Northern Farm delivers

07 March 2024 - Northern Farm

I hadn't been able to visit the car in Jan or Feb as I was indisposed without my wheels. But, finally I got this chance in late summer to get to the farm whilst a few migrants would still be about.

As always, an early start is best and I tend to follow a similar route each visit, as it fits into the few hours I have available, before starting work. I had a Wood Sandpiper in the canal on the way to the quarry

Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)

First stop was at the quarry, just as the sun was rising. I had a confiding male Stonechat

African Stonechat (Saxicola torquatus)

And then enjoyed the Amethyst Sunbird's that were feeding on the flowering Wild Dagga

Male Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina)

There were of course White-bellied's around as well. Unfortunately, no Yellow Warbler, but I did check

Male White-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris talatala)

I missed a single Black Kite that came flying over from where it had roosted overnight, but it was followed by quite a few Yellow-billed Kite's which circled over the quarry

Yellow-billed Kite (Milvus aegyptius)

I walked down to the small dam where I was entertained by a young Little Rush Warbler - I have good luck with them here

Little Rush Warbler (Bradypterus baboecala)

and the more obliging Lesser Swamp Warbler, warming up in the sun

Lesser Swamp Warbler (Acrocephalus gracilirostris)

Walking back to the car, a few White-fronted Bee-eaters flew in and landed on the telephone wires

White-fronted Bee-eater (Merops bullockoides)

The main reason for my visit was to check the remaining Amur flocks for any Red-footed Falcon's, although I feared it may already be too late. Most of the Amur's appeared to have left - but I did find a few roosting on the overhead lines in the early morning (which is the best time to generally find them), including this male with a few others

Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis)

I was thrilled to find a cracking female Red-footed with the 4 or 5 Amur's

Female Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus)

A little later the small flock took to the sky and flew to another part of the farm where they roosted on the high power lines overlooking a large expanse of grassland - I managed to get full frame images of the female this time - happiness!

Female Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus)

In the same area, a small flock of European Bee-eaters were hunting over the grassland and landing on the fence to smash their prey

European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

I continued on my circuit around the farm, stopping for a lone Falcon on the overhead line - this time it was an immature male Red-footed! The morning had certainly delivered

Male Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus)

Last stop was to check the boundary fence, where I sometimes find Greater Kestrel - my hunch was right and one was perched, also on the telephone pole - pity I couldn't get it to turn around. Greater Kestrel is not a dead cert with every visit, but if you check in the right area you may just get lucky