PC's apologetically late and small year.

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @michael-ibk, @Tdgravesand @Galana

 

Tracy they basically live around here for at least 6 months of the year. I understand they are local migrants though.

[PeterHG]

Congatulations on the 100, @Peter Connan! And what a beautiful photo to reach that number!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @PeterHG

[pedro maia]

You may not have the quantity this year but the quality is all there, congrats on the century!!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @pedro maia

[Zim Girl]

Well done getting to 100 - great picture of the bishop!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @Zim Girl

 

101) Rose-ringed Parakeet

 

Ringnekparkiet

 

Psittacula krameri

 

1 November, Home

Edited December 14, 2020 by Peter Connan

[Peter Connan]

102) Thick-billed Weaver

 

Dikbekwewer

 

Amblyospiza albifrons

 

3 November, Bonaero Park Dam

[Peter Connan]

103) White-rumped Swift

 

Witkruisswael

 

Apus caffer

 

 

25 October, Home

[Peter Connan]

104) Yellow-billed Egret

 

Geelbekwitreier

 

Egretta intermedia

 

3 November, Bonaero Park Dam

[Peter Connan]

105) Yellow-billed Duck

 

Geelbekeend

 

Anas undulata

 

3 November, Bonaero Park Dam

[Peter Connan]

106) Red-throated Wryneck

 

Draaihals

 

Jynx ruficollis

 

25 October

 

 

1 November, Home

[Tdgraves]

It looks like your local park is very productive @Peter Connan

i’ve never seen a wryneck - we may have to drop in the next time we are passing!  however I feel this is now a long way off. Have officially given up on our January trip after last nights announcement, as I can’t believe our government will relax the ban now that you are entering your second wave....

 

p.s. I hope Mrs Connan is on the mend - please pass on our best wishes 

[Peter Connan]

@Tdgraves, I now suspect that international travel for the foreseeable future will probably depend on the availability of an effective vaccine, but I cannot wait for your next visit, as also all my other Safaritalk friends.

 

At this time of year, the Wryneck can be heard from my home almost every day, but seeing it on the ground is a pretty scarce event. Normally it sings from the very top of a tree.

 

Thank you very much for your kind wishes. She has just minutes ago emerged from the theater after a follow-up operation. However, she has been walking (with assistance) a little further each day. She is still partially paralyzed, and according to the neurosurgeon this will last for several months if not permanent.

[xelas]

Congratulations @Peter Connan on reaching #100 ... and on recovering your almost lost data. Beautiful birds and photos, as always. 

[Galana]

Good thoughts and wishes to Mrs Connan for her continued progress.

Lovely to see Wrynecks. (My first ever SA bird, seen from the Airport Game Lodge window on our first morning.)

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @xelas and @Galana

[Tdgraves]

10 hours ago, Galana said:

Good thoughts and wishes to Mrs Connan for her continued progress.

Lovely to see Wrynecks. (My first ever SA bird, seen from the Airport Game Lodge window on our first morning.)

Not fair!

[Soukous]

16 hours ago, Tdgraves said:

i’ve never seen a wryneck

 

Me neither, at least not knowingly. Although who knows what birds I saw before I started taking a keener interest in them. 

[Soukous]

Very pleased that Mrs C is making progress towards recovery. The last thing anyone needs on top of this b***dy virus is another medical issue to deal with.

Must be a tough time for you & family. 

[Peter Connan]

I do suspect that the secret to seeing the Wryneck is to know it's call. It is a relatively secretive bird when not calling, and so easily overlooked. But the call is distinctive and relatively easy to remember, and the bird's behaviour when calling makes it easy to see at that time.

 

Thank you @Soukous. Certainly it is not an enjoyable experience. The worst is not knowing how things are going, but at least one of us can see her daily. In a lot of other places that is not possible, and I really feel for those people. An internet friend had a stroke last week, and his wife has been unable to see him ever since...

 

Getting remotely back on topic, my worst Big Year so far was the second, in which I only got 168 birds. I had actually hoped to beat that this year, which should be possible if I had a good day at either Marievale or Zibulo, but right now I'm about 20 birds short and (even though I know it's pointless) I am not prepared to go that far away until I know she is stable and out of the ICU.

[Galana]

4 minutes ago, Peter Connan said:

I do suspect that the secret to seeing the Wryneck is to know it's call.

Or get lucky and book a room at Airport Lodge to emerge bleary eyed after a good sleep and find one feeding on the lawn.

3 hours ago, Tdgraves said:

Not fair!

All's Fair in love, war and birding!

 

10 minutes ago, Peter Connan said:

I am not prepared to go that far away until I know she is stable and out of the ICU.

Absolutely.  It's the taking part that counts and not the result. Good wishes and apologies for the hi jack.

[PeterHG]

2 hours ago, Peter Connan said:

I am not prepared to go that far away until I know she is stable and out of the ICU.

That is completely understandable. First things first. I'l add my wishes for a speedy and full recovery!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @Galana(and no apology necessary) and @PeterHG

[Peter Connan]

107) Red-headed Finch

 

Rooikopvink

 

Amadina erythrocephala

 

 

25 October, Home