South Africa’s Rare

Naturetrek Tour Report 11 - 23 September 2017

Mountain Wheatear Gemsbok Fighting

African Southern White-faced owl

Report & Images compiled by Marc Cronje

Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report - The Cape & Kalahari

Tour Participants: Gavin Sims and Marc Cronje (leaders) together with 10 Naturetrek clients

Summary

During the tour the temperature ranged from 5°C to 36°C. We recorded 57 , 185 species of and 13 species of reptiles. The species mentioned in the daily summaries are only some of those seen. A detailed list can be found at the end of the report.

Day 1 Monday 11th September

The group left London, en route to Johannesburg.

Day 2 Tuesday 12th September

Langberg, Kimberley. After a short flight from Johannesburg, clients Lois and Peter met with Gavin and Marc at Kimberley Airport and were slightly worried as they seemed to be the only Naturetrek clients on the flight; soon after meeting Gavin and Marc we learnt that the other eight clients had a flight delay and would be coming on a later flight in the afternoon. After a brief cool drink, we headed to Kamfer’s Dam just on the outskirts of Kimberley; here, we were treated to an amazing sighting of thousands upon thousands of Lesser and Greater Flamingos at the dam. The noise they make is almost deafening. Kamfer’s Dam supports a large diversity of water birds and is recognized as a Natural Heritage Site and an Important Area. We headed off to Kimberley’s famous Big Hole to learn about the history of the area and its diamond-mining past. Birding highlights included Bradfield’s Swift, Alpine Swift, White-backed Mousebird and Rock Kestrel at the Big Hole. After lunch we checked in at our country guesthouse and managed to do a short walk after the long sit on the flight; it was also a relief to freshen up. Gavin and Marc then headed back to the airport to pick up the other eight Naturetrek clients for the tour who had been unfortunately delayed.

Gavin and Marc were all ready and waiting for the other group members at Kimberley Airport after the delayed flight and wasted no time in getting on our way. We stopped at the multitude of Flamingos at Kamfer’s dam en route to the guesthouse. The guests were really tired after a long flight and delay and were happy to freshen up before dinner. Birding highlights included en route to the guesthouse included: Greater Kestrel, Red-headed Finches, Black-faced Waxbill and Kalahari . Just before dinner the group got to meet each other, have a cold beer and share the interesting travel stories. A traditional South African dinner of Baboti was enjoyed by all, and after dinner we enjoyed the clear night sky and the constellations were pointed out to us by Gavin and Marc; we also managed to see some of the Buthidae Scorpion species in the area under the ultraviolet light.

Mammal sightings for the day: 4

Day 3 Wednesday 13th September

Langberg Guest Farm - Kimberley The morning began nice and early as we headed off to . On arrival we were greeted by friendly staff and Swallow-tailed Bee-eaters. Soon after entering the park, we came across a nice herd of African

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Buffalo close to the road. Mokala National Park is involved in a breeding disease-free Buffalo, that is Buffalo free of Tuberculosis and Foot-and-mouth disease. The extreme variance in temperature between summer and winter in Mokala make it difficult for parasites to survive and the Buffalo stay in optimal condition; in other reserves like this is not the case and the diseases break out from time to time. Other great sightings of , Roan, Tssessebe, Red and Gemsbok were enjoyed before our breakfast stop. Just before breakfast we were treated to a wonderful sighting of Black Harrier near the waterhole, and other birding highlights included: Namaqua Sandgrouse, Burchell’s Sandgrouse, South African Shelduck and Northern Black Korhaan. Breakfast was enjoyed overlooking the Riet River and we had good views of Vervet monkeys, Fairy Flycatcher and Thrush.

After breakfast we enjoyed a drive through the park and got great views of the endangered the park has to offer. At the bird hide we had Black-backed Jackal drinking water and had Green-winged Pytilia, Violet-eared Waxbill and Red-billed Firefinch all drinking water. Lunch was enjoyed and we saw Tortoise and Four- striped Mouse at the lunch stop. After lunch we took a drive back to the lodge and got a great sighting of Rufous-eared Warbler and on the way out of the park.

An early dinner was enjoyed before heading out on a night drive to find some of the rare nocturnal mammals of the area. What an incredible night drive we experienced, with highlights being an Aardvark right at the start of the drive, followed by Bat-eared Fox, Spring Hare, African Wild Cat, Three-banded Courser and Barn Owl. What an incredible night drive and day!

