Southern African Forum (1 Viewer)

[Sal]

Hi all,
any offers on what the attached picture is, taken last June near Satara in KNP? Wahlberg's?

Sorry about the quality, dawn, cloudy and extreme range for the lens.

Thanks
Allan

Looks to me like a sub-adult Tawny Eagle. I don't think you would find Wahlberg's there in June, it's a summer visitor.

 

[Sal]

So how big was this croc?

4, 5 even 6...............
centimetres :-O

Allan

LOL! Its good to have you two back on the same page for a while!!!! This croc is beginning to sound like a fishing story . . . .

 

[Sal]

Yesterday I went birding in the Hilton Nature Reserve. I've described it before, so all I will add is that we started off in a gentle drizzle, but it cleared slowly and became partially cloudy. We went to the top bird hide first, but there was very little on the dam other than a mass of Yellow-billed Ducks, Village Weavers, African Hadedas and a few Red-knobbed Coots. We also saw a Black-headed Heron, a Pied Kingfisher, a few Red Bishops and a Reed Cormorant. On the way down into the valley we came across Cape Crow, Broad-tailed Warbler, Levaillant's Cisticola, Red-throated Wryneck, Cape Sparrow, Dark-fronted Bulbul, Red-collared Widowbird, Black-collared Barbet, Cape Turtle Dove and White-winged Widowbird. There were quite a few Impala around, plus some Wildebeeste and Zebras, but the Giraffe, who apparently had two new babies, did not materialise. More birds - Long-tailed Widowbird, Jacobin Cuckoo, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Southern Boubou.

In the picnic site alongside the river we saw Olive and Kurrichane Thrushes and as we were leaving it and crossing the bridge we came upon our best sighting of the day - a Half-Collared Kingfisher, a new tick for my friend and only the second time I have seen one. (First time in HNR) I only took my point-and-shoot and it was not very close so the cropped pic I have attached is pretty poor!We were able to watch it for ages as it hawked from a low branch across a little stream in the shade of some bush. Moving on we picked up Burchell's Coucal, Amethyst Sunbird, Yellow-fronted Canary, Southern Black Tit, Black Flycatcher, Fork-tailed Drongo, Levaillant's Cisticola and Rufous-naped Lark. We walked to the river hide but saw almost nothing in our half hour there. Because of all the rain, the river was a torrent and I was just remarking that if the Black African Ducks were going to appear they would go past at the speed of light, when there they went! We went on to our favourite piece of riverine forest. However, someone appears to be building on the other side of the Nature Reserve and there has obviously been a lot of disturbance and there were very few birds around. All we saw was one raptor flying, which disappeared before we could get a good look at it. This was disappointing as we often see some good birds here. On the way out of the forest we came across a very small baby snake See pic). Any offers as to ID? Black Mamba? Then a group of butterflies who looked as though they were feeding - but there was no nectar/water, just dust.

Going back we saw Mountain Wagtail on a rock in the river and taking a loop through the acacia scrub and grassland bordering the picnic site was far more productive: Diedrick's Cuckoo, Black-collared Barbet, Cape Wagtail, Cape Batis, Common Scimitarbill, Green Wood-hoopoe, Palm Swift, Barn Swallow(flying) Spotted Flycatcher (another first for us here) African Stonechat, Crested Barbet, Square-tailed Drongo, Grey-headed Sparrow, Southern Black Flycatcher, Violet-backed Starling, Golden-breasted Bunting, Emerald-spotted Dove, African Hoopoe, Yellow-throated Longclaw, what I think was an imm. Red-Chested Cuckoo ( see another awful pic - definitely belonged to that ilk but had grey chest instead of red - any comments?) and African Fish-Eagle (flying).

Going back out of the valley we flushed an African Harrier-Hawk, saw Cape Glossy Starling and finally came across a co-operative Cattle Egret! If only I'd got that Raptor we would have recorded 60 birds . . . .

 

[Allan Hobbs]

Looks to me like a sub-adult Tawny Eagle. I don't think you would find Wahlberg's there in June, it's a summer visitor.

