27 April 2023 - Eendracht Road
There had been an irruption of Grey-backed Sparrow-Larks recorded in the Greater Gauteng recently, a species that surprisingly was not yet on my life list.
A few had been reported near Suikerbosrand, so I had an early morning targeted outing to locate them. After the obligatory M&B stop for caffeine and a muffin, I turned onto the Eendracht Road (which is before the main Suikerbosrand Reserve entrance) just after sunrise. I had two locations on the road in mind that I needed to check, no luck at the first stop - but I had a winter plumage Long-tailed Widow in great morning light
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| Long-tailed Widowbird (Euplectes progne) |
Followed by a Zitting Cisticola that was fluffed up to keep warm
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| Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis) |
I continued on the road, heading toward the N3 and stopped to scan an open area near one of the maize fields. I was surprised to find a few Red-billed Teal and a single African Snipe at a small pool of water, following the earlier rain in the week.
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| African Snipe (Gallinago nigripennis) |
Continuing on the road, I found a flock of 4 Sparrow-Larks feeding along the twin-track road edge, but the sun was against me. I detoured off the road, so I could make a U-turn to get into a better position and have the light behind me. The birds weren't as cooperative and kept feeding and walking away from me - but in the end, I got down low and managed some images I was happy with - job done!
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| Grey-backed Sparrow Lark (Eremopterix verticalis) |
On the way back to the main road, I stopped to scan over a small bridge and flushed this Great Egret
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| Great Egret (Ardea alba) |
It was then back home, with a satisfied smile on my face - I love it when a plan comes together!
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