Trip Reports

Tanqau Trip 10/10/2003-11/10/2003

On Friday morning (10/10/2003) I joined Pieter la Grange Sr. for a two day trip to the Tanqau Karoo. Pieter was looking for a Burchell's Courser and Cape Eagle Owl, and me, well the opportunities for lifers was indeed a very long list.
The wheels started to roll at 11 o'clock and the triplist started immediately with an Olive Thrush and the things you expect to see on your way to work (if you live in the Western Cape ;). The first surprise was finding a White Pelican in the middle of an wheat field with no water in sight. It must be said that Voėlvleidam was just behind the rise. To the opposite side of the ride we also saw a whole group of White Storks, Cape Gulls and Sacred Ibis.
We continued through Wellington where the people living close to the Lesser Kestrel roost told us the Kestrels hasn't showed up yet. On our way we more than once spotted a Booted Eagle winging it. Just as we passed through Ceres we saw a lovely Gymnogene (African Hawk-Eagle) slowly flying past us. What a tick for a Tanqau triplist!
Further down the road we stopped where a dam flanks both sides of the road. Here we picked up all 3 Grebe species together with a host of other waterfowl.
Together with the Gymnogene, the Black Stork we spotted just before Theronsbergpass account for the two more unusual birds on our triplist.
Entering the Tanqua proper we located a few Namaqua Warblers a little further down the road than usual. The reeds next to the road has burnt down recently and the Warblers were located where the tar change to gravel for the second time.
At Eierkop a party of Karoo Eremomelas was busy feeding and we had lovely views of them (3 birds).
Between Eierkop and Skitterykloof (Katbakkies) it seemed as if all the birds disappeared from the Tanqau. Shortly before we entered the kloof we spotted two European Bee-eaters and a bit further down the road three Lark-like Buntings flying across the road. At the picnic spot things came alive again. We were greeted by two very friendly Cape Buntings that came to close to photograph with a bigger lens. We also quickly spotted a Pririt Batis. Also in attendance was two Pale-winged Starlings and a couple of Red-winged Starlings. Over flying were a couple of South African Shelduck. The biggest thrill at the picnic site was certainly the 50+ European Bee-eaters coming together to roost. We also found a nesting hole of two Acacia Pied Barbets.
Later in the evening we went on a drive to see if we could locate any Cape Eagle Owls, without luck. The dip on owls was so complete that we didn't even hear any owls, let alone see any.
Saturday morning saw us heading for the Tanqau Guesthouse and the Tanqau Park. On our way we saw the occasional Lark or group of White-throated Canaries but mostly there was nothing in sight. Not to far from the guesthouse we stopped at one of the dry riverbeds to identify two small birds that flew across the road, which turned out to be Karoo Prinias, and stumbled across a Karoo Lark, which gave us wonderful views while feeding not more than 10 metres in front of us.
On to the guesthouse, which stands in stark contrast to the sparsely spread bird numbers of the road to the guesthouse. At the dam we encountered a host of waterfowls of which the huge number of South African Shelduck was most impressive.
The Tanqau park itself revealed not much in terms of birding. We only saw two pairs of Namaqau Sandgrouse and the highlight of the park, a family of Black-eared Sparrowlarks.
Turning around we were heading back home. On our return journey we didn't added anything new to our triplist and saw much of the same as the previous day. We totalled 96 species for the first day, 85 on the second day adding up to a total of 110 species for the two days.
For a complete list please see the sightings page.

