Get Out Birding

BIRD OF THE DAY

African Pygmy Goose (Nettapus auritus) – As the name suggests the African Pygmy Goose is very small, and although brightly coloured is easily overlooked as they are often motionless amongst floating vegetation, especially water lilies.
Their preferred habitat is inland wetlands in savanna, with clear water and floating and emergent vegetation. It is an uncommon resident, with it’s distribution in South Africa probably limited by the availability of suitable habitat as described above.
The African Pygmy Goose is normally seen in pairs or small family groups, and their diet consists mostly of ripe seeds and flower parts of water lilies.
The below picture was taken at Leeupan, a seasonal waterhole near the Tshokwane Picnic Spot in the Kruger National Park. After good summer rains Leeupan is one of the most reliable sights to see African Pygmy Goose in the Park.

African Pygmy Goose (Nettapus auritus) – As the name suggests the African Pygmy Goose is very small, and although brightly coloured is easily overlooked, as they are often motionless amongst floating vegetation, especially water lilies.

Their preferred habitat is inland wetlands in savanna, with clear water and floating and emergent vegetation. It is an uncommon resident, with it’s distribution in South Africa probably limited by the availability of suitable habitat as described above.

The African Pygmy Goose is normally seen in pairs or small family groups, and their diet consists mostly of ripe seeds and flower parts of water lilies.

The below picture was taken at Leeupan, a seasonal waterhole near the Tshokwane Picnic Spot in the Kruger National Park. After good summer rains Leeupan is one of the most reliable sights to see African Pygmy Goose in the Park.

BIRD OF THE DAY

Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotus) - The Lappet-faced Vulture is the most powerful of the African vultures, and dominates all other species at a carcass. They are uncommon residents, listed as vulnerable, and in South Africa are seldom found outside of the big game reserves in Kwazulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Northern Cape.

Carrion is their main food source, and they are able to tackle skin, tendons and ligaments that other vultures are unable to cope with. They seldom eat meat, but will also feed on stranded fish, terrapin nests and even flamingo eggs and nestlings.

These vultures inhabit semi-arid savannah and deserts, and are less social than many other species – any congregations are likely to be at or near a large carcass or waterhole.

The below picture was taken at the Botsalano Game Reserve, located just 5km west of the Botswana Border in the North West Province, where Lappet-faced Vultures are sometimes seen as they cross the border in search of food.

BIRD OF THE DAY:

African Yellow Warbler (Chloropeta natalensis) – this beautiful little warbler was previously known as the Dark-capped Yellow Warbler. It belongs to the family of birds classified as Sylviidae, which includes babblers, and warblers.

They are mostly confined to the eastern parts of South Africa, and are usually found singly or in pairs. They are altitudinal migrants, moving from the Highveld to lower-lying regions in winter, and are therefore mostly seen in Gauteng during summer.

The African Yellow Warbler often feeds on the ground, mainly on invertebrates, but insects are also taken aerially. Its preferred habitat is moist vegetation alongside streams and dams.

The below bird was photographed next to the dirt road that runs between Finfoot Hide and Otter Bridge, at the Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve outside Pretoria.

BIRD OF THE DAY:

Cape Longclaw (Macronyx capensis) – The Cape Longclaw is a common inhabitant of moist grassland and wetlands with dense grass cover, especially at higher altitudes. They are often seen perched on rocks, anthills, fences or shrubs. They feed mostly on insects, but with seeds also occasionally featuring in their diet.

Cape Longclaws breed mostly in spring and summer. Pairs are monogamous and territorial. The female builds a well-hidden nest of grass and roots among dense stands of grass, in which she incubates a clutch of 1-4 eggs for around 2 weeks. Both parents feed the chicks, which leave the nest at about 2 weeks old.

The Cape Longclaw is semi-endemic, and occurs only in Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland and South Africa (Western and Eastern Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, Free State, Gauteng, North West and the Highveld regions of Limpopo and Mpumalanga) and marginally into Botswana and Mozambique.

The below picture was taken next to the road along the Devon Birding Route, where Cape Longclaws are very common, and clearly displays the origin of the birds name.

BIRD OF THE DAY:

Double-banded Sandgrouse (Pterocles bicinctus) – the Double-banded Sandgrouse is a scarce to locally common near-endemic, present throughout the northern provinces of South Africa.

They have a clear preference for Mopane woodland, but also inhabit Acacia and other wooded savannas, where they are mostly seen in rocky areas, particularly on low hills or gravel plains.

