Southern African Forum (2 Viewers)

[Martin Hobbs]

Trying to get good shots of eagles, kites & other raptors for years in Europe; as here http://ibc.lynxeds.com/users/brendan-marnell but usually have to find a hide in high cold places. Having eagles, kites and owls even visiting gardens is amazing but unthinkable in a tiny country like Ireland. Makes me want to spend a month in South Africa just shooting birdflight, no fancy hotels, no city tours, and the less time spent driving from B to C to D the better.

Would Kevin or Martin have time to point me in the right directions, please? The more specific directions the better of course and my wife enjoys bee-eaters, rollers & hoopoes as well but preferably without joining an organised tour. We can rough it a bit in our 70's and follow maps.

Hi,
It is best to do some research on what time of year to come to SA as some of the areas the number of bird species will be less in winter than in summer when the migrant birds visit. Some areas are more affected than others in this regard.
I find the following website supplies great information and detail on birding in Southern Africa. Information can be found on http://wiki.sabirding.co.za
You could try the Kgalagadi Transfronteir Park which is famous for its Raptors. Over 46 have been recorded there. Some specials are Lappet-faced Vulture, White-headed Vulture, Martial Eagle, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, Bateleur, Lanner Falcon, Red-necked Falcon, Pygmy Falcon, Red-footed Falcon, Secretarybird, Southern White-faced Scops-Owl, and Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl.
More information on this area can be found on http://wiki.sabirding.co.za/Kgalagadi.ashx
The Kruger Park is also a great place for Raptors. The north is generally better for the big Raptors, while the south is more suited to the smaller Raptors. Vultures include White-backed Vulture, Cape Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Hooded Vulture and White-headed Vulture. Large raptors encountered throughout the year are Martial Eagle, African Crowned Eagle, Verreaux's Eagle, Tawny Eagle, African Fish-Eagle, African Hawk-Eagle, Brown Snake-Eagle, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, African Harrier-Hawk, Bateleur and Dark Chanting Goshawk. Summer visitors include Steppe Eagle, Wahlberg's Eagle and Lesser Spotted Eagle. Smaller species include African Cuckoo Hawk, Bat Hawk, Lizard Buzzard, Gabar Goshawk, African Goshawk, Shikra, Little Sparrowhawk, Black Sparrowhawk, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Lanner Falcon, Eurasian Hobby, Dickinson's Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel and Amur Falcon. Rare visitors include Ayres's Hawk-Eagle, Montagu's Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Sooty Falcon, Red-necked Falcon, European Honey-Buzzard and Osprey.

More information on this area can be found on http://wiki.sabirding.co.za/Kruger.ashx#GRaptors_5
Some areas in the Drakensburg can also be rewarding for Raptors, and is really the only place that the Bearded Vulture can be found. It is a vast mountain range with many areas to stay and all offering different levels of accommodation. The weather can be changeable at these altitudes so you will have to be prepared, even in the summer months.
South Africa is a large country. Travelling can be long but it will never be boring. The SA scenery is stunning and ranges from deserts in the West to lush forests in the East. The world renowned Fynbos of the Cape region to the arid tree savannah of the North.
You will love it here.
Martin

 

[Sal]

For anyone who is interested from Bird tours 2011 - Game Rangers Association of Africa:

This is a quick note to tell you that we are planning 3 bird tours to Ndumo this year, in November and early December. We will send out more information shortly, but if you are interested, or you know someone who might be interested, please let me know as soon as possible, as the tours will be advertised through Bird Life Africa as well.

The dates are 3 - 6 November, 17 - 20 November and 1 - 4 December 2011

 

[bmarnell]

