Quiet time

03 May 2023 - Beaulieu Bird Sanctuary

After hearing the devastating news about Andre, I needed my own time and headed to Beaulieu to enjoy the silence and reflect whilst enjoying and appreciating the birds enjoying the flowering Crane or Bird-of-Paradise Flowers (otherwise known as Strelitzia).

Strelitzia is in a genus of 5 species of perennial plants and are native to South Africa. Whilst I was there, it was predominantly visited by the two local Sunbirds and since it was early in the morning, it seemed as if they were drinking collected dew from the base of these striking flowers. The female Amethyst was the most obliging

Female Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina)

Love the water seemingly being squirted from its bill

But the male did put in a brief appearance

Male Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina)

A little later, a Southern Masked Weaver joined in the action

Southern Masked Weaver (Ploceus velatus)

As it warmed up, so I noticed other species present, although my mind was distracted - Black-throated Canary

Black-throated Canary (Crithagra atrogularis)

Cape Glossy Starlings

Cape Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis nitens)

and some obliging Fiscal Flycatchers

Fiscal Flycatcher (Melaenornis silens)

The quiet time was needed, appreciated and enjoyed before heading back home to continue job searching.

Andre Marx

01 May 2023

My friend Andre was senselessly and tragically killed in a crime related incident today and even now we are all still trying to process his sudden and unexpected death.

I considered Andre an ethical and gentlemen birder who gave more than he ever expected to receive who loved sharing his immense knowledge on the birds around us, if he was leading an outing or just birding with a friend, along with his unique dry humour.

An Owl Award from Birdlife SA earlier this year was a fitting testament to all that he has given selflessly to birding in SA.

Andre

There are no words, but all I can say is that you may be gone, but you will not be forgotten and whenever I see an African Yellow Warbler anywhere, I will know that you are with me....

Kyalami Estates - April Round up

30 April 2023 - Kyalami Estates, Midrand

Summer is slowly fading away as we enjoy the cooler weather and changing colours of autumn. 55 species recorded during April, so pretty similar to the previous month, but also with it's own highlights.

From my garden, the usual resident species, like Cape Sparrow

Male Cape Sparrow (Passer melanurus)

and African Hoopoe

African Hoopoe (Upupa africana)

However, one late afternoon while enjoying a sundowner on our balcony, I was alerted by the local Pigeons being put up by this brute of a Black Sparrowhawk that came cruising past overhead - certainly the avian apex predator in our neighbourhood. The light was really low, but he was truly magnificent

Black Sparrowhawk (Accipiter melanoleucus)

Down at St Ledger Dam, Reed Cormorant were to be seen - this one from the class of 2023

Reed Cormorant (Microcarbo africanus)

Common Moorhen are still growing and not yet in adult plumage

Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)

The Rose-ringed Parakeet's seem to enjoy the Willow Trees

Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

While the resident Southern Fiscal was seen enjoying the sun on one of the Acacia's

Southern Fiscal (Lanius collaris)

Barn Swallow are surprisingly scarce to see in the Estate, but this one was part of a small flock starting their northerly migration and flew by overhead

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

However, the highlight for this month was recording a pair of Fork-tailed Drongo's for the first time in the Estate and even both of the Pentad's that include Kyalami Estates - unfortunately, they only seemed to stay 1-day. But great to see....

Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis)

On a mission

27 April 2023 - Eendracht Road

There had been an irruption of Grey-backed Sparrow-Larks recorded in the Greater Gauteng recently, a species that surprisingly was not yet on my life list.

A few had been reported near Suikerbosrand, so I had an early morning targeted outing to locate them. After the obligatory M&B stop for caffeine and a muffin, I turned onto the Eendracht Road (which is before the main Suikerbosrand Reserve entrance) just after sunrise. I had two locations on the road in mind that I needed to check, no luck at the first stop - but I had a winter plumage Long-tailed Widow in great morning light

Long-tailed Widowbird (Euplectes progne)

Followed by a Zitting Cisticola that was fluffed up to keep warm

Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)

I continued on the road, heading toward the N3 and stopped to scan an open area near one of the maize fields. I was surprised to find a few Red-billed Teal and a single African Snipe at a small pool of water, following the earlier rain in the week.

African Snipe (Gallinago nigripennis)

Continuing on the road, I found a flock of 4 Sparrow-Larks feeding along the twin-track road edge, but the sun was against me. I detoured off the road, so I could make a U-turn to get into a better position and have the light behind me. The birds weren't as cooperative and kept feeding and walking away from me - but in the end, I got down low and managed some images I was happy with - job done!

Grey-backed Sparrow Lark (Eremopterix verticalis)

On the way back to the main road, I stopped to scan over a small bridge and flushed this Great Egret

Great Egret (Ardea alba)

It was then back home, with a satisfied smile on my face - I love it when a plan comes together!

Back to Beaulieu

19 April 2023 - Beaulieu Bird Sanctuary

I had to drop off the dogs at 'school', so stopped again for a quick walk around Beaulieu before starting work. Like the last visit, the berry feast was still in full swing with Dark-capped Bulbul

Dark-capped Bulbul (Pycnonotus tricolor)

and the Black-collared Barbet

Black-collared Barbet (Lybius torquatus)

Sunbirds and Southern Masked Weavers were at home on the flowering Strelitzia's

Southern Masked Weaver (Ploceus velatus)

A Southern Boubou that popped out of the bush to grab an insect caught me by surprise - just a crappy record image of a tough to see in the open species

Southern Boubou (Laniarius ferrugineus)

There were good numbers of Black-throated Canary, I was able to photograph this one through a small gap in the foreground foliage which I enjoy

Black-throated Canary (Crithagra atrogularis)

Around the dam, there were a few Sacred Ibis

African Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus)

along with a Wattled Lapwing fly-by

African Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus senegallus)

Along with the Greater-striped Swallow, there was a pair of Lesser-striped - another good record for my home Pentad

Lesser Striped Swallow (Cecropis abyssinica)

I almost missed the Green Pigeon as it flew at speed over the dam - always good to see in my home Pentad

African Green Pigeon (Treron calvus)