They forage on the ground, in the early morning and late afternoon, searching for the seeds of legumes (members of the pea family), which form the bulk of their diet.

The below picture was taken near the Mkhombo Dam area, about 100km north of Pretoria in the Mpumalanga Province.

BIRD OF THE DAY:

Red-chested Cuckoo (Cuculus solitarius) - The Red-chested Cuckoo is a common intra-African breeding migrant, present in South Africa from September to March. The Afrikaans name of Piet-my-vrou was derived from their persistent and monotonous call.

Their preferred habitat is forests, closed woodland, riverine bush and well-wooded suburban areas. They are present throughout the eastern and southern half of South Africa, and along the southern coast as far as Cape Town, but absent from the arid west. They are usually solitary, unobtrusive and difficult to see, with their presence only revealed by their persistent calling.

Red-chested Cuckoos are brood parasites, primarily of the Cape Robin-Chat, but have been recorded parasitizing up to 15 other species, including Cape Wagtail, White-throated Robin Chat, Bearded Scrub-Robin and Cape Rock Thrush and more.

Their diet consists mainly of hairy caterpillars, but also includes beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, snails, slugs, small frogs and lizards, and sometimes also the eggs of their hosts.

The below picture was taken in my garden in Pretoria East, where this particular bird has been calling constantly for the last couple of weeks!

BIRD OF THE DAY:

African Pygmy Kingfisher (Ispidina picta) – The aptly named African Pygmy Kingfisher is the smallest kingfisher in Southern Africa, with a length of only 13 cm, and weighing a mere 15 grams. It is a fairly common intra-African breeding migrant, present in South Africa from October to May.

In South Africa African Pygmy Kingfishers occur in the northern and eastern parts of the country, but are absent from the central and arid western regions.

Their preferred habitat is moist woodland, forest and riverine margins, but not necessarily near water. Their diet is mostly insectivorous, but also includes small crabs, frogs and lizards.

The below picture was taken at the Mabusa Game Reserve, north east of Bronkhortspruit, a little known reserve but a wonderful birding spot!

BIRD OF THE DAY

Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) – The Western Yellow Wagtail is an uncommon non-breeding migrant, arriving in South Africa October-December, and departing again in March or April.

Their preferred habitat is most moist areas, including aquatic margins, saltpans, sewage works and sometimes in open country after heavy rains. Within these habitats they favour areas with closely cropped grass on flood plains.

They forage for food on the ground, darting forward to grab small insects, while also pursuing them into the air. Insects caught include bugs, beetles, ants, grasshoppers and flies.

The below picture was taken at the Bronkhorstspruit Dam Nature Reserve, where Western Yellow Wagtails are fairly common during summer.

BIRD OF THE DAY

European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) - The European Bee-eater is a summer migrant, arriving in South Africa in October, and departing again towards the end of March or early April.

Most European Bee-eaters live in colonies, and studies on their vocalisations have shown that each individual in the colony recognises everyone else by their unique calls.

They occur widespread throughout the country, in a wide range of woodlands and shrublands, but are absent from the driest and wettest parts of South Africa.

As their name implies, bees and wasps are indeed the birds’ main source of food, but they do also take other flying insects, and these include mainly flying ants and termites. Bees do of course sting, and after being caught are therefore beaten and rubbed vigorously against a perch, disabling the prey and causing the venom to be discharged as the abdomen is crushed.

The below picture was taken in the beautiful soft light late in the afternoon at the Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve, where European Bee-eaters are particularly common during summer.

BIRD OF THE DAY

Cape Grassbird (Sphenoeacus afer) - As the name suggests, the Cape Grassbird prefers areas of tall grass, as well as thick low-growing fynbos and stands of ferns, often on hillsides and in river valleys, usually near water.

They follow an insectivorous diet, searching for food on the ground under vegetation. The insects caught and eaten include beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, while some seed may also be included.

Cape Grassbirds are endemic to South Africa, where they occur in the Western and Eastern Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, Free State, Gauteng and the Highveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. They are fairly common and widespread, but the population is decreasing due to habitat destruction (agriculture, urbanisation and invasion by alien trees).

The below picture was in a grassy area next to the wetland at the Moreletakloof Nature Reserve, where Cape Grassbirds are sometimes seen (and more often heard), although they remain an infrequent sighting in the reserve.

