Kyalami Estates - May Round-up

31 May 2021 - Kyalami Estates

Winter is approaching and the days are certainly shortening. But in typical Jozi style, we still have clear blue skies and cooler morning's and evening's. 

I recorded 52 species during the month and as always, there were a number of notable species including; African Darter, Yellow-fronted Canary, Red-headed and Cut-throat Finch (a good bird for this area), Reed Cormorant, African Green Pigeon, Helmeted Guineafowl, African Black Duck and Arrow-marked Babbler. 

Other birders in the Estate also recorded Greater Honeyguide, Shikra and an African Fish Eagle.

As usual, I had my camera with me on a few early morning walks and photographed a few species; the African Darter was still present in early May

African Darter (Anhinga rufa)

As were the African Wattled Lapwing's

African Wattle Lapwing (Vanellus senegallus)

Around the dam in the main park, I had Bronze Mannikin's with more immature birds than adults - good breeding season by all accounts

Bronze Mannikin (Lonchura cucullata)

I noted a pair Red-headed Finch feathering an old Masked Weaver nest - not sure if this was to raise young, or to seek shelter from the cold at night

Red-headed Finch (Amadina erythrocephala)

In the same tree, I photographed Yellow-fronted Canary

Yellow-fronted Canary (Crithagra mozambica)

Thick-billed Weaver's are still present in the reedbed

Thick-billed Weaver (Amblyospiza albifrons)

There are many species in and around my garden, the striking Black-collared Barbet feeding on some late seeds

Black-collared Barbet (Lybius torquatus)

Dark-capped Bulbul's calling from the top of a tree and another backlit by the early morning sun, feeding on one of my Aloe's

Dark-capped Bulbul (Pycnonotus tricolor)

A Fiscal Flycatcher favoured the same tree

Female Fiscal Flycatcher (Melaenornis silens)

White-bellied Sunbird taking advantage of the remaining flowers in the Bottle Brush Tree

Male White-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris talatala)

Grey Go-away-bird's love this tree

Grey Go-away-bird (Corythaixoides concolor)

Speckled Pigeon's were seen courting on the neighbours skylight - already and it is only May?

Speckled Pigeon (Columba guinea)

and Red-eyed Doves fly by almost at eye-level from my balcony

Red-eyed Dove (Streptopelia semitorquata)

During this month, I had put up some feeders in my garden, generously donated by Amy Westerman whose company, Valemount sells bird feeders and bird food, amongst many other pet products.

It certainly didn't take long for the local residents to discover free food on this colder and shorter days, but also provided great entertainment to my family checking to see the various species that came to feed at different times of the day.

Common Myna, not a bird I want to attract - but they are also unusually skittish

Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)

And Cape Starling waiting their turn on the wall for the Suet Ball's with nice late autumn colours in the background

Cape Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis nitens)

As did the Cape White-eye

Cape White-eye (Zosterops virens)

The Red-headed Finch's enjoy the Seed Bell watched by a Laughing Dove

Red-headed Finch (Amadina erythrocephala) and Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis)

A Southern Masked Weaver tries to push out the bandit Bronze Manniken's that 'swarm' the Seed Bell

Bronze Mannikin (Lonchura cucullata) and Southern Masked Weaver (Ploceus velatus)

Whilst a Southern Grey-headed Sparrow also enjoys the swinging Seed Bell

Southern Grey-headed Sparrow (Passer diffusus)

As I mentioned, relaxing entertainment in my garden.

With the colder weather, only Twin-dotted Border's are seen and the Dragonflies and Damselflies are no longer, until spring returns

This is the view I have over Sandton City and Johannesburg CBD from the main park on my early morning walks

Sandton and Jozi Skyline