Southern African Forum (1 Viewer)

[Martin Hobbs]

Sounds like a really pleasant walk Martin with all that blossom and some good birds; Short-toed Rock-thrush, Lesser Honeyguide, Pale Flycatcher - nice. I like the pics too, especially the Apalis amongst all the blossom, very spring-like. Good pic of the warbler too so it was worth the wait.
Ahem - I suddenly have the opportunity to spend four days in Kruger in November . . . .

Sal,
Thanks, it worth the wait as I have never had such a good opportunity as I had that day to chase a Warbler through the veld, and not give up, he just kept moving, he must spend most of his life on the go!!

Ahem..Ahem.... I will be spending 8 days in Kruger, and 6 days in St. Lucia in January..... (overseas relatives)......

Where will you spend them, up north or south?

Martin

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Right,
Here's the story of the SW Cape trip - not marvellous, from a birding point of view, because the weather was fairly hostile, with strong winds, biting cold, and occasional rain, but there were still a couple of high points. When we drove back from Clanwilliam to Cape Town the higher mountains were white with snow.

Best wishes,
Dave

Dave,
The Cape weather is a Jackal and Hyde affair, when it is lovely weather it is a great place to be, but when the weather turns, it is not the place to be at all.

The picture of the Sugarbird is stunning. I have never seen one. I really will have to make a plan to visit the Cape region; however, there is still so much up here and the north coast to see yet. We almost did the Garden route in April, but then decided to do Kosi Bay instead (much warmer than the Cape).
A list with some others new to me as well, Hartlaubs Gull, Blue Crane (very nice), White-necked Raven, and Karoo Prinia.

Unfortunately for some of the current tourists, some of the proceeding tourists started feeding these birds, and now it is habitual. It is the same at Lower Sabie with the Sparrows and the Weavers. This is a nuisance or a pleasure when it is birds, it is when the tourists feed the Baboons it becomes more than a nuisance, more of a danger. It will not change no matter how many signs there are posted around either…

I was interested in your sightings of the Bat-eared Foxes. Were these sightings around Clanwilliam area?

Martin

 

[Dave Kennedy]

[QUOTE=Martin Hobbs;
I was interested in your sightings of the Bat-eared Foxes. Were these sightings around Clanwilliam area?

Yes, Martin - It was at Bushman's Kloof. My son works there, so we were visiting him and his family. You take the road east from Clanwilliam over the Cederberg, and once you reach the lower-elevation, Karroid scrub-covered areas on the east side of the mountains, they seem to be quite common. They particularly like to forage over areas which have previously been cleared of vegetation for agriculture, then allowed to revert. These now form grasslands/forblands with scattered shrubs, and this the little foxes particularly seem to enjoy.
I've attached a couple of pics illustrating the type of terrain favoured by the foxes.
Best wishes,
Dave

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Dave,
Great pictures of these Foxes and the type of terrain they prefer. They probably prefer this as small rodents probably prefer this type of habitat as well, giving lots of cover for them, but then with these Foxes' ears that isn't much protection is it?
Those ears are way out of proportion to the rest of their bodies.

Thanks for the information and pics.

Martin

 

[Sal]

Sal,

Ahem..Ahem.... I will be spending 8 days in Kruger, and 6 days in St. Lucia in January..... (overseas relatives)......

Where will you spend them, up north or south?

Martin

Ah, we're both suffering then . . . . I will be in the South; I only have four nights free and I had to take what bookings I could get but I don't care - I'm IN! I'm interested to see what my bird numbers will be in the summer as all my annual visits are in the winter. After this I am off for six nights in a lodge in Sabie Sands. And you - N or S?

 

[Sal]

Right,
Here's the story of the SW Cape trip - not marvellous, from a birding point of view, because the weather was fairly hostile, with strong winds, biting cold, and occasional rain, but there were still a couple of high points. When we drove back from Clanwilliam to Cape Town the higher mountains were white with snow.

I noticed that Hartlaub's Gull has a faint grey hood (see photographs), more obvious on some birds than others.

Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens provided some fine Cape Sugarbird sightings. All were feeding on Protea flowers as illustrated.

And a footnote unrelated to birds - we spent a fascinating hour in the late afternoon/early evening watching a pair of Bat-eared Foxes foraging across the veld. These little canids were another first for me, and a great thrill.

Best wishes,
Dave

Sounds like a very good trip in spite of the weather Dave. The photos of the Harytlaub's Gull are excellent and show the grey hood extremely well, thanks. Is it easily noticeable when you look at them through binoculars? The Cape Sugarbird is also interesting as I've never seen one.

Black Harriers and Alpine Swifts - also very nice sightings.

I've seen Bat-eared Foxes in Kgalagadi and I have to confess I associated them with desert and semi-desert so it was quite a surprise but very interesting to see your photos of them in amongst green vegetation!

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Ah, we're both suffering then . . . . I will be in the South; I only have four nights free and I had to take what bookings I could get but I don't care - I'm IN! I'm interested to see what my bird numbers will be in the summer as all my annual visits are in the winter. After this I am off for six nights in a lodge in Sabie Sands. And you - N or S?

Sal,
We are going in at Punda Maria and spending two nights there, then moving south to Shingwedzi, Letaba and then two nights at Satara (my favourite camp) and two nights at Talamati (which I am looking forward to as I haven’t stayed there before).
We don’t visit in the summer; however we have no option with the family coming out. At least I may see things then that I haven’t seen before, maybe a lot more birds in full breeding colours? I am looking forward to seeing more insects than I usually see; I am more interested in insects than I am in Lions these days!!
You have mentioned Talamati in your posts on SANParks forum, can you let me know what the birding is like inside the camp area (this is why I like Satara so much) so I can walk around without boring the rest of them!!
Martin

 

[Sal]

Sal,
At least I may see things then that I haven’t seen before, maybe a lot more birds in full breeding colours? I am looking forward to seeing more insects than I usually see; I am more interested in insects than I am in Lions these days!!
You have mentioned Talamati in your posts on SANParks forum, can you let me know what the birding is like inside the camp area (this is why I like Satara so much) so I can walk around without boring the rest of them!!
Martin

Martin not just more birds in breeding colours, but more birds full stop!

Talamati - the camp is not nearly as tree-filled as Biyamiti, but you can still pick up a lot of birds there. You can walk along the fence line behind the chalets along the edge of the river. There are a lot of trees here beyond and along the fence - riverine forest stuff and in the early mornings and later afternoons very good forest fringe bird life. Look for Giant Eagle owls here in the evening too. There are two bird hides. One, nearest the office, 'overlooks' a water hole. I put that in points because in summer, I doubt you can see the waterhole as the vegetation, over the years, has grown so high. However I have seen quite a few birds from here because of the water: lots of reeds and bushy stuff on the bird-hide side of it offering food and shelter. The other bird hide is up the far end of the camp, looking out onto grassland and has been less productive. it has uncleared bush beyond it, and I have sat in and wandered in that bush in the evenings and been quite lucky. Also check the trees growing in front of the chalets; often sunbirds, batis, weavers, flycatchers, hoopoes, apalises, chats and so on in them.

Two things that I found a bit irritating: some people when I have been there have used the first hide as a meeting and drinking and social venue when they get back from their afternoon drives, and the far bird-hide is cell-phone city because reception is best there . . . .

Sounds like you have a wonderful schedule. I really want to go north . . . .

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Martin not just more birds in breeding colours, but more birds full stop!
Sounds like you have a wonderful schedule. I really want to go north . . . .

Sal,
I may have a bit of a challenge with trying to find new bird sightings for me whilst trying to keep the tourists happy, however these are a few of the new sightings I am after in the north:
Pel's Fishing Owl (if not here, then maybe in St. Lucia a couple of weeks after we finish in Kruger in early February)
Mottled Spinetail
Thick-billed Cuckoo
Meves's Starling
Greencapped Eremomela
Broad-billed Roller
Thrush Nightingale

I am looking forward to seeing Pafuri and Crooks Corner and the area surrounding Punda Maria camp again. I have had some very good sightings in the past at these locations.
I have read/heard about a guy called Frank at Pafuri who is very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about birds, if he is still there I hope to chat with him as well.

