Ticks on birds: a common sight or not

While birding I came across this tick infested Short-clawed Lark. At a glance one would not notice the ticks around its neck and crown. It looked quite healthy, but it was only after realizing that it was infested with ticks that I took interest in the bird.

 The Short-clawed Lark being “near-threatened” according to the Red Data List; was this not going to be one of the contributory factors towards its extinction? How vulnerable are birds towards this blood sucking parasites?

Tick -infested Short-clawed Lark

At a glance all looked funny to identify

Short-clawed Lark: near threatened

I was amazed by a discovery of several pairs (three in number) of Short-clawed Larks while  birding this morning near the village of Moletsamongwe, North-west of Mahikeng in the  North West Province. That was within an area of 2.3 ha in fallow land adjoining the village.
According to the Red Data List, they are Near-threatened.  We need to protect them.

Short-clawed Lark calling from on top of a bush

"Dive-bombing" the enemy: why do birds do it?
I spend three days at the Bird Atlass Bash at Vaalboskraal near Mareetsane in the North West Province. This was for SABAP2 (South African Bird Atlass Project ) It was real fun.
While atlassing pentad 2600_2535 and 2605_2535, I  witness a spectacle where a Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk was being mobbed by Pied Crow at first, then a Black Shouldered Kite.
Birds normally mob an intruder who enters their territory by harrasing, intimidating and chasing off using the "dive-bombing"  or "sally attacks" techniques. Protection of a territory. Here is the story

The Pale Chanting Goshawk just perched on a power line

(being in a wrong territory)

Along came a Black-shouldered Kite

Dive bombing

Moved to another location for its own safety

But along came a Pied Crow this time

 

Little Banded Goshawk (Shikra) back in my garden: feeders deserted

A Little Banded Goshawk (Shikra) turned up again in my garden after a five year absence.  I always wake up to the chirping sounds of Red Headed Finches and other birds from my garden.  Surprised by the silence this morning; I went out to investigate.

All the feeders were deserted except for some few Laughing Doves hanging around on the fence. Looking up further into the canopy of the tall trees; there was the culprit – Little Banded Goshawk (Shikra) boldly staring at me.

Little Banded Goshawk (Shikra) - early in the morning

 Little Banded Goshawk (Sikra) waiting for the kill

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)