4/11/90 - 24/11/90 South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA          4/11/1990 - 24/11/1990

 

Systematic List

 

Ostrich - Struthio camelus australis C

This species has been domesticated in Cape Province where it has been hybridised with  the form S. c. camelus becoming feral on farms (Brown et al. (1982)). Birds presumably relating to this population were encountered in the south with 10 seen on the Langebaan Loop, 50 at De Hoop and 6 near Graaft Reinet. As wild birds are confined to National Parks (Brown et al. (1982)), birds considered to offer better credentials were 2 seen at Olifants in the Kruger NP, and even perhaps up to 4 seen on each of the two dates at the Langjan Reserve.

 

Little Grebe - Tachybaptus ruficollis capensis C

Seen on nine dates at scattered locations with a maximum of 30 seen on the 14^th.

 

Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps cristatus infuscatus C

Only seen on two dates with 3 seen at Raydn Dam and c.25 on the lakes at De Hoop and Knynsa.

 

Eared Grebe - Podiceps nigricollis gurneyi C

Seen on our first four dates in large numbers with a daily maximum of c.350 recorded on lakes just north of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve on the 4^th.

 

Sooty Shearwater - Puffinus griseus C

A single individual was seen from the East London Breakwater on the 9^th.

 

Great White Pelican - Pelecanus onocrotalus C

A total of 50 were see on the Langebaan Loop on the 5^th.

 

Pink-backed Pelican - Pelecanus rufescens C

Seen at St. Lucia, False Bay and Mkuzi with a daily maximum of 9 recorded on the 16^th.

 

Cape Gannet - Morus capensis C

A total of 80 were seen from various sea-watching points on the 4^th and 8 were seen from the East London breakwater on the 9^th.

 

Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo lucidus C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 30 seen on the 4^th.

 

Cape Cormorant - Phalacrocorax capensis C

At least 20 were seen at various coastal locations on the 4^th and 6 were seen off Morgans Bay on the 10^th.

 

Bank Cormorant - Phalacrocorax neglectus C

A total of 10 were seen off the western coast of the Cape on the 4^th.

 

 

Long-tailed Cormorant - Phalacrocorax africanus africanus C

Seen on thirteen dates at widely scattered locations with a daily maximum of 12 noted on the 16^th.

 

Crowned Cormorant - Phalacrocorax coronatus C

At least 100 were seen along the western Cape coast on the 4^th.

 

Darter - Anhinga melanogaster rufa C

Seen on seven dates at widely scattered locations with a daily maximum of 4 seen on the 14^th.

 

Grey Heron - Ardea cinerea cinerea C

Seen on sixteen dates in small numbers.

 

Black-headed Heron - Ardea melanocephala C

Seen on fourteen dates in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 15 seen on the 7^th.

 

Goliath Heron - Ardea goliath C

A pair were seen at Thalazhinka Pan, 1 at Mkuzi and up to 2 near Shingwedzi in the Kruger on the two dates there.

 

Purple Heron - Ardea purpurea purpurea C

Seen on four dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 6 seen at Thalazhinka Pan on the 14^th.

 

Great Egret - Ardea alba melanorhyncha C

Seen at Thalazhinka Pan, Mkuzi and Shingwedzi in the Kruger NP in small numbers.

 

Black Heron - Egretta ardesiaca C

Singles were seen at Thalazhinka Pan and Mkuzi.

 

Intermediate Egret - Egretta intermedia brachyrhyncha C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 50 seen on the 16^th.

 

Little Egret - Egretta garzetta garzetta C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 15 seen on the 16^th.

 

Squacco Heron - Ardeola ralloides C

Seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen at Mkuzi on the 16^th.

 

Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis ibis C

Seen virtually daily in large numbers.

 

Striated Heron - Butorides striatus atricapillus C

Singles seen on two dates in the Kruger NP.

 

Black-crowned Night-Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax C

Seen on just four dates with 3 seen at Cape Town, 1 at Mkuzi and 1 at the Nyl River Floodplain.

 

Hamerkop - Scopus umbretta umbretta C

Seen on nine dates in scattered locations in small numbers.

 

Yellow-billed Stork - Mycteria ibis C

Singles were seen near Belfast on the 16^th and near Olifants in the Kruger NP on the 20^th.

 

African Openbill - Anastomus lamelligerus lamelligerus C

Singles were seen at Mkuzi and at Olifants in the Kruger NP.

 

Black Stork - Ciconia nigra C

A single individual was seen near Somerset East on the 8^th and 3 were seen on the Shingwedzi River in the Kruger NP on the 20^th.

 

Woolly-necked Stork - Ciconia episcopus microscelis C

Seen on five dates at Enseleni, St. Lucia, Mkuzi and in the northern part of the Kruger NP in small numbers with a daily maximum of  7 at Pafuri on the 21^st.

 

White Stork - Ciconia ciconia ciconia C

Seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen near Blinkwater on the 13^th.

 

Saddle-billed Stork - Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis C

Up to 2 were seen daily at various water-holes in the Kruger NP.

 

Marabou Stork - Leptoptilos crumeniferus C

A single individual was seen at Mkuzi and up to 12 were seen daily in the Kruger NP.

 

Sacred Ibis - Threskiornis aethiopicus aethiopicus C

Seen on eight dates at scattered locations with a daily maximum of 100 seen on the 5^th.

 

(Southern) Bald Ibis - Geronticus calvus C

A single individual was seen at the Mooi River Falls on the 12^th and 18 were seen at the small Sewage Farm along the R532 between Grasskop asnd the Blyde River Canyon.

 

Hadada Ibis - Bostrychia hagedash hagedash C

Common and widespread being seen virtually daily.

 

Glossy Ibis - Plegadis falcinellus C

Seen at Thalizhinka Pan, Mkuzi, and the Benoni Pans with a daily maximum of 6 seen at Benoni on the 24^th.

 

African Spoonbill - Platalea alba C

Seen along the Langebaan Loop, at Mkuzi, near Piet Retief and at the Benoni Pans in small numbers with a daily maximum of 10 seen on the 16^th.

 

Greater Flamingo - Phoenicopterus ruber roseus C

Up to 100 were seen on the Langebaan Loop with a single individual seen near Piet Retief and 18 on the Benoni Pans.

 

White-faced Whistling-Duck - Dendrocygna viduata C

Seen at Pietermaritzburg, Darville Sewage Works, St. Lucia, Mkuzi, Nyl Floodplain and the Benoni Pans with a daily maximum of 15 seen on the 14^th.

 

White-backed Duck - Thalassornis leuconotus leuconotus C

A total of 6 were seen on roadside pools between Port Alfred and East London on the 9^th.

 

Egyptian Goose - Alopochen aegyptiacus C

Very common being seen virtually daily.

 

South Africa Shelduck - Tadorna cana C

Seen at Raydn Dam, Calvina Road, Graaft Reinet, Port Alfred, near Pietermaritzburg and at Benoni Pans in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 20 seen on the 12^th.

 

Spur-winged Goose - Plectropterus gambensis niger C

Common being seen virtually daily between the 5^th and 18^th with a daily maximum of 40 seen on the Langebaan Loop.

 

Comb Duck - Sarkidiornis melanotos melanotos C

We saw 3 just north of Shingwedzi in the Kruger NP and a flock of 15 around 25km north of Pietersburg.

 

African Black Duck - Anas sparsa sparsa C

We were pleased to find a single individual on a small water-hole at Mkuzi and then somewhat surprised to see at least 10 on the pools and along the stream in the fenced-off area of Delta Park in the centre of Johannesburg.

 

Cape Teal - Anas capensis C

We saw 7 at the Raydn Dam and 2 on the Benoni Pans.

 

Yellow-billed Duck - Anas undulata undulata C

Seen on eight dates in scattered locations with daily maximums of 70 seen on the 7^th and 12^th.

 

Red-billed Duck - Anas erythrorhyncha C

We saw 25 at the Raydn Dam and 6 at the Benoni Pans.

 

Hottentot Teal - Anas hottentota C

We saw 6 at the Darville Sewage Works and 14 at the Benoni Pans.

 

Cape Shoveler - Anas smithii C

Seen on five dates in good numbers whilst visiting suitable habitat with a daily maximum of 300 seen at De Hoop on the 7^th.

 

Southern Pochard - Netta erythrophthalma brunnea C

We saw 4 at Raydn Dam, 30 at De Hoop and 8 near Pietermaritzburg.

 

Maccoa Duck - Oxyura maccoa C

A single individual was seen at Raydn Dam followed by 3 at De Hoop and 4 on the Benoni Pans.

 

African Cuckoo-Hawk - Aviceda cuculoides verreauxii C

A single individual was seen mobbing a Jackal Buzzard just south of the Mooi River on the 12th and a superb individual was watched both perched and in flight at close range in the riverside forest to the east of the Pafuri Picnic Spot in the Kruger NP on the 22^nd.

 

European Honey-buzzard - Pernis apivorus C

A dark phase individual was seen at the Ferncliffe Sewage Works at Pietermaritzburg on the 13^th.

 

Black-shouldered Kite - Elanus caeruleus caeruleus C

This species proved common being seen on seventeen dates with a daily maximum of 20 being seen on the 5^th.

 

Black Kite - Milvus migrans migrans/parasitus C

A single migrans was identified at False Bay on the 15^th. Yellow-billed parasitus was fairly common being seen virtually daily.

 

African Fish-Eagle - Haliaeetus vocifer C

Seen on eight dates in scattered localities when visiting suitable habitat.

 

Hooded Vulture - Necrosyrtes monachus C

Only seen in the Kruger NP where a single individual was seen at roost just south of Shingwedzi and 3 were seen at Pafuri.

 

Lammergeier - Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis C

A superb pair were seen at close range near a carcass along the road over the Lower Pitseng Pass on the 11^th.

 

African White-backed Vulture - Gyps africanus C

An immature seen at a carcass at the Lower Pitseng Pass was seemingly out of its normal range on the 11^th. Up to 20 were seen daily in the Kruger NP.