Martin

 

[Sal]

What a great wish list Martin. I've only seen two of those birds, the Pels and the Green-capped Eremomela. Hope you get pics. Yes I've read about Frank on the SANParks forum, I hope he's there when you arrive. Its a very difficult call trying to see birds in Kruger whilst not appearing to be devoting your time to a hobby in which no one else has a raging interest and who want all eyes on the lookout for the Bg Five etc, but I hope you will get the odd time here and there where you can indulge yourself a little!

 

[AndrewK]

Sal,
I may have a bit of a challenge with trying to find new bird sightings for me whilst trying to keep the tourists happy, however these are a few of the new sightings I am after in the north:
Pel's Fishing Owl (if not here, then maybe in St. Lucia a couple of weeks after we finish in Kruger in early February)
Mottled Spinetail
Thick-billed Cuckoo
Meves's Starling
Greencapped Eremomela
Broad-billed Roller
Thrush Nightingale

I am looking forward to seeing Pafuri and Crooks Corner and the area surrounding Punda Maria camp again. I have had some very good sightings in the past at these locations.
I have read/heard about a guy called Frank at Pafuri who is very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about birds, if he is still there I hope to chat with him as well.

Martin

Hi Martin

I have only been to Pafuri twice, and both times Frank has been there, you will be unlucky not to find him on duty from what I hear! Frank has great up-to-date information on where the specials are, if they are around, so well worth talking to him. Its also a good place to bird (at the picnic site) while the rest of the family eats and relaxes!

Meve's Starling and Broadbilled Roller are pretty common up Punda/ Pafuri way, so you should get those. I have had greencapped eremomela at Letaba before, apparently reasonably common along the river walk inside the camp. Thrush Nightingale used to be common at Shingwedzi, but I have not heard of recent sightings there. The rest will require some good fortune and Frank's input!

As for Pel's, Pafuri is possible, and so is Muzi pans when you go to KZN after Kruger. Hire a local guide at the pans, and your chances are fair!

Good luck and enjoy it!
Andrew

 

[Dave Kennedy]

Sal,
I may have a bit of a challenge with trying to find new bird sightings for me whilst trying to keep the tourists happy, however these are a few of the new sightings I am after in the north:
Pel's Fishing Owl (if not here, then maybe in St. Lucia a couple of weeks after we finish in Kruger in early February)
Mottled Spinetail
Thick-billed Cuckoo
Meves's Starling
Greencapped Eremomela
Broad-billed Roller
Thrush Nightingale

I am looking forward to seeing Pafuri and Crooks Corner and the area surrounding Punda Maria camp again. I have had some very good sightings in the past at these locations.
I have read/heard about a guy called Frank at Pafuri who is very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about birds, if he is still there I hope to chat with him as well.

Martin

Martin,
I have seen Mottled Spinetail by standing on the road bridge over the Luvuvhu River. This is close by the Pafuri picnic site. Pel's Fishing Owl we saw in the middle of the day, flying slowly along the course of the river. We found Wood Owl resting up in the riverside vegetation, and a couple of interesting yellow-shouldered parrots which may be hybrids between Brown-headed and Meyer's parrot. Learn the call of the Thrush Nightingale - they hide in the thickest of undergrowth, but can be located by their call. That is still no guarantee that you will see one - we heard them OK, but failed dismally to see one. I have also seen Black-fronted Bush-shrike at Punda Maria Camp. Another notable sighting in the Pafuri area was Ayre's Hawk Eagle.

Best wishes,
Dave

 

[Dave Kennedy]

Some more news on urban bird mobility and changing populations - this morning (15th Sept 2009) I spotted a male Thick-billed Weaver in Shannon Road, Krugersdorp. This is a first sighting for me in K-dorp in 20 years residence. There has been a colony of these birds at a small pan in Melrose, Johannesburg, for many years, but I have never seen them elsewhere in the region. My only other sightings have all been in the Lowveld, in Kruger National Park and such places.

