eBird Global Big Day (Spring)

09 October 2021 - Suikerbosrand, Glen Austin + Kyalami

eBird Global Big Day's are planned for the American birders, so the Spring and Autumn dates arent great for us in South Africa and many other countries I'm sure. Nevertheless, it is a great event that unites birders all across the world with a common goal on these two days in the year.

In SA only some of the intra-African migrants have returned, so there are a good many migrants that are absent in our counts. I chose 3 sites, Suikerbosrand for highveld grassland, Glen Austin Pan for waterbirds and my own neighbourhood for some urban species.

It was an early start, with the obligatory M&B coffee stop on route to Suikerbosrand where I arrived as the sun was rising for the dawn chorus. The grassland was still recovering from the winter fires which did make it easier to find birds. On these days, the focus is on birding rather than photography - but obviously I always have my camera with me. Northern Black Korhaan's were calling early on, but proved to be very skittish

Northern Black Korhaan (Afrotis afraoides)

A Cape Longclaw was a lot more obliging in the golden early morning sun

Cape Longclaw (Macronyx capensis)

There were many Capped Wheatear's - but they too remained distant, but provided an opportunity for a few birdscape images

Capped Wheatear (Oenanthe pileata)

I tried again for Pink-billed without luck, but as compensation found a cryptic Eastern Clapper Lark

Eastern Clapper Lark (Mirafra fasciolata)

I checked for Quail Finch whilst driving slowly to the low-level bridge, but got Orange-breasted Waxbill instead

Orange-breasted Waxbill (Amandava subflavus)

I checked the low-level bridge where Swallows and Swifts were already in nest building phase. The Cliff Swallows were many

South African Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon spilodera)

Interspersed with White-rumped Swift's

White-rumped Swift (Apus caffer)

and one or two Little Swift's

Little Swift (Apus affinis)

A House Sparrow was unexpected in this habitat and amazingly the first one I have photographed this year

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

I then headed to the reserve itself and after paying the entrance fee spent some time with a calling Rufous-naped Lark

Rufous-naped Lark (Mirafra africana)

Next stop was the car park and reception area adding more species to the list. I managed to photograph the Red-eyed Bulbul and got brief views of White-backed Mousebird. 

African Red-eyed Bulbul (Pycnonotus nigricans)

The first quarter of the reserve still had grass and I added Eastern Long-billed Lark

Eastern Long-billed Lark (Certhilauda semitorquata)

Nicholson's Pipit

Nicholson's Pipit (Anthus nicholsoni)

and Ant-eating Chat

Ant-eating Chat (Myrmecocichla formicivora)

I did find quite a few Highveld Crag Lizard's at the higher points within the reserve

Highveld Crag Lizard (Pseudocordylus melanotus)

However the rest of the reserve had been recently burnt and there was little to no regrowth which resulted in no further birds for this location. So, I cut my losses and headed back north to Glen Austin Pan in Midrand where I was able to add a good few species to the days count. It was mid-day, so not conducive to photography.

The late afternoon and early evening was at home in Kyalami Estate where I added quite a few more to the days list, finishing on 111 species.

Highlights of the day included; Eastern Clapper + Eastern Long-billed Lark, Nicholson's Pipit, Orange-breasted Waxbill, South African Cliff Swallow, Northern Black Korhaan, White-backed Mousebird, Red-eyed Bulbul and Whiskered Tern.