 

Cape Griffon - Gyps coprotheres C

We watched the first 6 to rise at Naudesnek Pass at around 10am and then saw 73 at a carcass along the road over the Lower Pitseng Pass. We also saw 2 on the two days at Mkuzi.

 

Lappet-faced Vulture - Torgos tracheliotus tracheliotus C

A pair were seen over the Fig Forest at Mkuzi and 4 between Lataba and Shingwedzi and a pair and 1 immature in a nest near Pafuri whilst in the Kruger NP.

 

White-headed Vulture - Trigonoceps occipitalis C

A single individual was seen along the entrance road to Mkuzi and a pair were seen on the loop around Punda Maria in the Kruger NP.

 

Black-breasted Snake-Eagle - Circaetus pectoralis C

A single individual was seen near Jock of the Bushveld in the Kruger NP on the 19^th.

 

Brown Snake-Eagle - Circaetus cinereus C

Up to 2 were seen daily at Mkuzi, Kruger and Langjan.

 

Fasciated (Southern Banded) Snake-Eagle - Circaetus fasciolatus C

A single individual gave good views both perched and in flight along the roadside roughly 15km before reaching the causeway to St. Lucia on the 14^th.

 

Bateleur - Terathopius ecaudatus C

A single individual was seen at Mkuzi and up to 5 were seen daily at Kruger NP.

 

African Marsh Harrier - Circus ranivorus C

Pairs seen on the Langbaan Loop, near Port Alfred, Thalzhinka Pan and near Pieterburg.

 

Black Harrier - Circus maurus C

Superb views of 3 seen on the Langebaan Loop and singles also seen well at Sir Lowry’s Pass and along the entrance road to Alexandria Forest. Superb.

 

African Harrier-Hawk - Polyboroides typus typus C

Seen on five dates in small numbers at scattered coastal locations.

 

Lizard Buzzard - Kaupifalco monogrammicus meridionalis C

Singles were seen at Mkuzi, Pretuiskop in the Kruger NP and at the Nyl River Floodplain.

 

Pale Chanting-Goshawk - Melierax canorus argentior / canorus C

A total of 15 canorus were seen along the R57 between Willowvale and Graaft Reinet on the 8^th and up to 4 argentior were seen daily at the Langjan Game Reserve. Superb.

 

Gabar Goshawk - Micronisus gabar gabar C

A single individual was seen near Pretuiskop in the Kruger NP on the 19^th.

 

African Goshawk - Accipiter tachiro tachiro C

A single individual was seen at Ferncliffe Forest near Pietermaritzburg on the 13^th.

 

Shikra - Accipiter badius polyzonoides C

A single individual was seen near Pretuiskop in the Kruger NP on the 19^th.

 

Little Sparrowhawk - Accipiter minullus C

A single individual was seen in the tall trees at the Shingwedzi Camp Site in the Kruger NP.

 

Black (Great) Goshawk - Accipiter melanoleucus melanoleucus C

A single adult was seen at its breeding site at the Darville Sewage Works at Pietermaritzburg.

 

Eurasian Buzzard - Buteo buteo vulpinus C

Common being seen virtually daily.

 

Jackal Buzzard - Buteo rufofuscus C

Seen on six dates in scattered locations with a daily maximum of 8 seen on the 12^th.

 

Lesser Spotted Eagle - Aquila pomarina pomarina C

We saw 2 along the approach road to Mkuzi on the 16^th.

 

Tawny Eagle - Aquila rapax rapax C

We saw 3 in the vicinity of Punda Maria and Pafuri in the Kruger NP on the 22^nd.

 

Wahlberg’s Eagle - Aquila wahlbergi C

Up to 3 were seen daily on the dates between the 16^th and the 22^nd.

 

Verreaux’s Eagle - Aquila verreauxii C

A pair were watched displaying along the ridge to the north-west of Karoopoort. Superb.

 

African Hawk-Eagle - Hieraaetus spilogaster C

A single individual was seen near Skukuza in the Kruger NP on the 19^th.

 

Booted Eagle - Hieraaetus pennatus C

Singles were seen at Karoopoort, Graaff Reinet Dam and near Port Alfred.

 

Ayres’ Hawk-Eagle - Hieraaetus ayresii C

A single immature was seen at the Langjan Game Reserve on the 22^nd.

 

Martial Eagle - Polemaetus bellicosus C

Singles were seen at Sir Lowry’s Pass and Mkuzi and a total of 5 were seen in the northern half of the Kruger NP on two dates there.

 

Long-crested Eagle - Lophaetus occipitalis C

Up to 4 were seen near Morgan’s Bay, 3 at St. Lucia and 2 near Grasskop.

 

Crowned (Hawk-) Eagle - Stephanoaetus coronatus C

A fine pair were watched perched and in flight at the Ferncliffe Forest at Pietermaritzburg on the 13^th and an immature was found in the forest near Punda Maria in the Kruger NP on the 21^st.

 

Secretary-bird - Sagittarius serpentarius C

A pair were seen between Graaff Reinet and Somerset East and singles were seen near Pietermaritzburg and Satara in the Kruger NP.

 

Lesser Kestrel - Falco naumanni C

Seen on six dates between the 5^th and 11^th with a daily maximum of 4 seen on both the 8^th and 10^th.

 

Eurasian Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus rupicolus C

Seen on eight dates at scattered locations with a daily maximum of 18 seen on the 8^th.

 

Greater Kestrel - Falco rupicoloides rupicoloides C

A pair were seen along the R63 between Graaff Reinet and Pearston on the 8^th.

 

Dickinson’s Kestrel - Falco dickinsoni C

A pair of these superb birds were located sat together on a large dead tree approximately 4km west of Babalala along the S56 in the Kruger NP.

 

Red-footed Falcon - Falco vespertinus C

Two females accompanied a male Amur Falcon just north of Shingwedzi in the Kruger NP on the 21^st.

 

Amur Falcon - Falco amurensis C

We watched a female over Olifants Camp, a male just north of Shingwedzi and a pair just outside Punda Maria. Superb.

 

Eurasian Hobby - Falco subbuteo subbuteo C

We saw a single individual at Mkuzi, a flock of 8 just outside Numbi Gate at the Kruger NP and singles daily whilst within the Kruger NP.

 

Lanner Falcon - Falco biarmicus biarmicus C

A pair were seen on the grain buildings at the East London Breakwater and a single individual was seen c.25km north of Pietermaritzburg.

 

Crested Francolin - Francolinus sephaena sephaena C

A pair were seen at Mkuzi and up to 12 were seen daily whilst in the Kruger NP and at Langjan.

 

Red-winged Francolin - Francolinus levaillantii levaillantii C

A party of 3 were seen along the R36 north of Ermelo on the 18^th.

 

Grey-winged Francolin - Francolinus africanus C

We saw 4 on the Langebaan Loop and 30 at De Hoop.

 

Cape Francolin - Francolinus capensis C

We saw 4 on the Cape of Good Hope, 12 on the Langebaan Loop and 4 at De Hoop.

 

Natal Francolin - Francolinus natalensis C

We saw up to 25 daily in the Kruger NP.

 

Swainson’s Francolin - Francolinus swainsonii swainsonii C

A pair were seen at the Mooi River Falls and up to 25 were seen daily at the Kruger NP and at Langjan.

 

Common Quail – Coturnix coturnix

We heard several at both Blinkwater and in the highlands west of Piet Retief.

 

Helmeted Guineafowl - Numida meleagris coronata C

Seen virtually daily in large numbers.

 

Crested Guineafowl - Guttera pucherani edouardi C

We were pleased to see 2 creeping through the forest along the Mvubu Trail at St. Lucia and were therefore surprised to see up to 15 daily in bushland habitat at Mkuzi.

 

Grey Crowned-Crane - Balearica regulorum regulorum C

A total of 24 were seen in Transkei on the 10^th most of which were in a single field between Maclear and Naudesnek Pass.

 

Blue Crane - Grus paradisea C

A total of 7 were seen along the road between Bredasdorp and Malgas especially where it ran parallel to the De Hoop NR.

 

Wattled Crane - Bugeranus carunculatus C

A trio of 2 adults and an immature were located in a large field on the left hand side of the road approximately 5km west of the town of Nottingham Road on the road leading to Kamberg NR proving to be one of the highlights of the trip.

 

Black Crake - Amaurornis flavirostris C

Singles were seen at the Darville Sewage Farm, Mkuzi and the Benoni Pans with 12 at the river crossing along the S90 just south of the Olifants Camp in the Kruger NP and 2 at the Pafuri Bridge.

 

Buff-spotted Flufftail – Sarothrura elegans

We heard up to 6 in the early morning at Ferncliffe Forest, Pietermaritzburg.

 

Purple Swamphen - Porphyrio porphyrio madagascariensis C

Singles were seen at Gonubie NR and Thalzhinka Pan and 4 were seen at the Benoni Pans.

 

Common Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus C

Seen on five dates in scattered locations.

 

Red-knobbed Coot - Fulica cristata C

Very common being seen on thirteen dates in large numbers.

 

African Finfoot - Podica senegalensis petersii C

A single individual was watched for an hour as it patrolled along the far bank of the river at Enseleni NR. On several occasions it left the water and at one stage preened whilst stood on a log revealing its bright red feet.

 

Kori Bustard - Ardeotis kori kori C

Up to 5 were seen daily at Langjan NR both within and outside of the perimeter fence.

 

Ludwig’s Bustard - Neotis ludwigii C

The trip inland to Graaf Reinet paid off handsomely as it produced 5 of these spectacular birds along the road between Willowvale and Somerset East. A highlight of the trip.

 

Stanley Bustard - Neotis denhami stanleyi C

We saw 2 along the road running parallel with De Hoop and a pair in a field near Morgan’s Bay.

 

White-bellied Bustard - Eupodotis senegalensis barrowii C

A pair were located in a grassy field 25km north of Pietersburg on the 23^rd.

 

Blue Bustard - Eupodotis caerulescens C

A group of 4 adults and an immature were located in the highland fields to the west of Piet Retief on the 17^th. Our 1,000^th species of the year.

 

Karoo Bustard - Eupodotis vigorsii vigorsii C

A pair were seen along the road running parallel with De Hoop and a total of 9 were seen along the road between Willowvale and Graaff Reinet.

