Mkhombo Dam but decided on Zaagkuil because it seemed a lot closer. It was a great days birding, apart from some early morning traffic on the dirt road and some inconsiderate birders, I had the morning to myself and with no time schedules I could bird at my own pace and it took me three hours to travel from the start of the road to Wolfhuiskraal! <br />
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I have been having problems with my camera in that all the images seem to come out soft (slightly blurred) so I decided to play around with the cameras auto focus settings while photographing a confiding Red-backed Shrike and a hunting Black-headed Heron. I eventually settled on a setting of -3 which gave much sharper images, I'm not 100% happy yet but there was a vast improvement in image quality.<br />
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Arriving at sunrise, I saw all the usuals like Amur Falcon, Northern Black Korhaan, Lesser Grey Shrike, Black-headed Heron and Long-tailed Shrike. Apart from my camera setup shots of Red-backed Shrike and Black-headed Heron, photo opportunties at this stage were non-existant and I only got my first photos after the MPCA Dam. This was of two Cape Penduline Tits chasing each other around a dry bush which was exciting as I have never seen these birds on Zaagkuil before.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqDufwql0mHYo3np24WKA9N5FhIJDKFNZVUp3hckPZpo3lbxd6dlLm0537EGFA4oXSI4AmZwmF0sBay3DtibOsyMvh5ONa_5ogAJXkim_UvXAb23_MwlCWEH6A_0uqghdiqZKsBznZxs/s1600/01.Cape+Penduline-Tit+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqDufwql0mHYo3np24WKA9N5FhIJDKFNZVUp3hckPZpo3lbxd6dlLm0537EGFA4oXSI4AmZwmF0sBay3DtibOsyMvh5ONa_5ogAJXkim_UvXAb23_MwlCWEH6A_0uqghdiqZKsBznZxs/s640/01.Cape+Penduline-Tit+RS.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYB59-o7t41SdAx32VLKXjvctnOLDvOkCvhUgyQGiQBgClfkXieQok5BP-zvfA6uKZpLIV4q-mhbXxZVQzn-y2Cbbz-G-tkxcU9hSJiBGDpbHplSdEM5br4QxA7jFccSrlqDxwpsLE_U8/s1600/02.Cape+Penduline-Tit+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYB59-o7t41SdAx32VLKXjvctnOLDvOkCvhUgyQGiQBgClfkXieQok5BP-zvfA6uKZpLIV4q-mhbXxZVQzn-y2Cbbz-G-tkxcU9hSJiBGDpbHplSdEM5br4QxA7jFccSrlqDxwpsLE_U8/s640/02.Cape+Penduline-Tit+RS.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Penduline Tits</td></tr>
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The two Tits were a lot yellower than those I have seen before which caused a bit of confusion at first as I thought that they may have been Yellow-bellied Eremomela!<br />
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The area along Zaagkuildrift rd is very dry at the moment which does not bode well for sightings of River Warbler. Driving slowly I was able to pick up several Spotted Flycatchers, one calling Woodland Kingfisher, several Willow Warblers, Blue Waxbill, Pied and Arrow-marked Babblers and a Purple Roller being harrassed by a group of White-crowned Shrikes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWG03GaZ_5h10WRWW-1bpWVOXtU6KHdR9UbnITgBHSTAPDEObp5RJquIaoRSPFG6JOIAC3EQx01xezWtsudmwmFJ_l9E1XdQqPFe7QcGZGUUNEVKbATf3I585v_YFciKtIb0ODRiFQFQ/s1600/03.Purple+Roller+under+attack+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWG03GaZ_5h10WRWW-1bpWVOXtU6KHdR9UbnITgBHSTAPDEObp5RJquIaoRSPFG6JOIAC3EQx01xezWtsudmwmFJ_l9E1XdQqPFe7QcGZGUUNEVKbATf3I585v_YFciKtIb0ODRiFQFQ/s640/03.Purple+Roller+under+attack+RS.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Roller under attack</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmYfEsrKaK5fA0h6-y0LMyRN1Hk9JRBzpL4MjW5OdhMSvs5_nYW1Cpx2TvxXVP-wy_qTaWRIwjHPmsbNs_RB2DAIEXNdS3DW2YjVFrJk8bKlvo0hcZiSW6lJety3-iQ9lxMpgfReBg5g/s1600/04.White-crowned+Shrike+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmYfEsrKaK5fA0h6-y0LMyRN1Hk9JRBzpL4MjW5OdhMSvs5_nYW1Cpx2TvxXVP-wy_qTaWRIwjHPmsbNs_RB2DAIEXNdS3DW2YjVFrJk8bKlvo0hcZiSW6lJety3-iQ9lxMpgfReBg5g/s640/04.White-crowned+Shrike+RS.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-crowned Shrike</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Yellow-billed and Red-billed Hornbills were more numerous than what I remember from my previous visits over the last few years. Grey Hornbill was also seen in the area where the bush starts becoming more open. This area also produced Green-winged Pytilia, Rattling Cisticola, White-browed Sparrow-weaver, Red-billed Firefinch, Village Indigobird, numerous Burchells Starlings, Burnt-necked Eremomela, Green Woodhoopoe and Eurasian Roller. Red-backed Shrikes are extremely common along this road.