Eurasian Curlew at Barberspan Bird Sanctuary

The season for the arrival of migrants is here and one of the first to be spotted at Barberspan Bird Sanctuary was the Eurasian Curlew; a nonbreeding Palearctic migrant. The largest wader in South Africa.  Uncommon and found along the coastal regions but rarely inland.
The bird was firstly spotted on 27th August 2013  by birders and disappeared thereafter. On the 1st September 2013 it was again spotted at  Leeuwpan, a dam adjacent to Barberspan Dam. Later during the week; it was again spotted on the 4th September 2013 by rangers in the park.
After failed attempts to spot the bird on the above stated dates; I was back again at Barberspan on the 7th September 2013 for my final attempt. This time I was lucky.

Curlew walking about in mud along the shore of the dam



Curlew running before take-off



Curlew running with flapping wings before take-off 

Curlew probing deeply in the mud with its very long decurved bill 

 

Blacksmith Lapwing mobbing the Curlew



Barberspan Bird Sanctuary: Summer Coordinated Waterbird Count (CWAC)

The Barberspan Bird Sanctuary's Summer Coordinated Waterbird Count  (CWAC) was held during the past weekend. A good number of volunteers turned up for the count which started at 8h00 on Saturday morning.
There were quite some few surprises.
A total number of 49 species were spotted, bringing the total number of birds counted to 17766.
Topping the list was the Red-knobbed Coot followed by the Egyptian Goose with 14081  and 773 respectively. The weather was fine for a counting day.
This is higher than the numbers obtained in previous years Summer count (2010).
A total number of 55 species were spotted and the total number of birds counted was 6779.
Topping the list once again was the Red-knobbed Coot followed by the Egyptian Goose with 2777 and 1075 respectively.
This figures do not include the Leeupan Dam count.

Egyptian Geese: Their numbers lower than previous years

Barberspan Bird Sanctuary once more

The Southern Masked Weaver at Baberspan Bird Sanctuary.Time running out for the last brood of the season. This photo was taken  during the Ringing and Atlassing Conference which was held there recently

Le Vaillant's Cisticola with a ring at Barberspan Bird Sanctuary. The photo was taken just after dawn.