Photo: Jackie During Photo: Dalene Preston Photo: Gwendolen Tee Photo: Gwendolen Tee Photo: J. van Rensburg
Bird Sightings 2007
Reported from all National Parks
27 April-1 May
Richtersveld National Park
European bee-eater, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Red-eyed Bulbul, Cape Turtle dove, Egyptian Goose, Goliath Heron, Grey Heron, Pied Kingfisher, Brown Throated Martin, moorhen, Redfaced Mousebird, feral Pigeon, Cape Robin-chat , Pale winged starling, Lesser double collared Sunbird, Cape Wagtail, Pied Wagtail and Cape White-eye. As reported by Peter Sumner
May
Tsitsikamma National Park
The boardwalk (just after or before crossing the Groot Rivier): I came across loads of Knysna Louries/Turacos, and had great views of Cape Batis, Bluemantled Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, Dusky Flycatcher, Olive Woodpecker and most thrilling of all, Striped Flufftail were calling eerily from adjacent the walkway. Grey Cuckoo-shrike was also in attendance. Chorister Robin-chat, Olive Thrush and Narina Trogon. As reported by Chris Patton
5 June
Kruger National Park, Shabeni Hill
• Striped Pipit As reported by Chris Patton
13 June
Kruger National Park, Letaba
Saw a group of Redheaded Finch in company with Chesntut-backed and Grey-backed Sparrowlarks, African Quailfinch and Larklike Bunting at the Malopenya waterhole north of Letaba on 13 June this year. Presumably all to do with migration out of the drought- stricken Northern Cape/NorthWest/Nothern Limpopo. As reported by Neil Gray
June
Kruger National Park
Fairy Flycatcher, seen on the Fayi Loop just south of Pretoriuskop Camp, and the other two were Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher ad Cape Batis, seen on the perimeter of the camp... and ...We have seen flocks of Grey-backed Sparrowlarks around Shingwedzi and Satara; several Marico Flycatchers near Olifants and Orpen; and Lark-like Buntings on the Olifants trail, and near Satara. As reported by SA BirdNet members.
1-7July
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Barbet Acacia Pied, Batis Pririt , Brubru, Bulbul Red-eyed, Bustard Kori, Buzzard Steppe, Canary Yellow, Chat Anteating, Chat Familiar, Crow Cape, Dove Cape Turtle-, Dove Laughing, Drongo Fork-tailed, Eagle Martial, Eagle Tawny, Falcon Lanner, Finch Scaly- feathered, Fiscal Common, Flycatcher Chat, Flycatcher Marico, Goshawk Southern Pale Chanting, Hornbill Southern Yellow-billed, Korhaan Northern Black, Lapwing Crowned, Lark Fawn-coloured, Lark Spike-heeled, Martin Rock, Ostrich Common, Owlet Pearl- spotted, Prinia Black-chested, Robin Brown Scrub-, Sandgrouse Burchell's, Sandgrouse Namaqua, Shrike Crimson-breasted, Sparrow Cape, Sparrow House (not on official list for Kgalagadi), Sparrow Southern Grey-headed, Sparrow-Weaver White-browed, Sparrowlark Grey-backed, Starling Cape Glossy, Thrush Groundscraper, Tit Cape Penduline-, Tit-Babbler Chestnut-vented, Weaver Sociable, Wheatear CappedRecorded 65 bird species. As reported by Johan van Rensburg
4 July
Mokala National Park
• Recorded 65 bird species. • Purple Roller, Female Pygmy Falcon, Short-toed Rock-thrush, Kalahari Scrub- robin, Rufous-eared Warbler, Cape Wagtail, African Quailfinch, Red-headed Finch, Pririt Batis, Fairy Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Ashy Tit, Long- billed Crombec, Sabota, Bradfield’s and Fawn-coloured Lark, African Pipit, Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk, Black-shouldered Kite, Greater Kestrel, Mountain and Capped Wheatear. As reported by Dawie and Sarieta Kleynhans
7 July
Kruger National Park
Redheaded Finch feeding in a party with Cut throat Finches and Greybacked Finchlarks. We were on the main road between Skukuza and Satara (closer to Satara) and they were feeding on the side of the road. As reported by Amanda Haggett
6-8 July
Augrabies National Park
Barbet Acacia Pied, Bee-eater Swallow-tailed, Bee-eater White-fronted (out of normal distribution range), Bulbul African Red-eyed, Bunting Lark-like, Canary White-throated, Dove Laughing, Drongo Fork-tailed, Eagle Booted, Eagle Verreaux's, Falcon Pygmy, Fiscal Common, Francolin Cape, Hamerkop, Ibis Hadeda, Kingfisher Striped, Lark Fawn- coloured, Lark Sabota, Martin Rock, Moorhen Common, Mousebird White-backed, Pigeon Speckled, Prinia Black-chested, Robin-Chat Cape, Sparrow Cape, Sparrow House (not on official Augrabies list), Sparrow Southern Grey-headed, Starling Pale- winged, Sunbird Dusky, Wagtail African Pied, Weaver Sociable, Weaver Southern Masked-, White-eye Orange River.