Hi Sal,
My only problem with Tawny is that it just doesn't look mean enough - the head and bill are much more delicate.
Don't some Wahlberg's now overwinter?

Allan

 

[Sal]

Hi Sal,
My only problem with Tawny is that it just doesn't look mean enough - the head and bill are much more delicate.
Don't some Wahlberg's now overwinter?

Allan

Unfortunately your pic is not sharp enough to show the shape of the nostril (only way I could be sure ). Have you tried the SANParks ID thread? I believe a few Wahlbergs overwinter in SA, not sure where though.

 

[Johnnie Lee]

Marloth

Hi Alan

We stayed at Khaya Umdani - I think it was on Korhaan. Did most of my birding along the river and around the house. Absolutely fantastic.

John

Hi Johnnie and welcome.
Where did you stay in Marloth?
Allan

 

[Martin Hobbs]

So how big was this croc?

4, 5 even 6...............
centimetres :-O

Allan

Hi,
From seeing his nose and his tail I would say around 3m. Not large, but big enough to make me move back up the bank!

Martin

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Oh, and accommodation please?

Hi,
Try the link below for accommodation there:

http://www.kwathabeng.co.za/travel/...ml?location=Nylsvley+Nature+Reserve&list=true

I always stayed at the Wits University facility there, however I am not sure whether the general public can stay at this facility (my wife had an Aunt that was a lecturer there).

As you are no doubt aware we have had very good rains this year and so the water levels should be good. Please keep in mind that when the water levels are high then you may not be able to reach some of the hides and trails.
Whatever the water level it is a fantastic birding location, and you are sure to see many birds.

Martin

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Hi Martin! Almost the same as last year, - Pretoriuskop,out of the Park via Palaborwa, to Mopani, then Satara and finally to Berg-en-Dal. the only difference is that we are not going to Biyamiti - it has become too expensive . . . .

Hi Sal,
Lovely.
Satara is one of my favourite camps. It was the first camp we ever stayed in on our first trip into KNP 20 years ago....and has remained in our hearts since.
I am sure you will have another great trip.

Martin

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Yesterday I went birding in the Hilton Nature Reserve. I've described it before, so all I will add is that we started off in a gentle drizzle, but it cleared slowly and became partially cloudy. We went to the top bird hide first, but there was very little on the dam other than a mass of Yellow-billed Ducks, Village Weavers, African Hadedas and a few Red-knobbed Coots. We also saw a Black-headed Heron, a Pied Kingfisher, a few Red Bishops and a Reed Cormorant. On the way down into the valley we came across Cape Crow, Broad-tailed Warbler, Levaillant's Cisticola, Red-throated Wryneck, Cape Sparrow, Dark-fronted Bulbul, Red-collared Widowbird, Black-collared Barbet, Cape Turtle Dove and White-winged Widowbird. There were quite a few Impala around, plus some Wildebeeste and Zebras, but the Giraffe, who apparently had two new babies, did not materialise. More birds - Long-tailed Widowbird, Jacobin Cuckoo, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Southern Boubou.

In the picnic site alongside the river we saw Olive and Kurrichane Thrushes and as we were leaving it and crossing the bridge we came upon our best sighting of the day - a Half-Collared Kingfisher, a new tick for my friend and only the second time I have seen one. (First time in HNR) I only took my point-and-shoot and it was not very close so the cropped pic I have attached is pretty poor!We were able to watch it for ages as it hawked from a low branch across a little stream in the shade of some bush. Moving on we picked up Burchell's Coucal, Amethyst Sunbird, Yellow-fronted Canary, Southern Black Tit, Black Flycatcher, Fork-tailed Drongo, Levaillant's Cisticola and Rufous-naped Lark. We walked to the river hide but saw almost nothing in our half hour there. Because of all the rain, the river was a torrent and I was just remarking that if the Black African Ducks were going to appear they would go past at the speed of light, when there they went! We went on to our favourite piece of riverine forest. However, someone appears to be building on the other side of the Nature Reserve and there has obviously been a lot of disturbance and there were very few birds around. All we saw was one raptor flying, which disappeared before we could get a good look at it. This was disappointing as we often see some good birds here. On the way out of the forest we came across a very small baby snake See pic). Any offers as to ID? Black Mamba? Then a group of butterflies who looked as though they were feeding - but there was no nectar/water, just dust.