Mammal sightings for the day: 29

Day 4 Thursday 14th September

Langberg Guest Farm - Kimberley We began with an early start as we headed for Mokala National Park once again. What a beautiful morning with a magic sunrise! While we watched the sunrise, we saw Black-headed Heron, South African Cliff Swallow and Red-billed Teal over the Riet River. Highlights in the park before breakfast included: Roan Antelope, Eland, Zebra, Gemsbok, Burchell’s Zebra, Meerkat and Yellow Mongoose. Birding highlights included Pygmy Falcon, Bokmakerie, Long-billed Pipit, Buffy Pipit, Sabota Lark and Fawn-coloured Lark. It was interesting to see Red- billed Oxpeckers on some of the game; these birds have a mutualistic relationship with the game and feed on the external parasites. The oxpeckers were previously wiped out in the area through the use of pesticides and the park re-introduced 19 birds in September 2012; now the birds are breeding successfully in the park.

After breakfast and coffee, we headed for the bird hide and it seemed with the heat that everything was at the hide. We saw , Red Hartebeest, Zebra, Nyala, , Waterbuck, Tsessebe, Vervet Monkey and Black- backed Jackal. Birding highlights included: Black-faced Waxbill, Blue Waxbill, Black-throated Canary and a juvenile Gabar Goshawk catching a Red-billed Quelea in front of us. After lunch we went in search of the park’s Rhino; we had no luck but encountered a Secretarybird, which was a bonus. An early dinner was had at the lodge and then we headed for our second night drive to find the rare nocturnal mammals of the area. What a night drive we had, with all the special and rare nocturnal mammals making an appearance! This included Aardvark, Aardwolf, Hedgehog, African Wild Cat, Black-footed Cat and Bat-eared Fox.

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Mammal sightings for the day: 38

Day 5 Friday 15th September

Augrabies Falls National Park We had a slightly later start today, and a nice farm breakfast before we moved on to Augrabies Falls from Kimberley. En route we stopped at various bridges crossing the Vaal and Orange Rivers. Birding highlights included: Red-knobbed Coot, Little Grebe, Southern Pochard, Giant Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Striated Heron and Lesser Swamp Warbler. We also saw Yellow Mongoose, Ground Squirrel, Sable, Steenbok and Chacma Baboon en route. We enjoyed lunch on a wine farm outside Upington, and enjoyed views of Red-faced Mousebird, Crested Barbet, Karoo Thrush, White-throated Canary and Cape Robin-Chat. We arrived at Augrabies just before sunset and were treated to truly African sunset. We also saw the Augrabies Flat Lizard and the Bibron’s Thick-toed Gecko at the falls. Dinner was enjoyed at the restaurant with the sound of the falls in the background.

Mammal sightings for the day: 8

Day 6 Saturday 16th September

Augrabies Falls National Park An early start was in order today as we headed into Augrabies National Park to enjoy the wonderful scenery and explore this magnificent park. Sunrise was spectacular, and the morning was a little chilly with the birds getting active a little later. We saw , Gemsbok, Springbok, Kudu, Steenbok and before our coffee stop. Birding highlights included: Karoo Long-billed Lark, Cape Bunting, Mountain Wheatear and Fawn- coloured Lark. At our coffee stop, overlooking the Orange River Gorge, we were treated to a fly-over of the resident Verreaux’s Eagles, and also enjoyed watching a family of Cape Clawless Otters play in the river below. Other highlights included: Bradfield’s Swift, Peregrine Falcon, Fish Eagle and Goliath Heron. We saw both the Southern Rock Agama and Augrabies Flat Lizard while having breakfast.