 

Red-crested Bustard - Eupodotis ruficrista C

A total of 5 were seen between Olifants and Shingwedzi in the Kruger and 4 were seen daily at Langjan NR.

 

Black Bustard - Eupodotis afra C

A single individual was seen near Veldriff on the 5^th, 2 were seen at De Hoop on the 7^th and a total of 10 were seen between Willowvale and Somerset East on the 8^th.

 

Black-bellied Bustard - Lissotis melanogaster notophila C

A single individual was seen displaying at St. Lucia Airfield on the 15^th and 2 were seen in fields to the west of Piet Retief on the 17^th.

 

African Jacana - Actophilornis africanus C

Seen at the Darville Sewage Works, Thalazhinka Pan, Mkuzi and in the southern Kruger with a daily maximum of 20 seen on the 14^th.

 

African Black Oystercatcher - Haematopus moquini C

A total of 10 were seen on the rocks at Kommetejie on the 4^th and 4 were seen at Knynsa Lagoon on the 7^th.

 

Black-winged Stilt - Himantopus himantopus C

Seen on twelve dates in scattered locations with a daily maximum of 12 seen at the Benoni Pans.

 

Pied Avocet - Recurvirostra avosetta C

We saw 2 at Langebaan, 8 at Mkuzi and 25 at the Benoni Pans.

 

Water Thick-knee - Burhinus vermiculatus vermiculatus C

A single individual was seen at Mkuzi and 3 were seen at Pafuri in the Kruger NP.

 

Spotted Thick-knee - Burhinus capensis C

Pairs seen at Bredasdorp, De Hoop, Alexandria Forest, St. Lucia, Pietersburg and 3 were seen in Delta Park, Johannesburg.

 

Spotted Thick-knee - Burhinus capensis C

We saw 2 in close proximity to a Rhino in the Nairobi NP during our first afternoon on the 9^th.

 

Collared Pratincole - Glareola pratincola fuelleborni C

A total of 16 were seen on the St. Lucia airfield on the 15^th.

 

Blacksmith Plover - Vanellus armatus C

Seen virtually daily in good numbers with a daily maximum of 30 seen on the 14^th.

 

White-headed (crowned) Lapwing - Vanellus albiceps C

A single individual was seen on the S90 river crossing south of Olifants and up to 4 were seen daily from various vantage points overlooking the Luvulhu River around Pafuri in the Kruger NP.

 

Crowned Lapwing - Vanellus coronatus coronatus C

Seen in good numbers on eleven dates in scattered locations with a daily maximum of 30 seen on the 14^th.

 

Wattled Lapwing - Vanellus senegallus lateralis C

Up to 3 were seen daily at Mkuzi, 1 was seen near Pietersburg and 4 were seen in the fenced-off area at Delta Park in Johannesburg.

 

Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola C

A total of 10 were seen at Langebaan on the 5^th.

 

Ringed Plover - Charadrius hiaticula C

We saw 2 at Kommetejie on the 4^th, 1 at Langebaan and 1 at False Bay.

 

Kittlitz’s Plover - Charadrius pecuarius C

We saw 4 at Cape Town, 10 on the Langebaan Loop, 8 at De Hoop, 2 at Mkuzi and 1 at the Benoni Pans. Superb.

 

Three-banded Plover - Charadrius tricollaris tricollaris C

Seen on eleven dates between the 8^th and 24^th with a daily maximum of 8 seen on the 20^th.

 

White-fronted Plover - Charadrius marginatus C

At least 10 were seen in the Cape Town area on the 4^th, 15 were seen on the Langebaan Loop, 1 at De Hoop and up to 3 daily at St. Lucia.

 

Mongolian (Lesser) Sandplover - Charadrius mongolus pamirensis C

We saw 4 on the lawns at Green Point and 10 on the Langebaan Loop.

 

Greater Sandplover - Charadius leschenaultii crassirostris C

We saw 2 at Langebaan on the 5^th.

 

African Snipe - Gallinago nigripennis nigripennis C

We saw 2 at the Nyl River Floodplain on the 23^rd.

 

Bar-tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponica lapponica C

We saw 3 at Langebaan on the 5^th.

 

Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus phaeopus C

We saw 6 at Langebaan on the 5^th.

 

Eurasian Curlew - Numenius arquata orientalis C

We saw 4 at Langebaan on the 5^th.

 

Marsh Sandpiper - Tringa stagnatilis C

Seen on five dates at scattered locations with a daily maximum of 16 being seen at the Benoni Pans on the 24^th.

 

Greenshank - Tringa nebularia nebularia C

Seen at Langebaan and on the six dates from the 15^th to the 20^th with a daily maximum of 12 seen on the 5^th.

 

Wood Sandpiper - Tringa glareola C

Seen on ten dates at scattered locations with a daily maximum of 15 seen on the 14^th.

 

Terek Sandpiper - Xenus cinereus C

We saw 2 at Langebaan on the 5^th.

 

Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos C

Seen on nine dates between the 12^th and 22^nd.

 

Turnstone - Arenaria interpres interpres C

We saw singles at Kommetijie and Langebaan and 2 at Port Alfred and 3 on the Benoni Pans.

 

Sanderling - Calidris alba C

We saw 2 at Kommetejie on the 4^th.

 

Red-necked Stint - Calidris ruficollis C

We tentatively identified 2 alongside 3 Little Stints at False Bay on the 15^th.

 

Little Stint - Calidris minuta C

Seen on five dates in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 30 seen at the Benoni Pans on the 30^th.

 

Curlew Sandpiper - Calidris ferruginea C

Seen on six dates at scattered locations with a daily maximum of 70 seen on the 5^th.

 

Ruff - Philomachus pugnax C

We saw 10 at Langebaan, 10 at Thalzhinka Pan, 2 near Skukusa and 150 at the Benoni Pans.

 

Arctic Skua - Stercorarius parasiticus C

We saw 2 off Green Point, Cape Town and 10 off the East London breakwater.

 

Kelp Gull - Larus dominicanus C

Seen at Green Point, the Langebaan Loop, Knynsa and East London with a daily maximum of 200 seen on the 5^th.

 

Grey-headed Gull - Larus cirrocephalus poiocephalus C

Seen at Thalzhinka Pan, False Bay and the Benoni Pans with daily maximums of 30 seen on the 14^th and 24^th.

 

Hartlaub’s Gull - Larus hartlaubii C

An estimated 400 were seen around Cape Town on the 4^th and 20 were seen on the Langebaan Loop on the 5^th.

 

Caspian Tern - Sterna caspia C

Singles were seen on the Langebaan Loop and at St. Lucia.

 

Lesser Crested Tern - Sterna bengalensis bengalensis C

We saw 4 at the St. Lucia estuary mouth on the 15^th.

 

Sandwich Tern - Sterna sandvicensis sandvicensis C

We saw c.100 around Cape Town on the 4^th, 10 at Langebaan on the 5^th and 6 at East London on the 9^th.

 

Crested Tern - Sterna bergii bergii C

We saw 2 at Kommetejie on the 4^th and 30 at the East London breakwater on the 9^th.

 

Roseate Tern - Sterna dougallii dougallii C

We saw 2 at Kommetjie on the 4^th.

 

Common/Arctic Tern - Sterna hirundo hirundo / paradisaea C

Probably mainly Common Terns seen with 200 recorded at Kommetjie, 80 on the Langebaan Loop, 1 at De Hoop, 40 at the East London breakwater and 40 at the St. Lucia Estuary Mouth.

 

Little Tern - Sterna albifrons albifrons C

A single individual was seen on the Langebaan Loop on the 5^th.

 

Whiskered Tern - Chlidonias hybridus sclateri C

We recorded totals of 2 on pools near Kommetjie, 12 at the Darville Sewage Farm, up to 25 daily at Mkuzi and finally 120 north of Ermelo on the 18^th. Many were in breeding plumage.

 

White-winged Tern - Chlidonias leucopterus C

Seen on seven dates in scattered suitable habitat with a daily maximum of 80 seen on the 5^th.

 

Speckled Pigeon - Columba guinea phaeonota C

Seen on at least seven dates with a daily maximum of 50 seen on the 7^th.

 

Rameron Pigeon - Columba arquatrix C

Seen on seven dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 15 at Ferncliffe on the 13^th.

 

Lemon (Cinnamon) Dove - Columba larvata larvata C

Good views were obtained of 1 at Ferncliffe, Pietermaritzburg and of 2 at St. Lucia the following day.

 

Red-eyed Dove - Streptopelia semitorquata C

Seen in fair numbers on at least six dates at scattered locations. Probably overlooked elsewhere.

 

Ring-necked (Cape Turtle) Dove - Streptopelia capicola C

Seen virtually daily in large numbers.

 

Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis senegalensis C

Seen in large numbers virtually daily.

 

Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove - Turtur chalcospilos C

An apparently out of range individual was seen at Veldriff on the 5^th and then seen daily between the 15^th and 22^nd with a daily maximum of 10 seen on the 21^st.

 

Tambourine Dove - Turtur tympanistria C

We obtained poor views of 2 at the Alexandria Forest and 2 at the Weza Forest but were finally rewarded with good views of 4 at Mkuzi as they drank from a water-hole.

 

Namaqua Dove - Oena capensis capensis C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 40 seen on the Langebaan Loop on the 5^th.

 

African Green-Pigeon - Treron calva delalandii C

Up to 15 were seen daily whilst in the Kruger NP.

 

Brown-headed Parrot - Poicephalus cryptoxanthus cryptoxanthus C

A total of 7 were seen between Satara and Shingwedzi on the 20^th and 2 were seen at Pafuri on the 21^st.

 

Livingstone's Turaco - Tauraco livingstoni

We saw 1 at St. Lucia.

Knysna Turaco - Tauraco corythaix C

We saw 4 at Alexandria Forest, 2 at Kambi Forest, up to 3 daily at Weza Forest.

 

Purple-crested Turaco - Tauraco porphyreolophus porphyreolophus C

In the Kruger NP a pair were seen at the Pretuiskop Campsite and a single individual was seen at the Pafuri Picnic Spot.

