Little Banded Goshawk (Shikra) back in my garden: feeders deserted

A Little Banded Goshawk (Shikra) turned up again in my garden after a five year absence.  I always wake up to the chirping sounds of Red Headed Finches and other birds from my garden.  Surprised by the silence this morning; I went out to investigate.

All the feeders were deserted except for some few Laughing Doves hanging around on the fence. Looking up further into the canopy of the tall trees; there was the culprit – Little Banded Goshawk (Shikra) boldly staring at me.

Little Banded Goshawk (Shikra) - early in the morning

 Little Banded Goshawk (Sikra) waiting for the kill

Kgalagadi: the thirst land

The solar driven water pumps that keep the water-holes at Kgalagadi well stocked up are a big relief to the water scarce desert land. At these water holes one is able to see wild life at its best.

While at Cubetjie Quap water-hole, I saw a very thirsty solitary White stock quenching, drenching itself and bathing, while Black-backed jackal had its eyes on a Black Kite nearby. After a desperate attempt by the jackal to catch the kite; the White Stock had no alternative but to abandon the cooling precious find and take off. The Black –backed jackal had all the water-hole to itself thereafter.Here it goes (Right-click image to enlarge).

The White Stock quenching its thirst

Black Kite evading the Black-backed Jackal

The Black-backed Jackal  turn to quench its thirst

The Little Crake at Clovelly: departs after 12 days in the wetlands

Our Little Crake departed on the night of the 2^nd April 2012 to the disappointment of locals and all country-wide who were planning to go on pilgrimage to the Small Town of Clovelly in the Western Cape over the Eater Weekend to see her.

However, with all the hype of activity and commotion that was generated around the wetlands there; Ornithology scholars, Birding and Bird-watching fraternity had a good opportunity to acquire more knowledge on the age old mystery called “bird migration”.

During her brief stay culmination of debates and speculations were in the air centred around the following:-

• How long the bird was going to be in the area?
• What possibilities were there to avoid dehybridisation?
• Even to remove or not to remove her?

Meanwhile, the course of nature took precedence and gave the avian visitor some space to regain  more energy for another long journey back to the right breeding grounds.

It has been estimated that hundreds had already seen her and more were expected.

What a Mega Twitch: as we recall (right-click to enlarge image)

"There she is" -  as twitchers came from all corners

(Photo: courtesy of Tony Archer)

 

 

Even the local Weaver came to pay homage - Curious

(Photo: courtesy of Tony Archer)

 

 

The Little Crake - Till next time

(Photo: courtesy of Tony Archer)

The Spotted Thick-knee: the quest continues

My story on the Spotted Thick-knee has aroused interest from far and wide and this has prompted me report on the responses I received from various circles. One of the birders, from Canada, who has kept the birding world, posted with good stories and updates, is “Barry the Birder” ( aka Barry Wallace) who took keen interest in the photos and the story to a page on  his blog.

You can follow this link to Barry’s article on the Thick-knee
http://www.barrythebirder.com/2012/04/thick-knee-photos-by-mpho-phiri.html



Spotted Thick-knee

You can still leave your comment on the story and pics at this link (and read other comments as well)
http://mafikengbirds.blogspot.com/2012/03/spotted-thicknee-always-associated-with_30.html

Thanx