More migrants arrive at Modimola Dam: The Wood Sandpiper

The Wood Sandpiper breeds in Northern Europe and Asia migrating to Southern Africa to wetlands like  Modimola Dam for their annual winter break. Spring is in the air.

The Wood Sandpiper foraging on floating vegetation

The Wood Sandpiper just arrived

Migrants - The Stint was indeed a Little Stint

I received an overwhelming response to my quest to identify the mysterious Stint. The final verdict was in no doubt a Little Stint. I received responses from local birders and as far afield as Russia, China and Australia. Trevor Hardaker had this to say - "Both photos are of moulting Little Stints unfortunately – the legs, in particular the tibia, are too long for Red-necked Stint and the bill is also too long and finely tipped to consider that species" Niall Perrins had this to say- "They arrive back moulting out of their breeding plumage, looking very different to how we normally see them. I think your Stint is a Little Stint still in partly breeding plumage" Lastly Mark Young from Australia provided a link to some of his photos depicting a Red-necked Stint.Thanx to every one who took all the pains to assist. Thanx

 A Little Stint coming out of its breeding plumage

Migrants have started arriving: Little or Red-necked Stint?

Differentiating between a Little Stint and Red-necked Stint has always been difficult for me. After spotting this bird with my binoculars at Modimola Dam on Saturday I was convinced that it was a Little Stint. It was only after studying  some photos I had taken of it that I started doubting my identification. The bird started looking more like a Red- necked Stint than a Little Stint. Little Stint is abundant in South Africa but not the Red-necked Stint. Have I seen a rare bird?

Help identify the Stint





Help idendtify the Stint



Black Crake: not so shy but adorable

I spend the past two days trying to get a shot of this shy bird. To my surprise it has always evaded me appearing at the most unexpeted places.

Black Crake

Black Crake

Black-shouldered Kites during season of veld fires

It is August and veld fires are a common occurrence. Amidst the smoke and strong winds, it is common to see Black-shouldered Kites patienly perched on power lines awaiting rats and mice as they flee the raging fires.

Black-shouldered Kite  

Black-shouldered Kite going for a perch

Nice perch on a power line

African Hoopoe a fairly common garden bird

As we move into the month of August the African Hoopoe will also go into its breeding season. This African Hoopoe has a nest in my neighbour's  house-roof and every year it has one or two broods during its breeding period.

African Hoopoe

African Hoopoe