I suspect that the specie variety were low due to the drought experienced in this area. It may also explain the "vagrant" white-fronted bee-eater. As reported by Johan van Rensburg
8 July
West Coast National Park
Doing our 34th year of wader and wetland birds count at West Coast National Park, I saw on my count at the old windmill area (restricted area near white cliffs) an adult or certainly mature Osprey took off from one of the telephone poles carrying a fish. As reported by Brian Vanderwalt
20 July
West Coast National Park
• Common Redshank was photographed at Geelbek Hide. As reported by Hannelie de Klerk
20 July
Tanqua Karoo National Park
• On Saturday morning hundreds of Namaqua Sandgrouses gathered here to drink. • A few Blackheaded Canaries came to drink as well and in the pan was a very early Common Greenshank. • Greybacked Sparrowlarks and some more Blackheaded Canaries along the Tanqua River. • Juvenile Black Harrier sitting on a telephone pole. • Other raptors were Greater Kestrel and Pale Chanting Goshawk. • Around Roodewerf and Maansedam Ludwig's Bustards is abundant, flying in groups of up to 10 birds. • Larks were displaying like mad and Karoo, Largebilled and Spikeheeled Larks are every where. • Karoo Korhaan is often heard calling and the other "normal" Karoo species are also enjoying the lush vegetation. • We also saw a Secretarybird. As reported by Japie Claassen
28 June-2 July
Kruger National Park
Dickenson’s Kestrel - On the Northern Plain 4x4 trail just south of the Roan boma. There were also resent reports of this species a Klopperfontein dam. Arnot’s Chat - a group of 7 seen along the S60 road. Retz’s Helmet Shike - a group was seen along the S60 and a group of 11 was found roosting in a tree along the flycatcher trail in Punda Maria Camp. Grey-backed Sparrowlark - seen on several localities along the Northern Plains 4x4 track as well as at the Klopperfontein dam - no Chestnut-backed Sparrowlarks seen. African Paradise-Flycatcher, Black-Throated Wattle-eye, Narina Trogon (female), Tropical Boubou, White-Crowned Lapwing, African Yellow White-Eye - Pafuri Picnic spot. Crowned Hornbill - Punda Maria camp. Shelly’s Francolin - At the start of the Northern Plains 4x4 trail. Ashy Flycatcher - Pafuri and Punda Maria camp (common) Terrestrial Brownbul - Punda Maria camp Yellow-bellied Greenbul - Common and very tame. Mocking Cliff-chat - at rocky outcrops next to main road between Punda Maria and Pafuri. Southern Ground-Hornbill - On the Northern Plain 4x4 trail just south of the Roan boma. Bearded Scrub-Robin - Punda Maria Camp - common White-Throated Robin-Chat - Punda Maria Camp - common Little Swift - Punda Maria Lesser Striped Swallow- Punda Maria. ....and lots, lots more... As reported by Rihann F. Geyser.
August
Kruger National Park
• Wahlberg's eagle, Yellow-billed/black Kite and Barn Swallow along the Luvuvhu River recently. As reported by Simon Stobbs, head guide at Pafuri Camp.
