Birding on 3 continents

[xelas]

BY156 / SA156

Three-banded Plover - Charadrius tricollaris

 

De Hoop / 02.01.2018

[xelas]

Eagles do fly high and so did this one. Crop is extreme, bird is another almost ebc but main features are still visible.

 

 

BY157 / SA157

Verreaux's (Black) Eagle - Aquila verreauxii

 

Swartberg Pass / 05.01.2018

[xelas]

BY158 / SA158

Water Thick-knee - Burhinus vermiculatus

 

Rondevlei Bird Sanctuary / 11.01.2018

[xelas]

Another high-flyer; but not as extreme as the eagles.

 

 

BY159 / SA159

Western Osprey - Pandion haliaetus

 

Stanford - Kleinrivier / 01.01.2018

[Dave Williams]

The hare is racing ahead ! Where is "Wilderness"? Looks interesting!

[xelas]

4 minutes ago, Dave Williams said:

The hare is racing ahead !

 

Yeah ... for now ...

 

4 minutes ago, Dave Williams said:

Where is "Wilderness"

 

Wilderness is between George and Knysna (but much closer to George). Very green area, several excellent birding sports. Stayed at Kingfisher Country House. More in upcoming trip report.

[xelas]

"W" for "White" (and "Wood").

 

 

BY160 / SA160

 

White-backed Mousebird - Colius colius

 

Karoo NP / 06.01.2018

[xelas]

BY161 / SA161

White-breasted Cormorant - Phalacrocorax lucidus

 

Wilderness / 05.01.2018

 

Stanford - Kleinrivier / 01.01.2018

[xelas]

BY162 / SA162

White-necked Raven - Corvus albicollis

 

Franschhoek / 09.01.2018

[xelas]

BY163 / SA163

White-rumped Swift - Apus caffer

 

Karoo NP / 06.01.2018

[xelas]

BY164 / SA164

White-throated Canary - Crithagra albogularis

 

De Hoop / 02.01.2018

[xelas]

BY165 / SA165

White-throated Swallow - Hirundo albigularis

 

De Hoop / 02.01.2018

[xelas]

BY166 / SA166

 

White Stork - Ciconia ciconia

 

 

by Elsa

somewhere between Stanford and De Hoop / 01.01.2018

[Geoff]

I never knew a Greater Crested tern was also called Swift tern.

 

166 already!! Incredible.

Edited February 11, 2018 by Geoff

[Dave Williams]

3 hours ago, Geoff said:

I never knew a Greater Crested tern was also called Swift tern.

 

166 already!! Incredible.

Neither did I!

[Galana]

4 hours ago, Geoff said:

I never knew a Greater Crested tern was also called Swift tern.

I think this is the Southern African name. They seem to like their own names down there just to confuse us.

Or maybe it is so they can sell more Field Guides?

[xelas]

We do talk about Thalasseus bergii, yes?? If so it is indeed confusing as the bird is known by several names: Crested Tern, Greater Crested Tern, Great Crested Tern). When there were different English or Latin names found for the same bird species, I have followed Sasol's Birds of Southern Africa.

[xelas]

One more "W" bird before staring the last batch of South Africa's birds.

 

 

BY167 / SA167

Wood Sandpiper - Tringa glareola

 

De Hoop / 02.01.2018

 

 

[xelas]

Letter "Y" is finishing our South African birds. Despite very dry to drought conditions we have had good time, and have returned home with a couple of lifers (not too difficult as we are counting those only fro 2016 onwards) and a few excellent photos.

 

BY168 / SA168

Yellow Bishop - Euplectes capensis

 

female

 

male

Wilderness / 04.01.2018

 

[xelas]

BY169 / SA169

Yellow Canary - Crithagra flaviventris

 

female

Karoo NP / 05.01.2018

 

male

Babylonstoren Garden / 09.01.2018

[xelas]

BY170 / SA170

Yellow-billed Duck - Anas undulata

 

Strandfontein / 11.01.2018

[xelas]

BY171 / SA171

Yellow-billed Egret - Ardea brachyrhyncha

 

Wilderness / 04.01.2018

[xelas]

BY172 / SA172

Yellow-billed Kite - Milvus aegyptius

 

Wilderness / 04.01.2018

[xelas]

BY173 / SA173

Yellow-fronted Canary - Crithagra mozambica

 

Karoo NP / 06.01.2018

[xelas]

173 different birds is an excellent count for us. However it can be even higher ... with your help! I will post several "mystery birds" photos and will be happy to get your comments ... 

 

Mystery Bird #1 - a Flycatcher??