09 April 2021 - Northcliff Ridge Eco Park
I headed out early to be on top of Northcliff Ridge Eco Park just after sunrise and what a magnificent view it was on a clear morning. You get views over Johannesburg, Sandton and Magaliesberg and the suburb's below
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| The view over Sandton City |
But I was not only here for the view, but to photograph the Northcliff Big 4. As I was so early, it took awhile for the birds to become active and first in the bag was the Striped Pipit
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| Striped Pipit (Anthus lineiventris) |
This was followed shortly after by the second, a pair of Cape Rock Thrush
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| Male Cape Rock Thrush (Monticola rupestris) |
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| Female Cape Rock Thrush (Monticola rupestris) |
The next two were still absent, so enjoyed some of the other species on this site with a view; a small but active flock of Cinnamon-breasted Buntings was a surprise
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| Cinnamon-breasted Bunting (Emberiza tahapisi) |
I then saw a pair of Lazy Cisticola's fly by below me - but they didn't stop and pose for a picture, but they were number three
Overhead were good numbers of Hirundine. Actually this is a great place to photograph these birds, as they are often at eye-level. Here a Greater-striped Swallow
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| Greater-striped Swallow (Cecropis cucullata) |
Many Rock Martin
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| Juvenile Rock Martin (Ptyonoprogne fuligula) |
as well as Little Swift which roost in the Water Tower on the ridge
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| Little Swift (Apus affinis) |
I had then had Amethyst Sunbird
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| Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina) |
and finally, number four - Greater Double-collared Sunbird feeding on the wild Dagga flowers (no you cant smoke this one) and not in its finest plumage.
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| Greater Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris afer) |
As usual, I also checked for butterflies, finding quite a few Pea Blue
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| Pea Blue (Lampides boeticus) |
fewer Painted Lady's
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| Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) |
and this Twin Swift
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| Twin Swift (Larsenia gemella) |
Along with this unidentified Lizard
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| Lizard sp. |
So, with my mission accomplished, it was back home for a late breakfast after a really enjoyable morning on top of the world
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