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmITT6f9iEgOUKk5w45Vc2_dUtW9nuI0vhKpQK0YjbdGgPAc2aaT8a9MO1X-qJc832vtGrKO7WCN8qtFDK5_E_7pVPfIAV15GmRd2JAo7Z4g1SQKlB68Uy-r3AhdhSEGy5U2eeV_Ekw18/s1600/05.Red-backed+Shrike+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmITT6f9iEgOUKk5w45Vc2_dUtW9nuI0vhKpQK0YjbdGgPAc2aaT8a9MO1X-qJc832vtGrKO7WCN8qtFDK5_E_7pVPfIAV15GmRd2JAo7Z4g1SQKlB68Uy-r3AhdhSEGy5U2eeV_Ekw18/s640/05.Red-backed+Shrike+RS.JPG" uda="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-backed Shrike male</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I managed to see all of the common Roller species during the morning with Purple, Eurasian and Lilac-breasted present.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ6UGIVH90fvKv4l0jFkm43zTRieybEXRTA7uGmkh6c8C4GJue3M8V_sp1q0X9VBPFA0qdq-NFJGHcDngUQmNqRioKaF8bvIzJ95yhN_oMSYJM1aLE6LBeCC_Y2um7QQ0S6-bKZMEZz4/s1600/06.Eurasian+Roller+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ6UGIVH90fvKv4l0jFkm43zTRieybEXRTA7uGmkh6c8C4GJue3M8V_sp1q0X9VBPFA0qdq-NFJGHcDngUQmNqRioKaF8bvIzJ95yhN_oMSYJM1aLE6LBeCC_Y2um7QQ0S6-bKZMEZz4/s640/06.Eurasian+Roller+RS.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eurasian Roller</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
A trip down one of the side roads across the flood plain, which was again very dry, produced Hamerkop, Diederik Cuckoo, Pin-tailed, Long-tailed Paradise and Shaft-tailed Whydah, Barred Warbler, Marico Flycatcher and a calling Olivetree Warbler.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVRrcDf7HIWsE9Sj-Njkb8jLeiogmoAzQdJc-85Z7IU7zPAjlN7ExF2GFeuZO98tT5tJWFldSFA5PW4eE5tCB9xDHfMP-QPBcTIKNdXWFJhjZuCpR-yT-_iEW2nJiDFdmTHJYoK3qB4A/s1600/07.Diederik+Cuckoo+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVRrcDf7HIWsE9Sj-Njkb8jLeiogmoAzQdJc-85Z7IU7zPAjlN7ExF2GFeuZO98tT5tJWFldSFA5PW4eE5tCB9xDHfMP-QPBcTIKNdXWFJhjZuCpR-yT-_iEW2nJiDFdmTHJYoK3qB4A/s640/07.Diederik+Cuckoo+RS.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diederiks Cuckoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
A small Party of Pied Babblers was seen with very large chicks! I didn't get a photo of the chicks as they stayed deep in the bush away from the road.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtXaS8XD-_8b8qckfwE6qCxHYKUAWyOAX9fGOCZZP4B4oPicsh2UDo8Yfszuo5kYi8n4kTNkPipFeSLFeTWYfgqhRWq7GqD_Q8_dOU_AgXeXtwfkhTmCqkIUk9-BLBrztQWZ8LTz2WiE/s1600/07.Southern+Pied+Babbler+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtXaS8XD-_8b8qckfwE6qCxHYKUAWyOAX9fGOCZZP4B4oPicsh2UDo8Yfszuo5kYi8n4kTNkPipFeSLFeTWYfgqhRWq7GqD_Q8_dOU_AgXeXtwfkhTmCqkIUk9-BLBrztQWZ8LTz2WiE/s640/07.Southern+Pied+Babbler+RS.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Pied Babbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Lesser Grey Shrike is also common at this time of year.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WRwvmL6jFyeFPH9Zdr5oCQJz3Wb7TiYS82iG9Pl7J9dvTLgLX4le0SNMizd-4pjBFBvfqXMQCjC-kmtt4vliqoQV6mrceHX52P3QszCt38L6x8w8PfiyKQwKxtNY_0vo7e8qcgt__wM/s1600/08.Lesser+Grey+Shrike+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WRwvmL6jFyeFPH9Zdr5oCQJz3Wb7TiYS82iG9Pl7J9dvTLgLX4le0SNMizd-4pjBFBvfqXMQCjC-kmtt4vliqoQV6mrceHX52P3QszCt38L6x8w8PfiyKQwKxtNY_0vo7e8qcgt__wM/s640/08.Lesser+Grey+Shrike+RS.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Grey Shrike</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
One of the farms along the road had this way out of range creature strolling around the farm!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1zYRe98QF0betcrN_loXuNXFh2g4SImy3qfr_WPDqc_qM4aGzfcndWMa22fWFiyl54ylPmjf_Uu5FM6V4QGWnHbWrqnXQ8g9KkctkDgaLTHhq04QZIp2mf43U1R4qQU4d1CGD7n8shw/s1600/09.Emu+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1zYRe98QF0betcrN_loXuNXFh2g4SImy3qfr_WPDqc_qM4aGzfcndWMa22fWFiyl54ylPmjf_Uu5FM6V4QGWnHbWrqnXQ8g9KkctkDgaLTHhq04QZIp2mf43U1R4qQU4d1CGD7n8shw/s640/09.Emu+RS.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emu</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Finally, a photo of a Shaft-tailed Whydah on a bush!