Eastern VI 2nd to 16th June 2017 (14 Days) Trip Report

Bateleur by Adam Riley

Trip Report compiled by Tour Leader, Greg de Klerk

Trip Report – RBT South Africa - Eastern VI 2017 2 ______Tour Summary The Eastern South Africa tour is designed to focus on South Africa’s diverse and dynamic habitats and the associated species. From the epic Sani Pass at 2,784m above sea level to the dry Sand Forest of the KwaZulu-Natal north-eastern coastline and the Highveld grasslands of Wakkerstroom, we had the opportunity to explore the full spectrum as we traversed the eastern side of the country during our 14- day tour, connecting with an array of species.

Our tour started with a quiet and calm arrival day in the bustling metropolis of Johannesburg. Our convenient and well-appointed guest house welcomed us and before we settled in, we had a chance to bird, connecting with the common Hadada Ibis, Western Cattle Egret, Grey-headed Gull, Grey Go-away-bird, African Palm Swift, Red-faced and Speckled Mousebirds, Pied Crow, Fork-tailed Drongo, Cape White-eye, numerous Dark-capped Bulbul, the introduced Common Myna and House Sparrow, Karoo Thrush, Cape Robin-Chat, Red-billed Quelea, Cape Sparrow, Southern Masked Weaver, Southern Red Bishop, Cape White-eye by Adam Riley Red-headed Finch, Cape Wagtail, Speckled Pigeon, and Rock, Red-eyed, Ring-necked and Laughing Doves before meeting for a welcome dinner later that evening and an early night ahead of a busy tour.

We woke early the next morning, leaving our guest house just before sunrise. Beautiful but icy cold conditions welcomed us as we arrived at the Zaagkuildrift Road, a patch of arid savanna which runs parallel to a small, dry riverbed and a great wetland. This represented our only opportunity to connect with many species only found in the more arid savanna environment usually associated with the western half of South Africa. Our day of birding here proved very successful, as we managed to connect with many species, including White-faced Whistling Duck, Spur-winged and Egyptian Goose, Knob-billed and Yellow-billed Duck, Red-billed Teal, Little Grebe, Glossy Ibis, African Spoonbill, Squacco, Grey and Black-headed Herons, Great Egret, Reed Cormorant, Common Moorhen, Black-winged Stilt, African Wattled, Crowned and Blacksmith Lapwing, Kittlitz’s Plover, African Jacana, Brown-throated Martin, Whiskered Tern, Pied and Brown-hooded Kingfishers, Helmeted Guineafowl, Crested Francolin, and Natal and Swainson’s Spurfowl.

A host of raptors also made an appearance, including Black-winged Kite, a pair of Black-chested Snake Eagle, Gabar Goshawk, Little Sparrowhawk and African Fish Eagle; while we also managed to connect with a large number of Pied Crow. We were also lucky when Namaqua Dove, Grey Go-away-bird, Burchell’s Coucal, Lilac-breasted Roller, Pearl-spotted Owlet and Southern White- Burchell’s Coucal by Greg de Klerk

Trip Report – RBT South Africa - Eastern VI 2017 3 ______faced Owl were all located as we progressed. African Hoopoe, and Crested and Acacia Pied Barbet provided further excellent views; while we also had wonderful looks at Magpie and Southern White- crowned , Brubru and Brown-crowned Tchagra. The entertaining Southern Red-billed, Southern Yellow-billed and African Grey Hornbills showed very well, and we also had wonderful views of Black-headed Oriole and Cardinal Woodpecker. The very loud Black-backed Puffback was joined by numerous Fork-tailed Drongo and a single Rufous-naped Lark; while Long-billed Crombec, Green-winged Pytilia, Rattling Cisticola, noisy Arrow-marked Babbler, White-browed Scrub Robin and Chestnut-vented Warbler were common in the thickets.

The iridescent Cape and Burchell’s Starling captured our attention; while a flock of Red- Southern White-crowned Shrike by Greg de Klerk billed Oxpeckers gleaned para