West Coast National Park Trip 13/04/2004

Joslyn and I left Stellenbosch at 5 o'clock in the morning; the destination of the day: the West Coast National park. The early start, still dark made the few kilometers quite uneventfull birding-wise. The early start did have its benefits in the form of a Spotted Eagle Owl, the first bird of the morning. During the next 30 min we saw another 4 Spotted Eagle Owls, all on the road between Malmesbury and Darling.
Arriving at the gate of the West Coast NP we quickly picked up Cape Robin, Karoo Robin, Bokmakierie, Cape Francolin and Pied Starling. Our daylist was growing. The next half and hour saw us stopping frequently for all kinds of birds waking up for a new day.
We first headed for Abrahamskraal. I was surprised at the no less than 8 Balck Crakes that was running around. The last time I was here there was very few birds, and no Crakes at all. A host of other birds was also in attendance; Cape Bulbul, African Stonechat, Black-winged Stilts, Wattled Starlings, Pied Starlings, Wood Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Cape Bunting and a host of other species.
From here we headed for Seeberg. High-tide was at 07:34 and we arrived at Seeberg at 08:30. Here we added Common Ringed Plover, White-fronted Plover, Common Whimbrel, Red Knot, Curlew Sandpiper and a few more to the list.
Heading back to Geelbek and and the Manor House we decided to see if we can find a Korhaan at the Seeberg Viewpoint and indeed we did. Right at the top just before you enter the parking area we spotted a lovely female Souther Black Korhaan just to the left of the road. She entertained us with a lovely sighting and allowed us good photographic possibilities (an image will be posted soon).
Nothing exciting was happening at the Manor House so we headed for Geelbek hide at about 10:30. The water was still quite high but a few Greenshanks already started to feed to the right of the hide. It wasn't long before the Ruffs started to join them. Other birds added to the list was Little Stint, Ruddy Turnstone, Greater Flamingo's and a few more. The highlight of the day must have been the Osprey that came flying over the hide about 20 min. before we left. It proceded to catch a fish in spectacular diving style about 150 meters from the hide and flying it to dry ground to the left of the hide.
From Geelbek we started to head home. Along the road we kept a lookout for larks and Pipits and we weren't disappointed. We added African Pipit, Cape Longclaw and Large-billed Lark to our list on the way back.
Back in Stellenbosch we made a quick circular drive of town to pick up on a few birds we dipped on during the morning. Our biggest dips for day was most probably Cape White-eyes and Red-winged Starlings. Our daylist total ended on a 100 species.
For a complete list please see the sightings page.

Little Blue Heron Trip (Papendorp) 08/05/2004

The planned start of 4 o'clock didn't realize at all. Just after 6 o'clock the wheels started rolling and I headed towards the N7 for a day's birding, chasing down a seemingly very settled Little Blue Heron at Papendorp. Trying to get to Papendorp as early as possible I didn't stop to do any birding on the way up, though the regulars did keep my trip list ticking over. The first bird on the list was a calling Cape Robin-Chat just as I was leaving the house. The next two birds I saw on the road was Spotted Eagle Owls (Next BBD we are not going to dip on these again, just an earlier start!) followed by Helmeted Guineafowl, Jackal Buzzard, Egyptian and Spurwinged Geese, Common Fiscal and a few more.
Arriving at Papendorp I was a bit daunted by the size of the river mouth and no idea where to start searching. An elderly gentleman directed me to the building that was reported in some of the latest e-mails about the Little Blue Heron. Past this old building (used to be or old community hall/church) a road goes down to the flood flats of the mouth. Sacred Ibis, Great White Pelican, Blacksmith Lapwing, White-breasted Cormorant and Bokmakierie was quickly added to the list, but no signs of the Little Blue Heron.
Not being able to drive any further I started searching on foot next to the river bank. Directly opposite of the old building, on the river bank Pied Kingfishers and a Grey Heron was making use of two dingies (small rowing boats) as a perch. And in between these, the Little Blue Heron. Chase successful!!
On the way back to the car the list grew with Cape Penduline Tit and a single Southern Grey Tit. Cape Sparrows, a Bokamkierie duet and more Pelicans also kept me entertained.
Being alone I couldn't do to much birding while driving so on the way back to Stellenbosch I dipped on the Larks and Pipits for my day list. Just south of Clanwilliam I made a small trip into Kransvleipoort. Here I was greeted by a Fairy Flycatcher before I even entered the poort and not 100 m further a Ground Woodpecker was calling from its rock. I continued thought the poort and added Familiar Chat, Speckled Pigeon, Yellowbellied Eremomela and a few others to the trip list.
From here I started heading home in all earnest, the rugby was starting at 5! On the last stretch Namaqua Dove, Hadeda Ibis, White Stork was added amongst others. All in all 78 species was seen during the trip, including 3 lifers, 6 species added to my Western Cape list and 1 specie added to my South African list.
For a complete list please see the sightings page.

