August 16: The rain continued during the night and into the morning, so most of the morning was used for different “household” things. The only notes from outdoors included the local squirrel, White Helmetshrike, and Common Scimitarbill.
Luckily, things got better after lunch when the sun did let itself be seen. Some of the larger birds started flying, with a kettle of 5 Marabou Storks one high point, and overflying Bateleur and Tawny Eagle a couple of others. At ground level, we again had a visit by a Warthog, had many weavers on the ground including Red-billed Quelea and White-winged Widowbird, and the usual 3-4 Cutthroat Finch. As usual, I had my problems with the local kingfishers, I only got photos of Brown-hooded, but also saw a bird with pale wing flashes that however was not seen well enough. White-backed Vulture showed itself as did many of the usual species, but the bird of the day was Speckled Pigeon: a few came in and landed on the roof, disappeared for a while but came back and sat there another half hour – and this was the only day we saw them. Vervet Monkey passed through, and the Pearl-spotted Owlet was heard.
A few photos:
Marabou Storks
Speckled Pigeon
African Doves
Attached below (and none too great):
White-winged Widow
Tawny Eagle in flight
Luckily, things got better after lunch when the sun did let itself be seen. Some of the larger birds started flying, with a kettle of 5 Marabou Storks one high point, and overflying Bateleur and Tawny Eagle a couple of others. At ground level, we again had a visit by a Warthog, had many weavers on the ground including Red-billed Quelea and White-winged Widowbird, and the usual 3-4 Cutthroat Finch. As usual, I had my problems with the local kingfishers, I only got photos of Brown-hooded, but also saw a bird with pale wing flashes that however was not seen well enough. White-backed Vulture showed itself as did many of the usual species, but the bird of the day was Speckled Pigeon: a few came in and landed on the roof, disappeared for a while but came back and sat there another half hour – and this was the only day we saw them. Vervet Monkey passed through, and the Pearl-spotted Owlet was heard.
A few photos:
Marabou Storks
Speckled Pigeon
African Doves
Attached below (and none too great):
White-winged Widow
Tawny Eagle in flight