TonyQ: Big Year 2023

[TonyQ]

174.SA37 Brimstone Canary  Crithagra sulphurata      

Little Fields Cottage    06.07.23

[TonyQ]

175.SA38 Amethyst Sunbird  Chalcomitra amethystina    

Little Fields Cottage    06.07.23

Little Fields Cottage    06.07.23

It is amazing how different this bird could look in different light - from looking completely black through to lots of bright colours

[TonyQ]

176.SA39 Village Weaver  Ploceus cucullatus           

(F) Little Fields Cottage    06.07.23

(M) Little Fields Cottage    06.07.23

They were also nesting in the gardens

[TonyQ]

177.SA40 African Pied Starling  Lamprotornis bicolor

Himeville Nature Reserve       06.07.23

In very harsh midday sun, Himeville Nature Reserve       06.07.23

[TonyQ]

178.SA41 Cape Crow  Corvus capensis       

The same very harsh sun and heat haze, Himeville Nature Reserve       06.07.23

This was the only place we saw this bird.

Edited August 23, 2023 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

179.SA42 Buffy Pipit  Anthus vaalensis        

Himeville Nature Reserve       06.07.23

I am no Pipit expert

But my reasoning

Plain Back (not mottled or streaked back)

It lives in this area!

Base of beak is pinkish, not yellowish

[TonyQ]

180.SA43 Pin-tailed Whydah  Vidua macroura           

Himeville Nature Reserve       06.07.23

We were visiting during winter, so birds like this were not in their breeding finery. But it was interesting trying to work out what they are.

The Red beak , face pattern and pattern of feathers on the back and tail helped us decide on the Pin-tailed Wydah

[TonyQ]

181.SA44 Red-knobbed Coot  Fulica cristata           

Himeville Nature Reserve       06.07.23

It was good to get one reasonable close and in decent light!

 

We stopped at Himeville on the way between Howick and Sani Valley. The Nature Reserve is very small but it was worth a brief visit as we were stopping in  the small town of HImeville for lunch.

[TonyQ]

182.SA45 Cape Turtle/Ring-necked Dove  Streptopelia capicola 

Himeville Nature Reserve       06.07.23

I almost forgot this Dove!

[shazdwn]

I know I am well behind the times here but I love your barn owl shots

[TonyQ]

Thank you @shazdwnwe really enjoyed the sighting and I wa spleased with the photos

 

183.SA46 Levaillant's Cisticola  Cisticola tinniens           

I forgot this one - and Cisticolas are a stuggle for us

Karkloof Conservation Centre            05.07.23

To show the markings on the back, Karkloof Conservation Centre            05.07.23

Against very strong light

Habitat wetland, upland. Common in this area

Plain rufous crown, face markings match picture in Field Guide!

[TonyQ]

184.SA47 Long-billed Pipit  Anthus similis    

Sani Valley Lodge       06.07.23

From Cisticolas to Pipits!

Mottled back, mainly found on open rocky hillsides

[TonyQ]

185.SA48 Brown-throated/Plain Martin  Riparia paludicola       

Sani Valley Lodge       06.07.23

Rubbish picture, but brown throat and pale belly evident. They tended to stay very high

[TonyQ]

186.SA49 Rock Martin  Ptyonoprogne fuligula           

Sani Valley Lodge       06.07.23

These tended to fly a bit lower (at the same site as the Brown-throated). White dots on tail are clearly visible

[TonyQ]

187.SA50 Red-winged Francolin  Scleroptila levaillantii        

Well camouflaged, Sani Valley Lodge 06.07.23

Sani Valley Lodge 06.07.23

Sani Valley Lodge 06.07.23

This was one of my favourite sightings of the trip. We were on the long track heading towards the lodge. Low late afternoon sun. Thes were right at the side of the track and just carried on going about their business, ignoring our car. These were taken between 200mm and 280mm, so very close!

I think they are really beautiful birds

Edited August 25, 2023 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

The next few are from Sani Valley Lodge, but a couple of days later. I thought it made sense to put them all together

 

188.SA51 Cardinal Woodpecker  Chloropicus fuscescens     

With insect, Sani Valley Lodge       08.07.23

         

Mkhuze           16.07.23

[TonyQ]

189.SA52 Dark-capped/Common Bulbul  Pycnonotus barbatus/tricolor 

Very common, but very pretty, Sani Valley Lodge       08.07.23

[TonyQ]

190.SA53 Hamerkop  Scopus umbretta        

The nest was a big solid structure!, Sani Valley Lodge       08.07.23

         

Mkhuze           16.07.23

[TonyQ]

191.SA54 Wailing Cisticola         Cisticola lais             

Sani Valley Lodge       08.07.23

edited - with thanks to @Tdgraves

Edited August 25, 2023 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

192.SA55 White-necked Raven  Corvus albicollis           

Sani Valley Lodge       08.07.23

[TonyQ]

193.SA56 Buff-streaked Chat  Campicoloides bifasciatus      

Sani Valley Lodge       08.07.23

Sani Valley Lodge       08.07.23

The last of the Sani Valley Lodge birds, it sat out very nicely on a rock at the side of the track

[Tdgraves]

@TonyQ I am by no means an expert on cisticolas, however, rattling cisticolas are very common in the kruger, so I know what they look like and they don't look like yours!! eBird has a 150 bird list for the sani valley lodge, which includes wailing but not rattling and I think that this is the best fit....

[TonyQ]

@Tdgravesthank you for that advice - I am sure it will not be the last Pipit or Cisticola that I get wrong

I have edited the post to reflect this change

[michael-ibk]

Beautiful - especially like the Francolin and the Chat. 

[PeterHG]

Beautiful species and photos!