So, if anyone has information about Thick-billed Weaver movements, I'd be happy to hear from you.

Best wishes,
Dave

 

[Martin Hobbs]

What a great wish list Martin. I've only seen two of those birds, the Pels and the Green-capped Eremomela. Hope you get pics. Yes I've read about Frank on the SANParks forum, I hope he's there when you arrive. Its a very difficult call trying to see birds in Kruger whilst not appearing to be devoting your time to a hobby in which no one else has a raging interest and who want all eyes on the lookout for the Bg Five etc, but I hope you will get the odd time here and there where you can indulge yourself a little!

Sal,
It is a delicate balance between keeping the 'Big 5' people happy and my passion to find more new sightings and watch the birds in general. It usually manifests itself while they are looking at a Buffalo or Lion or Kudu etc and I am looking in the other direction watching Waxbills, Starlings, Plovers or Buntings going about their business in the veld on the other side of the road....
This is why I was asking about Talamati camp as I normally walk around the camps whilst the others are sat chatting about the morning sightings...
Having said all that the family coming over are quite interested in other flora and fauna, but only for a very short period of time...

Martin

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Hi Martin

I have only been to Pafuri twice, and both times Frank has been there, you will be unlucky not to find him on duty from what I hear! Frank has great up-to-date information on where the specials are, if they are around, so well worth talking to him. Its also a good place to bird (at the picnic site) while the rest of the family eats and relaxes!

Meve's Starling and Broadbilled Roller are pretty common up Punda/ Pafuri way, so you should get those. I have had greencapped eremomela at Letaba before, apparently reasonably common along the river walk inside the camp. Thrush Nightingale used to be common at Shingwedzi, but I have not heard of recent sightings there. The rest will require some good fortune and Frank's input!

As for Pel's, Pafuri is possible, and so is Muzi pans when you go to KZN after Kruger. Hire a local guide at the pans, and your chances are fair!

Good luck and enjoy it!
Andrew

Andrew,
Thanks for the information it is most interesting. You have clearly spent much time in Kruger Park.
We have the same 'modus operandi' at Pufuri picnic spot. In the 4 or 5 times I have been there I don't think I have ever sat down and actually had a picnic, as with you I am always wandering off into the bush fronting the river. I have had many good sightings doing this...
I will definately ask for Frank this time..
We are staying at both Shingwedzi and Letaba and so I have taken note of your comments regarding the birds at both of these camps.
As far as Pels goes, I think I will have no option but to hire a guide in St.Lucia to help me find this elusive bird.
I went on to SANParks website following Sal's comments and read about Pels and it doesn't look promising as it seems the Pels population at Pafuri is decreasing.
Many thanks for your help and advice, I will certainly use it.

Martin

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Martin,
I have seen Mottled Spinetail by standing on the road bridge over the Luvuvhu River. This is close by the Pafuri picnic site. Pel's Fishing Owl we saw in the middle of the day, flying slowly along the course of the river. We found Wood Owl resting up in the riverside vegetation, and a couple of interesting yellow-shouldered parrots which may be hybrids between Brown-headed and Meyer's parrot. Learn the call of the Thrush Nightingale - they hide in the thickest of undergrowth, but can be located by their call. That is still no guarantee that you will see one - we heard them OK, but failed dismally to see one. I have also seen Black-fronted Bush-shrike at Punda Maria Camp. Another notable sighting in the Pafuri area was Ayre's Hawk Eagle.

Best wishes,
Dave

Dave,
Thanks for your input, as ever it is most valuable.
I will have to listen to the bird call DVD's to find and learn the call of the Thrush Nightingale.
I will plan the road trip from Punda Maria camp to Pafuri so we take in the road bridge to see if I can spot the Mottled Spinetail.
Interesting comment regarding the Parrots...
I also read about Ayre's Hawk Eagle at Pafuri, which is another one to add to my wish list at Pafuri.
I will also look out whilst walking around Punda Maria camp (again whilst the others are sat around talking) for the Black-fronted Bush Shrike. Is this as difficult as most other Bush Shrikes to find?

