The search continues

03 January 2023 - Plettenberg Bay; Day 12

I had read about another possible site for Knysna Woodpecker on a road parallel to Plettenberg Bay Country Club going toward Sunera Stud Farm. So, after breakfast I had an hour and a bit to explore this road which did seem promising. 

The best area seemed to be around the entrance gate to the Sunera Stud Farm where I parked and walked. It was overcast and quite gloomy, but I did find a juvenile Dusky Flycatcher

African Dusky Flycatcher (Muscicapa adusta)

I heard a Woodpecker tapping away, but when I finally located its position, it flew off - could it have been? Meanwhile, a Southern Double-collared Sunbird was feeding on a flowering Creeper growing across a fence

Male Southern Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris chalybeus)

I drove back slowly toward the main road trying to listen out for the Woodpecker, no luck. 

However, I was rewarded with an amazing spectacle of up to 10 Knysna Turaco's in one tree and as I watched they flew across the road individually and then away into the forest. This was the first time I have been able to catch them in flight and to see the astounding red primaries. Unfortunately, the overcast weather was a bummer, as these in flight images would have been spectacular.

Knysna Turaco (Tauraco corythaix)

I made another quick stop at the cycling path near Robberg, no luck here either, but I did get a Jackal Buzzard overhead

Jackal Buzzard (Buteo rufofuscus)

A perched Rock Kestrel - the only one of this holiday

Rock Kestrel (Falco rupicolus)

and an eclipse Malachite Sunbird - which image style is better; landscape or portrait?

Malachite Sunbird (Nectarinia famosa)

Back to the apartment for a shower and to pick up the family as we headed out and up the coast for a great lunch at Kay and Monty Vineyards in gorgeous weather.