Gabar Goshawk Juvenile visits my garden

I have seen adult Gabar Goshawks visiting the huge trees in the park next to my home for the past several years. Their visits have been all year round. Juveniles were never around or in their company.
I was surprised to see juvenile Gabar Goshawk on Sunday, close enough; that is as far as my doorstep chasing Red-headed Finches from my  bird feeders.

Juveile of a Gabar Goshawk after a good meal

Scanning the bird feeders for Red- Headed Finches

Malachite Kingfisher at Modimola Dam

The last two days have been pretty warmer and I was tempted to go out for some birding this afternoon.I saw this Malachite Kingfisher among some dry reeds waiting patiently for some fish or whatever.

Malachite Kingfisher

Malachite Kingfisher

Malachite Kingfisher

Cape Longclaw at Modimola Dam

In the dry winter grass, the Cape Longclaw is easily detectable by its bright orange bib.

Cape Longclaw

Cape Longclaw

Common Greenshank overwintering at Modimola Dam

While all the migrants had left for their breeding grounds in the Northern Hemisphere; some of the migrants  overwinter. I came across this Common Greenshank (a Palearctic summer visitor) wading solitarily at Modimola Dam today.

Common Grenshank

Common Greenshank





Winter birding

After three days of cold and wet winter. I woke up to a warm Saturday morning with birds singing from the cold spell. Among those who were out to feed were the following.

Groundscraper Thrush 

Groundscraper Thrush snack

Cape Wagtail

Cape Wagtail

Burchell's Starling at Disaneng Dam

Past two days had the temperatures dropping down drastically and birding was a bit uneasy.Spotting two Burchell's Starlings at Disaneng was a real bonus.

Hopping around on a cold chilly morning

Hopping around