After brunch we had a short break before our afternoon drive in the park. Highlights from our afternoon drive included: Karoo Long-billed Lark, Burchell’s Coucal, Yellow Mongoose, and spectacular views over the Orange River Gorge from one of the granite domes in the Park. The night drive was a success with us seeing Small- spotted Genet, a Giraffe with a youngster, Cape Hare, Eland, Klipspringer Spotted Eagle-Owl and a pair of Black Duck. Mammal sightings for the day: 21

Day 7 Sunday 17th September

Kalahari Lodge - Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park We began with a slightly later breakfast and then headed towards the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. En route we stopped at one of the river crossings and had highlights of Malachite Kingfisher, African Sacred Ibis, Cape Spurfowl and Little Bitten. We arrived at Kalahari Lodge for a brief check-in and lunch, before heading into the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park for a short afternoon drive. Mammal highlights included: Gemsbok, Springbok,

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Wildebeest and a Brant’s Whistling Rat. Birding highlights included: Kori Bustard, Groundscraper Thrush, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Southern Yellow Hornbill, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl and a pair of Lilac-breasted Rollers. After dinner under the African skies we headed off for a night drive and highlights included: Bat-eared Fox, Black-backed Jackal, Scrub Hare, Porcupine and a nesting pair of Verreaux’s Eagle-Owls.

Mammal sightings for the day: 16

Day 8 Monday 18th September

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - !Xaus Lodge The morning began nice and early with sunrise over the Kalahari Desert, as we headed into the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park to stay at !Xaus Lodge for three nights. The morning was crisp and beautiful with us having good sightings of the general game found within the park. Highlights included Meekat, Yellow Mongoose and whistling rats. Birding highlights included: Black-winged Kite, Fawn-coloured Lark, Kori Bustard and Common Scimitarbill.

After breakfast the wildlife came up to show themselves; there is a big advantage in spending time driving in the river beds of the Kgalagadi, as this is, generally speaking, the only place the can find drinking water. We had sightings of Kudu, Warthog, Giraffe, , Black-backed Jackal, Cape Fox and two big black-maned Kalahari . After lunch at Kamqua we met our guides, John and Mans from !Xaus Lodge, and headed over the dunes to the lodge. Birding highlights included: Tawny Eagle, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Secretarybird bathing and drinking, Barn Owl, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill and a Eland in front of the lodge.

After a short break and check-in at the lodge, we had dinner and then went on a night drive to try to find some of the nocturnal species of the desert. Highlights included: Cape Fox, Bat-eared Fox and Spotted Eagle-Owl. We all fell asleep to the sound of the Jackal’s cry over the Kalahari Desert.

Mammal sightings for the day: 17

Day 9 Tuesday 19th September

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - !Xaus Lodge This morning, after coffee, tea and rusks watching the sunrise over the pan in front of the lodge, we went out on a bush walk to learn about the fauna of the desert. The group was fascinated to learn that the Camelthorn tree’s bark is used by the Bushmen to help with headaches and lung problems, while the red heartwood is used by women as a cosmetic. We also learnt from John how the Tsamma melons and Gemsbok cucumbers can be found and used as a water source in the desert. Birding highlights included a Greater Kestrel being mobbed by two Pale Chanting Goshawks, and we also encountered a herd of Red Hartebeest. At breakfast the resident Bribron’s Thick-toed Gecko made an appearance. The group enjoyed the visit to the traditional craft village and enjoyed learning and seeing how the Bushmen live and make use of the desert’s fauna and flora.

The day was a day of leisure around the lodge with a sunset drive in the afternoon which included a stunning sunset over the Kalahari Desert and a friendly Desert Pygmy Mouse that joined us for sundowners. After dinner

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we were treated to a female lioness drinking water in front of the lodge, and then on the night drive had highlights of Bat-eared fox, Black-backed Jackal, Steenbok and a Spotted Eagle-Owl.

Mammal sightings for the day: 11

Day 10 Wednesday 20th September

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - !Xaus Lodge The morning started nice and early with coffee, tea and rusks before we headed into the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park for a full-day drive. The morning was crisp and chilly but this did not affect the wildlife, and the first sighting of the day was a pair of Honey Badgers running in the road. This was a great way to start the day as these mammals are not easy to see in daylight. An interesting foraging association occurs between Honey Badgers, Pale Chanting Goshawks and Black-backed Jackals. Above the ground, badgers are often unsuccessful in catching mice that escape while they are digging. Mice have various tunnels and holes in their living area. This has resulted in a fascinating association between three species. The more agile Black-backed Jackal and Pale Chanting Goshawk regularly follow the badgers, anticipating escaping gerbils and mice. Jackals will even rest within five metres of a badger hole, waiting for it to come out and start foraging. The morning warmed up slowly, and we had highlights of Gemsbok fighting, big herds of Springbok and a female Cheetah with a fresh Springbok kill, which created huge excitement for the group. Birding highlights included: Pearl spotted Owlet, Ashy Tit, a pair of Secretarybirds, Kori Bustard and Sickle-winged Chat.