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQa7rN7BRW6wA0KFRnLOUJqIu-a2BBv76WWwBvVCKLPTKOo1g3CL54u2UzT8TPG98GgtVxGMIlyc23HxsbM3ITAOguwpeypUhaGHaEdeP8gaHUClk83xnvCAVc-LNea8Axvdy7H_Ofcfk/s1600/10.Shaft-tailed+Whydah+1+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQa7rN7BRW6wA0KFRnLOUJqIu-a2BBv76WWwBvVCKLPTKOo1g3CL54u2UzT8TPG98GgtVxGMIlyc23HxsbM3ITAOguwpeypUhaGHaEdeP8gaHUClk83xnvCAVc-LNea8Axvdy7H_Ofcfk/s640/10.Shaft-tailed+Whydah+1+RS.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyOagxQxCTvSzzXbLo2YXhNTnWl7-4HvpEZhcGIgaEUxE23kzQ55bIy41HzWp96EtwMrhtr-QI5jxQS2VsNq1UVmuMj-b-AJl42HzSTjvWS9a2KBa8fhckE8P2tzxVg-EQLVuGd1DGcg/s1600/11.Shaft-tailed+Whydah+2+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyOagxQxCTvSzzXbLo2YXhNTnWl7-4HvpEZhcGIgaEUxE23kzQ55bIy41HzWp96EtwMrhtr-QI5jxQS2VsNq1UVmuMj-b-AJl42HzSTjvWS9a2KBa8fhckE8P2tzxVg-EQLVuGd1DGcg/s640/11.Shaft-tailed+Whydah+2+RS.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaft-tailed Whydah (2)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"><br />
I love the expressions on the faces of the cattle and the Ox-pecker</div><div align="left"><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4B67HRe3mHVlHvSqQoaMrVYnIuqrJgXveLN_YGcbavGaS8tRUfn4zNnOwyFQTfTpR45bFq9EcLC11Ek-jngtGibCEyIluNVGnA_f56OtU7XTXIxALDg2ORJPS1D0r5ROL8CKVgIYUK5A/s1600/12.Red-billed+Oxpecker+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4B67HRe3mHVlHvSqQoaMrVYnIuqrJgXveLN_YGcbavGaS8tRUfn4zNnOwyFQTfTpR45bFq9EcLC11Ek-jngtGibCEyIluNVGnA_f56OtU7XTXIxALDg2ORJPS1D0r5ROL8CKVgIYUK5A/s640/12.Red-billed+Oxpecker+RS.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-billed Oxpecker</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I eventually got a Steppe Buzzard at about 11 o'clock!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLnWAxRpMc1f-vVMg17cMduioLjdEDOr3MPMYaiySlgi_4los88nYiNgiaAOxewDl4IWy4IovYx8lCL_bj4zurNaylBaXlPDBLT4AZvWA-ukfBr5JRKDb1rSlc6mTAvoscoCB970z0qM/s1600/13.Steppe+Buzzard+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLnWAxRpMc1f-vVMg17cMduioLjdEDOr3MPMYaiySlgi_4los88nYiNgiaAOxewDl4IWy4IovYx8lCL_bj4zurNaylBaXlPDBLT4AZvWA-ukfBr5JRKDb1rSlc6mTAvoscoCB970z0qM/s640/13.Steppe+Buzzard+RS.JPG" uda="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steppe Buzzard</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This Juv Pale Chanting Goshawk was a nice sighting as they are not very common in this area.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYJpb_QZHPEtUx9E53nqS1wBYAqfIuE215fFzD7mqKeBBWGos0Rhw46OsAQ3sLJ1Gmzt6jbFZV8Csq7KqSNNpikUKXvvA1RFmWbHKQatHddWC062ulCPjTeozSJ4THuZfwXltCyt0ILc/s1600/14.Pale+Chanting+Goshawk+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYJpb_QZHPEtUx9E53nqS1wBYAqfIuE215fFzD7mqKeBBWGos0Rhw46OsAQ3sLJ1Gmzt6jbFZV8Csq7KqSNNpikUKXvvA1RFmWbHKQatHddWC062ulCPjTeozSJ4THuZfwXltCyt0ILc/s640/14.Pale+Chanting+Goshawk+RS.jpg" uda="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Pale Chanting Goshawk</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the way out I quickly phoned for permission to visit the MPCA Dam, donned my leaf suit and found a quiet spot on the bank. After a short while this Wood Sandpiper wandered across in front of me not knowing exactly what I was!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukbd1f3p21pzc3loJqI-t6rLTlS3Ax0XqZhInjihQILUBhwURN_1vMTd8mzMly6KK1jl-XROeR72StKXABZ0_veC92I3HznJkCC10_9XaRz2WgF3_LY_FVdBScg2Kqzf7vSAOFbcaSOo/s1600/16.Wood+Sandpiper+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukbd1f3p21pzc3loJqI-t6rLTlS3Ax0XqZhInjihQILUBhwURN_1vMTd8mzMly6KK1jl-XROeR72StKXABZ0_veC92I3HznJkCC10_9XaRz2WgF3_LY_FVdBScg2Kqzf7vSAOFbcaSOo/s640/16.Wood+Sandpiper+RS.JPG" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakBzEPpPq5ikjzKcIZDgxOwv1QONzUGU0upfyU9YtohqwW10uwqJZkf8QBhsL-AKpz7iCOzal2k9eEs5yKOYFzTcPL2U2ic3i4FErXQ1wEB8VU2mnb-_brcUbFJ6GpyOeawS_GQ7hRYc/s1600/17.Wood+Sandpiper+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakBzEPpPq5ikjzKcIZDgxOwv1QONzUGU0upfyU9YtohqwW10uwqJZkf8QBhsL-AKpz7iCOzal2k9eEs5yKOYFzTcPL2U2ic3i4FErXQ1wEB8VU2mnb-_brcUbFJ6GpyOeawS_GQ7hRYc/s640/17.Wood+Sandpiper+RS.JPG" uda="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Sandpiper</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The best thing I discovered about the leaf suit was that I was able to approach these Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters without them being too worried. These are the best photos I have ever managed to get of this species (I didn't say I was an excellent photographer). I will definately be trying the leaf suit again in future. Watch out warblers!