BIRD OF THE DAY

Magpie Shrike (Urolestes melanoleucus) - Magpie Shrikes are generally seen in groups of 3 to 12 birds, often perched conspicuously and calling together loudly.

Birds in the group tend to leave a tree one by one, following each other to the next tree. If you therefore see one Magpie Shrike flying, keep on looking and you will invariably see more following,

Their preferred habitat is open savanna woodland, with scattered trees, short grass and bare patches. They are resident and generally sedentary, but may have some local movements in response to drought or fires.

Magpie Shrikes hunt by perching, and scanning the ground below for prey. Their diet consists mostly of insects, but also spiders, ticks, millipedes, small reptiles, mice and fruit.

The below picture was taken along the Zaagkuildrift Road, where Magpie Shrikes are very common, and their loud and distinctive calls can often be heard as one travels between the town of Pienaarsrivier, and the wetlands area at Kgomo Kgomo.

BIRD OF THE DAY

Red-chested Cuckoo (Cuculus solitarius) - The Red-chested Cuckoo is a common intra-African breeding migrant, present in South Africa from September to March.

They are brood parasites, primarily of the Cape Robin-Chat, but have been recorded parasitizing up to 15 other species, including Cape Wagtail, White-throated Robin Chat, Bearded Scrub-Robin, Cape Rock Thrush and more.

Their preferred habitat is forests, closed woodland, riverine bush and well-wooded suburban areas.

Their diet consists mainly of hairy caterpillars, but also includes beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, snails, slugs, small frogs and lizards, and sometimes also the eggs of their hosts.

The below picture was taken at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, where Red-chested Cuckoos are very common, and in summer their distinctive call can be heard almost constantly as one walks through the gardens.

BIRD OF THE DAY

Spotted Thick-knee (Burhinus capensis) - The Spotted Thick-knee, also known as the Spotted Dikkop, is a wader in the family Burhinidae. They grow to about 45 cm in height, and can weigh up to 600 g.

The Spotted Thick-knee prefers open habitats, including fynbos, semi-arid scrublands, grasslands and savanna, but has adapted well to agricultural and urban environments and is often seen in fields, parks and gardens. At night their shrill call has become a familiar sound in the suburbs of Pretoria.

Pairs of Spotted Think-knees are monogamous and solitary nesters, although they assemble in groups of up to 50 outside the breeding season.

Their nests are little more than a scrape in the ground, sometimes out in the open, but more usually in the shade of a bush or tree, and camouflaged with a few pieces of plants or pebbles. The parents take turns to incubate the eggs, and the chicks leave the nest within a day of hatching to move around with their parents.

The below picture was taken on a small dirt road in the Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve, after a heavy thunderstorm the previous afternoon.

BIRD OF THE DAY

Capped Wheatear (Oenanthe pileata) - The Capped Wheatear is a small insectivorous passerine bird, with the beautiful Afrikaans name of “Hoëveld Skaapwagter”, probably referring to its habit of perching upright on an elevated lookout position, surveying the area around it like a shepherd looking after his herd.

Capped Wheatears inhabit dry, grassy or scrubby plains with open or overgrazed patches, as well as recently ploughed or harvested fields.

They feed on a very wide range of invertebrates, and occasionally seeds and fruit. They move considerable distances in search of suitable habitat as a result of seasonal changes, and are especially fond of recently burned veld.

Capped Wheatears occur in the central and western parts of the country, but are mostly absent from the eastern parts of the Eastern Cape, Kwazulu-Natal and the Lowveld.

The below picture was taken along the network of road which forms the Devon Roadside Routes, a fantastic birding spot about an hour’s drive south-east of Pretoria.

BIRD OF THE DAY

Streaky-headed Seedeater (Crithagra gularis) - The Streaky-headed Seedeater is a small passerine bird in the finch family, plain-looking except for long white eyebrow and pale streaks on top of head.

The Streaky-headed Seedeater’s diet consists of buds, flowers, seeds, fruits, nectar and insects. They often loosely associate with Yellow-fronted Canaries, and can be mistaken for Black-throated Canaries.

They are common resident breeders in suitable habitats in southern Africa, although some local seasonal movements may occur. Habitats include woodlands on plains and hillsides, often in rocky areas.

The below picture was taken on the walking trail at Liberty Stables, where the rocky hillsides along the first part of the trail provide the ideal habitat for Streaky-headed Seedeaters.

