Before attending a memorial get-together and braai for our departed hiking friend, Brian Smallwood, we paid a quick morning's visit to Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve. We weren't expecting much from the visit in the middle of winter but were happily surprised to encounter a small flock of Orange-breasted waxbills - one of the most elusive local endemics for us and a lifer to boot! Unfortunately they were very lively and views were good but brief and not long enough for photos. Red-throated wrynecks seemed uncommonly common with several individuals seen and their calls heard all over the reserve. Other interesting birds included a number of Grey-winged francolins, Mocking cliff-chat, Mountain wheatear and early in the morning when we arrived, a single Marsh owl perching nicely for pics.
Sunday 29 June 2014
Suikerbosrand NR birding, Jun 2014
Labels:
birding,
Gauteng,
nature reserve,
South Africa,
Suikerbosrand NR
Before attending a memorial get-together and braai for our departed hiking friend, Brian Smallwood, we paid a quick morning's visit to Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve. We weren't expecting much from the visit in the middle of winter but were happily surprised to encounter a small flock of Orange-breasted waxbills - one of the most elusive local endemics for us and a lifer to boot! Unfortunately they were very lively and views were good but brief and not long enough for photos. Red-throated wrynecks seemed uncommonly common with several individuals seen and their calls heard all over the reserve. Other interesting birds included a number of Grey-winged francolins, Mocking cliff-chat, Mountain wheatear and early in the morning when we arrived, a single Marsh owl perching nicely for pics.
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