Ventures into Kruger.

 On 21st March we all went into Kruger for the day. It was a mostly dull & uninspiring day without any memorable sightings. However it was nice to be back! It has been thirteen months! 

Giant Eagle Owl, using an old Hamerkop nest.

I think these are the same birds which visit my garden, 

which is just across the river.

Burchell's Coucal

Senegal Lapwing

We travelled down the S3, turned on to the S4 & then down the Waterhole Road. Mammals were scarce but we did enjoy some nice bird sightings.

This is the first time I have seen this river flowing.

Wood Sandpiper

Delana saving a Leopard Tortoise

from the hazards of the road.

Swainson's Spurfowl

Young male Impalas play fighting.

The river crossing had some water flowing! A new sight for me as it has pools but I have never seen it flowing before. 

The views from the top are stunning.

Delana, Juantelle & Francois.

Klipspringer

Lilac breasted Rollers

European Roller

Senegal Lapwing

Three were seen just before the lookout.

African Pipit

Magpie Shrike

Bateleur, eating a snake!

We then cut across to the Stevenson Hamilton Memorial & enjoyed a late breakfast there. The views were really nice & we all enjoyed our time there. 

Drink next to the river in Skukuza.

Back to Skukuza on the S114 & a brief walk around the camp enjoying the river views, but little bird or animal activity. 

African Darter

A quick run to the Skukuza Golf Club for lunch & then a look at Lake Panic Bird Hide.

It was quite a way off the road.

We spent quite sometime with this animal.

On 24th March Delana & I had a late morning run into Kruger. We went to check my mailbox at Skukuza but got delayed by seeing a Leopard up a tree! We spent quite a while here enjoying this sighting. Further along the road was another Leopard in a tree but this one was a little too far to photograph. 

It has been a long time coming but finally

 they have renovated The Station Restaurant!

And what an interesting place it is!

The old steam train.

What a fabulous job they have done!

Lunch at the Cattle Baron followed by a walk around camp inspecting the new railway restaurant & the railway hotel on the bridge. All very nice, fancy & expensive!

On our return we popped in to Lake Panic Bird Hide & had the spot to ourselves. But it was yet again quiet. 

Tawny Eagle

Eating a Bush Squirrel

Hippo out in daylight close to PKG.

The next day we had a late run into Skukuza, mainly to eat at the New Station Restaurant & pleased to say the food was excellent!

On 28th March we were knocking on the gate at the national park at dawn. We enjoyed a full day out first going along the H1-2 to Kruger Tablets where while having coffee a Barred Owlet was calling.

Waterbuck

At Mazimhlope Dam.

White faced Duck

Water Dikkop

 We then drove along the S36 to Nhalanguleni Picnic Site to find it abandoned! One of my favourite breakfast stops needs a lot of care & attention. 

Double banded Sandgrouse

Russet crowned Roller

European Roller

Burchell's Starling

It actually ate this frog!

The Vitumi Road is a quiet & intimate bush track.

Natal Francolin with chicks.

Buffy Pipit

Red backed Shrike

Woodland Kingfisher

Lesser Grey Shrike

Surprising that summer migrants are still around

 on this date.

Grey rumped Swallow with Barn Swallows.

Elephants in the river.

We had an interesting drive along the Vutomi Road. It is a wild intimate bush road & we really enjoyed the drive, but despite water being present in the river, there was no flooded forest as hoped for! 

Lesser Moorhen

Very much a rains migrant here.

Woolly necked Stork

Blacksmith Lapwing

Record shot of Yellow crowned Bishop

This is a very scarce species in the lowveld.

We returned home via Tshokwane Picnic Site & along the main road. The best stop being at Leeupan, which held plenty of water & some good birds.

Crocodile on the banks of the river.

White fronted Bee-eater

Very much a riverine species.

These birds were along the Sabie River.

It was a very nice day out with some nice sightings. Good to be back!

It really is a great view from here

 early in the morning.

Waterbuck at Transport Dam

Spotted Hyena

A group of five were on the main road.

They gave stand out close views!

Dwarf Mongoose

This individual was part of a group of ten.

Yellow throated Bush Sparrow

A widespread, but often a difficult bird

 to photograph.

The next day we were back in Kruger again. This time as a short cut to get to White River, so we didn't do a lot of birding. This was our last time in Kruger in March. We spent very little time here this trip, mainly because of working on the house in Sabie Park. But we will be back in April!