 

Grey Go-away-bird - Corythaixoides concolor C

Seen daily in the Kruger and at Langjan with a daily maximum of 20 seen on the 19^th.

 

Jacobin (Pied) Cuckoo - Clamator jacobinus serratus C

We saw up to 6 daily in the Kruger NP and at Langjan including a dark morph bird at Pafuri. The species was often encountered in loose parties containing the odd Levaillant’s (Striped) Cuckoo C.levaillanti.

 

Levaillant’s (Striped) Cuckoo - Clamator levaillantii C

A single individual was seen near Shingwedzi along the S52 and 6 were seen around Punda Maria mainly at a locust swarm. Superb.

 

Great Spotted Cuckoo - Clamator glandarius C

We saw 3 near Olifants on the 20^th including a superb pair in which presumably the male kept feeding a female whilst both were hopping around on the ground and 2 were seen just outside Punda Maria at a locust swarm with an assortment of other Cuckoos.

 

Red-chested Cuckoo - Cuculus solitarius C

Singles were seen on the Mpophmeni Trail at False Bay, at Mkuzi and on the loop around Punda Maria being commonly heard elsewhere. Superb.

 

Black Cuckoo - Cuculus clamosus clamosus C

A single individual reacted immediately to a tape recording of Chorister Robin Cossypha dichroa on which it presumably therefore brood-parasites around 200m along the trail in the Alexandria Forest. We were then able to watch it for five minutes.

 

Common Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus C

Up to 4 were seen daily around Punda Maria in the Kruger NP.

 

Klaas’ Cuckoo - Chrysococcyx klaas C

A single individual was seen in response to playing a tape of Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum at Kambi Forest on the 10^th and another was seen at Mkuzi on the 17^th.

 

Dideric Cuckoo - Chrysococcyx caprius C

We saw 3 along the road between Willowvale and Aberdeen on the morning of the 8^th and singles were seen near Ermelo, in the northern half of the Kruger NP and at Langjan NR.

 

Emerald Cuckoo – Chrysococcyx cupereus

Several were heard at Ferncliffe Forest.

 

Yellowbill - Ceuthmochares aereus australis C

A pair were taped into view in the Fig Forest at Mkuzi on the 17^th.

 

White-browed Coucal - Centropus superciliosus burchellii C

We saw up to 3 daily at St. Lucia, Mkuzi and in the southern half of the Kruger NP.

 

Barn Owl – Tyto alba

A single individual was found dead on the road between Ermelo and Carolina on the 18^th.

 

African Grass-Owl - Tyto capensis C

A single individual was seen in moist grassland along the road to the west of Panbult on the evening of the 17^th.

 

Cape Eagle-Owl - Bubo capensis capensis C

Singles were seen on a telegraph pole c.20km south of Caledon along the road to Bredasdorp on the evening of the 6^th and briefly at dusk in a narrow gorge along the R339 just south of Prince Alfred’s Pass to the north of Knysna.

 

Spotted Eagle-Owl - Bubo africanus africanus C

A single individual was seen along the R29 between Panbult and Ermelo on the evening of the 17^th.

 

African Wood-Owl - Strix woodfordii woodfordii C

A single individual was seen outside the toilet block at the campsite at the northern end of St. Lucia during the evening of the 14^th. It left before JFC had seen it but returned in response to tape-playback.

 

Pearl-spotted Owlet - Glaucidium perlatum licua C

We saw a pair outside the restaurant at Pretuiskop at dusk on the 18^th and a single individual was seen hunting in broad daylight along the S90 north of Satara on the 20^th.

 

Nightjar sp. – Caprimulgus sp.

We saw 2 sat on the tracks at dusk at Mkuzi and despite obtaining decent flight views we failed to identify them.

 

Bohm’s (Bat-like) Spinetail - Neafrapus boehmi sheppardi C

These spectacular performers were seen around Pafuri being mainly seen along the Impala Track with 8 seen on the 21^st and 2 the following day. Superb.

 

African Palm-Swift - Cypsiurus parvus myochrous C

We saw 8 at Pietermaritzburg, 6 at Grasskop, 10 near Shingwedzi and 2 at Delta Park.

 

Alpine Swift - Tachymarptis melba C

Up to 25 were seen daily between the 4^th and the 8^th and 15 were seen at the Blyde River Canyon.

 

Common Swift - Apus apus C

Large flocks of a silent birds were tentatively identified as this species at both the Blyde River Canyon and Langjan NR with an estimated daily maximum of 1,000 seen on the 22^nd.

 

African Black Swift - Apus barbatus barbatus C

Seen on eleven dates at scattered locations including birds entering their nests at Pafuri Bridge and often heard calling being less of a scream than Common Swift.

 

Little Swift - Apus affinis C

The first species seen on our arrival at the Jan Smuts Airport and seen virtually daily thereafter in good numbers.

 

Horus Swift - Apus horus horus C

A total of 15 were seen around Karoopoort and for five miles into the Karoo Desert on the 6^th with undoubtedly others overlooked.

 

White-rumped Swift - Apus caffer C

Positively identified on eleven dates but no doubt overlooked elsewhere as small white-rumped Swifts were often left unidentified.

 

Speckled Mousebird - Colius striatus C

Seen on twelve dates in fair numbers.

 

White-backed Mousebird - Colius colius C

A total of 15 were seen on the Langebaan Loop on the 5^th.

 

Red-faced Mousebird - Urocolius indicus C

We saw 8 in the Karoo Desert, 12 near Shingwedzi and 6 at Langjan NR.

 

Narina Trogon – Apaloderma narina

Unfortunately only heard at several sites including Ferncliffe Forest.

 

Malachite Kingfisher - Alcedo cristata cristata C

We saw 2 at the river crossing to the south of Olifants along the S90.

 

African Pygmy-Kingfisher - Ispidina picta natalensis C

Singles were seen at Mkuzi and Pafuri.

 

Brown-hooded Kingfisher - Halcyon albiventris C

Seen on fourteen dates between the 8^th and 24^th with a daily maximum of 5 seen at St. Lucia on the 15^th.

 

Striped Kingfisher - Halcyon chelicuti chelicuti C

Up to 2 were seen daily at Mkuzi.

 

Giant Kingfisher - Megaceryle maxima maxima C

A total of 6 were seen always near water and always seen from the car.

 

Pied Kingfisher - Ceryle rudis rudis C

Up to 3 were virtually seen daily.

 

White-fronted Bee-eater - Merops bullockoides C

Seen on three dates in the Kruger NP with 16 seen at the river crossing to the south of Olifants along the S90, 2 on the river crossing at Shingwedzi and 4 around Pafuri.

 

Little Bee-eater - Merops pusillus meridionalis C

Up to 3 were seen daily at Mkuzi and 4 were seen at the Langjan NR.

 

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater - Merops hirundineus hirundineus C

A pair were seen at Langjan NR on the 22^nd.

 

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater - Merops persicus persicus C

A total of 13 were seen on the causeway to St. Lucia on the 14^th and 2 were seen at the southern campsite there on the 15^th, and a flock of 8 were seen flying south over Langjan NR on the 22^nd.

 

European Bee-eater - Merops apiaster C

Seen on nine dates in fair numbers from the Cape to the Kruger with a daily maximum of 30 seen at Mkuzi on the 17^th.

 

Lilac-breasted Roller - Coracias caudata caudata C

Seen daily from the 15^th to the 23^rd with a daily maximum of 20 seen in the Kruger NP on the 20^th.

 

Rufous-crowned Roller - Coracias naevia mosambica C

Seen daily in small numbers from the 20^th to the 23^rd.

 

Broad-billed Roller - Eurystomus glaucurus suahelicus C

Seen at St. Lucia, Mkuzi and in the northern Kruger NP with a daily maximum of 8 seen on the 21^st.

 

Eurasian Hoopoe - Upupa epops C

Seen on eight dates at various locations with a daily maximum of 6 seen at Graaff Reinet on the 8^th.

 

Green Woodhoopoe - Phoeniculus purpureus C

Seen daily at Mkuzi, the norther Kruger NP and at Langjan NR with a daily maximum of 30 seen around Pafuri on the 22^nd.

 

Common Scimitar-bill - Rhinopomastus cyanomelas C

Seen in small numbers at Mkuzi and daily in the Kruger NP.

 

Red-billed Hornbill - Tockus erythrorhynchus rufirostris C

In the Kruger NP we saw 4 at Satara and 2 at Shingwedzi.

 

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill - Tockus leucomelas C

Seen at Mkuzi and daily in the Kruger NP with a daily maximum of 15 seen on two dates.

 

Crowned Hornbill - Tockus alboterminatus C

Seen in small numbers at Alexandria Forest, Port Alfred, Morgan’s Bay, St. Lucia, False Bay and Mkuzi.

 

African Grey Hornbill - Tockus nasutus epirhinus C

Seen daily in the Kruger NP and at Langjan with a daily maximum of 5 seen on the 21^st.

 

Trumpeter Hornbill - Ceratogymna bucinator C

We saw 2 in the Weza Forest, 7 at St. Lucia, 20 in the Fig Forest at Mkuzi and 2 near Pafuri.

 

Southern Ground-Hornbill - Bucorvus leadbeateri C

A pair were seen to carry snakes to their nest on a cliff face over the Lower Pitseng Pass on the 11^th, another pair were seen on the verge of the road just east of Weza Forest and a party of 3 were seen at the river crossing just south of Olifants in the Kruger NP. Impressive.

 

White-eared Barbet - Stactolaema leucotis leucotis C

Singles were seen at Enseleni and in the Mkuzi Fig Forest.

 

Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird - Pogoniulus bilineatus bilineatus C

Singles were seen at Enseleni, along the Mvubu Trail at St. Lucia, and 2 were seen in the Mkuzi Fig Forest.

 

Red-fronted Tinkerbird – Pogoniulus pusillus

Heard at many coastal areas including Alexandria Forest but unfortunately never seen.

 

Pied Barbet - Tricholaema leucomelas C

We saw 2 in the Graaff Reinet campsite and 2 at the Langjan NR.