Sat 11 August
Kruger National Park, Sweni Birdhide
• Greater Painted Snipe. Water Thicknee, Three Banded Plover, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Brown Hooded kingfisher, Burchell's Coucal, Blacksmith Lapwing, Pied Wagtail Cape Wagtail (chased by the Pied in an aerial dogfight with spectacular aerobatics - very entertaining), African Jacana, Black Crake, Hamerkop, Golden Breasted Bunting, Forktailed Drongo, Grey Go Away Bird As reported by Johan Slabbert.
6-7 August
Kruger National Park
• 19 Grey-headed Parrots seen outside Punda Maria on 6th and 7th August and • 1 Dickinson’s Kestrel seen on Mahonie loop 7th August. As reported by Malcolm Gemmell
August
Kruger National Park
• Adult Allen's Gallinule at Lake Panic close to Skukuza, the bird was spotted close by to the dam wall. As reported by J.P Le Roux
August
West Coast National Park
Bokmakierie, Bulbul Cape, Buzzard Jackal, Canary Brimstone, Coot Red knobbed, Cormorant White fronted, Crow Pied, Egret Cattle, Heron Black headed, Flamingo Greater, Flamingo Lesser, Francolin Cape, Grebe Little, Guineafowl Helmeted,Gull Hartlaub's, Gull Kelp, Harrier Black, Ibis Hadeda, Ibis Sacred, Kestrel Rock, Kite Black shouldered, Mousebird Red faced, Ostrich, Pelican White backed, Prinia Karoo, Shrike Fiscal, Sparrow Cape, Starling Redwing, Stilt Black winged, Sunbird Malachite, Swift Alpine, Thrush Olive, Weaver Cape As reported by Peter Sumner
September
Kruger National Park
• Variable (formerly known as Yellow-bellied) Sunbird recorded by several independent birders in the Crook's Corner area of Pafuri in Northern Kruger.
October
Kruger National Park, Skukuza
• River Warbler sighted at boardwalk at Skukuza nursery As reported by Philip Coetzee
December
Various National Parks
• American Golden Plover; Nossob Camp, Kalahari Transfrontier Park. • Black-tailed Godwit; Seeberg Birdhide, West Coast National Park. • Green Sandpiper; Limpopo River floodplain near Pafuri, Kruger National Park. • Striped Crake; Wilderness Safaris Pafuri camp, Kruger National Park. • Corn Crake; S56, Kruger National Park. • Black Winged Pratincole; Grootvlei Dam, Kruger National Park.
December
Kruger National Park
• Dwarf Bittern, near Skukuza Nesting Grey Hornbills, Steppe and Lesser Spotted Eagle, 20 active Wahlberg’s Eagle nests, Kori Bustard, Red-crested Korhaan, Marabou Stork including one tagged by EWT, Woolly-necked and Saddle-billed, Yellow-billed and Black Stork. As reported by Andre Botha (EWT).
December
Kruger National Park
• Pel’s Fishing-owl • Lemon-breasted Canary • Green Sandpiper, • Striped Crake Two flocks of Amur Falcons, 20-30 birds each; one flock near to Punda Maria 14 December. As reported by Geoff Lockwood.
December
Kruger National Park, Pafuri Triangle
• Pel’s Fishing-owl • River Warbler • Dusky Lark • Striped Crake • Boehm’s Spinetail • Black throated Wattle Eye • Corn Crake • Olive Tree Warbler As reported by Bruce Lawson.
10 December
Kruger National Park
• Black Winged Pratincole; flying south along Letaba River. As reported by Adam Welz.
