The incredible Sociable Weaver's nest: The biggest in the world

While travelling towards and out of Upington on my way to Kgalagadi, I was fascinated by numerous nests of Sociable Weavers in all shapes and sizes on telephone poles and other structures. Inside the park, the giant nest were seen on old huge trees.It was an interesting characteristic feature of the arid landscape. (Right click the image to enlarge)

Skilful Sociable Weaver

 

Even at mid day it was still hard at work

The giant nest can host a colony of ±500 birds

The various chambers still active even when the tree has fallen

Telephone poles were of  great use outside the park





The Melanistic form of the Gabar Goshawk at Kgalagadi

Just 21km North of Nossob, I came across this Melanistic (black) form of the Gabar Goshawk. In the mid morning sun it was just resting in the shade of a tree.
It was wholly black with faint paler barring on tail, and white barring on remiges, cere and legs were red. This was definitely the high light of my trip to the Kgalagadi. (Right click to enlarge the image)

Melanistic form of the Gabar Goshawk: wholly black

Only 15% of the population is melanistic

Enjoying the shade in the midmorning sun

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Help identify the raptor

My stop at the Melkvlei picnic site at Kgalagadi on my way to Nossob came with a surprise.A raptor landed on top of  a tree very close to me.
I did have much time to reach for my binoculars but managed to take some few photos of it. That was a brief appearance and off it went. I have tried to  identify it through my guide books but I seem not to reach any conclusion. It looks like one of the Goshawks (by the shape of the legs), and a juvenile as well, but I may be wrong. Please help identify it. (Right-click to enlarge the photo)

A brief apperance. Please, help identify.



Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Jewel in the desert

Adult Black Kite preparing to take off at Nossob Hide

Back from Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, amazingly ±900km away.
Had great time birding, seeing some of the birds I have always wanted to photograph and met amazing people. I stayed one night at Twee Rivieren then proceeded to the interior of the park at Nossob, had a great time amidst the roaring lions.
After spending four awesome days traversing the park, birding and viewing wild life; I am going to give out this trip report in parts so that I cover everything.
Here are some of the high lights (Right-click on the image to enlarge)

A juvenile Black Kite crash landing

 

Adult Black Kite taking a break in the afternoon 

 

Secretarybird striding across the veld

 

Stretching its legs before take off

Kori Bustard in great numbers seen walking sedately and slowly

Standing next to my "old faithful"

Time to take a break from the scorching sun at a picnic spot between Kamqua and Rooibrak water holes. 

Abdim's Stork: the common intra-African migrant that brings "good luck"

Though the arrival of Abdim's Stork around Mahikeng was earlier this time than last year; it is still late than the previous years.Last year they went pass Mahikeng and Masutlhe on the 30th January.

This year they went pass Mahikeng in early January. They were seen on their annual migratory path, through the Village of Masutlhe, on the 8th January heading South. They spend time on the ground, walking and flying short distances as they move.

Abdim's Storks inhabit the Eastern and Southern parts of Africa, but during the breeding season they move to the North of the Equator.

According to one of the myths they bring "good luck" and this is because they migrate to and fro at the peak of the rainy season(i.e from November to March). On their way as they pass through Eastern Africa; the rains would be pouring.

They are still present around Mahikeng at the moment but the numbers have declined.(I will keep you posted on their departure date)

You can follow this link for a story on their late showing last year: http://mafikengbirds.blogspot.com/2011/01/abdim-stocks-pass-mafikeng.html?spref=tw

Abdim's Stork: a common intra-African migrant in January 2012

Abdim's Storks showing in large flocks around Masuthle but numbers have gone down

Great Egret: the mystery behind the bill

After being tormented by the bill of a Great Egret I spotted  in the tall grass on the side of a road; in a swamp, at the village of Disaneng; I could not resist the temptation of finding more about it. The following is what I gathered from comments, replies, books and word of mouth interactions.

The interesting attribute to the Great Egret when breeding is that the facial skin (where the lore and the cere are situated) flashes bright emerald green for only a brief period of time before returning to the pale olive green. At this time the bill also changes to black from usual yellow. The "breeding" bill is actually a "courtship" bill and this brings us to courting.

When courting, they erect their mantle and scapula plumes called ‘aigrettes’. This is where the word egret is derived from.

The "breeding" bill is actually the "courtship bill"

Breeding Great Egret with yellow cere against familiar green ones

While doing the Summer CAR count today we came across the following Great Egret.

The first reaction was that it was a Snowy Egret but on  careful look, considering the size, it was clear that it was a breeding Great Egret. While a breeding Great Egret had greenish cere, this one had yellow ones. It was in a swamp just next to the road. It was obscured by tall grass for proper identification. Only the mysterious head was sticking out.