 

Black-collared Barbet - Lybius torquatus torquatus C

Singles were seen at Ferncliffe, St. Lucia, the Mkuzi Fig Forest, Pretuiskop and Pafuri.

 

Crested Barbet - Trachyphonus vaillantii vaillantii C

Seen daily from the 17^th to the 24^th with a daily maximum of 5 seen in the Kruger NP on the 20^th. Superb.

 

Scaly-throated Honeyguide - Indicator variegatus C

A single individual was seen along the Mpophmeni Trail at False Bay on the 16^th.

 

Rufous-necked Wryneck - Jynx ruficollis ruficollis C

We devoted our last day to attempting to see this enigmatic species and were successful after three hours searching in Delta Park along the Barry Hertzog road in Johannesburg. We located a single individual which was watched feeding on lawns at a range of down to c.3m just outside the perimeter fence of the small bird sanctuary from where it flew into a dead tree and started calling being a quiet ke-ke-ke. Our last new bird of the trip and one of the highlights of the trip. Superb.

 

Bennett’s Woodpecker - Campethera bennettii bennettii C

A single individual was seen on the S52 near Shingwedzi on the 20^th.

 

Golden-tailed Woodpecker - Campethera abingoni C

Singles were seen at St. Lucia, False Bay, Pafuri and Punda Maria.

 

Knysna Woodpecker - Campethera notata C

A single individual was seen c.200m along the forest trail at the Alexandria Forest.

 

Ground Woodpecker - Geocolaptes olivaceus C

A total of 7 were seen at the Naudesnek Pass on the 11^th. Superb.

 

Cardinal Woodpecker - Dendropicos fuscescens C

A single individual was seen at Mkuzi and a pair were seen in the northern Kruger NP on the 22^nd.

 

Bearded Woodpecker - Dendropicos namaquus coalescens C

We saw 3 near Pretuiskop and 1 at the river crossing south of Olifants.

 

Rufous-naped Lark - Mirafra africana africana C

Seen in small numbers at the Alexandria Forest, Morgan’s Bay, Enseleni, the Piet Retief area and in the Pietersburg Game Reserve.

 

Flappet Lark - Mirafra rufocinnamomea C

A single individual was watched performing its display flight near Satara in the Kruger NP on the 20^th.

 

Clapper Lark - Mirafra apiata marjoriae C

A total of 4 were seen along the road from Bredasdorp to De Hoop on the 7^th.

 

Sabota Lark - Mirafra sabota C

This species proved to be very common from Satara northwards in the Kruger NP and at Langjan with a daily maximum of c.100 seen on the 20^th.

 

Rudd’s Lark - Heteromirafra ruddi C

A single individual was seen well as it flew from long grass and perched on a fence for c.5 minutes. Another was flushed from the same field but flew until it was lost to sight without showing any sign of dropping. The long-grass field was located in the highlands c.20km west of Panbult just north of Piet Retief.

 

Karoo Long-billed Lark - Certhilauda subcoronata gilli C

A total of 6 were seen between Willowvale and Graaf Reinet on the 8^th.

 

Karoo Lark - Certhilauda albescens C

We saw 6 in the Karoo Desert on the 6^th.

 

Spike-heeled Lark - Chersomanes albofasciata macdonaldi C

A total of 15 were seen between Willowvale and Graaff Reinet on the 8^th. Superb.

 

Red-capped Lark - Calandrella cinerea C

This species was common around the Cape with an estimated daily maximum of 500 seen in the De Hoop area on the 7^th, otherwise just 2 were seen near Piet Retief.

 

Long (Thick)-billed Lark - Galerida magnirostris C

We saw 6 on the Langebaan Loop, 1 in the Karoo Desert, 10 around De Hoop and 6 on the drive out to Graaff Reinet.

 

Sand Martin - Riparia riparia riparia C

A single individual was seen at False Bay on the 16^th.

 

Plain Martin - Riparia paludicola paludicola C

Seen at scattered locations on ten dates with a daily maximum of 150 seen on the 5^th.

 

Banded Martin - Riparia cincta cincta C

A total of 30 were seen on the Langebaan Loop on the 5^th and 1 was seen at the Mooi River on the 12^th.

 

Grey-rumped Swallow - Hirundo griseopyga griseopyga C

We saw 6 at the river crossing along the S90 to the south of Olifants.

 

Rock Martin - Hirundo fuligula C

Seen at scattered locations on nine dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen on the 6^th.

 

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica C

Seen daily in large numbers.

 

White-throated Swallow - Hirundo albigularis albigularis C

Seen daily in small numbers between the 7^th and the 13^th with daily maximums of  6 at Grasskop and 4 at the Delta Park.

 

Wire-tailed Swallow - Hirundo smithii smithii C

A total of 30 were seen at the river crossing along the S90 just south of the Olifants Camp in the Kruger NP.

 

Blue Swallow - Hirundo atrocaerulea atrocaerulea C

A total of 3 were seen at the Natural Bridge landmark just west of Grasskop both perched and in flight. Unfortunately what we presumed to be the male only had short tail streamers with the female having longer. We visited the site at 3pm and were watching the swallows within five minutes with the birds being very active at that time of day.

 

Pearl-breasted Swallow - Hirundo dimidiata dimidiata C

We saw 6 at the lakes near Yzerfontein on the 5^th and 2 near Willowvale on the 8^th.

 

Greater Striped Swallow - Hirundo cucullata C

Seen at scattered locations on ten dates with a daily maximum of 25 seen on the 8^th.

 

Lesser Striped Swallow - Hirundo abyssinica unitatis C

Seen at scattered locations in good numbers on nine dates with a daily maximum of 40 seen on the 20^th.

 

Rufous-chested Swallow - Hirundo semirufa semirufa C

Seen at False Bay, daily whilst in the Kruger NP and at Lanjan in small numbers with a daily maximum of 10 seen on the 20^th.

 

Mosque Swallow - Hirundo senegalensis monteiri C

We saw 1 near Punda Maria on the 21^st and 2 at the Gate there the following day and 2 just south of Langjan on the 23^rd.

 

South African Cliff Swallow - Hirundo spilodera C

A total of 12 were seen at various bridges between Ermelo and Carolina along the R36.

 

House Martin - Delichon urbica C

A total of 5 were seen along the road near Langjan on the 22^nd.

 

Black Sawwing - Psalidoprocne holomelas holomelas C

We saw 2 at the Alexandria Forest, 12 at the Kambi Forest and 1 at Ferncliffe Forest.

 

African Pied Wagtail - Motacilla aguimp C

We saw 1 at the St. Lucia estuary, 2 at Mkuzi and 1 at the Pafuri Bridge.

 

Cape Wagtail - Motacilla capensis capensis C

Seen virtually daily in large numbers.

 

Yellow Wagtail - Motacilla flava C

A single individual was seen on the 7^th.

 

Mountain Wagtail - Motacilla clara torrentium C

A single individual was seen at Mkuzi on the 17^th.

 

Yellow-throated Longclaw - Macronyx croceus C

Pairs were seen daily at St. Lucia and Mkuzi.

 

Orange-breasted (Cape) Longclaw - Macronyx capensis C

A total of 6 were seen on the 5^th and up to 4 were seen daily in the highlands to the west of Piet Retief.

 

Mountain Pipit - Anthus hoeschi C

We tentatively identified c.40 at the Naudesnek Pass.

 

Plain-backed Pipit - Anthus leucophrys leucophrys C

We saw singles at Mitchell’s Pass and on the drive up to Naudesnek Pass.

 

Buffy Pipit - Anthus vaalensis vaalensis C

A pair were located on the Protea-covered hillsides at the Blyde River Canyon.

 

African Grassland (Richard’s) Pipit - Anthus cinnamomeus C

Seen on six dates in fair numbers at scattered locations with a daily maximum of 30 seen to the north of Ermelo on the 18^th.

 

Long-billed Pipit - Anthus similis petricolus C

We saw 4 at Sir Lowry’s Pass and 12 on the drive up to Naudesnek Pass.

 

Grey Cuckoo-shrike - Coracina caesia caesia C

A pair were seen near the gate at the Alexandria Forest on the 9^th.

 

Black Cuckoo-shrike - Campephaga flava C

We saw 2 at the Alexandria Forest HQ and 1 at Shingwedzi in the Kruger NP.

 

Common Bulbul - Pycnonotus barbatus layardi C

Very common being seen on fourteen dates in the east of the country.

 

Black-fronted (African Red-eyed) Bulbul - Pycnonotus nigricans C

A pair were seen at Rhodes at the base of the Naudesnek Pass on the 11^th.

 

Cape Bulbul - Pycnonotus capensis C

This species proved common on the first four dates with a daily maximum of 40 seen on the 5^th.

 

Sombre Bulbul - Andropadus importunus C

This species proved common in forest areas being seen on ten dates.

 

Yellow-bellied Greenbul - Chlorocichla flaviventris C

Pairs were seen along the Mvubu trail at St. Lucia, the Mpophmeni trail at False Bay and at Mkuzi.

 

Terrestrial Brownbul - Phyllastrephus terrestris terrestris C

Up to 4 were seen at the Alexandria Forest, Kambi Forest, St. Lucia, False Bay and Pafuri.

 

Yellow-streaked Bulbul - Phyllastrephus flavostriatus flavostriatus C

A single individual showed well along Forest Drive on the 23^rd.

 

Eastern Nicator - Nicator gularis C

A single bird was tape-lured into view along the Mpophmeni trail at False Bay where others were heard.

 

Cape Rock-Thrush - Monyicola rupestris C

We saw 1 just west of Ceres, 3 at Sir Lowry’s Pass, 2 at Somerset East, 1 at Naudesnek Pass and 4 to the west of Grasskop.

 

Sentinel Rock-Thrush - Monticola explorator explorator C

We saw 7 at Naudesnek Pass on the 11^th.

 

Orange Ground-Thrush - Zoothera gurneyi C

A single individual was tape-lured into view in the Weza Forest and another was watched foraging in the indigenous forest at Forest Drive. Superb.

