Empisini Nature Reserve
Umkomaas (Sunday 26 June 2016)
Report by Dave Rimmer
A group of 14 birders gathered on the outskirts of this little reserve at 07h00. Birding was very slow to start with beginning with a pair of Mountain Wagtails at the stream crossing and a Black Sparrowhawk circling above us briefly.
Next up was a few White-eared Barbets basking in the rays of early morning sun.
We proceeded along the trail heading in a westerly direction and listened to the calls of Brown Scrub Robin, Scaly-throated Honeyguide and Red-capped Robin-Chat, among others.
A brief glimpse was had by a few of a Lemon Dove and Knysna Turaco.
The oddest sighting for the day was a baby elephant – how uncanny can nature be sometimes!!
Great views though were had by all of a number of Ashy Flycatchers, Grey Waxbill, Collared Sunbird, Dark-backed Weaver and Black-headed Oriole.
Red-billed Firefinches made for a talking point.
Other species got captured on camera too.
For the first hour or two the species list consisted mostly of birds heard calling rather than seen. On seeing the beautiful male Black Cuckooshrike, Paul proclaimed that his birds seen tally for the day had now doubled!!!
The day ended for some with a braai. The final tally for the day was sixty-six (66) bird species either seen or heard (list attached – click here to view).
Until next time….
Dave Rimmer
