Saddle-billed Stork is a declining species in southern Africa &
its recent decline is a cause for concern. Even in the 1980’s this bird could be found in a variety of wetland habitats,
even those found on farms. Today the situation is very different, it being more
or less confined to the large game reserves & national parks.
I came across a pair of these
birds fishing in a rapidly diminishing pool, on a small river close to Orpen Dam in Kruger National Park. At
first nothing much was happening, but then one bird came tripping through the
water towards me. I was just in the correct place at the right time!
Hammerkop looking hopeful!
It didn't even get a morsel!
It eventually caught quite a
large fish, which it repeatedly stabbed until it was dead before swallowing.
However, this took quite some time! The whole episode was quite fascinating to
watch.
No comments:
Post a Comment