04 November 2023 - AlMega Caravan Park, Dinokeng - Day 2
AlMega is a small and well maintained caravan site with spacious stands and a walk around the perimeter is not strenuous at all. I had an early morning walk while the family had a lie in and enjoyed many of the bushveld species in the grounds.
I tried for Yellow-bellied Eremomela and was tricked by a White-browed Scrub Robin imitating it's call - but still a good bird to see, as it was displaying while it was calling.
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| White-browed Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas leucophrys) |
So many Millipedes on the sand roads
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| Millipede |
Willow Warbler's were calling in many areas along the fringes, but it does take some perseverance getting half decent views
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| Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) |
Red-chested Cuckoo's were really vocal, but another really tricky species to get any good views at all - well, at least for me
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| Red-chested Cuckoo (Cuculus solitarius) |
I was detracted by a Gabar Goshawk against the grey sky chasing down a potential breakfast, but without success
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| Gabar Goshawk (Micronisus gabar) |
I expected to find Groundscraper Thrush and eventually I did
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| Groundscraper Thrush (Turdus litsitsirupa) |
Long-billed Crombec were quite common
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| Long-billed Crombec (Sylvietta rufescens) |
I heard Crimson-breasted Shrike calling and tracked one down in a tree between two campsites. I was thrilled when it suddenly popped out and continued calling - Red on/in Green - magic!
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| Crimson-breasted Shrike (Laniarius atrococcineus) |
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| Red in Green |
In the adjacent tree, a Marico Flycatcher seemed disturbed by the Shrike's presence
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| Marico Flycatcher (Melaenornis mariquensis) |
Around 10am, my son and I did the guided Electric Scooter tour around the reserve which was a great experience and a lot of fun - certainly recommended
Back at our site, it was already getting warm and other species started appearing - Burchell's Starling
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| Burchell's Starling (Lamprotornis australis) |
Aside from Red-chested, there were also a a few Levaillant's Cuckoo's around camp - another tough species to get clear views of, in general
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| Levaillant's Cuckoo (Clamator levaillantii) |
Near the main gate, I had great views of a single Southern Pied Babbler - the bushveld snowball!
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| Southern Pied Babbler (Turdoides bicolor) |
This is a Zebra White, one of the few butterflies I photographed today
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| Zebra White (Pinacopteryx e. eriphia) |
Late afternoon, we bought firewood (you cant bring your own in) and started preparing for our early evening braai in this tranquil setting
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