Kyalami Estates December Round-up

31 December 2024 - Kyalami Estates

Despite being on holiday for 2-weeks in December, I still managed to record 59 species which was 1 short of the highest December count since 2011.

Not much from my garden, but the main park was abuzz with the male Red Bishops in their vibrant summer plumage

Southern Red Bishop (Euplectes orix)

African Wattled Lapwings have made the main park their territory, but it is reluctantly shared with the pair of Blacksmith's

African Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus senegallus)

Karoo Thrush are abundant residents

Karoo Thrush (Turdus smithii)

I did have an African Harrier-Hawk pass by overhead near my house, dwarfing the Swift

African Harrier-Hawk (Polyboroides typus)

St Ledger Dam still seems to most productive part of our Estates, probably because of the big stands of mature Blue Gum and Poplar Trees. 

I did find another African Harrier-Hawk, but this one quietly perched and not being harassed by other species. I was hoping for the facial skin to turn pink, but only had a glimpse of that

African Harrier-Hawk (Polyboroides typus)

More exciting for me was finally seeing the part time resident Ovambo Sparrowhawk out in the open - that was a real treat

Ovambo Sparrowhawk (Accipiter ovampensis)

The male Cape Weaver was still in full swing, building new nests

Cape Weaver (Ploceus capensis)

As are the cool Thick-billed Weaver's

Thick-billed Weaver (Amblyospiza albifrons)

Whilst the Common Reed Warbler was far more unobtrusive

Common Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

I did also record some invertebrates - this Skipper, I still need to ID as there are quite a few that are familiar looking 

Skipper sp.

An Epaulet Skimmer

Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma)

And I spent quite some time watching this strange and almost synchronised dance between these two male Carpenter Bees inside the darkness of the Poplar Forest

Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa caffra)

Well that's a wrap for 2024 which was a good year overall even though I only managed to record 404 species in the year, for the trips I did. This is my lowest total since 2011, so it can hopefully improve in 2025 (my target is 500 in a year).

And, finally by the end of June 2025, I have caught up the processing of my 2024 image backlog. But, that also means I am already 6-months behind on processing my 2025 images - stay tuned! 

And a new years resolution to make more of an effort to learn the names of Dragonflies and Damselflies in my Estate! 

Wishing all that know and follow me a rewarding and exciting 2025 to you and your families, may 2025 be all that you wish for and more!