Going back we saw Mountain Wagtail on a rock in the river and taking a loop through the acacia scrub and grassland bordering the picnic site was far more productive: Diedrick's Cuckoo, Black-collared Barbet, Cape Wagtail, Cape Batis, Common Scimitarbill, Green Wood-hoopoe, Palm Swift, Barn Swallow(flying) Spotted Flycatcher (another first for us here) African Stonechat, Crested Barbet, Square-tailed Drongo, Grey-headed Sparrow, Southern Black Flycatcher, Violet-backed Starling, Golden-breasted Bunting, Emerald-spotted Dove, African Hoopoe, Yellow-throated Longclaw, what I think was an imm. Red-Chested Cuckoo ( see another awful pic - definitely belonged to that ilk but had grey chest instead of red - any comments?) and African Fish-Eagle (flying).

Going back out of the valley we flushed an African Harrier-Hawk, saw Cape Glossy Starling and finally came across a co-operative Cattle Egret! If only I'd got that Raptor we would have recorded 60 birds . . . .

Hi Sal,
Nice Half-collared Kingfisher. Don't see them very often here either.
The Cuckoo could be a Common Cuckoo? The Common Cuckoo has a grey chest and not rusty red.
Could also be a African Cuckoo? however it would be right on the limit of the Africa Cuckoo range where you are.
Needed to see the front really, and be a bit closer to see the barring detail on the feathers.
The picture of the Cattle Egret is nice. A very common bird and sometimes we take little notice to some birds as they are very common, but it doesn't make them any less interesting and colourful.
I think the Butterflies are Green-banded Swallowtails, although the closed wing is diagnostic, the small portion of open wing on the one shows the colour and patterning.

Thanks for sharing.

Martin

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Unfortunately your pic is not sharp enough to show the shape of the nostril (only way I could be sure ). Have you tried the SANParks ID thread? I believe a few Wahlbergs overwinter in SA, not sure where though.

Hi Sal, Allan,
I tend to agree with Sal on this one. A few juvenile Whalberg's Eagle have been known to stay south of the equator in our winter, and a few have been known to over winter in Zimbabwe, but none south of there.

Martin

 

[Sal]

Hi Sal,
Nice Half-collared Kingfisher. Don't see them very often here either.
The Cuckoo could be a Common Cuckoo? The Common Cuckoo has a grey chest and not rusty red.
Could also be a African Cuckoo? however it would be right on the limit of the Africa Cuckoo range where you are.
Needed to see the front really, and be a bit closer to see the barring detail on the feathers.
The picture of the Cattle Egret is nice. A very common bird and sometimes we take little notice to some birds as they are very common, but it doesn't make them any less interesting and colourful.
I think the Butterflies are Green-banded Swallowtails, although the closed wing is diagnostic, the small portion of open wing on the one shows the colour and patterning.

Thanks for sharing.

Martin

Hi Martin, I am attaching the very bad pics that I have of this cuckoo, maybe this would tell you something? Thanks for IDing the butterflies. So you cant tell what the baby snake is?

 

[WobblyWilly]

Hi,
Try the link below for accommodation there:

http://www.kwathabeng.co.za/travel/...ml?location=Nylsvley+Nature+Reserve&list=true

I always stayed at the Wits University facility there, however I am not sure whether the general public can stay at this facility (my wife had an Aunt that was a lecturer there).

As you are no doubt aware we have had very good rains this year and so the water levels should be good. Please keep in mind that when the water levels are high then you may not be able to reach some of the hides and trails.
Whatever the water level it is a fantastic birding location, and you are sure to see many birds.

Martin

Hi Martin


Thank you for the information, but we were there last week and stayed at the 'Heron' Lodge inside the park which was superb at R275pppn.