Hi,
It is best to do some research on what time of year to come to SA as some of the areas the number of bird species will be less in winter than in summer when the migrant birds visit. Some areas are more affected than others in this regard.
I find the following website supplies great information and detail on birding in Southern Africa. Information can be found on http://wiki.sabirding.co.za
You could try the Kgalagadi Transfronteir Park which is famous for its Raptors. Over 46 have been recorded there. Some specials are Lappet-faced Vulture, White-headed Vulture, Martial Eagle, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, Bateleur, Lanner Falcon, Red-necked Falcon, Pygmy Falcon, Red-footed Falcon, Secretarybird, Southern White-faced Scops-Owl, and Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl.
More information on this area can be found on http://wiki.sabirding.co.za/Kgalagadi.ashx
The Kruger Park is also a great place for Raptors. The north is generally better for the big Raptors, while the south is more suited to the smaller Raptors. Vultures include White-backed Vulture, Cape Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Hooded Vulture and White-headed Vulture. Large raptors encountered throughout the year are Martial Eagle, African Crowned Eagle, Verreaux's Eagle, Tawny Eagle, African Fish-Eagle, African Hawk-Eagle, Brown Snake-Eagle, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, African Harrier-Hawk, Bateleur and Dark Chanting Goshawk. Summer visitors include Steppe Eagle, Wahlberg's Eagle and Lesser Spotted Eagle. Smaller species include African Cuckoo Hawk, Bat Hawk, Lizard Buzzard, Gabar Goshawk, African Goshawk, Shikra, Little Sparrowhawk, Black Sparrowhawk, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Lanner Falcon, Eurasian Hobby, Dickinson's Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel and Amur Falcon. Rare visitors include Ayres's Hawk-Eagle, Montagu's Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Sooty Falcon, Red-necked Falcon, European Honey-Buzzard and Osprey.

More information on this area can be found on http://wiki.sabirding.co.za/Kruger.ashx#GRaptors_5
Some areas in the Drakensburg can also be rewarding for Raptors, and is really the only place that the Bearded Vulture can be found. It is a vast mountain range with many areas to stay and all offering different levels of accommodation. The weather can be changeable at these altitudes so you will have to be prepared, even in the summer months.
South Africa is a large country. Travelling can be long but it will never be boring. The SA scenery is stunning and ranges from deserts in the West to lush forests in the East. The world renowned Fynbos of the Cape region to the arid tree savannah of the North.
You will love it here.
Martin

That information astounds me, Martin.

Kgalagadi Park alone is nearly half the size of Ireland. I must learn about the weather patterns through the year, above all the better locations for photographing bigger raptors and then the accommodation to exploit the weather and those locations. Looks like a month's visit at least. But which month?

Thank you many times for pointing me in the right directions.

 

[Martin Hobbs]

That information astounds me, Martin.

Kgalagadi Park alone is nearly half the size of Ireland. I must learn about the weather patterns through the year, above all the better locations for photographing bigger raptors and then the accommodation to exploit the weather and those locations. Looks like a month's visit at least. But which month?

Thank you many times for pointing me in the right directions.

Hi,
No problem at all, glad to be of help. I did say distances are big in South Africa!
A bit more information about the weather
In summer (October to April), the temperature in the Kgalagadi can climb well over 40c. The annual rainfall is rarely more than 100 mm, and some years it even stays below 50 mm. Kalahari thunderstorms are in summer and can be spectacular.
In winter (June to August), the daytime temperatures are around 25c. The days are clear sunshine. The nights are cool around 5c sometimes less. Winter is the best time for animal viewing. Because of no rain, the Game is forced to come to the waterholes in the riverbeds. The night skies are incredibly clear and you would have never seen so many stars in your life.
To get to all parts of the Park you will need a 4x4 vehicle.
More detailed information can be found at:

http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kgalagadi/#
Trevor Hardaker is a local South African birding expert and will be able to give you more information about the Kgalagadi. His website and contact details are below. He is always very helpful and full of knowledge and advice.

http://www.hardaker.co.za/index.htm
[email protected]

 

[kevinexzim]

Crowned Eagles mating

Hi all. Winter here is time for our African Crowned Eagles to cosy up. I'm happy to share a couple of photo's from earlier this week. Kevin.

 

[bmarnell]

Hi,

To get to all parts of the Park you will need a 4x4 vehicle.
More detailed information can be found at:

http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kgalagadi/#
Trevor Hardaker is a local South African birding expert and will be able to give you more information about the Kgalagadi. His website and contact details are below. He is always very helpful and full of knowledge and advice.

http://www.hardaker.co.za/index.htm
[email protected]

A great help to me, Martin.

Looking at Trevor's website I find he photographed his 31 raptor species from Africa mainly at ....

Kruger N.P. ... 10 species ... December or January
West Coast N. P. ... 8 species ... Jan.,June or August

There must be a logistical explanation for these patterns but his website certainly confirms what you say about his experience of birding in SA. It is relevant to me that none of his raptor photos were taken in Kgalagadi. It's easy for me to ask him useful questions directly, now that you have pointed me in his direction. Perhaps he can tell me where to find 20 of the the 31 species within Kgalagadi! I see he & Margaret got beautiful shots of Black-shouldered Kite in West Coast too ... I'll be on to them for sure.