BIRD OF THE DAY

Southern Boubou (Laniarius ferrugineus) - Southern Boubous are normally quite shy, and therefore more often heard than seen, as a monogamous pair engages in a melodious duet.

They occur widespread In South Africa, from the Western Cape coast and adjacent interior, through the Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal to Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng and the North West Province.

They inhabit forests, thickets, dense coastal shrublands and riverine vegetation, where they forage in the tangled undergrowth for insects, worms, snails, lizards, eggs, fruits, nectar and seeds. They have also adapted to well-planted gardens in some towns and cities.

Southern Boubous are usually seen singly or in monogamous pairs that claim a small, lifelong territory for themselves. The females are responsible for building the shallow cup-shaped nest (using grass, twigs and roots) in a densely-leaved plant, but both parents take turns to incubate the eggs, and to feed the newly hatched chicks.

The below picture was taken in the Moreletakloof Nature Reserve, where Southern Boubous are very common, and have also become extremely tame, making for some excellent photographic opportunities.

BIRD OF THE DAY

Thick-billed Weaver (Amblyospiza albifrons) - The Thick-billed Weaver is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Ploceidae bird family which includes birds such as Weavers, Queleas and Windowbirds.

Thick-billed Weavers prefer tall grass or reeds in and adjacent to water during breeding season, while when not breeding they prefer forests, forest margins and woodlands. Their diet consists of the seeds of fruiting trees, fruit, grass seeds as well as insects.

They are polygynous (the male will mate with more than one female during a single breeding season), and often occur in colonies. The finely woven nest, in reeds and bulrushes, is constructed by the male, while the interior is lined by the female.

The below picture was taken in the reeds next to the Moreleta Spruit, where it passes through the Faerie Glen Nature Reserve in Pretoria East.

BIRD OF THE DAY

Spike-heeled Lark (Chersomanes albofasciata) – The Spike-heeled Lark is a smallish lark, with a slightly decurved bill, distinctive upright posture, and a diagnostic short white-tipped tail.

Spike-heeled Larks are attracted to sparse grassland, desert grassland and other arid or semi-arid habitats. Although they are usually observed in pairs, groups of up to 10 are not uncommon.

They are mostly sedentary in the higher-rainfall parts of their range, but may be locally nomadic in more arid areas.

Their diet consists mainly of insects such as caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, flies, bugs, termites and scorpions, which are caught while foraging on the ground. Their diet may also be supplemented by seeds.

The below picture was taken on the Boons Road, a relatively unknown stretch of dirt road running south from the small settlement of Boons, about 120km west of Pretoria.

BIRD OF THE DAY

Common Buttonquail (Turnix sylvaticus) - The Common Buttonquail, (previously known as Kurrichane Buttonquail) is one of a small family of birds which resemble, but are unrelated to, the true quails.

The Common Buttonquail’s scientific name is derived from from their habitat, woods and trees in a savannah (sylvaticus is the Latin word for woods and trees). It is a shy, secretive bird, its presence mostly detected by hearing its low-pitched booming call.

They feed mainly on the ground, and their diet consists of invertabrate such as ants, as well as seeds that are foraged in short grass and roadsides.

All Buttonquails are weak and reluctant flyers, and when disturbed will only take flight as a last resort. However, despite appearing rather clumsy in flight, they do undertake local movements, and are able to respond rapidly and in vast numbers to rainfall events.

The below picture was taken at the Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve, on the dirt road going to Finfoot Hide. To see a Common Buttonquail out in the open like this is unusual, and they are very seldom seen at Rietvlei, so it was a very special sighting indeed.

BIRD OF THE DAY

Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius) - The Secretarybird is a large, mostly terrestrial bird of prey. Endemic to Africa, it is usually found in the open grasslands and savanna of the sub-Saharan region.

Opinions vary as to the origins of its common name “Secretarybird”, but it is widely beleived to derive from their quill-like crest of feathers, which give the appearance of a secretary with quill pens tucked behind the ears.

Secretarybirds spend most of their time walking through grasslands, searching for prey, and though they are known for their prowess in catching snakes, they will also feed on insects, amphibians, birds and even small mammals. Their lower legs have heavy scales, that may protect them while walking through the brush, or when attacking their prey.

The below picture was along Devon Roadside Routes, where the open grasslands with scattered trees, provide the ideal habitat for Secretarybirds.

BIRD OF THE DAY

African Grey Hornbill (Tockus nasutus) - The African Grey Hornbill is a widespread and common resident breeder in much of Sub-Saharan Africa, and into Arabia.

