It's been a long time

24 May 2023 - Marievale Bird Sanctuary

It had been a few decades since I last visited Marievale and as there had been a few reports of Swallow-tailed Bee-eater which I have missed at Suikerbosrand, I decided it was high time to re-visit.

It was an early start from Midrand to arrive after sunrise and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised, friendly staff at the gate and a relatively well-maintained infrastructure, including the hides.

Driving toward the first hide, I stopped numerous times - first for a couple of Blue-billed Teal. The roads are quite a bit higher than the water level, so you are restricted to shooting down on your subject from the car..

Blue-billed Teal (Spatula hottentota)

Then Black-winged Stilts

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

and Pied Avocet which I haven't seen for ages

:Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)

At the first hide (I forget the name), there were a few Red-billed Teal almost in front of the hide

Red-billed Teal (Anas erythrorhyncha)

Whilst a Tawny-flanked Prinia foraged on the fringes of the water

Tawny-flanked Prinia (Prinia subflava)

I then headed to the next hide stopping for a Cape Shoveler

Cape Shoveler (Spatula smithii)

The next hide overlooked a larger body of water and spent quite some time here, as there were many photographic opportunities. I caught this Reed Cormorant coming in to land

Reed Cormorant (Microcarbo africanus)

And then had fun with the Little Grebes that were chasing each other over the water

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Plus a few static images too in still water

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

There were a few Brown-throated Martin's feeding over the water

Brown-throated Martin (Riparia paludicola)

and a single winter plumage Whiskered Tern

Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida)

I then spied a pair of Great Crested Grebes that appeared to be in early stages of courtship and this was a treat to watch - they really are graceful and elegant

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)

As it had now warmed up, it was time to search in earnest for the Bee-eaters in the Blue Gums - this Long-tailed Widow halted me for awhile

Long-tailed Widowbird (Euplectes progne)

At the Blue Gums, I could hear them high up in the trees and with patience was rewarded with them coming down lower, as they hawked for bee's, wasps and dragonflies over the pans. Getting in flight images was next to impossible, as there foraging flights were quick and short. However, I was really happy with the images I managed, especially the last few

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater (Merops hirundineus)

It was then time to start heading home, but I was distracted with a pair of Slender Mongoose

Slender Mongoose (Herpestes sanguineus)

and then a Zitting Cisticola

Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)

But after the Spoonbill, I did manage to get to the gate and back on the road.

African Spoonbill (Platalea alba)

 

Will I be back, for sure! It was a really enjoyable morning with the aquatic species of the sanctuary, along with a few that I didnt see. Plus, I did manage to photograph my target species..