A Mega in our Estate

13 January 2024 - Kyalami Estates

The Buff-spotted Flufftail that was found in our Estate on 23 Dec 23 was still present and very vocal through December and into January. On returning from Hermanus we went straight to Mabula which didnt give me anytime to confirm if it was still present.

However, I walk my dog Marley every morning before work and confirmed on the Monday the bird was still present and very vocal in a dense section of habitat next to a dam in the main park. It seemed to start calling very early in the morning until mid-morning and then start again in the afternoon - not always from the same position.

It's call is very deceptive and hard to pin-point, as it sways it's head when calling and just when you think you have pinned it down, it sounds like it is calling from somewhere else close by. I was relieved to have heard it, but as it is a lifer for me, I needed to see it.

It teased me everyday for the whole week, as I tried to figure out it's routine. By Friday, I worked out that it roosted in the same patch of bush each night.

So, early Saturday morning, I was down at it's roost site when it started calling and then it was a game of patience, as I waited for it to start moving and make a dash across a short stretch of grass to the denser and thicker section where it seemed to forage during the day, all the time calling and waiting for a response from a prospective mate.

My patience paid off, as I suddenly saw a dark shape that crept along very slowly and just inside the perimeter of the bush. It's head then popped out of the shadow against the wall (unfortunately) and once it determined there was no danger, sprinted across the clearing at about 7:30am. I had pre-focussed so was absolutely thrilled to get a sequence of this shy and tough skulker, out in the open, albeit for a brief moment

Male Buff-spotted Flufftail (Sarothrura elegans)

It then disappeared into the much thicker habitat and continued calling, but I was elated and just soaked up the moment that I had finally connected with this Flufftail after it had eluded me on so many other occasions!