Conference at Swartkopsriver, Port Elizabeth (Sumcay Centre) 23/06/2004 - 25/06/2004

I had the privilege of attending a conference at the Sumcay Youth Centre on the banks of the Swartkopsriver just outside of PE. Leaving Stellenbosch on the 22nd we headed for Vleesbaai where we made an overnight stop. Before leaving on the 23rd I succeeded in doing a small amount of birding, about 30 mins, around the house we stayed in and on the way to the gate as we left. I added three species to my year list, with brilliant views of a Sombre Bulbul and a Southern Boubou. There was also two Black Oystercatchers busy feeding on the beach. The list added up to 24 species in this very limited time.
Arriving at Sumcay centre at 14:00 we enjoyed lunch and were free to unpack and enjoy the venue till the first paper was read at 16:00. After unpacking I made a my way around the meeting hall just to see what the venue is like. Not half way around the meeting hall and I spotted the first highlight of the week, a beautiful Black Egret. This bird was spotted more than once every day in the company of Little Egrets just below the meeting hall. After enjoying the Black Egret the next highlight of the week awaited not 20 metres further, a Half-collared Kingfisher and a lifer on top of it all. The last bird to be added to the list just before the first paper was my second lifer, and another highlight for the week, for the day, a Knysna Woodpecker. The list added up to 35 species at the end of the day with a total amount of birding adding up to approximately 60 mins and never more than 200 metres from the meeting hall.
The 24th seen most of the same birds. What was impressive was the numbers of birds in the area. Up to 17 Little Egrets was counted at some stages with at least 8 always present. The Cape Weavers and Amethyst Sunbirds were collecting nesting material and building nests. To my surprise I didn't see one Black-headed Heron during our stay. The were quite a few Grey Herons for most of the day around the area. Caspian Terns was also spotted with regular intervals flying over the river, together with Grey-headed and Kelp(/Cape) Gulls. During one of the tea breaks a Klaas's Cuckoo was heard calling. To end of the day a big camp fire was build and we were treated to the calling of at least 5 different Fiery-necked Nightjars and 2 Pearl-spotted Owlets. The days total added up to 51 with a total of time spend birding about 2 hours.
The next morning was a mad dash to pack, vacate rooms, pack the cars and attend the reading of three more papers. Birding was cut to a minimum but on a last walk around the meeting hall 5 Kingfisher species was seen. Half-collared, Brown-hooded, Pied, Giant and Malachite. The Black Egret came to say good-bye and African Hoopoe and Dusky Flycatcher was added to the list. The mornings list added up to 28 in less than 30 mins. After lunch we are back on the road again heading for Stellenbosch.
For a complete list please see the sightings page.

Kruger National Park : 14 July 2004 - 24 July 2004.

