On a hike to the Tugela Gorge at the base of the Royal Natal Amphitheatre, I listed a number of birds, two of which have confused me somewhat as a novice, even going thro’ the LBJ book. I wonder if someone from the club can assist in identifying these from the poor photo’s attached. Neither may be “astounding sightings” but a frustration when one can’t put a name to them. Could the LBJ be the Drakensburg Prinia?
Click on the Post title to see the 2 photos if not shown in your email.
During our stay in the area over the first two weeks in January, I also had the thrill of witnessing the roosting “fly-in” of some 1500 Amur Falcons (Eastern Red Footed) (+/- 19h00). They have taken to using a very large Plane Tree at the Tower of Pizza over the past 7 years. This Pizza restaurant is located just before the Hlalanathi turn-off on the R74 on route to Royal Natal. The owner says he is also aware of a larger number roosting near Estcourt. The benefit of his spot is you can dine on the great pizza’s they make as you share your birding experience – each pizza named after a Berg Peak eg. Sentinal.
In addition, there are +/- 30 to 40 Southern Bald Headed Ibis roosting on the same property on a tall multi-functional steel mast structure as well as on a dead tree alongside this.
Norman Freeman. Email nfprojects@telkomsa.net
Could bird 2 not be a Spotted Flycatcher?
Bird No 2 – I fancy a juvenile Fiscal Flycatcher
When its a slide show, is there any way to stop it so one can get a good look at the bird?
click on the middle circle with the two lines
Hi Norman, I agree that Bird 1 is a Drakensberg Prinia. I see a lot of them at Boston in the KZN Midlands. Bird 2 looks like a juvenile Cape Robin-Chat. Crystelle Wilson