Saturday, 31 October 2020

Etosha: Halali

 We left Tsenub on 27th October & drove slowly to Halali Camp in central Etosha National Park. 

Kudu

White backed & Lappet faced Vultures.

Tawny Eagle


Red capped Lark

Birds were utilizing all places of shade.



Kori Bustard

Our first stop was at Klein Namutoni. A bush fire had recently gone through this area & birding was generally poor.

A typical Etosha scene.


Tawny Eagle

Male Namaqua Sandgrouse.

Female.

Double banded Courser


Tawny Eagle.

Sabota Lark


These hornbills are interesting: could be hybrids.






Black chested Prinia







Our very nice accommodation tucked away
 at the base of the hills.

The balcony.

Arriving at Halali mid afternoon it was very hot & we settled in to our new accommodation which was very nice, tucked away in woodland close to a koppie. 








Black faced Impala.


Marabou Stork

It was amazing how much water this bird drank!


African Hawk Eagle










Spent the late afternoon at the waterhole, which was very pleasant.

Monteiro's Hornbill




Rufous crowned  (Purple) Roller



Violet Wood-hoopoe

Immature bird.

European Golden Oriole

Recently arrived migrants.


White-crowned Shrike

Groundscraper Thrush


The 28th October morning was spent birding around the camp, which was quite good.

The waterhole at dusk.


We spent the evening at the camp waterhole & it turned out to be a superb spectacle.

Goas

Black backed Jackal


Namaqua Dove

Rufous chested Swallow

Sabota Lark






On 29th October we visited Goas & Reitfontein in the morning.

Shaft tailed Whydah

Golden breasted Bunting





In the afternoon it was back at the camp waterhole.


White headed Vulture

This species is getting increasingly rare these days.


It was time to leave on 30th October & we drove slowly eastward along the C38 road. The first highlight was a wonderful White-headed Vulture circling the road. 

Double banded Courser


Secretarybird


Rietfontein waterhole was as busy as ever, without seeing anything outstanding there. 

Kori Bustard enjoying the shade.

Blue Wildebeest

Plains Zebra

It was hot & many animals drinking.

Salvadora waterhole




Zitting Cisticola






Desert Cisticola

Common in these dry grasslands.



Secretarybird







We then meandered around the Salvadora area & struck gold at Charitsaub with two Lionesses being present. 


Further on we found a pair of Spotted Eagle Owls nesting on top of a Sociable Weaver colony/nest. 


We arrived in camp late afternoon & settled in to our waterhole accommodation.







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