A crisp morning at the Farm

20 May 2024 - Northern Farm

I had a brief early morning visit to the Farm, but took a different route after entering the gate just after sunrise.

In the open fields, I found a pair of Namaqua Dove feeding on the twin track road

Female Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis)

Male Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis)

Driving back toward the bigger dams, a Cape Grassbird emerged from the verge and sat quietly in the shade 

Cape Grassbird (Sphenoeacus afer)

At the dam, a Goliath Heron surveyed it's domain from the top of a Willow Tree

Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath)

I managed to catch a glimpse of a Giant Kingfisher as it passed by at speed

Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima)

I saw a small Accipiter fly into a Blue Gum and after some time managed to relocate it - a cracking Little Sparrowhawk

Little Sparrowhawk (Accipiter minullus)

I then finished off at the quarry where I had Levaillant's Cisticola

Levaillant's Cisticola (Cisticola tinniens)

Lesser Swamp Warbler

Lesser Swamp Warbler (Acrocephalus gracilirostris)

and a fair number of Cape Teal's which are always great to see at the Farm - as they are considered uncommon to scarce. I was happy with a few BIF images too.

Cape Teal (Anas capensis)

On the way out, I could see the Heron colony was getting a little more active with both Black-headed and Grey Heron present. 

Unfortunately, a shorter than normal visit - but always enjoyable

Grey (Ardea cinerea) and Black-headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala)

AGO Survey in the GECKO Conservancy

15 May 2024 - GECKO Conservancy

The AGO team met for a quick morning survey on private property in some pristine habitat.

Walking to the site, we 'flushed' a Crimson-speckled Footman or Flunkey - a pretty universal moth species

Crimson-speckled Footman (Utetheisa pulchella)

While still in the garden, a Crested Barbet eyed us from it's perch

Crested Barbet (Trachyphonus vaillantii)

We walked the habitat and managed to find a pair of Grass Owls which was exciting news - one was ringed and the other not. Of course, another regular rear end shot

African Grass Owl (Tyto capensis)

Whilst chatting, a Black-winged Kite was active overhead hunting in the same habitat as the Owls

Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus)

Early winter birding in the Highveld Grasslands

05 May 2024 - Suikerbosrand

This was my first visit to Suikerbos this year and I was joined by my son Jaden and our two good friends Gary and Marius. We met for coffee at the Mugg and Bean before sun-up and it was cold. From there a quick drive to check out Eendracht Rd where there was a lot of frost and not many birds.

We headed to Suikerbosrand Reserve and after paying our entrance view, drove to Reception where we enjoyed a productive walk finding Mocking Cliff Chat

Female Mocking Cliff Chat (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris)

Male Mocking Cliff Chat (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris)

Familiar Chat

Familiar Chat (Oenanthe familiaris)

Ashy Tit is always a good find, as they are not always guaranteed. Although this pair really did play hard to see.

Ashy Tit (Melaniparus cinerascens)

Bar-throated Apalis - this one with a very thin breast-band

Bar-throated Apalis (Apalis thoracica)

And after a bit of work, Fairy Flycatcher which are often found here in the winter months. True to form, this one was really active and didnt sit still for a second.

Fairy Flycatcher (Stenostira scita)

It was then onto the loop road, stopping for a dark morph Mountain Wheatear

Mountain Wheatear (Myrmecocichla monticola)

And on the top the expected Eastern Long-billed Lark

Eastern Long-billed Lark (Certhilauda semitorquata)

Followed by Sentinel Rock Thrush, another winter visitor to the reserve

Male Sentinel Rock Thrush (Monticola explorator)

Wailing Cisticola were also present on the top

Wailing Cisticola (Cisticola lais)

One of the Lizards seen occasionally made an appearance - ID to be confirmed

Lizard sp.

Dropping back down, we found Jackal Buzzard on the pylons

Jackal Buzzard (Buteo rufofuscus)

In the Acacia biome, a distant Acacia Pied Barbet

Acacia Pied Barbet (Tricholaema leucomelas)

And African Red-eyed Bulbul

African Red-eyed Bulbul (Pycnonotus nigricans)

Along with Levailant's Cisticola

Levaillant's Cisticola (Cisticola tinniens)

As we progressed, it slowly warmed up and we thawed out - but overall and enjoyable morning, some good birds along with lots of chirps and laughs and a few lifers for Marius!