Look clearly at the following images and give your opinion. Is this a Great Egret or not?

Great Egret with yellow cere

Breeding Great Egret

Further twenty kilometers down the road we came across this non breeding one. The was no doubt about it.

Non breeding Great Egret

Barberspan Bird Sanctuary: Summer Coordinated Waterbird Count (CWAC)

The Barberspan Bird Sanctuary's Summer Coordinated Waterbird Count  (CWAC) was held during the past weekend. A good number of volunteers turned up for the count which started at 8h00 on Saturday morning.
There were quite some few surprises.
A total number of 49 species were spotted, bringing the total number of birds counted to 17766.
Topping the list was the Red-knobbed Coot followed by the Egyptian Goose with 14081  and 773 respectively. The weather was fine for a counting day.
This is higher than the numbers obtained in previous years Summer count (2010).
A total number of 55 species were spotted and the total number of birds counted was 6779.
Topping the list once again was the Red-knobbed Coot followed by the Egyptian Goose with 2777 and 1075 respectively.
This figures do not include the Leeupan Dam count.

Egyptian Geese: Their numbers lower than previous years

African Snipe(Ethiopean Snipe): great camouflage

After disappearing for some few years from the Lichtenburg Bioderversity Conservation  Centre (formerly known as the Lichtenburg Nature Reserve), the African Snipe reappeared this week once again.
At first I could not recognise them; all I could see were the Common Greenshanks, but at close scrutiny with the help of  a spotting scope I started seeing them. What an amazing camouflage.

African Snipe: well camouflaged

Help identify this bird

Yesterday, (just before a storm) while birding at Modimola Dam; enjoying the parade of Whiskered Terns up and down the dam, Egrets and Ruffs taking on each other over a patch of dry a spot.

 I spotted  the bird in the image below in a group of Curlew Sandpipers. At first, I thought it was one of the Ruffs by just scanning at its plumage. 

On second look, the black head turned out to be  a mystery. I also thought maybe it was a juvenile of a Whiskered Tern. 

Please, help in identifying this bird. 

The black bill and the head from the side

The head from the back

The neck and the chest all white and the back plumage grey to brown

I mistakenly thought it was a Ruff by its plumage. But, then the head was that of a Tern.

Now, if it was a Tern then it must have been a juvenile one. Which Tern or what bird could this have been?

In a matter of minutes the bird was gone but I managed to take some few shots of it.

Red Bishop: New year birds

My birding in the new  has been wonderful. I have had shots of birds which have been illusive in the past years.
 One of these birds is the Red Bishop. Known to be polybgamous; can keep up to seven females.

Red Bishop male in breeding plumage. Can keep up to seven females

Red Bishop displaying from perch with plumage puffed out to attract females

Red Bishop female



A day after Christmas: Cape Longclaw

Cape Longclaw walking on tufty grass foraging for food

After deciding not to do any birding on Christmas day, I set off on the day thereafter for some few hours of birding. There was not much to be seen as far as birds were concerned. I guess, most of the spots, where I do my birding, were deserted due to holiday picnics. There were only empty bottles and tins to the aftermath.
Amids the litter, the Cape Longclaw caught my eye. I could not resist the  orange throat but to have a shot at it 

Climate ChangeTalks have come and gone

Hi everyone,

Great to be back again. Well, I do not have any photos this time for you, my adorable readers, due to a minor eye operation I had two weeks ago. Anyway, I am fine after a restful short-break.

In the mean time, a lot has taken place including the Climate Change Talks which were held down here in South Africa at Durban.

In support of our feathered friends; the climate issue is of grave concern. We cannot ignore the fact that in some parts of our world, bird migratory patterns have already started altering. Everyone is saying "It's all about climate change."

Let me share the following with you for a CHANGE from BirdLife International Community website.

Happy Holidays

Special plea by Bird Life International to the talks:

Bird Life’s 6 key “asks” for the Durban Conference:
1. Secure a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, and secure a mandate to negotiate a legally binding instrument to be adopted no later than 2015;
2. Agree modalities and guidance for halting emissions from deforestation and degradation by 2020, whilst safeguarding biodiversity and livelihoods;
3. Agree robust and transparent rules for accounting for emissions from the land use, land use change and forestry sector that reflect emissions actually released to the atmosphere;
4. Account fully for emissions from bio energy;
5. Agree modalities for national adaptation planning that deliver to vulnerable groups and ecosystems;
6. Establish a pathway to deliver adequate finance to the new Green Climate Fund from 2013.

