Back into the Miombo

29 November 2023 - Harare; Day 4

The gang opted for another visit to Gosha Park to try and pick up a few species they missed on their first visit and that they did - so, I was feeling a little green, as there were a few I also needed. Nevertheless, I was up early to see what was about in in the gardens at Guineafowl Lodge - certainly not as much as there was at Malcolm's. I had a flyby Gabar

Gabar Goshawk (Micronisus gabar)

a brief view of Grey-headed Bushshrike in the neighbours garden

Grey-headed Bushshrike (Malaconotus blanchoti)

plus a male Variable Sunbird that came in a few times

Variable Sunbird (Cinnyris venustus)

Late afternoon, Richard, Glynn and I decided to try another Miombo site called Haka Park on the outskirts of Harare. Unfortunately, it did not live up to our expectations and after 90-minutes, not a single Miombo species was seen or heard. In the Miombo habitat, there were a few flowering Flame Lilies. This was declared the national flower of Zimbabwe in 1980 and symbolises purity, beauty, renewal and rebirth

Flame Lily (Gloriosa superba)

Down at the dam, picked up a few new trip birds and also this striking Phantom Flutterer

Phantom Flutterer (Rhyothemis semihyalina)

Leaving the Park disappointed, a herd of Burchell's Zebra with Cattle Egrets in attendance

Burchell's Zebra (Equus q. burchelli) and Western Cattle Egret

Back at Guineafowl Lodge, we had a festive team dinner, before packing for our journey to the Zambezi Valley early tomorrow morning - the trip is getting real now!