Happy times with your birding.

 

[Martin Hobbs]

A great help to me, Martin.

Looking at Trevor's website I find he photographed his 31 raptor species from Africa mainly at ....

Kruger N.P. ... 10 species ... December or January
West Coast N. P. ... 8 species ... Jan.,June or August

There must be a logistical explanation for these patterns but his website certainly confirms what you say about his experience of birding in SA. It is relevant to me that none of his raptor photos were taken in Kgalagadi. It's easy for me to ask him useful questions directly, now that you have pointed me in his direction. Perhaps he can tell me where to find 20 of the the 31 species within Kgalagadi! I see he & Margaret got beautiful shots of Black-shouldered Kite in West Coast too ... I'll be on to them for sure.

Happy times with your birding.

Hi,
Glad to be of help.
Just to let you know most of my Raptor pics and sightings come from the north of Kruger NP (which is as large as Wales by the way) from Letaba northwards, in the summer months. However I am in Kruger NP at least 5 times a year.
Kgalagadi is famous for it's Raptors. Also the big cats are easier to spot and are more commonly sighted in Kgalagadi.
If you plan a month's trip you could do both, and see a great deal of this beautiful country of ours at the same time. And if you are traveling south as well, then Cape Town is not far from Kgalagadi (in South African terms!) and a vist to the Cape will reveal even more birding experiences. Then you fly back to UK from Cape Town! I am sure Trevor will give a great deal of information about this area of his.
The Black Shouldered Kite by the way can be seen everywhere throughout SA, mostly along telephone wires running alongside the roads. It is very common, but beautiful none the less.

Martin

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Hi all. Winter here is time for our African Crowned Eagles to cosy up. I'm happy to share a couple of photo's from earlier this week. Kevin.

Stunning pictures Kevin. I can't wait for the time when the chicks hatch and you send us pics of them as well, maybe being fed by the parents would be great!

Martin

 

[Martin Hobbs]

For anyone who is interested from Bird tours 2011 - Game Rangers Association of Africa:

This is a quick note to tell you that we are planning 3 bird tours to Ndumo this year, in November and early December. We will send out more information shortly, but if you are interested, or you know someone who might be interested, please let me know as soon as possible, as the tours will be advertised through Bird Life Africa as well.

The dates are 3 - 6 November, 17 - 20 November and 1 - 4 December 2011

Sal,
This is interesting.
I have been to Ndumo twice before, the first time it was pouring with rain most of the day, and the second my wife was sick and so we stayed only a couple of hours.....so Ndumo owes me big time!!!! and the thought of another attempt at the Plain-Backed Sunbird is tempting. Would we be staying in Ndumo?

Was planning a trip to Kgalagadi next year which may over rule any trip to Ndumo. I can't have everything I want!!

I will let you know.

Martin

 

[Dave Kennedy]

A great help to me, Martin.

Looking at Trevor's website I find he photographed his 31 raptor species from Africa mainly at ....

Kruger N.P. ... 10 species ... December or January
West Coast N. P. ... 8 species ... Jan.,June or August

There must be a logistical explanation for these patterns but his website certainly confirms what you say about his experience of birding in SA. It is relevant to me that none of his raptor photos were taken in Kgalagadi. It's easy for me to ask him useful questions directly, now that you have pointed me in his direction. Perhaps he can tell me where to find 20 of the the 31 species within Kgalagadi! I see he & Margaret got beautiful shots of Black-shouldered Kite in West Coast too ... I'll be on to them for sure.

Happy times with your birding.

Dear Brendan,
Here are the raptors we encountered during a 4-night visit to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park last November.

Pale Chanting Goshawk, Martial Eagle, Secretarybird, Black-chested Snake Eagle, Lanner Falcon, Spotted Eagle-owl, Pearl-spotted Owlet (h), African Scops-owl (h), Greater Kestrel, Tawny Eagle, Pygmy Falcon, Bateleur, Southern White-faced Scops-owl, White-backed Vulture, Red-necked Falcon, Gabar Goshawk, Verreaux’s Eagle-owl.

