On 23rd November Delana & I began to long drive north towards Sirheni Bush Camp in the far north of Kruger. Because it was a 350kms drive we stayed at Balule for the first night in one of their huts. We had stayed at this camp many times before, but always camping. It was the first time for both of us that we stayed in a hut. They are very basic with three single beds. The third bed is great for putting all your gear on! There is no electricity but one does have paraffin lamps & these proved to be more than satisfactory.
Male Red backed Shrike
Lots of this newly arrived migrant
were seen.
Sabota Larks were plentiful & singing from
their perches.
Pied Cuckoo
Didcric Cuckoos were pestering the
Southern Masked Weaver colony in Satara.
Bronze Manakins were feeding on the lawn.
We enjoyed a leisurely drive, stopping for lunch at Satara. We saw lots of the normal plains game along the way, but nothing special. Migrants had arrived & we saw Pied Cuckoos & lots of Red backed Shrikes.
A very content & very fat male Lion!
After a pleasant evening in camp we once again set off northwards on 24th. We soon came across a very content sleeping male Lion. No doubt sleeping off the effects of his recent meal.
Elephants
Having a great time at Mopani Dam
A few Spur winged Geese were around.
Common House Martins had newly arrived
& present in good numbers.
Didric Cuckoos were once again conspicuous.
We stopped at Mopani Camp for lunch overlooking the dam. This proved a good choice as several herds of Elephants came down to drink & play in the water. Migrant birds were also plentiful with over 1,000 Barn Swallows & 30 Common House Martins on the dam.
Kori Bustard
Pale phase Tawny Eagle
Namaqua Dove
We continued via the Tropic of Capricorn loop road. It was quiet for game but we did manage to see a few birds.
Woodland Kingfisher
We called in at Shingwedzi Camp to refuel & were entertained by a pair of Woodland Kingfishers.
Grey-headed Kingfisher
We arrived at Sirheni late afternoon & met up with our good friends Rob & Cath who would be staying with us for the next four nights. Delana & I had not been to this bush camp before & it was very nice, nestled on the banks of a dry riverbed with decent views. As we were settling in, we spotted a Grey-headed Kingfisher which appeared to be nesting on the far bank of the river. This is an uncommon intra-African migrant & a good sighting. We also spotted a pair of Meeve's Starlings, which were about 70kms south of their normal range on the Limpopo.
Nile Crocodiles concentrated around one of the
few pools of water left on the river.
Vervet Monkey
Cape Griffon with other vultures.
The worst photograph of a Montague's Harrier.
The 25th November saw us on the Mphongolo Loop (S56) track which largely parallels the river. We came onto the main road at Babalala Picnic site & found a dead Elephant with around 60 White-backed, 6 Lappet-faced & a lone Cape Griffon Vulture. We also were lucky to see a fine male Montague's Harrier, but I couldn't focus the camera to get decent photos!
Common Swifts
Elephant
Cape Buffalo
Verreaux's Eagle
Arrow marked Babbler
Didric Cuckoo
Male giving female food in courtship.
Many Monotonous Larks were singing.
These were newly arrived birds.
Spotted Flycatcher
The next day saw us on the Mphongolo Loop again heading north towards Punda Maria. We slowly drove the Mahonie Loop then headed back on the main tar road. We came across around 250 Common Swifts, which proved very challenging to photograph! Monotonous Larks were singing in good numbers & we obtained some great views. This is a species which arrives with the rains & then disappears again after breeding. In drought years it is not recorded at all.
Impalas have just given birth.
They synchronize breeding to have their young
all at the same time, to minimize predation.
Adult Martial Eagle
Pin-tailed Whydah
Jameson's Firefinch
Nice to see this species so well.
Cut-throat Finch
This is an isolated population around Shingwedzi.
White-browed Sparrow Weaver
Eastern Golden Weaver
Violet-backed Starling
Little Swift
African Black Swift
We then spent sometime on the high water bridge close to camp. There is a sizeable Little Swift colony nesting under the bridge, together with a few pairs of African Black Swift. I spent sometime trying to photograph these birds & after a lot of really duff photos, finally got a couple of good ones! We then headed back to camp.
African Rock Python
It had just eaten!
Natal Spurfowl
On 28th we again toured the S56 loop road. It was quiet for large mammals but we saw a couple of unusual things!
On 27th November we drove to Shingwedzi Camp & spent sometime exploring the area. I found three species which I was not expecting at all: Cut-throat Finch, White-browed Sparrow Weaver & the most unexpected of all Eastern Golden Weaver, which is way out of range.
