Kenneth Stainbank Outing

Report by Elena Russell

Saturday 5th August 2017

I hadn’t been to Stainbank for quite some time, I must have had a reason? Stainbank is superb – the sun was shining, sky of blue and the birds were everywhere.

The car park was alive with birds, a flock of Black-bellied Starlings kept coming and going and we later picked up Cape Glossy and Red-Winged Starlings. Yellow-bellied and Sombre Greenbuls, Dark-capped Bulbuls, White-eared and Black-collared Barbets, Trumpeter Hornbills flew overhead and lots more. Eventually we got organised and as we were only 15 members we decided to stay as one group.

Yellow-bellied Greenbul Mick Jackson

Black-bellied starling John Bremner

We walked down the road and took a path up to the grasslands. The grass was heavy with dew and the spider webs were amazing.

Interesting web in the grass John Bremner

Web – Mick Jackson

We spotted a magnificent Jackal Buzzard which I was told is not a usual bird for the reserve?

The Lesser-Striped Swallows are back but we dipped on the YBK, I still have not seen one and it is already the 10^th!!

Butterflies and Animals were also identified.

Dotted Border butterfly – John Bremner

Red Duiker – John Bremner

Burchell’s Zebra – John Bremner

Bulbine Sp – John Bremner

False dotted border Mick Jackson

Zitting and Rattling Cisticolas, Neddicky, Yellow-throated Longclaws, Little Bee-eaters, Common Fiscal, Tambourine and Red-eyed Doves, African Pipits and the Purple Crested Turacos were calling as we wound our way down to the little dam.

Little bee-eater – John Bremner

Purple-crested turaco- John Bremner

Yellow-throated Longclaw Mick Jackson

African Stonechat Mick Jackson

Yellow-throated longclaw- John Bremner

Little Bee-eater Mick Jackson

Zitting Cisticola Mick Jackson

Village and Yellow Weavers all busy building nests on the ‘dead tree island’ in the middle of the dam.

Village and Yellow Weavers building nests together – John Bremner

Village Weavers Mick Jackson

A juvenile Reed Cormorant did not stay long as there was a huge water monitor sunning itself on a bush very close by, but more disturbing was the Black Crake family, only one juvenile left, and their nest was in a very precarious position. Oh! Dear!

Water Monitor Mick Jackson

Water monitor – John Bremner

Juvenile Black Crake Mick Jackson

Reed Cormorant Mick Jackson

We carried on up to the more forested area and along the road. Great views of the White-eared Barbets and their nest holes.

White-eared Barbet at nest hole John Bremner

White-eared Barbet constructing it’s nest hole – John Bremner

Bronze and Red-backed Mannikins, Fork-tailed and Square-tailed Drongos, Black, Ashy, African Paradise and Dusky Flycatchers.

Ashy Flycatcher Mick Jackson

Fork-tailed Drongo – John Bremner

Red-backed Mannikin – John Bremner

Sunbirds: Grey, Amethyst, Collared and White-bellied. Dark-backed and Spectacled Weavers, Cape White-eye, Golden-tailed Woodpeckers, Yellow-rumped and Red-fronted Tinkerbirds. Red-capped Robin-Chat were present.

Amethyst Sunbird Mick Jackson

Grey Sunbird – John Bremner

Mick Jackson

Amethyst Sunbird Mick Jackson

We also had a White-browed Scrub Robin calling. Southern Boubou, Black-backed Puffbacks, Spur-winged and Eqyptian Geese flew over – in total out bird count was 69.

With Sandi’s help we found a lovely spot for tea and the Saturday Chat Show settled down for a good chat!!

Thanks to John Bremner and Mike Jackson for the fabulous photos.

Cheers

Elena