Soaring with the Eagles

28 May 2022 - Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens

After Northcliff Ridge, it was a 30-minute drive to Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens where I wanted to spend some time with the resident Black (Verreaux's) Eagles. I still prefer the old name.

It was a gorgeous morning, as I walked through the gardens to the Waterfall

Waterfall at Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens

Since the birds have nested and laid eggs, there is always a monitor present to ensure there is no unnecessary disturbance to these majestic Eagles. I was told that the first chick had hatched only 3-days ago, so there was a slim chance of seeing the adults bring in some prey.

We assumed it was the female sitting on the nest

Female Verreaux's Eagle (Aquila verreauxii) on the nest

But not too long after I arrived, she flew off to perhaps stretch her wings and to dispose of some nest material

Off the nest with some unwanted nesting material

After she landed back on the nest, the male returned but without any offerings and the two birds spent a short time on the nest, before the male departed

Male Verreaux's Eagle (Aquila verreauxii) departing the nest

He then went on to put on an aerial display which was just awesome and later brought in some new nesting material

The start of his display flight

Gathering some new nesting material

Returning to the nest

Not too long after a couple of Pied Crow's flew by too close and then the action heated up and the crowd below was treated to some impressive aerial action, as they each took turns chasing each other - Top Gun 2.1. I'm sure if the Crow's were a real threat, the Eagle could have easily taken them out.

Male Verreaux's Eagle (Aquila verreauxii) and Pied Crow (Corvus albus) interaction

Magnificent

It was a totally enjoyable morning spent with these two celebrities, so close to Johannesburg. During the time at the Waterfall, I noticed large numbers of green locusts/grasshoppers on the move. They must be toxic, as no birds tried to catch or eat them

Locust sp.

On the way out, I Southern Fiscal was mimicking a variety of calls, trying to encourage some easy prey to take an interest - no such luck!

Southern Fiscal (Lanius collaris)

Up in the mist

28 May 2022 - Northcliff Ridge Eco Park

Whilst my wife had a girls morning out, I had a 'me' morning. It had been sometime since I last visited Northcliff Ridge, so that was my first stop. Unfortunately, I wasn't the only one with the same idea. When I arrived after 7am, there was a camera club group spread out across the ridge to photograph the sunrise. Their efforts were thwarted by the mist below and being swept up over the ridge. 

Northcliff Ridge Water Tower

So many people meant little to no birds present, so I had to wait for the group to depart. Whilst waiting, I had eye level view of a Pied Crow as it came past on the updraft.

Pied Crow (Corvus albus)

Finally they did all leave and only a few walkers/joggers remained. But as the mist lifted, so the birds returned and first up was a Striped Pipit literally below the rock I was standing on

Striped Pipit (Anthus lineiventris)

Next up was the male Cape Rock Thrush

Male Cape Rock Thrush (Monticola rupestris)

Joined shortly thereafter by the female. In this situation, I enjoyed the effect of shooting the image through some foliage in the foreground

Female Cape Rock Thrush (Monticola rupestris)

The grass had been cut on the ridge and there weren't many flowering Wild Dagga (Leonotis) around, so hopes of finding the Sunbird seemed diminished. I was following up on a Striped Pipit when I heard a Sunbird calling from the top of a Protea Bush, lo and behold the Greater Double-collared in full summer plumage. Sadly he didnt stay long, but 3 of the big 4 for this location was a good result, given the start

Male Greater Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris afer)

Local Pentad Bash

19 May 2022 - Northern Farm

Andre Marx and I conducted an early morning Pentad bash at Northern Farms. Our last visit had been in the Spring, so a late Autumn visit was on the cards, excuse the pun.

We met at the gate at 6:30 just before sunrise, ticking off White-browed Sparrow Weavers.

Our first stop was at the old quarry, where we found Orange-breasted Waxbill's, a really good bird for this Pentad. Natal Francolin was heard calling not too far away, also a good bird for the area. The Wild Dagga was flowering which attracted the two resident Sunbird's - here the Amethyst

Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina)

We saw 3 different Marsh Owl's hunting around the farm as the sun slowly rose. This one landed close by, but against the light

Marsh Owl (Asio capensis)

At one of the lakes, I spent time with a Little Rush Warbler that was calling from the reeds, with patience and some phishing, I was able to coax it out into the open, but very briefly

Little Rush Warbler (Bradypterus baboecala)

Another really good bird for the area was this Greater Kestrel, a bird I haven't seen for quite some time. Unfortunately, also against the light

Greater Kestrel (Falco rupicoloides)

On the way back from the Kestrel, an obliging Levaillant's Cisticola

Levaillant's Cisticola (Cisticola tinniens)

Before having to call it a morning and head back to work. 72 species in 2-hours was pretty respectable for an autumn morning in Gauteng. 

A landscape of the mist slowly rising with Poplar Tree's in the distance

Poplars in the mist

eBird Global Big Day; Autumn

14 May 2022 - Kyalami Estates and Glen Austin Pan

As lamented by others, 14 May is not a great date in South Africa and many other countries. I believe the spring and autumn dates are chosen to satisfy the American birders. Nevertheless, we try and do our bit - despite the lack of migrants.

This was a low key day for me and I concentrated my efforts in the suburb where I live and then a short excursion to Glen Austin Pan. I managed a paltry 66 species, but it was for a good cause.

I didnt take any images from my Estate, but did take my camera to the Pan and photographed a few species whilst trying to maximise the species count. There were a few notable omissions that I have seen on almost every other visit. There were big numbers of Black-headed Heron at the Pan, where the water levels are still really high

Black-headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala)

I had a good count of Duck species, including Red-billed Teal

Red-billed Teal (Anas erythrorhyncha)

Yellow-billed Duck and Southern Pochard were amongst those photographed

Yellow-billed Duck (Anas undulata) and Southern Pochard (Netta erythrophthalma)

Red-knobbed Coot numbers seem to be increasing - they have had a bumper breeding season

Red-knobbed Coot (Fulica cristata)

In the adjacent grasslands, I managed to find a pair of Northern Black Korhaan

Male Northern Black Korhaan (Afrotis afraoides)

And flushed a few Spotted Thick-knee whilst searching for them

Spotted Thick-knee (Burhinus capensis)

On the drive back home, had a good session with an obliging Crowned Lapwing and consider these some of my best images of this species

Crowned Lapwing (Vanellus coronatus)

Now we wait for Spring and the next Global Big Day