Yesterday morning saw a group BLNG birders braving the cold weather hoping to find the Yellow-throated Sandgrouse (YTSG).
After we relocated one vehicle who missed the turn-off (sorry, my mistake), we made our way quickly to the Sandgrouse site south of Sun City. We arrived just after 08:00, and immediately started looking for the birds I expected to have arrived already. The window of opportunity I was expecting, after recent visits, was 07:45 to 09:00. After 15 minutes of searching and waiting, the unmistakable call of the YTSG heralded the approach of a pair. A nice "fly-by" view was had by all, before the birds landed out of sight. I decided not to rush off in search of these, and rather wait for others. The next pair decided to land within metres of our vehicles, but out of view for us. Again, I chose to wait, and within minutes a small group landed in view about 60 metres away from us.
Over the next half an hour, we had a number of small groups coming and going, and were finally rewarded when a group of 5 landed roughly 20 metres from us. Great views were had by all as the birds settled, and slowly moved off towards the stream. One male very obligingly stopped to dust-bathe and allowed some of the birders to approach to within 10 metres for some great views and photo's.
A "successful chase" was called by everyone, and most of the group headed off to Pilanesberg for some more birding. The remaining few got out some coffee and rusks to celebrate, and whilst standing around, a single male YTSG landed on the gravel, allowing a brief view before taking off again. This was just after 10:00. Another single male alighted in the same area at around 10:20, and allowed a brief photo opportunity before moving off.
I estimate a total of around 30 - 35 YTSG for the morning. Total species noted was close to 40 species, quite a low number due to our intense focus on the sandgrouse.
Some nice species noted were Kalahari and White-browed Scrub Robin, Violet-eared Waxbill, Magpie Shrike, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, Brownthroated Martin, Pearl-breasted and White-throated Swallow, White-winged Widow (starting to show breeding plumage) and Marico Sunbird. An interesting sighting of one melanistic Gabar Goshawk was seen by Niall Perrins who was trying to sneak up on the YTSG for photo's.
Thanks to the members who drove all the way out here to join us.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Successful chase
I was very glad to receive a request recently to chase the Yellow-throated Sandgrouse (YTSG).
This request came from Sharon and Fred Kersten (http://www.kerstenbirding.com/), as this is a species that is both new to them and the list Sharon is working on for the year 2009.
After a chilly start this morning at 07:00, we made our way to the Sun City site in anticipation. I was looking forward to this outing, as I have not seen the YTSG at this site for some time now. This is due to my poor timing, and only managing visits during fruitless times of the day. I still had faith!!
The "dawn chorus" kept me very busy trying to ID the numerous species calling around me, and we had nice views of Marico Sunbird flitting around, as well as a beautiful Kalahari Scrub-Robin. Crested Francolin were calling harshly, and a couple of African Wattled Lapwings joined in for good measure.
After an hour of patient waiting (I still had faith), 4 YTSG made a brief fly-over and never stopped. I was secretly concerned that this was it, but withing minutes a few more flew over and I picked out the typical "ipi aw aw" call of these beautiful birds. For the next hour, we had over 30-40 YTSG flying sorties, scanning the area below, and had some stunning views of a few groups flying past with the sun lighting up the amazing markings of both male and female. A handful alighted on the sandy soils for a spot of dust-bathing, allowing for some good views.
During this time, we kept noticing a number of YTSG coming in to land behind a few trees within 50 - 100m from the original site, and upon investigating, we came across another 2 sites with a "shallow bank down to the water" that these birds prefer. Amazingly (and some say "Murphy's Law"), while we were investigating these sites, a few YTSG chose to land right next to the spot we were standing on minutes before, mere metres from the cars.
We called it a morning around 09:30, with Sharon and Fred heading off to Borakalalo. Even as we were finishing up, individuals were still flying past and landing near the stream.
It was difficult to confirm numbers, but the total must have been over 50 individuals by the time we left. Fred was kept busy with taking some pictures, which I have been assured will be shown on their site. From the few he showed me, there were some great images. Have a look.
Happy birding and atlassing!!!
This request came from Sharon and Fred Kersten (http://www.kerstenbirding.com/), as this is a species that is both new to them and the list Sharon is working on for the year 2009.
After a chilly start this morning at 07:00, we made our way to the Sun City site in anticipation. I was looking forward to this outing, as I have not seen the YTSG at this site for some time now. This is due to my poor timing, and only managing visits during fruitless times of the day. I still had faith!!
The "dawn chorus" kept me very busy trying to ID the numerous species calling around me, and we had nice views of Marico Sunbird flitting around, as well as a beautiful Kalahari Scrub-Robin. Crested Francolin were calling harshly, and a couple of African Wattled Lapwings joined in for good measure.
After an hour of patient waiting (I still had faith), 4 YTSG made a brief fly-over and never stopped. I was secretly concerned that this was it, but withing minutes a few more flew over and I picked out the typical "ipi aw aw" call of these beautiful birds. For the next hour, we had over 30-40 YTSG flying sorties, scanning the area below, and had some stunning views of a few groups flying past with the sun lighting up the amazing markings of both male and female. A handful alighted on the sandy soils for a spot of dust-bathing, allowing for some good views.
During this time, we kept noticing a number of YTSG coming in to land behind a few trees within 50 - 100m from the original site, and upon investigating, we came across another 2 sites with a "shallow bank down to the water" that these birds prefer. Amazingly (and some say "Murphy's Law"), while we were investigating these sites, a few YTSG chose to land right next to the spot we were standing on minutes before, mere metres from the cars.
We called it a morning around 09:30, with Sharon and Fred heading off to Borakalalo. Even as we were finishing up, individuals were still flying past and landing near the stream.
It was difficult to confirm numbers, but the total must have been over 50 individuals by the time we left. Fred was kept busy with taking some pictures, which I have been assured will be shown on their site. From the few he showed me, there were some great images. Have a look.
Happy birding and atlassing!!!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Pilanesberg Update
After way too long, here is an update on how Pilanesberg is looking after just over 2 years of SABAP2.
The central pentads are growing nicely, with 2 pentads already over 25 cards, and Pentad 2515_2700 only 1 card away from turning RED.
3 of the pentads (light blue) are only 2-3 cards away from changing colour, which will make them Dark Blue.
In addition to all the cards submitted, it is great to note that the majority of the Pilanesberg pentads have over 140 species recorded, with some over 180, as shown on the species richness map (http://sabap2.adu.org.za/spp_richness_map.php).
This is a great achievement so far, and thank you to the atlassers who have assisted with getting Pilanesberg to where it is now.
The central pentads are growing nicely, with 2 pentads already over 25 cards, and Pentad 2515_2700 only 1 card away from turning RED.
3 of the pentads (light blue) are only 2-3 cards away from changing colour, which will make them Dark Blue.
In addition to all the cards submitted, it is great to note that the majority of the Pilanesberg pentads have over 140 species recorded, with some over 180, as shown on the species richness map (http://sabap2.adu.org.za/spp_richness_map.php).
This is a great achievement so far, and thank you to the atlassers who have assisted with getting Pilanesberg to where it is now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
