Lilac-breasted Roller

 

 

Black-bellied Bustard

After a well-deserved break I am back to report on the latest developments on the avian front. It’s has once again been an interesting time lately. Migrants are returning almost on a daily basis and the species count is on the increase.

 

 

 

Raptors

 

Tawny Eagle

 

Birds of prey have been, as always, plentiful and full of action. The pair of Tawny Eagles that are nesting on Buffalo Plains have also been seen around Ingwe Manzi. On one particular morning I found them both at a termite emergence on the airstrip. They were in the company of two Bateleur, three Woolly-necked Storks and an African Harrier Hawk. We sat and watched them grabbing the insects in the air and saw them settle on the ground, close to the entrance of the colony, to continue their feast.

 

Juvenile Bateleur

Other characters worth mentioning are the pair of African Fish Eagles at Main dam. On two separate occasions, while having a coffee break at the dam, these birds have entertained us with attacks on the local Duck and Goose population. We spotted a Fish Eagle on a dead tree on the northern side on the dam. Two Egyptian Geese started to have a bit of a squabble and the Eagle, no more than 50 meters away, saw an opportunity and went for it. It was a very close call for the Geese and they narrowly escaped the ordeal.

A few days later a flock of White-faced Ducks were casually sitting on a sand bank in the centre of the dam. Out of the blue the Fish Eagle launched itself from a dead tree. The flock of Ducks took off in synchronised chaos, alarm screeching all the way, as a small dogfight played out in front of us. The Eagle managed to hold its own on two turns, but the smaller and more agile Ducks out manoeuvred the much bigger Eagle.

 

 

 

Birders big 6

Saddle-billed Stork

Once again we have been fortunate with regular sightings of these endangered birds. They’ve been seen mostly around the Ntzaka sewerage ponds and the Wild dog dam/ Ingwe Manzi area. Three birds were seen at the sewerage ponds and two around Wild dog dam. We are not sure yet if these are the same birds we are seeing. Only the pictures we’re taking and time will tell.

 

 

Southern Ground Hornbills

These charismatic birds are always a good source of interest on any safari. The first sighting of these birds was on S7 road. This road has proved to be a very reliable area as I often drive around here to look for Ground Hornbills and Leopard. We heard them vocalising and then caught a glimpse as they moved north away from the road.

 

The bigger story was two males and a female Hornbill that have taken up residence around the lodge. This seems to be the beginning of a new flock. Females often seduce males away to form new flocks and have mating opportunities. They have been around Panicum road, Wild dog dam and Ingwe manzi. They have even made a few house calls at the Manor House pan!
 

 

Martial Eagle

We were blessed with two sightings of the most powerful Eagle we have on our reserve. The first sighting was at Buffalo Plains, an area where we see these Eagles fairly often. The second sighting was very close to the nest at Rhino Quarry. This individual is still immature and is hanging around his natal territory.
 

Specials

There have been a few really good birds seen in the last while. A pair of Collared Pratincole has been around Main dam the whole week. Main Dam also housed the usual African Openbills, African Spoonbills and Common Greenshank and even delivered a flock Whiskered Terns!

 

African Spoonbill

Grey Heron

Away from the water, I heard a Stierlings Wren-Warbler calling close to the airstip and I once again found a Yellow-billed Oxpecker on a male Buffalo close to the lodge. There was Bronze-winged Courser on S7 road, Black Cuckoo-shrike calling all over the riverine forests throughout the reserve and Alpine Swift above Buffalo plains. Retz’s Helmet-shrike has put in a few appearances as well and I’ve seen several flocks of Senegal Lapwings around Madache open area and Matsikitsoro plains.  Not bad for a few days of casual birding!

 

 

All photos taken with a Nikon Coolpix P510