Kalaharikind merel(y) lark(ing) about in 2021

[Dave Williams]

Y

2 hours ago, Kalaharikind said:

This one landed on a twig at the Augrabies Falls hide, sat still for just this one photo, and then flew off again.

 

50) Malachite kingfisher          Kuifkopvisvanger          Alcedo cristata

 

 

 

 

You only need one. Well done on catching the moment!

[Tdgraves]

Well done on your maiden half century 

[Zim Girl]

Lovely kingfisher for your fiftieth bird!

[PeterHG]

Agree with the others: a beautiful shot of the Kingfisher for #50!

[Kitsafari]

congrats on your first milestone and what a bird to celebrate it with

[Peter Connan]

Baie geluk! Lovely bird and lovely shot.

[elefromoz]

Well done on the 50, nice little Kingfisher

[shazdwn]

Congratulations on your first 50, great bird and great shot 

[TonyQ]

A beautiful bird for your 50. Well done.

[Kalaharikind]

Thank you all - I really appreciate your comments. (Not sure what went wrong with the Malachite shot: it's certainly not on par with my usual standards /hangs head in shame/)

 

I've been neglecting the birds - here's a bonus: the western race of the fiscal shrike has quite a prominent eyebrow. 

 

[Kalaharikind]

Still in Augrabies NP:

 

51) Rock pigeon          Kransduif          Columba guinea

 

 

 

[Kalaharikind]

52) Rock martin          Kransswael          Hirundo fuligula

 

 

They were building a nest, as you can see from the mud on the bill of the one on the left.

 

[Kalaharikind]

From Augrabies NP we drove to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Available campsites were about as numerous as zebras in KTP, and we camped at Kgalagadi Lodge, about 5 kms from TR gate. We've stayed there before, and while not on the glamping level, each stand had its own ablutions, a paved and covered veranda and beautiful views.

 

We were welcomed at KL by one of my favourites:

 

53) Groundscraper thrush          Gevlekte lyster          Turdus litsitsirupa

 

 

and a not-on-the-groundscraper...

 

[Kalaharikind]

The lodge was great for restcamp-birding, although the variety was smaller than I expected. The fact that it was overcast and even rainy(!)could have played a role. Also, with fewer people camping than than inside KTP, food-scrounging opportunities were scarcer as well. 

 

54) Yellow canary          Geelkanarie          Serinus flaviventris

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kalaharikind]

55) Pygmy falcon          Dwergvalk          Polihierax semitorquatus

 

 

By comparing him with the camelthorn pod, one gets an idea of how small he really is.

 

 

He was flying quite low, very fast - it was beautiful to see. 

[PeterHG]

That Pygmy Falcon is definitely one of my favourites. Keep them coming, I wish we could go back there!

[mvecht]

@Kalaharikindstunning Kingfisher

I think your #51 is a Speckled pigeon rather than a Rock pigeon.

PS the latin name is correct

[Galana]

I agree with @mvecht. Even though the Afrikaans means Cliff Dove.

[Kalaharikind]

@mvecht@ Galana Could Speckled be a newer name for the Rock pigeon? My Newman's has Rock, Johan's Sasol has Speckled.

 

I appreciate the beady-eyed attention  - there are raptors up, so be afraid, be verrrry afraid and expect lots of wrong IDs 

 

 

[xelas]

6 hours ago, Kalaharikind said:

we camped at Kgalagadi Lodge

 

Again a nice selection of birds. Re Kgalagadi Lodge, was it an annoyance to enter and exit the park each day? 

[mvecht]

@Kalaharikindnaming of birds can be tricky.

The Rock Pigeon is called Columba livia in latin

https://ebird.org/species/rocpig

 

The Speckled Pigeon (Columba guinea)  is also some times called African Rock pigeon but I believe that Speckled is the more official name.

https://ebird.org/species/spepig1

[Kalaharikind]

17 minutes ago, mvecht said:

naming of birds can be tricky.

The Rock Pigeon is called Columba livia in latin

https://ebird.org/species/rocpig

 

The Speckled Pigeon (Columba guinea)  is also some times called African Rock pigeon but I believe that Speckled is the more official name.

https://ebird.org/species/spepig1

Really tricky, as we're seeing here: Newman's, again, has the scientific name as C guinea. 

 

Quick question here to all: I use mainly Newman for bird names - do you use bird guides or ebird?

 

@xelas, entering was a piece of cake. We did, however, book beforehand to come in as day visitors. We were given Covid and day visitor forms to complete beforehand, were temperature-screened and then entered. I was quite surprised to hear that they were limiting the number of day visitors: as far as I know, that only happens during school holidays and long weekends. Perhaps it was Covid-related? We also had a WildCard, so did not pay any conservation fees. The WC actually paid for itself on our first entry into KTP - remember we had spent a couple of days at Augrabies. 

 

[Kalaharikind]

Right, this is definitely an ostrich:

 

56) Struthio camelus

 

[Kalaharikind]

57) Lesser grey shrike          Gryslaksman          Lanius minor

 

[Kalaharikind]

Moving into dangerous territory here...

 

58) Pale chanting goshawk

 

61) Gabar goshawk J          Witkruissperwer/Kleinsingvalk          Micronisus gabar

 

BBJ

 

Gabar goshawk J

 

wet and bedraggled and very very sorry for itself GG J:

Yes, it rained while we were there - something I've only experienced once before. It's a magical event that had me in tears. My dad was born in the Kalahari, and he was 6 before he saw any rain: apparently he ran inside, shouting that people were throwing water at him!

 

... and PCG J lift-off!

 

ETA: I've left the pics as is, otherwise Galana's comments in the post below won't make any sense

Edited March 17, 2021 by Kalaharikind