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVhzwvPxOtyg0ubyMhf69fXfJq5c8rBatTAxbri9oeQu5YQLRbc34i6rWrwMsDEemFc8JZK-pJN7idveUa7hn4jcGwc9DAQyvmEOFKKoxLqsmQ6qH4-K0QryFsMOXW4uogMTdZru86EI/s1600/18.+Blue-cheeked+Bee-eater+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVhzwvPxOtyg0ubyMhf69fXfJq5c8rBatTAxbri9oeQu5YQLRbc34i6rWrwMsDEemFc8JZK-pJN7idveUa7hn4jcGwc9DAQyvmEOFKKoxLqsmQ6qH4-K0QryFsMOXW4uogMTdZru86EI/s640/18.+Blue-cheeked+Bee-eater+RS.JPG" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILlhxwHXmJyXFQgIEEAT6ZbPbnAd4Tzf3FfLSipl48QVB6a4yfDkqeheOaEV6vPFQ4SGMRo3cmNkni4hvqktzpiErX6hBBJnvm9iIir0L8YNcKQ-T5ugg5Lf7i2Otjn4XofCJ2NSXVq0/s1600/20.Blue-cheeked+Bee-eater+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILlhxwHXmJyXFQgIEEAT6ZbPbnAd4Tzf3FfLSipl48QVB6a4yfDkqeheOaEV6vPFQ4SGMRo3cmNkni4hvqktzpiErX6hBBJnvm9iIir0L8YNcKQ-T5ugg5Lf7i2Otjn4XofCJ2NSXVq0/s640/20.Blue-cheeked+Bee-eater+RS.JPG" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PrDLbJqkMHkGVnLToy9LMcuabkggbEVPT8W-9h4Leneg7yUmk8EQGXtM3oFm_IkQKDSwF3PaHROQ31ObpUwV_kscIsp1KYZagsm1-nHCt0d4UfwuOc3tBfoKzU0GvUd_6meKnvh1YT4/s1600/21.Blue-cheeked+Bee-eater+RS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PrDLbJqkMHkGVnLToy9LMcuabkggbEVPT8W-9h4Leneg7yUmk8EQGXtM3oFm_IkQKDSwF3PaHROQ31ObpUwV_kscIsp1KYZagsm1-nHCt0d4UfwuOc3tBfoKzU0GvUd_6meKnvh1YT4/s640/21.Blue-cheeked+Bee-eater+RS.JPG" uda="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters (4)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
All in all it was a magic mornings birding, I didn't have a time limit and only decided to head back at 13h48 because I felt a bit guilty about taking so much time for myself!! I think I would have stuck around until the evening birds arrived if I could have but I will have to save that for another day! My list total for the day ended up on 106 which isn't too bad for only one pair of eyes??Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-78795321614830227682012-02-26T10:03:00.000+02:002012-02-26T10:03:50.242+02:00December Holidays - West Coast National Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRVkc-JtnwupGXsPm6gaZ6K49WxwDB3X77i228QXvSFOlOlGwFwDyEkdQghKU4g783EvYrRkZlSHH_YfdxbkT87S3_e2YN7gJhZhJE6XwbqOvX7mVjXpa4pKfDqsDLuc9co6f7XrYTio/s1600/5.Egyptian+Geese+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRVkc-JtnwupGXsPm6gaZ6K49WxwDB3X77i228QXvSFOlOlGwFwDyEkdQghKU4g783EvYrRkZlSHH_YfdxbkT87S3_e2YN7gJhZhJE6XwbqOvX7mVjXpa4pKfDqsDLuc9co6f7XrYTio/s640/5.Egyptian+Geese+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egyptian Geese</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
With JP Le Roux in Cape Town on holiday as well, he convinced me to head up to West Coast National Park which we duly did along with his wife Margaux. This is a place I always look forward to visiting but I can never get the tides right and the visits always end in disappointment. The first time I went there in 1994, there were thousands of waders of all sorts and shapes and this image is what always brings me back. This visit was no different except that I seemed to have got the tides right this time but there were very few birds about and those that were there kept their distance from the hide. Our mission was to find the European Oystercatcher which had been seen around the Seeberg hide but although there was a large group of African Black Oystercatchers the Euro was nowhere to be seen. Birding for the day was good but photography opportunities were terrible.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67oQhOSa-Tie4c-WQkR813wL_UXoMSSDHel6UfNvE7U_n50GqOwwj1g-C9jXwdn_2jSGTkZs9E8vGYQ1Oy9QVmNmbZXOnGPDcaziJpVWg0GisdA8RaL0F5JyEf_CEtC4-Yyad8DeY_xk/s1600/5.Cape+Wagtail+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67oQhOSa-Tie4c-WQkR813wL_UXoMSSDHel6UfNvE7U_n50GqOwwj1g-C9jXwdn_2jSGTkZs9E8vGYQ1Oy9QVmNmbZXOnGPDcaziJpVWg0GisdA8RaL0F5JyEf_CEtC4-Yyad8DeY_xk/s640/5.Cape+Wagtail+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Wagtail at Seeberg</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