If you go back to pages 88-89 of this Forum you will find the account of this trip, with illustrations. Note that I do not possess an expensive SLR - just a 1994 Fuji Finepix S5000. It should be clear from my illustrations that the Kgalagadi raptors can be astonishingly obliging, and if you stake out a waterhole in the early morning you have a very good chance of catching Lanner Falcons hunting thirsty Namaqua Sand Grouse or Cape Turtle Doves.
Best wishes,
Dave

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Sat in the garden

Hi,
I was sat in the garden this morning drinking many cups of tea with my camera and I decided to just take pics of the birds that came within camera range.
There were many more than the five below, but I decided these were notable for either their colours in the dry brown winter or I just liked the picture!

Martin

 

[Dave Kennedy]

Hi,
I was sat in the garden this morning drinking many cups of tea with my camera and I decided to just take pics of the birds that came within camera range.
There were many more than the five below, but I decided these were notable for either their colours in the dry brown winter or I just liked the picture!

Martin

Nice pictures, Martin.
Our aloes are in full flower just now, resulting in a great deal of sunbird activity. The current king of the midden is a male Amethyst Sunbird, which challenges all-comers, particularly a male White-bellied Sunbird which is forever trying to access the aloes' nectar. Every time he appears he gets chased for his life by the slightly larger Amethyst Sunbird.
A Grey Hornbill flew into our Acacia sieberiana yesterday morning. This is only the second record of this species in our West Rand garden.
Best wishes,
Dave

 

[Sal]

Hi,
I was sat in the garden this morning drinking many cups of tea with my camera and I decided to just take pics of the birds that came within camera range.
There were many more than the five below, but I decided these were notable for either their colours in the dry brown winter or I just liked the picture!

Martin

Great pics Martin - your garden must be an absolute delight for birdwatchers.

 

[bmarnell]

Dear Brendan,
Here are the raptors we encountered during a 4-night visit to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park last November.

Pale Chanting Goshawk, Martial Eagle, Secretarybird, Black-chested Snake Eagle, Lanner Falcon, Spotted Eagle-owl, Pearl-spotted Owlet (h), African Scops-owl (h), Greater Kestrel, Tawny Eagle, Pygmy Falcon, Bateleur, Southern White-faced Scops-owl, White-backed Vulture, Red-necked Falcon, Gabar Goshawk, Verreaux’s Eagle-owl.

If you go back to pages 88-89 of this Forum you will find the account of this trip, with illustrations. Note that I do not possess an expensive SLR - just a 1994 Fuji Finepix S5000. It should be clear from my illustrations that the Kgalagadi raptors can be astonishingly obliging, and if you stake out a waterhole in the early morning you have a very good chance of catching Lanner Falcons hunting thirsty Namaqua Sand Grouse or Cape Turtle Doves.
Best wishes,
Dave

Very encouraging and helpful, Dave. Kgalagadi's raptor count is wonderful to one who has treasured perching on a cliff in Spain to photo passing griffon vultures all day and the next day. I do enjoy getting good flight shots.

72 y.o. caution and the Rough Guide is also pointing me towards less challenging prospects that might be found within a few hours of Hilltop Camp in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, KZN ..." a dozen species of eagle as well as other raptors". Any experience of that area would be fascinating.

 

[Dave Kennedy]

Very encouraging and helpful, Dave. Kgalagadi's raptor count is wonderful to one who has treasured perching on a cliff in Spain to photo passing griffon vultures all day and the next day. I do enjoy getting good flight shots.

72 y.o. caution and the Rough Guide is also pointing me towards less challenging prospects that might be found within a few hours of Hilltop Camp in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, KZN ..." a dozen species of eagle as well as other raptors". Any experience of that area would be fascinating.

If it cheers you up at all I'm 70 with two fake knees - and you must remember that in most reserves you will be in your vehicle, because walking about among lion/leopard/buffalo/rhino/elephant/hippo etc can be seriously bad for your health. That said, guided walks are available in many areas, and some reserves boast very fine hides. Birds of prey are not, of coure, confined to game reserves, although your chances of good sightings are probably better in protected areas for obvious reasons. Much as in UK, there is still conflict between livestock farming and raptors. I wouldn't worry too much about lots of different places..... most reserves are good for raptors, be they Kgalagadi, Kruger, or Hluluwe-Umfolozi. Certain specialised birds are confined to particular habitats - Bearded Vulture in the Drakensberg, Palmnut Vultures to the Raffia Palms at Mtunzini on the Kwa-zulu Natal north coast, Black Harriers mostly - though not exclusively - to Fynbos. There are also good birding areas which do not have potentially dangerous animals, although I think that the really wild places with Africa's iconic and often scary creatures offer the best all-round experience. Because such areas are least disturbed, it follows that the birding there will be superior.
Best wishes,
Dave