Water levels are in fact very poor....Vogelfontein had no water at all near the hides, just mud, and the main hide in the park offered the merest smattering of birds. Just my bad luck I guess, and next time I visit will be during floods for sure.

Still, a bad day in the bush beats a great day at the office...o

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Hi Martin, I am attaching the very bad pics that I have of this cuckoo, maybe this would tell you something? Thanks for IDing the butterflies. So you cant tell what the baby snake is?

Hi Sal,
I think it is a sub-adult Common Cuckoo.
The colour of the plumage is grey so it has already changed from its brown mottled plumage, however the brown eye colour hasn't changed yet to the adult orange colour. It has however the yellow eye ring. The bill has just started to change to the yellow colour at the base. Unfortunately I cannot see the colour of its feet (although both African and Common have yellow legs and feet).
The bill is relatively small which, to me, rules out African Cuckoo.

Sorry I cannot identify the snake....very difficult with young snakes....was it black all over or was the stomach a different colour...maybe grey?

Martin

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Hi Martin


Thank you for the information, but we were there last week and stayed at the 'Heron' Lodge inside the park which was superb at R275pppn.

Water levels are in fact very poor....Vogelfontein had no water at all near the hides, just mud, and the main hide in the park offered the merest smattering of birds. Just my bad luck I guess, and next time I visit will be during floods for sure.

Still, a bad day in the bush beats a great day at the office...o

Hi,
Sorry for the late reply.
Interesting that with all the rain we have had in Gauteng area that Nylsvley is relatively dry.
I was at Rust De Winter Dam Nature Reserve recently and although the dam looked relatively full, the surrounding veld was very dry and dusty.
Maybe Limpopo just hasn't had the rain that we and I know Mpumalanga has had this season?
I didn't see many birds either. I will report on my trip to here soon.

The accommodation you found was a bargain though, and inside the reserve as well.
As you rightly say...it is better being in the bush and veld any day than anything else....

Have you tried Marievale south of JHB?
Check out the link below.

http://wiki.sabirding.co.za/Marievale_Bird.ashx

If you want to see water birds then try this location out..... I really like it. The hides are well placed and maintained and there is a real friendly atmosphere to the place. It is frequented by many bird clubs on the weekends, all keen and enthusiastic to share knowledge and sightings.

Martin

 

[Sal]

Hi Sal,
I think it is a sub-adult Common Cuckoo.
The colour of the plumage is grey so it has already changed from its brown mottled plumage, however the brown eye colour hasn't changed yet to the adult orange colour. It has however the yellow eye ring. The bill has just started to change to the yellow colour at the base. Unfortunately I cannot see the colour of its feet (although both African and Common have yellow legs and feet).
The bill is relatively small which, to me, rules out African Cuckoo.

Sorry I cannot identify the snake....very difficult with young snakes....was it black all over or was the stomach a different colour...maybe grey?

Martin

Oh thanks Martin! Now that I have read up about it, I recall that there were spots visible on the tail as it moved from one tree to another, I had forgotten that. This would be a new tick for me!

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Oh thanks Martin! Now that I have read up about it, I recall that there were spots visible on the tail as it moved from one tree to another, I had forgotten that. This would be a new tick for me!

Hi Sal,
Glad to be of help.
Congratulations....new ticks don't happen very often these days do they.....

Have you moved out of PMB now?...you mentioned you are now in the Midlands.....

Martin

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Rust De Winter Dam Nature Reserve

Hi All,
Went to Rust De Winter Dam recently.
The reserve caters mostly to anglers. A single dirt road winds it's way around one side of the dam with braai and 'fishing sites' off of this single road.
The area (except the actual dam of course) is dry and dusty. Clearly this area of Limpopo has not had the rain that we have had in Gauteng or as I know in Mpumalanga.
I arrived at 06:30 and started slowly along the dirt road. At the first 'inlet' which lead to several empty fishing sites I sighted Black Shouldered Kite and Crested Francolin. I moved on and came across the first of several causeways across inlets of the dam. Here I expected to see many water birds....but nothing.
I continued and apart from the Darter and Fish Eagle in and over the dam, and Canaries, Weavers, White-eyes & Bulbuls, I didn't see or hear anything else.
After around an hour I came to a closed gate at the end of the dirt road. I had spent over an hour to get to the reserve and spent an hour in the reserve and seen everything:eek!:

