by BeKZN Member EJ Bartlett

I happened to be in Kruger National Park and saw that a single Golden Pipit had been reported. So, I decided to head that way the next morning. I arrived at the GPS coordinates and found about 5 vehicles parked and scattered along the stretch of road. I stopped and enquired as to whether the Pipit had been seen. From the look of disappointment on most of the twitchers’ faces, it was resounding no….

Read more: MR GOLDEN PIPIT

So, I scanned the area and noticed a vehicle further along near some larger trees next to the road and thought that was a better location to start my search.

I arrived and asked the question and got the expected answer. In the car was a grandmother and her grandson who was a budding young and enthusiastic birder. He was attached to his binoculars and was scanning the large trees. So, I pulled over and started doing the same. To ensure the scanning of the trees didn’t overlap, I kept on checking where the youngster was aiming his binoculars. I then scanned the opposite side of one of the trees. After about a minute, I picked up a yellow. It shot out of the tree with 2 drab coloured birds and swiftly landed further away behind some tall grass. I alerted the youngster who scrambled to peer in the direction of where I saw the bird land. I mentioned that it was a yellow bird. Then there was no sign of movement and I started to doubt if it was the Pipit. A few minutes past, which seemed to be 10s of minutes, and nothing popped up. Then suddenly up flew the brightest of yellow birds! It flew parallel to the road and further away from the original pin. I burst out “That’s it, that’s it!!” The youngster confirmed he had seen it and boom, my 3/3 successful twitch for a Golden Pipit. The other 2 twitches being one at the Mavela Lodge, Manyoni PGR and the one hanging around a railway line near Albert Falls Dam.

It then flew up and into the original tree that both the youngster and I had been scanning minutes before. Due to overcast conditions and the bird being so far from the road, I took a few record shots and then decided to drive back along the road, to alert the other twitchers who were oblivious and still scanning the area at the original pin position.

I stopped at each car and gave them the news that ignited their hopes. I watched as eyes lit up and faces beamed with excitement, as they started their cars and headed to the new location. After clearing the road at the original pin, I turned around and joined the numerous cars gathered along the road. Camera lenses and binoculars all peering out of every opened window. Arms out of windows pointing upwards in the direction of the Golden Pipit. After a lot of “thank yous” from the various twitchers, I decided that I would continue on up to Tshokwane.

I had an old pin location for Yellow-breasted Pipit. So after about 30 mins of slow travelling and looking for a sign of Yellow-breasted Pipits, I saw a dull yellow pipit/weaver-size bird fly across the road in front of me. I slowed to a stop with my eyes fixed on this bird waiting to see where it lands. However, it did not stop! It got smaller and smaller and eventually I lost sight of it. As I was about to pull off, I looked to my left and I saw this bright yellow bird fly up into the bush next to the road.

Without having to even pick up binoculars, my eyes confirmed that it was a Golden Pipit!!! Amazing! I have just found a second Golden Pipit!! My very own rarity! I took a few photos and then it flew behind my car and landed on the edge of the road behind me… I reversed back and got photos of its back and then it flew back across the road and slightly further in.

As I started reversing back, the vehicle with the Grandmother and Grandson pulled up alongside. All I could say was : “ You won’t believe this, I have just found another Golden Pipit!l I got the appropriate reaction of big eyes and that look of surprise followed by: “Where is it, where?”

I directed them to the bush and they quickly got their eyes on it!

Then the realisation hit that I had found my very own National Rarity and I was able to share it with others! After about 5-10 minutes, one of the other twitchers arrived on the scene followed by another! I eventually left the sighting and stopped at Tshokwane for a bathroom break and to stretch my legs. I bumped into an old work colleague and his wife and explained to him what I had just experienced over the last 2 hours! While chatting to them, the Grandmother and Grandson arrived and came up to me to ask my name since all they could call me previously was “Mr Golden Pipit”. We all laughed and I proceeded to give my normal name.

What a morning of wildlife viewing, bird watching, a successful twitch, and the honour of finding another National Rarity!