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"