Off to Delana’s ranch in the
morning for a week’s stay, yet another leg on this little adventure of ours. It was great to be back here again. Time for a little relaxation & gentle birding & animal watching. The days merged into one but we had a nice time.
Red crested Korhaan
Male Double banded Sandgrouse
Female
The donkeys brought in to pull the cart
are breeding well.
Fiery necked Nightjar
African Wild Cat
Taken by the remote cameras at The Post.
Caracal
Lion at Springbokwasser.
The Lions killed the donkey.
That is why we need new ones for the cart!
This is what the donkeys should be doing!
Swallow tailed Bee-eater
Grey backed Camaroptera
White bellied Sunbird
The birding highlight was finding a Bat Hawk near the farm house early one morning. It gave terrific views before flying off.
Delana high up in her tower enjoying a sundowner.
A little later in the evening.
Despite the drought the farm still has got
good grass cover.
The farm is large enough to have to drive
to most places.
The open area close to the old farmhouse.
Birding diversity was low, due to the time of year
(no migrants back yet) & the drought.
One of the main tracks across the farm.
Adult Martial Eagle
African Hawk Eagle
Immature Pale Chanting Goshawk
are breeding well.
That is why we need new ones for the cart!
Bat Hawk
This is a rare bird in this area.
Made more surprising in that there are
no major rivers close by.
White backed Vulture nesting.
Red billed Spurfowl
Crested Francolin
Rattling Cisticola
The birding highlight was finding a Bat Hawk near the farm house early one morning. It gave terrific views before flying off.
The open plan lounge area at the bush camp,
overlooking the small waterhole.
Common Duiker
Dik-dik
Often in pairs. This pair come to drink
several times a day.
Slender Mongoose
Tame & always scavenging around
the bushcamp.
Scavenging bits off the braii stand.
On the veranda.
Tree Squirrel
When the mongoose is around the squirrels are alert
& climb up a tree or pole.
The bush-camp has a little waterhole where both animals & a variety of birds come down to drink. Slender Mongoose is a bit off a pest, as getting too tame & trying to get into everything where they think there might be food.
Best birds:
(only 61 species recorded this trip).
Mammals:
Eland; Gemsbok; Kudu; Common Duiker; Dik-dik; Slender Mongoose; Chacma Baboon; Tree Squirrel.
Picked up on remote camera, but not seen: Lion; Caracal & African Wildcat.
Best birds:
Crested Francolin; Red Billed Spurfowl; Swainson's Spurfowl; Bat Hawk; Black chested Snake-eagle; Pale chanting Goshawk; Shikra; African Hawk Eagle; Martial Eagle; Red crested Korhaan; Spotted Thicknee; Crowned Lapwing; Double banded Sandgrouse; African Barred Owlet; Fiery necked Nightjar; Lilac breasted Roller; Swallow tailed Bee-eater; Common Scimitarbill; African grey Hornbill; Southern Yellow billed Hornbill; Southern Red billed Hornbill; Pritit Batis; Black crowned Tchagra; Carp's Tit; Ashy Tit; Rattling Cisticola; Long billed Crombec; Southern Pied Babbler; Cape Glossy Starling; White browed Scrub Robin; Scaly Feathered Finch; Violet eared Waxbill; Black throated Canary.
(only 61 species recorded this trip).
Mammals:
Eland; Gemsbok; Kudu; Common Duiker; Dik-dik; Slender Mongoose; Chacma Baboon; Tree Squirrel.
Picked up on remote camera, but not seen: Lion; Caracal & African Wildcat.
This proved to be an excellent stop over.
Pearl spotted Owlet
Black faced Babbler
This is a very tough bird to find, being low density
within its restricted range.
Left the ranch early on 25th
September & drove via Grootfontein to Roy’s Camp, which turned out to be a very pleasant surprise.
Tonight we had a bit of luxury in that we didn’t camp but stayed in a nice
chalet. We found the Black faced
Babblers without too much difficulty, but although close proved difficult
to photograph. We enjoyed our time at the bar & met an interesting couple
who were conducting genetic research on the local bushmen.
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