25-27 December
Augrabies National Park
Barbet Pied, Batis Pririt, Bee-eater Swallowtailed, Bishop Red, Brubru, Bulbul Redeyed, Buzzard European Honey-, Canary Whitethroated, Yellow; Chat Familiar, Coucal Burchell's, Crake Black, Cuckoo Diederik, Jacobin; Darter, Dove Cape Turtle, Laughing, Namaqua, Redeyed; Drongo Forktailed, Eagle African Fish, Verreaux's; Falcon Pygmy, Finch Scalyfeathered, Flycatcher Chat, Spotted; Goose Egyptian, Hoopoe African, Ibis Hadeda, Lark Fawncoloured, Karoo Longbilled, Sabota (Bradfield's); Martin Brownthroated, Rock; Mousebird Whitebacked, Ostrich, Owl Barn, Pigeon Speckled, Prinia Blackchested, Robin Kalahari Scrub-, Karoo Scrub-; Robin-Chat Cape, Sandgrouse Namaqua, Shrike Lesser Grey, Sparrow Cape, Southern Greyheaded; Sparrowlark Greybacked, Sparrowweaver Whitebrowed, Starling Palewinged, Sunbird Dusky Swallow Greater Striped, Whitethroated; Swift Alpine, Little, Palm; Tit-Babbler Chestnut-vented, Wagtail African Pied, Cape, Waxbill Common, Weaver Sociable, Southern Masked-; Wheatear Mountain, White-eye Orange River, Woodpecker Cardinal, Goldentailed As reported by Johann, SANParks Forum member.
27-29 December
Kruger National Park
Bee-eater: European, Swallowtailed: Brubru, Bulbu:l Redeyed, Bustard: Kori, Blackthroated, and Yellow Canary,Chat: Anteating, Crombec: Longbilled, Crow: Pied, Cuckoo: Black, Diederik, and Jacobin, Dove: Cape Turtle, Laughing and Namaqua, Drongo: Forktailed ,Eremomela: Yellowbellied ,Finch: Redheaded and Scalyfeathered, Flycatcher: Fiscal, Marico and Spotted ,Goose: Egyptian ,Goshawk: Pale Chanting, Guineafowl: Helmeted ,Honeyguide: Lesser, Hoopoe: African , Hornbill: Southern Yellowbilled , Korhaan: Redcrested and Whitewinged ,Lark: Eastern Clapper, Fawncoloured, Sabota (also Bradfield's) ,Martin: Rock Mousebird: Redfaced and Whitebacked , Neddicky , Nightjar: Rufouscheeked, Ostrich, Owl: Barn and Pearlspotted, Pipit: Grassveld, Prinia: Blackchested, Robin: Kalahari Scrub, Rockthrush: Shorttoed, Shrike and Crimsonbreasted, Fiscal, Lesser Grey, Redbacked, Sparrow: Cape, Southern and Greyheaded, Sparrowweaver: Whitebrowed, Starling: Glossy, Swallow: Barn, Greater Striped Tchagra Threestreaked, Tit:: Ashy, Tit-Babbler: Chestnut-vented, Wagtail: Cape, Waxbill: Violeteared, Weaver Sociable and Southern Masked, Wheatear: Mountain, Whydah: Shafttailed, Woodhoopoe: Scimitarbilled Woodpecker: Cardinal, and Goldentailed. As reorted by Johann (SANParks Forum Member).
30 December
Kruger National Park
• Thickbilled-Cuckoo, Kaniedood Loop. As reported by Robert Rotteveel.
December
Mapungubwe National Park
Painted Snipe, Western Marsh Harrier, Corncrake, Lesser Moorhen, Allen’s Gallinule, Burchell’s Sandgrouse, Senegal Coucal, Three-banded Courser, African crake, Eurasian Hobby. As reported by Dewald Swanepoel.
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Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 7:30 pm Post subject:
Birds my wife and I saw on the WCNP meet last Sunday. 33 species and a few lbj's that we could not ID.
Bokmakierie Bulbul Cape Buzzard Jackal Canary Brimstone Coot Red knobbed Cormorant White fronted Crow Pied Egret Cattle Heron Black headed Flamingo Greater Flamingo Lesser Francolin Cape Grebe Little Guineafowl Helmeted Gull Hartlaub's Gull Kelp Harrier Black Ibis Hadeda Ibis Sacred Kestrel Rock Kite Black shouldered Mousebird Red faced Ostrich Pelican White backed Prinia Karoo Shrike Fiscal Sparrow Cape Starling Redwing Stilt Black winged Sunbird Malachite Swift Alpine Thrush Olive Weaver Cape BB