Golf and Birding

30 July - 01 August - Elements Private Golf Reserve

We had an enjoyable weekend with family at Elements which is north west of Pretoria and around a 2-hour drive from home.

Friday was a catch-up over dinner and a few good bottles of wine which meant it was easier to keep our heads down on the golf course for the 10am tee-off on Saturday.

Golf was good fun as always, except this time the sons thrashed the dad's and uncle's. There were a few good birds to be had on the golf course and next time it will be worth walking the course with my camera and bins. In the afternoon we watched the Boks and British/Irish Lions test, with the Boks coming out victorious with next week being the deciding match in the series. 

Sunday morning I was up early and out with my camera whilst the rest of the house slept in. As I left the house, a Grey Duiker spotted me and bolted. With patience I was able to track it down and managed a few images

Grey or Common Duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia)

However, the Nyala are pretty well habituated on this estate, so were pretty obliging and grazing in the bush around the house. Along with one magnificent bull with really dainty little legs

Male Nyala (Tragelaphus angasii)

A few Tree Squirrel's were seen - this one on the neighbours roof

Tree Squirrel (Paraxerus cepapi)

Over the weekend I recorded 42 species, here are a few I managed to photograph. The White-throated Robin-chat was the 'house' bird and seen and heard calling quite often. I also managed to catch it singing and displaying

White-throated Robin-Chat (Cossypha humeralis) 

There were plenty Streaky-headed Seedeater's about

Streaky-headed Seedeater (Crithagra gularis)

As well as Cape White-eye

Cape White-eye (Zosterops virens)

Jameson's Firefinch

Female Jameson's Firefinch (Lagonosticta rhodopareia)

Tawny-flanked Prinia

Tawny-flanked Prinia (Prinia subflava)

and Golden-tailed Woodpecker were seen in the bush around the house

Golden-tailed Woodpecker (Campethera abingoni)

Whilst on a walk, a Black-headed Oriole provided some colour in the winter bush

Black-headed Oriole (Oriolus larvatus)

And a pair of returning Lesser-striped Swallows, which are inter-Africa migrants were great to see

Lesser-striped Swallow (Cecropis abyssinica)

Not much in the way of invertebrates, other than a Two-pip Policeman

Two-pip Policeman (Coeliades pisistratus)

By this time, brunch was calling after which we had to pack-up and return to Jozi after a fun-filled weekend. A creative image with shadows, as a cheers to Elements

Playing with Shadow's