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| COMMON OSTRICH, Wakkerstroom |
--Groucho Marx
On October 10, Mike & I left for South Africa for a birding trip of eastern part of the country, including 5 nights at Kruger National Park, guided by our friend, Kim Risen of NatureScape Tours. Shari had already been in the country for a couple of weeks, participating in the pre-tour around Cape Town. We all met up in Durban and traveled in a zig-zag manner north to Kruger.
The emphasis, of course, was on birds, but many mammals (and even a few snails, lizards, insects and wild melons) were seen at our various stops. The entries are organized in larger blocks than usual because the number of life birds this trip was overwhelming. In around 20 years of listing I have compiled a US life list of 545 species. In just under 2 weeks in South Africa, I saw/heard 324 species, of which 294 were life birds.
It was a good but exhausting trip--every day was like doing a World Series of Birding--we'd start at 5:30 AM and often go until 10 PM with night drives. But then, how many times am I going to be in South Africa?
Protea Hotel, Johannesburg
Eshowe & Dlinza Forest
St. Lucia & iSimagaliso Wetland Park
Warning Signs
Mkhuze Game Reserve
Wakkerstroom
The Adventures of the Wawa Cups
Kruger NP 10/20-10/21
The Big Five (+ One)
Kruger NP 10/22-10/24
Gallery
Trip List: Key: LIFE BIRD, Year Bird, Rarity
COMMON
OSTRICH Teza
|
WHITE-FACED
WHISTLING-DUCK Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
COMB
DUCK Kruger NP
|
Egyptian Goose iSimangaliso
|
SOUTH
AFRICAN SHELDUCK Wakkerstroom
|
SPUR-WINGED
GOOSE St. Lucia
|
GARGANEY St. Lucia
|
HOTTENTOT
TEAL St. Lucia
|
CAPE
SHOVELER Wakkerstrom Wetland Reserve
|
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK St.
Lucia
|
RED-BILLED
DUCK St. Lucia
|
Helmeted Guineafowl
iSimangaliso
|
CRESTED
GUINEAFOWL Ndiza Inn, St Lucia
|
NATAL
FRANCOLIN Kruger NP
|
SWAINSON'S
FRANCOLIN Eastvaal District Council
|
RED-NECKED
FRANCOLIN Eastvaal District Council
|
CRESTED
FRANCOLIN Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
RED-WINGED
FRANCOLIN Wakkerstroom
|
LITTLE
GREBE Wakkerstroom Wetland Reserve
|
Greater Flamingo
Ermelo
|
AFRICAN
OPENBILL Kruger NP NP
|
WOOLLY-NECKED
STORK Eshowe
|
SADDLE-BILLED
STORK Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
MARABOU
STORK Kruger NP
|
YELLOW-BILLED
STORK St. Lucia
|
LONG-TAILED
CORMORANT iSimangaliso
|
AFRICAN
DARTER St. Lucia
|
PINK-BACKED
PELICAN St. Lucia
|
HAMERKOP Kruger
NP
|
LITTLE
BITTERN Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
Gray
Heron iSimangaliso
|
BLACK-HEADED
HERON Ndiza Inn, St Lucia
|
GOLIATH
HERON Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
PURPLE HERON Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
Great Egret
iSimangaliso
|
INTERMEDIATE
EGRET St. Lucia estuary
|
Little Egret
iSimangaliso
|
Cattle Egret
Protea Hotel
|
Squacco Heron
Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
Striated Heron Kruger
NP
|
Black-crowned Night-Heron Wakkerstrom Wetland Reserve
|
Glossy Ibis
Protea Hotel
|
Sacred Ibis
Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
SOUTHERN
BALD IBIS Mpumalanga
|
HADADA
IBIS Protea Hotel
|
AFRICAN
SPOONBILL St. Lucia
|
SECRETARYBIRD
Wakkerstroom
|
Osprey
Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
BLACK-SHOULDERED
KITE Wakkerstroom
|
PALM-NUT
VULTURE Umalazi
|
WHITE-HEADED
VULTURE Kruger NP
|
LAPPET-FACED
VULTURE Kruger NP
|
HOODED
VULTURE Kruger NP
|
WHITE-BACKED
VULTURE Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
CAPE
GRIFFON Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
BATELEUR
Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
BLACK-BREASTED
SNAKE-EAGLE Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
BROWN
SNAKE-EAGLE Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
FASCIATED
SNAKE-EAGLE Ndiza Inn, St Lucia
|
MARTIAL
EAGLE Kruger NP
|
LONG-CRESTED
EAGLE Dlinza Forest
|
WAHLBERG'S
EAGLE Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
TAWNY
EAGLE Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
GABAR
GOSHAWK Kruger NP
|
AFRICAN
MARSH-HARRIER Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
BLACK
HARRIER Wakkerstroom
|
SHIKRA
Kruger NP
|
LITTLE
SPARROWHAWK Dlinza Forest
|
BLACK
GOSHAWK Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
Black Kite Teza
|
AFRICAN
FISH-EAGLE iSimangaliso
|
COMMON
BUZZARD Mpumalanga
|
KORI
BUSTARD Kruger NP
|
WHITE-BELLIED
BUSTARD Eastvaal District Council
|
BLUE
BUSTARD Wakkerstroom
|
RED-CRESTED
BUSTARD Kruger NP
|
BLACK-BELLIED
BUSTARD Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
AFRICAN
RAIL Wakkerstroom Wetland Reserve
|
BLACK
CRAKE Kruger NP
|
AFRICAN
SWAMPHEN Wakkerstroom Wetland Reserve
|
EURASIAN
MOORHEN Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
RED-KNOBBED
COOT Wakkerstroom Wetland Reserve
|
WATER
THICK-KNEE iSimangaliso
|
SPOTTED
THICK-KNEE iSimangaliso
|
Black-winged Stilt St. Lucia
|
Pied Avocet
St. Lucia
|
BLACKSMITH
LAPWING Muzi Pan
|
WHITE-HEADED
LAPWING Kruger NP
|
CROWNED
LAPWING Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
WATTLED
LAPWING Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
KITTLITZ'S
PLOVER St. Lucia
|
COMMON
RINGED PLOVER iSimangaliso
|
THREE-BANDED
PLOVER St. Lucia
|
WHITE-FRONTED
PLOVER St. Lucia
|
GREATER
PAINTED-SNIPE Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
LESSER
JACANA Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
AFRICAN
JACANA iSimangaliso
|
Ruddy Turnstone St. Lucia
|
Ruff St.
Lucia
|
Curlew Sandpiper St.
Lucia
|
LITTLE
STINT St. Lucia
|
AFRICAN
SNIPE Wakkerstroom Wetland Reserve
|
COMMON
SANDPIPER St. Lucia estuary
|
COMMON
GREENSHANK Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
MARSH
SANDPIPER Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
WOOD
SANDPIPER Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
SMALL
BUTTONQUAIL Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
COLLARED
PRATINCOLE iSimangaliso
|
Gray-hooded
Gull St Lucia--bridge
|
Caspian Tern
St Lucia--bridge
|
Whiskered Tern
Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
GREAT
CRESTED TERN St. Lucia
|
DOUBLE-BANDED
SANDGROUSE Kruger NP
