15 March 2024

After bad weather postponed the Thursday Sit-in, nine of us gathered on the Friday. Sadly, a couple of people couldn’t make it. It was great having our past honorary president with us with his ‘eagle’ eyes. Thanks David for all your spotting.

The birding started off slowly with the normal suspects of Hadada Ibis, Red-eyed Dove and Black-collared Barbets. Then the birding picked up a bit with Purple-crested Turaco showing off the red wings and Thick-billed Weavers going in and out of the reeds. Trumpeter Hornbills flew by with their baby-like cry and Woolly-necked Storks soared above us.

An African Goshawk flew up high giving its clicking call and was joined by the last Yellow-billed Kite of the season – I always say that they leave by the 15^th… A stunning Greater Double-collared Sunbird shone in the sunlight while a Fork-tailed Drongo hawked nearby for insects.

Other birds that were interested in the insects were the African Paradise Flycatcher and Brown-hooded Kingfisher. Little Rush Warbler were heard chucking away in the bullrushes.

The raptors were around and being spotted by Mr ‘Eagle-eyes’, they included African Fish Eagle giving the call of Africa, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Common Buzzard and just before we left, a European Honey Buzzard was seen. Six raptors in a morning is not too shabby!

A total of 43 birds were seen and heard.

Report and additional photos Jenny Norman