29 February 2024 - Kyalami Estates
My Hilux got trashed in the apocalyptic hailstorm in November last year and the panel-beater had no capacity in December to start the repairs. So, it went in for the repair work at the start of February. That curtailed any birding, other than within the Estate for this month. On top of that, I had to send my 1Dxii body in for repair which impacted any photography for almost 3-weeks.
Nevertheless, I recorded 52 species which was 5 more than in 2023 and all the pics for this month were taken once I got my Canon body back and in and around the main park.
Hadeda Ibis are mostly an unwelcome bird in our urban suburbs, as they can be really raucous - especially if they roost in your garden. Here is one probing for grubs in the park
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| Hadeda Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash) |
It is not often you see the spurs on Lapwings, but this normally docile looking Blacksmith Lapwing, looks much more intimidating with his spurs visible
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| Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus) |
I had some excitement one overcast morning when the marauding Pied Crows harassed a young African Harrier Hawk in the sky above
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| Immature African Harrier-Hawk (Polyboroides typus) |
The triumphant Pied Crow after chasing the Harrier-Hawk away. Pied Crows are also becoming a menace, especially for the raptors and owls in the area.
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| Pied Crow (Corvus albus) |
European Bee-eaters passing by overhead were heard and seen quite often - but normally pretty high up
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| European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) |
The Red Bishops were now feeding young and males were still displaying
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| Male Southern Red Bishop (Euplectes orix) |
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| Female and young Southern Red Bishop (Euplectes orix) |
I caught up with the resident pair of Tawny-flanked Prinia's, also out with their young birds
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| Tawny-flanked Prinia (Prinia subflava) |
A few of these delicate Mushroom's popped up in the park
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| Mushroom - You always keep me in the dark |
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