I decided to make the journey to get there worth while and park the car and walk beyond the gate. It does say in "South African Birding" description of the site that you can walk beyond the gate....and so I did.
I walked for 2 hours away from the gate through hot, dry & dusty Acacia veld.
I turned around and walked back the 2 hours back to the gate.
It was very quite with not many birds to see or hear at all. The only 2 really worthwhile sightings were of a small group of Cape Penduline Tits and another small group of Burnt-necked Eremomela. Both of these are new pictures for me.

The walk through the veld was great...I love being in the middle of quiet veld. It is so pure.... It always makes me feel so alive.

The highlight of my day was as I was driving back and visited one of the fishing sites. I walked towards the waters edge hoping to see any water birds. I didn't see any water birds but disturbed the below lovely example of a Puff Adder. It swam away from the waters edge. I stood still, and it turned around and swam back to where it entered the water....exactly where I was standing. Now some of you may remember my Crocodile story..... and just as with the Croc, I decided to do the man thing to do....and walk slowly away from it:-O It was a stunning snake though.......beautiful.

Only 36 birds...not impressive...but I did get 2 new pics to add to my bird pictures list.

60 Darter African
99 Duck White-faced
127 Kite Black-shouldered
148 Eagle African Fish
180 Falcon Amur
189 Francolin Crested
199 Spurfowl Swainson's
223 Swamphen African Purple
240 Jacana African
258 Lapwing Blacksmith
349 Pigeon Speckled
354 Dove Cape Turtle
355 Dove Laughing
426 Mousebird Red-faced
433 Kingfisher Woodland
435 Kingfisher Brown-hooded
438 Bee-eater European
443 Bee-eater White-fronted
459 Hornbill Southern Yellow-billed
464 Barbet Black-collared
541 Drongo Fork-tailed
557 Tit Cape Penduline
560 Babbler Arrow-marked
568 Bulbul Dark-capped
656 Eremomela Burnt-necked
701 Batis Chinspot
733 Shrike Red-backed
740 Puffback Black-backed
743 Tchagra Brown-crowned
796 White-eye Cape
814 Weaver Southern Masked
815 Weaver Lesser Masked
844 Waxbill Blue
860 Whydah Pin-tailed
869 Canary Yellow-fronted
870 Canary Black-throated

I don't think I will return any time soon....

Martin

 

[Sal]

Hi Sal,
Glad to be of help.
Congratulations....new ticks don't happen very often these days do they.....

Have you moved out of PMB now?...you mentioned you are now in the Midlands.....

Martin

Yes and I'm happy to have left! here i have peace and quiet, fresh air and lots of birds!

 

[Sal]

Hi All,
Went to Rust De Winter Dam recently.

The walk through the veld was great...I love being in the middle of quiet veld. It is so pure.... It always makes me feel so alive.

The highlight of my day was as I was driving back and visited one of the fishing sites. I walked towards the waters edge hoping to see any water birds. I didn't see any water birds but disturbed the below lovely example of a Puff Adder. It swam away from the waters edge. I stood still, and it turned around and swam back to where it entered the water....exactly where I was standing. Now some of you may remember my Crocodile story..... and just as with the Croc, I decided to do the man thing to do....and walk slowly away from it:-O It was a stunning snake though.......beautiful.

Only 36 birds...not impressive...but I did get 2 new pics to add to my bird pictures list.


I don't think I will return any time soon....

Martin

The list doesn't seem much to you, but to me there are several nice birds that we don't get here. However, I can see why you were disappointed with the reserve. Wow, your puff adder certainly puts my little black wriggly thing into the shade (no, did not notice grey underneath btw). What is it that makes these large dangerous reptiles head straight towards you? :-O I am off to Hluhluwe soon so hope to report back with a few nice sightings.