 

Groundscraper Thrush - Psophocichla litsipsirupa litsipsirupa C

A pair seemed ever-present on the Warden’s lawns at Langjan. Superb.

 

Olive Thrush - Turdus olivaceus C

We saw 1 at Graaf Reinet, 1 at the Kambi Forest, 10 at the Ferncliffe Forest, 2 at St. Lucia and 12 in Delta Park, Johannesburg.

 

Kurrichane Thrush - Turdus libonyanus C

Seen daily around the camps in the Kruger NP and at Langjan with a daily maximum of 5 seen on the 19^th.

 

Cape Rock-jumper - Chaetops frenatus C

A pair were seen at Sir Lowry’s Pass. Superb.

 

Orange-breasted Rock-jumper - Chaetops aurantius C

We saw 7 at the Naudesnek Pass. Superb.

 

Red-faced Cisticola - Cisticola erythrops nyasa C

We saw 3 near Langjan on the 23^rd.

 

Rattling Cisticola - Cisticola chiniana C

This species proved common in the east and was seen from the 16^th to the 22^nd with a daily maximum of 50 seen in the Kruger NP on the 20^th.

 

Red-headed (Grey-backed) Cisticola - Cisticola subruficapillus C

We saw 15 at Langebaan, 20 at De Hoop and 10 at Naudesnek.

 

Wailing Cisticola - Cisticola lais C

We saw 2 near Morgan’s Bay on the 10^th.

 

Winding (Black-backed) Cisticola - Cisticola galactotes galactotes C

We saw 6 at Thalzhinka Pan on the 14^th and 1 at St. Lucia on the 15^th.

 

Tinkling (Levaillant’s) Cisticola - Cisticola tinniens tinniens C

Seen in scattered reed-beds on five dates.

 

Croaking Cisticola - Cisticola natalensis natalensis C

We saw 1 at St. Lucia and 4 at Mkuzi.

 

Piping Cisticola (Neddicky) - Cisticola fulvicapillus C

Seen in fair numbers at scattered locations on six dates.

 

Zitting Cisticola - Cisticola juncidis C

We saw 2 at Morgan’s Bay on the 10^th.

 

Desert Cisticola - Cisticola aridulus C

A single individual was seen near Satara on the 20^th.

 

Cloud Cisticola - Cisticola textrix C

We saw 2 near Naudesnek Pass on the 11^th.

 

Wing-snapping (Ayre’s) Cisticola - Cisticola ayresii ayresii C

We tentatively identified up to 2 at Morgan’s Bay on two dates and 2 near Blinkwater.

 

Tawny-flanked Prinia - Prinia subflava pondoensis C

Seen in fair numbers on five dates at scattered locations.

 

Black-chested Prinia - Prinia flavicans C

We saw 3 at the Pietersburg Game Reserve on the 23^rd.

 

Karoo (Spotted) Prinia - Prinia maculosa C

Common around the Cape being seen on six of our first eight dates with a daily maximum of 15 seen in the Karoo on the 6^th.

 

Drakensberg (Spotted) Prinia - Prinia hypoxantha C

We saw 6 Spotted Prinias to the west of Piet Retief which presumably fall within the range of this recently split species.

 

Namaqua Prinia - Prinia substriata substriata C

We saw 6 in vegetation bordering streams in the Karoopoort area on the 6^th and 2 at Graaff Reinet on the 8^th. Its song is a trill frequently sung from atop of reeds.

 

Rufous-eared Warbler - Malcorus pectoralis pectoralis C

We saw 15 in the Karoo and 2 at Graaff Reinet. A superb character.

 

Bar-throated Apalis - Apalis thoracica C

We saw 1 in forest at Somerset East, 6 in the Alexandria Forest, 1 in the Weza Forest, 1 at the Ferncliffe Forest and 4 along Forest Drive.

 

Yellow-breasted Apalis - Apalis flavida C

Seen in small numbers on eight dates between the 8^th and 22^nd with a daily maximum of 5 seen on the 16^th.

 

Rudd’s Apalis - Apalis ruddi fumosa C

We saw 2 along the Mvubu Trail at St. Lucia and 4 along the Mpophmeni Trail at False Bay.

 

Green-backed Camaroptera (Bleating Warbler) - Camaroptera brachyura C

We saw 1 at ambi Forest, 1 at Weza Forest, 2 at St. Lucia, 6 at False Bay and 3 at Mkuzi.

 

Barred Camaroptera - Calamonastes fasciolatus europhilus C

An unexpected highlight of the trip was a single individual seen at Langjan which continually cocked its tail to such an extent that it virtually pushed itself over as it crept through the bottom of the bushes. Superb.

 

Cinnamon-breasted (Kopje) Warbler - Euryptila subcinnamomea subcinnamomea C

A single individual was seen in song at the small picnic site at the end of the gorge just east of Karoopoort on the 6^th. Superb.

 

African Bush (Sedge) Warbler - Bradypterus baboecala C

We saw a pair at the Darville Sewage Farm.

 

Knysna Scrub-Warbler - Bradypterus sylvaticus C

A single individual was seen along the trail in the Weza Forest.

 

Victorin’s Warbler – Bradypterus victorini

A single individual was heard singing in a thicket c.3 miles from the Car Park at Sir Lowry’s Pass but due to strong winds we didn’t stand much chance in seeing it.

 

Cape Grassbird - Sphenoeacus afer C

Single individuals were seen at the Cape of Good Hope NR and at the Mooi River Falls.

 

African Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus baeticatus C

A single individual was seen at Graaff Reinet, 2 were seen at the Darville Sewage Farm and 2 were seen in Delta Park, Johannesburg.

 

Lesser Swamp-Warbler - Acrocephalus gracilirostris C

We saw singles at the Darville Sewage Farm and at Mkuzi.

 

African Yellow Warbler - Chloropeta natalensis natalensis C

A single individual was seen at the Darville Sewage Farm.

 

Fairy Warbler – Stenostira scita C

A pair were seen in the acacia at the bridge just west of Aberdeen on the 8^th and 1 was seen at Naudesnek Pass.

 

Greencap Eremomela - Eremomela scotops C

We saw 2 at Pretuiskop Camp in the Kruger NP on the 19^th.

 

Karoo (Yellow-rumped) Eremomela - Eremomela gregalis gregalis C

We saw a party of 5 in low scrub in the Karoo Desert on the 6^th.

 

Burnt-neck Eremomela - Eremomela usticollis usticollis C

We saw a single individual alongside the S52 near Shingwedzi on the 20^th.

 

Cape (Long-billed) Crombec - Sylvietta rufescens C

A single individual was seen on the Langebaan Loop and seen daily from the 17^th to the 23^rd with a daily maximum of 5 seen on the 21^st.

 

Yellow-throated Wood-Warbler - Phylloscopus ruficapillus C

We saw singles in the Weza Forest on two dates, 2 at the Ferncliffe Forest and 1 along Forest Drive.

 

Willow Warbler - Phylloscopus trochilus C

Seen at scattered locations on eight dates with a daily maximum of 8 seen at Langjan. Individuals were often heard singing.

 

Layard’s Warbler (Titbabbler) - Parisoma layardi C

We saw 6 in the vicinity of Karopoort on the 6^th.

 

Rufous-vented Warbler (Titbabbler) - Parisoma subcaeruleum C

We saw 2 near Aberdeen on the 8^th and 2 at Langjan on the 22^nd.

 

Pale Flycatcher - Bradornis pallidus C

We saw 2 daily at Mkuzi and 1 at Shingwedzi.

 

Mariqua Flycatcher - Bradornis mariquensis C

We saw up to 12 daily at Langjan NR.

 

Southern Black-Flycatcher - Melaenornis pammelaina ater C

We saw 3 at Alexandria Forest, up to 2 daily at Mkuzi and 6 around Pretuiskop.

 

Fiscal Flycatcher - Sigelus silens C

Seen at scattered locations on six dates with a daily maximum of 5 seen on the 8^th.

 

Spotted Flycatcher - Muscicapa striata C

Seen mainly in the north of the country on six dates with a daily maximum of 4 seen on the 21^st.

 

African Dusky Flycatcher - Muscicapa adusta C

We saw 2 at Alexandria Forest, 4 at Ferncliffe Forest and 4 at False Bay.

 

Ashy (Blue-grey) Flycatcher - Muscicapa caerulescens C

A pair were seen at the southern campsite at St. Lucia on the 15^th.

 

Grey Tit- (Fan-tailed) Flycatcher - Myioparus plumbeus C

A single individual was seen along the track to the Mkuzi fig forest on the 17^th.

 

White-starred Robin - Pogonocichla stellata C

We saw 6 at the top end of the trail at Weza Forest and 4 along the trail at the back of the old Ranger’s House in the Ferncliffe Forest. Superb.

 

Cape Robin-Chat - Cossypha caffra caffra / drakensbergi C

We saw 1 C.c. caffra at Kommetejie, 2 at Graaff Reinet, 6 C.c. drakensbergi at Naudesnek Pass and 4 at Ferncliffe Forest.

 

White-throated Robin-Chat - Cossypha humeralis C

A single individual was tape-lured into view along the Mpophmeni Trail on the 16^th, a pair were seen on the walk to the main hide at Mkuzi and 1 performed well in the light from the car headlights at dusk and another was seen near Pretuiskop in the Kruger NP. Superb.

 

White-browed Robin-Chat - Cossypha heuglini C

A single individual performed well for ten minutes along the edge of the dried-up river at the Pafuri Picnic Spot on the 21^st.

 

Red-capped Robin-Chat (Natal Robin) - Cossypha natalensis natalensis C

Pairs were seen along the Mvubu Trail at St. Lucia, the Mpophmeni Trail at False Bay and in the Fig Forest at Mkuzi.

 

Chorister Robin-Chat - Cossypha dichroa dichroa C

Around 4 were tape-lured into view about 200m along the track at the Alexandria Forest, 2 were seen at Kambi and 1 at the Ferncliffe Forest. Larger and brighter than expected. Superb.

