Kgalagadi: the thirst land

The solar driven water pumps that keep the water-holes at Kgalagadi well stocked up are a big relief to the water scarce desert land. At these water holes one is able to see wild life at its best.

While at Cubetjie Quap water-hole, I saw a very thirsty solitary White stock quenching, drenching itself and bathing, while Black-backed jackal had its eyes on a Black Kite nearby. After a desperate attempt by the jackal to catch the kite; the White Stock had no alternative but to abandon the cooling precious find and take off. The Black –backed jackal had all the water-hole to itself thereafter.Here it goes (Right-click image to enlarge).

The White Stock quenching its thirst

Black Kite evading the Black-backed Jackal

The Black-backed Jackal  turn to quench its thirst

The Little Crake at Clovelly: departs after 12 days in the wetlands

Our Little Crake departed on the night of the 2^nd April 2012 to the disappointment of locals and all country-wide who were planning to go on pilgrimage to the Small Town of Clovelly in the Western Cape over the Eater Weekend to see her.

However, with all the hype of activity and commotion that was generated around the wetlands there; Ornithology scholars, Birding and Bird-watching fraternity had a good opportunity to acquire more knowledge on the age old mystery called “bird migration”.

During her brief stay culmination of debates and speculations were in the air centred around the following:-

• How long the bird was going to be in the area?
• What possibilities were there to avoid dehybridisation?
• Even to remove or not to remove her?

Meanwhile, the course of nature took precedence and gave the avian visitor some space to regain  more energy for another long journey back to the right breeding grounds.

It has been estimated that hundreds had already seen her and more were expected.

What a Mega Twitch: as we recall (right-click to enlarge image)

"There she is" -  as twitchers came from all corners

(Photo: courtesy of Tony Archer)

 

 

Even the local Weaver came to pay homage - Curious

(Photo: courtesy of Tony Archer)

 

 

The Little Crake - Till next time

(Photo: courtesy of Tony Archer)

The Spotted Thick-knee: the quest continues

My story on the Spotted Thick-knee has aroused interest from far and wide and this has prompted me report on the responses I received from various circles. One of the birders, from Canada, who has kept the birding world, posted with good stories and updates, is “Barry the Birder” ( aka Barry Wallace) who took keen interest in the photos and the story to a page on  his blog.

You can follow this link to Barry’s article on the Thick-knee
http://www.barrythebirder.com/2012/04/thick-knee-photos-by-mpho-phiri.html



Spotted Thick-knee

You can still leave your comment on the story and pics at this link (and read other comments as well)
http://mafikengbirds.blogspot.com/2012/03/spotted-thicknee-always-associated-with_30.html

Thanx

The Little Crake: the star of Clovelly

The genetically programmed route that was missed and ended up directing our Little Crake to the South instead of the North, ultimately to Southern Africa and landing in Clovelly, was a blessing in disguise for listers. Taking advantage of  "reverse migration".

Travelling up  to North Africa to tick the bird was not going to be easier for even ardent twitchers. Lets make use of the opportunity while it lasts.

Here are the posibilities that we may wake up one day and find the bird gone.
1. Maybe the bird has been around for most of summer and she is ready to go up North again
2. As winter gradually draws closer, she may wake up to a correct orientation and innately start  navigating to the right wintering grounds.
3. He may perish in the unsuitable wintering grounds, (and this will be unfortunate)

If you have not gone down to see the bird, it is now the right time. Several people have already seen her.

Little Crake walking over floating water plants

(Photo: courtesy of Patrick Caldwell)

Little Crake

(Photo: courtesy of Patrick Caldwell)

Missed previous postings?
You can follow this link to see the excitement she has generated at Clovelly
http://mafikengbirds.blogspot.com/2012/03/interesting-week-for-sa-birders-mega.html

Spotted Thick-knee: associated with the enemy or bad omen

While at Kgalagadi, I happened to discover a group of Spotted Thick-knees under a tree, just behind the little shop at the Nossob Rest Camp.This was ironic because it was just a day before my departure. It was about  mid- day.
I was amazed by the closeness in which I could get to them without being distubed. The Afrikaans people call them Dikkop. The Batswana people call them Tswang-Tswang (keep- away) while the Basutho people call them Kgoho-ya-dira (enemy). In all instances  the name refers to the enemy or bad omen.
All this remind me of the sounds they normally make at night since they are nocturnal birds.
Well, everything that it is associated with the night in Africa is "bad omen". Anyway, that is all what is in the name.Quite some lovely birds, isn'it?

Spotted Thick-knee

Spotted Thick-knee - well camouflaged at mid day

Spotted Thick-knee with characteristic big head (dikkop) and large knees (thick-knees) 

An interesting week for SA birders: A mega twitch

While north of the Equator, the arrival of migrants was mostly awaited with great anticipation; down here in the south the departure of migrants was filled with surprises.
The sighting of a Little Crake at Clovelly, near False Bay, in the Western Cape Province; has evoked in me this age old mystery called "bird migration" as one of the great wonders of nature.
Bird migration has been a phenomenon that has always intrigued me in the entire part of my life as a birder and birdwatcher.
This fella, an uncommon Palearctic Migrant with a red spot at the base of the bill; who was  spotted on the 21st March 2012 at Clovelly wetlands, is making waves in the field of birding in the countruy.
Experts say that this particular incident was due to “reverse migration”.
Well, whatever the case might be, the joy and the excitement of being a first on the South African soil has brought our "birding world"  relatively to a standstill for at least a week. Hey, rather a fun filled weekend.
Hopefully, it will be in the national news in some days to come. So, the story goes:-

Here is the encounter as it unfolds
The Little Crake story hit the headlines on the  local news paper today, the 28th March 2012 and a twitcher from the Gauteng Province was on the spotlight. Follow this link for a full story:
http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Voelkykers-op-hol-oor-die-hennetjie-20120327

These are still some other encounters from ordinry people.
(Right-click to enlarge the image)

A group of veteran twitchers - a day to remember at Clovelly

(Photo: courtesy of Thomas Hohls posted 27/03/2012)

Family quality time enhanced for a lifetime opportunity at Clovelly

(Photo:courtesy of Thomas Hohls posted 27/03/2012)

All shapes and sizes out for a glimpse of the Little Crake at Clovelly

(Photo: courtesy of Tony Archer posted 27/03/2012)

Taking up position at the crack of dawn just for the Little Crake at Clovelly

(Photo: courtesy of Tony Archer posted 27/03/2012)

Little Crake - still showing at Clovelly (flashing the red spot at base of the bill)

(Photo: courtesy of  Pieter La Grange posted 26/03/2012)

The wetland at Clovelly where the Little Crake is at the moment temporarily taking refuge

(Photo: courtesy of  Cassia Gallagher posted 26/03/2012)

Little Crake at Clovelly
(Photo: courtesy of Per Holmen)