After breakfast we headed up the Auob River and had an incredible sighting a male Lion mating with a female, fairly close to the Open Vehicle. The vocalisations associated around the mating and them being so close added a thrill and got our adrenaline pumping; interesting behaviour was also explained by Gavin and Marc. Other highlights included: Wildebeest fighting, Meerkats, Black-backed Jackal and Ground Squirrels. Birding highlights included: Bateleur, Southern White-faced Owl, , Tawny Eagle and Short Toed Rock Thrush. A swim after a successful warm day in the Kgalagadi was enjoyed by the group before dinner under the African sky. We managed to point out the common constellations of the Southern Hemisphere after dinner, with the cry of the Black-backed Jackals in the background. A perfect ending to a great day in Africa.

Mammal sightings for the day: 19

Day 11 Thursday 21st September

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - Park Kalahari Lodge

We had an early start again this morning, as we wanted to make the most of our last day in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. After a quick coffee, tea and rusks, we left the lodge on a warm morning and headed down to the Auob River. As we were leaving, the resident African Wild Cats came to say goodbye. Our guides John and Mans at !Xaus lodge were great, and we enjoyed their company, storytelling and knowledge of the area. The morning was warm and windy and we had nice sightings of Gemsbok and Wildebeest fighting. The highlight for the morning was having a Cape Cobra cross the road in front of our vehicle. Birding highlights included: Martial Eagle, Tawny Eagle and a single Black-chested Snake Eagle.

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Right after breakfast we had a sighting of two female Lions sitting on top of a dune, watching a herd of Gemsbok drinking; however, the lions decided against the hunt and we lost them. Other highlights included: Meerkat, Kudu, a big herd of Wildebeest, and Springbok. Birding was slightly slow with the wind, and we saw Kori Bustard, Yellow Canary, Giant Eagle-Owl and Diederik Cuckoo. We took a slight break after lunch at Kalahari Lodge and, after checking in, headed back into the park for an afternoon drive. We were treated to a single Black Harrier trying to catch mice and then a single Black-headed Heron catching a Yellow Canary at a waterhole... After dinner we went off on a night drive in the park. Our last drive in this magnificent wild area produced: Bat-eared fox, Cape Fox, Porcupine close to the vehicle, and a . Another great day in the Kalahari!

Mammal sightings for the day: 14

Day 12 Friday 22nd September

Departure The day started with a slightly more relaxed breakfast and gave us all a chance to check the final lists before heading off to the airport in Upington. En route we saw African Grey Hornbill, Double-banded Courser and White-backed Vulture. At the airport Marc and Gavin said goodbye and saw 10 happy clients on their way home smiling, with cameras full of many happy memories from the trip. The trip was enjoyed by all and it was sad to say goodbye. A great 10 days in Africa with great guides, fellow travellers who met as strangers and became friends.

Day 13 Saturday 23rd September

After flying through the night, the group landed in London at the end of another Naturetrek adventure.

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Species Lists

Mammals (=recorded but not counted) September Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 TUBULIDENTATA Orycteropodidae Aardvark Orycteropus afer   HYRACOIDEA

Procaviidae Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis capensis    PRIMATES Cercopithecidae Vervet Monkey Chlorocebus pygerythrus     Chacma Baboon Papio ursinus     RODENTIA Sciuridae South African Ground Squirrel Xerus inauris         Nesomyidae Tiny African Fat Mouse Steatomys parvus  Muridae Desert Pygmy Mouse Mus indutus  Southern African Pygmy Mouse Mus minutoides  Four-striped Grass Rat Rhabdomys pumilio        Brants’s Whistling Rat Parotomys brantsii   Pedetidae Spring Hare Pedetes capensis     Hystricidae Cape Porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis   Petromuridae Dassie Rat Petromus typicus 