From the Gate to Seeberg we got some good birds including Cape Spurfowl, Southern Double-Collared Sunbird, Cape Sparrow, Karoo Scrub-Robin, Grey-backed Cisticola, White-backed Mousebird and Southern Black korhaan although Black Harrier was noticably absent.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8zfvKfARFQmgXVIhevbXYb-6gx-ZkW9mLEZWHvAAJzZKJhsV0Hiut7thV1Bwoh-MXyQcBKyAkUqO2f1lB0LuU54UEYYzNhNxNspN23IcFUg3UhwdK2Ayy2LFjF9NDOBZHww1rf7zal0/s1600/5.Grey-backed+Cisticola+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8zfvKfARFQmgXVIhevbXYb-6gx-ZkW9mLEZWHvAAJzZKJhsV0Hiut7thV1Bwoh-MXyQcBKyAkUqO2f1lB0LuU54UEYYzNhNxNspN23IcFUg3UhwdK2Ayy2LFjF9NDOBZHww1rf7zal0/s640/5.Grey-backed+Cisticola+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey-backed Cisticola</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Seeberg was disappointing in that the waders were few and far between and the European Oystercatcher was nowhere to be seen (as I might have mentioned earlier). It was a beautiful day when we arrived with clear skies and no wind but by the time we got to Seeberg, the wind had picked up considerably. Waders found at Seeberg were Grey Plover, White-fronted Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Kittlitzs' Plover, Whimbrel and African Black Oystercatcher.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijs7ldAbBmmTGThxE4krNi3IG_kqrICEXDWTDPHyhfg36-f9aPvCV3sAfWW3m5QLxfExTKenVy4dFLzcoP-hysyxK9YdaH6TNow3xwHw2VKlyS8qhi8kZJuCGYrJB9W6gMRZIx-3wvNeM/s1600/5.Grey+Plover+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijs7ldAbBmmTGThxE4krNi3IG_kqrICEXDWTDPHyhfg36-f9aPvCV3sAfWW3m5QLxfExTKenVy4dFLzcoP-hysyxK9YdaH6TNow3xwHw2VKlyS8qhi8kZJuCGYrJB9W6gMRZIx-3wvNeM/s640/5.Grey+Plover+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Plover showing the diagnostic black "armpits"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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We decided to head off to Geelbek to see what was around as the wind was really pumping now and white horses were visible over the lagoon. At the old hide the tide was pushing the waders up towards the hide but they didn't come close enough for my 100-400mm lens. A 800mm with a 2 times converter would have been ideal in this situation. Here we picked up a few more waders and in the form of Marsh Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone, Greenshank, Chestnut-banded Plover and some distant Bar-tailed Godwits. Some SA Shelducks were also seen in the distance along with the ubiquitous Egyptian Geese!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_AM6aLrF0w-JI4HNLdodsqSJ6m6_xEcdfDg8E1Dy2M796SCA2Js0OoBsq2_K627dK_3qBsKNaOgguAJM_8FOFCtQiGzG6IO_ejaAzrsZFe9FJhw71Wp4vOY0oIvTDyOYz4JK2ezA1U8/s1600/5.Marsh+Sandpiper+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_AM6aLrF0w-JI4HNLdodsqSJ6m6_xEcdfDg8E1Dy2M796SCA2Js0OoBsq2_K627dK_3qBsKNaOgguAJM_8FOFCtQiGzG6IO_ejaAzrsZFe9FJhw71Wp4vOY0oIvTDyOYz4JK2ezA1U8/s640/5.Marsh+Sandpiper+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Sandpiper</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWe6n_VIGvXL-0nIerIH-hn2b4pSYplzo5mii5cOPQVMxS06aZ6EEi98SfDjKnp9CtlVk73nt_hfozjiNrfSXYK92nDY_XdKoagL6PT80J0CNy20DGbmqKFmNkh4LJsm4TUBxa8uEOv64/s1600/5.Sanderling+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWe6n_VIGvXL-0nIerIH-hn2b4pSYplzo5mii5cOPQVMxS06aZ6EEi98SfDjKnp9CtlVk73nt_hfozjiNrfSXYK92nDY_XdKoagL6PT80J0CNy20DGbmqKFmNkh4LJsm4TUBxa8uEOv64/s640/5.Sanderling+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanderling</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
From Geelbek we headed inland to the Salt marsh hide where we got a calling Bokmakierie, African Stonechat, African Pipit (A Freakin Pipit in JP's terms), Little Grebe, Cape Bulbul, Ostrich, Lesser Swamp Warbler, Pied Starlings and Yellow Canary (which are not as yellow down here as up in Gauteng).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTr0IdFcW2Qq14c2r-ilaB2aWZEVsu6hSPnULvSY97heDN5PecXwOZ3pkSdyL6a-GjOOESJ43FuYuuz_CvDbxkk0VwBz9iywrihJyv6WoW2lo-BIodQ8tjAWIf-BDDxZbn0dP2vF9ty-U/s1600/5.Yellow+Canary+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTr0IdFcW2Qq14c2r-ilaB2aWZEVsu6hSPnULvSY97heDN5PecXwOZ3pkSdyL6a-GjOOESJ43FuYuuz_CvDbxkk0VwBz9iywrihJyv6WoW2lo-BIodQ8tjAWIf-BDDxZbn0dP2vF9ty-U/s640/5.Yellow+Canary+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Canary</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
