More on Pink-backed Pelicans at Modimola Dam

Pink-backed Pelican comfortable on a concrete support pillar

Banded Grey-headed Gull at Modimola Dam

While birding at Modimola Dam this afternoon I came across this Grey-headed Gull in its breeding plumage with a metal ring.I am not aware of any ringing activity within Mafikeng and my guess is that it must be from somewhere within the country or from across neighbouring Botswana. I wish I could know what distance Grey-headed Gulls could travel. Anybody with an answer? There is quit plenty of the at the dam and this is my first sighting of one with a ring.

A breeding Grey-headed Gull with a metal ring

As the sun was setting it was still perched at the same spot

Pink-backed Pelicans at Modimola Dam

Sunday morning birding walk is always a joy to me. This flock of Pink-backed Pelicans were just perched in my path and preening each other. As I approached they started flying off in a spectacular way.

Pink-backed Pelicans flying off

A good number of  Pink-backed Pelicans congregated



Grey Heron at Modimola Dam

While birding at Modimola Dam this morning I came across this Grey Heron lazing away on a rock. With the recent good rains the shoreline is under water and waders are almost absent. Red-knobbed coots dominate the waters.

Grey Heron

Grey Heron preening herself

Caspian Tern at Modimola Dam

An uncommon summer visitor

Suddenly it was a pair

Great White Pelican at Modimola Dam

A surprise spotting of a Great White Pelican at Modimola Dam. Strange enough the dam has plenty og Pink Backed Pelicans. A spotting of a Great White one was a surprise.

Pin Tailled Whydah

Spurwinged Goose at Modimola Dam

Spurwinged goose with its spurs visible on the wings.

This goose was spotted in the company of Sacred Ibises, African Spoonbill, Egyptian Geese, Whiteface Ducks and Red Knobbed Coots

Lesser Flamingos at Modimola Dam

Today I witnessed a very colourful and interesting spectacle. Flamingos together with their young were hovering over the Modimola Dam for several hours and finaly flew off towards the South

Capped Wheatear at Modimola Dam

Something for a twitch

I have just seen a Capped Wheatear for the first time around the Modimola dam on Sunday 26th April 2009. I went back to the same spot where I saw it the following day on Monday and it was still there fighting with Cape Sparrows for its newly found teritory. I have never seen this bird in this area in the last five years I have been doing birding there.