Highveld Grasslands

23 May 2021 - Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve

It had been quite some time since I visited Suikerbosrand in the late summer, so together with Hilton Thompson, we decided for an early winter visit. It was an early start in the dark and as we got closer to the reserve on the N3 the mist rolled in. We stopped for coffee to try and wait out the mist clearing, but it was not happening. 

We decided to continue and bird in the gloomy conditions, starting off in an area just outside the reserve. Our target was to photograph Pink-billed Lark, a new bird for Hilton. A fire-break had been burned along the road and this proved to be an attraction to a good number of species. We had quite a few Plain-backed Pipit's

Plain-backed Pipit (Anthus leucophrys)

And as it warmed up a little, the charismatic Spike-heeled Lark's made an appearance

Spike-heeled Lark (Chersomanes albofasciata)

There were a fair number of African Stonechat's in the unburnt areas

Female African Stonechat (Saxicola torquatus)

As were Zitting Cisticola's

Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)

At one stop, we had a covey of Orange River Francolin run up one of the tracks in the grass - light was really poor, so no chance of a decent image

Orange River Francolin (Scleroptila gutturalis)

However, still no Pink-billed amongst the other species we had seen. We then headed for the Reserve itself and just before exiting onto the tar road, we had a lone Pink-billed - good view with the binny's, but it flew off as we raised our cameras.

Once in the reserve, we checked the reception area for the Bush Blackcap reported earlier in the week - but no luck. However, there was a Cape Robin-Chat in the same area

Cape Robin-Chat (Cossypha caffra)

The drive around the reserve was relatively quiet, as it was still cold and a little windy. But we did get a Red-winged Francolin, which was another tick for Hilton for the morning.

It was then back home, for an enjoyable lunch with our good friends the Thompson's and a chilled Sunday afternoon.