As it was now getting late we headed back to Seeberg to see if the European Oystercatcher had made its appearance, stopping at the lookout point where we found a Rock Kestrel soaring effortlessly on the strong wind.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZLMnhiXt7fGxxEwTLT9bv3yjJlwFhXFmCi5Yig51qs0_JfbuUga2LKTI__E5c3E0bZBG_iM42G6hkL7_Sav4tuCodkKLDm1j5ILmh12zefAbMezU9YXX9RrjkoteepS2x6Qq0PaudQc/s1600/5.Rock+Kestrel+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZLMnhiXt7fGxxEwTLT9bv3yjJlwFhXFmCi5Yig51qs0_JfbuUga2LKTI__E5c3E0bZBG_iM42G6hkL7_Sav4tuCodkKLDm1j5ILmh12zefAbMezU9YXX9RrjkoteepS2x6Qq0PaudQc/s640/5.Rock+Kestrel+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Kestrel</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Nothing had changed back at Seeberg except for slightly bigger wader flocks and a few Sandwich, Swift and Common Terns with a possible Damara Tern fishing along the shoreline.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN88ViTI1f_pisQRkQX5w1tq2TIS6Aqqe63_3kPe6bCLIOxi5QUStmGV781_w6Sm42WgmQarhCt9jz8PRM-qVAe-bwWGVs1h2FkJWeupTjHNu4HpXuMxP3iWodD5SZOOOCrnbMA1R0W8o/s1600/5.White-fronted+Plover+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN88ViTI1f_pisQRkQX5w1tq2TIS6Aqqe63_3kPe6bCLIOxi5QUStmGV781_w6Sm42WgmQarhCt9jz8PRM-qVAe-bwWGVs1h2FkJWeupTjHNu4HpXuMxP3iWodD5SZOOOCrnbMA1R0W8o/s640/5.White-fronted+Plover+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-fronted Plover</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This is a park where I would love to spend a whole weekend or even a whole week just birding with no time limits. Driving 120km from Gordons Bay to spend a mornings birding here is just too rushed as there is too much to see and experience. I think that if i am going to go for a days birding again I will definately hire a guide who has experience with the area to optimise the time available..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9fcWnoPad3oa5xL4YHu_-BF0-jn3a7GjBsyApKjcubc9Pt506U3zWaeFOwBgKS5hzl-ij3F1h-7yjs05atMklEnBttqXwLOcmtXjqJ4cu-6IHQ9cIs_xv-h70fb4UU-5Uk7NPXfRwQ8/s1600/5.White-throated+Swallow+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9fcWnoPad3oa5xL4YHu_-BF0-jn3a7GjBsyApKjcubc9Pt506U3zWaeFOwBgKS5hzl-ij3F1h-7yjs05atMklEnBttqXwLOcmtXjqJ4cu-6IHQ9cIs_xv-h70fb4UU-5Uk7NPXfRwQ8/s640/5.White-throated+Swallow+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-throated Swallow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2989744667830567315.post-44553787725902263522012-01-29T21:52:00.001+02:002012-02-08T19:29:59.192+02:00December Holidays - Gordons Bay (Western Cape)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLkt0AfsfWL4yFlOKMNAfrx2FNkbdwRs3fEsAIHTTdvFgwZFC0tQqCDuNKcyl5dDWrJQZJidQz1KuW5ET5Uw2XL7TKHB1tAuK0eRvKiI3MPM5vau-TOjQLS9xUP_QK6SpHX1CCWNOu7U/s1600/2.Cape+Sugarbird+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLkt0AfsfWL4yFlOKMNAfrx2FNkbdwRs3fEsAIHTTdvFgwZFC0tQqCDuNKcyl5dDWrJQZJidQz1KuW5ET5Uw2XL7TKHB1tAuK0eRvKiI3MPM5vau-TOjQLS9xUP_QK6SpHX1CCWNOu7U/s640/2.Cape+Sugarbird+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Sugarbird - Male</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Western Cape is a long way from where we live but it's a trip we don't mind making. It always seems so much cleaner and prettier than Gauteng or the East Coast and the bird species list is not as high as our home area but then the province probably has more endemics than any other provinces in South Africa. Our holiday was to be spent at my sisters house in Gordon's Bay which has a view over False Bay and an added bonus is that the house borders on a declared nature reserve. This means her garden is full of great birds!!<br />
