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!!!