30 April 2024 - Kyalami Estates
Not a particular productive birding month as I recorded only 7 species, down 8 species from the same month last year. The only highlight was a Cardinal Woodpecker in the garden, whilst the regular intra-African Hirundines were still present.
In the main park, Blacksmith Lapwing's were still present, together with the African Wattled Lapwings
African Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus senegallus) |
The Prinia family were busy in the hedges on the park boundary and 'posed' for some nice photo opportunities
Tawny-flanked Prinia (Prinia subflava) |
Cape Robin-Chat in the Wild Pear
Cape Robin-Chat (Dessonornis caffra) |
And Bronze Mannikin's were still enjoying the seeds on the grass heads
Bronze Mannikin (Spermestes cucullata) |
Hadeda's are numerous and irritating at the same time, especially those who have decided to roost in the trees in your garden
Hadeda Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash) |
At St Ledger, the resident Malachite Kingfishers were seen a few times
Malachite Kingfisher (Corythornis cristata) |
I found this unidentified Skink in our garden
Skink sp. |
Along with Carpenter Bees
Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa caffra) |
this unidentified Bee
Bee sp. |
And what I assume to be a Hover Fly - I was pretty impressed to catch it in flight
Hover Fly? |
I did encounter a few Butterfly species - African Plain Tiger
African Plain Tiger (Danaus c. orientis) |
Common Leopard
Common Leopard (Phalanta phalantha) |
Painted Lady
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) |
A Skipper species which are tough to pin down
Skipper sp. |
and one of the Blues - probably African Grass
Blue sp. |
This diminutive Moth sp. was around in numbers, but tough to get in the open as they landed and then crept under leaves to remain hidden
Moth sp. |
A couple of interesting flowers
And backlit Bullrush releasing seeds for a more creative take
Backlit Bullrush |
I had some fun and quite like these backlit Damselflies in the early morning light
Backlit Damselfly sp. |
I need to make a concerted effort to get up to speed with Damselfly ID's - but here are a selection from this month - they really do make great photographic subjects, which requires a degree of patience too
Damselfly sp. |
April was however a good month from a biodiversity perspective