Martin

 

[AndrewK]

Andrew,
Thanks for the information it is most interesting. You have clearly spent much time in Kruger Park.
We have the same 'modus operandi' at Pufuri picnic spot. In the 4 or 5 times I have been there I don't think I have ever sat down and actually had a picnic, as with you I am always wandering off into the bush fronting the river. I have had many good sightings doing this...
I will definately ask for Frank this time..
We are staying at both Shingwedzi and Letaba and so I have taken note of your comments regarding the birds at both of these camps.
As far as Pels goes, I think I will have no option but to hire a guide in St.Lucia to help me find this elusive bird.
I went on to SANParks website following Sal's comments and read about Pels and it doesn't look promising as it seems the Pels population at Pafuri is decreasing.
Many thanks for your help and advice, I will certainly use it.

Martin

Pleasure Martin.

I seem to remember reading that after the massive floods in KNP in 2000/2001 (?) the Pel's numbers dropped as many of the big roosting trees along the river got washed away.

I have also had Ayres at Crookes Corner, so as Dave mentions, keep an eye upwards too!

Andrew

 

[Dave Kennedy]

Dave,
I will also look out whilst walking around Punda Maria camp (again whilst the others are sat around talking) for the Black-fronted Bush Shrike. Is this as difficult as most other Bush Shrikes to find?

Martin

Again, knowing the call is a huge help to locating them. I saw mine siitting out in the open at the filling station. Sheer luck. I don't know how regularly they are seen at Punda, but if you miss out there, try the Magoebaskloof area, where the dirt road down through Woodbush Forest to Debegeni Falls is superb for Black-fronted Bush-shrike. Just listen, and track them down. They are common there. In that area you can have the added bonus of Cape Parrot, Square-tailed Drongo, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Barratt's Warbler (another lurker, which you can always hear but rarely see), Chorister Robin-chat, White-starred Robin, Orange Ground-thrush, and many others. It's one of the best places I know.
Dave

 

[AndrewK]

Some more news on urban bird mobility and changing populations - this morning (15th Sept 2009) I spotted a male Thick-billed Weaver in Shannon Road, Krugersdorp. This is a first sighting for me in K-dorp in 20 years residence. There has been a colony of these birds at a small pan in Melrose, Johannesburg, for many years, but I have never seen them elsewhere in the region. My only other sightings have all been in the Lowveld, in Kruger National Park and such places.

So, if anyone has information about Thick-billed Weaver movements, I'd be happy to hear from you.

Best wishes,
Dave

Hi Dave

We have a park about 500m from where we live (Kloof, KZN), which was rehabilitated about 2 years ago, including preserving some wetland area and allowing reeds etc to grow around the tiny wetland.

Since then, the thick-billed weavers have moved into the reedbed, building many nests. I have counted up to 20 flying over our house (birds, not nests!), with a maximum of 7 in the garden at one time (all females). Also seen moorhen and african sedge warbler at this spot, so seems birds are true opportunists, seeking out any suitable habitat from afar (somehow...)

Andrew

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Again, knowing the call is a huge help to locating them. I saw mine siitting out in the open at the filling station. Sheer luck. I don't know how regularly they are seen at Punda, but if you miss out there, try the Magoebaskloof area, where the dirt road down through Woodbush Forest to Debegeni Falls is superb for Black-fronted Bush-shrike. Just listen, and track them down. They are common there. In that area you can have the added bonus of Cape Parrot, Square-tailed Drongo, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Barratt's Warbler (another lurker, which you can always hear but rarely see), Chorister Robin-chat, White-starred Robin, Orange Ground-thrush, and many others. It's one of the best places I know.
Dave

Dave,
Again thanks, you are a gold mine of information!
I will certainly look up the area and make a trip there.

Martin