Kyalami Estates - February Roundup

28 February 2023 - Kyalami Estates, Midrand

It was not a particularly productive month in the Estate, however it was more quality over quantity with only 47 species recorded.

Most of the action was at the St Ledger Dam and surrounds where I recorded the most raptor species of any month. The almost resident Black Sparrowhawk made an appearance on soggy morning

Black Sparrowhawk (Accipiter melanoleucus)

Whilst a juvenile Ovambo Sparrowhawk put the few birds on the dam up when it swooped in low and landed high in a Willow Tree

Juvenile Ovambo Sparrowhawk (Accipiter ovampensis)

A real surprise was a Peregrine Falcon fly by, also on a dull overcast day

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

Along with a few Yellow-billed Kite's that had been present in the general area for much of February

Yellow-billed Kite (Milvus aegyptius)

A highlight was confirming that the Striated Heron's had successfully bred close by or in the Estate. The adults were shy

Adult Striated Heron (Butorides striata)

Whilst the two young birds were often found out in the open or learning to catch their own food, starting with Dragonflies providing great photo opportunities

Juvenile Striated Heron (Butorides striata)

Sacred Ibis are mostly fly-overs, so it was a surprise to find one feeding with the Egyptian Geese

African Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus)

The resident Thick-billed Weaver's were still active, even though breeding season has long finished - but they are fun to observe

Male Thick-billed Weaver (Amblyospiza albifrons)