From the Ridge to the Waterfall

16 June 2025 - Northcliff Ridge and Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens

As with any challenge, you are all in during the first month, trying to get the easier birds out of the way. Northcliff Ridge offers the 'Big 4', whilst for 'Black' Eagle in Gauteng, there is only one place to go.

This morning, my good mate Richard Crawshaw joined me and we were at Northcliff Ridge at sunrise. It was 'closed' due to construction, but we were able to make a plan with the local security company to get access for a short while. While waiting for access, a small flock of Guineafowl passed by, this image taken through a gap in the fence and enhanced with a vignette 

Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris)

Sunrise from the ridge is always a treat - here Sandton in the distance

Sunrise over Sandton

Whilst searching for the Big 4 - Cape Rock Thrush, Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Lazy Cistic and Striped Pipit, we did find one of the many resident Dassie's

Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis)

African Palm Swift's overhead

African Palm Swift (Cypsiurus parvus)

along with Red-winged Starling (record image for the challenge - they all count, if the ID is clear)

Red-winged Starling (Onychognathus morio)

But were then surprised by an unexpected and truly obliging pair of Orange-breasted Bushshrike's

Pair of Orange-breasted Bushshrike (Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus)

Female

Male

I snapped a Speckled Pigeon on a rooftop

Speckled Pigeon (Columba guinea)

and found a few busy Zitting Cistic's in the little bit of grassland on the ridge

Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)

There were no flowering Wild Dagga, so no chance of Sunbird. Not a peep from any Lazy Cistics and no sign of the usual Rock Thrush. However, we did strike gold with really good views of the Striped Pipit - so, one out of 4 on the Ridge

Striped Pipit (Anthus lineiventris)

We then headed for the Bot Gardens which is a relatively short drive from Northcliff. Walking to the Waterfall, African Grey Hornbill

African Grey Hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus)

While waiting for the Eagles which were still incubating the eggs we had both Black Spa

Black Sparrowhawk (Accipiter melanoleucus)

and Long-crested Eagle overhead

Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis)

Finally, the pair of magnificent Eagles made their appearance and it was a joy and privilege to watch them performing overhead. No harassment from the resident Pied Crows or Peregrine Falcon today. I needed the Peregrine for my challenge, so will need to come back for that

Verreaux's Eagle (Aquila verreauxii)

Bringing in some nesting material

Whilst having lunch at the restaurant, I photographed some interaction between two Twin-dotted Borders

Southern Twin-dotted Border (Mylothris r. haemus)

and have yet to ID this butterfly that landed on shrub nearby

ID pending

In the first few months, you really need to try and get the dead cert species, so you don't have to stress about getting them in the closing month's of the challenge.