Report by Elena Russell

3rd November 2018

Small turnout, 13, whether this was due to the uncertainty about Shongweni or the weather, which had been pretty awful during the week!!

Access would appear to be no problem, security may still be a bit dicey as parts of the fences are down and the cattle and goats do tend to wander about.

The campers, fishermen and canoeists are all back so hopefully we are not about to lose one of the hottest birding spots in KZN.

There is an entrance fee, presently at R30 p/p and on enquiry about Big Birding Day and very early morning access, I suggested 05:00, Greg asked that we send him an SMS and he will arrange for the gate to be open but that a guide/guard (from the local community) should accompany each vehicle.  (Greg’s cell 083 290 4141).

Now to the birding!!

Maybe our count was a little low at 88 but the quality was excellent (bird list attached – click here).

We started off by the old Msinsi office and walked around the houses: plenty of Chinspot Batis, Cardinal Woodpeckers, Tawny-flanked Prinias, Cape White-eyes, Rattling Cisticolas and Violet-backed Starlings and much more.

Violet-backet Starling – Mick Jackson

Violet-backed Starling – Mick Jackson

Violet-backed Starling – David Swanepoel

Chinspot Batis – David Swanepoel

Tawny-flanked Prinai – Mick Jackson

Tawny-flanked Prinia – David Swanepoel

Tawny-flanked Prinia – Mick Jackson

Vervet Monkey – David Swanepoel

Vervet Monkey – Mick Jackson

Vervet Monkey – Mick Jackson

Village Weaver – David Swanepoel

White-browed Scrub-Robin – Mick Jackson

White-browed Scrub-Robin – Mick Jackson

Yellow Weaver – David Swanepoel

Yellow Weaver – Mick Jackson

Yellow-throated Petronia – David Swanepoel

Yellow-throated Petronia – Mick Jackson

Yellow-throated Petronia – Mick Jackson

Cape Glossy Starling – Mick Jackson

Dark-capped Bulbuls – Mick Jackson

Fork-tailed Drongo – David Swanepoel

Southern Grey-headed Sparrow – David Swanepoel

Tambourine Dove – Mick Jackson

Walking back to the road we found a Black Cuckoo, calling from the top of a tree, which I thought must be Bird of the Day.

Back at the office I suggested a short walk down the back to the playing field and jokingly remarked that I had once seen Bald Ibis there. Well guess what, there they were, a pair of Bald Ibis – 5 stars and Bird of the Day!!

Southern Bald Ibis – Mick Jackson

Southern Bald Ibis – David Swanepoel

Southern Bald Ibis – Mick Jackson

Southern Bald Ibis – Mick Jackson

Next stop the view site and the rock face hoping for the Striped Pipit but no such luck. The Trumpeter Hornbills are back at their nest site on the rock face.

Trumpeter Hornbill – Mick Jackson

Trumpeter Hornbill – Mick Jackson

White-breasted Cormorants, Egyptian Geese and Speckled Pigeons on the dam wall, then down to the bottom of the dam wall.

Egyptian Goose – Mick Jackson

Egyptian Goose – Mick Jackson

Egyptian Goose – Mick Jackson

White-breasted Cormorant – Mick Jackson

White-breasted Cormorant – Mick Jackson

We dipped on the Mountain Wagtail although Mike Jackson did try to persuade us that his excellent photo of a juvenile African Pied Wagtail could/might be the Mountain Wagtail but we sorrowfully had to dissuade him of this fact!!!

African Pied Wagtail – Mick Jackson

African Pied Wagtail – Mick Jackson

Long-crested Eagle, Yellow-billed Kites, a pair of Lanner Falcons and the African Fish Eagle were heard calling.

We went down to the camp site for our tea. Not much on the water as there appeared to be some sort of canoe regatta taking place but a nice spot and the Saturday Chat Show was in full session.

Thanks to Sandi for the bird list and David Swanepoel and Mike Jackson for the brilliant photos.

Cheers

Elena