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Friday, August 5, 2016

August 2016

Wow my first visit in months,the sanctuary is really flooded with water almost everywhere.Lots of waterfowl,ducks and flamingoes.My first sighting of a black crowned night heron in over 18 months and two African Purple Swamphens which is also a new sighting this year. Since the problems with the water the sanctuary has taken time to recover hence the excitement of the sightings mentioned above.Lots of Hottentot teal,Southern Pochard and the normal suspects.Blach Throated canary made an appereance and the yellow billed ducks are mating.With so much water around i was unable to access the back part of the sanctuary.Did spot a pair of Common Swifts and also White Throated Swallows.Not sure if the latter have over wintered or if they are new arrivals.

Photos to follow.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

February 2016

After 8 months of devastating drought conditions due to broken water pipes the sanctuary has water again. The sanctuary has been devastated with a huge loss of bird life, specials i would see on most visits have disappeared.Black Crowned Night Heron, Purple swamp-hen,Black Heron,Striated Heron,African Rail,Flamingo's and Little Bittern ,


Hopefully the birds will return and the sanctuary will recover,A lot of weeds everywhere and a surprising number of Curlew Sandpipers,at least a flock of 50 birds.A Rondebult lifer for me.

Curlew Sandpiper

 
Also got quite a lot of Ruff and a single Marsh Sandpiper.

Little Stint

 Spur Winged Goose

 Three Banded Plover

 Yellow Crowned Bishop

This breeding pair gave me an endless view of their mating ritual.Buzzing around in front of hide number 2 he flew from perch to perch displaying and puffing continuously as he tried to attract this lovely female.