|
Rock Pigeon
Protea Hotel
|
SPECKLED
PIGEON Protea Hotel
|
RAMERON
PIGEON Dlinza Forest
|
DELEGORGUE'S
PIGEON Dlinza Forest
|
MOURNING
COLLARED-DOVE Kruger NP
|
RED-EYED
DOVE Protea Hotel
|
RING-NECKED
DOVE Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
LAUGHING
DOVE Protea Hotel
|
EMERALD-SPOTTED
WOOD-DOVE Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
NAMAQUA
DOVE Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
AFRICAN
GREEN-PIGEON Kruger NP
|
LIVINGSTONE'S
TURACO St. Lucia
|
KNYSNA
TURACO Ndiza Inn, St Lucia
|
PURPLE-CRESTED
TURACO Eshowe
|
GRAY
GO-AWAY-BIRD Kruger NP
|
WHITE-BROWED
COUCAL St. Lucia
|
DIDERIC
CUCKOO Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
KLAAS'S
CUCKOO Kruger NP
|
AFRICAN
EMERALD CUCKOO Dlinza Forest
|
BLACK
CUCKOO Kruger NP
|
RED-CHESTED
CUCKOO Dlinza Forest
|
AFRICAN
GRASS-OWL Wakkerstroom
|
Barn Owl
Kruger NP
|
AFRICAN
SCOPS-OWL Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
SPOTTED
EAGLE-OWL Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
PEARL-SPOTTED
OWLET Kruger NP NP
|
FIERY-NECKED
NIGHTJAR iSimangaliso
|
SQUARE-TAILED
NIGHTJAR Kruger NP
|
Alpine Swift
Mpumalanga
|
LITTLE
SWIFT St Lucia--bridge
|
HORUS
SWIFT Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
WHITE-RUMPED
SWIFT Protea Hotel
|
AFRICAN
PALM-SWIFT Protea Hotel
|
SPECKLED
MOUSEBIRD Protea Hotel
|
RED-FACED
MOUSEBIRD Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
NARINA
TROGON Dlinza Forest
|
Eurasian Hoopoe iSimangaliso
|
GREEN
WOODHOOPOE Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
COMMON
SCIMITARBILL Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
SOUTHERN
GROUND-HORNBILL Kruger NP
|
CROWNED
HORNBILL St. Lucia
|
AFRICAN GRAY HORNBILL Kruger
NP
|
SOUTHERN YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL
Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
SOUTHERN
RED-BILLED HORNBILL Kruger NP
|
TRUMPETER
HORNBILL Eshowe--Birds of Paradise B&B
|
MALACHITE
KINGFISHER Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
AFRICAN
PYGMY-KINGFISHER iSimangaliso
|
BROWN-HOODED
KINGFISHER iSimangaliso
|
STRIPED
KINGFISHER Kruger NP
|
GIANT
KINGFISHER Outside Waakerstroom
|
PIED
KINGFISHER iSimangaliso
|
WHITE-FRONTED
BEE-EATER Kruger NP
|
LITTLE
BEE-EATER Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
European Bee-eater Mkhuze
Game Reserve
|
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER Kruger
NP
|
RUFOUS-CROWNED
ROLLER Kruger NP
|
CRESTED
BARBET Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
WHITE-EARED
BARBET Eshowe
|
YELLOW-RUMPED TINKERBIRD
Eshowe
|
PIED
BARBET Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
BLACK-COLLARED
BARBET iSimangaliso
|
LESSER
HONEYGUIDE Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
BENNETT'S
WOODPECKER Kruger NP
|
GOLDEN-TAILED
WOODPECKER Kruger NP
|
CARDINAL
WOODPECKER Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
BEARDED
WOODPECKER Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
LANNER
FALCON Kruger NP
|
BROWN-HEADED
PARROT Kruger NP
|
BLACK-THROATED
WATTLE-EYE A1147 Rd Kwazulu-Natal
|
WOODWARD'S