14 July 2004 - Day of the Raptor

Just after sunrise my wife and I arrived at the Numbi Gate for a much-anticipated holiday in the Kruger Park. Our objectives were set out clearly. Enjoy the trip from the south of the park to the north, make the most of the Nyala trail, a birding target of 200 species and hopefully 20 lifers, and if it is a really good trip have the privilege of seeing a leopard and Pel's Fishing-owl (5 Target species for the trip is 1. Pel's Fishing-owl, 2. African Finfoot, 3. Pygmy Geese, 4. Crested Guineafowl, 5. Yellow-billed Oxpecker). From Numbi gate we headed for Skukuza via Berg-en-Dal. The first highlight of the day was a wonderful display by a Black-chested Snake-eagle. This was to set the tone for the day, raptors and then some more. Martial Eagle, Bateleur, Long-crested Eagle, African Fish Eagle, Brown Snake-eagle and Black-shouldered Kite. For most of these species we had more than one sighting for the day. The highlight at Berg-en-Dal was a lovely pair of Cut-throat Finch. The day progressed with a variety of birds not seen in the Western Cape and our year list grew with leaps and bounds, as did our trip list. Magpie Shrike, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Red-billed Quelea, Glossy Starling, Golden-breasted Bunting and many more of the more common species were seen in numbers. Then our first birding surprise, a male African Paradise-flycatcher. What a lovely sighting. Further north on our way to Skukuza we had the privilege to meet the first of the Big 5 for the holiday; a colossal rhino not far from Rhino Pan. Leaving the Rhino behind we continued slowly with all the windows open to catch the smallest sound that might help us find an unseen bird calling from a tree or bush. A parrot-like sound made us stop, reverse and in a tree was the first lifer of the trip, a Brown-headed Parrot feeding right next to the road. Time was pushing and with early gate closing times we had to move on. Late afternoon saw the next highlight for the day; an extended dead branch of a tree that turned out to be a Pearl-spotted Owlet. The best views we ever had of this little owl and the first owl for the trip, delightful!
While we were getting our home ready for the night, opening our sleeping bags in the back of a VW mini-bus, a Bearded Scrub-Robin kept us entertained. After finishing this small task we headed down to the riverfront hoping to catch a glimpse of the all-elusive African Finfoot. On our way to the riverfront we spotted an Ashy Flycatcher. The riverbanks were quiet with not much bird activity, only Pied and Giant Kingfisher and a lone Blacksmith Lapwing in attendance. After waiting for a few minutes we started heading back to camp just as a Buffalo made his way to the water. This beautiful sighting was complimented by another; a White-browed Robin-Chat in the shrubs just next to where we were standing. But no luck on the Finfoot.
What a start to our holiday, 69 species and 5 lifers on our first day. Scattered through the day was a variety of Elephant sightings that brought the Big 5 sightings to 3.

15 July 2004 - Highlights aplenty

Up at 04:45 to get for the morning drive saw us on the road at 05:30. The drive continued quietly till we spotted a Spotted Hyena crossing the road and at the same time a Saddle-billed Stork feeding in a small pool next to the road. Not everybody was to impressed when we called to stop for the Stork and the Hyena disappearing into the bush. We had beautiful sightings on the drive of Crested and Natal Francolin and Swainson's Spurfowl. Finishing the drive we headed out on the planned route for the day, following the H2-1 to Lower Sabie and returning to Skukuza via the H4-1.
The first bird of note was at a small bridge crossing a river close to Skukuza. An African Finfoot swimming around a rock out of sight, popping back out around another rock and that was it. A short but clear sighting of this elusive bird. Target specie number 2 ticked. What a crackling start to the day. Turning right on the S30 we continued for about another 400m to the next highlight of, not only the day, but the holiday; a leopard lounging about +/- 15m off the road in the shade. We spend some three hours here, hoping for it to get up but that didn't happen. Continuing towards Lower Sabie Arrow-marked Babblers, Dark-capped Bulbuls, Fork-tailed Drongo's was in attendance all along the road. Then the third highlight of the day, a group of 4 Ground Hornbills foraging next to the road. 4 Species of Hornbill were seen next to this road, African Grey, Red-billed and Southern Yellow-billed. The second lifer of the day was also seen just after leaving the Ground Hornbills, a Yellow-breasted Apalis.
We didn't spend too much time at Lower Sabie, but we did find a male Marico Sunbird on the Aloes close to the restrooms. The day kept on getting better the further we drove. Heading back to Skukuza on the H4-1 we were stopped by a huge traffic jam. A young male lion was sleeping on the riverbed. Big 5 completed! This was a first for both my wife and me.
The rest of the day yielded another lifer in the form of a small group of Grey-headed Parrots foraging in a tree. We passed the spot where the leopard was seen the morning and it was still lounging about. We were just in time to see it get up and walk away, ready for the night. What a thrilling sight.
The day ended with a list of 79 species, 4 lifers and the completion of the Big 5 with the sightings of the two cats.