PS.
Note that at Giant's Castle in the Drakensberg there is a very fine hide specifically built to observe the Bearded Vulture, or Lammergeier, as it is often known in Southern Africa. This hide offers good flight photo opportunities, and I have witnessed splendid interaction between the Bearded Vultures and Verreaux's (Black) Eagle. Note that the hide must be booked, and there is usually a long waiting list. Check also whether trransport to and from the hide is available - it is high in the mountains.

 

[Dave Kennedy]

Cape trip, March 2011

Right, then,
Apologies for taking so long to get this one off the ground - a combination of sore knees and a mislaid notebook.

Here's the list for the trip - nothing too special, but we were limited for time and spent only a week in Sedgefield, followed by three days at Paternoster on the Western Cape coast, and three days at Bushmans Kloof in the Cederberg.

On the road...

Rock Kestrel, Black Crow, Pied Crow, Egyptian Goose, White Stork, Amur Falcon

Overnight near Graaff Reinet...

Fiery-necked Nightjar, Acacia Pied Barbet, Pied Starling, African Hoopoe, Pale Chanting Goshawk

Sedgefield - Knysna area...

Fiscal Flycatcher, Cape Gull, Grey Heron, Cape Thick-knee, Speckled Mousebird, Black Sawwing Swallow, Helmeted Guineafowl, Pin-tailed Whydah, Cape Robin-chat, Cape Bulbul, Little Egret, Caspian Tern, Osprey, Greater Double-collared Sunbird, White-breasted Cormorant, Yellow-billed Duck, Knysna Turaco, Cape Weaver, Fork-tailed Drongo, Red-eyed Dove, Laughing Dove, Southern Grey-headed Sparrow, African Black Oystercatcher, Red-winged Starling, Little Grebe, Red-knobbed Coot, Great Crested Grebe, African Spoonbill, Blacksmith Lapwing, Pied Kingfisher, House Sparrow, Sacred Ibis, Cape Wagtail, Kittlitz’s Plover, Three-banded Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Ruff, Black-winged Stilt, Cape Shoveller, Common Fiscal, Southern Boubou, Knysna Warbler, African Hoopoe, Knysna Woodpecker, Sombre Greenbul, Black-headed Oriole, Speckled Pigeon, Red-faced Mousebird, Southern Tchagra, Olive Bush-shrike, Great White Egret, Reed Cormorant, Common Waxbill, Paradise Flycatcher, Bar-throated Apalis, Cape Batis, Giant Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, White-throated Swallow, African Fish-eagle, Fiery-necked Nightjar, Swift Tern, Cape Gannet, Rock Martin, White-necked Raven

Paternoster

Swift Tern, Cape Gull, Hartlaub’s Gull, Three-banded Plover, Grey Plover, White-fronted Plover, Cape Sparrow, Black-headed Heron, Common (European) Starling, Little Egret, Cape Cormorant, Bokmakierie, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Sacred ibis, Cape Bunting, Cape Francolin, Rock Martin, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Swift Tern, Grey Heron, African Black Oystercatcher, Cape Wagtail, Yellow Canary, Hadeda, Karoo Scrub-robin, Karoo Prinia

Velddrif

Curlew

Rocher Pan (25km N of Velddrif)

Lesser Swamp-warbler, Cape Shoveller, Little Grebe, Three-banded Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Pied Avocet, Blacksmith Lapwing, Curlew Sandpiper, Cape Sparrow, Little Stint, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Southern Pochard, Grey Heron, Common Fiscal


Bushmans Kloof

Red-winged Starling, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Cape Wagtail, Cape Robin-chat, Cape Sparrow, Cape Francolin, Cape Weaver, Bokmakierie, Egyptian Goose, Common Moorhen, Cape Bulbul, South African Shelduck, Ant-eating Chat, Capped Wheatear, Mountain Wheatear, Karoo Scrub-robin, African Stonechat, Laughing Dove, Karoo Prinia, Little Grebe, Sacred Ibis, Rock Martin, Fairy Flycatcher, Yellow-billed Duck, Common Fiscal, Spotted Eagle-owl, Southern Boubou, Cape Bunting