BATIS iSimangaliso
|
CHINSPOT
BATIS Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
WHITE
HELMETSHRIKE Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
RETZ'S
HELMETSHRIKE Kruger NP
|
BRUBRU
Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
BLACK-BACKED
PUFFBACK iSimangaliso
|
BLACK-CROWNED
TCHAGRA iSimangaliso
|
BROWN-CROWNED
TCHAGRA Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
SOUTHERN
TCHAGRA Dlinza Forest
|
SOUTHERN
BOUBOU Dlinza Forest
|
SULPHUR-BREASTED BUSHSHRIKE
Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
FOUR-COLORED
BUSHSHRIKE iSimangaliso
|
GRAY-HEADED BUSHSHRIKE
Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
GRAY CUCKOOSHRIKE Dlinza
Forest
|
BLACK
CUCKOOSHRIKE Kruger NP
|
SOUTHERN
FISCAL Protea Hotel
|
MAGPIE
SHRIKE Kruger NP
|
WHITE-CROWNED
SHRIKE Kruger NP
|
AFRICAN
GOLDEN ORIOLE Kruger NP P
|
AFRICAN
BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE Kruger NP
|
SQUARE-TAILED
DRONGO Dlinza Forest
|
FORK-TAILED
DRONGO Dlinza Forest
|
AFRICAN
CRESTED-FLYCATCHER iSimangaliso
|
AFRICAN
PARADISE-FLYCATCHER Dlinza Forest
|
CAPE
CROW Eastvaal District Council
|
PIED
CROW Protea Hotel
|
EASTERN
NICATOR Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
SPIKE-HEELED
LARK Wakkerstroom
|
SABOTA LARK
Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
RUDD'S
LARK Wakkerstroom
|
RUFOUS-NAPED
LARK iSimangaliso
|
FLAPPET
LARK Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
RED-CAPPED
LARK Wakkerstroom
|
LARGE-BILLED
LARK Wakkerstroom
|
PLAIN
MARTIN Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
Barn Swallow
iSimangaliso
|
WHITE-THROATED
SWALLOW Wakkerstroom Wetland Reserve
|
WIRE-TAILED
SWALLOW St. Lucia estuary
|
GREATER
STRIPED-SWALLOW Eastvaal District Council
|
LESSER
STRIPED-SWALLOW St. Lucia
|
RUFOUS-CHESTED
SWALLOW iSimangaliso
|
SOUTH
AFRICAN SWALLOW Eastvaal District Council
|
SOUTHERN
BLACK-TIT Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
SOMBRE
GREENBUL Dlinza Forest
|
YELLOW-BELLIED GREENBUL St.
Lucia
|
TERRESTRIAL
BROWNBUL Dlinza Forest
|
COMMON
BULBUL Protea Hotel
|
BLACK-FRONTED
BULBUL Protea Hotel
|
CAPE
CROMBEC Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
LITTLE
RUSH-WARBLER Wakkerstroom Wetland Reserve
|
BAR-THROATED
APALIS St. Lucia
|
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS St.
Lucia
|
RUDD'S
APALIS St. Lucia
|
GREEN-BACKED
CAMAROPTERA Dlinza Forest
|
MIOMBO
WREN-WARBLER Kruger NP
|
RATTLING
CISTICOLA iSimangaliso
|
LEVAILLANT'S
CISTICOLA Wakkerstroom Wetland Reserve
|
CROAKING
CISTICOLA Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
CLOUD
CISTICOLA Wakkerstroom
|
PALE-CROWNED
CISTICOLA iSimangaliso
|
WING-SNAPPING
CISTICOLA Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
TAWNY-FLANKED
PRINIA Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
BURNT-NECK
EREMOMELA Kruger NP
|
CAPE
WHITE-EYE Protea Hotel
|
ARROW-MARKED
BABBLER Kruger NP
|
DUSKY-BROWN
FLYCATCHER Dlinza Forest
|
GRAY TIT-FLYCATCHER
Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
ASHY FLYCATCHER Ndiza
Inn, St Lucia
|
SOUTHERN