 

Bearded Scrub-Robin - Cercotrichas quadrivirgata quadrivirgata C

We tape-lured 2 into view along the Mpophmeni Trail and another was seen bathing along the road at False Bay and further singles were seen at Mkuzi and at Pafuri in the Kruger NP. 

 

Brown Scrub-Robin - Cercotrichas signata C

Two pairs were seen within a hundred yards of each other along the Mvubu Trail at St. Lucia where the trail closely borders the edge of the lake shore. Reacted well to pishing.

 

Red-backed Scrub-Robin - Cercotrichas leucophrys leucophrys C

A single individual was seen at Mkuzi on the 16^th and up to 2 were seen daily in the Kruger and 5 were seen at the Nyl River Floodplain on the 23^rd.

 

Kalahari Scrub-Robin - Cercotrichas paena C

We saw up to 5 daily whilst at Langjan. Superb.

 

Karoo Scrub-Robin - Cercotrichas coryphaeus cinerea C

We saw 15 whilst driving the Langebaan Loop, 6 at Karoopoort, 4 at De Hoop and 4 on the drive out to Graaff Reinet.

 

African Stonechat - Saxicola axillaris C

Seen on nine dates at scattered locations with a daily maximum of 100 seen at Naudesnek Pass.

 

Buff-streaked Chat - Oenanthe bifasciata C

Singles were seen on a rocky outcrop between Ermelo and Carolina and at the southern end of the road from Grasskop to the Blyde River Canyon. Superb.

 

Mountain Wheatear - Oenanthe monticola monticola C

A total of 8 were seen in mountains near Karoopoort, 2 were seen over the Lower Pitseng Pass and 3 were seen in the highlands to the west of Piet Retief.

 

Capped Wheatear - Oenanthe pileata pileata C

We saw 8 on the Langebaan Loop, 30 in the De Hoop area and 2 at the Benoni Pans.

 

Sicklewing Chat - Cercomela sinuata C

At least 20 were seen between Willowvale and Graaff Reinet and another 5 were seen at Naudesnek Pass.

 

Karoo Chat - Cercomela schlegelii pollux C

At least 30 were seen on our drive into the Karoo Desert on the 6^th.

 

Tractrac Chat - Cercomela tractrac tractrac C

We saw 5 by driving c.25km into the Karoo Desert.

 

Familiar Chat - Cercomela familiaris C

Fair numbers were seen on six dates at scattered locations throughout the country.

 

Southern Anteater Chat - Myrmecocichla formicivora C

We saw 1 on the Langebaan Loop, 9 on the drive to Graaff Reinet, 1 near Umtata and up to 4 on two dates in the Piet Retief area.

 

Arnot’s (White-headed Black-) Chat - Myrmecocichla arnotti arnotti C

We saw a pair on our fourth attempt at the junction of the S59 and S60 near Punda Maria on the 22^nd. They often perched motionless high in the trees. Superb.

 

Mocking Cliff-Chat - Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris C

We looked down on a single individual singing from a bridge over the Blyde River along the R352. Superb.

 

Black-throated Wattle-eye - Platysteira peltata peltata C

Singles seen in riverside vegetation at Enseleni and the Pafuri Picnic Spot.

 

Cape Batis - Batis capensis capensis C

This species reacted to tape-playback of virtually any species with 12 seen at the Alexandria Forest, 10 at the Kambi Forest, 2 daily at weza Forest and 4 at Ferncliffe Forest.

 

Chinspot Batis - Batis molitor molitor C

We saw 3 in Mkuzi NP and up to 3 daily in the Kruger NP.

 

Pririt Batis - Batis pririt pririt C

We saw 3 of these superb birds in stands of acacia between Willowvale and Aberdeen.

 

African Crested-Flycatcher - Trochocercus cyanomelas C

A single male was seen along the trail at Weza Forest.

 

African Paradise-Flycatcher - Terpsiphone viridis plumbeiceps C

Seen in small numbers on seven dates with a daily maximum of 4 seen at Punda Maria on the 21^st.

 

Southern Pied-Babbler - Turdoides bicolor C

We saw up to 8 daily at Langjan NR.

 

Arrow-marked Babbler - Turdoides jardineii jardineii C

We saw up to 25 daily in the Kruger NP and 2 at Langjan NR.

 

Southern Black-Tit - Melaniparus niger C

A single individual was seen near Knysna, 8 were seen in the Mkuzi Fig Forest and singles were seen daily in the Kruger NP.

 

Grey Tit - Melaniparus afer C

We saw 2 in the Karoo Desert on the 6^th and 1 near Graaff Reinet on the 8^th.

 

African Penduline-Tit - Anthoscopus caroli hellmayri C

We saw 4 opposite Shingwedzi on the 20^th.

 

Southern Penduline-Tit - Anthoscopus minutus C

We saw 6 on the Langebaan Loop, 4 in the Karoo Desert, 2 near Graaff Reinet and 2 at Langjan Nature Reserve.

 

Collared Sunbird - Hedydipna collaris C

We saw 4 at Alexandria, up to 6 daily at St. Lucia, False Bay and Mkuzi and 5 at Pafuri.

 

Orange-breasted Sunbird - Nectarinia violacea C

A single individual was seen in the Cape of Good Hope NR.

 

Eastern Olive Sunbird - Cyanomitra olivacea C

A pair were watched displaying at Ferncliffe Forest.

 

Mouse-coloured Sunbird - Cyanomitra veroxii C

A single individual was seen in the Alexandria Forest, 6 were seen along the Mvubu trail at St. Lucia and 2 were seen along the Mpophmeni Trail at False Bay.

 

Amethyst Sunbird - Chalcomitra amethystina amethystina C

We saw 2 at Graaff Reinet, 1 at the Alexandria Forest and 2 in the Ferncliffe Forest.

 

Scarlet-chested Sunbird - Chalcomitra senegalensis gutturalis C

We saw up to 8 daily in the southern Kruger NP.

 

Malachite Sunbird - Nectarinia famosa famosa C

Quite common being seen on six dates in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 6 seen at Graaff Reinet.

 

Southern Double-collared Sunbird - Cinnyris chalybeus C

We saw 6 at Karoopoort, 2 at the Alexandria Forest and 4 at the Ferncliffe Forest.

 

Neergaard’s Sunbird - Cinnyris neergaardi C

We saw 4 along the Mpophmeni Trail at False Bay.

 

Greater Double-collared Sunbird - Cinnyris afer C

We saw 2 at Graaff Reinet, 8 at Alexandria Forest and 2 at Kambi Forest.

 

Mariqua Sunbird - Cinnyris mariquensis mariquensis C

We saw 3 at Pafuri and 2 daily at Langjan NR.

 

Purple-banded Sunbird - Cinnyris bifasciatus strophium C

We saw 4 along the Mpophmeni Trail at False Bay.

 

White-breasted Sunbird - Cinnyris talatala C

We saw singles daily at Mkuzi and in the southern Kruger NP.

 

African Yellow White-eye - Zosterops senegalensis C

A single individual was seen at Pafuri and 3 were seen along Forest Drive.

 

Cape White-eye - Zosterops pallidus C

Seen virtually daily in good numbers.

 

Cape Sugarbird - Promerops cafer C

We saw 4 in the Cape of Good Hope NR on the 4^th.

 

Golden Oriole - Oriolus oriolus oriolus C

We saw singles at Mkuzi and Pafuri.

 

African Black-headed Oriole - Oriolus larvatus larvatus C

Seen at the Alexandria Forest, the Kambi Forest, St. Lucia and in the Kruger NP with a daily maximum of 10 being seen on the 9^th.

 

Red-backed Shrike - Lanius collurio C

Seen on eight dates with most birds seen in the Kruger NP where a daily maximum of 8 were seen on the 20^th. Most proved to be adult males.

 

Lesser Grey Shrike - Lanius minor C

A total of 6 were seen in the northern areas of the Kruger NP and at Langjan.

 

Common Fiscal - Lanius collaris C

Seen virtually daily in large numbers.

 

Magpie Shrike - Corvinella melanoleuca melanoleuca C

Up to 10 were seen daily in the Kruger NP and at Langjan NP.

 

White-crowned Shrike - Eurocephalus anguitimens niveus C

We saw 8 at Langjan NR on the 22^nd.

 

Brubru - Nilaus afer C

We saw up to 6 daily whilst at Mkuzi and 1 at Punda Maria on the 21^st.

 

Black-backed Puffback - Dryoscopus cubla C

Seen on seven dates in the east of the country with a daily maximum of 12 seen on the 16^th.

 

Black-crowned Tchagra - Tchagra senegala C

We saw 1 in Mkuzi and up to 3 daily in the Kruger NP.

 

Brown-crowned Tchagra - Tchagra australis C

We saw up to 4 daily whilst in the Kruger NP and at Langjan NR.

 

Tropical Boubou - Laniarius aethiopicus C

A single individual was seen and another heard on the loop around Punda Maria on the 21^st.

 

Southern Boubou - Laniarius ferrugineus C

We saw pairs at De Hoop, Alexandria Forest, Ferncliffe, St. Lucia and Pafuri.

 

Crimson-breasted Gonolek - Laniarius atrococcineus C

We saw 2 of these striking birds at Langjan NR on the 22^nd and 4 there the next day.

 

Bokmakierie - Telophorus zeylonus C

Seen daily from the 6^th to the 11^th in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 8 seen on the 7^th.

 

Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike - Telephonus sulfureopectus C

A single individual was seen along the Mpophmeni Trail at False Bay and 2 were seen near Mopani and 1 near Pafuri in the Kruger NP.

 

Olive Bushshrike - Telephonus olivaceus olivaceus C

We saw 2 at Ebb and Flow near Port Alfred on the 9^th.

 

Four-coloured Bushshrike - Telephonus viridis quadricolor C

A single individual was seen along the road to Morgans Bay on the 10^th.

 

Grey-headed Bushshrike - Malaconotus blanchoti C

A single individual allowed good views whilst in song along the S56 near Shingwedzi on the 21^st.

 

White Helmetshrike - Prionops plumatus poliocephalus C

We saw up to 5 daily whilst in the Kruger NP.