For a full story follow this link:
http://www.birdlife.org/community/2011/11/birdlife-calls-on-governments-to-deliver-in-durban-climate-change-talks/

This was the ultimate outcome:
“Durban has kept alive and opened the political space to negotiate a fair, ambitious and binding deal but much still needs to be worked out. Parties must approach the negotiations from 2012 with a renewed sense of urgency, increasing their ambition in terms of emission reductions, and putting these pledges firmly on the table.”

For a full story follow this link:
http://www.birdlife.org/community/2011/12/roadmap-to-a-new-global-agreement-%e2%80%93-what-did-durban-deliver-for-our-climate/

Hope there's a light at the end of the tunnel for our feathered friends as well.

Pink-backed Pelicans return to Modimola Dam

Pink-backed Pelican's crest on head fairly distinct

Today, while birding at Modimola Dam, I witnessed the return of Pink-backed Pelicans. They were last seen in the area in February/ March this year. There were both adult and juveniles in the group of ten.

Pink-backed Pelican giving some guttural notes

During their presence just before winter they were in  the company of Great White Pelicans. This time the Great Whites were not present.

Pink-backed Pelican emptying the big pouch

Pink-backed Pelicans just after arrival

Amur Falcons arrive to confusion at Mahikeng uprooted roost tree site

Amur Falcon arriving to an uprooted roost tree

Today , after a night of heavy rains, a group of Amur Falcons together with some more Lesser Kestrels arrived for their annual migration in the Mahikeng CBD to find their favorite roost tree uprooted.
They circled lower than ussual around the spot where their roost tree was and perched on nearby buildings and dead trees. A bigger number had turned out  today and it was interesting to see them hovering lower than ussual around the spot where their favourite tree once stood.

Graph showing how over the years the numbers have increased

The year 2010 had a record number of migrating kestrels and falcons coming to roost at the tree in the Mahikeng CBD than  past years. The numbers are likely to drastically decline this year.

Migrating Kestrels arrive to find familiar roost tree uprooted in Mahikeng

Lesser Kestrel back to overwinter but familiar roost tree no where to be found

The first group of a  handful of Lesser Kestrel, mainly males, arrived at the uprooted roost tree in the Mahikeng CBD on Monday the 14th November 2011 at 18h15. They are one day later than last year.
After circling the area in search of their annual roost tree they took refuge on a dead tree nearby.
More than 3000 birds came to roost in the uprooted tree last summer.It will be interesting to see how they are going to react to the new situation.

The giant roost tree ready to be brought down last winter

Egyptian Goose in the sweltering heat

I was fascinated by this Egyptian Goose perched on a rock outcrop honking profusely. The temperature was remarkebly 39°C. A record high for this part of the world.

Egyptian Goose

Egyptian Goose

Short-clawed Lark: the final frontier

Having enjoyed the flight displays and shrilling utter over the past few days in one area, I guess, this is a Short-clawed Lark spot. It is in the outskirts of Dibono Village, near the Disaneng Dam. This particular individual, identifiable with the  a black spot in the underparts; I will dub him "Spotty".
On this hot and windy day from my GPS I took the following readings:

S 25º 49.223’

E 025° 22.236’

 A call from an elevated perch (just before midday) cannot be missed

The outpost for scanning his territory

Active even in the heat of the day; persistently calling



Short-clawed Lark: the search continues

In search of the bird again; I went back to the spot at Dibono Village near Disaneng Dam. After a frantic search and listening around, the bird ultimately called. It was around midday. Approaching the area where the call came from I found the bird on top of a bush calling. Seeing me it flew further down the open grass land and perched on a bush. For a moment; while I was watching, it rose up high into the air and dropped steeply on a flight display. Looking around further there was another one uttering a shrill on top of a bush. At long last the search had come to a close. A new spot for Short Clawed Larks.

Open grassland and scttered bush where the search ended

A familiar pose and a call uttered from the top of a bush

Short-clawed Lark - threatened or near threatened?

Today while birding near Disaneng Dam, just in the outskirts of the village of Dibono, I heard the call of a Short- clawed Lark. This is a spot ±80 km away from Botsalano Game Reserve; where the species is in reasonable occurence and just a mere ±40km from Mahikeng.

Short-clawed Lark - endemic to the region.

Though known to be existing only in two disjointed populations in South Africa besides the South Eastern parts of Botswana, the Short-clawed Lark (Certhilauda chuana), “chuana” bearing reference to the Tswana people, is thought to be undergoing a localized range contraction and population reduction. On the other hand its distribution may also be influenced by seasonal or eruptive movements.It is endemic to the region.
Roberts VII Bird Guide book regards it as "near threatened" while its status  in the IUCN Red List it is evaluated as "Least Concern".
Any information on this species is hereby sort from any where or any source.