BLACK-FLYCATCHER Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
BEARDED
SCRUB-ROBIN Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
RED-BACKED
SCRUB-ROBIN iSimangaliso
|
WHITE-BROWED
ROBIN-CHAT Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
RED-CAPPED
ROBIN-CHAT Ndiza Inn, St Lucia
|
CHORISTER
ROBIN-CHAT Dlinza Forest
|
SENTINEL
ROCK-THRUSH Wakkerstroom
|
AFRICAN
STONECHAT Wakkerstroom
|
BUFF-STREAKED BUSHCHAT Wakkerstroom
|
SOUTHERN
ANTEATER-CHAT Eastvaal District Council
|
MOCKING
CLIFF-CHAT Kruger NP
|
MOUNTAIN
WHEATEAR Wakkerstroom
|
CAPPED
WHEATEAR Wakkerstroom
|
GROUNDSCRAPER
THRUSH Kruger NP
|
KURRICHANE
THRUSH Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
KAROO
THRUSH Protea Hotel
|
WATTLED
STARLING Kruger NP
|
COMMON
MYNA Protea Hotel
|
VIOLET-BACKED
STARLING Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
RED-WINGED
STARLING King Shaka Intl Airport
|
BLACK-BELLIED
STARLING St. Lucia
|
BURCHELL'S
STARLING Kruger NP
|
AFRICAN
PIED STARLING Eastvaal District Council
|
GREATER
BLUE-EARED STARLING Kruger NP
|
CAPE
STARLING Eshowe
|
RED-BILLED
OXPECKER Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER Kruger
NP
|
COLLARED
SUNBIRD St. Lucia
|
OLIVE SUNBIRD Dlinza
Forest
|
MOUSE-COLORED SUNBIRD iSimangaliso
|
SCARLET-CHESTED
SUNBIRD Kruger NP
|
NEERGAARD'S
SUNBIRD Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
MARIQUA
SUNBIRD iSimangaliso
|
PURPLE-BANDED
SUNBIRD Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
WHITE-BREASTED
SUNBIRD Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
CAPE
WAGTAIL Protea Hotel
|
AFRICAN
PIED WAGTAIL St Lucia--bridge
|
AFRICAN
PIPIT Wakkerstroom
|
STRIPED
PIPIT Wakkerstroom
|
BUSH
PIPIT iSimangaliso
|
ORANGE-THROATED
LONGCLAW Wakkerstroom
|
YELLOW-THROATED LONGCLAW iSimangaliso
|
CINNAMON-BREASTED BUNTING Kruger
NP
|
GOLDEN-BREASTED BUNTING
Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
YELLOW-FRONTED CANARY St.
Lucia
|
CAPE
CANARY Protea Hotel
|
House Sparrow
Protea Hotel
|
CAPE
SPARROW Protea Hotel
|
SOUTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW
Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
YELLOW-THROATED PETRONIA
Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
RED-BILLED
BUFFALO-WEAVER Kruger NP
|
RED-HEADED
WEAVER Kruger NP
|
SPECTACLED
WEAVER Eshowe
|
CAPE
WEAVER Wakkerstroom
|
AFRICAN GOLDEN-WEAVER St.
Lucia
|
SOUTHERN
BROWN-THROATED WEAVER St Lucia--bridge
|
LESSER
MASKED-WEAVER St. Lucia
|
SOUTHERN
MASKED-WEAVER Protea Hotel
|
VILLAGE
WEAVER Eshowe
|
FOREST
WEAVER Dlinza Forest
|
RED-BILLED
QUELEA Waakerstrom
|
SOUTHERN
RED BISHOP Waakerstrom
|
FAN-TAILED
WIDOWBIRD iSimangaliso
|
LONG-TAILED
WIDOWBIRD Mpumalanga
|
GROSBEAK
WEAVER iSimangaliso
|
BLACK-TAILED
WAXBILL St. Lucia
|
COMMON
WAXBILL Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
SOUTHERN
CORDONBLEU Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
GREEN-WINGED
PYTILIA Mkhuze Game Reserve
|
AFRICAN
FIREFINCH Dlinza Forest
|
JAMESON'S
FIREFINCH Kruger NP
|
BLACK-AND-WHITE
MANNIKIN Dlinza Forest
|
Pin-tailed
Whydah iSimangaliso
|
VILLAGE
INDIGOBIRD Kruger NP
|