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To get there my wife and I had to drive 1500km with four teenage boys filling the back of our Toyota SUV. So to break the journey we decided to stop off at the "Be Blessed" guest house in Richmond in the Karoo which gave us some time to stretch the legs and possibly try for some Karoo specials (Karoo Eremomela is one such special I still need to photograph but didn't get). We arrived in Richmond in the middle of the afternoon and after organising some entertainment for the boys we set off for some birding on the farm roads around the town. Birding was quiet but I did manage to see some good birds, Karoo Scrub-robin, Cape Penduline Tit and Fairy Flycatcher were highlights of the area. In the evening, countless numbers of Amur Falcons and Lesser Kestrels flew over the guest house on their way to roost somewhere near town. Eurasian Bee-eaters were also present in large numbers..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhTUHC3W-PQeSvy_gkokVqcpr4mJgLV4iqf5sahbKOMZog-Hy2ojos5QJk7DuCnbx5IuO4cCqd_SVaa44JXyrZK7V7FHurrUxlB2aViCbx_-OUwthXIJIcu-3BzDzYx3Kaqvbd9aQkMg/s1600/1.Karoo+Scrub-Robin+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhTUHC3W-PQeSvy_gkokVqcpr4mJgLV4iqf5sahbKOMZog-Hy2ojos5QJk7DuCnbx5IuO4cCqd_SVaa44JXyrZK7V7FHurrUxlB2aViCbx_-OUwthXIJIcu-3BzDzYx3Kaqvbd9aQkMg/s640/1.Karoo+Scrub-Robin+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karoo Scrub-robin</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P7KGnXdKed5hv-ETi5KBgbFxZU04hwEqasLDr9IZy-8OXMksGd92hTQL5I2g_s3ETOCf8cm0hSxsrN0HrC4aQ9FdNL_1QfUpK4hJC7FHh3URlrl7I0jr6HOFU3P-ILFral3cNgeN7UA/s1600/1.Cape+Penduline-tit+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P7KGnXdKed5hv-ETi5KBgbFxZU04hwEqasLDr9IZy-8OXMksGd92hTQL5I2g_s3ETOCf8cm0hSxsrN0HrC4aQ9FdNL_1QfUpK4hJC7FHh3URlrl7I0jr6HOFU3P-ILFral3cNgeN7UA/s640/1.Cape+Penduline-tit+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Penduline Tit</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Just outside the town we watched a family of Rock Kestrels practising some aerial combat manoeuvres with their chicks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVDX7pt8DwqFwD0i6gHET7q3JyX733S76xHsal534rIv7imPe77oBrGTPI-YXqQAOrwbBGjRDSbAMOi_LKB7AnhlDGfGNfkSaCd_9axtb-IKCCgPY6L1vP2tWzv6865RRwJ87oRDNmCc/s1600/1.Rock+Kestrels+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVDX7pt8DwqFwD0i6gHET7q3JyX733S76xHsal534rIv7imPe77oBrGTPI-YXqQAOrwbBGjRDSbAMOi_LKB7AnhlDGfGNfkSaCd_9axtb-IKCCgPY6L1vP2tWzv6865RRwJ87oRDNmCc/s640/1.Rock+Kestrels+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Kestrels practising ACM</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The next day we were up early to continue the journey to Gordons Bay. The birds in the garden in Gordons Bay are great and from the kitchen window you can see at least 10 endemics without much effort. Cape Sugarbird, Cape Bulbul, Cape Bunting, Cape Weaver, Karoo Prinia, Cape White-eye, Cape Spurfowl, Cape Rock-thrush and both Southern Double-collared and Orangebreasted Sunbird are common on the Protea bushes against the mountain.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yTm_rjevKq2ZggXG8VPORgqA0OQub0AxUcdbJs_c9bX32Hgeq23s9ApVD6lG6p3KQdQ9-s4RVTxNsHAELifF-4vmAyuGHva0nE7rI4w_OeU4EIaFEQSSPIOmAAbH3J0oFkndXRzTpo4/s1600/2.Cape+Sugarbird+2+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yTm_rjevKq2ZggXG8VPORgqA0OQub0AxUcdbJs_c9bX32Hgeq23s9ApVD6lG6p3KQdQ9-s4RVTxNsHAELifF-4vmAyuGHva0nE7rI4w_OeU4EIaFEQSSPIOmAAbH3J0oFkndXRzTpo4/s640/2.Cape+Sugarbird+2+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Sugarbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwAh5gZW4sf6HejmeTMW1pL2I6i6ONuNmh7t0v4tPQ_hhTBlto3hFcvHc-gXYN60h6Hjol8KDkoxW5gXfHn4twTS5EnUI8rUvoTS0Pcy6T3BkcLhh29fAs83OU7CjzzDfMLAbu-BhgiM/s1600/3.Orange-breasted+Sunbird+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwAh5gZW4sf6HejmeTMW1pL2I6i6ONuNmh7t0v4tPQ_hhTBlto3hFcvHc-gXYN60h6Hjol8KDkoxW5gXfHn4twTS5EnUI8rUvoTS0Pcy6T3BkcLhh29fAs83OU7CjzzDfMLAbu-BhgiM/s640/3.Orange-breasted+Sunbird+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange-breasted Sunbird</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw02QUzHG9W2dDcgpuNX4aqfLZJjqcvvSshhypbkNTFUZJJxRT-4V_9feV7oxsL8jqk03KUC-XndV_aluLlPml5W23Kcxi0T1KtBCuyp1wbdX9Ws61cFdLxpyXyT9sOV0jJmxtEk-pCqU/s1600/2.Southern+Double-collared+Sunbird+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw02QUzHG9W2dDcgpuNX4aqfLZJjqcvvSshhypbkNTFUZJJxRT-4V_9feV7oxsL8jqk03KUC-XndV_aluLlPml5W23Kcxi0T1KtBCuyp1wbdX9Ws61cFdLxpyXyT9sOV0jJmxtEk-pCqU/s640/2.Southern+Double-collared+Sunbird+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Double-collared