African Spoonbill a remarkable water bird

African Spoonbills breed in winter down here in Southrn Africa. The breeding period may stretch up to early spring. As we bid farewell to one of our coldest winters, I spotted a flock of this remarkable birds  foraging at Modimola Dam .It was wonderful to see juveniles together with adults.

African Spoonbill and its long spoon like bill

African Spoonbill wading and foraging slowly

Grey-headed Gulls are great fishers

While Birding at Modimola Dam yesterday afternoon I was fascinated by fishing Grey- Heade Gulls. Taking fish bigger than heads. There were both breeding and non breeding birds. What was surprisingly enough was that the non breeding ones were more active in terms of diving whereas the non breeding ones only wanted to fight over the catcch

Active Grey- headed Gulls before diving (the non breeding ones)

Going down for the catch.

Nice catch!!!!

Off to enjoy the meal.

Watching in envy and jealous (the breeding ones).

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