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September Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 LAGOMOPHA Leporidae Cape Hare Lepus capensis     Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis   Smith’s Red Rock Hare Pronolagus rupestris  ERINACEOMORPHA Erinaceidae Southern African Hedgehog Atelerix frontalis  CHIROPTERA Molossidae Roberts's Flat-headed Bat Sauromys petrophilus  Egyptian Free-tailed Bat Tadarida aegyptiaca  Vespertilionidae Cape Serotine Neoromicia capensis   CARNIVORA Felidae Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus  Black-footed Cat Felis nigripes  Southern African Wildcat Felis silvestris cafra     Lion Panthera leo     Viverridae Small-spotted (Common) Genet Genetta genetta  Herpestidae Yellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata         Small (Cape) Grey Mongoose Herpestes pulverulentus  Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguineus      Meerkat (Suricate) Suricata suricatta      Hyaenidae Aardwolf Proteles cristata 

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September Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Canidae Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas        Bat-eared Fox Otocyon megalotis    Cape Fox Vulpes chama    Mustelidae African Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis  Honey Badger Mellivora capensis  PERISSODACTYLA Equidae Plains Zebra Equus quagga   ARTIODACTYLA Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus    Southern Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa    Aepyceros melampus melampus   Red Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus caama     Black Wildebeest Connochaetes gnou   Connochaetes taurinus       Common Tsessebe lunatus lunatus   Damaliscus pygargus pygargus   Springbok Antidorcas marsupialis        Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus   Steenbok campestris         Syncerus caffer  Common Eland Trachelaphus       Greater Kudu strepsiceros       Common (Grey) Sylvicapra grimmia 

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September Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Roan Antelope equinus   Sable Antelope Hippotragus niger   Gemsbok Oryx gazella         Nyala Tragelaphus angasii  Waterbuck ellipsiprymnus  Lechwe Kobus leche 

Birds (186 Species) September Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 1 Common Ostrich Struthio camelus          2 Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris     3 Cape Spurfowl Pternistis capensis  4 Common Quail Coturnix coturnix   5 Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis  6 Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca        7 South African Shelduck Tadorna cana    8 African Black Duck Anas sparsa  9 Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata   10 Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha  11 Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota  12 Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma  13 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis  14 Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis  15 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus  16 Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor  17 African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus  18 Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash       19 Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus  20 Striated Heron Butorides striata 

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September Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 21 Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis      22 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea    23 Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala     24 Goliath Heron Ardea goliath  25 Hamerkop Scopus umbretta   26 Reed Cormorant Microcarbo africanus      27 White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus    28 African Darter Anhinga rufa     29 Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius      30 Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus          31 White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus      32 Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos  33 Black-chested Snake Eagle Circaetus pectoralis  34 Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus  35 Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus   36 Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax    37 Verreaux's Eagle Aquila verreauxii  38 Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar        39 Pale Chanting Goshawk Melierax canorus            40 Black Harrier Circus maurus   41 African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer   42 Jackal Buzzard Buteo rufofuscus  43 Pygmy Falcon Polihierax semitorquatus       44 Rock Kestrel Falco rupicolus   45 Greater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides       46 Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera  47 Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus   48 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus    49 Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori        50 Red-crested Korhaan Lophotis ruficrista   51 Northern Black Korhaan Afrotis afraoides          52 African Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis 

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Tour Report South Africa- The Cape & Kalahari

September Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 53 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus     54 Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata    55 Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis     56 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus   57 Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus       58 Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus          59 Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius  60 Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris     61 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia   62 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos  63 Double-banded Courser Rhinoptilus africanus    64 Grey-headed Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus  65 Namaqua Sandgrouse Pterocles namaqua       66 Burchell's Sandgrouse Pterocles burchelli  67 Rock Dove Columba livia     68 Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea         69 Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata    70 Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola           71 Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis       72 Namaqua Dove Oena capensis            73 Burchell's Coucal Centropus burchellii h 74 Western Barn Owl Tyto alba       75 Southern White-faced Owl Ptilopsis granti  76 Spotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africanus      77 Verreaux's Eagle-Owl Bubo lacteus     78 Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum     79 Marsh Owl Asio capensis  80 Rufous-cheeked Nightjar Caprimulgus rufigena  81 African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus       82 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba      83 Bradfield's Swift Apus bradfieldi   84 Little Swift Apus affinis       