In South Africa these hornbills can be found in acacia savanna, mopaneveld, dry broadleaved and riverine woodlands. They have also become increasingly common in suburban gardens, where their plaintive high-pitched calls can often be heard.

African Grey Hornbills include a wide variety of food in their diet, taking insects, beetles, spiders, frogs, chameleons, small rodents, chicks and eggs and some fruits, searching for food mainly in the branches of trees.

The below picture was in the Moreletakloof Nature Reserve, where African Grey Hornbills are fairly common and can often be seen flying low over the trees.

BIRD OF THE DAY

White-fronted Bee-eater (Merops bullockoides) - White-fronted Bee-eaters inhabit wooded grasslands and savannas, mostly near large rivers or other reliable water bodies, where they feed mainly on flying insects caught on the wing – most notably honey bees, which make up about 75% of their diet.

White-fronted Bee-eaters have a complex and interesting social system. They roost and nest colonially (colonies can number between 20 and 300 birds), utilising sandbanks in which to dig their nesting tunnels. Each colony is made up of several distinct groups, known as clans, which are made up of a monogamous breeding pair, and between 1 and 5 non-breeding birds, usually offspring from previous broods, that will assist their parents to raise a brood.

The below picture was taken at the Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve, where they are particularly common, but White-fronted Bee-eaters can be observed in any suitable habitat throughout Gauteng.

BIRD OF THE DAY

Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus) - The Lilac-breasted Roller is one of the most colourful, and probably one of the most photographed birds in South Africa! They prefer open woodland and savannah, and is mostly absent from treeless areas.

Usually found alone or in pairs, they perch conspicuously at the tops of trees, poles or other high vantage points, from where they can spot insects, lizards, scorpions, snails, small birds and rodents moving on the ground.

During the breeding season the male will rise high up into the air (up to 150 m), from where it descends in a series of in swoops and dives, hence the name “roller”.

While the Lilac-breasted Roller is most often associated with the Kruger Park, the below picture was taken on the Zaagkuildrift Road, and excellent birding spot, only about 80 km north of Pretoria.

Trip Report:

Week ending Sunday 26 September 2021.

Good afternoon everybody.

During this last week I did a couple of walks at Kimiad, plus an early morning trip to the Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve.

Notable sightings included:

Kimiad – African Rail, Red-chested Flufftail (female), Village Weaver, Little Rush Warbler, White-rumped, Palm and Little Swifts, Black-winged Kite & Red-chested Cuckoo.

Rietvlei – Black Crake, Bokmakierie, Spike-heeled Lark, Hamerkop, Arrow-marked Babbler, Jameson’s Firefinch, Chestnut-vented Warbler & African Fish Eagle.

I was at the gate at Rietvlei at exactly 06:00 on Friday, and was the 3rd car in the queue, but after about 3 hours the reserve became extremely busy and I decided to leave. At Kimiad both the Red-chested Flufftails and African Rail were still hanging around as of yesterday.

Please feel free to contact me should you wish to join me on any bird-walks or day-trips.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Birding Tales #19: “Rietvlei”

My birding journey started in October 2013, at the Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve, and while I don’t visit there as often anymore, this beautiful “urban reserve” will forever remain close to my heart.

Whenever times got tough during the last few years (and there were plenty of those), I could always escape to Rietvlei, where driving around for a few hours was normally enough to reduce stress and restore the soul.

Rietvlei is located in the so-called “Bankenveld”, which is a transitional zone between the grasslands of the highveld, and the bushveld to the north of Pretoria, and as such provides fairly diverse birding. Typical grassland species such as Ant-eating Chats and Pied Starlings happily co-exist with Fork-tailed Drongos, Arrow-marked Babblers and other bushveld species.

The reserve also regularly produces some rare and unusual species, including Broad-billed Roller, Green Sandpiper, European Honeybuzzard, Red-winged Francolin, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, African Finfoot, and many more.

But above all Rietvlei provides a refuge for the soul during stressful times, and in my opinion it is the more common but equally charming species, such as those depicted below, which mostly creates the “Magic” that is RNR…

BIRD OF THE DAY

Terrestrial Brownbul (Phyllastrephus terrestris) – the Terrestrial Brownbul is a common resident, largely sedentary and found in small groups during the non-breeding season. They occur along the northern and eastern edges of South Africa, but are mostly absent from the central and western parts of the country.

