Zvezda & Alex 4th time: Just birdin'

[xelas]

58 minutes ago, Zim Girl said:

Over 200 South African birds sounds like a really good result to me.  I really enjoyed looking at them and look forward to the trip report.

 

This is our best result from Africa. We are improving our skills and thus also our final numbers by each visit:

 

2016 KGALAGADI = 101

2017 KRUGER = 130

2017 NAMIBIA = 155

2018 WESTERN CAPE = 173

2019 KWAZULU NATAL = 208 (215 w. EBC)

[Galana]

53 minutes ago, xelas said:

This is our best result from Africa. We are improving our skills and thus also our final numbers by each visit:

Interesting to see the increasing trend. No doubt improved skills played a large part in this but of course you became 'more aware' of birds too which is a plus for BY too.

Great score.

[pedro maia]

Kwazulu-Natal definitely delivered for you, looking forward for the TR.

[xelas]

As there is a Big Year inside a Big Year, we want to be part of it also. So here they are, our EBC's. Seven species that we did not get a better photo of. Five birds of prey flying just too high. And two "ground" ones, both photographed at great distance. 

 

I will present both the SOOC (Straight Out Of the Camera) and AT (After-Treatment) versions. There will be my ID, but any comment is warmly welcomed. These birds will not be counted in the Big Year score, only in SA counting.

 

Edited April 16, 2019 by xelas

[xelas]

Martial Eagle @ Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 17, 2019 by xelas

[xelas]

Steppe Eagle @ Mkhuze Game Reserve

 

 

 

Edited April 17, 2019 by xelas

[xelas]

Wahlberg's Eagle @ Mkhuze Game Reserve

 

 

 

Edited April 17, 2019 by xelas

[xelas]

Palm-nut Vulture @ iSmangaliso Wetland Park

 

 

 

Edited April 17, 2019 by xelas

[xelas]

Pallid Harrier @ Zibulo

 

 

 

Edited April 17, 2019 by xelas

[xelas]

Kittlitz's Plover @iSmangaliso Wetland Park

 

 

 

Edited April 17, 2019 by xelas

[xelas]

?? Cisticola @ Hluhluwe Park

 

 

 

Edited April 17, 2019 by xelas

[Dave Williams]

Without checking the Palm Nut Vulture looks good, on checking I wouldn't disagree with the other raptors either. The Plover could be a White-fronted and the Pipit...I don't even try with Pipits and Larks!! 

Great result and if I can match it when we go I'll be on target for the 500 I have set out to get.

 

Meantime I'm debating a shotgun, myxomatosis or changing my thread to The Fox in a bid to slow you down!!

[xelas]

39 minutes ago, Dave Williams said:

Meantime I'm debating a shotgun, myxomatosis or changing my thread to The Fox in a bid to slow you down!!

 

Shotgun not allowed on the plane, myxomatosis not working on people, so the only way is to change the title of your thread ! And with your plans for this year, only thing I can do is ... to enjoy the yellow jersey as long as I can ; it will not last long, so much I am sure.

[Galana]

Crossbows are quieter and either Beagles or Bassets can deal with Hares (which are unaffected by Myxomatosis due to lifestyle.)

But let's give the poor Scrub Hare a break after all the weavers and warblers.

Five out of seven ain't bad! Although one is, IMHO, a miscall but still a well deserved tick.

Top down:-

1. Martial.

2. Steppe? I am guided by the off white leading edge patch by the first four fingers.

3. Wahlberg's is good.

4. As @Dave Williams Palm Nut def.

5  I can't see as a Black Harrier. It would be, er, Blacker. The white 'ringtail' rules out most others so why not Pallid?

2nd guess could be Imm Black after all.

6. Kittlitz is good.

7. Ha Ha! Don't go there!   It's  a Cisticola!!

[pedro maia]

I would gladly count all those, I have much worst 

[xelas]

Thanks, my birding mentor! Steppe was my original call ... should stick to it. Harrier is indeed more brownish then blackish, so let it be a Pallid one. But the one ID I am really proud of is the Plover!!

Less proud of the Pipit; based on location, location, location (and white end of the tail) what do you say about Red-faced Cisticola ?

[xelas]

1 hour ago, pedro maia said:

I would gladly count all those, I have much worst 

 

If having any chances to score higher in this BY then I would not hesitate to use them also .

[Galana]

12 hours ago, xelas said:

(and white end of the tail) what do you say about Red-faced Cisticola ?

It is the white tail tips that led me to Cisticolas. Red-faced has not a streaky back and head unlike your subject .

My maxim as you know is 'if in doubt it's a Rattler!' but in this case I would lean towards a Croaker or Wailer.

I also like this "Male calls loudly from tops of trees and shrubs". (Rattler)

[michael-ibk]

Congratulations Alex and Zvezda, a really impressive collection fron South Africa. I particularly like the Bishops, Finches and other Astrilds, they are such beautiful birds, and Zvezda got cracking shots. I'm looking forward to the privilege of seeing her in action again (and learn from her divinity) soon. :-)

[Peter Connan]

Jip, really great total for two weeks! And great shots too!

[Soukous]

@xelas great results from both Alex and Zvezda, although it looks as though Zvezda grabbed the best lens 

[xelas]

1 hour ago, Soukous said:

@xelas great results from both Alex and Zvezda, although it looks as though Zvezda grabbed the best lens 

 

Zvezda grabbed the only lens ; her skills are just that much better then mine .

[Soukous]

1 hour ago, xelas said:

 

Zvezda grabbed the only lens ; her skills are just that much better then mine .

 

the lady definitely has talent.

[Dave Williams]

250+ already! I'd count them all Alex, why not! Keep them coming.

[xelas]

An extra day in Istanbul, courtesy of Turkish Airlines, gave us chance to add a few more birds to Big Year. We went straight to Gulhane park, for one bird that is not easily found elsewhere in Europe.

 

BY 252 / TR 001

Alexandrine Parakeet - Psittacula eupatria

 

 

 

Istanbul, 18-Feb-2019