 

Retz’s Helmetshrike - Prionops retzii retzii C

A party of 3 were seen daily at the Pafuri Picnic Spot.

 

Square-tailed Drongo - Dicrurus ludwigii sharpei C

We saw 2 along the Mvubu Trail at St. Lucia and 4 along the Mpophmeni Trail at False Bay.

 

Fork-tailed Drongo - Dicrurus adsimilis C

Seen in large numbers daily from the 7^th to the 23^rd.

 

Cape Rook - Corvus capensis C

Seen on eight dates at various locations with a daily maximum of 75 seen on the 11^th.

 

Pied Crow - Corvus albus C

Seen on twelve dates with a daily maximum of 30 seen on the 5^th.

 

White-necked Raven - Corvus albicollis C

We saw 4 at Sir Lowry’s Pass on the 6^th and 15 in the Lower Pitseng Pass area on the 11^th. Impressive.

 

Common Myna - Acridotheres tristis C

Up to 20 were seen daily between the 12^th and 16^th and 10 were seen on the 24^th.

 

Starling - Sturnus vulgaris C

Seen from the 4^th to the 14^th.

 

Wattled Starling - Creatophora cinerea C

We saw 3 at De Hoop, 5 at Graaff Reinet and it proved very common from the 19^th to the 23^rd.

 

Cape Glossy Starling - Lamprotornis nitens C

Seen at Mooi River, Mkuzi and the Kruger NP in fair numbers.

 

Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling - Lamprotornis chalybaeus nordmanni C

Up to 30 were seen daily in the Kruger NP.

 

Burchell’s Glossy-Starling - Lamprotornis australis C

In the Kruger NP we saw 40 on the 19^th and 100 on the 20^th and 1 at the Nyl River.

 

Meve’s (Long-tailed Purple) Glossy-Starling - Lamprotornis mevesii mevesii C

We saw up to 10 daily around Pafuri.

 

Black-bellied Glossy-Starling - Lamprotornis corruscus corruscus C

Seen in the Alexandria Forest, Mkuzi and in the Kruger NP.

 

Violet-backed Starling - Cinnyricinclus leucogaster C

We saw up to 12 daily at Mkuzi and up to 15 daily in the Kruger NP.

 

African Pied Starling - Spreo bicolor C

Seen daily in large numbers from the 5^th to the 12^th.

 

Red-winged Starling - Onychognathus morio morio C

Seen in large numbers on seven dates at scattered locations.

 

Pale-winged Starling - Onychognathus nabouroup C

We saw 12 in the vicinity of Karoopoort and 2 at Graaf Reinet.

 

Red-billed Oxpecker - Buphagus erythrorhynchus C

We saw up to 30 daily in the Kruger NP.

 

Yellow-billed Oxpecker - Buphagus africanus C

A total of 6 were seen tending a Buffalo just north of Shingwedzi.

 

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus C

Seen virtually daily.

 

Rufous Sparrow - Passer motitensis C

A pair were seen daily near the Reserve gate at Langjan NR.

 

Cape Sparrow - Passer melanurus C

Seen on nine dates often in large numbers especially around the Cape.

 

Southern Grey-headed Sparrow - Passer diffusus diffusus C

Seen daily from Mkuzi to Langjan with the greatest numbers being seen in the Kruger NP.

 

Southern Yellow-throated Petronia – Petronia superciliaris C

A single individual was seen daily at Mkuzi and 6 were seen at Punda Maria Camp.

 

Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver – Bubalornis niger C

Up to 15 were seen daily in the Kruger NP proving more common in the south.

 

Scaly Weaver – Sporopipes squamifrons squamifrons C

We saw 15 on the drive to Graaff Reinet and up to 20 daily whilst in the Langjan area.

 

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver – Plocepasser mahali C

We saw 6 daily at Langjan NR.

 

Lesser Masked Weaver – Ploceus intermedius cabanisii C

We saw 15 at Mkuzi and up to 50 daily on two dates in the southern Kruger NP.

 

Spectacled Weaver – Ploceus ocularis C

A single individual was seen drinking at a pool at Mkuzi.

 

Cape Weaver – Ploceus capensis C

We saw 30 on the Langebaan Loop, 40 at De Hoop and 50 on the drive to Graaff Reinet.

 

African Golden Weaver – Ploceus subaureus subaureus C

We saw 40 at Ebb and Flow near Port Alfred, 6 near Morgan’s Bay, 30 at Thalzhinka Pan and 2 at the St. Lucia causeway.

 

Holub’s Golden-Weaver – Ploceus xanthops C

A pair were seen outside the hide overlooking a small reedbed at Mkuzi.

 

Southern Brown-throated Weaver – Ploceus xanthopterus marleyi C

We saw 3 males at the St. Lucia causeway.

 

African Masked Weaver – Ploceus velatus C

Seen virtually daily in fair numbers.

 

Village Weaver – Ploceus cucullatus spilonotus C

Up to 60 seen daily at their nests at the various camps in the Kruger NP.

 

Forest Weaver – Ploceus bicolor bicolor C

We saw 4 at Alexandria Forest, 3 at the Mvubu Trail at St. Lucia and 4 along the Mpophmeni Trail at False Bay.

 

Red-headed Weaver – Anapectes rubriceps rubriceps C

Singles were seen at the Pretuiskop campsite and at the Punda Maria Gate.

 

Red-billed Quelea – Quelea quelea lathami C

We saw 3 at the Mooi River Falls, up to 20 daily in the Kruger NP and an estimated 2,000 at Langjan NR.

 

Yellow-crowned Bishop – Euplectes afer taha C

We saw 30 along the roadside north of Ermelo and 2 near Langjan.

 

Red Bishop – Euplectes orix C

Up to 400 were seen virtually daily with many in full plumage.

 

Yellow Bishop – Euplectes capensis C

Seen in small numbers on four dates between the 4^th and 11^th.

 

Fan-tailed Widowbird – Euplectes axillaris axillaris C

Seen in good numbers on five dates between the 10^th and 16^th.

 

White-winged Widowbird – Euplectes albonotatus albonotatus C

A single individual was seen at the Darville Sewage Farm and 12 were seen at the Blyde River Canyon.

 

Red-collared Widowbird – Euplectes ardens ardens C

Seen in good numbers on seven dates between the 10^th and 18^th.

 

Long-tailed Widowbird – Euplectes progne progne C

Seen in fair numbers on seven dates between the 10^th and 24^th.

 

Grosbeak Weaver – Amblyospiza albifrons albifrons C

We saw 12 at a small marsh at Pietermaritzburg, 10 at Darville Sewage Farm and singles daily at the St. Lucia causeway.

 

Green-winged Pytilia – Pytilia melba C

We saw 1 at Shengwedzi, 2 at Pafuri and 2 at Langjan NR.

 

Green-backed Twinspot – Mandingoa nitidula nitidula C

We saw 1 at Enseleni and 3 along the Mpophmeni Trail at False Bay.

 

Red-billed Firefinch – Lagonosticta senegala rendalli C

Seen in small numbers at Mkuzi and on three dates in the Kruger NP.

 

African (Blue-billed) Firefinch – Lagonosticta rubricata rubricata C

A single individual was seen in Weza Forest and 2 were seen in Ferncliffe Forest.

 

Blue-breasted Cordonbleu – Uraeginthus angolensis C

We saw up to 10 on our first three days in the Kruger NP.

 

Violet-eared Waxbill – Uraeginthus granatina granatina C

A pair was seen in a small dry streambed just south of Olifants and another pair was seen at the Nyl River.

 

Swee Waxbill – Estrilda melanotis C

A single individual was seen in the Kambi Forest.

 

Common Waxbill – Estrilda astrild astrild C

Seen in small numbers at scattered locations on seven dates.

 

Bronze Mannikin – Lonchura cucullata scutata C

A single individual was seen in Ferncliffe Forest.

 

Brown-backed Mannikin - Lonchura bicolor C

A pair was seen in the Mkuzi Fig Forest.

 

Cut-throat – Amadina fasciata meridionalis C

A single individual was seen at Langjan NR.

 

Red-headed Finch – Amadina erythrocephala C

We saw 3 in a stand of Acacia at Aberdeen and 2 at the Pafuri Picnic Spot.

 

Shaft-tailed Whydah – Vidua regia C

We saw 2 males at Langjan NR.

 

Pin-tailed Whydah – Vidua macroura C

Seen in fair numbers on twelve dates.

 

Eastern Paradise-Whydah – Vidua paradisaea C

We saw up to 3 daily in the Kruger NP.

 

Cape Canary – Serinus canicollis C

Seen often in good numbers in any highland area on a total of nine dates.

 

Forest Canary – Serinus scotops C

We saw 4 in the Kambi Forest and 4 in the Ferncliffe Forest.

 

Black-throated Canary – Serinus atrogularis C

We saw 30 on the roadsides north of Ermelo on the 18^th.

 

Yellow-fronted Canary – erinus mozambicus C

Seen daily in fair numbers from the 14^th to the 21^st.

 

Yellow Canary – Serinus flaviventris C

Seen daily in large numbers from the 5^th to the 11^th.

 

Brimstone Canary – Serinus sulphuratus C

We only positively identified 2 being at Potberg on the 7^th.

 

White-throated Canary – Serinus albogularis C

Seen daily in small numbers from the 5^th to the 9^th.

 

Streaky-headed Seedeater – Serinus gularis C

We saw singles at Knysna and near Port Alfred and 2 feeding on Thistles along the road to Morgan’s Bay.

 

Cape Siskin – Serinus totta C

We saw 10 in the Cape of Good Hope NR and 6 along the edge of the plantation at Sir Lowry’s Pass.

 

Drakensberg Siskin – Serinus symonsi C

We saw 6 at Naudesnek Pass on the 6^th.

 

Lark-like Bunting – Emberiza impetuani C

We saw a pair at a small waterhole between Aberdeen and Graaff Reinet.

 

Cape Bunting – Emberiza capensis C

Seen on six dates between the 5^th and the 18^th in good numbers.

 

Golden-breasted Bunting – Emberiza flaviventris flaviventris C

We saw up to 4 daily from the 16^th to the 22^nd.