Birding Update: March 2013

Over the last month we really noticed a change in the air. As March progressed, the days grew slightly shorter and the morning air a little cooler. As all these things started happening, we also noticed a change in the bird population. Some of the summer migrants started moving north and some of the altitudinal winter migrants started making a comeback.

White-backed Vulture

It has been a fantastic month for birding with a few unexpected surprises turning up. As usual, Main dam produced some phenomenal water birding. For the month of March, 155 species were recorded and our total count for the reserve in the last ten months is now at 254 species.

Wooly-necked Stork

Raptors

March produced very much the same Raptors we have noticed before. However, we have had some fantastic sightings of these feathered fighter planes in action.

 

Eric had an amazing sighting of an African Harrier-Hawk chasing what looked like a lizard of some sort. As he watched this interaction, the Harrier-Hawk did what it was designed for. He was using the specially modified joint in his ankle to chase and pry the reptile out of tight corners and flushing it out of crevices in the bark of the dead tree.

 

His acrobatics were incredible and Eric managed to get phenomenal photos of this fascinating bird in action. 

I also had a great sighting of a Shikra that was close enough to get a few nice shots. It’s not often that you get the chance to succesfully photograph these small birds of prey. 

Birders Big 6

Saddle-billed Stork 

 

The sightings we have had of these beautiful birds have once again been of the Main dam pair. We've had several sightings of them on the northern side of Main dam. As usual, they have moved around mostly between Main dam, Ndlovu manzi south of Main dam and the Ntzaka sewerage area.

 

As it starts to dry out a little, the pans in the middle of the bush are becoming dry depressions and the frog activity is starting to wane. This is forcing the Storks to move back to permanent water sources and we can almost find these incredible birds at will.

 

Southern Ground Hornbill

In the last ten months we have identified at least four separate groups on the reserve. This is quite a dense population considering that the estimated population in the Greater Kruger National Park is only about 900 individuals.

The group that has produced the highest frequency of sightings this month has been the group of eight adults and one juvenile that moves around Main dam. Their territory has Main dam right in the centre. Most of the sightings however have been at Main Dam itself and to the west of the dam. Almost every morning, the low booming call of these birds can be heard in this particular area and adds to an already beautiful soundtrack. Every choir needs a bass!

 

Kori Bustard

Eventually we managed to find the heaviest flying bird in the world! Eric was lucky enough to find one close to Tortoise pan, about five kilometres north of the lodge. We have heard reports of these birds on Buffalo plains, but this is the first confirmed sighting and he managed to get a few photos as well.

 

Specials

Red-billed Oxpecker

As I mentioned before, Eric got the Kori Bustard at Tortoise pan on Buffalo plains. The African Quail-finches have made a return to the Main Dam flood plain, while the Black Cuckoo-shrikes are still calling along the drainage lines along Tamboti drive.

 

Burchells Coucal

 

Left: Green-backed Heron

Right: Blacksmith Lapwing

Grey Heron

The Trumpeter Hornbills have been seen and heard in the riverine forest in front of the lodge on several occasions during the month. I also found a Grey-Headed Kingfisher at S8 dam and an African Golden Oriole at the same time on one morning drive, all at the same place.

Yellow-billed Hornbill

 

Red-crested Korhaan

We had several sightings of Marsh Owl in the eastern parts of the reserve. I also found Harlequin Quail on Buffalo plains this month. Buffalo plains is our our best grassland birding area on the reserve.

Lilac-breasted Roller

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Spur-winged Goose

Verraux's Eagle-Owl

The Black-winged Stilts have also made a comeback to Main dam and can often been seen wading amongst the numerous crocodiles sunning on the sandbanks. Lastly, I also found Fan-tailed Widowbird on Buffalo plains and Jackal plains in the east. These birds are mostly found in the moist grasslands in the Natal province, so are a special find in the much drier lowveld.

 

Wood Sandpiper

 All photographs edited by Darren Roberts-York