Barberspan

We left Sabie Park early on 12th July for the long & rather boring drive to Barberspan. We arrived at our destination in the dark, but quickly settled in & enjoyed the evening, despite the cold! 

The view from our accommodation.

African Darter

The lake & associated pools were very birdy.

Great crested Grebe with young.

Little Grebe

This proved to be a common species at this site.

Yellow-billed Egret

Black Heron: a rare visitor here.

Blue-billed Teal

White-backed Duck

There were several pairs with broods,

 on the smaller ponds.

Baby Red-knobbed Coot

Ostriches were common on the surrounding farmland.

White-backed Mousebird

Cape Glossy Starling

Zitting Cisticola

We were up early the next morning for a walk around the property, which backed on to the huge lake. We then jumped into the car & explored some back roads with some very birdy pools along the way. It was an enjoyable morning, but on our return to the property I started to feel ill & spent the rest of the day in bed.

We were packed & ready to go on 14th but I was still feeling ill. Delana did nearly all the driving, while I just sat there!

Kruger & Sabie Park

We arrived back home at Sabie Park late on 1st July. Then it was all about unpacking the caravan (which continued on until the next day). The 2nd was all about completing household chores & little birding was done.

Leopard

Sometimes it can be just too close!

Southern Gound Hornbill

African Spoonbill

Brown headed Kingfisher

Lilac-breasted Roller

White-bellied Sunbird

On 3rd July, Karen, Arthur & myself enjoyed a full day in Kruger driving to Lower Sabie Rest Camp & back. Delana had some work to do & stayed home. The best sighting of the day were close up views of a male Leopard which walked alongside the car. 

Karen & Arthur at Skukuza Golf Club.

Hippos, looking happy!

Natal Spurfowl

Giant Kingfisher

Green Woodhoopoe

Scarlet-chested Sunbird

Female

Yellow-breasted Apalis

The next day we all went to the Skukuza Golf Club for lunch, followed by a quick look at Lake Panic. Nothing of note was seen.

Graskop Gorge

The lift into the gorge.

It really is a different world down there!

Karen & Arthur

We spent all day on 5th visiting Graskop Gorge & taking the lift down to the forest at the bottom of the gorge. It really is a different world down there!

Cape Buffalo

Leopard

Seen from the picnic site.

I spent the next day at home, as wasn't feeling that well. On the 7th July we visited the picnic site & scored big time with a beautiful male Leopard!

Delana took Karen & Arthur to the airport for their flight (s) home. One going to Germany & the other the USA! We hope they enjoyed their time with us here. I spent all day down in Nelspruit getting the car serviced. A bit of a waste of a day!