Dedicated to the " World Migratory Birds Day 2013"

The  World Migratory Birds Day 2013 this weekend (11th to the 12th May 2013, calls for everyone to  pay attention to the plight of migratory birds all around the world with the theme:

“Networking for migratory birds".

I would love to dedicate this post to this call with  photos of birds on the wing.
Stop-over habitats for the migratory birds are deminishing at an alarming rate due to global warming and other social aspects.

You can visit  http://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org for more.

 Flight of the Blackwinged Stilts (circling a drying dam)

Lesser Flamingos on the wing to another feeding area

Egyptian Goose crashlanding on arrival   on better part of a drying dam

South African Shelduck arriving to a dry dam

White-breasted Cormorant flying low over water (breeding season)

Egyptian Goose off to another feeding area

Pied Avocet on a reconaisance

Flamingos at Modimola Dam

Recently, I have been fascinated by the congregation of Lesser Flamingos at Modimola Dam; 12km  West of Mahikeng in the North West Province.
Both Lesser and Greater are gathering in numbers there. Here are some of the photos I took recently. An enjoyable spectacle of nature while the drought is at its peak in the area.
We hope they will be here to stay.

 

Location of Modimola Dam 

 

Walking and darting across the dam

 

Filtering food from surface of  water with bill upside down

 

From juvenile to adult hood phases all present

 

Taking a rest in the companion of Black-winged Stilt

 

 



Latest visitors to my garden

Familiar Chat just finished flicking its wings

 

While migrants were preparing to leave for the Northern Hemisphere; I had this visitor to my garden for the very first time. Oh! amazing to see how it flicks its wing every time it lands.

Hoping on my garden wall and flicking its wings

 

 

Yellow Canary starring at the sun on my sand patch

 



 Another new visitor as well caught on my sand patching with its beak held high as if howling at some one.

 

Enough of the sun and lift off

Lesser Flamingos increase two fold at Modimola Dam

After a restful holiday; I went birding on Friday, the 4th January 2013 to Modimola Dam. 

Following my last report on the Lesser Flamingos (26th October 2012), I was surprised to find the numbers increased. The last group of holiday makers around the dam did not bother them a bit.

The colourful Lesser Flamingos

Cooling off in the sweltering heat
 

In search of the African Pitta: Northern Zimbabwe

The long road to Masoka 

After  recieving an E-mail from my friend Tony Archer, I was excited and on the other hand left breathless.
All what Tony was saying was that he was off to Zimbabwe with some birders to look for the  African Pitta.
Further down,  as I read the mail ; he was simply saying to me " Mpho, I want you to come on this trip".
So, I had to make a decision fast, that is very fast.

We left for Zimbabwe on the 8th December 2012, with a stop over at Louise Trichardt; so as to hit the border gate at Beit Bridge as early as possible on the 9th December 2012  and proceed to Harare.

Waking up in Harare on the 10th December 2012, gave us ample time to do some birding around the city. Well, with the assistance  of Ian, the local bird guide, we managed to spot some specials.

 

Yellow-mantle widowbird around Harare

 



After agood night rest at Harare, we were up early again on the 11th December 2012, heading towards the Zambesi Valley. A small village called Masoka was our destination.  A local bird guide by the name of Mackenzie was awaiting us to track down the Pitta.

The breath taking view of the Zambezi Valley



It was almost dark when we arrived at Masoka and  we set up camp at Masoka Wild Camp site along the Angwa River.

The Mighty Angwa River

 

Locals fetching water from the mighty Angwa River  



After a good night rest, the morning of the 12th December 2012, was overcast but the search for the African Pitta  had  to start in earnest as early as possible.

Base camp at Masoka Wild Camp site

 

Elephants passing by close to the camp site

 

Homesteads around Masoka





The road to the Pitta habitat



On arrival at the Pitta habitat, we learned from Mackenzie that he had searched the previouse day (for the bird) with no luck. So, the search continued.

It was about 10h00 when Mackenzie whispered in great excitement "There it is"; pointing at the Pitta. "Wow, what a beauty", I said to myself.

The African Pitta (the best I could get)

All cameras and binoculars were out to catch a glimpse of the bird but it was illusive hiding in the lower branches of the  thick forest. Later on the Pitta thought it was enough and disappeared into the forest. We called it a day and decided to come the next for a better shot.

Spotted Creeper showing in the area



On the 13th December 2012, after some birding around Masoka, we gave the Pitta a second try. We were back at the Pitta spot  again awaiting its appearance when a troup of elephants appeared and made us run for our dear lives. At least we gave it a second try. I will be back again soon.

The local church structure

 

The market place (well stocked)

 

The Pitta Crew ( left to right Dawie and Sarieta, Mackenzie, myself and the Zimbabwe Anti Poaching Unit Scout). The photo was taken by Tony Archer.

Rain at long last and then more migrants

We had two days of silent showers as a welcome relieve to the drought stricken areas around Mahikeng.
With the first rays of sunshine, this afternoon; I went out birding. One could hear the sound of birds again amidst the fresh rain soaked ground and trees.
I was first greeted by the Red-backed Shrike, the common summer visitor, perching conspicuously on a branch. Hooray!!! summer is here.

Red-backed Shrike