Whiskered Terns move in at Modimola Dam after the first rains of the season

After the first rains of the season on Saturday night, the locally common nomads the Whiskered Terns; who normally move about according to rainfall, started moving into Modimola Dam.They were in great numbers than usual because I counted close to sixteen at the time.The Coots, Ruffs and Lapwings were not keen on letting go their territory

Whiskered Tern dipping to surface of water for food

Whiskered Tern landing

Whiskered Tern flying low

Cape Longclaw: The bird with bright orange bib

My patience was rewarded this week when I managed to take a shot of the Cape Longclaw out of the grass. The bird is vey much illusive. It hides in the tall grass and occasionally peeps out to see any intruder. Instead of flushing it out of the grass I waited patienly for it to come out. The bird is endermic to Southern Africa.

Cape Longclaw out of the tall grass

Cape Longclaw with the bright orange bib

Common Greenshank at Disaneng Dam

Following the Molopo River from the Modimola Dam down to the Disaneng Dam in search of more migrants was full of surprises. Just before the begining of the Disaneng Dam I came across a colony of cattle egrets and among them was this Common Greenshank; a first in the area of its group. At a glance I could not see it as it was totaly blended with the suroundings. What a camouflage.They breed in Northern Europe and migate to Africa.They are widespread in Southern Africa.

Common Greenshank

Common Greenshank

Common Greenshank taking a nap



Another migrant turns up at Modimola Dam: Marsh Sandpiper

While scanning the tidal mudflats of the Modimola Dam which is gradually being invaded by algae; I saw this solitary wader. Looking closer it turned out to be the Marsh Sandpiper. I have been in the area a day before but it was not there. It breeds in South Eastern Europe, Central/South Russia and Mongolia. It migrates to Africa. It is widespread in Southern Africa.

Marsh Sandpiper in solitary

Marsh Sandpiper pecking for food

Three-banded Plover: a very colourful waterside bird

While visiting the Lichtenburg Game Breeding Centre this morning; in search of more migrants, my attention was drawn to the Three-banded Plover pecking and probing in mud with rapid jabs. A common resident in Southern Africa and very colourful.

Three-banded Plover branding its two black bands separated by a white one

 Three-banded Plover with a beautiful red eyering running in short spurts

Three-banded Plover can be easily overlooked when standing still

Latest arrival migrant at Modimola Dam: Ruff

Ruffs  arrived earlier this time at Modimola Dam than in previous years . Last year they only pitched up in October. Like the Wood Sandpiper they breed in Northern Europe and Northern Asia; migrating to Southern Africa for Summer. They are widespread in South  Africa.

Ruff just arrived

Walking around with diagnostic orange tinged legs

Walking and probing for food

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

Red-knobbed Coots at peak of breeding season

While birding today at Modimola Dam, it was quite apparent that the coots were at the height of their breeding season. Close to seven nests were visible after the tall reeds were cut at Modimola Dam.

One of the Red -knobbed Coots nesting.

Others were already wandering around with their young.

More on "African Spoonbill a remarkable bird"

I have recieved numerous requests from followers, friends and the general public; both within the country and abroad, after my last publishing of the African Spoonbill photos  on this blog. Here are some more images of the bird.These photos were also taken at Modimola Dam which boasts a large number of these wonderful  water birds.

African Spoonbill basking in the sun

African Spoonbill in flight

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