24/09/2012

This Morning was really chilly.The wind blowing was hand numbing but did not lesson the good birding the sanctuary gave up.A lot of Greater Flamingo where on hand in fact the most i have ever seen here at least 70 individuals where present in a mixed flock of juveniles and adults.The ever present Swamphens and Little Bittern where seen at hide number 2. The White Throated Swallows are back as well as Squacco, BlackCrowned and Black Headed Heron.Water levels are very very low, I suppose this is the result of the water been turned of or diverted for the photographers.This in itself is not a problem but the resulting stench and huge amounts of thick green algae in front of hide number two is really not pleasant

01/09/2012

Have not visited at all this winter,other places to explore.A flying visit this morning on a rather warm morning which is surprising as spring day is normally quite cold on the highveld.Water levels are very high for this time of the year but the water is clean and devoid of the green seeds from last year.A lot of work has been done over the winter with new pathways laid out and paved to the hide number two. Part of the expanded works program I must say that the council has done good work here.The wooden path to hide number three is still dodgy and care must be taken when using it, a few of the slats are missing and some of them feel quite rotten and unsafe.

The picnic area is much as it was at the end of winter last year a dust bowl with the grass having been grazed by the resident wildlife and domestic geese.Hopefully the grass will recover in the months to come.The guard house at the entrance has been enlarged and modernised with an electric gate installed. The old house was rather small and pokey. No dumping signs have been erected at the entrance but dumping is obviously still taking place.

Not much in the way of birds today but a surprise where the flock of Greater Flamingoes, my first sighting of these birds in 18 months at Rondebult.

12/05/2012

A little chilly this morning so do not expect to see much. Even though it is cold the sanctuary is quite busy mainly photographers.Water levels have risen a lot and all the little islands in front of hides 3 and 4 are gone.The reed beds in front of hides 5,6 and 7 have been burnt and access to the waters edge is possible which is great .It has enabled me to see areas  i have not seen before.Not much action but a few nice pics.

21/04/2012

Swamphen

                                 I see swamphen every time i visit in front of hide number two.

                      Male Cape Shoveler

 Female Cape Shoveler

 Cape Wagtail

                                                                                                                              Common Myna

 Lesser Swamp Warbler

  Reed Cormorant enjoying a frog breakfast.

 This time of year Spur Winged Geese abound at the sanctuary and will provide a lot of good photo op's

  White Faced Duck

Winter here is always quite but will give good sightings of the more common birds.The areas in front of hide two,three and four have been cleared and the one perch in front of hide number three has been moved giving good morning lighting.Did not spend much time here today given I only arrived at 08.00 am and it was pretty busy.The dam in front of Hide number three is completely covered in green seed but there are huge numbers of coot, Egyptian geese,white faced duck,ibis,spur winged geese,little grebe and yellow billed duck giving much photo action but nothing else.Hide number two is the most productive from a pure birding point of view, given that the hide is right next to the shallows and the weeds have been cleared, close up views of swamphen, african rail,plovers and warbler are possible in the winter and the summer will produce sandpiper,swallow,little bittern and many more. Saturday produced some nice sightings.

11/03/2012

Arrived at 6.30 this morning. 16 degrees c and the water temp is 20 degrees c. Low water levels at hide number 3. lots of red knobbed coot and Egyptian geese. Hide number 2 produced African Purple swamphen close up and a reed cormorant having a frog breakfast.White throated swallows seem to have moved on but lots of Barn Swallow and white rumped swift. The dumping on the entrance road has got worse.The leaves on the white stinkwood are starting to turn yellow although i expect them to be in leaf for at least another 8 weeks.

Hooked up with a chap from Boksburg Camera Club and a couple had come through from Heidelberg. Also took a look at the Edenvale Camera Clubs site as i see them often at the reserve. Must say i think i could compete with there pictures given i am a birder who takes pics and not a photographer who takes pics of birds. 

07/03/2012

Autumn time here in Joburg and the mornings are getting a little chilly although considering the heat wave we have just come through anything under 25 degrees c is chilly.Strike season as well so i headed out to practice my photography skills. The new pathways to hide 3 and 4 are complete, dumping is still taking place on the new entrance road leaving a bad impression and lousy smell.A new lady guard today what a pleasant change from the other one who was always hitting me up for food and cold drinks and even cash on occasion. The water levels in front of hides 3 and 4 are very low showing islands that where never there before, the water is completely covered in the green seeds and a little algae. Eventually visited hide number 5,awesome view of the whole sanctuary and some nice birds spotted. I think this stretch of water will be good for some good sightings in the future.Not great for photography but awesome for birding.
today's pics

AFRICAN REED WARBLER

 AFRICAN SPOONBILL

 LITTLE BITTERN

 RED KNOBBED COOT

 SPUR WINGED GOOSE

 THICK BILLED WEAVER MALE BREEDING PLUMAGE

 WHITE FACED DUCK

25/02/2012

Arrived at 5.45am this morning cloudy but i expect it will clear soon,temp is 22 c and water levels are still low.They are laying new pathways to the hides which is great to see money been spent.Would rather they concentrated on the water levels and weeds but hey money spent here is always welcome. Have the place to myself which is great.Not much action but still managed to get a few pics.

Black Crowned Night Heron

                                                          RED BILLED TEAL

                                                                      SACRED IBIS

                                                        WHITE THROATED SWALLOWS

                                                         YELLOW BILLED DUCK

                                                                         Black Heron

This Black Heron was around for a good 50 minutes hunting and eventually took over the swallows perch which did not go done well with them at all. On my way out met a couple who had read my blog and decided to visit awesome.