16 July 2004 - Heading North

Another early start was on the books with the long road stretching out to Balule. The day started out where it left off the previous day, with lions at the S30 turn-off out of the H12. They quickly disappeared and we headed back to the bridge crossing the Sabie River. The six young lions came down to the river and we had a lovely sight of the drinking and spending some time in the river. With some distance to cover we continued on northwards.
The day was filled with much more of the same. Shrikes, Starlings, Tchagra, Hornbills, Drongo's were plentiful all the way on the north. The highlight of the day was a small group of White-faced Duck. Our list also grew with Herons and Egrets.
The lifer of the day was a stunning female Black Cuckooshrike seen at Leeupan. Unfortunately we didn't get to see the Pygmy Geese that was reported at the same venue. One of the interesting sightings and all along the road was the number of Burchell's Coucal. They were plentiful, very visible and very silent for most of the time.
Arriving at Balule we were greeted by two Spotted Hyenas at the gate. They patrolled the fence the rest of the evening till after everybody finished their meals. The Hyenas circled the fence while the food was prepared and stopped to lay down right next to the places where people were eating; continuing their patrolling once the meal was finished. It is quite a sight to see a grown Hyena lying down 2 metres from where one is sitting to eat for the duration of the meal.
The highlights of the day were without a doubt the female Black Cuckooshrike, the Hyenas around the camp and the absolute peace and quiet of Balule camp. The day ended with a list of 94 species.

17 July 2004 - Mopanie Veld

An early morning without too many sounds saw us heading out of Balule towards Shingwedzi. The distance had to be covered quickly, we needed to be at Shingwedzi before four and ready for the Sunset drive. Not long into the morning we were stopped by a small bird of prey perching on a power line above the road. Much to our delight it turned out to be a small Lizard Buzzard. It gave us some crackling views of the white throat with the black line in it.
The habitat started to change rapidly into thick Mopanie stands and animal sightings became all the more scarcer. The birds also became a lot more difficult to spot, but the day list grew steadily. We stopped at Letaba for brunch and did about an hours birding in the camp. Speckled Mousebirds and Crested Barbets was enjoying the late morning sun while African Mourning Dove kept us entertained with their beautiful call. Red-winged Starlings was begging people for crumbs or other scraps of food. One of the highlights of the camp was the awesome trees and the Bushbucks walking about in the camp. White-bellied, Marico and Collared Sunbird (the latter being a lifer) enjoyed themselves on the aloes in the camp together with a Black-headed Oriole and Black-collared Barbet. Emsč spotted the only crow of the whole trip from the lookout point, a single Pied Crow.
Further along the road we stopped at Olifantsbad Pan. Here we saw a male Comb Duck, another lifer, and 2 more ducks we couldn't identify. Please see the mystery bird page for a photo of this unidentified species.
Without to many stoppages for animals and birds we made it to Shingwedzi with some time to spare. This gave us the opportunity to explore the camp a bit. Starlings, Mourning Doves and Hornbills were having small parties wherever somebody left some crumbs or scraps of food. Walking about in camp we found a single Lesser Honeyguide, Village Weaver and a Bennett's Woodpecker.
The highlight off the Sunset drive was the African Jacana's that was plentiful at the Kanniedood dam. A Square-tailed Nightjar was seen later during the drive. The drive was marked by an absence of both animals and night birds with only a few sightings few and far between. Elephants and Impala was the most plentiful with one sighting of Sharpe's Grysbok.
The day ended with a list of 96 species seen.