Sunbird</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02htekVbFDaEPW-fh5T2LPV_DavWXA4X1CRhWeDC16Q550ISLGxLKV_4gHKa9h1al4AMOGq_0qIdurI0YQKlfbNExfKGP5OWUf3WUTVseMoNXoGFfDv_3DLk1nEpHDB0uDBdz9ngZn5A/s1600/2.Karoo+Prinia+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02htekVbFDaEPW-fh5T2LPV_DavWXA4X1CRhWeDC16Q550ISLGxLKV_4gHKa9h1al4AMOGq_0qIdurI0YQKlfbNExfKGP5OWUf3WUTVseMoNXoGFfDv_3DLk1nEpHDB0uDBdz9ngZn5A/s640/2.Karoo+Prinia+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karoo Prinia </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKgc7cXZBz7ygeFlYylg2peYTm0pQk-JYiSzFGojAY59mcYi5inOEQ3rowBlwAro086d_0W53l1bkPFKt731d3OAyn-llQE5zgk71c5t6yTrWCQox24B5Oco8WYBr60eHGnNgxECO9h0/s1600/3.Cape+Spurfowl+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKgc7cXZBz7ygeFlYylg2peYTm0pQk-JYiSzFGojAY59mcYi5inOEQ3rowBlwAro086d_0W53l1bkPFKt731d3OAyn-llQE5zgk71c5t6yTrWCQox24B5Oco8WYBr60eHGnNgxECO9h0/s640/3.Cape+Spurfowl+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Spurfowl</td></tr>
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The Cape Spurfowl are extremely tame and have raised several families in the area and they often bring their chicks for a free meal in the back yard.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7vnwJsGeNUh0vi2zYoCUvw6Owj2JnHFF8jDkh6iy50rGSM3lLlO8YW03BKI1vhJUMb1FMkrhjqfMy5t-uVkhaXVrkUpJasMQQEZpov4HHEnb6Cb0VMI80wCWUxZnG5cI66eOwedj320/s1600/3.Cape+Spurfowl+2+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7vnwJsGeNUh0vi2zYoCUvw6Owj2JnHFF8jDkh6iy50rGSM3lLlO8YW03BKI1vhJUMb1FMkrhjqfMy5t-uVkhaXVrkUpJasMQQEZpov4HHEnb6Cb0VMI80wCWUxZnG5cI66eOwedj320/s640/3.Cape+Spurfowl+2+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Spurfowl with chicks</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I wonder how many other gardens can boast with a list of 10 endemics on a daily basis? With the house being so close to the sea there are also Kelp Gulls and the occasional Hartlaubs Gull which fly overhead.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfxqN3TR_yzA0qtH7Jxa7uRd5wIqFoFyi2ZRmN6350gfoaBdIdHeMHQcxP4fEhI1ZYk7VRhvWIgIabCXlnCF8KLIseuT7U2Nqw3LUWH0Qdl58Y75s7KOzZwSNd4Y2GTjBwaLgodAWI1g/s1600/4.Kelp+Gull+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfxqN3TR_yzA0qtH7Jxa7uRd5wIqFoFyi2ZRmN6350gfoaBdIdHeMHQcxP4fEhI1ZYk7VRhvWIgIabCXlnCF8KLIseuT7U2Nqw3LUWH0Qdl58Y75s7KOzZwSNd4Y2GTjBwaLgodAWI1g/s640/4.Kelp+Gull+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelp Gull</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Swallows and Swifts are also common and can be observed while relaxing on the patio enjoying a cold beer!! Now this is what I call Lazy Birder heaven!! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj87J1oKkdD0WHKvqHErhL7UQ68z0lPcz-oy1hCmWBpLGWoQqibpTCwLtk6-cqwd7KBt2iO14jKsXHD3F1zpKOzfMQIVrhLDk2nVkDUr32aO5v-ueXyBqpnu9dkh6Mc5Xlb73JMLzJu4A/s1600/4.White-rumped+Swift+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj87J1oKkdD0WHKvqHErhL7UQ68z0lPcz-oy1hCmWBpLGWoQqibpTCwLtk6-cqwd7KBt2iO14jKsXHD3F1zpKOzfMQIVrhLDk2nVkDUr32aO5v-ueXyBqpnu9dkh6Mc5Xlb73JMLzJu4A/s640/4.White-rumped+Swift+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-rumped Swift</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Ooh and I almost forgot...there are Angulate Tortoises which forage and breed in the garden. I'm not sure if these are endemic but they also interesting to watch. Sizes vary from matchbox to shoebox size!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzM_byHgLu0XNEzedtxbWr2Fck54qIiZsK47OP3alDo0RX0LoYQNny0R4hIzuCrEZdCkKRtuM5Ikj09ADzkmhBI_13sCQowDwAolGaWS9CE_ArbEZzuW5WhZoBJog-zRm77k2nMRkkLA/s1600/2.Angulate+Tortoise+RS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzM_byHgLu0XNEzedtxbWr2Fck54qIiZsK47OP3alDo0RX0LoYQNny0R4hIzuCrEZdCkKRtuM5Ikj09ADzkmhBI_13sCQowDwAolGaWS9CE_ArbEZzuW5WhZoBJog-zRm77k2nMRkkLA/s640/2.Angulate+Tortoise+RS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angulate Tortoise (Shoebox size)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
While we were on holiday I managed to visit West Coast National Park, Rooiels and I eventually got to Strandfontein after 10 years of procrastination...but these stories will follow shortly! Night!Gareth Hazellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08690615849979299460noreply@blogger.com2