Birding around the Lodge

26 August 2024 - Ngwenya Lodge; Day 3

I spent the day at the Lodge working, but made time for an early morning walk around the grounds and gardens which is always a pleasure. My wife and father-in-law spent half a day in the Park

African Mourning Doves are now resident at the Lodge

African Mourning Dove (Streptopelia decipiens)

I picked up a White-throated Robin-Chat singing uncharacteristically from the top of a tree where the early morning sun first hits

White-throated Robin-Chat (Dessonornis humeralis)

A Brown-hooded Kingfisher sat quietly on an exposed branch over the Crocodile River

Brown-hooded Kingfisher (Halcyon albiventris)

Walking back, a Sombre Greenbul fed out in the open

Sombre Greenbul (Andropadus importunus)

And a lone Greater Blue-eared Starling was also seen feeding in a tree. Another species that has expanded it's distribution southward in the Park

Greater Blue-eared Starling (Lamprotornis chalybaeus)

Sitting working on our balcony, a pair of Secretarybird's dropped out of the sky and started looking for food on the banks of the Crocodile River

Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius)

Followed by a Brown Snake Eagle passing by overhead a little later

Brown Snake Eagle (Circaetus cinereus)

Late afternoon, I walked down to one of the hides to check the Lioness lying on the river bank

Lioness (Panthera leo)

and also enjoyed a Giant Kingfisher hunting above the river

Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima)

Of course, another magical African sunset to compliment the end of day sun downers

Sundowner time