Crakeless on Crake Road

15 March 2025 - Zaagkuilsdrift Road

Given the great summer rain we have had we hatched a plan to try and connect with a Crake or two on the Zaagkuilsdrift Road. Marlou Schalkwyk joined Richard Crawshaw and I for an early start in the dark, to get to Plat River by sunrise.

At this time of the year, we weren't the only birders with this idea, nevertheless we drove straight to Plat River to try and find a good spot to setup a vigil which in the end proved to be fruitless with the number of birders present both driving past and walking on the road. That said, we didnt hear any Crakes calling either - so we resigned ourselves to enjoy the good birds still to be had on this infamous road.

In the Plat River area, there were many species present, but I was only able to photograph Woodland Kingfisher

Woodland Kingfisher (Halcyon senegalensis)

An active pair of Long-billed Crombec's

Long-billed Crombec (Sylvietta rufescens)

And a migrant Red-backed Shrike in striking plumage ahead of it's imminent departure

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

We then continued to Kgomo Kgomo, stopping for a fair sized flock of Black-winged Pratincole

Black-winged Pratincole (Glareola nordmanni)

That were joined by a couple of Kittlitz's Plovers

Kittlitz's Plover (Anarhynchus pecuarius)

There was also a distant Lesser Grey Shrike, another migrant and showing a hint of pink in preparation for the coming breeding season in the northern hemisphere

Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor)

Continuing to the bridge, I enjoyed this Grey Heron devouring a fair sized Barbel watched in amusement by a Yellow-billed Stork which did not try and steal it's catch at all

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) and Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis)

A couple of Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides)

and White-faced Duck fly by's

White-faced Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna viduata)

Also a fair number of White-winged Terns some still with winter plumage and others in transition

White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus)

Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters are prevalent around the bridge

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus)

We enjoyed some coffee and snacks on the bridge, just soaking it all up. We opted to start driving back, but stopped for a productive hour in the Acacia opposite the Kgomo Kgomo village. We were entertained by a pair of Great Spotted Cuckoo's

Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius)

A flock of diminutive Cape Penduline Tits

Cape Penduline Tit (Anthoscopus minutus)

Black-chested Prinia

Black-chested Prinia (Prinia flavicans)

The resident Great Sparrow which was in the process of nest building, although the light wasnt kind

Great Sparrow (Passer motitensis)

And Scaly-feathered Finch - SA's version of the 'Angry Bird'

Scaly-feathered Finch (Sporopipes squamifrons)

Numbers of Marico Flycatcher

Marico Flycatcher (Bradornis mariquensis)

and a bonus Yellow Canary

Yellow Canary (Crithagra flaviventris)

Further toward the wetlands near Plat River, White-winged Widow's

White-winged Widowbird (Euplectes albonotatus)

Of course for those who know me, I also check what invertebrates are around and with late summer flowers in abundance, there was a variety of butterfly species present - African Leopard