6 © Naturetrek October 17

Tour Report South Africa- The Cape & Kalahari

September Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 85 White-rumped Swift Apus caffer    86 White-backed Mousebird Colius colius          87 Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus   88 Purple Roller Coracias naevius  89 Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus      90 Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristatus  91 Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima   92 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis  93 Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus         94 White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides  95 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster     96 African Hoopoe Upupa africana          97 Common Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas       98 African Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus  99 Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus leucomelas       100 Acacia Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas       101 Crested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii    102 Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni    103 Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens    104 Pririt Batis Batis pririt       105 Bokmakierie Telophorus zeylonus     106 Crimson-breasted Shrike Laniarius atrococcineus      107 Brubru Nilaus afer   108 Southern Fiscal Lanius collaris         109 Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis      110 Cape Crow Corvus capensis     111 Pied Crow Corvus albus        112 Fairy Flycatcher Stenostira scita  113 Ashy Tit Parus cinerascens  114 Eastern Clapper Lark Mirafra fasciolata     115 Fawn-coloured Lark Calendulauda africanoides        116 Sabota Lark Calendulauda sabota      

© Naturetrek October 17 7

Tour Report South Africa- The Cape & Kalahari

September Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 117 Karoo Long-billed Lark Certhilauda subcoronata  118 Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata    119 Pink-billed Lark Spizocorys conirostris  120 Black-eared Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix australis  121 Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix verticalis   122 African Red-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus nigricans        123 Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola       124 White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis      125 Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula       126 Greater Striped Swallow Cecropis cucullata      127 Red-breasted Swallow Cecropis semirufa   128 South African Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon spilodera    129 Long-billed Crombec Sylvietta rufescens  130 Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris  131 African Reed Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus   132 Neddicky Cisticola fulvicapilla  133 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis  134 Black-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans           135 Karoo Prinia Prinia maculosa   136 Rufous-eared Warbler Malcorus pectoralis   137 Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis     138 Chestnut-vented Warbler Sylvia subcaerulea        139 Orange River White-eye Zosterops pallidus        140 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis   141 Cape Starling Lamprotornis nitens          142 Pied Starling Lamprotornis bicolor  143 Pale-winged Starling Onychognathus nabouroup    144 Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus  145 Groundscraper Thrush Psophocichla litsitsirupa     146 Karoo Thrush Turdus smithi     147 Cape Robin-Chat Cossypha caffra    148 Kalahari Scrub Robin Erythropygia paena         

8 © Naturetrek October 17

Tour Report South Africa- The Cape & Kalahari

September Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 149 Karoo Scrub Robin Erythropygia coryphoeus   150 African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus  151 Mountain Wheatear Oenanthe monticola  152 Familiar Chat Oenanthe familiaris         153 Sickle-winged Chat Emarginata sinuata  154 -eating Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora         155 Short-toed Rock Thrush Monticola brevipes       156 Chat Flycatcher Bradornis infuscatus     157 Marico Flycatcher Bradornis mariquensis       158 Fiscal Flycatcher Sigelus silens    159 White bellied Sunbird Cinnyris talatala  160 Dusky Sunbird Cinnyris fuscus    161 White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali         162 Sociable Weaver Philetairus socius          163 House Sparrow Passer domesticus      164 Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus            165 Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus          166 Scaly-feathered Weaver Sporopipes squamifrons           167 Southern Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus       168 Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea      169 Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba   170 Red-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala    171 Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala   172 Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis  173 Violet-eared Waxbill Uraeginthus granatinus   174 Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild   175 Black-faced Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos   176 Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis       177 African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp  178 African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus    179 Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis  180 Buffy Pipit Anthus vaalensis  

© Naturetrek October 17 9

Tour Report South Africa- The Cape & Kalahari

September Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 181 Black-throated Canary Crithagra atrogularis   182 Yellow Canary Crithagra flaviventris          183 White-throated Canary Crithagra albogularis   184 Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi   185 Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis   186 Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris  

Reptiles (h=heard only) September Common name Scientific name 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 1 Leopard Tortoise Stigmochelis pardalis   2 Ground Agama Agama aculeata      3 Southern Rock Agama Agama atra    4 Rock Monitor Varanus albigularis  5 Karasburg Tree Skink Trachylepis sparsa      6 Crag Lizard Cordyluis sp.   7 Augrabies Flat Lizard Platysaurus broadleyi   8 Bibron’s Thick-toed (Short-t.) Gecko Pachydactylus bibroni     9 Barking Gecko Ptenopus garrulus h h  10 Water Monitor Varanus salvator  11 Spotted Sand Lizard edioplanis lineoocellata  12 Cape Cobra Naja nivea  13 Kalahari Sand Snake Psammophis trinasalis 

10 © Naturetrek October 17