Farm Magic

09 November 2024 - Northern Farm

I try and visit the Farm, which I consider a 'local' patch once a month. Unfortunately, I can only visit on weekends now, so have to be mindful of the many mountain bikers who also enjoy this multi-recreational Farm.

I generally follow the same transect for most visits and did so again today, heading to the quarry as my first stop. There were quite a few Zitting Cisticola's calling and displaying in the dew soaked grasses which made them unusually quite obliging.

Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)

I had a Glossy Ibis fly-by against the light

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)

And connected with a Common Reed Warbler in the thickets around the dam

Common Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Followed by Little Rush Warbler

Little Rush Warbler (Bradypterus baboecala)

and the ever present Levaillant's Cisticola with some prized nesting material

Levaillant's Cisticola (Cisticola tinniens)

In the dam, Black-winged Stilt which is an occasional visitor, was a welcome sight as it towered over a Wood Sandpiper

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

Walking back to my car, I flushed a Marsh Owl - first time I have seen one on this part of the Farm

Marsh Owl (Asio capensis)

On the canal, another Wood Sandpiper stood motionless

Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)

Continuing on my drive, I picked up a Capped Wheatear, always a good record and a little more common in winter, after the unwanted fires

Capped Wheatear (Oenanthe pileata)

At Fish Eagle Dam - of course!

African Fish Eagle (Icthyophaga vocifer)

Continuing to explore some of the other wetland areas, I had Pin-tailed Whydah

Male Pin-tailed Whydah (Vidua macroura)

and Red-collared Widow

Red-collared Widowbird (Euplectes ardens)

I checked the road on the boundary fence and was delighted that the Greater Kestrel was present. It has a preference for the pylons running parallel with this road

Greater Kestrel (Falco rupicoloides)

On the way back to reception, Blacksmith Lapwing

Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus)

along with Crowned Lapwing

Crowned Lapwing (Vanellus coronatus)

A good thing about birding on the weekend, is that the restaurant is open, so a cappuccino and breakfast bun is welcome and enjoyed, but not before 'papping' an early Spotted Fly in the parking area.

Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)

Stomach full, it was time to head home after an enjoyable morning out with all the others who also enjoy 'our' Farm

Soul food

05 November 2024 - Qwabi Private Game Reserve; Day 3

This morning, it was just the ranger and I on the game drive. I opted not to have coffee and muffins and was picked up earlier at our lodge to get a head start on the other vehicles. 

We had a leisurely drive and enjoyed whatever we saw - I love this image of a magnificent male Nyala framed by the surrounding bush

Nyala (Tragelaphus angasii)

At a large dam, we saw a Hippo returning to the water after its foray into the bush to feed

Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious)

A Brown-hooded Kingfisher was close by

Brown-hooded Kingfisher (Halcyon albiventris)

Heading to our coffee stop, we came across a small pride of Lion that must have made a kill in the night, as there was still evidence of blood on their faces

Collared Lioness (Panthera leo)

Lion (Panthera leo)

At our coffee stop, a Jacobin Cuckoo made an appearance

Jacobin Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus)

and we found the tiniest of Leopard Tortoises that I had ever seen. It would have easily fitted in the palm of my hand

Baby Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)

Driving back on the mountain road, a couple of Zebra whose white stripes were coloured differently due to the red sand

Burchell's Zebra (Equus q. burchelli)

Back to the Lodge for a hearty breakfast and then all to soon, we had to pack for the ride back to the other camp where we had left our cars. Whilst waiting for our pickup, I had Brown-crowned Tchagra in the bush outside our lodge, clearly showing it's brown crown

Brown-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra australis)

A Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird calling from high in the top of an adjacent tree

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus chrysoconus)

A Swordtail which was a challenge to try and photograph, as it was both skittish and fast-flying

Large Striped Swordtail (Graphium antheus)

And an odd but striking Fly on our railing

Fly sp.

We then said our goodbyes to Michelle and Kurt at the Lodge for a thoroughly enjoyable and decadent weekend and headed for the safari vehicle to take us back to the main camp. On route we stopped for a Rhino that disappeared into the bush, but picked up a pair of Southern Ground Hornbill's foraging on the plains (apparently these had been introduced to Qwabi from Mabula). I noted it was each for themselves when food was found and devoured without sharing

Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri)

Whilst watching the Hornbill's, the de-horned Rhino appeared and walked across the plain, giving great views.

White Rhinocerus (Chiromantis xerampelina)

Here, both endangered species together

White Rhinocerus and Southern Ground Hornbill

Once back at the main camp, we unloaded and packed the Hilux for the fair drive back to Midrand, much more chilled and relaxed than when we first arrived - the bush is our soul food!