I'll follow this up with an anecdote or two about each area.
Best wishes,
Dave

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Nice pictures, Martin.
Our aloes are in full flower just now, resulting in a great deal of sunbird activity. The current king of the midden is a male Amethyst Sunbird, which challenges all-comers, particularly a male White-bellied Sunbird which is forever trying to access the aloes' nectar. Every time he appears he gets chased for his life by the slightly larger Amethyst Sunbird.
A Grey Hornbill flew into our Acacia sieberiana yesterday morning. This is only the second record of this species in our West Rand garden.
Best wishes,
Dave

Hi Dave,
Most of our Sunbirds at the moment are the White-bellied Sunbirds. The Amethyst Sunbirds have decreased since all the Wild Dagga in the garden has finished flowering.

Good news on the Grey Hornbill. I can't remember hearing them flying over our gardedn this year as we have in past years.

Sometime ago we had a conversation about Thickbilled Weavers around Gauteng area. Well...from my office window in a commercial area of Midrand I watch most days a pair of Thickbilled Weavers in the tree outside!! I have no idea why here, as there is no water close by and only a 4 metre wide patch of grass running down the boundry between our building and the building next door.
Suprising.

Martin

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Great pics Martin - your garden must be an absolute delight for birdwatchers.

Hi Sal,
Thanks.
It is only birds at the moment. All the Insects, Butterflies, Moths and flowers have gone.....
I am intrigued by the pecking order at the feeding stations I have throughout the plot. The biggest squabbling is over the bone meal we put out at weekends.
It is very pleasant sitting in the mornings with a cup of tea (or 5!!) watching all these birds flying in from far and wide.
You must have more birds wintering over in KZN than in Gauteng though surely?

Martin

 

[kevinexzim]

Bird feeders

Hi Sal,
Thanks.
It is only birds at the moment. All the Insects, Butterflies, Moths and flowers have gone.....
I am intrigued by the pecking order at the feeding stations I have throughout the plot. The biggest squabbling is over the bone meal we put out at weekends.
It is very pleasant sitting in the mornings with a cup of tea (or 5!!) watching all these birds flying in from far and wide.
You must have more birds wintering over in KZN than in Gauteng though surely?

Martin

Hi Martin/Sal/Anyone.
Can you point us newbies to some tips from your own experience for putting in garden "feeding stations"? We are in Westville just inland from Durban, with a mix of river woodland and shrubbery. Thanks. Kevin.

 

[Dave Kennedy]

Cape trip, March 2011

For the first week of the trip we stayed at Sedgefield, on the edge of the Swartvlei Estuary. Bird activity is always good here, with a fine mix of marine, terrestrial, estuarine and fresh water specialists. One can sit on the verandah and watch a roving African Fish Eagle glide by, or watch Caspian Terns and African Black Oystercatchers fly in and out of the estuary. On this trip an Osprey spent some time fishing just in front of the house. After several spectacular plunge-dives it emerged from the water with a large fish securely clutched in its talons. It then adjusted the fish's position from transverse, as when newly seized, to fore and aft, to minimise drag while flying, and flew away towards the tree-clad hills.

A foray along the Brown-hooded Kingfisher Trail, between Langvlei and Islandvlei, resulted - eventually - in a sighting of a Knysna Warbler, that inveterate skulker which is heard infinitely more often than it is seen. I heard its call emanating from a small tower of dense, creeping vegetation about 1.50m high, just 10 m off the path. I left the path and crept closer. The bird continued to call, but not a feather could I see. I could do nothing but wait, during which time I was entertained by a pair of Cape Batis which was foraging through the trees. Just when I had given up on the still-calling Knysna Warbler, it suddenly flew out of its little hiding place and whizzed about 15m into a similar clump of vegetation. And that was about that for my Knysna Warbler sighting. The BHK Trail had one more surprise, however - a pair of very fine young Earthstars Myriostoma coliforme growing among the leaf litter under the bushes. The fly resting on the left=hand fungus gives scale. When mature, raindrops falling on the sphere cause spores to burst upwards through small pores like brown puffs of smoke, to be dispersed by the breeze.

An old Milkwood Sideroxylon inerme in the garden attracts its fair share of birds. One morning a fine Black-headed Oriole flew in, and on another a Southern Tchagra foraged with a small group of Speckled Mousebirds on the ground below the tree.

Best wishes,
Dave