18 July 2004 - The start of a trail

With only 75km to drive for day we decided to sleep a little bit later than the previous days. Thus we only left the camp at 7 o'clock! We started out the day with much excitement due to the start of the Nyala Trail later the day.
Mopanie trees abound and this made sightings of any kind quite difficult. Halfway between Shingwedzi and Punda Maria we spotted a huge nest on top of a tree. While watching the nest for some time the occupants came flying is, two magnificent Secretarybirds.
Once again Buntings, Lapwings, Doves, Hornbills and Francolins filled up our list for the day. Before heading to Punda we decided to quickly drive the Mahonie Loop. The highlight of the loop was, not a bird, but a small herd of Nyala, 18 ewes and 3 rams. We also saw a total of 33 Kudu's on the loop.
About 7 km's from Punda Maria we past 2 elephants next to the road seemingly very agitated. Approximately 500 metres later we found the reason, a man running across the road disappearing into the bush; a trans-migrating Mozambiquen.
In Punda Maria we were entertained by no less than 4 Sunbird species flitting around in the flowering plants up to the reception are, Scarlet-breasted, White-bellied, Marico and Collared.
The Nyala trail guide collected us at 3 o'clock and we headed of to the Nyala camp. En route to the camp we were treated to sightings of two big herds of Buffalo, both more than 50 big and some more Kudu and Nyala. We also had lovely views of a juvenile African Pied Wagtail a one of the drift crossings. Arriving at Nyala camp we found birds aplenty. It was almost dark and the Tropical Boubou's were starting to roost with African Barred Owlet and African Scops-owl calling.
After a lovely evening meal we went to bed early to be ready for the early start the next morning. The day ended with a list of 77 species.

19 July 2004 - Majestic Glory

We woke up at 6 o'clock to find warm water in a basin in front of our hut, coffee and rusks ready in the lapa and the guides waiting to take us on our first walk. We quickly got going heading for the reputable the biggest Baobab in the Kruger Park, some 5000 years old. Our group included a few people who were interested in birds and also a couple who identified trees for a hobby. This made for a very interesting walk. Lots of the birds were only seen fleetingly through the thick Mopanie stands and others just heard.
The sighting of the day came close to the Baobab we were heading towards. A Verreaux's Eagle nest on a cliff face with both parents in attendance keeping a watchful eyes over proceedings below. The Verreaux's Eagle's in the Witwatersrand Botanical Garden hatched two chicks so these Eagle's presumably had a chick or two in the nest. We were treated to some majestic displays by the adult birds. At one stage an African Hawk-eagle joined the fray but soon disappeared out of site. We spend some time with the eagles.
At the Baobab tree a pair of Grey-headed Parrots kept on coming back to the tree and a nest was subsequently spotted. A pair of Brown-hooded Parrots also put in a visit and we had the opportunity to compare the two species.
Heading back to camp we once again enjoyed the scenery of the two Verreaux's Eagles. Back at camp we enjoyed lunch, while a Bearded Woodpecker kept on flying in and out of a nest. Afterwards some took a welcome siesta. Two of us stayed at the lapa and were treated to a plethora of species. Dwarf Mongoose, Ground Squirrels and an Elephant Shrew were running around. An immature Klaas's Cuckoo showed up and Meves's Starlings inspected the grounds for scraps of food. Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Bearded Scrub-Robin, White-browed Scrub-Robin and White-throated Robin-Chat was heard and seen in the trees and bushes around.
After our afternoon walk, we enjoyed a campfire with African Scops-owl and African Barred Owlet calling and elephants breaking trees around the camp. Neither the Owls nor the Elephants seen at all.
Going to bed early the list totalled 50 species for the day.