Their preferred habitat is the understory of evergreen and riparian forest, as well as dense woodland thickets. They are skulking and inconspicuous, their presence often detected only by the rustling sounds as they hop around in dry leaf litter.

They forage in small groups close to or on the ground, where they eat mostly insects, including ants, termites, and beetles, but will also take snails, small lizards and some fruit and seeds.

The below picture* was taken next to the road on the Zaagkuildrift route, where the dense bush and thick undergrowth along the Pienaarsrivier provide the ideal habitat for Terrestrial Brownbuls.

*photograph courtesy of Roelof Jonkers

BIRD OF THE DAY

Grey-backed Sparrow Lark (Eremopterix verticales) – the Grey-backed Sparrow Lark is locally abundant within its range, mostly resident but partially migratory in response to environmental conditions. They occur throughout the arid western region of South Africa, but are absent from the eastern and north-eastern parts of the country.

Their preferred habitat is open arid and semi-arid grassland and shrublands, with sparse grass and dwarf shrubs. They are often seen in harvested croplands, overgrazed areas and fallow fields.

They forage in small groups, creeping along the ground in search of food, which consists mainly of grass seeds, occasionally supplemented by termites, termite alates and young locust hoppers.

The below picture was taken in the overgrown fields across from the rural village of Kgomo Kgomo, where a single Grey-backed Sparrow Lark was recently seen.

BIRD OF THE DAY

Red-breasted Swallow (Cecropis semirufa) – the Red-breasted Swallow is a locally common intra-African breeding migrant, arriving in South Africa in August and departing again by March. They occur in the northern and north-eastern regions of the country.

Their preferred habitat is open savanna and sweet grassland, often at fairly high altitude.

They feed on aerial insects, including flies and small beetles, and sometimes gathers in groups at insect aggregations such as veld fires or termite alate emergences.

The below picture was taken at a water leak in the rural village of Kgomo Kgomo, where a pair of Red-breasted Swallow were busily gathering mud for a nest they were constructing in a nearby road culvert.

BIRD OF THE DAY

Southern Grey-headed Sparrow (Passer diffusus) – the Southern Grey-headed Sparrow is a fairly common resident, occurring throughout most of South Africa, with the exception of the arid central and south-western regions.

Their preferred habitat is dry acacia woodlands, where they are especially common in areas of cultivation and around human settlements.

Their diet consists mainly of seeds, and they often join mixed-species foraging flocks with other small garnivores. They forage by walking or hopping on the ground, with small shuffling steps, while pecking up food items.

The below picture was taken near the small rural village of Kgomo Kgomo, about 100km north of Pretoria.

Trip Report:

Week ending Sunday 19 September 2021.

During this last week I managed only one late afternoon walk at Kimiad, plus a day trip to Zaagkuildrift and Kgomo Kgomo on Sunday. However, what my week lacked in terms of quantity was more than made up for in quality, including a lifer!

Notable sightings included:

Kimiad – Greater Honeyguide, African Rail, Crested Francolin (all three these species were firsts for me at Kimiad), Red-chested Flufftail (female), Black-winged Kite, Red-chested Cuckoo (heard only, the first of the season!).

Zaagkuildrift and Kgomo Kgomo – in addition to the usual suspects, we also saw, African Snipe, Cape Penduline Tit, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Black-faced Waxbill, African Finfoot, Terrestrial Brownbul, Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark, Gabar Goshawk, Cape Vulture, Shikra and the lifer for me, a single Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark!

Zaagkuildrift Road never disappoints, and while there is currently very little water at Kgomo Kgomo bridge, the Sparrow-Larks on the overgrazed fields across from the village more than made up for this.

Please feel free to contact me should you wish to join me on any bird-walks or day-trips.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

BIRD OF THE DAY

Coqui Francolin (Peliperdix coqui) – The Coqui Francolin is the smallest francolin in South Africa, occuring widespread but with patchy distribution, and therefore only locally common in isolated areas.

Their preferred habitat is dense grasslands and well grassed woodland up to 2200 m above sea level, and unlike other francolins they prefer natural habitat and avoid agricultural fields and heavily grazed grassland.

Their diet consists mostly of seeds, shoots and small fruits, while in summer beetles, grasshoppers, winged ants and other invertebrates are also taken.

The call is a high-pitched two-syllable co-qui, co-qui, from which the name is derived.

The below picture was taken at the Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve, one of the most reliable spots to find Coqui Francolins close to Pretoria.