B.Y. 2019. The Tortoise rules!

[Dave Williams]

1 hour ago, Peter Connan said:

Exceptional effort, and a lovely shot of the Scops!

 

This is one of my all-time favorite bushveld sounds. Only seen one once, as their camoflage is so good, so well done for spotting it.

 

Not me Peter, the maintenance man knew where to look, he also took me to show me where to look for the White-faced Owl which unfortunately had gone missing and didn't return while we were there either.

Edited November 9, 2019 by Dave Williams

[Tdgraves]

Congrats on 400

[PeterHG]

Congratulations on reaching your record score!

[Dave Williams]

@Peter ConnanI'd have never spotted it Peter, I was shown where it was by the maintenance man.

[Peter Connan]

Yea well, the same is true for the one I saw Dave!

[Dave Williams]

402) Yellow-billed Oxpecker

I was delighted to see my one and only Roan Antelope at the Boyola waterhole near Sirheni.It was only when I got home I realised it was a double bonus.

Not really an EBC though!

 

Roan Antelope by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Edited November 10, 2019 by Dave Williams

[michael-ibk]

Congratulations on passing #400, Dave, excellent job - and really stunning picture quality all through the way. Scops Owl is definitely not my favourite bush sound @Peter Connan. For once, you hear them so often but never find them. And secondly, one was going at it all through the night right over my tent. The only bird I´ve ever hated more was a cock at a farm in the Pantanal near Rio Paraguai which was adamant to start business at 03:30 am!

[pedro maia]

Congrats for the 400 Dave, and congrats also to the maintenance man for the owl .

[Peter Connan]

@michael-ibk, I thought all cocks start business at the latest at 03h30? I wouldn't mind a Scops over my tent, and yes, you never see them, but that counts for most birds in my experience and I won't hold that against them.

 

To me, if I haven't heard a Scops, I haven't really been in the bush.

[Galana]

Congratulations on 400 up. And what a bird to do it with.

More.

[Dave Williams]

403) Willow Tit

I owe this one to @Galana Today at Ken-Dee Marshes RSPB reserve , Southern Scotland

Willow Tit  Poecile montanus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[lmSA84]

@Dave Williams - congrats on 400 and on the yellow-billed Oxpecker - to find it on a Roan is double whammy. 

 

You may already may know this but the Yellow-bill has interesting story in SA

 

https://www.wildcard.co.za/kruger-yellow-billed-oxpecker-project/

[Kitsafari]

congrats on your record and the 400th! beautiful willow tit. 

[Dave Williams]

404) Red Kite

After a cold but rewarding morning in an RSPB hide @Galana suggested the Red Kite feeding station for a hot drink and a piece of cake.

The weather had deteriorated to such an extent it was lashing down. Still, the Kites were fed, we tried for some shots after which 

"Fred and me had had a cup of tea and so we went home"

Red Kites in the rain by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Red Kites in the rain by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Red Kites in the rain by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Red Kites in the rain by Dave Williams, on Flickr

Red Kites in the rain by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

405) White-winged Widow Bird

A bonus I didn't discover until I got home from SA. Thanks @Peter Connan and @zimreef. Must have looked through the book a dozen times and still missed it!Quelea flock by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

406) Violet-cheeked Waxbill

The only one I knowingly saw on our last day.

Violet-cheeked Waxbil. lUraeginthus granatinus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

407) Martial Eagle

Seen a few times but our last day offered by far the best sighting!

Martial Eagle by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[PeterHG]

Superb Martial Eagle shot!

[TonyQ]

A great Martial Eagle shot, and the Waxbill is lovely

[Galana]

Great additions.

[Dave Williams]

408) Pied Starling

I think this is my last contribution from South Africa.

Seen at Milly's , the service station on the way to J'berg.

Pied Starling by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Kitsafari]

great shot of the martial - never seen in the waters before. 

 

[Peter Connan]

Lovely shot of the Martial eagle drinking, and a great haul from SA!

[Galana]

Good action with the Martial drinking.

Good total overall.

[Dave Williams]

409) Firecrest

Could have sworn I'd added one this year but apparently not. Hope to get a better one before the end of the year but at least it keeps me ticking over!

Firecrest.  Regulus ignicapilla by Dave Williams, on Flickr