20 July 2004 - Lifers galore

The same routine as the previous morning found us waking up just before 6 o'clock, warm water waiting in a basin and coffee and rusks ready in the lapa. At last, on the way to the toilet I spot the African Barred Owlet (first lifer of the day). After everybody was ready we enjoyed a short drive to the banks of the Levuhu River. The expectation of Pel's Fishing Owl heavy in the air and the chance to see some really big trees. On the way to the mornings start point we spotted a beautiful Shikra (the second lifer of the day) sitting next to the road.
The first highlight of the day was finding some Ana-trees. Not nearly as big as in Zimbabwe, so says our new friends, but still a sight. Walking along the dense river vegetation it was a tie between looking out for Buffalo's and try to spot a Pel's Fishing Owl. Not successful in spotting the Owl we did see a Purple-crested Turaco on the opposite bank of the river. What an absolutely stunning bird, especially when flying from one tree to another with the red of its wings flashing in the early morning light. At our resting point we were treated to lovely views of a African Pied Wagtail and a White-crowned Lapwing (lifer no 3 for the day)
Returning to the campsite we drove past a Small Buttonquail (lifer no 4 for the day). Back in the camp we were treated to yet another lovely meal followed by a welcome siesta. The few of us who did not go to sleep we treated to a host of different birds. Grey Tit-Flycatcher, Orange-breasted Bush-shrike and Spectacled Weaver all lifers right from the lapa (lifers 5,6 and 7).
Our evening walk took us back to the Levuhu river, but this time up a hill, past the ruins of a peoples long gone and to a view point over looking the river. What a unbelievable scene! Nyala and Impala were drinking water at the river, Baboons foraging on the banks and a crocodile swimming down below. NO! Not a crocodile but two African Finfoots crossing from one bank to the other. Oh what spectacular view did we have of them. They kept us enthralled for the best part of 20 minutes swimming from one bank to the other, continuing along it, crossing back and searching for a roosting place for the night. Not long after this spectacle past we were once again enthralled by yet another spectacle; This time by one of the most common birds in Southern Africa, the Red-billed Quelea. We watched has presumably more than a million birds came in to roost in the Acacia stands next to the river. For more than 5 minutes the sky was occupied by one gigantic river of birds flowing past out vantage point.
Back at camp we enjoyed yet another well prepared meal. Showing Johan, our guide, Robert's Multi-media 3, he asked that we must play him the sounds of the different owls as there is a owl around he couldn't identify yet. It turned out to be a Wood Owl that was heard at all since we were in camp. And like all batteries do, the laptop went dead just after the attempt to identify the owl. Not 5 minutes later the Wood Owl called in the distance, and a few moments later a second!! With no electricity and no battery power there was no way to respond to there calls and call them to camp. What a disappointment! We continued to sit around the campfire listening to all the sounds around the camp and enjoying the last night at Nyala when suddenly the Wood Owl called from the Baobab in the camp's perimeter. Lifer no 8 as we had cracking view of this beautiful little owl. 4 out of the 6 owls around the camp in 3 days!
The list ended on 65 species for the day and 8 lifers!

21 July 2004 - The end of a trail

A day filled with a bit of sadness, our trail experience was fast ending. The morning saw us packing and getting ready to leave, one last breakfast and back to Punda Maria. On the way back the air was alive with sound of elephants trumpeting, most probably upset by people traversing their world, and then we got a flat tire. Some time was spend changing the wheel with people anxiously looking out for elephants in the Mopanie stands that surrounded us. We were back at Punda at approximately 11 o'clock that left us enough time to take a drive to Pafuri.
At Pafuri the Parks Board was busy with a planned burn so the Picnic area turned out to be bit of a disappointment for all the hype it usually generates. The highlight of the picnic site, tis made up for some of the hype, was a Black-throated Wattle-eye. This was by far the biggest surprise of the trip. Also seen at Pafuri was Yellow White-eye, Ashy Flycatcher and African Paradise Flycatcher. At Crook's Corner we came across a small group of Tambourine Doves, but no sign of the Yellow-billed Oxpeckers that have been seen here a few days earlier.
On our way back to Punda Maria we encountered three Silver-backed Jackals and just before we entered Punda a flock of Böhm's Spinetails overhead.
The list totalled 75 species at the end of the day.

22 July 2004 - Going South

Our sojourn in the northern most parts of Kruger came to an end. Our trip list standing at a total of 195 birds with 2 more nights left in the park. We were seriously wondering where the last 4 species would come from. An early morning start was essential to get from Punda Maria to Letaba.
The fist part of the morning saw our day list grow with Starlings, Rollers, Hornbills and Bateleur; all enjoying the planned fires that was ranging for most of the day. These fires made sightings of animals even rarer than they already were in the days before.
The first to be added to our trip list was a Spur-winged Goose; Lesser Striped Swallows followed this later during the day, an African Darter at Mopanie and 2 beautiful Kori Bustards (bird number 200!!) at the end of the day.
The rest of day saw us mostly ticking off birds seen on most of the days of our trip. All in all this was the least exciting day of the trip.
Our day list did find it's way up to 81 species, our trip list to 200 with no lifers on the day.

23 July 2004 - Fires and Night Drives

On our second last day of the trip we had the opportunity to get up a little bit later than the 6 o'clock starts of the previous mornings. We left camp at 7 o'clock and found a lioness and three cubs 3 km from the gate. The first animals we see! We spend some time with them, were surprised by an Elephant coming out of the Mopanie stand and continued our journey to Satara. Next we found a herd of Buffalo's grazing next to the road. We stopped and was soon surrounded by these big, beautiful animals. After they went past we continued our drive to Satara.
Stopping occasionally next to the rivers to scan for any kind of activity we see a wader busy feeding in one of the pools. A Common Greenshank and bird no 201 on our list!! Very happy about this unexpected visitor we continue our trip. Once again the field is ablaze and Rollers and Hornbills feeding on insects fleeing for the fire treat us to spectacular sights more than once. Bateleur eagles were also well attended at these fires.
With little trepidation we unpacked the VW minibus to get our house ready for the night, because before we could go to sleep we had a late night drive booked. With all the fires around Satara we did not know what to expect or if we are going to see anything. The drive left at 8 o'clock and we spotted an African Wildcat 200 metre into the drive, followed by a Chameleon a kilometre or so down the road and then we turned into the area it was burning, still burning. We didn't see anything and questioning the guide on the effect of the fire on the animals, he answered they would leave the area for a while. The question; Why take people on a drive into an area where it is actively burning and the animals have left, especially if you know lions were seen on the Sunset drive in the opposite direction? Thus the drive was not very yielding in terms of any activity except for the first 2 km. The last 2 km turned out to be more active again with a sighting of a Genet and a Verreaux's Eagle-Owl, bird no 202. The last two sightings made the trip a bit better but it was still a disappointing experince.
The day ended with a list of 78 species.

24 July 2004 - Heading Home

The last morning in the Park and we decided to drive to Orpen gate via N'wanetsi. This turned out to be a wonderful decision. On the way to N'wanetsi we spotted a small group of Mosque Swallows, a lifer on the last day! Plenty of sightings was also had of Giraffe, Blue Wildebeest, Zebra, Impala and some of the more common bird species seen during the holiday.
At N'wanetsi our list grew some more with the edition of a single Malachite Kingfisher. At last!! It seemed that the Malachite Kingfisher would be the biggest dip of the trip. Next we spotted two Honey Badgers next to the road and then an African Openbill!! Lifer no 2 for the last day.
Content we left N'wanetsi heading for Orpen and home. On the road between Satara and Orpen we spotted two Rhino's disappearing into the bush and a lone Buffalo just before we left the park. At about 11 o'clock we were outside the park and the park list ended. The day ended with a list of 3 species the Kruger trip on a total of 205 species seen including 32 lifers. What a holiday!
We drove back to Joh'burg via Strijdom's Tunnel, had some cracking views of the Taita Falcon (another lifer), made a short visit at Bourke's Luck and arrived back home later the evening. All in all we had a lovely and successful trip to the Kruger Park. Although we didn't see the numbers of animals one is used to we did see a large diversity in animals, birds and also of trees thanks to our new tree-spotting friends.
For a complete list please see the sightings page.

Upcoming Trips

none

Home | Gallery | Tips | Links | Contact Us